Behold the Unloved King (Part 12)
Log Info
- Title: Behold the Unloved King (Part 12)
- GM: Whirlpool
- Place: The Desolation
There's a roar.
It is impossibly loud. Loud enough to somehow blot out even the ever present wind of the everstorm. Everything goes silent for a moment as the tail shatters. That hurt, and clearly, it did not like that. It thrashes once, great limbs reaching up to smash across its own back as it seeks to dislodge the irritants that have harmed it so. Cor'lana now has its full eyeballs of attention. It has many. Seldan and Aryia are able to hang on, though the former is injured by a brush of its massive pincers.
... the wind starts, but then stops a second time. Above you, the clouds part. The sun seems to be above you, directly, somehow. The sound of harps briefly fills your ears.
Golden light suffuses everything for just a moment in brilliant, blinding fashion.
The ground shakes once more as something seems to begin rising from the earth, shaking off the dust of ages. Phantasmal and with a great golden nimbus around it, a great scaled hand has clawed up from below and then crashed down on the earth. Then another.
And then the ground behind you splits open as a dragon's head emerges from the earth, pushing itself free.
Seems the spell was successful, and the very lively influence of Verna and Harkashan has influenced how it's returned: as a celestial dragon of the heavens.
Divine fire radiates off it, pouring over all of you. Harkashan and Verna are first, finding themselves clad in fresh armor of gold, infused with righteous and divine might and the knowledge of how to use it. So too are the rest of you, in turn, empowered by a combination of divine and fey, an alternating power source greater than the individual, golden armor and blades wrapped in the Joyful King's Ivy.
The great beast before you, the demon, cowers a moment before screaming in outrage. The abyss reaches out and touches it.
Light and dark clash once more.
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Reflex: (11)+13: 24 GAME: Seldan rolls reflex: (5)+26: 31 GAME: Aryia rolls reflex+1: (2)+23+1: 26 GAME: Telamon rolls Reflex+1: (8)+16+1: 25 GAME: Verna rolls reflex: (19)+13: 32 GAME: Harkashan rolls Reflex+2: (11)+7+2: 20
The hand of the Abyss has already reached out, perhaps further strengthen the already cataclysmically strong beast before you. It opens its many mouths and vomits thick, globules of black ooze that spew out and spread out into some kind of terrible, adhesive webbing. It falls over you, one by one, try as you might to avoid it. It starts to break apart almost immediately, as if the golden light and energy suffusing each of you, particularly Harkashan and Verna who are able to immediately shrug it off.
The celestial dragon is still weak, still gathering itself up, but it's energies are clearly helping to empower and protect you.
GAME: Harkashan casts Liberating Command/Reach1. Caster Level: 13 DC: 19 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Escape Artist+20: (20)+2+20: 42
Verna was alrady kneeling, but slumps further when the ritual is completed and the celestial makes a most conspicuous return. While she is wearied from her efforts, her posture is more due to ... rapture? While touched by and in tune with her Matron by her very vocation, such a connection and display is not a normal occurence. The sense of calm-yet-righteous wrath could be the merest presence of The Grey Harpist as much as the nature of the resurrected Celestial. Verna is biased towards the former, and it is also the one thing which her formerly wailing logic is silenced and in agreement with.
Verna is not capable of doing such, but it is most certainly NOT beyond the purview of Vardama, The Grey Harpist, The Death-Singing Dragon, and any other name She is referenced by.
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+25: (14)+25: 39 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+25: (5)+25: 30 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+25: (14)+25: 39 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+25: (7)+25: 32 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+25: (9)+25: 34 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+25: (4)+25: 29
Near Harkashan and Verna, several of the crab-things burst from the earth, having been swimming through it beneath your feet. Others race towards the shattered remnants of the walls, others going towards Ravenstongue and Telamoin.
On the back of the great beast, Seldan and Aryia find themselves being surrounded, slowly, by yet more of them emerging from its skin, born new from abyssal power.
Yet the light protects. None are harmed. Not yet.
GAME: Aryia rolls punch-dexterity+strength-2+1: aliased to weapon0+2-dexterity+strength-2+1: (13)+27+2+-7+6+-2+1: 40 GAME: Aryia rolls punch-dexterity+strength-2+1: aliased to weapon0+2-dexterity+strength-2+1: (18)+27+2+-7+6+-2+1: 45 GAME: Aryia rolls punch-dexterity+strength-2+1: aliased to weapon0+2-dexterity+strength-2+1: (19)+27+2+-7+6+-2+1: 46 (THREAT) GAME: Aryia rolls punch-dexterity+strength-2+1-5: aliased to weapon0+2-dexterity+strength-2+1-5: (14)+27+2+-7+6+-2+1+-5: 36 GAME: Aryia rolls punch-dexterity+strength-2+1-10: aliased to weapon0+2-dexterity+strength-2+1-10: (17)+27+2+-7+6+-2+1+-10: 34 GAME: Aryia rolls punch-dexterity+strength-2+1-15: aliased to weapon0+2-dexterity+strength-2+1-15: (16)+27+2+-7+6+-2+1+-15: 28 GAME: Aryia rolls punch-dexterity+strength-2+1: aliased to weapon0+2-dexterity+strength-2+1: (10)+27+2+-7+6+-2+1: 37 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d10+strength+2+1: (15)+6+2+1: 24 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d10+strength+2+1: (16)+6+2+1: 25 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch+crunch: aliased to 2d10+strength+2+1+2d10+strength+2+1: (12)+6+2+1+(15)+6+2+1: 45 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d10+strength+2+1: (14)+6+2+1: 23
Aryia, filled with agony from the blast of heat, only just barely gets refuge as the blue-gold-silver wall solidifes into being next to the pugilist. She all but throws herself under it, half dangling from the tail as an iota of relief floods her from the cover. Magic blasts above her, and-- oh shit. She presses herself against the barrier, releasing the tail, gritting her teeth for oncoming pain- her vision goes black. A faint coughing can barely be heard over the din of battle, as Aryiad drops to the creature's back, a trail of soot following her as she's covered head to boot in grey ash. She wipes at her eyes, grimacing from the monster's roar. She looks down from her perch to give a glare to the-... the....
Her eyes widen. They did it! And it's a dragon! She barely has time to process the ramifications of this, as she's clad in golden armor, fae vines wrapping around her limbs. Only to be tied back down with demonic maisma.
She scowls fiercly, pulling herself through the thicket as she strains herself across the across the demon's carapace, dodging the emerging foes as she slams a kick into the tail. To her absolute surprise, a massive chunk crunches under it, as golden nimbus flashes across in a radiant spray. A wolvish grin spread across her ashen and burned face behind the golden helmet, and fists slam into the tail at blinding speed, each hit a percussive celestial slam.
GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+1: aliased to weapon1+1: (15)+27+1: 43 GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+1-5: aliased to weapon1+1-5: (20)+27+1+-5: 43 (THREAT) GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+1-10: aliased to weapon1+1-10: (15)+27+1+-10: 33 GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+1: aliased to weapon1+1: (4)+27+1: 32 GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg: aliased to 1d8+9: (3)+9: 12 GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg: aliased to 1d8+9: (7)+9: 16 GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg: aliased to 1d8+9: (5)+9: 14 GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg: aliased to 1d8+9: (7)+9: 16 GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8+13+1d8+13: (6)+13+(8)+13: 40
The world splits open with an ear-splitting roar, and massive pincers send Seldan sprawling to one knee, covered head-to-foot in black, glittery ichor. Not even the fae leaves that wrap around arms and legs are wholly spared. He drives one fist into the beast's back, Reunion in hand, breathing hard against sharp agony that drives through his flesh, not immediately aware of the celestial blessing that has been bestowed on them.
"Now this - THIS - is worthy of a Padaryn!" the querulous old man roars in sudden glee. "Get your arse up, boy, we've got work to do!"
The rest of the voices chime in in a cacophony that is immediately a roar of approval and renewed enthusiasm, one that rouses Seldan from hard breathing, long enough at least to stare at the blade. "What-"
And then, he sees it, and stares at himself - leaves, black glittery stuff, golden armor, and all. "Blessings from the Father and the Daughter, hand in hand," he whispers, staring down at himself in awe.
But - there is not time to stare for long, for he is suddenly surrounded - by mor scorpion things. A veritable army. Kanian is right. There is work to be done. Without further questions, he lunges to his feet with a mighty battle cry, and lays into the nearest one, leaving scorpion tails and carapace viciously disassembled in pieces at his feet, and great gouts of black goo - this is the first time he's noticed it, between his magics and that of the celestials - lying everywhere.
GAME: Harkashan rolls 9d6: (31): 31
A great dragon rises. As the ritual ends, it's like a rubber band snaps, and something is released. Harkashan stumbles back, looking exhausted, touching his hand over his chest, over his armor. Long pants, a bit of saliva running between his teeth, as he gets his focus back.
Drawing this being of another plane back up alongside Verna has taxed him well beyond his limits. He wobbles a bit in his step. As the phantasmal dragon appears, Harkashan takes a step forward. Light radiating on their position as the Sith-makar notices that some of them are wounded.
The wall of force still between them and the demon - as golden glow starts to eminate from him. Breathing energy back into him. He draws his blade and sweeps it around into a better grip.
"Ravenstongue!" He calls out as those tangling dark energies begin to rise, and reaches out with some of this golden light. Letting it reach beyond, touching her and letting the light eat away the darkness!
Another pulse, a wave of golden. But this one is covered with the silvren light of the Deathsinging Dragon, and the subtle red flames of Harkashan's own essence. Like a sea of gold, covered in flaming oil, it ripples out onto his allies. A flame that envelops them all for a moment, before getting into their bodies themselves - granting them a divine celerity. "The Deathsinging Dragon will not permit these enemies of our realm here. Do not chance them to gain a foothold here! Be swift!"
His magics seem to particularly resonate with this Divine Dragon. His eyes, even those burning lava-like markings on his body glowing with its golden presence.
GAME: Ravenstongue casts Mass Suggestion. Caster Level: 20 DC: 26 GAME: Ravenstongue casts Dimension Door/Quicken. Caster Level: 20 DC: 26 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (19)+24: 43 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (2)+24: 26 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (7)+24: 31 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (8)+24: 32 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (9)+24: 33 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (4)+24: 28 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (14)+24: 38
Cor'lana's eyes widen as she sees the flurry of little scorpion-demons coming right for her and Telamon. But the enchantress always has a plan.
Even if the plan was cooked up 3 seconds ago between her and Telamon's mental link.
"Dance!" Cor'lana suggests of her enemies with one magic word, ensnaring only four of them, but she's not done yet. She hooks her husband by the waist and murmurs a spell that sees them teleporting--
To Verna and Harkashan. "Hello! Hold on tight!" Cor'lana smiles brightly. There's mischief afoot in her eyes.
GAME: Telamon casts Shades. Caster Level: 20 DC: 29 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d3: (3): 3 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (12)+24: 36 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (2)+24: 26 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (12)+24: 36 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (11)+24: 35 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (17)+24: 41 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+20: (20)+20: 40 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+20: (5)+20: 25 GAME: Telamon rolls 4d6+22+4d6+22: (19)+22+(13)+22: 76 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+32: (18)+32: 50
Telamon is completely unfazed by the dimension door; for him, teleportation might as well be walking across the University grounds. With the thick black goop sliding off him like paint, the situation isn't... dire, but it's in question. And with the swarms of crab-demons coming out of the giant crab monster, it's clear numbers are not on their side. Even if they did resurrect a celestial dragon.
If they survive this, he really wouldn't mind talking to it.
But first, to business. Telamon's eyes begin to glow with pale starlight, his hair floating, as he chants. "Nambarag anungal, silig gissu namsimug gesse." Strange black smoke begins to pour from his fingertips, pooling around himself, Cor'lana, Harkashan, and Verna. Getting thicker by the moment, and far off there's a rumbling sound. Suddenly, something starts to rear up under the four adventurers... lifting them free from immediate danger as something -gargantuan- rises up from the smoke. Black scales striped in silver. A massive head absolutely loaded with teeth. A tyrant lizard from Am'shere now bears the quartet on its back, and it ROARS in the face of the crab-demons, trumpeting across the battlefield, bowing its head to the dragon briefly.
Two more tyrant lizards rise out of the smoke, also roaring, eyes ablaze with heavenly light. Teeth flash as they stalk forward, moving faster as they seeks to devour the crab-fiends! One of the gigantic lizards lunges down, and catches up one of the crab-demons in its maw. The CRUNCH seems to sound across the battlefield as distinctly as a horn call.
The Joyful King closes his eyes, yet still seems able to see. The song of battle sees for him.
He focuses his energies, pouring them into the fight. The ivy wrapped around Aryia's fists, for example, grows pirecing thorns.
"BATTLE BRAVE AND TRUE FOR YOUR KING," he shouts.
...now he's on a steed. It is suddenly adorned with armor, as are all of them. Why not? Illusionary powers are well within his purview to modify, it seems.
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+56: (16)+56: 72 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+56: (17)+56: 73 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 8d6: (23): 23 GAME: Aryia rolls acrobatic: aliased to acrobatics+wisdom: (9)+29+6: 44 GAME: Seldan rolls acrobatics: (1)+3: 4 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+40: (9)+40: 49 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 3d6+18: (15)+18: 33 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+15: (1)+15: 16 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Whirlpool rolls 20d6: (59): 59 GAME: Verna rolls reflex: (15)+13: 28 GAME: Harkashan rolls Reflex+2+1+2: (13)+7+2+1+2: 25
A flash of gold and the dragon seems to be gaining in strength, rising up, its form solidifying. Powerful muscles ripple beneath its skin. Claws leave deep furrows in the earth. It is blasted by the heat beam. The sheer power of the blast is enough to force it back oine step, two. The earth shakes and Harkashan and Verna can feel the intensity of the heat, that much power, being just near to them. Its great wings shadow and shelter them.
It roars at the giant demonic creature across from it.
A single word escapes it. A word of pure light that snaps the gate shut behind it, forcing the creature even more fully into this world and preventing yet others from emerging.
The demonic creature's tail glows with hazy fire, dimming as its blast end, having shaken Seldan and Aryia from its back violently. It hesitates a moment, then leaps forward a half inch and then is swallowed up by the earth in a torrential upheaval. A wave of earth is now building towards everyone, threatening to trample over them.
GAME: Verna casts Destruction. Caster Level: 19 DC: 24 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+26: (8)+26: 34 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+265: (1)+26: 27 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+26: (3)+26: 29 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+26: (12)+26: 38 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+26: (10)+26: 36 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+12: (12)+12: 24 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+12: (10)+12: 22 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (7)+24: 31 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+26: (4)+26: 30 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+26: (19)+26: 45 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+26: (1)+26: 27 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+12: (8)+12: 20 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (4)+24: 28 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (17)+24: 41 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (17)+24: 41 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (6)+24: 30 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (8)+24: 32 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+12: (10)+12: 22 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+12: (5)+12: 17 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+12: (11)+12: 23 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+12: (9)+12: 21
Seldan and Aryia are surrounded and pounced. These things seem largely able to anticipate the actions of its master, and the stones they are able to burrow through seamlessly. It presents no challenge to them to surround Aryia and Seldan, biting and stinging at them.
Similarly, one of the dinosaurs gets surrounded by others and is brought down to bear, dissipating when it's finally shredded by their claws.
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+42: (14)+42: 56 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+42: (19)+42: 61 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 4d6+18: (9)+18: 27 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 3d6+19: (12)+19: 31 GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+2+1: aliased to weapon0+2+1+2+1: (18)+27+2+1+2+1: 51 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch+1: aliased to 2d10+strength+2+1+1: (12)+6+2+1+1: 22 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+35: (16)+35: 51
Aryia is flung into the air, flailing her arms before managing to right herself and slide across the ground, barely dodging out of the way from others fiends, getting scrapes for her defenses. Divine power washes over her, healing stanching her wounds. She only just barely manages to notice the additional Am'shere megafauna before a massive tidal wave of earth starts to approach. Demons approaching from all around, the creature barreling forth underneath them all.
An idea springs forth. A stupid, brilliant idea.
The pugilist starts to punch at the ground. Punch. Punch punch punch punch. Drilling through the earth as she presses hard into the dirt and stone, the light from her armor and thorned fists vanishing as is swallowed into the earth. There is a pause. Where did Aryia go?
There is a deep, bassy THWUNK. The tidal wave splits to reveal part of the titanic demon, getting popped above the earth from something shoving up and briefly out.
Below the earth, the mute presses a hand against large gashes on her side, blood staining her green jacket as a wide grin splits her face, boot smoking from the impact. "Worth it." <Handspeech>
GAME: Verna casts Finger of Death. Caster Level: 19 DC: 25 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+35: (4)+35: 39 GAME: Verna rolls 10d6+3d6+20: (29)+(12)+20: 61
Verna never believed she would raise the celestial any more than she expected she would be regaled in golden light, blessed by the Now-loved fae King, and... standing astride a tyranosaur. It is a moment for a number of firsts, it appears. She returns to the moment as the crab monstrosity vanishes beneath the Ea ... until Aryia follows suit and the fiend suddenly (partially) appears.
The sense of soothing and righteous wrath, both, remains strong. With Harkashan bountifully distributing the aiding energies of their matron, Verna represents the other aspect. "By Her will and ours, begone!" Conjoined energies of both The Harpist's Hall's anethema to the living and the justness of Her Divine Judgement entwine and lash at the exposed carapace, removing and blackening portions.
Regretably, the sheer mass of the thing makes for there to be far too much yet remaining.
GAME: Seldan rolls fly: (11)+13+4: 28
Seldan, on the other hand, sprawls to the earth a good bit less gracefully with a most undignified scream, and crashes into the earth, hard, a cloud of dust ploofing up around him and leaving the golden armor and fey leaves dusty, crushed, and dented. Groaning, he lays there for a moment or two, before the earth lifts and rolls towards him in a mighty wave.
"You still with us, boy?" comes from his hand, but he answers not in words, but in action. Instinct kicks in, and mighty- white-and-golden feathered wings burst from his back in a flash of light. He jumps into the air on these wings with the skill of a practiced and experienced flier, the mighty, glowing feathers carrying him upwards in a flash, just clearing the wave of earth as it threatens to roll over him.
Breathing hard, ichor on his temple, he hangs in the air, his sword in one hand, wings lazily keeping him in place, his left arm hanging useless at his side.
GAME: Harkashan rolls Ranged+20+2+1: (6)+10+20+2+1: 39 GAME: Harkashan rolls 9d6: (29): 29 GAME: Harkashan casts Curse. Caster Level: 13 DC: 22 GAME: Harkashan rolls Cleric: (16)+13: 29 GAME: Harkashan used a Potion of True Strike. GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+21: (14)+21: 35
Suddenly, Cor'lana appears before him, and she asks to hold on tight. "Uhm... alright. In that case, politely." As he takes hold of Cor'lana's hips without any clue as to what that woman has in mind. But he sees that mischief.
And that Mischief quickly rises between his legs.
In the form of Divine gargantuan Tyranosauruses.
"..." Harkashan isn't certain what to say about Divine Thunderlizards. What he does know is that this is, rather low-key, totally awesome. Instead, he rises up slowly, and points at the crab as golden threads begin to surround his fingers.
"The Deathsinging Dragon declares, you who do not belong upon this plane... this is not air you will be permitted to breathe!" As he tilts his hand slightly in the same way Telamon sometimes would. Golden light pouring in from around the battlefield, but soon... also starting to flow out of the demon. Spreading to his allies, healing them as he tries to derive the being from divine energies and instead use that to curse it!
"I Bestow This Curse! Until this body of mine Perishes, your body will be unable to breathe the air of this plane!" Grimacing as he tries his best to pierce past its powerful defenses. Harkashan isn't as powerful as Verna and the others, so he has to use more tricky spells such as these to aid in his relevance - standing here amidst some literal giants. It's taking everything out of him just to do this against such a powerful being! If lizards could sweat, he'd be drenched. Instead, he has begun panting - the only way for him to cool down. But in the end, his power stands too weak against such a foe, his hand ending up 'burnt' as a backwash of negative energy rejects his curse, and Harkashan stumbles upon the T-Rex.
"Sorry, I tried." Harkashan bids to Ravenstongue and the rest.
GAME: Ravenstongue casts Banishment/Persistent. Caster Level: 20 DC: 26 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+4: (11)+24: 35 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (15)+24: 39 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (7)+24: 31 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (19)+24: 43 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (15)+24: 39 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (16)+24: 40 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (5)+24: 29 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (17)+24: 41 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (10)+24: 34 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Spellcraft: (12)+29: 41 GAME: Telamon rolls spellcraft: (5)+26: 31 GAME: Verna rolls spellcraft+org: aliased to spellcraft+4: (10)+36+4: 50
Cor'lana and Telamon seem set on a new coordinated plan, as Cor'lana recites a spell in the way that she and Telamon both benefit from spellcasting, feeding off of each other's knowledge and presence--like the stardust and faerie dust of the old days. "I banish you! I send you back to whence you came!" Cor'lana decrees.
And then her eyes widen as she realizes something at the exact same time that Telamon realizes something. Mental link and all. "That thing's brought the abyss with it! The planes are converging!" Cor'lana announces.
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+20: (11)+20: 31 GAME: Telamon rolls 4d6+22: (13)+22: 35 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+32: (9)+32: 41 GAME: Telamon casts Wish. Caster Level: 20 DC: 28
The surviving T-rex isn't daunted by the loss of its teammate. Another smaller crab demon is snapped up, the massive jaws chewing the carapace as it growls. The other T-rex carries its passengers away from the moving earthwave, though from its snarls it clearly wants to get 'stuck in' as well. Can't ask a tiger-- or a thunder lizard -- to change its stripes.
Meanwhile, Telamon's eyes widen in horror at the prospect, and his hand dips into his haversack, coming out with a prism carved from diamond. The gem glitters even in this light, as he holds it aloft. "I have a Wish!" he roars. "That the abyss and the mortal plane be not conjoined! That our world shall not connect to theirs! That we be separate, as the gods have decreed! BEGONE FROM THIS PLACE, FOREVERMORE!" Light flashes from the prism in his hand...
GAME: Verna rolls reflex: (7)+13: 20 GAME: Harkashan rolls Reflex+5: (15)+7+5: 27 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Reflex+1+1: (17)+13+1+1: 32 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 4d8+54: (16)+54: 70 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+12: (7)+12: 19 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+12: (5)+12: 17 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+12: (18)+12: 30
What was set in motion could not be stopped. The earth rolls forward, despite ARyia's interruption of the beast's movements. Surely, that made it less impactful, but it did not stop the reaction.
The wave of earth crashes into VErna, Harkashan, the dragon, and the Joyful and Now Loved King.
The King stands his ground, declaring, "You dare to raise teh earth against me? I COMMAND THE EARTH! I AM KING! I AM -- " The rest of his declaration is obscured by the massive wave of earth crashing into him.
Ravesntongue, Telamoin, and VErna are swept along with their Celestial T-Rex into a tidal wave of tumbling earth and stone, battered severely by it.
Harkashan too, of course, though the dragon's wing shelters him somewhat. Verna and Harkashan both feel their wounds immediately begin to close of their own accord, healing energies from the divine power coursing through them offering them additional power.
The dragon, well...
It raises it's head and lunges towards the creature just as Telamon's spell begins to take hold of the area. There's a pregnant pause. Everything seems to still for a moment.
Everything.
You can feel your hearts beat once.
And then the dust settles. The creatures are gone. The earth has returned to normal. The great beast remains, though it's locked in the dragon's jaws. You are unburied, as if time itself briefly rewound and allowed the celestial to bite and hold.
The spawn? No more.
A deep, mammoth growl shakes the earth itself once more as its stingers strike the dragon. It's being held in place, now, but the battle is ... titanic, to say the least, as each struggles to gain over the other. The dragon has had enough time to gain enough strength to contribute, now, and oh, it is. Each flash of its talons and teeth rend great holes in the exoskeleton of the battered demon, gold light emanating from it. You sense a single word from, holy and powerful.
NOW.
GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+2+1: aliased to weapon0+2+1+2+1: (5)+27+2+1+2+1: 38 GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+2+1: aliased to weapon0+2+1+2+1: (15)+27+2+1+2+1: 48 GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+2+1: aliased to weapon0+2+1+2+1: (13)+27+2+1+2+1: 46 GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+2+1-5: aliased to weapon0+2+1+2+1-5: (7)+27+2+1+2+1+-5: 35 GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+2+1-10: aliased to weapon0+2+1+2+1-10: (2)+27+2+1+2+1+-10: 25 GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+2+1-15: aliased to weapon0+2+1+2+1-15: (8)+27+2+1+2+1+-15: 26 GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+2+1: aliased to weapon0+2+1+2+1: (15)+27+2+1+2+1: 48 GAME: Aryia spends ONE point of KI POOL. GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+2+1: aliased to weapon0+2+1+2+1: (16)+27+2+1+2+1: 49 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d10+strength+2+1: (11)+6+2+1: 20 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d10+strength+2+1: (15)+6+2+1: 24 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d10+strength+2+1: (20)+6+2+1: 29 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d10+strength+2+1: (17)+6+2+1: 26 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d10+strength+2+1: (14)+6+2+1: 23 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d10+strength+2+1: (18)+6+2+1: 27
Aryia weathers the tidal wave that rolls past her, her slamming a shoulder against it to break a fissue just for herself. She wasn't aware of what was ongoing above, but several powerful surges of power pelt out. What was that about the planes converging?
And then everything freezes. A single heartbeat to flick her gaze out. She wasn't underground, everyone was hale, the little beings were gone. And the two titans were locked in a brawl, with the fiend in a pin. Another beat. A pounding word of command presses into her being. She grins, despite the large gash in her side.
The pugilist looks for Seldan, finds him, and offers crisp nod and a glowing, golden clad finger pointed right at the beast. "Let's kick its ass!" None too long after, a grey and radiant blur zig zags across the earth, impacting into the underside of the creature. A burst of moon and sunlight reports debilitating blows below, before the blur continues its onslaught alongside their flank. The mute materializes briefly to twist in the air, giving a rocketing roundhouse into the side of one of the heads, blood spraying from throrns and sizzling from borrowed divine might.
Aryia silently laughs. <Handspeech>
Verna, her family, their 'mount,' and others are all swept up amidst the tidal waved of stone and earth. And then they are not as matters are undone by her brother- and sister-in-bond. The Now-Loved King has made his rebuke. The small fiends are gone. The mighty Celestial dragon has taken hold of the behemoth and bid the time is now.
And yet there is something else. That wrath and righteousness that is present from more than just the celestial, at least in Verna's heart. Now, there is a surge of something atop it. Something that Verna holds most dear: knowledge. Knowledge of The Beast, of its soul... or what was once a soul yet now remains its core. From the one who holds claim to all souls.
"Ukthaioz'vho!" she calls (and in its native Abyssal for proper pronunciation). "Eater of Fates. Threadrender." The other appelations are in common as they were likely attributed. "Your soul evaded to the Hells, but Her Halls yet await! Her judgement is undeniable! Face it, here and now, as the just and righteous shepherd it where it was always meant to be!"
Verna, her family, their 'mount,' and others are all swept up amidst the tidal waved of stone and earth. And then they are not as matters are undone by her brother- and sister-in-bond. The Now-Loved King has made his rebuke. The small fiends are gone. The mighty Celestial dragon has taken hold of the behemoth and bid the time is now.
And yet there is something else. That wrath and righteousness that is present from more than just the celestial, at least in Verna's heart. Now, there is a surge of something atop it. Something that Verna holds most dear: knowledge. Knowledge of The Beast, of its soul... or what was once a soul yet now remains its core. From the one who holds claim to all souls.
"Ukthaioz'vho!" she calls (and in its native Abyssal for proper pronunciation). "Eater of Fates. Threadrender." The other appelations are in common as they were likely attributed. "Your soul evaded to the Hells, but Her Halls yet await! Her judgement is undeniable! Face it, here and now, as the just and righteous shepherd it where it was always meant to be!"
GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+se+pa+haste+2: aliased to weapon1+charisma-4+1+2: (16)+27+10+-4+1+2: 52 GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+se+pa+haste+2-5: aliased to weapon1+charisma-4+1+2-5: (8)+27+10+-4+1+2+-5: 39 GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+se+pa+haste+2-10: aliased to weapon1+charisma-4+1+2-10: (12)+27+10+-4+1+2+-10: 38 GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+se+pa+haste+2: aliased to weapon1+charisma-4+1+2: (3)+27+10+-4+1+2: 39 GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg+sedmg+padmg: aliased to 1d8+9+8+8: (1)+9+8+8+4: 30 GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg+sedmg+padmg: aliased to 1d8+9+8+8: (7)+9+8+8+4: 36 GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg+sedmg+padmg: aliased to 1d8+9+8+8: (5)+9+8+8+4: 34 GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg+sedmg+padmg: aliased to 1d8+9+8+8: (3)+9+8+8+4: 32
Lost in the sounds of battle is the sickening crack as a bone in Seldan's left arm snaps back into place, fueled by the mysterious black stuff that now covers him, along with a gasp of pain that nearly causes him to lose his hover. It is followed, swiftly, by balm and comfort as the healing from Harkashan and the celestial flood him, and his eyes snap to the mighty dragon at the silent command.
He doesn't need to be told twice.
With a mighty roar and a battle cry that is echoed in half a dozen voices from the blade, he dives for the demon-creature, Reunion screaming in a cacophony of glee as the carapace cracks and ichor flies beneath its assault.
GAME: Harkashan rolls 9d6: (35): 35
Now, the Dragon ushers. Yet, Harkashan's at his limits already. He has little he can do to harm that great beast. But he can support his allies, his friends!
Ravenstongue so closeby, wounded alongside him from the foul buffet of stone and winds that still leaves Harkashan grimacing, wave after wave of healing escapes him.
"Your Husband and my Chihua would both be cross with me if I were to let harm come to you." He rumbles to her in particular, as he spends his last true spell of healing upon her body. "But this best be over quick. I have... little else to give." He pants.
GAME: Ravenstongue casts True Strike/Quicken. Caster Level: 20 DC: 23 GAME: Ravenstongue casts Disintegrate/Persistent. Caster Level: 20 DC: 26 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls ranged+20: (19)+12+20: 51 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+31: (6)+31: 37 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+31: (14)+31: 45 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 5d6: (13): 13 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+31: (15)+31: 46 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+31: (4)+31: 35 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+15+1+1: (15)+15+1+1: 32 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 5d6: (17): 17
"I appreciate it!" Cor'lana calls over to Harkashan. The two half-sil sorcerers then work together, trying to blast holes in the defenses of the demon who Seldan and Aryia are beginning to apply death's door to. Cor'lana focuses her magic, as does Telamon...
And the demon is made of strong and stern stuff. Cor'lana grinds her teeth together. Finally, she calls over to Seldan and Aryia. If nothing else... She can motivate them.
"Seldan! Aryia! Destroy the demon! I believe in the both of you!!" She means every single word.
GAME: Verna rolls ranged+4: (19)+12+4: 35 GAME: Verna rolls ranged+4: (8)+12+4: 24 GAME: Verna casts Enervation. Caster Level: 19 DC: 22 GAME: Verna casts Enervation. Caster Level: 19 DC: 22
Verna has conjured negative energy with her own knowledge and study on numerous occassions. In this moment, however, such is a conduit from (and to) The Harpist's Hall, per Her conveyed message. Two of them, in fact, as one shadowy beam after another splays out from her hands to strike the held and gnawed upon unholy beast. "Her judgement cannot be denied!"
GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+1+1+2: aliased to weapon0+2+1+1+1+2: (16)+27+2+1+1+1+2: 50 GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+1+1+2: aliased to weapon0+2+1+1+1+2: (5)+27+2+1+1+1+2: 39 GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+1+1+2: aliased to weapon0+2+1+1+1+2: (8)+27+2+1+1+1+2: 42 GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+1+1+2-5: aliased to weapon0+2+1+1+1+2-5: (14)+27+2+1+1+1+2+-5: 43 GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+1+1+2-10: aliased to weapon0+2+1+1+1+2-10: (16)+27+2+1+1+1+2+-10: 40 GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+1+1+2-15: aliased to weapon0+2+1+1+1+2-15: (14)+27+2+1+1+1+2+-15: 33 GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+1+1+2: aliased to weapon0+2+1+1+1+2: (13)+27+2+1+1+1+2: 47 GAME: Aryia rolls punch+1+1+1+2: aliased to weapon0+2+1+1+1+2: (2)+27+2+1+1+1+2: 36 GAME: Aryia spends ONE point of KI POOL. GAME: Aryia rolls crunch+1+crunch+1+crunch+1+crunch+1+crunch+1+crunch+1+crunch+1+crunch+1: aliased to 2d10+strength+2+1+1+2d10+strength+2+1+1+2d10+strength+2+1+1+2d10+strength+2+1+1+2d10+strength+2+1+1+2d10+strength+2+1+1+2d10+strength+2+1+1+2d10+strength+2+1+1: (15)+6+2+1+1+(15)+6+2+1+1+(12)+6+2+1+1+(2)+6+2+1+1+(6)+6+2+1+1+(19)+6+2+1+1+(4)+6+2+1+1+(11)+6+2+1+1: 164
Aryia grabs on to an infernal horn as she starts to fall, a gasp of fresh air entering her lungs as healing energy from Harkashan stanches wounds and reinvigorates her. Sweat beads streaks of tail-ash down her burned face, hanging like a golden earring. She braces as spells slam into it, divine might from Seldan and Reunion carving several new holes.
And then Verna belies her decree. Her head whips over, wide eyed at her, before landing her gaze on Cor'lana. Again, that bright grin crests across her lips, and slides down the neck of the being to its torso. She takes a deep breath In... Several microbursts of moon and sunlight detonate as more demonic ichor sprays from the base of the creatures neck. The pugilist drilling chunks of carapace and flesh away. In between each blow, one can barely hear a stuttered, "D-! D-! D-!"
GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+se+pa+5: aliased to weapon1+charisma-4+5: (5)+27+10+-4+5: 43 GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+se+pa+5-5: aliased to weapon1+charisma-4+5-5: (1)+27+10+-4+5+-5: 34 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+se+pa+5-10: aliased to weapon1+charisma-4+5-10: (20)+27+10+-4+5+-10: 48 (THREAT) GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+se+pa+5: aliased to weapon1+charisma-4+5: (14)+27+10+-4+5: 52 GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+se+pa+5-5: aliased to weapon1+charisma-4+5-5: (14)+27+10+-4+5+-5: 47 GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg+sedmg+padmg+2hand: aliased to 1d8+13+8+8+4: (7)+13+8+8+4: 40 GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg+sedmg+padmg+2hand: aliased to 1d8+13+8+8+4: (1)+13+8+8+4: 34 GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg+sedmg+padmg+2hand+reuniondmg+sedmg+padmg+2hand: aliased to 1d8+13+8+8+4+1d8+13+8+8+4: (6)+13+8+8+4+(6)+13+8+8+4: 78 GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg+sedmg+padmg+2hand: aliased to 1d8+13+8+8+4: (7)+13+8+8+4: 40
Fierce joy suffuses Seldan, bathed with the others in the celestial blessing. It's going to take time to get through the massive creature's shell. They don't have forever, and Reunion in its glee may not have noticed that it is gradually worming free, but it's not lost on Seldan. Blue eyes go wide, and he redoubles his efforts, tearing into chinks in the carapace and pulling great pieces away, only to sink steel into the flesh beneath. Mighty holes open up, Reunion beginning to glow with a pale pink light. It's almost as if it's getting excited or something.
GAME: Harkashan rolls Cleric: (14)+13: 27 GAME: Harkashan casts Destruction. Caster Level: 13 DC: 24
As the others continue the battle. That last push, Harkashan reaches out alongside Verna. Leaning on her connection with the Deathsinging Dragon, as she withers it away with her mythical powers, Harkashan reaches out. Using that thin 'thread' that exists there. The cut from its own realm. The draw back to the Halls...
Harkashan hisses between his teeth. Reaching out with a trembling hand. That last bit of power he still has within him. He may not be as strong as his allies, but he will ensure that there is one thing that, while it must be forgotten, it certain on this day.
He was here!
He too, stood against this foul thing.
Huffing, saliva drooling between his teeth, he looks like a mess reaching this far into his magic, but he grasps it. That edge of its form. The shape of its soul. And he begins to turn it to tatters.
It's like solid becoming 'leafs' that are just 'stuck' upon its being. Small 'threads' unwinding from the fiend's form, starting to drift away with Aryia's blows. Helping guide their strikes. One hand leaning against the T-Rex, trembling, but proceeding.
Each one of Seldan's carving blows, Harkashan grabs onto those destructive threads, and draws more away from it.
'Smoke' of its material being drifting away, tearing it apart... turning it smaller...
And smaller...
Until in the end. There is nothing left. It isn't a Demon that returns to its home. It isn't an explosion, or some kind of spectacular lightshow. It is a discerned effort to carve all that 'is' the demon apart, and disintegrate its being from the material realm.
One shred at a time, sent to the halls. One shred at a time, like a thin sheet of music. Its song being sung by the Deathsinging Dragon. Its last notes taken from it, until the great fiend has no more song left in it.