Keen Steve 2 changes targets and attacks the vrock directly.
Chancre moves deeper into the room toward the fallen masonry.
Keen Steve 2 changes targets and attacks the vrock directly. The second of the Steve's just barely misses the vrock.
Chancre moves cautiously into the room, staying out of the reach of the remaining Minotaur.
Weighing her options, Míril drops her sword in favor of her short bow. She nocks a cold iron arrow and lets it fly at the vrock demon. It is a beautifully well-placed shot... which barely penetrates the vrock's hide.
Roshan seems to take exception to the thought of his tiring. He still only throws three stars, two small silver and one glowing golden, but all three strike deep, though admittedly his strikes are perhaps not quite as damaging as they once were.
The tiny angel continues to zap away at the demon... wearing on it but not destroying it.
Aravashnial moves further into the room, eyes scanning for hidden dangers.
Irabeth just manages to get her shield up to protect her from the claw of the demon.
But with her defense on her mind, she doesn't manage to get a solid attack in on the vrock either.
Aron and Anevia move to flank the vrock, carefully tumbling in so as to avoid rending claw and beak.
Sosiel holds, prepared to zip in and heal if someone falls.
Samirah circles the vrock demon, lashing out for another attempt at a strike. She tries some flashy moves, but can't find her opening in the all heavy feathered hide of the creature.
Konstantin advances as Venobya alights on his outstretched forearm. With a word and a gesture, he pulls freezing mists from beneath the vrock. The cold doesn't damage the demon, but it does stagger it, preventing it from using all of the formidable natural weapons next round.
V -41,-50,-51,-76,-90
Second Hit
(OH GOOD, THANKS DICE)
Crit Confirm
Samirah finds the opening she sought in the feathery hide of the vrock demon and skewers it with her ember-heated scimitar.
Míril nocks another cold-iron arrow and fires it at the demon. Then, almost too fast for the eye to follow she has another cold-iron arrow in the air and heading towards the foul birdlike thing.
Roshan
magic: +2/+2
Bless: +1/+0
flanking:+2
Roshan moves to provide (into?) flanking for someone , slides under the bird demons guard and delivers a viscous uppercut to the vitals.
[ooc]Likely results (all cold iron):
Vrock: Radiance: (29) 8hp
Likely Totals:
-Vrock: 8hp
Chancre casts True Strike
Keen Steve 2 bites into the vrock's flesh, drawing a bead of red-blue blood. Meanwhile, Chance casts a spell of ultimate accuracy.
Míril nocks another cold-iron arrow and fires it at the demon. Then, almost too fast for the eye to follow she has another cold-iron arrow in the air and heading towards the foul birdlike thing. The first arrow strikes true for a minor hit, but it looks like the second is going to be wide, easy for the demon to dodge. There is a surge of power from Míril and a palpable force changes the direction of the arrow mid-flight. The newly aimed arrow hits the demon right in the heart, and it is the final blow in destroying this aspect of the Abyss.
"...и остаться," says Míril as she shoulders her bow and picks up and sheaths her sword.
Samirah leaves her scimitar unsheathed and gives Miril a half smile in response.
"I suppose I should not assume that was the end of our work here."
In the regrouping after the fight with demons and minotaurs, Míril goes up to Sosiel.
"I'm very sorry I swung at you during the fight," she says, eyes downcast. "I know it was a magical mind effect, but still..."
Konstantin transfers Venobya to his shoulder, at the same time activating his scale to heal her.
Samirah leaves her scimitar unsheathed and gives Miril a half smile in response.
"I suppose I should not assume that was the end of our work here."
"Probably not, but I assume there will be more locks to open, so I should keep my hands free in the meantime."
Chancre continues over to the fallen masonry, to properly examine the flash of silver.
Roshan bows to Sosiel, then likewise goes to investigate further.
Aravashnial bows to the small archon before it warps out of reality. Looking at the group, the end sighs. "I am very glad our allies were able to detail the vrock's dance of ruin before the area was blasted by electricity," the elf's voice quiets a bit before he continues, "however, I've used almost all of my spells that I have prepared. All I have remaining is the weakest of my summoned allies and an heroism."
Aravashnial's smile is wan, "That will last an hour, so if you choose the best recipient then I think it would be best for me to withdraw to a safe room so that I don't use resources when I can't contribute to its success. You all had enough of that when I was blind in the bowels of Kenabres."
Sosiel nods in agreement. "I'm almost in the same position. I still have most of my ability to channel Shelyn's healing energy, but it is hard for me to use that in combat without also healing those creatures trying to kill you."
"That said," Sosiel adds, "it doesn't feel right to stop when we haven't determined Nurah's fate."
"I have been holding back my goddess' ire for the villain of these piece, so I'd like to stock with you."
Chancre continues over to the fallen masonry, to properly examine the flash of silver.
Most of the wall in that section is gone, leaving only the flank of an unidentifiable, scaled creator visible. Leaning against the flank is a woman haloed by a multitude of colored light reminiscent of the Arctic glow.
There's only a brief moment where Samirah looks anything like weary, but she finally sheathes her weapon.
"I would like to continue on and find Nurah, if we accomplish nothing else this day." She turns to Aravashnial and Sosiel. "We would welcome any help you could give, and no one would accuse you of cowardice should you decide to fall back and rest. You have already done so much." She shrugs. "I know very little of magical exhaustion; I fight until I can no longer hold a blade. Though after that minotaur..."
Then she shrugs. "I will continue searching for the bard and welcome the company of any here in the task."
"I may not be as fresh as I was this morning, but I'm still hale and hearty enough to continue. At least till we find Nurah, anyway."
"Not that I need it, but if no one objects, I would not mind some extra heroism, Aravashnial." She winks at the elf and tosses her hair over her shoulder.
"While my magical stores are not in such dire straits as Aravashnial's and Sosiel's, they are severely depleted. I have, perhaps, another such combat in me before I am forced to resort to my claws and teeth." Venobya caws, and Konstantin's brow momentarily ripples in annoyance.
"There is still my magic missile wand," he mutters, mostly to himself.
He joins Chancre with the silver woman, obviously interested in someone so similar to himself.
He joins Chancre with the silver woman, obviously interested in someone so similar to himself.
The image of the woman is almost complete, although cracks in the wall mar the painted body. Her all-white eyes gaze out of the room with a piercing intensity, while the posture leaning against the large creature behind her seems almost relaxed.
Planar
History
Arcana
After a moment of inspection, Konstantin says, "Aasimar. There are legends of an aasimar cleric who created a sanctuary in the northern area of Sarkorsis. But such tales were legends, from long before the Worldwound. The creature could be a linnorm... though arrogance commands me to name it wyrm. Silver, if anything."
Samirah hangs back with Sosiel.
"I did not ask before. How long have you known Nurah?"
"This close to the Worldwound, I suspect all legends have a splinter of truth."
Chancre looks at Konstantin, then back at the mural remnant. "Is there any correlation to the wyrm color besides the color itself?"
"This close to the Worldwound, I suspect all legends have a splinter of truth."
Chancre looks at Konstantin, then back at the mural remnant. "Is there any correlation to the wyrm color besides the color itself?"
"I don't follow."
"Are red wyrms firey and blue wyrms cold? Or is color irrelevant to what they do? Only a sign of who they are? And who they are is relevant to what they do?"
"I am overthinking this. Carry on, chief."
"Oh!" Konstantin brightens... well, he mostly thaws to a slightly less stern state. "Yes, my friend, you have the gist of it. The white and silver dragons are associated with ice, while it is the reds, golds, and brass who are with fire. While the creature there could be linnorm, the aasimar are strongly aligned with good, as are silver dragons."
He pauses, and Chancre can easily read the flash of self-consciousness on his face. Nonetheless, Konstantin bulls onward. "Perhaps this is foolish, or the desire to find meaning where there is only the uncaring madness of the world... but to see the sign of a silver wyrm and I myself being a descendant of such a godling, I long to see this as more than mere coincidence. That, perhaps, one of my blood was intended to be here."
He shrugs. "I am the last of those who carry my specific bloodline to survive. We were intended for greater things, but the jadwiga hunted us down. Save for me."
"There is still my magic missile wand," he mutters, mostly to himself."A good, solid weapon..." Aravashnial hedges, "Sadly with wands it is the skill of the crafter not yours when it comes to affecting the demons."
"Not that I need it, but if no one objects, I would not mind some extra heroism, Aravashnial." She winks at the elf and tosses her hair over her shoulder.
The elf looks over the group waiting for an objection. Hearing none he casts a spell and holds out a hand glowing with power to Samirah.
It's somewhat of a rush.
Samirah hangs back with Sosiel.
"I did not ask before. How long have you known Nurah?"
Quietly, as most people are listening to the conversation between Chancre and Konstantin, Sosiel shakes his head. "Personally, I meet Nurah just a few days before you did." He pauses, brow furrowing, "I think Aron may have met her right before he started his training with the dwarves." He looks at the other man, only to realize the wiry rogue is away from the group, near the rubble in the north of the room (as opposed to Chancre and Konstantin who are by the rubble on the eastern side of the room).
Sosiel shrugs, "She has been a court adviser to Galfrey for," he thinks, "just over five years, I think."
Through the rubble in the southern part of the room, the group can see a heavy portcullis and a number of hidden archers that would have made entry through the front gate very difficult.
Continuing to the east...
A huge statue of a squat dwarf with a massive hammer and shield stands at forefront of this small chapel, flanked by twin tapestries depicting forges. Several rows of benches extend back from the dais on which the statue is mounted, watched over by three more stone dwarven sentinels in the alcoves along the eastern wall. A final, larger tapestry covers the back of the chamber, apparently illustrating and commemorating the construction of Citadel Drezen and its stand against demonkind. All of the room’s decorations have been torn, smashed, scratched, and otherwise befouled—their original sacred purpose can be barely seen below layers of filth and ruin. The three eastern statues in particular seem to have suffered the brunt of this blasphemy, for the entire surface of each has been etched with demonic runes.
They will be implacable foes if you go into the room, perhaps even following you if you attempt to retreat... but can be avoided simply by following a path that avoids their room.
Konstantin will reveal the information beneath the spoiler.
"Thank you, Aravashnial." She inclines her head after the elf's blessing, a warm smile on her face. "I will be sure to put this to good use."
Sosiel shrugs, "She has been a court adviser to Galfrey for," he thinks, "just over five years, I think."
Samirah nods.
"For what it is worth, I hope we find she has been beguiled by a monster and does not flee from a betrayal." She shrugs. "I cannot say I believe that is the case, though."
Samirah sighs theatrically. "I suppose there is no way to undo the damage here without engaging the demonically powered statues?"
She hardly waits for an answer before moving ahead to find a path onward that doesn't include a room filled with evil statues.
"Indeed. We can return later, fully rested, and either reconsecrate or destroy the statues."
"For what it is worth, I hope we find she has been beguiled by a monster and does not flee from a betrayal." She shrugs. "I cannot say I believe that is the case, though."
It's Anevia who finally voices the thought that flashes over a few people's faces, "I think we all hope it is mind-control. To have a traitor enmeshed in the highest circles of the crusades..."
"Not only does it undermine confidence in the authority," Irabeth continues her wife's thoughts, "but the backlash could lead to the worst kind of in fighting."
"...if they're not likely to come out of the room after us, then yes -- come back later."
It's Anevia who finally voices the thought that flashes over a few people's faces, "I think we all hope it is mind-control. To have a traitor enmeshed in the highest circles of the crusades..."
"Not only does it undermine confidence in the authority," Irabeth continues her wife's thoughts, "but the backlash could lead to the worst kind of in fighting."
Samirah is quiet for a moment. "If we find that Nurah has betrayed us..." another moment of uncharacteristic quiet, "we could keep that information here. With us." She shrugs. "The crusaders have enough enemies without the need to worry about them hiding within the group, too."
"Let's not start borrowing trouble," says Míril. "We'll know better soon enough what's up with Nurah. Let's not poison our minds with what only might be."
"Let's not start borrowing trouble," says Míril. "We'll know better soon enough what's up with Nurah. Let's not poison our minds with what only might be."
Konstantin nods in agreement.
Bypassing the defender's chapel is easy in the warren-like maze of interconnecting rooms and passageways, especially since Miril is able to open the complicated locks with just a few seconds of time. Most of the rooms you find are recently emptied, although the ones that held fiendish minotaurs and thoxel demons are in close proximity to where they were called to fight you.
You find one room in the north east of the citadel which was once a garrison, but the manacles attached to the walls and the blood that stains them reveals a newer purpose.
Although many of the rooms look like they have seen heavy use in the decades the citadel has been held by the demons, they have a slight air of abandonment.
Finally, you get to a door where you hear voices on the other side.
The voice doesn't actually stop, just continues on in a quiet drone, many of the themes repeated but the words ever changing.
Konstantin pauses at the bloodstains. "Some of these are fresh," he says.
Samirah glances at the manicles, then the door. "Whoever is on the other side does not sound like they are speaking Abyssal..."
She opens the door.
Chancre listens to the Dwarven, and shakes his head. "Not Giant."
Miril unlocks the door, which like all other doors in this citadel is locked and closes if not held open and relocks itself when it closes, revealing the ...
... oddly shaped room of a triangle with a square bitten out of it. The walls are adorned with maps, both of the territory consumed by the Worldwound and the nations bordering it that hold against its corruption. On the northern side of the room, almost out of line of sight, is a desk with a dwarf hunched over, reading a book and ranting to himself in dwarven. Between the door (where you are) and the dwarf are three blood demons - babau - long bony fingers flexing on weapons.
A quick glance around the room reveals one exit on the southern diagonal wall.
Samirah looks around the room, gaze settling on the babau.
"Happen to see a halfling come this way?"
The weapon appears in her hand as though she never sheathed it.
"A blonde one went downstairs with my brother and the swashbuckler." The dwarf says before turning around, the babau taking a step back away from the door through which Samirah entered.
"A blonde one went downstairs with my brother and the swashbuckler."
Samirah watches the babau, an eyebrow raised.
"What are the names of your brother and the swashbuckler?" She asks the dwarf.
Konstantin keeps his attention on the babau, rather forcefully staring them down.
"What are the names of your brother and the swashbuckler?" She asks the dwarf.
The dwarf slides a iron bound book with carved into the metal surface in a tunic pocket. "I don't know what the swashbuckler is called," he says with a tired shrug that somehow emphasized the dark circles beneath the black eyes, "I've only heard him referred to as pet and I'm certain that is neither his given name nor one he'd have chosen."
"My brother is Staunton."
The babau have fallen back to a defensive arc around the dwarf.
Although it really looks like the demons are falling back to defend the dwarf, you just don't think that is true.
Chancre steps up and nods to the dwarf. "That the book of Droskar? Can you answer me a question on the subject, or are you studying it to learn instead of to commune?"
Roshan moves to the front and enters a defensive stance.
Roshan