Considering Kalem's first plan, Elias extrapolates, "We could not ACTUALLY join the Asmodians, mind you, but If I could locate a copy of their vows... we could all read them to ourselves aloud. Purely for educational purposes, of course. Thereafter we could honestly claim we have spoken Asmodian vows. With a reticent servant such as Yilliv, this might be enough. I hesitate to persue any action that takes much longer, though."
True to his word, as far as the Raven's can tell anyway, Yilliv does not alert your foes to your presence. The grisly walk through the upper floor is quiet and you arrive back to the Wasp's Nest unmolested to an anxious looking Rexus.
He looks at you wide-eyed when you return, and even Laria looks expectant. "My mother? Was she there? Have you secured anything from the Order that might help us!?" His voice wavers and he keeps looking behind you.
"Did she choose to stay at the museum? I imagine she's a refugee so she'd probably like to stay hidden, that makes sense." He begins to ring his hands while he waits for an answer.
"We haven't finished searching the place." he says sadly.
He turns to the others, "Let's relax a little now. They are very busy, and unlikely to move from their deeply hidden den any time soon. A secret tunnel isn't very useful if it's in constant use. Let's not dawdle my any means, but the plan we have, A sepia snake sigil for the guardian and rest to refresh our spells and supplies, is a good one."
"Let's hurry to market and then return to sleep. We'll leave first thing in the morning, as soon as the sun peaks the horizon. We'll find what there is to be found." he says with more confidence then he feels.
Elias nods, "Agreed. Yours is a good plan."
Mydaril nods as well, eager to get some rest.
|
When Brask hands Rexus the rings that once belonged to his parents the man takes a seat looking like the breath has been knocked out of him. Laria takes a look at the rest of you, a little incredulous.
"Maybe you should take this conversation elsewhere, and let Rexus mourn his dead?" Her voice is stern and her face is more than a little red.
"No, Laria, they're okay." He says. Lifting his head you can see the the tears still falling, but his face is resolute. "They're focused on the real task. I am not the first person to lose those close to me."
"I had already believed my parents dead, I shouldn't have let myself give in to the hope that they may have escaped. The Thrunes are too efficient, and so we too must be."
He clasps a hand on Brasks shoulder and nods at the rest of the Ravens. "Thank you, however, for returning my parents rings to me. It means more than I could really say."
The remainder of the day is spent in preparation for the Ravens. Femi hits the markets with help from Laria and any other followers they can muster to sell their goods and pool the money. Once again the halfling woman proves her resourcefulness and finds someone who can provide Femi with the Sepia Snake Sigil they need.
When the next morning comes, you're all fed well and seen off by Laria. The trip to the museum is once again uneventful. The bodies of the dead humans and spiders are untouched, and the scene is even more gruesome than before because of it.
For the second time in as many days, you find yourselves descending the too-long stairs below the statue of Aroden, the light of the archive can be seen below where you know Yilliv is waiting to handle any intruders.
"Sorry Laria, my apologies. And yes, Rexus, our apologies to you as well. We get a little focused..." he trails off and lets it go.
After shopping, Femi distributes the remaining gold to the group.
Just before the party enters Yilliv's chamber, Femi asks, "Is there anything we want to do to prepare?" he has nothing, but doesn't want to rush in.
On opening the door, he beckons to Yilliv. "For your help yesterday, we've gotten you this magical scroll." he holds it up. "Please check it out." he tosses it to the strange creature, hoping they don't have to kill him.
I hope this works!
Brask will pass his share of gold to Kalem, since he owes the man. When asked if theres anything he can do to prepare, he lifts his shield and nods.
"Yeah. Once you give him the scroll, get behind me. I'll go in first if it gets violent."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Kalem readies himself for the upcoming fight.
Myradil is ready, and keeps his fingers crossed that the plan works.
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"You have returned?"
Yilliv sounds a mixture of excited and suspicious when he greets you. He's in the same place you left him the day before, though there is a pile of books beneath him, more than anyone could reasonable have ready in the short time you were gone, but they've been piled neatly and with care.
"I did not expect to see you back-" He stops speaking as Femi throws him the magical scroll. He catches it in trembling, excited hands and opens it, his eyes quickly scanning the words.
Wish a brief flash, the raven's trap springs to life as the trigger words are read by the strange creature. An image of a large sepia snake springs to life and launches itself toward Yilliv, you hear nothing but a loud crash and see a flash of brown light. As your eyes adjust you see the magical scroll on the ground and Yilliv unharmed.
"I am sorry. I have just alerted the asmodeans of your presence. It was a clever trick." He says solemnly as two ribbons strike out at Myradil.
Yilliv steps to the side and strikes out twice more at Myradil but both ribbons miss their mark and do no further damage to the investigator.
Yilliv
Femi
Myradil
Brask
Kalem
Elias
Brask, closest to the thing, charges forward. "Nothing personal! We have to stop thrune's men!" he cries, swinging.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Myradil survives the ribbon assault with surprisingly little damage. With a bit of regret Myradil draws his spear as he steps to the side and makes a powerful strike at the guardian.
He who hesitates however is lost.
Round: 1
Weapon Equipped = Staff
Crossbow Bolts = 10/10
Conditions = None
Melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +0 Damage: +0
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +1 Damage: +0
toppling spell: base 8 (Caster Level 4 + 4 Int)
Arcane Reservoir (su): 4/6 (+1 DC or caster level as free action)
Spells (Caster Level 3, Concentration +7)
Special: (6/7) Force Missile
Zero (14) (3/3) Dancing Lights
Zero (14): (4) Acid Splash, Daze, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Spark
First (15): (5/5) Infernal Healing, Liberating Command, Mage Armor, Magic Missile (w/Topple Feat)*
* +1 DC, +1 Caster Level, +1 Damage
Femi, unhappy at the turn of events, shrugs. It can’t be helped. So much for that ~900gp trap!
He reserves his greater spells for the coming hoard, and hopes the party can finish this poor creature quickly and relatively painlessly. He shoots a Force Missile to pile on.
"I'm sorry!"
Elias grits his teeth and draws his blade as he steps in to attack the Outsider.
The cleric struggles to maintain a level tone despite the fighting. "Yilliv, when your contract ends, I would like to offer you a new one in my own service. I will not require you to stand by during such travesties as this. Agreeable?"
Round 1
"We'll talk hopefully see you again on friendlier terms!" Kalem shouts as he manuvers to sandwich the creature between him and Elias. He genuinely liked the fellow. Pity the situation called for conflict.
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Femi retaliates first with a force bolt and an apology. The magical bolt hits the Scrivenite but it's hard to tell if it's actually done any damage.
Myradil shrugs off the more supernatural effects of the attack and strikes back but has trouble connecting. Fortunately Brask steps up and does manage to damage Yilliv, though not as much as he expected.
Elias and Kalem flank their foe and launch their attacks but neither can seems to actually hurt the scrivenite in anyway.
"This fight will end in my death, or yours, unless you flee. Please, do not continue this fight." Yilliv pleas with the party as he continues to lash out. Though he clearly regrets it, he does not seem to be pulling any punches.
He steps out of the flanked position and lashes out at Kalem with his ribbons.
But the brawler dodges both attacks with ease.
Yilliv - 6(11) damage
Femi
Myradil - 4 damage
Brask
Kalem
Elias
Brask continues his assault.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Myradil takes the opportunity to circle around into a new flank with Kalem.
"We can't let the Asmodeuns redact our glorious history. We can't be complicit in the destruction of freedom's past..."
Myradil takes another power stab.
Round: 2
Weapon Equipped = Staff
Crossbow Bolts = 10/10
Conditions = None
Melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +0 Damage: +0
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +1 Damage: +0
toppling spell: base 8 (Caster Level 4 + 4 Int)
Arcane Reservoir (su): 4/6 (+1 DC or caster level as free action)
Spells (Caster Level 3, Concentration +7)
Special: (5/7) Force Missile
Zero (14) (3/3) Dancing Lights
Zero (14): (4) Acid Splash, Daze, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Spark
First (15): (5/5) Infernal Healing, Liberating Command, Mage Armor, Magic Missile (w/Topple Feat)*
* +1 DC, +1 Caster Level, +1 Damage
"Nice hit Myradil!"
Femi continues his approach, though he watches carefully to see if his missiles are having an effect. Could have a shield up. But I’d see the blockage… maybe? he wonders to himself.
He shoots another Force Missile.
Elias flanks around to the left and takes another swipe at the Scrivinite.
"Then we will do our best to avenge you, if we cannot save you. But our cause is necessary, and we can no more lay it down than you can."
Kalem gains Improved Trip with Martial flexibility and prays the book thing needs to stand like normal people.
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Femi's next force missile breaks through Yilliv's magical defenses and so does Myradil's spear chipping some at the Scrivenite's armor. Unfortunately the rest of the Ravens find the creature somewhat more difficult to hit.
Once again taking a cautious step to the side to prevent being surrounded, Yilliv continues to focus on Kalem, this time one of his ribbons connects with the Tiefling and leaves a thin bloody line on his cheek.
Yilliv - 28 damage
Femi
Myradil - 4 damage
Brask
Kalem - 4 damage DC 16 will save
Elias
Myradil continues circling, positing himself to provide flanking to as many ravens as possible.
Myradil focuses, says a silent prayer and hopes for a strike as good as his first.
Round: 3
Weapon Equipped = Staff
Crossbow Bolts = 10/10
Conditions = None
Melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +0 Damage: +0
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +1 Damage: +0
toppling spell: base 8 (Caster Level 4 + 4 Int)
Arcane Reservoir (su): 4/6 (+1 DC or caster level as free action)
Spells (Caster Level 3, Concentration +7)
Special: (4/7) Force Missile
Zero (14) (3/3) Dancing Lights
Zero (14): (4) Acid Splash, Daze, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Spark
First (15): (5/5) Infernal Healing, Liberating Command, Mage Armor, Magic Missile (w/Topple Feat)*
* +1 DC, +1 Caster Level, +1 Damage
Femi worries his spells will continue to be effective, but he tries one more time to drop the poor creature.
He shoots another Force Missile.
Brask moves around the creature, shrugging through the inevitable attack that comes from positioning himself so close to the being.
Brask chops with his cutlass, trying to end the fight quickly.
Round 3
Kalem steadies himself as he holds his mind together and launches another trip, this time followed by a lashing fist.
Elias steps up to keep the outsider within reach and slashes low at the outsider in a cut that would disembowel a mortal man.
But the blow wildly misses the creature, doing little more than slicing the air.
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Femi's spell bounces off the scrivenite as Myradil moves into position. Yilliv lashes out with a ribbon and slices into the elf, leaving a stinging sensation akin to a paper cut, but the attack gives Brask time to position himself without risking injury and both fighters manage to land their strikes cutting into the strange paper like body. Yilliv shivers from the blows.
Kalem sweeps both legs out from under Yilliv, but he continues to float where he was, this however does not prevent the Tiefling from also connecting with his fist and leaving a fist shaped dent in his foe.
Elias misses again, but helps keeping up the pressure.
Suddenly surrounded and taking damage, Yilliv begins to panic, his whole body is shaking and the sound of rustling paper fills the room. He floats up and above Elias before turning and lashing out at the cleric with his ribbons from out of reach of most of the Ravens.
Round 4
Yilliv - 36 damage
Femi
Myradil - 8 damage DC 16 will save
Brask
Kalem - 4 damage
Elias - 3 damage DC 16 will save
-Posted with Wayfinder
Seeing the creature take to the air Myradil takes out his longbow and hands it to Brask.
"Quiver's on my right."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Brask pops the clasps on his shield, Pulling an arrow out of Myradil's quiver and holding it in his teeth before drawing another one.
Round: 4
Weapon Equipped = Staff
Crossbow Bolts = 10/10
Conditions = None
Melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +0 Damage: +0
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +1 Damage: +0
toppling spell: base 8 (Caster Level 4 + 4 Int)
Arcane Reservoir (su): 4/6 (+1 DC or caster level as free action)
Spells (Caster Level 3, Concentration +7)
Special: (4/7) Force Missile
Zero (14) (3/3) Dancing Lights
Zero (14): (4) Acid Splash, Daze, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Spark
First (15): (5/5) Infernal Healing, Liberating Command, Mage Armor, Magic Missile (w/Topple Feat)*
* +1 DC, +1 Caster Level, +1 Damage
Unhappy his spells aren’t functioning properly, Femi drops his staff, draws, and loads his crossbow as he steps a little closer to the target.
Round: 4
Kalem starts kicking himself. He had some gold now and he never thought about purchasing a ranged weapon.
Kalem digs in deep and springs from the floor to try and grab onto the now flying enemy.
Elias shakes his head, trying to drive out the static of words and images that fills his mind.
He takes another swipe at the retreating outsider.
Snarling, his temper becoming frayed, Elias unleashes a wave of negative energy, blasting both the outsider, and Kalem who jumps up after him.
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Unfortunately for Yilliv, his risky attempt to rise above the combat is met with sharp end of Brask's blade and the strange paper man seems to crumple beneath the blow. His ribbons never make it toward Elias, as they fall limply halfway to the target.
"They know you're here." The scrivenite manages to mutter before his tome shaped skull hits the floor and spills open. The strange words written on it begin to fade until the only evidence of life is an empty book.
The room falls silent as the battle ends, unfortunately Yilliv had nothing particularly useful or valuable on him.
How do you proceed?
Femi shakes his head sadly at the scrivenite's passing, "He was a good man to the last."
He gathers up the blank book, tucking it away for later. "They know we're here, so let's be on our guard."
He collects his staff, leaves his crossbow loaded, and points to the entryway. "Ready?"
"Yeah." Brask replies, turning down the offer of a bow.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Myradil collects his gear, spear at the ready and motions that he is ready to proceed.
"Anyone need to heal up? It might be worth it to make sure we're completely ready."
Myradil nods, having received several wounds.
Elias draws his wand and passes it over himself and Myradil. He then casts Resist Energy on Brask and Firebelly on himself, to protect them both from the fires of suspected Hellhounds.
"We must advance quickly. We do not know how much time remains until we face reinforcements."
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With some preparation, the Ravens head further into the compound. For the most part their progress is smooth and uninterrupted. They pass a number of rooms as they move through the hallways, mostly cots with a few personal affects sitting around. Pictures of family, spare clothes, popular books and other such things can be found, but nothing of value. You do find a single picture in one room of a young Rexus and his parents, suggesting these rooms had been used most recently by the Order of Sacred Archivists.
When you reach the end of the second hallway however, you're greeted with a particularly grisly sight. A tangle of barbed chains is spread throughout the chamber (F4). The smell of rotting flesh overwhelms you even as you spot the corpse of a man dressed in drab robes hung from the chains. In the very center, suspended above the flagstones by its black iron tendrils, rests a fistsized, twelve-sided box fashioned from wood and bronze. Wooden cases along the southwestern wall have been smashed and overturned. Small pieces of paper covered with notes are scattered throughout the room, as if someone’s been studying the strange tableau for days.
the situation is a strange manifestation of power that’s likely leaked in from a kyton-influenced corner of the Plane of Shadow. It can likely be deactivated with the right spell, or by a person skillful with magical devices or spellcraft.
Brask stops upon entering the room, looking at the grisly tableau with his brows scrunched up in concern.
"Well... this is... gross." he observes, looking at the page-strewn floor as the rest of the ravens move in. "Ah! Look. Someone was just here a few minutes ago." he points to the footprints with his cutlass.
Kalem tries to hide his disgust, but does a poor job of it.
"Any of you know what this is?" he asks, referencing the box.
Myradil nods at Brask's assertion.
Femi does his best to keep his breakfast down. ”Urp.” is all he can manage for a while. ”OK, let’s leave this alone for now and press on. These people, what the hell?!”
He’s ready to move on… more than ready.
"Infernal influences have started to erode their sanity, I would hazard. An inevitable consequence of the games they play. Come, we should advance as quickly as is safe."
Bearing a great suspicion against the hanging chains, Elias fortifies himself with Guidance and A Bit of Luck before crossing the room.
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As the party begins to walk into the room, careful to avoid the barbed wire and the body wrapped within is, there's a shuffling in the room and a voice coming from the back.
"I think that's far enough." Says Nox as she rises from her hiding place wedged beneath one of the fallen book cases. At the same time a number of Asmodeans do the same. As they move, Nox whistles and her pet hellhound, another asmodean and a Lemure step into the hallway cutting off further one exit for the Raven's.
Those of you who attended the protest where you met Rexus weeks before remember Nox as the woman who took a knife directly to the throat, and you remember too that wound closing before you very eyes.
"Yilliv was your last chance to surrender and give up whatever business has brought you here, you will die now, in the name of House Thrune." Nox sneers.
Myradil
Femi
Kalem
Asmodeans
Brask
Nox
Elias