Will:
Once more, the archer feels the malformed creatures hatred drilling into her and attempting to force her to lay down from the combat. But, driven by the knowledge that her faithful companions might not be as lucky as they were with the Carrion King, she overcomes the exhaustion, forcing it from her weary bones.
No more tricks dog man. I have been slain by the Carrion King, and returned to pay back the favor to the sleaze of Lamashtu a hundred times over. You will feels the will of Sarenrae as she guides my arrows into your unhallowed flesh.
And, with that she once more unleashes a torrent of shots at the creature.
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Unfortunately, fighting the creatures magic caused her tired fingers to release a moment early each time with the shots striking the creature, but just missing the vulnerable points in his armor (I think).
Karethas reaches out with Tempest again and tries to down a jackal.
The spelled gaze has some limited effect causing Kzrira's aim to falter, but she shakes off the creature's cursed glare. Amir seeks to feint, but finds the man-jackal savvy and his thrust is easily knocked aside. Karethas swings again, but the toothy jackal ducks and scrambles. Varkata reinforces her defenses with a shielding prayer and steps up behind Father Jackal.
Yipping in frustration at the archer's stubborn will, the embattled slaver turns his baleful gaze at the old rogue before him. His pets nip at the heels of the invaders, one on Karathas and two on Varkata, but their teeth do not catch any flesh.
The rogue slumps abruptly and falls to sleep.
Although she wants to continue to pelt the malformed horror, Kzrira realizes that the party's rogue is in danger of being taken out with one fell blow, so, rather than shooting, she squats and slaps the rogue hoping to awaken him from his sudden ill timed nap.
Standard: Aid Another to awaken Amir
Varkata snarls and swings her longsword at Father Jackal, calling upon the fury of her faith to add power to her blow.
Karathas keeps doggedly swinging at the jackal harassing him. This time he connects and the cur falls jerking spasmodically as it is electrocuted to death.
Upon seeing Amir collapse into a deep slumber, Kzrira immediately stoops and shakes him to rouse him from an ill-timed nap. The rogue merely moans loudly and her hand comes away damp with sweat and... shed hair. Before her eyes, the old rogue transforms into another of the fiendish jackals in Father Jackal's pack!
Father Jackal yips in joy only to gasp, cough blood, and die a moment later under the paired edges of Varkata's longsword and spiritual blade. The remaining two jackals immediately turn and bolt fleeing for their lives leaving the party to stare in disbelief at their yet unconscious, but horribly transformed friend.
Kzrira simultaneously smiles and shows a face of concern as the vile creature dies, but she realizes that her long time companion appears to be suffering from some type of grave disease or curse.
She looks to Varkata and Karethas:
What is wrong with him. What can we do to heal him?
Varkata watches Amir for a moment, and then offers her observations to Karethas.
The horror of his friend's transformation distracts Karethas from Varkata's input and keeps him from applying any reason to the situation. He finally is able to blurt out, "Tie him up! We will let the priests at the Vault look at him." He turns away from the old man, and uses the familiar words and gestures of casting Detect Magic to further calm himself. After a cursory search of the area, Karethas digs into his bag for a pair of potions. He hands one to Varkata before downing the other himself.
Varkata drinks the potion, trying to shake off the strange sense of imbalance and vertigo, and is pleased when things stay feeling much more stable, if not quite normal.
Kzrira holds her bow at the ready, scanning about the room and expecting something else to jump out at any moment.
Lets search this place and then get out of there. With whatever is effecting Amir, I do not think that it would be wise to continue our expedition much more. Father Jackal is down, lets just hope that he has a secret passage back up to the city since I really do not wish to drag Amir back through all those tunnels.
Perception:
Scanning the room for anything of note, also will search Father Jackal and then investigate his throne.
Karethas and Varkata make use of curative potions to ease the effects of their swim in the cursed fountain while they ponder the jackal that was Amir still lying asleep and unknowing of his fate.
Kzrira impatiently pushes on. She finds the throne to be of ancient make featuring an Ancient Osiriani jackal god. She down not find anything else of interest about it. Up the low stairs behind it however is a much larger room.
The ceiling rises thirty feet supported by pillars roughly carved with distasteful images of copulating beasts. The chamber is empty aside from an immense stone dais at the other end upon which stands an enormous basalt statue of a pregnant female form winged and with a three eyed jackal's head. There are low square doors to either side of the dais.
Varkata says, "I think we have to press on, just in the hope of an easier way out. "
Unsure of what to do with the old rogue, Kzrira adds her thoughts.
Well, you all stuffed me in that bag of holding for a few weeks. I suppose we could do the same with him as long as we open it to let air in every hour or so.
Kzrira will also take Amir's Ring +1, Amulet of Natural Armor +1, and Flaming Short Sword +1, and will strap on his Handy Haversash. If he is going in the bag, no reason to not use his equipment.
The throne is old, and appears to be one of the ancient Osirian deities. There is a large room beyond with some twisted statue of a pregnant mutated woman.
As Kzrira reaches to grab him and stuff him into a bag, the ugly big jawed jackal stirs blinking as it rises uncertainly to its feet. It stands trembling and confused looking up at it's companions. It is evident from the intelligence and horror in the jackal's eyes that Amir has retained his mind if not his form.
Karethas deduces that his friend must be suffering some sort of polymorph spell. He also notes that Father Jackal had magical breastplate armor, a magic khopesh and a belt of strength.
Kzrira jumps back in surprise.
Welcome back old man. I know you were ugly before, but, trust me, this is no improvement,
Trapped in this new form Amir struggles to get his bearings but he does offer a jackal like snarl at the archer in response...
Kzrira grins at Amir.
Don't worry, we will have you back to your old ugly self before too long.
Looking at the equipment, she shakes her head. (unless the breastplate is mithril in which case Amir might want it)
I think that most of this is best sold. I cannot use the sword and our equipment is already better for most of the other items.
Varketa nods, then pauses, then nods again. "Or at least is the same as ours."
She then shakes her head, trying to get rid of the fog, then asks, "So Amir is still Amir in there? At least nobody'll recognize him that way."
You ponder what to do with your trans'dog'rified companion and hear the approach of the freed slaves at the top of the trapped stairs. Haleen calls down to ask if it is safe.
Karethas looks aghast as Kzrira suggests placing Amir in the haversack, but the conversation quickly moves on. It is only when they are in the next room and Karethas is examining the statue that he casually offers, "I thought this would go without saying, but apparently it should be stated clearly: If I am ever transmogrified, please do not put me in an non-dimensional space, not knowing if I will be able to breathe or survive. It is one thing to place a dead associate in there with plans of resurrection or proper internment, but it is not a proper place for a live associate."
Varkata looks at Karethas, a look of concentration on her face as she tries to make sense of his words through the mental fog. Finally, she nods tentatively, then shoots the ranger a puzzled glance.
Amir offers a growl and bark after Karethas is done talking and pads closer to the wizard sitting down next to him in an attempt to make it clear what he "wants".
Kzrira locates the switch to reset the sliding stairs trap and the freed slaves join you. Even in her current state, Varkata has the intelligence to know a temple to Lamashtu when she sees it. The swollen breats of the statue continually dribble a clear liquid into a basin at its foot which drains beneath the floor and probably fills the fountain of unholy water into which Karethas fell, he thinks.
He also notes that the three eye are in fact each a glittering ruby worth something for certain.
Varkata says, "Need to smash statue, stop badwater. Sacred to Mother of Monsters."
Kzrira looks at the statue:
Lets see what I can do. If this does not work, then Karethas, do you have any summons left to beat on the statue?
With that, Kzrira draws a blunt headed arrow and fires it at the statue, hoping to hit one of the eyes.
Attack-blunt arrow:
Damage:
If that works, she will keep firing, attempting to destroy the statue without actually touching it.
If the arrows do not work, I think summoning an earth elemental is a good option. Also, we can loop a rope around it and pull it down.
After the arrow bounces off without even chipping the basalt, Kzrira sighs.
It was worth a try.
She then looks to Karethas and Varkata. Either of you able to determine whether there is anything magical or trapped about this horrid statue. I really want to bust it up, and perhaps take the eyes to help us fund whatever magics the Abdarians are going to extort from us to turn Amir from the bastard he is, into the bastard he is supposed to be.
Karethas sighs heavily, "Honestly, I have about exhausted all of my usefull magics, but I do have this that I have been saving for just such an occasion." He pulls out a nearly exhausted wand of Bullstrength. "And give me Amir's sash. He keeps a remarkable variety of items in there." He begins digging through the pockets of the sash. As he pulls out a crowbar, a hammer, and a miner's pick he asks Varkata, "Do you have any spells left to make yourself stronger?"
The priestess has at the idol with Father Jackal's own weapon and stupid brutal wrath. With time and great effort, she doesn't quite demolish it, but at least defaces it sufficiently. The dugs are chipped and cracked and the flow of unholy fluid from them stops. The head is shattered and the three rubies recovered. At last, weary and spent from this Assault on the den of a Slavelord, you head through the small portal and up the narrow stairs which leads out a secret door into an ancient ruined monastery in the Twilight District.
You have been underground some time and twilight is indeed nigh. Haleen and the other freed slaves breathe deeply of the fresh air. They all look thin and weak, but hope has rekindled in their eyes. Kzrira's foster mother gives her another hug. "I am sorry for what has happened to your friend, but it was a bold sacrifice and great thing done to destroy a vile fiend. I will take these people to the Docks where I have associates that will make sure they are reunited with any friends or family. What will you do now?"
Varkata says, "First, fix Amir. And fix me. Then find Ravi, make him pay, and rescue the Dean. Though don't know where they be."
The Steel Falcon operative nods. "I may be able to find out more about the dean. Where will you be if I need to reach you?"
Kzrira looks to Haleen:
I do not know what we will be doing next. I just hope we do not find you imprisoned again. You were lucky that the cur decided to kidnap the Dean, or we would likely not have stumbled upon you.
Kzrira fishes 10 gold out of her pocket.
It is not much, but buy them some clean clothes and get everyone a good meal.
She then looks to her companions:
First thing is definitely getting Amir back to his own self. It does not rain here much, but I am certainly not going to be camping with someone who smells of wet dog.
Then, we find out about the Dean.
She turns to Varkata:
Can you drunken patron grant you the ability to cure some of the harm we have incurred? I am fine, but obviously the rest of you were not so lucky against the vile creatures we faced.
Amir pads along silent, his ears laying flat and him offering a sharp bark at Kzrira's comment about Abadaran extortion (He was of the faith after all) otherwise he follows he can and patiently waits for some progress on his condition.
Haleen excepts the money with another hug. "Thank you again, my foster daughter. I hope you do not mind if I keep the arms and armor until I can replace my own. I will ask for you at the Immaculate Repository if I find anything else out."
You part ways then and the Heroes of Kelmarane proceed through the city with only a few strange looks at the well trained jackal that trails behind. Surely, it isn't the strangest pet seen in the City of Bazaars.
It is sunset, and the deadline for the ransom of the dean, when you reach the Temple of Abadar once again. You are met by one of the now familiar acolytes who looks slightly askew at a strange jackal treading the polished tiles of the nave. He bows asking how he may be of service.
Varkata says, bluntly, "Break enchantment. Restoration. Fix us, then we talk."
Kzrira smiles at the acolyte.
Evening. We seem to have run into a bit of trouble from one of your competitors. The Mother of Beasts seemed to have established a bit of a temple in the sewers. My companions here all seemed to have not agreed with her ways. You adherent Amir most of all. As she says this last part, she points down at the jackal. We are hoping that you or your superiors might be able to aid us as there is a man whose life is in jeopardy and we do not have time to delay.
The acolyte seems taken aback by the sudden barrage of demands and explanations. "I, uh... yes, but... I am sorry, but the Master of the Vault is busy and won't likely be available tonight. I am sorry, but perhaps you should just get some rest and return in the morning. The jackal certainly seems healthy enough to wait until then."
Karethas ponders their situation as the group is walking to the temple, before entering he seems to be hit with sudden inspiration. "Varkata, have you prayed for Dispel Magic for today? Could you cast it on Amir to restore him?
Karethas smiles at the acolyte, "Let me explain the importance of getting our friend here restored quickly. Hashim Ibn Sayyid himself has given us a very important and time sensitive task to complete, one which the Master is aware of. We do not have time to wait on getting our friend restored so we can continue to carry out that task. Since the Master seems to be busy, is there anyone else here who can restore my polymorphed friend? If no one else is capable, then I suggest you get word to the Master that we are waiting. He may find our need important enough to be bothered to see us more quickly."
The acolyte just shrugs again. "Actually, the Master was summoned to the Pactmasters Palace just before you arrived. I am surprised you did not pass him on the way."