Ch 6: Part 2: Prisoner of Earth: Session 96

[15:14] <Kilarra> *****Second Darkness*****
[15:15] <Kilarra> ~~~Chapter 6: A Memory of Darkness~~~
[15:15] <Kilarra> *Descent into Midnight
[15:16] <Kilarra> \Part 2: Prisoner of Earth/
[15:16] <Kilarra> -Session 96-
[15:20] <Kilarra> After a warm and welcome return to Kyonin, the party were given access to the treasury of Iadara with which to equip themselves for the upcoming journey into the Land of Black Blood, and decided to take a day to make sure they were fully rested before departing. Early the following morning, a knock comes at the door to their lodgings.
[15:22] * Kilarra snuggles into Aluthyra's wings as she sleeps, but perks up at the sound of the knocking.
[15:23] * Aluthyra sighs and lightly hops out of bed, nodding to Kilarra. "I check who it is," she says, dressing quickly.
[15:23] <Aluthyra> It only takes her a moment to slip into her traditional robes, and as soon as she does, she heads for the door, answering the knock.
[15:24] * Kilarra nods and starts her morning 'preparations' by herself. Aluthyra would of course be welcome to join in once she returned
[15:25] <Kilarra> Kjell is awoken by the knock, and enters the hall at almost the same time as Aluthyra. They find that, at the door, are Kwava and Shalelu. Kwava bows in greeting. "It has been some time my friends. I am glad to see you well after all I have heard of your ordeals."
[15:26] <Kilarra> Shalelu chimes in; "Queen Telandia has asked us to escort you to the village of Siavenian, not far from the capital. It bears an aiundara that will take you to the Darklands."
[15:28] * Aluthyra nods and smiles to the pair. "Very well. We shall ready ourselves and leave by the next hour." She pauses. "And it is nice to see the both of you in good health as well."
[15:29] <Kilarra> SHalelu nods, "We're all rooting for you back in Crying Leaf. Queen Telandia is of course occupied preparing for possible emergencies and deployment of her forces, but I'm glad she asked me to escort you."
[15:30] <Kilarra> Kwava nods, "I originally joined the Lantern Bearers because of a vision I had while trancing. It seems that my ultimate fate has come, and I am to light the path for you so that you might avert this coming darkness."
[15:31] * Aluthyra nods and bows her head in respect. "And we thank you. Now, unless there is more, it would be best for us to get ready."
[15:32] <Kilarra> Shalelu shakes her head, "We shall wait here then. Can't have you facing such a dire place unprepared."
[15:33] <Kilarra> Kjell nods, "Many thanks." He then asks Aluthyra for help donning his new plate armour before letting her go back to Kilarra's side.
[15:35] <Aluthyra> Kahree, surprisingly, is already up as well. She waits in the dining room of the abode, eating breakfast with a slight frown, until her companions are ready.
[15:36] * Aluthyra returns to help Kilarra finish her preparations when Kjell's plate armor is donned.
[15:36] <Kilarra> Kjell joins Kahree for breakfast with his Spellbook. "You look troubled," he notes, but doesn't press for an explanation if she doesn't want to give one.
[15:39] <Aluthyra> Kahree answers with a short, "Yup." then continues to finish her breakfast.
[15:41] <Kilarra> Kjell frowns a bit, "Most understandable. We made a poor decision in regards to informing you, and I would that there was something we could do to regain your confidence."
[15:41] <Kilarra> Kilarra brings her A game this morning, given what they're heading into and what could possibly happen if things went wrong
[15:42] <Aluthyra> Kahree shrugs and continues to eat in silence. It seems she isn't in the mood for talking.
[15:42] <Kilarra> Kjell says nothing more while eating and getting his spells in order
[15:48] * Kilarra finishes up and makes sure she's got a good selection of spells, with enough diversity as she can manage for different situations
[15:48] * Aluthyra helps. In a way.
[15:57] * Kilarra dons her breastplate and clerical attire, giving Aluthyra a peck on the cheek before heading into the main room for breakfast
[16:00] * Aluthyra follows Kilarra, donning her robes once more, bow strung over her shoulder.
[16:01] * Kilarra eats a quick breakfast, taking note of the heavy atmosphere, and remains quiet. They all knew what was at stake, and what they were going to attempt.
[16:03] * Aluthyra finishes rather quickly, eating only a small portion of bread and cheese.
[16:03] <Kilarra> Kjell shuts his spellbook as he finishes. "Are we ready then?"
[16:03] <Aluthyra> Kahree sighs, standing up. "Yeah."
[16:05] * Kilarra nods and stands, taking a deep breath. "This is it," she remarks. "We saw what happened when that tiny falling star hit Devil's Elbow. If we fail, Kyonin will suffer that a thousand fold or worse. Let's not disappoint them."
[16:06] * Aluthyra nods, standing. "Let us make haste."
[16:08] * Kilarra makes her way out and smiles when she sees the two elves waiting for them. It would save them a bit of time having to go ask Telandia.
[16:11] <Kilarra> Shalelu and Kwava happily lead the party out of Iadara, to a small settlement not far outside the city. About two dozen elf guards stand at attention as the party approaches, forming parallel lines leading to the elf gate in the middle of the clearing. An elven wizard stands near the gate, ready to activate it.
[16:26] <Kilarra> Kjell observes the gate curiously, approaching the wizard, "It is still functional, yes?"
[16:27] <Kilarra> The wizard nods, "Yes, but it has not been used in an age or longer. You may wish to brace yourselves, as travelling through might be a bit rough."
[16:27] <Aluthyra> Kahree grumbles, "Great."
[16:29] <Kilarra> Kjell nods, "I appreciate your forewarning."
[16:30] * Kilarra nods and braces herself. She looks to Aluthyra, figuring the highly resilient Aasimar would probably be find.
[16:31] * Aluthyra nods. "Thank you," she nods. "and if you would, we are ready."
[16:32] <Kilarra> The wizard nods and fiddles about the gate for a minute, sparking it to life as the glimmering gateway appears. "Best of luck. We are all of us endebted to you for your bravery and deeds."
[16:32] <Kilarra> The assembled guards, as well as Kwava and SHalelu, raise their weapons in salute
[16:33] <Aluthyra> Kahree quickly heads through, frown still on her face, not really liking the unneeded attention at the moment.
[16:34] <Kilarra> Kjell follows, girding himself for a rough trip
[16:34] * Aluthyra steps through after, bracing herself.
[16:34] <Kilarra> Kilarra steps through after Aluthyra, bringing up the rear.
[16:38] <Kilarra> Kahree and Kjell emerge first on the other side of the gate. The first thing they see upon stepping through is half a dozen drow soldiers, and one familiar face. The next thing they see is a half dozen hand crossbows being fired at them.
[16:39] <Kilarra> The Familiar face belongs to none oother than Second Son Tiryin Vonnarc. "Funny, I expected you to be coming from the other direction," he taunts as his men open fire. Towering behind the seven drow is a huge, spiderlike construct.
[16:43] <Kilarra> Kahree takes a couple of grazing hits from the crossbow bolts. One of them manages to find purchase on Kjell, only to splinter harmlessly against his armour
[16:45] <Kilarra> Kjell looks at the bolt and chortles. "Funny," he says, realizing how little time had actually passed since their escape from House Vonnarc, "I would have expected someone competent."
[16:52] <Aluthyra> Kahree growls, pointing one of her maces at the line of drow. "Yeah. Six shots, and that's it? A few grazing hits? Drop 'em and we -might- not kill you. At least, it won't be as painful."
[16:55] <Kilarra> The drow soldiers to -not- look sure of themselves at all. Even Tiryin looks a little shaken. "Not like we have much choice. I go back without your heads and Alicavniss will have mine instead."
[16:59] <Kilarra> The spider-like retriever constuct has its orders, and no such qualms about being intimidated. It steps over the drow to charge at Kahree. It's mechanical mandibles lash out to bite her.
[17:02] <Kilarra> The Retriever bites down hard on Kahree's outheld mace arm and does -not- let go. Then, because it's a poor sport, the red eye to the right of its four main eyes glows brightly, casting a searing heart ray at the Ifrit
[17:06] <Kilarra> Even with her arm caught in the creature's mandibles, Kahree manages to nimbly skirt the searing ray. The eye turns from its bright glow to a deadened shade as it recharges
[17:08] * Aluthyra frowns, seeing the strange construct attack Kahree. She quickly retaliates, attempting to fill it with arrows.
[17:14] <Kilarra> Aluthyra's arrows hit their mark amazingly well. Each one strikes with incredible precision, trearing into the chinks made by each one that preceded it. The Retriever's head breaks apart with a series of twangs and cracks, bits of abyssal matter clattering about as the body topples over
[17:14] <Aluthyra> Kahree blinks, giving an appreciative nod back to Aluthyra.
[17:16] <Kilarra> The drow, momentarily spurred by the fearless retriever, can only watch in a mix of horror and awe as Aluthyra undoes the abyssal spider. They reload their hand crossbows, but await Tiryins order to fire again, looking terrified of both him and Kahree at the same time
[17:16] <Kilarra> Kjell raises his spell arm. If they fired again, he would fling a fireball into their midst.
[17:17] <Kilarra> Tiryin frowns, looking shocked. "So... I suppose it's not surprising that those as capable as you were able to evade my sister. Still, it's either death at your hands, or hers, and I'd much rather go down fighting." He raises a cruel looking, tri-bladed throwing wedge
[17:20] <Kilarra> His other hand grips a double bladed shortsword tightly as he hurls the disk at Aluthyra
[17:21] <Kilarra> Tiryin's aim is shaky in spite of his resolve to fight to the death, and the thrown weapon falls short of Aluthyra embedding itself in the ground. At his throw, the six drow also open fire on Althyra, mostly out of spite at this point
[17:23] <Kilarra> Aluthyra simply sidesteps each bolt, not that the demoralized drow had great aim to begin with.
[17:24] <Kilarra> Kjell, true to his word, flings a fireball into their midst
[17:28] <Kilarra> The explosive blast of flame incinerates all but one of the drow soldiers, although he's barely standing.
[17:28] <Kilarra> Tiryin, surpisingly, rolls forward out of the flames completely unscathed, far more nimble than his escorts.
[17:31] <Kilarra> Kilarra raises her holy symbol and fires a blast of searing light at the last drow Soldier. She suspected if he could dodge a fireball, she wouldn't be able to hit Tiryin, but her other companions could finish him off.
[17:31] <Kilarra> The last drow soldier screams as the searing ligh exascerbates the harm already done by the fire, burning him to a crisp.
[17:33] <Kilarra> Kjell efficiently channels his internal arcane reserve to keep his fireball spell prepared, not wanting to run out too soon today, depending on what they might encounter ahead.
[17:35] <Aluthyra> Kahree charges forward. Mace-arm free, she attempts to deliver a single blow to his chest.
[17:38] <Kilarra> Kahree lands a solid blow on the drow's bare chest, slipping past his attempt to block with hsi magical bracers. He looks shocked and a bit dismayed at her remarkable agility. He was out of his league.
[17:42] * Aluthyra smirks, seeing as Kahree has the final drow distracted, and unleashes another flurry of arrows towards him.
[17:45] <Kilarra> Even while being pressed by Kahree, Tiryin remains nimble. But not quite nimble enough for two of the arrows to punch into his side and ribs. He coughs, spewing blood.
[17:47] <Kilarra> Kjell readies a flurry of arcane missiles in case things turn sour for Kahree, but decides to let her finish him off. She could probably use someone to vent her irritation.
[17:47] * Kilarra decides the same, pulling out her wand to touch the Ifrit up afterwards.
[17:48] <Kilarra> Tiryin levels his double shortsword at Kahree. "I am not satisfied." He swings it at her in a whirling flourish.
[17:57] <Kilarra> Kahree feels a little woozy as Tiryin manages a couple of hits, one of them nearly cutting deep, but she manages to shake off the effect of the poisoned blades.
[17:57] <Aluthyra> Kahree growls as she takes a few of his swings, replying with her maces! Her main hand and off hand swing in concert, attempting to knock the fool out cold.
[17:59] <Kilarra> Kahree pummels the drow almost to a pulp.
[17:59] <Kilarra> Tiryin drops his sword and falls at Kahree's feet
[18:00] <Aluthyra> Kahree smirks, noting he's still breathing, though unconscious. She quickly remedies this, smashing one of her maces on his head.
[18:00] <Kilarra> Tiryin's head is rendered to pulp
[18:01] <Kilarra> Kjell nods approvingly. "I never liked him."
[18:01] * Kilarra rolls her eyes, "His own family didn't even like him." She approaches Kahree with her wand out.
[18:01] <Aluthyra> Kahree frowns, nodding. "Same." She looks to the sword and corpse. "Any of his stuff magical?"
[18:02] <Kilarra> Kjell checks. "The Bracers, that interesting sword, that ring, and his gloves."
[18:02] <Kilarra> The drow also has 232 gold pieces on him
[18:02] <Kilarra> of drow minting.
[18:03] * Kilarra looks to Kahree, "How bad are you hurt?"
[18:03] * Kahree shrugs. "A few scrapes... and cuts from his sword." She frowns. "It kinda hurts. A bit."
[18:05] * Kilarra nods and presses the wand to the Ifrit six times, managing to get all of her wounds closed.
[18:06] * Kilarra snickers, "I guess we grew a lot in that week fighting demonds while he just stood here."
[18:06] <Kilarra> -End Session-
[18:06] <Kilarra> Rewards: 1 EL 14 9600 Experience Each