I breathed out slowly, letting the battle tension leave me as the Voice of the World showed me the results of that last battle.

Your party has defeated Toross Miawraek and her Demon Blades!

Melinda gains 7360 xp.

Fartooth gains 7360 xp.

Siora gains 7360 xp.

Vestele gains 7360 xp.

Loot:

Royal Defender’s Armor x8

Royal Defender’s Blade x8

+1 Composite (+5 STR) Longbow x8

160 Arrows

Amulet of Natural Armor +5 x8

Ring of Protection +5 x8

Ring of Force Shield x8

Belt of Strength +6 x8

Gloves of Dexterity +6 x8

Ioun Stone (Pink Rhomboid) x8

You have Leveled Up!

You are now Level 23.

258116 / 276000 XP to level 24.

+1 Epic Attack Bonus

HD: 1d8+3 = 7

+1 Bluff, +1 Diplomacy, +1 Intimidate, +1 Perform (Dance), +1 Sense Motive, +1 Spellcraft, +1 Use Magic Device

Warlock Abilities

Fiendish Resilience 5

Marshal Abilities

New Minor Aura

Force of Will – Add CHA to Will Saves

I blinked at the newest ability I’d gotten from my Marshall class. I would have to choose between it, and my other minor aura, but this would be all too useful in the coming fight. After all, the queen was clearly some kind of manipulator. She could not have caused so many of the elves in the palace to become corrupted, so quickly, without some kind of magic. And keeping that magic from affecting me, or the others, would be a good thing.

Gathering my power to my voice, I said, “Yes, it is high time we were going. But do not worry about the queen’s tricks! We’ve faced her like before, and we will overcome them, as we always have! Steady hearts, and strike true!”

Captain Jack nodded. “Well said, lass. Might make a leader out of ye, yet.”

I grinned at him, but said nothing. Instead, I just continued forward, leading the way with sword in hand. After all, there wasn’t anything more to say. We needed to take down the queen, because anyone who wanted to unleash hordes of what were essentially my old world’s view of zombies upon the world needed to be stopped. What point was there in having everything in the world, if there was no world to keep it in, after all?

Following the faux-grass carpet, we soon came to a large pair of double doors. The doors were made from wood, but had the metallic look to them that a druid’s Ironwood spell gave off. Since one needed a decently high-leveled druid to be able to cast the spell at all, least of which on something the size of these doors, on top of the additional magic needed to make such a spell permanent? Well, that made these doors a statement of power and wealth, just by their very existence.

And that was without even considering the decorations! Engraved upon the doors were images, depicting elves fighting against fell creatures of some sort. I did not know the history, but I could tell that it was likely some sort of famous tale that anyone who grew up in Silverwood would know. Perhaps the founding of the kingdom? Either way, the images were so lifelike that I could scarce believe they weren’t getting up to challenge us!

In the center of the doors, split on either side, was the symbol of Silverwood itself, a silver tree. And, in this case, I could see that it was actually silver, expertly inlaid in the door. Simple, and elegant, it drew the eye from the scenes surrounding it, and tied them all together.

But we weren’t here to appreciate the artistry of the elves. I took a breath, and then pushed forward, the doors swinging inward with the barest touch of my fingers. The others followed me in, weapons at the ready.

What we saw was horrific.

The throne room, like the rest of the palace, was made from marble, with six great columns supporting the ceiling thirty feet above our heads. The grassy carpet expanded slightly, before covering a square inside the columns. That much was normal enough, as elven palaces went.

Guards, five on either side, were standing there, at attention, lined up between the first two columns on each side of the room. Their two-handed elven blades were held in front of them, the tip resting upon the ground, in perfect formation. Almost as though they were statues, but I could see from their eyes that they were still alive.

It was when one’s eyes beheld the middle part of the room, that the mask of an idyllic elven throne room fell away. Eight everburning torches were arrayed at the eight compass points around a magic circle, containing runes that even from this distance I could see were demonic in nature. And inside that circle? Blood, and corpses, the remains of elves who, no doubt, were less keen on serving the new Queen, and submitting to the corruption she had brought to her royal guards, and her country.

At the far end of the room was a raised dais. A statue of an elven king, wearing armor and bearing a blade, looked over the room, and at its feet were two thrones, side by side, for the king and queen of the land. Torches with emerald flames lent an illusion of greenery to the stone, making it look less like stone, and more like something one might find in the natural world.

Three elven figures resided upon that dais, all dressed in royal finery. Two were no longer ‘pure’ elves, but rather half-demons, with the wings and claws to prove it. Both were male, which made them most likely to be the queen’s brothers, Princes Avourel and Ralnor. Which meant that the woman sitting upon the throne (surprisingly un-demonic, considering everything else we’d seen so far) had to be Queen Aerith.

This knowledge was slightly awkward, and it was probably for the best that Princess Findelye didn’t come with us. I don’t know what she would think of seeing her brothers transformed, but I knew that she would not react well to the scene we saw, with one of the princes kneeling between his sister’s legs, worshipping her with his tongue, while the other prince leaned over the arm of the throne to entertain the queen’s tongue with his own, in a passionate kiss.

“Well, out of everything I could have thought to see the first time I visited an elven court, this is surely the last thing that ever came to mind!”

Siora’s laughing words broke the spell of passion that had been upon the Queen and her consorts, drawing the queen’s irate gaze towards her. “Who dares intrude upon our time of rest? And to bring such filth into our halls! A Kobold? Undead? Some petty fey? What is this menagerie of pets doing here, other than gazing upon the works of their betters?”

I yawned, and said, “The only thing you’re better at, queenie, is in leaving loose ends. If you weren’t too busy getting your brothers to rail you like a two-copper whore, then you might have kept things from coming to this point. But then, you were too busy listening to a succubus’s whispered lies, weren’t you? Didn’t even think to check on those loose ends.”

The queen growled, and shoved her brother away. As she stood, her dress fell down, covering herself, to keep up propriety, if not modesty. “YOU DARE? You dare come into my domain, my kindom, and bandy insults with me? On the very eve of my triumph?”

“You mean the whole plan to corrupt the country with tainted grain? Yeah, that was a really stupid plan, to be honest. Your master seems to be the only one getting anything out of that deal. Or maybe you’re hoping to trade your brothers’ cocks for your demon god’s? Hoping that daddy Graz’zt likes what you did enough to make you one of his toys?”

“DO NOT BLASPHEME AGAINST THE LORD!”

“Make me.”

The queen looked as though she were about to scream in rage, but she stopped, all of a sudden, and shook her head. “No, I will not let lowborn trash get the better of me like that. Ralnor, Avourel, take the guards and deal with these vermin. Destroy the undead. You may use the others as you please, as a gift from me.”

The two princes smiled, and bowed to the queen. As one, they spoke, “As you wish, Mistress,” and then rose, turning to face us. The one who had been kissing his sister drew a rapier, while his brother drew a pair of scimitars.

The one with the rapier locked his gaze upon mine. “I, Prince Avourel Seharinthe, shall take great pleasure in making you my bed slave, bird-girl. You shall be my entertainment when Mistress has no need of me.” He grinned, “If you beg nicely, I might punish you less for your defiance.”

“A good choice, brother,” Ralnor laughed. “I think I’ll take the elven twins, then, as my pets. They look like they need a firm hand to guide them. Fortunately, I’m used to dual-wielding. You should be pleased to belong to none less than I, Ralnor Seharinthe.”

Vestele just shook her head. “I think their brains were the first things corrupted. This is just pathetic.”

Ralnor snarled. “For that, I’ll breed you first, wench! But only after I’ve taught your body the proper respect due to your Master!”

And, with that, it was on.

Initiatives

Captain Jack

Prince Ralnor

Prince Avourel

Melinda

Vestele

Siora

Fartooth

Nalea

Corrupted Queensguards

Jack’s attack roll (CRG1): 1d20+40 = 57 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+15 = 20 (Piercing)

Lightning Blast: 3d6 = 13 (Electric)

Captain Jack did not wait for the enemy to come to him. No, the old pirate preferred to do things more swiftly than that. Bolting forward, he stabbed his rapier forward, neatly finding a gap in the closest guard’s plate armor. However, he was not well pleased with the result. “Blasted blighters have protections against anything too critical being hit!”

Ralnor’s Attack roll (Vestele): 1d20+41 = 47 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+11 = 13 (Slashing)

Prismatic Crystal (Acid): 1d6 = 3 (Acid)

Prismatic Crystal (Cold): 1d6 = 2 (Cold)

Prismatic Crystal (Electricity): 1d6 = 3 (Electric)

Prismatic Crystal (Fire): 1d6 = 4 (Fire) (Fire Resistance 10)

“Brother, won’t you sing us a song? I’m in the mood to dance, now that we have such lovely toys to play with.” Ralnor stood upon the dais, taunting, but the next moment he was in our midst, one scimitar slashing out to catch Vestele through a chink in her armor. As she yelped in pain, not just from the blade, but the cavalcade of elemental energies that burst off it upon impact, the twisted prince laughed. “Our new pets will provide your accompaniment!”

Melinda’s Will Save (Dominate Person): 1d20+46 = 62 (Success)

Avourel strolled forward, humming a tune to himself as he went. “Oh, brother, you know just how to set a scene. But I think that before we get to the performance, we should start with giving the little bird a chance to change her tune.” His eyes met mine, and he cast a spell. I felt it hit me, but that was all. It did no damage, and I felt no different. The prince just smiled a wicked smile, and sneered, “Oh, playing hard to get, are we? Didn’t you know that, for pets like you, ‘no’ is just ‘yes’, with extra steps before you accept your fate?”

Melinda’s Concentration check: 1d20+36 = 56 (Success)

Melinda’s CL Check: 1d20+24 = 37 (Success)

Ralnor’s Fort Save (Word of Changing): 1d20+9 = 15 (Fail)

My eyes narrowed. I’d heard too many people say things like that before. Too many people who thought that what was between their legs meant that they didn’t need to think or care about what I wanted. One of those people was the reason I was in this world, and another was the reason I had left the tundra of Frostwind Dale. I was very familiar with those who talked as this corrupted prince did.

But I had power, now, and no need to run or hide. My eyes never left the prince’s face, as I kept my motions tight, in control. I uttered a word of power, and, behind me, Prince Ralnor disappeared, his gear collapsing to the floor with a clatter. In his place, there was a raven, looking very confused. “Do you think your brother would agree with you, right now, little princeling? Or perhaps I should change you, too, so that you can figure out who is truly atop the pecking order?” I was fairly sure the prince did not much appreciate my words.

Vestele’s Mass Aid: 1d8+15 = 16 (Temporary HP)

Vestele, on the other hand, did, laughing as she looked at the raven that had once been her attacker. “Oh, dear, sister, it looks like our would be dance partner is no longer up to the task. Perhaps you’d like to cage him, and keep him as a familiar instead?” She shook her head. “But, for the fight ahead, may Queen Malcanthet guide our steps, so that we don’t end up like that poor fool!”

Siora’s CL Check: 1d20+22 = 38 (Success)

CQ6’s Will Save (Mass Hold Person): 1d20+7 = 16 (Fail)

CQ7’s Will Save (Mass Hold Person): 1d20+7 = 23 (Fail)

CQ8’s Will Save (Mass Hold Person): 1d20+7 = 23 (Fail)

CQ9’s Will Save (Mass Hold Person): 1d20+7 = 15 (Fail)

CQ10’s Will Save (Mass Hold Person): 1d20+7 = 13 (Fail)

Siora grinned. “I must say, it is so nice to be fighting creatures of flesh and blood, with such pliable minds.” A spell was cast with the snap of her fingers, and the five guards on the right side of the room, who had not even had a chance to join the fray, yet, froze in place. “It makes a wonderful change from those dreary mobs of corrupted elves, or the more willful paladins we’ve fought.”

Fartooth’s Attack (Avourel): 1d20+35 = 50 (Miss)

Fartooth’s Attack (Avourel): 1d20+35 = 47 (Miss)

Fartooth’s Attack (Avourel): 1d20+30 = 35 (Miss)

Fartooth’s Attack (Avourel): 1d20+25 = 42 (Miss)

Fartooth turned his gaze on the other remaining prince. A flurry of arrows flew from his hands, quick as thought. Unfortunately, the Prince proved far too dexterous for any of the shots to hit home. Even the first shot glinted off the magics protecting him. “Damn. Looks like the prince is a decently tough nut to crack.”

Nalea’s CL Check (Meteor Swarm): 1d20+22 = 38 (Success)

Meteor 1 Damage: 6d6 = 16 (Fire)

Meteor 2 Damage: 6d6 = 24 (Fire)

Meteor 3 Damage: 6d6 = 19 (Fire)

Meteor 4 Damage: 6d6+6 = 32 (Fire) (Warmage Edge)

CQ2’s Ref Save 1: 1d20+10 = 25 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ2’s Ref Save 2: 1d20+10 = 28 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ2’s Ref Save 3: 1d20+10 = 16 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ2’s Ref Save 4: 1d20+10 = 26 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ3’s Ref Save 1: 1d20+10 = 25 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ3’s Ref Save 2: 1d20+10 = 28 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ3’s Ref Save 3: 1d20+10 = 29 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ3’s Ref Save 4: 1d20+10 = 14 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ4’s Ref Save 1: 1d20+10 = 30 (Success, Half Damage) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ4’s Ref Save 2: 1d20+10 = 22 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ4’s Ref Save 3: 1d20+10 = 17 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ4’s Ref Save 4: 1d20+10 = 20 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ5’s Ref Save 1: 1d20+10 = 26 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ5’s Ref Save 2: 1d20+10 = 21 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ5’s Ref Save 3: 1d20+10 = 25 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ5’s Ref Save 4: 1d20+10 = 7 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

CQ7, CQ8, CQ9, CQ10 are held. (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

Avourel’s Ref Save 1: 1d20+31 = 39 (Success, Half Damage) (Fire Resist 10)

Avourel’s Ref Save 2: 1d20+31 = 45 (Success, Half Damage) (Fire Resist 10)

Avourel’s Ref Save 3: 1d20+31 = 40 (Success, Half Damage) (Fire Resist 10)

Avourel’s Ref Save 4: 1d20+31 = 42 (Success, Half Damage) (Fire Resist 10)

Queen Aerith’s Ref Save 1: 1d20+22 = 23 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

Queen Aerith’s Ref Save 2: 1d20+22 = 40 (Success, Half Damage) (Fire Resist 10)

Queen Aerith’s Ref Save 3: 1d20+22 = 33 (Success, Half Damage) (Fire Resist 10)

Queen Aerith’s Ref Save 4: 1d20+22 = 27 (Fail) (Fire Resist 10)

Nalea laughed. “Sure, they may have spongy minds for you to play with, but at least they still burn nicely! EAT THIS!” And with a mad laugh, the skeletal mage unleashed a barrage of stone missiles, into the center of the room. Where each stone hit, it exploded, covering a large portion of the room in flames. She was, however, sure to keep us out of the flames. “I love the smell of Meteor Swarm in the afternoon.”

Unfortunately, while it did a great job of burning the guards, the prince looked like he was barely even singed. However, a shriek of rage caught all our attention. The queen was standing, now, smoke drifting off her where the flames had caught her. “HOW DARE YOU! KILL THEM ALL!”

CQ1’s Attack (Jack): 1d20+34 = 43 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+16 = 23 (Slashing) (DR 5/Bludgeoning)

CQ1’s Attack (Jack): 1d20+29 = 43 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+16 = 19 (Slashing) (DR 5/Bludgeoning)

CQ1’s Attack (Jack): 1d20+24 = 41 (Miss)

CQ1’s Attack (Jack): 1d20+19 = 25 (Miss)

CQ2’s Attack (Nalea): 1d20+34 = 37 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+16 = 25 (Slashing) (DR 5/Bludgeoning)

CQ3’s Attack (Nalea): 1d20+34 = 51 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+16 = 23 (Slashing) (DR 5/Bludgeoning)

CQ4’s Attack (Jack): 1d20+34 = 41 (Miss)

CQ6’s Will Save: 1d20+7 = 25 (Fail)

CQ7’s Will Save: 1d20+7 = 12 (Fail)

CQ8’s Will Save: 1d20+7 = 14 (Fail)

CQ9’s Will Save: 1d20+7 = 10 (Fail)

CQ10’s Will Save: 1d20+7 = 26 (Fail)

With no concern for their own safety, the queensguard who could still move charged forward. Their attacks split between Captain Jack (for the simple reason that he was closest), and Nalea. No doubt, they thought the skeletal mage to be the greatest threat, given her spellwork. Their blades cut at the two undead, but neither looked terribly injured, as yet.

Which just meant that this fight had only just begun.