Wardove's Rumble in the Jungle

Game Master Laithoron

Amelia listened as the spirits guided her and pointed her the right direction of how to deal with this creature. "Divine magic is da key mi friends!!" she shouted towards everyone as she headed a couple feet closer to where everyone was so they could hear her.

Nostrils flaring, Amhranai stopped next to one of the royal guards attempting to escort Alis out of harm's way. Breath was returning to the elf, but not as quickly as she would have liked, and so she stood silent for a moment. Crackling from above gave her further pause, shortly followed by a seductive voice, undulating downward with all the speed of molasses coming out of a jar.

With the demon's attention fixed in the opposite direction, Amhranai swiftly cast her spell even as she softly spoke to Alis and the guards. "Gather close, the mist should shield us from the demon's eyes. I suggest we move somewhere that her ability to fly is a disadvantage, and away from the civilians. Lead the way." The last was an order to the closest guard as wisps of vapor filled the air around them. This should give us enough time to get away.

Cast Obscuring Mist

Lureene cannot help herself as she glanced at Arion out of the corner of her eyes, knowing the effect her Mother had on members of the opposite sex. For all of her evilness, Arvoreen was a stunningly beautiful woman and it was plain to see where Lureene had gotten her exotic beauty from.

She is such a temptress...whenever I find myself feeling temptation, I can feel HER blood coursing through my veins...Would she hve been as divine as Wingilme... The Dafari witches words penetrate her musings. As if a door has been opened in her heart she realized something that illuminated her Mother's motivations. Wait a moment...Mother forbade any talk of divine beings above her. Her resentment and hatred of the divine is clear to me...perhaps it is because she is VULNERABLE to divine magic. That must be the KEY here!

Her next course of action became clear. She started chanting a spell which sounds more like a prayer of thanks to the goddess Sumalya. As she finished her spell a glowing nimbus of light surrounds her body and her wings take on a golden sparking radiance, which looked radiantely beautiful in the bright sunlight.

Her voice rang out, seemingly unconcerned. "Ohhh...I don't know about that. I have worked hard to make myself more...desireable to those around me. Perhaps you should consider a change of...wardrobe as well, as it has worked wonders for me!"

Standard action: Cast Light of Mercuria on herself. She will delay her move action until Arion, Sash and the Royal Guards have declared their actions.

From beneath the arch, a 20-foot tall bank of thick mist rose from the ground, leaving only the very top of the arch exposed to those who were far enough back to see over its edge. An audible "Tch–" was the only reaction from the demoness at the gesture.

Yet when a holy glow began to arise from just beyond the outer reaches of that same cloud, seemingly from the barely-visible tips of Lureene's wings, her expression grew darker. "Oh you have been getting around, haven't you..."

Next Up: Avoreen, Amhranai, Amelia (std only), Darvesch, Sasha, Tiniel, Alis, Sindariel, Royal Guards, Lureene, Arion
MAP: Shrine of the Fates, (Round 02b)

The elven Magus chanted a spell as with one hand he cast the ability to Fly upon himself, leaping upwards to a height where he might look down upon the enemy and archway, yet still within range of an attacking dive, if a later opening was presented.

The dwarf sees the demoness standing atop the arch and stops, preventing himself from acting hastily. Instead he walks to the edge of the cloud, on the side opposite his allies, while he recites a prayer to bolster his friends and allies, simultaneously hindering his enemy. "Take heed, ye who have surrendered to the Darkness! We shall be unbowed and unbroken! For where there is darkness, Kahn's light shall shine! And the darkness shall retreat!"

Move to AA.16. Cast prayer. +1 attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and checks to allies within 40'. Enemies take -1 on those same rolls.

Whether because this was a holy place, or for other unseen reasons, the dwarf's spell, which should have rightly been blocked from reaching most of his allies by stonework or distance instead basked all his allies in a golden glow. As the demoness curled her lip in disgust at the holy spell, Tiniel rushed forward, closing the gap with Alis.

As she drew closer, she could see that the Princess' face and arms had suffered minor lacerations from the burst of glass that had accompanied Wingilmë's demise. Yet where she might have expect to see fear and dismay in Alis' eyes, she instead saw determination. "Highness," she whispered urgently, "we must retreat to safety!"

Theme: No One Anymore

Lips pressed tight, Alis swallowed a trickle of blood from a cut on her lip even as she looked up at the defaced statue of Súmalya.

Safety? Where would we be safe from her?

Although the billowing cloud of mist now blocked her view of the demoness, she knew quite well that were they here, Priyya and Mal would certainly admonish her to flee. She could almost hear her old bodyguard's voice...

'If something happened ... and you were killed. We all fail.'

It was everything Alis could do to fight down the surge of bile she could feel welling up at the thought of leaving her friends behind. When she heard in her mind something else Mal had said, now spoken in a woman's encouraging voice...

"There's a reason good leaders are surrounded with good assets.. to use them."

Eyes wide, the Princess attempted to pierce the mist with her tumultuous violet eyes, but she saw nothing.

"Wingilmë," she whispered, "is that you?"

When Alis looked sideways to Tiniel, the look of dire urgency on the petite elf's face was instead replaced by one of surprise. "Highness, the Tear!"

Instinctively, Alis looked down and fingered the priceless stone which now shone with its own inner light, radiating a gentle warmth. In her mind, she could hear the nymph's words once more, now louder and more clear.

"Should you flee, you would survive the day, yes. Yet what would caution yield that was sewn with the lives of those who love you? Our mother would gladly fight for us against her old foe, to inspire us to move forward without fear. Yet how might she despair if her daughters abandon her in her time of need? Could you still inspire a nation to tread where you fear to?"

"Highness," Tiniel implored, "we mustn't delay!"

"You are never alone, sweet Princess, do not try to be. Lend hope to strength and it becomes stronger... your allies are that strength, invest them with hope and their will shall not falter. I will be with you, I AM with you!"

Theme: Battle Resolve

It must have seem like ages — the Princess standing there, pendant clutched to her breast, eyes obscured by waves of blonde hair... Each heartbeat was that much more distance that those with spear and shield in hand could use to increase the distance between the young Vicereine and the ancient Queen of Lies. Each second lost another crack in their valor.

A gasp escaped Tiniel as a pale, blood-spattered hand grasped her shoulder.

"Princess?"

The spy's blue eyes went wide at the look she saw in Alissariel's violet ones, now hot as if to temper steel. "I am surrounded by the finest warriors in the capital..."

She began to weave magic into her oratory.

"The auspices of three goddesses are upon us..."

A golden glow began to emanate from her.

"And my beloved friends... who have defeated gods and devils stand united."

She withdrew her hand from Tiniel's shoulder and planted it on the scepter at her side, the aura of light surrounding her growing stronger still. Above her, Avoreen gritted her teeth, eyes narrowing at the growing glare.

"The one who should be running in fear is not me!"

With that, a luminescence great as the sun shone forth from the Princess, the conviction behind her words dispelling any doubt of indecision. Rise or fall, it would be ruler and retainers united in a common cause — to withstand the Queen of Lies!

Next Up: Avoreen, Amhranai, Amelia (std only), Darvesch, Tiniel, Alis, Sasha, Sindariel, Royal Guards, Lureene, Arion
MAP: Shrine of the Fates, (Round 02c)

Party Buffs:

• +3: Attacks, Weapon Damage (1 luck, 2 competence: inspire courage + scepter)
  
• +4: Saves vs Fear (1 luck: prayer r10, 3 morale: inspire + scepter)
  
• +3: Saves vs Charm (3 morale: inspire + scepter)
  
• +1: Other Saves, Skill Checks (1 luck: prayer r10)
  
• –1: Avoreen's attacks, damage, saves, skill checks (1 luck: prayer r10)

• A hp: 40 = 40/46
     (DR 5/– Sunmantle r12)
  
• k: 23 = 23/23
  
• E hp: 53 = 53/53
  
• M hp: 71 = 71/71
     (assay resistance r9)
  
• R hp: 71 = 71/71
  
• D hp: 96 = 96/96
  
• L hp: 62 = 62/62
  
• g: 47 = 47/47 (41 small)
  
• S hp: 78 = 78/78
  

Thrills of inspiration flowed through Arion and with a shout he dove down directly at Avoreen, in a thrusting charge, with the point of his long Rapier.

As Arion began his dive, a tiny, gold-crowned head poked up from the swirling mists at Avoreen's feet and shrieked a primal, "EEEEH!!!" right behind the succubus queen's back. The momentary distraction was nearly enough.

Thru sheer force of will, Arion drove his blade thru the waves of invisible resistance, he compensated for her expected dodge, and even made contact, yet the same soft skin that he had brushed with his own hand on Lureene's cheek last night resisted his blade as if he'd thrust at plate armor. His rapier flexed and skittered off without harm, though the fact that the attack had reached her at all was not lost upon Avoreen.

Trying to hide her surprise behind contempt, she sneered, "Where did that monkey come from?" Yet Alis and Amelia at least could pick up slightest waver in confidence thru the remark.

Where did all this fog come from? Did he get her?

"Damn," Sasha said with a frown, "wish I could see Lissi, she sounds all fired up!"

Looking around, she slipped the guard's bow holster over her shoulder and hastened to scale the archway on which Grak was perched, vines of entwining ivy providing adequate handholds.

As she pulled herself onto the capital and assumed a kneeling position, she called out cheerfully, "Don't worry Ellie, I'll cover you! You, guard guys: keep those spears and shields up!"

As Sasha called out her orders, the guard closest to the Princess turned to their ruler for direction, sticking to the common tongue for the benefit of the Princess' allies whom they did not yet know. "Highness, your orders?"

Nodding, Alis circled her scepter and shouted her commands, loudly enough for all to hear, "In pairs: one snipes, the other guards. Harry the demoness and protect Lady Ourson. Show no quarter!"

"NOW, Grak! Help Arion!"

As the telepathic command reaches Grak, he does not hesitate, launching himself at his mistress' progenitor. As he flies bythe archway his sinuous neck lashes out against Arvoreen's backside!

Even as Grak moved, from around the shrine, a chorus of elvish voices both male and female shook the air, "Yes Highness!"

As the guards spread out to obey, one ran over to Lureene. Pointing to the arch behind her, he urged, "Lady Ourson, let us fall back to that arch, our archers need more distance to clear the fog!"

Next Up: Avoreen, Amhranai, Amelia (std only), Darvesch, Tiniel, Alis, Tut, Arion, Sasha, Grak, Lureene, Royal Guards, Sindariel

Lureene glanced at the guards assigned to her and nods quickly in agreement. "Very well, although I doubt hiding will be an option at this point." She adds wryly, as the golden light clearly illuminated the area around her.

Move to M16

Although Grak knew that he himself could not harm Avoreen with either shock or fang, he also knew his mistress' intention — to keep Mother off-balance and aid her friends.

Teeth crackling with electricity, he snapped at Avoreen's flank, and his jaw, which might well have torn away a sizable chunk from a mortal, instead delivered a powerful, impertinent pinch!

"Take thisss from Missstressss!"

"No need to hide, milady," the guard said, smiling faintly at his beautiful charge, "but cover and a defensible position helps. Cast your spells from behind my shield, we will protect you!"

With that, the five fell back to the graceful yet solid elven archway, the spearmen covering any approach, and the archers kneeling inside their guard, bows trained on Avoreen, awaiting the order to loose from their captain.

Shield Ally (Ex): Shield Ally (Ex): At 9th level, when a phalanx fighter is using a heavy or tower shield, he can, as a move action, provide partial cover (+2 cover bonus to AC, +1 bonus on Reflex saves) to himself and all adjacent allies until the beginning of his next turn.

Next Up: Avoreen, Amhranai, Darvesch, Tiniel, Alis, Tut, Arion, Sasha, Grak, Lureene, Royal Guards, Amelia (std only), Sindariel
MAP: Shrine of the Fates, (Round 02d)

Good, so she's not incapable after all. Just hold the line until I can reach him...

The instant the base of the dais was between herself and the crowd, the Royal Spymaster of Dafar reached for the bracelet upon her left wrist. With but a momentary glance, she snapped free a silver charm shaped like a falcon. Instantly, the magic contained within it took effect, transforming her into a swift kestrel with a bright red tail.

As she sped away towards the wizard's tower to the east, one thought occupied her mind:

Please, you have to be there...

South of the shrine, two more pairs of guards got into position, one near the Dafari witch who had accompanied the Princess, the other by the first archway to the southwest. Once the guard captain could see that they were in position, she threw down her hand and shouted, "Iron hail, LOOSE!"

As one, the elvish archers concentrated their fire upon Avoreen, arrows with heads of cold iron speeding towards her. Of the four shot, only one missed, and that passed perilously close to her midriff. The others punched thru her defensive aura, drawing blood as easily as they might against a mere human.

Upon seeing that she could indeed be hurt, a cry of "HOO-AAH!" went up from around the glade.

Next Up: Avoreen, Amhranai, Darvesch, Tiniel, Alis, Tut, Arion, Sasha, Grak, Lureene (std only), Royal Guards, Amelia (std only)
MAP: Shrine of the Fates, (Round 02e)

The resemblance to Lureene seems more than any blood relationships I've witnessed before. I have to remember this is NOT my loved one I am facing but one who mocks and abuses her.

The airborne Magus readied for riposte and shouted at the offending presence, "Not the last points to pierce your wickedness; Súmalya's Favoured has two dozen arms aimed against your lying form; Yes! King Tut, attack there!" He looked downwards past his foe, at the monkey upon her flank.

Hmm, monkey dere mus be somebody's familiar, elf boy is in da way too. Not gonna do to go blastin' if I go torchin' dems now...

At the edge of the mist, Amelia could just make out the shadowy form of the dwarf she had met just a short time ago. Although he was the first she had met, she heard they were fearsome in battle and were particularly dangerous over short distances.

As a thought occurred to her, she spoke to her uncanny black ocelot, a spell forming on her lips even as her bony fingers fingered a spellcasting fetish bound to her belt. "Go an give da short one in da arma some love, ke-tee."

Yes, while elves and men might jump for joy, she suspected a dwarf would rather levitate for spite. As she spoke aloud, seemingly calling out a taunt in her native tongue, Darvesch could feel Amelia's, black cat stretch it's back upon his greaves before gently laying a paw atop his left boot.

Although his understanding of Zuck was still rudimentary at best, he gleaned all he needed to know: he could now tread upon the air!

Amelia casts Air Walk, delivered by her familiar.

"Ridiculous," Avoreen scoffed. With a twirl, of her wings, and a rock of her hips, she spoke a few words in a dark tongue and suddenly four duplicates of her appeared — five Avoreens all clustered together!

There was a chorus of abyssal laughter as each of the beauties touched ran and hand down their statuesque bodies before drawing from seemingly thin air rapier-thin shafts of flickering scarlet light. "Even my daughter has never seen my soul blade..."

Laughing darkly, she hopped off the archway, the light of weapon turning the cloud of mist a hellish red when she disappeared into it. As she drifted down into the mist, Lureene could hear her mother's voice inside her mind.

Next Up: Avoreen, Amhranai, Darvesch, Tiniel, Alis, Tut, Arion, Sasha, Grak, Lureene, Royal Guards, Amelia
MAP: Shrine of the Fates, (Round 03)

Amrhanai gritted her teeth. In spite of the inspiration evoked by Alis, the priestess would have much preferred that inspiration to come after they had gained some distance and a defensible position. Foolish but not unexpected. Retreat is not admittance of defeat, it is a matter of resetting the field to your advantage. Do not let your pride blind you to such, Princess.

From above, the demon's languorous voice and then laughter permeated the thick cloud, seemingly echoing back and forth around the elf. A kukri rasped from its sheath as Amhranai assumed a defensive posture. Footfalls barely sounding, she crept closer and then past the archway. Free hand grasping the medallion, Amhranai pressed her back against the pillar supporting the arch. We'll do this the hard way then.

As quickly as it had appeared, the mist dissipated, revealing the demon and her clones.

Move to X17, dismiss Obscuring Mist

As if struck by an intangible wind, Amhranai's mist was whisked away, revealing once more the ruined butterfly and the five demon queens standing shoulder to shoulder who now gazed appreciatively at their handiwork.

Next Up: Avoreen, Amhranai, Darvesch, Tiniel, Alis, Tut, Arion, Sasha, Grak, Lureene, Royal Guards, Amelia
MAP: Shrine of the Fates, (Round 03b)

That insolent invader is far too close to the Princess. Time is too short to investigate just what spells are at work here, beyond her magical duplication. What could best help our squadron against her?

Arion shouted down upon the group of demons, "Your daughter had more temerity than to retreat from our dance!"

From his aerial position Arion rotated to target Avoreen with a spell.

Cast Dispel Magic targeted upon Avoreen

Upon casting his spell, Avoreen's four mirror images shattered and faded from sight. Vexation evident in her tone, Avoreen replied, "She never was very discerning..."

Grimnon's axe in hand, he shouts to his allies, "Thanks Amelia and Amh! Good job, Arion!" He looks to Avoreene and charges after her, focusing on the power to harry his foe. "At the very least, I can keep her occupied, and above all, defend the Princess." With a mighty swing, he shouts, "No malevolent spirit will oppose us, no creation of sin shall survive! Deal with me Demoness! Nothing shall evade Kahn's cleansing fire!"

Activate Bane:Outsider [Evil]. Charge to X.19 while drawing weapon.

Lureene's heart swells in pride at Arion's shouted defense of her. He truly is a gentleman! What would he make of me here, behind the Princess' guards and protectors? And I do owe him an explanation...

As she sees his spell defeat her Mother's protective magic, she does not hesitate weaving her own spell. Channeling the effects to Grak, her mental command is clear:

"Grak, please deliver Mother another Pinch for me, and we shall see how discerning you feel after THAT, Mother!"

Cast Touch of Gracelessness, channeled to Grak.

"With pleassssure, Misssstressss..."

Grak circles around the battlefield ending up on the opposite side of Darvesch. Fly to U22. He snakes his neck out to follow his Mistress' command.

Darvesch's oath drew Avoreen's full attention. Her eyes narrowed as his axe slammed into her defensive aura, distorting the air as it halted his attack. As Grak swooped and struck, a slight flex of her wings shifted her just enough so that his jaws snapped shut on empty air.

Blue eyes still smoldering at the inquisitor, she said, "I see your own mistress hasn't been satisfying you, has she... Grak?"

Next Up: Avoreen, Amhranai, Arion, Darvesch, Lureene, Grak, Tiniel, Alis, Tut, Sasha, Royal Guards, Amelia
MAP: Shrine of the Fates, (Round 03c)

Good, keep her grounded.

Looking to Tiniel, Alis nodded towards the base of the dais supporting The Fates, and they moved as one to give the archers a clear line of sight. Things were going well so far, but something seemed off.

We're dismissing her spells rather easily, is she holding back, or is something limiting her power?

Holding her pearl-tipped scepter aloft, the Princess called out her encouragement even as she poured her magic into the words, "The Fates are with us, the enemy has made a grave error to attack in their place of power!"

Indeed, even as those assembled her assertion, they could feel the truth of it and their resolve was strengthened all the more.

Alis cast Good Hope

Party Buffs:

• +6: Attacks, Weapon Damage (1 luck: prayer r10, 2 competence: inspire courage, 3 morale (good hope r 123 + scepter)
  
• +4: Saves, Skill Checks (1 luck: prayer r10, 3 morale: good hope r 123 + scepter)
  
• –1: Avoreen's attacks, damage, saves, skill checks (1 luck: prayer r10)

• A hp: 40 = 40/46
     (DR 5/– sunmantle r12, good hope r 123)
  
• k: 23 = 23/23
  
• E hp: 53 = 53/53
  
• M hp: 71 = 71/71
     (assay resistance r9)
  
• R hp: 71 = 71/71
  
• D hp: 96 = 96/96
     (air walk 0:00 MD)
  
• L hp: 62 = 62/62
  
• g: 47 = 47/47 (41 small)
  
• S hp: 78 = 78/78
  

As the Royal Guard shifted their positions for another strike, Tut clapped in appreciation and scurried down from him perch, quickly racing across the grass to hop up onto his mistress' shoulder where he applauded and made a loud "PLLBT!" at the demoness.

Not allowing the monkey to distract from her focus, Tiniel whispered softly, "We should assume our defensive stances. I shall remain by your side, Highness."

Putting word to action, the apparent maid-servant adopted a more defensive posture, ready to intercept any who might attack the Princess.

A month in my body and she's not tired of me yet.

For her part, the Princess allowed herself the faintest of smiles as she took a deep breath and entered an almost deceptively neutral stance. "I'm glad for your vigilance, Tin'."

Swift: Activate Crane Wing

Tin'?

The sobriquet brought a flush to the spy's cheeks.

"Thank you... Highness," she whispered faintly.

Without wasting any time, the Royal Guard shifted their positions to both cover the women and to get better angles upon their quarry.

"Readyyy... LOOSE!"

As the guard captain shouted the command, she raised her shield and lowered her stance to protect herself and those behind her from any stray shots. Instantly a half dozen arrows rent the air. Although most of them simply splintered against Avoreen's demonic aura, two shots at least made it thru, one punching clear thru her left wing.

Next Up: Avoreen, Amhranai, Arion, Darvesch, Lureene, Grak, Tiniel, Alis, Tut, Royal Guards, Sasha, Amelia
MAP: Shrine of the Fates, (Round 03d)

Not one to miss out on the excitement, Sasha drew back the string on her borrowed bow and was just about to take her own shot when she heard Wingilmë's voice inside her head.

"Aim true, sister, I will–"

"WAAAH!"

Startled out of her concentration, Sasha fired, eyes wide as she sought to maintain her balance. A split second later, however, she heard a cry of pain indignation. The ranger's face brightened as she looked down, and she turned to Lureene in excitement. "Did you see that Ellie? I got her! Right in the boob!"

Alis winced and couldn't help but hug an arm to her own breast in sympathetic pain.

Owwie?!

Although the Princess truly wanted to commend the redhead, the best she was able to come up with in light of her own discomfiture was to say, "One down... one to go?"

OOOOhhhh!

Lureene felt the sharp stabbing blow nearly as acutely as her Mother did. While feeling a mixture of admiration and disbelief on the shot taken by her bosum buddy, she could not help but recollect what Sasha had done with her kukri the night before. Her face paled as one thought rang out in her mind...

I Let her have a SHARP pointed blade next to my bare SKIN???!