Morganne and Arik gather what they can find and discarded anything extraneous. Following the secret way pointed out for them by the fighter, they carry Randal along. The forest is eerily silent, and you continue to follow the trail, Morganne's senses continually watching for hidden threats.
After an hour and a half you come upon a log cabin in a clearing ahead. There's a trail of chimney smoke billowing out of it. A watchdog on the front porch announces your presence and starts barking excitedly. Out of the front door came a man with snow white hair that was cut neatly and short. He had a soft look to his face and features, and didn't appear carry the demeanor most wizards had. When he saw Randal he immediately began casting a spell and created a floating disc to rest the thief's body on. Guiding the disc inside of the cabin he had his daughter, a girl perhaps barely past her 18th winter with dark brown hair and eyes care for the man and she began stripping him of his clothing and boots. "Hot water, and some viddles for these travelers" the man said. He had a very even tone, and it was serious and pragmatic yet gentle like that of a loving but stern father.
His discerning eyes studied Morganne and Arik briefly. The cabin interior was simple but well laid out and quite cozy, along with the roaring hearth which a black cauldron laid was full of some spicy beef marrow soup. The daughter, whose name was Twighlah gave Arik and Morganne each a black clay bowl full of the soup and a piece of semi-stale bread. "There is a storm coming, father" she said suddenly. The man nodded in wordless acknowledgement and sat down after thoroughly examining Randal's wounds. The man introduced himself as Praxus, and he says "His wounds are grave, but I gave him some herbs that will stave the venom from spreading too fast. He's got less than a day to live. This first bolt was only an inch shy of the heart"
"We must save him!" Twighlah said emphatically. Praxus's eyes became annoyed and irritable, "Enough child!...some lives cannot be stolen from the Gods hands"
52 comments:
"..my thanks to you and your daughter for your kindness and hospitality" Morganne says wearily "...Randal here was our..guide and was to show us the way safely thruough these woods." Morganne begins "..I am Morganne Du'Laq and my comrade here is Arik Sindsun, we would appreciate a nights rest and can even pay for whatever provisions you have used on our behalf.." Morganne searches her pouch for some coin or a gem to give to Praxus "...we don't have much and our time is precious but please accept this small token of our gratitude.." Morganne finishes eating the soup as best as she can, though her hunger still gnaws at her.
Praxus waves off any offer for payment..."That's not necessary out here in the middle of the forest of Dis. Your golds no good here, but if you want to repay a kindness you could go to Sokol keep and get a rod there which will revive Randal. I'd go get it myself but I cannot leave here. I am expecting...guests to arrive any day now. My daughter can show you the way, and she is a minor healer and can talk to animals. Be careful though, Sokol keep's haunted, cursed too.
Once you breach the walls there is a ruined temple within. Be careful of undead patrols, former guards of the city who linger on in unlife. The former priest of the temple kept a rod that maintained awesome healing power. So far no thief has been able to get in and out of the place alive"
Praxus "Nevermind that. You both look weary. I think I should go myself, it will be...faster...all I ask is that you stay put for awhile to watch over my daughter...she is rather impetuous in her young age"
nodding her head in agreement Morganne collapses into her chair, hands resting across her chest "...consider it done then.." turning her head to Arik "...I am not fully recovered, would you mind taking first watch so that I can get some sleep?" Morgannes eyes begin to close even as she spoke the words to Arik, her breathing slowed as she bent her head forward to rest her chin on her chest. Snapping her head upright suddenly Morganne decides to take some precautions and sets a few caltrops on the grounds outside of the windows and on the window sils themselves. "...keep you ears open as best you can Arik, as soon as I've gotten a few hours of rest, i'll take over the watch. Keep an eye on Praxus's daughter like she was your own."
Twighlah laughs at Morganne lightheartedly. She says "No need for that here, my friends always alert me when people are coming...like they did before you three came here. Birds, squirrels, deer, and that blasted varmint of a fox too. Plus we have that mangy dog outside whose not all that bad at keeping alert for strangers" she said. Praxus stormed off and Twighlah waved farewell to the man, watching him disappear down a narrow road toward the southeast.
Randal was groaning and in a deep coma. Beads of sweat covered him, and he spat out incoherent gibberish once in awhile.
While Morganne falls into a deep deep sleep, Arik and Twighlah lift her into the bed and cover her up. Arik too was deathly sleepy and using what remaining strength he had he gained the bed.
Then, you both awoke in a dark gray misty cavern. As you explored it thoroughly you found it to be empty of anything or anyone. Then suddenly you come to an adjoining cavern where piles of body are haphazardly strewn about atop one another...each has large talon marks in their midsections, their innards dangling out of their unholy wounds. High above, in a gaping hole in the cavern roof is the shadow of a beast with pulsating red eyes and a maw full of dagger-like teeth. The creature leaps through the air and attacks you!
"I have found the dhampir and the dren at last, my master" it croaked.
DECISION
Seeing the creature attacking them from it's hiding place, Arik will dodge to one side and draw his weapon. Making sure he still has his weapon, will flank the creature and counter-attack. Making sure to be mindful of where something or someone else might be coming....
"..no need to post a watch, my friends will alert me should anyone apprach.." Morganne says in a mocking tone refering to Twighlah's earlier comment. Shaking the fog from her head Morganne quickly looks around the chamber for any possible exit "...Damn that Arik, now's not the time to make a bold stand, fleet feet is the only weapons needed now!"
Morganne makes sure she at least has a glue bolt loaded into her wrist bow and quickly searches for any means of escape
The beast revealed itself to be horrid looking creature with the body of a ginormous toad with rows of razor sharp fangs and eyes that seemed full of evil glee. As it saw Arik it formed a shimmering blue hammer and sent it crashing down on the fighter's head. The hammer slammed and blasted Arik in the torso and sent him flying fast into Morganne.
"You pathetic worms! Dezloz has obtained the little mortal brats you tried so fervently to save. And now, this world is his. You go now to rescue that meddlesome miscreant Daynar...an insignificant arch fool. We have assembled a nice pair of professional killers dressed in your guises to tie up loose ends. When he draws his last breath he will die thinking it was the both of you...poetic come uppance for all of your willful defiance of my master's designs. You are trapped in the forest of Dis, your last hope dwindling by a thread. You sent that pathetic fool Praxus to his doom without any offer of aid, choosing instead to lay on your laurels while the world is on the bring of the great purge. It was so kind of Praxus to insist that you not help him...ah pride is such a powerful ally! Muahahahahahah"
Then you both woke up, despite the dream you felt refreshed and see that the sun has fallen in the west behind a cluster of thick towering trees.
Morganne wakes up with a start and checks her surroundings. seeing that she must have been dreaming she quickly grabs her gear and rouses Arik "...I think that we were just attacked, I'm tired of just reacting!" Morganne looks outside the window "...it is dark now or soon will be, you can be sure that we will be attacked sometime soon. If our shared dream was prophetic then both Praxus and Lord Daynar is in trouble." Looking at the unconscious form of Randal "..we need Randal here but we also don't have time to wait for Praxus to return to heal him. Sure Praxus told us what direction he was heading in and my heart tells me that he could be in trouble but..." Morganne pauses for a moment. "...rushing out into the night while our enemies grow even closer to us to help Praxus and to save Randal just feels...like we are again being manipulated does it not? Leaving Randal here by himself with no way of accurately guiding ourselves through these woods is a sure death sentence.."
Twighlah "No, Morganne. Don't venture out to Sokol keep. It is a cursed place, and father knows its lay better than anyone alive...for he designed it. He was the former Lord occupants chief architech when he was in his youth, before mum passed away. He has tricks and cunning to see himself through. Perhaps trust is something both you AND your enemies lack. Maybe it is the key to 'not reacting' ?"
"Randal Thorn?!" a voice bellowed from outside. Through the window you could see ten men clad in cheap looking leather armor, each brandished a torch. "Come on out you greasy piece of turd. We want our cut of the coin you wanker. You aints holding out on us this time!"
REACTION
Waking up from the dream that both he and Morganne shared, "I feel the same way. Let us strike first and see what reaction our foes take for once!" Looking at the small child, "It's hard to trust when there are false friendships and other motives not seen with the true eyes. The only thing you can truly trust is the situation that is in front of you and the steel in your hands." Shaking his head and looks back, "It is hard to trust when you plan so hard on getting things done and it gets fouled as quickly before it even begings. Our enemies are use to us being on the defensive all the time. Let's mix it up a bit.."
Twighlah smiled at Arik, but then the men came outside and called a challenge for Randal. Twighlah went out onto the front porch. She spoke confidently "Be gone from this land you band of fools, and take your whiskey breaths and filthy disease ridden hides with you pigs. There are enemies aplenty in the forest of Dis and I am one you would not wish to gain the scorn from...less you wish to cross the disciple of the druid!"
One of the men laughed, "She's got lots of spirit in her, this fiesty lass might prove rare sport"
"Yeah, and her troublesome father's gone out all by his lonesome in the woods, heh heh...time to turn you into a full fledged woman lass! Learn to appreciate us heroes instead of giving us your stupid sass. Get her boys!"
Twighlah took out a bit of mistletoe from her belt and began saying something. Just then, an enormous Bear...about twice as large as the largest cave bear you'd ever seen came out from behind a tree and began tearing into the throng of men..knocking them from their horses and tearing into one man...killing him dead instantly.
The outlaws ran off, incensed. "We'll get our revenge on you, you little bitch!" the leader, an ugly looking one eyed halforc hissed.
Twighlah came back into the cabin. She turned her eyes to Arik, then forced them away shyly. She said "You spoke earlier of reaction and come uppance. And yet you are here...alive, out of some dire peril by the first looks of your friend the dhampir and yourself. Do you believe in coincidence, Arik? Maybe fate delivered you to our doorstep...the Gods have their own fickle ways...some of which cannot be easily fought. Do you venerate Lor or Wrath, Arik? One is the deity of wisdom and enlightenment...the all knowing one...or the great God of Swords is a powerful master. Have you ever prayed to them? Or offer your enemies as sacrifice? Perhaps you give only lipservice but these Gods seek your heart and mind, not only the blade" she said. "Rangers come to me all the time seeking my counsel, my blessings, and my wisdom. They wish to be more powerful to fight evil, or for clues to find items which may empower them further. You are but one of many of such persons. The past matters not, friend...what matters, is now. The ways of chaos cannot be thwarted or interpreted, only fought as you must know...and the human heart is most chaotic...and adaptive. For your kindness in bringing your guide here, I will give you a prize...both of you...but you must be willing to steal it. This is the test of cunning, given to heroes Lor finds...worthy of him. Would you take this test?"
seeing the outlaws routed by Twighlah, Morganne lays back down on her bed and relaxes for a bit longer "....mixing things up a bit isn't what i had in mind Arik" Morganne says "...my point is simply that too often we simply react. I for one am glad to simply not react. Sure i could've gone outside and challenged those fools but in the end, what would i have gained? a few hours ago i'd have slit Randal's throat for leading us into the trap of the Ettercap. But his argument was a strong one and so he lives yet and here we are helping to save the life of one who would've gladly ended ours without a thought." Morganne smiles and listens to the young druid "....My God has his own ways of testing those who venerate him. I don't simply pay lipservice to the words of Wrath but carry out his will everyday as the codex Soritae decrees" Morganne turns on her side "...Arik, by all means, take the Druid up on her test."
TWIGHLAH: "The test...is not for one alone" she said softly. "But for you as well, Morganne Du'Laq.
An ancient cave lies in a summit five miles west of here. Built into the side is a secret door, the likes of which only elves would be able to discern. Long ago, a priest of the order of Lor...drunk on power had summoned a demon from the pit inside while deeply inebriated. This demon is still trapped therein, of this I am most certain. Plants near it wither, animals die mysteriously, and monsters of evil bent are drawn to it like bees to honey. Destroy the demon and you will gain a boon that will elevate you above and beyond the forces of chaos"
"..that's all fine and good but I for one will prefer to simply rest here until Praxus returns with the healing rod for Randal! Besides, those outlaws may decide to come back in force and even though i was willing to slit his throat myself, Arik and I need him healthy and promised him that his oath of service fufilled once he's guided us through the forest of Dis." Morganne lies back with her hands behind her head. "..whether we leave now to go on this little trip to Deal a mighty blow to the forces of Chaos or when Praxus returns, it sounds like this Demon thing didn't just happen recently so i see no point in rushing to deal with it now?" Morganne reasons with Twighlah
Twighlah says "When the demon came about is unknown exactly. Very well then, it is up to Arik then. However, he must accept the quest. A single Dren warrior should be up to the challenge, and I sense from your aura you are a man whose mettle has been tested by fire. I will go with him then, and aid him should he need it"
Deep in thought Arik pauses to think about himself. His Dren blood flowing through his veins. After a brief time "I will take this quest. I want to unlock what I am to it's fullest. Knowing more on what I can do will be somthing to see. Besides, I am always up for a good fight.." as Arike smiles.
Arik: Twighlah smiled at you, and she took your hand into hers..."I will journey with you there and aid you in destroying this foul fiend. Come, worry naught about food for I can create it"
Twighlah moved fast through the woods, and Arik found it a struggle to match her pace and he was actually putting forth effort, while it seemed effortless for her...as though her feet walked on padded cushions of air. He also noted that she left no print where she walked, and that branches or twigs that came into contact with her body weren't broken at all. After an hour of exhaustive hiking, Twighlah gathers some ripe and delicious pears to eat.
Arik's senses detected something peculiar, an odd sensation that he and Twighlah were not alone. He saw a dark shape a bowshot away. It hovered in the air, a black wraith with white pupiless eyes. When it saw him it slunk away.
TWIGHLAH: "Nevermind it, it is a spy of Dezloz. But it will never make it out of this forest alive. These woods have insects and creatures which feasts on things that are of a mechanical essence" she explains.
After feasting on the fruits offered him, Druid and Fighter continue their hard and merciless march. A rancid stench hung heavily in the air. Black smoke started to permeate throughout the vicinity, watering your eyes and causing you to hold your breath. Twighlah chanted words of power and created a gust of wind spell to cleanse the air. As you moved deeper into a clearing there was the source of the unholy stench, a tall pile of dead Hobgoblins and orcs stacked in neat piles, each were incinerated except one. A man swung down upon a vine and landed in front of Arik and Twighlah. He was hooded and cloaked in evergreen, and at his belt he wore a scimitar and short-sword. His eyes were narrow slits that have seen great suffering and triumphs, and they shone a bright cat-green, while his hair was dark almond brown and he wore it up to his shoulder. A 5'o clock shadow darkened his pate, and it seemed he had a rogish aspect to him. "Mi'lady" he said to Twighlah.
Twighlah smiled, though she frowned when she saw the burning corpses..."They smell worse when they burn" she said, "What happened here?"
The hooded ranger said "A force of Orcs and Goblins I tracked from the castle in the Gate Mountains, with a band of fellows whom I meet once a month to exchange tidings. This force it seemed were trying to be stealthy and were moving about in two's as if searching for someone or something. We ambushed them and picked them off in our devious way...from the shadows, from the treetops. The Druid assisted us with deadly spells and brought the very forest alive to crush them, for they were lead by a powerful mage-priest. Even the Druid was tested with that one, but some elvish flight arrows made by the Empress herself stole the magic-users life. His evil is at an end, as are his orc and Hobs. Who is this then?" he asked challengingly, eying Arik suspiciously. Then some sort of recognition sunk into the ranger's eyes and he drew his scimitar and set it at Arik's throat in a eyeblink before Arik could draw his own sword. "I know this bastard!" he said, "This was the foul bastard who slaughtered my family, Twighlah! What are you doing with him?! What sort of evil are you trying to bring about, Twighlah!"
The ranger removed his blade and kicked Arik hard in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. He said "Prepare yourself, scum. I'll give you a fighting chance...fight, don't go into hell without a fight. It's more dignity than you deserve"
Twighlah stepped in front of Arik, "You cannot do this now, Zyric. This warrior is on a spiritual sojourn, he's to help me destroy the fiend"
Zyric scowled, "Out of my way, foolish lass. None will deny me my vengeance!" with that the ranger came at Arik with a scimitar in one hand and a shortsword in his left. Judging by the way he moved and attacked, Arik knew the ranger was no amateur swordfighter. He carried himself with calm composure and moved with grace of feet and hand. As the ranger came at him, attacking swiftly Arik dove and evaded, ducking and leaping out of deaths path. He ripped his own sword out and prepared to defend himself.
DECISION
Gritting at this cheap blow, growls "Lets not keep your family waiting for you, shall we?" Then steps back away from Twighlah so she wouldn't get hurt and will defend Zyric's attack on him for a short time. Wanting to get a feel of his attacks and see if he show's any signs of openings in his strikes. Making sure to take the chance and strike but think ahead for counter blocks and attacks. Once Arik has an idea on the strikes, he will feint to strike Zyric's head like he was going to take his head. Once he see's the block attempt from the ranger, Arik will drop down and leg sweep to trip him up. If he falls onto the ground, Arik will attempt quickly to gain the advantage and pin his knees on the ranger's shoulders. Then from there, if he continues to fight, Arik will just knock him out...
Zyric came at Arik with dangerous deceptive attacks. Arik didn't see any discerning pattern. Arik ducked and evaded deadly blows, reserving his parries when he actually needed them. He knew then that his sword would answer, for it struck unerringly against any that attacked him. The ranger came in with a blow which would have punctured a lung or other vital, but Arik's sword deflected it. "Impossible!" the ranger snarled as his short-sword formed an X against Arik's. "You lousy swine, you've a nice blade. I'm going to relish having it after I kill you"
The ranger executes a barrage of mixed blows, one was certainly guessable a feint, the second was meant to disarm him but the third was a roundhouse kick that shattered the side of Arik's jaw, drawing a trickle of blood. In a blur Zyric had bridged the gap and slipped his shortsword behind Arik's neck, and his scimitar in front just under his chin..."Yield, there is no defense against this move...butcher. Yield or die, you've the count of five breaths to decide on it"
Just then Twighlah, visibly annoyed stole behind Zyric and knocked him out with a hard blow of her wooded staff. The blow from a feminine lithe girl didn't seem powerful enough to Arik to knock a warrior like Zyric out, and he guessed that the staff bore an enchantment of its own.
The druidess turned her eyes toward Arik, and they seemed crestfallen and sullen, "Whatever injustices you've wrought on Zyric are between you and him, and I care not for such petty squabbles. Though he names you murderer, if that is so then your test will absolve you of your sins, Dren. Come, we are near"
Twighlah led Arik through thick dark trees, and said "You could have easily destroyed Zyric and yet you toyed with him, even without your Dren powers that heraldry weapon of yours could have killed him with enough blows. Why the elaborate game? Is that considered sport for Dren? I thought the warriors of your race deigned mortals unworthy of challenge...after all that is why your people left this world. You are a curious one, Arik!"
After several minutes you come to a vine covered summit, crowned by ancient elvish ruins. At the base is a heart shaped opening that forms a very small cavernous tunnel that cuts straight through. Once Twighlah and you enter, she taps a part of the stone to reveal the outline of a hidden door...illuminated by a soft white light.
There were some faint runes engraved into the door, and after studying it she turned toward you and said "It is time for us to prepare. I will lace you with spells of protection, one will be a protection from evil spell. The Demon will be unable to abide your presence and the damage it deals will only tickle you for a time....make use of this window of opportunity, strike swift and be without mercy! I will be by your side and heal you if you need it. Drink this potion, it will envelope you with stoneskin. You will be untouchable until the spell wears off...be on your guard! This is no minor fiend, or some stupid wizards familiar! It is a rare Demon I am not entirely familiar with myself!"
As Arik proceeded into the cave, once the seal was breached by Twighlah when out came a skeletal figure clad in the tattered livery of a cleric of some sort, its skull capped in rusted iron helm. It bore a mace and swung it at Arik with deadly intent. Instead of crushing his skull it struck Arik's arm but only vibrated the living metal armor that he wore (damage absorbed: 1 hp) Arik's sword decapitates the undead priest, then another stroke severed its torso off at the spine.
All Arik see's is a dark bone littered cavern with a pool of stagnant water in its center. Then he spots a lone naked woman emerge out of the water, a gorgeous blonde haired woman who could easily be the envy of all women in the world. "Come, enter the pool you handsome fool...so that I may punish you with pleasures"
ARIK: (16: succeeded vs. spells) you shrug off and resist the thought that this woman was some sort of close friend of yours.
MORGANNE: you hear the dog growling at something on the front porch.
Alerted to the sound of the dog growling at something on the porch, Morganne pulls out Bone-Breaker as she eases herself in to a shaded corner of the room and uses her enhanced senses to see what's laying outside of the cabin.
MORGANNE: alerted to the dogs barking you only see that it was a raccoon trying to snatch a quick meal of chicken from the pen. The dog seemed capable of fending it off.
You went out into the night.
it had been some time since Morganne had some time to herself. The constant fighting and little time to hone her skills. Using the cover of night, Morganne decides to use a small radius around the cabin to use some of her tracking and stealth skills to observe what she can.
Looking at the female in the water, Arik shakes off some sort of feeling and remembering what Twighlah said only moments ago and with determination advances toward the female being. Sword out and making sure the water is not too deep for any quick moves that might need to take place. Once close, Arik will attack the being with no mercy in mind. Keeping in mind to make attacks with thought and purpose. Making sure to use his strengh to overpower any defenses that might be help in place by the being....
The woman laughed, but it didn't fit with her features. It was a monstrous throaty baritone, and her eyes became black coals..."Fools, you came to have a kiss of death...and you shalt not be denied!"
The whole cave became black and the blackness blotted out the light from Twighlah's staff. The cave was freezing cold too, and Arik felt something come close to him and then it was repelled by some invisible circle of protection that surrounded him.
"Soon your protection spell will crumble, little man and I will devour your cheap soul" the voice bellowed. "Cute little soul, I'll savor your torments"
Then, Arik felt some stabbing pain in his leg. It wasn't from steel or arrows, but he felt the nerves in his skin become filled with the sensation of agony.
Arik thrust out with his sword. He heard something mutter a curse. Then the darkness dwindled and faded he saw Twighlah in the pool of dark water, waist deep and slightly bloodied.
"You must have banished it from this plane" Twighlah said, "Well done, let us leave outside...I am weary, and need some clean air to inhale"
Looking around, and noticing the blood on Twighlah, "How did you get blood on yourself?" Arik will look around and make sure there is no other bodies around in the water and near the pool before leaving the cave. Checking his sword to see if there is any blood on the blade....
"That demon struck me, how else!" Twighlah snapped at Arik in annoyance. "Come on, lets go" she said.
Looking around one final time, feeling that somethings amiss. Arik then follows Twighlah back the way they came. Keeping to himself mostly and thinking on the events that soon will come to pass....
Twighlah once reaching the entrance to the cavernous lair suddenly points to a few markings on the ground..."See those runes? Those must have been written by the demon. We cannot pass through the door until they've been erased. Do you have some alchemiac substance to destroy the rock it is written on?"
"Hmm..I do not have anything that would help in this situation it seems." Arik tries to recall if these were the same runes that he saw when he first came in....
"That wristbow on your wrist, I sense you have something on you that can cause explosions" Twighlah says. Arik doesn't recall the runes, they were barely noticeable even now. When Arik tries to proceed past the cavern entrance he's barred by an invisible wall of force that's impenetrable.
SWORD:she's lying you imbecille...that's the demon! It has your friends soul trapped inside of a receptacle, a diamond. Attack and destroy it now!"
Nodding slowly, Arik arms the wristbow with the explosive bolt and without missing a beat, shoots the demon and pulls out his sword and continues the attack, "I knew who you are. Had to get confirmation. You want out of this place, well, you have to earn it! Show me your pain!". Arik let's the beast within him out and shows no mercy towards the demon. If he see's the diamond, he'll try to destroy it....
Twighlah's form altered and transformed itself into the hideous visage of a monstrous blue skinned fiend with rows of deadly looking teeth, its maw drizzled droplets of acid onto the carved stone floor, angry hissing was heard. "Foolish mortal, you will join your whorish harlot in hell tonight!"
As Arik shot the missile from his wrist it flew pass the demon and blasted a hole into the wall behind it.
The demon came at Arik with inhuman speed and clawed at his face. It suddenly grabbed him and sunk its fangs into his shoulder (-15 hp dmg) its acidic saliva breaching a opening into Arik's new living armor. Arik eviscerates the demon with unerring blows from his sword, the enscorcelled sword penetrating the thick armorish hide of the unholy fiend.
"Worship me and I will let you be my slave" the creature hisses seductively.
Arik laughs out load, "Blah, blah, blah. You better start praying to whoever you answer to, because your soon to meet that being!" As Arik rushes over with his arm to trap it's neck and taking the sword in the other hand and ramming it through the demon's heart. Giving it a twist, then head butting it, taking the sword out and cutting the head clean off.....
The creature croaked a belittling mockish laughter. Arik assaulted it with his sword but it wove out of reach and dodged his well executed attacks. It was as if the Demon read his thoughts as easily as one might read a book.
DEMON: "Xlith moratu slayeth" the Cambion rushed Arik and swiped its clawed talon at his face, then grabbed Arik's forehead in its left clawed hand and pulled then slammed his head into the wall of the cavernous lair. "You will beg for me to slay you before I rip thy soul out of your withering corpse, stupid mortal! But not before you erase those cursed runes of warding that have trapped me here!"
The Demon snarled when Arik's sword flashed up and wickedly penetrated its thick armor-like hide, black blood oozed out of the blade-marks left behind. Arik's sword was becoming intensely hot and it radiated a angry white light now.
ROUND 3:
Arik tripped over some rock, the Demon set upon him and tried to get at him with its taloned hands but Arik rolled in the wet murky water, cutting a diamond out of the demon's right hand. It fell into the water with a faint splash. The Demon roared angrily and leapt after it but Arik unleashed another crossbow bolt that chased after the deeply falling diamond. The missile detonates and brings a mountain of rocks collapsing below in an underground pit submerged in the dark black murky water. He thought he saw something move below, and Twighlah's form could be seen now. She was mercilessly hacking into the Demon with a scimitar wrought out of emerald green fire. The Demon shoots a twin pair of ruby red beams of intense heat that knocks Arik off the ground and into the air, crashing hard against the ceiling. A second later he fell and landed on his hands and feet. The Cambion clambers out of the water, growling at Arik it spat a gob of acid at him. The acid struck Arik's armor but this time was not able to penetrate its outer layer. He somehow sensed that the armor had adapted to the threat and had 'learned' to defeat it.
Arik found himself half-flying through the air, moving faster than he had before. He tore into the Cambion with a thrust and slash, ducking and evading its deadly claws and bite. It came again, claws and teeth trying to tear into Arik's flesh. Arik's blade though did not miss and the Demon could not withstand its brutal kiss...finally it fell into the water as Twighlah emerged. She stood uprightly then raised a pair of cupped hands towards the water, sending a small sphere of scorching fire after the Cambion. That did it, and it exploded in a vat of black greasey smoke.
MORGANNE: while romping around in the woods you notice an older looking human male skulking about. He's crouched low and is peering through a spyglass. When you see what he's looking at you notice it's a pair of naked elven females taking a bath in a pool of flowing water nearby, where a waterfall pumps water constantly into. He seems to be moving towards where their clothes are. Behind him, hidden are five other men all clad in leather. You can smell them from where you're at and the odor is not pleasant.
"..dirty scoundrels.." Morganne murmurs to herself as she draws Bone breaker, reasoning that the object of the humans interest is in capturing the elven girls, Morganne sticks to the shadows and moves to withing Bone-Breakers striking distance. Keeping downwind of the humans, Morganne focuses her mind on her armor and for it to change it's color scheme to blend in with the surrounding foilage. loading a glue bolt into her wrist bow Morganne will attempt to sneak up on one of them unsuspecting human and attack from behind. Then will fire the glue bolt at the others before moving to attack the others with Bone breaker.
MORGANNE: (20) you knock the man with the spyglass out cold with a sudden strike to the back of his head. You quickly search him and find very little of interest.
(20) you shoot the men with one of your glue-bolts, watching in satisfaction as the ichor envelopes them in the insidious substance. Several are bound to eachother and their weapons snagged too so that they cannot utilize their weapons properly. You hurl bonebreaker at the nearest one, severing his arm at the elbow. The mans arm is glued to his buddy whose sprayed in a vat of the limbless friends lifeblood.
"What the fuck?" one of the brigands hissed.
Brigand #3 pours something on himself, breaking free of his friends. He somehow managed to avoid being entirely covered in the gluey ichor, and snatches a satchel then slits the throat of one of his fellows with his dagger. You note the way he did so was in such a way that he avoided being seen by his fellows.
"Damn you little piece of gnoll turd!" one of his fellows spat, frozen stiff in the sticky substance.
DECISION
Reasoning that whatever is inside of the satchel is of some great importance, Morganne focuses her next attack on the fleeing brigand, hurling Bone-Breaker in such a way as to fly past the brigand and strike him on it's return trajectory. The last brigand is obviously the more dangerous or skilled of the five.
Catching his breath. "Are you ok?" Asked Arik to Twighlah. Checking himself for anything that needs attention. "That was an interesting encounter. I have learned alot from this." Lets get back and get to a warm place....
Twighlah nodded affirmatively. "Do be a hasty fool, Arik...there's treasure here to be found, and while I'm no thief something of value might be had. There were others who have died in this place looking for it"
After a brief but thorough examination of the guts of the cave there's some things at the far bottom of the pool that are reflecting light, shiny things. However, most of the explosive blasts that caused a rockfall have covered most of it.
MORGANNE: (3) missed the fleeing brigand. He throws a dagger that sinks threw a slit where her greaves are fastened (-6 hp dmg) as she pulls the weapon out of her leg she notices it has a message engraved in the blade: "If found please return to Jenkins Sabbath, proprietor of Monks Pub, Correalus"
Then, the two female elves come upon you. They smile in a friendly manner and nod in greetings. One of them, a raven haired elf-maiden said "We see you've done some good swordwork here, elf-friend. Impressive work, you must be a very skilled warrior"
The second elf bent over and inspected the fallen peeping tom, and she said "Ah, this was the bandit gang who waylaid the Nyrian Ambassador a fortnight ago! By Corellon's bow I'm sure of it!" the elf got up and began chanting: "Xlith myrtom qualoth" and her eyes briefly glowed white. She said something in a dialect of elvish Morganne wasn't familiar with but she understand something like 'friend' or 'trust' in the whispered exchange.
ELF MAID #1: "I see that you bear a aura of goodness about you, stranger. And you wear our garb, which I do not think you obtained illegally...at least I pray you hadn't! You've done us some good service, perhaps more than you could possibly guess at. Take this feather from my hair, it is a small token of appreciation and may it help you out in a jam. It will grow a tree out of the ground when planted"
Inspecting the wound in her leg, Morganne tests her weight on it and decides that her natural healing abilites will counteract the damage done to her. Rising she tries to recall some of the Elvish etiquette and nods her head "..no need for thanks, I happend to be in the right place at the right time for once and was glad to do what I could" Morganne says "..I am Morganne Du'Laq of House Succundus out of Nyr, your..treasure of thanks is most welcomely received in the spirit in which it is offered" Morganne says smiling "...everything I posses was earned honestly and without treachery M'lady...." Morganne pauses her sentence to allow the Elven women to speak their names "...I am not that great of a warrior but by Wrath's blessings and the kindness of strangers, I may yet" Morganne takes the offered Quail feather and puts it in a safe place beneath her armor "..perhaps one day should my travels bring me to court we may exchange more pleasantries and song. Until then, be well and may your god's blessings shine upon you" Morganne bows once more, hoping that all of what she's observed of elven courtesy and use of flowery language leaves a long lasting and favorable impression on these two. With that she hands over the dagger to the first elven woman, salutes and begins to make her way back to the cabin.
The first elven woman introduced herself as Celeste. And the second Evi. Evi had almond brown hair and eyes and Celeste a mane of dark blue black hair, with cat-green eyes. From the exchanges that commenced Morganne discerned that Evi was a ranger and Celeste a woman of minor elvish nobility, who appreciated Morganne's adherence to the elven customs. Celeste spoke mostly, "I see you serve Lord Daynar, an honorable and valiant man. But you yourself are no mortal, tis clear, and no elf either. No matter, friends come in all guises, eh? If you ever find yourself in the imperial city you can count on me as an ally and friend. You will be welcomed there in my house. Farewell!"
As the elves whisk themselves away Morganne's left in the clearing where the rest of the brigands become unstuck and turn their hateful eyes at you but then flee into the woods then disappear. Morganne sensed that someone or something was watching her, some presence and it was most definite not elvish. At times the presence came and went, and it felt like it was studying her, and she sensed anger or bewilderment from it.
'Lady Celeste and Evi the Ranger..' Morganne muses to herself '..should my travels take me to the imperial court then i will most certainly partake in their famed hospitality'
the sense of being observed makes Morganne a little uneasy and though she instinctively became defensive, her experiences taught her that those with the ability to spy on her from a distance would do so regardless of what precautions or defensive measures she employed to counteract them
MORGANNE found Arik and Twighlah within a cave in a large summit crowned with elvish ruins of an ancient watch-tower. She'd read about this place during her studies...a single fortress of elven soldiers that decimated the 'black army' of orcs and dark-elves from the Dark Elf Lands a century ago. The tower was later destroyed by a wizard-priest who foolishly summoned a powerful demon which had killed him. Before the wizard died he managed to imprison the fiend he had called in a cave deep below his tower to guard his wealth from thieves.
Morganne enters the cavernous lair which smells of sulfur and feces. There are crumbled bones of an undead priest on the ground, and Twighlah turned and greeted you..."Ah you came after all!" Twighlah said in mild surprise..."We vanquished the cambion, Morganne but one of Arik's missiles brought an avalanche atop the treasure below. Any clever ideas as to how to get at it?"
Morganne goes on the defensive and draws Bone-Breaker, scanning the room and sniffing the air "...had much experience dealing with demons have you?" Morganne says "..but I'm sure you already knew that you can't kill them unless you actually go to their dimension and kill them. The Demon probably just teleported away to lick it's wounds.."
Morganne eyes the cave in and problem of how to clear it away to get at the treasure "..Twighlah, check the bones of that priest over there and see if there's any magical items left near it?" Turning to Arik "...Keep your eyes open, my senses tell me this thing isn't done with you just yet!" Shaking her head "...you used an explosive bolt in an enclosed area with tons of rock above your head?....Wow..you're lucky you're still drawing breath.."
Morganne inspects the rubble and ponders on how to best clear the rubble and quickly, the longer they wait, the greater the chance of the Cambion returning to exact it's revenge. "...there's only three of us and it'd take forever to dig through the rubble. Perhaps not all of the treasure is buried? There has got to be away to either dig through or prop up the fallen cavern ceiling to get at the treasure? Otherwise we'll have to fight the demon and wound it enough so that it takes longer to regenerate itself! Arik, remember, time isn't something we have in any great abundance.."
Twighlah said "I can summon an Earth Elemental, but I would need to rest and pray outside. It's not going to like the fact I summoned it to this plane for such a mundane task as this but its the only shot we have. Fret not about the cambion's return friend Morganne, I have a spell in mind which will cause it send it straight back into the pits whence it came. However, I suspect that it was bound here by the demented mage who once dwelt in the tower of Ry'thian shin on the summit above. A powerful guardian to protect the object of that most foul sorcerer's lust in life"
DESTROYED UNDEAD PRIEST: It hadn't anything worthy upon it.
Morganne and Arik both see a bola floating on the surface of the water. WIth her spectral vision Morganne ascertains that there's a dislodged shard of heavy ceiling that's blocked a hole beneath, leaving a slight slit of a gap. Extending her vision to stretch she see's treasure on the other side of the dislodged ceiling rock. Only two grapples and a pulley might be able to make the slit big enough to slip through and to the other side.
Morganne folds her arms across her chest, holding her chin in one hand as she considers the problem and shakes her head "...it can't be this coincidental" and pulls the Quail feather from inside of her pouch. ".... here, a friend of mine gave me this" Holding up the Quail feather to Twighlah "...supposed to be able to create a giant tree with it to either block a path or for wood to cook with..perhaps the summoned tree can be usedto lift the slab of rock?" Morganne says
Twighlah eyed the feather then says "I do not think its dweomer will work in the water, those feathers are meant to work in earth as its element. Good thinking however" she says. She then turned back towards Morganne and says "Ironically, I think another one of those explosive crossbow bolts might do the trick, if shot accurately where that slit it might just blast or loosen the rock that impedes us"
"..hmm..well let's give it a go then! Arik stand back!" Morganne loads an explosive bolt into her wrist bow and fires it into the slab.
Arik standing back and making sure to check around to see if anything is a miss. Waiting to see what result takes place after the shot...
Post a Comment