Ch 5: Part 3: Grand Tour of Golarion: Session 86

[15:43] <Kilarra> *****Second Darkness*****
[15:43] <Kilarra> ~~~Chapter 5: A Memory of Darkness~~~
[15:44] <Kilarra> -Session 86-
[15:45] <Kilarra> After passing throug hthe ICegate, the party had arrived in the abandoned fortress in Usaliv where a host of Elves once fell to temptation, and the resulting betrayal caused their leader to rise as a Banshee.
[15:47] <Kilarra> Although the party arrived during the day, they discovered that the Lichgate had been soured by the haunt of the Banshee, and after a very close encounter, they managed to vanquish the unfortunate soul. However, doing so took quite a toll on them
[15:48] <Kilarra> Now they only have one jump through the gates left to reach the tainted realm of Tanglebriar, but are left with the question of whether or not to continue just yet.
[15:50] * Kilarra pulls out her moderate curing wand and moves over to Aluthyra to start patching her up first. She glances back at Quilindra, a little tiffed that she had been saved by the succubus
[15:51] <Kilarra> Kjell drinks a potion to save Kilarra a bit of trouble
[15:53] <@Aluthyra> Kahree continues to limply lean against Quilindra, barely standing.
[15:54] <Kilarra> As Kilarra patches Aluthyra up, Quilindra offers a couple of moderate cures of her own to help the Ifrit out
[15:55] * Aluthyra smiles, taking a deep breath as she is healed. Flexing her wings, she points to Kahree, more needing of healing.
[15:55] * Kilarra nods and steps over to her, waiting a moment and watching the Succubus lay her hands on the Ifrit. Afterwards, she double checks to see how much more she needs.
[15:58] <@Aluthyra> Kahree sighs and stands, nodding her thanks to Kilarra and Quilindra. "Right.. let's go. I wanna leave this place."
[16:01] * Kilarra finishes the patching up by expending three of her own healing spells, kinda wanting to show up the succubus. How does a succubus learn to heal people anyways?
[16:02] <Kilarra> Quilindra nods, "I agree that this place is unpleasant, even without its occupant, but perhaps we should wait until morning? Our destination is Tanglebriar."
[16:03] <@Aluthyra> Kahree frowns. "I guess... as long as there're no more things like -that- to attack us."
[16:06] <Kilarra> Quilindra nods, "If there were others, they likely would have attacked us by now. Likely, the haunt of the Banshee kept other creatures from entering this place. Rightly so."
[16:07] * Aluthyra nods. "Very well. If nothing other than to prepare ourselves for the Tanglebriar, we shall rest."
[16:07] * Kilarra looks a little relieved. She didn't want to go into a place as bad as Tanglebriar was made out to be without a full compliment of spells and defenses. "Tell me, Quilindra," she says, approaching the 'half-elf', what is it that makes Tanglebriar so particularly dangerous?"
[16:09] <Kilarra> Quilindra seats herself and looks to the rest of the party, "Yes, I suppose not many outside Kyonin know the whole story, although most know the place is dangerous. The reason for this is Treerazer."
[16:10] <@Aluthyra> Kahree raises an eyebrow. "The Treerazer?"
[16:12] <Kilarra> Quilindra nods, "Treerazer is a Nascent demon lord, and the very reason why the elves returned to Golarion near the end of the Age of Darkness. He and his followers arose and took control of the elven nation, even reaching the Sovyrian Stone, through which he might even have spread his poison beyond this world. It was his attempts to do so that brought the elves back to Golarion."
[16:13] <Kilarra> Quilindra continues, "The elven armies drove him and his horde back, but could not vanquish him completely. The tainted realm of Tanglebriar is his redoubt."
[16:14] * Kilarra gets the idea, "So, not only is the place twisted and sick, but it's also infested with a demonic horde, complete with an abyssal demigod."
[16:16] <Kilarra> Kjell asks an obvious question; "Why then, does the Winter Council have their own headquarters in such a ruinous place?"
[16:17] <Kilarra> Quilindra answers, "Because their stronghold was one that, even before the return of the elves, was warded and difficult for the demons to penetrate, and the council fortified it further to maintain a stronghold in a place no one would think to look."
[16:19] <@Aluthyra> Kahree frowns. "So is it close to the gateway, or will we run into a lot of demons on the way?"
[16:20] <Kilarra> Quilindra nods, "Tanglebriar is difficult to navigate, but in addition to learning of the path through the gates that would take us there, I believe I can find for us the most direct path to the fortress itself."
[16:21] * Kilarra thinks about that. If they encountered demons along the way, perhaps they could use Quilindra as a trump card. As much as she hated to admit it, the succubus had saved their lives. Perhaps after they arrived in Tanglebriar would be the time to reveal her, but with the promise of letting her live if she escorted them.
[16:22] * Aluthyra nods. "And do you have any knowledge of what we will face within the fortress? Their defenses?"
[16:24] <Kilarra> Kjell looks to Aluthyra, "Perhaps, rather than laying siege to them, we can get in under the pretense of friendship. Before the paradise chamber, they did seem to want us alive."
[16:25] * Aluthyra nods. "True enough, but there is always the chance of that -not- going as planned, so it would be best to know their defenses anyway."
[16:26] <Kilarra> Quilindra nods, "I cannot say I know their full compliment, but there are a few dozen guards at least, and the Winter Council members themselves are all fairly powerful."
[16:28] <Kilarra> Quilindra looks to Kilarra, "They are used to fighting demons, and well equipped to that effect. YOu might want to be careful of that."
[16:29] * Kilarra smirks, "Got it covered." She, for the sake of demonstrating that she can, uses her one innate demonic power to shift into an elven woman. She remains seated though, not wanting to test her balance right then.
[16:30] * Kilarra also notes with a frown, "And I only happen to have fiendish blood, I'm a tiefling, not an actual demon."
[16:31] * Aluthyra nods. "Quilindra, we once had a bard in our party before, and he was able to conjour a small tent dwelling. Can you do the same?"
[16:32] <Kilarra> Qulindra chuckles, "It just so happens that I can, you're in luck." She stands up and conjures a Tiny Hut.
[16:33] <Kilarra> The extradimensional shelter happens to fit neatly inside the gateroom.
[16:34] <Kilarra> [redact]
[16:35] <Kilarra> The protective sphere happens to fit snugly inside the walls of the gateroom. Quilindra is at the center of it upon it's completion, with the others inside as well. "There we go. Protection from the elements, and a nice place to sleep."
[16:36] <Kilarra> The inside of the opaque sphere is dimly lit, but has a cozy, inviting temperature. The exterior is a deep red colour.
[16:37] * Kilarra nods and undresses down to her undergarments and lays down close to Aluthyra.
[16:37] <Kilarra> Kjell removes his armour and lays down as well.
[16:37] <Kilarra> Quilindra of course, sticks close to Kahree. In addition to enjoying playing with the ifrit, she would also need to renew her charm in the morning, as it would wear off before they woke.
[16:40] <@Aluthyra> Kahree is very okay with sticking close to the half elf!
[16:40] * Aluthyra snuggles with Kilarra, wings wrapped around her.
[16:40] <Kilarra> Quilindra gives Kahree a kiss, slipping in a magical suggestion with it; "Stick with me till morning, won't you?"
[16:43] <@Aluthyra> Kahree smiles and nods. "Of course..." Snuggle.
[16:43] <Kilarra> Quilindra smirks mischeviously. The suggestion would keep her close till morning. Perhaps then she could even offer a little gift to the ifrit, in exchange for the fun she was having.
[16:45] <Kilarra> The night passes uneventfully, the Banshee's former haunt having kept most manner of everything away from the fortress. Perhaps they would move back in in time, but not tonight.
[16:45] * Kilarra yawns and stretches as she wakes, but cuddles up to Aluthyra's delightful feathers until she wakes up
[16:47] <Kilarra> Quilindra awakes. As an outsider, she technically didn't need to sleep at all, but the rest was required for the arcane power she had learned to harness to be refreshed.
[16:47] <Kilarra> Kjell awakes too and looks to Aluthyra and Kilarra first, suspecting the latter's morning activities might be due to start shortly after they awoke.
[16:48] <@Aluthyra> Kahree yawns, leaning into Quilindra.
[16:49] <Kilarra> Quilindra smiles and strokes the Ifrit's amusing hair, "Good morning," she coos softly.
[16:50] * Aluthyra nudges Kilarra with a smile, ready to 'prepare'.
[16:51] <@Aluthyra> Kahree returns the smile, enjoying the playful petting. "Morning."
[16:51] * Kilarra smirks and sits up, looking about. "I think we'll have to step out. Quilindra is the one maintaining this thing, so if we ask her to leave it would just collapse anyways."
[16:53] * Aluthyra nods, slowly standing. She offers a hand to Kilarra. "Then let us go."
[16:53] <Kilarra> Quilindra smirks a bit deviously. The ifrit would definitely be a lovely plaything once all was said and done. Again, she was bothered that she had to put business first. Then again, if the others all left, maybe...
[16:56] * Kilarra stands, but before leaving places a hand on Kahree's shoulder and using a leftover spell from the day before, before slipping out with Aluthyra
[16:57] * Kilarra notes to Kahree as her hand is there, "Try not to get into too much trouble." She then tries to find a room without any offputting elven remains
[16:58] <@Aluthyra> Kahree doesn't think much of it, too enthralled with her cuddling.
[16:58] * Kilarra frowns to Aluthyra, "Bugger, it didn't take. I was hoping to keep tabs on Kahree while we were separated."
[16:58] <Kilarra> Kjell also steps out to sit on a piece of stone and prepare his own spells
[16:58] <Kilarra> Quilindra leans forward once again and whispers into Kahree's ear in elven.
[16:59] * Aluthyra frowns. "Can you prepare a spell to dismiss any enchantment on her?"
[17:00] * Kilarra nods, "Yes. Hopefully I can borrow a bit of luck from Calistria if we need to use it."
[17:01] <Kilarra> Quilindra once again places Kahree under her charms, then smirks, "While the others are busy, perhaps we could have a bit of our own fun. I mean, after last night, when I almost lost you... I find myself wanting to risk a bit of fun. Just in case anything happens."
[17:03] <@Aluthyra> Kahree bites her lip, blushing. After a moment to think... she nods. "Yeah. I think... I think I'd like that."
[17:06] <Kilarra> Quilindra beams and smirks mischeviously, before leaning in to kiss Kahree. While doing so, she slip her hand down to Kahree's nethers and cups them. After a few moments, Kahree would feel a bit of a chill, accompanied by a sense of increased limberness
[17:08] <@Aluthyra> Kahree shivers, leaning in for a bit of fun. She can't help but gasp at the feeling, her desire overwhelming her.
[17:09] <Kilarra> Quilindra takes full advantage of this to enjoy herself while the others get prepared
[17:09] * Kilarra also enjoys getting prepared
[17:09] * Kilarra makes sure ALuthyra does too
[17:10] <Kilarra> Kjell just reads his spellbook and wishes he could have some more time to spend with Samaritha
[17:11] * Aluthyra and Kahree are no match for their much more experienced counterparts.
[17:11] * Kilarra finishes up with Aluthyra and then seats herself, offering prayers to Calistria after completing the enjoyable rite in order to get her spells, before finally putting her undergarments back on and returning to the site of Quilindra's hut
[17:12] <Kilarra> Quilindra finishes playing with Kahree, and then gives her a little surprise. Without moving her mouth, Kahree can hear Quilindra's voice in her head; "That was fun. As well, there's another benefit of the little bit of magic I used before we began."
[17:13] <@Aluthyra> Kahree blinkblinks. She thinks, 'You can hear me too?'
[17:14] <Kilarra> Quilindra nods. 'Yup, just a way for us to stay close while we're going into danger.'
[17:15] <Kilarra> Quilindra proceeds to get dressed after that, although she enjoys teasing Kahree with naughty ideas of what they might do after the Winter Council was dealt with drifting through the telepathic connection.
[17:16] <@Aluthyra> Kahree's blush persists as she redresses herself. The ideas certainly sound enticing.
[17:17] <Kilarra> Quilindra of course has an endless stream of naughty ideas she could come up with, but the ones she doesn't send to Kahree are of course the ones that sate her bloodlust rather than just physical.
[17:18] * Kilarra dons her armour and vestements.
[17:18] <Kilarra> Kjell dons his armour as well, then passes around some of the rations he had bought. A bit of bread and cheese for everyone, and a couple strips of salted meat. He knew most of them were sick of eating entirely vegetarian.
[17:19] * Aluthyra dresses herself, wearing another fresh set of monk robes. She then waits outside the tiny hut, ready to move.
[17:20] <Kilarra> Quilindra steps up to the gate and holds out her necklace again. This time, the elf gate activates readily. "Be ready," she notes, "who knows what might be right on the other side." She decides to let the meat shield go through first.
[17:20] <@Aluthyra> Kahree draws her maces and lowers herself to the ground.
[17:20] * Kilarra would have told Aluthyra about her plan to unmask Quilindra once they had gone through the last gate while they were alone together.
[17:21] <Kilarra> Kjell draws his sword and raises his shield spell before stepping through first.
[17:21] * Aluthyra draws her bow, and after activating her barkskin armor through channeling her ki, steps through.
[17:22] <@Aluthyra> Kahree steps through next... sneakily.
[17:22] * Kilarra slips in right next to Aluthyra, her holy symbol bared and ready to help in whatever way was needed, whether that was disenchanting Kahree, or fighting demons.
[17:24] <Kilarra> As the party emerges through the other side of the gate, they are treated to the sight of a stinking, seething bog of tainted water. The gate itself sits on a small shelf of land amidst the bog, and is overgrown with moss and diseased fungus.
[17:25] <Kilarra> Aside from the growths though, the gate is well preserved and undamaged.
[17:26] <Kilarra> However, also awaiting on the other side of the gate, at the edge of the bog, are two enormous, demonic looking spidery creatures, each the size of an elephant. The activation of the gate caught their attention, and they immediately charge towards it once they see potential prey emerging.
[17:33] <Kilarra> Kahree hears an idea comign from Quilindra, who definitely sounds nervous at the sight of the spidery monstrosities; 'Let your male friend draw them in so you don't have to separate from us.'
[17:33] <@Aluthyra> Kahree nods and positions herself off to the side of Kjell so that she may ambush them as they approach.
[17:37] <Kilarra> Kjell stels forward and raises his spell arm while the creatures were still at the edge of the bog. He flicks a fireball at them, knowing that actual demons would be immune to it, but these creatures, though native to the abyss, were not.
[17:38] <Kilarra> A great blast of flame engulfs the bebiliths
[17:39] <Kilarra> The Bebiliths are more nimble than creatures of their size might normally be, and minimize the harm done by the rush of flame
[17:40] <Kilarra> Kjell grunts, but he had still drawn the first blood
[17:41] <Kilarra> Quilindra takes the opportunity to hasten herself and her allies in order to keep the Bebiliths from gaining the upper hand when they arrived.
[17:44] * Aluthyra aims forward, firing a volley of arrows at the closest demon.
[17:50] <Kilarra> Aluthyra's arrows strike with impeccable precision, catching the closest Bebilith repeatedly in the head, a couple of them even going right through some of its many eyes. It shrieks in pain and flails its forlegs at it's face, trying to knock the arrows loose.
[17:52] <Kilarra> What looks like gallons of viscous black blood pour from the numerous wounds on the now severely injured Bebilith. Although it had spotted Kahree where it's partner had not, it moves to attack her instead, striding closer and even stepping over her companions to try and reach her.
[17:55] <Kilarra> The Bebilith nimbly moves past the party on its spindly legs and dips down to make a meal out of Aluthyra
[17:57] <Kilarra> The Bebiliths maw catches Aluthyra, but cannot penetrate her Ki hardened skin.
[17:57] <Kilarra> The second Bebilith is content to charge Kjell
[18:01] <Kilarra> The bebilith sinks its fangs into Kjell, whose flesh begins to putrify from the point of impact.
[18:03] <Kilarra> Kjell grunts painfully and looks at the wound. Hopefully Kilarra could mend something like that
[18:04] * Kilarra sneers at the Bebilith trying to gnaw Aluthyra, "Oh no you don't." Her hand is engulfed in an eerie flame as she grabs hold of the Bebilith's leg.
[18:06] <Kilarra> The Bebilith tries to resist the surge of life snuffing energy, but in the end was too badly wounded to survive, and topples over.
[18:08] <@Aluthyra> Kahree smirks, positioned near Kjell for a sneak attack! Revealing herself, she begins to smash the demon's side with her dual maces.
[18:14] <Kilarra> Kahree pummels and pulps the Bebilith, although her mace swings aren't quite as effective as Aluthyra's precise shooting. Still, she managed to bloody the creature on top of Kjell's first blast
[18:14] <Kilarra> Kjell then takes his chance and unleashes a trio of searing heat rays right into the face of the creature, which happened to be right in front of him, not wanting to try a swing with his sword arm injured and rotting.
[18:16] <Kilarra> All three blasts of heat sear the face of the Bebilith, half-melting in and causing more ichorous black blood to ooze out, partically conjealed by the heat.
[18:17] <Kilarra> Quilindra raises a hand and sings at the creature, attempting to magically inflict paralysis upon it so they could finish it off
[18:18] <Kilarra> The Bebilith freezes in place, immobilized. Only it's eyes can move, although half of them were melted by Kjell
[18:19] * Aluthyra fires, though more controlled, not wanting to waste arrows.
[18:20] <Kilarra> A point blank arrow into the wounded Bebilith's head punches deep enough to skewer it's brain, and it too topples over, its legs curling up underneath.
[18:22] <Kilarra> Kjell grunts and slumps down, cradling his festering arm.
[18:22] * Kilarra moves over to Kjell, quickly inspecting the damage.
[18:23] * Aluthyra looks around, making sure there are no more demons in sight...
[18:27] * Kilarra frowns, "Shit, that is nasty. Not to mention foul smelling. It's not a poison or a disease, so I might just have to wait till it runs its course before I can undo the damage."
[18:27] <Kilarra> Kjell nods and drinks a potion of Bear's Endurance, hoping to bolster himself against the effect further
[18:28] <Kilarra> Kjell's potion barely helps, as the rotting effect continues to dessicate his arm. However, it does eventually stop spreading. Kjell looks greatly relieved at that.
[18:28] * Kilarra leans in to assess the overall damage
[18:29] <Kilarra> Kjell groans, "I feel... weak."
[18:30] * Kilarra nods, "Yeah, whatever this was is a big toll." She pulls out her sachel of Diamond Dust and begins sprinkling it over the wound, as well as the rest of his arm
[18:31] <Kilarra> The wound doesn't close, but Kjell's arm begins to regain its proper tone and bulk as the magic takes effect.
[18:32] * Kilarra finishes up with a touch of healing.
[18:33] <Kilarra> -End Session-
[18:34] <Kilarra> Rewards: 1 EL 12; 4800 Experience Each