"Greater good and all that.. but as i said i could let you all get the glory. If we're doing this let's do it 100% committed i won't split us in the middle of a mission." Aemon then punches Beppo in the arm. "At Least you have something waiting for you back at the hangout.." A flash of a smile parts the rangers lips, but then is quickly replaced with frown as he looks towards the painting.
I think I can figure this out...
Brandon examines the painting carefully and after some educated guesswork, works out the command word.
Are we sure we're ready for this?
Assuming the answer is yes, Brandon decides there is no point in holding anything back. Not if they want to survive.
As the alchemists body twists and mutates in that way that none of them can get used to, Edmond emerges and cracks hid clawed fingers.
Well, let's go save a damsel in distress shall we? Maybe I'll even get a kiss! Haha. he jokes through fanged teeth.
Beppo loosens his sword in its scabbard and nods. Just say the word, Br- um, Edmond.
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With the command word spoken, the painting gets fuzzy, as if your eyes go out of focus for a minute...and then comes back into to focus. However, now the painting appears real, as you can now clearly see what's on the other side.
You look in before stepping through. Seething with infernal heat and echoing with the snarls of hellish hounds, the cavern-kennels of Losarkur, Beastlord of Avernus, reek of horror. A long hall separates two rows of cages that are barred with thick, cracked bones; within each cage at least one pair of red eyes glows ominously. Spaced throughout the cavern are pillars of jagged stone that plunge into small, round pools of molten, steaming lava, which provide the faint light that pervades this nightmarish haunt.
While not exactly inviting, the dogs appear locked inside of cages.
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Tessai leads the party forward, holding her weapon and shield in a defensive position. As soon as you enter, you immediately feel a blast of hot air, almost making it hard to breath. You move forward about 25 feet, looking ahead. The room opens up.
The wide chamber there lacks the cages and columns of the rest of the kennel, instead featuring wide, rounded walls rising up to a height of forty feet. Hanging from the vaulted ceiling are three iron gibbets; the middle one contains the hunched form of a humanoid woman, her hair and skin matted with dried blood. Twenty feet separate the gibbets from the ground.
A mechanical winch in the back lowers and raises the trio of hanging cages, with a control mechanism located in the center of the chamber’s back wall.
Pacing back and forth under them, you see a monstrous, two headed, armored , dog like creature (Pic in dropbox). At the moment it does not seem to notice you. Tessai looks back to the group for any suggestions before pressing forward.
Tessai Knowledge
. Tessai motions to you all to step back into the Warden's room through the portal, and relates the above spoiler information. Could be a tough fight, but I think we can take it with a frontal assault. However, if one of you have a better idea, I'm open to suggestion.
Take it by surprise and tear it to pieces? Edmind asks, remarkably cheerfully given their environs.
At least its warm here...
If we approach it as a group, I doubt we will completely surprise it. It will smell one of us, or hear our armor clanking if nothing else. Do you want to go in first and have us follow in a few seconds later?
Aemon looks through the painting at the hell. Looks very hospitable.
"I don't think many of us are good at sneaking.. so it's the smash and grab approach i guess." Aemon clicks his fingers while stretching trying to full focus on what they have in front of them. I've never though of this before but this could be it... Now is not the time to bring them down. He unslings his bow checks his arrows and prepares to move in. "Focus, keep focused and we can get through this call out anything you see."
After the group huddles, Beppo slowly draws his greatsword and stretches his neck, first to the right, then the left, then forward. By this time, Edmond is creeping forward.
Beppo decides to let Edmond get a head start, and will pause for a few seconds to see if Edmond is able to get the jump on the beast.
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Surprise Round?
Edmond attempts to sneak up on the beast.
He does so, initiating combat. (I'll use rolls above, so Edmond, you will not roll anything this round)
Combat Actions!
Party is 50' from hound during first round of action as Edmond strike critically from melee range. Creature is large and has reach. Beppo, you can run/do your charge this round. Tessai is also motioning to rush forward. Kyle's action has already been locked in.
Seeing the beast charge Aemon let's loose his notched arrow.
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Round 1
Edmond tears into the massive beast . Tessai charges up, using Bane vs. dog type demons :)
Crit Threat
Confirm
Confirm Reroll
As Edmond distracts the beast with his blow, Tessai strikes 37 pts
Aemon's shots miss.
Enemy Turn
The hound breathes flames on the Edmond and Tessai .. Beppo is out of the way.
Reflex Save for half (18 pts) instead of full (36 pts)
Status
50' Hound1 (Hurt, Flank),
45' Beppo (49/49 ), Tessai (43/43 Reflex Needed), Brandon (48/48 Reflex Needed),
PFL' Kyle (32/32 ), Aemon (44/44 ),
Edmond releases an inhuman howl of rage and pain as the flames wash over him. He bears his fanged teeth through the scorched skin of his face, raises razor sharp claws on burnt, blistered hands - and tears into the beast anew.
Aemon grits his teeth as both his shots fly path the massive dog.
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Round 2
Tessai takes half damage, minus fire resist. Edmond takes full
The heroes continue to assault the demonic mutt. Unforuantely, his armor blocks most of their hits. Edmond finds most of his attacks deflected by the beast's armor, but with a last strike, he finds a weak point between some pieces, and thrusts his claw through the side of the beast, causing blood to cover his hand and pour on the floor. Aemon's attacks miss, as Kyle heals Tessai and Edmond. Tessai attacks.
Her weapon finds its mark. Surprisingly, the beast still stands, after being wounded so much.
Enemy Turn
The beast attacks Tessai...
Crit
Confirms
(Fire resistance applies 47 dmg-5=42.)
Tessai blocks one of the beast's heads just to have another one bit her terribly in the side. Blood gushes out of the wound has she cries out. AHHHH! I felt that one!
50' Hound1 (Critical, Flank),
45' Beppo (27/49 ), Tessai (1/43 ), Brandon (48/48 ),
15' Kyle (32/32 ), Aemon (44/44 ),
Time to die, beast!
Edmond continues to tear into the beast's flank despite his own wounds.
Was all this for nothing? Edmond asks Kyle nonchalantly, flicking blood from his claws.
Seeing the hound fall Aemon instantly checks the rest of the area around them.
"Get that cage down fast."
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The party lowers the cage. It is indeed, Cala, albeit hurt, beat or possible worse. Her hair is a tangled mess, and soot covers most of her body. Bruises are interspersed, and her right arm appears to be dislocated. However, she appears stable and breathing. The cage is currently closed and locked. One of the other dogs, locked in a side cage starts barking as soon as Cala's cage hits the ground. However, the bars he's standing behind seem to do a good job of keeping him from dangering the others.
Aemon looks at the beast then back to Kyle. "I'm not going anywhere near that thing, let's just get her out of here." Aemon looks on again trying to make sure nothing surprises them.
Upon seeing the beast, Beppo's courage fails him and he hesitates, staring into its brimstone maw until Edmond finally tears it down. As Kyle moves toward the winch mechanisms, he shakes his head and rushes to aid him in bringing Calsenica down.
If Aemon can't quiet that dog, I can. He takes a couple of steps toward the cage.
"Beppo let's just get out of here, i don't want to stay here any longer." Aemon makes a gesture to move them on.
Beppo looks back at Aemon, then at the barking hell-dog, and shrugs his shoulders.
Right then. Kyle, do you think you can heal her enough to wake her up? If not, I'll carry her out.
I'd rather we didn't wake her up. Edmond says, running a claw across her cheek in a tender yet frightening gesture. Isn't it better to deliver her back to her lodgings with a note saying "courtesy of your friendly neighbourhood Shades of Grey." What a nice surprise that would be to wake up to instead of hellfire and brimstone.