Performing a quick kata to focus himself, Matoska delivers a series of punishing kicks and punches to the same spot just below Sivit's ribcage.
Lantressa began to weave a spell once more, her movements and words slower and slower with each repetition. When she was done she released the spell at the dark sphinx.
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Matoska delivers a debilitating blow to the darksphinx's head, and she staggers, slumping sideways. "Impossible! Mortal...fool..." she says, slurring. "How could you...ever..." His klar, coming around, cuts off her word as he stabs it into her throat, leaving her with only a wet gurgle before he yanks it out and she collapses to the floor, black ichor staining his blade. The darksphinx erupts into a sudden burst of stinking hellfire, and her body is utterly consumed.
"...Damn," Meliya says, relaxing from her fighting stance. "That was...anticlimactic. Had to go and show all of us up, didn't you?" She looks Matoska up and down with an appraising (bordering on predatory) eye. "I like my decision not to kill you all more and more the longer this goes on. Well, are any of you hurt - or shall we press on? While it might take him some time, there's no way my brother won't eventually notice that."
She sounds almost disappointed that the fight didn't last longer!
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After yawping to congratulate Matoska, Callie raises a finger after sheathing her sword. "Hang on," she says. "Before we encountered you, we had a nasty engagement with some undead things. Korriban got poisoned badly. He drank a potion of delay poison but the whole point of the 'delay' part of that is it's going to come back. We need to be sure he lives through that. I am also hurt and getting low on my arcane reserves... I used up my most powerful magic to haste us and wake up Matoska. We need to see if Orsini is nearby but after that--we need to rest and see to Korriban."
No stranger to predators, Matoska meets Meliya's gaze steadily and gives a polite nod of his head to acknowledge her. Carefully wiping the muck from his klar's blade, he rolls his shoulders.
"I am mostly well, but we do have injured to tend to. If your brother realizes that Sivit is dead before we're out of here, what happen? Can he unleash additional traps or monsters?"
Meliya clicks her tongue impatiently. "Well, it's unlikely that he'd summon any more allies or be able to set off any more traps down here...I worry more about what he'll do to prepare for our attack. But then again, I suppose that as long as he doesn't scry on us, he won't know I'm with you. And although I doubt he expected it, he probably knew it was possible that you'd kill Sivit." She frowns. "Very well. I think Orsini is probably close - my guess is she has, or rather had, him locked up in her chamber, which is just past this door here. I assume you want to push on to rescue him before we rest?"
Lantressa saw Sivit take a lethal blow and pulled her spell back before it was too late. She was quite pleased that the fight went as well as it did and nearly waved a hand to dismiss the grease. She remembered the rune though and thought better of it leaving the puddle in place. She carefully stepped around it and joined up with the others. "Yes, I think pushing on a little further would be good before we rest. I wouldn't be surprised if Orsini needs to rest a bit before we leave again anyway."
Korriban smiles as Matoska deals the finishing blow. "Way to go! That was awesome!" He listens to the conversation. "Oh yeah.... That's right.... I'm poisoned. With everything that's been going on, I nearly forgot." When Meliya asks if they want to go for Orsini, Korriban nods. "Of course. We need to get him out of here."
Meliya nods. "Very well. Wait here, then - I suspect more danger ahead." She moves carefully forward and stealthily opens the next door. After a few seconds of gazing, she turns back and murmurs, "It looks like he's there - passed out, chained to Sivit's throne. There's another symbol on the floor between us and him, but I have not the faintest idea what it does. It likely will allow one such as me to pass, so you're left with the question: should I go and retrieve him, or will you all brave the symbol to join him?" She glances forward again, toward where she says Orsini lies. "I should say, too, that the room he's in is not part of the labyrinth's massive gears - so no matter what happens in the next few hours, we'll stay still."
Teodor takes his scythe and removes the sphinx's head because why not.
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The darksphinx erupts into a sudden burst of stinking hellfire, and her body is utterly consumed.
With a sigh, Matoska removes his beaded and feathered cloak and proffers it to Meliya. "Will this cover the symbol? We can come up with another solution if necessary but if not looking at it is all we need this should be fine for a time."
Korriban scratches his head. "Since we're not in danger anymore, I could try to disarm it. It may take a while though since I want to be precise about it."
"Hopefully it will disappear eventually, like most spells. I'm more worried about Orsini. And Korriban dying of poison."
Meliya takes Matoska's cloak with a nod. "From what I've seen of Sivit's traps, that's how she liked to set them up, so covering it should suffice. I could feel its energy, but it did nothing to me - likely because I'm from the same outer sphere that Sivit is."
With Matoska's cloak covering the symbol, you're able to pass beyond the next barren hallway and emerge into a previously unseen room. A great green throne sits atop a dais at the northern end of this room. To either side stand statues of a tiger-headed man--each holds aloft a pair of chains from which manacles dangle. Dried blood spatters the walls, the floor, and even the throne and statues, filling the room with a stale reek.
And hanging from one of those sets of manacles...is a man who appears to be Vencarlo Orsini! Right down to the missing fingers on his hand, this time. He's dressed in tattered rags, and his body is a mess of bruises and small lacerations. He seems to be unconscious at the moment!
Korriban smiles as he sees his master. "Vencarlo!" He's about to rush in when he remembers and looks for any enemies or traps or the like.
Korriban, pausing, doesn't see anything dangerous (lurking foes or traps), but he does spot something shiny poking out from beneath the cushion on the throne. On closer inspection, it seems to be a small, silver key...perhaps for the manacles!
This does indeed appear to be Vencarlo, and he does seem to be unconscious. He's unresponsive if you try to waken him through normal means.
"Shall I wake him now or will he just scream and prattle on?"
"He's a tough as old leather, he'll be fine. Wake him." Once Korriban gives the all-clear Matoska kneels by Vencarlo, expression concerned.
Callie casts cure light wounds on Orsini.
As they moved forward Lantressa pulled potion from her pack and downed it then pulled out a second. She didn't want to be down here and injured more than necessary.
As the reached where Vencarlo was being held Lantressa saw his state and was concerned. At least he still seemed to be alive and figured that he would likely recover since Kori seemed so confident about it. Instead of crowding around Vencarlo Lantressa stood over near Meliya, someone needed to keep an eye on her, and looked around the room at the decorations and blood spatter. The gore tugged at a part of her that Tressa didn't like to admit was there, though that same part thought that it was a bit too obvious, so to distract herself she turned her gaze to Meliyah.
Lantressa looked Meliyah over carefully and considered the woman before she finally said, "You know you are really quite attractive in either form Meliyah," she paused a brief moment before continuing, "I had made a bargain with Glorio, I'd like to make the same offer to you. I've been looking for a sponsor to help me sell my services as a courtesan to those in higher positions in the city than I can reach on my own. If you would be willing to sponsor me, promote my abilities to them, I'd be willing to provide those same services to you, free of charge of course, and provide any information I come across that you might be interested in during the course of my work." She gave the foxy woman an inviting smile, "Of course you could sample what I can offer before you make a decision."
Korriban gives the all clear as he rushes in. He flips the throne cushion over and grabs the silver key. Running to Vencarlo, he says, "Master Vencarlo. Don't worry. We're here. We're here to save you." He tries to use the key on the manacles, not really paying attention to anything else.
In the corner, Meliya raises an eyebrow archly at Lantressa's offer. "Well, well, well. You're forward, I'll give you that much. And enterprising, no less. Let's...table that discussion for a later time." She smiles slightly. "After we murder my brother and I'm in a position to help you, perhaps?"
Vencarlo comes groggily awake as Callie lays her healing magic on him, and the manacles pop open when Korriban inserts and turns the key. "Who...who are - Balros?" His eyes open fully and he begins to crawl away from the manacles, staggering to his feet. "By all the gods! You're a sight for sore eyes, lad...you and your companions. Most of whom I've not had the pleasure of -" His eyes fall on Meliya, and his lips narrow slightly. "Ah. This one...I have met. What are you doing with the lady of the house, boy? Or did she not tell you who she is?"
His tone is light, but dangerous - he clearly doesn't like Meliya.
"Hello to you too, Vencarlo, though the circumstances could be better," Matoska smiles tightly. "We have an arrangement with Meliya to overthrow her brother after she helped us rescue you. Desperate times and all that. Can you stand?
Korriban frowns. "Sorry, Vencarlo. We had no choice. She kicked our a***s and she was the only one who could help us get to you. And, yes, we know she's an evil fox fiend lady."
Tressa smile in amusement, "Well of course I'm forward, it's part of the job." She reached out to lay a hand against Meliya's breast, "and I can be as demanding or submissive as you wish." She backed away then and said, "but you are right, first things first." With that she kept one eye on Meliya and the other watched what happened with Vencarlo.
"She kicked your, I just wasted a good spell. Hello, Vencarlo, you look old as hell."
"Semantics. Besides, I believe that making you waste a good spell counts as kicking your a**."
"Oh she tried to pass herself off as you," Callie notes. "I've had better fights, but at least we made her come clean. Anyway, I'm sure she plans to dispose of us as soon as we cease to become useful to her, but she is also well aware she can expect the same of us. And as it is, we probably wouldn't have found you without her so we at least have to thank her for that."
"So... Was it the Arkonas who sent the Red Mantis after you or was it the Queen? And where is whatshisface whose name I can never pronounce?"
Vencarlo clambers to his feet. "Matoska! My old friend. You're a sight for sore eyes." If Matoska allows him, he embraces the Shoanti warrior. "I'm glad you found this lot, they're good people. As for dealing with the Arkona fiends...I don't love the idea, but I understand it. Any port in a storm." He looks at her coldly. "I won't hesitate to take her heart out if need be, though."
Turning back to you as Callie asks her question, he adds, "Ah, but yes! Neolandus! I know where he's being kept. I suggest we rescue him now. And I'm happy to help...though, er, if anyone has a weapon I could borrow...or some armor...that would be welcome."
Meliya tuts. "Kalepopolis will keep. The longer we're down here, the likelier it becomes that Glorio knows what we're up to. I suggest we go now to confront him - if we act quickly enough I'll be able to secure control over the rest of our servants before they can come to his aid."
Matoska embraces Vencarlo, then glares at Melina. ”Kalepopolis is leverage. We care nothing about slaying any number of your family’s guardians, but he is a potential hostage.”
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Callie frowns at Meliya. "You're the ones who spared her," she addresses Teodor and the others. "You decide."
As for Orsini's request, Callie's eyes flicker over to Korriban. She pulls out the glamered +1 chain shirt she had in her haversack and offers it to Vencarlo. She then steps toward Korriban as she addresses him, "Why don't you lend him your silver rapier? It has nice heft. Shame we don't have anything nicer." She gives him a meaningful look, suggesting he not pull out Vencarlo's bag of holding she knows he still has. She thinks letting Meliya know Blackjack's true identity would be a bad idea.
Should subtlety fail, if Korriban barely begins to mention or reach for Blackjack's stash, she will attempt to stomp on Korriban's foot.
Korriban frowns. "I suggest we need to get Neolandus as well. But, if you guys want to finish our business with Meliya, then I'll tag along."
When Callie makes her suggestion, Korriban manages to pick up on the subtlety. He nods and removes his silver rapier. "Can do. Here you go, Vencarlo. Sorry it isn't anything nicer."
Vencarlo nods gratefully. "My sincerest thanks. I'll be much more helpful to you with these at my side." Over the next minute or so, he shrugs on the chain shirt and buckles the rapier to his hip. He twirls the blade experimentally as well. "Nice heft. Where'd you pick this up, Korriban lad?"
Meliya, meanwhile is glaring at you for suggesting that you might have other priorities. "You did not spare me, you idiot woman," she hisses to Callie. "Come and face Glorio with me, or be damned - you can have your seneschal after he's taken care of!"
"I still haven't ended anyone!"
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Callie makes a rude gesture at Meliya. "That's what I said, fustiluggs. I didn't. They could have taken you, and it would've been worth my head rolling were the last thing I saw you being flayed alive. You're alive for their mercy on me, and don't you forget it."
Callie turns to Teo. "Can you be a little clearer? You always want to end things, we need specifics. Lantressa's too busy dreaming of being at clicket in every noble's home, so we need your vote."
Vencarlo nods gratefully. "My sincerest thanks. I'll be much more helpful to you with these at my side." Over the next minute or so, he shrugs on the chain shirt and buckles the rapier to his hip. He twirls the blade experimentally as well. "Nice heft. Where'd you pick this up, Korriban lad?"
Korriban smiles. "I got it by killing a wererat!"
He sees that everyone is devolving into arguments. He decides to try and defuse it. "Easy, everybody. Easy. We just need to keep some cool heads."
"The seneschal has Groetus' future to enable. He must be kept safe. Callie, Lady, give me your arguments as to what better serves the Lord. Make your points and make them quick. Pack every word with power."
Meliya curls her lip in a sneer, but when Teodor interrupts she scowls again. "Fine, fine. I'll not argue. Let us retrieve the thrice-damned seneschal if you're going to insist on it. The sooner we get him and get out of here, the better." She makes an elaborate bow to Vencarlo Orsini, who's just getting finished with his rapier and chain shirt. "You say you know where Kalepopolis is. Very well, sirrah; lead the way." She folds her arms and leans against the entryway, waiting for him - or you - to take the lead.
With a decision seemingly reached, Matoska calmly waits for the others to file out, then waits for Meliya to retrieve his cloak. After donning it again, the Shoanti shifts back into wolf form and pads his way after the others.
"Let's go! Callie follows along.
Vencarlo shrugs, and leads you forward through the labyrinth. Matoska brings up the rear behind Meliya, with the rest of you in front. At the lever, Vencarlo gingerly triggers the rotation of the chambers - clearly he knows how it works, but hasn't done it himself before. He keeps his feet through the rotation that brings you to a blank wall, and then pulls the lever again, returning you to the dungeon's entrance.
"It would be typical of the Arkonas if they told you Neolandus and I were both being kept in the Labyrinth - technically true, but misleading," Vencarlo says grimly. "While I was given to that fiendish sphinx to play with, Neo's been kept in the general cells with the Arkonas' torturer...and those are located...ah, here it is."
Finally finding the spot he's looking for, Vencarlo appears to step through the eastern wall of the cave just outside the entrance to the Labyrinth.
"It's an illusion," his voice floats through the wall. "Just step straight at it and you'll be fine."
Indeed, all of you are able to step through the wall without incident. This leaves you in a new tunnel - or rather, you can see, the actual continuation of the main one. With a light spell renewed on Callie's shield, you make your way down a set of rough-carved stairs and into a passageway that has a set of double doors leading to your left and another straight ahead.
"Neolandus's cell is through those doors," Vencarlo says, pointing at the doors straight ahead. He draws his rapier. "Before we go in - there's a resident torturer, some sort of fiendish woman. Seven feet tall, three faces, fangs...and a great deal of skill with weaponry. I don't suppose you can tell us how to defeat her?" he asks Meliya accusingly.
The rakshasa looks resentful - and slightly bored. "What am I meant to be, your consultant on the lower planes?" she growls. "Her name's Senshiir. She's called a 'beatific one' in Vudran; my brother hired her a century or two ago to act as his torturer, it's her area of expertise. If you have any weapons blessed by your gods or spells to extinguish fiends, it's not a bad time to use them."
"Not my area," Vencarlo mutters, glancing at the rest of you.
Matoska shifts back into human form. His face is concealed behind his wyvern-skull mask, but tightly controlled anger is evident in his voice. "The 'darksphinx' was resistant to weapons too, and she is dead. We will deal with this Senshiir in the same way. Stop arguing, someone within needs help."
Unless anyone moves first or tries to stop him, Matoska strides swiftly towards the sounds of sobbing.
Korriban holds out an arm in front of Matoska. "Hold on. Traps first. We don't want to be caught off guard like last time. Also, I think I should sneak ahead and get a look first, right?" The young swordsman waits to see if anyone backs up his idea of sneaking in first. But, he does look for traps.
"Is she single?"
As she is badly hurt from the last fight, Callie uses her wand of cure serious wounds to heal herself:
"Anyone else need healing?"
As the spell is probably close to expiring, she also casts heroism on herself once again.
"No, two thieves, a slum preacher, a prostitute, and an itinerant shapeshifter do not have any blessed weapons among them, strangely enough. Usually only paladins and the like can manage such a thing, and they'd probably lose their faith just by looking at us. If silver helps--Lantressa, would you know?--I have some silver weapon blanch, and don't need it for my sword." She pulls out two vials and holds them out to anyone who wants them.
Callie is too focused on preparations to notice anything.
===
"Come to think of it... 'beatific one' rings a bell. I remember reading a book when I was younger about the Vudrani and the hazards they describe in their lands. Outsiders called 'asura'... I remember paying attention to this entry because there was an asura who was an expert in spear and sword... an Upa... Upasanda, I think it was called. It fascinated me an otherworldly creature would study weapon mastery. I look less forward today to seeing it than I probably would have considered back then."
Lantressa was not pleased with what she heard about what was ahead. It was quite worrisome that they'd fight something else vicious after what they had just been through but she figured that it was a necessity. "Yes," she said to Callie, "I am still somewhat hurt, but I don't know that we need to use something as strong as that wand to deal with it right now."
As Callie asked Tressa if she knew whether Silver would help against the thing or not she shook her head and said, "You already said it Callie, I am a prostitute, most of my knowledge revolves around knowing who my customers are and a little bit of magical knowledge. Outside of that I just sing, dance, and...well you know the rest."
You're in a profession where one often hears a lot of information, and you've mentioned being among fiends before. Couldn't hurt to ask."
Callie offers Lantressa a potion of cure light wounds instead.
"Thanks," Lantressa said as she took the potion and swallowed it. She put the empty bottle in her pack and then continued, "True, I hear much, but knowledge on fiendish creatures rarely comes up up in pillow talk and the Wound was all demons and no one wanted to speak of them when they came to me, I was a distraction, someone to keep their minds off of the horrors they encountered."