Muri and Underfoot approach Wyssilka, though not as close as Elen.
"She is an agent of Thamir Gixx. Or Norgorber. Or both. We're only here to rescue Taldaris. She's chosen... this." Muri points to the walls surrounding them all, feeling a little of its inherent intimidation.
Muri doesn't fire at the husk of a halfling, but lends his glower to help Kamari's words hit harder.
Elen positions her naginata threateningly over the clown.
"Really, Wyssilka. Torture does seem like the sort of thing you would enjoy. Start from the beginning. How did you get recruited, and what is the end goal?"
Kort moves up to help explain how Wyssilka can exist here after her death…and what it might mean if she were to die here, again.
He readies his crossbow and expects lies and trouble.
Sense Motive
The Night Swan plays with the blade of her halberd. ”The rest of you seem to have history with this poor soul. I will therefore defer to your collective judgment on how best to proceed.”
Wyssilka the Failed looks up at you very piteously. ”I only dimly remember you - I remember so little of my life. I’m told that comes back with time. I do know though that we were enemies. But please - free me! A lifetime of devoted service shouldn’t be rewarded by the rack! It’s not fair!”
”I have nothing to offer you!” she wails a little more at where her life has taken her. But she clearly feels wronged, and feels no compassion for those she may have hurt in life - or any interest in changing. Just that the world owes her. After a little blubbering, she does come up with an idea.
”Why are you here? I mean, you’re here for a reason, and not a polite one,” she points weakly through her straps at the dead graveknights. ”I can tell you things. Things you may not know. I know where there’s a trap for example. Very deadly! Oh, please set me free!”
Major Kort knows this halfling is evil, but she does seem sincere about bargaining information for her life. As to how deadly the trap is… well… she might be stretching the truth a little…
The Night Swan feels at least a little remorse at this person’s torture, though that sympathy is tempered by her knowledge that those person surely did far worse to many others. ”It sounds to me as though it is your own doing you ended up here. When you know that the world is full of the powerful taking what they want, what made you think that you would be safe just because you tied your star to one of them? Would you really behave any differently if Norgober was on the rack and you at the crank? That is the philosophy you signed up for. Or, to put it in common parlance: play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”
”I only dimly remember you - I remember so little of my life.”
Elen, unsure how to react to a creature who can barely remember the party. Especially since the last thing in life that the clown had witnessed was the group expertly dispatching with her life. How could anyone one forget such a beautiful performance?
”I guess aside from your death – there wasn’t much of your life worth remembering. How sad. You don’t remember Taldor, Taldaris – all the nobles at the Exaultation Gala? You were so proud of the mayhem and death you caused innocent nobles in the name of Norgober. ” She shakes her head.
”Life is wasted on fools, and apparently so is death. We could just leave her here, as is. If I remember correctly, she is a spellcaster.”
.
Hits: 84/84
Current AC: 35
Current Saves: Fort: +11; Ref +10; Will: +7, +9 if Enchant (Elf) (+2 cloak), Con Loss
(Normal) AC: 22 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge)
flat: 18 (ring +2, nat armor +2, mage armor +4)
touch: 24 (ring +2, Dex +5, Cha +6, Dodge +1)
Crits on 19-20
CMD = 30
WandofMageArmorCharges = 10/50
Wand of CLW: 49/50
Resolve = 5/8
Challenge = 4/5
Hero Pts: 3/3
Kort has no interest in keeping her ‘alive’ again, and will let it be known.
”Finish her. She is nothing but a distraction.”
"Your life has taken a Calamitous Turn, Wyssilka."
Muri dismounts and searches one of the graveknight's bodies, looking for either a coin or a button. Once procured, Muri ducks around the wall, pulling Underfoot to obscure sightlines while he fusses over balancing the button/coin on the edge of a dagger. He calls 'heads' in Celestial, and flips it.
He picks the button/coin up, and walks over to Wyssilka, pressing the button/coin into the palm of her hand, and closing the fingers around it.
"I won't be the reason for your return to an evil cause. Your god has brought you here, and you should stay here. I don't want to hear any more from you. Chaldira bless you with this button/coin. If luck favors you, so be it. But I don't."
Muri returns to the saddle, and waits for the others to finish with the sad, dead clown.
Kamari places the point of her rapier on the clown's chest or backs her into the corner if necessary.
"It's been more than 60 seconds, and I'm left unconvinced you have anything to offer that might balance the trouble you will surely cause if allowed to continue."
"Make your point. NOW STAB HER!
She stabs the clown once in the leg.
Kamari stands perfectly still and stares at the fallen clown.
”...Or, to put it in common parlance: play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”
”Life is wasted on fools, and apparently so is death. We could just leave her here, as is. If I remember correctly, she is a spellcaster.”
”No! No! Don’t leave me here! That would be… torture!” She looks at you with a horrified look. ”You do know those things rejuvenate or whatever it’s called. They’ll be back, and they’ll blame me for their failures!” She cries harder, knowing what’s in store for her. By now her wounds are fully healed.
Her surface thoughts are plain - she’s trying to figure out how to escape. She’s likely to appeal to your goodness next. She’s not lying though - she does know a few of the areas in here, and might be mildly useful. Maybe. At least Wyssilka hopes so.
- - -
Wyssilka looks on in horror as Muri condemns her to future torture at the hands of the locals. When Kamari approaches with her rapier bared, she shrieks, but seems almost calm as the blade pierces her flesh. She dies quickly to Kamari’s blade.
The shrieking finally silenced, you look about. The three graveknights were sporting +1 adamantine short swords. So there’s that. Their armor is rather fine, but not worth anything special and quite heavy/awkward to boot. Wyssilka had nothing as you may imagine.
Kort moves over to make sure she’s dead-dead and not returning.
”Unless the rest of you have a way to undo the magics that bind the graveknights, I suggest we stow the armor in the water. It will likely be days before they return, but still.”
If no one objects, he will toss the remaining armor pieces into the water and return to make sure there is nothing of interest on the Clown’s body.
Kamari's eyes dart about before she finally moves, taking in a deep breath as she does so. She silently stands at the door inside the torture chamber, waiting for the others, itching to move, wanting to do anything but talk.
Elen stows the adamantine swords and stuffs them into the bag of holding.
When everyone is ready she opens the eastern door.
”Fine by me, Major.” She takes up position near Elen by the door.
You dispose of the armor in the water of the entrance. The heavy suits sink to the bottom amiably enough. Major Kort expects it’ll be days before they rejuvenate.
You continue on.
Elen opens the eastern door to find - another door! Dear lord. So she opens the next door to reveal a large table in the center of a largish room, surrounded by eight medium chairs and two large seats. The entire room is kept supernaturally dim (20% miss chance folks). The swirling shadows seem to afford visitors both basic visibility as well as a degree of anonymity.
There are two figures seated at the table, having what looks like an exceedingly polite, if tense, conversation. However, there are two graveknights in the room, one with his hand firmly on the shoulder of one of the speakers, and the other is on the balls of his feet, ready for action.
The man on the side of the gravekights (blue), is dressed in a long dark coat and a tall hat. This lanky, and fanged humanoid, exudes an almost palpable aura of horror.
Many believe that the most cruel and mischievous fey become bogeymen as a punishment or a reward for their actions. Others see bogeymen as supernatural manifestations of society’s willingness to do itself harm.
Bogeymen use their powers to haunt houses or secluded natural places where they can hunt prey unobserved. They relish using their ghost sound ability to hint at their presence long before they fully reveal themselves. It is not uncommon for a bogeyman to hide under a bed, or in a closet left slightly ajar, for days or even weeks, all the while feeding on its victims’ growing realization that they are not alone.
The most evil bogeymen are those who abandon the tactic of feeding on one person’s fears at a time and take up roles of mass murderers or serial killers, or other pursuits designed to drive fear into the hearts of an entire city of victims. True to their name, all bogeymen are male. Sometimes, children whom they steal away to secret lairs emerge years later, transformed into new bogeymen, and return home to continue their supernatural father’s work.
- - -
The creature clearly being questioned (red) has rust-colored skin and a jutting crown of ridge-like horns, this muscular devil is draped in lengthy contracts on all matter of materials and the skins of all sorts of creatures.
A contract devil, also a called phistophilus, always appears handsome and confident, its chiseled features housing a perpetually smug grin. Contract devils have red skin and black hair and stand near 6-1/2 feet in height, not counting their horns. The thicket of horns around a contract devil’s body increases its height to 7 feet and its weight to 350 pounds.
They exist to keep track of the damned, to manage Hell’s endless ordinances, and, when time and opportunity permit, to coax mortals into damnation. Most phistophiluses spend their eternities in the various courts of Hell’s nine layers, particularly in the maze-like fortress-libraries where all infernal laws and oaths are recorded. Occasionally they serve similar roles on the Material Plane when summoned by particularly desperate, arrogant, or foolish mortals.
When one of the souls damned by a contract devil is restored to life (typically via powerful magic like a wish or miracle), the phistophilus immediately notices the transgression. Usually, the contract devil recruits the aid of more powerful allies to track down and punish such transgressors and to collect the escaped soul as quickly as possible.
- - -
As they are ready for action, and so are you, there is no surprise round - though I did give them a penalty on their initiative.
"What have we here?" says the man in the top hat. He turns to the devil, "You will aid us or it will go badly for you indeed!"
He gestures to his graveknights who close on the door, drawing their adamantine swords as they do so.
The man gestures to Elen, casting a quickened Phantasmal Killer! Elen, Will save DC 23 or you see your greatest fear. If you see your greatest fear, Fort save DC 23 or die. If you see your fear and live, you still take . He then casts another spell (cheater!) and turns invisible. I've left him on the map at his last known location for now.
Round 1
Know (Nature) -
Know (Planes) -
Kort moves back as he remembers the acidic attack of the g'knights, and he remembers how fire and the pure tends to burn them. He again offers a flame strike into their midst (not hitting red).
fire/holy vs. DC 18 reflex for half
SR
hp: 139/139
AC: 28/17t/23ff
Saves: F11/R16/W14 +4 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. illusions +6 vs. poison
Lowlight. PBS.
Aroden's Verve: 0/10 used
Adhere to the Law: 0/4 used
Extend Rods: 3/6 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 0/0
0: (create water, detect magic/poison, light, stabilize,read magic)
1: 0/11 used (CLW*0,Shield*0,PfE*0,DF*0)
2: 3/11 used (Inv*0,RE*1,*CE*0,SInv*2,LesRest*0)
3: 4/9 used (H*2,DM*0,DayBreakArrow*1, MCaE10'*1)
4: 0/8 used (GrInv*0,CCW*0,FoM*0)
5: 2/4 used (CLWM*0,FlStr*2,TruSee*0,MassStoneskin*0)
[ dice]1d20+8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6-1[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+19+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+19+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+14+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+7+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
touch to hit; (heroism,PBP)
fire damage
Round 1, AC 34 with shield
Kamari takes a 5' step back and casts shield hoping that the evil will come to them.
Hero Points 1/3
#/# daily uses remaining
Panache 6/6 - 1 used, 1 gained
Arcane Pool 3/3
Pearl of Power 2/2
Determination from Armor 1/1
Swordmaster's Flair blue scarf 1/1
Winged boots - 3/3 minutes
Princess's tear brooch - 18/18 HP available
Koriana's blade gemstones
White - Magic missiles 1/1
Pink - Mind-affecting spells 1/1
Black - Negative energy 1/1
Green - Poison 1/1
Prepared Spells
Level 0 (4 per day)
Dancing Lights
Daze
Mage Hand
Prestidigitation
Level 1 (4 per day)
Fallback Strategy
Shield - used
True Strike
Vanish
The Night Swan takes a step back from the doorway as well and makes battle preparations, first calling upon her new pennon to grant her the power of a hero, and then adjusting her fighting style to keep herself protected.
HP: 151/151
AC: 36/15/35 (44 for snake style)
Saves: F17/R17/W18 (+2 vs ingested/inhaled diseases)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions Active: Fastidiousness, Heroism, Snake Style
0: (Grasp, Light, Oath of Anonymity, Spark)
1: 1/3 used (Fastidiousnessx1, Serren’s Swift Girdingx0)
[ dice]1d20+23[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10[/dice] damage.
Round 1, Init 8-
AC = 25
HP = 100/104
Weapon Equipped = Chaldira's Hand
Condition(s) = None
AC = 32
HP = 118/118
Weapon Equipped = Teef
Condition(s) = None
Muri understands very little of what lies beyond the tip of Elen's nose, but he knows it's unpleasant, and requires immediate address. Wary of graveknights as well, Muri bids Underfoot retreat a little, so they might avoid a readied blast coming through the doorway, right where Elen is standing so vulnerably.
Resolve
Elen turns white and keels over in a lifeless heap.
Actually, the second save is a fort save, which you make (just) with that roll.
So instead of death, you take 9hp damage. And it's your turn for a little payback, though the bogeyman is invisible somewhere in the room.
Kort is happy to point out where the bogeyjerk might be with See Invisibility, though he might not have line of sight.
Also...
The Bogeyman has DR 15/cold iron - but of course anyone with a +3 or better weapon overcomes that and I think everyone has that covered. Some spell like powers here too, but fear is a big part of what he does. He has an aura (coming at the end of the round not beginning - odd) which is quite powerful - and all fear based (shaken). If he crits though, and you’re shaken, it steps up to frightened, then panicked.
- - -
”Oh, do be novel, won’t you!?” Elen exclaims, realizing she’s been once again forced into seeing the extragalactiec pudding.
”Tophat is here!” she yells indicating the appropriate square.
She flies past and attacks.
for
for
Hits: 42/84
Current AC: 35
Current Saves: Fort: +11; Ref +10; Will: +7, +9 if Enchant (Elf) (+2 cloak), Con Loss
(Normal) AC: 22 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge)
flat: 18 (ring +2, nat armor +2, mage armor +4)
touch: 24 (ring +2, Dex +5, Cha +6, Dodge +1)
Crits on 19-20
CMD = 30
WandofMageArmorCharges = 10/50
Wand of CLW: 49/50
Resolve = 5/8
Challenge = 4/5
Hero Pts: 3/3
Edelmira makes her battle preparations while Major Kort calls in another flame strike! Kamari steps back and shields up. Muri tries to pierce a graveknight, but he can’t quite thread the needle. Elen comes close to the thing she most fears, and death, but pulls back at the edge with only minor harm before stabbing the bogeyman silly.
vs DC 18 for 24hp
vs DC 18 for 48hp
The party suffers the effects of the bogeyman - even though you do not see him. His very aura manifests as a shifting haze of images that reflect the viewer’s deepest fears. Will DC 25 or be shaken (-2 att/save/skill/ability). This occurs at the end of your round - and so doesn’t affect what has occured so far.
Unconcerned for the damage to their flesh, the graveknights 5’ step and make their attacks.
(acid)
(acid)
(acid)
(acid)
Elen is hit, then crit, but only by the lesser claw attack. Edelmira manages to avoid a double 20! She is still hit by the backswing though.
The bogeyman casts Hold Person on the Night Swan as well (Will DC 22 - be mindful of the shaken condition). He then snaps his fingers and quickly becomes invisible again!
The devil, shrugs, and helps. He tries to summon aid in the form of a Bone Devil to flank Elen.
- and fails!
Round 2, AC 34 with shield, shaken
Kamari watches Elen dash into the other room and hopes she's okay. She sees the green graveknight in the doorway and decides to deal with him.
She casts fallback strategy before stepping up 5' and attacking. She uses the spell immediately, but ultimately seems to stab the wall more than the graveknight.
-
-
Pull yourself together woman!
Hero Points 1/3
#/# daily uses remaining
Panache 6/6 - 1 used, 1 gained
Arcane Pool 3/3
Pearl of Power 2/2
Determination from Armor 1/1
Swordmaster's Flair blue scarf 1/1
Winged boots - 3/3 minutes
Princess's tear brooch - 18/18 HP available
Koriana's blade gemstones
White - Magic missiles 1/1
Pink - Mind-affecting spells 1/1
Black - Negative energy 1/1
Green - Poison 1/1
Prepared Spells
Level 0 (4 per day)
Dancing Lights
Daze
Mage Hand
Prestidigitation
Level 1 (4 per day)
Fallback Strategy - used
Shield - used
True Strike
Vanish
Round 2
Kort keeps his distance and focuses his fire at the bogeyjerk, who he can see and has no cover from Kort's steely aim (improved precise shot).
to hit; (+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
hp: 139/139
AC: 28/17t/23ff
Saves: F11/R16/W14 +4 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. illusions +6 vs. poison
Lowlight. PBS.
Aroden's Verve: 0/10 used
Adhere to the Law: 0/4 used
Extend Rods: 3/6 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 0/0
0: (create water, detect magic/poison, light, stabilize,read magic)
1: 0/11 used (CLW*0,Shield*0,PfE*0,DF*0)
2: 3/11 used (Inv*0,RE*1,*CE*0,SInv*2,LesRest*0)
3: 4/9 used (H*2,DM*0,DayBreakArrow*1, MCaE10'*1)
4: 0/8 used (GrInv*0,CCW*0,FoM*0)
5: 2/4 used (CLWM*0,FlStr*2,TruSee*0,MassStoneskin*0)
[ dice]1d20+8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6-1[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+19+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+19+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+14+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+7+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
touch to hit; (heroism,PBP)
fire damage
Round 2, Init 8-
AC = 25
HP = 100/104
Weapon Equipped = Chaldira's Hand
Condition(s) = None
AC = 32
HP = 118/118
Weapon Equipped = Teef
Condition(s) = None
Muri feels a pressing need to down graveknights, as Elen disappears into the room, where all sorts of evil swirl about.
"We're coming, Elen!"
The Night Swan powers through the bogeyman’s attempts to frighten and hold her. She fights defensively as she aims a single perfect strike at the frontline graveknight.
HP: 124/151
AC: 39/18/35 (44 for snake style)
Saves: F17/R17/W18 (+2 vs ingested/inhaled diseases)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions Active: Fastidiousness, Heroism, Snake Style, fight defensively
0: (Grasp, Light, Oath of Anonymity, Spark)
1: 1/3 used (Fastidiousnessx1, Serren’s Swift Girdingx0)
[ dice]1d20+23[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10[/dice] damage.
Muri does his best to make any subsequent shots count against the invisible thing occupying the space just beyond Green, should Green drop in the doorway.
Elen ascends to 10 feet and spring attacks TopHat.
”One down, two to go
What happened to the summons?
Better days you've seen”
For
Hits: 21/84
Current AC: 31
Current Saves: Fort: +11; Ref +10; Will: +7, +9 if Enchant (Elf) (+2 cloak), Con Loss
(Normal) AC: 22 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge)
flat: 18 (ring +2, nat armor +2, mage armor +4)
touch: 24 (ring +2, Dex +5, Cha +6, Dodge +1)
Crits on 19-20
CMD = 30
WandofMageArmorCharges = 10/50
Wand of CLW: 49/50
Resolve = 5/8
Challenge = 4/5
Hero Pts: 3/3
Edelmira lines up a nice strike on green, hitting despite the odds with flare! Major Kort targets the bogeyman, hitting twice and confirming a crit! Kamari manages, just, to tap that graveknight one more time. Muri, piling on, drops the green knight with two mighty arrows and turns his attention to the bogeyman. Though he hits him twice, the man stubbornly refuses to fall, though he’s looking rather peaked to Major Kort. Elen flies higher successfully, and fakes the bogeyman out, but the invisible rascal manages to avoid being hit.
The bogeyman casts Crushing Despair (link) down the tunnel, catching Edelmira and Kamari in the blast. Will save DC 23 or -2 att/save/ability/skill/dam for the next several minutes. He then snaps his fingers once more and again goes invisible, perhaps for the last time. He’ll then quietly move away from Elen, though she still senses him and Major Kort still sees him.
The graveknight, unable to reach Elen, closes with the doorway and attacks Kamari. It’s movement provokes an AoO from Elen.
(acid)
It gets a piece of Kamari, but not as large a chunk as it was hoping.
The devil tries a hold person of its own, casting it upon Elen. Will DC 19 or be held. If held, you get a save at the end of each round as a full round action - however, "A winged creature who is paralyzed cannot flap its wings and falls", so you'll take if you are held and you'll be prone.
The Night Swan, emboldened by the tide of battle and Elen’s inspiration, begins hacking at the remaining grave knight with furious power.
HP: 124/151
AC: 36/15/35
Saves: F17/R17/W18 (+2 vs ingested/inhaled diseases)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions Active: Fastidiousness, Heroism, Snake Style
0: (Grasp, Light, Oath of Anonymity, Spark)
1: 1/3 used (Fastidiousnessx1, Serren’s Swift Girdingx0)
[ dice]1d20+23[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10[/dice] damage.
for
Elen falters in the air briefly, but manages to shake it off.
"Quit it, unless you don't want to discuss contracts."
Elen spring attacks orange and blue.
for
for
Hits: 21/84
Current AC: 31
Current Saves: Fort: +11; Ref +10; Will: +7, +9 if Enchant (Elf) (+2 cloak), Con Loss
(Normal) AC: 22 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge)
flat: 18 (ring +2, nat armor +2, mage armor +4)
touch: 24 (ring +2, Dex +5, Cha +6, Dodge +1)
Crits on 19-20
CMD = 30
WandofMageArmorCharges = 10/50
Wand of CLW: 49/50
Resolve = 7/8
Challenge = 5/5
Hero Pts: 3/3
Round 3, AC 34 with shield, shaken
Kamari fares better against the crushing despair and considers her next move. Should she knock it prone, try to disarm it...?
STAB! STAB! STAB! Quit overthinking it.
Kamari stabs at the next graveknight to occupy the doorway with a bit more success.
-
-
Round 3
Kort keeps his distance and focuses his fire at orange who he can see and has no cover from Kort's steely aim (improved precise shot).
to hit; (+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
hp: 139/139
AC: 28/17t/23ff
Saves: F11/R16/W14 +4 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. illusions +6 vs. poison
Lowlight. PBS.
Aroden's Verve: 0/10 used
Adhere to the Law: 0/4 used
Extend Rods: 3/6 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 0/0
0: (create water, detect magic/poison, light, stabilize,read magic)
1: 0/11 used (CLW*0,Shield*0,PfE*0,DF*0)
2: 3/11 used (Inv*0,RE*1,*CE*0,SInv*2,LesRest*0)
3: 4/9 used (H*2,DM*0,DayBreakArrow*1, MCaE10'*1)
4: 0/8 used (GrInv*0,CCW*0,FoM*0)
5: 2/4 used (CLWM*0,FlStr*2,TruSee*0,MassStoneskin*0)
[ dice]1d20+8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6-1[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+19+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+19+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+14+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
[ dice]1d20+7+2+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS,+heroism)
magic cold iron damage; (clustered)
touch to hit; (heroism,PBP)
fire damage
Round 3, Init 8-
AC = 25
HP = 100/104
Weapon Equipped = Chaldira's Hand
Condition(s) = None
AC = 32
HP = 118/118
Weapon Equipped = Teef
Condition(s) = None
Muri expects the last graveknight to die before he needs to fire more arrows, but he doesn't relent in his attacks until the way is clear to join Elen in the next room. He does slow his rate, to guarantee the damage done.
Muri does his best to make any subsequent shots count against the invisible thing occupying the space just beyond Orange, should Orange drop in the doorway. He'll move up and take a single shot if necessary...
Edelmira wallops the graveknight all three times. Major Kort piles on with three hits of his own, leaving it up to Kamari to finish him. And she does. Handily. Muri moves up and takes that single shot - planting it in the flatfooted (from last round) bogeyman. He collapses in the corner, leaning against the wall with his top hat at a jaunty angle. Elen, seeing the bogeyman drop is left with the devil as a target.
The devil smiles as the bogeyman goes down and carefully, slowly, raises his hands, ”Oh, I surrender. Yes please. I’d rather not soil my new suit - do you know how much a good tailor cost these days? It's hard to see his suit, covered as he is by contracts, but it is very nice.
We are out of initiative, unless Elen wants to do something first. Do feel free to move on the map in case something starts back up of course.
Kamari moves into the room and close to the devil. She wonders if they shouldn't just kill him, but possibly he might have some information so she pauses for now. When the opportunity presents itself, she'll ask Kort for a few taps of one of her wands.
Kort will gather up the destroyed armors and toss them into the waters while others heal and make deals with the devil.
He will search the room with Detect Magic before circling back to see how the discussions with ol’ contract-clothes is doing.
"So," Elen says turning to the Devil, curious as to how he hasn't already soiled his suit after witnessing the groups carnage on the graveknights and the bogeyman, "what deals have you done with this lot?" she asks, poking at the invisible pool of blood at her feet.
"Ok, we're talking for now." Muri sounds a little relieved that they're not immediately locking horns, so soon after overcoming more graveknights. He's ready to lock horns, of course, but has come to understand that knowledge is possible here, and glad for Elen's beginning of parlay. He doesn't acknowledge his own contradiction when it comes to Wyssilka, his dormant hatred of corrupted halflings newly awakened.
Unaware of the devil's attempt to summon a bone devil against Elen, Muri sits in saddle, waiting to hear what the devil will say before it bamphs away to safety somewhere not the Lost Silhouette.
Major Kort picks up two more +1 adamantine short swords. Something shines magically on the bogeyman as well. As you fumble around using detect magic and your fingers as a guide, you’re able to come away with the bogeyman’s top hat. Further study reveals its acts as a helm of telepathy.
The devil says, ”That’s his fancy telepathy hat. He just loved reading minds with that thing. So tedious, but the frown on his face when he failed was priceless.”
"So," Elen says turning to the Devil, curious as to how he hasn't already soiled his suit after witnessing the groups carnage on the graveknights and the bogeyman, "what deals have you done with this lot?" she asks, poking at the invisible pool of blood at her feet.
”Why I act as a broker, usually for other devils, who may want to deal a bit with the locals. So I’ve done all manner of deals. On the side, I’ll occasionally visit the library and offer the damned, shall we say, another path. For paltry services, I will free them to a lifetime in hell, rather than here. Some leap at the chance. The grass is always greener as they say.”
Though he’s very polite, you doubt this creature has ever seen grass. There is a fresh contract, bloody ink still wet, tucked from his belt. You can’t quite make out the details, but apparently someone named Vahur Malk is going to be ‘freed’ to hell - if both sides fulfill their contractual obligations.
”Is there some way I can be of service?” the contract devil smiles keenly, clearly curious to see if there's some advantage here.
What are your visible light sources? Remember this room is dim light, which I forgot during combat. But I want to get a sense for your lights in this dim shadowy chamber.
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The Night Swan heals herself up while everyone gets their bearings. She activates a light cantrip…
…after a few tries, placing it on her shield.
The Night Swan chortles at the devil’s spiel. ”The only point I would agree with you on is that this place is a hell not unlike Hell itself. Do not think you will find another contractor with me; anything I want is against your nature to offer, and anything you can offer is against my nature to want.”
Kort eventually moves to help deal with the devil.
Kort will offer the Telepathetic hat around as he no use for it.
”Why are you still here? Why have you not going back to Hell?” Kort asks the question that is bothering him. ”We could just as soon kill you as not.”
Kamari forgoes any additional light and trusts in her elven eyes and blind-fighting to deal with the dimness.
She has nothing to add to the discussion with the devil.
"I meant contracts specifically with this lot... but instead you can tell us if any of those contracts involve Taldor and/or Taldaris, for that is what we're really interested in."
The Night Swan chortles at the devil’s spiel. ”The only point I would agree with you on is that this place is a hell not unlike Hell itself. Do not think you will find another contractor with me; anything I want is against your nature to offer, and anything you can offer is against my nature to want.”
The devil smiles, ”Yes, I’ve heard that before, and it is sometimes true. But I try to give people what they want.”
”Why are you still here? Why have you not going back to Hell?” Kort asks the question that is bothering him. ”We could just as soon kill you as not.”
”Well, I have arrangements with the, ah, locals. So it would be unseemly to simply teleport away at the first signs of trouble. I see you are devoted however, and keen on the destruction of the people here. So be it.” He lowers his arms, ”Do you mind? They are getting tired.”
He flips out a small square of paper. Drawing a pouch he taps some tobacco into the paper. He licks one end and wraps the whole thing up neatly. Still smiling, he produces a ball of flame in his hand and lights his smoke, blowing up into the air.
"I meant contracts specifically with this lot... but instead you can tell us if any of those contracts involve Taldor and/or Taldaris, for that is what we're really interested in."
”Awww, that’s nothing.” He shrugs, ”For my freedom then - I do not know of these people, Taldor or Taldaris. Also, I carry no contract for either individual, I’m sorry to say. For if I had, I’d have something to bargain with.”
He takes another deep drag, and casts a spell. With one last smiling wink, he teleports away, leaving just a bit of ash behind in his wake.