Oh My Goatess

Log Info

• Title: Oh My Goatess
• Emitter: Cryosanthia
• Characters: Aryia, Baolei, Knightmare, Cesran
• Place: A10: Temple of Serriel
• Time: Monday, June 07, 2021, 1:36 PM
• Summary: A war golem, Baolei, is standing sentinel outside the Temple of Serriel hoping to do useful things. Aryia approaches, as does the Knightmare who is delivering a bundle. A strange figure accosts them, asking if they'd like to make some coin picking up a package for him inside. Baolei demands he reveal himself, suspecting a disguise, and heads into the complex to warn the Temple. The individual heads off into the mists, as Cesran emerges from the temple. A small construct that appears very similar to both the Knightmare and Baolei, but is goat shaped, attempts to walk onto the grounds. Aryia is nearby and sees the disguise slip, it is a goat, but some sort of filthy living being and not a war-golem. She moves to stop it, it attacks, and Cesran blasts it to pieces. As the others gather, things keep happening, a stinking cloud, a mind fog that surrounds Cesran. The Knightmare, Baolei and Aryia rush to attack the strange Mul'niessa, and find him difficult to injure. Then reinforcements arrive, a lot of reinforcements. Bearded male devils, flying female devils, and a sharp nosed sorceress. The fliers concentrate on Cesran, who uses an Elemental Form and Time Stop to give himself some advantages, while the fighters on the ground are overwhelmed and start to drop. The devils taunt Cesran, calling him 'Merek', and when he grasps the sorceress with a forceful hand, she panics and calls them to rescue her, and everyone else concentrate on the caster. The fliers teleport away, while Cesran, his Azata, and Lancers from the Temple arrive to back up the adventurers and tip the scales in their favour. It was still a painful lesson.
• APL: 2.6/20, Tier 1: Aryia 3, Knightmare 3, Baolei 2, Tier 4: Cesran 20
• Encounters: CR13+, XP28,400
  • (2) CR 4, XP 1,200 Azizou Pain Demon Goat (1 Present 1 summon, XP1,200)
  • (1) CR 11, XP 12,800, Elf Sorcerer 12, Fey Enchantress as Lady Tiliyane (XP12,800)
  • (3) CR 8, XP 4,800 The Erinyes, Ariavine, Infirith, Daemila (XP14,400)
  • (3) CR 5, XP 1,600 Bearded Devil (Eryinyes' summons, XP doesn't count)

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* A10: Temple of Serriel *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

Visitors to the Temple of Serriel are met by two massive horses. Freshly carved from the palest marble, their grand faces look outward, reminiscent of Serriel's quest for the spread of Civilization across the known world. Between them lies a broad walkway, and beyond that, a temple.

Though small in size compared to others, this is a reflection of Serriel's youth, not of Her efforts or organization. Her clergy when seen are smartly dressed, and temple life features proud ritual and the glory of the law. Each stone is smartly cut, and precisely placed, and polished until it is faultless, though it bears no special ornamentation save the occasional mark of spear or shield.

The library of law within the temple's coffers rivals that of Vardama's, and amid the symbols of Her spear and shield also lies the symbol of the scroll. For this reason, the temple has a working relationship with that of Vardama and of Navos, whose members sometimes visit, and a small room or two has been provided for these conferences.

All in all, the temple may appear rather...bland, or even severe to some, though that ignores its true strength. Its strength lies in its structure and its integrity, its honesty, symbolized by the clean lines, the studiously, and masterfully crafted stone, at whose birth lay the hands of the finest khazadi smiths.

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

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing, in Order  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Aryia        4'8"     110 Lb     Shadow Elf        Female    A heavily scarred mul with a curious look about her.
Baolei       6'11"    318 Lb     War Golem         Male      Almost seven foot tall war golem.
Knightmare   6'4"     294 Lb     War Golem         Female    A knightly construct on the hoof bearing heraldry of lost Dragonier.    
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=                                   

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  NPCs of Note  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Lady Tiliyane Zainirith          Fey Dawn Elf      Female    A Priestess of Taara, Enchantress
Ariavine                         Erinyes           Female    A devil assigned to Lady Tiliyane
Infirith                         Erinyes           Female    A devil assigned to Lady Tiliyane
Daemila the Clumsy               Erinyes           Female    An exceptionally fumble prone devil assinged to Lady Tiliyane.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=                                   

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  As the GM  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Cryosanthia  6'9"     291 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

It's a nice evening in the temple of Serriel. Or rather right in the entryway. The odd part is that, well, there's a war golem of unknown make just standing around. He seems to have his hands folded in prayer. The really strange part is that it has to be one of the tallest war golems around, easily approaching seven feet in height. And it's apparently made of crystals as well as the typical metal, wood, and other such judging by the make of it.

Baolei, as some of the priesthood has heard him identify as, is mostly there for observance of prayers and generally just being around such a welcoming place so far. Despite it being charity he had offered his services to help repair any structure, armor, or other such items needed in repayment for even being in the temple itself. His ways were a bit odd, but well... not many want to argue with a nearly seven foot tall war machine, right?

The Temple of Serriel attracts fewer casual visitors than most of the others. High concepts such as the All-Father, All-Mother, and Death lend themselves to petitioners more than Civilization. One doesn't usually pray for more civilization, even if city life is enjoyed and solid building appreciated.

Thus, her visitors have a purpose, to study the law, appeal for some wrong to be righted, or seek similar sorts of assistance. They don't linger just outside the entrance the way a cloaked figure seems to be, one that is watching the Golem.

It was a strange order to fill. Sometimes she would have to deliver heavy boxes and packages to different parts of Alexandria, and today was no different.

A scarred Mul'neissa stops at the front entrance to show a small yet heavy box to the those manning it. They look at it, before mentioning, "Ah, yes, we were expecting this!" She passes it off to them, letting it go, and they nearly tumble over from the sudden weight dragging them down.

She dusts her hands off and peers inside, and wanders in. Curious.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Roll perceptions, DC20, if you make that, roll Sense Motive DC15"
GAME: Aryia rolls perception: (20)+11: 31
GAME: Aryia rolls Sense Motive: (9)+9: 18
GAME: Baolei rolls Perception: (14)+7: 21
GAME: Baolei rolls Sense Motive: (12)+-2: 10

Eyes lighting back up from their 'closed' status, the war golem turns at the 'expecting this' and seems to zoom in on the guards for the entrance. Turning, he heads over that way to offer his help with the box and to move it a bit more carefully over to wherever it needs to go for the moment at least.

Going back to his silent vigil, he seems to consider before turning to look at the cloaked figure. "Can I help you?" He says simply. His voice is pretty deep for a war golem, almost booming.

The box was out of her hands, so she side steps the golem that went past her. Though, she couldn't help but feel like someone was being a bit 'extra', so she stopped where she was, steps to the side of the room, and watches on from the inside.

It's a hazy evening, the light is fading and mists remain on the street. Unless directly observing things, one can never be sure. It seems the waiting individual, the lurking individual, changed shape beneath his cloak. The way it fluttered, angles and edges moved, or was it merely a distortion of the mist.

"Hey, yeah, yes." He pulls his cloak back, he's a Mul'niessa with dark grey skin, silvery hair and silver eyes. The man is short, around three and a half feet, and steps closer to the golem though he glances at Aryia and addresses her as well, "You make deliveries and pickups? The box."

Just in case that's forgotten, "I need something picked up from inside the Temple." He remains standing outside the Temple entrance, just past the horses.

The war golem looks at the cloaked man carefully. "I can ask if it is here, but I am only a worshipper here. What is it you are supposed to pick up?" The war golem asks, looking at the cloaked man. Putting two and two together seems to be no trouble. "While it may be a trick of the shadows, I would know now whether you have disguised yourself and why before I fully agree to help."

War golems are so not suitable, right?

"If you mean harm to this temple or to steal from it using myself as a means, you will find I am far from being defenseless and my wrath will have you experiencing many failed endeavours on my part. Most of them explosive." Definitely war golem diplomacy.

The fellow mul was a bit surprised to see another of her kind here. Though she shrugs at the question, nodding and shaking a hand in a 'so-so' motion.

The golem was right, and she squints a bit. Even if the threat was a bit over the top.

"Disguise? What disguise. Just some prestidigitation to make sure my hair looked all right. I always look like this." The Mul'niessa man says, looking the war-golem up and down, mostly up. He focuses on the symbol of Serriel on the pauldrons. 'Shoulda known', he mutters under his breath, "Well I don't feel like paying you now."

He turns towards Aryia, "What about you? Want to make some coin? Simple pick-up. It's labelled." He shoots a glance at Baolei, before staring at Aryia intently.

Very intently. So hard his eyes are glowing.

The fellow shadow elf raises a brow and crosses her arms. She nods towards the greeters (temple guards?) at the entrace. She crooks a finger and gestures it towards that way. "Ask them," the simple sign meant. <Handspeech>

She couldn't help but shake that something was wrong. Off. This Mul was very, very short. And she saw the bits of magic that felt as if it was some guise. Aryia flatly stares back, milky eyes unblinking. She idly scratches a fresh, pink scar on the side of her face: a cut atop many other scars, this one going from temple to jaw.

While the finer details of contract negotiations occur within the Temple, another visitor to the temple arrives.

Birthed by who knows what sort of errant design ethos, a gleaming memento mori strides into the temple bearing a long wrappled bundle cradled in her arms. The wag of her tail adjusts to compensate for her lightening hoof beats as the Knightmare crosses into the Temple proper, visor sweeping about to find an appropriate agent for the completion of this task.

The Mul'niessa watches as the Knightmare strided into the Temple area, calling to interrupt her, "Hey!" Then a second, and perhaps a third thought occurs, "Never mind."

"I'll find someone else." He turns and heads away from the entrance, out into the square, not exactly out of sight but far enough into the evening mists his form is obscured again.

One of the Acoylytes of Serriel approaches the Knightmare, ready to receive her bundle.

The large war golem looks over at the sound of something approaching, then towards the direction the obscured figure left. He turns to approach the acolyte that is approaching Knightmare. "Excuse me. There was a suspicious man here a few minutes ago. He wanted something from the temple. May I talk to one of the priests to advise them of the situation? I believe he may have been a would be thief trying to get others to do his work for him."

It's all respectful, too. Shoot, he didn't raise his voice even with the Mul'niessa before.

Knightmare cocks her head as the little fellow yells her way, her next step slowing as she considers seeing what he's about, but then he's changed his mind almost immediately and she continues on at herr lightened pace for another couple of strides before she notices the approach of the acolyte.

Here, she draws up to a halt, still cradling the bundle in her arms, head bowed, "Good evening and well met, Vanguard." the construct intones in a fenimine, if hollow voice, though the rest of the greeting slips into the aether as the new, larger Golem joins them with a word of warning. Her tail flicks, then, "The little, indecisive one?" she broaches to confirm.

Aryia rubs her arm, watching the shorter Mul walk away into the mist. It felt weird. Really weird. And she was just standing there with her back to two giant war golems conversing.

Her eyes unfocus for a moment. Why was she here again? Better yet, what temple even was this? The scarred mul glances about the place while the two talked, the pugilist waffling about in her usual manner.

GAME: Aryia rolls perception: (4)+11: 15

A nod is given towards his fellow construct, "Indeed. He seemed to use some sort of magic, perhaps, but I am unsure. I did not get a good look at him while he was in the shadows. I believe I will now that I have let someone know about it." He turns to head towards where the skulker went off, eyes scanning in the mist to try to find him. Baolei is not about to let that one get away if he can find him again in all this.

The Vanguard nods, listening to the Knightmare and Baolei, "Thank you, I can take you to a priest. We'll get a lancer. Any more details besides short, suspicious and indecisive?" That covers a lot. She moves to head inside.

Meanwhile at the front gate, well nothing is going on. A little ways away it seems the strange man is talking to himself. Hard to tell with the mists. There's an odd shifting of shadows, and then two forms which separate, one approaching the gates.

As it draws clearer, the Mul'niessa brawler is able to see clearly. It's a three foot tall golem, a goat, marching with a gait exactly like the Knightmare's, and with glowing internals and pauldrons similar to Baolei's. Complete with Serriel's sigil.

Well, not exactly.

The little construct whrrrs and clicks right up to the entrance. As it attempts to step between the two horses, it halts as if it hit a wall.

There's a flicker. The form remains the same, but it switches from construct to something living, before the construct appearance resumes.

The evening mist is obscuring visibility. Not as strongly as the similarly named spell, but close. With the low light and hazy air, it's hard to make out forms at a distance.

Cesran comes out of the Library of Law and looks to be talking to one of the priest. "Thank you for your help Vanguard. I appreciate you letting me do some research and getting your perception on the matter." He shakes hands with the priest and after a brief farewell, parts ways with her. He's on his way out to head out although the group near the altar is noticed and he gives a polite nod to each of them. "Perhaps they know something and even if they don't you should tell them about what's going on."

Cesran stops and is about to turn around when he sees what looks to be a construct at first trying to get into the temple. He also looks around at the mist that seems to have rolled in. He takes a deep breath to mentally prepare himself for that horrors he's about to see as he focuses his arcane sight on the mists at first and then the goat.

The mist is natural, and very pervasive.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Aryia, you definitely saw the flicker."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "If you have k/religion, k/arcana or k/the planes or even k/nature, those might apply, DC15."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Otherwise you can +roll intelligence DC20, and Sense Motive."
GAME: Aryia rolls intelligence: (11)+1: 12
GAME: Aryia rolls sense motive: (3)+9: 12

Aryia was confused. Very, very confused. Magic was never her strong suit, and this had her gut telling her things were very off. She stops, turns around, and then gets in front of it, body blocking the creature from getting further into the temple.

She holds up a flat palm, like that of a guard telling someone to halt.

If they tried anything at all, the construct was going to get wrassled.

Baolei, hearing the whistle, looks a bit curious before moving forward. He doesn't reach for any of his obvious weapons, just moves forward to see what Aryia is whistling about. His left hand, with the strange looking contraption on the arm, flexes a bit before it comes out and covers it. Holding the hand open as the now twice it sized clawed hand is left hanging at his side for the moment. He does tilt his head, looking at Aryia, "You whistled?" He says.

The Vanguard takes the bundle from Knightmare, looking at the pair constructs as they they head off, "I'll get someone quickly, if you can handle that in the meanwhile." She heads inside

At the front entrance, the goat construct first stands still for a moment, as if listening to some unheard voice. Long enough for some sort of exchange. It turns to look at Ayria, lens-like eyes whrrring and focusing, "Don't you say a thing."

And then she moves to block its path, and whistles. It blinks, iris shutters closing then opening with a click. "You're Lawful, aren't you?"

Without waiting for an answer, it lashes out. Its construct arms flickering as it crosses the threshold, turning biological, and filthy. The same with its maw, shiny teeth become stained. It stinks, it's breath stinks.

And the whole area feels filthy, wrong, impure.

The Knightmare nods, "I will try to be more aware of him in the future."

Her attention turns to the Vanguard again, about to resume the business that drew her here in the first place, when there is a whistle from the front of the temple. A flick of her tail, then, she turns back toward the Vanguard, "I am Dame Betrys of Dragonier, Knight of the Lost Crown."

SHe sinks to a knee and offers up the bundle as she continues, "Sir Erimos of Alexandros was slain near Caer Dragoras. I've brought his remains to the Grey Lady's temple, but his wish was that his sword and shield be returned to the service of the Coming Dawn."

As the Vanguard accepts the package, the grim tidings on the hoof rises, then starts to approach the alerting whistle as something could be amiss.

<OOC> Aryia would like to use readied action to grapple
GAME: Aryia rolls CMB+2: (8)+5+2: 15
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "claw claw bite"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (18)+8: 26 (Goat Claw)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (6)+8: 14 (Goat Claw)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (2)+8: 10 (Goat Bite)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+2: (3)+2: 5
GAME: Goat Demon damaged Aryia for 5 points. 19 HP remaining.

Aryia tilts her head to the side, then another way as she was spoken to. But that was enough for her to gasp and reach forward, trying to grab the goat by the horns before it could do much more than that. She coughs in the horrid smell, slipping free from the grab as she brought her arms up to defend herself as best she could.

The goat construct claws and bites, one catching the Mul'niessa on the shoulder. The shimmering image is unsettling, but from the feel and the sting, the dirty goat is real, and the construct is a glamour disguise.

GAME: Aryia spends ONE point of KI POOL.
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0: (10)+6: 16
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0: (11)+6: 17
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0: (16)+6: 22
GAME: Aryia rolls damage0: aliased to 1d6+2: (6)+2: 8
<OOC> Aryia says, "unarmed is considered magic"

The elf's blood ran cold as she was hit, her gritting her teeth as the pain flaired. Was... was this a... was this a demon? One of those things that she was warned about? Shit, she never got that thing she was going to get just in case!

She rears a fist back and throws full body haymakers into its head, not able to get it a good hit in. Instead, she pivots on a heel and slams her boot into the side of the goat.

She whistles louder. More frantic.

Even though it recoils from the blow, the goat construct-demon thing doesn't take as much damage as it should.

The whistling hits a higher note somehow.

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20+2+2: (2)+20+2+2: 26 (Spell penetration)
GAME: Cesran rolls 5d4+10: (14)+10: 24

Cesran was expecting horror and that's what he got. It takes him a moment to find them in his mental codex of monsters. He ahs and then shouts out. "Those are Azizou or Pain Demons. Cold Iron works best against them, electricity and poison not at all, it has some protection against fire, cold and acid." Information given he holds out his staff and with a word in arcane, spoken in a commanding voice, the dragon headed staff opens her mouth and five bright blue bolts of pure force streak through the air and slam into the demon, killing it. He starts to move towards the front doors, "Be careful there could be more or something even bigger." He warns as he looks around trying to find where it came from.

<OOC> Cesran says, "I do have see invisibility, no true sight, but I do have arcane sight as well, my eyeballs are magic'd up."
Cesran pages: I also have Detect Magic + DarkVision, my peepers are super magic. ;)
GAME: Cesran rolls perception: (3)+22: 25

Cesran finishes looking around and points to something, "Hey there is something over there if you want to check it out." He calls out to Aryia, "Hey are you okay?"

GAME: Baolei casts Expeditious Retreat. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14
<OOC> Baolei says, "Not sure how to active my armor here."
<OOC> Knightmare says, "I believe it's +armor str/dex"
GAME: Baolei activates his Titan Armor, gaining: +4 Dex
GAME: Baolei activates his Titan Armor, gaining: +4 Str

Baolei, frowning as he sees soemthing, reaches to his belt where a small hidden contraption drops from his backpack to hook around his waist. His armor at the same time seems to come alive itself, a blue glow flowing over him as the armor shifts and expands a bit. The backpack contraption is some sort of small tubes that are revealed to be flame propellants as he takes off. Passing Aryia, he stops past her with his clawed hand ready as he looks out into the mist. "I do not see anything as of yet!" He calls back. The fact a seven foot war golem just literally went past like a flaming arrow might not be lost on a few. He looks back to Aryia, "You okay? This area feels wrong somehow."

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "DC13"
GAME: Aryia rolls Fortitude: (6)+5: 11
GAME: Baolei rolls Fort +4: (14)+6+4: 24
GAME: Knightmare rolls fortitude+4: (17)+8+4: 29

Knightmare continues her gallop toward the whistle, though hastening her pace at the discord occuring thereby. She enters the field of squeams as her knightly blade hisses free from it's sheath and she sweeps her gaze tither and yon, tail lashing in agitation, "What sullies this hallowed place?" she inquires in a simmering tone ringing up from an abyss.

The goat construct crumples as multiple magic missiles hit, and the illusion that covered it vanishes. Dark blood burbles out of it's mouth. It's as if its dying breath exhales a foulness that fills the area, competing with the already existing mist and adding to the corrupted sensations.

Clinging, nauseating, stomach churning, it spreads and covers the entrance to the temple area.

Cesran moves towards the edge of the stinking cloud and he is getting tired of this fog. He extends his hand and the dragon opens it's mouth ones more as Cesran once more shouts a word in arcane. A gust of wind bursts from the dragon's maw and starts to slice through the cloud and the fog.

GAME: Aryia rolls Stealth-2: (8)+8+-2: 1

Aryia starts to make a motion towards Cesran, but the cloud hits her in the face, and the fight with the grubs came reeling back. Her scarred face grows green, and nearly lost her food.

Clutching her stomach for a moment, she blearly signs to the group, "

"Weird guy further back, somewhere. Can use magic. I'm fine, feel sick." <Handspeech>

The rush of wind gives her a way forward, and she takes it before plunging back into the mist to skulk.

Knightmare considers, for an instant, dragging the corpse outside, as the Mul'niessa shows distress. She doesn't understand the arcane gestures, but takes her silent withdrawl as a tactical endeavor, and opts to leave the body behind. Outside there may yet be innocents while it's current resting spot seems to be endangering no one. The golem continues her advance at a heavy run toward the potential architect, while her shield is drawn from her back to be clamped to her forearm.

GAME: Baolei casts Titan Fist. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14
GAME: Baolei rolls ranged: (1)+3: 4 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Baolei says, "Sorry, got pulled away again. Bleh. IRL's being a pain. Free reroll still an option?"
<OOC> Cryosanthia nods, "Sure, make the roll."
GAME: Baolei rolls ranged: (12)+3: 15
<OOC> Baolei says, "... dang it."

Baolei, after checking on Aryia, takes off again towards the shadowed figure full flaming strides. Stopping short of making it to it, he raises his clawed hand and braces before sliding it forward slight and literally throwing the claw part of his hand at the goat itself. It misses, but the fact that the armor looks to be self-healing after losing a piece of it? Yeah, that's something.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "The Goat does a thing, KM & Baolei, Will save vs Fear effect, DC12"
GAME: Baolei rolls will + 4: (6)+2+4: 12
GAME: Knightmare rolls will +4: (16)+3+4: 23
<OOC> Cesran says, "SR of 20, from scarab of protection"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (9)+12: 21
GAME: Cesran rolls will: (1)+21: 22 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "DC24 and... that's a fail... okay."

The mist are clearing, as well as the stinking cloud, thanks to Cesran's Gust of Wind. It's taking some time for the full effects to disperse it all, but a clearer corridor is manifesting. The second suspicious individual, who still resembles a silver haired Mul'niessa is becoming visible.

Enough that he's can be targetted, though Baolei's titan grips narrowly miss it.

The Mul'niessa faces the two constructs approaching, and screams. An unsettlng, terrified goat scream that rattles even the stolid war-golems, although they are not greatly affected.

A new mist forms around Cesran, unexpectedly welling up after his spell. It's obscuring, just like the others, and clearly magical. Despite his resistances and strong will, he feels it seeping into his head. His thoughts are becoming fuzzy, disjointed, it's hard to concentrate. Even the weight of his brain is distracting. So heavy.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "KM and Baolei are fine. Cesran, your turn, and Spellcraft to know what you were hit with"
GAME: Cesran rolls spellcraft: (2)+41: 43
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "-10 on Wisdom rolls and -10 on will saves for as long as you're in it and 2d6 rounds after"

He's been hit by a Mind Fog.

<OOC> Cesran says, "Cast Elemental Body IV, to turn into a earth elemental,"
<OOC> Cesran says, "and try to earth glide with minimal damage to non earth stuff."
<OOC> Cesran says, "I'm gonna stay where I am and just go down 30' so I'm submerged under the floor,"
<OOC> Cesran says, "hopefully the church doesn't have a basement."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "there's sewers and a water system and tunnels and a giant summoning circle,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "sooo... roll 1d20 and if you get a 1 you end up in an open space."
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20: (8): 8
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "you get flagstones then earth and some of the mountain"

Cesran is having trouble thinking as his mind feels slow. He knows he needs to get out of here as this is mind fog and mind fog is bad because it sets up other bad things to happen to you. He doesn't need that, so his thoughts turn to escape. He could just teleport away, but that would leave the other in danger and he's kinda mad.

No one puts the whammy on him and gets away with it.

He decides then to stay and fight, but to first get away from this fog. The stone floor of the church gives him an idea as he starts to cast a spell. His body begins to grow and turn the color of granite as he suddenly towers over everyone in the church. He does his best to avoid hitting anything and starts to sink into the ground. Thankfully he picked a good spot as it's nothing, but oddly comforting flagstone, earth and some of the mountain. He looks up hoping to catch who was casting the spell on him.

<OOC> Aryia says, "nice! We're gonna charge that goat"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, +2 attack, -2 AC, roll the attack"
<OOC> Aryia says, "stunning strike!"
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0: (17)+6: 23
GAME: Aryia rolls damage0: aliased to 1d6+2: (5)+2: 7
<OOC> Aryia says, "fort dc 14!"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+1: (17)+1: 18 (Goat Fort)

The pugilist got a hold of her nausea, shaking it off and focusing. Seeing the others come to aid, she gets low and rockets forward. About ten or so feet out, she leaps, tucks both legs in, and crashes her boots down into the side of its head. She tumbles on the ground, pops back up and jumps on the balls of her feet with her fists up.

<OOC> Knightmare says, "unleash Mr Pinchy!"
GAME: Baolei rolls melee: (19)+5+2: 26 (THREAT)
GAME: Baolei rolls melee: (11)+5+2: 18 (Confirmed)
GAME: Baolei rolls 2d6+8: (10)+8: 18

Baolei moves around, using the rockets attached to himself to quickly speed, turn, speed up, then turn until he is opposite of Aryia. Then he shows just how dangerous that oversized claw hand is as he slashes the thing's back hard and at full strength. There's some crunch, but afterwards he moves his hand to have it ready in case the thing turns to him. "I know I may be artificial, but this thing is definitely ugly."

GAME: Knightmare RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 8 temporary HP
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon1+2: (1)+9+2: 12 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Knightmare says, "i have a special that goes off when i rage and land a charge."
<OOC> Knightmare says, "I've rolled a natural 1 every GD time i've tried to use it"

It's about as she nears the eldritch accomplice, and she shakes off a bizarre tingle in her reasoning crystals that the Knightmare decides the time for niceties has expired.

With a blade thrust to the Heavens accompanied by a hellish neigh, the Dragonieri construct seems to lose some of her hue, while the gleam of her body takes on a greater, more diffuse, even ethereal cast before bearing down on the devil goat the others have hemmed in for destruction. Her blade whistles through the air in a fierce downward arc, ringing resoundingly against the cobblestones as she overextends her stroke.

Meanwhile in the fog, there comes an answer to her feral battle cry, this neigh is heartier and by far the more earthly and there comes the sounds of hoofbeats en gallop.

Heavy.

Heavy hoofbeats, belonging to a coal hued destrier with russet mane and fetlocks left bare by his half plated barding.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "DC19 and +6 to the d20"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (8)+6: 14 (Goat Defensive casting)

Surrounded, the Mul'niessa gets a panicked look in his eyes, which briefly get horizontal pupils. Very unsettling. He concentrates, attempting something spell-like, while ducking, weaving, and crouching to avoid blows from all quarters.

He successfully prevents attacks, but whatever he was attempting fails.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "some other things happen."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "This... is a little unfair..."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "three things appear at the edge of the fog, and charge,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "and you're absolutely certain they weren't there. Something summoned them in."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "KM, Aryia, Baolei"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (19)+12: 31
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (8)+12: 20
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (9)+12: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+4: (6)+4: 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+4: (4)+4: 8
GAME: Bearded Devil damaged Knightmare for 7 points. 37 AND 1 TEMP HP remaining.
GAME: Bearded Devil damaged Aryia for 10 points. 9 HP remaining.
GAME: Bearded Devil damaged Baolei for 8 points. 12 HP remaining.

While the Mul'niessa-Goat person is cowering, three more opponents appear at the edge of the fog. They weren't there before. They're larger than the goat, but seem twisted like it was. Even more unsettling, their beards lash like living things. Long, rope-like dreadlocks that have a lamprey mouth at the end, seeming more like suckers and eels than hair.

They charge, lashing out with dirty claws that slash deep, cutting construct and flesh alike.

<OOC> Cesran says, "Okay so I'll move 25 feet under the ground towards the others, then pop my head up 5 feet to look."
<OOC> Cesran says, "If I can be in the area I cleared out with my gust of wind so hopefully I get a good ook and not just fog."
GAME: Cesran rolls perception: (12)+22: 34
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Okay. The caster is both invisible, and flying, and in the mists. So I don't think you can see it. However that was a decent roll, so..."
<OOC> Cesran does have see invisibility. :D
GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/The planes: (6)+27: 33
GAME: Cesran rolls will-10: (17)+21+-10: 28
GAME: Cesran rolls will-10: (10)+21+-10: 21
GAME: Cesran rolls will-10: (2)+21+-10: 13
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "and they were waiting so they shoot you with arrows"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (6)+14: 20
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (7)+14: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (15)+14: 29
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+6+1d6: (5)+6+(4): 15
<OOC> Cesran says, "DR 5/-"
GAME: Erinyes damaged Cesran for 10 points. 144 HP remaining.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (9)+12: 21 (Lady T's Spell Pentration vs DC20)
GAME: Cesran rolls spellcraft: (17)+41: 58
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "wows. It's Dominate Person. That will be bad for you and everyone if it lands."
GAME: Cesran rolls will-10: (13)+21+-10: 24
<OOC> Cesran casts Mage's Disjunction on Lady T
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d6: (16): 16 (Falling damage)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+9: (7)+9: 16 (Lady T's Spellcraft)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (7)+12: 19 (Lady T's item 1 Will Save)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (13)+12: 25 (Lady T's item 2 Will Save)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (4)+12: 16 (Lady T's item 3 Will Save)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (8)+12: 20 (Lady T's item 4 Will Save)

There are a bunch of flying, invisible things. Erinyes, a type of female Devil, cruel. It's absolutely clear that two of them are Minor Images, perhaps the third also. So, maybe only three, not six. The other flying, invisible figure seems to a Sildanyari with Fey aspects.

Cesran glides out into the courtyard to give himself some more room. He sticks his head up to get a view of what's going on and he sees 6 Erinyes around him, but he's been trained to see through illusions although with the mind fog it's hard. He thinks that three are fake, but he definitely knows that 2 of them are. He's hit with a volley of arrows and one manages to get right right in the top of his head. It hurts, but he's stone, so the hurt is minimal. He is about to move, but he feels a spell cast upon him. He recognizes it as dominate person, which would be bad for him in his current mental fog. He manages to fight it off and his stony visage frowns as he raises his arms out of the ground and casts a spell. The spellcaster can now briefly be seen before they plummet out of the sky and hit the ground rather hard. Cesran gives a rocky chuckle.

<OOC> Aryia says, "fight defensively, stunning fist on the goat, five foot step northwards and remaining on the weird beard guy,"
<OOC> Aryia says, "will swift action kit spend to get a third attack"
GAME: Aryia spends TWO uses of STUNNING FIST.
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0-4+2: (2)+6+-4+2: 6
<OOC> Aryia says, "is going to use the free reroll"
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0-4+2: (5)+6+-4+2: 9
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0-4: (6)+6+-4: 8
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0-4: (8)+6+-4: 10
<OOC> Aryia says, "AC is 18 right now. Finished"

Aryia gets her feet back from her under her, the elf baring her teeth at the false Mul'niessa. She may not have the right things to deal with this, but she was damned if she was going to be bested by this. She glances behind her, eyes widening as she was too slow to react. A slash rakes across her back, tearing the shirt and adding another gash the old lashes.

She yells out in pain- though no scream comes out- as she staggers forward and tries to clock the stupid mul'goatssa in the face before getting out of the bad position and-

Her eyes widen in terror. What in the hells was that?! She drops low and goes for legs, swinging wide with hooks. But she was so focused on trying to keep herself safe she just couldn't get land one.

An idea forms in her head. One that comes up as she hears more and more creatures appearing. She held no honor, no creed. Aryia should flee.

The caster is tall, sharp nosed Sildanyari woman with some Fey attributes. She yelps as the Mage's Disjunction goes off, and she suddenly falls. She didn't plan for this, and cries out as she hits the ground.

Her magic items aren't working either, which she'll find out about later, and a lot more than her pride is bruised. She stares, uncomprehendingly at whatever spell hit her.

She looks a lot less glamorous too.

GAME: Baolei rolls melee: (18)+5: 23
GAME: Baolei rolls 1d6+4: (4)+4: 8

Baolei turns, hopping back away from the goat and turning on the thing that just hit him. He swings his clawed hand down, taking a bit out of it but pauses after the swing and moves to defend himself. He calls towards Knightmare, "Fall back to the church! They have some sort of protection against weaponry!"

<OOC> Knightmare says, "drop the shield, two hand, power attack the goat"
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon1-1: (7)+9+-1: 15

Still enraged, a mood unaided by the attack from the writhing mawwed humanoids, Knightmare jettisons the shield from her arm and takes the longsword in both hands before hatefully slashing through open air near the goat in time to hear the other construct's warning.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (1)+14: 15 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (12)+14: 26
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+9: (8)+9: 17
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (12)+14: 26
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (17)+14: 31
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+9: (2)+9: 11
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+6+1d6: (8)+6+(2): 16
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+6+1d6: (3)+6+(2): 11
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "so 11 & 6 with your DR"
GAME: Erinyes damaged Cesran for 17 points. 127 HP remaining.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Goat tries doing what it was doing before"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Goat turns invisible"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Okay, they are full attacking. If the ones on Aryia or Baolei take them down, they'll move to KM."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (17)+10: 27
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7
GAME: Goat damaged Aryia for 7 points. 2 HP remaining.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (17)+10: 27
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+4: (4)+4: 8
GAME: Goat damaged Aryia for 8 points. -6 HP remaining. (DYING)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (2)+10: 12
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (11)+10: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+4: (4)+4: 8
GAME: Goat damaged Baolei for 8 points. 4 HP remaining.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (16)+10: 26
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (4)+10: 14
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+4: (1)+4: 5
GAME: Goat damaged Knightmare for 5 points. 33 HP remaining.

The flying Erinyes swoop and shift, maintaining a position above the ground, but swapping with their image enough to confuse which is the real one. Arrows fly towards Cesran, a dozen it seems, although only half are real, penetrating his Earth Elemental form.

One pair flies up to hover in front of him, arrows aimed at his eyes. Where he might have eyes. One of them taunts, the other mumbles in barely audible, obscure tones, although the message is loud and clear. "Go ahead and cast Merek."

Nearby, the fey elf scrambles to her feat, back-pedaling away from Cesran, getting closer to the other group. She's swearing in Sildanyari, something about 'the edge'.

The Mul'niessa-Goat tries his defensive casting again, crouching down. Successful, he vanishes.

While this is upsetting, the attacks from the Bearded fellows require immediate attention. With a roar, Aryia's lands two solid claw swipes and collapses. Baolei is rattled by a solid swipe, and the Knightmare takes a hit as well.

A pair of Lancers appear at the Temple's door, and hearing the sound of combat break into a run.

<OOC> Cesran is the spellcaster running?
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "rrr... sense motive, but she moved a lot"
GAME: Cesran rolls sense motive: (18)+2: 20
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "She's moving away from you, but might still cast things. The pose might clarify stuff some more."
<OOC> Cesran says, "Sure, on the ground?"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "yes"
<OOC> Cesran says, "Okay I need some time, so Time Stop. I'll cast it defensively though"
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20+12+2: (18)+20+12+2: 52 (Defensive Cast)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "The Erinyes has a readied action, 'shoot you if you cast' though, so that still happens"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (14)+14: 28
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+1d6+6: (5)+(6)+6: 17
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "so that's 12 with the DR"
GAME: ERinyes damaged Cesran for 12 points. 115 HP remaining.
<OOC> Cesran says, "It's 10 + Damage (12) + spell level (9) so 31 is my dc"
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20+12+2: (20)+20+12+2: 54 (Concentration for Damage)
<OOC> Cesran says, "Rolling time stop"
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
<OOC> Cesran says, "round 1: 5ft Step, dismiss Elemental Body (standard), draw rod of normal quickening (Move),"
<OOC> Cesran says, "-------  cast dimension door to x10, y35"
<OOC> Cesran says, "round 2: quick cast (Fluid Form), Full round cast Summon Monster IX, Ghaele Azata"
<OOC> Cesran says, "Round 3: Cast Grasping hand and put it next to the spellcaster, but it can't attack her this round."
<OOC> Cesran says, "End of time stop resuming normal turn, move action, have the grasping hand grab the spellcaster,"
<OOC> Cesran says, "-------- quick cast greater dispel magic on the invisible bearded devil"
<OOC> Cesran says, "Oh I need to roll to dispel the invisibility on the one bearded devil."
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20: (17)+20: 37
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+31: (3)+31: 34 (CMB Grasping Hand)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "that grasps her"
<OOC> Cesran says, "The Azata's turn"
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+13+4: (19)+13+4: 36 (Azata cast dfensively)
GAME: Cesran rolls 3d8+13: (10)+13: 23
<OOC> Cesran says, "Dc was 21"
GAME: Azata damaged Aryia for -23 points. 17 HP remaining.

Cesran watches as the bearded devils cut into his allies and sends one of them down. He is still an earth elemental so his choices are limited for spell casting. He needs to give himself more time and so he does just that. He takes a hit as he starts to cast, but he ignores it, he's dealt with pain before, this is nothing new. Time freezes and he moves himself up so he can dismiss the spell and return to his human form. He takes out a rod of normal quickening from his belt and casts dimension door to move within the others.

He casts a spell on himself and then starts to summon. An elegantly armored sentinel appears next to Aryia and stands alert, her eyes radiating divine light and her noble blade crackling with power. He then summons a hand near the spellcaster and takes a long deep breath before time starts to flow again. He has the hand grab onto the spellcaster as he calls out to the Azata, "Please heal them and then defend them."

The Azata nods as she defensively casts and touches Aryia to heal her wounds.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Aryia, you're back up"
<OOC> Aryia says, "aryia stands, provokes AoO, and runs off the map"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (3)+10: 13

Pain, so much pain exploded across her before Aryia's world went dark.

But, by some grace, she gasps for air as the slashes on her back were sealed shut. Aryia gets to her feet, turns, and bolts. Demons. She figured she'd be rid of them being out of Charn. But here? Here?

Absolutely not. She's not dying today.

She doesn't look back.

Hopping back, Baolei twists and rockets away to past one of the pillars leading up to the temple before turning and surveying where he is for sure. His clawed hand retracts as he reaches back in preparation to pull something else if he has to.

<OOC> Knightmare says, "PA 2 handed"
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon1-1: (15)+9+-1: 23
GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d8+9: (4)+9: 13

The Knight has had more effective rounds of battle, to be sure. While still driven to... passionate expression, Knightmare two-hands her sword once again and whirls, slashing the tendril-mawwed creature though to lesser effect than she'd like.

Telepathy is a wonderful thing for silently coordinating an attack. It requires a little concentration however, and not panicking.

The Sildanyari is definitely panicking. "That's not Merek! Get him! Everyone get him."

Cesran's grasping hand is holding her tight. "No wait, Ariavine, Infirith, get me out of here! Daemila... do... something. Don't screw it up."

Two of the Erinyes pairs swoop towards the woman, grabbing her arms. Staring at each other, they both blink, and then all three vanish. A coordinated teleportation. Very unusual, for those who understand how they work.

The bearded devils, the goat, all break off and converge on Cesran, attacking, although they have to get by the Azata first.

And the Lancers finish charging into the area, shifting the balance even more.

The final Erinyes, Daemila presumably shouts, "Don't follow! You'd regret it." She vanishes as well.

With the Sildanyari caster gone, along with her Erinyes allies, the balance of power shifts. Bearded Devils are fearsome, as is whatever the Mul'niessa-Goat was, but not enough to stand up to the reinforcements.

They don't go down swiftly, but they go down. The remaining devils concentrate their attacks on Cesran to the exclusion of everyone else. Those were their orders, and they are completely handicapped by them. While the mage recieves a few more injuries, his careful use of spells and his summoned ally prevents him from being seriously threatened.

Despite this, Aryia, Baolei and the Knightmare's vigilance helped. The devils were trying to get into the Temple, for some reason, for some thing. Left unopposed, they might have succeeded in crossing the threshold or finding someone willing to do it. While they were overwhelming opponents, the alarm was raised before they were engadged.

It's not wrong to call for help when it's needed, and sometimes being in the right place at the right time to do so can be a consolation, when the threat is too great to handle on one's own.

And it was.

Combatty

Map
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mgonin8h5v4

Knightmare's sound.
https://youtu.be/ZTfINdVDJn8?t=13

The Bearded Guys
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9f/65/7c/9f657cf48cb8ebc783cb61d14731eed5.png

Char Ideas
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/57/62/e9/5762e959588991d592b993710aff7c88.jpg

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Green Fist is Aryia, Green Horse is Knightmare, Spikey Green armour is Baolei, Green Staff is Cesran. Red Goats are the baddies. Blue breastplace is the Vanguard"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "there's a natural mist which is acting like a 1/2 effective Obscuring Mist, so per the spell but double the ranges"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Cesran, you're at 93 currently, remember for Whirl's plot"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Ahem. I forgot to say that people who arrive on time for my plots get a free Re-rol and you and Aryia were here at the start, so you can have one if you like."

<OOC> Aryia says, "a gia- wait what"
<OOC> Knightmare says, "It's kind of an open secret amongst adventurers"

 ===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 6 =====================
 ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
     25   Cesran           1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14   Aryia            4  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  >> 10   Baolei           1  Fatigued (4 rnds remaining); Fatigued (1 rnd 
                              remaining); Titan Armor (3 rnds active)       <<
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9    Knightmare       1  Raging (3 rnds active)                       
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4    Goats            1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ==============================================================================

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|   Name   |   Race   |   Class   | CHP | HP  | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Aryia     |SHADOW_ELF|Mnk        | 19  | 24  |16/13/16 | 21 | 5  | 6  | 4  |
|Baolei    |WAR_GOLEM |Art        | 20  | 20  |17/15/12 | 17 | 6  | 5  | 2  |
|Cesran    |HUMAN     |Wiz        | 154 | 154 |26/21/18 | 36 | 16 | 18 | 21 |
|Knightmare|WAR_GOLEM |Brg/Cav    | 37  | 37  | 20/19/9 | 18 | 8  | 2  | 5  |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 |     Name      |  CHP (T) |  HP  |
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 | Aryia.........|   21     |  24  |
 | Baolei........|   20     |  20  |
 | Cesran........|   93     | 154  |
 | Knightmare....|   32 +8  |  37  |
 | (C) Cysgodawyr|   13     |  13  |
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~