PrP: The Lost Boy

You've all been called in and given a quick briefing. 3 days ago the Adventurer's Guild sent out a team of adventurers to find a child that was stolen by some imps. The team has not returned. The mother, who you meet briefly, insists that it was imps and is worried about her child. The mother in question is not completely there and although would never hurt the child does not have the firmest grasps on reality. She can take care of the child, but she does live with others who do help. A demonic presence was confirmed via magic and other witnesses that this did happen. It was definitely imps and they give you the same map that was given to the first party. It should take a day to get there and a day to get back. The adventurer's guild does want to act quickly on it and will provide horses to those that need them. The map takes you to a forest to the north of the city. It looks like an old growth forest, but something feels off about it. Nothing you can see with magic or with your eyes, just a feeling of off.

Munch runs. The golem has no need of a horse, and as they tend to understand they are merely a few hundred pounds of emergency rations, things tend to go better without them. Peering around, his magicite eyes blink with a soft click. "Imps... I don't recall those being too dangerous. Best guess, they're working for something that -is- dangerous."

Garak brings along his own steed, a warhorse wearing well-crafted leather barding. He's grim and serious - as befits a mession involving chldren, he thinks. When the party gets to the area he narrows his eyes. He glances around to see if the others notice the feeling. Then he reaches down and touches the horse's neck, murmuring a quick spell.

GAME: Garak casts Shield Other. Caster Level: 9 DC: 16

Tiasa sniffs at the air as they arrive. She herself ran as well, hard to find mounts that can handle the Sith's size, but she is used to it and keeps up a good pace. All the while the surface of her dark breastplate swirls and lightning dances across it now and again. She peers around, as if trying to pinpoint what makes her feel off. "Anything can be dangerous if there is enough of them." she says.

Verna is initially rather skeptical on the alleged attackers' nature as imps; there are far more mundane reasons for children to be absent. However, upon independent confirmation and validation, she grows far more concerned. Fortunately, she loathes outsiders more than overland travel, and the latter is provided. She prefers a horse with a conveyance of some sort attached; it is far easier to read from one or more volumes tomes when seated rather than mounted.

Her hood lifts slightly from the current tome at the construct's comment. "I concur. Imps are servants and spies, not lietenants nor captains." As you all get to the spot that the original party entered the forest. You see the remains of a campfire as they must have gotten there at night and made camp before venturing in. Their trail is easy to follow, and you've got enough room to maneuver under the branches of the large trees. With the large canopy there is little undergrowth although it's light enough to see. As you travel deeper into the forest you do see the remains of imps that had been cut down.

<OOC> Cesran says, "Everyone give me a perception check."

GAME: Munch rolls perception: (17)+17: 34

GAME: Verna rolls perception: (19)+14: 33

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20: (6)+20: 26

GAME: Tiasa rolls perception: (8)+12: 20

GAME: Garak rolls perception: (5)+12: 17

Munch buzzes thoughtfully. "Okay so imps are... dev-ils? ...conjured with contracts with all kinds of legal loopholes, so law-bending side of evil. So that’s... silver? Cold iron? Damn, can never remember... eh, hit 'em hard enough, they all splatter." The dragon head etched into the head of Reaver, his adamantine axe, rolls its eyes.

You paged (Munch, Verna) with 'You don't see anything but you do see the branches and leaves above you moving, like a creatures is passing through them and it's headed down the trail away from your party.'

Munch buzzes softly, and murmurs. "Think we've been spied." He motions towards the branches above the trail.

Tiasa cocks her head to the side and didn't see anything, but she moves a little away from the others to give herself a little more room. Verna's hood lifts farther, upwards to the moving boughs. "Spied, and possibly now outpaced. They appear to move down the same trail. Perhaps we should make haste?" She is not in any great need to surge ahead of others, but does encourage her transporting equine to increase to canter with the reigns.

Tiasa adds after a moment, "Think they attack?" she asks as she does move with the others. She isn't even sure what they...are.

Garak tries to move so that he's more or less in the middle of the party. He nods in approval as Verna speeds her mount up and nudges his own horse to keep pace. "If they do, we should try to capture at least one of them," he notes. "To question."

Munch's clawed toes flex, digging into the ground a little. "...could likely outrun it, but not knowing where it's going, or even for sure what 'it' is, hard to do. But yeah, waiting around here isn't going to help anything."

"They could be scouts. They could be moving to effect an ambush. They could intend to slay or relocate their victim," Verna offers a light roll of her shoulders. "The presumption is that their movement does not bode well."

Munch says, "They could be locals trying to keep out of the way of well-armed strangers. But scouts is more likely."

As you go deeper into the forest it gets eerily quiet. As a slight breeze moves through the forest you are all hit with the smell of blood and rancid meat. It doesn't take you long to find the source as someone has opened up the chest and splayed out the contents of one of the adventurers in a tree. It looks like it was done in pain staking detail as not a part of this body was left untouched. Everything is mangled and ruined in a twisted mockery of life. The body is being held to the truck of the tree by what look like spikes. The body is still clutching a greatsword, although it's been driven into the tree as well.

Munch hmmmms, not bothered by gore itself, though less happy with the implications. "This doesn't look like imp work. Sorta looks like something I saw used to call a demon, but not really my area."

Garak eyes the corpse in disbelief. He dismounts and starts to approach but then hesitates. He glances at Verna. "Is there anything we should do for him?" he asks. "Is there anything we -can- do for him?"

From afar, Verna is curious if there is any pattern or symbolism in the arrangement of the corpse.

You paged Verna with 'No pattern or symbolism to it.'

Tiasa shakes her head, "looks like it was done as warning." she shakes her head a bit, looking around more, this sort of thing is done when one wants to watch the reaction of people, so she is looking for someone watching them.

Verna moves closer to study the corpse. "We can offer the soul a proper farewell and guidance to Judgement, as such deserves and requires. We can then affect a burial, or return the remains for such, as per the family's preferences."

Munch nods, and considers. "...or could just be to delay us while that scout gets ready. Might wanna leave him here for now, come back for proper burial after we're done. Not like is going to get more dead."

There is more movement overhead, the loud movement of leaves and branches down the path. It's almost mocking the party in how loud it is. The movement heads up a rise and disappears over the other side. There is a sudden and loud scream coming from the rise. It sounds like the scream of a woman.

It abruptly cuts off mid scream.

Garak races back to his horse and pulls himself up into the saddle. A lance appears - or more accurately, grows, out of nowhere - in one gloved hand. He looks all but ready to spur the mount forward. But he pauses to glance at the others and see if they're ready. "It may well be a trap, but it's the only direction we can go," he suggests.

"Indeed," Verna's hood bobs in a nod. "The dead tend to remain so, and remain in place, unless acted upon by some outside force." The scream draws her focus ahead. "The living take priority..." She nudges her transport to move ahead, again, before conjuring a protective field about herself.

GAME: Verna casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 10 DC: 15

<OOC> Verna says, "As I did not cast it before we departed."

Tiasa looks at the others, "Do not be alarmed." she says as she does start towards the sound of the scream as well, though she starts to change. Her body swells and elongates and she morphs into something larger. She started walking as herself and continues as a Large Monitor Lizard on all fours. Its upper torso is still composes of the swirling shadows and occasional lightning as it moves with the others.

Munch says nothing, just pulls the massive greataxe from it's place on his back, and heads towards the scream.

GAME: Garak casts Shield of Faith. Caster Level: 9 DC: 15

GAME: Munch casts Shield. Caster Level: 4 DC: 12

Munch slows for a moment, and mutters something under his breath. His metallic scales spark and glow for a moment, the light forming into a floating magical shield of some sort.

The group easily reaches the rise and below them is a natural bowl that has been turned into an unnatural scene. You have found the rest of the adventurers and they has been disassembled and reassembled into various works of grotesque art. The remains of the adventures have been strewn around the trees and blood is everywhere. In the very middle of the bottom of the bowl there sits a child about 5 years old crying loudly.

Verna pages: Does this appear ritualistic in any fashion?

You paged Verna with 'No but like the other it appears to be painstakingly done. It's not just messy randomness.'

<OOC> Garak says, "A bowl eh? How steep is it? Like a skateboarding ramp or can the horses manage it?"

<OOC> Cesran says, "A horse could manage, a shallow bowl."

The macabre new decorations are, of course, noted. More than this is the care taken to make them. The crying child is also noted, but is as obvious, if not moreso, than the mangled remains around it. "The dismemberment and arrangement were done with care, intent, and thought. This is not an arrangement of happenstance," Verna notes for the others' benefit.

Munch says, "....hack down a few trees, ruin the.... whatever it is they're doing... and do violence on anything that shows up to object?"

Garak takes in the scene for a moment. The words of the others seem to give him a start. "Yes - but first things first." He guides his horse down into the bowl headed for the crying child. "Don't be afraid, little one...we're here to take you back. Who did this?" he calls as he approaches. "Which way did they go?"

Munch coughs quietly. "lone kid in the middle of mayhem? Traaaaap..."

Tiasa will start moving over the rise as well, though she is sniffing at the air and looking about for the ambushers.

The child continues to cry loudly. He doesn't seem to respond to Garek's words at all nor does he move from his spot. He just cries.

"That was my concern as well," Verna concurs to Munch before calling to the rider moving ahead. "Use caution!" To that end, she opens her senses to the alteration of reality to further examine the area.

GAME: Verna casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 10 DC: 14

You paged Verna with 'The child is an illusion. A very well made one, but still an illusion.'

<OOC> Cesran says, "Just so I know, is everyone a little ways into the bowl but not down into it. On the edge of the rise or behind the rise?"

<OOC> Tiasa says, "a little ways in, so just below edge for me"

<OOC> Munch says, "little ways in"

<OOC> Cesran says, "I know Garak is down in there"

<OOC> Verna would not enter it unless distance required it.

<OOC> Cesran says, "Noted"

Verna scans the grim artwork and then panes her focus across the bowl to the child within. Once there, her focus stays a moment before she calls out, "It is only an illusion! Use caution!" She certainly has no reason to approach further, and perhaps withdraw.

Garak slows his horse to a halt about 15 feet away from the child, examining him carefully, then guides his horse in a circle around the bowl, his goal to be on the opposite side from the rest of the party. As Verna casts her spell another is cast. When Verna calls out, at the edge of the rise a wall of ice goes around the bowl trapping Munch, Garak and Tiasa inside of the bowl and leaving Verna outside of the bowl. The child disappears before them.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Cesran has dropped a TIMESTOP!

Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Cesran to instruct you further.

For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

GAME: Munch rolls initiative: 11 + 3 = 14

GAME: Tiasa rolls initiative: 4 + 3 = 7

GAME: Garak rolls initiative: 3 + 8 = 11

GAME: You damaged Munch for -1000 points. 111 remaining.

GAME: You damaged Tiasa for -1000 points. 84 remaining.

GAME: You damaged Garak for -1000 points. 85 remaining.

GAME: You roll initiative for BD: Roll: 12 + Bonus: +9 = Total: 21

GAME: Verna rolls initiative: 7 + 2 = 9

GAME: You damaged Verna for -1000 points. 59 remaining.

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+14: (7)+14: 21

<OOC> Cesran says, "Garak does 21 beat your AC?"

<OOC> Garak says, "Nope it is currently 22"

You paged Garak with 'Are you immune to fear affects?'

Garak pages: Nope :(

<OOC> Cesran says, "Roll me a will save."

GAME: Garak rolls will+2: (18)+10+2: 30

<OOC> Cesran says, "You make it, you are only shaken for 1 round."

There is a loud crash next to Garak the crushing of bone and swishing of flesh as this monster that looks like the merging the most horrifying features of carrion-fed insect and withered cadaver is right in front of him. It naps at Garak with its jaws as its decaying wings flap and the foul scent of rotting flesh and blood fills the bowl. Its bite skitters off of Garak's armor before it goes invisible.

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 21.

     It is now BD's turn! Munch is next!

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 14.

     It is now Munch's turn! Garak is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Munch you are up!"

<OOC> Munch says, "So is an invisible something runnign around? ideally, like to find and attack it. If not, break the ice wall."

<OOC> Cesran says, "The last you saw of it, it was in front of Garak."

<OOC> Munch reads, blindsense. With a line of effect, can pinpoint its location. Normal rules for trying to hit a conceal creature, though I also have Blind-fighting.

<OOC> Cesran says, "And you have blindsense?"

<OOC> Munch says, "yes. Dragon Disciple lvl5 ability."

<OOC> Cesran says, "Then yes you know that it is still in front of Garak."

<OOC> Munch says, "Activate boots of speed, rage, move and attack."

GAME: Munch RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 8 temporary HP

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+15+1-2: (11)+15+1+-2: 25

<OOC> Cesran says, "HOld up a second"

<OOC> Cesran says, "NM you are good"

<OOC> Cesran says, "That is a hit, roll twice to try to bypass concealment."

GAME: Munch rolls 1d100: (85): 85

GAME: Munch rolls 1d100: (12): 12

<OOC> Cesran says, "You make it"

<OOC> Cesran says, "High is hit low is miss btw."

GAME: Munch rolls 2d12+11+6+1d6: (12)+11+6+(5): 34

<OOC> Munch says, "d6 is acid, weapon is adamantine and chaotic."

<OOC> Cesran says, "What's it's + bonus?"

<OOC> Munch says, "+1/Adamantine/Corrosive/EnlargePerson 3xDay/Int:12 Wis:10 Cha:10/Keen/Prestidigitation at will/Transformitive"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Okay, you hurt it, but not as badly as you would have thought."

Munch glances towards the wall of ice, but his attention focuses on the attacker. Sevral of Munch's leathery 'dreadlocks' twich and spread out like some kind of antannea. "Iiii seeeee yoooou!" Flexing his toes, a shower of rainbow sparks shimmer around the golem, as reserves of potent chemicals rush into his limbs. Rushing foreward, the massive axe swings in an arc, bringing a spray of ichor. Not a big spray, but respectable.

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 11.

     It is now Garak's turn! Verna is next!

GAME: Note Flat-footed on Garak ended.

<OOC> Cesran says, "Garak you are up"

Verna pages: Is the wall opaque?

You paged Verna with 'It's hard to see because it's like a foot thick, so you see very blurry blobs.'

<OOC> Cesran says, "Oh Munch, are you immune to fear?"

<OOC> Garak says, "Where is everyone now? Can I move next to Munch and still be within 30' of Tiasa?"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Munch is next to you."

<OOC> Munch says, "immune, no. ...pretty sure not."

<OOC> Cesran says, "Roll will please"

<OOC> Garak wants to use Aura of Protection (30' radius) and cast Prayer (40' radius), would it reach Tiasa too?

<OOC> Cesran says, "It would."

GAME: Munch rolls will: (12)+11: 23

<OOC> Cesran says, "You are shaken for 1 round"

GAME: Garak casts Prayer. Caster Level: 9 DC: 17

<OOC> Munch had to quick look up 'emotionless golem'. Doesn't help. :(

<OOC> Cesran says, "Okay Prayer and Aura of protection are good. No attacks. Pose it"

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 9.

     It is now Verna's turn! Tiasa is next!

GAME: Note Flat-footed on Verna ended.

Garak wheels his horse around in the direction he saw the demon, but doesn't see it anymore. And somehow that makes it even worse. Of all the protections and blessings he asked Serriel to offer him today, counteracting an invisible foe is not one of them. Garak has trouble holding his lance steady, but tries to hide it by holding his holy symbol high. "Serriel...hear my Prayer. Grant us your protection!"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Verna you are up...you are outside of the ice wall, you can tell some fighting is happening on the outside."

<OOC> Verna will attempt to Dispel the ice wall.

<OOC> Cesran says, "Go for it"

GAME: Verna casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 10 DC: 16

GAME: Verna rolls 1d20+10: (4)+10: 14

<OOC> Verna sighs.

<OOC> Cesran says, "The ice wall stays up"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Pose it."

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 7.

     It is now Tiasa's turn! BD is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "tiasa you are up!"

<OOC> Tiasa says, "so will move up to munch. rage and if I can pinpoint do a single attack. I have scent ability granted by form, which will let me pinpoint if I get within 5' of invis."

While the wall might keep whatever fiend is combating the others within, it also contains the others, and obscures Verna's view of how best to assist. "Harsh Mistress," she calls to her Matron, "aid me to unravel this hinderance." She attempts to pick about the power holding the ice together with divine assistance, yet it remains frozen and firm.

<OOC> Cesran says, "Sure roll the attack."

GAME: Tiasa RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 6 temporary HP

<OOC> Tiasa says, "with power attack"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Sure"

GAME: Tiasa rolls pclaw: aliased to Melee+1+1-3: (19)+13+1+1+-3: 31

<OOC> Cesran says, "Roll to bypass concealment."

GAME: Tiasa rolls 1d100: (96): 96

<OOC> Cesran says, "hit."

<OOC> Cesran says, "Do you have a good aligned weapon?"

<OOC> Tiasa says, "claw"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Okay"

<OOC> Tiasa says, "so no, it just counts as +1 thanks to amulet of mighty fists"

GAME: Tiasa rolls pcdam+3: aliased to 2d6+strength+1+6+3: (5)+7+1+6+3: 22

<OOC> Cesran says, "You hurt it, but not as much as you think you should have."

<OOC> Cesran says, "Pose it."

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 21.

     It is now BD's turn! Munch is next!

Tiasa surges forward, roaring with rage as she does and her lizard body seems to swell as she does, bulging with muscles as she nears where the thing went invisible. She sniffs at the air and then lashes out with a claw. Her claw draws blood from its invisible target.

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+14: (8)+14: 22

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+14: (20)+14: 34

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+14: (8)+14: 22

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+14: (1)+14: 15 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Cesran says, "Rolling to confirm"

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+14: (16)+14: 30

GAME: Cesran rolls 2d6+10: (7)+10: 17

GAME: You damaged Munch for 17 points. 102 remaining.

<OOC> Cesran says, "Oh Tiasa, roll me a will save"

GAME: Tiasa rolls will: (11)+5: 16

<OOC> Cesran says, "You are panicked. Next round you have to run away from the monster as you can"

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d6: (5): 5

<OOC> Cesran says, "For 5 rounds"

The creature moves and become invisible. It uses it's long reach to attack Munch. It misses with it's bite, but one of it's claws strikes deep on Munch while the other two miss, the last one the monster almost hits itself with his tail. It then goes invisible again.

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 14.
     It is now Munch's turn! Garak is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Munch!"

<OOC> Munch says, "Like to full attack if i can, if not, just move and attack."

<OOC> Cesran says, "You can. It hasn't moved"

<OOC> Munch says, "haste attack, regular attack, second attack, bite. concealment and confirmations following."

<OOC> Cesran says, "Okay"

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+15+2-2: (20)+15+2+-2: 35

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+15+2-2: (11)+15+2+-2: 26

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+10+2-2: (12)+10+2+-2: 22

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+9+2-2: (8)+9+2+-2: 17

<OOC> Cesran says, "Two hits, roll to bypass"

GAME: Munch rolls 1d100: (36): 36

GAME: Munch rolls 1d100: (37): 37

GAME: Munch rolls 1d100: (30): 30

GAME: Munch rolls 1d100: (97): 97

<OOC> Munch says, "so wiff, and a hit with blind fight?"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Only the 26 hits. No crit"

<OOC> Munch nods. Should i bother rolling the d6 acid?

<OOC> Cesran says, "No"

GAME: Munch rolls 1d12+11+6+1: (1)+11+6+1: 19

<OOC> Cesran says, "Hurt, but not badly."

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 11.

     It is now Garak's turn! Verna is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Garak you are up!"

Munch goes into a battle frenzy, blade and fangs flashing. A few wiff, a few skip off armor, but one draws a fresh bit of ichor.

GAME: You damaged Munch for -1 points. 103 remaining.

<OOC> Garak says, "Forgive me I am not completely sure how invisibility works - can I use Flame Strike on it?"

<OOC> Munch says, "Oh, bleed damage? ...need to get me some regeneration..."

<OOC> Cesran says, "You can. No Munch I forgot Garak's prayer, so you get -1 damage from the last time"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Flame strike is an AoE and you know about where it is."

<OOC> Munch says, "okay. ...still need to get me some regeneration."

<OOC> Garak says, "Hmm one other question, if I grant Tiasa a bonus to saves can she roll will again against the Fear?"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Unfortunately not"

<OOC> Verna says, "Only if the effect specifically grants a fresh save."

<OOC> Garak OKs...flame strike then!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Okay roll it."

GAME: Garak rolls 9d6: (32): 32

<OOC> Cesran says, "You hurt it a little and the ice wall behind it melts some"

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 9.
     It is now Verna's turn! Tiasa is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Verna!"

Garak sees the monster appear, strike his ally and then vanish again. But this time Garak notes that his allies have also struck back. He doesn't know how they know where to strike, but he notes where they are - and that it's much the same area he saw the monster appear in. Gritting his teeth, Garak holds his holy symbol high. His voice is firmer this time, filled with authority. "Serriel send down your light!" a column of flame sears down in answer, briefly silhouetting the enemy and causing steam to billow out of the nearest section of ice wall.

<OOC> Verna says, "Apologies. I completely missed the cue."

<OOC> Cesran says, "Its okay"

<OOC> Verna will utilize a Pearl of Power to recall the Dispel and attempt it again.

GAME: Verna rolls 1d20+10: (5)+10: 15

<OOC> Verna says, "Whirl is hiding in the room, methinks."

<OOC> Cesran says, "Sorry doesn't do it."

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 7.

     It is now Tiasa's turn! BD is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Tiasa! You've gotta run. You can try to break through the ice to get away or cower."

<OOC> Tiasa says, "wil try to break through the ice"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Go for it"

<OOC> Cesran says, "You can either try to just hit it or smash through it"

<OOC> Tiasa says, "get up to full speed and try to smash through"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Roll a strength check"

Verna is not familiar with ice beyond the frigid, slipperiness that coats the cobblestones. Obviously, this wall is made of similarly stubborn and treacherous material. Even with the aid of her Goddess, she cannot hasten its demise.

GAME: Tiasa rolls strength: (13)+7: 20

<OOC> Cesran says, "You hit it hard, but it doesn't move."

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 21.

     It is now BD's turn! Munch is next!

Tiasa panicks and turns charging off towards the wall to try and smash through, she hits it hard but doesn’t go through it.

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+13: (6)+13: 19

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+13: (8)+13: 21

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+13: (12)+13: 25

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+13: (4)+13: 17

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d6+5: (4)+5: 9

GAME: You damaged Garak for 9 points. 76 remaining.

The monster did not like the flames that calls on it. It appears away from Munch a little bit, but its attacks go after Garak instead. It tries to bite and claw and sting, but it only manages to catch him with one claw hurting him for a bit of damage.

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 14.

     It is now Munch's turn! Garak is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Munch you are up. It is visible"

<OOC> Munch says, "Am i still Shaken? Full attack if i may."

<OOC> Garak says, "Shaken was just for 1 round I believe"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Just one round."

<OOC> Garak says, "Also how big is this thing and how far is it from us?"

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+15+2-2: (6)+15+2+-2: 21

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+15+2-2: (5)+15+2+-2: 20

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+10+2-2: (10)+10+2+-2: 20

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+9+2-2: (14)+9+2+-2: 23

<OOC> Cesran says, "It's a large creature and has been attacking with reach, but Munch has been staying with it"

<OOC> Cesran says, "All misses."

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 11.

     It is now Garak's turn! Verna is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Garak!"

Munch continues his frantic assault, but luck his not with the golem, blade and fang failing to wound the infernal being.

<OOC> Garak will power attack it twice with lance

<OOC> Cesran says, "Go for it"

GAME: Garak rolls 1d20+10: (13)+10: 23

GAME: Garak rolls 1d20+5: (3)+5: 8

<OOC> Cesran says, "Miss Miss."

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 9.

     It is now Verna's turn! Tiasa is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Verna!"

<OOC> Verna casts a spell on herself.

GAME: Verna casts Spectral Hand. Caster Level: 10 DC: 17

Garak leans forward in his saddle, trying to spear the now-visible monster with his lance. The weapon can't pierce the creature's thick hide. Garak curses and then tries to calm himself. This is a cunning foe, as evidenced by the death of an entire party of adventurers before them.

Verna will not be making her way through the wall in the immediate future, at leat not from her end. "What is happening?" she calls out to her companions on the other side, as all she can see are blurred, vague shapes. While she can't affect events on their side, she can prepare for the worst. She conjures an ephemeral, insubstantial floating hand-shaped forced to her side with a brief incantation.

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 7.

     It is now Tiasa's turn! BD is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Tiasa!"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Tiasa?"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Okay we'll get back to her"

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Four - Init 21.

     It is now BD's turn! Munch is next!

<OOC> Verna fears that she lost connection.

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+13: (18)+13: 31

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+13: (7)+13: 20

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+13: (12)+13: 25

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+13: (15)+13: 28

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d8+5: (7)+5: 12

GAME: Cesran rolls 3d4+5: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Cesran says, "Munch roll fort please"

GAME: Munch rolls fort: (13)+14: 27

<OOC> Cesran says, "You are safe for now."

GAME: You damaged Munch for 21 points. 82 remaining.

The monster focus on Munch as it senses some weakness from the missed attacks. It manages to bite and sting much with its tail although it's claws miss.

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Four - Init 14.

     It is now Munch's turn! Garak is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Munch you are up!"

<OOC> Munch says, "Full attack and hope to hit"

<OOC> Munch says, "power attacks, as i keep forgetting to mention"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Sure"

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+15+2-2: (3)+15+2+-2: 18

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+15+2-2: (1)+15+2+-2: 16 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+10+2-2: (17)+10+2+-2: 27

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+9+2-2: (13)+9+2+-2: 22

<OOC> Cesran says, "1 hit"

GAME: Munch rolls 1d12+11+6+1: (11)+11+6+1: 29

<OOC> Cesran says, "A solid hit"

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Four - Init 11.

     It is now Garak's turn! Verna is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Garak you are up!"

<OOC> Garak will 5' step back and cast Searing Light at it

<OOC> Cesran says, "Go for it"

GAME: Garak rolls ranged: (7)+9: 16

<OOC> Garak says, "Touch if that helps"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Hits"

GAME: Garak casts Searing Light. Caster Level: 9 DC: 1

Munch growls, which is something like a drill on stone. Blade and fang continue their assault, skipping off armor, though one stike slip though, bringing a shower of gore.

GAME: Garak rolls 4d8: (19): 19

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Four - Init 9.

     It is now Verna's turn! Tiasa is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Verna!"

<OOC> Cesran says, "You are still have a wall of ice in between you and the fight"

<OOC> Verna will hold.

<OOC> Cesran says, "Okay"

GAME: Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Four - Init 7.

     It is now Tiasa's turn! BD is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Tiasa!"

Garak nudged his horse, causing the steed to step backwards, out of reach even for the tail of the large monster. Garak is already raising a hand, and a bolt of light streaks out to singe the opponent. "Keep at it!" he urges. "The Maiden of Battle is with us!"

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Cesran advances the initiative order.

     Round Five - Init 21.

     It is now BD's turn! Munch is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "All right, Munch and Garak roll a AoO."

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+15+2: (18)+15+2: 35

GAME: Garak rolls 1d20+9: (17)+9: 26

<OOC> Cesran says, "Both hit"

GAME: Munch rolls 1d12+11: (2)+11: 13

GAME: Garak rolls 1d8+13: (1)+13: 14

The monster flies up and takes a couple of hits from the heroes. When it gets high enough it growls down at the heroes, "I will be back for your souls and I'll enjoy decorating the walls with your blood." It looks past the heroes for a moment before it teleports away.

Munch says, "....I don't have blood. Idiot."

On a positive note, Verna now catches sight of the as of yet unseen antagonist. Far less helpful is the fact that the creature promptly vanishes to elsewhere.

Munch says, "....so.... we gather things up and head back, or should we wait for it?"

GAME: Munch ends his rage.

GAME: Tiasa ends her rage.

GAME: Cesran removes the timestop.

Timestop by Cesran has left.

GAME: You remove the timestop.

Behind Verna comes a voice, "Is...is it gone?" A young boy around 8 who is wearing a muddy and bloody night shirt is behind her. His face is muddy and his hair is disheveled.

Garak finally scores a hit, which turns out to be more of a parting shot as the creature escapes. Garak looks about at the Munch and then poor Tiasa still trying to bash her way out of the ice wall. "Is anyone seriously hurt?"

Verna whirls around to peer at the source of the voice. "Remain where you are, child, there are dangers about." She immediately attempts to ascertain whether, or what, dangers might still remain. A quick invocation is uttered while her focus remains fixed upon the boy.

GAME: Verna casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 10 DC: 14

Munch shrugs. "Mmmm... I'll live." he glances to the boy and to Verna, not letting go of his axe just yet.

The boy stops in his tracks and he looks bewildered. There is nothing magical about him. "Please don't hurt me..."

<OOC> Garak says, "Can we bash our way out of the i e?"

<OOC> Cesran says, "yes. It will take awhile and probably hurt or you can wait til it melts."

"I will not harm you, child," Verna gestures to her loaned transportation. "Get into the wagon. It is a long walk home, otherwise." Now reasonably confident that the boy is neither illusion nor assassin, she turns her attention to the ring of ice and the others, calling out, "Can you free yourselves? The conjuration may not last long, but the ice may well remain in this clime."

The boy gives Verna a long look before he heads over to the wagon and gets in. He wraps his arms around himself and looks to where the monster disappeared.

Munch makes his way towards the wall, idly chopping holes into it. Magic axe versus magic axe doesn't make much of a contest. The bitter chill, the blade doesn't help with. "...flying I could have dealt with.

Invisibility was a pain, but workable. But teleporting? Not sure how to deal with that. Maybe splatter 'em before they can 'port? ...nah, was trying that... didn't take."

Garak uses his lance like a makeshift pick, jamming the point into the wall of ice in an area already weakened and twisting. "I worry about where it went," he notes. "A creature that dangerous cannot be allowed to roam free, troubling innocents."

<OOC> Verna inquires whether she might know anything of the creature, now that she was finally able to view it.

<OOC> Cesran says, "Knowledge/the planes"

GAME: Verna rolls knowledge/the planes: (15)+8: 23

<OOC> Verna now rolls well, of course.

<OOC> Cesran says, "You know that it was a bone devil and all the carnage you saw goes along with what a bone devil is."

<OOC> Garak says, "Hmm yeah, I guess troubling innocents was kind of an understatement :P"

Munch nods. "Should be bother us. That's our job." Munch is many things, 'innocent' is not one of them.

"The fiend will continue to cause carnage for no other reason than mutilation," Verna notes loudly to those opposite behind the wall. "It should not be left to roam free. This child managed to survive. There may be others."

The boy speaks up, "It was the imps they took me to him." He hugs his knees again.

Munch considers. "...happen to know where the imps are lurking? We could at elast make sure they're in too many pieces to cause trouble." The boy shakes his head and he falls silent as he just looks out into the forest.

Verna answers the cleave-ready construct, "You may be too late. We passed the remains of several not long past. Our predecessors fared far better against imps than against the Bone Devil... though it is likely that some survived or more were summoned."

<OOC> Verna warns that she is fading fast, unfortunately. "It would be wise to return the child to safety, but I would also wish to return the remains of the fallen and resume the hunt for the devil(s).

Garak scowls up at the air where the Bone Demon was last seen. "These demons summon others of their now?" He sighs and turns to look in the direction of Alexandria . It will take a day's ride to return the child to his mother," he muses. "As much as I'd like to finish this, it would be wiser to take him home and then return with greater numbers, perhaps a few members of the order of the Iron Book."

<OOC> Garak nods and is also fading

Munch nods in agreement. "Do what we can for the fallen, head back. The devil could be anywhere now."

<OOC> Garak says, "Also not sure of that's the actual name of that org"

<OOC> Cesran says, "There isn't any combat left for tonight."

<OOC> Cesran says, "But if you guys are ready we can call it."

<OOC> Verna nods, thanks all for the scene and Cesran for officiating, and really should go.

<OOC> Cesran says, "I hope you guys liked it."