Lin angles her way around the pillar, by tucking her wings in and losing some altitude, as she came around she angled downward and landed near the remains of a humanoid in tattered entertainers garb.
As Lin landed roughly Min looked around and kept his bow at the ready. "Sorry Rider but the air is too dead within these halls for flight."
Min smiled as he looked down at the corpse critically. "I told you to ease up on the servings of elk." He reaches into his saddle bags and pulls out a tanglefoot bag, hopefully this works...
Lin snorted at Min's comment but found no easy target among there fellows and newer allies. She held her breath until she had an easier target.
Once the warrior and the priest are again clear, Aylaeth once again sends out a devestating wave of force against the warden jacks, it's overwhelming power obliterating them into a cloud of fine metallic dust which quickly settles on the floor.
(vs Jacks in Z-AA)
Force Damage: (extra damage included)
WJ Ref save: = Fail
1 AP used.
Gray sees Aylaeth wheeling around on Tora'an and hustles out of the way, following Kelne to the north of the Promenade and letting the sylph magus do her thing.
With both Karthan and Aylaeth in the air, the last of the warden jacks are cleaned up in a matter of seconds, allowing the Skyknights and Cassandra's escorts to all land and speak under (hopefully) calmer circumstances. Just as everyone is landing, Jorzan comes sprinting into the Promenade as well, leaving only Tanel Epun and Sir Justahl of Neowald unaccounted for, as far as the Skyknights know.
Horridly, it looks like the warden jacks destroyed the last prisoner; the guard who had been trying to roll away but kept getting hit by Zan is covered in thousands of tiny slices and has bled to death.
knowledge arcana
"Twas some battle!"
"I look forward tah hearin everyones account o tings."
Belsarious's words bounce harshly off the stone walls and marble floor of the Promenade. Distantly, it seems you all can hear the sounds of fighting, of a great battle going on. Grippen, perhaps? But this sounds rather out-of-scale for the mere platoon of dwarves the stout guard mustered to aid you.
Aside from that distant clamor, things are eerily silent. Pools of blood smear the fine marble of the floors and mix with skeleton fragments and wash over the tattered remains of Red's deck of playing cards. Everything in the palace is quiet and still.
Like a tomb.
As he sprints into the Prommanade Jorzan skids to a stop and does a double take for a second to make sure he's in the right place. Karthan's on a Griffon behind a Knight, there's two dragons in the room and Cassandra is on one of them, and there's a glitterin pegasus of all things with some female rider who's hair is blowing in the wind-except they're all in a windowsless room. Hadn't he just left here a few seconds ago?
Quickly realizing that Red and the skeletons are down and that these folk seem to be allies at least the nimble minded rogue takes it all in stride and calls out [b]"This dance may be done but the party's not over yet kids. We've got some more dancing partners on the way." as he hooks his thumb over his shoulder. Pausing only to make sure he then blends into the shadows in a corner of the room and prepares a nice surprise for the wolfguards in the form the fireball arrow he nocks to his bow. Stealth:
Maiathreen acknowledges the young rogue who came running into the room he brings Servais up into a ready position.
"We need to get this blasted extradimensional space open," Kelne said, gesturing at the tapestry, "It's somewhere around this tapestry. Anyone who feels able to help with that, stick around. The rest, keep those new arrivals off our backs for a few minutes."
Until they rescued Kevin, they were going to be stuck here, and sooner or later, distractions notwithstanding, the entire population of the palace would converge on them.
Kelne set about trying to work out how to enter the extradimensional space, examining the tapestry and checking behind it.
She wasn't quite sure what Karthan was talking about, but it ceratainly sounded like it was up her ally. Having Tora'an land near the place the sorcerer indicated Aylaeth asks [b]"What's this about an extradimensonal space? If you give us more information we can help you better."
Whatever the situation, the scholar magus would lend her knowledge and skills to it. It was obvious that they had landed in the middle of a dangerous situation. Greetings, introdustions and the purpose of the Skyknights being here could wait until later.
pos
"Introductions can wait, but we are the Skyknights of Izmir's Third Army, here to speak to Karthan regarding our quest. Where is Sir Justahl? It was his aura that they scryed and sent us to."
Sir Justahl has to take a moment to squelch the deep down fear (Has the Inheritor withdrawn her favor? Have I screwed up so badly I am no longer a Paladin?).
He looks down at Kevin and absolutely does not know what to do.
He carefully kneels, reaches out and touches Kevin's neck; he tries to feel for a pulse or body heat.
"Kevin, I see a glass tube attached to your chest with a greenish liqid inside. Do you know what that is?"
"If I had more information," Kelne said with what he felt was admirable restraint under the circumstances, "I would have passed it along already. We know where it is, we know Cassandra's brother is imprisoned within, and that's about it. There have been distractions," he concluded, waving a hand to encompass the carnage surrounding them, "And the locals haven't exactly been helpful."
"As to Justahl, I wish I knew where he was. He was sent somewhere during the fight. Vanished right in front of our eyes. He's next on our list of people to find and rescue as soon as we're done here. I daresay Karthan can scry on him, that ought to give us a starting point." They still had one of those scrolls left.
Aylaeth as the big warrior made his disparaging reply but she kept her thoughts to herself 'What is it that seems to make most Northerners so abrasive? Is it having to deal with the exteme's in weather?' she wonders.
Well, no matter, she now knew that the group was looking for the brother of soneone named Cassandra, who must be the young seer they had heard of, she surmised. And for some reason, this brother they sought was in some form of extra-dimensional space which was connected by some means with this tapestry. 'Ok, well that should be enough to work with' she thinks to herself and puts her fine mind to the task
Karthan casts Detect Magic, and suggests that others do the same - he scans over the tapestries on the north wall, then the ones on the south. "We're looking for the resonances that would indicate an extraplanar space..."
Knowledge(arcana):
Knowledge(planes):
Spellcraft:
Min dismounted and gave Belsarious an odd look before shaking his head and looking at his comrades, new and old. "If anyone is in need of aid I can try and assist." Hearing Jorzan call out Min gives Lin a grim look and she nodded back at him in return. "I am ready Rider, lets find out what we're up against.".
Min nods towards his companion before spotting the tattered remnants of the card deck by the jesters corpse. "What is this?" Min waved his free hand over the deck of cards, not quite trusting that things were as simple as they seemed. Several small balls of steel just tried to kill us. "Tyidristdr Liekunst" Upon hearing Karthan's simple instructions he starts to focus his detection to cover a much broader area.
As your eyes continue to adjust to the light, you think you are able to start making out details about the room you are in behind these strange glass(?) walls; stone floor, maybe a bed? Maybe? A ways away? If it is, then this room sounds exactly like what Karthan described when he scried on Kevin. You also think you see a sliver of hope; you are in a giant gem of some sort, and it is not affixed to the floor. Part of why it is so hard to see out is the gem is colored, like an emerald or ruby. It occurs to you that if you could perhaps topple this thing, it may break. Or at worst you might be able to move it around the room.
You also notice that young Kevin has some wicked-looking fangs. It is not clear to you whether or not the boy is aware of this.
Jorzan continues to watch the door -- giving Mai a raised eyebrow when the aellar leaves his post at the door to help Karthan and Aylaeth -- but so far, whatever enemies he heard in the stairwell are yet to make an appearance. All is quiet.
Meanwhile, the combined might of the gathered spellcasters quickly locates an aura in the tapestry on the north. As you are all working, the Feral Boy yells. "GUB! Baralatrufeh! Mif!" He runs over and stands by the part of the tapestry that represents the Doors of Ormiria, doors the lot of you bypassed by teleporting directly here. Standing before the tapestry the boy makes gestures that seem to be miming the opening of a door.
After switching your concentration to focus here, you all realize that sure enough there is some time of dimensional gate located right there at that point in the tapestry. The combined arcane knowledge of the three of you allows you to quickly deduce that the door leads to some kind of pocket demi-plane, not unlike a , but harder to find and much larger.
The Monster lumbers over at the boy's behest and rams one massive paw into the tapestry and through the dimensional gate, then his head right afterwards, disappearing into the cloth fabric as if actually were a door. After a moment the huge outsider pulls his head back out and addresses all of you. "Hrumph! Is tunnel! Very small!"
"Who else can see in the dark?"
"We can see with just a little light but not in pure darkness. Maybe some of us should remain behind to give the ones who followed him in a surprise?"
Lin takes Mai's spot at the door, her large form effectively blocking a large portion of the doorway. She gives Jorzan a toothy grin and continues to watch the outer hallway vigilantly as Min and the others gather around the doorway.
When the new doorway was discovered, Min made his way over and joined the conversation. "I can see about twenty paces in full dark, so if you need me to scout I can. Is that alright with you Captain Damian? Other then whatever was following that fellow..." Min gestures to Jorzan. "We need to find your friend Sir Justahl and continue the mission." As he waits for a response he gestures to the other set of doors standing ajar. "Perhaps we should be guarding those as well?"
"Karthan, if you and the big guy could join the elf," Kelne said, hoping to get things moving. He was by no means reassured that the foes Jorzan had mentioned weren't yet on the scene. Most likely they were raising the alarm and calling in reinforcements to crush the intruders. Every minute of delay gave the Wolfguard time to organise and mobilise, and he wanted to be on the move, not standing around waiting for them.
"Myself and another volunteer will respond if they yell," he went on, "Everyone else, make sure we've got a clear line of retreat. Hopefully they'll be out quickly and cleanly, and we'll in a position to move on from there."
"Gray, if you could make sure everybody's at full fighting strength, I'll use the time to fill our allies in on the details of our situation," he concluded, looking about to make sure there was no dissent. Min's suggestion about covering the other doors was a good one, and he intended to see it done.
Min nodded as the large Foreglander laid out his simple strategy, it all made sense to him. Get in, find there ally, get out and reorganize from there. He didn't offer up his abilities this time though and allow the large armored man, Gray, to take care of thing out here. He didn't know what lay beyond the doors in the tapestry and he suspected he was going to need every bit of strength just in case.
As he knocked an arrow to his lifebow in preparation, Lin gave him a low growl and a firm nod. Min returned her nod with a smile. "If a fight does break out she will at least be of some use to you. Depending on how cramped it is in there I don't think it would be safe for me to bring her along. She too can see fairly well in the dark and is willing to move where she is needed, so feel free to ask her." Lin gave the Forgelander a nod, followed by a toothy grin before turning back to what the doorway.
As the large silver dragon lumbers over to fill the doorway and bares her fangs at him Jorzan involuntarily takes a step back. Quickly realizing though that it is merely her version of a smile, he smiles weakly and nods back 'Who are these people that they have dragons working with them?'. As he thinks this, he glances quickly at the smaller dragon carrying Cassandra, to make sure that she is alright. Not seeing anything to indicate otherwise, he nods to himself and returns to his vigil.
As the others concentrate on the pocket dimension and rescuing Kevin Jorzan remains focused on the opposite doorway, his senses primed to pick up the slightest hint. For a moment he looks over at his shadow and considers sending it along into the pocket dimension with the others, but the whole thing is still too new and he is too unfamiliar with it's abilities or his connection to it. For the moment, the shadow being remains hovering by his side. Considering that the Dragon seemed to be able to spot him so easily, he moves even deeper into the shadows.
Perception: +2
Zan Perception: (aid another)
"Ada'an will go with you." Aylaeth says, as the little angel flutters off her head in response to her mental command "He is the smallest of all of us, he can see in the dark and you shall never be lost while he accompanies you." she explains further. Plus, it would give her a link with the group should anything go wrong. Or so she hoped anyway.
Assuming Karthan would have done something similar, she takes a moment to invoke a simple communication cantrip, including the half-orc and the Forgelander in her spell thus allowing all of her teammates, and two of the others, to easily remain in whispered communication.
She then casts a protection spell over both Tora'an and herself before speaking once more. "Tora'an and myself shall guard the East doors. Nothing shall pass those portals while we yet live." and the pair quickly wing over to the open door, filling it's space while the other door remains closed. While Tora'an moves the magus takes a moment to load her newly improved crossbow with one of her new acid bolts and then sits at attention atop her mount and friend, crossbow in one hand and quarterstaff in the other. While they stand guard the pair prime their senses to pick up the slightest indication of danger. In addition the pegasus lord sniffs the air and opens his senses to evil to see what more information comes his way.
Aylaeth Perception: (aid another)
Tora'an Perception: +2, + Scent & detect evil
Aylaeth casts: Message, Protection from Evilx2
"Very well."{/b} Karthan dismisses the Message cantrip he'd cast, and re-casts it - [b]"If this is extra-dimensional, this won't cross the barrier, so Jorzan, if you stop hearing from me, that's why."
"Gray, you're with us."
Message - cast on everyone going in with him, and Jorzan on the other side.
He summons his Unseen Servant to carry the crossbow, has a wand in hand, and prepares to go through the portal.
The ceiling is a massive, arched affair, painted with many murals dedicated to the wealth, health, strength, and virility of the Baron. The room itself is a perfect square, 100' on a side, and with two exits on each wall except the one where Kelne is currently standing, which of course has the doors to the promenade in addition to its two exits. Against the far wall is a dais on which sits a throne built entirely of gems and precious metals, a monument to the Baron's astonishing wealth, ego, and often-questionable taste. The walls are stone clad in marble, and the floor is pure marble. Everything is polished and clean and gleaming. Despite the cold and the awful business that brings you all here, it is impossible to not appreciate -- even if just for a moment -- the richness and beauty of the raw materials involved in the construction of this room.
Karthan and the others enter the portal into the tapestry, and are immediately thankful for the Monster's large size; it appears he judged the tunnel too small for his great bulk, but it is sufficiently small you can walk single-file. It is constructed of worked quarry stone and is 5' wide by 7' tall, and goes forward perhaps 30', where it terminates in a door. This door is made of some kind of metal, it seems, and does not have a visible lock or handle. In fact, only the difference in material sets it apart from the walls at all.
Min watches the door warily, he looks at the walls, floor and ceiling for any possible dangers.
"I don't know enough about the arcane to trust casting here, I will leave that upto you guys." With that he knocks an arrow to his lifebow and pulls the string tight in preparation for a quick shot.
Little Ada'an flutters forward, his angelic senses alert as he also detects for any sign of evil
Perception:
@In the Tunnel: Those capable of detecting magic get a low aura of Transmutation magic off the door, but there is no clear aura of evil or chaos or any other alignment, and no other aura of magic from anywhere in the tunnel's short distance.
From behind the door, very very faint, muffled voices can be heard. The exact things they are saying are impossible to make out.
@In the Promenade: The distant battle sounds continue, eerie in their quiet. Nothing else stirs.
Ada'an Knowledge(arcana):
Ada'an having sensing nothing evil within his range or ability to detect, flutters silently, in the absence of his mistress content to wait for her allies to make all the decisions for him.
Perception:
"Look out!" He calls out pointing at a very large head that is slowly peeking around the corner from the far stairwell in the East Ballroom (a bit less than 100' away), revealing a giant pair of sickly-glowing yellow eyes.
When the others catch sight of the yellow eyes...
`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"
"Come forth tah be recognized, owner o tha yellow eyes!
EVERYONE is healed for
Channel 1
Channel 2
--------
33 total
"Hah! Hah! Hahhhhh!" At Mai's shouted warning and Belsarious's poetic taunt, the owner of the head in question steps into view, and he is a deeply unpleasant sight to behold.
It is perhaps possible that this thing was originally a troll, but it's difficult to tell. It is very large, perhaps 10' tall, and walks on plodding feet. It is clad in a crude breastplate, behind which emanates a ghastly green glow. The creature's arms are made entirely of some kind of metal, and attached via rivets and leather ties. The right hand is a spiked gauntlet, each spike dripping with a pink fluid, and in place of the left hand is a rusty and serrated sawblade from which drips the same snot-like pink liquid as the spikes on the right. The lantern-yellow eyes swing around, taking in every detail, and when the creature smiles it reveals four fangs, not the tusks trolls typically have.
There is a shuffling and a groan, and a second creature appears, but this one is in the west ballroom. A disgustingly lumpy black fluid is leaking from its feet as it shambles forward, evidence perhaps of an encounter with the caltrops left behind for it by Jorzan. These two creatures -- one in each ballroom -- are walking slowly but methodically towards the Promenade.
"Abadar preserve us!" the sylph intones as she witness the horror before her. Her crossbow already primed and ready to fire, she lets loose an acid bolt upon the monstrosity. As soon as she fires, knowing she won't be able to reload with her staff in her other hand, she drops the crossbow to the ground for one of her allies to use should they wish.
Then, in preparation for the battle ahead of them, Tora'an leaps into the air where he is most comfortable and where they will have the greatest advantage.
One handed Holy Crossbow attack: (and actually that should be 24 total if the troll is at 100')
Bolt & acid & holy Damage:
Acid for: rounds
Aylaeth Init:
Don't know why I didn't express this before, and I'm sure it's too late now to retcon, but as awesome as it is, the crossbow will not be much use to her. She's a staff magus, so will almost always be having her staff in hand. I used the crossbow this time just cause I wanted to try it out, but in reality, in any battle she's only ever likely to get that one shot off, and then only if she has had time to prepare before.
It woulda been much more awesome and useful to have had the holy quality put on the staff. The only reason I didn't ask for that was because I thought it would have been too much to ask for with the other stuff she requested. With your saying their resources were limited I was very (happily : )surprised we got as much as we did.
But anyway, my plan now is to perhaps seek to trade the crossbow for an upgrade to the staff in Stormfare. She'll also be giving most of the new bolts to Karthan, as she should also be able to get more in the rainy city. Sound possible?
As he sees the disgusting creature shamble into view the rogue smiles slightly as he notices the effect his caltrops have had. Narrowing his eyes, he holds off on his shot until he can also see the wolfguards he knows to be accompanying the thing. The moment he sees them, he lets loose his shot targeting the abomination. He then moves slightly to hide again, this time also moving 25' up the side of the wall.
Readied surprise shot:
Crit Confirm: Fail : (
Arrow & Sneak Damage:
Enhathladi Fireball damage:
Stealth:
Lin had been looking for the strange man that had been standing guard with her moments ago, but when Mai's warning shout reached her ears she raised her head to see the second thing lumbering towards her position. With that she gaves a roar of challenge as the second one continued to step towards her, with a low growl her claws surged to life and crackled with arcane energy as she readied herself for battle.
Min stands quietly with the others, the bond was quiet in this strange place and although it made him uneasy he knew that Lin would be alright without him. He had no good idea's about how to get past this door and stood quietly with his bow ready in case of trouble.
Karthan looks as far as his darkvision will take him, and is not surprised when the Message cantrip doesn't cross the barrier.
"This...this could be an issue."
Karthan looks at the door - with no handle, no visible locks. "Wish Jorzan were here. This is his area of expertise, not mine."
He does press his ear to the door to listen to what's going on on the other side.
"We are safe tis not a bander-snatch!"
Initiative
"Who made you!"
Taken aback at the sight of fangs, Sir Justahl stands up abruptly. Yes, we need to get out.
Looking around as his eyes adapt further, he wonders at the shape of the prison. He had heard of stories of souls being trapped in prisons, could this be something like that? Maybe, if he wasn't just a disembodied soul, he could move it. Roll it around. Enough to break?
"Alright Kevin, we're here to get you out. Hang on to something, I have an idea."
Carefully running a path from one side of the prison to the other, he tries to rock or even roll the prison.
IF that doesn't work, then add a Hero point for a Heroic effort.
IF that doesn't work, then add a Hero point and 2 points of CON in a titanic muscle straining effort.