This time it is Amaya that reacts (over reacts?) to Cassian's warning, quickly casting a blessing of speed on everyone in range then encouraging them to defeat the apparently creature before it smashes them all with a foot or something.
Gravlax runs up to the monster and attacks. The demon proves to be quick on its hooves as it snaps out at Gravlax with a bite, () which glances off of Gravlax's armor. Gravlax picks an extremity, and has at it. The demon is revealed in all its horrific glory, the amalgamation of creatures that should not be put together. Gravalx scores a light wound along the creature's tail.
"Sarenrae bless us, everyone." Fiosa sounds entirely sincere about the prayer, even if it is a little hokey.
Zsz moves a bit closer, and begins chanting words in a language long dead. And Azhar's entire body quadruples in size. Still making him less than one-quarter the size of the creature in front of them.
;
Tarvi forms a dagger of pure shadow from her magic, which quickly zips past the demon to stab at his kidneys (or where his kidney's would be if it were human). () The tiny weapon doesn't come close to penetrating the demon's armor - but it is there to distract the creature from her brother, in case Gravlax is removed from flanking.
Azhar -48, -3 STR drain
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▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓PP▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓
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P = Pillar
S = Demon
A = Azhar
C = Cassian (w/Rygel)
G = Gravlax
Z = Zsz (no doubt flying)
Y = Amaya
F = Fiosa
M = Mathalen
i = Mithra
T = Tarvi
Gravlax takes a step to the side and tries again. "I can't decide if fighting these things is better or worse than a handful of succubi." A pause. "Than fighting a handful of succubi."
plus if relevant precision, ignoring the first 5 points of stateful DR
plus if relevant precision, ignoring the first 5 points of stateful DR
plus if relevant precision, ignoring the first 5 points of stateful DR
plus if relevant precision, ignoring the first 5 points of stateful DR
AC 26(current AC:25), touch 14, flat-footed 22. . (+9 armor, +4 Dex, +3 amulet,
(+1 haste, -2 enlarge))
50% miss chance unless can see or hit ethereal then 20%
hp 195 (15d10+45) Current: 195
Fort +16, Ref +16 (haste, enlarge), Will +10 (+3 charm/+4 fear)
Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5
to hit1: 72hp
to hit2: 63hp
to hit3: miss
to hitH: 74hp
Azhar takes his sudden increase in stature in stride, laying into his opponent with ferocious blows. His blade drinking much deeper than would otherwise be possible, crushing ruthlessly through the armored carapace with ease.
"Don't jump." he cautions Cassian amiably as his jovar whistles comfortably above the rogues head.
"Rygel, you tend to your new subjects. Fiosa, you want a tour? Or something to drink before I get one of my boys to escort you home?"
plus 2 STR
plus 2 STR
plus 2 STR
plus 2 STR
plus 2 STR
plus 2 STR
Fort Save DC 22:
Overcome SR:
Text: Zsz hurls mighty magic at the demon. It does absolutely nothing.
Active effects:
Mage Armor (+4 AC)
Extended See Invisible
Extended Death Ward (+4 to saves against death spells and death effects; can save even if saves not normally allowed; immune to energy drain and negative energy effects)
Communal Tongues
Overland Flight
Greater False Life
Extended Greater Heroism (+4 to attack rolls, saves, and skill checks; immunity to fear effects, 15 temp hp)
Moment of Prescience
Bless, Bardic Music
AC: 28
Saves: Fort +17, Ref +20, Will +20, immune to fear/energy drain/negative energy, +4 vs death effects
Hit points: 109 normal, 37 temp
Amaya and Mithra move up so that they will be close enough to help if someone goes down. And Amaya continues her encouragement to "Kill it, kill it NOW."
Gravlax takes a step to the side and tries again. "I can't decide if fighting these things is better or worse than a handful of succubi." A pause. "Than fighting a handful of succubi." Apparently the reminder of what is to come works for Gravlax, because all of his blows connect, only a little repealed by the creature's vile flesh.
Fiosa motions to those in melee, and their bodies begin to glow with light, ever so briefly.
Zsz hurls mighty magic at the demon. It does absolutely nothing.
Azhar takes his sudden increase in stature in stride, laying into his opponent with ferocious blows. His blade drinking much deeper than would otherwise be possible, crushing ruthlessly through the armored carapace with ease.
"Don't jump." he cautions Cassian amiably as his jovar whistles comfortably above the rogues head.
And before the demon has a chance to teleport away, Azhar cleaves through its carapace and the vulpine head is lopped off.
Cassian breaks out some wands.
Restoring Azhar
UMD:
Healing Azhar
"One less creature that really should not be on this plane." Azhar comments, cleaning his sword and suddenly getting a vision of snakes for some reason.
Cassian breaks out some wands.
"Thanks Cassian." he says rolling his shoulders, "That feels a lot better."
The jungle grasps at the feet of a great tor of black stone, which towers into the sky above. As it rises towards the stars, the stone darkens and gains a glassy sheen, ending in a tall thin tower high above - a shimmering spire of porphyry and obsidian. The stars are mirrored in the glassy sides of the spire, as though in supplication to the heavens. A winding stair climbs the stone, leading to the wide double doors into the imposing structure.
Outside the double doors are three tall skinny men in robes. When the group is 90-feet from the doors (although moving to the doors would take longer since the stairs wind along the curve of the tor), a thin yet powerful voice asks (in their heads),
One of the tall humans is leaning over the edge, looking down towards the group. In the starlight - where one would expect eyes and a mouth - there is only smooth skin.
Azhar blinks, looks to Zsz to see if she wants to be the one to field their questions. He doesn't much care for telepathy when it isn't coming from a friend.
Zsz shrugs. "Uh ... we are here for ... rest. And fulfillment."
The voice again, The man moves away from the edge, back next to the pair flanking the double doors.
Once at the top all three follow the movement of the group (even Cassian), silently waiting for the group to move to the double doors.
Azhar does move to the double doors, but waits for an indication from Zsz or Cassian before attempting to open or even touching them.
Zsz joins Azhar at the doors.
Cassian will have a look around for traps, and assuming the all clear, will lead the way through.
The metal door is unlocked and opens easily.
Inside is a beautifully decorated 60-ft wide trapezoidal room. The walls are carved with Shelynite iconography and a subtle incense scents the air. Along the wall there sumptuous pillows for resting, contemplation of the walls. In the center of the room are seven people, all dressed in loose white robes, all attractive and most in the prime of their vigor.
Clearly unconcerned about invaders, one of the people, a human male in his late twenties, turns and sees the group. He smiles invitingly, tapping one of his companions, this one a half-elf, and "Welcome travelers. You have reached the Shrine of Rest and Fulfillment."
Another of the group, a pert human woman, smiles with promise. "Perhaps you would like to wash the dust and grime of your journey?" She vague motions to an opening in the wall behind them. "Or if you are hungry one of us can show you to the Garden of Plenty."
Gravlax frowns, uncertain what to make of this.
Cassian ignores the people and peers through each of the arches.
Religious significance? What could there possibly be of religious significance here?
Through the right archway Cassian finds another room edged in comfortable pillows and a mattress. There are a number of shelves filled with a varity of preserved foods - pickled, canned, smoked.
There are five people in the room, most opening a jar to taste the contents, but there is one woman with pale blue skin curled up on a pillow sleeping. At just the edge of Cassian's darkvision (as the rooms are only lit by dim wall sconces) he sees another archway on the far side of the room.
Through the left archway, is a room with instruments on every flat surface. Sitting crosslegged in the middle of the room is a human man with the olive skin on a Kelishite playing a soft lullaby on a set of flutes. Around the room, watching the man are three couples, intertwined. And at the far side of that room - another archway.
The young man who greeted them approaches Tarvi, Amaya, and Mathalen, holding out his hands in greeting and a friendly smile. "Surely you don't want to be hungry?" He says, motioning towards the right archway.
Cassian returns and relays the information to the group.
Gravlax smiles and nods at people as their gaze passes across him. "I wasn't expecting so many," he says quietly.
The young man who greeted them approaches Tarvi, Amaya, and Mathalen, holding out his hands in greeting and a friendly smile. "Surely you don't want to be hungry?" He says, motioning towards the right archway.
"...and think of how fulfilling it will be to eat after we let ourselves get just a little hungrier," Gravlax says to the young man.
The man looks at Gravlax, just the slightest hint on confusion in his eyes, before it clears and he smiles. "Oh, of course."
He points to the left, "There is music there."
The woman who spoke, moves up to Gravlax and takes his arm with her hands, her curves sliding against his side. "Or maybe you want to get cleaned up while you build an appetite?" Tugging him ever so gently in the direction of the arch that leads to the bath.
Unlike the others in the room who seem to honestly want to please and make the group happy, this woman has far more focus and cunning in her eyes.
If this is Gravlax reading this, there is just the slightest edge of coldness in her grasp.
Cassian nods to Mathalen, but holds a staying hand out, out of sight of Gravlax's new pal. Should Gravlax head in the direction of the bath, Cassian follows, fingers drumming lightly on the hilt of the cold iron blade.
"Gosh, I really appreciate it," Gravlax says. "But we've come a long way to speak with your mistress, and really that is what will make us happiest."
He looks around.
"Is she about?"
This time it is the girl who looks a little confused, but that doesn't affect her loose hold on Gravlax's arm. She pouts a little.
The man on the other hand smiles broadly at Gravlax. "Of course!"
"She is everywhere," he says motioning around them, "and she listens to all who create beauty in her name." With an absolutely earnest nod, "What kind of artist are you?"
Gravlax stops for a moment. His forehead wrinkles. Then it smooths out as he remembers.
"I speak things in a pleasing tone," he says. "I declaim. What kind of artist are you?"
The woman lets Gravlax go, turning to Zsz with a smile. "Would a bath please you? Or maybe some fruit from the garden?"
The man smiles at Gravlax, he holds up his hands, which have traces of old scars from work, then his forehead creases just the slightest bit and his hands drop. He smiles at Gravlax, "Then we are two of the same. I tell the stories when the Sequestered need to hear them."
,
The woman lets Gravlax go, turning to Zsz with a smile. "Would a bath please you? Or maybe some fruit from the garden?"
"Probably," Zsz replies, "But neither so much as an extended disquisition on the history and theology of your fascinating shrine."
The man smiles at Gravlax, he holds up his hands, which have traces of old scars from work, then his forehead creases just the slightest bit and his hands drop. He smiles at Gravlax, "Then we are two of the same. I tell the stories when the Sequestered need to hear them."
"Stories? That sounds fascinating. I would like to--"
He shakes his head and sighs. "You know, it might be better knowing how and where to start here if someone could give us a tour. Then we can pick our p...leasure."
"Probably," Zsz replies, "But neither so much as an extended disquisition on the history and theology of your fascinating shrine."
The woman smiles, reaches out a hand for Zsz, "I'd be happy to tell you everything while I bathe you. Then both your body and your mind could be satisfied."
"Stories? That sounds fascinating. I would like to--"
He shakes his head and sighs. "You know, it might be better knowing how and where to start here if someone could give us a tour. Then we can pick our p...leasure."
The man smiles, "Of course." He starts to lead Gravlax (and anyone else who follows) to the right.
"This is the pantry. Foods from all over are brought here for you to try." He says as he passes through the room with many shelves.
This room is filled with lush foliage blooms with bright flowers and bearing sumptuous fruits. The long wall of this room has been made transparent and looks out over the lunar jungle and the starry sky beyond. There are a number of people curled up in sleep on the pillows around the edges of the garden. The man motions to the plants, "This is the garden, which provides all we need." He stops, blinks twice, pulls a fruit and offers it to Gravlax, "For you."
The garden also has an archway that leads into the bath.
Every inch of this chamber is covered in reflective glass, causing those walking through it to become disoriented by their own reflections appearing multiple times on every surface. Cushions litter the floor, surrounded by scented candles burning in ornate silver candleholders. The man starts to sway a little, disoreinted by the multiple reflections, but he seems just as pleased as before, "He we contemplate beauty and its place in the universe to please Shelyn."
The walls of this chamber are carved with mouths, from which blows a constant, soft wind, creating an eerie song of sighs. Luxurious furs litter the floor of this otherwise bare chamber. A few couples and a trio occupy a few of the furs in the room, unconcerned about being observed, their own voices melding with the song of sighs being produced by the room.
"Here we rest and enjoy the beauty of the body." This time, although he smiles at everyone that he is aware of, it seems a little brighter when directed at Mathalen.
He starts to pick his way around the coupling in the room.
Which brings the party to the room with the man playing the flute and the listening couples intertwined in private alcoves.
"Each one of us takes a turn to improve our ability to bring beauty to the world."
Bring everyone back to the entrance room. He motions to the arch, "And of course, the baths."
"What would bring you happiness?" The question directed to everyone.
The woman smiles, reaches out a hand for Zsz, "I'd be happy to tell you everything while I bathe you. Then both your body and your mind could be satisfied."
Azhar waits for Zsz to respond. If she goes with the woman, he will message her, ("Message if you need us.")
The man smiles, "Of course." He starts to lead Gravlax (and anyone else who follows) to the right.
The man motions to the plants, "This is the garden, which provides all we need." He stops, blinks twice, pulls a fruit and offers it to Gravlax, "For you."
Azhar hangs back, apparently appreciating the plants and fruits.
...at least until the others have put a little distance between them and he knows Cassian has spotted
Azhar sidles up to Amaya, putting his head close to hers.
[spoiler=Perception dc15]"Would you like to make something like this or do you think it's a little...extravagant?"Azhar can't help a quick glance to Amaya's face. He releases his breath, "Perhaps it would be better to just continue on, shall we?"
"Each one of us takes a turn to improve our ability to bring beauty to the world."
"Someday." Azhar whispers.
He motions to the arch, "And of course, the baths."
Azhar catches Amaya's eye again, this and the fruit seem to have had the strongest draw on him. "This place has an obvious attraction, but..." he looks around as if perhaps they should be doing something else.
The woman smiles, reaches out a hand for Zsz, "I'd be happy to tell you everything while I bathe you. Then both your body and your mind could be satisfied."
"That sounds ideal," Zsz replies, smiling.
Will Save DC 24:
Overcome SR if necessary:
Stealth to keep others from noticing: plus whatever modifiers are appropriate
Gravlax turns the fruit over and over in his hands absent-mindedly.
The woman smiles, reaches out a hand for Zsz, "I'd be happy to tell you everything while I bathe you. Then both your body and your mind could be satisfied.""That sounds ideal," Zsz replies, smiling.
The woman smiles brightly, taking Zsz's hand and leading her into the bath archway.
Gravlax turns the fruit over and over in his hands absent-mindedly.
A fox-eared woman walks in from the room of mirrored halls, she smiles at the group. A moment later, she says, "They are quite good." She plucks down a fruit and bites into it, the red pulp and juice running down her chin a little.
Through the archway, the group can see - barely through the steam of the baths - the woman motioning to the bath and smiling at Zsz.
Before Zsz casts the spell, the woman points out the wall of cubbies designed to hold clothes while the baths are enjoyed.
After the spell, she grins gamely, "Do you want help getting disrobed?"
Cassian takes the sights in, standing protectively by his sister.
After Azhar whispers to him, Cassian nods. "Rygel can get up there, no problem. Probably the best course of action."
Cassian seems to be paying attention to a specific number of the women present. Unfortunately for them, at least, he's got that look on his face he gets right before he kills someone.
Azhar returns the nod. "All right. I will stay by the window then. If Rygel needs me, I should be able to get there fairly quickly."
He calls after Amaya once Cassian has moved on, so as not to give away his position. "'Maya, will you join me?"
If he is paying attention to how Cassian is looking at particular women there, it does not seem apparent.
A moment later, she says, "They are quite good." She plucks down a fruit and bites into it, the red pulp and juice running down her chin a little.
With a content sigh the fox-eared woman moves towards the pantry room. Sitting down on a mattress next to another white-robed inhabitant.
Checking on the woman in the pantry shows her to be curled around the other woman, fast asleep.
The tiny monkey carefully moves across the small arch connecting the shrine to the smaller plateau where Azhar spotted the metal plate. Once there, Rygel pulls at the edge of the metal to absolutely no end. Then he looks around, scampers over to a crowbar-shaped metal object, which he has to drag over the the metal covering. However, a small touch of the crowbar to the hatchway and it opens. Rygel looks in then backs off slowly.
("Well, that confirms it.") Azhar messages, eyes following the fox eared woman. ("Fruit here is short term goodness, long term suckiness.") he says with not just a little regret in his tone.
Rygel straightens and moves back to the edge of the now revealed hole.
It just does straight down. And Cassian gets the feeling more than the image of the blackness of the impossibly smooth bored hole.
Nothing to hold onto as you go down.
Cassian sidles over to Azhar, still focused on the women. "It's a hole. Straight down. There's not a cell can hold me, though this one... this one could make a good attempt."
The monkey moves back to the arch, his tail helping keep his balance.
The eyeless men outside open the door fully, allowing the monkey to move back into the shrine. Rygel takes his place on Tarvi's shoulder, perfecting his 'I'm just an innocent animal' routine.
Azhar's brow furrows. "A hole? Walls going straight down into nothingness? If anyone's going to check that out it'll probably have to be someone who can fly." He visibly shifts gears, "How many in here do you think are actually problems vs useful tools? I guess I can actually start talking to some of them, if needed."
"Fourteen of them I don't like, including that samsaran who's giving my monkey the eye."
"Got it. Anywhere in particular you want me?"