Stefan took to running as soon as Raina mounted him bareback, but he got off to a shaky start.  This was not a form he had ever spent much time in and it would take him a minute to get moving smoothly.

I am fine riding with Raina, though it sucks to be us, 5 reflex save but a good attempt at casting call lightning, if I still have it prepared....
11:20, Today: Stefan Aruello rolled 2 using 1d20. +3 reflex.
11:27, Today: Stefan Aruello rolled 16 using 1d20. +9 will or +11 concentration, whichever is appropriate.

Prizzard/Tanzy: Prizzard indeed misses the woman but manages to likewise dodge her black blade. Tanzy's sneak attack successfully stabs her in the back though, albeit not fatally. She is furious, gnashing her sharp teeth and shrieking even louder. In the distance you aren't sure, but you think you see two white figures running towards you, no doubt coming to the woman's aid....

Stefan/Raknesh:

As you continue to flee, you both discover that now that you've been able to unlock your powers, it is much easier to hold onto them without effort. The closer you get to the forest the more your abilities improve, requiring very little extra concentration. Stefan, you find you are able to call lightning, which if you wish, may be directed at the black tower in the distance.


As the sky crackles above you, suddenly two bolts of black energy shoot out of the clouds and strikes each of you. Raina manages to pitch herself free, half falling, half leaping off of Stefan. You are vaguely aware of a cracking sound as she lands, for she's already quite wounded and no doubt the fall was not pleasant. Now though, you are more concerned with yourselves as the energy rips through you, slicing into your veins with an icy grip that leaves you breathless. Somehow, it has also transformed Stefan back to his human form. As suddenly as it hits it is gone, but as you look down at your body you feel a horrible tightness, a crawling, swelling feeling that nearly causes you to panic. Upon looking at your skin you notice blackened pulsating cysts spreading up your arms and skin. They are expanding, growing, and they hurt like nothing you've ever experienced. It won't be long before they burst. Laughter echoes from the sky, as though the King of Death is somehow able to see you. Raina though, fortunately reacts quickly in spite of her wounds. Get over here now! She barks at Raknesh, for she is still close to Stefan. She puts a cool hand on your foreheads and  begins to chant in some ancient language, shaking with effort. Suddenly the cysts are gone, your skin is whole, but you feel exhausted. Raina looks like she feels the same, but she turns to the sky with a triumphant shout. You'll not have them father! Rot on your throne you damned fool! I'll not help you anymore! With a look of almost delight at her own words she ushers you forward once more. Come on, we're almost there. She pants, though you are dismayed to look behind you to see what appears to be an army of skeletons in pursuit.

ooc: Stressful much? ;P

Stefan comes once more to his feet.  He had felt the bolt of lightning he called strike the tower just as the black bolt hit him, and he looked at the tower again, pulling at his already taxed concentration to keep the tower under assault.  Maybe the King would have less time to attack them if he was busy defending, but Stefan doubted it.  As he runs he pants out to Raina, "What will happen to you when we get to the forest?"

first bolt will do... a damage and if 20 concentration will let me keep blasting, a second bolt will do more.  I don't know if the King has made the area stormy enough to increase my damage die so I will let you roll, I amn not payuing a great deal of attention to see how much damage I am doing.

Trying to bolster his destruction output, he casts a spell defensively and tries to reach for the female at the last moment, but misses wildly as he tried to maintain his defense. "Get a head-start if you want, I shouldn't be far behind." And then in a low speaking tone: "After they are all dead.."

rolled 31 using 1d20+12. Concentration DC16.
rolled 7 using 1d20+4. Touch Attack (-4).

HP: 52/72
SP: 20/28

Defensively Cast Shocking Grasp (-5SP), free touch attempt
Combat Expertise: +4 AC

It was easy to tell their opponent was angry, and was doing disgustingly well despite the fact it was two against one. Tanzy took another swing at the woman. "I think I saw two more," she warned, a little disheartened that Prizzard seemed reluctant to retreat. They really weren't having much effect on the woman."Your friend, might still be alive," Tanzy spoke to the woman as a last resort. If she even understood them. "We will let you tend to him if you stop." Her free hand clutched the signal whistle ready to call for help from the others.


attack 18
damage 1
diplomacy 12 I think trying diplomacy might take a full action so that will go to Tanzy's next attack. Not that it did much good. Crappy dice roller!

"Thank you!" said Raknesh as the horrid and painful symptoms disapeared.

"Stefan, it's probably not the best time to say that, but a surviving priest told me I had to kill you with this blade to make you leave this strange world..." he added, showing the dagger.

Prizzard/Tanzy:

I will tend to him once you are dead! She snarls in a raspy voice, swinging at Prizzard. The first attempt misses, but the second slices him across the leg. She looks furious and the other shapes are indeed coming closer, leading you to believe that you were correct in your assumption that more are coming. Fortunately you hear someone behind you call, Prizzard! We're coming! It is Loden and Jett. Their swords are drawn and they are almost there.

Raknesh/Stefan:

Stefan's lightning hits the tower with a crash of flying mortar and electricity. The storm seems to be aiding the bolts, no doubt the King is unhappy with this turn of events. Meanwhile, the skeleton army is desperately trying to reach you in time. Fortunately the gate is very near. You should reach it in the next several seconds.

Raina runs too, though she is limping visibly. Once I cross that gate I am no longer amongst the world of the dead. I do not know what happens to me then, but it doesn't matter! She pants. Upon hearing Raknesh's words Raina looks surprised. I am unfamiliar with that.... She frowns uncertainly. Just as you reach the gate, another bolt emerges from the sky right in front of you. A wall of black flame blocks you from entrance and the skeletons are closing....

Dropping his defense at the sound of reinforcements, he goes for the kill, only to misplace his foot after stepping to flank with Tanzy. At the last second he makes a shove, hoping to at least discharge the touch spell.

rolled 14 using 1d20+12. Flanking Attack.

HP: 47/72
SP: 20/28

What now? yelled Raknesh as they are cut from their exit.

"Can you do something about those flame? I don't think it would be wise to try to cross it... But we don't have many choices."

He looked at the dagger.
"I'm a bit suspicious about it too, but if we can't cross the fire, there might be no other way..."

Tanzy is relieved to hear the others coming in as backup. She'd just been getting ready to signal for help. "There are two more coming from over there," she tilted her head in the general direction.

Tanzy/Prizzard: Prizzard's attempt just barely misses, and the woman hits him across the chest with her blade, but on her second attempt she loses her balance and stumbles, leaving her momentarily prone. She starts to stand, giving everyone near an attack of opportunity. Meanwhile Loden and Jett both miss their attempts, though Loden does acknowledge Tanzy's warning.

Stefan/Raknesh: Raina gauges the situation hurriedly. There may not be time for you to kill him. Let's try to climb the gate first. I'll boost you up and then follow. She says looking back at the ensuing horde. She holds her hands out to give you a lift.

ooc: Climb checks please. Fortunately the gate doesn't look too difficult....we'll see how kind the dice roller is ;P

18:31, Today: Raknesh Kaltash rolled 14 using 1d20-1. climb (crossing fingers).
Climbing never had any appeal for Raknesh, so he didn't really trained in that field.
Now he hoped his lack of rigor in his training won't have too high a cost...

Focusing to strike true, his damage is lacking, but he carries through into a second blow, feeding a little life into a short, bloody spell on the way around.


rolled 30 using 1d20+12. Flanking Attack.
rolled 8 using 2d4+6. Weapon Damage.
rolled 15 using 6d6. Spell Damage.

rolled 20 using 1d20+12. Flanking Attack.
rolled 11 using 2d4+6. Weapon Damage.
rolled 15 using 3d6. Spell Damage.

HP: 37/72
SP: 19/28

AoO, 5' Step if needed, Cast Blade of Blood (-1sp,-5hp), Attack.

Tanzy sees an opening as the woman slips and swings around for an attack, quickly following it with another. "These people just don't die," she muttered looking over at Prizzard. He'd taken another hit and she hoped he was doing better than he looked. Not that she was really any better off. "You got this one?" Not waiting for an answer she moves quickly out of the fight turning to face the newcomers.

AoO: 19 damage 1
normal attack 18 damage 2
move away using mobility +4 to defense

Ooc: Wow Tanzy is about to toss her rapiers to the wind and find new weapons here. The dice roller is killing me!

Stefan moved forward and jumped to try and get height so he wouldn't have to climb as high, but he stumbled into the bottom of the wall as he resumed human form, healthy and hale as ever he was.  He glanced back and with fear driving him he scurried up the wall like a monkey, the shambling horde on his heels.

well no height on my jump but a good climb check.  20 concentration to keep hammering at the tower with lightning.
16:40, Today: Stefan Aruello rolled 9 using 1d20. +11 concentration.
16:35, Today: Stefan Aruello rolled 18 using 1d20. climb.
16:35, Today: Stefan Aruello rolled 1 using 1d20. +1 jump.

Tanzy/Prizzard: Between the two of you, the female goes down in a bloody mess, though it is pretty obvious that most of that contribution came from Prizzard....(lol poor Tanzy). By now the new enemies are near enough to engage and Loden and Jett rush forward to do so, both doing considerably better this time than they have before. Still, as you've already learned, these foes don't go down easily and who knows if there are any more out there...

ooc: Next round, 4 against 2 I believe so at least it will hopefully be easier this time. And yeah, Tanzy may want to go weapon shopping at the next town....

Stefan and Raknesh:

You both manage to climb up without incident, though Stefan is the more graceful of the two, and even Raina manages at the last second, though she certainly is struggling. By the time she gets over the horde is there, shaking at the gates but not daring to pass through them, even though the fire dissipates upon your entrance. Raina stands there, stiff and wincing as though waiting for something horrible to happen to her. After a moment of waiting it is clear she is still alright and she breathes a sigh of relief. Well....I'm still in one piece for the most part. I have no idea what happens to me now. She shakes her head. I don't know if I can go back even if I wanted to. But at least I didn't burst into flames or anything right? She gives a half smile. We should get moving. I don't want anyone getting brave enough to try to follow us.

ooc: Post reactions and then please roll a listen check

He speaks one spell and seems to shift a few inches to the side, then another and he takes off, trying to get around the enemies into a flanking position if possible.

HP: 37/72
SP: 13/28

Cast Displacement(5sp), Cast Swift Expeditious Retreat(1sp), Move 80'.
50% miss chance

coming down to the ground Stefan once more took the form of a pony, providing a much higher landing point for Raina and a faster getaway for the group as a whole.  With a soft whiny at her weight he took off making sure Raknesh stayed with them while he dropped another lightning bolt on the tower and his ears twitched.

30 to listen
09:13, Today: Stefan Aruello rolled 10 using 1d20. +12 concentration.
09:11, Today: Stefan Aruello rolled 16 using 1d20. +14 listen.

Raknesh agreed with Rachel.
He didn't really understand what was going on, but finding a safer place, far from those thing didn't need any comprehension.

"We have much to talk about, I think." is all he said before they moved again.

16:10, Today: Raknesh Kaltash rolled 11 using 1d20+8. listen.

Tanzy attacks the newcomer swinging her rapier around in an expert pattern.

attack 29 (17+12)
confirm critical 16 (4+12 :(
Damage 2

Prizzard/Tanzy:
Loden and Jett are now attacking the newcomers and as Prizzard moves into a flanking position one of the things lashes out at him, but misses wildly due to his spell. Loden strikes a decent hit against his foe, but there is clearly a lot of fight left in him. Jett barely grazes his and Tanzy likewise only deals a small amount of damage to him, in spite of her well placed attack. Fortunately everyone manages to avoid being hit this round and you are hopeful with two of you per creature that it won't be as bad as your first encounter was.

ooc: Next round!

Stefan/Raknesh:
As you start to put some space between you and the gate, Raknesh hears nothing but Stefan, you hear whispers all around you in a strange tongue. It's impossible to tell how close they are, but the feeling is...unsettling. Meanwhile Raina directs you both until at last you are in the middle of the wood, surrounded by trees and darkness. She slides off Stefan and winces as she limps to rest against a tree. Well, we can't stay here long. This forest is full of dangerous things. Tell me about the dagger. She nods to Raknesh. Stefan, no one else seems to hear the voices, but you can tell they are all around you now.

Now less pressured, he takes a quick spin to land an elegantly-placed overhead slash, barely glancing off his assailants collarbone.

rolled 31 using 1d20+12. Flanking Attack.
rolled 12 using 2d4+6. Weapon Damage.

HP: 37/72
SP: 13/28
Displacement 5/6

5' Step if necessary, Attack

Seeing an opening Tanzy swiftly attacks from behind. It was comforting to have Loden and Jett helping. She was pretty sure they would have either been killed by now or at the very least on the run.

Sneak Attack: 28 (16+12)
Damage: 8 (1+5+2)

Stefan's pony head keeps sweeping around, his ears flicking constantly as he tries to filter out the conversation happening more or less on top of him and focus on what he was barely hearing, trying to make it out more clearly.

08:56, Today: Stefan Aruello rolled 13 using 1d20. +14 listen.

"Alright" began Raknesh.
"This dagger was given to me by the only survivor of the temple's attack.  He checked on you, Stefan, and told us you were trapped in some kind of psychic world.  He said he could send me there too and that the only way to bring you back was to 'kill' you in this world with said dagger."