The growling grows louder as Kevroth approaches. Whatever is behind that door can sense the servant of Asmodeus.
I smell you, mortal. I can taste your meat on the air. The beast chuckles. Have you come to feed me? Or have you come to talk?
Kevroth responds in a quiet voice as, presumably, the creature will hear him anyway, "That depends. What are you, what would you say, to what end would you speak, and, lastly, what do you eat?"
Sven and Amelie Stan in the small offices of Commander Irabeth. I’m sending you to the Gray Garrison. The Signifiers have been scrying the situation, the small detatchment have done well. The nail has been placed in the coffin, now it is time to hammer it home. She looks down at her paper work as a clear dismissal.
Kevroth leans against the door at the far north and west of the hall as the creature inside whispers. [b]Poison and flesh, I eat. I would say you are a fools to challenge Jesslyn. She has guards upstairs, and powerful wards. She is a favored servant of the Locust Lord, and all this ruin has been to delay you. To make you waste your time with the change so she can complete her sacred mission. I’ve grown bored playing her pet, and, I do not wish to die. This ruin shall fall, whether she wins or loses. I have no windows to fly free of this place. Open the door and let me out, and I’ll show you the way to her.”
@ The Gray Garrison (at the northwest door of the hall):
The voice behind the door chuckles evilly. I eat flesh and poison, my shadow kills.. It laughs again the sound of bone scraping against stone fills the hall. When it speaks again, the voice is mocking and cruel. [b]You cannot win. Jesslyn is filled with grand purpose, and sees herself as a favorite of the Locust Host. She will die before she sees her mission unfinished. She is has seen your coming since before you born, mortal. All of this has been a delaying tactic. Chaffe before the scythe to distract you while she completes the ritual. She does not care to live beyond her duty. She is prepared to die to see it through, and she will take this ruin down with her. I have played the part of pet, but grow weary of my game. This room has no windows and I wish to fly. I do not care to die this day beneath a pile of rubble and her madness. Free me, and I will tell you what I know.
"That is what they all say. Before they beg for mercy. I must question this Jesslyn. She will answer my questions before the Commander decides her fate."
There was no ego in D'hara's tone. It was no boast. As far as she was concerned, it was a statement of fact. There were no other conceivable outcomes to her. There was only the order in which those events happened.
"If everything before has served to be a delaying tactic, this would be no different. By it's own admission, it has served in the clutches of chaos. It's fate is already decided. Let us proceed."
Irabeth nods. Go.
Kevroth nods in agreement, "I will not unleash more chaos upon this city. Let us find this Jesslyn; if she wishes to die for her cause, I am well pleased to assist."
Ameline arrived at the Gray Garrison, and approached her fellow Hellknights. "Ameline Khollarix, reporting in," she said with a bland tone. "Commander Irabeth has sent us to assist you."
Ameline was not impressive in height or build, but carried herself well in her armor. Her head was shaved and her face without expression, a simple wooden shield strapped to her arm and no weapons drawn; though she carried a longbow on her back and a folded war-razor on her belt. A large unholy symbol -- the chained skull of Zon-Kuthon -- hung from her neck by an iron chain.
Sven nodded as he sized up his fellow hellknights. The tattooed duergar wasn’t especially large for his kind, in muscle or girth. Like Ameline he wore a breastplate, and he rested his bow on his shoulder. ”Aye.” He looked at the door quizzically. ”Got yerself an outsider in there lads? It be yers or be ye playin’ with it?”
Kevroth shrugs in response, "No. We do not know what it is. It is attempting to trade its freedom for information. I am disinclined to loose more chaos upon this city."
Kevroth moves away from that door to the one next to Hellstrider, listening intently.
The creature beyond the door holds the foolishness of freewill in its heart. It is not a festering pit of disorder and entropy like the hordes of the Abyss, or other fiends. But, the creature knows little of the virtues of discipline and order.
Kevroth hears nothing from the other doors. The only living things on this floor, it seems, are the armigers and the creature in the room he was speaking with.
[ooc]Ok, so you takign the dude's bait and opening the door, or are you moving on? I'll adjust the map tonight. Also, I think everyone has checked ina nd started talking. /ooc]
Sven pulled out a cold iron arrow and smiled nastily. ”What say we open yon door then? There are a time and place for words, ye ken?”
FOOLS! The door bursts open, showering the armigers with splinters. In the rubble stands a foul amalgam of wolf, hart, and eagle. Black fangs fill its canine muzzle. It bares them in a cruel snarl as it shakes its head deer-like head. Its antlers are caked with bits of dried flesh and they make a horrid clattering as they scrape and drag across the stones of the threshold. Its wicked hooves are stained with blood. They raises sparks on the floor as it drags its legs back, lowering itself and spreading red and black feathered wings in preparation to spring forward to attack. I shall feast on manflesh tonight!
Perytons are wicked creatures of terror made flesh. They lust for mortal hearts, and will greedily snatch them from a chest if they are able. Also, to feel its shadow fall upon you is to know fear.
Sven looked at the outsider without passion. He started chanting prayers to the Godclaw, causing his tattoos to briefly glow.
Whip still in hand, D'hara darted forward rushing straight for the Peryton. Her legs pumping as she ran, D'hara began to duck low as if to slide beneath the creature. In the last instant, her legs flexed and she launched herself high into the air, leaping over the creature and trying to dodge the beast's antlers as she somersaulted through the air. She hit the ground behind it and sprung to her feet, spinning in place to face the back of the beast.
Ameline raised her shield as the creature came forth, trying to recall anything she knew about such rare and horrid creatures. She took a defensive stance, knowing full well her abilities would be more helpful to keep her comrades in the fight, rather than throwing blows herself. She held her unholy symbol tightly.
Kevroth darts forward, slashing at the abomination's neck.
Disoriented - The target takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls. In addition, the target takes an additional –2 penalty on all attack rolls it makes against the rogue. At 10th level and 16th level, the penalty on attack rolls made against the rogue increases by –2 (to a total maximum of –8).
Sven: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Kevroth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Giosue: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Amaline: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
D'hara: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Hellstrider: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Iavdi: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Peryton: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Whip still in hand, D'hara darts forward rushing straight for the Peryton. Her legs pumping as she runs, D'hara begins to duck low as if to slide beneath the creature. In the last instant, her legs flex and she launches herself high into the air, leaping over the creature and trying to dodge the beast's antlers as she somersaults through the air. She hits the ground behind it and springs to her feet, spinning in place to face the back of the beast.
She feels the beast's antlers scrape at her boots, but they do no harm as she lands, whip ready to lash at the creature as soon as an opening presents itself.
Sven coldly steps backward, watching the scene without passion. Rigid words of perfect discipline form on his lips as his tattoos flare briefly to light. Iron shackles coil about his arms, each a precise copy of the next, save all are etched with symbols sacred to the Godclaw. His limbs straighten, his muscles, tighten, his bones harden. He becomes more precise, more, ideal. A perfect copy and image of a warrior Hellknight of the Godclaw.
While all this goes on, Ameline raises her shield as the creature comes forth, trying to recall anything she knew about such rare and horrid creatures. Remember little, she, instead, takes a defensive stance, knowing full well her abilities will be more helpful to keep her comrades in the fight, rather than throwing blows herself. She holds her sacred symbol tightly, trusting in the precise teachings of the Midnight Lord to guide her talents.
Quick as lightning, Kevroth darts around his fellow armigers, eager to do the First's bidding, and bring an end to the agents of chaos and willfulness in this world. His discipline and planning prove true, and he takes perfect advantage of the creature's distraction. The beast, foolish and bloodthirsty, losing all sense of tactics and strategy, tries to strike at D'hara as the monk leaps over its head. In doing so, it leaves its neck bare to Kevroth. An opening he all to readily takes and slams his kukri deep into the beast's neck. Blood wells from the wound, spraying the holy servant of the First with its red waters.
Cornered, the beast roars and gnashes its teeth. It snaps at Kevroth's,chest, seeking the priest's heart. He dodges to the side, easily, and the creature bits only air. It rears back, kicking at D'hara, twice. Both times, the monk knocks the beasts' hooves aside as though she were batting aside a bothersome fly.
Moving through the peryton's square: DC 26. She makes it! she's safe!
tries to gore Kevroth
miss
2 hooves for D'haraa
both mises
Sven: Divine Favor 1 minute (+1 to attack and damage)
Giosue drew forth a scroll and read an incantation from it.
Sven: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Kevroth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Giosue: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Amaline: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
D'hara: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Hellstrider: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Iavdi: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Peryton: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Arcane words spill from Giouse's lips. Faster, faster, FASTER they come, until the words are indistinguishable. He speaks, and the armigers feel their movements quicken, as though the legions of Hell itself goad theim onward!
Sven: Divine Favor for 1 minute: +1 to attacks and damage
Ameline: total Defense
Everyone: HASTE
”Submit! Know your role, know your place, or know death.”
As arrows streak past him close enough for him to feel the wind of their passing, Kevroth's hands are a blur as he slashes three times at this living nightmare of a creature.
Submit! Know your role, know your place, or know death!" The grim archer intones. He unleashes a flurry of three arrows from over Kevroth's shoulder. The warpriest can hear the whistle of their feathers cutting the air by his ear and feel the wake of their passing.
With deadly accuracy, the arrows strike into the foul beast's chest, puncturing lungs and eye as easily as a needle pulls thread. The creatures wheezes, partially blinded, and falls to the ground. Its voice, once a fierce growl and proud, mocking sneer, is now but a soft and feeble whimper. It looks up with confused, pained eyes, as it is confronted with it s own demise.
Then, its remaining eye goes blank as Kevroth brings both of his blades in a scissoring action and cut upwards, tearing tendons and vessels readily. Blood sprays once more and the ruined creature collapses to the ground. Dead.
Sven calmly walked over and pulled his cold iron arrows out of the beast. He did so without passion or pride. It was clear that he felt nothing from the proud creature’s death. He nodded at Kevroth. ”Clean cuts. Ye know yer craft.” From a duergar it was a high compliment.
”I’m jus’ reinforcement. Ye lot have an ordered operation here. I’ll nay muck it up. Where to?”
Ameline eased her stance. Whatever sort of beast it was, it was taken down with ease. If the rest of the mission went this way, she feared her presence would go to waste. But few missions were ever as easy as they looked, initially. "Lead on," she said to the other Armigers.
Kevroth nods in respect at Sven for his impressive shooting. He moves over to the last door, listening carefully at it while checking it for any nasty surprises.
Kevroth listens at the door. Hearing nothing, the armiger opens the door. Inside is a once-grand scrying chamber. A large alabaster bowl dominates the southern portion of the room. The basin is filled with entrails and blood. Inside, the image of a massive demonic army seethes about a ruined fortress town. In the corner, stairs wind up to the floor above.
Kevroth beckons to the others, and speaks quietly, "Stairs up. I will attempt to scout. stay close, though."
He refreshes the Divine Favor from his wand and, moving quietly, enters the room and makes his way to the stairs, alert for traps or other nasty surprises.
Assuming he reaches the stairs unmolested, he cautiously starts up them.
Following Kevroth, Sven wills his flesh to harden until it is as tough as iron. He didn’t plan on fighting up close, but in these close quarters one couldn’t be too careful.
Neither Kevroth nor Sven find any traps in this room. The foolish spawn of the Abyss has forgotten all sense of logic and tactics in her crazed gambit.
As if struck by a sudden premonition, Kevroth pauses before beginning his ascent up the stairs to bring up some stronger magical defenses.
Ameline pulled off one glove and produced a platinum ring and gold bracelet; she put on both pieces and slid her hand back in the glove. She took out a matching one of each, and held them out to the other armigers. ”These should go to our front line warriors,” she said. ”The bracelet to whomever may be attacked most, and the ring to whomever is least hardy. Don’t be shy; these will greatly help me keep you healthy and on your feet.”
Ameline pulled off one glove and produced a platinum ring and gold bracelet; she put on both pieces and slid her hand back in the glove. She took out a matching one of each, and held them out to the other armigers. ”These should go to our front line warriors,” she said. ”The bracelet to whomever may be attacked most, and the ring to whomever is least hardy. Don’t be shy; these will greatly help me keep you healthy and on your feet.”
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 11
[dice=Know, Religion]1d20 + 10
D'hara resons that this place was a scrying room for the Garrison, when it stood as a bastion against the forces of chaos. Ordinarily, the bowl would be filled with water, and the holy symbol of Iomedae or some other paragon of law and order would be placed inside the water and the viewers would see an image of some far off place that they wished to see. The fiends, in their foolishness, used blood and entrails as their medium. It needlessly complicated the spell, and only showed them a place and events they were sure of seeing.
The armigers ascend the stairs from the scrying chamber. The wide stone stairs are slick with the blood of the previous defenders of the Gray Garrison. Cautiously, full of discipline and the surety of Law, the Hellknights march, weapons raised. Their boots do not falter, their arms do not shake. Their spines are hellforged steel, their blood ice.
A purple pulse of light courses through the air, and the building quakes.
The mad plan of the fiends must end now, no matter the personal cost!
With grim conviction, they proceed, even as the stones melt into worm-filled rotting flesh and bone. Another pulse, and the stairs heave and buckle beneath them, contorting like the body of a dead insect, all folded in on itself and twisting in a death-rictus, defying all the laws of nature. The armigers pull themselves up through the throbbing orifice of a great insect and appear in a large chamber fully half the size of the garrison. On the other side, a wooden door with purple light shimmering around it. Between them, a giant minotaur.
The brute roars with savage glee, and flexing his ponderous muscles and lifting a massive great axe into the air. Come! Die on Deadnu's mighty blade!
i think that works on Hellstrider
She's intimidated for 1 round
D'hara: Mage Armor activated before Peryton fight +4 AC (1 hour)
2). Activate Law Blessing on spike chain +1d6 vs. Chaotic foes (1 minute)
3). Activate Death Blessing, +4 bonus on Disguise checks to resemble an undead creature and on Intimidate checks, as well as a +2 profane bonus on saving throws against disease, mind-affecting effects, paralysis, poison, and stun (1 minute)
4). Activate Bark Skin Qinggong monk ki power for 1 ki point, +2 Natural Armor (40 minutes)
5). Activate Protection from Chaos spell-like ability, +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves vs. Chaotic creatures and affects, target is immune to any new attempts to possess or exercise mental control over the target, and the spell prevents bodily contact by evil summoned creatures (4 minutes)
Kevroth:
1) Shield of Faith (+2 AC, deflection, 5 minutes)
2) Bless (+1 to attack, weapon damage, and all saves, morale, 5 minutes)
3) Ironskin (+4 natural armor, enhancement, 5 minutes)
4) Infernal Healing (Fast healing 1, 1 minute)
5) Divine Favor (+1 to attack and weapon damage, luck, 1 minute)
[ooc]6) Blessing of Law on both Kukri (+1d6 damage vs chaotic creatures, 1 minute)
Aggregate bonuses: +2 attack and weapon damage, +1 saves, +6 AC,
+1d6 damage vs chaotic creatures.
Bless applies to all of us, and Kevroth is willing to share his wand of Divine Favor
Sven
Ironskin already up (5 minutes, AC26)
(1) Cast See Invisibility (50 minutes)
(2) Reapply Divine Favor (1 minute)
(3) SLA Invisibility (5 minutes)
Invisibility gives me an ‘alpha strike.’ +2 Hit, ignore enemy dex when hitting, and applies Studied Target upon Hit. This will also apply sneak attack, which as a sniper slayer is +1d6+5. Assuming not within 30ft, this will give Sven....To Hit +14/+14 for 5d6+13 damage each hit. Now that math is out of the way, he is ready to go.
Everyone : Bless
* Normal Hit: 1d20+10
* Normal damage: 2d6+2
- Modifiers:
* Bless: +1 hit and +1 damage
* Point Blank Shot: +1 Hit and +1 Damage
* Invisibility: +2 Hit (no enemy dex to AC)
* Studied Target: +2 Damage
* Divine Favor: +2 Hit +2 Damage
* Bane: +2 Hit +2 Damage +2d6 damage
* Sneak Attack: +1d6 damage
* Rapid Shot: -2 hit
Sven narrowed his eyes. It looked like a Minotaur, and gods knew that he had fought enough. But was he sure? This was the world wound after all, and it might be some kind of outsider. He sighed. One way to find out. Infusing his bow with divine power against Minotaurs, and hoping for the best, he let two arrows fly. The duergar’s Invisibility ended as the arrows left his bow, flying for the beast’s chest.
* Normal Hit: 1d20+10
* Normal damage: 2d6+2
- Modifiers:
* Bless: +1 hit and +1 damage
* Point Blank Shot: +1 Hit and +1 Damage
* Invisibility: +2 Hit (no enemy dex to AC)
* Studied Target: +2 Damage
* Divine Favor: +2 Hit +2 Damage
* Bane: +2 Hit +2 Damage +2d6 damage
* Sneak Attack: +1d6 damage
* Rapid Shot: -2 hit[dice=Knowledge Planes to make sure it isn’t an outsider and is indeed a minotaur]1d20+4
[dice=Hit]1d20+18
[dice=Damage]2d6+2d6+1d6+10[dice=Hit]1d20+18
[dice=Damage]2d6+2d6+1d6+10Sven narrowed his eyes. It looked like a Minotaur, and gods knew that he had fought enough. But was he sure? This was the world wound after all, and it might be some kind of outsider. He sighed. One way to find out. Infusing his bow with divine power against Minotaurs, and hoping for the best, he let two arrows fly. The duergar’s Invisibility ended as the arrows left his bow, flying for the beast’s chest.