Expect the Unexpected

"Another grey day.", the Goblin says with a huff. With breakfast already inhaled and digesting, Simony has settled in with a few tasks. Today, it is translating an ancient treatise on trading relations, from Khazdul to tradespeak, and comparing it to a similar work by the same author, but in Sylvan.

The scratching of her pen fills the room as she concentrates, only occasionally pausing to glance at the open door to her cell in the Monastery at the Spire.

"Dwarves sure do have many words for stone. Almost as obsessive over that as Goblins are over fire. I wonder if they'd appreciate that comparison?"

The Spire is not a place Verna has frequent cause to visit, though she does so in this instance. Namely in search of a certain Temperance to follow up on whatever Simony, or her enlisted ally, might have discovered. Verna may not be familiar with the precise room, but a few polite inquiries have her presumably directed towards.

"Good day," she offers greetings from the open door as a matter of decorum. A basket is tucked in one elbow and the gap in her cloak reveals a dress predominantly of pink, rather than duty robes.

Harkashan joins the crew, stepping in as he follows after Verna. It is rare for him to actually be in this place. This kind of enclosed space is unfamiliar to him and feels 'off' compared to where he comes from. One hand resting on the pommel of his blade, the other to his belly, he bows his head as he finishes stepping in. "Any sign?" He asks of the two.

As if in response to Harkashan's question, a creature walks into the room behind him. Stopping just behind the sith-makar in the doorway. With the head of a raven, it is entirely clear that this being is in no way a creature of this world. The sword at his side marks him a warrior of some kind and he blinks his dark, raven eyes at the sith who stands between him and the woman whom had summoned him. "I have come to give my report." His voice sounds utterly normal, which is somewhat strange given the raven head.

The Goblin is surprised, but pleased, to see both Verna and Harkashan arriving on her doorstep. "Come in, come in!", she beckons cheerfully, moving to set a kettle onto her small, pot-bellied stove. "I can have tea ready soonish!"

Simony gestures to the chairs that surround her table, and luckily there's a stool among them, for those with large tails. At the arrival shortly thereafter of the Raven-headed ally, Hark's question is answered, and the planar ally is also offered a seat. "Ah, excellent, please, settle yourself, I'll have tea in no time. Erm, unless you'd like to say your piece and then go? I wouldn't want to impede your business, but I do try to be a polite host and offer hospitality."

Verna starts mildly at the sudden and fortuitous arrival of being. She steps aside so as not to interpose and a greeting is offered it as well as Harkashan, even if the former's attention is biased towards Simony. "Tea would be welcomed, but is not required. I merely sought any word, which it appears there shall be momentarily." She then falls quiet to regard the ally attentively, despite her expectation that the report be intended for and directed to the Temperance.

Harkashan does a little shift, surprised by the sudden entry of one of the servants of the Gods. He doesn't move to sit, instead moving to lean against the wall. His tail flicking with the slightest of discomfort. "Please." He rumbles, motioning for the Raven-headed being to step inside further.

GAME: Harkashan rolls Knowledge/Religion: (10)+16: 26
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+11: (12)+11: 23
GAME: Aftershock rolls 4d6: (5): 5

The celestial moves past Harkashan without a single hesitation, moving to stand at Simony's side like a dutiful servant might. The raven headed creature's beak clacks once, and then blackness rolls over those dark eyes and its hand lashes out to catch Simony by the throat. Black claws digging into flesh. There's no warning given, nor words spoken in the moment of confusion that this generates.

GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6: (10): 10
GAME: Simony rolls cmb+4: (17)+6+4: 27

To say that the Goblin is caught off guard is an understatement. Her eyes widen to saucers in size, and she struggles momentarily as it seeks to strangle the life from her.

Her holy symbol flashes, and the slender woman bulks up noticeably. Reaching up to the fingers around her throat, Simony grunts and strains, slowly prying the fingers back, and gulping down air.

"I see that he found you, fiend.", she says between deep breaths and coughing.

GAME: Harkashan casts Holy Word. Caster Level: 13 DC: 24
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+7-4: (7)+7+-4: 10

There is concern with Harkashan for a moment. This planar servant is rather low on the rung, which means they oft aren't as powerful. He wonders what a being like this could have found. Especially with how successful the fiend has been so far.

Only for that momentary concern to immediately take hold. Those black claws reach out and grab at Simony. At first, Harkashan grabs for its arm, trying to wrest it off of the small gobbo, but strength has never been his strong-suit.

His mind is racing, heart beating fast from the sudden rush of Adrenaline. "Simony!" He calls out, before he places his other hand to the Planar Ally's head and declares; "OUT, YOU FIEND! THERE IS NO PLACE FOR YOU HERE! The Fate Spinning Dragon will devour you!"

Followed by a sudden white FLASH that blinds the entire room for a moment, and emanates enough out the door to maybe surprise a few passerbys.

GAME: Harkashan rolls Will: (10)+19: 29
GAME: Simony rolls will: (9)+12: 21
GAME: Verna rolls will+2: (13)+24+2: 39
GAME: Simony rolls will: (13)+12: 25

Verna did not expect such a "report." She is initial undecided whether the fiend took control of the ally or merely its semblance. This one in particular had shown a predilection to the former, but experience has taught her that fiends, in general, enjoy the latter. From dark-haired men to kittens, they do enjoy their subterfuge.

When she does prepare to act, it is a moment late as Harkashan does so, and decisively. The sudden shock of divine power is enough to jolt her from her deliberations, though, fortunately, not enough to cause undue harm. Still, she is left blinking. "I... I strongly suggest that we do not send further allies alone to hunt for this fiend."

Simony drops to the ground as Harkashan speaks a powerful word, and for a short time, all she does is breathe. "I... will take your suggestion... into consideration.", she says between breaths. Her eyes glance to the ally. "P.p.please continue with your report?"

In truth the ally looks stunned too. At least as much as a raven-headed man can look stunned. Few are familiar enough with raven-faces to read them terribly well. Save those who come from such heritages. The ally shakes his head. "I... Forgive me. I have little to report to you Temperance." His tone is genuinely regretful. "I was tracking the Evil through the city and when I came upon the body that housed it, I was struck. A creature of Evil forced itself within this physical body and forced me here. I have failed you."

The archon goes to one knee.

Verna moves to and kneels by Simony to render some aid. First, in the form of a small beseechment of The Harpist to mend Simony's wounds and after with the bestowing hand extended in assistance should she wish to rise. "This turn of events was unexpected, and certainly uncomfortable, but I believe it may also afford us an opportunity... if all will be well enough."

Simony slowly struggles to get herself upright, her movements pained and slow. She reaches up to grab Verna's hand, to steady herself, her expression relaxing. Her hand goes to pat Verna's shoulder, "Thank you, it is much appreciated."

Looking to the celestial, the Goblin shakes her head. "You've not failed, oh holy one. You have bought us a bit of time, by bringing it here to be banished for a time. Are you able to point us to the person it was inhabiting? It is likely the fiend will go back to them, as an easy way back into this plane and this city in particular. It has a brutal method of possessing people, a spell circle inside the skull."

The Gobbo side-eyes the Sith. "That hurt."

GAME: Verna casts Cure Moderate Wounds. Caster Level: 19 DC: 19

The celestial looks a little uncomfortable but answers Simony after a moment. "I do not think that the Evil that existed inside that body is the same Evil that infested mine. I can not be certain, but that Evil was greater than the one I felt within me." A small breath that is almost a sigh leaves the celestial. "Nor can I take you to the body that I saw, for no sooner had I lain eyes upon it than it knew of my presence and rendered me unconscious."

"I am in agreement. This fiend is certainly more powerful than the lower rungs. And I believe we should be careful how much we lean on our Great Dragon patrons." Harkashan answers with a deep rumble. Waiting as Verna takes care of Simony.

The large lizard then turns towards the creature, and bows his head. "Can you describe what body it took on, or their name? I doubt they would return to the same body, but we can learn about the way it behaves from who they possess." He proposes, echoing some of Simony's words, but contemplating a different behavior pattern.

He then looks towards Simony and shows her a soft smile. "Apologies. I am still learning to control the Death Singing Dragon's new gifts."

Pause.

"We did not find such method of possession in the others." He then reminds.

"Hmmm, a different evil. So it has control over others." He then rumbles.

SImony rubs at her temples then, and gives her head a shake. "Do you remember where you were when the evil attacked you? It may be a good starting point."

She shrugs at Harkashan. "No worries... whatever doesn't kill me, and so on and so forth. As for that method of possession, it worked to get past the Arcanist's barrier, who is to say that it is not an effective means to circumvent the city's wards also? We should assume the worse, and be pleasantly surprised if it turns out to not be the case."

Who should we seek, then, to bring more into this fight? The fiend is much greater than I, it seems. I am bound to see it destroyed, however. So I am here for the long haul. But we are going to need more than we three."

The Goblin reaches out then to pat at the Celestial's arm. "I consider your part of the bargain to be upheld."

The celestial relaxes a little. "I was near the noble quarter - which is what I understand it is called here." The raven eyes rise to meet Simony's gaze. "Am I free to return then Temperance?"

Simony nods her head, "You are free to return. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. I am glad to see you are none the worse for wear. Go in peace, and may we meet again some day."

The words seem to suffice for the celestial, so it leaves then. Turning and walking out of the room so that it can leave the city and return to its natural place.

Harkashan rumbles; "Poor being." After the Ravenheaded creature has departed, and turns to the others. "So... the Noble Quarters. That can't be good for anyone." He points out.

"There are many others who would aid us, I believe," Verna notes to Simony. "We would need make a planned and concerted effort. Foremost, I believe we must determine where to strike, at whom, and when to strike." She watches the celestial depart before looking to and between the others."We could begin a search of the Noble Quarter and/or attempt to seek out the known fiend via magical means."

Simony offers a friendly wave to the departing Raven-headed being, and nods in Hark's direction. "It's worth noting that Telamon is in that quarter, kind of, and uhm... I think this fiend might be a concern, given that uhm, well, Telamon is working on things that may be related. Not that the man needs another thing on his plate. But I think it's fair to at least warn him."

The Goblin rubs at her face. "So... how long do we have before that fiend can try returning?"

"That one? Twenty-four hours. But as the raven-kin remarked, that which took them over was not the same as they sensed within the Noble Quarters." He reminds. "So if you believe Telamon is at risk, I recommend addressing this as soon as possible."

Verna frowns as both make valid points concerning her brother-in-bond. That and there is no small measure of personal concern. "Indeed. I believe it best to return to the city promptly and ensure that all is well with the Lupecyl-Atlons. An investigation of the noble quarter and vicinity can readily follow."

The Gobbo is already starting to dress for the weather. "I will go directly to their house to inform them. Shall we all go there, and decide the next course of action from there?"

"I will leave this up to you." Harkashan answers Simony. "I have some other matters to attend to." He answers her, looking down at his hand for a moment, before closing it more firmly. "I need to get a better control over these new gifts granted to me by the Death Singing Dragon."

With that, the group splits up and goes on their own way to determine what can be done to fence the fiend in and warn those that need warning about the dangers to come.

-End