Not-Khazim nods at Andrew's assessment for caution. He tightens his grip on his spear and heads off after the strangely dressed sorcerer and guide. "I might as well help with the lookout. Magic, blood magic, has never really sat well in my stomach." Rael Gol gathers his few belongings and moves after the watch party. "Sure, why not, an extra set of impartial eyes can always help." Andrew makes a definite show for the benefit of Not-Khazim. After a few dozen paces Andrew looks back at the bloodletting practice and nods.

Justin sits back and waits until Not-Khazim is definitely out of range. He begins to roll back the sleeve on his off hand and gets ready. "Whenever you are ready." as he gets in line behind those forming.


After collecting the blood from each of those assembled Angrboda moves into the water and positions herself on the edge of the inner circle of stones. The flowing beautifully alien language of her Melnibonean ancestors is soft. Those standing on the edge of the pool can barely hear the incantation, yet it seems to drown out the whispers, the grinding of the ceiling sky, and all other background noise. Ripples begin to form in the water radiating out from the central pillars to the edge. As if each ripple were to grab a single word and carry it outward, Angrboda's voice gets stronger and stronger completely drowning out the outside world as even the wind subjugates to her spell.
You stand, not realizing how much time has passed, only that more than once you have found your breath caught in your throat as if time had stopped for a few seconds. Angrboda tosses the collected blood into the central circle.

For a brief moment everything holds still, The ripples, the wind, her voice. And then the world comes crashing back in around you. As if to reverse what has happened you feel the wind and air rush back towards the central stone circle. The tiny ripples in the pond freeze, then roll back to where the Melnibonean is standing. While the reverse is nothing other than a slight breeze, the tugging on your soul  is as if a hurricane has blasted through.

The world becomes calm again. Once again things come into focus. Standing on the central pillar a form begins to appear. Slowly, it takes the form of a woman, naked, beautiful, but without eyes. Her hair drifts about her as if caught in the lazy currents of a river or pond. Once again the pool begins to ripple as small tremors can be felt coming from below.

Watches as the naked woman appears before them. Always a gentleman with the ladies. Takes off his armor and pulls his under clothing off to wrap her in. Makes his way towards her and offers his hand to help her up.

"Viktor!" Angrboda whispers but it comes out more like a hiss, "This is a demon, if she wanted clothing I am sure she would have it."

The knife edge stings, but it is but a moment of pain, already forgotten as the ceremony begins and Angrboda gives voice to Words of Power, their effect most palpable as the pond itself seems to be stirred by what it hears ...

Berta staggers, as all that power returns to the source, pulling her in its wake for all it seems not to be rooted in the physical world.

And then her attention is pulled to the central column where the woman appears, assumedly, hopefully, the Oracle that they seek.

No, not a woman.  Angrboda's reprimand to Viktor is a stern reminder that this is a demon before them.  A demon who chose that form quite deliberately.

A demon that Viktor is undressing for.

With mixed resignation and alarm, the warrior-woman raises her hand to grasp him by the shoulder, intending to squeeze hard.

"Don't," she warns the Pan Tangian with quiet intensity.

Viktor begins to remove his armor as the tremors continue to ripple across the pool. The sightless eyes of the Oracle "looks" around at the four individuals assembled in the area of the pool. Viktor continues to vigorously shed his armor as the rumbles below begin to mimic that of the rumbles from the ceiling sky.

The Oracle grins as the tiny ripples begin to form into tiny waves. There is a sudden "thud" from beneath the ground under the pillar on which the Oracle stands. The water echos this with a larger ripple which begins to threaten to take Angrboda off her feet. Justin, standing at the edge of the pool slides into the water and takes a few steps towards the elfin sorceress.

After a Justin makes a it few more steps, a second louder thud sends a larger shockwave out from the central pillar.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:39, Tue 09 Apr 2019.

Alarmed at the changing water (and a bit mad at herself that she didn't foresee such a thing happening) Angrboda begins to back slowly and carefully out of the water, cursing the situation as she does.

Staring at the beautiful innocent nude woman. Bloodlust starts to course through him. Completely not hearing or unwillingly ignoring the voice of Boda or Berta. Normally he would gladly take his life for their happiness. Now just wants the womanly siren. Keeps making his way towards her.

Viktor muscles his way past were Justin is attempting to remain his own balance against the forming waves. Justin reaches out his arm in an attempt to stop the Pan Tangian only to keep it extended in an effort to assist the on coming Sorceress.
Not seeing, or not caring, Viktor creates his own counter wake as he trudges past Angrboda as she rides the waves out of the once stagnant pool.

A third, and final thud, causes the pedestal and surrounding ground to erupt outward showering the area in a cascade of debris and water. As if the earth itself were violently giving birth, a being emerges from epicenter of the explosion. The oracle, unaffected by the explosion, slowly settles on to the emerging creature. Water cascades down a huge emerging form. It is an enormous skeletal figure with four arms and only a serpentine spine below it's waist. It's entire body is covered with thick, green slime, that is similar to the muck that coated the surface of the pool.

In a terrible and loud voice that seems to cause even the whispers to flee the area "Leave this place or die!" rasps the new demon.

As the rain of water and rock ceases, those on the shore can see the comatose form of Viktor floating in the slowly draining water is it begins to fill the void that once held the would be protector of the oracle.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:24, Wed 10 Apr 2019.

"Fabulous, we get in a fight and Viktor decides to take a nap." Angrboda mumbles upon picking herself up and taking in the new situation, "Yeah, that's what we are trying to do." she yells at the unexpected demon, "but we need her help to do it, so get out of the way." she points to the oracle to add to her point.

"Does some madness possess him ?" Berta is still uncertain as to whether the big Pan Tangian has some ruse within his rum-addled skull or if the Oracle is somehow having an effect on him ... that is admittedly not a far throw from his usual wants and lusts.

But with the shaking of the earth and water whence the warrior-woman barely keeps her feet, the subsequent appearance of the second demon, and Viktor's collapse, that question dies on her lips.

"If it wants a fight, then it has found one," Berta snarls, with more bravado than she truly feels.  Drawing her heavy blade, she levels it at the demon.

"Though the death it seeks will be its own !"  Challenge met, she holds her ground, waiting either on Angrboda's lead or the creature's advance.

The impassive face of the new demon's skeletal form simply drones out. "Death it is then!." As is slides towards the immobile form of Viktor that lazily floats along the ripples and eddies caused by the demon's movements.

The Oracle sits calmly, also showing no expression, on the back of the new demon. The Oracle does not guide or direct the beast, she merely sits watching almost uninterested in the outcome of the soon to be fight.

Justin quickly digs into one of his small side pouches and produces a small yellowish vial. He pauses, sighs, and quickly downs the small drought of liquid. He tenses for a second as if drinking the contents of the vial is causing some sort of discomfort. He emits a slight gasp and slides the empty vial back into the pouch. After a few deep breaths he turns and mimics Berta's demeanor. Pulling his own brass inlaid rapier he moves forward towards the comatose body of the Pan Tanigian Mariner.

"By the withered member of Chardros !" Berta swears as she realises the demon seeks easy prey in the form of the ensorcelled Pan Tangian.

The warrior woman does not hesitate, surging forwards, wading through the foul waters towards the demon, fist clenched and sword held ready to strike.

"Your death, should you dare dismiss me so easily !" she yells, trying to get the creature's attention, leading with her blade as soon as she's within reach, then lunging forward to batter the demon with her metal clad fist.

Before realizing what is happening, the world goes black. Starts to dream of nightmares of the past.

Agrboda, trepidatious as always when physical violence is happening, draws her dagger and moves to protect her fallen companion, "Get up you drunken idiot, it's your time to shine." she says as she reaches his side and kicks some water on his face to try and wake him, standing ready should the demon attack the man.

Justin is only a half step ahead of the Ilmorian Amazon. Glancing to the side at her as he nods and gives a reassuring wink. The morose and gloomy demeanor seems to have vanished away by a strange sort of vigor. Justin darts to the side in an attempt to divide the creatures attention between Berta and himself. It is obvious that the creature is as strong as it is slow. Each of the arms flex a few times as if not sure which one to go after now that new toys are within it's range.

Justin's Rapier darts out only to be turned aside and ignored by the beast as it begins to track Berta in her own forward charge. As in the case with Justin, her attack is considerably quicker than the demon can track and she is able to easily land a blow. And just as in Justin's case, her longsword clangs harmlessly off the thick bony hide of the serpentine beast. A hissing roar of effort escapes the skeletal head as it shifts it's bulk towards Berta. This side track allows Justin to once again dart in with his rapier with once again little effect on the beast.

The bored face of the Oracle stares down on the fighting below as she easily hangs on the back of the foul guardian demon.

Berta takes the opportunity to once again move and and bash the beast with an offhand strike from the brass gauntlets of Queen Media. There is a slight clang of metal on something hard as the razors edge of the gauntlets do little to penetrate the hide. The beast's lumbering arms swing wide causing water and rubble to eject into the air as the arms fail to hit Berta as she moves out of the way. Taking a moment to strike what would be a exposed side Berta slides in and hits again with a similar effect as the first strike. The beast twists and attempts to grab Berta with the remaining hands only to find Berta is considerably faster and easily splashes out of range.

Angerboda makes it to the Pan Tangian Barbarians side with possibly only the notice of the Oracle herself. He continues to float lazily on the splashing currents.

Feeling the presence of Angrboda trying to help him causes his demon heart to go crazy with power and energy.  Starts to twitch as hatred fills his heart and lack of soul. Yells out his loudest battle cry and emerges from the water. Grabs his axe and takes his mightiest swing over Angrbodas head making sure to miss her towards the demons neck. Throwing himself towards the demon as if he was possessed himself.

Berta's frustration as the creature barely even notices her blows is quickly replaced by concern for her own skin as she ducks and weaves to avoid its grasping hands ... though as Viktor's bellows herald him rising from the waters, the warrior woman grins broadly.

"I think, perhaps, you will not be so pleased now to have come looking for death," she tells it, unable to resist adding, "I did tell you so !"

Inspired by the Pan Tangian's enthusiasm for the battle, Berta renews her attack with blade and fist, hoping to do more than simply provide a distraction while Viktor carves the creature up.

The demonic beast is suddenly reminded of a new pray as Viktor bursts forth from the water screaming his own battlecry. As if anticipating conflict his huge double handed axe springs to his hands as he attempts to slice into the seemingly impervious demon.

Using this distraction Berta launches forward with her longsword in hopes of finding purchase, only to have it once again find only sparks as it hit the hardened skin and glance off.

Viktor takes a step around Angrboda in order to get into range of the beast and hefts a mighty swing. In the twilight the etched triangle of Law glows slightly leaving a tiny luminescent trail as the blade arcs into the the flesh of the beast. Parting the bony exterior like mere human flesh Viktors blade slices cleanly into the beast rewarding those around with a surprised howl.

Justin moves in hoping to capitalize on the distraction caused by the crazed Pan Tangian only to have similar results as Berta as his own rapier only causes sparks. Dancing backwards Justin's frustration becomes evident. "Damn beasts skin is to thick!"

Berta's moves in for one more attempt with her gauntlets only to verify that punching a brick wall may have more effect than hitting this otherworldly skin of the beast.

In anger and frustration the beast swipes at Viktor contacting the plate encrusted warrior with it's boulder sized hands with a powerful roundhouse knocking him off his feet with a resounding clang of bone vs plate leaving a large dent in the breastplate. Seeing one prey knocked down the demonic beast narrows on the next closest prey just outside of gauntlet range and counter swipes against Berta. It's powerful swipes continue to spray water by sheer momentum as it catches Berta during her strategic withdrawal. While Berta's lighter armor gives her an advantage in some situations, in this case it gives next to nothing as a few of the brass rings become detached at the beasts impact. Berta is also tossed back, almost effortlessly, due to the fists impact causing a tidal spray of lichen and water to douse the area.

Andrew, Rael, and Not-Khazim make the pool in time to witness the waterworks. Both Andrew and Rael take pause to assess the situation while Not-Khazim roars his own challenge and barrels into the water creating his own counterwake as the short nomad moves forward with hate filled purpose.

Angrboda looks at her tiny dagger and then back at the beastly demon attacking the group, "Well, I hope you have decided to wake up fully." she says to the magical weapon as she looks for an opening to stab at the demon.

OOC:  Not sure how the system works but she is tryiong to fight defensively, making sure she has a chance to parry if she gets attack.

So fierce is the blow that sends Berta flying that it leaves her lying all but senseless in the foul waters, spitting blood as she tries and fails to stand ...

... and then her head rocks back as dark energies coruscate within her breast and a roar of rage and vengeance is torn raw from her throat !

The pain of her wounds now seems to trouble her not at all as the warrior-woman rises from the lake, as if it pushes her away, her sword clutched in one hand like a talon, her other hand a bent and battered mass that resembles nothing more than a cudgel.

With that terrible scream still shaking her form, Berta lunges forwards, heedless now of any danger.

The sword strike is wild, more a menace to any near her than to the spider-creature ... but that misshapen fist hammers hard against the demon's carapace, the impact merely fuelling her anger.

Watches Berta get knocked down fuels his blood lust rage. Gets up and tries to take a swing with his mighty axe at the beasts knees. Trying to hurry before Not Khazim shows up.

Berta raises from the scummy water with purpose as she hacks at the skeletal beast. Justin's words hold true as Berta's sword sparks off of the beasts hide as she brings it down in a wild chopping motion. Her attack gives Viktor the moment for himself to slide in with his Lormyrian Axe. Only Viktor, or his god, knows what fuels the rage that strengthens each of his blows as once again his mighty axe cleaves into the bony beast releasing a wash of ichor from a second large gash.
Justin moves next to Angrboda, "Sometimes the better part of Valor is to know when the large flying blades are best to be away from." He motions towards Viktor with his rapier.

Justin is roughly body-shoved out of the way as Not-Khazim barrels forward past Angrboda and Justin, spear in hand. A quick thrust of the weapon proves as much effect as Berta's sword moments before.

Distracted by the number of targets, and how easily Viktor seems to be able to slice away chunks of the bony armor, the trashing of the beast accomplishes little more than spraying everyone with scummy water.

The uselessness of her blade against this demon is all too apparent, even without the further example of Justin and Not-Khazim ... yet Berta does not abandon her sword, much as she would like to simply toss it aside, for the creature seems to view the weapon as a threat, sufficient at least to give it some pause and allow Viktor to breach its defences.

Yet the warrior-woman is not prepared simply to stand and watch - if naught else the rage that burns within her will not countenance such passivity.

Instead she puts all her strength into one mighty blow, slamming her fist into the demon's carapace with as much force as she can muster.

Angrboda looks down at the tiny dagger in her hand and then back to the massive demon, even knowing the dagger holds a demon also doesn't make her confident in her ability to hurt the thrashing beast in front of her.  Seeing the ineffectual attacks of Justin and Berts however she decides to throw her lot in and attempt an attack on the beast.

OOC: 08:02, Today: Angrboda rolled 58 using 1d100.

I guess that means I hit?

Happy for a moment that his axe is able to cut the beast. Waits for another moment to slice, when he notices something floating in the water. Reaches down and the beast has made him spill his wine sack.  Pissed beyond belief throws the sack at the beast. Smoke almost pours out of him as he lets out his loudest battle cry yet as a warning to his comrades that they might want to duck. Waits for the perfect opportunity to go for the neck of the beast.