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Message: <blockquote data-quote="gfunk" data-source="post: 826561" data-attributes="member: 1813">Session 31 Reunited and it feels so good As Entropy donned her gear, Joachim related Nurn’s tale and the scant information that he had divined from Tyr.    “The Cathezar, eh?  I guess I should be flattered that I am worthy of an assassin of her caliber,” Entropy concluded.“What do you mean?”“The Cathezar is one of the few beings that is universally feared in the Lower Planes.  She is actually part demon and devil, combining the most favorable traits of both races.  Her skill is so renowned, in fact, that she actually has her own cult following.  The real question is, why me?  Clearly, Lolth sent the drow and demonic pair to do me in, someone else must have sent the Cathezar.”“I believe I can answer that question,” Nurn stepped forward.  “My name is Nurn and I have provided your companions with much of the information that they have given you.  The Cathezar hunts you because you are a descendent of Dydd, the great druid.  Though I did not know it, the Inquisitor informed me that she single-handedly slew the great wyrm Nalavara.  The Cathezar’s master, the abyssal lord Aameul, wants to appropriate you so that he may tame the wyrm.”“Aameul?  Is this an abyssal lord of any worth?  I would guess so, for employing the Cathezar cannot be cheap.  But I have never heard of this particular noble,” the Alienist replied.“The Abyss is infinite, Entropy.  It contains more than you can possibly now.  Suffice it to say, Aameul is indeed powerful.”Entropy shrugged, “So what’s the big deal here?  The Cathezar caught me unaware and scored a few lucky hits.  If all of us joined forces I am confident we could take her down in short order . . .” Entropy paused, seeing the expression of irritation of Joachim’s face.“What?”“We know Entropy, all of us know everything.”“What in the world are you babbling about?”“We know about the portal to the Far Realms!!!  AND the Undying Temple!  AND Kiaransalee!!  You’ve stabbed us in the back you bitch!!!  The only reason I brought you back was because we couldn’t afford to let you fall into Aameul’s hands,” screamed Joachim.For the first time in memory, Entropy was struck speechless.The priest of Tyr continued, “Do not bear any illusions that we are still comrades, Alienist!  What we may do together in the next few days is simply a product of necessity.  Afterwards, you WILL pay for your crimes!”Entropy looked to both Noir and Hor’ahun whose expressions revealed that they shared Joachim’s sentiments.  It was now her turn to turn red with anger, “WHAT!!!  Who told you this!”“Suffice it to say that someone in your organization has a shred of decency left.”In a rage, Entropy produced a dagger from the folds of her robes and pointed the tip at her throat, “Fool!  You need me alive more than I need you.  Were I to die, the Revenancer would simply make me that much more powerful as one of her undead champions.  If you do not tell me the name of the traitor, then I will pay a personal visit to this Aameul!”“STOP!”All eyes fell on Nurn, who held up his hand, “This pointless bickering will get us nowhere!  Inquisitor, of all people I thought that at least you could put aside your petty hatred for the good of Faerun.  If we fail here, and Aameul has his way, the power structure in the Abyss will drastically shift.  Soon afterwards, you can be assured that drow will be the least of your problems.  And you Entropy, you are the biggest fool of all!  Do you honestly think that you, a mere mortal, could bargain from a superior position with a demon lord!  Aameul needs you for only one task – afterwards he would revel in your eternal torment!”For a few seconds, an uncomfortable silence lingered as the truth of Nurn’s words sunk in.Joachim spoke first, “Yes, our feud must be set aside . . . for now.  We must return to the Temple of the Triad quickly, lest the Cathezar catch us in a compromising position.”Entropy lowered her dagger, “I know of a far more secure location.”-------------------------------------------------------------“Here you can see the evidence.  I told all of you that my companions did not need to be turned into Revenants.  They would gladly join us willingly!”Though Hor’ahun and Nurn looked uncomfortable, Noir and Joachim looked ready to vomit in disgust at the scene before them.  “A demon lord named Aameul has seen it fit to assassinate me.  Naturally, he sent his best to do the job.  Though the Cathezar failed in her first attempt, there will be others.  For this reason all of you need to be extra vigilant.  My companions and I will track, slay and animate this assassin, but we require your protection in the interim.”After the congregated group of assorted undead, drow, driders, and sundry abominations had dispersed, the Alienist once again regarded her companions.Entropy had suggested that “her” Undying Temple was the safest place to hide.  Not only was it crawling with the most powerful of her minions, but the Temple itself was a sentient structure which could easily identify potential intruders.  Though the Paladin and Inquisitor had vehemently objected, practicality eventually won the day.  As distasteful as it would be, even they had to concede that the Cathezar would have to be suicidal to attack them in such a place.But now, after Entropy addressed her minions in front of them, they were having second thoughts.“I am quite tired.  Before we continue, perhaps a good night’s rest is in order.  Joachim, I have made special preparations for you.  You may sleep in Irae’s personal chambers . . . I’ll even get her iron golem to guard you in case you have any nightmares.”Fuming, the Inquisitor marched out of the Temple with Noir, “Thanks for your hospitality, wench.  But we would prefer to camp outside for tonight.”-------------------------------------------------------------The next day, Noir and Hor’ahun did their best to describe the Cathezar, though their intelligence was limited since they did not actually engage the assassin in combat.  With her knowledge of demons and devils, Entropy did her best to fill in the details.Noir suggested a bold strategy, “It seems plain to me that this Cathezar can strike us whenever and wherever she pleases.  She could come at a particularly inopportune time, like after a major battle when we are weak and depleted.  The only reasonable course of action seems to track her down first and seize the advantage!”Hor’ahun nodded his consent, “Between Joachim, Entropy and myself we could certainly load up on every conceivable magical and psionic enhancement.  We would be fighting at our peak – if this is not enough, then I really don’t see how we stand a chance if the Cathezar ambushes us on her own terms.”After a lengthy debate regarding the tactical specifics, it was decided that Entropy first scry on the Cathezar to see if the assassin could be remotely located.  Following this, she, Hor’ahun and Joachim would cast as many defensive spells on the party that they could.  Then, Entropy would open a gate to the Astral Plane and, from there, open a second gate to the Cathezar’s current location.All agreed to the plan, including Nurn, and Entropy commenced with her scrying.  To the sorcerer’s surprise, she was able to pinpoint the assassin on her first attempt.  The Cathezar seemed to be reading a scroll of some sort but, due to the demon’s immense size, it was difficult to make out much detail of her surroundings.“I have a fix on her, let’s begin – quickly!”-------------------------------------------------------------Unfortunately, what Entropy failed to appreciate was what happened after her scrying sensor disappeared.  The Cathezar, ever vigilant, had noticed the attempted divination and began to prepare accordingly.  Not only was her lair warded against attempted incursions from the outside, but it was also a veritable death trap for those who managed to enter.In preparation, the assassin began casting a series of powerful abjurations on herself.-------------------------------------------------------------Positively glowing with magic, the party quickly stepped through Entropy’s gate and into the Astral Plane.  As she opened the second one, directly into the Cathezar’s abode, all could see the assassin’s snake like trunk writhing in anticipation.Fearlessly, Joachim ran through followed immediately by Hor’ahun, Noir, Nurn, and Entropy.As the Inquisitor emerged first, he could see that the Cathezar was ready for them.  In her six arms she held a massive length of spiked chain.  Joachim knew he had to seize the initiative quickly.Waiting a few moments for his companions to join him, Joachim held his charge.  The wait stretched to 2 seconds, 3, 4, 5.  After nearly 10 seconds of inaction, the cleric found that he was here by himself – his companions were nowhere to be found!Joachim turned his gaze on the Cathezar but heard the rattle of chains all around him.  The assassin laughed, “Perhaps your friends got lost on the way.”Before he could charge, dozens of chains hanging from the walls simultaneously animated through the Cathezar’s magic and all headed directly for the Inquisitor.</blockquote>

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