Chrysa tries to wiggle around in her entrapment to see the runes in question.
"No flipping idea. Destroy the runes or destroy them... or both." she suggests the options out loud to see if anyone has a decent plan.
"Don't we have any to communicate with them?" Annalla asks, seemingly undiscomfited by her current condition.
"I can try everything." she goes with Please let us go so we can talk in...
Fish, Amphibian, Bird, Mammal, Reptile, Akle, Boggard, Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Goblin, Halfling, Hallit, Infernal, and Undercommon. Skipping only Sylvan since Annalla already tried it, and because it is Sylvan.
Sophiel curses quietly to herself, "of course, Chrysa, the markings I saw. Probably some binding? The poor things are enslaved here, I suspect." She looks around at a way to disrupt the magic of the markings.
Non-threateningly, Sophiel quickly grabs one of her two flasks of acid and pours it on the markings, trying to burn away whatever was keeping the lines contiguous, especially as Orri notes there was magic associated with it.
Chrysa sags in relief. "Good job." she tells Soph "Fighting water, worse Dirty water, did not seem like a good idea."
Sophiel spends a short moment drying herself off. ”I wish we could have been better prepared... for what that would do. Who knew what disrupting the markings would do... perhaps... “ She shakes her head. ”No matter. I think we should all try to learn different languages, or prepare better for circumstances like this. Agreed?” She sighs and rubs her temple, ”We can talk about this later - not sure how I could have missed it. Next time we will be better prepared, I promise.” She smiles slightly, and searches the rest of the room.
Chrysa gives Sophie a half smile. While they both are planners (Chrysa's planning is usually internal), Sophie always takes it hard when 'unplanned' for happens. The horned woman gives her friend a shoulder squeeze, then helps her look.
The binding wards broken, the elementals release their hostages and flee the room as quickly as possible, washing over the group in their urgency to escape. The remaining chamber is empty save for a doorway, which leads to the highest broken section of the tower. Above is the only fully intact floor remaining...
Hearing Ipmeek conversing with someone, the group decides to go ahead and ascend the stair and join him above.
You fly up the stairs and find yourself in what appears to be a large hall of the lord of this tower. The furnishings here are not destroyed as is the rest of the tower. Fine red carpets line the floors in the cross-shaped chamber. Red and black banners bearing the seal of House Maridos hang from the walls. One large window allows the moonlight to shine into the room from the Eastern portion, and is the only illumination in the hall itself. Sitting in front of the window is a large throne, and seated on that throne is a well dressed man, leaning back in the chair, hands clutching the armrest. Standing before him, however, is a monstrosity the size of a small giant, comprised of what seems to be the stitched together remains of various bodies.
"Hello," Annalla says, taking a step forward. "You must be Lord Maridos. I am Annalla Lebeda. It breaks my heart to learn of some of the events that happened here."
She looks around, taking in the neater chamber.
"Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about? Our intent is to give peace to the restless souls here that are still in torment."
The man turns his gaze from seemingly empty space to regard Annalla. ”Yes. Lord Vincent Maridos, of Candlemere,” he replies in introduction before pausing and adding ”Tell me, what you think you know of this place, hmmm? What you know of the torment that lingers in these halls?”
"It's the torment of betrayal. Betrayal most profound," Annalla replies. "Betrayal carries the most pain when it's delivered by those we trust the most."
"Your pain will not lessen by inflicting it upon others, though. Pain is never soothed by more pain."
He looks at Annalla, somewhat intrigued, but clearly she has missed the mark. ”Yes. I was betrayed. By my wife and captain of my personal guard. The man, in our darkest hour, took advantage of my wife in her most fragile state and took her into his bed. He was no better than a dog. Ironic, given his current state,” he says with a wry smirk. ”But you have not even scratched the surface of what my kin and myself suffered here in these lands. At the hands of the vilest creatures to walk Golarion.”
He pauses and looks over your group, eyes lingering on Chrysa a moment before he snarls ”Those accursed Fey.”
After the statement sinks in, he continues ”Those First World bastards harassed my House incessantly upon our arrival here, their torments grew day by day. Eventually, my people’s lives were being put in jeopardy. Then my own family. I did what I had to do to put an end to their maliciousness.”
He raises his hands and gestures to the room around him. ”And now, here we are. What remains of my home now under siege by you,” he pauses, pointing a finger at all of you. ”Give me good reason why I shouldn’t see you dead here and now for your trespasses and deaths of my guardians, hmmm?” he asks with a wave of his hand dismissively as he rises to his feet calmly.
Chrysa's eyes narrow at the story, the same burning rage she felt at the Fey's games reflected in this spirit's eyes.
"Then why are you Here and not out there avenging yourself on the accursed creatures?" she asks with a hard voice "Those things took me when I was a child, used me like a toy for an eternity. They drove me mad with joy just to twist to breaking me with agony." she balls her fists to keep them from shaking at the memory alone. "When they grew bored, they returned me to my parents..." she hissed that word "but not as the happy little child I was, but INFECTED with their taint."
She steps toward the throne, ignoring the massive creature.
"You have power, why in the hells are you not USING IT to KILL THEM!"
Sophiel speaks up, "just... as point of order, what is it that you did to 'end their maliciousness'?" She holds her hands out, "and, can we help you? We genuinely bear you no ill will; we originally came for other reasons."
A flash of excited interest crosses Lord Maridos’ eyes at Chrysa’s shared hatred and enthusiasm for ridding the world of Fey. But before he can reply Sophiel speaks up, diverting his attention. His mood turns serious and he replies ”That is my burden to bear. You need not concern yourself with my private affairs. More than you’ve already insisted upon with your uninvited intrusion. And, I must say, your manners are quite lacking. You invade my domain without so much as an introduction...”
Chrysa pulled in her anger, and composed herself "We were unaware that the tower was still inhabited." giving a formal bow she states "Chrysa, m'lord. Lady of the lands north toward the border of Restov."
Sophiel bows, "Lady Sophiel Medvyed, niece of Gurev Medvyed and daughter of Fantol, Lord Maridos. Please forgive us, most courts lack such... festive men-at-arms. We were taken aback." She gestures at the flesh thing. "I administer a state on the northern shore of the Tuskwater."
Orri keeps quiet initially as Sophie and Chrysa seem to have things handled. He looks the two new potential enemies over trying to get a better idea what exactly they might be. He is somewhat shocked when Chrysa relates the details of her past, a sad look in his eyes.
However, when everyone starts giving introductions to appease the man he does the same "I am Orri Lebeda, I rule the lands to the east of here. Forgive our intrussion but we only knew the willow-wisps were here and we were hoping to deal with the threat they posed to the surrounding lands as one stole and tortured a child not too long ago."
King Sootscale, having already introduced himself before being dismissed is content to not do it again. Though he now starts to understand why Chrysa hates fey so much.
He does add one thing, though. "Lord Maridos, you say you was Lord of Tower. But you not warmblood human anymore. What you be now?"
When your introductions are concluded, and the inquiry as to what he is is posed, he waves a hand dismissively and answers ”I am what I had to be to eliminate the threat to my family.”
He walks down from his throne and steps closer to you all, namely Chrysa. He looks her up and down before turning to the rest of you. ”Lord, Ladies. I believe your visit has concluded, but I would like to speak with Lady Chrysa in private, if she would be so obliging?”
Orri immediately steps forward, putting his hand on his whip when the man tries to dismiss them and talks about talking to Chrysa alone "No, sorry that won't do. We are a team, together, if you want to talk to one of us you talk to all of us..."
"I do not mind hearing him out, Orri. Unless you don't..." she stops, shaking her head. She places a hand on his shoulder "... that isn't fair. I know you trust me, anyone else I'd doubt here, but not you." she'll meet his eyes "I'll be careful."
He turns and smirks at Orri. ”Is that so? I was under the impression you were your own individuals. Making your own choices...”
He leans in and whispers something to Chrysa before stepping back towards his throne.
He then ascends to the edge of his seat before turning with a flourish. ”Is there anything more you trespassers would like to discuss? The hour is late, and I do believe it is time for my supper...” he says before flashing a smile, revealing that his upper canine teeth are significantly longer than the rest of his teeth!
Orri looks confused for a moment when Chrysa seems to imply the issue is with him not believing in her, but lets out a deep sigh as Chrysa insists she'll be careful. He looks deep in her eyes for a moment and then gives her a nod. "We'll wait just downstairs for you then if you think you will be ok. I... I just don't trust him is the problem... If there is trouble you scream and we will be right up to help you."
Orri turns and glares at the man about to say something just as he begins to speak. When he sees the fangs his eyes go wide momentarily "Wait..."
Sophiel blinks at the sight of the fangs, and quickly flies to the side.
"No deal, whatever you whispered to our friend, after we were going to leave. I know you're dead, or undead. And I bet if we read that journal, we'd find out 'what you did' to your family."
She shakes her head. "Flesh golem, immune to most magic, but hasted by electricity, though. Slowed by cold and fire."
Two viciously tipped spears of ice erupt from the ground, embedding themselves in flesh golem, and potentially knocking it off-balance.
"Hit Maridos with everything you've got!"
3rd - Earth Tremor
2nd - Ashen Path
1st - Faerie Fire, Obscuring Mist, Produce Flame
As Sophie jumps to action to attack, Orri is not far behind already not trusting this guy, I mean how trustworthy is someone that would have a golem made out of flesh...
He pulls out his whip and begins his inspiring words "Let's clear this place out! We've beaten everything else now its time to finish this and rid this place of the evil that resides here."
HP: 41/41
AC: 26 (Base 20, +2 Barkskin, +4 Shield)
Channel (2d6): [X]
Bardic Perf.: [X] [X] [X] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Spells -
Level 1: [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Level 2: [X] [ ] [ ]
Maridos moves his hands in the intricate motion of a casting, and a small orange bead soars into the middle of the group before erupting in a fiery inferno!
Annalla draws a ragged breath as the flames course around her and the traceries on her arms and face flare up with a glowing blue radiance.
.
Dodging the worst of the flames, she turns towards the vampire and charges. "My blade shall serve as the vengence of your fallen family!
Face me, if you dare!" She dashes ahead, raising her flaming sword and bringing it down towards the undead foe with everything she has.
"Rise and deal with this insolent wench!" Lord Maridos commands the golem. The golem slowly rises to its feet.
Chaos everywhere. Ice spikes erupting to the stone, a giant smashing down shaking the room, inspiring words from one cared about, an explosion of fire, blood slashing in a stunning display of swordwomanship... and the small horned woman stood in the center, not flinching not moving, just looking at the Lord of the tower. Only Bella, who might have spared the woman a glance as she ran past, could see her eyes in a fury, her lips tight as if she was fighting a war with something unseen.
And then she blink, conflict gone.
A split second later the air cracks open into the dimensional void, letting the rogue slide through time and space to behind Bella, her friend, and stabs her.
"You should have stayed HOME" she whispered in anguish as her friend's blood pooled over her hands.
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Bella is completely caught off guard as Chrysa stabs her in the back, repeatedly. She cries out and spins to face the rogue, wide-eyed. She tries to say something, but only coughs out blood instead. Her strength all but leaves her and she sways back and forth.
Annalla's heart drops into her stomach at Chrysa's seeming betrayal. She knows what Isabella would want her to do, though.
Sootscale flies up all the way to the ceiling to get some distance from the enemy. (Up 20 feet.) Then he chucks a bomb straight at the vampire!
;
It explodes in fiery sand!
Sophiel grits her teeth, "of course..." but she moves over slightly, and extends a tremoring line through the golem and Maridos.
"We may be able to break the mental control if we drop this scumbag. Keep hitting him as much as you can."
Orri is blind sided by the flames that singe him pretty badly, right about now he was thinking it would have been good to still have the ability to send healing to everyone but alas that wasn't an option.
When Chrysa moves and stabs Bella in the back, nearly dropping her he exclaims "CHRYSA! No... what are you doing?" As everyone seems to continue to focus on the man and not deal with whatever has taken control of Chrysa Orri calls out to her "Leave her alone, if you want to fight someone, come and fight me!" He hesitates a moment before saying something he would never normally say and really hopes his dear friend isn't in her right mind "I doubt you can even stand against me and I'll put you down like the traitor you are!"
He unfurls his whip, speaking the command word as he moves next to Ipmeek hoping to get some cover from any further spells. He continues his inspiring words hoping to help the others deal with the fight.
HP: 15/41
AC: 26 (Base 20, +2 Barkskin, +4 Shield)
Channel (2d6): [X]
Bardic Perf.: [X] [X] [X] [X] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Spells -
Level 1: [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Level 2: [X] [ ] [ ]
Lord Maridos reaches out and clutches Isabella by the neck, and her eyes widen as she gasps and stiffens briefly. A soft yellow glow forms around her before it flows towards Vincent, darkening as it goes. Isabella falls limp in his grip as some of his wounds close up! He chuckles as her body falls into his arms and he runs off through the open passage to the east and out of sight!
Meanwhile, the golem stands once again.
Chrysa turns toward Orri, her eyes shuddering in pain to fury, before another blink focuses them on him. And then everything goes dark.
In the cover of darkness, she moves toward him.
Isabella nears death collapses into his arms, her wounds bleeding out.
Ignoring the chaos around her, Annalla sees only her love being taken away. She races off after Lord Maridos and her wife.
"Ipmeek go kill vampire!" he declares. Flying out the door, he sees his target in sight, carrying the unconscious body of Isabella. He knows it's a risky shot, but can he dare to wait?
;
Fearful of hitting Isabella, Sootscale throws his bomb short, and it falls down the tower before impacting harmlessly.
Sophiel curses under her breath, and tries to follow the vampire, flying outside and up the side of the castle.
She asks Annalla, saying "if you can, you may be able to dispel the dominate, and then we can rescue Bella, I've got the gloves - we need Chrysa and Orri!"
She sees Annalla leaving the room, and knows its a lost cause, but she tried.
Orri can't see a damn thing when an unnatural darkness comes over the area. Knowing Chrysa is coming he tries to put some space between himself and her while keeping up his inspiring words to the others and then casts a spell.
As the others fly out and after Vincent, he scowls at them before smiling a sinister smile and opening his mouth wide before sinking his teeth into Isabella’s neck viciously! After a brief moment he lifts his head, mouth and teeth coated in her blood before running off with her lifeless body still in his arms!
Inside, the golem slowly can be heard moving through the darkness...