Bhaakon's Midnight Isles IC

[Bhaakon]

Whatever the password may be, if the 'door' even has one, it doesn't seem to involve a direct reference to sesame. The gloves have a mor noticeable effect, and Lily manages to scoop a passage out of the stone that's large enough for an adult to crawl through with fifteen minutes of back-breaking effort, burrowing nearly ten feet into the rock face before a finger pokes through into open air.

An eye held up to the peek-hole reveals a shallow flight of stairs leading down into an octagonal antechamber. The left side of the room is dominated by a large pair of double doors while the right opens on a another stairway leading upwards and out of sight. Straight ahead is a hallways ending in another pair of doors. The whole chamber is lit by blood-red crystals hung in wall sconces and dangling from chains anchored in the ceiling, each pulsing out a lurid crimson glow with the mismatched, arrhythmic throb of a faltering heart. The syncopated illumination casts liquid pools of shadow and light, making the flat-hewn walls seem to undulate with the fluid insistence of smooth muscle. Though where the rippling glow draws your eye changes with every beat, causing your vision to swim as your mind tries to follow the impossible patterns of the motion.

Spoiler: K: planes DC 20

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No, it's more than an optical illusion. The Midnight Isles themselves have begun to bleed out into this part of the prime, a subtle narcotic that dulls the sense of the unwary.

-2 on all Cha-based checks for good and/or lawful creatures

[Desril]

Lily

Just as she's about to give up, she finally breaks through the wall into the room, and almost immediately is hit by the wave of chaotic energy permeating the room. For her it's almost like opening an oven while standing too close and Lily has to blink a few times to clear the fogginess from her vision. When she does, the reality of the situation strikes her and she stands in silent awe for a brief moment. She wasn't truly in the Midnight Isles, not yet, but the Isles were here in a sense and she could feel it.

She can barely contain her glee as she steps out into the open chamber and calls out, letting her voice echo down each of the halls, "Hello! We're here to talk whoever's in charge!"

[Frosty]

Millia, Cleric of Nocticula

Spoiler

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F CG Aasimar (Garuda-Blooded) Cleric 8 / Dawnflower Anchorite 4, Level 12, Init 7, HP 136/136, Speed 20
AC 37, Touch 23, Flat-footed 34, CMD 31, Fort 17, Ref 16, Will 24, CMB +8, Base Attack Bonus 9
Scimitar ( , )
Is Medium Armor. Fly 1/day Celestial Plate Armor (25,000), +3 with Magic Vestment (which also increases Reflex Save thanks to Defensive Expertise) Heavy Mithral shield +2 (+12 Armor, +3 Dex, +4 Deflection, +2 Natural, +6 Misc)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 31, Cha 16
Condition Pierce Façade (2 hrs), Defending Bone (50/50), Undetectable Alignment, Magic Vestment, Freedom of Movement, Life Bubble (6 hrs), Resist Fire 30 (40 mins), Shield of Faith +4 (24 mins), Detect Fiendish Presence
Mythic Power 15/15

The aasimar follows closely behind Lily, and the moment she is in the room, she can *feel* the difference. It's a the same time inviting and repulsive. She feels like it's home, but she is still unsettled and distracted. "Wow, it's like being sung the world's most unsettling but seductive lullaby. Keep your wits about you, everyone. This isn't an illusion. Lily, what's your plan here?" She takes the calm before the likely storm to bolster more of her defenses. First she gives everyone resistance to fire, as fireballs are bound to be thrown around, and tis is an enclosed space. Then, she makes herself harder to be hit. Lastly, she starts scanning for fiends.

Spoiler: ooc

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Cast Resist Energy, Communal. Divided amongst herself, Lily, and Murtagh for 40 minutes duration each. Fire Resist 30.
Cast Shield of Faith on self using Rod of Extend. 24 minutes. +4 Deflection to AC.
Cast Detect Fiendish Presence and start looking around.

[Bhaakon]

Lilith's words echo through the chamber, returning back ate you in increasingly strange combinations until they dissolve into unordered phonemes. "We're Hello to talk in here! Charge to whoever's.... To whoever's Hello, charge in! We're talk here.... Hege whollo? Inlker re towe charev.... Whores enter? Halt ok. Erotic hag, however."

The oppressive (or is it liberating?) atmosphere of the abyss grows thicker with every step you take into the chamber. The scent of the air, the color of the blood-red crystals, their mistimed beat, all shift with every inch and twitch of movement. Your mind grasps for meaning in the subtle shifts as you move in further, revealing the open side passage to the right to be a ichor-splattered shrine inhabited by a great obsidian statue of Deskari, his impossibly sharp obsidian scythe poised above an alter. The echoing words continue to twist in the air, gaining a discordant buzz as the letters are dissolved into base vibration and re-arranged.

"Head on the stone, worthy supplicants"

Spoiler: @everyone who enters

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DC 25 Suggestion to put your head on the altar stone in front of the statue.

[Desril]

Lilith

Hearing her own words echo back at her, something else seems to be carried on the air, and as the mental compulsion to place her head on the alter, the demonette nods quietly to herself. That made sense...it was certainly a strange way to enter, but things were often strange in places like this, but before she could take the first step, Lilith paused and shook her head. "Urgh...be careful...this place can mess with your head...and probably don't put your head up on offer," she says, gulping and rubbing at her throat a little.

[Hattish Thing]

Murtagh:

Rolling his mismatched at Millia's "lullaby" comment, his magical eye rolling straight towards the back of his head, then forward once more, Murtagh merely raises his tri-barreled shotgun. As he steps forward to the front of the group, the many rusty chains dangling off of his form jangle and clang, echoing throughout the chamber.

Noticing the cultist wander off, the inquisitor mutters a curse before shaking his head. "Young lady, what do you think you're doing?"

[Ilorin Lorati]

Merjana

The magus crosses her arms as her friends and compatriots make their march through the portal, one hand resting on the holster underneath her arm. She played her hand close - this was no time for goodbyes, not with the guards and everyone watching. "The blood red rose shall guide your path. Bring righteousness to that cursed abyss."

And just like that, they were gone. The half-elf took a breath, closing her eyes for the barest moment and almost missing the blur of movement that came from behind them before bolting with padded sounds through the portal.

~~~

Nadia

The gnome squinted from as far back as she could stand and still be within line of sight to the portal that had been created - what is it that they're doing? Then she saw it - the group going through the portal. The group that included the succubus that she was supposed to be babysitting - ahem her charge. With an audible "pop", she smacked her palm against her forehead then, face still obscured by the appendage, climbed up onto her sleek-furred dog of a companion. "Okay buddy we're going to make a mad rush for it and pray to whatever gods are listening that they don't see us before it's too late. Alright. Ready? Three! Tw--"

Without waiting for the countdown to finish, Sir Chompsalot started his gallop towards the portal, swerving around the guards and the woman that she had so pointedly not wanted to see ever again and through the shimmering surface.

~~~

On the other side of the portal, the dog - and its rider - pulled to a stop, the little gnomeling's hair seeming to have fluffed up in alarm not terribly unlike a cat's (a likely amusing image considering she otherwise had her hair tied back, turning her hair into the likeness of a balloon) "Okay if you're going to do that you have got to warn me first - ohhellohowareyouall?" The cadence of the champion's voice turned upwards sharply when she remembered that she was not alone with her furry friend, the woman hearing the last of the echoing words and tilting her head. She could feel the power in those words and pushed back against the urge to follow through. Putting her head anywhere a buzzing noise of an echo told her to seemed like an exceptionally bad idea.

Spoiler: OOC

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Will roll was 39 in the OOC.

[Frosty]

Millia, Cleric of Nocticula

Spoiler

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F CG Aasimar (Garuda-Blooded) Cleric 8 / Dawnflower Anchorite 4, Level 12, Init 7, HP 136/136, Speed 20
AC 37, Touch 23, Flat-footed 34, CMD 31, Fort 17, Ref 16, Will 24, CMB +8, Base Attack Bonus 9
Medium Armor. Fly 1/day Celestial Plate Armor (25,000)
+3 with Magic Vestment (which also increases Reflex Save thanks to Defensive Expertise) Heavy Mithral shield +2 (+12 Armor, +3 Dex, +4 Deflection, +2 Natural, +6 Misc)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 31, Cha 16
Condition Pierce Façade (2 hrs), Defending Bone (50/50), Undetectable Alignment, Magic Vestment, Freedom of Movement, Life Bubble (6 hrs), Resist Fire 30 (40 mins), Shield of Faith +4 (24 mins), Detect Fiendish Presence
Mythic Power 14/15

Millis stares off into space for a few seconds, and then snaps out of it, shaking her head. "Wow, this place does things to your head. I feel like I've been gone for a year and a half. What is Phonemic Awareness and why do I have that phrase stuck in my head? Bah, random Abyssal energies..."

The cultist cleric walks up to her half-sister (and occasional lover) and uses some of her mythic reserve to produce a potent effect. Casting a spell, she imbues it with long-lasting enduring so that Lily's mind is protected for the entire day.

Spoiler: ooc

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Succeed on save vs Suggestion.
Spend a mythic point to cast Magic Circle against Evil on Lilith. Enduring Blessing mythic ability makes it last 24 hours.

[Bhaakon]

"Head on the stone, worthy supplicants." The voice repeats. Then a third time. The instance of the magic remains, but now weaker with each iteration. "Head on the stone, worthy supplicants." It continues, waning. "Head...stone..." It peters out, like a music box winding down as the echos of it source material die out completely. The last syllable falls into a second of crystalline silence before the the obsidian golem swings its scythe across on the blood-splattered altar with a smooth stroke that would have trimmed off a head as easily as a gardener trimming grass.

Dust rains off the statue as it takes one grinding step forward. If the lingering blood wasn't hint enough, apparently demon worshipers--at least these ones--aren't big on tidying up.

Spoiler

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Map in discord. You all won initiative.

[Frosty]

Millia, Cleric of Nocticula

Spoiler

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F CG Aasimar (Garuda-Blooded) Cleric 8 / Dawnflower Anchorite 4, Level 12, Init 7, HP 136/136, Speed 20
AC 37, Touch 23, Flat-footed 34, CMD 31, Fort 17, Ref 16, Will 24, CMB +8, Base Attack Bonus 9
Medium Armor. Fly 1/day Celestial Plate Armor (25,000)
+3 with Magic Vestment (which also increases Reflex Save thanks to Defensive Expertise) Heavy Mithral shield +2 (+12 Armor, +3 Dex, +4 Deflection, +2 Natural, +6 Misc)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 31, Cha 16
Condition Pierce Façade (2 hrs), Defending Bone (50/50), Undetectable Alignment, Magic Vestment, Freedom of Movement, Life Bubble (8 hrs), Resist Fire 30 (40 mins), Shield of Faith +4 (24 mins), Bless (12 mins)
Mythic Power 14/15

Right around the time Millia shakes off the effects, she notices the newcomer gnome and the oh-so-cute dire corgi. "Hey, why're you here? It's REALLY dangerous here! Does Merjana know?" Even as she says that, she begins casting a spell to help the martials be able to hit more accurately.

Spoiler: ooc

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Cast BLESS on everyone, Nadia and doggy included.

[Ilorin Lorati]

Nadia

Spoiler: Stats

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Female N/A Gnome Paladin (Dashing Hero) [Marshal], Level 12 [5], Init 13, HP / , Speed 30 (35 after attack)
AC 29, Touch 23, Flat-footed 18, CMD 31, Fort 17, Ref 18, Will 19, CMB +9/+4/-1, Base Attack Bonus +12/+7/+2
Stopgap. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ +1 Demonbane Starknife (1d3, x3)
Glamered, Champion +1 Small Darkleaf Leather Armor, +1 Small Mithral Buckler (+3 Armor, +2 Shield, +8 Dex, +1 Size, +1 Natural, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 7, Dex 27, Con 16, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 22
Condition None
Mythic Power (13/13), Smite (4/4)

"I'm quite sure she knows now," the gnome said in response as she strode around the corner to get a better look at whatever it was that was making that noise. Seeing a giant stone statue moving was clearly not what she expected, a small squeak being released from her lips before she quickly tapped the sides of her mount with her heels. "Kip!"

The large dog moved on that strange command, placing both her and itself between the party and the enemy in front of them while she focused on it.

Spoiler: OOC

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Move to G8. Detect Evil on the Golem.
If it's evil, smite.

[Desril]

Lilith

Spoiler: Stats

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Female CG Tiefling Wizard (Exploiter) [Archmage], Level 12 [5], Init 15, HP 100/100 , Speed 40 (Fly 40)
AC 26, Touch 21, Flat-footed 23, CMD 31, Fort 12, Ref 14, Will 15, CMB +5/-2, Base Attack Bonus +7/+2
Spherewalker's Staff
Naked (+5 armor, +8 Deflection) Spell Resistance 18
Abilities Str 7, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 33, Wis 6, Cha 26
Condition: Overland Flight (12 hours), Magic Circle against Evil (24 hours)
Mythic Power (13/13), Spells (Many), Arcane Reservoir (8/14), Carnal Companion (8/8), Legendary Power (6/6), Mythic Spellpower (2/2)

Still reeling from narrowly clearing her head in time to avoid having it cleaved from her shoulders, Lilith turns just in time to see Nadia and her mount go racing past, "Wait, why are--nevermind, deal with this first." Holding out a hand, the nephilim aims toward the golem and conjures a slick puddle beneath it, little more than an inconvenience, but it was a swift way to check the constructs defenses and potentially leave it exposed for those less inclined to waste power on something that couldn't be affected.

Spoiler

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Casting Grease under the golem at DC...uhh....22 Ref unless I'm missing something.

[Hattish Thing]

Murtagh

As the statue animates, Murtagh grimaces a little before shaking his head, letting out a small sigh as he raises his skymetal firearm up to his belt. Stepping forward slightly, the inquisitor continues to mutter to himself, as if frustrated with a mild inconvenience rather than a threat as serious as the golem might be.

His scarred face contorts, as if in pain, before jerking the gruesomely decorated weapon forward and pulling the trigger repeatedly.

--

"Damn thing. Don't have time for this."

[Bhaakon]

Ref: (1d20+5)[16]

[Bhaakon]

The monolithic Deskari catches the first shot from Murtagh's hideous firearms square on the face, chipping the stone. The rest of the shot hammer the same spot until one of the figure's wickedly serrated obsidian mandibles goes spinning across the room to shatter into a thousand razor-sharp slivers. Hot lead and shattered stone ricochet off the construct wildly. Bullets bounce around the chamber, chipping stone from the walls and leaving the brimstone stink of gunpowder as they whiz betwixt and between you until their momentum peters out.

Spoiler

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Murtagh's first shot hits, but the damage seems mostly superficial. You suspect it's resistant to most weapons.

Nadai watches with preternatural intensity as Lilith's magic does its trick. The stone creature--and Nadia can see that's all it is, simple stone with no intrinsically malign will--slips and staggers as viscous goop bubbles up out of nothing beneath its stone feet. It topples to the ground, spending the next few second struggling back upright. As it does so, one of its disturbingly insectoid limbs shoots out and slams Nadia across the shoulder with a blow that might have been strong enough to un-dog the woman if it weren't for Sir Chompsalot's quick footwork.

Spoiler: @Nadia

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17 bludgeoning damage

On the opposite side of the chamber, behind Millia, the heavy double-doors slam open hard enough to throw chips from the wall. The bloated, scabrous figure thus revealed is clearly some kind of giantkin, and a particularly stupid specimen judging by the dull gaze and vacant features. It clutches a massive pick formed from a tree trunk that looks to have grown around an enormous shard of meteoric iron, the result of a fortuitous coincidence or some sort of shamanic magic. Either way, the great oaf is poised to bring the weapon to bear.

Spoiler: K(local) DC22

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The newcomer is an ash giant, a mutant strain found in tortured terrain like the world wound. They're hardly the largest giantkin, but ash giants riple with muscle and pustuler growths, allowing them to wield weapons above their weight class and infect their victims with their virulent form of leprosy.

Spoiler: DC 27

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These cursed being have an affinity for vermin, allowing them to communicate with and tame such beasts. It is highly unusual to find one without some sort of verminous companions, though you don't see any present.

[Frosty]

Millia, Cleric of Nocticula

Spoiler

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F CG Aasimar (Garuda-Blooded) Cleric 8 / Dawnflower Anchorite 4, Level 12, Init 7, HP 136/136, Speed 20
AC 37, Touch 23, Flat-footed 34, CMD 31, Fort 17, Ref 16, Will 24, CMB +8, Base Attack Bonus 9
Medium Armor. Fly 1/day Celestial Plate Armor (25,000)
+3 with Magic Vestment (which also increases Reflex Save thanks to Defensive Expertise) Heavy Mithral shield +2 (+12 Armor, +3 Dex, +4 Deflection, +2 Natural, +6 Misc)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 31, Cha 16
Condition Pierce Façade (2 hrs), Defending Bone (50/50), Undetectable Alignment, Magic Vestment, Freedom of Movement, Life Bubble (8 hrs), Resist Fire 30 (40 mins), Shield of Faith +4 (24 mins), Bless (12 mins)
Mythic Power 14/15

The cleric could almost SMELL this disgusting giantkin before the door was slammed open. Turning around, she could tell that she definitely does NOT want to be hit by that pick (which likely weighs more than she does). Stepping back quickly, she uses her innate ability to charm people, and tries to get this dumb-looking giant on her side with a wink and some words! "Hey, big boy! I think you and I should be...good friends. Could ya help us out with a statue problem over there? It's trying to kill us!"

Spoiler: ooc

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5ft step to the South West.
Use Charm Person SLA on the giant (will save 21)

[Desril]

Lilith

Spoiler: Stats

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Female CG Tiefling Wizard (Exploiter) [Archmage], Level 12 [5], Init 15, HP 120/100 , Speed 40 (Fly 40)
AC 26, Touch 21, Flat-footed 23, CMD 31, Fort 12, Ref 14, Will 15, CMB +5/-2, Base Attack Bonus +7/+2
Spherewalker's Staff
Naked (+5 armor, +8 Deflection) Spell Resistance 18
Abilities Str 7, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 33, Wis 6, Cha 26
Condition: Overland Flight (12 hours), Magic Circle against Evil (24 hours), +20 temp HP
Mythic Power (13/13), Spells (Many), Arcane Reservoir (8/14), Carnal Companion (8/8), Legendary Power (6/6), Mythic Spellpower (2/2)

As the golem slips and falls to the ground and the ash giant opens the opposite door, the nephilim glances between the two. With the golem largely immune to her magics but not all of them and badly damaged, and the giant disease ridden and rather unpleasant to look at even compared to the statue of a demon lord, Lilith decided the best course of action was simply to hit them both. If only they were closer together that would be easy!

Deciding to leave the golem to those who were making quick work of it, however, she holds out Arueshalae's gifted staff toward the ash giant just in time for a wave of magical energy to pour forth from it, striking the brute in the face. "Don't let him touch you! It's filthy and carries diseases! Just deal with that golem."

Spoiler

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Ah, it's been so long since I've used a mythic magic missile here...

(20d4+30)[81] force damage on the ash giant

[Ilorin Lorati]

Nadia

Spoiler: Stats

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Female N/A Gnome Paladin (Dashing Hero) [Marshal], Level 12 [5], Init 13, HP 115/132, Speed 30 (35 after attack)
AC 29, Touch 23, Flat-footed 18, CMD 31, Fort 17, Ref 18, Will 19, CMB +9/+4/-1, Base Attack Bonus +12/+7/+2
Stopgap. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ +1 Demonbane Starknife (1d3, x3)
Glamered, Champion +1 Small Darkleaf Leather Armor, +1 Small Mithral Buckler (+3 Armor, +2 Shield, +8 Dex, +1 Size, +1 Natural, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 7, Dex 27, Con 16, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 22
Condition Bless (12m)
Mythic Power (13/13), Smite (4/4)

Catching wind - literally and figuratively - of the filthy thing behind her, the gnome braces for the blow from the golem and moves to retaliate, instructing her steed to take the last step in with a press of her heels. Gripping the knife in her hand, she performs a backhand swing at the constructed "creature" in an attempt to shatter its defenses.

Spoiler: Rolls

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5-ft step, Melee Vital Strike

Hit: (1d20+24)[33]
Damage: (3d3+35)[43]

[Hattish Thing]

Murtagh fires once more at the golem, more than prepared to simply fire at the thing until it's overwhelmed.

[Bhaakon]

Magic and steal smash into the golem, knocking it down once more and raising a cloud of obsidian-tinted dust as the thing topples to the floor. When the dust clears all that remains is pile of shining, black glass gravel that promises to shred the soles of anyone foolish enough to tread upon it.

The giants just stands there, slack jawed, left cheek twitching slightly. His eyes focus and unfocus slowly and he drops his enormous pick as both hands move to grab the sides of his head. A whining groan escapes his flapping, scabrous lips, like a blacksmith's bellows fitted to an oboe. Its lungs empty, refill, and repeat as he rumbles towards the door you just entered, ignoring you as it tries to smash its way out.

[Frosty]

Millia, Cleric of Nocticula

Spoiler

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F CG Aasimar (Garuda-Blooded) Cleric 8 / Dawnflower Anchorite 4, Level 12, Init 7, HP 136/136, Speed 20
AC 37, Touch 23, Flat-footed 34, CMD 31, Fort 17, Ref 16, Will 24, CMB +8, Base Attack Bonus 9
Medium Armor. Fly 1/day Celestial Plate Armor (25,000)
+3 with Magic Vestment (which also increases Reflex Save thanks to Defensive Expertise) Heavy Mithral shield +2 (+12 Armor, +3 Dex, +4 Deflection, +2 Natural, +6 Misc)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 31, Cha 16
Condition Pierce Façade (2 hrs), Defending Bone (50/50), Undetectable Alignment, Magic Vestment, Freedom of Movement, Life Bubble (8 hrs), Resist Fire 30 (40 mins), Shield of Faith +4 (24 mins), Bless (12 mins)
Mythic Power 14/15

Millia looks at the giant trying to smash its way out, a puzzled look on her face. "What's wrong with it? I'm sure I successfully charmed it..." She tries to look for clues about its behavior. She also casts a cantrip to be able to see magical auras.

Spoiler: ooc

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Sense Motive = 40 to see what's up with the giant, especially if there are any other enchantments affecting the giant. Use in conjunction with Detect Magic to see how many enchantment auras are on the giant.

[Desril]

Lilith

Spoiler: Stats

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Female CG Tiefling Wizard (Exploiter) [Archmage], Level 12 [5], Init 15, HP 120/100 , Speed 40 (Fly 40)
AC 26, Touch 21, Flat-footed 23, CMD 31, Fort 12, Ref 14, Will 15, CMB +5/-2, Base Attack Bonus +7/+2
Spherewalker's Staff
Naked (+5 armor, +8 Deflection) Spell Resistance 18
Abilities Str 7, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 33, Wis 6, Cha 26
Condition: Overland Flight (12 hours), Magic Circle against Evil (24 hours), +20 temp HP
Mythic Power (11/13), Spells (Many), Arcane Reservoir (8/14), Carnal Companion (8/8), Legendary Power (6/6), Mythic Spellpower (2/2)

As the construct crumbles to rubble and the giant strangely goes to try and dig a bigger tunnel to escape through, Lilith just cocks her head to the side briefly before shrugging at her sister. "Well, he's not trying to kill us, so leave it for now, we've more important things to tend to, come on." Of course, while Arueshalae was on her mind, she still wasn't especially observant and didn't notice that the succubus had vanished as she turns toward the door opposite of where they'd come in. Eager to reach her Mother's domain, to set foot in the Abyss proper, and heedless of the possible dangers, Lily simply marches up toward the double doors at the end of the hall, intending to open them if no one stops her.

[Bhaakon]

Lilith reaches the stone double-doors without opposition. The handles are massive, silvered steel sized to be gripped by creatures at least as large as the giant trying to escape on the other side of the room. Their shape is...odd, though. They twist about in strange pattern that's either the work of an over-caffeinated art student or to cleverly designed to accommodate all sorts of limbs, whether they end in a hand, a claw, a tentacle or, a maw, or something stranger. Eventually, using both hand, Lily gets a grip and yanks while depressing a little lever that's probably a latch.

The lever swings easily. The handles turn freely. A bit too freely, actually, as if unconnected to any mechanism. The door remains stubbornly shut.

There's a squeal of improperly oiled hinges from the shrine room, where the dust that rose from the corpse of the obsidian golem still hangs in the air, threatening to shred lungs and sinuses. "Not again." A voice sighs, the tone more resigned than annoyed. A second voice, barely making itself heard through a hacking cough, replies. "Do you think it was the damned giant? I told him to dust it carefully this time, with the gentle swishing motions, as you said." "No...no, I saw him swishing around this morning. Perhaps it's the cow worshipers come for the vials? The golem might have tried to kill them again..." Three robed figures stand considering the mess you've made. It doesn't take more than a glance to tell they're not human, elf, or anything else born of the material plain. Incubi.

One finally notices you. "I think you're right" He mutters to the others, silencing them with a hand sign. "Tell me, who sent you, newcomers. The mistress is expecting guests from a certain...well, something. Name your patron and we'll deal with any more inconveniences for you."

[Desril]

Lilith

Raising an inquisitive eye toward the incubi, Lilith was trying to be on her best behavior, but she still couldn't help an appreciative glance. And technically, Merjana sent her, but an argument could be made that that never would've happened if Nocticula hadn't sent her to Ayavah all those many years ago in the first place, so it wasn't really a lie as the nephilim spoke up. "My patron is Our Lady in Shadow, and as I'm well aware that a portal to her realm lies within this little facility, I thought to come through...but I suspect your mistress might have words for us, so if you would be so kind, do alert her as to our arrival? Though I'd be happy to let the three of you take care of us in the meantime so we don't have to turn any more of your toys into rubble," she says with a flirtatious wink, playing the part of being a succubus, and only maybe serious.

Of course, they were probably just going to walk into a trap, but as far as Lilith was concerned it just meant that either they could talk this out without murdering everything...or everything that was going to need to die was going to be conveniently gathered into a single space where they might all be dealt with at once. It wasn't really a trap when you intended to turn an ambush on its head, after all.

Spoiler

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Bluff! (1d20+29)[34] oh right I'm good at this

[Frosty]

Millia makes sure that her unholy symbol of Nocticula is clearly visible. "Thank you for your concern, although you may wish to try to reign in your crazy servant first. What's wrong with the giant? He's going to bash a hole in the door soon."

[Bhaakon]

The incubus who first talked to you blinks at the mention of the Queen of the midnight isles. Clearly that wasn't the name he was expecting, insofar as he was expecting any name, but the second of the three cuts in smoothly to try and cover for the momentary lapse. "Yes, of course, the giant. We've grown somewhat accustomed to their tantrums. You tried to charm it, yes? We think they have some sort of mutated syphilis, and I'm sure your sisters can tell you stories about how well that plays with enchanting magics. Don't worry about the damage, it's easily repaired."

The first recovers from its stumble. "Yes...Erosandrus, see that the great oaf is put back to bed before he wears his fists to nubs." The third looks like he's about the argue, but acquiesces with a cringe instead. "Now if you'll please follow me, Her Magnificence is waiting." He waves his hand in a clear signal for you to follow deeper into the compound.

[Frosty]

Millia, Cleric of Nocticula

Spoiler

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F CG Aasimar (Garuda-Blooded) Cleric 8 / Dawnflower Anchorite 4, Level 12, Init 7, HP 136/136, Speed 20
AC 37, Touch 23, Flat-footed 34, CMD 31, Fort 17, Ref 16, Will 24, CMB +8, Base Attack Bonus 9
Medium Armor. Fly 1/day Celestial Plate Armor (25,000)
+3 with Magic Vestment (which also increases Reflex Save thanks to Defensive Expertise) Heavy Mithral shield +2 (+12 Armor, +3 Dex, +4 Deflection, +2 Natural, +6 Misc)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 31, Cha 16
Condition Pierce Façade (2 hrs), Defending Bone (50/50), Undetectable Alignment, Magic Vestment, Freedom of Movement, Life Bubble (8 hrs), Resist Fire 30 (40 mins), Shield of Faith +4 (24 mins), Bless (12 mins)
Mythic Power 14/15

The cleric whispers to her companions. "They're totally lying. They did not expect us at all. They are probably telepathically calling for backup. That said, we might be able to take care of them all at once if they get gathered up. What do you guys want to do?"

[Desril]

Lilith

Lily just ***** her head at Millia, that was practically her plan to start with as she turns back to the incubi. "Of course, well, such things do wreck havoc with the mind, so it's little surprise. And I'd be happy to go through this place without any more senseless bloodshed." Saying that, if she isn't stopped, she moves to follow. Regardless of whose trap it was, better to give them less time to prepare and not stand around stalling for time.

Spoiler

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Perception as we walk down the halls looking for trap/ambush? (1d20)[20]

[Frosty]

Millia shrugs and follows, also on the lookout for an ambush.

Spoiler: ooc

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Perception - (1d20+31)[35]

[Ilorin Lorati]

Nadia

Spoiler: Stats

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Female N/A Gnome Paladin (Dashing Hero) [Marshal], Level 12 [5], Init 13, HP 115/132, Speed 30 (35 after attack)
AC 29, Touch 23, Flat-footed 18, CMD 31, Fort 17, Ref 18, Will 19, CMB +9/+4/-1, Base Attack Bonus +12/+7/+2
Stopgap. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ +1 Demonbane Starknife (1d3, x3)
Glamered, Champion +1 Small Darkleaf Leather Armor, +1 Small Mithral Buckler (+3 Armor, +2 Shield, +8 Dex, +1 Size, +1 Natural, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 7, Dex 27, Con 16, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 22
Condition Bless (12m)
Mythic Power (13/13), Smite (4/4)

The gnome muttered a series of non-word under her breath in response to the cleric's commentary, with a clear tone of chiding even if she wasn't saying anything. Otherwise, she made a point of staying in the rear and making an attempt to be as unobtrusive as any pair of two creatures could be. If this creature is going to make a point of speaking everything that was on her mind in front of an enemy... it took every ounce of energy she had to not bury her head in her hands at the thought. There were more important things to do, like figure out the angle.

Spoiler: OOC

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Perception: (1d20+18)[31]