Dark Rumblings

[Ebiris]

"We'll return to the ground floor for now then, that seems to be where the worst of the taint is," Alicia says, leading the way back down to the grand hall and then opening the door on its eastern side.

[Anastasia]

On returning the grand hall, you can notice something. Near the southern door out of it a canine slinks in the shadows, pitch black and muscled, powerfully formed. It's watching the four of you as you pass.

[Ebiris]

Is it evil/boasting significant magic?

[Anastasia]

It is evil with only two spells on it - greater mage armor and false life.

[Ebiris]

Alicia turns and levels her blade at the skulking canine, Marie similarly preparing her magic while the clenching fist holding the arcanaloth swivels behind her.

"Surrender yourself!" Alicia demands, giving it a chance since it hadn't immediately attacked them like the vermin did.

[Anastasia]

Intimidate, +5 circumstance bonus.

[Ebiris]

[18:32] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+51+5
[18:32] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+51+5 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{60}

[Anastasia]

The dog takes one look at you and slinks back, ears down and whimpering softly.

"At least dogs know an alpha when they see it," Ebony says dryly, "For you do lead our pack."

[Ebiris]

"The thing that I killed over there seemed to have a thing about dogs, he might have been its trainer," Alicia gestures at the fallen pile of gear lined up against the silver fire borehole in the wall. "Speaking of, would you collect that equipment Ebony?"

Meanwhile Alicia tries to determine if this is a mere animal or if it has greater intelligence.

Same alter realitied 'detect intelligence' thing I used on the swarm earlier to figure out its int score with no delay, not worried about reading its mind.

[Anastasia]

It's semi intelligent, more than an animal but less than a man.

> roll 1d20 20 fishing
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20 0 fishing --> [ 1d20=8 ]{8}

Int 4.

[Ebiris]

Syala might appreciate the project, though she prefers Martin herself. "Heel," she instructs the dog while Ebony loots.

[Anastasia]

Ebony does so, gathering the equipment with a grimace, using her dagger to move some of it.

The dog heels as you command, not resisting at all.

"While no Cantenora," Ebony speaks up, "Perhaps in time Antenora will warm to a pet dog?"

[Ebiris]

With Marie and Alicia both keeping half an eye on the dog, they go to open the Eastern door of the hallway.

"Never was much for dogs myself," Alicia admits.

[Anastasia]

It leads to a short hallway with a door to the east. It's plainer, the feeling of a service hallway rather than part of the grand hall.

The vermin here die an unremarkable death.

[Ebiris]

She goes along and opens the East door.

Marie also has to recast her clenched fist by now.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Marie: 515+20/515
Active spells: Extended superior resistance (CL 31), extended mind blank (CL 31), greater arcane sight (CL 31), extended repelling shield (CL 31), bibliotheca arcana (CL 31), extended nondetection (CL 31), extended ray deflection (CL 31), greater heroism (CL 31), recitation (CL 31), sensual blessing (CL 31)
Defences: AC 93 (touch 35), CMD 83, spell resistance 45, energy immunity (electricity, cold, negative energy), energy resistance 10 (acid, cold), (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting), protective aura, nondetection (DC 46), ray deflection
Stat buffs/penalties: +11 shield AC, +15 insight knowledge, +4 morale attack/saves/skills, +3 luck attack/saves, +25 competence perception
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, blessed sight 120, see invisibility, greater arcane sight, low-light vision, scent, blindsight 60, tremorsense 60, perception +71
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/3/10/8/7/7/6/6/7/2/5/4/2
Limited SLAs available: Limited wish, radiant assault, heal, meteor swarm, time stop

Avatarlicia: 582+60/582
Active spells: Extended nondetection (CL 32), many moments of prescience (CL 31), epic mage armour (CL 31), extended greater anticipate teleportation (CL 32), extended repelling shield (CL 32), sensual blessing (CL 31), greater heroism (CL 31), recitation (CL 31), dance of the unicorn (CL 31), keen edge (CL 31), foresight (CL 31), ray deflection (CL 32), magic vestment (CL 31), greater magic weapon (CL 31)
Defences: AC 81 (touch 34), CMD 82, spell resistance 46, energy immunity (cold, negative energy), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, and fear), nondetection (DC 47), ray deflection
Stat buffs/penalties: +13 armour, +9 shield, +4 morale attack/saves/skills, +3 luck attack/saves, +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +2 insight AC/reflec, +1 enhancement attack/damage
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, arcane sight, low-light vision, scent, blindsight 60, tremorsense 60, perception +73
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/13/12/10/8/9/11/7/6/0/7/6/5/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/17/17/16/9/4