With a flick of her wrist, D'hara sent her whip out to snare Kevroth. It wrapped around his booted foot and with two hands, she heaved pulling him slowly away from the entangling entrails.
Hold Person leaves one paralyzed. Being paralyzed leaves one helpless and reduces one's Dex to 0 and imparts a +4 bonus to the attacker.
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Giosue drew back in disgust. Melting flesh was so...anarchic.
"Seize him and let us draw back. We are no good capering like fools," Giosue said, moving away from the dancers.
While he is disappointed in the failure of his own will, Kevroth does not waste time with self-recrimination; there will be time for atonement later if he is strong enough to overcome the challenges he faces now.
Kevroth focuses on the sensations, trying to isolate them from himself through sheer willpower while reciting the tenets of the Order of the Gate to hone his mind.
Giosue realizes quickly that the phenomena before them is a haunt... a weak form of undead brought on by particularly traumatic deaths. The souls cling on to this world as an echo of their former lives, constantly trapped their final moments, and bringing others into their waking nightmare as well. Particularly horrific and ghastly deaths can lead to truly deadly manifestations. Usually, a manifestation only lasts for a few moments, before entering a state of somnolence. However, Giouse thinks that this manifestation might last for quite some time... perhaps an hour. He also knows that there is always a trick to end a haunt, and set the spirits free.
will realize that the flesh dangling from the ceiling are the things tethering this haunt to the mortal plane. Destroying those will not only free Kevroth but end the haunting forever
D'hara's hand slipped inside of her robes and quickly pulled out a pair of cold iron shuriken. Without hesitation, she hurled them at the entrails dangling from the ceiling.
Giosue told what he knew.
D'hara's shuriken fly through air with perfect accuracy, slcing through the tendrils as though they were but paper. Kevroth drops to the ground in a heap, his limbs tingling as feeling and power return to them. The mad dancing paladins scream in impotent fury as their spectral flesh flakes away into nothing.
Despite his best attempt, Kevroth was not ready and his sluggish and chilled muscles would not respond. He lands in an ungraceful heap before dragging himself to his feet. He looks back at the other Armigers, determined resolve and a hint of shame in his expression, "I have stumbled upon the path, but now is not the time to address it, unless you deem it necessary."
"My appologies friends. This was not something I have encountered before. My skills were... lacking. I will endeavour to do better in the future"she bows her head
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Looking at Kevroth, D'hara stated simply "that is between you and your superiors and does not serve to further our mission. Onward" she said as she nodded and pointed to the next room.
Remembering their training and discipline, the armigers steel themselves to the horrors they witnessed in the ruined museum and burst through the northern door of the shrine. Beyond, they reveal a small foyer with a door to the west and another to the north.
"Hellstrider, will you please stand guard on the north door?" Kevroth moves to the west door to listen and examine it.
"I will do as you ask. My shield and lance will defend the portal" she makes her way to the door. Taking up a defensive stance
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Hellstrider stands guard at the door as Kevroth brings his skill to bear on the door. The Garrison may once have been a bastion of law and order, a redoubt dedicated to the defense of the world. The taint of the Abyss has corrupted even the mechanisms of the building. The lock gives easily to Kevroth's skill revealing a long corridor with a twisting staircase leading up.
Kevroth straightens, looking down the hallway for a moment before turning to Hellstrider, "Trade places with me? It would not do to leave an enemy on our backtrail."
Kneeling to the other door, Kevroth applies his skill.
"That's why I'm here. Clear the way" she gets her lance ready. And proceeded don the corridor
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Hellstrider and Kevroth trade places in the short chamber, as the warpriest applies his skills to the lock on the northern door. soon, it too, gives way to his skill. Beyond, is a chamber of profound wrongness. The stench of insect spoor and rot fills the room. Kevroth can tell that once, this room was a temple dedicated to the Inheritor. Although, the misguided maiden is no longer welcomed in this place. Instead, where once stood rows of pews, mounds of seething insects spill over the each other. Waxy combs filled over-sweet-smelling fluids drip from the corners and and along the walls. The statue of the goddess herself at the far end of the room, has been horribly altered. Insectile growths and attachments of wax have been fixed to the marble, distorting her image into a near-likeness of Deskari. Kevroth and D'hara both spot an an unnatural purple-red light coming from the statue's multi-faceted eyes. This statue LIVES!
Kevroth looks in disgust at this profanation of what should be a shrine to Order before turning to his companions, "This cannot stand. Nor do I think it wise to leave this behind us as we move higher in this desecrated bastion of Order. The power of the insect fiend must be driven from this place." Drawing a slender rod, Kevroth renews the blessing of Asmodeus on himself before stepping into the room.
Kevroth looks in disgust at this profanation of what should be a shrine to Order before turning to his companions, "This cannot stand. Nor do I think it wise to leave this behind us as we move higher in this desecrated bastion of Order. The power of the insect fiend must be driven from this place." Drawing a slender rod, Kevroth renews the blessing of Asmodeus on himself before stepping into the room.
"You speak sense we are chained to abide," Giosue said. "This abomination of anarchy should not stand."
Stowing her whip on her hip, D'hara unwrapped the spiked chain coiled around her body and stepped forward a few feet. This foe required harder...discipline.
[/spoiler]
The armgiers leap into action as the statue springs to life. Its eyes blaze an angry purplish red!
Kevroth: Divine Favor
Dancing through the doorway, D'hara drew a pair of shuriken as she moved. Picking her spot, she let the shuriken fly at the statue. Before they had even struck the target, both of her hands were back on the spiked chain.
Giosue eyed the statue and began to crank his crossbow.
Kevroth brings the blade of his attuned kukri to his face, whispering to the blade, "By the Iron Chains of Law, we are bound. By the Iron Chains of Law, we are made free." Spectral, white-glowing chains wrap themselves around the blade and seem to sink into the metal leaving it glowing softly white. KEvroth then steps forward to take a defensive posture just ahead of D'hara and Giosue.
Kevroth: 1d1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Giosue: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
D'hara: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Hellstrider: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
antagonist: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
Dancing through the doorway, D'hara drew a pair of shuriken as she moved. Picking her spot, she let the shuriken fly at the statue. Before they had even struck the target, both of her hands were back on the spiked chain. The shuriken bounce off the statue, not even chipping the marble. They clatter to the floor as her spiked chain snakes out.
and.. lance takes damage
Lance has hardness 5 +2 (magical) = 7 no damage
Behind her, Giosue loads his crossbow, readying himself to strike even as Hellstrider rushes forward to strike at the Pit-touched statue with her lance. Her lance strikes true and snaps off a chitonous incisor. The metal tip of her lance catches into the statue and the wooden half bends, threatening to snap in half, as well. But, she releases pressure at just the right moment, and the wood returns to normal.
Kevroth brings the blade of his attuned kukri to his face, whispering to the blade, "By the Iron Chains of Law, we are bound. By the Iron Chains of Law, we are made free." Spectral, white-glowing chains wrap themselves around the blade and seem to sink into the metal leaving it glowing softly white. Kevroth then steps forward to take a defensive posture just ahead of D'hara and Giosue.
hit
With the sound of stone grating on stone, the statue moves froward, slashing a wicked sword-shaped claw at Hellstrider. it thrusts straight, running Hellstrider through. The Chakat gasps, slipping off the chitinous stone as her blood spills to the floor. Somehow, the armiger still stands, barely. Her discipline steels her mind and masters her shattered body!
Kevroth: Divine Favor, fighting defesnively
With a prayer to the Lord of Hell, Giosue loosed his bolt.
With little room to maneuver in the confined space, D'hara moved up behind Hellstrider to offer the large chakat aid. With a quick prayer to the Dark Lord, she summoned the healing magic that she all too often used to keep her subjects alive.
After the spell completed, she slipped a small potion vial out of the bandolier criss-crossing her chest. Clutching it tightly one hand and the spiked chain in the other, she was ready for what would come next.
Kevroth moves up beside Hellstrider, slashing at the statue with his attuned kukri, concern for the Chakat warring with his desire to put this threat to Law down for good.
With little room to maneuver in the confined space, D'hara moved up behind Hellstrider to offer the large chakat aid. With a quick prayer to the Dark Lord, she summoned the healing magic that she all too often used to keep her subjects alive.
After the spell completed, she slipped a small potion vial out of the bandolier criss-crossing her chest. Clutching it tightly one hand and the spiked chain in the other, she was ready for what would come nex
No sooner does she ready herself, Kevroth moves up beside Hellstrider, slashing at the statue with his attuned kukri, concern for the Chakat warring with his desire to put this threat to Law down for good. His blades spin in the air, twin blades of destruction and death. Chips fly from the statue. With a deafening crack and a final strike from his kukri, the statue shatters into rubble. A many-legged maggot with an inverted human face crawls from the wreckage only to melt into slime moments later.
hardenss 12 = 5 HP 12 = 7 it doesn't break. poo
Kevroth nods to himself, satisfied with their work, before turning to Hellstrider, "By The First! That you took such a blow and remained standing is a testament to your devotion to our cause, Hellstrider! Let the Dark Lord's power make you whole."
D'hara slipped the potion vial back into her bandolier. The spiked chain she kept in her hands. She moved past Hellstrider and Kevroth over to inspect the rest of the room and what was left of the Inheritor's statue.
Kevroth nods to himself, satisfied with their work, before turning to Hellstrider, "By The First! That you took such a blow and remained standing is a testament to your devotion to our cause, Hellstrider! Let the Dark Lord's power make you whole." Dark fire flows from the wand, searing into Hellstrider's fur, burning away her wounds, and leaving her flesh whole and strong.
As Kevroth works, D'hara stows her vial and searches the room. She doesn't detect the taint of disorder in the waste of the room. But, beneath where the statue stood, the monk can just make out the faint line of a trapdoor.
"Dhara, Kevrov. My gratitude. That thing packed quite a punch. Still feels like my insides are reeling from that blow. If not for you. I may have met our master today"
She puts one of her paws on their shoulders in turn as she thanked them
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"It is not yet time, I think, for you to make that voyage, Hellstrider."
"Kevroth, look here. There appears to be something down here" D'hara said pointing to the spot where the statue had previously stood. She knelt down in the spot, running her finger along the line between the floor and what appeared to be some sort of trap door.
Kevroth moves to where D'hara kneels on the floor, "Yes, indeed. Well done, D'hara, The First is with you this day." Kevroth examines the potential trap door more closely to find any hidden traps and to locate its opening mechanism.
Kevroth doesn't find any traps, nor does he find any catches or handles. He thinks the door will open if the right passphrase is said.
Kevroth looks up at the others, "It is magically sealed. A password or phrase should open it."
Kevroth looks up at the others, "It is magically sealed. A password or phrase should open it."
A thoughtful expression comes over Kevroth's face, and he turns back to the trapdoor, and his polyphonic voice suddenly seems even more beautiful to hear as he speaks in the language of angels.
The trapdoor opens, amidst what sounds to be a choir of angelic voices. The song is like a keening screech against the armigers' ears, despite its apparent beauty. When silence finally hangs once more, blood trickles from the armigers' ears. Only Kevroth, somehow, remains unhurt. Stairs lead from the trapdoor down to a a cool chamber lit with a soft bluish-white glow and willed with the sound of dripping water.
Hellstrider shakes her head and wipes away the blood
"This bodes well" she mutters "Ill bring up the rear, i dont want to block anyone's ability to move forward"
Pulling out the stowed vial, D'hara popped the top and quaffed the contents. The arcane armor enveloped her once again, shimmering in a translucent haze. She briefly looked at the others and asked "may I?"
Not waiting for an answer, she began to descend the stairs, her hands empty.