Ansha gives Lershim a flippant, casual salute, then takes advantage of her spell to flow up to roughly the midway point of the cavern.
“Don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be on the ground if something’s tunneling beneath me,” she says.
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Ansha looks around in the darkness. Expecting something to come burrowing up from the earth from the tremors, she masks a Mass Fly spell behind a few words of general alarm.
“Great, the shadows are alive, too!” Ansha complains, masking a sunburst spell behind her words. She moves northward slightly, and looks past the nightcrawler. As she gets into position, a massive 80-foot burst of searing radiance explodes from the far side of the cavern to envelop the nightcrawler and two of the shadows.
Sunburst:
Sunburst causes a globe of searing radiance to explode silently from a point you select. All creatures in the globe are blinded and take 6d6 points of damage. A creature to which sunlight is harmful or unnatural takes double damage. A successful Reflex save negates the blindness and reduces the damage by half.
An undead creature caught within the globe takes 1d6 points of damage per caster level (maximum 25d6), or half damage if a Reflex save is successful. In addition, the burst results in the destruction of any undead creature specifically harmed by bright light if it fails its save. The ultraviolet light generated by the spell deals damage to fungi, mold, oozes, and slimes just as if they were undead creatures. Sunburst dispels any darkness spells of lower than 9th level within its area.
Oh and with tremorsense it knew where each of you were and how fast you were coming down so had some time for spells and prep!!! It didn’t throw up a shield spell to negate my magic missiles, did it?
I’ve only been here since the beginning of Book 4, like, 5-6 years ago xD Iirc, Variel is the only one who’s been here since the very beginning of the game.
Ansha did specifically say it was undead. Presumably she’d tell the party what’s in the Knowledge spoiler, but that’s unfortunately not too much.
Spotting the gargantuan creature, Ansha grimaces. “Looks like a giant centipede,” she complains. “An undead one, at that.” As she speaks, a volley of jade darts of magical force appear in an array above the party and streak forward to slam into the creature’s carapace.
I took Subtle Magic to make it hard to tell when Ansha was casting a spell, but I didn’t realize I could flat-out remove verbal and somatic components by taking Component Freedom multiple times. xD
Ansha seems mildly surprised that Thurin is familiar with the spell. She’d long ago figured out how to forego the sorts of material components he was referring to, though. “Turns out that eye ointment can be made from just about anything, if you’re creative enough,” she quips.
The elf winks. “I’m an only child.” “But if you must know, there is a spell called true seeing that pierces even magical darkness. Invisibility, too, and all manner of illusion.”
"Hm. The tunnels extend maybe a hundred or so feet," Ansha muses, squinting a little. "That right-hand tunnel curves out of sight fairly quickly, though. Maybe we should take that left-hand tunnel." GM Variel:
Ansha masks the castings of a mirror image and a magic circle against evil behind further commentary on the origins of nightcrawlers in specific and nightshades in general. She then follows after the group, sticking close to Nasira.
“The Father of Worms…” Ansha muses. “A nightcrawler said to have arisen out of a dead demon lord’s corpse. Incredibly acidic, if the tales are to be believed.” The elf peers into the darkness beyond the reach of Nasira’s light spells. “Good for opening locks, I hear,” she quips. As she does so, she masks the casting of a true seeing spell behind her words—just in case.
With a flash of insight, Ansha exclaims, “Oh! If I remember right, in this layer of the Abyss, there’s a particular type of moss that grows on the south side of trees.”
Ansha seems mildly impressed, eyebrows rising as Morgrym speaks his haiku aloud. “I wouldn’t have expected you for a poet, Morgrym.” Meanwhile, her own efforts at land navigation completely fail, as the elf looks around their environs in complete bewilderment. If you’ve seen one mountain, you’ve seen them all, right? Apparently not.
Ansha remains oblivious to the voice, apparently too preoccupied with the hardships of traversing the mountains. She missed hot baths. The enchantress is quick on the uptake, however. Having previously (briefly) met Arushalae, and aware that the succubus had a connection to Desna, she says, “That’s probably Arushalae. I’m surprised that her telepathy can reach this far. But her words are worth keeping in mind- even if they’re a bit cryptic. Usually, sendings and the like are.”
Ansha laughs quietly. “Morgrym, this is the Abyss, also.That said, I don’t think it’s really necessary to check out Echostal. We’re not going to find anything without a fight, and we’re going to be better off keeping a low profile, considering how outnumbered we are here.” Although, I do wonder what to do about our impetuous scout…..
Honestly I can’t imagine we really would have a need for a resupply run in a town anyway, given the instant fortress and several high-level magic users.
Ansha looks the cliff-side "town" over with a dubious eye as the party nears. "I wouldn't expect much in the way of civility if we feel the need to get closer to that place. Echostal's not got much in the way of rules--especially not compared to where we were a few weeks ago," she says, referring to the Midnight Isles obliquely.
Ansha inwardly preens at the success of her bluff as the party is waved past the marilith guard. She is considerably less useful as soon as the enter the maze. Mostly, she just idly twirls a strand of hair between her fingers and looks around, bored. If you've seen one layer of the Abyss, you've seen them all. (Not really, but the novelty wore off a long time ago for the enchantress. And who wants to wander around a boring old maze when you could be wandering the streets of Alushinyrra?)
Ansha replies in Abyssal, “’Delightfully ridiculous’ is not how you should address guests of your master. No doubt he’s expecting us, as he did send a special invitation that demanded our response.” It was true enough, anyway. The capture of the Herald had certainly demanded a response, and after all, the best lies were half-truths.
I’m always in favor of mind control magic as the solution to intraparty squabbles (or any sort of squabble, really.) I even hear Nocticula’s brand of it ignores paladins’ immunities. ;P
“Devout” follower of Calistria (or was it Shelyn today?) that she was, Ansha couldn’t help but silently titter at the exchange between the half-orc and Nasira. The Lady In The Room definitely had more than her fair share of bawdy descriptions and depictions, and so the choice of words about a fellow goddess hardly fazed her. Actually, hadn’t they heard about a succubus named Shamira whom rumors said was related to Sarenrae when they were in the Midnight Isles…? Something about flame-red hair and a penchant for seducing in dreams. Best not to bring up the resemblance now, the enchantress thought. Instead, she helpfully added: “Calistrians like to say ‘by Calistria’s taut t’—Oh, right. Not helping.” They also referred to her honeyed thighs a lot, but it was doubtful honeyed thighs (or tongues, or any other of a number of anatomical parts, really) were any better in Nasira’s eyes.
Mirror Dodge is one of the ways that I make up for having an 11 AC (via Dual Path [Trickster]).
The elf laughs at Morgrym's introduction. "Close enough," she says, before turning her attention to the newcomers. "I am a wizard. An enchantress, specifically--and an information broker. Originally from Kyonin, but I've made my way around the Inner Sea for a number of years already. You probably wouldn't have heard of me, but, as Morgrym said, the name is Ansha. Ansha Saeralyan." The elf was svelte, with an hourglass figure and long legs. Achingly beautiful, the platinum-blonde wore her hair long--down to her thighs--and took enough care with her appearance that she seemed more at home in a palace than on the road. Add to that her ready smile and flirtatious demeanor, and it was fairly obvious that words, both magical and not, were her weapons. Though, as Morgrym said, it was a rare thing to clearly hear her cast a spell.
Ansha raises an eyebrow at Morgrym. Great. A second dwarf--and apparently related to the first one. The elven enchantress followed after Morgrym, stopping a short distance behind Morgrym. A little bit of reaction time would be good, in case it was a trap. Although, it didn't feel like one. At the call for introductions, Ansha simply smiled and waited to see exactly how Morgrym would introduce her (and them).
Meanwhile, my AC is 11.
Ansha offers a shrug of her own, mimicking Morgrym. “All set.”
Yes, welcome back! And I also agree- glad you’re alright and checking in.
How does one outwit a demon lord in his own domain…? Ansha muses. “I imagine it involves a lot of luck,” she says. With a wink, she adds, “Good thing I’m fond of Desna. Hopefully she’s just as fond of me.”
Risen demons…? Ansha muses at Arigoder’s words. Then she recalled that they in fact knew one such being: the succubus Arueshalae, a servant of Desna. How did Ansha herself know her again…? Well, only by reputation, she supposed. They had met once, when Ansha first joined the team. “Well said,” the elven enchantress says, nodding in agreement with Arigodee and Nasira. She wasn’t entirely sure of her own thoughts on the matter, but surely the possibility of redemption was out there for most beings.
"Erum-Hel, as I recall," Ansha says. "The Lord of the Mohrgs. It's generally counted as the turning point in the Shining Crusade. As for why you think we're worthy of repeating that feat: Is it because we slew the daughter of a demon-lord recently? The Lord of the Minotaurs thinks of us as a thorn in his side, if nothing else."
Somehow, Ansha isn't fazed by the sudden shift in their surroundings. She even manages to keep her surprise in check at Iomedae's sudden appearance. Awkward, Ansha thinks to herself as the goddess becomes visible. Well, what's the worst that can happen?...Wait, don't answer that. "Lady Iomedae, it is indeed grave business that your Herald was captured. If we can be of any assistance, I am sure my companions and I would be most happy to do what we can."
I need to find time to update Ansha, and now apparently to audit her WBL too xD
Ansha seems to visibly relax now that their demonic enemies have fled. Rejoining the party, she starts looking herself over, smoothing out her skirts and readjusting her bodice, finger-combing her hair and generally trying to make herself seem a bit more presentable. Given their surroundings, not to mention the various blood and ichor stains she's got spattered all over herself, it seems a bit incongruous. "Glad that's over with," she says. The enchantress looks to the others and asks, "Shortest way out of here is definitely the shadow portal, right? If I remember right, I felt something askew when I tried to cast teleportation magic in this place earlier." Without much of a pause for discussion, she steps into the shadow portal.
Ansha follows after Nasira into the newly-created tunnel.
I'm sorry to hear that as well, Javell. Praying for you.
"Not fair, indeed," Ansha repeats as the wall of stone manifests before them. The elven enchantress steps forward and presses her hand against the passage walls adjacent to the conjured wall. As her hand touches the passage, the stone seems to recede and after a moment, a new passage circumvents the wall of stone.
Ansha pouts. "Now that's just not playing fair," she complains, as the demoniacs finally succeed at dispelling her compulsion magic. For the moment, she decided to simply keep vigilant against any more spellcasting.
The map linked at the top of the threads, labeled “combat map,” is the current one, I do believe.
Ansha glances at Nasira, still keeping one eye on the held glabrezu. "Finishing it off while it's defenseless seems a better idea to me," she replies. "Although if I had to guess, I'd say its odds of breaking free of that compulsion are fairly slim." On a whim, she masks the casting of a spell of True Seeing upon herself.
Awkwardly, Ansha isn’t affected by the glabrezu’s spell. So as the greasy miasma descends, Ansha fakes being in pain. As soon as she thinks she can get away with it without blowing her act, she stares daggers at the offending fiend and masks the casting of a Hold Monster spell on him (DC 32).
Ansha, will Sustaining Legend help you reduce or remove the condition that caused you to flee? I didn't go back to check because I'm running out of time. For my last action, I was able to use Shape Emotions to reduce my frightened condition. I think Ansha was too far away from the rest of the group to be caught in the radius of Nasira's spell, but I'm not sure whether the two effects would stack either. Shape Emotions says it reduces fear by one step and gives the example order 'shaken has no effect, frightened is reduced to shaken, and panicked to frightened.' Sustaining Legend, on the other hand, says it reduces frightened to shaken or panicked to frightened. The different wordings also make me wonder whether Shape Emotions means it removes shaken or doesn't.
Bump. Looks like Nasira and Damiel are up.
Having regained her senses, Ansha draws upon her magic to shape the emotions of those around her. "Oop--company from over here, too!" she says. She immediately turns around and runs back the other way.
Ansha flees the room and down the corridor, overwhelmed by the nephilim's fear compulsion. |