Smelling blood in the water, Priyya applies pressure - ignoring the girl for the time being and turning solely on Lorenzo.
"You evaded my question. Answer it. What additional knowledge do you have regarding the incidents this evening. I don't want to hear your speculation. What do you know, Lorenzo?"
Mal sees the look in Darkmane's eye... the look of the huntress picking the weaklnig from the herd, and reacts instinctively. His posture shifts only slightly, but goes from impassivity to a stance of coiled aggressiveness, green eyes boring dangerously into the man.
Stallings nods at Priyya's question and says, "Specifically, you wouldn't happen to know who it is that might be blackmailed by assassinating Princess Kirmoon."
Lorenzo clears his throat and looses the scarf around his neck a bit, "Well, if the princess was under the Lady d'Calla's care, then it would look badly for her and the Golden Drakes if your princess was murdered..."
The man fumbles nervously with something in his pocket, and gives a nervous smile.
Stalling's stands up, arms folded and says, "And what about Lady Kale?"
Lucia begins to speak up but Stallings says, "I am speaking to your grandfather, miss."
Looking at the grizzled veteran and the young towering ranger behind him, he says, "Lady Kale? Well ah... I have heard that she has some business rivals who are looking to... um, readjust the economic balance of Elsmyr Dale in their favor."
Bluff Checks:
Alis, who has been playing with her hair all the while as she ponders the situation she's found herself in. Suddenly, one of her hairpins slips loose and falls to the ground rolling under Valeria's desk.
"Oh shoot!" she leans over giving Lorenzo a nice view of her cleavage and mutters something under her breath and she tries to retrieve her hair pin.
"Got it!" she stumbles a bit over her heels and holds her hand up to Lorenzo. In surprise, the man gives her his hand to help her back to her feet.
The princess holds onto his hand and gives it a squeeze as she smiles at him. She then steps back beside Mal and asks, "That's a pretty ring, what does it do?"
Lorenzo visibly pales and Lucia speaks up, "Oh, that's grand-pa's sig–"
Bishop Tredônia steps in front of Lucia, her blues eyes practically smouldering, "Children should be seen and not heard."
Lorenzo's eyes nervously dart between the two and he says, "Oh, it just helps me to keep my thoughts private. Never know when there's going to be an eaves-dropper looking to steal some of your business ideas, right?"
Stallings puts his hands on his hips, within easy reach of his sword, "Take it off."
Lureene listens to Felmor’s whispers and nods her head slowly. Once Alis has finished distracting the gentleman, she approaches the young girl, and asks silkily, ”What seems to be the problem, Lucia? Why does my appearance bother you so?”
Lucia looks at Lureene with agitation apparent on her face. In a petulant tone she asks, "Why whatever do you mean miss?"
Lorenzo, visibly shaking now pulls his other hand out of his pocket and you hear a thunk as something falls out of his pocket to the floor and rolls towards the Captain's feet. Alis scoops it up with mage hand and holds aloft an onyx as large as a marble. Lucia shoots her grandfather a murderous look when from outside you hear a bit of a commotion. Immerstal's voice is drawing closer again.
The wizard opens the door conversing loudly with an exotic looking woman whose skin is tawny-colored covered in places with a very fine fur. She has mane of sleek, dark brown hair that drapes to her waist, and sports has a pair of wings with golden-brown feathers, not unlike Lureene's sve for their coloration. You note that her feet resemble those of a great cat and that her knees bend the wrong way. Her golden eyes, having vertical slits rather than round pupils immediately latch on to Malandraenas and she seems to not hear Immerstal's blathering.
"And that's when I said, scryer? I don't even know 'er! Get it!"
Turning back to the rest of you, the mage gives a well-pleased sigh of contentment. The rest of you notice some sort of a greasy substance across his eyes. He regards the room, says some words of power and exclaims, "Oh my! Not one but two succubi? I knew this play dealt with some interesting themes, but I never suspected it would have interplanar acclaim!"
Priyya tries not to smile at Alis' gambit. And here I was debating taking his hand off at the wrist.
At the exclamation of 'two succubi' - Priyya's blade comes out and she prepares to smite Lucia if she even bats an eye. Her corona flares to life, clearly demonstrating her celestial heritage.
Initiative Rolls
, Malandraenas, Stallings, Felmor, Lucia, Lureene, Mon Shea, Alis, Tredônia, Lorenzo, Immerstal
Lureene pales as comprehension dawns on her pretty face. She steps backwards and stumbles right into Felmor, who catches her before she falls to the ground. He helps her stand up, as he draws his own blade. Her eyes are filled with a mix of terror and loathing, as she turns her gaze on ‘Lucia’.
”So, it looks like you have found me at last. Should I be thanking you for my gift? What is your intention here?” Her voice rises with a note of hysteria at the end of her question.
Lucia's disguise fades and you see her revert to her true form: a slender beauty with fiery hair, glowing eyes, and jet-black wings. She glares at Immerstal and says, "You should mind your tongue, mortal."
Seeing what she takes for melodrama, she says to Lureene, "Oh get over yourself! Our business here had nothing to do with you. Delivering that trinket was just a professional courtesy for an affiliate of ours."
Gazing at Priyya's scimitar, Lucia's eyes narrow. "I wonder if I'll be calling in that favor already..."
MAP: Valeria's Office 00
"Surrender or die... Lucia." Priyya catches herself about to say 'Demon'. She substitutes 'Lucia' to avoid possibly hurting Lureene by using the other term with the natural contempt of an Aasimar. Gods, when did I get so soft? Surya-ka-Vahaak would never have hesitated.
Once Lucia switches form and says what she does to Lureene, Priyya is convinced Lucia won't surrender. So much for doing this the easy way...
To Hit:
Damage:
Priyya dashes in between Tredônia and Lureene and slashes wildly at Lucia. Her blade makes a screeching sound as it sweeps across the infernal woman's abdomen without leaving so much as a scratch.
"Tch! You didn't even manage to cut my skin!" Lucia sounds more disappointed than anything. "What happened to all that vigor in your eyes, are you even trying? Our contract does not require any of your deaths, but if you insist on this foolishness, accidents have been known to happen..."
Stallings, Felmor, Lucia, Lureene, Mon Shea, Alis, Tredônia, Lorenzo, Immerstal; Priyya
Priyya smiles ferally, "Just warming up, Princess. Gimme another chance!" Priyya laughs. What's wrong with me? I'm actually enjoying this...
"Just warming up, Princess. Gimme another chance!"
As if she'd listen if I said 'no'?
Alis laughs. "When did the Surya-ka-Vahaak start answering to mortal authorities?"
Priyya looks indignant, "Why I always comply with mortal authorities... when their desires wisely dovetail with mine."
Mal takes advantage of the momentary distraction created by Darkmane's slash, tryng his best to crush the she-demon's wings and arms to her sides.
Mal rushes forward, scooting between Bishop Tredônia and a writing desk and dives at Lucia seeking to bind her up within his arms before she has a chance to move.
Although the infernal woman's arms are as thin as Lureene's he is surprised to find that he strength is equal to his. He just barely manages to restrain her and grunts, "Don't– know– how long– I can hold on!"
"Hiro's c0ck, boy!" Stalling swears seeing the big ranger's bravado. With surprising speed for a man of his age, he rushes forward to help.
Lucia growls with anger, "Two on one? Do you take me for some soft plaything like that trollop?"
, Lucia, Lureene, Mon Shea, Alis, Tredônia, Lorenzo, Immerstal; Priyya, Mal, Stallings
MAP: Valeria's Office 01
THEME: The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
Felmor imagines he should be shocked by the appearance of demons, but he found he really was not surprised at all. Maybe hanging out with Princess Alis was affecting more than he thought, he reflects.
Seeing the demoness struggling against the Corporal, and also Captain Stallings, decides to lend his blade to the cause. However, unable to reach the demoness, he concentrates on handling the wizard Lorenzo.
"Excuse me, Lucia, we dinnae call ladies trollops, 'less ye think ye be one yeself...why don't ye back up yer claim?"
From seemingly out of nowhere, Felmor moves in on the old man and shoves flaming steel between his ribs.
"AAAH! You cur!" he gasps. "Lucia, help!"
Lucia growls something in a dark tongue that makes your skin crawl at the very sound...
Two points within the room on either side of Felmor crackle with dark energy as the barrier between this plane and another far more heinous grow thin. You have the feeling you are going to have company very soon now...
, Mon Shea, Alis, Tredônia, Lorenzo, Immerstal; Priyya, Mal, Stallings, Lucia
MAP: Valeria's Office 01b
Lureene hears the language of the infernalis, and her demonic blood chills once again. She knows there is little time left, so she immediately casts a spell...
My question is, can Lureene use her SLA to counterspell the SLA of Lucia? According to the PRD, you must have a readied action to counterspell. The reason I ask is for a Summoner, Summon Monster is a standard action, while for Lucia it is a full round action. If you will allow this, then my action is as follows:
Priyya curses. "More of her ilk come! Destroy this Hellspawn Whore!"
Know: Planes
Tredônia's eyes go wide when she hears Lucia speak in her native tongue. She calls out, "This is no mere succubus, but a fury! It is a contract that keeps her here not a spell..."
While her own summoning abilities are not yet equal to Lucia's, Lureene has a few tricks of her own that she picked up from her eclectic pursuit of arcane knowledge. Calling upon one of her own summoning spells, she is able to disrupt the summoning portal that would have allowed Lucia to flank the bishop.
Lucia snarls:
Hearing Tredônia's words, Mon Shea's exotic features contort with a snarl, retractible claws springing forth from her finger tips.
She speaks but a single word, more like a curse, "Wizard!" With a single powerful beat of her wings, she springs over Immerstal and Felmor, leaping at Lorenzo like some wild beast, a lion's tail lashing behind her.
Lorenzo screams out in horror as the young creature literally begins shredding him with all four of her clawed limbs!
Alis moves over to where Mon Shea had been standing in the open doorway, sliding a small silver dagger from her garter to setup a flank on whatever is coming out of the portal.
"We've got them out-numbered and they don't like the odds." she cheers. "Keep it up and we'll beat the hell and the truth out of them!"
, Lorenzo, Immerstal; Priyya, Mal, Stallings, Lucia, Lureene, Mon Shea, Alis
Bishop Tredônia takes a step back and holds her sceptre aloft.
Spellcraft
A brilliant beam of golden light streaks forth from the bishop's sceptre and strikes Lucia exploding in a wave of celestial energy that covers nearly the entire room.
Will Saves (DC 20)
Damage:
Lucia screams out in pain and rage at the attack, and Lorenzo cries out weakly as he is blasted to the floor unconscious.
Lureene sees her entire life flash before her eyes in a white light as she is hurled backwards from the blast landing next to Alis! Tredônia's head jerks around in surprise as Lucia's cries of pain turn into scathing, hysterical laughter.
Immerstal laughs nervously and says, "Oh my, I guess I should have been a bit more specific. I didn't mean that the two prisoners were succubi..."
Tredônia glares at the wizard and calls out, "Princess, see if you can remove yourself and your friend from this battlefield. If we hold back, things will go badly for us all!"
Pushing up his sleeves, Immerstal says, "Let's see if we can't turn this around..."
Lucia's eyes go wide and she screams out, "NOOO–" however her voice soon turns into the pitiful baying of a red-furred fowling dog. The dog looks up in confusion at Malandraenas and whimpers becoming docile and ceasing its struggle.
"Ah, just what I always wanted, a red retriever!" The mad old wizard then steps forward and scratches her under the chin saying, "Who's a good girl? Oh you're a good girl, yes you are!"
, Mal, Stallings, Felmor, Lucia's summon, Lureene, Mon Shea, Alis, Tredônia, Immerstal
Point to the expanding portal, Immerstal says, "Captain, big fella, desert beauty... Why don't you three go look after that. I'll look after little Lucia here."
MAP: Valeria's Office 02
Felmor cries out as the bright light from the bishop nearly blinds him. Clearing his vision, he notices the winged angel Lureene was blasted unconscious, and there is still a portal opening. Oy, th' bishop don't knoe 'er own strength. He draws his dagger, while moving to flank Corporal Malreadies (or whoever) and readies to plunge his sword into whatever emerges form the portal.
Seeing Felmor move out of the way to make room for others to crowd around the portal, Stallings releases his hold on the now furry prisoner, and draws his longsword as he takes up a position between the Knight-Captain and Immerstal's 'lady'.
"Gonna be all or nothing. Someone protect the Princess and her friend. We don't need any casualties..."
Priyya shifts her attention from the now-harmless pooch to the expanding gate. If Lucia retains any semblance of her former intelligence - she must be pissed right now.
Priyya moves towards the gate and readies to attack whatever steps through it.
Priyya moves into position between Felmor and Alis, scimitar at the ready. Mal casts a dubious gaze at both the hound in his arms and the batty wizard before him. I hope he knows what he's doing. He then takes up position between Alis and the bishop.
A split second later, the portal finishes forming and a red-skinned devil with a twitching beard, great horns and spiked armor steps thru holding a wicked looking talwar in both hands. Taking in the scene around him, he swears in the tongue of the nine hells and attacks Bishop Tredônia...
The bishop reels from the attack, but is not felled. The rest of you then return the devil's blows...
Felmor's blade glances off the creature's armor without effect, the rest of you then launch your attacks...
MAP: Valeria's Office 02b
Standard Act - Single Hit + POWER ATTACK (SCIMITAR crit: 18+):
To Hit:
Damage:
Priyya's blade solidly impacts the devil's armor but is unable to penetrate it.
"Don't sweat it," shouts Stallings, "keep him guessing!"
Captain Stallings thrusts at the devil...
His attack connects, but the creature's supernatural composition lessens the effectiveness of his attack.
, Lucia's summon, Mon Shea, Alis, Tredônia, Immerstal; Felmor, Priyya, Stallings
The devil block's Mal's apparent feint with the back edge of his sword only to receive a terrific gash across the side of its neck from the claws on the ranger's other hand! It hisses in pain as black blood runs in rivulets beneath its armor pooling beneath it on the floor.
Her white dress now stained red with blood, Mon Shea gives a toothy smile at Malandraenas' prowess and turns her claws on the fiend before her...
Her first attack finds purchase upon the devil's back tearing away a patch of scales, but those of her left hand merely scape along his scaly hide without effect.
, Tredônia, Immerstal; Felmor, Priyya, Stallings, Mal, Lucia's summon, Mon Shea
Alis maintains her inspiration hoping to steal the devil's focus as she backs away to grab Lureene, "Well, it looks like our furry friend's backup isn't doing so hot! Keep it up and we'll bring him down!"
When she ducks back however, the devil makes no attempt to avail itself of her lowered guard. Damn, what's he waiting for?
Gritting her teeth with the effort, she hefts her fallen friend and quickly retreats from the room with Lureene. The fiend picks that moment to attack!
The fiend growls in anger as the deflection field surrounding the princess sends his attack astray.
With Lureene in her arms, Alis manages to make it out to the staging area behind the back curtain where she lays her friend gently upon the floor. "Don't you die on me, Lureene." she whispers, "I'll get you healed up..."
From further out in the theater, she can head the bewilderment of the clerics, patrons, soldiers, actors, and council members at the renewed sound of combat. Hell of a night... literally!
Tredonia raises her sceptre once more and another blast of divine energy explodes throughout the room.
Will Saves (DC 20)
Damage:
In a single stroke of celestial might, the devil's body is obliterated by the blast, it strikes Lorenzo's unconscious form so hard that when your eyes recover from the flash, all you see are his tattered clothes as his ring rolls across the floor from the force of the blast.
Beside Immerstal, the red dog gives a yelp as a black portal forms around it sucking the transmuted she-devil back to the plane from when she hailed.
"Oh well that's too bad," Immerstal pouts, "I wanted to show her off to Sertieren the next time I was out that way..."
Hearing the blast from within the manager's office, Alis remarks, "Well somebody doesn't believe in holding back!"
She sighs and sits down next to Lureene laying the 'fallen angel's' head on her lap, stroking her hair. "That will hold you over until Priyya can make it here. She's a lot better at this sort of thing than I am..."
Priyya rushes out to find Lureene...
She lays a hand on the fallen angel's brow...
Total Healing: 33
Lureene's HP: 21 of 26
Lureene sees the flash of light out of the corner of her eye, then feels the impact. A sensation of falling strikes her and then she loses consciousness....
When she comes to, it is with a cooling sensation of light that bathes her body. She looks up and sees Priyya smile back at her in relief. She tries to rise to her feet, before Alis and Priyya push her back down gently. "Lucia...Lorenzo....are they..." she gasps, before losing her breath.
Alis leans over and kisses Lureene on the forehead as everyone else stands nearby, "Blown to kingdom come it would seem. Immerstal turned Lucia into a dog, but she vanished back to Hell after Lorenzo was destroyed by Bishop Tredônia's second blast. Are you feeling alright, El? The door is broken from you hitting it so hard!"
Priyya looks over her 'patient' critically, and decides to use a final healing touch to brush away a livid bruise...
Lay on Hands (Healing):
Lureene HP 25/26
Lureene tries to move her wings around and while they are bruised and aching, she finds there is no permanent damage, it seems. She gets to her feet, still a little wobbly. a memory of her childhood came to her, when one of her demonic teachers was explaining what powerful celestial, and mortals who can channel such celestial energy can do to those of demonic heritage. "So, that is what being Smited feels like. I hope I feel that ever again"!
Once Priyya has finished her ministrations, she gives Alis a hug, and replies, "I feel much better now, thanks to you and Priyya here."
She leans against the wall of the theatre, and then says, "But, now we won't know why they decided to kill you! There is nothing left for us to question!"