3 - 073: The Third Piece

[K Man]

Krysta, Girud, Mordrock, Galdren, Hero, Caelith, Callian and Garor - {No clear indication which way to head...so we're going East, toward , c, and e etc...in other words, the interesting way. }

Docking the boat is easy as the current of the wretched water beneath you is calm to say the least. A bit of rope can easily tie the dingy to the walls, securing it for use later.

There, not more than ten feet from you, is a steel door covered in reliefs of faces and bodies twisting in agony - the epitome of hell in this hellish ship. A quick search by Mordrock [Search Check] reveals it to be clear of traps and other potentials to harm.

A surprise in this place...

You pull the door aside and the heat and stench from beyond waft slowly over you. It's as though you're headed into the belly of a giant beast...eager to devour you.

Ahead, to the left and to the right, are two more steel doors fashioned much like this one. A few more cautious steps into the hallway and you can easily hear grunting, snorting and other animal-like noises coming from the room on the left. () Whatever lies behind there is surely animalistic in nature...and numerous in number...

[Headed to 8A or ?]
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Yuri and Romar - Romar continues to circle the fighting golem, moving behind it and swinging hard. [Attack Rolls = 27/10, 24/23. Two Nat 19's, but no criticals on constructs] This volley is much more impressive, landing three attacks on the construct. [Damage Rolls = 5, 4/6] The Construct does little, save for budge slightly.

Construct is damaged. (Down 24)

Yuri is next, focusing his powers and throwing them out with terrifying effects. {Golems, this one and others, have immunity to magic. This translates as resists all spells/spell-like effects/or powers that allow spell or power resistance. So the energy missle won't work on him, but his sword certainly.} The bolts fly forth, one striking the body of the construct but seeming to do nothing. The other lands on the sword and deals a mighty blow. [Damage Roll = 20, (Fire missle type does NOT ignore hardness) hardness of sword = 15 (Large Stone Blade), total damage = 5]

The stone blade cracks slightly, but otherwise remains in tact.

The golem brings his blade down, intent on driving it through Yuri and into the child-like statue behind him. [Attack Roll = 30] The blade crashes down, striking Yuri in the fadce and sending blood splattering from his jaw. [Damage Roll = 12]

Once the blood strikes the ground, the construct freezes. It takes a step back and brings its blade to rest at its side like a militant soldier.

Strange, but not as strange as what happens next. The rusted blade and shield, both dented and cracked, return to the weapons rack on their own and in the shape you originally found them. The plaque at the bottom of the statue shimmers and alters, the script on its face re-arranging itself quickly. It forms new words and reads as such;

[glow=gold,1,300]Blood spilled in defense is never in vain... go forth.[/glow]

The two statues slide on their bases, revealing the path beyond. Ahead, you see more dark figures and statues on this path...

It makes sense...to approach the Hidden City of powerful clerics, one would surely have to prove their worth...
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[Japic]

Looking uncertainly to his comrades Girud, looks at the doorway.

"Well, what do you think? It sounds like there's plenty of trouble in there, is anyone ready to face them? It may be wise to attack them before they can attack us. Anyone up for it?"

With his last words he looks at the magic users, they would surely play a big part should it come to a large battle.

[Fangor the Fierce]

"I would rather deal with them now, before we continue and have them nipping at our heels. Fighting on two fronts is never a good decision." Krysta agrees with Girud.

She draws her longsword and shortsword, turning to the others. "If we fight, we must have some tactics. The three of us are adept at fighting multiple enemies. I can be ranged or melee, your choice. Mordrock, you continue shooting to your hearts content, as I am sure with the numbers in there, you will surely hit something. I say we kick open the door, let loose a volley of arrows, and then let them come to us at the doorway. That way, we will limit the amount of enemies that can attack us, as the door only allows a small space, and the front end fighters can move in and out of the battle. The Paladins can trade places, should we begin to be hurt. I don't relish this sort of tactic, but it seems the wisest course of action. That would offer the best offense, and a very good defense."

She realizes that she is speaking as if her mind is made up, and quickly turns to the Paladins. "Unless there is another plan, I see it as the best option. But it's up to the rest of you to decide a course of action."

If it is decided, she will ready a shot with her +2 Mighty Comp Longbow of Shock for when the door is opened. She will hope that everyone can take shots, and if anyone can use a better bow, she offers her Mighty Comp Longbow (+3 STR) to any who can use it.

Krysta +11/ +6, 1d8+2, +1d6 Elec

Mordrock also readies his shot. +9 to hit(+10 if within 30'), 1d4 dmg +2d6 sneak if within 30'

[Wizard]

(Odd...guess I just can't read the map. In that case, Callian keeps his armor on, back to a comfy flat-footed AC 22, 25 in this case, 'cause his shield is ready.

And I forgot about the BoHs, too. Cool! Thanks, baggers.

"Galdren, Krysta, and Girud to the fore? Yes, that is wise."

Callian takes second rank, ready to protect the casters.

[TheUdjat]

Caelith chooses then to speak up, his voice kept soft and, ideally, unheard by the things beyond the doorway. "Better yet, open the door and act unsuspecting, revealing as few of us as possible - Perhaps only yourself, Krysta. They will rush after you, so withdraw from the fore, but have Girud, Galdren, and any others at the ready on either side of the door to catch them as they emerge. Let only one or two through at a time, so we can deal with them carefully. If anyone gets injured, back down and let someone else step in to keep all frontline fighters in top condition. I recommend only four people at the most attacking at once - We are, after all, in somewhat cramped spaces. All others should remain at the ready, but not confuse things."

He pauses in thought, and continues. "Also, be careful if you see them hesitate to chase, or begin doing something else. I would not be surprised if these demons have other ways of harming us." As a belated addendum, "Use of arrows sounds fine, as well. Until we are engaged."

[Japic]

{Oops, I just looked at my HP 35/50}

Drawing the appropriate weapons (bow if it's decided, or greatsword if that's chosen) Girud readies himself. It is at that moment, as he envisions the battle to come that he realizes that he's aching all over from that nasty drop from the illusioned hall. Speaking quietly he turns to Garor and begs a boon of him.

"I know that you are favored by the divine. Would it be possible to receive some healing before we get in there?" {down 15}

He also thinks back to the last time that they fought outnumbered and offers up another suggestion.

"I have the ability to shake the ground under my enemies feet. I should stand first, as the bait if need be. As they come I can try to down some of them before they can strike."

{OOC: Volunteering to use his stomp ability. I envision readying the bow, then responding with a stomp as they charge outward. The rest of the group can take advantage of the downed foe.}

[GeneralMHB]

Yuri rubs his face, eternally greatful that his prayer was answered. He makes another silent prayer, more a promise than a statement.

To the diety that has brought forth this test: You have my eternal thanks and I will serve you. All I ask is for your identity.

He turns to Romar, the wounded face healing rapidly thanks in part to his vampiric powers.

The writing speeks of blood being shed not in vain, we are worthy to enter the Hidden City. Come, let us speek with the clerics and find a way to venture into Deathspew Swamps.

Yuri moves ahead and proceeds on down the path presented before him.

[BluSpecs]

Aye

Garor reaches out and casts Cure Moderate wounds on the Giant. (2d8+6)

Works for me... lets get to it

Garor readies his Maul even though he doubts that it will be used.

[VemuKhaham]

Before he even gets an answer from Yuri on his expressed concerns, the situation takes a completely different turn. The golem freezes in place, and the message reveals that they did well. Romar is relieved, and happy that Yuri is with him, now that he has proven his quality again. As he sheaths his swords, he looks at Yuri amiably while commenting him on a job well done.

"We are lucky to have such a learned scholar with such powerful wizardry with us, Yuri - or whatever you prefer to call it; psionic, isn't it?", he adds with a smile. "I do not wish to think what would've happened if we failed this test somehow. I still do not understand what made you so excited in the first place, but it seems all turned out to be right.

Now let us hurry. The road ahead seems littered with more statues; maybe we are not quite tested enough..."

He follows Yuri, but remains in his highest state of alertness.

[GeneralMHB]

Yuri continues going down the path, and looks over his shoulder to answer Romar's question.

The sign was written by those of the Celestial domain, ones who dwell within the plains of good. It was a test of vigilance in defense of the weak. The giant man was going to smite the child, and I treated it as such. Even if this was not a test, I still would have aided the child. My heart is not tainted with evil, although I radiate it to individual servants of good dieties. I acted the way I did to prove to them that I am no evil being.

When your underground hiding from those that falsely proclaim that you are a traitor, you have little things to do. I studied alot into the undead and the ways of the world. But more importanly, I studied psionics, the abilities I have currently. Psionics cannot be teached, but it is rather gifted to certain individuals at birth. You learn as you go so to speek.

A diety has watched over me Romar. What diety that may be I know not. I certainly do owe my allegiance to them, if I only knew their identity. But let us continue onward.

He then stops and turns around to face Romar and smiles.

Whatever tests lay before us, I'm confident we can pass them. You are willing to die for those you care about, and that represents a true heart of gold. Any good diety smiles upon such acts.

Walking beside Romar, Yuri continues on.

[Jevva]

As Galdren is readying himself to take the forefront, he sees Garor healing Girud, and realizes that he himself is a little worse for wear. "Perhaps you'd be able to heal myself as well, Garor. Or," he looks at Hero and Callian "maybe one of the paladins could. The fall took a little more out of me than I would like to admit."

OOC: I'm down 21 to 28/49

[Wizard]

Callian heals Jevva with his full amount...18 points.

[Jevva]

OOC: You mean you heal Galdren. I don't need any healing

[Wizard]

Oh, yeah...you've got that psionic Body Adjustment or something...

[Hero]

Hero gets ready for whatever, choosing to follow the lead of others for the moment.

[TheUdjat]

((I'm about to head out to the airport. Again. I may or may not be able to post from where I go. Assume, for the time being, that Wizard will be running Caelith for me again.))