Book of Fire
Log Info
- Title: Book of Fire
- Emitter: Beaglefinder
- Characters: Cryosanthia, Ezil, Hubert, Durgash, Felicia
- Place: Redridge Mountains
- Time: Sunday, February 09, 2020, 8:40 PM
- Summary: The House of Daeus summons the adventurers for a critical mission. They are to assist the Sunguard with a ritual in the Redridge Mountains, and depart for there by cart. The sky is starless and dark red, portending evil, and before the adventurers reach their destination they are attacked by small fiends. Sensing that this is a delaying tactic, they recklessly drive their cart onwards, arriving and confronting a great fiery beast. A devil, who seems to know some of them, and taunts mercilessly. Relentlessly, the party attacks though the beast's blood burns them as they shed it, and he calls fire down upon them all. Perilous as it is, Seriel's Light keeps them standing long enough for the beast to finally be felled... by a fatal foot wound.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing, in Order -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Cryosanthia 0s 6'7" 245 Lb Sith-Makar Female
A dashingly tall, lithe white lizardgirl with tattoos.
Ezil 5s 5'11" 175 Lb Human Male
An armored man with dark skin, and grey-blonde hair.
Hubert 3m 6'3" 203 Lb Human Male
A tall, lean human male with a nasty scar on his face
Durgash 2m 6'9" 305 Lb Orc Male
A young oruch with green skin and long black hair.
Felicia 50s 6'5" 280 Lb Hobgoblin Female
Red Arvek w/ black hair
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
A perfect evening for adventure. A perfect evening to be summoned to the House of Daeus--the grandest temple in Temple Square. As you enter the temple, the night explodes into brilliant stars. Though dark outside, here, it is Light--either Sun or at night, Stars, the latter reflecting Althea's grace.
Columns rise around you, with the city visible beyond. A great, shining statue of the Shining Knight stands in the center, with the grounds suffused with a feeling of warmth, and love. His hands, clasped in Althea's, are the work of many a sonnet and song.
Near the base of a statue, an ancient priest waits. As you arrive, he looks up.
"I'm g-glad you're here," the Sunguard says. The man in front of you--the priest--speaks with slight difficulty. Aged, a human past the age of seventy, he bears scars along his hands, his face. "Welcome to Daeus' grace. I would offer to be of service, and I hope I may, but if I may be so bold, I hope it is all of you who may help, tonight."
A white-scaled female sith-makar dressed in white leather armour, dips her head to the priest. She has a gentle smile and says, "Peace be on your nest. I am Cryosanthia, Speaker. I would be glad to help in any way."
Ezil is still struck about the stars, and the depiction of Althea as it takes a moment for him to process the Sunguard's words. "Yes.... yes of course." he answers for himself, brought out of his daze with a shake of his head, taking a look to see who all else was summoned here, having heard Cryosanthia's voice, and offering her a small smile before speaking again. "I would be honored."
Hubert trails in a bit behind Ezil and Cryosanthia, stopping short to listen to the priest and the others. Hubert quietly, passively observes the other introductions before faking a smile at the Sunguard and offering a thumbs up. He does not speak.
Durgash is here to help, and he says as much. "I'm here to help. They said there'd be money. And fighting." Well, those are priorities for an Orc who follows Kor. He's not really much concerned with the general welfare. It's not that he doesn't want to help people. But that's how he was raised. Life is conflict, and some folks need help with things, so you fight for them and fight proudly.
"It's a p-pleasure to meet you all. I'm Sunguard Rothsguard," the aged priest says. The skin hangs loosely around his neck--the once-proud tattoos now flesh ribbons. "I'll explain as we go, if you do not mind. It may be easier, as they'll...well, w-we should get outside of city limits, before I go running my mouth."
He gestures towards the side of the temple. "I've arranged a cart for us. Please, do lead the way. You'll find it just at the steps."
Around you, acolytes hurry from one business to the next. To the far back, another Sunguard holds the hands of an angry warrior. They talk in low tones.
It is now that a heavily armored Arvek clanks her way into the temple, and tilts her head at the priest asking for help. "It is my duty to assist, Sunguard. What seems to be the problem?" She shifts her shield to her shoulder at this point. She does, however, look to the Sunguard as he explains. "What have you done, Sunguard, to require this much secrecy?"
Durgash looks relieved at riding in a cart, that's about the only thing he -can- ride. He peers at Felicia and shakes his head ruefully at Arvek. "He said he'd tell us outside the city. If he told us here, things would be bad." He'll find a seat in the cart and get as comfy as the cart allows, unconcerned about the undefined objectives. "They'll tell us when they tell us. That's how you know it's a secret mission."
Ezil does turn to walk, but he lets the others go before him. His eyes flick from the Arvek to Durgash as they speak, and then back to the Sunguard to see if there is an answer. He doesn't speak much more, letting the other's questions go without comment. He too seems curious, but lingering allows him to take one more glance at the Temple of Daeus with a soft sigh. There seems to be some appreciation there, but he almost laughs to Durgash's assertion of secret missions.
GAME: Beaglefinder rolls Perception 1d20+14: (1)+14: 15 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Cryosanthia casts Message. Caster Level: 1 DC: 13
Felicia looks to Ezil...then lets out a breath. "Very well." She then gets in the cart...and puts her shield on her lap.....
Cryosanthia listens. She seemed about to say something, and then the heavily armoured red Arvek Nar arrived. Also, that distant argument has peaked her curiosity. Making a quick arcane gesture, one of her tattoos glows briefly as she points at the angry warrior, activating a Message cantrip. She makes a small 'click' noise with her mouth, then listens. To whatever that might bring.
Across the temple, there's a click--the click Cryo makes, and the angry warrior looks up, bothered, as though a bug had bitten them. Then, turns back to the priest. "But was it the right thing to do?" he asks. The priest is quiet for a time after that, and then reaches out again, to grasp the warrior's hands. "I am...so grateful you ask that question. It is never an easy answer, the taking of a life. Even if it is in defense of someone else, it--" "--they would have been killed--"
Hubert cocks at eyebrow at the Arvek's very direct question of the cleric, even as he moves to follow. His attention settles on the conversation happening with Rothsguard, though he steers himself closer to Ezil and asks the other human, "Hearthguard?"
"Not me--well, not me directly. My reciscence is not sin, young arvek," Rothsguard says. He leans in, and lowers his voice, "I-it is to keep others from danger. Now, I-I hope one of you can drive a cart?" he asks.
Outside the temple, indeed, a young acolyte waits. She holds the reins of a cart--a few donkeys are strapped to the front of it. She wears the robes of Gilead, and at the sight of Rothsguard, breaks out into a grin. She starts to wave--and sees the rest of you.
Coughs a few times, and bows. "Thank you for coming." When she straightens, her ears are somewhat heightened in color. She steps aside, letting Felicia into the cart. The--somewhat creaky, but otherwise well-kept cart.
Ezil shakes his head to Hubert as the other human, leaning to speak quietly. "I'd be more a Sentinel if you wished to think that way. I call myself Ezil." he muses, though as Rothsguard begins talking, he falls silent. "I am good with animals, but driving? We could see." his mirth still on his features, but he looks to the others. "Anyone?"
Cryosanthia follows the group, being very careful to be silent and counting out her steps.
Durgash shrugs when no one else steps up, and he'll take the reins. He's seen it done, it didn't look that complicated. So, he shifts up to the driver's bench and when everyone is aboard, he'll snap the reins and start out. Not a wild ride, but he manages. "You'll have to tell me where to go," he says to the priest.
Felicia looks to the Sunguard and nods. "I imagine not. We'll find out in a bit though." She then looks to Ezil. "Felicia, Vanguard for the Maiden of Battle."
"Nice to meet you, Ezil. I'm Hugh," Hubert nods to Ezil but then frowns at the cart as the question comes around, "My experience is with handling people, not animals." He turns to watch Durgash conitnue to push things forward, a genuine smile breaking out on his face. Comfortable with whatever arrangement, an amused Hubert immediately steps up into the back of the cart for the ride.
Felicia is already sitting in the cart.
Cryosanthia has no skill at this and doesn't offer to try. She climbs up the back, holding her hand down for any that need assistance, then takes a seat and curls her tail around shins. She leans back and gets a good grip for when things start moving. She nods as she hears Felicia and Hubert's names.
The white-scaled sith is still eavesdropping with her spell. The conversation continues, moving on to a sort of counseling session before the two retire. It becomes obvious it's a rather private conversation--with the priest mostly listening, and helping the other work through what had happened. The warrior had killed a robber who'd attempted to attack someone or--that seems the gist of it. Embarassingly, she's never had to cancel this spell before and momentarily seems to have forgotten how.
Ezil nods to Hugh, smiling softly as he turns to Felicia. "Well met, Vanguard Felicia. Hugh." turning to cast Hughbert a soft nod as he says his name. "I will sit with the driver if that is okay?" moving to rise up near Durgash, choosing to ride in the second seat. "I have a way with animals. If things get dicey, I can try the reins." As he passes Cryo who loads herself in to the Wagon, he casts a wink. "White-One. I like working with you. Makes me feel safer."
"Past the Temple of Vardama, and onwards south. I-I trust you'll find the road." Sunguard Rothsguard says to your volunteer driver. The old priest is somewhat slower than the rest of you getting in; the call for a cart becomes quickly apparent. One can see where muscles used to be--old callouses and tattoos gone soft.
As you pull away, the Gilean calls out: "Their names are Waffles, Pancakes, Crepes, and Blintz!" she says, and then gestures quickly, demonstrating a left and a right--!
--and then it's off you go! Durgash isn't--well. He's seen it done a few times, and so it isn't too difficult. Just, point them where you want to go, push the reins one way, or pull the next. Gilean-trained, the mules seem willing enough. And, sure-footed.
You take the road eastwards and upwards, past Temple Square and into the Redridge. Atop, one can see the Temple of Vardama but that isn't your destination. It's eastwards of that--across, as Rothsguard said, a long and winding mountain road. Overhead, the sky is devoid of stars. Dark, dark. And deep.
The wheels on the cart grind over the rocky earth.
The white-scaled sith is doing something with her hands, rather intently. Finally sighing with a little laugh. She grins at Ezil, "Sorry, forgot a gesture. Hello Felicia, Hugh, I've fought before with my friend, here. He's good with a shield, I can't fight beside them, so I tend to move about a bit on the field. Wow, that's a dark sky." She gazes upwards.
Durgash overhears the introductions, and says, over his shoulder, "Durgash Skullsmasher, bladesmith and armorer." He nods to Ezil as he joins him on the driver's bench, and says, "It's good to work with you all. I'm new in town, and I hope this will all put some coin in our pockets." He nods about the animals' names, and, with some concentration, manages not to screw up too awfully. Nothing unrecoverable, though he's playing it by feel. He settles into the task as we continue on, and though he's not actually improving as we go, he is getting more comfortable with the task. "Maybe buying a cart won't be so bad, then," he mutters to himself.
"I have to agree." Felicia says to Cryo as she points it out. "Nothing that dark is ever good. And we're heading for it." She says as she glances to the Sunguard.
Hubert settles in for the cart ride, his attention drifting back and forth between the Sunguard cleric and the wagon drivers as their cart ambles away from the temples. His eyebrows raise as the cart-driver introduces himself, mouthing to the folks in the back of the cart, 'Skullsmasher?!' before he turns to the Sith-Makar, "I didn't catch your name?"
Ezil laughs at Durgash, nodding his head. "I want a vardo myself, and two good steeds to pull it. I like you already, Skullsmasher." his tone warm as he casts a glance to those behind him. "Everyone alright?" his eyes roaming, but focusing mostly on the Sunguard. "I will try and keep a lookout." shifting back to have eyes on the road.
"Oh, I'm sorry! It's Cryosanthia. Cryo is fine also if there's an emergency." The white-scaled sith smiles at Hubert, looking his way. "Hugh, yes? Nice to meet you also, Durgash Skullsmasher."
"...we're that close?" the Sunguard lets go an uneasy breath. As the light from the city fades, he reaches over and lights a lantern on the corner of the cart. It flares to life--a flickering, then brilliant fire to light the way.
"It is. I h-hope it isn't an omen. We have s-some dark business to tend to, tonight. Tonight, the five of you will be defending the l-light. Two weeks ago, my order came into possession of an unusual b-book. It belongs to a minor lord of the Hells, and h-he would very much like it back. ...turn right, please," he says to Durgash.
The swinging lantern illuminates two shadowy paths ahead, just as Ezil mentioned--one right, and one more central. Each, carved through the mountain. There's barely room for the cart either way, but there's room.
"We d-decided that sealing it a w-ways from the city would be s-safer."
Ezil looks to Cryo quickly and then to the Sunguard with a glare, almost coming out of his seat. "This lord... it wouldn't happen to be a Duke Eclavidran?" he says with a somewhat harsh tone. "Or is there another one running free?" his hand suddenly on his scimitar, very tense in his seat at this news.
Durgash nods to Ezil, a grin on his lips, and he nods to Cryosanthia at the greeting. When warned of the turn ahead, the one he can't quite see, he'll slow a bit, and when he's told to go right, he'll turn right at the fork. He'll go a bit slower on the narrow road, and if anyone doesn't like it, they can drive. But he's good so far. This isn't explosion magic.
Hubert glances sideways at the Sunguard as he starts to explain a little more of what is going on, asking with a genuine curiosity, "He wants it back? Have you been in touch?" His eyes dart ahead as well to peer down the paths before them as the cart begins to turn, but he pulls his attention back to the nervous cleric. He nods to Ezil's question as well and adds to the group, "Should we take a moment to get up to speed here now that it's safe to talk or further ahead?"
Felicia looks over to Ezil and tilts her head. "you know the name of a lord of hell? Even minor?" She then looks back to the Sunguard. "So What do you propose we do with this book?"
Cryosanthia returns Ezil's look, "I'm not sure which worries me more, him or another." She turns and spreads her hands, explaining to the others, "We interrupted one of his minions a short time ago. If it is the one we know, there's a lot to catch up on. Also, is it safe to name demons while this is going on?"
"Duke...so that wizard approached him," the Sunguard says. He looks tired, all of the sudden--even aged, he looked tired. "I-I warned them, I-I--we warned that damn mage--"
"Warned WHO, old man?" asks a low-pitched, hissing voice up ahead.
The reins in Durgash's hands suddenly go slack. The mules' heads come up and they begin to toss--jerk at the reins. In the dark around you, there's hissing, a flutter of leathery wings.
Many, many leathery wings.
The single light on the wagon flails, threatening to sputter.
"Old Rothsguard. Old, old, old..."
The situation is dire. The party is on a tight road in a cart. The mules are becoming frightened. There's the sound of wings all around, and the cart's light (a lantern) is swaying as they start to panic. It could go out."
GAME: Hubert rolls knowledge/religion: (18)+7: 25
Hubert gives off an exasperated sigh at the Sunguard as he hears the voice ahead, immediately dropping to a knee in the back of the wagon and saying just loud enough to be heard around the wagon by everyone, "These are minor devils, you can probably already hear that they can fly but also be careful of their poison." Laying a hand down flat on the seat he just kneeled out of he mumbles a quick prayer as he casts a divine spell of light on the wagon, making it glow brightly in the dark.
GAME: Hubert casts Light. Caster Level: 2 DC: 13 GAME: Hissy Things rolls 1d20+8: (7)+8: 15 GAME: Hissy Things rolls 1d20+8: (12)+8: 20 GAME: Hissy Things rolls 1d20+8: (7)+8: 15
"Old--b-but not helpless. Th-the rest of my order will be here, soon. We-we just have to hold them until then. Be brave, be so very brave!" the Sunguard says. The devil across the way hisses at the Sunguard--who draws a symbol in the air. A ward.
"By this ward," Rothsguard says, his voice strong and full. "I defy you! The strings of your master are severed, your ties to the Hell--CEASED!" and his voice thickens, grows thunder! Around you, the devils scream.
"Misstake--that was a misstake--old priesst. Old--!" SHRIEK! The devil in front of you shudders, and launches itsself forward. It's all teeth, teeth, teeth--!! At this, as at some signal, others of its kind take flight.
A winged devil lands near Hubert, baring fangs. Another near Felicia, and another near the whitescale, Cryosanthia. "Old-old, old! Tools of the old man, tools of the Light!"
GAME: Felicia casts Spear of Purity. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15 GAME: Felicia rolls ranged: (11)+4: 15 GAME: Felicia rolls 5d6: (20): 20 GAME: Beaglefinder rolls 1d20+8: (8)+8: 16
The mules are starting to panic!
Felicia whirls around, even in her slowed movement due to the fact that she's wearing full plate and stares at the little Devils....even though one of them scratches over her shield. "you DARE come into this land and THREATEN IT!" Felicia roars at the devils. Her right hand glows and a spear extends from her grip. "BY THE LIGHT OF THE MAIDEN OF BATTLE! BEGONE FROM THIS PLANE AND RETURN FROM WHENCE YOU CAME!" At her proclamation, she hurls the spear....a couple of feet, and buries it in the chest of the devil. The spear brightens immensely before the devil turns to ash. it is only then does Felicia loose her mace from her belt.
GAME: Durgash rolls charisma: (18)+0: 18
Durgash is suddenly out of his depth with the wagon driving thing. He volunteered, though, and so he'll play te situation through as best he can. When the reins his his hand go slack, though, he'll pull them back to halt the team, and yank hard on the wheel brake on the wagon. Normally it's just to keep an unattended wagon from rolling off, or idle horses from pulling it, but it should slow things down and keep us from drifting too far off the road. Not moving anywhere might be harder on the animals, writhing in the harness, but it's less hard on us than carried into a ditch or off a cliff. Surprisingly, his firm tone somehow settles the animals a bit. Who knew? The wheels squeal as they slow. He's very strong and not being gentle in applying the brake.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls weapon2: (11)+4: 15
Claws rake, sliding off her armour, coming very close to getting through as the little demon encroaches on her
"I'm not old! I'm quite..." Cryosanthia starts to protest, then remembers. Her bloodline is old. Best not to open that topic with a minor demon. "I'm a Tool of the Light! Yes! A whippy snippy stabby tool! Doom to dastardly demonic... uhh... arg.." Her tail swings behind her as she thrusts with her rapier!
She misses, her alliteration and her attack.
GAME: Ezil rolls weapon10+3: (10)+6+3: 19 GAME: Ezil rolls damage10+4: aliased to 1D6+3+4: (6)+3+4: 13
Ezil sneers, shifting as he moves and maneuvers through the wagon. His scimitar is drawn with his steps. "Under the stars was a dumb place to attack us, even with clouds." he says, coming to Cryosanthia's aid, his blade erupting with Althea's radiant light. "Telmentar guide me, and take this creature from MY SIGHT!" only falling in to a yell as his blade strikes deep, biting and sputtering against the unholy flesh with his radiant power, leaving the demon/devil it struck in fear and wide-eyed at the damage it causes.
GAME: Hubert rolls weapon1: (7)+4: 11 GAME: Hissy Things rolls 1d20+8: (16)+8: 24 GAME: Hissy Things rolls 1d4: (2): 2 GAME: Hubert rolls fort: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Hissy Things rolls 1d2: (2): 2 GAME: Hissy Things rolls 1d20+8: (9)+8: 17 GAME: Hissy Things rolls 1d20+8: (8)+8: 16 GAME: Hissy Things rolls 1d4: (1): 1
"O' Navos, please shield me from the violent ignorance of this leathery winged bumpkin-devil," Hubert intones seriously, his skin taking on a faint orange glow for just a moment as he rises up. Drawing back his bow alongside the monster that landed next to him, he quickly fires off an arrow at the devil that Ezil just struck near Cryo. His arrow sails wide in the tight confines of the cart, but he has only a moment of dismay before the teeth of the bumpkin-devil on top of him sink into his outstretched arm. He cries out in pain as his arm drops back to his side, a dark grey quickly spreading into the veins across his bitten right arm.
"No..." the one near Hubert hisses. Its eyes dilate as it focuses on the searing blade of the paladin. "No--"
"T-that's enough! Devils, you shall not stand!" the Sunguard raises his arms over his head--just as thunder strikes. Thunder, and the sound of reality rending in twain. "Finish them quickly, my fr-friends," he says, his voice suddenly quick. Aged hands reach, attempting to grasp the reins. "And undo this brake!!!"
The one on Hubert fixates on the priest then, and smiles. "Just a little longer, priest. We'll delay you just a little longer--" and then the warrior moves, and the devil takes its opportunity--in blood.
GAME: Felicia rolls heal: (14)+11: 25 GAME: Felicia rolls heal: (10)+11: 21
Felicia looks and begins to call out, but sees the cut and the ichor that drips from it and grits her teeth. "By the Maiden!" She yells as she moves immediately to Hubert. "CONCENTRATE ON THIS DEVIL!" She says putting a small cloth on Hubert's wound. "Get away from the Devil Hubert. It's poisoned you. I can do better treatment when we're not killing devils."
GAME: Durgash RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 6 temporary HP GAME: Durgash rolls 1d20+10: (13)+10: 23 GAME: Durgash rolls 2d6+8: (6)+8: 14
Durgash, having gotten the cart under control - mostly by good luck - and he draws out his greatsword and takes a hack at the devil that's attacking us up front. "Arrrggghhhh!" he fumes, rage filling his veins as he swings the sword mightily, and though he wounds it, some hellusg energy sends him backwards, and when he looks again, it doesn't look as hurt as he sort of feels it ought to.
It... It turned its back on her! Cryo feels unloved, and with Ezil nearly cutting it in half, and the battle cleric's spear-spell, she is feeling outclassed also. If a raging orc with a two-handed weapon couldn't take one out, her rapier isn't going to do much.
Instead, she lunges across the cart, grabbing for the brake to release it.
GAME: Hubert rolls fort+4: (18)+4+4: 26 GAME: Ezil rolls reflex: (11)+4: 15 GAME: Felicia rolls reflex: (13)+3: 16 GAME: Hubert rolls reflex: (16)+2: 18 GAME: Durgash rolls reflex: (6)+4: 10 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls reflex: (16)+5: 21
Ezil hears the Sunguard, something in him causing his sneer to form in to a snarl. He stops fighting as the man's words seem more important than the fight. "They're stalling!" he calls, moving the older cleric aside, and jumping in the front seat, taking the reins and giving them a hard snap. "I hope I don't regret this, Sunguard!"
GAME: Hissy Things rolls 1d20+8: (4)+8: 12 GAME: Hissy Things rolls 1d20+8: (5)+8: 13
The cart luches. A snap of the reins and the cart takes off under Ezil's practiced command. Thundering, near reckless down the mountain road. Except they're mules.
The Gilean knew what she was doing, lending you these, instead of horses. Onwards Waffles, on Pancake, on Crepes, and Blintz! Their broader feet and surer gate eat the mountain road--narrow it may be, but these are MULES. Stubborn as a khazadi, and near as sure-footed.
They know what's up.
Head--thunder. The sound of reality ripping. The devil near Hubert blows him a kiss before leaping forward. At Felicia. And missing. The same for its kin. Dive. Miss.
The cart quickly moves past, leaving the devils in the dust.
Ahead, the Light shows a darkened path--a starless night.
"W-we have to hurry. M-my order had set up a ritual. A ritual--" the aged Sunguard can barely speak with the high speed, can barely be heard over the rattle of the cart.
The cart is travelling at fast speed up a narrow mountain trail. Luckily, Ezil knows what he's doing--and Gilead's temple leant the party mules. So far, the path ahead is dark. Time is very short here. Events are in motion.
Durgash almost goes tumbling to the ground when the brake is released, and his first look is to the animals, wondering how in the world they pulled loose. His one arm falls on Cryosanthia's head, though, as she leans down to release the brake, and now he knows why we're moving again. Re-gripping his sword, he looks for the next enemy to strike, but we appear to have left them behind. These mules are certainly hustling, though, and no mistake. He's surprised but definitely not complaining.
"Hubert? My name is *Hugh*, Arvek, and also thank you..." Hubert tries to strike a balance of appreciation at Felicia's quick treatment and offense at the nickname, but he adds, "... I'm feeling better already." He reflexively shrinks back as Durgash wails into the back of the cart with an enormous sword, into the devil in front of him. He shows his disgust at the blown kiss, but shifts his attention to the cleric, moving to sit closer to him to hear him speak but adding emphatically, "We need you to tell us exactly what we're going into, Sunguard."
GAME: Hubert rolls sense motive: (18)+9: 27 GAME: Hubert rolls perception: (19)+8: 27
Ezil doesn't break his glance from the road, focusing on his task, but barking an order as his mood has been soured, and he is in no mood to be nice. "Vanguard, White-one make sure we're ready! We don't know when they will attack again!" fearing another ambush, and now hearing they are under the crunch of time. "Why didn't you say so in the first place." nicer, but his words are still not kind for the Sunguard. Yes, Ezil seems angry. Durgash can do what he does best, smash the things that arrive.
Bracing herself against the assault, Felicia knocks the Devil aside JUST as the wagon lurches forward and she's still near Hubert. "Hugh, then." She then listens to him and tugs off the cloth from the wound. "Good. The poison didn't stay." She says before looking to the Sunguard. "yes, please tell us. Minor devils are usually in service to a larger one, and I just used my best blessing against one of them."
Cryosanthia grunts as a heavy arm konks her. She knew the cart was about to move, and gracefully swirling into a sure footed position. She grabs Durgash's arm to help steady him, snaking her head out so she can look around. "I think they're following, I can't see anything. Yes, I'll be ready. Everyone, be ready. Ezil how is your control? Hugh, hang in there." She'll try to raise spirits, if nothing else.
GAME: Hissy Things rolls 1d20+11: (9)+11: 20
"A b-book. We found a book--the book. We were to-to destroy it, tonight. Set a ritual circle. The devils must h-have heard."
We-we thought we had more time. B-bad timing, I suppose. Devils can hear thoughts, my f-friends. Remember that--" the Sunguard grasps the edge of the cart, but he's old. He can barely haul himself upwards. But he /does/ and for a moment, one might see the man he used to be. He raises his hands, and Dark becomes Light. Sunlight blooms, illuminating the mountains, and the priest sways.
"Not--not as young as...need your help..."
The mules thunder forward, hard. Fast. Ezil has them though and it's not too long after that you turn into a clearing--a small one, freshly carved. One barely has time to notice the marks along the flooring, the rocks. The priest had not LIED. No.
And there's a screaming face flying your way--the jaw open and loose. The screem silent, blood trailing behind. The bodyless head slams against Hubert's side--staring, dead eyes of a once, once very-living servant of Justice.
Within the center, a great, firey beast stands, book in hand. "Indeed. We do red minds," it says. Tall as a horse, taller. Its grin splits wide--a thing of daggerfang, ash and flame. A thing that promises--your grave, cinders, and fire. "Thanks for...spoiling that, but none of you--none of you, do you hear me? Will escape with /that/ knowledge."
GAME: Hubert casts Bless. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14 GAME: Fiery Beast rolls 5d6: (17): 17 GAME: Durgash rolls reflex: (13)+4: 17 GAME: Hubert rolls reflex: (9)+2: 11 GAME: Fiery Beast rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23 GAME: Ezil rolls handle animal: (11)+8: 19
"No--no, you're going /nowhere/," the flaming creature snarls. He rolls something between his teeth, and steps forward--flame shoots forward, flame mixed with blood. It covers the front of the cart, covers the mules--who scream. Scream, yelling helplessly from their traces.
The devil snaps the book closed with a finality. "Come and play, little mortals. Come closer, and feel your skin burn."
"I'd /love/ to see what's inside..."
Sunguard Rothsguard stares at the severed head in horror, and gathers it to him. "No--no...no you don't. He--" and the aged man takes an uneasy breath. "Daeus," he whispers. "The All Father--" his aged whisper trails away.
Trails, and falls into the runes and marks alongthe floor and walls, strengthening them--strengthening you all. One can feel the warmth of the divine blessing.
Hubert listens with grim intent as they race in to the clearing to everything that the Sunguard has to tell them. His attention is drawn away quickly as the head flies through the air and crashes into his side, grabbing it as it bounces off of him but before it hits the ground. A little uncertain of what to do, he awkwardly passes the head to Rothsguard and tries to be reassuring, "You've served the cause well, Sunguard, we will stop this demon tonight..." Trailing off, he turns towards the rest of the cart, standing up with one foot raised on the bench seat of the cart as he intones seriously, "O' Navos please give your blessing to this noble crew as we fight to protect against the chaotic ignorance of this flaming chav before us..." A rich orange glow sweeps out across Felicia, Cryo, Ezil, Durgash and the Sunguard. Before Hubert has even finished basking in the successful response to his prayer, he manages to barely jerk his full attention to the devil as a gout of flame washes over him from the beast's mouth. He trembles for a moment and falls with a thud, with just a moment's pause before the smoke begins to rise from his hopefully-still-living body.
GAME: Fiery Beast rolls 1d20+10: (13)+10: 23
Felicia looks with a set jaw as the flames wash over Hugh. And she lets out a breath. "DURGASH! GET THAT THINGS ATTENTION OR WE'RE ALL DEAD!" Felicia places her hand on her medallion and loudly calls out. "MAIDEN OF BATTLE! PLEASE HELP US!" And a blue light flashes out...patching up some of Hugh's wounds. "Hugh. Get up. your time is not over...."
GAME: Fiery Beast rolls 1d6+3+1d6: (1)+3+(4): 8 GAME: Durgash rolls 1d20+14: (10)+14: 24 GAME: Durgash rolls 2d6+9: (6)+9: 15 GAME: Fiery Blood rolls 1d6: (5): 5
Durgash leaps out of the cart as quickly as he can, and his boots tear up turf as he rushes in. A glancing blow as he closes, hardly felt, and he delivers a massive overhand blow with his greatsword, which while it doesn't hurt the demon as much as he might like, he's still pretty sure it didn't like it. He bellows rage and defiance, planting his feet and shouting oruch warcries. "Diiiiiieeeeeee!"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls weapon2+4: (19)+4+4: 27 (THREAT) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls weapon2+4: (20)+4+4: 28 (THREAT) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6+4+2: (9)+4+2: 15 GAME: Fiery Blood rolls 1d6: (2): 2
Ahhh!" Cryosanthia yells, her thoughts racing. What the scales do I do? That's way too much fire! There's no way, no way. Egg-snatching breakfast munchers! He can read my thoughts? Tail-clipping, scale-rotting, bog-boiling, festering monkey boils! You're reading my thoughts! Well I hope you choke on them you infuriating inflamed infernal! Hey I should say this out loud. No they'll be discouraged. You rot stinking, pomposity monstrosity. Silly billy filly willy nilly chilly hilly killy kill kill. I'll rhyme it out better later. Later better. Smatter batter patter do you hear my twatter you fatter platter of ratter tatters. Oh please, please, please, please, work.
She levers herself up onto the drivers seat, then launches over the mules and runs after Durgash. A small prayer is whispered, "Oh ancestors let me acquit myself."
Drawing close the white-scaled sith winds up like a spring then explodes into a long thrust, rapier in perfect counterpoint to the reaction of her tail as she turns into one long line with all her weight behind the blade, deep into the devil.
Her blade sinks in! A solid strike! The prayerful blessing of Daeus glows vengefully upon herr blade--one could hear a whisper, "JUSTICE!" as it slides in. Yet, the forces of Hell resist, push back and she's singed by her closeness to the flames.
GAME: Ezil rolls weapon10+2: (15)+6+2: 23 GAME: Ezil rolls 2d6+6+2: (8)+6+2: 16 GAME: Fiery Blood rolls 1d6: (6): 6
Ezil lets go of the reins, jumping from the cart as he makes his way at the demon. Durgash gave him an opening, and he will not waste it, marching in to battle with a heavy breath. "Telmentar guide me, and grant me blessings and serenity for those I can not change." not flinching, not deviating from his course of this large monstrosity. It is insult to him, it makes his own blood boil as he lashes out as soon as he can reach it. He bites deep, the wound coming with a spurt of whatever this thing calls blood. It mars Ezil in return, the fire that leaks from his for coursing down his arm as he winces, and fights from crying out. "Give us courage to vanquish our foes!" he yells in protest to his injury, focusing soley on the fight.
GAME: Hubert rolls weapon1+3: (6)+3+3: 12
Hubert finds himself laying flat on his back, smoke rising from his burnt outfit and his chain shirt singing the hair on his chest. Shaking his head groggily as the battle rages around him, he clearly does not know exactly what has happened or what is happening now. Awkwardly grabbing his bow as he forces himself back up to his feet on the back of the cart, his entire body lolls as he draws back to fire, hesitating momentarily before loosing an arrow that digs into the ground just in front of the mules.
GAME: Fiery Beast rolls 1d20+8: (2)+8: 10 GAME: Fiery Beast rolls 1d20+10: (10)+10: 20 GAME: Fiery Beast rolls 1d20+5: (19)+5: 24 GAME: Fiery Beast rolls 1d6+3+1d6: (3)+3+(5): 11 GAME: Cryosanthia spends ONE point of PANACHE. (2 remaining) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls weapon2+2: (5)+4+2: 11 GAME: Fiery Beast rolls 1d6+3+1d6: (6)+3+(1): 10
"...kakakakaka!!" Wings, leathery wings. A devil from earlier comes whizzing past--and past. It flies towards Hubert and the elderly priest, maw open wide--and collides against the cart's lantern, instead.
In the center of the ritual circle, the devil stomps his feet. Cloven hooves strike the earth as flint. Fire, sparks burst forth. He brings his blade around, striking first Durgosh, and then the pale sith-makar. A blaze of Hellfire is left in his wake.
The priest, elder though he is, shakes. He begins to trace the air with his fingers--the symbols, marks on the earth begin to glow. Whatever the creature had been going to do next--he stops, near halts as he blade slices through the reptilian, and turns, meeting the priest's aged, rheumy eyes.
With hatred.
GAME: Felicia rolls 3d6: (9): 9
Felicia still has her hand on her Medallion. "Serriel! Your warriors need their wounds to close while they fight this hellspawn! PLEASE HELP US!" Her form has the blue light pulse out to close their wounds more.
GAME: Durgash rolls 1d20+14: (1)+14: 15 (EPIC FAIL)
Durgash shifts around to attack from the flank of the demon, but just as he prepares to strike, the demon's evil magic injures him, and he doubles over in pain, almost sinking to his knee, and by the time the healing brings him back up, his opening has passed and he's got no good attack.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls weapon2+4: (6)+4+4: 14
Oh, blood. Cryo thinks, feeling her mouth fill up and overflow as the demon blade slides into her. Deep into her, injuring in unpleasant ways. She is too familiar with this taste. She feels cold, but that's ok, in a way it's a comfort to her. Serriel's light fills her, knitting together some of the damage. In a haze, she strikes again. A well executed attempt, that does not land.
Ezil presses his attack, feeling that healing energy surge through him from Felicia. It burns his wounds almost as much as the fire had, but at least when done there is no ache, and the flesh is mended. His swing connects, biting hard with the curved blade of his scimitar, and continuing his prayer to keep himself from fear as his heart hammers. "Bless us in every dark cave that takes us from your light, and grant us the power to overcome evil."
GAME: Hubert rolls weapon1+3: (16)+3+3: 22 GAME: Hubert rolls 1d8+4: (5)+4: 9
"Take cover, Sunguard!" Hubert scoots out of the cart himself, keeping his eyes on the giant flaming beast that has engaged the crew. Fully roused from his near-death-experience, his comrades engaged, he draws and fires another arrow into the side of the beast.
GAME: Fiery Beast rolls 5d6: (17): 17 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls reflex+1: (6)+5+1: 12 GAME: Ezil rolls reflex=1: (8)+4+1: 13 GAME: Durgash rolls reflex+1: (11)+4+1: 16
"/Stupid/," the flaming devil mutters under his breath, a mutter so dismissive that the minor devil may as well be cast away. A mote, an ash beneath the hoof. Smoke curls from his cruel expression, and he then looks upon the priest with the burning hatred of Maugrim's servant. And then...he smirks.
He SMILES.
Fire--explodes, mixing with Hell's blood. It boils, turning in and on itself, going around and round--exploding outwards. The heat burns red, then white--graveash spilling in its wake. It engulfs the devil, uncaring, and everyone around him.
Sunguard Rothsguard makes an inarticulate cry, his aged hand reaching out--and burn, fireburn sears his skin. He absorbs it, and as he does, a Dragon roars in the distance. Pain, fire is pulled from the palescale as it would sear her, and transfers to the old man. He shakes, and whispers, "Father of Us All!"
Your blades--weapons, arrow tips, burn. A dragon roars, again.
GAME: Felicia rolls 3d6: (11): 11 GAME: Durgash rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17
Durgash is still blinking away fire and smike as Felicia calls that out, and he's swinging mostly blind with every bit of energy he's got, though little time to actually find his target and take care in his attack. His blow, then, glances off without notable effect. He scowls, cursing colorfully even as he stands his ground.
Durgash is still blinking away fire and smoke ...
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls weapon2+4: (15)+4+4: 23 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls damage2+1: aliased to 1D6+2+1: (6)+2+1: 9 GAME: Fiery Blood rolls 1d6: (3): 3
Cryosanthia, the palescale, sees the flames coming for her and her last thought is, 'Oh.' Until they sweep over her, and she finds herself untouched, and hears the cry of the old priest behind her, and a distant, distant, dragon roar. 'Ancestor?' She feels the holiness surround her blade, sees the bright glow.
Circling, she picks a spot, thrusting upwards. Her rapier strikes true! Imbued with divine light, it slices through the burning hide like butter. His skin curls away from it, even as the blade slides in! Solid, deep, she is sprayed with burning blood, but the trade was worth it. "Yes!"
GAME: Ezil rolls 1d6: (4): 4 GAME: Ezil rolls weapon10+2: (4)+6+2: 12
Ezil feels the burn, literally. It's a LOT of burn. It's enough to make his legs feel weak, and while he had been standing, it had been just barely. Felicia does her thing, her magic making up for the fireball that just happened, but his shaking hand comes to his own chest as he tries to imbue what little power he has into his own body for the mending of wounds. In an instant it's like his body was cooked, and then fixed, the disorientation of those things causing his swing to go childishly wide, missing his foe as he's left almost panting. "Vanguard..... thank you." he gets out, the only sign he might be okay for the moment.
GAME: Hubert rolls knowledge/religion+3: (7)+7+3: 17 GAME: Hubert rolls weapon1+2: (2)+3+2: 7
Hubert pauses for just a moment, stooping to take a quick breath as he looks out on the battle unfolding before him. He wastes little time, drawing out another arrow to fire into the fray at their enemy. His arm faulters as he draws, lifting and sending his arrow high over the battle. Grunting with frustration, he calls forward to the group, "Can anyone hit him with an attack of cold?"
GAME: Fiery Beast rolls 5d6: (21): 21 GAME: Felicia rolls reflex +1: (15)+3+1: 19 GAME: Durgash rolls reflex+1: (20)+4+1: 25 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
The devil's burning gaze pierces Hubert for a moment, and then swiftly, to Felicia. He makes a split decision, and raises his arm--licks the blood from an open wound. Then, rolls it on his tongue.
Fire blasts--curling, fire, blood, and ash! It engulfs Durgash, and then the priest behind him. Frustratingly, they both dodge, rendering the blow less than it might have been. His eyes narrow in displeasure, and he takes a step back.
"You will all burn in hell, like me!"
GAME: Felicia rolls 1d20+3+3: (14)+3+3: 20 GAME: Felicia rolls 1d8+1: (4)+1: 5
Felicia was actually burned...even through her armor and shield. But when she sees the devil's displeasure....and wounds, Felicia just.....gets a rather nasty smirk. "You burned my allies...those I protected. All over a book. Let your vanity be your undoing...." She says as her hand opens, but there is nothing there. All the demon feels is pain...
...In its foot.....
"Let vanity be your hubris....and return from whence you came. BEGONE!" And it is that glowing lance of Serriel that the turns the demon's physical form to ash.....starting at its foot.
Where the devil was is a pile of blood. It burns--not unlike tar and as the Sunlight fades overhead, becomes the main, abiet creepy, source of light. A book lies there on the ground.
Wheeping, the aged Sunguard will finish the ritual his companions had begun--burning the book, and banishing it to the never-after.
The ride home is bittersweet. Ezil's help is needed, sorely, to get the mules moving again, and Felicia's healing as well. You return with bodies, and yet, triumphant. A devil banished, lives lost.
Hell is...Hell. But you surived, you won.
You lived.
Dramatis Personae
Hubert
Hubert is a tall, lean human man. He has short, dark brown hair that is just barely long enough that it is beginning to curl at the ends. His eyes green, lightened by flecks of yellow-brown. His jaw, nose and chin are all well balanced and symmetrical enough that he could almost be considered classically handsome. However, he has a old, broken-line scar that runs up the entire left side of his neck and face, just outside of his eye, into his hairline.
He is wearing a chain shirt underneath a black, wool jacket that buttons up the front. He has a pair of black pants that match the jacket, and brown leather boots on his feet. He wears a belt through the waist of his pants, and another crossing above it that has a handful of pouches and items attached. There is a quiver of arrows strapped to his back, the feathered ends peaking out behind of a knee length green wool cloak. He carries a long bow over his shoulder.
Felicia
Standing 6'5" tall, this woman has black hair with a couple of streaks of red and red tips, kept in a few braids, down to her shoulders. She has pointed ears and an angular face, with large blue eyes. She has an angular face, but she also has pointed teeth jutting slightly from her lower jaw, and a blue nose.
She has red skin and is fairly powerfully built, more towards the descriptor of wide rather than muscular. She usually wears breastplate with the symbol of a two gladius crossed and a lance pointing straight up between them, above a shield. She also carries around a Flanged Mace and a Large Steal Shield. When she is not in armor, she is wearing a blouse and pants with a tabard with the same symbol.
Durgash
This young oruch male is tall and broad, standing six feet nine inches, with wide shoulders and thickly muscled arms and legs. He has yellow-red eyes and dark hair, which hangs to his waist in a thick braid secured by a leather cord. His heavy brow and solid jaw are pretty ordinary, as orcs go, though he does keep his face cleanshaven. His chest is broad and deep, and his waist is, if not slender, then definitely not fat. His build, overall, is quite athletic.
He is currently wearing a brightly polished breastplate with fancywork along the edges atop a heavy surcoat and padding. The surcoat is dark blue and his sleeves are heavy enough to keep him warm in the dranei winters. He wears heavy leather warrior's gloves when fighting or if it's cold out, otherwise they're tucked in his broad leather belt. His pants are thick brown leather, sturdy and warm with fur at the cuffs. He wears thick leather boots as well, with a bit of fancywork stitched in.