Rayden smiled slightly as the companion had listened to her. She was unsure if he would with her being so new to the group. In one moment however, the three rats she had warned about were now two with an imp between them. She quickly donned her bow and aimed towards the… she clicked her tongue in annoyance, the imp had vanished.. Instead the Ranger/cleric aimed at the left retreating rat, tossing a prayer up to Rillifane Rallathil so that she may hit the rat instead of miss.

 

Craggen Core
General St Alban’s home.

Rayden having warned the rest of the party about the giant rats, was not happy to see Lothor reveal one to be in truth a shape changed Imp.

Her bow up and two arrows streaming towards the giant rat running to the left and though the rat was moving quickly her arrows scored a pair of hard hits slamming the rat into the wall with force of impact. However it was up and running for cover in seconds.

Clearly though both arrows had hit they had done no damage.

Cor having seen that his spell had at least had some effect cast it again, this time producing 16 snakes, of which 8 were poisonous. And once again the snakes fought well only to be overrun once more as the number of rats were just to man. Though briefly distracted, the horde once again continued to slowly climb the steps. The Dwarven Knight Cleric could see unless they were stopped the rats would easily over come Rayden, Lothor, Arander and himself.

Lothor knew he was in trouble as the Imp just disappeared from his sight. Trying to look everywhere at once he quickly felt a sting to his shoulder between flesh and armor. His sudden movement to quickly try to strike the now visible Imp met with failure and a sort of strange success. Though his attack failed and he had been unharmed by its poison and taken minor damage in its attack. However as the Imp attempted to flee and go invisible for another attack, it found that due to the Human fighter’s quick movement its wing had caught on the strap of his quiver. For the moment the Imp found itself helpless.

Arandur having attempted to talk to the rats but failing, took action as had his sister. His bow to hand and he also fired two arrows to watch one hit and one missed. In a cry of pain the right most rat, an arrow briefly sticking from its body was as the one Lothor had hit revealed to be a second Imp. However this one did not go invisible, in stead it growled, and launched itself straight at the Elf Ranger!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Siréne exhaled and lowered her hand........

"Very well, it has been decided. You ask that I bind myself to you with no questions, and no consequences. There are. As a priestess of the Old Religion, I cannot enter a mystical bond to any being not loyal to the Goddess. If you truly are a creature of Faerie then that allegiance is already there. I am willing to accept your bond, but you must be willing to accept mine. We both make concessions to the other."

“Lady Enchantress I believe you look at this wrong. If we bond, we bond as friends not as Master and familiar. My clan of faerie dragons worship no Goddess, we are just too free willed for that, or follow a religions path. Yes our magic will be intertwined as was with the Halfling and Peri. To be honest I had never thought of bonding with anything or anyone other then taking a mate”

Head turned to gaze at Peri’s still body.

“However I do care for her, in what I guess your races call 'love'. Though she ran and hid and is not ready to be mated she still I hope ‘loves’ me and I am willing to bond with you Enchantress to save her life.”

Looks to Ulthok.

“Halfling there is slim chance I can reach the enclave in time to set everything in motion but I will try as hard as I can and once again I do promise, no matter what the outcome, the return of this amulet.”…….

Through out the whole conversation Valene had stood quietly, watching Sirene and Ulthok talk to the newest faerie dragon this one male. However she felt she had to say something.

“Is there any other way then bonding or trying to reach help in time. Could you not bond with Ulthok himself to save her? If she could bond with him why not you?”

As if noticing Valene for the first time he turned to her a sad smile on his dragon his shaped face.

“That is not possible in this one regard the Elvin Enchantress is correct, your Halfling friend is not of faerie and only the two of us her and I can save Peri here, now. How her and the Halfling first bonded is a mystery as we normally only bond with those of faerie world. However if we save her there is no guarantee that bond will still be there.”

Once again looking to Ulthok the male faerie dragon, his name unknown, waited for the Halfling answer…………..

(DM OOC: Ok Odyson need an answer by next Sunday the clock is ticking. As for the rest, the fight has only just begin and your gonna be overrun by the rats in next weeks post unless you find a way to stop them reaching the upper level banister. Good luck.)

  Once more Cor watched the snakes battle the rats.  As before they dealt death but eventualy fell overrun by sheer numbers.  Son the party might suffer the same fate.  The imp was dangerrous but it was only a single entity and Cor knnew his companions could deal with one enemy.  It was the horde that posed the greatest danger.  Calling upon the power of Odin once more, Cor cast again.  This time it was not snakes that appeared but rather a whirling mass of blades.  Cor hoped to block the rats access to the stairs and was counting on their lack of inteliigence and desire to atack to push them into the newly formed blade barrier.

 

OOC  Casting Blade Barrier at the base of the stairs.  

Lothor was hardly surprised when the imp suddenly appeared behind him to try and attack.  What else could he expect from a stupid, magic-using, blinking, flying, fiend!  The little bugger thought he could just sneak up on him and sting him!  

The big warrior felt the bite of the sting but managed to resist the creatures poison.  He hated poison almost as much as magic sometimes and the two combined were doing nothing for his mood.  When the imp got caught in his quiver he leterally grabbed at his chance.  He was a lot bigger, a lot stronger and, he suspected, not much slower then the little runt if the creature just stayed visible.  Which, for the moment he was forced to do.  Lothor reached back and wrapped a big hand around the things neck and tried to slam it against the wall while attempting to grab its stingered tail in the other.  (grapple attack)

If getting its brains pounded into the wall didn't kill the hopefully already wounded imp Lothor hoped to keep it prisoner.  What tales might an imp have to tell?  

(If he successfully grapples the imp he will add the following.)

Lothor stared the fiend in the eyes and spoke.  "Call off the rats.  Stop fighting or I will pluck your wings and feed them to you."  The comment actually surprised the big man.  He would do no such thing, of course, but it seemed he was a bit more on edge than he had realized.  He wondered what had him wound so tightly tonight.  Certainly not just a few hundred rats.  But imps implied something more than just rats.  

Arandur cursed again as he watched one of his arrows miss its intended target, the shaft instead burying itself into the far wall of the rat-infested room.

I will have to do better, he mentally berated himself, his pearl-like teeth clenched. For the sake of my companions. And Rayden.

The larger rats appeared to be swifter and more cunning than he first suspected as they were proving to be rather elusive. He then realised he could remedy that as he had in his possession a spell that would prove great assistance: the ability to hold animals and prevent them from moving, which would certainly prevent the slippery rodents from eluding his and his comrades' attempts to slay them. Drawing upon his arcane power and the reserves of energy within his body (which had been well replenished thanks to the respite Queen Magnificent had provided them), he was about to deliver the incantation, when suddenly his eyes snapped open as a high-pitched shriek rent the air.

Attempting to pinpoint the source of the terrible cry, Arandur sharply twisted his head, first to the left, then to the right, his long raven locks fanning out like a spray of shadow. His emerald eyes then widened as they alightened upon a foul creature of diminutive stature, flapping its demonic leathery batllike wings furiously and reaching toward Arandur with a viciously clawed hand, short, needle tipped fangs exposed as the creature's face was wrinkled into a fierce snarl, a look of lust in its crazed but cunning eyes-the lust of gorging on the elf's blood. This was the second imp Lothor had revealed.

As he had missed with one of his previous arrows as he had attempted to slay one of the imps' minion rats, he took no chances with his bow this time. He dropped Dragon Wing (his bow) and, drawing his twin rapiers, took a firm and stable stance, bracing himself as the fiend drew swiftly closer.

'Begone, foul demon!' He cried as he raised his right rapier. 'You will get no satisfaction from me!' With a harsh cry, he quickly slashed at the air before him, hoping to disembowel his foe before the creature could successfully land its attack.

The wills of the fey are strong and faerie is never predictable. Ulthok watched and listened as this new creature refused the commitment that would save Peri's life, just as Sirene refused without the commitment. Ulthok was reeling with the thought of loss, but this newcomer had proposed another option.  If Ulthok would let him take Peri and the amulet back to their home there a circle of like kind could return Peri's essence from the amulet and restore her life. But who was this one, he calls Peri "Princess" and speaks of his love for her.

"Sir, I see that my hope of simple way to restore life to friend is anything but simple...... I cannot let a chance to save my companion go. If you two cannot save her here then even though I should know better I will give you my two most precious things. Just swear to me on your name that your will do everything you can to save Peri."

(assuming the fairie dragon does swear)

"Then make haste so you can return my Peri and my amulet back to me"

Rayden watches as her arrows bounce off the rat lying useless at its feet. Clicking her tongue in frustration .. or irritation.. she wasn’t sure. She noticed a bunch of rats make it to the top of the stairs as she pats Brutus on his head lightly silently telling the bear to stay put as she walks forward, a flaming blade forming in her hand as she slices through the rodents as they scurry up the stairs.

Brutus watched the female elf fight, her moments fierce and precise. A deadly dance that had the massive bear staying still. He would allow her .. for the moment.. to protect him.

Craggen Core
General St Alban’s home.

With the rats finally on the stairs and headed up Cor went from snakes to blades casting the spell…. and putting at the base of the stairs. At once spinning steel had a better effect then his previous stick to snakes as rats upon rat found its death attempting to reach the top of the stairs…..

For Rayden seeing that the blades had severed their purpose also saw that a good number of rats had made it to the top before Cor had cast his spell. Quickly casting a spell of her a blade of flame appeared in her hand. Moving forward past Cor she systematically proceeded to burn the rats that had gotten past the blade barrier. With sword of flame as the killing weapon, the party no matter, would not go hungry if they survived this fight…...

Arandur had no time to see Cor cast his spell or his sister creating a post battle meal of fried rat as the second of the Imps was upon hi. The creature screeching and looking to return the favor of an arrow in its side attacked. It’s one attack with it’s tail a clean miss as the Elf Ranger dodged, Arandur’s attack was not. First the right rapier, then the left rapier struck blows against the Imp opening wounds and gushes of black blood. Screaming in pain the Imp moved backwards, bleeding heavily, and vanished……..

Lothor having been attacked by the first of the Imp’s found that the creature had caught itself in the strap of his sword sheath, Wasting no time the huge fighter used the Imp’s disadvantage to his advantage. Reaching behind him Lothor was successful in gaining a hold upon the Imp. Turning quickly to face the creature he grabbed it with his gauntlet and pounded it into the wall repeatedly until the Imp seemed dazed.
Lothor stared the fiend in the eyes and spoke.  "Call off the rats.  Stop fighting or I will pluck your wings and feed them to you." 
All he received in return was a scream and another missed attack by the Imp’s stinger….
For the many rats yet living finding themselves blocked by the blade barrier they started to seek another way up and started climbing the walls and wooden poles holding up the barrister. Of the third giant rat no sight of him was there to see……..

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Then make haste so you can return my Peri and my amulet back to me"

“Wait” Sirene’s voice cut through the conversation between Feary Dragon and Halfling.

(Rest of conversation will be back posted when Nimu is able to post Tues or Sunday of this week)

With bond by Elf Enchantress and dragon agreed upon, the two set to work on reinstating Peri’s essence from amulet to her natural body with Ulthok and Valene watching quietly. Words by both spoken and re spoken and once again a third time and all could see a stream of white magical energy start to flow from amulet to body. Then almost without warning Peri’s body start to shake as if having a seizure but quickly those stop leaving Peri breathing and with her essence once more intact. Her eyes still closed it is clear she is asleep and could be for some time. Sirene and the Faery Dragon look at each other feeling the bond awaking inside both and know their minds like Ulthok’s and Peri are now melded.

“Halfling she will be ok she just needs to rest, give time to do so and she will be herself once more. So I guess introductions are in order. I am known for the most part by my full name among the elder Faery Dragons as Califragalistic XP’ Alidous, but I'm better known by as, Frag…….

(DM OOC: Ok Nimu was unable to post this week but sent me a post that she would accept the bond and back post the conversation doing so this Tuesday or by Sunday.
So rats redirecting their assault to climbing the walls and anything else they can to reach the party. 1 Imp captured, 2 missing, one of which clearly seriously hurt by Arandur. Next post Next Sunday.)

As the imp screamed at him and lashed out with its stinger again Lothor gritted out, "you were warned," as he reached for his dagger.  He had a hold of the small creature and instead of slamming it into the wall he pinned it there and attempted to skewer it with his dagger.  He didn't use the thing much as he preferred a large swing with his great sword, but he knew it was a luxury to have a +5 dagger laying around for the occaisonal imp kabob.  

If he managed to send this one back to its plane it would be time to looka round and seen where the others would reappear.  How many times had he thought about hating blinking creatues in the last minute?  But it was hard for them to blink if they were skewered to a wall.  Lothor will take two swings if needed, otherwise he will prepare to use his sword again.  

  Cor watched as the wall of blades formed and for the moment stopped the rats advance up the stairs.  The critters soon began to seek alternate paths to the party but for the moment the imps were the bigger threat.  "Alright ye we devils, ye think ye can hide from the might of Odin do ye?  Well we shal see about that."  Cor began casting true sight to counter the imps invisibility and then prepared to attack with his trusted axe.

“Halfling, she will be ok. She just needs to rest, give her time to do so and she will be herself once more. Now, introductions are in order. I am known by my full name among the elder Faery Dragons as Califragalistic XP’Alidous, but I'm better known as, Frag……."

"Well met and bonded, Frag," Siréne replied, "I am Siréne Ta'alah, heir and daughter of the daughter of Mnemosyne the Faerie Queen." A twinkle danced in the witch's eye and she laughed, "but I will never sit on that proverbial throne. Perhaps you already knew all this, perhaps not?"

Frag's eyes glimmered with a mischeifous light, "Perhaps time will tell."

This brought another silvery laugh from Siréne's lips. It was good to have another of Faerie among them, she could feel something of her old self returning, sadly there was little time to simply enjoy the fact of it.

Looking to Peri, the fey witch spoke, "She is already returning to us. Much as it fills me with joy to be so close to my home, I fear my return is not yet ordained. There is still work to be done. Come, let us follow the silver path and return to Craggion Core."

The small mage had started to turn to Valene, when he heard Sirnen, “Wait”.

With that the Enchantress accepted the bond; then the two combined the magic of Fairie to save Peri. . slowly all could see a stream of white magical energy start to flow from amulet to body. Then almost without warning Peri’s body start to shake as if having a seizure but quickly those stop leaving Peri breathing and with her essence once more intact. Ulthok's mind started to swirl as the mental presents of his dear companion grew. He sense her once more and now he understood her fear and joy she must have felt when he had died. Few times in his life had joy entered his heart and he savored this feeling now. Then the odd voice of the new small dragon could be heard, “Halfling, she will be ok. She just needs to rest, give her time to do so and she will be herself once more. Now, introductions are in order. I am known by my full name among the elder Faery Dragons as Califragalistic XP’Alidous, but I'm better known as, Frag……."

"Well met and bonded, Frag," Siréne replied, "I am Siréne Ta'alah, heir and daughter of the daughter of Mnemosyne the Faerie Queen." A twinkle danced in the witch's eye and she laughed, "but I will never sit on that proverbial throne. Perhaps you already knew all this, perhaps not?"

Frag's eyes glimmered with a mischeifous light, "Perhaps time will tell."

Facing Ulthok Sirene gently spoke, "She is already returning to us. Much as it fills me with joy to be so close to my home, I fear my return is not yet ordained. There is still work to be done. Come, let us follow the silver path and return to Craggion Core."

Ulthok kelt next to Peri and lifted the amulet and once again hung it around his neck. Then lifted Peri and cradeled her in his arms. Raising he reached out and clasped Valene's hand. "Thank you one and all, let us hurry back I have an apple pie to bake."

Rayden grinned slightly as she kept slicing and dicing the rats infront of her, attempting to corral them back towards the spinning blades at the base of the stairs. She would love to attack the Imps that were causing the chaos, but a quick glance was all she spared seeing her brother and one of the other companions, she was still unsure of their names… She frowned slightly seeing Arandur fighting an imp but quickly turned back to her own mass of rats infront of her.. This was how she could help her brother, protecting them while they dealt with the imps. That said however she had a healing spell on standby just incase. Always ready to heal those that were injured.

Brutus charged forward and swiped at the rats that Rayden’s flaming blade may miss, his massive paw attempting to strike at the rodents who dared to try and swarm his elven savior.

Craggen Core
General St Alban’s home.

For the party the fight atop the stairs had for a brief moment slowed up in the space of a few seconds it was once again in full swing.

For Arandur it was much of the same also still fighting with his twin rapiers his strokes were each on target sending pieces of rat flying. His defense of the banister gave Cor enough time to cast another spell……..

Cor not liking the fact that the Imps could go invisible at will moved to cast True Seeing. However he caught no sight of the second Imp or of the third large rat. Then out of the corner of his eye he caught movement. As the Dwarf Knight/Cleric turned he was shocked to see Lothor draw, then drop his dagger, the Imp going free and attempting to go invisible…...

For Lothor having gotten nothing from the Imp in his grip he knew what was coming next. Drawing his dagger he went to stab and end the loathsome creatures life when he heard a voice inside his head.

~You don’t want to kill me just let me go, it will be ok I promise. Just let me go and everything will be ok. Just stand here wait for me, I’ll be back~

“Ok” With that Lothor released his grip and the Imp was gone, the human fighter standing looking at the wall doing nothing, his save vs suggestion having failed…..

For Rayden and Brutus the fight had become one of killing as many rats as possible as bear and Elf fought as a team the rats on her side were fort the moment easily kept at bay, The banister’s narrowness allowing for only a few rats to attack at a time……

Suddenly a flash of light blazed in the center of the main room and out stepped Sirene and Ulthok. Clearly having teleport ed back to St Alban’s cottage from where they had gone earlier, they found themselves thrust Into battle once again in a place both thought safe. With one faery dragon unconscious and a second aware but surprised and unsure of what to do he watched as the two mages quickly got over their surprise and went to work.

(DM OOC: OK the party is once again together and the room is still full of rats. Both known Imps are either missing or invisible to most of the party though Cor can easily see the one formerly held prisoner by Lothor. The third “giant rat” is as of yet no where to be found.)

"Ach, welcome to the party ye two.  Seems an imp or three have gather their friends ta attack us.  If ye dunna mind kill the wee beasties around ye but watch out for the blades I set at the stairs.  If ye have a way ta see invisible now woudl be the time ta use it."  ith the newcomers now caught up on the situation, Cor Moved toward the imp hoping that its belief in its invisibility would allow him first attack.