The demon watches you all materialize as Katryl gets a decent spot she feels pretty well hidden for the moment, as the portly demon lifts off the rocks into the air. "Cute trick mortal. But as long as you have no business with the engine then we have no business. Lord Baphomet has charged me with watching it until he returns." The pig-like almost demon flies into the darkness a short ways, staring at the tower it seems for a moment before slowly flying back to its pile of rocks.
"So you are a guard dog then, how appropriate. I can only assume Great Lord Baphomet wants to use the Maze Engine but does not yet know how. I suppose he would be impressed if you could show him when he returns. Perhaps we could help you with that. We're simple mortals of course but we have some knowledge about the device and if we can see it we can perhaps make sure the Horned King will look favourably on you at his return." The noble drow's voice can be heard saying from within the darkness.
Khessa is very impressed with how Traydark is leading the conversation... highlighting the advantages Mr Porky could have from letting them examine the eldritch device is certainly a promising strategy... And the tone of the drow warlock is so convincing...
"Indeed, oh mighty and terrific guardian," the blonde arcane warrior tries to help persuade the filthy Abyss denizen [[ OOC: Trying to provide Help to Traydark, if needed ]]"allowing Applied Arcane Mechanics students like us to examine the Maze Engine will undoubtedly be beneficial for both of us! We will become famous for the results of our research - and you will have proven yourself of incredible value to the Great Lord Baphomet! Assuming that the power of the Maze Engine, properly channeled, doesn't actually give you the power to take his place, that is".
The grotesque creature merely scoffs. "I have no need to prove myself. If he wants to use the machine he can use it as he wishes. I was only tasked with keeping pesky intruders like yourselves from bothering it until he returned. So stay in your tower as long as you want. Maybe you can meet the lord Baphomet too then when he returns."
Khessa sighs: "OK friends... the dialogue option didn't prove to be the ultimate solution this time either. However, thanks to the dialogue, we discovered that Baphomet is not here and that he doesn't want us to use the Maze Engine. Personally, I think that's a great reason to use it, then. Shall we prepare for the fight as best we can and attack Mr Porky?"
"Whoever wants to fight from range," the tall adventurer reasons "can use the tower's protection. Whoever prefers to fight in melee can approach Mr Porky with me. And before doing either, in the secret of the tower, we can prepare ourselves by casting the spells we want..."
[[ OOC: @DM: Anyway, from what we can see from a distance, what does the Maze Engine look like? Does it have a more physical appearance (e.g. a set of gears and pulleys...) or a more magical one (e.g. magical lightning, glowing glyphs...)? And does it currently appear to be 'active' (as if it were actually performing operations) or in 'stand by' (as if, at the moment, it was simply waiting for commands)? ]]
"I suppose it's worth at least making sure others don't use this engine thing," Katryl says. "I'll stay at the tower then. At least so long as the demon stays close." She'd set up wherever she can get the most cover. (OOC - Wherever there are arrow slits.) She prepares her bow, ready to assist from range.
If the demon allows them to walk to the tower 100 feet away without engaging, Lulu will gather her companions and cast her Goddess' Blessings upon them. Needing to keep within healing range of their toe-to-toe fighters, she stays at mid-distance.
((Lulu will cast Bless at 3rd level on herself, Katryl, Horkas, Khessa, and Traydark. Don't forget to add a d4 to attack rolls and saving throws, friends!))
(It's hard to tell about the engine unless you go to the chasm and look down at it since it is wedged down 40ft below the surface. But from the edge of the chasm it appears to be a large metal ball of bands and arcane runes)
"Well I'm sure your master would want us to stay and make the Maze Engine work for him. Perhaps he can use it to defeat that mangy Lord of pesky Gnolls? Maybe it can even bring himself back to the Abyss to be it's rightful ruler, with you commanding the hordes in the blood war?" The noble drow continues.
The grotesque pig-demon grunts and makes a dismissive motion at you all and the tower, staying back on their pile of rocks, outside the area of darkness and closer to the engine.
Khessa, protected by her spell[[ OOC: the Demon's attacks against her have Disadvantage ]] and Blessed by Lulu, begins to approach the Maze Engine. The Gauntlet Infantry stays a few paces behind her, so that she is the possible target of a Demon attack, but follows anyway.
"I'll take that as a no" the blonde arcane warrior explains to her companions. "However, I'll try to get closer. Let's see if Mr Porky wants to pick a fight. Those who want to fight in melee can accompany me. Those who prefer to do it from range... get ready to shoot at the first hostile move of the Demon".
The noble drow sighs. This was definitely the last time he would let himself be talked into trying to make any sort of use of his social skills. He instead summons the earth elemental behind the tower to make it earth glide under the pile of rocks...
At the moment the ugly demon lifts off the pile of rocks, the massive earth elemental servant emerges and slams into the nalfeshnee with it's powerful fists.
Slam: 17 Another roll if advantage due to attacking from an unseen position: 22 Bludgeoning: 15 Slam: 21 Another roll if advantage due to attacking from an unseen position: 19 Bludgeoning: 14
Meanwhile the noble drow swiftly utters a curse over the demon and unleshes two beams of purple eldritch crackling force towards it:
Cast Hex (Str) Eldritch Blast: 20 Another roll if advantage due to attacking from an unseen position: 26 Force: 7 Necrotic: 4 Eldritch Blast: 23 Another roll if advantage due to attacking from an unseen position: 21 Force: 15 Necrotic: 5
When the piggish Demon steps in front of her to intercept her, Khessa brings Dawn's blade of pure sunlight into a guard position, keeping it centered on her body, like a second spine, and confidently smiles at him: "Bad choice, Mr. Porky" and signals the infantry to surround him, so that each can flank it. "However," she winks at the massive enemy "if by any chance you should change your mind and think of a conversion to a life dedicated to the good of others, before you end up torn to pieces, let us know, okay?"
After that, the Gauntlet forces attack with their deadly technique that allows them to use both hands almost independently, while the blonde arcane warrior brings both her hands on Dawn's hilt and delivers one lightning-fast slash after the other.
The demon watches you all materialize as Katryl gets a decent spot she feels pretty well hidden for the moment, as the portly demon lifts off the rocks into the air. "Cute trick mortal. But as long as you have no business with the engine then we have no business. Lord Baphomet has charged me with watching it until he returns." The pig-like almost demon flies into the darkness a short ways, staring at the tower it seems for a moment before slowly flying back to its pile of rocks.
"So you are a guard dog then, how appropriate. I can only assume Great Lord Baphomet wants to use the Maze Engine but does not yet know how. I suppose he would be impressed if you could show him when he returns. Perhaps we could help you with that. We're simple mortals of course but we have some knowledge about the device and if we can see it we can perhaps make sure the Horned King will look favourably on you at his return." The noble drow's voice can be heard saying from within the darkness.
Khessa is very impressed with how Traydark is leading the conversation... highlighting the advantages Mr Porky could have from letting them examine the eldritch device is certainly a promising strategy... And the tone of the drow warlock is so convincing...
"Indeed, oh mighty and terrific guardian," the blonde arcane warrior tries to help persuade the filthy Abyss denizen [[ OOC: Trying to provide Help to Traydark, if needed ]] "allowing Applied Arcane Mechanics students like us to examine the Maze Engine will undoubtedly be beneficial for both of us! We will become famous for the results of our research - and you will have proven yourself of incredible value to the Great Lord Baphomet! Assuming that the power of the Maze Engine, properly channeled, doesn't actually give you the power to take his place, that is".
The grotesque creature merely scoffs. "I have no need to prove myself. If he wants to use the machine he can use it as he wishes. I was only tasked with keeping pesky intruders like yourselves from bothering it until he returned. So stay in your tower as long as you want. Maybe you can meet the lord Baphomet too then when he returns."
Khessa sighs: "OK friends... the dialogue option didn't prove to be the ultimate solution this time either. However, thanks to the dialogue, we discovered that Baphomet is not here and that he doesn't want us to use the Maze Engine. Personally, I think that's a great reason to use it, then. Shall we prepare for the fight as best we can and attack Mr Porky?"
"Whoever wants to fight from range," the tall adventurer reasons "can use the tower's protection. Whoever prefers to fight in melee can approach Mr Porky with me. And before doing either, in the secret of the tower, we can prepare ourselves by casting the spells we want..."
If the party agrees, the blonde arcane warrior prepares for the fight by tracing in the air with her rod glyphs of protection against Demons, while reciting abjuration formulas.
[[ OOC: @DM: Anyway, from what we can see from a distance, what does the Maze Engine look like? Does it have a more physical appearance (e.g. a set of gears and pulleys...) or a more magical one (e.g. magical lightning, glowing glyphs...)? And does it currently appear to be 'active' (as if it were actually performing operations) or in 'stand by' (as if, at the moment, it was simply waiting for commands)? ]]
"I suppose it's worth at least making sure others don't use this engine thing," Katryl says. "I'll stay at the tower then. At least so long as the demon stays close." She'd set up wherever she can get the most cover. (OOC - Wherever there are arrow slits.) She prepares her bow, ready to assist from range.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
If the demon allows them to walk to the tower 100 feet away without engaging, Lulu will gather her companions and cast her Goddess' Blessings upon them. Needing to keep within healing range of their toe-to-toe fighters, she stays at mid-distance.
((Lulu will cast Bless at 3rd level on herself, Katryl, Horkas, Khessa, and Traydark. Don't forget to add a d4 to attack rolls and saving throws, friends!))
(It's hard to tell about the engine unless you go to the chasm and look down at it since it is wedged down 40ft below the surface. But from the edge of the chasm it appears to be a large metal ball of bands and arcane runes)
"Well I'm sure your master would want us to stay and make the Maze Engine work for him. Perhaps he can use it to defeat that mangy Lord of pesky Gnolls? Maybe it can even bring himself back to the Abyss to be it's rightful ruler, with you commanding the hordes in the blood war?" The noble drow continues.
Hoekas and the constructs stand ready for the impending fight!
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
The grotesque pig-demon grunts and makes a dismissive motion at you all and the tower, staying back on their pile of rocks, outside the area of darkness and closer to the engine.
Khessa, protected by her spell [[ OOC: the Demon's attacks against her have Disadvantage ]] and Blessed by Lulu, begins to approach the Maze Engine. The Gauntlet Infantry stays a few paces behind her, so that she is the possible target of a Demon attack, but follows anyway.
"I'll take that as a no" the blonde arcane warrior explains to her companions. "However, I'll try to get closer. Let's see if Mr Porky wants to pick a fight. Those who want to fight in melee can accompany me. Those who prefer to do it from range... get ready to shoot at the first hostile move of the Demon".
The noble drow sighs. This was definitely the last time he would let himself be talked into trying to make any sort of use of his social skills. He instead summons the earth elemental behind the tower to make it earth glide under the pile of rocks...
Seeing Khessa and her men head for the engine, the demon lifts off the pile of rocks to intercept them...
(Combat started)
Traydark/earth elemental
Horkas/shield guardian
Lulu
Katryl
Khessa/Infantry
Nalfeshnee (184/184)
At the moment the ugly demon lifts off the pile of rocks, the massive earth elemental servant emerges and slams into the nalfeshnee with it's powerful fists.
Slam: 17 Another roll if advantage due to attacking from an unseen position: 22 Bludgeoning: 15
Slam: 21 Another roll if advantage due to attacking from an unseen position: 19 Bludgeoning: 14
Meanwhile the noble drow swiftly utters a curse over the demon and unleshes two beams of purple eldritch crackling force towards it:
Cast Hex (Str)
Eldritch Blast: 20 Another roll if advantage due to attacking from an unseen position: 26 Force: 7 Necrotic: 4
Eldritch Blast: 23 Another roll if advantage due to attacking from an unseen position: 21 Force: 15 Necrotic: 5
When the piggish Demon steps in front of her to intercept her, Khessa brings Dawn's blade of pure sunlight into a guard position, keeping it centered on her body, like a second spine, and confidently smiles at him: "Bad choice, Mr. Porky" and signals the infantry to surround him, so that each can flank it. "However," she winks at the massive enemy "if by any chance you should change your mind and think of a conversion to a life dedicated to the good of others, before you end up torn to pieces, let us know, okay?"
After that, the Gauntlet forces attack with their deadly technique that allows them to use both hands almost independently, while the blonde arcane warrior brings both her hands on Dawn's hilt and delivers one lightning-fast slash after the other.
Rolls:
Thora:
Longsword Attack 1: 21 Damage: 9 (slashing)
Longsword Attack 2: 12 Damage: 11 (slashing)
Shortsword Attack: 23 Damage: 8 (piercing)
Sylrien:
+1 Dagger Attack 1: 24 Damage: 6 (magical piercing)
+1 Dagger Attack 2: 24 Damage: 5 (magical piercing)
Shortsword Attack: 12 Damage: 4 (piercing)
Olaf:
+1 Dagger Attack 1: 19 Damage: 8 (magical piercing)
+1 Dagger Attack 2: 24 Damage: 7 (magical piercing)
Shortsword Attack: 25 Damage: 7 (piercing)
Khessa:
Attack 1: 29 Damage: 18 (radiant)
Attack 2: 31 Damage: 20 (radiant)
Demon is at 34/184)
'Well... We gave him a proper welcome...' Khessa thinks, satisfied, as she sees Mr Porky taking the blows, almost ready to collapse.
The blonde arcane warrior hopes that the remaining members of the party will be able to finish the Demon off before it can counterattack.