Boreas' gem blazes with furious light as he watches Shep transform before his eyes.  In flat, even tones, he says I thought you were a part of nature, part of the balance, but you've perverted it to your own cause.

Then, gaining a little inflection, he adds, Zuriel, right.  I'm on it.

He deftly scales the wall, clinging to the corner of wall and ceiling.  Boreas points the orb at Shep, and with a flare of light in his gem, fires.  Five of the sigils on the orb glow briefly before discharging bolts of lighting toward the werewolf.  The first four are timed perfectly, each striking Shep in a different place, sending him reeling, then the next knocking him back the other way.  The fifth bolt flies wild, splintering a few shards of stone from the wall.

The wolf drops to one knee, steam rising from his form, breathing heavily.  He slowly rises, hurt but not yet beaten.

[Ranged Touch Attacks 12, 12, 13, 25, 8]
[Reflex vs. Fumble 26]
[Damage 27]

[OOC]I cleared this with Aaron.  Skirmish applies its bonus on all attacks made in a round in which the scout moves at least 10'.  Each bolt is a separate attack, so each one gets the bonus.[/OOC]

[EDIT: Accounted for Reflex Saves.]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:44, Thu 05 Dec 2013.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 319):

Shep's eyes narrow as the woodsman pelts him with bolt after bolt of crackling electricity, which leave ugly welts and burn marks across his features wherever they strike.

"It is entirely unsurprising that you would be the first to decline my generosity, Boreas," he growls.  "It should be equally unsurprising that you will come to regret that decision."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:48, Thu 05 Dec 2013.

In reply to DM (msg # 320):

Do you see now who the aggressors are here, young Keef?

It was not the evil hunters of the night who drew first blood, even when the offer of parting ways mutually was extended by you.

No, it was the noble Boreas who attacked first.

Just like he did with the Buzzkill exterminators.

It would seem you were traveling with a monster even after my own departure.

"An offer that was then redacted and made moot by...Shep. Is that....seriously your name?" Zuriel asks, oddly curious.

Somehow it seems at odds with the gravity of the situation here.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 322):

NATIONS HAVE QUAKED IN FEAR AT THE MERE MENTION OF THE MASTER'S NAME; DO NOT EVER AGAIN DISPARAGE THE NAME OF THE MASTER IN MY PRESENCE! (ROAR)

Giles regains his composure, and continues his taunting.

Typical Paladin. Using semantics to avoid any indication of wrongdoing.

How nice it must be to wear the warm cloak of righteousness. I wonder if that cloak keeps Trisha warm now?

Giles belches loudly

Trish says no.

This message was last edited by the player at 21:37, Thu 05 Dec 2013.

"For somebody who is so anti-semantic you sure do talk a lot, Giles."

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 324):

Lukas and Shaw glance at each other, sharing an expression that seems to wonder whether the oft-repeated mantra of "the time for talk is over" was strictly accurate.

This message was deleted by the player at 22:21, Thu 05 Dec 2013.

In reply to DM (msg # 325):

Keef somehow manages to stand his ground as the dog is replaced by a terrible beast.  He does not, however, mask his fear, but he doesn't give into it.

This at least is clear...

With great effort, born more of inner resolve and frustration than actual might, Keef takes a small step, putting himself between 'Shep' and his companions.  He holds the Ever staff across his body.

Though he is facing that particular monster, he is clearly addressing everyone when he yells out:

None shall touch my companions, whoever tries will die...

In reply to Keef (msg # 327):

Shep's calculated persona fades as the lightning-streaked welts begin to glisten upon his skin, and the creature lets loose an earthshaking howl that puts the others you have heard so far this day to shame.  His eyes seem to lose all focus, saliva drips from his jaws, and he jumps up and down with reckless abandon.

[Feature: Barbarian Rage]

In this state, he ignores Keef and his words of warning entirely, and charges toward the woodsman with murder in mind.  Reaching the wall upon which Boreas climbed, he begins to scale it, punching his sharp claws into the stone itself as he scales the surface.

[Climb: 17]

He needn't go far, as the ceiling of the cavern can't be much more than 10 feet at its highest point.  He judges the distance carefully, then snaps forward with his jaws.

[Attack (Boreas): 27]

Shep lunges forward, causing Boreas to reflexively raise his leg to shield himself.  The creature obliges him, clamping down on his ankle with razor-sharp fangs that penetrate both his armor and his supernaturally toughened skin with relative ease.

[Damage: 12]

A disgusting yellowish-green substance oozes from the wound, and Boreas winces as he attempts to stave off infection.

[Fortitude Save: 18]

Through luck, magic, or sheer force of spirit, the curse fades as quickly as it appeared.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:37, Fri 06 Dec 2013.

In reply to DM (msg # 328):

Giles reacts to Shep's decision to engage with a laugh, barreling headlong into Lyriel with reckless abandon.

[Attack (Charge): 25]

The cleric is taken slightly off-guard, allowing the crazed hero to take a hearty bite into her shoulder.

[Damage: 6]

The same yellow-green ooze cakes the wound, and the cleric shudders.

[Fortitude Save: 5]

The oozes swells around the wound, refusing to vanish as Boreas's did, and Lyriel looks up in alarm.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:59, Fri 06 Dec 2013.

Maeve watches as Zuriel blanches, having seen Lyriel shudder as the lycanthrope virus courses through her veins.

Zuriel!  To me!  You can't do anything for her just now!

The young warrior runs toward Shep, who on the ground snarling at Boreas perched on the ceiling.  She slashes the guisarme across the creature; the cut isn't as deep as it might have typically been, but it still bloods copiously and Shep howls in pain and rage.

[OOC: full power attack]

[Attack: 22]

[Damage (including DR):11]

No mercy.  No mercy for one such as you.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:36, Fri 06 Dec 2013.

Lyriel looks down in alarm at the wound, but puts it from her mind and focuses on the nearer danger at hand.

Nothing can be done about it now...

She takes a strategic step back from Giles' slathering jaws, and summons her divine energies. Shitek!

[Casting Spell: Hold Person: Giles]

[Giles Will save vs. DC 15: 14 Failure]

Emerald bands of energy flow from Lyriel's outstretched fingers and wrap themselves tightly around Giles, rendering him paralyzed and mute. He blinks angrily at her. She tosses him a radiant smile.

Goddess, perhaps now we can get some peace and quiet. Or at least quiet. I swear, when he and Zuriel get into it we're more likely to die of boredom than battle.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:16, Fri 06 Dec 2013.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 331):

The three Blackarms exchange a knowing look, then barrel headlong into Maeve.

The warrior, aware of the situation, adjusts her position to sweep the polearm across their approach, ripping each open in turn.

[AOO (Combat Reflexes): 18, 23, 21]
[AOO Damage: 16, 17 14]

The three Blackarms still look surprised when they fall, lifeless, to the ground.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:59, Fri 06 Dec 2013.

In reply to DM (msg # 332):

Keef watches over his shoulder as Giles moves in to bite Lyrial.  He presses his lips together and tenses, but seems unable to react.

Instead he shifts his stance slightly to face the remaining foes.

Time slows down as Zuriel sees Lyriel, wounds ooze over in infection. Panic wells up briefly, but is quickly suppressed by his combat instincts. The paladin sinks deeper into the rhythm of the battle, and the serenity his surety of purpose brings.

I have to end this at the source.

Spinning away from the immobilized Giles, he tears after the werewolves as they charge Maeve. Reality seems oddly slowed as he watches Maeve whirl her polearm in a graceful dance of death. Blood arcs out from the Werewolves in glistening red fountains of scarlet droplets that appear to hang motionless, glistening in the air. His boots thud against the stone pavement, each footfall thunderous in his ears. Right before he reaches the pile of corpses at Maeve's feet, he jumps into the air with a yell, pointing his sword at Shep's heart.

Holy white fire ignites around the blade, mixing with the sheen of the silver to wreath the longsword in an argent halo. Shep turns to face the new threat, and Zuriel's amber eyes, burning with inner light, lock with the red eyes of the purest evil the paladin had yet encountered.

[Smite Evil: 34 ; Crit Confirmed]

[Damage: 23 Holy, Silver]

Zuriel's sword pierces Shep's twisted evil heart, and the force of Zuriel's charging leap drives the point through the Werewolf Lord and into the wall behind him. For a moment, they each hang there, the Werewolf's eyes widening in shock more than pain. Then Zuriel kicks off the wall, free his sword of both stone and beast, and spins around, landing crouched and at the ready, sword held out to the side, while the bulk of Shep slumps to the ground behind him.

[Private to DM: Slowly, he puts on sunglasses as he walks away without looking back.]

In reply to Keef (msg # 333):

The Bluebands watch the carnage with a grimace, allowing Shaw and Lukas to debate the merits of attacking either side while the P.A.R.T.Y. spars with the Blackarms.

The conversation reaches its apex just as Zuriel makes his heroic leap toward Shep, delivering a blow that sends the werewolf lord to the ground in a rather unceremonious heap.

"And so it begins, as has been foretold," Shep rasps, his eyes clouding over in a sightless haze as blood pools around him.  "This world is cursed, and you... are doomed."

With a shutter, the creature breathes its last.

"See?!  Giles will bring the wrath of the Flame upon us, as well!" Lukas says, shaking his head from side to side.  "Just look at what they did to his abomination of a master."

"We face the Flame either way," Shaw exclaims, jabbing a finger toward the paladin and the cleric in turn.  "Do you think they're going to sit around and wait for us to crack open the vault, take the pick of the litter, then wander back to our werewolf-infested stronghold? We must strike them now -- hard -- before they turn their attention on us."

One of the rank-and-file Bluebands perks up as a thought occurs to him.

"Chief?  What about that contingency plan you were talking about earlier? The one you were saving in case Giles got out of hand after we opened the vault."

Shaw blinks, taken aback, and turns to Lukas accusingly.

"You wouldn't..."

"I might," Lukas snaps.  "Giles needs us more than we need him right now, but I'm not fond of the idea of a bunch of newly freed werewolves each declaring themselves an alpha."

He repositions his tunic to reveal an ornate amulet before continuing, "We'll have faction wars throughout Mi'driel, and we'd never get any work done. Can't have that.  Shaw, if you would free our worthless ally? Quinn, Charles? Let's shake things up..."

"Aye, Chief!" the Bluebands reply, their eyes betraying the fear masked by their enthusiastic response.

Quinn moves to within about 30 feet of the P.A.R.T.Y.'s clumped location, and extends his hand, palm outward.

[Casting: Enlarged Color Spray]

A cone of prismatic color washes over Lyriel and Keef with vigor, causing both to wince.

[Will (Lyriel): 19]
[Will (Keef): 10 (fail)]

The cleric's eyes blaze to light with righteous fury, throwing off the effects of the spell entirely.  Keef, however, is less fortunate, and flinches as the energy courses through his body.  His eyes gain a milky hue (blinded for 1 round) and, perhaps most importantly, the Everstaff clatters to the ground as his fingers lose their ability to maintain a firm grip (stunned for 2 rounds).

[Private to Keef: "Master!"]

Charles positions himself somewhat differently, pointing his own spell at Zuriel.

[Casting: Enlarged Color Spray]

[Will (Zuriel): 22]

Like Lyriel, the paladin staggers for a moment, but ultimately shakes off the magic's effects.

Shaw doesn't move at all, and instead points a lazy finger in Giles' direction.

[Casting: Dispel Magic: 19]

The chains of magical energy binding the People's Champion shimmer for a moment, then dissipate entirely

Lukas sighs, despite the fact that the battle seems to be evening out into something that less resembles a rout.  He brandishes the amulet while speaking absently to the room in general.

"This is not how I wanted this to go.  Is it too much to ask for a few weeks of privacy while we pillage an ancient vault of untold treasure?"

His eyes soften slightly, and he extends the object toward Maeve.

"I am truly sorry, m'dear... but in my experience, the strongest physical threats are often the easiest mental challenges, and Mi'driel requires your services. Kry'sirke!"

[Casting: Enlarged Dominate Person (Maeve)]

The amulet shimmers with a bright blue light, which streaks across the cavern to strike Maeve squarely in the chest.  The impact point flickers with blue light, and her eyes become completely awash in the same hue.

[Will Save: 11 (fail)]

The amulet's sheen fades completely after the spell has been cast, and Lukas allows the useless husk of metal that remains to fall unceremoniously against his chest.

"Kill anyone who attacks, harms, hinders, or otherwise impedes myself, Giles, or any Blueband."

[Will Save #2 (compelled to act against her nature): 18 (fail)]

Maeve's spirit cannot respond, but her body obediently repositions itself to carry out her new orders.

~~ Round 2 ~~
Keef Damage: 0.  Blinded (1 round). Stunned (2 rounds).
Boreas Damage: 12
Giles Damage: 0
Maeve Damage: 0. Dominated (X days -- you don't know how long)
Lyriel Damage: 6. Infected.
Zuriel Damage: 0
Lukas, Shaw, and Blueband Mooks Damage: 0

References:


This message was lightly edited by the GM at 19:09, Fri 06 Dec 2013.

Boreas sighs heavily at the magic affecting his friends, especially Maeve.  He climbs across the ceiling to the other side of Zuriel and descends partway down the wall.

Maeve, I'm sorry but... Stop and Collaborate.

[Ranged Touch 28]

Boreas hurls the iron orb at his friend as it springs open, two iron bands binding her feet and arms.  Her guisarme clangs to the floor beside her.

Lukas, you and your friends have chosen poorly.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:32, Fri 06 Dec 2013.

Maeve, for her part, struggles fruitlessly against the iron bands and fixes the members of the P.A.R.T.Y with a now-blue glare as she tries to break free and attack them.  Since she has until now always fought on your side you may not have noticed, but she really is quite unnerving in battle mode.

In reply to Maeve (msg # 337):

Not far off down the hallway, though at enough distance that the Master's demise has gone unnoticed, the battle resumes.

Three already have been slain, the first in a quick and silent attack from the shadows.  Not silent enough, however, as it alerted the enemy to our hero's presence.  The next two died with somewhat less flair, all attempt at stealth abandoned in favor of a showing of raw power.

Now the companions of the dead have rallied.  They are afraid, perhaps, but they put too much stock in their superior numbers to back down.  This is not as our hero had hoped...

A thousand tactics from countless battles near the bog roll through his mind like mirrors down a hill, reflecting countless possibilities for the future though all mere distortions of what is before him.

Grimly, he puts those aside and sets his mind to his purpose.

With a wordless battle-cry, he charges bodily forward.  The foes steel themselves in the dark shadows of the soft earthen walls, but are fooled.  At the last instant, our hero makes a stunning leap over their lines and smashes at one end of their force from behind.  Having underestimated the vertical dimension, they are caught off guard.

A flash of limb here, a tongue like liquid steel here in the dark, and soon the enemy are falling over themselves to scamper off, leaving our hero victorious.

It may be that they will regroup, it may be that they are routed forever.

None of that matters now.  All that maters is that the P.A.R.T.Y. may be in trouble, and he may be the only one who can save them.  As much as it pains him to help lesser folk, and as much as he would rather chase down the surviving cockroaches and finish them off once and for all, Chubbs realizes it is his place to come to the rescue at any cost.

So resolved, he hops along the squishy earth toward the main chamber.


.... oh and in the chamber itself Keef stands immobile and does nothing.

MASTER!

(A sickly howl emanates from Giles as Zuriel strikes the death blow upon the now defeated Shep)

Arooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

As the last breath leaves Shep's chest, a burst of white energy shoots out from his body, striking Giles squarely in his heart. The mighty Werewolf falls to one knee as the energy surges into him, the blast ending as quickly as it began.

A beleaguered Giles, fur singed and body crackling with supernatural energy, rises to his feet and faces the P.A.R.T.Y.

While it's clear he addresses all of you, his gaze never breaks with Keef.

"It is done. The Master, harbinger of desctruction, defiler of worlds and souls unknown, has been defeated. And in his death, as the final of the children he had cursed, I am born anew. No longer am I the follower- I arise as the Master.

Arroooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

For the first moment in time unknown, my thoughts are my own. No longer do I hear the Master's voice in my mind, clouding my judgment, guiding my actions. The things I have done, the people I have hurt; all is clear to me now.

So much blood. So much death. And to what end?

What.. what have I become?"

The fur begins to fall from the body of Giles Thistleworth as the supernatural strength ebbs from his body and the man you once called a companion stands before you, broken and naked.

"There is no place in this world for monsters like me. My kind was brought here unnaturally, and we must depart to restore the natural order of things. There can be no coexistence between our people, and I can have no more blood on my hands.

Take care of my children Shaw. They will turn to you for guidance and understanding in the days ahead. I expect you to provide it. "

Giles falls to his knees in front of Keef, his head hung low as he reaches down and grasps the Everstaff. The familiar whisper of foreign will and dark thoughts floods his mind. Steeling his resolve, Sir Giles leans into Keef, and Keef alone, whispering his final will.

[Private to DM; Keef: Don't try to be a hero Keef; just be the man that once you thought me to be, and the man I know you to be growing into. Be the best of us both.]

Sir Giles wraps Keef in a bear hug before standing one last time in front of the P.A.R.T.Y.

(in a defiant roar, echoing through the walls of the ancient vault)

"For the People!"

With a disgusting burst of blood and magic, Sir Giles Thistleworth, the People's Champion, thrusts the Everstaff into his heart and is consumed by its dark powers. A deafening explosion of magical energy flies skyward from the Werewolves, Lyriel, and to the P.A.R.T.Y.'s surprise, Shaw, as the Blackarms revert to their previous human form.

Where once stood Sir Giles Thistleworth, stands only empty space and the crackle of dissipating supernatural energy.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:19, Sat 07 Dec 2013.

In reply to Giles Thistleworth (msg # 339):

The Everstaff shimmers and crackles for a moment, suspended in midair, then clatters to the floor.  The blood and gore splattered around it vanishes abruptly as the object feasts, leaving it and its immediate surroundings bone dry.

OOC: Reactions from the Bluebands will wait until their natural turn. Maeve is considered to be "holding" for the moment.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:54, Sat 07 Dec 2013.

Lyriel gasps in relief as she feels the infection fade from her wounds. She locks eyes with Zuriel, and nods. He darts off towards the mages while the cleric rushes over to attend Boreas, giving Maeve a wide berth.

She shudders slightly as Maeve's blue enchanted gaze meets hers for a moment before the ensorceled warrior returns to thrashing on the floor.

Pale emerald energy glows around her palm as she reaches out to Boreas.

[Spontaneously Converting Summon Monster I to Cure Light Wounds: Boreas 13]

Boreas' wounds sizzle and close up entirely as the divine power of Tassada knits his flesh together.

Lyriel turns back to Lukas and rest of the mages, prepared to end the conflict however necessary.

Zuriel cries out as the dark energy consumes Giles, but the People's Champion pays him no heed. And then, in a flash, he was gone, leaving only the crackling of energy to mark his passage from the world.

So Giles found his redemption in the end...

As the energy dissipates, Zuriel fixes his gaze on the mages.

Lukas, though...

Zuriel darts forward, argent blade raised as the paladin dashes forward to meet the remaining threat.

"You knew," he says accusingly as he draws closer. "You knew, and thought you could use them as pawns to your own ends. Do you have *ANY* idea how many people almost lost their lives because of your arrogance?"

He finishes his sprint in front of Lukas, blade leveled at his throat.

"Enough is enough. Release your spells. All of you." he says to the bluebands at large. Zuriel spares a glance at Shaw, who surprisingly no longer registers as evil. The paladin raises an eyebrow. "The People deserve leadership who puts the interests of those they represent above their own petty lusts for power. It's time to make amends. Surrender, and let there be no further loss of life today. Continue resisting, and we will not hold back. This is your last chance."

[Diplomacy: 28]

[Ready action to attack Lukas if any of the mages cast anything or Lukas steps back.]

[OOC: This post kind of straddles the line between diplomacy and intimidate. The raw roll was a 17, so if you call this intimidate the result is a 20 instead.]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:52, Sat 07 Dec 2013.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 342):

Keef takes several steps toward the emptiness left by... what was possibly the second greatest hero he'd ever heard of.

He reaches out a hand and holds it in the air, turning it ever so slightly to and fro as if he expected the recent presence of Giles to have left some sort of impression on the fabric of reality.

For the time being, Keef leaves the Ever staff where it fell and just stares into nothing, lost in thought.