Wardove's Rumble in the Jungle

Game Master Laithoron

"I think that falling asleep was the least of the guards problems. Or you might wish that was all that had happened-O'beilumanji decided he's had enough and, with the aid of an unknown outside party, has seen fit to take over the Citadel and use its inhabitants to test the range of the trebuchet." Although she didn't say it, Amhranai was sure the Master Chief would pick up on what was omitted. "If you want to help, let's go. Time is short. And your weapons are on the table."

Malinda listens to the strange elf's words but shruged her shoulders at his name.

"No clue who this 'O'beilumanji' is," she quickly crossed the room to her arms, "but he's about to wish he'd never been born."

She strapped on her buckler and looked at Amhranai with murder in her eyes. "Nobody uses my men for target practice–" her blade rang like a bell against her buckler, "–and lives..."

"Master Chief," Alis' voice was as stern as her gaze. "the air in the tower is rife with a magical toxin. Those who breathe it succumb to lethargy. That is why Arrowhead is defenseless. Our enemy has some manner of witch or devil with him. Our best guess is that this 'unknown outside party' is somehow using the citadel's wards to spread this poison."

She looped a finger thru Mariezza's necklace. "Thankfully, one of the cooks had a charm from the Commodore that protects against such defenses, but it's range is limited — no more than 5 or 6 paces at best. We were on our way to the lab we were told lies on the seventh floor, but frankly we're operating in the dark here."

"We do have reinforcements outside, but they dare not approach until we've disabled the wards. Do you have any idea what we're looking for?"

"Do I?" The warrior woman gave a low whistle and ran her fingers thru her hair. "Well, I'm no mage, but you were on the right track. The seventh is definitely the place, but..."

She pauses and looks about, "...unless you or one of your guards is a mage, I don't know how you'll disable the wards. Lord Glorohir himself created them..."

Alis' hips shifted, lips pursed. "My retainer, the Lady Ourson, is a wizardess of no small skill — otherworldly, you might say. A muse destined for Súmalya's court someday I suspect. Lead us to the lab and we'll see what she can do about it."

Furrows creased Malinda's brow, eyes casting about for the unseen wizardess. "Well, there are two ways up, your Highness. There's the hidden stair you came thru, and then the main one to the west of here. Was there any resistance on the way you came up?"

"No," Isaac responded. "There were signs of fighting further up on the stairs from the kitchen, but nothing behind Queen Auriel's tapestry. The secret stair's been clear thus far."

The Master Chief licked her teeth and nodded intently before slipping on a necklace similar to the one the Princess wore. "Well, the exit from that stair on the top end is plain as day, but so's the exit from the other one. If that necklace your Highness wears is what's protecting you, then mine should do the same. We can either split up and take both stairs or pack-in like ducks in a row on a single stairwell. It's up to you."

Realizing his need for formality in this situation, he replies, "Princess, I don't think it's a good idea for us to all go through the same stairs. In the event we do meet resistance, we don't want to be bottlenecked." Looking to Malinda, "I think the Master Chief's idea of splitting up is a good one. I recommend we take both stairs."

Isaac appreciated the sentiment of the other two warriors and nodded in agreement. "A pincer then is it? Same groups as before?"

"A two pronged approach does seem like the wiser course," Alis agreed. "Ardagnir, Amhranai, and Darvesch: you'll take the main stair and hopefully draw any attention. Myself, Lureene, Isaac, and Sasha will continue up these stairs and try to outflank any enemies."

Malinda snapped off a salute before donning a winged helmet. "Roger that. We'll rendezvous shortly."

With that, she snagged a belt affixed with numerous pouches from the back of her door and was off. The two heavily armored warriors were at the fore with, the tattooed priestess gliding along behind them.

MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 290 / 2:43db)

Theme: Destiny Awaits

As Malinda led the her new allies westward, armor clattering with every step, Alis nodded towards the secret door thru which they had entered. "Sasha and I will lead off. Isaac, you have rearguard. Let's go."

MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 291 / 2:43db)

• Good Hope: +2 morale bonus on saving throws, attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls. (r 346)

• A hp: 41 = 41/41
     (mage armor 0et, shield other 3md, resist fire 20 4db, see invisibility 4db)
  
• k: 20 = 20/20
  
• M hp: 62 = 62/62
     (air bubble r 254)
  
• D hp: 95 = 95/85
     (resist fire 20 4db, air bubble r 304)
  
• I hp: 66 = 66/66
  
• L hp: 55 = 55/55
     (mage armor 4md, invisibility r 306)

• S hp: 62 = 62/62
  

Even though the stairs continued to ascend, daylight filtering down from somewhere above, Malinda brusquely motioned for Darvesch and Amhranai to follow her thru an open door off the next landing up. Without hesitation, she began leading them down a long hallway, at the end of which closed doors opposed one another, one in the north wall, one in the south.

In a whisper that sounded more like a growl than anything else, she unsheathed her sword and said, "Left are some store rooms, but if it's the lab we want, that's on the right. You two ready?"

Meanwhile to the east...

"Looks like this is the top, Lissi."

The ranger turned to look toward the Princess standing on the next step down, golden locks aglow from the morning sunlight shining thru the window behind them. Further west, a single doorway stood closed at the end of a long hallway.

Alis nodded in understanding and looked behind her to give Lureene a smile of encouragement. That was, until a familiar sound reached her ears.

"Dammit–"

"Do you hear chanting? Sounds like–"

"–someone's completing a summoning spell!"

Note: Darv failed his spellcraft check so the western group knows there's chanting, but only the eastern group knows what kind.

Next Up: Alis, Amhranai, Isaac, Malinda, Enemy, Darvesch, Sasha, Lureene

MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 293 / 2:43db)

Chanting? Perhaps this is the person responsible for the mist that permeates this tower. Is this the witch? Could she be summoning something similar to what tore through the rooms below? She didn't like any of the answers to the questions in her head and turned to Darvesch, lips compressed in a grim line.

Voice pitched low, she spoke, "I've seen that you dwarves make for good battering rams. Shall we burst through the door and catch this person unawares? We'll be right behind you." At first it seems the elf is referring to herself and the half elven warrior until a gloved hand lifts a medallion aloft. The other hand wound the chain around wrist and forearm, medallion on the outside, before both hands disappeared. Steel rasped as the elf's heavy-bladed knives came into view. "I'm ready when you are."

The slight goes unnoticed by the dwarf, "Let me go ahead for a moment, I want to see what we have in store for us." With that, he goes ahead of Malinda and Amhranai, to the Lab door. He places his hands on the door, "Open my eyes to that which lies beyond," whispering quietly. Use Door Sight

"Do we need to bust it up?" Sasha hissed, looking over her shoulder at the others.

Isaac put a finger to his lips and shook his head. Until the others were in position and had sprung whatever ambush surely awaited them, their own group dare not push the offensive. They would be patient...

Malinda shrugged and remained where she stood while the dwarf moved ahead to place his hand on the door. Shortly after he had done so, the chanting ceased.

Isaac could just barely make out a faint sound, almost like the sound a faint breeze might make thru a darkened wood. Yet unmistakable to all was the lifeless moaning of the living dead standing outside the doors.

For several tense moments, both parties waited in silence. The heroes on the dwarven inquisitor's abilities, the enemy unseen on gods only knew what.

Theme: Keep Your Head Above the Mayhem

Little more than half a minute had passed, and the images Darvesch hoped to glean had still not manifested when whether due to impatience or curiosity, things took a turn for the worse.

Before him, the surface of the door darkened as if from some unseen fire. A face like something from a nightmare appeared, and a shadowy, crooked hand reached for his heart. With a start, he tried to spring back and bring his shield to bear, but the inky blackness passed clear thru it as if it wasn't there, and he felt the icy chill of the grave clutch at his chest, sapping his strength!

On the opposite side of the tower, a sharp intake of fear escaped Sasha as another inky form seeped thru the door before her! Instinctively, she leveled her bow at it, but the horror simply drifted forward and touched her shoulder, eliciting a panicked gasp from the stricken woman as her skin paled and withered beneath its fell touch!

Next Up: Alis, Amhranai, Darvesch, Isaac, Lureene, Malinda, Sasha; Enemy

MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 300 / 2:44db)

• Good Hope: +2 morale bonus on saving throws, attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls. (r 346)

• A hp: 41 = 41/41
     (mage armor 0et, shield other 3md, resist fire 20 4db, see invisibility 4db)
  
• k: 20 = 20/20
  
• M hp: 62 = 62/62
     (air bubble r 254)
  
• D hp: 95 = 95/85
     Str 20 - 1 = 19/ 20 -0 penalty
     (resist fire 20 4db, air bubble r 304)
  
• I hp: 66 = 66/66
  
• L hp: 55 = 55/55
     (mage armor 4md, invisibility r 306)

• S hp: 62 = 62/62
     Str 13 - 6 = 7/ 13 -3 penalty
  

Alis viewed the attack in silent terror, recalling a desperate fight in a sealed tomb just a few months prior. She recalled being certain that she was going to die until Uncle Morgaard had whisked her to safety.

Knowing full well that all hope for stealth was lost, she screamed in a voice loud enough even for those in the other hallway to hear, "It's a shade! Don't let it touch your armor or your strength will fade! Only magic or healing power can harm it!"

Recalling the recent summoning ritual she overheard, she quickly began to cast a spell in a strange yet lovely tongue. Reaching out, she touched Sasha and cried out, "Whatever you do, don't attack it, Sash — you'll break the spell!"

At least I hope it works...

With that, the Princess slipped into a defensive stance in the hope of evading the shadow's wrath.

Next Up: Alis, Amhranai, Darvesch, Isaac, Lureene, Malinda, Sasha; Enemy

Sasha gritted her teeth and staggered back, nearly tripping over the invisible Lureene, barely able to stand.

"Fine time for rhymes," she said thru gritted teeth, shoulder shaking from the chill gripping her soul. Clutching the wall for support, she thrust her bow at Isaac and said. "It's really magicky, see if it works!"

"Damn dirty Zucks and their filthy witchcraft," Malinda growled, "Let's see if four-feet of Celebannos steel fazes them!"

Like a flash, the Master Chief whisked forward to swing a single, terrific blow at the shadow as if she hoped to banish it in a single stroke. Ice crystals hung in the air as her mithril blade tore thru the shadow transforming the shade's rasping laughter into a keening wail of agony!

Although neither Amhranai nor Darvesch could see her leering mien, it was evident in her voice. "So elvish steel can hurt you!"

Discipline kept the curse that Isaac wished to utter quiet, even though he could hear his pulse pounding in his ears. "Thanks," was all he said as his own bow clattered to the floor. Even though he didn't like seeing Sasha get hurt, the Princess damn well needed to get away from that... thing!

In one swift motion, he drew and fired a shot that would have done a sharpshooter proud, yet the arrow simply passed thru the creature and sank deep into the wooden door beyond.

Did it do anything?!

Next Up: Alis, Sasha, Malinda, Isaac, Amhranai, Darvesch, Lureene; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 300 / 2:44db)

"So much for actually being cautious for once! See if I ever do that again!" He grabs his weapon and swings hard at the inky blackness in front of him.

Correction: Just realized that attacks against incorporeal creatures no longer have a 50% miss chance. I'll adjust damage accordingly. PRD: Incorporeal

As if Alis' echoing scream wasn't sufficient warning, Darvesch knew from his long hours of training that what lay before him was a shadow. While their wispy touch was particularly well-suited to bypassing the protection afforded by his armor, ordinarily they weren't too difficult to disperse with an enchanted blade or bow.

Yet something was wrong.

The shade should have been very nearly obliterated by Ardagnir's attack, but in spite of the trail of ice crystals hanging in the air, its form was still too distinct. There was little doubt in the stalwart warrior's mind that what they now face was a greater shadow, it touch far more precise than that of its lesser ilk.

Reaching deep, the inquisitor sought to test his theory and hewed at it with his axe. The undead horror screeched again at the affront, but it still existed. This was indeed a greater shadow after all.

Next Up: Alis, Sasha, Malinda, Isaac, Darvesch, Amhranai, Lureene; Enemy

As she watches the shadowy creature make its presence known and dodges Sasha who definitely looked the worse for wear, she debates in her mind the best way to proceed...

Offense or...Defense... I am not sure I can destroy this thing with one spell, sooo....defense it is.

She slips her other wand from her sheath into her hand and softly utters the command word to summon the wand's effects. As she finishes activating the wand, her trusted elemental trundles towards the shadowy form...

Standard: Activate wand of Mirror Image; 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 images created.
Move: Draw wand of Magic Missile.

"I did tell you to just ram the door down, so don't look at me!" A hiss then cloth rustling as Amhranai rushed to the dwarf's side. "Balezu must be thrilled that this witch so flippantly uses what is his. Or perhaps you were trapped before you were able to depart-it matters not-begone."

As she brought the medallion to bear, the familiar grey light encompassed the elf and rolled forward, reaching out for the shade. More noticeable in the dark hallway was the silver, purple and green light issuing forth from the clouds roiling across the eye as the medallion came to life.

Move to CN67, cast Channel Energy

Finally seeing an enemy to attack, Lureene's elemental moved forward, shuffling in front of Alis on its way to swat at the creature that no doubt intended to threaten its summoner. However, its dutiful courage was stymied by the fact that its strong blows passed clear thru the odd enemy as if it wasn't there. If the small elemental could have sighed in frustration, it would have.

Meanwhile, although Lureene herself remained invisible, four facsimiles of her appeared, clustered around where she was standing, each one slipping a slender wand into its hand.

Not too far away, Amhranai moved up and unleashed a wave of purifying energy. The shade before them cringed, but resisted the worst of the attack. Even so, much of its substance had already been weakened. Hissing in anger, it attempted to draw back into the wall behind it, but the Master Chief had other plans.

"LIKE HELL!"

With a shout, the wrathful half-elf lunged forward, and swung so hard that her blade raised a shower of sparks as it obliterated the shade and scored the wall!

Not even bothering to look at the elf behind her, she growled, "Yeah, let's get out of this damned hallway. We're fighting blind!"

Glowing blue eyes narrowed at the lumpy creature that stood in its path. Although the soft pink one was surely tastier, this one looked to be more filling. Perhaps just a taste to see...

With scarcely any effort at all, the shade reached forth and siphoned the strength from the stony creature before it, its glossy black eyes dulling somewhat, dust and debris shedding from its form. With amused laughter, it drifted south thru the wall, disappearing from sight.

Next Up: Alis, Sasha, Malinda, Isaac, Amhranai, Darvesch, Lureene; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 301 / 2:44db)

"I think we've seen enough, let's go." Medallion held before her, Amhranai grasped the handle of the door and opened it, prepared to duck low at the first sign of danger.

Lureene sighs in relief as her ploy paid off, her elemental buying the group a precious few seconds. Still she knew the foul shadow would return...

She whispers to the others, "We need to keep moving here, that foul creature WILL return. Isaac, can you get this door open? I'll cover you!"

Ready action to use wand of MM on the shadow should it reappear.
Damage 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) + 3 = 12

Amhranai grasped the handle and gave it a turn, but when she pushed, the door budged only slightly and was forced shut again accompanied by multiple angry groans. It wasn't locked, but something was holding it shut.

Behind her, Amhranai heard Malinda growl of frustration. "See if you two can get it open, I'll cover you."

Malinda readies an attack to strike at any enemies that appear.

Isaac nodded to Lureene and handed Sasha her bow, drawing his sabre as he moved. "If you have any wards, protect yourselves before you do others. That means you too, Alis."

Reaching the end of the hallway, he unlatched the lock and tried the door handle, but when he gave a pull to open it, something on the other side yanked it shut again. The hollow groans that greeted him didn't make it hard to guess that it was probably more zombies.

Sinking down into a low stance, and bracing a foot on the door jamb, he hissed, "You ready?"

Alis' jaw tightened ever so slightly at Isaac's admonishment.

A fair point but...

Once again, she cast her spell before nodding at Isaac. "Do it!"

"HYAA!!"

With a shout, the Major hurled his weight against the door handle, flinging it open and dragging a hapless, zombified soldier into the corridor even as he flew back towards Lureene. Behind the first zombie, stood another, cocking its head as it tried to make sense of what had just happened.

Next Up: Alis, Isaac, [Lureene], [Malinda], [Sasha], (Amhranai), Darvesch; Enemy [readied action], (standard action remaining)
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 301b / 2:44db)

Nodding at the door, Amhranai said over her shoulder, "Care to do the honors, Darvesch?"

"Nnngh!" The moment the door was flung wide, Isaac felt something streak past his left shoulder. Even as he stabilized himself, he glanced behind to see Sasha on one knee, arms shaking from the exertion of firing her bow.

The pale ranger gave a low whistle, and laughed uneasily. "Glad Ellie wasn't in the way. Look, I got it in the eye!"

Sure enough the lead zombie now had an arrow embedded where its right eye should have been, acidic goo spilling down its human face.

Next Up: Alis, Isaac, Sasha, [Lureene], [Malinda], (Amhranai), Darvesch; Enemy [readied action], (standard action remaining)
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 301 / 2:44db)

"Let's go!" Darvesch tries to throw all his weight behind opening the door.

There's a loud crash as Darvesch rams into the door full force only to rebound off of it like a hammer struck on an anvil. As the dwarf shook the stars from his head, Amhranai realized that it probably would have helped if someone had kept the handle turned. Evidently that was one sturdy latch!

Malinda winced at the impact. "Damned second-rate Malatestan engineering..."

Eyebrow arched, Amhranai held the dwarf by a shoulder while he regained his balance. Once assured his head was no longer foggy, she turned the handle and set her weight against the door. "Together then?"

Lureene's elemental seems a bit happier now that it can attack something with a bit more substance.

Disregard last post

Eyebrow arched, Amhranai held the dwarf by a shoulder while he regained his balance. Once assured his head was no longer foggy, she turned the handle and set her weight against the door. "Together then?"

While Amhranai struggled in vain to shove the door open, Lureene's weary elemental swung at the stricken zombie before it and sent the lifeless shell tumbling to the ground.

Yet before the wizardess could feel any sense of relief, Sasha's scream put her back on edge. "LOOK OUT!"

There, appearing just behind Alis was the shade! An eager hand, wispy in composition, stretched towards her throat, but at the last second, the creature recoiled as if shocked. With an angry hiss, it vanished back into the wall even as Lureene's magic missiles impacted its form.

The whoosh of steel followed by a loud, "Dammit!" alerted Darvesch and Amhranai to the fact that Malinda had just intercepted the assault of another shadow, though not without cost to herself.

As it escaped thru the north wall, she growled, "If you can't open it, HACK IT DOWN!"

Next Up: [Malinda], Alis, Sasha, Isaac, Amhranai, Darvesch, Lureene; Enemy [readied action]

• Good Hope: +2 morale bonus on saving throws, attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls. (r 346)

• A hp: 41 = 41/41
     (mage armor 0et, shield other 3md, resist fire 20 4db, see invisibility 4db, protection from evil r 390)
  
• k: 20 = 20/20
  
• M hp: 62 = 62/62
     (air bubble r 254)
  
• D hp: 95 = 95/85
     Str 19 = 19/ 20 -0 penalty
     (resist fire 20 4db, air bubble r 304)
  
• I hp: 66 = 66/66
  
• L hp: 55 = 55/55
     (mage armor 4md, invisibility r 306)

• M hp: 90 = 90/90
     Str 18 - 5 = 13/ 18 -2 penalty
  
• S hp: 62 = 62/62
     Str 7 = 7/ 13 -3 penalty
     (protection from evil r 390)