Iron Crisis Part 2 (IC)

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 18/39 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: -- Concentrating on: Erupting When a wave of thunderous sound booms towards Caelyn, she extends a hand that drips with flames and the majority of the danger is absorbed, sparing her ears the worst of the damage. Some part of Caelee is screaming inside her that now is the time to heal, not destroy. She promptly ignores it. Taking a big step back away from the newest combatant, she stomps her staff and more rays of fire jump out, this time at JJ and the mage. The lava flowing from her mouth has increased, and steam and smoke are rising from the elven druid in clouds now. Flits of flame are raining down from her like cherry blossom leaves, and she is rapidly becoming a towering inferno. She doesn't even notice Bokono lose his grip on this plane, as he is safely stored inside her soul.

Spoiler: OOC

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Reaction to cast absorb elements. Embrace the power! Move back east one square. Fire a upcast scorching ray. 3 rays at JJ, with advantage- (1d20+7)[8] or (1d20+7)[21], (1d20+7)[17] or (1d20+7)[18], (1d20+7)[20] or (1d20+7)[10], and (2d6)[7], (2d6)[6], (2d6)[9] damage. One ray at the remaining mage- (1d20+7)[22] and (2d6)[11] damage. (2d6)[8] damage on a crit.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 10/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: -- | -- Seeing the wizard from behind him appear in the room ahead fills Sam with a sudden, looming feeling of dread. He spins around to face the chimera, raising his arms in defense. One of its claws rakes through him, but he feels no pain, opening his eyes just in time to be shoved back into the wall by a headbutt. A wave of fire washes over him, but in the process does more harm to the dark mage. In bad shape, Sam breaks off and moves down the hall. Hopping out of the way of the gap before its long arms or flame breath can reach him, he backs up against the wall, shaking. Glancing aside he sees a long set of gashes along Vala's arms, a wound that seems to have been meant for him. "How did you... ah, nevermind. Later. Keep it together." Repaying her for her aid, he sends mystical power through his words to mend her wounds. Spoiler: Actions Show Disengage, move 3 North, 1 West, to the space under Blue. Bonus action to cast Healing Word on Vala for (1d4+3)[4] healing.

[Amnestic]

Any hope from the last remaining spellcaster that they'd be able to muster a solo defence, or escape, is cut short. Between the spiritual weapon from behind and Caelyn's 'spare' beam, almost offhand, from the front, they're cut down and fall besides their 'comrades', dead.

J.J. laughs, mocking, as Senna's spell fizzles against his rippling lizard muscles. Whatever power behind it neutralised utterly. "Sssspellcassster wordssss mean nothing to me,". Though the blasts from Caelyn's flame spell clearly do damage on him, he seems to ignore the pain, focusing solely on Senna, with maddened, gleeful eyes at the opportunity to cause pain against her. He lunges forward with his trident, the point stopping just in front of the cleric's belly. The same light from Vala appears once more again, pulling the force of the blow away. Though there's no sign of an external wound, Vala nevertheless coughs violently, before quickly wiping her mouth of the blood that came up. She's too slow to save Senna from the second attack, as J.J. steps through Senna's guard and bites down into her shoulder with razor sharp teeth, tearing away in a manner to cause maximum damage. Beyond the pain of the fangs inside the lizardfolk's mouth, Senna feels something more - fatigued, weakened. The blessings of Deneir, prayed for so earnestly at the start of the day, have been ripped from her as easily as flesh from bone.

With Sam's movement away the chimera has no choice but to begin work on tearing down the walls in its path. Scratching, goring, slamming, it rips and tears at the scorched stonework that it cannot fit through, looking to slam through it just as it had before. It grants no attention to the dead in front of it, feeding does not seem its desire, instead it continues to scream and howl for destruction. If Vala has any comments about the situation that they've ended up in, she keeps them to herself, though she still seems energetic, and tip-top as far as morale goes. Not willing to give up her spear, she dives to the ground, following up behind Melian's ray of icy death by throwing Bula's flail at the chimera. The enormous beast is easy to hit, owing to it filling the entire hallway and more.

Spoiler: Map

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Senna and Caelyn finish off blue, ending the mage threat once and for all. Until they all rise as ZOMBIES!

no that didn't happen (yet)

Melian crits on ray of frost, smashing 20 frost damage into the chimera.

JJ reckless attacks Senna, hitting with both attacks. Vala uses her second Aphine's Sacrifice of the day, taking the 9 slashing and 3 force damage - after divine fervor she loses 7 total, dropping down to 24/66 including Sam's healing word. She can't stop the second hit though, so Senna takes 6 piercing and 3 force damage. Senna also loses one 1st level spell slot and 1 3rd level spell slot - Vala took the damage, but she didn't take the 'rider'.

Vala grabs Bula's flail and lobs it at the chimera, before ducking behind the wall again.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 10/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: -- | -- "I've got a plan!" Sam declares, perhaps ominously. He turns to Vala and hands her his handaxe as he moves past. "Mel, Vala, keep it up. I'm gonna get this thing off our backs!" With that, Sam begins sprinting down the hallway towards the molten room. Bouncing off of the wall to sustain some of his momentum, he leaps across the gap and thuds to a stop, flat up against the wall. Spoiler: Actions Show Bonus Action: Bardic Inspiration on Vala. Action: Dash. Move 1 E, 1 NE Use Item: Give Handaxe to Vala. Move 1 NE, 3 E Move 4 S, 10 foot running jump over pit as part of movement, ending on the southwest corner of the molten moat room.

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 18 HP: 18/33 PP: 17 PIv: 12 PIs: 17 Conditions: Light (on holy symbol), Spiritual Weapon Concentration: - The redhead holds her temples, as she tries to deflect the spear blows. Its scales don't seem to just deflect blows, but they are helpless against raw magic. You want magic? YOU CAN GET MAGIC! Senna shouts as purple orbs shoot into JJ's body. Spoiler Show Spiritual Weapon moves to JJ and misses Magic Missile deals 13 force damage.

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 18/39 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: -- Concentrating on: At this point, Caelee is beyond words. Beyond rage. The constant rain of fire, kindled in her soul and sent screaming at her opponents with her mind, had overwhelmed her body and her personality. She faces JJ, rears back with a cascade of sparks raining down from a sweep of her hair, and screams at the lizardfolk. Her voice is a duet of youthful, fiery, fury and deep, ancient malice, two cries emanating from a single throat. A beam shot from each eye along with one larger one from her mouth, sizzling like fireworks as they leapt at the barbarian. To look on Caelee right now would lead some to believe she was burning to death, or melting like a candle doused with oil. But the truth was she had never felt so free. So powerful. So alive and enraptured. Her scream slowly gave way to loud, echoing laughter as she looked upon the results of her rain of fire.

Spoiler: OOC

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Lot of drama for a scorching ray spell. 3 at JJ, all with advantage. (1d20+7)[11] or (1d20+7)[15], (1d20+7)[21] or (1d20+7)[19], (1d20+7)[20] or (1d20+7)[21]. Damages- (2d6)[7], (2d6)[9], (2d6)[11]. And (2d6)[6] if I manage to crit.

[Amnestic]

Even as Senna and Caelyn continue to lay into J.J., he shrugs off the pain. If anything, it only seems to make him madder. He lunges forward with his trident again, striking Senna, but any pain she might feel is deflected once more by a panting, clearly pained Vala. Even still, Senna feels the vestiges of her magic slip away again, even if the trident didn't properly connect. J.J. roars, spattering Senna's blood back at her as he stands stubborn against the people who killed his friends, regardless of how just the cause was.

Despite her injuries (visible or otherwise) Vala still manages to toss the handaxe Sam gave her at the encroaching demonic beast, adding her hit to Melian's, even as it tears through a section of the wall, the scrap of claw on stone echoing throughout the cellar - and probably above. Whatever plan Sam does have, the clock is ticking.

Spoiler: Map

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Melian hits the chimera for 10 ray of frost damage.
J.J.'s still standing, though very injured.
Vala saves Senna another 17 health, with Vala only taking 10 total due to resistances (14/66 remaining). It does expend the last use of Aphine's Sacrifice however. Not that she'd get many more uses out of it anyway, with her health total. Senna also loses a 2nd level spell slot.
Vala tosses her newly acquired handaxe at the chimera and hits, but does minimal damage (6)

The chimera has made it through the first chunk of wall and has begun working on the second. Once they're done, they'll have free access to the party (except Sam, I suppose).

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 18 HP: 18/33 PP: 17 PIv: 12 PIs: 17 Conditions: Light (on holy symbol), Spiritual Weapon Concentration: - Senna braces for impact, but looks in sheer terror as Vala takes the titanic blow. The tiny cleric would have been impaled on the spear by that. She goads another blow into the stone steps as she moves away. She joins Melian at the western wall dividing them from the monstrosity. You're up, but watch his blows. If he connects your spells are gone. Spoiler Show another post, another spiritual weapon miss. disengage and move to Melian

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 17/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: -- | -- Sidling out of the molten room, Sam steps towards the broken open wall and shouts through it at the chimera, "Hey Twinkletoes! Your mother was an elf and your beard is stringy!" Waving his arms and ensuring he has the monster's notice, he runs back the way he came and takes another flying leap across the gap. "Omigod omigod omigod." He chants to himself with his chest up against the wall, heart pounding against the stone. Spoiler: Actions Show Move 2 E, 2 S, 2 SW. Free Action to shout at the chimera and get its attention. If necessary, Performance (1d20+6)[23] to get the chimera's attention? Action to Dash. Move 2 NE, 4 N, long jumping back across the gap. Bonus action to Healing Word self for (1d4+3)[7].

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 18/39 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: -- Concentrating on: Caelyn's mad cackling comes to an abrupt end when she witnesses Vala take JJ's strike from a distance away. Vala bled. Senna bled. And here she was, happily destroying everything in her path. With a mad monstrosity clawing it's way through the wall, bearing down on her heavily wounded family. In an instant all the flames went out, and Caelee was left singed and sorrowful. Oh crap... But there wasn't time to feel sorry for herself or wonder at the enveloping flames and second, deeper voice. She ran over to Vala first, quickly intoning a spell and placing her hand on her. Whether by design or by simple odds her skin meets cloth instead of flesh, and her sizzling, radiant healing energy flows into the chef. Then Caelyn ran past the gap, taking a few seconds to take in their terrible foe. Shaking slightly and running even faster, she crossed to come to rest next to Senna, preparing to heal again.

Spoiler: OOC

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Cure Wounds, level 1- (1d8+4)[6]. Follow Senna and try to stay out of the LOS of the chimera.

[Amnestic]

Sam's distraction, perhaps owing more to the volume of his voice more than the actual words, does get the beast's attention, if only briefly. It turns away from the wall, marred with deep claw and horn marks, and moves back into the ritual room, sniffing the air and casting its eyes around. Sam's retreat across the molten moat doesn't escape its ears, and it roars with frustration that the evasive dragonborn has crossed the fiery threshold. Snorting, it turns back, moving back towards the blockade keeping him from the party at large.

Vala nods gratefully at the quick pick-me-up from Caelyn, grabbing at Bula's forgotten shield and tossing it down the hallway at the returning chimera demon. Unfortunately the beast swats it out of the air, sending it clanging to the ground out of reach.

Melian rushes up the stairs to fill the gap left by Senna, but when she swings her shining moonblade it skitters across J.J.'s thick scales, angled in such a way that it does little more than scratch. Blocked from his preferred target, he lunges forward with his trident, and this time Vala isn't able to save a sibling from the pain. It pierces through the bladesinger's graceful evasions, raking through flesh and blood along her arm, though through the pain she manages to push away at the spell disruption that runs through her system.

Spoiler: Map

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Sam's distraction gambit pays off somewhat. The chimera loses a turn of attacks chasing after him, before dashing back to the wall.

Melian blocks J.J., attacks, misses, and then gets a crit in return, losing 14 HP. She makes her con save vs. losing a spell slot, but she's now at 1/34 remaining.

Vala continues to throw things at the chimera, but this time misses, even with reckless attack throwing.

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 18/39 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: -- Concentrating on: Caelyn's nerves were trembling as it was after her overheating and near overwhelming sense of power, so when Melian was nearly struck down by the vicious trident blow, something inside her snapped. She turned and fired three rays at the lizard man's back, partly from fear of the chimera and wishing to remove the last obstacle in the way of fleeing, and partly to try to end the barbarian before he could end her sister. However, inwardly she approached the power tentatively, wanting to avoid being caught up in the rush again and be unable to save her if she falls. For her hesitancy, she gets a small blast of flame from her hand even as she shoots rays from her staff, causing her to release a small scream and release her weapon, swiftly snatch the staff back into her grip. Desperate for any advantage, she looks towards the eastern hallway and whistles to get Marie's attention. Using all the force of personality she possesses, she gestured toward JJ and began to growl, baring her teeth and advancing. She moved to the foot of the stairs and beyond Melia, making her way upward with all speed. We're not in any shape to fight this monster. Everyone, fall back and regroup!

Spoiler: OOC

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First thing's first- scorching ray, all three at JJ. (1d20+7)[25] or (1d20+7)[23] to hit, then (1d20+7)[8] or (1d20+7)[9], lastly (1d20+7)[27] or (1d20+7)[10]. Damages- (2d6)[9], (2d6)[11], (2d6)[2], and (2d6)[8] in case of a crit. Move to stand over Bula's body. Attempt to influence Marie to attack JJ with a handle animal check- (1d20+7)[24]. At the least Caelee would like Marie to come closer and prepare to get out of here.

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 18 HP: 18/33 PP: 17 PIv: 12 PIs: 17 Conditions: Light (on holy symbol), Spiritual Weapon Concentration: - Sam, get back here. We head above ground for a new plan! Senna shouts as she commands her blade to cut down the beast. She then retreats back up, drawing her med kit in the process and throwing something at Melian. Chew that, it will alleviate the pain for now. Spoiler Show Full move to exit, action to heal Melian (1d8+9)[15] Beastie is hit for 7 damage (if 26 hits)

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 17/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: -- | -- Sliding along the wall, Sam steps into the hallway and moves towards the room where his siblings are. But the stairs are too far for him to get all the way up before the chimera breaks free. So he motions towards the ground where one of the enemy mages has fallen. His face contorts in disgust at the thought of what he's doing, as his magic takes hold and creates a surging flame around the corpse, in front of the chimera's widening hallway. "I can't get there in time and we can't take that thing on in the open! I'll keep it busy!" Sam shouts, remaining in the cover of the hallway and out of the monster's claw reach. Spoiler: Actions Show Move 2 W, 1 N, 1 W. Cast Create Bonfire on Green Mage's square.

[Amnestic]

Caelyn's flames finally bring an end to the spell disrupting lizardman who collapses backwards, falling limp against the stairs, though thankfully not in such a way as to block your exit. Melian fires off one last beam of frost at the demonic monstrosity, though it's barely a glancing blow, before disappearing upstairs behind the fast retreating Caelyn and Senna. She still doesn't look healthy, though she's at least a bit less on the verge of death after Senna's ministrations.

Vala grabs a loose bit of stone from the ground and hurls it at the beast, but doesn't disappear up the stairs. Instead she stops, waits, calling out "Come on!" to Sam, unable or unwilling to leave him behind. Though Caelyn's spell has kept Marie from attacking you, it's not enough to coax her to leave her dead rider. Instead she remains in the corner with Gazgazgaz's body, hackles raised, protecting the dead as best she can. The furious demon continues its destruction of the walls, but they prove sturdier than expected, and it has yet to break through totally.

Spoiler: Map

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Not that there's much going on this turn with the retreat :P Melian missed, Vala hit for minimal damage on her rock throw, Senna's spiritual weapon hit, but he's still comin', OH LAWD he's comin'.

If Sam retreats on his next turn then you'll escape and combat will end.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 17/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: -- | -- The wall holds out longer than Sam expected against the chimera's assault, but still he hesitates. If they face such a creature outside, without these narrow passages to exploit, their chances will be slim. But as Vala stops to wait for him, Sam makes up his mind and sprints up the stairs alongside her. "Fine! Let's go!" Spoiler: Actions Show Dashing out.

[Amnestic]

Sam darts up the stairs, feet hammering on the dusty steps away from the battlefield. As he rounds a corner and goes out of sight you all hear the crash of the wall coming down and the roar of satisfaction as it approaches Vala. She's faster though, and with Sam safe follows him up, covering the rear. More smashing, more destruction, more anger, all echoing up from below as the party heads up and up into the daylight they had left barely half an hour past. Any concerns regarding Rosc Roche's safety are assuaged as Caelyn emerges first. The horse is unhurt, though understandably a bit perturbed by the crashing and thrashing below. J.J. appears to have spared it any pain, though that may be more because he was in a rush to join the fight. You all find the rudimentary campsite as it was left, otherwise. Almost serenely undisturbed.

Vala slides down against a wall, exhausted. She finally puts down her shield and spear, instead grabbing at a waterskin and draining it into her mouth and then over her head and hands. She waits for the party to speak further though, not wanting to suggest any plans herself.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 17/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: -- | -- Coming to a stop outside, Sam looks back behind them. The entrance and stairway are too small for the chimera, but that hasn't stopped it so far. Hands balled into fists, crackling with energy, he remains tense and uncertain. "What if that thing gets out? And we still don't know what they were doing here- if it brings the whole place down we might never know!" Inside of him burns a need to bring these crimes to justice. Whatever these mages were doing, it's probably what turned the people under the tree into monsters. "... and if there are other victims, maybe we could find a way to help them."

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 18 HP: 30/33 PP: 17 PIv: 12 PIs: 17 Conditions: Light (on holy symbol) Concentration: - Senna wags her finger. The lizardbrain's attacks all but drained me of my magic. I don't know how he did it, but I have a single spell left. So form a line, and I'll check how I can patch us up. I don't want you to get ripped to shreds by that. She makes the group form a line, healing Vala last as she has takent the most abuse, but seemed to have been copying with it the easiest. As she touches the woman to bandage a few superficial cuts, a feeling of deep disgust surges in her. She fights it, but can't help but feel angry at Vala. She feels disgusted with herself, her stomach turns ever so slightly, making her pause. Senna looks down only to find a dagger in her hand, ready to jab at her friend. Vala seeing that reaches for her shield, looking at Senna in a mix of disbelief and horror. The cleric snaps out of her funk momentarily. Sorry, I am deeply...sorry. Her confident self is gone, what remains is the angry, defensive and insecure woman she was but a week ago. Spoiler Show Healing Sam (1d8+9)[11] Caelyn (1d8+9)[13] Vala (1d8+9)[11] herself (1d8+9)[12]

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 31/39 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: -- Concentrating on: When her family is all above ground and hopefully safe from the rampaging beast, Caelee sits next to Vala and follows her example, draining her waterskin, though she doesn't pour any over her head. Then she looks at the trap door with mournful eyes as she contemplates the fate of Marie. Part of her wishes to go back and attempt to recover the wolf and the corpse of her master, but the majority of her knows that in her current state and with the limited spell power available to her it would be a suicide mission. Despite her failure to save the wolf, she felt she had done her best to save her and kept her promise to Gazgazgaz, despite his betrayal. Turning away from the portal to the lower levels, she closed her eyes and mentally absolved herself of the poor animal's death, taking a moment to internally praise the beast for her loyalty to her friend. Then Caelee shakes herself and takes a moment to take stock. She was covered from head to toe in a thin layer of soot from the intense flames that had covered her whole body. Her leather armor was in severe need of oiling from the way the heat dried it out, and the tips of her brown hair were frayed, split, and frazzled from the flames. For the first time since discovering her affinity for fire she had suffered some side effects from the spontaneous flames that grew more and more intense the more fire spells she cast. And she had no idea what to think about the second voice that had echoed her own towards the end of the fight- deep, masculine, and filled with rage. She almost felt as though her tongue had been taken over by some outside force when she threatened to incinerate her foes. And that laughing... she wished she could attribute that to some outside force, but the joy and sense of power had been very much her own. What was she becoming since expressing her willingness to embrace the powers that they all had been experiencing? She certainly wasn't the same child who'd left Candlekeep with dreams of exploration and adventure, and she wasn't sure if she'd changed for better or worse. But enough introspection- there would be time for meditation when she tranced. From her position next to Vala she saw Senna's aggressive move and Vala's defensive response, her eyes going wide at the occurrence. Coupled with Senna's skin touching Vala's, Caelee imagined it had something to do with whatever mystical bond was tying the chef to their family. Her own hand reached for her staff, but she was so exhausted and put off by her own power she didn't know what she would possibly do with it- strike her sister? Defend a woman who could defend herself far more effectively than Caelee could ever manage? When Senna apologized, the druid breathed a sigh of relief and slumped slightly. She didn't have enough energy for these mysteries they were faced with. I think all of us need time and rest to recover our spells. Perhaps we should journey back to the cave of the shapeshifters and rest again, then return to take on that monster with all of our powers?

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 18 HP: 30/33 PP: 17 PIv: 12 PIs: 17 Conditions: Light (on holy symbol) Concentration: - Senna shakes her head. This would be the safest for us, but I wouldn't want to risk the creature escaping into the wilds. Have you seen how fast it tears through walls? I say we take a short break here, mainly for Vala's and Sam's sake, and then finish it off. She looks at the shaken warrior-chef and her draconic sibling. Truth be told the bells hold a few spells though only a two enchantments and a necromancy spell remain. Still, I can be of assistance in combat.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 17/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: -- | -- Eyes still locked on the door as if the chimera will claw its way up at any moment, Sam nods slowly in agreement with Senna. "We should rest and recover as much as we can. If it starts to break out we might need to run, but... not only can't we let this thing go rampaging across the countryside, where its breath is going to cause forest fires in this weather. We need to figure out who these people were and why they were doing this. We need whatever evidence is on them." He turns to face the others with a resolute expression across his face. "If these are the ones who experimented on the people from before, there could be more. People with no one else who knows what's happening to them."

[Amnestic]

After a brief breather, Vala manages to pull enough of herself together to resurrect embers of the campfire and put together a small snack for those who want it - including her. If she feels anything about Senna's impromptu actions she doesn't voice it. She doesn't voice anything in fact, pointedly keeping to herself as she works and dishing out the food. It's not done out of spite, but rather she appears deep in thought about something that she doesn't wish to speak on. Whatever it is, she keeps it to herself, only finally speaking up once the rest is ended. She evidently has no qualms with the course suggested, merely saying "Let's go."

The first thing you notice when make your way back downstairs is J.J.'s body is gone, a trail of still-slick bloody dragging down the stairs. As you round the corner into the room proper you see it's not the only trail. Indeed all the bodies - save that of the now deceased Marie - have been removed. Bula, the mages, even Gazgazgaz. With their recent deaths the blood is still fresh, and the coalescing tracks that the bodies have been dragged down lead in only one direction. The ritual room. Through the ruined walls and the scattered stones and dust the bloody path that has been formed beckons you onwards, a morbid red carpet of sanguine liquid that glistens in the still burning torchlight. The eerie purple light from the ritual room is visible, clashing with the orange-red of the torch, though if the demon is making any sounds you can't hear them from your positions at the stairs.

There are still rooms yet unexplored and unvisited. Rooms that Okethar and the others turned you away from, though whether they're more pressing than whatever the demon is doing with the corpses is another matter entirely. Vala, for her part, looks to the rest of you for direction, rather than suggesting anything herself.

Spoiler: OOC

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Vala blows 3 hit dice to end up on 65/66, including the extra 1d8 from chef.

Roll your short rest hit dice now! Given Cigaw's continued absence I'm going to leave Melian out of future combats. If he comes back he can rejoin them freely, but we'll otherwise assume Melian's just...busy. Elsewhere. Doing wizard things. That's how wizards be.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 37/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: -- | -- The Rest Taking a few bites of food, Sam quietly hums hymns to Bahamut, hoping for safety in the coming delve back into this cursed place. With a time in reprieve, he can feel the infernal power from his link to Grepha recharging, even from as distant as the imp likely is. Flexing his hand, he watches energy arc between his fingers as he hums, stopping to appreciate the irony of using this kind of power to fight back evil in Bahamut's name. "Justice must be tempered with mercy, punishment with forgiveness," he recites quietly to himself in thought. Using the power of command to make Grepha be silent left him feeling guilty, even in spite of the imp's machinations. The whole idea of using magic to control someone else has soured for him, a wound left by his dressing down by the guard captain and split open again by Okethar's bolts of cruel truth. Looking up from his thoughts, Sam watches Vala sit quietly with her own. "Do you think anyone can find redemption?" he asks. The Descent Refreshed and with his power awakened again. Sam steps down the bloodied stairway alongside the others. The bodies have been dragged away, and Sam feels a flicker of fear that any evidence or documents the mages may have been carrying could be destroyed if the monster is devouring them or tearing them apart for entertainment. "We should hurry," he says, beginning towards the secret entrance in the busted up wine cellar ahead.

[Amnestic]

Above

Vala's eyes flickering to Sam show she heard the question but she remains quiet for quite some time afterward. When she does finally speak it's quiet, short, and to the point. "No. Not everyone."

She doesn't elaborate.

Below

Picking your way through the debris of what was once a storage room you round the destroyed corner to take in the ritual room - which aside from having the secret entrance widened into an actual gap appears to be mostly untouched. All the bodies - including Okethar's - have been gathered here, arranged in a manner you can only assume has some arcane or infernal cause behind it. Three 'legs' of a the shape extend from the central point, made up of the bodies of the mages, Gazgazgaz, Bula and J.J. Limbs are splayed out in odd directions, ones that couldn't be possible were the bones intact. Blood has pooled beneath the shape, seeping into the stone and only enhancing the already unnatural light from the arcane circle. At the centre of the circle floats Okethar - or his corpse, at least - having taken the position of the dwarf-demon. His limbs hang loose from his horizontal form, though he's still lacking the arm that was lost to the molten moat. Into his open eyes and mouth pours black-purple clouds. Clouds that seem to be coming from the demonic chimera beast, now smaller than it was an hour last. The tether linking bard and beast seems to be emerging from where the chimera's lion head used to be, though it's now missing.

The demon, in the throes of its profane ritual throws out an arm towards you, hand held flat. Stop. "HhoOLhlld," the bull head calls, a deep rumbling voice the shakes the dust from the tomes around you. "Weeee WE are aRRRRR are NOT your NOT not enemy." The eagle head squawks loudly, in apparent agreement. "Separate. Separate. Separate," it repeats. "LeaEeaeEve Ussus US. PleplePLElplesePLEASE. WwwEweEWE just want to tO tOTOo be be be be be free."

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 18 HP: 30/33 PP: 17 PIv: 12 PIs: 17 Conditions: Light (on holy symbol) Concentration: - As Senna comes back down, the scene is bizarrely familiar. Where other people might be deeply intimidated by the arcane energies in action, the murderous amalgamation trying desperately to defuse their bodies, Senna found some strange comfort in it. After all, Candlekeep was a place of learning but also a place of healing and a place of the arcane. She smiles, but keeps her distance. In a loud but nonoffensive voice she declares. Without proper guidance, without someone to heal their weakened bodies, to maybe mend a few wounds, you will suffer here regardless. If my siblings are okay with it, I would try and oversee your recovery, at least for the night. But know now, that if you cross the threshold of this room, we will preempt your attack by one of our own. She turns to the group. I have not sworn an oath to Deneir to give into this dark void inside of me, but to preserve even mistakes, to use my powers for good. There has been enough bloodshed today, please give me, give us the chance to start to heal these creatures. The mages were vile and remorseless, but if we can use the bodies of the others we may be able to save them yet. Truth be told, my divination revealed much and little alike to me. We are vessels of something beyond fiends, but that doesnt mean we can't do good, and the same applies to these poor creatures.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 37/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: -- | -- Staring in horror at the mangled bodies, Sam begins gathering a bolt of energy in each hand- until the creature speaks, giving him pause. Its manic, uneasy rambling evokes some pity from the half-dragon. But even if he feels for the victims of these mages, the creature had been violent not long ago. He reaches out and gently urges Senna to remain back and not approach. "Hold on." "Who and what are you? Why did you attack us?" Sam asks the creature, maintaining his distance. Spoiler: Rolls Show Persuasion (1d20+4)[23] Advantage from Senna being willing to help? (1d20+4)[12] Insight (1d20+2)[3]

[Amnestic]

"FfffrArrrarGmENTS of whatatat WHAT oNCe was," the bull head continues in its struggling voice, ragged and choking with flames that billow from his mouth, though how much of it is difficulty with speaking and how much is actual madness isn't clear. "Dead returned! Dead returned! Dead returned!" [COLOR="#FF0000"]"Three-REE-ree minds in one ONE body, tOoO tOO MUCH TOO MUCH." The connection between where the lion head had sat and Okethar continues, but it fluctuates slightly, and Okethar's body twitches. "Leave lEAvE leave LEAVE ussssusus, do not NOT noOTE NEED help,""Free ourselves! Free ourselves! Free ourselves!"

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 18 HP: 30/33 PP: 17 PIv: 12 PIs: 17 Conditions: Light (on holy symbol) Concentration: - Senna's pupils narrow in fear. She stumbles a bit back and almost falls down. They're...they were dead. These are souls crammed into a body, broken spirits of what was people. If we allow them to live, we cross the will of Kelemvor, of the cosmic balance. Senna starts to shiver uncontrollably. She looks to Caelyn. Technically this is not necromancy, but this is the atrocity you were looking for. The cleric turns back and pulls down one of the mages' hoods. She has her dreaded bell in hand, infusing the corpse once again with a facsimile of life. WHAT DID YOU DO TO THESE PEOPLE? WHO ARE YOU WORKING FOR? WHY DID YOU DO THIS? Senna is raging as much as you can if you are not a hulking warrior. Spoiler Show Cast Speak to Dead to one of the mages.

[Amnestic]

"SssstOTOP STOP stoP!" the bull calls at Senna, but the bell has already rung clean, the magic spilling out of him into the mage's body. Even with its minimal movement the disruption of whatever ritual the chimera-beast was casting is clear, as the connection severs. The black cloud tether vanishes, however there's no more lion head attached to the demon, nor does the transfer to Oke seem complete. Instead, you hear a roar of anger that echoes through the cellar complex as a wind rushes past you, the howl carrying up the stairs to the trap door. Neither bull nor eagle seem particularly pleased, with the eagle head screaming "Kill! Kill! Kill!" and the bull nodding in agreement. Their minds as one, they advance.

At Senna's feet, the open eyes of the mage gleam with the unnatural cold light of death, and their voice slams against your soul. It intones its answers in quick succession, its tone even, though you can still sense the disgust and superiority it holds in each word. "WE DID WHAT WE WISHED. WE WORK FOR OURSELVES. BECAUSE WE COULD, WORM." If Senna was hoping for any details, they're not forthcoming. Even in death the wizard still knows you as its enemy, its killer.

Spoiler: Map

Show

So, if it makes you feel any better I was expecting you to jump straight into trying to kill it.

As I mentioned before, Melian is going to sit it out until Cigaw's RL stuff calms down. They can rejoin whenever though.

Turn order: Caelyn+Senna->Enemies->Everyone, so I'll post Vala's turn at the end of the enemy turn.

Still not had any natural 20 on initiative rolls :(