Round 12
Guriok finishes off the cultist he was attacking. Then turns to kick the one fighting beside him, knocking him to the ground as well.
Round 13
Xantor slashes and cuts down the skeleton between him and Sylvara.
The lion falls a bloody mess before the skeletons. The blood makes the pool bubble and the runes on the circle glow.
The cultists move slower, aware of Onyx, and take mere steps.
Onyx slams and smashes two more skeletons.
Round 14
The skeletons crawl over the lion to attack the living. Some of them turn to face Onyx. Most attack Sylvara.
The black cultist leader emerges from the blood and walks forward.
Onyx continues to demolish skeletons.
Xantor misses seeing the lion go still under all its blood.
vs. Sylvara
vs. Onyx
Red in case he isn't standing:
Onyx gets two attacks of opportunity on red skeleton.
Round 14
☆☆☆ Round 13☆☆☆
Lifelink activates.
Seeing Arataure fall he goes deathly quiet focusing on the threats around.
He slams an oversized fist into the orange skeleton.
☆☆☆ Round 14☆☆☆
Lifelink activates.
He continues to slams his fists and unarmed strikes into the skeletons.
Round 13
Sylvara will use fervor to cast CLW on herself as a swift action
She then continues to attack the skeletons to defend her downed companion
Round 14
Round 15
The cultist leader looks very much undead as parts of his face have holes in it now. He raises his arms and screams. Out of his robes slither tentacles.
The last skeleton attacks Sylvara... its claws sinking in deep as it strikes her!
Xantor nearly passes out as the last bit of his abilities are drained.
She groans in pain, then retaliating with more zeal as she smites the undead ((sorry, she's going after the cult leader)
☆☆☆ Round 15☆☆☆
Lifelink activates.
He smashes apart the last skeleton, then yells at the others, "Grab Xantor and get out of here! I don't like the look of their leader. "
Round 13
Guiriok walks over the pool of blood, or fights through the curtains behind and gets around to the other side of the pool.
Round 14
The cult leader emerges from the pool to face Guriok who turns and unleashes devestating blows to the creature making more obvious holes.
Round 15
With a fool close enough the cult leader raises his arms and screams. Out of his robes slither tentacles.
Fort DC 21 paralysis for 1d4 minutes
Fort DC 21 paralysis for 1d4 minutes
Round 16
The undead cult leader trades blows and turns its attacks upon the paladin.
Fort DC 21 paralysis for 1d4 minutes
Fort DC 21 paralysis for 1d4 minutes
Round 15
Xantor advances to attack the yellow skeleton.
Round 16
The oracles sees the cultist attack Onyx, so the aasimar charges at the purple cultist.
Round 15
Xantor drives hard, forcing his life force into his strikes. He spits up blood as he drives the skeleton to the floor. The bones shatter as he slams his blade through it.
Round 16
Xantor keeps pushing himself, forcing his will and life through the blade to ram it down the body of the front cultist. Slaying the man before him, judging him with fire. The flame of the sword cuts deep and Xantor can see the soul of the cultist snuff out. Its body drops from the massive wound, charred by fire and more.
---
One of them stumbles backward until his shoulders strike the wall. His expensive robes are soaked with someone else’s blood.
Almost a wail he shouts, “WAIT! Gods above, wait!”
The nobleman throws his jeweled dagger aside. It clatters across the stones as he raises both hands.
With practiced words that steady in his throat he blurts, “I am Lord Garrick Vayne. I am not—” His eyes flick toward the butchered cultists around him.
With remorse he states, “I am not one of them.”
For a moment, pride returns to his voice. Then he looks at the heroes. At the blood. At what remains of the creatures they just killed. His knees hit the floor. “They took my daughter. Do you understand? They said I would kneel before their altar or they would send pieces of her back to me in boxes.”
His voice cracks, “I wore their robes. I spoke their damned prayers. I gave them gold. Yes! All of it! I confess to all of it!”
He clasps his hands together. Desperately he says, “But I never wanted this.”
He looks desperately from hero to hero. Still desperate he pleads, “Please. I have information. Names. Houses. Meeting places. I know who funds them. I know where they keep prisoners.” His voice drops to a whisper, “I know things worth more than my life.”
A pause he seems genuine in his next words, “Please believe me!”
---
She quickly spouts, "Gold!"
The woman speaks suddenly from beneath a bloodstained hood. "I have gold."
She slowly lowers herself to the floor, careful with two fingers and gently places her dagger on the ground. Then pushes it toward the heroes.. She replies with methodical understanding, "Three thousand crowns in my estate. More in jewelry. Horses. Land. Whatever you want. You can have all of it!"
A trembling laugh escapes her.
“They taught us otherwise.”
She looks toward the dead cultists.
“I helped them. I will not insult you by denying that.”
Then she looks back at the heroes.
“But I can help you destroy them.”
Her voice becomes desperate.
“Take my estate. Take my title. Put me in chains if you must.”
Tears finally run down her face.
“Just don't put me with them.”
Then insight comes from her eyes and she spouts, "I heard them. I understand the power off the circle. It holds the power of all the blood the skeletons will continue to animate unless someone can reach the heart in the pool and strike it with a special blade. Likely cold iron, silver or a good weapon."
---
" The blood will try to drown you and other undead wait for your attempt. Take me with you and I will serve you. I only did what they said under duress. Its no excuse for what we have done but let me repent. Let me make a difference."
---
Xantor carefully sheaths the red/gold longsword. "Is everyone alright?" The oracle calls out.
|
Guriok goes on to finish off the undead near the pool. He replies to Xantor "Yea, thanks!"
Listening to the noble, Guriok kicks the heart of the pool with his enchanted fists.
He tells the noblewoman "Very well, you'll come with us and warn us of everything you can. You can buy your crimes with loyalty and bravery." He is clearly annoyed by the woman.
☆☆☆ Round 15☆☆☆
Lifelink activates.
He quickly assesses to see if the lion is even breathing. Then will cast a cure spell if he is alive.
He looks up at the others and shakes his head, urgently he says, "Its a Morgh! Watch out for the tentacles they can paralyze you!"
☆☆☆ Round 16☆☆☆
Lifelink activates.
He waits...
Round 16
Xantor charges up over to attack the undead.
Guriok jumps into the pool and holds his breath.
Onyx channels to destory the skeletons. He also channels to heal the living not excuding anyone.
Onyx checks on the living ready to spring if needed. He finds manacles if he can and secures the prisoners.
He asks, "Are there any prisoners in this building?" Then once that is answered he asks, "What can we find in the other parts of the house?"
They shake their heads, "No more prisoners or sacrifices can be found in this house. There might be other cultists above but I doubt it."
The noblewoman doesn't speak, letting Lord Garrick Vayne answer, unless she has something else to add.
Garrick offers, "Beyond over there are a wide selection of components used for summoning circles and other magics. The cellery above is likely destroyed. We will mention things as we go. No more threats should be here."
Onyx does find seven pairs of manacles, plenty of chain, and torture devices.
Garrick offers, "Beyond over there are a wide selection of components used for summoning circles and other magics. The cellery above is likely destroyed. We will mention things as we go. No more threats should be here."
"Then let's destroy those components! We got enough demons on our plate without more getting summoned."
Xantor looks at the nobles. "Are you two related somehow?"
Lady Marcelline looks at Lord Garrick Vayne and scowls, "No. Please don't think we are associated with... him."
Lord Garrick Vayne snaps his tongue then tersely states, "You are nothing wonderful to be associated with either."
All of the documents on the high priest and the others who fell/jumped into the blood pool are smeared and unreadable now.
High priest gear:
2nd to the high priest gear:
Cultists 2 through 8: 4 kamas, 5 daggers, 3 MW daggers,
Cultists/nobleman: Lord Steele. His documentation is on his body. As well as his fine blue clothes under the blood red robe. He has a pouch of 33 gp, 3 aquamarines Each worth 10 gp, and 7 silver. Signet ring. Cultist pendent of , blood red dagger with serrated edge.
"Alright. Alright!" Xantor shouts over the squabbling. "You are both alive. And more importantly, I don't believe you were in league with the cultist, so I don't plan on killing you. Now, Lord Garrick, please direct us to these components so we may destroy them."
Before they leave, Xantor takes out two trail rations and gives one to each of the nobles.
"Here. Eat something. You both look like you need to recover some strength." The oracles flashes the noblewoman a quick flirty wink as he leaves to destroy some nasty components.
He holds up two pairs of manacles. Then asks a bit sheepishly, "So we don't need these now...?" He puts them into a bag which looks heavy, it chinks with chain and manacles. At this point his alter self spell runs out and becomes normal sized. His panther features are gone and replaced with scales and his original face.
He leaves the bag near the front and then goes with Xantor and the nobles to the back. Seeing the collection of ingredients he quickly states, "Xantor, don't destroy them. Thank the gods. Many of them are precious and could be used in our own magics. Enhancements or perhaps our own summonings. Though there is a lot to collect, Nythes guide my hand."
Both nobles watch Onyx's transformation in horror! They both look ready to bolt unless calmed. Lord Garrick Vayne screams, "Demon!" Lady Marcelline moves quickly to Xantor's side and whispers, "What is he?"
A light from above shines through the floors above you. The light emits from each of you and the desecration of this building is shattered. The blood turns to holy water and you see the body of the rock demon compress. You see there are many gems left behind.
High priest gear: 2 potions marked black blood and red blood, cloak of resistance +1, alchemy kit, 8 sp, 12 cp. Gold Unholy symbol of Lorcan.
2nd to the high priest gear: scroll of cat’s grace, scroll of pyrotechnics, arcane spell book, 7 sp, 13 cp. Silver Unholy symbol of Lorcan.
Cultists 2 through 8: 4 kamas, 5 daggers, 3 MW daggers, 7 Unholy symbols of Lorcan, 29 gp, 41 sp, 13 cp.
Cultists/nobleman: Lord Steele. His documentation is on his body. As well as his fine blue clothes under the blood red robe. He has a pouch of 33 gp, 3 aquamarines Each worth 10 gp, and 7 silver. Signet ring. Cultist pendent of god of blood/demon, blood red dagger with serrated edge.
Other gear mentioned above:
7 pairs of manacles,
5 ten foot lengths of chains,
green bottle of acid (saved by Guirok)
cracked Amethyst Pyramid
+2 competence bonus on Knowledge (religion) checks to identify undead and their special abilities. 150 gp
Cracked Iridescent Spindle: +4 competence bonus on Constitution checks to hold breath. 500 gp
Flawed Tourmaline Sphere: Treat your Con score as 2 higher for negative hit points needed to cause death, but -1 penalty to stabilize checks 600 gp
Lesser Ring of protected life Once identified and harmonized with a good god, then you can activate the swift action. The other parts may be revealed or upgraded.
Tome of Vile Evil
Parchments speaking to demon activity. This includes contracts with three entities to be protected from with the unholy symbols of Lorcan: A Sludge demon of filth, Tress. A pack of Babuas call themselves the Red pack. Last a fiendish snake named Clar. The details remind the cultists to stay away from their territory and speaks of what streets to avoid.
One of them stumbles backward until his shoulders strike the wall. His expensive robes are soaked with someone else’s blood.
Almost a wail he shouts, “WAIT! Gods above, wait!”
The nobleman throws his jeweled dagger aside. It clatters across the stones as he raises both hands.
With practiced words that steady in his throat he blurts, “I am Lord Garrick Vayne. I am not—” His eyes flick toward the butchered cultists around him.
With remorse he states, “I am not one of them.”
For a moment, pride returns to his voice. Then he looks at the heroes. At the blood. At what remains of the creatures they just killed. His knees hit the floor. “They took my daughter. Do you understand? They said I would kneel before their altar or they would send pieces of her back to me in boxes.”
Should his throat stay whole...:
His voice cracks, “I wore their robes. I spoke their damned prayers. I gave them gold. Yes! All of it! I confess to all of it!”
He clasps his hands together. Desperately he says, “But I never wanted this.”
He looks desperately from hero to hero. Still desperate he pleads, “Please. I have information. Names. Houses. Meeting places. I know who funds them. I know where they keep prisoners.” His voice drops to a whisper, “I know things worth more than my life.”
A pause he seems genuine in his next words, “Please believe me!”
---
She quickly spouts, "Gold!"
The woman speaks suddenly from beneath a bloodstained hood. "I have gold."
She slowly lowers herself to the floor, careful with two fingers and gently places her dagger on the ground. Then pushes it toward the heroes.. She replies with methodical understanding, "Three thousand crowns in my estate. More in jewelry. Horses. Land. Whatever you want. You can have all of it!"
If you let her continue to speak:
Her composure begins to fracture. "I did not choose this. They came to our homes. They knew the names of our children. Our servants. Where our husbands slept. Which roads our families traveled." She swallows and continues, "You think nobles cannot be frightened because we live behind stone walls?"
A trembling laugh escapes her.
“They taught us otherwise.”
She looks toward the dead cultists.
“I helped them. I will not insult you by denying that.”
Then she looks back at the heroes.
“But I can help you destroy them.”
Her voice becomes desperate.
“Take my estate. Take my title. Put me in chains if you must.”
Tears finally run down her face.
“Just don't put me with them.”
Then insight comes from her eyes and she spouts, "I heard them. I understand the power off the circle. It holds the power of all the blood the skeletons will continue to animate unless someone can reach the heart in the pool and strike it with a special blade. Likely cold iron, silver or a good weapon."
"Fine, Onyx. but I want those components under strict guard. That wil be your responsibility."
Both nobles watch Onyx's transformation in horror! They both look ready to bolt unless calmed. Lord Garrick Vayne screams, "Demon!" Lady Marcelline moves quickly to Xantor's side and whispers, "What is he?"
"Onyx is a teifling. In the same way I was upper plane heritage in my blood, Onyx has lower plane heritage in his. But he's no demon. If he was, he's had ample opportunity to do it earlier. I vouch for him." Xantor cheekily puts his arm around Lady Marcelline's waist, testing the waters.
"Looks like a spellbook. Could get some good coin for that, at least."
A light from above shines through the floors above you. The light emits from each of you and the desecration of this building is shattered. The blood turns to holy water and you see the body of the rock demon compress. You see there are many gems left behind.
The big blonde oracle touches the standard, and feels divine power course through his body for a few seconds.
|
|
Guriok agrees with Xantor and says "Onyx has done nothing but good. You can trust him. I trust him more than I trust you." The enlarged half orc is calm in his statement.
He tells Xantor "Other than this magical cloak we should wear, I think we should keep going to make the most use of our magical enhancements." He turns to the turncoats and says "You two. There's a secret passage in the corridor down there that leads to an underground level. What's down there?"
Blinking in surprise, Xantor stares at Lady Marcelline; awaiting an answer.
"We need to make sure every nook and cranny is checked over before we depart, one rat can restart a whole infestation"
Back with the gathered survivors Preacherelius and Callistia are helping to ensure remain safe while the others are out dealing with more immediate threats, Preacher starts to feel Captain Fergus' presence again, simmering with hatred towards the dretches that caused him to fade from the material plane..
"Callistia, the captain is ready to resume the fight. Thank you for your aid in keeping these survivors safe. It is time for Captain Fergus to wield his newfound blade and shield once again."
"Callistia, the captain is ready to resume the fight. Thank you for your aid in keeping these survivors safe. It is time for Captain Fergus to wield his newfound blade and shield once again."
Xantor walk over to Iblydan phantom.
"I hope you return to us soon, Callistia. I'll ask Preacher to call you back as soon as I find some good wine", the oracle winked.
"Fine, Onyx. but I want those components under strict guard. That wil be your responsibility."
He nods, with a glint in his eye, he happily says, "Nythes praise be. I will happily keep stock and protect it. Did we find any magical bags? I am sure one of them would have one." He begins to categorize and collect the most precious first. He welcomes anyone to help guide him too.
Before they leave, Xantor takes out two trail rations and gives one to each of the nobles.
"Here. Eat something. You both look like you need to recover some strength." The oracles flashes the noblewoman a quick flirty wink as he leaves to destroy some nasty components.
[dice=Diplomacy, Lady Marcelline]1d20 + 19
They both are grateful for the ration and say so. She eats it slowly and walks beside Xantor smiling. She feeds him by hand some of the dried berries. She sweetly says, "Sweet for the sweet." She flirts back but doesnt initiate any touches.
They both look at Guriok confused. Lady Marcelline looks at Lord Garrick Vayne and scowls, He states, "Below? There is nothing below. I have not seen stairs or a way down."
Lady Marcelline offers, "There is the cellar above, then the buildinds main floor. 2nd floor and the attic. But nothing below us. Unless the high priests kept some secret exit from us. Maybe a treasure trove?"
Back with the gathered survivors Preacherelius and Callistia are helping to ensure remain safe while the others are out dealing with more immediate threats, Preacher starts to feel Captain Fergus' presence again, simmering with hatred towards the dretches that caused him to fade from the material plane..
"Callistia, the captain is ready to resume the fight. Thank you for your aid in keeping these survivors safe. It is time for Captain Fergus to wield his newfound blade and shield once again."
Preacherelius and Captain Fergus, leave the crowd of survivors and enter the house. Finding corpses of mice they go down. Down the stairs to find a cellar covered in destroyed barrels and crates. Further down you find it has been dug out and more ancient stones lead to a temple of blood. Then as you get to the pool it glows and looks like water. Going through the curtain you find your group.
|
|
Guriok realizes the woman knows nothing. He realizes he is a bit hungry too, so he takes something for himself to nibble on. With a food in his mouth, he says "Well, there's no rush now that the ritual was disrupted. We should take a look around. You two, I don't want to find out you ran away, so you're coming with us." He touches the banner and prepares to leave to continue exploring this building above.
Onyx's spells have stopped and Guriok's does as well.
"Let's start in the cellar then. And work our way up." Xantor suggests.
"We need to make sure every nook and cranny is checked over before we depart, one rat can restart a whole infestation"
Sylvara finds some more pieces of equipment, as does the others if they search the temple and cellar thouroughly.
Also Sylvara finds the moaning 'cultist' in the back.
The curtains are magical.
The green vial is magical.
And the magical items in the loot.
Once done looking at the components and putting the rarest in a bag he found. He finds a better bag and returns to collect the rest of the materials, then other useful items.
"I found a handy haversack!!!"
He identifies Xantor's new cloak, , "Its a fine cloak of resistance +2!"
"Imomedae! What is all this sh|t?"
Xantor finds a signal horn, three sunrods, and a gallon of mead. "NICE!" The oracle also finds a bottle of fine wine, a silver chain, a man's gold ring, two women style rings, and a canteen.
Holding the bottle of wine, Xantor chuckles, "Oh. I know who I'm sharing YOU with!"
Xantor joins the otherds after his looting..I mean..component search and sees Sylvara still working on Arataurë's wounds.
Feeling horrible, the aasimar sets his stuff down and kneels next to the paladin.
"Good work, Sylvara. He's stable at least. et's see of we can get him on his feet again."
Xantor casts two cure moderate wounds on the heavenly beast.
Guriok
