The investigation continues.....

[ChubbyPixie]

Ozwaldus Maximus, Human Illusionist

Ozwaldus listens to Father Dowling's words of warning, then follows the torch down the shaft. Warning or not, he is not entirely prepared for what he sees. "Which one's on our side?" he asks, alarmed.

[OGRE MAGE]

The narrow hallway is becoming jammed with adventurers since only Epi and the Monster are crazy enough to have engaged this demonic, several armed, vultureman.

The battle rages as Epi runs in to stab at the beast. She slips in the gooey ochre covering the floor and misses with her swing. She is then amazed to see the creature also slip badly in the bloody slop, actually falling down temporarily.

This is all the Monster formally known as Sir Ugghra could hope for. The beast man plunges his blade into the prone creature again, causing it to howl out even louder this time. The not so beauty and the beast duo then witness something they have never seen before. Almost instantly, the prone demon rises back to its feet, but not in any ordinary way. It's limbs don't bend or even flex. It's huge body simply springs back up quickly, as if it were instantly pulled up by invisible ropes. The thing looks to be in pretty bad shape but still lashes out at Krual Caine with several more blows, only hitting with one claw this time. 2 dam

Orando conjures several more likenesses of his most assuredly beautiful self and then moves a little closer to the battle, trying to distract or startle the demon bird creature. The flamboyant elf has smelled some pretty terrible things so far in his long life but, the smell of the bloody death room intermixed with the reek of this creature is enough to make a maggot gag.

Actions!

[Storm11]

Angella will remain alert, guarding the rear of the group to make sure nothing else appears or surprises the company

[Scott308]

Father Dowling

The rotund priest will put his bulk to work for him, hurrying down the corridor pushing people out of his way if necessary. As he does so, he is holding his holy symbol in front of him while chanting a holy prayer. Just as he finishes chanting, he reaches out with his free hand and taps one of the horrible monsters on the back!

Dowling casts Protection from Evil on Krual Caine.

[ChubbyPixie]

Ozwaldus takes in the situation. One of the monstrosities seems vaguely familiar. He'll be damned if it isn't a ginormous, uglier version of Sir Ughraa. He focuses intently on this creature, steeples his hands then casts them out in a fanning motion. "Vastus doubletus!" he intones. A face forms on the back of Kruel Caine's head, then, stepping out from the monster in dividing amoeba fashion comes... another Kruel Caine. Identical in every way, except this one has a skin tone that is bright red. It winks at Sir Ughraa, gives him a double thumbs-up sign, then roars maniacally and launches into the demon, sword swinging.

Ozwaldus casts Phantasmal Force. I think to hit and damage and all that is up to the DM...

[Cauchy]

Epi

The ranger smiles as the creature falls to the ground, not so supernatural after all, then watches in horror as it unnaturally rises back up, then again. She sets her feet and launches her attack only to be distracted by the appearance of a second Krual Caine, surely one was more than enough, and her strike goes horribly wide.
______________________________
Attack: [1d20+3] = 2+3 = 5
[Better start rolling better or I'll have to come up with more excuses]

[Grognardsw]

Orando's mirror images step among his battling comrades. As the demon unaturally leaps to its feet, Orando wonders if the creature truly exists or is a phantasmic construct. The elven mage concentrates to see if we can disbelieve and dispel.

If it remains, Orando turns to Brother Tomas. "Quickly, give me the holy symbol!"

If given it, Orando runs wide of the battle to the opposite door (his four mirror images sprinting through and close to the battle), and places the holy symbol into the symbol slot in the door.

[OGRE MAGE]

The group flys into action to try to help the melee fighters. The demon still beats them to the attack. It targets both Caine and Epi this time, despite the inability of the ranger to inflict any damage upon it. It slashes its massive claws and snaps it's viscous beak. Causing minor damage to both of the fighters.

Father Dowling bravely rushes into the room, casting wards of protection on the monster Caine. Ozwaldus also begins an incantation, summoning another red duplicate of Krual Caine that morphs right out of the back to the actual monster. (for obvious sweet visual effect)

Orando's disbelief proves futile as blood from his comrades flies in his eyes. He then urges the Brother to give up his holy symbol before there are more senseless deaths. The priest reluctantly hands it over. The Pornomancer immediately senses a strange vibration from the holy symbol. He notices that the 2 clear charms seem to be attracted to the vulture demon somehow as they are vibrating in the direction of the creature.

Epi again proves unable to injure the demonic beast, flailing wildly for a third time. The pair of monsters slightly resembling Ugghra use their swords as death machines and quickly chop the demonic creature to pieces. It's disgusting form slowly fades out of existence right in front of you and the holy symbol stops it's odd reaction.

The horrific room once again falls silent, untill...

Brother Tomas
What in the nine hells was that thing?


Krual Caine 6/29
Epi 25/33

[Cauchy]

Epi

Epi sheathes her clean long sword with a shake of her head. She looks at the two Krual Caines, "Well fought...um...you two?"

What in the nine hells was that thing?

She turns to Brother Tomas, "Nothing natural that's for certain. I was hoping you would know. Don't they teach about demons at priest school?"

Next she cleans and bandages her wound. Looking back at Caine, "You might want to let someone take a look at that. Be bad to get it infected."
________________

Epi again proves unable to injure the demonic beast, flailing wildly for a third time.

Hey she only missed twice.

[Scott308]

Father Dowling

I do not know what that was. It was not here the last time we were down here.

[Storm11]

Angella will remain wary as the others discuss the creature.

"We should perhaps insert the symbol into its niche before any more creatures from below appear," she says with some urgency.

[ChubbyPixie]

Ozwladus Maximus, Human Illusionist

Upon the fall of the vulture demon, Red Kaine lets out a roar, gives Sir Ughraa another thumbs up and begins an odd, repetative victory dance. Ozwaldus, now visible, steps out of the shadows, keeping his eyes locked on the creature and its antics. "Do not be alarmed. I've summoned Red Caine to help us for the moment. Though he can't stray more than about, say, a hundred feet from this spot. As I must maintain some amount of concentration on the brute, I shan't be able to help solve the mystery of the symbol. My appologies - I'm sure my insight would have proven invaluable. Good luck." At this point he and the creature settle into a coreagraphed routine, their movements mirroring each other's. "I find this is the easiest way to maintain concentration," he says.

A for reals spoiler (Ex Machina):
http://youtu.be/TF0ZIECM7_0

[Grognardsw]

Orando gives the holy symbol back to Brother Tomas.

"It vibrated in the presence of the demon."

"Brother, will you put your symbol to its spot in the door?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Brother Tomas smirks at the priest school comment but then looks appalled when he enters the room. Not only because of the blood strewn everywhere, but also due to the pair of monsters that he must now deal with.

The priest snatches his holy symbol out of the hand of Orando.

You had no problem with trying to steal it from an old man but now that there is risky business about, you want me to do the deed?

Ozwaldus and the co-Cains mill about oddly while everyone else watches in anticipation as the good Brother walks towards the central door. He tries to fit the holy symbol into the grooves in the door but finds that in its current state, it doesn't fit properly.

It seems that the 3 hanging charms that were presumably added to the amulet after it was created are not allowing the symbol to fit perfectly inside the pattern in the door.

Brother Tomas turns back around to face the group, looking rather flabbergasted.
I suppose we could take them off?

[Scott308]

Father Dowling

Well, as a suspect I helped catch in a murder investigation once said, If it doesn't fit, you must acquit. I think in this situation, if it does not fit, we should remove the baubles that prevent it from fitting properly.

[Grognardsw]

"Aye, restore the symbol to its original state," agrees Orando. "Two of those clear charms were vibrating in the presence of the demon, as if attracted to it. Really."

[ChubbyPixie]

Ozwaldus continues concentrating on maintaining his "conjured" Red Caine, but perks up at the mention of removing the charms. "I wonder if the charms function as a buff, a camoflauge or a containment for the symbol? Any ideas? I guess we'll find out soon enough."

[OGRE MAGE]

Brother Tomas fiddles around with the charms a little before looking back at the group, clearly embarrassed.

I have no tools for jewelers work. I can't bend these loops with my old hands.

He looks at each of you in turn.

Can you help a brother out?

[Grognardsw]

Orando attempts to remove the charms, then returns it to Brother Tomas.


Dex. check [1d20] = 16. Just made it.

[ChubbyPixie]

Ozwaldus continues maintaining his illusion, but his head turns and his eyes narrow at slightly at the priest's curious phrasing. He has a sudden, foreboding sense that things are about to get weird. "What did the words scrawled on the altar say again...?" he asks to the room.