Dungeon of the Mad Mage (#9 PbP)

Azrael slowly stirred more and more as the heat sunk into him. The fires of oil and magic seeping more warmth into him. 

Once in the hut, though still unconscious, Azrael had stabilized. Laying wherever he had been left, likely on his back. His breathing normalized, and at some point during the long rest, Lythril attempted successfully to feed him, further aiding in his recovery. Followed by a literal jumpstart from Raiik, electricity flowing through his form.

He began to stir not long before the end of the long rest, and other than a minor headache, he was hale again. A cloak covering his form, that he would recognize as Alessandras, he smiled for a moment, feeling truly blessed. He looked around, to see if all others were ok, and though they seemed to have. Been through some horrible event while he was passed out, everyone was, for better or worse, still alive.

Azrael looked around, seeing most people asleep, and began to prepare some of his rations to eat, using some 9f his spell components as spices, hoping to show his appreciation for their help. The meal was nothing special, but it would likely taste better than plain rations. 

Eventually, someone would stir, and after offering them some breakfast, he would start to explain 

"I apologize. I have mixed blood. Normally cold would have little effect on me, but in lieu of my special nature, I lost some boons... my blood isn't cold, nor is it warm. I just never thought it would effect me THAT much... I am sorry for the trouble I have caused."

At that moment the orb would chime in. "Yes yes.. i was quite curious why no one asked me for advice on how to aid you! As a servant i can only assist when asked! Hohoho!"

Azrael would shoot the orb a look that silenced it swiftly "You are being rude"

After that, azrael would pray..... Asking Bahamut to continue to watch over and bless his comrades,  especially those who had aided him most. Related intensity: 17

Religious*

Danitriel spoke up. "Don't worry about it, it was just another nasty trap Halaster left laying about. He correctly guessed that someone would try to identify the rune and set it to cold explode."

Grianne is impressed by the inside of the hut. It was comfortable, reminding her greatly of her home forest. Reluctantly, knowing her trance state would bring dark visions, Grianne settles down and let it happen.

The cold. What started as a fun day in the hills with his friends, playing in the snow later drew all the life out of him. The door slammed open as young Evrik walked in, full of life laughing and tracking the snow in from the yard as wisps of snow blew in behind him. But the scene before him stopped him cold.  His mother looked crushed, the priest sitting opposite her with grave concern in his eyes. She looked up and opened her arms to take him in, and from the comfort of her arms he heard it. Your father is dead. The priest looks at the boy and explains that his father was on a mission for the village and now will never return. There was some look between the priest and his mother, but nothing the child could grasp. Only emptiness. And the cold.

But slowly, the warmth returned. The loving arms of his mother, wrapped around him. He glanced up expecting her warm eyes, but instead was overcome by the beauty of the face staring down at him as the drowsiness subsided and he awakened to see Lythril. The warmth.

Evrik sat slowly, seeing the others in the hut. Where am I? What happened? It was so cold, he asked himself, but he was still weak. No time, he thought to himself.  “Mother of life, lend me your strength,” he prayed to cure his wounds. (+HP 25)

As his body revived, he fell into deep prayer seeking favor and guidance from Berronar Truesilver to nourish his spirit and set him on a rightful path. And as his body and soul were nurtured, he came back into the present and looked toward the others.

“Thank you. Thank you all for what you have done for me. I’m not sure where I was.”

Azrael would shake his head 'no' You all deserved better from me. I should have stayed back in case. I can take cold.. I have before.. but for an extended period... this was a learning experience.

After learning about what happened and where they were.... We have been what feels like almost this entire floor.... It seems we might be forced to go past the Xanathar Beholder... I can't see anywhere else for us to go... 

Once Evrik was up and moving, Wedge wasted little time in fussing over the dwarf before ultimately settingly down on a shoulder. "Forced is a strong word there, Big Blue. But, you're not entirely wrong either." Mr. Biggs says. "But hey, at least you fine folk can deal with the little abomination sooner rather than later, right?" He rolls over on his other side to look at the others. "I'd offer some advise, but... eh, it'll be fine I'm sure." 

Evrik humbly takes one of Grianne's goodberries on offer while being careful not to disturb her. He wishes her peace and health as he consumes the berry to feed his hunger.

Azrael would nod at Bigz, before saying I've considered this in my spell preperations.. if the group will allow me to take a risk and strike first... I believe I can give us a chance.....

Looking around the group, he would say Will you allow me to take the lead in this fight, and I will give us a fighting chance.

"I'm all ears!" Ra'iik says, lounging lazily

Great job role-playing guys, as always. Let me know when you're ready to press on, and where you'd like to go.

Azrael would look to Raiik, saying I have access to a spell called 'Slow' It has many negative effects.. so long as it lands.. I feel it will cripple it enough that even with it's iimmense power it will be hindered... But I have to go first, else he may blast someone else before I can.

OOC Looking at the map, the "only" thing we have to contend with next is a beholder. I pray the spell will work. But we're fully healed, fully spelled, ready to kick some ass.

Grianne is in her resting trance in the hut...waiting for some supposed nightmares the all mighty voice in the sky said she would get,

Grianne:

8 is the number of the Creator,
who descends from up above.
Mankind will wonder
It's name uninscribed
Into the Book Of life since the world began
As it looks up to Him
Who was and is not of the Infinite
Of He who comes and goes,
He with whom everything rises
And with whom everything falls.

The Fate Of Our World.

On the last day of our world, Armageddon arrived in the form of organic meteors that crashed landed and left horrible, organic blisters all over the planet. At first it did nothing, but eventually the Primer was released. A type of astronomical spore, it invaded into the systems of every living thing on the planet, and altered the genetic structures of those beings. You glimpse, in your trance, the horrific events that unfold, and to say it's a nightmare is putting it lightly. The entire world, and it's people - the ones that didn't die - were transformed into something you've never seen before, and you awake again screaming.

Mr. Biggs lights up at the mention of the spell. "My word, aren't you full of surprises. Why, if I had the coin, I'd be quite interested in seeing if I can tweak and copy that particular beauty into my spellbook." He says with the last line come out amidst a yawn. "Another time... A small amendment to that plan of yours, Big Blue?" He gestures over to Ra'iik and Lythril. "Keep either the holy folk close to ya? Just in case. Memory's fuzzy, but the entrance should be wide enough for a side by side. And while you may be eager to remove the memory of that little slip up earlier, don't let it make you act a fool by relying on just the one plan." 

Azrael would nod, saying Fine, if it will put everyone at ease but they will remain around the corner so that if I fail, onyl I will die. To be clear I do not wish to die, but better to lose one, than all.

(I'd say we're more or less ready after Grianne etc posts their reaction posts. Azrael WILL be in the lead. Once there, when we DO get to that point, Azrael will cast Slow ((DC 14 WIS save on the undead beholder as soon as he rounds the corner. Regardless of whether he's noticed or not. (stealth if it matters: 15) but once everyone else has signaled they're ready)

Whether his spell succeeds or not he will duck back behind the wall to stay out of it's direct line of sight.

Lythril nods, go.

SuRpRisE AtataaaacK

After about 4 hours, finishing the mandatory part of her trance to get the long rest, Grianne wakes up screaming louder than anyone may have ever heard. She is sweating profusely and her breathing is heavy and ragged. Nnooooooo! She stares at her hands as her vision blurs in and out.

Hearing the talk about engaging the beholder, Evrik prepares himself for what will surely come. He approaches Azrael and Ra'iik. "Good sirs, if we must engage this beast, may the gods aid us in our endeavors." Evrik then touches his amulet and then lifts his hands one palm facing each of the companions as he begins to pray, "Father of Battle we seek your aid. Grant us your strength as we face this foe. Grant us the wisdom to know ourselves as we confront this beast and its attempts to overcome us."

And as the words are uttered, a soft silver light shines around the three as all are granted strength from Clangeddin Silverbeard in preparation for their battle.