Stradia: Gathering Storm Ch. 2
 

The drizzling of the storm had finally come to an end. The grey clouds remained blanketed over the sky and a chilly breeze now blew through the entire countryside. The former gardens at the Temple of Avelia were shrouded in silence and anticipation. The High Priest stood calmly with an evil smirk plastered across his face, and two massive armoured gargoyles guarding his flank.

Fifty feet away, closer to the rear Temple entrance, stood Raenor, Aieris, Elmric, Durin, Darren, Gorn, and Amelia with weapons drawn. Somewhere in between them lay the corpse of their former companion, Celeste.

"Ready?" The High Priest laughed, his voice now resembling that of the black-armoured man and less like his normal one.

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OOC

Take note, there is ample time for dialogue RIGHT now, before the fighting really begins. Also keep in mind you aren't just fighting some guy, you're fighting the High Priest of a Temple of Avelia, the most popular god of your country, and many of you know (knew?;)) this man personally. *coughHesitationcough*

Let's try a nicely controlled free reign. Just keep in mind this is a 'boss' fight, so killing in a single attack is literally impossible. In a moment you'll also see that one on one you're outmatched, so teamwork is not only recommended, it's mandatory if your character is to survive. If you want, feel free to leave cliffhanging actions and I will gladly give the outcome (or other participants can), just remember: Lot's of dodging and parrying will be happening now! Nicks and cuts, too, I'm sure. You can use PMs and such to coordinate attacks and take them down in less posts (ex 5 long instead of 30 short).

The High Priest: Melee X
Elite Gargoyles (2): Melee V

Nathano and Antolone, integrate whatever you haven't into your character sheets, and I'll set up your location once we get this fight going. (Remember, you're both in the town of Wistria, for reasons of your own, in the "meanwhile" of this).

Time of Day: Between 4 and 6pm.

Elmric growled as the High Priest began to take on more demonic properties, such as a artificially deepened voice.

"I...don't think this is the High Priest anymore, but if you can, DO NOT KILL HIM..I do not wish for my mentor's corporeal form to be descrated. As for the Gargoyles...keep a wary eye on them...but for now..we need to sit back and wait...and pray that Avelia is with us this day." Elmric growled a little quieter, watching the three foes with an intense glare.

“Aye, this is no longer the High Priest, though this fiend holds his form. But now is not the time to be idle. Now is the time to plan.” Durin responded to the concerns of his comrade, Elmric. Not a single eye deviated from the possessed priest before them, as each of Durin’s companions took in his words.

Once again Durin was visibly struggling between anger and sorrow. Gritted teeth and heavily-gripped axe gave hint of the rage coursing through his veins, while the emptiness of his gloomy eyes indicated his discomfort with the situation.

With a deep breath Durin spoke once more, “I doubt these gargoyles are lackin’ in skill like the pushovers we faced earlier.” Durin studied the pair of armor-clad gargoyles for a moment. As if the sheer size of the beasts was not intimidating enough, the polearms brandished by the two could easily match there own height and then some. Focusing himself once more, Durin added “No one’s gunna be a hero today. I dinna abandon my home to die here.”

"Whatever we're going to do, lets do it quickly. These three do not look too bloody well like friends" Aieris growled, as she kept her arrow focused on the head of the High Priest.

It seemed that her party would not move first, out of love or respect for the High Priest, and although she saw no use for waiting, it would be good for the others to confront their priest one last time; before they were dead, or he.

'Hesitation equals death.' Raenor heard the voice of his combat instructor as he assessed the rather unpleasant situation. 'Remember that, and any battles you fight will be that much easier to win.'

"Whatever we decide, we cannot hesitate," Raenor spoke, breaking his silence. "If we are to have any chance of sparing the High Priest, as Elmric desires, we must first kill the gargoyles...and kill them quickly. I am open to suggestions."

Glancing at the others in her party, Aieris noticed something strange. The others seemed almost to be in some sort of trance. They would have no trouble fighting with the two gargoyles, but they were all too tightly entwined with the Priest and his religion to attack him with any reasonable strength.

"This is what happens when people form attatchments" she muttered under her breath so the others could not hear her. "You're all stuck like stone, now I'm gonna have to start this bloody business myself"

"Priest. What did that thing want. The longer you talk, the longer you stay alive."

Saying this, Aieris knew that it would just provoke that which once was the Priest. But then this battle would get underway, and she could start setting things on fire. Fire was beaty, Fire was life, and Fire would kill all who stood in her way.

"Let's end this. Durin, you charge up with me and we'll make the gargoyles wish they were dead. Raenor, Aieris, if both of your bows are still strung well, fire arrows at their eyes. The less they can see us, the quicker they'll die and we can deal with the possession of the High Priest." Elmric bowed his head, recited a quick prayer, causing himself and Durin to glow in a soft blue light. Elmric's spear sat in a groove in his shield as he waited Durin's acknowledgement before the charge.

"Hahaha." The High Priest laughed in his new demonic tone and started taking short steps towards the party. "Quite a bit of indecision among you. A shame, you should try this..." He outstretched his left arm and looked blankly into his open palm as he continued closing the distance slowly. "...you would feel much better." He finished, clenching his fist, now only forty feet away.

"Priest. What did that thing want. The longer you talk, the longer you stay alive.

The High Priest glanced back at the two gargoyle bodyguards, then looked straight at Aieris. As he began speaking again, the two gargoyles started spreading apart from each other, slowly encircling the party on all sides. "You are hardly in the position to be making the threats."

Aieris nocked the arrow back a little further. "As you can see, I bloody well am. Now talk."

"Mortal!" A strong gust of hot air hit all of them, and the High Priest ignited in a burst of pinkish-red flame. "Soon, you will all be joining Him!"

Shouting wordlessly, Aieris loosed a flaming arrow at the right shoulder of the gargoyle to the left of the Priest. As the arrow flew towards its target, Aieris had her hand in her quiver again, grasping at another arrow to fire

As the first lit arrow flew however, the Gargoyle began to turn. By the time the gargoyle and the arrow met, the arrow simply deflected harmlessly off the Gargoyle's platemail.

Being the catalyst it was, that first shot let out a whirlwind of activity. Elmric and Durin began to charge, each shouting wordlessly in anger, before their charges were cut short by faster movement by the enemy.

As the arrow deflected off the gargoyles twisted mail, both gargoyles split, one to the right and one to the left, beginning to encircle the small party.

"What bow? I gave mine to the lady el..." Raenor ended his comment abruptly as the situation began to deteriorate. As he spoke, the gargoyles and the priest began to advance on the group. A moment later, Aieris yelled to the priest, and then everything began happening at once. Elmric and Durin charged forward towards one of the gargoyles, leaving the High Priest and the second gargoyle unmolested.

"I'm going to regret this," Raenor muttered as he turned to Aieris and Darren. "Darren! Go help Durin and Elmric! Bring down that gargoyle quickly and then get them back over here! Aieris, I'm going to need your help dealing with our fine winged friend to the right! Start shooting and give me some time to get close!" As he took a step forward he paused and removed his quiver, handing it back to her. "You might need these."

Aieris muttered something which might have been a 'thank you', and then began firing as quickly as she could at the second gargoyle. Raenor took a deep breath, and then charged. By now the gargoyle had closed within twenty feet, so Raenor's run was even shorter than Durin's and Elmric's. Behind him, he could hear Darren yelling something as he charged towards the swirling melee combat across the room.

As he neared the gargoyle, he found himself suddenly on the defensive, as the gargoyle's halberd cleaved firmly into the earth right next to him. A split second later, the weapon was swinging towards Raenor's chest. Raenor spun and brought his sword up, blocking the blow. As steel rang on steel, Raenor felt the force of the blow send him sprawling sideways. He struck the ground hard and shook his head, rolling aside as the gargoyle swung downwards with the halberd, tearing a long gash in his cloak and pinning him to the ground.

Swearing, Raenor quickly broke the clasp with his free hand and rolled behind the blade of the weapon. Springing to his feet, he prepared to thrust forward. As he did so, the gargoyle pulled the halberd's blade out of the ground and swung the entire weapon, striking Raenor in the ribs with the metal shaft of the waepon, sending him several feet through the air before he struck the hard earth and skidded a few feet. Wincing, and breathing heavily, he took to his feet. This was going to be far harder than he would have liked.