In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 436):

Petri walks over to the statue and puts a hand over the shimmering maple leaf that cover its heart.

"The Abyss take you, unnatural one!"

The leaf glitters with white light, and begins to pulse gently.

~~ Round 2 ~~

Zuriel 17 (Damage: 11)
Veilspire 12 (Damage: 27)
Maeve 11 (Damage: 11)
Keef 10 (Damage: 11)
Lyriel 8 (Damage: 11)
Boreas 5 (Damage: 11)
Elders 1 (Damage: 11)

"Not just righteous anger," Zuriel retorts. "Our family also prides itself on our dashing good looks and a love of steeped beverages, with a side of indignant outrage." Zuriel begins to advance on Veilspire once more, then notices Keef reeling in pain. Cursing, he retreats back to Keef and lays a glowing palm on the boy's bloody brow.

[Lay on Hands: 9]

He beholds Lyriel and notes the positive energy coalescing around her, white tinged with lilac. Her eyes, infused with holy light, are set in determination, but her expression is serene; the calm in the eye of the storm.

She knows what must be done...
This message was last edited by the player at 17:58, Tue 29 Oct 2013.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 438):

Veilspire glares as the storm subsides, then moves closer to Zuriel, reaching with an outstretched hand aglow with foul magics.  Boreas's bow twangs in the distance, but the white arrow clatters harmlessly to the floor inches from its target.

[Touch Attack: 16]

He grabs Zuriel's forehead, and a burst of black light blazes around the impact point.  With a smirk, he pushes Zuriel's head backward with surprising force.

[Damage: 5]

Zuriel sags slightly, as if the weight of his armor and weapons have grown harder to bear.

[Strength Damage: 1]

Veilspire's spectral form looks as though it's sustained significant damage, though a portion of the wounds seem to knit themselves back to together after his attack on the paladin.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:12, Tue 29 Oct 2013.

Boreas nocks another white-fletched arrow, draws, and fires, but again he misses his target.

[Ranged Attack 10]

Oh no you don't, you bastard.  Not even having the decency to die from common weapons

Maeve takes another shot at Veilspire with the enchanted bow.  This time the arrow hits home, in spite of the being's seeming to shift in and out of existence.


[Ranged attack 17]

[Damage 6]

Lyriel utters some words and her hands glow a bright white-lavender.

[Casting: Cure Moderate Wounds]

She skirts around Veilspire, and attempts to discharge the energy into his form, but he swirls into emptiness around her palms before reforming. She resumes a a defensive posture, and her hands remain charged with holy energy.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 442):

Keef stands up straighter and a smile almost forms on his face.

... hero... he mutters.

He reaches out and waves his hand over Zuriel's shoulder.  Faint crackling red energy shoots from his palm and swirls around the paladin.

[Private to Zuriel Silendril: Bulls Strength: +4 STR]
[Private to GM: Bulls Strength: +4 STR]

In reply to Keef (msg # 443):

Petri continues to concentrate over the maple leaf insignia, which pulses faster and faster over time with a growing light.

~~ Round 3 ~~

Zuriel 17 (Damage: 16 + 1 STR damage)
Veilspire 12 (Damage: 28)
Maeve 11 (Damage: 11)
Keef 10 (Damage: 2)
Lyriel 8 (Damage: 11)
Boreas 5 (Damage: 11)
Elders 1 (Damage: 11)
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:12, Tue 29 Oct 2013.

Zuriel stands up straight with the influx of strength. He takes a quick, defensive jab through the center of Veilspire's form, and while the spirit easily dodges, Zuriel obtains a more favorable footing.

[Combat Expertise: +3 to AC]

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 445):

Veilspire spins toward the cleric with fury, locking eyes with her.

"Clever girl..." he chortles, bands of yellow energy sizzling around his eyes for a moment, and then around hers.  Lyriel jerks back as if stung, screams, and slumps to the ground -- blood pouring from her eyes and nose.

[Damage: 14]
[Fortitude (Lyriel): 10]
[Charisma Damage: 1]

Lyriel has been reduced to -7 HP and is bleeding out as we speak. Note the perils of moving the healer to the front line. Especially against a being who would probably succumb to a hearty heal spell (and knows it).

Veilspire cackles maniacally as the cleric bleeds piteously on the ground, crimson rivulets staining the wooden planks.

"What's wrong, paladin?  Tire of the banter already?" The spirit grins.  "I'm just getting started!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:44, Tue 29 Oct 2013.

Boreas aims another white-fletched arrow, draws, and fires, but the spirit slides out of the way just in time to avoid it.

[Ranged Attack 12]

Maeve darts over to Lyriel, who is doing her very best impression of a fountain, except with blood.

Damnit, I guess I'm going to have to take Giles' word.

Pinching Lyriel's nose shut, Maeve uncorks the potion that Giles gave her and dumps the contents down the cleric's throat.  After a moment or so, Lyriel sputters and opens her eyes.  While she's not in great shape, she is alive.

[Potion restores 12 HP]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:02, Tue 29 Oct 2013.

In reply to Maeve (msg # 448):

Veilspire swings a ghostly fist at Maeve, hurting her but unable to stop her from restoring the cleric to life.

[AOO (Maeve): 18]
[Damage: 4]
[Strength Damage: 1]

"Fools!  Surrender while you can, or die.  I am eternal!"

A yellow flash accompanies his contact with Maeve, and several of his visage's wounds fade away.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:10, Tue 29 Oct 2013.

Zuriel's eyes flare as he watches Lyriel crumple and he bellows in rage, but Maeve rushes to her aid before the paladin does anything particularly stupid. Seeing her revive and cough up blood, his fury turns icy and he glowers at the specter.

"You will pay, Spirit," he says in low, even tones. "For all you have harmed or would harm again, you will pay, and we shall be the ones to exact that price."

Zuriel's voice rings out clear and loud. "UNCLE! Your ancient foe stands before you, threatening your home and your kin! AWAKE!!!"

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 450):

Keef takes a step toward the looming shade of Veilspire.  Leave us alone, he mutters.  He glowers at the visage and swings the Everstaff in a futule attempt to strike it (attack 4).
This message was last edited by the player at 12:48, Wed 30 Oct 2013.

In reply to Keef (msg # 451):

Petri removes his hand and takes a few reverent steps backward as the maple leaf's glow reaches its apex.  The twin wisps that had been lighting the room coalesce, bound by thin sheets of white light, until the luminous mass transforms into a spectral approximation of an elf.

He looks quite like his statue, and unlike Veilspire, he appears to be both armed and armored.

"In the Wildlands, wherever one or two are gathered in my name, there too am I," he proclaims, turning a warm gaze upon the P.A.R.T.Y. before shrugging apologetically. "Eventually."

A radiant light stretches out from the base of the statue, suffusing you with a comforting presence.

[AOE Heal: 3]

Veilspire recoils from the statue, his face twisting in agony as the positive energy sizzles against his tainted form.

"At last," he snarls.  "Vengeance will be mine!"

Wildheart looks at Veilspire's shade sadly.

"It pains me to see you consumed by hatred and rage, even after all these years," he sighs, unshouldering his bow and nocking an arrow.  "Perhaps you need more time to consider all the destruction you have wrought upon this world."

~~ Round 4 ~~

Zuriel 17 (Damage: 13 + 1 STR damage)
Veilspire 12 (Damage: 31)
Maeve 11 (Damage: 7 + 1 STR damage)
Keef 10 (Damage: 0)
Lyriel 8 (Damage: 10 + 1 CHR damage)
Boreas 5 (Damage: 8)
Wildheart 1 (Damage: 0)
Elders 1 (Damage: 8)
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:40, Wed 30 Oct 2013.

Zuriel gazes at the spirit of Agarwaen Siléndril in wonderment. "Well met, Uncle, and not a moment too soon. We have much to discuss, but first, let us dispense with this foul thing!"

Zuriel darts forward, bringing his sword across in a horizontal arc through Veilspire's form. Zuriel's attack deals no damage, but continues to give him the upper hand in defensive positioning. Furthermore, in avoiding Zuriel's strike Veilspire finds himself less capable of turning his wrath upon Lyriel.

[Aid Lyriel: 21 (Lyriel gains +2 AC vs. attacks from Veilspire until Zuriel's next round)]

[Combat Expertise: +3 to AC]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:01, Wed 30 Oct 2013.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 453):

Lyriel's body is visibly sagging as she lifts her head skyward in prayer. As her lips move a gentle lavender glow envelopes her body and you begin to see many of the cuts and bruises fade.

[Cure Light Wounds: 6]

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 454):

"What would hurt you most, Wildheart?  Damaging your stubbornly eternal spirit, or killing your nephew?"

The shade of Veilspire grins knowingly.

"Wait, don't tell me!  Let me guess..."

[Casting: (Unknown Spell)]

He extends a ghostly hand toward Zuriel, reaching through his breastplate.  A pulse of sickly yellow energy flashes from the impact point, and Veilspire cackles with glee.

[Attack: 23]
[Fortitude (Zuriel): 18]
[Con Damage: 3]

Zuriel looks quite sick, and grows paler by the moment.

[Private to Zuriel Silendril: You are poisoned, and will likely take additional CON damage in a few rounds.  DC=19, so you only barely failed that throw.  Unless you have some weird paladin immunity I don't know about.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:04, Wed 30 Oct 2013.

Maeve lets fly another arrow but this one goes wild.

Enough of this

Boreas fires another white arrow at Veilspire.  The shaft passes directly through its head, taking a wisp of shadowstuff with it but otherwise causing no harm.

[Attack 21]
[Dumb-ass Miss Chance Miss]

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 457):

...your stupid stick...

Keef swings the Everstaff two-handed, connecting with the ghostly form of Veilspire (Attack 17)

[Private to GM: Not sure if it counts as a magic weapon... or if it would even affect him but...]

In reply to Keef (msg # 458):

Lyriel waits to see what Wildheart will do, ready to spring into action if needed.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:58, Wed 30 Oct 2013.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 459):

The Everstaff sweeps through Veilspire's form, and a shower of red sparks erupts from the contact point.

[Private to Keef: "Yesssssss."]

"Yaaaargh!" Veilspire gasps.  The shade flickers for a moment, a surprised look crossing his features before turning to a mixture of fear and anger.

"The Everstaff!  But how..."

The shield-like aura surrounding Keef shimmers as waves of energy swirl around it, and it becomes quite formidable-looking indeed.

In reply to DM (msg # 460):

"It's over," Wildheart says plainly.  Another pulse of calming white light bathes the P.A.R.T.Y., washing away a portion of their wounds.

[AOE Heal: 3]

Veilspire recoils once more, and his form looses most of its shape -- his body swirls into a mass of tendrils, light, and indistinct smoke, though the head, arms, and flailing hands remain defined.

Wildheart's spirit fires a single steady arrow into the shade, which connects with the writhing mass in a cacophony of light.

[Attack: 19]
[Damage: 10]

His opponent shakes violently, then begins to dissolve into sickly yellow light.

"This isn't over, Wildheart!  I'll be back!  I"ll be-"

Veilspire's head joins the swirling mass of light, cutting off whatever words remain.  The voice lingers, however, as an echoing chorus of laughter before fading entirely.

The etchings upon Cassie's choker flare with a defiant light, then slowly fade to the same dull color as the metal in which they are engraved.

[Private to Zuriel Silendril: The choker still registers as evil.]
[Private to Boreas Highwind: The choker still registers as magical.]

~~ END COMBAT ~~

Wildheart sighs warily, then addresses the P.A.R.T.Y.

"The threat is over for now, though far from purged, I fear.  Welcome to the realm of the Wildkin.  It seems we have much to discuss."

Ding!  Boreas, Lyriel, Maeve, Keef, Zuriel, and Giles (yes, Giles) have reached Level 4!  Please update your sheets accordingly.

~~ END CHAPTER 03 ~~
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:11, Wed 30 Oct 2013.