The Vale of Shadow (Part 5)

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

((previous spell is: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/eyebite.htm.
the dog is:
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/programmedImage.htm ))

the hell hound continued, unhindered by the frost. this was most disconcerting. for it should have stopped the creature of fire, had been real. but because it had been believed, it was real enough. the dog opened its massive maw to release a breath of fire.
Inrii and Zek, since they was in the back, and now in front with the dog's charging, Inrii stood there, waiting still leaning on the ranger as he was____ (letting zek do something too). but another bolt ready. she sensed the dog was an image, or a trick. yet the heat swept over her. the sounds were so real and it was closing in.
another [i:6dwv28oc]click[/i:6dwv28oc]
this bolt unphasing the creature also.

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

Alya paced again. her agitation increasing then decreasing causing the chain demon to react also with increased aggitation and restlessness. the companions had entered and was dealing with her spells and tricks. but from the looks of it, that wouldnt stop them long. she was growing increasingly frustrated with them. they were relentless.
an idea hit her, one she laughed at herself. she had an ally around these parts. one she wasnt so keen on calling. for dealing with a red was tricky. but she was growing more desperate. she had some leverage to use with the beast and a slight smile appeared. the change was suttle but the demon caught on as he paused to look her.
walking over to her scrying pool she whispered the words needed and the image of the cave appeared. bright golden light filled the watery image as it shifted to darkness as the magic traveled past the piles of gold.
"i have a job you might enjoy," was sent via a spell.

[Pheurazath]

Meanwhile back where the heroes are beset by an illusory Hellhound, the terrible storm overhead, and raging magics have drawn the attentions of other things living out in the wilds, or at least one of them, a man, a hermit of a sort, known to larger cities as either an outlaw or a myth. Coming upon a rocky rise overlooking the scene, of the goodly companions beset by this enemy, the observer from afar responds to it all with an annoyed stoicism. Draped in heavy dark, hooded cloak, face hidden behind a smooth, glossy black mask, this hermit, raises his hands before him, uttering a series of dark incantations, then thrusts forward his right hand, palm out, and from a great 200 foot range, a streak of magical energy blasts down at the back of the Hellhound, striking at this illusory fiend, or if not it, then the ground beneath it, with a blast of magical cold. [[b:8raf68ni]Eldritch Spear[/b:8raf68ni] combined with [b:8raf68ni]Hellrime Blast[/b:8raf68ni]]

Charged with the fell energies of a Tanar'ri, this figure made visible by the occasional flash of lightning, with cloak whipping in the winds, cuts a figure of power, or perhaps it has to do with having the high-ground.

Friend? Foe? Only time, and the luck to catch up to or find him will tell.

[Zekafae]

He could tell it was an illusion also, but one that could cause damage was not a favored enemy. Moving from her briefly he removed the silver blades from his back, still haven't checked enchantments on them yet, they damn well served him well this far. He was going to rush in, when he stopped seeing the effects of magic, he knew it far too well. This caused him to stop skidding in his tracks. He'd watch and wait, Jabbing one of the swords into the ground his hand ready to unleash his own hellish torrent of fire. Where as he may not have been a warlock, he knew elemental magic well enough to handle himself.

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

'just great' the sorceress thought as another appeared from higher up on a ledge. 'more to join the party?'
Inrii was careful to maintain her balance when the ranger moved forward. the dog closing in the distance rapidly and nearly upon them.

(gunna have neriah cast banishment also)
soon the image began to fade and was gone, tho from what, it could have been any number of things or a combonation of all.
the storm continued, the frozen rain getting heavier. and now she had to focus on the male above them. she wished she had access to her spells, again.
finally Inrii spoke aloud to her group thru the sounds prevailing around them, "we need to get out of this." pointing to the largest building, one she knew what is was, "there. if that guy is on her side, then we might wanna take them in a setting of our choosing."

[veraka]

Seeing the HellHound image charging Veraka's wolf friend, Neriah, despite her pain, found enough strength in her to cast Banishment[/b] upon the image of the attacking dog.

As the image faded, the fey'ri saw Inrii pointing at a building and overheard the drow's comment about a new male; looking up, the fey'ri found her answer. On the ridge, standing there was a spellcaster of some power, who was apparently a warlock. Neriah's own demonic blood could pick up on faint traces in other creature.

"I would have to agree with the sorceress on that one; if this newest arrival is with Alya, we're not in a position of advantage against him," she said to Veraka, who by now, had recovered and was looking at the odd caster on the ridge.

"A feindish outline, that one has," the aasimar commented on the warlock, though not knowing that exactly; "though, I can't make out the source of the infernal powers."

"His power comes from that of Tanar'ri origins; it pulses throughout him as easily as my blood does."

Veraka nodded at the fey'ri and made his way over to Inrii and Zek, deciding to follow them in whatever course of action they'd take.

[Grahl]

Meanwhile in the lair of a Red Dragon, or one that had belonged to the less than faithful wretch, the new tenants have settled in, quite pleased with their rewards for their effort. Now a truer and more faithful allegiance to Tiamat would dwell there. Nixue, younger of the band of three, lie peacefully resting beside one mound of gold, whilst the more experienced Naien, tends to his many wounds acquired during the battle to secure this lair as their own. In the end, it had been a combination of her clerical, and cold arcane spells that had removed the former tenant from this world, but not without their mount and Nixue taking some hits to keep the fight away from her.

Now as they haven't taken inventory of their new found wealth and the magical items within, the magical tingle of a scrying pool stirring to life, draws Naien to inspect the thing, and glare at the creature looking back on the other side,[color=red:3m7usgc6] "The lazy lout you are trying to reach has gone to his Twilight. What business is this, that a dark elf, offers to a dead fool?!"[/color:3m7usgc6]

[Pheurazath]

Realizing the threat has passed, and the now apparently illusory demon is gone, the figure upon the high ground, begins another spell, the glowing glyphs forming before him, giving away the channeling of the spell, and just as it finishes, nothing seems to have changed, as he appears to have remained there upon the ridge, looking down and watching.

A clever trick though, the [Flee the Scene] Invocation cast, the real warlock, then 50 feet away from there via a Dimension Door, and leaving behind a Major Image of himself. 40 feet closer to them, and taking a roundabout route, to come upon them from behind and above their point of exit into the outdoors. By then, another Invocation enacted, [Walk Unseen], his watchful presence has been rendered invisible. At the same moment, the image of him upon the ridge, fades away.

Now he is close enough to assess these adventurers whose presence disturbs his peace with the presence of devils in the air.

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

((just a heads up, Alya looks like a surface elf since she is Szarki- albino drow.))

Alya's ruby eyes look amused at who answered. so her old ally had finaly found his end. the old red had began to grow useless of late. tho maybe this newcomer might prove to be more useful that him.
she smiled in her usual charming way.
"if one such as you can take him down, them your talents are useful. but i could offer you the same deal, if such as yourself capable."

--
((ill write inrii's response after i get back))

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

Inrii thru her true seeing noticed the warlock and that he didnt seam right. she knew many of the tricks having been a spellcaster herself. she called out to Zek to hurry back and for the group to get inside, yes even Neriah.
Her senses told her he wasnt far. the magic he eminated was strong.
with the ranger back and still helping her to walk they all made way to the door. before any could touch it, the sorceress let out a warning not to touch yet. she knew some tricks her house did on such important buildings.
"its likely set to keep way those not of the faith. meaning a holy item."
the young drowess was holding her side, the pain flaring up more so. she kept herself upright as best she could, hiding any sorta of weakness at the moment. tho how much longer she didnt know. she didnt even know how she was going to fight. her injuries werent healed and she had no spells at the moment to use. she was as bad as those humans. something she loathed.
pulling her arm away from Zek who had been suporting her, she reached into her pack and pulled out the black velvet material, her half mask. Zarstra was still secure in the pocket yet Inrii could sense her unease.
Looking back behind to the 'warlock' waiting to see what he was doing. tho she knew that human(?) up there was not the threat. if he had been working for Alya, then where ever he was at the moment was the threat.
doning the mask, something she hadnt done on a long while was odd to her. teh material felt almost forign as did the Mask Lord of late. but the bit of magic hers had (which wasnt much since she wasnt a cleric) was still in there and her gloved hand reached out, bare fingers brushing the handle. she felt the energy almost searching her before a hushed click was heard.
"Hurry," she whispered to her companions, her hand quickly going back to hold her side. she decided to leave the mask on for now, for she might still need it in here.

(when enter, tho i hope its not contridicting earlier post)
the stone floor was a work of marvel, black marble in all directions. another dark door of oak was further on leading to the main hall. pillars of marble and inlaid with gold designs of drow history, from Vhaeraun's persepctive, adorned them. then of course the usual mask upon the door.

[Zekafae]

Seeing the dispersal of the visage he shook his head and would follow the others. He knew arcane magics well enough to know that warlocks were neutral to them at best, and a dreadful enemy at worst. When they entered the building he was muttering in his mind various profanities in just about every language he knew. He looked to them and spoke" Nice seeing we have an invoker nearby... this could make dealing with alya easier or more painful." Thinking for a long moment" I've been questioning about following that path someday, it'd add a new level of fun I could have..."

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

they paused rright inside the door as it slowly closed behind them (so if virgil wants in he better get in before it closes).
the hall wasnt much different than the one back home, so her reaction was less of awe at the place. still clutching her side, the pain increased more, and Inrii nearly toppled from the pain. normally she could take it. after all she had been chained and tortured for a week and been cut open by Vorndrin while being assulted. but the sorceress hadnt felt this type. it was, almost magical in origin.
gasping she stood back up, determined not to slow them down.
"that would be another dimension to you. am I not enough fun for ya?" she jested to the ranger's comment. getting serious again (yeah it dont happen often) she motion for them to stick together. "watch every corner, every shadow."
for this was the bard's domain. and Alya, for now, had the upper hand.

the baelorn kept attempting to scry. but whatever Alya had protecting her was powerful, like in the realm of the divine.
he cursed again. he didnt want to get involved in this little thing. but that group had brung trouble. and he had been willing to make a deal with them.

the chain devil (a Kyton: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/devil.htm ) finally was given permission to go and have fun. he quickly exited the chamber making way.

((he will show up soon. i'll write it when i'm board and waiting on a poster...))

[Pheurazath]

But of course the curious Warlock follows inside, close enough behind already was he to spy how one of them was injured, and foolishly not resting. He has little to offer in ways of healing, but slips in, just before the entrance is sealed shut, his invisibility still in effect. Knowing it cannot last forever however, he decides it best to break the ice before there's trouble and uncertainties about his allegiances.

Breaking the invisibility he lightly holds back Inrii's shoulder, his voice, deep and rich, cutting the general quiet, [color=indigo:n4pu7t12]"If you're going to continue facing Baatezu, I strongly suggest you tend to your wounds first, Dark Elf."[/color:n4pu7t12] The man behind the hooded cloak, and black mask, appears to have white hair, and yellow eyes, eyes that presently glow. Despite the white of his hair, condition of his body suggests a fair measure of youth, likely late twenties.

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

the sorceress felt the magic increase and as she turned to look for them, (true seeing) an arm grabbed her shoulder.
the drowess jerked at the touch, her wrist crossbow coming up and about to shoot the male, her finger on the trigger squeezing.
but her companions...(i'll let them reply before i continue. tho u better watch out for zek now, even veraka.lol)

[veraka]

Upon Hearing Inrii fidget at the unknown person and upon hearing the deep base, Veraka whirls around, bringing Marala Vharc up to level at the newest arrival. Despite what he thought of Inrii and Neriah at the moment, Veraka still thought of Inrii as a younger sister; and Aurora counted herself in that to, as she had her ears lowered, but wasn't growling or barring her teeth yet.

Neriah had also withdrew her sais and had them aimed at the newest person, but lowered them somewhat as she detected something odd about him; "A caster of infernal magics; a rarity around here."