Hewligan's Rise of the Runelords: The Skinsaw Murders

[Friadoc]

While the humans discuss and weigh their options, blanketed in emotions along the anger to sadness gradient, Kael's familiar Mal checks the slain construct for any signs of life, even after the Shoanti's impressive display. Once it is sure that the thing is down, marked by a huff through the canine's snout, Mal moves over to his master's side and takes up a watch.

At first the companion simple stands by his master, ears active with each sound, dissecting whether it should be of concern or not. Then he sits down upon his haunches, still physically wary, in addition to mentally so. Inch by inch, hair by hair, Mal moves until his head and neck rest across Kael's chest and it is evident that the animal will wait with his fallen friend.

While physically looking to be relaxed, it is obvious from the movement of his ears, only moving when needed, that the dog is mentally alert, yet feeling the need to comfort his master who is, for now or forever, beyond knowing that comfort.

 

[frostrune]

Jovik hears Danth's words hollowly. He bends and closes Kael's eyes and kisses his brow. He starts to stand and has a moment of clarity. He pulls out a golden key from around his neck and touches it to Kael's chest. He tucks the key away again and stands. He moves over to Jokad and helps the Shoanti to his feet. "We owe it to Kael. We must survive, we must persevere, we must endure. Together."

Jokad stifles a groan as he lets Jovik help him to his feet. He nods solemnly and says, "I am ready," though he clearly does not look it. His breastplate has taken a horrendous beating and he is covered in enough blood for any two men. His jaw and neck are already purpling and his left arm still sports an angry weeping wound that Danth's magic could only partly close.

Still he moves off to collect his discarded sword and shield and readies himself for the next inevitable fight.

Girded once again you see a hint of softening in his storm gray eyes as he looks upon Mal guarding his master.

Pain could be turned to anger, anger to strength, and strength used to punish....


AC 19 (21 vs evil), HPs 32/55

 

[Rhun]

As the celestial bison melts away into silvery-white mist, released back to its home plane, Danth sends the healing power of Sarenae into his warrior companion. "Now, we are ready. Lead on, Jokad."


AC: 20 (22 vrs evil), Hit Points: 45/45

Drop Bless for Cure Light Wounds on Jokad, healing:8 points of damage
Cast Cure Light Wounds on Jokad, healing: 11 points of damage

19 total points healed on Jokad, bringing him to 51/55.

Spells in Effect
Magic Circle vrs Evil, duration 60 minutes.

[sblock=Current Spells Readied]
- Level 0: Detect Magic x2, Light, Guidance, Resistance
- Level 1: Command, Bless, Shield of Faith, Bless + (d) Cure Light Wounds
- Level 2: Cure Moderate Wounds, Deific Vengeance (CD), Remove Paralysis, Hold Person + (d) Heat Metal
- Level 3: Summon Monster III, Magic Circle vrs Evil, Dispel Magic + (d)Searing Light[/sblock]

 

[frostrune]

Jokad breathes deeply as the healing warmth of Sarenrae flows through him closing his wounds and washing away the pain from his very near encounter with death. He need only look down at his battered breastplate and blood-soaked clothing to see just how close he came. He need only look over to the cloak covered form of his friend to be reminded of the razor thin difference between them.

The hulking youth shakes his head sadly as he stretches his mended limbs.

Anger was burning in his breast.

It was time to hunt.

At Danth's urging to lead, he draws his sword and deliberately moves toward the ancient staircase. Whatever lurked above would be better served to leap from the crumbling heights than face the pain promised on the faces of the three remaining heroes.

 

[Fenris]

With one last look and a shudder at the monstrosity, Jovik falls in behind Danth.

 

[Rhun]

Danth follows after the Shoanti, hoping that the three of them weren't getting in over their heads as they make their way up the ancient stairs.

 

[hewligan]

OOC: Thanks for the excellent IC postings! Friadoc - please have a break for a week or so and I will PM you when the final encounter is over.

IC:

The inner wall of this vast space is traversed by a winding wooden stairway supported by an intricate network of wooden beams but lacking, at many stretches, a handrail or other enclosure. In certain places, two or even three stairs at a time are partially missing or gone altogether.

This stairwell looks treacherous. The rotting wood creaks and groans with every step. Two steps up, and Jokad changes his mind about leading, slowly stepping back and letting Jovik lead the way. The shoanti watches the young rogue move with caution, examining each step, testing his weight against each one, but still, somehow, moving with some speed.

The climb is long, and about halfway up, still some 70 feet or so from the four giant bells that hang ominously above, Jovik waves with his right hand for you all to brace against the wall. Danth catches a glimpse of the long way back down, and the sheer fall that awaits anyone that plunges over the edge or finds a step giving way.

What is it that Jovik has heard or noticed? He turns and whispers...

"A noise, far above, like a rope being cut"

And as he communicates this you all hear a sharp, sudden SNAP, almost like snapping wood, although in the fraction of a second it takes to work out what caused it you can see the southern-most bell far above twist and pitch and it rolls free. You see two creatures, faceless things, clinging to the bell as it starts its descent.

BONG

The bell hits a section of the wall far above, still forty or so feet above you. It sends a shower of loose bricks flying. One of the two figures that was on the bell hits the wall with a wet crunch and then falls straight down, smashing through two steps and continuing a slow death spiral. The other figure spins out wildly into the air, grabbing onto the massive bell as it spins towards you all. A scream of fear rips from the throat of the creature that is still holding on.

Far above, where the rope was cut, you can see a third figure, again, a faceless monstrosity, staring down towards you, a knife in its hand. These must be the faceless ones that Ironbriar warned you of. He said there were three. Their attempt to spring a trap on you appears to have back-fired on them!

The bell, however, continues to clatter towards you, sending showers of stone, dust, and wood down after it. It chimes each time it makes contact.

It is heading STRAIGHT towards you.

OOC: I need a REFLEX save from everyone. Please note that failing it is not the necessarily the end, as the bell will randomly target a number of you, potentially missing all three, but I want the saves ready ahead of time.

 

[Rhun]

Danth can only thank his youth and the quickness he learned growing up on the streets of Magnimar for preparing him for situations such as this. He drops into a crouch, ready to spring out of the bell's path with perfect timing.


AC: 20 (22 vrs evil), Hit Points: 45/45

Reflex Save: 22

Spells in Effect
Magic Circle vrs Evil, duration 60 minutes.

[sblock=Current Spells Readied]
- Level 0: Detect Magic x2, Light, Guidance, Resistance
- Level 1: Command, Bless, Shield of Faith, Bless + (d) Cure Light Wounds
- Level 2: Cure Moderate Wounds, Deific Vengeance (CD), Remove Paralysis, Hold Person + (d) Heat Metal
- Level 3: Summon Monster III, Magic Circle vrs Evil, Dispel Magic + (d)Searing Light[/sblock]

 

[Fenris]

Jovik's keen ears aid him in nimblely jumps around the steps as the bell falls.

[sblock]
Ref save
1d20+10=24
[/sblock]

 

[frostrune]

OOC: Woo Hoo!! REF Save = 20!
Roll Lookup


IC: Jokad grits his teeth and drops into a crouch. The stairs offer little opportunity to dodge but he would pray to Gozreh for a bit of luck.