Dark Day
You stand well outside the city. Just in case. You're practically in the woods in fact, but they do little to protect you from the cold driving winds and chill that is in the air. The dawn is rising, and you have gathered here together with purpose. You stand waiting for Verna to finish her spell, and not for the first time. You are in fact, beginning to think that the vampire might not leave Dolan's side. But she is casting again, just to see. This will, you've decided, be the last time.
Telamon stands with the others. It's a note of how serious it is that he's not dressed up. Instead of his usual finery, he's clad in a woolen long-sleeved tunic and trousers tucked into his boots, both dyed in a deep, dark blue. The elbows of the tunic and the knees of the trousers are reinforced with canvas, not enough to be tangible armor but enough to endure a little abuse. Over this he wears a sleeveless long coat in gray, the hem embroidered with geometric symbols. His haversack slung around him, and his circlet set upon his brow, the starborn sorcerer quietly murmurs a couple spells as well, preparation for what lies ahead.
GAME: Telamon casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 13 DC: 18 GAME: Telamon casts Overland Flight. Caster Level: 13 DC: 22 GAME: Serene casts Magic Circle Against Evil. Caster Level: 20 DC: 25
The chill wind, or rather its effects, is insulated against via magic, at least for Verna. Less purely for comfort and more to prevent any distractions in this critical series of tasks. Once again she continues the lengthy incantation that has now become even more rote. One hand gestures whilst the other holds an heirloom mirror aloft before her that bears relief of vine and foliage along its perimeter. As the dawn continues to near, her frustration grows, though her focus remains enough to prevent much display of it.
Patch is huddled in her own coat, shivering as she rubs at her arms. The cloak over one shoulder is adjusted, and her swordbelt checked to make sure her frogs were in proper position. She has opted to prepare to charge in with her bow, it in hand after she finishes her preparations, and moves to stand next to Telamon and Serene as they make their preparations before the operation begins. It's the serious time, so she stays quiet, making sure to just be ready.
Andelena looks resolute as ever. Helmet covering her head, her red hair's been tucked away underneath. While it robs her of the fiery halo that is somewhat befitting of a Sunguard's station, the circumstances understandably mean she's not focused on the aesthetics. Her steel-grey eyes are trained on the necklace of Daeus that she holds tightly in her hand.
"I've got to have faith," she murmurs, closing her eyes. She pulls the necklace to her forehead, breathing in deeply. "I've got to have faith."
The Sunguard has stopped speaking of strength. Only words of faith fall from her lips. It's a refrain she's quietly said to herself since the scrying at the home. The bravado of Andelena of Selentia is absent this morning, given over to the Sunlord to keep if it means the man she loves will be okay.
Dirk stands resolutely in the chill air. The wind furls his cloak behind him and makes his scarf drift in the breeze. He watches the sun rise, quietly chomping on the bit of his pipe as he stands. One hand on his hip, the other holding his thunderbelcher over his shoulder. "Just a little longer laddie," he says quietly. "We're comin' tae get ye. Just hold on." Lulu fluffs up her feathers, twisting her head this way and that and giving a soft little hoot. "Don't worry, lass. If we fight smart, we'll all come out o' this in one piece," he reassures the little owl.
Serene looks as she invariably always does, as though even the weather doesn't dare touch her. If she's bothered at all by the chill she gives no sign, seeming more pillar than person. She has already added one of her own spells to the lot being cast, a protective ward upon the sorcerer... her only comments being, "You will be the most dangerous to have your mind taken over," to Telamon, and "Try to stay close to him," to Patch. Now she stands, heedless of the wind snatching at the corners of her cloak, hand on the neck of her faithful Silver.
This time, the scry works.
This time, the scene in the mirror is different, though no less alarming. The wall of hanging chains is not seen, but instead a different wall, with chains set into the floor and bracketed into the walls. Dolan is standing in the brackets, his hands chained by his wrists to the floor, leaning forward half-conscious against the cuffs that pin his upper arms, his bloodied hair half-covering his face. Both shoulders remain quite black, bruised, and swollen, but at least appear to be properly shaped and are not under strain in the pose he is in. Most of the blood has been cleaned off of him, save only for his right forearm, where a trail of fresh blood dribbles down from a set of fresh fang-marks in his right forearm down to his chained wrist, still gleaming wetly in the semi-darkness.
The one piece that is new is a set of long, thin, blood-stained metal knives, ring-tipped handles glinting in the flickering light, woven into the skin of his chest with great care. Each one, in and out and in and out, to create a weave of skin and metal that is done with a fastidious eye and healed into the flesh. The effect is quite beautiful in the most macabre of ways, and a few lines of blood trickle from him here and there in the weave, rolling slowly down his front. As you watch, his chest moves, slowly and carefully. He is breathing, although goose-prickles have risen on his arms, and he is shaking a little.
Kol is nowhere in evidence, and the room is quiet.
GAME: Serene rolls heal: (19)+13: 32 GAME: Andelena rolls Heal: (14)+9: 23 GAME: Verna rolls heal: (15)+22: 37
Telamon offers a bow to Serene in response to the warding. "My thanks. The eyes of Ni'essa Sky-Singer are on us; we will not falter in this endeavor."
And then Verna calls forth the scrying, and he flinches away from the image. He forces himself to stare at one of the trees. Trying to bottle up the horror and nausea that wells up at Dolan's injuries. He clenches and unclenches his hands, breathing through his nose, giving himself a minute. Then, slowly, he turns back to the others, and says very quietly, "I... didn't see any of the totems in there. Dolan has to come first, though."
Upon seeing the scene revealed by Verna's scrying, Serene almost regrets having waited. Or at least waited this long. Still, better the vampire not be there. Not for this. She half turns to put her head against Silver, the great beast lowering his head to touch hers, and she tells him, "Go. I will call you if we need you." She steps away from him and he backs up as well, gripping the ground in his claws before launching himself into the sky, wings unfolding to catch the air and carry him away. Then she turns to the others. "Your friend is out of time. We must go now."
"Life always takes precedent, unless the result is the end of... well. I agree. Dolan first." Patch says to Telamon, turning to look at the image of Dolan as it appears, a complex reaction of multiple emotions slowly washing over her. A twitch of an ear, and narrowing of eyes. It's clear the image is disturbing, but to recognize when one threatens to do harm to life or Hymn, she will not look away. No, a testing pluck of her bow string is given, waiting for the other's words. She will let those with the plan lead, ready.
GAME: Verna rolls 1d20+20+wisdom: (8)+20+7: 35
Verna frowns at Dolan's state. "She is correct, but we should not go in blind..." Her brow furrows as she peers hard at the mirror. With effort the point of view begins to retract from Dolan, himself.
Even if it's the second time around, the vision that's there is still harmful on a deep and almost unspeakable level for Andelena. Her hands clench together. Her teeth grind together. But she will not look away. She assesses his wounds as best she can through the scry. "It's as the Silverguard says," she says, finally, her eyes slowly closing so she can bring herself to speak. "He is going into shock. We need to get him, and we need to get him now."
The steel-grey eyes open again. She looks. She continues to look. It's like she is trying to memorize every inch of what was done to him so she can pay it back in kind.
GAME: Andelena rolls Perception: (13)+10: 23 GAME: Telamon rolls perception: (13)+23: 36 GAME: Patch rolls Perception+3: (14)+12+3: 29
Dirk's eyes get wide as that image of Dolan resolves within the mirror. His face pales, and he can't help but shiver. "Oh, blessed Dana," he mutters. He reaches up to take his pipe from his mouth, briskly knocking out the ashes before tucking it into his hip satchel. "I'm ready," he says with a firm nod. Lulu fluffs her feathers and hoots. She's ready too!
GAME: Dirk rolls Perception: (1)+15: 16 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Verna rolls perception: (18)+29: 47 GAME: Serene rolls perception: (4)+25: 29 GAME: Patch rolls knowledge/religion: (6)+10: 16
The image reveals that the room is bigger than first observed, but not so large as to make it terribly comfortable for all of you to fit. The stone walls are covered in cloth in some places and there is a large dresser against one wall. There is still no sign of Kol.
Patch shakes her head at the figure that sits in the image. "I don't recognize that thing. It's not my expertise." drawing attention to it, leaning to Telamon. "I really only studied of Vaire, so does that thing look familiar to you? Any religious training in that upbringing of yours?" prying into his diplomatic specialization, her lips a thin line. "I don't like any of this." an understatement.
Verna is mildly torn: a larger room would be preferred. Then again, Dolan lounging comfortably in a regal villa of his own accord would also be preferred. "We should go, now, before anyone else arrives. Everyone needs to gather closely." She looks to Telamon. "Either myself or Telamon will take us."
Telamon does a quick head count, before nodding. "I can bring us all there... hopefully." He gestures for the others to stand close. "This is going to be tricky," he admits, staring at the image as hard as he can, despite the horrific vision, trying to fix it in his mind. "But he needs us. And we're not going to let him down. So let's get going." He licks his lips, before flexing his fingers, and starting to murmur the spell.
GAME: Telamon casts Teleport. Caster Level: 13 DC: 22 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d100: (30): 30
"I see the figure," Andelena points out, referring to Patch's remark about the figure. "Little hooded woman statue. I don't recognize it, either, not from this distance."
She takes in a deep breath. Her hands go to the symbol of Daeus one more time before she lets it drop. "Shining Knight," she murmurs, "I have faith. I have faith in him. I have faith in You. I will do all You need to get him home safe."
And she watches Telamon beginning to work the spell.
GAME: Verna rolls knowledge/religion: (18)+24: 42
Verna nods to Telamon and then follows her own advice to move herself closer to the others. No offense to Telamon, but no one wishes to become part of a wall or floor. All the more reason she cants the mirror towards him to maintain his view of it. "I recognize it," Verna notes, concerning the statue, "and will retrieve it when appropriate. Be ready!" She then awaits Telamon's teleportative talents.
Dirk's eyes get wide as the vision pans out. He leans in closer, squinting as he rivets his gaze on the statue. "That's -got- tae be one o' the totems! I'd stake my beard on it!" he says. He looks from the mirror to Andalena. "But gettin' Dolan tae safety has tae be our top priority. If we get a chance, I'll send Lulu off tae nab it." He takes a step in closer, bunching up with the others for Telamon's spell. "Ready laddie. Do it!"
Serene steps in with the others while she fixes her shield to her right arm then places her left hand on Verna's shoulder. "Go," is all she says.
The world around you changes, and swirls. You blink almost, and find yourselves in the room that you had been looking at only a moment before. Yet the reality of the room is much different than the image of it. The reality of blood-scent. The reality of Dolan pinned to the wall like a bug on display. These facts make you all too aware of how far you are from where you came.
When the group pops into the room, Dolan's head snaps up. He is, in fact, quite conscious, and straightens up, jerking against his chains as if terrified, looking from person to person in the way of one who isn't quite sure yet what is going on. Eventually, he fixes on one in particular, semi-coherence and terror mingled in his eyes. "Andie? Baby?" he whispers hoarsely. "Is that you?"
When Dolan's head snapped up and he straightened, two of the knives healed into his flesh shift, and he swears as one of the sharp blades makes a small slice in his flesh. Not deep, but enough to bleed.
Telamon tries not to look absolutely relieved that he hit the mark perfectly, covering up his worry with a casual smile. A softly murmured cantrip, and his eyes sweep the room, looking for surprises, something out of place, anything that might mark a trap. His hands up, curled loosely and ready to cast something more substantial.
GAME: Telamon casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 13 DC: 17
Andelena's heart breaks and mends all at once, judging by the sheer amount of pain in her steel-grey eyes as she looks at Dolan. Her Bry. Her man. But she doesn't go running and crying through the chamber, much as the tears bead up in her eyes. Much as the emotional pain is there, just as the physical pain is there.
But then he looks at her. He talks to her.
She lifts her head up a little higher. The tears blink down her face. But there's a sense of purpose now in her gaze as she looks at him. Her hand goes to her necklace, and she lifts it up for him to see.
"It's me, the Knight, and our allies," she whispers back. "We're here to save you."
Andelena's eyes close slowly. When they open again, the purpose in her gaze is ablaze. "Let's go," she says.
Verna takes a moment to refocus following the equilibrium-disturbing translocation. That Dolan is startled more aware at their arrival is a positive sign. His cognizance of his surroundings is even moreso. The fresh cuts from the blades, and the blades themselves, are quite the opposite. Frowning anew, she makes a quick glance of the room to get a better sense, then to the figure. "We must make him well enough to travel, and quickly."
"Good. He's aware." Patch says in a quiet huff, her hidden magics allowing her words to act like a message of magic. They're a whisper, but can be heard by the entire group.
As Andelena takes to help Dolan and offer her comforts. She doesn't crowd, letting the others handle it as they rush forward. She needed time to reorient, her elven senses leaving her stunned but a second. She refocuses on something else, flashing a hand at Verna, and moving after the statue that lay on the dresser. It's an operation, things need be done. She wanted a closer look
"If I had room, I'd use my wand. We need conserve magics that could be used elsewhere." taking it from a spot on her belt and waving it for emphasis. "And how do I tell if something's a totem?" again, trying to be serious.
"We should have had Auranar at the site so we could send him back to her," Serene says, mentally kicking herself after turning her eyes away from their cursory examination of Dolan's state. "It may be best for one of you to return with him while the rest search for these totems."
Dirk staggers a bit as the teleport resolves. But he shakes it off quickly. He's getting used to this method of transport. He grips his thunderbelcher, his bandolier already twinkling with the icy-white lights indicating a load of silver shot. He glances over his shoulder towards Dolan. Seeing him in person is even more heartbreaking than via scrying spell. "I've got eyes on the perimeter," he growls, turning his gaze back to the rest of the room. "Let's get Dolan free an' get the hell out o' here!"
GAME: Andelena rolls Perception: (10)+10: 20 GAME: Dirk rolls Perception: (17)+15: 32 GAME: Telamon rolls perception: (9)+23: 32 GAME: Patch rolls perception+3: (5)+12+3: 20 GAME: Serene rolls perception: (18)+25: 43 GAME: Dolan rolls perception: (15)+13: 28
Dolan sags back against the wall in relief, which seems to have been a mistake, because he promptly cries out in pain when his back touches the wall. "The chains. The key might be in the trunk. The statue - on the dresser." He's starting to struggle to speak, sweating more heavily now, his lone eye closing. "It's a totem. He doesn't know and doesn't care. Bring - bring it here. Quickly, we don't have much time."
Telamon stiffens, and points at the cave entrance. Casually, he drifts back so that he's standing next to Patch and Dirk, and more importantly -behind- Serene. His lips form a clumsy silent prayer to Eluna, before he gestures for Patch to grab the statue and stand ready.
"The one stolen from my care, no less," Verna adds as she moves to the figure of the hooded woman. Her steps halt as she looks between Telamon and Patch before gesturing to along with the former to the latter. "If you would return with them, Patch, take it with you and secure it." Best not to have all their totems in one basket. "I can tend to Dolan whilst the keys are found." She only now closes to Dolan, a hint of smile flashed beneath her hood before she looks to the knives and their intricate employment; so she might see the best ways to remove them if needed. It already appears that healing atop them is unwise.
GAME: Verna rolls heal: (13)+22: 35
Serene draws her sword. The one at her hip. They're in the middle of hostile territory, or so one has to assume... she hasn't poked her head outside, for obvious reasons. A quick glance to fix everyone's current position in her mind, and then she takes the few steps she needs to make sure she's between everyone else and the cave's entrance. "You had best be quick," she tells them, glancing back at the group again. Then her eyes are on Telamon and Dirk; the others being busy with Dolan or seeking the key and statue. "Be ready."
"Right," Andelena replies to Dolan pointing out everything they need to do. Her eyes are full of conviction. It's down to what needs to be done, and the doing seems easy enough for the moment. "Let me go get the trunk."
She goes toward the trunk, her hand going to it to open it up and retrieve the key inside to free Bry while Verna tends to his wounds. The faith has shifted. It's herself, it's Dolan, it's the Knight--and their allies. They all have her faith. They will get through this.
Patch nods and takes up the totem with a heavy breath at the request of others. Verna is given a look, and nod, but her glance doesn't linger long as she the weight of things begins to mount. "Right. I will keep it safe, and return it to you. I promise that." she says for the Mourner, her hidden magics used to keep her words inaudible to most except those here. Do as directed, do your best. Good objectives.
Dirk narrows his eyes as he looks to the cave. He racks the slide on his thunderbelcher. CHK-CHAK. "We got company comin'," he growls. He lifts his weapon to his shoulder, sighting down the barrel. The old ranger is a coiled spring of tension, ready to pounce at the first sign of danger.
GAME: Andelena rolls Perception: (6)+10: 16 GAME: Andelena rolls Perception: (20)+10: 30
Now everyone can hear the sound of footfalls. They're distinct and oddly patterned, but clearly there. The sound of bare feet on stone. The sound of someone moving softly, quietly - barely heard over the sound of your voices and the sounds you're making. "Amber-eye?" Comes a familiar voice from behind the curtain of cloth.
GAME: Patch rolls perform/sing: (8)+14: 22
Telamon's eyes blaze with contempt at that soft voice, and he curls his fingers into a fist. No word is spoken, but his hair starts to stand on end and the air around him grows colder, frost actually forming on his sleeves. At the far end of the cave, just in front of the curtain, a shimmering wall of blue and green light springs up, patches of ice forming around the base where it touches the floor. He makes a 'hurry up' motion to Andie, eyes wide.
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+sorcerer+2: (20)+13+2: 35 GAME: Telamon rolls 2d6+13: (2)+13: 15
There's a flash of realization in Andelena's eyes. The key--as Patch pulls the statue off the dresser, there's a tell-tale jingle from it. /The key is in the dresser./
The Sunguard moves quickly. She snaps to the dresser, grabs the key from within, and rejoins over to Dolan. "We're teleporting out, everyone get here /now/," she whisper-commands to her allies.
Patch has the totem, and Dolan has been secured. Even if Kol is here, it seems the plan is going well as they aren't yet discovered. She just scurries close to the others, tucking the relic-thing into her coat, and then pressing close while awaiting magical extraction. She doesn't want Kol to know who has it, not yet. Let him focus on Dolan, and then realize he's lost track of another totem later. "Ready!" she calls. She only wished it was Zalgiman. Close enough.
Serene takes a step, then two, back towards the others as Andelena calls for the retreat, though her eyes remain fixed upon the curtain and Telamon's spell. Her shield remains raised, her sword ready. "Do it," she tells them, her whisper harsh.
Verna may have a full, detailed triage ready concerning Dolan, but the pitter patter of little feet halt that. The voice that follows sends a shiver down Verna's cloak. "Take them out of here, now, to a temple immediately," she whispers harshly to Telamon. "Leave Serene and I if you cannot take us all. We will follow you."
Dirk takes slow, careful steps back, keeping his thunderbelcher trained on the entryway. Once he's close to the others, only then does he lower his weapon. "Right! Do it!" he says.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+26: (11)+26: 37 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+23: (3)+24: 27 GAME: Telamon rolls Will: (9)+12: 21 GAME: Telamon rolls Will: (10)+12: 22
Kol comes through the wall of that Telamon creates, striding through it as though it is nothing. Frost clings to his face and hands, but he? Doesn't seem to care. In the space of half a second he sees you all and reaches out. One hand grabs Telamon by the throat and lifts him up off the ground. His smile becomes a mask of a grin. Flashing his teeth at the man and his eyes dark with something that spells the danger that Telamon is in out in easy to read letters. His visage is a terrible thing to behold.
"DO NOT TOUCH HIM. YOU WILL LEAVE NOW!"
Dolan leans forward in the cuffs, slumping forward, his lone eye wide and dark as Kol reappears before his rescuers get him out! Frantically, he turns his head towards Patch. "Patch," he hisses, as low as he can. "Patch, the statue."
GAME: Verna casts Halt Undead. Caster Level: 19 DC: 21 GAME: Verna rolls 1d20+24: (1)+24: 25 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Verna rolls 1d20+24: (20)+24: 44 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+20: (4)+20: 24
Have faith, have faith, have faith. These are the words that carry the Sunguard again as she sees Kol seizing her trusted ally.
She has to have faith. She has to have /faith/. Her fingers, holding the key, go to unlock the chains binding Dolan.
"Daeus, Shining Knight, I pray to you: let justice prevail. Let my allies go freely. Let us go home and away from the grasp of evil." It's a desperate prayer. But a prayer nonetheless.
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+4: aliased to Ranged+1-3+4: (10)+13+1+-3+4: 25 GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+4-5: aliased to Ranged+1-3+4-5: (4)+13+1+-3+4+-5: 14
Dirk takes a step back as Kol is revealed. His face turns white as milk and terror makes him tremble. But he stands his ground. He swings up his thunderbelcher. "LET 'IM GO!" he roars. CHK-BOOM! He fires a silvered shot at the vampire. "DAMN YOU, YE BEARDLESS SHIT! LET! HIM! GO!!" BOOM! Even despite the close proximity, the shots go wide. But the old snowbeard is undeterred. He racks his slide, rage and fear mingling on his face as he draws his bead anew.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+24: (15)+24: 39 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+5: (3)+5: 8
"We shall depart, once you unhand him!" Verna accentuates her words with a brisk gesture and a pinch of sulfurous garlic, focusing negative energy in attempt to disrupt that empowering and animating Kol's walking corpse. Unfortunately, he continues to prove most resistant.
"Like this?" Kol asks the Mourner, throwing Telamon bodily across the room almost casually. The throw is actually very carefully aimed however, and Andelena is struck by Telamon as he flies across the room. "Get out! Leave amber-eye and go!" In spite of his smile you get the impression he is not well-pleased.
GAME: Andelena rolls Reflex: (16)+3: 19 GAME: Serene spends THREE uses of SMITE EVIL. GAME: Serene rolls paladin+strength+charisma+5-6: (11)+20+5+15+5+-6: 50 GAME: Serene rolls 1d8+5+paladin+2d6+12: (5)+5+20+(5)+12: 47 GAME: Serene rolls perception: (9)+25: 34 GAME: Telamon casts Teleport. Caster Level: 13 DC: 22 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d100: (43): 43
Even as Kol tosses Telamon back, Serene is rushing forward. Drawing forth Eluna's light, filling herself so completely that it spills over onto those around her, she pushes herself into Kol, blade first, the holy sword cutting through the vampire with relative easy.... only for the wound to heal up almost instantly behind the blade, leaving no sign of the attack. "Get them out of here!" she yells back at half-elven sorcerer.
GAME: Patch rolls perception: (8)+12: 20
Telamon is dazed, and a little rattled. But he can hear, and thankfully grabbing him by the throat isn't as effective as it could be. He reaches out to grab Dirk's arm, pulling himself up into a kneeling position as the others gather around. "Master vampire my ass," he shouts raggedly. "You couldn't kill a conversation!" With that, he chants, "Kaskal, nu siten, ula'ulla!" A shimmering globe of light enfolds Dirk, Andelena, Dolan, Patch, and himself, before suddenly shrinking to nothing, taking them in an instant back to Alexandria…
Patch feels the wobbles as the cost for magical movement, taking a step away from the party to catch her breath, and let the sensation pass. As she's looking back to the others, Dolan's gesture catching her glance and motion. "Yeah, yeah. I have it." she says, her hand searching and finding it in the front fold/buttoning flap of her coat. "I didn't think it worth letting Kol know which one of us had it." a raised brow then. "I promised Lady Verna I'd deliver it to her. If you all want it now fine, but I would not be called a liar."
Dolan doesn't answer Patch. When the chains no longer support the man, he's crumpled with a scream of pain to the stone floor, Andelena only barely managing to catch him in time to stop the knives in his skin from slamming into the stone as he falls. The shock of the teleport, and newfound icy wind on bare skin, combine to leave the man a senseless wreck in Andelena's arms.
GAME: Andelena rolls Heal: (18)+9: 27 GAME: Verna casts Dimensional Anchor. Caster Level: 19 DC: 21 GAME: Verna rolls ranged+12: (9)+12+12: 33 GAME: Verna rolls 1d20+24: (6)+24: 30 GAME: Verna rolls 1d20+24: (3)+24: 27
Some people would choose to rejoice in being teleported to safety, for the moment. Andelena knows they're not out of the woods yet. Her steel-gray eyes give another assessment of Dolan, and she winces as she holds him. "We need to get him to the Temple District /now/," she commands. "It's closer than the Defense. I can't heal him with the knives in his skin, and removing them would be too risky and unsanitary out here. Bry needs a hospital. Telamon, I need a way to move him without bumping him."
She takes her cloak off of herself and wraps it around Dolan, shielding him from the elements as best as the cloak can do without aggravating his wounded skin. Into his ear, she murmurs, "You, me, and the Knight. I love you."
Relentless is her fight for him.
The others are away. Verna is relieved at this. Now she can focus on getting herself and Serene out. "We did not touch him. Now we shall leave. You should stay awhile, however." She recalls his sudden appearances; more, she recalls his complaints the last time she hindered his movement. This implies he has the means, and it will do none good were he to follow them, or appear at Dolan's side, now. A rod is briskly pulled from her bag even as her other gloved hand gestures, then releases an emerald ray into the abomination's chest. Results, however, may vary.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (7)+31: 38 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (16)+31: 47 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (11)+31: 42 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (6)+31: 37 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+26: (2)+26: 28 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+26: (9)+26: 35 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+21: (13)+21: 34 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+16: (12)+16: 28
Dirk looks around warily as the teleport resolves, returning them to Alexandria's city gates. He hasn't relaxed his vigil, however. His gaze darts hither and yon, his thunderbelcher held at the ready. They're so close to home now. So close to getting Dolan the help he needs. But Kol and his minions have proven capable of entering into the places they've felt safest before, and he's not going to give the vampire a chance to get the drop on them.
GAME: Verna rolls fort: (4)+15: 19 GAME: Serene casts Paladin's Sacrifice. Caster Level: 20 DC: 24 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d10+9: (11)+9: 20 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d10+9: (8)+9: 17 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d10+9: (6)+9: 15 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d10+9: (11)+9: 20 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d10+9: (11)+9: 20 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d10+9: (9)+9: 18 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d10+9: (13)+9: 22 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d10+9: (10)+9: 19
Kol moves like a blur for not Serene, but Verna. His smile - gone. Instead there's only fury in his green eyes. Turning them into pure darkness. "You! You took him!" Magic is not Kol's forte. However the blur of his fists is... damning. The Mourner is swaying on her feet by the end of it, her body pummeled by the vampire's fists.
GAME: Serene rolls 1d20+bab+3+12: (12)+20+3+12: 47 GAME: Serene rolls 1d3+5+3+20: (3)+5+3+20: 31
Serene turns as Kol flashes past, but he's too quick for her to react.. she follows, but by the time she's reached him he has pummeled Verna almost into unconsciousness. A quick word, invoking Eluna's power and the martyr spirit that rests in most paladins, Serene assumes some of those hurts upon herself, then smashes into Kol's back with her shield. "You will not win today, creature," she tells him.
GAME: Verna casts Teleport. Caster Level: 19 DC: 22 GAME: Verna rolls 1d100: (31): 31
He is angry. He is strong. Verna was reasonably certain of both, but her assessment is cemented somewhere between the second blurred blow and the third concussion. She wobble-steps behind the shining, blessed and distinctly out of focus figure that is Serene. Or so Verna hopes. A gloved hand flails lightly at the figure, and it may be just as well that no intricate gestures are required. Bloody spittle accompanies an incantation more hoarse and frothy than the norm. Then they are off to Wilderness Pointe, where the nice herbs are.
-End