Zg Session 119

As Ashima-Shimtu finishes speaking, a single figure appears atop the lighthouse, a trumpet-bearing angel. He proclaims, "None shall attempt to enter the vault, lest they face the wrath of the gods. All within is suspect. We cannot allow the evil here the leave, so if you open those doors, we will not stop until this isle is cleansed. Do you come here as thieves and looters, or do you also wish to purge the unholy?"
Zane: "I come here as a seeker of knowledge."
Zane shrugs.
Gerald: "Yeah we're mostly here for a book but we're also going to set one of the demons free in the process so… I guess we're going to have a conflict on interest here?"
Gerald‘ taps his shotgun against his shoulder as he shrugs, looking up at the angel.
Aezusat: "Yes." The angel raises the trumpet to his lips, and when he blows the trumpet, the sky glows brighter than it ever did when there was a sun.
Phyllis: "What is evil, even?"
Aleith|DM: Lances of light plunge into the surface of the island, each a divine creature—angel, archon, and the like.
Gerald: "Anything standing between me and the mission."
Aleith|DM: First to arrive is Hezophiel the Reaper, a black-clad figure with broad white wings, who stands ten feet tall and wields a scythe.
Aleith|DM: Moments later a smaller angelic figure lands beside him, and then in a ring arrive fourteen more celestials, most carrying swords but two hoisting trumpets.
Zane: "… Well, that escalated quickly."
Aleith|DM: The lances of heavenly light continue for a minute more, each bringing a flock of critics—swarms of angels, each small enough to fit on the head of a pin.
Ernst scrunches up his face at the crowd.
Aleith|DM: The lead angel invokes something in a strange language, and a feeling of forbiddance settles upon you. Teleportation and summoning on to or off of the island has been blocked.
Gerald` rolls his head around once, glancing up at the angel.
Hezophiel: "You would stand in the way of our mission, claiming objects from within as your own?"
Gerald: "You sure you want that kind of mojo in play? Gunna make it hard for you to run away when you realize how badly you underestimated us."
Ernst goes ahead and drops down Stocke while nothings going on.
Gerald: "Conflict of interest. No getting around it. No hard feelings."
Phyllis: "I thought you’d be interested in keeping Triegenes around."
Zane shrugs. "We need the knowledge inside to stop these idiots from killing more gods. If you want to try and stop us, that's on you."
Hezophiel: "So it goes. Kill them all, then destroy everything within the vault."
Aleith|DM: Battle Order: | 48:Ernst | 43:Zane | 38:Gerald | 37:Chandrasekhar | 36:Movanic AB | 34:Phyllis | 34:Aezusat | 33:Garrett | 32:Hezophiel | 30:CelestialTrumpetB | 27:Angelic Champion | 27:Legion Celest ABC | 26:Movanic CD | 24:Legion Celest GH | 20:CelestialTrumpetC | 20:Legion Celest DEF |
Aleith|DM: Ernst!
Gerald‘ might as well let out a [Word Of Warning], we all knew this was coming anyway.
Ernst drops down a [Punishing Eye] before firing a [Magic Weapon - Minor] at the Reaper and then moving out of Fireball formation.
Ernst rolled 2#d20+34(1) and got 6 ( Total: 40.0 )
Also rolled 2#d20+34(2) and got 4 [Total: 38.0 (Low), Avg: 4.00]
Total: 78.0, Avg: 5.00
[OOC] Ernst: … Heroic.
Aleith|DM: Battle Order: | 53:Ernst | 48:Zane | 43:Gerald | 42:Chandrasekhar | 39:Phyllis | 38:Garrett | 36:Movanic AB | 34:Aezusat | 32:Hezophiel | 30:CelestialTrumpetB | 27:Angelic Champion | 27:Legion Celest ABC | 26:Movanic CD | 24:Legion Celest GH | 20:CelestialTrumpetC | 20:Legion Celest DEF |
Aleith|DM: 1 hit!
Ernst rolled 2d8+20 and got 6, 1 ( Total: 27.0 ) for +5 to hit, +6 dmg, brutal 1 to everyone but Phyllis. -1 AC to the enemy
[OOC] Ernst: +eye damage
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 35!
Aleith|DM: Zane!
Zane envenoms the Arsenal, shifts it into a shortbow and fires arrows into the closest batch of angels. [Spending two dice to make my RBA into Area Burst 1, focused on Trumpeter B]
Zane rolled 3#1d20+34(1) and got 11 ( Total: 45.0 )
Also rolled 3#1d20+34(2) and got 16 [Total: 50.0 (High), Avg: 16.00]
Also rolled 3#1d20+34(3) and got 19 [Total: 53.0 (High), Avg: 19.00]
Total: 148.0, Avg: 15.33
Aleith|DM: Hits!
Zane rolled 5d8+38 and got 3, 1, 5, 2, 6 ( Total: 55.0 )
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 55! Bloodied!] [KO!] [KO!
Aleith|DM: Gerald!
Gerald` takes a breath, [Master of the Hunt], moves away from the tower a bit to reposition… then fires a massive lance of force energy through the Reaper, the Champion, and Trumpeter C [AP: Manitcore’s Volley], before suppressing the Reaper. [Interrupting Volley]
Gerald‘ rolled 6#d20+42(1) and got 20 ( Total: 62 ) for Reaper
Also rolled 6#d20+42(2) and got 14 [Total: 56]
Also rolled 6#d20+42(3) and got 5 [Total: 47]
Also rolled 6#d20+42(4) and got 11 [Total: 53]
Also rolled 6#d20+42(5) and got 3 [Total: 45]
Also rolled 6#d20+42(6) and got 8 [Total: 50]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 313
Gerald` rolled 6#d20+42(1) and got 5 ( Total: 47 ) for Champion
Also rolled 6#d20+42(2) and got 12 [Total: 54]
Also rolled 6#d20+42(3) and got 10 [Total: 52]
Also rolled 6#d20+42(4) and got 16 [Total: 58]
Also rolled 6#d20+42(5) and got 11 [Total: 53]
Also rolled 6#d20+42(6) and got 14 [Total: 56]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 320
Gerald` rolled 6#d20+42(1) and got 16 ( Total: 58 ) for Trumpeter C
Also rolled 6#d20+42(2) and got 20 [Total: 62]
Also rolled 6#d20+42(3) and got 1 [Total: 43]
Also rolled 6#d20+42(4) and got 11 [Total: 53]
Also rolled 6#d20+42(5) and got 1 [Total: 43]
Also rolled 6#d20+42(6) and got 15 [Total: 57]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 316
[OOC] Gerald: Crit/Hit, hitx2, hit x2 | hit x2, three | crit/hit, hit 1, hit 1 …
[OOC] Aleith|DM: Yep
Gerald` rolled 5d6r1+98: 2, 6, (1, 5), 4, 2 [Total: 117.0 (High), Avg and got 3.80
Also rolled 4d8r1+50 and got 5, 4, 4, 8 [Total: 71.0 (High), Avg: 5.25]
Also rolled 4d8r1+50 and got 6, 3, 2, 2 [Total: 63.0 (Low), Avg: 3.25]
Total: 251.0, Avg: 4.08
Gerald` rolled 3#4d8r1+50(1) and got 7, 4, 2, 6 ( Total: 69.0 ) for Champion
Also rolled 3#4d8r1+50(2) and got 8, (1, 2), 5, (1, 3) [Total: 68.0 (Avg), Avg: 4.50]
Also rolled 3#4d8r1+50(3) and got 2, 5, 5, 3 [Total: 65.0 (Low), Avg: 3.75]
Also rolled 2d8r1 and got 7, 4 [Total: 11 (High), Avg: 5.50]
Total: 213.0, Avg: 4.50
[OOC] Gerald: Trumpeter C’s dead, Legion C also from auto fire
Gerald‘ rolled 2#d20+39(1) and got 1 ( Total: 40 ) for Interrupting Volley attack rolls
Also rolled 2#d20+39(2) and got 9 [Total: 48]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 88
Gerald` rolled 3d8+50 and got 5, 8, 1 ( Total: 64 ) for I can interrupt him until my next turn
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 251!] [216! Bloodied!] [KO!] [KO!] [KO!] [KO!
Gerald` shakes the gun a little as it winds back down.
Aleith|DM: Chandrasekhar!
Ernst: "Still shaking my head that they decided to block teleportation."
Gerald: "They probably didn’t know what they were dealing with."
Chandrasekhar calls down a vision of his goddess' demise on Movanic Celestial A! [Vision of the Fall]
Aleith|DM rolled d20+34 and got 9 ( Total: 43 ) for vs Will
Aleith|DM rolled 2d8r1+26: (1, 2), 4 [Total: 32.0 (Low), Avg and got 3.00
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 32!] The aftermath of the vision strikes down the remaining Legion Celestials and the angel critic swarms!
[OOC] Aleith|DM: -15 from that for 17 actuallly
Chandrasekhar then teleports in and challenges those around him! [Call of Challenge]
[OOC] Phyllis: He … teleports?
[OOC] Aleith|DM: on the island is fine…
[OOC] Chandrasekhar: no teleporting on/off the island, but- yeah
[OOC] Phyllis: Oh WELL then
[OOC] Gerald: they blocked running away form the island, not stuff inside the bubble
[OOC] Zane: we're not locked in with them, they're locked in with us
[OOC] Gerald: hence gerald and ernst being sassy
[OOC] Phyllis: i assumed both cases
[OOC] Garrett: kind of the natural state for gerald/ernst tbf
Aleith|DM: Phyllis!
Phyllis rolled d20 and got 8 ( Total: 8 ) for free d20 from Sage of Ages
Phyllis pulls a boon from [Trick of Knowledge]! (minor)
Phyllis rolled d20+40 and got 10 ( Total: 50.0 )
[OOC] Phyllis: 46–50: Make saving throws at the start of your turn instead of the end of your turn
Phyllis: Then she follows up with a pair of [Illusory Ambushes], directing the first one (major) at the Champion. (The second (minor from quickened spellcasting) may change target)
Phyllis rolled d20+29 and got 18 ( Total: 47.0 ) for vs Will
Aleith|DM: Hit!
Phyllis rolled 2d6+29+8 and got 5, 2 ( Total: 44.0 ) for psychic
Phyllis: Next one against the Reaper!
Aleith|DM: Oh. Chandrasekhar takes 20 fire damage from Hezophiel's aura!
Phyllis rolled d20+29 and got 8 ( Total: 37.0 )
[OOC] Aleith|DM: KO!
Aleith|DM: Miss!
Aleith|DM: Garrett!
Garrett‘ clicks his tongue and deactivates the cold enchantment on his dagger before willing the ground beneath the Reaper and Celestial A to burst forth to grab at the angels! [The City Comes Alive]
Garrett` rolled 2#1d20+31(1) and got 20 ( Total: 51 ) for vs reflex, reaper, celestial
Also rolled 2#1d20+31(2) and got 9 [Total: 40]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 91
Aleith|DM: Crit! Hit!
Garrett` rolled 5d6r1+85 and got 6, 3, 6, 4, 4 ( Total: 108.0 ) for this is the crit
Garrett` rolled 2d6r1+41 and got 6, 4 ( Total: 51.0 ) for vs celestial
Garrett` then backpedals a bit.
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 108! Bloodied!] [51! Bloodied!
Both are Restrained! (save ends)
Aleith|DM: Movanic Celestial A struggles against his bonds while brandishing a flaming sword, daring you to pass. [End Turn]
Aleith|DM rolled d20+0 and got 19 ( Total: 19 )
Aleith|DM: But manages to break the bonds.
Aleith|DM: Movanic B flies up behind Chandrasekhar before slicing into him from behind! [Flames of the Gate]
Aleith|DM rolled d20+32 and got 2 ( Total: 34 ) for vs AC
Aleith|DM: But misses!
Aleith|DM: The trumpeter atop the lighthouse flies down to land on the roof of the first floor. [Double Move]
Phyllis: "You’re coming down here?"
Aleith|DM: Hezophiel beckons, and a swarm of lesser celestials swarm around Gerald to draw him across reality to beside the Reaper. [Inescapable Death]
Aleith|DM rolled d20+30 and got 6 ( Total: 36 ) for vs Will
Aleith|DM: But Gerald resists it!
Aleith|DM: Divine Sanction strikes, but the Reaper ignores the effects.
Aleith|DM: And then swings his scythe at Chandrasekhar twice, the blade composed of weeping spirits of the damned. [Spirit Scythe, 2nd through AP]
Aleith|DM rolled 2#d20+32(1) and got 2 ( Total: 34.0 ) for vs AC, -2 for Restrained
Also rolled 2#d20+32(2) and got 11 [Total: 43.0 (High), Avg: 11.00]
Total: 77.0, Avg: 6.50
Aleith|DM rolled 4d6+30 and got 5, 1, 2, 2 ( Total: 40.0 )
Gerald‘ [Interrupt]s the last strike.
Gerald` rolled 2#d20+39(1) and got 19 ( Total: 58 )
Also rolled 2#d20+39(2) and got 12 [Total: 51]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 109
Aleith|DM: 1 crit, 1 hit!
Dicebot:// Dice Sides Error: Unable to parse 6r1 in 5d6r1+82
Gerald` rolled 5d6r1+82: 3, (1, 1, 2), (1, 4), 3, 4 [Total: 98.0 (Low), Avg and got 3.20
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 98!] The blow misses Chandrasekhar!
Aleith|DM: //The last two Movanic Celestials fly up to Gerald and Ernst and swing their flaming swords at them!

Aleith|DM rolled 2#d20+30(1) and got 1 ( Total: 31.0 )
Also rolled 2#d20+30(2) and got 8 [Total: 38.0 (Low), Avg: 8.00]
Total: 69.0, Avg: 4.50
Aleith|DM: Missing both!
Aleith|DM: Battle Order: | 53:Ernst | 48:Zane | 43:Gerald | 42:Chandrasekhar | 39:Phyllis | 38:Garrett | 36:Movanic AB | 34:Aezusat | 32:Hezophiel | 26:Movanic CD |
Aleith|DM: Ernst!
Ernst explodes a THP on Chandra+Gerald [+68, +34 to Ernst - Free Action] before moving past the Celestial.
Aleith|DM: Movanic Celestial B takes a swing as you try to move away! [Flames of the Gate - Special: can make OA attacks even against creatures leaving a square adjacent to them by shifting]
Aleith|DM rolled d20+40 and got 5 ( Total: 45 ) for +10 bonus on the OA
Aleith|DM: 20 damage and ongoing 10 fire damage (SE)!
Stocke fires a [GMW] into the Reaper.
Ernst rolled 2#d20+42(1) and got 11 ( Total: 53.0 )
Also rolled 2#d20+42(2) and got 1 [Total: 43.0 (Min), Avg: 1.00]
Total: 96.0, Avg: 6.00
Aleith|DM: 1 hit!
Ernst rolled 2d8+17 and got 7, 3 ( Total: 27.0 ) for Ernst gets +10 to hit, +6 dmg, brutal 1
[OOC] Ernst: Plus eye
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 35!
[OOC] Aleith|DM: save vs ongoing fire
Ernst then places down a [Coiled Spring Trap x3 - Minor] and fires a [AP - Prismatic Strike]
Ernst rolled 2#d20+42(1) and got 12 ( Total: 54.0 )
Also rolled 2#d20+42(2) and got 18 [Total: 60.0 (High), Avg: 18.00]
Total: 114.0, Avg: 15.00
Aleith|DM: Hits!
Ernst rolled 4d8r1+34 and got 3, 7, 3, 4 ( Total: 51.0 )
Also rolled 4d8r1+34 and got 8, 5, (1, 4), 8 [Total: 59.0 (High), Avg: 6.25]
Also rolled 4d8r1+34 and got 2, 6, 5, 2 [Total: 49.0 (Low), Avg: 3.75]
Total: 159.0, Avg: 4.75
[OOC] Aleith|DM: KO!
Aleith|DM: Zane!
Aleith|DM: The holy forbiddance begins to lift.
Zane backsteps as the Arsenal shifts to a three-pointed boomerang, and he turns to flick it at Aezusat. [RBA]
Zane rolled d20+31 and got 15 ( Total: 46 )
Zane rolled 3d6+38 and got 5, 6, 1 ( Total: 50.0 ) for damage, Furious Assault, Attack Finesse, Assassin Strike
Also rolled 3d8 and got 2, 6, 5 [Total: 13 (Low), Avg: 4.33]
Also rolled 5d10 and got 10, 5, 1, 9, 8 [Total: 33 (High), Avg: 6.60]
Total: 96.0, Avg: 5.27
[OOC] Aleith|DM: KO!
Zane catches the boomerang as it returns.
Aleith|DM: Gerald!
Gerald` slides back a step, then obliterates Celectial C. [Pounding Barrage]
Gerald` rolled 2#d20+33(1) and got 19 ( Total: 52 )
Also rolled 2#d20+33(2) and got 15 [Total: 48]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 100
Gerald` rolled 2#d20+33(1) and got 20 ( Total: 53 )
Also rolled 2#d20+33(2) and got 11 [Total: 44]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 97
Aleith|DM rolled d20+40 and got 17 ( Total: 57 ) for OA
[OOC] Gerald: … not even going to bother with the third to hits
[OOC] Gerald: aleith that was clearly a shift :(
Aleith|DM: You take 20 damage and ongoing 10 fire first, however
[OOC] Gerald: which doesn’t provoke OA!
[OOC] Ernst: They OA shifts.
Aleith|DM: ^
[OOC] Ernst: It's in their write up
[OOC] Ernst: And they did it to me with that explanation this round!
[OOC] Aleith|DM: I mentioned it on the OA against Ernst!
Ernst rolled 1d100 and got 74 ( Total: 74 ) for save for fire
Aleith|DM: But yes it dies horribly
[OOC] Gerald: w/e its dead and didn't break my thp SO I WIN
[OOC] Aleith|DM: fair
Aleith|DM: Chandrasekhar!
Chandrasekhar slams the remaining Movanics with Astral Thunder!
Chandrasekhar rolled d20+29 and got 7 ( Total: 36 ) for vs. Fort
Chandrasekhar rolled d20+29 and got 6 ( Total: 35 ) for vs. Fort
Aleith|DM: Misses.
Aleith|DM: Phyllis!
Phyllis rolled d20 and got 6 ( Total: 6 ) for free turn-ly d20
Phyllis steps a little closer, conjures a [Mage Hand] by D, and hits it with [Steal Time]! Or tries to.
Phyllis rolled d20+31 and got 8 ( Total: 39.0 )
[OOC] Phyllis: vs will
Aleith|DM: Hit!
[OOC] Phyllis: Stunned UEoPNT]! 8 damage from eye! Phyllis gets another standard!
Phyllis casts [Illusory Ambush] on A.
Phyllis rolled d20+29 and got 16 ( Total: 45.0 )
Phyllis rolled 2d6+29+8 and got 1, 5 ( Total: 43.0 )
[OOC] Phyllis: -6/-2 etc. etc.)
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 8!] [43!
Aleith|DM: Garrett!
Garrett‘ begins a light log to the south, and then with a kick of his feet, he swiftly tumbles over to Celestial B and pops up with a slash! [Tumbling Strike]
Garrett` rolled 1d20+35 and got 20 ( Total: 55 ) for vs AC
Aleith|DM: Crit!
Garrett` rolled 5d6+64 and got 6, 4, 3, 2, 2 ( Total: 81 )
Garrett` grins and then delivers a series of rapid cuts! [Circling Predator]
[OOC] Aleith|DM: 81!
Garrett` rolled 2#1d20+35(1) and got 4 ( Total: 39 ) for vs AC
Also rolled 2#1d20+35(2) and got 8 [Total: 43]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 82
Aleith|DM: Miss! Hit!
[Sly Fortune’s Favor]
Garrett‘ rolled 1d20+35 and got 12 ( Total: 47 )
Aleith|DM: 2 hits!
Garrett` rolled 1d4+24 and got 4 ( Total: 28 )
Also rolled 1d4+24 and got 2 [Total: 26]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 54
[OOC] Aleith|DM: KO!
Aleith|DM: Movanics A and D attack Ernst and Chandrasekhar!
Aleith|DM: …only A.
Aleith|DM rolled d20+24 and got 4 ( Total: 28 )
Aleith|DM: but misses
Gerald` kills A with [Disruptive Shot]
Gerald` rolled 2#d20+33(1) and got 4 ( Total: 37 )
Also rolled 2#d20+33(2) and got 1 [Total: 34]
[OOC] Sugarlips: Grand Total: 71
Aleith|DM: Or you could miss both shots.
[OOC] Gerald: or not
[OOC] Ernst: Can Stocke take an OA on that?
Aleith|DM: No, it’s a melee attack
[OOC] Ernst: OK
Aleith|DM: Battle Order: | 53:Ernst | 48:Zane | 43:Gerald | 42:Chandrasekhar | 39:Phyllis | 38:Garrett | 36:Movanic A | 26:Movanic D |
Aleith|DM: Ernst!
Ernst launches his second [Prismatic Strike] into Celestial D.
Ernst rolled 2#d20+42(1) and got 6 ( Total: 48.0 )
Also rolled 2#d20+42(2) and got 6 [Total: 48.0 (Low), Avg: 6.00]
Total: 96.0, Avg: 6.00
Ernst rolled 4d8r1+34 and got 4, 2, 4, 5 ( Total: 49.0 ) for Fire, Force, Thunder. It resists 15
Also rolled 4d8r1+34 and got 8, 5, 8, 6 [Total: 61.0 (High), Avg: 6.75]
Also rolled 4d8r1+34 and got 8, 5, 3, 2 [Total: 52.0 (Avg), Avg: 4.50]
Total: 162.0, Avg: 5.00
[OOC] Aleith|DM: KO!
[OOC] Phyllis: heck i forgot to mark D as stunned
[OOC] Aleith|DM: yeah but I remembered and cancelled the attack
Ernst gives everyone nearby +4 AC for good measure since he can't finish the guy off. [EoT]
Aleith|DM: Zane!
Aleith|DM rolled d20+31 and got 15 ( Total: 46 ) for RBA
[OOC] Aleith|DM: KO!
Aleith|DM: The last angel fades into dust as the summoning spells that called them hear dissipate.
Gerald: "Anyway."
Garrett: "Good debate, everyone."
Ernst: "What a colossal waste of time. Let's go."
Gerald‘ scans the area one more time just in case they missed something, then follows the party inside.
Garrett` heads inward, daggers still in hand.
Chandrasekhar: "That’s all of them?" He heads inside, seeming like he's in a hurry.
Gerald: "Seems like, their barrier's gone too."
Aleith|DM: The wards inside appear to have weakened even more than they had on your first trip here.
Chandrasekhar: "Good. Let's… get this over with before we wake something up inside and have to kill it too."
Aleith|DM: Inside the vault entrance chamber, Linia weeps as she begs for mercy, the silver chains still digging into her skin.
Chandrasekhar looks up, meets her gaze, briefly: "I have not forgotten you."
Gerald‘ doesn’t really remember her or her deal, and ignores her.
Phyllis: "Undo yourselves," she commands to the hooks. [Pathos of the Inanimate]
Phyllis: "Worth a shot."
Ernst: "If not, I might be able to cook something up."
Aleith|DM: The chains let the angel go, and Zane catches her as she falls from the celing, but she still cries out in torment from some geas.
Ernst scrunches up his face and gives her a healing infusion on top of that. For the noise… yes.
Chandrasekhar: "Can you walk? Once we're out of here, we'll perform the proper rituals."
Aleith|DM: It helps her for now, but you can feel it's only a temporary easing of her suffering.
Chandrasekhar: "You will be free from your suffering. The chains on your arms are broken; the chains on your soul will be broken in turn." But for the moment, they MUST press on.
Ernst lets out a long sigh before changing his mind and firing off a [Cure-All Admixture] as they walk. "No need. I just broke the Geas. I don't think we'll be needing my trump card before I'm able to rest again."
Aleith|DM: The angel sighs peacefully before falling asleep in Zane's arms, for the first time in centuries.
Chandrasekhar: "…thank you. I owe you one."
Aleith|DM: The next room is the storehouse of the heretical texts.
Gerald: "What was the name of the book we were looking for again…?"
Aleith|DM: One of the stands was labelled for the Biography of Triegenes, but now stands empty.
Gerald: "Actually not important."
Gerald‘ starts shoving them into a sack.
Gerald: "If they wanna burn it all anyway no sense in not taking everything."
Phyllis looks at the stand. "That’s … concerning."
Aleith|DM: There's one noticeable scrap of paper there, Gerald…
Gerald: "Hmm?"
Aleith|DM: The sheet has a dramatic illustration and appears to have been torn from an old holy book. Text on one side reads, 'And there was no light but fire.' The back says, 'But that flame only strengthens his resolve.'
[OOC] Aleith|DM: Scrap of the Book of Lorem
Ernst: "Someone is rather poetic leaving that there of all things."
Gerald: "This important?"
Gerald‘ hands the paper to Phyllis before resuming putting books in the sack.
Phyllis flips it over, then hands it to Garrett. "Want to figure out what happened to the rest of the book?"
Ernst shakes his head at Gerald. "Not for our main objective, at least."
Phyllis: "Or, uh. Rather, if we can read what happened at the pedestal…"
Garrett: "Man, I’m not sure I want to see half of what this lighthouse has. Then again we've already been to the edges of the universe already…"
Garrett: "Couldn't hurt, I need a few minutes."
Garrett‘ kneels next to the stand, runs his hand along the ground… [Urban Bond]
Garrett: "[What happened to the text that was at this stand?]"
Garrett: "Looks just like some kind of weathered, tired priest took the book."
Garrett: "[Who or what left this piece of paper?]" He holds up the passed around piece.
Garrett: "…and then some kind of demon left this scrap, so whatever was originally here, a’int anymore."
Garrett: "What I'm saying is- this page isn't from the book that was originally here."
Phyllis: "Without knowing when or how that happened, that could be anyone. Didn't recognize him?"
Phyllis: "Yeah, I figured that much."
Garrett‘ shakes his head. "Haggard lookin’ guy."
Chandrasekhar pushes on ahead impatiently, heading straight for Ashima-Shimtu's chamber.
Phyllis: "What does it say when I figure that could even be Nicodemus? Or Miller in his priestly years?"
[OOC] Aleith|DM: He doesn't even wait for Garrett to finish with his Urban Bond
Garrett: "Uhh… [what was era in which the book was taken?]"
[OOC] Garrett: yeah that's fair haha
Chandrasekhar: "The demoness will know." Aaaaand he's gone.
Garrett: "No, that's definitely not Miller."
Garrett: "Face is all different. I mean it -could- be Nico, but- not as Miller."
Phyllis follows behind Chandra. "That's probably a fair assumption."
Garrett: "…yeah, not even a vision of the timeframe." He stands, dusts off his knees, and hustles after Chandra.
Garrett: "But… it -was- at least after the time during Kasvarina's vision…"
Aleith|DM: You make your way around the middle of the Crypta to the central vault, which appears as damaged as before, but with no godhands or statues to ambush you.
Aleith|DM: As you arrive in the chamber, Ashima-Shimtu ponders, "this island is to be cleansed, but is that salvation or oblivion? Ashima-Shimtu forswears her past, but is still so vain as to desire her last words. She speaks of the hammer and the hook."
Ashima-Shimtu: "This final moment matters not in the life of the one known as Seneschal of the Demonocracy, the Last of the High Fiends. She has reflected, and believes a tale bereft of choice is unworthy of the telling."
Ashima-Shimtu: "She asks, is a hammer that crafts a cathedral good? Is a hammer that shatters a skull evil? Ashima-Shimtu was not wielded. She chose her path, a long story that she might never have opportunity to tell. If she is to be shattered, she shall accept this long-forbeared punishment."
Gerald: "Uhh… we're… still not planning on killing you…"
Ashima-Shimtu: "But this execution is not the act of evil men, nor good angels. It judges nothing, for the hand that hefted this hammer has vanished. It falls unguided. Where it strikes is no more a choice than where a pebble rolls in a stream."
Ashima-Shimtu: "A choice did matter once to the Lady of the Forked Tongue. Like a fish in a stream she was snared by a hook, plucked from the world she was born to trawl. Perhaps the fisherman desired a wish in exchange for Ashima-Shimtu's life, but she thinks not. He spoke these words, 'Challenge yourself'."
Ashima-Shimtu: "For an age and more, Ashima-Shimtu has hung, chained, voiceless. She had none to corrupt or tempt. What challenge was there, then, but herself? She is not as she was when condemned to this vault."
Ashima-Shimtu: "If there is to be an end to her story, let it be that as once a fisherman granted her a gift of change, so has she given a choice to the faith he inspired. Their tongues have become as forked as hers, but they might challenge themselves. Such as she can, she prays that the hand that swings the hammer chooses wisely."
Phyllis: "Well said."
Chandrasekhar seems to relax as soon as he steps into the chamber- and listens. And nods.
Gerald‘ rubs at his face.
Gerald: "Okay NOW can we finally free your dumbass?"
Phyllis: "Serve as a character witness in a trial, perhaps."
Garrett: "Yeah… we’ve sort of agreed to become deity barristers."
Ashima-Shimtu: "The constables are much stronger than they were before, and the recent changes have twisted, weakend, and broken many abjurations on the island."
Gerald: "Yes."
Chandrasekhar: "The cleansing angels are… gone, if you hadn't noticed. I believe in reparative justice. I believe you've served your sentence."
Chandrasekhar: "Shall we release her from her chains?" He glances around at the others. It'll be a simple matter, but- not a decision he feels he should make unilaterally.
Gerald: "I've been saying that since THREE TRIPS HERE AGO I've just been waiting for her to finally say okay."
Garrett: "Hell yeah."
Phyllis: "Go right ahead."
Chandrasekhar laughs, softly- and then takes a step, and a chain falls- and another step, and another chain falls- and then he's carrying the demoness down from the pit.
Ashima-Shimtu: "She wasn't even sure what it would be like to be truly free after nearly a millenia of torture, but it is truly…liberating."
Gerald: "Enjoy being able to pick up food and bring it to your mouth."
Chandrasekhar nods, briefly. "We… would like to liberate the world. As much of it as we can."
Ashima-Shimtu: "Whispers from the sea tell of some who would speak for the fisherman before Enzyo Mons. She could be one of them."
Chandrasekhar: "Your testimony would be well appreciated."
Phyllis: "That's what I asked earlier, and I wasn't exactly whispering."
Chandrasekhar: "And there's another thing… a biography, we were told we could find, here."
Chandrasekhar gestures vaguely at… Phyllis or someone who has The Details. He was preoccupied!
Ashima-Shimtu: "She has heard of it, even seen it in the fisherman's possession, but she does not know where in the vault it was kept. But the insane priest defeated by her saviors rambled often, including about his forays into the Cypta. The devils to the south do not seem to have it, nor is it hidden with the corroders of metal or the architect. But the revelers to the west have hidden away some things…"
Gerald‘ nods, heading off in that direction to do some investigating.
Ernst provides some healing for the former-seneschal demon.
[OOC] Aleith|DM: actually if he doesn’t, Chandra probably does via Lay on Hands…
Chandrasekhar totally heals the demon, yeah.
Aleith|DM: The third chamber's inscription reads '“Let your labor aid your fellow man. Thy task is to create, not destroy.' But inside is just scattered weapons and pieces of armour, both broken and whole. There was an animated suit of armour guarding the chamber five centuries ago, but it seems to have disappeared in the interim.
Aleith|DM: The fourth chamber beyond it is in just as good repair as it was in the vision. The front door glides open with nary a creak. The statues all stand unbroken. Torches illuminate dozens of paintings that hang along the walls. Fiddle music and gay laughter filter through the air.
Gerald: "Hey."
Phyllis: "Looking to check out a book, though the librarian seems to think it's here in the Lost and Found."
Garrett: "Man, if only we knew it'd be this nice earlier."
Phyllis: "It probably wasn't. Lot more traps and wards active."
Phyllis steps on through and searches.
Aleith|DM: No one seems to be around, though there's 6 prominent paintings in the main chamber depicting 6 of the cardinal sins.
Gerald: "C'mon we know you guys live in the paintings."
Garrett‘ keeps his guard up and begins to sneak about, looking for their tome.
Gerald: "So speak up."
Aleith|DM: The fiddle music does indeed seem to be coming from one of the paintings in the main area…
Aleith|DM: But other sounds are coming from the far side of the room as you get closer.
Gerald` fishes around for his lighter while moving towards the source of laughter.
Aleith|DM: The music and laughter is coming from a painting off in a side chamber.
Gerald: "We’re not with the angels, if that's what you're worried about."
Aleith|DM: When you walk over to the right, you find a gigantic painting…alive with a constant orgy, including dozens of men and women among leashed beasts and a handful of devils.
Gerald: "Alright. Gunna need ya'll to stop fucking for a couple of minutes and answer some questions."
Aleith|DM: (Meanwhile, the paintings depicting the sins do so in lurid detail: Sloth, for instance, shows a pile of bones in a farmer's outfit in the middle of a vineyard, with a copper nameplate reading, "Take from nature. Work not to fill your masters' coffers."
Aleith|DM: They just continue their 'business'.
Gerald‘ clicks the lighter on, holding it near the painting. "We’re also on a schedule so…"
Aleith|DM: A bolt of lightning zaps out at you from the far end-
Phyllis: "You talk to them, I'm going to just … keep looking around."
Aleith|DM rolled d20+13 and got 2 ( Total: 15 ) for vs Ref
Aleith|DM: And you barely notice
Gerald‘ tilts his head backwards in the direction it came from.
Aleith|DM: At the very far end of the room hangs a 20-foot high painting of a stormy landscape. Standing boldly in the foreground is an aged but muscular man.
Aleith|DM: He appears to have thrown the lightning
Gerald: "You seem easier to negotiate with than the fuck pile."
Gerald` releases his thumb from the lighter’s igniter and moves towards the landscape.
Ernst chuckles. "They've taken notice of you, at least."
Gerald: "Hello. I'm Gerald. And you are?"
Giovanni: "Yes, please do not damage my paintings. I am Giovanni, the painter. Please, help yourself to some wine."
Gerald: "Great."
Aleith|DM: There's some wine nearby. And, behind you, on the 'pious mount' (F), is a couple fornicating. You couldn't see them before due to the door in the way.
Gerald: "So, we're looking for a book about Trig. … Try … Triegenes?"
Giovanni: "Well, you're in the right place for that. There's a lot written about Triegenes here!" He laughs boisterously.
Phyllis: "His biography, specifically."
Gerald: "A biography, to be exact."
Gerald‘ nods towards Phyllis, while taking a cup of wine and sniffing at it.
Giovanni: "Well, that sounds a bit familiar, at least. You wouldn’t be willing to deal with our local devil infestation, would you?"
Phyllis pours herself a cup. Never one to turn down a good glass of wine.
Aleith|DM: It's got a heady aroma, with a hint of various spices and fruits.
Aleith|DM: And taking a sip, it is indeed one of the best wines you've ever tasted.
Garrett‘ pours a glass and more casually takes in the surroundings.
Aleith|DM: Paintings to the left and right (G and H) depict cities burning, torture chambers filled with illusory angels, a skeletal orchestra playing a constant cycle of music, and a series of five island landscapes where stone monuments praise Giovanni as a god.
Phyllis: "Depends. Some devils are alright."
Aleith|DM: The hallway on the right (E) has various damaged or ruined paintings are stored here. The last vice, Melancholy, has a veil that flutters in a constant light breeze.
Gerald: "I mean, we just killed a bunch of angels, i can’t imagine whatever devils they had stashed in here will be much more effort."
Giovanni: "Belcamp and his 'leaden legion' have been a terror upon us ever since we were all locked up in here."
Gerald: "Point me in the direction to shoot."
Phyllis looks over at Gerald and offers her hand, crackling with lightning once again.
Aleith|DM: He directs you to Chamber 7, on the southern side.
Aleith|DM: He mentions that they captured a lillend friend of theirs, Somnia, and have been torturing her for some time.
Ernst: "Seems simple enough."
Gerald: "Hey if you wanna, be my guest." Gerald shrugs at Phyllis, sipping at the wine.
Phyllis zap. [Chain Lightning] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a4gyJsY0mc
Aleith|DM: The leaden chains wrapping around the legionnaires serves as an especially-effective conductor for the Chain Lightning, and Belcamp doesn't stand up to the initial blast.
Phyllis: "I can do anything!"
Aleith|DM: You find the lillend attached to a 15-foot long mithral blade like a torture rack, as it constantly burns her.
Gerald: "…Okay then."
Gerald‘ carefully removes the sword.
Aleith|DM: The blade looks much like Chandrasekhar’s.
[OOC] Aleith|DM: First Blade of Srasama
Aleith|DM: If…larger.
Gerald: "Didn't we steal this from a vision…?"
Aleith|DM: That was the Third Blade.
Chandrasekhar: "…huh."
Phyllis: "You're not going to carry that everywhere, are you? We can probably transfer the enchantment… maybe."
Ernst: "How many of those are there anyways?"
Gerald‘ rolls a shrug, handing it to Chandra while escorting the weird snakelady back to the party room.
Aleith|DM: One of the revelers in the orgy painting is a priest named Orhalder Skarathi, who is the priest that Garrett saw in his vision (though looking much healthier and carefree now). He hid the biography in the painting for Envy, and they are more than happy to let you retrieve it.
Phyllis: "Given Srasama’s whole trinity thing … three."
Gerald: "Thank you…"
Gerald: "Oh."
Aleith|DM: Triegenes's autobiography, much like the mortal man himself, is simple and unassuming. Its nine chapters are less than two hundred hand-written pages, and could be easily read in a couple hours. A fish hook made of crude iron keeps the leather band around it in place.
Gerald: "The world outside basically fell apart and with it most of the wards around here, so odds are good someone might come through here to burn everything again. You want us to relocate the paintings, or you wanna wait it out and see if legitimate looters come first?"
Phyllis: "With enough paper or parchment, I can make a few copies of that on the trip back."
Giovanni: "The enchantments the Clergy left on my own painting make it nearly impervious while also unescapable. Either way is fine by me."
Gerald‘ gives a small salute. "We’ll uh… leave ya to it then."
Giovanni: "Very well. Best of luck to you."
Aleith|DM: Your departure from the Crypta Hereticarum is much less wet than your last two. Another Chain Lightning spell clears out the horde of drowned dead long enough for you to board your airship and depart for Alais Primos once more.
Aleith|DM: Along the way, you have enough time to rest and read over the Biography…

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