"What did you have in mind?"
Nakht nods solemnly, and turns to Sebti. Bring them to the main hall. I shall join you there shortly. With that, he leaves. The High Priestess sighs, almost with relief. I hope you can convince him. The alternative would be disastrous. She guides you to the main chambers, bringing along several other robed clerics along the way.
A few moments after you arrive, Nekht enters the hall with two other members of his command, armed with the distinctive shields of the Voices of the Spire. He stands, waiting patiently, not saying a word for several minutes until another being appears suddenly, next to him. Thank you for coming, Ajin Ra Baqa, He says, as he addresses the tall, skeletal figure. These people think they will be able to find the source of the undead menace. I ask that you test them. When you defeat them, perhaps they will understand why we cannot play games in the face of this danger. Do not kill them. They may be mercenaries, but there's no need for such a final lesson.
He turns to you all. This is Ajin Ra Baqa, psychopomp in service of Pharasma. Defeat him and his allies, and you shall have earned my blessing. The tall, skeletal figure wearing a vulture-like mask and a ragged cloak of gray feathers nods as it steps forward. Three Esoboks growl as they spread out behind it, their claws clacking on the stone floors of the hall. It does not speak, but a massive scythe appears in its skeletal claw to indicate that it is ready.
Also known as reapers, angels of death, or amzranei, vanths protect the departed from those wishing to eat or steal their mortal souls, recapture escaped souls trying to flee their assigned fates, and are death’s foot soldiers against whatever would disrupt the natural cycle of mortality. They may also guard the dead and death’s assets, such as forgotten cemeteries, unattended mausoleums, and sacred groves.
A vanth weighs 400 pounds and stands 8 feet tall, though its slumped posture means it can look most adult humanoids in the eye. Vanths are ancient creatures, perhaps predating the current gods of death, and are rumored to be ascended souls of a distant world of death-worshiping soldiers. They rarely speak or show emotion and their hollow voices carry unnaturally far. A vanth’s scythe is a badge of its station, reflecting its role as a harvester of souls. It features symbols in a language that was already lost when the death gods claimed Purgatory.
Most outsiders scorn vanths, as the psychopomps have no concern for law, rightfulness, or personal gain—only duty. Vanths view any outsider visiting Purgatory as a potential threat, and stalk angels and demons alike.
You are also aware that they are difficult to damage without Adamantine, resistant to some elemental effects, and resistant to magic in general.
"I really think that this test is a childish waste of our time when there are much more important matters to deal with."
"Just so the everyone knows, this vanth psycopomp is difficult to damage without Adamantine, resistant to some elemental effects, and resistant to magic in general. So please plan your attacks accordingly.
Almathea casts Grease underneath the Psychopomp.
Almathea casts Glitterdust on the Psychopomp and any esobaks that might be close enough to it.
"Excuse me, if any of your clerics are able, could we please be healed before we attempt this trial? I could use my own abilities, but we'd prefer to try this at close to full strength."
One of the priests accompanying the High Priestess nods and steps forward to heal anyone that requires it.
Neither the commander of the Voices of the Spire, his knights, nor the skeletal creature object to the priest's actions.
Is this really necessary? Anybody has some magic that can help us here? Or talk them out of this nonsense? Or adamantine arrows?
Leto seems hesitant, especially after Almas words, but gets his bow ready.
When the action begins, he´ll wait for Erei´s music and then shoot at the Vanth.
Nevai drew his sword and bowed his head.
"Very well, if we must do this, let us get on with it."
Marnarius quails a bit in the psychopomp's aura, but musters up enough courage to speak to the spirit. "You do realize that this is not the time to be weakening the forces working to keep order in the city, correct?" Drawing both weapons, he studies the tall figure and takes a short step in front of Leto, awaiting the coming onslaught while keeping a strong defense in place.
Nuru stands stunned for a brief moment. Facing Ajin Ra Baqa, a servant of her god, in battle was not expected and for a few seconds she contemplates her actions allowing the enemy to strike first. Stepping up and setting her feet in case the esoboks attack, she says a quick prayer to Pharsma, and then...
Nevai said a quick prayer to Horus, to bolster Marnarius's resolve.
Erei will start to sing and draw his spear.
Almathea casts grease in a flash, catching the Vanth as well as one of the Esoboks. Unfortunately, both keep their footing.
The Vanth floats up into the air slightly and hovers above the grease. One of it's clawed hands points at Nevai.
Two of the Esoboks pounce forward, one attacking Marnarius,
and the other at Nuru.
The final Esobok shuffles forward out of the grease.
The spirit does not respond to Marnarius. Still, the half-elf manages to slice the Esobok attacking him.
Erei starts to perform and Nevai cleanses the fear from himself and Marnarius.
Almathea is able to catch both the Vanth and the Esobok now slightly in front of the grease in the glitterdust and the Esobok appears to be blinded.
Two of Leto's arrows hit home, though do far less damage than one would expect of them. And Nuru's khopesh slams into the Esobok in front of her.
The Vanth once again points it's bony finger, this time aimed at Almathea.
The Esobok attacking Marnarius manages to land a single claw on the dodging half-elf.
The one attacking Nuru, similarly, lands a claw, though a bit more solidly.
The final Esobok remains blind and simply stands guard in front of the Vanth.
Leto curses but continues to shoot at the Vanth.
Nevai shrugged off the vanth's curse, and stepped forward to deliver a slash to Marnarius's esobok.
,
Badly wounded, Marnarius foregoes dodging and cuts twice at his attacker.
Almathea reaches into her bag and throws a flask of alchemical fire towards the Vanth standing in the Grease.
The slayer moves to a better position before striking, pinning the esobok attacking him between himself and Nevai.
Nuru shrugs off the esobok's attack with a grimace and renews her own attack with as much fury as possible.
"Test my worth, will you!" shouts Nuru as she puts the vile psychopomp down with a vicious slice across its chest. Bounding forward, the dwarf moves into position to flank one of the remaining esoboks.
Marnarius and Nevai finish off the Esobok between them and Nuru nearly slices the one she's fighting in half. One of Leto's arrows strikes home, but again, the Vanth seems to shrug most of the damage off.
The vial of alchemist's fire from Almathea lands slightly behind the creature, but does manage to singe it's robe.
The Vanth rises up slightly off the ground and hovers in the air above the grease, pointing a finger at Leto.
The remaining Esobok, smelling Nuru coming forward, tries to lash out with its maw but simply snaps at empty air. It does, however, manage to clear its vision finally.
Nevai skirted the Esobok's reach, setting up a flank to efficiently eliminate the last of the Vanth's minions.
,
Leto continues to fire at the Vanth:
He shrugs off the Vanths negative energy.
Not with me you foul creature! You should be helping us fend off the undead, not serving this fool! I´m beginning to suspect this is some plot! He might be the one who caused it!
Erei will stop singing and stab at the creature.
Marnarius moves into a flanking position with Nuru on the last esobok, but slips on the approach. His blade comes nowhere near the psychopomp.
Round 3, Initiative 8
Flanking with Marnarius, Nuru slashes at the last esobok.
Almathea tosses some acid at the Vanth, wondering if it will have any effect...
Two of Leto's arrows find their marks again. Almathea manages to burn the creature slightly. Nevai and Nuru's assault drops the final Esobok and only the Vanth remains.
The Vanth slides through the air and brings its scythe down on Marnarius.
Continuing its swing into Nuru.
With his companions falling to the extraplanar creature's scythe, Nevai did what he could to draw the creature's attention. He skirted around behind thing, then stepped in close and raised his holy symbol.
As the final Esobok collapses, Nuru wheels about to find the Vanth's sharp blade gliding through the air. The warpriestess's eyes widen as she hears the whispering of the scythe as it lacerates her torso. Stumbling back, she tries to hold back the warm blood as it seams from her wounds. Unable to stem the flow, she drops to a knee and gasps a final breath before falling prone.
Nuru felt her life draining away as a terrible weight of sorrow and regret began to crush her until a voice rang out from the darkness. Navai... why does he call me? Before her thoughts coalesce, she feels the tug of life and opens her eyes. Navai stands beyond the Vanth holding the symbol of Horus high above his head. A calmness overtakes Nuru. She swiftly lays a hand upon her chest and feels the warmth of her fervor restoring her body.
Leto gasps as the Vanth reaps his friends and fires more arrows at it with a grim face. You think you can hear something like You will pay for this foolish priest... under his breath.
Marnarius' final conscious thought as the scythe slashes him deeply is a curiously detached feeling of curiosity, that perhaps the inquisitor is correct. Moments later, though, awareness returns with the wash of Nevai's healing power. The slayer cautiously crawls away from the vanth, trying to get some range before standing.
Assuming he can reach without being threatened, Erei will go and cast Blur on Marnarius. If he cannot do so, he will just attack the creature with his spear.
Almathea throw another gob of acid at the vanth.
All three of Leto's arrows strike home as well as Almathea's acid. The creature's robe looks ragged, but it remains upright.
The Vanth spins in the air and brings its scythe down on Nevai, recognizing him as a threat, barely missing with its backswing.
Marnarius rises unsteadily to his feet and studies the vanth again, not closing with it yet.
Erei will attempt to flank the creature (if possible) and stab at it.
Cold sweat begins to glisten on Leto´s face as he drains his inner power deeply.