Trisgwar (Part 2)
After a long trek through a wasteland of odd plants and even odder creatures Darius and Shara reach the house in which the woman they are looking for is supposed to reside. Upon entering the house it becomes clear that things are perhaps even odder in here than they are outside. The door shuts behind with a loud click and glancing back reveals that there is the scenic landscape... of an ocean from within the water. Fish swim by the windows idly.
As you get your bearings there is a loud yell from upstairs. You head upwards to find that Erakirak is running toward a room and he quickly disappears into it and down a staircase that is mysteriously set in the center of it. Meanwhile Deak stands before a roaring fireplace... arguing with it.
Shara looks to Darius. "This is freaky, even for us elves." She says as she starts to go after Erakirak and has the door slammed in her face. "Did you ever get the feeling there's something not right about this place?" Ya think?
Darius stops as he raises an eyebrow, surveying the wackiness that is going on, he says to Shara, "Perhaps we should set fire to the house, maybe if we... 'Kill it with fire', things will go back to normal?" He is only half joking as he pulls out his Everburning Torch to light it and the house on fire.
Shara says, "Not while we're in the house, Darius. Unless you like being on fire."
Darius shrugs and puts the torch away, "It was only a suggestion."
Deak puffs out his chest and steps toward the possessed fireplace. Brandishing his billhook, he boldly declares into it, "In the holy name of Althea Telmentar, goddess of hearth and home, mother of gods, and healer of wounds, I adjure you foul demon to vanish from this hearth and this home, to surrender your captives. I name you a petty deceiver unfit to warm their wash water. GET OUT!" He smacks the butt of his billhook on the hearth of the fireplace.
GAME: Deak rolls intimidate: (3)+5: 8 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+4: (13)+4: 17
The demon seems to bristle at the threats, fire blooming out of the fireplace to force Deak backwards or face being burned. The wing-shadows stretch outwards. Outwards. They become massive in size and then the demon steps forth from the flames. It is a tiny man with bat-like wings and a scorpion tail that whips around behind him. "YOU FACE THE FURY OF ILAFANG!" It seems to not realize that it is... rather small compared to this man before it. It puffs up and glares at Darius. "FLEE LIKE YOUR COMRADE OR DIE!"
Meanwhile Erakirak reaches the bottom of a winding staircase and finds a door.
The terrified Egalrin opens the door without concern for what might lie beyond it. What could be worse than Ilafang?!?
GAME: Darius rolls will: (14)+0: 14
Darius faced with a demon, screams and then runs away
"Ooops." Ilafang looks surprised for a moment, glancing around the room and then suddenly vanishes.
GAME: Deak casts Spiritual Weapon. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15 GAME: Deak rolls BAB+Wisdom: (11)+3+3: 17 GAME: Deak rolls 1d8+1: (3)+1: 4
Deak steps to the door and waves his billhook, calling upon Althea to strike his foe with her holy weapon. The spiritual weapon that appears is a billhook made of pure force.
Shara sees Darius start to flee, and she begins to sing a song in elven, as she starts to nock an arrow. Rather than fire, she starts to sing a lot louder......hopefully Darius can hear it, and return.
Darius heads for the door - the closest exit he can see, and opens it beside Shara. He then heads down the staircase that Erakirak just headed down.
Erakirak finds another door behind the first one, and stares at it irritatedly. He pulls his longsword out of his scabbard and starts trying to force the door open.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+4: (15)+4: 19 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+8: (17)+8: 25 GAME: Deak rolls Fortitude+2: (6)+6+2: 14 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d4: (1): 1
Deak feels a sudden pain in his neck inexplicably.
GAME: Deak rolls BAB+Wisdom: (7)+3+3: 13 GAME: Deak rolls Weapon1: (5)+5: 10
As the blonde priest prepares to attack again, the demon scores a minor strike, throwing off Deak's groove. Not only does his thrust attack miss, but even the spiritual polearm strike amiss.
GAME: Shara casts Saving Finale. Caster Level: 4 DC: 14 GAME: Darius rolls will: (10)+0: 10
Shara puts out a rather stirring finish for Darius, but for a moment he seems to turn back to Shara, but Shara can tell he's still afraid...so she starts to sing again.
Darius is still afraid for his life, this isn't something he's equipped to really handle, swords and knives and arrows and goblins and direwolves oh my. It's why he's running (or clanking) as fast as his armor will let him down the stairs to the door.
At the bottom of the stairs Erakirak swings his sword and beats it upon the locked door there.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+4: (4)+4: 8
Beside Deak's ear is the sound of cursing as the imp tries to attack again but can not seem to muster the will to do so.
GAME: Deak rolls BAB+Wisdom: (2)+3+3: 8 GAME: Deak rolls Weapon1: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Shara casts Ear-Piercing Scream. Caster Level: 4 DC: 14 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+1: (15)+1: 16 GAME: Shara rolls 2d4: (4): 4
Shara is pretty good. One note can't be heard by anyone but the imp when Shara shrieks it out. It hurts, but doesn't do much else…
Darius comes to his senses as he reaches the end of the stairs and stares at Erak, considering, before he turns and heads back up the stairs, huffing and panting as he runs, drawing his greatsword as he does so to get back into the fight.
Erakirak beats on the door some more, determined to break through. Bits of wood go flying in every direction, but he's making progress.
GAME: Deak rolls Weapon1: (18)+5: 23 GAME: Deak rolls Weapon1: (15)+5: 20 GAME: Deak rolls BAB+Wisdom: (17)+3+3: 23 GAME: Deak rolls 1d100: (83): 83 GAME: Deak rolls 1d100: (43): 43 GAME: Deak rolls 1d100: (42): 42 GAME: Deak rolls BillDmg: aliased to 1d8+2: (2)+2: 4
Deak feels the brush of a wing and attacks it, managing to nick the slippery demon.
GAME: Deak rolls Weapon1: (19)+5: 24 GAME: Deak rolls BAB+Wisdom: (13)+3+3: 19 GAME: Deak rolls 1d100: (85): 85 GAME: Deak rolls 1d100: (8): 8 GAME: Deak rolls BillDmg: aliased to 1d8+2: (1)+2: 3 GAME: Shara rolls weapon1+1: (10)+7+1: 18 GAME: Shara rolls 1d100: (93): 93 GAME: Shara rolls 1d6+1+1: (5)+1+1: 7
Deak feels the demon squeeze past and turns to strike. He scratches with the bill, but misses with the goddess's weapon.
Right where Deak is attacking, Shara draws back on her bow and lets it go. She seems to hit it, but she's too busy singing to care.
GAME: Darius rolls weapon1+2: (15)+8+2: 25 GAME: Darius rolls 1d100: (64): 64 GAME: Darius rolls damage1: aliased to 2D6+6: (9)+6: 15
Darius blindly runs forwards yelling, "OUT OF THE WAAAAAAAY!" and swings his sword downwards, hitting whatever the thing is and ending it.
Downstairs you hear an squawk of success and the cessation of pounding from Erakirak's sword.
Deak whoops cheerfully. He says, "Just in the nick of time, Soldier."
Darius pants and huffs and leans on his sword on the ground as he tries to catch his breath, "Running... in armor... hard... what... IS... THAT THING??!?"
GAME: Deak rolls Knowledge/the Planes: (2)+8: 10
Deak shrugs. "Some kinda demon, I figure. Not exactly sure."
Shara says, "I'm pretty sure it's an imp. Trickery and all that jazz." Shara says as she walks her way up. "good shot by the way, Darius."
Deak says, "Well, we still have that girl to find. Suppose we should head on down those stairs?"
Darius gasps and waves at hand to Shara and then says to Deak panting, "Give... me... a minute...?"
Deak reaches out and pats Darius's shoulder. As he replies, "Of course, catch your breath," he bestows a calming touch.
Walery has just come back up the stairs, panting and looking around for who to fight. "Er.... did I miss it?" he asks.
Darius straightens up from the Calming Touch and says, "That's better, I'm good to go..." He stops to peer at Walery, "There apparently was a demon, I managed to kill it."
Walery nods to Darius, looks at demon on the floor. "Good job," he says. "I came as soon as I realized something was going on up here. Not much surprising downstairs."
Shara says, "Wasn't worth your time. I hit it with an arrow, but Darius murderized it."
Deak chuckles. "I guess I should just leave the heavy hitting to the heavy hitters."
Together you head down the stairs. The narrowness of them forces you into a single-file line until you reach the bottom where Erakirak waits. He stands beside the ruined door proudly. The door itself narrows you down once again into a single file line as you enter the room beyond. The room is beautiful. A red carpet creates a circle, which has several magical symbols embroidered on it. There's a large table with candles burning down on it, and several arcane items including a crystal ball. Waiting behind it is a petite elvish girl.
She is outfitted in a dress of blue and her long hair cascades down her back. There is something odd about her as she moves. Like a distorted image that follows in her wake, and though her eyes are green they glow with blue power. She seems to be waiting for you. "You should leave now, while you have the chance."
Shara says, "How come? And I'm guessing you're not being held here against your will?""
Walery says to the girl, "Well, we killed the imp. So he's not a threat anymore. Is there some reason you don't -want- to go?"
Deak asks, "You're Sephelia Trisgwar, correct? I am Hearthguard Ragni Knutson. The Compassionate Lady would see you restored to your family. Can we not help you?"
Deak asks, "You're Sephelia Trisgwar, correct? I am Hearthguard Ragni Knutson. The Compassionate Lady would see you restored to your family. Can we not help you?"
GAME: Deak rolls Diplomacy: (7)+11: 18
"She won't let me go..." She looks torn, terrified now as she reaches out toward Deak, magic words flowing from her mouth. "Please help me!"
GAME: Deak rolls Will+2: (17)+7+2: 26 GAME: Walery rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (16)+11: 27 GAME: Shara rolls knowledge/arcana: (17)+12: 29
Walery ergs, says to the others, "She tried co cast suggestion. That implies to me that she's under hostile mental control. If something cast some compulsion on her."
Shara says, "Yeah. So, she is being forced to stay here."
Deak looks upon her with pity, then turns to the others, "So how to we break its power over her?" Looking at Shara, he asks, "Do you know a song that might strengthen her to resist a mental domination?"
The girl cries for a second and then straightens suddenly. The tears on her face turn to ice and suddenly the room is filled with an unnatural cold. A dagger of ice forms in her hand under the strength of more arcane words. "You will either kill me, or I will kill you."
Walery looks to Shara also, but says quietly enough that she won't hear, "Plan B is to KO her and drag her off."
Shara says, "I think she has to want to be saved, and...that doesn't look friendly."
Deak takes a closer look at the way this room is laid out and furnished. He asks, "Do you arcanists understand what this room is set up for, specifically? I mean, I am considering making a magic circle myself, and this looks awfully like there is already one active here."
GAME: Deak rolls Knowledge/Religion: (2)+10: 12 GAME: Walery rolls knowledge/arcana: (16)+11: 27
The girl points her hand at Deak and suddenly missiles fly free from her fingertips, blasting the poor man back with missiles formed of magic. She looks from side to side with serious eyes that still glow unnaturally blue. Pale blue. "It seems you have chosen to die."
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+5: (2)+5: 7 GAME: Walery activates his Titan Armor, gaining: +4 Str GAME: Walery rolls 1d20+5: (3)+5: 8
Walery ahems, "I recommend," he says quietly, after looking over the floor and thinking for a moment, "that we all depart quietly and right frigging now. Grab the girl and run!" And he puts words to actions, reaching out to try and grab her, assisted by his Titan Armor. Unfortunately, he needs more help than that, as he's still pretty skinny and not really a fighty person.
Shara sees that they're getting into another scuffle....so she begins to hum again.
GAME: Deak rolls CMB+1: (7)+4+1: 12 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+5: (14)+5: 19 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4
Deak sees what Walery tries, and hears what he says. He tries to do likewise, but having never taken wrestling too seriously, he botched the attempt. He says to her, "We're trying to help you, Sephelia, but we may have to hurt you a little first, thanks to that monster that has you under its spell. Never fear though. Althea won't allow this evil to win!"
For his efforts of helping the girl Walery gets stabbed instead. She looks at him with wide blue eyes which are surprised as if she didn't expect herself to do that. "Sorry!" This close you can hear a slight difference in her voice than when she talked before. As if a different woman's voice had been talking in the place of hers.
GAME: Deak rolls CMB+1: (2)+4+1: 7 GAME: Walery rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11
Walery grumbles as she stabs him with the dagger, but he's glad he didn't eat the magic missiles, at least. He's got a shield for that, though what he doesn't have is the time to cast it. He'll try and grab her again, though he's got no talent for that and it's quite obvious he never went for the physical activities at the Academy.
GAME: Shara casts Ear-Piercing Scream. Caster Level: 4 DC: 14 GAME: Shara rolls 2d4: (5): 5 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+3: (7)+3: 10 GAME: Deak rolls Bill+1: aliased to Weapon1+1: (1)+5+1: 7 (EPIC FAIL)
Another hyper-sonic scream from Shara completely freezes the woman in her tracks. "Now, while she's stunned!"
Deak was trying to be remove the girl from the situation but when that failed, he executed a beautiful pirouette that had not the least resemblance to an attack with his polearm. Nope. Not the least. He looks like he can't decide whether to laugh or cry.
The girl is so shaken by the sound of the sonic attack that she sags a little in the grasp of the two men who have as of yet been unable to actually keep ahold of her.
Walery takes advantage of the stunned woman's condition to grab her wrist, and he hauls her bodily over his shoulder, telling the others, "Now is a very good time to run." He does that himself, as much as the burden allows.
Shara moves behind Walery, and keeps singing. She doesn't really need to do much more.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+5: (3)+5: 8
Deak grabs a vial of Holy Water out of a pouch as he follows Walery.
The woman - now no longer stunned starts to struggle on Walery's shoulder. She's not terribly good at it, but it's hard to get purchase for wiggling when thrown over someone's shoulder.
You manage to get the girl out of the mansion, out across the fields of odd plants. She struggles the whole way, but eventually you tie her up and her struggles become something that doesn't really matter. It's enough for you guys to return her to her parents. Though it doesn't really explain what happened to her in the first place. Not yet.
-End-