The Songbird readies his jagged blade and looks back toward Aleixica.
"It's from the lower planes so it's immune to certain energies and resistant to others. You'll need blessed weapons to really hurt it. Do not try to match it's strength - god I wish that orc were here..."
The corner of the building falls away exposing the room and its occupants to the enemies outside. The huge monster backs up for another charge.
"Dispatch the fiend as quickly as you can and I'll distract the Hellknights", the statuesque vigilante explains. "It's important that no matter what happens the boy doesn't fall into their hands. Whether he knows it or not, he's the last chance this damned city has."
"All on the Grulio grounds are under arrest by the authority of Paralictor Deos. Those that do not surrender will be summarily executed", a voice calls out with supernatural volume and clarity.
F*cking Hellknights...
Tristan begins barking orders at the others. He doesn't savor putting himself into a position of accountability, but he'd sized up the others the moment he met each of them and he knows that their minds are slower on the uptake than his.
"Bishop, Lucius! Take this thing out before it brings the building crashing down around us! Ember, guard the Grulios boy and do what you can to slow down the siege devil. 'Leixi, we're on spell duty. If you have anything big and calamitous, now would be the time to use it."
Those devils from before didn't seem to like lightning too much, maybe this one's the same? Only got one bolt left though...have to make it count.
Bishop moves down the convenient ramp while drawing his gun. He then total defenses.
Lucius slides down as well, levels his bow, and takes a shot.
The arrow hits its mark and creature glares at the archer with its tiny hate-filled eyes.
Lumbering forward, it picks up a piece of rubble and hurls it with deadly force.
But Lucius nimbly avoids the missile.
***
The Songbird mutters an arcane verse and suddenly he's on the ground amid the gathered Hellknights. Shouts of alarm go out as the armored fiends move in to attack.
Tristan reaches into his spell component pouch and produces a fistful of glass. Practically shouting the words of his spell, the witch grinds the tiny grains and shards in his hand, his red blood turning to bright, white light in his palm. He winds his fist back and then throws the grains of bloodied glass forward, each turning into a tiny arc of lightning that join each other into a single powerful bolt.
Tell Deos that I will personally remove the cold beating heart from his chest soon! Lucius' face goes flush as anger overwhelms his countenance. He swiftly reaches for more arrows.
Tristan's bolt of lightning slams into the beast but even the direct hit does little to slow it down. The monstrous fiend continues to advance with deadly purpose.
Lucius continues to attack the greatest threat (siege devil). Eat arrow bi$&h!
Bishop moves within 20 feet of the Siege devil and takes a shot.
Lucius and Bishop's shots pelt the massive fiend and foul ichor begins to leak from its cracked hide.
Aleixica moves behind Lucius, touching him briefly and granting him Desna's favor.
Ember hunkers down with her bow in case anything tries flying inside the compromised building.
A hundred feet away, the Hellknights pour in on the Songbirds locations with weapons raised.
The siege devil lumbers forward and slams a massive limb down on Lucius.
Bishop steps back and fires off a barrage of bullets.
Lucius feels the touch. I could get used to that!
Tristan raises a limp-wristed arm towards the siege devil. He spits to the side before his hand suddenly snaps back with a sickening crack, releasing an invisible, but tangible sweep of force that glides across the battlefield, thrumming as it collides with the giant beast.
The half-elf smirks and chuckles as the wave's sensations disappear entirely.
Aleixica backs up, making sure the massive creature is out of range, and then channels healing energy, just catching Lucius in its range.
Lucius drops his bow and pulls his sword as he 5ft steps and attacks.
The siege devil glowers down at the tiny manling hacking at its shins and rears back to crush him.
Hoping to save Lucius from himself, Bishop fires off more rounds into the creature's hide.
Bishop's bullets finally find a weak point in the beast's hide and with a thunderous crash, it plummets to the ground.
The hellknights don't even seem to notice the creature's death as they swarm over the Songbird's location in a frantic melee. A moment later, the Songbird steps in among the party. The hellknights appear to be unaware of his new location.
"Well done", he says with a glance at the dead monster. "Now join hands. The stink of this place is beginning to turn my stomach."
The witch gives the Songbird a curt nod, joining hands with the others.
If he's going to do what I think then he's more powerful than I had originally realized. I'll have to keep that in mind if our dealings turn sour...
Lucius breath easier seeing the huge devil fall. I know you are with me sister. He grabs his bow and then Tristan's hand.
Aleixica lets out a sigh of relief as the creature falls and the Songbird reappears. Offering a quick prayer to Desna, she touches Lucius lightly on one shoulder and pours healing power into him once again and then takes hands with her new allies.
Bishop blows the smoke off his pistol as the devil falls and then holsters it. He then joins the group in holding hands for the spell.
The Songbird chants a brief spell and takes a step sideways. Suddenly all of the Westcrown around the party melts away into a monochrome hazy blur. The surroundings are indistinct and colorless, as if squinting at them in the dawn hours.
"Stay close", the Songbird says. "Time and space in this place aren't always consistent."
Hmm, not a straightforward teleportation spell...but equally impressive.
"What in tarnation...."
"It's the plane of shadow," Tristan explains, "More of a different state of being than being in a different place. But he's right, we shouldn't stray. Where to now though?"
Spellcraft:
Aleixica nods as she realizes Tristan is correct. "Can we get to Lucius' safehouse from here?"
"I don't know where that is but likely no. Getting somewhere precise is almost impossible within the Shadow. We're headed somewhere open and reasonably safe."
A moment of walking later, the blurry discolored surroundings change and the spell ends. The party finds themselves back in the Dead Sector.
In the distance, to the south, a new plume of smoke rises into the ocher sky.
Alexicia looks around, making sure there's nothing nearby.
"It looks like it's a good thing you came with us," she says to David with a smile.
The Songbird sheathes his sword.
"The Hellknights will never think to look here but we should get off the streets all the same. You said you had a place nearby we could talk? Is Amelia there?"
"Yes, I believe so, though..." Tristan looks at their surroundings in the Dead Sector. "...I don't think I know my way back from here."
After a couple minutes a sewer entrance is found and the party quickly escapes off the streets.
The travel through the sewers toward Lucius's hideout/Pathfinder safehouse is largely quiet. The Songbird studies the group as they travel his eyes lingering just a moment longer on the greasy young half-elf.
"So what are all of you doing here in Westcrown? I know a couple of you call this damned place home but the rest of you are new. This isn't exactly a place for a peaceful visit."
Tristan's distrustful eyes glare at the Songbird's gaze imperiously, almost as if to challenge him. A moment later they soften as the witch reminds himself that, for now at least, this man is their ally.
"Just trying to get by, really. Leaving this city seems to be a lot harder since the Fall, especially if you don't have all the right paperwork. The Hellknights have imprisoned friends of mine for less than having their travel papers in triplicate."
Tristan thinks about the ramshackle rooms he once called home. The authorities had likely found it, trashed it, and set up a surveillance ring in case the witch tried to return. No use in going back there now, I suppose.
"I used to run a business cursing traitors, adulterers, and cheats in exchange for coin. I'm finding Hellknights and devils to be more exciting targets, however."
"Ambrus asked me to take a look around here and I wanted my job back. Next time I'm gonna stay home and stay drunk."
Lucius responds to the songbird with one word: Scalps. He continues through the sewers letting his anger get the best of him. Keep your mouth shut Lucius! You can't trust him. After a few minutes, his temper gets the best of him. I am here to get retribution for my sister. She was one of the heroes who gave her life to save this city the day it fell. I want to kill that traitor Deos and everyone associated with him!