[IC] [5e] Outrealms

[16 Bit]

"What and exciting turn out, folks! We pulled together a roster of some of the most ruthless and strongest challengers from all across the multiverse. Ever since we found this gate leading to entirely new systems, we've been enlisting gladiators from all nearly every world imaginable for your entertainment. All thanks to your pals at MegaCorp; your number one stop for all things anything. So sit back, relax. AND LET THE CARNAGE ENSUE!"

"Welcome back to the second week of Galaxy Gladiators. For those of you who missed our premier; feast your eyes on the discarded remains of both pirates and ninjas alike. As much as we all hated for those swashbuckling scalawags to go down, the excitement couldn't have been higher for the two teams to clash. It was a brutal turn of the first event, however, as the ninjas slayed the pirates like butter; though not without casualties of their own. Seems like our survivor won't make it to the end of this grueling campaign. He should make easy prey for our next episode of fighters. Or perhaps he can use those stealth skills to great use and make it to the end? Even now our cloaked friend has successfully evaded all of our cameras. Not bad for such a simple warrior.

And Speaking of fighters, here comes our next batch now! These brave souls were pulled from various similar planes; each having accomplished great things and proving their worth before being hand picked for your enjoyment. Six lucky players will be the focus of tonight's wave of new combatants. And with any luck, they just might kill each other before we have to prepare for the next wave. Things will only escalate from here, folks!"

---

---

Celestial light surrounded the north-western corner of the island. Six warriors spread in a circle from each other materialized; taken from their homelands without warning and forced into a field of grass. The winds blew. The sun was warm. And as much as any one could tell, this world was no different than the one they were forced to leave. The playing field was clean of all dead bodies and discarded items. Crashing waves could be heard in the distance just past the thick forest to the north and west. And to the south and east, nothing but clear grassy field for miles. Only one structure stood out on the island; a giant 'M' shaped building with two entrances, to the north and south. No sign of anything out of ordinary would alert them of their place in time; nor would any instruction from the eyes that viewed them ever interfere. What happened from here, was completely up to them.

Current Map

[JBRam2002]

Mila Zaseis

---

Well, this is just lovely. Mila looked around at the others who had been forcefully relocated. This wasn't exactly how she had planned to spend her evening. In fact, she wondered whether the poor sap who was still tied up in her room would have someone rescue him soon. In either case, it wasn't her problem anymore. This was her problem now.

Five others had been summoned, and whether they were friend or foe was yet to be seen. A halfling who was rather cute carried a shield and little else, but she didn't look like she was exceptionally strong like one might expect from a barbarian. That was intriguing, to say the least, and likely spoke of some deeper abilities that Mila shouldn't toy around with yet, as did the giant mechanical frog near her. On the other hand, the human woman who stood tall and proud over the others wielded a spear with obvious strength, unarmored as well. Definitely a barbarian, if she'd ever seen one, although a unicorn was an interesting choice for a barbarian's mount. Next was a gnome woman, also unarmored, but wearing robes similar to her own. Definitely a mage of some sort, as only magi could wear these robes, but the blackness of her robes belied the darkness in her heart. She would be a fun one, if they were not meant to kill each other.

The only male of their group, a stocky dwarf wielding a shortsword and shield caught Mila's eye for being another who was hard to pin down. Such a light weapon would make her think of a rogue or monk, but she didn't know any monks who used a shield. Perhaps another barbarian, then? And the final combatant, a triton woman with a fierce gaze and a battleaxe, seemed to be the strongest of them all. If she had been called into a battle royale against three barbarians, a monk, and an archmage, she would have to rely on her wits to keep her alive.

Mila clutched her shield, and ran her fingers lightly across the strings of the lyre that had been grafted into the item. "It was wonderful to meet you all, but I think I would prefer to return to what I was previously doing now," she said, and with a final strum, poofed out of view. This was not a fight she wanted to take, definitely not head-on.

Mechanics

Mila casts a spell with her Lyre.
??? Roll = 23

[Azena]

Rygar Treeguard

---

Rygar blinked as the bright light stung his eyes, covering his face with his blood-stained hand. It took a moment for his vision to adjust, the black and white tints of his night sight filling with the vibrant blue of the sky above. A frown formed on his face. He wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or not. The sudden burst of light had initially led him to believe a daylight spell was cast at him. The fact that he now found himself under the sky did not ease his concerns.

Rygar’s eyes shifted to the ground next. He had been crouched over the remains of the bear cub he had spent the day tracking. The space before him was empty. The grass shifting in the wind, undisturbed by any weight. With a heavy sigh, Rygar stood straight up and took in his surroundings. His instincts immediately took control.

He pulled his shield from his back and drew his shortsword. Rygar eyed the women circled around him with caution. Most of them didn’t look very threatening, but they would be the likely culprits of his current circumstances. The most threatening of them was the towering woman of pure brawn. She could easily snap any of the others in two, and quite possibly himself.

Rygar’s long, grey beard bounced playfully in the wind. He nervously peered around, trying to figure out where he was without letting any of the women out of his sight. It certainly felt like home, but it wasn’t his home. There was no open field like this anywhere in the forest. Maybe the outer edges, but he’d be able to see the nearby villages.

"It was wonderful to meet you all, but I think I would prefer to return to what I was previously doing now,"

Rygar spun his head towards the voice. Before he could focus on her, she was gone. With one of his captors now fled, he felt a little more edge. His grip tightened as he slowly stepped back from the circle.

“Alright, lasses. I don’t know which of you brought me here, but I wouldn’t mind going back as well.” Rygar hesitated for a moment, not use to conversation. “Er…please?”

[The Grey Dust]

Alexandra the Valkyrie

---

How great are the dangers I face to win a good name in Vahalla.

The men were armed and ready. Their painted faces marked with the blessings of battle, shouting their prayers to the heavens above to witness their glory. Their strong bodies lined in rank and file, axes and swords, shield and armor. Warriors trained for battle, warriors born to die. Three rows of fighters, and crew of archers to rain death upon the enemies. The war drums beat to the chant of skalds, the seer had foreseen this day. Behind the temple walls the villagers remained, the final bastion against the demonic horde. For the rising dawn lit the sky with the colors of war. Of red blood that the earth drank, of orange flames which burned their city to ash, of yellow eyes of the demon lord. This was the final stand against the balor and his armies, this wall of metal and flesh, of arrows and spirit were all that remained. But there at the helm ready to lead the charge was their champion. A woman given the epithet of The Valkyrie, the greatest of the shield-maidens, sitting atop her saddled warhorse Adalwin. The steed was no ordinary horse, for he was a unicorn that bore his rider into battle and back, the only man that she was rumored to allow to carry her. There surveying the demonic army advancing the great rider Alexandra prepared herself for a glorious death in battle. The gods had always sent her back, denying her Valhalla with every resurrection the priests had done to recall her back to fight. But with the priests dead...

"The time has come. Are you with me brother?" The soft pats of a gentle hand against the noble unicorn's side.
Always. The telepathic reply, they may die together this time, though more often than not he had saved her, and she had saved him. Together they would venture into this battle for one last ride. She would never abandon her duty to protect the temple that had taken her in, and he would never give up on her. Though the might of her brawn may fail her, though the spirit of her hearth may fail her, and though the gods she fights for may fail her. He would not, for just as she allowed him to carry her, so too did he allow her to ride him. A woman of pure heart and body who bore the sacred spear Svar, marked by the gods to fight forever. And now it seemed this is where story would end, their tale to be told, the legend of Alex and Adal. A touching moment for such a Valkyrie to share a moment of peace before the storm with him. They would face death together, but not before the balor would feel both horn and spear pierce its foul hide.

"Fight well today Warriors, for tonight we Drink in Valhalla!"

The unicorn reared and the warspear raised in a cry to victory or death. And then from the heavens above, a beam of celestial light poured out upon the mount and rider. Engulfing Alexandra and Adalwin as they they bathed themselves in the radiance, what was this strange blessing? A sign of the gods bestowing their champion? A boon to purge these demons out and save them all? Yes, it must be. The gods were with them, their ethereal forms shimmering in the cosmic light as watchers to witness their champion defeat these demons. The drum beats and war cries of the men seemed so distant now, as the light seemed to mute out the rest of the world beyond it. Surely they would cheer at this omen of light. Forward to battle! Charge!

Gone were the demons. gone were the men. All of it gone, save for Alex and Adal. In lieu of rubble and ruin, windswept grass, and instead of armies, five others. There poised in a circle, a few paces from each other were strangers. The first to her right was a demon-kin bearing the horns as clear as day across her revealing robes, was she the enemy's wizard? The second to her left seemed to be some halfling shield-maiden with a strange mechanical frog-like beast beside her, was she in mortal peril?. The third directly across was another small-folk a strange gnome who seemed wear the robes of a possible demon summoner. The final two seemed like armorless warriors just as she was set on either side of the trifling gnome. The dwarf the only male fighter by his wildlands beard and sword & shield, perhaps he was an ally? While the other was a female mer-kin with a frigid stare and battleaxe, perhaps she was a worthy rival? Where was they, and who were these people? Everything was so unfamiliar, and yet...

I think I would prefer to return to what I was previously doing now

Return? Return to the battle? What of the battle? She was needed at the front! The demons they were attacking! This was not Valhalla. This was not the work of the gods. This was trickery, foul magic. Who summoned them here to this strange place? Who did Alex have to run a spear through to get back? All the questions demanding answers, flying through her mind as she and Adalwin stood there waiting. Spear drawn to one side and hooves ready. The demon-kin disappeared from sight, possibly disappearing back to the battlefield? Was that was she meant when she was referring to returning? But it seemed the dwarf had no idea just as well of what had happened, and took to negotiating with the other ladies. It was the gnome or demon-kin, or maybe even the halfling with her strange contraption. Certainly it was not Adalwin who teleported them here. Nor was it the gods. Or was it?

"We did not summon you dwarf. I am Alex and this is Adal. We too seek passage back to a battle against demons assailing our temple. Who was it who summon us? Speak now!"

[ihinka]

Aryn stumbled forward a bit, the support of the wall she was leaning on no longer there, nor the warm body she was pressing to in languid exploration. Put out of sorts by the swift change of location she immediately went for her battleaxe and looked around cautiously. Gone was the inn and the room she'd rented for the night. And, of course, no sign of Renya, the sweet, sweet bard she'd managed to charm into her room and possibly into her bed. But apparently that would no longer be happening as Aryn found herself in a grassy field, surrounded by trees, a funny shaped building that she could see in the distance and the familiar sound of waves coming from the north and west.

She was also not alone. Five others stood there beside her, in a loose circle. To her right was a half-ling woman who appeared to be some sort of magic user and right next to her a giant toad. Aryn did not appear at all surprised by the sight of the large amphibian. She'd seen far more interesting creatures in the oceans she'd roamed twice over. On her left, a rock gnome surrounded by a sort of dark aura, who also appeared to be the magic type. Is she grinning or cackling? Aryn wondered. Almost directly opposite her stood the only male in the mismatched group of strangers. A stocky dwarf who possessed a sort of balance about him that belied his burly outlook. To the left of the dwarf a tiefling female, who appeared quite weak and fragile, but also very alluring. And next to the tiefling an impressive and imposing female figure, riding a unicorn. A strong and captivating specimen of the human race, wielding a spear and looking down on all the rest of them from her elevated position atop her mount.

An impressive assembly to be sure. Aryn mused, observing the strangers with her weary, cold blue eyes. Well, I know they're not friends. But are they foe? Is any of them responsible for us being here? And more to the point. Why are we here? Aryn's thoughts flowed freely assessing the situation she found herself in, wishing strongly that she be back in her inn, in her room, pinning the sweet, sweet Renya to the wall.

While Aryn was imagining herself against the warm and supple female body, the alluring thiefling spoke:

"It was wonderful to meet you all, but I think I would prefer to return to what I was previously doing now." And promptly disappeared into nothingness.

That spurred more to voice their thoughts and concerns. The dwarf following suit after the thiefling:

“Alright, lasses. I don’t know which of you brought me here, but I wouldn’t mind going back as well.” He appeared to hesitated for a moment, before adding. “Er… please?”

Aryn opened her mouth to say something but tall, handsome and mounted beat her to it.

"We did not summon you dwarf. I am Alex and this is Adal. We too seek passage back to a battle against demons assailing our temple. Who was it who summon us? Speak now!"

Well, that's three out of six total that claim to not be responsible for this sudden shift in location. Aryn mused. I know I didn't bring us here. So if I can believe those three, which I'm not likely to do without hard evidence, and if the other two also have nothing to do with this, then who. And why?

Aryn lowered her battleaxe, but never losing her battle stance.

"I don't know who brought it upon themselves to bring me... us, here, and frankly I don't care. But whoever it is, you will undo it promptly for I have affairs to go back to!" Her words, frosty like the oceans depths and her tone imperial never doubting her request will be met with the appropriate actions.

[Ms Ravenwinter]

V . .ᴀ . .s . .ɪ ʟ. . ʟ. . ɪ. . A

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ⊰-⊱ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
. .

It couldn't have been stolen. How could it've been stolen? It had to've been stolen.

Wind whipped over the gnome's hair in her rush. One hand pressed her cap atop her head lest it be swept away by the grasping claws of the air, the other grabbed tightly to her broom, knuckles white with the tightness of her grip. How she shivered in anger and distress couldn't be seen as she charged through the air with a dazzling speed. The obsidian, monolithic tower slowly shrinking behind her as she took furious flight toward the dirty plunderers.

She had to find it. They could not get away with this.

In an invisible flash, the turbulent winds vanished and dusk turned to morning. The witch's eyes drew wide as suddenly her flight was taken down from the skies to a low hover over the ground. He momentum had not slowed, and just as suddenly as the light of day came, a mounted rider stood directly in her path. She turned, the force of her movement causing a spiral, and she started to lose control. The broom spun out in a corkscrew, nearly grazing the zealous warrior as she flew past. With enough wobble from her mystical mount, her grip faltered. The broom handle made a dull clatter over the ground as the little mage crashed headlong into the grass.

"Ugh," the tiny sorceress groaned, holding her bruised cranium as she stood to see the others, "Oh, what the Deva? She exclaimed in surprise and confusion at the sight before her. Not only was she nowhere near her dark tower, but she was practically surrounded in unfamiliar faces, all looking to belong to highly capable beings. By then, she had already missed the devilish woman's vanishing act, and she was faced with a slew of battle-ready warriors only paces away from her. "Stay back!" she bellowed in her small voice, stubby arms held high in the air in what she believed to be a threatening gesture. The one thing that was indeed threatening was the charred, coiling staff in her hand which glowed with a dull arcane sheen even when idle.

She stepped backward, trying to make distance between herself and these strangers. One of them must have done this. Had she only prepared a Plane Shift, she might've been able to escape this place quickly. She needed a way out of here, and fast. She needed time alone. Steeling herself, she readied some sort of grand declaration,"I am the great Archwitch Vasillia, and you will..." she stumbled upon her words, as shadows started to crawl along her figure as grand gestures were drawn in the air, "You will pay... for your crimes!" In her final syllable, one which ended in a squeak of her voice and a plunging of her staff into the ground.

Dark tendrils sprouted parallel the ground, stretching around in a circle between the warriors. From them, lines drew between them in a complex, star-like pattern with a vague image of jagged horns lining the center of the arcane sigil. With a pulse of magical energy, the darkness swelled instantly and lunged upward into the air. The energies immediately took the form of a blurred, shadowy figure with great, terrible wings, a sharp tail, gnarled horns and, as the horrific beast turned back, downward toward the ground now far below, an insidious and piercing stare. The creature bellowed in a deafening screech before swooping sidelong, sweeping its form around and toward the adventurers. As the threat drew near, the gnomish mage had taken the opportunity to take flight, recovering her broom and taking off beyond the ensuing havoc.

[16 Bit]

Harridan Tyke

---

The old hag looked at herself in the reflection of the lake. Scowling at her worn body and all the damage its been through over the years. Wolves howled and a the light of a silver moon outlined her form in the night. There wasn't going to be much rest for the weary today; she could feel it. She threw on her clothes and donned her shield and backpack, tying her bag of holding to the pack so she wouldn't have to keep up with it directly. All the while, a dusty rose prism circled around her body. "Come, Malory." A soft spoken tone directed her giant mechanical toad to follow her. Memories of days past flooded her mind as they walked though the darkness in silence. Today was the anniversary of a day she'd never forget; the many faces she's traveled with in the past each coming to great her with a feeling of neither joy nor sadness. The past was over. Has been for years. But no matter the time that flew by, she always found herself wandering back to the same old spot. A spot insignificant to others. A spot that the world itself forgot. But she didn't. Couldn't. Too much of her was invested in who she was.

Finally, as the sun rose past the horizon and the light flooded through the trees, a clearing in the midst of the woods overgrown with briers and weeds greeted her with the familiar change of every passing year. A place indistinguishable than just 10 yards back, but a place unmistakable to her heart. Though, for once, she wouldn't get to reunion with her past. Fate, it seemed, had other plans. As Harridan marched on, her body was quickly enveloped in light. A bright light that washed out every detail from her person. She could no longer feel the crisp autumn morning she set out upon, nor could she feel the warmth a light of this caliber should emit. If she hadn't reached out for her mechanical toad and felt it's hard exterior, she would have had doubt in her mind that she hadn't died on the spot.

The light faded. The deep cover of the forest replaced with the bright sun and breeze flowing against her face. Instead of trees, other characters surrounded her. Persons unlike the ones she knew, but no different than the ones she's seen over the course of her existence. It was apparent, however, that she wasn't the only one that was foreign to this land. Behind her, she noted that at least Malory had made it through along with her. Having it at her back gave her a way out should things turned south. Though, it seemed outrunning was going to be challenging at best. To her right was a rare sight. A unicorn war mount under the command of a fierce female warrior, took her place at one end of the group. Her left was covered by the only other strong female of the group; a pale triton that seemed more interested on where she was rather than her place now. The third female she noticed stood directly in front of her. She was a quick thinker in the very least; strumming her shield as if it was an instrument, and disappearing from sight with a rather coy remark. There was one male of the group, a dwarven lad that was about as stocky as he was tall. Lastly there was the gnome. A female caster that spoke so loudly about herself that even her mage's robe spoke of her dark intentions. Not that she had anything to say, given her past.

The halfling sighed. There was no telling what these people would do; the gnome was already starting to shift around wildly, obviously mad about something. Harridan could only hope that the coy little goat girl was able to leave them for good. Perhaps there was a way out of this; if only she knew such a spell. She switched her mental focuses with a deep breath and listened while the group talked. The gnome had started to make her move, demanding a cautious eye from the transported adventurer. Hopefully she would be able to grab the shorty's attention before something bad happened. "No amount of figuring out which one of us is behind this will probably do us any good." Her voice, course and rough, broke through loud enough to make herself known; growing smoother and softer as she continued. "Now its obvious that if who ever sent us here was going to make himself known; they would have spoken up. Goat girl, that was here just a second ago, might have found a way out of where ever we are; but I for one don't-"

Harridan obviously failed in her attempt to grab everyone's attention. The gnome had completed her spell and flew off without a moment's notice. But not without doing probably the worst thing possible to keep the peace. A dark dragon rose from the ground in front of Harridan's face, sending her into a panic. Way too close for comfort.

---

First Combat

map

[16 Bit]

INITIATIVE:

Mila - 26 (nat 20)
Aryn - 22
Malory - 19
Harridan - 14
Rygar - 12
Alexandra & Adalwin - 12
Ninja - 11
V._^ᴀ._^s._^ɪ._^ʟ._^ʟ._^ɪ.A - 6

---

Round 1

@JBRam2002 The summoned dragon was impressive from this so-called archwitch, to be sure, but Mila had seen umbral illusions before. This one didn't scare her in the least, and from her carefully picked hiding spot of several feet away, an invisible Mila extended her hand towards the fearsome dragon, casting a spell and becoming visible once more. The arcane forces placed a stranglehold on the draconic neck, snapping it in twain and killing the magic before it fully appeared.

With some annoyance at blowing her cover, the tiefling muttered under her breath and cast another spell. It appeared almost as if she were reaching for the broom as she focused on the Dispel Magic Abjuration, but the witch's own Counterspell ended that before it could take effect. "Sorry to rain on your parade, O Great and Powerful Archwitch," she said, stepping forward from the shadows to return to where she had first joined the circle. "But I think we all know who our enemy is now! Let's get her!"

[Natural 20 on Wis Save for 27 vs fear effect. Counterspell on the Dragon with a Charisma Ability Check roll of 23, beating even the DC for a 9th lvl spell. Level 5 Dispel Magic then cast on the broom's Fly effect, which is then countered by Vasillia. Movement to return to where she was previously.]

@ihinka As Aryn was looking about, coldly, assessing, the rock gnome suddenly raised her hands and declared herself the 'great Archwitch Vasillia'. The dark aura that seemed to surround her sprang to life and out of nowhere a monster appeared that was like nothing Aryn had ever seen in the deepest recesses of her oceans. Her heart ceased with fright and she stood there, almost petrified, unable to move.

She couldn't even reach for her shield in her frightened state and then just as miraculously as the dragon had appeared, it vanished into thin air. Apparently an illusion conjured by the shifty rock gnome. Just as the illusion dissipated the alluring frail looking tiefling reappeared sending a biting remark the great Archwitch Vsillia's way. Immediately followed by an invite towards the others to act as well.

Aryn, deeply embarrassed by the fact she allowed herself to be taken in by a simple illusion felt her primal rage boil within her and try as she might, she could not regain control of her mortification. Enraged she lunged for the fleeing gnome.

[Aryn rages as a roll enforced bonus action. She will then take her full movement of 40 feet towards Vasillia. As she enters her rage, the Storm Herald within her awakens and her rage activates her Storm Aura, that extends 10 feet from her in every direction. She uses her action to dash another 40 feet towards Vasillia. If she comes within 10 feet of her Aryn can choose her as a target of the Storm Aura effect. The target must make a Dex saving throw, DC 17. On fail it takes 3d6 lightning damage, half as much on a successful one.]

[Vasillia fails save with a 15 and takes 10 lightning damage]

@16 Bit Malory blinked once with both eyes. Sunddenly, a dragon! The frog watched as the dragon disolved back into the magic of which it was born. Watching as the Triton took off in a mad dash to give pursuit to the gnome flying away on the broom stick. The frog hipped, hopped, a hippy hip hop. It didn't stop til the hip hop hippy hopped till it dropped out from behind its master and between her and the fleeing gnome. Waiting for further instruction from the halfling.

Harridan had to hand to to the goat girl. She thought the woman left, but it was nice to watch her take down that dragon with a well timed spell. Though the gnome seemed to made her an enemy of everyone who acted thus far; five of the six strangers working together didn't seem that bad of a start. Could've been worse. So as not to disturb the peace any further; Harridan followed the raging barbarian, tapping the frog on its back to follow as she ran past. "Come. Shield." Her hands let go of her shield, flying out from her body in tandem with the dusty rose ioun stone that continued to circle her body.

[Harridan activated her animated shield and ran (30ft) together with her frog (dashing 20ft + 20ft) after the triton and the gnome]

@Azena Rygar eased his stance some as one by one the women began to claim similar ignorance to their situation. It was becoming clearer to him that they were all pawns in someone else’s game. The more driving question was who exactly and to what purpose. Such an event was often told in folklore: great heroes summoned together by a deity or similar overseer to prevent or destroy a great evil. As strong as he was, Rygar did not consider himself a great hero. The women surely had the potential from appearances alone, but he could not speak for their motives and spirit.

As if his thoughts were being projected to the group, one of the women proved Rygar’s point. The gnomish archwitch took to the sky, spewing threats, but not before calling forth a shadow draconic figure. Rygar cheered as it vanished before it could even finish stepping through the veil and the horned one rejoined them. Rygar cursed under his breath as the others made after the gnome. He was readied for battle, not a chase, but he was not about to let her get away. After all, given her threats, she was the most likely suspect of their predicament.

[Rygar slings his shield back onto his back as an action and chases after them with his full 50ft speed.]

@The Grey Dust Dovahvokun.
Fear not the dragon, though claws tear and tail crush.
Fear not its teeth that bite or breath that ruins.
Fear the dragon's shadow which brings the dragon.

"A gathering of powerful warriors." Adal's mind reached out to Alex, his wisdom far greater than hers. Yet even he did not know who it was that summoned them here, remaining still and silent as his eyes scanned the remaining five with equal wonder. "Be cautious Alex. I have a bad feeling about this."

The Mer-kin who echoed Alex's demands, her voice just as authoritative as any strong woman's, a woman after the Valkyrie's own heart. She looked strong, capable of hewing her enemies in twain with her battleaxe. She was a warrior woman who Alex could align herself with, perhaps even a friendly workout partner, although perhaps not for swimming... Or perhaps best for swimming as such a rival would push the spearmaiden to match a mer-kin's seaswiftness. In contrast was the dwarf, short and stocky, another warrior by the looks of things, yet he was seen as little more than another solider in battle, generally dismissed as one of the typical males who failed to best Alex in their games. The valkyrie after all had out-fought, out-drank, out-wrestled and out-competed the daring men who tried for her affections. Though no animosity was given towards him, certainly the dwarf did not yet have the admiration Alex had of the triton woman. Then last amongst them now was the shieldmaiden, who seemed to talk like elders in diplomacy, speaking in circles about who summoned them may have made himself... Hah, himself, wait... Did she imply the dwarf was the one responsable? Or did she know more than...

Formed from the twisting darkness, summoned forth from the dark circle which spewed forth the black flames. There the blackest dragon appeared from the bleak miasma, roaring a terrible cry that split the skies with its dark summoning. This archwitch gnome appeared to command a great magic to contort the writing monster. What power was found in one so small? How could such tiny limp arms tame such a great beast? One so majestic and terrifying a whole slew of warriors would often need to assemble to take one down. Even she, in all her years of fighting, had only slain three dragons with Adalwin, and each time it was an enjoyably combat. There was nothing as exhilarating as too bathe in the arterial spray that came with driving Svar into the creature's heart and ripping out all the entrails in a moment of victory and shout your battleworn scream. How did the small gnome enslave such a dragon to her will without a proper battle cry? Such squeaking voice was far too impotent to instill fear into the hearts of the enemies. Yet none so far had claimed to be the one that had pulled them all from their other lives, all had denied responsibility. But such a display of magic could only narrow down two among them certainly right? And if she could summon a dragon, then could that noisy gnome be the one responsible?

It was then when the Demon-kin reappeared, pulling off the veil of invisibility to claim the dragon's head. For Magic it seemed must defeat magic, and whatever it was, beyond a barbarian's understanding of how magic works. A snapped dragon's neck and alas the beast vanished as if it were never truly there. Shame, it would have made a worthy prize, and perhaps, just perhaps Alex was wrong to believe the slender girl was a weak coward who fled before the battle began, just as the startled halfling before may have considered fleeing before the sight of a dragon. In truth perhaps Alex would have too for a moment, not yet ready to face a dragon while letting the summoner flee on her bewitched broom. Hah what warrior lets others fight for her while she flees? Spurred on by the bedeviled tiefling, the amazoness quickly gave a nod towards the now-visible girl before her lungs expelled her rally. "Ride! Show them swiftness Adal!"

The unicorn's eyes focused on tailing after the broomstick, a deep breath taken before the equine's burst of speed. No broom would match his hooves, no witch shall escape them. The heavy snorts and huffs, as trot turned instantly into gallop, bolting past the mechanical frog and its master, past the stubby dwarf's legs, and approaching the chasing mer-girl who entered battle frenzy as the air around her smelled of storm and sea. With a glance at her potential rival coming closer from behind, Alex roared and entered her own fury, empowering herself with the zeal of a valkyrie, power rising with a divine rage which wanted to pin and skewer the gnome offer her magic broom. Then with one final burst blessed Adal pushed forward, the stallion's muscles matching Alex's own as they trampled the earth with a frenzy, overtaking her comrade atop her trusted mount.

They charged into the fray, and the sacred spear Svar was raised, the gems inset into the deadly tip shining with the light of divine fury. With a thrusting jab, the witch was attacked on the pass once to inflict a moderate wound against the gnome. But it was merely the start, for as they intercepted her path, flanking the witch between to two warrior women, Alex tightened her core muscles, twisting her upper body with the movements of her horn-brother's turn, to take another stabbing mark at the gnome despite the danger she may hold. "Yield Witch. Or I will crush your tiny arrogant skull with my bare hands."

[Alex enters Rage as bonus action. Adal Dashes 90 feet to position flanking position right of Vasilla. Alex remains mounted and attempt 2 attacks on Vasilla. Both attacks hit, dealing 40 Piercing and 14 Radiant damage.]

An invisible shimmer of light was all there was to to give away his position; quickly coming into focus as he pulled back his rapier and aimed to skewer the goat girl. He knew not why everyone was brought into this world; but after his run-in with the pirates, he knew there was only one way out. Be the last man standing.

His blow struck true. Years of training evident as his blade was now tainted in tiefling blood. Though, the fight was far from over. The woman still stood and the others seemed less inclined to fight for themselves than he had origonally hoped.

[Ninja's invisability vanishes; attacking with advantage (activating sneak attack) at Mila. Crit rolled; guarenteed hit and dealing an extra maxed (10d6+1d8), for a total of 106 Piercing damage.]

[@Vasillia] "You fools! I'd never yield to the inferior." The tiefling girl had the audacity to counter her presious dragon, and now she was beeing hunted by the barbarians of the group. One of the women's mere aura shocking her while the other actually landed a blow with her spear. "You will all rue the day for your insolence."

Vas grabs tight her broom and continues to fly off; this time achieving lift off and getting off the ground. She had to get out of the barbarians' range if she was ever going to show them what a real wizard could do.

[Vasilla flys out of reach with a move action, 50 ft, provoking AoO from Aryn and Alex]

Blind to almost anything else in her rage Aryn had only eyes for the one who'd dubbed herself the great Archwitch. As Aryn sensed the gnome's intent to flee again, just as she'd managed to catch up with her, the triton gripped the axe with both hands and swung mightily. [Aryn will attack with her battleaxe wielding it with both hands (versatile) 1d10 +9+2 for a total of 23 slashing damage.]

"I said yield!" The roar of a raging templar, striking with the resolve of fury. Another piercing strike for another flesh wound as the witch fled away like the coward she was. One last strike aimed to pierce the bowel most grievously, a small target, and yet still her spear broke through. The gnome would find her cowardice the ire of both muscular warrior women, for the storm-bringer had brought upon the witch her axe, and the valkyire her spear. Between them both, she would not last long in the melee, not without any trickery of her sorcery. Vile witch.

{insert Alex's 20 damage here.}

Having successfully put some distance between them (will some extra unwanted damage), the archwich turned arround and cast her spell near where she took off from. A blinding veil enveloped the group that gave chase; creating a dome 15 feet high. All vision is obscured through the veil; the inside turning shade with a violet hue, and the outside appearing as a red, firey ball.

[Vasilla summons a surrounding veil of light; forcing DC 21 Con Save to Alex, Adal, Aryn, and Rygar else be blinded.]

[33, 17, 19, 27; rolled respectfully. Adal and Aryn are now blind for 1 minute.]

[16 Bit]

Round 2

@JBRam2002 Mila was still chuckling at how she had outwitted the uppity wizard when she felt a sharp pain in her side. For a moment, she had no idea what it was, until she looked over and saw the ninja. That wasn't expected. "How dare you hit a girl?!" she cried out. "Join up with me, and take out the one who wants us all dead!" Mila pointed up to the witch as she cast her Rainbow Barrier spell, whatever that was. Mila had no plans to touch that thing. With a wink and a giggle, she disappeared from sight again, sending a booming blast of thunder as her laughter echoed into etherealness. She reappeared a few paces away from the barrier and darted forward until the witch was directly over her. "I see Sarusan's, I see Azlant's! I see an Archwitch's underpants!" she called out as dark energy wreathed itself around Vasillia. "I've got you now..." she muttered under her breath as she drew her blade from its scabbard.

[Expending a Bardic Inspiration to use Cutting Words on the ninja, reducing damage taken by 5. She then casts Thunder Step, dealing 15 thunder damage on a failed DC 22 Con Save from the rogue, and teleporting 90 ft forward towards Vasillia (probably to the side so she can see her destination). She then runs 30 ft towards Vasillia and uses Hexblade's Curse on her as a Bonus Action.]

@ihinka Rage still boiling her blood Aryn roared when the shifty gnome excaped her reach, hopped on her broom and took off. But not before tall, mounted and handsome gave her a parting gift of her own. And before Aryn had any time to reposition and chase after yet again there was a blinding light and then nothing. Blind! Am I blind "Aaaargh! What did you do! You cursed gnome!" Aryn shouted, put her shield up and sprinted forward. She sensed a resistance of some sort and her blind eyes burned even more in their sockets. Fury erupted in every fiber of her being and Aryn pushed onwards with a wild scream only to be held suspended, unmoving. Restrained!

[Aryn uses her action to put her shield up to give her advantage on saves from spells and magical effects. And uses her movement to rush the wall.]

@16 Bit Croak. That was all of the mechanical frog's responce as it sat in place, unflinching. Chaos brewed across the battlefield and he stood to wait for his master's call. "Attack."

And there it was. Following the loud sonic boom of the goat girl fleeing, the frog rushed towards her attacker and wrapped it's tongue around the ninja. Dragging the person into it's mechanical jaws.

[Malory hops 20 ft and bites the ninja. Dealing 7 Piercing and 5 Poison damage. Grappling (DC 13) and restraining; unable to bite another target.]

Harridan couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the barbarians chasing the little gnome. But there was no way for her to catch up to them. A loud thunderous boom echoed out from the goat girl and she quickly teleported away. By the looks of the ninja that suddenly appeared, it seemed they had struck her hard. If she had waited, Harridan would've been glad to patch her up. Either case, she had picked her target as she ordered the frog to advance.

Harridan follwed the frog, joining the battle against the ninja. "Good boy," she complemented the frog. "Now, hold him still." The halfling manifested vile toxins through her psionic abilities; unrelentlessly dowsing the ninja.

[Harridan moves to the ninja and spends 1 psi point. Ninja fails con save, DC 19, taking 2 poison damage and is now poisoned.]

@Azena Rygar shield his eyes as the bright light engulfed his vision. His eyes adjusted quickly, and he charge head first into the violet veil before him. He could the magic sweep over him as each step took him through a new color. One by one, a new tingle of magic washed over him and then vanished as he shrugged it off. Finally, he reached the other side of the rainbow wall, unscathed and unshaken.

Rygar quickly got his sights on the fleeing witch and aimed to bring her down. His incredible pace and skill allowed him to leap to her and bring her down. Or so was the intention. Rygar was unable to get a good grip and was shrugged off. Landing safely on the ground, unwilling to give up, he took to the air again. This time, he did not set his footing right and made only a meager few feet off the ground.

[Rygar rushes the prismatic wall, having to spend 1 ki point to pass the Dexterity DC=21 saves. With a Strength (Athletics) check of 19, he jumps up to Vas but fails to beat her grapple check 12 vs. 15. He tries again, failing to leap with a Strength (Athletics) check of 7.]

[Grey holds action]

The ninja did indeed watch as the gnome enveloped half the stragers in rainbow light. Nothing he'd want to have to deal with for sure. "Unfort-" the ninja was nearly taken aback by the loud thunderous boom exploding from the girl right in frount of him. A big slap in the face from someone who had just offered a team up. He mused to himself. His next opponent seemed to be the mechanical beast and its master. Trying to ready himself, but to no use. The synthetic tongue wrapped around the ninja; grappleing him just in time to be sprayed with a foul toxin. No matter how hard the ninja struggled, he couldn't escape for the life of him. Was this how he going to end? After the run in with the pirates he was sure he could handle six more enemies. But most of them were ignoring him and he was still losing. Just how strong were these people? "You there, shortfolk. From which you hail? You know there is no escape."

[Ninja uses action to attempt to free from grapple, fails. Has no movement.]

[@Vasillia] "Still you persue?! I- I could kill you all without even trying!" She couldn't believe that the dwarf got through her barrior with ease, but it looked like he was the only one who made it through. Serves those brute women right.. She had half a mind to just stay in the middle of the air out or reach and rain fire from above, but she knew that she'd probably not win this fight. Instead she gathered up more mana to summon forth another obstacle in their path. Their time will come; but when she was ready.

The air hardened around the goat girl and barbarian, trapping them in an invisable wall. In fact the only one not trapped by her magic was the halfling way back where they started; and it looked like she was toying with another. She continued flying off into the disatnce, heading off towards the tower in the middle of the field.

[Vasillia casts a spell and moves 50ft further off into the distance.]

---

Round 3 - End of Combat

@JBRam2002 As Vasillia cast another spell, Mila's arcane energies were ready to tear it asunder... but the other mage was a step ahead of her, countering her Counterspell before it could counter the spell that needed to be countered. This self-proclaimed Archwitch was starting to get annoying. The barriers she projected were simply wasting time as she escaped, likely to attempt to kill them later. No, they needed to get out, and fast. "Hold on," she called out to the Monk next to her as she grabbed at his hand. "She summoned a Forcecage." With a mumur, she cast the same spell as before, and a thunderous boom filled the air as the two of them winked out of existence... only to reappear in exactly the same spot. The air suddenly turned a dark shade of blue as a half-dozen infernal curses spilled out around them from the warlock. "Well, can you do any better?" she asked the dwarf pointedly.

[Mila uses her reaction to cast Counterspell at lvl 5, which is then countered by the Archbitch. She then casts Thunder Step at lvl 3, but rolls a natural 1 and a natural 2 on her +12 FREAKING CHARISMA SAVE NOT SALTY, failing the attempt. With her bonus action, she uses Bardic Inspiration on her fellow prisoner Rygar. Just you wait...]

@ihinka As Aryn struggled, blinded, against the restraining magic, she felt herself slowly begin to calm down and assess her immediate actions and reactions. She was still miffed with the little gnome for the short-lived embarrassment, but now that her head was clearing out, she had more subtle plans for the Great Archwitch! Unfortunately the magic field prevented her from seeing anything or anyone outside of it and it was also preventing her from moving. Aryn sighed. This was why she'd abandoned the practice of entering a battle in blind rage. It made you do foolish things. She much rather the controlled rage she employed or the use of her psionic talents. Way more elegant. The triton stared coolly, determinedly into the distance, biding her time until she could enact her plan.

[Aryn de-rages with a nat 20 thanks to Lady Luck's benevolence. She succeeds on her Wis save and is no longer blinded. She also has 1 successful Con save. She holds a Mystic Charm action if she is able to see Vas.]

@16 Bit Malory's tonge reeled in his captive as if it was a giant black fly. Mechanical jaws biting into the ninja before swollowing him whole. All there was left to do was to wait for his lunch to burn in poisonous vat his fake stomach was comprised off. Looking to his master, Malory followed her commands and moved along with her.

[Malory swallows the ninja; blinding, restraining, and dealing 7 peircing and 5 poisonous damage. Moving 20 feet along side Harridan.]

Harridan was called by the doomed ninja, asking from which she hailed and warning her of everyone's inevitable doom; watching as he was soon swallowed by her pet. "As I'm aware. Come Malory." Together, her and her frog joined up with the imprisoned others. Not having much to do except wait for the frog to finish digesting and the others break free. As much as she still couldn't fully trust them, it seemed like there was no bad terms between them all. Grabbing her shield out of the air and keeping it close by.

[Moves up with the rest of the group, trying not get blinded by the bright wall. Un-animating her shield.]

[@Vasillia] It finally seemed Vas escaped; the fools she came to this place with had all stayed behind. She peered behind her and stuck out her tongue at the goat girl, still trapped in her invisible cage. Flying off a distance towards the building in the distance and casting yet another spell. Then, there were two of her. The two of them floating there in the air, undistinguishable from eachother.

[Vas flees, casting spell]

@JBRam2002 The cage couldn't hold Mila for long, and with another boom, she and the dwarf disappeared, reappearing just below and to the north of the two Archwitches. "Isn't it about time you gave up?" Mila asked sweetly as she ran forward. As she passed under the dual shadows, she clenched her fist, causing a ripple of psychic energy to pulse from one of the two witches, noting which one flinched at the pain. She then moved southeast as far as she could, splitting away from Rygar. With mages, grouping up was the worst mistake one could make. "Get her, Dwarf-man!" she called out. "The one that's closer to you!" Now it was starting to get fun.

[Action to cast Thunder Step at level 5, teleporting 90 ft to place the two of them 10 ft northwest and 15 ft below Vasillia. Bonus Action to use Maddening Hex, dealing 6 psychic damage to Vasillia, as she is the target of her Hexblade's Curse. Movement to get 30 ft away from Rygar, moving Southeast.]

@Azena Rygar simply shook his head when the horned one asked of his escape ability. Unfortunately, a force barrier was beyond even his training. He took a deep breath and focused on the escaping archwitch, biding his time for the spell to end or his fellow captive to magic a way out.

When the chance came, and the pair appeared under the witch, Rygar was ready. He told himself she wasn’t going to get away and he meant it. He channeled his energy into his strength, a technique his tribe preferred to call rage, and leapt into the air to pull the witch down. He felt a bit of surprise when he managed to firmly grab hold of her. Ever the opportunist, Rygar jabbed his blade into her, channeling his energy to add force to the hit.

Finally, successful in subduing the witch, perhaps now Rygar and his ally could get their answers.

[Rygar spends his bonus action to Rage and leaps to Mila’s indicated target with Strength (Athletics) of 22. He FINALLY grabs the archwitch with a grapple check 23 vs. 16 to bring her down, then uses his second attack with his shortsword. Hit for 15 piercing damage and stunned for 1 round after failing save of Stunning Strike (1 ki)]

@ihinka Aryn kept her breathing slow and deep, thinking and plotting a way out of this predicament she'd put herself into. She still couldn't move and it was all she could do to not suffer the blinding effect of the magic yet again. The triton could feel the constricting effects of the rainbow bubble beginning to take their toll on her body and she knew she needed to do something, anything to get unstuck. And then she remembered she wasn't actually alone in this rainbow cage. The tall human female and her steed were also imprisoned by the gnome's magic. Maybe they too had been blinded by the initial onset of the spell. Well, she could help with that at least.

"Hey, tall, handsome and mount!" She called out. "Not sure if you have a way out of this or not, but if one of you happened to get blinded by that annoying gnome's spell I can help with that. Unfortunately I'm a little stuck at the moment. So you guys will have to come closer. My healing technique needs touch to work. And if I ever manage to get out of this irksome bubble, that Archwitch is up for some punishment." Aryn uttered the last sentence with a sardonic whisper and an almost feral, predatory grin.

[1 successful and 2 failed con saves. Successful con save to not get blinded. Aryn will use Restore Health and spend 3 psi points to remove the blind condition from Adal.]

[Vas is stunned, is this the end? O:]

@JBRam2002 "We've got the witch now!" Mila called out. "Keep her stunned!" Another curse, this one uttered from a dark infernal phrase, encapsulated the enemy witch as a quartet of blasts of pure arcane energy shot out from Mila's outstretched palm, pummelling Vasillia again and again and again. One of the blasts shot wide into the sky, but another made up for it by landing square on her forehead. Where each blast landed, the necrotic energy from her Hex burned, withering her skin slightly.

[Mila does not move. She uses her Bonus Action to cast Hex, imposing disadvantage on Dexterity checks, hopefully to make grappling easier. With her Action, she casts Eldritch Blast, hitting three of four bolts and scoring a critical for a total of 29 force damage + 19 necrotic damage = 48 total. Now Concentrating on Hex.]

@Azena "We don't need her dead, we need answers."

[Rygar deals non-lethal damage with his shortsword and bonus action unarmed strike to knock out the gnome. Total 21 damage.]

@The Grey Dust Whatever was happening outside, Neither Adal nor Alex could discern. The wall of colours effectively took form around them as the coward witch fled. Enclosing all three combatants in a prismatic sphere as her spell took form with her taunts. Such vile witchcraft was dishonorable, no true warrior relies on walls against her enemies, only the might of her spirit and body shall win. Yet these walls were treated with caution, for their aurora of seven-fold light seemed sinister enough. Normally the temple elders would dispel such magical effects, but there were none here. Not even the horned girl seemed to be able to do away with this trickery. Already scorned for her cowardice in battle, now doubly detestable to the valkyrie for her magical snare. The burning rage still churning inside as the warrior woman, that evil half-pint got away. And...

"I cannot see, Alex." The unicorn's telepathy entered her storming mind. A beacon of clarity in her zeal. The Unicorn neither moving forward nor back but instead standing there amidst the raging barbarians. And it seemed from the agonized shout of the other amazon, Adal was not the only one blinded though the stocky dwarf made no such complaints. With what vision afforded to Alex she watched atop her mount the only one of the two escape. The male making short work of the walls, a little lighter on his feet than the women perhaps? Or was it less of a wall of light and more of a glass ceiling? Whatever be the case, Alex knew Adal had a possible method to escape this chromatic orb, and yet if her shield-brother was unable to see...

Hey, tall, handsome and mount!
Attention snapped back to the Mer-kin, who seemed to be stuck within the layers of the walls. The layers themselves were thin enough for her to possibly reach back beyond the first wall layer. Her offer of assisting Adal seemed most timely, and guiding her friend up to a trot with her thighs to the other barbarian's position, Alex dismounted to assist in maneuvering the unicorn within reach of the ocean's maiden. "Yes, Battle Maiden, my Shield-Brother has been blinded. He can use his magics to teleport us out of this witch's dome."

"The moment I see, will transport all three of us outside of this bubble. Prepare her to move when we are free." The warning given whatever seemed to be causing the mer-kin to be frozen there.

"Yes! Please heal my brother of this affliction, and together we will tear her limb from limb! The moment he sees us prepare your impressive body and axe for glorious battle sister! We fight for Valhalla!" A rousing speech? Or just the mad zeal of a champion? Perhaps a bit of both to inspire and rally, as the divine energies created an aura radiating from Alex and around Adal and the Mer. A taste of the eternal battle that awaits.
And when an unfamiliar gentle caress touched the Unicorn's snout, and the vision returned to Adal's equine eyes. With a blink the trio were gone. Displaced from the walls and reappearing a good distance away where Adal had intended to give chase to the witch had she not bubbled them all. But it seemed the battle was pretty much over, and all the efforts of escaping were moot.

"By the divines, are we too late?" The zealot became inquisitor for but a moment.

[Alex Cons Save vs Blind = 33, Alex spends 20 feet of movement to Dismount from Adal, freeing Adal as independent actor. Alex uses bonus action to use Zealous Presence grating Adal, Aryn and Alex advantage on attack rolls and saving throws until the start of Alex's next turn. Adal is unblinded by restore health from Aryn, the moment he sees the girls, he uses Teleport to teleport all three outside the bubble. 90 feet away from the center of the Prismatic Sphere towards the direction the witch was escaping last]

---

@JBRam2002@ihinka@16 Bit@Azena@The Grey Dust
[As the dwarf and goat girl struck true to the archwitch, the fake illusion vanished. A bright light surrounded the downed Vasillia, similar to one that brought everyone there in the first place. Then, she was gone. No trace of her remained and nothing was left behind. The ninja; frog food, eventually stopped struggling. Filling up the frog's stomach with a bright light before vanishing as well. Combat over, everyone gains 20 xp]

[Following the end of combat, Aryn failed the last of her Con Saves {14} turning her into stone. A bright light enveloped the statue and took her from this world.]

[JBRam2002]

Mila Zaseis

---

"No wait!" Mila called out as the light enveloped their adversary. "Why'd you leave her alive?!" Mila cried at Rygar, fury evident on her face. "Now we won't get a chance to get our answers from her! Tmaf'rz kh la pyilw jiduilz; far zmaf vawz oyir zmy waoz vorv zylvyr oarc ao xe eaar sarp!" The tiefling devolved into Infernal cursing once again before she finally took a breath and looked back at her assumed allies, apparently calm once more.

"Right... so, she is not dead. With any luck, we have chased her away to never fight us again. I am not so hopeful, however... a mage like her is bound to have powerful and dangerous allies. Like that assassin..." Mila looked around frantically for a moment, but didn't see him. "I suppose first things should be first, eh? I am Mila, a servant of the Raven Queen and a destroyer of all those who defile the natural order, like that Archbitch. Does anyone know where we are?"

If nothing else, the intense focus of her fighting style seemed to dissipate as Mila's conversation shifted from one item to the next. Her gaze bounced between the various people that had joined her in the fight. They had seemed like valiant fighters, what little they had contributed. She couldn't blame the monk for trying to get answers; he likely didn't have lifelong access to magic like she had. Her fingers clutched at a tiny silver cage she held in her component pouch, regret still evident on her face. Further investigation revealed that one of their number was no longer moving after she had teleported closer... and in fact appeared to have turned to stone. Mila stepped forward and placed a hand on the triton's petrified features and sighed. "This magic is far beyond what I can fix. I'm sorry, but her time has come." Just then, the bright light enveloped the statue's form. "Frickin Levistus, can't I just have one moment?!"

Infernal Translation

Thou'rt by no means valiant; For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork of a poor worm.

[Azena]

Rygar Treeguard

---

Two swift strikes to the witch and she was down for the count, as the humans in Stoneport would say. His fist eased as he sheathed his shortsword. Then, the flash of light. Rygar's grin was erased as the berate began from his spell slinging ally. He hadn't considered his action valiant so much so as necessary. He wasn't exactly sure the meaning of the worm insult, but figured it meant she thought him weak for sparing the gnome. Though, he had no intention of sparing her. She shouldn't have been able to get away. Rygar was certain she had been rendered unconscious.

"Mila." Rygar repeated as his ally introduced herself. It was committed to his memory. He was unfamiliar with the Raven Queen, but he certainly respected her stance on the natural order. It was similar to his own cause. She would be a good ally to have until he could find a way home. He mouthed to introduce himself when her flow of thought apparently moved on. He simply shrugged to her locale question.

Another flash. Rygar was getting tired of the abuse to his eyes. Another flash...

"The same light as the gnome. Could the warrior be alive as well, then?" He approached the rest of the group; his eyes still transfixed on where their comrade had once stood. She didn't get the opportunity to showcase her talents, but Rygar had sized her up to be a formidable fighter. Same said for the other mighty warrior among them. Mila's assistance in bringing down the witch, not to ignore that foe's talents, taught him not to sell her short, either. Whether these strong women would be appreciated allies or further surprise enemies was yet to be determined.

[The Grey Dust]

Alexandra the Valkyrie

---

A hollow victory. For the the witch disappeared into the light. A light rather similar to the one that washed over mount and rider. More trickery? The trio emerged from the unicorn's blink mostly unscathed, though it appeared too late. The gnome was already knocked out, and the glory of snapping her spine and crushing her skull went to her defeaters. The demon-kin and the dwarf would have the honor of killing the witch. And yet that too vanished and slipped away. Cheated twice, now as Alex sighed and turned to face the Mer-kin warrior women who was a formidable ally and rival, words began to be uttered upon her lips as a congratulatory pat on the back. Until a strange sensation shocked her fingertips, the scales of a mer-kin were not so rough, but perhaps true the amazon's body was solid. The powerful muscles of her form unmoving, not tense with strength and but stiff like a frozen corpse laid across the battlefield for a few days. There eyes darted back to see Aryn stoned to death. Suspended in the enchantment, encased in the petrified prison, and then without much ceremony a light bathed the aquatic barbarian and all chances of their friendship disappeared with her. A solemn nod at the loss of a comrade. She had not given them a name to be remembered by, nor left a body to belovingly burn on the pyre. May they their souls meet again, "Until Valhalla beckons, Brave Warrior..."

But there was no time to mourn the loss of a powerful ally. They still had no idea of where they were or who summoned them all. And now they numbered two fewer, strangers in a strange place. These other three, who were they beyond fighters? Calming her zealous rage,
Alex relaxed the divine fervor in favour of seeking out the truth. Patting Adal's flank before leading him towards the group, her spear ready to defend them should they suddenly turn on the horse and rider. "She fought well, and deserves Valhalla. Let there be peace between us for I am no treacherous witch seeking to harm you. I am Alexandra, servant of Valhalla, and this is my shield-brother, Adalwin, we were defending our temple from an assault by a powerful demon until a light appeared. And here we are, if we do not return, I fear our temple will be no more. And I will have failed my duty to protect it..."

"If there is no quarrel amongst us, shall we travel together to seek answers to find a way back to our own homes?"

[JBRam2002]

Mila Zaseis

---

The noble intentions of the other woman were definitely more altruistic than Mila's actions, but the party did not need to know that. "Defending the honor of your deity? I would certainly have no quarrel with that, unless your deity happens to be Orcus. Demons are nasty folk, to be sure." The warlock glanced around the area, trying to keep an eye out for enemies awaiting them. This field they were in must be patrolled by extremely powerful clerics to ensure that the deceased (or unconscious) were rescued before their demise, but it certainly posed several problems. Her necromantic signature spells would be less than useful if all of her foes disappeared before death. The Hexblade's power was drawn at least partially from the death of those she cursed, and the Soul Cage that her fingers now slowly released would see little use with no souls to entrap.

"I say we take a quick breather," Mila suggested. "My guess is if we haven't returned after an hour, the teleportation spell that moved us here might be permanent. Although I too was defending... some sort of honor, I am less likely to be in any sort of distress about missing an hour or so. I am more concerned about the witch coming back to exact vengeance, and would like to not be around for that." She plopped down on the grass and began to strum a tune on her lyre lazily, a calm and listless melody reminiscent of the plight of innocence lost in a wild world.

"And what about you two?" Mila asked pointedly to the dwarf and artificer. "What were you up to when you were brought here so forcefully?" Her legs crossed underneath her, and she rocked slowly in time with the music. Every so often, a quiet tune, almost like a lullaby. Despite the Infernal language, the song held the same theme of innocence and wonder at every new thing, beautiful and strange and completely foreign to this world.

[16 Bit]

Harridan Tyke

---

Following the battle, Harridan peered into the mouth of her frog to note just how thoughowly the bright light had taken the ninja away. Not a trace remained as she sighed and switch her focus back to a more casual mindset. "Yes, valhalla..." Harridan mused to herself; mind caught in the past, if only temporary. She and her frog gathered among the others, taking note of the goat girl's and human's name. It was sad to see one turned against and another sent to stone. If only the dwarf and goat girl's valiant chase wasn't so... fatal. A silent nod responded to the suggestion to rest. She didn't exactly need it herself, but knew better to take what the could get.

The halfling laid back against her frog, and stared up into the twilight sky. Her mind continuously drifting through thoughts as the lyre played; until summoned by the musician herself. "Oh me? Well, I'm sure nothing as ... thrilling as anyone else here. Just some menial tasks I do time and time again. What ever our duties, though; I'm sure its safe to assume we can forget about those. Who knows how well the fates will treat us in this strange land. Certainly nothing like from which I hail. Malory and I, er Harridan Tyke, have been all over the world. And for starters, I've never seen trees as thick as these here."

A quick glance at the faces of the party, and Harridan dismissed her thoughts. The odds of knowing anyone here were neigh impossible. "And what about you, goat girl? What does a murderous bard find herself missing from her daily life; and instead trapped here with the rest of us." Her words, perhaps a bit snarky, but mostly just out of impatience. A lot of work was left back where she came from; but she wasn't even sure if she would be able to make it back. Or at least with this group.

@JBRam2002

[16 Bit]

"Well, wasn't that exciting folks!? First of all, can we get a round of applause for our newest group? Not even a minute in, and already they are giving you what you came to see. That darned witch thought she could escape the clutches of her summoned peers, but Nope! They sure showed her! Too bad about that one girl, though. It seemed something happened in the middle of the rainbow barrier; but that's probably best left behind closed curtains." Wink. "Though, that dwarf sure did escape in a hurry, am I right? Haha!"

"Anyhow, it seemed our little ninja friend had unfortunately became frog food; leaving just four combatants remaining. Four combatants who seemed to made some sort of peace with each other, but fret not! They will learn their sad truth soon enough folks, or be eliminated in the process; and have we just yet to get started! We here at Galaxy Gladiators pride ourselves on making the best pairings possible for viewers like you. We know any number of things can happen on the battlefield and can guarantee a good show. More survivors, means bigger battles And do we have a big one for you tonight!"

---

The sky darkened; a bright full moon replacing the sun and casting a clean light across the field. Nothing stood out of the ordinary of the general wilderness. Though, behind the group; a dim light started to appear. Growing ever brighter as it resembled the same bright lights that brought them there and took the others away. It was evident that a bunch of things were headed their way. Based off the rate the light grew, the party could estimate they had roughly a round before the light would turn into a solid mass.

---

Combat Two* - INITIATIVE:

Mila - 20
Dim - 18
Alexandra - 16
Rygar - 14
Harridan - 10
Adalwin - 9
Malory - 7

---

[16 Bit]

Combat 2, Round 1

@JBRam2002As the lights descended in front of the party, Mila stood to her feet, a look of confusion on her face. "I thought we got rid of the summoner!" she called out, surprise evident on her face. She stepped away a few paces and cast a spell, encasing her body with a thin sheen of ice. "Get ready; there's a whole host of them coming!"

[Casting Armor of Agathys (at level 2 from racial ability) to gain +10 Temp HP and a defensive buff that deals 10 cold damage to any enemy that hits her with a melee attack. She then steps to the East 30 feet, getting as far away from the potential enemies as possible.]

@The Grey DustMore? Was this Valhalla? A realm of infinite battle, where warriors fight and fall, whisked away to the great halls for mead and mutton? A short reprieve to make minor talk, recuperating themselves as well as they could. The battle had left the pair unscathed, but the others may have had some injuries to mend and wounds to lick. Nothing major that would kill them, but certainly the other two women left in the group were no warriors. The demon-kin looked more of a tavern wench, and the halfling looked more like some puny librarian. The male dwarf was perhaps the only one Alex could feel some level of kinship with as a warrior, yet he looked unimpressive for male with more stocky paunch than true muscle. Yet these were the trio Alex had left to deal with as Mila suggested a short reprieve. With a shrug of powerful shoulders, Alex took to watching their open position, keeping spear and guard ready as the others made their introductions. The Valkyrie need nothing of a rest for herself, her training kept her body in peak prime physicality, and yet against witchcraft she had no true defense to ward off such dishonorable trickery. Thus Mila and Harridan would be good to balance out such shortcomings. Within moments the summoning light appeared, no horn blew to announce the next wave, yet with tightened grip around her spear and a divine wave of rippling muscles stirring beneath the rustle of her green garb... "Get behind me girls, Adal stay with them. Dwarf, you're with me."

[Bonus action: Alex enters rage]

@AzenaRygar spent most of the downtime in meditation. During this time, the reality of the situation began to set. Everything about this place was foreign. Even the air felt different than home. Without a doubt, he was far from home and couldn't help but to feel concern about how he'd return. For the time being, he'd have to put his faith in Mila to conjure up some means. He didn't like having to trust someone he just met, but what choice did he have? The building in the distance certainly could hold answers, or simply more threats. Rygar didn't like being so uncertain of his next move.

Rygar felt the air shift. The others began to move. He opened his eyes to a pool of white light forming in front of them. That light had brought them together and gave him tentative allies, but also an enemy. He was not willing to gamble his safety on the allegiances of new arrivals. Especially, not with doubt of the witch's fate and her desire for vengeance. Taking note of their last encounter, Rygar moved and prepared for battle; channeling his fury.

"My name is Rygar, and I am with you."

[Rygar moves 50ft to the treeline, the north-east corner of the pool of light. Spends his action to ready his shield and his bonus action to enter rage.]

@16 BitA quick look behind her and Harridan saw what everyone else did. It was a bit suprising to her to see that there were so many so soon, but she supposed there wouldn't be much rest here for the time being. The Valkyrie gave orders like a true leader, though to her it didn't seem like the party was on that level of cooperation yet. As such, Harridan ran where she thought best. Running through the blinding light to find a clearing in the middle of it. "Mallory, left. Shield." Hopefully, this wouldn't put her in too bad a spot, but if these new comers proved to have potential for a better group, she wouldn't mind switching sides.

[Harridan activates her shield. Running 30 feet NW in the middle of the light. Swtiching her psychic focus.]

@The Grey DustThis was... Not as intended. Sure the dwarf Rygar did take the northeast, allowing Alex to sweep in the southeast with Mila taking a distance away. But it seemed the halfling had other plans, charging into the field of light with her entourage it seemed. Of which The Valkyrie's suggestion to trust in her might in leading the charge seemed to fall on short ears. At least the horned girl appropriately allowed their front-liners to take the brunt of the incoming assault. A myriad it seemed, coming in from who knows where... Thus leaving Alex's side, the unicorn trotted easily over to Mila, a soft glow to its magical spiraling horn. Undead, angels, demons, fey, what enemies are they?

[Move Action: Adal moves east to within 10 feet to the North Side of Mila. Action: Adal Casts at will: Detect Evil and Good (Concentration)]

@16 Bit Mallory moved west as his master commanded. If he had thoughts, he'd loved to know what his master was thinking; but as a mechanical servent he did his job perfectly.

[Mallory moves 20 ft west and awaits further orders]

-------------------------------


The light solidifies and takes shape. Revealing the face of 15 undead mindlessly shambling in place. However, the zombies were not the only ones pulled through as amongst their numbers were two people caught in whatever conflict fate had sent them in to. One, a black tabaxi. And the other, a human merchant (judging by the bag of wares strapped to her back).

Combat Two* - INITIATIVE:

Merchant
Mila - 20
Dim - 18
Alexandra - 16
Rygar - 14
Harridan - 10
Adalwin - 9
Zombies
Malory - 7

[16 Bit]

Combat 2 - Round 2 / End

The merchant looked around curriously at the sudden shift in scenery. Gone was the road which she traveled by, and in the place of her caravan, zombies plagued the field. Though, she wasn't the onlly living person around. And there was a clear getaway up to the north she could take shelter in. Perhaps, over by the dwarf to use him as a shield. "Ah, Hello there. Tehe. What a fine day this is. I don't suppose you can protect me from this sudden horde of zombies, can you?" The merchant digs into her bag around for a shoddy bow and a few arrows.

[The merchant runs 15 ft, just northwest of Rygar. Equipping a couple of weapons.]

@JBRam2002Zombies. Why'd it have to be zombies? Mila sighed as she flipped through the various spells she had in her mind. It didn't help that one of her allies had jumped into the middle of the pile of enemies before she had a chance to blast them, nor that not all of the foes seemed entirely hostile. Drawing the life out of an undead enemy would be less than productive, as would sending a wave of negative energy at them. Unless she were commanding them... but this seemed a different situation. No, there were few good options on the table for her, but she definitely still had several to choose from.

"Get away from the zombies!" Mila called out, hoping that both the artificer and the newcomers could hear. "We'll keep you safe!" Well, the last statement wasn't exactly a promise, but an offer of peace for now. Conjuring up an old spell she had rarely dusted off in recent months, Mila focused on the spot that would hit the most enemies, and hopefully avoid any allies. "BREAK!" she cried, as a great thunderous sound erupted from the midst of the zombies, the very air itself seeming to shatter around them.

[Mila does not move, but instead casts Shatter at lvl 5. DC 22 CON Save for all affected, or they take 6d8 = 26 thunder damage. AoE is a 10 ft rad sphere, centered at the point below and between J & K. This should (?) affect G, H, I, J, K, N, O and miss all allies.]

@ihinkaDim was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the clearing. Her eyes two slits of bluish gleam. Not really closed. Always vigilant.

"The insolence with which you never give me your full attention is amusing as ever." The Raven Queen's voice echoed in Dim's mind.

"The way in which you expect me to drop my guard down completely, just to have a conversation is baffling as ever." Dim returned the gesture to her patron deity. It's not that she was deliberately insolent. But she was a cat and somehow that made her choice of words more pointed than intended. If not outright rude. Where as a matter of fact sometimes she just did not care for niceties. "Now can we skip the pleasantries and go straight to the point. Where am I needed?" Dim forged on, not giving her patron the chance to engage into a long-winded exchange of barbs. She heard a resigned sigh and could almost picture the Raven Queen shaking her head.

"Fine. We'll do it your..."

The voice in Dim's head cut off abruptly as a bright light engulfed the sitting frame of the tabaxi. A moment later the cleric found herself smack dab in the middle of a battle field of sorts. There were zombies on both sides and in front of her and there were also some living persons yelling and shouting directions and warnings.

"Well don't you just work in mysterious ways." Dim rolled her eyes. "Although I don't think this was what you had in mind for me." She growled softly exposing her sharp feline teeth and spoke again. "Well, I'm here now so I might as well do as you bid."

Dim stretched to her full length. She took a ready stance, slipping her kukri out of its sheath, a black raven head earring swaying gently from her right ear. Dim started reciting loudly a prayer in her husky voice.

[Dim will Channel Divinity and Turn Undead. Each undead within 30 feet that can see or hear her must make a 19 Wisdom save. Any undead with CR 2 or lower that fails is instantly destroyed. She'll Disengage and move next to O zombie opposite Alex.]

[A wave of holy might radiates from the cleric, disintigrating the majority of the zombies. Only B, G, and I remain.]

@The Grey DustImpressive. The purity of devotion of an acolyte, and the magic of the demon girl. With a ringing the bones broke and fractured, with a holy chant the rest crumbled. Only three remained to be dealt with, assuming the cat was on their team. Not sure about the other non-zombie newcomer, but anyone who destroys the undead with holy acumen was good in Alex's books. Now to get in on the action and prove her worth, despite lacking any form of magical trickery or holy power, the sheer might of zeal would be all the Valkyrie would give. With a rush to charge into battle, fleet of foot running with spear thrust with both arms to pierce the Zombie's chest. A battle cry as the barbarian woman leapt into the fray and lanced her foe striking true. From the impaled body a burst of light, and then ashes which powdered the still-moving warrior in a puff of grey dust. Strong muscles pulling back the spear to her side as the next zombie in her path came within range, pulling back the sting before unleashing once more the judgment of Valhalla upon the undead. An undead shish-kabob, pierced through and lifted up for the heavens to see the offering she made them. Splattered across her face, the entrails and gore that slid down the shaft to anoint her zeal with the blessings of battle. The rush of her rage, clearly getting the better of her womanly sensibilities... Then again Alex was no dainty woman...

[Move Action A: Alex spends 10 feet of movement to position diagonally SE of zombie I.
Attack Action A: Alex Raging Spear attack vs Zombie I = 1d20 + 17 = (3)+17=20 - HIT!
Damage Roll for Attack Action A: Raging Spear piercing damage vs Zombie I = 1d10+10+4 Piercing + 1d6 10 Radiant = (9)+10+4 + (1)+10 = 23 + 11 Radiant - Zombie I falls to the Spear of Light
Move Action B: Alex spends 10 feet of movement to position diagonally SE of zombie I.
Attack Action B: Alex Raging Spear attack w/ Flanking Advantage vs Zombie G = 2d20 + 17 = (18, 9)+17=35 - HIT!
Damage Roll for Attack Action B: Raging Spear piercing damage vs Zombie G = 1d10+10+4 Piercing = (8)+10+4 = 22 - Zombie G falls]

@AzenaSo much happening so quickly. Rygar could have blinked and missed it all. The light solidified into those vile abominations. He had to deal with undead only once before when a fugitive necromancer hid deep in the forest. It's not something he's particularly trained to handle, but his skills saw him through.

Out of the horde came the human. Rygar had to resist the urge to strike her down. A compulsion originating equally from his caution and the controlled fury inside him. She was unassuming, but could be hiding a vast amount of power. He would deal with her after the more pressing issue.

Before he could react, the horde was decimated until one remained. Rygar wasn't sure to feel impressed or useless. Either way, he contributed.

[Rygar walks up to Zombie B and attacks twice (activating his Defender ability to transfer his sword's +3 bonus to his AC) dealing 19 total damage.]

@16 BitOn one hand, the zombies appearing from the light essentually solidified her opinion to try to make it with this group. On the other, she didn't actually mind if this new cleric was to join. Perhaps this party was better off than she thought. Reaching into her bag, she grabs and flicks a vial of acid at the remaining zombie. Letting it dissolve away the rotten flesh before turning to the two newcomers.

[Harridan deals 40 acid damage, vs failed dex save 19, to zombie B, finishing it off and ending combat. Everyone gains 35 Exp.]

---------------

The two newest surviving additions to the field seemed quite interesting. The zombies obviously no match for the cleric, though the merchant seemed more carefree of being whisked away to a strange place in the middle of a warzone. "Try as you might, it seems you two might be stuck here the same as us. Unless you have some ungodly power to break us all out. I-" Well, she would've talked more, but instead cleared her throat and pretended as if she had nothing else to say. Best to let the rest of the party determine for themselves if to keep or fight the cleric and merchant. Harridan casually walked over to her frog and pretended to do some maitenece as she stared off in the distance towards the tower. Playing close attention to the group behind her.

The merchant sensing the end of combat began to repack the weapons she brought out. No since in wasting potential merchandise. Though, it seemed like the dwarf had other plans. Twice Rygar tried to grapple her, and twice he failed. Not that she minded. She knew raging barbarians don't always think for themselves enough. "Hey~ Not so fast. Precaution or not, I'm still a lady~" She finished gathering her things and smiled at the group. She was quite intrigued on how well they were able to clear the field. Hopefully they had cash equal to their skill.

Grapple Mechanics

1: Rygar 19 vs Merchant 30 | fail
2: Rygar 18 vs Merchant 27 | fail

[JBRam2002]

Mila Zaseis

---

The lights had appeared before Mila had a chance to answer the question from the Halfling. "Murderous bard" wasn't normally how she described herself, but she had been called worse. She was about to respond, but they were interrupted by a hoard of zombies and a few newcomers. It seemed her defensive spell for the day had been mostly a waste, but she was feeling a bit more cautious after the witch's appearance. The zombies were quickly dispatched, leaving the tabaxi and merchant unharmed. "Good," Mila muttered quietly to herself.

However, the dwarf decided that it would be a good idea to try to hold the merchant down, and reached for her to hold her in place. The merchant was a bit more agile than she first appeared, deftly avoiding the grappling dwarf. Mila sighed quietly to herself before stepping forward. "Hey now, no need for that," she called out. "Unless she attacks us, why not let her run free?" Most likely, the merchant knew as little as the rest of them. "My name is Mila. We just arrived here ourselves..." The tiefling glanced between the two newcomers with some trepidation. "Do you two know what's going on?"

[16 Bit]

Anna the Merchant

---

"Tehee, thank you kindly for giving me a chance. My name's Anna, a travelling merchant out to make a quick buck. But, are you not the ones who summoned us? No, that is rather odd. Being the one who arrived here, I would be the one coming to visit you under normal circumstances. Except I was whisked away without any warning. Hmm. Well, I don't know anything about how I was taken with out any action on my part; but this place seems oddly familiar to one of the other worlds that pop up once and again. Normally you have to travel through such a place to visit the other side, but I was just on a convoy with other merchants like myself."

@JBRam2002