Realising he's not invisible Eagle sweeps his scimitar at one of the hell-hounds. He misses of course.

09:19, Today: Eagle rolled 4 using 1d20 with rolls of 4. attack roll. Genuinely I don't why I bother rolling attacks for Eagle. . .

09:33, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 3 using 1d20 with rolls of 3. Save vs breath weapon. FAIL, I take additional +6hp damage

Inas bellowed in pain as the flames washed over him, all too reminiscent of that fateful day as a boy...

He turned to face one of the hounds that had bitten him (hound 3) and slashed hard with his sword, but the pain had brought a tear to his eye and his judgement was badly off. His blow fell well short of its intended target, and clanged harmlessly on the ground.

09:37, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 4 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 1. Attack v hound 3. BIG FAT MISS!

From somewhere Saliq's disembodied voice calls out: "With me my friends; on the the mark of three we strike at the beast to Norion's right!"

Saliq's voice sounds perfectly normal... which perhaps makes it all the more eerie coming from the aether.

"One... two... three!"

---

OOC:
Saliq is attacking Hound #1

To Hit (w Jambyia Moonblade): 10:44, Today: Saliq Musfara rolled 19 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 18.
Damage: 10:46, Today: Saliq Musfara rolled 5 using 1d4+1 with rolls of 4. Damage.

Rath, realizing he is cloaked in the wizard's magic, keeps quiet and sidesteps with surprising grace. Loathe to leave Inas outmatched in the fray, Rath nonetheless hears Saliq's words and figures the guy knows what he's doing. With a few quick strides, Rath resolutely moves to position and with a quick, well-aimed, and forceful thrust, kills the slavering hell-beast on the tines of Devilsbane!

He reappears to human sight, withdrawing the trident and bringing with it the innards of the beast, with a satisfied, somewhat vicious smirk on his face.

OOC: [So, of course, because it's 5:00 in the morning, I mis-typed on the dice roller and said I was attacking #3 instead of #1. I meant to attack #1. DM, adjudicate as you see fit.]



Hit Hound #1 for 9 damage (+2 if it is LE).
05:39, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 9 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 6. damage hound #3.  05:39, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 19 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 18. attack hound #3.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:49, Wed 25 Sept 2013.

Norion grimaces as the damage begins to pile after another hot blast of the flame strikes the dwarf.  But the fight must be met head on, victory or certain death, these foul creatures won't retreat that much seems clear.  He swings again and again hits, but not as hard a hit as he'd have liked.


13:32, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 4 using 1d20 with rolls of 4. save. with this damage he should be at 27pts left
13:32, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 5 using 1d8+2 with rolls of 3. damage 1.
13:31, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 18 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 17. attack 1.

Startled at the reappearance of his comrades, Ben nonetheless lets out a resounding cheer as both the weaver of false images and wielder of mighty weapons combine their might to drop one of the evil beasts!!!

"Huzzah!!!"

The fell hounds leap through the air several times, attempting to put the heroes at any sort of disadvantage in order to quickly bring on of them down. Unfortunately, the martial prowess of Rath and Norion keeps the four hounds at bay, effectively protecting the less-able from being victimized by the evil beasts.

The hounds use this as an opportunity to beat a hasty retreat, each heading for the cover of the nearby rocky crags which jut out of the surrounding terrain. But, not before a few party members have a chance to do something about it...


OOC: PCs engaged in melee combat may take a free attack as the hounds break off from combat. The attack will be made at +4. /Orange>
<orange>
Fell Hounds of Tartarus
AC: 4, Size: Medium
HP: #1: 0/29 (N/B/S), #2: 0/27 (N/B), #3: 0/26 (R/I), #4: 0/21 (R/I)

PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   26/26   1   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8
Inas     5   34/52   1   17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7
Norion   3   30/54   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Rath     3   32/41   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Saliq    7   17/17   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2

NPCs
Bruno    6   13/16   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible
Monvo    6   10/10   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr1, Invisible


Stage 1: Hounds
Stage 2: PCs

OOC: PCs are UP!!!
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:26, Sat 28 Sept 2013.

Despite having a chance to slash at the dogs from behind, Eagle slips and brings his sword down clumsily, missing the fleeing dog.


10:09, Today: Eagle rolled 11 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 7.

The Jambiya Moonblade glimmered in the light as Saliq sliced the enchanted dagger at the retreating demon-beast.

---

OOC:
11:08, Today: Saliq Musfara rolled 22 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 17. Attack on Hound #1.
11:09, Today: Saliq Musfara rolled 4 using 1d4+1 with rolls of 3. Damage (Jambiya Moonblade).

Annoyed, Rath finishes off the dog he thought was already dead with a brutal downward strike.



05:53, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 9 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 6. damage hound #3.  05:53, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 16 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 11. attack hound #3.

As Rath finished off the wounded hound, Inas turned on the other beast as it turned to flee. He slashed hard, catching it across the flank and spilling thick blood. As the creature yelped in pain he lunged forward and stabbed his blade forward. He pieced flesh, and drove his sword into the monster right up to the hilt. As the hound went limp he drew his blade free, and the lifeless creature fell to the ground.

14:45, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 12 using 2d4+5 with rolls of 3,4. Damage.
14:44, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 16 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 9. Attack 2 v hound 4.
14:43, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 8 using 2d4+5 with rolls of 2,1. Damage.
14:43, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 24 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 17. Attack v hound 4.

20hp damage = dead!

Norion seeing the hounds begin to retreat grins through his beardless face and leaps forward swinging his battle axe at the retreating hound in front of him.

Norion hits hound #2 for 14pts damage, didn't even remember to use the +4 and still got hits
10:34, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 9 using 1d8+2 with rolls of 7.
10:34, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 5 using 1d8+2 with rolls of 3.
10:33, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 15 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 14. attack again.
10:33, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 16 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 15. attack.

Ben foolishly attempts to attack the retreating hound, almost skewering himself in the process...

OOC: 12:06, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 5 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 1. attack of opportunity.

The group manages to cut down the fell hounds, before the infernal beasts manages to escape to the surrounding countryside.

The hounds fall to the ground and lie still for but a moment, before each spontaneously combusts, leaving behin little more than piles of sooty dark ash, where beast once lay. For the moment, the threat has abated, though the surrounding landscape still appears wild and forbidding.

Based on what intelligence the group gathered, Demonstone lies not too far from this spot, near the crest of the hill ahead. Perhaps no more than an hour distant.

Though it is morning, the visibility is increasingly pour on account of the numerous vents of steam which issue forth from the soil. Small pools of bubbling water rise up here or there, and while each looks terribly inviting, a sulphuric stench hangs thickly in the air, which perhaps dissuades anyone from thinking of soaking their sore muscles in any of these pools.

There is little wonder this region has remained abandoned for so long. Surely it must have held some charm in ages past. What evil thing must have transpired here to befoul the land such?

"What in the name of the three blind gods of syphilis has happened to my pony?" Ben asks, shooting a suspicious glance towards Inas for no specific reason...

For some odd reason he finds the surrounds rather comforting. Better then the damn swamp anyway, and the smell... ahhh, heaven!

Eagle takes a couple of practice swings with his blade, rehearsing what he'd meant to do to the hounds. It's all so easy when he's battling thin air. He shrugs to himself and puts the scimitar away in his belt.

Dusting himself down he takes stock of the party, noting that Bruno seems to be standing slightly taller and prouder than before, the young fighter obviously having taken some confidence out of the encounter. 'Good work everyone,' Eagle says pleasantly, before looking at the two newcomers directly with a raised eyebrow, and with a smile and in a gentle, off-hand tone he continues 'perhaps next time everyone might get involved in fighting off attackers?'

His point made Eagle turns back to the crest of he hill. 'Come, let us continue with this mission.' He gets ready to set off again.

"Relax my friend." Saliq says to Ben before muttering a few words to end the invisibility spell.

"As you see your beast is visible and unharmed. I am sorry for the fright, next time I suppose I better give more warning!" The illusionist smiled apologetically.

Inas inspected his blade, noting that once again the blade was miraculously free of blood and gore. He cautiously stepped forward to inspect the bodies of the fallen beasts, seeing if his arrows could be recovered or if they had been destroyed by the strange fire. GM, can I salvage my two arrows, or are they gone?

After prodding around in the ash he sheathed his sword and retrieved his bow from the ground. His wounds were sore, but on inspection they weren't bleeding as the flame had cauterised the wounds, and he didn't feel as bad as he thought.

Once the group had sorted themselves out he spoke up. "We should be going, we have a long journey ahead."

Rath exhales heavily, stowing his trident. He kicks at a mound of hound-ash and glances over his shoulder at Bruno and Monvo. "Told you this job ain't like our others." He looks around the desolate landscape. "Grab your javelins. I'm thinking you'll be needing them."

Rath, ready to head out, adjusts his pack and sidles up to Saliq. "Nice trick. The vanishing, I mean. Maybe next time we'll put it to better use."

Saliq sighs.

"Not my best plan I'll admit but I hope I was of some use. I can see I'll have to plan my illusions more carefully."

Rath shakes his head. "Don't get me wrong. You're plan was good. Just nobody followed it."

After collecting gear and attending to wounds, the party sets off, climbing higher through the alien landscape toward Demonstone. Soaring stone monoliths rise from the ground at bizarre angles and the ground becomes given over to a loose scree that causes each footstep to crunch noisily.

There is little living foliage to speak of in this region, the very ground seemingly rebelling against any foliage taking root. The husks and charred remains of shrubs are found here or there, but otherwise it is naught but scree, boulder and the ever--present monoliths.

Finally, the heroes spot what must undoubtedly be Demonstone lying dead ahead!

A dark stone cap stands at the hill's summit, in a general shape which hints of a vaguely draconic skull atop which, a crown of obsidian monoliths rise, forming a crown of sorts. Near the top of the stone structure, which rises some 60 feet above the ground, a series of small cave mouths ring the formation, none of which seem easily reachable. However, at the very bottom of the formation, a huge yawning cave opening is seen, inside which an eery crimson glow casts wildly shifting shadows.

There is but a single approach to the Demonstone, a narrow scree-filled path which winds up the hill, directly toward the yawning, crimson-hued maw.

OOC: PCs are about 150 feet distant from the Demonstone now.

As the footing gets more uneven and dangerous, Ben dropped from his pony and led it along with t he bridle. The surroundings appear to make the beast nervous; wide eyed it followed it's owner only because it has been given no choice.

"Let's find a place to set up a base camp if we can," Ben suggested, "then circle the hill. I will look for any safe place for me to scale the dome, then drop a rope if there seems a way in up top."

Rubbing his hair, Ben studied the hill like an artist trying to figure out where to dab on the next piece of paint.

"Does it seem wiser to take Bruno and Monvo in with us, or to leave them out here as a back up should we need to beat a hasty retreat?"

His intonation implied Ben preferred the latter option. The difficult route out of the obelisk strewn countryside seemed reason enough to assume they would wait for the rest of them. That, and they might be able to guard his pony.

Rath stares up at the foul hill, the glowing maw-cave, the treacherous path leading into it. "Heh. Doesn't look so bad. I was expecting something scary."

Rath agrees with Ben's plan to circle the hill, but he suggests that the henchmen not be left unaccompanied in such a dangerous land. "Any more of those dogs hunting around here, and two men won't hold against 'em," he tells Ben. Then he turns to Bruno and Monvo to gauge their reaction to seeing Demonstone up close.

Rath turns to gauge Bruno and Monvo's reaction after Demonstone comes in sight and both are very quiet, perhaps contemplating their choice of employment.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:40, Sun 29 Sept 2013.