Can't see the map here

Izzick couldn't believe it...well he could. They'd seen the keep in ruin, they'd even seen it's destruction happen. Why should he be shocked as they suddenly appeared in a mass grave. Many had died here - but whether this was the direct result of what they'd seen or something earlier or later he couldn't say for certain. It was just horrific. He almost spoke, but then his eyes caught the man's and the man turned and caught them. Now was not the time for this. Izzick shifted his face, the tattoos upon his visage reshaping him into a normal human - once less thing for the man to be afraid of as he began to whisper incantations. A sweet melody that drifted on the air, "Come, speak to us."

Hopefully he's an NPC level guy because I'm going to try Hypnotism
21:36, Today: Izzick rolled 6 using 2d4.  Hypnotism.

Up to 6 HD of creatures can be fascinated.
If you use this spell in combat, each target gains a +2 bonus on its saving throw. If the spell affects only a single creature not in combat at the time, the saving throw has a penalty of -2.


While the subject is fascinated (-4 to notice things and can't take actions) by this spell, it reacts as though it were two steps more friendly in attitude.

Will negates, DC: 16

Selvin rolled his eyes at Laoriz's whoop - though running, they WERE attempting to not be so noticeable. Ah well. Things shifted once more and he let out a quiet groan which quickly turned into a field of carnage, an abattoir with only one still-standing body. He was, not for the first time, glad he was flying and not walking. That blood-soaked ground looked positively gross.

He started forward after the scrawny man who tripped while trying to get away from them. But he hesitated to see if Izzick's spell worked. If not he called out even as he flew to catch up, "Can y'at least tell us WHY yer runnin' from us?"

In reply to Izzick (msg # 78):

Scrawny-Silky stands hesitantly, unconciously smoothing the creases in his now blood spattered robe.

He takes a few hesitant steps and gulps when the fearsome Selvin speaks.

Well...aren't you with the invaders?  You certainly don't look like one of the Dark Lord's fellas...

Selvin landed on the ground, staying a little distance away from the man, to the side, making sure not to cut off all escape routes if they wanted to run still. He tilted his head, and the symbiote's head followed suit. "Invaders? Nope. We just came upon this...gruesome scene ourselves." He restrained a shudder, barely.

He deliberately tore his eyes from the bodies and only looked at the man as much as possible to avoid the sight of all the corpses and...pieces. "what's your name? I'm Selvin."

Zuni pulled her gaze away from the bloody carnage at her feet, and moved to catch up with Selvin and the scrawny guy in the robes.  "...we're not with any invaders.  We just arrived here."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 81):

Scrawny's eyes flash between Selvin and Zuni.  He pulls his robe tightly around himself and bites his lower lip.  Then he says, I'm...Hesso.  I'm one of the pleasure minions.  Are you really not gonna kill me?

Nah, nahs Chandanar.  Like the Lady said, we're just kinda passing through.  But...uh...we are curious what happened here.

Hesso chuckles dryly.  Well that makes two of us.  Or six of us.  How many of you are there?  Just the five?  Anyway.  I was entertaining one of the officers a few days ago when an alarm sounded.  At first we just thought it was another attempted coup by one of the officers.  Those happen you know.  And they usually don't last long.  The Dark Lord only plays with them for so long once they step outta line.  But this...the shouting and sounds of battle went on.  For a while.

Finally, I could hear the sounds of people on the floor below me.  So I hid. And stayed hidden for a couple of days.  Because no one came for me and said it was okay.  Finally...well.  I didn't have any water or food left.  So I told myself to be brave.

He glances around at the carnage and then wryly chuckles again.  Good thing I was so brave, huh?

Selvin tried his best to look as non-threatening as a half-elf riding around in an otherworldly and obviously-combat-capable centaur-cat creature. He delicately landed on the ground, trying to avoid as much of the blood and gore as he could on his friend.

"We're really not gonna kill you." Unless he did something stupid. "I'd say it's nice t'meet you Hesso but under the circumstances..." He gave a sort of half-smile and shrug of his shoulders. He nodded to his friends and named each of their first names. "Zuni, Izzick, Chandanar, Crazy Temporary Girl..."

He listened to the story and frowned. "That sounds...terrible. But you're still alive at least." Or an imaginary magic illusion/time figment, who knew.

He looked over at Zuni when Chandanar distracted Hesso and mouthed, "Dark Lord?"

Dark Lords and dragons - they seemed to be everywhere in these tales but Izzick picked up on another word. Pleasure slave? Maybe it was exactly what it sounded like - he was sure many barracks kept them around. But currently, their information on this place came from a cult of hedonistic excess and pleasure and the half-orc (disguised now as a human) raised one eye-brow as he looked to their crazy cultist friend. He asked quickly, "You wouldn't happen to know anyone here, would you?" his tone giving away his suspicion.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 85):

Hesso seems puzzled by Izzick's question, but shrugs and glances around.  He shudders and then points over at one of the corpses:  a burly halfling with his lower half hanging at a forty seven degree angle from his upper half.

That's Squelchy.  He never swung my way, but he would come play cards with me some nights when he was feeling blue.  He said I reminded him of his mom.

Hesso turns away, crossing his arms and rubbing his triceps with the opposite hand like he was trying to warm himself.  His lip is quivering and he bites it to make it stop.

I meant Laoris

Zuni responded to Selvins look with a confused shrug of her shoulders.  Repeating mentally to herself that none of what was going on was real, just some strange memory magic thingie, Zuni put a hand on Hessos shoulder.  It was meant to be comforting, because that felt like something that she should be doing but it was not something that she was particularly great at.

"Easy now, Hesso.  The worst is over now." she said.  Although that sounded odd considering that they were all ankle deep in dead bodies.  "What you did was...sure...brave.  You saved yourself so that you could let us know what happened.  Why don't you back up a bit.  What's this about a dark lord?"

Selvin stayed quiet for the moment and let Zuni speak up and ask the questions. She probably looked slightly less scary than he and his symbiote did together. He kept an alert eye out around them and above them, making sure nothing was coming...at least as much as he could in a an area like this where things kept flipflopping between times and battles.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 89):

Sorry Izzy.  But since it's going well, let's see what happens with Hesso's stroll down memory lane.  I'll answer your question now...

Laoris had opened her mouth to answer your questino Izzick when Hesso began to speak.  He must have thought the question was meant for him.

As he talks about Squelchy, Laoris giggles and leans closer to you.  Not personally no.  But they were all dead before my great great granny was born.  She giggles again.  I told you about the three lieutenants.  There are a couple of other names mentioned in the legends.  Bloodsoak.  A guard who was known to be involved in the betrayal.  And there was an advisor too.  Rottish.  But the information on him is very sketchy.  The legends don't name the mastermind behind the betrayal.  Only that it was someone close to Kazovon.

Meanwhile, Hesso smiles at Zuni's reassuring touch.  Thank you.  You must have come from quite a ways if you don't know about the Dark Lord.  Lord Kazovon.  Ruler of All He Has Broken.  The Drinker of King's Blood.  The Axe and The Talon.  The Fifth Red Star.  The Plague Doctor.  The Burnt and Shining Brand.  The Picker King.  That last one is about his banjo.  He plays a really mean banjo.  Or at least...he did...cos now HE'S DEAD!!!!

And Hesso begins to weep.

This was definitely an awkward situation, but it would only be awkward as long as this flashback lasted he supposed. Though then he paused, and asked, "So the Dark Lord didn't do this?" That had been Izzick's first assumption but it was clear now this was after he'd been killed. Then again, questioning the entertainment might end better than trying to find the Dark Lord in the past, "And how was he killed, did he not have the blessings of Zon-Kuthon upon him? Who could kill the Fifth Red Star? The Burnt and Shining Brand? The Picker King?" Maybe whatever parts of the legend were lost to time, they now had a first hand witness for.

Selvin shot a mock-annoyed glare Laoris' way, a bit of side-eye as it were. He kept his attention mostly focused on Hesso, though, and the surrounding area. Things could shift again at any moment, and it was nigh-impossible to prepare for thus far.

His eyebrows went up when Hesso started his outburst. He looked uncertain on what to do. And Izzick, ever the soul of sensitivity and tact, began fairly interrogating Hesso like an informant or prisoner who wasn't weeping openly. Selving blinked a few times, eyes a bit wide.

...he didn't try to stop Izzick, though. At least the questions were good ones, if suffering a bit from timing and audience.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 91):

Hesso takes a deep breath, obviously trying to steady himself.  He seems quite shaken by events.  I'm sorry.  I'm just really shaken by all these events.  No.  No.  If the Dark Lord did this...well.  There'd be more...spectacle to it. His executions are usually on a bigger scale.

Besides.  They all still seem to have their left hands.

Anyway.  I don't know.  I mean you're absolutely right.  The blessing of our Scaled Monarch should have turned aside the sharpest blade.  I can't...well.  Couldn't.  Imagine anything hurting our Dark Lord.  But honestly I'm a concubine.  Whadda I know?

He smiles sadly.  I guess the good times are gone now.  I'm going to scavenge what I can and head out of here.  I...I just can't spend a day longer here among them.  Are you guys looters? 's fine if you are.  Really.  Everyone has to make a living.

Do you wanna know the way to the treasure room?  Or library?

Selvin turned to look at Hesso again, eyes slightly widening once more. As he listened the eyebrows came back down in a frown. The questions, unbidden, formed in his head, Left...hands? Why would t...nevermind...focus He shook his head physically to banish the as-far-as-he-knew-unimportant thoughts.

His face scrunched up a bit at Hesso's question. "Not...reeeeallly. I mean, we might loot a bit while we're here if there's somethin' int'restin', but..." He trailed off and shrugged. But when asked directions to the treasury and library. "Sure, both o'those could be helpful, thanks."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 94):

If you go through those doors...sniff...pardon...that leads to the main foyer.  Past that is the courtyard.  If you go through the north door in the courtyard, you'll come to the library.  If you go through the south door, keep going south down the corridor and you'll come to the treasure room.

Now if you'll excuse me...I...I need to get ready and leave.  He wipes tears away.  There's nothing left for me here...

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 95):

Hesso wipes his face and hurries away, headed towards the gate house behind you.

The air seems to flicker and...you're back.  Or at least it seems you are back in your own time frame.  The night is quiet and still.  The air warm and dry.  The carpet of bodies are gone, replaced by old stone paving blocks washed clean by long forgotten rains.

Ahead of you, there is the entry in to the Keep proper.  The thick doors are now off their hinges, one laying propped up against the frame and the other laying on the ground.

Were those there before? Chandanar asks, gesturing at two large ugly statutes of four armed, winged, lion headed demons that are seated at the end of the courtyard.

As if on cue, the statues rise from their seated position and draw swords...

Two gargoyle brutes are guarding the courtyard in this time zone.  You guys have init.  They are about forty feet away.  Let me know what questions you may have.  Thanks

"I don't suppose you'll be letting us in if we ask?" Izzick said, but their swords were already raising up. Presumably they were guards and after all - Selvin, Zuni, and himself were trying to get through. His fingers began to glow an eerie green color as he stared the gargoyles down. If they didn't speak, well, they'd be feeling sluggish - muscles ( did they even have muscles?) feeling even more like stone than normal.

Ray of Exhaustion

12:40, Today: Izzick rolled 25 using 1d20+8.  Ranged Touch.

The subject is immediately exhausted for the spell’s duration. A successful Fortitude save means the creature is only fatigued.
Fort Save DC 18.
An exhausted character moves at half speed, cannot run or charge, and takes a –6 penalty to Strength and Dexterity.
A fatigued character can neither run nor charge and takes a –2 penalty to Strength and Dexterity.

Selvin hesitated for a moment to see if the gargoyles were interested in talking, but once they didn't appear to be, he shook his head and charged forward at the one that had not been targeted by Izzick's spell. He and his symbiotic friend lashed out at the gargoyle thing with fangs, claws, tail and electricity.

Zuni had been mentally mapping the path to the treasure room that Hesso had mentioned but that could wait.  It seemed like there were more pressing matters ambling towards them now.

"Oh come on..." Zuni complained.  "Why are these things here?  And what are these things?"

OOC:
What knowledge skill would we need to identify these beasties?

In reply to Izzick (msg # 97):

As the Irresistible Izzick blasts one of the beasties, and the Stupendous Selvin wades in to the other, the always-zephyric Zuni carefully studies her opponent.

Judging from the way the beastie hampered by Izzick's beam seems to be slowing down, and the oddly greyish-red ichor being spread through the air in a fine mist by Zac/<puprle>Selvin's</Purple> claws, these aren't golems.  Zuni, you figure these to be some kind of variant of a gargoyle.  Just one with extra arms.  And about five hundred pounds.  And sharper teeth.  And well trained in martial arts.  And...well.  You get the idea.

As you prepare, Chandanar taps you on the shoulder Zuni.  Up above.  Second wave.

Everyone's favorite snarky cleric is correct.  Three more of the monstrosities are incoming from above.

Selvin, these things give almost as good as they give.  Your opponent manages to smash in to you with a blade and grab a mouthful of ethereal guck with a bite. 25 HP total damage sir

The slowed monstrosity has turned and is waddling to pounce on Selvin from behind.

Izzy, super effective!  This guy is moving slower than a hobbit on roller skates without any wheels.

There are three more coming from above.  They are about 80 feet away.  You will have time for actions before then.  They are diving towards the back row Zuni and Izzy.

Questions?

Selvin strove to finish off the first gargoyle before turning towards the more-lethargic one coming after him from behind. Electricity arced around his symbiote's cat-like centaur-ish form as it marshaled it's magical energy and unleashed another flurry of strikes. "COME ON THEN!" He roared out at the gargoyles, trying to draw them towards him rather than his friends.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 101):

Selvin and Zac rip through the first gargoyle and then begin on the second, sluggish one. It's too lethargic from Izzick's enchantment to be effective in defending itself.

Meanwhile, the three airborne continue their descent. One is turning towards the elf/eilidon, but the others continue their fall towards he backline....