The barbed devil takes all that damage and howls in pain.
Thrilled to see the devil take such a hit, Reya leans in. Her first swipe goes wide, but her second two find the creatures flesh and dig in. (9 damage, resisted)
Roo hops from foot to foot and is excited to charge to the devil. Unfortunately, he is overexcited and misses with his maul.
Virro sees Reya attack and smiles, he points to the devil and says “You see your end before you. Should we make this.. slow? Perhaps we will…”. He casts a shooting bolt of light down on the spined devil.
Sacred flame : DC 15 Dex save or take 4 points of radiant damage.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Reed watches Virro send more divine flame down upon the devil.
”I really think killing him quickly is better than slowly,” Reed suggests after he hears what Virro says.
Reed takes a breath and waits for a gap between heartbeats before letting an arrow fly again at the devil. With the creature’s resistance to plain regular arrows he needs to make them count.
Bonus Action - Steady Aim
Action - (15,18 + 8) = 26 to hit for (6+13 sneak attack) = 19 piercIng.
The creature shudders as the radiant damage pierces through him. He is wobbly, finding it hard to stand as he starts to look for exits versus the best way to fight you all off.
But just before he gets a chance to flee, the halfling shoots another arrow from the ceiling and as Reed does his best to make sure his arrow count... it does. It pierces the devil's eye and with a blood curdling scream, he takes one step, falters... then falls at Reya's feet.
Reed claps his hands together when the devil falls down dead. He quickly walks across the ceiling and down the closest wall before making his way over to the devil,
He nudges it with his bow to make sure its dead before collecting a couple of used arrows and then seeing what trinkets or goodies the bad guy had.
As he does so he looks up at Reya and nods at the crabs.
"So are those normal in the city, or is that an Avernus touch?" Reed asks with a smile.
"definitely an avernus touch..." Archie states hooding her hands out for Reed to throw over her spear and handaxe still buried in the devil. "We escort these survivors back to the group underground, we should do a head count, where are the kids?" She asks looking around Inna slight panic. "Are we all ok!?"
Reya nods as Archie answers Reed for her. "How strange, right? Man.. I don't think we'll ever be prepared for what we might run into down here." She kicks the barbed devil over, "These things are tougher than I'd like. Whew."
Now that the threat had been defeated, the twin boys fall to their knees and howl with grief and despair. One of the Roo supporters awkwardly puts a hand on one of the boys' shoulders. He doesn't seem to notice it when he responds to Archie, "Mom is dead! She was overrun by one of those zombies trying to protect us." and he is overcome with sobs. Reya puts a hand over her mouth and quietly murmurs a prayer for Harkina.
Shorah runs out of the survivor group and wraps her arms tightly around Virro's legs, burying her face against his thigh. She is trembling and you can hear her loud sobs against his clothes.
Virro awkwardly pats Shorah on the back, saying “There.. there… little one. Yes, death is a natural part of life. And all too much of it lately it seems. Done in the wrong way. To the wrong people. Hmm. Well. Where is the boys’ mother, perhaps I could .. help her?” He looks around the area for her.. dragging along Shorah if she’s clinging to his leg.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
After having thoroughly checking the devil for anything of value, and getting Archie her weapons back, Reed trots downstairs to let the collection of survivors there know that the whole building has now been cleared and that there are more survivors who need help.
As he comes back up stairs to join the others, he pauses then looks up the stairs leading back up to the mezzanine and decides to head up there to see what the devil and crabs were up to up there.
With the possibility that the group leads these survivors down to the rest below, Archie takes the chance to try talking to the leaders there, informing them of the children who have just lost their mother, and asking that they are looked after.
When Reed begins heading up the stairs Archie dutifully follows wanting to give backup wherever possible, but half way up the stairs she stops, holding onto the banister she hangs her head and catches her breath, "that fight really took it out of me, I feel like I'm not fully up to this even with temporary source that Master Avhoste implanted, I'm gonna let the IronMaiden take over for a bit so I can rest, is that ok?" She drags her feet to the top of the stairs not wanting to switch in an unpredictable location and then takes a seat. The blue flame takes over without waiting for much of a response and stands up in a robotic fashion. "Something is not right. I have been trying to work it out for a while... No matter, let us explore further and we can discuss when there is time. We have matters to attend to, yes?"
Corlith wanders around the bodies of those fallen, both fiendish, crustacean and human. As he walks he takes some deep breaths whilst shaking his head.
"It truly is chaos down here", he mutters a little agitated. "So senseless", he adds in another mutter.
As the child mentions their mum did not survive, he feels sadness, but it is more distant than he would expect. Like his heart is hardening against the brutality of what they are facing.
When Archie mentions it is too much for her, he wonders briefly if it was a physical or mental fatigue. After all, she called for them to rest again rather than return more quickly. Of course, they had all agreed, this fight might have gone differently had they not and more survivors might have died. This was war after all, and it was worse than everything he had read about the subject.
He thought about mentioning that, but Ironmaiden was in control now.
"Something is not right? You just realised that? We are in a city descended to hell fighting fiends and crabs. Yeah I would say that something is not right. In fact, nothing about this is right. Which part specifically has you worried?", he replies a little frustrated, regretting his tone instantly. He asks again more calmly, "What is not right, Ironmaiden? We can talk and move at the same time".
"I am a few months old at most, the hells are as new to me as your realm, that is not what is wrong...
Archie's vitality is diminished, not from the fight or damage, I mean permanently diminished, I am also not running at 100% functional capacity. I fear that the implant is causing some kind of divide of resources between us, but I cannot be sure. For now neither of us is actively dying, but this unbalance is wearing Archie down faster than usual. I fear that if we come up against a string fie that you could all handily defeat, there will come a time soon where Archie will die." IronMaiden states, apparently not really understanding the tone that corlith is giving, nor taking any offence.
Virro finds Harkina, but there is nothing that can be done to save her. But he is able to peel Shorah off his legs and move her over to the boys.
Reed heads upstairs to the balcony and finds a pipe organ, a couple empty defense turrets and a balcony that overlooks the entrance to the High Hall, which is now littered with bodies. Heading back down, the group stands together, discussing the situation and the survivors cling to one another, wide-eyed and scared. Reya especially looking at Archie, now IronMaiden with concern. "Is there anything we can do?"
Roo'Stor steps up and ruffles some feathers, then smooths back the bearded wig he has affixed to his head. "Followers of Fog'Horn and Gallus!! You all shall not fear anymore as I will not leave you! I will lead you down to the safety in the catacombs of this ridiculous building crafted to a false idol. But for now, he will do. Come! Let's gather with the others, learn what they have gone through as well."
Before leading the survivors down, Roo heads over to the group and in a softer voice, "I'm assuming you're heading to find this Duke or whatever? For Fog'Horns memory, I shall not leave these followers. At least for now. If I get the calling, I hope to join with you all again. You are my friends." Putting a wing on Reed, "And someday I hope our homes will join as we discussed."
He clucks and crows, then starts heading down the secret door to the lower level.
"I am not sure I understand you, Ironmaiden. A string fie we could handily defeat could be the death of Archie?", Corlith replies confused before he becomes distracted by Roo's announcement.
"You are staying here, Roo? You will be missed, but I admit their need of your presence is greater than ours right now", he says thinking it over. "But remember that if we are successful, it save everyone in the city".
He wonders how they will fare now they have lost both Wilf and Roo, and potentially losing Archie soon as well.
Reya looks from Corlith to IronMaiden feeling the same way Corlith does, but doesn't say anything, there were things that needed to be done.
The rooster caws and clucks in surprise as Reed embraces him. "You featherless... too touchy feely!" but you can see a small smile on the beak that you have all become accustomed to. "Explosions, right. I figured as much, I would be disappointed if not!" And with that, he leads his charges downstairs.
Reya then turns to Reed, "The graveyard is what Pherria said. Something about retrieving an item that is supposed to help, but he hasn't come back yet?" She looks to Lulu, IronMaiden, Reed and Corlith. They sure have shrunk in numbers.
"C'mon! Let's go find the Duke!" and she charges out the front doors, heading for the cemetery.
Corlith stands still for a moment, watching as his Gallus companion races off followed by a bunch of survivors. Never would he have thought he would meet one such as Roo, let alone call them friend.
"Right", he says as Roo disappears out of sight. "Let's move, and then perhaps we can have a proper rest. My powers are not infinite and these breathers we are taking do nothing to restore them I am afraid", he says as he hurries to keep up with Reya, Reed, Ironmaiden, Virro and Lulu.
As you all run out of the fortress and follow Reya to the graveyard, your senses are once again assaulted by the sulfur and fire and brimstone that surround the city now. The lightning ball above you that was once the Companion is as active as ever, lighting up areas of the city as you forge ahead.
Lulu gives a quiet little trumpet sound of alarm as you reach the end of a block and see down the street a sight. A fiery devil in full plate armor atop of a nightmare steed.
In all of your minds, you hear... A Narzugon!! Please, let's not get his attention, they are very powerful and should not be confronted. She shudders as she conveys this to you all. Just beyond, you can see the graveyard surrounded by a ten foot high brass fence.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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The barbed devil takes all that damage and howls in pain.
Thrilled to see the devil take such a hit, Reya leans in. Her first swipe goes wide, but her second two find the creatures flesh and dig in. (9 damage, resisted)
Roo hops from foot to foot and is excited to charge to the devil. Unfortunately, he is overexcited and misses with his maul.
Virro sees Reya attack and smiles, he points to the devil and says “You see your end before you. Should we make this.. slow? Perhaps we will…”. He casts a shooting bolt of light down on the spined devil.
Sacred flame : DC 15 Dex save or take 4 points of radiant damage.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Reed watches Virro send more divine flame down upon the devil.
”I really think killing him quickly is better than slowly,” Reed suggests after he hears what Virro says.
Reed takes a breath and waits for a gap between heartbeats before letting an arrow fly again at the devil. With the creature’s resistance to plain regular arrows he needs to make them count.
Bonus Action - Steady Aim
Action - (
15,18 + 8) = 26 to hit for (6+13 sneak attack) = 19 piercIng.The creature shudders as the radiant damage pierces through him. He is wobbly, finding it hard to stand as he starts to look for exits versus the best way to fight you all off.
But just before he gets a chance to flee, the halfling shoots another arrow from the ceiling and as Reed does his best to make sure his arrow count... it does. It pierces the devil's eye and with a blood curdling scream, he takes one step, falters... then falls at Reya's feet.
Reed claps his hands together when the devil falls down dead. He quickly walks across the ceiling and down the closest wall before making his way over to the devil,
He nudges it with his bow to make sure its dead before collecting a couple of used arrows and then seeing what trinkets or goodies the bad guy had.
As he does so he looks up at Reya and nods at the crabs.
"So are those normal in the city, or is that an Avernus touch?" Reed asks with a smile.
"definitely an avernus touch..." Archie states hooding her hands out for Reed to throw over her spear and handaxe still buried in the devil. "We escort these survivors back to the group underground, we should do a head count, where are the kids?" She asks looking around Inna slight panic. "Are we all ok!?"
Reya nods as Archie answers Reed for her. "How strange, right? Man.. I don't think we'll ever be prepared for what we might run into down here." She kicks the barbed devil over, "These things are tougher than I'd like. Whew."
Now that the threat had been defeated, the twin boys fall to their knees and howl with grief and despair. One of the Roo supporters awkwardly puts a hand on one of the boys' shoulders. He doesn't seem to notice it when he responds to Archie, "Mom is dead! She was overrun by one of those zombies trying to protect us." and he is overcome with sobs. Reya puts a hand over her mouth and quietly murmurs a prayer for Harkina.
Shorah runs out of the survivor group and wraps her arms tightly around Virro's legs, burying her face against his thigh. She is trembling and you can hear her loud sobs against his clothes.
Virro awkwardly pats Shorah on the back, saying “There.. there… little one. Yes, death is a natural part of life. And all too much of it lately it seems. Done in the wrong way. To the wrong people. Hmm. Well. Where is the boys’ mother, perhaps I could .. help her?” He looks around the area for her.. dragging along Shorah if she’s clinging to his leg.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
After having thoroughly checking the devil for anything of value, and getting Archie her weapons back, Reed trots downstairs to let the collection of survivors there know that the whole building has now been cleared and that there are more survivors who need help.
As he comes back up stairs to join the others, he pauses then looks up the stairs leading back up to the mezzanine and decides to head up there to see what the devil and crabs were up to up there.
With the possibility that the group leads these survivors down to the rest below, Archie takes the chance to try talking to the leaders there, informing them of the children who have just lost their mother, and asking that they are looked after.
When Reed begins heading up the stairs Archie dutifully follows wanting to give backup wherever possible, but half way up the stairs she stops, holding onto the banister she hangs her head and catches her breath, "that fight really took it out of me, I feel like I'm not fully up to this even with temporary source that Master Avhoste implanted, I'm gonna let the IronMaiden take over for a bit so I can rest, is that ok?" She drags her feet to the top of the stairs not wanting to switch in an unpredictable location and then takes a seat. The blue flame takes over without waiting for much of a response and stands up in a robotic fashion. "Something is not right. I have been trying to work it out for a while... No matter, let us explore further and we can discuss when there is time. We have matters to attend to, yes?"
Corlith wanders around the bodies of those fallen, both fiendish, crustacean and human. As he walks he takes some deep breaths whilst shaking his head.
"It truly is chaos down here", he mutters a little agitated. "So senseless", he adds in another mutter.
As the child mentions their mum did not survive, he feels sadness, but it is more distant than he would expect. Like his heart is hardening against the brutality of what they are facing.
When Archie mentions it is too much for her, he wonders briefly if it was a physical or mental fatigue. After all, she called for them to rest again rather than return more quickly. Of course, they had all agreed, this fight might have gone differently had they not and more survivors might have died. This was war after all, and it was worse than everything he had read about the subject.
He thought about mentioning that, but Ironmaiden was in control now.
"Something is not right? You just realised that? We are in a city descended to hell fighting fiends and crabs. Yeah I would say that something is not right. In fact, nothing about this is right. Which part specifically has you worried?", he replies a little frustrated, regretting his tone instantly. He asks again more calmly, "What is not right, Ironmaiden? We can talk and move at the same time".
"I am a few months old at most, the hells are as new to me as your realm, that is not what is wrong...
Archie's vitality is diminished, not from the fight or damage, I mean permanently diminished, I am also not running at 100% functional capacity. I fear that the implant is causing some kind of divide of resources between us, but I cannot be sure. For now neither of us is actively dying, but this unbalance is wearing Archie down faster than usual. I fear that if we come up against a string fie that you could all handily defeat, there will come a time soon where Archie will die." IronMaiden states, apparently not really understanding the tone that corlith is giving, nor taking any offence.
Virro finds Harkina, but there is nothing that can be done to save her. But he is able to peel Shorah off his legs and move her over to the boys.
Reed heads upstairs to the balcony and finds a pipe organ, a couple empty defense turrets and a balcony that overlooks the entrance to the High Hall, which is now littered with bodies. Heading back down, the group stands together, discussing the situation and the survivors cling to one another, wide-eyed and scared. Reya especially looking at Archie, now IronMaiden with concern. "Is there anything we can do?"
Roo'Stor steps up and ruffles some feathers, then smooths back the bearded wig he has affixed to his head. "Followers of Fog'Horn and Gallus!! You all shall not fear anymore as I will not leave you! I will lead you down to the safety in the catacombs of this ridiculous building crafted to a false idol. But for now, he will do. Come! Let's gather with the others, learn what they have gone through as well."
Before leading the survivors down, Roo heads over to the group and in a softer voice, "I'm assuming you're heading to find this Duke or whatever? For Fog'Horns memory, I shall not leave these followers. At least for now. If I get the calling, I hope to join with you all again. You are my friends." Putting a wing on Reed, "And someday I hope our homes will join as we discussed."
He clucks and crows, then starts heading down the secret door to the lower level.
"I am not sure I understand you, Ironmaiden. A string fie we could handily defeat could be the death of Archie?", Corlith replies confused before he becomes distracted by Roo's announcement.
"You are staying here, Roo? You will be missed, but I admit their need of your presence is greater than ours right now", he says thinking it over. "But remember that if we are successful, it save everyone in the city".
He wonders how they will fare now they have lost both Wilf and Roo, and potentially losing Archie soon as well.
Reed gives Archie/IronMaiden a side eyed look but doesn't say anything, not really knowing what to say.
He does give Roo a hug when the Gallus tries to slip away with merely a wing on the shoulder.
"Stay safe, Roo," Reed says. "When you're ready to catch up, just look for the explosions."
Reed sorts out his gear and adjust the straps on his pack and gets ready to go.
"So this duke," Reed starts, "do we know where to start? I really wasn't paying too much attention downstairs."
Reya looks from Corlith to IronMaiden feeling the same way Corlith does, but doesn't say anything, there were things that needed to be done.
The rooster caws and clucks in surprise as Reed embraces him. "You featherless... too touchy feely!" but you can see a small smile on the beak that you have all become accustomed to. "Explosions, right. I figured as much, I would be disappointed if not!" And with that, he leads his charges downstairs.
Reya then turns to Reed, "The graveyard is what Pherria said. Something about retrieving an item that is supposed to help, but he hasn't come back yet?" She looks to Lulu, IronMaiden, Reed and Corlith. They sure have shrunk in numbers.
"C'mon! Let's go find the Duke!" and she charges out the front doors, heading for the cemetery.
Reeds nods and follows after Reya.
”There are a lot of dead bodies in cemeteries, right? With what we just saw here, might be a good idea to keep an eye out for zombies.”
Before he even makes it down the front steps though he stops and laughs. “I wondered where you got to.”
Slobberchops, the winged cat, a pair of rat legs hanging out of its mouth flies over from the wreckage by the gate.
Reed offers a bit of jerky to go with the mouse and then invites the small creature to join them on the way to the cemetery.
”If you spot anything invisible out there it would help a lot if you let us know.”
Ironmaiden keeps quiet, not wanting to distract from the task at hand but seems off, worried, not themselves.
Corlith stands still for a moment, watching as his Gallus companion races off followed by a bunch of survivors. Never would he have thought he would meet one such as Roo, let alone call them friend.
"Right", he says as Roo disappears out of sight. "Let's move, and then perhaps we can have a proper rest. My powers are not infinite and these breathers we are taking do nothing to restore them I am afraid", he says as he hurries to keep up with Reya, Reed, Ironmaiden, Virro and Lulu.
As you all run out of the fortress and follow Reya to the graveyard, your senses are once again assaulted by the sulfur and fire and brimstone that surround the city now. The lightning ball above you that was once the Companion is as active as ever, lighting up areas of the city as you forge ahead.
Lulu gives a quiet little trumpet sound of alarm as you reach the end of a block and see down the street a sight. A fiery devil in full plate armor atop of a nightmare steed.
In all of your minds, you hear... A Narzugon!! Please, let's not get his attention, they are very powerful and should not be confronted. She shudders as she conveys this to you all. Just beyond, you can see the graveyard surrounded by a ten foot high brass fence.