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Shining Force Central Forums > RPG Gallery > Shining Force: The Chaos War Part III

Posted by: Rusty Fri Apr 06, 2007 12:00 am
((I spare his life...for now... REF save: 13 + 7 + whatever buffs are on = pass.)) *Dodging the brunt of the blast, the fire fuels Ombligo's anger and he returns fire, noting Tanis's weakened state. Ombligo casts a spell which sends two magic missiles at Tanis and three at a nearby dark smoke.* ((Or whatever the heck those things are.))
((Move 10' to the right so that I'm next to Gilliam. Target Tanis and the dark smoke to the right of Graigus.
Magic Missile #1-2: 1 + 4 + 2 = 7.
Magic Missile #3-5: 4 + 3 + 2 + 3 = 12.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Apr 07, 2007 12:41 am
((As per suggestion, I am now enforcing time limits. It seems to work for Rusty's RPG, so hopefully it'll work here. You all have until Saturday evening to post.))

Posted by: Aldur Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:21 am
Kria smiles to herself as she vanishes from sight. It wouldn't help much against Aelisnyx and her crew, but if those annoying cannons couldn't see her, she could ascend. Wait for me Aelisnyx. I have a favour to return to you. Oh yes...and you'll regret the day you toyed with my family! The catfolk sprang into action, moving straight up next to the wall and ascending 30ft.(Or how high the wall is, she's basically in the air hiding behind it for now.) She giggles, raising herself above the wall, her sword held in front of her, grinning eerily at the Greater Devil, simply watching her, daring her to attack...

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:23 pm
The monk slid over, expertly dodging between the monsters to a spot back to back with Gail. Bending backwards with only his staff for support, he popped the cork on one of the potions he'd been given and took a deep swig, swaying and bobbing as he did so as if he'd taken a deep drought of strong dwarven mead.
((Roll 2 squares NW and one square W and drink a potion.
Cure Critical Wounds: 4d8 + 7 = 27.))

Posted by: Nightmare Sun Apr 08, 2007 2:09 am
Gorrik hits something, I don't have enough time to roll dice, so her'es the math to follow Attack Axe1: (d20) + 9(BAB) + 5(STR) + 2(Boost) + 2(Axe) + 1(Haste) + 2(Stance) - 4(PA) = ? Axe2: (d20) + 4(BAB) + 5(STR) + 2(Boost) + 2(Axe) + 1(Haste) + 2(Stance) - 4(PA) = ?
Haste: (d20) + 9(BAB) + 5(STR) + 2(Boost) + 2(Axe) + 1(Haste) + 2(Stance) - 4(PA) = ?
Damage
Axe1: (D10) + 5(STR) + 2(Boost) + 1(Size)+ 2(Axe) + 4(PA) + 2(Stance) = ? + (D6Shock)
Axe2: (D10) + 5(STR) + 2(Boost) + 1(Size)+ 2(Axe) + 4(PA) + 2(Stance) = ? + (D6Shock)
Axe3: (D10) + 5(STR) + 2(Boost) + 1(Size)+ 2(Axe) + 4(PA) + 2(Stance) = ? + (D6Shock)

Posted by: Sighrus Sun Apr 08, 2007 7:20 am
As the erinyes ends her ranting, a voice rises from the crowd to answer; a tired, thin, cold voice that was just strong enough for the devil leader to hear. "The desire to end suffering - to safeguard the privilege of life...a creature who can't understand such a thing..."
A hateful glare emerges as the paladin turns to the fallen angel.
: "I have no pity for."
As Graigus takes place behind the holy warrior, Gail shifts to cover her ally, taking a simple step downwards before pivoting and scraping the nearest devil with a trio of quick slashes.
[5' step SE, attack SE Lesser Devil.
Attack 1: 1d20(9)+8(BAB)+8(STR)+5(weapon)+1(haste)=31.
Damage: 1d10(1)+8(STR)+5(weapon)+8(Might)=24.
Attack 2: 1d20(12)+3(BAB)+8(STR)+5(weapon)+1(haste)=29.
Damage: 1d10(1)+8(STR)+5(weapon)+8(Might)=24.
Haste attack: 1d20(7)+8(BAB)+8(STR)+5(weapon)+1(haste)=29.
Damage: 1d10(3)+8(STR)+5(weapon)+8(Might)=26.
24+24+26=74.
HP: 53/115. AC: 29.]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Apr 08, 2007 9:53 am
Mahler walks over and punches the Minotaur with a loud cracking sound, the monster reeling from the blow. Not letting up the attack, the golem paladin grasps the two horns on either side of the monster's head once more, this time tearing them free of their mooring, along with a section of skull. His head mangled and bloody, the minotaur collapses, spasming madly.
Gilliam growls a little as he drops and rolls out of the center of Tanis' blast with practiced efficiency... but his bulk and weight prevent him from leaving the blast entirely.
((Save passed.))
Kayla and Langston both press the attack on the monster, more shallow and bleeding cuts slowly draining the creature's strength.
"Pfeh... Mortal blows... aren't so mortal for me..." the devil grins at his own joke as he raises his claws and grins at Kayla. "Now, yo-GAAAARGH!"
The devil's words are cut off as burst of gunfire rakes his side, expertly aimed by Gilliam. Fire in his eyes, the devil whirls around only to take a masterful shot to the head as Farain fires his mighty bow. Another arrow swiftly rips through his throat as the devil falls, turning to ash.
((Hit, Miss. Hit, Hit, Miss. Just enough damage to slay him.))
Arbeiten moves up, healing Max as he does so.
((Cure Light Wounds! Max heals 10 HP!))
Ombligo's magic missles spin Tanis around and cause him to crash into the ground, unconscious. The other slams into a Dark Smoke, the creature's mist like body roiling with agitation as it is struck.
: "Good shot..." Gilliam murmurs as the magic creature nears him. "He is still alive, I think..."
Gail slashes apart her Lesser Demon, the monster dying with a loud squawk as another one of the beasts flies over the wall and towards the gate.
With a traditional Dwarven battlecry, Gorrik lashes out at those around him with two devastating axe strokes that sever the head of the Lesser Demon and scatter the essence of the Dark Smoke. With his final blow, he slams his axe into the Hellfire Cannon he is near, smashing one of its arcane power gems.
((Critical Hit! Critical Hit! Hit! 64 damage to the Lesser Demon. 61 damage to the Dark Smoke. Both die. 15 damage after DR to the Hellfire Cannon.))
Max charges forward, slashing at the Hamatula near Farain with the legendary Force Sword. The sword slashes a deep wound in the devil's chest. The hamatula growls in pain but says nothing, his eyes narrowed in hate.
((Hit! 33 damage to the devil! Hit, miss! 16 damage total to Max, including barbs!))
Sorel roars, lashing out at the Barbed Devil, but only managing moderate damage on the hellspawn. The Hamatula, by contrast, doesn't manage to do any damage to Sorel at all, the massive druid leaping aside each time.
((Hit, Hit, Miss, Miss? 20 damage, I believe, after DR. Miss, Miss!))
Ruburan drinks a potion, then swiftly runs towards the keep.
A short girl swathed in blue robes with a massive Ankh-topped staff trudges out from the woods to the battlefield, looking almost confused.
: "Oh? I made it here after all?"
: "Hmph. I'll send you to the Underworld!" Aelisnyx shouts as she takes aim at Kria, letting three arrows fly. Kria slices the first two in half with her magical sword, but the third slips past her, striking her in the shoulder.
((Hit, hit, Hit! Deflected, deflected, Hit! 14 damage to Kria.))
Two of the Erinyes fire on Gorrik, but their arrows all catch on his shield.
((Miss, miss, miss, miss, miss, miss.))
Sonnette stumbles around the corner from the gate and catches her breath as she reaches down to her belt and withdraws a metal vial. Hastily unscrewing the cap, she drinks the contents, her bleeding slowing as torn veins mend themselves.
((Drink Healing Drop. Heals 30 HP.))
Another pair of Erinyes launch a volley of arrows at Gail, but the majority of them simply rebound off the paladin's plate mail.
"FOR THE ETERNAL FIRE!!!" one of the pegasus knights bellows as he dives down at Gail, jamming his lance through her side and nearly slaying the paladin outright were it not for a last minute movement.
((Hit! 45 damage to Gail!))
"You can't run away!" the other knight challenges as he swoops down on Sylvia, inflicting a terrible wound on the centaur captain, lance ripping through flesh.
: "Geh... A skilled blow..." Sylvia admits as she wipes blood from her mouth. "But you've yet to see my true skill!"
A triple combination of blows from Sylvia leaves the devilish knight on the ground, blood oozing from every orifice, including a few new ones left by Sylvia's lance.
: "Feh. Wasted potential," Sylvia sniffs as she kicks the corpse with a hoof. She turns to her remaining knight. "You can barely stand. Get out of here, we'll handle the rest."
"Tha... Thank you ma'am," the knight responds, galloping out of the fort with a dazed look as he retreats with numerous wounds.
The Devil Archers fire their bows, the arrows soaring through the air to strike Gail, Gorrik, and Graigus. Three arrows scratch the heroes, not even sticking in their bodies, but falling to the ground.
((Hit, Miss! Hit, Miss! Hit, Miss! 3 damage to Gail! 5 damage to Gorrik! 8 damage to Graigus!))
The Dark Smoke moves towards Graigus, enveloping him in a thick fog.
((Graigus, roll a Will Save.))
Next turn!
http://www.shinola.radh.com/guest/Rusty/SFCWIIIDevilBase15.PNG

Posted by: Alpha Sun Apr 08, 2007 11:38 am
As Tanis drops to the ground, falling into unconsciousness, his expression betrays some surprise and shock. A moment ago he was feeling so confident, what with the Force for the most part ignoring him and the fairly powerful protective spells woven around him. The shocked expression still in place, his eyes roll back, and his collapses. As he does so, the shield of fire around him fades, and his body stops blinking back and forth from the ethereal plane. However, the swirling mass of blades continues to whirl around him.
[Fire Shield runs out. Greater Blink runs out. Ring of Blades is still up]

Posted by: Aldur Sun Apr 08, 2007 12:10 pm
"Do you think you can?" Kria smiles as she pulls the shaft out, moving swiftly for cover, hiding behind a tent as she uncorks her last potion, drinking the contents. She frowns, staring over at the hated Erinyes, eyes cold and collected for once. "Well then...I just need to get a bit closer..."
((CLW: 7 hp back. And only 12 damage after DR. And Kria is behind the tent near Sylvia. Still invisible. She's landed and using it as cover.))

Posted by: Nightmare Sun Apr 08, 2007 2:38 pm
((TUM, roll for me from now on.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Sun Apr 08, 2007 2:54 pm
"Humph! Serves you right," Kayla mutters as the devil turns to ash. The Tiefling rogue turns around for a moment, her gaze falling upon Gilliam and Farain. There is silence for a moment...and then she says something that she has never said before...ever.
"Thanks."
Kayla quickly takes to the southeast to aid Max. She stabs at the devil with her basilard, but fails to actually hit it. The devilish rogue mutters a curse under her breath.
((Kayla moves 5' SE and 10' S.
Tumble: 4 + 20 = 24
Attack: 7 + 5 (BAB) + 7 (Dex) + 1 (Weapon) + 1 (Haste) + 2 (Flank) = 23. Miss.
Dodge to that devil.))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Sun Apr 08, 2007 6:03 pm
The monk spun wildly after the arrow grazed him, dipping low to the ground as he staggered back and out of the fog. Then, snapping backwards unexpectedly, he bent backwards just far enough to batter the pegasus knight into death, before turning his attention back towards the Dark Smoke.
((Will Save: 1d20 +7 (will) +3 (wis) +2 (racial) = 28. I'm going to go with no dice on the smoke's little effect there.
Charge to the spot right below Gail's Knight and pound him, then toss the rest of the attacks back at the Smoke.
Haste Atk: 1d20 +5 (bab) +8 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (wpn foc) +2 (charge) +2 (spikes) -1 (size) = 25
Dmg: 3d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +12 (str) +10 (spikes) +10 (brambles) = 59
FoB Atk 1: 1d20 +5 (bab) +8 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (wpn foc) +2 (charge) +2 (spikes) -1 (size) = 24
Dmg: 1d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +12 (str) +10 (spikes) +10 (brambles) = 51
FoB Atk 1: 1d20 +5 (bab) +8 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (wpn foc) +2 (charge) +2 (spikes) -1 (size) = 21
Dmg: 1d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +12 (str) +10 (spikes) +10 (brambles) = 49
FoB Atk 1: 1d20 +0 (bab) +8 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (wpn foc) +2 (charge) +2 (spikes) -1 (size) = 22
Dmg: 1d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +12 (str) +10 (spikes) +10 (brambles) = 51))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:25 pm
((Next deadline: Tuesday evening, late.))

Posted by: Rusty Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:53 pm
*Ombligo chirps a response to Gilliam.* : "Thanks!" *The magic creature then turns his sights on one of the Erinyes, shooting a Lightning Bolt at her.* ((Preferrably whatever looks hurt the most - and whatever I can see. If I need to move, I will.
SR check: 14 + 12 = 26. Pass!
Damage: 1 1 4 5 2 4 6 3 4 6 = 36 electrical damage. REF save DC 20 for half damage.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Apr 08, 2007 11:55 pm
Sorel lays into the Hamatula once more. ((to-hits of 31, 30, 26, 32, 26 damages (only on the 30+ to-hits) of 19, 23, 15 before DR all damage counts as good-aligned and magic))

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:16 pm
Langston tucked the rapier toward his side and quickly took to the south to aid Sorel, casting a quick "Hiya" to the confused girl who appeared to be either an ally or simply a really lost devil. With a quick motion he brought Broderbund forward in a slash, gritting his teeth against the tear of flesh.
((Att : 18 + 6(BAB) + 6(DEX) +1(Haste) +1(Wpn) +2(Flank) = 34 Threat!
Threat Roll: 13 + 6 + 6 + 1 +1 + 2 = 29
Damage: 5+1 = 6 (x2 if crit)
Sacred Strike: 2 + 4 + 4 = 10))

Posted by: Tarethen Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:16 am
Farain's stomach ached from the gashes that were there, some blood trickling onto the ground, only settling small particles of dust. He watched at Ombligo fired lighting at one of the Erinyes, lifting his arrow to add a bit more punch to those bolts.
((Stay, attack, hasted.
Attack 1:
1d20: 18 + 6(dex) + 6(bab) + 1(haste) = 31
Attack 2:
1d20: 2 + 6(dex) + 2(bab) + 1(haste) = 11
Attack 3:
1d20: 11 + 6(dex) + 6(bab) + 1(haste) = 24.
Damage 1:
2d6: 6 + 6 +6(str) + 1(magic) = 19.
Damage 2:
2d6: 5 + 3 +6(str) + 1(magic) = 15
Damage 3:
2d6: 1 + 6 +6(str) + 1(magic) = 14. ))

Posted by: Sighrus Tue Apr 10, 2007 6:37 am
The world around the maiden seems to blur and shudder from the impact of the knight's lance, a numb calm nearly sending her toppling before a rush of fresh pain caused her to bite back a cry. She was still struggling to stand when the sudden whistling of an arrow flew by her, drawing a light scratch on her cheek as a small drop of blood ran down her face. She had barely felt the tiny sting of the arrow, the sharp shock of the massive gouge in her side drowning out the other aches and wounds on her body. Noting the monk's sudden asistance, she downs another potion, the hole in her side closing somewhat as the healing enters her system as she moves along the nearby rampart.
[Move 2 spaces northeast, 2 spaces east, drink a potion.
4d8+7=15(5,5,2,3)+7=22.
4 + 22 = 26.
Fighting Defensively for an AC of 31.]

Posted by: Knight_019 Tue Apr 10, 2007 1:38 pm
((I'm assuming that peg knight is dead. If not, attack it instead)) *Mahler is left with few options. While he could continue the fight on the other side of the fortress against the devilish orcs and the final gate, such an action would be far from prudent. Instead, there remained a few cleanup issues to be resolved. Mahler trods around the armored statue, then proceeds to place a stone fist through the gaseous form of the mist demon.*
((Move to the space between the demon and the statue.
Miss Chance: 26.
To hit: 1d20 + 19 = 8 + 19 = 27.
Damage: 4d8 + 11 = 1 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 11 = 20.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Tue Apr 10, 2007 2:33 pm
((Above post edited and attack action added. I missed though, so it doesn't really matter.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:38 pm
Graigus batters down the Pegagus Knight until he stops moving, his staff then swirling through the Dark Smoke in unison with Mahler's fist until the creature was scattered to the winds. ((Dead, dead.)) Ombligo's bolt wings an Erinyes as Farain sends a pair of arrows into the devil. Burning blood runs freely down the devil's side, but she does not fall.
Gorrik hammers away at the Hellfire Cannon next to him, but only manages to destroy another power gem.
((Rolled very bad... I'd reconsider the whole rolling offer.))
: "Aw, poor kitty," Cynthia says, noting Sorel's wounds and laying a hand on the massive beast's flank. Holy power surges through Sorel, healing him of a very large wound. Cynthia happily hums a tune and walks towards the gate as Sorel, feeling refreshing and invigorated, tears apart his foe, the final blow dealt by Langston's rapier.
((Cynthia casts Heal Level 3 (Cure Critical Wounds). Sorel heals 41 HP! Sorel and Langston slay the Hamatula!))
Sonnette drinks another Healing Drop, her wounds slowly lessening.
((Healed 20 HP.))
Ruburan dashes up the side of the keep wall in an astounding feat of agility and superhuman skill, landing on the roof with nary a sound. Despite this and his invisibility, he is met with a hail of arrows, some of which hit.
: "Invisibility?" Aelisnyx asks, amused.
: "Ah, right... That whole devilish sight thing... Blast! Well take a gift from me anyway!" Ruburan says as he unstraps and flings a massive shuriken at the nearest Erinyes, the magical throwing star striking the devil, then turning around in the air and striking her again and again and again, seemingly of its own accord before returning to Ruburan's hand.
((Hit, Miss, Hit, Miss. 24 damage to Erinyes in the backright. Without Sneak Attack, Ruburan is far less of a monster...))
With two mighty strokes, Max's Hamatula is laid low by the great hero, but a rain of fire slams into the amassed heros as the Lesser Demon bellows a power word.
((Blaze 2 for 30 fire damage. Langston, Cynthia, Farain, Max, Kayla, Gilliam, Ombligo, and Arbeiten must roll a Ref save of 18 for half damage. Cynthia and Max pass, Gilliam fails.))
Gilliam growls as he whirls and targets the Lesser Demon with his chest laser, the beam of light lashing out to hit only air as the devil wheels in the sky.
((Miss.))
A single arrow strikes Gorrik in the midst of his demolition attack, more clanking off his shield.
((Hit, Miss, Miss, Miss. 12 damage+4 fire damage to Gorrik.))
Another arrow wings Graigus, shot by a nervous Devil Archer.
((Hit, Miss. 4 damage to Graigus.))
The Dark Shaman strides up, taking position behind one of the Orc Lords before uttering a spell. Graigus finds himself suddenly weakened.
((Dispel Magic: Dispelled Lion's Charge, no more FA on charge for you.))
Next turn!
http://www.alphaalec.com/SFCWIIIDevilBase16.PNG

Posted by: Aldur Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:49 pm
Kria blinks as she looks at the tent in front of her. She smiles, reaching in, pulling out a healing potion clearly visible, along with some other goodies. She swiftly glugs down another potion, deposting the rest in her pouch as she moves swiftly up against the wall, sword up and waiting for any arrows a certain Erinyes may send her way. She looks down at Tanis and pouts. "Damnit, I was hoping to slap you down for carrying me over that altar. Ah well, I'll scream later!"
((Kria finds 3 Healing drops and a mana potion! She drinks one and moves against the centre battlement. As close as she can get on the ground in front of Tanis.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:57 pm
Sorel charges through the gate with a defiant roar, green eyes shot with red. He skids to a stop at the corpse of Astrid. He stares at it for a moment before lifting his eyes to the coven of Erinyes raining arrows on the battlefield. The druid roars again, but this time, his roar carries only to the ears of the fiendish archers, who feel the wind sucked out from beneath their wings as they come crashing to the ground.
((Downdraft cast on the roof of the keep. Everyone falls 100', REF DC 22 for half. If they hit anything on the way down, they take 1d6 damage for every 10 feet they fell
HP 80/80, AC 34))

Posted by: Tarethen Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:31 pm
((Ref: 1d20: 6 + 12(REF) = 18. Takes 15 damage. Farain is at... 1 HP. More forthcoming.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:58 am
((Reflex Save: 13 + 14 = 27 I'll post my actual action later.))

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:20 am
((Would you be kind enough to roll reflex for me?)) "Mitula..." Arbeiten murmurs to himself, "Now would be an awfully nice time for you to help us out. I'm not asking for a divine intercession here, but a bit of guidance? That would really help. Please, Mitula. Tell us how to win."
Even as his hands weave the intricate patterns of a holy blessing, he continues to talk quietly to himself, speaking as simply and as straightforward as he always had to his goddess. "I know you hate killing, and I realize that's exactly what I'm asking you to show us how to do. But if we fall here, what's going to happen to your children elsewhere? As far as I know, we're their best hope for stopping the demons. And you know better than I do what the demons will do if they get past here. I hate to ask this of you, the Goddess of Mercy, but show mercy to the innocent of the world by denying mercy to those who would make them suffer endlessly. Help us, and help us quickly. We're dying."
((Arbeiten moves to wherever he should to hit the most people, and casts a mass cure spell.))

Posted by: Nightmare Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:18 am
((Note: Gorrik didn't actually smash the cannon, he actually drank a potion, as he's almost dead, and I was atually going ot make that post, but TUM updated earlier than expected. So he gulped two potions over last round, and this round. total HP healed = 49
Total HP = 35/130 [17/113] Defensive Stance lasts for
8 turns - however many it's been in effect.))

Posted by: Rusty Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:39 am
((Roll for the save: natural 17 - pass. Since I'm apparently hasted, move towards Astrid and fire a Lightning Bolt to hit many, many opponents. Boo. Yeah. And yes, I'm shooting through the tent.)) *Ombligo growls in pain as he hurries inside, spotting a large cluster of foes. He attempts to line up the shot through the tent, sending a strong Lightning Bolt crashing through it.*
: CHUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!
((Yeah...
LB:
5 6 6 4 2 3 6 4 3 2 = 41 electrical damage. REF save DC 21 for half damage.))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:23 pm
The dwarf took another long swig of a potion, his wounds fading until the most greivous were all but unnoticeable. ((Drink CCW potion, on the defensive. Cure Critical WOunds: 4d8+7 = 26 HP restore. Graigus is at 56/89.))

Posted by: Sighrus Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:26 pm
Staring down the rest of the army still amassed within the fortress, the knight started at the sudden glint of steel at her feet. In her rush to the front, she had missed an worrisome obstacle; a ring of blades circling the mage's body protectively, threatening to slice at any potential attacker. Deciding the better option would be to leave him undisturbed, Gail moves to the south, taking a glowing palm to her wounds as she prepares to charge the enemy front.
[Move 15' south, Lay on Hands self. Step cautiously over Morgan's corpse. Fighting Defensively.
Expending the rest of Lay on Hands to bring Gail's HP up to 50.
AC: 31.]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:41 am
Deadline for posting: Friday evening.

Posted by: Knight_019 Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:17 pm
*As much as Mahler would rather charge forward and take the battle to the next wave of enemies, his allies actions and caution told him otherwise. The power they had at the moment would be too overwhelming for him to charge in alone. Resigning himself for the time being, Mahler takes his second potion and pours it into his gullet. The stones making up his body seem to take on a cleaner, polished look. Knowing such delay came at a price, he prepares to receive the enemy.*
((Drink a CCW potion.
4d8 + 7 = 6 + 4 + 6 + 7 + 7 = 30/2 = 15 hp healed.
Fight defensively. AC is 31.))

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:37 pm
((REF save passed. Langerz moves in and ... that's it. He just moves in because he's too far away still. Straight north behind that statue I guess, double move.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Sat Apr 14, 2007 2:27 am
Kayla's agility serves her well in evading the devil's spell. The devilish rogue moves quickly through the gates and stops not too far from the statue. She reaches into her belt pouch and pulls out a metal vial, hastily removing the cork and downing the contents. Kayla's wounds begin to heal.
((Kayla moves 2 squares Northwest and 9 squares North, and drinks a potion of Cure Critical Wounds. She regains 31 hit points, putting her at 60/61.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Apr 14, 2007 7:36 am
The Erinyes plummet down, crashing into the roof with no real damage. Two immediately stand and fire a pair of arrows at Ruburan, who dodges each. The other Erinyes fire ineffectually into the heroes, but Aelisnyx stands, fury in her eyes. :"DRUUUUUUID!!!" she howls, launching a single arrow that strikes Sorel in the neck, missing an artery by scant centimeters.
((Nat 20! Failure to confirm. Max damage! Sorel suffers 16 damage, 6 fire damage.))
One of the Devil Archers fires a pair of arrows at Ombligo, but the wily creature swiftly activates a spell, magical winds blowing the missles away.
((Hit, Hit. Immediate action cast: Shield of Wind. Arrows ineffective and blown away.))
Sonnette fires a hail of arrows at the remaining Lesser Demon, the devil squawking pathetically as it crashes and burns... literally, into ash.
((Critical Hit! Critical Hit! Hit, hit, miss. That's a dead duck... I mean devil.))
: "Oh no! Don't move, you're too badly hurt!" Cynthia shouts, dashing over to Farain's side and placing her hands on his mangled flank. "Here..."
((Cynthia casts Heal level four! Farain regains full HP!))
: "There you go, now don't get that badly injured again, you hear? Doctor's orders!"
Arbeiten finds that his selection of mass curing spells are exhausted, as are many of his normal healing spells. Lacking much else to do, the cleric of Mitula administers a Healing Drop to Max, the only fighter within his range and also grievously injured. Max nods his thanks at the healing as he runs for the front lines.
((Cure Critical Wounds potion used. Max heals 35 HP!))
In the distance, over the din of battle, the tromp of many, many booted feet are heard. The Hellfire Cannons swivel in place, their barrels arcing higher for long distance fire.
: "Damn! You take down the devils, I'll try and demolish the Hellfire Cannons before they can fire on the Galam troops!" Max shouts.
: "Even if you army clawed its way past our ambush forces, they'll never make it through the fire we're going to rain down on them! Your hopes end here even I must die to see it through!" Aelisnyx snaps, rage dominating her face.
: "Ha! I've heard worse! We're almost through this, keep it up!" Max urges everyone.
Sylvia howls a battlecry and charges into one of the Hellfire cannons, piercing through it in one hit and causing the infernal machine to break apart in a minor series of explosions. The centaur knight grins, soot covered but unharmed as her mechanical foe falls.
((Hit. Near max damage on a PA 10 charge. The dead.))
A stray arrow from a Devil Archer strikes Kria, unable to parry it in time.
((Hit, miss. 4 damage to Kria.))
Gilliam moves up, holding his now empty chaingun as a club.
: "It's been fun, kiddies, but I'm out of energy and you seem like you can handle the rest. Good luck!" Ruburan yells from the roof as he throws down a smoke bomb and vanishes.
The Dark Shaman slams his staff into the ground and utters several blasphemies, pointing at the Shining Force.
((Dispel Magic cast. Haste from the wand has been dispelled.))
Ombligo then counters with a devastating lightning bolt that electrocutes and sets on fire the Cult Sorceror maintaining the last gate's energies. The Devil Gate slowly darkens as arcane power stops feeding into it. Several Orcs are tossed around by the lightning bolt as well, though the Necromancer agilely steps away.
((Save made: Necromancer. Half damage.))
The Necromancer moves up and points at the advancing forces of Light.
"Burn in hell, Shining Force! Blaze!" the magic user yells as a hail of fire rains down on Graigus, Gail, Kayla, Gorrik, Langston, Mahler, and Morgan's body.
((35 fire damage to all listed, REF save for half. Depending on how much was subdual, I think Morgan dies...))
"Traitor to devilkind! Suffer!" one of the Devil Archers shouts at Kayla, firing a pair of arrows at her with his partner. Of the four, only two hit, causing light damage.
((Hit, Hit, Miss, Miss. 11 damage total to Kayla.))
Shortly after Arbeiten finishes his prayer, he hears the flapping of wings approaching. A birdman... no, woman, with pure white feathers and clad in full battle gear, approaches the battle!
: "Ian told me all about the situation. I'm here to help!"
Next turn!
http://www.shinola.radh.com/guest/Rusty/SFCWIIIDevilBase17.PNG

Posted by: Dark Maiden Sat Apr 14, 2007 4:15 pm
((Reflex Save: 11 + 14 = 25. Unless the DC is crazy high, Kayla takes no damage from the Blaze spell.)) Kayla nimbly dodges the fire that rains down upon them, only to be hit by two arrows. She glares at the Devil Archer that had called her a traitor and shot at her. Her eyes flicker from ice blue to bright red for a brief moment and then back again. Kayla scoffs and turns her attention away from the archer.
((Gonna hold my action for a few posts to see what some of the others do.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Apr 14, 2007 8:25 pm
((DC is 18, sorry.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sat Apr 14, 2007 8:42 pm
Sorel bucks his head downward, the burning arrow snapping lose from his neck. Tensing, he bounds off to the east, his eyes fixed on the squad of orcs. A growl rumbles in his throat, and water vapor wafts from his nostrils, as if he had a cloud in his throat. Green eyes turn ice blue briefly, and Sorel roars, a torrent of frigid air running from his jaw.
((Boreal Wind cast, on the 20' wide strip that includes all of the orcs, and extending 800' back, hitting everything in its path - it does everything a hurricane force wind would be expected to do, knocking over tents, putting out torches and campfires, etc.
Everything in the path takes 28 cold damage, and must make a DC 23 Fort Save or be blown back 30'
HP 58/80, AC 34))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:38 pm
((The save DC is 18; considering I rolled a 17 and my racial bonus to saves versus spells alone bring me to 19, I"d like to say I passed and take no damage. Evasion for the win, bitches.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Apr 15, 2007 8:05 am
((Posting deadline is tommorrow night.))

Posted by: Nightmare Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:42 pm
((Gorrik gulps a potion of CSW, and whatever he heals is his HP.))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:28 am
((Charge to the shaman and bust his ass. FoB Atk 1: 1d20 +5 (bab) +8 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (wpn foc) +2 (charge) +2 (spikes) -1 (size) = 25 Dmg: 1d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +12 (str) +10 (spikes) +10 (brambles) = 50. If he somehow survives, Fort save or die.))

Posted by: Aldur Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:35 am
"Do you feel it Aelisnyx? The helplessness of defeat? Of knowing what's going to happen and not being able to change it? That's what's happening here." Kria shook her head and smiled wistfully up at the Greater Devil, eyes tranquil. "So then. It's time to finish this. En guarde Devil! And let us make it the last time either one of us has the displeasure of crossing blades!"
Shadowly wings burst from Kria's back, previously left unattended. The warlock shot an eldritch blast at the Erinyes before charging after her, blade held at the ready, eyes cold. Set. Determined. "Go ahead. Shoot me. I dare you..."
((EB Attack Roll: 4+7+6=17 ranged touch.
Damage: 15. Now beside Aelisnyx. IE: Right in front of her face. So shooting = bad unless she likes some AoO.))

Posted by: Sighrus Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:02 am
The paladin is almost caught unaware by the firestorm, raising her shield at the last second for cover, searing bolts cascading over the shell of iron as they poured onto the ground. Seeing no opportunity to add to the enemy casualties, she merely moves forward, her wounds sealing as she drinks her last, azure-colored potion.
[Ref save: 1d20(3)+9+whatever the hell Max is giving=pass. I think.
Take move action to end up one step north from the northwest corner of the tent, drink last CCW potion.
4d8[7,3,1,1]+7=19 HP recovered.
33+19=52 HP.
Fighting Defensively for an AC of 31.]

Posted by: Rusty Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:20 am
((Shooting the same Erinyes I hurt the other round.)) *Noting the oncoming arrows, Ombligo shoots a Lightning Bolt at an Erinyes.* ((SR check: 11 + 12 = 23. Pass. Damage: 2 4 1 2 2 6 6 2 6 3 = 34 electrical damage. REF save DC 22 for half damage.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:22 am
((Deadline for next posting is Wednesday afternoon.)) The four Orc Lords that Ombligo had earlier wounded fall, their burns now covered in ice. Staggering in the cold is the Necromancer, blinking as he drops to his knees. "Im... Impossible... We... cannot fail..." the necromancer murmurs before collapsing in death.
The impossibly strong winds also blow back one of the surviving Orc Lords, causing him to tumble head over heels until he lands next to Sylvia. The female knight turns and grins.
: "Now that's what I call service! For the honor of Palcanon!" Sylvia cries as she stabs the enemy with her lance over and over until the orc dies.
The remaining Orc Lord stabs at Sorel again and again with his spear, but is unable to land a hit on the ferocious druid.
Gorrik drinks a drop of healing, his wounds sealing a little.
((Gorrik uses the Cure Serious Wounds potion! Gorrik heals 21 HP!))
The Shaman heals back the wounds the icy breath of the druidic lion causes, the defunct gate preventing him from moving back as his rear side slams into it. However, his healing is pointless, as the drunken master monk Graigus Stonemead slams into the Shaman with even more force than the hurricane had. Unable to stand the shock of being forced to near death, the Shaman's body gives. The spellcaster collapses, his heart bursting in his chest and blood pouring from the massive wound inflicted by Graigus.
Kria's blast of energy strikes Aelisnyx on the side of the face, leaving a nasty burn mark there and knocking Aelisnyx's face to the side. Aelisnyx turns back and glares at Kria, dropping her bow and drawing a slim, black longsword with beautiful wings of ebony forming the hilt. The sword bursts into flames as Aelisnyx levels it at Kria.
: "I'll slice you from head to loin, then make an instrument from your internals. You're about to pay for your pride, cat," Aelisnyx hisses as she lunges at Kria, the feline warlock barely able to parry the blow before another strike slashes at her chest, the burning blade seeking and finding her lungs before withdrawing and jabbing forward again. Kria manages to ignore the pain, though, and immediately parries the weapon aside, seeing an opening.
((Miss, Critical Hit!, Critical Miss! AoO on Aelisnyx. 24 damage to Kria, 2 fire damage to Kria.))
A single arrow flies towards Ombligo, Langston already rushing to take down the offending archer.
((Miss, Hit. 5 damage to Ombligo.))
Max slashes the Chaos Breaker back and forth, up and down on the Hellfire Cannon, the ancient blade slicing through the infernal contraption as easily as a welding torch through snow. The artillery piece detonates and collapses in on itself.
"Don't you turn your back to me, you b*tch!" the rampart archer shouts at Kayla.
The same archer that called Kayla a traitor fires on her again, the arrow piercing through her chest with frightening force.
((Critical Hit! Miss! 24 damage to Kayla.))
A pair of arrows from the other archer on the ramparts bury themselves in Farain's flanks. The pain is bad, but the wounds aren't even close to the worse the centaur had endured.
((Hit, hit! 11 damage total to Farain.))
Cynthia looks around, her head frantically jerking from place to place. She moves towards Sonnette first, then towards Arbeiten, then towards the center of battle, then she stamps her foot and looks frustrated.
: "Ah! Everyone stop moving around! I can't... Oh... Oh, spirit-spit! I wanted to save this, but..." the diminutive healer rushes forward, chanting strongly before shouting, "Mitula rain down your love! Ultimate Aura!"
A wave of healing washes over those assembled as a gentle rain falls on the battlefield for a few seconds. The rain absorbs into the skins of those fighting, sealing wounds, healing burns, and washing away tears of pain. A wonderful warmth seems to nudge the souls of those touched by this rain. The only one unaffected is Gilliam, who stares at the miracle around him with his unreadable, robotic expression. Gilliam holds out his hand, cupping it to catch some of the downpour. However, the mystical rain swiftly evaporates as it pools in the cyborgs' hand. Gilliam lets his hand fall back to his side and moves forward.
((Aura level four: Mass Heal. Everyone is healed of 200 HP, except for Mahler who heals 100, IIRC. And Gilliam, who is unaffected.))
The Erinyes fire into the heroes once more, reopening a few wounds as their arrows seek out their targets.
((Hit, Miss, Hit, Hit, Miss. Sorel takes 12 damage. Gorrik takes 15 damage. Ombligo takes 17 damage.))
The Devil Hydra moves up, twelve heads rearing back and twelve heads striking at the monk. Graigus twirls his staff around, beating back one, two, three of the heads, and yet still they strike. His agility strained to the limit, the monk dances around the battlefield, avoiding yet more blows as the serpentine monster manages to clamp down several heads on his arms and legs, finally rendering him immobile as more heads bite into the dwarf. Flesh is torn and blood spilt as the monster feeds on the hero... But when the hydra withdraws, Graigus still stands, breathing hard and fighting to stay conscious.
((Many hits. 87 damage total to Graigus. Graigus is at 2 HP.))
Aelisnyx watches with horror as most of the damage wrought to the heroes vanishes in a few moments.
: "This can't be happening... Call our reserves back from the Galam front now!"
"Milady... the Army engaging Galam has been wiped out... there are no reserves left!"
: "Then pull back our outer patrols immediately! I won't lose here... I CAN'T LOSE HERE!!!"
More devils appear outside the gate to the inner keep, but they find themselves blocked by a winged and armored figure, flying scant feet above the ground.
: "Oh ho, is this the best they can do? I'll keep these off your back, finish off their commander!"
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2415/sfcwiiidevilbase18bi2.png
Next Turn!

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:46 am
"Graigus, my pupil... come for a moment," an aged man said, his robes barely wrinkled despite the lack of ironing. As always, Master Quialis seemed to transcend the natural, though he always taught that one should be to the contrary. "Yes, Master?" the dwarf said, bowing to his fellow monks before striding across the leaf-covered path from the teaching grounds to the dining hall.
"Come to me, my child... I know you are to depart in a few minutes, but I have something for you," the elderly human replied, beckoning with his staff.
"Master... your teachings have been more than enough," the martial artist said as he walked, stopping in front of his teacher.
"And yet, you have much to learn, my little monkey. Or at least, you believe so... is this not why you accepted Chu Rao's offer?"
"It is an honor to even be considered, much less accepted by such a legend," Graigus said, lowering his head. "It is something that I have wanted, Master, for a long time."
"I do not believe your path is to frequent taverns and slosh about half-sober, my child... I have said this before, and though it is your dream I must ask you once more to reconsider."
"I have made up my mind, Master," the dwarf said, his head lowering further. "I am sorry."
"If you will not take my last piece of advice for the near future... at least take me with you," he said, extending his staff towards the monk.
"Master Qualis... I can't take your staff from you," the martial artist replied in disbelief. "It's been by your side for years... what will you use?"
"My little monkey, there are many branches in the forest... but not all of those branches bear fruit," Quialis said. "I have seen you grow and blossom like a sapling growing into a great oak, and nothing has made me prouder. You have no weapon besides your fists, my child, and to send you out defenseless would be a mistake I could not forgive."
"Master..."
"Take it, Graigus... consider it my final lesson. I teach you now to carry something of those who have touched you, those who have helped you along the way. Your lot is to fight... not because you want to, but because you must. That is the true fight, the most noble fight of all... and without the support of those who care, your fists will flail in vain. So take my staff with you, my little monkey... use it to reach where normal means cannot. I can lean on any piece of wood... I want you to feel that you can lean on me anywhere. When your legs cannot hold, I will support you; when your legs cannot dodge, I will defend you; and when your arms cannot reach, I will strike for you."
"Sometimes the monkey doesn't climb the tree to get the fruit," Graigus panted, blood dripping from every inch of his body. "Sometimes... the best way is to knock the fruit down!"
It started with a single step, pushing off his foot with all the energy he could muster. Gripping the staff in both hands, each arm away from the center by the length of his shoulder, he punched with his right arm, dragging the staff through the air and into the Hydra's body.
"Drunken..."
Pulling his right arm back, he punched with his left simultaneously, striking the beast once more. It roared loudly, all twelve heads shrieking in pain as its insides were crushed faster than it could regenerate them.
"Monkey..."
Repeating the initial blow, he drove the weapon home with such force that blood immediately splurted from each head, their cries fading into a sick gargling of death.
"Shakes..."
Letting the weapon rebound off the gigantic carcass, Graigus spun to his right, twisting his body so that the staff was straight up as he turned to face the Orc Lord. Continuing the motion, the weapon came down on the beast's head, bones crunching as the dwarf's arm continued down until his left shoulder faced his target.
"The..."
And with one final motion, as if he were jumping to grab an apple, the drunken boxer leapt into the sky, thrusting the end of his staff in his right hand upward with so much force that, when it connected with the Orc Lord's chin, the pig-like soldier's head snapped back so hard that his skull hit his back, dislocating two vertebrae before his lifeless body hit the ground.
"TREE!"
Landing hard, Graigus dropped to his knee, raising up with the support of his master's staff. Surveying the battlefield, he dared the remaining enemies to come with a singular glare that seemed powerful enough to shake a tree into a pile of twigs.
SPECIAL UNLOCKED!
Graigus learned Fists of Fury!
((Graigus stays put, using Fists of Fury; he drops four Stunning Fist attempts to gain two extra attacks, striking the hydra three times before turning the extra two attacks on the Orc Lord.
FoB Atk 1: 1d20 +5 (bab) +8 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (wpn foc) +2 (charge) +2 (spikes) -1 (size) = 24
Dmg: 1d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +12 (str) +10 (spikes) +10 (brambles) = 47
FoB Atk 2: 1d20 +5 (bab) +8 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (wpn foc) +2 (charge) +2 (spikes) -1 (size) = 29
Dmg: 1d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +12 (str) +10 (spikes) +10 (brambles) = 45
FoB Atk 3: 1d20 +5 (bab) +8 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (wpn foc) +2 (charge) +2 (spikes) -1 (size) = 33
Dmg: 1d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +12 (str) +10 (spikes) +10 (brambles) = 47
FoB Atk 4: 1d20 +5 (bab) +8 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (wpn foc) +2 (charge) +2 (spikes) -1 (size) = 34
Dmg: 1d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +12 (str) +10 (spikes) +10 (brambles) = 53
FoB Atk 5: 1d20 +5 (bab) +8 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (wpn foc) +2 (charge) +2 (spikes) -1 (size) = 31
Dmg: 1d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +12 (str) +10 (spikes) +10 (brambles) = 50
Status of the Hydra and Orc Lord: D-E-A-D.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:58 am
Somehow I missed this, so... This is part of the update. Ombligo's lighting causes one Erinyes to shake and jitter in place, paralyzing her for Farain to take down with a masterful headshot. ((Ombligo knocks the Erinyes down to 10 HP, Farain kills her with a critical hit for 45 damage.))
There.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:03 am
Sorel lifts his head to the roof of the keep and the battle there. He watches it silently, making no movement. His mane begins to puff out, each hair bursting with static. He roars, and a coppery smell bites the noses of the devil archers as a bolt of lightning arcs between them, hitting the Erinyes that stood in the path with full force.
((Arc of Lightning cast, hitting the two devil archers and everything in the line between them for 36 electricity damage
they all failed their saves, TUM
HP 80/80, AC 34))

Posted by: Aldur Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:09 pm
Kria gasps in pain and then laughs suddenly, lunging with her sword for the opening Aelisnyx had missed.all her wounds evaporating just as swiftly as the rain. She smiles at Aelisnyx, shaking her head. "Me? Prideful? I'm not the one who is about to lose my fortress because I was so complacent about my enemies. Indeed, I feel you are one who will pay for her pride. I pity you not. You must be eliminated, for the good of the world we believe in!"
Kria's holy blade seems to sing through the air, and yet she fumbles her second hit on the return, her blade going wide.
((AoO: 27 to hit.
Damage: 6+3+2+5+4+1 = 21.
Attack 1: 26 to hit.
Damage: 4+3+2+2+4+1 = 16.
Attack 2: 13 to hit.))

Posted by: Knight_019 Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:14 pm
((You know, when you post on Sunday "tomorrow night," and then update Sunday evening, that's misleading. I thought you meant tonight. Using "Wednesday Afternoon" is more precise, so thanks for this one. Kudos on Cynthia. Reflex: 1d20 + 8 = 8 + 8 = 16. Fail.))
*The flames wash over Mahler, and while his aura flickers, beginning to shield him from part of the blast, it is not enough to evade its full effects. Mahler feels unstable, but he knows he must press on, even if unto his end. Superheated stones on his body begin to pop and send shards everywhere, but still he begins to walk forward, slowly and labored.
Then, a shower of gold.
The waves of healing break against his body, yet mend each stone back to its near perfect condition from when he was first created. Mahler looks around, looking for the source of such healing power. The blue haired girl... Cynthia. He looks back to her and nods.*
((Kno: Relig: 1d20 + 9 = 8 + 9 = 17))
: Thank you. Now, there is something I have been meaning to do for some time...
*Mahler's voice simply trails off, and he turns back toward the Eastern side of the fortress. The tent, tattered yet still standing, served as but an obstruction, but also a tool. A tool of surprise. Mahler rushes forward, bounding toward it at top speed. The hurtling golem does not stop nor give pause upon reaching the tent's boundary. He crashes through it, tearing a Mahler-sized hole through the side. Still he continues, barreling out the other side, fists first, then with his arms in the air. He spots a slew of demons on the other side, then stares them down. Straps of cloth blow in the breeze. Whether caused by battle or wind, he could not say. Mahler wastes no time, then spouts a challenge.*
:DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?
*Mahler stomps.*
: I'M A JUGGERNAUT, AND I'M HERE TO KNOCK YOU ALL DOWN.
*With naught else, Mahler cracks his knuckles, the sound of stone separating and crashing together resounding from the walls of the keep. He shakes out his arms, raises his fists, and prepares to do battle.*
((Mahler charges 11 squares to the right, landing 3 squares South of the Orc Lord.
Strength Check to break the tent: 1d20 + 10 + 2 = 11 + 13 = 24, plus any bonuses for charging, greater powerful charge, and armor spikes.
Intimidate Check once on the other side: 1d20 + 10 = 15 + 10 = 25, plus any bonuses for being awesome.
Fight Defensively. AC 30.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:06 pm
Kayla grunts in pain as the arrow pierces her chest. The devilish Rogue winces as she removes the arrow from her body, and she looks as if she is about to reach for another potion. Then the healing rain falls, soothing her pain and healing her wounds. Kayla looks over her shoulder at Cynthia for a moment, and while she does not say anything, she nods to the healer. She glances at the archer that had not only called her a traitor, but a bitch as well. The young woman speaks in a calm tone.
"I was never on your side to begin with, so how can I be a traitor? Just because I have demon blood in my veins doesn't mean that I owe allegiance to your kind." Kayla looks as if she is about to say something else, but she purses her lips and decides against it.
((Kayla moves 5 squares West, 2 squares Southwest, and 4 squares West. That should put her in the square Northeast of Langston. Since that was a double move, that's all she can do this turn. I'd also really love to know which archer is cussing me out ))

Posted by: Rusty Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:21 am
*Ombligo howls in pain from the arrows.* : "That's it!! We're ending this now! Devils, the name's Ombligo - remember it!" *Ombligo looks to Aelisnyx, snarling in anger. All this death - all this pain and sorrow - organized by her. He focuses all of his attention on her, casting his strongest spell at her.*
((Sometimes you just have those days.
http://www.shinola.radh.com/guest/Rusty/Wow.gif))
*Not one, but two lances of lightning strike at Aelisnyx.*
((SR check: 19 + 12 = Yeah.
Lightning Lance #1:
Roll to hit...20. Confirming...12 + 4 [BAB] + 2 [DEX] + 1 [size] + any other buffs = 19?? ranged touch attack. Might even be higher. That may confirm, so I'm going to treat it like it did.
Damage: (6+4+1+2+5+1+2+4+3+3 = 31 electrical damage)x2 + (4+2+6)x2 = 62 electrical damage (FORT save DC 21 for half damage) + 24 untyped damage.
Lightning Lance #2:
Roll to hit...18 + 4 [BAB] + 2 [DEX] + 1 [size] = 25 ranged touch attack. Yeah.
Damage: (4+6+6+5+6+3+4+5+2+5 = 46 electrical damage, FORT save DC 21 for half damage) + (4+4+2 = 10).
))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Apr 17, 2007 4:31 am
Aelisnyx reels back from the twin lightning blasts, feathers flying as her wings are scorched and burnt along with her body. When the magic fades, the fiend remains though, eyes burning red.

Posted by: Tarethen Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:26 pm
Farain winched only slightly from the arrows that hit him, quickly shoving off the sting of pain. He lifted his bow and shot two arrows in the direction of an Erinyes. (( Attack 1: 1d20: 10 + 6(bab) + 6(dex) = 22. Attack 2:
1d20: 19 + 2(bab) + 6(dex) = 27.
Damage 1:
2d6: 1 + 4 +6(str) + 1(magic) = 12.
Damage 2:
2d6: 4 + 6 +6(str) + 1(magic) = 17. ))

Posted by: Rusty Tue Apr 17, 2007 11:36 pm

QUOTE (Tarethen @ Tue Apr 17, 2007 5:26 pm)
1d20: 10 + 6(bab) + 6(dex) = 22. Attack 2: 1d20: 19 + 2(bab) + 6(dex) = 27.

((Farain's BAB is actually 7/2.
The first attack is at least 23, the second, at least 28. Just letting you know.))

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:03 am
Arbeiten starts examining the building in front of the team, looking for a way to reach the demonic commander.

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Wed Apr 18, 2007 6:01 am
((24 and 29; he left out the +1 from his bow.))

Posted by: Sighrus Wed Apr 18, 2007 11:30 am
Sky blue irises darted along the length and breadth of the fortress walls, examining the battle that had scored the ground with blood and bodies. It was almost over. The end of this war, the victory they had all struggled so long to reach had been made real, and was here, now, simply waiting for them. A few more moments, some more seconds of strife...and it would be done. The knight fixed her gaze ahead and wiped a small river of blood from her lips, tightening the grip in her arms as she prepared to march onward.
Then the rain began.
She first felt a single drop across her slashed cheek, looking up as she moved to touch the wound, expecting to draw back running blood and the fresh sting of pain. When the hand touched, there was nothing; just smooth skin, unbloodied, unharmed. The Light's blessing fell from the vast open skies above, washing away the wounds of the present and the scars of the past, the blood and death flowing away from the torn battlefield. It was what was needed; for this conflict to be only a memory. A wave of serenity crashed over the maiden, caused her to stand and drink in the temporal peace that surrounded her in this, a shower of gold.
The gift ended as soon as it came, reversing the damage done and departing without a sound. No sooner had it ended than the attack began again in earnest, a fearsome beast nearly tearing a good friend into pieces as it wolfed down torn flesh and blood. Instinct takes over as she moves, almost reaches for him to get back, to retreat for aid - but then the monk erupts, raining fury down to crush the abomination before stumbling back, barely keep himself upright. All it would take was a single shot to end his life...and she could not help him. All she could do was press on - and hope.
Setting her eyes on a faraway cannon, she moves ahead, a incantation and a gesture suffusing her blade with a crimson aura.
[Move 15' NW, 15' N, cast Divine Sacrifice and pay 10 HP.]

Posted by: Tarethen Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:08 pm

QUOTE (Arcdragnbreth @ Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:01 am)
((24 and 29; he left out the +1 from his bow.))

(( -1 for size penalty, Arc. ))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Wed Apr 18, 2007 11:48 pm
((Size penalty? I wasn't aware he was Large.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:42 am

QUOTE (Arcdragnbreth @ Wed Apr 18, 2007 6:48 pm)
((Size penalty? I wasn't aware he was Large.))

Everyone forgets centaurs are large

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:55 am
Graigus batters his foes into a bloody pulp. ((Gain 100 extra XP for an excellent battle post that qualified as an RP mark.)) Gilliam turns and fires his chest laser, the bright beam washing over the two Chaos Warriors and burning away their outer layer of skin just in time for Sylvia to rip one apart with a devastating series of attacks. The remaining Chaos Warrior roars at this and bestially pounds at Sylvia, who raises her shield to block the blows. Only a single hit pierces her defense, but it is a potent strike indeed, shattering ribs when it connects and causing the Knight Captain to groan in pain.
Langston and the Death Archer fence, but neither the archer's shortsword or Langston's rapier manages to land.
Arbeiten quickly determines that grappling hooks and rope would enable those not too heavy to climb the keep and reach the roof.
Cynthia rushes to Graigus' side but can't heal him yet.
An Erinyes and an Archer fall swiftly to Sonnette's bow.
: "I... I won't die until I've completed Lord Erebeus' orders!" Aelisnyx shouts defiantly, swinging her sword at Kria. Her wounds obviously have begun to take their toll, the swings poor and clumsy, only a single one landing.
((Hit, miss, miss. 9 damage to Kria.))
The remaining Death Archers fire, their arrows arcing over the battlefield to strike into Graigus and Cynthia. Cynthia shrieks a little as the arrows hit her.
((Critical Hit! Hit! Hit! Miss. 9 damage total to Graigus. 10 damage to Cynthia.))
((BTW, Cy, 15' NW/N would be trying to walk through the solid stone keep. I assume you meant to say NE.))
The Erinyes fire, only a single arrow striking the druid.
((Hit, Miss, Miss, Miss, Miss, Miss. 14 damage to Sorel.))
Next turn.
http://magic19.homestead.com/SFCW/SFCW3/SFCWIIIDevilBase19.PNG

Posted by: Dark Maiden Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:32 pm
Kayla moves in to flank the Death Archer and she attacks once with her basilard. ((Kayla moves 2 squares West and 1 square Southwest. Tumble: 17 + 20 = 37 Attack: 8 + 5 (BAB) + 7 (Dex) + 1 (Weapon) + 2 (Flank) = 23 Damage: 1 + 3 (Str) + 1 (Weapon) + 18 (Sneak Attack) - 1 (Silver) = 22
I probably didn't hit, but I posted damage just in case. Dodge to the Death Archer.))

Posted by: Aldur Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:32 pm
Kria shook her head as she easily parried the blows of the Erinyes. And sighed as the blade pierced her flesh...lightly. "Really? You're about to die. I wonder if your great lord will give a damn? Probably not. I mean, really...you seem to be a glorified pawn. So it's time to go Aelisnyx. You've been defeated by that which you want to destroy. Love. Friendship. And...those with a soul. This is...the end bitch!"
Kria lunges forwards, pressing the attack against the Greater Devil, sword slashing wildly at the source of her aggression.
((Attack 1: 24.
Damage: 20
Attack 2: 26
Damage: 25.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:54 pm
A column of holy fire bears down on the rooftop. ((Flamestrike cast, centered to hit everyone but Kria. 37 damage, half of which is fire. REF DC 24 for half SR check: 11 + 10 = 21))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:51 pm
Kria's attacks drive the fiendess back, Aelisnyx taking staggering steps behind her just in time to scream as Sorel's divine fire envelops her and the others. Dropping to her knees, Aelisnyx moans in pain before collapsing. :"Aaa.... Ahhh... My vision has failed me...” Aelis mutters, coughing up blood as she lies, collapsed on the roof. “It... How? I... I gave up everything for you, Lord Erebeus... I turned my back on my King, rebelled against my Army, and led our forces in the field... Was... Was I unworthy? You gave me your blessing... How could I lose?” the fallen one writhes on the floor, moaning in agony. “I... I don't understand... Am... Am I really just a pawn?!?! Lord Erebeus... Why have you abandoned me?!” the fallen angel shrieks once more in pain before shuddering once more and falling still.
The remaining Erinyes fly back, landing in a huddle, leaving the smoking corpses of the Devil Archers lying at the ramparts.
"Mistress Aelisnyx is dead..." one murmurs. "We cannot win this!"
"Leave Zassahd to deal with these... The death of either will honor the fallen. Come sisters, there is nothing left for us here," another says, before all take wing and disappear, teleporting away.
The Hellfire Cannons finally lock into position to fire on the Galam troops, but before they can fire, the death of Aelisnyx triggers a failsafe enchantment on each one. One by one, the wrought gold and enchanted gem fiendish cannon, framed with bone and fueled by agony, one by one they detonate, leaving naught but bits of metal and ash behind.
An odd silence falls over the battlefield, broken only by the approaching march of the Galam Army.
VICTORY!
Everyone gains the following XP...
level 9: 9000
level 10: 7500
RP XP awarded:
Kria 1300 Sorel -1200. Gail - 700. Mahler - 500. Tanis - 400.. Ombligo - 300. Kayla- 200. Farain 100, Gorrik - 200.
Within the tents surrounding the keep, the party finds 8 Healing Drops ((CCW potions)) and 4 Fairy Tears (restores 1d4+1 "spell levels")) They also find various odds and ends worth 2,000 gold.

Posted by: Aldur Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:04 pm
"May you find peace and answers in your death. I mourn you not. And now...revenge is ours. I hope you'll all find some solace in that..." Kria nodded to herself, and leapt from the keep, landing nimbly with the aid of her wings, eyes red with eldritch energy, the usually controlled power crackling like a thunderstorm about her, as she fired off a blast of Eldritch power at the door, frowning, continuing to shoot at it, teeth gritted, one thought on her mind.
((If/When the doors open, she goes inside.))
"I'm going to find Ignatius."
And with that Kria vanished from sight, heading inside the keep, to her fate and the Half Vandal who was all alone...
((Level up.
EB 5d6! Fort+1! Ref+1! Hp+9! Gained the feat: Maximise Spell like ability: Eldritch Blast. 4 Ranks in Spellcraft.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:31 pm
Sorel stands, tall and willowy, stooped by age and injury, over the battlefield. His eyes sweep over the fallen, over blasted earth, over ash and sand and blood. He looks down at Astrid, and his free hand traces an arrow wound in his side. We mere mortals...
He walks over to Dam, whose face is locked forever in an expression Sorel had never seen on it: contentment. You failed. You wanted to die alone.
He lifts his head to Max, who stands in the distance, panting and staring off into space. There are sounds more frightening than battle. There are wounds more piercing than arrows.
He shuffles over to the hero, and places a hand on his shoulder, whispering to him in a weak, hoarse voice.
: "You saved my life. Thank you." Slowly he turns around, still speaking. "Help me gather the fallen. Help me tend to the damned."

Posted by: Tarethen Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:44 pm
Farain stood silently amidst the carnage of the battle that ended. He placed his bow on his back, readjusting the quiver at his side that had become tangled. His hands were stained with his own blood from the wounds he had sustained. He stared at them momentarily and then let them fall gently to his side.
He moved a little further into the fortress to see some of the bodies of the enemy littering the ground and then looked to see a few of the archers. He sighed faintly, looking down to the ground. He lifted an arrow that lay in front of him, and then broke it in half, throwing it back down.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:25 am
((Level-Up: * HP increases by 9 * Reflex save increases by 1 * 1 rank in Bluff, 1 rank in Disable Device, 3 ranks in Hide, 1 rank in Jump, and 1 rank in Sleight of Hand * Gained the feat Mobility
* One extra 2nd level spell per day))
Kayla wipes the blood from her basilard with a cloth that she keeps on her. After the blade is clean, the rogue sheathes her sword once again, and puts the cloth away.
"We were lucky," Kayla mutters to herself as she walks away to help search the grounds. "That's all."
((I would like a Healing Drop, or money. It doesn't matter))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Fri Apr 20, 2007 1:43 am
The dwarf, like others, is silent; not out of respect for the dead, or contemplation of the enemy, or even exhaustion. It is the arrow lodged in his side, embedded in a wound no longer bleeding, which brought him perilously close to death's door.
((Graigus is at -7 after the second to last post Marine made; he rolled a 17 to stabilize, so with mods I'd like to assume he passes and is no longer bleeding out. Do what you will.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Fri Apr 20, 2007 3:10 am
Kayla notices Gragius on the ground with an arrow in his side. The rogue walks over and kneels down beside the monk, pulling a metal vial from her belt pouch. She removes the cork and administers the potion to Graigus. ((Kayla uses a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds. A 14 should bring him up to 7 HP.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:22 am
Gilliam is silent as nanites crawl over his frame, slowly repairing the robot even as he moves towards Sorel. "Where do you want me to put what?" he asks, flatly.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:27 am
Sorel gestures to Tanis. : "See that Gail presses a stone to his head. Then help me drag the dead to the center of the courtyard, here. We will wait until the army arrives to burn them."

Posted by: Aldur Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:03 pm
Within the keep, it is pitch black save for the light streaming from the breach in the massive stone doors. The first windowless room is a large antechamber, an ornate mustering room with statues and bas-reliefs of devils locked in infernal combat.
Kria sighs, looking around at the decor, shaking her head as she steps in, looking around the room for anything of interest as well as doors.
"Ssssscouting ahead, cat?" a sibiliant, hissing voice calls from deeper within the keep.
Kria heads down the hallway, walking softly as she is able, pausing for a moment, attempting to hear where the voice came from. Kria frowns, continuing down the hallway, remaining alert, pulling her sword from her sheath, eyes glowing menacingly in the dark as eldritch power crackles around her. "I'm just reclaiming something."
"Ssss, sssss, ssss..." hissing laughter comes from deeper in the keep. "Isssss your ssssssight failing you? Aelisssssnyx'ssss ssssssertainly failed her."
"Are you going to charge recklessssly ahead again? Come then, cat. Come to the inner chamber. Come alone or with friendsssss, we'll enjoy devouring you whole all the ssssame."
"Ssss? I wonder, do you have a really bad lisp? Or are you a snake? Because either way...ew." Kria frowned, flying upwards off the ground as she flew forwards down the dark, dark hallway. "Well, I dunno...
"As tempting as that is, I'm not looking for a fight. Just reclaiming some property. Go back to your plans of doom and eating the unenlightened. Don't mind me." Kria sighed and rolled her eyes, continuing down the hallway, wondering why the hell the place only had like three rooms.
Stone doors line the hallway, which seems to open up into a larger chamber further ahead. Kria landed, opening one of the smaller doors, and peering inside...
As she turns the handle she hear a noticable "click". A pin juts from the handle, piercing the skin on your hand and drawing some blood. Uproarious laughter emanates from within the larger chamber as Kria collapses unconscious.
Sorel listens at the keep entrance, springing into action suddenly. "Kria's in danger! Everyone form up and follow me!" Sorel yells, as he strides into the keep, touching his staff and allowing it to serve as a light source.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:07 pm
Sorel hunches down after finding Kria collapsed on the ground, and sees the small wound in her hand. He stretches a hand back towards the others, beckoning. : "Gail," he says, standing. "She's been poisoned. Bring one of those potions over here to wake her."

Posted by: Sighrus Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:19 pm
Gail does as the druid asks, producing a spare potion from her haversack as she moves her hand behind Kria's head, lifting it before easing the liquid spell down the warlock's throat. [Neutralize Poison potion on Kria. Should do the trick.]

Posted by: Knight_019 Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:26 pm
*Mahler hovers close behind, saying nothing, but guarding them all the same.*

Posted by: Aldur Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:27 pm
Kria wakes up with a start, cursing as she stands. "Well that's...kinda no good. Oh? Here you all are. Let's go find Ignatius then. And um, things are trapped...so maybe caution? Don't we have sneaky people for this?" She frowns looking around.

Posted by: Sighrus Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:46 pm
The knight also rises, sighing as she looks around the interior of the fortress. "We do indeed have 'sneaky people'...but I don't believe stealth was a viable option to begin with." Her eyes then widen as she realizes what the catfolk had said, turning back to her as she spoke. "Ignatius is here? Are you sure?"

Posted by: Aldur Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:52 pm
"Where else could he be? He wasn't in the battle. And it's...just a feeling. Still, We have to find him and oh yeah. Another Greater Devil is in here. He's either got a major lisp or is a snake of some sort. It's explain the poison fetish. Like, ew." Kria looked around the other doors and sighed. "He seems to know where we are and what we be doing though. So I doubt we'll get the jump. He should be in the biggest room. Sounds melodramatic enough." Kria smiled at Gail. "Thanks incidentally. For...everything."

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:01 pm
: "Zassahd," Sorel says. He looks at Kayla and Langston. "Go around and check the locks on all the doors." Then he turns to Mahler. "If either one of them gets hurt I want you to force open every door in this keep."

Posted by: Knight_019 Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:45 pm
*Mahler nods. If there was one thing he had no problem doing, it was breaking down doors. And other objects.* ((Mahler becomes Level 10 (Ftr 1/Pal 4/Jugg 2/FoR 2/LA 1)! HP increase by 15! BAB increases by 1! FORT increases by 1!
Mahler learns Extra Slam!
Some skills go up!
and for TUM's benefit: ))

Posted by: Rusty Sat Apr 21, 2007 2:15 am
((HP: +6 Skills: 1 rank Concentration, 1 rank Knowledge (arcana), 1 rank Listen, 1 rank Profession, 1 rank Spellcraft FORT: +1 REF: +1 BAB: +1
Eye of the Storm (Ex): Ignore penalties associated with ranged attack rolls and Listen checks due to high winds. Actions that are impossible in high winds (such as using ranged attacks in winds above 50 mph) are still impossible.
Another third level spell per day
Another fourth level spell per day
A new second level spell (Glitterdust)
A new third level spell (Haste)
A new fourth level spell (Assay Spell Resistance)
*Note, Lightning Bolt has been switched with Bolt 1 via DM's permission (I only had Lightning Bolt because the PrC had it as a requirement - Marine okay'd the switch - for story purposes, Ombligo learned it through a weird casting of Lightning Bolt) ))

Posted by: Sighrus Sat Apr 21, 2007 7:19 am
At first, Gail's expression is blank, stunned at the sudden showing of sincerity in the catfolk warlock. It passes quickly, however, her face soon mirroring the smile on Kria's own before she shakes her head. "Don't trouble yourself over it; I haven't done anything to warrant such. Besides, you're alright - and more importantly, still yourself. That's enough." She then muses over the information Kria had delivered. "So he is here...I was worried he had already left before the melee began." She returns her gaze to the cheiftess. "We should stay close and stay alert. Though he most likely is where you say, there are doubtless others here who would bare their fangs at us." With that, she moves to the assembled group, prepared for what could strike at them in the sanctuary of the dark.
[Gail advances to 9th level Paladin(ECL 10)!
HP increases by 11[5(base)+3(CON)+3(sword)]!
BAB increase by +1[+9/+4]!
Ref Save increases by +1[+14]!
Will Save increases by +1[+17]!
Gail gains 4 skill points[Diplomacy +1, Sense Motive +2, Concentration +1]!
Oh, and, uh...Gail gets a celestial griffin.]

Posted by: Alpha Sat Apr 21, 2007 6:52 pm
((Tanis gained a level in Fatespinner! (Warmage 7/Fatespinner 2, ECL 10) +4 hit points BAB increased by 1 Will save increased by 1 Gained one extra Fate Point per day
Gained the class ability 'Fickle Finger of Fate' (once per day, Tanis can force any creature, be it friend or foe, to reroll a roll just made. Tanis must have line of sight of the creature affected. The creature must abide by the result of the reroll, be it higher or lower than the original.
Gained a skill point in Appraise, Concentration, Knowledge (Arcana), Profession (Gamlber), Spellcraft
Gained one extra level 4 casting per day
New feat: Iron Will))

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Sat Apr 21, 2007 10:33 pm
With a nod, Langston scurried about to do as he was told, still in relatively good help but with little to say. ((Popped up the dice roller and made 6 Search Checks: 19,11,9,18,10,7 = Langston's Search + 17 And here's 6 Open Lock Checks: 18,10,10,4,9,11 = Langston's OL + 16
And Disable Devices:
11,15,13,13,4,10 = Langston's DD +17
Didn't know what/how many necessary. Not sure if I'll be on much tonight or tomorrow or Monday as I've got either Onyxia or Softball tomorrow and Softball Monday night.
Level:
Defensive Roll 2/day
Improved Evasion
HP +6
Bunch of skills +1))

Posted by: Alpha Sat Apr 21, 2007 11:49 pm
It was not like dying. Though almost identical images flitted through his mind compared to the time he almost passed on, the experience was different entirely. It was a sensation of… freedom approaching…freedom happening… the darkness inside was being driven out… finally…and for good.
The pulsing white light reaches a peak in intensity, and it consumes Tanis completely, the crystal disintegrating. As it does though, darkness expels from the warmage, melting away as it is exposed to the light. It doesn’t take long, and once the possessing devil is gone completely, the light fades. And Tanis’ orange eyes snap open.
The green catfolk finds himself propped up against a wall, with Gail sitting across from him. He looks her in the eye, and begins to speak, his words not too coherent. The guilt he is already feeling is apparent on his face.
“G…Gail, I…I…” he stops. “Where’s Kria?” he asks, fear evident in his voice.
The celestial watches silently as the crystal does its work, shielding her eyes as the light reaches its peak and smiling warmly as the catfolk comes around, the dark smoke of possession disintegrating in the air. The smile doesn't fade as he stammers out his fear, though it becomes calmer, safe in the knowledge that the warmage had returned. "She's inside, waiting with the others. There's one last battle ahead of us before we can bring this to its end." Concern crosses her face, noting his exhaustion. "Can you stand," she asks, moving next to him if that didn't prove the case.
Tanis sighs, not pleased at the prospect of more battle this day, or at facing Kria. Sighing again, Tanis awkwardly gets to his feet, using the wall he is propped up against to aid him. “It…it appears so,” he replies. “Though I won’t get…far like this. I’m…slightly worse for wear right now.” He blinks. “I know!”
The catfolk proceeds to take out a small potion bottle, and downs the contents.
((CLW… 7hp restored))
“Yes…much better. I…I can move fine now,” he tells the celestial.
The knight's eyes widen as she lifts a hand to try and stop the warmage, then grimaces when she fails, sighing at a potential failsafe used. "I suppose that will be a few less wounds for Cynthia to heal..." she muses aloud, the grimace fading as she turns back to the catfolk. "Let's head inside, then. The others should be resting up, and if it's one thing you need, it's rest."
“Oh…ok,” the warmage says, his voice filled with uncertainty. It is obvious that he is not looking forward to seeing the rest of the Force, one person in particular. Sighing once more, he musters some resolve, and moves inside with Gail, his strides evidence that he’s still in bad shape.
Gail moves beside Tanis, keeping in stride next to him if he should falter on his way. Her azure eyes flit from the path before them to the green-furred mage, and back again, wanting to help, but feeling unable to. After a while, she stops, turning to Tanis and stopping him with a hand. "Don't blame yourself for what's happened today," she says simply, her gaze level.
Tanis smiles weakly, and replies. “Thank you for your words Gail, but I do blame myself, for it was my fault.” He pauses for a few moments, then continues, a small frown on his face. “But now isn’t really the time to discuss this. Let’s…just finish up here and get away,” he says. “I don’t want to stay any longer than necessary.”
Gail releases her grip, sighing. "Right. Let's move on," she agrees, a slight grimace coming over her face as they continue in to the fortress.

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:24 am
"Sorel," Gilliam says. "Attacking in our present condition is suicidal. I recommend we pull out and allow Cynthia to heal everyone. Those potions that recover magical energy should also be distributed." Sorel casts a glance out the door. "Bring her in here," he says. "And pass out the potions."
"Sorel..."
The druid turns to face Graigus. "What?"
"Are... are you okay?"
"This is not the time," Sorel says quietly.
Kria sighed. "You can't stop to worry about things halfway through a battle. Bad, bad baaaad idea."
"Sorel will be fine, Graigus. Don't worry!" *Ombligo says, brightly.*
The monk looked down, but said nothing more on the subject. "The spell you cast, Sorel, that lets me attack more often... could you cast it again?"
"Ah, innocence even in a Devil Stronghold. Kinda...weird, but preferable to hissy man." Kria giggled, looking around. "We have things to do...so...prep time!"
Sorel frowns. "What happened to the last one? It shouldn't have faded yet."
"One of the devils made it fade," Graigus said. "I'm sorry."
Sorel touches Graigus's forehead, whispering something. "It is not your fault."
((Lion's Charge cast))
"I'll go get Tanis back on his feet," Gail said, already drawing the stone from her pack as she departs.
Kria twitched. "And after this is over...I'll be putting him back off his feet."
Sorel shakes his head. "You will forgive him."
"Indeed. And smacking him around the head and calling him an idiot will help." Kria smirked, a wry grin on her face.
"I am serious, Kria. The last thing anyone needs is to be distracted by guilt. You know Tanis, and you know that is exactly what will happen. I am asking you to forgive him."
"And making me act out of the norm will make him feel more at ease?" Kria raised an eyebrow.
"No, feel free to berate him over trivial things. Just not this."
"Well that is a tempting offer but we'll see." Kria hummed to herself, looking at the doors.
Sorel frowns.
"Can we... can we just finish this?" Graigus asked, his fist clenching around his staff. "People are... Dam Dicem died, trying to... to finish this. So can we finish, and do what we have to do?"
Kria looks sideways at Sorel, her tongue sticking out, a grin on her face.
"Ombligo, take two of the Fairy Tears, and leave one for Arbeiten and Tanis," Sorel says as they wait for Cynthia.
Kria blinks. "Um, I have one of those. Found it earlier."
"Save that one for Tanis as well, then."
"Sure sure."
Ombligo: "Okay!"
After a little while, the clanking of armor approaches and Max and Cynthia enter.
"Ah! What are you doing? You can't battle yet, I haven't healed you! Doesn't anyone listen to their doctors anymore? I swear it's I forgot to take the herbs this and I don't have time for that much sleep that... Let me see those wounds!" Cynthia finishes, rushing over to Kria first and casting a curative spell.
"I like her." Kria smirks, not needing healed since she's in tiptop shape.
"We do not have a very good track record with our doctors," Sorel says under his breath.
"You're going to press ahead already?" Max asks.
"I forgot to bring things for a picnic, so we are significantly ahead of schedule," Sorel says dryly. "Yes, we are moving now."
"The Galam Army is almost here. Sonnette and the others are going to meet them and tell them what's going on. I take it Zassahd is within?" Max asks, nodding his head at the hallway.
"Snake man lies ahead. Mentioned devouring, and he seems to...like, like poison." Kria rolled her eyes.
"As far as we can tell," Sorel says. "We have yet to see him, of course."
Max sighs. "Predictable. Is everyone ready?"
"I need another five minutes to complete repairs," Gilliam says. "And we'll need at least another to revive Tanis."
"What? The final guy holing up in a big dark fortress? I guess the legends have some truth..."
Max grins a little. "I think it's standard procedure for them nowadays. Either that or they're just really lazy."
"Yay for high melodrama! Ooo, should we pose as we enter? How about a dramatic battlecry? STOP VILE FIEND! TODAY WE END YOU!" Kria gestured threatrically.
"Perhaps we should commission a bard to travel with us and sing songs of our exploits," Sorel says.
From further down the hall, near one of the doors, you suddenly hear a thunk, as if someone dropped to the floor. This is followed by a loud snoring.
*Ombligo speaks in a small whisper.* "Sorel, should I try and see if there's any magic with this one? You never know..."
"Go over and wake up Langston," Sorel says.
"Who's to clear the rooms he's already opened?" Gilliam asks.
Sorel gestures to Gorrik. "Do you sense any evil down these doors?"
Due to the nature of their environs, the entire keep registers as evil; nothing this, the druid listened to one of the doors, then opened it when he heard nothing.
The smell of meat greeted his nostrils as he open the door to find a bloodstained stone room with many, many racks of meat.
Kria steps up behind the druid, peering over his wizened shoulder.
"Well that's...a...unique decor? And for tonight the big bad guy is a mad butcher?"
Cow, goat, sheep, elf... All sorts of butchered meat is stored here along with many casks lined up against the walls. This must be the store room.
Sorel wrinkles his nose in disgust, and shuts the door.
Kria looks around, sighing. "Ya know...I preferred Aelisnyx."
"Door number 2..." Sorel says as he again presses his ear against the door. Again he heard nothing, and again he opened the door. Kria again tags along, peering into the new room.
This room is dominated by bunk bed after bunk bed, all empty. Chests and footlockers are placed next to each bed.
Sorel shuts the door, and looks back towards the entrance. "Are Gail and Tanis back yet?"
Cynthia mills around, like a space cadet, except no one in the keep except Gilliam knows what a space cadet is.
"Cynthia," Sorel asks, "Much of our magic was depleted in the last battle. Is there anything you have that could help ys?"
VoxPVoxD (1:34:06 AM): us
"Sure, one moment," Cynthia says with a smile, muttering words of power as a feeling of strength emboldens the group.
((Mass Bull's Strength. Everyone gains +4 to Str.))
She then follows with a few prayers spoken in a heavenly tongue.
((Bless and Prayer cast on everyone.))
Sorel nods. "Thank you," he says, before calling for Max.
"Yes?" Max asks.
"Judging from the size of the keep, we are going to have trouble maneuvering in the chamber," Sorel says. "We have not had to battle in cramped quarters before. Is there anything you can suggest that would help us overcome this disadvantage?"
"Well there's the obvious strategy of keeping your strong warriors in front to take the hits... In cramped quarters, formation is everything. Make sure you set everyone up so that they can be effective at whatever it is they do without moving too much," Max says.
"It really depends on how the chamber is set up... I can't tell you too much without seeing it. Take advantage of any cover you find if they start slinging spells, though."
"That's one thing you can do indoors. Use corners and halls to your benefit.
"What is the Galam Army going to do when it arrives?"
"Secure the fort and hunt down any remnants of the devils... Assuming we're successful in killing Zassahd."
Sorel's face is grim. "Very well. We will move in, then."
((Every PC who was not dead was present for the casting of the spells; don't know about anyone else, but yeah.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Apr 22, 2007 8:53 pm
"Ssssssso glad to sssssssee you at lasssssst," the voice of Zassahd echoes as you enter the large chamber at the end of the hall. "Ssss Ssss Ssss... Have ssssssome light ssssso you may look upon your doom more eassssily." Small braziers set into the floor burst into life, revealing a floor made of huge overlapping obsidian tiles, like massive scales on the ground. Horrible statues of demons and fiends writhing in pain are scattered around the room and at its center is a large, rune inscribed dais. On this dais rests a large snake-like demon with four arms and the lower body of a serpent. His head is also that of a serpent's, fanged and with a maw that drips venom. Winged devils with greatswords stand to either side of the dais, guarding it, while monstrous serpents lurk behind. Two skeletons with bows also stand on the dais, staring at you with empty eyesockets.
Groans and moans of pain or anger come immediately from your sides as you see two hideous abominations there. Amalgamations of undead, demon, and humanoid parts bearing wicked claws and eyes that seem to emanate madness.
"Come then, let ussss not wasssste time..." Zassahd says, rearing up on his coils, each hand clasping a jagged edged sword glistening with green fluid. "Let ussss end thisssss."
Battle!

Posted by: Aldur Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:35 pm
((Spot: 22.)) Kria's eyes widen and then narrow into slits as she sees Ignatius, chained to the wall at the far end of the room, bloody and beaten. Eldritch energy crackles darkly around her, reflecting her current mood. She doesn't speak, simply ascending upwards, pointing towards the Greater Devil, pausing for a moment as she gathers up everything she has, the energy crackling and fizzing around her as she releases it, the beam of pure destruction spiralling through the air, striking the Greater Devil.
((Kria special! Eldritch Elimination! EB dice x4! Using Maximise spell like ability feat! Special autohits! 120 supreme damage to snake man. Fort save versus massive damage.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Apr 23, 2007 12:01 am
Zassahd reels back, burnt and blackened by the assault. His once glittering red scales now dull gray and black from the magic attack. "You... You'll... Pay... for that..." he gasps out. "Let'ssss ssssse how you work without relying on your precccccciousssss hero!"
Zassahd utters blasphemous incantations and Max is suddenly surrounded in a tube of shimmering light!
((Forgot to post Zassahd's theme: http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/638/12 and the battle theme: http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/2409/2 ))

Posted by: Aldur Mon Apr 23, 2007 12:11 am
"Will I? We shall see. Know this however. We did not get this far thanks to Max. We got here on our own merit! Allow us to show it to you! Feel the strength of our resolve as we push you back into the pit you belong in!" Kria bared her teeth at the Snake man, sword glimmering softly as she stared back, calmer now, her anger making her as cold as the frigid embrace of icy death.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Mon Apr 23, 2007 12:13 am
Sorel looks around quickly, before speaking to Zassahd. : "It is a pity, is it not, that these brutish monsters were not sent out to protect the fortress? A shame, truly, that the mutated death adders behind you did not aid Aelisnyx in her time of need? This is the famed order of the Devil Army, is it? A contrived facade to hide the same savagery you hold yourselves above?" Sorel chuckles, the laugh turning into a cough, eventually doubling him over.
He straightens out, wiping his mouth, but his eyes narrow as Zassahd traps Max.
: "We will not need him to beat you, demon."
He raises his staff, and clouds begin to swirl near the ceiling, thunder rumbling.
((Call Lightning cast))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Apr 23, 2007 12:23 am
Zassahd laughs, a hissing, mocking sound. "Aelisssssnyx wassssss a fool and a blind zealot... Ssssshe actually believed that the Sssstrife Lordssss would protect her... That they'd care for her. Oh ssssshe had talent, but a talented fool is sssssstill a fool!" Zassahd says, hissing with more laughter. "Ssssso I sssstopped her before her talent could threaten my possssition. The Devil Army hardly needssss thosssse without the foressssight to predict their own doom when it issss obviousssss."

Posted by: Aldur Mon Apr 23, 2007 12:38 am
Kria smirked. "Looks like they don't need you then."

Posted by: Alpha Mon Apr 23, 2007 12:41 am
Tanis enters from the back, surveying the room. He takes in the sight of Kria flying above the others, and the sight of the snakes. It is not lost on him that he and Kria met due to her screaming about snakes. He smiles weakly that she apparantly seems to be over that.
Shaking his head, and taking a step to the left to get a clearer shot, Tanis lets loose one of his sound lances, and it rockets into the Greater Devil.
[Cast Sound Lance at Zassahd with a Spin Fate point thrown in
Damage: 9d8 + 4 = 6 6 5 6 2 5 5 3 5 + 4 = 47 damage
Fort Save DC21 for half damage]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Apr 23, 2007 12:52 am
Zassahd cringes at the sound waves strike him, eyeing the pulsing portal behind him. "Well ssssaid... My... minionssss can ssssurely deal with you. Perhapsss a retreat..." Zassahd says, swaying as blood spills from between shattered scales. ((Save made, half damage.))
"Pfah. Cowardice will just make your death even more anticlimatic," Gilliam says, striding forward and jutting his chest forward, which opens up to reveal a charged laser. The blinding beam of light bursts from the gun once more to blast through the Greater Devil.
((Hit. 34 damage.))
"Im... Imposssible! Not.... Not so quickly..." Zassahd murmurs as he coils into a standing position again. "Minionsss! Cover my essscape!"

Posted by: Knight_019 Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:12 am
*The time is now. This evil had to be destroyed to protect the rest of the world. It is what he was made to do. Zassahd could not be allowed to escape. Mahler immediately makes a headlong rush toward the great evil at the center of the room.*
: YOU CAN'T RUN AWAY!
"Wha... No.... That'ssss... That'sss IMPOSSSIBLE!!!" Zassahd cries as Mahler's strike caves in his chest.
The devils in the room are severely shaken by the sudden overpowering of their leader. However, their fear of Mahler is balanced by the new opening for a promotion that Zassahd's death creates.
((Mahler charges, hits for enough to kill Zassahd on the dot. Intimidate = 20. Devils take -2 to hit, +1 AC))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Mon Apr 23, 2007 2:11 am
"Run away... while you still have the chance!" Graigus growled, his voice raising to an animalistic screech as he spoke. Bones cracked and twisted, hair thickening and sprouting freely as his legs shrank and arms lengthened. Now almost a perfect replica of a monkey, the monk bounded just north of Max, screeching his defiance as he prepared for the attempts to attack the monsters would undoubtedly make.
((Hybrid Form used; Graigus is now a half-monkey. On the defensive, for AC 29 against the eastern winged demon and 28 to everything else. ))
Map, as of my post:

Posted by: Rusty Mon Apr 23, 2007 5:37 am
((Knowledge (Arcana): 12 + 18 = 30.)) *Ombligo floats to the center of the group, twirling his tentacles and spinning in a circle once, clock-wise, casting a spell. It was the spell from the wand used to boost everyone's speed. Ombligo's magical nature quickly picked up the spell, and, deciding it was very helpful in the battle, Ombligo casts it here.*
: "Oh boy...It looks like there are more Overlords, and they're as ugly as ever!"
((Haste cast on the following: Graigus, Gail, Gorrik, Kria, Gilliam, Farain, Arbeitan, Langston, Kayla, and Ombligo. This will last for 10 rounds.))

Posted by: Sighrus Mon Apr 23, 2007 10:42 am
The hard, focused glare of combat came over the face of the myrmidon as the battle field erupted around her, the swift strike of her comrades crushing the morale the devils had only scant moments before. However, their guard needed to be raised now more than ever; with no leader, their actions could not be predicted. They needed to prepare for whatever situation these fiends would choose to enact; they had lost enough today, and having another ally taken because of newfound pride was an outcome she could not accept...not when they were this close. Dashing to the side of the ape-like monk, Gail issued her orders:
: "Gorrik, Gilliam, block the paths of those Overlords. We can't let them wreck havoc on us from the inside. Farain, Tanis, Ombligo, Kria; help them take those things down any way you can. The sooner those abominations are destroyed, the sooner we can end this."
When she finishes, she is a mere five feet apart from the fury-filled monk, chanting a prayer as her blade takes on a cool cerulean glow.
[Gail ends up two spaces west of Graigus and casts Bless Weapon. Her sword is now considered good and all critical threats automatically confirm when attacking evil foes.
HP: 126/126.
AC 31(Fighting Defensively).
Turn Undead: 2/11 times per day.
Smite Evil: 3/5 times per day.]

Posted by: Kaihaku Mon Apr 23, 2007 11:18 am
"Energy from rainfall and temperature must be being diverted to the bio-systems lab again!"

Posted by: Sighrus Tue Apr 24, 2007 12:41 am

QUOTE (Kaihaku @ Mon Apr 23, 2007 6:18 am)
"Energy from rainfall and temperature must be being diverted to the bio-systems lab again!"

[I always thought Gail would make a good Nei, but I don't think she's depressed enough to commit suicide through proxy.]

Posted by: Tarethen Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:48 am
((Level up. Yeah. Level 4 Ranger! HP + 11 + 3 Ranks in Spot! +3 Ranks in Listen!
+1 BAB!
+ 1 Fort!
+1 Ref!
))
Giving a quick nod to Gail, Farain lifted his bow and shot in the direction of the overlord to his right.
((I'm the right-most Langston since TUM forgot to put Farain on the map.
Attack 1:
1d20: 10 + 8(bab) + 6(dex) + 1(haste) + 1(prayer) +1(bless) = 27.
Attack 2:
1d20: 2 + 3(bab) + 6(dex) + 1(haste) + 1(prayer) + 1(bless) = 14.
Attack 3:
1d20: 14 +8(bab) + 6(dex) + 1(haste) + 1(prayer) + 1(bless) = 31.
Damage 1:
2d6: 5 + 2 + 6(str) + 1(magic) + 1(prayer) = 15.
Damage 3:
2d6: 3 + 2 +6(str) + 1(magic) + 1(prayer) = 13. ))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:25 am
Kayla moves across the room, coming up behind Graigus. She goes on the defensive. ((Kayla moves 3 squares Northwest, and 2 squares North, putting her in the square Southeast of Graigus. Total Defense.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:20 pm
Two of Farain's arrow stick into the Overlord, the shafts almost completely buried in the flesh, leaving only the tailfeathers sticking out. However, the arrows slowly begin to stick out as the abomination's flesh pushes them, the wounds healing at an incredible rate. Roaring in a blood rage, the Overload bounds towards Farain, jumping over the statues to rip into the centaur with his claws. The wounds burn unnaturally, but Farain's strong immune system fends off whatever foul contagion is contained in the monster's claws.
((Hit, Hit. 36 damage. Fort saves: Pass, pass.))
With a terrible howl, the other Overlord leaps into the air, landing in front of Gorrik to slash at him with immense claws that drop a foul liquid. Luckly, the skilled dwarf raises his shield in time for the assault to be futile.
((Full Defense means the attacks miss.))
Arrows fly towards Kria, but she bats them away with her sword, easily. The two Balrogs advance, swords slashing, but Gilliam and Gail's armor is proof against their mighty blows.
((Hit, Miss, Miss, Miss. Minimum damage= DR absorb.))
The two Death Adders slide towards Mahler, but find his rocky hide to be not a meal of choice, their fangs finding no purchase on the stone skin.
((Miss, Miss.))
Next turn!

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:53 pm

Posted by: Aldur Tue Apr 24, 2007 11:12 pm
"Why is it evil things are always so...icky?" Kria sighed, looking over at Gilliam, noting that he'd need help holding off that red thingon his own. Absent mindedly slicing arrows out of the way she charges towards the abomination, holy blade shining in the darkness. "Heya Gilly! Need some help? Heh...I kinda...used up my blasting for awhile. But it was a really cool bang. Ta for earlier by the way!"
Sorry Ignatius...I'll get you free after we do away with these...and they're gonna pay. No one steals any of my family.
She growls at the enemy, her blade merely lightly slicing into the skin of the monster, Kria cursing. "Damnit, this thing is insane!"
((Charged left red thing. Next to gilliam. Monster should be diagonal from Kria.
21 to hit.
19 damage total.))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Tue Apr 24, 2007 11:17 pm
His high-pitched roar echoing within the confines of the room, Graigus cartwheeled end over end, past Kayla and the imprisoned hero who defeated Dark Dragon. Stopping just north of the creature attacking Sorel, he leapt into the air, screeching loudly as he rose. Waiting until he reached the apex, he rained blow after blow on his way down, battering flesh and crushing bone.
"Don't even think about touching him!" he warned, touching down. "I'll kill you before he dies!"
((Charge to the spot NE of Sorel and lay into the Overlord Mk II.
1d20 +6 (bab) +5 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (wpn focus) +1 (haste) +1 (prayer) +1 (bless) +2 (charge) = 30
Damage: 3d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) + 8 (str) + 1 (prayer) = 22
1d20 +6 (bab) +5 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (wpn focus) +1 (haste) +1 (prayer) +1 (bless) +2 (charge) = 29
Damage: 3d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) + 8 (str) + 1 (prayer) = 28
1d20 +6 (bab) +5 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (wpn focus) +1 (haste) +1 (prayer) +1 (bless) +2 (charge) = 21
1d20 +1 (bab) +5 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (wpn focus) +1 (haste) +1 (prayer) +1 (bless) +2 (charge) = 29
Damage: 3d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) + 8 (str) + 1 (prayer) = 28))

Posted by: Alpha Tue Apr 24, 2007 11:32 pm
Tanis begins casting once more, and again launches a sound lance, this one aimed at the nearest Overlord. [Cast Sound Lance at the Overlord in melee with Gorrik Damage: 9d8 = 7,6,4,4,7,2,7,5,6 + 4 = 52]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Apr 25, 2007 12:40 am
Deadline for posting is tommorrow (Wed) afternoon, but if everyone is ready to go by tonight, I shall include an XP bonus for this battle's total.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Apr 25, 2007 12:42 am
Sorel steps back and calls a bolt down on the Overlord, but the monster seems unfazed. ((5' step NW, bolt on Overlord 1 damage))

Posted by: Sighrus Wed Apr 25, 2007 2:23 am
Gail, having rushed to Graigus's side to intercept the fast approaching Balrog, peered over her shoulder at the cause of the simian monk's sudden shriek. When she turned her head, she saw the druid, his face wracked with pain as he clutches deep red gashes before calling down a bolt of lightning on the beast that struck him. Dread caught her as she looked upon his wounds; she couldn't fail again, couldn't lead them alone. She had to help them...and right now, that meant not allow another to harm them like the Overlord had Sorel. Turning back to the devil with new determination in her eyes, she drew a large slash across his chest before driving the blade into its gut, twisting it and tearing the rune-etched weapon from its side, ephemeral white flames waving in and out of existence as they scored consecrated burns along the outsider's wounds. Without tearing her gaze for the devil, she yelled a simple order to her two nearest companions; "Langston, Kayla! Attack now, while it's distracted!"
[FA Balrog, Divine Might Active, Smite on First and Haste attacks.
Attack 1: 1d20(16)+9(BAB)+6(STR)+5(weapon)+3(misc)+8(Smite)=49.
Damage: 1d10(4)+6(STR)+5(weapon)+8(Might)+9(Smite)+1(Prayer)=33.
Attack 2: 1d20(6)+4(BAB)+6(STR)+5(weapon)+3(misc)=24.
Damage: 1d10(3)+6(STR)+5(weapon)+8(Might)+1(Prayer)=23.
Attack 3: 1d20(10)+9(BAB)+6(STR)+5(weapon)+3(misc)+8(Smite)=41.
Damage: 1d10(9)+6(STR)+5(weapon)+8(Might)+9(Smite)+1(Prayer)=38.
Total: 33+23+38=94.]

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Apr 25, 2007 2:35 am
Kayla moves around to the other side of the Balrog that Gail just whomped. She tries to stab the creature with her sword. ((Kayla moves 4 squares East, 1 square North. Tumble: 11 + 20 = 31. Passed. Attack: 20 + 5 (BAB) + 7 (Dex) + 1 (Weapon) + 1 (Haste) + 1 (Bless) + 1 (Prayer) + 2 (Flank) = 38. Threat
Confirm... 16 + 5 (BAB) + 7 (Dex) + 1 (Weapon) + 1 (Haste) 1 (Bless) + 1 (Prayer) + 2 (Flank) = 34
Damage: 3 + 3 (Str) + 1 (Weapon) - 1 (Silver) + 16 (Sneak Attack) + 1 (Prayer) = 23 / 8 + 6 (Str) + 1 (Weapon) - 1 (Silver) + 16 (Sneak Attack) + 1 (Prayer) = 31
First damage is for a normal hit, second is for a critical hit. ))

Posted by: Tarethen Wed Apr 25, 2007 4:46 am
Bleeding from his wounds, Farain moved away from the massive being as best as he could. He notched his bow with arrows that would explode on contact, hoping they would have more effect than his last. ((Move east 5'. Attack 1: 1d20: 10 + 8(bab) +6(DEX) +1(haste) + 1(prayer) + 1(bless) = 27.
Attack 2:
1d20: 5 + 3(bab) +6(dex) +1(haste) + 1(prayer) + 1(bless ) = 17.
Attack 3:
1d20: 10 +8(bab) +6(dex) +1(haste) + 1(prayer) + 1(bless) = 27.
Damage 1:
3d6: 4 + 1 +6(exploding arrow) +6(str) +1(magic) + 1(prayer) = 19.
Damage 3:
3d6: 3 + 2 + 2(exploding arrow) +6(str) +1 (magic) + 1(prayer) = 15. ))

Posted by: Knight_019 Wed Apr 25, 2007 4:48 am
*Mahler shucks the biting heads of the serpents away with mighty shoulders, still feeling the motion from before. Momentum wells within his stones, adding power behind his fists. Mahler lashes out against the belly of the serpent before him, looking to pound it into submission.*
: Back into the hole whence you came! You'll plague this world no more!
((Full Attack, PA 2
1d20 + 20 - 2 = 10 + 18 = 28.
1d20 + 18 = 17 + 18 = 35.
1d20 + 15 - 2 = 16 + 13 = 29.
Damage
4d8 + 10 + 2 + 1 = 3 + 5 + 2 + 6 + 13 = 29.
4d8 + 13 = 7 + 5 + 5 + 4 + 13 = 34.
4d8 + 13 = 4 + 2 + 3 + 5 + 13 = 27.))

Posted by: Rusty Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:38 am
: "Mahler, be careful!" *Ombligo casts a spell, but unlike electric spells he has cast in the past, it targets multiple foes in a radius rather than a line, completely avoiding Mahler entirely even though he is within range. Ombligo blinks.* ((Moving right above Kria so that I should be out of reach.
Casting Bolt 1 on the snake just above Mahler. Bolt 1 affects enemies only. It should hit both snakes and both skeleton archers.
Damage: 3 3 1 6 1 4 1 2 4 5 = 30 electrical damage. No save.))

Posted by: Nightmare Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:56 am
((Gorrik leveled up! Level 5 Paladin / Level 2 Fighter / Dwarven Defender 3 +1 BAB +12 HP +1 REF +1 Defensive Stand /Day
In other news, Gorrik takes a newly earned defensive stance and whacks away at the overlord.
Axe1: D20 + 5(STR) + 10(BAB) + 2(Axe) + 1(Stance) + 2(BS) + 1(Haste) + 1(Bless) + 1(Prayer) - 4(PA)
Haste: D20 + 5(STR) + 10(BAB) + 2(Axe) + 1(Stance) + 2(BS) + 1(Haste) + 1(Bless) + 1(Prayer) - 4(PA)
Axe2: D20 + 5(STR) + 5(BAB) + 2(Axe) + 1(Stance) + 2(BS) + 1(Haste) + 1(Bless) + 1(Prayer) - 4(PA)
Axe1: D10 + 5(STR) + 2(Axe) + 1(Stance) + 2(BS) + 1(Prayer) + 4(PA) + d6(Shock)
Haste: D10 + 5(STR) + 2(Axe) + 1(Stance) + 2(BS) + 1(Prayer) + 4(PA) + d6(Shock)
Axe2: D10 + 5(STR) + 2(Axe) + 1(Stance) + 2(BS) + 1(Prayer) + 4(PA) + d6(Shock)
AC: 34(35) HP: 144/144 [124/124]))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:30 am
Kria slashes a light gash in the Balrog's wing as Gilliam punches the beast for little effect. The Balrog laughs madly as it slashes at the both of them, Kria parrying her attack, but Gilliam taking a light hit to the chest. ((Hit, miss. 15 damage to Gil, after DR.))
The Overlord roars as Graigus assaults it, bones cracking under the furious monk's assault and black blood seeping from wounds inflicting. It claws at the monk in a frenzy, and though most of its blows are dodged with difficulty, a single claw tears through the monk's chest, touching upon his lungs.
((Nat 20.... Nat 20... Confirmed. Upgraded Critical hit! 51 damage to Graigus. Miss, Miss, Miss.))
The other Overlord thrashes around wildly as Tanis' spell affects it, blood leaking from the thing's earholes.
Arbeiten lays a hand on Farain and his wounds partially seal.
((Cure Moderate Wounds. Healed 23 HP.))
The Death Adder assaulted by Mahler shudders as it is brutally beaten, then Ombligo's lightning snuffs out the last light of resistance in it and the beast falls. The remaining beast bites at Mahler, though its poison has no effect.
((Critical Hit... if Mahler is affected. 14 damage not taking into account possible crit.))
Gorrik manages a nasty gash with his axe, but the wound heals partially right before his eyes even as the creature lashes out at him! A single claw strike pierces Gorrik's defenses and drags a burning line on his chest.
((Hit! Miss! Miss! Miss! 20 damage to Gorrik!))
The Balrog dies with a curse on its lips as Gail, Kayla, and then finally Langston surround and stab the fiend again and again.
Arrows fly through the air again as the skeletons keep up the attack. This time Kayla and Gail are struck, though Kayla is hit much more severely, the arrow lodged deep in her side.
((Upgraded Critical Hit! 32 damage to Kayla, and Kayla must make a Fort save. Gail takes 4 damage and passes her save. >rolled in chat.<))
Next turn.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:52 am
Sorel darts forward, aided by the Haste spell, his eyes locked on the portal. He raises a hand, which wavers and distorts as if surrounded by heat. He points it at the portal, and the gem at its apex begins to flare red. : "Time to close the door."
The gem flares brightly, but begins to crack and crumble. With a tinkling like glass, the shards fall from the socket, leaving an empty space as the portal loses a vital component.
((Crumble cast, portal disabled, event triggered
I'm gonna go ahead and pre-emptively apologize))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:26 am
Madness of Infinity: http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/2768/24 The gem shatters and immediately the ground begins to quake violently. Then the ground, the air, your allies and enemies all seem to bend and twist. An immense dizziness overcomes you. All at once you feel as if being pulled in a million directions at once.
The portal structure begins to collapse, the other gems exploding into great blasts of energy as lightning arcs around the room.
The two skeletons are struck by the lightning and crumble to dust, the Balrog and Death Adder suffering the same without the death.
"What the hell is going on?!?!?" Gilliam shouts.
A blast of energy from the collapsing portal strikes Max and the barrier around him shatters, sending the swordsman to the floor, alive and free.
Ombligo: "I...I don't know! Sorel, what did you do?!"
Sorel's face is stern and unreadable. "Let us find out."
"I've go' a bad feelin' 'bou' this lads!" Gorrik shouted across the battle field.
Gail lifts her shield against the magic maelstrom, eyes darting to the chain form of Ignatius before returning to the crumbling gate.
((5000 XP for the battle being half done.))
Gilliam falls flat on his back as the room seems to suddenly tilt, rising up, the floor sliding down towards the portal. The once contained gash in space-time tears outward like a rip widening in fabric. The floor shatters under your feet, revealing a maddening, twisting flow of multicolored energy. The walls collapse next, then the ceiling is ripped away.
Then they all fade away and a single image dominates your vision for a brief few moments.
An immense eye... lidless and unblinking.
Ombligo, then Sorel and Gail realize it. The Eye is the recurring Eye of the Ancients. But here, in this place... it's real. You don't know what it is exactly, but the resemblance cannot be ignored. The eye stares at you for a long moment and you feel small, insignificant in its gaze.
*Ombligo stares deeply into the eye, his body quivering. His tentacles move wildly as he realizes just what the eye is.*
Everything disappears in the flow of energy as your senses finally overload and you pass out... A single sentence echoes through your mind as you fall into oblivion.
"The last... I am the last..."
Then all is dark.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:45 am
http://www.shinola.radh.com/guest/Rusty/Keiji.mp3 Gorrik is the first to awaken, the strains of music caressing his ears as his eyes open. Scattered around a ruined courtyard, amidst dead grass and unkept gardens against a cold and dark sky, lie his companions. Bits of rubble and debris from the fortress also litter this place, a few chests sticking out from the mud. The spires of a great, but damaged castle soar into the air, marred by cracks and crumbling stone.
Gorrik looks around, completely confused about where he is and what's going on. Soon he begins to wake the others: Sorel, Gail, Gilliam, and Ombligo.
Sorel rises, his eyes piercing the gloom to recognize the distant remnants of a flag, flapping in the wind.
Gail rises, sitting inertly as she attempts to comprehend the enormity of what just happened. Her eyes looks to the ground, unfocused.
Sorel walks forward, as if in a trance. His eyes widen with shock, and narrow with sadness. "No..." he breathes.
"This is Guardiana Castle," Sorel says. "Or it was."
*Ombligo blinks his eyes open, wondering if what just happened was all a dream, but reality sinks in and he realizes it was not. At Sorel's words, Ombligo's eyes open considerably wider.* "What?!"
"Bu' tha' can' be... can i'?" the Dwarf sputtered out.
Sorel points at the tattered pennant. "That is the seal of Guardiana. I remember seeing it in a book when I was a boy." He looks around. "What happened here?"
"Is i' possible tha' when we destroyed tha' portal, it transported us te the other side?" Gorrik scratched his head, trying to make sense of it all.
"The other side of what?" Sorel asks. "A portal could not have survived whatever happened here, if ever there was one."
Ombligo: "I guess it was one way..."
Gail snaps out of her musing at Sorel's words, turning and rising abruptly. "But that's...How could this...?" She then stops, too rattled and confused to continue. She looks around, in a daze, as if trying to recall something.
Sorel turns around. "This is the work of the Cult that held this place. It must be." He looks at Gail. "The music is coming from inside. Should we wake the others or head in now?"
Gail turns to the druid, then looks to the rest of the group, still unconcious. "Let's wake them. If we continue on, and our presense is made to foes..."
Sorel moves over to awaken Max.
Max groans and opens his eyes. "What... What happened?"
"Stand," Sorel says quietly. "Stand and look about you."
http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/633/13
Max's eyes widen as he sits up. His breathing grows erratic and he steadies himself with his hands.
"N... No..." he whispers. "It... It can't be true... It... Not like this... Not like this!" Max shouts. "My... My home... Our home..."
Gail starts toward the swordsman, then stops, unable to think of a single conforting word to say. Then she leaves, heading to wake a still Farain. The knight continues to look around even as she brings her friend to the waking world, spotting some chests nearby. "Perhaps...perhaps we should see what's inside those," she says, nodding towards the containers.
Ignatius remains in chains, unconscious, a short distance away.
((Chest contents:
15,000 gold coins
1000 platinum coins
24,000 gold coins in various gems
7,000 gold coins
Staff of Life - 25 charges
Staff of Defense - 20 charges
50 Large +4 Brilliant Energy arrows
A short sword +3
Ring of Major Energy Resistance [Fire]
Umbra Blade (Keen Rapier +5, Shadow Strike as a free action 3/day
Belt of Superior Endurance (+6 CON, Mass Bull's Str 1/day)
))

Posted by: Aldur Wed Apr 25, 2007 2:58 pm
((Another level for Kria? You're too kind. Heheheh. Hp+7! BAB+1! Will+1! New invocation learnt: Eldritch Chain!
Kria gains Energy Resistance 5 (Cold)!
+2 ranks in Spellcraft!
+2 ranks in UMD!
Oh yeah. Gotta love it.))
Kria groaned, rubbing her head as she rose groggily to her feet. "Man Sorel...you sure know how to party...hm?" Her eyes narrow as she looks around at the destruction before her, a low whistle coming from her lips. "Where ar-Iggy!" Kria spotted the unconcious Ignatius, kneeling by his side, hacking through the chains carefully with her sword, before using a potion on the fallen Half Vandal.
((20 hp to Iggy.))

Posted by: Alpha Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:13 pm
((And another for Tanis too! Woop Tanis gained a level in Fatespinner (Warmage 7/Fatespinner 3, ECL 11) +7 hit points Fort save increased by 1 Will save increased by 1
Gained one extra Fate Point per day
Gained the class ability 'Spin Destiny'
Gained a skill point in Appraise, Concentration, Knowledge (Arcana), Profession (Gambler), Spellcraft
Gained one extra level 4 casting per day
Tanis learned level 5 Warmage spells! Tanis leaned Arc of Lightning, Cloudkill, Cone of Cold, Fire Shield [Mass], Fireburst [Greater], Flamestrike, Prismatic Ray
Tanis can cast up to four level 5 spells per day))
Tanis wakes up, and moves into a sitting position. He looks around at the new surroundings, confusion expressed clearly on his face. It is, after all, the second times he's 'woken up' over a very short period.
Stading up slowly and dusting himself off, he slowly asks "Where... are we?"

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:42 pm
((And another for Kayla too. WoOt! Kayla gains a level in Assassin [Rogue 5/Assassin 5; ECL 11] HP +7 Gained the the class ability 'Improved Uncanny Dodge' [Kayla cannot be flanked, except by a Rogue at least four levels higher. I actually should have gotten this at Assassin level 2, since I already had uncanny dodge from my Rogue class, but oh well.]
Sneak Attack increases to +6d6
Skill increases: Bluff +1, Disable Device +1, Escape Artist +1, Jump +1, Open Lock +2, Tumble +1
Kayla learns 3rd level Assassin spells. Kayla learns 'Deeper Darkness, Misdirection, and Nondetection'
Kayla can cast one 3rd level spell per day))
Kayla lies in the grass unconscious for some time before she finally starts to come around. The tiefling lets out a soft moan of pain as she begins to move, and her eyes flutter open. She moves into a sitting position for a moment and looks around. Kayla notices after a few minutes that the hood of her cloak fell back at some point between that fight and now. The rogue reaches into her backpack, pulling out a comb, a ribbon, and a hairpin of some kind. She puts her hair up in a bun, two stray curly strands hanging down to frame her face. The way she combed her hair more or less hides one of her...'usually unseen signs of her heritage'. Without even bothering to pull her hood back up, she puts her things away and stands up, wincing slightly.
"That worked out sooooo well," Kayla says, sarcasm evident in her voice. "Where the hell are we?"

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:32 pm
Ignatius groans, some of his wounds sealing, but he does not wake just yet.

Posted by: Aldur Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:34 pm
"Well darn...that usually works." She frowns, shaking him gently. "Sorel? Arby? Can you take a look?"

Posted by: Sighrus Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:41 pm
[Gail continues to level up at an astronomical rate. Gail becomes a 10th level paladin(ECL 11)! [i]Gail gains 13 HP(7[base]+3[CON]+3[sword])! Gail's Fort save increases by one(+21)! Gail gains a second level spell slot(3/3)!
Gail has been bestowed another Smite Evil attempt(6/day)!
And she still has a griffin.]

Posted by: Knight_019 Thu Apr 26, 2007 2:27 am
((http://magic19.homestead.com/sfcw/sfcw3/darkside.mp3)) "Do you know where you are?" *Mahler's experience is unlike any of the others', maybe save for Gilliam. The plummet into nothingness that served to incapacitate the others had a far different effect on the golem. Unable to be incapacitated in the normal sense, and existing in a limbo between living and object, the void alters Mahler's very being.*
: "Know...? No..."
*Artibeus emerges from the blackness. The substance of the place ebbs and flows. Black becomes a torrent of colors. The colors meld, forming white, before fading to black either instantly or as growing pinholes. It is unnatural. Chaos, uncertainty, madness, and the illogical live here, but it is not truly random. Some other force is at work. What, he did not know.*
"Think!"
*His old master, long dead, stood, lecturing him. Mahler wanted to move, tried to move. He struggles, forces with all his strength, but no amount of power could move a single pebble of his body one inch. This void had no hold in any of the religions Artibeus had taught him, nor those he learned from others. Neither earthly nor godly, this place is an anomaly.*
: "I... I do not know. I know what it is not. It is neither heaven nor hell, nor is it between."
"Good!"
*Mahler begins to float, as if free of some bond. He feels as though he can almost control where he goes, but he is not certain. There is no sense of direction. No sense of being. No sense of existing. Mahler eyes his body. His stones scintillate various colors as the "walls" of the space. Suddenly, an answer occurs to him.*
: "I am nowhere."
*The floating ends. Mahler lands on his feet and finds he is able to move of his own volition. He grabs at the air, the "walls," and even the floor, but finds no purchase. Nothing tangible. Truly, he is nowhere.*
((http://magic19.homestead.com/sfcw/sfcw3/levt.mp3))
"Excellent! You are nowhere. I am proud of you, Mahler. You are everything I could have hoped for in a guardian. In truth, you find yourself..."
*Mahler draws intently into Artibeus' words. However, before he could say another word, everything fades to black. He feels as though he is falling. So close, Mahler felt as though he was on the verge of knowing everything, but it was suddenly taken away. The impending thud wasted little time with Mahler in freefall. However, rather than crashing into something, he merely felt as though he had, but found himself standing, fully awake and functional in some semblance of a room with the others. He finds himself away from a number of his friends who were looking about, and was instead with the members of the force still comatose or otherwise unconscious. He surveys them, then makes his way to aid the search to find a way out.
If only he could have had but one second more.*

Posted by: Rusty Thu Apr 26, 2007 7:13 am
Sorel shakes Ignatius. Ignatius groans and weakly opens one eye. "S... Sorel? K... Kria? What..." Ignatius coughs up some blood and looks on the verge of crying. "I... I wasn't strong enough..." "Stop." Sorel says briskly, before calling for another potion. "Drink this, and do not worry about what you were not strong enough for. Instead, worry about becoming strong enough for what is next."
Ignatius gulps down the potion greedily, nodding his thanks. "Where... Where are we?"
Sorel looks down at his feet, and picks up a loose fragment of a castle wall. "We are at what remains of Guardiana Castle."
"What? No way!" Ignatius exclaims. "That's... that's..."
"My fault," Sorel says, standing up. He extends the half-vandal his hand.
Ignatius takes the hand and pulls himself to a standing position, wincing as he does so. "What do you mean?"
"I did not treat the portal with the caution it demanded," the old man says, raising a hand to his ear. "Listen. The sound of approach, the clanking of armor. Let us be ready."
A centaur in full plate bearing the arms of the Guardiana Royal Guard enters the courtroom. Though he bears arms, they are not readied. "Welcome guests. We have been expecting you," the centaur says flatly. "Please, make yourself presentable and then when you are ready I will conduct you to the main hall."
"By whom are we expected?" Sorel asks.
"Her majesty had been informed to expect your arrival, although I do not believe that we were to receive so many...You are numerous retainers for one man."
"Max." Sorel says quietly. "The queen is expecting Max."
"Correct."
Max faces the centaur quietly, not saying a word, his face impassive.
Sorel looks to the hero with sympathy and sadness. "What do you want to do?"
"...I..." Max struggles to find words. "I have to see her..." Max says. "I have to know the truth."
"We will go with you," Sorel says. "And stand beside you when you do."
"I..." Max shakes his head. "Thank you, but..."
"Where else would we go?" Gilliam asks. "We stand together or we fall apart, hero Max."
Ombligo: "Max, we came all this way for you. Can't we have the honor of being by your side here too?"
Max swallows hard and nods. "I... I just don't want to be the cause of anyone else's pain. I already have caused so much..." Max shakes his head. "Thank you," Max says, his voice becoming stronger. "You're right."
"You are wrong," Sorel says. "The death and destruction you see in your wake would have been there had you never stood and fought, tenfold or more. Look instead at the places where evil had not touched or defiled, because of you. That is what you caused. Nothing else. To your dying day, remember that."
"That isn't what I mean..." Max says. "How much pain did I cause my friends... my only family?"
*At the mention of the word 'death', Ombligo slumps down slightly.*
"Did I let my mission to stop the devils blind me?" Max looks down. "I never contacted them. They never knew I was alive... I thought I had to, for the sake of the world... If they knew, then Mishaela would know. And if she knew, she would hide again..." Max shakes his head. "But twenty years...Was I wrong?"
*Mahler shakes his head* "There is still time to change things. Your intentions are what matter."
Ombligo: "Why should it just be about friends and family? I guess maybe you connect more with them, but...everyone's important. We're fighting the bad guys for everyone, right? And I don't think you were wrong for trying to stop the bad guys. How were you to know something like this would happen?"
"I cannot pardon you for the crimes you accuse yourself of," Sorel says. "No one has that power but you. There is no atonement if you do not permit it. No forgiveness if you don't want it. It is you who must decide."
Max nods. "Yeah... Yeah, you're right. I just... I just needed to hear it. That's all." Max stands straighter, looking around. "Everyone ready?"
Sorel sighs, and his eyes sweep over his battered and exhausted comrades. "We are."
Farain, who had been silent and listening, nodding faintly. He spoke up just enough to say "Yes."
Max breathes deeply. "Then let's see what fate has in store for us."
*Ombligo frowns, looking at how tired everyone is. I don't think we're ready at all, but we don't really have any time to waste...*
Sorel turns around, to speak to the others. "And so the trumpet summons us again. Not to battle, though embattled we are. Not to arms, though arms we need, but to carry the burden of this great twilight struggle, the only fight worth fighting." Then he turns around and begins to walk forward.
"And once more into hell's maw. If that's my fate so be it. I won't shirk my duty," Gilliam mutters.
Max walks over to the centaur. "We're ready," he says, quietly.
The centaur nods and leads you within the castle. You pass hall after hall as the music grows louder and louder.
*Mahler marches forward, unfazed and determined*
Servants and soldiers within the castle go about their business, all with the same slack, glazed look on their faces as they move out of your way.
*Mahler is somewhat unnerved by the strange expressions on the faces of the soldiers and attendants. They appeared less alive that Coventry often accused him of being.*
Finally, the music rolls over you like a wave as the centaur guard admits you to a grand hall.
Farain stared at a few of the people's faces as they walked by. He cluthed his bow a little tigther, feeling an eerie feeling. "This place is giving me chills," he said quietly to no one in particular.
The ceiling rises high above, a grand chandelier accompanied with many lesser lights hanging from that ceiling to provide light. Though the music is coming from this room, there is no visible source. In the center of the room is a single figure, wheeling and dancing gracefully. Clad in an elegant and expensive looking gown, the figure seems almost entranced by the music. Light glitters off the many diamonds set in the woman's crown as she continues to dance. The centaur stamps his hoof twice and turns to leave, the woman ceasing her dancing to turn your direction. She begins to walk towards you, features becoming apparent as the distance closes. Silver hair frames a gentle and beautiful face and Max's face becomes a battleground of emotions.
"Anri..." finally he says.
*Mahler regards the two curiously, waiting for one of the other to take an action*
((http://magic19.homestead.com/SFCW/SFCW3/Dante.mp3))
"Max..." the Queen of Guardiana responds, happiness blossoming on her features. "Oh... Oh, Max..." Anri rushes to Max and embraces him before Max can utter another word. "Max... I knew you were alive... I knew it!" Anri says, clutching Max almost as if afraid to let go. "They tried to convince me you were dead... That you were gone forever... but I knew it wasn't true. Why... Why did you go?" Anri whispers. "I thought at least you wouldn't leave... I thought at least I could have you. My mother, my father, my friends... Life took them all away from me, but...but I thought at least you wouldn't. Couldn't be taken away," Anri finishes, resting her head on Max's shoulder for a moment. "I... I'm not just a crown."
Max's face flushes for a moment as he breaks the embrace. "An... Anri, what's going on here? The guard said you were expecting us..."
Anri nods, smiling. "Expecting you, really. Well, and Adam. I didn't think you'd have so many companions, but if they're friends of yours they are welcome here."
"No, we..." Max shakes his head. "We don't even know how we got here, how could you know we were coming?"
"They told me of course," Anri says, withdrawing from Max's touch and turning to the hall. "They promised that they'd bring you to me. That everything could be all right again..."
"Who?" Max asks.
"The Lords of the Cult," Anri says. "They showed me things... terrible things," Anri says with a shudder. "This kingdom was dying from within and I didn't even see it... Didn't notice the corruption around me. Max, you didn't see what they did after you were gone," Anri continues in a somber tone. "After all you gave, all everyone gave to save this land... Within a few months everyone was at each others' throats. The backstabbing, the lies, the betrayals, the politics," Anri spits the last word out as if it were venom. "No one seemed to care that just a few months before, everyone had been on the same side. They even tried to stop me from looking for you," Anri says, turning back to Max. "The hero of the realm, and they opposed the expenditures to fund search parties to find you. Even a royal investigation..." Anri shakes her head again, a pained look on her face as she gazes at the hero. "Max..." Anri's jaw suddenly sets. "But it'll all be all right now," Anri says, grabbing Max's hand and pulling him towards her. "The land has its hero, the land has its queen again, and the land is on the threshold of a new age!"
"You're mad," Sorel says suddenly.
Anri turns to Sorel, as if seeing the druid for the first time. "What?"
"You would usher in a new era of peace and prosperity?" Sorel barks a bitter laugh. "With the help of the Cult? You are mad. LOOK OUTSIDE THESE WALLS!" Sorel roars, pointing back towards the courtyard. Your kingdom is in ruins, your friends and servants dead or enslaved, the entire world is teetering on the edge of destruction because you made a deal with something worse than the devil. And you are proud? Madwoman!"
*Ombligo flinches at the sudden outburst. Uh oh...*
*Even Mahler is, ironically, astonished by Sorel's outburst.* "Sorel..."
"The old must make way for the NEW!" Anri shoots back. "This... All this is only temporary... When the resistance ends and peace is restored, reconstruction can begin! What do you know? What have YOU seen?" Anri shouts. "I've been at the center of things in this kingdom for over twenty years now! How many plots have you seen? How many double dealings? How much blood shed for gold?" Anri asks, with anger.
"Then you are stupid as well!" Sorel cries. "If for even a moment you think that the Cult will let go. What do I know? That the most powerful woman in the world has turned into a babbling lunatic!"
Ombligo: "Wait, you haven't left the kingdom for twenty years?...You haven't seen the rest of the world since?"
Anri glances to Ombligo wearily. "Very rarely... The throne is more a set of shackles than a seat of power." Anri whirls back to Sorel. "Call it lunacy? What do you call a kingdom that condemns its heroes to death with a shrug and a sigh?" What do you call nobles that care more for their foppish hats than for the lives of their serfs? What do you call a world where those in power sit like the ancient dragons of evil, hoarding gold and striking down those who would even think to oppose them? I TRIED patience. I TRIED peace, diplomacy, and understanding. But I was a naive fool, was blind... This," Anri says, gesturing outside. "Is ALL they understand."
"I call it a thousand times better than evil dressed in the trappings of an ideal. We are weak, we are fallible, and often we are evil, but we are also malleable, and we can do the one thing they never can. We can change." Sorel glares at the queen. "If you cannot see that, then you have nothing left to do but bring this castle down on all our heads -- or what is left of it."
"If you would side with the Strife Lords, you have condemned this world to a doom far greater and far worse than you can imagine. You must see it."
"Old man..." the queen hisses. "People change? People never change... That's the one thing of value I did learn from all those history lessons I was tutored in..."
*Mahler looks to Max, hoping he could reason with her*
"Queen... queen Anri..." Graigus said. "I... I may not look like much, but I wasn't the same dwarf when I left home. And you wern't the same person when you left, either!"
Anri turns towards Graigus, waiting for him to finish.
"I've become a better fighter... and a better person, since I met Sorel, and Gail, and everyone here... Even Dam Dicem, in his own way, helped me too," the monk said. "I know it's not easy... and I know it's dark. I just found out that my master died because of the cult. But I didn't stop, and now the portals the devils used to get into this world are broken! So maybe... maybe if I can go from a monastery to doing that, things can get better for you too! It's not going to be easy," Graigus said. "But at least try."
A mocking, high pitched laugh echoes throughout the hall.
((http://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/nintendo/snes/kefka.mid))
"Try? You can try all you like, nothing can help her now," a voice emanates from the shadows as six burning points of light shine from within the darkness. Six eyes, arranged like a spider's burn red on an armored form as the being emerges into plain sight.
"And you are?" Sorel says, narrowing his eyes.
A sense of indescribable malice fills teh air. "Oh forgive me, I'm ever so terrible at these courtly functions," the figure says, making a mocking bow. "I am Shailtor, second of the Strife Lords."
"We do not even rate the first of you?"
Shailtor bursts into laughter. "Funny you should mention that... You'll see for yourself soon enough."
"What have you done to Anri?!" Max shouts.
Shailtor chuckles with glee.
"Nothing we won't do to you as well. Don't worry, you'll be together in our service... Hehehehehahaha..." Shailtor steps closer to the queen.
"Get away from her!" Graigus yelled, gripping his staff tightly. "I won't let you take away her chance to be better!"
Sorel steps between Shailtor and Anri.
Shailtor regards Sorel for a moment, amusedly. ((Mind rape.)) Sorel feels a light touch of another mind on his, pressing into his thoughts, probing his memories. "Oh... Oh that's delicious! A love story for the ages!" Shailtor cackles with glee. "The people of this world have such interesting pasts... It's a shame I can't pick your brain all day lo..."
((http://bluelaguna.net/downloads/mp3s/fire-emblem-path-of-radiance-ost-soundtrack/48+The+Black+Knight.mp3))
A heavy clanking sound echoes through the air and Shailtor hisses, slowly withdrawing from the heroes, moving backward. Another armored being, in pure black with three bladed prongs arcing from his helmet and a hideous face emblazoned on his chestplate enters the room. Power, authority, and evil all emanate in immense quantities from this being. "So... You are the ones that destroyed the Devil Army faction that allied with us," the figure intones.
"Who are you?" Graigus asked, looking around nervously.
"He is Lord Erebeus, the first of the Strife Lords," Sorel answers.
"Astute answer, and the correct one," Erebeus answers.
"Leave us alone," Graigus said. "Just... just go away!"
"I was not expecting you to survive your confrontation with Aelisnyx, but it is just as well. I can also use more servants," Erebeus states. "Join us willingly and perhaps it will be a tad more pleasant for you."
*Ombligo glares at the Strife Lords, a million words trying to come out all at once as he speaks.* "I would never join barbarians like you! You tried to assassinate us multiple times, just because we were looking for Max. According to various people we've talked to, you fiends have been spreading your disease all over the world! Here in Guardiana we can see for ourselves what you've done here - and that's only one of at least a dozen cities I've heard about! Visiting several towns on the way here, I believe every tale - no, believe isn't the right word...I KNOW they're telling the truth! You're just bullies...Powerful or not, all you do is bully everyone, and that's absolutely pathetic. If you're half as powerful as I've heard, why not use it to help others instead of helping yourselves? But no, you have to kill everything that doesn't agree with your plans! Killing innocents and anyone that opposes you is ridiculous! The gods don't like you, I don't like you - not even the devils like you! You're not on anyone's side but your own. Maybe you can fool Anri, but you can't fool me, Strife Lords! But just you wait...you're going to fall, and you're going to fall hard! Maybe not today, and maybe not by our hands, but someone will come along and trounce your stupid plans! Laugh all you want, but it's going to happen. You're going to lose, and good will triumph over evil!

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Apr 26, 2007 7:26 am
((Just a note that you can respond to either the section before entering the hall, the Anri meeting, and the Strife Lord appearance. Don't feel like you missed out, say whatever you have to say for all three events. We stopped so that everyone could participate.))

Posted by: Aldur Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:09 am
Kria blinked, moving up next to Anri, a smile on her face. "Hey, don't get so...edgy. Just ca-" She winced at Sorel's outburst stepping away with a low whistle. She blinked when Shailtor appeared. "Man, you're like really ugly. How do people worship something so...icky? And no thanks, I had years of service to a three headed ugly monster."Her blade flicked out and into the air, shimmering softly as she stared at the monstrous thing before her. She shivered as Erebeus made his appearance.
"Such a...repugnant aura of menace and...no. It doesn't matter how powerful you are. You're the one who let Aelisnyx free. You're the one who originated the events of what happened...then...I will not join you. I am blood debted to destroy you for what you did to my clan." She pointed the blade at Erebeus, face set and determined, even though she was still shaking a little. "I'm...I'm gonna avenge them."

Posted by: Dark Maiden Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:34 pm
((Kayla drank a Cure Serious Wounds potion and a Cure Moderate Wounds potion before they went in. The first restored 21 hit points [7 3 6 + 5] and the second restored 18 hit points [7 8 + 3]. She is at full hit points now.)) When Outside Kayla pulls the arrow out of her side and drinks two potions. Her wounds heal completly, and the expression of discomfort vanishes from her face. As they move into the castle, the tiefling rogue looks to be worried.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Kayla murmurs.
When Inside
Kayla finally decides to speak when Anri says that people never change.
"Oh you poor, deluded woman. People can change if they want to, but unfortunately...many choose not to..."
Kayla is about to continue when Shailtor makes his appearance. She is unnerved, but tries not to show it.
'This sense of malice...is it coming from him?' the rogue thinks to herself.
Kayla cannot help but shudder when Erebeus appears, though. The rogue bites her lip, and thinks about his words. After a few minutes, she composes herself.
"So you are giving us a choice? How considerate of you." Kayla pauses for a moment before continuing. "If one serves willingly, they are called a 'servant'. Yet if one is forced into this service, they are called a 'slave'. I never really did see the difference between the two."
Kayla unsheathes one of her basilards.
"As enticing as your offer is gentlemen, your agents tried to kill us more than once. And that little stunt the fallen cleric pulled? Well...that made it personal."

Posted by: Alpha Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:59 pm
For the entire encounter with Anri and Shailtor, Tanis remains silent. The warmage does not yet feel he can speak in front of the Force. Those around him, he had attacked many of them, launching barrages of spells with the intent of causing fatal damage. He…he had attacked his friends. The thoughts weighed heavily on his mind.
As Erebus moved in, though, his dark aura practically filling the room and practically demanding their fealty, the warmage had to speak up.
: “I…I made a grievous mistake, I know this. It hasn’t happened yet, but I fully expect at least one person here to berate me for what I did. But you…your troops caused my possession! I was trying to kill those I’ve travelled with, my friends! Though my error led to that, it was your troops who carried it out.” The warmage stops, the memories of what had happened paining him. “I will never serve you. I will never join you.

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Fri Apr 27, 2007 1:56 am
"Heh, I already went down your road once way back when; gotta say I wasn't into it," the rat chimed in rather surprisingly, as he had said almost nothing up to this point since the good Doctor had gone. "If I say so myself, and I do, the way I'm goin' at least has a lot prettier at it's end. Not gonna' turn my back to the pretty lady," he continued, flashing the toothy grin that had been hiding for so long as he looked to Queen Anri. "Not that you're not pretty your majesty, but I think I probably woulda liked ya a lot more before ya started your chattering. People change all the time for all kinda reasons, some are good and some aren't really I guess. Sometimes they're forced even against their will."
Langston eyed her suspiciously just after that for a moment, before shifting his gaze to those with the kind "offer." "And that's pretty much all I gotta say," he said, offering a bow. "Thanks but no thanks."

Posted by: Tarethen Fri Apr 27, 2007 4:21 pm
Farain wasn't sure what to feel or think. On one hand, he was severely confused by the attitude and demenor of the Queen of Guardiana. On the other hand, he was frightened by the fact that such an evil being was present. When the offer was presented to defect to the Strike Lord's side, a small sneer appeared on the centaur's face.
"It's horrible enough I have to witness the destruction and terror you and your kind cause. It would be worse to be a part of it all. As others have stated, you can keep your offer. I... I don't care what kind of punishment you inflict. I just know if something happens to me it will be because I was fighting against you!"
Farain's hands had slowly tightened into fist as he face had turned red from anger as he talked. He had kept silent for long enough.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:04 pm
: "Oh, please. That was a pathetic attempt at threatening or tempting us. I saw what you did to Orin. I'd rather die than end up like that, and if I die taking a chunk out of that smug facemask, then so much the better," Gilliam growls. : "I'll die before I allow myself to be used like that again," Max says, quietly. Fury is in his eyes. "And I won't let you use others, either! I... I remember all too well what a prison that mask was. I can only imagine the jail you have in store for our souls if we bowed before you!"
Erebeus laughs, a deep and unsettling sound that echoes across the cavernous hall.
Music:
http://www.shinola.radh.com/guest/Rusty/Against_the_Black_Knight.mp3
"Good... Good! If you were so easily swayed by threats or offers of power, you'd be worthless to me! Yes... You have spirit and will... and they'll be mine once we've twisted your mind!" Erebeus says, still chuckling.
: "Max... just put down your sword and come with me..." Anri pleads. "It'll all be all right... Lord Erebeus promised he wouldn't harm you..."
: "Anri... You're not like this... You had such a strong will..." Max says, wincing at the sight of the mad queen.
"I'm afraid I broke it," Shailtor says with a laugh. "I'm very clumsy with things like that, you know. I always tend to break, bend, or twist them... Heheheheh... She's already slain her mentor, cast down her best friends, destroyed her kingdom and her life... Go ahead, try to save her with pretty words. It's amusing!"
: "Monster! I'll cut you in two!" Max roars, his composure breaking as he charges Shailtor, Chaos Breaker held high. A blast of icy air sends him back as Anri steps forward, a dazed look on her face.
: "Don't attack the Lords... They're wonderful beings who will lead us all to paradise..." the dazed look momentarily leaves as Anri winces and puts a hand to her head, then it returns as she advances. "Don't fight it... It's so exhausting, fighting all the time... They can stop all the fighting, forever... Don't you want peace?"
: "It's no good, their control over her is too strong, especially when they're in such close proximity. Wait... Do we have another crystal?" Gilliam asks.
"Crystal?" Erebeus murmurs he raises his hands and black lightning ricochets around the group, bringing everyone to their knees. "Do you think trinkets and baubles will save you now? You're in the belly of the beast, the heart of our new kingdom. You have no hope here."
((Everyone suffers 2 negative levels and 30 H.P. damage. No save.))
Max rises to his feet, grimacing. Gilliam shakily stands as well, sparks flying from his metal shell. The front of the robot opens up and a blinding beam of light issues forth to envelop Erebeus. When the light recedes, Erebeus stands, the only indication that he was attack are the singes on his cloak.
"You were saying something earlier about pathetic attempts, cyborg?" Erebeus asks.
: "Impossible! That laser should've... We... We can't win here. That was my best shot and you can hardly tell I attacked! We... Damnation! We need to retreat!" Gilliam shouts.
"Run if you like, I could use the exertion," Erebeus states, moving forward, black energy crackling around his armored form.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:49 pm
Before being taken down, Sorel sees the queen's reaction. He struggles to his feet with the aid of his staff, still studying her. ((INT 10 WIS 40 (nat 20): Was the queen's head-touching a sign the mind-control had slipped for a second, and if so what caused it/what could cause it again))

Posted by: Aldur Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:54 pm
((Kria suffers no Neg levels unless it doesn't count against Erebeus.)) Kria winces but is then protected from the negative energy by the amulet of her mother. She gets to her feet, sword pointed at the enemy at sighs. "You know, you two are like...really cliche. Why can't you ever be unique. Ugh, I preferred Aelisnyx to you two." Kria sighed looking around.
"I'm sick of this. Why is it, the evil gods are more than willing to destroy us, while OUR ones just sit back. It's quite aggravating." She giggled at this, stepping towards the Strife Lords. "And don't you see? Pathetic it may have been, but as long as someone always resists you, you'll never have won. You'll never win. You'll never capture the mind and soul of everyone on this planet. So go ahead. Flaunt your superior power. It'll not avail you."
Kria looked back, and smiled "Ya know, I caused everyone so much trouble I'm pretty sure you all could run and I could maybe distract them for awhile before running the hell away..." She turned, raising her arm in the familiar gesture, to blast the Strife Lords, and frowns as her powers don't work. "Wha? Oh no...I over...damn." She cursed, levelling her blade, and after noting the exchange between Shailtor, Max and Anri, runs at the Lord of the Twisted Web, slashing out with her blade, her body becoming aflame as per her usual.
((Attacking Shailtor.
Attack: 7+7+5+1+1 = 21. =/ ))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Apr 29, 2007 4:02 am
"Why do the gods come to your aid? What do you think the first thing we took care of was?" Erebeus rumbles. Shailtor laughs madly as he utters a word of power and freezes Graigus in place, then Ignatius with the same spell. Kria frowned as she slashed.
: "Well that'd make sense..."
"Exactly," Erebeus says.
: "You guys still suck you realise? Yeah?" Kria attempted to slash again at Shailtor, blade flashing. "I mean, like...go corrupt some other world or something..."
"Oh, we have, we have... But there's something SPECIAL about this world... We just have to have it," Shailtor says, blocking Kria's blow with a bracer.
: "Didn't ya ever learn to share? I mean like, go away. We don't want you here." Kria crused, bringing her blade around to hack the Lord's head clean off.
: "Max..." Sorel gasps. "You have to make Anri fight you."
: "What?" Max asks, turning to the druid.
: "She can't...even now, she can barely bring herself to do it. It's making her fight the control."
: "I... I see..." Max says, gripping the Force Sword tightly.
"Share? Why?" Shailtor asks as he makes a gesture. Kria floats up into the air and is paralyzed, unable to move as the archfiend drags a gaunteleted hand across her cheek. "I already share amongst my brothers, the rest of you are out of luck, I fear... Now... Let's see what delicious suffering I can stir in that mind of yours..."
: "Well, you'd have friends..." Kria struggles, and sighs as she's held floating there. "Hey, evil dude...don't bother. You'll lose. You'll take over one Kria and a hundred more'll fight you out..."
Shailtor's hand moves from Kria's cheek to her forehead as his six eyes blink in an odd and hypnotic pattern. Steeled by her hate and her unique mentality, the intrustion is resisted.
Kria winks at Shailtor, and sniggers. "Told you. But the eye thing must a good trick."
Shailtor hisses as he moved back. "Amazing... Simply amazing... I've met only one other mortal with the will enough to block me from their mind... But you are far from that paladin..."
: "Well I'm just your average country girl. Whose gonna kick your ass!" Kria snarled, and struggled. "Well, as soon as you let me go. But yeah. Face it Freak, I ain't being your slave! EVER!" Kria smiles, and then tilts her head. "Besides, my head is...kinda crazy. You'd not like it anyway!"
"Maybe I like 'em crazy.... Ahahahahaha!" Shailtor cackles. "And... it's only a matter of time, girl. I'll have you one way or another. I didn't care before, but your defiance makes it a matter of principle, now."
: "Anri... I'll save you. Even if I couldn't before, I will now," Max says as he charges the spellcaster. Max strikes a wicked blow to her head, the mage queen collapsing in a heap.
"Now, now, that's hardly a gentlemanly way to treat a lady..." Erebeus murmurs as a jagged sword of black energy materializes in his outstretched hand. "Perhaps you need an ettiquette lesson, hero..."
Sorel turns into a Polar Bear, skin and weary visage replaced with fur and snarling jaws.
Erebeus cracks Max upside the head twice with the massive sword he carries.
: "Oh great. Really, just what I need. A stalker. Don't you have better things you need to do?" Kria stuck out her tongue at Shailtor, eyes smouldering as her inner flame increases outwards, hoping the fire will at least singe.
The hero reels from the blows, but manage to remain standing.
: "I'm too hot to handle!" Kria giggles, still glaring at Shailtor.
"Oh?" Shailtor asks, his eyes blinking again. "Really?"
Kria's skin burns as fire surrounds her. (Kria suffers 30 fire damage, 20 after resistance.)
Kria winces, and sticks her tongue out again. "What? Am I for dinner or something?"
"Oh come now, I won't sink to jokes of that level. Who do you think I am, the merchant?"
"Oh, You know Derrik as well? He's a bit cheesy, but I'd definately prefer his company to yours...vile bastard of the night!"
"Cheese...?" a mousy voice mutters, before catching itself.
Shailtor easily blocks a punch from Gilliam as he charges in.
"Wait your turn, tin man," Shailtor murmurs as he waves his hand and Gilliam is knocked off his feet and into a wall by invisible force.
Kria frowned, taking in Shailtor.
: "You know, you should consider wearing a few bangles. Hey! Yeah! Sock it to him Gilliam! Kick his ass!" Kria gasped as her robot saviour was so easily tossed away. "Oh no...Gilliam..."
: "Doesn't anyone listen to me? We've got to retreat!" Gilliam mutters as he stands.
: "Well you know I'm not good at that..." Kria says. "And it's kinda hard to move..."
: "Use Egress, you idiot! Now! NOW!"
: "I've got her!" Max shouts, ignoring Erebeus and picking up Anri. "Eg-AH!"
Erebeus's sword slices neatly through Max's side, causing him to stumble and lose his hold on the queen.
: "Like, don't just stand there! Help him!" Kria looks around at her allies, nonplussed at their lack of effort. "Oh yeah...Evil bolt and all."
The Strife Lord stomps forward, gesturing as the unconscious body of Anri moves far away from the others.
"I tire of this. I'll have your service in death if not in life," Erebeus says, raising his sword.
Sorel charges Erebeus.
: "Cliche Much? Why not stop cackling!?"
Langston works furiously at his rope from behind the group, tying a knot.
Kria attempts to spit at the Strife Lord.
Sorel misses with a big sweep of his paw.
"I enjoy a good cackle. Have you ever tried it? Therapeutic," Shailtor says, giggling.
: "Freakshow on legs!" Kria snarled at Shailtor, looking around her. "And your decor sucks! It like...really sucks!"
Kria is suddenly overcome with agony, the pain filling her entire mind for a few moments, but despite it all, nothing else seems to happen.
"A worthy effort... but futile," Erebeus mutters as Sorel charges and he brings his blade down on the druid instead. Blood sprays in a huge arc as the horrid blade carves a deep wound in Sorel's chest, killing him instantly.
Kria blinks as she feels the pain leave her. "You...suck...horribly. Ya know?" She watched as Erebeus struck Sorel and screamed, anger causing her to tremble, redoubling her efforts to escape. "You killed Sorel! You bastards!"
: "SOREL!" Gorrik shouts as he charges forth, trying to lay a hack at the Strife lord's neck.
Kayla moves back, drawing her bow and an arrow as she does so. The rogue shoots at Erebeus, the arrow crackling with elecricity. It veers of to the far right and sticks into the wall.
"Oh don't worry, he'll be back... He'll have a sudden desire to eat your flesh, but he'll be back..." Shailtor taunts.
: "You know I thought I couldn't hate anyone more than the devils. Guess what? YOU'RE A WINNER!" Kria spits at Shailtor, to little effect. "I need outta this..."
"Oh, there's all sorts of fun to be had today..." Erebeus mutters as his blade cleaves into the charging dwarf as well. ((Gorrik suffers 30 damage.))
: "Bah, tha' was merly a flesh wound. Ye're gonna hafta try harder than tha' te bring down a dwarf!" Gorrik belts out.
: "Damnit, you are supposed to be looking at me! I mean, for goodness sake. You want me to just...FLOAT here!?" Kria pouted, tears filling her eyes, in sadness for Sorel and in frustration of her situation.
Kria shut her eyes, silently praying to something. Anything. Someone...help us...hell, even Galm. I mean, it's about time he did some stuff for his kid. I mean cmon! Broken family's have to work harder right?
Langston throws the lasso he had tied around the slumped form of Queen Anri. With help from Gail and Kayla, heaven and hell united in a team effort, Langston begins to slowly drag the unconscious body of the Queen towards them.
Kria opens her eyes, looking at Shailtor. "Hey. Question."
"Yessssss?" Shailtor says, tilting his head.
: "Why Guardiana? I mean like...plenty of other places. Seems a bit random. Also, let me down. I wanna beat you up. Please?" Kria glares at Shailtor, eyes narrowed to slits.
"Oh please. Allow me to explain my evil plan in great detail now that I'm certain you won't escape. I'm arrogant, not stupid," Shailtor sneers.
"Hah! If...if...that's all you can do...you're not that scary at all!" Kria gasps, shuddering to herself. "You...fail again. And cmon! You keep saying you're going to kill and or warp my mind! Can't hurt."
"I'm a little busy at the moment, kittycat," Shailtor says. Gilliam gets up and Shailtor waves at him. Immediately he is smashed back down, sparks flying from his body.
"Don't look it. You're letting mr. BWAHAHAAHAA I HAVE A BIG SWORD there do everything while you do...well, not quite that bad stuff to me." Kria snarls. "Hey! That's discrimination! Against good guys! Hey! Hey! You! Lemme go! Or else I'll haunt you! I mean it!"
"I've been trying to analyze your rock friend. Fascinating construction."
"Into rocks? You are already a freak I suppose..." Kria sticks her tongue out again for the third time, unable to do much else.
Erebeus lifts his sword and parries Gorrik's axe strikes, then contemptously uses his free hand to shove the dwarf backward. Gorrik goes flying backward, hitting the ground to roll back further. Then the Strife Lord sees Langston just as he and the others pull Anri towards them. "That won't help you..." Erebeus says, striking Max with the flat of his sword.
"Hah! In your face! You suck! You're probably really ugly! Take off the helmet! Hey! Hey! Look at me! No!" Kria looks on anxiously as things unfold.
Max groans and falls, unconscious.
"Unless you happen to know any Egress magic...." Erebeus finishes.
Ombligo's in shock, unable to do anything.
"This is futile, you can't escape without your leader and you can't hope to defeat us. Surrender now, you're wasting my time," Erebeus says.
"Don't give up." Taklinn's voice whisper's into Gorrik's ear. "Easy fer you te say, you don' feel the beatin' I'm gettin'" Gorrik grunted as he got to his feet.
"Kittycat, you can't think that... What? Another one?!?! Impossible... Am... Am I losing my touch?" Shailtor shouts as Mahler breaks free of the spell holding him frozen.
"Damn straight you are! Because you all suck! And we're gonna win. So you can go back to hell...or wherever you came from!"
"So you defy us even though you're all exhausted, even though you know that you'll die?" Erebeus asks.
"Well yeah, nothing worth having is ever easy to get. And what I want is...rid of you people." Kria sticks out her tongue. "And if Eyeballs here would let me down, I'll happily enjoy slicing through you."
: "I'd rather die in freedom than live under your slavery!" Gorrik exclaimed as he charged Erebeus once again.
"Then I shall grant you your wish, dwarf," Erebeus murmurs as his sword vanishes and he puts his hands in front of him.
Dark energy crackles around his gaunteleted hands as a ball of pure void begins to form between them.
Mahler stretches, almost symbolically, after breaking free of Shailtor's influence. He pounds his fists together thunderously, then points at Shailtor.
:"I count six eyes. Too bad I only have five fingers."
"Hey. Um, Gorrik. Run!" Kria watches anxiously as she is held suspended in mid air.
Mahler immediately takes to a bum rush at Shailtor, fist raised high in the air.
Shailtor simply steps out of the way, allowing the golem to run past him. "That's all you can do? Then I'm done with you."
"Awww....cmon guys! You can do better than this! Go team! Go!" She sighed, watching pensively.
Dark energy radiates from Erebeus in a scintillating aura as he raises the ball of void over his head.
"...Damnit..." Kria's eyes widen as she watches, the sheer dark aura making her shiver.
Egress!: http://www.shinola.radh.com/guest/Rusty/SorcKingdomFlying.mp3
Suddenly everyone feels an odd lightness within them.
Shailtor jerks his head up. "What? No... Impossible, he should be dead!"
: "Hey...I like where this is going!" Kria smiled as the Strife Lord looked suitably worried.
: "Though it takes the last of my power, it shall not be so..." a voice whispers as blinding light fills the chamber just as the sphere blasts towards Gorrik.
Kria shields her eyes from the radiant light, wincing. "Wowie...shiny..."
: "Ugh!" Kayla says, covering her eyes.
*Mahler looks into the light curiously.*
When the light vanishes, everyone is in a sandy area, with sparse grass poking through.
Kria winces, looking around. "Um...you know...that's kinda different."
Kayla slowly opens her eyes.
: "What...just happened? Where the hell are we now?"
*Mahler lets his shoulders sag.* "While I am glad we are out of that predicament, it is unfortunate that such evil still walks."
: "YYYYAAAAAAAAA..... ah?" Gorrik's voice changing from a hotblooded shout of defiance to a quiet and confused whisper.
Kria lands gently, looking around her. "The hell just happened?"
Kria frowns, heading over to Max, using one of her Healing drops on him.
: "Not that I'm ungrateful... but what just happened, and where are we?" Gilliam asks, pulling himself to a standing position.
"Who knows," Kayla says with a sigh.
Max stirs as Kria administers the healing potion.
"Your guess is as good as mine." Kria replied as she healed Max. "There. That'll help. We're not where we were....s'probably a good thing, right..."
Kria frowned, looking at Sorel and then takes the Staff she had seen earler, unhooking it from her back, going over to the fallen Druid, touching him lightly and willing him to come back. Sorel's eyes open, but color and warmth don't return to his cold, pallid face.
((Staff of Life loses 5 charges.))
"What... where are we?" he says in a weak, hoarse voice.
Kria smiles brightly down at Sorel. "Morning. And I have no idea!"
: "We do not know," Mahler says. As everyone awakens, Langston and Kayla tie Anri securely with rope.
Sorel struggles to a sitting position.
: "What... what happened?"
"Bright light came from nowhere...and bam! Here we are."
: "Bright light? There was nothing else?" he asks.
: "Whatever happened, the Strife Lords were quite worried by it," Mahler states.
"A voice. Telling us this would not be and bam," Kria says.
: "Was it the voice from before?" Sorel asks the warlock.
"I don't think so...I'm not sure though...Mahler?" Kria frowned, thinking about this.
: "Yes. I believe it was," Mahler states.
"The last... I am the last." Sorel repeats what the voice from the space between worlds had said.
"Sounded the same high melodramatic style..." Kria comments.
: "I wonder who or what saved us," Kayla says to herself as she helps Langston bind Queen Anri.
Sorel looks around.
Kria moves away, and shakes Max. "Hey...we've got her ya know."
: "Gilliam," Sorel calls out to the cyborg, "Did you recognize that voice?"
: "It was the same as the last time, as you said," Gilliam says.
: "Do you know what it meant?" Sorel asks. "The last of what?"
: "I have no idea," Gilliam says, shaking his head. "And that's what worries me."
Sorel frowns.
: "What sort of beings had that power in your time? Surely there cannot have been many."
"There were the Vandals and Innovators... The gods didn't reveal themselves until the war... Nothing that doesn't readily exist in legend," Gilliam says.,
: "If Vandals were evil and Innovators good, as Ignatius said, then is it the last Innovator?" Sorel asks.
: "I don't know," Gilliam says, shaking his head again. "But we can dwell on this when we're safe. Where are we?"
: "Well, better yet...let's see to the Queen?" Kria asks.
Sorel sees a stately looking mansion in the distance to the west, where the grass overcomes the sand and becomes normal ground. Sorel struggles to his feet, needing to keep both hands locked on his staff to maintain his balance. He begins to limp across the sand.
: "We must pay the owner of this mansion a visit. Come along, now."

Posted by: Dark Maiden Sun Apr 29, 2007 5:52 pm
"You want us to pay the owner of a mansion in the middle of nowhere a visit? Are you freaking insane?" Kayla frowns and crosses her arms over her chest. The rogue looks at Max. "I think it unwise to go much of anywhere in our condition. However, since you are our leader Max, I guess the choice is your's."
Kayla manages to keep a civil tone when speaking to the hero but it is clear that today's events have put the rogue in a very bad mood.

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Sun Apr 29, 2007 6:22 pm
"We are in the middle of someplace we don't know, with no way of finding out what's going on. We don't have much of a choice but to go to the mansion, because if we don't there's a good chance we'll die slowly out here," Graigus said, moving along more slowly than usual. Even so, he had no trouble overtaking the druid, and without allowing Sorel the opportunity to object, the monk used both his staff and his own body to support the aged man.

Posted by: Rusty Sun Apr 29, 2007 6:34 pm
*The sands scatter in the wind against the grass. Ombligo floats in the sky, seemingly unaffected by the wind. Teary-eyed, the normally talkative Magic Creature looks into a void of golden-brown. His eyes are not up at the blue sky - his gaze is at the sand. How many times do I have to see my best friends die?...Is this the my point of existence? To see death and destruction? To witness everything's end and be powerless to stop it? Even with Max at our side we could do absolutely nothing. This was hopeless from the beginning...Gail was right...*

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:01 pm
: "Graigus is right. If we camp here in our state, we take a great risk. Not to mention that whatever dwells in the mansion would probably encounter us anyway. Better that we find out the owner of that place while we're still conscious," Max says, swallowing heavily, staring ahead with exhausted eyes. He follows after Sorel, Gilliam heaving a sigh and trudging behind.
The Mansion is surrounded by trees, a thick forest growing around it despite its proximity to the arid desert to the east. A small moat of sparkling water surrounds the mansion, which looks similiar to a small castle in some respects. Ivy crawls up the white brick sides of the great house's walls. Grinning faces of gargoyles and a goat headed demon adorn the walls of the gate, a stark contrast to the beauty of the mansion's surroundings.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:03 pm
"Ugh... Fine, whatever, but I still have a bad feeling." Kayla follows the others.

Posted by: Aldur Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:06 pm
"Um, like incidentally...Max isn't our leader. He's merely hired us to help him out. Like...Sorel and Gail kinda fulfill that. And this is not a one man band. We don't do what one person says." Kria snorts at Kayla and ascends, flying after the others towards the mansion ahead.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:09 pm
Kayla glares at Kria for a moment and rolls her eyes when the warlock snorts at her. 'Well, you could have fooled me.' The rogue seems in awe of the beauty of the mansion, until she sees the gargoyles. 'Those are kind of creepy...'

Posted by: Sighrus Sun Apr 29, 2007 9:19 pm
Left. Right. Left. Right. Gail went through the motions as the force marched onward, one worn, pitted greave in front of the other, slowly keeping pace with her companions. She wondered how much time had actually passed since they had begun the assault on the devil's fortress; if it had been mere minutes since the portal had collapsed, or if days had rolled by with each time they had been spirited away. She knew that it would mean nothing either way, that whether it would have occured in instants or weeks, the results would be the same: they were beaten, they were exhausted, and they were elsewhere. To stop, though, to rest would be foolish...they had to continue on.
Left. Right. Left. Right.
She could barely feel her legs rise and fall, the muscles working automatically even though her eyes watched them work. It was all that could be done to keep pushing like that, to simply move on. Perhaps, she hoped, they would soon rest, be able to clear their heads and refresh their bodies and wipe the black clouds from over their heads. The knight didn't know what would happen if the opportunity never came. The weight the group carried was obvious on the faces of all, some thrusting it ahead of them while others simply let it hang on their shoulders. If that weight was added to...she didn't know.
Left. Right. Left. Right.
How could she ease this burden that had been placed upon them? Wasn't she supposed to lead, to raise their spirits and give them hope? Gail's head rose from the grass beneath her feet to look at her allies in turn, staring as sky blue eyes fell upon an old, slumped man and a young man in dark armor, leading the ground forward, his feet falling as heavily as her own...a faithful friend and a trusting mentor. How had her actions aided them, kept them aloft through this as they had been battered? She had promised one never to leave his side, a promise that had been broken every time she had allowed him to leave hers; for the other, for his words of comfort and his praise for her abilities, he had not recieved one word in kind, not even a muttering of condolence. She then looked to the others, all the times she had held back a kind word or not held out a hand in aid flashing through her mind. How were these the acts of a leader? How were these the acts of a friend?
Left. Right. Left. Right. Stop.
The angel-born turned her head as the group halted, spying the grimly guarded entrance of the mansion wearily. With a thought, she calls upon her Lgiht-given sight, scanning for a sign of danger or malicious intent.
[Detect Evil used; if nothing appears, she goes ahead and knocks on the door. If it pings, she informs Sorel and Max of the impending doom.]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Apr 29, 2007 9:33 pm
Gail detects no evil within the range of her ability.

Posted by: Rusty Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:40 am
A big burly, heavily muscled man with a green bandana without a shirt opens the door, blinking. Sorel speaks up from behind Gail. "Excuse me, sir, may we have a word with your master?" "Mr. Creed is busy. No meetings without appointments. Do you have an appointment?" the man asks.
"I believe he will be willing to see us," Sorel says.
"I'll go check. Name of your party?" the man asks slowly.
"Eh..." Sorel tilts his head, thinking, before he looks at Max and shrugs. "I suppose you can introduce us as the Shining Force.."
The man blinks before slowly responding. "That's funny. Really, though."
Sorel's face is stern. "Sir, I have died twice in the last twenty-four hours, and I am currently waiting to rest up so I can go and probably do it again. Let us in. Please."
"I need a name to introduce you as," the man says, again, a dull expression on his face. "You're certainly not the Shining Force."
Sorel points at Max. "Tell him that."
''I'm Max of the Shining Force, and I and my companions would like to speak with this Mr. Creed," Max says, wearily.
"You're Max? I thought you'd be taller... and more muscled," the man says with a shrug. "I'll go tell him. Wait here, please." The big man closes the door and tromps away.
Sorel leans on his staff, sighing. "I am not looking forward to this."
"What, precisely?" Gilliam asks.
Sorel looks up, his face drawn and weary. "I have to pick just one?"
Gilliam is silent for a moment. "If all goes well, we will have a place of rest for a time," Gilliam states. "I would think that would be something to look forward to."
"When, exactly, was the last time all went well?" Sorel asks. "It has been quite a while, you will admit."
"When was the last time anything went well?" Gilliam replies. "Focusing on the negative will drive you insane."
"Focusing on the positive gets a little harder every time my heart stops beating," Sorel says, "But I do appreciate the support."
"I should know about hearts stopping beating," Gilliam replies. "You're welcome."
Sorel cocks his head, listening for sounds from within the house. The druid frowns. "They are not laughing. That is something."
"Mr. Creed will see you now." Goliath holds open the door and motions.
Sorel smiles graciously, entering first and looking around.
The main hall is adorned with many statues, busts, and pieces of art, most of a grotesque or monstrous nature. Despite the statuary, sunlight streams in from large windows. Standing in the middle of the hall is a man in purple and red robes, a fancy hat with gold and gems in it sitting atop his brow. The man's skin and hair is also purple and he has an ethereal quality about him. The fact that his pupils are red and eyes yellow underline the feeling you get that he isn't exactly a normal human. A silk scarf completes the outfit and gives him the appearance of a noble.
Sorel bites his bottom lip and bows. "Mr. Creed, I presume?"
"Yes, you presume correctly. May I ask your names?" the man asks, giving a formal bow.
"Graigus Stonemead," the monk said. "Pupil of Chu Rao and Qualis."
*Mahler gives a stiff bow, then quickly stands upright once more.* "Mahler."
"I am Sorel," he says before pointing out each of those too shy to speak.
*Ombligo stares at Creed with blank eyes. The Magic Creature says nothing.*
"Gilliam," Gilliam says, quietly. The cyborg looks at Creed impassively, the steel shell of his body masking any emotions he might be feeling.
"Max, of the Shining Force," Max says, bowing at the waist.
Creed chuckles. "Disintiguished guests. I suppose you were somehow related to the magical disturbance to the east of here?"
"I am sorry," Sorel says, "but where exactly is east of here? Our mode of travel does not permit us to get our bearings."
"Out there, near the edge of desert," Creed says.
Graigus: "Mr. Creed... where are we, exactly?"
"You're in my mansion of course," Creed says, amusedly. "Located at the tip of the Devil's Tail region of Southern Parmecia."
Sorel coughs. "In the last day we have been on Grans Island, in Guardiana Castle, and here. Please forgive us for seeming a bit...disoriented."
"Then we're back!" Graigus said. "We need to get back to Galam as soon as we can, Sorel!"
"Indeed? How is it that you came to be here?" Creed asks.
Sorel nods. "There is a place nearby I would like to hear news of, before we go. But you are correct." He sighs at Creed's question. "A...mishap with a portal, followed by an intervention of sorts."
"Oh? Please, do go on," Creed says, hand stroking his wispy beard.
Sorel recounts the story, beginning with the rogue Greater Devils Aelisnyx and Zassahd, to his destruction of the portal, up through the
encounter with the Strife Lords, to now.
"Mr. Creed... I don't mean to be rude, but who are you? We've had a lot of trouble with people we randomly met lately, and... well... how do we know we can trust you?" the monk asked.
"Well... Considering your story, you might feel safer if you don't. I do happen to be a Greater Devil, after all," Creed says, offhand.
"You have not tried to kill us yet, which is a mark in your favor." Sorel says uneasily while looking askance at all the Paladins including Max.
Gripping his staff tightly, the monk dropped into a battle stance immediately, looking from Goliath to Creed warily.
*Ombligo looks to the floor, muttering words almost completely silently.* "Of course..."
Gilliam glares at Creed, before uttering five words laced with more venom than even Zassahd could hope to produce. "I... Am... Out... Of... Ammo..."
Sorel looks at Creed impassively, studying his reaction.
Goliath drops into a monks' fighting stance as Graigus does, eyes warily watching the dwarf.
Creed chuckles at Gilliam's pronouncement. "Of course... I do happen to be retired. All the backstabbing, warfare and politics got tiring after a few centuries. So I quit and hid myself in this sanctuary."
Sorel turns his head to Graigus. "Stand down," he says. "They do not seek a fight, and we would not win one in our condition."
"Good thing too," Langston chimed. "Outta rope..."
"Devils... Always with a smile on their face even as they slice up your mother in front of you..." Gilliam hisses. "Standing there all smug in your superiority..."
Graigus raised slightly, holding the staff upright. "Are you sure, Sorel?"
"No," says Sorel flatly. "But what choice do we have? Besides, it would be rude. We are guests, after all."
The monk said nothing more, returning to a position of calm. However, he did not for a moment take his eyes off of Creed, nor did he neglect to keep Goliath in view as well.
*Mahler sighs, then steps forward.* "Mr. Creed, while my friends are quite suspicious, and rightly so after what we have been through, might I ask a question, if it does not impose too much?"
"That would depend highly," Creed says, tilting his head at Mahler. "...on the question being asked."
*Mahler nods.* "This has puzzled me since we began teleporting, and I have not, in my bank of information, been able to answer it. Are you well versed in the Ancients?"
A low growling emanates from Gilliam.
"I'm a scholar of all lore. If you have questions, ask them," Creed says. "If I do not have the answers, I can consult a few sources and find it in short order."
"We were shown the eye of the Ancients, and from it came a voice that identified itself as 'The Last One.' Later, it showed incredible power the likes of which none of us has seen. Do you know this 'Last One'?"
"He said, 'I am the last'," Max says, quietly. "Not as if were a title."
*Mahler nods again.* "Yes. That is it."
Creed frowns and strokes his beard. "There are a number of things that might fit that description... Can you give me any more information?"
Gail describes it.
"Interesting... That rules out most of what I thought of... It's not something I know off hand, I'll have to do some research."
"Excuse me," Sorel says, "I do not mean to impinge upon your generosity, but many of my comrades are tired and hungry. Would it be possible
for them to rest while you do your research?"
"Of course..." Creed winces. "However, there is a problem. I don't have any accomadations for guests. There's space enough for you to stay, and I can conjure food easily enough...But I don't really have any beds."
"At this point, a stone floor looks inviting, I would imagine," Sorel says. "Thank you."
"It's a large floor," Creed says, gesturing to the wide space of the hall. "You're welcome to it."
Sorel nods and smiles. "Do you happen to have any news of the Fairy Woods?" he asks. "I had heard some time ago that it was under siege."
"Oh yes. The siege was only recently broken, actually. A band of heroes from Cypress led by a Holy Knight of Mitula ambushed the Cult Forces and annihilated them. The village suffered damage as a lich summoned an earthquake, but few lives were lost from what I hear," Creed says.
"An earthquake?" Sorel asks, his face going white. "I...very well. Thank you."
"Quite welcome. Any other questions?" Creed asks.
"I... I do not know if you know of my monastery, but... if you do, could you tell me if Master Quialis is alright?"
"What monastery does he hail from?" Creed asks.
"The Temple of the Lapping Crane," Graigus said. "Not far from the mountains near Granseal."
"If it's on Grans it should be fine, especially if it was south of Galam," Creed says. "The Cult have concentrated their efforts on Rune for the most part."
Sorel: "We were told that they had been beaten off of Cypress by a band led by a holy knight of Mitula. It is the same band that beat the siege at the
Fairy Wood?"
Creed: "Yes."

Posted by: Sighrus Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:26 am
Gail watches the exchange between her comrades and Mr. Creed impassively, her only reaction being that born of training, swordarm flying to hilt as the Greater Devil makes known his origin. However, her eyes catch those of Sorel, and her grip loosens, releasing the blade as her arm returns to her side. As a break in the question and answer session occurs, the paladin looks to Sorel and Max, catching their attention before speaking.
: "It seems we have our next destination in mind. While I doubt we could combine our forces, unless we wish to make ourselves a beacon to the Strife Lords, we could feasibly come up with a plan of attack, or at least make our presence known to them. Also, seeing as we can't tell if or when they will leave, heading out as soon as possible would be most prudent." A low growl interrupts her analysis, the paladin laying a hand on her stomach as a blush develops on her face. "Though, it would insulting to refuse our host's generous offer...", she whispers, moving her face to the side to hide some small amount of present embarrassment.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:50 pm
Kayla says only one word when Mr. Creed asks for their names. "Kayla." The rogue remains silent during the rest of the exchange between Mr. Creed and her allies, eyeing the devil warily. Given her distrust of people in general, and especially devils, her hand flies to the hilt of one of her swords as soon as Mr. Creed mentions that he is a greater devil. Kayla calms down when he mentions that he retired, though, and she lets her arm fall back down to her side. She looks and Gail and scoffs.
"Heading out so soon would not be logical. We have fought three battles in the past twenty four hours. We are tired, wounded, and hungry."
Kayla's speech is also interrupted by a low growl from her stomach. The rogue blushes a bit. After a few moments, she speaks up again.
"I hope I do not impinge on your hospitality further for asking you this Mr. Creed, but is there a place around here where we can freshen up?"

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:51 pm
"The privies are over there," Creed gestures to a door to the left.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:34 pm
"Thank you very much." Kayla goes through the door and closes it behind her.

Posted by: Aldur Tue May 01, 2007 12:27 am
Kria looked on incredulously at the exchanges taking place. "Well, like...I kinda have a couple of questions. How the fricking heck does one, like...hack apart a Strife Lord? Isn't Zeon kinda...pissy about this? And also, like...what's up with the decor? Like, Totally lame! And...one more like, question! Can't you help us like fight them? It'll take more than us..."
Kria smiled brightly around, frowning as everyone seemed on edge or sad, or perhaps lost in their own thoughts. She would have to do something about that later...

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue May 01, 2007 12:30 am
: "Certainly a unique way of phrasing things... All right. Your answers are, I don't know, very much so, I happen to like relics from my people, and no, I'm retired," Creed says. "I'd imagine holy things would hurt the Strife Lords, as they seem to be something akin to Devil Kings."

Posted by: Aldur Tue May 01, 2007 12:35 am
Kria raises a brow, not much liking the answers, and then frowns, thinking of something. "How'd you know the answer to the Zeon one? Does he...like, stop by for tea and a chat?"

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue May 01, 2007 5:22 am
Creed smirks, but does not answer the question. Night falls swiftly enough, Creed providing gruel, meat, bread, and water for his guests. Simple fare conjured from thin air, but it is filling at least. Within the front hall, sleeping rolls lie scattered about as the party prepares to bed down for the night...
((Nothing happens from nightfall on, so you've got whenever Sorel and Max decide to leave to do whatever.))

Posted by: Alpha Tue May 01, 2007 8:03 am
((I'm having some pretty bad internet connection problems right now, but if possible, I'd like to get a conversation with Creed and another with Kria in. So a placeholder of sorts, this is))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Tue May 01, 2007 2:30 pm
Kayla is greatly dissapointed when she can find no place to bathe, but the rogue freshens up the best she can. Kayla seems to have no problems with the food that Creed provides for them. After such a long and hard day, any kind of food would be welcome to anyone. Aside from that, the rogue is used to such simple food anyway.
When the time comes for the party to bed down for the night, Kayla is already in her bedroll, staring at the ceiling. Her backpack and the rest of her belongings are against the wall behind her. The rogue has set up her bedroll in a place a little bit away from the others, but not too far away.

Posted by: Aldur Tue May 01, 2007 4:25 pm
((Doubtful. He directed you to the privvies. Go look it up. I doubt you can have a long relaxing bath when our host is serving gruel. ))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Tue May 01, 2007 4:32 pm
((Ok, I revised my post. Are you happy now? ))

Posted by: Aldur Tue May 01, 2007 4:50 pm

QUOTE (Dark Maiden @ Tue May 01, 2007 4:32 pm)
((Ok, I revised my post. Are you happy now? ))

((No.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed May 02, 2007 4:02 am
Sorel hears a voice coming from outside the building. He turns to see a man in white hopping up and down, flailing his arms in an attempt to get someone's attention. The druid looks with concern at the hopping figure, going to the window. "Get out... over here!"
Sorel runs out the door, insofar as he can, before turning around the building and coming upon the exasperated man. "What is it?"
"Finally!" the man says, lowering his arms. "They've got wards all around the mansion, so I can't just pop in like I usually do."
"You are with the merchant?" Sorel asks.
"Yes. You don't recognize me?" the young man asks. "I gave you the Abrapocalypse wand. Oh! How did that work out, anyway?" he asks with enthusiasm.
"Splendidly," Sorel says dryly. "For whom, I could not say. What do you want?"
"Huh?" the apprentice seems puzzled at the response. "What's that mean? Oh, anyway Derrik sent me to check up you. You need any supplies? Anything to buy or sell? It's not much, but we managed to salvage and reactivate Warehouse number twenty three, so we've got a tad more to offer."
Sorel frowns. "I will tell the others that you are here and would like to trade. Come around to the front of the building."
The apprentice winces. "I can't. He's got wards up. I can't move any further forward."
Sorel glowers. "Fine. Stand here and I will get the others."
"It's not my fault," he protests, noting the glower. "I can't help my heritage."
The old man's expression softens slightly. "My apologies. Wait here," he says, departing.
"All right," the apprentice says, smile returning to his face. "I hear you had it rough out there, so I'll cut you a discount so long as you don't let the boss know, OK?"
"I appreciate that," Sorel says as he walks away.
YOU CAN BUY AND SELL WITH THE MERCHANT
50 Large +4 Brilliant Energy arrows Farain
A short sword +3 - Kayla
Ring of Major Energy Resistance [Fire] - Gorrik
Umbra Blade (Keen Rapier +5, Shadow Strike as a free action 3/day - Langston
Belt of Superior Endurance (+6 CON, Mass Bull's Str 1/day) - Mahler
7,000 gold - Everyone else
Also the following (these guys still get gold)
Staff of Life - 25 charges - Kria
Staff of Defense - 20 charges - Tanis

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed May 02, 2007 4:19 am
Gilliam purchases ammunition, a full six hundred rounds in all, with an additional hundred enchanted with Holy magic.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed May 02, 2007 4:26 am
Sorel returns shortly thereafter with a sack in his hand. He presses it onto the merchant. : "See to it that this gold is sent to the elven village in the Fairy Wood to help it rebuild." "I thought that's where you'd be heading next?" the apprentice asks, puzzled as Sorel presses the money into his hands.
: "You can get there sooner than we will," Sorel says. "And I...dislike carrying such a large amount of gold."
"All right, I'll drop it off."
((7,000 gold donated))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed May 02, 2007 5:35 am
((Kayla sells both of her silver short swords. She should get back 2310 gp back for both of them. They are silvered though, so that may add to or subtract from the amount. I might buy something, but I'm still thinking.))

Posted by: Alpha Wed May 02, 2007 8:09 am
((Tanis will get his Cloak of Charisma upgraded to a +6 enchantment. This will cost him 20,000 gold pieces, which he can afford. I'm not sure if this is possible, if not, I'll get something else instead))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed May 02, 2007 8:15 am
((You get a 15% price reduction, a CoC +6 is fine, IF they are that cheap.))

Posted by: Alpha Wed May 02, 2007 8:39 am

QUOTE (TheUnknownMarine @ Wed May 02, 2007 7:15 am)
((You get a 15% price reduction, a CoC +6 is fine, IF they are that cheap.))

((Well, they aren't that cheap, but it'd be an upgrade, as he already has a CoC +4. Or would the upgrade enchantment take too long?))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed May 02, 2007 8:50 am

QUOTE (Alpha @ Wed May 02, 2007 8:39 am)
((Well, they aren't that cheap, but it'd be an upgrade, as he already has a CoC +4. Or would the upgrade enchantment take too long?))

((He'd just take yours as a trade in.))

Posted by: Alpha Wed May 02, 2007 8:53 am
((Ok then. Trading in the CoC +4 for 8,000 gold pieces, then purchasing the CoC +6 with a 15% discount results in Tanis spending 23,800. Wooo))

Posted by: Nightmare Wed May 02, 2007 9:42 am
((If it's possible, Gorrik will sell his +1 Flametouched Dwarven Waraxe and his +2 Dwarven Waraxe of Shock. He'll then purchase a Flametouched Dwarven Waraxe +2 and would give him 2734.5 gold in change including the 15% discount. This assumes of course that there's a +2 Flametouched Dwarven Waraxe lying around to be purchased.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed May 02, 2007 1:58 pm
((I would like to purchase a +1 Holy Short Sword, if that's possible. Also, how much are potions of Cure Critical Wounds?))

Posted by: Sighrus Wed May 02, 2007 5:58 pm
[Caduceus Bracers - 2000 g Torc of Heroic Sacrifice - 6000 g Vest of Resistance +3 - 9000 g 15% off = 14450 g. RP to be created later.]

Posted by: Tarethen Wed May 02, 2007 7:02 pm
((If possible, Farain will buy a pair of Greater Bracer's of Archery. Roughly how much will that cost?))

Posted by: Alpha Wed May 02, 2007 7:06 pm

QUOTE (Tarethen @ Wed May 02, 2007 6:02 pm)
((If possible, Farain will buy a pair of Greater Bracer's of Archery. Roughly how much will that cost?))

((21,250gp))

Posted by: Tarethen Wed May 02, 2007 8:32 pm

QUOTE (Alpha @ Wed May 02, 2007 2:06 pm)
((21,250gp))

((Hurrah for hoarding money and not spending. =D Then if TUM allows it, I'll be purchasing a pair. ))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed May 02, 2007 9:45 pm
((Healing Drops ((CCW potions)) are 400 gold a piece. The Bracers, Axe, and Shortsword are all available. Gail can purchase the Bracers and the Torc, but they're out of vests. Ignatius has absorbed all the bad luck as I rolled for him and none of what he wanted was in stock.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed May 02, 2007 11:28 pm
Sells Silver Swort Sword +1 x2 - 2330 gp Buys Holy Short Sword +1 [15% off] - 15563.5 gp Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds x2 [15% off] - 510 gp
Potion of Cure Serious Wounds x2 [15% off] - 1275 gp
Potion of Cure Critical Wounds x2 - 800 gp
Total - 18149 gp
((It was actually 18148.5, but since I didn't have 5 sp, I just rounded it up. I assumed the prices for the CCW potions were after the discount. If I'm wrong, let me know.))

Posted by: Rusty Thu May 03, 2007 3:11 am
*With the same blank stare on his face, Ombligo approaches the merchant.* : "...I want a cape like mine, only more potent." *Ombligo hands over his cape and the gold necessary for the purchase. Normally he would be delighted to see a new cape, but when he received it his spirits were not lifted at all. Despite this, he remained courteous.*
: "Thank you."
((Sells
Cape of Charisma +2 - for 2K
Buys
Cape of Charisma +4 - for 13.6K (this includes the 15% discount) ))

Posted by: Aldur Thu May 03, 2007 3:27 am
Kria, being rather poor and having all her mother's heirlooms opted out of buying things, and so when the time for sleep rolled around, she moved outside, looking at the river that surrounded Creed's house. She grinned, sitting with her legs in the water and then shudders, finally allowing herself a moment of grief.
For those who had cared for her, protected her, fought to save her...all gone. She wept for her Mother, her Father...and the family she had so long known. But most of all...she wept for the dream that was now unattainable. The dream of showing her tribe a better way. It was...all gone now. Nothing of that dream remained. Destroyed by her own hands...
Kria snarled and punched the ground with her clenched fist. No. Not her...The Strife Lords! She shivered, having met two of them. Powerful foes...but she'd find a way. She smiled suddenly, wiping the tears from her eyes as old memories rose to the surface.
No enemy is unbeatable. Never give up. Destroy your enemy utterly so he may not hurt you and your kin.
Always try to remember the good times. Don't dwell on the bad...they'll destroy you, and then the enemy has truely won.
Kria sighed, her dark shadowly wings enfolding her as she sat looking up at the stars, tilting her head as she thought...seriously. About her old life and her new one. And she began to hum, slowly creating a song. A song to cheer her up, and to make the bad memories leave...
((Sing Check: 26. 19+2ranks+5Cha))
"If we tightly pool our strength together,
No matter how big the dream,
Surely someday, surely someday
That's right, it'll come true!
We can be, we can be
Much more happy!
If I can walk with my head held high,
Even on the gloomy rainy days...
I'll now be able to see the sun
From between the distant clouds.
That's right, let's seek out fun and excitement every day!
While tightly embracing handfuls of hope.
Throw away that feeling of wanting to cry a little
If you smile then look, I'm happy again today!
Everyday I'll be cheerful and flourish
With my back fully awash in the sunlight...
If you take hold of the feelings overflowing
In your heart and smile then look, I'm happy!
Because my heart throbs sharply.
No matter how tiny the love...
Surely someday, surely someday,
That's right, I'll show you that I'll make it come true!
I want to be, I want to be Much more happy!
If you want to have true love,
You can't just wait patiently for it!
I'll show you that I'll seize hold of it
Whether if it's a miracle or it's fate.
That's right, everyday I'll be cheerful and flourish!
With my back fully awash in the sunlight.
If you take hold of the feelings overflowing,
In your heart and smile then look, I'm happy!
Let's seek out fun and excitement every day!
While tightly embracing handfuls of hope.
Throw away that feeling of wanting to cry a little,
If you smile then look, everyone's happy!"
The Warlock giggled, splashing in the moonlit water for a moment, nodding to herself. For now it was the time to move on. She needed to protect her new family after all...

Posted by: Dark Maiden Thu May 03, 2007 5:13 am
After she is done dealing with the merchant, Kayla puts her things away and goes back outside. The rogue looks around for a moment and spots Kria sitting down by the river. 'I wonder...should I go and talk to her?' Her thoughts are interrupted when Kria begins to sing. Kayla stays to listen, and the song starts to make her feel calm. After the warlock is done, she makes her way to the river bank and sits down. Kayla pulls her knees up to her chest and stares at the moon. After a little while, the glances at Kria.
"How are you feeling?"

Posted by: Aldur Thu May 03, 2007 1:43 pm
Kria grins. "Not too bad." She lookes sideways at the rogue, the grin still playing about her lips as she moves her legs in the cold water, creating ripples. "And what about you then?"

Posted by: Dark Maiden Thu May 03, 2007 7:13 pm
Kayla takes a moment to reply. "Oh...I'm fine." ((Bluff: 14 + 16 - 2 = 28 Kayla doesn't like to talk about her problems or even admit she has them, I'm afraid ))

Posted by: Rusty Fri May 04, 2007 3:13 am
Gorrik walks over to his squishy little buddy after they make their purchases. "Tha' cape looks good on ye lad." The Dwarf says, hoping to cheer the unusually gloomy Ombligo up. Ombligo: "Huh?" *The Magic Creature turns to face Gorrik.* "You think so? Heh. Thanks. But it looks basically just like my old one..." *Ombligo didn't care to hide his emotions. He felt miserable and he knew everyone could tell, but he just couldn't bring himself to care right now.*
"What're ye talkin' 'bou'? This one makes ye look like a hero." Gorrik gave the floating jellyfish a friendly pat on the head. "After all, if we're the new Shinin' Force, ye got te look like one."
Ombligo: "Gorrik..." *The magic creature frowns, turning away again.* "If we're the Shining Force, how come we can't stop the bad guys? I thought we were doing nicely there until the Strife Lords showed up...Not all three were present, and we had Max, and we still didn't stand a chance! And that one...he killed Sorel like a dagger tearing through parchment. It was like a reflex,
even...It came so natural...he murdered Sorel as a reflex!"

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri May 04, 2007 4:13 am
Max approaches Sorel with a pensive look on his face. : "What is on your mind?" Sorel asks. : "What... What experience do you have with mind control?" Max asks, quietly. "That is... Who here knows the most about it?" : "Our experiences have been with possession," Sorel says. "Tanis and Ombligo would be the two most likely to know something, given their studies." Concern crosses his face. "Is it the queen?"
Max looks towards the queen, still slumbering in her bonds since the group's escape.
: "...yes."
The druid places a hand on Max's shoulder.
: "You saw what came over her face when she had to attack you. Confront her, make her face it. Help her fight it off."
: "I know... but is that all there really is to it?" Max asks. "Isn't there any among us that knows about such things?"
: "We could ask Astrid," Sorel says, an edge in his voice. "She had experience in playing with the mind."
: "This is hardly a joking matter," Max says, glaring at Sorel.
Sorel's expression does not soften.
: "No, it is not. Ask the arcanists. Ask Gilliam; I do not know what he has experienced. Ask Creed; I doubt there is much he does not know."
: "Creed..." Max murmurs. "Yes... He would know, wouldn't he."
:"If anyone knows, it would be him," Sorel replies.
: "Yes... Thank you, I'll seek him out," Max says, nodding and taking his leave.
: "Good luck," Sorel says softly.
: "Thanks," Max says, quietly.
-------------
Later...
: "Well? What do you think?" Max asks.
: "Difficult to say... There's definately been manipulation of her mind, this wasn't done of her own will... at least, not in her normal state."
: "What?"
: "Her mind has been corrupted, her normal self eroded by a steady influx of magic and evil... However, rather than simply turn to evil outright, enough of her will remains that she struggles against it... hence the madness."
: "..."
: "It is probable she will recover, but it will take time."
: "Isn't there magic to heal her?"
: "Yes, but it might do more harm than good... The magic of these Strife Lords, while comparable in power, works differently than the magic we are accustomed to. The spells that cleanse the mind normally might have... ill effects. I would not recommend it... nothing short of the touch of a god would be free of the chance to harm her."
: "..."
: "Don't look like that. Give it time. Time and keep her away from whatever was corrupting her."
: "Why is she still asleep?"
: "Exhaustion. She could finally stop the mental fight for a time once you pulled her out of the presence of those Strife Lords. She must have been fighting against their influence all this time, even if only on the most basic level. Remarkable will."
: "So... Aside from talk and rest..."
: "There is nothing you can do. At least... not now."
: "..."

Posted by: Nightmare Sat May 05, 2007 7:54 am
: The paladin frowns slightly to Ombligo. "Ye should know. It doesn' matter how many times ye get knocked down. Wha' matters is how many times ye get back up. An' last I checked, Sorel got back up didn' he?" Gorrik smiled a little, hoping his optimism would rub off.
: "Sorel's not the same anymore. He's even less like himself than before, and I don't think he's going to be reverting... I think...this is the new Sorel. He'll just become more like this..."
: "Aye, death does change someone." Gorrik says as he taps on his chest plate a few times. "Bu' tha's why we need te fight harder lad. Te prevent it from hapenin' te anyone else."
: "But Sorel...Sorel was......" Ombligo falls silent. The fact was, Sorel was one of the two most important people in his life. Seeing him change - seeing him die over and over again - all of this was taking its toll on the magic creature as well.
: "Sorel's got a lo' goin' through his mind righ' now. He's been slowly goin' down this path tha' he's on before Astrid betrayed us. I'm sure tha' once he gets his thoughts tegethar he'll start being a little more an' more like the ol' Sorel ye've known fer most of yer life." Gorrik gave a small smirk as he lead the Magical Creature back inside the mansion.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun May 06, 2007 5:46 am
In time, the activity dies, and one by one the men, women, and children of the force drift off to an uneasy sleep. It comes easily to them, as sleep does to the weary. But Sorel sits at the edge of a creek, staring at the stars, looking and feeling every bit like a man who has not had a night's sleep in twenty years.
His staff lays on the ground beside him.
I cannot do this.
It is that thought that plagues him, echoing in the stillness of his mind. The sense of having failed, the feeling that he cannot master the moment to come. Weakness, frailty, and helplessness. A burden too great for any man, for any ten men, but a burden that must be borne, and he dropped it. It is that thought that plagues him.
I am a fool, he thinks. I am a fool treading in waters far over my head. What was I thinking to destroy that portal, and how lucky am I that the only life lost to my idiocy was my own? What foolishness made me think I could do this? What foolishness made me think I could be a leader of men?
Sorel's hand strays to the pouch at his side, and pulls out something heavy, far heavier than its appearance suggests. A statue of a woman.
This is what slows me. This, and what is represents.
It is her life, lost to me because of what I was not. Immortal.
It is betrayal, hidden from me because of what I cannot help but do. Trust.
It is death, my death, three times over, because of what I am unable to do. Fight.
The druid's free hand reaches for his staff, and he struggles to his feet. He looks down at the creek, at his haggard reflection in the water. He stares at it, staff in one hand, statue in the other. His promise, and his failure to keep it. He waits. He wonders what he is waiting for. He remembers his own voice, weak and tired, holding up a hero.
"I cannot pardon you for the crimes you accuse yourself of. No one has that power but you. There is no atonement if you do not permit it. No forgiveness if you don't want it. It is you who must decide."
Sorel drops the statue into the water, watches it shatter his reflection.
I am tired.
I am tired of leading. I am tired of fighting. I am tired of living. I am tired of dying. I am tired of measuring myself against an impossible challenge and constantly finding myself wanting. I am tired of feeling like this.
: "Mostly, I am just tired."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun May 06, 2007 9:00 am
This is a spacer. I am too tired to fill it now.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun May 06, 2007 9:22 am
: "Good morning," Sorel says briskly as he sees Max brooding by a window. : "Hmm? You seem a bit more cheerful today," Max says, turning. : "I am not," Sorel says, smiling slightly, "But I am so very tired of brooding. I want to talk to you about our next step."
: "Did you have something in mind?" Max asks.
: "A large part of me wants to go to the Fairy Woods, but I do not think it is reasonable to distract the rest of us for that reason. How is the queen?" Sorel asks abruptly, changing the subject.
: "Still asleep," Max says, frowning. "She stirs and mutters occassionally... but she hasn't awoken yet. Creed says its exhaustion, but I'm still a little concerned."
: "Did he suggest anything to help?"
: "Just that she probably needed rest," Max says, looking to the sleeping queen. "He also advised not to try and use any magic to heal her. Something about the nature of the spell being dangerous to tamper with."
: "I am not surprised," Sorel says, before turning back to the matter at hand. "The threat on Grans is gone, and the numerous incursions on Parmecia have been beaten back. The Cult's stronghold is Rune. But I do not think we are strong enough to make inroads there. What do you think?"
: "Not yet... I... I want to strike at their heart. With all my soul, I want to retake my home. But we're not strong enough... yet," Max says, face contorted with emotion. "We need to do what we did in the war against Runefaust. Advance slowly, retaking the land as we go. We need to recruit allies, gather strength. Find items of power, train ourselves..." Max stops suddenly. "What do you think?"
: "I do not know where else the Cult is fighting. I do not know where there is to train, or what items of power there are to gather that are not already being employed."
: "If only that damn merchant would show up..." Max murmurs. "We could just buy some information. How well do you know this area?"
: "Devil's Tail is not far from the Fairy Woods, which is an area I know very well. The only other part of the continent I am more than passing familiar with is Tristan, having grown up there. But the Temple is sealed."
: "The Temple sounds like we might investigate it at some point," Max says. "Whatever is happening there, if we can solve why the goddess has been so distant lately, we might be able to turn the tide a little. What's the nearest town?"
: "The nearest town is the elven village in the Fairy Woods," Sorel says. "After that... Ribble, I think, or Ketto, if you discount the mountain range that cuts Parmecia in half. Hassan is not far if you take a water route," he adds.
: "We don't have a boat," Max says with a frown. "How long to the Elven Village? We can attempt to get some information there, then get a better plan."
: "Not more than a day or two, I think," Sorel says. "Although it has been a long time since I travelled the distance and I did so alone."
: "I think we can probably manage," Max says.
Gilliam suddenly gets up from his place and walks towards Sorel and Max.
: "Yes?" Sorel asks the approaching cyborg.
: "I... Might know of a place worthy of your attention if you're looking for a goal," Gilliam says, hesitantly.
Sorel eyes Gilliam suspiciously.
: "What did the Ancients have out here?"
: "In the mountains near the Fairy Woods is the base where I was stationed back when I still had my body. It was the base where the portal experiments took place, where we inadvertantly opened the door for the Devil Army," Gilliam begins.
Sorel frowns.
: "Dam was looking for an Ancient installation, wasn't he? I can't remember the name."
: "I do not know if it still exists... but it was heavily fortified and protected. It could have weathered the Apocalypse..." Gilliam says. "The name of the base was Megiddo. Where Armageddon began."
: "And this is where you propose we go?"
: "It's fairly close by and I don't like the idea of leaving it unattended. I want to at least check in on it. If nothing else, I might be able to procure some weapons and supplies there," Gilliam states. "At worst, we find an enemy stronghold and have a new target."
: "What sort of weapons?" Sorel asks. "There aren't many here who can handle Ancient weaponry."
: "There would be guns which I could use. I believe an energy sword or two might be there. Simple explosives which anyone can use, there might even be some magic left there."
Sorel tilts his head, thinking.
: "Could we stop by the Fairy Woods on the way? Aside from the damage, I want to learn a little more about the band from Cypress that beat the siege."
: "Of course," Gilliam says. "It's on the way. We'd need a place to rest, anyway."
: "We might ask Creed to scry on this base..." Max suggests. "Retired or not he seems to be fairly amiable... and he seems to know a lot about what's going on."
Gilliam growls.
: "He's a devil. You can't trust devils."
: "Seems," Sorel says. "Hospitality aside, I share Gilliam's sentiment, and would prefer not to put him in a more critical position than is needed."
: "Fair enough," Max says.
: "Besides, I can scry." Sorel says, remembering the night not long ago when he saw a corpse battered by rapids through a scrying pool.
: "Ah, right... I forgot," Max says. "Can you scry on this base?"
: "I can only scry a creature," Sorel says, frowning, "But I could send Luna--" he stops, and turns to Gilliam. "Do you know of any creatures in the base that might still be there?"
: "Unless someone has occupied it, there shouldn't be anything present," Gilliam says.
: "I have other means," Sorel says. "We would have to get much closer, but it could work."
: "All right," Max says. "We'll do that then."
Sorel nods.
: "I will tell the others to get ready. Thank Creed for his generosity," he says, with a sideways glance at Gilliam.
: "Of course," Max says, turning away. Gilliam is silent.
: "Very well," Sorel says, without speaking to Gilliam. I will tell everyone to be ready in half an hour. Gilliam, you should help Max with the queen." With that he leaves to gather the others.

Posted by: Tarethen Sun May 06, 2007 3:35 pm
((Just to make sure TUM and whoever else needs to know knows, Farain did buy the bracers.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun May 06, 2007 10:39 pm
Max purchases supplies for the group as they trek through the desert and then over the mountains. The desert is hot, windy, and dry. Most of all, it is tiring to walk through miles and miles of sand. After a few days when the mountains are finally in sight, it is a great relief. The hike up the mountains is just as strenous as the desert, but thanks to the mountain breezes, it is far more comfortable. The Devil's Tail mountains, despite their omnious moniker, are actually quite pleasant to view. Vegetation is sparse but present, and the spires of rock jut majestically into the sky.
The journey takes about four days before you clear the mountain range and are out of the Devil's Tail region. Immediately upon descending from the mountains, you find yourself in a forest. Night falls and the Fairy Woods is only a day away.
The peaceful symphony of the night forest is a comforting contrast to the howling winds of the desert, the crickets chirping and owls hooting. The moon provides much light to see by, as it rises high in the sky, accompanied by a host of bright stars. Despite all that you've seen, here in the heart of the wild, it is almost as if there is no war at all. The campfire crackles, providing the rest of the light and most of the warmth, for the fall season is now upon all. The wind is chill but not yet the biting cold of winter.

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