Beyond the Pale Part 10

The Shabti and the "Psychopomp" talking in his ear have taken a step back away from the gate as her honeyed words convince him not to trust the party of adventurers. Her touch on his chest opened bleeding wounds, but he doesn't flinch at them- from the scars all over him, he's likely quite accustomed to the pain. "How can I trust you?" he asks the party as he backs away. "You came here to kill me. You said as much yourselves. She saved me from the hells. How could she be anything other than an agent for good?" he asks them. She, standing behind the Shabti, gives the party a broad smile, revealing yellowed and blood stained teeth, and a bifurcated tongue.

"I mean, technically we came here to stop whatever was causing the disturbance of the dead." Skyler points out, eyes narrowed as he glares as the 'psychopomp', "It isn't anything personal, man. Also? You can trust us because we're not the creepy hussy with a bifurcated tongue that's scratching you up like a cat with new furniture." He glances over his shoulder at the rest of the group, mouthing 'what the fuck' before turning back, "I mean, not to yuck your yum, but good people don't do that kind of stuff. Did she even give you a safe word, man?!"

Bryn jabs a thumb at Skyler. "Ye, we came ta stop what was happenin. Didn't know t'was you or anything 'bout ye. Til now. If all we came to do was end ye, we wouldn't be here talkin, ey?"

Her eye moves to peer at the pompous psycho behind him, though she's still talking at the Shabti. "Somethin good. In the Hells. You even listenin to what yer saying?! Ain' nothin but lyin deals down there..." From what she's heard. She's not gotten around to visiting the place. "If'n she's so good, why's the plan ta do all of..." she waves her hands around the place "...this?"

Crik lifts his hands up to his face, shaking his head rapidly. It was all detoriati- he then pauses, and looks at Skyler, then quietly whispers to him, 'You know how to spell bifurcated?' He asks, apparently very impressed. The corvid's attention is returned back towards the gruesome sight. "Look, look, uh-" Glance at the psychopomp, he clicks his beak and quickly shakes his head, "Or not- look! this is all a misunderstanding." He holds his hands out. "We should all adjourn for tonight, reconvene tomorrow with clear minds and, and."

The corvid does not even know what to say about the wound, he looks at Skyler for a moment, listlessly, then continues. "Rested minds are healthy minds! Tomorrow we can discuss the matters of destruction and betrayal, or lack thereof!" Desperately hopeful note, before he carefully adds. "... we can bring a new statue? The old one fell... apart."

The Shabti shakes his head at the group, falling back another step. "No, no, you simply mean to take my justice, my vengeance from me." he says then, and stands up more firmly. More resolutely. "You may have destroyed my servants out there, but I have an army. She showed me this place, this refuge in the planes. And here I learned. Now I will teach you." he insists. He steps out of her embrace, and she slips back into the shadows out of sight- though her voice carries. "Yes, tear each other apart." she says. The Shabti parts his arms, and then lifts them to above his head and the ground behind him begins to shake and shift.

It soon becomes clear that the mountain ridge he stands upon is not soil or stone. As it shifts, and the layer of frost that covers it is disturbed, it is revealed to be a mound of bones. Beyond counting, thousands, millions of bones piled up to make the valleys and folds of the landscape. And bursting from the mass of bones are a pair of massive skulls, flat faced and heavy jaws. Next bony hands emerge, and drag their looming forms up and out of the debris.

"If you would stop me, then come and stop me. Or flee, and my army will march." the Shabti says, as he begins to back further away from the portal.

Rather than answering or acknowledging Crik's surprise, Skyler gives the corvid a saucy wink before turning back, nodding at Bryn's words. "Yes, what she said! I'd also like to point out of all the people in the room, that skank is the only one that's actually hurt you." He squints, "Repeatedly. Just coz it's recreational doesn't mean it's okay!"

But then bones are exploding out, and his eyes widen as he scrambles backwards, holding both hands up, "Hey big guy! Why don't we take a moment and maybe get you some cream for those scratches...?" He glances over his shoulder, mouthing, 'what the fuck' again before he gives up all pretense and turns to bolt to the rest of the group.

<OOC> Crik says, "Can I roll k/religion to figure out what these new skulls are?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Sure"

GAME: Crik rolls knowledge/religion: (8)+3: 11

<OOC> Thurid says, "It's just that the skulls came out first." <OOC> Crik says, "They are all skulls to me!"

Crik puts his hand over his eyes, tilting his head back. "... undead army was not part of the contract." He gives an exhausted look towards Skyler and then puts his hand on the man's shoulder. "Need to work on the words. One mention of a hussy can stand between salvation and the undead apocalypse." The corvid pauses. "... or the lack of safeword."

The egalrin picks up his hand crossbow and thunks the back of it with his palm, trying to tiredly dislodge some of the crud in its mechanism. "... anyone with a club?"

Ulthan swings his massive flail right by Crik, "This big enough for you?"

"Well, so much fer talkin," Bryn rolls her shoulders; one part shrug and one part limbering stretch. "Guess we're stoppin ye then." She looks to Crik. "If yer sayin we can't chop 'em up, we can; just gotta chop harder. Though punchin 'em sounds just fine, too." She then focuses her eye at the sprouting little skeletons, re-drawing her big curveblade. "S'all good. We got this."

The party advance through the theshold into the extraplanar space beyond, and are immediately beset by a feeling of wrongness. It's not quite cold- it is cold, but it is not only that. It's a bone-deep sense of impending doom, and a cloying apathy. Colors are muted and washed out, here, save for the green ghost-fires which burn in braziers and unbidden from amongst the piles of bones that make up every inch of the landscape.

In the far distance, lichdrakes whirl around the spire of Thuul's spiretop abode, and the sky is a churning greyness with no hint of sunshine.

The party find themselves standing on a raised balcony of hewn stone, and ahead of them lays a bridge spanning the frozen river below.

The giant skeletons have finished wresting themselves free of the pile of bones beneath them, and each drags an enormous femur from amongst the ossuary terrain to use as a club.

GAME: Bryn rolls will: (16)+10: 26 GAME: Ulthan rolls will: (16)+3: 19

<OOC> Skyler says, "Gunna charmed life this bizaz"

GAME: Skyler rolls will+4+2: (17)+4+4+2: 27 GAME: Crik rolls will: (8)+4+2: 14

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Thurid has dropped a TIMESTOP!

Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Thurid to instruct you further. You may earn RPP by logging a scene for a GM.

For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

GAME: Thurid rolls 17+4: (1)+17+4: 22 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Ulthan rolls perception: (6)+10: 16 GAME: Skyler rolls perception: (16)+12: 28 GAME: Bryn rolls perception: (18)+12: 30

<OOC> Skyler says, "I thought I knew what I wanted to do, but waiting on results of the check XD"

GAME: Crik rolls perception: (8)+11: 19

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 28. It is now Skyler's turn! Giant Skeleton 1 is next!

<OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, sky guy, you're up."

As they come into the (demi?)Plane of Undeath, Skyler wrinkles his nose, glancing around, "Well, this is certainly a cheerful place." He comments to no one in particular, even as he draws his scimitar with a single fluid gesture, the edge shimmering slightly with mystical energy. Even the usually cheerful glow of his ioun torch seems to be unwholesome and sinister. "No wonder dude is so desperate for affection. And fascism."

He glances around, brow furrowing as he checks up on the rest of his friends and party-mates. "So we're doing this, right? Well, let's try drawing them into this place. Maybe we try to bottle neck them at the entrance?" He nods towards the entrance to the patio they're on, moving to a position to the side and then pauses, eyes narrowing. "HEY! HUSSY! GET BACK HERE!" He shouts loudly, pointing his sword towards the bridge to the south, "Dude! She got you all riled up and then abandoned you!"

<OOC> Thurid says, "Alright, Sky, You could try making a Demoralize attempt with that, if you like?" <OOC> Skyler says, "Sure! Roll intimidate?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Please!" <OOC> Skyler says, "We still got New Hope?" <OOC> Thurid says, "What was the duration on it, Bryn? It's rounds/level right?" <OOC> Bryn says, "Good Hope was 8 minutes"

GAME: Skyler rolls intimidate: (12)+11+2: 25

<OOC> Skyler is scawwy

GAME: Thurid rolls 6: (3)+6: 9

<OOC> Thurid says, "The Shabti is Shaken"

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 22. It is now Giant Skeleton 1's turn! Giant Skeleton 2 is next!

<OOC> Thurid says, "Giant Skeleton 1 will pick up a bone boulder and yeet it at Bryn since she's the only one without cover." <OOC> Thurid says, "Well, full attack with yeeted bone boulders"

GAME: Thurid rolls 7: (2)+7: 9 GAME: Thurid rolls 2: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 14. It is now Giant Skeleton 2's turn! Shabti is next!

<OOC> Thurid says, "Skelly 2 can see Sky and Ulthan, and will yeet a couple at Sky."

GAME: Thurid rolls 7: (16)+7: 23 GAME: Thurid rolls 2: (4)+2: 6

<OOC> Thurid says, "And wiffs."

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 13. It is now Shabti's turn! Crik is next!

<OOC> Thurid says, "Shabti will cast Haste." <OOC> Thurid says, "And then move." <OOC> Thurid poses now.

THe two bone giants rip giant clods of compacted bone from the earth at their feet, and begin bombarding the party with them. They aren't especially accurate, and none of their attacks hit the mark- but the clumps explode into scattered bones where they strike with enough force to shake the ground.

Skyler's words first seem to fall on deaf ears, "I don't need her to deal with you!" the Shabti insists- but there's a hint of uncertainty in his voice, and he casts a glance back over his shoulder towards the fleeing Apostle. He lifts his hands and chants a brief incantation, and magic flows forth from his fingertips, instilling him and his Skeletal allies enhanced Alacrity.

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 12. It is now Crik's turn! Bryn is next!

<OOC> Crik says, "I suppose I'll run on the _far side_ of Skyler since he'll be attracting all the bones" <OOC> Crik says, "And that's it. ._." <OOC> Thurid says, "Pose it."

Crik's beak is open as he glances around the desolate plane. He was not having a good time. "I am not having a good time." He says quietly to himself in egalrin, before turning his head towards the Shabti and the golems.

The pirate, however, gives Crik an idea. He holds up one of his fancier books, stands up and shouts, "I CAST VICIOUS MOCKERY." Then right after, "Sh-she must be a psy-psycho because her o-oversized hams-" The corvid then stops, and looks at his tiny book. "... I don't think this is a spellbook."

With those words, he suddenly sprints of running, across and far away from Skyler.

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 9. It is now Bryn's turn! Ulthan is next!

<OOC> Bryn says, "Ok. Standard to cast Haste (which I think will hit everyone?) and then moving really quick to pretty boy, and then past. Going to try and get to the hustling hussy."

GAME: Bryn casts Haste. Caster Level: 8 DC: 16

<OOC> Bryn supposes that Shabti might get an AoO. <OOC> Thurid says, "He's unarmed." <OOC> Thurid says, "So no AoO" <OOC> Bryn says, "That's all I have for now." <OOC> Thurid thumbs up, pose it.

"Maybe she's the one't needs you, ey?" Bryn calls on The Hymn for a rousing note and an energizing case of the zoomies. Then, she bolts. Almost right at Mr. Wronged-but-prettier-brother... and then right past him. Maybe that's proof they aren't all guarateend to come after him? Or maybe Brynn just wants to cut off the manipulator at the pass?

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 8. It is now Ulthan's turn! Skyler is next!

<OOC> Ulthan says, "So... I have now Haste from Bryn? :D" <OOC> Thurid says, "Yup" <OOC> Ulthan says, "I am pretty sure I can catch up to the Hussy, then, with base 40' speed... And slap them with the flail?" <OOC> Ulthan says, "If Bryn hadn't blocked the way, I'd ahve gotten a Charge there... :D" <OOC> Thurid says, "Shabti still would have been in the way" <OOC> Ulthan says, "Ah, no, it'd be okay with direct route, but going around the Shabti and the Bardess... I'll be a bit short..." <OOC> Thurid says, "Or is that who you are attacking?" <OOC> Ulthan says, "I'll try to slap the Shabti..." <OOC> Ulthan says, "Because I can't quite make it tot he Hussy in one round." <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, roll it." <OOC> Ulthan says, "So let's see, half my movement... So how many attacks do I make? First time with iteratives in Tenebrae, and same with Haste... :D" <OOC> Thurid says, "Just one" <OOC> Ulthan says, "Was the Good Hope still in effect?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Full attack is always a Full-round action, and haste only grants extra attacks on a full round. And yeah, it is."

GAME: Ulthan rolls weapon1+2: (10)+9+2: 21

<OOC> Thurid says, "That hits, roll damage."

GAME: Ulthan rolls damage1: aliased to 2d8+7: (8)+7: 17

<OOC> Thurid says, "And hurts him, pose it."

Ulthan feels the energezing force of Bryn's spell make him feel quicker, and he chases after the Bardess, only to be blocked at the pass by the Shabti, who gets a swing of the huge flail to the midsection as a thank-you note.

GAME: NEW ROUND! Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 28.

It is now Skyler's turn! Giant Skeleton 1 is next!

<OOC> Skyler says, "Imma hustle to hussy" <OOC> Thurid says, "If you make an Acrobatics check to hop the railing you can do it in a single move action." <OOC> Skyler says, "Bet!" <OOC> Skyler says, "Can I still do an action once I get to her?" <OOC> Skyler says, "Coz I wanna tanglefoot her" <OOC> Thurid says, "Yeah" <OOC> Skyler says, "Hell yeah, who doesn't know the safeword now, hussy?"

GAME: Skyler rolls acrobatics+2: (20)+16+2: 38

<OOC> Thurid says, "You clear the railing with style." <OOC> Skyler says, "Do I gotta roll to tanglefoot bag her?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Yeah it's a ranged attack."

GAME: Skyler rolls ranged+2: (20)+13+2: 35 (THREAT)

<OOC> Thurid says, "That hits." <OOC> Skyler says, "Would this count as a crit for surge of success?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Sure, it's still a ranged attack, even though it has no critical bonus." <OOC> Thurid says, "Roll to confirm."

GAME: Skyler rolls ranged+2: (1)+13+2: 16 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Skyler says, "Oof" <OOC> Thurid says, "Are you sure you're using a dice and not a coin?" <OOC> Ulthan says, "Looks like a 20p to me..." <OOC> Ulthan says, "And not a d20 :D" <OOC> Thurid says, "Anyhow, no surge of success."

GAME: Skyler used a Tanglefoot Bag. GAME: Thurid rolls 12: (13)+12: 25

<OOC> Thurid says, "She is not glued to the floor, but her mvoement speed is halfed." <OOC> Thurid says, "Pose it."

GAME: Thurid rolls 2d4: (7): 7

<OOC> Thurid says, "And it lasts for 7 rounds."

It takes a moment for Skyler to get what Bryn is attempting... He's not the brightest torch in the Plane of Undeath, after all, and it's all so exciting! There's shit throwing boulders at him, there's a sad dickmatized undead-but-not-really guy getting beaten up by his friends, and there's a hussy hustling....

A hussy hustling?! No, no, no!

Skyler leaps the cover of the railing with a quick, effortless spin that orients him perfect to surge forward, one boot planted against the railing to launch himself quickly even as Bryn's magical haste suffuses him. "Beep beep!" He says as he slides past Bryn and Ulthan, free hand darting into his coat to pull out a little burlap sack that he tosses at the creature with the bad teeth. It explodes at her feet, a mixture of tar and other alchemical substances designed to glue her into the spot or at the very least prevent her from moving too quickly, "Hey, you! I've seen copper piece whores that have better manners!"

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 22.

It is now Giant Skeleton 1's turn! Giant Skeleton 2 is next!

<OOC> Thurid says, "Giant skeleton 1 full attacks Ulthan with reach and PA. Giant skeleton 2 moves and single attacks Bryn with the same."

GAME: Thurid rolls 14: (8)+14: 22 GAME: Thurid rolls 9: (6)+9: 15

<OOC> Thurid says, "One hit on Ulthan." <OOC> Thurid says, "Oh wait, forgot power attack. No hits."

GAME: Thurid rolls 14-2: (18)+14+-2: 30

<OOC> Thurid says, "That hits Bryn, though."

GAME: Thurid rolls 2d8+10+5: (11)+10+5: 26

<OOC> Thurid says, "Shabti can't 5' to safety, so will defensively cast Shield."

GAME: Thurid rolls 5+9: (20)+5+9: 34

<OOC> Thurid says, "Doesn't provoke, gets his spell off."

The lumbering skeletons give up the rock throwing when the party draw nearer, and they instead switch back to the massive monstrous femurs, large enough that even they have to wield them in two hands, and swing for those on the bridge. Ulthan manages to duck a strike sent his way, but Bryn is not so lucky and the gigantic slab of bone smashes into her side, breaking ribs and driving the wind out of her.

The Shabti, meanwhile, still seems shaken by Skyler's denouncement of his patron- that is, until Ulthan moves up and slams him with the flail. He staggers back, gasping for breath and clutching his side where the attack landed before he throws out his other hand, moving it in a rapid gesture which causes a shimmering field of force to appear in the air between him and Ulthan. "You are no different from the devils, speaking honeyed words in one ear and then striking the other!" he accuses the group.

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 14.

It is now Giant Skeleton 2's turn! Shabti is next!

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 13.

It is now Shabti's turn! Crik is next!

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 12. It is now Crik's turn! Bryn is next!

<OOC> Thurid says, "I forgot to add her when you spotted her, so she'll act at the end of this around and then on that init going forwards." <OOC> Crik says, "Crik will move on after Skyler, have to find a flank somewhere. ._." <OOC> Thurid says, "Moved you for now. You have haste, so that was a single move action. Would you like to do anything else?" <OOC> Crik says, "... actually, how do I use a scroll of charm person? ._.," <OOC> Thurid says, "Roll Use Magic Device, you need to beat the DC for the spell in question, if you do it works and then you cast it according to the caster level of the scroll (which if not otherwise noted is the minimum level to cast said spell)" <OOC> Thurid says, "Unless you have it on a spell list you have access to (even if not prepared) in which case you can forgo the UMD roll." <OOC> Thurid says, "The DC for charm person at base caster level would be 21" <OOC> Crik says, "I think this would have worked a lot better earlier. ._., I'll try it anyway!" <OOC> Thurid says, "Alright, roll Use Magic Device"

GAME: Crik rolls use magic device: (9)+8: 17

<OOC> Crik says, "I'll reroll that"

GAME: Crik rolls use magic device: (8)+8: 16

<OOC> Crik sad noises

Crik looks at Skyler go, and then looks over the railing. Only one way to go. He runs on after the pirate, raising his hands defensively towards the Shabti. "A-mistake, it's a large flail!" He tries with the Shabti, but his attention was mostly on the fancy tiny book he was reading from either. He was holding it upside down as he bumps into Skyler, making wiggly looking gestures towards Shabti. "... and prones!" The corvid peeks around the peek. "... nothing?" He looks at the book. "I was sworn this was real magic..." He flips the pages back and forth.

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 9. It is now Bryn's turn! Ulthan is next!

<OOC> Bryn will spend a move to fire up Inspire Courage, 5' step towards the one that hit me. Swift for Arcane Strike. Power Attack. Full attack with haste.

GAME: Bryn spends ONE use of BARDIC PERFORMANCE.

<OOC> Thurid says, "Roll your attacks."

GAME: Bryn rolls weapon1+2+2+1-2: (5)+11+2+2+1+-2: 19 GAME: Bryn rolls weapon1+2+2+1-2: (16)+11+2+2+1+-2: 30 GAME: Bryn rolls weapon1+2+2+1-2-5: (18)+11+2+2+1+-2+-5: 27 (THREAT)

<OOC> Thurid says, "Roll to confirm."

GAME: Bryn rolls weapon1+2+2+1-2-5: (18)+11+2+2+1+-2+-5: 27 (THREAT)

<OOC> Thurid says, "That's a miss, a hit and a crit." <OOC> Skyler says, "What a journey!"

GAME: Bryn rolls damage1+2+2+2+6: aliased to 2d4+7+2+2+2+6: (6)+7+2+2+2+6: 25 GAME: Bryn rolls damage1+2+2+2+6+damage1+2+2+2+6: aliased to 2d4+7+2+2+2+6+2d4+7+2+2+2+6: (5)+7+2+2+2+6+(6)+7+2+2+2+6: 49

<OOC> Thurid says, "You dismantle it, one and done."

"Maybe he was jus tryin ta beat some sense into ye!" Brynn snarl-snarks (snarkles?) at Shabti with shortened breath from the (broken) ribbing she got. "Mebbe ye should listen!" She doesn't take out her frustrations on him, though. That's saved for the giant boner that hit her.

"C'mon ye fleshless wimp! That allya got?! We got this!" Her last few words are belted as she brings her big blade up for some big swings. One goes wide, another hits it good, and the last catches it between giant ribs to shatter its spine. Without that to support it, the rest of it collapses in a cascading cavalcade of calcium.

"Ha! Can't dish it, 'n can't take it, neither!"

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 8. It is now Ulthan's turn! Skyler is next!

<OOC> Ulthan says, "Full attacking on the other big bony boy..."

GAME: Ulthan rolls weapon1: (1)+9: 10 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Ulthan says, "Using reroll" <OOC> Thurid says, "Go for it."

GAME: Ulthan rolls weapon1: (1)+9: 10 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Ulthan rolls weapon1: (16)+9: 25 GAME: Ulthan rolls weapon1-5: (9)+9+-5: 13

<OOC> Thurid says, "Man the dice are *weird* tonight." <OOC> Thurid says, "Anyhow, that's one hit."

GAME: Ulthan rolls damage1: aliased to 2d8+7: (9)+7: 16

<OOC> Thurid says, "That smashes some ribs, but it's still up. Pose it." <OOC> Ulthan says, "So ribcage smashed, but still standing?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Yeah"

Ulthan swings at the big bony who had tried to attack him, smashing his flail straight through the ribcage, but unfortunately while it leaves the skeleton seevrely deboned, it didn't reach the spine and thus the thing stays upright still...

GAME: NEW ROUND! Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 28.

It is now Skyler's turn! Giant Skeleton 1 is next!

<OOC> Skyler says, "She's moving, right?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Oh I forgot her turn! XD sorry" <OOC> Thurid says, "Yeah I'll do that now." <OOC> Thurid says, "She is going... to full attack Skyler. Forgoing the first attack for two weapon feint."

GAME: Thurid rolls 22: (11)+22: 33

<OOC> Thurid says, "You are flat footed until the end of her turn." <OOC> Skyler says, "Oh shit"

GAME: Thurid rolls 13-2: (1)+13+-2: 12 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Thurid rolls 7-2: (9)+7+-2: 14 GAME: Thurid rolls 7-2: (18)+7+-2: 23

<OOC> Thurid says, "So that's one hit." <OOC> Skyler says, "Gunna R&P it" <OOC> Thurid says, "Roll it."

GAME: Skyler spends ONE point of PANACHE. GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+2: (19)+16+2: 37 GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+2: (5)+16+2: 23

<OOC> Thurid says, "Well, first one is the riposte roll." <OOC> Thurid says, "Er, parry roll. So you parry, but the riposte doesn't hit." <OOC> Skyler says, "Still worth it to avoid the hit"

As Skyler's tanglefoot bag comes flying towards her, and bursts apart the Kyton hisses a curse in some language too foul to grace the material plain. She begins to flail, as though trying to remove the sticky goop from herself- but amidst her flailing, she suddenly draws a pair of wicked curved and barbed knives from who knows where on her person- she doesn't look like her leather has many pockets. She suddenly lunges in towards Skyler, swinging the blades for his belly. "Aw, and I was going to let you live for now, pretty boy. But let's see how pretty your insides are." she hisses at him- each of her attacks targets his gut, making a concerted effort to open his belly and even foregoing oportune strikes to more vital areas. He's able to deflect her attack, but she twists out of the way of his counter and laughs shrilly. "Yes! YES!" she cries out, "Squirm and struggle for your pathetic life."

<OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, sky, you're up, and are being hit on by a very pushy woman who doesn't seem to have heard of personal space." <OOC> Skyler thumbs up <OOC> Skyler says, "I'm gunna full round her ass then"

GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+2: (12)+16+2: 30

<OOC> Skyler says, "That was the haste attack" <OOC> Skyler says, "Rolling my two full round attacks now"

GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+2: (15)+16+2: 33 (THREAT) GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+2: (6)+16+2: 24

<OOC> Skyler says, "Crit hit?" <OOC> Thurid says, "Yeah that's a crit."

GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+2-5: (12)+16+2+-5: 25

<OOC> Thurid says, "So hit, Crit, Hit"

GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+2+2+7: aliased to 1d6+8+2+2+7: (6)+8+2+2+7: 25 GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+damage1+2+2+2+2+7+7: aliased to 1d6+8+1d6+8+2+2+2+2+7+7: (5)+8+(4)+8+2+2+2+2+7+7: 47 GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+2+2+7: aliased to 1d6+8+2+2+7: (4)+8+2+2+7: 23

<OOC> Skyler says, "95 damage" <OOC> Thurid says, "Pose it!"

Skyler dodges blows, catching one on his blade and with a twist of his wrist sends the worst blow down. His eyes are hard as jade as he does something that is rather rare for the swashbuckler: he doesn't say a word. Instead, he lets his blade do the talking. From where his blade has hers pinned, he twists his wrist again to slice open her arm along the vein, and once he hits the elbow joint turns his elbow to flick the blade across her *throat* in a wicked blow that in a lesser creature would probably decapitate her, following it with an snap of his wrist to slice open her arm pit before he flicks the blood into her eyes.

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.

Round Three - Init 22.

It is now Giant Skeleton 1's turn! Almehda is next!

<OOC> Thurid says, "Skelly 1 will full attack power attack Ulthan, and I'll remember to roll its Haste attack this time."

GAME: Thurid rolls 14-2: (13)+14+-2: 25 GAME: Thurid rolls 14-2: (5)+14+-2: 17 GAME: Thurid rolls 7-2: (10)+7+-2: 15

<OOC> Thurid says, "One hit, even with haste bonus."

GAME: Thurid rolls 2d8+10+5: (12)+10+5: 27

<OOC> Thurid says, "Almehda will take a step back and pray. I need will saves from everyone." <OOC> Thurid says, "Shabti hesitates, and loses his turn from this around." <OOC> Skyler says, "Burning my Surge of Success from critting"

GAME: Skyler rolls will+2+2+2: (2)+4+2+2+2: 12 <OOC> Skyler says, "Ooo reroll" GAME: Skyler rolls will+2+2+2: (9)+4+2+2+2: 19

GAME: Ulthan rolls will: (13)+3: 16 GAME: Crik rolls will: (10)+4: 14 GAME: Bryn rolls will+2: (20)+10+2: 32 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)

GAME: Thurid rolls 6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Thurid rolls 11d6: (32): 32

<OOC> Thurid says, "Anyhow, 16 points of nonlethal damage for Bryn and Sky" <OOC> Thurid says, "Crik, Ulthan and Shabti are staggered, Crik is Helpless." <OOC> Thurid says, "And also everyone takes..."

GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6+1: (1)+1: 2

<OOC> Thurid says, "2 persistant bleed damage." <OOC> Thurid says, "The Shabti takes a full defense action for his turn."

The woman cries out as Skyler strikes her, drawing crimson blood that seems even more vibrant despite all other colors being muted. The cry is not one of pain, though, it is of pure, unadulterated, perverse joy. "Ohhh, you have so much talent!" she coos at him, "Maybe I'll make you mine pretty boy!" she calls out, crying out in pleasure again as another strike lands. Where she is opened by Skyler's blade, her skin is pierced with threads of shadowstuff that begin stitching and stapling her back together. She seems unbothered by her own blood in her eyes, and her too-long bifurcated tongue emerges to lick at a dribble of it running down her cheek.

She whirls away from Skyler, and then strikes a pose, hands high. "Ahhhh, the joys you could bring. The joys you could feel." she cries out to the group, as she reaches up for her blindfold. She tears it off, revealing that where her eyes should be she has bloody holes in her face. "I was growing bored of this little ploy, oh the tortures I'll endure for this..." she says and laughs breathily. "Before you is Almehda of the Kytons. I once was like you, weak, ignorant creatures. Until I tasted the joys that the flesh has to offer." she says, trailing her fingertip along her cheek- which opens up and bleeds, long enough for her tongue to stick out of the new hole in her face before it begins sealing it up. "I'll show you! I'll show you the joys you could endure! OH it will be wonderful, I love you, love you all, so, so much!" she cries out tears of blood running from her empty sockets as she lifts her arms and openly weeps in rapture.

As she speaks, painful wounds open up all over the party's bodies- superficial wounds, but mind-numbingly painful, as though they are being lashed all over. Skyler and Bryn are able to muscle through the worst of it through strength of will, but the others are left gasping for breath- Crik finds himself entirely transfixed, paralyzed by the exquisite pain.

The Shabti is not spared from the assault, and he curls up as though defending himself- but it's no use against the supernatural lashing. "You- you, I remember... I remember, this..." he croaks out.

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 19. It is now Almehda's turn! Shabti is next! GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 13. It is now Shabti's turn! Crik is next! GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 12. It is now Crik's turn! Bryn is next!

<OOC> Thurid says, "You're helpless, and unable to act, Crik. But you take 2 points of bleed damage."

Crik turns around to witness Skyler's feats of swordsmanship - oh, if the man was focused. But then the kyton reveals her true self, without all pretense - and the corvid's worst fears are confirmed. He turns back towards Shabti. "You-" He begins, waving his book.

But then all he feels, sees, smells and hears is pain, collapsing into the ground.

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 9. It is now Bryn's turn! Ulthan is next!

<OOC> Thurid says, "You take two points of bleed damage, Bryn" <OOC> Bryn says, "The skell is still threatening Ulthan, yes?" <OOC> Thurid says, "It is yeah" <OOC> Bryn will mosey on over to it to try and make it non-threatening. <OOC> Bryn maintains Inspire Courage, moves, attempts a single attack with power attack.

<OOC> Bryn accepts any AoOs it might offer.

GAME: Thurid rolls 14-2+1: (10)+14+-2+1: 23 <OOC> Thurid says, "Hits, I believe, with PA" GAME: Thurid rolls 2d8+5: (8)+5: 13

GAME: Bryn rolls weapon1+2+2+1-2: (3)+11+2+2+1+-2: 17

<OOC> Bryn will take a reroll for that. <OOC> Thurid says, "Go for it."

GAME: Bryn rolls weapon1+2+2+1-2: (8)+11+2+2+1+-2: 22

<OOC> Thurid says, "It barely hits."

GAME: Bryn rolls damage1+2+2+6: aliased to 2d4+7+2+2+6: (3)+7+2+2+6: 20

<OOC> Thurid says, "You take off one of its legs, but it's not quite down for the count" <OOC> Thurid says, "Pose it."

Bryn is really good at collecting new wounds... but this is new. Usually, something has to hit her, first. Still, her familiarity might be why she isn't so perturbed by it. Not as much as most of the others seem to be: Crik squawks, Ulthan is really wobbly, and Skyler is.. well, Ok, he's used to getting new holes made in himself, too. He'll be fine.

That leads her to step around Ulthan to the remaining bone giant. "C'mon! We ain' done yet!" is called as she swings and cuts off a leg. It is both a warning to it and a rallying cry to her bleeding fellows.

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 8. It is now Ulthan's turn! Skyler is next!

<OOC> Thurid says, "Ulthan, you're staggered so you can only take one move or standard action this round. You also take two bleed damage." <OOC> Thurid says, "Which renders you helpless." <OOC> Ulthan says, "Yeah... :D I take standard action of fainting from pain. :D" <OOC> Thurid says, "Hey you're not unconscious. That ability specifically keeps you from going unconscious" <OOC> Thurid says, "Just unable to act."

GAME: NEW ROUND! Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 28. It is now Skyler's turn! Giant Skeleton 1 is next!

<OOC> Skyler says, "5' step and attack the hussy!" <OOC> Thurid says, "Sky guy! You are surprisingly OK since it feels like you've just been through ten lashes with a knout" <OOC> Thurid says, "R0ll 'em"

<OOC> Skyler says, "Same order as last time! Haste then my full round attacks"

GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+4: (14)+16+4: 34 GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+4: (2)+16+4: 22 GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+4-5: (11)+16+4+-5: 26

<OOC> Thurid says, "Two hits."

GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+4+7: aliased to 1d6+8+4+7: (1)+8+4+7: 20 GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+4+7: aliased to 1d6+8+4+7: (6)+8+4+7: 25

<OOC> Thurid says, "And she drops! ... but her wounds are still slowly stitching themselves back up." <OOC> Thurid says, "Pose it.," <OOC> Thurid says, "Oh and you're still bleeding"

The Swashbuckler's jaw clenches as he feels the sorceries wash over him, wounds tearing open on his flesh even as he continues his deadly, graceful dance with the creature. He doesn't bother with commentary, eyes going from hard to almost unfocused while his expression goes from fierce and angry to almost... detached? As if his entire being was focused on the series of blows. His blade slices open her stomach, but she manages to ward off the next blow that follows, which would have opened the would even deeper. But the third blow, a wicked slash across her throat and the shadowy threads, hits true and Skyler lets out a little hiss of air as he staggers back, eyes closing as the pain of her prayers tears open a cut across his forehead and blood pours into his face.

He takes a guard position, and finally speaks up in a rough, harsh voice. "My father did worse when I told him I didn't want to be his son." Beat. "Pain... isn't new to me, bitch. And my boyfriend's dick is bigger than yours."

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 22. It is now Giant Skeleton 1's turn! Almehda is next!

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 19. It is now Almehda's turn! Shabti is next!

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 13. It is now Shabti's turn! Crik is next!

<OOC> Thurid says, "Skeleton 1 is about to smash Bryn, but he stops. Almehda remains unconscious for now, but is healing. Shabti is going to stagger to his feet and speak."

As her belly is opened, the woman's guts spill out about her and she laughs in elation, "Oh yes, you're wonderful, truly wonderful!" she cries out to Skyler, a broad smile on her face even as blood gurgles up from her wounded innards and spills from her lips. "I can feel your love. This is but a taste, a taste of the joys you could experience!" she cries out, still emphatically preaching to him until her voice is silenced by a blade cutting artery and trachea both. She collapses, still laughing- though the noise is more of a muted gurgle- until she falls back. Eyeless holes staring at the sky, and hot blood spilling out around her. But she's not finished, her wounds are knitting themselves closed and the gentle pulse of the blood spilling from her throat indicates that her blackened heart still beats.

The skeletal giant lifts it's massive club to come crashing down on Bryn once more, but the Shabti manages to stagger to his feet. "Stop!" he calls out. "Begone!" he commands the creature, dismissing the magic he used to raise it- and it collapses into a pile of inanimate bones again. "I've felt... this lash before. Many times." he says then as he staggers towards the regenerating Kyton. "She was one of my torturers. Not my savior." he realizes.

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 12. It is now Crik's turn! Bryn is next!

<OOC> Thurid says, "Still bleeding, still helpless."

Crik lets out the most pitiful sounding caw.

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 9. It is now Bryn's turn! Ulthan is next!

<OOC> Bryn will hit Thurid with a CLW and then move up to be able to tend to Crik next. <OOC> Thurid says, "Very kind to offer, but I'm invincible." <OOC> Bryn rubs face. I meant Ulthan, sorry.

GAME: Bryn casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 8 DC: 14 GAME: Bryn rolls 1d8+5: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Thurid says, "Ulthan is no longer bleeding and wakes up." <OOC> Skyler says, "But what about Thurid?!"

Bryn was ready to take the blows, and blinks when they don't come. Then she looks to the man. "Oh, ye think? Bout damned time..." She lowers her blade after the bones collapse and turns her attention to Ulthan. Reaching down to pat him with a gentle, glowing touch, she says, "Time ta get up, big guy!" Then she steps towards the un-caw-cious Crik to help next.

GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 8. It is now Ulthan's turn! Skyler is next!

<OOC> Ulthan says, "So I use my move to get back up. :D" <OOC> Thurid says, "You're also no longer staggered, that ojnly lasted a round." <OOC> Ulthan says, "Ooh, okay, time to go for the Hussy and pile on to keep them from getting up..."

Ulthan crawls up and lumbers towards the Hussy and the swashbuckler at the bridge...

GAME: NEW ROUND!

Thurid advances the initiative order. Round Five - Init 28. It is now Skyler's turn! Almehda is next!

GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+damage1+2+2+14: aliased to 1d6+8+1d6+8+2+2+14: (5)+8+(4)+8+2+2+14: 43

<OOC> Skyler says, "There, coup de grace"

GAME: Thurid rolls 8: (16)+8: 24 <OOC> Thurid says, "She fails her fort save and dies immediately." <OOC> Thurid says, "Pose it."

When she falls, Skyler's eyes glitter with something absolutely ugly as he turns to glance over at the lumbering Dranei. His eyes drift over to Crik, lying on the ground, and somehow his eyes go even *harder* as he turns back to the fallen woman, flipping his sword midair and catching it so that the blade is pointed down. He looks her straight in the eye as he places his sword on top of her heart. "This isn't love." He says quietly, "If nothing else, my father taught me *that*."

And then with the casual cruelty and violence of a little boy pulling the wings off flies, he drives his sword into her black heart, twisting it with one hand on the hilt until he feels the indescribable sensation of the beating stopping, and draws the sword out, cleaning it against her face before turning back to the rest with an expression of someone that is dead inside.