"Just blink a bunch of times, that always works when we're seeing double after drinking too much."
"Tsin, your peepers working alright?"
Hektir blinks a lot. And then some more, trying to get his vision back.
"Maybe you could try again in the morning? You guys think we could hole up for the night? We got this place pretty well locked down, right?"
Tsin heartens to Quinn's attentions. "I'm not sure. I think so. It's a little smeary, but there's light now where there wasn't before. I suppose it's due to my being able to open my lids now."
Tsin turns to the sylph. "Will Radosek understand that the tower has been occupied? Does he have easy ways of traveling through his own home?"
Quinn's quickly able to set Tsin aright, and though it takes a little more time, with Nadya's help is able to restore Hektir's sight as well.
As you do so, the sylph takes her leave, flying out of the aerie with her ravens. "Fare well, strangers. Though I wish you no ill, I think I shall not stay here and see what transpires."
"Goodbye, our Good Lady, remember our kindness to you and your flock if ever our paths cross again!"
With the sylph gone, Quinn smashes any mirrors in the room, then searches it before discussing any plans for the path ahead.
Once he's positive that no other spies are lurking about, "Alright gang, that long red carpet in the last area likely leads to the witch. Should we rest along the carpet before that portal and keep guard so the witch does not escape with the child?"
Tsin nods approvingly, still reveling in the return of her sight. "The time spent gaining back our strength is well worth the risk of resting in the tower, with the witch still likely present."
Tsin gets as comfortable as the ice tower will allow. "I'll take first watch."
Hektir blinks, opening one eye, then another, then closing both, opening one, closing that one, opening the other then blinking again and again.
He grins as big a grin as anyone has seen from him yet.
"HEY! I can see! I can see!!" Hektir announces, giving Quinn a bear hug. "Hey, thanks Quinn!" Putting Quinn down, the starts to do the same to Nadya, but remembers her dignity and instead gives her a winning, manly smile (oblivious to the scrtches and blood on his face from the raven pecks).
"It's good to be able to see you again, Nadya," Hektir thanks warmly.
"Alright gang, that long red carpet in the last area likely leads to the witch. Should we rest along the carpet before that portal and keep guard so the witch does not escape with the child?"
Tsin gets as comfortable as the ice tower will allow. "I'll take first watch."
Hektir nods, asceding to the wisdom of others agreeing with his idea.
"Let's find a place where we can watch the front entrance and the lower teleporters. Maybe we'll put furniture in the teleporty thingies to prevent them from working," Hektir opines. "Yeah, now that I can see, I'll take a watch too."
There are two other doors in the chamber. One leads to what appears to be a bedroom. Two bookshelves, a chest, and a comfortable-looking bed heaped with thick blankets furnish it while a mobile of ice crystals carved to resemble birds hangs from the ceiling, glinting in the light from frost-covered windows.
On the other side of the second door, dozens of stacked crates fill an angular storeroom. Several miniature dollhouses stand atop high shelves.
Quinn will take his time searching through everything for any tool that may be useful against the witches.
There seems to be a number of small baubles in the dollhouses. They include a jeweled silver dagger whose hilt resembles the head of a blue-eyed winter wolf, a jade bracelet in the shape of a Tian sovereign dragon, a pair of porcelain dolls, a silver medallion decorated with sapphires, a gold signet ring and three blue quartz crystals.
There seems to be a number of small baubles in the dollhouses. They include a jeweled silver dagger whose hilt resembles the head of a blue-eyed winter wolf, a jade bracelet in the shape of a Tian sovereign dragon, a pair of porcelain dolls, a silver medallion decorated with sapphires, a gold signet ring and three blue quartz crystals.
"Hey Zeno! Could you ask your human if any of this stuff is magical? Or might tell us where the child is? Lots of dolls in here, but no children," Hektir says while rifling through the dollhouses.
Hektir pockets any and all of the valuables when Mal is done looking at them.
Tsin watches the boys look over the trinkets. "Be careful. If those are anything like the dragon cookie, you'll do well to tread lightly in the jewelry of witches." She can't help but look over the silver medallion a couple of times.
Pems smiles at the memory of the cookies, and watches Hektir for signs of any curses or deformities.
"Stop?" Nadya asks. "But Thora may still be here somewhere. I do no want to stop!"
Hektir doesn't seem to be acting any differently than before.
Quinn looks to his companions as Nadya protests their rest. "I have some abilities remaining this day, but much of my energy is spent."
"What say the rest of you, should we continue? I feel we should guard the portal and get our rest, I'd prefer we had the healing power of Cayden backing us when we find that sneaky witch."
"Nadya, we will just rest long enough to gain our strength, then we'll continue searching for Thora. It won't do us any good to find her if we're too weak to take her back from the witches."
"Do you really think they will let us rest here? They will come and take us!"
Quinn shoulders his pack hesitantly, not brave enough to tell the woman missing her child 'No', but hoping that Hektir has the gumph to do it.
Hektir looks at Nadya, understanding and compassion in his eyes.
"Nadya, I've bled for you. And I've killed for you. And I'll do both again for you. But I want to succeed and I want to have the best chance to strangle the childnapper and summerstealer with my bare hands. However, we are tired....our magics are spent. We need rest," Hektir mansplains levelly, walking towards Nadya.
"We'll be safe tonight. Don't you worry. And tomorrow we'll find your child or tear this place apart until we find our answers." Hektir looks at Nadya in the eyes, still unmindful of how torn up his face is.
Hektir continues to fortify the transporter and the front entrance, trying to create a safe place to rest. But it's clear that he's made up his manly mind.
"Get some rest, Nadya. If you have spare energy and want to take first watch, that is fine too."
Malavarius blinks and shakes his head as the noise of Hektir's efforts seemingly draw him back from a very great distance. "Hmm? What's happening? Oh - it seems the slyph has gone away. Ha ha! The slyph has gone away! Chased her off, did we? Excellent! Splendid!" He nods approvingly at the wand in his hand as Zeno sighs softly to himself.
After catching back up on recent events, he tugs his beard in thought as he stares at the floor between his feet. After a few long moments, he looks up at Nadya. "We will certainly keep looking for your daughter, my dear. Of course we will. And I know it's painful to be so close, but we must also have the strength to get you home once the search is done. Radish-head or whatever-his-name is would likely kill us all if we pressed further as we are now." He gently takes the woman's hand in his and pats it comfortingly, sadness glistening in his eyes.
He also turns to Tsin, "And don't you fret either, my girl, I'll make sure to have a spell or two ready to help ward you from those witches' nasty spells too. We'll scour this tower and chase off all these blasted witches as sure as my name is- as sure as... oh dear. Zeno? I say, Zeno! Where have you gotten to, you sneaky swallow? Do you know I've quite forgotten my name again?"
Hektir works with Tsin to seal off the aerie, allowing very difficult access from the transporter.
"C'mon, let's set watch and sleep. It's been a long, long day," Hektir says with a spit.
Tsin makes herself useful, moving what she can to complicate easy passage around the transporter. She agrees with holing up in the sylph's room, having something substantial against the winds of the aerie.
"And don't you fret either, my girl, I'll make sure to have a spell or two ready to help ward you from those witches' nasty spells too. We'll scour this tower and chase off all these blasted witches as sure as my name is- as sure as... oh dear. Zeno? I say, Zeno! Where have you gotten to, you sneaky swallow? Do you know I've quite forgotten my name again?"
"I've been studying your arts, master Malavarius. It has been the only reassurance that there are things in this world that can protect oneself against the imposition of another's will over one's own." Tsin pauses in consideration. She narrows her gaze, etching a triangle in the air in front of Mal's face, while grasping at a small triangle of fabric under her cloak.
"I've felt its protections, but it only lasts for a minute or so. I've been able to do so for the past couple of hours, but it tires to keep bringing it up so often. It makes me interested in a more permanent form of it." Tsin smilefrowns at Mal awkwardly.
"Let me observe you a bit more, and I might pick up on your wards more easily."
Malavarius nods as Tsin shares her concerns and his eyes sparkle with pride as she conjures a simple orison into being, but then he removes his hat and scratches his balding pate in consideration. "Mal-ah-var-ee-yus? Malavar-ius?" He rolls the name on his tongue as if tasting an aged wine, eyes darting up to the ceiling as he considers the sound of the name. "Hmm, what a magnificent name. Ha, it must be mine! Quite a lovely ring to it, don't you think, Zeno? Malavarius! Ha ha - yes! Wonderful." He pats Tsin on the shoulder approvingly, "Yes, let's practice in the morning, shall we?" then sets about making room on the floor of the bedroom for his studies, producing a tiny stump of a candle and his spellbook. Before long though, he slumps over into the wall dead asleep, never having even gotten far enough to light the candle.
Pems smiles at Mal's dementia. He looks at Tsin and says, "I can help, a little bit." He casts his ward over her, adding a +2 resistance bonus to her saves and +2 deflection bonus to her AC until she fails a save or gets hit.
He smiles shyly at Tsin. Then, his brow furrowing, he frowns. In a smaller voice, he says, "Do you think Nadya's daughter is still, well, alive? We've seen so little that would seem to be from a small child here. It worries me. What have they done with her?"
Quinn nods sadly as Pem says what he's thinking. "The cookies were the only thing that could have been for a child, other than that no one has seen her recently, if at all. If the Sylph was right, we should have found some sign of her near the dining room."
"I give my reports to Radosek. I believe he is here, in his chambers another level up. As for the girl, she was kept in a bedroom near the dining room."
"I have not seen Nalzhena since I arrived at the Pale Tower, but Radosek was here last I saw. Where exactly, I can not tell you. As for who else is here, I am not certain if it is all, but there is the cook, the noblewoman, plus I suppose any guards you've not disposed of. As for a child, I've not seen one since I've been here."
Quinn brightens at the spot of hope. "Maybe Nalzhena has the child with her? That could explain why neither of them has been seen recently. Though I hate to think why the witch would want a child with her while traveling?"
"Yes, let's practice in the morning, shall we?"
"I'll remind you come morning, then." Tsin joins Pems in a knowing look, as Malavarius resets his clock.
As Pems makes clear his gift of magic, Tsin visibly eases. "That. Is. Wonderful. You have better command of the magic that provides rebellion against those who seek to dominate." Tsin pats Pems' shoulder. "I would not see you weakened to make me stronger, so I'll trust you to know that." Tsin arches an eyebrow to make sure Pems understands her.
She leans closer, matching her voice to his. "It's likely the girl died when we destroyed the doll. I would not state that as truth just yet, but it's looking more likely. We need Nadya to hope here, so let's not openly discuss it until we've cleared the Tower."
Tsin takes her place near the door, and readies herself to supervise the rest of the others.
The door does open inward, letting Tsin set herself in front of it as she and Pems take the first watch.
Nadya paces back and forth in a small circle, clearly unable to rest.
Only an hour passes, when suddenly Mal's alarm sounds: Something is outside!
Tsin flashes a look at Pems, keeping him away from the door, and looking at the others sleeping. She presses her hand down, in a waiting gesture.
Tsin slides her new longsword from its sheath, and opens the door, after listening at it.
Unless awoken by Pems or Tsin's cries, Hektir remains abed.
Pems moves over to wake the sleepers quietly, while holding his spear ready.
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Pems moves over to wake the sleepers quietly, while holding his spear ready.
Hektir sleeps reaches out to embrace 'Nadya' as she sneaks into bed with him.
"Been waiting for you. C'mere..."
Hektir sleeps reaches out to embrace 'Nadya' as she sneaks into bed with him."Been waiting for you. C'mere..."
For a moment Pems freezes. Then he brings the butt of the spear down next to Hektir's ear, causing a loud ringing. "Wake up, loverboy! TROUBLE." he hisses.
Looking outside, Tsin sees a man holding a cauldron floating some 20 feet above the floor of the aerie, and, oddly, a goat.
Hektir:
Malavarius:
Pemsworth:
Quinn:
Tsin:
Antagonist:
Nadya:
Malavarius sits up with a start, "What the- what's going on? What happened to Frederick? Somebody shut off that infernal racket!" Zeno flits over to Tsin's shoulder and hisses back at the wizard,
"He's got who in the where with what?!"
Malavarius struggles to his feet and fishes the wand from one of his sleeves. "Floating men, indeed!"
Round 1, Init 17
Hektir's sleepy eyes focus on Pems.
"What the heck Pems?! What did you do with Nadya?" Hektir says, looking around.
Shieldless but armored (sleeping in light armor), Hektir rises from bed. Seeing the interrupting goat, then the man with cauldron , Hektir's hand bursts in flames.
Round 1, init 21
Quinn wakes up from a nightmare about chilly prisons to hear Zeno hissing at Maladad.
"Hush, you! Wake up and be quiet! There's a strange man floating in the air out here and he's got your mother tucked under his arm!"
Quinn can barely contain his excitement, "Grandma? She's here?"
Certain he can't be so fortunate to find lost relatives twice in one day, and remembering the deception of the fake Lady Argentea, Quinn springs to his feet with crossbow in hand and imparts a blessing to his allies.
Pems sighs loudly, then shakes his head. He turns to the floating goat and man. "Who are you and what do you want goat-man?"
Round 1, Init 20
AC = 19, Warded by Master Pems
HP = 40/40
Weapon Equipped = MW Cold Iron Longsword
Condition(s) = Warded, Blessed
Tsin makes way for Pems to approach the witch with words. Of course it floats. They all float down here. One day, I'll float too.
If the goat attacks(or the man), she swings on it before it gets to Pems.
Pemsworth: 27
Quinn: 21
Tsin: 20
Hektir: 17
Nadya: 15
Malavarius: 8
Antagonist: 7
Nadya joins the others in beginning to climb to your feet. As Pems looks out, the man begins casting, the cauldron floating in front of him, steam pouring from its mouth.
HP: 20/22
AC: 11 (11 T / 10 FF)
Fort: +1 // Ref: +2 // Will: +5 (+1 vs spells, SLAs, & Su abilities of evil arcane spellcasters)
Resist 5: Cold
Cantrips Prepared (4): detect magic, open/close, prestidigitation, read magic
Level 1 Prepared (4+2+1): endure elements [X], forced quiet [X], hold portal [X], hydraulic push [ ], protection from evil* [X] [ ], snapdragon fireworks [X]
Level 2 Prepared (1+2+1): protection from arrows [X] [X] [X], spontaneous immolation [X]
Protective Ward used: 6/8
Scorching Ray charges used: 23/42
Ongoing Effects:
none
Round 2, Init 17
Spellcraft
Hektir spits, hitting a place that he thought he spat before, then moves to engage the goat jerk.
TOUCH attack;
Fire damage.
Hektir moves 2 squares to the left of the goatjerk and tosses flame.
Round 2, init 21
Quinn strains to understand the arcane art being invoked, but fails to comprehend the nature of the spell. Remembering the vision of Tsin's blade slicing at him and fearing the worst, Quinn guardedly waits for Tsin to act before he rushes from the room and attacks the goat lord.
Round 2, Init 20
AC = 19, thanks to Pems
HP = 40/40
Weapon Equipped = MW Cold Iron Longsword
Condition(s) = Warded
Tsin watches the witch warily, but gladdens that at least one antagonist in the room is gravitationally stricken. She moves directly at the goat. I've broken down better examples of you, kiddo.
The general uncleanliness of the aerie proves just slippery enough to throw off her balance at the last, her left heel finding little purchase through the bird droppings.
Round 2, init 16
Following the Butcher, Quinn drops his crossbow as he draws his rapier and rushes to strike at the witch, hoping to prevent his evil spellcasting.