(CSToA) Touch of the Abyss [IC]

[Dekana]

Slisik plants his sunrod in the ground (or lies it down if it doesn't stand) then moves just out of reach of the crazed man's cell. He unsheathes his greatsword as he darts into position.

"Alright. The cells then... Out of curiosity, did they ever tell any of you why this place isn't in use?"

Slisik responds to the question only after the man's attack: "Looks to me like it's in as much use as ever." Then to the man he shouts, "What is the name of this prisoner??! And who is the 'Dark Master"?!"

 

[Creamsteak]

[sblock=Errol]The painting, and the man before you look very much the same.[/sblock]

Tesla: Tesla pulls back, further down the hallway.

Prisoner: The madman cackles and steps back. "You are no gift. What fools would come to this hallowed place?"

Jesme: Draws her dagger, but stays near the gates. "Coward!"

Errol: Waits.

Slisik: Slisik shouts her inquiry to the man in the cell. He responds. "I am The Mad Marquis, True Ruler of Istivin! The dark master is the reinspiration of the falling of the unborn sun! It brings us renewed hope in the face of our unforseen adversary! The dark master is the soul of a thousand fruit trees, hell-bent on bringing about the righteous apple crop of the abyss! You face his greatest pawn! I serve the dark master as his absolute vassal!"

 

[Dekana]

"This can't be right. The Marquis is supposed to be dead! Your wife, Marchioness Yvette, sent us looking for evidence of your passing." The dragonborn waits a moment to see if the "Marquis" notices that Slisik said "Yvette" instead of "Emodav."

[If he catches on, Slisik will just say he isn't good at remembering Human names]

"So... why is the human in this cold, lonesome cell?"

 

[Redclaw]

Errol steps forward, kukri drawn. No Marquis I know of would tolerate a prison cell, no matter how finely decorated. Besides, he's raving about apples and the abyss. He's clearly completely insane. I say we end his insult to the actual Marquis, and see how this "dark master" reacts to losing his "absolute vassal".

 

[Creamsteak]

The man smiles wide, showing his half-rotten yellowed and soft teeth.

"You would dare to call me a false prophet? I am the true Marquis. Whoever this Yvette is, she is an imposter. The true Marchioness is held within these very dungeons! The accursed woman had me locked away in this cell, so many nights ago! To think, betrayed by own wife? After all the things I have given her! Of course, I will punish her for her transgression. Even now, she faces the wrath of my minions! I am the true ruler of Istivin, and all the imposters and oathbreakers will feel the wrath of the Dark Master!"

The lunatic laughs with incredible force. The sounds echo through the small tightly enclosed passages of this dungeon. His eyes bulge, looking as though they're ready to fall from their sockets. He points at Errol... "Would be assassin, if you dare to lay a hand on me, the very darkness will claim your soul! The fruit of the shadows will grow and feed upon your soul, to blossom into the fruit of the Dark Master! You should bow before me, now and forever, for I am the true Marquis of Istivin!"

 

[Bloodweaver1]

“The price for a living Marquis would fetch a higher price than a dead one. Though I am inclined to say that a Marquis is a Marquis, and we have already struck an accord to find evidence of a dead one.” Says Telsa as she eyes the deranged King skeptically. As he calls out into the darkness Tesla cannot help but feel that he is calling out for a reason.

OOC: Manifests Interial Armor & Force Screen (8 pps) on herself and is shared with Arcs.

 

[Dekana]

"We do have to find the dark elves too." Slisik says this to Tesla, but is loud enough for the Marquis to hear. "Why don't we leave him for now and 'collect' him on the way out? After we've found the elves."

Slisik strolls to F6 keeping at least 5' away from the Marquis' cell at all times. He looks into the other cells to make sure they're empty.

 

[Redclaw]

Errol nods. He's not really worth the time, anyway. The real Marquis would have found a way out of that cage long ago, rather than waiting for us to come rescue him.

He follows Slisik down the hallway.

 

[Creamsteak]

The blustering madman taunts you as you turn to leave, "Pathetic fools! You have given my minions ample time to gather! Now face the wrath of the Dark Master!"

The mad marquis begins chanting a spell from the safety of his cell. As his incantation begins, the shadows at the edge of your light's range twist and stretch to form the shapes of seven humanoid-shaped opaque black creatures. The creatures come from all around, the floors, the walls, and the ceiling.

In the distance, you all hear a deep and sinister laughing that echoes through the hallways.

Initiatives
31 Tesla
25 Insane Man
22 Jesme
21 Errol
13 Slisik
12 Shadows

 

[Dekana]

HP: 58/58 (w/rage), AC: 17, Flat: 16, Touch: 10, F +10, R +2, W +9

Slisik growls at the shadow-men forming in front of him. "Abominations! Madman, you're next after we cleave through these unnatural shadow-spawn!" An impossible anger flares up within Slisik in response to the ambush; his features turn almost feral as he brings his greatsword down on top of the nearest shadow.

[sblock=spells/actions]5-foot-step to I-5. Activate Rage.
Power Attack: -4atk/ 8dmg (1d20+8=9, 2d6+17=27) (natural 1) Edit: Not like it matters, but attack was on shadow at H5.

0 (5): Detect Magic, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Light, Read Magic
1 (4): Cure Light Wounds, Cure Light Wounds, Entangle, Faerie Fire
2 (3): Bull's Strength, Barkskin, Fog Cloud
3 (2): Call Lightning, Cure Moderate Wounds

Wild Shape 1/day
Rage 1/day (7 rounds)[/sblock]