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Message: <blockquote data-quote="gfunk" data-source="post: 716060" data-attributes="member: 1813">Session 24 – Their finest hour (but the party's or Irae's?) Both Joachim and Entropy knew that every moment wasted equaled one more spell that Irae T’ssaren could cast to make their lives more difficult.  While Entropy’s broken bones and torn flesh were rapidly healing, Joachim dug around in his bag of holding and removed a ring.  Never thinking he would have to use the spell stored therein any time soon, the Inquisitor directed the magic at Noir’s corpse.  A golden, radiant pillar of light appeared and Noir slowly stood, in perfect fighting condition, her body fully healed.“Thank you, Joachim.  I do not think it was my time to fight alongside the Red Knight for eternity just yet . . .”  Looking around, the paladin noticed that Hor’ahun was missing, “What happened to the Gith?”Entropy motioned towards the door which led to the room that Hor’ahun had phased into.  With trepidation, Noir moved forward and opened it.  Instantaneously, the entire room was plunged into darkness as the spell contained in the chamber poured out.  Without the ability to see, Joachim fumbled around in his pouch and produced a tiny vial.  He then rubbed some ointment on his eyes and invoked a spell that would allow him to pierce any darkness or illusion.  Entropy shapechanged into a shadow dragon so that she could see by blindsight.  Both spellcasters recognized the psychic warrior’s non-breathing form on the floor.  They removed it and closed the door.“Unfortunately, I only had one true resurrection spell left.  I’m afraid that I will have to bring Hor’ahun back the conventional way,” Joachim explained.  Removing a scroll from his bag, he resurrected the Githzerai as well, albeit with significantly lesser magic than he had used with Noir.  Hor’ahun rose slowly as he shook off the effects of death’s embrace.“I feel like crap!” he protested, “I thought coming back to life was supposed to be a pleasant experience!”Joachim channeled some positive energy into his friend which healed a significant portion of his wounds.  “There is only one way to go now,” Joachim pointed at the hole in the ceiling, “and only one way to Irae.”---------------------------------------------------------------------The party reached the room where Joachim had slain the Spiderstone golem and still saw no sign of further opposition.  However, as Entropy approached a hole in this room’s ceiling, her dragon formed paused.  “Stop!  There are hell of a lot of creatures up there, mostly humanoids but one looks like a demon and the other . . . I can’t say.”Everyone sprang into action.  While Hor’ahun and Noir waited just underneath the passage upward, Joachim charged fearlessly ahead.  After many long and difficult battles, the Inquisitor finally saw the mastermind – Irae T’ssaren herself.  Without armor and clad in long, flowing white robes, the albino drow almost looked beautiful.  But she was far from alone, in addition to the two drow guards flanking her, there was a massive Balor situated in the center of the room.  To make things worse, a huge Ooze paraelemental waited near the hole and the entire area was scattered with zombies.Joachim looked at the Ooze intently.  Clearly it had to have been summoned . . . which meant the Forbiddance spell had no effect here!  “Entropy!  You can use summoning spells here!”  The Inquisitor flew invisibly to the side of the room and blanketed the whole chamber with a spell designed to remove magical protections.  The dark aura surrounding the Balor slowly disappeared, but otherwise the abjuration produced no discernable effects.Changing once again into a Pit Fiend, Entropy avoided the massive Ooze and moved to the side of the room opposite from Joachim.  The Alienist knew that the Balor, with its never-ending ability to dispel magical effects, was the most immediate threat.  Gesturing, she gracefully manipulated the Weave to form an extradimensional maze around the demon which it quickly disappeared into.Hearing something next to it casting spells, the Ooze immediately sent an acidic pseudopod towards Entropy trying to grapple her.  Acting on instinct (and without thinking), Entropy tried to knock the pseudopod aside with her magically augmented quarterstaff.  She realized, too late, the consequences of her action as her staff dissolved into worthless slag.  Inwardly, the Alienist cursed – the staff was not merely a weapon but a device that allowed its user to teleport without error – her ticket out of here had just been punched.The two guards protecting Irae lowered their rapiers and began chanting arcane phrases.  Above Joachim, Hor’ahun, and Noir appeared a shower of rock-hard hail that fell on all of them.  Seconds later, Irae tried to bring down all of Joachim’s spell protections, but even as she cast her abjuration it was counterspelled by one of the rings on Joachim’s finger.Emerging from the ice storm, Noir produced a small bead from her pocket and threw it towards Irae and her minions.  In a puff of smoke a fire elemental appeared and promptly grappled one of the albino drow’s protectors – trying to immolate him.  Hor’ahun moved to the center of the room and triggered a surge of psionic energy that hit virtually every foe in the room – and did precisely nothing as they were all undead.  The only one it could have affected was Irae itself, but the drow shrugged off the psi blast.---------------------------------------------------------------------The Balor looked around in frustration.  Obviously his foe’s magic had placed him in an extradimensional demiplane of some sort.  One thing Entropy did not account for however, was the demon’s intellect.  Even among a race of cunning and shrewd thinkers, the Balor was supreme.  It took the mighty outsider all of six seconds to ascertain the location of the maze’s exit.---------------------------------------------------------------------Appearing once again in the room amid the very shocked stares of the party members, the Balor tossed a greater dispelling against the wall.  The results were quite dramatic for Entropy, who immediately became visible.  Knowing full well that she could use her summoning magic here, the Alienist responded by calling a Firre, an elf-like outsider from the Olympian Glades of Arborea.  Seeing the foes arrayed before it, the celestial concentrated as a cone of multi-colored energy poured from its hands.  The undead in the room were dispatched in a myriad of ways by the random burst of magic – some were burned to a crisp while otherwise exploded in a shockwave of electrical energy.  Unfortunately, it hit the fire elemental that Noir had summoned as well – rendering it totally and irrevocably insane.  It would play no further part in this battle as it simply stood still in utter confusion.Irae cast yet another powerful dispelling spell, this time trying to envelop all her foes.  The Firre disappeared in a puff of smoke.  Joachim responded by casting the same spell, but directed solely at the massive Ooze Elemental standing next to Entropy.  Like the Firre, it too disappeared.  The Inquisitor then moved out of the room, trying to encourage pursuit and force his enemies to divide.While Noir engaged one of Irae’s guards in melee, Hor’ahun fell back and tried pelting the albino drow with arrows – though they were all but deflected by her numerous magical wards.  Seeing that the battle would be very difficult with both Irae and her Balor ally combining their power, Entropy tried to seal off Irae with a long wall of force that encompassed the entire length of the room.  Next, she directed a cone of freezing cold, catching the Balor in the area – leaving it somewhat injured, but extremely angry.  Entropy followed Joachim and flew out of the room.  However, a very unpleasant surprise awaited her . . . looking up as she flew past was a very slim drow male clad in robes bearing arcane runes.---------------------------------------------------------------------Both Entropy, in her Pit Fiend form, and Joachim waited in an adjacent room for enemy forces to come pouring through in hot pursuit.  To their shock, only the drow male in the other room appeared -- calmly striding past them.  Though Joachim gave the drow a good whack with his longsword, he hardly seemed to notice.  In Entropy’s case, her claws could not even come into contact with the sorcerer as they were repelled by some magical force.  Moving deliberately to the other side of the room, the drow turned around and blasted Joachim and Entropy twice with a prismatic spray.  Though the beams were damaging, it did not instantly incapacitate either spellcaster, as it well could have.To make matters worse, both heard a low growl behind them.  Turning around, they saw that the Balor had teleported right behind them, vorpal greatsword in hand.---------------------------------------------------------------------With aid from the sentient tower, Irae was easily able to bypass the force wall Entropy had erected to contain her.The priestess could see that her remaining minions would not last long in combat with Noir and Hor’ahun.  To rectify the situation, she blanketed the entire area in utter darkness.  Though her guards were trained to fight under such conditions, she surmised her foes were not.  Hor’ahun, with his psi-enhanced vision, was still able to see as he drew his rapier and attacked a drow guard.  However, the paladin found the darkness to be a far greater handicap as her sword blows failed to connect with her now invisible targets.  Now that she had the upper hand, Irae brought about a spell that would sap the energy of the target while providing her with considerably more power.  She smiled in satisfaction as the Githzerai succumbed, moving much slower than before just as the albino drow’s movements were accelerated.---------------------------------------------------------------------Though a lesser warrior would have given in to despair, Joachim saw a fantastic opportunity despite being flanked by two powerful foes.  His sword had been enchanted to slay evil foes and, indeed, it could inflict horrific damage.  The Balor had placed himself in a vulnerable position, the Inquisitor could simply charge it and rain down blow after blow – after which he was sure that the demon would be sent back to the Abyss.  Clenching his teeth, he rushed the demon . . . and promptly found himself on his back.  Expecting such an obvious tactic, the demon easily tangled the Inquisitor with his whip and one yank sent Joachim sprawling on the floor.  Standing as quickly as he could, an off-balance Joachim was not able to bring all of his attacks to bear as he had hoped.Thinking that her companion would slay the Balor quickly, Entropy was at a loss.  She had planned to take on the drow sorcerer, but she knew that she could not leave the demon be.  If she did, all of her most powerful spells could be dispelled in seconds.  As she gestured towards the floor, three massive shapes began to form out of the stone surface.  The demon saw that its foes had multiplied – in addition to the cleric it had to deal with three 32 foot tall earth elementals.Turning on their target, the elementals brought their massive fists down on the Balor.  Though the demon was able to survive the first two blows, the third one mortally wounded it.  Cursing, it was forced to return to the Abyss.  Smiling in satisfaction, Entropy assumed the form of an Iron Golem as a defense against the counter attack from the drow sorcerer.---------------------------------------------------------------------Frustrated at her inability to connect her sword with her opponents, Noir wasn’t terribly surprised when she heard wicked laughter somewhere in the pitch black room.  Irae could hardly contain herself, “These are the fools that nearly disrupted the Great Revenance?  Two have already fled and these two fight a battle they know they cannot win . . . Fools!”  However, the fun was over – she called to her dark mistress Kiaransalee as she tried to slay the paladin.Hor’ahun heard a strange popping noise as he was hit with a spray of flesh, blood, and gore.  Noir, the paladin of the Red Knight was no longer standing next to him and all that remained was a mound of imploded flesh.  The Githzerai had no time to mourn however, as Irae’s guards continued to assail him with blows.One down . . . ---------------------------------------------------------------------As before, the drow sorcerer covered the room in a blast of prismatic energy.  Though Entropy was immune as a golem, Joachim was not so fortunate.  His armor sizzled and his flesh felt like it was on fire as magical acid burned him.  In addition, two of three of Entropy’s elementals were sent careening randomly to another plane.  Expecting retaliation, the drow flew through a hole as he descended down the tower.Turning into a spectre, Entropy moved to pursue him.---------------------------------------------------------------------Finally making headway against the drow warriors, Hor’ahun struck several successful blows that nearly dispatched them.  Before he could issue the coup-de-grace, a form emerged from the darkness.  As the albino drow approached the Githzerai, he could see that her hand was glowing with unholy energy.  Though he tried to avoid Irae’s touch, she clasped him on the shoulder.  Hor’ahun felt his life force being attacked and though he struggled mightily, his soul was expelled from his body – killing him instantly.The albino drow moved to engage her remaining foes but paused.  Why should she go with only her guards in tow when she could recruit additional help?  Kneeling besides Hor’ahun’s corpse she placed her hand on his face – armed with a gauntlet with five wicked claws extruding from it, she sadistically stroked his face as she brought the magic into being.The Githzerai’s eyes popped open and he slowly stood.  He shook his head . . . somehow his memory was foggy – who was he and why was he here?  In seconds, he became filled with an all-consuming rage.  He knew who had killed him – Irae T’ssaren.  Growling, he turned towards the albino drow and moved to plunge his rapier through her dark heart.  Abruptly he froze . . .“No, no, no, my revenant pet.  I have killed you once already and I am the victor.  By Kiaransalee’s glory your form has been restored though it is far superior to before.  You will no longer feel pain or fear, but you will understand anger . . . furious, unrelenting anger!  Why waste such emotions when they can be constructively channeled?”  Irae moved forward and stroked Hor’ahun’s chest, leaving bloody scratches behind.  “Go forth and slay your friends.  When the Great Revenance is complete, they too shall serve me!!”Two down . . . ---------------------------------------------------------------------Moving through walls and ceilings, Entropy had little trouble keeping pace with her fleeing opponent.  Eventually she saw that he returned to the room containing the massive black orb that stood between the Ethereal and Prime towers.  Charging behind her was Joachim, who managed to hit the sorcerer once before the drow retreated into the orb.Just as the sorcerer departed, the orb wraith appeared.  Firing a ray of negative energy at the Inquisitor, it weakened the beleaguered Joachim even further.  Seeing that her friend was in peril, Entropy opened a channel to the Positive Energy Plane and next to Joachim appeared a ball of pale-green energy with numerous tentacles emerging from it.  Called an Energon, it was positive energy incarnate.  Since it was incorporeal itself, it had no problem hitting the orb wraith.  Though the blows themselves did little damage, the considerable positive energy backlash aggravated the wounds.Between the Energon and Joachim the dreaded orb wraith was finally slain.---------------------------------------------------------------------In the door behind them appeared Hor’ahun, who looked perfectly normal.  On his face was the skull mask that he usually wore, though it was particularly unnerving in this situation.  With a gesture, the mask flew off his face and collided into Joachim.  The Inquisitor tried to dodge but could not as the energy contained within the mask discharged.  Just as Irae had done to Hor’ahun, the Githzerai tried to expel Joachim’s soul from his body.  Fighting, the cleric managed to stave off destruction though the magical energy inflicted near mortal wounds nonetheless.Entropy looked at Joachim and wondered what she should do next.  Ordinarily, if one of their companions was ever dominated or otherwise controlled by their enemies they always sought to incapacitate their friend – so that they could revive and cure them later.  However, they did not have that luxury in this life and death situation.  “Joachim!  What should I do?  Kill or subdue!?”Joachim felt the same way as Entropy.  Hor’ahun had been a good friend and trustworthy ally.  Normally the Inquisitor would have either disabled the Githzerai or dispelled the enchantment – while the latter was no longer possible given the Inquisitor’s depleted spell arsenal, the former did not seem prudent.  Though he loathed to do it, Joachim knew he could always resurrect his friend later.  “Take him down!”Turning into an iron golem, Entropy moved forward and seized the Githzerai.  Trying to get it over with as quickly as possible, she repeatedly slammed him against the wall.  Unable to feel pain, Hor’ahun had little difficulty manifesting his psionic powers.  Utilizng a well-used tactic, he coated his entire body in acid, a move that would normally have “convinced” his grappler to release him.  Unfortunately for the psychic warrior, Entropy’s new form was impervious to such attacks.Praying quietly to Tyr, Joachim swung his sword at his friend again and again . . . until his struggles ceased and his body went limp.  As Entropy dropped Hor'ahun's corpse, the Inquisitor spoke, “Entropy, we have to recover Noir.  We owe her that much!  Without question we will meet strong opposition on the way back up, maybe even Irae herself.  I’m not sure I can do it alone, please help me!”“Are you crazy!?  The paladin is probably dead as a doornail right now!  Do you know how many spells I have left?  ONE!!!  And that one will be used to get myself out of here.  Don’t waste your life over a corpse Joachim, come with me and we can fight another day!”Shaking his head, Joachim knew that he had to try, even if it meant his death.  “I’m sorry you feel that way Entropy.  If you must go, then leave.  I pray you survive long enough to avenge my death.”  With that, the cleric flew upwards to meet his fate.---------------------------------------------------------------------After a massive earth elemental, seemingly appearing from nowhere, flattened one of her two guards, Irae wisely choice to avoid it.  The tower, a sentient being, sealed the passage behind the priestess so that the lumbering beast could not follow.  Ahead of her, Irae heard movement.  Quickly, she bathed her body in unholy fire and her claws reflexively clenched – she was ready for battle. From below, Joachim appeared brandishing a longsword, his eyes virtually glowing with holy fervor.  Before he could advance, Irae hit him with an exceedingly powerful burst of negative energy.  As the Weave was attuned to Necromantic magic in this tower, the spell all but slew Joachim.  Drained of all his spells, he swung at Irae anyway – but the numerous energy drains had taken their toll, the albino drow dodged easily.---------------------------------------------------------------------Entropy had been placed in this situation before and she had always chosen discretion over valor.  Unlike her companions she valued her life above all else and saw no need to needlessly throw it away.  As she moved to summon a being that could teleport her out of the tower, she heard the sounds of pitched battle above.  The Inquisitor was correct, she thought, he would never survive alone.  Suddenly, the drow sorcerer that the pair had been chasing emerged from the black orb and quickly moved away from Entropy.  The Alienist saw it all clearly – he intended to flank Joachim, a maneuver that would assuredly seal the cleric's doom. ---------------------------------------------------------------------Joachim, struggling to even breathe, pushed on.  With luck and perhaps a bit of divine intervention, he managed to connect a few powerful blows with Irae.  However, each time he hit, he felt his strength being sapped.  He found it difficult to even hold up his sword.  Laughing, the albino drow tore into the Inquisitor with her wicked claws.---------------------------------------------------------------------Cursing at herself for her stupidity, Entropy moved to aid her friend.  Flying ahead of the drow sorcerer, she saw Joachim in mortal combat with Irae.  Moving up to the albino drow in her iron golem form, Entropy grabbed Irae and tried to squeeze the life out of her.  The priestess tried to break free, but could not, despite her magically amplified strength and battle prowess.Joachim tried to take advantage of his foe’s immobilization, weakly hitting Irae.  However, after this blow, he felt all of his strength leave him.  He could not even stand the weight of his armor any longer as he fell to the ground, helpless.  He tried to look up at Entropy’s struggle with Irae when he heard footsteps approaching him.“You were indeed a worthy foe human, but now you die.”The drow sorcerer stood right next to the cleric who was powerless to stop him.  Weaving arcane phrases, Joachim was struck twice with powerful bolts of lightning.  The pain was too much and he passed into unconsciousness . . .---------------------------------------------------------------------Elated by the fall of yet another foe, Irae managed to squeeze free of Entropy’s hold.  Seeing that Joachim was still breathing, Irae brought her clawed gauntlet directly down on his head.  Unable to dodge or move, the blow hit the cleric full force, penetrated his helm, skull and entered his brain.  Irae pulled out her weapon and held it aloft with pride as gray matter and spinal fluid slid off it.Three down . . . She turned to face Entropy.“I know you, sorcerer.  You are not like the rest.  Like me, you have gone beyond petty morals and useless ethics.  Three of us remain to defeat you, yet I recognize your power and ability.  Become my greatest lieutenant, and I will grant you dominion over the Dales!”---------------------------------------------------------------------Entropy briefly considered the offer . . . for all of two seconds.Shapechanging once again, her iron golem form began to enlarge further as she transformed into the gargantuan mighty iron golem.  Bringing her massive fists down on Irae, her powerful blow drove the priestess of Kiaranasalee to the ground.  Then, while her foe was prone, Entropy brought her foot crashing down on Irae.  Though the priestess had erected many magical auras to defend her, even she could not survive the 32,000 pounds of iron that came down upon her.With a sickening squirt, Irae’s blood and internal organs were sprayed all over the room.The drow sorcerer dropped his haughty demeanor and looked up at the golem walking towards him.  His thoughts immediately crystallized, “Stop!!!  I do not wish to attack you!  I was simply following Irae’s orders, I am free now!”His cries were ignored as Entropy sent the drow to the same fate as Irae.  As an afterthought, she slew Irae’s remaining guard who had been ineffectually trying to strike her.Overwhelmed, the Alienist fell to one knee.  All of her companions were dead and only the gods knew how many more reinforcements were coming.  She gingerly picked up Joachim’s body and ascended to retrieve Noir’s . . .</blockquote>

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