Gravlax swings at the monster that is reaching for Mathalen with a double-handed chop.
"That big one kinda looks like Drowned Jabe, doesn't it?"
Azhar's smile turns to the pretty foreign girl with purple eyes. "No, not yet anyway, it just wants to be buried in all of you." he seems very nonchalant about it.
Gravlax looks at the large weapon in the large man's hands. "...I know I said that I wanted a magical weapon, but that's not how I want it."
Gravlax covers them both as best he can without breaking Mathalen's hold, then snuggles in close.
"All right," Gravlax says. "Deal. Next time it's my turn."
Initiative
Rapier , , sneak attack
Dagger , , sneak attack
She thinks about that. "Well... the architecture does make for a perfect place to hide, if they have any intelligence at all... Which means that there is probably more than just the youngling."
She shakes her head, looking embarrassed, "Of course, the fact of a youngling probably suggests the existence of others." She nods in agreement to the small shop. Inside they are shown to a small table towards the back, probably in no doubt partially due to Amaya's unfasionable clothing, but a girl does come quickly for an order.
Azhar smiles at the waitress, "One raspberry soda, please. Large. and Thank you." his eyes turn back to those across the table from him that he could lose himself in all day if ever given the chance. He offers his hands across the table, palms up, the toe of his boot, touches hers.
"Of course there is more than just one," he says softly, "but in any one area..." he trails off, "I believe they tend to hunt solitary, or..and this would be a whole lot more dangerous, in groups known as "wings". I'm hoping it's the former."AC:18
hp: 55
Fort:5 ref:5 will:2
"Yes, yes he does." Azhar pauses for a heartbeat, "In fact I could have sworn I already said something to that effect." He would be looking at himself accusingly, were that not an impossibility without harming himself greatly.
to hit: Power Attack incl
dam: Power Attack inc.
other:
Cleave (if appropriate)
to hit: Power Attack incl
dam: Power Attack inc.
-2 AC if Cleaving
second chance strike:
to hit: Power Attack incl
dam: Power Attack inc.
Cleaving Finish (if appropriate)
to hit: Power Attack incl
dam: Power Attack inc.
don't thing rolled initiative in surprise round:
initiative: trait, FT, Amaya included
Amaya looks long and hard at Azhar choosing to keep a safe distance away from him, her eyes dark.
Azhar does notice. "Sorry, love, would you hold it then." he reverses it, holding it towards her, haft first.
so it preys on your already present urges then Melilot observes.
i am relieved to hear it
It is possible that Azhar colors very slightly.
The corner of his mouth quirks at the second.
Azhar does notice. "Sorry, love, would you hold it then." he reverses it, holding it towards her, haft first.Amaya looks long and hard at Azhar choosing to keep a safe distance away from him, her eyes dark.
"This is just laden with symbolism." Cassian stifles a yawn. "We almost done discussing the dreams and desires of something that doesn't have limbs?
"This is just laden with symbolism." Cassian stifles a yawn. "We almost done discussing the dreams and desires of something that doesn't have limbs?
Azhar smiles to himself, almost as if to say, and unfortunately you are not one of it's intended targets, for that would be far to convenient an excuse. not that I'd ever really do that, but speaking of dreams. He grins.
Azhar smiles to himself, almost as if to say, and unfortunately you are not one of it's intended targets, for that would be far to convenient an excuse. not that I'd ever really do that, but speaking of dreams. He grins.
As he is no mind reader, Cassian turns away halfway through Azhar's physics-defyingly meaning-laden smile, choosing instead to stand by the door, tapping his foot and waiting.
Her hand settles lightly in his, eyes distant. "Can we find out about where they like to nest or sleep? Maybe that would be easier than poking every statue to see if it moves?"
Moving ahead of the others who are fishing in the muck for more of the shiny coins spotted once the lacedons were dealt with, Cassian checks the door above the waterfall and determining it is safe, passes on that information and heads through.
Immediately through the door the surface changes from the filthy but polished marble to a twisting smooth polished gray stone. The surface shimmering with moisture and sloping down into a pitch darkness at a sharp angle.
Walking back to the apartment at least slightly weighted down by barbequed snake, the night dark and seemingly peaceful. A pause, "Do..." She stops, then starts again, "Should I get my stuff to leave after we drop off the meat at your place?"
Cassian secures a rope to the top of the slope for the others, lights his everburning torch, and heads silently into the dark.
"Um ... what?" He gives her a sidelong glance. "Leave? Why would you want to do that?"
The twisting downward slope continues a bit beyond the end of Cassian's rope before leveling out into another sculpted hallway. As he gets to the end of the hallway, Cassian can hear what sounds
like a distant, beautiful voice singing wordlessly in a low, rhythmic chant. The enchanting sounds are coming from a passageway to the right and the hallway continues on straight as well. There is nothing down either direction within the light of the everburning torch.
She is very carefully watching her footing, the placement, the flagstones in the road, really anywhere but Gravlax. "I've been using your home as a place to sleep alot recently I... don't want to... be..." her voice trails off. And the dirt must be mighty interesting from the way she watches it.
He keeps the same pace, but turns to look at her as he walks. "...don't want to be what?"
Continues on before giving her the chance to respond. "Mathalen, would you please stay the night with me?"
The passage twists a little, but Cassian can make out a reddish glow from down the passage. The surreal sound continues, not baiting so much as mournful.
Peeking ahead (not in the direction of the music) he sees a door, a sign above, in infernal, reading 'Observation'.
She looks over at him a smile in her eyes if not her lips, "I don't want to take advantage of you by staying." The smile reaches her mouth, "But if we are not at that point yet..."
"I'm not quite sure how you would take advantage of me by staying," Gravlax says, smiling softly, "So we can't be there yet."
Down a few twists and Cassian sees a circular pit takes up much of this room. Thirty feet above, dozens of strange shadowy stalactites descend from the ceiling, their lengths transforming after a few feet into iron chains that descend into a tangle of chains suspended over the center of the pit below which glows with the reddish light filling the room — the tangle wraps and suspends what appears to be a mutilated humanoid body at its core. Many chains dangle from this sphere into the depths of the pit below, but several chains float and writhe in the air like strands of seaweed in a churning tidepool, the tips of each fragmented and flaking away in bits of rust.
The song is coming from the chains as the slide against another. While the 'arms' of the creature look like they could be quite dangerous, they move without direction or thought.
She bumps his shoulder lightly with her own, "That's because you are a far better person than myself."
A little while later, "The big guy did a good job on this meat. I can think of a few places in Cader that can always do with a little extra food..."
"...are you thinking of going tonight? Or first thing tomorrow?" Gravlax peers into the darkness.
As he is no mind reader, Cassian turns away halfway through Azhar's physics-defyingly meaning-laden smile, choosing instead to stand by the door, tapping his foot and waiting.
Azhar looks to Amaya for a response. Cassian, tapping foot and all, can wait.
Her hand settles lightly in his, eyes distant. "Can we find out about where they like to nest or sleep? Maybe that would be easier than poking every statue to see if it moves?"
Azhar smiles softly, "Exactly. And that's what we'll be looking for." His hands close on hers, with a soft squeeze then rub them encouragingly. "We'll obviously be looking for detritus, remains of their prey and some such, but what do they excrete? Rocks?" Azhar looks a trifle disgusted. "I'm not sure and the books I've looked through so far have been less than helpful." he looks over fondly at Amaya, "which is why I'm so glad you agreed to get away with me for a while." he looks up at her almost shyly, takes a breath, then smiles again, "it makes me feel so much better."
knowledge religion
knowledge religion
knowledge religion
knowledge religion
Sense motive
As he is no mind reader, Cassian turns away halfway through Azhar's physics-defyingly meaning-laden smile, choosing instead to stand by the door, tapping his foot and waiting.Azhar looks to Amaya for a response. Cassian, tapping foot and all, can wait.
Amaya looks at Azhar, her face set in suspicious lines. "I would far less likely to succeed in killing everyone if the evil weapon takes over my mind." Her tone flat.
Amaya looks at Azhar, her face set in suspicious lines. "I would far less likely to succeed in killing everyone if the evil weapon takes over my mind." Her tone flat.
He smiles at her reassuringly, "It's not that strong. If you don't want to hold it, I'll leave it here if it'll make you feel better. I'd never keep something that I truly thought would put you in danger, 'maya. Honest." Azhar puts the glowing glaive down, haft still close to Amaya.
Amaya looks at Azhar, her face set in suspicious lines. "I would far less likely to succeed in killing everyone if the evil weapon takes over my mind." Her tone flat.He smiles at her reassuringly, "It's not that strong. If you don't want to hold it, I'll leave it here if it'll make you feel better. I'd never keep something that I truly thought would put you in danger, 'maya. Honest." Azhar puts the glowing glaive down, haft still close to Amaya.
She moves away from the weapon slightly, not with fear but the respect one would show a live poisonous viper. She looks at it, "It will no doubt sell well in Westcrown."
"No doubt. We'll pick it up on the way out then." Azhar shrugs, stands and moves towards the door.
if bursting is required
undead thingy 1 save
undead thingy 2 save
initiative
Jask
The old man's bushy eyebrow rises, "Your ears may be a bit pointed but I don't think you'll pass for one of the elves and they don't allow others into their capital." Jask, at least, is not at all offended by this, after all if there weren't differences in cultures the world would be far too bland.A pause, "I remember being that young." The voice wistful.
Larko
His tone does indicate a positive familiarity, but it is neither familial nor romantic, more professional.Larko shakes his head, "Only if you need to wet your whistle." Explanation, simple and straightforward, "I'm not really a drinker."
"
"It could happen, never say never." He smiles."And when were you young?" He ribbs. Then, frowns. "Anyway, it's a pipe dream. When a woman likes you, she tends to stick around. Sasha's done nothing but run from me since the moment I met her.
"Then why do you always hang out in bars?" Rev asks, since the other times he has looked for Larko, the man has been found in a pub or a bar. "I'll not push you, if you don't want to go." He adds, since Larko sounds reluctant, and Rev isn't about to goad the dark human into being seen, or spending time with the Tiefling if he doesn't want to be.
He doesn't say it, but it's pretty clear on his face, unprofessional children…Melilot favors Rev with an enigmatic smile.
Rev frowns at Melilot.
"That big one kinda looks like Drowned Jabe, doesn't it?"
Yep, don't let them touch you, if you can at all avoid it. Rev shares the information from the knowledge religion spoilers. "The creatures in the water are undead flesh eaters known as lacedons, aquatic versions of the slightly more common ghoul. The slightly larger one, is actually an aquatic version of a ghast, a far more powerful cousin to the ghoul. Ghouls have a touch that paralyzes, a perfect means to trap their favorite food - still living flesh. Yum. In addition to having a far nastier paralytic touch, ghasts exude an odor of rot and death that overwhelms anything living near it, so hold your breath if you can."
Rev
Amaya
Failure means sickened for minutes.
"Yes, yes he does." Azhar pauses for a heartbeat, "In fact I could have sworn I already said something to that effect." He would be looking at himself accusingly, were that not an impossibility without harming himself greatly. And his jibe at the unseen forces that quieted his words does not prevent him from swinging at 'Jabe'. His sword bites deep into the undead flesh... but not deep enough.
Jabe snarls at Azhar, striking out with his claws then lunging forward, teeth snapping. One of the claw and the large teeth break through both Azhar's guard and his armor ripping flesh. Azhar freezes in mid-motion, paralyzed.
Gravlax takes a quick step towards the water, moving into position to flank the monster near Cassian however, he swings at the monster that is reaching for Mathalen with a double-handed chop. His use of his black blade is successful, especially with the blonde halfling providing flanking for him.
Amaya looking green at the stench, leans against the wall, croaking out a few bars of an uplifting Andorean song.
At almost the exact same moment, as if he was waiting for someone to distract the undead near him, Cassian pulls rapier and dagger and attempts to stick the flanked monster. His rapier and just barely his dagger do just so the perfectly placed blows returning the creature to a truly dead state.
Melilot takes a step back and taps the creature in front of her on the forehead with her slingshot. The forehead caves in and the lacedon drops with a meaty splash into the muck.
Mathalen, unable to get to either of the remaining undead through the press of bodies, looks around her guard high. Janiven with a quick look around the room, takes an easy aim at Jabe, her arrow removing what little brains he had left. Fiosa, relief clear at how easily you all destroyed the undead, moves to stand over Jabe's fallen body and lays a healing hand on Azhar's arm.
Lacedon2 -37 destroyed
Lacedon3 -57 destroyed
Jabe -38 destroyed
Azhar -16 paralyzed 2 rounds, diseased
Rev sickened
Amaya sickened
.
.
.
.
.
↑████████████████████████
↑████████◊C◊◊◊◊█████◊████
◊███████◊d~~~~◊◊███◊◊◊███
◊██████◊G~≈≈≈≈~◊→→◊◊~◊◊◊█
◊←←◊◊J║Ld≈≈≈≈≈≈WWW≈≈≈~~◊║
███████M◊~≈≈≈≈~◊→→◊◊~◊◊◊█
████████◊R~d~~◊◊███◊◊◊███
█████████YAF◊◊◊█████◊████
█████████████████████████
◊ floor
↑←→ stairs (double movement, arrow pointed up)
║ door to howling hallway
W waterfall
~ shallow water
≈ deep water
D = Lacedon (d = destroyed)
B = Big Lacedon (now a b... cause dead)
A = Azhar
C = Cassian (and Rygel)
G = Gravlax
M = Melilot
R = Rev
Y = Amaya
F = Fiosa (standing over the fallen Jabe)
J = Janiven
L = Mathalen
Rygel chirps at the fallen ghouls. "They are not for eating," Cassian scolds.
Mathalen
Janiven's guard doesn't drop, now aiming above the waterfall. "So far I have no reason to think anything we find in here isn't trying to kill us." She certainly doesn't seem to be talking to anyone in the party.
mathalen attack if possible
amaya continue bardic, attack/heal
fiosa bless
Rygel chirps at the fallen ghouls. "They are not for eating," Cassian scolds.
The monkey's look is clearly: 'And why not?'
Her lips lift in response to his smile, slowly, but moving towards a brilliant smile herself. "Maybe we can meet with Gravlax, do a search of some of the places that are decently far from the light avenues?"
Voice dropping, "Or heck, use me as bait one night with the three of you following at a distance to rescue me from the big bad."
"Can't see in the dark." A shrugs, "Tomorrow. After work probably. need to work to eat."
"A very long time ago..."
Jask listens to the younger man, "Less of a pipe dream than visiting the stars and I'm pretty sure that people have done that." The old man's voice turns soft, "Seems to me you are making a great many assumptions about why or why not the red-haired woman did her moving. Sure maybe it was you but far more likely it was something else."
"If you aren't drinking, taverns and bars are good places to hear information in." His smile is slow, "Information or intoxication."
"Maybe someplace with good food, most bars are rot for grub."
Round 1 = cure light on Azhar
Round 2 = Ready to cast cure light on anyone else who might need it.
Jask
"A very long time ago..."Jask listens to the younger man, "Less of a pipe dream than visiting the stars and I'm pretty sure that people have done that." The old man's voice turns soft, "Seems to me you are making a great many assumptions about why or why not the red-haired woman did her moving. Sure maybe it was you but far more likely it was something else."
Larko
"If you aren't drinking, taverns and bars are good places to hear information in." His smile is slow, "Information or intoxication.""Maybe someplace with good food, most bars are rot for grub."
Rev voice is low, nearly a growl. He's thought about this a lot. Thought about leaving. Thought about chasing after Sasha. Discarded every impulse to do so. "Maybe I'm assuming, but it's not based on nothing. I pulled her into a kiss. Just one. And you know what, she kissed me back for a moment. And then she stabbed me and ran away. And the idiot that I am... I laughed. Because what else was I going to do? So when she decided she'd rather hunt dinosaurs that come here... what am I supposed to think?"
Rev returns the slow smile. "It's your town. Where's good?"
Perception dc25: FT included
AC:18
hp: 55
Fort:5 ref:5 will:2
Azhar remains paralyzed...unless for some reason he doesn't.
to hit: Power Attack incl
dam: Power Attack inc.
other:
Cleave (if appropriate)
to hit: Power Attack incl
dam: Power Attack inc.
-2 AC if Cleaving
Cleaving Finish (if appropriate)
to hit: Power Attack incl
dam: Power Attack inc.
Her lips lift in response to his smile, slowly, but moving towards a brilliant smile herself. "Maybe we can meet with Gravlax, do a search of some of the places that are decently far from the light avenues?"
Voice dropping, "Or heck, use me as bait one night with the three of you following at a distance to rescue me from the big bad."
Azhar's smile matches hers. "I love you so much." His hands squeeze hers. "Shall we see if we can find him and try out choice #1?"
"Just as soon as we finish our drinks?" her head cocking to the side in question.
The old man assess him with a steady gaze. "If you run in two different directions, you'll trip on your own feet."
The old man shakes his head sadly, "If she kissed you back then ran... it sounds like she is conflicted." He breathes deeply. "If you couldn't convince the girl to come here... then you may not be able to be close enough to her to find out what the conflict is, but if you go you can't watch over your brother."
"Unless you can convince him to go with you, of course."
Another pause, "She didn't seem fond of cities, from what I saw of her."
"There's a place just between Pena and Scriba that makes northern food that is filling." Once he sees Rev's assessment, he heads in that direction. A few blocks, a few narrow alleys, and the dark pair comes to an almost lost door, very few signs that the place is open to the public.
Once inside the place is cramped but clean with comfortable chairs. A heavy-set dark-haired woman drops off a short menu and asks for your drink order.
Jask
The old man assess him with a steady gaze. "If you run in two different directions, you'll trip on your own feet."The old man shakes his head sadly, "If she kissed you back then ran... it sounds like she is conflicted." He breathes deeply. "If you couldn't convince the girl to come here... then you may not be able to be close enough to her to find out what the conflict is, but if you go you can't watch over your brother."
"Unless you can convince him to go with you, of course."
Another pause, "She didn't seem fond of cities, from what I saw of her."
Larko
"There's a place just between Pena and Scriba that makes northern food that is filling." Once he sees Rev's assessment, he heads in that direction. A few blocks, a few narrow alleys, and the dark pair comes to an almost lost door, very few signs that the place is open to the public.Once inside the place is cramped but clean with comfortable chairs. A heavy-set dark-haired woman drops off a short menu and asks for your drink order.
The menu has more of a German vibe than the more standard Italian that is common in Westcrown.
"Azhar... thinks it's fine, if I go. He's still young enough to think life is romantic and that being the hero means you'll come out on top in the end." Rev knows better. Heroes die young. Good people suffer. Life is a struggle. ...He looks conflicted. "I promised our father I would look after Az until he was ready to look after himself. It was the only thing he's ever really asked of me. It's what I've been doing since Az was born and I came to live with father and Az's mother." A small pause. "I don't think he'll want to leave. He's found a girl he likes, he's got people to save. This is his Schlaraffenland. So that leaves me... what... do I go, is Az ready to be on his own, make choices that could get him killed without me to patch him up? Should I give up the chance to find out if there could be something between Sasha and I? ...I don't know what to do Jask. ...I have never wanted anything more in my life. Not even vengeance against my mother. Nothing... all I think of is that blasted red-head. I can't think straight, I can't sleep half the time, my concentration is shot. I just need to see her again. Share the same stars." Maybe Rev has a bit of a romantic in him after all. It's probably from his father's side. Not that Rev would admit it.
Rev nods. The place sounds fine. When they get there, he orders Glühwein. (Heated red wine with cinnamon, clove, and other spices) He looks over the menu.
"Just as soon as we finish our drinks?" her head cocking to the side in question.
Azhar cocks his head to one side, his smile turning more than a shade mischievous. "Drinks?" he asks inquisitively. And then after a pause, "Yes, definitely."
Rev frowns at Melilot.
Her lips twitch as she struggles not to laugh.
... he mutters under his breath in her direction.
because it would be wrong obviously she replies innocently.
Deadly Aim, Bardic Music included:
To Hit:
Damage:
Point blank shot is NOT included.
Gravlax waits for something more. to happen. He doesn't see anything to attack. If something rears its head, he attacks.