Jack’s Attack (CQ4): 1d20+41 = 43 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+15 = 19 (Piercing)

Lightning Blast: 3d6 = 16 (Electricity)

Jack’s Attack (CQ4): 1d20+36 = 48 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+15 = 16 (Piercing)

Lightning Blast: 3d6 = 7 (Electricity)

Jack’s Attack (CQ4): 1d20+31 = 48 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+15 = 19 (Piercing)

Lightning Blast: 3d6 = 15 (Electricity)

Jack’s Attack (CQ4): 1d20+26 = 43 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+15 = 16 (Piercing)

Lightning Blast: 3d6 = 13 (Electricity)

Strength of the Grave: 1d6+1 = 2 (Negative Energy)

“Well, I was hoping to have more of these little dolls entertain me, but I guess I’ll have to settle for getting as much fun out of these few as I can,” Captain Jack groused playfully. Even as he bantered, his blade was a blur, stabbing into one of the guards four times in rapid succession. His pincushion looked as though he were barely standing after the rapid assault. If not for the protections in his armor, no doubt he’d be dead, as a couple of those hits looked as though they found his vitals. Even as he withdrew his blade, however, a black glow spread from his belt, healing him of his wounds.

While the prince-turned-raven flew off into a corner to hide, the remaining prince stalked forward, careful not to step into the spell array set upon the floor, his eyes never leaving me as he did so. Rapier in hand, he began to sing. The song was in elvish, of course, but the mask I wore allowed me to understand what was being said. It was a song of courage and a last stand against vile foes. More importantly, however, I saw the way that it made all the guards stand up straighter, and the look in their eyes grew brighter.

Melinda’s Concentration Check: 1d20+36 = 45 (Success)

Melinda’s CL Check: 1d20+24 = 40 (Success)

Melinda’s attack roll (Avourel): 1d20+31 = 47 (Touch) (Hit)

Utterdark Chain Damage: 14d6 = 46 (Negative Energy)

Avourel’s Fort save: 1d20+19 = 35 (Success)

Melinda’s attack roll (CQ3): 1d20+31 = 42 (Touch) (Hit)

Utterdark Chain Damage: 23 (Negative Energy)

CQ3’s Fort save: 1d20+2 = 17 (Fail, 2 negative levels)

Melinda’s attack roll (CQ2): 1d20+31 = 47 (Touch) (Hit)

Utterdark Chain Damage: 23 (Negative Energy)

CQ2’s Fort save: 1d20+2 = 10 (Fail, 2 negative levels)

Melinda’s attack roll (CQ5): 1d20+31 = 49 (Touch) (Hit)

Utterdark Chain Damage: 23 (Negative Energy)

CQ5’s Fort save: 1d20+2 = 11 (Fail, 2 negative levels)

Melinda’s attack roll (CQ4): 1d20+31 = 37 (Touch) (Hit)

Utterdark Chain Damage: 23 (Negative Energy) (Dead)

“BARD!” I called out, “Fucker’s a bard! Siora, lock down everyone you can. Vestele, do what you can. Fartooth, don’t let the queen get any ideas!” Bards were not that dangerous on their own, but they had the nasty little habit of making all their allies just that more difficult to deal with. I couldn’t risk letting him get his hooks into the rest of the group.

That said, I also couldn’t just run off and leave the squishier party members without cover. So, instead, I settled on unleashing a bolt of utter blackness from my hand, which bounced from the prince, to the three nearest guards, before splattering a fourth’s innards across the carpet. That was the one that Captain Jack had almost killed. “We got this. Don’t worry, any of you.”

Vestele’s Concentration Check: 1d20+28 = 29 (Success)

Vestele’s CL check: 1d20+21 = 38 (Success)

Fire Storm Damage: 20d6 = 76 (Fire)

CQ1’s Ref Save: 1d20+10 = 11 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ2’s Ref Save: 1d20-2 = 10 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ3’s Ref Save: 1d20-2 = 10 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ5’s Ref Save: 1d20-2 = 11 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ6’s Ref Save: 1d20+10 = 12 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ7’s Ref Save: 1d20+10 = 22 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ8’s Ref Save: 1d20+10 = 18 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ9’s Ref Save: 1d20+10 = 24 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ10’s Ref Save: 1d20+10 = 19 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

Avourel’s Ref Save: 1d20+31 = 42 (Success, Half Damage) (Fire Resist 10)

Aerith’s Ref Save: 1d20+22 = 31 (Success, Half Damage) (Fire Resist 10)

“Then, by the Queen’s grace, let them taste a sample of the fires that they have sold themselves to!” As Vestele held aloft her shield, the symbol upon it glowed, and fire descended upon the throne room, blasting all our enemies, while leaving the rest of us unscathed. None fell in the blast, but it was clear that none of the guards, at least, had escaped some serious wounds.

Siora’s Concentration check: 1d20+31 = 47 (Success)

Siora’s CL Check: 1d20+22 = 40 (Success)

Avourel’s Will Save: 1d20+31 = 34 (Success)

CQ1’s Will Save: 1d20+8 = 28 (Success)

CQ2’s Will Save: 1d20-4 = 16 (Failure, Held)

CQ3’s Will Save: 1d20-4 = 2 (Failure, Held)

CQ5’s Will Save: 1d20-4 = 13 (Failure, Held)

Siora wiggled her fingers, and a wave of power flowed out from her, washing over the prince and the four guards who were yet free. Unfortunately, the prince and the guard that Jack was keeping distracted managed to wriggle free of the spell, but at least the three closest foes were out of the fight, for now. “His mind is too slippery for me, unless you can do something, Mel!”

Aerith’s attack roll (Melinda): 1d20+26 = 29 (Touch) (Miss)

The queen stalked down from her throne, eyes full of rage. Unlike the others, she did not hesitate in stepping past the boundary of the spell circle. No doubt, it was attuned to her in some way, anyways. Regardless, she pointed at me with her scepter, and said, “DIE, PEASANT!” A blast that looked all too much like one of my own fired forward, but I danced to the side, and out of its way. Clearly, I had more battle experience than she did.

Fartooth’s Attack (Aerith): 1d20+34 = 39 (Miss)

Fartooth’s Attack (Aerith): 1d20+34 = 51 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+11 = 16 (Piercing) (DR 5/Cold Iron)

Wounding: 1 CON

Fartooth’s Attack (Aerith): 1d20+29 = 45 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+11 = 14 (Piercing) (DR 5/Cold Iron)

Wounding: 1 CON

Fartooth’s Attack (Aerith): 1d20+24 = 43 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+11 = 15 (Piercing) (DR 5/Cold Iron)

Wounding: 1 CON

Four arrows of psychic might flew through the air in response, with three of them hitting their mark. Fartooth chirped excitedly as he saw his arrows hit home. “Stupid elves talk too much. As if we’d die, just because she says so. Stupid elf makes goblins look smart!”

Nalea’s CL Check: 1d20+26 = 37 (Success)

Avourel’s Will Save (Weird): 1d20+31 = 50 (Success)

Aerith’s Will Save (Weird): 1d20+30 = 41 (Success)

Strength of the Grave: 1d6+1 = 6 (Negative Energy)

Nalea paused, and unleashed another spell. This time, two shadowy figures appeared in front of both the prince and the queen. However, whatever the spell was supposed to do, it clearly didn’t work, as both elves simply brushed them off with cocky expressions. “Damn,” the skeleton mage cursed, as an inky blackness healed her wounds. “They’re tough nuts to crack.”

CQ1’s Attack (Jack): 1d20+34 = 54 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+16 = 18 (Slashing) (DR 5/Bludgeoning)

CQ1’s Attack (Jack): 1d20+29 = 39 (Miss)

CQ1’s Attack (Jack): 1d20+24 = 27 (Miss)

CQ1’s Attack (Jack): 1d20+19 = 22 (Miss)

CQ2’s Will Save: 1d20-4 = 10 (Fail)

CQ3’s Will Save: 1d20-4 = 10 (Fail)

CQ5’s Will Save: 1d20-4 = 4 (Fail)

CQ6’s Will Save: 1d20+10 = 17 (Fail)

CQ7’s Will Save: 1d20+10 = 27 (Fail)

CQ8’s Will Save: 1d20+10 = 16 (Fail)

CQ9’s Will Save: 1d20+10 = 23 (Fail)

CQ10’s Will Save: 1d20+10 = 29 (Fail)

The lone guard capable of free movement fought on zealously, despite the odds quickly turning against him. He even managed a scratch against the Captain, though Jack looked to be still in good health, for a dead man. The other guards tried, but not one of them could break the magic binding them in place.

Jack’s Attack (CQ1): 1d20+41 = 55 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+15 = 17 (Piercing)

Lightning Blast: 3d6 = 9 (Electricity)

Jack’s Attack (CQ1): 1d20+36 = 54 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+15 = 20 (Piercing)

Lightning Blast: 3d6 = 9 (Electricity)

Jack’s Attack (CQ1): 1d20+31 = 46 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+15 = 19 (Piercing)

Lightning Blast: 3d6 = 12 (Electricity) (Dead)

Strength of the Grave: 1d6+1 = 5 (Negative Energy)

Captain Jack turned his attention to the guard that had scratched him. Three quick thrusts of his rapier, and he joined the other guard upon the floor. Even enchanted armor can only do so much when more of your blood was on the outside than the inside, after all. “Tides be turning, lassie, let’s bring ‘er on in to port!”

Avourel’s attack (Melinda): 1d20+39 = 53 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+14 = 20 (Piercing, Cold Iron)

Iron Vulnerability: 1d6 = 4

Acid Assault: 1d6 = 4 (Acid)

Cold Assault: 1d6 = 1 (Cold) (Cold Immunity)

Fire Assault: 1d6 = 3 (Fire) (Fire Vulnerability) (Fire Resistance 5)

Electricity Assault: 1d6 = 5 (Electricity) (Electric Resistance 5)

Melinda’s Ref Save (Resilient Sphere): 1d20+41 = 61 (Success)

Avourel darted forward. He was no longer singing, but that didn’t matter, as his rapier continued the song. His rapier thrust forward quickly, catching me off guard. I felt pain as I had not in a very long time. Oh, the elemental energies that wreathed his blade were nothing. It was the metal itself! Cold Iron! I was so caught up in the pain, that I almost missed the sphere of force attempting to ensnare me, and only just got out of the way in time.

The twisted prince smiled wickedly. “Yes, I see you like the touch of my Feydirge. But you should have just sat in the cage I made for you, like a good little bird. You would have saved yourself so much trouble if you had. But I guess I’m going to have to properly collar and break you, won’t I?”

Melinda’s Concentration check: 1d20+36 = 40 (Success)

Avourel’s Fort Save (Word of Changing): 1d20+7 = 15 (Fail)

I grit my teeth at the bastard’s harassment. In another life, I would have done just that, and tried to bear it. In another life, I’d been powerless. But that was another life, and there was no way in the seven hells or all the infinite planes of the Abyss that I would allow myself to be powerless against a man like this ever again!

“Begone, rat! Nay, I should not say such things, as ‘tis insulting to the rats, but no matter. I’ll hear no more words from you!” And, with that, I lashed out with my power, and the prince disappeared. From the pile of clothing where he stood, a rat squeeked indignantly at me. But they were not words, so it did not matter.

Vestele’s Mass Cure Light Wounds: 1d8+21 = 26 (Healing)

Vestele sighed, and said, “Let the Queen see us in this, our hour of triumph and need! Heal our wounds, so that we might fight and bring low Her foes, exalting Her name!” As she prayed, healing light played over all the living members of the party, healing all our wounds. Thankfully, she remembered to not include the undead in that, or it would have gone badly.

Siora’s CL Check: 1d20+22 = 28 (Success)

Mass Whelm: 10d6 = 31 (Nonlethal)

CQ2’s Will Save: 1d20-7 = 9 (Fail) (Unconscious)

CQ3’s Will Save: 1d20-7 = 7 (Fail) (Unconscious)

CQ5’s Will Save: 1d20-7 = -6 (Fail) (Unconscious)

CQ6’s Will Save: 1d20+7 = 9 (Fail)

CQ7’s Will Save: 1d20+7 = 11 (Fail)

CQ8’s Will Save: 1d20+7 = 23 (Fail)

CQ9’s Will Save: 1d20+7 = 23 (Fail)

CQ10’s Will Save: 1d20+7 = 16 (Fail)

Aerith’s Will Save: 1d20+27 = 39 (Success, no damage)

“Mel, I think the queen is going to be your responsibility,” Siora said, as she channeled her power into a spell. Once she unleashed it, causing several of the soldiers to lose consciousness, even as her other spell held them in place, she continued. “We’ll help how we can, but you are best able to deal with her attacks, and Fartooth can hurt her. That’s he best option we have.”

Fartooth’s Will Save (Dominate Monster): 1d20+27 = 38 (Success)

The queen snarled in rage as she looked at me. “Damn you! I wasn’t through with those foolish boys yet! They haven’t completed their part in the prophecy!” Her eyes then turned on Fartooth. “And you, little monster! You would do better serving someone like me, than thinking for yourself.” Her eyes flashed with red light, but Fartoooth just shook it off.

Fartooth’s Attack (Aerith): 1d20+34 = 35 (Miss)

Fartooth’s Attack (Aerith): 1d20+34 = 46 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+11 = 15 (Piercing) (DR 5/Cold Iron)

Wounding: 1 CON

Fartooth’s Attack (Aerith): 1d20+29 = 42 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+11 = 17 (Piercing) (DR 5/Cold Iron)

Wounding: 1 CON

Fartooth’s Attack (Aerith): 1d20+24 = 31 (Miss)

“Your mind tricks won’t work on me, stupid elf. I am a Soulbow! We use our minds to kill stupid folk like you!” As he spoke, four arrows flew, and three hit their mark, further wounding the queen, eliciting very un-royal curses from her lips in response.

Nalea’s attack roll (Aerith): 1d20+14 = 23 (Touch) (Miss)

Strength of the Grave: 1d6+1 = 2 (Negative Energy)

Nalea clacked her teeth in annoyance. “Don’t forget about us. We may not be the adventuring type, but we can help chip away at her.” As she spoke, she unleashed a ray of bitter cold at the queen. Unfortunately, the telegraphed spell attack missed, deflecting off her magical protections.

CQ6’s Will Save: 1d20+10 = 14 (Fail)

CQ7’s Will Save: 1d20+10 = 21 (Fail)

CQ8’s Will Save: 1d20+10 = 24 (Fail)

CQ9’s Will Save: 1d20+10 = 17 (Fail)

CQ10’s Will Save: 1d20+10 = 15 (Fail)

The remaining guards struggled to try and escape Siora’s spell, but to no avail. All they could do is look on as we attacked the queen they were sworn to protect, the one they’d sold their souls to follow, and be unable to do anything about it. It was pitiable, but I didn’t have any pity for them. They were in my way, after all.

One thing that bugged me, though, was the fact that the queen was too calm for someone who was facing a group of nearly unhurt adventurers, while she was knocking on death’s door. Especially when her allies were all cast aside. She still had cards to play, it seemed.