The Planewalkers' Other Journies

[Idran1701]

Pandemonium

Too busy with his spellcasting to respond to Magpie's query, Zant just barely manages to protect Alvar with his enchantment before Morthrexa releases his own burst. A pale-blue energy begins glowing around the knight, just as the shifting lights burst forth, covering all present. Alvar and Theller can feel the blast hit their minds, but they just manage to keep the power from seeping in; images from their nightmares flicker at the periphery of their vision, but encroach no further.

Zant and Magpie aren't so lucky, as the pure force of the demon assaults their senses. They're both filled with a pervading terror, manifesting itself all around them and freezing them in place, unable to act. They can do nothing but watch what happens now, as the fear grasps their hearts (or the appropriate equivalent).

Morthrexa seems to be slightly caught off guard at the two that managed to resist his attack. "...Well, I must say, I'm surprised at the strength of your wills. This only serves to confirm my judgment of your spirits, though. You may try to stop me, but I will take what I deserve for standing your annoyances for so long." With a grin, he looks Alvar over. "And that power will hardly protect you."

Alvar and Theller both somehow managed to make a DC 22 save and resisted Morthrexa's attack. Zant and Magpie are dazed with fear for an unknown number of rounds, and are unable to act. Also, as was implied, the things Zant sees and feels are quite close in concept to the nightmares he'd been having on this plane since they arrived.

Just for the sake of what little fairness I can give you, initiative. You can probably already tell this is how I plan to write out Alvar, but let's have at least some fun with it since you managed to get pretty lucky, eh? :D

Alvar: 9
Theller: 3
Morthrexa: 3

Also, for Alvar's sake, since I can assume Zant likely would have told him about the spell at some point while they traveled together just in case: Sanctuary

[Christian]

Some little part of Alvar shouted at him what his brain had already concluded, catalogued and promptly ignored; This was an impossible undertaking. They would, in the long run, be unable to match the power of Morthrexa... It would be... best to just lay down his weapon and go with the demon if this ensured the safety of the others... But...

But the others had protected him. He simply couldn't throw aside that fact; he couldn't just allow their willingness to endanger themselves to go unanswered.

"It seems you overestimated your superiority, demon!" Alvar shouted as he tore out his longsword, its polished sheen a flicker of unbroken hope in the abyss of madness they were caught in. His eyes were narrow and sweat streamed down his face; He would never allow the beast the pleasure of corrupting yet another soul, he would never allow himself to sway!

With a ease from many years of training he slipped his left arm through the loops of his heavy, wooden shield, unsnapping it from his backpack and settling it on his arm. If he had the time, he'd adjust it, but his eyes never left the demon.

[Alvar draws his weapon and shield]


Magpie, meanwhile, is unable to move, but a slow, screeching sound emits from it; it is nothing like a human scream, sounding more like the mad screaming of a cat, pitched down only slightly. Whatever visions the mechanical creature is seeing, it seems to show an uneery level of terror.

[Spleen]

"We won't let you do that!" Theller shouted, images of long falls and crushing rocks at the edge of his vision adding a hysterical edge to his otherwise unwavering voice. His wand came off his belt and he spoke a word in a clear voice: "Scall'th!" His eyes glowed bright for a moment and he could see with amazing clarity the proper path between his crossbow and Morthrexa to hit him with a bolt.

(Casting True Strike from his wand.)

[Idran1701]

Pandemonium

Alvar readies his equipment against the massive demon, holding shield and sword ready. The glow of Zant's enchantment stands out in the torchlight, and hopefully it will be enough to protect him from Morthrexa's intent.

Meanwhile, Theller draws his wand, releasing a bit of its magic. His eyes glaze over as the enchantment leads him exactly where to hit that Morthrexa can't avoid.

But that's for the future. For now, the demon reaches out, grasping for the knight. His defensive spell flares up, but Morthrexa seems to penetrate the protection without a bit of effort. Seeing that it will give him no defense against Morthrexa, Alvar swings his sword around, but the angle's just too awkward to make contact. He lifts Alvar up with little effort, grinning at his attempts to get loose.


Alvar draws his sword and shield.

Theller casts True Strike, and now has a +20 bonus on his next attack.

Morthrexa attempts to grapple Alvar, and makes the DC 13 Will check to penetrate Sanctuary. Alvar makes an attack of opportunity (as Sanctuary is now penetrated anyway), but misses. Morthrexa and Alvar are now grappled.

Zant and Magpie are still dazed.

No change to initiative.

[Jak Snide]

Zant had collapsed, curling up into a fetal position and babbling as terrors coursed through his mind.

[Christian]

"R...Release me you damned fiend!" Angry at the suffered indignity, the errant knight did his best to escape the grips of the demon, thrashing as wildly as he could. As their last ray of hope seemed to have been nothing more than a mere chance of luck, despair once more gripped his heart.


[Alvar tries to break free]

All the while, Magpie remained standing, yet the whining noise seemed to grow in pitch and volume as it suddenly flailed its arms wildly, made a slight turn and then fell silent, shaking slightly.

[Spleen]

"Alvar!" Theller yelled. His crossbow twanged as he sent the magically-guided bolt at Morthrexa.

[Idran1701]

Pandemonium

Alvar struggles, but Morthrexa's grip just seems too strong. He laughs with amusement as Alvar kicks about, barely even noticing as Theller brings his crossbow to bear. The bolt flies out, stabbing into the demon's arm...before simply falling out, leaving no sign of a wound. With no concern paid to Theller's attempts at fighting, Morthrexa begins squeezing, but Alvar is able to take the opportunity to slip free, dropping to the ground and out of his grasp.


Alvar attempts to break the grapple, and fails!
Theller shoots a crossbow bolt and hits, but is unable to penetrate Morthrexa's DR.
Morthrexa fails his grapple check, and Alvar is no longer grappled.

Theller:

Spoiler:

You do seem to recall in a past conversation with Zant, he mentioned that the spear he had made from steam-material was imbued with energies from the planes of both water and positive energy. Also, I will say the spear is close enough that it would be only a 5-foot step to retrieve it.

[Spleen]

Theller made an annoyed noise when he discovered that even with the power of the wand, he couldn't do any damage to Morthrexa with his crossbow.

He thought about the spear on his back, but realized it, too, probably wouldn't be sufficient. He looked over at Zant's, however. A weapon of positive energy... he thought. He quick-stepped over to Zant and took the spear off the terrified gensai. Holding it in his hands, he charged Morthrexa with it.

[Christian]

Sweat trickled down Alvars' face as he struggled to keep to his feet, aftershocks of the psychic attack still lingering, but most horrible of course the idea of what would happen to him should he fail.

As the demon had dispersed the protection spell made by Zant, he had to rely on his own defenses. Bringing his shield to bear and, after a quick but fervent prayer to St. Cuthbert, he yelled at the demon.

"So come at me then, if you dare, I am more than ready for you, beast!"

It wasn't a very constructive taunt, but he hoped the fiend would tear his attention from the others and focus it on the one who fought best at such times...


[Alvar issues a Fighting Challenge towards Morthrexa as well as Shield Block, he'll aim for an attack of opportunity if the opportunity is given... and sorry if I'm breaking any rules again, I'm a bit stressed with posting this, lots of stuff to do...]

[Idran1701]

Pandemonium

Morthrexa laughs as Alvar challenges him. "Yes, I can see just how ready you are. You were lucky to squirm out of my grip, nothing else." He seems barely willing to acknowledge Theller's attack, before the spear actually manages to penetrate his hide, the ichor that runs through his body hissing as it contacts Zant's spear. He tosses a glare to the raptoran, but once more reaches to snatch Alvar from the ground. Once again, Alvar can feel his feet leave the earth; he swings his sword around once more, and though he can feel the blade impact Morthrexa's hide, it doesn't seem to penetrate any more successfully than Theller's bolt.

While holding Alvar, the demon turns his head and spits out an invective to Theller. "Stop your stinging, you insect! You may have scored one hit, but you cannot win. You may as well allow me to take what is owed to me, and allow him the chance of being useful."

Alvar issues a successful challenge, and readies his shield to block.
Theller strikes Morthrexa with a natural 20, but fails to confirm; he deals 5 damage.
Morthrexa successfully grapples Alvar. Alvar makes an attack of opportunity against Morthrexa, and hits with a natural 20, but fails to confirm. He fails to penetrate DR.

Zant and Magpie are still dazed.

[Spleen]

"You're owed nothing!" Theller spat, bringing the weapon to bear against the demon once more.

[Christian]

Alvar struggled in the grip of the demon, yet the look on his face shifted slowly to that of someone very close to giving up. His teeths were clenched, yet it seemed an exertion in itself for him to keep even that up.

[Idran1701]

Pandemonium

Revelling as Alvar's fighting begins to slow, Morthrexa merely chuckles as Theller stabs the spear towards him again. This time it's deflected by his thick hide, without even leaving a scratch and without gaining more than a tiny glance from the demon. Smashing Alvar's face with his tusks as he squeezes his sides, he finally manages to put the knight out, slinging his now limp body over his shoulder, his sword clattering to the ground.

Turning all his attention to Theller now, his voice drops to its previous conversational tone, a superior smirk plastered on his face. "I am gracious enough that I will give you one more comment before I leave with my payment. Choose your words well, bird."


Alvar fails to break free.
Theller strikes with Zant's spear, and misses.
Morthrexa strikes nonlethally with a bite and a claw attack, dealing a total of 30 nonlethal damage and rendering Alvar unconscious.

Zant and Magpie continue to be dazed.

[Spleen]

"Being more powerful doesn't make you superior. And I'm not a bird."

Theller thrust with the spear again.

[Idran1701]

Pandemonium

Thrusting the spear forward, Theller once more fails to penetrate Morthrexa's hide. Still grinning, he brings his arms up, preparing to strike. "Tell Shawn I hope to see her again very soon, hmm? It has been far too long." His piece said, he slams his fists against Theller's body, sending him sprawling and leaving him unconscious on the ground.

Theller tries to attack Morthrexa, but misses.
Morthrexa strikes Theller twice for 16 nonlethal damage.

Time passes, and eventually Zant, Trivale, and Magpie rise from their incapacitation, the images fading as if they were never there. Theller still lies on the ground, bruised but breathing. Zant's spear lies next to him, the spearhead still dripping with Morthrexa's blood. Alvar is nowhere to be seen, nor is his sword, and no sign of Morthrexa can be seen nor heard. The two seem to have been lost in the darkness and wind.

That was much more entertaining than I expected going into it, and I'm quite impressed how well the two of you were able to do in such circumstances. 500 XP to Theller and Alvar for managing to stretch out what I expected to be maybe a round or two into a full four rounds of combat against Morthrexa.

Also, since it wasn't actually damaged, I'm not marking off Theller's crossbow bolt from his sheet; he can retrieve it and reuse it in a future battle.

[Jak Snide]

Zant sat on the ground for a moment, giving himself a chance for the visions to fade fully before looking around. Alvar was not here, nor was the fiend. He let this sink in as he battled with his emotions. It was the expected outcome, but it still left him feeling angry and helpless. The rest of them appeared to be alive, however, which was some a relief. There was nothing they could do now but continue with their job.

He glanced at his spear, bloodstained and lying nearby. Still wet.

He delved into his pack, rummaging around for a potion. He swiftly fed it to Theller and then moved back to his fallen weapon.

(Feeding a potion of Cure Light Wounds to Theller and then trying to collect the blood on his spear in the empty vial.)

[Idran1701]

Pandemonium

As the magical liquid flows down Theller's gullet, some of his bruises heal. Consciousness slowly comes back to him as the healing takes effect, although his head's still aching more than a tad. Meanwhile, the hissing blood is collected as best as Zant can manage, falling silent when no longer exposed to the spear. It appears green and murky, far thicker than any mortal blood he's seen; even further, he can almost feel the evil radiating from it even sealed as it is.

Theller is healed 7 points of nonlethal damage, bringing him to 9 total.

[Spleen]

Theller coughed wetly and turned over onto his side, freeing the wing he had collapsed on and looking around. "What...where are they? Alvar and the fiend. I...tried to fight him off, Morthrexa. But he was too powerful. Zant, I borrowed your spear to fight, I'm sorry."

(I totally lost track of my nonlethal and lethal damage.)

[Idran1701]

Theller is currently at full health, and 9 nonlethal damage.

[Christian]

Magpie's high-pitched wheen had slowly ebbed out and as the others recovered, it had regained its composure... though considering how still it stood, and had done during the whole fight, little seemed to change aside from the odd flicker in the green of its eyes.

"They are gone." It wasn't perhaps the most useful statement, redundant perhaps, but the finality of its tone was hard to miss. "Advisable to move towards Styx now and proceed with mission at haste, lingering has a high chance of attracting unwanted attention."

[Jak Snide]

"There is no need for apology." The gensai kept his voice level as he held the vial of green blood up in front of him, curiosity demanding he inspect for a moment before placing it carefully in his pack. "Alvar was lost to us the moment Morthrexa declared his intent. Your actions, however, may grant us retribution."

He looked over to Trivale, making sure the man was unharmed, before speaking. "Magpie is correct in his assessment. While I am glad we no longer have a treacherous fiend among our numbers his absence does make us more vulnerable to attack. I would rather not loose more friends than I have already."

[Idran1701]

Pandemonium

Zant heads to the river, and tying another empty vial to the end of some strong, collects some of the river's water. Carefully sealing it, he pockets it alongside Morthrexa's blood, finally completing the mission the four set out to do. With nothing else, they can now resume the days-long trek back to the Madhouse and, finally, back home, if one ally short.

[Jak Snide]

Zant looked to his fellows, making sure they were fit and ready for travel. As his eyes fell on the construct he spoke.

"Magpie, do you intend to remain here until your master makes his return?"

[Spleen]

Theller pulled himself to his feet and silently found all the pieces of his equipment, still guilty at the loss of Alvar.

[Christian]

Magpie did not answer for a while. The construct seemed to ponder the question surprisingly long, eyes dimming somewhat, and it stood completely still. A small, hum-like sound, barely audible in the wind, emitted from its mouth-slot as it seemed to devote an almost unnecessary amount of brain-power on the question asked to it. Finally it seemed to grind into movement again, head swivelling slightly as light once more returned its eyes. Along with a small, simple rune on its forehead that glowed in a soft, white light.

"No."

And with those words the glow of the rune dissipated once more.

[Jak Snide]

Zant nodded slowly, considering his next words.

"You would be best off in our company. Pandemonium is no place for one to wander alone."

[Spleen]

"How long was I unconscious for?" Theller asked. "Surely not long; we could search for Morthrexa and Alvar, if Alvar is still alive."

[Christian]

Magpie observed Zant as he spoke and seemed uninclined to protest, "Travelling alone is never safe. I will follow."

Magpie did not however respond to Theller's question. Either the construct had no opinion about the matter, or it simply chose to stand outside the discussion.

[Jak Snide]

"I am uncertain. There was no trace of the fiend left when we recovered from his....enchantment. Do you believe we could take him by surprise if we were able to track him?"

Zant, as always, kept his tone neutral. He didn't want to let on just what he thought of Theller's plan of chasing after a fiend who had plunged most of them into a waking nightmare and then rendered the rest unconscious while only suffering a wound or two.

[Spleen]

Theller sighed. "No...nor do I think we stand even a minuscule chance in a fair fight, and we've already seen the effects of negotiation. Still, though, I feel an immense weight of guilt over what happened - I can't help but feel like it was my fault, for speaking on the fiend's behalf. He presented the friendly face of a fellow-traveler and I chose protection on an unfamiliar road over my better judgment, and it was Alvar - Alvar, who distrusted Morthrexa from the start - who paid the price, not me."

[Jak Snide]

"I suspect that events would have transpired in a similar fashion had we refused his company, if not worse."

Zant cast one last look at the Styx, the mythical river that had enticed him into making a dangerous journey with a harsh lesson at the end of it.

"Let's go. I'm sick of this place."

[Idran1701]

Pandemonium

Their task completed, if with an element of tragedy, the four travelers set out through the tunnels of Pandemonium once more. Still no sign of Morthrexa nor Alvar is seen as they depart the cavern where the Styx flows; wherever the two of them may have gone, it doesn't look to be along the path back to the Madhouse, unfortunately for their kidnapped ally.

They have a trip of many days ahead of them, though they may be pleased when they soon discover that their new ally, Magpie, needs no sleep, food, or drink, thus allowing it to serve as the perfect sentry for them while they sleep. Another small favor, their dreams are free of the terrors they'd been experiencing since the start of their journey. The wind still blows unnervingly, burrowing into their psyches, but they will soon leave it behind.

They walk carefully through Gorellik's region, encountering naught there but the far-off sounds of chitterring and hyena laughter. Indeed, none of the plane's inhabitants seem eager to attack the party, allowing their journey away to be a much easier time than their journey in. Their supplies begin to grow slim, but with Zant's ability to conjure water and proper rationing of what they have left, they have just enough to last the trip. If Morthrexa did nothing else of benefit, his meals allowed them more provisions than otherwise on their return.

Days upon days of darkness and gales pass the group by, but eventually, in the distance, they see the first source of light besides their own in a fortnight. The sparkling lights of the city glimmer in the tunnel, a starry night helping the band of travelers find their way home. In but a handful of hours, they'll be at the Guild once more, away from the source of madness and despair.

[Spleen]

"The end of the darkness lies ahead, thank the gods and the Lords of Air," Theller murmured, adjusting his pack and stretching his wings as the party continued.

[Christian]

Magpie spoke very little during the journey, but when it did it did so with the same short-sentenced, to-the-point language it had used before. It seemed to show little to no interest in much anything, but did offer to polish and maintain weaponry and such during the time the rest of the group slept.

As they approach the city the construct turns to look once more back from whence they came, staring out into the darkness before turning back, exhuding almost a sense of regret.

"It is not recommended we stay for long. Dwellers not safe."

[Jak Snide]

"I doubt any of us wish to linger long, Magpie. Let us proceed to the portal and complete our task."

[Idran1701]

Pandemonium

The four continue forward, the sparkling lights soon resolving themselves into flickering torches as the city slowly becomes visible. The four pass through the Madhouse gates and head for the inn, keeping a quick pace through the streets below the notice of the citizenry. What few fiends they spot actually residing in town may draw their eye after the events they've experienced, but no one seems to be in a mood to raise trouble with them.

Eventually they reach the tavern, pushing their way inside. It's much less crowded than it was when they arrived, with only about half the people filling the hall as they first met. The wind dies down to a dull whisper as the door swings closed behind them, and they're barely given a glance as they pass through the common area and towards the hallways in back. A bit of weaving through haphazard pathways, and they find the entrance back to the Infinite Staircase, the landing stretching out before them and the void stretching in all directions out beyond. They pass through, the portal shuts, and for the first time in fourteen days...

Silence.

[Christian]

As soon as they passed through the portal, Magpie seemed to almost give a shudder, the somewhat slim construct quivering violently for less than a second or two before it once more returned to its usual stillness. The lights in its eyes blazed to life and it turned to Zant, speaking in its usual, choppy voice:

"It would be proper to bind the contract now."

[Jak Snide]

Zant was glad to be to be free of that wretched place, mouthing a prayer as the portal closed behind him, shutting his eyes and enjoying the utter lack of any noise. Then Magpie spoke.

"What contract do you speak of?"

[Christian]

"The..." clearly some thinking went on inside the frame of the constructs head before it continued, "verbal agreement. As Magpie... as I is currently not bound under any other contracts, it would be advicable to... seize the moment and lay claim to my services."

There was a hint of strain as the machine spoke, especially when it spoke of itself, sometimes mixing in Magpie with words used to describe itself.

"I... am obligated to inform that the binding of a verbal agreement into a legal document will demand of you that Magpie... I will be..."

"Treated and respected as a normal, sentient being." pause.

"Paid a fee of 500 gold pieces a day."

"Supplied with lodgings, meals, equipment and other necessary gear for me to function."

"Allowed two days of consecutive rest and unrestrained free time every year."

"Given the option to remain outside rivalries and conflicts that can potentially endanger the existance of the race, or races, the two parties are involved in unless given permission by Wall."

The construct read the list much like you read a bulletin; it finished every sentence in one go, paused as if to consider the next part and then continued. When it was done it added in a slightly more normal tone:

"It would be recommended that you think over the signing of the contract and that if there is any doubt in your mind you would consider these doubts thoroughly and patiently weigh it against the benefits and also take into consideration future complications that could lead to personal misfortune that includes but is not limited to destruction. Consider your options carefully but certainly go with what your insides tells you if you are inclined to focus much on your thoughts on the negative aspects of deals of this nature. Deals that may lead to, but are not limited to destruction."

"Would you like to bind the contract now?"