PrP: Dotting the Eyes
Be it through Explorer's Guild contacts off the books or through your religious affiliations, the four of you have been invited to a job proposition by one Gregor Wellworth, an elderly diviner of no small repute. For whatever reasons they may be, your acceptance to the invitation brings to you the Wellworth house. Not quite a manor, it straddles the line between the home of a well to do merchant and that of true nobility. In any case, Gregor is a gracious host, if an absentee one. Refreshments of fine wines and liquors are made available by the halfling butler, along with a platter of fine cheeses, fresh bread, and all manner of fruits. Once the formalities are enjoyed or at least endured, the small statured butler leads you to the study, where Gregor awaits.
Once the oaken double doors are closed behind you, the aged wizard speaks up. "Welcome, you've all come highly recommend by your respective faiths and guilds. Take a seat and we can get down to the business at hand." With a wrinkled feeble hand he gestures to the couches and recliners scattered in a rough semicircle around the upholstered rocking chair in which Gregor sits. The ravages of time have struck him particularly hard, leaving him a stooped, white haired shell, yet his bright blue eyes radiate vitality and a youth that is quite a strange juxtaposition.
Corra makes her way in and gives a bit of a nod as she is greeted and smiles softly, "Thank you for the welcome." she says and then moes to find a good place to sit.
Godwyn tugs on the silver rose clasp of her cloak one last time before making her way inside, just as the greeting is delivered. She nods, her features impassive for the time being as she takes a seat, finding one next to Corra. Godwyn turns her head and smiles. "Well what do you know. I tend to run into you a lot, don't I?"
Kojot enjoyed the samplers of cheese, bread, and fruit, although he only had a small glass of a light wine -- bad form to get too tipsy before a job, after all. The half-orc leans on one of the arms of a couch, not exactly sitting but not quite standing, either. "Yes, thanks for the hospitality," he agrees, a hint of a polite smile on his face.
Corra smiles and gets a strange look on her face, "WEll I am really triplets." she says and then giggles, "Just get around a lot." she shakes her head and waits for the others to sit.
Verna is not one to insult hospitatlity, though she limits her acceptance to a few morsels of cheese and bits of fruit. Once their host has arrived, she settles with the others to listen to the expeted proposition.
"I would like you to destroy a devil." Gregor proposes, "One that I shall not name, but a phistophilus. A devil that deals in souls, my own included. 60 years ago, when I was but an apprentice struggling to master the arts, my sight began to fail me. The priests could only remedy the problem for a while, the affliction would return and my sight dimmed. My family was nearly bankrupted trying to save my eyes. I was made an offer by this devil. My sight and family's wealth restored, and a long life for my soul. I was a fool and I signed the contract, damning myself. I've had my sight, I've watched my coffers ebb and flow over the years like the tides of the sea. I've married and buried my beloved wife Yanel, watched my sons and daughters grow old and raise families of their own. I have had a wonderful life by all accounts, but nothing worth an eternity of torment. I come to you without honor to ask you to kill the devil and release me from my contract." His speech over, the withered old man hangs his head in shame and awaits your answer.
Corra cocks her head to the side as she listens and then nods, "I do not see a problem with that, removing such things from existance is almost a duty, they are an affont to the natural world." she says as she looks arund at the others.
Godwyn leans back in her seat for a moment, pondering. "Tell me," she speaks after this silence, "will this kill you?"
Kojot glances at the sheathes on his gauntlets, then shrugs slightly. "Should be an interesting challenge," he notes, a smile starting to quirk across his face. "I'm in."
"Interesting..." Verna absorbs the task and tale. "Why, now, after what seems a strong existence, do you wish to renege on your obligation?"
"Are you asking me why I do not wish to feel the flames of Hell?" Gregor asks, bushy brow rising in curiousity before he looks to Godwyn, "It is quite possible. I will surely lose my sight and most of my fortune, which is while I will pay you before the task is complete. The bridge between my natural years and those provided by this devil are seamless, though these last years are not ones I cherish. I have grown frail and pain is my constant companion and for all I may know, the devil may see fit to give me the infirmities of a human and the lifespan of an elf. I wish to meet my judgement by the content of my heart and not the folly of my youth."
GAME: Godwyn rolls Intelligence+2: (20)+3+2: 25
Gregor's response is acceptable to Verna and her hood dips in a nod. "A worthy desire. I will assist as I am able."
GAME: Verna rolls knowledge/the planes: (20)+8: 28
A nod from Godwyn. "Have you made your peace then? Has anyone redeemed you for your decisions? Because if not, there's no telling where you'll go."
She taps a finger on her chin. "The contract... we have to destroy it. Killing the demon's not enough."
GAME: Corra rolls knowledge/THe planes+1+4: (20)+10+1+4: 35
You paged (Godwyn, Verna, Corra) with 'Okay, both of you did high enough to get 2 chunks of info, which we'll say you don't know redundant things:
All the basic devil stuff.
They can use contracts as weapons, using them as whips that deliver vicious cuts while entangling those they hit.
Among the magic always available to them is At will—bestow curse (DC 20), detect thoughts (DC 18), dimension door, erase, identify, major image (DC 19), produce flame, sending.
And they are spell resistant and only a blessed weapon will cut them freely (dr/good)
Update for Corra's Info!
They can also call upon these spells 3/Day - 3/day—arcane eye, break enchantment, greater teleport (self plus 50 lbs. of objects only), hold person (DC 19), locate creature, mage's private sanctum, scorching ray, silence (DC 18), vision
And these 1/day—contact other plane, delayed blast fireball (DC 23), dismissal (DC 21), plane shift (DC 23), summon (level 4, 1d6 bearded devils or 1 bone devil 50), symbol of pain (DC 21)
They are exceptionally nimb;e (High Dex).
Very strong willed (High will save)
Corra passes on what information that she can remember and seems to be thinking for a moment, considering.
The more knowledgeable members of the group and Gregor compare notes on what is known of this species of Devil and while his information is largely redundant with what the trio of adventurers know, he does happen to know that these devils always carry active contracts on their person. His plan is largely straight forward. Gregor will use an abandoned old dungeon, away from any bystanders to summon and bind the demon known as Sael (Sai-El), use a scroll in his possession to prevent him from fleeing once the circle is broken, and lock the lot of you in the chamber with Sael and you apply violence to solve said problem. Preparations are made and contracts are signed, ironically enough.
Once you are all ready, the plan is carried out. A teleport spell brings you to the dank subterranean stronghold, the remnants of an old fort long forgotten. Still, the underground portions are mostly intact, if infested with rats and the skeletons of orcs slain long ago by the murderhobos before you. Using the last reserves of his physical strength, Gregor stoops to form the summoning and binding circles, stopping to double check his work and correct mistakes from a shaking hand. Once he is finished with the initial preparations in the chamber, he indicates 4 small strong boxes previously dropped off when the new door was put in. Each contains your payment (whatever the treasure roll may be) and he steps inside to finally summon Sael.
The summoning and binding seem to go off without a hitch. The contract devil appears in a flash of sulfurous smoke, smug grin revealing razor sharp teeth framed by rust-colored lips. The dark red devil, who may or may not look suspiciously like Tim Curry with slightly smaller horns from Legend stares at Gregor, perhaps speaking silently in some manner. Sael simply stands and waits, hands behind his back, his robe of vellum scrolls flapping about despite a complete lack of breeze down here. "You know this won't last forever and the contract will be valid, even in this pathetic prison, old wizard." Sael taunts Gregor to his back as he shuffles out of the rectangular stone chamber, producing the key to the iron door and a paper scroll from his robes. "It is time." He murmurs. The diviner reads the scroll, struggling in parts as the magic seems beyond his normal purview, but the entire room flashes with a green light and Sael, catching sight of some of you in the door frame, loses his smirk, yellowed eyes narrowing. It's all up to you, now.
GAME: Verna casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 9 DC: 15
GAME: Corra casts Aspect of the Falcon. Caster Level: 6 DC: 13
GAME: Godwyn casts Protection From Evil. Caster Level: 10 DC: 14
GAME: Verna casts Spectral Hand. Caster Level: 9 DC: 17
GAME: Corra casts Gravity Bow. Caster Level: 6 DC: 13
GAME: Godwyn casts Bless Weapon. Caster Level: 10 DC: 14
Spells and prayers are chanted in preparation with destroying this unholy barrister. Sael sits in silence while Gregor holds the door, staring down at the mildewed steps lit green by the glow of the extradimensional spells. Once all of you step inside, the elderly diviner struggles to shut the iron door locking it behind him as he awaits what will ultimately decide his eternal fate.
"I SEE THE TIME FOR WORDS ARE OVER," Sael finally speaks up, his words echoing in both your ears and your mind. "AND A SENTINEL NO LESS. MY MASTERS WILL BE PLEASED ONCE I DRAG YOU TO THE DEPTHS, GODWYN." Them's fighting words!
Godwyn's face is resolute.
Oh, no he did not just call her out. Well, if he wants it so badly...
For a moment, she tilts her head to the right, as if he were a curiosity. "So they know me now? Flattering." She takes a few steps forward. "Well then, you will indeed be seeing your masters again soon." She brandished her great sword. "When I send you to them, pass on this message... they're next."
GAME: Verna rolls initiative: Roll: 14 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 16
GAME: Corra rolls initiative: Roll: 7 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 11
GAME: Godwyn rolls initiative: Roll: 3 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 5
GAME: Kojot rolls initiative: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 5 = Total: 20
GAME: You roll initiative for Sael: Roll: 6 + Bonus: +11 = Total: 17
=============== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 ===============
---Init--Name----------------Notes--------------------------------------------
20 Kojot Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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17 Sael
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16 Verna Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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11 Corra Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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5 Godwyn Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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GAME: Kojot rolls MainClawAtk+TWF: aliased to Finesse+6-2: (14)+15+6+-2: 33
GAME: Kojot rolls MainClawAtk+TWF-5: aliased to Finesse+6-2-5: (7)+15+6+-2+-5: 21
GAME: Kojot rolls OffClawAtk+TWF: aliased to Finesse+6-2: (14)+15+6+-2: 33
GAME: Kojot rolls OffClawAtk+TWF-5: aliased to Finesse+6-2-5: (3)+15+6+-2+-5: 17
GAME: Kojot rolls MainClawDmg: aliased to 1d6+8: (6)+8: 14
GAME: Kojot rolls OffClawDmg: aliased to 1d6+8: (2)+8: 10
Kojot slashes at the devil, scoring two hits... one of which does nothing, and the other barely scrapes Sael. "It's going to be one of *those* fights, isn't it?" he sighs.
GAME: Corra rolls reflex: (15)+11: 26
GAME: Godwyn rolls Reflex: (20)+9: 29 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
GAME: Verna rolls ref: (20)+7: 27 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
GAME: Kojot rolls Reflex: (7)+9: 16
GAME: Gareth rolls 13d6: (41): 41
GAME: You damaged Kojot for 41 points. 34 remaining.
GAME: You damaged Verna for 20 points. 35 remaining.
GAME: You damaged Corra for 20 points. 26 remaining.
GAME: You damaged Godwyn for 20 points. 73 remaining.
Sael looks down at his scratched chest and back up at Kojot, wagging his finger in a T-1000/Robert Patrick style (muh immersion!) before he jerks back a few steps long enough to summon a ball of hellish fire that engulfs practically the entire room, starting with the fighter that drew first blood. Luckily, he took most of the blast while the rest of the crew avoid the worst of it.
GAME: Verna casts Haste. Caster Level: 9 DC: 17
Verna is fortunate that the creature blocks some of it's own blast. Robes are generally flammable. While it my be difficult to affect the demon directly, she can attempt to do so indirectly. A rapid incantation and she invigorates herself and her allies.
GAME: Corra rolls ranged+5: (19)+10+5: 34
GAME: Corra rolls ranged+5: (2)+10+5: 17
GAME: Corra rolls ranged+5: (6)+10+5: 21
GAME: Corra rolls ranged+5-5: (18)+10+5+-5: 28
GAME: Corra rolls ranged+5: (7)+10+5: 22
GAME: Corra rolls 2d6+12: (8)+12: 20
GAME: Corra rolls 2d6+12: (10)+12: 22
GAME: Corra rolls 2d6+12: (9)+12: 21
Corra growls a bit as she watches and then gets blasted. That wasn't really nice." she says and shakes her head a bit. She feels the haste fall over her, "Thanks." she says with a grin and then pulls two arrows. Her first show looses those two arrows which manage to sink into the devil's hard hide and just inches from a throat shot, sinking into the shoulder instead. Two more arrows follow in rapid succession but they fail to find purchase in the foul devil. Then finaly and last shot sinks into the devils hide once more. "Did I mention I have trained to fight your kind."
GAME: Godwyn rolls Smite+4: aliased to weapon19+Charisma+4: (1)+15+3+4: 23 (EPIC FAIL)
Godwyn props her weapon onto her right shoulder and sets herself. Since the time for words is over, she says nothing as she outright charges toward the demon. At the last second, her blue eyes flash and her armor and weapons glow as she makes to deliver her attack.
It rams against his chest and does little to penetrate... but she doesn't care. Godwyn glares up at him. "Well what are you waiting for?"
GAME: Kojot rolls MainClawAtk+TWF+1: aliased to Finesse+6-2+1: (20)+15+6+-2+1: 40 (THREAT)
GAME: Kojot rolls MainClawAtk+TWF+1: aliased to Finesse+6-2+1: (14)+15+6+-2+1: 34
GAME: Kojot rolls MainClawAtk+TWF+1-5: aliased to Finesse+6-2+1-5: (11)+15+6+-2+1+-5: 26
GAME: Kojot rolls OffClawAtk+TWF+1: aliased to Finesse+6-2+1: (4)+15+6+-2+1: 24
GAME: Kojot rolls OffClawAtk+TWF+1-5: aliased to Finesse+6-2+1-5: (1)+15+6+-2+1+-5: 16 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Kojot rolls MainClawAtk+TWF+1+CF: aliased to Finesse+6-2+1+4: (19)+15+6+-2+1+4: 43
GAME: Kojot rolls MainClawDmg+MainClawDmg: aliased to 1d6+8+1d6+8: (3)+8+(3)+8: 22
GAME: Kojot rolls MainClawDmg: aliased to 1d6+8: (3)+8: 11
GAME: Kojot rolls MainClawDmg: aliased to 1d6+8: (4)+8: 12
GAME: Kojot rolls OffClawDmg: aliased to 1d6+8: (3)+8: 11
Kojot grits his teeth from the firey blast, then steps up and slashes the devil viciously. The half-orc lands several small scratches (even the largest rock will lose to the sandstorm), plus one satisfying gouge.
GAME: Gareth rolls 1d20+11: (16)+11: 27
GAME: Gareth rolls 1d20+20: (4)+20: 24
GAME: Gareth rolls 1d20+15: (13)+15: 28
GAME: Gareth rolls 1d20+10: (19)+10: 29
GAME: Gareth rolls 1d20+14: (12)+14: 26
GAME: Gareth rolls 2d4+14: (7)+14: 21
GAME: You damaged Godwyn for 21 points. 52 remaining.
It's been a long time since Sael actually endured any real pain, let alone at the hands of mortals. The onslaught of arrows and steel sends him into a reflexive lashing out, quite literally. His large horns do little to penetrate Kojot's armor, but the vellum contracts that make up his robe writhe and twist to life, turning into a whip like construct that flicks out and slashes at the paladin, inflictng grevious paper cut like wounds that bleed profusely. However, the supernatural coils don't ensnare.
GAME: Verna rolls 1d20+9: (19)+9: 28
GAME: Gareth rolls 1d20+16: (1)+16: 17 (EPIC FAIL)
Verna frowns as most blade and bow have moderate, minimal, or negligible effect. Perhaps magic is the proper means. Calling upon the energies and knowledge stowed within her ring, she incants an inversion of her prior spell, focused upon the creature. It's movements and actions are delayed and sluggish despite it's abyssal nature.
GAME: Gareth rolls 1d20+15: (5)+15: 20
GAME: Gareth rolls 1d20+15: (5)+15: 20
GAME: Gareth rolls 1d20+15: (2)+15: 17
GAME: Gareth rolls 1d20+10: (1)+10: 11 (EPIC FAIL)
CorraSOCKPUPPET fires off a bunch of arrows that fail to find their mark. :(
GAME: Gareth rolls 1d6: (1): 1
GAME: You damaged Godwyn for 1 points. 51 remaining.
GAME: You damaged Godwyn for -10 points. 61 remaining.
GAME: Godwyn rolls Smite+1: aliased to weapon19+Charisma+1: (5)+15+3+1: 24
GAME: Godwyn rolls Power Smite+1: aliased to weapon19+Charisma-3+1: (18)+15+3+-3+1: 34
GAME: Godwyn rolls Power Smite+1-5: aliased to weapon19+Charisma-3+1-5: (17)+15+3+-3+1+-5: 28
GAME: Godwyn rolls Outsider PS Damage: aliased to 2d6+15+20: (6)+15+20: 41
GAME: Godwyn rolls PS Damage: aliased to 2d6+15+Paladin: (7)+15+10: 32
GAME: Godwyn rolls PS Damage: aliased to 2d6+15+Paladin: (5)+15+10: 30
Godwyn's armor takes the first blow... and she does nothing but grimace at the next two as they score home. She shoves one of them away as it tries to wrap around her, before taking in a breath and closing her eyes.
Her right hand touches just above the symbol on her tabard, shredded but still there. Those wounds do not seem so grievous now... and that should be cause for concern.
"Your arrogance will cost you much," she intones as he finds his movements hampered, and as Godwyn opens her eyes, the blue glow persists.
The Sentinel raises her weapon and gives her battle cry, her voice seeming to double itself as she blazes even brighter. "Forward Unto Destiny!"
Then she swings, and as if knowing exactly what it would take... "One!" The first strike rams home, flashing against the horns, smashing them to pieces. "Two!" The second strike punches further in, penetrating his flesh.
"And... begone!" The third one is what does him in at last, and holy energy shoots through the devil. "Relay my message swiftly, tyrant."
For the first time since this entire encounter began, Sael's smug grin falters at first when he is slown to a crawl by the priestess-magi Verna and then when the first holy cut sears his infernal flesh. He doesn't have the moment to curse you, figuratively or literally before the two follow up slashes of Godwyn's blade leave nothing but black ichor and smoking red flesh twitching on the floor. His robe of contracts, no longer contained by his devilish will explodes in a shower of blood-inked pages.
After a few silent moments, the shutter to the door opens and Gregor peers inside. "Is...is it over?"
Verna observes the explosion, gloved hand tentatively lowering from the ready. "I certainly hope so. That creature was rather unpleasant." Her hood pans to Gregor. "You have no other outstanding contracts, I presume?"
Godwyn watches as the demon falls, cleaning the blood from her blade with her cloak. "Well, it appears you're still alive. That takes care of the contract on his end... but what of yours? Do you have it with you?" Because if he does, this will be resolved quickly.
Godwyn watches as the demon falls, cleaning the blood from her blade with her cloak. "Well, it appears you're still alive. That takes care of the contract on his end... but what of yours? Do you have it with you?" Because if he does, this will be resolved quickly.
The elderly wizard unlocks the door and floats inside, overland flight being one of the few spells that comes in handy at old age. "My copy is long destroyed, it was nothing something I wanted to keep around for my family to stumble across. His copy must be destroyed as well. There is a brazier outside in the courtyard. Burn mine and any others you see fit to."
Once the task is completed, returning to find Gregor only turns up his shriveled, milky-eyed corpse playing on a stone bench near the entrance. He looks peaceful, at the very least. Of course, now there is the case of the long trek back to Alexandria, possibly toting this old codgers body. DOH!
Godwyn glances back at the wizard when he doesn't answer... and closes her eyes as she sheathes her blade. "He knew what was coming. Harpist guide him to his rest." She turns to the demon with a look of disgust. "Verna... we need to destroy these contracts."