Run Away
Verna posted a notice to the Adventurer's Guild seeking those available for a short venture. A day trip, even, if all goes as planned. Thus it seems the perfect opportunity for those seeking to aid the city or their own fame and/or fortune, regardless of proficiency. Something needs to replace the ever-demanding sewers, afterall, in light of the fact that they are currently ... under construction. Verna now stands outside the Guild awaiting those valiant, prideful, helpful, and/or broke individuals to respond and arrive.
Toha, well accustomed to why the sewers are so... in need of support, has come with her usual array of goodies, in expectation for things to go wooly. Again. The golem is apparently one of the first ones here, and so, as she draws near, gives an overt look of the place before asking the sole occupant, "Ah, hi... s'this the right place?"
Cryosanthia owes Verna a favour and has been meaning to talk to her as well. The whitescaled sith-makar's life has been busy and tumultuous. Signing up for a mission as a way to talk to her isn't the best method, but hopefully they'll get a couple moments. So, she's found the time and if the occasion requires her assistance she's happy to provide, especially since it seems to be avoiding the sewers. She's wearing white, a leather outfit that is hide-tight although it includes additional components such as a mini-skirt and short-cape that is lined with a satin fabric in a glacial blue hue. Overall plain, there are patterns in a few bands on the legs, around the cuffs and hem, as well as the shoulder pads. A repeating snowflake and dragon-eye motif. She's also got a small haversack high on her shoulderblades, made out of whitescale leather. The female sith smiles with teeth and makes a small curtsey to Verna, "Peace on your Nest. Hello Mourner."
Iskandar steps out of the Guild hall. He blinks rapidly a few times until his eyes adjust to the light - even though the day doesn't seem especially bright. He stifles a yawn with the back of a hand. Then he draws himself straight when he spies Verna. "Greetings!" he booms. "I'm here for the adventure!"
Attracted more by curiosity than a belief that she can personally make a difference, the next arrival is a young woman in flamboyantly-tailored leathers and a cloak clasped with a brooch in the form of a flame-wrapped wreath. A rapier and buckler hang from Ygraine's weapon belt, in token of at least *some* pretensions to martial competence. For the most part, she looks intrigued... if also a little diffident.
"Peace on your nest," Verna returns to the sith-makar, " and, yes, you are in the right place," she answers that question with the caveat, "if you answer the call for task and travel this day."
Verna's hood pans to the gathered at large. "For those unaware, I am Sage Mourner Verna. The task before us should be relatively brief and, it is my hope, without violence. We travel to the village of Maridran, a few hours distant. It is the last known location of a statuette I wish to acquire for research purposes; an effigy alleged to depict the being Marael. We should depart promptly, so if there are any other preparations you require or questions to ask, now would be the time."
GAME: Ygraine rolls knowledge/the planes: (14)+6: 20 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls knowledge/the planes: (5)+6: 11 GAME: Ygraine rolls knowledge/the planes: (17)+6: 23
Iskandar raises a hand to rub his chin in thought as he considers. For about two heartbeats. Then he waves in an off-hand motion. "No, I don't have any questions. At least nothing, that can't be asked along the way!" Somehow he gives the impression he's not likely to be asking any questions, ever. "I agree, let's be on our way!" he finishes, a hint of approval in his voice.
Toha shrugs a bit and nods, "Yep!" she replies, then turns to look toward the Sith as she makes herself known, "Hey, Cryosanthia! How're ya doin?" The name the woman mentions her attention back Verna's way a moment, before she glances around at the other arrivals.
GAME: Cryosanthia casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 3 DC: 14
The young Ceinaran blinks, brows arching as she glances to the others present - then looks back to their employer. "Just out of curiosity... what will this statuette of a demon - or the associate of a demon, at least - be used *for*?", Ygraine asks quietly. "Or what is it in danger of being used for where it presently is? But retrieving it and putting it somewhere safe sounds sensible...."
"Isn't that..." Cryosanthia's eye ridges crease up as she concentrates. "Why would there be an effigy of her? This could go badly, but I can see the point of the research." She takes off her left glove, makes a graceful gesture. Some of her scales sparkle in the sunlight, and the ones around her eyes glow as she examines the back of her hand. After a moment of looking she puts her glove back on. "I have everything with me, I'm ready."
Verna's hood dips affirmatively to Cryosanthia, then moves to the other question. "It is, and it will be used to aid us against one or more fiends, if possible. That is the purpose and nature of the research. At best, it could bring powerful information. At worst, we will keep an artifact of dark worship out of the hands of those who would wish harm to most any. If that is all, let us journey."
As promised, the trip to the little, sleepy village of Maridran is both relatively short, and fairly uneventful. It takes the majority of the day however and you arrive late in the evening. It's completely deserted. There's a church off to one side, and a few homes and businesses. They stand empty and echoingly silent. Something about this place sends an uncomfortable shiver down your spine. In the center of the village, there is a huge statue. It's clearly meant to be a feminine figure, and looks incredibly like a fertility idol. A voluptuous shape with very little in the way of a head or other defining attributes.
Peering around with wary interest, Ygraine cocks her head at the rather unconventional statue. "That... is an interesting style," she notes dryly. "Has anyone else encountered anything quite like it before? It looks... primitive, in the literal rather than pejorative sense."
Iskandar glances around as he approaches the village center. He walks confidently but gives the impression of also remaining alert - and aware of the unusual situation here. "Hello!" he calls out, not quite shouting, but then even his normal volume tends to be on the loud side. If not stopped or hailed, he'll walk all the way up to the statue, tilting his head back to look up at it. "Please tell me this isn't the statuette of Marael," he says. "If it's made of stone...even I might have trouble moving something this large back to Alexandria."
Verna takes a long look about the village, though once it appears clear that the village, itself is clear, her hood pans back to the statue in its center. Up, as well. "By Her Mithril-warmed bed..." Gloved hands raise to doff her hood as she stares at the carving. "I was under every impression that it was a small carving and not... that." She scowls as she considers their options in light of this rather weighty development.
Cryosanthia enjoys the trip out of the city, the change in scenery and the scents of the wilderness. She even has time for a short, private conversation with Verna, conducted carefully and quietly enough it's not overheard. Upon arriving at the village, the atmosphere of it would get her hackles up, if she had any. Instead, just the uncomfortable shiver made even more so for one that generally enjoys cold things. "So, that is the effigy. I agree with Iskandar, that's a lot bigger and rounder than I was expecting. It'll take some work to topple into a cart. We should ask around first. Hopefully they'll want it taken away, and it isn't their founding mother or something."
She also glances around, rather than announce herself, and while it appears there is some armour underneath suit, at least a mail shirt, she isn't carrying any visible weapons or a shield.
Toha is casually chatty along the way when so engaged, though she doesn't stop looking around in the doing. As they get into the village proper, she considers the statue and her hand lifts to the grip of her thunderbelcher and the chains unclasp as she swings it back forward into readiness, "I’ve see one like that before." she says in a grim tone and starts to look around intently.
There's no response to Iskandar's call. Only the silence of the birds in the surrounding woods for a few moments before they begin their settling back into their nests for the evening. As far as you can tell, there's no one here at all. Close examination of the statue reveals that it is indeed made of stone, and given its size... likely /very/ heavy. It's also surprisingly well made given it's rather primitive style.
Iskandar walks around the base of the statue, trying to understand if - and how - it's connected to the ground. "Topple it?" he muses. "That's a thought. I don't know of a cart that would be big enough. But there are ways...to move ships across land, when absolutely necessary, you can put thick logs underneath, all in a line and spaced just so, and roll the vessel across the top." He completes his second circuit around and then stops. "Or some sort of magic," he adds a moment later. "That generally seems to work."
"Could there perhaps be a smaller effigy within a... reliquary, in effect?", Ygraine asks, peering at the statue. "What is on display to the people and the elements might not be the true *core*...."
"Well, I can set up a Message with each of you so we can spread out and look for people and a big enough cart. Or a bunch of logs to try Iskandar's idea. Would a floating disc be strong enough? We could check the church first as a group. For a priest or reliquary. If neither is there, we could ring the bells. If no one shows after that, this village is likely deserted." Cryosanthia suggests, looking around at each individually. She repeats her earlier, curious action, removing a glove, casting a spell, lighting up and staring at her hand. Again, her eyescales glow and she stares, saying as she does. "I didn't bring any rope, or tools for dislodging a statue from its base. We might have to look for those if no one brought any. Where have you seen it before Toha?"
GAME: Cryosanthia casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 3 DC: 14
"There is a partial alternative to relocating it," Verna notes as she circles the statue, continuing to appraise it. "It will require some time, but I could conduct a portion of my intended research here. There is, of course, a risk, though the apparent abandonment of the village would work to our benefit."
"Alexandria. A would-be priest of a Duke of Hell had one, working under another... I ain't sure if she's a demon too or not, called herself a scion. I won't name either of'm, here. He had a little one, though. Palm sized." the golem answers. A look between the group's members, then, "Were trying t'open a portal t'Hell at the time, when we stopped them."
Iskandar nods at Verna. He continues to watch her expectantly. When it becomes clear that she's not going to add anything else he prompts, "What is the risk? That we'll have to spend the night here? How many days do you need?" He glances around. "I saw a temple while passing through...I don't remember anything like inn or tavern though. But I could look again. And no doubt there are provisions to be found somewhere here. And food," he adds. Then, almost as an afterthought. "I'm sure the villagers won't mind."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls knowledge/the planes: (15)+6: 21
"I suspect that it would be sensible to determine what happened to the villagers, if we can... and also whether there might be any smaller statuettes here," Ygraine says thoughtfully. "But I am afraid that I did not think to bring heavy-duty tools...."
"I kind of need one of those... for two reasons. Depends where it goes..." The whitescale sith says. She's replaced her glove on her hand, but her eyes are still glowing and she's staring at the large statue. "It might not be abandoned Verna, it might be full of vampires and the party is about to get started. I am concerned about the time, I'm worried about leaving my mate alone too long. Will this research take days?"
Without looking over at the golem she adds, "Scion means, 'descended from a noble family'. So, likely Sindri is a powerful demon in their own right. The statue is faintly magic, I need to look at it a little longer to see if I find out anything more interesting."
Verna turns towards Toha in surprise at the revelation. "Another? In Alexandria?!" In hindsight, they could have spared the journey had the connection been made prior. Presuming that said artifact still rested in the city. That can be dealt with after their return, if necessary, she decides.
A moment passes for thought and she concurs with other suggestions. "The risk could be that one or more of the fiends, or their followers, arrive here in the process. Not days, but hours, perhaps. However, as we can all agree that this statue shall not easily travel elsewhere, the rest of the village can be searched, first."
On the other hand, now that Cryosanthia mentions emanations from the statue, Verna turns her attention upon it again, now studying that aspect.
Iskandar reddens slightly. Then he looks at Ygraine with what might be approval. "Well put." He nods. "As heroes, our first concern should be the villagers. We should find out what happened to them, and help them if necessary. Or else if they are beyond help, to find some measure of justice for them. If they're innocent, that is." He adds after a bit, gaze drawn back to the statue. "If they are some sort of demon worshipping society, and met with an untimely end...why then, it might be no less than they deserved. But still, either way we must discover what happened here!"
GAME: Verna casts Arcane Sight. Caster Level: 15 DC: 18
As it sounds like they'll be searching rather than worrying about getting rushed, she swings the 'belcher behind her back, the free hanging chains there clasping to the corresponding rings on the weapon. Instead, she pulls the greatsword free, "I can probably get that down t'gravel if we..." she looks to Cryo as she starts explaining, "Oh... so... you met her." an oddly questioning not in her voice. She doesn't remember naming the scion, but... "Yeah, we took it back to the temple once we stopped them." she says to Verna. She shrugs, "I'll start in this house over here..."
GAME: Toha rolls perception: (11)+13: 24 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls spellcraft: (11)+4: 15 GAME: Verna rolls spellcraft+4: (16)+28+4: 48 GAME: Iskandar rolls perception: (15)+12: 27 GAME: Ygraine rolls perception: (6)+7: 13
"The whitescale finishes staring at the statue, then her eyes stop glowing, "It's too powerful for me to figure out." She looks around, ready to cast some more cantrips, but everyone besides Verna has vanished into buildings. For lack of anything better to do, she waits for the others to return, keeps looking around and watching the half-elf. Eventually she asks, "Did it make more sense to you?"
Iskandar emerges from the church, holding something in one hand. "I found no signs of life, but we did find this." As he approaches he holds it out for Verna to inspect, or even take from him if she'd like. Hand-sized and made of wood, it appears to be a small effigy that looks nothing like the idol in the center of the village. It is rather the image of a demon. Wings, cloven hooves, tail. Clearly a demon.
Verna studies the statue rather intently, her frown (which is ubiquitous in at least a nearly-formed state) grows deeper. It's not immediately clear whether it is revelation, consternation, or some other verb conjugated to a noun. Eventually, she pulls her attention to Cryosanthia, then briefly about the village as the others have dispersed to search. "Some, yes. I will wait for the others to return with what they may or may not have discovered." This seems to begin with Iskandar as she looks to the wooden figure with which he returns.
Toha returns, greatsword over her shoulder and a small dogeared journal with colorful scribbles visible between the stains of neglect in her off hand, and in a respectful tone explains, "Apparently, this place had some bad times... then a priest worshippin' you-know-who showed up." She dips her chin as her hand brings the diary up to what is probably her line of sight, then she continues, "Usual pitch. Worship th'big guy an' good things will happen! And they did. So things did.... Then a bunch of stranges come along and got into a fight with the priest... then... that's it. S'all here." and she offers the book forward.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3+4: (15)+3+4: 22 GAME: Ygraine rolls knowledge/the planes: (6)+6: 12
Ygraine tags along with Iskandar, evidently quite happy to see him get the credit for finding the statuette. Indeed, she peers curiously at the unpleasant little artefact once it's out in the clear light of day. "I can't identify it as anything in particular. It looks... like the epitome, or archetype, of demon-kind."
GAME: Verna rolls spellcraft+4: (11)+28+4: 43
Cryo nods, peering with some interest at the wooden statue Iskandar returns with. "Am I the only one unsettled by the idea of demonic fertility? I thought they sprung fully formed and fully malevolent from their planestuff. I'm not prepared for Hell babies. And on that subject, is standing close to this going to do something to us? Islandar, that's magic, heavily Magical, really bright."
"It is," Verna confirms of the carved demon, extending a gloved hand towards Iskandar. "Could I have that, please? It needs to be kept away from flame unless we wish to have a sudden visitor. It also bears a striking resemblance to one particular Duke, himself, as I've had the displeasure of meeting him."
Once she has the wooden effigy, or Iskandar intends to hold onto it, she addresses the far less mobile one. "That," she gestures to it, "is not unlike a scrying pool, or crystal ball... however its direction is reversed. It is enchanted to be scried upon, not to scry outward with. If this villages inhabitants chose to serve said demon, it would stand to reason that this effigy was to be burned to call him and this statue a means for him to monitor his faithful."
"Which means," Verna adds, even more dryly than her typical monotonous tone, "that he could very well have eyes upon us as I speak."
Iskandar turns his head slowly towards larger statue. As he does so he also stands a bit taller, his shoulders going back a little and posture becoming subtly more...heroic. He probably doesn't even realize what he's doing. "Scrying." Or maybe he does. "But wait - 'him'? 'He' uses the statue of Marael, to keep an eye on his flock?" He tilts his head back and looks the statue up and down. "What's their connection?"
Toha watches the fellow's antics for a moment, glances overtly to Cryo, then back to him before she says, "When two demons really love each other...." before she moves forward to present the Mourner with her find, as underwhelming in comparison it may be.
An audible gulp escapes Ygraine, before she nods uncertainly - shooting wary glances to both statue and statuette... before giggling involuntarily at Toha's comment. "Still, it does seem a little odd that he would use a different entity's effigy. Might she not monitor a flock that worships her, even if she is maintaining it for his benefit? And... Eldanar lay claim to *Celestial* ancestry. That Infernal... fertility is possible in various forms seems logical. Though that book might well grant rather more in the way of insight to what actually happened here."
"Sounds like taking it back to Alexandria might not be in our best interest. And no fire, got it. This one is not sure the connection she has, beyond consort. That demons have affection for one another is another concept I'm having difficulty with. The small statue is pretty recognizable... I'm not a fan." Cryosanthia says. She keeps staring at the effigies as if they're about to turn into portals. Her bookwyrm inclinations on hold for the moment. "That monitoring outwards scrying, does it include sound, and... would you be able to evaluate something I've got like that? Also... it's glowing, doesn't that mean it's active? If he's watching it's only a matter of time before he shows up. Is there anything we can do to speed up the research, should we search some more buildings?"
"It is possible," Verna nods to Cryosanthia as she takes the book from Toha. "A few moments, please. I understand that time may be of the essence at the moment. We should be cautious." That answer and warning given, she peruses the journal, hoping to do so with some efficacy. She does have a fair amount of experience with books, at the least.
Toha turns to look toward Ygraine and she gives a soft, almost musical chuckle of her own in kind, then she says, "Maybe he's got one of him inside the larger casin'." A shrug, and she looks between the others, "I wasn't expecting t'demolish anything or I'd have brought a different loadout." she says apologetically.
Looking distinctly bashful, Ygraine nods. "Putting the *actually* valuable thing out of sight sounds, erm, sensible, though it sounds as if people know a great deal more than me about the situation - and the magic - here."
Verna's perusal is more brief than expected, given the author of the diary. It is informative on general events, certainly, though lacks more technical details that might be of further use. She tucks the book and effigy away before addressing other questions. "Marael is his consort, yes, but she is also a ranking member of his cult. Quite possibly his First. If it is not him that uses this, it could be her, on his behalf. I may be able to determine which, and its enchantment may make such more readily accomplished. I could potentially use it to scry upon her, or whomever may be attuned to utilize its abilities. There is the likelihood that we would gain their attention then, if we have not already."
Cryosanthia nods her head slowly, with a look towards Ygraine. "Naming demons draws their attention, so we've been ... minimizing that. Several of us here have encountered that one before." She points at the little, classic demon, statuette. "There's a history. It hasn't gone well. I'm ineffective against him, and I've run out of things to trade beyond lives. If you think it's safe, Verna, if the attention we draw with the research is a minimal risk, then you should get started. While you're doing that, maybe we can find the most solid structure here, since we'll be staying the night. Perhaps a few other buildings have evidence in them? Or, stand guard."
Toha nods, "Piriona, Shemzu." chasing the Oruch word with a Kulthian second causes the greatsword in her hand to peel, twist and fold into an angular earthbreaker in the the time a heart swells and contracts anew, "Assume we'll draw ire." A glance to Ygraine, then Verna. It's her pet project, and most of the crew seems familiar with the players, if not moreso than she is, and so she defers. She looks to Cryo for a moment as she chimes in, "I'll do what I can." she replies.
Lips quirking into a wry smile, Ygraine shrugs gently. "I can at least help to keep watch, and might even momentarily slow something down so that more competent people can deal with it. Wherever I might be of assistance, feel free to direct me."
"If I do this, I suggest that all keep some distance," Verna states as she begins to retrieve some items from her satchel. "Should he appear, his attention shall likely be upon me, and all of you can depart with haste."
The whitescale sith-makar nods solemnly, staring intently at Verna. "Just to be clear, if he or she shows you want us to run. Separate directions. Like last time, but actually run. Assuming we get away, wait several hours before checking back to see if he left your body, take that to the Vardaman temple? Because that is what I will be doing if you instruct so."
She follows up by an almost dance-like series of gestures, she is casting but putting a bit of her body into it as well. Messages cantrips, connecting each party member to her. She'll be the spider in the middle of the web, which a little lucht knight would appreciate were she here. Each cast has a small flicker of light along her scales, tracing the glacial highlights.
Then, she's ready to search buildings, and starts to do so. "Let's start to the right of the church and work our way around the sundial until we're back at it, then go the next furthest back until we run out. One per building."
Verna pauses in her set up of materials to meet Cryosanthia's look solidly and nod, once. "Yes. I will not risk others, and you have your own to look after." She then leaves the sith-makar to her preparations as the Mourner continues her own.
Iskandar eyes the surrounding buildings, trying to decide which one to search next. What was he doing all this time? Studying the statues for clues? Not likely. Considering where the missing villagers might be? No, he's already pretty much concluded they are all gone, either for trifling with evil forces or disappointing them. Continuing to preen for any potential demons scrying on them? ...possibly. Finally he chooses a direction solely on other adventurers not going that way, and heads off to continue the search.
Whether because she thinks she might be a good-luck charm for Iskander's searching, or because she simply wants to be able to hide behind him if trouble starts, Ygraine opts to stay fairly close to Iskander once more. Still, she takes the time to nod solemnly to the others, mutely affirming that she has taken note of the plan for an emergency departure as well.
Toha cants her head a bit, "No one's talked in my head fer a long time." she muses softly, but she nods and begins her search pattern based on what's been laid out.
Once Cryosanthia completes her dance, Verna adds, "Take these, as a precaution." The effigy of E Minor and the child's diary are handed over, as she requires neither for this portion.
One silver mirror, one metamagic rod, and one hour-long incantation. These are all one needs when attempting to poke their senses into the business of others. With any good fortune, and The Grey Harpist's judgement, any counter-poking shall be kept to a minimum. The length of the incantation, alone, allows the others ample time to continue searching or otherwise place themselves possibly out of easy vision of any who might seek to perform any possible poking.
There's no warning really. No change in the statue, no vision in the mirror which suggests that the incantation is working. It seems that the spell at least has failed. Yet, a moment later there is the sound of a gentle step from behind Verna. One soft shifting of the dirt and stone. "So, we meet again." That voice is familiar, perhaps too familiar now. The sound of his smooth tone draws the eye, and it seems that he is for the moment in his human guise. He looks somehow, both pleased and displeased. His eyes are alight with something warm and happy, but his lips are set in a harsh frown. "What was your name?"
Cryo takes the objects and slips them into her pack. She's off searching. Time passes, at least an hour, and she's gone through several buildings finding littler of interest beyond menial belongings and spoiled food. This exploration turning out to be fruitless, the whitescale sith gives in to her curiosity and heads back to see how Verna is doing.
In time to see someone she recognizes address the Mourner. Cryo halts. Frozen, pupils spreading wide. That voice! Her breath is held and she's as silent as a large lizard can be.
Iskandar emerges from between two houses and halts at the sight of the man. He examines the scene carefully, knowing that his usual approach of punching first and asking questions after won't do here. Then he casts his gaze in the directions he remembers the others going, on their own searching.
Well... it could be said that Verna's spell works, in a fashion. She does, in fact, view him in the mirror, as well as hear him. Unfortunately, it is his reflection that she views, behind her own, and his voice reaches her from behind. There is an ancient academic Mynsandraal phrase for this, which roughly translates as '$#@! me, I'm $#@!.'
Verna exhales a sigh and turns, nodding to the dark-haired man. "So it seems. My name is Verna," she offers, sparing title as it was neither requested nor does she expect he holds any care to its significance.
"Verna." That low frown eases into something less harsh and a whip appears in the man's hand. It slithers along the ground as he takes a step toward her. He is rather ordinary looking really. Moderately long black hair, dark eyes. Handsome, but not in a memorable way. However his whip burns and crackles as it slides along the dirt. "I believe that I owe you a death." Now he's smiling.
Toha searches patiently for the duration, but, what's been left behind isn't particularly relevant. There isn't much of a sigh she can project, but her equivalent not issues softly before she turns and starts to make her way out of the house to approach the next. She recognizes the man from the sewers and the construct freezes, edging back some to something approaching 'out of sight' from his angle. She doesn't like this. She doesn't like this at all…
"Run." Cryo whispers into her Message network, right as she realizes it has dropped. She looks around frantically for the others, if they're emerging. Anyone's eye that she can catch, she mouths "That's the demon" at them, points at Eclavdran, and then away. Hopefully, she's not caught his eye, and she's quietly backing away from him. She knows the range and effectiveness of that whip. As soon as she can, the whitescale turns tail and bolts off.
Verna looks to the smiling man and considers what she knows of him. "Perhaps you do owe me a death. Perhaps you would make it official and swear that debt of a death owed to me upon The Wild Hunt or whatever other force you hold to be undeniable? If you do so, I shall promptly allow you to free yourself of the obligation."
Run? Iskandar frowns mightily. But while he's not one for plans or research...he is one for action. Sometimes fighting, but sometimes equally daring deeds. Hoping he understands this magic he takes his chance to whisper a message back, "Meet me at the edge of the village, where we first entered. Bring the statue - the small one." He runs as well, a long-legged athlete's stride that sends him darting around houses and over low fences around the village's yards.
Eclavdran shakes his head slowly. "Some things are better done with your own means don't you agree?" The whip courses out, grabbing Verna round the neck and with a jerk pulling her harshly toward himself. It's not a gentle yank. "I have tried /so/ hard to be helpful, but /you/... Well... Lets just say I'm going to /enjoy/ this."
Well, Cryosanthia is really quick getting out of there. She's off as soon as Eclavdran captures Verna with his whip.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+33: (10)+33: 43
With very little effort Eclavdran drags Verna closer and closer to himself, until she's laying at his feet where he looks down on her.
Iskandar takes note of the direction Cryosanthia ran. He's grateful now for the hour of fruitless searching because he recalls the layout of houses and village streets. He dashes down a pathway, vaults over a stone wall and makes one final turn and winds up running alongside the Sith. "The statue!" he hisses, only slightly winded. "Give me the statue!" He holds out one hand.
Verna attempts to regain her footing, if just to make it easier to regard Eclavdran. Even in this form, he is far taller than she. She tries not to pull against the flaming thing about her neck, though reflexes are strong. On the other hand, the flames also help encourage her not to attempt and pry it off with her hands. Attempt, not succeed.
"You are clearly the superior being here. Now that it is only you and I, would you deign to enlighten me and my curiosity? How did a potent, ruling infernal such as yourself become beheld to a creature as fickle and enigmatic as a fae?"
GAME: Toha activates her Titan Armor, gaining: +4 Str GAME: Toha RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 20 temporary HP GAME: Toha rolls weapon9: (15)+17: 32
The demon is there. /Be strong./
Verna is at his mercy. /Defend the weak./
A Duke of Hell... /There is no seat for cowards!/
There's a soft ratcheting sound within the golem. /Be strong./
A low, metallic rumble as silvery mist seeps from her seams... /Defend the weak./
A bright ruby mote blazes to flaming life within Toha's eyeslit as the golem charges with a bellowing roar of, "AANNNNGOORRRRRRRAAAAAWWWWWWWNNNNN!!" her greataxe swishing past the demon to no effect but letting him know she's there.
What the? Why can she never get away from anyone! She bought boots for just this purpose! How is anyone keeping up with her? Cryosanthia is head down, stretched out, flat out run with feet pounding the ground. A quick glance to the side, her words come in quick gasps. "Why? She needs for research. Or paladins need for trap. Only reliable summon is sacrifice babies or piss him off. She said run. Return later."
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (13)+31: 44 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+26: (19)+26: 45 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+21: (3)+21: 24 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+16: (20)+16: 36 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+16: (4)+16: 20
The demon laughs mockingly at Toha, his weapon flashing down, a blade that appears in his hand. Down it swings, cutting deep into Verna's body until finally with one last blow he severs her head from her body and frees his whip. Eclavdran cackles and turns his black eyes on Toha. "How about you? Are you awaiting death as well?"
Iskandar casts glances back over his shoulder as they run, quick glances in the direction they are running from. They're already too far to hear the normal sounds of fighting. But he does hear Toha's battle cry. His expression grows...worried. Up to now he has shown variations of excitement, boredom, amusement. But now there's a hint of desperation. "Paladins?" he repeats, confused. Then he says, "That's nonsense! We need it, NOW. They need it. Verna needs it, now. I'm the one who found it!" His hand drops to his belt and in a flash he's drawn his heavy dagger. Literally a flash, and then it's coated with a bright sheathe of flame. "Please!" Also uncharacteristic of him.
Verna does not enjoy having vile blades intrude upon her person. She is one of the last people who would ever fear death, but a painful journey to her Mistress' Hall is, of course, unpleasant. Perhaps it is a mercy of The Grey Harpist that a cross-swing strikes so true so soon. After hitting the ground, twice, two thoughts are the Verna's last.
First, as her face happens to land towards the statue, she realizes a sudden correlation between the headless idol and her current condition. Perhaps he was not so fond of his consort as research seemed to imply?
Second, for all his boasting and threats that he would enjoy taking her life, he did so extraordinarily quickly. Perhaps that would explain the first, or why his consort seems nowhere to be fo-
GAME: Toha rolls weapon9: (12)+17: 29 GAME: Toha rolls weapon9-5: (20)+17+-5: 32 (THREAT) GAME: Toha rolls weapon9-5: (16)+17+-5: 28 GAME: Toha rolls 2d6+10: (10)+10: 20
The mocking laughter, if it does anything to Toha's mind amidst the Whitefire, her face can't show it. As Verna's body falls in parts to the ground, the golem's foot sinks into the soil to soak the followthrough of her initial swing. The ruby mode slides back along her eyeslit to regard him even as she pushes back off to try and take the front of his head off. As Eclavdran straightens to mock her further, the Earthbreaker wiffs past his chin, but, rather than try to counter the momentum, she rides it out into a wide circular step and comes back around with a hollow, reverberating roar as she drives the tenderizing face of the massive hammer into the demon's belly to an effect Toha's currently too berserk to be disheartened by.
"You draw on me? NO! Verna said take it back. She knows what she's doing." Cryosanthia turns, abandoning the road for the forest, perhaps it will be easier to lose her pursuit there, both Eclavdran and now Iskandar it seems. Every time, every step. She needs get a gold plated fish. At least Ygraine is somewhere else. Next time everyone is going to solemnly swear to stick to the plan and swear it out like youngling scouts.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (13)+31: 44 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+26: (16)+26: 42 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+21: (4)+21: 25 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+16: (17)+16: 33 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (8)+13: 21 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (6)+13: 19 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (6)+13: 19 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (4)+13: 17
The demon shakes his head and laughs again at Toha. "Lost in your rage little one. Seeking /vengeance/ for your mortal friend? You will find nothing but death and pain here." His blade speaks for him in emphasis, cutting a swath across the golem.
Iskandar skids to a stop, panting now. "Draw on--" he glances at the flaming dagger in his hand and then a look of realization dawns on his face. "No!" he protests. "This was for..." she's already out of sight so he trails off. "The statue." He stares after her for a heartbeat, bemused. He was the one that found that statue. After all, he even said 'please'. By now they must be near, if not past the edge of the village. Iskandar takes a deep breath and lets it out. Then he turns back towards the village center, in a few strides he's running again.
GAME: Toha rolls weapon9: (12)+17: 29 GAME: Toha rolls weapon9-7: (18)+17+-7: 28 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (16)+31: 47
Toha's armour parts eagerly under the touch of Eclavdrans's blade. Motive straps lash like elder horrors as they're severed, splashing her quicksilver blood in mirrored pools around her. Part of her doll-like face sheered half free from the substructure to yawn lopsidedly open from the artifices within, the glowing silver-white mist billowing flamelike from the violations of her form. Blackened steel, leather and rose gold splashed in rivulets of silver and pain, but she stands.
She Fights.
The golem, misaligned joints fighting against each other with the shriek of scraping steel, brings another deftly avoided swing around.
There is little hope, left, the damage is approaching catastrophic as it is, and more no doubt is coming, and so, facing death Toha continues with another swing.
For Angoron.
By Adom.
She..... FIGHTS!
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+26: (14)+26: 40 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+21: (18)+21: 39 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+16: (16)+16: 32
The whitescale sith-makar keeps running. Through the trees. It's oddly familiar in a really old way to her. This is something she hasn't done in decades. Of course, it wasn't great the other times she was doing, but at least it's not the Tower. She does her best, to lose her pursuers, going through brush, leaping over logs, some athletic and acrobatic maneuvers to try and disguise her trail. Although the wide swath of broken branches are still likely to give her away. It's only after some more of this mad dashing, that it occurs to her she might lose herself too if she isn't careful. Well, deal with that if it happens.
She fights, and she falls. The last thrust of Eclavdran's blade leaves the golem falling to the ground like Verna had before her. He shakes his head at her death, turning slightly because he can hear the sound of footsteps. It seems he will have more company.
Iskandar slows to a stop as he comes to what he remembers to be the last building he'll come across, before he steps into the center area. There's a distinct lack of Toha's battle cries now. Also a lack of sounds of chanting, or anything resembling spellcasting from Verna. Iskandar puts away his dagger and pulls out a shortbow instead. He places one hand against the wall and then leans his head from behind to examine the scene. A moment later he moves back, eyes slightly wide.
Eclavdran toes Verna's head and rolls his blad over and around in his hand. "Come out, come out, where-ever you are!" He laughs at his own joke, and looks directly in the direction that Iskandar is. "If you're seeking death, you're welcome to join me. In truth I would rather not slaughter all the adventurers around her but... You all do seem to enjoy throwing your lives away."
Toha's runs cool at Eclavdran's feet, the ruby flame goes dark in her eye as the glowing mist simply wafts away from her ravaged debris for the last. The construct, at last, is silent.
Iskandar has a sneaking thought, and when he next he pokes his head out his suspicions are confirmed. Eclavdran's looking directly in his direction. He pulls back behind the building and calls out in reply, "Then what DO you want?" A moment later he runs, doing his best not to show himself to Eclavdran while repositioning himself behind a different building.
The demon slowly wanders after Iskandar. Tracking him like a deer by sound. "Tell me that you will leave me be. Say that you are running away like the insect that you are and I will let you go."
"Insect?" Iskandar's voice wafts out from his next hiding spot. Undoubtedly in the direction Eclavdran was already headed. "...that's a little harsh, don't you think?" He hurries on, "Yes, I will, ah, leave you be?" His voice is curious and he can't help but wonder, "Are you saying we are bothering you? Is that what happened to this village?"
"This is not leaving me be. Questioning me?" Eclavdran is drawing closer to Isakandar's hiding spot. Closer and closer. "Run along little bug. Run along and live. Or stay, and we'll see if there are three who will die this night."
Iskandar does indeed run, past a building he had circled earlier, over a wooden fence and stopping when he is behind the church. This time his path is almost perpendicular to that he was taking before - no longer moving directly away from the village center but rather in a great circle. He open his mouth to say something, then closes it again with a wry look.
-End