I got the update done early, not too long but important choices at the end.
Chapter 10: Uninvited Guests
They stand behind you chattering, "I think the key to the spell is sorrow, think of sadness and how to relieve it and-"
Well maybe bickering would be more accurate, "Serpent, stop giving advice on things you know nothing about. These are Stygians they are bound by hatred, she has to find a way to calm-"
"Gentlemen! Will you shut the fuck up!" the three of you are inspecting the nearest Stygian Knight and their constant attempts to "help" are driving you mad.
If you can figure out how the spells are constructed you will probably be able to unwind them and free the souls trapped inside. It is just a happy coincidence that in doing so you will gain even greater arcane knowledge. Of course one wrong move on your part and they will all activate and attack, "Serpent, go get Nine and see if she can help with this."
Serpent carefully moves back to the altar and retrieves Nine, "Miss Nine, we could use your assistance with the knights..." you can hear Serpent explaining the situation to her but you have to stay focused on the spells you are unravelling.
"Well dearie, let me take a look at this," Serpent props the head up so that she can properly view the remaining enchantments, she giggles, "Oh this is easy! I can't believe you have not figured it out yet."
"Well then out with it you insufferable, scatterbrained relic!" your decision to take Nine with you has done nothing to improve Miosguinn's mood.
"No!" she sticks out her tongue and closes her eyes.
Serpent tries to coax the answer from her, "Please Miss Nine it would be a great help to us."
She responds alternating between a sweet tone and complete rage, "Oh dear, I would love to help you and Derryth but I will not aid this ungrateful little insect!"
Their bickering is actually making the task harder, you spare just enough of your attention to try and smooth out the situation, "Well, what if he apologizes?"
Serpent turns her to look at you, "Ummm... It would be a start. Yes, if he apologizes then I will help!"
The doctor understands what he must do and with considerable effort manages a few words, "I... I am sorry Nine-"
"Not good enough," the head practically sings, "Use my full title. I am your superior after all."
You had decided you can her NINE, THE ORB OF ULTIMATE POWER, as a joke at first but she has really taken to the name. In fact she refuses to even listen to Miosguinn unless he uses the full name and title.
Miosguinn sighs, "I am sorry Nine, the Orb of Ultimate Power, for insulting you. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"
Seems she is so pleased with herself that she does not even notice the reference to her misplaced body, "Well as the Orb of Ultimate Power I suppose I must humour the little people of the world. Very well you are forgiven... for now," she breaks out into another giggling fit, yawns and turns her gaze back to the knight you are working on.
After but a few brief moments of reflection she begins her lecture in a singsong voice, "Now then my dear apprentices the answer is quite simple. A Stygian Knight is a defender, a guardian, a protector perhaps. They are bound by duty. In this case the duty of containing me. So stop fighting them with your spells. Instead just lie to them, give them a memory that I have been permanently destroyed and they will stop fighting your efforts to free them."
With that final tip you begin to work the last spells necessary to release the spirit but these are expertly made Stygian Knights and you struggle a little. Nine calmly guides you through each step and quickly, quietly, and without even realizing it the magics binding the Stygian Knight to this world unravel and the armour falls to the floor. From there it is a simple matter to repeat the process. All told it takes an hour and a half with Nine coaching you through different techniques to free all of the spirits.
Nine is a very good teacher and unlike every other mage you have ever met she seems completely unconcerned with hording her knowledge. In fact you have learnt more about magical theory from her in one hour than in the rest of your life combined. Serpent and Miosguinn both give her their complete attention as well, seems she is teaching you things the good doctor was not even aware were possible. The experience excites you but also leaves you a little terrified of her...
With the knights freed the room lies plundered, you lead your companions back across the room mindful of any traps and the four of you return to camp.
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Ten minutes from camp you hear the sounds of battle..
As you leave the tunnel and re-enter the basement complete chaos greets you. The four of you stand there, in shock, but it seems that no one is looking in your direction, no one knows you are here, "Alright, there are three of us and-"
"I have to find my apprentice!" Miosguinn casts a basic illusion and disappears. Well great now you are down to two mages and a head...
Your camp is under attack by a couple dozen spider-like creatures ranging from the size of a large dog to some bigger than a horse. The spiders are accompanied by twenty humans, they all wear black, silver and red robes but three of them seem to be better equipped than the others.
Your forces have been split in half by the attack. But your keen eyesight allows you to pick out almost all of the important details.
Five of the dwarves under Jori's leadership are taking the brunt of the attack. You count two of the dwarven scouts, Jori and his two shield dwarves. The two scouts are providing cover and thinning out the horde while Jori and his bodyguards handle any survivors. They have managed to draw the attention of maybe eighteen spiders and one of the three enemy leaders. The cloaked figure wields a large curved blade with grace and skill but you can tell that Jori is the better fighter as he holds off the figure and three more attackers as well. The dwarves are doing well all things considered but you are worried they may be overrun.
On the other side of the camp Thaïs, Ithapi, Amena, Ari and Bari have set up a barricade. Ari and Bari have set up proper kill zones and are hitting their targets with a speed and accuracy that is uncommon for a dwarf. Thaïs and Amena are picking off any survivors with spells and Thaïs' crossbow while Itapi is hurling large crates and barrels at their attackers. They are easily repelling any spiders that come their way but one of the enemy leaders wielding a large black bow and riding on the back of a particularly large spider is marshaling a dozen of her fellows for another attack.
Off to one side stands a figure in plain black and silver robes with an unadorned silver staff. At first you did not even notice her, she does not move or attack and does not communicate with the other attackers. She is just watching it all unfold.
Finally by the entrance to the lower tunnels stands a figure in very elaborate black, silver and red robes, he wears a great horned headdress and is shouting instructions to everyone around him. He is surrounded by two of the robed figures and a pair of spiders the size of large dogs.
You do not see Gareth, Brigit, Tyrvard and three of the dwarves. They are probably still somewhere in the warehouse above and of course the Children are also missing.
At the moment the two sides are about even. You have the advantage in skill and sheer firepower but they have the numbers and a certain fanatical determination. You may be able to help score a victory here but where should you direct your efforts?
1. How do you want to help?
A) Help Jori's dwarves against the enemy spiders and the swordsman.
B) Help Thaïs, the kids, and the pathfinders against the archer and her men.
C) You feel compelled to find out who the lone figure is. You approach her to start a dialogue as insane as it seems in the middle of a battle.
D) You are drawn to the lone figure but this is a battle, you attack her. Once beaten you can interrogate her at your leisure.
E)Attack the enemy leader using the element of surprise. Take him out and your attackers may retreat.
F) You don't help, you flee back into the tunnel and wait for the fighting to stop...
G) It should be possible to project a mass suggestion onto the attackers and cause them to rout. It will take a lot of power however and it may well fail.
H) Freeform
2. The rest of your group is probably still upstairs, unaware of the battle below their feet. You could try and send Serpent to go find them, do you?
A) Yes - we will need the reinforcements.
B) No - they will not make it in time.