PBEM, Episode 158 - Guardians and Rats

 ONE HUNDRED FIFTY EIGHT

(I/C)

 "I hit 'em high, and you hit 'em low, Señor Kolvarn!” Abraxas cried, Scythe whistling through the air. The Fighter assaulted the Guardian with a twist and flash of the enchanted weapon (>+6 to hit, Blue 19) the cuts coming heavy and fast. Although it was clad in spectral armor, the silver blade shone bright and slashed through to the necrotic flesh below (1d8+3 Damage, Blue 4 – 7 Damage!) and a spray of rotted blood flew out.

“Your death is inevitable!” the Guardian roared back in its attempt to strike.

Swallowing his terror, Lannis said, "And now he is wearing the statue on his head. How very dignified,” he leaned towards the Cleric and whispered, "Kovid is aware that he's not supposed to let the monsters hit him, yes?"

Lyra had gotten closer, club out but fingers twitching as she looked over the fight, seeing the damage Kovid had taken and coming close enough to heal him should need be. “Yeah. I am getting some REAL bad mojo from this one.” She raised her voice. “Abraxas! No screwing around now, ok?”

"Almost finished here, amigos,” Abraxas rallied the party, “Let's take down this pendejo ultimo. Killing blow gets a pint at the tavern when we are done, si?"

“You got it,” Kovid said. Addressing the Guardian, he added, "Yeah, nice hat asshole! We need it.”

The Fighter somehow had gotten set up for another flurry of strikes, turning the Guardian to the west as he worked his Scythe, eyes widening when a patch of shadow pulled away from the wall, silver dagger raised, Brendon poised to attack. Giving a short grunt he worked his weapon in a twisting whirl of slices (=+6 to hit, Blue 10) hitting the undead more than missing as he hacked and cut (1d8+3 Damage, Blue 2 – 5 Damage!) making it howl in fury.

And then the Scout launched himself out, Silver Dagger leading (>+1 to hit, +4 Surprise, Red 17) and slammed 8 inches of silver blade between the creatures shoulder blades and angled down, piercing its unbeating heart (1d4 Damage, Red 3) before rolling back from the return strike and fading into the shadows again, making his way out of harms way as he measured the best place for a followup assault.

From the corner, Wyn’s voice called out, “Eet sounds like ye all are doin’ a great job!” along with a number of excited rat chirpings.

“Corfard!” it howled, its form wavering and sparking.

“Corfard this!” Kovid cried, hammer flashing (>+3 to hit, Yellow 2) but it managed to get its spectral shield in place and a blast of cold air met the hammer’s fall. “Thor’s Brisket! Take it down! Take it down!”

With scant seconds remaining before the Guardian was going to descend its full power on the swinging dwarf, Lannis called forth the primal chaos and tore a fourth dart of magic from nothing and sent it to blast into the remaining Guardian (1d4 Damage, Pink 1 – and killed!!!) where it tilted its head back and HOWLED.

And then exploded.

The concussive blast slammed everyone back against the wall and knocked them down, reaching even as far as Wyn where he was able to remain standing but the rats had been buffeted. The door on the other side of the room blew open, the brazier of fire blasted over, even the cabinet was sent scattering against the far corner. The 5 bodies of the Guardians were blasted away to dust and in the tinny din of dust and falling debris, the group heard the sound of the silver statue [25]  hitting the ground and bouncing twice before ending upright on the scoured clean ground.

And the group then heard coming from the statue a spectral voice and a wave of silver energy flowing out. “By the will of Halgafar, my father, you have freed me, Argenta, my spirit from the necromantic sorceries of Corfard the Malign. My will, my spirit, my magic has been freed from Corfard’s trap. As Daughter of the Ispan I thank you as best as I can. Carry this statue with you into battle with The Malign and it may protect you somewhat from his foul breath. Free the Dawnlands. Become Corfardsbane. May Theystra guide you. Heroes.”

And then a pulse of cool energy washed over the party and the silver energy, and the voice and spirit of Agrenta, left.

Everyone heal 4 hp. (Current Damage totals: Lan, 0. Lyra, 0. Wyn, 0. Abr, 3. Bren, 0. Kov, 8.)

Time now is Day 5, 7:11 AM

(OOC)

Explore Room – 30 xp each

Defeat 5 Guardians: 65, 95, 125, 155, 185 – Divided.

Treasure XP: Statue 500 gp/xp divided (who is going to carry it?)

Wyn, Abraxas, Brendon – Add 228 xp

Kovid, Lyra – Add 237 xp

Lannis – Add 257 xp

In addition: Spirit of Argenta gave everyone a +1 on a random ability score as follows:

Lannis: Pink 4 – Dexterity (15, +1)

Lyra: White 1 – Strength (8, -1)

Wyn: Orange 3 – Wisdom (11, -)

Abraxas: Blue 6 – Charisma (13, +1)

Brendon: Red 5 – Constitution (12, -)

Kovid: Yellow 4 – Dexterity (9, -)

Whew! 1 of 2 statues. 3 of 4 weapons. 2 of 4 keys. And 1 of the 3 Quintets of Guardians neutralized. Thumbs up!