Ch 2: Part 3: Witchlight: Session 21

[15:40] <Kilarra> *****Second Darkness*****
[15:40] <Kilarra> ~~~Chapter 2: Children of the Void~~~
[15:40] <Kilarra> -Session 21-
[15:41] <Kilarra> Samaritha's face grows pale with dread and she rushes downstairs to make sure that the door is barred and bolted shut as she hears that the mysterious creatures are coming again.
[15:41] * Kilarra looks around the group. "Let's find a window real quick and get a look at these things finally."
[15:42] * Aluthyra nods, looking about the area for a window.
[15:42] <Kilarra> The cyphermages are in the process of locking the shutters, but the watch area at the top of the tower remains open.
[15:43] <@Aluthyra> Tognik places his curing wand in his quiver before taking out a different wand.
[15:43] <Kilarra> Kjell draws his sword and heads up first. Samaritha had claimed the creatures were magically resistant, so he figured it would do well that he, the only one with a close range weapon, be the first in their potenial line of harm.
[15:46] * Kilarra follows the meat shield. She glances down and motions for Aluthrya to follow. She shrugs at Tognik, letting him do his own thing.
[15:46] * Aluthyra follows behind Kilarra, drawing her bow.
[15:46] <@Aluthyra> Tognik frowns, thinking for a moment as he switches out wands before following.
[15:48] * Aluthyra points the wand to himself, increasing his speed so that he could keep up.
[15:48] <@Aluthyra> Tognik**
[15:49] * Kilarra waits until they get a look at the creatures to decide what role to play. If they were as limber and magically resistant as had been mentioned, then she might be best served to healing and support. She frowns at the thought, having wanted to hurt these creatures that could spawn undead with their bite.
[15:51] <Kilarra> Upon reaching the observation floor, the party is finally allowed a glimpse of the mysterious monsters that they have been warned about by everyone they've met on the island. The mosnters move with unnatural silence, shockingly fast and limber, their grace almost nauseating to watch. They pour out of the forest and into the Witchlight ruins, two dozen in all.
[15:53] <Kilarra> Samaritha, having followed the party up to take a look, frowns, "I was afraid of this. When they didn't attack you when you arrived, I thought maybe they were amassing. Worse, I think they may be multiplying unnaturally quickly."
[15:54] * Kilarra looks around the situation and glowers at the creatures. They were extremely horrid and she began to speculate on the ways she would like to destroy such vile things.
[15:54] * Aluthyra frowns, looking at all of the creatures. She puts her bow down for a moment, looking through her packs to switch arrows to that of cold iron.
[15:56] <Kilarra> Kjell watches things with a different mindset. "Alright, they can probably climb, but not very quickly. Aluthyra, try to pick off ones that start climbing. I'll keep an eye on the door at the base of the tower. Tognik, Kilarra, you and the mages can guard the windows and call for me if one breaks through. Llittle buddy, if anyone gets hurt, I want that wand of yours at the ready if Kilarra can't get close enoguh to heal."
[15:57] * Aluthyra nods, moving back to look at the creatures, bow at the ready to fire if any come into her range.
[16:02] <@Aluthyra> Tognik nods, pointing the wand at Kjell, activating it before switching back to his curing wand. "Should make you a bit faster."
[16:02] * Kilarra takes Kjell's comment to heart and pulls out her whip. EVen if it couldn't kill, it could knock them off the tower if they were trying to climb in a window.
[16:02] <Kilarra> Kjell smiles at the Gnome, "Thanks friend. Let's hope it's enough." He begins to speed down to the lower level of the tower.
[16:07] <Kilarra> As Kjell reaches the bottom door, so too do the bizarre creatures reach the tower, their oily blue hides almost making them look like a wave crashing against the shore. The beasts begin scratching at the foundations and clawing their way up the tower. Their manes of tendrils and claws grant them purchase on even the vertical climb.
[16:08] <Kilarra> The unnatural silence of the creatures is broken by the scraching and clawing against the stone and wood of the tower, which was literally crawling with the beasts now.
[16:15] <Kilarra> A group of four of the creatures pass into the barracks at the base of the tower and begin clawing and snapping at the door, with only Kjell on the opposite side. The rest begin to claw their way up the tower, a few stopping at each window they come within reach of to try and break into the tower.
[16:16] <Kilarra> The cyphermages, wanting to try and protect themselves as best they can, each casts upon themself their mage armour spell, hoping that the protection it offered would be enough to keep them from ending up like their lost companions. At least with help from the party anyways.
[16:17] <Kilarra> Samaritha follows suit, casting mage armour upon herself and pulling out a wand. Magic may not be as effective, but the dagger at her side wasn't really going to do much better in her delicate hands.
[16:19] <Kilarra> Kjell readies himself and stands firm at the lower door, casting his shield spell for the extra protection, using his arcanist talents to recharge the spell after doing so.
[16:22] <Kilarra> Samaritha, on the floor above Kjell, raises an eyebrow as she follows the flow of his magical energy. His magic was certainly unusual.
[16:23] <@Aluthyra> Tognik moves to a window, mumbling in gnomish as he points to the walls that the creatures were climbing, casting grease upon it.
[16:27] <Kilarra> One of the Akatas at the window Tognik chose loses its grip against the slippery wall and falls to the ground with an unexpetedly loud thud. These things may be fast and limber, but that thud suggested they were awfully heavy. The second manages to grip the wall firmly enough to stay put
[16:27] <Kilarra> the fallen Akata gets up, seemingly unharmed after rolling against the drop.
[16:30] * Kilarra gives herself a quick buff, following in the footsteps of the other casters on the tower. Even if she couldn't hurt these things as easily, she could at least keep them form hurting her
[16:31] * Kilarra casts Shield of Faith, giving a faint glowing aura of protection around her body
[16:32] * Aluthyra lets her arrows fly, calling upon her ki pool for haste as she fires a cold iron arrow at three separate creatures.
[16:35] <Kilarra> Aluthyra's aim is precise and deadly, with three of the alien monstrosities takign arrows to the face as they climb. All three fall as they perish, unable to grip the sides of the tower while dead.
[16:37] <Kilarra> The akatas show no signs of stopping their onslaught, with the ones still upon the tower climbing higher to other windows as those who already had windows crash against them. One of the shutters buckles, and a tentacle slithers in, lashing at Tognik
[16:39] <Kilarra> The pair of tentacles attempt to snap at the little gnome, but he's too small to be easily grabbed
[16:40] <Kilarra> At the base of the tower, the barred door is still holding for now, but the Akatas slamming against it are determined to break it in.
[16:40] <Kilarra> Another shutter snaps, allowing a pair of tendrils to slither in towards one of the cyphermages
[16:41] <Kilarra> The tendrils are stopped short but the protective field of magical force, a look of relief passing over the face of the mage.
[16:42] <Kilarra> He still looks plenty terrified though. He raises his hand and sents a magical dart at the tendrils in his panic
[16:42] <Kilarra> The magical projectile strikes the creature, but diffuses uselessly across its oily skin.
[16:43] <Kilarra> The mage attempts to back away, his one offensive option having failed him
[16:44] <Kilarra> Samaritha, on the second level of the tower, casts another spell on herself, allowing her to levitate off the floor and hover in the middle of the area, just out of easy reach of the windows. She keeps her wand at the ready, even knowing it wasn't likely to be effective.
[16:46] <Kilarra> Kjell smiles and decides to try something. He raises his spell hand again and casts once more. Suddenly, there are 3 additional Kjells standing alongside him, moving as he moves and all looking identical.
[16:48] <Kilarra> Samaritha spots this and looks marginally impressed, knowing of the spell in question.
[16:53] <@Aluthyra> Tognik starts to cast another spell, careful of the nearby creature.
[16:54] <Kilarra> Tognik manages to avoid getting smacked in the process
[16:55] <@Aluthyra> Tognik disappears, now invisible, and starts to move away from the window as quietly as he can. He moves off to the side, ready to use his wand to heal if needed.
[16:56] <Kilarra> Tognik is super stealthy
[16:57] * Kilarra grasps her holy symbol and chants, "Calistria, bless us that we may smite these foul miscreations." A burst of holy light emanates from her, affecting everyone in the tower.
[16:59] <Kilarra> Everyone in the tower now benefits from Calistria's Blessing! Yay!
[17:00] <Kilarra> IN addition to inspiring competence, there may be the side effect of naughty thoughts, given where the blessing is coming from
[17:03] * Aluthyra shakes her head, trying to get rid of her thoughts of Kilarra's rear end. After a moment, though blushing, she does, and focuses back on the battle, channeling her ki to let loose another trio of arrows at the creatures scaling the walls.
[17:05] <Kilarra> Aluthyra manages to drop another two Akatas off the side of the tower, but her third shot misses by an inch. Stupid sexy Kilarra
[17:06] <Kilarra> As the Akatas climb, a tremor shakes the tower
[17:09] <Kilarra> The tremor knocks Kjell on his back, his illusiorry dopelgangers following suit, one of them dissolving with a pop. Kilarra also falls over
[17:10] <Kilarra> Samaritha, floating in the air, is unaffected, and the unencumbered cyphermages just barely keep their footing. Aluthyra is plenty dexterous enough to avoid a fall, and Tognik gets lucky
[17:14] <Kilarra> The tremor only lasts a moment, but with her view of the outside for being at the top of the tower, the keen Aluthyra can notice the barely perceptible lean in the tower
[17:15] * Aluthyra blinks and yells out to her companions, "That tremor may have damaged the tower! It may be collapse if there is another tremor!"
[17:17] <Kilarra> The nimble akatas are virtually unphazed by the tremor and continue pounding against the barracks door, which won't take much more punishment as it begins to splinter. On the second level, the window from which Tognik was attacked previously breaks in, allowing a narrow entry point for the Akatas clawing at it
[17:19] <Kilarra> A pair of them manage to slip through the greased window frame and lunge at the nearest cyphermage, jaws open
[17:19] <Kilarra> Mercifully for the mage, the akatas bites are stopped short by the magical force armour.
[17:23] <Kilarra> The Cyphermage attempts to shoot the Akatas in a panic, provoking them both
[17:24] <Kilarra> Before he can cast his spell, a paif of bites drops him to the floor, bleeding profusely. Worse still, the bite of these creatures was supposedly what spread their undeath.
[17:26] <Kilarra> The cyphermage that already expended his magic missile retreats from the body of his companion, fearing its potentially infectious nature.
[17:27] <Kilarra> Samaritha curses and, forgoing her wand, motions with her hand and sends a ray of searing flames at the offending Akata
[17:28] <Kilarra> Samarithas anger might just have given her enough juice to push past the normally resistant creature's protection, burning it to a crisp.
[17:30] <Kilarra> Kjell stands back up and braces himself, calling out to Tognik, "There's a cypher down. Help him if you can!"
[17:34] <@Aluthyra> Tognik moves to the downed cypher, pointing his wand and attempting to heal the mage.
[17:34] <Kilarra> The mage, having been just barely alive, is restored to health. His wounds close, but he looks queasy
[17:42] * Aluthyra continues with her volley, another three arrows flying towards the creatures.
[17:46] <Kilarra> Two more of the creatures are felled, but the third manages to just barely hang onto its grip of the tower
[17:49] <Kilarra> Another window breaks in, with another pair of Akatas vying for entry. As well, the door at the base of the tower finally gives way, allowing the two Akatas behind the ones that broke it down to rush Kjell
[17:50] <Kilarra> Another pair of Akatas get in through the greased window, while the other broken window is too tight for the pair of Akatas that broke it in to get through.
[17:52] <Kilarra> The pair attacking Kjell can't manage to get through either his armor or his magical shield.
[17:53] <Kilarra> The surviving Akata that felled the cyphermage, since healed, leaps at Kilarra, who was paying attention to the wrong window.
[17:53] <Kilarra> it lands on the stairs close to her, but fails to land a solid hit
[17:54] <Kilarra> The not dead cyphermage attempts to slip away from the new pair of Akatas towards his companions, all of whom are looking at the much more powerful Kjell and Samaritha for some chance at protection.
[17:55] <Kilarra> Samaritha, her best spell exhausted, attempts to finish off the injured Akata clinging to the side of the tower
[17:56] <Kilarra> Her magical missile again bounces harmlessly off the magically resistant beasts
[17:57] <Kilarra> Kjell has no intention of letting these beasties get past him, and he does make a good target, especially with his doppelgangers providing a distraction
[17:58] <Kilarra> Kjell swings at the nearest akata, his gangers mimic his movements
[17:59] <Kilarra> Kjell's blow takes the head of one of the Akatas right off.
[18:02] <@Aluthyra> Tognik moves to Kilarra, putting his hand on her leg as he mumbles in spellcasting. He warns her first, so she isn't surprised, shushing her as he casts his spell.
[18:03] * Kilarra normally has no objection to getting felt up, although she typically doesn't go for guys shorter than her. Still, she accepts the buff gleefully.
[18:04] * Kilarra takes the buff and puts it to use, grabbing the tendrils of the offending slimey creature and pumping it full of negative energy
[18:04] <Kilarra> Kilarra's spell does nothing
[18:05] * Kilarra gasps in shock, then feels like an idiot as she remembers the warnings. She had hoped perhaps her power would be sufficient, but the things were more resilient than she anticipated.
[18:07] * Kilarra lets go of the grabbed tendrils, feeling gross.
[18:09] * Aluthyra looks on, grimacing as she sees even more of the creatures. She silently prays to Apsu for the safety and victory of her friends before firing another trio of arrows. She begins to chant in oratory as she fires, hoping for Apsu to grant her victory, "I shall then be as Apsu, for he is the first," she continues, "I shall then go, and I shall end death."
[18:10] * Kilarra isn't quite sure what Aluthyra was on about, but it sounded badass
[18:11] <Kilarra> Kjell smiles as Aluthyra's boast. She had been a hail of death for the akatas ever since she started shooting
[18:12] <@Aluthyra> Tognik raises an eyebrow, though no one would see it, being invisible.
[18:16] <Kilarra> Aluthyra finished off the wounded Akata and skewers another, with a third arrow splitting the head of one of the creatures right in half.
[18:17] * Aluthyra smiles. Perhaps Apsu had granted her favor.
[18:19] <Kilarra> Kjell lets up a whoop, assuming Aluthyra had done something awesome
[18:19] <Kilarra> Unfortunately, the revelry is short lived, as another, more powerful tremor shakes the tower.
[18:21] <Kilarra> No one, not even the sure-footed Aluthyra, is able to stay on their feet in the wake of this powerful shake, with even the fleet footed akatas being thrown around. The tower sags to the southwest, a terrible sound like thunder coming from underneath as the foundations crumble as the weight of the tower is dragged agaisnt them
[18:28] <Kilarra> The Akatas are the first back on their feet, with another pair of them slipping in through the greased window. Another pair manages to force their way into the upper windows, just below Aluthyra and on the same level as Kilarra and Samaritha. The two fresh ones see an easier target in the non-flying Kilarra and join the first that attacked her while she was on the ground
[18:29] <Kilarra> Even on the ground though, Kilarra's armour and shield of faith keep the Akatas from getting a bite.
[18:30] <Kilarra> Three of the akatas lunge at Kjell and his two remaining doppelgangers
[18:31] <Kilarra> Kjell's gangers save him, as although both are destroyed, the one Akata that attacked him personally doesn't manage to connect.
[18:33] <Kilarra> another trio of akatas attack one of the cyphermages
[18:33] <Kilarra> He gets very luck and manages to roll away from the biting and nastiness
[18:33] <Kilarra> lucky
[18:35] <Kilarra> Samaritha, having been floating, is still in the air and again attempts to lash out magically at the Akatas attacking her fellow cyphers, previous futility aside
[18:36] <Kilarra> This time however, she gets lucky as a pair of her own magic projectiles piece the hide of one of the akatas. It flails silently and turns to glower at the offending mage.
[18:37] <Kilarra> Kjell attempts to get to his feet, counting on his armour and spell to keep him safe from any biting as he got back into position
[18:37] <Kilarra> While the trio of Akatas comes close, none of them manage to get through his defenses as he stands up. He then moves to swing at another one, hoping to keep them from surrounding him.
[18:38] <Kilarra> Another of the alien monstrosities is decapitated by the powerful Tyrant's Bane.
[18:40] <@Aluthyra> Tognik stands, holding in wait with his wand in case someone needed to be healed.
[18:42] * Kilarra uncurls her whip and aims for the injured Akata, hoping to take it out of the fight even if she couldn't kill it.
[18:43] <Kilarra> A lash to the side of the face drops the akata unconscious, and in spite of the pained look on its face, it remains completely soundless.
[18:46] * Aluthyra stands, shaking herself off and running to where Kilarra and the others were. She scans the room, readying her bow to help any under attack.
[18:48] <Kilarra> Only moments after Aluthyra comes down to Kilarra and Samaritha's level, the massive weight of the dense akatas fianlly proves too much for the tower. The ground beneath it gives way and everyone is thrown against the now horizontal western wall.
[18:51] <Kilarra> Samaritha is spared the crash by her levitation spell, and the cyphermages are ridiculously lucky and manage to avoid serious injury. Kilarra and Aluthrya however, slam into the wall painfully. Tognik and Kjell manage to avoid getting hurt in the slam
[18:52] <Kilarra> The fallen tower begins to roll down the steep slope of the island towards the lagoon below
[18:55] <Kilarra> Immediately, cracks begin to run along the sides of the once solid stone tower, a landslide of stone and rubble falling in its wake from the collapsed cliffside.
[18:59] <Kilarra> A number of small cracks as well as the larger ones open along the tower as it falls, giving the akata room to brace themselves and snap at anything that happens to fall close enoguh to them
[19:02] <Kilarra> The cyphermages tumble through the tower. One of them falls within reach of Kjell, but the magus is not braced well enough to grab him. The other three tumble abotu as well, and one of them is painfully unlucky as he is crushed by a chunk that falls from the upper edge of the tower onto him.
[19:03] <Kilarra> Kjell falls upwards and ends up nearly colliding with Samaritha, who is spared by her levitation spell. She attempts to grab hold of Kjell in order to hold him aloft alonside her
[19:04] <Kilarra> She manages to grasp him for a fleeting moment, but doesn't have the strength to hold up the stout warrior
[19:05] <Kilarra> Kjell at least manages to take minimal harm form the tumbling debris.
[19:06] <Kilarra> Tognik luckily manages to find himsel pressed against a solid object, against which he can attempt tp brace himself against the tumbling tower
[19:09] <Kilarra> Tognik does not have the upper body strength needed to brace himself properly, but can use his free hands for something else, hopefully something effective
[19:17] <@Aluthyra> Tognik groans as he starts to move to Kilarra. All this shaking is painful. He presses the wand against her when he reaches her, attempting to activate it.
[19:18] <Kilarra> Kilarra is healed a little, thought the initial fall was pretty nasty for her and Aluthyra both
[19:18] <Kilarra> Kilarra falls past one of the braces akatas
[19:19] * Kilarra attempts to grab hold and use the beast as a makeshift ride
[19:20] <Kilarra> Kilarra's hand grasps the slimey tendrils for a moment, but slips off
[19:21] <Kilarra> Kilarra takes minimal rubble pelting
[19:24] <Kilarra> One of the tumbling cyphermages falls within arms reach of Aluthyra
[19:26] * Aluthyra attempts to catch the mage, though she winces from her own painful fall.
[19:27] <Kilarra> The mage grabs Aluthyra's hand and she manages to pull him in closer.
[19:28] <Kilarra> Aluthyra manages to roll with the tower and minimize the hurt inflicted by the rolling fall
[19:29] <Kilarra> Another cyphermage falls into the waiting reach of a trio of akatas.
[19:30] <Kilarra> The miss biting him as he tumbles past
[19:31] <Kilarra> One of the cyphers lands flat against the wall and attempts to brance himself there
[19:32] <Kilarra> He begins to slip, only to be pinned and crushed under a chunk of the tower
[19:34] <Kilarra> Samaritha takes advantage of her levitation and aims for the two cyphers that remain in free fall, quickly casting feather fall on them.
[19:35] <Kilarra> Unfortunately she can't get a clean shot at them, and the rolling bits of debris interrupt her focus, causing the spell to fizzle out.
[19:36] <Kilarra> Kjell manages to avoid anything falling particularly close to or on him, but can't find any solid purchase either. he attempts a casting of his own, having a crazy idea.
[19:36] <Kilarra> He fails though, his concentration broken
[19:39] <@Aluthyra> Tognik attempts to heal Kilarra again, being close to her, as he touches his curing wand to her.
[19:39] <Kilarra> Tognik manages to land against a solid surface, making it slightly easier to do so
[19:40] <Kilarra> Kilarra is minorly healed, but at least it didn't seem like the fall was going to kill her at the rate thigns were going.
[19:41] <Kilarra> Tognik takes a particularly heavy blow to the back of the head in his tumble
[19:42] <@Aluthyra>  Tognik yelps, damn rock!
[19:42] <Kilarra> Kilarra lands against a solid surface
[19:42] * Kilarra takes advantage of that to reach into her packs and pull out the crystal wand Katarina had given her, pointing it at herself. if it worked, she'd have a chance to help at least one other person
[19:43] <Kilarra> the wand sputters, Kilarra unable to focus enough to work the unfamiliar spell
[19:45] <Kilarra> [Redact[
[19:45] <Kilarra> ]
[19:45] <Kilarra> Samaritha manages to cast from the wand onto herself a levitation spell matching that of Aluthyra. She begins to float, avoiding the tumbling debris as well.
[19:48] <Kilarra> Aluthyra and the cyphermage land on a flat surface once again, providing a chance for the nimble zen archer to brace herself and her rider
[19:50] <Kilarra> Aluthyra manages to brace herself and keep the cyphermage from slipping away.
[19:51] * Aluthyra winces as some debris hits her, muttering a few choice words... followed by apologies to Apsu.
[19:52] <Kilarra> The trio of well secured Akatas roll with the two, attempting to snatch the free falling cyphermade. Another pair aims for the second one
[19:53] <Kilarra> The pair of Akatas don't manage to get a solid bite, but the set of three snatch the cyphermage between them, biting into him and nearly tearing him apart. He passes out
[19:56] <Kilarra> the last cyphermage lands on the flat of the wall not far from the akatas, and attempts to keep himself from getting crushed or bitten
[19:56] <Kilarra> Unfortunately, his earlier luck doesn't hold out as a piece of what used to be the upper floor flattens him.
[19:58] <Kilarra> Kjell gets a brief instance of smooth rolling this time.
[20:01] <Kilarra> Kjell is spared any more debris, but is unable to grab hold of anything firm enough to stop tumbling.
[20:02] <Kilarra> Samaritha flicks her wand at the akatas gnawing on the unconscious cyphermage in an attempt to get them to let him go. Even if he was dead, better he be broken by the tower than turned by their infectious undeath.
[20:03] <Kilarra> the battered Akata is killed by the magic projectile, letting the unconscious cyphermage slip loose
[20:04] <Kilarra> A small cracks opens near Tognik. It's just big enough for him to try and squeeze through out of the tower if he so feels.
[20:18] <@Aluthyra> Tognik attempts to brace himself along the crack.
[20:22] <Kilarra> The crack slips out of reach before Tognik can get a solid grip
[20:23] <@Aluthyra> Tognik attempts to activate the wand on himself! These damn rocks hurt!
[20:29] <Kilarra> Tognik is healed a bit, enough to counteract some of the falling debris that smacked him around earlier
[20:31] * Kilarra would attempt to cast the wand on Tognik, knowing he was probably getting messed up by the fall, but has no way of seeing him to use it on him. Failing that, she casts it on Kjell, who, although barely injured, was the only one of her group not otherwise helped against the fall
[20:32] <Kilarra> Kjell floats
[20:36] * Aluthyra tries to stay still, still holding tightly onto the remaining cypher.
[20:37] * Aluthyra tries to brace herself and the mage in place.
[20:41] <Kilarra> Aluthyra loses her grip on the cypher, although she manages to hold herself in place.
[20:42] * Aluthyra 's eyes widen as she loses her grip, calling out, "Someone get the mage!"
[20:43] <Kilarra> After the seemingly endless, harrowing fall, the tower lands with a splash in the lagoon below. The water softens the impact enoguh to keep the tower from shattering, but everyone not levitating is thrown to the floor.
[20:44] <Kilarra> Of particular note is the effect this has on the akatas. Upon landing in the water spilling in through the holes in the tower, they writhe and thrash in silence. Wherever the salty brine touches them, they break out in horrendous blisters. The sight is nauseating as the salt water acts like acid on the strange alien creatures, yet they make no sounds in their obvious agony
[20:46] <Kilarra> The lone surviving cyphermage is scraped in the fall, but manages to survive.
[20:46] <Kilarra> Samaritha touches down and runs over to check on her last companion
[20:47] <Kilarra> Kjell touches down as well, wading through the water, trying to find his companions. Kilarra is floating so she's fine, but he was worried for the gnome that he hadn't seen since the tower fell
[20:47] * Kilarra lands next to Aluthyra and quickly lays her hands on her, hoping to heal her more serious injuries.
[20:48] * Aluthyra groans, battered by the fall and hurt rather badly...
[20:48] <@Aluthyra> Tognik cheers, despite his wounds, as the creatures die.
[20:49] <Kilarra> Samaritha helps the scraped but still living cyphermage to his feet. Three of the others were crushed, and the forth, who had been unconscious after the bites, was unable to move to avoid breaking his neck. However, the salt water seems to cause the bites to fizz as though they were being purged of something
[20:50] * Kilarra looks at the quite literally melting akatas and sneers, "Bloody hells. What are these blasted things?" She gives Aluthyra a check over to see if she needed any more mending
[20:51] * Aluthyra does not, and she smiles to Kilarra thankfully as she is healed.
[20:51] <@Aluthyra> Tognik presses his wand to his check, activating it to heal himself.
[20:51] * Kilarra looks relieved, "You did good. You even managed to save one of the little guys. Speaking of, Tognik, you not dead?"
[20:52] <@Aluthyra> Tognik dismisses his invisibility before healing himself, then proceeds.
[20:53] <Kilarra> Kjell steps over to Tognik and picks him up into a hug, "I was worried for ya little red. Glad to see ye made it." He looks around, a bit pained, "Pity we weren't all so llucky."
[20:54] <Kilarra> It takes less than half a minute for all of the Akatas to succumb to the brine's acidic toll on them, their bodies almsot literally melting into nothing.
[20:55] * Kilarra looks at the brine, "Anyone got some bottles? Looks like these things have one hell of a weakness to sea spray."
[20:55] <@Aluthyra> Tognik nods, groaning slightly as he's hugged by the larger man. "My wounds might be healed, but I'm a bit sore."
[20:56] * Aluthyra shakes her head. "I do not..."
[20:56] <Kilarra> Samaritha looks around at the crushed bodies of her fallen companions and sighs. They wouldn't even get the luxury of a proper burial. She looks to the party, looking desperate and afraid, "I... I jsut don't know what to do. The one safe haven we had is ruined."
[20:56] * Kilarra checks the dead cyphermage, wanting to be sure he wasn't going to get back up as a zombie
[20:58] <Kilarra> Kilarra notices that the scuzz fizzing around the cypher's bites is similar to the blistering remnants of the akatas themselves. There's no salvageable samples, but she can deduce that whatever sickness the akatas bite imparted was dissolved by the brine just like the adults were
[20:58] * Kilarra looks satisfied, "Whatever is in their bite can't take the brine either. He may be dead, but at least he won't end up undead."
[21:00] <Kilarra> Kjell looks around the ruined tower. There were plenty of cracks for them to shimmy out through at least. "We should get on what shore there is and see what our options are."
[21:00] * Aluthyra nods in slight relief, then grimaces as she realizes her robes were getting quite dirty in the brine...
[21:01] * Kilarra raises an eyebrow at Aluthyra, "Don't like getting wet?"
[21:02] <Kilarra> Kjell sets Tognik down near one of the cracks, then looks to Samaritha, "I am sorry we weren't able to save more of your friends. I truly am."
[21:02] * Aluthyra shakes her head. "No... I have taken a vow of cleanliness."
[21:02] <@Aluthyra> Tognik nods to Samaritha. "Sorry."
[21:02] <Kilarra> Samaritha sighs and shakes her head, "It's not your fault. Whatever those accursed things are, they're gone for now. We need to focus on keeping those of us that are still here alive now."
[21:03] * Kilarra blinks at Aluthyra, "What for?" She pouted internally a bit. Did that mean she couldn't do anything dirty, or did it just apply to her appearance?
[21:05] * Aluthyra raises an eyebrow. "All it entails is that I must keep my appearance clean, and change into clean garbs if mine are soiled." She coughs, blushing a bit and mumbling quietly, "It  is certainly nothing like a vow of chastity... of which I have not taken."
[21:07] * Kilarra smirks. Okay, that was more like it. She says nothing for now, but nods her acknowledgement. "Is there any particular reason you had to take this vow thing?"
[21:09] * Aluthyra shakes her head. "No reason other than show my devotion to Apsu. I have also taken a vow of honesty for the same reason."
[21:09] <Kilarra> Kjell takes to helping Tognik, Samaritha and the remaining Cyphermage get out of the crumbling tower, wanting to get a better look at where they had ended up and where they might be able to go from here.
[21:10] * Kilarra gets a devious grin, "Honesty huh? So, you can't ever lie?"
[21:10] * Aluthyra raises an eyebrow, hesitantly nodding. "Correct."
[21:11] * Kilarra feels that's a little ripe for abuse, so settles on just one little nudge, "So, one more question before we clamber out of here. Do you like it rough?"
[21:12] <@Aluthyra> Tognik follows, happy to get out of the tower.
[21:13] * Aluthyra blinks, considering the question for a moment before blushing brightly. "I assume you mean during... intercourse. I have never actually been apart of, ah, that."
[21:14] * Kilarra smirks, "That so? Well if you're not under a vow of chastity, then I'd be willing to help you figure it out." She says nothing more and clambers out of the tower to join the rest
[21:15] * Aluthyra gulps, slowly following out behind Kilarra.
[21:16] * Kilarra swishes her tail as she trots over to join the others, "So, what's the plan?" SHe looks to Tognik, "Got that map still?"
[21:17] <@Aluthyra> Tognik nods, holding the map over for Kilarra to see.
[21:18] * Aluthyra watches the tail, her thoughts swirling. Kilarra is brash, yet... endearing. Different, though, she didn't think it was necessarily bad...
[21:19] * Kilarra finds a bit of flat tower rubble and lays the map out, motioning for Samaritha and Kjell to look at it with her. "So, we could go back to Witchlight if we climbed back up. The landslide would have shallowed out the cliff. Doesn't look like going around is an option unless you feel like swimming. That might keep us from those tentacle lion things, but there's probably other nasties in the sea."
[21:19] * Aluthyra keeps watch, her bow ready.
[21:20] * Kilarra looks back to Tognik, "Anything you wanna contribute mister explorer? We're all in this together for now." Just because she didn't have any interest in relations with the gnome didn't mean she wouldn't take advantage of what he had to offer.
[21:22] <@Aluthyra> Tognik shrugs. "I don't see much reason for going back into Witchlight. I think we should find Zincher, but of course, that's simply because I want more skymetal."
[21:23] <Kilarra> Kjell shakes his head, "I've no interest in going to such a man unless it's to give him his due for the trouble he's caused us and who knows how many others.
[21:23] <Kilarra> "
[21:23] * Kilarra nods her agreement, "He's the reason Lil can't even leave the Veil, so unless we have zero other options, I'm agaisnt it."
[21:25] * Aluthyra chimes in, "Perhaps we should find a safer shelter for the cyphermages, then move farther into the island?"
[21:25] <Kilarra> Samaritha looks conflicted, "If it were just the two of us, I would take my last mage and beg for Zincher's assistance, but with your help..." she looks down at the map and points to a marker on the western tip of the island, "There is a lighthouse here, according to this map, and the path leads straight from Witchlight."
[21:26] <Kilarra> Kjell looks at it curiously, "Ah, I see. It's proximity to the sea could protect against those beasts, and it is fairly isolated. If we were to trudge back up the slope to Witchlight, we could head more or less straight there."
[21:26] * Aluthyra nods. "May we stop at Witchlight first, at one of the buildings? My vow of cleanliness requires that I switch into cleaner garbs..."
[21:29] <Kilarra> Samaritha points out, "Alternatively, there's one at the southeastern tip. Either one might offer potential shelter, and is a fairly straight trek. Zincher's camp is near the crater though, so we would likely stumble across it if we went for the eastern lighthouse." She looks to the party, "I'm spent as far as my magical talents are concerned, so we will do what you deem best."
[21:29] <Kilarra> Kjell nods to Aluthyra, "Of course, it would be ungentlemanly of me to refuse, at least if we are headed back up that way."
[21:31] <Kilarra> Kjell looks around at the group, "So, shall we try the lighthouses then?"
[21:34] <@Aluthyra> Tognik nods. "Sounds best."
[21:35] * Aluthyra smiles. "Thank you. I think we should head for the closest, towards Witchlight."
[21:36] * Kilarra nods, "I'm good for that." she plucks out the crystal wand. "To make things easier..." she casts the spell once each on the six of them so they didn't have to make a difficult climb. She was left with only one charge, but meh, what's the point of having magic items if you didn't use them in appropriate situations
[21:37] <Kilarra> Smaritha stops and slips back into the tower for a moment. She comes back out with the small chest. "This had our research notes and samples in it. I forgot about it in the chaos of the fall, but I'd like to at least have something come of this."
[21:41] <Kilarra> Kjell nods and looks around, "If no one else has any reason to linger?" He begins floating upwards, making use of the spell
[21:41] * Aluthyra and Tognik follow behind, Aluthyra heading towards the nearest building that she could use to change in.
[21:41] * Kjell points his right hand at Aluthyra, casting Prestidigitation to get the brine out of her hair at least.
[21:42] * Aluthyra smiles gratefully at Kjell. The less time it took her to clean, the better.
[21:44] <Kilarra> With the aid of the levitation spell, it only takes a couple minutes, going as a safe ascending pace, to return to Witchlight, in which two of the buildings had collapsed form the subsequent tremors, leaving only two standing. One had been the location of the void zombies, while the other they hadn't inspected because of Samaritha's calling out to them.
[21:45] * Aluthyra frowns. She would rather avoid the grotesque corpses, but looking into an unexplored building might not be wise...
[21:46] * Aluthyra shakes her head, moving inside the building with the zombies, changing into new robes and cleaning herself as quickly as possible.
[21:46] * Kilarra frowns a bit at Kjell cleaning off Aluthyra. She could have done that. Well, not really, but it made her a touch jealous that the magus got a genuine smile out of her. Although the blushing she had elicited herself was nice
[21:47] <Kilarra> The building, thankfully, only had the four zombies around it, all of whom had been dispatched. Samaritha notes that they had been the med Goldhammer sent to aid them, but their refusal to come inside to safety out of suspicion had been their downfall.
[21:48] * Kilarra looks to Tognik and the last standing building, "Wanna take a look while Alu's changing?"
[21:49] <@Aluthyra> Tognik nods. "Sure," He grins. "Maybe we'll find treasure."
[21:49] <@Aluthyra> Tognik starts to move towards the building, waiting for Kilarra to follow.
[21:50] * Kilarra trots after Tognik, keeping her whip loose in case of trouble. She stops by the entrance and lets him go in first
[21:51] * Tognik moves forward into the building, holding a wand of detect secret doors.
[21:53] <Kilarra> Tognik does indeed find treasure. A single piece, more of an antique really. An old silver comb.
[21:54] <@Aluthyra> Tognik picks up the item and examines it, trying to tell its value.
[21:55] <Kilarra> The silver comb is intricately crafted and untarnished in spite of its age. It could probably go for a good 250 gold pieces
[21:55] <Kilarra> The silver comb is set with stripes of ivory as well
[21:56] * Kilarra taps a hoof while waiting outside
[21:56] <@Aluthyra> Tognik looks to Kilarra. "This something you'd want? Otherwise I'll just end up selling it."
[21:57] <@Aluthyra> Tognik mumbles in gnomish, pointing to the comb and detecting magic as he holds it up for her to see.
[21:57] * Kilarra takes the comb and looks at it curiously, "It's pretty and all, but not really anything I need that I can't get from the Veil."
[21:57] <Kilarra> The comb holds no magic, and is just a nice antique
[21:58] <@Aluthyra> Tognik shrugs. "Then keep it, or I will. We can just sell it later."
[21:59] * Kilarra hands it back, "Your find, you keep it. You've been more helpful than I thought, so you should have a little something to show for it."
[22:00] <@Aluthyra> Tognik grins, placing the comb back into his pockets.
[22:00] * Aluthyra calls out from outside, "I am ready to continue now."
[22:01] * Kilarra smiles and steps out of the ruined building to rejoin the others. "Alright then, west or east?"
[22:06] * Aluthyra points towards the west. "We should head west, for the shorter trip. If we are to face Zincher, it should be when we are more prepared."
[22:08] <Kilarra> Kjell nods, "Agreed."
[22:08] <Kilarra> Samaritha nods, "If we are to prepare what magic we have left, any stop for rest would be preferable."
[22:11] <Kilarra> Kjell draws Tyrant's bane, looking at it intently for a moment. "We'll face this Zincher if we have to, but I'd prefer not to endanger Samaritha and her last companion any more than necessary."
[22:11] <Kilarra> Samaritha blinks at Kjell, then looks to Aluthyra, "Is he talking to his sword?"
[22:12] * Aluthyra chuckles and nods. "Yes, he is. It may seem strange, though his sword is not inanimate."
[22:13] <Kilarra> Samaritha looks slightly confused, then discretely casts detect magic on it. "Oh... most curious. I've never actually seen an intelligent magic weapon or item before." She loosk to Tognik, "Have you?"
[22:14] <@Aluthyra> Tognik shakes his head, looking to the sword curiously. "I haven't either." He smiles. "Owning one would be fun."
[22:17] <Kilarra> Samaritha nods, "Provided its ego didn't overpower your own. Still, I shall have to discuss that sword and his unusal magic when we're safely off this island."
[22:19] * Aluthyra clears her throat. "Then let us continue. We should make haste."
[22:19] * Aluthyra starts to move in the direction of the western lighthouse, waiting for the others.
[22:20] <Kilarra> Kjell nods and keeps his sword out. He rubs his right arm a bit, his sleeve pulling back enough to reveal part of a tattoo of similar style to the ones on Samaritha's face.
[22:20] * Kilarra falls into place behind Kjell, getting her whip ready for any other whatevers that might come out of the forest, although they had certainly put a dent in their numbers in this area.
[22:21] <@Aluthyra> Tognik follows in the back.
[22:21] <Kilarra> Samaritha follows in behind with her wand out. It was really all she had left to defend herself and the remaining cyphermage with.
[22:23] <Kilarra> As the group follows the path, the sun begins to set, marking that they had been on the island for most of a day now. Although the dreariness of the overcast skies made that difficult to tell otherwise.
[22:27] <Kilarra> As the party continues along the trail towards the lighthouse, rustling in the bushes once again comes to meet them. A squawk precludes the emergence of a bipedal, flightless bird with a wicked looking beak. Like the wild boars, it seems to have been spooked out by the akatas.
[22:28] <Kilarra> The bird is fairly large, large enough that a regular person could ride one, but this one is most certainly wild.
[22:35] <Kilarra> The axebeak lashes out first, striking with beak and claws at the first person it can reach
[22:35] <Kilarra> That person being Aluthyra
[22:35] <Kilarra> In its panic, the axebeak can't even get close to a hit
[22:36] * Kilarra does not like the noise this crazed bird is making and puts her hands around its neck, pumping in negative energy to silence it
[22:37] <Kilarra> The bird thrashes and wails as wounds erupt all over its body, but the single burst wasn't enough to kill it
[22:39] * Aluthyra aims her bow forward, nocking an arrow and letting it fly, and quickly does the same with a second, careful as to not hit Kilarra.
[22:41] <Kilarra> Aluthyra silences the bird with an arrow right through its eye. It falls immediately to the floor of the path.
[22:42] * Kilarra smirks back at Aluthyra, then examines the bird, "Think it'd taste good? I imagine we could all use a meal."
[22:43] * Aluthyra nods. "It may. Would you be able to prepare the bird?"
[22:44] * Kilarra shrugs, "Probably not. Starting a fire might attract unwanted attention."
[22:44] <Kilarra> Kjell chuckles quietly, "We've plenty of rations to spare for now I think. NO need to think about fancier game until we're back safely."
[22:45] * Aluthyra shrugs, moving forward.
[22:47] <Kilarra> Upon arriving at a bridge connecting the main part of the island to the small branch upon which the lighthouse used to stand, it immediately becomes apparent that the lighthouse no longer stands there. Either the recent tremors or time or possible both have reduced what used to be a lighthouse to a pile of rubble.
[22:48] <Kilarra> However, in the near side of the bridge is a small gatehouse for the bridge. By no means luxurious, but three people could fit inside well enough. Four if Tognik was included.
[22:48] <Kilarra> Samaritha looks disappointed at the lack of a lighthouse. "I guess the map wasn't recent I take it?"
[22:49] <@Aluthyra> Tognik shakes his head. "Not recent, no..."
[22:50] <Kilarra> Samaritha sighs, "Well, we're clear of the forest at least. Perhaps this little gatehouse can hold a couple of us for the night."
[22:50] * Kilarra frowns, looking around, "Yeah, but who's gonna keep watch? I used up most of my magic allotment for the day."
[22:51] <Kilarra> Kjell steps up, "I only used a few of my spells, I could keep watch without seriosu consequence."
[22:52] * Aluthyra nods. "I can keep watch as well."
[22:52] <Kilarra> Kjell also notes his sword.
[22:52] <@Aluthyra> "We can take shifts."
[22:53] * Kilarra nods, "Sounds about as good as any plan." She yawns, "We should be up at first light though."
[22:56] <@Aluthyra> Aluthyra gestures for the others to rest. "I can take first shift."
[22:59] <Kilarra> Kjell nods and takes off his chain shirt, setting it along with his packs aside and unrolling a bedroll so he could rest outside in case Aluthyra needed to wake him in an emergency.
[23:00] * Kilarra slips her breastplate and vestements off, revealing that the only thing underneath was a set of yellow silk undergarments that covered very little.
[23:01] * Kilarra stretches out, clicking the digits of her hooves, before heading into the gatehouse. Samaritha blushes and follows her inside along with the mage, both of whom keep their clothes on
[23:02] <@Aluthyra> Tognik places his bedroll out near the ruins of the lighthouse, removes his armor, and quickly falls asleep as he slips into his bedroll. For a little man, he snores very loudly.
[23:03] * Aluthyra keeps watch, her bow ready for anything approaching the camp.
[23:03] * Kilarra made sure that, as she disrobed, Aluthyra got the best possible view, before heading in to sleep
[23:03] * Aluthyra tries to not let her thoughts linger on the image, though it does for a while.
[23:04] <Kilarra> -End Session-
[23:04] <Kilarra> Rewards: 1 CR 6, 1 CR 1, 2 CR 2, 16 CR 1.
[23:04] <Kilarra> 2600 experience each