Lament of Vilarus (Part 5)
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18+1+4-2-4: (8)+24+1+4+-2+-4: 31
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-1: (16)+24+-1: 39 GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-1: (20)+24+-1: 43 (THREAT) GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-1: (10)+24+-1: 33 GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-6: (1)+24+-6: 19 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-11: (4)+24+-11: 17 GAME: Carver rolls 2d8+12+8+1d8+10+1d8+10: (12)+12+8+(4)+10+(4)+10: 60
"Hyah!" Carver whips out of cover, long red streamer of her hairband snapping behind her. Her bow serves another flurry of arrows, four landing in a tight circle near the creature's wailing maw.
Deathless stomps flat some of the lichen sadly, in her haste.
GAME: Corey rolls Escape Artist+20: (17)+3+20: 40 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (19)+21: 40 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (15)+21: 36 GAME: Telamon rolls 2d8+18: (13)+18: 31 GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+4: (4)+24+4: 32 GAME: Corey rolls damage1+paladin: aliased to 1d6+8+paladin: (3)+8+15: 26 GAME: Corey rolls 2d6: (6): 6 GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+18: (9)+18: 27
Cor'ethil struggles a little against the tendrils, but then he remembers he has a prayer for exactly this. He prays:
"Escape the bonds, Flee the enemy!" (Celestial)
And he slips free with a little pant of relief, aided by the slight sheen of glowing light that briefly surrounds him. "Praise the Stag," Corey mutters as he takes up his rapier again and draws forward--
Only to receive a rather harsh blow into his breastplate, driving the breath out of Cor'ethil. But the paladin of Gilead proceeds with his planned action, jabbing one good strike into the polyp.
"We'll be fine," Cor'ethil says. Even as blood trickles from his mouth.
GAME: Karasu rolls 3d8+5: (12)+5: 17
Karasu tags along after Corey, trying to stab one of the tendrils that had attacked the paladin to little effect. His weapon rebounds right off the tough hide and he uses his other hand to draw a potion, pouring it down over Cor'ethil's head in an effort to heal his wounds. "Watch yourself Cor'ethil! Do not let your certainty in battle be your undoing my kokoro."
The empty bottle clatters to the ground and Karasu's dark eyes fixate on the creature and the effort of supporting his husband against it.
GAME: Murder rolls weapon42: (16)+26: 42 GAME: Murder rolls weapon42-5: (8)+26+-5: 29 GAME: Murder rolls weapon42-10: (19)+26+-10: 35 (THREAT) GAME: Murder rolls weapon42-5: (5)+26+-5: 26 GAME: Murder rolls damage42+2d6+weapon42+2d6: aliased to 1d10+12+2d6+weapon42+2d6: (1)+12+(5)+26+(9): 53 GAME: Murder rolls damage42: aliased to 1d10+12: (6)+12: 18 GAME: Murder rolls 1d2: (2): 2 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+16: (3)+16: 19 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+16: (14)+16: 30 GAME: Murder RAGES!, gaining +3 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 45 temporary HP GAME: Telamon rolls 10d12+10d12: (61)+(57): 118
The Goblin eyes Magpie a moment. "Looks like these guys are a serious pain in the ass. You should prolly back up a bit, I can't keep them both at bay, an' I don't see you carrying no sword."
She's not entirely sure how their mind communications actually work, so Murder glares at the two other-worlders. <<Hit that one over there!! DO IT NOW, before it moves closer!>>
Turning back to the screeching polyp before her, the Goblin does a little hop forward, and launches into a slashing attack, her sword humming and glowing, and dripping with greasy ichor as she draws two great gashes along the creatures front. Several eyes pop in sequence, and broken teeth fly.
There's no verbal acknowledgement, or for that matter even telepathic. But suddenly a pair of funny-looking devices stick out of the windows of the library, leveled at the polyp nearest the building and Magpie. The abomination has enough time to stare with seventeen eyes, mouths opening in protest.
Then there's a blue-white flash as both lightning guns discharge, slamming into the polyp and driving it back against the pillar, where it writhes in agony. Flesh and fluids explode outward from the creature, the stink of untold millenia rising like a miasma around it as it shudders, twitching in clear and obvious torment. It's not dead, improbably enough, but it wishes it was.
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (18)+21: 39 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (5)+21: 26 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (10)+21: 31 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (1)+21: 22 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Telamon rolls 1d8+9: (4)+9: 13 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d8+9: (7)+9: 16 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (6)+21: 27 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (3)+21: 24 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (10)+21: 31 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (1)+21: 22 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Magpie rolls fortitude: (19)+5: 24 GAME: Telamon rolls 4d6: (8): 8
The lightning flash doesn't deter the polyps, but their attacks are... less than inspiring. The one facing Corey and Karasu strikes at them, connecting once each and leaving more wounds, but doing little else. The polyp fighting Murder savagely stabs downward with its tentacles, but the nimble bloodrager hops back and forth, avoiding the stabs.
The third polyp raises its... well, one end of its body, wobbling. A blast of wind goes torrenting across the steps of the library, rolling over Magpie and blowing her hair back but not doing much else, as the ragged-looking monstrosity begins to fly away slowly, still twitching.
GAME: Magpie rolls fortitude: (14)+5: 19 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d6: (6): 6 GAME: Magpie rolls sorcerer+2: (14)+14+2: 30 GAME: Magpie rolls sorcerer+2: (6)+14+2: 22 GAME: Magpie rolls 3d6: (14): 14 GAME: Magpie rolls ranged+3: (2)+10+3: 15 GAME: Magpie rolls ranged+3: (17)+10+3: 30 GAME: Magpie rolls 1d8+3: (2)+3: 5
Buffeted by wind, Magpie manages to keep her feet even as the magical zephyr threatens to fill her loose clothing like a sail. "You call that wind?!" she shouts after the fleeing creature. "I've seen butterfly farts that were stronger!" She does, however, carefully step out of the path of the wind, putting it at her back as she levels her crossbow at the monster threatening her friends.
Because when the wind is flipping your hair around and you're *not* a paladin, you want to use the moment for full impressiveness effect.
As she pulls the trigger, her head comes up with a look of smug satisfaction, as a burst of energy flickers around the polyp. Even if it didn't do enough damage, the gnome looks more than pleased with herself as she fits another bolt into place.
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18: (6)+24: 30 GAME: Carver rolls weapon18: (18)+24: 42 GAME: Carver rolls weapon18: (14)+24: 38 GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-5: (8)+24+-5: 27 GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-10: (10)+24+-10: 24 GAME: Carver rolls 8d6+34+4d6+17+4d6+17: (32)+34+(9)+17+(13)+17: 122
"A vow!" Carver screams against the backdrop of lightning weapons and the whipping wind thrown off by the polyps, biting her lead hand so hard that blood blooms alongside the pain. Her red harvest touches the pristine, holy white wood and sizzles hot enough to steam:
"My body cold and lifeless on the ground, or yours!" She kicks hard in pursuit, seeing one monstrosity try to cowardly weasel away but deciding to focus on the enemy closest to her with that empowered oath.
Her heart palpates, a cold sweat blooming on her brow and in her pits from supernatural fear, but not enough to tame her. Her bow sings. Arrows fly. Blood flows. The abberant dies, crashing to the earth.
Carver's howl is piercing.
GAME: Corey spends ONE use of LAY ON HANDS. GAME: Corey rolls 7d6: (18): 18 GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+4: (4)+24+2+4: 34 GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+4-5: (9)+24+2+4+-5: 34 GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+4-10: (13)+24+2+4+-10: 33 GAME: Corey rolls damage1+2+paladin+2d6 holy: aliased to 1d6+8+2+paladin+2d6 holy: (3)+8+2+15+(10 holy): 38 GAME: Corey rolls damage1+2+paladin+2d6 holy: aliased to 1d6+8+2+paladin+2d6 holy: (4)+8+2+15+(5 holy): 34 GAME: Corey rolls damage1+2+paladin+2d6 holy: aliased to 1d6+8+2+paladin+2d6 holy: (1)+8+2+15+(7 holy): 33 GAME: Karasu rolls Athletics: (6)+19: 25 GAME: Karasu rolls Acrobatics: (20)+24: 44
Corey drinks the potion, and he coughs a little (medicine never tastes terribly good). "I appreciate you, my nightingale," Cor'ethil says tenderly, his silver eyes shining in gratitude for all of a breath as he then turns his attention back to the beast that had hurt him. He murmurs a prayer, and a light suffuses into Cor'ethil as he begins to heal.
That light surrounds him still as he goes to punch into the polyp with his rapier. One jab. Two. Three--and the polyp goes down, Cor'ethil smiling brightly as he wipes the blood away from his mouth.
"I have certainty in battle because you're here," he tells Karasu. "Because we're all here!" he says more loudly, believing in his allies, his friends, his love.
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+18+2: (9)+18+2: 29 GAME: Karasu rolls 1d6+1+3: (3)+1+3: 7
Karasu offers a faint, small smile to his husband and lifts his sword in a salute as he rushes over to the remaining enemy to cut a swath at the foe. His sword seems to have little (if any) effect on it, but he knows his presence at least will aid Cor'ethil and Murder in bringing the creature down. If nothing else, it gives the strange monster one more foe to worry about. Even if his weapons do nothing at all.
GAME: Murder rolls weapon42: (15)+29: 44 GAME: Murder rolls weapon42-5: (2)+29+-5: 26 GAME: Murder rolls weapon42-10: (16)+29+-10: 35" GAME: Murder rolls damage42+2d6+damage42+2d6: aliased to 1d10+15+2d6+1d10+15+2d6: (1)+15+(11)+(7)+15+(5): 54 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (4)+21: 25 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (5)+21: 26 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (16)+21: 37 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (11)+21: 32 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d8+9: (8)+9: 17 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+28: (16)+28: 44
Murder gives a master class at how to not get hit, dodging each attack with growing confidence, the last one even includes a one-handed handstand that she tucks into a roll. Then there's a crackle of lightning as the other-worlders nail their target, and it attempts to flee.
Cackling, the Goblin causes another gash to open up on the polyp. Her nose wrinkles. "These things stink!" Another swing, and more eyes and mouths are destroyed.
The last polyp standing (figuratively speaking) latches onto Murder with a tentacle, the other three striking around the evasive goblin before the fourth grabs her. A triumphant hooting sound comes from a dozen mouths, as the horrid monster glares at Murder with eight eyes.
GAME: Magpie rolls sorcerer+2: (8)+14+2: 24 GAME: Magpie rolls sorcerer+2: (19)+14+2: 35 GAME: Magpie rolls sorcerer+2: (9)+14+2: 25 GAME: Magpie rolls 3d8: (7): 7 GAME: Magpie rolls 3d8: (14): 14 GAME: Magpie casts Disintegrate. Caster Level: 14 DC: 24 GAME: Magpie rolls ranged: (17)+10: 27 GAME: Magpie rolls sorcerer+2: (18)+14+2: 34 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+13: (11)+13: 24 GAME: Magpie rolls 5d6: (12): 12 GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-3: (4)+24+-3: 25 GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-3: (15)+24+-3: 36 GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-3: (14)+24+-3: 35 GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-8: (12)+24+-8: 28 GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-13: (5)+24+-13: 16 GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-3: (6)+24+-3: 27 GAME: Carver rolls 2d6+13+2d6+13: (8)+13+(12)+13: 46
With only one enemy left, Magpie's feeling good! ...Up until it smashes a tentacle down on Murder, then hauls the goblin closer.
"NO!!"
One small, pudgy finger stabs out at the giant monstrosity. "YOU PUT HER DOWN YOU... YOU... ASPIC WITH PRETENSIONS!"
As if fueled by her rage, a thin green ray shoots out of the accusing finger, shattering the wards in its way... and flashing a fist-sized pocket of polypstuff into a puff of green dust. Not... *quite* the dramatic effect Magpie was hoping for.
Carver gives a spinning twirl with Deathless, having assured no escapee. The next series of bowshots bounce off segmented plate, but allies swarm it... with more than enough weapons to finish the job.
GAME: Karasu rolls Bluff: (10)+22: 32 GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+14-2+2: (16)+14+-2+2: 30 GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+19-2+2: (1)+19+-2+2: 20 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+19-2-5+2: (4)+19+-2+-5+2: 18 GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+14-2+2: (10)+14+-2+2: 24 GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+14-2-5+2: (9)+14+-2+-5+2: 18 GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+19-2+2: (9)+19+-2+2: 28 GAME: Karasu rolls 1d6+1+3: (6)+1+3: 10 GAME: Karasu rolls 1d6+1+3: (2)+1+3: 6 GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+2: (3)+24+2+2: 31 GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+2-5: (17)+24+2+2+-5: 40 (THREAT) GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+2-10: (8)+24+2+2+-10: 26
Karasu is a flurry of motion, but it's about as effective as blowing into the wind might have been. He doesn't stop moving though. He's learned long ago that ceasing to move in a fight is tantamount to death.
GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+2-10: (6)+24+2+2+-10: 24 GAME: Corey rolls damage1+2+2d6 holy: aliased to 1d6+8+2+2d6 holy: (3)+8+2+(11 holy): 24 GAME: Corey rolls damage1+2+2d6 holy: aliased to 1d6+8+2+2d6 holy: (6)+8+2+(5 holy): 21
Cor'ethil doesn't tolerate this thing's existence. He breathes in, and then delivers two powerful jabs into the polyp, tearing it down and then pulling his blade free with a harsh breath.
"No more. You're not hurting anyone anymore!" Corey demands, as though the dead creature might be able to fire off some rejoinder to him now.
There's one last flash of lightning, an inhuman screech, and then a wet splat like someone dropping a bag of tomatoes from a fairly high place. Ugh. And then, blessedly... silence.
The library doors swing open, the two Yeithari shuffling out slowly. Both carrying those bizarre weapons, as they cautiously prod the burst and mangled corpses of the polyps scattered around the building. A telepathic sense of disgust radiates off the rugose cones, subsiding and fading as they turn to the party.
"You are injured," the telepathic voice tickles the brain. "We do not know if we can aid you, but we can at least find refuge here. Let us return to the library, for now the worst danger is... past?"
Both Yeithari pause, turning their heads towards the reservoir, as if sensing something. Distantly, far off, you hear a sound like a moaning cry, as if a group of mourners were wailing. It fades off after a moment, and the Yeithari shake their heads, looking almost nervous.
"Perhaps the wind."
-TBC