The Eye of Anubis: Book Five

NeoTiamat · Post by **NeoTiamat** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:22 am

The Cistern, Sub-Level One, Dežbār Keep
May 29th, 761, 6:51 AM; Day 73 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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The eight adventurers hurried away from the scene of their triumph and near-demise. As a matter of fact, the members of the Menetnashte Expedition were running as fast as they could, across the Dark Way that Kuzan had conjured and away from any foes, animal, vegetable, or immortal, that would do them harm.

As such, it was only Khalil who noticed the slight crack opening in the ceiling of the cavern, and a single ray of light fall onto the water of the dark, miserable cistern. Dawn was some minutes away, but the starlight nevertheless provided some little illumination.

Khalil had never seen water so brilliantly blue.

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Despite that, now was not the time for sight-seeing. The Expedition members turned the corner fast as they could, hurrying up the spiral stairwell that led to the main Keep building and to freedom. It was not a distant trip, but somehow a nerve-wracking one, especially as Andre, with his magical vision, found one after another of the red eyes in the Keep. So it was with relief that you finally reached the top of the stairs. Only to stop dead.

Leaving so soon? The fiend, the Marquis of Hell, leaned idly against the wall of Dezbar Keep. The entity looked somewhat like before, a deeply tanned, muscular man, save for the black wolf's head and the gryphon's wings sprouting from his back, and the long, dark talons of his hands. Congratulations is in order, I believe, even at this ungodly hour of the morning. But then again, the early bird catches the worm, or wyrm in this case.

Marchosias drew a cigarette from the air, complete with holder, and made a small gesture. A flickering red-orange flame, the same color as the fiend's eyes, sprang from his palm. With a cupping gesture universally recognizable, the fiend lit his cigarette and drew a smoke. It would've seemed a rather pedestrian gesture if not for the fact that the smoker in question had inch-long fangs and four-inch-long talons.

And yet, it seems you've gotten turned around in your hurry to bring me the Sefer Raziel HaMalakh. Well, you are only mortal, it is forgiven. The fiend spoke pleasantly, though there was a cruelly amused gleam in his eye as he deigned to allow you to save face. So then. The book?

Rock of the Fraternity · Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:36 am

Lia falls back at the sight of the fiend and starts to hide behind the other members of the expedition, her head bowed and hands crawling into the opposite sleeves -- and then she steps on a pebble and nearly trips. Words meant to be muttered come out loud and clear: 'Occultum video' ... "Blast. Oh, well," the Mordentishwoman sighs. "I was rather curious whether our fiendish acquaintance was really here or just 'in spirit', as it were, anyway."

Having spoken, Lia visibly widens her eyes as she glares at the fiend.

(Sleight of hand check to hide spellcasting: 8. Rats. Casting Detect Magic and taking a good, hard look at Fiendy McBirddog.)

DocBeard · Post by **DocBeard** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:24 pm

Tomas's quiet after the Serpent's fall is largely because he is soaking wet and trying to fight off hypothermia with the benefit of bundling himself up in his armor and coat.

The first time he actually talks is when the party passes a decorative bust of one of the old beys; Tomas suddenly shouts, "BACK OFF!" and swings his sword, cracking the ancient stone and beheading the perfectly harmless railing decoration.

"Um." Tomas says, after a second. "Its eyes were glowing." Tomas looks over at Charles and Ishaq. "Thanks."

And then, demon time! The Marquis may enjoy the fact that Tomas has lost too much blood and swallowed too much water to be sassy this time around.

Nathan of the FoS · Post by **Nathan of the FoS** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:12 pm

"Good morning, m'seigneur," Charles says politely. "What an unexpected pleasure to see you here. We are not, in point of fact, turned around; we were returning upstairs to discuss what, if anything, we have gained from our recent exertions, and to rest before braving another visit, as your neighbors seem to be rather formidable and it would be too bad to be turned back by their intransigence."

yalenusveler · Post by **yalenusveler** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:19 pm

Andre concentrated on the manifestation of the not quite so friendly fiend, trying rather much to determine if he was there in whatever their equivalent to flesh was...or this was just some sort of illusion, a prestedigitator's attempt at intimidation.

"Illusion...but don't presume it harmless. A Phantasmal Killer, is afterall, an illusion."

OOC:Detecting...and what's the procedure to disbelive an illusion?
Other than shouting Gazebo! as is custom.

steveflam · Post by **steveflam** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:24 pm

Ishaq gritted his teeth when he saw the demon once more. Sighing inwardly he focuses his energy on staying strong for the group. He lays a hand on Tomas' shoulder and nods to him, grinning. He unsheathes his blade again and holds it in both hands, point down. He was ready in case they decided to fight the fiend.

DocBeard · Post by **DocBeard** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:09 pm

"Otto?" Tomas murmurs, "Do you still have that bottle you took from me?"

Kaitou Kage · Post by **Kaitou Kage** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:55 pm

"Let's just go, then," Kuzan said quietly, "If something happens, I'll warn the others." He murmured a short spell and then began walking forward. The priest kept a wary eye on the illusion as he walked, ready to move if something happened.

Casting protection from evil on myself, then off I go. Readied action to cast dimension door.

Please note that this entire post hinges on it actually being confirmed that the "fiend" we see right now is an illusion. If I misread the above post(s), and it's not an illusion, let me know because Kuzan wouldn't be that foolhardy.

The Whistler · Post by **The Whistler** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:35 pm

Otto has his "concentration face" on, staring at the demon as if willing it to either not exist or make more sense. Yet, at Tomas' question, he nods once, sharply--and pats a pouch on his belt that by rights should not be big enough to fit a wine bottle, but apparently does. The movement could be mistaken for an involuntary twitch, looked at at the right angle.

His mouth moves:

"Why?"

NeoTiamat · Post by **NeoTiamat** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:36 pm

The Cistern, Sub-Level One, Dežbār Keep
May 29th, 761, 6:52 AM; Day 73 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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Rock wrote:"Blast. Oh, well," the Mordentishwoman sighs. "I was rather curious whether our fiendish acquaintance was really here or just 'in spirit', as it were, anyway."

It is good to know, Liability, that you did not spontaneously become polite or well-mannered since we last met. It reaffirms my belief in the stability of this plane. The fiend smiled ironically, pausing briefly to take a long drag on the cigarette. But no. I am not here in the flesh, as it were. Rather consider me a unique mass hallucination. Or perhaps the term 'Consensus Reality' holds more meaning. It's academic really. I am sufficiently present to converse, and my powers are without limit in this building.

Kaitou Kage wrote:"Let's just go, then," Kuzan said quietly, "If something happens, I'll warn the others." He murmured a short spell and then began walking forward. The priest kept a wary eye on the illusion as he walked, ready to move if something happened.

The fiend raised a single eyebrow as Kuzan strode past. Whatever Marchosias was expecting to happen, this wasn't it. Nevertheless, as Kuzan approached the door to the main keep building, it suddenly slammed shut. You heard the sound of a bar falling across the door with grim finality.

I don't recall giving you permission to depart. The fiend said dryly, his voice echoing in the vaults of your mind. Remember. You are a priest, not a god.

Nathan of the FoS wrote:"Good morning, m'seigneur," Charles says politely. "What an unexpected pleasure to see you here. We are not, in point of fact, turned around; we were returning upstairs to discuss what, if anything, we have gained from our recent exertions, and to rest before braving another visit, as your neighbors seem to be rather formidable and it would be too bad to be turned back by their intransigence."

Commendable efforts, but I really see no need to waste time. I am sure you gentlemen and Liability all have important things to do away from Dezbar Keep. You realized something about the fiend that you hadn't before. His eyes, always having pupils like roaring fire, were larger now, dilated to the point that no iris was visible. All you saw was a crackling, maddening flame, Hellfire in the most literal incarnation behind those eyes. Whatever power dwelt within the urbane chimera before you, it was bubbling dangerously close to the surface.

Now then. The fiend spoke in a voice that brooked no discussion or disagreement, drawing the line in the sand. Give me the Sefer Raziel HaMalakh.

yalenusveler · Post by **yalenusveler** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:59 pm

Andre it seemed...had snapped a bit. Or at least decided that now was time for a musical interlude. It wasn't anything that would play in the great halls of Dementlieu, or hells, even in a Mordentish tavern, but he was trying to carry the tune of the song that the keep had "sung" to him and Otto earlier.

DocBeard · Post by **DocBeard** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:07 pm

Tomas, soaking wet, dripping, lets out an exhausted sigh...

...and waves to Otto to never mind-having remembered another condition of their leaving, and stumbles into Kuzan lightly, trying to make it seem like a sign of exhaustion instead of a timely cover of the cleric's incantation...their best hope out of this damned castle!

(OOC: Remember what Ishmael said, guys. We've got to leave the castle before we can destroy the book.)

Kaitou Kage · Post by **Kaitou Kage** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:18 pm

"When I want your permission, I'll ask for it," Kuzan muttered under his breath.

"Ishaq!" he called, "Be a friend and bust down this door here, would you?"

The priest pulled a scroll from his pouch and uttered the prayer on it. The scroll vanished in a flicker of light and the others began to heal rapidly.

Mass Lesser Vigor scroll

"It's not daybreak yet, so we still have time to make our decision," the priest pointed out, "So, if you'll excuse us..."

Then, he fingered a small stone attached to his necklace.

Get ready to leave. Help needed, dungeon door. Send Jervis, maybe others. Dealing with unhappy fiend. Pelletier will survive trip. Must leave keep. Quickly.

Using the sending stone to contact Sam.

Rock of the Fraternity · Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:47 pm

'Sagittae omne errore vacuae, volete!' Lia snaps, levelling a finger at the door. A stream of Magic Missiles erupts from her hand to impact with the door. "I always become somewhat ill-mannered when 'people' try to surprise me and restrain my movement," she coolly informs the fiend. "And much of our time here has been restrictive. I very much doubt your power here is unlimited, or you would have had that serpent bring you the book you so crave."

(Unless the door somehow resists the spell, that's 16 damage. Take it away, Ishaq.)

NeoTiamat · Post by **NeoTiamat** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:03 am

The Cistern, Sub-Level One, Dežbār Keep
May 29th, 761, 6:53 AM; Day 73 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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Rock wrote:"I always become somewhat ill-mannered when 'people' try to surprise me and restrain my movement," she coolly informs the fiend. "And much of our time here has been restrictive. I very much doubt your power here is unlimited, or you would have had that serpent bring you the book you so crave."

And people wonder why my kind has a tendency towards murderous violence The fiend murmurred dryly, demurely standing aside so as to let Kuzan have better access to the door. Be honest. If we're forced to deal with people such as Liability, can you really blame us?

Kaitou Kage wrote:"It's not daybreak yet, so we still have time to make our decision," the priest pointed out, "So, if you'll excuse us..."

Very well. I daresay the answer is obvious, but the forms must be observed. The fiend smiled for a moment, the kind of visage to have one wake up at night in a cold sweat. Still, it would be a horrible shame if something unfortunate happened to you before dawn. This old castle has so many pitfalls for the unwary. Ghosts... structural decay... myself....

We must make sure that you survive safely till dawn, yes? With another smile, the fiend took a brief smoke, and in then blew out a breath of reddish orange smoke, looking much like a flame... right down to the sparks within it.

The cloud swirled along the edges of the stairwell, hugging the walls and coming before the doors. Then, all in a single burst, it turned to fire. Scarlet flames exploded upward, plastering the walls of the room with a curtain of fire. They flickered and danced in a hideous display, but though the room became warmer, it was not fatally so.... yet.

Yes, this ought to keep all of the ghosties and ghoulies and long-leggedy beasties of this keep away from you while you decide. I shall return shortly. Good day.

With that, the fiend himself transformed into smoke, viscuous, black smoke that would choke and kill, and seeped slowly through the stones of the room.

[OOC: Alrighty! The circumference of the room is now covered in a Wall of Fire, (deals 24 fire damage for passing through it). The floor and ceiling are not, but they're made of stone masonry, with a Hardness of 8, 90 HP, and a Break DC of 35.

The fiend will return at dawn, which is 10 minutes away, or so. I shall post his return late this night or tomorrow morning.

So get cracking!]

Café de Nuit

Welcome, friends, to our establishment.

The Eye of Anubis: Book Five