Cole keeps his head down and waits for Serra to start his spiel again. As with last time though, he thinks of his bow nearby in his quiver - ready for action should the ruse fail.
"Well well well, who do we have here and what have you brought with you?" the rolling puddles of fat leer at the group, one of them licking his lips as his mouth already begins to water.
The Gnome's eyes begin to dart around a little nervously, reconsidering whether it was a good idea to come here or not. He mumbles very quietly "They promised great power..." He takes a deep breath and holds his ground, but eyes his larger companions warily.
"Well well well, who do we have here and what have you brought with you?"
Serraling returns the leer with a sneer, licking his forked tongue along his lips. Balancing on his be-frogged legs and reptilian tail, Serraling hisses his response.
"Nothing for you...yet. I might have some goodies when we come out. Now make way. And we don't have time to admire the fat of your bellies. We have reporting to do inside."
Bluff - evil
Eli stands behind the others, looking fatigued, and throwing his gaze back over his shoulder, as if the tieflings weren't truly dead, and escorted them back.
As he considers the vermleks before him, he puts two and two together. Wouldn't have thought their flesh was secondhand.
For no reason at all: Thing
Serra Iondri Phaer: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Elyanius Myoch: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17
Kandro: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17
Hurlin: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15
Cole Zeff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Grasker: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12
Beagan Berelcar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
The two men look at each other, and then motion for everyone to move in.
"Sir Serra... perhaps you should stick with being a knight. You are just too coherent to pass for demonkind, no matter how you look."
Remembering these are the demons that are harmed by channel energy, Grasker will provide the corpulent foes with a taste of radiant goodness.
Round: surprise, Initiative: 13
HP: 28/28
Weapon Equipped = Long Bow
Cold Iron Arrows = 30/30
Silver Blunt Arrows = 20/20
Cold Iron, Adamantine Blanch Arrows = 20/20
+1, Outsider Bane, Cold Iron Blanch Arrows = 10/10
Conditions = None
Ranger Focus = 2/2 (ex, swift, +2 attack/damage)
Child of the Crusade = 1/1 (free, reroll failed save to be demonically possessed or incapacitated)
Silver Dragon Scale = 3/3 (standard, bolstering)
Bow Attack Mods: BAB +4, Dex +3, MW Bow +1, (Deadly Aim -1), (Rapid Shot -2)
Bow Damage Mods: Composite Bow +3, (Deadly Aim +2)
Spells (caster level 1, concentration +3)
Level 1 (DC 13) Aspect of the Falcon
Cole moves up a bit as he draws his bow and he prepares to shoot at the flabby creature.
Surprise Round, Init 17
Eli touches a finger to Beagan's back.
"Steady, master Beagan. They are rotten from within. Prepare yourself for that sight."
Surprise round so far
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Grasker bathes the area in the joyful glow of goodness. Cole edges forward and draws his bow. Eli reaches out, adding a steadying touch to the little Warrior's resolve.
Hulrin's belly roils and rolls under the goodly onslaught, but he is not caught offguard. He returns the favor, calling upon an innate ability to inflict just a little of his vile nature upon the others.
Both Hulrin and Kandros roiling flesh soothes, as if benefiting from the trauma of others.
Kandro takes the opportunity to move a little closer to Serrog and attacks with his scythe!
Begin Round 1
Serra Iondri Phaer: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Elyanius Myoch: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17
Kandro: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17
Hurlin: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15
Cole Zeff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Grasker: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12
Beagan Berelcar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Round 1, Init 18
Will save
Serraling hisses as it is revealed that his ruse yet again failed.
My goodness shines too brightly, mayhaps.
No, they just want to eat your fat belly, fatso.
Serraling's face twists into an even more pronounced frown, which deepens more as he body is washed in negative energy. The vermlek attack, surprisingly accurate, takes even more of Serra's life away.
He moves into a spot (5' stepping back) to attack the post-charged Vermlek. He activated his ranseur. (1/5 used, AC 19)
to hit;
damage.
Round 1, Init 17
AC = 16
HP = 23/31
Weapon Equipped = MW Cold Iron Lucerne Hammer
Condition(s) = None
Eli steps up to threaten the same vermlek Cole targets. He staggers as the wave of revulsion rolls over him.
Grasker wonders by what means these demon can heal holy energy so rapidly. Unfortanately he draws a blank.
Puzzled, he takes the full brunt of the mass cause light wounds.
Round 1, Init 17-
Hulrin's stretched face stretches more, into a grimace or grin. He focuses again, calling upon another demonic ability. He drops his scythe and takes to the wall, his legs bending unnaturally as he scurries up the vertical surface. Wider and wider the mouth stretches, until an ugly wriggling head pops out, baring vicious teeth.
Kandro grins at Serra, then swings again!
round 2
Grasker will move slowly in his heavy armor, too slow to flank with Sir Serra. He does notice Sir Beagan's signal and readies to strike once this other knight provides flank.
Knights are so smart. I need to learn to think like a tactical team player, just like these two.
Round 1, Init 11
HP: 33/37
AC: 18 (ff 16, t 13)
CMD: 13
Init: +3
Fort: +5 | Ref: +3 | Will: +2
Per: +0 | Know nature: +6 | Know planes: +7
Equipped: Shield & Sword
Calistria's Presto-Changeo Trick: 0/1
Dancing Holy Flames: 1/1
Flare Holy Flames: 1/1
Big R's Holy Flameball:1/1
Call upon Big R to protect/rejuvenate mount/protect from evil, shield: 1/4
Call upon Big R to send assistance: 6/6
Scale = 3/3
At will: Read Holy Writing, Detect Blessings, Guide the Faithful, Resist the Enemy, See the Faithful
The wave of evil slips over the group and Beagan takes it in stride and glares back at the blobular demon.
Seeing Serra savaged, Beagan calls out in prayer and traces the rune in the air. "Big R', send your aid!" He grins evilly at the foe. "Wait until you see Xanthos!"
A giant ant appears next to the demon on the wall and attempts to bite and sting him with a holy furor.
"You're not Xanthos!" A rather surprised Beagan pulls himself together, drawing his sword and stepping up to the demon next to Serra.
Round: 1, Initiative: 13
HP: 20/28
Weapon Equipped = Long Bow
Cold Iron Arrows = 28/30
Silver Blunt Arrows = 20/20
Cold Iron, Adamantine Blanch Arrows = 20/20
+1, Outsider Bane, Cold Iron Blanch Arrows = 10/10
Conditions = None
Ranger Focus = 2/2 (ex, swift, +2 attack/damage)
Child of the Crusade = 1/1 (free, reroll failed save to be demonically possessed or incapacitated)
Silver Dragon Scale = 3/3 (standard, bolstering)
Bow Attack Mods: BAB +4, Dex +3, MW Bow +1, (Deadly Aim -1), (Rapid Shot -2)
Bow Damage Mods: Composite Bow +3, (Deadly Aim +2)
Spells (caster level 1, concentration +3)
Level 1 (DC 13) Aspect of the Falcon
vs DC 16 or 8hp damage. Half if save
Cole steps back 5’, lines up his shots, and tries to hurt the flabby creature next to the mythic ant.
(point blank) (point blank)
(point blank) (point blank)
Cole takes aim, drilling Hulrin with two arrows.
Grasker moves, and somehow ends up flanking with Beagan. The little knight calls upon the big "R", summoning a celestial ant to fight the demon on the wall. Grasker, now that he has flank, he attacks viciously, smiting Kandro, though the demon's evil sloughs off some of it.
The ant tries to bite and sting Hulrin. The bite misses, but the sting hits. The demon shakes off the poison, but still that hurts. but he remains in the fight!
Round 2
Serra Iondri Phaer: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Elyanius Myoch: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17
Kandro: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17 (-11hp)
Hulrin: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15 (-27hp)
Cole Zeff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Grasker: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12
Beagan Berelcar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Round 2, Init 18
Badly, badly bruised and nigh to death, Serraling steps back, considering leaving the fray.
He draws and quaffs his potion of CSW, so wounded is he, but wanting to stand his ground.
healing
"Lucky blows, blob."
Who are you calling blob?
Serraling turns to look at Kastor, a face of worry.
"Kastor, get back!! You'll know when it is time!! GET BACK!"
Serraling yells a bit louder than he should, but that Kastor is this close to these monsters clearly has him worried.
Round 2, Init 17
AC = 16
HP = 23/31
Weapon Equipped = MW Cold Iron Lucerne Hammer
Condition(s) = None
Eli slowly manuevers into flank against the grounded vermin. Sidling does nothing for his aim.
Round 2, Init 17-
Kandro steps after Eli, swinging his scythe! He misses the old man, and snarls, then he too destroys the head on his purloined body as the his own demonic wormlike face erupts from the mouth and attacks as well. This time he connects, taking a delicious bite.
Hurlin on the wall looks in bad shape! He jumps from the wall (provoking the ant?), then begins to wriggle and squirm. Suddenly, what's left of the corpse of Hurlin falls to the ground in front of Cole, a 90lb white grub of worm standing in on top of it next to Cole. It snaps out with it's ugly bulbous, pulsing head and tries to bite the archer that did him such harm. The worm looks to be in much better shape than the Hurlin seemed previously.
The ant snaps at the jumping Hulrin, trying to bite it on the way down.
Unfortunately, it misses him, probably misjudging the position of the roiling blubber on the way down.
Round: 2, Initiative: 13
HP: 21/28
Weapon Equipped = Bow
Cold Iron Arrows = 26/30 (1 miss)
Silver Blunt Arrows = 20/20
Cold Iron, Adamantine Blanch Arrows = 20/20
+1, Outsider Bane, Cold Iron Blanch Arrows = 10/10
Conditions = None
Ranger Focus = 2/2 (ex, swift, +2 attack/damage)
Child of the Crusade = 1/1 (free, reroll failed save to be demonically possessed or incapacitated)
Silver Dragon Scale = 3/3 (standard, bolstering)
Bow Attack Mods: BAB +4, Dex +3, MW Bow +1, (Deadly Aim -1), (Rapid Shot -2)
Bow Damage Mods: Composite Bow +3, (Deadly Aim +2)
Spells (caster level 1, concentration +3)
Level 1 (DC 13) Aspect of the Falcon
Cole takes the bite unhappily - wishing he’d used his scale before the fight in the surprise round like his little devil told him to.
He steps back 5’ and tries to destroy the worm before it can strike again!
(point blank) (point blank)
(point blank) (point blank)
Cole's first arrow flies wide, nearly striking the ant upon the wall, but his second finds it's mark. A huge glob of bile spurts all over Cole's boots as his arrow plunks into the rubbery grub. Bits of its inner horror begin to dribble out, but it still wriggles and squirms, for now.
A pale redness rises in Eli's cheeks, a slight moan in response to more than the pain. "It's speaking... in my head..." Eli turns to watch Cole being bitten, then turns back to the newly molted flesh. We're next... Cole and I... they seek new armor...
Round 3, Init 11
HP: 33/37
AC: 20 (with shield) / 18 (shield dropped) {includes Protection from Evil}
CMD: 13
Init: +3
Fort: +7 | Ref: +5 | Will: +4 {includes Protection from Evil}
Per: +0 | Know nature: +6 | Know planes: +7
Conditions: Protection from Evil (cast by Eli)
Equipped: Sword (Shield is dropped)
Calistria's Presto-Changeo Trick: 1/1
Dancing Holy Flames: 1/1
Flare Holy Flames: 1/1
Big R's Holy Flameball:1/1
Call upon Big R to protect/rejuvenate mount/protect from evil, shield: 4/4
Call upon Big R to send assistance: 5/6
Scale = 3/3
At will: Read Holy Writing, Detect Blessings, Guide the Faithful, Resist the Enemy, See the Faithful
"No! Eli!" Beagan rushes straight to Eli's side , drops his shield, his sword still pointed at the threatening demon.
With righteous indignation, he invokes his god. "As a Paladin of the Big R', I cast this demon out!" He reaches over and smacks his friend with holy fury, trying to cast out whatever evil is trying to possess Eli's head!
Giant ant will climb along and/or down the side of the wall until he can reach the demon.
Kandro sort of snaps in the general direction of Beagan, but he aims too high, biting the air a foot above the gnome's head.
-8 hp
Grasker will shift over to flank with Ely.
"Hang in there old man!"
Grasker can't hit a thing and hopes Ely has better luck squashing this bug.
Round 2
Serra Serra quaffs a potion, smarts off to the grub, then yells at... someone.
Ely swings at Kandro, but misses.
Kandro Kandro swings back, but misses. The grub pops his head out of Kandro's neck, ruining his head. He then bites Ely and chews... thoughtfully.
Hulrin The Hulrin worm jumps down, then jumps out of Hulrin's body; using parts of it heal himself. He then bites at Cole, taking a huge taste of the archer.
Cole fights back, launching two arrows at the demon. One hits, spurting a bunch of gore onto the archer's shoes, but the demon remains.
Grasker tries to help Ely, but but seems to be intimidated by his new sword.
Beagan rushes to Eli's side, blessing him with the Big R's protection. This provokes from Kandroworm, but the attack is lackluster.
Round 3
Serra Iondri Phaer: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Elyanius Myoch: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17
Kandro: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17 (-11hp)
Hulrin: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15 (-29hp)
Cole Zeff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Grasker: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12
Beagan Berelcar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Round 3, Init 18
Serra waddles hops on his sturdy frog legs over to flank, seeking to aid Ely's next attack.
Aid vs. DC 10
Round 3, Init 17
AC = 18
HP = 14/31
Weapon Equipped = MW Cold Iron Lucerne Hammer
Condition(s) = Protected from Evil
Eli stares at the worm, unsure why his anger is suddenly gone. Fascination takes its place. Serra's feint makes Eli mimic his gesture. If I could only pin it down... we might study it before it loses its life essence... perhaps...
Serra hops to Eli's aid, but it falls short. Eli doesn't seem to need it, though. His head clear of the anger clouding it only a moment ago, he swings his hammer, crashing down upon the worm formerly known as Kandro.
"Sorry, Ser! I'm back now. I'm safe. You be safe too!"
The boy hops from one foot to the other, watching the fight. His eyes never leave Serra, and the life saving potion never leaves his grip.
Round 3
The worm facing off with Eli moves in again, slashing and biting at the man.
Hulgrub follows his food source, quickly scrunching after Cole. He...it lurches, trying to get another taste, but his all he catches is a bit of Cole's scent on the way by.
Not to a worm... this... this isn't done yet... The old birch releases his hammer, and finds a spittled spot on the ground, for the time being.
Round: 3, Initiative: 13
HP: 21/28
Weapon Equipped = Bow
Cold Iron Arrows = 24/30 (2 misses)
Silver Blunt Arrows = 20/20
Cold Iron, Adamantine Blanch Arrows = 20/20
+1, Outsider Bane, Cold Iron Blanch Arrows = 10/10
Conditions = None
Ranger Focus = 2/2 (ex, swift, +2 attack/damage)
Child of the Crusade = 1/1 (free, reroll failed save to be demonically possessed or incapacitated)
Silver Dragon Scale = 3/3 (standard, bolstering)
Bow Attack Mods: BAB +4, Dex +3, MW Bow +1, (Deadly Aim -1), (Rapid Shot -2)
Bow Damage Mods: Composite Bow +3, (Deadly Aim +2)
Spells (caster level 1, concentration +3)
Level 1 (DC 13) Aspect of the Falcon
Cole, happy to be missed but unhappy with the tactical situation, steps back a few feet and shoots Hulgrub and he tries to make it a double.
I wonder how fast they inhabit a new body? Is Eli next?
(point blank) (point blank)
(point blank) (point blank)
Cole's first arrow takes a huge chunk out of the Hulgrub, and the thing finally drops to the ground.
The grizzled archer quickly re-aims, taking a pot shot at the second grub, only to waste the arrow somewhere in the bushes instead.
Round 3, Init 11
HP: 33/37
AC: 18 (shield dropped) {includes Protection from Evil} / 18 ff / 15 touch
CMD: 13
Init: +3
Fort: +7 | Ref: +5 | Will: +4 {includes Protection from Evil}
Per: +0 | Know nature: +6 | Know planes: +7
Conditions: Protection from Evil (cast by Eli)
Equipped: Sword (Shield is dropped)
Calistria's Presto-Changeo Trick: 1/1
Dancing Holy Flames: 1/1
Flare Holy Flames: 1/1
Big R's Holy Flameball:1/1
Call upon Big R to protect/rejuvenate mount/protect from evil, shield: 3/4
Call upon Big R to send assistance: 6/7
Scale = 3/3
At will: Read Holy Writing, Detect Blessings, Guide the Faithful, Resist the Enemy, See the Faithful
Seeing his friend drop, the Gnome's face burns with concern and anger.
Beagan steps over towards Eli and swings his sword.
Concerned about his friend, he retrieves a potion from his bandolier.
The ant moves forward an attacks the remaining enemy.
Beagan steps protectively over Eli, swinging with all his might at Kandro. The mangrub wriggles in his human shell, as if trying to get comfortable.
And you liked it too, didn't you? Did it bring back memories, of what was done to you...ooh, and of what you did? What would your friends say if they knew?"
The mangrub's mouth opens wide, but it's his scythe he swings at the gnome as the little guy reaches to retrieve something from his bandolier. He misses, though perhaps, just perhaps, it was on purpose.
As the demon's scythe swings, it reaches the small, bouncing gnome, slicing through his leathers and barely tracing over Beagan's hide. Eli's holy protection just allows the Gnome's skin to remain unscathed, or unscythed as it were.
An ashen look overcomes his face before he glares back.
"Tell them whatever you want. And I'll tell you exactly how your mistress will take her vengeance on you for your failure here. You know that I know exactly where she will put those poisonous barbs."
Picking up cues from Sir Serra, Grasker tries to bring down the wormy demon, confident the knight can help the fallen companion.
There is no hope for hitting unfortunately.
Round 4, Init 18
"Ely!" Serraling gasps as the man falls, his hammer clanging.
Unable to find his own avenue of attack with his deadly ranseur, Serraling moves to stand over Ely, drawing his cold iron starknife as he moves.
He tries to aid brave Sir Beagan's next attack while helping keep Ely safe.
vs. DC 10 Aid attack
Sorry about the tail, Ely.
Grasker tries to help, but can't bring himself to hit the worm for Radiance whisks by the mangrub once again. Serra too tries to help, and perhaps he will, in time. They cluster above him, the clash of steel oddly muted.
"Come, Lover. Call to me and I will save you."Her forked tongue slicks across his flesh, the scent from her blackened lips sickeningly familiar. "Just believe in me, and all I have is yours...My offer still stands. I can even give her back to you," the sound of her voice changes, losing the sibilant evil he's come to know her by. It freshens, softens, purifies. Lenore.
"... if you give yourself to me..."
"My answer still stands, even when I can not... you gave her back to me once, remember? I burned her body. You would turn all I loved into ash before it hit my tongue. I remember... and I bite my tongue even now..."
"You see...? I don't need you..."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Round 4, Init 18
Mayhap she waits on the other side, the true Lenore. And maybe she is near him still, waiting. She will wait longer still, perhaps.
Time loses meaning, the drips of his blood fading to nothingness then coming back again. How long has he lain here? It seems forever, but the sun grows brighter and warmer. Another voice reverberates, neither Blacklips, nor his Lenore. Young and boyish, like Will, but not him. Still, there is no guile there.
"It's fine if you don't like me. Just fine. Just live. You don't even have to like me. Just live, and fight the bad things.Just live."
Something wet like celestial fire fills Eli's mouth, pours down his throat. The taste of peppermint and radishes and honey fills him and the healing soon follows. Better than simply not dying, his body begins to knit, to remember how to live.
Eli stirs, his lungs clutching at air with fervor. His only exhalation, "I... Will... I... will..."
Serraling looks down between his legs, shocked to see Kastor nearby despite his earlier admonition. A angry yell is stifled on his lips as he realizes the bravery the young squire shows to save Ely's life.
Serraling turns his attention back to the vermlek, his face full of passionate pride.
He's such a good squire.
Round 4, Init 17-
Kandro looks at the group still standing, and considers his options.
Finally, he steps 5 foot to the side and focuses on feeling better, calling upon his reserves of negative energy for him and for Hulgrub, with plenty to share with a couple of their new..."friends".