Shangruon grunts and lifts up his hands slowly, but eyes the creatures with suspicion.
"Please understand, our time here is limited... we can't afford to waste it with this. We must find our companion."
Well, at least they are taking us in the same direction we needed to go. Perhaps our companion was taken by them as well.
Toriel is going to survey north and see if there is any hint as to what they are pushing us towards.
following still don't like this at all. Not that i have any real choice anyway..
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The party follows the fiery creatures and walks about another mile and a half through the hot sands. Eventually, you come upon a splendid temple. At least 100 feet wide, with a 20 foot opening, statues of various majestic creatures line the front. Most you do not recognize, but you see a dragon in the line up on either side. You note the exquisite detail on each one as you walk up the long steps and enter inside.
Pillars and pits of fire cackle and pop all around you. More pillars support the massive ceiling, created out of dark, obsidian rock. The marble floor reflects the light of the fire gently, while balls and streams of fire dance and jump between the various pits surrounding you.
You hear a female voice, loud and clear. So, for once you did what I asked you to do. It's about time. The reports are right. These solids aren't bothered by our climate like that was brought here. Interesting. STAND DOWN!
The fiery monsters take a 5-10 step away from you, still flanking you on both sides. From a throne at the front of the room, you see a 9 foot tall woman, made entirely of what appears to be a solid version of living fire. She approaches you, and shinks down to about 6-7 feet tall as she does so.
You have violated my domain. My world! You have ripped open a portal, the third such one. No doubt, you wish to probe our strengths and weaknesses. Spy on us. And then you seek to conquer us in your passion for power. Am I right?[/i]
As she asks, she walks around the group, rubbing her finger along the back of the dwarf. [b]Oh...you are strong, aren't you?
An almost electric shock follows the woman's touch along Zarkralzak's shoulders.
"We are not the architects of this portal, but rather its victim. An associate was taken by force through the portal and we only followed in an attempt to recover him. We do not know who created the rift, or why, but have been told that it could damage both our worlds if the device holding the tear open is not found and destroyed. You have my word that this is our objective; we are not spies nor do we look to do battle with you or your subjects. Only in defence will we fight."
"Strong accusations... but not true. We seek to find a companion stolen from us and dragged into this world and then close the portal. We have no interest in conquest." Toriel will state, her gaze following the priestess carefully around the room.
Shangruon shifts subtly left to right from one foot to the other. To anyone who might be watching him he would seem visibly uncomfortable. "These lands are unfamiliar to me... I would not like to linger any longer than is necessary."
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You detect no evil.
Really? Pity. You sound so...boring. She almost sounds a bit pouty. She walks over to the dwarf. Maybe you. Yes.. Maybe you have the spark?, she half mumbles to herself before raising her voice again. Listen to me, small one. It is I who holds that portal open. And, I hold your companion's life in my string. Does that make you angry? Does it fill you with passion?
Jarlralzak looks at the flaming being and shakes his head.
"No, it does not make me angry. It makes me wonder why you would do such a thing. You are not an evil being, so you must have some sane reason for your actions."
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Yes, I do, short one. I'm bored. Look at my 'followers.'
She points to all the fiery creatures and elementals, who, at the moment, are simply standing still, on guard. Aside from the flickering of the flames surrounding them, they do not move one bit.
Day after day, they just do what I ask them to. They lack ... what's the word... Conviction. Spark. Passion. Then, a number of months ago, a portal to your plane opened. I sent some of my followers through. One of them brought be back several books. By the time I got them, the incompetent imp had burned most of the book. He felt my displeasure. However, I was able to able to read most of it with magic.
The book held stories of lovers, rulers, conquerors and more. Fueled with anger, lust, revenge...the one thing I saw in these characters was the one thing my men lack. Passion
I feel that I know your people better now. You do have passions, yes? She bends over, whispering into Jarkralzak's ear just loud enough for the rest of you to hear, What ignites YOUR fire? Hmmm?
She waltzes over to Shangruon, running her finger along his chest. Or yours, I wonder? You ARE a strong one! Her voice sounds like it is dripping with lust.
Suddenly, she looks pensive for a moment. The problem with the other portals is that they closed within hours. So, when this portal opened, I was prepared with the appropriate magic. I now hold that portal open. You said that doing so threatens our worlds. Or something. So, it that something you are passionate about? Hmmm...?
She walks over to the elf. You look so stoic. Perhaps something more immediate will bring out the FIRE in you. Yes?
She suddenly straightens up, walks past the party and her guards, and back to her throne. Sitting down, she snaps her fingers. Bring out the man.
Some of the creatures bring out Tuval. He appears in bad shape, but breathing. I learned from the frailty of your parchments that you are not used to our heat, here. I have insured that your friend will not expire...at least...not from the environment of home. But, I don't know just how long that spell will last. It's something I just whipped up after all. It could be minutes, or hours. Who knows?
She giggle softly and grins, watching you all carefully.
Standing still so while she told us that she is holding the portal open she was not the one who started opening them a bunch of month ago, i wounder who the third party is..
Toriel's eyes narrow a bit, "As much as I find the man annoying, you should let him go. He holds no value to you dead after all." Toriel's grip on her sword tightens, "Our time here is limited as well, if you are looking for entertainment you will quickly find yourself short of it at the eventual cost of your world around you. Exactly what is it you are trying to achieve here?"
Shangruon clears is throat as the fiery lady approaches him, but spends a moment trying to formulate the right words in his head.
"Passion is unruly, dangerous. Orcs with passion murder and kill and break, get themselves killed. Humans with passion covet and desire, make big wars. Flames can be good, they burn away bad stuff and cauterize, but a passionate flame turns everything into ash."
Well High priestess we have been told that keeping these portal opened will have repercussion of the very land itself. As far as this group's concerned, we are not here to invade but just to retrieve that person, and shutdown the portal on this side so we can shut the one on our side. You said that we are not adapted to living here, that is true enough. But you don't know if you and your magic could adapt to our side of the portal. So how about a truce and having everyone live where they belong High Priestess? Angus says. Everyone can notice that he also speak with his hands
"Why? For someone who clearly wants us for something you have given us very little respect, I see no reason to give you any." Toriel will sheath her sword now. "At this moment you could continue your grandstanding, clearly trying to get reactions of us until we all eventually expire, or you can get to the point of what exactly you are after so we can perhaps eventually take our friend and leave."
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She yawns, and releaxes in the chair, putting her feet up. Is that so? She snaps her fingers. One of the smaller flame creatures steps in to the ring created by all the others, which in turn creates a cap in that ring. The creature moves towards the dwarf and attacks!
It hits him for 1 point of damage!
Actions? Or keep talking? Hmmmm.
Jarkralzak takes a step back as the fiery thing strikes him. He looks up to the flaming creature upon the throne and crosses his arms.
"I will not fight for your pleasure. As we said before, we do not wish combat. Why do you keep on this way? What is it you want from us?"
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You incessant talking bores me. I should have known better than to shove one of my mindless slaves at you. Perhaps one of my other pets will stoke the flames of your passions more?
She snaps her finger, and the creature backs off. She yells. Make way, boys. The creatures step aside, leaving a directly line of sight between her and the dwarf. She waves her hand casually, and a demonic creature appears before you.
This little guy roamed in from the depths of Hades. Or something. Not sure how he got here, but wherever it is, it must be hot because our fires do not seem to bother him much. However, he's not very good at resisting my charms. Does pretty much what I tell him to, now. I wouldn't say he has passion, but he does have some anger manager issues. She giggles. And then looks serious.
Sic 'em boy. Sic that last one who mouthed off to me. That short one over there!
The creature charges towards the dwarf. Does the party take any actions before it does?
Please we beg of you High priestess enough of these. We know you rule supreme and that we aren't worthy. We just ask that you let the portal close. Your world's environment is slowly killing us. But it would be the same for you. You wouldn't have any long term gains. But if you want more books we can bring you some in the next few hours while the portal is open. Please High Priestess stop this. Says Angus still empathizing his speech with accompanying hand gestures
Toriel will use her action to unharmfully thump the backside of Angus's head. "And just who would YOU drag in here to be at her whims, Angus? You seem so set on appeasing her but I don't see you ready to offer yourself where you are promising her others."
Jarkralzel braces himself for the onslaught about to befall him.
Shangruon crouches down into panther stance and steps in front of Jarkrazel, his spear braced against the ground in between the charging beast and its destination.
(x2)
This display of bravado is not helping, Priestess! We must work together or our worlds will be damage by your portals! Please stop this now and let's work this out!
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Round 1
As most of the party continues to plead with the priestess, she sits in the chair, lazily, acting as if she is yawning. Sangruon attempts to catch the creature as it charges in, but cannot get set up in time. As it closes in, the paladin feels an evil aura around it.
Enemy Turn
Pyraniko Attacks!
The paladin feels the heat from the creature as it attempts to lacerate him with it's vicious claws. The strength from the blow causes him to stagger back a step.
Status
EFL' DemonA (Perfect, ),
PFL Toriel (8/8 ), Jarkralzak (10/11 ), Shangruon (8/8 ),
5' Angus (11/11 ), Shailya (9/9 ),
Zarkralzal slams his hammer against his shield and lets out a yell.
"Back to the flaming pits that spawn you!"
Attack-Melee:
Damage:
Toriel will pull her short sword out again and take a swing at the creature. "
Shallya steps forward, ready to intercept blows made against the paladin...
Aid Jark for AC
a bit disappointed Angus will try to remain out the fighter's way.
Shangruon continues to strike out with his spear.
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Round 2
The Paladin hits the creature, but the weapon only seems partially effective. The demonic looking creature grins widely as a little bit of ooze trickles out of the wound. None of the other attacks hit.
Enemy Turn
Drool of red, fiery spittle drips from his lips as he presses forward in rage! His savage attack it met by the paladin's armor, blocked!
Status is the same
Shanguon mutters, "Demons..." with cynicism as the beast avoids his attack, but continues to strike out anyways.
Knowing that he cannot truly harm this creature, Zarkralzak goes on the defensive, trying to keep the monster attacking him, and away from his companions.
Shallya swings her walking stick in a wide arc, hoping to distract the creature and leave it open to Toriel's blade...
Strike true, Toriel!
Toriel will shake her head, not liking where the fight is going but attempting another swing at the demon as she takes a 5 foot step forward gradually moving towards flanking position.
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Need a 10 to aid another, and presumes you are in melee range...so I would move you up to PFL if that's what you want to do, Shallya.
[ooc]I don't have full access here at work...do I can't do an official combat update...but going off of what I see and my head here...[/i]
The monk attacks and scratches the beast again. Your attacks are having minimal impact. The creatures skin seems resistant.
Pfft. You fight, but you lack PASSION!
The creature returns the melee, but misses.
Having seen the creature in action for a few rounds now, you can make another knowledge check. Religion, planes...whichever is better.