Wardove's Rumble in the Jungle

Game Master Laithoron

Darvesch, once again, tries to force the door open.. "Come on!" He yells, seemingly, at the door.

Lureene hears the frustration in Darvesch's voice as it echoes down the hallway. Realizing the other group has NOT managed to break through the defenses on the other side, she motions for everyone to proceed. "We need to deal with that Witch. She is the one who summoned those shadows!"

Theme: Fate

"Deal wit da witch, hmmm?" While zombies and Malatestan engineering continued to frustrate Darvesch's group, a woman's light but haughty laugh reached the ears of Alis' group.

"Sooo... Jou tink jou's fate is to be stoppin' O'beilumanji?"

Looking up, the four spied an exotically beautiful woman with ebony skin, black hair, and eyes with neither iris nor pupils evident. Her scant robes were the same color as her milky-white eyes, and geometric designs flowed and shifted across their surface as if freshly spilled blood had come to life. In spite of the slenderness of her neck and narrow shoulders, there was a predatory grace in her movements, and the massive golden headdress and bangles she wore seemed not to faze her anymore than then heavy, crescent-topped staff she carried.

It was when she pointed the staff that the blood caked onto the device was evident.

Luscious dark lips curled in a sneer. "Before jou's go annny furdur, lessee if jou's can take da heat!"

And in the next moment, they each began to feel unpleasantly warm, moreso than could be accounted for from either exertion or the equatorial climate. No, this heat was coming from within!

Laughing as pain and confusion began to take hold, the woman walked to the south even as another zombie approached from the north, blocking egress.

Next Up: [Malinda], Darvesch, Alis, Sasha, Isaac, Amhranai, Lureene; Enemy [readied action]
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 302 / 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 - 1d6 + 4 ⇒ 41 - (4) + 4 = 41/41 ER: 20 fire
     (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 - 1d6 ⇒ 66 - (6) = 60/66
  
• L hp: 55 - 1d6 + 5 ⇒ 55 - (5) + 5 = 55/55 ER 5: fire
     (mage armor 4md, invisibility r 306)

• M hp: 90 = 90/90
     Str 18 - 5 = 13/ 18 -2 penalty
  
• S hp: 62 - 1d6 ⇒ 62 - (1) = 61/62
     Str 7 = 7/ 13 -3 penalty
     (protection from evil r 390)
  

Malinda stared incredulously as the dwarf once again hurled himself at the door in vain. "Damn, did the b1tch barricade it?"

Looking to the door beside her, the Master Chief turned the handle and rammed it as hard as she could, flinging the door to the store-room wide-open and sending a lone zombie hurtling into a stack of crates. As she regained her balance, she turned and shouted, "COME ON, we'll circle around!"

Next Up: Darvesch, Malinda, Alis, Sasha, Isaac, Amhranai, Lureene; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 302 / 2:44db)

Two arrows streaked down the hall, finding their marks in the two zombies standing there. Shakily, Sasha regained her feet, but in addition to her pallor, she was now sweating profusely.

"Uungh– what did she do, Ellie? I'm not feeling so hot."

Isaac was breathing heavily as sweat positively poured down his face, his skin flushed.

"Funny," he said thru clenched teeth as he rushed forward to cut down one of the zombies, "too hot is exactly what I'm feeling!"

This is not good, are the others cut-off?

Alis' rapier glided into her hand as she raced past Lureene's elemental and leapt clear over the remaining zombie's head. As she landed, she brought the edge of her narrow blade down alongside its neck, cleanly removing its head on the follow-thru.

Blue-violet eyes burning with ire, she looked around and spotted two more zombies in the magical laboratory to the south. They guarded the approach to the witch who now stood idly before a glowing arcane forge. "Be careful everyone. She's set your blood afire and her shade is still lurking about."

Pointing her blade at the witch, she said, "I don't know what you and your master hoped to accomplish with this senseless slaughter, but you must know this doesn't help your cause."

Next Up: Malinda, Sasha, Isaac, Alis, Amhranai, Darvesch, Lureene; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 302 / 2:44db)

"Oh?" The witched cocked her head and rolled her staff in her hands. "And what might jou's know o' my cause? Nooot sooo muuuch if dat's what jou tinkin..."

The witch laughed and beckoned to the Princess with one hand. "Come now, lessee what jou's gunna do bout it!"

That's one way to do it. Hardly needing Malinda's urgent cry to action, Amhranai rushed into the storeroom bent low, weapons held ready. There in the corner of her flat, slate grey eyes she saw the ethereal, indistinct form of the shade lurking amongst some crates.

Murderously intent, Amhranai took a step towards the shade, sheathing a blade and swiftly extending that arm in it's direction, palm facing outward. Bright silver light shot forward, scything through the air faster than the eye could follow.

Move to CK68, cast Searing Light

As Amhranai's palm began to glow, the shade retaliated, lashing out and sapping the strength from her limbs. Yet in spite of it, the priestess maintained her focus and managed to get her spell off. Brilliant sunlight shot forward, streaking thru the dimly lit storeroom only to scorch the wall beside the undead monster, her aim askew in her haste.

Next Up: Darvesch, Malinda, Sasha, Isaac, Alis, Amhranai, Lureene; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 302 / 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, protection from evil r 390)
  
• k: 20 = 20/20
  
• M hp: 62 = 62/62
     Str 12 - 4 = 8/ 12 -2 penalty
  
• D hp: 95 = 95/85
     Str 19 = 19/ 20 -0 penalty
     (resist fire 20 4db, air bubble r 304)
  
• I hp: 60 = 60/66
  
• 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: 61 = 61/62
     Str 7 = 7/ 13 -3 penalty
     (protection from evil r 390)
  

Lureene wastes no time moving into the room stepping over the zombie bodies, while chanting another protective spell on herself. As she takes position behind Alis, trying not to let the terror of those shades overwhelm her, she glances behind her wondering where the other members of the team are at.

Did they get lost or something?

Move: move to CL77
Stand: Cast Shield on herself.

Lureene slipped past Isaac, and stole a quick glance around the edge of the wall beside her to see if she could spot any more shades. The room to the north of her was expansive, taking up the whole northern half of the 7th floor. Four large glass-paned windows admitted morning sunlight, and it was full with all manner of odd items. Crates and barrels filled the room, and there were cages with a variety of exotic animals arrayed in the center of the floor. Without exception, all had succumbed to the lethargy mists that now filled the citadel. Before her, King Tut gave a sympathetic whisper from his mistress' shoulder at their plight.

As the succubus looked about, she could even see a zombified soldier attempt to extricate itself from a pile of smashed crates. From the spellcasting and shouting she heard, it sounded like Darvesch and the others must have been just around the corner. Yet where was the shade?

At the sound of spellcasting, Malinda wheeled about and uttered a curse beneath her breath. "Are you mad? Get back!"

However, her warning came too late, already having tasted the pain from the cleric's holy power, the shade seemed intent upon finishing off the one that had brought the cursed light to bear against it. Striking in the blink of an eye, the fell creature plunged its hand deep within Amhranai's chest, siphoning the life and strength from her very core. Even as the cleric's life flashed before her eyes, a frenzied shout and the sound of air rent by a blade returned her to the present whereupon she could see the shade retreating before the Master Chief's onslaught.

"Getting tired of ghosts and witchery," she grumbled.

"You alive, woman? Say something! Dwarf, get moving, NOW!" As the monster melded back into the wall behind it, the stronger woman put her shield arm around the cleric to help support her. "Don't go getting yourself killed, medic. Your job is to keep the rest of us alive, now heal up!"

Behind her, there was a racket as the zombie got back to its feet and lunged at the warrior, clawing ineffectually at her armor. With a growl, she swung at it one-handed and sent its head flying. "Rest in piece, soldier..."

With that, she began helping Amhranai across the floor, very nearly carrying her she was so weak.

From where she stood, Lureene could see a severed head go flying across the storeroom, and hear the Master Chief admonishing the others. That's when heard Sasha shout, "Ize, look out!" before the stoic warrior grunted from an attack he was helpless to prevent.

As the shade attempted to meld back into the wall beside him, he swung at it, magical sabre tearing thru it with a jagged strike that sent it fleeing into the corner of the storeroom amongst the crates. Thanks to her superior ability to see within darkness, Lureene could just make it out.

"Thanks," Isaac said to the red head. Even though he was now feeling severely fevered, he gave Lureene a slight nod before turning his attention to the witch and her zombies.

"You'll pay for your crimes, witch."

The dark-skinned beauty smirked at Isaac's bravado, but her eyes narrowed and her visage twisted in disgust as she looked at something or someone past them. With waves of heat continuing to assaulting the heroes from within, she answered cryptically, "Always somebody gotta pay..."

Next Up: Malinda, Darvesch, Sasha, Isaac, Alis, Amhranai, Lureene; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 302 / 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 - 1d6 + 1 ⇒ 41 - (1) + 1 = 41/41 ER 20: fire
     (mage armor 0et, shield other 3md, resist fire 20 4db, see invisibility 4db, protection from evil r390)
  
• k: 20 = 20/20
  
• M hp: 62 = 62/62
     Str 8 - 7 = 1/ 12 -5 penalty
  
• D hp: 95 = 95/85
     Str 19 = 19/ 20 -0 penalty
     (resist fire 20 4db, air bubble r 304)
  
• I hp: 60 - 1d6 ⇒ 60 - (4) = 56/66
     Str 20 - 1 = 19/20 -0 penalty
  
• L hp: 55 - 1d6 + 4 ⇒ 55 - (3) + 4 = 56/55 ER 5: fire
     (mage armor 4md, shield r372)

• M hp: 90 = 90/90
     Str 18 - 5 = 13/ 18 -2 penalty
  
• S hp: 61 - 1d6 ⇒ 61 - (1) = 60/62
     Str 7 = 7/ 13 -3 penalty
     (protection from evil r390)
  

Darvesch disregards the shouting for him to go all the way around, and pushes one last time against the door.

Lureene risks a quick glance behind her trying to see what the witch found so repulsive to her. Well, she probably finds ME repulsive...unless she is allergic to sunlight or something like that.

Returning her attention to matters at hand, she notes the shade cowering in the corner. Time to banish it to the Hells for good... She utters another incantation and points a slender finger at the shade. Several glowing arrows of light streak out to impact its shadowy form!

In silent, determined fury... with the pride of all dwarves everywhere at stake... Darvesch lowered his shoulder, depressed the door handle, and lunged with everything he had. This time, the door flew open sending a pair of zombies staggering back into the magical laboratory that lay before him.

The light of the morning sun filtered thru four large, glass-paned windows, revealing a large forge and bellow that dominated the south wall. There, in front of the forge's eldritch flames, guarded by tables full of alchemical and arcane reagents with zombies standing between them, was O'beilumanji's witch.

From behind him, Darvesch could hear the Master Chief. "Well I'll be damned, he finally did it!"

Although it sought temporary respite amongst the clutter of the storeroom, a wail of pain escaped the shade as Lureene's missiles rooted it out. Although it was not dispersed (at least not yet), the wicked entity knew that its time here was nearly at an end. The question was, would it get to savor the sweet taste of a mortal one last time before returning to the netherworld...

Next Up: Malinda, Darvesch, Lureene, Sasha, Isaac, Alis, Amhranai; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 303 / 2:44db)

Even with the help of the half elf, Amhranai stumbled and barely felt capable of standing, let alone walking. No matter how many times she blinked or shook her head, focus remained elusive except for the chill that pervaded her thoughts and body. She was able to place one foot in front of the other, but the next step proved too much and she fell to her hands and knees. The impact jarred something loose as the chill of the shade's touch was replaced by icy fury.

Betrayer-blinded fool! You should know better than that by now! Iscandu, grant your idiot servant protection from those that defy your brother's will! With a snarl, the black-haired elf tried to regain her footing, upper body erect and one leg forward. "...I still live... had to occupy that shade before it got to you...didn't work out so well." Despite some consciousness returning, Amhranai was only able to manage a few whispered words, voice dropping in and out. A fist crashed down on one knee, further jarring her body into wakefulness. "Must help others..." A remarkably inelegant lunge brought the elf back to her feet, arms flailing and trailing leg dancing about before setting down. The crash of a door being violently opened rang in her tapered ears. At least some of us are having better luck!

Cast Protection from Evil on self

Alis circled a finger in the air for everyone to group up then pointed her blade at the witch, walking slowly towards her as the others advanced with her. "Know that your people would have had their freedom regardless of this carnage. You and O'beilumanji will die today not as freedom-fighters, not as martyrs, but as murderers."

"Take. Her. Down!"

Oratory: Alis activates Inspire Courage.

"Yes..." Isaac's breathing was coming in ragged gasps from the fire he felt in his veins, but he knew what had to be done, "...ma'am."

With his Princess standing before him, the warrior set his sights on the nearest zombie, hoping to restore the dignity of death to it; hoping to clear the way to attack the murderous witch. With a grunt of exertion, he charged, the speed of his movement billowing Alis' golden tresses as he rushed forward.

Leaping mid-stride, he brought the sturdy blade of his elvish sabre down in a gleaming arc that sent the undead soldier to the ground, the necromantic rite that had animated him broken by the attack.

Even as the handsome Marshal made his move, the red-haired huntress, ran up beside Alis and took aim.

"Dibs on her hat!"

With that she fired, but the arrow simply glanced off the ebony woman's cheek with a scratch and splintered on the back wall.

"Hey," she complained, "no cheating!"

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

The witch ignored Sasha's commentary and instead pointed a slender finger at Darvesch. Her eyes glowed with an eerie red light as she intoned, "Kill dat one!"

At her command, Lureene saw the shade she had been fighting disappear thru the wall and quickly whisk away, to do its mistress' bidding. Further away, the zombies converged upon him in complete obedience, pushing and shoving past one another to come at him. While he was easily able to fend off their attacks, the shades were another matter, and he could feel icy tendrils sapping the strength from his limbs.

Even as the stalwart warrior fought for his life, the witch pointed her staff at him and uttered a single word, "Buuurn!"

Instantly, the dwarf could feel that the icy chill of the shadow's touch was replaced by a gentle warmth, Alis' spell protecting him from the ravages of the witch's spell.

Next Up: Malinda, Darvesch, Lureene, Amhranai, Alis, Isaac, Sasha; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 304 / 2:44db)

Party Buffs:

• +4: Attacks & Damage (2 morale, 2 competence)
  
• +2: Saves & Other Checks (2 morale)

• A hp: 41 - 1d6 + 6 ⇒ 41 - (6) + 6 = 41/41 ER 20: fire
     (mage armor 0et, shield other 3md, resist fire 20 4db, see invisibility 4db, protection from evil r390, good hope r346, inspire courage +2)
  
• k: 20 = 20/20
  
• M hp: 62 = 62/62
     Str 1 = 1/ 12 -5 penalty
     (protection from evil r373)
  
• D hp: 95 - 1d6 + 6 ⇒ 95 - (6) + 6 = 95/85 ER 20: fire
     Str 19 - 5 = 14/ 20 -3 penalty
     (resist fire 20 4db, air bubble r 304)
  
• I hp: 56 - 1d6 ⇒ 56 - (5) = 51/66
     Str 19 = 19/20 -0 penalty
  
• L hp: 55 - 1d6 + 1 ⇒ 55 - (1) + 1 = 55/55 ER 5: fire
     (mage armor 4md, shield r372)

• M hp: 90 = 90/90
     Str 18 - 5 = 13/ 18 -2 penalty
  
• S hp: 60 - 1d6 ⇒ 60 - (5) = 55/62
     Str 7 = 7/ 13 -3 penalty
     (protection from evil r390)
  

With Amhranai having regained her feet, Malinda let go and said, "Dwarf needs help," before rushing back into the fight.

With a powerful singular slash of her blade, the closest shade was obliterated, vanishing in a wailing cry and a wisp of black smoke.

Next Up: Malinda, Darvesch, Lureene, Amhranai, Alis, Isaac, Sasha; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 304b / 2:44db)

Amhranai watched Malinda disappear back into the hallway, allowing herself a moment to be sure of herself before following. The shriek of the dying shade sent an involuntary shudder through her body. Her eyes caught the trailing wisp of smoke as she moved into the hallway, stopping just behind the blonde half elf. So many blonde half elves here!

Though she was shorter than Malinda, Amhranai saw flashes of and heard the onslaught threatening Darvesch in the room ahead. Medallion held high once more, the elf sent the tendrils of enrgy forward, snaking past Malinda and Darvesch to impact with the undead surrounding the dwarf.

Move to CM68, cast Channel Energy

Tendrils of holy power smote the zombies surrounding Darvesch, and with what almost seemed like gasps of relief, the fallen soldiers tumbled to the ground once more.

Next Up: Malinda, Amhranai, Darvesch, Lureene, Alis, Isaac, Sasha; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 304c / 2:44db)

"Damn that Shadow! Damn that witch! She's going to pay!" Not wanting to deal with the shadow, Darvesch makes a quick getaway. Rather than retreating from combat altogether, he hastily moves straight for the witch! Withdraw action moving to CV.72! "Your reign of terror ends here, witch!"

The witch seems more impressed than startled. "An jou's tinkin dis is where jour's gunna start?"

Next Up: Malinda, Amhranai, Darvesch, Lureene, Alis, Isaac, Sasha; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 304d / 2:44db)

Lureene is surprised to see Darvesch confronting the witch. He certainly is his Uncle's dwarf...but he needs my help... Hustling over to where the Princess stands, she readies a spell to cast on the witch. This should help to make it easier to take her down.

As she start casting her dispelling spell, she sees Alis glancing at her, an unspoken question in her violet eyes. Nodding in response, Lureene holds off for a few seconds for Alis to assist her here...

Move: move to CP77.
Stand: Delay until Alis acts, then cast Dispel Magic on Lucretia.

Determination flares in Alis' eyes at Lureene's resolve. She touches her friend upon the shoulder and she calls out to Súmalya in the ancient tongue of the fey.

Suddenly, Lureene realizes that the witch is not bolstering herself with any spells at all. Instead, she is attempting to hide her identity thru means of a magic item similar to Laithoron's hair pins.

Theme: Fury
Artwork: Retribution

Without hesitation, Lureene casts her spell and a monstrous, "NOOOO!!!" escapes from the witch as she realizes to late that it is not her person but her disguise that has been targeted!

Before your very eyes, all traces of Zuck ethnicity fade. You find yourselves facing a pale woman, her eyes lost in a black cowl from which spills hair the color of midnight. In an instant, her cape is flung wide by wings of great, black feathers revealing only tattered rags for clothing even as her form blot out the light of the forge behind her. Even her staff now looks like an iron rod topped with a pale blade.

Limned in a hellish light, she points at the succubus and speaks in a sepulchral tone, "You would have done well not to indulge your curiosity, Spawn of the 79th."

Gripping her weapon in both hands, she shouts, "CRACK AND FUME..."

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

Crack and fume?!

Eyes wild, Isaac charge straight for the pale woman, he had to finish her off or at least disrupt her somehow. "Sasha, NOW!!!"

Putting everything he had into it, Isaac swung down, hoping to sever her arm at the shoulder. A terrific scraping sound, like nails on a slate filled the air, yet he hit home, drawing blood like fire from the wound!

"Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap..."

Acting quickly while trying not to hit Darvesch or Isaac, Sasha sidestepped and fired a pair of shots that by all rights should have been lethal, yet once again they shattered against skin hard as marble. "I can't hit her while she's juking around you guys!"

In annoyance, she holstered her bow and looked to the blondes beside her. "Gonna have to go toe-to-toe it looks like..."

Next Up: Malinda, Amhranai, Darvesch, Alis, Lureene, Isaac, Sasha; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 304e / 2:44db)

Twin points of red light flared within the fallen angel's cowl, the full power of her ritual temporarily disrupted. In a harsh and angry voice, she shouted, "ANGRA!"

In a blinding flash of crimson light, her staff transformed into a huge scythe with a blade of gleaming adamant. Glaring at the Marshal, she said in a voice that sounded like an echoing growl, "I don't know how you escaped capture, but your final thought shall be regret over having done so!"

Even as her vicious blade struck home, nearly felling Isaac, the remaining shadow slipped forward to attack Darvesch. Although he almost managed to avoid its strike this time, without the benefit of either his armor or his cousin's agility it was useless. The creature he had neglected just moments before struck him a crippling blow and it was everything the dwarf could do to resist falling under the weight of his own armaments as his knees threatened to buckle.

Next Up: Malinda, Darvesch, Sasha, Isaac, Alis, Amhranai, Lureene; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 305 / 2:44db)

Party Buffs:

• +4: Attacks & Damage (2 morale, 2 competence)
  
• +2: Saves & Other Checks (2 morale)

• A hp: 41 - 1d6 + 6 ⇒ 41 - (6) + 6 = 41/41 ER 20: fire
     (mage armor 0et, shield other 3md, resist fire 20 4db, see invisibility 4db, protection from evil r390, good hope r346, inspire courage +2)
  
• k: 20 = 20/20
  
• M hp: 62 = 62/62
     Str 1 = 1/ 12 -5 penalty
     (protection from evil r373)
  
• D hp: 95 - 1d6 + 3 ⇒ 95 - (3) + 3 = 95/85 ER 20: fire
     Str 14 - 1d8 ⇒ 14 - (7) = 7/ 20 -6 penalty
     (resist fire 20 4db, air bubble r 304)
  
• I hp: 56 - 45 - 1d6 ⇒ 56 - 45 - (6) = 5/66
     Str 19 = 19/20 -0 penalty
  
• L hp: 55 - 1d6 + 3 ⇒ 55 - (3) + 3 = 55/55 ER 5: fire
     (mage armor 4md, shield r372)

• M hp: 90 = 90/90
     Str 18 - 5 = 13/ 18 -2 penalty
  
• S hp: 60 - 1d6 ⇒ 60 - (1) = 59/62
     Str 7 = 7/ 13 -3 penalty
     (protection from evil r390)
  

"It's not going to be that easy, fiend!" Darvesch swings mightily at the witch-now-fiend, hoping to do some damage, even in his weakened state. Bane: Outsider [Evil]

Malinda rushed into the lab with blade at the ready and Amhranai not far behind her.

With a shout, she ran up behind the last shadow, magic blade tearing thru it yet again. Its form wavered, but still it was not dispersed.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something amiss, something that didn't belong in this citadel where she had served for so long. On her follow-thru, she pointed her blade towards the octagonal room at the center of the tower, and shouted, "What in the hell is THAT?!"

Next Up: Darvesch, Malinda, Sasha, Isaac, Alis, Amhranai, Lureene; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 305 / 2:44db)

Lureene, her attention fully focused on the outsider revealed by her magic (not to mention the blow Isaac received) at first ignores Malinda but there is a note of urgency in her voice which cannot be brushed aside. Quickly she moves next to Sasha and peers inside the room...

When she sees the skull, she stares at it trying to figure out how to disable or destroy it.

Move to CQ73
Knowledge, Arcane 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 2 = 27 GH

Sasha had already drawn her blades, but she turned to look when the Master Chief pointed. There, floating above some sort of a magical aparatus in the center of an elaborate spiral stair was an enormous skull glowing with an eldritch light, a continuous stream of mist or fog pouring from its mouth and eyes!

"Uh," she turned back to look at Alis and Lureene, "magic is your deal, I don't know what to do about this!"

She gave a determined pant and rushed to join the fray. "Don't you die on me, Ize!"

With a leap and a twist, the huntress leapt over the broad tables and delivered a precise strike right at the enemy's heart, yet the blade of her rapier merely flexed without penetrating. "Aww come on!"

Next Up: Darvesch, Malinda, Sasha, Isaac, Alis, Amhranai, Lureene; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 305c / 2:44db)

Lureene stared at the apparatus in wonder, marveling at the overwhelming power surging up thru the pedestal. Leaning closer, she could see that the column of energy extended up thru the ceiling whereupon a sort of prism split the energy flow into eight beams that shot out thru each wall of the tower.
.
.
.
Three possibilities jumped to mind:

• If the skull could be removed or destroyed, that might restore normal operation, but how long would bit be before the citadel was aired out? Judging by the way the fight was progressing, they didn't have that long.
  
• If the beam could be deflected, or the prism dislodged, that would at least stop the power transmission, failing the whole system, but there was no way of telling what redirecting that much raw power would do.
  
• The last option that occurred to her was to cut it off at the source, but short of a disjunction spell, the only means that might possibly work would be to overload the system with another item of great power. Hopefully that would cause it to go inert rather than explode, but there was no way to be certain.

Dammit, another hit like that and Issac's dead. Why the strange reaction for having a disguise revealed? Why is an angel of death even helping O'beilumanji?

Although a dozen questions filled the Princess' mind, the only answer she had was that she needed to remain strong for her friends, to keep encouraging them on to victory, no matter how remote it seemed. "Don't give her an inch! Even a pack of dogs can bring down a lion!"

Looking to Lureene, she nodded and said, "I believe in you, El. You can do it!"

With that, she rushed forward and touched Isaac on the shoulder, "Strike true!"

Isaac knew he didn't have more than a few moments left before he would join his mother in the afterlife. Yet contrary to this fallen angel's words, his only regret would be leaving Lilyana behind.

At Alis' touch however, all those thoughts fell into silence as the perfect opening in his enemy's defenses came into clear focus. With a shout, he drove his blade thru the opening, plunging it deep into the outsider's side, fiery blood erupting from the wound even as an unholy curse did from his enemy's lips.

Next Up: Darvesch, Malinda, Sasha, Alis, Isaac, Amhranai, Lureene; Enemy
MAP: Arrowhead Citadel, (Round 305d / 2:44db)

Push and Pull

Miranda's words echoed from the open doorway, reverberating in Amhranai's head as she moved into the room with the others. Medic, eh? Usually it's 'healer' but words come and go like people. And it would seem we have indeed found our witch or whatever tore through that room if Isaac's going down!

Adrenaline coursed through the elven woman's blood as she drew up before a table, eyes warily marking the shade Malinda had just attacked. Though flagging, Isaac drove his blade into the creature silhouetted against the light of the forge. The shape drove a knife into Amhranai's heart, a strangled gasp escaped her widening mouth and the medallion-clad hand she had raised high wavered, shaking as if cold.

In an instant, she was back in the Zuktol Wildlands, a shape very similar to the one before her now tearing through the ranks of her friends and fellow soldiers. Intermittent flashes of steel reflecting the dull sunlight. Blood exploding into the sky. Severed limbs, heads, torsos colliding with upraised shields. Blood and viscera raining down from above. Dead and dying screaming ceaselessly...screams that still haunted the elf in those quiet moments or while sleeping.

Tears sprang to the elf's eyes, even as her jaw became rigid and the hand stopped shaking. Not again, Iscandu. Never again. Power burgeoned throughout the elf's body, released a moment later in a wave of incandescent light radiating from where Amhranai stood, reaching out to her allies.

Move to CR71, cast Mass Cure Serious Wounds

Lureene turns her attention back to the fight at the forge where she sees Isaac sorely wounded by the fiend. Swallowing a lump in her throat (which she suspected was her heart for some reason), she gripped her staff tightly. Regretting she could not simply blast Lucretia with a lightning bolt without also harming her friends, she looked over the staff more closely. Remenbering what the former owner of the staff had used against the Dafar slaves during the rescue of the Marshal, a smile slowly breaks out on her lips, though her eyes are chips of blue ice.

She points her magical staff at the fiend and calls out, "This is...courtesy of the Spawn of the 79th!"

Stand: Cast Chain Lightning at Lucretia, and arc it to the shade.

While Darvesch and Isaac battered the fallen angel, each scoring telling blows against her, Amhranai caught up to find the Marshal nearly at death's door. Yet what they were fighting held her stricken in place for several heartbeats. Not only did she recognize the being from her own nightmares of battles she had hoped forgotten, but she remembered all too well, the teachings of her faith.

This was one of the 'lesser' Maiar of Bälezu's house, a being whose original purpose was to sever souls from what bound them that they might enter the afterlife. Her earlier encounter with such a spirit had proven to her that the legends of fallen members of that order must exist, but she had hoped never to encounter one again. Why in the name of all that was holy was such a being aiding a brute like O'beilumanji? For love of carnage?!

Such questions would have to wait however, for if those holding her at bay died, then it was doubtful she would live long enough to find out. Raising her hand, the priestess cast a healing spell she hoped would be powerful enough to keep the Marshal alive and also destroy the last shade, but it seemed as if the outsider's presence was dampening her own abilities.

Just then, the succubus' voice rang out from behind her and she saw that the voluptuous beauty pointed a staff or rod made of smooth wood at the enemy. Immediately, the room was filled with a blinding arc of lightning that caused the angel to scream in agony and blew the shade to oblivion.

As the initial lightning flash faded, the crackle of energy could still be heard. There, coiled about the limbs and torso of the enemy were actual electrified chain constricting her, bearing her down. Baleful eyes glared at the golden-winged wizardess, and in a voice promising vengeance, the words, "This is not over, harlot!" echoed throughout the laboratory.

Then, in a thunderclap and a rain of black feathers, angel, scythe, and chains vanished.

Wide-eyed with disbelief, Alis slashed her rapier thru the air where your enemy had just stood to confirm what her eyes were seeing. "She just... vanished?!"

I don't know whether to feel relieved or cheated...

The Princess turned to look at Lureene with a face that begged answers. Coming to her side, she laid a gloved hand on her friend's still-outstretched arm and asked simply, "What happened?"

Lureene lowered the staff slowly, while still gripping it tightly. The words of the fallen angel still ringing in her ears.

Well, it's not like I don't already have a bunch of suitors already...

She faced Alis and looking into her violet eyes responds quietly, "It was the staff, 'Lis. Apparently it triggered a contingent gate or teleportation effect. Apparently Ozyrankhus added that feature to the staff to deal with fiends that sought to betray or harm him." She glances at her companions and a smile breaks out on her face, the smile growing wider as she catches Isaac's eyes.

As she turns to look at the stairwell where the skull contraption still emitted its beams, her smile fell. "I need to figure out a way to disable that 'Lis. I think I will need your help."

"Uuh," Isaac waved a hand even as he nodded to Amhranai in gratitude, "I might have just seen my life flash before my eyes but..."

He pointed his blade at the ring of smoking black feathers on the ground. "Doesn't a contingency have to be cast on the actual target for it to work?"