Taking the Rook
Content warning: on-screen depiction of suicide. Please read with care.
GAME: Harkashan casts Heroes' Feast. Caster Level: 12 DC: 23 GAME: Harkashan casts Telepathic Bond. Caster Level: 12 DC: 22 GAME: Telamon casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 20 DC: 20 GAME: Telamon casts Overland Flight. Caster Level: 20 DC: 24 GAME: Telamon casts Mind Blank. Caster Level: 20 DC: 27 GAME: Slixvah used a Wand of Mage Armor. GAME: Slixvah casts False Life. Caster Level: 9 DC: 17 GAME: Slixvah rolls 1d10+witch: (10)+9: 19 GAME: Auranar casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 8 DC: 16 GAME: Slixvah casts See Invisibility. Caster Level: 9 DC: 17 GAME: Harkashan casts Magic Vestment. Caster Level: 12 DC: 20 GAME: Harkashan casts Status. Caster Level: 12 DC: 19 GAME: Harkashan rolls 1d8+6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Slixvah casts Heroism. Caster Level: 9 DC: 18 GAME: Slixvah casts Heroism. Caster Level: 9 DC: 18 GAME: Harkashan casts Freedom of Movement. Caster Level: 12 DC: 21 GAME: Harkashan casts Death Ward. Caster Level: 12 DC: 21 GAME: Harkashan casts Mass Owl's Wisdom. Caster Level: 12 DC: 23 GAME: Slixvah casts Death Ward. Caster Level: 9 DC: 19
The time has come.
It's a small clearing in a forest, chosen by Telamon and arranged by mail to one Lady Oisea Lupecyll, a so-claimed cousin of Cor'lana's through her paternal side of the family. A heroes' feast, conjured by Harkashan and consumed by the hunting party some hours before, still lingers with the party as they take their positions in the woods.
All except Telamon, who is alone and in the open. Alone and awaiting the arrival of their quarry.
After a mighty filling feast, filled with tlahcos, wraps, sugared fried dough, and other lovely things, Harkashan feels more ready for all of this than before. He did have to warn some people not to eat the Deathpepper Chilis if they didn't want to Sing for water during the feast.
In the leadup to the forest, a few last minute spells being passed on to the party as a while. Trying to steel their minds, before requesting the aid of Rune to help him hide. Because, by all means, the lizard couldn't figure out being stealthy if he was in a pitch black room surrounded on all sides by camouflage gear.
Telamon stands stoically in the clearing, his expression blank. He's dressed in his usual finery, augmented with his accouterments of power -- headband and robe over the silk shirt and trousers. The cold does not touch him, and his eyes seem as chilly as the night skies overhead, the stars whirling in them. He is -aware- of the others, and it is a balm of sorts, since Cor'lana is not with him.
Without her, he feels wrong, but it's better she shelters with Grandfather. The Feathered One will not let anything happen to her. And so he keeps his counsel, awaiting the prize. 'Tis twice the pleasure, to deceive the deceiver, after all...
The Goblin ate her fill at the feast, and spent much of the remaining time fighting off a food coma. Before leaving Telamon to stand alone in the clearing, Simony hugged him and wished him well. "The Watchlings will know this story and it's conclusion. Time for CE to meet his end."
Now she waits, crouched next to Harkashan, using the Sith's natural warmth to fight off the chill of the day.
While a magical meal may bolster the spirits, there is a certain measure of unease that has it sitting uncomfortably in Rune's stomach. As the group gets into position, she takes her time to help Harkashan first, making sure that he is out of sight, hidden behind the most solid of trees, and that all the shiny bits of his armor are muted by dark cloth, mud, or greenery.
Then, the rogue does little more than slip into the shadows nearby and vanish from sight from other than the most keen of eyes. However she does that, it's quite the sight, or... lack of sight. Crouching in the shadows, she draws out her weapons and lies in wait, keeping herself out of line of sight, where possible.
GAME: Rune takes ten on stealth+4+2+2: (10)+22+4+2+2: 40
Auranar stands in the place where she's been told to wait, her thoughts touching the unfamiliar link between her and the others. Her thoughts are a still pond of vengeful hate toward the Corpse Eater. For everything that they've done to be ready for this moment, she knows in her bones that something is going to go wrong. That there's something they haven't thought of. She knows it. She's still here. She has to be.
It takes some time. The wet air and evening night are things that only add to the anticipation. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting for the enemy.
Then in a blink of magic, a woman appears before Telamon. She is of obvious sildanyari heritage, and could certainly be mistaken for a fully-blooded elven cousin of Cor'lana's, save for her striking blue eyes and painted ruby-red lips. She is dressed for the winter in a black wolf pelt-cloak and a woolen black dress, embroidered with gold along the hem.
"Salutations. I hope I did not keep you waiting, kin-by-bond," Lady Oisea greets with a warm smile, before her smile turns into a downcast expression. "I am afraid that I have... less-than-joyous news that must be said before we discuss the matter of your wife's infidelity and what we are to do about it."
Those who are familiar with huddling up close to Harkashan will notice that he's warmer than he used to be. That radiance of warmth extending further than it used to. The muted colors that Rune has applied luckily avoiding the glow of those red markings on his body.
It's almost 10 months ago now, since he arrived near Alexandria. A simple Cleric from a foreign land. And now he's here, preparing to aid the powerful likes of Telamon and Ravenstongue - even if she is not here - with a fierce and powerful threat like this.
Harkashan can't help but be a bit self-reflective of where he's found himself right now. In the midst of friends and powerful allies with whom he's comfortably shared meals and many a days in his life now. Compared to his lifespan's duration, it's been not even a a hundredth of it. Yet, its significance has been immense.
As the teleportation occurs behind him, Harkashan closes his eyes and shuts his mouth. He does not even speak in the Telepathic Bond that he's established amongst all of them. Instead, he is as still as can be. His focus on Telamon's well being.
The half-sil archmage seems unfazed by Oisea's arrival, his expression never changing from that blank, stoic look. "Lady Oisea," he says, giving a short bow. "I wish I could say this was a pleasure, but considering the nature of events..." He exhales, as if bowed under some unpleasant burden.
At her remarks, he nods sternly. "Very well. Say what you need to say. I will determine if it has bearing on the... current situation."
The Goblin holds her breath upon the arrival of the 'cousin'. The words she hears causes her fists to clench tightly, and a frown to spread across her face. She leans more heavily upon the Sith, not that her diminutive size would mean much to him. The warmth is what she focuses on, while watching the scene before them unfold. Soon.
It's strange that under normal circumstances, Rune is a fidget in the best of times. However, in those moments when the shadows take her, they also bring a sort of calm like a warm, weighted blanket. She remains eerily still, barely moving other than the occasional shift of her eyes or the twitch of an ear to follow a nearby sound.
Then, at the sound of an unfamiliar voice, she turns her head, ever so slightly, head tilting to et a better listen on the situation. However, the half-sil does nothing that would break the moment for Telamon. For now, she waits, uncertain of what this 'news' might mean for their plans.
Totally not sapping up Harkashan's heat, Slixvah had been quietly been fiddling an unseen thread at her feet. The waiting was brutal, quietly counting away the magics in the dirt. The bits and pieces that flitter through the Telepathic Bond is half notes of a bird song, only to be muted and hushed away as the magical arrival is made.
Her eyes narrow. Cousin? For now, she waits. Tense.
Auranar doesn't even realize that she's holding her breath. Her head aches with the loss of it. It doesn't matter. They're here. Everyone is here and this is it. Her fingers twitch then still, her whole body tense with anticipation. Waiting for the word, the thought that will spill this out into action.
"You see, there is no arrangement to be had anymore. The problem is taken care of." Lady Oisea lifts up a hand...
And an image creates itself between her and Telamon, a bit like a double-sided mirror that shows something horrible. It's Cor'lana. Cor'lana, her eyes despondent, her back pressed up to a tree within Grandfather's woods. She's crying silently, but her shoulders aren't moving for the sobbing as she holds a knife to her neck.
"I'm sorry, Telamon," Cor'lana's voice comes through the image as she speaks. "For being unfaithful. Maybe you'll have a better spouse soon. One who deserves you."
She brings the knife up to her neck. She dyes herself crimson. She falls to the ground.
Lady Oisea sighs as the image flickers out, looking at Telamon. "It seems... She decided to take her own life. I'm so very sorry, Telamon."
GAME: Telamon rolls spellcraft: (10)+26: 36 GAME: Telamon rolls Sense Motive: (5)+29: 34 GAME: Auranar rolls Sense Motive: (7)+3: 10 GAME: Harkashan rolls Sense Motive: (2)+24: 26 GAME: Rune rolls sense motive+2: (15)+9+2: 26
What Telamon feels isn't despair, or horror -- despite the gory, appalling image cast by 'Oisea'. No, it's icy rage. Like a freezing river dumped into the telepathic bond, an insult stacked on another insult, directed at a creature that takes such glee in despoiling life and love. Like Eluna rising over the horizon, a silvery lamp burning away shadows.
Telamon's face is frozen, blank. "I see," he says levelly. When the image vanishes, his cold dark eyes move to Oisea's. "Of course, there is a new problem, Lady Oisea. One that overshadows even this...tragedy."
"The problem is that you are not who you say you are. You never were."
One of the benefits of being unversed in matters of magic, is that Rune can focus on the smaller details of what is going on in that instant. She doesn't care so much for what sort of spell it might be. She knows, on an instinctive level, that it is a lie. Cor'lana is no coward to seek that sort of 'escape' in order to not face her own actions. The question is, why? Not something she can easily parse, unfortunately.
What she does catch, is that flicker of a smile. Who /does/ that? Ick. Without forming words, Rune shares that image with the others. Then, with a furrowing of her brows, she focuses on the woman in question, giving them her full attention.
That is, until the icy rush flows down that telepathic bond. It's enough to send a slight shiver through her. Telamon is quite scary when he is angry, it seems.
Harkashan is... strangely calm during all of it. Almost meditative. Letting the emotions of others flow through his mind without grabbing onto them. Without letting them directly affect him and infect him. Of course, he worries for his friend. He is concerned for the emotions of Telamon. But through his bond with Thirku, he's been forced to take a different approach to mental and soul-like connections.
At Rune's addition, he doesn't nod physically, but he acknowledges it mentally. Telamon is starting to tip his hand, so he tenses a few muscles, making sure he can still move without trouble. Mental imaging of his body getting up, without getting up. Preparing for what must come next.
Auranar doesn't need Telamon's voice in her mind to tell her that it's an illusion. She knows the Corpse-Eater well enough to know that he's fishing for pain. He wants to hurt Telamon. It's a risky gamble though, to tell Telamon that Cor'lana is dead when the fact is that they will see one another soon enough. This more than anything lends her to caution. She sends her own thought into the pool of consciousness that they're sharing. Reminding everyone that this is fully within expectations. Her own anger mingles with the cool rush of Telamon's.
They both want this man dead.
Her eyes narrow as Telamon speaks his last words, adrenaline spreading through her body. That too is risky. The Corpse Eater could run any moment. A spell forms in the space between her thoughts. The time is nearly here.
Simony is a little bundle of anger. She doesn't know if the image is real or not, or even consider that it falls into Corpse-Eater's modus operandi. How anyone, or anything, could be so cruel to even depict such an act is beyond her. But what is not beyond her is the act of revenge, and this thought seethes through her mind, hot to the icy cold of Telamon's mind.
The Goblin quivers, on the very precipice of bursting into action, to do /something/ other than be quiet and watch.
Slix stares dumbly as she watches the depiction of one of her friends succumb to despair. Her breath stills, heart dropped, but information flooding and insults into her head sets her back into pragmatism. She shivers from the wall of ice being thrown into the link. Her own hot anger paling in comparison to those directly impacted. One can hear Slix mutter mentally, (Calm balm, Slivvie boo. Ain' none true...)
Like Hark, Slix gives a mental Auran chirp on acknowledgement and ick. The cards are going to be shown soon, and Slix's hands tense as she holds a pack of aces up her metaphorical sleeve. She white knuckles her wavy dagger.
"Oh." The word falls from Lady Oisea's lips like an anchor from a ship into the icefloe-dotted waters of dead winter. It's a moment before she nods.
"Then I suppose I won't be needing this then."
Her form shifts and she becomes someone much different, quite a bit taller. His pale skin is such that it's almost gray. His long black hair is matted to his face with the dried blood of viscera and sin. His violet eyes glow like lamplights in the evening-dark cold air, giving an ample view of the fact there's so. Much. Blood. That's dried to his neck and coating the feather cloak of raven wings that he wears.
His teeth are wide in a grin. "I'll have to settle for your despair by your death. It will be a good consolation prize."
GAME: Telamon rolls Will+3+4: (6)+23+3+4: 36 GAME: Harkashan rolls Will+4: (9)+19+4: 32 GAME: Auranar rolls Will+3+2+4: (18)+11+3+2+4: 38 GAME: Simony rolls will+2+4: (13)+12+2+4: 31 GAME: Slixvah rolls will+2+4: (5)+11+2+4: 22 GAME: Rune rolls 23: (15)+23: 38 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+20: (19)+20: 39 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+20: (11)+20: 31 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d8+13+1d8+13: (5)+13+(6)+13: 37
Legus'elain, the Corpse-Eater, cackles viciously as he steps forward. "I've always wondered _how you will taste_," he hisses in the way a lover might before he goes to bite at Telamon's shoulder, drawing blood and scoring a vicious tear into Telamon's clothes. He licks his teeth and savors it.
"You will be so lovely when chilled by the evening snowfall," the Corpse-Eater croons. "Chilled twice-over by death and frost."
GAME: Auranar casts Dimensional Anchor. Caster Level: 8 DC: 19 GAME: Auranar rolls 1d20+8+2+20: (7)+8+2+20: 37 GAME: Telamon casts Horrid Wilting. Caster Level: 20 DC: 27 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+19: (8)+19: 27 GAME: Telamon casts Greater Invisibility/Quicken. Caster Level: 20 DC: 27 GAME: Telamon rolls 20d6: (59): 59
The spell is singing through her synapsis. Already formed and wrought inside her mind. He can not escape. Not this time. She can see him clearly, his form too close to that of her brother-in-law. Not this time. A whisper of encouragement from the owl on her shoulder broadens her vision and she spreads her fingers in his direction, magic flowing freely from her body. She trained for this! She has waited for this.
The magic strikes true, binding the Corpse Eater to this world for the others to destroy. Her thoughts cry victory in the pool they share. _Kill him_. There's no mercy for him in her. None. He will never hurt another again. Her steps carry her forward. He will know that Telamon is not alone. That love has led him into a trap that he can not escape. Together they will unmake him, and it is he that will die alone this time.
GAME: Simony casts Blessing of Fervor. Caster Level: 8 DC: 18
Telamon is wounded -- but he's been wounded before. Hell, he's been killed before, if briefly. And so he refuses to panic when the Corpse-Eater bites him, prying the fey villain off. "I had you figured out right from the start, Legus'elain," he says in a mocking tone. He chants, "Vnimanie, vnimanie," and then suddenly there's a blue white FLASH between them, that doesn't hurt Telamon, but rakes across the Corpse-Eater even as he's locked down by Auranar's spell.
"The whole thing was a sham, you dumb bastard, and you fell for it. No child, no affair, you got gulled like a farm boy at the fair!" A quick incantation, and suddenly Telamon fades from sight, turning invisible.
GAME: Harkashan casts Heal. Caster Level: 12 DC: 23 GAME: Harkashan casts Curse. Caster Level: 12 DC: 22 GAME: Harkashan rolls Cleric: (20)+12: 32
Harkashan listens. Through Telepathy, he sees it. The hideous vision that months ago horrified him and send him careening deep into the caverns. The Corpse Eater eating on their fear, as they fought.
That same fear. He's ready for it this time. They'd shared a good meal. They are friends. Protected by the Death Singing Dragon here. Rising up, Blackness falling from him, as his radiant red rises. The jingle of his gem as he begins to turn, his tail shifting and sweeping at the brush.
Even as Telamon's pain sharply pushes through the bond, Harkashan's armor activates in full and sends out a wave of protective aura that shields from Fear as well. His red eyes staring at the Corpse Eater as he approaches.
"Forgive me for having to be the bearer of bad news. But Telamon is under the protection of the Death Singing Dragon. As such, you will not get a chance to taste his Despair." His Khopesh comes out, flourished from its scabbard as he idly cuts away a branch to clear a path.
In that moment, it looks like there's another entity there with him. Transparent in nature, but watching to see this changing of Fate. A claw on his shoulder, Thirku's eyesless head barely visible within the dark. Flecks of red embers drifting to create a barest of outline of its form as Harkashan calls upon its power. As the entity before him is shackled by Auranar, he raises his entire body up to come to his proper full height. Tail closer to the ground.
"I, in the name of the Death Singing Dragon, Curse you, Corpse Eater. To never be able to cause Despair or Fear again." As he moves into position in front of Telamon, taking his place. Protecting his friends. A wave of pure sacred silvery light suddenly blasting out from him, bathing in a wave of flaming embers. The area around him suddenly bathing in protective light, shielding him and others near him.
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+20: (4)+20: 24
The Goblin forces herself to calm down, her mind sorting through the small bundle of powers gifted to her by Navos, the Raven. Her holy symbol shines with a bright light, seen around her neck even through her robes and winter cloak.
"Holy Raven, bless my companions with holy fervor, and guide them through this perilous battle." A few deft gestures, and her divine focus flashing once, the glow spreading faintly among her companions.
“Pardon my Sildanyari, but KICK HIS ASS, TELAMON!"
GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2+2+2: (16)+20+2+2+2: 42 GAME: Rune rolls damage1+1d6+6d6: aliased to 1d6+3+1d6+6d6: (2)+3+(5)+(24): 34
This isn't the first time that Rune has felt the aura of fear that the Corpse Eater gives off in that moment when he reveals himself. However, her reaction is a far cry from that first encounter those many months ago. Steeled for it, she presses her knuckles against the tree beside her, allowing the feeling of the rough bark and the minds of the others to center her.
The trap is sprung, but at first, Rune remains in the shadows, hidden from sight in the darkness. Her allies have more clever tactics, but there is one thing that the rogue is good at, and that taking people by surprise.
The moment that Harkashan has the Corpse Eater's attention, she is behind him as if she were stepping out of the darkness of night, herself. Her blade stabs in one, quick blow, her eyes intense and focused. "You're going to pay for every harm you've inflicted. On me, on my friends, and on my family..."
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+20: (9)+20: 29
Slixvah's heart jumps up to her throat at the horrid sight of Legus'elain. The way his wings plastered upon him, would that be her own soon? It's almost enough for her to turn tailfeather and scatter, but the world grows colder as she takes a half step away. Warmth, here. With her friends. And Hark, of course. Mental assurances reel her back in, a shuddering breath leaving her. She gives him a pat on the shoulder as she gets her bearings, swivels out from the cover.
Everyone flies out. But she peers out, seeing Rune stab into it, coming from seemingly nowhere. Blessings land and spells are flying. The witch nervously slinks out of cover, aiming her dagger towards Rune, and pulling at a thread... a wand gets pulled, and she wraps the thread around and around before pulling back, a bow made, and released. "C'mon Tapestry, don' show me frayed ends today..." she whispers.
"Ohh. Your family is of particular interest to me," the Corpse-Eater says with a giggle, not even seeming to mind much the blade that enters him. "How does it feel? To know your mother's trapped? That you will never save her? That you will never win, that you'll never--"
He lunges at her with those too-sharp teeth of his, but misses. "Never know her love ever again? All because she got caught up with the wrong person so long ago."
GAME: Auranar rolls 1d20+8+1+1+1+2+1: (1)+8+1+1+1+2+1: 15 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Auranar rolls 1d20+8+1+1+1+2+1: (20)+8+1+1+1+2+1: 34 GAME: Auranar rolls 1d20+8+1+1+1+2+1: (1)+8+1+1+1+2+1: 15 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Auranar rolls 1d20+8+1+1+1+2+1: (20)+8+1+1+1+2+1: 34 GAME: Auranar rolls 1d20+8+1+1+1+2+1: (3)+8+1+1+1+2+1: 17 GAME: Auranar rolls 1d8+1+1d8+1+1d8+1: (6)+1+(7)+1+(5)+1: 21 GAME: Auranar rolls 1d8+1+1d8+1+1d8+1: (2)+1+(7)+1+(8)+1: 20 GAME: Auranar rolls 1d4+2: (2)+2: 4 GAME: Auranar rolls 1d4+2: (1)+2: 3 GAME: Telamon casts Haste/Quicken. Caster Level: 20 DC: 26" GAME: Telamon casts Call Lightning Storm. Caster Level: 20 DC: 24 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+17: (16)+17: 33 GAME: Telamon rolls 5d10: (20): 20
Auranar stands at the edge of the woods, her bow in hand and arrows flying freely from her weapon. Cold iron. Fit for his heart. Her fury makes her bow shake but her breath pulls it taunt again. She remembers her lessons. This is what she trained and honed herself for. "Legus'elain." Her voice is a taunt, a lure. Her arrows peirce his body. One and and then another, pulsing with her magic. "Don't you want _my blood_?"
She laughs at him. Her blood humming with arcane power. If she can lure him away from Rune he'll be a sitting duck for the rouge. They'll destroy him. Piece by foolish piece.
GAME: Auranar used a Arrow. GAME: Auranar used a Arrow. GAME: Auranar used a Arrow. GAME: Simony rolls 5d6: (19): 19
"They're all here, Legus'elain. All these people with an axe to grind." Telamon's voice lilts on the cold air. "Your journey ends here." Then Telamon begins to chant again. A flash of silvery light that leaps from one hero to the next, additional speed for their limbs. And then there's a flicker in the misty clouds, as a portal opens. Stars can be seen moving there as it hangs over the battlefield.
And then one comes careening down to strike a glancing blow into the Corpse-Eater, as Telamon thunders, "Proceed, on your way to oblivion."
GAME: Harkashan casts Prayer. Caster Level: 12 DC: 20
"You think Fate to be such a static thing?" Harkashan asks of the Corpse Eater as he threatens Rune, while carefully directing the motion of his arcane protection, shielding Rune further from harm as those teeth move towards her.
Harkashan is quick to move a bit to the side as Auranar's assault erupts upon the Corpse Eater's body. And in that moment, another spell floods the entire region. Further bolstering everyone by taking more and more from the Corpse Eater. Ripping away at his own magical essence in order to gift to others.
"According to the Judgment of the Death Singing Dragon, this is where your deeds end. Know that history will forget you."
Simony watches the battle, still basically in the same place when it all started. She reaches into the neck of her robes, to grasp her holy symbol with a hand. "Holy Raven, I beseech your aid, please heal the wounds of my allies." Her focus flashes brightly once more, bathing everyone nearby in holy light, a warming touch, with Telamon's wounds beginning to close, the pain fading.
"You can do it! Beat the tar outta him! For Rune's mother. For Cor'lana!"
GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2+1+1+2+2: (17)+20+2+1+1+2+2: 45 GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2+1+1+2+2: (12)+20+2+1+1+2+2: 40 GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2+1+1+2+2-2: (4)+20+2+1+1+2+2+-2: 30 GAME: Rune rolls weapon3+2+1+1+2+2-2: (5)+17+2+1+1+2+2+-2: 28 GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2+1+1+2+2-7: (12)+20+2+1+1+2+2+-7: 33 GAME: Rune rolls weapon3+2+1+1+2+2-7: (5)+17+2+1+1+2+2+-7: 23 GAME: Rune rolls damage1+1d6+6d6+1: aliased to 1d6+3+1d6+6d6+1: (5)+3+(4)+(19)+1: 32
The first time that Rune encountered the Corpse Eater, she would have jumped at the chance to know anything and everything regarding her mother. Now, she knows enough to understand just what sort of fate she had walked into, and away from, for Rune to have been brought into the world.
His words don't quite have the impact that it might seem, at least on the surface. What he can't understand, is that Rune lost her mother a long time ago. Even though the idea that some part of who she was remains trapped hurts like a blade caught between her ribs, it isn't the same as that feeling of true loss. A loss that Rune has suffered for years.
A loss that likely would never have had to happen if it weren't for this monster and what he did. That is enough to quench that loss into steel. "The only thing I'm feeling right now, is the satisfaction of knowing my friends and I, are going to tear you apart."
Slashing out with her weapon, it becomes quite obvious that the Corpse Eater is quite powerful as despite her uncanny speed, he seems to be able to avoid a good deal of what Rune throws at him. However, he does not come away completely unscathed. At least one of the flurry of strikes hit.
GAME: Harkashan rolls Khopesh+2+1+1+1: aliased to weapon1-strength+wisdom+2+1+1+1: (13)+0+-1+7+2+1+1+1: 24 GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+8: (3)+20+8: 31 GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+8: (20)+20+8: 48 (THREAT) GAME: Rune rolls damage1+1+damage1+1+1d6+6d6: aliased to 1d6+3+1+1d6+3+1+1d6+6d6: (6)+3+1+(3)+3+1+(6)+(20): 43 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+13-1: (10)+13+-1: 22 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+13-1: (11)+13+-1: 23 GAME: Harkashan casts True Seeing. Caster Level: 12 DC: 22 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+13-1-5: (6)+13+-1+-5: 13
"Fate ain' s-static! I kno' tha'!" Slix opines with Hark, her knees subtly shaking as she flips between two decisions before her, and opts to flick the wand, reality warping slightly around the Corpse Eater. "Adb lipf," she chants.
The sheer emotions running high in the mental connection has her in a bit of a reeling haze, having to sift through the burning hot fire. And it has her seething.
The Corpse-Eater reels in the direction of Auranar's voice, and he breathes heavier, his grin spreading wide on his face. "If it isn't the little bird that my dear cousin scooped out of the nest," he says. He steps out from between Harkashan and Rune, and while Rune's dagger finds a vicious strike in him and he blooms black blood from his wound, his violet eyes are so fixated on Auranar that he hardly minds.
"Sing for me, little bird?" Legus'elain asks, before he lunges at her--and by divine favor from Harkashan's goddess... There's time for the barn owl on Auranar's shoulder to intervene. She leans in and pecks at Legus'elain.
"Lay down and _die_, Legus'elain! For all of the suffering you have caused--" The barn owl transforms into a woman of obvious fey heritage, her skin pale, her eyes completely dark, thin strands of red hair framing her owlish face. "For _my husband_ and all you have murdered."
GAME: Auranar rolls melee: (18)+5: 23 GAME: Auranar rolls 5d10: (27): 27
Auranar looks up at Legus'elain, unafraid as he is driven off by the woman that she had been pretending was her familiar. "I want you to take one thought with you into the Gray Halls Legus'elain." She murmurs softly as Tyto'albana throws her an arrow that glows brightly in her hand. "What Alud'rigan created will endure forever. In the love he has given to me, the love he has given to Cor'lana. The love you thought was useless and meaningless will spread and be born anew into the children of tomorrow."
She seems so small, hardly a threat at all. She doesn't need to be any bigger than this. "You will be forgotten." The arrow plunges into his eye, stabbed as deeply as she can force it with her meager strength. The magic holds him in place, binds him in a moment as surely as her own spell had bound him to this world. "You will be forgotten."
Some might resent Auranar landing that telling blow. Those people are what Telamon calls fools. He smiles, seeing his sister-by-bond rise to the challenge, driving that arrow into the monster's eye, locking him there. "This is the end," he states flatly, raising his hand to the sky where the portal hangs.
And then he drops his hand again, and another fiery missile streaks down, slamming into Legus'elain's chest like a hammerblow, the fury of a starborn sorcerer.
In the linkage of minds, there's a cheer from the Goblin, though the thought of revenge for those fallen comes to the fore. With the magical speed bestowed by Telamon, she finds herself there, staring up at the mortally wounded. There's a ripping sound /somewhere/ on Simony's person, as the Goblin grows in girth.
In a very telegraphed move, she swings her fist back. "Say hello to Vardama for us, you murdering ass!" Her fist blurs forward, connecting with the Corpse-Eaters groin.
GAME: Harkashan casts Weapon of Awe. Caster Level: 12 DC: 19
"I believe I must not have been particularly clear enough." Harkashan's voice rings heavy in the air once more as the Corpse Eater moves for Auranar. Moving in sync with Rune, not aiming to hit as much as he is trying to secure a good angle for Rune.
And the moment that strike comes towards Auranar, a violent burst of holy flare erupts between Auranar and the Corpse-Eater - allowing that owl's pecks to further stop the Corpse Eater. "These people are /ALL/ under the protection of the Death Singing Dragon."
"I have already taken away your ability to place fear into their hearts. Give up your feeble attempts." Only for Auranar's Familiar to reveal even more history on their side of the family.
The arrow strikes true, and Harkashan turns. Looking to Rune and touching one hand to her shoulder. "End this chapter. Let it be done." As a surge of molten-gold, like the threads of gold that always spin around her, wrap around her blades and enhance them with sacred power.
The moment that the Corpse Eater tries to move out of her reach, Rune is quick to lash out with her weapon, making sure that he feels that mistake. The blade sinks in deeper than previously, using the opportunity of that distraction to find a weak point in his defenses.
What she doesn't expect, is that measure of divine favor from the Death Singing Dragon, only to be followed by the transformation of Auranar's familiar. Are they even a familiar? That is likely a question for another time. Instead, Rune watches as the arrow is stabbed into the eye of the Corpse Eater, though she doesn't even wince for the brutality of it.
The moment she understands the magic of what is happening, Rune white-knuckle grips her weapons. This is the path she has been walking since the moment her mother placed a necklace in her hand with her dying breath. The path that lead her to dear friends, close allies, people she loves and cares about. A path that only ends one way for the Corpse Eater...
So, the moment that Harkashan's spell takes hold, there is a flash of golden light. Slixvah had seen this effect once before, but now it is visible to everyone. Threads of gold spill from Rune's back, winding down along one arm and weaving onto one of her weapons as if it were being held by more than just Rune, herself.
So, just after Simony's blow to the Corpse Eater's jibblies, when his body lurches from the impact, there is a glowing golden sword waiting for him, stabbed right into his gut. "Kiira sends her regards... asshole."
All the emotions running through the mental link has Slixvah on a different plane. She tosses her wand aside, eyes bright as tendrils of ethereal threads waft from her arms. Her dagger hovers on its own as she reaches forth with both hands, yanking free more threads from nothing, snarling like a deranged puppet master.
Her gaze snaps to the others, settling on Rune and those golden spindles. A wicked grin spills across her visage. "Let it be done!" she rallies with Harkashan.
With a hash tug, she pecks and bites down on the ethereal threads. One by one snapping with a hollow 'twang!' A ghostly image of the Corpse Eater slipping out of the wounds. Another of him teleporting out. Another of him slashing out and maiming her friends. All pass through the mental link.
With a final 'snip!' Those possibilities fade. "Tapestry take ye, prick!"
The Corpse-Eater has been broken, bruised, beaten. He's kneeling and visibly reeling, and he speaks aloud two ragged words through a hateful expression:
"I curse--"
"No one," the fey woman responds, before wheeling around and kicking him, leaving him face-down into the ground as his black blood blooms onto the ground. She transforms back into an owl. She pecks at his eyes, his face, even though he's not responding anymore, until her pale feathers are covered in blood.
Finally she seems satisfied, and she looks at the group--
GAME: Ravenstongue casts Plane Shift. Caster Level: 18 DC: 25
Until the shimmering of magic comes from behind Telamon.
"Tel--!" comes Cor'lana's voice. It's her. Unbloodied, quite alive, quite well. She looks at the group, particularly at Auranar, then she glances at the ground at the dead corpse, and... She breathes a heavy sigh of relief. "Oh. Oh, I'm so glad. I'm..."
Violet eyes that glow--in a different manner than Legus'elain's--brim with tears, and Cor'lana goes to embrace Telamon tightly. "I'm so happy. I'm so... I'm..."
It takes a moment. "Grandfather was keeping an eye on things, and the moment he said Auranar was in trouble..." Cor'lana whimpers. It's clear she'd come expecting that her sister was dead.
Telamon watches the Corpse-Eater crumple, his last curse fall short, and Tyto'albana reduce the evil fey's face to ruin. Only when Lana suddenly appears does he jerk upright at the unexpected contact. Her thoughts bloom in his mind, and he whirls to immediately take her in his arms, hugging her tightly.
"It's okay. We're all right." Indeed, while Legus'elain had mauled Telamon, the wounds to his shoulder are mending, closing up under the blessing of the night sky. Tel strokes Lana's hair, cradling her against him. "We did it, love. No more ruined lives, no more broken hearts. He's done."
Wordlessly, Telamon beckons to Auranar, and anyone else who might need a hug. Family is family, after all, and Tel has no objection to anyone needing some comfort.
Auranar lets the fae woman do as she pleased, startling a little at the sudden appearance... but it's Cor'lana and she relaxes, moving toward the pair. Her small hand touches Cor'lana's arm gently. "He never touched me." Auranar's words are reassuring, and she feels the vast swell of relief that he's gone.
Exhaustion follows quickly behind and she feels the prickle of tears in her eyes that are born of her vast feelings of happiness. "Cor'lana?" She leans against her sister. "Can you take me home? To Grandfather? I-I want to tell him it's over."
Foolishly she's crying. Accepting the comfort of Telamon's embrace. Leaning into them both.
"She was beneath our watchful eyes, lady Ravenstongue." Harkashan answers Cor'lana as she speaks of Auranar being in danger and having come running. He touches a hand to his chest for a moment, and bows slightly, then looks pityingly towards the Corpse Eater.
As well as the blood covered owl upon its body. "No doubt a tale to be told another time." He then remarks, to the owl, before looking to Rune and laying a hand to her arm where the golden threads spin and entwine.
"It is done." He rumbles to her, before looking to the others in particular.
"Do you wish for me to take care of the burial rites? To ensure he ends up in the Death Singer's Halls, so he can be appropriately dealt with."
There is a moment, where Harkashan's magic still lingers. The golden threads glimmer slightly before they start to withdraw, like living vines that crawl up along Rune's arm and shoulder before seeming to vanish into that familiar spot along her back. However, as this happens, she's looking to Slixvah and raises a brow. "You're scary when you want to be, you know that, right?"
Then, to Simony, she adds, "And I definitely didn't see that coming, either. Nice aim."
And then there's the owl. Rune's lips press together, and then after a moment of watching it rip into the Corpse Eater's flesh, she just nods as if this were something impressive to see.
When Cor'lana emerges, rejoining with her family, there is something bittersweet in it for Rune. This was what she was tasked to do, but would it truly break the curse on the Golden Fate... on her mother's spirit? Looking to Harkashan, she seems to need that support for a moment, but it's obvious she has no interest in seeing burial rights for this particular foe.
Instead, she looks to Cor'lana. "Do you think your Grandfather could help me one more time in getting a hold of Blue? I think we should return to Am'shere, and see if this has turned the tide for the Golden Fate."
Simony gets a close-up view of Rune's sword plunging into Corpse-Eater's stomach, and sits down with a thump. She watches, fascinated, as the Owl defaces the fallen Fey.
Her tired expression brightens at Cor'lana's arrival, providing solid evidence of her survival, unharmed.
"It would be just to offer him proper rites, lest his spirit linger." Grunting, she slowly stands. The Goblin pauses to peer at Rune, her mouth splitting into a toothy grin. "Thanks! I was getting restless, and uhm, well, if you scare me, and hurt my friends, I hurt back. I got to see your sword far more closely than I expected. Nice swordsmanship. Good fight, all of you." She wanders towards Telamon listlessly, the emotions and energy from that last flurry of action leaving her, and she slumps against the man's leg. Only to snore loudly a few moments after.
Slixvah lets out a surprised sound from the fey woman's violent decision, but leaves it to happen as her arms dangle, a heavy sigh escaping her as those ethereal strands dangle a fade away. "Well ain' tha' the scariest shit I've ever had the displeasure of goin' through," she quips, the mental link belying a fettered nervousness finally being aired. Oh! Cor'lana! A little wave with a wing is given, her stepping tepidly stepping forth. Like the body would reanimate and leap at her even in death.
She looks to Rune, watching the gold threads retract and vanish. Amusement in her eyes. "I get a lil' lost in a sauce sometimes, as the Lucht say. Spooky yourself, Ruru. You's was right cool. All ya'lls was."
She ends up beside Rune, an arm and wing wrapping around her, another wing alighting around the other group huddling. "Send him off on the hottest of coals, Shasha." A tired, crashing slump to her shoulders as she spies Simony has hit her limit. A mild chuckle escapes her. "... can put this chapter ta rest fo' all of us."
Cor'lana gladly holds herself and Auranar, trembling as she continues to cry like her sister. "Of course I will," she says to Auranar. "He was rooting for you the entire time. He believed... If anyone could do it, it's you."
Here she gives Auranar a little smile before she looks at Rune. "Of course he'd help," she says. "We have to finish what we started, right? And... I don't have to keep being a hermit in my house anymore. No babies for the Lupecyll-Atlons. Yet." The last is contractually obligated, lest Grandfather's still watching and suffers sudden heartbreak.
The owl regards Simony and Slixvah for a moment before she says, "The comedown of the warrior." Dark eyes look up at Auranar. "You were a fine ally, Auranar. I would not object... To continuing our training sometime in the future."
She says, "My beloved Raeli wanted me to live for something. So... I suppose it'll be you. Farewell for now." And then she takes flight, off into the night.
The Rook is dead.
-End