Silvanost - Battling the Dimensional (Parts 3 & 4)

 26 Gildember 348 AC

Romulus continues chanting, weaving his spell of binding, bolstered by the efforts of Ra’ziir and Kysek. His voice, strident against the roar of χρόνος, pitches low and high, shifting seamlessly between the Draconic, Elven, and Natherese tongues - each word crafted, chosen for the singular goal of binding the Dimensional.

χρόνος continues to throw itself against the confines of the magical circle, seeking an escape from the mystic trap that holds it.

The duplicates surge forward, two moving against Raven, one against Grotto, and the final one against Arthur.

The pair fighting the elf spread out, one seeking to engage him while the other slips past. Raven once again manages to dodge the first attack and parries the other, bringing up both of his swords in an "X" to turn the blow aside.

Raven continues to fight defensively, swatting enemies to keep them away from the spellcasters. He jukes left and then reverses course back to the right. The flat of Nightwatcher's blade slaps the lead copy in the side of the face, stunning it momentarily. He reverses again, his footwork carrying him to his second Dimensional Doppelganger to strike with Thorgrim. The blow doesn't seem to harm the monster but pauses its otherwise relentless advance.

Grotto's attacker continues to close on the dwarf now that his hand is nearly crippled with arthritis. Another glancing blow hits Grotto, this time along the right side of his head. Even that brief contact causes the dwarf's eye to cloud, turning almost white and nearly blinding him on that side.

The final duplicate lunges at Arthur, wrapping its tendrils around the edges of the shield. Arthur attempts to yank it free but the shield is wrested away and tossed aside. The duplicate then launches a second attack, striking the First Paladin of Malazzarr in the chest. Pain erupts in his lower back as the muscles seize. His knees nearly buckle in agony but he pushes away from the creature and defiantly raises his sword.

Ra’ziir focuses his will on the duplicate battling Grotto and falls into spellcasting once again. He feels the energy build to its full power and releases it with a hissed, "Dominare personam". The spell, when not directed into the binding spell washes over the creature without effect. Nodding, his suspicions confirmed, the Elfemental draws Grumbar’s Razor. Smoke and ash pour from the sharpened obsidian blade creating a screen that conceals him from the approaching duplicates.

Shadow, still floating above the fray, sees Ra'ziir cast his spell and also chooses to come to the scarred dwarf's aid. He utters, "Κλωβός δυνάμεων χωρίς παράθυρα" and a transparent cube of energy springs into being around the creature, trapping it inside.

Kysek states boldly and plainly to the original χρόνος, “This ritual is in your best interest; disperse your duplicates and allow the ritual to be completed!” χρόνος rails against the Knight of the Barrie Grange, battling against his influence so the elf doubles down, casting the spell once more in an attempt to gain control over the Prince of Elemental Time.

Grotto recoils in pain as if touched by death itself. He can barely move his hand enough to parry a blow. He back tracks quickly enough to keep in front of the now confoned being. He grabs a handful of stones and taunts the remaining creatures to keep them occupied and their focus on him. A strange feeling comes over Grotto. It isn't often that Grotto feels fear.

Arthur staggers as he turns his blade sideways, gritting his teeth and repeats, "Don't kill it, don't kill it," over and over again in his head. He swipes wildly with his holy blade, catching the trailing edge of a smoky arm, causing the creature to recoil quickly but, once again, it is difficult to tell if he inflicted any real harm.

Cedron continues his song with Cassidy’s accompaniment. While singing, the minstrel-priest pulls forth his harmonic blade to help resonate the music, amplifying its effects while providing him a means of defense.

Cassidy continues to play his lute, trying to help Cedron rally the troops.

The summoned angel sees Grotto stricken by the Dimensional's attack and swoops down upon him, laying his hands on either side of the dwarf's face and, in a voice as pure as sunlight, "Raza sman nazir!" The dwarf's vision instantly clears and he is able to unclench his hand, flexing his fingers as the pain subsides.

Romulus keeps on chanting. The words flow as he weaves them into the magical circle containing χρόνος. The Dimensional strains against the circle, crashing against the invisible barrier again amd again in an attempt to escape.

The duplicate encased in Shadow's cube of force swirls angrily, aware of its predicament. Then, it becomes still and fades away, retreating back to the Demiplane of Time from whence it came.

Only three remain. The pair Raven has been fighting both turn to face him directly. The first sweeps to the side, Raven brings up his swords, expecting that the Dimensional will attempt to bypass his again in an attempt to reach Romulus. Instead, it stops and lurches directly at him. Raven leaps back avoiding one tendril but the beast pursues and strikes him in the head. The swordsman lets out a hiss through gritted teeth as the hair at the point of impact turns gray and crow's feet appear at the corner of one eye. The fourth Dimensional rushes him as well, but now that he is on to their tactic, he sidesteps both blows and launches a flurry of counterattacks. His works his blade low, rapping both creatures near the bottom of their misty forms, battering them where their legs would be. The elf forces one of the time doppelgangers back a few steps, buying the halfling archmage time to continue his spell.

The duplicate battling Arthur takes to the air, flying backwards a few feet before angling up and over his head. It then begins to dive toward Romulus. Ra’ziir intercepts, enchanted obsidian blade slicing through the Dimensional's immaterial body with little effect but the ash trailing in its wake causes the creature to stumble and thrash as pollutants mix with its vaporous body.

Shadow yells “YES!” when his spell actually works. He wishes that he had prepared it again. He calls out to the other spell casters “Try Forcecage, the Windowless Prison version if you have it!” With that he sees the Avoral healing Grotto and smiles, “But I did take THAT spell twice.” And he casts it again summoning another of the angelic creatures. With a flash of light accompanied by the sweet scent of myrrh, a second winged figure appears.

“Heal my companions as we fight these evil outsiders for a few minutes, I beg thee.” The Avoral nods, looks out over the group and takes to the air, flying toward Arthur.

Kysek casts his second spell and repeats his words with more emphasis and authority adding, “The power of Kysek compels you!”

χρόνος actually stops for a moment, incling what could be considered his head in Kysek’s direction as if to say "really?" to the elven thief turned mage turned knight.

Grotto looks to the heavenly host and and nods in deep appreciation to it. "That was close! Lucky that thing didn't rot my brain with that touch!"

With new vigor and extra caution, Grotto does his best to keep his distance from the time elemental. He continues to draw its attention with further taunts. "Protect me, Hanseath!" Grotto yells. His voice quivers and betrays the fear he is trying to hide!

Arthur breathes heavily and grits his teeth and adjusts his stance taking and prioritizing defense more than assault
Cedron

Cassidy continues to play, his fingers flying across the strings of his instrument like a kender possessed.

The second summoned angel reaches the First Paladin of Malazzarr and places its hands upon his back. Energy flows through the contact, repairing and reviving the warrior while the original angel rushes toward Raven and delivers more healing magic with its touch. Raven's hair turns from gray back to black and he rallies, ready to continue the fight.