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PrP: In The Thick of Things

2011-07-14T21:33:30Z

Genesis: Created page with "== '''In The Thick of Things''' == == Runner == Lithuin == Party == <pre> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Name | Race ..."

== '''In The Thick of Things''' ==

== Runner ==

Lithuin

== Party ==

<pre>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Name | Race | Class | E Lev| CHP | HP | AC | For | Ref | Wil |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Tillianne |HUMAN |Pal | 5 | 51 | 51 | 21 | 11 | 7 | 9 |
|Drakha |SITH-MAK|Sor | 3 | 25 | 25 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
|Arissa |HUMAN |Sor | 5 | 31 | 31 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
|Garthos |HUMAN |Ftr | 5 | 23 | 50 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
|Kilroy |WAR_GOLE|Bbn/Sor | 2 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
</pre>

== Summary ==

The robed man has sent out his final call for adventurers. Things have gone sour in the village, and the backroom deals of the Shadow Elves there have apparently turned against them. The entire village plays host to the forces the Elves tried to treat with now, and the entire blight from the foundations up must be removed.

== Purchases ==

None.

== Enemies ==

'''Encounter 1: Complete.'''

CR7 5 Ogrekin + 1 Ogre.

'''Encounter 2: Complete.'''

CR 6 Half-Fiend Minotaur.

== The Adventure ==

Once again, the day grows long as the sun charts an unswerving course into the Western horizon. The sky is largely cloudless, promising a beautifully brilliant night sky when the stars begin to more fully wink into existence. As of now, however, the sky is a blank slate overwhich a pair of unfriendly painters have fought, spilling orange and red across its entirety.

Far beneath the cloudless sky is not a caravan, this time, but a fully-fledged mercenary band. They have arrived in transport wagons, by horse and by foot. The situation within the village has gone from suspicious to outright dire, apparently, or there would not be this great volume of armed men milling about anxiously as they await their orders. A quick count will reveal no less than one hundred armed and armoured men and women, though thankfully it does not appear that anyone has brought siege equipment with them. At the forefront of the group which spreads the length of the road and well out into the fields on either side is the dark-skinned man robed in equally black clothing, his eyes to the village that lays just beyond the hill.

He beckons to the group of adventurers, those hired through the Guild and not outsourced through other, perhaps more less than reputable channels. When the party is gathered before him, he begins, "And here we are again. As you may surmize, the situation has gone from bad to worse. What we were able to.. Extract, from the prisoners you produced the last time we sent you to this place, lead us to believe that someone of tact and guile was running the show. Among other things, of course. In any event, it would appear that this someone is either dead or moved on, as there is nothing in that village resembling subtly now. Ogres have moved in, along with their lesser brood. The villagers have been run off or lay rotting in the streets, though some may yet remain within as captives. If this is so.. I pray for them," he pauses, a symbolic gesture taking the place of his voice for a moment before he continues, "We're here for one thing alone now, to exterminate what remains of this place and purge the monsters that have taken root. You will follow the main charge, and move to the town hall in the heart of the village. There is a truly foul creature lairing within, he has apparently laid claim to this area and all the creatures here now pay allegiance such as they have to it. Expect him to be guarded, and expect the way to the hall to be.. Sticky."

Arissa is visibly alarmed at the sight of an army gathered at the meeting place. She remains every bit as confused even as the group meets up and receives their instructions, openly puzzled: "How could this be so? We have in so many weeks driven out those devoted to Maugrim and saved those who were pressed into unwilling service, then again with those seeking to elevate Taara. Now I hear everyone has been driven from the village and do not understand. What is so vital here that so many factions war over this place?" It's a lot of things to say to the black-robed man, but she has a lot on her mind.

"If your hired men kill any of the actual captives, though, I'll hold ya responsible directly. And ya won't like that." Garth asides to the man with a frown, a frown that deepens by the second as he looks into the distance, towards the village. His brows have been furrowed since their arrival. "No problem with the ogres, though. So. What do ya know of this creature you're sayin' has moved in?" he inquires, more pleasantly.

Kilroy winces slightly at the mysterious robed man's mention of ogres. "Ogres have moved in? As in more than one?" the black war golem asks incredulously. "One did well enough for me last time! Glad to have a chance for payback." He briefly scrunitizes the new face in the group, but says nothing else.

Drakha stands near the leader, his gaze set towards the village, or what is left of it, anyway, not paying much mind to the mercenaries amassing around him. "First Taara, then Maugrim... what this time... Gunahkar?" he notes coldly, grasping his spear at hand. Then turns his attention towards their employer. "And you... who do you serve? What interests you in this village so much to spend a fortune for hiring an army of this size to claim it?" he questions, though doesn't really expect a clear answer.

The man claps his hands together, and a nearby man who is quite likely his aid, prompt places a stool for the robed man to see himself upon. He does so, laying his gnarled old hands into his lap as he looks at the adventurers gathered before him. "The why is, unfortunately, painfully simple. The Elves you had been dealing with and driving off in droves, or murdering as the case may be, tried to bargain with creatures that.. Do not tend to honour their deals. These Elves were splintergroups, extremely small in scope after having broken away from a satelite colony though we are not sure where. They made a very foolish mistake, and they have paid for it with the remainder of their lives. Or at least, those following their leaders have; I suspect the heads of the groups made good their escapes when they realized the ogres were about to turn on them."

He glances first in Garthos' direction, "Duely noted. These men are not brainless, however. They've been instructed to wipe out the monsters and bring all humans back alive, hopefully to be tended to and sent on their way to better fortunes. We don't know who or what, exactly, it is but we do know that it is brutal enough to bend the arm of the ogres within the village. Much more than that I'm afraid I cannot say."

He leans back now comfortably, his back to the village that smokes in places. Even from this distance, the smell and noise of the brutes is detectable. "I am not here to claim this village, merely destroy these monsters. I spend a very ample amount of coin on a regular basis, hiring people like you to kill things like them." A thumb jerk indicates the monsters within the village. "I serve myself, to be deliberately vague. Suffice to enough to say that I am one of the people who line your pockets routinely, and I believe there's a saying about gift horses or some such that sums up our interaction sufficiently."

The young woman with that short blonde hair, wearing plate armor custom fit to her, steps up behind Drakha to the sound of clanking metal. Her movements are subtle enough that she actually isn't making as much noise as one might suspect in armor. She looks at him, and then to the village, and frowns harshly. Her eyes settle in on the sight for a moment and then she too turns to look to the leader.

Kilroy frees his spiked hammer from its resting place on his back, then thumps the haft into the ground with a dull thudd. "That answers my questions." he says, addressing the party, "Shall we go earn our coin, then?"

Arissa seems unenlightened, but concedes the matter by backing off a few steps from the robed man. "Then we may as well go forth." Stepping over beside Garth, she nods to the swordsman. "You are well enough, I hope? I will be relying on you and your skills until my plans against these wretched brutes are fully realized."

Garth nods, seeming to accept that as a good enough answer. "Right." he says to the robed man, pausing a moment. His massive arms lift, crossing and settling over his chest. "If that's all, let us know when it's time to go." he tells the man, but ends it there, perhaps somewhat less talkative today than he usually is. "Followin' the main charge, he said." he reminds Kilroy and Arissa as he begins to stride away, to wait for the assembly of the other mercenaries and the rush into town. He looks ponderous, the frown never moving from his expression.

<OOC> Arissa has prep-magic before they march in, then! If it's okay.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Any prep work you have, feel free to start it up now."

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will do mage armor just before we start the attack"

<OOC> Arissa will do an Extended Resist Energy (Fire) on self. Resist Fire 10 for 100 minutes, so bit over hour and a half.

<OOC> Tillianne will cast bless but totally forgot how to work spells.

GAME: Arissa casts Levitate.

<OOC> Drakha says, "proxy casting since its bloodline spell"

<OOC> Arissa proxy-casts due to bloodline code stuff etc.

GAME: Drakha casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Tillianne refreshes spells.

GAME: Tillianne casts Bless.

Kilroy belts on a magical torch in preparation for the attack. "If I fall in battle, I would be obliged if you would apply the potion in my belongings if no other magical healing or repair is available," the golem idly remarks. "Best to make these things clear, as was demonstrated previously."

<OOC> Arissa nods. Extended Levitate, 10 minutes, then.

GAME: Arissa casts Levitate.

"Well, if that's all the questions then I wish you all good luck. Hopefully, you will not need it." The robed man remains seated, beckoning to his aid once again who in turn nods and looks to the gathered soldiers in the field and road. A horn is produced from his belt, and lifted to his lips before a sharp, loud blow rings through the evening air. Calls go out in the fields from individual squad leaders, and the entire force begins to move forwards.

They walk until they reach the peak of the hill, and then they begin to jog, row by row, as they make it over the crest. For mercenaries they are surprisingly good at keeping formation, and the entire company begins to surge towards the town. There is no element of surprise whatsoever this night, it is simply an all out battle. Within the village, roars and shouts answer one another as the monsters within begin to mobilize themselves as well.

Arissa begins a series of incantations as the mercenaries take formation. Rod held overhead, she invokes a pair of spells... mostly focused on herself; Celestial chanting causes the air in front of herself to ripple briefly and then fade to normal, then her back has a pair of miniature white-feathered 'angel wings' to it. Only then does she stow the rod, a wand in hand as she moves alongside the others in this group; she has no interest in being part of a major 'battle line.'

The first wave of soldiers crash into the village, moving between houses and immediately meeting the fiends within. The battle starts from the instant the first soldier's boot crosses the border between field and village, and the noise that begins to erupt is like a rising crescendo. By sheer force of numbers, the human soldiers push the monster further back into the village in order to take the fighting to the more open streets where their numbers count for more than the narrow corridors between houses.

The main route into the village is as clear as any road will be for some time. Brutal fighting is taking place on either side of it, and throughout the alleys that stretch away from it like the tributaries of a greater river. Directly in the center, however, is a group of monsters far more organized than the brawlers about them. Five truly ugly ogrekin, headed by a much large true ogre, smash and crush every soldier that gets within reach, fighting as a true group.

GAME: You roll initiative for OgrekinGrp1: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 5 = Total: 20
GAME: You roll initiative for OgrekinGrp3: Roll: 12 + Bonus: 5 = Total: 17
GAME: You roll initiative for Ogre: Roll: 17 + Bonus: -1 = Total: 16

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Feel free to roll init after posing."

GAME: Arissa rolls initiative: Roll: 2 + Bonus: 6 = Total: 8

Garth has since drawn his sword, allowing the mercenaries to do what they've been paid for and focusing on his own tasks. As he spies the ogres ahead, however, his jog towards the town hall in the carnage slows. "Those are bad news." he notes, more muttering it to himself. "We'll need to take those ourselves - break that momentum fore they push the boys right out of the place." he asides to his companions, stopping and dropping into a battle-ready stance.

GAME: Garthos rolls initiative: Roll: 1 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 3

Drakha waits for the main group of the soldiers to charge in to keep the rank and file of the enemy busy before starting to march along the road towards the town hall, keeping an eye out for any stragglers that might try to attack them, but there seems to be none opposing them, until that group blocking their path near the middle of the village. He glances around the others after seeing them. "Those don't look much different from the ones last time, don't you agree?" he points out with a nod towards them. Doing some further defensive magics on himself then as it seems likely they want to fight.

<OOC> Drakha says, "Would like to cast Shield if possible?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure Drakha."

GAME: Drakha casts Shield.

GAME: Drakha rolls initiative: Roll: 16 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 18

Kilroy says, "Yes, it does appear that they will be our dancing partners for the evening," gesturing towards the ogrekin and their ogre leader with his weapon.

GAME: Kilroy casts Shield.

GAME: Kilroy rolls initiative: Roll: 3 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 5

Tillianne charges in with the rest, drawing her sword with a metallic sliding sound as they near their destination. Seeing the ogres however, she pauses alongside Garth. She frowns. "Sounds like fun," she says dryly to him while blowing a lock of hair out of her eyes with a sharp exhale of her breath up across her face. She then grabs her holy symbol and utters a soft and brief prayer, extending a divine advantage to the others.

<pre>
===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------
20 OgrekinGrp1
----------------------------------------
18 Drakha
----------------------------------------
18 Tillianne
----------------------------------------
17 OgrekinGrp3
----------------------------------------
16 Ogre
----------------------------------------
8 Arissa
----------------------------------------
5 Kilroy
----------------------------------------
3 Garthos
----------------------------------------
</pre>

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+9: (5)+9: 14

GAME: Kilroy rolls blunts: aliased to 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18

GAME: Kilroy rolls 1d12+6: (7)+6: 13

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5: 10

GAME: Lithuin damaged Tillianne for 10 points. 41 remaining.

<OOC> Drakha says, "So there is one dude next to me?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "If you were right near Kilroy or Tillianne, yes."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Well I will hit it with my spear then"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Two just moved up, two are are still standing off to either side of the ogre. For reference."

<OOC> Drakha says, "I hit the same one that was hit by the AoO"

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d20+5: (5)+5: 10

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Kil you'll get an AoO on the one charging Drakha, and the second ogrekin is remaining back by the ogre."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+9: (18)+9: 27

GAME: Kilroy rolls blunts: aliased to 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17

GAME: Kilroy rolls 1d12+6: (8)+6: 14

Drakha sees the ogres using a typical ogre tactic sometimes called as 'charge,' and end up near him. He takes a jab with his spear towards the one that was just hit by Kilroy but estimates the distance somewhat wrong and his thrust stays short.

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d6+5: (4)+5: 9

GAME: Lithuin damaged Drakha for 9 points. 16 remaining.

<OOC> Tillianne says, "Smite evil on the ogre and activate divine bond."

<OOC> Arissa says, "So, Arissa casts Grease on the Ogre's handheld weapon (I'll fetch spell text momentarily), then Levitates 20 feet up."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20: (2): 2

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Dropped."

GAME: Arissa casts Grease.

Arissa paces along with the others, calm even as the sounds of fighting ring out through the area. When there is talk of the ogres ahead being 'dance partners', she seems to take it literally; Arissa shows a beaming smile, eyes glazing over to give her a distant and dazed demeanor as her hips begin to sway, then she starts twirling around, calling out to them: "Even when we have routed so many of you, you do not flee? Then I shall see you put down swiftly for preying on an entire village!" Oddly, she doesn't even sound angry... more like excited.

She continues this 'dance' as she chants in Celestial... and a hand held overhead conjures up a batch of sky-blue and white gel, coating the ogre's weapon. He fumbles with it for a second, then it crashes to the floor! Arissa's mini-wings begin to flap right after that, starting to carry her above the battle...

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll withdraw 20'"

<OOC> Garthos says, "Is there a position into which I can scoot that allows me a flank on at least one ogrekin, with another ogrekin adjacent, that does not have me get an AoO from the ogre, and which is within 30 feet of where I am currently?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Yes."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "There are two right near where Kilroy was."

<OOC> Garthos says, "Okay. Then I would like to move into this position and Cleave, using the primary Cleave attack on the one I'm flanking."

<OOC> Garthos says, "And the secondary on... the other one."

Kilroy lays about wildly with his hammer, slamming two onrushing ogrekin with bonecrushing force. Just after the two ogrekin reach him, Kilroy warily disengages from melee, ready to intercept any additional attackers.

<OOC> Garthos says, "For reference, who am I flanking with, Tilly or Drakha?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll it. If you hit I forsee one of them dying for sure. Drakha."

GAME: Garthos rolls 1d20+5+5+1+1+1+1+2: (7)+5+5+1+1+1+1+2: 23

GAME: Garthos rolls 1d20+5+5+1+1+1+1-2: (8)+5+5+1+1+1+1+-2: 20

GAME: Garthos rolls 2d4+7+6+2+1+1: (6)+7+6+2+1+1: 23

GAME: Garthos rolls 2d4+7+6+2+1+1: (5)+7+6+2+1+1: 22

<OOC> Lithuin says, "One ogrekin remaining up front, the other is still back with the ogre."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14

Garthos surveys the situation. His lighter armor - well, lighter for him - allows him lots of mobility. He jogs in, slipping behind the two ogrekin at
the front lines, trapping one of them between himself and the crimson lizardman. He brings his large sword about, the runes upon the blade's surface aglow, and takes it through the creature - and right into its nearby companion with a cacophony of shattered bone and split flesh. The two creatures collapse, one after the other, in heaps.

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d20+7: (12)+7: 19

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d8+3: (6)+3: 9

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+7: (20)+7: 27

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+7: (18)+7: 25

GAME: Lithuin rolls 2d6+10: (2)+10: 12

GAME: Lithuin damaged Drakha for 12 points. 4 remaining.

<OOC> Tillianne says, "LoH first though, before anything."

GAME: Tillianne rolls 2d6: (6): 6

GAME: Lithuin damaged Tillianne for -6 points. 47 remaining.

<OOC> Tillianne will take the AoO's and charge the ogre.

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9

GAME: Tillianne rolls weapon1+1+2+5-2: (2)+10+1+2+5+-2: 18

GAME: Tillianne rolls 2d6+1d6+7+6+5: (10)+(5)+7+6+5: 33

<OOC> Arissa begins Summon Monster I.

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll move and attack the ogrekin molesting Drakha."

GAME: Kilroy rolls blunts: aliased to 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10

GAME: Arissa casts Summon Monster I.

Arissa continues to float in a soft, up and down 'hovering bob' above the fight. It's a pretty safe place to be for the time being, and affords her a lot of calm... calm mixed with excitement, even as the ogre begins to pull back. "It is too late to flee now! Really a wretch such as you will only prey upon others later if you escape, and I cannot allow that!" She resumes Celestial chanting, a small white-glowing circle forming in front of her...

Kilroy advances and attacks the ogrekin engaged with the Sith'Makar, the ogrekin's shortspear wet with the Drakha's blood. The golem swings his hammer, missing by a wide margin.

<OOC> Garthos says, "I hit the remaining ogrekin, please."

<OOC> Garthos says, "The one in the "front" with Drakha and I, I mean."

GAME: Garthos rolls 1d20+5+5+1+1+1+1: (13)+5+5+1+1+1+1: 27

GAME: Garthos rolls 2d4+17: (6)+17: 23

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will hit the ogre with magic missile"

Garthos glances at Tillanne. "Ya okay over there?!" he shouts over the din of the battle. "I'll be there soon as I can to help! Just lemme finish this one off!" He promptly lives up to that, stepping up to the remaining creature near him, bringing the blade of his weapon diagonally across the ogrekin's chest. Blood flows and the creature crumbles to the ground.

GAME: Drakha casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Drakha rolls 2d4+2: (3)+2: 5

<OOC> Lithuin says, "And the ogre is dead."

Drakha lets out a hiss of pain as the brutes spear manages to find a weak spot in his scales and sink in quite deeply, good thing that it was only a short spear, had it been any longer shafted one he would likely be down. As it is he takes a few steps back to regain his balance, ready to counterattack, but then Garthos cuts his opponent down, he gives him a nod, then turns over towards the remaining foes, seeing the ogre trying to run he points his hand towards him, sending two glowing red beams from his fingertips that dart over the battlefield, striking uneeringly at the back of the fleeing giant, causing it to fall down.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Tillianne?"

<OOC> Tillianne has lost track of the situation. Are there cleavable targets or only individuals left that could be charged? Or neither.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "One ogrekin next to you, that's it."

GAME: Tillianne rolls weapon1+1-2: (11)+10+1+-2: 20

GAME: Tillianne rolls 2d6+1d6+7+6: (4)+(1)+7+6: 18

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+7: (6)+7: 13

<OOC> Arissa says, "Summon I completes, Celestial Eagle placed into flanking with Tillianne. Its starting position is adjacent to the enemy, so full attack, smite evil used. Arissa's actions to follow if necessary."

<OOC> Arissa says, "2 talons, 1 bite as follows:"

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d20+5: (3)+5: 8

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d20+5: (17)+5: 22

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d20+5: (13)+5: 18

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+3: (2)+3: 5

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+3: (3)+3: 6

<OOC> Lithuin says, "And it's down."

Tillianne whirls that big flaming greatsword of hers around as the ogre retreats and then promptly is killed by magic. She dances left and swings at the ogreskin, slashing and cutting into it while leaving some burns behind. She then reflexively turns her body and takes a half step back with one foot to quickly provide room for her sword, which she uses to parry the counterattack. "I'm fine," she answers Garthos, but not loudly enough to really be heard in battle.

Arissa's mid-air chanting ends in an eagle gold headfeathers emerging from the circle. It lets out an avian shriek even as the circle rapidly shifts to deposit the bird behind Tillianne's foe, talons and beak glowing as it tears into the ogrekin! In a frenzy of feathers and tearing and slashing, the eagle brings this enemy down... and Arissa mouths a soft Celestial "(Thank you)" to the bird, though it's uncomprehending regardless of her language.

Then she looks down at everyone, calling out: "You are all well, I hope?"

"That went better than last time," says Kilroy coolly, giving one of the nearby ogrekin corpses a casual kick in the ribs. He replies to Arissa, "Quite well."

Drakha leans on his spear with one hand while his other one moves up to hold at the wound with some blood trickling out through the scales from where it was punctured. "I have been better." he manages to reply. "Might need some divine blessings before we proceed." he admits.

Tillianne turns around to look at Drakha, the obviously wounded, but she looks at the others to see if anyone else is hurt.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Not a scratch." Garth replies. "Drakha's a bit under the weather, though!" A glance at the lizardman, at the grievous stab wound. "Ya okay there?" he calls to Tilly once again, having not heard her reply, as expected. "Ya hit them real nice there. Never seen anythin' like that before."

As the chaos in the immediate area settles somewhat with the death of the ogre and his immediate companions, the soldiers find themselves revitalized with the impressive victory that plays out before them. They redouble their efforts, cutting swaths through the ogrekin in the area and dispatching them with impressive speed and zeal as the adventuring party emboldens them.

The minutes tick by and the fighting finally slows along the main road, the last of the ogrekin in this area finally falling to the swords of the soldiers. Those who remain yet in the area wipe their collective brow and begin to move through the wounded and dying; the ogrekin are killed the instant they are found among the already dead and the soldiers are carried back by their companions. One man in particular, however, seems to be a commander of some sort. He finishes wiping a fresh batch of ogre blood from his blade as he moves up to the party, hailing them rather merrily for a man in the middle of all this death and carnage. "I've just returned from the center of town, you'll find the way mostly clear." He turns and points a gauntleted hand off down the blood-soaked road, "A few pockets of resistance here and there but we're pushing them back. If all goes well we'll have this place cleared of the creatures before night has even had a chance to chill the blood that's already laying all over the ground." He ends his sentence with a rather hearty guffaw, giving his sword a quick swing and saluting to the adventurers as he turns away to move back in the direction he came.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Heavenly Fire on Tillianne. Healing for..."

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+2: (1)+2: 3

GAME: Lithuin damaged Tillianne for -3 points. 50 remaining.

Arissa descends slowly, her mini-wings bringing her to the ground. Most people seem to be okay, and Tillianne is handling what isn't. However, Arissa walks up to her with a soft smile and comments: "You are tending to others well enough, and I saw your blade bore the mark of justice. Though your pain from the blow you took may be insignificant in your service to the heavens, I would nonetheless see you whole and well!" Without even waiting for acknowledgement, Arissa thrusts a palm at the nearby Paladin. It's an abrupt motion, one that may well make her worry.

And perhaps with good reason, as Arissa's hand lashes out with gold-white flames! They wash over Tillianne, and... not only refuse to burn her, but reward her kind nature. The fire changes form, turning into sparkles of healing energy that will mend Tilliane's wound and send a momentary sensation of something wonderful and 'right' through her.

Arissa seemed to expect this outcome, because she's just standing there smiling at the Paladin the whole time... not even playfully so, just warm and pleased. Enough so that Arissa isn't immediately aware that an impromptu strategy session has started as mercenaries join them.
Tillianne answers louder, "I'm fine," to Garthos but still not very easily heard. It's more like a grumble of increased volume, almost as if she doesn't like being asked that question. She has only the most minor of injuries and seems to want to tough it out. She begins to walk towards the wounded Drakha but pauses when Arissa comes down and over to her. "Nonono," she says quickly while shaking her head. "I said I'm-" and then she lets out a scream that is an octave higher than her speaking voice and makes her sound half her age as she starts flailing at the flames as she is covered in liquid fire of the highest order of destruction! Though when she feels no terrible burning, she just smacks at the flames purely on instinct, still shrieking though and hardly looking to be a fearsome foe of evil anymore.

GAME: Tillianne casts Cure Light Wounds.

GAME: Tillianne rolls 1d8+2: (2)+2: 4

GAME: Lithuin damaged Drakha for -4 points. 8 remaining.

GAME: Tillianne casts Cure Light Wounds.

GAME: Tillianne rolls 1d8+2: (2)+2: 4

GAME: Lithuin damaged Drakha for -4 points. 12 remaining.

<OOC> Tillianne shall now lay on hands!

<OOC> Tillianne has 6 charges left. 5 after this.

GAME: Tillianne rolls 2d6: (6): 6

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You can renew your spells before we start up the next encounter."

GAME: Lithuin damaged Drakha for -6 points. 18 remaining.

<OOC> Arissa nods. Should I go ahead and mark the new casting of Extended Levitate presently?

Garthos just nods at the mercenary silently, not really partaking in the man's perhaps misplaced mirth. "If the spellwork's done, let's get movin'. We've a job to finish." he asides to his fellow adventurers, nodding in the general direction of the town's center, where the town hall lies. He does not bother to wipe the blood from his blade - likely knowing more will end up on it anyway soon enough. And he manages - just barely - not to burst out laughing at the flailing Tillianne. "Calm down, calm down! The fire ain't gonna hurt ya." he assures her, in friendly manner.

<OOC> Arissa nods. Marked.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Rod is out of charges for today, of note."

After Tillianne stops panicking, she casts several spells and divine energies upon Drakha. The flames on her sword go out as she does this though.

<OOC> Tillianne says, "On more LoH. Down to 4."

GAME: Tillianne rolls 2d6: (7): 7

GAME: Lithuin damaged Drakha for -7 points. 25 remaining.

Arissa looks baffled by Tillianne's panic. "Why do you quail so? You are also an agent of the heavens and surely must know you are not being harmed? You are being judged, but they have found you delightful in their eyes and are rewarding you! Please take heart and do not despair!" Arissa simply stands there, trying to calm the Paladin... and working some magic in Celestial, her wings vanishing for a moment before re-appearing, renewed.

Drakha blinks a few times as he watches the girl run around screaming with the fire, contemplating on if he should say anything about that, but

Garthos gets ahead of him in that so he just shrugs it off. Then he nods to the paladin when she makes his wounds heal. "Thank you. May the ancestors watch over you." he offers to her, reaching a hand to grip her shoulder with for a moment in a gesture of appreciation. Then he turns his attention back to the task at hand. "Yes lets get this finished and see whats lurking in the town hall." he suggests.

When the party approaches the town hall, they will find an impressive scene of carnage laid out before them. The street that encircles the building is literally blanketed in corpses in most places, and the stink of blood is almost overpowering when combined with the smell of charcoal and burning flesh. It's rather ghoulish, and the only ones who remain standing in this place are the soldiers with the sturdier stomachs. They patrol the edges of the roads that meet at this, the heart of the village, but for the moment it appears that no push-back from the monsters has occured.

A squad of no less than seven men, however, stand before the steps of the village hall with their weapons levelled in its direction. They seem quite tense, as if waiting for something to spring out at them but nothing has done so yet. Above the noise of the village burning and the fighting in the distance, audible footsteps can be heard within as well as guttural grunting.

Instead of looking appreciative, the young paladin looks embarrassed and angry. She points a finger at Arissa. "The heavens can kiss my" she begins to yell really loud, but she stops herself by turning the point into a angry fist. Soon as she is done healing Drakha, she turns away from him and walks to the front of the group again, looking ready to take any kind of attack that might come at them from the front. Yeah she looks to be the really angry dedicated sort.

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I guess I'll re-up my shield before we go in"

GAME: Kilroy attempts to cast Shield but fails due to ASF.

GAME: Kilroy casts Shield.

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will recast my shield as well"

GAME: Drakha casts Shield.

Arissa winces at Tillianne's anger, genuinely not expecting it. "Forgive me... I had only thought to share a boon with you and not see you upset..." Nonetheless, Arissa tries not to linger on it; there are things to tend to as they approach the town hall. "Even from here I can hear it thrash about in so much violence... it will be very powerful indoors. Perhaps the door could be opened and I could strike at it from a distance, bringing it out here?"

Kilroy arrives at the village hall along with the rest of the party. "Just look at this carnage," he says, "if I could whistle, I would." As the footsteps and gutteral grunts emerge from the village hall, he casts a spell -- or tries to. After an interminable string of curses, he utters an arcane incantation and a shimmering translucent shield leaps into being in front of him.

Garthos patrols around the back of the group, protecting the flanks and rear as best he can and allowing Tillianne to lead them further on into the decimated town. Once they reach the town hall, the smell makes him gag, but he keeps his lunch down and does not otherwise turn green or such. He quickly draws a cloth, tying it around his nose and mouth. Yes, he carries such a thing with him nowadays at all times - Alexandria and its myriad of disgusting aromas have made certain of it. He glances at Arissa, then. "Best see what it is, first. Might be able to fly or somethin', and if so, best keep it under a roof." he voices his opinion. "We'll work it out as we go along." is added, with a grim little smile.

Drakha feels part of his magical protections fading as they move to the town hall, so once they actually get there he will reinvoke the blessings of his ancestors, causing a transcluent field of force to form around him, visible for only a moment until it fades. He shakes his head at Arissas question, motioning towards the group of men standing on guard at the steps. "If it didn't come out to challenge those men, I doubt it has any plans on doing so anytime soon. Closed spaces are better to fight in anyway, less room for the enemy to run. Besides, whatever is in there, it sounds big, so it will likely be clumsy in an enclosed area like the building."

Tillianne marches up towards the guards aiming their weapons at the building. What would normally be this pretty and charming face made to disarm and carouse is smudged with ash from the burning and streaked with a thick splatter of blood from right eye to nose to left cheek, and the glint of the burning fire reflecting in her eyes. Creeeeepy. Okay, she's seriously making up for the squealing girl part a few minutes ago. "Have you seen what's in there?" she asks the guards.

"Whatever it is, we could burn it out," Kilroy muses.

They start a bit when they are addressed, or at least some of them do. The nearest to the group lowers his weapon as he turns to face the party, motioning in the direction of the hall as he begins to speak, "Some.. Great.. Big monster, thing. We're not really sure what it was. It had horns on its head, carried a big axe. It.. It was horrible, I only saw it for a second when it thundered back inside. It had wings and claws too, ugliest thing I've ever seen in my life and terrifying." He shudders slightly, as if suddenly wondering /why/ he is standing in front of the door blocking it.

"There's a pair of ogres in there too. Don't know if the thing 'et them yet or what, but nothing has come running out at us since the last of these things." A booted foot kicks a nearby ogrekin corpse.

There's a huge roar and a thunder of broken timber as, quite suddenly, a hole is punched through the roof of a town hall. Some winged, hellborne monstrosity does not escape from it however. Instead, the ripped and torn frame of what was quite likely an ogre goes sailing through the air before landing with a sickeningly wet thud some several yards behind the party and the soldiers.

Drakha listens to the description that is being given of whats inside, glancing between the others to see if any of them might know anything matching that description. "Wings, eh? Well sounds like we better keep it inside then." he notes, then turns his head sharply to look up at the ruckus, watching the ogre being thrown out. "Well... that answers the question about the ogres, at least." he adds with a chuckle.

"Yeah. I'm thinkin' it's time to get in there and see about--" Garthos begin, nodding at Tillianne and the soldiers, when the corpse makes its appearance. He twitches, turning and staring. "... About killin' it." he finishes after taking a moment to recover.

Kilroy quips as the ogre ker-splats, "That's one less problem." He continues, "As charging in has proven less than fruitful, perhaps we put one of Arissa's pets at the van and follow it in?"

Tilly's hand holding her sword begins to tighten as she listens to the description of the creature inside. "Move," she tells the guards, as they seem to be in her way. At least to her. "This thing is beyond you." And then as if on cue, the ogre goes flying out of the building. The young paladin looks up with narrowed eyes and watches it sail through the air and then where it lands on the ground. She then shoots a determined look at the building and walks the rest of the way up to it, passing by the guards. She must lack sense or experience or both to show no fear, but then again she looks -so- angry that rage can be an overpowering substitute for courage. When Kilroy offers the suggestion, she pauses at the door, but she sure as hell doesn't look like she'll be the second one going inside.

Drakha does seem to agree with Tillianne, even though he definetily has no problems with letting the paladin go in first, following just few steps behind her. "Lead the way." he offers to the woman with a motion towards the door.

Kilroy follows the others. "Lead on," he says.

<OOC> Arissa tosses up a Bless then. Lasts 5 minutes.

Arissa blanches at Kilroy's words, protesting: "They are not pets but also heavens-blessed beasts, showing as kind a heart as any priest or
knight! Others still are the essences of the world, and in no case are mere 'pets.'" This isn't a refusal, however. She begins to chant... then is interrupted as ogre-remains are sent flying. "Oh my..." She takes it fairly calmly, surprised but not panicking.

Chanting resumes, and the party is engulfed in gold-white holy light! Though it may look a bit different from Tillianne's magic, the result is virtually identical; a rush of righteous courage runs through them. Then Arissa regards the door and states: "I could nonetheless bring forth one or more of them if you wish?"

GAME: Arissa casts Grease.

<OOC> Tillianne rushes in when everybody is done with their preps.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Go ahead and roll init now. It won't be surprised when you boot the door in."

GAME: Kilroy rolls initiative: Roll: 13 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 15

GAME: Tillianne rolls initiative: Roll: 5 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 6

GAME: Arissa rolls initiative: Roll: 8 + Bonus: 6 = Total: 14

GAME: You roll initiative for Demon: Roll: 11 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 13

GAME: Garthos rolls initiative: Roll: 16 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 18

GAME: Drakha rolls initiative: Roll: 4 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 6

<pre>
===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------
18 Garthos
----------------------------------------
15 Kilroy
----------------------------------------
14 Arissa
----------------------------------------
13 Demon
----------------------------------------
6 Drakha
----------------------------------------
6 Tillianne
----------------------------------------
</pre>

As the double doors to the hall swings open, the ruined interior can be seen plainly. Fire-light filters through the holes that have been punched in the walls where windows used to be, as well as overhead through the hole created when the corpse of the ogre was unceremoniously flung out. It's a fairly spacious room, at least sixty feet long and thirty wide. All the tables and other paraphenalia that had occupied this hall, however, are ruined and shattered upon the walls. Instead, a massive creature stands in the center of it all. A solid twelve, perhaps thirteen feet high, it turns its fiery red eyes on the door as it opens up to reveal the full measure of the creature. Cloven-hooved feet stomp the floor angrily, and wings constrained to the creature's back stretch outwards. A huge, wicked-looking great axe is held in one hand and it slowly begins to swing the blade back and forth before it as its free clawed hand flexes and unflexes, waiting for the party to make the first move.

<OOC> Arissa tries to identify it?

GAME: Arissa rolls Knowledge/The Planes: (8)+2: 10

You paged Arissa with 'You cannot determine what the devil it is, but you can tell it's not a natural creature.'

<OOC> Garthos says, "Since I don't want us to end up all bottlenecked in the doorway as it goes stomping in, I'll scoot inside (passing through
Tilly's square in doing so, assuming she'll allow me) and along the wall maybe some 10 feet, pull a javelin in the motion, and hurl it at the creature (holding my falchion idle in the other hand)."

GAME: Garthos rolls 1d20+5+2+1: (7)+5+2+1: 15

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll delay action"

<OOC> Arissa begins Summon Monster II.

"Dammit. It's gonna bottleneck us here if we let it." Garth hisses, realizing the entire party is stuck in the doorway. As thus, he slides past Tillianne, moving inside the actual chamber - along the wall, however, keeping distance. As he hustles, a javelin is drawn and hurled its way. It skitters harmlessly off the creature's scaly hide.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Cast, pose, end turn?"

GAME: Arissa casts Summon Monster II.

Arissa does not specifically recognize the monster before them. She has some broad, vague idea of what it is... as merely being near it, looking at it, feels deeply wrong and awful to her. "Driving out followers of Maugrim and Taara brought no real comfort or salvation, and now I must wonder if you are the true cause! Something so vile has no place in this world..."

...Her eyes glaze over again, a bright smile forming as she chimes: "...So allow me to remove you presently!" Then Arissa begins chanting excitedly in Celestial, the glowing white summoning circle forming in front of her once more.

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+13: (15)+13: 28

GAME: Lithuin rolls 3d6+4: (7)+4: 11

GAME: Lithuin damaged Tillianne for 11 points. 39 remaining.

As Garthos' javelin sails by harmless, the great creature snorts rather derisively before laying his other hand on the handle of his greataxe and surging forwards. Buoyed by his wings and propelled by extremely powerful legs, he closes the gap between himself and Tillianne in the blink of an eye, leading his heavy-handed charge with the razor edge of his axe to wound the paladin painfully.

<OOC> Drakha says, "Is there room for two people to be next to each other at the doorway?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Yeah, double doorway."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Well I guess I will take 5 foot step to be at the side of tilli, in melee range, and then defensively cast burning hands on it, to see if its fire proof."

GAME: Drakha casts Burning Hands.

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14

Drakha steps in next to the paladin to get a clear line to the enemy, waving his spear towards it to keep it at bay while he focuses on awakening his draconic heritage in the form of a fire breath, but unfortunately is distracted by the flailing beast too much to manifest anything noteworthy.

<OOC> Tillianne says, "Well, smite evil on it. +5 to hit and +5 deflection AC again and ignores DR. If it's a demon, double paladin level damage on the first and only first hit."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "No double damage."

GAME: Tillianne rolls weapon1+5+1-2: (1)+10+5+1+-2: 15

GAME: Kilroy rolls 1d20+9: (3)+9: 12

Tillianne is ready to swing her sword through the beast as she channels her divine powers of wrath through her blade and directed towards the
monster but BAM! She gets hit with the axe. It clashes against her armor and staggers her back and blood begins to flow through the gaps in her armor. She is so stunned that her swing against the beast is off timing by just a fraction of a second and she misses. She doesn't cry out, but she squints hard and makes a very pained expression.

<OOC> Garthos says, "I'm inside, hooray, so I 5' further into the room (diagonally if we're not adjacent so that we ARE adjacent) so as to allow the boys and girls some delicious FLANK. And then I PA it. With said flank."

GAME: Garthos rolls 1d20+5+5+1+1+1+1+2: (19)+5+5+1+1+1+1+2: 35

GAME: Garthos rolls 1d20+5+5+1+1+1+1+2: (19)+5+5+1+1+1+1+2: 35

<OOC> Garthos says, "Crit."

Kilroy bellows a furious rumbling howl, charging the demon head-on. He takes a wild swing at the demon, missing the winged beast.

GAME: Garthos rolls 4d4+17+17: (11)+17+17: 45

<OOC> Garthos says, "So. Is it still standing so I know what to pose?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "It is."

<OOC> Arissa says, "This enemy... is it flying (albeit low to the ground), or /on/ the ground? This actually matters for an effect."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "On the ground."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Arissa Completes Summon II. Small Earth Elemental, 'behind' (adjacent to Garth) it. I... think that's legal and correct, if I'm visualizing this right?"

<OOC> Arissa says, "So if it can appear 'behind' (relative to Tillianne) within 35' of placement... cool. Attacking with flank, then."

"I hate demons. I -HATE- demons!!" Garth bellows, sidestepping into a more tactically advantageous position. The creature is fully distrated by the paladin, and the Angorite takes the opportunity - a spin of the large blade in his hand to position it, and then he plunges the weapon into the creature's side. The Elven runes upon the blade flare and it slips readily past the tough, scaly hide, plunging deep into the demonic thing and causing a spray of dark blood. The creature roars in agony from the immense blow. If the windows were not gone, they'd shudder from the sound.

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d20+11: (7)+11: 18

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d6+8: (2)+8: 10

<OOC> Arissa says, "She casts Grease on its axe. Spell Resistance doesn't apply, far as I know."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21

GAME: Arissa casts Grease.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Arissa then moves back as far as she can within 30 feet of movement while still keeping LoS, then ends turn."

Arissa's chanting causes the circle to suddenly slide behind the axe-wielding monster, a vaguely humanoid slab of stone emerging. It snarls
in a deep voice, thick arms raised to bash at this foe, striking but failing to rock it nearly as soundly as one might expect.

Meanwhile, Arissa continues to chant and conjures a batch of sky-blue gel onto the axe... but its wielder shakes the weapon, clearing it before the gel can spread too far! Arissa begins to shy away from the battle, considering her options... she's not leaving, simply wary of what could happen if she stays close.

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+11: (20)+11: 31

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+11: (12)+11: 23

GAME: Lithuin rolls 9d6+27: (28)+27: 55

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+6: (9)+6: 15

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+6: (1)+6: 7

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+6: (16)+6: 22

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d6+3: (3)+3: 6

GAME: Lithuin damaged Kilroy for 6 points. 14 remaining.

The creature's earth-rattling roar does indeed rattle what litttle glass is left in the frames. It positively howls with rage and pain as it takes a faltering step to the side, clutching at the horrible wound inflicted on it. As it turns its eyes on Garthos, they illuminate briefly with a red glow that threatens to sear the very air hovering around its skull. Gaining its footing, it wraps its massive fists about the handle of its axe, twistins and swings with such ferocity that before the axe hits Garthos and sends him hurtling to the far end of the hall in a hail of debris and blood, it blows out the section of wall that had been somewhat in the way near the fighter. Turning on those remaining, it aims a backswing at Tillianne that goes wild and carves away more wall before gnashing its fangs in Drakha's direction and then goring Kilroy directly in the chest with the horns adorning its brow.

GAME: Drakha casts Burning Hands.

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d20+7: (3)+7: 10

<OOC> Tillianne says, "LoH as a swift on myself and then attacking with PA."

Drakha shakes his head some to clear it and focus more this time, starting to create fire once more, but then sees Garth get golfclapped to a wall in a rather spectacular manner which is more than enough to distract him again and break his concentration.

<OOC> Tillianne is down to 3 LoH after this.

GAME: Tillianne rolls 2d6: (5): 5

GAME: Lithuin damaged Tillianne for -5 points. 44 remaining.

GAME: Tillianne rolls weapon1+5+1-2: (8)+10+5+1+-2: 22

GAME: Tillianne rolls 2d6+7+6+5: (8)+7+6+5: 26

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Well."

<OOC> Lithuin draws little x's over its eyes.

Tillianne somehow manages to regenerate much of the wound in a matter of seconds as a golden white glow seeps from the gaps in her armor that blood was once flowing through. "Gartho-!" she begins to yell when she sees him terribly maimed and flung across the room. She can't finish even saying it though because the beast swipes at her and only through divine protection guarding her is she not maimed as well. The second after she ducks and dodges the blow, she leaps up from a crouch with her sword held above her head in both hands in a stabbing position. She then drives the blade right through its chest and force of her body hitting it knocks mortally wounded beast over with her kneeling on it. The sword is yanked out in a shower of blood that gets all over her and then blade comes down again. Panting hard she pushes the edge into its throat so hard that she takes the head off.

Garthos lies still. He's, somehow, survived that! Tough bugger, him. He bleeds, however. Profusely. It drips over shattered bits of wall and furniture that surrounds him.

Arissa stares as Garth falls, alarmed; she may only have seconds to get to him! It's something she can't risk with that brutal axe still being swung about... but Tillianne puts an end to it, and Arissa immediately drops her Celestial chanting in favor of jogging near Garth and flinging holy fire at him. It's a strange but sincere way to express concern, but one that works; the flames like him just as much as they liked the Paladin, turning into healing sparkles and stopping his bleeding... and may even be enough to bring him weakly back to consciousness.

GAME: Lithuin damaged Garthos for -6 points. 0 remaining.

Garth stirs. "Mrrrh." His eyes open and he sees Arissa there. Deja vu much? He cracks a smile, his lips and teeth stained with the crimson of blood a little. "Hey there." he greets her, sounding a little delirious. His eyes are a little unfocused. "Issit dead?"

Kilroy shoulders his weapon, surveying his damage with the poke of a finger on his free hand. "Glad I didn't take that hit," he remarks absently before tending to his own injuries, hand glowing with repair magic.

Drakha was preparing to start poking at the thing with his spear when its already cut down by the others, making him to relax and just look around to see if there might be anything else lurking nearby as he steps in fully, but doesn't find anything. "I wonder where that thing came from and how it got here..." he notes idly as he nudges the dead thing with the point of his spear lightly.

Arissa smiles down to Garth, offering a hand down to him. "It is as you say! You have been fallen for only so many moments and the battle moved quickly, but the wretch is no more. Forgive me..." Her smile fades, "I had thought to disarm it so this would not happen at all, but its grip was firm. Still... we should not stay in this building much longer. If I support you, will you be well enough to walk out so we can tend to you more properly?"

Garthos barks a laugh - something that causes him to fall into a coughing fit, one that has him cough up blood from what's probably a right mess down around where his internal organs are. He wipes at his mouth with the back of his hand. One hand seeks the handle of his sword, and once he finds it, he hauls himself to his feet - slowly and shakily. "Ya clearly got no idea how much I weigh." he asides to Arissa with a grunt. The words are good-natured, though.

Tilly rises from the corpse slowly, covered in its blood. She takes a quick look around the room while her senses are still in a state of adrenaline pumped hyperalert, but it's not long before she is making her way over to Garthos quickly. She kneels down beside him and immediately places her hands to him and concentrates. Whatever she does works really really well, but it looks like it took a lot out of her because shortly after she slumps against the wall.

"Perhaps, but to the heavens you are no great burden." Arissa taps one of her mini-wings as some explanation to Garth. "I would..." She cuts off, backing up a few steps as Tillianne intervenes. Once it's over, Arissa smiles to the Paladin and speaks in Celestial, "(Thank you.)", then back to normal. "I would not wish to remain here too long... even in its death, being around this wretch brings me some discomfort. Pardon me," And with that, Arissa begins to walk outside...

Garthos flexes, revitalized by that little touch of divine power. His fingers gingerly touch his side - the wound has been re-knit well and natural healing of it should not take long after that. He sheathes his blade, offering Tillianne a hand - both for a shake and to help her straighten again. "Thank ya." he offers, sincerely. A glance behind himself, at the monster. "I think we're done here. Get me a rope - I'll get smelly here back to our secretive employer." he offers, not seeming too pleased about the secretive part, but still. "If there's still fightin', seein' him missin' a head outta have the ogres give up."

Kilroy nods at Garthos' words. "That should take the fight out of them, alright. Let's head back and collect some coin," he says.

The soldiers all look rather agape at the body as it is hauled out of the town hall and then the steps, every thud prompting a wet splat and a little
more blood to dribble out of the corpse. The going is not terribly easy, what with the field of corpses all around, but it is still doable. Any monster that gets within seeing distance of the party decides that there are better ways to spend their time than an ugly, headless trophy and as such do not trouble the party at all. More than once, they can be seen skittering off into the alleys and out of sight. It seems that largely the battle has been one.

Back at the starting ground where the robed man still waits, the party receives a rather flabergasted welcome. The dark skinned man pulls down the cloth that had been obscurng his mouth, as well as the turban from atop his head. He's that surprised at what they've found, moreover that they've managed to haul the thing back, that he literally needs to remove some clothes to get a little air. He hurries forwards, two aids coming along with him, to inspect the massive body in excited whispers. The robed man continues to investigate while his aids eagerly shake the hands of every adventurer willing to do so, and those that aren't anyway. This is rather big news, apparently. When at last the man is done investigating, he seems still quite surprised though a much more thoughtful expression. Snapping his fingers quickly, the aids scamper off and then return with a moderately sized wooden case between the two of them. "Your reward, my friends, plus a bonus," the robed man explains, pushing open the top of the case to reveal an ample amount of gold coin within. "Take it and my blessings. Hopefully, you will never need to see this place again. Take some horses or a wagon and go from this place, you do not need to linger in the stink of death."

"Here's your problem!" is Garth's greeting, followed by a grunt, as he brings the horrible, scaly, hoofed body and deposits it in front of their employer. "Well. Former problem." he adds with a grin. He shakes the hand happily - firmly, but clearly holding back some of his strength so as to not injure the man. He waves away words of the reward, saying: "Can deal with that later. What I really wanna know is who ya are. A name, maybe, if ya ain't gonna share anythin' else. Ain't right if ya know my name and I don't know yours, yeah?" he offers to the robed man.

Drakha grins as he sees the chest full of gold being presented to them. "Everything looks to be fine to me. I sure hope as well that I don't have to see this cursed village ever again. Nothing but trouble here it seems." he notes, seeming to be perfectly happy with just taking his share of the gold and getting back to Alexandria.

Arissa isn't much help in hauling it back; she's not very strong, and her magic can't lift something /that/ big... so she mostly lets others deal with it, but does have some questions as the robed man speaks to them; she moves to stand by Garth and nod in agreement with his concerns. "Really I have similar matters weighing on my mind. I would ask simply enough, what are your aims? Imagine if you will a man of secrecy with an army behind him, who has continually deflected questions, has sent us to deal with so many dark threats... and this was after the very people here hired us to do the same. Though you offer plenty of coin... forgive my concerns, but I cannot help but wonder what was so vital that so many died over it. Will we have cause to come back here?"

Tillianne takes up the rear this time, being the last one out of the village. She looks tired, yet still carries a certain intensity to her even when fatigued. Motives, money, whatever is being discussed, Tilly just listens to passively in the background as she gives a tired stare to the robed man. She eyes him with suspicion too.

The robed man looks at Garthos for a moment, stroking his chin idly in thought. "Alfar din Khalim, is my name. I can offer you little more than that in way of my own personal information, but now you know as much about myself as I do you." His hand drops from his chin and he seats himself on the comfortable stool that had been placed there earlier. "If you're curious as to my intentions, I assure you they are always for the greater good. Despite the rather clandestine way I often need to go about things." His slips his hands into the opposite arms of his robes now, sighing comfortably. "I wish you all the best on your return trip."

Kilroy merely accepts his payment and expresses his thanks to the robed figure. "Glad to be of service," he says. "As for myself, I think it's time to head home."

He perks back up, briefly, "Ah, the village head? Yes, he hired you in order to remove the Elves who worshiped Taraa from this place. They were two small but warring factions. He served those who worshiped Maugrim. With them gone, the worshipers of Maugrim more or less had free reign to do with as they wished. And you can see how that resulted," he motions to the burning village. He adds as an afterthought, "He was swayed by the Maugrimites, if that wasn't obvious. I believe his body is probably laying somewhere in the village right now."

Arissa flicks a hand through her hair, apparently placated. "So it seems. I should be back in due time to tend to those who wish to return... but /this/," a gesture to the battle-ravaged town, "Seems to be done enough for now." She then backs off a few steps, quieting down...

Garthos nods at the introduction, the friendly smile readily returning to his lips. "Pleasure to meet cha." he offers. He seems pleased, at least, that the man did not rebuff that request. He pauses, glances towards the town. "If ya need an extra pair of hands, I'll help ya clean up here. There are a lot of graves to be dug and a lot of ogre corpses to burn." he offers. "Otherwise, I suppose it's time to leave."

A pause. A long pause. A longer pause.

Garthos turns to face the man. "Just one question, though. Bit unrelated, but... ya outta know an answer to this one, I think."
More pause, briefer.
"What's a Malik?"

The old man tilts is head somewhat curiously as he looks at Garthos, "A chieftan, more or less. Why do you ask?"

"Met one a while ago, is all." Garth says, nodding his thanks to the man. "I'll stick around a while. Call if ya need me to help with stuff." he says, and is then leaving the robed man to his thoughts - and a smelly, scaly carcass.

Recent Logs

2011-07-14T21:06:00Z

Genesis:

[[Category:Logs]]
Roleplay is central to Tenebrae, and consists of a mix of scenes, grid, and PrPs. Here you may read some of the logs our players have posted, or wanted to share. This page may also be used to post logs for PrPs, to share an item for staff review, or to tell players about a great scene. Just remember to ask folks in the scene if it's alright before posting (if it's a DM'd scene, ask the DM). Remember too, if you're RPing in a public area, a log may end up on this site. A public area is anyplace that's on the main grid that isn't a residence, personal room, or Plot Room.

===How to Post Logs===
Please prepend PrPs with PrP: Name of Log. This includes all kinds of PrPs; Standard, Death Consent, and Dramatic (respectively, SPrPs, DCPrPs, and DPrPs). Most recent logs are at the '''bottom.''' Be sure to put all pages into '''<nowiki>[[Category: Logs]]</nowiki>'''. Thank you.

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===Our Logs===

* [[PrP: In The Thick of Things]]
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* [[Back At The Ranch|Social: Back At The Ranch...]]
* [[Boy Meets Girl|Social: Boy Meets Girl]]
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* [[Falcon Point: Teeth of the Deep|PRP: Falcon Point: Teeth of the Deep]]
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* [[PrPALittleBatty|PRP: A Little Batty]]
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* [[Daggers in the Dark|PrP: Daggers in the Dark]]
* [[PrP: Wolves in the Winter]]

* [[Adventurous Rivalry|PrP: Adventurous Rivalry]]
* [[PrP: That's not Timmy!]]
* [[PrP: Black Ring Rising]]
* [[PrP: Chicken Chasers!]]
* [[PrP: Timmy's Uncle]]

* [[PrP: Teena's Bad Day]]
* [[PrP: Fistful of Chitlins]]
* [[Hell's Medicine Part 1|PRP: Hell's Medicine Part 1]]
* [[Gnap!|PRP: Gnap!]]
* [[PrP: Watt's Mine is Mine]]

* [[PrP: 3375 Cubic Feet of Terror]]
* [[Why Did It Have To Be Rats?|PRP: Why Did It Have To Be Rats?]]
* [[The Poisoning of the Myrrish Ambassador|Social: The Poisoning of the Myrrish Ambassador]]
* [[Necromancer's Folly|PrP: Necromancer's Folly]]
* [[Tears in Dust Part 1|PrP: Tears in Dust Part 1]]

* [[A Veyshanti Sort Of Arrangement|PrP: A Veyshanti Sort Of Arrangement]]
* [[Tears in Dust Part 2|PRP: Tears in Dust Part 2]]
* [[PrP: Earthshaper Part I]]
* [[PrP: Adventure, Inc. - Part 1]]
* [[PrP: Godbusters]]

* [[Heroic by Proxy|PRP: Heroic by Proxy]]
* [[DPRP: Run, Thief, Run!|DPrP: Run, Thief, Run!]]
* [[Hell's Medicine Part 2|PrP: Hell's Medicine Part 2]]
* [[Tooth and Sky|PRP: Tooth and Sky]]
* [[PrP: Codices, Indices, and Odysseys]]

* [[The Hauntening|PRP: The Hauntening]]
* [[PrP: Codex Bifolium]]
* [[Tournament Paramount: Magic Competition Round 1]]
* [[Tidehollow's Challenge|Tidehollow's Challenge]]
* [[Caller in Darkness|PRP: Caller in Darkness]]

* [[Dramatic Scene: Guild of Explorer's Meeting: Dwarven Citadel Expedition]]
* [[Shadowfall is coming|Social: Shadowfall is Coming]]
* [[Hell's Medicine Part 3|PrP: Hell's Medicine Part 3]]
* [[PrP: Beneath the Church]]
* [[PrP: Old Wounds]]

[[Category:Admin]]

PrP: Beneath the Church

2011-06-23T04:23:13Z

Genesis: /* Enemies */

== '''Beneath the Church''' ==

== Runner ==

Lithuin

== Party ==

<pre>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Name | Race | Class | E Lev| CHP | HP | AC | For | Ref | Wil |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Drakha |SITH-MAK|Sor | 3 | 15 | 25 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
|Kilroy |WAR_GOLE|Bbn/Sor | 2 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
|Garthos |HUMAN |Ftr | 5 | 49 | 50 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
|Zarr |SITH-MAK|Ftr | 4 | 39 | 40 | 23 | 8 | 4 | 1 |
|Arissa |HUMAN |Sor | 5 | 31 | 31 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
</pre>

== Summary ==

An urgent plea goes out to any adventurer willing to make the journey to a developing town a few days journey from Alexandria. Kidnappings are on the rise, there are murmurings of a dark cult setting up shop just outside the town, and the leaders of the village are at their wits end. Enter the brave adventurers, here to find the source of the kidnappings and free the prisoners.

== Purchases ==

None.

== Enemies ==

'''Encounter 1: Complete.'''

6x CR 1 Religious Zealots.

Cumulative CR 6.

'''Encounter 2: Complete.'''

4x CR 1 Shadow Elf Soldiers.

1x CR 3 Shadow Elf Cleric.

Cumulative CR 7.

== The Adventure ==

<OOC> Drakha says, "Oh and for record, my AC is 1 higher than what the pdmscan shows, since my lvl 3 bloodline power isn't counted in to the code."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Ah, okay."

The message posted via the Guild sounded about as urgent as a bunch of ink slapped down onto some paper can sound. The details were somewhat scant, but not so scant as to make the letter seem like a hastily written trap. The general gist conveyed by the note is that a village about a solid two days of travel by wagon beyond Alexandria's walls is suffering from a series of disappearances. It is not a large town, but neither it is small and the populace is quickly growing panicked as the missing persons count grows higher and higher. It is precisely because of the rate and volume that the locals from both the town and outlaying farms are vanishing that the village head has posted the notice and bid all couriers great haste in ferrying him news about interest in it. He is well-informed ahead of time then about the five adventurers travelling to his town.

The welcome the wagons receive, carrying both trade as well as the five of you, is hailed as something of a godsend. In the time it has taken for the note to be delivered and the five of you to arrive, the disappearances have not ceased. Those that are about to note the wagon take a moment to thank whatever deity they pray to, as well as quietly cheering on the wagons procession as they pass by. Some even follow all the way to the town hall where the wagons come to a halt, and an 'end of the line' announcement is made by the drivers.

The village head, a man teetering on the edge of wizened, pushes open the oaken doors and bustles to the wagons to great the lot of you. Somewhat gnarled though still powerful hands are clasped together as he fervently announces his welcome, "Welcome, welcome my friends. Please follow me, we haven't a moment to waste. The day is growing late and it is during the night that the demons beset us and steal away our folk." He turns about, motioning to the group as he climbs back up the small set of steps and into the town hall.

Arissa is well-rested and ready as the wagon arrives; she promptly gathers her things, gives a 'thank you' to the driver, and steps out to meet the elder. "You are absolutely correct, there is little idle time in a matter such as this..." Her demeanor is one of soft patience, paying attention as she follows up the steps. "Though, really it is demons? Are you saying that in specific reference to creatures born of the hells themselves, or of so many other threats? Has someone identified them?" A lot of questions, but all of it is inquiry; Arissa's voice lacks any edge of accusation.

Kilroy, the large black war golem in the party, disembarks from the wagon as it rolls to a halt in front of the town hall. "Seems as though we're walking into this a bit unprepared. It would be well if we could learn what we will be up against," he remarks to the others.

Garthos had been happy to chat along the way. To Zarr - whom he'd not met before - he'd introduced himself in usual fashion: 'Garth, or Numbers, whichever ya like more'. And now that they stand at their destination, the large man - rather cheery during the trip - becomes a bit more serious, a bit more focused on the work ahead of the group. He hops off the wagon, moving after the man that had come to greet them.
"Good to meet cha." he asides to him. "If ya can give us anythin' to work off of, be lots of help. Any of ya folks here ever seen them?" he asks.

Zarr's gaze is cool-blooded as he stares about him. Considering the scales and metal and otherwise "Unfriendly" look to him, the adoration and welcome of the townsfolk is.... unaccustomed, to say the least. "Time enough to water and rest," he rumbles in suggestion to Garthos, glancing about the town curiously. He slides from his poor (and very unfortunate!) nag of a horse with a clatter; metal only punctuates the warrior's hard angles as he dismounts the beast, leaving it to the wagoneers to tend. He leaves the speaking to others, for the nonce.

Drakha steps out of the wagon also, right after Zarr, for someone who wouldn't know better, it would be easy to think the two sith-makar as twins, so similar in appearance and size are they to each other. Even though, unlike Zarr, he isn't clad in metal, but a simple cloak wrapped around him, and holding a fairly ceremonial looking spear in hand. "Everything looks like a demon to the uneducated in the dark." he comments idly to what Arissa is asking from the elder, but other than that, stays quiet for now as he follows along with the others.

The village head passes through the hall swiftly, entering into his own office at the far end of the building. As soon as everyone has been gathered within the deceptively spacious room, he closes the door tightly and leans against it before glancing towards the only window in the room, situated behind his desk and chair. Moving with surprising haste, he closes the shutters and drops the small latch to keep them thus. As soon as the soft 'click' of the latch falling into place sounds out, he exhales deeply. Something like relief, to the keen ear.

"Thank you all for coming, as quickly as you could. Please, please, have a seat and I will tell you know what I know of our situation." He motions graciously in a bone-weary way to the chairs gathered in the room as he seats himself, sinking into the wooden chair with another deep, weary sigh. As he sits there, he lifts his hand up to rub at the bridge of his nose for a moment before bringing both hands together atop his desk in a much more business-like fashion, looking across the piece of oak furniture now. "Now I said demons, but I was being.. Figurative. It's not so simple as hateful creatures from another realm. I have my suspicions about the root of the cause, you see." Here, he looks furtively again in the direction of the door and squints ever so slightly as if to discern whether it might be eavesdropping. "In the last few months, a man came to our town. A holy man of some sort, though we were not exactly clear on who or what it was he serves. But he was polite, gracious, and dispensed aid without a thought of recompense. In short he made himself a very popular man very quickly, so we granted him leave to establish a small church not far beyond the village." A hand is waved, in the general direction that he implies. "But lately things have gone.. Amiss. He does not visit us now, we have not seen him in some time. Not properly, at least, but there have been.. Murmurings. He has been spied in the witching hours of the night, skulking about like some prowler, some say."

He leans back now, laying his hands atop the arms of his chair as he reposes himself somewhat. "I am one of them. I am positive, beyond a doubt, that I saw this man slithering about town two nights passed. He had a cruel look to him, not at all like the gentle face I recalled. Before his seclusion, however, he attracted a following within the town. Many of which moved themselves out to his small church in order to pray and worship alongside him. That small church has become something of a monastery, though humble in size. Before they departed, those who chose to follow him seemed.. Odd. High strung, tense. We have not seen one of them return yet, once they leave they may as well have walked off of the face of the world." His old blue gaze shifts from each of you to the next in turn, before refocusing on the surface of the desk. "I have my suspicions that this man and his zealots are abducting the villagers, carting them off in the night to that.. Church. To do what, I cannot say, but not one of the missing has been found yet. Not so much as a scrap of cloth or a single hair. There is foulness about that place," he shakes his head slightly, voice growing dour, "it's so thick you can practically see it in the air before your eyes. What I would like you to do, all of you, is enter that church, explore it from tip to bottom. Find our people, or any evidence of what has become of them, I beg you."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Feel free to ask whatever you want, ICly or OOCly. Requests and so forth. Which reminds me, I should have asked you all beforehand if there were any pre-plot purchases you wished to make?"

<OOC> Zarr says, "Ten kegs of oil for re-urbanization of the chu--err... Nope. Not a thing."

<OOC> Arissa says, "No, I'm good."

"It sounds is as if we have our work cut out for us," says Kilroy, hoisting a hammer to one shoulder. "Let's go and see this 'church' with our own eyes and make of it what we will."

Zarr rumbles darkly upon hearing the explanation, the grim news. "And then, some demons in the dark or merely soft men," he remarks to Drakha. He tilts his head, considering thoughtfully. "Why not wait until the morning?" he suggests. "Spend night now patrol, scout, watching for skulkers. Perhaps catch one for... in-depth conversations." The Makar grins, as invitingly as an alligator. "Then, come morning light, we go to church. To visit. Yesss."

"Perhaps so, but a lack of education on the most vile wretches in existence is no great flaw." Arissa continues to pace along with the elder even while conversing. "And they may be able to describe the attackers all the same." As they arrive, she takes a seat and listens, mind racing through possibilities to explain what has happened.

After a few seconds of silence, she doesn't voice any of the several theories she has come up with. Instead, she looks straight to the elder with sympathy and a light voice: "Absolutely. You were right to ask us to spare no time in tending to this..." She rises and concludes, "It will be set right. Please take heart in that." Zarr's suggestion catches her attention, and she becomes curious. "Are you certain that will go well? I am not certain we can safely cover the whole area and ensure no more people vanish. You have a sound idea otherwise... perhaps if someone were between the church and town, to raise alarm if they see anyone being taken away?"

"We'll give it a look. What ya just said don't sound good at all." Garthos confirms, nodding once at the concerned leader of the little community, as if trying to reassure him. He turns, then, to his adventuring colleagues. "Shall we, folks?" he asks the others, taking one hand in the other and giving a nice, loud little crack of the knuckles. He's ready to conduct business, looks like. Zarr's suggestion earns him a ponderous look from the Angorite. "We'd have to catch one of 'em in the deed. I ain't very stealthy, so hidin' and waitin' for 'em won't really work too well far as I go." He sounds kind of like a key ring being shaken gently when he walks, yes.

Drakha listens the lengthy story from the elder, glancing between the others as to see what they think. "How many people joined this... monastery? Approximately? So we will know what kind of numbers we are dealing with, if your suspicions are correct." he inquires. Everything else he might have wanted to ask about was already covered by the others.

The village head listens to the conversation playing out before him, his old eyes switching from one face to the next as each speaks up. "Please go about this as you see fit, I am in no way suited to telling you how to conduct your investigation. The abductions are not nightly, but they are frequent enough that it may be possible for you to catch the culprits or at least one of them. However," he pauses, glancing at a small chart next to his desk. "We lost two last night, and after all this time I've noted a pattern. They come one night and abduct as many as they may, and then are silent for at least a day or two before they arrive again. Our own meagre patrols have, so far, done nothing to daunt them." He looks thoughtful now as he considers the question Drakha has posed, "Originally, there were about.. Thirty converts or so. Since that time, the number of abducted borders on triple that count. That church is only so large, I do not know what they are doing with this many of my people, or how they are hiding them within if indeed they are."

Kilroy says, "In that case, I suggest we make haste to ensure the safety of the newly taken captives."

Zarr's tail snaps behind him, an odd whipcord of flesh and scale upon the ground. "The dark does not shield them from me," he announces, glancing to the others. "Though I do not know if these who are stolen will still live. Day or night-- the blood tastes the same." He crosses his arms, turning his eyes back to the others. "The choice is yours."

"We might be riskin' the ones that have been taken by waitin'. It's not a risk I'm willin' to take, dark or not." Garthos says earnestly, frowning deeply. "Wish we'd gotten here sooner. I say we get movin'." Seems like the warrior has made his choice - immediate departure.

Arissa takes a few steps away, starting to leave... but clearly doesn't plan to stomp off alone; she's waiting even as Kilroy speaks. "Really your words mirror my heart, and we should leave immediately. Though, we might gain entrance with word more easily than blade. When we approach, might I present us as curious of their faith and ask to be allowed in to learn?"

Anticipating objections from the elder at least, and likely others here, she quickly adds: "It is but a ruse to gain entrance and not any real intent to join them."

Drakha frowns at this information. "Thirty... that is quite a large number." he admits, but doesn't ask further questions, seeming to be ready to move on as well. He has some suspicions as to what might be going on, but doesn't want to discuss about them while they are just that, theories, no need to make the elder worry even more over what might not even be true. He does, instead, reply to Arissa. "Let us first go and see this church. There might not even be anyone there for all we know."

Zarr snorts at the suggestion, tailtip setting a subtle rattle among the metal plates. "My preferences are more direct," he grumbles, "Not given to.... indulging religions." He exhales a jet of hot air, grumbling some more for good nature. "Let us go and see what they have," he says finally, nodding his head. "Perhaps talking will work. If not..."

Toothsome grin.

The village leader shakes his head, lifting his hands up again as he reiterates, "Please do as you see fit. If you think you can convince them to let you in then by all means do so, but I am not sure you will walk about out without breaking down the door. All who have left so far have yet to return, and I am beginning to wonder if of the original thirty, it was not for lack of trying." As he lowers his hands back down to the arms of the chair he speaks again, "I wish you all luck, and pray fervently for your swift return. Any news you can bring us will be welcome, even if it is not the news that we wish to hear but.. Many have been gone for so long, I hold out little hope for those first taken. Please, do what you can."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "I take it the consensus is marching off to the church, then. Just have to decide whether you're knocking or kicking the door in."

<OOC> Zarr says, "We knock, of course! Girl Scout Cookies do not kick down doors. :("

<OOC> Drakha says, "Well I would prefer to at least take a look at the church first to see if there is anything of note going on outside it, or anything else noteworthy that we could find before actually marching to the door"

Kilroy has disconnected.
Garthos has disconnected.

(Log note: We lost Kilroy from this point on till after the first Encounter, Garthos did not reconnect till the end of the second Encounter)

<OOC> Zarr says, "So far, we want to use Survival to check out the church. Read the "past traffic", so to speak. See if there are hidden entrances, or places where folks have been dragged rather than walking, etc. If possible!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Well, whoever is left can roll Survival if they'd like and I'll get that sorted."

GAME: Zarr rolls Survival: (16)+7: 23

You paged Zarr with 'There is heavy foot traffic that appears to be going into and out of the church. The village head mentioned thirty, and it the number of tread marks certainly fit that estimate. There is not much around the sides and back, however, just a few here and there and nothing terribly out of the ordinary. If the people were brought here, they were dragged through the main doorway.'

After arriving at the church, Zarr takes time to scout out the area, to survey with a careful respect. The rattle of metal plating is shockingly quiet as the scarlet Makar moves, rumbling to himself in quiet hisses, soft words of Draconic, roaming about the building with patient steps. Long minutes pass as the sun glitters on the horizon, slowly sinking before he completes his circle. "If the missing have been taken here," he rumbles,
"Then it was through the main doors." He points, a steel-tipped claw glittering ominously. "It is the only entry. The only path to be taken. More than this, I cannot say."

Arissa mostly kept quiet and let Zarr work in checking trails, but makes a single nod when he announces his findings: "Then it seems the matter is simple enough and we should go forward. We may be running low on time... I would like to begin immediately if there are no objections?"

<OOC> Drakha says, "I assume there is no guards or other people outside?"

Zarr simply raises his hands in reply, a moments glance to check the bands, dexterous claws working to tighten the grip of those metal blades. "In peace or in war," he intones, "Let the fire burn. I am prepared."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Is there any signs of people being inside, like light shining from under the doors or speech heard or anything?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "The sun is just going down, so with the light shining on the face of the church it's pretty difficult to say. A good perception roll will tell you more."

GAME: Drakha rolls perception: (12)+6: 18

<OOC> Lithuin says, "About lights on inside and such. There's no overt noise from where you're able to spy on the place though, since I assume you didn't walk right up to the doors."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "And no posted watchmen."

Drakha also waits for his 'twin' to finish the survey of the outdoors area, the night falling does not bother him, his eyes see in the dark just as well as in the light. He nods to what the other sith'makar says, then starts walking towards the doors. "Well, I suppose we need to deal with the doors next, then." he notes, making some gestures over his form then and speaking a few words in draconic, making his scales glow red light for a moment, before it dims again.

GAME: Arissa rolls Perception: (9)+1: 10

You paged Drakha with 'You can see no lights, but occasionally there is a dark shape against the stained glass windows. Someone or several someones are puttering about just inside the hall.'

GAME: Zarr rolls Perception: (17)+0: 17

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Arissa is distracted by a passing moth. It is very pretty."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Casting mage armor on myself, it lasts 3 hours so hopefully long enough"

<OOC> Drakha says, "Right when we are getting ready to go to the doors"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Noted."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Will proxy cast it since its my bloodline spell and thus not on my sheet"

You paged Zarr with 'You can see no lights, but occasionally there is a dark shape against the stained glass windows. Someone or several someones are puttering about just inside the hall.'

GAME: Drakha casts Magic Missile.

<OOC> Drakha says, "that gives me +3 ac (since it overwrites my bracers of armor) to total of 20"

You paged Arissa with 'You can detect nothing out of the ordinary. The church seems very quiet and still in the late evening sun.'

Zarr nods in agreement with his opposite in red, starting towards the doors.... Freezing after a few moments, to glance back to the others. "There is movement inside," he rumbles softly. "Knock, or....." Clawflex. "Knock?"

Drakha as they move closer he narrows his eyes at something, glancing at the others. "There are people inside... at least one person, maybe more." he warns them.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Can I get a Levitate in on that prep-work spellcasting?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure."

Arissa's voice is quiet, hoping to not be overheard by those inside as the group debates. "It is up to you. I am willing to speak with them, but you had no fondness of this last time I spoke of it. The matter is suspicious enough and worrying enough that none would fault a more abrupt entry if you insist. I will go as you wish, but need a moment." She retreats some distance from the building, a rod held overhead as she chants in Celestial... and miniature 'angel wings' form on her back. She returns after that, making a nod to the group. "I am ready."

GAME: Arissa casts Levitate.

As everyone makes ready, Arissa walks up to the door and knocks, announcing herself by speaking aloud immediately after: "Good evening! A scholar has come to learn more of your faith, and would meet you presently!" Vocal, energetic, polite... she's trying to seem enthusiastic yet naive about this.

The doors are promptly flung open, and Arissa's polite inquiry is met with two pairs of wide-eyed stares. Also, two crudely-formed speartips. They are both men, likely in their mid thirties and shaved completely bald. Both have the look of a person who has not slept - and the smell of a person who has not showered - in several days. Wild-eyed and rather twitchy, the one on the right speaks, "We treat with no guests, we admit not visitors. You're from the town, we saw your wagons. Begone from here, and tell the heathens they follow the wrong god!" The silent one gives his spear an emphatic rattle.

That said, they haven't tried to stab anyone yet.

<OOC> Drakha says, "Do we see anyone else in what we can see inside behind the two guys?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "The interior of the church is rather dark. It would appear that the light filtering through some of the uncovered windows is not doing much. Toss me a perception and I'll tell you more, or less."

GAME: Zarr rolls Perception: (19)+0: 19

<OOC> Drakha has darkvision to 60 feet, and low light vision, in case that matters

GAME: Drakha rolls perception: (2)+6: 8

You paged Drakha with 'My the interior of the church is pretty. Such lovely wood flooring.'

You paged Zarr with 'You can clearly detect the presence of at least two more men, armed the same as those at the door, in close proximity. At the farthest end of the church is the altar, and a door sits off to the side. It is guarded by another two men, who are now watching the exchange at the doorway very carefully.'

Arissa tries to mask her momentary offense at their smell by instead acting whimsically smug. "Oh my... so firm and threatening. Please, there is no need for weapons; really I have no fondness for violence when it can be avoided." Then she sobers up some and asks more seriously, "Tell me, what false god do they follow? For that matter, which one do you now follow in your new enlightenment? Once I know that, I may depart in peace."

Drakha is standing a few steps behind Arissa, holding his spear in hand, though in a non-threatening posture for the moment, just kind of looking like big and looming behind her while he silently watches the two 'faithful' with those alien reptilian eyes that make it fairly hard to read anything about his intentions.

For himself, Zarr hovers ominously at Arissa's shoulder. Back a step.... but only a step. A lizard of red scale and burnished metal and sharp,
sharp edges. Waiting patiently, as those glittering eyes rake past and into the room beyond. Hungry. Waiting.

"Then leave this place if you do not wish violence, and take your lizard men with you. They offend our master," the speaker of the two replies, looking as wild-eyed as ever. His friend is likewise just as silent as he was before, though he nods his head fervently causing the sound of flapping jowls to emanate from him. "They follow the Terrible One, the Liar, the Tormenting Usurper!" More jowl flapping as the silent one agrees again. "/We/ are the few, the chosen, the blessed. We follow she who will lead us to the promised end, to plenty and to dark paradise, our sweet Weaver of the Night. Now you have your answers, so begone!" They move to slam the doors soundly after this exchange.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Alright if I go ahead and give the signal to move in/attack/etc. presently?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "We'll move to init."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Hm. Pose and then init, I take it? The pose would just be all 'oh, okay... no on second thought GET THEM!' as she steps
aside."

<OOC> Arissa says, "(No attacking/spellcasting/etc.)"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure, go ahead."

Arissa listens with some curiosity... but each detail she hears either annoys her and eventually causes her to interest mid-sentence, trying to speak over them. "Then I know what I need to and will depart presently. Well..." She begins to walk behind Zarr and Drakha. "I say that, but really I cannot abide such wretched service to a vile deity. Strike now, but do not end their lives if you may help it!"

GAME: You clear initiatives.
GAME: Lithuin has cleared initiatives.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll away."

GAME: Drakha rolls initiative: Roll: 18 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 20

GAME: Zarr rolls initiative: Roll: 1 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 4

GAME: Arissa rolls initiative: Roll: 4 + Bonus: 6 = Total: 10

GAME: You roll initiative for GuardSet1: Roll: 10 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 11

GAME: You roll initiative for GuardSet2: Roll: 14 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 15

GAME: You roll initiative for GuardSet3: Roll: 10 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 11

<pre>
===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------
20 Drakha
----------------------------------------
15 GuardSet2
----------------------------------------
11 GuardSet1
----------------------------------------
11 GuardSet3
----------------------------------------
10 Arissa
----------------------------------------
4 Zarr
----------------------------------------
========================================
</pre>

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Ho boy. Okay, Drakha, you're up first."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "They're closing the door, but you're speedier."

<OOC> Drakha says, "How far away I am from them?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "If you were standing just behind Arissa? Probably no more than about 10 feet."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Ok, since Arissa moved back, I will cast burning hands hitting the two guys, and after that take 5 foot step to get in melee range of the two and threatening them. with my spear"

<OOC> Drakha says, "Threatening aka so will hopefully get AoO if they try to close the door or do something else silly."

GAME: Drakha casts Burning Hands.

GAME: Drakha rolls 3d4+3: (8)+3: 11

<OOC> Drakha says, "ref dc 15 for half damage"

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20: (1): 1

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20: (19): 19

<OOC> Lithuin says, "One roasted, one half roasted."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Both still up?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "One is looking in rough shape but not down, the other is burned but still standing fine."

Drakha doesn't make much sense out of what the bald guy is blabbing about various gods, though the insults towards him he does understand, and does not appreciate. So Arissa's words are more than enough to make him to get him to take on the two men. Starting with a cone of fire that he breathes on them in properly dragon like fashion, before he steps closer to bring his own spear against theirs. "Not so fast, wretches." he hisses to the more or less charred fanatics.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, so. The guards are up now. First up on the init are going to spend a round running over here, they'll be here at the start of the next init and the group at the far back will be here in two."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (12)+3: 15

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (10)+3: 13

<OOC> Lithuin says, "And the two at the door miss terribly. Arissa is up next, whilst I pose the response."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Hm. Both are currently Threatened, right?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Yeah, Drakha is in range."

The two leap backwards shrieking as the fire engulfs them and sets their robes alight, causing both of them to slap madly at themselves here and there where the fires singe at their skin through the robe. Both maintain grips on their spears, but they are also thoroughly shocked by the fiery display and so the stabs they make in the direction of Drakha go horrible awry and do nothing but puncture the air near the Sith'makar.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Okay. Magic Missile on the two closest ones. Splitting the missiles, just 1 on the one that took 11 damage, 2 on the one that took 5/half. Reason: Arissa is trying to not outright Kill them."

<OOC> Arissa says, "(And will be making moves to stabilize them if still alive by end of combat.)"

<OOC> Zarr says, "1d4+1 each."

<OOC> Arissa says, "1d4+1 each, so 1d4+1 to the most damaged, 2d4+2 to the least."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll 'em. I think you moved back so you're out of their threat range, no need for a concentration check. Unless you really
want to."

<OOC> Arissa did indeed pose moving. Was going to leave that up to you in any case, but here goes:

GAME: Arissa casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5

GAME: Arissa rolls 2d4+2: (6)+2: 8

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You got the damaged one down to 0, so he's disabled and the other is still standing but only juuust."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Alright. Pose just about ready. She'd ask them to drop their weapons as well."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "While Arissa poses, your go Zarr."

<OOC> Zarr will put that one down. Step forward, and introduce the guard's chin to a steel-clawed fist. Or two.

Arissa's eyes glaze over, fully gold and looking every bit as distantly dazed as the apparent worshippers do... with one key difference; she is smiling widely, twirling around in place with quite some energy as she thrusts a palm forward and shouts in Celestial; a trio of gold-white magic spheres fly out, one striking the most wounded and two striking the least harmed of the pair... and both are clearly on the verge of losing consciousness. "This is as far as you go!" Arissa calls out to them, "Lose your weapons and no further harm will come to you!"

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (4)+7: 11

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (15)+7: 22

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Second hits."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He dead. Well, dying."

The call to arms. The sound of war. The screams of searing, raging flames. Savage pleasure marks Zarr's face as he steps forward, steel-clawed hands curled in fists of fury. As the first falls before the Lady's magical barrage, the second remains standing... And sadly so, for he is to receive the gift of razor edged claws driving upward in a terrible stroke, a gut-punch of agonizing precision.

"Or face me," he purrs towards those still inside, sliding blood-slicked talons from teh guardsman's stomach. "It really makes me no difference..."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Go ahead and pose that, and we move up to the top of the round. Drakha? The second set of guards will be up in your grill poste haste."

<OOC> Drakha says, "How far away are the second pair from me?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You can get to them with a move action. They're pretty close, 15 feet we shall say for numbers sake."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Ok will walk over to 10 feet away from them, and then give them some burning hands too. Not sure if disabled people still get AoOs, but if they do, that guy can take one on me from the move, he probably drops if he does though since I would imagine that counting as strenous activity. ;)"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's just a pile of burn and ow. No AoO."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Ok will warm up the next pair then. :)"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Burn away."

GAME: Drakha casts Burning Hands.

GAME: Drakha rolls 3d4+3: (7)+3: 10

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20: (18): 18

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20: (4): 4

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Huh. Weird pattern, that. One catches it full, the other is half-toasted."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "That said, they're both still standing. Same as before really, difference of 1 damage."

Drakha feels the feeble thrusts from the 'faithful' ones spears draw across his thick scales without managing to do any real damage, he is about to retaliate with his own spear, when his 'twin' cuts down the one front of him, and he ignores the almost dead one then, simply stepping over the body of the fallen to meet the next pair of zealots, although he stops a few steps away from them, taking in a deep breath, which he then exhales out in another cone of fire, scorching these in much the similar manner as the first two a bit ago. "It seems your 'true' god is not able to save you from dragonfire!" he growls out to them.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "They're going to try and turn you into lizard-on-a-stick, let's watch."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (11)+3: 14

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (11)+3: 14

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Good lord they suck."

These two men burn just as the last two did: quite well, really. More shrieking erupts as the flames lick across their robes and set small fires which they pat out as they hop about attempting to stymy the burning. Luckily they have no hair, or that'd surely be gone as well. In retaliation, both attempt to skewer the firebreathing Sith'makar but are just as good at doing so as the last pair who are currently laying in a heap on the floor some several feet away.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Next set will be up next round. Arissa?"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Arissa moves next to the dying front guard, draws CLW wand while moving, and tries to use said wand on him. If so, and if
you'll allow this, she's also trying to 'pull' the healing... just trying to stabilize him, not get him back in the fight."

<OOC> Arissa says, "In mechanical terms, trying to do as little healing as possible."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "I don't personally have an issue with just stabilizing him, if you roll high enough to do so."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Roll high enough on what, just to be sure?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Well I meant the wand, unless there was something else."

<OOC> Arissa nods. I have to make a UMD check on it in any case.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Make the relevant rolls and pose, then?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sounds good to me."

GAME: Arissa rolls Use Magic Device: (7)+13: 20

<OOC> Arissa says, "Just enough to get the wand to work. Using and rolling."

GAME: Arissa used a Wand of Cure Light Wounds.

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d8+1: (2)+1: 3

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's out cold then, but not bleeding out. Zarr's murder is thwarted."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Pose that, and it is Zarr's turn."

<OOC> Zarr nods! "Meanwhile, I'll advance and lend a claw-strike to either of the two guards that were flambe'd. And it was self-defense.
Totally."

Arissa hurries over to the front-most pair as they fall, a wand in hand as she presses it to the one with a much more noticeable bleeding problem. The tip glows gold, some of the blood disappearing... and no more flows forth to replace it. "You must listen to me!" Arissa calls out, "None of you can withstand us and will only be felled if you continue this fight. Please set your weapons aside!"

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6

<OOC> Zarr goes after the worst-hurt. Leave the Crit for dreamland!

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's still standing, but wounded."

Zarr proceeds in accord with his twin, letting the dying fall into Arissa's tender ministrations, advancing fearlessly into the maelstrom of his cousin's flames. Metal flashes, razor claws towards the chosen target-- metal rakes in a shriek of pain, the pulse of hot blood bursting into the air.

"Surrender now," the Makar growls, "Or it gets *worse*."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "We're back up to the top with Drakha."

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will poke the more wounded one of the two with my spear"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Shiskabob him."

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Go ahead and pose that, and it is there turn. Quickly followed by the other pair as they hit the scene of combat."

Drakha decides to stop barbecuing the men for now and switches to taking a thrust with his spear on the one his kin just clawed, but has rather bad grip on his spear and it slips, making him to have to focus more on not dropping it than actually hitting. "Surrender now, or next one will hit!" he growls out to them, yes that was just a warning!

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (19)+3: 22

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18

The zealots are in no mood to surrender. Even wounded, they press on, unaffective combatants though they apparently are shaping up to be. The crude spears are thrust forwards, though only one strikes a solid target with anything resembling force and the fire-spewing Drakha happens to be the target of that particular blow. The other three are left just stabbing wildly and uneffectively.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Arissa?"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Magic Missile. Splitting, one missile on the most wounded of the ones Zarr/Drahka are fighting, two on the least wounded."

<OOC> Arissa is also stepping inside the building with a Move action, albeit staying back some.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Basically just past the first fallen pair."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Cast/roll/etc.?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll away."

GAME: Arissa casts Magic Missile.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Most wounded:"

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

<OOC> Arissa says, "Least:"

GAME: Arissa rolls 2d4+2: (8)+2: 10

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Both are still standing, though the least wounded is now one of the most wounded."

Arissa shakes her head several times as fighting continues, stepping over the fallen and into the church. "Listen..." A hand is held high overhead, three more gold-white bolts forming. "...To me!" A downward swiping motion sends the magic flying forth, zipping around the pair of sith-makar to hit those they are fighting. As before, Arissa is consciously splitting her fire; she just wants to take them down without being instantly lethal, a measure that ends in felling neither; both remain standing, if laboring to do so.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr?"

<OOC> Zarr says, "Split attacks-- Most and least hurt. The unhurt will be tended to momentarily, but my first focus is to get them off of Drakha."

<OOC> Zarr says, "Most hurt first."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Juuust misses both times."

<OOC> Zarr nods!

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Go ahead and pose that, and we move up to the top of the round again."

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will try to poke the most wounded guy again with my spear"

Zarr curves in sauriel posture, glittering claws gleaming with a new color, bright in scarlet. The Makar shifts in position, curving to intrude upon the spearmen levelling their weapons on Drakha; the claws miss, but only just-- pale faces and faint beads of sweat are the results left behind, and Zarr snarls as he continues, moving for the kill.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Let's see if it works better this time."

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5

<OOC> Drakha says, "Haha"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "This spear-working is not going well tonight."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (10)+3: 13

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (7)+3: 10

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (11)+3: 14

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5

Drakha growls out as this time one of their spears manages to penetrate his scales and actually draw blood, this also distracts him enough that his next thrust also misses by a wide margin, he usually isn't quite this clumsy in using it.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Eesh."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "We're back to Arissa already, after four rolls of fail."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Levitate 20 feet up. Magic Missile. Splitting, one on each of the currently wounded-but-active types, one on the nearest unwounded next to Zarr/Drakha."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, roll it."

GAME: Arissa casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

The four guards are, if possible, getting even worse at trying to stab the intruders upon their holy ground. Perhaps it is the general reptilian
onslaught that keeps them well back on their heels, as well as the magical bursts zipping around the two large Sith'makar to punch magical burns and damage into their flesh. These factors probably certainly help, as not a single guard manages to land anything resembling a decent hit on the pair of Sith'makar right in front of them.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, so.. First one is down, second one is so close it's not even funny, and the last one is sitting happy more or less."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "The first one is actually dying, on that note."

Arissa rises straight up and begins to float over the battle, her miniature 'angel wings' allowing her to have a surprisingly serene hover as she looks down even though this clashes with the forceful palm-thrusts she makes; another such gesture creates another trio of holy-magic bolts to fly out and strike an equal number of men; one falls with heavy breathing, a second looks ready to join the first, and the other flinches from the blow but remains standing. "It looks like you won't understand until I force you to. That's well enough... If I continue like this, none of you will have to die."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr?"

<OOC> Zarr leaves the Sir Almost-Dead to Drakha, and will engage the other two. Both attacks on Mr. Happy. (the last one mentioned)

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (1)+7: 8

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (11)+7: 18

<OOC> Arissa nods. Will be working on stabilizing them /after/ the fight... most of them should have enough HP/high enough Con scores to not immediately die, so.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Last one hits, cruuush hiiim."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6

<OOC> Zarr says, "...."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Or, y'know. Engage in gentle fisticuffs."

<OOC> Zarr mutters. :3

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's still standing. Hurt but still very upright."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Aaaand back up again, Drakha?"

Zarr twists towards the remaining guards, leaving the badly-battered form of the last to Drakha's good graces. He grins in that alligator-styled way, stalking forward with a slash to engage. Claw vs spear is a difficult battle-- the Makar strives to get close, and the spear gives the less-trained warrior reach. Difficult, but not impossible.... And the score of bloody lines on the spearman's arms indicates it as swiftly.

<OOC> Drakha says, "Well I will try to hit the most wounded of the ones still standing. Maybe I manage to roll higher than 1."

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21

<OOC> Drakha says, "Woot"

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d8+3: (6)+3: 9

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Drakha you impale the poor devil. He's knocking on death's door now, won't last many more rounds."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (14)+3: 17

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (16)+3: 19

Drakha seems to get back into the rhythm of the fight now as the spears of his enemies find no more weak spots in his natural scale armor, and he in turn finds a weak spot in the defenses of one of them, running the man through with his spear with a hiss, then yanking it back out as the man starts to crumble to the floor and turns towards the next one.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Descending to floor, Magic Missile on the one Zarr hit. Full shot on him."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll it."

GAME: Arissa casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Arissa rolls 3d4+3: (10)+3: 13

As two of the four crumple into a heap at the feet of the other two, things are looking very grim indeed for them. To their credit, however, they
only spare a single glance down at the pair of dying men before renewing their charge on the pair of Sith'makar, stabbing much more effectively this attempt but still completely failing to land a single blow. Things do not look good for them at this point.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "So, you blew the one Zarr was fighting away."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "That leaves one standing, Zarr?"

<OOC> Zarr says, "He's mine."

Arissa silently takes mental 'inventory' of the fallen, knowing she may have only seconds to spare in tending to each when this is over. And in the latest case, 'when this is over' will surely be too late... so even as her magic flies out to strike down the man Zarr is fighting, Arissa descends to the floor and looks to the man that was just felled at spear-point, knowing she may only have moments to keep him alive... and the same for the one she just shot.

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (6)+7: 13

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (9)+7: 16

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Second one hit."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5: 10

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Dead!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Well."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Dying."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "So, all four of them are in varying degrees of 'I'm comin' home mamma'. Combat's done, so proceed as you like."

<OOC> Arissa will basically be going along trying to heal them in order of most-dying to least.

Zarr has no such compunctions-- for him, battle is battle, a challenge to be met until one is either yielded, dying, or dead. The first lash of steel claws slaps the guarding spearpoint away; the second executes its horrible, lurching strike as the red Makar steps forward, silvery tips curve, rising, to strike at underbelly's tender, tender flesh....

"Insufferably poor," the Scarlet growls, as he leaves the mankneeling in a puddle of his own entrails before him, dying with a moaning wail.
"Surely there are others nearby to be driving such rabble into conflict."

<OOC> Zarr nods!

<OOC> Zarr will take a look around the church room. Search and see! Such as can be.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Assume you can do so without issue. They'll all be stable and unconcious."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll per for me, Zarr."

GAME: Zarr rolls Perception: (1)+0: 1

<OOC> Arissa will also have a CLW wand charge to use on Drakha due to damage taken earlier.

Drakha sees the combat end for now and looks around to see what else of not there might be in the room, leaving the dying for Arissa apparently, especially he is looking for any kind of hatches on the floor or stairs going down or the like, as thats the most likely way forward.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "In any event, you see absolutely nothing. The glass is very pretty, however. Much like Arissa's butterfly from earlier."

GAME: Drakha rolls perception: (12)+6: 18

GAME: Arissa rolls Use Magic Device: (13)+13: 26

GAME: Arissa used a Wand of Cure Light Wounds.

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d8+1: (1)+1: 2

GAME: Lithuin damaged Drakha for -2 points. 22 remaining.

Arissa hurries over to the fallen with wand in hand, working to get pressure and improvised bandages -- usually some part of their own attire -- on the bleeding... it's not much, but it will keep them alive. Her wand is brought in hand after that, tapped to Drakha's form and mending some of a spear wound...

You paged Drakha with 'You are keen enough to note that the first man felled back by the door is no longer by the door. He was wounded bad, but able to crawl away sneakily while the fighting was going on. He's left a drag trail along with blood, but he's nowhere in sight now. Up at the front where the foremost guards had been you see a very solid-looking door with an equally solid-looking lock on it.'

Zarr leaves the wounded to Arissa's ministrations. Zarr simply wanders around the room, certain that there is more, somewhere... But not much caring for it as yet. His eyes wander over the delicately made glass, hovering on teh different colorations with fascination. "Sssstained glass...." he murmurs, apparently the first he has seen such things.

Drakha pages: That trail is heading to that door?

You paged Drakha with 'The trail is headed back out of the church. The wounded guy is crawling.'

You paged Drakha with 'The door itself is at the opposite end, looking imposing and interesting.'

Drakha looks around some in the church, checking behind the altar and the back first, then shaking his head as nothing of interest is there and walks his way back towards the entrance. Then he stops and growls. "The one from the entrance has escaped out... if you want to question one of them Arissa, I suggest tracking him down, he can't have got far, that trail of blood is not hard to follow." he points out to the others, then walks to a sturdy looking door near the entrance. "After that, I believe we find the answer to this mystery from behind this."

<OOC> Arissa will be doing that. Going off to pursue the escaped one, that is.

Kilroy has connected.

"Not simply to question him but also save him, if my impression is apt." Arissa responds as she begins to jog for the front door and heading outside, planning to track down the one that fled. She calls back as she goes, "You may wish to secure our other foes, but please do not be cruel to them!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, Arissa. He was severely wounded so he hasn't gotten far. You spot him crawling in the general direction of the woods near the church. A lazy trot will carry to you his side before he gets anywhere near it."

<OOC> Arissa looks. Anyone following? Or are the other PCs planning to stay and secure the church/fallen enemies/etc.?

<OOC> Zarr will admire the pretty glass a moment longer, then move on to guard Arissa.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "As for the chaps in the church, Drakha has pointed out a sealed and important looking door. What you do with that is up to
you."

Arissa overtakes the wounded man with ease, smiling even as the glow in her eyes fades and her expression otherwise returns to normal. "What is this? You saw that I went to some lengths to spare your fellows and even now you flee? Will you not stand down and accept my aid, so that we might bring this to a good end?" Her voice is light, honestly trying to offer help instead of taunting the defeated... even if she does look a little odd by showing a softly warm, wide smile right after a violent fight like this.

<OOC> Kilroy says, "Important looking door? I'll search for traps."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure, give me a roll."

GAME: Kilroy rolls perception: (15)+5: 20

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Door seems untrapped. It's just securely locked with a big heavy lock on the exterior."

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll try to disable the lock."

Zarr perhaps.... diplomatically, remains some distance from Arissa and the wounded. Though looking nonchalant is an impossibility, considering the blood clinging to steely fingers.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "I'll just assume you can open it, given enough time."

<OOC> Kilroy says, "Ok"

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will instead search the unconsious people for keys..."

Within the church, Kilroy carefully examines the sealed door. After examining the door, he draws some probes and tools from his kit and proceeds plies the heavy lock on the exterior with them. "Damned, accursed thing.." he fights with the lock for a while, eventually popping it poen with a ''click''.

The wounded man crawls with one arm, assisted by some knee-work. His other arm is across his chest, stemming a steady trickle of blood from a wound there as he scrapes his way across the rough ground in the direction of the trees. Arissa's voice causes him to start abruptly, and then begin to crawl with even more vigour - which accomplishes nothing. It's rather pathetic really. He groans and slumps in a heap on the grass with the pain of the exertion, though continues to inch forwards. "Away from me, heathen! I want nothing to do with you and your pets."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Drakha would locate a key on one of the downed men, fits the lock on the door Kilroy just picked. Might be more locks ahead though, you never know."

<OOC> Arissa is curious about something, and going to try an alignment-dependent effect on the wounded man.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure."

Drakha finds a key from one of the unconsious men and puts it in one of the pouches at his belt for now since the door is already open. "Well then, lets see what more we can find from downstairs, once everyone are back." he offers, waiting for Arissa to return before moving onwards.

Arissa's smile remains even as the man crawls away and shouts at her. She walks over beside him, conjuring up gold-white holy flame and letting it 'burn' him... only, the fires refuse to do so; they vanish within seconds of contact, leaving the man to have only felt a momentary pleasantness in his body. "It is as I thought. You rail at me, but really you are no cruel man and the heavens would not see you dead. My offer is plain enough... I would tend to you if you will tell me more of what has happened. If you refuse, I will still tend to you but leave you unconscious, so that you may not hinder our efforts."

She offers him a single nod, still giving the man a warm look despite her odd offer. "It is your choice, but please decide quickly. Your life is guaranteed regardless."

*That* comment draws Zarr's merciless eye. Fangs flash again as he unfurls the gore-splattered arms, and the calm of just a moment prior is supplanted by the more-than-willing urge to re-educate the wounded man on *not poking toothy lizards*.... The gleam of heavenly fire is remarkable, beautiful, sparkling... And quite the forerunner to an angry metal fist thumping into the palm of the other, the Makar glaring pointedly.

"Let me hit him," Zarr growls, glaring at the unconcious zealot. "He will live, and there are still others to find."

GAME: Arissa rolls Diplomacy: (14)+9: 23

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's a hostile, so according to this chart it's a no go."

<OOC> Arissa nods.

The wounded man yelps as the painless flames wash over him, and though it does him neither harm nor good Arissa might as well have kicked him a few times in the ribs. Her words fall on deaf ears and the wounded man waves angrily at her with a clenched fist - as best as he can manage - "Begone, witch! I'll not be tainted by any of your unclean magic. I would sooner die than be befouled by such devilry." Tad ironic choice of words. He continues to crawl along, gaining on the woods at the pace of a wounded turtle.

Arissa holds up a hand at Zarr's offer. "You must not do that. I would see him..." She's cut off by more ranting and yelling, and backs off a few steps in resignation. "Nevermind what I said. Strike him so that he will no longer trouble us, but do not end his life! I have seen evidence enough that he is likely a victim in this matter who can only be helped once this matter has been set right."

Zarr growls, but nods. And tends to the poor, sad man with the "gift" of unconciousness.

One hearty *crack* upside the head later, Zarr moves in behind Arissa, the cultist tossed over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Not worth chewing on anyway," he mutter to himself. "Smelly and pathetic. Hssssk.
The now open doorway reveals a series of stone steps, carved out of dirt and then covered with carefully carved rock to serve as the only way down into the bowels of the earth beneath the church. It is not well lit, in fact it is nearly completely dark once the first spiral in the stair caries the doorway and the light flooding through it out of sight.

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll belt on my conveniently heatless everburning torch."

Seeing the looming darkness below, Kilroy draws a torch from his back which glows with magical fire, tucking it into a beltloop for light. He takes up a solid grip on his hammer, ready to follow Zarr into the darkness.

Zarr discards his "package" at the top of the atairwell, alongside the other senseless cultists. Clawed blades briefly cleaned, the Makar enters the stairwell, spiralling down into the shadows with careful steps. Metal clinks as he moves, reflecting from polished plate, glittering tines. Bright eyes all but glow as he moves, sniffing at the air as he slides beneath the earth.

Drakha will let the two more heavily armed ones to go down first before following after them. "Lets see what we can find from here, don't use light yet, these are humans, they can't see in the dark, so they likely have their own lights there. We can move through the dark without much problems as we are in no hurry."

Arissa offers a 'thank you' to Zarr as he deals with the last of the men, and then she follows the group with magic rod in hand. "Humans in unwitting league with vile forces. We do not know for certain what we will face and I would not fault having lights ready."

The walk is a fairly long one, the air growing damp and cold the further down the party proceeds. Should the light remain lit, it will flicker on and illuminate the path ahead of the party to just around the next bend in the staircase until at long last they come to bottom layer of the church. The walls appear to be hewn out of the very stone making up the ground here, and the sound of running water somewhere off to the right can be heard. It is as black as pitch beyond the glowing aura of the torch, but that glow will eventually reveal another solid door at the end of a long passage. It too is currently locked, but not by a padlock. The keyhole in the door itself though looks about the right size to be fit by the key Drakha had grabbed earlier. However, even to the shoddiest hearing, the sounds of chanting can be heard coming from the other side of the heavy door.

<OOC> Arissa has buffs to hand out!

<OOC> Arissa says, "If it's okay."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Go right ahead."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Okay. First up is Bless (will have to be 'proxy-cast' due to bloodline spells and code issues). +1 attack, +1 save vs. Fear for
5 minutes."

<OOC> Arissa says, "If nothing interrupts this, Levitate on self (lasts 5 minutes)."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You're free to cast levitate."

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will also cast shield just before we open the door"

Chanting on the other side of the wall causes Arissa to do likewise, as she steps back and holds up a hand to stall the group. "A moment. I would share a gift of the heavens with you if we are to proceed!" She then begins chanting in Celestial, with two notable effects. First, her 'mini-angel wings' return. Perhaps more dramatic is the 'explosion' of gold-white light that erupts from her, washing over the party... and when it fades a moment later they're all instilled with a sense of righteous confidence! A nod follows, Arissa's eyes now glowing fully 'glazed gold' once again.

GAME: Arissa casts Grease.

GAME: Arissa casts Levitate.

Drakha eyes the door as they get to it, taking out the key and handing it to either Zarr or Kilroy, whichever wants to get it. "I believe this fits to the door. Lets see whats going on there, shall we?" he suggests, before making some gestures front of him and speaking in draconic, making a glowing field of force around him for a moment, before it fades.

<OOC> Zarr grabs key. Opens door. Menaces evildoers. Good times.

Zarr retrieves the key from Drakha, a sibillant sound of assent given in return. A tiny click, the flicker of motion-- the Makar releases the lock on the door before he opens it in the most prime and profound way.... a savage kick to the doorjamb.

"Hello..." Zarr rumbles with a wicked grin, striding into the room with malice aforethought.

GAME: You clear initiatives.
GAME: Lithuin has cleared initiatives.

The bang of the heavy door crashing into the wall has every set of eyes within the room rotating to fix upon the now open portal and the Sith'Makar standing there. The light from Kilroy's torch, however, only illuminates so much but it is enough. Near the door are more doors, set into the walls themselves. These resemble the doors of a secure prison, however, with little slats at both the top and the bottom. Groaning and moaning can be heard from within the cells, but the true eyecatcher of the room is the centerpiece. The only reason it can be seen is because it is light with two torches of a baleful blue light that burn atop the statues shoulders. The statue itself is a beautiful women with long flowing hair, all carved into marble. Her smile is not right though, it is cruel and as cold as the dark gems that serve as her eyes.

Beneath this statue, with arms raised up to it in supplication, is a richly-robed Shadow Elf. Around him in a semi-circle are four more of his kind, all armed and armoured though not as extravagantly as the apparent head of the group. The four beneath the priest are the ones currently turned to look at the intrusion, eyes gleaming in the low light of the room until the priest himself turns around as well. "Kill the interlopers," is all he says, his tone one of completetly collected calm. He claps his hands once, and the blue torches on the statue are snuffed out leaving that area in total darkness. The only light for those unable to see in the blackness is Kilroy's torch.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Hm. Can I ask a few geometry questions before we go into inits?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure."

<OOC> Arissa says, "What are the general dimensions of this area, /including/ ceiling height (since this impacts Levitate usage)? Any significant
terrain that would modify how one moves about in here?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "From what you could perceive when the torches were lit in the center of the room, this chamber is probably at least sixty feet around, as it is circular. From the light of the torch you can tell the ceiling over your heads slopes upwards the further towards the middle you get, but it's safe to assume that it is likely at least thirty or forty feet high. Beyond that, the terrain is hard to tell. Directly before you from what you can see in the torch light, paved stone. Those with dark vision can tell that the room is largely empty, save for two altars off to either direct side of the statue and that the roof does indeed slope to a very high point."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Works for me!"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Are we going into inits at this point?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Yeah, we're cleared for take off."

GAME: Drakha rolls initiative: Roll: 2 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 4

GAME: Arissa rolls initiative: Roll: 20 + Bonus: 6 = Total: 26

GAME: Zarr rolls initiative: Roll: 1 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 4

GAME: You roll initiative for SEBoss: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 19

GAME: You roll initiative for SESoldiers: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 22

GAME: You roll initiative for SESoldiers2: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 18

<pre>
===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------
26 Arissa
----------------------------------------
22 SESoldiers
----------------------------------------
19 SEBoss
----------------------------------------
18 SESoldiers2
----------------------------------------
16 Kilroy
----------------------------------------
4 Zarr
----------------------------------------
4 Drakha
----------------------------------------
========================================
</pre>

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, so first up is Arissa. At this point, you can't see the SE's but they can all see you."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Arissa levitates 20 feet up, begins casting Summon Monster 2. This will require an additional full-round action next round to complete."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, go ahead and pose what you like. Next up are the first set of soldiers. I split them into two groups of two for ease."

GAME: Arissa casts Summon Monster II.

You paged (Drakha, Zarr) with 'You can see what they're up to. They both move off as a well synchronized pair to the left and forwards to flank the group, both drawing long, slim blades as they go.'

Arissa calls back to the voice, "Your efforts are vile, and will meet failure and not victory!" She begins floating toward the ceiling, once more bobbing up and down in the air after her ascent... and she starts chanting in Celestial, a glowing white circle forming in front of her. It persists for several seconds, her voice continuing a soft 'singing chant'... she can't see everything in here, but that isn't immediately concerning to her.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Arissa, roll your Will save. DC 15."

GAME: Arissa rolls Will: (7)+6: 13

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You are frozen in place up in the air."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Can I get a spellcraft check to ID the effect, since that's just mental action?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure."

GAME: Arissa rolls Spellcraft: (14)+8: 22

You paged Arissa with 'It's Hold Person.'

From afar, Arissa nods.

There is the sound of chanting from the centre of the room, followed by the sound of very quick footsteps padding across the stone floor as well as umistakable noise of swords being drawn from their sheathes. For those with dark vision, they are able to discern exactly what the Shadow Elves are up to. For those without, it just sounds ominous.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Kilroy?"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll cast shield"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay."

GAME: Kilroy casts Shield.

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll then move up 20'"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Alright, go ahead and pose such. Zarr?"

You paged (Zarr, Drakha) with 'The other pair did the same by the way, just the opposite side.'

You paged (Zarr, Drakha) with 'They're fast, and they're pretty might /right/ next to the group, just outside the light of the torch.'

Kilroy waves one hand in an arcane gesture and utters a phrase in a strange tongue, creating a shimmering, translucent shield before him. He advanced slowly into the room, his torch casting shadows all around.

<OOC> Zarr says, "Well, since two of them were so polite as to come, I'll meet them halfway-- Hopefully a bit of surprise as I move to engage them in the Dark! The team to the flank, if you please. Charge SE Team 1!"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "Should give the others dim light out to 40', which hopefully illuminates a 60' room from 20' in"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sounds like sound math to mine ears. You can all see what's up now, not just the Sith'Makar."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "The cleric is hanging way back at the statue, pointing at Arissa currently. The two groups of soldiers sprinted off and are now a hop skip and a jump away from the door with swords drawn."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Well, you can.. Get the general gist. Dim Light and all."

<OOC> Zarr says, "Engages the team attempting to flank. One target, but charging. So!"

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+11: (19)+11: 30

<OOC> Zarr says, "Threat."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+11: (11)+11: 22

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Crit."

GAME: Zarr rolls 2d6+10: (7)+10: 17

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will move to meet the other pair of soldiers, to 10 feet away from them and then light 'em up with burning hands"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll 'em."

GAME: Drakha casts Burning Hands.

GAME: Drakha rolls 3d4+3: (9)+3: 12

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (5)+3: 8

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Slow Elves. They get burnt pretty damn good but they're still up."

Darkness. It is a cloak and a shield and a solace, a screen from brightness and light, an armor of utter power for those who live in shadows.

But gods help you if you face another, so attuned to the night, to taste the blood and scent and sweat on the air....

Lightning envies the Makar as he springs into motion. Lazing as if to the last second, as if he could not see the approaching warriors in the dark-- Steel flashes in a glittering arc of silver, and Zarr's snarling rage is epitomized in the first stroke of bloody fury. At the flank of the party, a dark elf warrior stares in horrified fascination as the room explodes into a spray of red. Zarr snarls as the warrior falls, throat ripped completely away by a murderous slash.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Back up to the top of the round. Roll your Will again Arissa."

Drakha marches into the room, his keen draconic vision able to easily pierce the shadows, he sees his kin taking on one side of the approaching enemy, and moves himself to intercept the other ones so Zarr wont get surrounded, stopping just a few steps away from them as he takes in a deep breath, and then breathes out a cone of fire bathing the shadow elves in it, and briefly illuminating them for those with lesser visions, and also likely turning their skin even more black than it was already. "Fools, darkness can not hide you from the eyes of dragons." he bellows to the two badly burnt elves front of him as he holds his spear at the ready for them.

GAME: Arissa rolls Will: (19)+6: 25

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You break free."

Arissa gasps as her legs suddenly go rigid... then her circle vanishes, as the rest of her body similarly seizes up, including her mouth! She just continues to bob up and down softly in the air... then manages a whisper to herself: "Not yet..." Her hands start to twitch as she forces herself through the paralysis, starting to smile...

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sorry about that, had to check something."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll Will again, Arissa. Same DC."

GAME: Arissa rolls Will: (11)+6: 17

<OOC> Arissa is guessing that was another Hold Person? Matters for posing.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Silence that time."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "I'll handle the next soldiers then do a chunk pose to get that mess all summed up."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (9)+3: 12

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Hoy."
<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, posing."

As one of the Elves in the first group is obliterated by Zarr, his companion quick-steps backwards as the shower of gore splashes across him. He is quick enough to get an arm up and protect his eyes, but his temporary flailing of that limb also causes his strike to go awry. The slim blade is swung through the air, completely missing Zarr.

The cleric, meanwhile, is looking annoyed at the failure of his first spell. He begins to murmur again, his hands moving rhythmically for a few seconds before an invisible force blasts from his hands in Arissa's direction. It completely loses steam before reaching the floating caster, however, and dissipates like a soft wind against a brick wall as it washes across her.

The other pair of Elves, both still smoking in places, fair no better as they attempt to coordinate themselves on the Sith'Makar who just roasted them quite thoroughly. Neither, however, are able to see well enough at this point to land a hit at all.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Kilroy!"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll rage, charge, and flank the shadow elf in melee with Zarr."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Charge away."

GAME: Kilroy rolls 1d20+12: (9)+12: 21

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Hit."

GAME: Kilroy rolls 1d12+9: (7)+9: 16

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's down."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Not dead, but down."

<OOC> Kilroy says, "ok"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr?"

<OOC> Zarr says, "Charge the cleric!"

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+11: (15)+11: 26

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Ho boy. Hit."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (2)+5: 7

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Solid blow, the cleric is suspiciously more sturdy than the soldiers however."

<OOC> Zarr says, "Suspicious!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Drakha, you're on deck."

<OOC> Drakha says, "I five feet step back away from the two guys on me, and then burning hands them again"

Kilroy's optics flicker from green to red, the golem flexing his steel ligaments as he raises his hammer. He charges toward the shadow elf engaged in in melee with Zarr, flanking him. Kilroy brings down his lucerne hammer on the shadow elf, striking him to the ground in a single blow.

GAME: Drakha casts Burning Hands.

GAME: Drakha rolls 3d4+3: (9)+3: 12

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (10)+3: 13

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (6)+3: 9

<OOC> Lithuin says, "They're done."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Extra crispy."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Pose roasting them alive, and we're back to Arissa."

Zarr hisses mocking laughter as the last solider swings blindly, only to meet his end on the warforged's heavy hammer. Before the second elf hits the ground, Zarr is on the move, heavy plate and powerful muscles unleashing the bloody storm of blades in the dark elf cleric's direction. The red Makar leaps, silver claws slashing; the hit is a strong one, viciously scored. Blood flies briefly as the Makar warrior lands, teeth glittering as he grins with ferocious malice.

"Show the throat, softskin," Zarr rumbles. "Or suffer the more for it!"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Begin Summon Monster 2."

Drakha laughs at the feeble blows from the two shadow elves, stepping back from their reach as he draws in another deep breath, before exhaling it in yet another fan of flames, engulfing both of the two shadow elves and burning them thoroughly enough that both slump down in a smoking heap, after which he turns his attention over towards the apparent leader of these elves.

You paged (Drakha, Zarr) with 'At the far end of the room, you two will notice that there is a suspiciously glassy surface to the wall. Looks like someone slapped a mirror up there or something.'

Arissa begins chanting once more, the white circle in front of her returning as she continues to float. It vanished last time on account of her being interrupted, and this time the circle similarly does nothing immediately obvious even as Arissa continues her soft Celestial urgings at it...

To (Drakha, Lithuin), Zarr pages: Hmmm! Magic is your perview, Cousin.

GAME: Arissa casts Summon Monster II.

Drakha pages: I wonder if knowledge/arcana would tell anything of note about it?
You paged Drakha with 'I'll save you the trouble: it's not magical. From what you can see, it's just a mirror albiet a very well-polished one.'
Drakha pages: Ok

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr, you get an AoO on the cleric. He's getting the hell out of Doge."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+9: (11)+9: 20

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You hit, Zar."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (2)+5: 7

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Wounded, but he gets away."

The cleric lurches back as Zarr engages him, hissing as his blood leaks through the fresh wound dug into him. "Begone, lizard. You meddle in affairs beyond you," he replies in a cold, accented voice. The grip of the Elf is surprisingly strong as he grabs the Sith'Makar's limbs and forces the much larger creature off of his far smaller frame. He turns abruptly, exposing himself to retaliation from Zarr but disregarding the danger as he suffers whatever blow he is given in exchange for making his escape. He is sprinting swiftly across the cave floor, bleeding from rather grievous wounds that do not manage to slow him. To those unable to see well enough in the dark, it looks like he's running directly at a very solid wall.

A very loud crash resounds throughout the cavern hall as he slams into the polished glass there, turning his head and barrelling into it shoulder-first. He sails through in a spray of glass, sinking out of sight rather quickly: apparently there is a very big pit on the other side of the now-broken mirror. Seconds later, a splash.

<OOC> Arissa says, "So he... went into water?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "How fast can the lot of you run?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Yes."

<OOC> Arissa can send some summons that could easily overtake him depending on which terrain they're going into.

<OOC> Drakha says, "Well water somewhere far below at other side of the window"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I can go 120' per round running, myself"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He dropped into an underground river and is, presumably, swimming like the devil. The flow will carry him very quickly."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Same, but would prefer to not jump down to some unknown pit."

<OOC> Arissa has summons that can easily overtake him in water.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Feel free to use them."

<OOC> Zarr hrms! "Speed reduced to 20 by the plate, but can swim like the dickens..."

<OOC> Arissa nods. Will do so on my turn.

<OOC> Arissa ends questions for now though since it's not my turn.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "We're back to Kilroy, by the by. What would you like to do?"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'm not going to jump in after him, so I'll roll the bodies."

<OOC> Kilroy says, "And stop raging, of course"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Alrighty, Zarr? Your call. I'm not going to say specifically what's down there until you leap, if you choose to do so."

<OOC> Zarr chintaps. "Why not? LEAPRARRH! After him!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Fair enough, Drakha?"

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will walk over to the window and look down to see what is there, and then depending on what I see, will likely say
something"

You paged Drakha with 'You'll see that the pit going down is hardly a smooth one. There are rough hewn edges all along, some apparently carved specifically so that the unwary will dash themselves to pieces leaping down. At the very bottom, easily a hundred foot drop, is a rushing river.'

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr, gimme a reflex by the way."

GAME: Zarr rolls Reflex: (16)+4: 20

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You avoid breaking yourself to pieces on the oddly jutted rocks that point out here and there the whole way down the drop and make it to the water."

Drakha frowns as he sees the cleric dive through the window, marching to the edge to look down and see whats there, shaking his head then. "It would be crazy to jump down there, and by the time we get down safely, he will be long gone. But, it seems that the problem has been dealt with here, he isn't likely to return after that narrow escape." he concludes, looking back around the others. "Lets instead see what is in the cells, perhaps we can still save some of the villagers."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Arissa, your call. After you we're more or less done with init."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Ah. Basically she's sending a Small Water Elemental to pursue. Swim speed 90 feet."

Impetuous? Who? Ah, red Sith named Zarr.... Who took to the waves in hot pursuit, barely able to dodge underwater rocks! The swim is difficult but not impossible; the thick tail is powerfully built and capable of propelling even the metal-laden warrior back to the surface with a growl. Pursuit!

<OOC> Arissa says, "She's not going in herself however, so will be mostly looking around the area to check cells and such after she lands"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "What's the perception like on them?"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Perception +4, has Darkvision."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+4: (4)+4: 8

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Perception check, to find him down there. Won’t succeed."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Ah, okay... so, basically the water battle is now a non-issue?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Yeah, he's more or less fled."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Okay. Arissa lands and begins looking around the cells."

GAME: You clear initiatives.

GAME: Lithuin has cleared initiatives.

<OOC> Zarr nods. "And with that, Zarr returns to the party. And I must sleep. Late!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Just the wrap-up now, more or less. There are a lot of cells in this place, and they're all locked. Drakha's key will work."

Arissa's chanting is eventually rewarded with a swirling mass of water with something vaguely resembling a face emerging from the circle; it takes to the water with obvious ease, pursuing the departing shadow elf.

As for Arissa, she has no urge to fling herself into rivers... and thus lands on the floor, proceeding to walk toward the cell doors, hoping to see if anyone is within them and whether they need help or not...

Drakha walks to the nearest cell an opens it with the key, then starts going around the room and repeat the process for each one, leaving it for Arissa to check the contents of them.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Each cell will have about four to five people in it. There is not a total of 60, and close inspection of the altars near the statue will reveal a lot of old blood."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "They're all pretty weak, and none of them exactly come spilling out of the rooms."

<OOC> Arissa has, um, various healing (Heavenly Fire on Good people, Heal checks, etc. CLW wands if necessary)?

<OOC> Drakha says, "If they are in walking condition then I would imagine its good enough and we can get them to the village where they can rest"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "No one will die on you out of hand, but you'll want to be getting them out of this dark hole at some point in the near future.
Think concentration camp prisoners."

<OOC> Arissa nods.

<OOC> Drakha says, "And we probably want to deliver the 'converts' from upstairs to the village too to be put in custody."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "One of the rooms, not far from where the cleric leapt through the mirror, opens up into a hall. Should you choose to go
take a quick look, it will eventually lead you back up to the surface and out in a heavily wooded area. There are definite signs of traffic there."

Kilroy divests the newly-deceased shadow elves of their valuables then positions them in compromising poses before giving the statue of Taara a peremptory smashing.

As the cells' contents are revealed, both by door opening and Arissa conjuring up some magical light to aid her vision, she lifts a hand to her mouth and lets out a gasp... then tries to stow that; the people within don't need horrified shock, they need confident benevolence.

Thus, she stows her magic rod and approaches groups of them at a time, speaking up to be heard by all: "It is alright now. You will come to no further pain and we are here to help. Please stay as you are... you will be tended to and then brought back to your homes and families." This softness is perhaps an odd contrast to Kilroy's more... vengeful actions.

GAME: Arissa casts Light.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Also worth note, more than one of the prisoners mutters something about "Thank the Black Father" when you free them.
You won't get much more out of them than that though."

PrP: Beneath the Church

2011-06-23T04:22:56Z

Genesis: /* Enemies */

== '''Beneath the Church''' ==

== Runner ==

Lithuin

== Party ==

<pre>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Name | Race | Class | E Lev| CHP | HP | AC | For | Ref | Wil |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Drakha |SITH-MAK|Sor | 3 | 15 | 25 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
|Kilroy |WAR_GOLE|Bbn/Sor | 2 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
|Garthos |HUMAN |Ftr | 5 | 49 | 50 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
|Zarr |SITH-MAK|Ftr | 4 | 39 | 40 | 23 | 8 | 4 | 1 |
|Arissa |HUMAN |Sor | 5 | 31 | 31 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
</pre>

== Summary ==

An urgent plea goes out to any adventurer willing to make the journey to a developing town a few days journey from Alexandria. Kidnappings are on the rise, there are murmurings of a dark cult setting up shop just outside the town, and the leaders of the village are at their wits end. Enter the brave adventurers, here to find the source of the kidnappings and free the prisoners.

== Purchases ==

None.

== Enemies ==

'''Encounter 1: Complete.'''

6x CR 1 Religious Zealots.

Cumulative CR 6.

'''Encounter 2: Complete.'''

4x CR 1 Shadow Elf Soldiers.
1x CR 3 Shadow Elf Cleric.

Cumulative CR 7.

== The Adventure ==

<OOC> Drakha says, "Oh and for record, my AC is 1 higher than what the pdmscan shows, since my lvl 3 bloodline power isn't counted in to the code."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Ah, okay."

The message posted via the Guild sounded about as urgent as a bunch of ink slapped down onto some paper can sound. The details were somewhat scant, but not so scant as to make the letter seem like a hastily written trap. The general gist conveyed by the note is that a village about a solid two days of travel by wagon beyond Alexandria's walls is suffering from a series of disappearances. It is not a large town, but neither it is small and the populace is quickly growing panicked as the missing persons count grows higher and higher. It is precisely because of the rate and volume that the locals from both the town and outlaying farms are vanishing that the village head has posted the notice and bid all couriers great haste in ferrying him news about interest in it. He is well-informed ahead of time then about the five adventurers travelling to his town.

The welcome the wagons receive, carrying both trade as well as the five of you, is hailed as something of a godsend. In the time it has taken for the note to be delivered and the five of you to arrive, the disappearances have not ceased. Those that are about to note the wagon take a moment to thank whatever deity they pray to, as well as quietly cheering on the wagons procession as they pass by. Some even follow all the way to the town hall where the wagons come to a halt, and an 'end of the line' announcement is made by the drivers.

The village head, a man teetering on the edge of wizened, pushes open the oaken doors and bustles to the wagons to great the lot of you. Somewhat gnarled though still powerful hands are clasped together as he fervently announces his welcome, "Welcome, welcome my friends. Please follow me, we haven't a moment to waste. The day is growing late and it is during the night that the demons beset us and steal away our folk." He turns about, motioning to the group as he climbs back up the small set of steps and into the town hall.

Arissa is well-rested and ready as the wagon arrives; she promptly gathers her things, gives a 'thank you' to the driver, and steps out to meet the elder. "You are absolutely correct, there is little idle time in a matter such as this..." Her demeanor is one of soft patience, paying attention as she follows up the steps. "Though, really it is demons? Are you saying that in specific reference to creatures born of the hells themselves, or of so many other threats? Has someone identified them?" A lot of questions, but all of it is inquiry; Arissa's voice lacks any edge of accusation.

Kilroy, the large black war golem in the party, disembarks from the wagon as it rolls to a halt in front of the town hall. "Seems as though we're walking into this a bit unprepared. It would be well if we could learn what we will be up against," he remarks to the others.

Garthos had been happy to chat along the way. To Zarr - whom he'd not met before - he'd introduced himself in usual fashion: 'Garth, or Numbers, whichever ya like more'. And now that they stand at their destination, the large man - rather cheery during the trip - becomes a bit more serious, a bit more focused on the work ahead of the group. He hops off the wagon, moving after the man that had come to greet them.
"Good to meet cha." he asides to him. "If ya can give us anythin' to work off of, be lots of help. Any of ya folks here ever seen them?" he asks.

Zarr's gaze is cool-blooded as he stares about him. Considering the scales and metal and otherwise "Unfriendly" look to him, the adoration and welcome of the townsfolk is.... unaccustomed, to say the least. "Time enough to water and rest," he rumbles in suggestion to Garthos, glancing about the town curiously. He slides from his poor (and very unfortunate!) nag of a horse with a clatter; metal only punctuates the warrior's hard angles as he dismounts the beast, leaving it to the wagoneers to tend. He leaves the speaking to others, for the nonce.

Drakha steps out of the wagon also, right after Zarr, for someone who wouldn't know better, it would be easy to think the two sith-makar as twins, so similar in appearance and size are they to each other. Even though, unlike Zarr, he isn't clad in metal, but a simple cloak wrapped around him, and holding a fairly ceremonial looking spear in hand. "Everything looks like a demon to the uneducated in the dark." he comments idly to what Arissa is asking from the elder, but other than that, stays quiet for now as he follows along with the others.

The village head passes through the hall swiftly, entering into his own office at the far end of the building. As soon as everyone has been gathered within the deceptively spacious room, he closes the door tightly and leans against it before glancing towards the only window in the room, situated behind his desk and chair. Moving with surprising haste, he closes the shutters and drops the small latch to keep them thus. As soon as the soft 'click' of the latch falling into place sounds out, he exhales deeply. Something like relief, to the keen ear.

"Thank you all for coming, as quickly as you could. Please, please, have a seat and I will tell you know what I know of our situation." He motions graciously in a bone-weary way to the chairs gathered in the room as he seats himself, sinking into the wooden chair with another deep, weary sigh. As he sits there, he lifts his hand up to rub at the bridge of his nose for a moment before bringing both hands together atop his desk in a much more business-like fashion, looking across the piece of oak furniture now. "Now I said demons, but I was being.. Figurative. It's not so simple as hateful creatures from another realm. I have my suspicions about the root of the cause, you see." Here, he looks furtively again in the direction of the door and squints ever so slightly as if to discern whether it might be eavesdropping. "In the last few months, a man came to our town. A holy man of some sort, though we were not exactly clear on who or what it was he serves. But he was polite, gracious, and dispensed aid without a thought of recompense. In short he made himself a very popular man very quickly, so we granted him leave to establish a small church not far beyond the village." A hand is waved, in the general direction that he implies. "But lately things have gone.. Amiss. He does not visit us now, we have not seen him in some time. Not properly, at least, but there have been.. Murmurings. He has been spied in the witching hours of the night, skulking about like some prowler, some say."

He leans back now, laying his hands atop the arms of his chair as he reposes himself somewhat. "I am one of them. I am positive, beyond a doubt, that I saw this man slithering about town two nights passed. He had a cruel look to him, not at all like the gentle face I recalled. Before his seclusion, however, he attracted a following within the town. Many of which moved themselves out to his small church in order to pray and worship alongside him. That small church has become something of a monastery, though humble in size. Before they departed, those who chose to follow him seemed.. Odd. High strung, tense. We have not seen one of them return yet, once they leave they may as well have walked off of the face of the world." His old blue gaze shifts from each of you to the next in turn, before refocusing on the surface of the desk. "I have my suspicions that this man and his zealots are abducting the villagers, carting them off in the night to that.. Church. To do what, I cannot say, but not one of the missing has been found yet. Not so much as a scrap of cloth or a single hair. There is foulness about that place," he shakes his head slightly, voice growing dour, "it's so thick you can practically see it in the air before your eyes. What I would like you to do, all of you, is enter that church, explore it from tip to bottom. Find our people, or any evidence of what has become of them, I beg you."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Feel free to ask whatever you want, ICly or OOCly. Requests and so forth. Which reminds me, I should have asked you all beforehand if there were any pre-plot purchases you wished to make?"

<OOC> Zarr says, "Ten kegs of oil for re-urbanization of the chu--err... Nope. Not a thing."

<OOC> Arissa says, "No, I'm good."

"It sounds is as if we have our work cut out for us," says Kilroy, hoisting a hammer to one shoulder. "Let's go and see this 'church' with our own eyes and make of it what we will."

Zarr rumbles darkly upon hearing the explanation, the grim news. "And then, some demons in the dark or merely soft men," he remarks to Drakha. He tilts his head, considering thoughtfully. "Why not wait until the morning?" he suggests. "Spend night now patrol, scout, watching for skulkers. Perhaps catch one for... in-depth conversations." The Makar grins, as invitingly as an alligator. "Then, come morning light, we go to church. To visit. Yesss."

"Perhaps so, but a lack of education on the most vile wretches in existence is no great flaw." Arissa continues to pace along with the elder even while conversing. "And they may be able to describe the attackers all the same." As they arrive, she takes a seat and listens, mind racing through possibilities to explain what has happened.

After a few seconds of silence, she doesn't voice any of the several theories she has come up with. Instead, she looks straight to the elder with sympathy and a light voice: "Absolutely. You were right to ask us to spare no time in tending to this..." She rises and concludes, "It will be set right. Please take heart in that." Zarr's suggestion catches her attention, and she becomes curious. "Are you certain that will go well? I am not certain we can safely cover the whole area and ensure no more people vanish. You have a sound idea otherwise... perhaps if someone were between the church and town, to raise alarm if they see anyone being taken away?"

"We'll give it a look. What ya just said don't sound good at all." Garthos confirms, nodding once at the concerned leader of the little community, as if trying to reassure him. He turns, then, to his adventuring colleagues. "Shall we, folks?" he asks the others, taking one hand in the other and giving a nice, loud little crack of the knuckles. He's ready to conduct business, looks like. Zarr's suggestion earns him a ponderous look from the Angorite. "We'd have to catch one of 'em in the deed. I ain't very stealthy, so hidin' and waitin' for 'em won't really work too well far as I go." He sounds kind of like a key ring being shaken gently when he walks, yes.

Drakha listens the lengthy story from the elder, glancing between the others as to see what they think. "How many people joined this... monastery? Approximately? So we will know what kind of numbers we are dealing with, if your suspicions are correct." he inquires. Everything else he might have wanted to ask about was already covered by the others.

The village head listens to the conversation playing out before him, his old eyes switching from one face to the next as each speaks up. "Please go about this as you see fit, I am in no way suited to telling you how to conduct your investigation. The abductions are not nightly, but they are frequent enough that it may be possible for you to catch the culprits or at least one of them. However," he pauses, glancing at a small chart next to his desk. "We lost two last night, and after all this time I've noted a pattern. They come one night and abduct as many as they may, and then are silent for at least a day or two before they arrive again. Our own meagre patrols have, so far, done nothing to daunt them." He looks thoughtful now as he considers the question Drakha has posed, "Originally, there were about.. Thirty converts or so. Since that time, the number of abducted borders on triple that count. That church is only so large, I do not know what they are doing with this many of my people, or how they are hiding them within if indeed they are."

Kilroy says, "In that case, I suggest we make haste to ensure the safety of the newly taken captives."

Zarr's tail snaps behind him, an odd whipcord of flesh and scale upon the ground. "The dark does not shield them from me," he announces, glancing to the others. "Though I do not know if these who are stolen will still live. Day or night-- the blood tastes the same." He crosses his arms, turning his eyes back to the others. "The choice is yours."

"We might be riskin' the ones that have been taken by waitin'. It's not a risk I'm willin' to take, dark or not." Garthos says earnestly, frowning deeply. "Wish we'd gotten here sooner. I say we get movin'." Seems like the warrior has made his choice - immediate departure.

Arissa takes a few steps away, starting to leave... but clearly doesn't plan to stomp off alone; she's waiting even as Kilroy speaks. "Really your words mirror my heart, and we should leave immediately. Though, we might gain entrance with word more easily than blade. When we approach, might I present us as curious of their faith and ask to be allowed in to learn?"

Anticipating objections from the elder at least, and likely others here, she quickly adds: "It is but a ruse to gain entrance and not any real intent to join them."

Drakha frowns at this information. "Thirty... that is quite a large number." he admits, but doesn't ask further questions, seeming to be ready to move on as well. He has some suspicions as to what might be going on, but doesn't want to discuss about them while they are just that, theories, no need to make the elder worry even more over what might not even be true. He does, instead, reply to Arissa. "Let us first go and see this church. There might not even be anyone there for all we know."

Zarr snorts at the suggestion, tailtip setting a subtle rattle among the metal plates. "My preferences are more direct," he grumbles, "Not given to.... indulging religions." He exhales a jet of hot air, grumbling some more for good nature. "Let us go and see what they have," he says finally, nodding his head. "Perhaps talking will work. If not..."

Toothsome grin.

The village leader shakes his head, lifting his hands up again as he reiterates, "Please do as you see fit. If you think you can convince them to let you in then by all means do so, but I am not sure you will walk about out without breaking down the door. All who have left so far have yet to return, and I am beginning to wonder if of the original thirty, it was not for lack of trying." As he lowers his hands back down to the arms of the chair he speaks again, "I wish you all luck, and pray fervently for your swift return. Any news you can bring us will be welcome, even if it is not the news that we wish to hear but.. Many have been gone for so long, I hold out little hope for those first taken. Please, do what you can."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "I take it the consensus is marching off to the church, then. Just have to decide whether you're knocking or kicking the door in."

<OOC> Zarr says, "We knock, of course! Girl Scout Cookies do not kick down doors. :("

<OOC> Drakha says, "Well I would prefer to at least take a look at the church first to see if there is anything of note going on outside it, or anything else noteworthy that we could find before actually marching to the door"

Kilroy has disconnected.
Garthos has disconnected.

(Log note: We lost Kilroy from this point on till after the first Encounter, Garthos did not reconnect till the end of the second Encounter)

<OOC> Zarr says, "So far, we want to use Survival to check out the church. Read the "past traffic", so to speak. See if there are hidden entrances, or places where folks have been dragged rather than walking, etc. If possible!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Well, whoever is left can roll Survival if they'd like and I'll get that sorted."

GAME: Zarr rolls Survival: (16)+7: 23

You paged Zarr with 'There is heavy foot traffic that appears to be going into and out of the church. The village head mentioned thirty, and it the number of tread marks certainly fit that estimate. There is not much around the sides and back, however, just a few here and there and nothing terribly out of the ordinary. If the people were brought here, they were dragged through the main doorway.'

After arriving at the church, Zarr takes time to scout out the area, to survey with a careful respect. The rattle of metal plating is shockingly quiet as the scarlet Makar moves, rumbling to himself in quiet hisses, soft words of Draconic, roaming about the building with patient steps. Long minutes pass as the sun glitters on the horizon, slowly sinking before he completes his circle. "If the missing have been taken here," he rumbles,
"Then it was through the main doors." He points, a steel-tipped claw glittering ominously. "It is the only entry. The only path to be taken. More than this, I cannot say."

Arissa mostly kept quiet and let Zarr work in checking trails, but makes a single nod when he announces his findings: "Then it seems the matter is simple enough and we should go forward. We may be running low on time... I would like to begin immediately if there are no objections?"

<OOC> Drakha says, "I assume there is no guards or other people outside?"

Zarr simply raises his hands in reply, a moments glance to check the bands, dexterous claws working to tighten the grip of those metal blades. "In peace or in war," he intones, "Let the fire burn. I am prepared."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Is there any signs of people being inside, like light shining from under the doors or speech heard or anything?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "The sun is just going down, so with the light shining on the face of the church it's pretty difficult to say. A good perception roll will tell you more."

GAME: Drakha rolls perception: (12)+6: 18

<OOC> Lithuin says, "About lights on inside and such. There's no overt noise from where you're able to spy on the place though, since I assume you didn't walk right up to the doors."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "And no posted watchmen."

Drakha also waits for his 'twin' to finish the survey of the outdoors area, the night falling does not bother him, his eyes see in the dark just as well as in the light. He nods to what the other sith'makar says, then starts walking towards the doors. "Well, I suppose we need to deal with the doors next, then." he notes, making some gestures over his form then and speaking a few words in draconic, making his scales glow red light for a moment, before it dims again.

GAME: Arissa rolls Perception: (9)+1: 10

You paged Drakha with 'You can see no lights, but occasionally there is a dark shape against the stained glass windows. Someone or several someones are puttering about just inside the hall.'

GAME: Zarr rolls Perception: (17)+0: 17

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Arissa is distracted by a passing moth. It is very pretty."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Casting mage armor on myself, it lasts 3 hours so hopefully long enough"

<OOC> Drakha says, "Right when we are getting ready to go to the doors"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Noted."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Will proxy cast it since its my bloodline spell and thus not on my sheet"

You paged Zarr with 'You can see no lights, but occasionally there is a dark shape against the stained glass windows. Someone or several someones are puttering about just inside the hall.'

GAME: Drakha casts Magic Missile.

<OOC> Drakha says, "that gives me +3 ac (since it overwrites my bracers of armor) to total of 20"

You paged Arissa with 'You can detect nothing out of the ordinary. The church seems very quiet and still in the late evening sun.'

Zarr nods in agreement with his opposite in red, starting towards the doors.... Freezing after a few moments, to glance back to the others. "There is movement inside," he rumbles softly. "Knock, or....." Clawflex. "Knock?"

Drakha as they move closer he narrows his eyes at something, glancing at the others. "There are people inside... at least one person, maybe more." he warns them.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Can I get a Levitate in on that prep-work spellcasting?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure."

Arissa's voice is quiet, hoping to not be overheard by those inside as the group debates. "It is up to you. I am willing to speak with them, but you had no fondness of this last time I spoke of it. The matter is suspicious enough and worrying enough that none would fault a more abrupt entry if you insist. I will go as you wish, but need a moment." She retreats some distance from the building, a rod held overhead as she chants in Celestial... and miniature 'angel wings' form on her back. She returns after that, making a nod to the group. "I am ready."

GAME: Arissa casts Levitate.

As everyone makes ready, Arissa walks up to the door and knocks, announcing herself by speaking aloud immediately after: "Good evening! A scholar has come to learn more of your faith, and would meet you presently!" Vocal, energetic, polite... she's trying to seem enthusiastic yet naive about this.

The doors are promptly flung open, and Arissa's polite inquiry is met with two pairs of wide-eyed stares. Also, two crudely-formed speartips. They are both men, likely in their mid thirties and shaved completely bald. Both have the look of a person who has not slept - and the smell of a person who has not showered - in several days. Wild-eyed and rather twitchy, the one on the right speaks, "We treat with no guests, we admit not visitors. You're from the town, we saw your wagons. Begone from here, and tell the heathens they follow the wrong god!" The silent one gives his spear an emphatic rattle.

That said, they haven't tried to stab anyone yet.

<OOC> Drakha says, "Do we see anyone else in what we can see inside behind the two guys?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "The interior of the church is rather dark. It would appear that the light filtering through some of the uncovered windows is not doing much. Toss me a perception and I'll tell you more, or less."

GAME: Zarr rolls Perception: (19)+0: 19

<OOC> Drakha has darkvision to 60 feet, and low light vision, in case that matters

GAME: Drakha rolls perception: (2)+6: 8

You paged Drakha with 'My the interior of the church is pretty. Such lovely wood flooring.'

You paged Zarr with 'You can clearly detect the presence of at least two more men, armed the same as those at the door, in close proximity. At the farthest end of the church is the altar, and a door sits off to the side. It is guarded by another two men, who are now watching the exchange at the doorway very carefully.'

Arissa tries to mask her momentary offense at their smell by instead acting whimsically smug. "Oh my... so firm and threatening. Please, there is no need for weapons; really I have no fondness for violence when it can be avoided." Then she sobers up some and asks more seriously, "Tell me, what false god do they follow? For that matter, which one do you now follow in your new enlightenment? Once I know that, I may depart in peace."

Drakha is standing a few steps behind Arissa, holding his spear in hand, though in a non-threatening posture for the moment, just kind of looking like big and looming behind her while he silently watches the two 'faithful' with those alien reptilian eyes that make it fairly hard to read anything about his intentions.

For himself, Zarr hovers ominously at Arissa's shoulder. Back a step.... but only a step. A lizard of red scale and burnished metal and sharp,
sharp edges. Waiting patiently, as those glittering eyes rake past and into the room beyond. Hungry. Waiting.

"Then leave this place if you do not wish violence, and take your lizard men with you. They offend our master," the speaker of the two replies, looking as wild-eyed as ever. His friend is likewise just as silent as he was before, though he nods his head fervently causing the sound of flapping jowls to emanate from him. "They follow the Terrible One, the Liar, the Tormenting Usurper!" More jowl flapping as the silent one agrees again. "/We/ are the few, the chosen, the blessed. We follow she who will lead us to the promised end, to plenty and to dark paradise, our sweet Weaver of the Night. Now you have your answers, so begone!" They move to slam the doors soundly after this exchange.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Alright if I go ahead and give the signal to move in/attack/etc. presently?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "We'll move to init."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Hm. Pose and then init, I take it? The pose would just be all 'oh, okay... no on second thought GET THEM!' as she steps
aside."

<OOC> Arissa says, "(No attacking/spellcasting/etc.)"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure, go ahead."

Arissa listens with some curiosity... but each detail she hears either annoys her and eventually causes her to interest mid-sentence, trying to speak over them. "Then I know what I need to and will depart presently. Well..." She begins to walk behind Zarr and Drakha. "I say that, but really I cannot abide such wretched service to a vile deity. Strike now, but do not end their lives if you may help it!"

GAME: You clear initiatives.
GAME: Lithuin has cleared initiatives.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll away."

GAME: Drakha rolls initiative: Roll: 18 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 20

GAME: Zarr rolls initiative: Roll: 1 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 4

GAME: Arissa rolls initiative: Roll: 4 + Bonus: 6 = Total: 10

GAME: You roll initiative for GuardSet1: Roll: 10 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 11

GAME: You roll initiative for GuardSet2: Roll: 14 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 15

GAME: You roll initiative for GuardSet3: Roll: 10 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 11

<pre>
===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------
20 Drakha
----------------------------------------
15 GuardSet2
----------------------------------------
11 GuardSet1
----------------------------------------
11 GuardSet3
----------------------------------------
10 Arissa
----------------------------------------
4 Zarr
----------------------------------------
========================================
</pre>

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Ho boy. Okay, Drakha, you're up first."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "They're closing the door, but you're speedier."

<OOC> Drakha says, "How far away I am from them?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "If you were standing just behind Arissa? Probably no more than about 10 feet."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Ok, since Arissa moved back, I will cast burning hands hitting the two guys, and after that take 5 foot step to get in melee range of the two and threatening them. with my spear"

<OOC> Drakha says, "Threatening aka so will hopefully get AoO if they try to close the door or do something else silly."

GAME: Drakha casts Burning Hands.

GAME: Drakha rolls 3d4+3: (8)+3: 11

<OOC> Drakha says, "ref dc 15 for half damage"

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20: (1): 1

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20: (19): 19

<OOC> Lithuin says, "One roasted, one half roasted."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Both still up?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "One is looking in rough shape but not down, the other is burned but still standing fine."

Drakha doesn't make much sense out of what the bald guy is blabbing about various gods, though the insults towards him he does understand, and does not appreciate. So Arissa's words are more than enough to make him to get him to take on the two men. Starting with a cone of fire that he breathes on them in properly dragon like fashion, before he steps closer to bring his own spear against theirs. "Not so fast, wretches." he hisses to the more or less charred fanatics.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, so. The guards are up now. First up on the init are going to spend a round running over here, they'll be here at the start of the next init and the group at the far back will be here in two."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (12)+3: 15

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (10)+3: 13

<OOC> Lithuin says, "And the two at the door miss terribly. Arissa is up next, whilst I pose the response."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Hm. Both are currently Threatened, right?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Yeah, Drakha is in range."

The two leap backwards shrieking as the fire engulfs them and sets their robes alight, causing both of them to slap madly at themselves here and there where the fires singe at their skin through the robe. Both maintain grips on their spears, but they are also thoroughly shocked by the fiery display and so the stabs they make in the direction of Drakha go horrible awry and do nothing but puncture the air near the Sith'makar.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Okay. Magic Missile on the two closest ones. Splitting the missiles, just 1 on the one that took 11 damage, 2 on the one that took 5/half. Reason: Arissa is trying to not outright Kill them."

<OOC> Arissa says, "(And will be making moves to stabilize them if still alive by end of combat.)"

<OOC> Zarr says, "1d4+1 each."

<OOC> Arissa says, "1d4+1 each, so 1d4+1 to the most damaged, 2d4+2 to the least."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll 'em. I think you moved back so you're out of their threat range, no need for a concentration check. Unless you really
want to."

<OOC> Arissa did indeed pose moving. Was going to leave that up to you in any case, but here goes:

GAME: Arissa casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5

GAME: Arissa rolls 2d4+2: (6)+2: 8

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You got the damaged one down to 0, so he's disabled and the other is still standing but only juuust."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Alright. Pose just about ready. She'd ask them to drop their weapons as well."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "While Arissa poses, your go Zarr."

<OOC> Zarr will put that one down. Step forward, and introduce the guard's chin to a steel-clawed fist. Or two.

Arissa's eyes glaze over, fully gold and looking every bit as distantly dazed as the apparent worshippers do... with one key difference; she is smiling widely, twirling around in place with quite some energy as she thrusts a palm forward and shouts in Celestial; a trio of gold-white magic spheres fly out, one striking the most wounded and two striking the least harmed of the pair... and both are clearly on the verge of losing consciousness. "This is as far as you go!" Arissa calls out to them, "Lose your weapons and no further harm will come to you!"

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (4)+7: 11

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (15)+7: 22

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Second hits."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He dead. Well, dying."

The call to arms. The sound of war. The screams of searing, raging flames. Savage pleasure marks Zarr's face as he steps forward, steel-clawed hands curled in fists of fury. As the first falls before the Lady's magical barrage, the second remains standing... And sadly so, for he is to receive the gift of razor edged claws driving upward in a terrible stroke, a gut-punch of agonizing precision.

"Or face me," he purrs towards those still inside, sliding blood-slicked talons from teh guardsman's stomach. "It really makes me no difference..."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Go ahead and pose that, and we move up to the top of the round. Drakha? The second set of guards will be up in your grill poste haste."

<OOC> Drakha says, "How far away are the second pair from me?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You can get to them with a move action. They're pretty close, 15 feet we shall say for numbers sake."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Ok will walk over to 10 feet away from them, and then give them some burning hands too. Not sure if disabled people still get AoOs, but if they do, that guy can take one on me from the move, he probably drops if he does though since I would imagine that counting as strenous activity. ;)"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's just a pile of burn and ow. No AoO."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Ok will warm up the next pair then. :)"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Burn away."

GAME: Drakha casts Burning Hands.

GAME: Drakha rolls 3d4+3: (7)+3: 10

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20: (18): 18

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20: (4): 4

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Huh. Weird pattern, that. One catches it full, the other is half-toasted."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "That said, they're both still standing. Same as before really, difference of 1 damage."

Drakha feels the feeble thrusts from the 'faithful' ones spears draw across his thick scales without managing to do any real damage, he is about to retaliate with his own spear, when his 'twin' cuts down the one front of him, and he ignores the almost dead one then, simply stepping over the body of the fallen to meet the next pair of zealots, although he stops a few steps away from them, taking in a deep breath, which he then exhales out in another cone of fire, scorching these in much the similar manner as the first two a bit ago. "It seems your 'true' god is not able to save you from dragonfire!" he growls out to them.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "They're going to try and turn you into lizard-on-a-stick, let's watch."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (11)+3: 14

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (11)+3: 14

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Good lord they suck."

These two men burn just as the last two did: quite well, really. More shrieking erupts as the flames lick across their robes and set small fires which they pat out as they hop about attempting to stymy the burning. Luckily they have no hair, or that'd surely be gone as well. In retaliation, both attempt to skewer the firebreathing Sith'makar but are just as good at doing so as the last pair who are currently laying in a heap on the floor some several feet away.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Next set will be up next round. Arissa?"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Arissa moves next to the dying front guard, draws CLW wand while moving, and tries to use said wand on him. If so, and if
you'll allow this, she's also trying to 'pull' the healing... just trying to stabilize him, not get him back in the fight."

<OOC> Arissa says, "In mechanical terms, trying to do as little healing as possible."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "I don't personally have an issue with just stabilizing him, if you roll high enough to do so."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Roll high enough on what, just to be sure?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Well I meant the wand, unless there was something else."

<OOC> Arissa nods. I have to make a UMD check on it in any case.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Make the relevant rolls and pose, then?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sounds good to me."

GAME: Arissa rolls Use Magic Device: (7)+13: 20

<OOC> Arissa says, "Just enough to get the wand to work. Using and rolling."

GAME: Arissa used a Wand of Cure Light Wounds.

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d8+1: (2)+1: 3

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's out cold then, but not bleeding out. Zarr's murder is thwarted."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Pose that, and it is Zarr's turn."

<OOC> Zarr nods! "Meanwhile, I'll advance and lend a claw-strike to either of the two guards that were flambe'd. And it was self-defense.
Totally."

Arissa hurries over to the front-most pair as they fall, a wand in hand as she presses it to the one with a much more noticeable bleeding problem. The tip glows gold, some of the blood disappearing... and no more flows forth to replace it. "You must listen to me!" Arissa calls out, "None of you can withstand us and will only be felled if you continue this fight. Please set your weapons aside!"

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6

<OOC> Zarr goes after the worst-hurt. Leave the Crit for dreamland!

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's still standing, but wounded."

Zarr proceeds in accord with his twin, letting the dying fall into Arissa's tender ministrations, advancing fearlessly into the maelstrom of his cousin's flames. Metal flashes, razor claws towards the chosen target-- metal rakes in a shriek of pain, the pulse of hot blood bursting into the air.

"Surrender now," the Makar growls, "Or it gets *worse*."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "We're back up to the top with Drakha."

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will poke the more wounded one of the two with my spear"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Shiskabob him."

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Go ahead and pose that, and it is there turn. Quickly followed by the other pair as they hit the scene of combat."

Drakha decides to stop barbecuing the men for now and switches to taking a thrust with his spear on the one his kin just clawed, but has rather bad grip on his spear and it slips, making him to have to focus more on not dropping it than actually hitting. "Surrender now, or next one will hit!" he growls out to them, yes that was just a warning!

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (19)+3: 22

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18

The zealots are in no mood to surrender. Even wounded, they press on, unaffective combatants though they apparently are shaping up to be. The crude spears are thrust forwards, though only one strikes a solid target with anything resembling force and the fire-spewing Drakha happens to be the target of that particular blow. The other three are left just stabbing wildly and uneffectively.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Arissa?"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Magic Missile. Splitting, one missile on the most wounded of the ones Zarr/Drahka are fighting, two on the least wounded."

<OOC> Arissa is also stepping inside the building with a Move action, albeit staying back some.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Basically just past the first fallen pair."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Cast/roll/etc.?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll away."

GAME: Arissa casts Magic Missile.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Most wounded:"

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

<OOC> Arissa says, "Least:"

GAME: Arissa rolls 2d4+2: (8)+2: 10

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Both are still standing, though the least wounded is now one of the most wounded."

Arissa shakes her head several times as fighting continues, stepping over the fallen and into the church. "Listen..." A hand is held high overhead, three more gold-white bolts forming. "...To me!" A downward swiping motion sends the magic flying forth, zipping around the pair of sith-makar to hit those they are fighting. As before, Arissa is consciously splitting her fire; she just wants to take them down without being instantly lethal, a measure that ends in felling neither; both remain standing, if laboring to do so.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr?"

<OOC> Zarr says, "Split attacks-- Most and least hurt. The unhurt will be tended to momentarily, but my first focus is to get them off of Drakha."

<OOC> Zarr says, "Most hurt first."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Juuust misses both times."

<OOC> Zarr nods!

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Go ahead and pose that, and we move up to the top of the round again."

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will try to poke the most wounded guy again with my spear"

Zarr curves in sauriel posture, glittering claws gleaming with a new color, bright in scarlet. The Makar shifts in position, curving to intrude upon the spearmen levelling their weapons on Drakha; the claws miss, but only just-- pale faces and faint beads of sweat are the results left behind, and Zarr snarls as he continues, moving for the kill.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Let's see if it works better this time."

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5

<OOC> Drakha says, "Haha"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "This spear-working is not going well tonight."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (10)+3: 13

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (7)+3: 10

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (11)+3: 14

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5

Drakha growls out as this time one of their spears manages to penetrate his scales and actually draw blood, this also distracts him enough that his next thrust also misses by a wide margin, he usually isn't quite this clumsy in using it.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Eesh."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "We're back to Arissa already, after four rolls of fail."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Levitate 20 feet up. Magic Missile. Splitting, one on each of the currently wounded-but-active types, one on the nearest unwounded next to Zarr/Drakha."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, roll it."

GAME: Arissa casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

The four guards are, if possible, getting even worse at trying to stab the intruders upon their holy ground. Perhaps it is the general reptilian
onslaught that keeps them well back on their heels, as well as the magical bursts zipping around the two large Sith'makar to punch magical burns and damage into their flesh. These factors probably certainly help, as not a single guard manages to land anything resembling a decent hit on the pair of Sith'makar right in front of them.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, so.. First one is down, second one is so close it's not even funny, and the last one is sitting happy more or less."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "The first one is actually dying, on that note."

Arissa rises straight up and begins to float over the battle, her miniature 'angel wings' allowing her to have a surprisingly serene hover as she looks down even though this clashes with the forceful palm-thrusts she makes; another such gesture creates another trio of holy-magic bolts to fly out and strike an equal number of men; one falls with heavy breathing, a second looks ready to join the first, and the other flinches from the blow but remains standing. "It looks like you won't understand until I force you to. That's well enough... If I continue like this, none of you will have to die."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr?"

<OOC> Zarr leaves the Sir Almost-Dead to Drakha, and will engage the other two. Both attacks on Mr. Happy. (the last one mentioned)

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (1)+7: 8

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (11)+7: 18

<OOC> Arissa nods. Will be working on stabilizing them /after/ the fight... most of them should have enough HP/high enough Con scores to not immediately die, so.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Last one hits, cruuush hiiim."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6

<OOC> Zarr says, "...."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Or, y'know. Engage in gentle fisticuffs."

<OOC> Zarr mutters. :3

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's still standing. Hurt but still very upright."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Aaaand back up again, Drakha?"

Zarr twists towards the remaining guards, leaving the badly-battered form of the last to Drakha's good graces. He grins in that alligator-styled way, stalking forward with a slash to engage. Claw vs spear is a difficult battle-- the Makar strives to get close, and the spear gives the less-trained warrior reach. Difficult, but not impossible.... And the score of bloody lines on the spearman's arms indicates it as swiftly.

<OOC> Drakha says, "Well I will try to hit the most wounded of the ones still standing. Maybe I manage to roll higher than 1."

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21

<OOC> Drakha says, "Woot"

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d8+3: (6)+3: 9

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Drakha you impale the poor devil. He's knocking on death's door now, won't last many more rounds."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (14)+3: 17

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (16)+3: 19

Drakha seems to get back into the rhythm of the fight now as the spears of his enemies find no more weak spots in his natural scale armor, and he in turn finds a weak spot in the defenses of one of them, running the man through with his spear with a hiss, then yanking it back out as the man starts to crumble to the floor and turns towards the next one.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Descending to floor, Magic Missile on the one Zarr hit. Full shot on him."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll it."

GAME: Arissa casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Arissa rolls 3d4+3: (10)+3: 13

As two of the four crumple into a heap at the feet of the other two, things are looking very grim indeed for them. To their credit, however, they
only spare a single glance down at the pair of dying men before renewing their charge on the pair of Sith'makar, stabbing much more effectively this attempt but still completely failing to land a single blow. Things do not look good for them at this point.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "So, you blew the one Zarr was fighting away."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "That leaves one standing, Zarr?"

<OOC> Zarr says, "He's mine."

Arissa silently takes mental 'inventory' of the fallen, knowing she may have only seconds to spare in tending to each when this is over. And in the latest case, 'when this is over' will surely be too late... so even as her magic flies out to strike down the man Zarr is fighting, Arissa descends to the floor and looks to the man that was just felled at spear-point, knowing she may only have moments to keep him alive... and the same for the one she just shot.

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (6)+7: 13

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (9)+7: 16

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Second one hit."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5: 10

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Dead!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Well."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Dying."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "So, all four of them are in varying degrees of 'I'm comin' home mamma'. Combat's done, so proceed as you like."

<OOC> Arissa will basically be going along trying to heal them in order of most-dying to least.

Zarr has no such compunctions-- for him, battle is battle, a challenge to be met until one is either yielded, dying, or dead. The first lash of steel claws slaps the guarding spearpoint away; the second executes its horrible, lurching strike as the red Makar steps forward, silvery tips curve, rising, to strike at underbelly's tender, tender flesh....

"Insufferably poor," the Scarlet growls, as he leaves the mankneeling in a puddle of his own entrails before him, dying with a moaning wail.
"Surely there are others nearby to be driving such rabble into conflict."

<OOC> Zarr nods!

<OOC> Zarr will take a look around the church room. Search and see! Such as can be.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Assume you can do so without issue. They'll all be stable and unconcious."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll per for me, Zarr."

GAME: Zarr rolls Perception: (1)+0: 1

<OOC> Arissa will also have a CLW wand charge to use on Drakha due to damage taken earlier.

Drakha sees the combat end for now and looks around to see what else of not there might be in the room, leaving the dying for Arissa apparently, especially he is looking for any kind of hatches on the floor or stairs going down or the like, as thats the most likely way forward.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "In any event, you see absolutely nothing. The glass is very pretty, however. Much like Arissa's butterfly from earlier."

GAME: Drakha rolls perception: (12)+6: 18

GAME: Arissa rolls Use Magic Device: (13)+13: 26

GAME: Arissa used a Wand of Cure Light Wounds.

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d8+1: (1)+1: 2

GAME: Lithuin damaged Drakha for -2 points. 22 remaining.

Arissa hurries over to the fallen with wand in hand, working to get pressure and improvised bandages -- usually some part of their own attire -- on the bleeding... it's not much, but it will keep them alive. Her wand is brought in hand after that, tapped to Drakha's form and mending some of a spear wound...

You paged Drakha with 'You are keen enough to note that the first man felled back by the door is no longer by the door. He was wounded bad, but able to crawl away sneakily while the fighting was going on. He's left a drag trail along with blood, but he's nowhere in sight now. Up at the front where the foremost guards had been you see a very solid-looking door with an equally solid-looking lock on it.'

Zarr leaves the wounded to Arissa's ministrations. Zarr simply wanders around the room, certain that there is more, somewhere... But not much caring for it as yet. His eyes wander over the delicately made glass, hovering on teh different colorations with fascination. "Sssstained glass...." he murmurs, apparently the first he has seen such things.

Drakha pages: That trail is heading to that door?

You paged Drakha with 'The trail is headed back out of the church. The wounded guy is crawling.'

You paged Drakha with 'The door itself is at the opposite end, looking imposing and interesting.'

Drakha looks around some in the church, checking behind the altar and the back first, then shaking his head as nothing of interest is there and walks his way back towards the entrance. Then he stops and growls. "The one from the entrance has escaped out... if you want to question one of them Arissa, I suggest tracking him down, he can't have got far, that trail of blood is not hard to follow." he points out to the others, then walks to a sturdy looking door near the entrance. "After that, I believe we find the answer to this mystery from behind this."

<OOC> Arissa will be doing that. Going off to pursue the escaped one, that is.

Kilroy has connected.

"Not simply to question him but also save him, if my impression is apt." Arissa responds as she begins to jog for the front door and heading outside, planning to track down the one that fled. She calls back as she goes, "You may wish to secure our other foes, but please do not be cruel to them!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, Arissa. He was severely wounded so he hasn't gotten far. You spot him crawling in the general direction of the woods near the church. A lazy trot will carry to you his side before he gets anywhere near it."

<OOC> Arissa looks. Anyone following? Or are the other PCs planning to stay and secure the church/fallen enemies/etc.?

<OOC> Zarr will admire the pretty glass a moment longer, then move on to guard Arissa.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "As for the chaps in the church, Drakha has pointed out a sealed and important looking door. What you do with that is up to
you."

Arissa overtakes the wounded man with ease, smiling even as the glow in her eyes fades and her expression otherwise returns to normal. "What is this? You saw that I went to some lengths to spare your fellows and even now you flee? Will you not stand down and accept my aid, so that we might bring this to a good end?" Her voice is light, honestly trying to offer help instead of taunting the defeated... even if she does look a little odd by showing a softly warm, wide smile right after a violent fight like this.

<OOC> Kilroy says, "Important looking door? I'll search for traps."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure, give me a roll."

GAME: Kilroy rolls perception: (15)+5: 20

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Door seems untrapped. It's just securely locked with a big heavy lock on the exterior."

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll try to disable the lock."

Zarr perhaps.... diplomatically, remains some distance from Arissa and the wounded. Though looking nonchalant is an impossibility, considering the blood clinging to steely fingers.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "I'll just assume you can open it, given enough time."

<OOC> Kilroy says, "Ok"

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will instead search the unconsious people for keys..."

Within the church, Kilroy carefully examines the sealed door. After examining the door, he draws some probes and tools from his kit and proceeds plies the heavy lock on the exterior with them. "Damned, accursed thing.." he fights with the lock for a while, eventually popping it poen with a ''click''.

The wounded man crawls with one arm, assisted by some knee-work. His other arm is across his chest, stemming a steady trickle of blood from a wound there as he scrapes his way across the rough ground in the direction of the trees. Arissa's voice causes him to start abruptly, and then begin to crawl with even more vigour - which accomplishes nothing. It's rather pathetic really. He groans and slumps in a heap on the grass with the pain of the exertion, though continues to inch forwards. "Away from me, heathen! I want nothing to do with you and your pets."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Drakha would locate a key on one of the downed men, fits the lock on the door Kilroy just picked. Might be more locks ahead though, you never know."

<OOC> Arissa is curious about something, and going to try an alignment-dependent effect on the wounded man.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure."

Drakha finds a key from one of the unconsious men and puts it in one of the pouches at his belt for now since the door is already open. "Well then, lets see what more we can find from downstairs, once everyone are back." he offers, waiting for Arissa to return before moving onwards.

Arissa's smile remains even as the man crawls away and shouts at her. She walks over beside him, conjuring up gold-white holy flame and letting it 'burn' him... only, the fires refuse to do so; they vanish within seconds of contact, leaving the man to have only felt a momentary pleasantness in his body. "It is as I thought. You rail at me, but really you are no cruel man and the heavens would not see you dead. My offer is plain enough... I would tend to you if you will tell me more of what has happened. If you refuse, I will still tend to you but leave you unconscious, so that you may not hinder our efforts."

She offers him a single nod, still giving the man a warm look despite her odd offer. "It is your choice, but please decide quickly. Your life is guaranteed regardless."

*That* comment draws Zarr's merciless eye. Fangs flash again as he unfurls the gore-splattered arms, and the calm of just a moment prior is supplanted by the more-than-willing urge to re-educate the wounded man on *not poking toothy lizards*.... The gleam of heavenly fire is remarkable, beautiful, sparkling... And quite the forerunner to an angry metal fist thumping into the palm of the other, the Makar glaring pointedly.

"Let me hit him," Zarr growls, glaring at the unconcious zealot. "He will live, and there are still others to find."

GAME: Arissa rolls Diplomacy: (14)+9: 23

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's a hostile, so according to this chart it's a no go."

<OOC> Arissa nods.

The wounded man yelps as the painless flames wash over him, and though it does him neither harm nor good Arissa might as well have kicked him a few times in the ribs. Her words fall on deaf ears and the wounded man waves angrily at her with a clenched fist - as best as he can manage - "Begone, witch! I'll not be tainted by any of your unclean magic. I would sooner die than be befouled by such devilry." Tad ironic choice of words. He continues to crawl along, gaining on the woods at the pace of a wounded turtle.

Arissa holds up a hand at Zarr's offer. "You must not do that. I would see him..." She's cut off by more ranting and yelling, and backs off a few steps in resignation. "Nevermind what I said. Strike him so that he will no longer trouble us, but do not end his life! I have seen evidence enough that he is likely a victim in this matter who can only be helped once this matter has been set right."

Zarr growls, but nods. And tends to the poor, sad man with the "gift" of unconciousness.

One hearty *crack* upside the head later, Zarr moves in behind Arissa, the cultist tossed over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Not worth chewing on anyway," he mutter to himself. "Smelly and pathetic. Hssssk.
The now open doorway reveals a series of stone steps, carved out of dirt and then covered with carefully carved rock to serve as the only way down into the bowels of the earth beneath the church. It is not well lit, in fact it is nearly completely dark once the first spiral in the stair caries the doorway and the light flooding through it out of sight.

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll belt on my conveniently heatless everburning torch."

Seeing the looming darkness below, Kilroy draws a torch from his back which glows with magical fire, tucking it into a beltloop for light. He takes up a solid grip on his hammer, ready to follow Zarr into the darkness.

Zarr discards his "package" at the top of the atairwell, alongside the other senseless cultists. Clawed blades briefly cleaned, the Makar enters the stairwell, spiralling down into the shadows with careful steps. Metal clinks as he moves, reflecting from polished plate, glittering tines. Bright eyes all but glow as he moves, sniffing at the air as he slides beneath the earth.

Drakha will let the two more heavily armed ones to go down first before following after them. "Lets see what we can find from here, don't use light yet, these are humans, they can't see in the dark, so they likely have their own lights there. We can move through the dark without much problems as we are in no hurry."

Arissa offers a 'thank you' to Zarr as he deals with the last of the men, and then she follows the group with magic rod in hand. "Humans in unwitting league with vile forces. We do not know for certain what we will face and I would not fault having lights ready."

The walk is a fairly long one, the air growing damp and cold the further down the party proceeds. Should the light remain lit, it will flicker on and illuminate the path ahead of the party to just around the next bend in the staircase until at long last they come to bottom layer of the church. The walls appear to be hewn out of the very stone making up the ground here, and the sound of running water somewhere off to the right can be heard. It is as black as pitch beyond the glowing aura of the torch, but that glow will eventually reveal another solid door at the end of a long passage. It too is currently locked, but not by a padlock. The keyhole in the door itself though looks about the right size to be fit by the key Drakha had grabbed earlier. However, even to the shoddiest hearing, the sounds of chanting can be heard coming from the other side of the heavy door.

<OOC> Arissa has buffs to hand out!

<OOC> Arissa says, "If it's okay."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Go right ahead."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Okay. First up is Bless (will have to be 'proxy-cast' due to bloodline spells and code issues). +1 attack, +1 save vs. Fear for
5 minutes."

<OOC> Arissa says, "If nothing interrupts this, Levitate on self (lasts 5 minutes)."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You're free to cast levitate."

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will also cast shield just before we open the door"

Chanting on the other side of the wall causes Arissa to do likewise, as she steps back and holds up a hand to stall the group. "A moment. I would share a gift of the heavens with you if we are to proceed!" She then begins chanting in Celestial, with two notable effects. First, her 'mini-angel wings' return. Perhaps more dramatic is the 'explosion' of gold-white light that erupts from her, washing over the party... and when it fades a moment later they're all instilled with a sense of righteous confidence! A nod follows, Arissa's eyes now glowing fully 'glazed gold' once again.

GAME: Arissa casts Grease.

GAME: Arissa casts Levitate.

Drakha eyes the door as they get to it, taking out the key and handing it to either Zarr or Kilroy, whichever wants to get it. "I believe this fits to the door. Lets see whats going on there, shall we?" he suggests, before making some gestures front of him and speaking in draconic, making a glowing field of force around him for a moment, before it fades.

<OOC> Zarr grabs key. Opens door. Menaces evildoers. Good times.

Zarr retrieves the key from Drakha, a sibillant sound of assent given in return. A tiny click, the flicker of motion-- the Makar releases the lock on the door before he opens it in the most prime and profound way.... a savage kick to the doorjamb.

"Hello..." Zarr rumbles with a wicked grin, striding into the room with malice aforethought.

GAME: You clear initiatives.
GAME: Lithuin has cleared initiatives.

The bang of the heavy door crashing into the wall has every set of eyes within the room rotating to fix upon the now open portal and the Sith'Makar standing there. The light from Kilroy's torch, however, only illuminates so much but it is enough. Near the door are more doors, set into the walls themselves. These resemble the doors of a secure prison, however, with little slats at both the top and the bottom. Groaning and moaning can be heard from within the cells, but the true eyecatcher of the room is the centerpiece. The only reason it can be seen is because it is light with two torches of a baleful blue light that burn atop the statues shoulders. The statue itself is a beautiful women with long flowing hair, all carved into marble. Her smile is not right though, it is cruel and as cold as the dark gems that serve as her eyes.

Beneath this statue, with arms raised up to it in supplication, is a richly-robed Shadow Elf. Around him in a semi-circle are four more of his kind, all armed and armoured though not as extravagantly as the apparent head of the group. The four beneath the priest are the ones currently turned to look at the intrusion, eyes gleaming in the low light of the room until the priest himself turns around as well. "Kill the interlopers," is all he says, his tone one of completetly collected calm. He claps his hands once, and the blue torches on the statue are snuffed out leaving that area in total darkness. The only light for those unable to see in the blackness is Kilroy's torch.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Hm. Can I ask a few geometry questions before we go into inits?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure."

<OOC> Arissa says, "What are the general dimensions of this area, /including/ ceiling height (since this impacts Levitate usage)? Any significant
terrain that would modify how one moves about in here?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "From what you could perceive when the torches were lit in the center of the room, this chamber is probably at least sixty feet around, as it is circular. From the light of the torch you can tell the ceiling over your heads slopes upwards the further towards the middle you get, but it's safe to assume that it is likely at least thirty or forty feet high. Beyond that, the terrain is hard to tell. Directly before you from what you can see in the torch light, paved stone. Those with dark vision can tell that the room is largely empty, save for two altars off to either direct side of the statue and that the roof does indeed slope to a very high point."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Works for me!"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Are we going into inits at this point?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Yeah, we're cleared for take off."

GAME: Drakha rolls initiative: Roll: 2 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 4

GAME: Arissa rolls initiative: Roll: 20 + Bonus: 6 = Total: 26

GAME: Zarr rolls initiative: Roll: 1 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 4

GAME: You roll initiative for SEBoss: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 19

GAME: You roll initiative for SESoldiers: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 22

GAME: You roll initiative for SESoldiers2: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 18

<pre>
===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------
26 Arissa
----------------------------------------
22 SESoldiers
----------------------------------------
19 SEBoss
----------------------------------------
18 SESoldiers2
----------------------------------------
16 Kilroy
----------------------------------------
4 Zarr
----------------------------------------
4 Drakha
----------------------------------------
========================================
</pre>

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, so first up is Arissa. At this point, you can't see the SE's but they can all see you."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Arissa levitates 20 feet up, begins casting Summon Monster 2. This will require an additional full-round action next round to complete."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, go ahead and pose what you like. Next up are the first set of soldiers. I split them into two groups of two for ease."

GAME: Arissa casts Summon Monster II.

You paged (Drakha, Zarr) with 'You can see what they're up to. They both move off as a well synchronized pair to the left and forwards to flank the group, both drawing long, slim blades as they go.'

Arissa calls back to the voice, "Your efforts are vile, and will meet failure and not victory!" She begins floating toward the ceiling, once more bobbing up and down in the air after her ascent... and she starts chanting in Celestial, a glowing white circle forming in front of her. It persists for several seconds, her voice continuing a soft 'singing chant'... she can't see everything in here, but that isn't immediately concerning to her.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Arissa, roll your Will save. DC 15."

GAME: Arissa rolls Will: (7)+6: 13

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You are frozen in place up in the air."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Can I get a spellcraft check to ID the effect, since that's just mental action?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure."

GAME: Arissa rolls Spellcraft: (14)+8: 22

You paged Arissa with 'It's Hold Person.'

From afar, Arissa nods.

There is the sound of chanting from the centre of the room, followed by the sound of very quick footsteps padding across the stone floor as well as umistakable noise of swords being drawn from their sheathes. For those with dark vision, they are able to discern exactly what the Shadow Elves are up to. For those without, it just sounds ominous.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Kilroy?"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll cast shield"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay."

GAME: Kilroy casts Shield.

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll then move up 20'"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Alright, go ahead and pose such. Zarr?"

You paged (Zarr, Drakha) with 'The other pair did the same by the way, just the opposite side.'

You paged (Zarr, Drakha) with 'They're fast, and they're pretty might /right/ next to the group, just outside the light of the torch.'

Kilroy waves one hand in an arcane gesture and utters a phrase in a strange tongue, creating a shimmering, translucent shield before him. He advanced slowly into the room, his torch casting shadows all around.

<OOC> Zarr says, "Well, since two of them were so polite as to come, I'll meet them halfway-- Hopefully a bit of surprise as I move to engage them in the Dark! The team to the flank, if you please. Charge SE Team 1!"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "Should give the others dim light out to 40', which hopefully illuminates a 60' room from 20' in"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sounds like sound math to mine ears. You can all see what's up now, not just the Sith'Makar."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "The cleric is hanging way back at the statue, pointing at Arissa currently. The two groups of soldiers sprinted off and are now a hop skip and a jump away from the door with swords drawn."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Well, you can.. Get the general gist. Dim Light and all."

<OOC> Zarr says, "Engages the team attempting to flank. One target, but charging. So!"

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+11: (19)+11: 30

<OOC> Zarr says, "Threat."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+11: (11)+11: 22

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Crit."

GAME: Zarr rolls 2d6+10: (7)+10: 17

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will move to meet the other pair of soldiers, to 10 feet away from them and then light 'em up with burning hands"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll 'em."

GAME: Drakha casts Burning Hands.

GAME: Drakha rolls 3d4+3: (9)+3: 12

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (5)+3: 8

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Slow Elves. They get burnt pretty damn good but they're still up."

Darkness. It is a cloak and a shield and a solace, a screen from brightness and light, an armor of utter power for those who live in shadows.

But gods help you if you face another, so attuned to the night, to taste the blood and scent and sweat on the air....

Lightning envies the Makar as he springs into motion. Lazing as if to the last second, as if he could not see the approaching warriors in the dark-- Steel flashes in a glittering arc of silver, and Zarr's snarling rage is epitomized in the first stroke of bloody fury. At the flank of the party, a dark elf warrior stares in horrified fascination as the room explodes into a spray of red. Zarr snarls as the warrior falls, throat ripped completely away by a murderous slash.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Back up to the top of the round. Roll your Will again Arissa."

Drakha marches into the room, his keen draconic vision able to easily pierce the shadows, he sees his kin taking on one side of the approaching enemy, and moves himself to intercept the other ones so Zarr wont get surrounded, stopping just a few steps away from them as he takes in a deep breath, and then breathes out a cone of fire bathing the shadow elves in it, and briefly illuminating them for those with lesser visions, and also likely turning their skin even more black than it was already. "Fools, darkness can not hide you from the eyes of dragons." he bellows to the two badly burnt elves front of him as he holds his spear at the ready for them.

GAME: Arissa rolls Will: (19)+6: 25

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You break free."

Arissa gasps as her legs suddenly go rigid... then her circle vanishes, as the rest of her body similarly seizes up, including her mouth! She just continues to bob up and down softly in the air... then manages a whisper to herself: "Not yet..." Her hands start to twitch as she forces herself through the paralysis, starting to smile...

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sorry about that, had to check something."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll Will again, Arissa. Same DC."

GAME: Arissa rolls Will: (11)+6: 17

<OOC> Arissa is guessing that was another Hold Person? Matters for posing.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Silence that time."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "I'll handle the next soldiers then do a chunk pose to get that mess all summed up."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (9)+3: 12

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Hoy."
<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, posing."

As one of the Elves in the first group is obliterated by Zarr, his companion quick-steps backwards as the shower of gore splashes across him. He is quick enough to get an arm up and protect his eyes, but his temporary flailing of that limb also causes his strike to go awry. The slim blade is swung through the air, completely missing Zarr.

The cleric, meanwhile, is looking annoyed at the failure of his first spell. He begins to murmur again, his hands moving rhythmically for a few seconds before an invisible force blasts from his hands in Arissa's direction. It completely loses steam before reaching the floating caster, however, and dissipates like a soft wind against a brick wall as it washes across her.

The other pair of Elves, both still smoking in places, fair no better as they attempt to coordinate themselves on the Sith'Makar who just roasted them quite thoroughly. Neither, however, are able to see well enough at this point to land a hit at all.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Kilroy!"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll rage, charge, and flank the shadow elf in melee with Zarr."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Charge away."

GAME: Kilroy rolls 1d20+12: (9)+12: 21

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Hit."

GAME: Kilroy rolls 1d12+9: (7)+9: 16

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's down."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Not dead, but down."

<OOC> Kilroy says, "ok"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr?"

<OOC> Zarr says, "Charge the cleric!"

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+11: (15)+11: 26

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Ho boy. Hit."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (2)+5: 7

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Solid blow, the cleric is suspiciously more sturdy than the soldiers however."

<OOC> Zarr says, "Suspicious!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Drakha, you're on deck."

<OOC> Drakha says, "I five feet step back away from the two guys on me, and then burning hands them again"

Kilroy's optics flicker from green to red, the golem flexing his steel ligaments as he raises his hammer. He charges toward the shadow elf engaged in in melee with Zarr, flanking him. Kilroy brings down his lucerne hammer on the shadow elf, striking him to the ground in a single blow.

GAME: Drakha casts Burning Hands.

GAME: Drakha rolls 3d4+3: (9)+3: 12

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (10)+3: 13

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (6)+3: 9

<OOC> Lithuin says, "They're done."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Extra crispy."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Pose roasting them alive, and we're back to Arissa."

Zarr hisses mocking laughter as the last solider swings blindly, only to meet his end on the warforged's heavy hammer. Before the second elf hits the ground, Zarr is on the move, heavy plate and powerful muscles unleashing the bloody storm of blades in the dark elf cleric's direction. The red Makar leaps, silver claws slashing; the hit is a strong one, viciously scored. Blood flies briefly as the Makar warrior lands, teeth glittering as he grins with ferocious malice.

"Show the throat, softskin," Zarr rumbles. "Or suffer the more for it!"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Begin Summon Monster 2."

Drakha laughs at the feeble blows from the two shadow elves, stepping back from their reach as he draws in another deep breath, before exhaling it in yet another fan of flames, engulfing both of the two shadow elves and burning them thoroughly enough that both slump down in a smoking heap, after which he turns his attention over towards the apparent leader of these elves.

You paged (Drakha, Zarr) with 'At the far end of the room, you two will notice that there is a suspiciously glassy surface to the wall. Looks like someone slapped a mirror up there or something.'

Arissa begins chanting once more, the white circle in front of her returning as she continues to float. It vanished last time on account of her being interrupted, and this time the circle similarly does nothing immediately obvious even as Arissa continues her soft Celestial urgings at it...

To (Drakha, Lithuin), Zarr pages: Hmmm! Magic is your perview, Cousin.

GAME: Arissa casts Summon Monster II.

Drakha pages: I wonder if knowledge/arcana would tell anything of note about it?
You paged Drakha with 'I'll save you the trouble: it's not magical. From what you can see, it's just a mirror albiet a very well-polished one.'
Drakha pages: Ok

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr, you get an AoO on the cleric. He's getting the hell out of Doge."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+9: (11)+9: 20

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You hit, Zar."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (2)+5: 7

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Wounded, but he gets away."

The cleric lurches back as Zarr engages him, hissing as his blood leaks through the fresh wound dug into him. "Begone, lizard. You meddle in affairs beyond you," he replies in a cold, accented voice. The grip of the Elf is surprisingly strong as he grabs the Sith'Makar's limbs and forces the much larger creature off of his far smaller frame. He turns abruptly, exposing himself to retaliation from Zarr but disregarding the danger as he suffers whatever blow he is given in exchange for making his escape. He is sprinting swiftly across the cave floor, bleeding from rather grievous wounds that do not manage to slow him. To those unable to see well enough in the dark, it looks like he's running directly at a very solid wall.

A very loud crash resounds throughout the cavern hall as he slams into the polished glass there, turning his head and barrelling into it shoulder-first. He sails through in a spray of glass, sinking out of sight rather quickly: apparently there is a very big pit on the other side of the now-broken mirror. Seconds later, a splash.

<OOC> Arissa says, "So he... went into water?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "How fast can the lot of you run?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Yes."

<OOC> Arissa can send some summons that could easily overtake him depending on which terrain they're going into.

<OOC> Drakha says, "Well water somewhere far below at other side of the window"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I can go 120' per round running, myself"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He dropped into an underground river and is, presumably, swimming like the devil. The flow will carry him very quickly."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Same, but would prefer to not jump down to some unknown pit."

<OOC> Arissa has summons that can easily overtake him in water.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Feel free to use them."

<OOC> Zarr hrms! "Speed reduced to 20 by the plate, but can swim like the dickens..."

<OOC> Arissa nods. Will do so on my turn.

<OOC> Arissa ends questions for now though since it's not my turn.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "We're back to Kilroy, by the by. What would you like to do?"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'm not going to jump in after him, so I'll roll the bodies."

<OOC> Kilroy says, "And stop raging, of course"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Alrighty, Zarr? Your call. I'm not going to say specifically what's down there until you leap, if you choose to do so."

<OOC> Zarr chintaps. "Why not? LEAPRARRH! After him!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Fair enough, Drakha?"

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will walk over to the window and look down to see what is there, and then depending on what I see, will likely say
something"

You paged Drakha with 'You'll see that the pit going down is hardly a smooth one. There are rough hewn edges all along, some apparently carved specifically so that the unwary will dash themselves to pieces leaping down. At the very bottom, easily a hundred foot drop, is a rushing river.'

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr, gimme a reflex by the way."

GAME: Zarr rolls Reflex: (16)+4: 20

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You avoid breaking yourself to pieces on the oddly jutted rocks that point out here and there the whole way down the drop and make it to the water."

Drakha frowns as he sees the cleric dive through the window, marching to the edge to look down and see whats there, shaking his head then. "It would be crazy to jump down there, and by the time we get down safely, he will be long gone. But, it seems that the problem has been dealt with here, he isn't likely to return after that narrow escape." he concludes, looking back around the others. "Lets instead see what is in the cells, perhaps we can still save some of the villagers."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Arissa, your call. After you we're more or less done with init."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Ah. Basically she's sending a Small Water Elemental to pursue. Swim speed 90 feet."

Impetuous? Who? Ah, red Sith named Zarr.... Who took to the waves in hot pursuit, barely able to dodge underwater rocks! The swim is difficult but not impossible; the thick tail is powerfully built and capable of propelling even the metal-laden warrior back to the surface with a growl. Pursuit!

<OOC> Arissa says, "She's not going in herself however, so will be mostly looking around the area to check cells and such after she lands"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "What's the perception like on them?"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Perception +4, has Darkvision."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+4: (4)+4: 8

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Perception check, to find him down there. Won’t succeed."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Ah, okay... so, basically the water battle is now a non-issue?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Yeah, he's more or less fled."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Okay. Arissa lands and begins looking around the cells."

GAME: You clear initiatives.

GAME: Lithuin has cleared initiatives.

<OOC> Zarr nods. "And with that, Zarr returns to the party. And I must sleep. Late!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Just the wrap-up now, more or less. There are a lot of cells in this place, and they're all locked. Drakha's key will work."

Arissa's chanting is eventually rewarded with a swirling mass of water with something vaguely resembling a face emerging from the circle; it takes to the water with obvious ease, pursuing the departing shadow elf.

As for Arissa, she has no urge to fling herself into rivers... and thus lands on the floor, proceeding to walk toward the cell doors, hoping to see if anyone is within them and whether they need help or not...

Drakha walks to the nearest cell an opens it with the key, then starts going around the room and repeat the process for each one, leaving it for Arissa to check the contents of them.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Each cell will have about four to five people in it. There is not a total of 60, and close inspection of the altars near the statue will reveal a lot of old blood."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "They're all pretty weak, and none of them exactly come spilling out of the rooms."

<OOC> Arissa has, um, various healing (Heavenly Fire on Good people, Heal checks, etc. CLW wands if necessary)?

<OOC> Drakha says, "If they are in walking condition then I would imagine its good enough and we can get them to the village where they can rest"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "No one will die on you out of hand, but you'll want to be getting them out of this dark hole at some point in the near future.
Think concentration camp prisoners."

<OOC> Arissa nods.

<OOC> Drakha says, "And we probably want to deliver the 'converts' from upstairs to the village too to be put in custody."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "One of the rooms, not far from where the cleric leapt through the mirror, opens up into a hall. Should you choose to go
take a quick look, it will eventually lead you back up to the surface and out in a heavily wooded area. There are definite signs of traffic there."

Kilroy divests the newly-deceased shadow elves of their valuables then positions them in compromising poses before giving the statue of Taara a peremptory smashing.

As the cells' contents are revealed, both by door opening and Arissa conjuring up some magical light to aid her vision, she lifts a hand to her mouth and lets out a gasp... then tries to stow that; the people within don't need horrified shock, they need confident benevolence.

Thus, she stows her magic rod and approaches groups of them at a time, speaking up to be heard by all: "It is alright now. You will come to no further pain and we are here to help. Please stay as you are... you will be tended to and then brought back to your homes and families." This softness is perhaps an odd contrast to Kilroy's more... vengeful actions.

GAME: Arissa casts Light.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Also worth note, more than one of the prisoners mutters something about "Thank the Black Father" when you free them.
You won't get much more out of them than that though."

PrP: Beneath the Church

2011-06-23T04:22:07Z

Genesis: Created page with "== '''Beneath the Church''' == == Runner == Lithuin == Party == <pre> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Name | Race | ..."

== '''Beneath the Church''' ==

== Runner ==

Lithuin

== Party ==

<pre>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Name | Race | Class | E Lev| CHP | HP | AC | For | Ref | Wil |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Drakha |SITH-MAK|Sor | 3 | 15 | 25 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
|Kilroy |WAR_GOLE|Bbn/Sor | 2 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
|Garthos |HUMAN |Ftr | 5 | 49 | 50 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
|Zarr |SITH-MAK|Ftr | 4 | 39 | 40 | 23 | 8 | 4 | 1 |
|Arissa |HUMAN |Sor | 5 | 31 | 31 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
</pre>

== Summary ==

An urgent plea goes out to any adventurer willing to make the journey to a developing town a few days journey from Alexandria. Kidnappings are on the rise, there are murmurings of a dark cult setting up shop just outside the town, and the leaders of the village are at their wits end. Enter the brave adventurers, here to find the source of the kidnappings and free the prisoners.

== Purchases ==

None.

== Enemies ==

'''Encounter 1: Complete.'''

6x CR 1 Religious Zealots.

'''Encounter 2: Complete.'''

4x CR 1 Shadow Elf Soldiers.
1x CR 3 Shadow Elf Cleric.

== The Adventure ==

<OOC> Drakha says, "Oh and for record, my AC is 1 higher than what the pdmscan shows, since my lvl 3 bloodline power isn't counted in to the code."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Ah, okay."

The message posted via the Guild sounded about as urgent as a bunch of ink slapped down onto some paper can sound. The details were somewhat scant, but not so scant as to make the letter seem like a hastily written trap. The general gist conveyed by the note is that a village about a solid two days of travel by wagon beyond Alexandria's walls is suffering from a series of disappearances. It is not a large town, but neither it is small and the populace is quickly growing panicked as the missing persons count grows higher and higher. It is precisely because of the rate and volume that the locals from both the town and outlaying farms are vanishing that the village head has posted the notice and bid all couriers great haste in ferrying him news about interest in it. He is well-informed ahead of time then about the five adventurers travelling to his town.

The welcome the wagons receive, carrying both trade as well as the five of you, is hailed as something of a godsend. In the time it has taken for the note to be delivered and the five of you to arrive, the disappearances have not ceased. Those that are about to note the wagon take a moment to thank whatever deity they pray to, as well as quietly cheering on the wagons procession as they pass by. Some even follow all the way to the town hall where the wagons come to a halt, and an 'end of the line' announcement is made by the drivers.

The village head, a man teetering on the edge of wizened, pushes open the oaken doors and bustles to the wagons to great the lot of you. Somewhat gnarled though still powerful hands are clasped together as he fervently announces his welcome, "Welcome, welcome my friends. Please follow me, we haven't a moment to waste. The day is growing late and it is during the night that the demons beset us and steal away our folk." He turns about, motioning to the group as he climbs back up the small set of steps and into the town hall.

Arissa is well-rested and ready as the wagon arrives; she promptly gathers her things, gives a 'thank you' to the driver, and steps out to meet the elder. "You are absolutely correct, there is little idle time in a matter such as this..." Her demeanor is one of soft patience, paying attention as she follows up the steps. "Though, really it is demons? Are you saying that in specific reference to creatures born of the hells themselves, or of so many other threats? Has someone identified them?" A lot of questions, but all of it is inquiry; Arissa's voice lacks any edge of accusation.

Kilroy, the large black war golem in the party, disembarks from the wagon as it rolls to a halt in front of the town hall. "Seems as though we're walking into this a bit unprepared. It would be well if we could learn what we will be up against," he remarks to the others.

Garthos had been happy to chat along the way. To Zarr - whom he'd not met before - he'd introduced himself in usual fashion: 'Garth, or Numbers, whichever ya like more'. And now that they stand at their destination, the large man - rather cheery during the trip - becomes a bit more serious, a bit more focused on the work ahead of the group. He hops off the wagon, moving after the man that had come to greet them.
"Good to meet cha." he asides to him. "If ya can give us anythin' to work off of, be lots of help. Any of ya folks here ever seen them?" he asks.

Zarr's gaze is cool-blooded as he stares about him. Considering the scales and metal and otherwise "Unfriendly" look to him, the adoration and welcome of the townsfolk is.... unaccustomed, to say the least. "Time enough to water and rest," he rumbles in suggestion to Garthos, glancing about the town curiously. He slides from his poor (and very unfortunate!) nag of a horse with a clatter; metal only punctuates the warrior's hard angles as he dismounts the beast, leaving it to the wagoneers to tend. He leaves the speaking to others, for the nonce.

Drakha steps out of the wagon also, right after Zarr, for someone who wouldn't know better, it would be easy to think the two sith-makar as twins, so similar in appearance and size are they to each other. Even though, unlike Zarr, he isn't clad in metal, but a simple cloak wrapped around him, and holding a fairly ceremonial looking spear in hand. "Everything looks like a demon to the uneducated in the dark." he comments idly to what Arissa is asking from the elder, but other than that, stays quiet for now as he follows along with the others.

The village head passes through the hall swiftly, entering into his own office at the far end of the building. As soon as everyone has been gathered within the deceptively spacious room, he closes the door tightly and leans against it before glancing towards the only window in the room, situated behind his desk and chair. Moving with surprising haste, he closes the shutters and drops the small latch to keep them thus. As soon as the soft 'click' of the latch falling into place sounds out, he exhales deeply. Something like relief, to the keen ear.

"Thank you all for coming, as quickly as you could. Please, please, have a seat and I will tell you know what I know of our situation." He motions graciously in a bone-weary way to the chairs gathered in the room as he seats himself, sinking into the wooden chair with another deep, weary sigh. As he sits there, he lifts his hand up to rub at the bridge of his nose for a moment before bringing both hands together atop his desk in a much more business-like fashion, looking across the piece of oak furniture now. "Now I said demons, but I was being.. Figurative. It's not so simple as hateful creatures from another realm. I have my suspicions about the root of the cause, you see." Here, he looks furtively again in the direction of the door and squints ever so slightly as if to discern whether it might be eavesdropping. "In the last few months, a man came to our town. A holy man of some sort, though we were not exactly clear on who or what it was he serves. But he was polite, gracious, and dispensed aid without a thought of recompense. In short he made himself a very popular man very quickly, so we granted him leave to establish a small church not far beyond the village." A hand is waved, in the general direction that he implies. "But lately things have gone.. Amiss. He does not visit us now, we have not seen him in some time. Not properly, at least, but there have been.. Murmurings. He has been spied in the witching hours of the night, skulking about like some prowler, some say."

He leans back now, laying his hands atop the arms of his chair as he reposes himself somewhat. "I am one of them. I am positive, beyond a doubt, that I saw this man slithering about town two nights passed. He had a cruel look to him, not at all like the gentle face I recalled. Before his seclusion, however, he attracted a following within the town. Many of which moved themselves out to his small church in order to pray and worship alongside him. That small church has become something of a monastery, though humble in size. Before they departed, those who chose to follow him seemed.. Odd. High strung, tense. We have not seen one of them return yet, once they leave they may as well have walked off of the face of the world." His old blue gaze shifts from each of you to the next in turn, before refocusing on the surface of the desk. "I have my suspicions that this man and his zealots are abducting the villagers, carting them off in the night to that.. Church. To do what, I cannot say, but not one of the missing has been found yet. Not so much as a scrap of cloth or a single hair. There is foulness about that place," he shakes his head slightly, voice growing dour, "it's so thick you can practically see it in the air before your eyes. What I would like you to do, all of you, is enter that church, explore it from tip to bottom. Find our people, or any evidence of what has become of them, I beg you."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Feel free to ask whatever you want, ICly or OOCly. Requests and so forth. Which reminds me, I should have asked you all beforehand if there were any pre-plot purchases you wished to make?"

<OOC> Zarr says, "Ten kegs of oil for re-urbanization of the chu--err... Nope. Not a thing."

<OOC> Arissa says, "No, I'm good."

"It sounds is as if we have our work cut out for us," says Kilroy, hoisting a hammer to one shoulder. "Let's go and see this 'church' with our own eyes and make of it what we will."

Zarr rumbles darkly upon hearing the explanation, the grim news. "And then, some demons in the dark or merely soft men," he remarks to Drakha. He tilts his head, considering thoughtfully. "Why not wait until the morning?" he suggests. "Spend night now patrol, scout, watching for skulkers. Perhaps catch one for... in-depth conversations." The Makar grins, as invitingly as an alligator. "Then, come morning light, we go to church. To visit. Yesss."

"Perhaps so, but a lack of education on the most vile wretches in existence is no great flaw." Arissa continues to pace along with the elder even while conversing. "And they may be able to describe the attackers all the same." As they arrive, she takes a seat and listens, mind racing through possibilities to explain what has happened.

After a few seconds of silence, she doesn't voice any of the several theories she has come up with. Instead, she looks straight to the elder with sympathy and a light voice: "Absolutely. You were right to ask us to spare no time in tending to this..." She rises and concludes, "It will be set right. Please take heart in that." Zarr's suggestion catches her attention, and she becomes curious. "Are you certain that will go well? I am not certain we can safely cover the whole area and ensure no more people vanish. You have a sound idea otherwise... perhaps if someone were between the church and town, to raise alarm if they see anyone being taken away?"

"We'll give it a look. What ya just said don't sound good at all." Garthos confirms, nodding once at the concerned leader of the little community, as if trying to reassure him. He turns, then, to his adventuring colleagues. "Shall we, folks?" he asks the others, taking one hand in the other and giving a nice, loud little crack of the knuckles. He's ready to conduct business, looks like. Zarr's suggestion earns him a ponderous look from the Angorite. "We'd have to catch one of 'em in the deed. I ain't very stealthy, so hidin' and waitin' for 'em won't really work too well far as I go." He sounds kind of like a key ring being shaken gently when he walks, yes.

Drakha listens the lengthy story from the elder, glancing between the others as to see what they think. "How many people joined this... monastery? Approximately? So we will know what kind of numbers we are dealing with, if your suspicions are correct." he inquires. Everything else he might have wanted to ask about was already covered by the others.

The village head listens to the conversation playing out before him, his old eyes switching from one face to the next as each speaks up. "Please go about this as you see fit, I am in no way suited to telling you how to conduct your investigation. The abductions are not nightly, but they are frequent enough that it may be possible for you to catch the culprits or at least one of them. However," he pauses, glancing at a small chart next to his desk. "We lost two last night, and after all this time I've noted a pattern. They come one night and abduct as many as they may, and then are silent for at least a day or two before they arrive again. Our own meagre patrols have, so far, done nothing to daunt them." He looks thoughtful now as he considers the question Drakha has posed, "Originally, there were about.. Thirty converts or so. Since that time, the number of abducted borders on triple that count. That church is only so large, I do not know what they are doing with this many of my people, or how they are hiding them within if indeed they are."

Kilroy says, "In that case, I suggest we make haste to ensure the safety of the newly taken captives."

Zarr's tail snaps behind him, an odd whipcord of flesh and scale upon the ground. "The dark does not shield them from me," he announces, glancing to the others. "Though I do not know if these who are stolen will still live. Day or night-- the blood tastes the same." He crosses his arms, turning his eyes back to the others. "The choice is yours."

"We might be riskin' the ones that have been taken by waitin'. It's not a risk I'm willin' to take, dark or not." Garthos says earnestly, frowning deeply. "Wish we'd gotten here sooner. I say we get movin'." Seems like the warrior has made his choice - immediate departure.

Arissa takes a few steps away, starting to leave... but clearly doesn't plan to stomp off alone; she's waiting even as Kilroy speaks. "Really your words mirror my heart, and we should leave immediately. Though, we might gain entrance with word more easily than blade. When we approach, might I present us as curious of their faith and ask to be allowed in to learn?"

Anticipating objections from the elder at least, and likely others here, she quickly adds: "It is but a ruse to gain entrance and not any real intent to join them."

Drakha frowns at this information. "Thirty... that is quite a large number." he admits, but doesn't ask further questions, seeming to be ready to move on as well. He has some suspicions as to what might be going on, but doesn't want to discuss about them while they are just that, theories, no need to make the elder worry even more over what might not even be true. He does, instead, reply to Arissa. "Let us first go and see this church. There might not even be anyone there for all we know."

Zarr snorts at the suggestion, tailtip setting a subtle rattle among the metal plates. "My preferences are more direct," he grumbles, "Not given to.... indulging religions." He exhales a jet of hot air, grumbling some more for good nature. "Let us go and see what they have," he says finally, nodding his head. "Perhaps talking will work. If not..."

Toothsome grin.

The village leader shakes his head, lifting his hands up again as he reiterates, "Please do as you see fit. If you think you can convince them to let you in then by all means do so, but I am not sure you will walk about out without breaking down the door. All who have left so far have yet to return, and I am beginning to wonder if of the original thirty, it was not for lack of trying." As he lowers his hands back down to the arms of the chair he speaks again, "I wish you all luck, and pray fervently for your swift return. Any news you can bring us will be welcome, even if it is not the news that we wish to hear but.. Many have been gone for so long, I hold out little hope for those first taken. Please, do what you can."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "I take it the consensus is marching off to the church, then. Just have to decide whether you're knocking or kicking the door in."

<OOC> Zarr says, "We knock, of course! Girl Scout Cookies do not kick down doors. :("

<OOC> Drakha says, "Well I would prefer to at least take a look at the church first to see if there is anything of note going on outside it, or anything else noteworthy that we could find before actually marching to the door"

Kilroy has disconnected.
Garthos has disconnected.

(Log note: We lost Kilroy from this point on till after the first Encounter, Garthos did not reconnect till the end of the second Encounter)

<OOC> Zarr says, "So far, we want to use Survival to check out the church. Read the "past traffic", so to speak. See if there are hidden entrances, or places where folks have been dragged rather than walking, etc. If possible!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Well, whoever is left can roll Survival if they'd like and I'll get that sorted."

GAME: Zarr rolls Survival: (16)+7: 23

You paged Zarr with 'There is heavy foot traffic that appears to be going into and out of the church. The village head mentioned thirty, and it the number of tread marks certainly fit that estimate. There is not much around the sides and back, however, just a few here and there and nothing terribly out of the ordinary. If the people were brought here, they were dragged through the main doorway.'

After arriving at the church, Zarr takes time to scout out the area, to survey with a careful respect. The rattle of metal plating is shockingly quiet as the scarlet Makar moves, rumbling to himself in quiet hisses, soft words of Draconic, roaming about the building with patient steps. Long minutes pass as the sun glitters on the horizon, slowly sinking before he completes his circle. "If the missing have been taken here," he rumbles,
"Then it was through the main doors." He points, a steel-tipped claw glittering ominously. "It is the only entry. The only path to be taken. More than this, I cannot say."

Arissa mostly kept quiet and let Zarr work in checking trails, but makes a single nod when he announces his findings: "Then it seems the matter is simple enough and we should go forward. We may be running low on time... I would like to begin immediately if there are no objections?"

<OOC> Drakha says, "I assume there is no guards or other people outside?"

Zarr simply raises his hands in reply, a moments glance to check the bands, dexterous claws working to tighten the grip of those metal blades. "In peace or in war," he intones, "Let the fire burn. I am prepared."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Is there any signs of people being inside, like light shining from under the doors or speech heard or anything?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "The sun is just going down, so with the light shining on the face of the church it's pretty difficult to say. A good perception roll will tell you more."

GAME: Drakha rolls perception: (12)+6: 18

<OOC> Lithuin says, "About lights on inside and such. There's no overt noise from where you're able to spy on the place though, since I assume you didn't walk right up to the doors."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "And no posted watchmen."

Drakha also waits for his 'twin' to finish the survey of the outdoors area, the night falling does not bother him, his eyes see in the dark just as well as in the light. He nods to what the other sith'makar says, then starts walking towards the doors. "Well, I suppose we need to deal with the doors next, then." he notes, making some gestures over his form then and speaking a few words in draconic, making his scales glow red light for a moment, before it dims again.

GAME: Arissa rolls Perception: (9)+1: 10

You paged Drakha with 'You can see no lights, but occasionally there is a dark shape against the stained glass windows. Someone or several someones are puttering about just inside the hall.'

GAME: Zarr rolls Perception: (17)+0: 17

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Arissa is distracted by a passing moth. It is very pretty."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Casting mage armor on myself, it lasts 3 hours so hopefully long enough"

<OOC> Drakha says, "Right when we are getting ready to go to the doors"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Noted."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Will proxy cast it since its my bloodline spell and thus not on my sheet"

You paged Zarr with 'You can see no lights, but occasionally there is a dark shape against the stained glass windows. Someone or several someones are puttering about just inside the hall.'

GAME: Drakha casts Magic Missile.

<OOC> Drakha says, "that gives me +3 ac (since it overwrites my bracers of armor) to total of 20"

You paged Arissa with 'You can detect nothing out of the ordinary. The church seems very quiet and still in the late evening sun.'

Zarr nods in agreement with his opposite in red, starting towards the doors.... Freezing after a few moments, to glance back to the others. "There is movement inside," he rumbles softly. "Knock, or....." Clawflex. "Knock?"

Drakha as they move closer he narrows his eyes at something, glancing at the others. "There are people inside... at least one person, maybe more." he warns them.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Can I get a Levitate in on that prep-work spellcasting?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure."

Arissa's voice is quiet, hoping to not be overheard by those inside as the group debates. "It is up to you. I am willing to speak with them, but you had no fondness of this last time I spoke of it. The matter is suspicious enough and worrying enough that none would fault a more abrupt entry if you insist. I will go as you wish, but need a moment." She retreats some distance from the building, a rod held overhead as she chants in Celestial... and miniature 'angel wings' form on her back. She returns after that, making a nod to the group. "I am ready."

GAME: Arissa casts Levitate.

As everyone makes ready, Arissa walks up to the door and knocks, announcing herself by speaking aloud immediately after: "Good evening! A scholar has come to learn more of your faith, and would meet you presently!" Vocal, energetic, polite... she's trying to seem enthusiastic yet naive about this.

The doors are promptly flung open, and Arissa's polite inquiry is met with two pairs of wide-eyed stares. Also, two crudely-formed speartips. They are both men, likely in their mid thirties and shaved completely bald. Both have the look of a person who has not slept - and the smell of a person who has not showered - in several days. Wild-eyed and rather twitchy, the one on the right speaks, "We treat with no guests, we admit not visitors. You're from the town, we saw your wagons. Begone from here, and tell the heathens they follow the wrong god!" The silent one gives his spear an emphatic rattle.

That said, they haven't tried to stab anyone yet.

<OOC> Drakha says, "Do we see anyone else in what we can see inside behind the two guys?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "The interior of the church is rather dark. It would appear that the light filtering through some of the uncovered windows is not doing much. Toss me a perception and I'll tell you more, or less."

GAME: Zarr rolls Perception: (19)+0: 19

<OOC> Drakha has darkvision to 60 feet, and low light vision, in case that matters

GAME: Drakha rolls perception: (2)+6: 8

You paged Drakha with 'My the interior of the church is pretty. Such lovely wood flooring.'

You paged Zarr with 'You can clearly detect the presence of at least two more men, armed the same as those at the door, in close proximity. At the farthest end of the church is the altar, and a door sits off to the side. It is guarded by another two men, who are now watching the exchange at the doorway very carefully.'

Arissa tries to mask her momentary offense at their smell by instead acting whimsically smug. "Oh my... so firm and threatening. Please, there is no need for weapons; really I have no fondness for violence when it can be avoided." Then she sobers up some and asks more seriously, "Tell me, what false god do they follow? For that matter, which one do you now follow in your new enlightenment? Once I know that, I may depart in peace."

Drakha is standing a few steps behind Arissa, holding his spear in hand, though in a non-threatening posture for the moment, just kind of looking like big and looming behind her while he silently watches the two 'faithful' with those alien reptilian eyes that make it fairly hard to read anything about his intentions.

For himself, Zarr hovers ominously at Arissa's shoulder. Back a step.... but only a step. A lizard of red scale and burnished metal and sharp,
sharp edges. Waiting patiently, as those glittering eyes rake past and into the room beyond. Hungry. Waiting.

"Then leave this place if you do not wish violence, and take your lizard men with you. They offend our master," the speaker of the two replies, looking as wild-eyed as ever. His friend is likewise just as silent as he was before, though he nods his head fervently causing the sound of flapping jowls to emanate from him. "They follow the Terrible One, the Liar, the Tormenting Usurper!" More jowl flapping as the silent one agrees again. "/We/ are the few, the chosen, the blessed. We follow she who will lead us to the promised end, to plenty and to dark paradise, our sweet Weaver of the Night. Now you have your answers, so begone!" They move to slam the doors soundly after this exchange.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Alright if I go ahead and give the signal to move in/attack/etc. presently?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "We'll move to init."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Hm. Pose and then init, I take it? The pose would just be all 'oh, okay... no on second thought GET THEM!' as she steps
aside."

<OOC> Arissa says, "(No attacking/spellcasting/etc.)"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure, go ahead."

Arissa listens with some curiosity... but each detail she hears either annoys her and eventually causes her to interest mid-sentence, trying to speak over them. "Then I know what I need to and will depart presently. Well..." She begins to walk behind Zarr and Drakha. "I say that, but really I cannot abide such wretched service to a vile deity. Strike now, but do not end their lives if you may help it!"

GAME: You clear initiatives.
GAME: Lithuin has cleared initiatives.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll away."

GAME: Drakha rolls initiative: Roll: 18 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 20

GAME: Zarr rolls initiative: Roll: 1 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 4

GAME: Arissa rolls initiative: Roll: 4 + Bonus: 6 = Total: 10

GAME: You roll initiative for GuardSet1: Roll: 10 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 11

GAME: You roll initiative for GuardSet2: Roll: 14 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 15

GAME: You roll initiative for GuardSet3: Roll: 10 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 11

<pre>
===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------
20 Drakha
----------------------------------------
15 GuardSet2
----------------------------------------
11 GuardSet1
----------------------------------------
11 GuardSet3
----------------------------------------
10 Arissa
----------------------------------------
4 Zarr
----------------------------------------
========================================
</pre>

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Ho boy. Okay, Drakha, you're up first."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "They're closing the door, but you're speedier."

<OOC> Drakha says, "How far away I am from them?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "If you were standing just behind Arissa? Probably no more than about 10 feet."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Ok, since Arissa moved back, I will cast burning hands hitting the two guys, and after that take 5 foot step to get in melee range of the two and threatening them. with my spear"

<OOC> Drakha says, "Threatening aka so will hopefully get AoO if they try to close the door or do something else silly."

GAME: Drakha casts Burning Hands.

GAME: Drakha rolls 3d4+3: (8)+3: 11

<OOC> Drakha says, "ref dc 15 for half damage"

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20: (1): 1

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20: (19): 19

<OOC> Lithuin says, "One roasted, one half roasted."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Both still up?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "One is looking in rough shape but not down, the other is burned but still standing fine."

Drakha doesn't make much sense out of what the bald guy is blabbing about various gods, though the insults towards him he does understand, and does not appreciate. So Arissa's words are more than enough to make him to get him to take on the two men. Starting with a cone of fire that he breathes on them in properly dragon like fashion, before he steps closer to bring his own spear against theirs. "Not so fast, wretches." he hisses to the more or less charred fanatics.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, so. The guards are up now. First up on the init are going to spend a round running over here, they'll be here at the start of the next init and the group at the far back will be here in two."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (12)+3: 15

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (10)+3: 13

<OOC> Lithuin says, "And the two at the door miss terribly. Arissa is up next, whilst I pose the response."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Hm. Both are currently Threatened, right?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Yeah, Drakha is in range."

The two leap backwards shrieking as the fire engulfs them and sets their robes alight, causing both of them to slap madly at themselves here and there where the fires singe at their skin through the robe. Both maintain grips on their spears, but they are also thoroughly shocked by the fiery display and so the stabs they make in the direction of Drakha go horrible awry and do nothing but puncture the air near the Sith'makar.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Okay. Magic Missile on the two closest ones. Splitting the missiles, just 1 on the one that took 11 damage, 2 on the one that took 5/half. Reason: Arissa is trying to not outright Kill them."

<OOC> Arissa says, "(And will be making moves to stabilize them if still alive by end of combat.)"

<OOC> Zarr says, "1d4+1 each."

<OOC> Arissa says, "1d4+1 each, so 1d4+1 to the most damaged, 2d4+2 to the least."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll 'em. I think you moved back so you're out of their threat range, no need for a concentration check. Unless you really
want to."

<OOC> Arissa did indeed pose moving. Was going to leave that up to you in any case, but here goes:

GAME: Arissa casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5

GAME: Arissa rolls 2d4+2: (6)+2: 8

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You got the damaged one down to 0, so he's disabled and the other is still standing but only juuust."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Alright. Pose just about ready. She'd ask them to drop their weapons as well."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "While Arissa poses, your go Zarr."

<OOC> Zarr will put that one down. Step forward, and introduce the guard's chin to a steel-clawed fist. Or two.

Arissa's eyes glaze over, fully gold and looking every bit as distantly dazed as the apparent worshippers do... with one key difference; she is smiling widely, twirling around in place with quite some energy as she thrusts a palm forward and shouts in Celestial; a trio of gold-white magic spheres fly out, one striking the most wounded and two striking the least harmed of the pair... and both are clearly on the verge of losing consciousness. "This is as far as you go!" Arissa calls out to them, "Lose your weapons and no further harm will come to you!"

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (4)+7: 11

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (15)+7: 22

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Second hits."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He dead. Well, dying."

The call to arms. The sound of war. The screams of searing, raging flames. Savage pleasure marks Zarr's face as he steps forward, steel-clawed hands curled in fists of fury. As the first falls before the Lady's magical barrage, the second remains standing... And sadly so, for he is to receive the gift of razor edged claws driving upward in a terrible stroke, a gut-punch of agonizing precision.

"Or face me," he purrs towards those still inside, sliding blood-slicked talons from teh guardsman's stomach. "It really makes me no difference..."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Go ahead and pose that, and we move up to the top of the round. Drakha? The second set of guards will be up in your grill poste haste."

<OOC> Drakha says, "How far away are the second pair from me?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You can get to them with a move action. They're pretty close, 15 feet we shall say for numbers sake."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Ok will walk over to 10 feet away from them, and then give them some burning hands too. Not sure if disabled people still get AoOs, but if they do, that guy can take one on me from the move, he probably drops if he does though since I would imagine that counting as strenous activity. ;)"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's just a pile of burn and ow. No AoO."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Ok will warm up the next pair then. :)"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Burn away."

GAME: Drakha casts Burning Hands.

GAME: Drakha rolls 3d4+3: (7)+3: 10

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20: (18): 18

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20: (4): 4

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Huh. Weird pattern, that. One catches it full, the other is half-toasted."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "That said, they're both still standing. Same as before really, difference of 1 damage."

Drakha feels the feeble thrusts from the 'faithful' ones spears draw across his thick scales without managing to do any real damage, he is about to retaliate with his own spear, when his 'twin' cuts down the one front of him, and he ignores the almost dead one then, simply stepping over the body of the fallen to meet the next pair of zealots, although he stops a few steps away from them, taking in a deep breath, which he then exhales out in another cone of fire, scorching these in much the similar manner as the first two a bit ago. "It seems your 'true' god is not able to save you from dragonfire!" he growls out to them.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "They're going to try and turn you into lizard-on-a-stick, let's watch."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (11)+3: 14

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (11)+3: 14

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Good lord they suck."

These two men burn just as the last two did: quite well, really. More shrieking erupts as the flames lick across their robes and set small fires which they pat out as they hop about attempting to stymy the burning. Luckily they have no hair, or that'd surely be gone as well. In retaliation, both attempt to skewer the firebreathing Sith'makar but are just as good at doing so as the last pair who are currently laying in a heap on the floor some several feet away.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Next set will be up next round. Arissa?"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Arissa moves next to the dying front guard, draws CLW wand while moving, and tries to use said wand on him. If so, and if
you'll allow this, she's also trying to 'pull' the healing... just trying to stabilize him, not get him back in the fight."

<OOC> Arissa says, "In mechanical terms, trying to do as little healing as possible."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "I don't personally have an issue with just stabilizing him, if you roll high enough to do so."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Roll high enough on what, just to be sure?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Well I meant the wand, unless there was something else."

<OOC> Arissa nods. I have to make a UMD check on it in any case.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Make the relevant rolls and pose, then?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sounds good to me."

GAME: Arissa rolls Use Magic Device: (7)+13: 20

<OOC> Arissa says, "Just enough to get the wand to work. Using and rolling."

GAME: Arissa used a Wand of Cure Light Wounds.

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d8+1: (2)+1: 3

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's out cold then, but not bleeding out. Zarr's murder is thwarted."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Pose that, and it is Zarr's turn."

<OOC> Zarr nods! "Meanwhile, I'll advance and lend a claw-strike to either of the two guards that were flambe'd. And it was self-defense.
Totally."

Arissa hurries over to the front-most pair as they fall, a wand in hand as she presses it to the one with a much more noticeable bleeding problem. The tip glows gold, some of the blood disappearing... and no more flows forth to replace it. "You must listen to me!" Arissa calls out, "None of you can withstand us and will only be felled if you continue this fight. Please set your weapons aside!"

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6

<OOC> Zarr goes after the worst-hurt. Leave the Crit for dreamland!

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's still standing, but wounded."

Zarr proceeds in accord with his twin, letting the dying fall into Arissa's tender ministrations, advancing fearlessly into the maelstrom of his cousin's flames. Metal flashes, razor claws towards the chosen target-- metal rakes in a shriek of pain, the pulse of hot blood bursting into the air.

"Surrender now," the Makar growls, "Or it gets *worse*."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "We're back up to the top with Drakha."

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will poke the more wounded one of the two with my spear"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Shiskabob him."

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Go ahead and pose that, and it is there turn. Quickly followed by the other pair as they hit the scene of combat."

Drakha decides to stop barbecuing the men for now and switches to taking a thrust with his spear on the one his kin just clawed, but has rather bad grip on his spear and it slips, making him to have to focus more on not dropping it than actually hitting. "Surrender now, or next one will hit!" he growls out to them, yes that was just a warning!

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (19)+3: 22

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18

The zealots are in no mood to surrender. Even wounded, they press on, unaffective combatants though they apparently are shaping up to be. The crude spears are thrust forwards, though only one strikes a solid target with anything resembling force and the fire-spewing Drakha happens to be the target of that particular blow. The other three are left just stabbing wildly and uneffectively.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Arissa?"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Magic Missile. Splitting, one missile on the most wounded of the ones Zarr/Drahka are fighting, two on the least wounded."

<OOC> Arissa is also stepping inside the building with a Move action, albeit staying back some.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Basically just past the first fallen pair."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Cast/roll/etc.?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll away."

GAME: Arissa casts Magic Missile.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Most wounded:"

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

<OOC> Arissa says, "Least:"

GAME: Arissa rolls 2d4+2: (8)+2: 10

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Both are still standing, though the least wounded is now one of the most wounded."

Arissa shakes her head several times as fighting continues, stepping over the fallen and into the church. "Listen..." A hand is held high overhead, three more gold-white bolts forming. "...To me!" A downward swiping motion sends the magic flying forth, zipping around the pair of sith-makar to hit those they are fighting. As before, Arissa is consciously splitting her fire; she just wants to take them down without being instantly lethal, a measure that ends in felling neither; both remain standing, if laboring to do so.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr?"

<OOC> Zarr says, "Split attacks-- Most and least hurt. The unhurt will be tended to momentarily, but my first focus is to get them off of Drakha."

<OOC> Zarr says, "Most hurt first."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Juuust misses both times."

<OOC> Zarr nods!

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Go ahead and pose that, and we move up to the top of the round again."

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will try to poke the most wounded guy again with my spear"

Zarr curves in sauriel posture, glittering claws gleaming with a new color, bright in scarlet. The Makar shifts in position, curving to intrude upon the spearmen levelling their weapons on Drakha; the claws miss, but only just-- pale faces and faint beads of sweat are the results left behind, and Zarr snarls as he continues, moving for the kill.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Let's see if it works better this time."

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5

<OOC> Drakha says, "Haha"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "This spear-working is not going well tonight."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (10)+3: 13

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (7)+3: 10

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (11)+3: 14

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5

Drakha growls out as this time one of their spears manages to penetrate his scales and actually draw blood, this also distracts him enough that his next thrust also misses by a wide margin, he usually isn't quite this clumsy in using it.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Eesh."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "We're back to Arissa already, after four rolls of fail."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Levitate 20 feet up. Magic Missile. Splitting, one on each of the currently wounded-but-active types, one on the nearest unwounded next to Zarr/Drakha."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, roll it."

GAME: Arissa casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

The four guards are, if possible, getting even worse at trying to stab the intruders upon their holy ground. Perhaps it is the general reptilian
onslaught that keeps them well back on their heels, as well as the magical bursts zipping around the two large Sith'makar to punch magical burns and damage into their flesh. These factors probably certainly help, as not a single guard manages to land anything resembling a decent hit on the pair of Sith'makar right in front of them.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, so.. First one is down, second one is so close it's not even funny, and the last one is sitting happy more or less."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "The first one is actually dying, on that note."

Arissa rises straight up and begins to float over the battle, her miniature 'angel wings' allowing her to have a surprisingly serene hover as she looks down even though this clashes with the forceful palm-thrusts she makes; another such gesture creates another trio of holy-magic bolts to fly out and strike an equal number of men; one falls with heavy breathing, a second looks ready to join the first, and the other flinches from the blow but remains standing. "It looks like you won't understand until I force you to. That's well enough... If I continue like this, none of you will have to die."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr?"

<OOC> Zarr leaves the Sir Almost-Dead to Drakha, and will engage the other two. Both attacks on Mr. Happy. (the last one mentioned)

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (1)+7: 8

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (11)+7: 18

<OOC> Arissa nods. Will be working on stabilizing them /after/ the fight... most of them should have enough HP/high enough Con scores to not immediately die, so.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Last one hits, cruuush hiiim."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6

<OOC> Zarr says, "...."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Or, y'know. Engage in gentle fisticuffs."

<OOC> Zarr mutters. :3

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's still standing. Hurt but still very upright."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Aaaand back up again, Drakha?"

Zarr twists towards the remaining guards, leaving the badly-battered form of the last to Drakha's good graces. He grins in that alligator-styled way, stalking forward with a slash to engage. Claw vs spear is a difficult battle-- the Makar strives to get close, and the spear gives the less-trained warrior reach. Difficult, but not impossible.... And the score of bloody lines on the spearman's arms indicates it as swiftly.

<OOC> Drakha says, "Well I will try to hit the most wounded of the ones still standing. Maybe I manage to roll higher than 1."

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21

<OOC> Drakha says, "Woot"

GAME: Drakha rolls 1d8+3: (6)+3: 9

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Drakha you impale the poor devil. He's knocking on death's door now, won't last many more rounds."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (14)+3: 17

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (16)+3: 19

Drakha seems to get back into the rhythm of the fight now as the spears of his enemies find no more weak spots in his natural scale armor, and he in turn finds a weak spot in the defenses of one of them, running the man through with his spear with a hiss, then yanking it back out as the man starts to crumble to the floor and turns towards the next one.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Descending to floor, Magic Missile on the one Zarr hit. Full shot on him."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll it."

GAME: Arissa casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Arissa rolls 3d4+3: (10)+3: 13

As two of the four crumple into a heap at the feet of the other two, things are looking very grim indeed for them. To their credit, however, they
only spare a single glance down at the pair of dying men before renewing their charge on the pair of Sith'makar, stabbing much more effectively this attempt but still completely failing to land a single blow. Things do not look good for them at this point.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "So, you blew the one Zarr was fighting away."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "That leaves one standing, Zarr?"

<OOC> Zarr says, "He's mine."

Arissa silently takes mental 'inventory' of the fallen, knowing she may have only seconds to spare in tending to each when this is over. And in the latest case, 'when this is over' will surely be too late... so even as her magic flies out to strike down the man Zarr is fighting, Arissa descends to the floor and looks to the man that was just felled at spear-point, knowing she may only have moments to keep him alive... and the same for the one she just shot.

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (6)+7: 13

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+7: (9)+7: 16

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Second one hit."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5: 10

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Dead!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Well."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Dying."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "So, all four of them are in varying degrees of 'I'm comin' home mamma'. Combat's done, so proceed as you like."

<OOC> Arissa will basically be going along trying to heal them in order of most-dying to least.

Zarr has no such compunctions-- for him, battle is battle, a challenge to be met until one is either yielded, dying, or dead. The first lash of steel claws slaps the guarding spearpoint away; the second executes its horrible, lurching strike as the red Makar steps forward, silvery tips curve, rising, to strike at underbelly's tender, tender flesh....

"Insufferably poor," the Scarlet growls, as he leaves the mankneeling in a puddle of his own entrails before him, dying with a moaning wail.
"Surely there are others nearby to be driving such rabble into conflict."

<OOC> Zarr nods!

<OOC> Zarr will take a look around the church room. Search and see! Such as can be.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Assume you can do so without issue. They'll all be stable and unconcious."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll per for me, Zarr."

GAME: Zarr rolls Perception: (1)+0: 1

<OOC> Arissa will also have a CLW wand charge to use on Drakha due to damage taken earlier.

Drakha sees the combat end for now and looks around to see what else of not there might be in the room, leaving the dying for Arissa apparently, especially he is looking for any kind of hatches on the floor or stairs going down or the like, as thats the most likely way forward.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "In any event, you see absolutely nothing. The glass is very pretty, however. Much like Arissa's butterfly from earlier."

GAME: Drakha rolls perception: (12)+6: 18

GAME: Arissa rolls Use Magic Device: (13)+13: 26

GAME: Arissa used a Wand of Cure Light Wounds.

GAME: Arissa rolls 1d8+1: (1)+1: 2

GAME: Lithuin damaged Drakha for -2 points. 22 remaining.

Arissa hurries over to the fallen with wand in hand, working to get pressure and improvised bandages -- usually some part of their own attire -- on the bleeding... it's not much, but it will keep them alive. Her wand is brought in hand after that, tapped to Drakha's form and mending some of a spear wound...

You paged Drakha with 'You are keen enough to note that the first man felled back by the door is no longer by the door. He was wounded bad, but able to crawl away sneakily while the fighting was going on. He's left a drag trail along with blood, but he's nowhere in sight now. Up at the front where the foremost guards had been you see a very solid-looking door with an equally solid-looking lock on it.'

Zarr leaves the wounded to Arissa's ministrations. Zarr simply wanders around the room, certain that there is more, somewhere... But not much caring for it as yet. His eyes wander over the delicately made glass, hovering on teh different colorations with fascination. "Sssstained glass...." he murmurs, apparently the first he has seen such things.

Drakha pages: That trail is heading to that door?

You paged Drakha with 'The trail is headed back out of the church. The wounded guy is crawling.'

You paged Drakha with 'The door itself is at the opposite end, looking imposing and interesting.'

Drakha looks around some in the church, checking behind the altar and the back first, then shaking his head as nothing of interest is there and walks his way back towards the entrance. Then he stops and growls. "The one from the entrance has escaped out... if you want to question one of them Arissa, I suggest tracking him down, he can't have got far, that trail of blood is not hard to follow." he points out to the others, then walks to a sturdy looking door near the entrance. "After that, I believe we find the answer to this mystery from behind this."

<OOC> Arissa will be doing that. Going off to pursue the escaped one, that is.

Kilroy has connected.

"Not simply to question him but also save him, if my impression is apt." Arissa responds as she begins to jog for the front door and heading outside, planning to track down the one that fled. She calls back as she goes, "You may wish to secure our other foes, but please do not be cruel to them!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, Arissa. He was severely wounded so he hasn't gotten far. You spot him crawling in the general direction of the woods near the church. A lazy trot will carry to you his side before he gets anywhere near it."

<OOC> Arissa looks. Anyone following? Or are the other PCs planning to stay and secure the church/fallen enemies/etc.?

<OOC> Zarr will admire the pretty glass a moment longer, then move on to guard Arissa.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "As for the chaps in the church, Drakha has pointed out a sealed and important looking door. What you do with that is up to
you."

Arissa overtakes the wounded man with ease, smiling even as the glow in her eyes fades and her expression otherwise returns to normal. "What is this? You saw that I went to some lengths to spare your fellows and even now you flee? Will you not stand down and accept my aid, so that we might bring this to a good end?" Her voice is light, honestly trying to offer help instead of taunting the defeated... even if she does look a little odd by showing a softly warm, wide smile right after a violent fight like this.

<OOC> Kilroy says, "Important looking door? I'll search for traps."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure, give me a roll."

GAME: Kilroy rolls perception: (15)+5: 20

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Door seems untrapped. It's just securely locked with a big heavy lock on the exterior."

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll try to disable the lock."

Zarr perhaps.... diplomatically, remains some distance from Arissa and the wounded. Though looking nonchalant is an impossibility, considering the blood clinging to steely fingers.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "I'll just assume you can open it, given enough time."

<OOC> Kilroy says, "Ok"

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will instead search the unconsious people for keys..."

Within the church, Kilroy carefully examines the sealed door. After examining the door, he draws some probes and tools from his kit and proceeds plies the heavy lock on the exterior with them. "Damned, accursed thing.." he fights with the lock for a while, eventually popping it poen with a ''click''.

The wounded man crawls with one arm, assisted by some knee-work. His other arm is across his chest, stemming a steady trickle of blood from a wound there as he scrapes his way across the rough ground in the direction of the trees. Arissa's voice causes him to start abruptly, and then begin to crawl with even more vigour - which accomplishes nothing. It's rather pathetic really. He groans and slumps in a heap on the grass with the pain of the exertion, though continues to inch forwards. "Away from me, heathen! I want nothing to do with you and your pets."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Drakha would locate a key on one of the downed men, fits the lock on the door Kilroy just picked. Might be more locks ahead though, you never know."

<OOC> Arissa is curious about something, and going to try an alignment-dependent effect on the wounded man.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure."

Drakha finds a key from one of the unconsious men and puts it in one of the pouches at his belt for now since the door is already open. "Well then, lets see what more we can find from downstairs, once everyone are back." he offers, waiting for Arissa to return before moving onwards.

Arissa's smile remains even as the man crawls away and shouts at her. She walks over beside him, conjuring up gold-white holy flame and letting it 'burn' him... only, the fires refuse to do so; they vanish within seconds of contact, leaving the man to have only felt a momentary pleasantness in his body. "It is as I thought. You rail at me, but really you are no cruel man and the heavens would not see you dead. My offer is plain enough... I would tend to you if you will tell me more of what has happened. If you refuse, I will still tend to you but leave you unconscious, so that you may not hinder our efforts."

She offers him a single nod, still giving the man a warm look despite her odd offer. "It is your choice, but please decide quickly. Your life is guaranteed regardless."

*That* comment draws Zarr's merciless eye. Fangs flash again as he unfurls the gore-splattered arms, and the calm of just a moment prior is supplanted by the more-than-willing urge to re-educate the wounded man on *not poking toothy lizards*.... The gleam of heavenly fire is remarkable, beautiful, sparkling... And quite the forerunner to an angry metal fist thumping into the palm of the other, the Makar glaring pointedly.

"Let me hit him," Zarr growls, glaring at the unconcious zealot. "He will live, and there are still others to find."

GAME: Arissa rolls Diplomacy: (14)+9: 23

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's a hostile, so according to this chart it's a no go."

<OOC> Arissa nods.

The wounded man yelps as the painless flames wash over him, and though it does him neither harm nor good Arissa might as well have kicked him a few times in the ribs. Her words fall on deaf ears and the wounded man waves angrily at her with a clenched fist - as best as he can manage - "Begone, witch! I'll not be tainted by any of your unclean magic. I would sooner die than be befouled by such devilry." Tad ironic choice of words. He continues to crawl along, gaining on the woods at the pace of a wounded turtle.

Arissa holds up a hand at Zarr's offer. "You must not do that. I would see him..." She's cut off by more ranting and yelling, and backs off a few steps in resignation. "Nevermind what I said. Strike him so that he will no longer trouble us, but do not end his life! I have seen evidence enough that he is likely a victim in this matter who can only be helped once this matter has been set right."

Zarr growls, but nods. And tends to the poor, sad man with the "gift" of unconciousness.

One hearty *crack* upside the head later, Zarr moves in behind Arissa, the cultist tossed over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Not worth chewing on anyway," he mutter to himself. "Smelly and pathetic. Hssssk.
The now open doorway reveals a series of stone steps, carved out of dirt and then covered with carefully carved rock to serve as the only way down into the bowels of the earth beneath the church. It is not well lit, in fact it is nearly completely dark once the first spiral in the stair caries the doorway and the light flooding through it out of sight.

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll belt on my conveniently heatless everburning torch."

Seeing the looming darkness below, Kilroy draws a torch from his back which glows with magical fire, tucking it into a beltloop for light. He takes up a solid grip on his hammer, ready to follow Zarr into the darkness.

Zarr discards his "package" at the top of the atairwell, alongside the other senseless cultists. Clawed blades briefly cleaned, the Makar enters the stairwell, spiralling down into the shadows with careful steps. Metal clinks as he moves, reflecting from polished plate, glittering tines. Bright eyes all but glow as he moves, sniffing at the air as he slides beneath the earth.

Drakha will let the two more heavily armed ones to go down first before following after them. "Lets see what we can find from here, don't use light yet, these are humans, they can't see in the dark, so they likely have their own lights there. We can move through the dark without much problems as we are in no hurry."

Arissa offers a 'thank you' to Zarr as he deals with the last of the men, and then she follows the group with magic rod in hand. "Humans in unwitting league with vile forces. We do not know for certain what we will face and I would not fault having lights ready."

The walk is a fairly long one, the air growing damp and cold the further down the party proceeds. Should the light remain lit, it will flicker on and illuminate the path ahead of the party to just around the next bend in the staircase until at long last they come to bottom layer of the church. The walls appear to be hewn out of the very stone making up the ground here, and the sound of running water somewhere off to the right can be heard. It is as black as pitch beyond the glowing aura of the torch, but that glow will eventually reveal another solid door at the end of a long passage. It too is currently locked, but not by a padlock. The keyhole in the door itself though looks about the right size to be fit by the key Drakha had grabbed earlier. However, even to the shoddiest hearing, the sounds of chanting can be heard coming from the other side of the heavy door.

<OOC> Arissa has buffs to hand out!

<OOC> Arissa says, "If it's okay."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Go right ahead."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Okay. First up is Bless (will have to be 'proxy-cast' due to bloodline spells and code issues). +1 attack, +1 save vs. Fear for
5 minutes."

<OOC> Arissa says, "If nothing interrupts this, Levitate on self (lasts 5 minutes)."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You're free to cast levitate."

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will also cast shield just before we open the door"

Chanting on the other side of the wall causes Arissa to do likewise, as she steps back and holds up a hand to stall the group. "A moment. I would share a gift of the heavens with you if we are to proceed!" She then begins chanting in Celestial, with two notable effects. First, her 'mini-angel wings' return. Perhaps more dramatic is the 'explosion' of gold-white light that erupts from her, washing over the party... and when it fades a moment later they're all instilled with a sense of righteous confidence! A nod follows, Arissa's eyes now glowing fully 'glazed gold' once again.

GAME: Arissa casts Grease.

GAME: Arissa casts Levitate.

Drakha eyes the door as they get to it, taking out the key and handing it to either Zarr or Kilroy, whichever wants to get it. "I believe this fits to the door. Lets see whats going on there, shall we?" he suggests, before making some gestures front of him and speaking in draconic, making a glowing field of force around him for a moment, before it fades.

<OOC> Zarr grabs key. Opens door. Menaces evildoers. Good times.

Zarr retrieves the key from Drakha, a sibillant sound of assent given in return. A tiny click, the flicker of motion-- the Makar releases the lock on the door before he opens it in the most prime and profound way.... a savage kick to the doorjamb.

"Hello..." Zarr rumbles with a wicked grin, striding into the room with malice aforethought.

GAME: You clear initiatives.
GAME: Lithuin has cleared initiatives.

The bang of the heavy door crashing into the wall has every set of eyes within the room rotating to fix upon the now open portal and the Sith'Makar standing there. The light from Kilroy's torch, however, only illuminates so much but it is enough. Near the door are more doors, set into the walls themselves. These resemble the doors of a secure prison, however, with little slats at both the top and the bottom. Groaning and moaning can be heard from within the cells, but the true eyecatcher of the room is the centerpiece. The only reason it can be seen is because it is light with two torches of a baleful blue light that burn atop the statues shoulders. The statue itself is a beautiful women with long flowing hair, all carved into marble. Her smile is not right though, it is cruel and as cold as the dark gems that serve as her eyes.

Beneath this statue, with arms raised up to it in supplication, is a richly-robed Shadow Elf. Around him in a semi-circle are four more of his kind, all armed and armoured though not as extravagantly as the apparent head of the group. The four beneath the priest are the ones currently turned to look at the intrusion, eyes gleaming in the low light of the room until the priest himself turns around as well. "Kill the interlopers," is all he says, his tone one of completetly collected calm. He claps his hands once, and the blue torches on the statue are snuffed out leaving that area in total darkness. The only light for those unable to see in the blackness is Kilroy's torch.

<OOC> Arissa says, "Hm. Can I ask a few geometry questions before we go into inits?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure."

<OOC> Arissa says, "What are the general dimensions of this area, /including/ ceiling height (since this impacts Levitate usage)? Any significant
terrain that would modify how one moves about in here?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "From what you could perceive when the torches were lit in the center of the room, this chamber is probably at least sixty feet around, as it is circular. From the light of the torch you can tell the ceiling over your heads slopes upwards the further towards the middle you get, but it's safe to assume that it is likely at least thirty or forty feet high. Beyond that, the terrain is hard to tell. Directly before you from what you can see in the torch light, paved stone. Those with dark vision can tell that the room is largely empty, save for two altars off to either direct side of the statue and that the roof does indeed slope to a very high point."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Works for me!"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Are we going into inits at this point?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Yeah, we're cleared for take off."

GAME: Drakha rolls initiative: Roll: 2 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 4

GAME: Arissa rolls initiative: Roll: 20 + Bonus: 6 = Total: 26

GAME: Zarr rolls initiative: Roll: 1 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 4

GAME: You roll initiative for SEBoss: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 19

GAME: You roll initiative for SESoldiers: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 22

GAME: You roll initiative for SESoldiers2: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 18

<pre>
===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------
26 Arissa
----------------------------------------
22 SESoldiers
----------------------------------------
19 SEBoss
----------------------------------------
18 SESoldiers2
----------------------------------------
16 Kilroy
----------------------------------------
4 Zarr
----------------------------------------
4 Drakha
----------------------------------------
========================================
</pre>

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, so first up is Arissa. At this point, you can't see the SE's but they can all see you."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Arissa levitates 20 feet up, begins casting Summon Monster 2. This will require an additional full-round action next round to complete."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, go ahead and pose what you like. Next up are the first set of soldiers. I split them into two groups of two for ease."

GAME: Arissa casts Summon Monster II.

You paged (Drakha, Zarr) with 'You can see what they're up to. They both move off as a well synchronized pair to the left and forwards to flank the group, both drawing long, slim blades as they go.'

Arissa calls back to the voice, "Your efforts are vile, and will meet failure and not victory!" She begins floating toward the ceiling, once more bobbing up and down in the air after her ascent... and she starts chanting in Celestial, a glowing white circle forming in front of her. It persists for several seconds, her voice continuing a soft 'singing chant'... she can't see everything in here, but that isn't immediately concerning to her.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Arissa, roll your Will save. DC 15."

GAME: Arissa rolls Will: (7)+6: 13

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You are frozen in place up in the air."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Can I get a spellcraft check to ID the effect, since that's just mental action?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sure."

GAME: Arissa rolls Spellcraft: (14)+8: 22

You paged Arissa with 'It's Hold Person.'

From afar, Arissa nods.

There is the sound of chanting from the centre of the room, followed by the sound of very quick footsteps padding across the stone floor as well as umistakable noise of swords being drawn from their sheathes. For those with dark vision, they are able to discern exactly what the Shadow Elves are up to. For those without, it just sounds ominous.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Kilroy?"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll cast shield"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay."

GAME: Kilroy casts Shield.

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll then move up 20'"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Alright, go ahead and pose such. Zarr?"

You paged (Zarr, Drakha) with 'The other pair did the same by the way, just the opposite side.'

You paged (Zarr, Drakha) with 'They're fast, and they're pretty might /right/ next to the group, just outside the light of the torch.'

Kilroy waves one hand in an arcane gesture and utters a phrase in a strange tongue, creating a shimmering, translucent shield before him. He advanced slowly into the room, his torch casting shadows all around.

<OOC> Zarr says, "Well, since two of them were so polite as to come, I'll meet them halfway-- Hopefully a bit of surprise as I move to engage them in the Dark! The team to the flank, if you please. Charge SE Team 1!"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "Should give the others dim light out to 40', which hopefully illuminates a 60' room from 20' in"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sounds like sound math to mine ears. You can all see what's up now, not just the Sith'Makar."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "The cleric is hanging way back at the statue, pointing at Arissa currently. The two groups of soldiers sprinted off and are now a hop skip and a jump away from the door with swords drawn."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Well, you can.. Get the general gist. Dim Light and all."

<OOC> Zarr says, "Engages the team attempting to flank. One target, but charging. So!"

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+11: (19)+11: 30

<OOC> Zarr says, "Threat."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+11: (11)+11: 22

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Crit."

GAME: Zarr rolls 2d6+10: (7)+10: 17

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will move to meet the other pair of soldiers, to 10 feet away from them and then light 'em up with burning hands"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll 'em."

GAME: Drakha casts Burning Hands.

GAME: Drakha rolls 3d4+3: (9)+3: 12

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (5)+3: 8

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Slow Elves. They get burnt pretty damn good but they're still up."

Darkness. It is a cloak and a shield and a solace, a screen from brightness and light, an armor of utter power for those who live in shadows.

But gods help you if you face another, so attuned to the night, to taste the blood and scent and sweat on the air....

Lightning envies the Makar as he springs into motion. Lazing as if to the last second, as if he could not see the approaching warriors in the dark-- Steel flashes in a glittering arc of silver, and Zarr's snarling rage is epitomized in the first stroke of bloody fury. At the flank of the party, a dark elf warrior stares in horrified fascination as the room explodes into a spray of red. Zarr snarls as the warrior falls, throat ripped completely away by a murderous slash.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Back up to the top of the round. Roll your Will again Arissa."

Drakha marches into the room, his keen draconic vision able to easily pierce the shadows, he sees his kin taking on one side of the approaching enemy, and moves himself to intercept the other ones so Zarr wont get surrounded, stopping just a few steps away from them as he takes in a deep breath, and then breathes out a cone of fire bathing the shadow elves in it, and briefly illuminating them for those with lesser visions, and also likely turning their skin even more black than it was already. "Fools, darkness can not hide you from the eyes of dragons." he bellows to the two badly burnt elves front of him as he holds his spear at the ready for them.

GAME: Arissa rolls Will: (19)+6: 25

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You break free."

Arissa gasps as her legs suddenly go rigid... then her circle vanishes, as the rest of her body similarly seizes up, including her mouth! She just continues to bob up and down softly in the air... then manages a whisper to herself: "Not yet..." Her hands start to twitch as she forces herself through the paralysis, starting to smile...

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Sorry about that, had to check something."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Roll Will again, Arissa. Same DC."

GAME: Arissa rolls Will: (11)+6: 17

<OOC> Arissa is guessing that was another Hold Person? Matters for posing.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Silence that time."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "I'll handle the next soldiers then do a chunk pose to get that mess all summed up."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (9)+3: 12

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Hoy."
<OOC> Lithuin says, "Okay, posing."

As one of the Elves in the first group is obliterated by Zarr, his companion quick-steps backwards as the shower of gore splashes across him. He is quick enough to get an arm up and protect his eyes, but his temporary flailing of that limb also causes his strike to go awry. The slim blade is swung through the air, completely missing Zarr.

The cleric, meanwhile, is looking annoyed at the failure of his first spell. He begins to murmur again, his hands moving rhythmically for a few seconds before an invisible force blasts from his hands in Arissa's direction. It completely loses steam before reaching the floating caster, however, and dissipates like a soft wind against a brick wall as it washes across her.

The other pair of Elves, both still smoking in places, fair no better as they attempt to coordinate themselves on the Sith'Makar who just roasted them quite thoroughly. Neither, however, are able to see well enough at this point to land a hit at all.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Kilroy!"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'll rage, charge, and flank the shadow elf in melee with Zarr."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Charge away."

GAME: Kilroy rolls 1d20+12: (9)+12: 21

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Hit."

GAME: Kilroy rolls 1d12+9: (7)+9: 16

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He's down."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Not dead, but down."

<OOC> Kilroy says, "ok"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr?"

<OOC> Zarr says, "Charge the cleric!"

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+11: (15)+11: 26

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Ho boy. Hit."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (2)+5: 7

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Solid blow, the cleric is suspiciously more sturdy than the soldiers however."

<OOC> Zarr says, "Suspicious!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Drakha, you're on deck."

<OOC> Drakha says, "I five feet step back away from the two guys on me, and then burning hands them again"

Kilroy's optics flicker from green to red, the golem flexing his steel ligaments as he raises his hammer. He charges toward the shadow elf engaged in in melee with Zarr, flanking him. Kilroy brings down his lucerne hammer on the shadow elf, striking him to the ground in a single blow.

GAME: Drakha casts Burning Hands.

GAME: Drakha rolls 3d4+3: (9)+3: 12

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (10)+3: 13

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+3: (6)+3: 9

<OOC> Lithuin says, "They're done."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Extra crispy."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Pose roasting them alive, and we're back to Arissa."

Zarr hisses mocking laughter as the last solider swings blindly, only to meet his end on the warforged's heavy hammer. Before the second elf hits the ground, Zarr is on the move, heavy plate and powerful muscles unleashing the bloody storm of blades in the dark elf cleric's direction. The red Makar leaps, silver claws slashing; the hit is a strong one, viciously scored. Blood flies briefly as the Makar warrior lands, teeth glittering as he grins with ferocious malice.

"Show the throat, softskin," Zarr rumbles. "Or suffer the more for it!"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Begin Summon Monster 2."

Drakha laughs at the feeble blows from the two shadow elves, stepping back from their reach as he draws in another deep breath, before exhaling it in yet another fan of flames, engulfing both of the two shadow elves and burning them thoroughly enough that both slump down in a smoking heap, after which he turns his attention over towards the apparent leader of these elves.

You paged (Drakha, Zarr) with 'At the far end of the room, you two will notice that there is a suspiciously glassy surface to the wall. Looks like someone slapped a mirror up there or something.'

Arissa begins chanting once more, the white circle in front of her returning as she continues to float. It vanished last time on account of her being interrupted, and this time the circle similarly does nothing immediately obvious even as Arissa continues her soft Celestial urgings at it...

To (Drakha, Lithuin), Zarr pages: Hmmm! Magic is your perview, Cousin.

GAME: Arissa casts Summon Monster II.

Drakha pages: I wonder if knowledge/arcana would tell anything of note about it?
You paged Drakha with 'I'll save you the trouble: it's not magical. From what you can see, it's just a mirror albiet a very well-polished one.'
Drakha pages: Ok

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr, you get an AoO on the cleric. He's getting the hell out of Doge."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d20+9: (11)+9: 20

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You hit, Zar."

GAME: Zarr rolls 1d6+5: (2)+5: 7

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Wounded, but he gets away."

The cleric lurches back as Zarr engages him, hissing as his blood leaks through the fresh wound dug into him. "Begone, lizard. You meddle in affairs beyond you," he replies in a cold, accented voice. The grip of the Elf is surprisingly strong as he grabs the Sith'Makar's limbs and forces the much larger creature off of his far smaller frame. He turns abruptly, exposing himself to retaliation from Zarr but disregarding the danger as he suffers whatever blow he is given in exchange for making his escape. He is sprinting swiftly across the cave floor, bleeding from rather grievous wounds that do not manage to slow him. To those unable to see well enough in the dark, it looks like he's running directly at a very solid wall.

A very loud crash resounds throughout the cavern hall as he slams into the polished glass there, turning his head and barrelling into it shoulder-first. He sails through in a spray of glass, sinking out of sight rather quickly: apparently there is a very big pit on the other side of the now-broken mirror. Seconds later, a splash.

<OOC> Arissa says, "So he... went into water?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "How fast can the lot of you run?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Yes."

<OOC> Arissa can send some summons that could easily overtake him depending on which terrain they're going into.

<OOC> Drakha says, "Well water somewhere far below at other side of the window"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I can go 120' per round running, myself"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "He dropped into an underground river and is, presumably, swimming like the devil. The flow will carry him very quickly."

<OOC> Drakha says, "Same, but would prefer to not jump down to some unknown pit."

<OOC> Arissa has summons that can easily overtake him in water.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Feel free to use them."

<OOC> Zarr hrms! "Speed reduced to 20 by the plate, but can swim like the dickens..."

<OOC> Arissa nods. Will do so on my turn.

<OOC> Arissa ends questions for now though since it's not my turn.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "We're back to Kilroy, by the by. What would you like to do?"

<OOC> Kilroy says, "I'm not going to jump in after him, so I'll roll the bodies."

<OOC> Kilroy says, "And stop raging, of course"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Alrighty, Zarr? Your call. I'm not going to say specifically what's down there until you leap, if you choose to do so."

<OOC> Zarr chintaps. "Why not? LEAPRARRH! After him!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Fair enough, Drakha?"

<OOC> Drakha says, "I will walk over to the window and look down to see what is there, and then depending on what I see, will likely say
something"

You paged Drakha with 'You'll see that the pit going down is hardly a smooth one. There are rough hewn edges all along, some apparently carved specifically so that the unwary will dash themselves to pieces leaping down. At the very bottom, easily a hundred foot drop, is a rushing river.'

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Zarr, gimme a reflex by the way."

GAME: Zarr rolls Reflex: (16)+4: 20

<OOC> Lithuin says, "You avoid breaking yourself to pieces on the oddly jutted rocks that point out here and there the whole way down the drop and make it to the water."

Drakha frowns as he sees the cleric dive through the window, marching to the edge to look down and see whats there, shaking his head then. "It would be crazy to jump down there, and by the time we get down safely, he will be long gone. But, it seems that the problem has been dealt with here, he isn't likely to return after that narrow escape." he concludes, looking back around the others. "Lets instead see what is in the cells, perhaps we can still save some of the villagers."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Arissa, your call. After you we're more or less done with init."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Ah. Basically she's sending a Small Water Elemental to pursue. Swim speed 90 feet."

Impetuous? Who? Ah, red Sith named Zarr.... Who took to the waves in hot pursuit, barely able to dodge underwater rocks! The swim is difficult but not impossible; the thick tail is powerfully built and capable of propelling even the metal-laden warrior back to the surface with a growl. Pursuit!

<OOC> Arissa says, "She's not going in herself however, so will be mostly looking around the area to check cells and such after she lands"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "What's the perception like on them?"

<OOC> Arissa says, "Perception +4, has Darkvision."

GAME: Lithuin rolls 1d20+4: (4)+4: 8

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Perception check, to find him down there. Won’t succeed."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Ah, okay... so, basically the water battle is now a non-issue?"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Yeah, he's more or less fled."

<OOC> Arissa says, "Okay. Arissa lands and begins looking around the cells."

GAME: You clear initiatives.

GAME: Lithuin has cleared initiatives.

<OOC> Zarr nods. "And with that, Zarr returns to the party. And I must sleep. Late!"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Just the wrap-up now, more or less. There are a lot of cells in this place, and they're all locked. Drakha's key will work."

Arissa's chanting is eventually rewarded with a swirling mass of water with something vaguely resembling a face emerging from the circle; it takes to the water with obvious ease, pursuing the departing shadow elf.

As for Arissa, she has no urge to fling herself into rivers... and thus lands on the floor, proceeding to walk toward the cell doors, hoping to see if anyone is within them and whether they need help or not...

Drakha walks to the nearest cell an opens it with the key, then starts going around the room and repeat the process for each one, leaving it for Arissa to check the contents of them.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Each cell will have about four to five people in it. There is not a total of 60, and close inspection of the altars near the statue will reveal a lot of old blood."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "They're all pretty weak, and none of them exactly come spilling out of the rooms."

<OOC> Arissa has, um, various healing (Heavenly Fire on Good people, Heal checks, etc. CLW wands if necessary)?

<OOC> Drakha says, "If they are in walking condition then I would imagine its good enough and we can get them to the village where they can rest"

<OOC> Lithuin says, "No one will die on you out of hand, but you'll want to be getting them out of this dark hole at some point in the near future.
Think concentration camp prisoners."

<OOC> Arissa nods.

<OOC> Drakha says, "And we probably want to deliver the 'converts' from upstairs to the village too to be put in custody."

<OOC> Lithuin says, "One of the rooms, not far from where the cleric leapt through the mirror, opens up into a hall. Should you choose to go
take a quick look, it will eventually lead you back up to the surface and out in a heavily wooded area. There are definite signs of traffic there."

Kilroy divests the newly-deceased shadow elves of their valuables then positions them in compromising poses before giving the statue of Taara a peremptory smashing.

As the cells' contents are revealed, both by door opening and Arissa conjuring up some magical light to aid her vision, she lifts a hand to her mouth and lets out a gasp... then tries to stow that; the people within don't need horrified shock, they need confident benevolence.

Thus, she stows her magic rod and approaches groups of them at a time, speaking up to be heard by all: "It is alright now. You will come to no further pain and we are here to help. Please stay as you are... you will be tended to and then brought back to your homes and families." This softness is perhaps an odd contrast to Kilroy's more... vengeful actions.

GAME: Arissa casts Light.

<OOC> Lithuin says, "Also worth note, more than one of the prisoners mutters something about "Thank the Black Father" when you free them.
You won't get much more out of them than that though."

Recent Logs

2011-06-23T03:50:11Z

Genesis:

[[Category:Logs]]
Roleplay is central to Tenebrae, and consists of a mix of scenes, grid, and PrPs. Here you may read some of the logs our players have posted, or wanted to share. This page may also be used to post logs for PrPs, to share an item for staff review, or to tell players about a great scene. Just remember to ask folks in the scene if it's alright before posting (if it's a DM'd scene, ask the DM). Remember too, if you're RPing in a public area, a log may end up on this site. A public area is anyplace that's on the main grid that isn't a residence, personal room, or Plot Room.

===How to Post Logs===
Please prepend PrPs with PrP: Name of Log. This includes all kinds of PrPs; Standard, Death Consent, and Dramatic (respectively, SPrPs, DCPrPs, and DPrPs). Most recent logs are at the bottom.

If you're unsure how to post a log, see [[How to Post a Log]]. If you're posting a PrP, here is a [[PrP Template]] you can use. If you're unsure what to include in the log, and it is a PrP, check out [[Submitting PrPs]] for a quick list. [http://emblemofea.pbworks.com/w/page/12036798/Game-Logs The logs on the old site] are still available.

'''Be sure to put all pages into<nowiki> [[Category: Logs]]</nowiki>. Thank you.'''

===Our Logs===

* [[PrP: Beneath the Church]]
* [[PrP: Earthshaper Part I]]

* [[Ancestors Pyre|Ancestor's Pyre]]
* [[PrP: Teena's Bad Day]]
* [[PrP: Timmy's Uncle]]
* [[PrP: Black Ring Rising]]
* [[PrP: That's not Timmy!]]

* [[PrP: There's Banditry Afoot]]
* [[PrP: Wolves in the Winter]]
* [[Back At The Ranch|Back At The Ranch...]]
* [[Boy Meets Girl]]
* [[Ashenvale Part 2|PRP: Ashenvale Part 2]]

* [[PrP: The Competition|PRP: The Competition]]
* [[Falcon Point: Teeth of the Deep|PRP: Falcon Point - Teeth of the Deep]]
* [[PrP: Chicken Chasers!]]
* [[PrP: Brothers of the Storm Part I]]

* [[PrP: Fistful of Chitlins]]
* [[PrP: Watt's Mine is Mine]]
* [[PrP: 3375 Cubic Feet of Terror]]
* [[PrP: Adventure, Inc. - Part 1]]
* [[PrP: Godbusters]]
* [[Tournament Paramount: Magic Competition Round 1]]
* [[Dramatic Scene: Guild of Explorer's Meeting: Dwarven Citadel Expedition]]

* [[PrP: Rats!]]
* [[UglyBats|PRP: Huggin' Ugly Bats]]
* [[GrandParade|Dramatic Scene: Machinists Grand Parade]]

* [[PrPALittleBatty|PRP: A Little Batty]]
* [[Dragon in the Garden]]
* [[Bacon Liberation Team|PRP: Bacon Liberation Team]]
* [[Daggers in the Dark|PRP: Daggers in the Dark]]
* [[Adventurous Rivalry|PRP: Adventurous Rivalry]]

* [[The Poisoning of the Myrrish Ambassador]]
* [[Hell's Medicine Part 1|PRP: Hell's Medicine Part 1]]
* [[Gnap!|PRP: Gnap!]]
* [[Why Did It Have To Be Rats?|PRP: Why Did It Have To Be Rats?]]
* [[Necromancer's Folly|PRP: Necromancer's Folly]]

* [[Tears in Dust Part 1|PRP: Tears in Dust Part 1]]
* [[A Veyshanti Sort Of Arrangement|PRP: A Veyshanti Sort Of Arrangement]]
* [[Tears in Dust Part 2|PRP: Tears in Dust Part 2]]
* [[Heroic by Proxy|PRP: Heroic by Proxy]]
* [[DPRP: Run, Thief, Run!]]

* [[Hell's Medicine Part 2|PRP: Hell's Medicine Part 2]]
* [[Tooth and Sky|PRP: Tooth and Sky]]
* [[The Hauntening|PRP: The Hauntening]]
* [[Tidehollow's Challenge|Tidehollow's Challenge]]
* [[Caller in Darkness|PRP: Caller in Darkness]]

* [[PrP: Codices, Indices, and Odysseys]]
* [[PrP: Codex Bifolium]]
* [[Shadowfall is coming]]

* [[Hell's Medicine Part 3|PRP: Hell's Medicine Part 3]]

[[Category:Admin]]

Lithuin

2011-06-19T07:52:50Z

Genesis: Created page with "center Category:Characters"

[[File:Lith2.jpg|frame|center]]

[[Category:Characters]]

File:Lith2.jpg

2011-06-19T07:51:15Z

Genesis:

Character Pages

2011-06-19T07:47:44Z

Genesis:

Emblem of Ea is home to a number of colorful and interesting characters. In order to make a page, you will need to be logged in with your forum ID. If you're having trouble logging in, please see the [[Help:Editing|Wiki Help]] in the [[Start Here]] section.

For help on making a character page, please see [[How to Make a Character Page]].

<center>'''Be sure to put all pages into <nowiki>[[</nowiki>Category: Player<nowiki>]]</nowiki>. Thank you.'''</center>

{{CompactTOC}}

[[Category:Player]]

==A==
* [[Abrahil]]
* [[Agril]]
* [[Amira|Amir'a al'Jarim]]
* [[Aynssyrn Bainduis]]

==B==
* [[Boshter]]

==C==
* [[Colrick Voss]]
* [[Craft]]

==D==
* [[Darshan]]

==E==
* [[Edmee|Edmee Sulwen]]

==F==
* [[Faiza]]

==G==
==H==
==I==
* [[Ionus]]

==J==
==K==
* [[Kaliara|Kaliara Sein]]
* [[Karelin Andarin]]
* [[Karl Mattock]]
* [[Kerbasi]]
* [[Koszhey Urvald Malinovyi]]
* [[Kylie D'malthyae]]
* [[Kyra Smith]]

==L==
* [[Leisel]]
* [[Lithuin]]

==M==
* [[Maerkkus]]
* [[Matthias Haelker]]
* [[Myrana Jn'Rajh]]
* [[Mikilos]]

==N==
* [[Nin-galad]]
==O==
==P==
==Q==
==R==
* [[Roland]]

==S==
* [[Lady Sandiel]]
* [[Hailee Serene Tigriil]]
* [[Lady Sienna Meribeth McBane]]
* [[Siseroa Shurik]]
* [[Sophia Lightbringer]]
* [[Selia]]
* [[Shyntae]]

==T==
* [[Thaim]]
* [[Teena Longshot]]
* [[Thistle]]

==U==
==V==
==W==
==X==
* [[Xenarchy Malzash]]

==Y==
* [[Ylva]]
* [[Younger, Bruce The|Bruce the Younger]]
* [[Yerathiel]]

==Z==
* [[Zerridwyn Angosil]]

PrP: Wolves in the Winter

2011-02-13T02:30:08Z

Genesis:

== '''Wolves in the Winter''' ==

== DM ==

Nin-Galad

== Party ==

Norii - Sorceror 4

Thistle - Barbarian 4

== Summary ==

The local citizens of a small but growing village worry about the nightly prowlers howling at their gates and in the woods just outside their doors at night. A pair of adventurers have been dispatched to see just what the devil is going on, and then wipe whatever it is out if possible.

== Purchases ==

'''Thistle:''' 2x Potion of CLW

'''Norii:''' 1x Potion of CLW

== Enemies ==

'''Encounter 1: 3/5 Killed.'''

5x CR 1 Wolf Creatures.

'''Encounter 2: Incomplete; adventurer's retreated.'''

5x CR 1 Wolf Creatures.

== The Adventure ==

The town Ulstvale is a fairly secluded hamlet along the roads which wind their way through the forests that blanket the feet of the tall, white mountain like an ever-green skirt. It is prosperous, however, with a functioning gold mine and a strong foundation of town officials. Supplies come and go steadily, and there are more than a few able-bodied men to defend the town from would-be incursions. Indeed, it's a rather scenic semi-mountain village, ensconsed in the evergreen forest with the mountain underfoot and to its rear. When the weather is mild, the wagons move freely to and fro from one end of the town to the other, and it will surely not be long before this town begins to expand its wooden-plank borders.

What this town is not so equipped to deal with, however, is kidnapping. Of late, /creatures/ of some kind have been seen to roam the edges of the pines during the cold wintery nights. They walk like men but tower far higher than a man would, with glaring eyes that burn like two pinpricks of light in the dark background of the forest. Citizens who wander outside the towns border after dark have gone missing, and with an alarming frequency. So alarming, in fact, that the town is gearing up quickly for a full-scale assault. While they do this, however, they can risk no men to send on excursions into the woods to try and locate the lair of these creatures, or what remains of those who have been taken. So it falls to you, to risk life and limb at the town's behest while they prepare themselves for an attack that could possibly wipe out the town. Travellers are their only hope at this point, as no villagers can be spared on what is potentially - though no one mentions this - a suicide mission. Every villager will be needed if the things lurking in the woods decide to make a move, as surely they would if they saw armed men leaving it unprotected.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Any purchases you guys want to make? o:"

<OOC> Thistle would like two CLWs

<OOC> Thistle says, "Norii if you don't buy potions for yourself this time I will kick you. XD"

<OOC> Thistle had to keep pouring hers down Lucavi's throat xD

<OOC> Norii is saving for an umbrella >.>

<OOC> Thistle kick! XD

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "An umbrella?"

<OOC> Norii says, "Mitheril combat umbrella :o"

<OOC> Norii will buy a potion :/

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay, noted."

"Don't worry!" Norii is almost boastful about how she says it. "We are professional adventurer's this is like ... cake ..." unable to not think of the giant living cake that accosted her in that bakery, "Well ... pie ... er, well it wont be that hard." adjusting her kimono, damn animate confectionary. "We will use ourselves as bait and find out where the monsters have taken the others!"

"Das," Thistle smiles, and it's the sort of smile that mothers sweep their children out of view from, however pretty the face it's set in might be. That smile has sharp edges, and her blind eyes gaze out with grim, cloudy certainty. Straight ahead. Always straight ahead. "Like very large, very hungry to be eatink us cake." Grinning, she hooks her arm through Norii's and licks her lips. "I am expert in monsters that are wantink to eat me. It is because I am so sweet. There is no way to fail." After this talk with the townsfolk, who could be worried? The northerner gets ready as Norii dictates. Her machetes are carefully hidden high beneath the much-repaired but unusually clean serape that covers her from neck to knee, and her fur boots have been brushed and fitted with new leather thongs to keep them close to her pale legs. The scars that criss-cross above them are almost silvery against the white of her skin. "Are you sure we should not be rubbink deer pee on our clothinks?" She is asking Norii while they get ready. "It is very good for attractink big hungry thinks." Oh she knows too! Thistle is also an expert on deer pee.

The townsfolk are able to furnish you with a set of directions, as well as a map of the area so in the event you do become lost there is a slight hope that you might make your way back to the village. The set of directions pertain to that which the lone night watchmen upon the wall a few nights ago had seen the strange creatures flee in. This was after they had set upon a wagon rounding the bend, and grabbed both man, woman and child from said wagon and carried the helpless and frightened folk off into the dark woods beyond.

The pair hunker down ready to see what horror awaits them in the night. "N-no I think your last lather of urine is still lingering ..." The young sorcerous winces at the thought. "You really think we will beable to escape once they capture us?" looking at the map and up at the forest around them.

Thistle's ears are trained to the sounds of the deep, cool forest. She leans her back against the fallen tree that they've crouched behind, though, and snuggles down into the loam and the leaves, her serape rustling. "We don't need to escape," she whispers, eyes drifting shut. "Easiest way to be findink poor lost people is to let monsters take us to their cave, das? Only you are magic, van I am inedible. So when they take us to cave, van you see v'people, we will go 'surprise!' van kill them very horribly."

Thistle pauses.

You say, "Van you know, if that does not work, we can always skip straight to killink."

You say, "In fact, let us just kill them, I do not want to be squeezed or dropped."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Roll perception, when you're ready. o:"

Thistle rummages around in her pockets, presumably for some jerky.

Norii thinks fro a moment. "I guess that works. What if they put us in a cage though?" Waving her hands once, shinning translucent scales flickers over her skin, protecting her from what ever might be lurking just out of sight. "Guess you could break it your all strong like." walking through the snow in her own furry boots crunching the snow underneath her boots. "Buurrrr why is it so blasted cold!"

<OOC> Norii casts mage armor before the combat >.>

GAME: Norii rolls perception: (19)+4: 23

GAME: Thistle rolls perception: (20)+2: 22

GAME: Norii casts PROTECTION FROM EVIL.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, ""Mage armour! -Kapoof, prot. from evil.-""

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "XD We'll say it was mage armour, so your AC is now 20."

Over the sound of your chatting and snow-crushing bootery, both of you are able to detect the distinct sound of something /also/ crushing the snow underfoot. Several somethings, in fact. It is most certainly more than one creature, or perhaps it is a creature with more legs than it has any right owning. In any event, you are being followed and they are gaining rapidly. The woods are dark, this late in the evening, and provide excellent cover in all possible directions.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Wat do?"

<OOC> Thistle says, "I say we hide and try to get a better take on the situation. Also so we don't get surrounded."

<OOC> Norii says, "agreed!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Roll stealth. o:"

GAME: Thistle rolls stealth: (4)+5: 9

GAME: Norii rolls stealth: (18)+4: 22

Norii grabs Thistle's arms pulling her off into the brush. Taking cover behind a tree a few paces off from where she left Thistle. "Hide!" she hisses quietly using her earthy brown coat to cover her bright red hair.

Poor Thistle. She immediately goes and creeps up to a tree, pressing herself close against the bark-- in full view of god and giant alike.

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (2)+4: 6

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (6)+4: 10

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "So, init. o:"

Norii rolls initiative: Roll: 5 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 9

Thistle rolls initiative: Roll: 18 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 21

You roll initiative for WinterThing1: Roll: 11 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 12

You roll initiative for WinterThing2: Roll: 20 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 21

You roll initiative for WinterThing3: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 16

<pre>Current Initiative Order

21 Thistle

21 WinterThing2

16 WinterThing3

12 WinterThing1

9 Norii</pre>

The three creatures that had been following you make themselves readily apparent as they spring forth from 'round one of the snow-dusted hedge-like trees within the wintery forest. They stand no less than nine feet high, and probably about two wide. Long, muscled arms hand down to about their knees due to the hunch with which they carry themselves. Long snouts sniff at the air, occasionally emiting a cloud of steamy breath into the cold night around them as red eyes glare about for half a second. Thistle is as spotted as plainly as if she had been a glazed holiday ham sitting on a table, and with a howl all three charge in her direction. They don't appear to be armoured, but they do all appear to have some sort of metal devices strapped to their already formidable claws.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "I think you get a surprise round. So. What do you wanna do? o:"

<OOC> Norii will ... turn into one with Alter Self while I'm in cover

<OOC> Norii says, "er can I?"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Well you can if you want, it won't help much though. They'll probably pause when they see you for half a second, then rush you anyway because you won't be familiar. o:"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "It'd probably help in combat, if you have no spells or anything to zap them with."

<OOC> Norii says, "hrm ok fire then burn them with fire XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay."

The howl yanks Thistle round just as surely as a slap to the face. Snow scatters from her shoulders and hair where it gathered from her crouching. A grin spreads across her face. "HELLO!" She shouts gladly, and leaps forward toward the sound, unsheathing her machetes from their hip-sheathes as she moves.

<OOC> Thistle is gonna charge to meet them and then make with the hacking xD

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "After Norii casts. o:"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Oop, right."

<OOC> Thistle says, "Sorry!"

"Some kind of Super Gnoll!" Norii spins out from behind the tree. Before the gnolls can even react she takes in a deep breath. Forming a fist in front of her mouth she breaths forth a gout of fire catches the pair. Red hair caught in the back draft flutters behind her. "Super Gnolls still burn though!:

<OOC> Norii says, "should I roll XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Well, what are you casting?"

GAME: Norii rolls 4d4+4: (10)+4: 14

<OOC> Norii says, "burning hand!"

GAME: Norii casts Burning Hands.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Ah, okay."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20: (5): 5

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20: (20): 20

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20: (13): 13

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "If it's 14, you just fwooshed 2 of them."

<OOC> Norii says, "two are Fwooshed!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay. Well ow. Two are dead, one remains."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "So now it's your turn, Thistle. o:"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Are they in charging distance?"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Yeah."

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+9: (5)+9: 14

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You miss."

The fire wraps about two of the strange like gnoll things and quickly removes their fur, skin and faces in short order. This only seems the make the dragones even more bold. "Come get some you smelly dog ... gnoll ... gaint ... things!" a puff of smoke rolling out of the corners of her mouth.

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (5)+4: 9

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay no crit."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d8+4: (3)+4: 7

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Thistle for 7 points. 39 remaining.

<OOC> Norii says, "norri is getting super over confident since she torch those 4 Ghasts that killed the rest of the party XD"

<OOC> Norii says, "oh that was on thistle?"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Thistle ran screaming at them."

<OOC> Norii says, "ooooohhhhh"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "So it'll be your go again. Once Thistle poses, I will."

<OOC> Norii says, "did Thistle get in my flame blast?"

Thistle's blades sing through the air, missing the howling creatures even as the barbarian laughs. "Come closer come closer!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "No, I assume she ran out after you did that. o:"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Since you acted first."

<OOC> Norii says, "oh ok good XD"

The white creature stretches its spine as far as it will allow, allowing the blade of the barbarian to pass by harmlessly where it had been hanging it's head. It snorts, or grunts, or makes some kind of noise of disapproval and annoyance in Thistle's generaly direction before it replies to her swipe in kind with one of it's own. The items that look like metal claws enhance the
creature's own, and it digs them deeply across Thistle's chest.

In the distance, three more distinct howls ring out. It's actually not all that distant, and getting closer very quickly.

<OOC> Norii will charge the last one with ma claws

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You miss. o:"

<OOC> Norii says, "ohnoes!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "It's turn."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (8)+4: 12

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "And it misses too."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Thistle?"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Attaaack!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Roll it. o:"

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (1)+7: 8

<OOC> Thistle says, "Oyy XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "..Sad."

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+5: (5)+5: 10

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+5: (6)+5: 11

<OOC> Norii oofs

<OOC> Thistle says, "Hah! XD"

<OOC> Thistle says, "We suck XD"

As Thistle closes, Norii forgoes magic and charges head long into the enemy. Claws extended she swings wildly hopping that the monster will acomidate and walk into the attacks.

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (12)+4: 16

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d8+4: (5)+4: 9

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for 9 points. 14 remaining.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay, Thistle's go. o:"

The creature ignores Norii's attacks as much as it does Thistle's, turning it's shoulder one way and then the other slightly to easily avoid having so much as its fur ruffled where it stands. When the strikes cease, it retaliates by swinging its heavy arm at Norii and raking five very deep claw marks from shoulder to hip.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Thiiistle?"

<OOC> Thistle says, "I'll attack again!"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Hoof, lag"

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (5)+7: 12

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay."

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (10)+7: 17

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Holy shit, you hit! O: Once."

<OOC> Thistle says, "OMG NOWAI XD"

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d6+4: (1)+4: 5

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Norii?"

Thistle lets out a scream as the creature's steel-shod claws rip through her chest, opening blooming vines across the front of her serape. The blood spreads through the wool like roses, and as if spurred by this fresh pain, Thistle renews her efforts, snarling in the beginnings of a rage and tearing her own blade across the gnoll's shoulder.

<OOC> Norii attacks the monster anyway

<OOC> Norii moves to flank with Thistle

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+7: (15)+7: 22

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You'll have to roll acrobatics to get behind him."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Or take an AoO to get there."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "And your BAB is not 7, you sissy-armed sorceror."

<OOC> Norii says, "3 strength 2 BaB 2 for flanks so I'll take the hit"

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d8+4: (8)+4: 12

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for 12 points. 2 remaining.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Second attack of yours hit. o: Roll damage."

<OOC> Norii says, "wait why did I hit twice? :o"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Why did you? I dunno, you rolled twice. o:"

<OOC> Norii says, "er he roll twice XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Crit."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Checked to confirm."

GAME: Norii rolls 1d4+3: (1)+3: 4

<OOC> Norii says, "ooooh"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "So, he's still alive. o:"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Pose away, I will roll."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (14)+4: 18

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "..Weeell. Norii’s dead."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d8+4: (4)+4: 8

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for 8 points. -6 remaining.

<OOC> Norii got dead

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "This encounter is not going to go well for you guys, since it's not even done. XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "It's halfway done. And there was still another."

<OOC> Thistle says, "We should almost run xD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Your turn, Thistle. o:"

<OOC> Norii should have stayed back I feel silly now :(

<OOC> Thistle will try and attack again

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9

<OOC> Thistle says, "FFFFFFfffffffffffffffffffffFuuuuuuu"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Another attack!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You have two hands."

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (13)+7: 20

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Hiiiit."

<OOC> Thistle was made stupider with fury XD

<OOC> Thistle says, "Oh! And I was supposed to be raging. But I will next round"

<OOC> Thistle says, "DERP"

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "He's deeed."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You guys have about 5 rounds before the other 3 get here."

<OOC> Thistle will help Norii if she makes a noise so she knows where she is

Norii goes down in a heap as the super gnoll claws rip into her side. A short grunt of pain and the crunch of snow as she hits the cold ground. Blood mixes the snow turning it crimson. If only someone could stuff that potion down her throat!

A snap parts the air, teeth reaching for her, but Thistle dances lithely out of the way, shearing it's head from it's outstretched neck. It tumbles to the snow, followed soon by it's body and a gush of hot, sizzling blood. And only an instant later, hardly a breath, she hears with her sharp ears the sound of Norii collapsing not far away. Turning, she leaps over the creature's twitching back and bounds toward the sorceress. Her knees hit the snow and she feels forward, following the warmth and the smell of magic till she finds Norii with her hands. She pats the girl's face, alarm showing through the flush of battle, then opens Norii's mouth and pours the potion in, pinching her nose and pushing her mouth shut to make sure she swallows it. Barbarian first aid, go!

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay, so. XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Roll the healing on that potion, see if Norii comes back from death's door. o:"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "If you can get Norii out of dying, we'll see about finishing this encounter then just calling it there."

<OOC> Thistle says, "Okay."

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d8: (3): 3

<OOC> Thistle will use hers too

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for -3 points. -3 remaining.

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d8: (7): 7

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Wait, +1 on both of those."

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for -9 points. 6 remaining.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "There."

<OOC> Thistle can't believe how hard we blew xD

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay, you have.."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "About 3 rounds left."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Before the next wave hits."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Anything else you wanna do in that span or just wait? o:"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Well"

<OOC> Thistle says, "We got our asses handed to us"

<OOC> Thistle says, "It might be sensible to run and 'come back with reinforcements' xD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Or you could do that, yes."

<OOC> Thistle says, "You still get credit for the whole thing I think, it's just that we treated part 2 by being big babies xD"

<OOC> Thistle says, "If we do that XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Up to you guys. At this point, I doubt you will survive."

<OOC> Thistle says, "What do you think, Norii?"

<OOC> Norii says, "ya ... living is a better IDea >.>"

And then, because she doesn't know if it worked, Thistle slaps Norii across the face. Not, of course, super hard, but she's fairly worried that she might have a dead person. "WAKE UP!" She shouts from two inches away.

Thistle says, "I do not want to carry you!"

<OOC> Thistle XD

<OOC> Thistle, good friend xD

Norii flinches and groans as a Barbarian hand strikes against her face. "Bla ... why do things keep trying to kill me ..." hands reaching out to try and pull herself up using your cloths as a hand hold. "But ... I'm brought back form the dead I can't walk!" The dragoness complains. "Come on!"

Thistle just sort of squints REALLY HARD when Norii uses her serape to pull herself up. Those gashes across her chest are going to hurt when the rage wears off completely, she just knows it.

When the other two members of the group arrive, they find only two charred bodies and one decapitated corpse. The snow is quite red with the blood of both adventurer’s as well as the creature’s, but said adventurers have made good their escape and will live to fight another day.

Provided Thistle doesn’t tumble blindly off a cliff and drag Norii with her, anyway.

[[Category: Logs]]

PrP: Wolves in the Winter

2011-02-12T12:21:36Z

Genesis: /* Purchases */

== '''Wolves in the Winter''' ==

== DM ==

Nin-Galad

== Party ==

Norii -

Thistle -

== Summary ==

The local citizens of a small but growing village worry about the nightly prowlers howling at their gates and in the woods just outside their doors at night. A pair of adventurers have been dispatched to see just what the devil is going on, and then wipe whatever it is out if possible.

== Purchases ==

'''Thistle:''' 2x Potion of CLW

'''Norii:''' 1x Potion of CLW

== Enemies ==

'''Encounter 1: 3/5 Killed.'''

5x CR 1 Wolf Creatures.

'''Encounter 2: Incomplete; adventurer's retreated.'''

5x CR 1 Wolf Creatures.

== The Adventure ==

The town Ulstvale is a fairly secluded hamlet along the roads which wind their way through the forests that blanket the feet of the tall, white mountain like an ever-green skirt. It is prosperous, however, with a functioning gold mine and a strong foundation of town officials. Supplies come and go steadily, and there are more than a few able-bodied men to defend the town from would-be incursions. Indeed, it's a rather scenic semi-mountain village, ensconsed in the evergreen forest with the mountain underfoot and to its rear. When the weather is mild, the wagons move freely to and fro from one end of the town to the other, and it will surely not be long before this town begins to expand its wooden-plank borders.

What this town is not so equipped to deal with, however, is kidnapping. Of late, /creatures/ of some kind have been seen to roam the edges of the pines during the cold wintery nights. They walk like men but tower far higher than a man would, with glaring eyes that burn like two pinpricks of light in the dark background of the forest. Citizens who wander outside the towns border after dark have gone missing, and with an alarming frequency. So alarming, in fact, that the town is gearing up quickly for a full-scale assault. While they do this, however, they can risk no men to send on excursions into the woods to try and locate the lair of these creatures, or what remains of those who have been taken. So it falls to you, to risk life and limb at the town's behest while they prepare themselves for an attack that could possibly wipe out the town. Travellers are their only hope at this point, as no villagers can be spared on what is potentially - though no one mentions this - a suicide mission. Every villager will be needed if the things lurking in the woods decide to make a move, as surely they would if they saw armed men leaving it unprotected.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Any purchases you guys want to make? o:"

<OOC> Thistle would like two CLWs

<OOC> Thistle says, "Norii if you don't buy potions for yourself this time I will kick you. XD"

<OOC> Thistle had to keep pouring hers down Lucavi's throat xD

<OOC> Norii is saving for an umbrella >.>

<OOC> Thistle kick! XD

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "An umbrella?"

<OOC> Norii says, "Mitheril combat umbrella :o"

<OOC> Norii will buy a potion :/

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay, noted."

"Don't worry!" Norii is almost boastful about how she says it. "We are professional adventurer's this is like ... cake ..." unable to not think of the giant living cake that accosted her in that bakery, "Well ... pie ... er, well it wont be that hard." adjusting her kimono, damn animate confectionary. "We will use ourselves as bait and find out where the monsters have taken the others!"

"Das," Thistle smiles, and it's the sort of smile that mothers sweep their children out of view from, however pretty the face it's set in might be. That smile has sharp edges, and her blind eyes gaze out with grim, cloudy certainty. Straight ahead. Always straight ahead. "Like very large, very hungry to be eatink us cake." Grinning, she hooks her arm through Norii's and licks her lips. "I am expert in monsters that are wantink to eat me. It is because I am so sweet. There is no way to fail." After this talk with the townsfolk, who could be worried? The northerner gets ready as Norii dictates. Her machetes are carefully hidden high beneath the much-repaired but unusually clean serape that covers her from neck to knee, and her fur boots have been brushed and fitted with new leather thongs to keep them close to her pale legs. The scars that criss-cross above them are almost silvery against the white of her skin. "Are you sure we should not be rubbink deer pee on our clothinks?" She is asking Norii while they get ready. "It is very good for attractink big hungry thinks." Oh she knows too! Thistle is also an expert on deer pee.

The townsfolk are able to furnish you with a set of directions, as well as a map of the area so in the event you do become lost there is a slight hope that you might make your way back to the village. The set of directions pertain to that which the lone night watchmen upon the wall a few nights ago had seen the strange creatures flee in. This was after they had set upon a wagon rounding the bend, and grabbed both man, woman and child from said wagon and carried the helpless and frightened folk off into the dark woods beyond.

The pair hunker down ready to see what horror awaits them in the night. "N-no I think your last lather of urine is still lingering ..." The young sorcerous winces at the thought. "You really think we will beable to escape once they capture us?" looking at the map and up at the forest around them.

Thistle's ears are trained to the sounds of the deep, cool forest. She leans her back against the fallen tree that they've crouched behind, though, and snuggles down into the loam and the leaves, her serape rustling. "We don't need to escape," she whispers, eyes drifting shut. "Easiest way to be findink poor lost people is to let monsters take us to their cave, das? Only you are magic, van I am inedible. So when they take us to cave, van you see v'people, we will go 'surprise!' van kill them very horribly."

Thistle pauses.

You say, "Van you know, if that does not work, we can always skip straight to killink."

You say, "In fact, let us just kill them, I do not want to be squeezed or dropped."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Roll perception, when you're ready. o:"

Thistle rummages around in her pockets, presumably for some jerky.

Norii thinks fro a moment. "I guess that works. What if they put us in a cage though?" Waving her hands once, shinning translucent scales flickers over her skin, protecting her from what ever might be lurking just out of sight. "Guess you could break it your all strong like." walking through the snow in her own furry boots crunching the snow underneath her boots. "Buurrrr why is it so blasted cold!"

<OOC> Norii casts mage armor before the combat >.>

GAME: Norii rolls perception: (19)+4: 23

GAME: Thistle rolls perception: (20)+2: 22

GAME: Norii casts PROTECTION FROM EVIL.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, ""Mage armour! -Kapoof, prot. from evil.-""

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "XD We'll say it was mage armour, so your AC is now 20."

Over the sound of your chatting and snow-crushing bootery, both of you are able to detect the distinct sound of something /also/ crushing the snow underfoot. Several somethings, in fact. It is most certainly more than one creature, or perhaps it is a creature with more legs than it has any right owning. In any event, you are being followed and they are gaining rapidly. The woods are dark, this late in the evening, and provide excellent cover in all possible directions.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Wat do?"

<OOC> Thistle says, "I say we hide and try to get a better take on the situation. Also so we don't get surrounded."

<OOC> Norii says, "agreed!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Roll stealth. o:"

GAME: Thistle rolls stealth: (4)+5: 9

GAME: Norii rolls stealth: (18)+4: 22

Norii grabs Thistle's arms pulling her off into the brush. Taking cover behind a tree a few paces off from where she left Thistle. "Hide!" she hisses quietly using her earthy brown coat to cover her bright red hair.

Poor Thistle. She immediately goes and creeps up to a tree, pressing herself close against the bark-- in full view of god and giant alike.

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (2)+4: 6

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (6)+4: 10

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "So, init. o:"

Norii rolls initiative: Roll: 5 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 9

Thistle rolls initiative: Roll: 18 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 21

You roll initiative for WinterThing1: Roll: 11 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 12

You roll initiative for WinterThing2: Roll: 20 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 21

You roll initiative for WinterThing3: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 16

<pre>Current Initiative Order

21 Thistle

21 WinterThing2

16 WinterThing3

12 WinterThing1

9 Norii</pre>

The three creatures that had been following you make themselves readily apparent as they spring forth from 'round one of the snow-dusted hedge-like trees within the wintery forest. They stand no less than nine feet high, and probably about two wide. Long, muscled arms hand down to about their knees due to the hunch with which they carry themselves. Long snouts sniff at the air, occasionally emiting a cloud of steamy breath into the cold night around them as red eyes glare about for half a second. Thistle is as spotted as plainly as if she had been a glazed holiday ham sitting on a table, and with a howl all three charge in her direction. They don't appear to be armoured, but they do all appear to have some sort of metal devices strapped to their already formidable claws.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "I think you get a surprise round. So. What do you wanna do? o:"

<OOC> Norii will ... turn into one with Alter Self while I'm in cover

<OOC> Norii says, "er can I?"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Well you can if you want, it won't help much though. They'll probably pause when they see you for half a second, then rush you anyway because you won't be familiar. o:"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "It'd probably help in combat, if you have no spells or anything to zap them with."

<OOC> Norii says, "hrm ok fire then burn them with fire XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay."

The howl yanks Thistle round just as surely as a slap to the face. Snow scatters from her shoulders and hair where it gathered from her crouching. A grin spreads across her face. "HELLO!" She shouts gladly, and leaps forward toward the sound, unsheathing her machetes from their hip-sheathes as she moves.

<OOC> Thistle is gonna charge to meet them and then make with the hacking xD

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "After Norii casts. o:"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Oop, right."

<OOC> Thistle says, "Sorry!"

"Some kind of Super Gnoll!" Norii spins out from behind the tree. Before the gnolls can even react she takes in a deep breath. Forming a fist in front of her mouth she breaths forth a gout of fire catches the pair. Red hair caught in the back draft flutters behind her. "Super Gnolls still burn though!:

<OOC> Norii says, "should I roll XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Well, what are you casting?"

GAME: Norii rolls 4d4+4: (10)+4: 14

<OOC> Norii says, "burning hand!"

GAME: Norii casts Burning Hands.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Ah, okay."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20: (5): 5

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20: (20): 20

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20: (13): 13

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "If it's 14, you just fwooshed 2 of them."

<OOC> Norii says, "two are Fwooshed!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay. Well ow. Two are dead, one remains."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "So now it's your turn, Thistle. o:"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Are they in charging distance?"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Yeah."

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+9: (5)+9: 14

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You miss."

The fire wraps about two of the strange like gnoll things and quickly removes their fur, skin and faces in short order. This only seems the make the dragones even more bold. "Come get some you smelly dog ... gnoll ... gaint ... things!" a puff of smoke rolling out of the corners of her mouth.

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (5)+4: 9

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay no crit."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d8+4: (3)+4: 7

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Thistle for 7 points. 39 remaining.

<OOC> Norii says, "norri is getting super over confident since she torch those 4 Ghasts that killed the rest of the party XD"

<OOC> Norii says, "oh that was on thistle?"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Thistle ran screaming at them."

<OOC> Norii says, "ooooohhhhh"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "So it'll be your go again. Once Thistle poses, I will."

<OOC> Norii says, "did Thistle get in my flame blast?"

Thistle's blades sing through the air, missing the howling creatures even as the barbarian laughs. "Come closer come closer!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "No, I assume she ran out after you did that. o:"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Since you acted first."

<OOC> Norii says, "oh ok good XD"

The white creature stretches its spine as far as it will allow, allowing the blade of the barbarian to pass by harmlessly where it had been hanging it's head. It snorts, or grunts, or makes some kind of noise of disapproval and annoyance in Thistle's generaly direction before it replies to her swipe in kind with one of it's own. The items that look like metal claws enhance the
creature's own, and it digs them deeply across Thistle's chest.

In the distance, three more distinct howls ring out. It's actually not all that distant, and getting closer very quickly.

<OOC> Norii will charge the last one with ma claws

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You miss. o:"

<OOC> Norii says, "ohnoes!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "It's turn."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (8)+4: 12

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "And it misses too."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Thistle?"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Attaaack!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Roll it. o:"

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (1)+7: 8

<OOC> Thistle says, "Oyy XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "..Sad."

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+5: (5)+5: 10

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+5: (6)+5: 11

<OOC> Norii oofs

<OOC> Thistle says, "Hah! XD"

<OOC> Thistle says, "We suck XD"

As Thistle closes, Norii forgoes magic and charges head long into the enemy. Claws extended she swings wildly hopping that the monster will acomidate and walk into the attacks.

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (12)+4: 16

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d8+4: (5)+4: 9

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for 9 points. 14 remaining.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay, Thistle's go. o:"

The creature ignores Norii's attacks as much as it does Thistle's, turning it's shoulder one way and then the other slightly to easily avoid having so much as its fur ruffled where it stands. When the strikes cease, it retaliates by swinging its heavy arm at Norii and raking five very deep claw marks from shoulder to hip.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Thiiistle?"

<OOC> Thistle says, "I'll attack again!"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Hoof, lag"

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (5)+7: 12

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay."

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (10)+7: 17

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Holy shit, you hit! O: Once."

<OOC> Thistle says, "OMG NOWAI XD"

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d6+4: (1)+4: 5

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Norii?"

Thistle lets out a scream as the creature's steel-shod claws rip through her chest, opening blooming vines across the front of her serape. The blood spreads through the wool like roses, and as if spurred by this fresh pain, Thistle renews her efforts, snarling in the beginnings of a rage and tearing her own blade across the gnoll's shoulder.

<OOC> Norii attacks the monster anyway

<OOC> Norii moves to flank with Thistle

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+7: (15)+7: 22

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You'll have to roll acrobatics to get behind him."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Or take an AoO to get there."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "And your BAB is not 7, you sissy-armed sorceror."

<OOC> Norii says, "3 strength 2 BaB 2 for flanks so I'll take the hit"

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d8+4: (8)+4: 12

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for 12 points. 2 remaining.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Second attack of yours hit. o: Roll damage."

<OOC> Norii says, "wait why did I hit twice? :o"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Why did you? I dunno, you rolled twice. o:"

<OOC> Norii says, "er he roll twice XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Crit."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Checked to confirm."

GAME: Norii rolls 1d4+3: (1)+3: 4

<OOC> Norii says, "ooooh"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "So, he's still alive. o:"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Pose away, I will roll."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (14)+4: 18

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "..Weeell. Norii’s dead."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d8+4: (4)+4: 8

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for 8 points. -6 remaining.

<OOC> Norii got dead

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "This encounter is not going to go well for you guys, since it's not even done. XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "It's halfway done. And there was still another."

<OOC> Thistle says, "We should almost run xD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Your turn, Thistle. o:"

<OOC> Norii should have stayed back I feel silly now :(

<OOC> Thistle will try and attack again

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9

<OOC> Thistle says, "FFFFFFfffffffffffffffffffffFuuuuuuu"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Another attack!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You have two hands."

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (13)+7: 20

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Hiiiit."

<OOC> Thistle was made stupider with fury XD

<OOC> Thistle says, "Oh! And I was supposed to be raging. But I will next round"

<OOC> Thistle says, "DERP"

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "He's deeed."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You guys have about 5 rounds before the other 3 get here."

<OOC> Thistle will help Norii if she makes a noise so she knows where she is

Norii goes down in a heap as the super gnoll claws rip into her side. A short grunt of pain and the crunch of snow as she hits the cold ground. Blood mixes the snow turning it crimson. If only someone could stuff that potion down her throat!

A snap parts the air, teeth reaching for her, but Thistle dances lithely out of the way, shearing it's head from it's outstretched neck. It tumbles to the snow, followed soon by it's body and a gush of hot, sizzling blood. And only an instant later, hardly a breath, she hears with her sharp ears the sound of Norii collapsing not far away. Turning, she leaps over the creature's twitching back and bounds toward the sorceress. Her knees hit the snow and she feels forward, following the warmth and the smell of magic till she finds Norii with her hands. She pats the girl's face, alarm showing through the flush of battle, then opens Norii's mouth and pours the potion in, pinching her nose and pushing her mouth shut to make sure she swallows it. Barbarian first aid, go!

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay, so. XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Roll the healing on that potion, see if Norii comes back from death's door. o:"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "If you can get Norii out of dying, we'll see about finishing this encounter then just calling it there."

<OOC> Thistle says, "Okay."

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d8: (3): 3

<OOC> Thistle will use hers too

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for -3 points. -3 remaining.

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d8: (7): 7

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Wait, +1 on both of those."

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for -9 points. 6 remaining.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "There."

<OOC> Thistle can't believe how hard we blew xD

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay, you have.."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "About 3 rounds left."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Before the next wave hits."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Anything else you wanna do in that span or just wait? o:"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Well"

<OOC> Thistle says, "We got our asses handed to us"

<OOC> Thistle says, "It might be sensible to run and 'come back with reinforcements' xD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Or you could do that, yes."

<OOC> Thistle says, "You still get credit for the whole thing I think, it's just that we treated part 2 by being big babies xD"

<OOC> Thistle says, "If we do that XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Up to you guys. At this point, I doubt you will survive."

<OOC> Thistle says, "What do you think, Norii?"

<OOC> Norii says, "ya ... living is a better IDea >.>"

And then, because she doesn't know if it worked, Thistle slaps Norii across the face. Not, of course, super hard, but she's fairly worried that she might have a dead person. "WAKE UP!" She shouts from two inches away.

Thistle says, "I do not want to carry you!"

<OOC> Thistle XD

<OOC> Thistle, good friend xD

Norii flinches and groans as a Barbarian hand strikes against her face. "Bla ... why do things keep trying to kill me ..." hands reaching out to try and pull herself up using your cloths as a hand hold. "But ... I'm brought back form the dead I can't walk!" The dragoness complains. "Come on!"

Thistle just sort of squints REALLY HARD when Norii uses her serape to pull herself up. Those gashes across her chest are going to hurt when the rage wears off completely, she just knows it.

When the other two members of the group arrive, they find only two charred bodies and one decapitated corpse. The snow is quite red with the blood of both adventurer’s as well as the creature’s, but said adventurers have made good their escape and will live to fight another day.

Provided Thistle doesn’t tumble blindly off a cliff and drag Norii with her, anyway.

[[Category: Logs]]

PrP: Wolves in the Winter

2011-02-12T12:21:16Z

Genesis: Created page with "== '''Wolves in the Winter''' == == DM == Nin-Galad == Party == Norii - Thistle - == Summary == The local citizens of a small but growing village worry about the nigh..."

== '''Wolves in the Winter''' ==

== DM ==

Nin-Galad

== Party ==

Norii -

Thistle -

== Summary ==

The local citizens of a small but growing village worry about the nightly prowlers howling at their gates and in the woods just outside their doors at night. A pair of adventurers have been dispatched to see just what the devil is going on, and then wipe whatever it is out if possible.

== Purchases ==

'''Thistle:''' 2x Potion of CLW
'''Norii:''' 1x Potion of CLW

== Enemies ==

'''Encounter 1: 3/5 Killed.'''

5x CR 1 Wolf Creatures.

'''Encounter 2: Incomplete; adventurer's retreated.'''

5x CR 1 Wolf Creatures.

== The Adventure ==

The town Ulstvale is a fairly secluded hamlet along the roads which wind their way through the forests that blanket the feet of the tall, white mountain like an ever-green skirt. It is prosperous, however, with a functioning gold mine and a strong foundation of town officials. Supplies come and go steadily, and there are more than a few able-bodied men to defend the town from would-be incursions. Indeed, it's a rather scenic semi-mountain village, ensconsed in the evergreen forest with the mountain underfoot and to its rear. When the weather is mild, the wagons move freely to and fro from one end of the town to the other, and it will surely not be long before this town begins to expand its wooden-plank borders.

What this town is not so equipped to deal with, however, is kidnapping. Of late, /creatures/ of some kind have been seen to roam the edges of the pines during the cold wintery nights. They walk like men but tower far higher than a man would, with glaring eyes that burn like two pinpricks of light in the dark background of the forest. Citizens who wander outside the towns border after dark have gone missing, and with an alarming frequency. So alarming, in fact, that the town is gearing up quickly for a full-scale assault. While they do this, however, they can risk no men to send on excursions into the woods to try and locate the lair of these creatures, or what remains of those who have been taken. So it falls to you, to risk life and limb at the town's behest while they prepare themselves for an attack that could possibly wipe out the town. Travellers are their only hope at this point, as no villagers can be spared on what is potentially - though no one mentions this - a suicide mission. Every villager will be needed if the things lurking in the woods decide to make a move, as surely they would if they saw armed men leaving it unprotected.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Any purchases you guys want to make? o:"

<OOC> Thistle would like two CLWs

<OOC> Thistle says, "Norii if you don't buy potions for yourself this time I will kick you. XD"

<OOC> Thistle had to keep pouring hers down Lucavi's throat xD

<OOC> Norii is saving for an umbrella >.>

<OOC> Thistle kick! XD

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "An umbrella?"

<OOC> Norii says, "Mitheril combat umbrella :o"

<OOC> Norii will buy a potion :/

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay, noted."

"Don't worry!" Norii is almost boastful about how she says it. "We are professional adventurer's this is like ... cake ..." unable to not think of the giant living cake that accosted her in that bakery, "Well ... pie ... er, well it wont be that hard." adjusting her kimono, damn animate confectionary. "We will use ourselves as bait and find out where the monsters have taken the others!"

"Das," Thistle smiles, and it's the sort of smile that mothers sweep their children out of view from, however pretty the face it's set in might be. That smile has sharp edges, and her blind eyes gaze out with grim, cloudy certainty. Straight ahead. Always straight ahead. "Like very large, very hungry to be eatink us cake." Grinning, she hooks her arm through Norii's and licks her lips. "I am expert in monsters that are wantink to eat me. It is because I am so sweet. There is no way to fail." After this talk with the townsfolk, who could be worried? The northerner gets ready as Norii dictates. Her machetes are carefully hidden high beneath the much-repaired but unusually clean serape that covers her from neck to knee, and her fur boots have been brushed and fitted with new leather thongs to keep them close to her pale legs. The scars that criss-cross above them are almost silvery against the white of her skin. "Are you sure we should not be rubbink deer pee on our clothinks?" She is asking Norii while they get ready. "It is very good for attractink big hungry thinks." Oh she knows too! Thistle is also an expert on deer pee.

The townsfolk are able to furnish you with a set of directions, as well as a map of the area so in the event you do become lost there is a slight hope that you might make your way back to the village. The set of directions pertain to that which the lone night watchmen upon the wall a few nights ago had seen the strange creatures flee in. This was after they had set upon a wagon rounding the bend, and grabbed both man, woman and child from said wagon and carried the helpless and frightened folk off into the dark woods beyond.

The pair hunker down ready to see what horror awaits them in the night. "N-no I think your last lather of urine is still lingering ..." The young sorcerous winces at the thought. "You really think we will beable to escape once they capture us?" looking at the map and up at the forest around them.

Thistle's ears are trained to the sounds of the deep, cool forest. She leans her back against the fallen tree that they've crouched behind, though, and snuggles down into the loam and the leaves, her serape rustling. "We don't need to escape," she whispers, eyes drifting shut. "Easiest way to be findink poor lost people is to let monsters take us to their cave, das? Only you are magic, van I am inedible. So when they take us to cave, van you see v'people, we will go 'surprise!' van kill them very horribly."

Thistle pauses.

You say, "Van you know, if that does not work, we can always skip straight to killink."

You say, "In fact, let us just kill them, I do not want to be squeezed or dropped."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Roll perception, when you're ready. o:"

Thistle rummages around in her pockets, presumably for some jerky.

Norii thinks fro a moment. "I guess that works. What if they put us in a cage though?" Waving her hands once, shinning translucent scales flickers over her skin, protecting her from what ever might be lurking just out of sight. "Guess you could break it your all strong like." walking through the snow in her own furry boots crunching the snow underneath her boots. "Buurrrr why is it so blasted cold!"

<OOC> Norii casts mage armor before the combat >.>

GAME: Norii rolls perception: (19)+4: 23

GAME: Thistle rolls perception: (20)+2: 22

GAME: Norii casts PROTECTION FROM EVIL.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, ""Mage armour! -Kapoof, prot. from evil.-""

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "XD We'll say it was mage armour, so your AC is now 20."

Over the sound of your chatting and snow-crushing bootery, both of you are able to detect the distinct sound of something /also/ crushing the snow underfoot. Several somethings, in fact. It is most certainly more than one creature, or perhaps it is a creature with more legs than it has any right owning. In any event, you are being followed and they are gaining rapidly. The woods are dark, this late in the evening, and provide excellent cover in all possible directions.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Wat do?"

<OOC> Thistle says, "I say we hide and try to get a better take on the situation. Also so we don't get surrounded."

<OOC> Norii says, "agreed!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Roll stealth. o:"

GAME: Thistle rolls stealth: (4)+5: 9

GAME: Norii rolls stealth: (18)+4: 22

Norii grabs Thistle's arms pulling her off into the brush. Taking cover behind a tree a few paces off from where she left Thistle. "Hide!" she hisses quietly using her earthy brown coat to cover her bright red hair.

Poor Thistle. She immediately goes and creeps up to a tree, pressing herself close against the bark-- in full view of god and giant alike.

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (2)+4: 6

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (6)+4: 10

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "So, init. o:"

Norii rolls initiative: Roll: 5 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 9

Thistle rolls initiative: Roll: 18 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 21

You roll initiative for WinterThing1: Roll: 11 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 12

You roll initiative for WinterThing2: Roll: 20 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 21

You roll initiative for WinterThing3: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 16

<pre>Current Initiative Order

21 Thistle

21 WinterThing2

16 WinterThing3

12 WinterThing1

9 Norii</pre>

The three creatures that had been following you make themselves readily apparent as they spring forth from 'round one of the snow-dusted hedge-like trees within the wintery forest. They stand no less than nine feet high, and probably about two wide. Long, muscled arms hand down to about their knees due to the hunch with which they carry themselves. Long snouts sniff at the air, occasionally emiting a cloud of steamy breath into the cold night around them as red eyes glare about for half a second. Thistle is as spotted as plainly as if she had been a glazed holiday ham sitting on a table, and with a howl all three charge in her direction. They don't appear to be armoured, but they do all appear to have some sort of metal devices strapped to their already formidable claws.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "I think you get a surprise round. So. What do you wanna do? o:"

<OOC> Norii will ... turn into one with Alter Self while I'm in cover

<OOC> Norii says, "er can I?"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Well you can if you want, it won't help much though. They'll probably pause when they see you for half a second, then rush you anyway because you won't be familiar. o:"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "It'd probably help in combat, if you have no spells or anything to zap them with."

<OOC> Norii says, "hrm ok fire then burn them with fire XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay."

The howl yanks Thistle round just as surely as a slap to the face. Snow scatters from her shoulders and hair where it gathered from her crouching. A grin spreads across her face. "HELLO!" She shouts gladly, and leaps forward toward the sound, unsheathing her machetes from their hip-sheathes as she moves.

<OOC> Thistle is gonna charge to meet them and then make with the hacking xD

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "After Norii casts. o:"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Oop, right."

<OOC> Thistle says, "Sorry!"

"Some kind of Super Gnoll!" Norii spins out from behind the tree. Before the gnolls can even react she takes in a deep breath. Forming a fist in front of her mouth she breaths forth a gout of fire catches the pair. Red hair caught in the back draft flutters behind her. "Super Gnolls still burn though!:

<OOC> Norii says, "should I roll XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Well, what are you casting?"

GAME: Norii rolls 4d4+4: (10)+4: 14

<OOC> Norii says, "burning hand!"

GAME: Norii casts Burning Hands.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Ah, okay."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20: (5): 5

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20: (20): 20

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20: (13): 13

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "If it's 14, you just fwooshed 2 of them."

<OOC> Norii says, "two are Fwooshed!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay. Well ow. Two are dead, one remains."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "So now it's your turn, Thistle. o:"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Are they in charging distance?"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Yeah."

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+9: (5)+9: 14

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You miss."

The fire wraps about two of the strange like gnoll things and quickly removes their fur, skin and faces in short order. This only seems the make the dragones even more bold. "Come get some you smelly dog ... gnoll ... gaint ... things!" a puff of smoke rolling out of the corners of her mouth.

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (5)+4: 9

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay no crit."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d8+4: (3)+4: 7

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Thistle for 7 points. 39 remaining.

<OOC> Norii says, "norri is getting super over confident since she torch those 4 Ghasts that killed the rest of the party XD"

<OOC> Norii says, "oh that was on thistle?"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Thistle ran screaming at them."

<OOC> Norii says, "ooooohhhhh"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "So it'll be your go again. Once Thistle poses, I will."

<OOC> Norii says, "did Thistle get in my flame blast?"

Thistle's blades sing through the air, missing the howling creatures even as the barbarian laughs. "Come closer come closer!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "No, I assume she ran out after you did that. o:"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Since you acted first."

<OOC> Norii says, "oh ok good XD"

The white creature stretches its spine as far as it will allow, allowing the blade of the barbarian to pass by harmlessly where it had been hanging it's head. It snorts, or grunts, or makes some kind of noise of disapproval and annoyance in Thistle's generaly direction before it replies to her swipe in kind with one of it's own. The items that look like metal claws enhance the
creature's own, and it digs them deeply across Thistle's chest.

In the distance, three more distinct howls ring out. It's actually not all that distant, and getting closer very quickly.

<OOC> Norii will charge the last one with ma claws

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You miss. o:"

<OOC> Norii says, "ohnoes!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "It's turn."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (8)+4: 12

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "And it misses too."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Thistle?"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Attaaack!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Roll it. o:"

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (1)+7: 8

<OOC> Thistle says, "Oyy XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "..Sad."

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+5: (5)+5: 10

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+5: (6)+5: 11

<OOC> Norii oofs

<OOC> Thistle says, "Hah! XD"

<OOC> Thistle says, "We suck XD"

As Thistle closes, Norii forgoes magic and charges head long into the enemy. Claws extended she swings wildly hopping that the monster will acomidate and walk into the attacks.

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (12)+4: 16

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d8+4: (5)+4: 9

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for 9 points. 14 remaining.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay, Thistle's go. o:"

The creature ignores Norii's attacks as much as it does Thistle's, turning it's shoulder one way and then the other slightly to easily avoid having so much as its fur ruffled where it stands. When the strikes cease, it retaliates by swinging its heavy arm at Norii and raking five very deep claw marks from shoulder to hip.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Thiiistle?"

<OOC> Thistle says, "I'll attack again!"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Hoof, lag"

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (5)+7: 12

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay."

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (10)+7: 17

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Holy shit, you hit! O: Once."

<OOC> Thistle says, "OMG NOWAI XD"

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d6+4: (1)+4: 5

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Norii?"

Thistle lets out a scream as the creature's steel-shod claws rip through her chest, opening blooming vines across the front of her serape. The blood spreads through the wool like roses, and as if spurred by this fresh pain, Thistle renews her efforts, snarling in the beginnings of a rage and tearing her own blade across the gnoll's shoulder.

<OOC> Norii attacks the monster anyway

<OOC> Norii moves to flank with Thistle

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14

GAME: Norii rolls 1d20+7: (15)+7: 22

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You'll have to roll acrobatics to get behind him."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Or take an AoO to get there."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "And your BAB is not 7, you sissy-armed sorceror."

<OOC> Norii says, "3 strength 2 BaB 2 for flanks so I'll take the hit"

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d8+4: (8)+4: 12

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for 12 points. 2 remaining.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Second attack of yours hit. o: Roll damage."

<OOC> Norii says, "wait why did I hit twice? :o"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Why did you? I dunno, you rolled twice. o:"

<OOC> Norii says, "er he roll twice XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Crit."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Checked to confirm."

GAME: Norii rolls 1d4+3: (1)+3: 4

<OOC> Norii says, "ooooh"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "So, he's still alive. o:"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Pose away, I will roll."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d20+4: (14)+4: 18

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "..Weeell. Norii’s dead."

GAME: Nin-galad rolls 1d8+4: (4)+4: 8

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for 8 points. -6 remaining.

<OOC> Norii got dead

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "This encounter is not going to go well for you guys, since it's not even done. XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "It's halfway done. And there was still another."

<OOC> Thistle says, "We should almost run xD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Your turn, Thistle. o:"

<OOC> Norii should have stayed back I feel silly now :(

<OOC> Thistle will try and attack again

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9

<OOC> Thistle says, "FFFFFFfffffffffffffffffffffFuuuuuuu"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Another attack!"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You have two hands."

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d20+7: (13)+7: 20

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Hiiiit."

<OOC> Thistle was made stupider with fury XD

<OOC> Thistle says, "Oh! And I was supposed to be raging. But I will next round"

<OOC> Thistle says, "DERP"

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "He's deeed."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "You guys have about 5 rounds before the other 3 get here."

<OOC> Thistle will help Norii if she makes a noise so she knows where she is

Norii goes down in a heap as the super gnoll claws rip into her side. A short grunt of pain and the crunch of snow as she hits the cold ground. Blood mixes the snow turning it crimson. If only someone could stuff that potion down her throat!

A snap parts the air, teeth reaching for her, but Thistle dances lithely out of the way, shearing it's head from it's outstretched neck. It tumbles to the snow, followed soon by it's body and a gush of hot, sizzling blood. And only an instant later, hardly a breath, she hears with her sharp ears the sound of Norii collapsing not far away. Turning, she leaps over the creature's twitching back and bounds toward the sorceress. Her knees hit the snow and she feels forward, following the warmth and the smell of magic till she finds Norii with her hands. She pats the girl's face, alarm showing through the flush of battle, then opens Norii's mouth and pours the potion in, pinching her nose and pushing her mouth shut to make sure she swallows it. Barbarian first aid, go!

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay, so. XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Roll the healing on that potion, see if Norii comes back from death's door. o:"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "If you can get Norii out of dying, we'll see about finishing this encounter then just calling it there."

<OOC> Thistle says, "Okay."

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d8: (3): 3

<OOC> Thistle will use hers too

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for -3 points. -3 remaining.

GAME: Thistle rolls 1d8: (7): 7

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Wait, +1 on both of those."

GAME: Nin-galad damaged Norii for -9 points. 6 remaining.

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "There."

<OOC> Thistle can't believe how hard we blew xD

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Okay, you have.."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "About 3 rounds left."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Before the next wave hits."

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Anything else you wanna do in that span or just wait? o:"

<OOC> Thistle says, "Well"

<OOC> Thistle says, "We got our asses handed to us"

<OOC> Thistle says, "It might be sensible to run and 'come back with reinforcements' xD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Or you could do that, yes."

<OOC> Thistle says, "You still get credit for the whole thing I think, it's just that we treated part 2 by being big babies xD"

<OOC> Thistle says, "If we do that XD"

<OOC> Nin-galad says, "Up to you guys. At this point, I doubt you will survive."

<OOC> Thistle says, "What do you think, Norii?"

<OOC> Norii says, "ya ... living is a better IDea >.>"

And then, because she doesn't know if it worked, Thistle slaps Norii across the face. Not, of course, super hard, but she's fairly worried that she might have a dead person. "WAKE UP!" She shouts from two inches away.

Thistle says, "I do not want to carry you!"

<OOC> Thistle XD

<OOC> Thistle, good friend xD

Norii flinches and groans as a Barbarian hand strikes against her face. "Bla ... why do things keep trying to kill me ..." hands reaching out to try and pull herself up using your cloths as a hand hold. "But ... I'm brought back form the dead I can't walk!" The dragoness complains. "Come on!"

Thistle just sort of squints REALLY HARD when Norii uses her serape to pull herself up. Those gashes across her chest are going to hurt when the rage wears off completely, she just knows it.

When the other two members of the group arrive, they find only two charred bodies and one decapitated corpse. The snow is quite red with the blood of both adventurer’s as well as the creature’s, but said adventurers have made good their escape and will live to fight another day.

Provided Thistle doesn’t tumble blindly off a cliff and drag Norii with her, anyway.

[[Category: Logs]]

Recent Logs

2011-02-12T11:50:39Z

Genesis:

File:Nincharpic.jpg

2011-01-02T07:41:18Z

Genesis:

Character Pages

2011-01-02T07:16:32Z

Genesis:

Emblem of Ea is home to a number of colorful and interesting characters. In order to make a page, you will need to be logged in with your forum ID. If you're having trouble logging in, please see the [[Help:Editing|Wiki Help]] in the [[Getting Started]] section.

For help on making a character page, please see [[How to Make a Character Page]].

<center>'''Be sure to put all pages into <nowiki>[[</nowiki>Category: Player<nowiki>]]</nowiki>. Thank you.'''</center>

{{CompactTOC}}

[[Category:Player]]

==A==
[[Abrahil]], [[Agril]], [[Amira|Amir'a al'Jarim]] [[Aynssyrn Bainduis]]

==B==

==C==
[[Colrick Voss]]

==D==
[[Darshan]]

==E==

==F==

==G==
==H==
==I==
[[Ionus]]

==J==
==K==
[[Kaliara|Kaliara Sein]]
[[Karelin Andarin]],
[[Karl Mattock]],
[[Kerbasi]],
[[Koszhey Urvald Malinovyi]],
[[Kylie D'malthyae]],
[[Kyra Smith]]

==L==
==M==

[[Maerkkus]], [[Myrana Jn'Rajh]]

==N==
[[Nin-galad]]
==O==
==P==
==Q==
==R==
[[Roland]]

==S==
[[Lady Sandiel]], [[Hailee Serene Tigriil]], [[Lady Sienna Meribeth McBane]], [[Siseroa Shurik]]

==T==
[[Thaim]], [[Teena Longshot]], [[Thistle]]

==U==
==V==
==W==
==X==
[[Xenarchy Malzash]]

==Y==
[[Ylva]],
[[Younger, Bruce The|Bruce the Younger]]

==Z==
[[Zerridwyn Angosil]]