Silvanost - Battling the Dimensional (Part 1 & 2)

26 Gildember 348 AC

As Romulus' circle closes, χρόνος begins to rapidly flicker in and out of visibility, hurling itself against the inside of the magical circle. Each impact causes orange smoke to roll up the sides of the unseen barrier. The cloud rears back, taking on a vague humanoid shape that extends an arm. Droplets of mist spray from the cloud, spattering the invisible wall before slowly oozing down like rain on a windowpane. An angry, thunderous roar, more felt than heard resonates through the ground, sending vibrations up through the soles of the party's feet and sets their teeth to chattering.

The roar is answered by a chorus of similar calls. At the edge of the trees, an orange mist, rises like ground fog from the forest floor. It flows along the surface, separating into four individual columns that rise up to a height of ten feet and begin gliding toward the party.

Raven eases forward, moving between χρόνος's duplicates and the spellcasters. Arthur and Grotto flank him. The dwarf begins to hoot and make rude gestures at the creatures, presenting himself as a target for the Time Dimensional's copies.

Ra’ziir focuses on the encircled Dimensional. His hands weave through an intricate dance speaks the arcane words, "Dominare personam," and orders the beast to "Halt." His spell flows, drawn into the web of energy surrounding χρόνος, strengthening the spell and its hold.

Kysek chooses to stay on his feet as he feels he’d be better to avoid being touched by any creature that way. He waits for Romulus to start the binding and then begins casting his dominate spells.

Shadow watches as the smoky being starts to take shape and his mind races back to his instruction in the Arcane and the summoning circle failures. The dsrk elf is confident in his friend's ability to handle this one and takes a moment to prepare a better defense, he quickly whispers, "Καλέστε το Τέρας Επτά Avoral". A brilliant light appears and when it fades a humanoid, nearly seven feet tall, with great feathered wings stands before him. He motions toward the approaching clouds of orange smoke and gives a simple command, "Protect us from those creatures." The angel's discerning gaze focuses on Shadow. "I have never known one of your kind to serve any cause but that of Evil. You, you have... potential." It faces the approaching enemies and smiles fiercely, baring gleaming white teeth, "I think I will enjoy this."

Romulus continues chanting as the four duplicates glide forward. As the Dimensionals float across the ground, the grasses in their wake sprout, flower, and wither to dust, passing through their entire lifetime in a matter of moments as they close in on the party.

Raven eases forward, keeping in mind that killing a duplicate means having to start the entire ritual over from the beginning. He turns his swords so he will be able to slap the creatures instead of slicing into them. As the first creature reaches him, he swats at it with Nightwatcher, smashing into the cloud's outstretched tendril of an arm, causing it to hiss and recoil. It swipes at the swordsman with its other limb. Raven leans back, bending nearly in half to avoid the blow with only the sleeve of his green jacket being brushed by the vaporous limb. The leather instantly becomes discolored and cracks, flaking away from the barest contact.

Realizing his multiple spells of domination will not have the effect hoped for, Ra’ziir instead whispers "Vis Cavea" amd directs the energy of his casting into Romulus' magic circle. For a brief moment, the outline of a cage appears before sinking into the graven ring.  Kysek appears beside him, invoking his own sorcerous powers with a shouted, "Доминирующий человек!" as he channels his spell into the binding.

" χερσαία πτήση!" Shadow completes his spell with a flourish as he draws Swiftwind and Shadow's Nasty Surprise. The dark elf takes to the air, focusing his daggers enchantment in defense. He floats just out of reach of the duplicates, ready to strike.

Grotto continues to cause a ruckus to distract the smoky beings. As the second duplicate reaches him, he turns his axe sideways and swings mightily. The Dimensional's gaseous body parts, flowing around the blade and brings one of its indistinct tendrils down on the back of the dwarf's right wrist. His entire forearm becomes stiff as the cartilage in his hand deteriorates, sending pain racing through his body. As bones grind together, he nearly loses his grip, with only his indomitable will allowing him to keep from screaming.

Arthur intercepts the third Dimensional. Lawbringer blazes with holy light as it cuts toward his opponent. The silver blade erupts into flames, slicing into the Dimensional with no resistance at all. If the sword or its fire caused any harm, it is impossible to tell. As it counterattacks, he raises his shield and blocks the blow. Where the Dimensional's fist strikes the wood, the shield becomes discolored and its lacquer peels away.

The final copy veers toward Raven. The elf spins and brings his black adamantite blade down on where the shoulder would be on a normal foe. A shudder reverberates up the sword and a howl erupts from all five of the Dimensionals, the original and its four copies. The one he struck launches a blow of its own and Raven twists aside with only his focus on defense allowing him to avoid the attack.

That's when the music begins. Cedron begins humming a tune to bolster the efforts of his peers. Aiding them in their actions and defenses, and potentially distracting the summoned being.

“Summer is a-coming in,
Sing loud Cuckoo!
Groweth seed, and bloweth mead
And springeth the woode noo
Sing Cuckoo!
Ewe bleatheth after lamb,
Lows for her calf coo;
Bullock sterteth, buck verteth,
Merry sing Cuckoo!
Cuckoo, Cuckoo, well sing’st thou Cuckoo:
So cease thou never noo.
Sing Cuckoo, noo, sing Cuckoo!”

The sheer audacity of the Cedron's song sends Cassidy into a giggling fit. The Kender is soon wiping tears from his eyes as he pulls out his lute and begins to play in time with the Minstrel-Priest's lyrics.

Shadow's summoned angel leaps into the fray, raking with its talons at the beast battling the scarred dwarf. Both sets of claws rake the creature but the Dimensional doesn't seem to notice.