Ok so I assume that only one BB is standing right? The others are on the ground so I'll flurry the DC that's left
Attack
Dmg
Attack
Dmg
Anyways if anyone tries to get up, I'll trip them and get the stomp attack. If the standing BB attacks ill use redirection to trip them and get the AOO on the stomp. That should cover everyone.
The other DC takes a shot to the ribs, which hunches him over and the knee it takes to the forehead causes it to explode in a flash of light.
Both Ehad and the BB on the ground manage to shield their eyes from the flash.
Both Bugbears swing at Ehad with a growing sense of desperation.
Ehad quickly takes advantage of the overextended Bugbear and siezes his arm and attempts to toss him to the ground and it slams to the ground, and stomps on its chest.
[ for
I'll flurry the prone BB as the other is swinging wildly
Attack
Dmg
Attack
Dmg
Anyways if it tries to get up, I'll trip it and get the stomp attack. If the standing BB attacks ill use redirection to trip them and get the AOO on the stomp. That should cover everyone.
Reflex and Spellcraft
The tiefling flinches and his eyes shine back at his opponent, bits of his flesh smoke from the flame. He glares at the demon his voice growing colder and calmer"No, never like you, it is time for you to die." Salus's voice is measured and smooth as he steps into his opponent, droping his sword to the ground, and coming up with hands contorted into claws.
First and second
Damage first and second
"Its a start gentlemen." Boneyard turns his attention to the red gems. "Is this a better vantage point Cathlessra? Let's see how many of our gems here are magical."
The second swings wildly Just barely missing.
Ehad responds by throwing his leg out and attempting to trip it.
then once it is on the ground he stomps on it.
The bugbear seems to have a broken arm and ribs but still fights on.
The claws score across the demons flesh causing blood to spray out from onto Salus
The Demon again swings its blade twice and kicks.
It roars at being stymied yet again..
Ohhh, isn't that predictable there is one gem representing every school of magic. Her voice tinkles in Boneyard's mind.
Duardlon pipes up for the first time in days. What I wouldn't have given for a dozen of those during the siege...well the ones that blow up that is.
"Growing weaker yet, closer to oblivion?" Salus taunts, clearly a different man when using his claws rather than his sword. His wounds begin to reknit even as he rakes once more at his opponent.
Lay on Hands
First claw and damage
Second claw and damage
One claw connects again splattering blood that fizzles against Salus
The Demon steps back and sprays blood all over Salus
reflex
The tiefling presses his advantage against the demon even as he is wreathed in flame, his wounds continue to knit while vicious talons rake out at the abyss-spawned abomination's head.
Lay on hands
First claw damage
Second claw damage
Salus's claw tears into the demon's chest, where a humans heart would be. Before it winks out of existence it says You will fail. I will not forget you Know me as Bizrondax, you will see me again, and it will be as I tear out your heart.
Renthler stands still. Observing.
Salus stands over where the demon vanished into the ether for a moment. His claws return to the shape of normal hands and his expression shifts from the calm fiend-blooded to the righteous rage of the holy warrior and finally to the weary fatigue of a man grappling with inner demons more fearsome than any that he would ever face in the physical realm. He takes the few steps over to his fallen sword, muttering a prayer for forgiveness as he does so. With a flick of his fingers and a few words in the tongues of his ancestors the stains of battle are cleaned from his garb, hands, and weapon before returning the blade to its scabbard.
Turning to Renthler, Salus smiles painfully, his golden eyes somehow dimmed, "Will that be all or was there some new evil to confront?"
"Nice. One gem for each school. These can be nasty business Duardlon. Need to watch where you throw them."
With a few quick blows, Ehad will try to finish the beast off.
Attack
Dmg
Attack
Dmg
"No, healing will not be necessary" Salus combs a hand, paw-like, through his mane of grey hair, "Lead on." Salus follows after Renthler.
He points to a bell hanging by the far doorway. He gives one last smile and exits the room.
Salus moves to the chair in the corner he had occupied previously. He places his hands on his knees, palms up, and begins a meditative prayer. The words move seamlessly between Abyssal, Infernal, Common, and some Elven, and for those who speak enough of the languages it appears to be a prayer asking forgiveness. The position of his body and the way his lips move as if by rote suggest that he has done this very ritual countless times. But even as he prays his eyes flick back and forth across the room, constantly scanning, like some predatory animal on the hunt.
In response to the BB, I'll use the repositioning strike to trip him
Trip
Prone AOO
Damage
As the bugbear swing high, Ehad gracefully spins low to knock out the knees of the bugbear. The result leaves Ehad with a sore leg, but manages to get the job done. , Seeing his opponent fall to his knees, Ehad delivers a knee to his chest and smashes his rock hard head in the bloodied creatures face.
Flurry of blows:
Knee
Damage
Head
Damage
Btw has the darkness worn off yet? I'm curious to know if my 'interviewer' is seeing all this.
The fallen Bugbear's site returns just in time to see Ehad's skull crash into its face, and it also winks out of existence.
Casus. Grunts and turns a tripple flip off of the platform
Landing with a grace usually reserved for races other than human. Not bad, almost impressive the way you used their own attacks against them. Halwer wants you all healed up so drink this
He holds out a vial.
No this is not part of the test...don't ask. It is me being magnanimous.
"I thank you for your kindness, and I accept your gift. Though I am curious, what were those things? Had they any civility this task may have gone a little differently, but they seemed a tad to bloodthirsty for any sort of pleasantries." Ehad takes the vial and drains it's contense.
Casus grunts, Bugbears, were the big ones, they tend to be territorial, so they didn't like you. The little ones were Dark Creepers and they are nasty little brutes. The magic woven into the trap also coerces them to attack the one that set the trap off as well, not that it was needed. A shame the things aren't actually dead, less of those in the world wouldn't upset me.
He gestures to the doorway, ready to lead you back to the sitting room.
Ehad, seeing the mans gesture, heads back to the room they had previously waited in, sits at his previous place at the table, nods to everyone that is there, and continues eating his food. After a few minutes of eating. Ehad sits back a little and looks round the room firing off a short question to no one in particular. "So how did your test go? I assume well enough considering you're here."
Salus ceases his prayer and returns Ehad's nod, "Yes, well enough. Though I fear it may come back to bite me at some point." he says in his typically gentle voice.
Shortly after Ehad's arrival Fizzy returns looking concerned followed by Casus, and Renthler who are carrying Garrick. They set him down on one of the couches and worry over him.
Garrick's eyes are open and darting left and right, up and down, in different directions. After a moment Renthler breathes a sigh of relief.
He is alright, just in a trance. If I am not mistaken I believe he is having a vision, which if Trin's notes are accurate this happens to Garrick on occasion. Judging by the amount of Divine energy flowing into him right now, I would say we can expect this to be fairly lengthy, and I will be very surprised if he sticks around after he comes to again.
After a several minutes the butler returns
Mr. Pyke's test is taking a little longer than expected, I have been instructed to deliver these for your entertainment.
He places on the table a box containing cards and dice.
Renthler follows him in.
How bout some cards gents?
He tosses a copper onto the table and deals out three hands.
Salus lifts an eyebrow, "Yes, that could help with passing the time." The tiefling moves to the hand dealt him, placing his own ante on the table.
while I'm not particularly fond of gambling, a game of card is always fun. mumbles Ehad as he moves to better seat himself with the other players.
Renthler smiles, well I think after your performances today, and the pay I think we can afford coppers.
Renthler collects the ante and deals again
He tosses another copper in the middle and deals
As Ehad throws in another copper.
"Oh I hold little value in money. Rather, I dislike the grip it can get on a mans soul. I've seen good, but fooish men, lured by promises of riches, transformed into thieves and scoundrels."
Renthler smiles. Well said. It is up to us to control our urges and allow a vice to remain just that, a vice and not a sin.
Salus antes again.
"Money isn't a problem in and of itself, but rather the reliance on it. Evil tends to latch on to what we need, and twist. Vice becomes sin given time, remember evil is always trying to corrupt the soul, no matter how quiet it seems, no matter how innocent it appears."
What of those that do evil's bidding with no stake in the planning. The soldier that serves his country loyally and nobly. Is he evil because his king wages an unjust war, or perhaps his good king has been corupted by evil himself.
Renthler antes and deals again
The wolf eyes play over Renthler as Salus takes the third hand"There are certain codes that a soldier adheres to, he can follow most orders without corrupting himself. There are some things that a soldier may be ordered to do that will cause darkness to touch him however. While those giving the orders are responsible, the one ultimately at fault is the one carrying out the action. Such actions are unlikely to be ordered by most commanders, even those who are corrupted, the ones who do give such orders either have a specific tactic in mind or are driven to corrupt their soldiers, depending on the type of evil they are."
Salus arches an eyebrow looking at his hand, "There are two types of evil of course..."
Renthler waits for Ehad's play.
And if one is touched by darkness, how does one redeem himself? Or is it hopeless?
"The touched can always be redeemed," Salus says with conviction, and then quieter, "and I hope those who embraced it can be too."
"I find that, corruption can be mirrored to many things in nature. Lands may become desolate and barren devoid of all that is good. But given the proper mediums, it can be fruitful and productive, different than before yes, but productive none the less."
Renthler smiles reassuringly at Salus, then collects the pot.
Ehad, what is your story, why do you train your body to such perfection?
Ehad smiles a little, "not to delve to deeply but, I find that most answers to life can be found in the simplicity of nature. Even the weakest of streams can defeat the mightiest of mountains given the proper time. Similarly, I though small by comparison to most men, have found that with proper training over time, have learned to take what was once weak and make it strong. And, just as a river or stream can often have many sources, so to has my training. My apologies if I seem to have rambled on but I very much enjoy pondering the complexities of life and nature.
The tiefling closes his eyes after looking at his cards, "Its the small changes that we don't notice that have the greatest effect. We measure our lives by the time that goes by and the defining events that stand out in our memories, but sometimes its the small smile, the gentle caress, or even a dreary day that end up guiding us to our final destination."
Boneyard gently picks up each gem, quietly saying Cathlessra, listen close, make sure I don't make a mistake
He names off each gems school before gently setting it down next to the chest, making sure not to let them drop. The last one he removes is the evocation gem.
pfft is all he gets from Cathlessra
Lord Halwer, here is your fireball gem He places it carefully in the center of the table.
Halwer and Trinfulard raise their glasses to Boneyard and then drain their cups, Trinfulard refill them from the decanter on the table.
Renthler collects the pot with a smile. Then deals again.
And what gentle caresses of fate have guided the two of you here today I wonder?
To make things worse Varin returned to his shop and home in the worst part of the Docks District to find the door smashed open and though his premade product has been left alone all of his materials are gone. Varin can't help but think Tirn is to blame of course he has no proof, and more importantly no way to renew his limited supplies.
Growls and slams his fist into the wall. Walks outside and picks a kid he has treat and knows he can trust and gives him a few coppers. Run and get my assistant. Tell him there was a break-in. Thank you little one. . Begins slowly putting things back in order and checks on the secured stock. The things which are poisonous if not used properly, is the locked chest still there? If it his he finishes cleaning up if not he heads straight back to the guard station.
"Asking for a long story there. What brought me to Absalom was a smile, same thing brought me here tonight."
Raises a cry for a city watchman in the area. Help there has been a robbery. Looks around carefully for any thing that might lead back to the thief til the watchman gets there. Being careful not to disturb things more than he has. Muttering to himself. This is bad he could kill people with those the ones from underthings in particular.
Varin freezes in the middle of the front room, and waits, he looks around trying to find clues but in his distress he jut cannot focus on what is around him. He waits.
The boy comes back Your assistant isn't home, I can't find him. I asked his neighbors, but they said he didn't come home last night. Can I still keep the coins Mr. Orc, sir?