The key fit in the base of the closest mirror and turned easily, allowing us to redirect the beam of focused moonlight so that it was shining upon the statue’s face. Not wasting any time, we trod around the balcony, to get to the second mirror. We had a plan, so there wasn’t any reason to dawdle.

Vestele’s Mass Aid roll: 1d8+12 = 18 (temp HP)

Siora’s Mirror Image roll: 1d4+4 = 6 (Images)

When we were gathered around the second mirror, the sisters cast their spells. Siora suddenly had several mirror images swirling around her, and I could feel the slight boost in morale from Vestele’s spell. Vestele then turned and placed her hand on Frostmane, casting a second spell. When it was completed, the white wolf’s teeth glowed with brilliant light.

“What was that? What did you do to my teeth?”

Vestele smiled at the wolf. “It is a ‘Brilliant Blade’ spell. I asked Malcanthet to grant your teeth the same ability as brilliant energy weapons, so that should allow you to ignore at least some of the barbarian’s defenses, even if they don’t fall for your taunts and fight you in their wolf form.”

I took a breath. “All right. Siora, you and Frostmane head downstairs. Call out when you’re ready, and I’ll move the mirror.”

When they called out, I turned the key in the base of the second mirror, and began moving it. just before I played the light across Selune’s face, I paused. “All right, Siora. Hit me.”

I felt the Beguiler’s hand upon my shoulder, and heard her utter a spell. I didn’t wait to see if it worked, since I knew the spell would only last so long. With a move of my hand, I pushed the mirror up, and the circle of moonlight overlapped with the other, centered on the statue’s face.

The next instant, there was a thrum of power, and a sound that was felt instead of heard, like the breaking of glass. And then the time field collapsed, with a rush of air as time began flowing again. This had the happy side effect of throwing the three werewolves off balance with the sudden change. Not enough to throw them off their feet, but at least they were no longer charging forward. It would have to do.

Initiatives (Surprise Round)

Siora

Melinda

Frostmane

Vestele

The instant the time field broke, Siora unleashed the spell she’d readied. Shadow became ice, forming a wall a foot thick and twenty feet high, stretching from pillar to pillar. To the wolves, who had only just been returned to the normal flow of time, it would have appeared instantly, too fast for them to react to. With that done, SIora took wing, flying off the balcony, so she could get to the main fight.

Melinda’s Attack (Arden): 1d20+19 = 35 (Flat-footed) (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+3 = 4 (Slashing)

Vampiric Damage: 1d6 = 1 (Slashing) (DR 10/Silver)

Frozen Fury: 1d6 = 3 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Ruinous: 1 (CHA damage)

Vitriolic Blow: 7d6 = 25 (Acid Resistance 10)

Hot on her heels, I swooped down off the balcony, and angled towards the leader. As I landed, my black blade slashed through the werewolf’s defenses easily enough, but I could feel it not doing as much damage as it should. Even the acid did not do much damage. I’d known the Huntlord wouldn’t be easy to take down, but this gave me a much greater appreciation of how much trouble I was in.

Frostmane charged forward, bounding through the pool of water between him and the barbarian. The wolf snarled a challenge as he approached, “You little whelp! Come and face me as a wolf, if you aren’t too frightened!”

Vestele’s CL Check: 1d20+12 = 15 (Fail)

Vestele called out a prayer to the Queen of the Succubi, and a scourge of mystic energy formed in the air next to the Malarite priestess. But when the scourge hit the werewolf’s hide, it shattered into nothingness! Vestele bit back a curse at the sight. “Damn, they are even more resistant to magic than the others! Our spells aren’t going to be much use here!”

Initiatives

Siora

Melinda

Frostmane

Haar Bloodhowl

Lyndis Blackfang

Arden Blackfang

Vestele

Siora’s CL Check: 1d20+16 = 25 (Fail)

Siora looked over at the barbarian, and cast a charm spell. Unfortunately, the spell washed over the werewolf, and left him completely unphased. “Damn, same with the barbarian. Even with my tricks, his defense is tough. We’re going to be relying on you, Frostmane!”

Lingering Damage (Arden): 2d6 = 2 (Acid)

Melinda’s Attack (Arden): 1d20+19 = 39 (Flat-footed) (Crit Threat)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+19 = 21 (Crit)

Damage: 2d10+6 = 19 (Slashing)

Vampiric Damage: 1d6 = 1 (Slashing) (DR 10/Silver)

Frozen Fury: 1d6 = 2 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Ruinous: 1 (CHA damage)

Vitriolic Blow: 7d6 = 38 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

Hearing the demon twins’ words did not engender warm feelings in my heart. Keeping the everyone separated was our big plan, but without Siora and Vestele’s spells, that meant the fight on the other side of the ice wall would take much longer. I was going to have to deal with the Huntlord alone.

With that in mind, I slashed again with Soul’s Violation, and again I cut through the werewolf. This time, however, I was luckier in where I hit him, and both my blade and magic cut deep. But it was nowhere near deep enough to down him.

Quickly, I darted back, out of his reach, just in case he figured out where I was striking from. I had no wish to see what the flaming sword in his hand could do up close and personal. I was allergic to getting killed, after all.

Frostmane’s Attack (Haar): 1d20+20 = 25 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite Damage: 1d8+22 = 30 (Piercing) (DR 10/Silver)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 3 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Frostmane’s Trip attempt: 1d20+17 = 24

Haar’s STR Check: 1d20+20 = 33 (Success)

Frostmane did not wait for the barbarian to answer his challenge. Instead, he lashed out with his glowing fangs, ripping the barbarian’s flesh. Unfortunately, his attempt to drag the savage warrior was unsuccessful, because the barbarian was stronger even than Frostmane’s own prodigious strength.

Haar’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+34 = 50 (Hit)

Damage: 5d8+3 = 18 (Slashing)

Haar’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+29 = 36 (Hit)

Damage: 5d8+3 = 25 (Slashing)

Haar’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+24 = 37 (Hit)

Damage: 5d8+3 = 30 (Slashing)

Haar’s Attack (Frostmane): 1d20+19 = 35 (Hit)

Damage: 5d8+3 = 23 (Slashing)

Haar’s Bite (Frostmane): 1d20+19 = 39 (Crit Threat)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+19 = 28 (Normal Hit)

Damage: 1d6+5 = 9

The barbarian snarled in response, unleashing a devastating flurry of blows against Frostmane. Each stroke of the oversized axe bit deep in the white wolf’s hide, and then Haar’s own jaws closed on Frostmane’s flank, coming back bloodied. “You aren’t worth my time, runt!”

Lyndis’s Attack (Vestele): 1d20+23 = 40 (Touch) (Hit)

Miss chance: 1d100 = 35 (Hit)

Vestele’s Fort Save (Slay Living): 1d20+17 = 27 (Success)

Damage: 3d6+15 = 30 (Magic)

The priestess stepped forward, her hand wreathed in blackness. With a slap of her hand, she backhanded Vestele across her face, discharging the spell into her. Vestele cried out in pain, but the priestess seemed only mildly annoyed. “Oh, you lived? I’ll have to try harder, then.”

The Huntlord roared in pain and anger. “TO ME, MY PACK! WE’LL KILL THESE PESTS TOGETHER!” As he yelled out, a black aura surrounded him. I didn’t know what that aura would do, but I doubted it would be good for me.

Lyndis’s AoO (Vestele): 1d20+28 = 29 (Miss)

Vestele’s Heal (Frostmane): 120 (Healing)

Vestele slipped away from the priestess as she tried to crack a whip at her, but missed. Flying across the fountain, she landed next to Frostmane, and placed her hand upon his flank. The next instant, light shone from the white wolf, as his wounds were completely healed. “Keep up the pressure, Frostmane. We have to keep them from helping the leader out.”

Siora’s CL Check: 1d20+14 = 30 (Success)

Siora’s Attack (Haar): 1d20+11 = 24 (Touch) (Hit)

Haar’s Will Save: 1d20+19 = 24 (Fail)

Overwhelm: 268 (Nonlethal) (Unconscious)

“Damn it! Let me try something!” Flapping her wings, Siora flew up to the barbarian, her hand glowing with reddish light. When she touched him, the light lanced through him, and the barbarian slumped to the ground, unconscious.

Siora breathed a bit easier, seeing that. “All right, he’s out, for now. Let’s focus on that priestess, now!”

Lingering Damage (Arden): 4d6 = 9 (Acid)

Melinda’s Attack (Arden): 1d20+19 = 32 (Flat-footed) (Hit)

Aura of Unluck Miss Chance: 1d100 = 34 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+3 = 9 (Slashing)

Vampiric Damage: 1d6 = 3 (Slashing) (DR 10/Silver)

Frozen Fury: 1d6 = 6 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Ruinous: 1 (CHA damage)

Vitriolic Blow: 7d6 = 26 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

Darting forward, I slashed out at the Huntlord again, chopping him down piece by piece. So long as I was invisible, and he was forced to keep paying attention to me, then I could do this. Hopefully.

As I was striking, my blade tried to turn in my hands, but I powered through. That gave me an answer as to the black aura. It was a defensive ability of some kind, clearly. But the blade still bit into him, and the Huntlord roared in pain as I stepped back, giving him room to swing his blade.

Frostmane’s Attack (Lyndis): 1d20+20 = 28 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite Damage: 1d8+22 = 23 (Piercing) (DR 10/Silver)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 2 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Frostmane’s Trip attempt: 1d20+17 = 30

Lyndis’s STR Check: 1d20+13 = 29 (Fail)

Frostmane’s Attack (Lyndis): 1d20+20 = 34 (Hit)

Power Attack (5) Bite Damage: 1d8+22 = 27 (Piercing) (DR 10/Silver)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 3 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Frostmane chuffed at Siora, before making eye contact with Vestele. “Thanks.” Then, he turned, and bounded back the way he came, quickly reaching the Priestess. His gleaming fangs bit down on the priestess, and dragged her to the floor, before ripping another jagged chunk out of her hide.

Lyndis’s Concentration Check: 1d20+21 = 37 (Success)

Lyndis’s Attack Roll (Frostmane): 1d20+19 = 23 (Touch) (Hit)

Frostmane’s Will Save (Insanity): 1d20+11 = 24 (Fail)

The priestess snarled at Frostmane, and said, “Madness take your soul!” With a clawed hand she lashed out, touching the wolf’s ankle, and discharging the spell into Frostmane, before pushing herself back to the edge of the pool.

Arden’s Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+40 = 55 (Hit)

Arden’s Miss Chance: 1d100 = 26 (Miss)

Arden’s Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+35 = 48 (Hit)

Arden’s Miss Chance: 1d100 = 24 (Miss)

Arden’s Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+30 = 42 (Hit)

Arden’s Miss Chance: 1d100 = 10 (Miss)

Arden’s Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+25 = 33 (Miss)

Arden’s Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+30 = 42 (Hit)

Arden’s Miss Chance: 1d100 = 83 (Hit)

Bite Damage: 1d8+16 = 24 (Piercing) (DR 15/Cold Iron)

Vile Damage: 1 (Vile)

The Huntlord roared in frustration, and swung his blade wildly, trying desperately to catch me. On his last swing, he managed to contact me, but my defensive magic was enough to keep the blade from cutting me. Unfortunately, it was enough to give him enough of a clue of my location that he was able to bite me, though Vestele’s spell soaked the part of the damage my magically enhanced skin did not.

Vestele’s Cure Light Wounds (Vestele): 1d8+5 = 8 (Healing)

Vestele nodded to her sister. “Good work, Siora! If he’ll keep, let’s focus on the priestess!” That said, she took a moment to heal the worst of her wounds, before spreading her wings and flying, taking care to avoid getting too close to Frostmane. If the wolf had been affected by the demon werewolf’s spell, she wanted to have at least some warning.

Siora left the collapsed barbarian where he lay, and flew after her sister, landing next to her in the water. She held her enchanted quarterstaff in a defensive stance, as her eyes shifted from Frostmane to the priestess and back again. “You ok, Frosty?”

Lingering Damage (Arden): 6d6 = 29 (Acid)

Melinda’s Attack (Arden): 1d20+19 = 33 (Flat-footed) (Hit)

Aura of Unluck Miss Chance: 1d100 = 26 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+3 = 7 (Slashing)

Vampiric Damage: 1d6 = 6 (Slashing) (DR 10/Silver)

Frozen Fury: 1d6 = 6 (Cold) (Cold Resistance 10)

Ruinous: 1 (CHA damage)

Vitriolic Blow: 7d6 = 21 (Acid) (Acid Resistance 10)

I didn’t have time to worry about what may have happened to Frostmane. Instead, I just slashed the Huntlord once again. Once again, my blade bit into his skin, though I could tell the acid was doing far more damage than my poor bladework did. At any rate, it kept him focused on me, as I slid back, away from him. I did not want to risk another combo like the last one I’d suffered.

Frostmane’s Insanity check: 1d100 = 34

Frostmane… just stood there, eyes unfocused. He spoke, in his barking voice, but the words were all mixed up, like someone simply speaking nonsense. Clearly, whatever had happened to him had messed with his mind.

Vestele’s Fort Save (Heartclutch): 1d20+17 = 35 (Success)

Heartclutch Damage: 3d6+15 = 27

The Malarite priestess glared at Vestele as she rose to her feet. “Damn you whelps! My mate is calling for me. I’ll bring him your heart!” With that cry, the priestess thrust out one hand, clad in magic, towards Vestele. But even as Vestele doubled over in pain, clutching her chest, the priestess spat in disgust. “Just DIE already, damn you!”

The Huntlord had even worse luck, when he turned his blade on the site where I formerly was. Obviously, he failed to touch me, since I was no longer there, which only infuriated him more. He had no way to see through my invisibility, it seemed, so he was effectively at my mercy, at least for now.

Vestele’s Cure Serious Wounds (Vestele): 3d8+12 = 26 (Healing)

Vestele grit her teeth as she muttered the words to a healing spell, and then breathed easier as straightened up. “Siora, see if you can’t put Frostmane to sleep, like you did the werewolf. He is clearly not himself. We’ll worry about the rest later.”