Lil has a disappointed look on her face where claws don't draw blood from the creature and it just fades back into the wall. She turns as she hears Septis's plea and hurries over to attack the thing again, raking at it with her clawed hands.
Sif maintains her magical growlings of rage, and adds in ululations of inspiration to rouse her allies' courage.
With the first creature down, Lillian moves south and around to try and flank the creature, but she just can't make it far enough before she knows she has to strike. She reaches out and slashes the second wall monster.
The creature watches as Victor approaches and easily evades his attack, even if while doing so Septis is able to hit it with his gob of acid, which melts a portion of its stone looking flesh. As Liloria approaches the creature, it once more extends its claws to attack her and she easily dodges it, while retaliates with her claws... the first attack the creature dodges while the second one just glances over its though flesh doing no harm.
Lillian soon chases the creature while also being targeted by its claws as she moves. The creature is faster this time and manages to pierce her guard, slashing her arm . In return, Lillian retaliates and harms the creature, even if just slightly.
With the two girls in front of it, the creature attacks both again. Liloria once more dodges the claw, but Lillian is hit again, now on the leg!
_________________________________________
Round 2: Lillian > Victor > Septis > Sif > Liloria > monster
"I said face me!" Victor calls out angrily once again as he watches this thing attack Lillian once more.
Septis, staying far away from the creature, continues conjuring acid to try and kill the thing.
Lil smirks as the creature keeps missing her and throws an offhanded comment toward Lillian "Oh that must hurt... you need to get better at protecting yourself..."
She gives Lillian a wink as she turns to fight the creature with her claws.
Her taunting of Lillian seems to distract her from her attacks though.
Lillians screams once and then twice as the wall monster rips apart her flesh. Covered in blood, she screams in a rage and buries her dagger in her back when it turns to look at Septis.
Victor's call has no effect on the creature who ignores him, even if at the steep cost of being deeply wounded by his falcata. As it reacts to the wound, the creature dodges Septis's gob of acid, as well as Liloria's poorly aimed swipes of her claws.
Lillian, however, takes advantage of her positioning and the creature's distraction to precisely burry her dagger in the creature's head, making it once more enter the wall.
In tense anticipation, you all wait for the creature to once more emerge from the wall, but even after several seconds, nothing happens. The creature could be dead or destroyed, it could have learned you are not easy prey or even could be waiting for another opportunity to attack, but for now you have a moment of respite.
"Well. That was strange! Is everyone gonna make it?" she asks, looking at Lillian's wounds.
Lillian spins on her heels and stalks over to Lil, both daggers still in her hands. She gets nose to nose with the demon and says "Go ahead. Talk some more s!$+! I'll cut that tongue from your demonic spawn mouth and throw it on the floor."
Lil steps back and turns her back on Lillian as she chuckles "Meh... you need to be at full strength if you want to tussle again. No fun if I put you in your place, , so quickly because you are all weak from already getting beat up on by someone else."
Septis gives Victor a look as Lil gives Lillian lip and quickly steps up, yanking Lil's arm to pull her away from Lillian as he quietly scolds her "You need to stop poking at Lillian... we are all in this together and you are just making things more difficult..."
Lil leans in close to Septis and whispers in his ear.
She gently bites his ear as she moves her hand down toward his groin after whispering to him.
Septis pauses for a moment and then eventually pushes her away "Not the time or the place! Just cut it out..."
Lil's shoulders slump and she gives her best pouty face before shrugging and going to lean against the wall and wait for the others to move on.
Septis moves over to Lillian as he re-emphasizes "I understand your a proud woman, but you getting all riled up from her comments just makes it more enjoyable for her and she will just keep at it and that's not going to be good for anyone if it comes to blows... please try your best to remain calm and just ignore her..."
Sif just watches the two other women bicker like saucy children, looking nonplussed. What have I gotten myself into with these two?
"Cat fights aside, what now? We still need to keep going and figure this out."
Septis looks down at the bloody claw marks across his chest and then over to Lillian who appears to be in even worse shape. He walks over to her and notes "Here, let me heal your wounds." From his belt pouch he pulls out a vial of reddish-black ichor, he rubs it between his fingers as he incites arcane words and then touches the liquid to Lillian's wounds. The wounds burn for a moment but then start to slowly heal, though Lillian feels the slightest bit more evil as the magic works.
HP: 9/15
AC: 12 (Base)
Level 1 Spells slots [X] [ ] [ ]
When Septis pulls out the vial and uses it to heal Lillian, Lil grins as she mutters "Seems like we are blood sisters now..." with a maniacal smirk on her lips.
Lillian takes one of her dagger and presses it into Lil's back when she turns away from her. Not enough to cause injury, but enough to feel a sharp edge pushing into her skin. "Don't think I won't stab you in the back, b!#%~. Go ahead and try me again and you'll regret it."
Pulling out her dagger when Septis approaches, she walks away from the demon.
Lillian overhears the conversation between Septis and Lil and her eyes flit back and forth between the two of them. Ah, I see.
When he gives her the potion to heal her, she leans forward and kisses him on the cheek. "Thanks for looking out for Septis. I really appreciate it. Maybe I can pay you back later?" she offers with a wink, hoping it will rile up Lil.
When Lil offers her blood sisters comment, Lillian wants to vomit all over her face. Her stomach turns in knots but she holds her composure mostly together and turns away before she can show the demon how sick it makes her feel.
Hearing Lillian's words of flirtation with Septis, Victor clenches his teeth to avoid an outburst of further intra-group-hostility. He says gruffly "Sif is right. Let's move."
Septis gives Lillian a questioning look at first and then just smiles and nods. When they are ready to go on he notes "Ok, lead the way, let's check all these doors for an exit."
Lil wants to be a b$$#!? Two can play a this game. Time to crank it up and turn on the jealousy angle.
Once Victor moves away, Lillian pats Septis on the rear end twice and leans in to whisper into his hear loudly enough so Lil can hear it. "You know if she's not doing it for you when you lay awake in bed, I'm pretty sure I can show you things that will want to make you leave her in this godforsaken place. Not to mention the power that a noble woman such as myself could do for you." She leans back in and gently bites his ear with her teeth, tugging at it in such a way that she assures Lil can't help but see it before turning away.
As she moves away from Septis, she realizes she will need to make amends with Victor later. He'll understand she lies to herself.
Septis is a little shocked at the sudden ass grab and then biting at his ear and before he can say anything Lillian has already walked off. He looks back to Lil who seems to be glaring at Lillian but then just grins and gives Septis a wink before following along with everyone else.
Septis just shakes his head as he knows that look on Lil's face, she is obviously thinking up some mischief.
With the immediate danger dealt with, Lillian remembers seeing an old ring on the dead nobleman's finger with a couple strange runes that could be magical .
Meanwhile, Sif opens one of the doors, revealing a small room with a bed, a wardrobe and a simple wood table. In fetal position on the bed, there is a young noblewoman, who immediately jumps as she notices Sif, screaming in fear. "For the gods, a demon! Please don't kill me... please... I'll do whatever you want, but please don't kill me..."
From the other adjoining rooms, which are all similar and reminds you of a miniature of the "safe rooms" you just recently escaped. From the western rooms, two noblemen reveal themselves, one already on his sixties while the other is much younger and bears the pose of a knight. From the east rooms, a familiar figure emerges, one of Dame Malphene Trant along with an unknown sargavan men dressed in the clothes of an Abadaran priest, and just behind them, also appears a distressed and desperate red-headed halfling wearing the drabs of a serving staff.
Malphene and the priest both carry the same aide badge on their clothes, bearing the symbol of family Trant, while the other three nobleman (and the dead one as well) carry a similar aide badge, but bearing the symbol of family Botoles.
The older nobleman adresses you all. "The monsters from the wall... have you exterminated them? Poor Lord Manshuun... they jumped on..." Meanwhile, the hysterical young woman continues to scream 'Demon', and the old man loses his patience with her. "SHUT YOUR MOUTH GAEL! For all that is sacred, that woman is not a demon, calm yourself, girl!"
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Sif points at the young noblewoman and starts screaming . Sif continues to scream until the young woman stops as well.
Septis motions for Lil to pull her hood down. She rolls her eyes and does so standing the side while the gaggle of humans emerge from the various doors.
Septis comments to no one in particular "Seems there are others down here. Does anyone know what exactly has happened, where we are or how we got here?"
Of course Malphene would be spared. Of course.
Lillian marches up to Malphene and the others and asks "Alright, yes, we dispatched the wall monsters. How many of you are there? Anyone hurt?"
Victor sheathes his blade and follows along, bowing his head politely to those of the nobility. He remains quiet though, his years serving as a glorified bodyguard kicking in as he follows along behind Lillian protectively, keeping a wary eye on Septis and his companion.
As Sif screams in mockery to the lady's suffering, the screams escalate until the woman listens to the old nobleman's words and indeed becomes quiet, even if clearly afraid of the whole situation.
The old nobleman looks around to make sure everything is safe before answering to Septis. "My name is Lord Wilfen Botoles and these are Sir Gryphus Plastion" he gestures towards the younger nobleman "and Lady Gael Urbaen." He then turns to point to the dead body. "And this poor man was Lord Develin Manshunn... I don't know the others..."
Malphene, doesn't say a word, but instead her companion do in her place. "And I am Jowuan Zubari, a priest of Abadar from Sargava, and these are Dame Malphene Trant and this poor kitchen servant is Mister Imistos."
Once the introductions are finished, the Lord Botoles continues. "I believe we have all been transported here by our badges." He says, pointing to his own and then gesturing to the others. "By 'here', I'm not completely sure, but I believe this place to be some sort of forgotten archive under the Senate. As far as I remember, the senate building suffered from so many disasters and reconstructions that it is entirely plausible for some rooms to have been forgotten between them."
At the mention of wounds, Zubari answers. "It appears just poor Lord Manshunn was killed or harmed. Dame Trant was injured on the fight and her father was killed... but I have already tended to her wounds." At the mention of Malphene's loss, it becomes clear why she is silent. "We shall all praise Abadar for also sending you here, for you at least have weapons to defend us all. I suggest we all get out of here as soon as possible, now that the introductions are done."
"Pleasure to meet you, noblepeople. I am Sif Valdisdottir." She turns to the mwangi man. "Father Zubari, do you know the way out? We have been searching for an exit."
"Under the senate!" Lillian exclaims, wide-eyed. She looks between her companions "We are not so far away after all!"
The note of Malphene losing her father hits Lillian hard, thoughts of her mother dying up above flood her mind and as she closes her eyes her anger towards her childhood bully softens some. She walks up to Malphene and puts her arms around her and hugs her.
"I'm sorry for your loss. My mother is upstairs as well, so
I can imagine how difficult this is for you. I fear she has fallen to the same fate."
Septis nods to all the other's words but then looks to the halfling and asks "While I can understand why the rest of us have badges, I didn't recall seeing any of the other serving staff wearing badges. I was under the impression these badges were only for aids to the various senators not serving staff, so how did you end up coming by one?"
The priest shakes his head at Sif's question. "Sadly I do not. In truth, we had explored nothing besides this room, for we were transported to the adjoining rooms and when we left them, those monsters in the wall attacked us, so we fled back from where we came."
Malphene acknowledges Lillians words but still keeps her distance. "Thank you, Lillian... but fear not for our mother, for I'm sure she still bites pretty hard."
The halfling looks at Septis with some uncertainty before understanding what he is asking and quickly retrieves a badge from a pocket bearing the sigil of an antelope in a blue field and offers it to Septis. "This thing? Oh, I found it a couple hours earlier on the floor... asked those around me if anyone knew to which noble it belonged, but none could answer, so I pocketed it to put it in the lost and found box."
Once the halfling finishes to explain himself, Lord Botoles asks for your attention with an offer. "My dear companions... do you believe you can get us out of here? I'm ready to offer you 900 pieces of gold if you manage to get me, Sir Gryphus and Lady Gael out of here in safety..."
Zubari is quick to add his own offer. "And I'm pretty sure Lady Trant will pay 600 pieces of gold as well for Dame Trant's and my own return."
Imistos, the halfling, also raises his hand. "And I can give you... my favorite silk hankie! Please, I don't have that much coins... don't leave me behind...."
Sif rolls her eyes and huffs. "Typical nobility, assuming we would leave you for dead if you didn't pay us." Sif cracks her prodigious knuckles. "Fear not Lords and Ladies Fancypants, we will escort you, and yes, we will take your gold, since you insist."
Septis holds his hand up "A moment." then turns to his companions "Would it not be better if we explored ahead and left the others here where it is safe..." he pauses and looks back at the dead nobleman then continues "assuming those things are dead? What if we run into more threats? Would we not just be putting them in harms way?"
Victor hated to say it...
"Septis is right. Remain here where you are safe, and we will return once the way is clear."
"B...but are we actually safe here?" Lady Gael questions, soon followed by Sir Gryphus. "Indeed, my lords. Are you certain those creatures are indeed dead, and not just hiding in the walls once more?"
"And what if you need some assistance?" the cleric asks, concerned. "If there are dangers ahead and you perish in your attempt to find a way out, we would also be doomed to the same fate, while if we are with you, even if a room or two behind, our assistance could make a difference..."
Septis nods "Fair points. I suppose as long as you stay back a room or two behind us it should be safe enough. Just be sure not to touch anything or walk off on your own, we don't know what is down here..."
Lillian chimes in "I think I would actually feel safer if you stayed behind then moving through the unknown dangers of this place?"
She looks back to where they entered and asks "What about where we came in, that seemed enclosed, safe and comfortable?"
Septis shurgs "Can they even go back through the way we came?"
Septis and Lillian inspect the room they just came from in the hopes of finding a way to get the nobles inside, but find no way in... apparently those coins worked as a one-way portal. With that, the group agrees (mostly) that the nobles would follow them around, even if a couple rooms behind.
The inspection of the rooms surrounding the square corridor reveals nothing of use, consisting of smaller 'safe-rooms' than the ones you were transported to. The doors that lead to the room in the center reveal a long table, its surface covered in green felt, standing in the center of a rectangular chamber. Silver trays dot the table’s surface, each hosting a set of crystal glassware and a tall decanter of wine. Everything is covered in dust.
Still on the previous room, Lilloria finds a ring with arcane inscriptions on the body of the dead nobleman.
"Hey, Lilloria, can I see that ring?"
"Hold on." she says, spotting something strange written in chalk on the floor. Putting out the circles, she asks "Do these circles mean anything to any of you?"
As Lillian points out, you notice easily several overlapping circles drawn on the floor under the large table with chalk. Upon close inspection, these circles appear to be too random and the absent of any magical runes suggest these have no magical function or symbolism, even if they are perfectly made.
Shrugging, she says "Maybe it's just random. Keep it in mind for later, let's move on and get the hell out of here."
Septis takes a look at the ring Lil found.
When Lillian points out the drawings Septis takes a closer look and shurgs "They don't appear to have any magical function. I agree we should continue on. Just that last door in this hall right?"
Sif hangs her head as Lilloria ignores her and hands the ring to her master instead.