Yartak moves his hands and a fan of fire sprouts from them, engulfing some of the cultists .
Looking at the Succubus who just disarmed him, only the cultist who was disarmed by her looks in time to dodge the burning flames coming from yartaks hands, the others take heavy hits!
Sahala adds insanity to the process - she starts laughing loudly, shifting her gaze to the next opponent.
Smarting from his reverse humiliation at the hands/pseodopodes of "Drummer Boi", the cultists fury steels him against the viles of Sahala.
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Spellcaster!
The cultists survive the onslaught, as the glaive wielder who had failed to kill Targis shouts accusingly at Yartak!
You are kind of hot, keep at it! A charming melodic voice speaks to you as the Succubus gives you a wink.
"Your offer of aid is appreciated, but unneeded. I will break free on my own merit, or die by it. If this is my end, I will take your kind words into the next life." Targis still doesn't quite trust the demoness, but wouldn't consider himself a co-belligerent anymore. He is courteous as well, but uninterested in being beholden to a demon.
Understood, your will shall fight alone You hear
Good that thee freed thyselves warrior, I am Belana of Alyushinyrra, by what name and title does thee wish to be adressed? If though or thine allies could express frustation at my disappearance, this cockroach of a priest is in for an amusing surprise the next time he casts a spell.
He hears the demoness reply as she disappears , only to remerge right behind the priest, she flashes a conspirational wink at the party, aware that all eyes of the foes look away from her.
She Fled! Lords Baphomet and Deskari are with us! The high priest annoucnes in elation!
** spoiler omitted **
He hears the demoness reply as she disappears , only to remerge right behind the priest, she flashes a conspirational wink at the party, aware that all eyes of the foes look away from her.
She Fled! Lords Baphomet and Deskari are with us! The high priest annoucnes in elation!
Constantine would snicker but that's unpaladin-like behavior...
But he does smirk.
5'step
Cold Iorn Wakizashi
TH DMG
Aurical scampers through the combat, struggling to get his shield out, as he sees Sapphire is wounded. Despite the oddity of her blue blood, he quickly reaches out a hand and places it upon her body from below. "Worry not warrior." he says to soothe her, "You are still under my care." A mote of the same healing light as before comes to his small clawed hand, and as he presses it to her wound the flesh knits and heals over.
Sapphire tries to end the enemy who has shown the most competence so far, but he narrowly remains standing inspite of the dire combination of Yartaks and Saphirres onslaught.
Wail wench as My and my Brother Scythe reap your ally in Deskaris name!
He and the other Scythe bearing cultist aim to cut down Targis, who is not moving!
As Arrius and Saphire strike them to stop them from cutting down targist.
Arrius inficts a crushing blow on the cultist to the left, but the scythe continues its blow, only to stop as Targis erupts in a burst of movement and strike the foe in twain with a massive blow.
The cultists on the right reacts quickly, altering his blow to still hit targis, and moving rapidly to avoid both Saphirres intervening strike and Targis second counterblow!
Seeing his ally fall, he intones The Swarm lives on as his burned fingers grip the shaft of his Scythe tightly. He is close to death, but still standing.
Left cultist dead, right cultist near dead, targis takes 8 damage.
Great job! That was hilarious, an adventurer once got the drop on my by pretending to be charmed when he wasnt, well played! You have no idea how the Succubus can use telepathy to make applause sound in your head, but apparently she can.
But you wont! the teenage Sacrifice grabs the Glaive he took tightly, and with a look of sheer hatred moves behind targis to strike the still fighting cultist. It is a difficult strike, as the plate armored form of targis is in the way, but thankfully for the kid targis doesnt move much!
Inhabitants of Mendev train with weapons from an early age, and the boy has a fair amount of muscles, his strike is true, killing the cultist.
Mother you are avenged, now I will avenge father
The boy shouts as he looks straight at the priest.
The priest is confounded at this turn of event and doesnt perceive the threat behind him!
Arrius is up!
Constantine moves forward slightly and attempts to strike at the foe in front of him.
Arrius advances and strikes the cultist in front of him, together with the earlier blow from Yartaks flames, the glaive wielding cultist is close to death.
Brethren! Strike the Paladin as I blind him! The priest orders
Radiant fool! Your eyes will never behold the majesty of Lords Deskari and Baphommmpphhhhh!
The Cultist priest intones as he seeks to cast a vile spell upon Arrius, alas, one clawed hand grasps his mouth while the other slashes across his throat, drawing a fair bit of blood and causing the spell to fizzle.
The Spell cast is blindness/Deafness
The cultiest next to Arrius does as he is bid drawing a longsword and slashing at Arrius
Delivering a devasating blow upon the Paladin (Arrius takes 18 damage).
The other cultist strikes as well, but the soft cover of his ally in front of him, combined with being shaken from the mutant tirade, is enough to through his aim off!
However, seeing the massive strike upon the Aasimar, the enemies are no longer shaken from now on!
The 2 remaining cultists also lack the situational awareness to recognice the situation of their leader when suddenly
FIRE IN THE HOLE!
Drummer boy throws an alchemist fire on the cultist in the middle!
He instead hits the wall southwest of the square he was aiming at, dealing one point of fire damage to both cultists and to Arrius.
So feeble the throw, nothing actually starts burning.
Bleeding, the priest shrugs off the hit and turns towards his assailant.
F@~* The Priest says as he recognices the severity of his situation, with the Demoness cutting off his retreat.
In front of the Paladin? Who is very much not blinded? Far be it from me to kinkshame, but that type of expositionist fetish is kind of unusual, still, if you insist... The Succubus answers, giving off a seductive smile
New turn
And immidiatly proceeding to grapple the priest
Would somebody kindly stab him to death please? I am on a "challenging foes only" diet as far as eating goes, and he does not meet that criteria.
She makes a vocal and surprisingly reasonable request, as she focuses on controlling the priests mouth and head with her hands,
ably using her tail and wings to control the priests body.
Clearly this isnt the first spellcaster she is grappling.
Priest tries to blindness/deafness Arrius, gets AoOed for 7 damage, loses spell.
Both Cultists attack Arrius, one of them with a critical hit, dealing 18 damage.
Drummer Boi throws alchemist fire, misses, doing 1 damage to Arrius and both remaining cultists.
In her turn, Succubus grapples priest, is succesfull.
Priest is grappled, cultist near Arrius is near death, cultist behind him is medium health, priest is lightly wounded but grappled by a Succubus.
Party minus Arrius is up!
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"It is simpler to pretend to be frozen when one has a visor," Targis thinks to the succubus humbly, "I'm sure that if you could have seen my face you wouldn't have been fooled."
"I would stab him, but there are quite a few people in the way, and a paladin blocking my way forward."
Targis moves forward, stepping not particularly gingerly on dismembered cultist. Since the one near Arrius is near death, power attack off.
"Path is cleared for you Sapphire." Even in his mutagenically addled state, he remains a tactician.
The Cultist goes splat as Targis literally bisects him.
I dont wear masks myself, nor disguise my nature as not doing so makes things more challenging, but the efficacy of basic masks blocking ones facial mimic, and more advanced versions also blocking ones thoughts can hardly be denied.
He hears a telepathic reply.
Paladins indeed have an unfortunate tendency to block many a worthwhile interaction! She says out loud as she winks at Arrius while the priest struggles in her grasp.
Cultist in front of Arrius is ded.
I am immune to fire, and would not deem a fire spell that includes my position to be an act from aggression from you. You hear her voice. And passively wonder how many conversations she can do at the same time.
Nine, giggles You hear a perhaps true answer to that question.
Yartak plays conservative and throws a ray of utter cold at the first figure he can distinguish that doesn't seem like a friend.
Trying to make Baphomet Cultists cool with that frost damage? A lofty goal good Sir! Many have tried! I dont think you can cast cone of cold yet, can you?
OUCH The last remaining cultist doesnt like the hit very much.
Saph moves, just behind Arrius, and also tosses an Alchemist fire at the
lost of the priest's guards.
Yes my dears, clearly you arent hot enough yet!
The Succubus takes no damage from the flames, the last cultist and the priest get zinged a bit more.
You notice something, the Succubus is wearing a Belt. It pictures a Succubus, clearly her, and an Orc, whom you do recognice as Ardax white hair, currently overlord of the hold of Belkzen, jointly defeating some type of barbed devil. The Belt has the inscription "617th slaughter-bowl random tag team champions".
Yartak mentally notes down his discovery.
It was a random tag team, so it was by lot. Ardax honestly carried me pretty hard damage wise, most of what I did was dirty tricks, mental b~+*+~@+ and looking fabulous! There is genuine mirth and happyness in the Succubus mental voice.
It did help that I and Ardax got along, like, that Pit-Fiend Solar team hilariously imploded in its second round against us, even though bettors were certain it would crush everything!
Technically I killed a pit fiend, but I am pretty certain the Ragathiel worshipping Solar the pit fiend was tag teaming with failed his will save against my suggestion to kill the pit fiend voluntarily!
She pauses.
Time of my life, seriously, as a reward we both got nice magic belts, Ardax asked Gorrum for help with certain political aspects, I asked Gorrum for a kiss, our Lord in Iron is absolutely underappreciated as a kisser! I still have no idea how his face looks like though.
If I may ask thee for a small favor, make it so that the boy does not kill the priest I am grappling. I am not into this particular subset of Taldane tragedies. She pauses, evidently reading the priests mind.
Yikes, this rare f#!$ doesnt deserve a pleseant death.
Taldane tragedies frequently feature kinslaying, or killing family members without knowing their identities.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
My thanks, a small favor is owed if thee succeeds.
She pauses
Done and Done and Done She speaks formally.
My name is Belana of Alyushinyrra, Vasall to Lady Nocticula and member of her palace guard. I will reply to sendings or contact entities spells adressed to that name to discuss modalities of repayment. As an alternative, I would be willing transfer an appropriate amount of information concerning Deskarite plans as is known to me, should you accede to this, by what name and/or titles may I reach thee via a sending or contact entity? She adds, in a persona that is somewhat at odds with her flirtatious and trashtalking public facing identity.
She is certainly powerful, but you would almost expect that a direct vasall of Nocticula to be stronger then what she has so far shown...
Betray? I regard Baphomet neutrally, and dislike Deskari, I owe nothing to them or their causes.
She pauses
You could perhaps see this as akin to countries on your plane? Lady Nocticula has de facto declared neutrality by her deeds in the current conflict between the realms of Baphomet and Deskari on one side, and the realms of Mendev and Sarkoris on the other. I would even daresay she is amused by 2 lords of Abyss failing to conquer a single mortal realm in the span of a century. You do know how she spreads her power or how Midnight Isles are made? You can see, almost, a raised eyebrow.
Consider perhaps Andoran and Taldane uniting against Galt, invading it, and failing? Would this not amuse you, as a Chelish, a fair bit? Would you not even consider given the Galtean a bit of an advantadge on the sly? Even inspite of the rather icy nature of Galtese-Chelish relations? Especially if you meet a Galtean revolutionary who is actually polite?
She chuckles
The issue with trusting demons, as a demon myself, is that most things in the Abyss is well, short term. I have considerably increased my abilities and position by being loyal to my Lady in Shadows, honor, as in refraining from certain actions in order to make defeat more palatable for the defeated, is an interesting concept, it is just hard to pull off against other demons. Against mortals however... She smiles fondly
I have gained several mortal and even an Einherj as vasalls, still religiously pledged to the Lord in Iron, to myself by besting them in "honorable" combat, they require much less supervision, can be relied on and frankly outperform most of my demonic subordinates. It was hilarious when some Koscthiean enemies of my wasted their time seeking to dispell what mental domination spells they expected me to have active on them, when they actually followed me due to obligations incurred on their free will.
** spoiler omitted **
Asmodeus likely wishes to increase his position as the expense of other gods of the crusade, he is somewhat predictable.
The Midnight Isles are the bodies and souls of dead demon Lords slain by her hand, over 30 in number, our Lady in shadows has slain more demon lords then the rest of creation combined. It is one aspect of how she spreads her power, and her most capable vasalls are granted such islands to rule in her name, especially if they contributed to the death of said demonlord. She rewards well, abyssal real estate sales-assistants rather handsomely.
I will add, as a gift you do not have to repay, add a bit of a tome concerning the Abyss. It just occured to me that you do not even know what exactly I am? Which is somewhat hilarious because I do not hide my nature, which is rare for a Succubus.
** spoiler omitted **
"I can imagine she has gained much power after killing over 30 other Demon Lords. I suspect learning more about the Midnight Isles would require a lengthy conversation."
"No I do not know what you are, exactly. I have heard of Succubus, enough to know how formidable one is both in, and out, of combat."
Including asking one of my technolgically affine gift bearers whom I am asking about Mrs. Stab-Stab? You can sense she is talking about Saphire
6. Multitasking is a great skill.
It can perhaps be arranged but at a later time, there are some issues of immidiate attention, and my understanding of Deskarite intentions strongly indicates that you have a short timeframe to prevent their intentions as well.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Oh my, grappled by a charming lady, best of luck to you in your romantic endeavours!
Sahala misfortune hex on cultist
Arrius, Abadar watches over you
Aurical heals Arrius
I will stay behind the professionals as ordered Mrs. Demon! The boy shouts
The f#!* is even going on here? Drummer boy asks.
Vile tart, unhand our leader! The remaining normal cultist attempts to strike the Succubus
Is it in yet?
The Succubus answers as she easily dodges, even while still grappling the priest.
Arrius is up.
Constantine nods a thanks to Aurical as he steps forward to attack the remaining cultist. But first his hand glows as he heals his remaining wounds.
The cultist turns, ably wielding his glaive to protect himself, only to find his defensive movements impeded by the Demonesses tail darting from between the priests legs around the rear of his bardiche.
The distraction leaves him open to a devastating cut that puts him down.
Deskari, in your swarm I find freedommphhhh
Distracted by trying to cast a spell, the Succubus manages to pin both of his arms with her wings, wrap her tail around his knees and simultaneously cover both his eyes and his mouth with her claws.
Would someone kill this prick please before he starts enjoying this?
Hello good Sirs and Ladies, please telepathically inform me where you want to stab the a%$@&~% so I can adjust my hold and not be hit. Thanks in advance!
"Targis, if need be, pick up one of the glaives and end the priest!"
Saph is there and then not, she moves past Arrius to the pinned priest.
She comes back into sight, looking into his eyes, her blade embedded into his chest.
"Please try and relax as your life comes to an end."
As if anticiapted the strike, the succubus wings part ahead of Sapphires blade, sriking true.
The swarm lives ommpphhhh The priest gurgles. Still alive after the blow.
Nice stabbing! Saphee'ora will be f&*@ing delighted that one of the killbots patterned after her still exists after more then 6 millenia!
And I am delighted she stayed true to her deal with me and added my precious face to your internal "do not kill unless attacked first" whitelist!
The Succubus is clearly delighted by the going ons as her tail gently pats Sapphire on the shoulder.
Juergen my son The Priest gurgles
Saaave me!
The priests tries a last ditch offer
Do not dare The boy is absolutely livid, grasping his looted glaive
In Ragathiel name, I shall kill you for being cultist scum pretending to be my father, or I shall kill you for being cultist scum while being my father. After what your posse did to mother, I care little!
There is a palpable rage going off from that boy, his eyes turn white and glowy.
Somebody just manifested his celestial bloodrager bloodline for the first time. Convenient time to get a class level!
"Goodbye miscreant," Targis says as he moves up to end the priest. "May you find solace in whatever afterlife you end up in. Though judging by your actions in life, I find that highly unlikely."
Surprisingly graceful for such a large man, the pinned priest allows Targis to demonstrate his implicit understanding of anatomy by delivering a devastating blow.
Wow, that was pretty hot good Sir
The Succubus flashes you an almost angelic smile, as a massive yet surgical blow cleaves the priest in twain.
I commend your excellent understanding of psychology by cleanly manifesting his split personality in a physical way!
She announces
End of combat
The mask the priest was wearing shatters as well, revealing a man in his 40s.
That actually is my... father... The boy says as his rage leaves him.
It is a common thing for Deskarite cultists to demand the sacrifice of a cultists family, their f&#&ing bug lord constantly fears that his lackeys fall back into non disgusting behaviours, so demands to brutally violate anything he had prior to joining the cult are common place. In a way it shows their weakness, a genuine fear of any competition. The Succubus speaks, almost consoling the boy.
You are a demon, why are you nice? Why did you save my life? The boy asks
Because it wins friends and influences people? You specifically have proved a fair bit of decisiveness by disrupting the ritual circle, and that you just manifested a celestial bloodline shows that you have considerable potential, and you owe me a favor. Perhaps at one point I shall ask you what Ragathiel uses for Shampoo, because it slightly ticks me off that his hair is so much better then mine.
Also, acceding to an unwanted summon would reduce my standing, murdering everyone involved in that summoning increases it. She smiles, quite genuinely
As suddenly...
The boys eyes glow white again as he speaks with a voice, majestic and mysterious and not his own.
The boy, brimming with power, locks eyes with the Succubus.
Oh, hmm, how the fu... gentle caress am I supposed to add true love to a shampoo? But ill find a way. Agreed though, the boys debt is paid. The Succubus muses, as the powerful presence leaves the boy.
If you guys didnt notice it, Ragathiel took an interest in the boy, keep him alive if you can. I shouldnt offer repayment terms that lightly, damn my big mouth.
You can all ask me one question, and If I feel like it I will answer it truthfully. She says as she teleports back to the 2 cultists that still have her rapier through their skulls, and starts to retrieve her weapon.
After the quick resolution of events, Yartak has little time to react. He's been getting along well with the succubus, but Ragathiel's intervention reminded him she's still a demon after all. Not that he likes angels a lot, or Empyreals, or anything related to gods, but yeah...
"Eh... I'll think of something. Meanwhile, we should do what he came here to do."
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Yesss, grab the loot! You see, Mr. extremely bad dad here She kicks one half of the dead priest
officially set up this location as a "center of resistance", and then proceeded to pilfer various supplies here that would have been far more useful elsewhere! I am certain you will find some cool things here! There is supposed to be a secret cellar somewhere, and its trapped, but he kind of got bisected before I could read more of his mind, not that I blame you. It does have a wand of bless weapon, pretty hilarious that he tried to bribe me with that! Like, I can just buy these in Alyushinyrra, Lady Alithera has a Paladin plantation after all.
Alithera? Thats the name of the demoness who saved you!
The boy says,
"That actually is my... father
"Don't care"
Says Saph as she checks the body bits.
"Yes I am the infiltrator pattern based on Saphee'ora, and you're listed under the 'sister' designation and the engagement rules of, do not kill unless attacked first. How do you know of Saphee'ora our pattan mother"
She says as she searches the body.