[Asydia] Humble Beginnings

[Shadoweagle]

Auxzali waited for Sigurd to leave the room and then poured half the flask of wine into the basin. As he did so, the buzzing within his head faltered for a moment, and Auxzali felt a shiver run down his spine...

Within the deepest recesses of his mind, the sand walker cleric felt a wilting, wolven howl; the sound tinged with the crushing of glass and the weeping of children - something had witnessed his sacrifice...

The buzzing returned a moment later though, and he and Zelas witnessed it increase in volume and intensity until it became nigh unbearable! A tingle like a thousand mosquito bites all over their bodies was felt and their visions became clouded with a tinge of crimson.

Through the fog of red, the two Quinnix men saw the stone statue move! It's spindly, too-long hands wrapped around the basin and it's head dipped as the image of Vazzaz sucked up the offering. A moment later, all was still. The two men felt their vision return to normal, and the buzzing was nearly gone, except for a faint droning within their heads. Each of them felt nimbler and hardier! It seems that they had chosen... Wisely.

Abruptly, Zelas wretched and vomited on the floor. Auxzali noticed that he was red and sweating heavily! The companions heard this from the corridor as well: something was wrong with the sand walker!

+2 to ac and poison immunity for Auxzali and Zelas! Vazzaz's altar is sated and cannot be used again today. Axtrami does not judge Auxzali harshly for his actions; he does not punish belief in other gods, so long as foremost is he. His (or something else's) eye is on Auxzali, though.

[Gossamer]

Down on all four, the world wrenched and shuddered like a mirage, only to become clear as glass.
The world no longer seemed jovial and carefree(in fact it looked a whole lot like the contents of his stomach), it wasn't as lasting as a normal hangover, but the abruptness and painfilled experience hardly made it a desirable alternative.

< "By Axtrami....by Axtrami...." > He panted and dug his fingers into the packed dirt, trying to make sense of it all.

< "This...blessing, seems more....like a curse..." > He noted gravely, but smiled up at Auxzali, who helped him get up. Zelas dusted himself off and checked himself. After the shock had worn off, he started noticing the positive side. He hadn't felt this good in years, almost as if he were young again. He did a little exercise routine, stretching his limbs.

His gaze fell upon the rest of the suspicious party-members.

"Hah! You missed out!" He grinned happily. He picked up his dropped ouzala, slapped Auxzali on the back and joined the rest of the group.

[caesar193]

Auxzali was less enthusiastic about the fact that he was not cursed. Something he had heard... No. It could not be true. So instead he helped up Zelas and smiled with faked camradierie with the back slap. Because what he had heard... No. It could not be. Besides, they were doomed if what he heard was true...

No sense worrying them. Fear was always a good motivator, but the non-Ouzquin memebrs would not be aware of the significance. Perhaps Axtrami preferred him to be stained and tinted glass, murkier, more opaque. Yes, that must be it. And he should probably offer Axtrami a sacrifice and attone for what he did after this... Adventure was over.

And so he left the room, unconsiously checking the shadows for danger, and rejoined the party.

"We were tested by the goddess, and found... Satisfactory. We are blessed," Auxzali said simply. Fear, and a healthy measure of respect, inhibited him from rejoicing with Zelas. "Zelas, you are all red. I do not believe it is from your drinking. Shall I check you for disease?"

Perhaps he could find solace in healing.

For what he had heard... No. It could not be that beast. It could not be...

Vauraki.

[Gossamer]

He swiveled around, the smile drained from his face, and his eyes grew uncertain.
"Disease? By all means, go ahead. I don't feel any worse for wear though... In truth, I feel great..."

A moment ago, he hadn't really been in a position to consider the ramifications of sacrificing to some foreign goddess, much less one so...unappealing. But true enough, he wasn't so sure he would have gone along with it, if he hadn't been inebriated. One of these days he really needed to cut back on his drinking. Momentary solace wasn't worth such foolish risks, at least not while on the line of duty.

He disrobed his upper half, revealing a much scarred hefty body, and sat down on a nearby rock to be examined.

[EchoMirage]

"A life lesson in the making" Sigurd commented, waited for the doctoring to conclude, then proceeded to the door left of the one that was concealing the vile god-thing. "Very much as last time..." he rammed open the door, very much as last time rushing inside.

[Pariah]

Duxo sidled up to the edge of the door, looking into the room beyond the suicidal knight.

[Shadoweagle]

As soon as Sigurd burst through the door a vicious growl echoed from the room followed by a massive *clang!*. This chiseled out room was roughly rectangular and the rear half  was caged off with iron bars. On the other side, four massive, sleek black panthers paced - one had leapt at the bars to get to Sigurd, but the iron held steady.

On this side of the room, six rough bedrolls were laid out - apparently Korkarr made his minions sleep in the same room as where he kept his prize pets.
An iron barred cell door separated this half of the room from the panthers - it was unlocked but closed firmly with a wooden bar across it.

Something else stirred as Sigurd loudly burst through the door: a lone bandit, formerly fast asleep, jumped up from his bed in surprise! Hastily, he took stock of the situation then yelled loudly, "Intruders! Help! Help!" With determination, he turned and began running to the barred iron gate!

Initiative order:
Nim
Bandit
Auxzali
Zelas
Panthers (if freed)
Duxo
Sigurd
Tar-Sul

[valadaar]

A brief word of magic, and the soothing rays of sunlight filled his mind with thoughts of slumber...

Sleep, of course.

[Shadoweagle]

With a cry of despair the bandit stumbled in his steps - he felt his mind clouding over! Through sheer force of will, he made it to the gate and struggled with the wooden bar!
But then he slumped over, his hands slipping from the bar as he succumbed to sleep. The wooden block was half off, but still held the door closed. Inside the cell, the panthers screamed and roared, whipped into a frenzy for the taste of flesh.

d**n you and your sleep, Val, ruining all my fun! :p

[Gossamer]

I'm assuming we're out of battle right now, otherwise apologies for acting out of turn.

As Auxzali finished with the examination, Zelas had just enough time to get dressed again, pick up his ouzala and join the others, just as the Ralkharan foolishly had barged through another door.
Zelas wasn't amused, had these foreigners no concept of how to conduct a raiding party? Not that he himself held an abundance of that knowledge, but his father surely would have had a thing to say about all this. While speed may be of the essence, so are basic battle formations and discussing tactics before kicking in doors. He shook his head at the folly.

Nim just finished casting a spell inside, and that seemed to have been it. Zelas cautiously peeked inside. Another guard, now sleeping, and four caged panthers. Meaning that the supposedly remaining panther must be with the orc behind the third and final door.

As the panthers roared, he stepped inside and surveyed the room. The man had attempted to let them out seemingly. Zelas secured the primitive lock. He would have prefered something more substantial, some chains would have been nice. Perhaps that pendant owned by the orc could yet spare these beasts. At least they could not be faulted for what had transpired here. He told his companions as much.

"I don't care what you do with the man, as long as his end comes quickly, but... I... would prefere to see the beasts spared... So much death in this cave already. There may still be a way to set them free without risk to ourselves. Remember the bear pendant the guard mentioned? Perhaps they could be ordered to never seek out man and... and live free somewhere..."

Was he being naive? Perhaps. Though he knew such magics weren't an impossible feat. He just needed something to believe in right now, something besides all these gruesome killings, he silently wondered if his desperation showed in his eyes. He couldn't remember ever feeling so sober in his life, it made him sick to his stomach...

[valadaar]

"While I am worried about ourselves, you do know the preferred prey for man-eaters such as these?  They take children quite readily.
How likely is it that such a safe place can be found? I too would like to go and live free somewhere."  The last was almost a whisper.

"They did not ask for this, but they are now as monstrous as those who have been using them. They present the same issue as the guards."

She walked over to the sleeping guard, and after an inaudible prayer, slit him from ear to ear.

She then began to check the fallen guard. She was not sure what she was looking for, but felt there had to be something.

[Gossamer]

Zelas grew angry, partly because he hadn't considered that the panthers might prove a threat to children, but he didn't feel he could let it go at that.

"You should know as well as I do that these beasts are likely magically compelled, and could be so again, by us. Because they "might" prove a threat, they should be put down? They might be man-eaters, but they might not be. Would you go out into the wilderness seeking to kill any wild animal just because it "might" be a threat? Fine, sate your bloodlust then. When you're finished, this whole accursed swamp shall run red and we'll wade out of this cave of death!"

As he turned to leave the room, he mumbled. < "Or join them in Vauraki's maw..." > He shuddered at the thought, he wasn't sure where it had come from. No matter...

He stepped out of the room, faced the last remaining door, stepped back to the opposite wall, and readied a spell.

Acid Dart: 19+5 Int, 4+1 acid damage, ranged touch, ignores spell resistance, if and when the orc attacks and I have a clear shot.

[valadaar]

"A fair point, that." Said Nim.

She spoke a few words of magic and began to scan the panthers.

Detect magic on the kitties.

[EchoMirage]

"I do respect their beauty -  but a beast which is a threat to man has but one fate. As long as they're safely locked... do as you will, I have orcs to kill."
The cave was slowly running out of doors, and it had run out of charm long ago.

He eyed the door. "Assemble behind me, and tell me when you're ready."

[Pariah]

"Let's be done with it then."

[caesar193]

After Auxzali finished his examination of Zelas, he followed him into the room, and waited quietly in the corner, casting his eye of the corners and shadows of this room.

Discreet Perception check please!

After Duxo indictated his readiness, Auxzali followed suit with a nod and stepping behind Sigurd, Ouzala at the ready.

[Shadoweagle]

Nim searched the guard, trying her best not to dirty herself with his rapidly spreading blood. With the smell of blood, the sleek black cats in the cage snarled and leapt at the bars to get through. The iron held strong though.
After finding naught but a rusty knife, the Sen-Rab woman made a quick search of the bedrolls. Within she found a smattering of coins, a bottle of cheap rum, two plain daggers and a copper earring.

Meanwhile, in behind the final room...

Korkarr counted the pile of coins on his makeshift desk, one hand gently stroking the neck of her prize panther, Shekzah. He had been considering turning in for the night, when he heard the cries of Garmin who had been sleeping just earlier, followed by the frenzied snarls of the other big cats.

Korkarr, sighed and stood, collecting his great axe and heavy crossbow, "Come on, Shekzah; must be trouble." he murmured gently to the cat, who stood and stretched. Korkarr extinguished the torch paused at the door to his room for a moment, listening through it; he could hear footsteps and quiet voices. Finally, he kicked it open with a roar then stepped back.

back in the hallway...

"Are we all ready?" Sigurd asked, his shield at the ready. Just as he asked this, the door swung open, revealing naught but darkness beyond! Suddenly, with a yowl, an enormous, sleek black panther leapt from the shadows, jumping right over the chocked pressure plate on the floor and charging towards the group!

Sigurd rocked back as a loud *Thunk* marked the landing of a massive crossbow bolt in his tower shield, the shaft remaining in the shield, jutting out; someone was firing on them from the darkness!

Zelas brought his magic to bear, a stewam of volatile acid sizzling through the air towards the panther, which struck the feline along the back. Duxo, also at the ready, flung a dagger at the beast, but it missed, clattering along the hallway harmlessly.

initiative time!
Sigurd
Nim
Duxo
Korkarr
Auxzali
Panther
Tar-Sul
Zelas
[/spoiler]

[EchoMirage]

"Keep shooting at me while you can, knave - once your feline is embattled, it will be far less of a trivial task!"
Wary of the two devious foes, he stepped towards the ravenous feline.

"Perhaps you would join us in person before I carve up your prize-winning pet?" Sigurd brazenly ridiculed the shadow-veiled assailant as he slashed at the beast from safety behind his shield, to goad its attention towards the treat that was him.

Using combat expertise, +1 AC, -1 to hit, striking the naughty kitty. Rolled a 6 to hit, so my attack is rather a gentle prod.

"It indeed is contrary to my love of nature, but unless you come forth, I will begin hurting the cat any time now!"

[Pariah]

Seeing the bolt sticking out of the knights shield Duxo knew something must be done.  Yelling to the knight, "Keep that thing busy!" He went running past the cat.  Finally reaching the orc in the back room, Duxo attacked.  Unfortunately his knife cut nothing but air.

Duxo's AC is 18 for the AoO the cat gets, mainly because I only get half speed to tumble through threatened areas without provoking and I'm not standing near anything that gets 3 attacks a round.  Anyway...
(19:45:30) Minion: Pariah rolls 1d20 and gets 3. +3 from strength comes a 6, unlikely that it hit.   If it in fact did (1 dex maybe?) I'll rewrite and roll damage.

[Shadoweagle]

As Duxo passed the panther, the big cat lunged at him, attempting to grab the wily Hyparican with its maw and claws. It missed with its teeth, however, clacking in the air. One claw struck the man on the side as he broke through, causing a nasty gash which spurted blood.

Duxo plunged into the darkened room and swung his dagger where he thought the Orc would be. His eyes had not adjusted properly though and he struck only air.
In the dark, he heard a menacing chuckle, "I see they let loose the snoop!" a gutteral voice exclaimed. "You should have escaped while you had the chance!"
rolls...!
Duxo's eyed adjusted just in time to spot a giant White-orc in leathers towering before him; and just in time to watch Korkarr's boot connect with his stomach! Duxo went flying back into the corridor and stumbled right onto the pressure pad to the trap!
Duxo gulped as he heard a faint click and felt the plate straining, breathed a sigh of relief when nothing happened. His trap had held!
He heard the orc speak again, as it stepped out from the darkness into the hallway. "Ah, perhaps you are cleverer than i thought."

The orc was massive, standing well over 7 feet and dressed in strips of leather. The crossbow was om his back now, and a greataxe was held in his hands. Around his neck hung a bears-head pendant, it glistening in the torchlight, and on his left wrist was what appeared to be. bracelet made of the tail of a glass scorpion fastened in silver.
"Come fight me, cowards!"
5 damage from the panther, plus a measly 1 damage to Duxo from Korkarr's boot. Trap disarm is confirmed.

[caesar193]

Auxzali twirled his ouzala and called upon the power of his god once more. He cast his 'Storm Burst' ability again, directed at the cat to aid Sigurd in his defense, but cursed to himself as it splattered against the cave wall.

Apparently, Axtrami wanted him to stab things and not throw magical spells at his enemies. But with everyone here, the cat would be no trouble, and so Auxzali slipped back out into the corridor to aid Duxo.

For my storm burst attack roll, I got a (20:49:57) Minion: caesar193 rolls 1d20 and gets 2. Sigh. Anyway, you got a priest to help you, Pariah.

[valadaar]

Stepping back, Nim revealed one more trick up her sleeve.

A quick spell later, and the dauntless Sigurd stood the size of an ogre, his weapons and armor growing to match.


Welcome to size Large good Knight, now raise hell!

This spell causes instant growth of a humanoid creature, doubling its height and multiplying its weight by 8. This increase changes the creature's size category to the next larger one. The target gains a +2 size bonus to Strength, a –2 size penalty to Dexterity (to a minimum of 1), and a –1 penalty on attack rolls and AC due to its increased size.

http://paizo.com/prd/spells/enlargePerson.html

[Shadoweagle]

The knight grew to massive proportions, actually nearly scraping his head on the roof - he was larger even than the burly White-orc on the other side of the room!
Shekzah, the panther was unperturbed by the sudden massive growth though, and lunged at the knight, sinking its teeth into his thigh!
  bite attack hit, claws miss. 6 dmg to Sigurd.

"Shekzah, no! The magic user! Attack the magic user!" Korkarr demanded of the animal, and instantly the panther turned to face Nim, now ignoring the giant Ralkharan knight!

Tar-Sul, meanwhile, cowered at the furthest end of the hallway - he was no fighter and had no weapons.

Zelas is up!

[Gossamer]

An enlarge spell... This girl is full of surprises. Zelas thought at the sudden bulking growth of Sigurd. But he had no time to waste on idle speculation, battle was afoot and he needed to focus.

It was a shame, but a trained beast unleashed is nothing but a weapon in your foe's hands.
Zelas focused and once again cast acid at the raging beast, hoping it wouldn't inadvertantly strike his comrades.

Acid dart again, 10 +5 ranged touch, damage 6 +1, ignores spell resistance. I dunno if this counts as casting into melee or ranged melee or something, couldn't find the rules for it.

[valadaar]

Nim gave, in spite of herself, a short shriek and darted behind the Knight, putting his now enormous frame between her and the cat.

That's her move action, if need be.