Warped Flame - II

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Revision as of 21:34, 1 October 2023 by Thurid (talk | contribs) (A Phoenix has been captured by cultists and demons, and two Sun Falcons have (somewhat haphazardly) managed to communicate their need for aid. The Adventurer's guild has accepted the unusual source of the request and are sending Adventurers to search the border territory between Alexandros and the Myrrish Kingdoms for clues on where it was taken.)
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Summary: A Phoenix has been captured by cultists and demons, and two Sun Falcons have (somewhat haphazardly) managed to communicate their need for aid. The Adventurer's guild has accepted the unusual source of the request and are sending Adventurers to search the border territory between Alexandros and the Myrrish Kingdoms for clues on where it was taken.

Players: Aelwyn, Fidget, Rune, Slixvah, Thurid, Vaera

DM: Harkashan

Soot and Sheen, two Sun Falcons that created quite the scene recently in this region. The borderlands between Alexandros and the Myrrish Kingdoms had seen some fires set by this misguided pair, as they were hunting 'men with sticks' in order to get their precious Phoenix saved.

It turns out a group of Demons and Cultists kidnapped a Phoenix of all things. 'Her Majesty' Suntalon, is missing. And it's never a good thing when Demons and Cultists are involved. Especially not when they kidnap something or someone. So, with the aid of Soot and Sheen, the group has been sent out by the Adventurer's guild in order to find out where this Phoenix is.

Their search so far has brought them to the midst of the forests spanning the border regions. The same area that Soot and Sheen had been starting fires in. Except, today they're travelling up the mountains at the behest of some locals that had claimed there were 'strange lights' appearing at one of the old abandoned mines...

It's still the middle of the day, as the group finishes climbing the long and arduous trek. They spotted abandoned hovels and buildings on the way up. Once, there was a lovely mountain community here. But when they checked the buildings, they all seemed well abandoned. Greenery already taking over some of the wooden log buildings.

Now, there's just the bird call of the forest nearby, and the soft sounds of mountain winds. It's peaceful here. And no signs of any strange lights.

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

The idea of Slavery rankles Thurid, and the idea of enslaving a beast as majestic as a Phoenix outright disgusts her. She wasted no time in offering to lend her Earthbreaker to their cause. The giant of a woman travels by foot, eschewing any kind of mount. Her bright golden chainmail glimmers brightly in the sun, where it's not covered by the blue and brown scapular she wears over it, depicting the mountain-and-thunderbolt symbol of Angoron proudly on her chest. Her massive earthbreaker sits slung over her shoulder, the dark metal of its enormous head dull and grey-green in contrast with her armour

She has a bright demeanour as she treks up the path, listening to the birdcall. Her head is encircled in a visorless winged helmet, and her brow adorned with a jewelled circlet. She seems in high spirits, and may have occasionally broken into whistling a tune during the climb.

A Phoenix? A chance to save a mythical creature? Slixvah is already fired up!

Well. That fire is tempered to a smoulder as she pants atop the climb. She's flown a little bit to help scout where needed, but this kind of trek isn't in her wheelhouse. Especially since she'd just skip the walk entirely.

Fiadh, a little golden eyed, white plumed thrush, is locked in a twittering conversation with Soot and Sheen. Idly picking their brains. They stop talking briefly as they reach the abandoned settlement. "... typical mortal needs," it twitters in a tinny voice. "Save lest for one: the mundane avians complain of evening noises."

Slix, taking a knee to rest, pats the little bird. "... thank... thank ya." The egalrin takes a moment to look over the group, and prepares a slew of precautionary magics.

Having to hoof it on foot into the mountains is not exactly a pleasure trip for Rune. The rogue, as agile as she may be, is not quite up for hours-long hikes and the sheen of sweat on her brow shows that. It likely doesn't help that she has the extra weight of not only her weapons, but a Sun Falcon from time to time. It seems she has been dedicated as chosen 'perch' for one of them. Thankfully, her armour has reinforced leather at the shoulders for just such a thing.

Taking a moment to drink from her waterskin, Rune is attaching it back to her belt as she looks around the woods, listening to the birdsong. "You'd think, if there were demons and cultists, we'd see a little more sign of their passing. Doesn't look like anyone has been here in a long time."

Then, she looks to the Sun Falcon, "Any chance you could be our eyes in the skies, friend? Scout for anything unusual you can see from above?"

Soot nods at Rune, as she is given instructions to scout above, and jumps off of Rune's shoulder. Spreading its wings and taking off into the skies, trying to see if it can... well... see anything.

GAME: Harkashan rolls 15: (5)+15: 20

GAME: Fidget refreshes spells.

GAME: Thurid casts Detect Evil. Caster Level: 10 DC: 15

The request from the Guild sparked Aelwyn's interest and easily, the Dragoon would have been self-persuaded to join the rest. A good reward would always be helpful on that regard.

The Dragoon did not have as much as trouble with the long hike - but even he was showing some sign of fatigue by the end of it, his chest expanding and falling under his chain shirt. A wineskin is produced and he offers it to Slixvah, since she seems to need it most.

"Mundane troubles in this time would only tell well. Perhaps we were lucky enough, that there nothing but mundanity facing us." The ruddy sith-makar points out, before he angles the glaive off his shoulder with a wide toothed grin. "Then again, what kind of story to be told in the bars would that be?" Ah yes, keep the eye on the prize.

Vaera had already been there, and the hunter had set up a makeshift camp waiting for the others. The hunter was not particularly keen on fighting something or someone capable of imprisoning a phoenix on her own, or with just Rune.

The journey was uneventful for now thankfully, and Vaera had hopped off her swiftclaw, looking at the brush for any tracks, while serving as a flame resistant perch for the other bird. "If I were a cultist or looking for a place to hide out, this sort of place would make sense." They chuff. "Tracks were going in this direction to begin with, too, but I haven't picked up anything in a while."

Thurid - so far, you sense no evil."

GAME: Vaera rolls survival: (7)+13: 20

You'd expect the short legged goblin to be exhausted with this climb, but Fidget is still brimming with energy, her worst complaint so far that the scenery hadn't changed in a long time. Well, now it has, so she's curious what caused this town to become so completely abandoned, and if their presumed foes were hiding here, needing to be exploded.

Fidget was definitely looking forward to meeting a phoenix, a being made entirely of fire was incredibly cool. Though this one perhaps a little less since it was able to be captured - not sure how that could happen.

"Yeah, we didn't come all this way for something mundane, that would be such a letdown." the gobbo agrees with Aelwyn.

GAME: Fidget casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 6 DC: 15

GAME: Fidget casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 6 DC: 16

Vaera has reconnected.

Soot takes to the skies, and lets out a few squawks. This will allow Slixvah's little thrust to translate -- footsteps below near the mineshaft.

It flaps its wings and continue to circle the area in a wider pattern to get a better look.

In the meantime, as Thurid gets closer, that sense of Evil begins to grow. Both to the east and to the west. But it slips in and out of her senses.

Thurid laughs at Aelwyn, and offers him a hardy slap on the back. "Ha, friend, never let the truth get in the way of telling tales over drinks." she suggests to him and then looks back up the trail as it begins to open up. The free hand moves to grip her holy symbol- a rough iron hammer hanging from an equally rough iron chain about her neck- her eyes flash with inner blue light for a moment, like a bolt of lightning behind her storm-cloud irises, and she sweeps her gaze back and forth.

"I sense no evil here, friends, at least not here on the surface. Should we chance a climb down that shaft?" she wonders, and lifts her chin to indicate it. "I've rope, if we need it, but I'd wager that winch should suffice." she continues trudging up the path for a ways, and then holds out her hand. "Hold, friends. I smell something rotten." she says, and then hefts her earthbreaker into a two handed grip. She glances left and right, and then draws a deep breath. "Show yourselves, villains! There will be no mercy if we must come and find you!" she bellows.

GAME: Vaera refreshes spells.

GAME: Thurid casts Bless. Caster Level: 10 DC: 15

GAME: Rune rolls perception: (11)+23: 34

GAME: Thurid casts Magic Circle Against Evil. Caster Level: 10 DC: 17

Slixvah gratefully takes the wineskin and downs a beakfull before passing it back to Aelwyn. "I wish it'd just be mundane ahead. Thanks tho, hon," she coos, grunting to her feet. Hands flit about: pulling at something and sliding it towards Fidget's direction, a brackish green energy building as a nearby flower wilts and dies, and a wand twirled out of a sheath evokes a gale of wind that passes by just Slix and Fidget. The gale shifts to a breeze, and zips by everyone quietly. Fettered whispers heard as if they were right nearby.

She pulls out a wavy knife and idly twirls it between her fingers. The tiny bird on her head tweets out, "... Soot informs there is footsteps near the earth entrance."

Slix frowns. "Dislike. Hey, tall and muscle, got a present for ya." The knife passes over seemingly nothing, but a few cyan runes manifest at her hands, and an ethereal thread is woven together before being placed onto Thurid.

She blinks at Thurid. "... ok, there goes subtly," she giggles.

GAME: Slixvah casts Heroism. Caster Level: 8 DC: 18

GAME: Slixvah casts Message. Caster Level: 8 DC: 15

GAME: Slixvah casts False Life. Caster Level: 8 DC: 17

GAME: Slixvah used a Wand of Mage Armor.

GAME: Slixvah rolls 1d10+witch: (6)+8: 14

Vaera stops, and takes a moment to stoop down and investigate the area they were in. She holds up one hand to the others, and balances mostly with their tail bracing behind them. "Well, not entirely abandoned. Smart on their behalf, if anyone comes by here, they would probably think this place is abandoned, still. But there's foot traffic out to the mine, too recent for it to be from whoever lived here, before" The hunter notes, turning to the bird on their shoulder. "Sheen, does this scorch mark look off to you? Seems out of place for a fire."

"Sorry Wyrmere, but you're going to have to stay up here, I don't think it's a good idea lowering you into the mines." She adds with a pat on the flank to the large lizard, who rumbles a bit uneasily, but returns up the path they came just a bit.

"Tracks lead into the mine, so I think that's our best path forward, unless there's another entrance we might use to get the drop on them."

Aelwyn lets out a heaved grunt at the slap, and rubbing at his shoulder he says, "Tch, but it is more interesting to spice up the truth." He rolls his shoulders and pulls down his glaive, still grinning. "But a little tongue play to make conversation lively?" Sentence left unfinished.

The Dragoon observes the others as they explore the surroundings - his own orange eyes lazily go about the town, taking and not really taking everything in. After a point in life, one has seen so many they all look the same, even if they are abandoned and buried in the middle of nowhere.

"Ah, this one's tailbone always ached from all the crouching one does." Aelwyn rumbles and gives his tail and hips a small sway - swing if you got it - and then settles back on his feet.

Taking a moment to move towards the mines, Rune seems to take her time in observing their surroundings. The area that Soot has pointed out as well as the area around the tents catches her eye. "Someone, or something has been in and out of those tents recently, too."

Her brows furrow slightly, "And fire near the mineshaft. Perhaps our missing phoenix or maybe something magical." Magic is not something Rune is particularly knowledgable of. "If we're heading down there, we should be careful."

Looking to Soot, she suggests, "Probably best if you stay up here. Give us a creel if you see or hear anyone approaching."

GAME: Thurid casts Bull's Strength. Caster Level: 10 DC: 16

GAME: Thurid casts Shield of Faith. Caster Level: 10 DC: 15

GAME: Thurid casts Shield of Faith. Caster Level: 10 DC: 15

GAME: Fidget casts Fox's Cunning. Caster Level: 6 DC: 17

"Ooh, a protection spell, thanks!" Fidget says as she weaves her own magic, "So, I'm guessing we're not expecting to do much negotiation here? More of a blow them all up sort of thing?" and she grins, "Those are always fun."

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

Harkashan has dropped a TIMESTOP!

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

For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.

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

Thurid makes her challenge known, as she begins to cast spells to protect herself. At first, there are no sounds. No response to her challenge. But then...

Movement.

From some of the tents, the flaps move. Grey-black slender things slowly stepping out. Their faces hairless, their teeth long and sharp. Clawed fingers and red 'vine' like patterns running over their arms. Long slender and spined tails that lash at the air as these leathery grey creatures move forward and hiss at those who dare approach. Then, the two furthest at the front hiss again at Thurid specifically, staring at the ground near her.

The two that just came out near Rune and Vaera however, decide that these two look like /snacks/. Sheen quickly flies off, squawking something about 'Horned Ones!'. And indeed, these creatures all have /A/ horn. Though it looks more like a 'scorpion tail' coming out of the back of their heads.

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 23.

It is now Vaera's turn! Fidget is next!

GAME: Vaera rolls knowledge/the planes: (12)+4: 16

GAME: Rune rolls knowledge/the planes: (20)+4: 24

GAME: Fidget rolls knowledge/the planes: (2)+14: 16

GAME: Slixvah rolls knowledge/the planes: (12)+10: 22

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8+1+1: (15)+8+1+1: 25

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8+1+1-2: (13)+8+1+1+-2: 21

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+3+1+1-2: (10)+3+1+1+-2: 13

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+1+1: (4)+1+1: 6

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+1+1: (2)+1+1: 4

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 22.

It is now Fidget's turn! Horned One 1 is next!

GAME: Fidget casts Haste. Caster Level: 6 DC: 18

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 17.

It is now Horned One 1's turn! Horned One 2 is next!

There's no time for Vaera to get an answer from the bird with her, as suddenly, various creatures make their presence known. From somewhere under the hunter's jacket unfolds what looks like a block of metal at first glance, only for it to whirr to life, latching together and extending various parts until it was the shape of an exotic looking thunderbelcher. The red makari takes aim, and there's a sudden crack of noise as they fire off several rounds at the nearest foe. "Babau, geard of them before! Watch out and mind your position, pretty sure they can teleport."

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (13)+12: 25

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (3)+12: 15

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (15)+12: 27

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 15.

It is now Horned One 2's turn! Rune is next!

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (18)+12: 30

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (18)+12: 30

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

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

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 14.

It is now Rune's turn! Horned One 4 is next!

Vaera's arrows quickly stab into the Babau closest to Rune, ripping into their shoulders! It hisses, as the arrows begin to 'melt' out of their shoulders. The sticks clattering onto the ground, before it and the other one that came out of the tent nearby rush Rune's position and begin to claw at her, trying to get a better position on her. Slashing at her with their claws!

Fidget eeps as the creatures start to advance, and considers her options, explosions or aid her allies. *This time* she decides to aid her allies, and with a series of quick hand gestures, casts a wave of faint purple magic rushing outwards and it swirls and infuses several of our adventurers with enhanced speed.

GAME: Harkashan rolls 11: (2)+11: 13

GAME: Rune rolls bluff+1: (16)+24+1: 41

GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+1+1-2: (2)+15+1+1+-2: 17

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+1+1-7: (4)+15+1+1+-7: 14

GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+1+1-7: (6)+15+1+1+-7: 16

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+1+1: (10)+15+1+1: 27

GAME: Rune rolls damage1+1d6+5d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1d6+5d6: (4)+1+(6)+(18): 29

GAME: Rune rolls reflex: (15)+15: 30

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 14.

It is now Horned One 4's turn! Horned One 3 is next!

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 14.

It is now Horned One 3's turn! Slixvah is next!

Vaera has partially disconnected.

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (17)+12: 29

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (1)+12: 13 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (17)+12: 29

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (18)+12: 30

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

GAME: Harkashan rolls 1d6+5: (6)+5: 11

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

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 14.

It is now Slixvah's turn! Aelwyn is next!

The moment the creatures make themselves known, Rune lets out a curse. The rogue brandishes her weapons, but even as she recognizes the creatures, there is no time for her to swap out her blades before they are both on her and she is forced on the defensive.

"Heads up, these are Babau!" She calls out as she blocks a few of their attacks against her, swiping them away with her blades. "Silver or good aligned weapons if you got em! And that slime on them will damage weapons, it's acidic, so be careful." She pauses a moment, claws slicing into her flesh as she grits her teeth. "Oh, and they teleport."

Then, she's forced to try to attack the creatures with the weapons she has on hand, even if they are not best suited for these particular enemies. One attack does hit, but it's obvious that her weapons are being impacted by the creature's resistances.

The two Babau from the tents to the northeast hiss and rush towards Vaera and Fidget. Their quick movements rushing their positions far faster than they might have expected. Both of them using their visciously sharp claws to rend into their flesh! Slaving, huffing, hungry gazes facing them! Desiring to devour these intruders!

GAME: Slixvah casts Lightning Bolt. Caster Level: 8 DC: 18

GAME: Slixvah rolls 8d6: (29): 29

GAME: Slixvah rolls witch: (18)+8: 26

GAME: Slixvah rolls witch: (4)+8: 12

GAME: Slixvah rolls witch: (17)+8: 25

GAME: Harkashan rolls 6: (16)+6: 22

GAME: Harkashan rolls 6: (12)+6: 18

GAME: Harkashan rolls 6: (9)+6: 15

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 10.

It is now Aelwyn's turn! Thurid is next!

GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11+2+2-1+1+1+2: (10)+12+2+2+-1+1+1+2: 29

GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11+2+2-1+1+1+2-5: (13)+12+2+2+-1+1+1+2+-5: 27

Slix's eyes widen as they're sudden swarmed by demons! "Shii-- Ruru's right! Watch ya blades!" she shouts, over gunfire. The witch twirls to the side, feathers on her wings elongating and flowing like streamers. "Gods I hope this works...."

She holds up her dagger to the sky. And splays her free hand out. "DANA!" she shouts. "ELDN EM URYO UFYR!" Static builds along her blade, and suddenly a bolt of lighting strikes her from a wandering cloud!

A hand pulls the electricity down, around her arms, then jams it forward, unleashing the captured bolt and lancing three of them to mixed effect!

GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11+2+2-2+1+1+2: (20)+12+2+2+-2+1+1+2: 38 (THREAT)

GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11+2+2-2+1+1+2: (3)+12+2+2+-2+1+1+2: 21

GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11+6+1d6: aliased to 1d10+5+6+1d6: (1)+5+6+(6): 18

GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11+6+1d6: aliased to 1d10+5+6+1d6: (8)+5+6+(6): 25

GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11+6+1d6: aliased to 1d10+5+6+1d6: (10)+5+6+(4): 25

GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11+6+1d6: aliased to 1d10+5+6+1d6: (1)+5+6+(6): 18

GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11+6+1d6: aliased to 1d10+5+6+1d6: (5)+5+6+(6): 22

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 4.

It is now Thurid's turn! Vaera is next!

GAME: Thurid casts Righteous Might. Caster Level: 10 DC: 19

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (8)+12: 20

GAME: NEW ROUND!

Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 23.

It is now Vaera's turn! Fidget is next!

Thurid grips her holy symbol once more, and speaks a litany of prayers to her god. "Angoron, Mountain, Highest, Strongest of Gods. Grant my allies a mote of your divine power that we might prevail over evil. Cast your gaze upon them that they might bask in your almighty protection. Grace them with your courage, that they might stand stalwart against any foe." she beseeches, and a peal of thunder answers from the clear blue sky- divine energies washing over the assembled adventurers, strengthening minds and bodies.

"And grant me a reflection of your glory, that my back might shield them from harm, and my hammer might crush Your enemies before you!" she bellows, hefting her hammer skywards and clutching her holy symbol with white-knuckled fervor. Clouds gather overhead, dark and brooding, and a bolt of lightning strikes her outstretched hammer, surging through her. She grows in stature, rising up to over fourteen feet tall. Her skin glows faintly with divine radiance, and her eyes crackle with lightning. She stomps towards the group of demons and when she speaks her voice is thunder, resonant and sonorous. "Begone back to the hells from whence you came, foul beasts." she bellows, arcs of electricity still swirling around and leaping from the head of her hammer as she steps towards and between the demons, one of their blows clancing harmlessly off her angelic mail.

GAME: Slixvah rolls knowledge/the planes: (14)+10: 24

GAME: Fidget rolls knowledge/the planes: (11)+14: 25

GAME: Rune rolls knowledge/the planes: (11)+4: 15

GAME: Vaera rolls knowledge/the planes: (10)+4: 14

Aelwyn tilts his head and swings it the other way, as the creatures start to swarm them. "They teleport? Tch. All this practise?" The Dragoon clicks his tongue, exposing his teeth as Fidget gets pummeled into. "It seems one must dance alone."

Twirling his blade in his hands, Aelwyn relaxes his poise, looking for a moment as if he were going to fall over... but then the blade sparks fire and sways forth. With terrifying speed and strength, it cuts from the air - sliding into the creature and carefully peeling a chunk. Twisting, the Dragoon then slides under the haft, angles his blade and slides the blade down to the right, gutting it.

Finally, the end of his glaive rises, and the macabre serpentine dance comes to a close, as with a loud snarl, the blade splits the creature from bottom to top; the glaive rising in an arc above Aelwyn's head.

Warping lightning carves over the Babau, one of which shakes it off as the lightning tears across its leathery skin. One of them gets hit in the horn, and it throws part of the lightningshock to the ground. But the third is zapped hard and left steaming for a moment, before it gets itself back in focus.

The demons then falter back a bit, as Thurid grows to such large sizes. The imposing Giantborne seems to draw the attention of other beings. Two beautiful horned men step out of the tents to the north, drawing their scimitars. And to the west, an absolutely drop-dead-gorgeous slender woman with horns begins to approach from across the large chasm.

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8+1+1+1-3: (11)+8+1+1+1+-3: 19

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8+1+1+1-3: (12)+8+1+1+1+-3: 20

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+3+1+1+1-3: (14)+3+1+1+1+-3: 17

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+1+1+6: (6)+1+1+6: 14

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+1+1+6: (2)+1+1+6: 10

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+1+1+6: (1)+1+1+6: 9

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 22.

It is now Fidget's turn! Incubus 1 is next!

Vaera takes a step back as others fill in the space, letting the more martially inclined keep their attention. The hunter loads up another round into the thunderbelcher, then another, filling the air with gunfire again and landing several seemingly solid hits. "Damned outsiders, not doing too much to them still." They growl.

GAME: Fidget casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 6 DC: 17

GAME: Fidget rolls 6+6: (6)+6+6: 18

GAME: Fidget rolls ranged: (8)+7: 15

GAME: Fidget rolls 4d6: (16): 16

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 19.

It is now Incubus 1's turn! Horned One 1 is next!

GAME: Thurid rolls weapon17+2+1: (8)+12+2+1: 23

GAME: Thurid rolls damage17+1: aliased to 3d6+8+1: (9)+8+1: 18

GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6: (4): 4

GAME: Harkashan rolls 14+2: (3)+14+2: 19

Vaera's arrows keep coming, but the shafts keep melting off of its slime-covered leathery skin. It hisses at Vaera violent, while one of its comrades is utterly cut down and ripping apart by Aelwyn's masterful spear-swipes!

The Incubi near the north begin to move towards the group, their Scimitars at the ready. The one north-west is the first to rush towards Thurid, letting out a wild hissing sound from its mouth as it approaches. The heavy hammer however reaches its body, slamming into its chest. It grinds its feet into the earth, begin pushed back... but not as far as Thurid might have expected. Its blade tries to cut into her hands holding hammer, but fails to catch her before she moves back!

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 17.

It is now Horned One 1's turn! Succubus is next!

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1: (10)+15: 25

GAME: Rune rolls damage1: aliased to 1d6+1: (1)+1: 2

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (2)+12: 14

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 16.

It is now Succubus' turn! Horned One 2 is next!

GAME: Fidget rolls spellcraft: (3)+16: 19

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 15.

It is now Horned One 2's turn! Rune is next!

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (1)+12: 13 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (14)+12: 26

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (4)+12: 16

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 14.

It is now Rune's turn! Horned One 4 is next!

Soot and Sheen are both trying to fly-by attack the Demons. But due to their fiery nature, and these demons seeming to resist their flames, all they can do is watch as the Adventurers struggle against them!

The Succubus to the west calls out a spell, sending streams of black energy towards Rune - trying to reach her. But the barrier provided by Thurid suddenly shimmers to life, rejecting the black flood of magics!

The other Babau tries to flank Rune from the other side, but fails to outmaneuver her - starting to learn that his target isn't one it can outflank so easily. So it's starting to look towards other targets.

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+1+1+2: (10)+15+1+1+2: 29

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+1+1+2-2: (20)+15+1+1+2+-2: 37 (THREAT)

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+1+1+2-2: (16)+15+1+1+2+-2: 33

GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+1+1+2-2: (5)+15+1+1+2+-2: 22

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+1+1+2-7: (15)+15+1+1+2+-7: 27

GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+1+1+2-7: (17)+15+1+1+2+-7: 29

GAME: Rune rolls damage1+5d6: aliased to 1d6+1+5d6: (4)+1+(22): 27

GAME: Rune rolls damage1+damage1+5d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1d6+1+5d6: (5)+1+(1)+1+(20): 28

GAME: Rune rolls damage2+5d6: aliased to 1d6+1+5d6: (4)+1+(23): 28

GAME: Rune rolls damage1+5d6: aliased to 1d6+1+5d6: (5)+1+(19): 25

GAME: Rune rolls damage2+5d6: aliased to 1d6+1+5d6: (2)+1+(24): 27

GAME: Rune rolls reflex: (6)+15: 21

GAME: Rune rolls reflex: (3)+15: 18

GAME: Rune rolls reflex: (3)+15: 18

GAME: Rune rolls reflex: (18)+15: 33

GAME: Rune rolls reflex: (15)+15: 30

Fidget squeaks out a cry of pain as the babau's claws dig in deep and tear her flesh, and even worse, her dress! She's taking steps back to try to avoid another attack when Aelwyn strikes it down, and the goblin breathes a sigh of relief and takes a second to take in the battlefield. Too many more of these things! Fidget dances around some of the fighting and uses Thurid as a shield as she looses a bolt of fire at one of the new foes. "Those succubi!" Fidget says and points westward, "They'll try to mind control you! And the Incubi are dangerous in a fight."

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 14.

It is now Horned One 4's turn! Horned One 3 is next!

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 14.

It is now Horned One 3's turn! Slixvah is next!

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12+2: (12)+12+2: 26

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12+2: (8)+12+2: 22

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12+2: (10)+12+2: 24

GAME: Harkashan rolls 1d6+5+2d6: (3)+5+(8): 16

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 14.

It is now Slixvah's turn! Aelwyn is next!

The Babau facing Thurid on the opposite side of its Incubus ally begins to rend its claws into Thurid's legs. Tearing through their divine protections and scratching away with light-bubbles being ripped away! Making excited noises, biting at her leg, hoping to get to her flesh!

Slixvah says, "checks something reallllly quick"

GAME: Slixvah casts Enervation. Caster Level: 8 DC: 19

GAME: Slixvah rolls ranged+1: (14)+7+1: 22

GAME: Slixvah rolls witch: (19)+8: 27

GAME: Slixvah rolls 1d4: (4): 4

"I really have the wrong weapons for this..." Rune mutters to herself, but there is little real opportunity to fix the problem with being surrounded by enemy attackers and having to fend off their blows. On the plus side, she seems to be very good at keeping her weapons from being caught in that acidic substance the Babau have across their skin.

As one moves to flank her, the rogue quirks her lip, showing a hint of blood splattered on her cheek from her own wounds, "Not so easy to sneak up on me, I'm afraid."

Then, she gives a whistle to Soot, calling him in to harass the creature from behind while she uses it as an opportunity to slash at the enemy, each of her weapons hitting weak points and eventually sending it toppling to the ground. "Fuck these things in particular." Is that the sound of Rune adding another enemy to her hated monsters list? Yes. Yes it is.

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 10.

It is now Aelwyn's turn! Thurid is next!

GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11+2+2-1+1+1+2: (12)+12+2+2+-1+1+1+2: 31

GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11+6+1d6: aliased to 1d10+5+6+1d6: (7)+5+6+(6): 24

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 4.

It is now Thurid's turn! Incubus 2 is next!

GAME: Thurid rolls weapon17+1+2: (12)+12+1+2: 27

GAME: Thurid rolls weapon17+1+2-5: (15)+12+1+2+-5: 25

GAME: Thurid rolls damage17+1d6: aliased to 3d6+8+1d6: (10)+8+(5): 23

GAME: Thurid rolls damage17+1d6: aliased to 3d6+8+1d6: (6)+8+(5): 19

Slixvah whirls around as Fidget belts out a warning. Her eyes widen. "EVERYONE GET THE FUCK IN THE CIRCLE!" she screams, a hand rising as a black ball of energy pools, streams of void coming from the earth to make it grow. She crushes it, and fires it towards the succubus. It takes a moment as they remain connected, Slix scowling. "RADINA UOY EXSY ITCHB!" The energy doubles in power, slamming past the demon's defenses and saps their power.

The witch hightails it into Thurid's protective circle.

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 3.

It is now Incubus 2's turn! Vaera is next!

GAME: Harkashan rolls 1d2: (2): 2

GAME: Harkashan rolls 10+2: (12)+10+2: 24

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

GAME: NEW ROUND!

Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Three - Init 23.

It is now Vaera's turn! Fidget is next!

Aelwyn runs over the corpses to step in middle of Rune and Vaera; with an unneeded flourish, he takes a twisting leap and swipes at one of the Babau's harassing the rogue.

"Tch, ugly fiends. Why do we not get the stupid sexy fiends?" The draconian hisses in disappointment. "If this one's glaive were not so jealous, it would agree, Twin." The draconian rumbles as he hovers at the ready poise. His tail swipes at the ground as Slixvah suddenly bellows...

"... language?" Aelwyn mutters by himself.

As the Incubus comes running her way, Thurd's sparking eyes turn towards it, and she takes a half step in towards the charge. The haft of her hammer is lunged out to knock the wind out of the devil's advance, and then the hammer is reared back and crashed into its ribs, discharging a bolt of electricity, cracking ribs and sizzling flesh.

She half ducks as the wave of evil magic comes towards her and her allies, runes glimmering in the air as they deflect it, and then she barks a laugh at the succubus. "Your wiles will not avail you this day, temptress!" she calls out.

She grits her teeth to bite back a cry of pain as the Babau bites at her, and then glances back to grunt at it. "You wait your turn, little devil." AtSlix's words gives a nod, "Aye, stand with me, we'll drive off these vermin back to back." she agrees with Verna.

She turns her attention back towards the Incubus, "We'll see how good in a fight you really are." she calls out. She drives her shoulder in to knock the Incubus off balance, then strikes the Incubus in the side, driving it back a half step. She steps in to fill the gap, and then brings the hammer back up and over her shoulder, following it up with a more devastating blow to the creature's ribs.

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8+1+1+4-2-3: (13)+8+1+1+4+-2+-3: 22

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8+1+1+4-2-3: (1)+8+1+1+4+-2+-3: 10 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8+1+1+4-2-3: (10)+8+1+1+4+-2+-3: 19

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+3+4+1+1-2-3: (18)+3+4+1+1+-2+-3: 22

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d8+1+1+6: (5)+1+1+6: 13

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d8+1+1+6: (3)+1+1+6: 11

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d8+1+1+6: (1)+1+1+6: 9

GAME: Vaera used a Arrow.

GAME: Vaera used a Arrow.

GAME: Vaera used a Arrow.

GAME: Vaera used a Arrow.

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Three - Init 22.

It is now Fidget's turn! Incubus 1 is next!

GAME: Fidget casts Suggestion. Caster Level: 6 DC: 18

GAME: Fidget rolls 6+6: (2)+6+6: 14

GAME: Fidget rolls 6+6: (5)+6+6: 17

GAME: Fidget rolls 6+6: (15)+6+6: 27

GAME: Harkashan rolls 8: (3)+8: 11

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Three - Init 19.

It is now Incubus 1's turn! Succubus is next!

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12+2: (17)+12+2: 31

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12+2: (11)+12+2: 25

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12+2: (18)+12+2: 32

Finding the thunderbelcher alarmingly ineffective, a smaller firearm appear suddenly appears in their hand, only to be tossed aside for the time being and the thunderbelcher vanishing after as she draws the bow she was carrying in it's place, loosing several arrows quickly at one of the remaining demons, but finding them equally ineffective, with another string of frustrated growls.

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12+2: (16)+12+2: 30

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

GAME: Harkashan rolls 2d6+5: (8)+5: 13

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

GAME: Thurid rolls fort+2: (13)+10+2: 25

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Three - Init 16.

It is now Succubus' turn! Horned One 2 is next!

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Three - Init 15.

It is now Horned One 2's turn! Rune is next!

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (5)+12: 17

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (17)+12: 29

GAME: Harkashan rolls 1d6+5: (3)+5: 8

Waiting for just the right moment between slashes of the sword, Fidget grins defiantly and gestures to the dead and dying demons around them, and the not-dead adventurers by her side, "This fight isn't going how you thought it would, is it? Too many of your allies are dying, many are dead. And you're next." Her gestures of magical enchantment are subtle compared to her threats, and with a flick of the wrist she sends a thread of pink aether up to piece the creature's chest and sap their courage away, "Run now, while you still can!" she says as the spell takes hold, that command echoing in the creature's thoughts.

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Three - Init 14.

It is now Rune's turn! Horned One 3 is next!

The north-eastern Incubus moves quickly in an attempt to outmaneuver Thurid, charging at Fidget and Slixvah and brings their blade to bear, cutting up across the shimmering shield protecting her, almost shattering it with their blade! Its glowing red eyes staring at her while grinning with perfect white teeth. Only for that grin to disappear as Fidget speaks to it. That spell wrapping around its mind.

The succubus to the west seems to realize things are not going well, and suddenly takes to the sky. Getting into the air and quickly flying towards the mineshaft entrance.

The Babau around Thurid start to spread in their assault while the Incubus facing her gets a nasty slice in on her leg - cutting a large swatch of blood onto the ground! One of the Babau managing to rip its claws into Vaera's shoulder!

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+1+1+2: (12)+15+1+1+2: 31

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+1+1+2-2: (19)+15+1+1+2+-2: 36 (THREAT)

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+1+1+2-2: (17)+15+1+1+2+-2: 34

GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+1+1+2-2: (19)+15+1+1+2+-2: 36 (THREAT)

GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+1+1+2-2: (12)+15+1+1+2+-2: 29

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+1+1+2-7: (4)+15+1+1+2+-7: 16

GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+1+1+2-7: (10)+15+1+1+2+-7: 22

GAME: Rune rolls damage1+5d6-10: aliased to 1d6+1+5d6-10: (4)+1+(14)+-10: 9

GAME: Rune rolls damage1+damage1+5d6-10: aliased to 1d6+1+1d6+1+5d6-10: (4)+1+(3)+1+(16)+-10: 15

GAME: Rune rolls damage2+damage2+5d6-10: aliased to 1d6+1+1d6+1+5d6-10: (5)+1+(3)+1+(16)+-10: 16

GAME: Rune rolls damage2+5d6-10: aliased to 1d6+1+5d6-10: (5)+1+(16)+-10: 12

GAME: Rune rolls reflex: (9)+15: 24

GAME: Rune rolls reflex: (11)+15: 26

GAME: Rune rolls reflex: (16)+15: 31

GAME: Rune rolls reflex: (19)+15: 34

GAME: Rune rolls reflex: (4)+15: 19

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Three - Init 14.

It is now Horned One 3's turn! Slixvah is next!

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (9)+12: 21

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (1)+12: 13 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Three - Init 14.

It is now Slixvah's turn! Aelwyn is next!

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Three - Init 10.

It is now Aelwyn's turn! Thurid is next!

"Soot, get closer to Slixvah and Thurid!" Rune shouts, trying to make sure that the Sun-Falcon is protected with the effects that are being thrown around. The same protections that have shielded her should keep them safe.

She turns them, looking at the Babau that is between herself and Thurid. "I am going to need to thoroughly clean my weapons after this..." Though she's managed not to have them severely damaged by the acid, it's not something she doesn't want to risk long-term problems with the blades.

However, for the time being, her focus is on taking them down. Rune slashes into the creature, two of the blades finding more vulnerable points in the flurry of attacks that follow. "Die already, will you?"

Thankfully for Rune, it does. She waves acid off of her weapons and turns to look for the next foe.

GAME: Aelwyn rolls intimidate: (11)+11: 22

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Three - Init 4.

It is now Thurid's turn! Incubus 2 is next!

GAME: Thurid rolls cleric+wis+4: (2)+10+wis+4: 16

GAME: Thurid rolls cleric+wisdom+4: (6)+10+4+4: 24

GAME: Thurid rolls cleric+wisdom: (8)+10+4: 22

GAME: Thurid rolls 10d6: (29): 29

GAME: Harkashan rolls 4: (4)+4: 8

GAME: Harkashan rolls 6: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Harkashan rolls 6: (15)+6: 21

Aelwyn watches the gory display next to him... and resists the urge to go and put his hand on Rune's shoulder. "This one thinks it is dead." He says after all the bits have finished flying off.

Turning his head towards the scene, and hearing the Fidget's fighting words... Aelwyn begins to slowly swing his glaive around him. The flames flicker and length. "Come, come!" The Dragoon soothes. Trails of heat swing around him. "Join the carnival." Twisting his body, the polearm continues to rotate - but the flames were not. They were standing still, in the shape of a winged figure as the haft continues to rotate, and rotate, adn rotate.

Aelwyn slowly leans into the heated embrace, as if leaning into an old friend... - but then with a sudden, heavy crash, he slams his glaive down, spitting the flames around him. "All the fun in the circus." He grins, holding his macabre grin.

GAME: Thurid casts Holy Smite. Caster Level: 10 DC: 18

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Three - Init 3.

It is now Incubus 2's turn! Slixvah is next!

GAME: Harkashan rolls 14+2: (18)+14+2: 34

GAME: Harkashan rolls 14+2: (8)+14+2: 24

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12+2: (1)+12+2: 15 (EPIC FAIL)

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

Beset by more blows, Thurid gasps and once more falls almost to a knee as her blood whets the rocks beneath her feet. But she clenches her teeth, eyes snapping up to the Succubus flying past. "No. You. DON'T!" she bellows, golden wings of light sprouting from her back as she holds the hammer in one hand long enough to grip her holy symbol once more. "Angoron, strike down this fiend!" she beseeches.

Dark clouds swirl once more overhead, parting just enough that a beam of light surges down from the heavens cascading over some of the demons, searing their flesh in holy radiance.

And then she is away, the wings of light flapping once and bearing her aloft- ignoring the blows from the demons as they strike at her flesh, she moves ahead of the now blind Succubus, hovering in the air above the mine entrance."You go no further."

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Three - Init 2.

It is now Slixvah's turn! Vaera is next!

GAME: Slixvah casts Ear-Piercing Scream. Caster Level: 8 DC: 16

GAME: Slixvah rolls witch: (6)+8: 14

GAME: Slixvah rolls witch: (17)+8: 25

A thunderous light tears down from the skies and the Incubi and Succubus ward their hands above their heads. One of them is quick enough to stop it from being fully harmed, but it is somewhat pulled from its fearful heart invoked by Fidget. Still, the suggestion remains in its mind, and it rushes down the mineshaft with its wings, evacuating the battle...

After which there's some strange screetching sounds coming from below.

The others are not so lucky. The succubus and the other incubus are struck blind and wildly flail around themselves. The Succubus bumping her head into Thurid's mighty chest in an attempt to keep flying - its body seared. Her beautiful red skin now boiled to black in some patches.

GAME: Slixvah rolls 4d8: (24): 24

GAME: Harkashan rolls 1: (8)+1: 9

GAME: NEW ROUND!

Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Four - Init 23.

It is now Vaera's turn! Fidget is next!

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (7)+12: 19

Slixvah watches Rune tear into another one, followed with Aelwyn's mesmerizing dance. Her head pivots around, seeing how all the fiends recoil from the display. Pieces fall into place, and she ducks low, hands cupping her beak. And she waits.

And then Angoron's light spills and crashes down into the area, searing the demons. "Praise the Mountain!" she cheers before settling her eyes on the seductress. She inhales. "CRSEMGNI NDSWI!" she shouts her incatation before it looks like she silently screams.

The succubus's ears burst with blood. "Guys! The incubus went into the mineshaft!"

GAME: Vaera casts Badger's Ferocity. Caster Level: 8 DC: 14

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Four - Init 22.

It is now Fidget's turn! Incubus 1 is next!

GAME: Fidget casts Fireball. Caster Level: 6 DC: 18

GAME: Fidget used a Rod of Lesser Elemental.

GAME: Fidget rolls 6+6: (3)+6+6: 15

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Four - Init 19.

It is now Incubus 1's turn! Succubus is next!

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Four - Init 16.

It is now Succubus' turn! Horned One 2 is next!

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Four - Init 15.

It is now Horned One 2's turn! Rune is next!

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Four - Init 14.

It is now Rune's turn! Horned One 3 is next!

The demons continue to flail in blindness. The Incubus that remains on the ground swings their blade, trying to cut at anything and anyone that might come close. And the succubus keeps trying to fly past Thurid, but just... fails to do so. Bumping into her chest multiple times like a fly trying to get through a glass pane!

Vaera Takes an opening as the others move forward, and takes to one side of the encampment, chanting a few esoteric phrases in draconic. Thurid and Aelwyn's weapons glow for a brief moment, with Aelwyn's weapon feeling a bit sharper than before, and Thurid's giant hammer even more deadly on it's striking face.

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+1+1+2: (10)+15+1+1+2: 29

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+1+1+2-2: (13)+15+1+1+2+-2: 30

GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+1+1+2-2: (11)+15+1+1+2+-2: 28

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+1+1+2-7: (2)+15+1+1+2+-7: 14

GAME: Rune rolls weapon2+1+1+2-7: (13)+15+1+1+2+-7: 25

GAME: Rune rolls damage1+5d6-10: aliased to 1d6+1+5d6-10: (4)+1+(24)+-10: 19

GAME: Rune rolls damage1+5d6-10: aliased to 1d6+1+5d6-10: (4)+1+(23)+-10: 18

GAME: Rune rolls damage2+5d6-10: aliased to 1d6+1+5d6-10: (4)+1+(14)+-10: 9

GAME: Rune rolls damage2+5d6-10: aliased to 1d6+1+5d6-10: (2)+1+(19)+-10: 12

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Four - Init 14.

It is now Horned One 3's turn! Aelwyn is next!

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (9)+12: 21

GAME: Harkashan rolls 12: (12)+12: 24

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

While Rune engages with the last remaining Incubus, the Babau that remains tries to make use of the confusion to rush for Aelwyn and rip at him with its claws and maw - biting at him as well! One of the attacks getting Aelwyn by the arm, biting into it!

Laughing a bit to herself at the successful deception, Fidget turns and looks at the other demons, the battlefield was a mess of bodies all mooshed together and not ideal for her exploding people. She frowns and throws a bead of fire past everyone, then with a snap of her fingers and a powerful word, the bead explodes into a blast of electrical energy, washing over the succubus, and hiding it briefly from view in the storm.

After the light dies down, though, the succubus seems unharmed by it, a faint crackling just beyond her skin where the magic was deflected away. "Damnit. Hate that stuff." the goblin complains.

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Four - Init 10.

It is now Aelwyn's turn! Thurid is next!

"We'll have to deal with the missing incubus, later." Rune looks in the direction of the mines. Something is going on there, but they have time to investigate later, once these enemies are dealt with.

"Not over until they're all dead." She quips to Aelwyn, giving him a wink before she turns her attention on the injured incubus. Sometimes, it's better to clear bodies from the battlefield, and that's what her focus is on at the moment.

"Soot, lend me a claw." The Sun-Falcon sweeps by the Incubus just as Rune moves in, slashing at the creature and eventually adding yet another limp form to the pile of monster corpses.

GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11+2+2-2+1+1+2: (3)+12+2+2+-2+1+1+2: 21

GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11+2+2-2+1+1+2-5: (11)+12+2+2+-2+1+1+2+-5: 24

GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11+2+2-2+1+1+2: (19)+12+2+2+-2+1+1+2: 37

GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11+2+2-2+1+1+2: (10)+12+2+2+-2+1+1+2: 28

GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11+6: aliased to 1d10+5+6: (6)+5+6: 17

GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11+6: aliased to 1d10+5+6: (2)+5+6: 13

GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11+6: aliased to 1d10+5+6: (8)+5+6: 19

GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11+6: aliased to 1d10+5+6: (10)+5+6: 21

GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11+6: aliased to 1d10+5+6: (9)+5+6: 20

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Four - Init 4.

It is now Thurid's turn! Incubus 2 is next!

GAME: Thurid rolls perception: (2)+10: 12

GAME: Thurid rolls weapon17+1+2: (15)+12+1+2: 30

GAME: Thurid rolls damage17+1d6: aliased to 3d6+8+1d6: (8)+8+(2): 18

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Four - Init 3.

It is now Incubus 2's turn! Slixvah is next!

GAME: Fidget rolls spellcraft: (15)+16: 31

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Four - Init 2.

It is now Slixvah's turn! Vaera is next!

Thurid grits her teeth at the heads up that the Incubus is heading into the mine. She casts a glance down, and then frowns. "There's something coming up, stand clear!" she calls out to her allies. She swings the hammer, an upwards golf swing catching the Succubus in the gut and seding her reeling, before her wings flap once more and move her backwards, eyes still on the demon.

GAME: Slixvah rolls spellcraft: (13)+16: 29

Aelwyn turns and spreads his hands, bowing his head towards Vaera at the blessing. He then turns back around and flicks his tongue at Rune. "This one hopes we shan't dance beyond the dark veil; last time the headache was severe in the morning."

Seeing one of the Babau's swipe at him and then take a significantly decent bite at his arm, the Dragoon hisses and peels back. It seemed to do nothing for his footplay though - instead, there's a flurry of glaive swipes and fire. It was almost as if the dancing Dragoon's glaive left behind a claw that dug its talon into the creature's body...

But then his blade gets stuck by the collar and with difficulty, the ruddy sith-makar yanks it free. "Hnh, still standing? Looking for more anguish, fiend?" He hisses, getting back onto his stance.

Peeking over the edge to see what the faint glow was, Fidget blinks curiously, then her eyes go wide, "Oh, that's a really big spell. I think we should get way away from the mineshaft! Fire storm incoming!"

GAME: NEW ROUND!

Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Five - Init 23.

It is now Vaera's turn! Fidget is next!

Slixvah blinks as Fidget identifies what's going on. She peers briefly too, before scrabbling back. "Big boom! BIIIIG boom! Incoming!" she shouts as she falls into Angoron's protective barrier and staying near the big lady.

She holds a handsign of undoing under a wing, glaring at the succubus. "...Come on... try. I dare ya...." she twitters to herself. <Auran>

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Five - Init 22.

It is now Fidget's turn! Incubus 1 is next!

Unable to reach the protective wards in time while staying clear of the mineshaft, Vaera remains where she was, focusing on continuing chanting in draconic and maintaining the spell they cast. The red makari was somewhat fireproof, but she did not particularly wish to test the limits of it.

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Five - Init 19.

It is now Incubus 1's turn! Succubus is next!

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Five - Init 16.

It is now Succubus' turn! Rune is next!

GAME: Thurid rolls weapon17+2+1: (2)+12+2+1: 17

GAME: Thurid rolls weapon17+2+1: (12)+12+2+1: 27

GAME: Thurid rolls damage17+1+1d6: aliased to 3d6+8+1+1d6: (14)+8+1+(5): 28

"We should probably get out of here and let whatever's casting the spell deal with the rest. I suggest a rapid retreat and then we can watch the explosion from far away." Fidget rattles off this instruction fast, and then leaning on her enhanced speed, shoots off at an incredible pace down the road.

"I said no. You. Don't." Thurid growls as the succubus attempts to get past her, and her hammer comes crashing down between the succubus's wings as she tries to dive past Thurid. Her spine is crushed, and she tumbles down towards the mine, wings in tatters, dissolving into flames and ember motes which disperse.

A wave of light suddenly bursts from the mineshaft, creating more soot and flame across its body, before the skies seem to light up for a moment. There's this red 'glow' to the sky in that moment which while magnificent... also seems very deadly.

Soot and Sheen both squawk something about Her Majesty being angry, and take off to get the heck out! The succubus tries to get into the mineshaft and past Thurid, but her hammer slams the succubus into flames, bursting her apart!

Then... flames begin to descend. One at a time, seemingly into random locations. Flaring and bursting onto the woodworks nearby, but notably not setting the forest on fire!

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Five - Init 14.

It is now Rune's turn! Horned One 3 is next!

GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+1+1+2: (16)+15+1+1+2: 35

GAME: Rune rolls damage1+5d6-10: aliased to 1d6+1+5d6-10: (5)+1+(14)+-10: 10

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Five - Init 14.

It is now Horned One 3's turn! Aelwyn is next!

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Five - Init 10.

It is now Aelwyn's turn! Thurid is next!

"What the fuck kind of thing is down there that is sending up this kind of bullshit?" Rune looks around, obviously a bit alarmed at the magic being displayed.

She turns to look at the remaining Babau and gives it one quick stab, which seems just enough to have it topple to the ground before she is calling out behind her, "Soot, get yourself and Sheen out of the range of the spell. Fly as fast as you can!"

Then, Rune is running, making her way away from the mineshaft.

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Five - Init 4.

It is now Thurid's turn! Slixvah is next!

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Five - Init 2.

It is now Slixvah's turn! Vaera is next!

GAME: Thurid casts Protection From Energy. Caster Level: 10 DC: 17

Chink. Flop. Aelwyn rolls his head. "Tch, that was this one's!" He calls out to Rune - but his orange eyes get distracted by the fires. He straightens to a stand and looks up towards the skies, taking in the sight. "... beautiful." He rumbles quietly.

Yet, the instinct of survival prevails and with much reluctance, Aelwyn starts to run away, following on after the others.

GAME: NEW ROUND!

Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Six - Init 23.

It is now Vaera's turn! Fidget is next!

"Her majesty?" Thurid repeats the overheard squawking from the fire hawks, and she nods once in understanding. "Everyone, get away!" she bellows, and then alights at the edge of the mineshaft, her golden wings folding up behind her. The head of her hammer is allowed to settle on the ground, one hand rests on the pommel of the haft. The other touches her holy symbol, "Angoron, grant me the strength to weather this storm, that I might sooth a seething soul." she prays and her form shimmers.

She takes a deep breath, opening her eyes, and shouts down into the hole. "Your Majesty! If that is you, then hear me. We have slain the foul demons we found here. Your anger is righteous! But it is not for us! I pray, still your rage!"

Slixvah looks up to the sky, her beak dropping. "... oh. Gods. Uh.." She holds a hand out for the Tapestry, but sees Thurid has other plans. "I dunno if I wanna call ya brave or foolish, but good luck gal!"

She deeply inhales. "Your Majesty Suntalon! Please listen!" But she doesn't stick around. Ribboned wings unfurl, she crouches, and blasts off southward to follow everyone in the air.

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Six - Init 22.

It is now Fidget's turn! Rune is next!

GAME: Slixvah rolls sense motive+2-5: (8)+5+2+-5: 10

GAME: Thurid rolls sense motive: (16)+11: 27

GAME: Rune rolls sense motive-5: (4)+8+-5: 7

GAME: Fidget rolls sense motive-5: (8)+1+-5: 4

The red makari drops the spell they were chanting, with the enemies dead, and getting as far away as quickly as possible seeming much more important. "Yes, get out of here, now!Sheen, you can reunite with her majesty when it is safer to do so." They shout in agreement, already sprinting off as fast as they could.

GAME: Vaera rolls sense motive -5: (14)+9+-5: 18

GAME: Aelwyn rolls sense motive-5: (4)+1+-5: 0

As Slixvah and Thurid call down the mineshaft, it isn't long before Thurid hears a reply. It is not words, it is not calmness, it is not wrath and anger...

It is anguish! Thurid of all can read it best. This spell, it is not being cast by its will. The flames below try to diminish, only for a cry of pain to echo out, and the flames to resume even more fiercely!

The storm of flames continue to descend upon the region, as people rush. Some of them bursting down towards Thurid's position. But it seems the range is limited enough that after they get about a hundred-fifty feet out, they get out of position. It is certainly strange that it can deploy the spell over such an area while being down in the shaft...

But the fire does keep coming in the region while those cries of anguish continue.

GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

Round Six - Init 14.

It is now Rune's turn! Aelwyn is next!

GAME: Harkashan removes the timestop.

Timestop by Harkashan has left.

Thurid pales as she feels the pain in the cry. Pales, and then flushes with anger. She grits her teeth, taking the hammer in both hands once more and her wings flare out. She steps off the edge of the mineshaft, hammer reared back as the wings trail golden light before her. "I am Thurid Freeborn!" she bellows ahead of her. "My hammer is the Chainbreaker!" she adds a moment later. "And I will bring an end to your suffering, this I swear! Witness me!" she cries out as she disappears into the darkness.

The mighty and brave woman, hammer in hand, rushes down the mineshaft. Demons swarm her from the sides of the walls. The smashes a floating small eyeball that is coming down from the shaft with her, barely visible - some kind of scrying demon. Incubi rush up, wielding what looks like large chains!

They hiss and scree at her. Chains being wrapped around her body. She crushes one of their heads in and tears it apart against the wall, trying to make it further down. She can see it. The beautiful majestic form of a Phoenix...

Strung up against a metalic device. Artifice devices connected to it, and some kind of strange poisons being injected into it. A succubus sitting behind what looks like a fire-proof device, touching her hand forward, dominating the Phoenix...

Staring up towards Thurid, and flashing a grinning smile.

Thurid coming down. Hammer about to reach her, when the chains are pulled taut, and the Succubus flits up ever so slightly. Her Incubi keeping Thurid at bay as she reaches her hands up towards her face...


The mineshaft goes quiet. The flames stop descending, and the beautiful but eerie red majestic light settles. Sheen and Soot land near the heroes, looking towards the Mineshaft.

<"Her Majesty... what would possess her to do the will of the Horned Ones?"> One asks in its animal voice - allowing Slixvah's familiar to translate it.

<"I don't know... but whatever it is, this can't be good."> Another answers.

Vaera has reconnected.