Merelda "The Widow" Widdomeria |
Merelda smirks and rubs the giant insect's head appreciatively.
"I think Cinder believes it's an improvement."
Innis |
Innis bares her teeth in a grimace. For the first time ever Innis seems to be in at a loss for words as Kirzon's new eyes blink disharmoniously. Unable to stand looking at the freak she has made of him she turns away motioning for the group to continue.
Merelda "The Widow" Widdomeria |
Seeing...and hearing...Lililinda's reaction, Merelda smiles evily again, and points at the newly 'altered' dwarf.
"You know, I think that elixir might be of real 'use' back in the temple sister. You know the rites I'm thinking about? The revenge ones? I wonder if there is a long-term or cursed version of such a thing?"
Innis |
Hearing Liliinda's shrill scream forces Innis too look back on reaction and she gets a second look at The Thing that is Kirzon and the gnome whose heart she trampled on. "If we make it out of this alive you can be the first to petition such a request, Inquisitor." She responds tightly.
Not for the first time she reflects on her journey.
~Goddess, am I the monster these people see in me?~
She shakes her head trying to clear her thoughts.
~There's a price to living, some just aren't willing to pay it~
Kirzon |
Kirzon's eyes dart all around, looking at the reactions of his party members, who he could see all at once. Lililinda horrified, Merelda smug, Cassandra and Amigail whispering, Innis . . . was that guilt?
A dozen eyes then train their focus on Boros, as Kirzon sees if the snake creature still recognized him. The snake licked the air, loyal as ever. Even if all others thought he was now a monster, he still had a true friend.
And for all the horror, Kirzon's state was an improvement in all the ways that mattered. He once was blind, and now could see in all directions. Whatever curse that he had been afflicted with was intended to be a blessing. A dark blessing.
"Next time, ye should try some o' yer crazy ideas on yerself first, Innis." He complains, but knows it's likely futile. The Calistrian would do as she wanted.
"Ah'm not gonna worry' bout it. We're 'bout ta walk inta a flamin' tow'r. First job is livin'." He pets his trusty snake companion and works on becoming comfortable with the sensory overload he was now experiencing. There was a good chance they would all die here, and if that was true, his physical appearance simply didn't matter.
Cassandra Leigh |
Cassandra knelt and placed a hand in support of the gnome at the loss of her ward before moving on. When she saw what innis did to Kirzon, making him grow all those eyes and turn him into a monster she nearly struck at the woman as a traitor to their cause. Only Kirzon's retention of his mind and the way Boros acted towards him stayed her hand but she vowed one thing, she wasn't letting Innis get behind her any longer.
Merelda "The Widow" Widdomeria |
Merelda narrow her eyes and walks toward the possible entrance, rapier and shield at the ready.
Drama queens. All of them, except the dwarf and his snake. At least those two are still as solid as ever.
"We tarry too long. Let us finish this so I...we...can have our revenge finally."
DM Aumakua |
While some adjust to the horrific form of Kirzon others steel their nerves trying to focus on locating the cure for the disease that afflicts them. None are prepared for what happens next...
There atop an infernal goat-headed steed emerges a headless broad shouldered dwarf wearing a suit of blackened full plate armor that constantly emits steam and thin plumes of smoke. He carries a large steel shield bearing numerous glowing diabolical runes and sigils and wields a smoldering dwarven war axe in battle.
Though headless you hear his voice bellow out towards you, "Who enters the city of Hrazhad-Kul?"
Lililinda |
Between headless flaming dwarves, and ones with too many eyeballs, Lililinda has seen about enough. “Yes! Hello there!” she calls out strangely cheerfully, “I do believe we have your head. Perhaps we could come to an arrangement where we exchange it for help in stopping a plague?”
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Innis |
Innis is still surprised by the suddenness of this revenant's arrival despite her preparations. "We seek the destruction of the Cult of Maramaga. Aid us Lord Dhurne." She adds as Lililinda shakes off her melancholy and hysteria to cheerfully address this new entity.
Diplomacy (Aid): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Team Diplomacy score: 30
Merelda "The Widow" Widdomeria |
Merelda just coughs to clear her breathing, and set's her rapier angle for action.
Amigail Trentwell |
Amigail stands stoically, waiting to see if the headless dwarf will respond to diplomacy or if she'll (as usual) have to take her falcata to the horror.
Innis |
Innis feels this creature's smouldering silence like a physical weight. She shifts knowing that she needs to be ready for anything if words fail.
~The immortal care not for mortal concerns such as time clearly...~
DM Aumakua |
The headless dwarf sits there atop his goat-headed steed. He lifts his horrific large dwarven axe in one arm and slowly sweeps it in your direction as if he were measuring your worth. He ends letting it stop at the brave gnome fashionista. Smoke billows out of the steed's nostrils filling the area with the smell of brimstone.
"You measure your worth high. But before me I can already feel your souls slipping away. You bargain with me to return my head for the chance to destroy the goddess?" As he says this you watch the mount take a step forward. "Give me the head NOW!" the volume of the voice causes your eardrums to ache. "And I will aid you in removing the goddess' very name and those who would still worship her from this land."
Kirzon |
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As the voice of the headless dwarf continues to speak, Kirzon is a little confused about where to look to detect a lie. He couldn't check facial expressions, after all. Fortunately, he had enough eyes that looking pretty much everywhere was a reasonable option.
Sense Motive, Inspiration: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 10 + (6) = 28
DM Aumakua |
Lililinda |
"Excellent! It seems we have come to an agreement, my lord." she turns to her friends, "Let's hand it over, then. Who had it, again?"
Innis |
Innis casts Lililinda an appraising look of course the gnome was too quick to trust. While Lord Dhurne spoke with a passion uncommon of most undead they have faced she is reluctant to hand over the head feeling quite safer with it if rumors of his prowess were to be believed.
She tries to call to mind the ghost dwarf's words...
Kirzon |
"Ah can't say that 'e's lyin'" whispers Kirzon to the others. "But ah' can't see 'is face neither," he remarks.
Kirzon too thinks about what the ghost dwarf said as well as the advice of Yndryssa.
"'old up, lass," interrupts Kirzon, as Lili is eager to hand the head over. "Lord Dhurne, ah saw a vision o' 'ow ya killed all yer people with yer axe. E'ery dwarf in sight, male, female, old n' young. Why should we believe ye ain't gonna do tha same wit' us, soon as we give ye yer 'ead back?"
DM Aumakua |
The mount and the headless dwarf shift to face Kirzon as he mentions the vision, "You are correct but it was not my will that caused me to do that to my people. We who lived in Hrazhad-Kul did so under the rule of the Midnight King and the priests of Maramaga."
"I turned my back to the worship of Maramaga and her senseless culling of my people of the old and the sick. I did this by making a pact with the Lords Below. For immortality and the power to lead my people, I swore my soul and the soul of my people to the same Lords."
"The priests of Maramaga and the Midnight King could not stand against the army of creatures from the Lords Below and the perfection of Hzarakul" Hoisting the gruesome ax well high in the air he lets you all look at the immaculate workmanship and then rests it once again on his shoulder. "Each one tasted the edge of my ax. But so consumed by the power given to me by the Lords Below I turned on my own people after I had killed the Midnight King and the priests. When that was done I turned on myself and severed my own head."
"So I will not turn upon you. I will aid you in finishing off the priests of Maramaga and ceasing her name to be spoken ever again within these caverns."
Merelda "The Widow" Widdomeria |
Smirking yet again Merelda sighs.
"I'm sure we can trust the walking-talking headless dwarf. Right? Let's get this over with. My revenge is at hand finally and I for one cannot wait to make it painful for our enemy."
Innis |
"Very well Lord Dhurne..." Innis presents him his head "find your freedom, aid us in our cause and in doing so wreak vengeance upon Maramaga and her followers
Kirzon |
After casting a spell, Kirzon has one last look as he hears Lord Dhrune tell his story, just to confirm his trustworthiness.
If allowed . . .
Sense Motive, Guidance, Inspiration: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 1 + (1) = 16
Not that it was any better.
He utters a silent prayer to the Great Tree Spirit. Lord Dhrune better be a man o' 'is word, he thinks.
Amigail Trentwell |
Amigail continues to watch and wait silently, letting the smarter and wiser members of the party deal with the headless dwarf. She makes a mental note to aim her hacks a bit lower than usual if the party should come to blows with the headless spirit.
Innis |
Innis considers that she might turn the power of Lord Dhurne's Face upon him at the pivotal moment. She stays her wrath and has faith her goddess will bless this vengeful union.
DM Aumakua |
The headless dwarf trots the goat-headed steed over to the party stopping in front of Innis. With his free hand he reaches down and grabs the head lifting it and turning it to face his body.
There is a loud laugh that erupts from the hollow cavity of his neck. "Finally." he places the head in his lap and faster than you think is possible he lifts the wicked axe and launches it at the party.
The axe blade turns several times before it strikes the ground sticking fast into it. "When the cult and their leader came here to the city of Hrazhad-Kul. I met them in the Plaza of the Damned and was ready to have their heads join the smouldering block, but I spared the Maramagan priest when I caught sight of his holy symbol.
I told him: 'Live, whelp of the Scythe Mother. For my treachery against my former faith and against my ancient kin, I shall spare you. But do not return.'
Since that time, I have not seen the priest nor his followers."
Pointing at the smouldering axe sticking up from the ground he continues, "Take Hzarakul it was born from the oldest furnaces of the Hells to slay any who would worship the Scythe Mother. Those struck by it will know the curse of her worship. When you are finished leave the axe and pray to whatever gods you whisper to that we never meet again." He turns the steed and begins to trot away into the burning tower.
Merelda "The Widow" Widdomeria |
Putting away her rapier, Merelda walks over and picks up the Axe...
Saving throw?
DM Aumakua |
You lift the axe not surprised at the weight it carries. The handle sends a chill through your body even as the blade of the axe burns a greenish flame.
The writing of runes can be be seen on both sides of the blade but you are unsure what they say.
no save
Merelda "The Widow" Widdomeria |
Merelda walks slowly over to Kirzon and offers the axe to him almost reverently.
"Not my kind of weapon."
Kirzon |
Kirzon is surprised as the headless dwarf just rides off, having gifted his axe. "Don't ye wanna git yer revenge on Maramaga yerself?" he calls out.
As Merelda offers the axe, Kirzon gazes at the weapon from his many eyes, but does not reach out to take it. "Ah'm an old dwarf, lass. Ah do me best wit' me axe, but ah'm na tha one fer Hzarakul."
Most of the eyes shift their gaze toward Cassandra. "Ye've got a strong arm, Cass. Ah could teach ya what ah know 'bout axes, but ah'm pretty sure ye'll figure it out right quick."
Kirzon |
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"Yer right, Innis. 'elp me understand what 't is."
Kirzon decides to take the axe, casts a spell, and begins to examine it, communing with the Great Tree Spirit for insight. He hopes this time not to get caught in a crazy vision.
Spellcraft, Guidance, Innis's bonus: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 26
DM Aumakua |
Calling upon the knowledge of the Great Tree Spirit you are given the answers that sought.
Hzarakul
+2 Maramagan bane dwarven war axe. On one side of the axe it reads, Hzarakul, in dwarven runes. On the other side it reads something else. It deals an additional 2d6 points of bane damage vs.
divine spellcasters who worship Maramaga.
Innis |
After Kirzon is finished scrying the axe for its magical properties. Innis bids the team to continue forward. She will for once leave the important decision as to who will wields this powerful magical artifact for the team to decide.
As Kirzon offers it to Cassandra clearly the most suited for the task she comments...
"We would be counting on you to use the weapon if you take it. You would have to expand beyond that precious glaive of yours, dearheart."
She turns to Amigail "Similarly you Amigail. You know your way around a blade if I were to back you as my Champion, we could be unstoppable together." seductively dangling the fruit of power before the swordswoman.
"Of course, I would never say no to such a weapon. Though I dare say I would be a terror with such a thing." she laughs flippantly at her veiled jest(?)
Lililinda |
"Well, I admit I was hoping for something a bit more substantial than a borrowed axe, but I suppose we should be grateful for what we can get." Lililinda says, not sounding all that confident in her own words.
Cassandra Leigh |
The experience with the undead dwarf was nerve wracking for Cassandra but it seemed that they came out the better for it. At least she thought they had. That axe made the warrior woman very nervous and as they continued forward and discussed who should wield it Cass had a very bad feeling of who would have to.
When Innis finally came to ask her to wield the axe Cass stepped back slightly from and looked to first Merelda and then Lililinda. "Is the axe evil or cursed," she asked the pair. From her tone it was evident that the answer would determine her willingness to wield the large weapon.
Merelda "The Widow" Widdomeria |
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Merelda shrugs, not interested in the debate much.
"It didn't hurt me. No sentience. Low risk."
She then talks low, under her breath, scratching Cinder's head carefully.
"Can't have a gods-be-damned dwarven-made rapier of course. Or Dagger. Gods forbid."
Innis |
Innis cocks her head to the side struggling but at least trying to understand the strict moral code of the warrior before her.
She speaks slowly trying to put the pieces of this puzzle togeather as she searches Cassandra's eyes.
"It was used for great and terrible things. Forged with the intent of absolute violence. We would be asking you to use it for the hateful purpose of which it was intend..."
She concludes with tempered disappointment "...It is not for you."
Innis |
Amigail stands silently throughout the discussion perhaps trying to evade attention or wrestling with her conflicting feelings towards the Changeling diva. Nevertheless Innis nods in Amigail's direction. "Take care of the axe for me."
She beckons the team to continue forward.
Amigail Trentwell |
Amigail takes the axe as instructed, but shakes her head as she feels its weight. "I've never fought with an axe in my life," she says quietly. "I've trained almost exclusively in the rondelero style: falcata and buckler."
Innis |
Innis raises an eyebrow as Merelda comes and takes the weapon. Though skeptical she feels that it is somehow right that the weapon of vengeance best be wielded by a Calistrian. "Very well Sister. Know that I will take up the cause should you falter." She says with a professional respect for her Sister-in-Arms
Amigail Trentwell |
"Good luck with that thing," Amigail says quietly as Merelda takes the dwarven weapon, leaving her to wield her much more comfortable falcata and buckler combo. "May your goddess guide your blows."
Merelda "The Widow" Widdomeria |
Does anybody remember if I have to wield it two-handed, or is there an additional penalty for wielding it with one one like an exotic weapon? Non-prof penalty is pretty standard either way? Right?
Merelda takes the weapon back with a slight grimace, and then shrugs as if resigned to her fate.
"The heft is not impossible for me. I can only hope to do the goddess's will and find our revenge with it properly. Let's go kill some idiot fanatics."
Am I talking about them...or us?
"Sister? I am unsure what will happen to Cinder if I do not survive. Please take care of him as best you can in the name of the goddess if he survives my death somehow."
Innis |
As Merelda leaves her last-wish with Innis even as one of Calistria's most liberal of priestess' she cannot help but accept the formal responsibility. She adopts a formal and rigid stance placing one hand on the beat of her chest and the other on Merelda's. She so intones "May you rejoin to the Heart of Eternal Flame and dance within Calistria's embrace when your earthly spark fades. I hear your request I will bear your candle. A communion thrice struck between You, Caliastria and I."
When the ritual is complete she preens her attire momentarily. "Now then, I believe there is chaos to be made."
DM Aumakua |
@Merelda You would need to wield it with two hands