Stabbing a dagger into a cloak with no flesh feels... unfulfilling in a way. She still does it though, distracted as she pokes her head to the side to see exactly what her annoying tyrant of a mistress is screaming about. The creatures she can see are attacking their warm blooded warrior. For a moment she worried there was another she couldn't see, but no. Just the two.
Caraid's spiritual weapon joins Telvir's in slicing at the wraiths. Ceceka's wild swings miss, but Mithralline and Aily each score a hit. The wraiths continue to drain Ceceka's life force!
Ceceka is no match for the ghosts as they get up close and personal, incorporeal hands striking where a solid foe does not expect to be struck. He unleashes what little he's got left in him, and then bails.
He's not going to die here.
Ceceka life force was being pulled right out of him by the red wraithes. The pragmatic Miss Yor wonders if they are handling a potential problem for her. Ceceka nearly reaching that point where the only thing left to do with her mistress is attempt to kill her.
All of their companions had lasted longer than anyone else (other then Aily herself), but it would happen sooner or later.
But there is no time to start over, so she continues her attempts to shred fabric and ghostly essence.
Telvir begins to worry about Ceceka's vitality, but there's little he can do to help.
for
for
Caraid follows Ceceka, pushes a clenched fist into the warriors back and fills him with healing magic as quietly as he possibly can. Thankfully there are some nasty undead distracting the rest of the group...
HP 97/97
AC 26 (27 with shield raised)
Fort +13, Ref +11, Will +12; poison resistance 3
Hero points: 3
Focus Points: 1/1; Charm []; Illusory Disguise []
Effects:
Realizing this stupid wraiths can't hurt her, Mithralline continues her all-out assault, trying to draw their attention.
"You have chosen the wrong master. Choose again, or die for good!"
(You gain an item bonus to this bleed damage equal to the weapon's item bonus to attack rolls.)
Aily is startled when she sees Caraid in the middle of the fighting, a place she does not want him in the middle of, Anyone other than him. "Ca- my lord, shouldn't you... um... protect us from the..." she's a little more flustered than she should be, trying to find words that won't be insulting at the same time worry is hammering away at an organ she rarely uses for anything other than blood flow.
The mild panic blinds her almost makes her miss... something... but, no... what in the HELLS? Her panic nearly explodes, shown in her eyes as hers meet his, lips parted in surprise, those two small fangs perfectly visible.
The look Caraid shoots Aily is unlike any he's ever given her before. It is completely devoid of any emotion she recognises from him - no laughter, no cheer, none of the sarcasm and irritation that The Annoyance causes so easily.
No, this look is cold, and just for a moment something deadly lurks behind his eyes. It's only a flash but that split second is enough to make a religious person fear for their immortal soul.
The cold settles in Aily, resting over that oddity of feeling she was having, the completely foreign feeling of... Caring? The surprised O of her mouth forms into a slightly curved smile and a nod, though anything else will have to wait as the wraiths are still trying to eat their warrior.
Mithralline's fierce assault destroys the damaged wraith. Aily stabs the final foe, then Ceceka tears it apart with a critical hit! The incorporeal undead discorporates, and the battle is over.
Ceceka looks paler than he's ever looked before. There's a shakiness to his step that you haven't seen before, not even on the night out with the Blood Lord. "I ... don't feel so good."
The enemy is dead, the maid straightens, thinking, but not looking, then slides her dagger into its home and moves to check on Ceceka. "Perhaps we need to retreat for now, until all of our resources are returned."
Ceceka scowls at Aily for suggesting they ought to retreat. "No, we have yet to achieve our goal. We made it past the first layer of defense. Let me hold the back. I will manage."
He then glares at Caraid and, without saying a word, tells the healer to take a look at his injuries.
"Now is our opportunity," Mithralline informs Aily at her suggestion. "He will be fine. But next time, be more careful when you go to open a door!"
She waits impatiently for Caraid to fix up Ceceka and then gestures for them to proceed into the manor.
You can lead the way then." Caraid replies, otherwise ignoring The Annoyance as he sets to work patching Ceceka up. His physical wounds aren't that dire but there's not much Caraid can be for the more spiritual effects of a wraith's touch.
He does what he can and when it's obviously not enough he sighs, leaving one hand on Ceceka's back for a moment. Suddenly the warrior starts to feel better and he feels Caraid's weight on his back for a moment before the younger man stands.
"Let's move." He says shortly.
Aily unlocks the front door, allowing you into Nathnelma's living room. Two doors lead to adjoining rooms, and there is a staircase leading up to the town home's second floor, as well as another door under the staircase.
Before you have a chance to explore, however, the hag's two mummy valets move to intercept you! They appear as linen-wrapped corpses wearing livery of the Twilight Castrum (a tower silhouetted by a full moon).
The mummies activate their auras of despair as they move in to attack Ceceka!
Telvir rips at the mummy's wrappings and commands Smoke to attack.
for
Aily's red eyes watches the stitching, but then concentrates on her tasks. Silent and tense, she is almost happy for the enemies to kill. Her dagger RIPS into the nearest enemy.
HP 97/97
AC 26 (27 with shield raised)
Fort +13, Ref +11, Will +12; poison resistance 3
Hero points: 3
Focus Points: 1/1; Charm []; Illusory Disguise []
Effects:
"You have chosen the wrong master!" Mithralline declares, even if it's not the mummy's fault they haven't met her yet. She darts forward, shield raised, and slashes through the nearer mummy with her scythe.
(You gain an item bonus to this bleed damage equal to the weapon's item bonus to attack rolls.)
Caraid manages to throw off the mummies aura and retreats to the back of the room, flicking a shield up around Ceceka as he goes.
The terrifying creatures should scare Ceceka. He knows this yet fear does not take him. Is part of him already dead? Or is he angry enough to discard the fear? Whatever the case might be, he eyes the mummies and wonders if his weapon will be effective against them before throwing his entire weight and might into a terrifying strike.
Ceceka recalls that mummies are vulnerable to fire, and their attacks can inflict a curse that causes flesh to rot and crumble to dust. Undeterred, he delivers a critical blow to one of the bandaged guardians! Aily and Mithralline descend on the mummy with critical hits of their own, and within a few seconds, the first guardian is little more than empty wrapping and dust on the floor!
Telvir lightly tears the other mummy's bandages as Smoke bites and misses. The mummy ignores the hound as it continues to pummel Ceceka, scoring a hit and a critical strike of its own!
Once again, Ceceka gets battered to the point he can't stay in the fight. He fights back as best he can, but is forced to back out.
HP 97/97
AC 26 (27 with shield raised)
Fort +13, Ref +11, Will +12; poison resistance 3
Hero points: 3
Focus Points: 1/1; Charm []; Illusory Disguise []
Effects:
Mithralline lets out a wild laugh as she leaps from the crumbling first mummy onto the second, shield raised and scythe flashing.
Telvir calls on barely-remembered magic lessons from his youth to toss a gout of flame at the mummy, while Smoke attacks.
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for
for
Caraid swears softly and hides behind Ceceka to close the warriors wounds again. At least they're getting good at the bit where Ceceka retreats to 'protect' him...
Aily steps into the stop their warrior retreats from. She actively avoids looking to where the man goes to for aid, and how that aid might being given. The effort makes her distracted, her sharp cuts not as precise.
Mithralline and Aily each score a hit on the mummy but the rest of you miss. As Ceceka falls back, the mummy turns its ire to Mithralline, delivering a critical punch to her face!
Ceceka's eyes meet Caraid's for a brief moment after the man heals the most grievous of Ceceka's wounds. They are bright white saucers filled with nothing but hate and anger, which the warrior pours into their one remaining foe.
Aily does NOT pay attention to Cecek's injuries. The ever watching maid actively refuses to watch anything other than the mummy that needs to die violently.
"How dare you!" Mithralline screeches, issuing her iron command.
Trigger: An enemy within 15 feet damages you.You put an impertinent foe who dared harm you in their proper place. You command your enemy to kneel before you in obedience. If they dare to refuse, they must pay the price in pain and anguish. The foe must choose one of the following options.
* The enemy kneels, dropping prone as a free action.
* The enemy refuses, and you deal 2d6 persistent mental damage to it.
HP 75/97
AC 26 (27 with shield raised)
Fort +13, Ref +11, Will +12; poison resistance 3
Hero points: 3
Focus Points: 1/1; Charm []; Illusory Disguise []
Effects:
Undaunted, she keeps her shield raised and continues to slash the mummy.
(You gain an item bonus to this bleed damage equal to the weapon's item bonus to attack rolls.)
[ b]Trigger[/b]: An enemy within 15 feet damages you.You put an impertinent foe who dared harm you in their proper place. You command your enemy to kneel before you in obedience. If they dare to refuse, they must pay the price in pain and anguish. The foe must choose one of the following options.
* The enemy kneels, dropping prone as a free action.
* The enemy refuses, and you deal 2d6 persistent mental damage to it. This damage increases to 3d6 at 9th level, 4d6 at 12th level, 5d6 at 16th level, and 6d6 at 19th level.
Taking advantage of Mithralline's distraction, Telvir attacks again.
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"Out of our way!" the elf growls in frustration.
Mithralline scores a critical hit, then Ally and Ceceka team up to finish off the mummy!
With the battle over, there is silence for a moment. Then, a voice bellows from somewhere below, emanating from the door under the stairs. ”Mother? Have you come home?”
”We’re hungry!” a second deep voice shouts.
Caraid sighs, hands Ceceka a stimulant pill and then takes one himself.
Unfortunately he chooses a breath mint by accident, but his breath is now minty fresh!
Mithralline ponders. Should they kill her children now? But no, better to let them live until they are ready to deal with Nathnelma permanently; for now, they are just trying to learn more about her.
"Upstairs," she hisses, directing her servants away from the voices.
Mithralline leads the way upstairs. Thick gray curtains cover the windows of the spacious room, but a chandelier shines with magical green flames. Cabinets store food and a large pitcher of water stands surrounded by pewter goblets. A bookcase is filled with well-read tomes. Sleeping mats and throw pillows fill one corner. An elaborate design is engraved on the hardwood floor with silver--a ritual spellcasting circle.
Nathnelma stands in the circle, looking none-too-pleased. Three human acolytes stand in front of her, their clothes disheveled as if they were just recently awakened. The rot-skinned hag sneers as you crest the stairs. "I hear you've been asking a lot of questions about me. And now you break into my home, destroy my guardians?!? You have some nerve! Now, we will punish you for your insolence!"
Nathnelma casts a spell, summoning a giant crawling hand in the back of the group to cut off your retreat! It grabs at Caraid.
Meanwhile, her assistants each summon a skeletal champion in front of the group to block your approach. They raise their shields and slash at Mithralline.
Telvir turns a stern eye on the assistants and casts fear on them.
"It would serve you better to surrender to us."
Smoke attacks the giant hand.
for
Trigger: An enemy within 15 feet damages you.You put an impertinent foe who dared harm you in their proper place. You command your enemy to kneel before you in obedience. If they dare to refuse, they must pay the price in pain and anguish. The foe must choose one of the following options.
* The enemy kneels, dropping prone as a free action.
* The enemy refuses, and you deal 2d6 persistent mental damage to it. This damage increases to 3d6 at 9th level, 4d6 at 12th level, 5d6 at 16th level, and 6d6 at 19th level.
In addition, your Strikes against the triggering creature deal 1 extra damage until the end of your next turn. You choose whether the damage type is evil or negative each time you use this reaction.
HP 90/97
AC 26 (28 with shield raised)
Fort +13, Ref +11, Will +12; poison resistance 3
Hero points: 2
Focus Points: 1/1; Charm []; Illusory Disguise []
Effects:
Raising her shield, Mithralline snarls. "You'll die painfully for that!"
She then proceeds to ignore the skeletons, dashing past them and leaping on one of the assistants, scythe flashing.
"Surrender now and I'll make it painless when I dine on your blood and end your miserable life!"
Trigger: An enemy within 15 feet damages you.You put an impertinent foe who dared harm you in their proper place. You command your enemy to kneel before you in obedience. If they dare to refuse, they must pay the price in pain and anguish. The foe must choose one of the following options.
* The enemy kneels, dropping prone as a free action.
* The enemy refuses, and you deal 2d6 persistent mental damage to it.
In addition, your Strikes against the triggering creature deal 1 extra damage until the end of your next turn. You choose whether the damage type is evil or negative each time you use this reaction. This extra damage increases to 2 at 9th level and 3 at 16th level.
The voices calling for their mother tugs at Aily. Some instinct she finds deeply disturbing, but almost overpowering, makes her want to go to them, to make sure they are okay.
A moment pause, and the maid's conscious smashed the ever heaving heck out of her subconscious, allowing her to go upstairs with her mistress.
As the battle erupts, Aily starts to dart forward, her dagger meant to cut up the witch's throat before more spells spew out, but instead she turns, hurrying back to Caraid, that same hammering panic in her chest.
Caraid meanwhile begins to glow, soon surrounded by flickering light reminiscent of fire.
Ceceka aches to charge the hag, but a wall of angry bones armed with steel says no. Try as he might, he fails to land a telling blow. This only manages to enrage him further. "I'll rip your face off!"
Caraid maintains his concentration as he gathers light in his hands. Aily stabs the hand grabbing the oracle, eliciting a spray of vile pus. Fortunately, the negatively charged effluvium doesn't harm the dhampir.
The teaching assistants all quake in fear at Telvir's spell. Smoke misses, as does Ceceka.
Mithralline dodges past the skeletons and slashes one of the assistants with her scythe.
Nathnelma sustains her summon, and the crawling hand squeezes Caraid.
She then tries to overwhelm him with feelings of entombment!
One of the assistants turns to flee, his summoned skeleton winking out of existence. The other two sustain their summons. One skeleton attacks Ceceka while the other moves next to its summoner and attacks Mithralline.
They then raise shields of force and slash at the sprite with their short swords.
Critical Success: The target is unaffected.
Success: The target is paralyzed for 1 round.
Failure: The target is unconscious.
Critical Failure: The target is unconscious and can't awaken for 1 hour.
Psychic power floods through Telvir's mind and he reaches out to crush the grad students and the hag.
Smoke, meanwhile, continues to attack the hand.
and
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for
"LET. HIM. GO!" Aily growled, all her prim and proper coldness abandoned to a feral animal hate. Her normally precise stabbing replaced with brutal Hacking at fingers.
Cariad struggles and grimaces - but despite the squeezing and the mental attacks the light welling up inside him doesn't falter. Yet.
HP 90/97
AC 26 (28 with shield raised)
Fort +13, Ref +11, Will +12; poison resistance 3
Hero points: 2
Focus Points: 1/1; Charm []; Illusory Disguise []
Effects:
Ignoring the skeleton, Mithralline tries to biter the grad student.
Trigger: An enemy within 15 feet damages you.
You put an impertinent foe who dared harm you in their proper place. You command your enemy to kneel before you in obedience. If they dare to refuse, they must pay the price in pain and anguish. The foe must choose one of the following options.
* The enemy kneels, dropping prone as a free action.
* The enemy refuses, and you deal 2d6 persistent mental damage to it.
In addition, your Strikes against the triggering creature deal 1 extra damage until the end of your next turn. You choose whether the damage type is evil or negative each time you use this reaction. This extra damage increases to 2 at 9th level and 3 at 16th level.
Ceceka continues to wail away at the skeletons.
Aily finishes off the hand, which vanishes in a blast of necrotic pus, though Caraid remains paralyzed by Nathnelma's hex! Ceceka destroys one of the skeletons with a powerful attack. Telvir rips at the two teaching assistants with telekinesis, though the skeletal champion near them and Nathnelma ignore the spell. Mithralline manages to grab the assistant she is fighting and drain their blood!
The skeletons and the teaching assistants attack to no avail.
Meanwhile, Nathnelma casts a spell and blankets the entry to the room with poisonous fog, affecting all but Mithralline!