Renew the Pact: The Hand of Asumit, p14
Log Info
- Title: Renew the Pact: The Hand of Asumit, Part 14
- Emitter: Whirlpool
- Characters: Cesran, Seldan, Cryosanthia, Serene, Karelin, Aya, Merek
- Place: The Ethereal Sea of Mana
- Time: Tuesday, August 10, 2021, 9:02 PM
- Summary: Everyone is on rocks, floating above the Sea of Mana. The void whirlpool has thrown up strands of unreality, caging each temporary sanctuary in. Cesran is invisible, Griva has vanished. Everyone is throwing what they can at the creature, yet the results are... unclear. Cryosanthia has an epiphany, their alternate selves showed them how to fail. Their favourite default strategies, their 'big hammers' won't work. Something else is required. Cesran's illusion is the inspiration, re-enact the Sealing of the Void with the symbolic and physical representations on hand. Reunion and Discord, as Good and Evil; Ral-Sara, Cesran's dragon-staff, as Neutral; Seldan, Serene and Merek, as Daeus by proxy of his wife Eluna; Griva, as Animus; leaving... Aya? An anointed weapon of the shattered disc, representing Maugrim. Cryo and Karelin can, y'know, help out somehow. Griva re-awakens and everyone agrees this is a plan and co-ordinate. Unexpectedly, without pomp, circumstance or meaning, Merek dies as the strands of the Unraveler touch him. Everyone is shocked, Cryo, uncertain, attempts to duplicate his channeling of the Sea of Mana, and manages to briefly contain some of its power in exchange for great pain. She is joined by Cesran, who also opens himself up to it, as they await the guidance of Griva, Seldan and ultimately Serene who is leading them. Their sacrifices do not go unnoticed, they are outside reality, beyond the Great Seal and the skies part letting the grace of the Dreaming Dragon shine down on them. Yet, will it be enough?
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Serene 6'2" 175 Lb Eldanar/Charn Female Glacier meets granite meets strawberries.
Cesran 6'1" 185 Lb Human Male A tall dark-skinned man
Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman.
Seldan 5'11" 187 Lb Human Male Ginger-blonde human in armor wearing Eluna's symbol.
Aya 4'7" 105 Lb Shadow Elf Female Mul'niessa. Braided hair. Simple clothing.
Merek 5'10" 215 Lb Human Male A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes.
Karelin 6'2" 256 Lb Human Male Tattooed Korite warrior. Tall, dark and scarred.
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-=--=--=--=--=--=--= NPCS of Note =--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Griva Brassbringer Khazdi Female Head of the Alexandrian Chapter of the Resurrection Society
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-=--=--=--=--=--=--= As the GM =--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Whirlpool 5'0" Otyugh I am stinky!
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Previously
The Tower crumbles. Everyone falls, some fly. All land on or hover above rocks, bobbing in the Sea of Mana while the void creature itself has become a whirlpool of chaos and mouths, screaming nightmarishly at them. Merek is determined to bring about a new dawn for the world and calls all to victory, prompting questions; How, exactly, is this to be dealt with. Karelin shoots arrows at it, Cryo throws her dagger... Seldan makes a snap decision, then changes his mind, and his casting fails. Cesran stops time, summons Celestial Rocs, creates an image of all the Gods invoking the great seal, builds stone bridges between the islands, turns invisible and brings up a Globe of Invulnerability. The Void Beast shoots tendrils of nothing up, caging all the rocks, and disintegrating a Roc that flies into one. Serene struggles to control discord and calls everyone to her. Merek attempts to channel the Sea of Mana and is overwhelmed by it, held together only by his protective angel, left lying smoking with his skin cracking.
Aya departs the rock on which she stands to appear at the Great Paladin's side. "I am here. If you have any plans, suggestions, or perchance a wild imagination, I will entertain them all. The alternative would be to withdraw to find a better ground... if there would be such a thing."
Karelin takes a knee, "Let's see if that lattice has holes in it."
With a smooth and rapid movement, he draws and fires arrow after arrow, a precision arching machine. Two strike strands and vanish, without even a feather of fletching left behind, just like the C-Roc. Two more fail to do anything meaningful. One shot, his first, is comparably accurate to his first volley.
It should have hit, it should have hurt. There seems to be no resolution.
Karelin says, "..."
Now
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls knowledge/the planes: (11)+8+2: 21 (+2 Ancestor Touched T3) GAME: Cryosanthia casts Acid Arrow. Caster Level: 10 DC: 16 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls ranged: (19)+15: 34 (Touch Attack) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d4: (7): 7
"No! I meant theori..." Cryo gasps, as Merek attempts her suggestion, and is consumed.
The threads spring up, she's hemmed in.
No one has told her what to do, no advice incoming, even Aya is silent. Her other wasn't very forthcoming either. It's the Fernwood Pub all over again. Will she ever learn? In eighty years, will she learn something? From the battle you were just in days ago. C'mon Cryo, make the connection.
The dagger reforms in her hand. It's time to throw again.
It's no longer glowing. Something finally clicks.
"We're on the wrong path! We're doing what they were doing! I was going to use my claws next. They showed us how to fail!" Cryo shouts out, "We have to do something we'd consider a plan B, not our big hammers! Something as a group, like... the gods and the seal."
You have to save her.
"Where's Griva!" The whitescale screams, "Where are you? Is it the rod again, or a ritual? If it's just attack and attack it, please someone tell me but I don't think hurting it is enough."
The whitescale wings, trying to thread her way through the void-strings towards Serene, and Aya, and potentially group safety, "I mean, this is the void. We need Animus, but he's dead. Or Daeus!"
...
"Or Maugrim. Please, please, don't make me call on Maugrim."
Cryosanthia is completely enveloped in a white halo, all her highlight scales are glowing brightly. A nimbus surrounding a Sith'Makar. As she alights near Serene she shakes her buckler into position and loops her left arm through an elegant, arcane gesture.
After which she mimes shooting a bow. An arrow that seems composed of liquid shoots from her fingers, and splashes on the void whirlpool. "Anyone, does this make sense?"
Griva is here, somewhere, but she must be on one of the islands not quite within your sight. She's *definitely* here, however. One can hope.
Else you may have a problem...
GAME: Seldan rolls fly: (20)+13+4: 37 (+4 Good maneuverability) GAME: Seldan rolls knowledge/religion: (3)+15: 18 GAME: Seldan rolls knowledge/the planes: (17)+12: 29
When the threadlets of void go up, Seldan jumps straight into the air to evade, a seemingly impossible maneuver for a man in full armor to even attempt. But pull it off he does, with a grace many an athlete might envy, white-feathered wings unfurling in mid-air to catch the air - and him. It's a spectacular, and a spectacularly dangerous, move, but he executes it as effortlessly as a master craftsman picks up a hammer.
He flies then, to Serene, dodging threadlets here and there with equal ease. "Even so," he nods to Cryosanthia. "Have we a greatsword, a sword, and a staff? I have the longsword." He looks around for Cesran, and for Karelin, in hopes that the two of them have the weapons needed. "We must use a symbol of Daeus, Maugrim, and Animus, and find a source of power, to close that mouth. The Sea of Mana itself shall serve, but we must all work together, else shall we not withstand such force."
He, too, looks around for Griva. "Quickly, now, if we are to save her."
GAME: Cesran casts Dimension Door. Caster Level: 20 DC: 26 GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/The Planes: (14)+27: 41 GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+18: (15)+18: 33 (C-Roc attack) GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+18: (9)+18: 27 (C-Roc attac) GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+31: (4)+31: 35
Cesran looks around as the threads of the Unraveller form around him and he casts dimension door to join the others. "You have my staff, but we don't have a greatsword. I can wish for one, if there is no other alternative, perhaps we don't need the physical items, but a representation of the forces. Good, Evil and Neutral. We have Seldan's Reunion, which is good. Serene has Discord which is Evil and my staff Ral-sara is Neutral." The staff who is usually silent in combat situations speaks up, "It would be an honor for me to serve in this way." Cesran gives a smile to his dragon staff, "Thank you Ral-sara." He looks to Serene and Seldan, "I am ready if you two are."
While the party plans the celestial rocs continue to attack the void monster. Their fly by attacks do nothing to harm the monster and one of the rocs gets too close to the threads and vanishes from existence.
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+32: (1)+32: 33 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+32: (4)+32: 36 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+32: (3)+32: 35 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+32: (9)+32: 41 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 12d6: (42): 42 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 12d6: (38): 38 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 12d6: (43): 43 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "It hit a roc, you, and Seldan." <OOC> Whirlpool says, "ITS ALMOST LIKE IT DOESN'T LIKE PALADINS YOU GUYS" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Wait... is it a GM?" GAME: Seldan rolls fortitude: (1)+27: 28 (EPIC FAIL) <OOC> Seldan says, "You know what? I'm going top RPP that." GAME: Seldan rolls fortitude: (14)+27: 41 GAME: Serene rolls fortitude: (6)+34: 40
Threads lash out. Thin, slender lines that seem to carve through the air, leaving ripples behind them and tears in reality, little thin lines of blackness as more of reality crumbles into nothing by its vary presence.
One lashes through Seldan, whose form holds together by sheer will, or perhaps the guidance of fate and destiny. Another rips through Seren, causing grievous pain. The third simply eliminates a roc.
It's many mouths speak of blasphemies untold and howl in unthinking rage, as if its very presence here is painful to it as well. No surprise there. Being born into reality is never pleasant.
Griva finally shows up, rousing herself from her stone platform where she laid unconscious for a time.
"... oh by Animus' untidy nutsack," she groans.
<OOC> Serene says, "Alright. Free action, Aura of Justice." <OOC> Serene says, "Though I feel like I need to delay enough to act in concert with Seldan and Cesran." <OOC> Serene says, "And since Whirl is allowing it, I am going to delay until Cesran's next turn to act in concert with him." GAME: Serene spends TWO uses of SMITE EVIL. <OOC> Serene says, "Those of you who were able to get to me now have the option of declaring a smite with my bonuses," <OOC> Serene says, "Granting you +12 deflection AC, +12 attack bonus, and +20 damage bonus."
Serene raises her shield arm upwards, as if reaching for Eluna herself... as she does, light coalesces about her arm, then lances out to briefly connect her to Seldan, Aya, Cesran and Cryosanthia. Then it fades away for the most part, aside from a lingering, faint glow about her companions.
A breath is taken, then, and Serene lowers her shield so she might lift Discord once again, clearly having heard Seldan and Cesran both. "I await your marks," she tells them both.
<OOC> Merek says, "I'm going to fly over to Cesran and cast Restoration on myself using a higher Arcane Spell Slot." GAME: Merek casts Wall of Force. Caster Level: 14 DC: 20 GAME: Merek rolls fly+4: (12)+2+4: 18 GAME: Merek rolls fort: (9)+11: 20 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "...you may want to reroll that!" GAME: Merek rolls fort: (9)+11: 20 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Okay, Merek. Merek, you fly up." <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Things are going great right up until the threads *move* to intercept you." <OOC> Whirlpool says, "You hit one, it lances through you, and you just ... are gone."
Merek flies up from the platform which he is on. He can't hope to fight it alone, and he nods a bit to Cryosanthia, "Well, you're right." He then tries to dodge and weave. It doesn't matter if he did what he did with the Sea of Mana. He was wounded from the fight in the tower, and there's nothing he can do to keep that away. When it looks like he's about to make it to where Cesran is, the man will notice that the threads are beginning to come at him, moving to intercept.
There's a moment where he takes a look to everyone, and will consider it with a look to the people. He does take a look to each person with words that speak to his feelings upon all of them. Well, they say that the picture would be worth a thousand words. Nothing need to really be said that wasn't already.
Every moment of each encounter. And he wasn't able to change anything. Perhaps, his words gave people encouragement, can that even be said? He falls back with the many threads piercing him, and like a falling angel, he begins to shimmer away. In what seems like an eternity to him, it is simply a second he is there, and a second which he is gone. A final word offered to Eluna, "Protect th---" And Merek is no more. Not a trace even remains. Like he had been wiped away from the world.
Daeus, Animus, and Maugrim.
Why could it not be Tarien, Ceinara, and, perhaps, Rada? A night of drunken revelry, laughter, even at the expense of one's coinpurse, would not be so terrible a means to counter The Void, would it not?
Aya takes stock of her companions and the requirements. The Paladins may well capture enough of the Sun via the Moon. Griva is most certainly laden with as much Animus iconography as she is faith and lore. Which leaves the last... and the mul'niessa does not recall any egotistical warriors wielding overcompensatingly large blades. She frowns and takes a breath before speaking.
"I possess no blade, but if an anointed weapon of The Tyrant bastard will suffice..." her face contorts further into a scowl as the words sour her mouth as she utters them, "I can assist..."
A hand reaches over her own shoulder to clasp the strap of her wrap where it is tied at the back of her neck while the other shifts her braid to the side over her other shoulder. Fabric is shifted to reveal a patch of flesh near the top of her spine that is darker than the rest; even on her grey-blue complexion, the shattered disc stands out in utter ebon.
Does this potentially put her on par with a talking magical stick and an edged collection of prattling ancestral biddies?
GAME: Karelin rolls 1d20+30: (20)+30: 50 GAME: Karelin rolls 1d20+30: (11)+30: 41 GAME: Karelin rolls 1d20+25: (5)+25: 30 GAME: Karelin rolls 1d20+20: (10)+20: 30 GAME: Karelin rolls 3d8+36: (16)+36: 52 GAME: Karelin rolls 1d8+12: (4)+12: 16
Karelin lines up his shots, stepping backwards as he goes, picking his steps. Blurring, he unleashes a barrage of arrows -- most of which stop existing before the hit the beast. One hits solidly, and another goes fletchings deep into a hollow!
"...gods above," squawks Griva as Merek vanishes into nothhingness, the horror of the sight etched into her expression. She may be a wise old wizardess, but some things you can't unsee.
She scrambles to her feet and quickly utters a magical word or two, reappearing near to Serene.
"What's your plans?" she asks of the others, quickly. "We have to banish this thing back to the Void!"
She's a step behind you as she's been somewhat unconscious.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Acid Arrow damage this turn, Acid Arrow keeps going... another 2 turns I think"" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d4: (6): 6 <OOC> Serene says, "Smite does not grant bonuses to saves unfortunately." <OOC> Serene says, "+12 Deflection AC, +12 Attack Bonus, +20 Damage bonus." <OOC> Karelin says, "Become Light, Cryo :)" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls will+4: (15)+8+4: 27 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "You manage to withstand opening yourself to the Sea for the moment" <OOC> Whirlpool says, "It hurts." <OOC> Whirlpool says, "A lot."
"Griva!" Cryo calls out to her as she awakens on her rock, then says, "Gri...oh." As she reappears beside Serene. Excellent, she rescued herself. A death-defying, or death-inviting flight avoided.
She saw what happened to Merek. A small part of her mind is still screaming. She's got so much to process.
Fortunately, there's talking to be done. "Griva! We're trying to re-enact a sealing of the gate, to push the void creature back into the void. We've got Reunion and Discord, as representatives of Good and Evil, Ral-Sara as Neutral. You represent Animus, Aya represents Maugrim, Serene and Seldan are indirectly representing Daeus by the light he give Eluna."
"Oh yeah." She grips her icicle dagger tightly, "Dreaming Dragon, Make me a Nightmare to your enemies so I might smite them!" Hopefully that works.
"I'm... yeah. I'll... provide raw power I guess." The whitescale pauses, this is a terrible idea. "Karelin, keep shooting!"
Cryo starts casting... nothing in particular, simply moving her hands, then arms through arcane waves. She's already glowing, her brightness increases. As does... the pain. Teeth ground tight, she manages to withstand opening herself to the Sea for a moment. Just a titch, ... poor Merek, and feels the power building. Which she holds... to use when the right moment comes.
"Cesran, I am ready on your mark." Seldan says, impassive. His features betraying no emotion related to the fate of Merek. Absolutely none.
GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/Religion: (4)+29: 33 <OOC> Cesran says, "I'd like to use a reroll for that." GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/Religion: (3)+29: 32 <OOC> Cesran says, "Will use another reroll, I'll transfer some from an alt after the scene" GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/Religion: (12)+29: 41 GAME: Cesran rolls will: (8)+21: 29
Cesran shares the look with Merek and then watches in horror as he is touched by one of the threads. Before his eyes Merek is just gone from existence.
This has to stop, no matter the cost.
Cesran knows that the others are waiting on him to begin the ritual. It takes him a moment as he fears he can't recall the knowledge that he needs. Stupid brain to slow and thick with clutter of all the things that he's ever learned. He takes a moment to reorganize and finds exactly what he needs.
Cesran starts to explain the ritual and directs others to their proper positions. He looks to Cryosanthia, "I'm sorry this is going to hurt a lot." He says as he starts the ritual and he has to use Cryosanthia as a conduit for the raw magical power that is the Sea of Mana. He steels himself for the pain that is coming and it hurts. It feels like every nerve in his body is both freezing and on fire at the same time. Cesran grits his teeth as he continues with the ritual and points the dragon head of his staff at the void monster.
GAME: Serene rolls will: (16)+34: 50
Merek's demise.. does not sit well with Serene. As far away as he was, there was little she could do... but neither can she deny how the price of this mission keeps climbing. Then she files it away; there will be time to consider him and Kravar later. For now... she nods first to Aya, acknowledging the mul's reveal, then steps forward to stand next to Cesran, brandishing Discord before her and following his and Cryosanthia's example and opening herself up to... power. A power that threatens to overflow and split her apart, if she wasn't just so ridiculously stubborn about not letting it.
Well...
... the sea of mana is not a place where this could be done lightly. Accepting this much mana into themselves, letting the Sea itself suffuse them, will not be without consequences. Each of them is clearly in pain, the magic burning up their insides, torching them as it lights up all around them, blazing out their eyes alongside blood, skin blackening and charring in places where the energy is simply too much to physically bear.
...but the do it. Bear it. Carry it. Call down the Legacy of the Gods, the Great Seal of the Void.
Typically, calling out to the Gods like this isn't going to have too much of an impact. They're bound not to interfere in the affairs of man in a physical way, their avatars long dead from the Great War of the Gods so many millennia ago, by legend, but then... you're not in reality, are you?
You're just in the Sea of Mana.
The sky above the tower splits open and visible in and of itself is the Moon. The silver moon, Eluna. A sign of her favor, perhaps, or perhaps her attention has been drawn to the Sea of Mana in this spot itself by the presence of two of her champions, and the work of those supporting them?
The great void abomination's howls grow louder, thunder in your ears. Thunder that feels like a pressure building in your skull that wants to rend it open. The kind of pain that demons dream of inflicting in their wildest hopes.
Soft, silver light falls over you and that pain seems to dissipate.
The Grace of the Gods is real, for a moment.
