The Reconquista: Part I (Shadows over Istivin)

[Scotley]

Morley nocks an arrow and begins to circle slowly watching the walls.

 

[James Heard]

Eshanna quickly draws her blade, suddenly wary; but her master seems preoccupied still with the sudden influx of knowledge that his liege lives, and may have been imprisoned without anyone's knowledge during the invasion.

 

[Bloodweaver1]

Anastasia Winterheart

“Yes, six of them. Some are in the walls; others are on the other side.” She whispers with a steady tone.

 

[Branding Opportunity]

The Marquis' eyes seem to momentarily glow a deep shade of vermilion, "Oh a trap it is indeed, my dearies. My dark brethren have heard my call. You will interfere in the Dark Master's plans no longer."

Barely after finishing his sentence, six undead shadows separate from the walls all around you and silently advance, their unnaturally long fingers stretched out to you in hunger.

OOC: Please post to the COMBAT THREAD

 

[Branding Opportunity]

A look of confusion crosses the young wood elf's face as he looks around him, bow knocked and drawn. Left with few good choices, his military training kicks in. Trying to hide a growing sense of desperation he turns to the nearest authority figure, "Mavic, sir, I have a clear shot on the Marquis, and my bow is less than effective against these apparitions. Do I have permission to fire on his lordship? Do I take the shot, sir, do I take the shot?" OOC: Delay action

With her sword at the ready, the Shield Maiden quickly moves to cover their flanks. OOC: Move three squares East & one square North; ready attack on shadow, 5-point-power-attack.

His normal tactics having proven dangerously ineffective against the last shadows, Gregor is forced to improvise as best he can. His form melts away once again, leaving Gregor the bedraggled human standing, looking terribly uncertain. He chants a few words of power as he considers the encroaching dead. OOC: Move action to change form; cast Cat's Grace

Reivik growls deep in his throat and steps toward the nearest shadow, attacking it through the bars of the Marquis' cell. Barely able to reach between the bars he is unable to make good contact on either of his attempts. The maul simply passes through the insubstantial creature. OOC: 5' step, 5-point power attack#1 3 + 13 - 4 = 12, miss chance roll 73%, miss; attack#2 19 + 8 = 27, miss chance roll 70%

Slowly drawing her sword, Latalya closes in to attack the first shadow that comes near. OOC: Draw sword; Attack (Combat Expertise 5) 15 + 9 = 24, miss chance roll 3%, hit! Damage 2d6 + 8 = Shadow takes 13 hp of damage

Within the cell, the gaunt figure flexes his fingers, sketching out arcane symbols in the air while muttering words in a dread speech. He finishes by pointing a long middle finger at Mavic and twisting it viciously. The noble wizard begins to feel overwhelming waves of pain and nausea wash over him for a second before they instantly dissipate. The look of proud malice the Marquis wore instantly transform to howling anger and frustration. "How dare you not accept my dark blessing! Blasphemer! Blasphemer!" OOC: Mavic makes a Fort save 19 + 6 = 25, success!

Latalya, Eshanna:[sblock]OOC: Thanks to a successful Spellcraft check, both of you realize that the Marquis just cast Eyebite on Mavic. And yes, Mavic rolled a 1 on his skill check. [/sblock]

The shadow nearest Latalya takes a swipe at her. Despite her best efforts to avoid its touch she feels the cold embrace of the undead's touch as it passes through her body, robbing her of her vital essence. As it disengages from combat with her, Latalya attempts to press her advantage. In her weakened state, she is unable to make contact with it, and the shadow retreats back into the walls and out of sight. OOC: Shadow's Spring Attack hits touch AC 23, hit! Latalya takes 7 points of Strength Damage; Latalya takes AoO 2 + 10 - 5 (CE) = 7, miss

The second shadow nearest her attempts the same attack, but the elven eldritch knight dexterously avoids his attentions. Once again she takes advantage of the creature's retreat and swings at it with her greatsword. After failing, the creature retreats into the walls next to Latalya and out of sight. OOC: Shadow's Spring
Attack hits touch AC 13, miss; Latalya makes AoO 8 + 10 - 5 (CE) = 13, miss

Seemingly reacting to the Marquis' rage, the shadow nearest Reivik ignores the dwarf and turns to rush at Mavic. Smokey hands reach into the mage's chest, momentarily gripping his heart in their icy grasp as he feels his strength leave him. Just as quickly the shadow retreats to stand next to the throne, out of reach of melee weapons. OOC: Spring Attack hits touch AC 25, hit! Mavic takes 6 points of Strength Damage

The undead apparition nearest Morley floats towards him but encounters the paladin's sword on its way there. Its holy blade cuts a large tear in the fabric of the creature. Sadly it is not enough to stop it and it continues its attack on the ranger. ]OOC: Anastasia takes her readied attack 6 + 15 - 5 (PA)= 16, miss chance roll 50%, hit! Damage 1d8 + 4 + 2d6 + 5 = 24 hp

Having survived Anastasia's attack, the shadow manages to get around Morley's defenses to trail its ghostly fingers through his arm. An intense, numbing dullness spreads through the limb as the ranger feels it go limp. Having accomplished its goal, the spirit retreats back into the walls from whence it came. OOC: Spring Attack hits touch AC 25, hit! Morley takes 3 points of Strength Damage

The last two shadows both stream at Anastasia, limbs outstretched. Both land solid attacks on the struggling paladin before retreating back into the wall and out of sight. OOC: Spring Attack#1 hits touch AC 24, hit! Anastasia takes 4 points of Strength Damage; Spring Attack#2 hits touch AC 25, hit! Anastasia takes 3 points of Strength Damage

Annoyed, visibly weakened by the undead's touch and horrified, Mavic waves off the elf assassin and hisses at him. "The Shadows man, lo the Shadows!" Fervently praying that such does not dissolve any necessary wards laid upon his liege, Mavic utters Mordenkainen's 6th degree treatise on abjurational wardings against magic, flinging the tiniest pinch of iron fillings in the air which glow and then suddenly radiate outwards from him into a perfect proof circle then disappear.
"Ware the edges of the proof, the creatures cannot abide it nor strike at us but that doesn't mean they do not lurk within range of weaponry," he shouts. OOC: Mavic casts Antimagic Field

A bit more confident thanks to the nobleman's command, George lets two arrows fly toward the sole remaining shadow. OOC: Full attack#1 9 + 14 - 4 (cover) + 1 (PBS) = 20, miss chance roll 95, miss; attack#2 20, miss chance roll 84%, miss

Morley releases his readied arrow and sends 3 more behind it against the only shadow remaining in his line of sight, the one hovering next to the throne of the Marquis. Three of the arrows visibly impact within the insubstantial body of the shadow, sending blue-tinged sparks coursing through it's charcoal body. The fourth buries itself in the tapestry behind it, creating a large burn hole. OOC: Full attack#1 17 + 15 - 4 (cover) + 1 (PBS) = 29, miss chance roll 34%, success! Damage 1d8 + 1d6 + 3 = 10 hp; attack#2 17 + 15 - 4 (cover) + 1 (PBS) = 29, miss chance roll 42%, hit! Damage = 13 hp; attack#3 2 + 10 - 4 + 1 = 9, miss; attack#4 13 + 5 - 4 + 1 = 15, miss chance roll 28%, hit! Damage = 15 hp

As she hopes to soon see the Shadows wink out of existence within the ward, Eshanna looks uncertainly toward the Marquis and makes herself ready for any sudden moves of the poor man.

 

[Branding Opportunity]

Combat with Marquis Round 2

Gregor feels the magic fill him, as his reflexes grow sharper, he feels faster. . . Then a few sharp words from Mavic and that sensation slips away through his finger tips. He looks down to his chest where his hand still lingers from his own spell casting and then looks over his shoulder to Mavic. Sighing slightly at the pointlessness of it all, he turns to face the Marquis. At least most of the shadows were gone.
"What do we do with him?"
He fumbles at his belt for his sling stored there, trying to recall the last time he was forced to resort to man-made weapons. The weapon feels odd in his hand, but he remembers enough of how to use it. OOC: Draw and Load sling

Reivik, seeing his foes float out beyond his reach, decides that it is time to deal with the Marquis. He turns his attentions to the bars of the cell, slamming his powerful maul against them in an attempt to make an opening. The bars of the cell are made of heavy iron, two inches thick, but the dwarf is able to almost break one completely with two blows. It looks as if one more such blow would be enough to break through it. OOC: Smash attack on iron bars 19 + 13 = 34, hit! Damage 1d12 + 20 = 28 hp; attack#2 9 + 8 = 17, hit! Damage = 22 hp

Not entirely pleased with her defenses against the shadows, Latalya pulls out a small pearl from her backpack and then retreats inside the Antimagic Field for now. OOC: Pull out Pearl of Power (1st), Move next to Mavic

The Marquis howls in frustration, shakily standing on his throne and draws a beautiful dagger from his torn fur cloak. “What have you done?” he shrieks furiously, “I can no longer hear or feel the Dark Master! What have you done with my beautiful darkness? Bring it back, you diseased son of a Baklunish she-witch!” He is glaring directly at Mavic. OOC: Stand on throne, draw dagger

The shadows attacks were deadly. And though Mavic’s spell has warded off another wave, it has also sapped Anastasia's strength to stand. With her body almost completely drained and her gear too much for her to bear, she quickly collapses to the ground. “Be it my will or Mayaheine’s I will not be filling the ranks of the accursed undead.” She mumbles as she lays her shield onto the ground and forces herself to stand up. OOC: 7 Strength, Drops shield to avoid Over-Encumbered. Current weight 63 lbs (78 – 15 Shield); Max weight 70 lbs, Heavily Encumbered

Once again the shadows erupt from the walls around you and silently move towards your group with outstretched hands. On crossing the magus' invisible circle, however, they simply wink out of existence. Seeing this, the Marquis' face twists in greater frustration. The only shadow not to do this is the one located in the cell. It begins to move toward you, but just before crossing the barrier you see the Marquis turn his head and look at it. Instantly it backs away into the corner of the cell.

Mavic keeps his eyes locked on the Marquis and barks out an order, “Eshanna, see if you can help Reivik get through those bars. We must secure the sovereign. As long as the proof is in effect we have nothing to fear from the undead.”

Knowing that his bow will have little effect within Mavic's proof, George drops the bow and pulls out his lock tools, "I can try to open that cell door, but I'm a little worried about those shadows coming back once I'm outside the borders of the spell. What do those more versed in these matters think? He quickly turns and throws gazes at Mavic, Latalya and Eshanna. OOC: Drop bow; draw lockpicks

Morley knocks another arrow and readies it if any other shadows attack. OOC: Ready attack

Following the mage's command, Eshanna moves forward and takes a swing at the same bar Reivik had just been hammering away at. She lands two solid blows on the cell with her bastard sword but is unable to make any serious progress beyond causing a few small sparks. OOC: 5 foot move; Full Attack#1 12 + 9 = 21, hit! Damage 1d10 + 3 = 5 hp; attack#2 8 + 2 = 10, hit! Damage = 6 hp

 

[Branding Opportunity]

Combat with the Marquis, Round 3

Gregor shrugs and waits, watching as Reivik batters his way into the Marquis' cell. He stands at the ready in case it becomes necessary to promote the Marquis' cooperation with a rock to the head, but takes no action for now. OOC: Ready attack action

The dwarf nods at Mavic's words. "As soon as I'm through these bars, he'll be unconscious. Not to doubt." Thus said, Reivik again aims Bar against the iron grate separating him from the cell. With a single blow the iron bar bursts in two, allowing enough room for one person to climb through at a time. Without hesitating, the dwarf leaps through the gap, coming to rest next to Querchard. OOC: 5-point Power Attack#1 14 + 13 = 27, hit! Damage 2 + 20 = 22 hp; Move action

“Of course.” Latalya then moves out of the Antimagic Field the opposite side to where the last shadow is and concentrates on the pearl she fetched from her backpack before. OOC: Move action; Latalya gets her Shield spell back

His eyes flashing with anger and still clutching his dagger, the madman makes a short hop off the throne, desperately looking for the edge of Mavic's proof. Instantly the strength seems to return to his limbs, "Yes Master, I can feel you again," he chortles wickedly, "and I will make them pay for their transgressions against you." His face twitches as he begins reciting the beginnings of an arcane incantation, while his arms flail in violent, almost spasmodic gestures. OOC: 5-foot step; begin casting spell

Realizing the threat that the Marquis poses outside of Mavic's spell, Gregor momentarily spins his sling, letting a bullet fly through the bars of the cage. It impacts the painting of the old Marquis, but not the Marquis himself. OOC: Readied sling attack 2 + 10 - 4 (cover) = 8, miss

Ducking as the sling bullet nearly strikes his head, the Marquis finishes casting his spell and points at a spot quite a ways down the eastern corridor. With ne'er a sound, dozens of black tentacles with dark-red veins erupt out of the floor around Latalya and Morley. They greedily grab for the ranger and the elf, while leaving the rest of the party inside of Mavic's proof unmolested. The tentacles latch on to both of them, quickly wrapping themselves around them and crushing them in their hellish grip. OOC: Opposed grapple check Morley 9 + 13 = 22 vs. spell 23, Morley is grappled, Damage = Morley takes 10 hp of damage; Latalya 5 + 6 = 11 vs. spell 35, Latalya is grappled, Damage = Latalya takes 5 hp of damage

Latalya, Mavic:[sblock]Querchard has cast Evard's Black Tentacles[/sblock]
With Rhun already through the bars of the cell, she decides that reservation on her part would be the better call. For she can barely lift her own sword let alone break down clad iron cell doors. With an arm leaning against the cell wall she makes her way over to the master thief and asks, “Do require any help with that lock?”

Seeing the Marquis' defenses breached, the only shadow remaining in the cell rushes toward Reivik. Stupidly it seems to have forgotten about the anti-magic spell and simply vanishes as it is about to strike the dwarf.

Mavic notes the Marquis' spell and adjusts himself closer to that end of the corridor. The tentacles grappling Morley and Latalya instantly disappear. "Does anyone have means to strike at him as so to leave him intact? Perhaps if he's unconscious the dead shall quiet, or lose their liveliness!" Mavic again looks toward the inscriptions within the cell to discern intent and purpose while sweat roils off of his forehead, but he is unable to make heads or tails of anything. They simply seem to be the senseless ravings of a deeply disturbed mind.

George takes a look at the bent bars of the prison cell. “Well, so much for needing to open this lock. Thanks for your offer, Shield Maiden.” Without another word he drops his tools in front of the door and jumps through the break. While drawing his sword he deftly sidesteps Reivik, launching into a flying leap that deposits him on the far side of the Marquis. “Bad Regent! No more casting nasty spells for you,” he quips. OOC: Double move; draw rapier; Tumble check to avoid Marquis' AoO: 17 + 14 = 31, success!

Glad to have escaped the spell's rubbery tendrils, Morley moves away from them and keeps his bow ready for any shadows or to aid Reivik if the Marquis proves more formidable than he looks. OOC: Ready attack action

Holding her hand-and-a-half sword out in front of her, Eshanna follows her commander's non-verbal directions and squirms through the break in the bars. She moves silently past Reivik and closes with the Marquis, one foot up on his thone. OOC: Double Move

 

[Branding Opportunity]

Combat with the Marquis, Round 4

Reivik moves to block the Marquis in and take him out of the combat before he can cause any more harm. Swinging the powerful Bar with strikes designed to pommel the man into unconsciousness without causing too much permanent damage, the dwarf attacks! His first strikes hit true, clipping the deranged human in the arm and causing him to almost loose his balance. Reivik believes that his second series of blows will strike the Marquis as well, but at the last moment the dwarf realizes that his target is actually a few inches further to the right than he first thought. His eyes must be playing tricks on him. The maul misses and catches the edge of the wooden throne Eshanna is perched on, sending a shower of splinters around the room. OOC: 5 foot step; Full Attack#1 13 + 18 - 4 (nonlethal) = 27, hit! Damage 1d12 + 10 = Marquis takes 19 hp of nonlethal damage, Full Attack#2 9 + 13 - 4 (nonlethal) = 18, miss

“Thanks, Mavic!” Latalya says with a nod to the aristocrat mage, then she turns to the crazy marquis. “Now for you!” The elf swiftly moves towards the gap in the bars and through them, ending next to the man. As she passes Reivik, the Marquis sees an opening and strikes at her with his jeweled dagger. Holding her blade ready to strike, she just waits for an opportunity to use it. OOC: Double Move to the square below the Marquis on the map; Attempts to Tumble through Reivik's square so as not to provoke an AoO from the Marquis: Tumble check 1 + 11 = 12, failure! Marquis dagger attack hits AC 29, hit! Damage = Latalya takes 7 hp of damage; If any AoO are provoked, Latalya will try to trip the Marquis, relying on her expertise instead of on raw strength.

Cursing his poor aim, Gregor the Druid looks up to see that Latalya has moved directly in front of his target. Realizing that there is only the tiniest chance of hitting the Marquis now, he grumbles, reloading the sling and glancing around him in case the shadows reappear. OOC: Reload sling; Ready sling attack

The Marquis' forehead wrinkles in growing frustration and desperation. "Get away from me, subhumans," he shrieks, holding the dagger in front of him defensively while attempting to obviously cast a spell defensively. Upon completion of it he shouts "Infantalize!" at the top of his lungs. Immediately Eshanna and Reivik seem to revert to a pre-verbal, childlike state. They make soft, cooing noises and look around them in innocent wonder. OOC: Concentration check to cast defensively succeeds; Latalya, Mavic and Eshanna realize that he is casting a Confusion spell centered on himself; Eshanna, Reivik, the Marquis, and George are currently within the range of the spell and not within Mavic's spell field and must make Will saves; Eshanna Will save 6 + 12 = 18, failure, Eshanna becomes Confused; Reivik Will save 9 + 9 = 18, failure, Reivik becomes Confused; Marquis Will save succeeds; George Will save 17 + 7 = 24, success!

Barely lifting her shield off the ground, Anastasia forces herself to move outside of the wizard’s anti-magical aura so that she can regain some of her magical strength back. As she moves into the cell with her companions she feels the strength of her magical gauntlets returning to her, partially lifting her out of her weakened state. OOC: Pick up shield; move outside of Mavik’s anti-magical circle

Seeing the effect of the spell on Eshanna and Reivik, Mavic takes a quick step towards the bars of the cage, bringing the two within the range of his extremely efficient spell. The cleric of Wee Jas and the dwarf's thoughts immediately solidify as they become acutely aware of their surroundings again. OOC: 5 foot step; Please note that the effects of the Confusion spell are merely suppressed, not dispelled

George laughs as he moves his rapier to his off hand, "This guy better be worth it, Mavic! I could have skewered him three ways from Freeday with my blade by now! Fisticuffs are not my specialty!" The elven scout then takes a punch at the Marquis' kidneys, striking a nasty blow that causes him to cry out in pain. OOC: Change hands; Full Unarmed Sneak Attack#1 on Mavic 9 + 13 = 22, hit! Damage 1d3 + 6d6 = Marquis takes 24 hp of nonlethal damage; Unarmed Sneak Attack#2 10 + 8 = 18, miss

Morley continues to watch the walls and corridors for additional foes. OOC: Ready attack action

Thankful to have her senses restored, Eshanna switches her grip on her bastard sword and swings at the Marquis with the flat of her blade. Due to the awkwardness of how she is holding the sword, neither of her attacks strike true. OOC: Full attack#1 on the Marquis 13 + 9 + 1 (higher ground) - 4 (nonlethal) = 19, miss; full attack#2 6 + 4 + 1 - 4 = 7, miss

 

[Branding Opportunity]

Combat with the Marquis, Round 5

"Taste adamantine, wizard!" shouts Reivik, swinging Bar in wide but nonlethal strokes as he tries to drop the Marquis to the ground. Both of Reivik's series of blows make contact with the unfortunate Querchard, one fully in the chest and the other in his left leg, causing him to cry out in pain. He seems to be slowing down a bit, nearing the end of his rope. OOC: Full Attack#1 8 + 14 = 22, hit! Damage 1d12 + 10 = Marquis takes 18 hp of nonlethal damage; Full Attack#2 16 + 9 = 25, hit! Damage = Marquis takes 16 hp of nonlethal damage

Latalya aims her attack against the Marquis' legs, in an attempt to knock him from his feet. With a backward sweep of her leg he is down, flailing on the ground and muttering vile curses. She quickly shifts the grip on her greatsword to take advantage of her opponent's supine position, delivering a decisive blow to his stomach with the flat of her blade. The sword seems to acquire a high-pitched keening noise as it is about to make contact with the Marquis, and when it does, lets off a shower of ultraviolet sparks (which only the elves can barely see). OOC: Trip Attack#1 17 + 6 = 23, hit! Opposed Trip check: Latalya 17 + 2 = 19 vs Marquis 10, success! Marquis is now prone; Follow-Up Attack 16 + 8 (BAB) + 4 (Magebane) - 2 (Str) – 4 (nonlethal) = 22, hit! Damage = 2d6 – 2 = Marquis takes 9 hp of nonlethal damage, (Magebane) 2d6 = Marquis takes 7 hp of damage; Attack#2 4 + 1 = 5, miss

Gregor stands still beside Mavic, his lips in an animalistic snarl of frustration. Trapped as a man for the time being, he bides, watching as his companions move against the Marquis.

Hissing in pain and struggling to stay conscious, the Marquis blurts out “You cannot defeat me! I have the power of the Master at my fingertips! He gives will hunt your souls to the depths of the Netherplanes for this!” Once again his fingers contort in unatural positions as he casts a spell, his dagger still held out before him. A look of glee comes over his face as he completes the spell. “And I'll take you all with me!” he bellows. Thick, greenish-black fog begins to quickly rise through the holes of the cell and the corridor not within the effect of Mavic's spell, obscuring all sight and causing all those effected to start to choke as they feel their life being drawn from them. OOC: Cast Defensively check succeeds; Latalya and Mavic realize that he is casting Cloudkill; Morley Fort save 2 + 8 = 10, failure, Morley takes 2 points of Constitution Damage; George Fort save 20, success! George takes 1 point of Constitution Damage; Anastasia 4 + 21 = 25, success! Anastasia takes 1 point of Constitution Damage; Marquis fails, Marquis takes 2 points of Constitution Damage

Deciding that she'd rather suffer from weakness than choke to death in this fog, Anastasia takes a quick step towards Mavic. Once within the circumference of his spell, she takes a deep breath and drops her shield once again. OOC: 5 foot step; drop shield

Mavic winces as he sees all the spell effects going off on his comrades. As bad as this all seems now, it's only going to get worse once my magic wears off.
Mavic grimaces in sudden decision -
"Perhaps...perhaps it would be ok to stab him...a little. This won't last forever, and I'll not soon want to deal with his lordship and these undead at once," he says, gesturing with his thumb and forefinger to show exactly how much blood he hopes to spill of his insane, despicable, and apparently racist liege. Otherwise, effectively crippled in combat by his own magic, the mage continues to try to puzzle out the mystery of just what the Marquis was doing locked up in his own dungeon in the first place.

Coughing violently, George has come to the end of his rope. “That does it! Stabbing a little it is,” he quips as he swings his rapier. The blade bites deep into the Marquis's shoulder, causing him to momentarily convulse and stop moving. It seems to have been too much for the poor man. “Good!” the elf exclaims, “I'm getting out of this damnable fog!” George sprints past his companions, nearly knocking them over due to the poor visibility. He gropes his way along the bars of the cage until he finds the hole Reivik made, and slips through. Once outside, and within the range of Mavic's spell, he breathes again. OOC: Attack#1 9 + 14 + 2 (flanking) = 25, miss chance roll success! Damage 1d6 = Marquis takes 5 hp of damage and is now unconscious; Move action

Morley, hopeful his friends can handle one crazy old man, continues to watch for trouble. Not the foolhardy sort, he takes a quick step towads Mavic to get out of the killer fog. OOC: 5 foot step; Ready attack action

OOC: With the Marquis unconscious and the shadows still suppressed within Mavic's spell, there is no need to observe formal combat rounds any more. Querchard's spells are still in effect. He is currently the only one still within the effect of his Cloudkill spell, although Reivik, Latalya and Eshanna are all right next to him. Note that because of the killer fog, only those just mentioned and George have any clue about what happened in the cell after the spell was cast.

 

[hafrogman]

Gregor looks to the roiling cloud of gas inside the chamber, it looks decidedly unhealthy. He notes the boundries of Mavic's spell and considers the gas. He turns to the mage and scratches at his chin.

"Maybe you should move in there, get rid of all of it. Unless that's gonna bring the shadows back."