Tav and Nyx PoV. Starting with Tav.
Tav's insides felt like they were twisting up in knots.
We are as prepared as we can be, she kept repeating to herself. Fully aware that operations don't always go to plan and neither to convenience. However, the churning in her stomach tightened when she recalled the consequences of gambling with people's lives. A quick glance over her shoulder didn't give any indication whether her companions' apprehension was as notable as hers felt. Gale caught her eye giving her a brilliant smile and her heart fluttered in appreciation.
The towers came into view, along with the humming of the protective dome. Figures were fighting at the bridge and Tav urged her group along when she recognized familiar outlines through the shroud.
---
Tav spotted Jaheira with her boot on a ghoul's corpse, yanking her blade free. Surveying the battle's outcome Jaheira met Tav's gaze. A smile quirked at her otherwise stern expression. "Relief fills me to set eyes on you once again. What took you so long?"
Tav flashed her a mischievous grin and quipped, "We took the scenic route."
Jaheira crossed her arms, her smile spreading. "Hmmph, good of you to bless us with your presence then." Turning to business. "We were holed up nearby and once we saw the light cleave the sky towards the towers we made our move. We should not expect to reach Ketheric easily." Jaheira's eyebrows flashed when a flutter of wings had Dame Aylin standing beside Tav.
Tav gestured between them, "High Harper Jaheira, meet Dame Aylin, formerly the Nightsong."
Jaheira recovered remarkably quickly, and she gave a curt nod to Dame Aylin, "Regardless of the source, I take it Ketheric is mortal like the rest of us?"
"Aye, and I will be delivering him to a death from which he will not wake again.", Dame Aylin looked between them and pointed to the towers, "I found him on the top floor, but the coward was whisked away by his minions. Now a high priestess of Myrkul bars my way with her never-ending swarm of abominations."
"We have met resistance here as well - let us flush them out from below."
"Then I shall keep the abominations occupied from above."
Tav and Jaheira nodded in unison and Dame Aylin trailed light back to the top of the towers. Jaheira gave a final update, "Halsin and Isobel are holding Last Light with the others. But Aedric's and his contingency never returned from their scouting mission."
Tav's face fell for a moment, and she chewed her lip. "We'll be on the lookout for them.", receiving another determined nod from Jaheira. Locking her eyes on the tower doors, Tav gestured with her chin. "They've barred themselves in, yes? No matter." Her eyes flitted to the balcony above the main doors. Pointing she directed to Astarion and Nyx over her shoulder; mouthing 'sneaky stuff' - two equally malicious grins responded.
--- --- ---
A running wall climb combined with a shadow-step brought Nyx onto the balcony - for Astarion a combination of a magic enhanced jump and a misty-step did the same. He landed gracefully, more so that she would ever be able to do.
She said, "Impressive."
His wicked grin in place and preening his hair. "Why, thank you my sweet.", and waved a lazy hand at her, "You're not so bad yourself." He glanced back down at their remaining companions splitting up, one group to join the Harpers assaulting the barricaded front door and the rest snuck in through the kitchen. He sighed. "I missed this."
"Looking forward to skulking about in the dark?"
"Ugh, I don't skulk. I thought you knew this by now." He arched an expectant eyebrow.
"Fair enough, let's hunt."
"Much better." He made his way to the locked door and Nyx caught the flash of his lockpicks.
Ah, so that's where his hiding them. I'll have to confirm, later. Still doesn't explain his casual clothing - although...
Astarion rose, threw her a smug look and the door swung open.
She shook her head smiling while he melted into the shadows beyond, Eat your hearts out ladies and gentlemen.
---
Nyx soon realized how much she had been pulled into Astarion's element. He remained a master in it though, weaving in-and-out of the shadows was akin to wearing a second skin for him - whereas she was merely a visitor, most of her advantage gained from accessing the Shadowweave. She reached out to the torches in the room and snuffed their light simultaneously. The alarm from the guards were short-lived and they were dispatched in swift silent succession.
Taking a cautionary peek down the corridors outside, a thought came to her. For some strange reason, she felt like she would be missing out on ‘hunting’ like this with him, once she the curse was lifted and her visitation rights revoked. Astarion sidled next to her, licking a stray drop of blood from his thumb. He leaned towards her and asked with a predatory purr, "Fun, don't you think?"
Part of her agreed and another hesitated at the murderous inclination, but she conceded, "It is intriguing watching you work."
"Oh?" He spoke in a low tone, his challenge dripping in delight. "Was there anything in particular?"
His mistress of vanity demands an offering.
A slow smile spread across her face, and she replied, "Your confidence and competence is very attractive."
"Hmm. I'll be sure to keep that in mind, especially during," he roved his eyes down her body and purred again, "Our private moments." And he stepped closer to make a show of breathing in the scent from her blush before slinking down the corridor.
She let out the breath she was holding, Bloody Astarion.
---
Astarion led her to a broken portion of the second floor, which allowed access to the first floor's rafters using some delicate footwork. They silently took care of goblins sentries and made their way to the foyer. The others moved in from the kitchen, and the sleeping quarters on the far side. Astarion and Nyx had helped clear the way through the assembly hall for their companions to access either side of the towers, and the foyer. Silhouettes below spread out to hide behind columns and overturned furniture. Z'rell and her entourage waiting below in front the assembly hall's doors, unaware of being surrounded from either side, and from above.
Nyx and Astarion split up to cover opposite ends of the floor from the rafters and waited for the frontal assault to break through the main doors. Nyx did not hear the tadpole's call, but several of her companions below reached for their temples and she silently nocked an arrow.
A loud boom shook the doors. Z'rell took the prominent position closest to the front doors. An ogre to her right and the hobgoblin trader, who sold Nyx the soul coin, to Z'rell's left. Several cultists littered the floor below, including acolytes, knights and initiates.
Another boom strained the hinges from the walls. An ominous toll. The final blow sent splinters flying. A tell-tale bouncing clink rolled a smoking grenade into view and Z'rell swore when the fumes obscured the hallway reaching the cultists' front line.
"Cowards!", Z'rell spat raising her hatchet, "Filthy traitors - face me! Have you no honour?!"
Tav's omnipresent voice replied, "I believe it's called 'gaining the advantage'."
A growling black panther leapt from the smoke, ensnaring one of the initiates in a whirlwind of claws and flashing fangs. Arrows and blots whizzed, creating divots through the wafting cloud while Lae'zel's battle cry delivered a swooping blade to a nearby knight. Karlach charged the ogre from behind, temporarily dazed by Gale and Wyll's spells. Nyx and Astarion picked off the acolytes while the panther danced around Z'rell's sweeps.
Cultist melee fighters broke away from the fray and charged at the Harpers, whose ranged assault had dispersed the smoke completely. Nyx vaulted from the rafters to intercept, calling upon her magic and the curse. She made full use of their horrified expression upon setting eyes on her. She flashed a wolfish grin, and her magic roared sending them into a sprawl of armour and weapons. One paladin made it to his feet to counter her claws, the connecting blows swirled with Shadowweave and psionic energy.
Nyx shadow-stepped around the fighters, harassing them from different angles buying the Harpers time to land arrows in the weakest points of their armour. The paladin landed a searing strike across Nyx's torso, driving her backwards to flail down the stairs. Nyx caught herself - both her force magic and Lae'zel's blade countered the paladin's next strike, which left his guard wide open. Lae'zel skewered him on her weapon, landed a vicious kick to his chest to retrieve her blade in a spray of blood. A sharp turn on her armoured heel brought Lae'zel to fully engage the last dwindling fighters.
Nyx reevaluated the battle, quickly extracting a healing potion from her pack at the same time. The ogre was on its final stand against a raging Karlach, whereas Tav and Wyll were keeping initiates at bay. Gale supported Shadowheart's fight against two acolytes. Lae'zel and the Harpers were making short work of the fighters. A whelping mew drew her attention to the panther being psionically thrown into a wall, Z'rell's pressed her advanced; her hatched raised high.
A torrent of focused force magic knocked Z'rell away from the panther. Nyx shadow-stepped and squared herself with Z'rell as the panther shimmered, and Jaheira lay panting on the floor behind her.
"You", Z'rell narrowed her gaze, "I'll enjoy taking you apart!" Her magic swelled and Nyx readied her own. Jaheira made it to her feet and unsheathed her dual blades. Nyx inclined her head and Jaheira grinned back.
"Let's hunt."
Shouts and cries rang out behind Nyx. She maneuverer herself to keep an eye on Z'rell while spotting more absolutists joining the battle charging in from the front door. Tav, Lae'zel and Karlach were barking orders and organizing the Harpers for the counterattack while Jaheira was otherwise engaged in their current standoff. Magic and mettle drew away, Nyx reached for the Shadowweave.
Z'rell's snarled and growled around her canines, "It is fitting for your treachery to be rewarded with taint."
Nyx ignored the comment. Z'rell snapped her head up and an outstretched hand made her psionic shield flare when several arrows rained down at her from above. Astarion dropped from the rafters opposite Nyx and Jaheira, unsheathing his daggers. Z'rell was surrounded from all sides.
"Well, well." Z'rell arched an eyebrow over her shoulder. "I suppose you're cursed lovers after all. Equally fitting... Three against one?"
Nyx said evenly, "Like your horde of thugs against a handful civilians?"
Z'rell shrugged and her malicious smile split her lips. "Time to test some of the Absolute's gifts."
She gathered her hands together, an orb of psionic magic flashed within, and she hurled it at Nyx. Power compressed Nyx's thoughts; pain jolted down her spine but her mental defences retaliated against the psychic attack - its aftereffects cleared from her vision while her chaos magic undid its binds rapidly. Nyx regained control of her senses and limbs. Jaheira and Astarion were circling Z'rell.
Nyx closed the circle around Z'rell, who sized up each of them in turn. Their movements akin to predators locked in a stalking dance. Z'rell's growl resonated deeply within her chest and Astarion bared his fangs. Jaheira brandished her blades, and Nyx slowly extended her claws.
Jaheira broke the standoff first - a mock attack that veered past Z'rell's swinging hatchet and grazed along her shield, sparks flying. Nyx shadow-stepped past Jaheira's initial position, snuffing nearby torches and Astarion melted into the darkness. Z'rell spat, "Stop toying with me cowards!"
Jaheira's mocking contempt answered, "I enjoy taunting prey."
Nyx's claws flexed and met Z'rell's psionic counter; the clashing energy reverberated knocking them both back. Jaheira's blades flashed, but Z'rell recovered and countered quickly enough. Jaheira pushed her advance preventing Z'rell from bringing her shield back up. Astarion's stealth attack only managed to cut Z'rell's robes, his daggers ringing off the armour beneath.
A swooping psionic blast made Jaheira and Astarion cry out and stumble away, dazed and disorientated. The memory of Z'rell pining Astarion to the wall surged through Nyx's mind, dread gripping at her heart. The moment of hesitation nearly proved fatal when Nyx barely intercepted the axe blow aimed at Jaheira's head. Before Z'rell could level another blast at Astarion with her free hand, Nyx grabbed the arm holding the hatchet. Nyx viscously yanked Z'rell into the opposite direction and levelled one of her own furious blasts into Z'rell's armoured chest. It sent her crashing into the wall beyond. Knocking the breath from her and dislodging crumbling mortar. Chalky dust lining Nyx’s nose and mouth.
Power and anger brimmed inside of Nyx, wanting to be unleashed. It clamoured at her mind. Scraping, clawing, fighting.
No, I can't. They others are too close.
She poured magic into her hands and levelled another force blow into Z'rell. Knocking her back once more, cracking her head against the wall.
The chaos roared. Urgently, restlessly, fervently - it pulsed from the black pit. Pressure pooled inside of Nyx, brimming at the back of her eyes, pushing against the barrier, trashing against the restraints, crying out for release.
She was heaving as heavily as Z'rell now. Her vision gone black while she warred against her own power, willing it back using every ounce of strength.
I won't submit.
Nyx stood immobilized doubled over, hands on her knees, staring at the ground. Nyx used every technique at her disposal and time seemed to slow at the effort. Mercifully, the pressure gradually lifted from her mind. She straightened slowly. Suddenly jarring arrows whipped past Nyx's head, some of her hair wafting at the disturbance in the air, plunging into Z'rell's armour driving her back – her hatched poised to strike Nyx down.
Jaheira's scimitars followed, catching Z'rell's hatchet behind its head and keeping it raised. They struggled against each other. Nyx had regained control and snapped into a shadow-stepped bringing her inside of Z'rell's guard. Meeting Z'rell's shocked gaze, claws sunk into armour - chaos and force undoing the plating as well as anything else underneath. A final gurgle of blood came from Z'rell, spilling over her lips. Her good eye glazed over.
Nyx recalled her claws and Z'rell crumpled to the floor.
---
A few shaking steps brought Nyx to a nearby fallen column. She plopped down on it, breathing raggedly through the aftereffects of the near cascade, her head in her hands.
By the Abyss! Why did it trigger so quickly?
"Nyx, love."
Stifling a startle, her head snapped up. He stood over her, concern creasing the skin around his eyes.
She managed a weak smile and breathed, "Almost got scary again."
He regarded Z'rell and remarked in a grave tone, "Drew too much power again? Or was it something else?"
Nyx conceded without nodding for fear of worsening the growing migraine, "Yes. On both accounts." She fisted her hands, leaning on her knees again and said onto him, "The sooner I'm rid of this curse, the better."
A long look followed, not dissimilar to the one she would give him when he wasn't being forthcoming, but he didn't press the matter. He sighed dramatically instead and grinned showing fangs. Waving a dismissive hand over his shoulder at Z'rell, he mused, "Do you think Dame Aylin would be amenable to resurrecting her?" He inspected his nails. "Even though it was extremely satisfying watching you kill her - I'd like to get a turn too.", placing a hand to his chest.
Nyx blinked at him, wading through the molasses her thoughts had been reduced to by the encroaching migraine. His grin turning wicked at her incredulous expression. She finally burst out laughing. Holding on to her head. "Ow", she squinted up at him and quipped, "I think it best to entertain such things in theory."
"Ugh." He slumped his entire body in theatrical disappointment. "You're no fun."
"Allergic, actually."
"Pfft." He gave her a sidelong look down his nose. Placing a finger to his lips, he tapped it thoughtfully for a moment and informed her, "I'll simply have to be a bad influence", winking suggestively.
Nyx snorted softly, smiling into her pack digging around for her anti-migraine potions.
Nyx eyes throbbed with pain while she watched Tav make her way back. The others in tow supporting several injured Harpers. Tav headed over to converse with Jaheira.
--- --- ---
"As long as we hold this floor, the tower is ours.", Jaheira addressed Tav while checking in on one of the injured Harpers being tended by Gale.
They had moved the injured to the assembly hall for treatment. Astarion sauntered past looking mightily pleased with himself after eagerly volunteering to 'usher' any unfortunate cultists to 'death's cold embrace' back in the foyer. Jaheira lifted her gaze to the other injured, Shadowheart seeing to Lae'zel while Nyx patched up Wyll.
Razor sharp butterflies flited around Tav's stomach when Jaheira set her eyes upon the fallen Harpers. Three bodies laid covered with sheets in the corner.
Jaheira must have noticed Tav's unease and said, "The Harpers remain indebted to you for seeing them through that ambush. Each of us would be laying there long ago if it weren't for you."
"Consider Z'rell's death a debt repaid in full", Tav replied grimly.
Jaheira nodded curtly and said, "I'll stay here - ensure no one comes up or down without a scimitar welcome."
A Harper jogged up to them out of breath. Jaheira prompted, "Harper Karrow. Your report."
"High Harper." He took a breath and gestured vaguely to the tower entrance. "The army is breaking up camp, ready to set out."
Jaheira swore indignantly. "We cut off the rest of the snake's head then they will fall into disarray." A knowing smile quirked at the corner of her lips and the said onto Tav, "Send my regards to Ketheric."
Tav grinned back.
---
Astarion raised a hand and the rest of them held their position. He signalled to Nyx. Tav silently cursed herself for never making the effort to learn thieves' cant. She entertained the notion of asking them to teach her at some point while they disappeared around the corner. Muffled noises suggested another round of guards meeting their untimely end and Nyx reappeared with the all-clear to continue.
Tav stood, staring up at massive imposing doors once again. Her nerves more frayed than before, which was quite an achievement considering the previous set had led to the chambers of a Githyanki Inquisitor. The others sidled next to her and Gale gripped her shoulder. His beaming smile lifting her spirits. With Karlach and Lae'zel's help they heaved the doors open.
---
Icy wind whipped at Tav's face as she peered at the enclosed rooftop area. A thunderous blow and a flash of light resulted in someone hurdling past, crashing somewhere out of sight. They stepped onto the floor proper to find Dame Aylin swinging another mighty blow, sending another skeletal necromite to a flying demise. Unfortunately, more were already hatching from floating involucres. Tav’s crew set to attacking the floating incubators and their necromite spawns alike.
--- --- ---
Tav's voice projected over the din of battle instructing Nyx, Gale, Wyll and Karlach to deal with the skeletons while the rest targeted the Myrkul priestess responsible for summoning them.
A flare of pain cleaved Nyx's head every time the set off a force blast, fortunately they were very effective, and she adjusted her magic to only use what was necessary to fling necromites over the tower's edge. Karlach would simply pulverize them to dust while Gale and Wyll's spells splintered them into pieces.
The others' met more resistance upon reaching the priestess. Standing her ground in front of a half-moon alcove beneath a raised platform. Another sidled next to her, ready to face the oncoming threat. Behind them one more huddled over Ketheric. He sat listless and lethargic leaning against the back of a stone bench. Prayer spells spilled from the head priestesses’ lips, but both her power and the necromites were running thin. The other priestess at her side threw her hands in the air and reinforced the shield around them. The head priestess dropped to the ground, struggling to keep herself from collapsing completely while necromites spawned haphazardly.
Nyx and the others battered the remaining priestesses' shield - it flickered under the overwhelming assault. A dagger flashed and the head priestess drove it into her neck, her blood spilling onto her lap and the ground beneath. Green mist rose from the corpse, Ketheric's eyes flared with the same eerie light and the life essence was pulled into his body. The priestess at his side did the same, Ketheric gaining strength from their sacrifice and he rose to stand next to the remaining priestess. The last necromite shattered and the clamour of battle stilled. The wind whirred through the tower battlements.
Ketheric was favouring his left side, his head snapped to the sky as Dame Aylin landed next to Tav. He glowered at them and Dame Aylin chided, "How good it is to see you again, Ketheric. At last, you've found a god-master that suits you, it seems."
His accusing gaze burned into Tav from behind the shield, "What have you done?!"
Tav drew herself up and declared, "You were feeding off her for a century. No longer."
Beckoning with an open hand, he berated, "You are like the digit of a hand - it is for you to act, not to decide. You serve the Absolute. You. Serve. Me!" His eyes flared. Tav and the other's cringed in pain, sinking to their knees and holding onto their heads. Before Nyx or Aylin could react, red magic erupted from Tav's pack and the artefact hovered in the air in front of Tav, breaking whatever hold Ketheric imposed on them.
He took in a sharp breath, "You. The Prism. You've had it all this time - you worm! If you will not serve, then I shall break you. And Aylin. The thief." The priestess next to him slit her own throat, too lending her power to Ketheric. He straightened and summoned a heavy blade.
---
A massive blast came from the shield snapping out, throwing them back. Aylin countered and engaged Ketheric, trading accusations and insults while their magical weapons clashed.
Ketheric bellowed raising a glowing blade constructed from multiple sharpened bones, "You stole Isobel from me! Now you think you'll take my life in the bargain!"
Light and power pulsated from another connecting blow. Nyx had to make distance between herself and the warring chosen as Aylin's power choked the curse within her.
Aylin roared, her eyes lighting up brighter than the moon above, "You dare to speak her name! After your crimes innumerable, you would evoke her before me!"
Wyll and Gale had to dive out of the way when the Aylin's blow send Ketheric crashing into one of the columns. Necrotic energy pouring off him in waves as he stood. The rest of them took cover behind still standing columns and walls while the power of the chosen ripped another piece of the tower apart.
Nyx gathered her bow, timing her ranged attack between Aylin's assaults. The others followed suit.
By the Abyss!
An overwhelming flash of light blinded Nyx, and she desperately blinked the spots form her vision. She cautioned another quick look, Ketheric recovering from the blow in the centre of the tower. He may not be invincible anymore, but Nyx was sure that their contributions to this battle was redundant. Their arrows, bolts and spells merely disintegrated upon contact with the building static power around the chosen's dual.
Aylin was wearing Ketheric down by herself, her righteous wrath burning around her, making her appear otherworldly. Nyx suddenly felt very small indeed, realizing how her own magic paled in comparison to theirs.
Ketheric parried away one of Aylin's sweeping blows and kicked her hard enough to send her sprawling. Strange power swirled around him, and he raised his blade. Nyx and the others doubled their efforts to intervene, but to no avail. Instead of a smiting blow, the blade morphed into a large hammer. The ground shook.
Nyx scrambled from her position when the floor careened, and something burst from the tower behind her. She shadow-stepped her way back onto solid ground and swerved around to witness a giant tentacle had broken through the floor!
It whipped at Aylin, who had taken flight during the commotion. Nyx snapped her head to survey the rest of the structure, all her companions were gathered in the middle of the tower gaping up at the scene. Ketheric stood on the platform above - seemingly guiding the tentacle?
Nyx looked back up and gasped when Aylin made a spinning dive toward Ketheric her blade trailing light like a shooting star. Ketheric swung the hammer, and the tentacle knocked Aylin from the air. She crashed onto the platform before him.
Ketheric stared down at her, "Enough," he said while she tried to stand. He set a foot on her back and forced Aylin down. "You must return to your prison. And my daughter must be reclaimed."
Tav exhaled in disbelief, "Your daughter - Isobel?!"
The tentacle reached down, and Nyx sucked in a breath when Aylin disappeared at its touch.
"Ghaik!" Lae'zel spat, ready to charge the monstrosity.
Ketheric regarded them casually and said, "I thank you for returning Aylin to me, but my Lord beckons me. Do not doubt that I will deal with you in due time. You will fall as sure as she. This has only begun." He reached to the tentacle and disappeared as well.
They gaped as the tentacle retreated into one of the smaller affixed towers.
"Hells great fire! What just happened!?"
--- --- ---
"Ketheric has escaped." Tav delivered the news to Jaheira after she and a group of Harpers had barged onto the top floor.
Her eyes went wider, taking in the damage to the tower. "How?"
The Harpers remained shocked, whispering among each other while Jaheira recovered quickly. Tav elaborated on her suspicions, "I believe he sent Markus to retrieve Isobel, his daughter. He made a deal with Myrkul to resurrect her. She died more than a century ago. Her loss started him down the Sharran path and, we find ourselves here."
"Now he furthermore condemns Baldur's Gate. To think he has fallen so far as to directly work with mindflayers. Unimaginable." Jaheira shook her head.
"Do you know anything of what we may find below?", she pointed at the broken tower.
"Other than mindflayers? I do not."
Tav chewed her lip, but readied her group, nonetheless.
Tav stared down the staircase tower. Sickly pink flesh stretched over the structure, clinging to the walls and webbed between the open portion in the centre. The smell of death and decay wafted from below. She coughed, fisted her hands and sneered looking down, "We are going in blind."
Karlach shrugged her great hammer to rest on one shoulder. "Alert and sharp, soldiers."
In a flourished ring Wyll produced a short sword and he stepped on to the first stair, cutting away at the overgrown fleshy vines.
They delved into the bowels of Moonrise Towers.
Ugh, I was struggling with this chapter. But then I decided to go with the good old universal principal of design: KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid... along with grouping the enemies and focussing on the part that mattered for the Z'rell encounter. This left enough room for me to rather focus on making the upcoming battles more memorable.
Also we are at a key transition area - so you can expect the Act 2/2.5 interlude tomorrow!
