Grollus scrambles to his feet, clambers over the dead lycans as he rounds the grease on the ground, and approaches the giant beast.
Grollus scrambles to his feet, clambers over the dead lycans as he rounds the grease on the ground, and approaches the giant beast.
HP: 23/48
Embrianna moves and attempts to help move a boulder.
Thak lets out a scream of pain as the wolf bites into him and grapples him, burning fire flying through his veins making him insensate. Just as he is about to lapse into a coma the pain slowly begins to wash away from his limbs, accompanied by the strange feeling of being full of food and drink. Thak's eyes widen as he regains the use of his hands. "As you wish, Goddess..." he whispers quietly, before turning to the face the weretiger and trying to kick himself out of its grasp.
** spoiler omitted **
Round 8
HP:55/66
Angrim will shove against the small boulder next to him, frantically attempting to clear the path while the seven appear to be temporarily coming out ahead.
Jade stares as the elephant chases off the lycans. Seeing that the only one still fighting has a hold of Thak, Jade runs and jumps the boulders. She lands gracefully next to the weretiger, lashing out with her scimitar.
Longstrider: +10 feet to land speed for 6hrs
Inspire Courage: +2 to Attack and Damage rolls
Current AC: 21
HP:31
Spells remaining: 4 Inquisitor 1 Spells (Any), Shield of Faith, Tap Inner Beauty
Ki:3/7
Flames burst from Jade's scimitar as it left a deep wound with burn marks at the side of the Weretiger. He dropped to one side on his knees stopping the blood flow from the wound. However, the weretiger still bites unto Thak's arm like a dog at his bone.
Round 8 Summary
Flames burst from Jade's scimitar as it left a deep wound with burn marks at the side of the Weretiger. He dropped to one side on his knees stopping the blood flow from the wound. However, the weretiger still bites unto Thak's arm like a dog at his bone.
Round 8 Summary
Diggy moves to I-19. He tells the elephant to move towards the rocks and move #12 without trampling anyone. Then he casts magic missile.
Dignis fingers streaked bright blue bolts of energy as they thrust towards the weretiger's open wound caused by Jade scimitar. As if inflammable gas, the fire of Sarenrae ignited the magic missiles as it pierce into the side of the weretiger, imploding from within its body. The explosion was huge as the weretiger torso blast open sending chucks of flesh flying in all directions. Upon seeing the death of the weretiger, the rest of the lycan retreated back into the shadow of the night.
The elephant shifted away all the boulders and rocks easily as if it was routine practice for a show.
Dignis is thrilled. He climbs up to the roof, casts speak with animals and asks the elephant if it has a name.
Terflynn makes a loud, generic cry of victory, then promptly sets about getting back on his horse. Once mounted, he channels divine energy into healing for his comrades.
Dignis is thrilled. He climbs up to the roof, casts speak with animals and asks the elephant if it has a name.
The elephant trumpets loudly as if responding to Dignis.
I am Milk Tooth!!
"Great, they're gone, the rocks are now moved, let's be on our way now."
Having no desire to chase down any lycans in the dark, Embrianna gets into the carriage, ready to continue on the journey.
Thak drops from the creatures arms and falls to the ground panting for a moment. Eventually he pulls himself up, straps his bow onto his back and checks himself for wounds, grimacing as he notices the nasty scratches. Pulling his robe over to cover his latest bite-mark, he lifts himself up into the carriage after shooting a grateful smile at Terflynn.
"Well fought, sirs and madams... It has been some time since I've stretched the ol' fighting muscles quite that much, most exhilarating." Blood begins seeping gently from Thak's half-closed claw wounds and he gives a tight grimace. "Forgive my impertinence, but would anyone be kind enough to spend some healing spell upon an old soul in need?"
"Aye, I've a bit left to offer." Terflynn says, pulling out a wand and touching it to Thak.
Terflynn looks to the group. "Anyone else in need of a quick bit o' healing before we move again? Speak quickly, we mustn't linger."
Thak gives a quick sigh of relief before nodding gratefully again to Terflynn. "Much better, thank you."
Jade swings her scimitar again, pausing for a moment, her arms extended. Then with a flourish she sheaths the sword. That was a beautiful dance, she says, a touch breathless. As she watches others pile into the carriage, Jade turns to Alfred. If it's okay with you, I would like to simply run alongside the carriage the rest of the way. I do not currently know where we are, and therefore the secret of where we are going would remain . . . well, she says with a shrug, secret.
And if anyone else needs healing, I can help as well, Jade adds looking over the group.
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Alfred looks around at the carnage and nods.
It seems we have survived this night. Come let's us be on our way. I believe you have earned your right to be the 7 peers after tonight.
Turning to Jade and Terflynn
Do proceed to heal the rest. And as your request, you do not need to be blindfolded.
Looking at Thak, Alfred carries a concerned look.
Mr Thak, this weretiger is a natural lycanthrope. If I may I wish to examine your wounds to ensure the curse has not entered into your bloodstream.
Jade nods to Alfred, then she turns to her companions.
When Alfred finishes examining Thak, Jade reaches out putting a hand on Thak's arm, as she says a small prayer to Sarenrae.
Thak moves his robe aside to show the freshly healed skin. "Thank you for the offer, sir Alfred, but due to the kind magics of these two I am healed. As well, I managed to withstand that creature's foul poison; I am quite strong."
Poking his head out of the carriage, Thak looks for the retreating wolves. "You said that one of the talking wolves- Rhaksis- was your brother. Did you mean metaphorical or literal, sir?"
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Alferd frowns at Thak's statement.
Well its still better you let our clerics check you later.
Turning to the group, Alferd bows to them.
I am sorry my friends, but Rhakis was my younger brother before he turned...we were both schooled in the ways of Bardic music and performance. However, he is always jealous of me since I was young.
Alferd carries a sad look in his eyes before resuming.
It happened when the Nightfall Scion was choosing a Bard for their operations. The applicants finally came down to both of us...when it is revealed that I was chosen instead, resentment was built up in Rhakis heart. You will hear of this man named Adimarus Ionacu soon enough, but he used this resentment and convinced Rhakis to give up Sarenrae for the demonic deity Jezelda..Mistress of the werewolves.
Alferd shakes his head.
Dignis chats idly with the elephant, but only for a few seconds, then quickly returns to business.
I am sorry you lost your brother to such a fate, he says from the roof.
Angrim kneels down over the corpse of the Weretiger, and slices its chest open with a ceremonial looking black knife. He cuts the heart out, and removes a small piece of it, popping it into his mouth. As he chews a swallows the bloody meat, a rush of ghostly energy can be seen streaming from the corpse to Angrim's face briefly causing his skull to glow through his skin. After the energy fades, he tosses the heart back onto the tiger and gets into the Hedgehog. "I'm uninjured after Terflynn's assistance. Thank you Terflynn." He says out the window. "What an exhilarating fight, glad none of us died. Means we're all capable. Shall we continue on Alfred?"
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Alfred chuckles.
Ahhh good times...love a sineater anytime
Alright let's go!
Alfred directs the guards to pick up the corpse of the dead guards and place it on the empty horseback. The guard whom shares an affinity with Angrim salutes Angrim as he walked past before carrying out Alfred's instructions.
The journey lasted for another hour before they started a downward trail towards a deep canyon. The woodland foliage around the path is bountiful as branches scratched the mounts and riders alike. It is a path less traveled, as the entire night sky is obscured by the thick overhead leaves and branches.
The path suddenly lead to a huge clearing in the center of the forest and a steep mountain cliff stands before the entourage. The top of the mountain is hidden by misty clouds and fog as one looks up. The guards urged the horses to continue moving forwards the cliff wall. Like magic, Alferd spoke a command in celestial and an opening instantly appeared before them.
This opening is protected by an illusion wall. Only upon the command word, the illusion wall magic would be removed. Should any uninvited person walked into the illusion wall unknowingly, there will be a dimensional door right behind it that will transport them to a location far away from here. Alferd explained to the heroes.
Inside the cavern is a spiraling trail 30 feet wide across leading upwards into the cavern. Blue ghost light lit up the path guiding the mount in pitch black darkness. You can hear that illusion door got reactivated with a vorpal sound sealing the opening behind them. The carriage continue the journey up the spiraling trail for an approximately 35 minutes before leveling to an opening.
When the carriage exits out of the cavern you felt the transition from stale air to fresh moist air. A far spanning valley full of lush green foliage and rapid white waterfall lies before the heroes. The valley bathed in the light of the moon gave a very surreal feeling as the heroes admires the beauty of nature. You can see a large city on top of the valley opposite the cavern opening.
Welcome to the legendary Dusk Valley my friends, home to the Nightfall Scion for the past 800 years. The city you see there is the Dusk Capital
As the carriage approaches the Dusk Capital, you can hear songs in the celestial tongue singing in the background. An entourage of approximately 2,000 guards dressed in the livery of white and grey formed ranks on both side of the carriage as it moved towards the a knight standing right at the end. The carriage stopped as the doors opened. The heroes alighted the carriage as fluttering doves released by servant boys flew around them.
Alferd smiles and gestures for them to stand before a large knight. He has strong chiseled jaws and piercing grey eyes. His bright silver body armor is of an medieval heritage which is a full-body field armor that combines both silver and steel components into a suit of mail with a steel backing. It includes a cloak made of grey wolf fur, as well as arm, shoulder, and thigh guards. He carries a commanding presence and as the heroes walked towards him, they felt pulses of holy energy washing over them.
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Greetings chosen ones. It is I Patriach Thelessia Nightfall, sword of the church who have called you. I thank you for responding to our call in such times.
Thelessia spoke in a loud booming voice with both hands stretch out as a gesture of welcoming them.
Alferd time is running out for I have heard what had happened on your journey. Meet me at the Hallowed Fountain for their initiation ceremony.
Alferd bows as Thelessia turns and walked back towards the city.
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Come my friends, it's a long walk to the hallowed fountain. Now that you have seen the Dusk Valley, I am sure you would have burning questions. Ask them if you like as we make our way there.
Alferd falls in beside them as a dozen guards broke ranks and accompanied the heroes into the city.
Inside the city, thousands of townsfolk made up of men, women and children gathered around the heroes as they walked the pavements. It is a city that is very clean and pristine. Spotless white walls, bright colored flags with the Nightfall Scion emblem flapping gently in the wind is seen outside almost every building. The crowd muttered and cheered as they walked pass throwing rose petals over their heads.
It's them!! The gods have answered....
The 7 peers...we are saved!!!
Some of the peasants you can see are crying, thanking their deity as they bowed their heads and knelt down. Some even go to the extreme of kissing the grounds that they have tread upon.
Thak looks at the magical barrier with interest as they pass it, craning his head to watch it carefully as they proceed forwards. Eventually he is roused from his observation by the words "... Dusk Capital" turning, he openly gapes at the majesty of the sight, and the incoming entourage, thousands strong.
As the cries come into earshot and the face of the men, women and children come into view, Thak grows more and more uncomfortable, seeming to shrink into himself. "Goddess, what in the world have you chosen me for..."
Turning to Alfred, Thak urgently whispers "Sir, what on earth is this place? Why are crowds of people calling out 'we are saved!' at the sight of us? What is that man that he deserves a 2000-man guard?"
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This place is the bastion against all that are evil, a place of hope and peace. They are the followers of the 7 peers, the pillars of the Nightfall Scion. It is of little wonder that they hold you in high reverence. Remember today my friends, when the temptation is strong to turn....remember their faces...
Alfred paused to let the heroes take in the faces of the crowd.
The man is our Father. He will be your Father too after tonight.
Oh f*ck. What have I gotten myself into? Angrim wonders to himself when he sees all the pageantry and pomp. He looks extremely uncomfortable to be the center of this much attention, and pulls his cloak's hood high to hide his unpleasant features. He follows Alfred quietly observing everything around him, trying to remember as much as possible.
Jade stares at everything as she enters, walking alongside the carriage. She listens to Alfred's explanation, and then smiles. She lifts her hand, waving to the crowd. As they walk along Jade's steps become lighter, and before long she is dancing her way to the fountain, her colorful clothes making patterns in the air with her movement. As she dances along, she looks up at Alfred, I've heard you speak of the Nightfall Scion and the peers, but what are they? I've never heard of them.
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Ahh glad you ask Miss Jade. May I just say you are indeed a beautiful creature of Sarenrae.
Alferd smiles and admires Jade's dancing form before resuming.
I believe you would have heard of the Shining Crusade? Well for those who do not know the Shining Crusade was a decade-long war fought by the Taldoran Empire, the dwarves of the Kingdom of Kraggodan, and the Knights of Ozem against the forces of the Whispering Tyrant of Ustalav. It began in 3754 AR and ended with the Tyrant's defeat and imprisonment in 3827 AR and the founding of the country of Lastwall the following year. The Nightfall Scion was formed around 3828 AR the same year as the country Lastwall was established.It was said a group of Inquisitors consisting of dwarves of the Kingdom of Kraggodan, and the Knights of Ozem pledged themselves to never allow such a fiend to emerge again.
Alferd spoke with disdain upon the name Whispering Tyrant.
While the army of Lastwall guards the burial site of the Whispering Tyrant, the churches have pledged to form the Nightfall Scion lead by Patriarch Lazarus Nightfall, a Grand Inquisitor of the Church of Iomedae. The Nightfall Scion was not to be affiliated to the various churches so as to function as a weapon for the Church against the forces of darkness.A select group of 7 inquisitors was formed from the 7 Founding Church of the following Deities; Iomedae, Erastil, Torag, Sarenrae, Shelyn, Cayden Cailean and Desna. They are named the 7 Peers depicting the 7 Heavenly Virtues. A new group of 7 inquisitors were selected and invited every 50 years to form the new 7 Peers.
Alferd smiles and turn to the group and bows.
You are the 16th generation my friends.
Dignis also enjoys Jade's graceful display, remembering her fluid movement in combat. He was right when he guessed she would be something to see in a fight. She was even fun to watch without a fight.
So, this group of 7 peers has more leeway than most orders in how it gets things done. Agents of not just our own gods, but all 7 at once. Interesting.
Embrianna holds her head up high as she walks past the crowd, doing her best to hide her discomfort at all the attention her group is being shown. Though I had no idea what to expect when coming here, I am pretty sure that this wouldn't not have even been a guess. These people appear worshipful of us...
Terflynn visibly furrows his brow and looks slightly perturbed. "I'll be glad when we're rid of this mob. City-dwellers... PAH!"
"I have been fighting evil for many years. How have I never encountered this group before?"