The prince motions to a tooth fairy that swiftly removes one of Agni's teeth. And takes it to him. He presses it into his scepter.
"There, now that was not so difficult. Would anyone else like to join her?"
Niu waits a moment. "I will agree to the payment once I see Agnimitra getting her pass."
"You will get your pass when you pay one tooth and complete my task! What is wrong with you? Continue to argue with me and I will banish you from these premises for eternity."
He is visibly upset and holds his scepter in a menacing way.
"First the price was one tooth. Then it became one tooth and a task. I don't believe you have any intent to deliver on your promise. I suspect that you don't even belong here in the Boneyard.
I will leave."
... and he does so, turning to walk toward the stairs.
First, could we know this task, to ensure that we have the ability to carry it out properly for you?
"My mother, Queen Carnassial, refused to honor my rightful claim as ruler. I have imprisoned her on the upper floor. Should you rid me of her, I shall apply the stamp of passage to your arms. Entry to the upper level is gained through a locked door on the lowest floor." He reaches to his waist and holds out a key. "But first, the teeth."
Etgar nods, sighs, and moves forward to open his mouth. Aaaaahhhhh....
A tooth fairy pops out a tooth and delivers it to the prince who presses it into his scepter.
"Niu..." Agni calls out, a slight whistle where there previously wasn't one before."We were told that we need these marks to get home. If you let your pride get in the way, you will be stuck here."
"Pride? The desert baked all the pride out of me, but I remember a thing or two about getting tricked and left to suffer.
Hmph. I suppose Etgar failed to pick the lock on that tower, so we'll need the key. I don't relish attempting to take it by force. I am not sure why the two of you trust this prince, but I'll give a tooth if that is what you think is best."
Turning back, he glares at a tooth fairy and opens his mouth.
A tooth fairy pops out a molar and delivers it to the prince. Another tooth is inserted into the scepter. The prince looks at Don. "Will it just be three returning to their plane of existence?"
I am not sure why the two of you trust this prince, but I'll give a tooth if that is what you think is best."[/b]
Agni rubs at the spot on her mouth were the tooth was removed, "Not so much trust, as a lack of options."
Having a tooth removed starts bleeding and reduces CHA by 1. So far, I would say that is one round of bleed for all extractions.
Donovan's eyes narrow as the prince speaks. "You may have your tooth, and yes I will help you judge who is the rightfully ruler of this place"
He opens his mouth for one of the fairies
After placing another tooth in his scepter the prince hands you a key and says.""Bring me her head."
Etgar sighs again and takes the key, offering only a nod in reply. He backs out to where he can grab his spear and turns and walks out of the room.
As they walk, Etgar looks at his companions. Shall we take a moment to collect ourselves...perhaps stop this bleeding?
Beginning with Agnimitra, Niu begins working on stopping the bleeding.
Nearing the end of consciousness, Niu drinks a potion.
Niu, I only had you down 2 hp. Everyone is fine except for the charisma damage. You make your way downstairs.
"That creature in the keep is obviously not trustworthy. I imagine the queen locked in the tower is the one we should be working with.
Perhaps the terms we can get from her will be more attractive from a moral standpoint? I do not relish taking on a contract that requires murder."
"That's assuming," Agni counters,"that this queen doesn't just ask for the same thing."
Niu wrinkles his nose, nut accepts Agnimitra's wisdom. "Well, she isn't the one who had his minions attack us throughout this keep. If she wants her son killed, I am of a mind to agree with her, especially if she is willing to help."
"I assume that this queen will want the same, but also that right to provide us passage is as valid as the princes, I would agree with Niu, and wish to hear her out."
Etgar nods, comfortable with this plan but equally excited to get this nonsense done with. He turns to the door, uses the key, and opens it. Hello?
Etgar is greeted by a ten foot skeleton of a snake with a humanoid head.
Etgar
Donovan
Niu
Agnimitra
Snake
Round 1
Agnimitra 22/22 Donovan 24/24 Etgar 18/18 Niu 13/13
Etgar, Don, Niu ✔
Snake
Agni
Gah!
Etgar quickly steps back and, purely out of reaction and frayed nerves because of this horror show, stabs out with his spear.
Etgar connects with his spear. It seems to do less harm than he would expect.
Donovan steps to block the door and slash at the creature with "Silver Fang"
he tries to remember if his mother ever mentioned anything like this.
Another hit that does not do as much damage as expected.
"Your strikes seem to be sliding between its bones. I think you need to bludgeon it"
Niu reaches out and calls on Pharasma to give Guidance to Agnimitra's next strike.
Using that roll for Knowledge Arcana. Niu knows this is a necrophidius. It is a construct. Although a necrophidius is mindless, it can follow the simple commands of its creator. These can include commands to lie dormant until some specific condition is met or to follow and kill an indicated target to the exclusion of all other activities. They are susceptible to bludgeoning damage, their bites are poisonous, and they have a special attack known as a dance of death which you are about to witness.
The skeletal snake begins to sway back and forth in a rhythmic, mesmerizing fashion.
Need a will save from everyone.
Niu, Don, and Etgar are dazed.
Etgar, Don, Niu
Snake
Agni ✔
Shaking off the hypnotic effect, Agni steps forward and aims to smash the bone snake.
Agni sends bone shards flying.
Round 2
Agnimitra 22/22 Donovan 24/24 Etgar 18/18 Niu 13/13
The necrophidius continues its dance.
Need a will save, Agni.
Etgar, Don, Niu
Snake
Agni
Agni is up.
"Here's what I think of your little dance," she growls out at the snake with another swing of her weapon.
Another bone crushing blow.
Round 3
Agnimitra 22/22 Donovan 24/24 Etgar 18/18 Niu 13/13
Etgar, Don, Niu
Snake
Agni ✔
The humanoid skull juts forth.
plus paralysis)
Agnimitra keeps moving, trying to stay ahead of the creature's strikes while returning with her own. "Guys?! I could really use a hand here!"
Round 4
Agnimitra 22/22 Donovan 24/24 Etgar 18/18 Niu 13/13
(plus paralysis)
Etgar, Don, Niu
Snake
Agni ✔
Getting frustrated, Agni turns to the only help she was able to seek before, Sarenrae. "Goddess," she murmurs, trying to keep her focus on the battle as well. "I need your strength to get through these trials."
Casts Divine Favor
The young ifrit woman stifles a curse when she fumbles the spell.
"Wow, How can it move like that, it doesn't make any sense"
Round 5
Agnimitra 22/22 Donovan 24/24 Etgar 18/18 Niu 13/13
Etgar recovers.
Don, Niu
Etgar ✔
Snake
Agni
Etgar blinks away the lights in his eyes and hisses in anger. This place... He stabs out his spear snaking just by Agni to strike at the creature.
The snake begins a new dance of death.
Will saves from Etgar and Agni, please.