Kulan: Knightfall's Crisis in Bluffside Game [IC]

[Knightfall]

Akos looks at the woman next to him and quickly whispers
"Do you know why they are so much after you? I realize you're one of the commanders, but still..."

She whispers back to Akos. "My soul belongs to the Eon now, what you know as the Unseen Abyss. I swore an oath to not only my Master, but also to the Lords of Eon. You would know them better as the Elderbroods. It is a joy to me to be bound to them. It is how I will gain the Eonic Paradise. Yes, I'll have to pass through undeath from my paradise, but it will be a glorious death that transition to undeath that will guide me to the Eon." She sighs. "I wish you and your allies could understand the joys that will be waiting in the Eon."

"As to why they want me back, well, I'm one of the chosen who has made the Eonic Pledge. My soul is bound to Phelix Del Cannitha and to the Lords of Eon. And, this was no trick. I gave my soul willingly."

You, Akos, see that there is a darkness in her eyes. A eonic glee for death, undeath, and then the horrific 'joys' of the Unseen Abyss.

And after she answers, so not to risk breaking the charm with potentially conflicting loyalties
"And why do you need a day for?"

OOC: Sense motive: 16

Maggs glances towards Rockhorn and the undead he is struggling against. She shakes her head. "There is no day of respite. Kellam doesn't decide anything for the fate of Bluffside. He is lying to you. It is a trick. He needs time. He holds the third soul stone that controls our master's creation, the soul of the man who was once Imninon. The Soul Stolen is hard to control. He must be careful not to overtax himself, mentally."

She twists her head, unnaturally, and whispers directly into Akos' ear. "I'm sure Kellam's more than willing to give you the traitor for me. But, he doesn't really care. I'm more than willing to go back to my master. He is a great mind with a dark soul that I truly admire." She breathes heavily into Akos' ear. "If there truly is an offer of time, then it is Phelix making it, not Kellam. The Black might be my leader in the Fanatics, but he cannot offer souls to you without the Master's permission. He... is watching. Listening. He doesn't need the portal to see us."

 

[Neurotic]

"That actually helps a lot, Maggs. You're great. He is lucky to have your loyalty even if he mistreats you in this and the next life."

Akos looks over the assorted undead.
"Kellam, you get Maggs back for the traitor, but for 12 hours reprieve, you give us that warrior from the Labyrinth. I don't know who he is, but no one deserves what you offer. You may need Maggs to complete the set or the ritual, I don't know. But I do know that undead can easily turn against you if you lose your focus. And we can make that our priority if we continue hostilities. What say you, del Cannitha?"

He looks over the group still lingering down and small, but brave dwarf holding the door against overwhelming odds. Much quieter, but probably still audible to at least the vampire and the wight if not Kellam, he adds for the group in the shaft and down with him.
"We may still have a fight on our hands. Whatever ranged powers or spells you have, focus on Kellam in the back. Be ready!"

 

[Knightfall]

For @MetaVoid Only:

Spoiler: Rockhorn's Monster Lore

Looking at the creature beyond the double doors, what Rockhorn can see of it in the eerie glow of Kellam's unnatural magic behind it, the creature was once simian, likely a dire ape. Rockhorn can't tell if there is intelligence in this creature, as its eyes are in shadow, but Rockhorn sense there is more than animal instinct in it. Rockhorn sense evil and it is very primal. This isn't just a pseudonaturally-warped creature. This is something much worse, much darker.

When it roars, its form flickers. The tentacles Rockhorn sees aren't... there. Not really. Yet, he instinctively knows that the creature could, in a moments notice, shift its forms to what would likely be a mass of tentacles. Rockhorn notes that its dire form is tinged with an abyssal reddish-black. This isn't a dire ape, it is an abyssal dire ape that has been either summoned or gated from the Unseen Abyss, which makes it even more deadly.

Rockhorn's memories flood back to his first few years training with his people. Once, in the deepest part of the jungles of his homeland, a hunting group being led by an old mentor came across a deep cave that seemed to be charged with static, but not electric static. Rockhorn's old mentor led the way inside. At the time, Rockhorn didn't know what to think of what was being south, being hunted. Bu his mentor warmed him that "this is no mere beast or aberration... be wary".

The elder led Rockhorn and the hunters into the deepest part of the cave, almost a mile down. There, in the dark, they find a portal to somewhere, else. Bones were strew around the portal, which flickered like the creature standing down the corridor. Then, a massive beast roared from the other side and rushed through to overwhelm the hunters. Fear filled the room and it shifted its form into a deadly mass of tentacles. Weapons could not seem to hurt it. Even the elder's magical spear barely hurt the creature. It tore through the group of hunters and Rockhorn was sure he was going to die.

Then the elder, his mentor, yelled out to Rockhorn and the last few hunters. "Run! Flee! You cannot stand against the Eon-Scarred! Warn our people! Seal the cave!" He rushes at the deadly creature and, somehow, manages to push it back towards the portal. The creature roared again and grappled its tentacles around the elder and began crushing the life out of the man. Two of the hunters charged forward to help and all tumbled through the portal, which flashed and shimmered with a horrible light. A horrible green light.

Rockhorn and last hunter somehow managed to flee back to the surface and returned back to his people. A war party is dispatched. Rockhorn was not allowed to go. Only a handful came back, but they said the portal flickered out of existence and they collapsed the cave. Those that came back were left with deep scars, both physically and mental. The clans great leader tells them that Eon-Scarred are deadly denizens that come from beyond the stars and are children of the Eonic Fiends.
- - -
Phelix's Son is an Abyssal Dire Ape that is also Eon-Scarred....

Eon-Scarred (basics): Outsider; DR/Magic and Epic; Spell Resistance; Acid and Electricity Resistance; Rend and Constrict; True Strike; Alternate Form -> mass of tentacles w/50% miss chance.
Abyssal Static: Eon-Scarred act as localized anchors for the Elderbrood of the Unseen Abyss. There presence causes the air to curdle with the noxious scent of ozone and ancient decay, while its silhouette flickers with the reach of the Unseen Abyss.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Spoiler: Vitus - Mini-sheet

Race: Human HP: 35/52 SD: AC: 22; FF:19 T:14	Spot:+5 Listen:+5 Search+2	Spoiler: Cantrips []Cure Minor; [X] Detect Magic; []Detect Poison; [] Amanuensis []Create Water ; [] Mending
Fort:+9 Will: +12 Refl: +6	Initiative: +3 Range:+9/+4 Melee: +7/+2 (+1)	Spoiler: Spells lvl 1-4 1st [6+1](DC16) [X]Bless; [X] Entropic Shield[ ]Comprehend Languages; [ ]Endure Elements [ ] Divine Favor; [X]Lesser Vigor 2nd[4+1](DC17) [X]Avoid Planar effects; [X] Benediction; [X] Status [X] Lesser Restoration 3rd[4+1](DC18) [ X] Stone Shape [X]; Invisibility Purge; [X ] [X]Speak with Dead 4th: [3+1](DC19) [X ] Attune Form(extended) [X] Sustain; [X] Mass, Lesser Vigor (extended)
Spoiler: Stats STR:13+1 DEX: 16+ 3 CON: 14 + 2 INT: 14 +2 WIS: 20 +5 CHA:15 +2	XP: 28,000/36000	Spoiler: Domain Spells Level Studied Used Spell.................................................................................. 1 Longstrider 1 X X Sanctuary 2 X Locate Object 2 Shield Other 3 x X Protection from Energy 3 Fly 4 Spell Immunity 4 X X Dim Door

Buffs: Courage (+1vs fear), Avoid Planar Effects, Entropic Shield, Invisibility Purge 40 foot radius, Detect Magic 9 minute, 8 rounds

---

Knowing the Pegasus was coming with reinforcements, Vitus whispers

"Stall"
He begins removing magical items from the unconcious enemy.

"Tim, can I borrow that magical shield for now? I could use the protection."

Time can see that Vitus is heavily wounded even as the warrior's own wounds close.

Spoiler: OOC ROLLS

I don't want to spend time identifying - unless I think there's time.

I remove the items first and, if they are still negotiating, I'll try to spellcraft them
Here is 4 rolls in advance if there is time. I'll start with the most powerful auras and work down to the least:

Spellcraft: 1D20+10 = [5]+10 = 15
1D20+10 = [20]+10 = 30= 40
1D20+10 = [5]+10 = 15
1D20+10 = [11]+10 = 21

PS: I rolled earlier to identify the shield and failed. These rolls are just for the woman's items.

 

[Knightfall]

Custodio carefully steps back from the ladder into the short corridor and prays to the Purifier to aid him. He speaks slowly and quietly to himself as to not draw attention.

OOC: Custodio's Move Silently roll is 27 due to the ambient noise, vs. the wight and Khagron. Both of them are distracted, as well. They don't see Custodio move, as they are on the other side of the door and completely focused on Rockhorn and the conversation between Akos and Kellam. Custodio casts Aid on himself: +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and saves against fear effects, plus 1d8+5 temporary hit points (11).

 

[Knightfall]

"That actually helps a lot, Maggs. You're great. He is lucky to have your loyalty even if he mistreats you in this and the next life."

Akos looks over the assorted undead.
"Kellam, you get Maggs back for the traitor, but for 12 hours reprieve, you give us that warrior from the Labyrinth. I don't know who he is, but no one deserves what you offer. You may need Maggs to complete the set or the ritual, I don't know. But I do know that undead can easily turn against you if you lose your focus. And we can make that our priority if we continue hostilities. What say you, Del Cannitha?"

At first, there is only the heavy breathing of the creature in front of Kellam and Viscardi. "So, you know he... I, am, listening. That is good." The voice is Kellam's... but it isn't. "Twelve hours is acceptable. The doors will remain sealed, and Bluffside will be free from the... whims of my Loyalists, and the thieves. I cannot speak for The Dusk, or the Rising Swords. I have paid them for what I need, but they have their own... machinations."

There is a pause again. When Kellam speaks again, you are certain it is him speaking and not Phelix. "We care not for this warrior, whoever he is... KEFAX!" Kellam shouts. "Let the man your fighting through. He will be going with The Exemplar's."

"There is something else here! Another undead of some kind!" Kefax yells back. Both Akos and Rockhorn both hear the clash of metal on metal.

"Well, kill it!"

"Not so simple!"

The creature growls again, then it speaks. "Just let me kill them, Father. They are nothing to me."

Kellam gasps for air and then Phelix speaks through the man again. "Patience, my son. You will taste their blood soon." There is a pause once more and you hear Kellam gasp again. "Kefax, kill the other creature! But, let the warrior pass, now!"

There is a loud yell of anger and the sound of manic laughter from something... else.

He looks over the group still lingering down and small, but brave dwarf holding the door against overwhelming odds. Much quieter, but probably still audible to at least the vampire and the wight if not Kellam, he adds for the group in the shaft and down with him.
"We may still have a fight on our hands. Whatever ranged powers or spells you have, focus on Kellam in the back. Be ready!"

Custodio nods to Akos and carefully steps back from the ladder into the short corridor and prays to the Purifier to aid him. He speaks slowly and quietly to himself as to not draw attention.

Khagron's head snaps around to look past Rockhorn. The wild dwarf instinctively averts his gaze from the vampire. "Kellam, they continue to pray to their gods! You cannot keep this accord. I demand vengeance... and blood."

Kellam's voice shudders once more... "You... Are... Mine... now, Khagron! You will do as I say. Hold your place. There is nothing they can do that is truly a threat to me."

The vampire's form shudders. It remains immobile. It hisses to itself.

"Your soul is mine!"

"Father, there is... something... else." Phelix's Son takes one step forward and glares at Rockhorn. "I sense... The Beast. I can smell its essence. It is here."

"Where?"

"The dwarf. It's slayer. The Beast's blood... it is on him."

"Yes, he killed it. So what? It was only a tool."

"No, not the dwarf... his weapon. The lance. I can feel it. It hums with the power of the Eons."

"Hmm, interesting... unexpected."

Rockhorn's heart is beating, wildly. Then, he realizes the beating is in his ears not his heart. There is a strange static charge that thrums next to him on the floor. He looks down and sees that his skylance is... flickering. It's form seems to shift there is a thrum of dark energy that crackles around it. A part of him wants to reach down and pick it up. A force from somewhere beyond the Labyrinth and the Material Plane whispers all around him.

"The Heart Stitch..."

OOC: @MetaVoid, I'm going to send you a PM through EN World.