Kassius jumps down and attends to Soren - actually the gladiator isn't too bad and is just knocked out, thanks to the 11 points of non-lethal damage accumulated on him.

The wielder of Hoardcutter on the other hand is in a bad way and is looks to be in the process of filling his lungs with blood. Vorsh casually walks up to him, ignores him, then places a boot on the hilt of Hoardcutter and sends the blade skittering across the tiled floor to Kogoloxen. The creature quickly rusts and each the giant great sword.



OOC: Err... yeah. :D

The sword indeed remains where it is, calling out its surrender and begging for mercy. Vorsh calmly approaches and picks up the weapon, totally immune to any power of coercion it might have.

"I surrender, Larcos Dengrin! I will turn over a new leaf and serve you."

The old paladin hesitates. "Really? Would you swear a binding oath on that?"

This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:33, Tue 29 Mar 2016.

"Oh yes! I can do that!" replies the sword.

"You would have to be monitored, I would never let you out of my sight."

"I understand!" says the sword in a relieved tone. "I will do good Larcos Dengrin! I swear it!"

Vorsh flicks the sword over to Kogoloxen and the weapon is destroyed in an instant.

"I just remembered," mutters the avenger darkly. "I already have a frakken sword."

Meanwhile, down in the basement, Angati is fighting for her life. The black veiled man continues to try and squewer her with the blade, but her impressive armour keep him back.

"You and your friends destroyed everything! But at least you will pay with your life." screams the blade.

OOC: I'm not going to update the map, Angati is at E5, Lady Akanara is at D5. All PC's are within one move action of getting within melee if they want to.

The wielder is AC: 16/12/14 and 20hp left.

ROUND NINE - START OF PLAYERS' TURN
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:32, Tue 29 Mar 2016.

Kassius glances darkly at Vorsh as he casually destroyed a surrendering enemy. True, the enemy wasn't really human, but it was intelligent. It felt quite wrong to Kassius, but the half-orc was too slow to do anything about it. Instead, he continued tending to the fallen, magically stabilizing the wounds of Hoardcutter's wielder, before hurrying down to help Angati in her own fight.

Standard Action: Cast stabilize on Hoardcutter's wielder
Move Action: Move down the stairs to near Angati.
One blunt arrow, one round of Animal Focus on self left.

Angati's morning star seemed to sweep the air with a low hum as it rolled and rolled ending with a definite crunch as it hit the black mailed man square in his ribs, and clearly taking the breath along with much of his bravado.

.

---

Free : | Swft : | Move :   | Stnd : Attack
20:42, Today: Angati rolled 24,10 using 1d20+5,1d8+2.  Attack
[Private to DM: dice rolls]

---

HP: 28 |  AC: 22 | CMD : 15 | Saves: 4/3/4

Special Notes:

  (De)Buffs : Bless, Time Flicker (Blur), Mage armor
 Conditions :
  L0 Spells : 5/5
  L1 Spells : 1/6 Cure Light Wounds, Protect from evil, Cause Fear, Ill Omen (dual cursed),Divine Favour
  Abilities : Misfortune, Starlight Agility (dodge), Time Flicker (1/3 minutes blur).

Celine allowed the Kogoloxen to eat, he only had one more of the weapons to devour and his job would be done. The sorceress stepped down the stairs towards the battle betweenAngati and Ankara. She wreathed her forearms in fire once more and fired it towards the man in black.

---

Free : None | Swft : | Move : to 10:J | Stnd : Flame Lance | Full : None

16:41, Today: Celene rolled 15 using 1d20+1.  Ranged Touch.

16:42, Today: Celene rolled 7 using 1d6+2.  Damage.

---

HP: 12/18 |  AC: 14/14/14  | CMD : 10 | Saves: +3/+1/+8

Special Notes:

  (De)Buffs :
 Conditions :
  L0 Spells :
   - Unlim. : Detect poison, Dancing Lights, Daze (DC15), Flame Burst,
              Mage Hand, Message,
              Guidance, Read Magic, [empty slot])
   - 1/day  : Detect Magic, Light , Prestidigitation
  L1 Spells :
   - 0/5    : Charm person (DC16), Sleep (DC16), Summon Monster I, Grease
   - 1/day  : Bless, Sanctuary, Disguise Self,
  Abilities : Flame lance (5/7), Divine Vessel (5/5), Copycat (5/5), Channeling (7/7, DC14), Blessing Faithful (-)

The black clad wielder of Lady Akanara is battered by attacks from Angati and Celene, and Kassius runs in to support after he stabilises Hoardcutter’s former wielder. Then Vorsh also joins the combat at the bottom of the stairs. Suddenly the man is surrounded. He fights on, but is subdued by the combined power of the party. A few seconds later the last sword is fed to Kogoloxen and the battle is over.

The ‘North Marshalling Dome’ is now a mess of broken furniture, blood and piles of left over rust. Kogoloxen sits back on his hind legs in the middle of the room and releases a huge belch. For the first time the great rust monster actually looks content, despite his numerous wounds.

As the party start attending to the unconscious former wielders of the weapons, they also reflect back over the last week or so. It has been a challenging time – they met and defeated the Dragon Lotus master torturer, then triumphed over the Lotus Lady herself (abet with a lot of help from an earth elemental), they fought a two fronted battle against rhagodessa and high scrabble scoring aquatic devilfish, then half of them had a jungle adventure while the other half fought in the Featherwhisper bathhouse, then they won a mighty victory here in Shadowshore. They aren’t dead, so that must mean that they are stronger!

OOC: Well done and welcome to fourth level! I’m going to make a small change of pace and actually give you guys some time to interact with each other and the NPC’s, rather than just rushing you onto the next adventure like I normally do.

Logan looked over the battlefield, strewn with wreckage, and sighed.  "Well, Vorsh, looks like what you wanted is done.  What are you going to do now?"

He looked to the satiated rust monster, and spoke quietly to Kassius: "What should we do with that thing?  We can't just let it go in the city, right?  Can we...take it back to where it was?  It seems wrong to kill it when it helped us so much!"

Alohan remained pressed up against the wall, not far from where Sabrehawk threw himself down in surrender. The gash in his abdomen stung but the blood had clotted enough to where he could move about without it pooling blood. His head still swam and his stomach threatened to empty itself but overall, Alohan was no worse for ware. Zan sat behind him, lethargic, probably attempting to puzzle his sanity back together. The Nuari couldn't even fathom what it must have felt like to be magically dominated by an intelligent weapon. He suspected it wasn't refreshing. He silently prayed to his pele that it wouldn't happen to him but knew his mental fortitude was lacking.

He didn't mind Vorsh's actions, in fact, part of him welcomed it. Rather than figure out what to do with an intelligent weapon of immense capabilities they simply, did away with it. Whether he was indifferent towards the loss of 'life,' or simply ignorant of the argument, he didn't know. It was too much to think about, especially after a few minutes of battling.

When he picked himself off the ground, he left Zan where he was and made his way to the basement stairs. Upon seeing Angati bloodied and battered, he felt a bit guilty. He wasn't entirely aware of her plight. With that said, he was happy she was able to hold her own. He was beginning to expect no less. "Does she look younger?' he asked himself.

"Ya. ya be doin' okay?" he asked those gathered in the basement.

Kassius ponders the question thoughtfully. "Perhaps we could, but I'm not sure that would be best for the beast. It seemed rather sickly even in its own home. Perhaps I could set up a home for it on the ranch? I'd have to make a den completely out of wood, but that could be arranged I'd think..."

It might be handy to have the beast around, just in case more intelligent weapons came knocking, Kassius thought. And it would make an excellent addition to his steadily growing menagerie of strange and exotic beasts!

Angati looked up at Alohan and nodded "Yes... thank you... doing fine.... just... feeling a bit guilty for going all the way on these guys... it could have easily been us... back at the bath house, it was close.. so close, that I saw it you know ? saw it..." She was glad that this was over... which was something that her sister didnt seem to understand, she was continually insulting and kicking the body of the people that had been dominated by the swords.

"Rest easy Anansi... its over dear" she whispered "I am coming up now Alohan, don't worry". She gave time to Omi to finish his feeding, he was sucking all the blood that had fallen to the floor, quite a feast for the little guy... and she watched him with something akin to love as he did that "Am I turning into some kind of creepy witch or something" she thought as she turned her back on the basement and came up.

Once up she eyed Kartach and asked him "So... I guess this should be prove enough for anyone right ? and probably some of our friends here might even want to testify... do you think we might be able to clear Vorsh name on this ?... and more importantly Vorsh, do you think there is any other weapons going around that might come back on us ?".

Vorsh looks thoughtful and... almost happy. "I haven't thought things through that far yet. I mean... I know I will continue working to keep Sasserine and her people  free. And I have many contacts here... Frac it, I am sure I will work something out."



Indeed, yes, she does look younger. She just lost 10 years of apparent age and now appears to be in her 50's (she looked like she was in her 80's when the game started). She now almost looks as young as her character portrait! Angati also regains an ability point from reversing her premature aging.

So, feel free to roll up your hit points (remember the roll once then take the roll or average hit points rule), select your skills, feats, spells and private message me.



Oh gawd, are you going to breed from it?! What are you going to do with all these mutant animals you are making on the ranch?



Ewww. Probably yes. :P



Vorsh shakes his head. "No, I made certain they were all in here and accounted for. It is truly over now."

Karthach speaks up. "And I will gladly speak in front of the Dawn Council and proclaim your innocence Mister Vorsh...err, Larcos Dengrin. You name shall be cleared, I swear it!"

Karthach wants them all to go to the Dawn Council, or at least Worrin Lidu since the council is not in session, immediately. Vorsh says he needs an hour to have a bath and tidy himself up.

"After all," he jokes. "If they just throw me into the dungeons of Castle Teraknian anyway this might be my last chance."

Vorsh leaves, promising to meet at the Lidu Manner house in about one hour.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:19, Thu 31 Mar 2016.

Did I say that Vorsh just left? Actually he hands over two magic items which he says he doesn't need anymore and might be of use to the party.

The first is a 'Pearl of Power' which allows one second level spell to be recalled and used again, once a day.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-...s/m-p/pearl-of-power

The second is a 'Horn of Fog' which can be sued for concealment.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-...tems/h-l/horn-of-fog

These items are available on a first come first served basis, maximum of one per customer!

Once they are finished, the party leaves the Marshalling Dome and those that are heading on to the Lidu Mansion to watch Vorsh be absolved of his crimes take a bath and get a change of clothes.

The Jade Ravens and the other victims pick themselves up and return to their homes, nursing various bumps to the head.

At the Lidu manner house the appointment time comes... and passes without Vorsh (or Larcos Dengrin if you prefer) arriving. Karthack spends all of the waiting time telling anyone who will listen what a wonder the paladin used to be - renowned swordsman and paragon of virtue. The dwarf is therefore very disappointed we he realises that the holy avenger is not going to turn up.

Before he leaves, Zan Oldavin approaches Logan.

"Oh, hey, Logan. Sorry about dragging you into all this and thanks for... you know... saving our asses. I know that Tolin would thank you as well, but..." the ranger has already left, helping the shocked and pale sorceress Liamae out of the building. "He finds it hard to say that sort of thing, you know."

The Azure district rogue keeps his distance - a mark of respect amount thieves - an offers his hand to Logan to shake.

Penny meanwhile is still on a combat high. "Yeah, sure Kassius. When can get this brute back to the ranch if you think he'll be useful. He'll sure eat a lot of metal each day though - seems a bit expensive, but you're the boss."

She throws an arm around Alohan. "I like the way you crack heads, big fella. So, are you gunna join the 'squirt' and me for the return journey? I'm sure I can find a way to keep it interesting for you," she says with a huge smile.

Behind the dark skinned ranger, Remmi rolls his eyes.

Logan eyes Zan suspiciously, still not entirely trusting the other rogue, but finally relents and smiles.

"I've crossed paths with those swords before, Zan, and while Czarina didn't ever make me her fracking meat-puppet, I can only understand how that would feel."

He reached out to return the shake.

"I can't help but feel somewhat responsible.  If Celene and I had gotten rid of Czarina in the first place instead of handing it over to Vorsh..."  Logan shrugs.  "But then again, I've no idea how we would have done that, not having anything like that Rust Monster the last time we met up.  And besides, my last encounter with her almost killed me!"

Alohan pushes Penny away with a certain amount of force. Now that his battle fatigue subsided, he was able to come to terms with exactly how brutal the rangerette had been to his compatriot. He was royally pissed at her actions -putting the lives of innocents at needless risk was something he would not stand for. "Why do you always sleep with the crazy ones' his mind asked.

"No Penny!" he shouted. "What ya be doin' to dese people was unacceptable! And ta push Remmi inta harms way! What were ya dinkin!" Those within proximity of Alohan would undoubtedly feel the temperature noticeably rise. The volcanic Nuari had a certain air about them. 

Kassius groans to himself as Alohan confronts Penny. Kassius did not know what was going on with those two, and did not want to know! Earlier in his career, he had been in awe of the superior huntress. Now, he found himself more competent, and Penny had seemed to be flirting with him, but then she went with Alohan? Kassius had always been uncomfortable with relationships, and just wanted the whole thing to go away. Sometimes he wished he could just live with the beasts all of the time, and avoid people entirely!

Grimacing noticeably, he hovers nearby awkwardly, but says nothing, waiting to see what Penny has to say for herself. In truth, Kassius was curious as to the reasoning for her action as well.

"Come on!" laughs Penny, more surprised than offered at Alohan pushing her away. "They were running with swords trying to kill us, so of course I started taking them out. If I hadn't you would've been squewered a couple of minutes a go. And as for your little platonic man friend over there, he should learn to stay out of my way!"

She sees that the tall native is not going to relent and sighs. "Fine then. Come on squirt. Let's get this beast back to the ranch."