[Nexus] Reinholdt's Repository

[Earl of Purple]

Greg's Group

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It just so happens that Nephrim's native tongue when she was a mortal was Elvish, and she still speaks the language and can read it too. She'll try to skim the passages to determine the content of what remains. She's expecting bloody rituals involving sentient sacrifices.

[The Bushranger]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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Slash slash! At the shadow arms!
Becky actually...winces in pain?
...but the mouths on the shadow arms attempt to bite the guardian's arms even as they're slashed apart!
A higher priority, though, in their last moments of existiance, is tossing the sarcophagus' cover far enough so it won't land in the 'closed' position...

[Reinholdt]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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That random flailing of the whip earlier? Not as random as it might have seen. See, she was actually cutting herself and using the whip to deliver a dose of general anti-toxin that the drow brewed up. It won't cure this poison, but it will slow it down. Unfortunately, due to the esoteric nature of the poison, not by much. A round at most it seems. She used this trick once a very, very long time ago back in a Trog's brawl early on in her career.

Ilpholin does have the strength to throw the gnoll, but only cause of the nature of the throw. Any other circumstances, probably not.

She briefly considers ripping her arm out of his claws. Rather she takes the opportunity to lash her whip out with her free hand and try to slice the gnoll's head clean off. She figures he's in a horrible place to dodge so long as he's holding on to her and is on the ground.

[Nadas Canvas]

"Sounds..." Well... sounds sketchy really. But rather than finish that thought, Nadas segways straight into the next one.

"We can give it a shot, certainly."

[Shadowcaller]

[Greg's Group]

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The first intact page starts describing the gnoll king Nightbringer who conquered the races of wolfen, elf and dwarf with the aid of demons.
Later in the book the intact pages only mention king Blackhowl however who's hatred for these three races was legendary according to the book.

The later pages seem a great deal more interesting though as they describe the fall of the gnoll empire and how king Blackhowl wanted to take the secret of it's success to his tomb until "my ancestors are ready to rise again."

As the later parts are a great deal more complete then the earlier parts Nephrim will find a great more details here. Like how Blackhowl was buried along with all his concubines and that a guardian was stolen from "the dark ones" (demons).

What might be more interesting is what might just be the "secret" which was referred to earlier, the staff known as nightbringer. This staff was apparently created with the essence of the dead demon god Onyx and had the ability control and summon demons at will.

With it the gnoll kings summoned and controlled huge hordes of demons which they used to conquer their enemies.

As for Zefir, the gnoll isn't actually capable of standing up at the moment, instead following him down into the water. He could easily knee it in the crouch however before rolling around as the hyena-man appear to grow weaker and weaker. It screams something and fights for it's life once it is trapped underneath his body, trying to bite and claw his face.

[Ilpholin's Group]

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The arms bite the guardian before they disappear, I'm not sure they can bite through something which have been forged out of something harder then steel.

The creature doesn't seem to react to them anyway, not being able to feel pain. They do manage to get off the lid however before they fade away, revealing the remains of a huge gnoll dressed in a golden armor with a gold hyena-mask covering it's face. Next to it lays a staff-shaped object warped in black silk.

Meanwhile Ilpholin lashes out with her whip against the gnoll, dealing a gashing throat wound, nearly cutting it clean off. The chieftain not really able counter it after being smashed into the ground like that.

Still the regeneration slowly seem to bring it back to life even now.

[The Bushranger]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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Magic Bite from the Shadow Plane!

...and, spotting the staff, Becky dives for it.

[Reinholdt]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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Ilpholin expected no less and wastes no time. She drops her whip and flicks the knife over to the now freed hand before stabbing downwards towards the gnoll's brain in a rather coup de grace maneuver. She can tell that she's starting to move a bit more sluggish than usual, but should hopefully be able to finish the job before everything's attached back together.

Also you forgot about Nadas and Dorota.

[Zefir]

[Greg's Group]

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Assuming gnolls are smaller then humans Zefir won't have a problem saving his face from the gnoll, if he decides to claw after his arms he will succeed since Zefir only wears normal clothes.

After all Zefir will go punching the gnoll in the face, as long as it needs to knockk him out.

[Morty]

[Nadas Canvas]

I suppose that's a plan, then, Dorota says. It will be quite different from my normal lab work. That's pretty exciting.

[Shadowcaller]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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If Ilpholin manage to dodge the incoming beetle demon which now aims for her throat that lash stab should probably do the gnoll in.

And Becky dives at the staff as in jumping towards it? Or teleporting to it? Weren't she in the other end of the room a minute ago or am I misunderstanding things?

[Nadas Canvas]

"Alright, I'll write something on the wall and if that doesn't work I can always talk with watchtower. In either case I doubt we will have much trouble getting help." Cessie replies.

[Earl of Purple]

Greg's Group

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Nephrim reads the book, or as much as she can of the book, before putting it into her rucksack. Nephrim will also try to see if she can remember anything about Onyx the dead demon god of the gnolls from her (approximately) 4,000 years in the Abyss, where demons make their home in her native cosmology.

[The Bushranger]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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Ah, yes, should have been clearer...
Becky will try to shadow-jump from her location, to a spot directly above the sarcophagus, dropping down in the intent to land on its edge and grab the staff.

[Reinholdt]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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The beetle can't use the same trick she just used! She is immune to such topsy-turvey in such a short time!

Plus she has a little bit more maneuverability than the gnoll and isn't caught off guard like last time. Down she ducks under the swipe as she hopefully finishes him off. Next order of business is to free her other arm properly.

[Nadas Canvas]

"Alright, inform me as to how it goes. I'll converse with you again soon."

[Shadowcaller]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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The beetle misses her and and finally appears to have finished the demonic gnoll off with a final stab. It appears however that as soon as it truly is dead, it's body starts to dissolve into thin air. Thankfully the gnolls said she could bring the artifact instead of the chieftains head as proof.

It still keeps a surprisingly tight grip around her arm however, the beetle still buzzing around and now attempts to get up on the drow's back while she killed it's master.

Meanwhile Becky shadow jumps just above the tomb and grabs the silk encased staff. The very next moment the guardian jumps her however, it's sharp claws attempting to grab her arm, causing a long gash in it.

Greg's Group

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Knocking someone out, or causing a concussion is generally harder and far more dangerous then media will lead you to believe. But the gnoll is already weakened from the blood loss so Zefi's blow will cause it to weaken to the point where it simply stops moving.

Onyx is not a demon from her world, but the kind of demon it belongs to have invaded many planes so there is a chance she might know something about him. Onyx was known as "the diplomat" among it's kind. It was unlike the other gods that it actually felt compassion towards the plight of mortals. It's also the only demon god who have died, suicide it's claimed or perhaps it was murdered by the other gods.

In any case, after Onyx death it's essence was divided among mortals who used it for their own ends. The majority of the essence was eventually absorbed by the demon lord Azurnizum who would become an god itself with this act.

But it seems a great deal of it's essence ended up elsewhere, like in this staff.

Nada's Canvas

"Okay, I'll contact you once I get any responses. Now I just click this thing again to turn if off right?" Cessie asks.

[The Bushranger]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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Becky cries out in pain as her arm is gashed by the guardian's claws!

...and she spins about, lashing out with the staff at the attacking guardian!
"Back off, I command you in the name of the Sun! Obey your new Mistress!" she snaps!

[Zefir]

Greg's Group

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Knocking someone out, or causing a concussion is generally harder and far more dangerous then media will lead you to believe. But the gnoll is already weakened from the blood loss so Zefi's blow will cause it to weaken to the point where it simply stops moving.

Onyx is not a demon from her world, but the kind of demon it belongs to have invaded many planes so there is a chance she might know something about him. Onyx was known as "the diplomat" among it's kind. It was unlike the other gods that it actually felt compassion towards the plight of mortals. It's also the only demon god who have died, suicide it's claimed or perhaps it was murdered by the other gods.

In any case, after Onyx death it's essence was divided among mortals who used it for their own ends. The majority of the essence was eventually absorbed by the demon lord Azurnizum who would become an god itself with this act.

But it seems a great deal of it's essence ended up elsewhere, like in this staff.

Greg's Group

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I go for the dnd rules here. You know hitting with the fist to cause subdual damage.

Either way when the gnoll is down Zefir stands up again. With a snip he creates a flame a gain to spend light. He turns around to Nephrim.

"Anything we need to tell the others?"

[Reinholdt]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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Here I thought it flew over her to in front of her since I had believed it to be behind her in the first place cause I thought the gnoll was... well nevermind.

Ilpholin snatches up her whip and does and over the shoulder curling spiral slice! It's... well spiraling. If the bug gets through that or takes it in the face and keeps going, then it can get on her back.

[Earl of Purple]

Greg's Group

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"There's a staff with the essence of a demon in it; it was stolen from its original owners, I think. This is a tomb of a chap whose name translates as Blackhowl and his concubines. He hated elves, dwarfs and wolfen, though the book's written in Elven. Oh, and the tomb's supposed to be closed until Blackhowl's ancestors come again to claim what is theirs." Nephrim's familiar with absorbing god-essence; it's how one becomes a god in her home cosmology, and Nephrim plans to absorb Pazuzu's essence. She doesn't mention what the staff can do, besides having demon-essence within. She also keeps Onyx's name and deeds to herself.

[Shadowcaller]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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The way I saw it, the beetle went over Ilpholin when she avoided it the first time and then came around to grapple her back.
It sounds rather angry however and ignores the pain the whip causes to reach the drow where it tries to bite the back of her neck.

Bscky can even beneath the silk feel something course through the staff like the water through a fire hose. A burning sensation tickles the hand she holds it in as the guardian suddenly stops attacking her and stands down, staring at her creepily.

Greg's Group

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The gnoll can be godmodded at this point but will probably die soon either from drowning or blood loss. They also might want to dry that book or it will be completely unreadable soon enough.

[Zefir]

Greg's Group

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Zefir listens carefully. Essence of anything is always bad. And he doubts it will be a good thing to give it Ilpholin best just see what happens.
Zefir then looks down at the gnoll not really in the mood to save his life.

"If you want to ask him anything you need to drag him out there."

Then he looks at the wet book.

"And best you give me that book so I can dry it."

[The Bushranger]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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Becky's eyes widen a bit as she doesn't get torn to shreds...
I can't believe that worked!
...and she looks around torwards Ilpholin, frowning as she spots the beetle!

"Behind you!"

...she keeps the staff trained at the Guardian.

[Reinholdt]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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Gee thanks Becky. Ilpholin didn't notice the beetle that managed to fly past her, then somehow zoomed around in a whole circle and get on her back. The same beetle she's currently chopping into a zillion pieces with her whip since it seems to be powering through that. She totally failed her spot check there.

Anyways, she continues chopping it into tiny bits, but doesn't have much in terms of defense right now aside from moving around as best she can while a disintegrating arm seems to hold onto her tightly. The beetle catches the side of her neck though, rather than her spinal cord.

[Shadowcaller]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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The beetle hisses and continues it's attempts to bite her in a homicidal rage while she attacks it with the whip. As the gnoll however it seems to have some sort of regeneration, being able to heal the wounds caused to it.

Thankfully she should be able to get out from the gnolls grip as it's slowly reduced to nothing, this freedom should make the fight easier.

[Earl of Purple]

Greg's Group

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"OK, here. I'll have it back, though." Nephrim puts mind control behind her words, to ensure that she gets the book back. She then turns back to the gnoll. "Have you found the staff? What were you hiding from? What lies beyond this chamber?"

Nephrim will point out a specific door, but I've forgotten the room's layout.

[The Bushranger]

[Becky's Group]

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Becky, meanwhile, decides to take a chance, and swings the staff around...to aim it in the beetle's direction!

[Reinholdt]

[Ilpholins's Group]

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Ilpholin grabs her silver dagger with her free hand and jam it backwards over her shoulder right in between her and the creature's mouth, hoping to get it right in the open space to stop the bitings with a stabbing. If she weren't being slowed down, she'd try something new with her whip at the same time in case this failed, but for now, she just concentrates on this single maneuver to get it right.

[Shadowcaller]

[Greg's Group]

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The gnoll is sadly not in a speaking condition, dying and all. It whines a bit as Nephrim speaks but doesn't say anything of worth. It can't reply in common anyway so unless she knows gnollish it's answer wouldn't be of much worth.

There are only two doors in the room, one leading back to the exit and another leading deeper inside the tomb.

[Ilpholins's Group]

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The beetle is stabbed in the mouth by the silver dagger and let's go of Ilpholin, falling down on the floor where it as it's master starts to dissolve into thin air.

But as Becky aims the staff towards them, Ilpholin will feel an powerful urge to serve the shadow mages every command. The demonic essence in her veins are reacting to the staffs energies and urges her to serve whoever is holding it.

[The Bushranger]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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Becky, unknowing of the fun she could have if she kept the staff aimed in Ilpholin's direction, swinging it back torwards the Guardian!

[Zefir]

Greg's Group

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Zefir takes the book with an angry expression on his face.

"Stop it! If you go that way I will think twice if I give it back."

He will then head back to the room they found the gnoll. Using his controll of elements he will seperate the water from the book allways caring about not damiging the book more than already done.

[Reinholdt]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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Ilpholin gasps quietly. She doesn't care for that particular development at all. Still, she feels stiff all over and remains where she is for the moment as she recovers from the entire ordeal.

"Best... let me have it Becky." She eeks out.

[Shadowcaller]

[Ilpholin's Group]

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The guardian haven't moved since Becky aimed the staff at it last time. It just stands there starring at her dutifully.

By now the body of the demonic gnoll is nearly completely gone, only parts of is quickly dissolving torso left which the two now can see the complete inside of.

As for the tomb itself there doesn't seem to be any rising mummy coming out of it. It still rests there peacefully in it's golden clothes.