With a plan set, we rested that night. Save Fartooth, who slipped out of the inn in the darkness, and made his way through the sewers to the outer city, to warn Oriel and Cid of what was happening. We wouldn’t stop our attack for them, but they hadn’t given us any reason to actively do them harm, so a warning was only polite.

Oriel swiftly got all her people and their families through the portal, so they could take shelter on the Material plane. Cid, on the other hand, got the entire Hunter’s Guild to pay him a visit, before his factory plane shifted away. He left word beforehand that he was embarking on an expedition to the plane of Elemental Fire to secure new materials. Since he’d done this before, no one questioned it.

The next morning, Siora and Vestele went out to do some more shopping, returning with a Greater Teleport scroll of high enough level that it would allow us to escape Magika before the destruction came to it. After that, all we could do was wait. We spent the rest of the day in our rooms, to not draw attention to ourselves, and Vestele cast a Heroes’ Feast spell she had prepared to serve as our dinner, for a bit of an extra edge.

We’d just finished dinner when a messenger arrived for us, with a parcel. There was no name on the package, but it contained the thinaun blade, a spell scroll, and a letter. Even without reading the letter, it was obvious that this was from our devil contact.

Game set. Temple Square, half-hour after nightfall.

Archon’s Bane

Type

Simple Light Weapon

Weight

1 lb.

Damage

1d4+5

Damage Type

Pierce/Slash

Crit

19-20/x2

Range

10 ft.

This blade, made of thinaun, is designed to capture the first soul who dies while touching it, whether that be the victim, or the wielder. A new soul cannot be trapped until the first is released.

+5 Enhancement to attack and damage

Shadow Energy - A shadow energy weapon has its effective portion (blade, axe head, spearhead, etc.) transformed into shadow. A shadow energy weapon ignores nonliving matter. Armor bonuses provided by physical armor (as opposed to spells) are ineffective against weapons imbued with this quality. Other bonuses to Armor Class (dexterity, deflection, Dodge, natural armor, etc.) still apply. A shadow energy weapon automatically dispels a light or continual flame spell if touched to the object upon which the spell was cast. A shadow energy weapon causes no damage to targets that are not alive. Bows, crossbows, and slings cannot be enchanted with this ability. This does not alter the item’s weight.

Archon Dread – Enhancement bonus treated as +4 higher versus Lawful Good Outsiders. Deals +4d6 damage to Lawful Good Outsiders. On a successful critical hit against a Lawful Good Outsider, the target must make a DC 27 Fortitude save or be destroyed instantly and turned to dust, with their soul trapped in the blade. This effect ignores immunity to critical hits or death effects.

Scroll of Hell’s Welcome

Type

Scroll

Weight

This magic scroll is not a spell in its own right, but a catalyst to activate latent spellwork prepared in advance. Its true effects are unknown.

I quickly identified the two magic items. The blade was simple, but effective. That enchantment would be very useful against archons, especially since it was enchanted with the same shadow enchantment as Soul’s Violation had. That would make cutting through the paladin’s defenses easier. Of course, I intended to use my sword for most of the fight, since it was the more powerful weapon, and switch to the thinaun blade when it was time for the killing blow.

The scroll, however, was a slight surprise. Not an actual spell, but a catalyst for something more? No doubt, the devil had plans in place for Magika, ever since she ensured that there was a portal to the Material Plane put in nearby. It would not surprise me if there was some magic formation in place around the city already, lying hidden and forgotten until activated.

The problem, of course, was that such a spell would not be likely to target just archons. Oh, I didn’t doubt that the spell, whatever it was, would drag all the archons in the city to the Nine Hells, but I had the sneaking suspicion that it would likely drag the entire city down. Not a lie, but an omission from our devil ‘friend’, most likely.

It didn’t matter, though. We could fight our way through the trap, when it sprang, and plane shift away, using any of our vehicles, or the Veilsplitting Blade that we still had. So, we weren’t worried about that. And a bit of betrayal from a devil is only expected.

That said, I saw the lights dimming as what passed for a sun began to set. Looking at the others, I could see that they were all set. So, I slid the dagger into my belt, and we went outside. Better to be early to a duel than late, after all.

Outside, I saw that the square was clearing of people. By the time the sun had fully set, and the square was lit only by the silver light of everburning torches, we were alone. Even the Inquisition guards slipped away, taking station further on. I felt a subtle warding slip into place, convincing those with weaker minds that they had somewhere else to be. A nice bit of work, no doubt long prepared by the devil herself, or one of her pawns.

We spread out, in preparation, so that no one could hit us all with an overeager spell. We laid aside our disguises, since we would soon be leaving this plane, anyways. Plus, I needed my prey to recognize me. So, I made sure that I was in plain view, with my sword drawn and ready.

I did not need to wait long. Soon, the sound of footsteps could be plainly heard, metal on stone. ‘Shalheira’ appeared, though the sound wasn’t from her, but the trumpet archon beside her. Wearing a breastplate of mithral, inscribed with runes in the celestial tongue, and wearing boots and gauntlets of the same, the archon sported both hammer and shield openly. Indeed, his hammer had a silvery continual flame spell upon it, casting light as a torch in the area.

“YOU!” He cried, the moment he spotted me. “You will pay for what you did to my father, and all the crimes you have committed, heathen! You will regret ever profaning this place with your presence!”

I smirked, and said, “Then come at me, little pigeon, and see if you can do what your father could not! Or are you too scared to duel against one mortal woman?”

That bit of mockery hit his pride, and he roared in response, his wings carrying him forward, until he was a mere ten feet from me, between me and the altar. “I accept! I will crush you here, and then destroy all your companions, proving that I have surpassed my father! Then, I will claim both his woman and the Blade of the Inquisition as my own!”

It suddenly became quite clear how ‘Shalheira’ persuaded the archon to come out and fight on his own. Offering her body, and suggesting he take his own sister and mother from his father? That was a twisted idea, but it clearly worked. Of course, I didn’t have time to think on that, as the fight began.

Initiatives

Melinda

Peliel

Melinda’s Will Save (Aura of Menace): 1d20+55 = 75 (Success)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Peliel): 1d20+38 = 51 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+13 = 21 (Slashing, Evil)

Ruinous: 1 CHA damage

Archonbane Crystal: 1d6 = 2

Anarchic Power: 3d6 = 10

Anarchic Power: 1 Negative Level

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Peliel): 1d20+33 = 41 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+13 = 16 (Slashing, Evil)

Ruinous: 1 CHA damage

Archonbane Crystal: 1d6 = 3

Anarchic Power: 3d6 = 13

Anarchic Power: 1 Negative Level

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Peliel): 1d20+28 = 31 (Miss)

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Peliel): 1d20+23 = 35 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+13 = 15 (Slashing, Evil)

Ruinous: 1 CHA damage

Archonbane Crystal: 1d6 = 3

Anarchic Power: 3d6 = 8

Anarchic Power: 1 Negative Level

I moved the faster, and I closed the gap in a single stride. Peliel held up his shield, with its golden draconic iconography, to try and block, but my blade cared not for such things. The shadowy energy that composed its blade allowed it to slip through his shield, and his armor, like it was not even there. And three of the four strokes found their mark, causing Peliel to curse in pain as the multiple enchantments hit home. And, with each hit, the luster of his aura dimmed slightly.

Peliel’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+36 = 51 (Miss)

Peliel’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+31 = 34 (Miss)

Peliel’s Attack (Melinda): 1d20+26 = 43 (Miss)

“You’ll pay for that, too, bitch!” The archon snarled, and swung out with his mighty hammer. Once, twice, three times, he swung, but each time he was so far from hitting me that it could only be called hilarious to watch. But Peliel was not laughing. “Stand still, wretch!”

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Peliel): 1d20+38 = 53 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+13 = 15 (Slashing, Evil)

Ruinous: 1 CHA damage

Archonbane Crystal: 1d6 = 5

Anarchic Power: 3d6 = 18

Anarchic Power: 1 Negative Level

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Peliel): 1d20+33 = 37 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+13 = 20 (Slashing, Evil)

Ruinous: 1 CHA damage

Archonbane Crystal: 1d6 = 1

Anarchic Power: 3d6 = 12

Anarchic Power: 1 Negative Level

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Peliel): 1d20+28 = 36 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+13 = 16 (Slashing, Evil)

Ruinous: 1 CHA damage

Archonbane Crystal: 1d6 = 5

Anarchic Power: 3d6 = 16

Anarchic Power: 1 Negative Level

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Peliel): 1d20+23 = 27 (Miss)

I just smiled, as I lashed out with my blade again, scoring three more hits. “Poor little pigeon. You aren’t looking too good. Really, is this the best you have? I would have thought a so-called Paladin would be able to put up a better fight against a mere warlock like myself.”

Peliel’s Divine Power: BAB becomes 32, +6 STR, 14 temporary HP.

Peliel snarled, and took a step back from the melee. “Fine, then! Oh, mighty Torm, give me the power to destroy this spawn of evil!” As he spoke, an aura of power surrounded him, and making him seem greater than before. “I will destroy you, blasphemer, in His name! For my cause is righteous!”

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Peliel): 1d20+38 = 49 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+13 = 22 (Slashing, Evil)

Ruinous: 1 CHA damage

Archonbane Crystal: 1d6 = 2

Anarchic Power: 3d6 = 9

Anarchic Power: 1 Negative Level

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Peliel): 1d20+33 = 36 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+13 = 15 (Slashing, Evil)

Ruinous: 1 CHA damage

Archonbane Crystal: 1d6 = 2

Anarchic Power: 3d6 = 13

Anarchic Power: 1 Negative Level

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Peliel): 1d20+28 = 35 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+13 = 20 (Slashing, Evil)

Ruinous: 1 CHA damage

Archonbane Crystal: 1d6 = 6

Anarchic Power: 3d6 = 6

Anarchic Power: 1 Negative Level

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Peliel): 1d20+23 = 28 (Miss)

“Bold words for someone who wants to fuck his sister by blood! Bolder still for a little whelp of an archon who has yet to so much as touch me!” I mocked Peliel as I cut him thrice more with my blade. By now, the paladin looked to be barely holding on.

Peliel’s Cure Critical Wounds (Peliel): 4d8+20 = 38 (Healing)

Again, Peliel stepped back, almost to the altar. He called out for a healing spell, and much of his wounds healed themselves. It wouldn’t be enough, obviously, but it was the thought that counted, right? Glaring at me, he readied his hammer and shield. “I’m not done yet!”

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Peliel): 1d20+46 = 49 (Hit)

Damage: 1d4+15 = 19 (Piercing, Evil)

Archon Dread: 4d6 = 18

Melinda’s Attack Roll (Peliel): 1d20+41 = 53 (Hit)

Damage: 1d4+15 = 16 (Piercing, Evil)

Archon Dread: 4d6 = 16 (Dead)

Ring of Vengeance: 15d6 = 54 (Divine)

Melinda’s REF save: 1d20+61 = 71 (Success, No Damage)

I sighed, and said, “I really ought to stop playing around, I guess. You look like you’re about to drop, anyway.” As I spoke, I slid Soul’s Violation back into its sheath, and drew the thinaun dagger from my hip. A step forward, two quick stabs, and it was done. Peliel fell, boneless, to the ground, as a pure white light was drawn out him, screaming in terror, and sucked into the blade.

However, even as he died, the archon attempted a final bit of revenge. The ring on his left hand unleashed a bolt of divine energy at me. I dodged out of its path, thanks to my evasive abilities, but that looked as though it would have hurt. “Stupid pigeon, can’t even die properly!”

You have defeated Pelial, Son of Zadkiel, in single combat!

Melinda gains 20000 XP.

Loot:

Armor of the Host

Golden Bulwark of the Great Dragon

Lawbringer

Peliel’s Trumpet

Ring of Universal Energy Immunity

Vambraces of Evil’s Warding

You have Leveled Up!

You are now Level 29.

425368 / 435000 XP to level 30.

+1 Epic Attack Bonus

HD: 1d8+10 = 12

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

Marshal Abilities:

New Major Aura:

Motivate Ardor – Bonus on damage rolls.

New Minor Aura:

Motivate Charisma – Add CHA to CHA checks and CHA-based skill checks.

I swept away the blue screens in a rush, as shadows blocked out the square from the rest of the plane. Xisiana was at my side in an instant, shedding her elven form as she extended a hand towards me, for the dagger, and the soul trapped within. “Quickly now! We have to go before the ward fails!”