The prof grabbed by force doesn't resist but when Caesare asks him an idea, he turns towards the beast and casts a spell.
"Τομβ δανς λα μισερε δυ μονδε!"
Running up and taking a deep breath Caesare moves into the Thrall trying to control it to safe Risbeth.
Moving into the Thrall, Caesare realizes the following. While controlling the Beast, a combat character (such as a fighter) can grant the use of one of her feats to the Beast for 1 round. A character with sneak attack (such as a rogue) can grant the Beast her sneak attack ability for 1 round. An arcane caster can channel arcane energy through the Bondslave Thrall to grant the Beast a deflection bonus to its AC equal to the caster level of the character for 1 round. A divine caster can likewise channel divine energy through the Bondslave Thrall to grant the Beast fast healing equal to the caster level of the character for 1 round. A character can only grant these abilities to the Beast while actively controlling the Beast, so the Beast can only use one of these abilities per round.
"You better be skilled at controlling that beasty Ceasare." Xerice says with a bit of venom in her voice. She seems to have been looking forward to control the monster herself. Hearing Risbeth's cry for help she rushes down again and channels some dark energy to heal her from afar.
"Rush back up here deary, We'll have the Beast fight that beast. Caesare is controlling it and we don't want him distracted by your luscious body." Xerice calls down.
Risbeth looks down at the two pincers that have clamped down on her body. "I'm afraid Caesare shall have to fight off my other potential suitor before I can join you there, he has become quite attached..."
The spell that the Professor casts seems to do nothing. As it hits the golem, the spell unravels and dissipates.
Round 2:
21 Zanu
19 Caesare
16 Xerice
12 Augustus
11 Risbeth
8 Sonny
5 Aberrant
1 Beast
Zanu hesitates, unsure what to do. Caesare steps into the Thrall and feels his awareness suddenly suffusing the body of the Beast. Xerice tries to keep Risbeth alive, while the Professor casts a spell at the great Aberrant golem. Risbeth tries to pound the claw holding her, but doesn't seem to succeed. Sonny heads up to the ladder, where he can see that more than one person can operate the Thrall, though only one can lend their influence to the Beast at a time.
The Aberrant screams loudly in triumph, trying to maintain its hold on Risbeth! It succeeds and as a move action, transfers her to its tentacles, which grab at her with dripping suckers!
The Beast, feeling perhaps Caesare's desire for it to help Risbeth, drops into the room. The Aberrant is momentarily surprised by the sudden appearance of it, as the Beast swings the massive hook it carries! for damage! Caesare can feel himself seeing through the Beast's eyes, guiding the hook to a tender spot! The Aberrant screams in anger and pain as the hook cuts into it!
Round 3:
21 Zanu
19 Caesare
16 Xerice
12 Augustus
11 Risbeth
8 Sonny
5 Aberrant
1 Beast
A rain of stones and gravel pelt the area, not seeming to harm the Beast or the Aberrant, but knocking Risbeth unconscious.
Sonny steps into the Thrall to lend his help where he can.
Caesare will study the abberattion and try to give his friend the studied strike maneuver.
The prof stares down at the creature and studies it.
"I know your every movements and ability. Your weakness are now known to everyone!"
Sonny moves into the Thrall, which Caesare studies the Aberrant through the Beast's eyes. The Professor tries to help by shouting out the Aberrant's weaknesses.
The Aberrant howls with incoherent rage as the Beast strikes him. Dropping the unconscious Risbeth, it wheels to fully face the Beast!
The Aberrant smashes at the Beast! for damage and for damage! Both hit, smashing into the Beast like a freight train! and The Aberrant gets a firm hold on the Beast!
The Beast howls, and as Sonny and Caesare can see, is down to about half his full health. Caesare lends his studied strike and the Beast attacks! for plus electrical damage and studdied strike damage and for plus electrical damage!
The Aberrant is slammed back, but it doesn't look like it's ready to fall!
Meanwhile, Xerice channels to keep Risbeth alive and conscious, and it works, as she opens her eyes!
Round 4:
21 Zanu
19 Caesare
16 Xerice
12 Augustus
11 Risbeth
8 Sonny
5 Aberrant
1 Beast
Risbeth is unable to move without provoking an attack of opportunity, which will kill her in her weakened state. Unfortunately, being knocked unconscious by an ally was the worst possible thing to happen, as she was then dropped prone and healed, leaving her unable to move, but yet still threatening. All she can do is adopt a defensive combat posture and hope she distracts the creature so the beast can kill it.
Xerice smacks Zanu on the head for his foolish mistake to send an area of effect spell that took Risbeth out of comission and sends more negative energy to the lower levels to stengthen her companion.
Risbeth stands up, and retreats to the ladder, climbing up it weakly. As she passes Zano, she looks him in the eyes. "Remind me, sirrah, to have a long discussion with you after this is all over about the appropriate use of spells that have the potential, nay likelyhood, to injure or kill your putative allies." She smacks her fist into the stone wall and shatters a brick to make the point.
Risbeth stands up, and eyes the creature.
Risbeth then attacks the creature from behind, providing the Beast with a flanking buddy.
Feeling his body strengthen Caesare looks at Zano in disbeliev before sighing. "Take over Sonny, he needs you more now" before grabbing a potion to pour down his throat, growing in size.
"Will do. We'll have to have a discussion about choices made later." Sonny then assumes control of the beast giving him fast healing 6.
He then yells to Xerice, "I don't suppose you can heal the Beast can you sweetie, while it's concentrating on him and not Risbeth?"
"Negative energy doesn't heal a lot of creature sweety! Besides wasn't this one immune to most magic? Think before you speak darling." Xerice replies
The prof will spend one more round babbling about the construct's weaknesses, pointing the joints and the parts that were hit by Risbeth and the beast.
Zanu buffs Caesare, who quaffs a potion and begins to grow larger. Xerice tries to keep Risbeth up and fighting, while Augustus describes the Aberrant's weaknesses. Risbeth tries to hurt the Aberrant, but just glances off his thick hide. Sonny takes over the Thrall, and the Beast receives a surge of healing!
The Aberrant lets go of the Beast and once again pounds it with its claws! for damage and for damage! It each time it hits and once more the Beast is caught up!
The Beast howls in pain, but bolstered by Sonny's healing, fights on! for damage plus electricity and for damage plus electricity!
Round 5:
21 Zanu
19 Caesare
16 Xerice
12 Augustus
11 Risbeth
8 Sonny
5 Aberrant
1 Beast
Unsure if she's doing much more than annoying the thing and distracting it, Risbeth never the less continues to attack.
Risbeth flurries, but only her second strike seems to penetrate the Aberrant's thick hide! The Aberrant suddenly releases the Beast, then seems to pitch forward into the Beast's arms. It hangs there for a moment until it suddenly collapses, falling to the ground in a terrible heap of arms and legs, to lie twitching.
The Aberrant is defeated.
The Beast suddenly gasps and seems to come to himself. He limps over to the Iron Maiden, but gasps in pain when he tries to touch it and is burned by the adamantine bands. He turns back to Risbeth. "Please. Please help Father."
Running forward Caesare carefully opens the maiden, releasing the trapped inside
If Caesare is unable to open the adamantine bands, Risbeth will spend a few minutes studying them, smashing at weak spots until they shatter.
It takes Risbeth and Caesare's combined expertise, but a few minutes later the Iron Maiden is opened and a frail old man tumbles out. He looks malnourished and dehydrated, and he is clearly covered in his own wastes. "Thank you," He manages to croak out before passing out.
Risbeth shakes her head. "I'm afraid to pour water in his mouth, he may not be able to handle it in his condition. Someone needs to heal him first, that should undo the majority of the damage, and I think he'd be healthy enough to feed and bathe."
"You are up Sonny, I'm sure you can keep this pile of bones alive a little longer." Xerice says as she looks the old man up and down.
She walks over to Risbeth with a hand covered in dark energy and teasingly strokes Risbeth's wounds, closing them rapidly.
"Negative energy doesn't heal a lot of creature sweety! Besides wasn't this one immune to most magic? Think before you speak darling." Xerice replies
Sonny slides down the ladder and looks at Xerice, "I'm sorry my dear, I thought for some reason that you went both ways. Of course I'll heal everyone since you can't." He then smiles at her and winks and holds up his holy symbol and unleashes a wave of healing that excludes the creature they just defeated.
Risbeth moves out of Sonny's range of channeling, not wanting to be hit by accident. "That always makes me nervous..." She mutters under her breath, then gives Xerice a bow. "Thank you very much, oh Mistress of Deathly Energies. It feels much better." She looks at the wounds, which are now all closed up. "Much better."
The old man stirs and slowly opens his eyes. He takes in everyone, finally focusing on the Beast's huge child-like face. "My son. Home, my son. Wh-who are you?"
Sonny looks at Risbeth and says "You know when I heal people there is no danger to you and Xerice, right? It's only when I harm undead creatures that you need to worry and then I have the ability to exclude up to 3 people, which I always do for you and Xerice."
Sonny helps the old man to his feet, "We are friends of your son. He was accused of some murders and theft in the area and we proved his innocence and helped to set him free. We hear the Whispering Way was here, do you know what they wanted?"