The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

The front room of the main building looks like a luxurious living area here. There are couches, a fine carpet, and doors to the left, right, and ahead. Mingzhu converts Enthrall to Cure moderate Wounds and heals Kastelli with it. Her wounds heal about ½ way. Kastelli squeaks with pleasure and says, “Thanks.”

Mingzhu nods and casts Shield of Faith on herself, saying, “I have anti magic spells I can use this battle if anyone wants to know. dispel magic and dismissal. I may go into defensive casting if a mage shows up.”

T’kharr looks over to her. “Got it." She then looks to see if there’s any clues as to what might be behind the doors. They are all open. It seems at a glance they are all living areas, though there is a wall ahead, and possibly some stairs going upwards in the back of the room.

Mingzhu suggests, “Maybe we should bar the door behind us?” Left and right, it's hard to tell at a glance, they see more carpets, tables, chairs, and probably a lot of corsairs moving around now that they've heard what's going on.

"May not be the wisest idea to block our own path back out." T’kharr responds.

"The other team is behind us. That won't be necessary." Jalyndae says. "On the other hand, our foes have likely heard us. We shouldn't stay here long."

"Aye, let’s move in and clear things out so we don't wind up in too much of a sandwich situation. Left room first I reckon." T’kharr intones as she moves to the door on the left. There are a bunch of buccaneers in that room, and they are not terribly happy to see the group. As the group clears the door the Corsairs attack them.

A corsair in the lead goes after Jalyndae, razing the lupine’s side. Nor’vee another hitting him in the back with one of his bolts. Another Corsair moves in to attack Jalyndae. He completely misses the outsider as Jalyndae can raise a natural Blur effect. Silgara uses her bow putting both her arrows in soft spots. He tumbles over a moment in pain and is hurt badly. T’kharr goes after one of the wounded Corsairs but misses with her staff by an inch. Another corsair strikes out at T’kharr wounding her.

Kastelli casts Magic Missile at another knocking him back a step. Another Corsair goes after T’kharr as she’s a gnoll and most likely the heaviest fighter among the crowd. He gives her a grave stab wound with his gauche just under the lung. Jalyndae nearly tears apart one of the men on her. Somehow though he resists going down. Two more come up. One against T’kharr the other against Jalyndae but their timing is so off both seasoned veterans avoid their attacks easily.

Mingzhu casts Hold Person on the corsair that first attacked Jalyndae. He is frozen in place. Nor’vee puts three bolts into the torso of another corsair. The man is still alive but about to drop in the next few moments. The other pirate on Jalyndae tries to slice her up with his cutlass but again she is able to avoid all the strikes. T’kharr cracks her staff down on the skull of the pirate and he nearly drops dead at her feet. Silgara puts an arrow in his chest, ending him for good. Kastelli flanks one of the pirates fighting the pair up front. She thrusts both her weapons into his back. He falls dead without a word.

Jalyndae bites a Corsair, knocking him down. T’kharr immediately breaks his lead as he hits the ground. Jalyndae finishes him off with her rapier. Mingzhu goes after one of the ones left. She stuns him with a vicious tiger punch to his solar plexus. Nor’vee shoots a bolt into the last one standing against Jalyndae.
The corsair keeps attacking her even though now he is badly wounded and manages to wound her with his cutlass. T’kharr strikes out at him but misses. Silgara puts two more arrows into him but not in vital points. Kastelli casts Magic Missile on him. The bolts hit and he is finally downed. Now the single remaining pirate is being held by Mingzhu’s spell. Nor’vee rushes the frozen man putting a quarrel through his head at point blank range.

They search the room. It looks like a map room of sorts. There are charts of nearby waters, trade routes, planned heists and intercepts, seems like none of them are making any attacks in Daimyo Zuodong's holdings, but there's plenty in Kaluso's. Especially his northern heartlands. It would seem like most of their attacks are concentrated there, with a fair number still on the southern holdings, but most of the raids have been on the heartlands. From where they entered, there is another room to their right.

Mingzhu is the first to speak up. “Take the maps and plans everyone. Is anyone hurt and in need of healing?”

“Aye, grab the maps quick like and the notes or diaries you might find too.” T’kharr agrees.

Silgara takes the maps. “We won't have too long to do looting before more enemies are upon us.”

T’kharr casts Cure Light wounds on herself. Mingzhu converts Commune with Lesser Spirit and cures Jalyndae. She completely heals. Once the healing and looting is complete. T’kharr heads for the room on the right saying, “Clear out this wing real quick, then hit the other." She opens the door to find an altar of Umberlee there and several chaplains; Who definitely aren’t in the mood to see them. Mingzhu immediately goes into a defensive casting stance.

Nor’vee shoots first peppering one of the clerics with three bolts. One of the enemy casts Bless upon his group. Another casts Spiritual Weapon on himself and swings his mace at Nor’vee striking the nezumi in the chest. Nor’vee’s armor absorbs most of the blow but not all of it. Mingzhu in the back is watching all that the enemy is casting. Jalyndae charges in and almost instantly on top of one of the chaplains. She misses with her bite attack but sticks him in the belly twice with her rapier. He takes a 5-foot step back and casts magic stone back at her. they bounce off of her harmlessly.

Another cleric casts Summon Monster 2 and conjures a fiendish crab. Mingzhu finally acts casting a Dispel Magic in a 20ft radius burst. It does not dispel the bless, However the crab is dispelled but also Jalyndae’s blur effect. Silgara puts three arrows into one of the clerics killing and pinning his body to a desk. T’kharr steps in and goes after the caster of the Spiritual weapon. She gives him a good smack with her quarterstaff, but he recovers quickly. Meanwhile Mingzhu in the back continues to read the battle and what the enemy is casting.

Two of the clerics cast Summon Monster 2 calling Abyssal crabs. Nor’vee puts two bolts into one priest and 1 into another. The first dies. The second also drops. One of the crabs strikes out at Jalyndae but it’s so slow she easily dodges around it. She goes after the nearest priest. She bites and trips him. Both go down as she starts to ravage him. T’kharr takes a shot at the man. He dies quickly between the two and Jalyndae kicks out taking out yet another priest who is controlling one of the crabs. As he dies the crab suddenly disappears back to whatever plane it came from. T’kharr comments, “"Probably doesn't even taste good, what a waste of crab folks.

Mingzhu yells out, “Take on the Priests. I’ll take on the crabs.”

Kastelli take out yet another priest with a magic missile. Mingzhu casts Dismissal on the other crab. It vanishes from the room. T’kharr comments, “Ever had crab?" to Jalyndae "When it's not all demon-tainted, it's tasty stuff."

There is only one Chaplain left. Kastelli stabs him in the back severing his spinal cord. Jalyndae looks over to T'Kharr. "I don't actually need to eat, so I haven't."

"Ah, fair enough that one of your kind doesn't have to concern themselves so much with mortal matters." T’kharr smirks.

[Winterhawk99]

The group finds shields, tridents, leather armor, holy symbols of Umberlee and some coins in the offering bowl. They leave everything behind. They see a room ahead and a room to their right. The room to the right looks like a central area. Ahead there are stairs going up. Ahead, the room just before the stairs has several tables and chairs. That is all they can glean from a quick glance. They do hear movement all around them.

Mingzhu asks, “does anyone need healing?” No one seems to have taken but scratches in the last fight.

T’kharr says, “Lets clear ahead and then double back, room to the right is a center stair shaft."

In the room ahead, they see tables around. There are cups around, as well as a bar. The tables have dice, cards, and some of the cups are meant to hold dice. This looks like a gaming and recreation room, and gambling. They quickly sweep for doors or hostiles. Theres a room to the right that looks like an entry hall. They don’t see an enemy in the immediate vicinity.

Mingzhu comments, “I could call a fire elemental to burn down this whole wing if you like. It should destroy the building.”

"Not a wise idea at the moment, not with us still inside, and it'd probably make it harder to get to our ultimate quarry." T’kharr says while she checks the entrance hall to the right. It seems pretty similar to where you entered from. There're a few panicking buccaneers running around, but they head to the center room.

Mingzhu shrugs, “Ok.”

"If we're trying to kill the Glabrezu, they're immune to fire. Or at least heavily resistant." Silgara says.

“That as well.” T’kharr agrees.

“I don’t know much about your western Yokai.” Mingzhu explains.

"Ahead we go then, loop back through the other wing then head upstairs." T’kharr commands.

They head right to the entry hall. There are couches, tables, carpets, lying about. Plenty of luxury. To the left goes outside. To the right is the center room. You can see some Buccaneers running up the stairs
Silgara looks over "They might be informing their leaders of our presence here." Ahead is another room.

"T’kharr, do we want to clear out the last room or go upstairs?" Mingzhu asks.

"Let’s head up if they're fleeing upstairs." T’kharr nods.

They go forward to the stairs. First, they move into the central room. There're tables on the outskirts, rugs and carpets along the flooring. A large set of stairs heads up, double parted. Looks like there's at least two ways up. It's pretty extensive. They don't see any hostiles down here, but they definitely hear movement above. T’kharr takes the lead and heads upstairs.

As they hit the last step there is quite the welcoming committee in the first room, Cutlasses, main Gauche, crossbows, and tridents drawn, and there are to Succubi there. “T’kharr immediately screams out, “Get a dismissal on the Succubi and quickly, Mingzhu.”

First to attack is a buccaneer with a heavy crossbow unloading at Silgara, who narrowly misses the mage. Silgara in turn casts Confusion on all of them. Of the crowd defending the room 2 buccaneers, a Corsair and a succubus are completely confused. One of the ones not confused advances on Jalyndae with cutlass and gauche. He puts three light cuts on her as she ducks and dodges.

There is a priest there that casts bless on their group. Another corsair advances on Jalyndae. He gives her another light cut. Kastelli goes to strike one of the corsairs trying to flank him. She gives him two deep wounds in the arm and shoulder. A Buccaneer flees the battle. The confused succubus babbles around some crazed debauchery incoherently.

Mingzhu counters the priest casting Bless on the companions. Two buccaneers shoot their crossbows at Silgara. She takes a quarrel in the knee. The succubus tries to cast a suggestion on Nor’vee however he is protected by a Protection from Evil spell and resists it. A second priest in the room heals the badly wounded corsair from the wounds Kastelli gave him. Jalyndae bites and trips a corsair. She and Kastelli then both draw blood on the man with their swords.

Nor’vee takes aim at the succubus that tried to control him, putting two bolts in her leg and side of her ribs. T’kharr smacks one of the priests in the ribs. A Corsair moves in to help the priest. He manages to stab T’kharr in the liver with his gauche and cut her across her triceps. The corsair that is confused suddenly attacks his own priest, killing the man. Another buccaneer babbles a highly off-key shanty.

Silgara puts an arrow through a corsair’s spleen. He goes down screaming, taking some time to die. The remaining priest casts Protection from Good on one of the Succubi. She becomes unconfused. The corsair still on Jalyndae goes on the offensive. He puts more light cuts on her. T’kharr screams out, “Dismiss the Succubi!” Mingzhu casts dismissal on the one she knows is not protected by spell. It suddenly disappears back to its home plane.

Kastelli tumbles across the room and manages to strike the other succubus. She manages to stab the demon but only lightly. One of the confused buccaneers manages to shoot at Silgara and graze her just below the ear. The remaining succubus sees the mage after that and casts Suggestion on her. Silgara falls under the demon’s control.

Two buccaneers shoot back at Nor’vee. They manage to graze him twice. Jalyndae goes after the corsair on her. She takes a chunk of flesh out of his bicep and trips him. She then proceeds to disembowel the man while kicking out at another nearly breaking his thigh. Nor’vee again takes aim at the remaining succubus. All three arrows go into her chest. She falls and melts into a pool of goo.

T’kharr calls out to Mingzhu, “If you can get a protection from evil on Silgara, that'd help." And tries to whack the remaining Chaplain. She breaks two of his ribs. One of the corsairs change direction and goes after the gnoll. He misses his first two strikes but puts a light wound on her face with his cutlass. Another corsair stands babbling about plunder and booty. The singing buccaneer continues to babbly his shanty terribly off key.

Silgara, under a suggestion spell casts Scorching Ray at T’kharr burning her badly. Mingzhu stops casting and goes in after the closest enemy to her. She kicks a corsair between the legs so hard any ambition for him to have children died on the spot. Two buccaneers respond to the attack by shooting at the shamaness. She turns avoiding one bolt and snaps her arm out hitting the shaft of the other deflecting it into the back wall. Jalyndae goes after a corsair on her. She trips him up and hurts him with her rapier. Mingzhu takes advantage of the opportunity taking a swing at him as he goes down, but she misses. Jalyndae follows up with two more stabs and the corsair is dead.

Nor’vee puts three quarrels into a priest. One hits him just above the ear. He falls on the spot becoming room temperature. T’kharr charges Silgara calling out, “Do you need me to dispel, Silgara?” to Mingzhu.

Mingzhu screams out, “I’m fighting at the moment!”

A buccaneer that was confused gains a moment of sense and shoots at Kastelli but misses. Silgara shoots at T’kharr putting an arrow through her shoulder. Mingzhu comes up on a buccaneer and hits him twice in the face. Teeth go flying everywhere. Kastelli stabs another buccaneer giving him a serious wound.

Two buccaneers switch weapons drawing their cutlass and main gauche in place of their crossbows. Jalyndae advances on Silgara now. She grapples and restrains the mage. “I'll hold her until the spell wears off; you can finish off the others!" Nor’vee now aims at one of the buccaneers. He puts all three quarrels into the man. The buccaneer falls dead in a pool of blood.

The only enemy left is a confused buccaneer, a confused corsair and one buccaneer that still has his wits about him. T’kharr goes after latter but in her excitement her blow falls short. The corsair babbles about buried treasure and the singing buccaneer keeps on singing adding some dancing and arm gestures to his tune. Silgara fights with Jalyndae and manages to break the grapple. Mingzhu keeps fighting the one she is on and breaks his jaw. Kastelli comes from behind and finishes him off stabbing him in the back with her short sword.

Jalyndae uses Improved Trip on Silgara, but the mage resists. Nor’vee puts three bolts into the corsair but somehow, he’s still standing. T’kharr finally uses Dispel Magic on Silgara which brings her out of the suggestion she was under. The corsair still keeps babbling with three bolts penetrating him. Meanwhile the last buccaneer tries to flee the scene. He runs past Mingzhu who tries to do a standing front kick to stop him, but she doesn’t have the strength to down him. Silgara backs her up with two shots killing him before he can escape.

Mingzhu tears after the lone corsair. She kicks him in the head and as he falls, she spins kicking him in the neck just as he hits the ground. Everyone can hear the snapping bone. His eyes close for good. She looks at her wraps, “I love these fighting wraps!” With the last of the enemy down the room goes silent a moment. One buccaneer escaped the fight.

[Winterhawk99]

Jalyndae casts Cure Light Wounds on Silgara. T’kharr grips her staff, “Aye the staff has been working out well for me, for that matter.”

Mingzhu looks up, “Who needs healing?”

"I reckon we should regroup a bit at this point though, maybe send a scout ahead?" T’kharr says.

Mingzhu more concerned on every one’s health studies them all. She converts Rebuke and heals Jalyndae. Then she converts Trance to Cure Light Wounds and heals Kastelli. Finally, she converts Speak with Animals and heals Nor’vee. She then converts Endure Elements and heals Silgara.

Looking around the room, they find it's an upstairs foyer, there's a path left, a path right, a path back-left, a path back-right, and a path forward. The path forward seems to be set with a particularly well-made door. "Path forward is probably our ultimate quarry, but we probably should have Nor'vee here check on the other rooms, no?" T’kharr comments as she heals herself a bit more.

Nor'vee squeaks, nodding, "Can check, quickly." He heads off, then returns "So, of those four rooms, one looks like a jail, found an old pirate locked up there." Squeak, "Other rooms, one looked like a tavern, one looked like a storage place, one looked like quarters. Nor'vee only took a fast look, though."

Jalyndae looks forward at the more notable door ahead. Kastelli does too. "I sense some stronger evil presences ahead." Jalyndae says.

Mingzhu frowns, “I’m getting down on spells but still have a Dispel 2 Summons and Order’s
Wrath along with Prayer and Control Water.” She then casts Protection from Elements (acid) on herself. “That was my last personal spell.”

T’kharr says, “Noted.” As she casts Resist Elements (fire) on herself. “If we are going in behind that door let me cast prayer on us.” She then casts Prayer on the group saving Mingzhu from casting hers. "If we don't have any other hostiles on us, it may be our path forward, although we'll be pretty much limited to slugging it out given that we burned up our dispels and dismissals. Unless Silgara has some stuff left on that front?"

"I've been conserving my spells, I expected I might need them for the more difficult battles." Silgara says.

"Fair" T’kharr responds.

"Also, I did cast those mage armors, and the darkvision needed for this place." Silgara says "Although the interior here is pretty well lit up."

“I have one more Dispel and can call aid.” Mingzhu informs.

T’kharr looks around. “Check the officer's mess, we can save interrogating the prisoner for later."

The officers mess has some pretty fine stuff here it looks like. Tables, games, dartboard, and what looks like a good stock of rum here. No people around though, at least for now. As they walk in T’kharr adds, “And the quarters too, make sure there isn't notes or such for us to grab"

"Do you think we have long to search? I expect whoever is behind that door might come to us if we take a while..." Silgara says as Mingzhu takes 2 bottles of rum. The strongest that she can find. Silgara smirks as she watches Mingzhu, “Now a pirate may end up going 'Why's the rum gone?' Well, who cares what they think anyways?”

"We definitely don't have long but want to make sure we don't leave anything obvious for evidence on the table even if we are forced to retreat.” T’kharr suggests.

Silgara nods "Right, let’s go then."

They head down to the quarters. It looks like they're probably officers’ quarters, given how luxurious they are. That said, they may not be the most luxurious. Kastelli starts to pick locks. She's able to get 3 of them, one of the locks remains stubbornly closed. Silgara looks around "Hrm, someone of high import lives in these four rooms, but probably not a sailor, but someone... ah..."

Mingzhu looking around says, “We may be able to find a way to get off the island here.”

While looking around they find that of the three rooms they can get into, one belongs to the Quartermaster General, one to the Master Shipwright, one to the Master Sawbones. Silgara pockets some journals. "Don't have time to go over these right now, I'll keep them stored for later."

Kastelli works on picking the lock in the last room while they wait for the other team to come. When Balan and entourage get to them that’s when they will take on the demon.

[Winterhawk99]

While the rest of the group splits off, Balan is left in charge of Zsikhou, Fwangzhu, Xrochdyr, Zarasszia, and Quasziel. He notices Quasziel casting Bless and Shield of Faith on himself. Zarasszia casts Shield and Mirror Image. The group goes around fighting Corsairs. There's a lot of them, some groups, but there's one particular mass led by one of the captains outside the main captain's hall there. It's a pretty rough fight. They notice Zarasszia casting some spells she hadn't before, Fireball and Scorching Ray. Either way, there's some pretty grueling, and constant fighting...

After one particular round of fighting, they eventually come to another building, looks like an inn or watering hole. Their party is able to defeat the Corsairs inside... however in one of them...
They see a barmaid, she looks like she's a hostage, or at least not a pirate. In a near panic... one of the Corsairs gets over the bar before any of your party can reach him, then puts a cutlass to the barmaid's neck, "None of you move closer! None of you move or she gets it!" The barmaid screams. "Quit squealing wench! And you, not a move!"

Fwangzhu snarls, clearly hating this, but he doesn't move... Balan keeps his hands shown, “Easy friend. Don’t need to hurt the lass.” Xrochdyr takes a step back, trying not to flex his claws in a threatening manner. Zarasszia just looks over with that blank gaze of Her’s. Zsikhou looks to the corsair like he just wants to give him a hug a look that could kill... but he doesn't move.

The Corsair shouts, "Back away! Drop your weapons and back away!"

However, Quasziel looks over with that intense stare of his great sword raised. "This mortal is irrelevant. Let’s dispense with this and be done with it." He moves towards the Corsair.

The Corsair tightens his grip. "You think I'm bluffing?! Back off or she gets it."

Quasziel looks over. "I am not bluffing. That mortal's life is irrelevant." He keeps moving closer.

Fwangzhu snarls at Quasziel, "What the FUCK are you doing?!" Quasziel ignores him...

Balan replies to Fwangzhu, “He's falling farther and farther away from the celestial court and he doesn’t care. Ya need to stop Quasziel.” Quasziel doesn't seem to be bothered and just keeps advancing.

Fwangzhu moves to interpose in front of Quasziel. "Back up, damn you!"

Quasziel stares at Fwangzhu. "Do not interfere with me, beast." Xrochdyr hisses but then looks to Balan. Then to the Corsair, then the others around, like he's trying to figure out a way around this.

Balan looks Quasziel square in the eye. “If that lass dies the blood is on your hands do you not understand that?”

Quasziel looks back. "It is of no consequence. She will be of no assistance against the evil here regardless. Stop wasting time with this foolishness, mortal."

The Corsair shouts again, "All of you better start backing away now or she gets it! Drop your weapons and back away!"

Xrochdyr hisses at Quasziel. "Really, Deva? You're going to treat an innocent mortal like that? This is a situation that would call for a negotiation." He looks over to Balan, almost as if silently asking if he has a plan.

Quasziel looks over to Xrochdyr. "It does not do well to bargain with the foul, such as you."

Balan studies the corsair. “I suggest you back down because that one will not stop and will kill you regardless.”

"Oh no! I'm not backing down! You lot drop your weapons and back up or she gets it! I mean it!!" The Corsair shouts at Balan. Xrochdyr looks over to Balan..., perhaps silently waiting for orders. Zsikhou fingers a shuriken, but doesn't attack...

Balan whispers to Zsikhou, “Save the bar maid. Kill the corsair quickly.” Zsikhou nods... and slinks off, hiding. Xrochdyr seems to notice, a quiet word aside to Zarasszia, she looks over to Xrochdyr, giving a nod

"Didn't you hear me? I said drop your weapons and get the hells out of here!" The corsair shouts.

“Easy friend we’re backing away.” Balan nods to the rest. Diva back away please. You can spill blood another time.”

Quasziel looks over. "Pah, so you are willing to let evil go unpunished. You are wasting your time here."

Balan still looking at the corsair says, “No Diva, not unpunished. Don’t worry about that part.”

Fwangzhu snarls at Quasziel, "You back the fuck up, Quasziel."

Quasziel glares at Balan. "We are wasting time here. There are greater problems here. You are wasting it over needless care for one irrelevant mortal."

“And you are wasting my time by causing more issues than need to be done. This would be over by now if you just managed to be what you were meant to be.” Balan retorts.

"This would have been resolved without needlessly wasting time if this beast had not stopped me. Now we are making things more difficult in dealing with the evil nested here." Quasziel rebukes.

Zsikhou, however, goes to make his assassination strike, trying to take down the Corsair and move his other hand to pull the blade away from the hostage. The assassination works, the Corsair dies instantly, and Zsikhou pulls the blade away, freeing the hostage. Balan gestures over at the dead man, “See ya idiot.” The hostage hyperventilates some, clearly in a panic after that, rushing away with a scream.

Balan facepalms at Quasziel. The angel looks over. “Fine. We are done here. We should keep moving."

The barmaid, however, remains in sight, still clearly in a panic. Balan walks over to her. “Your safe now lass.”

Zsikhou looks over to her, definitely wanting to give her snuggles then moves closer to Balan. "Job's done."

Xrochdyr looks over, a nod. "Well handled, Paladin. And kobold. I had figured that or having Zarasszia enchant them could work, but both plans had risks."

“Aye I just had to think for a moment.” Balan responds. The barmaid just whimpers. The dragonborn pats Zsikhou on the head then kneels by the barmaid. “Lass snap out of it.” Zsikhou very much loves the head pats looks a touch annoyed but doesn't comment. The barmaid keeps shuddering.

Xrochdyr lets a breath out, "She's uninjured at least and there is still a battle going on outside. It might be prudent to leave her here to hide for now and bring her with us whenever we escape from this place."

Balan nods, “I agree that would be best. Shall we then?”

Xrochdyr almost smiles. "And here I never thought I'd be part of a squad lead by a Paladin of Bahamut, but you've done well so far. Regardless, let’s keep moving. I expect the other team is busy making a mess, and we still need to secure the grounds." Though he looks over to the Barmaid. "Mortal, find a place to hide until the fighting stops. Stay here and keep out of sight." The barmaid just hides behind the counter.

Fwangzhu nods, "Yeah, let’s keep knocking skulls."

Quasziel glares, "If you are done wasting time, then yes, there is work to be done."

“Much work to do. She should be safe here.” Balan replies.

The group heads outside again. There are more corsairs to fight, a lot of them, they are individually not too strong but there are so many. Still, they are pretty sure some of the pirates in this cove aren’t rushing out to fight them. They circle back to the main building in the front to check on the other party.

They are about to rejoin Mingzhu and crew when they hear another group coming in. Zsikhou looks over "Looks like there's more coming. But I think the other team might need you now."

“Aye take them out. We will see you soon. Balan replies. He goes inside. Just before the corsairs hit them Jalyndae walks out the door to repel the enemy with them.

[Winterhawk99]

Mingzhu finds a chair and drags it to the jail. She sits down across from the old pirate prisoner and studies him. He is an aged Corsair with an elongated, shaggy beard. His clothing looks like it was once fine, expensive attire that commanded respect. Now it is warn down and dirtied. His hair is long and unkempt. His hat is gone along with his weapons. There is a certain poise he has though that suggest he was a pirate not to be taken lightly. He is securely locked in his cell. The other cells in the brig are empty.

Mingzhu after a short time says, “Greetings and be at peace.”

T’kharr walks over and stands behind Mingzhu, leaning on her staff. "Aye, may the peace of the Maimed God be with you." T'kharr raised one hand, the red cord and medallion about her wrist clearly visible.

The aged pirate looks up to Mingzhu... "Deadlights, I be hearin' the screaming, lass. Ye be a right strange lot o' land lubbers ta be crossin' these seas. Well, whomever ye be, iffin ye be lookin' tae keelhaul me, I can assure ye I got more fight in me than I be lookin' like." He sits up some, trying to look more impressive. "Though readin' tha tides, tha' nay be what ye be after, is it?"

"I’m not here to hurt you at all. I'm just wondering: why are you here instead of with your brothers and sisters?" Mingzhu asks.

He looks over her companions one by one. "I can tell ye nay be one o' Black Rackham's scallywags. Might as well tell ye—listen well, for an old pirate's wisdom be bought dear. Me an' the High Captain parted ways when he chose ambition over the Code. Mark me words: a captain what forgets the Code ain't fit to wear the hat, no matter how many blades he commands. Or in that bilge-rat's case, demons. I be the keeper o'tha code, lass. An' black Rackham figured he nay needs such things anymore." He leans back. "He's forgotten what it truly means ta be a pirate."

"So.....The high captain commands the demon you say?"

"Lass, any scallywag who be thinking ye can command a demon be a Slack-jawed swab. But Black Rackham thinks he can use them fer 'is own yearnin's. Nay truly realize tha' it nay ends well. A thousand tales exist where pirates be thinkin' they can get ahead o'devils, an' a thousand tales say how each one ends miserably." The old pirate replies.

Mingzhu nods. "Did the demon grant yourself a wish?"

"Nay meself, lass." The old pirate shakes his head. "As I said, I be the Keeper o' the Code of the Black. An I be knowin' dealing wit' demons nay ends well for a captain or 'is crew." He shakes his head. "Black Rackham an' is circle o' Captains disagreed. Made bargains wit' a demon, now they're all in deep in dark waters nay one wit' any sense would e'er sail."

T'kharr nods along to the old pirate's words. The old pirate drones on. "Me attempts to keep our traditions alive got me 'ere. Rackham an' i's circle be thinkin' they nay need such anymore. Now they be damned, set for the darkest trenches of the locker, an' played to a demon's fiddle. Ta be under a demon's thumb means a pirate gives up bein' free. Despite tha's what he be wantin'. Freedom. Power. Plunder, Booty." The old pirate huffs, leaning forward, his age, or perhaps the exhaustion apparent.

"I see and how to they pass the water of this island and into the waters of the world?" Mingzhu asks.

"Tha' be thar demon's gifts. A big four armed one, the one who answers yearning, he be. An' twists it. But part of 'is wanting an unassailable port meant havin' this cove, protected by demon magic." The Keeper shakes his head. "The Circle of Captains can all hand out some kinda magic chime o' some kind. Allows them ta cross the barriers." He pauses, a breath out, before speaking again. "A devil's bargain be like anchorin' in quicksand. Seems steady... till the sea swallows ye whole."

Silgara raises an eyebrow "Awfully... philosophical for a pirate."

He looks over at Silgara. "Lass, the seas can teach many a lesson, wisdom be in learnin tae' listen ta the tides. And some lessons ye can never learn from a book."

Mingzhu pauses thinking then asks, “Has anyone ever stepped in the water or swam in it around the island?”

"Lass, I been here for a while now. I can' tell ye much about all tha' demon barnacles can get ye." He chuckles.

"Ah, I see so you can'na tell me if the water is cursed."

"Och it nay doubt be cursed lass."

Silgara looks aside. "Maybe he knows more about how this all started. Or whom we're up against."

Mingzhu listen to the mage and asks, “Do you know about the fellows and the demon in the back room waiting for us?"

"If ye mean Black Rackham's Circle and he who answers Yearnin,' that I do, lass." He ahems, sitting up.
"Thar be a circle o' high captains. Black Rackham be tha' leader, an' tha' one who be the one who deals wit' he who answers yearning. Wit' 'is circle be captains Ironhand Trelaine, Captain Stormcleaver Morgan, Captain 'Queen Bitch' Alvida, Captain Monsoon Tom, and Captain Hex Bloodworth."

Mingzhu looks up to T'kharr. "Did we take one out already?"

"As fer tha' demon, he be a tempter, tha' one. Knows what ye be wantin' most, an' grants it. Grants it in a way tha' be makin' a pox-rotten cur outta ye." He shakes his head. “As fer iffin ye taken them out, seems unlikely ta me. I expect they still be waitin' ta be crossin’ cutlass wit' ye."

"Is one or two of the captains, singers of inspiration?" The shamaness asks.

"I can tell ye Black Rackham be one o' tha deadliest duelists I be knowin, an he got some strange weapon from tha' demon. Ironhand Trelaine is most skilled wit' cutlass an' main Gauche. Stormcleaver Morgan be a shanty singer, but thar' be magic behind his songs. Queen Bitch Alvida is' a priestess o' tha' bitch Queen, or were, though I know some 'ere 'have been turnin' ta worship a demon o' tha' darkest depths o' tha' sea. Monsoon Tom, he got storm an' sea in' is blood, an can cast em in 'is magic, throwin' gusts o' wind an lightning. An Hex Bloodworth be a righ' scallywag involved in nasty rituals, wit' demons grantin' 'im magic fer em. Sailin' fer blood over booty, tha' one is."

"That'd be consistent at least as far as the demon goes. That said, are you saying that they're all in there holding some sort of moot or council?" T’kharr responds.

"Aye, tha' I be." The old pirate nods.

"Which one owns the crimson Tide?" Mingzhu asks.

Silgara nods aside. "I guess they have more than one bardic practitioner among them, it would seem. That was Captain Grimslade, wasn't it?"

The old pirate nods to Silgara "Tha' lass be right. Captain' Grimslade. Went over wit' Black Rackham's lot. I think he be one o' tha' ones whom were in contact wit' tha' lords o one of these lands. ... Zuodong iffin I be righ'."

"Well, he and his men are at the bottom of the sea with his ship." Mingzhu explains.

He shrugs, "The sea gives, an' the sea takes." The old pirate leans back.

"So Grimshade had a contract with Zuodong. That is interesting. Do you know anything about that contract?" Mingzhu asks.

"Weren' Grimslade 'imself, lass. It were an arrangement all tha' way up ta the Circle o' high captains 'ere." The old pirate says, "There be a world o' difference 'tween sailin' alongside another ship... an' bein' dragged astern by the same sea monster. Were a dark bargain, fer sure." The old pirate says, "They be cooperatin' against some o' tha' lord’s enemies. Don' think it'll last, though." He leans back "A lord'll call ye 'friend' right up 'til ye've outlived yer usefulness. The sea's cruel... but at least she's honest."

"That she is. I think Kaluso's land a nice fat target for that contract." Mingzhu suggests.

The old pirate nods, "The day a pirate bows t' a lord, he stops bein' a pirate an' starts bein' another man's dog." ... He pauses "An' a demon's dog, too."

Silgara looks aside "From... what it sounds like, it would seem likely that the Glabrezu is playing both sides."

"Have you seen a man with a jackal’s head anywhere on the island?" Mingzhu asks.

He shakes his head "Afraid not, lass. Ye lot be tha' first wit' animal 'eads I be seen. Two dogs an' two rats. Interestin' company ye be keepin."

"Aye that we are. Do you know about the attack on the island of Tzukine. If you do..., do you know where most of the people went too?"

"Afraid nay lass. I be locked in 'ere since Rackham took power, an I can only tell ye what I be overhearin’ from some bilge suckin' rats tha' be sayin' too much when they think me old ears cannae be hearin' em." He shakes his head. "Or sometimes Black Rackham gloats ta me 'bout how much more 'e's gotten since 'e abandoned the code."

Mingzhu smiles, "What else have you heard?"

He looks Mingzhu over, seeming to flex a hand, then a breath out "I be expectin' ye donnae have too much time tae' be chattin' with an old Keeper like me. So, listen ye well. Black Rackham wants wealth, power, ta be feared. Tha' lord 'e's in business wit' is tha' same way. But it be the granter o yearnings who be directin' them, ultimately, even if Rackham thinks he be the one pulling the strings." He pauses, a huff "...They be cut from the same rotten sailcloth. One calls himself High Captain, t'other a lord. Strip away the titles, an' all ye'll find be two bilge rats scramblin' over one another fer a demon's scraps."

"I understand perfectly. Do not worry, we don't want to deal with this demon. We plan to send it home for the next 100 or 1000 years."

Silgara looks aside, "We may need to be more specific in what we ask if we want more information."

Mingzhu frowns for a moment and takes a pause to collect her thoughts then asks, “Do you know how many of the high captains are in the back room?"

"Six o' them, lass." The old pirate says, "Black Rackham 'imself, Ironhand Trelaine, Stormcleaver Morgan, Hex Bloodworth, Queen Bitch Alvida, an' Monsoon Tom."

“Do any of them have a particular weakness? Something unusual?"

"Iffin ye be goin' ta fight em, I say bring cutlass ta Monsoon Tom First, is magic be powerful but he ain' no good wit' a cutlass 'imself." The old pirate says, then he shakes his head. "Lass, they still be men an' women at tha' end o' tha day. They be thinkin' takin' the demons gifts makes ‘em kings or gods, but king or beggar still bleeds when cut open."

"That is very true. Do you know where Black Rackham's hoard is? He ever tell you? Seems like since he was gloat'in you maybe he did."

"Somewhere in' this cove. But I expect tha' high captains keep whatever they wan' most in their personal quarters. An' tha' rest would go ta tha' treasurer's office. He be runnin' a pirate cove, after all, lass." He says. "Though his room where 'e communes wit' tha one who answers yearnings be sealed off from tha' rest o' tha pirates."

"What does Monsoon Tom look like?"

"Strange lad, bluish skin an' hair. Some say 'e 'as gills as well. Prefers 'is outfits light. Eyes tha' resemble a shark's, e's got." The old pirate says.

Silgara looks over. "Sounds like a Water Genasi."

"Or one of my own people." Mingzhu intones.

"Nay lass, me eyes still be workin'. Tha' differences be clear enough. He nay be one o' yers." The old pirate shakes his head. Mingzhu takes her water sack and pours it into her mouth opening her gills and breaths it.

“Sahaugin?” T’kharr questions.

"A shark an' a goldfish 'ave gills, they still be different' things." The old pirate says, then shakes his head "Nay, 'e looks mostly human, jus' wit some weird features."

Mingzhu looks up at T’kharr, “That is a word I know. That's because I am sea spirit folk. If he is Sahuagin he will recognize me for sure. T’kharr, should I use my last dispel on this Monsoon Tom or the demon?"

Silgara looks over. "If our foes have warded up, a dispel should break some of their magical preparations. Same with the demon, though keep in mind, a Glabrezu's is likely to be harder to dispel." She looks over, considering "Wait... how do you know about Zuodong's dealings with the Glabrezu if you've been stuck here?"...

"Probably heard rumors and gloatin' as he said." T’kharr surmises. "That, or the rumblings of the dealings started before he got cast out."

The old pirate chuckles, "Lass, who do ye think set up thar' little arrangement in tha' first place? Rackham would've wanted ta plunder 'im instead, iffin tha' scallywag were left to 'is own devices."
He shrugs "Easy enough ta be chartin' those waters from the tides shown."

“Do you know who owns the merchant company that the pirates deal with on Kurozhan?” Mingzhu asks.

The old pirate shakes his head. "Afraid nay, lass."

Silgara looks aside. "Maybe he'd recognize a particular name better, of the merchant company."

"Have you ever heard of the Fated Winds?" Mingzhu asks.

"Course I be hearin' of them. Any who sail tha' seas be knowin' of em." The old pirate says "Front fer tha' black network. Some o' tha' worst scum lubbers ye be set eyes upon. Could nae tell ye more specifics about thar dealins' round these parts, though. But I knew em by reputation."

Mingzhu nods. "You have been a great help to us, sailor. I thank you. When we are finished taking care of these black hearts, we will release you."

The old pirate nods, then he looks up. "Lass, any good sailor be good at readin' tha tides. I can tell ye this, tha' course ye be on, ye be chartin' right' intae the most stormy o' seas ye be. Though I can tell ye it ain' just about' livin' but also bein' able ta live wit' yerself." He stretches, standing up a bit. "Maybe ye could release me now. I gots tha' feelin ye may nay get another chance, should those stormy seas be findin' ye before ye be ready." The old pirate looks over.

Nor'vee looks over. "Can we trust old pirate?"

"That’s not up to me that is up to the gnoll, myself and the dragonborn that we wait for... If it were up to me. I would do it." Mingzhu turns to the others. “He gave us all the information we asked for. I don’t know if it’s all true, but much does ring true."

Jalyndae looks over "I do sense evil from him, but... I can also tell he is worn and weary. I do not think he will be troublesome towards us."

Silgara looks at Mingzhu. "The other pirates locked him up, I expect he has little loyalty to them now."

Mingzhu shakes her head. “He is safe in the cell when the fighting starts.”

The old pirate huffs "I be the keeper o' tha' code lass. Those scallywags here have abandoned it. A pirate I be, but true tae' the Code o' tha' Black I be as well."

T’kharr says in a low voice, “I wonder if the maze might be a suitable place of refuge for him?"

Mingzhu looks up and back at the gnoll, “Not if he encounters a patrol along the way.”

T’kharr sighs, “True.”

"Then I be goin' out swingin' lass. I be more than a match fer swashbucklin' the lousy curs tha' be callin' themselves pirates 'ere." He says.

Kastelli looks over. "Maybe he can get a ship ready, for when we need to get out of here."

"You know a place to hide when the big fight starts? There will be a lot of magic." Mingzhu stops then says, “Having two ships would be nice. especially with any refugees."

The old pirate scoffs, "Nay. But I be a crusty old salt nay mean I be helpless."

Kastelli looks over. "Refugees?"

Nor'vee looks over. "Oh, right, don't think we mentioned that to her or Jalyndae."

"The people of Tzukine that were enslaved to this island." Mingzhu explains.

Silgara looks over. "You never mentioned that when you were spending time with her?" *She raises an eyebrow incredulously."

Kastelli nods, "Then we'd better get them out of here, for certain. Sounds like we'll need the high captain's chimes for that, though."

"Aye, tha' be true." The old pirate nods.

Nor'vee squeaks, "We get the chimes, run back to get Tzukine's people, then get out on the ships?"

Silgara looks over. "If we can trust the old keeper." She considers looking at Mingzhu and T'Kharr. "What's your call?"

"Anything left I will sink all that I can with a maelstrom." Mingzhu says.

The old pirate looks over at Mingzhu. "Lass, ye'd best be careful bout' lettin' wrath inta ye like tha'. I can see it in yer eyes. Ye be haunted by what ye be comin' across while sailin. Power an' wrath nay be a good mix."

"If they have no ships they can na follow us, can they." Mingzhu responds. She then turns to the others. "I say we trust the old pirate. He’s been forthcoming with his words."

"Nay what I be meanin' lass." The old pirate shakes his head.

Silgara looks over. "We... should probably make a decision soon. What's your call?"

T’kharr frowns in concentration then says, “We take care of business in the room...then get the chimes, get the folks of Tzukine, get out...do you think we should spring the fellow here as well?"

Mingzhu looks at the pirate. "I know what you mean. These last two years have been.... haunting. Then turns to the others. “I say yes on his word he gets a ship ready for the refugees. It’s a fishing village. they will know how to sail."

"A captain whose word means nothin' soon finds his orders mean the same." The old pirate nods to T'Kharr. "I'll get yer ship ready, iffin ye release me now."

"we'll need to lash the refugee ship to ours when we use the chimes I reckon, but aye." T’kharr motions the Nezumi forward to take care of the lock. Nor'vee looks over, shrugging, then a nod to Kastelli. Kastelli goes to pick the lock on the doors. They're soon unlocked.

"They got more than one. Jus' get a bunch o em, ye can 'ave multiple ships get outta this cursed land tha' way." The old pirate says.

"We'll take as many as we can then for salvage." Mingzhu suggests.

"Thank ye kindly, lass." The man moves a bit shakily, like it's the first time he's stretching in a while. "I'd best be leavin ye tae deal wit' tha' circle. I'll go get yer ship ready. Donnae worry bout me none, I can still beat those young scallywags in a good swashbucklin'." He moves off.

Silgara nods aside ... "Right, we'd best get back to it then."

"We need to keep disrupting the Sahuagin so he can't throw spells around." Mingzhu says.

"He said he looks mostly human." Silgara says...

"Do you have another idea on what he is?" Mingzhu asks.

"Sounds like a water Genasi, they're a form of plane touched, in this case, to the plane of water." Silgara says.

Mingzhu thinks a moment then asks, “Is there a chance I could disrupt him with a control water spell?"

"I don't think that's likely, I'm afraid. They're still for the case of most magical effects, still a person." Silgara says. "If I had to guess from the description of the captains though, Monsoon Tom is likely a Sorcerer of some kind. And they've got a Warlock, a Bard, and a cleric." She muses.

Nor'vee looks around, keeping alert while Mingzhu asks, “Who would be the most dangerous, spell wise?”

"He did advise we go after the Sorcerer first." Silgara says.

Mingzhu nods and thinks, “Then that’s what we will do.”

The group waiting for Balan goes to the storeroom. Kastelli picks the lock. It looks like the treasurer's office, and an extensive storehouse on the side. A lot of the various plunder looks rather civilian though. Supplies for various things, notes, there's a lot to go through. "I can take some of the ledgers for later review, though I'm not sure we'll have time for an extensive search now..." Silgara mentions. Mingzhu nods and looks at T'kharr to see where she wants to search first.

"Let’s get their books and ledgers first, the most important stuff is likely to be there." The gnoll replies.

"Right, I'll grab some quickly. Maybe we can figure out their movements later or... contacts. Maybe proof they're working with Zuodong, hopefully, though I expect that is going to be kept a very tight secret the Quartermaster might not know about." Silgara says, as she tries to grab some ledgers.

"There should be other good information there perhaps even which trade company the devil runs." Mingzhu intones. Nor'vee ends up grabbing a bag of gold and tosses it to Mingzhu.

Silgara looks over, rubbing her temples... "We shouldn't spend too long here..." She sighs "Come to think of it, maybe that Abishai knows... we never asked him. Though of course given what he is..." She shakes her head.

"According to my ledgers we now have 2,450 gold." Mingzhu says as she makes a notation in her ledger.

Jalyndae looks over. "This is... probably not a good time to be indulging in that right now."

"Once I add to the ledgers, I stay what we have so all know what is there. it is that simple Jalyndae." Mingzhu comments while she is writing.

"I meant more, the looking through here while there's a battle going on and surrounded by so many hostiles." Jalyndae says.

"Waiting for Balan. He needs to be with us." Mingzhu replies.

"Right, lets hurry then." Jalyndae nods.

[Winterhawk99]

Balan rejoins the group. Nor'vee locks and loads a bolt, he looks worriedly towards Kastelli, then steels himself for what's coming. Silgara looks aside. "Might as well get what spells up before we go in. This might get rough. Ready?"

T’kharr throws Death Ward upon herself, “Head inside then?” She also casts Spiritual Weapon.

The group opens the door and heads in. They see a group of six pirates. There's a chamber with some rather fancy seats, one especially impressive. There's six pirates there. One who looks like the leader wears expensive clothing, he has a fine sword and some kind of strange weapon in his left hand...

Another is a female captain in impressive armor, looks like and protective, and has a cutlass buzzing with electricity. There's another with a longsword, that's humming. One is a woman with a trident and a holy symbol of Umberlee worn on her. There's also what looks like a water genasi, not wearing armor but has impressive clothing. There's also one which is dual wielding main gauche and has some leather armor lined with eldritch symbols. All of them are wearing the typical captain's hat.

The lead one with a black beard approaches. Weapons drawn. "Well so ye be the lot that be causing me mateys such trouble then. Well, I don' think ye lot o freaks 'ave anything ta' be sayin' fer yerselves. I be sending ye to the locker for what ye be doin' ta me crew. Ye got any last words ta say, do it now. Cause ye be going ta' the locker real quick." He opens the fighting by shooting his flintlock pistols at Jalyndae.

Jalyndae deflects the first bullet with her Kung-fu. The second passes through the blurred image of her. Silgara casts Dispel magic on the enemy pirates. Good Hope is dispelled, along with Monsoon Tom’s Protection from Law, and Hex Bloodworth’s Dark One’s Luck and the pirate groups Prayer spell. Jalyndae dashes in front to hold the line against Black Rackham. She slashes the side of his face with her rapier then reposts and thrusts putting a deep wound near his bottom rib.

Hex Bloodworth shoots Silgara with a Hellrime Blast but his aim is off and hit harmlessly hits the wall behind her. T’kharr instead goes up against Monsoon Tom. Her spiritual weapon hits him so hard he loses several teeth. She then sends her staff into his gut to prevent him from casting spells. Stormcleaver Morgan directs his attention to T’kharr but doesn’t engage. Instead, he starts to sing a shanty invoking Inspire Competence.

Balan moves in on Morgan in support of Jalyndae. He puts two more heavy wounds into the big man. Nor’vee takes several shots at Monsoon Tom. Putting two bolts into the water genie’s left thigh. Kastelli tumbles into the conflict straight at the sorcerer. She snaps his neck with a front kick killing Monsoon Tom, then she sidekicks at Stormcleaver Morgan, but her attack misses.

Mingzhu takes a prayer out of her pack and lights it on fire casting Order’s Wrath. The spell hits Rackham full force as he is out front. It sends him back in a daze. The other pirates take minor damage from her oratory spell. Queen Bitch Alvida fires back at the shamaness with a Sound Burst of her own. It nearly bursts Mingzhu’s sensitive ear drums stunning her. Silgara is also stunned by the spell. Nor’vee resists the effect.

Ironhand Trelaine takes a stab at Balan. She stabs him good along the collar bone and along the neck just missing his jugular vein. Jalyndae takes the opportunity against Rackham now that he’s dazed and tries to knock him down, but she slips. She does manage to bite him, ripping off part of his shoulder. Blood spraying her face as she does. Hex Bloodworth goes to try and attack Kastelli, casting a Hideous Blow into one of his daggers. She takes two deep wounds in the belly and in the ribs.

T’kharr turns her attentions to Hex Bloodworth as she sees him stabbing Kastelli. She finds out just how nimble he is as he ducks under her quarterstaff, however the spiritual fist of hers gives him a blow he’ll never forget knocking the wind out of him for a second. Stormcleaver Morgan maintains his shanty while his comrades fight. Balan swears and mutters to himself. He takes a step back casting Turn Anathema. It’s not powerful enough. Nothing happens.

Nor’vee takes several shots at Stormcleaver Morgan to stop his song. One bolt goes into his liver and the other into his face. He drops to the ground dead. Kastelli waylays Hex Bloodworth from the side. She puts two deep cuts into him adding to his wounds. Queen Bitch Alvida casts Cure Critical Wounds on Rackham, healing about ½ the damage he’s taken from the companion’s combined attack. Ironhand Trelaine strikes out at Balan seeing that he has stepped back, stabbing him in the forearm.

Rackham now healed and no longer in a daze from Mingzhu’s spell strikes out 4 times against Jalyndae three of the strikes do not pierce her armor. The forth does only giving her a flesh wound as the strike did not penetrate the armor very far. Silgara casts Scorching Ray at Hex Bloodworth. The first misses and catches a crate on fire. The other hits him full in the face. He drops to the ground his face and ears a grisly scene of burnt flesh. Jalyndae maneuvers away from Rackham and strikes out at Alvida. The cleric of the Bitch Queen avoids the knockdown, but Jalyndae nearly breaks her arm with her fist.

T’kharr also centers in on the cleric. The gnoll hits her with both her quarterstaff and spiritual fist nearly killing Alvida. Balan again tries his spell to no effect. Nor’vee puts two quarrels into the cleric. Kastelli supports him by casting Magic Missile at Alvida. The Queen bitch goes down in a slew of bolts and magic. Mingzhu now with the stunning effects of the sound burst shrugged off chooses to save her two summons and goes in swinging at the leader. Her fist attacks do nothing against Rackham’s armor.

Ironhand swings at Balan again. Balan laughs as the strikes all bounce harmlessly off his thick armor. Seeing Mingzhu’s magic as a real danger, Rackham strikes out at her. He hurts her badly all 4 of his blows connecting sending the shamaness back several steps. Silgara gets out her bow and puts an arrow into Trelaine. Jalyndae trips up Rackham. Everyone strikes out at him as he falls but the only one to connect is Jalyndae and T’kharr as Rackham rolls to avoid the strikes.

Balan swears giving up on spell casting striking out at the first enemy in his line of sight. His blows bounce off of Rackham’s armor. Kastelli tries to handle Trelaine but misses. Mingzhu tries to punch Rackham again and misses. Ironhand Trelaine wounds Kastelli two more times as they know the situation is getting desperate.

Black Rackham tumbles up and goes after T’kharr, wounding her twice with his three strikes. Jalyndae tries to put Rackham down for good. She strikes him twice with her rapier, but his armor absorbs most of the damage. T’kharr does put him down with both her quarterstaff and spiritual fist. She screams, “Looks like it’s you in the locker first!”

Balan goes after Trelaine who is now backing up taking up a defensive stance. He gives her a nasty head wound with his sword cutting through her helm. Nor’vee takes several shots at her, but all the quarrels embed themselves in the wall behind her. Kastelli backs up to disengage and casts Magic Missile at her. Trelaine goes down with that final spell. Her flesh burnt where the missiles hit her.

Nor'vee rushes over to Kastelli, worried about her wounds. She looks to be in pretty bad shape. Balan walks over and heals her. Mingzhu converts Summon Animal Ally 3 to cure Serious Wounds and heals herself. T’kharr dismisses the fist and looks around the room with a broad grin on her muzzle. After the battle, Zsikhou, Fwangzhu, Quasziel, Xrochdyr, and Zarasszia make their way over to the rest. It seems they've been busy while everyone else were fighting here. Zsikhou looks over, demanding head pats "Hostiles outside are mostly eliminated."

"Aye, we broke up their leadership circle -- sank 'em all before they could put any one of us in the locker." T’kharr responds.

Xrochdyr flexes his claws. "That likely leaves Ceraviyearnis then, I can sense a strong presence of chaos ahead."

"Anyone else banged up really badly before we head after the demon?" T’kharr asks.

Mingzhu looks around, “I have one summons and one dispel left.

"Best take what supplies you need from them and heal up and then let’s move." Xrochdyr says, flexing his bloodied claws. His muzzle is also quite bloodied.

The group searches all the bodies. They find: +1 Anarchic Pistol, +2 Sonic Rapier, +2 Gloves of DEX, +2 Headband of INT, +2 Cloak of Resistance, +2 Ring of Protection, +2 Amulet of Natural Armor, +3 Bracers of Armor, +1 Adamantine Chain shirt, +1 Electric Scimitar, +1 Defending Dagger, Belt of STR +2, Cloak of Resistance +2, Ring of Protection +2, +2 Leather Armor, Gloves of DEX +2, Amulet of CON +2. Cloak of Resistance +1. Ring of Protection +1, +2 Dagger, +1 Defending Dagger, +2 Belt of STR, +2 Gloves of DEX, Cloak of Resistance +1, +1 Sonic Longsword, +1 Small Shield, +1 Chain shirt, Ring of Protection +2, Cloak of Resistance +1, +2 Amulet of CON, +2 Belt of STR, +2 Gloves of DEX, Cloak of Resistance +1, +1 Cold Trident, +1 Large Shield, +1 Chain shirt, Amulet of CON +2, +2 Gloves of DEX, +1 Electric Light Crossbow, +2 Amulet of CON, +2 Cloak of CHA, +2 Bracers of Armor.

Mingzhu takes +2 leather armor goes into the next room and puts it on.

"Make sure to get the powder horn and bullet-pouch to go with Black Rackham's pistol when you're searching him, thing's naught but a club without its supplies and it's not like fletchings either, where you can lash 'em up from feathers n' sticks." T’kharr orders.

Zsikhou takes the amulet of natural armor and the ring of protection, and the better cloak of resistance +2s that is. Fwangzhu would take a +2 ring of protection and Zsikhou's old amulet, as well as another +2 cloak of resistance. Nor'vee takes the other ring of protection +2. Silgara opts to take the Rapier, Fwangzhu the Longsword, and Nor'vee the Scimitar. The outsiders also take some of the gear as well.

"Aye, lets bundle it all up, we might have to save picking it up for after we take care of the final foe though." T’kharr insists.

Mingzhu looks for chimes on the bodies. Every one of the captains has one. She snatches them up and tosses one to Balan and another to T’kharr.

As they finish there are doors to the sides and one that leads deeper into the building. The back one likely to where Ceraviyearnis is.

T’kharr casts cure serious wounds on herself. They gather together and head to the back door.

[Winterhawk99]

They all move slowly down the hallway. The door is initially locked but opens easily enough with Nor’vee’s expertise. Once they get in, they see a dark chamber. It looks like a cross between a summoning chamber and a throne room. A large throne, big enough for a large demon, and there he is, they see a Glabrezu, standing there. He looks over at all the companions. Though his eyes fixate first on Zarasszia "Well, well, well, this is an unexpected reunion. Zarasszia. How are you enjoying having grown so distinct from your sisters?"

"Lord Ceraviyearnis." Zarasszia looks over to the Glabrezu, that monotone voice still not wavering, "It has been enlightening. Albeit probably not in ways that you would expect. The conclusion that all of my actions and service under you have been ultimately meaningless was certainly an experience. However, your intent in arranging such is something I am quite aware of."

The Glabrezu grins and smiles "But you admit it was a desire of yours, wasn't it? To be distinct from your sisters. To have more than they had. To stand out and above. I could tell it when you first entered my service. What you are and have now, you do owe to me."

Zarasszia just keeps looking on blankly. "It was a desire then.... but as grateful as I am for my current state of being, I expect it wasn't your intent to have truly helped me."

The Glabrezu just grins, "But I still did, didn't I? You still desired it. Craved it. I could tell. And it's still there, buried deep. We both know the nature of desire, after all."

Zarasszia shakes her head. "Perhaps we only think we do."

Then the Glabrezu looks over to your party. "Mortals, you've done a rather fine job of dismantling these pirates here. I can tell your desires led you here. Desires that conflicted with their own. But perhaps, I can help grant you what you truly seek." He smirks, then looks directly at Mingzhu. "All of these troubles, these hardships, I can see it in your eyes and soul. I can tell what you truly want. You can be away from all of this. In an instant, I can send you home. Back to your family who is doubtless worried sick about you. All you need to do is wish for it, I can grant it." Ceraviyearnis smiles, those pincer claws flex.

Mingzhu studies the demon herself for a moment. She knows she has many wants, still she also knows that the demon will twist her wishes in any way he can. She goes back to her shamanistic teachings under her master and searches for an answer. When she finds it, she says, “Life is not meant to be easy. You have to earn your way past your troubles. There are no shortcuts to the path of enlightenment only the next test. Do I want things....yes....But I know I must earn them for myself, demon. The consequences of your shortcuts we all see here in the pirates and in Zarasszia."

"All you need to get past troubles it to yearn for it enough. And of course, to grab it when it presents itself. Opportunity and taking them, that's hardly a sin, is it? I would say you have earned such a boon by coming here before me. All you need do is wish for it." Ceraviyearnis speaks, still focused on Mingzhu.

Zsikhou looks aside. "Stay true to your path, Shamaness,"

T’kharr chuckles lowly under her breath at the Glabrezu’s attempts at tempting the shamaness. She has lived with Mingzhu for over a year now and knows Mingzhu’s firm grasp of her faith will keep her from any deals with evil they face. She leans on her staff and looks on.

Mingzhu flatly states, “Your wishes offer nothing but more troubles, Yokai. I deny you and your gifts."

"More is the pity. What of you, Paladin?" He looks over at Balan. "You are more flexible than most of your kind. You work with evils for the greater good: The kobold, the devil and my protégé in your company. With my help, you could strike down even greater evils than myself. I can see it in you. That is what you truly desire, to put down great evils. There are those whom I oppose as well. What say you, Paladin? Do you wish to lend yourself to fighting even greater foes?"

“A wish never ends well for the one who does the wishing, and I am not so easy to sway with words that slip from your tainted mouth.” Balan responds.

"But you already travel with tainted company, do you not? The devil who is spawned from your own god's archenemy, a temptress whom you have allowed into your company. Or even a mortal who visits wrath without mercy. Why entreat with them and not myself?" The Glabrezu speaks, fixating on Balan.

“Company traveled with for a common purpose on choice without being bound to them. You can take your wish and shove it in your demonic ass.”

"You need not bind yourself to my thrall to benefit from the gifts I offer. But it is your loss, paladin." Ceraviyearnis then concentrates on T’kharr. “What of you? Would you not wish a place where your ilk, reviled, hated, and hunted as they are, are given a chance for a better path? To live and breathe without being hated simply for being one of your kind? It is something that can be done for you. All you need do is simply wish for it, and I can help you."

T’kharr holds her chin up. "They are reviled for the path they take, driven by one of your own blood. Those who project that hate on me do not understand who I am or the road I travel, and your offer means naught to me -- without struggle, there is no gain."

"It is desire more than anything that precedes gain, and the willingness to take it. Why not take what I offer you?" The Glabrezu smiles at her.

"A desire founded on easy gatherings is a weak and fleeting one, that withers at the first touch of pain."

"I think you'll find that such desires can last a long time, as long as one has the drive to see it through, and the willingness to seize the moment when it arrives to you." The Glabrezu smiles, then looks over at the leaders’ companions. He focuses on Silgara "What of you, elf? How many evils have your family members wrought on the realms, while the Seldarine does naught but coddle and protect them? If you call the Seldarine good, then how can those closest to you do such harm and still be good? But I can help you. I know you do not wish them dead, but there are ways to ensure their villainy stops." The Glabrezu smiles.

Silgara looks notably rattled as Ceraviyearnis mentions that. It's clearly a sore topic for her. "As much harm as they do, entreating with demons has never worked well for our people, in all of the many years of history we have. And it's forbidden by the Seldarine."

"The Same Seldarine who has permitted your family members to murder all whom you have travelled with prior, simply for not being elven? Do you really wish for your current companions to end up the same way? You know they will find out, and you won't be able to stop them. You nor anyone else of your people can, lest you be outcast forever."

Silgara seethes, "However many flaws my people and the Seldarine has, it's... not worth entreating with a demon."

Ceraviyearnis sighs, disappointed, "How closed minded... but what of you, badger. Travelling with company that despises you, looks down on you. And you them. How much tyranny have you seen people suffer? While they and others hold you back from protecting those who need it? Someone like you, you could do so much if I helped you overthrow the realms tyrants. You need only wish for it."

Fwangzhu snarls, "After how much those same people have suffered because of you? I'd rather bury an axe in your skull!"

There is a grin on her muzzle as T’kharr listens to Fwangzhu full-throatily rejecting the demon's temptation.

Zsikhou just hisses at the Glabrezu, "My only desire right now is seeing you executed. So, you need not bother with the temptation. Unless you want to save us all the trouble and snap your own neck. Otherwise, don't bother."

The Glabrezu looks at Zsikhou. "Pity. You could have a kin and home to call your own again. Your own has disowned you. You deserve better after serving them so faithfully." Balan chuckles gripping the hilt of his sword hard.

It looks at Nor'vee. "What of you? Your people are hunted and chased into shadows. I can help you and your new paramour," The Glabrezu glances to Kastelli, then looks back to Nor'vee. "and your colony, find a safe place where you will thrive."

Nor'vee squeaks in turn. "Any Darkhunter knows better than to take gifts from shadows. They corrupt inherently. Yokai's gifts are like that. Don't bother." Kastelli gives Nor'vee a quick smile, then focuses on the Glabrezu.

The Glabrezu sighs, then looks to Xrochdyr. "What of you, Abishai. You know these mortals and those of the upper planes will see you dead the moment you stop being useful to them. But you still have so much you want to do, don't you?"

Xrochdyr cuts him off, hissing "First thing, Ceraviyearnis, I am fully aware of your dealing with Lejargamael, so you being involved in someone I am directly opposing means that you have no incentive to actually assist me and only to ruin what I want. I'm quite aware of how Glabrezu operate. And while your cooperation with a Falxugon is new, the fact is I know that specific Falxugon well enough to know that no possible benefit can be had from diplomacy with you at this juncture.

And unlike Lejargamael, you aren't even bound by the word of any wishes or agreements you make. And given you have no incentive to assist me, and plenty of incentive to try to harm me or my interests, I have no incentive to enter into any bargains with you." Xrochdyr lashes his tail.

Ceraviyearnis looks over everyone in the party. "Disappointing, really."

Quasziel readies his blade. "Enough, demon. They are at least wise enough to not fall for your shallow temptations. It is time you faced righteous judgement for your many evils."

Ceraviyearnis looks over to Quasziel. "When will you face righteous judgement for yours? I suspect that you will delay that for as long as you can, fallen Deva."

Ceraviyearnis looks over. "Very well. If none of you wish to have any wishes granted, then our business is concluded. You can see yourselves out. I expect you have the means to leave my realm already."

Mingzhu is the one who steps up. She smiles, “It’s not that simple. You have caused much chaos and ill to many islands. We will not just walk away.” Balan looks at Zsikhou. He nods, casting a spell on himself.

"So, it is your desire to see me dead. Alas, that is where your desires... and mine... conflict. So be it. That is a wish you will need to earn yourselves. If you desire it..." Ceraviyearnis waves his pincers, two Vrocks appear beside him. "Come take it."

[Winterhawk99]

Nor’vee had been waiting. He opens up first on the demon, but his quarrels all seem to impossibly miss it. Mingzhu casts Summon Nature’s Ally 4 and a tiger appears behind the strange Yokai. Kastelli steps back and casts Magic Missile on one of the Vrocks. It hits. The demon throws its insect like arms up and takes a few steps back. T’kharr casts Divine Favor on herself. Xrochdyr moves in to strike down the Vrock that Kastelli hit. He pounds it striking blow after blow and almost sends it home, but the demon takes the beating.

Zarasszia casts Enervation on Ceraviyearnis. The spell breaks through the demon's spell resistance and he looks significantly weakened. Jalyndae runs to block the Vrock the others are surrounding. She strikes the creature twice, putting two holes in its arms with her rapier. Silgara casts grease on Ceraviyearnis. He tumbles and slips on the grease falling to the ground. Quasziel moves forward and casts Divine Power. Fwangzhu goes into a rage and swings at the Vrock. His halberd splits its shoulder at the neck cand comes out its rib cage. It’s arm and body fall to the ground separately and start to turn to black goo. He flips his weapon and goes after Ceraviyearnis but misses as the blow was not well aimed.

Zsikhou hits the big demon in the groin with a shuriken. Balan puts a deep wound into the Glabrezu and another light wound on him while he is down. The other Vrock lets out a piercing Screech. Silgara, Mingzhu, and Zsikhou are stunned by the screech. Zarasszia, Nor'vee, and Kastelli remain out of range. The others resist. Nor’vee turns and focuses on the other Vrock. He puts 2 bolts into it. Kastelli tries to cast Magic Missile at Ceraviyearnis but the spell fizzles even before she throws it.

T’kharr also throws a blow with her quarterstaff at the prone Glabrezu breaking his face pretty badly. Ceraviyearnis uses a still spell Teleport without Error to where there is no grease and gets back up. He casts Unholy blight on the clump of people that were on him. Balan and Fwangzhu are hurt fairly badly by the blight. It also effects both T’kharr and Quasziel: T’kharr not so badly. Quasziel being a celestial is hurt even worse than Balan and Fwangzhu. Mingzhu’s tiger pounces on Ceraviyearnis trying to bring him down but cannot get through the demon's thick hide.

Xrochdyr rushes after the Glabrezu and strikes with his claws. He also has trouble getting though the demons hit and hardly scratches it. Zarasszia casts another Enervation on Ceraviyearnis, draining him slightly more. Jalyndae tries to strike him too, stabbing the demon again with her rapier but barely scratching him. Zsikhou puts another shallow wound in the Glabrezu with his shuriken.

Balan’s sword though puts another deep wound in the creature. Silgara, seeing no one challenging the other Vrock, takes aim and shoots. She puts an arrow into its foot. Quasziel connects with his sword drawing a line across Ceraviyearnis bicep. Fwangzhu buries his weapon into the Vrocks butt cheeks tailing up another heavy wound. The Vrock turns and attacks him back. The demon nearly devastates the hengeyokai by putting two very deep wounds into him. Ceraviyearnis gets Jalyndae with one of his pincers and puts her in a grapple hold. He proceeds to begin to rip her apart. She goes unconscious.

Nor’vee turns again and puts two quarrels into the Glabrezu. One went deep into its chest. Mingzhu looks at the Vrock then at Jalyndae. She knows she only has one non domain spell left. It is Dispel Magic. She can try to dispel the Vrock or try to save Jalyndae. She runs toward Jalyndae starting to cast Cure Serious Wounds. She never gets there. Ceraviyearnis grabs her with his other pincer grappling her. The spell is ruined. Kastelli again tries to cast Magic Missile on the Glabrezu but again the spell fizzles.

T’kharr takes a swing at Ceraviyearnis but the blow only glances off his hide. The tiger swats the demon but again the blow glances off his skin. Xrochdyr puts two light wounds on the demon. Zarasszia casts another Enervation at Ceraviyearnis but this time he resists the spells effect. Zsikhou completely misses with his shuriken this time. Balan finally finds the vital point and thrusts his sword through Ceraviyearnis’s liver. He puts the sword up into the demon’s lungs, downing him for good.

There is still, however, a Vrock still fighting. Silgara fires two more shots at it. Both arrows graze the creature. Quasziel casts Cure Serious Wounds on Jalyndae now that the Glabrezu is dead. She awakens but is in no shape to move at the moment. Fwangzhu is still fighting and puts another nasty wound into the Vrocks ribs. Again, the demon retaliates by giving Fwangzhu three more nasty wounds. Nor’vee turns, taking aim at the Vrock and puts three more bolts into it. The demon doesn’t look good now with several arrows and bolts sticking out of it.

Mingzhu goes after the creature, but her blows are completely ineffective. It finally goes down as 5 magic bolts hit it from Kastelli. Her spell worked this time. It’s body dissolves into black goo.

Xrochdyr goes to quickly get Jalyndae out of the Glabrezu pincer, a breath out .... "Close call there, ssskh, glad you're not dead, though." Jalyndae just weakly nods... T’kharr casts Cure Critical wounds on Mingzhu since the shamaness is out of magic. She also casts Cure Serious wounds on Jalyndae and another on Fwangzhu. Then they notice that Ceraviyearnis had dropped a strange object as he died. It’s just lying there on the floor.

T’kharr looks at it then to Balan and Silgara. Zarasszia looks down to Ceraviyearnis corpse, then just shrugs, like they're entirely unimportant. Mingzhu slumps down with exhaustion.

[Winterhawk99]

"A great evil thwarted. Well done." Quasziel says, he puts his greatsword away.

Silgara as well, pants heavily after that battle. "Right, now we might have some..."

Quasziel, however, twitches, then looks off in a direction, his eyes widening some... … "No, we are not done yet." Jalyndae's and Kastelli's ears instinctively twitch, then look over to where Quasziel is looking.

T’kharr leans on her quarterstaff, panting "That was...a lot of work, yeah. Definitely a big milestone though. Not that we have too much time to catch our breath, however. We do need to finish searching for things, figure out what the heck the demon dropped, grab the rest of the spoils..." then frowns at hearing Quasziel speak, looking in that direction as well.

Balan uses his sword to balance himself looking at the strange object. It looks... strange, like it's a fragment of something larger, it's hard to tell what it is on its own, though. He says, “I am not sure I should touch this thing.” He uses his sword to push the item into a bag.

"Neravithox is approaching." Quasziel says. Xrochdyr's wings seem to freeze for a moment, his tail spiking out, eyes with a clearly pressured look. T’kharr growls at hearing that name, glaring in the general direction they're approaching.

Kastelli shivers … "Whomever they are, they're not alone, there's a number of other evil auras with a much stronger one." Mingzhu slowly gets up and sighs.

"If he's here..." Xrochdyr looks to Quasziel, then to Zarasszia "He's after the three of us, most likely."

Balan mutters, “I can feel them getting closer.”

"And he's much, much stronger than Ceraviyearnis was..." Xrochdyr lashes his tail. "I don't think we'll have time to escape the building before he and his group is upon us, they must have teleported, hssskh..." He hisses.

"You think you three can hold him off long enough for the rest of us to get out of this building at least?" T’kharr looks toward Xrochdyr, Quasziel, and Zarasszia.

Balan shakes his head. “I do not have anything left in me for another fight.”

Quasziel looks over at T'Kharr. "It is of absolute importance that I escape from this place. Another mortal should stall them so those more important to the fight against evil can strike at him later."

Xrochdyr hisses "Oh now is NOT the time to start that!"... He hisses "Neravithox likely won't consider the rest of you relevant but he and his will kill the rest of you if they find you."

Fwangzhu looks over. "And there's still all those people from Tzukine here."

“And the Spirit.” Mingzhu adds.

Silgara looks over, uncertain. "We have the chimes... I ... may have a way out." Xrochdyr looks around, as if trying to think of a way out, desperately.

"And yes, we have the nature spirit to rescue as well...or are we going to have to leave them all behind just to escape with any of our own hides?" sharp frown comes from T’kharr as she says it. She then looks at Silgara. “I do want to hear you out at least.”

“We could lead them out into the water. I still have Control Water and can sink at least one of their ships.” Mingzhu intones.

Xrochdyr huffs "I'll be honest with you, the three of us don't have a chance. Our best bet would be to try to flee from him as long as possible while the rest of you escape, but it's a long shot even then." He then looks at Mingzhu. "Neravithox won't bother with ships. He's got enough magic power to not need one."

Silgara looks over. "I still have that scroll of plane shift, from the Conservatorium. "The problem is... I can only take seven others with me if I cast that."

Quasziel looks over. "Then the solution is simple mortals. Take yours and myself with you with that plane shift spell."

Mingzhu looks him dead in the eyes and says, “I would rather take Xrochdyr.”

"You would rather take a fiend with you than a Celestial being, mortal?" Quasziel looks to Mingzhu coldly.

“You are corrupted, Angel.” The shamaness responds coldly.

"Hm. If we can get out of this building without being noticed and run-down by Neravithox's forces, we could probably get to the nature-spirit and use that scroll to take her back to the land of the living with us." T’kharr theorizes.

Balan rubs his frill, “Could you control water into a thousand small needles?”

“Or Jalyndae.” Mingzhu again retorts to the angel.

Jalyndae looks over, frowning "I … don't think we'll be able to get out of the building, not without someone distracting them." Then she looks over to Mingzhu. "It's alright, pick someone else. I expect these three you travelled with before you met me, they've severed themselves from their home planes. It means they've become mortal in a way."

"Come to think of it...if we're to take the nature spirit...Jalyndae and Kastelli will have to stay back with the distraction party." T’kharr suppositions.

Xrochdyr hisses "I... damn it, I can't even walk among mortals without being obviously a fiend! At least... pick someone who can help you."

T’kharr shakes her head. “We’re out of numbers otherwise.”

Nor'vee squeaks in objection. "No! Don't use Kastelli like that!"

“What about the spirit and the villagers? We promised to take them with us.” Mingzhu states.

Zarasszia looks over. "Most of my knowledge of Ceraviyearnis and his operations may be obsolete now that he's dead. Xrochdyr at least knows Lejargamael, he can help you find and rout him." She looks over to the Abishai. "Plus, I know you still want to free those souls from your contracts. If Neravithox captures you, you won't be able to do that."

Xrochdyr hisses "Damnit, you can work with mortals far better than I can!" … He hisses, then thinks, then looks at Mingzhu "For the other Mortals, I think Kastelli alone can probably sneak to them. Neravithox doesn't know about her, unlike you and us, and he won't consider them relevant enough to hunt down. He won't be expecting a burrower."

"Aye, have Kastelli sneak to the other mortals and the pirate, throw her a chime." T’kharr suggests.

"As long as she doesn't get herself or the others caught, she should be able to get them to the docks to flee. Just be sure to give her one of those chimes." Xrochdyr says, then nods to T'Kharr.

Mingzhu sighs but nods to Xrochdyr, "I cannot argue with the reasoning."

Fwangzhu huffs, "Fuck it, if Neravithox is coming to us, let’s just kill him. He dies or we die. We knew coming here was likely to be a one-way trip."

Mingzhu gives one of the chimes to Kastelli. Kastelli takes them, she nods "I'll get them to safety."

"Jalyndae, Zarasszia, Quasziel, and Xrochdyr will lead Neravithox's forces astray while the rest of us slip out and make for the maze, to rescue the nature-spirit and Plane Shift to escape." T’kharr says then she turns to Kastelli. "Aye, the pirate should have prepared at least one boat already."

Quasziel looks over to Kastelli. "You would be better served fighting Neravithox."

Then he looks over to T'Kharr. "No, I need to escape from this place. I will not use myself as bait like that."

Xrochdyr hisses. "Damnit Quasziel, this is not the time to argue about this!" Jalyndae gives a grim nod to T'Kharr.

Silgara looks over. "We can take us, and one of the outsiders with us, if we plane shift away."

“If the fallen won’t stay I will take their place and distract.” Balan utters.

Xrochdyr looks over. "Paladin, no, that's a suicide run."

"But that comes at the cost of the nature spirit Silgara." T’kharr points out.

“Then it would bring glory to Bahamut to stop the evils.” Balan says to Xrochdyr.

"Getting yourself killed needlessly won't stop others from burning!" Xrochdyr huffs. "Should be me that goes to distract him if..."

Zarasszia looks over. "It may be more prudent for eight of you to escape now. But you may need to decide who goes with you. I expect Neravithox will likely have minions secure each exit of this building."

"Then the solution is clear. Mortals, take me along when you plane shift." Quasziel says.

Xrochdyr looks over. "It's the mortal's decision as to what to do now."

"Hm. How hard would it be for you to make a duplicate of that scroll?" T’kharr asks Silgara, questioningly.

Silgara looks over, shaking her head. "I won't be able to. Not now anyways."

"Well, shucks. Had an idea but that rules it out." T’kharr shakes her head.

“The villagers and the spirit are my priorities if need be I will stay and try to rescue the villagers and free the spirit.” Mingzhu says.

"We already have Kastelli working on the villagers, and we'll need a way to slip folks out if we want to get to the spirit. I'm not leaving you here alone in any case Mingzhu." T’kharr says.

"Alright then." The shamaness replies.

Fwangzhu snarls, "Fighting that Jackal jackass is one option."

“Could we collapse the entrance we came from?” Balan asks.

T’kharr huffs, “He's a seriously strong mage -- the kind that'd be able to absolutely torch us even if we were at full strength, which we very much are not."

Silgara pants, tiredly, "I think most of our spellcasters are tapped, and we have a powerful Yulgoloth with backup coming for us. The odds of the confrontation are not in our favor."

Fwangzhu just shrugs, "Might as well go down swinging. If he's that powerful it's not like escaping would matter anyways."

Jalyndae looks over. "Since Quasziel is apparently unwilling to hold the line so you can escape, while paradoxically, the two fiends are, it seems that your options now are to either fight and hope for the best, or use your scroll and escape now, and come back for the Spirit later."

"Thing is, if we can slip out, we can get the nature-spirit freed from this realm...hold on, can someone find a way to slip Kastelli a message? Maybe we could have her get the nature-spirit as well as the villagers"

"Thing is, if we can slip out, we can get the nature-spirit freed from this realm...hold on, can someone find a way to slip Kastelli a message? Maybe we could have her get the nature-spirit as well as the villagers." T’kharr says.

Mingzhu nods, “Let’s do it, T’kharr.”

Kastelli looks over "I haven't left yet, but I can try it. Get the villagers, get the spirit, then get everyone out of here." Kastelli nods. "I'll do my best."

"Yes, that works. Have Kastelli burrow out, grab the nature spirit, and bring her along to help with the villager rescue work." T’kharr says rather excited.

"I might need a second chime, in case something goes awry." Kastelli nods. Mingzhu gives her another chime.

"Aye, a second chime would be wise, even if 'awry' is simply 'more villagers than fit on one boat'.” T’kharr nods to Mingzhu.

Silgara sighs, "In that case, if we're using the scroll to escape, who do we take with us?" Balan says a prayer to Bahamut while they talk staring at the doorway ready to move if need be.

Jalyndae shakes her head. "Take one of the others. I'll do what I can here."

Quasziel looks over, staring. "Mortals, you WILL take me with you to escape this place."

Mingzhu stares him down. “No, we will not. As I said you are corrupt and a coward.”

Xrochdyr looks over to Quasziel, shaking his head. "It's their decision."

Quasziel approaches Mingzhu, narrowing his eyes. "Yes. You will."

Xrochdyr goes to interpose between Mingzhu and Quasziel, looking to the Deva. "Enough. If you are thinking of forcing the matter, no. I was hoping you'd re-orient yourself, but I cannot allow this. You'll keep destroying yourself."

Quasziel glares, "Do not get in my way, fiend."

Zarasszia goes to stand beside Xrochdyr, then Jalyndae moves over. Jalyndae shakes her head "Let the mortals decide. It is their lives on the line here."

"Your demands and lack of understanding of leadership are precisely what make me not want to take you" T’kharr says to Quasziel, coldly, staring him down like he's meat on a plate. Mingzhu motions to Zsikhou to be ready.

"It is utterly foolish and evil to allow a fiend to walk the mortal realm in place of a servant of the heavens, mortals." Quasziel says.

Balan looks up from his prayers. “Quasziel will bolt the moment he has a chance...Can not be trusted.”

Jalyndae looks over to Quasziel, also seeming to nudge him aside. "It's come to this, and we're running out of time. Let the mortals decide."

Quasziel looks to Jalyndae, "No! Do not side with these mortals when they are about to act with folly and wickedness! You should not abide this!"

"Jalyndae's coming with us once Kastelli's seen away safely, unless one of you object." T’kharr says looking from Mingzhu, to Balan, to Silgara, to Zsikhou, to Nor'vee, and finally to Jalyndae herself, skipping the two fiends and the fallen deva outright in this decision.

Jalyndae gives a sad smile "I care for all of them. That is why I must allow them their choice here. To give you the chance to repair the damage that has been done to you, or the chance for any of these of the lower planes to embrace the chorus of Elysium." She looks over, shaking her head "No, not me. Unlike these others... if they slay me, I will reform on Elysium. It will be painful and take time, but... I will be alright. I will not ask you to place me to be rescued in place of another like this. I expect that these three have... severed their ties to their home planes. If they are felled, whatever reforms will not be them."

T’kharr slowly nods to Jalyndae, “Noted then.”

Xrochdyr hisses, then a huff, "He is right about that. Breaking my nature as I did... as we did..."

Zarasszia looks over. "If Jalyndae is refusing, then... I suppose that leaves us. And if you are not taking Quasziel, that means myself or Xrochdyr." She pauses, thinking "You should take Xrochdyr. He can help you root out Lejargamael. Ceraviyearnis is already dead."

“They are growing closer.” Balan intones.

"If so, then farewell, unless we meet again. You have shown yourself to be by far the finest of those we have acquired as compatriots whilst on this isle." T’kharr says to Jalyndae, with a dip of her head.

Xrochdyr hisses "I can't even pose as a human or... gah!... Besides, didn't you know about Ceraviyearnis' operations? You were a part of them like I was tangentially involved in Lejargamael's schemes."
Xrochdyr looks to T'Kharr "None of us then? That's... an option, I guess." He closes his eyes, looking aside.

Silgara looks over. "Whatever we decide, it must be soon."

Jalyndae dips her head in turn. "I do wish you well in your ventures, mortal. Be well and may the Chorus of Elysium be with you."

Mingzhu nods, “And the Celestial Court with you.”

"Aye, may the Maimed God ease your burdens, now and forevermore." T’kharr blesses.

Balan nods. “Bahamut protect you on your journey.”