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Erik watches the display with waning enthusiasm, having not particularly wanted to take this job to begin with. "I would actually like to go back to that temple and see who put those posters up. Odds are the authorities who did so would have some good information to start. Master Urlag, would you be opposed to stopping by there first before we head for the dives. The constabulary may have a good lead on which one to start at."
Erik clears his throat. "Yes, let us find some lodgings first. We'll need to establish at least some semblance of a base if we're going to start looking around and investigating. Once that's done I'll see what else I can find out about this group of miscreants. Whoever made these posters likely has some good information to start our search."
Erik shrugs, seeing that the situation is beyond his control if he wishes to remain with the few companions he has left. "Very well then, but keep in mind this won't be any more than a footnote in the long run. Also, 'Adventure, Inc.' won't do at all. I was thinking something more along the lines of 'The Company of the Blue Flame' or 'The Earthriders', or something with a bit more character. No one will ever remember 'Adventure, Inc.,'" Erik finishes with a hint of distaste in his voice.
Erik eats a hearty meal with several cups of wine and listens intently. "Please excuse me if I remain skeptical of mercenary dealings. It doesn't feel right for us to go from saving the world to acting as glorified assassins. I feel sorry for your child, sir, but there must be a higher authority better suited to such deeds. Vengeance does make for a compelling story, but it is often one of great tragedy for all those involved. I will be up front and say right now, that this doesn't feel right to me." The last sentence is mostly directed towards the remaining members of the original party.
Erik greets the strange newcomers warmly "It seems her story about the drow was true. I didn't get to know her very well, but I hope she eventually manages to find peace."
Erik goes about writing down everything that transpired over the last several days, finding it difficult to put his feelings from the Earthmote into words. He eventually gives up and decides to come back to it later. By the time the Earthmote reaches the monastery Erik is finally starting to feel a bit more like himself and is ready to give his customarily warm greeting to the strict Reverend Mother.
Erik seems unsure what to do with himself and busies himself among the rescued villagers. Finding out about Brujo and Perigia's departure has left him feeling unsure of the future.
Erik changes his tune to a lighter, happier tune, trying to match Hobbes' tones as he continues to sooth the mote. Bardic magic continues to pour from Erik's fingertips.
Erik pulls out his flute and puts it solemnly to his lips, working his fingers with expert precision despite the rocking earthmote. "Be calm," is all he says before his fingers work bardic magic upon the notes. The music that comes out is smooth and soothing, but slightly sad.
Erik quietly studies the sigils, looking for historical significance gleamed from his knowledge of lore.
Erik gets up, oddly quiet, and goes about cleaning his blade and tending to everyone else.
Erik sheaths his sword and works to help stabilize Ceara, who still seems to be suffering from the poison effects.
Erik reverses the direction of his blade and comes back across, attempting to topple the shoot and open up a weakness.
Erik steps forward and swings his sword in a wide arc. "I grow tired of these weeds. Perigia, can't you just burn them to ash already?"
Erik takes a deep breath and tries to blast 2 of the shoots away with the force of his own voice but the long fight has left him hoarse and fatigued. The wind barely trembles as his sonic waves bounce about harmlessly. "We can do it. We are nearly done!"
Erik only shakes his head at the continued attacks, realizing his allies aren't going to retreat after all. Deciding to go with it, Erik takes the now clear path and charges at the large vine.
"I think that's wishful thinking," shouts Erik, sending more psychic blades humming towards the vine. The poison also runs its course, hopefully clearing Erik's head better for his next attack.
Erik moves into the doorway and continues to try and help his companions out of the room. "Move, move!" he shouts, swinging his sword about with each word to cut deep into the shoots primitive minds.
"I'm inclined to agree with Kelgan," says Erik, poison still coursing through his veins. "This is fruitless."
Erik takes a step back and attempts to use bardic magic to lure the shoot off of Perigia.
Erik winces as the poison moves towards his heart and spreads throughout his body but still manages to assist Kelgan, blade flashing.
Erik moves into the room rather brashly, daring Kelgan's held target to attack, and finally stabs with his blade for the first time this battle.
Erik moves to the door, weapon and shield in hand.
Erik calls daylight to his blade and channels it at the closest ghoul. Though he is no cleric, Erik's light is just as strong as any holy fire. The brilliance of the display also helps to smother Kelgan's flames.
"Well done Kelgan! Keep that one tied up," Erik says with words laced with magical incantation.
Erik moves into the room and inhales deeply, his chest straining against his scale armor. His following roar sends monster and allies scattering, though allies are protected from the dangerous waves that sunder the monsters eardrums.
Erik bolsters Kelgan's defenses with a harmonious spell of protection that fills the air around the fighter and deflects all forms of attack. The daring bard then walks into the room himself and attempts to lure another ghoul into melee with him using another song.
"Spellscarred again. This repetition will do no good for my story," says Erik with mock indignation as he draws his new blade and readies his shield.
If anyone actually brings up the devil display in character: Erik is vehemently opposed to the idea of doing anything with the corpses.
"Shall we start dragging our fallen opponents behind our chariots while their fathers look on as well? These are not sacred creatures by any means but I would not lower myself to their level. They are dead and that is enough. Such a grizzly display would likely turn my stomach as much as a devil's."
Erik's song of rest helps heal the wounded better than his unskilled hands could. "Bandages and balms are not my forte," he adds simply. "Devils and demons are no way to solve anything. Untold numbers of tales make this quite clear. They don't make up everything in stories you know." Surveying their growing numbers Erik can only shake his head. "This is going to be rough going, everyone. It will become difficult to continue feeding everyone if we're going to be here for any length of time." Erik then adds preemptively, "And no Ceara, we're not going to kill them to save food. That would be very messy. Please find something more productive to do with your blades."
Erik takes a moment from tending to the wounded with his magic song to study the sword. "I don't believe it," he says in a half-whisper. "The odds of finding another blade such as this is a rare thing indeed, and in a place like this. The gods must surely favor us to find such a rare gift." Reaching his hand out, the blade on the wall and the one at his side start to hum in unity, and a smile spreads across Erik's face.
Erik, being somewhat of a klutz without an instrument in his hand, can only look expectantly at his party members after the last devil goes down. "Perhaps your moral quandaries can be put on hold for a moment? Ceara, all we ask is that you help us. We can explain our situation to you another time and I have several lovely fables to help illustrate the finder points of virtue, but for now these poor people are suffering immensely and I lack the coordination to aid them."
Erik regains his full movement and moves up behind the devil while it's focused on his friends. He clears his throat, and just as the monster turns around Erik lets out another rafter shaking, impossibly loud shout of defiance into the creature's face. The concussive blast slides his allies out of the devil's debilitating aura and moves Ceara to safety. The pain devil, ear drums nearly burst, is driven back by the bard's mighty roar.
Erik, now finally free of the chains, runs into the room to find Kelgan all the way across the room. "Was that really wise Master Kelgan?" Erik has to ask to himself before running even further into the room to help heal the beleaguered fighter.
Erik has little time for banter, as his voice is his weapon. A song of healing gives Hobbes new life while biting words of arcane might sail towards the devil.
Erik sings his song of light and rejuvenation, channeling radiant sunbeams along his blade. Shielding his eyes slightly from the brightness, Erik struggles against his bonds to point his blade at the chain swinging demon and unleashes the bolt, hoping that it's power will free Hobbes and Kelgan from the demon's grasp.
Erik weaves his magic, snapping his swordblade and creating waves of magical sound to compel the succubus to do his bidding. "What lovely wings you have. Lets go for a trip." Rev: On Nialla's turn, she's going to fly up into the chains, provoking an OA from Kelgan, and then if there's enough movement left, she's going to fly straight into the floor at L16, preferably prone, but that may be asking for too much. |
