The Seven Prayers: Save the Princess! (Inactive)

Game Master Aebliss

It's time to escort a young noblewoman to her first meeting with her fiancé, all in the name of peace. And then it's time to save her life...!


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Female Android Armor Master Fighter 3rd

Arma watches an listens through her helm nervously as the two men ask their questions. From the tales of this woman's cards tell and the tales of those that come to meet her she does not know if it is wise they even speak with her by reputation.

Still reputations are not always accurate. She steps forward, standing near the two men and looking carefully at these cards and their dealer. Raising her visor and watching Aniseed with a sincere interest but also hopeful concern she plainly lets both show on her face. Still she looks to the woman dealing the Harrow finally with a calm sort of resignation as she speaks up.

"Lady Aniseed. Why was the Princess taken?"

It is one of the few questions she could think of that was important to the journey. And if they would pay some price for this knowledge she now knew she would pay as well. But if that reputation was only something to fool the fearful it may mean that her concern was unfounded. Still Arma held her shield even though her other hand now had moved from her blades hilt.


Male DM DM 10

DM corner:
1d6 ⇒ 5
1d6 ⇒ 3
1d6 ⇒ 5
1d6 ⇒ 6
1d6 ⇒ 6
1d6 ⇒ 5

Aniseed smirks at Arma, but does turn over five cards.
The first shows a rugged-looking man, raising a heavy shield of iron-bound oak against an avalanche of small stones, tumbling down the side of the mountain the man is on.
"The Mountain Man, from the House of Shields, tells us that your princess encountered some force she had no control over."

The second card shows an ugly Hag scurrying along under a starry sky, carrying a sack over one shoulder. She has the index finger of her free hand against her lips, and seems to be both winking and leering at you.
"The Mute Hag, from the House of Stars. There is a treacherous secret here, something that was hidden -- probably from your princess."

On the third card, thespians in brightly-coloured clothes prance around a stage, all holding up crowns up gold-painted wood and tin to the sky. Their expressions are exalted.
"The Theater, from the House of Crowns. Prophecy is about. In this Age of Lost Omens, prophecy is suspect, but not dead. This bodes ill; your little princess' fate may have brought her to her current state. If it didn't, then she has been swept up in someone -- or something -- else's fate, and like a leaf on the water, she may be dashed against the rocks. Or sucked under by the current."

The fourth card shows a throne, a royal mantle, sceptre and crown lying thereon.
"The Empty Throne signifies those who are gone, and lessons taught by the past. But in this spread, it suggests that the past is coming back to haunt the present. The forces that have enveloped your quarry reach back beyond your enemy of the moment, or so it seems."

The fifth and final card an old biddy, kneeling between the legs of a pregnant young woman. Through the open window, you see the stars.
"The Midwife. Even if your girl was but flotsam on the river, her capture serves some great purpose. Whether she will survive the coming of that purpose is another matter entirely."


"I'd rather not peek into the future or the universe's plans."


Male DM DM 10

"No skin off of my nose," the Witch says, shrugging. Then she adds, in an odd, but beautiful-sounding language:

Celestial:
"... Bastard child of the heavens and the earth."

She smiles beatifically when she says it, and her eyes twinkle.


Noya shows some anger in her face, but also shows great restraint.


Female Human Wiz/9 | AC 18* T 17* FF 17* | HP 46/46 | F +5 R +5 W +8 | Init +7| Perc +1|Sense Motive +1

Pontia is about to shake her head, but stops. "Is there a price that we must pay for your aid, ma'am?"


Male DM DM 10

"For the reading of the cards, no," Aniseed replies. "Anything else? Oh, yes." Her smile on that 'yes' is less than comforting. Rather the opposite, really.


Female Human Wiz/9 | AC 18* T 17* FF 17* | HP 46/46 | F +5 R +5 W +8 | Init +7| Perc +1|Sense Motive +1

One of Pontia's eyebrows quirks up at the end. "Very well. What is the nature of the individual who kidnapped the princess?"


Male DM DM 10

DM corner:
1d6 ⇒ 2
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1d6 ⇒ 1

"How sensible," Aniseed murmurs, as she shuffles and cuts the deck. Again the Dance, the Cyclone and the Fiend come out to govern the spread. The next card the Witch turns over shows an injured man in tattered clothing, crawling onto a beach, his face covered in his own blood. In the background, a ship is sinking -- or rather is being pulled down into the water by something monstrous. A crown sits crooked on his head.
"From the House of Crowns, the Surivor. He is a man who has endured and overcome torments unimaginable, when all the... hah... cards seemed to be against him."

The second card shows a leering demon in a cloak. With one hand, it holds up a jack-o-lantern carved to resemble a skull, full of some hideous, blazing light. In its other hand, it holds a massive key.
"The Demon's Lantern. Although your enemy survived his ordeals, he found himself in an impossible situation. He was deceived on all sides, and found himself trapped. His torment knew no end, it would seem."

The third card shows a man lying on the ground, trying desperately to ward off a group of attackers, who are striking him with hammers while they laugh and cheer each other on.
"From the House of Hammers, the Beating. Your man was assaulted from all quarters, and his sense of self suffered. It is probably still suffering, if it hasn't already started to decay."

The Witch looks at Pontia with an eerie smile. "If I had to guess, I'd say that your enemy is a man broken by life. Broken, and not put back together right. He is a man in pain. Now isn't that sad?"


Female Human Wiz/9 | AC 18* T 17* FF 17* | HP 46/46 | F +5 R +5 W +8 | Init +7| Perc +1|Sense Motive +1

"For him."


Male DM DM 10

"That goes without saying," Aniseed agrees, nodding. "Who shall be next?"


Status:
  • HP 8 | AC 13 | T 12 | FF 11 | CMD 12
  • F +0 | R +2 | W +4
  • Initiative +2 | Perception +8
  • Spells per day | Level 1: 4
Half-Elf Stargazer 2

"Alright, if you are not charging anything for the reading, show me what you have." Raina says cautiously.


Male DM DM 10

"Ask. A. Question," Aniseed says, smiling. "Or do you want me to pick a question for you?"


Status:
  • HP 8 | AC 13 | T 12 | FF 11 | CMD 12
  • F +0 | R +2 | W +4
  • Initiative +2 | Perception +8
  • Spells per day | Level 1: 4
Half-Elf Stargazer 2

"I was content until my uncle was killed. Nature cries out for me to settle his murder. My question is this: Why do the stars draw me into these events?" she asks.

"I just want what the cards say, nothing else. No opinions, please." Raina adds.


Male DM DM 10

DM corner:
1d6 ⇒ 3
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"As you wish," Aniseed says. She shuffles; she cuts. Again, the Dance, the Cyclone, the Fiend. Then follow three cards.
First, you see a man ravaged by disease, lying all alone on a dirt road. He is clutching at his shield -- in vain. It is clear that he is dying.
"The Sickness, from the House of Shields," the Witch says. "Corruption, plague, famine, pestilence and disease. Nature unbalanced."

The second card shows a hammer, seen from its base and rising up against the limitless expanse of the open sky, which is divided in day and night.
"From the House of Hammers, the Big Sky. A momentous change is coming."

The third card shows an owl, sitting on a branch and outlined against the night sky. Starlight reflects in the needle it clutches in one paw and in its scowling eyes.
"From the House of Stars, the Owl. The harsh wisdom of the natural order.

You have asked me not to give you my opinion, so interpret as you see fit," the Witch says, smiling sweetly.


Female Android Armor Master Fighter 3rd

Arma looking around the area glances to Robert as the events continue to pass. There had been few words from the man but perhaps he was silent for a reason. Still she moved over to speak to him a bit opening her visor as she did.

In a quiet voice so perhaps only he would hear.

Whispered:
"Sir Robert... What do you think about this situation? I confess lost as we are, that to find ourselves before this woman with her reputation as a ageless witch that devours souls that come to her is odd at best. It certainly does not seem as if this is merely coincidence."


Male Human (Tian-Shu) Sorcerer 3

Zhu is taken aback by the odd yet beautiful woman's behavior. Still, he allows himself to be pulled over and played with. He knows that dangers can lurk behind beautiful facades, but there's little to be gained by reacting rudely to her until he gets a better grasp on the situation.

The cards, however, fascinate him! He watches attentively during every reading, taking mental notes about the Harrow cards and their meanings.

"If I may," he asks, smiling. "This is very interesting, good lady. In other circumstances, I would like the time to learn more about these cards, but unfortunately, time is NOT our ally, and your reading seems to echo that. So I will ask my question: We have been given taunting messages. How is the writer of these messages connected to the princess' kidnapper?"


Male DM DM 10

DM corner:
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Aniseed grins when Zhu speaks, and he can feel her grip on his hair tightening - not painfully so, but hard enough for her to 'playfully' rotate his head left and right while she stares at his face from close-up. Her expression is one of pure delight - or is that impure delight...? Her eyes sparkle in either case, and her breath seems to be quickening.
"The pretty speaks!" she purrs, then adds in a foreign language:

Tien:
"Such a tasty voice!"

The Witch starts to lean closer to Zhu, but she shakes herself and returns her attention to the cards. "Obligations first, business second, pleasures third," she says, as she shuffles and cuts. Again the Dance, the Cyclone, the Fiend. Then three cards. The first one shows a man with a vacant stare and a slack face, holding a book to his chest like a teddy-bear. His clothes are filthy and mismatched, his hair is a ratty, matted mess and long strands of drool are falling from his mouth.
"From the House of Tomes, the Idiot. Folly, greed, a bribe, blackmail or hubris. Perhaps the other cards will tell us more."

The second card shows a bent, old man, standing at a worktable and making keys with delicate tools. His blue eyes are as shrewd as the Idiot card's are vacant, and his fingers are clearly dextrous.
"From the House of Keys, the Locksmith. This is about the tools needed to unlock some new place, puzzle or hoard -- or a situation? We shall see the third and final card of your spread."

The third card shows a noble Paladin, wielding a great war-hammer and standing fast against an army of onrushing fiends and undead.
"From the House of Hammers, the Paladin. This card represents standing resolute against trouble, without backing down -- and without adapting to the situation, too."

Aniseed sits in thought for a moment, the fingers of her right hand drumming absent-mindedly on Zhu's shoulder. "This is someone who will not adapt to a problem, but tries to go against it. He sought the correct tools to do so... and he picked the wrong one, I'd say."


Male Human Rogue (Swashbuckler) 3

Robert did not react to Lady Secunda's outburst. There was fire in her, and he liked that. One to keep under scrutiny, maybe they could have more meaningful talks later.

He quickly forgot her once they found Hennet, though. Everything in that setup was wrong. The man had been killed, and the message, according to the clever ones in the group, had been faked. That led him to believe the map itself was fake: someone was trying very hard to lead them to a particular place.

Distracted by the appearance of Raina, he didn't bring the matter up, and as they started walking deeper into the forest, he decided it was not really worth bringing it up, since they had no other clue. Better to go and meet their destiny then.

When they met the beautiful woman at the end of their map, he smiled inwardsly, although as one resigned to cruel fate. Could it have been this woman who led them here? He distrusted her instinctively, certainly influenced by his state of mind in the last hours, and so he quickly made the connection to the tale about the Aniseed's witch they had heard the day before.

Taken around by her, he felt like prey in the wolf's den, but for the time she was answering questions, and danger was delayed. He delayed as well. Prompted by Arma, he shared finally his thoughts:

"Well, I think we're being led on a merry chase. Someone is manipulating us and has crafted this map with the promise of leading us to the wizard, but with full intent to place us in this forest. The goblin messages may be planted as well, and I reckon we just don't know what to expect. But certainly, this matches what the readings have told us so far. We were placed here for an ambush, and for one I begin to think this Aniseed is not the one behind it. She may actually be a convenient stepping stone, where we can rethink our tactics and strategy. Anyway, it seems we are meeting the first stage of our destiny here."

After all the others have asked their questions, or passed on it, he finally turns to his would-be devourer:

"I'm not usually into this kind of entertainment, I guess, but it seems you give useful answers. So, I have a question for you: what is the role of these small creatures that attacked us before, goblins red debulls or whatever they are, in this whole scheme of the princess's kidnapping? Are they silly pawns pushed around by a master mind? Are they connected to that wizard at all?"

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4578986/
Wis check: 1d20 = 18


Male DM DM 10

DM corner:
1d6 ⇒ 5
1d6 ⇒ 5
1d6 ⇒ 1
1d6 ⇒ 5
1d6 ⇒ 4
1d6 ⇒ 4

"And the other pretty talks as well," Aniseed says. She pouts. "But not as nicely as your friend... Ah, well. Enough small talk, then; let us see what the Harrow has to say to you."

The Witch shuffles, she cuts, she lays down the guiding cards: the Dance; The Cyclone; the Fiend. Next, she flips over five cards.
The first one shows the sun, covered by the moon, all the stars burning around it like the eyes of fiends.
"From the House of the Stars, the Eclipse. This signals a loss of faith and purpose, and a doubt of one's abilities or prospects. This is getting interesting."

The second card shows the Beating, the card you already saw during Pontia's reading.
"I believe I can see the pattern evolving," Aniseed says, one finger pressed against her lower lip. "Someone suffered a grae disappointment and it unbalanced them, damaged their sense of self. And of course it is rather telling that this card also appeared during a reading that concerned your Wizard chum. Let us see what else there is."

The third card shows a lively, festive scene. It's a carnival, with villagers happily wandering from stall to stall under the starlit sky while hoisting tankards. But at a closer look, the visitors look slack-jawed and crude, and the carnival workers are eyeing them with weary contempts.
"From the House of Stars, the Carnival, card of illusions and false dreams. The pattern builds further; whatever or whoever set the Goblins against you got the wrong end of the stick somehow."

The fourth card shows a man rising out of his seat, his eyes wide and staring into the distance. A vast tome lies on a table in front of him.
"From the House of Tomes, the Vision. This represents esoteric or arcane knowledge -- or madness. The last card will clarify, perhaps."

The fifth and final card shows a man lying dead in a grassy meadow, a book under one hand, a poisonous serpent coiled about his leg.
"Also from the House of Tomes, the Snakebite. Poison, venom, assassination... and discord."

Aniseed steeples her fingers and stares into the distance, appearing pensive. "Someone connected to the Red Debbulls suffered a crisis of faith, and got the wrong idea. This caused a crisis of the self, leading to dissolution -- and created a link between them and the Wizard you seek. Arcane knowledge and madness have lead to discord between them, however. So the answer to your question is that they were connected -- and now most likely are not any longer. Each follows their own path, but more than likely to a goal they hold in common; the similarities are there."


"Now then," Aniseed says, smiling once more. She packs up the cards, wraps them in silk and puts them away before leaning back, her hands toying with Robert's and Zhu's hair again.

"So much for the freebie you were owed, courtesy of your pointy-eared little friend staring at the stars so much," the Witch says, her smile somehow... corrupt. She blows Raina a little kiss. "Remember, dearie; when you stare at someone, they're going to look back.

With the reading concluded, let us get to business. What is it you'd like of old Aniseed, and how will you be paying?"


Female Android Armor Master Fighter 3rd

Arma listens to Roberts words with some concern.

Perhaps Sir Robert... Perhaps...

She listens also as he speaks his question to the fortune telling woman. His insistence of destiny makes her simply wonder at why she gets the strange feeling she thinks he is wrong. The woman seemed to be enjoying their predicament too much.

However, as the final fortune is read upon the harrow she does wonder what to make of it all considering they had gotten answers freely from the witch from some odd law or code. Perhaps there was more to this than she had noticed.

"What sort of payment would you expect Miss Aniseed?"

The tone that Arma spoke in is serious and still polite but an understanding dawns upon her as she considers where they still were and the nervous look behind her eyes is there to show it. Something forgotten sprang to her thoughts as she spoke and she realized what had been ignored.

None of them had asked how to find their way from the forest that had ensnared them. The price of their failure to realize this might be very high in deed if her reputation for charging as steeply as suggested for such was not just legend.


"Weeeell, that just depends on what you want, dearie," Aniseed said, clearly enjoying Arma's confusion. She visibly tweaks Robert's ear. "Depending on what you want, I might ask as little as a piece of copper. Or I could ask to have these two pretties for my property."

The two 'pretties' feel Aniseed's hands land squarely on their shoulders. Not painfully so, but very definite...


M Kitsune Dawnflower Dervish 1 Ninja (Scout) 2 | AC 18 T 14 FF 14 | HP 8/21 | F +1, R +9, W +1 | Init +4| Perc +5| Sense Motive +3

We need to choose a path forward, as you well know lovely lady. Kyrax states. We had a goal before your harrowing, and it has not changed as far as I am concerned. And we had a proper path, or so we thought, before fate brought us here. What is your price to set us on this path again, and to advise us so that we do not so easily stray next time?


Male Human Rogue (Swashbuckler) 3

Robert feels uncomfortable under the woman's hands. He can well guess her delights would come at a price, and he had yet much to see and do of the world to abandon all for lust. He shielded his thoughts, and sustained her unwelcome touch as best he could.


Female Human Wiz/9 | AC 18* T 17* FF 17* | HP 46/46 | F +5 R +5 W +8 | Init +7| Perc +1|Sense Motive +1

Pontia stays back and lets the more articulate members of the party do the talking.

-Posted with Wayfinder


Male Human (Tian-Shu) Sorcerer 3

Zhu summons all his concentration to avoid fidgeting under Aniseed's possessive embrace. He can also feel a dark surging of his blood, as if a malicious spirit was bidding him, "TAKE HER, you fool! She wants you! Abandon your quest -- and revel in her lust!"

He licks dry lips and then says with a pleasant voice, "Perhaps Aniseed, our payment could come in the form of secrets from the wizard's lair. Tell us the proper way forward, as Kyrax suggests, and I'll return with something precious that no one else in this land possesses. Something worthy of your insight and beauty." He reasons that a little flattery might come in handy.


"Hmmm," Aniseed hums, her fingers trailing Zhu's jawline while she looks Kyrax in the eye. "What is the price of fate? A loaded question."

She cocks her head as Zhu speaks, and a more speculative expression crosses her face. "That does sound nice. But it rather depends on you returning to me alive -- and returning at all. I am not so trusting a soul. Any servant I send with you would be in some danger, and I'm a little too busy crafting a new spell to scry on you lot all the time. What to do, what to do...?"

A slow, evil smile blossoms on the Witch's lips. "I can twist your Fate-strands around my ankle. Once you have completed your quest in the lair of Xorshak, one way or another, those who survive will come to heel, my heel, no matter how battered your bodies. Fate itself will lead you to my doorstep. You will either pay me with your loot, or you will be mine to toy with as I please."

She raises a hand, forestalling objections.
"Fate for fate. And I will release you to go about your way once you have paid me, your Fate-strands free to resume their normal part in the great weave."

Aniseed leans back, still smiling. "Are we agreed? Safe passage to your destined path, in return for a twist on your destiny that will see you pay me? And do you want anything else before you go? Auntie Aniseed has many lovely things, and they're not all as expensive as a return to your destinies."


"Twisting one's fate goes against divine law.
And I would not want part of that."


M Kitsune Dawnflower Dervish 1 Ninja (Scout) 2 | AC 18 T 14 FF 14 | HP 8/21 | F +1, R +9, W +1 | Init +4| Perc +5| Sense Motive +3

The price is high. Kryax notes in bargaining. I do not mind returning to see your lovely face again, but your words suggest that you may claim all the spoils we will have fought for. And this to only set us onto a path that we were on before we wandered too close to your place of power. he says, guessing more than he knows. If you provide us direct aid with spells or items in addition to direction then I think a share of our loot is a fair price. And let it never be said that Aniseed bargains unfairly.


Status:
  • HP 8 | AC 13 | T 12 | FF 11 | CMD 12
  • F +0 | R +2 | W +4
  • Initiative +2 | Perception +8
  • Spells per day | Level 1: 4
Half-Elf Stargazer 2
Noya Yuuki Aiba wrote:

"Twisting one's fate goes against divine law.

And I would not want part of that."

"I agree. Leave my destiny alone please."


Robert and Zhu feel Aniseed's grip tighten on their shoulders -- and now it is painful, although her expression of evil delight does not change.

"Excuse me," she says, smiling at Kyrax, "but did you just accuse me of waylaying you? Because that would be an insult."

Abruptly, the ambient temperature seems to drop a few degrees...


Male Human (Tian-Shu) Sorcerer 3

Zhu winces, but he calms himself and says between tight breaths, "That is... not what I heard, fair Aniseed. He meant... that we were on our way before we were fortunate enough to encounter you." He gives her his most pleasant look, hoping he can maintain it while wincing. "And encountering you is a detour... I am happy we made."


M Kitsune Dawnflower Dervish 1 Ninja (Scout) 2 | AC 18 T 14 FF 14 | HP 8/21 | F +1, R +9, W +1 | Init +4| Perc +5| Sense Motive +3

oops…

Smiling bravely the little bard clarifies I would never be so crude to suggest such a thing. But it possible that your mere presence here bends fate so that we were more likely to encounter you than not. Think of all the travelers that do find you. Why the town is full of stories of such. Something must be at work. And thank the gods that it is, or we may have missed your generous aid.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20


"Show me your map," Aniseed says, after mulling over Kyrax' words for a moment.

Assuming that you do...

The Witch gives you a crooked smile. "I don't bend Fate for free, nor on a whim, boys - and girls. And I didn't do it here. Whoever left you this map wanted you to come to me; it leads straight here. If a Goblin did this, it's a tricksy specimen, and not stupid; a lot of the people who come here do, indeed, never return home. Nor go anywhere else."


Male Human Rogue (Swashbuckler) 3

Robert smiles grimly, his ideas partially confirmed.

"It is possible that something else is at work. I can't think of a goblin doing this hoping to send us to our deaths. That seems too sophisticated for them. I rather think there is some force, that may be on our side, that sent us this way because you are mighty, Aniseed, and may be the only one that can give us an edge to stop this wizard. What would you accept as payment, if we can not bring you loot? And what would you ask if the payment had to be due before we departed?"


Female Human Wiz/9 | AC 18* T 17* FF 17* | HP 46/46 | F +5 R +5 W +8 | Init +7| Perc +1|Sense Motive +1

"I'll come back here to repay you, if I can. No objection to twisting Fate from me."


Female Android Armor Master Fighter 3rd

Arma having silently been pondering speaks up as the tack in conversation changes faster than she had been able to join. Moving forward visor raised to speak, she stands before the others and speaks up in a confident but grave almost angry but respectful but questioning tone.

"Hold Miss Pontia. Miss Aniseed. What if that is what you are doing now? Sir Robert said the Keleshite Wizard was our target and I bet he is the one behind us arriving here. What if the wizard is using you to delay or dispose of us? He is using the Debbul goblins, he is using the Princess, perhaps he is trying to use you too? Your reputation while boding ill for many who enter your woods is probably all of what he heard. But perhaps though he heard you bend fates and he needs you to bend our fates so he can bend his own? In your readings you said his fate was painful and there were strong forces at work. I bet he suffers due to his arrogance and disrespect of others being lesser than him. I am sure of it as I heard him say as much myself. Is the wizard then arrogant enough to try using all of us and you my Lady Aniseed to escape his fate?

Arma's gaze meets Aniseed's and looks her in the eye.

"You said our enemy picked the wrong tool to use. What if he was just arrogantly using you as just a tool but with no respect or intention of paying for it? I know the arrogance cruelty of wizards... If they don't respect someone, they use them... They seldom care if it hurts or offends unless you make them see it."

At this the look in her eyes fills with a sort of grim and angered determination. "But you also read that we should be open to new friends. I think you have been more than fair if not a friend to us so far Lady Aniseed. Why let business come between our friendship? I say we find a deal that costs us little but costs him greatly. Perhaps we should see if we can make sure he keeps his painful fate? Maybe add a bit more? Ruin his plans and make all his work for nothing as we get back everything and more than he tried to take from us! Perhaps we should join as allies by making him pay for what he would try to steal? From you services and part of your well earned reputation. From us a princess and the love and peace she would bring. I think he owes quite a bit for such arrogance don't you?"

For a time Arma is looking to the others as she speaks again. Looking each of them in the eyes but ending with a certain bard.

So if he did not listen to the stories of the great Aniseed before perhaps we make of him a new story? One of a man arrogant enough to defy the countries of Andoran and Cheliax but also foolish enough to defy Aniseed. Undone by you my Lady and respect and fear layered in so that none will ever doubt you again! My friend Sir Kyrax is a bard of some skill as I have seen. He can write a tale fit for the ages to come.

Arma turns back to Aniseed and with that cold but still determined look she looks her in the eyes once more. What ending to that story would you wish us to write my Lady?"

Arma's voice had been cold and filled with anger not heard from her by any in the group before. There was no mercy in that tone but there was a sense of promised pain and while it does sound horrible coming from her mouth it also sounds like she felt justified and confident enough that she means every word. Given the chance she would make the Keleshite Wizard pay. That was clear.


Aniseed... laughs.

She guffaws.

She kicks her legs and laughs so hard that tears roll from under her eyelids.

When the bout of mirth has passed, she wipes away the tears and giggles a little before replying: "Oh, dearie! The friend the Harrow told you about? That isn't me. I am neither your friend nor your enemy. To me, this is just a business transaction, nothing more."

The Witch starts stroking the heads of the two men sitting beside her again.
"And I am not joining you on your little quest. I'm too old for that sort of nonsense, your problems don't interest me besides the business they might net me, and I am really very busy composing my spell. No, I'll take payment for my services. Pride is not my sin of choice -- and there are plenty of stories going around about me already, plenty to keep me in customers. Like young Xorshak."

The Witch grins nastily.
"Oh, yes. He has been one of my customers. I'll tell you that for free, but any more, you'll have to pay for. Heck, I can clarify each and every one of those Harrow readings for you, give you clear, concise answers -- so long as you pay me.

Hmm, but I must be fair. I haven't laughed like that in a long time. I'll make you a special deal; I'll give you directions to get to the Red Debbulls' lair, which guards Xorshak's tower. And in return..."

Aniseed's grip on Robert and Zhu becomes a little stronger.
"Hmmm. I could stand to unwind a little. I'll take these two for one night -- or else, one thing one of you truly holds dear. Not just something of value, something you love. How's that?"


M Kitsune Dawnflower Dervish 1 Ninja (Scout) 2 | AC 18 T 14 FF 14 | HP 8/21 | F +1, R +9, W +1 | Init +4| Perc +5| Sense Motive +3

Kyrax swallows hard looking at the two men. Your call fellows. Take one for the team?


Female Android Armor Master Fighter 3rd

Arma stands only slightly deflated and walks away... Her face calm and seemingly not offended by the laughter yet not as confident as a moment ago.

She closes her visor and stands next to her horse Garnet. Looking at her and rubbing her head through her gauntlet covered hand she lets the others deal with the woman.


Status:
  • HP 8 | AC 13 | T 12 | FF 11 | CMD 12
  • F +0 | R +2 | W +4
  • Initiative +2 | Perception +8
  • Spells per day | Level 1: 4
Half-Elf Stargazer 2
Kyrax Preyfar wrote:
Kyrax swallows hard looking at the two men. Your call fellows. Take one for the team?

"That depends on what she has you do. I don't want to know everything that can be.....achieved in such an event. And with her it will be an event."


"I find it morally offensive to force them into it, whether it be force, or peer pressure.
It's different though if they truly wish to go with it, and not having regrets about it."


Male Human Rogue (Swashbuckler) 3

Robert chews on an empty mouth while thinking over. He knows this woman is a witch, and that her beautiful apparence is nothing but an illusion. But illusion or not, she is too beautiful to resist, and it has been many many years since he resisted a woman...

Ever the daredevil, he says

"I'll take my chances, Aniseed, on the condition that I am whole and healthy in the morning."


Female Human Wiz/9 | AC 18* T 17* FF 17* | HP 46/46 | F +5 R +5 W +8 | Init +7| Perc +1|Sense Motive +1

Pontia looks away from the rest of the party and Aniseed, covering her mouth.


"Done!" the Witch says, grinning at Robert. "Whole, healthy, but probably a bit tired."

She smirks at Raina. "And to assuage your friend's fears; I'm not a Kuthite. Though I have been known to do some rope tricks, I'm not into chains."

Pulling Robert close, Aniseed leers at Zhu. "So. Do we have a deal, or is one of you going to give up something they truly love?"


Female Android Armor Master Fighter 3rd

Arma hearing the deal going through, while she is rubbing Garnets head in some thought, a muffled almost whispered few words rings out from her helm...

Perception DC 15:
"I'm so sorry my friend."

Arma turns her head slightly but sharply toward Aniseed with her visor still down...

"WAIT! Lady Aniseed. If I gave you my friend Garnet...? Though it goes against my faith to offer... I do love and care for her. Could you promise she is safe with you? Would she be enough alone, for you to give us what you offered?"

The first word sounds steady, loud and abrupt but the sentence that followed sounded like nothing but a sort of sickened acceptance. Still the distortion of the words through the visor made it sound quivering perhaps.

Arma continues to rub the mares head as Garnet begins to canter and nuzzle her arm almost nervously. Her other hand still holding the reigns raises to the wooden holy symbol to Shelyn around her neck.


Aniseed cocks her head at Arma's offer and seems to consider.
Then she gets up, casually pushing off of Robert and Zhu, and sways over to Arma and Garnet. The Witch's feet make barely any sound at all as she stalks around the horse, looking her up and down.

"Steady, girl," she says in a soothing tone of voice as she strokes Garnet's nose. "I just want to look you over a bit."
The horse promptly opens her mouth so Aniseed can check her teeth, and allows the Witch to look at her hooves with good grace.

Finally, Aniseed spits in her palm and offers her hand to Arma.
"The offer will most certainly do /
so hereby I'll take her over from you /
Our deal I declare is done and done /
because although men and boys are fun /
but a Witch needs a good horse when she goes on the run /
And for her safety you need have no fear /
I don't mistreat my animal companions, my dear."

Provided Arma shakes the Witch's hand, she feels a jolt go all the way up her arm to her elbow -- and she knows the route to the Red Debbulls' lair; it's imprinted into her memory as surely as her own name!
Then, something unexpected; Garnet suddenly whinnies with shock and rears up on her hind legs -- and her body warps, her centre of mass and bone structure shifting. The horse sounds surprised, rather than in pain, but when the transformation is finished, the creature standing before you looks like a hybrid of human and horse, rather than a natural animal. Her eyes wide with amazement, Garnet is flexing her new fingers...

"There, business settled," Aniseed says as she sways back to the bench and sits down. "Unless there was anything else you all wanted?" The Witch snaps her fingers at Garnet. "You, Garnet. I've got a stable behind the house, go have a look. We can make any changes you want after we've had dinner. Step lively, girl!"


Garnet looks from Aniseed to Arma, back to Aniseed, then to Arma.

Slowly, clumsily, the humanoid horse shuffles over to the armoured woman and enfolds her in a careful hug. After a few moments of this, she lets go, backs off and speaks in a soft, whinnying voice: "Goodbye."

With growing confidence in this new form of locomotion, Garnet clip-clops around the Witch's hut and vanishes from your sight...


Female Android Armor Master Fighter 3rd

Looking at Aniseed's hand and raising her visor to look the woman in the eye as she does, it is with a slow but measured movement that Arma takes that same arm and grasps the woman's to close the deal.

She is stunned by the jolt as she takes Aniseed's hand however, and cannot help but also watch confused as the information sent into her mind as well as her shock at the transformation leave her little able to do much of anything but look on.

When Garnet stands in her new form and proceeds to grasp her it takes a very slight moment before Arma is jolted back to her senses enough to return the hug, which she does strongly. When Garnet goes to move back it is only with the most slight of hesitations that she lets her move away from the embrace. Still before she moves off or speaks Arma slowly removes her holy symbol to Shelyn and hands it to Garnet with all speed putting it in her friends new hand.

"I will miss you... And our talks my friend... Goodbye..."

As Garnet says her one word of farewell to her, Arma's form shakes a little, as she watches as her friend walks more steadily on her new feet around the hut and vanishes from sight...

Arma reaches up and closes her visor. She then speaks up to the others she remebers are there with her. "I... I know the way everyone... I... Thank you Lady... Lady Aniseed... I'll... I'll be over here... When everyone is..."

Arma's rather stunned voice sounds like a mixture of shock and tormented confidence confused and certainly distracted by some play of emotions that she does not reveal. She turns and walks to the edge of the area and sits down her back to them all.

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