ooc: GM relayed info via PM. Skipping IC description.

The priestess looked thoughtful at what John and Alton had to tell about the creatures and the glimpse she could take at the floating castle was interesting, too. "The assailants were Kytons, also known as Chain Devils, thus we can assume that is one of the nine hells or a related plane. Unfortunately the castles are no clue I can make sense of." she told her companions, "However, based on the decay of the magical energies on the portal's edges, here and here," the woman elaborated and pointed out the sides of the rift with an elegant gesture, "there are only a few minutes left before it closes and the young man will be lost forever."

"Which means we could be lost forever if we follow. Unless we can open a way back even from a hell plane such as this. I can understand if any wish to turn back. Entering one of the Nine Hells is a task for only the mightiest of adventurers, and none of us come even close to that pinnacle." John says.

"These devils work for someone higher up the fiendish food chain and given these kytons are not run-of-the-mill fiends, their employer is much more powerful." Evangeline sighed. "At least we should find a way to identify where Camber was taken. Any suggestions?"

John turns to the two security guards that Blaze had sent up. He asks "can we will ourselves back to the Inn from that plane if we cross over in pursuit? I figure you two must have been briefed at some point."

"I would assume the portal being possible is related to the slumber of the keeper.  If it be abbadon it is said to be a place of powerful entities and those who trade in souls, even the four horsemen and the night hags covens, along with other nasty things, the river styxx is the feature I had looked for, but see it not."

Alton looks through the portal at angles, trying to gather additional information.....

The security guards step back as Blaze and Fleur the Rose come up from behind and Blaze answers John's question. "As far as I know, you are able to return here from anywhere. I have this though," he says removing from a shirt pocket what looks like a miniature ships anchor on a short length of line. Without hesitation he steps up to the portal and throws it through; holding on to the short length of line so that it stays on this side of the portal. Grinning he says, "With this on the other side, you'll be able to follow them and return if that portal collapses. This gives you another option to return should the other way we return to the inn fails. Hurry. Time is of the essence if Camber is to be saved."
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:21, Tue 23 Jan.

Understanding there was no time to waste, the aasimar quickly moved through the rift then waved for the others to follow her "Come on, let's move!" Immediately the priestess began summoning assistance...

ooc: Cast 'Summon Monster III'.

With a way back established, John does not hesitate to move through the rift, shifting to Hunter's Sense as he does so. Catching the departing Scent of Camber, John can try to track if they lose sight of the krytons.

Seeing the dimensional anchor come into play Alton is more certain that going through this portal is not a one way trip.  He follows on the heels of John as the group passes through to the other side.....

"Hopefully we can get in and out quickly..."

Watches the casting as it is happening, assuming that the cleric is bringing some sort of mount to get them across the blighted plane swiftly......

He puts on his goggles and wraps his head in the shemagh.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:14, Tue 23 Jan.

Zoho steps through and takes a place at the rear of the group.  He withdraws two short batons, joined by a length of chain, from his kknapsack and starts swinginging them around.

In reply to Evangeline (msg # 789):

quote:

You choose which kind of creature to summon, and you can choose a different one each time you cast the spell. A summoned monster cannot summon or otherwise conjure another creature, nor can it use any teleportation or planar travel abilities. Creatures cannot be summoned into an environment that cannot support them.

quote:

This spell functions like summon monster I, except that you can summon one creature from the 3rd-level list, 1d3 creatures of the same kind from the 2nd-level list, or 1d4+1 creatures of the same kind from the 1st-level list.

What are you summoning?

ooc: It's a full round spell, so I wanted the others to be able to post something in the meantime.

Evangeline's prayer was answered and a large form shimmered into view...

https://images.ctfassets.net/u...amp;q=70&fm=webp

The celestial hippogriff bowed its head, waiting for the summoner to give an order. "Who feels able to slow down the kidnappers long enough for the rest of us to catch up?" the priestess asked while stroking the magnificent beast's neck.

ooc: There isn't much time, so once that hero is up in the sky the hippogriff has to use 'run-speed' when in the air (500ft/rd) to catch up with the devils. If anyone else can speed up those on foot that would be great, too. At least that is the idea. If anyone has a better option you should let us know.

John says "I can but try. Perhaps my odd style will allow me to survive long enough against three."

Having seen John in action, Evangeline was convinced that he would be the one to survive long enough for the others to catch up. "Be careful and make sure to stay alive. We don't need to loose two people in one day." she cautioned the warrior, praying that the gods were with him this day.

"Fly like the wind and carry this one safely." she told the hippogriff in the celestial tongue, then, with a last pat on its flank, she sent it off on its dangerous mission. Immediately she followed, running as fast as she could...

John climbs aboard and shifted to Flying Dragon stance, which should aid him in his dismounting into action if need be.

"How much can she carry?"

Alton  moves forward to join John on the beast if he  can be carried as well.

"Given John's heavy armor I'd not recommend a second rider, it would slow her down - and her time on this plane is short." Evangeline replied, discouraging Alton's idea.

ooc: It's just for 7 rounds, the hippogriff will attack together with John, but there won't be much time left before the summoning ends.

"Point taken, We shall be upon your heels then...."

Alton begins to head swiftly in the direction of the abductors....

Following Alton's example the aasimar followed at running speed...

Zoho follows, keeping pace with the others.

Hold on a minute... I have a couple questions about the summoned creature.

A hippogriff requires training before it can bear a rider in combat. So, I'm assuming a summoned one doesn't have this capability. Also, you don't have the saddle.

Training a hippogriff requires six weeks of work and a DC 25 Handle Animal check. Riding a hippogriff requires an exotic saddle. A hippogriff can fight while carrying a rider, but the rider cannot also attack unless he or she succeeds on a Ride check.

Communicating: If you can communicate with the creature, you can direct it not to attack, to attack particular enemies, or to perform other actions. Can you communicate with it?
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:11, Thu 25 Jan.

ooc: The hippogriff is actually a Celestial creature, so it's smarter than an animal would normally be. The template entry says at least "3"; since that is effectively the lowest ability score a human can have for intelligence, the hippogriff should get the gist of 'carry that two-legged one in that direction'.

Yes, the creature does not come with a saddle, yet, given that there are bareback riders (ie. native Americans among others) my assumption is that it may not be comfortable, nor will it be overly safe but then Pegasus didn't come with bit and bridle either, did he ;) Also, the creature is not expected to take the rider into battle, just to follow the devils.

As a Celestial creature a Celestial Hippogriff ought to understand the Celestial tongue and Evangeline is not looking for a conversation, merely to convey the basic instructions.

Of course, I may be totally off, though I've used it two or three times in the past and no GM had an issue with that. I apologize if that was wrong to believe.

I do not think I have ever seen this come up as a potential issue....Makes me want to do some research....

I see why I always used either mount and/or phantom steed for such instances.....
This message was last edited by the player at 20:20, Thu 25 Jan.

 ooc: Mount and phantom steed are arcane spells, this little priestess doesn't have access to them. :(

I do the research, and if you don't mind, I'm going to ask the other GM's in the GM discussion thread to give me guidance on this.