Innocence Lost

It's an elderly elf that put in the request for adventurers, and it's really not often that you see an elf as visibly aged as this one is. He has the air of having seen everything at some point in time, and he meets you out in the middle of the wilderness. The elderly elf takes you in for a moment and then offers you a wane smile. "I have a quest for you fine adventurers. You see, my granddaughter was taken from me by a band of ogres. They came and stole her while she was out gathering wood in the forest. I entreat you to slay the ogres and rescue my granddaughter from their grasp."

The elf makes a motion with his hand. "In order to help you beat those vicious things, I have a few protective spells I'm happy to cast on you, so if you'll step over here each in turn I'd be grateful." He smiles.

Mikilos frowns thoughtfully, but steps over as indicated. "What exactly happened? Do you know how many, or where they've gone?"

Fully and openly dressed for a Guild job, arms, armor, and all, Seldan listens to the description thoughtfully. "A frightening situation indeed," he agrees gently. "I am certain that finding such as they will not be difficult." He hesitates, considering the old elf. "I would not overburden you ... which spells had you in mind?"

Merek has taken the time to put on his silver-black attire which shimmers to white in light. His long coat adjusted about his attire keeps a belt cape which leans upon the hips as well. He keeps a longspear in hand with scrollwork upon the blade in ancient runes, about five feet. He lifts up a brow at the offer of protection. He seems curious about that, then nods. He stands with the Guardsman Seldan, and gives a pat upon the man's shoulder.

"Hmm.." Arngrim's deep voice rumbles like a mildly curious distant earthquake. Quaking with a low rumbling thrum through the pits of the stomachs of those near enough by him to listen. "Ogres, eh?" he muses thoughtfully while rubbing his jaw. "That is....daring of them." His voice trails off as he looks over the others present, allowing them to ask any necessary questions of the aged elf.

Toha considers the old elf for a time in curiosity, as it's not often one see so aged a being. She gives a little bow with a warm, "Thank you that'd be great!" A pause, then, "Was there a note or any clues why they'd take her?"

Iuitl steps up to accept the protective magic. She pauses in thought, momentarily, and rubs through the feathers atop her head. "Ogres. Alright. Should be able to get her back to you, and alive..." Ideally. She can't make any promises, as she's not some sort of perfect magical wunderkind. "If I can get ahold of her, I can likely teleport her right here, or near and out of danger, with haste," she adds, with a little smile to him. Well, maybe she IS a little powerful…

The elderly elf answers Mikilos first. "I don't know exactly what happened. I know that they took her from the woods while I was at home. I think they took her to their village and goodness only knows what they plan to do with her." He shudders and smiles benevolently at Seldan. "A little of this and a little of that. I don't know what you kids are calling it these days, but I'd be happy if you let me help. I'd like to think I'm doing something for this little mission of yours."

A worried expression crosses his face and then he smiles again at Iuitl. "Do what you can, I know exactly where they are so I'll open a little gate for you all to go through and you'll be able to find them on the other side." He looks suddenly weathered and ashamed of himself. "All my magic and power, but I can't do this alone. I don't dare. But I can do this much at least."

With those words he casts a few spells, waving his hands and mumbling a few words under his breath. The spells settle over you and then he turns his back to open a gateway to where you're going, stepping aside when he's done so that you can pass through. You can already see the village from where you are though its distant enough that you can't make out ogres except as vague shapes between the buildings.

GAME: Mikilos rolls spellcraft: (1)+31: 32 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Seldan rolls spellcraft: (19)+12: 31
GAME: Merek rolls spellcraft: (6)+17: 23

Mikilos frowns thoughfully, but steps though the gate with a nod, trying to remain quiet and unseen by those in the village, at least for the moment.

GAME: Seldan rolls will: (3)+21: 24
GAME: Iuitl rolls Will: (15)+11: 26
GAME: Mikilos rolls will: (5)+12: 17

Not having the heart to stop the man, Seldan instead watches him intently, brows furrowed in concentration. He says nothing, but when the spells are done, his gaze lingers on the ancient elf. "Very well," he says finally in that Myrrish accent, then turns to follow Mikilos. "We had best stay together," he warns, turning a smile on Merek and waiting for the Seer to join him.

GAME: Merek rolls will: (20)+15: 35 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
GAME: Seldan rolls will: (18)+21: 39
GAME: Toha rolls will: (10)+6: 16

Merek looks then to Seldan, while he lifts a brow in thought. While he doesn't like this, he does nod while he walks up into the portal gate, alongside his faithmate. A look to the team, "I will do what I can to protect everyone," he says.

Toha watches the old one work his magics a moment, then starts to take out little spindly brass doodads from her pouches and attach them to the plating of her right hand, where little wisps of silver flow out from... somewhere within her to anchor them in place. She nods to the advisories from her teammates and returns, "I assume we'll try to take them at range, first." With that, she reaches for the cannister on her back before stepping through.

Iuitl nods once and simply allows the magic to fall over her for a few seconds. Once the portal appears, she steps on through it, her tail flicking behind her as she advances. The sight of vague shapes in the distance makes her breathe a sigh through her nose. Then she looks among those present. She'll stay toward the back of the group, mindful of her betters and elders in these adventures. "I can heal many wounds..." she offers. Her bird -- a raven -- sits on her shoulder, speaking up: "But she's best at holding these idiots still."

The towering giantborn narrows his eyes ever so slightly as he considers the magics being tossed around and then the portal being opened up. He peers through it, looks as if he wants to say something and then pauses and simply clamps his mouth shut. Instead, Arngrim opts to unbind his weapon, a colossal earthbreaker that looks more like a gigantic pillar - a tetsubo of sorts. He straddles it the wall like width of his shoulders and just nods his head to his companions.

GAME: Arngrim rolls will: (14)+8: 22

The village is filled with ogres, huge burly creatures gathered mostly around a fire where a small girl sits. They grunt and growl at one another and have yet to notice your presence. You're as subtle as you can to get a good look at them and what they're up to, but you can only get so close to the village without risking being spotted yourselves. Thus you don't know what they're up to aside from the fact that they definitely have a little girl in their midst.

Mikilos waits until the gate is closed, and motions the others closer. "Something's wrong. I can't quite place my finger on it, but I don't think the old one told us everything. Maybe his granddaughter went willingly, and he doesn't approve of the associations? I don't know, but be wary. I'm not certain we're seeing what's actually here."

"You are wise." remarks Arngrim, "I sensed this as well but held my tongue. He seems..powerful enough to be rather dangerous. One does not casually open portals after all.." He considers them all and then the group and then gestures at the village, "I am of their kin. Would you like me to go inquire of things? If you remain hidden, I may be able to simply...ask?"

Merek looks between the 'ogres' then points to them while he notes to Mikilos, "He must've cast a geas on us, all I see are humans walking about," he mentions, looking to all, "Anyone else see?" he asks.

Seldan narrows his eyes at the village, and signals the others to silence, and to come closer. "It is a trick," he hisses, as quietly as he can, with a nod of agreement in Merek's direction. "I saw the old man cast an enchantment among his spells," he explains, quickly and quietly. "I see no ogres, only humans. The old man wished us to attack the village. What is the meaning of this?"

Toha looks between the others at first, maybe, with her eyeslit it's hard to tell, but she doesn't remark on anything just yet, as she's never dealt with 'hostage' situations before and defers to experience. The offer to go see is considered, and here she breaks the contemplative silence with, "It could spare an undue bloodbath." Undue. Very important. Then her head visibly turns toward the observation about the geas, "Look like ogres t'me." With that, she grips the ends of her 'can' and with a twist, extends it into a hollow arrangement of fine collapsable guide rails and blackened rings that much resembles the firearm chained to her back in silhouette. With the extra observations about the spellcraft at work, she gives a sound akin to a growl.

GAME: Iuitl casts Break Enchantment. Caster Level: 10 DC: 21
GAME: Iuitl rolls 1d20+10: (14)+10: 24

Iuitl looks toward Merek in confusion, and then toward the ogres gathered around the fire. If they aren't actually ogres, that would explain why the girl isn't ... in more apparent danger. Ogres don't just sit around with one of their favorite targets for torment, even she knows that much. She looks over to Seldan, and she rubs her jaw in thought. Then she tries to cast Break Enchantment. She waves a hand, and speaks a few muttered words in Draconic. Magic weaves in the air, and she grabs it and tears the weave of magic from them, yanking the threads of arcane power apart. Once done, she sees... humans. "... disgusting. Should we confront the old rat?"

GAME: Merek rolls perception: (16)+16: 32

"I think we should speak with the girl first. As they are humans, our approach should be much less alarming, no?" suggests Arngrim after a moment of contemplation. A few moments. He seems rather calm about it all as well, despite the deception and potential for a horrifying mistake had they not realized what was happening. "We should have a better sense of the truth if we do so."

Mikilos frowns thoughtfully. "I see ogres. And I'm getting tried of my mind being messed with." Then Iuitl does her thing, and he blinks hard. "Still ogres. All considered, I think we should approach openly, but cautiously. There might still be danger, even if they're actually human."

"Not yet," Seldan agrees, although he scowls blackly at the village and in the direction of the gate behind them. "This was planned, though, and we must notify the Guild of the trick. I would have us speak with them, but cautiously and in peace. No weapons drawn."

"Wait, there is still something that's at play," Merek mentions, then he walks forward with a look to the village, his golden celestial cat-like eyes watching while he nods to the team. "It looks like the villagers are gathering around upon the girl. There is more to this story," he says, husky voice thoughtful with the smoky tone. He nods then to Seldan, and Iuitl.

Toha considers the situation, and the arcaneries at play upon and about them and shrugs before looking back at the targets again, "Still seein' ogres, too." She looks at Seldan on his word and she nods, "Agreed. I try not t'kill anyone I ain't sure I ought to." She turns her attention back to the framework of her weapon and, with another twist, collapses it back into its cannister configuration and sets it into place at the small of her back.

"More to the story?" Arngrim frowns lightly and fidgets for the first time. "This back and forth is troublesome..and tiresome through no fault of our own." He likewise reholsters his weapon, setting it upon straps against his immense back, "Let us decide then, less the fates grow more fickle and we are somehow seen."

"Let us learn what precisely is afoot. The oldster is not a doddering fool, and did this for a reason." Seldan looks to the others, his own weapons sheathed and hands visible. "I would know what that reason is. Will you come with me?" So saying, he turns to approach the village.

Mikilos nods in agreement, having never drawn his blade. Not that the archmage really needs to. "I'm curious what this enchantment will show compared to those without it..."

Toha would probably frown is she could. Baby steps. As it is, she takes up the rear on this particular advance as she inquires, "We sure all illusion is all he put on us? I don't want t'get bloody unless it's my call, y'know?"

Merek nods a bit between the folk, while he moves to Seldan and will follow the man.

"Hmm." is all Arngrim says in response to Toha. Not exactly helpful aside from probably being some form of agreement. He falls in easy step behind the others, staying just ahead of Toha with her being in the rear, but otherwise remains silent.

Iuitl approaches with everyone else. She has a mind to discover the truth of the matter. Her bird ruffles his feathers and gives an annoyed 'rrr' noise.

Despite the thought that your approach will not be that aggravating to the populace of the village, you are wrong. The moment that the villagers catch sight of you they arm themselves and set themselves in a defensive posture between you and the center of the village where the girl is. To those of you that are still enchanted it's a fearsome sight to behold the ogres moving so aggressively. They all appear like warriors to you, ready to fight if you take one step more forward. Their grunts and growls echo in your ears so very unlike the unhappy murmurs of reality.

GAME: Merek casts Comprehend Languages. Caster Level: 7 DC: 14
GAME: Seldan casts Shield. Caster Level: 11 DC: 16

Mikilos frowns, not sure what he's seeing, but VERY suspect of what he's hearing. A language he doesn't even recognize? Nope, something's wrong. "...are they actually moving aggressively?"

"Hello! We mean you no harm! We were sent here on a mission by someone with unclear intent, and we want to set the record straight!" Iuitl calls to them, walking forward and raising her outstretched hand to get their attention. "Please, lower your arms so we may make sense of this together!" <sylvan>

Toha's 'nerves' start to get touched as the village goes into high alert. The fact that an illusion is at play is staying her hand, but there is still a little bit of doubt trying to erode that justification for letting things to play as they have. Her chin lowers slightly and her voice lowers into a more 'not happy, but uncertain' tone, "What do ogres usually jabber in, again...?"

GAME: Seldan rolls diplomacy: (7)+15: 22
GAME: Iuitl rolls Diplomacy: (20)+12: 32

"Jotun..but these are not ogres, remember?" rumbles Arngrim. It doesn't stop him from visibly tensing up and considering he's a wall of meat that looks like some child's attempt at describing Angoron..it's pretty visible when he stiffens. No good poker face there. He doesn't go running up at the villagers though, letting the others do the talking.

Merek offers a light chant, then he makes a hand gesture, while he looks to Iuitl, listening to her, next to the villagers. There's a shift of the longcoat which he wears while he looks to his pack belt, then he waits.

Not being able to speak their tongue, Seldan casts a quick spell, then listens intently and nods his agreement with Iuitl. He leaves his hands in the open, the crescent-and-sphere on a silver chain plainly visible over the shimmering armor he wears.

"S'what I thought, but tha's not what I'm hearin'." Toha replies with a glance at the giantkin, "It's... helpin' me keep my cool, yeah?" her voice edging back to her more 'natural' tone. Her resolve not to precipitate anything is shored up a little further by this, and so she's able to give this a little more time to properly brew.

The murmuring gets louder as one of your members actually talks to the people, and the general concessess seems to be that they are /not/ happy you are here. This impression comes across even more to you who are enchanted and can understand nothing of what is being said as a huge ogre (a normally sized man) comes forward and frowns at you. "Go away in peace. We don't want your kind here." He looks at Mikilos and seems to wince internally. "The sight of you offends us. Go away, back to your own place."

Mikilos frowns back as a ogre looks at him, growling gibberish. "....bet's we're enchanted to look violent to them? Enough. Those still seeing ogres, please step off to the side with me." The elf spreads his hands in a gestures of peace, but doesn't move away form the village, just off to the side, away from the rest of the party.

GAME: Iuitl rolls Knowledge/The Planes: (2)+11: 13
GAME: Seldan rolls knowledge/the planes+1: (19)+6+1: 26
GAME: Merek rolls knowledge/the planes: (11)+7: 18

Well, that's a strange thing to say. Iuitl visibly flinches when that's said to her, but she turns to the others to convey what she's heard. "Apparently we aren't welcome. And it isn't normal for humans to speak Sylvan," she explains to the others in Tradespeak as normal. She turns back to the wary humans and gives a brief bow to them, saying, in Sylvan, "I apologize for troubling you." And she scurries away to a better distance so they don't grow tired of her and try to hit her or something.

"They are fae, if I do not miss my guess," Seldan answers quietly, in the Trade tongue. "I can understand what they say, but I cannot speak their tongue. If you can make yourself understood ... I would learn what the old sil wants. I think him no sil, but an enemy of this village."

The sword at his hip pipes up, a slightly nasal female voice. "Yes, that seems likely," she agrees. Another voice pipes up, this one a gruff khazadi-sounding one. "You mean to tell me that old twinkletoes was up to something? I'd never have guessed." His tone drips with sarcasm.

Merek looks between the villagers with a nod, while he thinks about that.

"The nature of this mission grows more muddied by the second." chimes in Arngrim, speaking once again after allowing the conversations to play out with him quietly observing, "But it seems that we're not any closer to solving the mystery of the 'why' then we were when we began. Perhaps returning to confront the old elf -is- in our best interest. Is there no actual grand daughter in danger at -all-? Did he really think his magic would be enough to keep us tricked forever or that we'd attack without thinking?" Arngrim grows more impatient now, as is common for his kind and the Dranei culture, "What will we do?"

Toha almost closes a fist as Big One begins to approach. Her chin turns slightly toward Miki and she starts to edge over with him, forcing her hands open and holding them away from her sides. If the guess is true, then Fae are consistent; nothing is ever straightforward when they're around.

Mikilos gives a few moments for others to join him, or not, then cases, poking a small hole in the fabric of the universe, and shoving a layer of it away from himself. Specifically, the Sea of Mana, aka Magic. Quite certain he's no longer under enchantment, the elf addresses the group in fluent Sylvan. "My apologies, we were sent here under at least one enchantment, perhaps several. Do I still appear to you as I did before?"

GAME: Mikilos casts Antimagic Field. Caster Level: 13 DC: 25

The antimagic field dispells the magic cast on you all, allowing you to see the 'humans' for the first time. The man who spoke before speaks again and looks at Mikilos with the sort of expression that one gives to small children who have perhaps drug a muddy animal into your living room. "Yes you appear the same. The enchantment was laid on you, not on us. Now, if you don't mind /leave/. Mortals are not welcome here."

Even as the man talks to Mikilos the gate shimmers and a group of demons walks out. The creatures take one look at the village and grin, drawing weapons and heading toward the group that you make of villagers and adventures.

The demons immediately rush forward, attacking the villagers and completely ignoring the adventurers who stand off to one side. The villagers in turn attack the demons, there seems to be no talking this particular fight away, but the villagers don't seem to be fairing very well against the demons. Meanwhile the girl - the one child in the village - is picked up and carried away toward one of the small homes that is away from the fighting.

GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+13+2+2+1: (1)+13+2+2+1: 19 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+13+2+2+1: (4)+13+2+2+1: 22
GAME: Mikilos casts Break Enchantment. Caster Level: 13 DC: 24

Mikilos tsks mildly as the demons appear. "Wonder what I'm supposed to see of that. Ah well, we came for a fight, seems rude not to have one with SOMEone." Letting the Field drop, the wizard tries a little more focused sort of Enchantment Break upon himself.

GAME: Seldan spends ONE use of SMITE EVIL.
GAME: Seldan casts Shield. Caster Level: 11 DC: 16
GAME: Arngrim RAGES!, gaining +3 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 39 temporary HP

It's the drawing of weapons that gets Seldan's attention, even as the man is speaking. Before he can move, though, the fight is joined, and all he can do is shout, "Not until those are banished where they belong! In the Dreamer's holy name, you have no place here!" A spoken word, then an arcane phrase and a drawn sigil, and a shield of silver-golden-white force erupts between him and the enemy, and he draws his sword and runs with impossible speed for one in platemail, closing with the closest demon with sword in both hands.

GAME: Arngrim rolls 1d20+27: (16)+27: 43
GAME: Arngrim rolls 2d6: (12): 12
GAME: Arngrim rolls 2d6: (6): 6

Oh, this is a melee, and it seems these potential fae are being mobbed by actual fricking demons. Iuitl looks briefly shocked and confused at how quickly this goes south, and then mutters, "Yeah... have a feeling I know what the old guy's deal is..." Then she lifts her hands and makes a few strange gestures, shining a warm light on Seldan with her witchy powers. She giggles softly to herself, her pupils shrinking, the magic bolstered somewhat.

Though not one for speeches, Arngrim's intentions are made well known and full realized. His rage boils forth, but he's not one for roaring, screaming, gnashing or spitting. Instead his rage seems to smoulder into him like a boiling volcano with his eyes becoming pinpricks and his expression a horrible fuming one as his skin reddens and he seems to heat up with some inner fire as if steam itself is going to begin billowing from ears and nostrils.

He also seems to gain in even -more- size, as if he already wasn't freakish enough. Muscle piling ontop of muscle as he thunders forth, reaching with a single hand to yank his Earthbreaker free...and then whirl into combat with a single monumental strike towards the demon he closes in on.

GAME: Merek rolls knowledge/religion+3: (2)+7+3: 12
GAME: Merek casts Spear of Purity. Caster Level: 7 DC: 15
GAME: Merek rolls ranged: (17)+9: 26
GAME: Merek rolls 7d6: (26): 26

Merek steps back from the new demons, then he nods a bit to the team, while he tries to learn what they might be fighting. Then he lifts up a hand while he calls upon a spear of light in the off-hand as well, which he swings about into a demon. The holy energies begin searing into the being. He then spins that longspear while he takes a stance.

GAME: Toha RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 20 temporary HP
GAME: Toha activates her Titan Armor, gaining: +4 Str
GAME: Toha rolls weapon20+2: (16)+17+2: 35
GAME: Toha rolls 2d6+10: (7)+10: 17
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (19)+12: 31
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (3)+12: 15
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (9)+12: 21
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (12)+12: 24
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (8)+12: 20

Toha knows from her teammates who the villains are, even if her eye is being made to deceive her, and while she's uncertain if she'll be able to retain that level of discretion while under such an influence, she decides to take the chance for the defensive assets. Something clicks inside her as breaks into a run and she yanks her greatsword from it's sheath with two bellowed words before she begins trailing glowing mist from her seams, the greatsword begins a massive angular axe as she closes her other hand around the grip and brings it forcefully across the body of one of the aggressors.

GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d100: (76): 76
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d100: (49): 49
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (6)+5: 11
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (2)+5: 7
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (6)+5: 11
GAME: Mikilos casts Summon Monster VII. Caster Level: 13 DC: 26

The demons turn on those attacking them, and attack in turn, one of them having to chase down Merek a bit. "We're your allies you dolts!" One of the offended demons cries out, but the rest of the demon horde attacks the village and the villagers are beginning to fall against the assault.

GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+19: (19)+19: 38
GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+19: (18)+19: 37
GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+19: (4)+19: 23
GAME: Mikilos rolls 2d6+9: (8)+9: 17
GAME: Mikilos rolls 2d4+9: (6)+9: 15
GAME: Mikilos rolls 2d4+9: (5)+9: 14
GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+23: (9)+23: 32
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (15)+10: 25
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+5+1-3: (20)+15+5+1+-3: 38 (THREAT)
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+5+1-3: (8)+15+5+1+-3: 26

Mikilos hesitates a few moments, and shrugs. "They already don't like me." Gesturing, a large portal open beside the mage. It's... big. Whatever's coming through? It's even bigger than Arngrim. An unholy spider, big as an elephant. A Bebilith, the natural predator of demons. And, being a predator, it does what predators do... attacks it's food, ripping one demon apart as it grabs another in it's jaws, the poor demon starting to dissolve in the mandibles. "Spider is Friendly! ...ish... please don't attack it."

GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+5+1-3-5: (18)+15+5+1+-3+-5: 31
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+5+1-3: (20)+15+5+1+-3: 38 (THREAT)
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+5+1-3: (5)+15+5+1+-3: 23
GAME: Seldan rolls 2d8+6+6+12+12+6+6: (7)+6+6+12+12+6+6: 55
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8+6+6+6: (4)+6+6+6: 22
GAME: Seldan rolls 2d8+6+6+6+6+6+6: (6)+6+6+6+6+6+6: 42
GAME: Arngrim rolls 1d20+24: (20)+24: 44
GAME: Arngrim rolls 1d20+24: (3)+24: 27
GAME: Arngrim rolls 1d20+19: (7)+19: 26
GAME: Arngrim rolls 1d20+14: (11)+14: 25

"I think not, creature of the Hells," Seldan snarls back at the yelling demon. "My eyes see plainer than your magic." He raises his blade, and it flashes silver-white as he runs the first target clean through with it, a mighty blow indeed. A pause, a tug as he pulls it out, and it drops lifeless at his feet. Fortunately's there's a second recipient for his holy wrath right there, and he sinks the now-bloodied blade into the second one. It isn't dead, but it doubtless noticed a mighty blow like that.

From the sword, a chorus of cheers, encouragement, and vicious glee emerge as a cacophony of jumbled voices make their opinion of Seldan's choice of enemy known.

GAME: Arngrim rolls 2d6+28: (4)+28: 32
GAME: Arngrim rolls 2d6+28: (4)+28: 32
GAME: Arngrim rolls 2d6+28: (3)+28: 31
GAME: Arngrim rolls 2d6+28: (6)+28: 34
GAME: Arngrim rolls 2d6+28: (7)+28: 35

Iuitl gestures toward the next melee fighter, spinning the weave of luck in the favor of her allies. Arngrim would feel the shimmer of luck through him, granting him a higher chance of clobbering those demons... and he'd hear the merry laughter roll through the air as Iuitl sharpens the magic once more. It's not happy, but merry, like someone delighting in the deaths of demonic foes.

Have these demons been tricked as well? Are the demons assuming they're doing the bidding of the old man? What is the formula of that drink in the Fernwood? What is the unladen speed of a swallow? Arngrim isn't exactly thinking clearly right now. But he's not completely out of it. He does process what was shouted by some demon somewhere and he finally manages to speak - his voice a deep blood curdling rumble as he rotates his mountainous figure around and brings his earthbreaker up in a shockwave creating swing. "THEN STAND DOWN."

But it's way to late for the first demon he strikes to manage that. The impact of his attack is..meteoric in nature. A loud peal of thunder ripping through the area from the magic of the weapon which is followed by another thunderous *BOOM* as Arngrim reverses his momentum and turns to bring the weapon down like some falling pillar on another adjacent demon.

GAME: Merek casts Summon Monster II. Caster Level: 7 DC: 15
GAME: Merek rolls 1d3: (2): 2
GAME: Merek rolls 1d20-3: (6)+-3: 3
GAME: Merek rolls 1d20-3: (10)+-3: 7
GAME: Merek rolls 1d20-3: (10)+-3: 7
GAME: Merek rolls 1d20-3: (2)+-3: -1

Merek looks to the villagers that are being slain by the demons. That's their goal, which means while the team fights them, he will do his best to protect the villagers. Then he begins to focus upon summoning from the planes, what looks to be two Celestial Ponies. They are tattooed, looking like warhorses from some goddess' fine stable. The ponies stand before the demons, fighting them while their colorful coats sparkle! He looks to the team with a lift of his shoulders!

GAME: Toha rolls weapon20: (17)+17: 34
GAME: Toha rolls 2d6+16: (6)+16: 22
GAME: Toha rolls weapon20: (1)+17: 18 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Toha rolls weapon20-8: (20)+17+-8: 29 (THREAT)
GAME: Toha rolls weapon20-8: (13)+17+-8: 22
GAME: Toha rolls 2d6+16+2d8: (7)+16+(12): 35
GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+19: (4)+19: 23
GAME: Mikilos rolls 2d6+9: (10)+9: 19

Still in the midst of her own rage, her eyeslit 'pupiled' with a pinprick of bright ruby light, Toha brings her axe across her 'demon's belly, but misses his kin on her followthrough. Undaunted, she leans into her opposing foot and pushes off, reindexing the haft to bring it up and over to come down into her primary opponent's upper torso with a resounding peal of thunder!

GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (3)+12: 15
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (6)+12: 18
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (12)+12: 24
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (4)+12: 16
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (3)+12: 15
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (12)+12: 24
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (2)+12: 14
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (9)+12: 21
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (11)+12: 23
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (14)+12: 26
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (2)+12: 14
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (17)+12: 29
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (3)+5: 8
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5: 10
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (6)+5: 11
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5: 10
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (3)+5: 8

Some of the demons turn, attacking those that attacked them in turn though most flee from the sight of the spider creature that Mikilos summoned. Flee into the village to attack and kill easier prey. Many of those demons have vanished now, leaving only a small contingent of demons behind for you to face. Merek's ponies are outright devoured by the demons that they tried to hold at bay, and the sight is... terrible to behold. The demons laugh and cackle with glee at the easy meal they're given of celestial meat.

GAME: Mikilos casts Dismissal. Caster Level: 13 DC: 24
GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+19: (11)+19: 30
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+5: (14)+5: 19
GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d100: (17): 17
GAME: Mikilos rolls 2d6+9: (5)+9: 14
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (8)+10: 18

The Bebilith moves after it's prey, chomping on another demon with its mandibles... it's almost enough to make you feel sorry for them. ALMOST.

GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (11)+12: 23
GAME: Seldan rolls perception: (10)+5: 15
GAME: Arngrim rolls 1d20+27: (4)+27: 31
GAME: Arngrim rolls 2d6+2d6+23: (7)+(11)+23: 41

As the demons dart into the village, Seldan glances aside, and shouts, "The girl is yet in the village!" Breaking off his engagement with a demon, and ignoring both the protests of the sword in his hand and the claws that scrape down his armor, he turns and dashes into the village, eyes sharp for any sign of the girl.

"HM."

Arngrim's grunt sounds more like a tree splintering, but it's clear he has a brief enough moment of lucidity to see the demons...eating celestial ponies and continuing to be..well demon right.

He rumbles out something mildly unintelligible and garbled and returns his full attention for an instant to the demon just before him. There's a blur of moment and his weapon comes hurtling around again, crashing into his foe like a falling sequoia and literally batting the monster aside, lifting it airborne briefly it is flung from from the arcing weapon.

GAME: Iuitl casts Black Tentacles. Caster Level: 10 DC: 20
GAME: Iuitl rolls 1d20+15: (1)+15: 16 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Iuitl rolls 1d20+15: (10)+15: 25
GAME: Iuitl rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7
GAME: Merek casts Searing Light. Caster Level: 7 DC: 16
GAME: Merek rolls ranged: (11)+9: 20
GAME: Merek rolls 3d8: (17): 17

Merek takes two clean sweeps from that demon in the fight, crimson coloring his attire from the blood while he spins his longspear to the next hand, while he lifts up a hand towards the being. In Celestial he speaks, "Elune, Et Na Ee Luma!" The searing light then comes from the hand with a clean nice strike into the foe as well!

GAME: Toha rolls weapon20: (12)+17: 29
GAME: Toha rolls 2d6+16: (7)+16: 23
GAME: Toha rolls weapon20-8: (14)+17+-8: 23
GAME: Toha rolls 2d6+16: (9)+16: 25
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (11)+12: 23
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (10)+12: 22
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (3)+12: 15
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (3)+12: 15
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (6)+5: 11

The golem really, really means to put the last foe before her on/in the ground. Toha brings her axe across his body much as she had his brother previously, then back the way it came if slightly higher, rending great gashes in his flesh. The creature takes the abuse, if barely!

GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5: 10

The last of the demons not fighting you flees into the village. However the one that is facing Merek lets loose on the poor mage, stepping into him and tearing into his flesh with its vicious claws.

GAME: Mikilos casts Protection From Evil. Caster Level: 13 DC: 20
GAME: Mikilos rolls perception: (7)+20: 27
GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+16: (19)+16: 35

Mikilos casts a quick ward on himself, heading for the village to see what he can do to help.

After a moment of hesitation, the Bebilith also heads into the village, with less helpful intentions, though they'll likely work out in the end. 'Bad for demons' means 'good for everyone else.'

GAME: Seldan rolls perception: (20)+5: 25
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+1: (1)+15+1: 17 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+1: (3)+15+1: 19

Seldan's mad dash through the fighting and the village is finally rewarded. He glances this way, then that, and the cries of a girl are audible! He dashes that direction, cheerfully making of himself demon bait for the moment in an attempt to draw their attention as well as kill them. Unfortunately, his swing is a bit too wild, and goes sailing past the creature.

GAME: Arngrim rolls 1d20+29: (7)+29: 36
GAME: Arngrim rolls 2d6+2d6+23: (5)+(3)+23: 31
GAME: Iuitl rolls 1d20+15: (3)+15: 18
GAME: Iuitl rolls Perception: (8)+1: 9

For a guy that looks like he should be out grazing with the rest of the Dire Oxen..Arngrim sure can move. There's a moment where he's at the spot where he felled the demon he was facing..and then he's suddenly looming over Merek and the demon attacking him like some sort of living landslide about to crash down on the both. Fortunately his aim isn't as addled as his ability to quickly form coherent thoughts and his body slams into and his weapon crashes down directly upon the demon harrying his companion.

Iuitl does a quick look over the battlefield, finding... a lot of death, and not a lot of surviving people. She grimaces, then she bends her knees and hops... and doesn't land, flying up into the air and forward to catch up rapidly with Seldan and the remaining demonic forces. And the villagers, for that matter.

GAME: Merek casts Fireball. Caster Level: 6 DC: 17
GAME: Merek rolls ranged: (9)+9: 18
GAME: Merek rolls 4d6+4: (10)+4: 14

Merek steps back from the demon while he takes a moment to call a flame which is green, swinging that into the being. That does little while he looks to Arn who is closer and a lot more an issue for it.

GAME: Toha rolls weapon20: (6)+17: 23
GAME: Toha rolls 2d6+26: (7)+26: 33
GAME: Toha rolls weapon20-8: (2)+17+-8: 11
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1: (2)+15: 17
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (1)+12: 13 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (8)+12: 20
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (3)+12: 15
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+12: (3)+12: 15
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1: (3)+15: 18
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (4)+5: 9

Like a dog with a bone, Toha isn't willing to move on and let her opponent 'live and let live'. Instead, she brings her weapon around in a vicious upswing, scoring him deeply, though her followup attack barely shares a timezone with him. Stubborn bastard!!!

The demon facing Toha attacks her again, scoring yet another hit while the one that faces Merek doggedly pursues the mage, but its wild swings prove that its mostly terror powering the creature at the moment. That and the hope of taking down somewhat easier prey than that which lies behind it.

Seldan finds himself face to face with a group of demons who turn on him in surprise but they grin in unison and... disappear. His swing goes right through one of the creatures as it vanishes... a trace too slowly and the girl stares at the fallen bodies of the villagers that died to protect her. There's no tears that stain her face, only stoic defiance as she looks up at Seldan.

"To the very end they told me not to use my power. I could have saved them all, but they feared what it could do." She lifts her chin. "Now there is no one to hold me back, no one to stop me from taking my vengeance. Someone will pay for what happened today."

Crystal blue light forms around the girl as she speaks, and then she too is gone, an eerie cold aura left in her wake.

GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d3: (3): 3

Mikilos runs up, halting with a few blinks of uncertainty. But, there are still injured. Casting one more time, the mage opens up another portal, this time a trio of beautiful elf women exit. Well, sort of... I mean, they have long golden snake tails instead of legs. Don't judge! They search for a few moments, but find none to aid, others than those still battling. Taking to the air (they have wings, by the way) the Lillend head towards what's left of the battle, to heal those there... and maybe finish off a demon.

The spider, have no prey left, heads back to its own plane.

GAME: Arngrim rolls 1d20+27: (13)+27: 40
GAME: Arngrim rolls 1d20+22: (17)+22: 39
GAME: Arngrim rolls 1d20+17: (5)+17: 22
GAME: Arngrim rolls 2d6+22: (7)+22: 29
GAME: Arngrim rolls 2d6+22: (7)+22: 29
GAME: Arngrim rolls 2d6+22: (6)+22: 28

Paralyzed for a bare moment with surprise, Seldan can only blink as his one slash at a demon goes wide ... and the girl disappears as well. Regret and uncertainty are written across his features, but ... his companions still fight. After a quick search of the villagers for more demons, he returns at a dead run to the others.

GAME: Iuitl casts Baleful Polymorph. Caster Level: 10 DC: 21
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (2)+10: 12

• BOOM* *TOOM* *WOOOM*

It's perhaps not entirely clear which of those impacts does the deed but when all is said and done a cloud of abyssal smoke has violently whirled into being around Arngrim, only to be dispersed by the giant as his earthbreaker whips through it like a hurricane. The beast is felled and the giant born turns, seeking out something else to take his ire out on.

GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+5: (5)+5: 10

Wuh. Huh? What the heck? Iuitl witnesses a little girl just evaporate a bunch of demons, and looks... upset by this strange turn of events. She's gonna have to look into this strange child's origins later. So, she decides to do some cleanup. She turns and she points at one of the demons, and she just says, "Chicken," and makes a quick bunch of hand gestures. The demon, in a burst of white feathers, turns into a chicken. "... I love that spell."

GAME: Merek casts Divination. Caster Level: 7 DC: 17
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d100: (31): 31

With the sudden drop in enemies, Toha reins in her rage and her secondary boosts disengage with that same subsumed ratcheting click. As the light leaves her eye, the golem sags to one knee with a shudder, "What's... the.... word...?" she asks tiredly.

Merek looks to the demon, then next thing, blood splatters all over him, then he watches with a look to Arn, then he's about to maneuver for next demon. Then it's chicken. He looks to the skies, "You guys." He still can fix the situation, he then takes a moment to spin his longspear, sliding that onto his back, while he begins to work on what looks like a nice candle, improvising with materials that he keeps with him.

The flame lifts the smoke into the night sky, then he listens to the wind while he nods a bit, "That... Makes sense," he says. He places a bit of the liquid from the demons to a vial, what he can actually manage.

Mikilos shrugs. "Does 'fubar' count as the word?" The ladies with him move to heal the injured, singing softly as they work. They're... really quite talented.

Iuitl floats on down and lands with everyone else. She watches the summoned elf-like women tend to their wounds, and shrugs lightly. She steps over to the chicken, and prods it with the butt of her own longspear. When it behaves like an other chicken would behave, she smiles in satisfaction. "I recognize that spell..." Iuitl notices what Merek was doing, and approaches him. "What did you find out?"

"It is ... not good," Seldan answers wearily as he reappears, liberally spattered with demon blood, sword still in hand, and looking around for more demons. "The girl ... was no helpless child. She claimed she could have saved them, but was told not to." Seeing the injured, he sets down the blade and moves to help the injured himself. "Mikilos - have we seen a young Yukia?" he asks quietly, pausing in his work to search out the wizard's gaze.

Mikilos hesitates. "...I don't -think- so? But that -did- occur to me."

"Ah," Merek looks up to Iuitl, then he takes a moment to stand up from the magic. He then begins to take a moment to consider, "Evil meeting evil, innocence is lost. Something tells me that there was more to this village, there was more to these demons. The old man, he is the only one that can answer us. Come, let's find him before he knows about this."

Iuitl nods in agreement to Merek, and breathes a deep sigh about this. "I don't enjoy being toyed with," she notes aloud, in case the old man is watching them at the moment. "If anything your deception complicated this further!" She kicks some dirt in a vague direction and lets out a grumble of annoyance.

"Piriona... Shezmu" Toha intones, apparently still sapped from whatever additional reserves she tapped into. On the command in two very different languages, the axe returns to it's greatsword form amidst much peeling and twisting and she manages to slide it back into it's place. Another second or so and she pushes herself to her feet, "Who the hell is Yukia?" she asks as she tromps toward the gate... in time to get a glimpse of someone who's ass she really wants to kick.

Mikilos says, "Ice demon. Can't say we've really talked. Seems a bit of a bitch."

With Merek's words you gather together and pass through the gate. On the other side the old man is waiting for you. He smiles at you as you come through and lets out a chuckle. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions, but I'm not the one that's going to answer them. Just be grateful; don't let it be said that I've never done anything for Alexandria. Or for you." The old elf's eyes burn a sudden blazing red and then... he vanishes. No smoke, no motions, no further words. Just gone without a trace.

Seldan is left speechless at the old man's performance, ice-blue eyes snapping with fury. He scowls blackly at the disappearance of the old man. "Something is afoot here, and the Guild will hear of this." His gaze searches out Mikilos' again. "I would understand more of what happened here," he says slowly. "Too much is yet unexplained."

"The will known, it will transpire that the dream would become known to the Magi, they knew that the magic they took would not be a boon for the world," Merek says, with a nod as well. <kulthian>

Iuitl re-enters the portal only to receive an enigmatic word or three from this old elf, who buzzes off and acts like he did them all a favor. She blinks slowly just the once in clear disapproval of what she just witnessed... and then she does a quick incantation, waves her hands, and vanishes with a soft 'whoompf,' teleporting back home.

GAME: Iuitl casts Teleport. Caster Level: 10 DC: 21
GAME: Iuitl rolls 1d100: (42): 42

-End