Sparks and flames burst forth from the dragon's breast, a deafing cry of pain resounding across the channel!
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"Dear foolish girl," Ozyrankhus chuckles at Lureene's distress as the Falcata begins to accelerate under oar, "it wasn't my blood I spilled I assure you. As for my soul? I consider THAT an investment! Now then, do stay back, I wouldn't want to damage you as I render the others to dust. After all, I need you so I can father Eleventy-Nine!" Sasha, , Ozyrankhus, Aerys, Gelik, Alis, Lilyana, Lureene
On wings black as the void, Ozyrankhus surges forward, coming straight at Tyralor. Yet rather than pouncing upon him in mid-air, he rears back his head and expels a vile, burning stream of acid straight at the prince, angling it just right to strike at the very woman he is trying to protect, and her dutiful honor-cousin! It is only by the grace of Miralnas, invoked by the prince, that spares Alis from the ravages of the cabalist's hatred. Tyralor and Darvesch, however are not so fortunate, the entirety of their beings awash in burning, stinging green bile! The deck of the ship smokes and steams, the wooden planking beneath rotting and tumbling away to the lower deck. Only the flight spell upon Darvesch keeps him from falling. Beneath you, you can hear Derrin give a cry as he presses himself against the back wall of his cell. In a booming voice, Ozyrankhus laughs and calls out, "FOOLS! Your association with House Kirmoon and that mewling PET of Lyria you call a princess shall be your end! Forswear your allegiance, bend knee to great and terrible Mephistopheles, and you shall live to serve him." Rolls:
Reflex DC 23
Sasha, Darvesch, Tyralor, Gelik, Priyya, Ozyrankhus,
Theme: Finish It! (Then We All Can Go Home) Turning about, you see a spot in the sea over 50-yards behind you grow dark before erupting in terrible plume of red froth. The blast of a explosion buffets you a moment later, drowning out even the thunder as bits and chunks of bone, metal, and gore rain down. Yet that is not the worst of it, a moment later, a sleek, black shape jets into the air on leathery wings, glowing white eyes fixed upon your receding vessel. An eerily familiar chuckle booms from the toothy maw of the black dragon bearing, leaving no doubt as to its identity! Perception DC 8 (Alis, Isaac, Lureene, Aerys, Gelik, Sasha):
Clutched in Ozyrankhus' claw, you can make out a large, horned helmet, seemingly burst from within and dripping with blood. Rolls:
Perception DC 0+4+2+2 (size, rain, claws)
Initiative Rolls
, Ozyrankhus, Malandraenas, Lureene, Alis, Isaac, Lilyana, Aerys
Theme: Cometh the Hour part 2 Lyrics:
Cometh the Hour of our Reckoning, we will be ready
Cometh the Man who will Fight beside me and be steady Cometh the Angel, the messenger from Hell we dreaded Cometh the Devil's disciples, so we must be ready My heart is strong, my faith goes on, but if my world is threatened,
Crushed to the point of no return
Yet before she can finish, before Isaac or Darvesch can react, Ozyrankhus gives a cry of surprise. The spell holding Eleventy-Eight aloft was expiring! His own flight spell overtaxed, the rest of you watch in surprise as Ozyrankhus struggles to stay aloft, cursing in fury, "" Suddenly his spell fails entirely, father and son fall plummeting towards the sea in a mortal embrace! Hair whipping violently, futilely, Ozyrankhus rants, "" And in that instant, the frenzied mage's words were silenced by the surging waves! Rolls:
Alis, , Sasha, Mal, Aerys, Gelik, Priyya, ???
Practically growling thru spittle-flecked lips, Ozyrankhus shouts, "" Rolls: Spellcraft Checks
Theme: Cometh the Hour pt 1
Lyrics:
A wake of devastation will not be tolerated. A threat without foundation will be eradicated. Defend our own existence from evil's pure persistence. And if our spirits falter, we face the devil's altar. (Repeat) Gods of darkness, heed my words of warning. When the worlds collide and skies fall down, In the pits of Hell we'll be. In damnation, crucified and tortured, As our spirits guide us through the fear to our immortality. Spirits guide us through the fear to our immortality "Eeh?!" Ozyrankhus looks up in surprise as his 'son' hurtles towards him. "What nonsense is THIS now?" The robust old mage swipes at Eleventy-Eight with his blade, but the weapon merely skitters off the brute's thick, leathery hide without effect. As powerful arms close about him, pinning his arms to his sides, he growls in anger. Infernal:
"Folly, utter folly! I suppose it was wishful thinking to imagine that resuming my experiments with sentience would bear fruit. " Alis, Lureene, Brute, , Ozyrankhus
Ozyrankhus raises a thick, dark eyebrow and scoffs openly, "Foolish girl, that sliver of a blade won't even pierce my pro–" At the last moment, the princess jukes in mid-air diverting the tip of her duelist's blade to perform a circular disarming maneuver that sends the wizard's staff tumbling into the sea! "BRAZEN WHORE!!!"
"Pah, 'honor'," Ozyrankhus spits when he says the word, "what nonsense!" From a fold in his robes Ozyrankhus retrieves a concealed rod or staff made of smooth wood and points it towards the now greyish-black sky above. The moment he does so, Priyya fires upon him, but once again her attack is blocked by the invisible shield of force protecting him. With it raised high, he shouts out a single word of command and then lowers it towards the combatants. Searing eyes and pounding ear-drums, the skies seethe with electricity and a powerful bolt of lightning crashes down upon Eleventy-Eight then forks out to strike Darvesch, Isaac, the helmsman, Alis, and Lureene before continuing into the slave pit! Isaac and Lureene recognize it immediately: Chain Lightning! Darvesch and Isaac are both hard-hit, the entirety of their persons resounding with pain. The man piloting the ship is immediately struck dead, falling to the deck as a blackened husk. Alis somehow manages to avoid the chaining lightning bolt entirely, but Lureene is hard hit and even Grak is not entirely unaffected. From on high, Priyya is horrified to see the bolt arc down into the slave pit racing from one man to the next scorching no fewer than 7 men to death before it finally stops! Above the terrified screams of the now panicked slaves, you hear Ozyrankhus chuckling darkly. That is when you notice that Eleventy-Eight is still crackling with energy, his some of the wounds inflicted upon him closing up before your very eyes! Darvesch:
Upon seeing the effect of the lightning upon the mage's 'son', you realize the full extent of how unnatural he is. You knew that it had all the bulk and bearing of a half-ogre, yet it was too methodical in its movements, too intelligent in its reactions. What stands before you is not aberration, demon, or undead, but some manner of flesh golem the likes of which you have never heard. Somehow it possessed a keen intellect and was susceptible to Lureene's charms meaning it had retained its sentience somehow!
How in the hell had Ozyrankhus accomplished such an unholy feat? Then it occurs to you... Eleventy-Eight must have had 117 older 'siblings'. Focusing on the present, you realize that fire and cold are your best hopes of slowing it down while lightning-based attacks will only heal it. Rolls:
Spellcraft DC 21
Reflex DC 23-2 21 (secondary bolts)
Perception Checks
, Brute, Priyya, Ozyrankhus
Pale eyes narrowing at this insignificant woman who has dared to defy him, Ozyrankhus poses a third question to Lureene, his eyes intent upon Alis, "My dear girl, who is this sub-elven woman that stands dripping at your side? Her NAME."
Unperturbed by the deep wound, the mage continues casting his spell and you realize with alarm that he is casting unwilling shield upon someone! Rolls: Spellcraft DC 16
Will DC 23+2 (necromancy)
"Curious," the mage says, "from a tactical standpoint, that is. You do realize that you have not only isolated the old woman, but you have placed yourselves in the ideal configuration for any number of area-based spells, do you not?"
When Lureene exclaims instead of answering the question the mage posed, she feels a wrenching pain within her core as she neglects to heed the spell that he had cast upon her. Wiping tears from his eyes with stony fingers, the mage says, "My son agrees to challenge you to a duel, Sir Dwarf. Indeed his appetite for destruction was whet by your earlier bout!" Sense Motive DC 10 (Darv, Isaac, Priyya):
You have the nasty feeling that Ozyrankhus is only too happy to have Eleventy-Eight and Darvesch duel. In fact, he seems to be doing his level best to encourage it. Rolls:
Sense Motive DC 10
Ozyrankhus laughs so loudly he nearly doubles himself over. Infernal: "Yes, my son, as a matter of fact, he wishes to duel you, no doubt over the honor of this beauty you have grown so fond of!"
"Ah, a comedienne, very good. Well then, since you seem more eager to speak openly, perhaps I shall change the parameters of this 'game' as you call it." With a few words of power, and the exaggerated clenching of his fist, Ozyrankhus' wild hair grows with freakish speed, and animates with a mind of it's own! All too late, Lureene recognizes the spell even as the sinister mage's hair streaks forth to coil about her throat, and crush her windpipe. Smiling smugly, he asks Lureene, anticipating that she will be unable to answer, "Now then, my dear, what other boons had you hoped to ask of my son?" Yet Lureene's own arcane protections intervene. Instead of closing about her throat, Ozyrankhus' hair seizes only empty air, the succubus' form suddenly shifting as he attacked. "Excellent," he exclaims, eyes lighting up, "you truly are worthy of my attention!" Rolls:
Spellcraft DC 18
, Lilyana, Priyya, Brute, Pirates, Ozyrankhus
Ozyrankhus' growing annoyance at the noise below is not difficult to see. Ignoring the cleric for the moment, he reaches into a pouch at his side, and removes a chunk of stone and a glittering diamond. He promptly crushes them in his hand and which point his entire body turn grey and rough like granite. Spellcraft DC 20 (Isaac, Lureene):
Isaac, and Lureene immediately recognize the spell as Stoneskin. "I believe that I am the one asking the questions here, woman." He levels his gaze upon Lureene, flying closer and turning over a dagger with a rough blade in his hand as he approaches. He asks pointedly, "Now then, my dear, sweet girl, WHO is your employer?" Suddenly a great fear grips Lureene as she realizes that failure to answer the mage's question will have painful repercussions. Spellcraft DC 18 (Isaac, Lureene, Priyya):
You realize that the mage has cast a quickened Interrogation spell. Rolls:
Spellcraft DC 20
Spellcraft DC 16
Fort DC 18 + 2 (Greater Spell Focus: Necromancy)
, Priyya, Brute, Pirates, Ozyrankhus
"Understandable," he says, "where is your employer located, I shall open a passage for us to reach them."
"I see," he seemingly ignores her failed attempt to cancel his own spell, "and who might this current employer of yours be? Perhaps we might negotiate a deal..."
"Just what sort of protection does a flying mage need from a sinking ship?" A slight grin cracked Ozyrankhus's broad face, "None whatsoever. Although the same might not be true for those precious slaves you have one." "Just what are you playing at? Are you finished with this test of yours? Instead of flying up here flapping our gums, why don't we help the ship get back on track." "HA!" The mage slaps his thigh in delight, "Good, good, I had been asking myself that same question, your attractive companion, for it seems safe to assume she is, shows promise. What she lacks in creativity, and situational awareness, she makes up for with talent and the ability to heed good advice — a rare trait, I assure you." The big mage grins and asks, "Wouldn't you agree?" Suddenly Darvesch plummets toward the sea below, the magic of Alis' spell undone without any discernible effort on the part of the mage! Before he knows it, he plunges beneath the surface of the channel, the hull of the Falcata a dark, blurry shape passing above and beside him! "Now then, my dear," the mage turns to regard Lureene, a pleased grin on his face as lighting flashes from clouds to shore, thunder booming, "what say you to accepting a position as my dutiful... apprentice?" Rolls:
Theme: Skies of Despair , Alis, Lilyana, Darvesch, Issac, Priyya, Brute, Pirates, Ozyrankhus
Trusting that either Alis can look after herself or perhaps that Isaac can, Darvesch puts Alis' fly spell to good use and closes the distance to the mage, hovering just behind him as he delivers his brief orders. "Oh?" The mage looks down at the ship before laughing at the irony of the situation. "Yes, any fighting seems to have been decided, but what protection can you offer if 'your ship' is on the verge of foundering?" While the truth of the mage's assessment of the ship's state is accurate, Darvesch notes that Ozyrankhus' eyes linger on something or someone below and behind him, near the aft of the ship. "Hmm..." Turning back towards Lureene, he continues, "And you, my dear, show great skill to have countermanded my son's orders. Clearly you have talent, although it surprises me you did not have Eleventy-Eight tend to the mast with his great strength while ordering that sniveling puke to sever the ropes that bind it to the ship." Shaking his head as he watches the fiery point of light drawing steadily closer, he comments, "What curious priorities children have..." Sense Motive DC 20 (Darvesch):
Something about the way the mage talks... it puts you in mind of one of your instructors evaluating the performance and efficiency of their students. Almost as if you are being judged. Rolls:
Perception Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
Lureene, Alis, Lilyana, Darvesch, , Priyya, Brute, Pirates, Ozyrankhus
Ozyrankhus' brow furrows, his expression growing darker as he gazes off at something far in the distance. "I see, so this is where she sent him." Risking a glance behind her, Lureene could see a pinpoint of light flying straight at the Falcata, moving at least twice as fast as she could manage. Had the Zephrys begun firing it's cannons already? As she squinted against the bright light, the succubus suddenly realized it was not a projectile but a being with wings of living flame streaking towards them, shining like the sun. With a sardonic laugh, more of a snort really, he commented cryptically, "For all your talent, Karayan, your machinations cannot change the course of fated." In annoyance, the mage gazed down at the figure bemoaning his fate below. "Eleventy-Eight," he said firmly, "there is a sniveling fool down there. Put it out of my misery." Rolls:
Perception Checks
, Lilyana, Alis, Issac, Darvesch, Priyya, Brute, Pirates, Ozyrankhus
"Hah!" the mage gives a laugh deep from his gut, "I see that your wit is more subtle than your... appearance. Sadly your curiosity, a trait I admire I might add, is unlikely to be satisfied. The mothers never seem to survive the birthing process." "Oh not that they would want to mind you," he says as if it's should be reassuring, "I daresay death is something of a sweet release after that trauma." "As far as his stock," he rubs his chin, "An elf? No, no. Elves are best corrupted into orcs or mated with more esoteric and desirable forms. I believe she was an ogress... or perhaps that young giant girl from Malatesta. Prolific as I am, it can be difficult to remember such niggling details. If it truly interests you, I keep meticulous documentation. I must say, I wonder what sort of creatures you might mother if given the opportunity. Certainly your extra-planar composition might obviate some of the structural integrity concerns..." With a start, Ozyrankhus throws his hands up into the air even as the sun is blotted out by the still-thickening cloud cover. "How rude of me! Madam you seem familiar for some reason though I know not your name. You may call me Ozyrankhus, and my son Eleventy-Eight." In spite of the seeming pleasantries, the mage's speech and subject-matter chill you to the bone, leaving you with the impression that this man plays with life like a child might with building blocks. Sense Motive DC 20 (Alis, Darvesch, Priyya):
You get the uneasy feeling that Ozyrankhus is not only insane but that Lureene could well be in a perilous position here if 'curiosity' turns to obession. Rolls: Sense Motive Checks:
"Phaa!" At the back of the ship, Ozyrankhus grunts with disgust as the slaves near him strike at him only to recoil when their chains and shackles bite into their hands as if they had struck a block of stone. "You shall break your very bones upon my skin but you lack the means to harm me — ingrates." Without effort, the mage rises up into the air, borne aloft by magic until he finds himself gazing at Lureene. "So you're the one who circumvented command of my son. Well, what do you think of him, " he asks, voice deep and sepulchral, "my dear anomaly?" , Darvesch, Priyya, Brute, Pirates, Ozyrankhus
The husky old mage looks down at the captain who is bleeding out all over the deck and comments with a chuckle of amusement, "Ah, I presume this is dwarven diplomacy then, is it? I was unaware that your kind was so very charitable, consider me quite impressed, yes quite." With a shrug of his shoulder, the wild-haired man says, "Very well, I shall place myself under your protection then. As for this ship? Well to be quite frank that matter is beyond my control. You see, I am neither this ship's master nor a member of its crew, merely... a guest." Sense Motive DC 21 (Darvesch, Priyya):
Something in the way that the mage answers makes Darvesch suspicious as if there is something he is holding back. Not only is his tone full of contempt, but he almost seems to be gloating, though you're not sure why. Rolls: Sense Motive Checks:
With a grim laugh, the wild-haired old man claps the sailor by him on the shoulder very nearly causing his arrow to loose at Priyya. "Yes, yes, do keep an eye on that one. Tongue sharp as the scimitar she favors. Well, I suppose I should play my part in all this..." The husky spellcaster stretches his hands towards the sky and high above you hear the low rumble of thunder. With a smirk he says, "Oh, worry not my good woman, a duel is a sacrosanct rite in which dare not intervene. However, your allies on yonder galleon are a fly I should like to skim from the ointment..." Although it escapes Davesch's notice, his focus elsewhere, Priyya realizes that the man must have cast a control weather spell long before you reached the ship! "I wonder if I can land a tornado in their path," he muses, "that would be a sight to behold..." Even as the mage chuckles in anticipation, Isaac continues to apply pressure to the next bar in his cage hoping to break free, however it doesn't yield — at least not yet. Rolls:
Spellcraft DC 22
, Captain, Lureene, Alis, Priyya, Brute, Pirates, Lilyana, Issac, Ozyrankhus
Chuckling grimly, the red-robed man holds a hand out towards the captain as Darvesch reaches for him, "No, do not gut this one, he shows spirit."
Once more a bone-chilling laugh made the sibling shiver even though they were on Elsemar's equator during the hottest time of the day. "Call it... curiosity!"
Even as the ship absolutely erupted in a furor, a single word spoken evenly and without undue volume cut through them like a scythe, "No."
"Hnff!" The mage's snort sounded like someone had just told him a ridiculous joke, "Amusing, but pointless... I wonder what they could hope to achieve?"
"Mmm, yes, there is truth in that. Very well, I shall contemplate the matter. We wouldn't want our cargo to become damaged after all..."
From somewhere far away towards the bow, the Hlokenars can just barely hear a deep, hollow voice answer, "Soulless?" There is a grim chuckle. "You clearly lack an understanding of my arts. Souls are a commodity I am far from lacking..." |