At Walala's command, an eye-like construct forms near Jasker, staring at him intently. Yagi manages to shake off his dazing with assistance from Kadol, and charges Jasker. His swing goes wild and it looks as though he might miss, but he lands a solid slash across his neck like a guillotine. The eye responds by zapping Jasker with a bolt of energy.

Jasker wobbles to his feet and dusts himself off, then tries to bring his tome down on Yagi with bone-crushing force. The knight's armor easily deflects the blow, and Jasker finally grasps the gravity of the situation he's in. He laughs nervously and tries to look non-threatening as he speaks, "Come now, let's talk this over like civilized persons. I'm sure we can come to an agreement, yes?"

Walala summons Punishing Eye
Yagi fails saving throw against being dazed
Kadol grants Yagi a reroll, and Yagi saves against being dazed
Yagi just barely hits with his charge attack for 16 damage and 5 psychic damage, and Jasker is slowed until the end of his next turn

Jasker failed to recharge any powers
Jasker stands from prone
Jasker attacks Yagi with Book Club, but misses

Initiative Order
Winged Horror 8 – 30
Winged Horror 3 – 30
Winged Horror 4 – 29
Winged Horror 9 – 28
Yagi – 24
Jasker – 23
Rock – 21
Winged Horror 6 – 21
Winged Horror 7 – 21
Fays – 19
Winged Horror 2 – 19
Corpsespawn Fly – 19
Kadol – 16
Lia – 20 (delay)
Cult Necromancer 2 – 16
Cult Necromancer 1 – 13
Winged Horror 5 – 13
Winged Horror 1 – 12
Youngest Emerald Dragon Wyrmling – 9
Walala – 7

Players
Kadol Stormbrew (B, 18) 33/48 HP +2 to defenses against creatures suffering from effects she imposed Lia (-B, 16) 12/49 HP (bloodied) Aspect of the Dancing Serpent, heavily obscured, prone
Rock (-B, 20) 57/57 HP +1 to all defenses, Longtooth Shifting
Walala (-B, 17) 31/53 HP heavily obscured
Fays (A, 17) 14/49 HP (bloodied)
Yagi Yuu (-A, 22) 26/60 HP (bloodied)
Youngest Emerald Dragon Wyrmling (-A,21) -46 HP -10 damage from missed attacks
Punishing Eye (-C,20) All allied attacks deal an additional 5 psychic damage

Enemies
Jasker (-B, 21)-102 HP (bloodied) slowed, Stirring Shout
Corpsespawn Fly (C/D, 26/27) -154 HP (bloodied) slowed, prone, immobilized (save ends), takes 3 extra damage per hit (spike wire) DEAD
Cult Necromancer 1 (-B, 12) -77 HP prone DEAD
Cult Necromancer 2 (B, 26) -94 HP (bloodied) slowed, prone, dazed, -4 to all defenses DEAD
Winged Horror 1 (-G, 19) -5 to attack against all but Yagi Yuu, marked, -2 to attack rolls DEAD
Winged Horror 2 (-F, 19) -5 to attack against all but Yagi Yuu, marked, -2 to attack rolls DEAD
Winged Horror 3 (-F, 19) -5 to attack against all but Yagi Yuu, marked, -2 to attack rolls DEAD
Winged Horror 4 (-H, 19) -5 to attack against all but Yagi Yuu, marked
DEAD
Winged Horror 5 (-E, 19, elevation 1)
Winged Horror 6 (-C, 19, elevation 1)
Winged Horror 7 (-C, 21 elevation 1) marked DEAD
Winged Horror 8 (B, 26, elevation 1) DEAD
Winged Horror 9 (B, 21, elevation 1) DEAD

Notes
-Youngest Emerald Dragon Wyrmling’s Plucky aura reduces damage to allies and itself that they would take on a missed attack
-An enemy that begins its turn adjacent to a Winged Horror is slowed until the start of their next turn.
-A creature that is heavily obscured has total concealment. Melee and ranged attacks against a heavily obscured creature suffer a -5 attack penalty.
-A creature subjected to Temptations must reroll an attack that misses Jasker against an ally adjacent to Jasker.
-When an ally hits a creature subjected to Stirring Shout, that ally regains 5 hit points.

Rock, in response, grins wildly. "What makes y'think I'm any bit 'civilised', you demon scum?!"

Unceremoniously, Rock swings at the creature with the blunt side of his weapon.[/i]

Move: Shift to -C 21, COMBAT ADVANTAGE LOL
Standard: Rage of the Thunder Hooves
Roll: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3243479/
Non-lethal 40 damage... well, 5 is from Eye, too lazy to look up if it gave less than that.

Rock moves to a better position and hammers Jasker with the dull part of his gouge. The arcane eye construct responds in kind by zapping Jasker with a bolt of energy, and the devil passes out from the pain.

Jasker is hit for 35 damage plus 5 psychic damage and is knocked out cold

Combat has now ended

Initiative Order
Winged Horror 8 – 30
Winged Horror 3 – 30
Winged Horror 4 – 29
Winged Horror 9 – 28
Yagi – 24
Jasker – 23
Rock – 21
Winged Horror 6 – 21
Winged Horror 7 – 21
Fays – 19
Winged Horror 2 – 19
Corpsespawn Fly – 19
Kadol – 16
Lia – 20 (delay)
Cult Necromancer 2 – 16
Cult Necromancer 1 – 13
Winged Horror 5 – 13
Winged Horror 1 – 12
Youngest Emerald Dragon Wyrmling – 9
Walala – 7

Players
Kadol Stormbrew (B, 18) 33/48 HP +2 to defenses against creatures suffering from effects she imposed Lia (-B, 16) 12/49 HP (bloodied) Aspect of the Dancing Serpent, heavily obscured, prone
Rock (-C, 21) 57/57 HP Longtooth Shifting, Thunder Hooves Rage
Walala (-B, 17) 31/53 HP heavily obscured
Fays (A, 17) 14/49 HP (bloodied)
Yagi Yuu (-A, 22) 26/60 HP (bloodied)
Youngest Emerald Dragon Wyrmling (-A,21) -46 HP -10 damage from missed attacks
Punishing Eye (-C,20) All allied attacks deal an additional 5 psychic damage

Enemies
Jasker (-B, 21)-142 HP (bloodied) slowed, Stirring Shout K.O.
Corpsespawn Fly (C/D, 26/27) -154 HP (bloodied) slowed, prone, immobilized (save ends), takes 3 extra damage per hit (spike wire) DEAD
Cult Necromancer 1 (-B, 12) -77 HP prone DEAD
Cult Necromancer 2 (B, 26) -94 HP (bloodied) slowed, prone, dazed, -4 to all defenses DEAD
Winged Horror 1 (-G, 19) -5 to attack against all but Yagi Yuu, marked, -2 to attack rolls DEAD
Winged Horror 2 (-F, 19) -5 to attack against all but Yagi Yuu, marked, -2 to attack rolls DEAD
Winged Horror 3 (-F, 19) -5 to attack against all but Yagi Yuu, marked, -2 to attack rolls DEAD
Winged Horror 4 (-H, 19) -5 to attack against all but Yagi Yuu, marked
DEAD
Winged Horror 5 (-E, 19, elevation 1)
Winged Horror 6 (-C, 19, elevation 1)
Winged Horror 7 (-C, 21 elevation 1) marked DEAD
Winged Horror 8 (B, 26, elevation 1) DEAD
Winged Horror 9 (B, 21, elevation 1) DEAD

Notes
-Youngest Emerald Dragon Wyrmling’s Plucky aura reduces damage to allies and itself that they would take on a missed attack
-An enemy that begins its turn adjacent to a Winged Horror is slowed until the start of their next turn.
-A creature that is heavily obscured has total concealment. Melee and ranged attacks against a heavily obscured creature suffer a -5 attack penalty.
-A creature subjected to Temptations must reroll an attack that misses Jasker against an ally adjacent to Jasker.
-When an ally hits a creature subjected to Stirring Shout, that ally regains 5 hit points.

Rock, for good measure, spits on the fallen demon.

"An' that's what you get for attacking us, you cowardly craven," he growls, while his features slowly return to normal.

With a sideward glance at Kadol, the shifter adds, "An' for all you prissy fairies, he ain't dead. I ain't chopping down a bleedin' coward."

Experience : +4338
+500 - Puzzle solved
+500 - Dragons saved
Total Experience = +5338 (889 each)

Expected experience total = 10013

Party is now level 7. You may add a level 7 or lower encounter power (if you get one at level 7) from your class to your power list. Additionally, you may retrain up to 2 feats. You may also retrain 1 power for a power of the same type of the same or a lower level.

Kadol shakes her head a bit agitatedly at Rock in response. "Tha THING is a devil. Ye'd be doin' tha mortal plane a favor by killin' it. It's just a servant o' bigger threat--one tha wanted tae do somethin' tae tha dragon, most likely," the dwarf woman says, walking over to the ritual circle below the dragon. Kneeling, Kadol tries to get a good look at the forces binding the dragon in place.

Use my knowledge of Ritual Caster to try and figure out what's going on with the magic circle and the big emerald dragon. Is there any way I can free the dragon?

The shifter bites back a remark to Kadol, instead growling lowly to himself. Why won't she do it, then? She knows killing cowards ain't any bit glory in it, or is it that she feels a likeness with the thing? Pshaw, they both share the same slavish devotion to idiocy granted by some deity, because they don't have power of their own!

>>1200
Kadol : From what you gather, the circle is a type of binding ritual. It's currently being used to restrain the dragon and keep it unconscious. If the devil was maintaining it, then it should drop with just a little push.

Yagi expresses his frustration with the devil by decapitating it in one smooth motion.

Kadol stands over the ritual circle, and takes her magic staff with the holy symbol attached to the head with both hands. Closing her eyes, the invoker begins chanting a prayer to Moradin, saying, "Great Soul-Forger, your humble servant calls upon your power. Dispel this evil magic and break the chains that bind this poor creature." With a start, she opens her eyes suddenly and slams the base of her staff into the circle. "Be free, great one!"

Rock stares after Kadol, shaking his head at the lumpy dwarf. Man, he'd want to cuff her a good one...

He turns his head just in time to see Yagi lob off Jasker's.

"H, hey! Damnit, that was my prey, you oafy fairy!"

The devil has no way to protect itself from Yagi's sudden attack, and its head is cleanly lopped off. It rolls a couple of feet, leaving a trail of blood along its path, before resting on its side. Immortalized on its face are its last emotions before being knocked out : pure terror.

With Jasker dead and Kadol invoking the power of Moradin, the circle shatters like glass, its chalky runes scattering along the floor and disappearing into nothingness. The large dragon stirs from its forced slumber. Errol stumbles over and nudges at its face, and the dragon slowly opens a single green eye. It sees its child nestled beside it, then checks its surroundings. When it spots the adventurers, it says in a loud deadpan voice, "Thanks."

Kadol is a bit taken aback by the simple response of the dragon, but regains her composure after a moment's hesitation. She bows slightly, and speaks in a respectful tone, "Great dragon, it'd seem there is a conspiracy afoot--one tha attempted tae use yer own life an' tha life of yer child as pawns." Kadol looks around, and stares at the beheaded devil, then remarks, "They've sent undead monstrosities an' fiends fro' tha Nine Hells... there's some sort o' sinister plot at work here."

The dragon lazily blinks a couple of times, then stands up to its full height, dwarfing Kadol. It regards the dwarf with a tired expression, its green eyes half closed, "Correct. I make it a point to know what's happening in the world, and was aware that there was a plot out to subdue me." It surveys the broken tables and scattered books, remarking, "They must have knocked out the record spells when they ransacked the place. That's up to twelve hours of history lost."

Kadol tries to suppress questioning the dragon on why, if it knew there was a plot against it, it did not put a stop to it. Instead, she asks, "Tell me, great one. Do ye know anythin' o' a being called 'Wiseman?' Tha devil was referrin' tae it."

The large dragon sighs, speaking in short sentences, "Something that refuses to go away. A lich that was sealed away ages ago. Very likely got out because the conditions for his release were too ambiguous." It motions to the statue over yonder, "And that's his phylactery. They probably wanted it back so I would stop repressing his power through it." She seems almost bored.

"Now what brings you all the way out here, besides delivering my child back to me?" Errol has climbed onto his mother's back and passed out in exhaustion, the stress from earlier overwhelming him.

"Well, actually, we ran intae a bit o' trouble wit some demons and a demon-worshipping cult, an' we're on tha run," Kadol explains in a thoughtful and even tone. "We encountered some corrupt dwarven folk holdin' yer child hostage, an' sprung him loose. Ye dinnae need tae worry aboot them, we wiped them out too. It doesn't sound like they're gonna leave us alone until we put down tha boss, though..."

Ignoring the dragon and the rest of the party, Fays walks over to Jasker's corpse and searches it for any valuables.

Jasker has a nicely tailored suit on himself, but that's about it.

The dragon reaches behind itself and pulls a large tome out with its claws. Flipping it open, it remarks, "As I thought... If you refer to the Fraternity of Tharos, then the 'boss' is in fact this 'Wiseman' figure." The book slams shut with a loud thud, the emerald dragon continuing, "Convenient."

Yagi ignores the shifter, and sits down to rest.

>>1212
Twelve whole hours? Such a shame.

short rest until people are ready to move again.

"We share a common enemy, then," Kadol comments sagely, nodding her head. "Removin' tha Fraternity of Tharos from power over tha nearby regions's our goal. Striking a' this 'Wiseman' seems tae be a prudent way tae strike a' tha controlling cult." The dwarf turns her gaze to the statue, and says, "Ye say tha statue be his phylactery, aye?"
Take 10 on Religion (25) for knowledge of liches and phylacteries.

>>1219
Kadol : A mortal becomes a lich by performing a dark and terrible ritual. In this ritual the mortal dies, but rises again as an undead creature. Most liches are wizards or warlocks, but even clerics can follow this dark path. To become a lich. a spellcaster must be devoted to evil and adept at performing unspeakable acts of violence. Few spellcasters have a shred of morality remaining after their transformations into liches. The process of attaining lichdom bends the mortal mind in unnatural and crippling ways. Many liches rise up insane, but even they enact cunning plans; they just do so for incomprehensible reasons.
A lich’s life force is bound up in a magic phylactery, which typically takes the form of a fist-sized metal box containing strips of parchment on which magical phrases have been written. If you destroy a lich, its spirit returns to its phylactery. Its body reforms within 10 days at the location of the phylactery unless you also destroy the phylactery. Most liches hide their phylacteries in secret (and well-guarded) vaults, sometimes on other planes. If its phylactery is destroyed, the lich can still create a new one. Only by destroying both can a lich be eradicated.

"Yes," the dragon curtly replies, "That is its phylactery, though destroying it will do no good so long as he walks this earth. Even after this incident, I lack the power and the motivation to take on this Wiseman figure. I only record history; I do not make it."

"If tha Wiseman's allowed tae continue tae operate, he may come after ye again," Kadol points out with conviction. "Do ye know where he hides? I've had enuff dealin' with his lackies. We'll take him down fer good this time. And wit' tha phylactery'n yer grasp, it'll be easy enuff tae finish 'em when we destroy tha body." The invoker nods sagely, and propoes, "If we go destroy tha lich, could ye smash tha phylactery?"

The dragon consults her tome once more, stating plainly, "Atop a tall citadel in New Sarshel, one with no windows to let any light in. Though its gray exterior is quite bland, I am completely certain that this is where he is currently." The dragon's giant brow creases in thought, and it regards the group again, "If I recall correctly, there was a group that was chased out of that city several days ago. That wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"

She shakes her head, "Actually, it does not matter. What does matter is that getting back there would be quite a hassle under normal circumstances. Other than the long trek, there are also agents of the fraternity prowling the countryside, yes?"

Eyeing that nicely tailored suit, Fays quickly undresses Jasker and stuffs the suit in his backpack.

"Gah, tha villain's holed himself up in some stronghold, eh? Suppos'd tae be dumber than tha," Kadol remarks with a bit of disappointment. "I reckon we'd best continue our escape, then. We're headin' tae Vesperin, tae some boats tae make our escape from tha cult."

"A'course we're high-tailin' it outta here!" Rock interjects. "We ain't contracted to go fight some bloody lich up in there, an' we're still busy trying to escape with our lives here.

"F'r a buncha guys out on an escape, y'sure do love your detours."

>>1225
"Tis' not for naught my barbarian friend. Here, sit down and have something to eat whilst the dwarf and dragon talk about magic."

With that said, Fays grabs some trail rations out of his backpack and offers some to Rock.

Spend two healing surges and take a short rest.

>>1224
"Vesperin," it remarks, "was overrun by demons from the Dunwood Forest a few days ago. I was unable to buy my parchment and quills because of that." She seems more upset by the inconvenience than by the city falling to invaders. "Likely part of that demonic cult growing in power and trying to overtake the entire area. If you still plan on traveling through there, I cannot do anything to help you."

Walala was sort of conked out earlier. She awakes now and twitches a bit at the surprising lack of activity. Also the headless naked demon thing. Is that a...? I... shouldn't think about it any longer. Disturbed, Walala approaches the emerald dragon with fake pomp.

>>1234
"Yes? Is there something you need from me?" it inquires.

Rock grabs the food offered with a low grumble of thanks, glaring at Kadol in the mean time.

"Look, let's just go. We've been tryin' hard to get outta here, might's well take our chances, right?

"I dunno what you guys're plannin' but I think that busting through to the open seas sounds to be the least dangerous thing, ya know?"

With a growl, Rock adds, "Unless you want to set up home here, which case we're gonna need some way to get food."

>>1235
Despite being half-conscious for the past few minutes, Walala heard most of the conversation. "You're weird," she transmits telepathically, before continuing on about how weird it is that a lich is controlling demons. See this? She motions the sign language for "I'm about to show you something in your head" and then shows the dragon an image of a big scary demon from beyond. This is a demon. She then unfolds an image of a bony old man, his sinew separating from his muscle and faint currents of magic wafting off his body. That's a lich. Wait, no. A dusty orb. THAT'S a lich.

"I cannot accommodate guest for long, I'm afraid. We're cut off from supplies as long as the countryside is overrun," the dragon replies. It sighs heavily, "I suppose it cannot be helped. I'll lend you my help, if need be. But I do wish to involve myself as little as possible."

"Actually, we WERE hired tae remove tha cult fro' power. Doesn't seem like too much o' a stretch fro' there tae go fer tha leader," Kadol grumbles back at Rock. She then turns he address to the dragon and says, "Is there no way tae strike a' 'em, then? Takin' down tha fraternity is our goal, an' ahm not much fer runnin' away."

>>1239
"I'll take you there myself," the dragon says resigned,"I have my ways of reaching places to set up surveillance without being seen. If I must show them to somebody, I'd rather it was somebody I had reason to help. Perhaps this will make us even." Errol stirs slightly, and she shushes him. "Right now he is likely expecting his servants to be on their way with the phylactery in tow. I could sneak you in if that's what it takes."

>>1240
Walala's eyelights dim. Stealth mode is a go!

Suddenly, as her consciousness returns, Walala's eye slits flash. Miss Emerald Dragon? she asks. Why are devils, demons, undead, and ancient dwarves everything trying to kill us? She seems apprehensive. Mindflayers next, I'll bet...! She barely suppresses her anger. Is it possible that something besides the lich is behind this, or that the demons or some such have some sort of ulterior motive? Besides, you know, getting laid with the missy demons.

>>1242
The emerald dragon groans, "Oh, if only that were the case, but the truth is far worse. To understand that, though, you must know that, in life, this 'Wiseman' fellow was supposedly a warlock of great power and infamy. He pledged to various entities his fealty and a piece of his soul in exchange for power, then went behind their backs and made similar pledges with other patrons. Thus, when the time came to fulfill his part of the bargain, Wiseman wouldn't have any of it. Rather, he tried to take the power of his patrons for himself. One of which was a demon lord whose name was lost to history, consumed by Wiseman's gluttony for power. And when he gained this power, he gained dominion over those who served under him, commanding a formidable force of demon hosts."

Leaving the story hanging, the dragon adds, "The devil was likely a familiar of sorts. I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't the last you'd see of him. Those dwarfs you mention, whomever they might be, likely entered a similar pact with Wiseman in exchange for something. And the undead... Well, he is a lich, is he not?"

Tiredly, she asks,"Is there anything else you need to know?"

>>1243
How come you're so tired all the time? Walala tilts her head.

>>1245
"Still groggy from being out cold for several hours," she replies.

Kadol seems satisfied as she nods, "If ye can get us tae tha lich, ahm sure we kin take care o' tha rest."

"If ye'd grant us rest here fer tha night, we'll hit tha monstrosity a' full force," the dwarf suggests.

>>1247
The emerald dragon seems uncomfortable with allowing strangers to stay over, but nods, "Understood. I will make accommodations for the six of you. It won't take longer than a few minutes. In the meantime, I will grant you the privilege of reading the records if you so choose, but please put them back where you found them when you're done."

Carefully the creature moves so as not to dislodge Errol from her back. She steps around the debris surrounding the iron door and effortlessly pushes it open. Stepping into the darkness beyond, the heavy door swings shut behind her, the sound echoing through the chamber.

It isn't long before the heavy iron door is thrown open again. The emerald dragon beckons the group inside to a fairly small room, its only defining features several large comforters spread around haphazardly and a dimly glowing wall light of polished crystal, no brighter than a night light.

"I don't normally entertain guests," the dragon states plainly, "So this is all I can offer under short notice. Try to make the best of it while I prepare for tomorrow." And without waiting for any objections, she returns to the main chamber and slams the door shut.

Right now you may take an extended rest. As long as you sleep a minimum of six hours before you set out tomorrow, you gain the benefits of an extended rest. This includes regaining all encounter powers, daily powers, hit points, healing surges, and item powers. In addition, you gain 1 action point.

Rock mumbles, growls and complains under his breath, eyeing the room a bit for something, anything, that he could use to make a fire, or else use as cooking fire.

>>1251
Other than the aforementioned items, the room is remarkably barren. The walls and floor are lined with polished crystal, but it looks totally mundane. And not good for starting fires at all.

"So's any of you guys bring something f'r a campfire with 'em?"

"Fraid not," Kadol says, sitting on one of the comforters and starting to close her eyes. "Ye'll get used tae it. Rest up, fer taemarrow we be finishin' this job."

Take extended rest etc

>>1269