So'rien looks up at his shoulder and clamps his fingers on the little dragons snout to shut him up. Stick a cork in it ok...he didn't mean anything by it. I'm sure he thinks you are just as savage a predator as I do.
With a bemused smile, indicating he still thinks the dragon is too cute for words even, Maelchar holds out his hands in a defensive gesture and says, "Master Shin, I meant no disrespect, I'm sure you are able to devastate your foes and rain destruction on your enemies." He lofts a brow at Sorien. He overcomes the urge to wink too.
Mr. Shin mumbles around So'rien's fingers and you can make out what sounds like "patronizing" but aren't sure.
So'rien smirks at the interplay before saying My memory is a little bit fuzzy but I was captured while in the worldwound on a mission. I'm sure it will come back to me. What about you all? What have you been doing in my absence?
Nasira looks at the freed man, trying to determine the extent of his injuries. "You appear to be in good health. Do you require healing?"
Maelchar, while overjoyed to see So'rien again, is still a little suspicious after the illusions meant to infiltrate their ranks and turn on them when they could least afford such treachery. So'rien's 'information' has been hazy to say the best, things easily taken from his own mind via telepathic intrusion if nothing else. While the others should understand his suspicions, So'rien himself would not and he couldn't bear to rebuff his brother if it turns out this is truly him. He is truly conflicted...
"We have been working our way through the worldwound, finally arrived in Drezen to retake the city and fortress... return it to the control of those who serve the good, if we can." Truth, but nothing more than would already be known by their enemies.
So'rien smiles and says I'm just hungry and thirsty. I haven't eaten in two days since they left me here.
Nasira everyone looks fine but So'rien does look famished. Mr. Shin looksl ike he could go for a good meal as well. Besides that you know that spectres sap a person's vitality wehter it be in the form of a strength drain or level drain. Which one you are not sure of but you do realize that a restoration spell would fix him easily.
|
Thank you Nasira. That takes care of the damage. So'rein, It is good to see you again, although the circumstances are certainly less than ideal. That said, your assistance will be invaluable in facing these enemies, as will the intelligence you and your ferocious dragon have provided. Garith says, as he doesn't ping as evil
Have you gear somewhere?
So'rien nods and says In that chest there. He then goes and opens it taking out various items. You see a headband, a cloak, a rod, and a bag. He also pulls out a wand.
Pakak nods, "Good to see ties of blood reunited."
Mr. Shin chirps up and says Hey give me that! before snatching the wand out of So'rien's hand. Where's the other one? He continues, letting go of So'rien's shoulder and leaping up in the air, it's wings fluttering like a hummingbird and he soars into the chest. Here it is! He announces zooming back out. He tucks them both along his back in a leather sheathe. They cross over his shoulders like a two sword fighter.
When Pakak speaks up he says Yes, yes it's all very touching but lets get a move on before something murders us.
After the reunion with So'rin there is another cell in this area to explore. The sigils are not glowing and you suspect that somehow they have been turned off or suppressed for the time being.
It seems like the ordeal to So'rin has also affected Mr. Shin as the faerie dragon is a bit more vocal and direct then you remember him to be.
So'rien moves over to the other cell and looks inside. I never did find out the other prisoners name. I hope he made it out in one piece.
As you near the cell you can feel an overwhelming aura of chaos and !good! emanating from the area. The walls of the cell have been decorated with hundreds upon hundreds of butterfly images, scratched
into the stone by what could have been claws. The source of the aura is apparent as on the northern wall of the cell is a short prayer to Desna.
HEAR MY PRAYER, LADY LUCK. FOR IT IS
LUCK I NEED IN ESCAPING THIS CELL. NOT
JUST THE LIFE BEHIND THESE BARS, BUT AN
ETERNITY SPENT SHACKLED TO THE ABYSS
ITSELF. IF YOU TRULY ARE THE TENDER
OF DREAMS, THEN TENDER UNTO ME A NEW
EXISTENCE. LET ME SING THE SONG OF THE
SPHERES, SEE THE STARS WITH NEW EYES, AND
ESCAPE THE PIT INTO WHICH MY SOUL WAS
CAST. BRING ME GOOD FORTUNE, MY LADY.
BRING ME A NEW SPIRIT MADE CLEAN. AND
I WILL FOREVER BE YOURS, IN LIFE, AND IN
FAITH. I AM READY. FINALLY READY.
"Hello? Is there anyone here?" Maelchar asks tentatively.. not seeing anyone or anything yet...
There is no sign of anyone else in the cell. Whomever it was that was originally held here is long gone. Only the claw scratched drawings and the prayer remains. However the nagging voices that permeate the entire dungeon are not in affect in this cell at all. The antimagic field also help to bring them to a stop. Once you all leave the area though you will be subjected to them again.
Morgrym walks into the cell as well, noticing the words. "Huh. You all should see this. Whoever wrote this, it looks like they no longer want to be a bad guy. 'Escape the pit into which my soul was cast'." He then looks toward the others, "Well I'm curious. I kinda wanna meet this prisoner," he states with a slight grin.
So'rien looks over at Morgrym and says I believe he is referring to the experimentation that was done to us. We had a demonic elixer forced upon us...it is what caused these changes.
"There must be an antidote, every toxin has an anti toxin, every elixir a counter..." The wizard muses.
So'rien looks over at Morgrym and says I believe he is referring to the experimentation that was done to us. We had a demonic elixer forced upon us...it is what caused these changes.
"Ah, I see. Well that doesn't make it near as interestin' then. Would've been fantastic ta meet one o' the bad guys turnin' against their own team. Typically it always seems the other way around more often than I care ta mention. Ah well... at least he's on our side!" he nods, grinning wryly.
"Any may be redeemed, as the Everlight preaches. But the change must come from within. This could be read as a plea for redemption."
She studies the etching with interest, looking at the letters and not the words. Taking a dagger from her belt, she experimentally scratches at the wall, saying, "A prisoner would not have had a weapon with which to scratch this message, but I see no other sign of a tool. If it was done with a claw, it was a formidable weapon itself. Did this elixir grow claws on you?" She looks with interest at the recent prisoner's hands.
"What did this prisoner look like? How will we know him when we see him?"
From what I could gather the elixir has different effects on those it is given to. It is quite possible claws may have resulted from the tainted and foul concoction. As for how we will know him, I cannot say as I never saw him, only heard my captors speaking of the "other subject".
As Maelchar and Garith meet up with their companion thought lost, Zeriax feels happy with his companions joy. He had never met So'rien before though, so he remains wary of any deception - they had come across too much of that lately.
"I am Zeriax" - he bows to the newcomer and his draconic companion - "Any friend of Garith and Maelchar is my friend"
So'rien bows back and says Thank you Zeriax. It is a pleasure to meet you.
Zeriax feels that So'rien is being truthful although this could again be an elaborate hoax to make you fall for another trap.
3,6,7,9 clockwise success
As Zeriax makes his way forward under the ability to whisper messages back to Garith he approaches the corner of the large jail cell. Immediately he notices that all is not right as the double doors are open here. The next thing he notices is that the cells all contain a creature and 4 of them are looking back at him!
surprise round init...
Zeriax
others
These all appear to be vampire spawn. Lesser version of a full vampire but still deadly in such large numbers. They can still drain a victim's blood and dominate you. Clearly their presence indicates a full and powerful vampire nearby.
Again every 5 above you can ask for something in particular.
When Pakak sees the foe, he calls out, "Ware, Vampire Spawn! If they're here, then surely their master cannot be far!"
No, forget that, I don't want to know. How about what energies have the best chance of hurting them? I suspect fire, but good to be sure.
Vampire spawn are not resistant to nor susceptible to any particular energy type Pakak. They do not sparkle either.
No...real vampires don't sparkle! -1000000000000 xp to Pakak! lol ;-P
Mr. Shin flits over near Pakak and looks in.
Vampire spawn are resistant to cold and electricity 10.
They have the blood drain and dominate special attacks.
Special defenses include channel resistance +2 and DR 5/silver
Zeriax immediately doubles back, and away from the creatures, communicating with Garith through the Message spell -
The 4 spawn that saw Zeriax all quickly pursue the fast monk but he leaves them in the dust. Still 2 of them manage to get out of the room and into the hallway proper as surely more will follow behind them.
In a fluid motion, Zeriax whirls around, and after hearing the words exchanged between his companions, he simply unleashes three silvered arrows at the closest undead creature.
So'rien looks at the spawn with almost contempt and hurls a fireball into the room. The fireball glows with a white hot intensity as it explodes with violent force.
Zeriax unloads 3 arrows at the closest vampire spawn hitting twice and returning it to a permanent dead state. So'rien steps up and uses his most powerful spell sends a ball of flame soaring into the room as it explodes in a white hot blast. Blinking to clear the eyes from the flash all you see are scorch marks on the walls. There is literally nothing left of the spawn that stood there mere fractions of a second before.
Morgrym grabs his hammer fully and is about to charge straight into the undead until he catches sight of a tiny ball of flame out of the corner of his eye. As he watches it hurtle straight into the midst of the vampires and explode mightily, practically erasing them from existence, he takes a couple steps back to avoid getting singed himself. He then turns and looks over at So'rien, obviously impressed with the display from the look on his face. "Boy am I glad you're on our side!" he says with a grin, nodding a 'well done' at him.
"Well done, good spread, good intensity...." The dwarf evaluates the magic, "But where is the true Vampire?"
Nasira closes her eyes as she unconsciously basks in the heat of the explosion. Realizing the danger, she snaps back to attention, only to relax when the threat is no longer present.
So'rien looks vaguely embarrassed for a moment before grinning and saying I think I overdid it a little bit. I'm not even sure how long it's bee since I was able to use my magic.
Zeriax nods in approval of So'rien, but still does not feel at ease - "Master Pakak, ow can we garner if their master is close by? Or where it would be?" - he inquires, peering into the charred area.
Zeriax you did not see any sign of a coffin that is traditionally associated with vampires. As there are no more visible signs of an exit then it must have left the spawn here and laired somewhere a bit more private but still close enough to garner the (feeble) protection of the spawn.
"Cleansing flame. I am sure that the Everlight approves."
To the archer, she adds, "For what comfort it brings, little has changed. Their master can still be anywhere - but we have deprived it of very powerful allies."
Nasira you do know that vampires are said to be very hard to kill as eve if wounded they can come back again unless they are staked through the heart and their head cut off.
So'rien says I'm afraid I cannot help either. I know the common lore but my studies have tended to the more arcane and planar variety. Well, I don't suppose there is any point staying here though. Shall we continue and see what comes?
So'rien says I'm afraid I cannot help either. I know the common lore but my studies have tended to the more arcane and planar variety. Well, I don't suppose there is any point staying here though. Shall we continue and see what comes?
"We shall" - Zeriax nods, resuming his scouting, doing a full clockwise check of the room, after casting a simple spell.
Once he confirms if there are no other threats, or passageways, he returns to what seems to be the main hall, and the southern double doors, checking them carefully.
Pakak's brows furrow as he tries to think on anything else he has heard of Master Vampires and how best to find them