The imp dodges Molasbar's attack. The little thing gets an evil grin on its face as it flies to the side of Aurie. The action looks very strange since its wings don't beat anywhere near fast enough to provide flight for the creature but its control is undeniably smooth. Then its little barbed tail lashes out at Aurie she parries and with a return slash she cuts the little thing in half. He gets a very confused look on his face before he blows up into a puff of smoke. A small bag falls to the ground.
Team status
Arodus 14, 4712
2220, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Shathee 19/24
Aurie 26/26; -1 panache (used 1 to parry, then regained one with kill)
Doc adams 36/36
Cimrodel 23/23
Molasbar 29/29;<<<
"Great hit, Aurie!" Shathee says as the imp poofs. "Quick, can anyone figure out what kind of wand that was to see what happened to Saria?" He then begins searching around for anything else of note that may give him clues. Without touching it, he examines the small bag that was left when the imp was slain.
"Ah, so now you want my expert opinion, do you?" Cimrôdel retorts sharply, the sarcasm evident in his voice. "A moment ago, you were quite content to ignore my warnings and assessments. But now that we're in a crisis, suddenly my expertise is required?"
He shakes his head, clearly frustrated, but his academic focus quickly reasserts itself. "Very well. I will not waste time with further commentary. Let me see what I can discern."
With that, Cimrôdel casts Detect Magic, his eyes narrowing as he begins to analyze the wand and any other magical sources in the area. He focuses intently on the aura surrounding the item, his lips moving as he mentally sorts through the layers of arcane energy. "Ah yes, I can feel it now," he murmurs under his breath, his tone far more controlled.
+2 to ID magic item properties
Cimrodel opens his magical sight and beholds a miasma of magical energy lingering in the room. He suspects a powerful spell was worked here or a powerful magical creature died here. Regardless, the wand is merely a wand of jolt (27 charges). He surmises that the magical energy from the wand set off a reaction in the miasma that triggered a different effect. Saria could have been teleported, transported to another plane, disintegrated, or some similar fate that would cause her to disappear like she did.
"Fascinating," Cimrôdel mutters, as he carefully observes the lingering magical aura. "There is a rather unusual miasma of magical energy in the room. I strongly suspect that either a potent spell was cast here recently, or perhaps a powerful magical being perished, leaving a residue of its own arcane power." He pauses, his brow furrowed in thought. "As for the wand, it is rather mundane, just a simple wand of jolt with 27 charges remaining. A useful tool, certainly, but hardly a game-changer in the grand scheme of things."
Cimrôdel takes a moment to examine the surroundings, pondering the implications of the spell. "However, the truly interesting aspect here is the reaction of the surrounding magical energy. It seems that the activation of the wand set off a chain reaction within the miasma. This could have triggered any number of effects. Saria may have been teleported, transported to another plane, disintegrated, or subjected to some other fate that could cause her to vanish in such a manner."
He turns to Molasbar, his tone somewhat inquisitive, yet tinged with the excitement of discovery. "This spell, though, is quite rare. I have not encountered anything like it before. The intricacies of its workings intrigue me. I wonder if it would be possible to add it to my spellbook, or at the very least learn more about its potential."
With a small shrug, Cimrôdel glances at the wand again. "You seem to know more about this than I, Molasbar. Have you ever encountered a spell like this before? Or, dare I ask, would you be interested in taking this wand? You may find more use for it than I."
"Why don't you hold the wand for now. My bow continues to service me well, and your mastery of the elements seems formidable."
"I have encountered something like this before. Not long ago, a similar effect happened to myself. I was stripped away from this group and deposited into a prison cell, where I remained for some time. I suspect it is some sort of innate magic to here in this monument. I suspect it is some sort of legacy arcana from the ancient builders. If that is the case, we may find Saria elsewhere as we continued to delve."
I am Galtese Sir Cimrodel, my mother was the first blade of Galt once... about 5 regime changes prior to now. I do not neccessarily abide to "suffer not the devil to live", but at some point we need to start stabbing. Something inside me called to battle as well.
Imagine a Paladin seeing a demon that is within his power to kill, but that could also kill him. Nearly all Paladins would strike.
Now, if one of these icey, barbie or tentacly devils shows up, I am going to book it, but I wont run from an imp.
She continues
Cimrodel's magical sight also detects an aura located in the bag dropped by the imp. Opening the bag he finds a gold ring with an inset ruby (300gp), a silver comb (1gp or Appraise DC 18), a bronze key with a ceramic heart shaped base upon which is painted a miniature of Runelord Alaznist. It is the key that glows with strong conjuration magic. After studying it for a minute or so Cimrodel is quite certain it gives access to an extradimensional space.
This is likely a void key. They are typically connected to closet or larger size spaces that the bearer can open by swiping the air (swift action) with the key. Some were written of that opened onto whole houses.
Knowledge (arcana)
Knowledge (History)
Molasbar squints when he sees Cimrodel pull the bronze key from the sack.
"Is that a void key? Yes, just swiping it in the air should open an extradimensional space."
Upon Molasbar's urging, Cimrodel does so. The key's movement causes a silver slash to show in the air and then a doorway appears. It opens on a five by five space with about a seven foot ceiling.
The room is empty and there is nothing else that the creatures had accumulated. What now?
Shathee's eyes light up at the thoughts of how much loot they could potentially gather using this tool. "Now that is useful! We could store a hoard of gems in there and wouldn't have to track it out on our backs. That could even serve as a quick hide away if we were smuggling things past guards. That's the best treasure I've seen yet in this place!" His eyes light up with the possibilities of how he could have used this back in Qadira before he pulls himself back together.
"I suppose we do need to go back and claim the instrument from the last devil though. Maybe by the end of this, we'll be able to fill that hidey-hole with everything we are bringing back."
"Yes, but we should be ready for combat again. After all, since the imp and its minions disappeared, we can offer no proof of success. Besides, the fewer devils on this plane, the better."
The team packs up what they have and head back the way they came. This time it is relatively easy since the fire elementals have been defeated. However, as you come back through an area very reminiscent of a fighting pit you see a pair of imps at the top of the stairs looking at you.
"Hey, Jake, check it out, the meat bags are back." the one to the north said.
"Drat!" the one on the south replied before tossing a coin to the original speaker.
The unnamed imp speaks to the group, "So you made it. The boss will be pleased if you managed to rid him of that little pain in the neck."
"I'm disappointed you bet against us, Jake." Shathee says wryly. "Why don't you be a good little imp and get your boss for us then? We're interested in collecting our payment."
the speaking imp jerks his head behind them and 'Jake' flies away. Shortly, 'Jake' returns with Lord Baz flying behind him. "You survived. I'm impressed. How do I know you didn't just wander around lost for the last twenty minutes and then return to me."
Doc shrugs. "It weren't that hard to defeat. Aurie here cut it near in half. I'm surprised it's been givin' you trouble, truth be told. You haven'a ever fought it yourself?"
Lord Baz looks affronted, "He was beneath me, besides you haven't proved you even fought him. Do you have any proof of any sort?"
"Only these items we recovered from where it fell." He gestures the the items Cimrodel is holding.
"Ooo, his wand. That is sound proof. Very well, you may take the instrument and be gone. Be quick about it." Lord Baz said from the top of the stairs.
"And what are your intentions here now that he is gone?" Molasbar looks around at his allies, wondering if he should force them to roll for initiative right now.
"It doesn't matter to the likes of you. Now, take your instrument and leave or my minions and I will make you my slaves." Lord Baz says in a commanding voice though it is a bit high pitched coming from such a small creature so that it sounds a little comical.
"Where I come from, slaves are only taken by those who are stronger than they. Then sold to those who are weaker." He looks at the imp with a weighing gaze and declares, "I don't think you're stronger, so you're certainly not claiming us as slaves."
He clenches his knuckles around both blades in frustration at the slight towards he and his fellow pathfinders.
"Ah, how convenient. A threat disguised as a small, shrill creature," Cimrôdel comments, his voice dry with sarcasm. "You must excuse me, Lord Baz, but while your voice may command the room, it lacks the weight to actually carry any real authority. I do not find myself threatened by such... diminutive creatures."
"As for your suggestion that we take the instrument and leave, I would remind you that you have yet to truly prove your side of the bargain," Cimrôdel continues, his eyes narrowing. "We fulfilled our part—your nuisance of a problem is gone. Now, it's time for you to honor your word. What, pray tell, are you truly expecting to gain by threatening us further? Do you think that will sway the outcome?"
"In fact, I will do what I came to do," Cimrôdel says as he moves forward. "But do not mistake our willingness to deal with you as weakness. Just because you hold the instrument does not make you the one in charge. We will take what is owed, and be on our way."
"So, you can make threats all you like, but it won't change the reality that we walk away with our prize, and you... well, you won't have anything to show for your empty threats."
Lord Baz gets so upset by the challenge from Shathee and then the offhanded insult by Cimrodel that he begins to splutter and his little head nearly turns purple before he bursts out, "Nupperibo to me! I'll see your spirits hauled off to the infernal realms for that!" Then he goes invisible.
Round 1
Arodus 14, 4712
2220, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Lord Baz uninjured
Aurie 26/26; -1 panache (used 1 to parry, then regained one with kill)<<<
Doc adams 36/36<<<
Molasbar 29/29<<<
Shathee 19/24<<<
Cimrodel 23/23<<<
Imps uninjured / uninjured
nupperibo uninjured / uninjured
Cimrôdel fires off an electric ray at the first Nupperibo he sees...
vs Touch
Shathee charges up the stairs and attempts to dive up the last step in a tumbling roll past the first devil on his left to prevent himself from being flanked by where the nasty imp just disappeared.
Molasbar casts a quick divination spell and then nocks an arrow in his bow.
Shathee dashes up the steps and avoids the stinger of the imp as he passes it by and then lands a short sword jab to its backside. Aurie moves up the steps and slashes at the southern imp taking it in the ribs. Then Doc steps up to attack the same one Shathee just struck and drives his rapier home. Two nupperibo finally come walking down the hall and Cimrodel lets off an electrical spark that shocks the first to show.
Shathee is stung by the imp's tail (dmg 2). The sting burns but that goes away shortly.
Lord Baz is three squares away from Molasbar to the north-east.
You hear Lord Baz chanting to the north of the northern imp.
Round 2
Arodus 14, 4712
2220, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Lord Baz uninjured
Aurie 26/26; -1 panache <<<
Doc adams 36/36<<<
Molasbar 29/29<<<
Shathee 19/24<<<
Cimrodel 23/23<<<
Imps -10 moderately injured / -5 moderately injured
nupperibo uninjured / uninjured
Cimrôdel moves north (5') and fires off an electric ray at the imp on that row...
vs Touch
Aurie reenters her Bloodrage, striking at the southern imp
Merde She snarls as her attacks are perhaps less accurate then she hoped for.
Cimrodel's electric jolt misses and nearly hits Shathee. But, Aurie finds her swings to be on the money with her falcata cutting a fair line in the imp's skin. The kukri however needs more oomph and just slides off the devil's hide.
Round 2
Arodus 14, 4712
2220, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Lord Baz uninjured
Aurie 26/26; -1 panache
Doc adams 36/36<<<
Molasbar 29/29<<<
Shathee 19/24<<<
Cimrodel 23/23
Imps -10 moderately injured / -10 moderately injured
nupperibo -3 seriously injured / uninjured
Doc whirls and stabs at the northern imp.
Doc's stab lands on point but the infernal constitution of the little beast makes it feel like he has stabbed an old root (1 dmg).
Round 2
Arodus 14, 4712
2220, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Lord Baz uninjured
Aurie 26/26; -1 panache
Doc adams 36/36
Molasbar 29/29<<<
Shathee 19/24<<<
Cimrodel 23/23
Imps -11 moderately injured / -10 moderately injured
nupperibo -3 seriously injured / uninjured
Molasbar points a finger to the north side of the room and utters an arcane syllable. A tight stream of bright sand seems to cross the distance before exploding in a glittering sphere.
The glitter explodes upon Lord Baz and the imp covering them both and making them visible to all. Lord Baz appears to have closed his eyes as he continued his chant but the imp was not so lucky and starts screaming about being blind.
Round 2
Arodus 14, 4712
2220, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Lord Baz uninjured
Aurie 26/26; -1 panache
Doc adams 36/36
Molasbar 29/29
Shathee 19/24<<<
Cimrodel 23/23
Imps -11 moderately injured blind / -10 moderately injured
nupperibo -3 seriously injured / uninjured
Seeing that the nearest imp got caught in the sparkling spell and can't see, Shathee quickly glides behind it and slides his mithril blade into it as he turns and slashes his normal blade at Lord Baz to keep the imp's focus.
Shathee catches the blind creature up under the ribs and with a squeak it dissipates into smoke. Then he wangs into the accuser devil drawing a bit of blood (dmg 4). This also seems to have interrupted his casting as the little beast begins to cuss up a storm. Lord Baz then drifts away from Shathee and teleports away.
The imp moves away from Aurie and then suggests, "I think you should return from whence you came." (DC 15 will save)
The two nupperibo move forward. One jabs its spear at Shathee, the other at Aurie. Their inept attacks are easily avoided.
Round3
Arodus 14, 4712
2220, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Lord Baz -4 lightly injured
Aurie 26/26; -1 panache<<<
Doc adams 36/36<<<
Molasbar 29/29<<<
Shathee 19/24<<<
Cimrodel 23/23<<<
Imps -10 moderately injured
nupperibo -3 seriously injured / uninjured
Cimrôdel will fire off another electric ray, but this time at the injured nupperibo...
vs Touch
Crit confirm...
vs Touch
Being unable to slide around the nupperibo, Shathee turns his attention from Lord Baz speedy retreat and slashes both of his swords into the uninjured creature blocking his way to his teammates aiming to make his way over to the other imp before it can do other damage.
Cimrodel's electrical attack causes the injured nupperibo to explode and Shathee's first stab undoes the other. As the nupperibo falls apart, Shathee moves across the balcony to close with the imp.
Round3
Arodus 14, 4712
2220, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Lord Baz -4 lightly injured
Aurie 26/26; -1 panache<<<
Doc adams 36/36<<<
Molasbar 29/29<<<
Shathee 19/24
Cimrodel 23/23
Imps -10 moderately injured
Molasbar looses an arrow at the remaining imp.
To hit , damage , but trying to sneak the shot in around his allies causes him to fail. Miserably.
Since he is unlikely to do damage even if he hits, Doc attempts to aid Aurie's attack.
Molasbar's arrow goes really wide and the imp laughs at the poor shot. Then Aurie dances past Shathee, avoiding a stinger swipe by the imp, and slams her sword into the beast causing it to pop like a waterskin full of air.
Lord Baz does not show himself but after a quick breath a cloud of bats comes boiling out of the western hall and overwhelms Molasbar (dmg 2) and Cimrodel (dmg 3). The tiny bites add up and soon they are bleeding from numerous tiny wounds.
Round4
Arodus 14, 4712
2220, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Lord Baz -4 lightly injured
Aurie 26/26; -1 panache<<<
Doc adams 36/36<<<
Molasbar 27/29; bleed 1<<<
Shathee 19/24<<<
Cimrodel 20/23; bleed 1<<<
Fort Save .
Molasbar ducks his head and darts out of the swarm of bats. When he gets next to Doc, he says "They came from that way! Baz must be there!" He is pointing to the west, past the swarm, as he says that.
With an arcane syllable, a gout of flame shoots from his outstretched hand, engulfing the bats where he was just standing.
Cimrôdel coughs and sputters, as he moves away from the bats, dripping blood as he moves.
Concentration check for burning hands .
The flames hit the bats in full and several drop from the air and plop on the ground before disappearing back from whence they were summoned. Yet, there are still enough to present a danger.
Round4
Arodus 14, 4712
2220, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Lord Baz -4 lightly injured
Bat swarm -7 moderately injured
Aurie 26/26; -1 panache<<<
Doc adams 36/36<<<
Molasbar 26/29; bleed 1
Shathee 19/24<<<
Cimrodel 19/23; bleed 1