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Enizver whimpered as the creature bit into him. It was...not a good feeling. This was why he prefered to fight at a distance, behind people who were good at engaging these threats.
But help was busy not dying, which meant he needed to hold out a bit longer. If he shot again and the thing didn't die then it would likely kill him in a moment. If he moved and healed then he would perhaps survive, if he healed well enough and the creature didn't hit him too hard.
It was, however, at this point that Enizver noticed a large portion of his stomach was missing. "Oh. Bother." Pain suddenly rushed in, making the world spin as Enizver felt sick to a stomach he was no longer sure was actually in his body. The Gnome collapsed in a heap.
Horat methodically resumes his array of strikes and parries, aiming to clear these foes so he can march upon the "hyena".
Liv's spirit lightens when the troll falls. Hey, whaddya know? The kid managed to do it! And good on me for actually remembering his name! Her mini celebration is short lived as Halgrin falls yet again and this time the gnome follows him. Sorry guys, but we really need to end this and if I use my last spell to heal you, you're probably just get knocked back down in an instant. ...try to hang on.
Dark energy surrounds her crossbow and engulfs the second in command as she zooms 50ft away from the stupid spiritual weapon . Taking aim, she then fires it at the spellcaster.
Wrinil has no time to celebrate as two of his allies fall to their enemies. He does a quick scan of the battlefield and then seems to gain some resolve. Wrinil, as quickly as he can, hops over the barricade and finds a semi-safe location, all the while pulling out a strip of white cloth. Grasping the cloth in one hand and his holy symbol in the other he says a quick prayer to Mystra.
Gasping as healing energy poured into his mangled form, Enizver noted two things. First of all that being healed magically did not stop wounds hurting, which was deeply unfortunate from his point of view. The second was that it was infinitely preferable to the calm, inky blackness he'd been floating in a moment before.
Pushing himself to his feet and staggering away from the huge Hyena with a low groan, Enizver looked at the huge monster from blurry eyes. "Would you be so kind as to die?" He raised his gun one more time and aimed at the attacker.
Envizer pops up off the ground and blasts the surprised hyena with a shot to the face. The creature keeps snarling looking for more trouble, though!
Halgrin staggers his way back up to his feet, using his sword to help him stand. He takes a deep breath and swings his blade.
<--
Halgrin cuts down the cultist! Both sides are losing their ability to fight in this battle of attrition! The spiritual weapon pursues Liv but doesn't reach her yet. The cult fanatic evokes more fire on Wrinil (1 damage because failed save) while the cultist near Horat tries to cut him down but Horat's sturdy armor blocks the blow. The leader moves forward and bites at Envizer twice but the barely-conscious gnome dodges twice!
A deathly serious cousin of a smile creases Horat's face.
I see a trap set. And I spring it!
The cultist thinks his guard sufficient. It is not. Horat retorts with a killing blow even before the cultist can draw back his weapon.
Aiming to continue his fortune, he lashes out with a series of blows at the enemy leader!
Whimpering, Enizver loaded a fresh shot as he dodged out of the way of the attacking monstrosity. He felt distinctly unpleasant, but healing would have to wait until he could not die. "No, really, I think it would generally be better if you died now. For everyone, really."
Wrinil rushes back over the barrier, next to Halgrin. "Hope this helps!" he says followed by a quick prayer.
Liv continues to use her advanced speed to try to stay away from the much slower spiritual weapon . Gotta take that guy out before he manages to break my concentration again...
Horat strikes down the cultist then lands two mighty blows on the approaching leader (one was AoO). The leader suddenly morphs back into a gnoll! Liv fires a blast that finishes off the lieutenant, leaving only the cult leader! Surely he won't be much of an issue... Envizer gives him a good blast of thunder in the face for his trouble.
Halgrin feels invigorated after Wrinil's healing magic surges through him and begins to close his wounds.
The battered, beleagured and newly chosen champion of Helm, feels a swell of righteous anger before he throws himself at the gnoll.
<--
Halgrin attacks the wily gnoll but misses! It's as if the gnoll's wisdom and experience help protect it from being struck!
The gnoll then says something and growls "So you keep popping up? I'll have to put you down for good." and appears invigorated with health! Then he strikes Halgrin with a quarterstaff he whips off his back and tries to follow the blow up with a spinning kick but misses.
What was it going to take to kill this creature? Surely it had to be close to dying by this point. Everyone else on its side had fallen, and Enizver wasn't exactly far from the void. Neither were several of the others by the look of things. Loading another shell into his gun,Enizver tried to put the damned thing down. Again.
Wrinil listens to the gnoll leader with a silent smile. He then grabs his holy symbol once more and says a little prayer.
Liv smiles grimly to herself as such ducks within 30 feet of their last remaining foe. It won't be long now... The glow of dark energy from her hex is swirling darkly around the gnoll's body, attempting to tug and draw at the man's limbs. Liv's eyes flash briefly and the darkness suddenly intensifies. For an instant, it seems to coalesce into the shape of some dark beast that quickly swallows the gnoll before clinging even more tightly to his frame. And an equally dark bolt of energy shoot from her crossbow, the two forces strain and pull at each other to meet, but with a great force of will, the boss manages to wrench himself away at the last moment.
Horat advances.
As his halberd spins forward with deadly speed, he says:
"We warned you. You resist, you die."
Everyone misses the wily and dodgy gnoll! Perhaps Halgrin will be more accurate.
Halgrin shrugs off the hit from the quarterstaff, growls, and then attacks again.
<--
The cult leader spins away from all attacks and laughs maniacally while he glows with healing energy. "The lodestone is ours! He will not escape Yeenoghu!" He slams his staff and then his elbow into Halgrin, seeking the kill.
Halgrin spits out a wad of blood from his mouth.
"You should have surrendered."
He then growls once more and attacks.
<--
Liv's eyes flash in anger as the gnoll not only heals himself but mocks them at the same time. She had no idea what lodestone he was referring to or who the hell this Yeenoghu was, and she didn't care. The dark vapors around him swirl up ominously, but the fool simply continues his jabs. Too late he sees the dark glow shooting towards him, and this time, the shadows prevent him from dodging....
"Lodestones are people now? Intruiging." Enizver cranked a fresh round into the gun but backed away enough to get some distance and heal. This monster seemed determined to not die.
Wrinil decides that it is time to take the cult leader down.
Horat would shake his head in annoyance, but he has not the time to spare.
He has a gnoll to circle and slay.
Horat and Wrinil strike more blows into the cult leader with magic and blade, leaving him severely wounded but on his feet. Then Liv sends a blast of force down from the sky, crushing into his chest with a sickening crunch. He falls to the ground and doesn't get. You have defeated the cult of Yeenoghu.
Searching the body of the fallen cultists, you find 400 gp. You also find some finely-wrought boots on the leader. You find it a bit odd that a gnoll would wear fine footwear simply for appearances...
They are boots of elvenkind.
Enizver glanced down at the boots for a moment as he dabbed at the remaining wounds on his form. "Boots of Elvenkind? Well, I suppose if such a creature was to go with footware it would probably have to be magical. Very good for sneaking around, or so I've been told." Looking around the room at all the dead cultists, he added, "Not that we'll likely need them now...I think everyone is being too dead to spot us."
Horat walks up to the gnoll's body and drives the silvered head of his halberd through its head.
As he in the process of working his weapon free, he turns to face Enziver.
"Well spotted. And I am in agreement on your latter observation. We have prevailed over the servants of demons."
With his halberd free, he looks to all.
"I suggest that we remove anything portable of value to deny it to scavengers or returning cultists. And return Captain Gram and Katra to safety. It is concerning that they are still unconscious."
Wrinil crumples to the floor putting his head in his hands, "Oh Mystra! Oh gods! What have I done?!" He continues this freak out for several minutes, with some minor hyperventilating.
Horat turns to the young man.
"You did well. Slaying and healing mostly from what I saw. I would know your name."
He turns to the elf.
"And yours too. It was a great fortune for myself and Halgrin that ye and Enziver were here. We would have surely perished otherwise, and ye all have my thanks."
"I definitely would have bit it more than once back there," Halgrin says agreeing with Horat. "So feel no regret for your actions here. We gave them a chance to surrender, they chose violence and death. And if it makes you feel any better, I'm a member of the City Watch. I can easily absolve you of any legal trouble here."
"Speaking of which," Halgrin begins as he turns to Enizver, "I know a smoke powder weapon, when I see one. You'll need a permit from the Watch to carry it around the city. I can point you in the right direction."
"Anyways, the town of Helm is nearby. But I want to make sure there are no more hostages here before we leave."
As the gnoll falls, a sliver of the darkness engulfing his body shoots off from the rest, hitting Liv squarely in the chest. She sits up a little straighter on her broom as a few of her wounds close, the skin knitting back together as her eyes once again flash. She smiles triumphantly, surveying the battlefield with a sense of accomplishment. The bodies of their foes lie strewn everywhere, not a one so much as twitching on the ground. They had fought and won. They were safe.
So sooner had she realized this when she felt things slipping away. The edges of her vision started to get dark. No, not now! Not yet! She desperately tried to cling on, but it was no use. She managed to unsteadily land her broom -- it wouldn't do for Olivia to fall off and kill them both during her period of disorientation -- though in the process, she lost her footing and started to trip. She tried to catch herself, but her leaden leg was already refusing to obey her commands. The last thing she could do before she lost control completely was offset her fall with her hands.
-----
The first thing Olivia noticed was that she ached everywhere. Especially her arms, which were thudding dully. The next thing she noticed was that she was on the ground, so she slowly stood back up. She had been talking to people. And then there had been a loud noise. It was then that the smell hit her. It was the sharp metallic tang of blood. A lot of blood. Her eyes go wide as she slowly surveys the battlefield. She hadn't- There was no way- Not by herself at least! But there were the unmistakable signs of crossbow bolts littered across the area and a matching crossbow in her hand. She hastily dropped it, the weapon disappearing in a puff of black smoke. Taking a moment, she leaned unsteadily against the wall, her stomach churning enough to make her dry heave a little. Thank goodness she hadn't eaten in a while.
It was then that she noticed she wasn't alone. The people she had been talking to earlier were busy picking over the body of a gnoll. They were hurt, some more grievously than others. Pale and shaky, she made her way over to them, desperately searching their expressions for any sign of revulsion or hostility towards her. Had they seen what she had done? Did they blame her for it? She couldn't do anything for the dead, but maybe, just maybe if she offered to help bind their wounds, the rest of the living wouldn't turn her in for what she had done. Even if she did deserve it.
He turns to the elf.
"And yours too. It was a great fortune for myself and Halgrin that ye and Enziver were here. We would have surely perished otherwise, and ye all have my thanks."
Olivia blinked as the big bald man...thanked her? Well, she supposed that was better than saying they were going to arrest her. Her voice is soft, uncertain. "Umm...you're...welcome? Let me...let me heal you." She reached out to lightly touch her hand to his chest to channel healing energy. But nothing happened. She frowned. I'm...completely out of magic? What had happened that she had used so much energy? Blushing, she quickly removed her hand and attempted to cover her blunder by pulling out her healing kit.
As she tends to their wounds, Halgrin's words do little to lessen her feeling of guilt. Though she does at least feel relieved that she wouldn't be locked up. "I'm...Olivia, by the way. Olivia Moore."
"It would be wise to ensure there are no other unfortunates imprisoned here. It took diligent searching to find you three after all."
For some additional safety, Halgrin hammmers another spike into the busted remains of the door. As he walks back, he notes the owlbear corpse.
"Hey, does anyone know if Owlbear feathers are worth anything?"
Halgrin sits awkwardly as Olivia tends to his wounds.
"Thanks."
Enizver looked startled when Halgrin mentioned his weapon. "You know about these? I've never seen anyone using another! A permit? Yes, I would hate to break the laws on such a thing."
He nodded to Horat. "No need for the thanks. Without your most timely aid we'd still be in a cage, or being dragged off for whatever purpose these rather unpleasant gentleman had dreamed up. I'm guessing it has something to do with the Lodestone they mentioned? But then they seemed to think it was a person, too?" Enizver frowned, trying to think of what that might mean.
Looking over to Olivia, Enizver shuffled over to also be healed. "Sorry for putting you out. I was rather hoping that this new armour would prevent me from being disembowelled by manic shapeshifting cultists, along with plenty of other threats, but alas enough attacks will get through..." He smiled and nodded to Wrinil. "And thank you for the timely healing. I feared I was rather in trouble."
Wireline seems to calm slightly but remains on the floor in a daze.
Horat nods.
"I would gladly accept whatever binding you have remaining. I know that you expended much in that battle. But frankly, holding back was not a sound tactical option given the sheer number and viciousness of our foes. Demon-worshiping cults tend to be like that."
"Your skill is palpable. Though I suggest that you approach the young man. At least he seems less distraught than before."
He turns to Enziver:
"Thankfully, the local authorities take a dim view of such cults. It is a welcome find."
Horat sits back against the north-east corner, with the gnoll corpse and many others in his line of sight. He remains tense, barely relaxing. And wondering about this "Lodestone".
Enizver looked startled when Halgrin mentioned his weapon. "You know about these? I've never seen anyone using another! A permit? Yes, I would hate to break the laws on such a thing."
"Well, I know what a smoke powder weapon is, at least. If that's powered by something else then I guess it might not be covered by Waterdeep's Ordnance Laws. But probably a good idea to apply anyway. Just don't try to sell it in the city. That's a big no-no."
Enizver nodded. "It's a long story, but I made this one. I have no intention of making more at the moment, until the ramifications are more apparent." Considering, he added, "Although it's perhaps the ammunition that's the part that's really dangerous. The weapon just directs it."
Horat and Halgrin recall that they found evidence that the previous demonic cult they fought in Waterdeep was searching for lodestones for some nefarious purpose. Putting their heads together, Envizer and Horat determine that a lodestone is a merely hypothesized focus of the fabric of a plane of existence. In combination, three lodestones could cause a plane to shift into another. It seems likely these demonic cultists are cooperating (which is rare) due to the massive potential reward of causing the material plane to slide into the Abyss and become part of that nether realm.
Searching the cavern thoroughly reveals no more treasure or prisoners.
As you hear of the lodestones, you see a beautiful female gnome appear before your eyes wearing shining white clothes. "Yes. And you have been chosen as one of my instruments to combat this evil."
As you hear of the lodestones, you see a beautiful human female appear before your eyes wearing shining white clothes. "Yes. And you have been chosen as one of my instruments to combat this evil."
As you hear of the lodestones, you see a beautiful human male appear before your eyes wearing shining white clothes. "Yes. And you have been chosen as one of my instruments to combat this evil."
Staring at the female Gnome for a moment, Enizver considered the possibilities. "Um, um, that doesn't seem right. I don't do music very well?" Pausing for a moment, Enizver realized that probably wasn't the kind of instrument she meant. "Oh, wait, you mean as in a divine intrusment to stop a disaster, such as the horrible combination of the mortal realms into the Abyss." The Gnome considered a moment later. "Wait...does that make you...Divine..?" Enizver looked up.
Demonic cult?!? Is that...is that why they kidnapped me? Were they after this demon inside of me? Guilt continues to eat at Olivia as she does her best to bandage the wounds of the others. She nods dumbly to Horat, though his kind words do nothing to ease her conscious.
Though her side still aches, she nevertheless timidly approaches Wrinril before tending to her own wounds. "Ummm...excuse me, sir? Do you require medical aid?" Really, he looked more shell-shocked that actually hurt. "I'm sure you did...well in the fight. And we are safe now." She had no idea if either sentiment was true (though she certainly hoped the latter at least was). She does her best to comfort him as they all rest.
Olivia's eyes go wide as the beautiful man appears. Surely, he must be an angel! A celestial being from the gods! Her eyes begin to fill with tears. "But how can one as tainted as myself be an instrument for someone so glorious?" Did the man offer her a chance for redemption? A way to purge her soul of the sins she had committed? The lives she had taken?
"AHHH!!" Wrinil yells as he curls into the fetal position. "Mystra protect me!" Wrinil yells onece more as he holds his holy symbol between himself and the 'woman'.
Cold fury burns in Horat's chest at the audacious plot of the demon cultists.
"We must stop their plot. No matter the cost."
With simultaneous reactions from the trio, Horat turns, halberd in hand, to face that direction.
He tries to espy illusions or other magics.
"What has happened?", he asks, wary of danger in this place.
Envizer realizes this vision does share many similarities with divine visions he has heard of or read about in the past.
Horat senses that the others are experiencing the same or a similar vision as you and Halgrin experienced previously.
You all hear the voice speak into your minds "Ah yes. I believe I now know who the lodestone is. It is Alain Turick, champion of the watch. You must protect him. There is an amulet hidden in a lost temple far from here. It will ward him."