Selvin sighed slightly as he looked down the hallway. He frowned and muttered quietly to himself, "too many options, an' too many no good."

He peeked as much as he could without going far down the hall at all. He then came back and shrugged. "I mean...we could head towards the handprint door, but if I were a bettin' man, I'd say with the way our luck usually goes the demon'll notice us." He gave a tired smile.

He nodded, turned and started quietly flying towards the bloody handprint door.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 20):

Your luck runs as you think it would.  As you come towards Bloody Handprint, the opposite door swings open.  The demon heard you, reached out a long arm, and swung open the door.  And now it's doing...nothing.  It's just staring at you.

"Ha!" Laoris strides down the hall like she owns the place and, standing outside a few steps back from the open door leading to demon battle, puts her hands on her hips and stares the demon down.  She turns back to the rest of you, a grin on her face.  "It's bound!  Someone bound it to that room!  As long as we don't go in, we can have a picnic lunch out here.  It's nothing but a guard dog."

You look back at the bloody handprint door.  There's a slight breeze blowing out from under it.  On the other side, you can hear faint crying.

Selvin frowned and looked a bit suspicious. It was not different than most things Laoris said, really, but in this case, a demon was hanging in the balance so he was a bit more skeptical. However, the demon DID appear to not be leaving the room or attacking them despite not being too far away.

After a moment he let out a grunt. "Huh. I mean, I'll take it." Slowly, he turned away from the demon and turned towards the door with the handprint on it. "It's just normally, if we didn't have bad luck, we'd have no luck at all."

He took a breath and tried to open the door.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 22):

The door surprisingly has some weight to it.  You actually have to exert some pressure.

And then a wind picks up and blows the door your way.  Snow and chill air wafts through.  And the woman who was trying to hold it shut stumbles forward, almost falling on top of you.

It seems you've 'skipped' again.  The hallway you're standing in suddenly has bodies strewn along it, the blood making everything slick.  Beyond the door, which now no longer has a hand print, is a balcony.

It's a large balcony with an ornate railing carved of pure white alabaster.  Huddling on the balcony are four women.  One of them was the one trying to hold the door shut.  Just past her is an older woman, struggling to hold up a mace.  Two younger women huddle on the balcony behind them, clutching each other.  One of them, a young elf, is weeping.  The other one, a halfling is staring at you with hate filled eyes.

The older woman with the mace tries to hike the mace over her head and swing it at you.  She's obviously not a warrior.  She only manages to lose her grip when she swings it over head.  The mace crashes on the floor behind her.

"Shit!" the older woman exclaims and turns, trying to grab back up the mace.  The woman who was trying to hold the door jumps back, almost crashing in to her.

All four women stop and stare at you.

A surprised pause as everything shifted around them again, and things happened rather quickly. He blinked a few times at the change in scenery and the four women. "Uh....hi." Yes, very eloquent. That will surely calm them.

He stepped back a bit so as to not crowd them or scare them more. "We're not gonna hurt ya, don't worry."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 24):

Abigail!  Enough. The halfing says in a firm, authoritative voice.  The old lady who was reaching for the mace stops and looks at her.  The halfling disentangles herself from the crying woman and stands up, wiping at her blood stained dress.

Well? The halfling says impatiently, staring up at you like she could take you in a fight.   If you aren't gonna kill us, what are you gonna do?

Selvin blinked at the abrupt bluntness and then smiled as he gave a shrug. "Nothing?" He let out a light chuckle. "We were just checkin' out the noise. Tryin' t'make our way along. Didn't mean t'bother or scare you all."

He tipped an imaginary hat at the women. Then he glanced at Izzick and Chandanar to see if they had anything to add.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 26):

Nice hat tip.

I'll wait to see if Izzy has something to add.

Izzick was trying to figure out where they'd ended up when suddenly it became a question of when. His hands went up as the weapon was grabbed at but it quickly went from spellcasting to gestures of unarmed peace as he looked at the two women who'd stumbled through. "Unfortunately it's certainly not a pleasant sight in here. You might wish to stay out..." and part of him suddenly wished to be outside as well as he looked around at the bodies. This must have been right after the murder they'd seen previously with the slave before. "Don't worry, we don't mean to harm you, we're just trying to make it through here safely. We'll help you as much as we can," he said honestly.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 28):

The halfling studies you all rather intently and then looks back at the weeping girl.  Clarice.  Stuff it.  She looks back at you.

So.  You aren't with the invaders?  You won't be cutting us down as we try to flee?

She watches you for a moment longer.  Then she sighs. No.  I guess you won't.  Sorry.  It's been a rather trying day for us.  Is anyone left alive inside the hall do you know?  Is there a way out the way you came in?

She shakes her head.  Have you seen Excelebraxas?  Or Ovada?  I saw Killmnon cut down in the kitchens.  Bastard got his guts spilled all over the place.  Couldn't happen to a nicer toad if you ask me.

ROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRR

The air is suddenly full of a sound that could best be described as a volcano swallowing a hurricane.  The castle shakes.  Your insides shake.  Everything just shakes.

Shit! The halfling, takes her hands off her ears.  Excelebraxas must be on the move!  We've got to run!

She grabs the weeping girl and the others start to push past you inside.  The halfling shouts at you as she runs inside.  Hurry fools!  If he takes to the skies while you're out you'll die!

Selvin was watching and listening to the halfing intently. She was saying...a lot, and to several different people. He tried to nod or shake his head at the appropriate times, but had to stop and shift direction once.

He started slightly at the very loud roar. "crap." He glanced at Izzick. "Man, it never rains, it only pours, right?" Nevertheless, he was smiling as headed back inside and for the moment looked to see if the women were going the way he and his allies were wanting to go. If they were, he followed them for the moment, and if not, he headed away.

Izzick followed the small train that had formed of people fleeing the great roaring beast outside. This was the last thing they needed right now. They weren't with the invaders, but were they really the allies of these people? It was a tough question, but at least right now he knew everyone involved didn't want to end up in the pile of bodies in the room they were entering / came from. "Should we try to go upstairs? Down?" Where these 'burps' ended he couldn't say...or when...but maybe now they'd have an opening through the ambush...or the dwarf...or the mummified halfling. His legs strode behind Selvin not sure where to go.

Selvin hesitated, thinking about what Izzick said. He finally gave a half-shrug and a half-nod. "It may change again while we're down there an' that'd be bad, but...sure, why not, let's give it a shot!"

He started moving to go through the courtyard where the gargoyles were, or at least get a look to see if they were still there.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 32):

The halfling looks back at you, as if you've all lost your mind.  Hurry it up!  Everyone!  Let's try to get out of here before something stupid happens!

Why does it feel like what she said just tempted the universe? Chandanar wonders as you head towards the stairs.

Coming up the stairs is a large man in what must be silver hued plate mail. The parts of it that aren't covered in blood and gore are really shiny.  He has an imperious gaze and raises a large war hammer, pointing it at the lot of you.

Hold!  All who have sown the bitterest of fruits shall reap what they so justly...uh...grew!  And now will harvest!  And then they'll have to eat it!  Yeah!  Every last crumb!

Laoris looks over at Chandanar.  Good call.

The cleric shrugs.  You develop a sixth sense for such things, hanging around this lot.

Selvin turned to look at the armored figure as they appeared and spoke up. His mouth slowly opened as the talking went on, eyes getting that incredulous look on them. He glanced at Izzick and Chandanar, then back at the man. Then he burst out laughing.

He recovered after a moment, "Oh. Man. You are...THE sharpest tool in any shed. Wow." He grinned from inside his companion. "Yeah. Okay. I fertilize the fields with my crap after I eat dumb jocks like you. Here's a few for you to grow on!"

He flew at the armored figure, hostile intent evident, calling back over his shoulder, "Go! I'll handle this clown."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 34):

Sorry Selvin.  I thought I responded Thursday

As that scalawag Selvin leaps in to the fray, his silvery target proves that, while he may not be the sharpest tool, he is the poundiest hammer...

Roll for init.  Mine is a 24.

I would advise everyone to pinch in on this one. Thanks

Selvin's grin slipped off his face a bit when the armored figure was able to move SO fast towards him.

Soooo fast.
08:31, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 7 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 36):

Yeah.  Sorry.  This one is crazy nuts.

Selvin, you hear Zac moan and you hear Chandanar shout He's enchanted for speed!

No shit.

The hammer is moving so fast, it's like it's standing still...

38 pts of damage Selvin.

I can beat this guy! Laoris shouts. But I need a nimute to prepare!

Selvin barely heard or took note of what Laoris had to say, and the man arrived and swung so fast, he didn't have time to really register what Chandanar tried to helpfully yell. Zac took a mighty hit and was barely coherent still. Selvin grimaced in anger. He stepped back just slightly from the annoying guy and cast a spell to heal his friend. Safety first after all. He shouldn't have rushed in like that when Zac was still hurting.

Across their mental link, Selvin sorrowfully thought, "i'm so sorry, zac. i should've healed you before."

OOC: 5ft step back (and hope he doesn't have some of the annoying feats).
Cast Rejuvenate Eidolon, healing Zac for 24.

12:16, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 24 using 3d10+10.  Rejuvenate Eidolon.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 38):

You hear Chandanar chanting and in a moment, more relief washes over Zac.  18 HP Healed

With a wave of his hands, Izzick began to conjure a freezing essence inside him. The last thing they needed was for Zac to falter. Whether he was the past, present, future, or whatever, this wasn't the time to let anyone get the better of them. They'd been eaten by a worm and still managed to fight off an army of assassins. They had a reputation to keep. As he chanted the final syllable, the sorcerous essence swirled around the armored man.


Casting Icy Prison.
Reflex Save = 20

If the creature fails its save, it is helpless, but can still breathe (the ice blocks line of effect to the target). If the target makes its save, it gains the entangled condition but can otherwise act normally. Whether or not the target saves, it takes 1 point of cold damage per caster level each round it is helpless or entangled in the ice.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 40):

Hammer Boy suddenly gasps By the glaciers of Valhalla! and then starts to freeze up.

It seems he's going to need a moment to get out of the icy prison thang.

Selvin glared and growled at the armored man. "Oh just you wait! He freezes ya but I'll make yer guts fill with ice!" He flew back in to the man and unleashed and angry flurry of claws, slams and a bite on the dumb guy. Both Zac and Selvin seemed to be taking a bit of pleasure in this, or at least taking out their anger.

Swift Action: Arcane Strike.
Move: 5 foot step back in to melee.
Full Round Action: Full attack (AC 28 for 14 dmg & 3 electric; AC 26 for 13 dmg & 3 electric; AC 19 for 15 dmg & 3 electric; AC 36 for 19 dmg & 4 electric; AC 19 for 20 dmg & 4 electric).

21:59, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 28,26,19,36,19 using d20+17,d20+17,d20+17,d20+17,d20+17.  Full attack on armor guy (NO Power Attack, but Arcane Strike).
22:03, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 14,3,13,3,15,3,19,4,20,4 using d8+12,d6,d8+12,d6,2d6+12,d6,2d6+12,d6,2d6+12,d6 with rolls of 2,3,1,3,1,2,3,3,4,4,6,2,4.  Damage (d6 following each is the electricity).

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 42):

I never thought I'd be cheering a giant ethereal scorpion-giant-man-elf-guy beat up a holy warrior.  But here I am.  Chandanar shrugs.  Funny how your priorities change over time, huh?

Laoris suddenly steps forward and says a word in a loud, clear voice.  It's one of those funny words that magicians seem to know but no one can ever really quite hear or understand.

And as Selvin finishes taking a chunk out of Hammer Boy, Hammer Boy suddenly stops moving.  And turns to stone.

You can do that? Chandanar asks Laoris.

She tosses aside a scroll that's now blank.  Not anymore.  Sorry to ruin your fun big guy she winks at Selvin, But I think we need to get a move on.  That guy is probably one of the ones who made all these bodies.  And he'll have friends nearby.

You still seem to be in the then and there as opposed to the here and now.  So the one door no longer has that demon guarding it.  Or you could go back downstairs.  Or anywhere.

Selvin's head turned quickly when he heard a word of power being spoken behind him. It was Laoris, though, and not an...enemy yet. The hammer-wielder stopped moving and turned to stone. Selvin backed up a bit, confused and wary.

He turned back to Laoris and gave a shrug. "Fine. I tried t'hold 'im off for you all t'leave, but this works too. Let's go I guess." He headed on the through the door, seeing if they could find and cross the courtyard.