Zuriel clangs back onto the platform, rolling to his feet with a grunt and setting off at a dead run. Skirting the fog, he comes skidding to a halt next to Lyriel's collapsed form.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Fri 27 Mar 2015.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 862):

Keef, still floating above the platform, holds his hands ready in case/when the creature extracts itself from the fog.

(OOC: Magic missile when it sticks its head out)

In reply to Keef (msg # 863):

The Warden remains in the fog, doing... something. It's hard to see.

Lyriel continues to not stabilize.

Maeve does her best Jackson Pollock all over the floor.

Boreas moves to D8, then readies himself to act when the creature appears.

[Readied Action: Eldritch Blast when the Warden is within line of sight.]

Zuriel reaches into the miasma, desperately searching for and finding Lyriel.

[Lay on hands: 32]

White light is lost in the fog, but Lyriel splutters back from death's door.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 868):

The creature has not shown itself from the fog, so Keef's readied action fails. It is now Keef's turn again in the normal order.

In reply to DM (msg # 869):

Keef floats down to Zuriel.

I can't see it so...  he taps Zuriel on the shoulder lightly, a wave of reddish energy flowing quickly through his fingers and up Zuriel's neck to fade into his head.

(OOC:  Heroism: The target gains a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks.  130 minutes.)

In reply to Keef (msg # 870):

A hand snakes out of the wall of fog, grabs the paladin by the ankle, and heroically drags him into the haze where he vanishes from sight.

[Grapple vs Zuriel: 37 vs 31]

A loud CLANK can be heard as the paladin falls prone, but he somehow remains on the platform.

Keef, close enough now to have put himself in danger, is next to feel the granite grasp of the Warden's flailing hands as he, too, is pulled into the haze and disappears from sight.

[Grapple vs Keef: 51,11]

The young mage is bodily hurled 80 feet backwards, and soars over and beyond the platform with tremendous force.

Lacking anyone else still on their feet nearby, the Warden's flailing fists turn to the least lifeless target -- the fallen paladin.

The fists pound the ground near Zuriel, but fortunately, the cloak of fog prevent any from accurately striking their mark.


This message was last edited by the GM at 16:24, Mon 30 Mar 2015.

Lyriel takes her first action for the encounter by standing up and casting.

[Casting: Heal]

[Restore all attribute damage, heal 140 HP]

Maeve continues to be dead-ish.

As the hand streaks out toward Keef, Boreas fires a blast into the fog, targeting the shadowy outline of the Warden as it lunges forward.

[Ranged Touch: 19]
[Miss Chance: 75]

The blast appears to hit home based on the shriek from within the fog.  The energy disappears entirely after crossing the border.

[Damage: 23]

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 874):

The battle (and the fog) rages on.


This message was last edited by the GM at 20:33, Mon 30 Mar 2015.

In reply to DM (msg # 875):

Keef shakes his head and slows his trajectory, though he cannot seem to float upright.

He points at the shifting form in the fog and utters words of power.  From the tips of his fingers, multiple jets of red light appear.  They spiral out and spin at high speed, extending into the fog and to the outline of the warden.  There is a horrible grinding sound as the energy bores into your enemy (17 damage).

Boreas fires a blast, but hits only fog.

From his position on the ground, Zuriel swings out in a horizontal slash not intended to injure, but causing the Warden to draw back slightly.

[Combat Expertise: 5]

He then rises to his feet, provoking an attack from the Warden, albeit from a less convenient position.

"Have we not demonstrated our tenacity? Our ability?" he asks the Warden. "Please, this need not end in death. We're trying to stop the End of Days, and all this senseless loss of life." Through the whorling fog, Zuriel's amber eyes shine with a desperate pleading, but the determined set of his jaw makes it clear it is not for his own behalf.

"You're injured. Badly. End this test and I would gladly tend to you."

[Diplomacy: 44]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:39, Tue 31 Mar 2015.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 878):

DC for Hostile -> Friendly is 35 (success)
DC for Hostile -> Helpful is 50 (fail)

The Warden pauses and looks down at the paladin through the haze of fog.

"I could have killed any three of you with ease," she says. "Ká will not be so merciful. Why do you wish to free him? It is a mistake."

~~ End Combat ~~

Zuriel nods, sheathing his uncle's sword. "Lyriel, see to Maeve," he calls back to the priestess before returning his attention to the Warden.

"I know. It may well be a mistake, but it's the only way forward I can see. Ka understands what is at stake. Vora seeks to bring about the end, and Bevenglode and Kazul are much too concerned with their petty goals to give credence to the threat. If there must needs be an evil god to maintain balance, I would rather hunger take the place of wanton destruction, cruel dominance of strength, or taking pleasure in the pain of others."

He draws Dawn slowly, holding it nonthreatenly in both hands. "Here now. Though she is a sword, Dawn prefers to heal rather than harm."

He presses a hand to the Warden's side, and a white glow washes over the creature.

[Lay on Hands: 100]

"Thank you," he murmurs, sighing with relief. "The old gods must awaken to mend the mistakes of the past," he says meaningfully, fixing the warden with his gaze.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:15, Tue 31 Mar 2015.

Lyriel wastes no time rushing to Maeve's side. Bending over the fallen warrior, blinding emerald light flashes out.

[Casting Heal: 140]

As the light burns away all of Maeve's injuries, Lyriel helps her to her feet.

Keef, are you alright? She calls out.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 16:05, Tue 31 Mar 2015.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 881):

What?  Keef floats back to the platform, still upside-down.

Oh... yeah, I'm fine.

With great effort he flips back over and lands.

Maeve blinks back from death's door as Lyriel's healing energy washes over her.  Slowly, she rises to her feet and realizes that the fight appears to be at an end and the Warden more kindly inclined toward them.

That said, she still holds her distance from the many-armed being.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 883):

Chubbs appears to agree with Maeve that the creature is not to be trusted.  He hops over to Maeve and takes up residence beside her left boot.  There he raises his head, places his front foot in front of his eye and squints at the monster, doing the classic schoolyard "crushing you between my fingers" trick.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 883):

The Warden smiles as the healing energies wash over her, and flexes her long arms to stretch them.

"If you're determined to travel the path of folly, so be it. There will be nothing left here for me to guard, and thus I may finally be free."

She produces a tiny crystal egg from somewhere and places it in the beam of red light, which still lances downward from beyond. The egg floats there, spinning slowly and collecting the light within itself.

"It requires a final spark of life to complete the genesis. Living flesh the Temple has not yet attuned to."

Her eyes narrow slightly and she slithers backward.

"May the gods have mercy on our souls."

"Then be free, and be well," Zuriel intones. "Before you go, if I might ask...you mentioned Ma'or rested fitfully. Have you an idea of how she might be awoken as well? I am certain we will need her guiding light before this is all over."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:41, Tue 31 Mar 2015.