Mihai channels the grace of Sinishakti to assist Corbius to walk on...
CMW + CLW:
Mihai ponders for a moment where a dark dryad such as Aycenia has a ready supply of ink, parchment and twine so as to deliver such a message by seabird... as well as the nature of the bird. "Do not let the seagull flee... perhaps we could send a message back to the dryad?"
Anton shrugs. "If we had a boat, then she'd be next door. As it is, we have plenty of time to decide what to do, and Ieana's on the way."
The journal...
The fragmented log identifies the ship as the Nightvoice,a large Pathfinder Society exploration vessel that originally hailed from Almas.
From the dates, the Nightvoice has been wrecked here for decades. In fact, according to the log the explorers were well on their way home to Almas to report their findings to their lodge when a strange leathery pod they’d discovered in a seaside cavern burst open, infecting nearly the entire crew with strange spores—only Captain Havner Ames managed to resist the infection.
As he watched his friends and crew succumb to the infection, he knew that he couldn’t allow the strange bulb (which had closed up on itself and was pulsing with a foul life, as if replenishing its store of spores) to reach the coast.
Yet the Nightvoice was now adrift on a current that would swiftly take it to the coast of Sargava. It was all Captain Ames could do to alter the large ship’s course on his own so that it instead crashed against the rocks here. In the end the Captain appears to become lost...delirious and mad. The last entry has the Captain abandoning the wrecked ship and climbing the rock, hoping to hide the fungal bulb away where it could do no more damage....that is his last entry.
Nim shrugs his shoulders at Mihai. What message would we send? She seemingly already knows of our actions here. The real question is... do you wish to go and claim her "reward".
Another question is... how does she know?
Nim paces as he tries to work it all out in his head. He finally offers a possible answer. The animal messenger may have just been sent as a precaution in case we happened to survive. It is possible that she does not know what has transpired here on the grey island...
When Anton speaks Nim looks at him quizzically. I am sorry? What do you mean? A boat? Next door? Are you aware of Ieana's current location?
Nim agrees with Mihai's desire to return to the camp and check on the others. Let whoever is most interested in talking with us, make the effort to contact us. Everyone seems to know where we are and what we are doing at all times. We on the other hand...
"I meant that Aycenia is right over there" -- he points south -- "but we have to go the long way around, and Ieana's presumably looking for those obelisks that are within sight of Red Mountain, so we might walk right past her on the way. But I wouldn't mind a night in something approaching a real bed before dealing with someone who could fend off the Chupa, if that's what you'd prefer." He winks.
"As for Aycenia, is it normal for a dryad to have such a mystical connection to a whole island? If not, then like Aedalis said, maybe she's no more a normal dryad -- or even a normal dark dryad -- than Chupa is a normal chupacabra."
"So if you don't want to launch a surprise attack in case I'm wrong, and you don't want to get close enough to test her illusion in case I'm right and they attack, then that leaves ignoring her or accepting a reward from a dryad that might or might not be dark. But like I said, we have time to decide. No rush!" Anton bounces a little, looking off into the distance with a small smile, already brainstorming how to deal with such a powerful spellcaster as Ieana.
Having recognised the bulbous mass for what it was and pondered its presence for quite some time, Aedalis had said little. He made sure to pat the front line warriors on their shoulders with a softly-spoken well struck, gentlemen.
When the discussion turned to the Dryad, he offered a strategy, after assuring Anton that an affinity with a whole island was not "normal" for a Dryad. The older man had been sat down for some time, south-facing and sat cross-legged.
This fungus gave the Dryad pause- so the fact that we were able to defeat it with such ease will therefore give her pause too. We should prepare ourselves with protective magic and keep our weapons close; but show her no fear. I believe we are still too uninformed to simply choose to slay her- not without provocation.
She wants to "reward" us. And if her affinity to the land is so great even here on a fungus-infested isle that she is aware of our location and successes this swiftly- the idea of launching a surprise attack upon her is moot. We will not gain an advantage trying to use stealth; I know Anton was able to approach her unseen, but to hope that the six of us will manage it together is too hopeful. Illogical.
Aedalis summed up his thoughts, scratching the grey stubble forming under his chin.
Whether this reward is legitimate or simply an attempt to feed us to her tree as Anton described... we lose little by going to her with heads held high. Cautious, with spell and steel close to hand. Wary, but not hostile.
Mihai considers Aedalis' words with pursed lips before shrugging an acceptance.
I care not for a bed... I go to ensure the safety of the others, Nim mutters as Anton's jest is entirely missed by the druid.
Squatting down low, elbows resting on knees, while passing a handful of earth back and forth between his hands, Nim listens and then adds to Aedalis' reassurances, It is not "normal" for a dark dryad either, in fact any affinity would be "abnormal" in my opinion as the dark dryad has forsaken its connection with the living world. I admit my knowledge is not complete in this matter... as my source was somewhat lacking itself.
He stands and slowly lets the soil stream through his fingers while raising his face to the sky, continuing to try and puzzle things out, As far as giving the dryad pause, I am not sure that we can assume that the dryad was unable to defeat the fiendish fungus herself. It is entirely possible that the issue was one of being unable to even confront the thing. Her range may be limited more than we realize. Her fear may have been born of an inability to attack the source directly. That she might wage a futile battle with the spreading grey fungus could have been the source of her desperation, not a lack of ability to defeat the fungus "god". She may have needed us merely because we could travel to the island.
Face still raised, he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, working to take in the smells of the island. Either way, we should consider her dangerous until proven otherwise. And I agree with Aedalis, whenever and however we decide to contact her again, we do it with heads held high as he says.
Opening his eyes and looking around at everyone, Nim concludes, It would seem that the logical order would be to deal with the dryad first, seeing as how the devil wishes her dead. And has threatened us with a deadline for compliance. If she proves herself to be something other than she appears, then we will have fulfilled the devil's wishes. It would then have to prove its word and help us find Ieana. If the devil misleads us about the dryad, then we would confirm him untrustworthy and deal with him anyway. Having exhausted all other avenues, we would then set to finding Ieana...
In any other order, we may miss an opportunity...
What say the rest of you?
I say we deal with the Dryad first as well. We need to find out her real intentions so we can decide whether she needs to be eliminated or whether we need to deal with the Chupa instead.
Grabbing his pack and slinging it over his shoulder Corbius is ready to go whatever the party decides.
"Assuming we are given the option of dealing with the dryad first, I agree on that course of action. We must be wary of the red mountain devil, however. It seems to have remarkable stealth and has enjoyed singling us out one at a time for its attempts at intimidation. Our strength. And unlike the dryad, it seems to have no limitation on how much of the island it can choose to roam."
"Until we have some resolution on both of those fronts, I would suggest we not separate out individually, and even rarely separate out in groups as small as pairs, even for such necessities as relieving ourselves."
Having said his piece, Tragershen too stands ready to depart when the others are prepared.
"As long as we stop at the village on the way. I need to prepare properly..." In a reversal of priorities, Anton is a little puzzled by the others' determination to pass up the one who wants to rediscover the power to defeat an armada with a single spell for one who is seemingly bound to her hill. But if they're going to go there, then there are some things he needs to do first.
Anton is disappointed that they're not stopping at their new camp first, and resigns himself to accepting a reward from a sadistic man-eating monster (or being betrayed and attacked by it).
After some discussion you decide to take the Dryad up on her offer to meet her and put off going back to the castaways first.
It is a beautiful day and for the first time that you can remember you are not hampered by a mid-afternoon shower.
You are filled with trepidations for the meeting. Most of you hoping that what Anton may have seen was wrong, but never knowing the man to lie up to now...maybe he was just mistaken about what he saw.
You get to the bottom of Aycenia's hill and cast a spell or two before moving up. You are not sure what to expect but as you crest the hill you see Aycenia standing in front of reed mat, covered with food.
She speaks when you get to about 20' from her, You have done the island and me a great service! You have defeated the plant menace that threatened to destroy me and the entire island, eventually. Come sit and enjoy what the island has to offer, claim your reward of information that I promised you.
She moves around to the head of the reed mat. On the mat are six places set out. In front of each appears to be a nice spread of fresh fruits and vegetables including some rough hewn wooden cups that appear to have a fruit juice in it. She sits and pops a piece of fresh sliced fruit into her mouth, she motions you to join her and sit..
Her banyon tree is 30 feet behind her, it's smooth brown bark shining in the afternoon sun. It is hot and you are thirsty...how do you react?
Mihai steadily approaches, stopping when she speaks and looking upon the food cautiously...
Sense Motive:
...and if no sense of caution is elicited by the food, Mihai squats upon the mat and selects a juicy piece of fruit to slowly chew upon. He does not speak yet.
You don't sense any malicious intent...she seems sincere.
Nim remains standing, arms folded across his chest, well behind the others. Wicewakan seated at his side. Nim silently curses himself for not preparing to detect poisons when he meditated this morning. He shifts uncomfortably when Mihai ingests part of the offered spread.
As Nim watches, he struggles to contain his urge to interject. Let the others have their chance... if the dryad betrays us then at least we will know...
...Nim calls out hastily, Do you think that wise?! We have come for information... that is all. I was unwelcome last time, and don't feel any differently now. Are we so easily duped with a smile and offered nourishment? Would you accept this if the mountain devil offered it?
Turning the dryad, We have done as you wished. If you would share that which you promised we will be on our way. We have others to check in on today and should not delay our return as we have reason to suspect they are in danger. Danger that is the result of our refusal, up to now, to slay you at the request, and threat, of the mountain devil!
Please be on with it! My patience grows thin!
Tragershen walks up to the offered feast but doesn't sit or eat, and to quench his growing thirst he pulls out his waterskin and takes a long draw from it. He doesn't say or do anything to even acknowledge that the prepared feast exists.
"Our time is limited; we have others waiting for our return and news of recent events as well. But we are eager to learn more of the island and its secrets, if you are ready to share with us."
You may be aware that our time on this island seems to have been wrought with trickery. I hope then, that you understand my caution given the context of this.
Looking at the food and drink on the apparent reed mat, Anton's stomach heaves at the thought of what might be behind the illusion that he believes cloaks the hill. He sits at one of the places and smiles at the apparently beautiful fey. "Thank you. I'm amazed that you knew what we did, and I would love to know more about this island."
Seeing Mihai and Tragershen approach the feast Corbius follows closely behind staying as near as possible to them. His hand resting lon Asilande as his eyes shift from watching the tree to watching the Dryad. Looking fo any sign of deception on her part.
The food looks wonderful but I believe we came here for information and not to dine. Thank You.
Aycenia sits at the head of the reed mat waiting for you to sit, when people start to filter over with obvious caution and start to tell her they are just here for information...
So what is it you wish to know? I know most of what goes on around the island. I think I mentioned I have been here for hundreds of years and have a special connection to the island. Sit and ask your questions even if you don't want to eat. she motions to places around the mat.
When Nim's gives his curt response and then Aedalis start to cast his spell...Aycenia speaks up.
Well I guess it would come to this eventually. she looks at you pleasantly, but the tone in her voice becomes dangerous, no longer sweet and musical, as she rises.
Aedalis completes his spell and detects poison in the food item he was focusing on...
I will enjoy slowly flaying the skin from your bodies, I will save you for last and make sure you live for days screaming the entire time! she looks directly at Nim!
Damned Aedalis spoiled her plans, dirty sneaking witch! lol
initiative strings:
Order of Combat Round 1:
Anton 18a
Nim 18b
Aycenia 17
Corbrius 13a
Tragershen 13b
Aedalis 10
Darkwood 8
Mihai 3
Anton and Nim to go...
Round 1
Trying to maintain a diplomatic facade for his comrades, Anton rises with their hostess, listening politely -- until she says "I will enjoy slowly flaying the skin..." and then he explodes into action.
Having already imagined what they would do if she betrayed them, Anton knows that Wicewakan flanks Nim's opponent when he can (and Nim tries to set them up for it), so Anton dashes over to one side, drawing his lucerne hammer as he goes. She finishes, "...screaming the entire time!" and the swift ranger sweeps low with his long polearm, hoping to knock the dark dryad's legs out from under her; but the centuries-old fey has seen every trick in the book, and easily dances out of the way.
Inspired as he was by Aerys's book, Anton looks for someone else to encourage similarly, and his gaze settles on his magus friend. "Just so you know, I think that was amazingly brave what you did in that cave with the demon-spawn." The short traveling arsenal emphasizes his statement with a sincere nod.
Sensing the change in the Dryad's demeanour to one of open hostility, Wic reacts with lighting swiftness but dutifully awaits his master's command...
Nim likewise reacts quickly to the start of hostilities. He draws his scimitar and moves into position beside Anton readying to strike once Wicewakan gets in behind the dark dryad...
Nim swings with all his might...
...while whistling his command.
Wic responds immediately and swings wide into position opposite Nim triggering Nim's attack. Wic lunges in at the same time, going low for the legs while his master goes high from the other side...
...and both connect!
Anton moves up and sweeps his Lucern Hammer into her feet...it is a pretty clumsy strike though and she easily evades it.
Nim/Tragershen, you feel like there is something wrong about the voice eminating from Aycenia now that she is talking more...it's almost as though the lips are not really in sync with the mouth moving or it is just coming from around her head...it's an odd sensation or look.
But you realize that the voice may not really be coming from her...
Sensing the change in the Dryad's demeanour to one of open hostility, Wic reacts with lighting swiftness but dutifully awaits his master's command...
Nim realizes that not everything is at it appears, calling out a warning to the others, There is trickery afoot, something is wrong with her voice! She might be an illusion and be in the tree still!
...while at the same time moving back and drawing his scimitar, putting more room between himself and the "dryad". He scans the area for any other deceptions... and commands Wic to "defend", indicating himself...
...before casting a spell upon himself, causing his already powerful form to ripple with increased strength.
Wic moves back to with his master to stand between him and the apparent threat of the dryad.