As the two draw closer though, it becomes clear that whatever struggle is taking places is deep within the untamed bush. Stiffling a curse, Alis turns to her friend and says, "Hide yourself and wait here. I'll turn invisible, fly in and check it out. You should stay out of melee range if at all possible. If the two of them are in over their heads... well, our best chance might be remaining unseen."
Tossing the still groggy monkey to Lureene she says, "Here, hold my monkey for me, her doesn't seem to like my flying too much yet. Tut, behave!"
With that, the impetuous princess starts running again and fades from sight..
Lureene watches the princess move off to find Priyya and Mal with a pensive look on her face. Her memory roams back to the kiss ‘Lis had given her. Reflecting on it, she came to the realization, how much she loved the feisty lady. She remembered ‘Lis earlier talking about how much about feeling passion was a healthy part of the condition for both humans and elves.
Waiting for her to return, she resolved to ask more about Sumalya and her teachings, once they have escaped this island. Maybe there were techniques she could use to further drive her Mother’s influence from her soul. She knew she could never fully rid herself of that; it was a part of who she was, much like ‘Lis could not drive the elvish blood from her body.
"Everything's fine, it's just really hot up under the trees. Even this early in the day they really seem to trap the heat. Oh, Priyya and Mal? No they're fine. They were just wrestling with a python that surprised them whilst reaping some fruit on the way back. They indicated they'd be out shortly, didn't want me to get scratched up by the thorns back there."
She walks up to Lureene and runs a hand down the creamy white skin of Lureene's arm even as Tut runs across and back to his mistress' shoulder. "Nasty thorns back there too. Terrible things could probably even mar your lovely skin, El..."
Unexpectedly, Alis wraps her arms around Lureene, resting her chin in the crook of the succubus' neck. She gives her a long, close hug, enjoying the closeness, heat and softness of her retainer's statuesque form. In a quiet voice, she whispers, lips brushing Lureene's ears, "Thanks for staying with me, El. It means a lot to me..."
With that, she gives her a kiss on the neck, just below and behind her shoulder before giving her one more squeeze and taking her hand. "Come on, let's at least sit on the grass, kick off our shoes and enjoy the water on our toes..."
After ‘Lis gives her that wonderful hug, she moans softly, feeling desire rush through her body. What is with this place? She replies in a voice choked with desire, ”Ohhh…’Lis…I love you SOOOO much! Don’t ever leave me!”
When ‘Lis releases her from the hug, a pang of disappointment washes through her body. Still she does give ‘Lis a happy smile, ”I think that sounds wonderful…” She thinks to herself, Maybe I have been too hard on Mal, he just is lonely I’ll bet. The Gods know I am lonely...
Priyya and Mal (carrying Tal) hurry along the path heading back to camp. Priyya tries to contain her smile, settling for a brisk walking pace and humming pleasantly to herself. When Mal glances over, her look has the appearance of a cat who just dined on a cage full of songbirds.
She glances at his slightly concerned look. "Don't worry. I'll try to look dour when we find them."
Mal grins at his lover as they continue to jog, the both of them moving with a definite limp in their gait at this point. The big hunter feels about damn near ready for another 4-hours of rest not to mention a second breakfast.
"Look however you damn well please, Dar– Priyya." His green eyes seem like two pools of witch fire, burning with a new fire.
Strange, I've always felt more akin to animals than men yet all this time I'd denied myself one of the most primal urges in all of nature. Yet now that I've indulged it, how much closer to this woman I feel...
"A paradox..."
When Priyya looks up at him, Mal realizes he said that last bit out loud. He gives a short laugh. "Just doing a bit of thinking, that's all."
When she raises an eyebrow with a questioning smirk, he can't help but grin even bigger, "Yeah, quite a day of firsts for old Malandraenas, huh? Anyway, don't worry about those two. If her tirade from yesterday was an indicator, Alis would probably give me a medal rather than another reprimand, if she found out. I really couldn't give a rat's ass what Lureene thinks either way. She's Alis' problem, not mine."
It doesn't take the two long to exit they jungle back to the shore of the creek they were following whereupon they almost immediately encounter the two blondes sitting on the bank with their feet in the stream and their boots set on a rock beside them. Upon hearing your approach, King Tut taps Alis on the shoulder and puts his hand on her chin to have her look in your direction.
Turning to look, Alis waves a hand and says, "Well, it looks like we've all emerged from our respective battles more-or-less intact. Kicking the tail of those scouts that attacked El and I at the camp made us a bit hungry. You don't happen to have any fruit left from the foraging you did, do you?"
Bluff Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
"Fruit?" Mal gives Priyya a quizzical look before recalling the last time someone spoke that single word as a question.
"Well, kind of hand my hands full. Little Sister got knocked out by poison so I've been carrying her. Should finish running its course within the hour."
Sense Motive Checks:
Lureene waves to the approaching couple, completely missing the changed mood of the two. She gets up from the bank, and walks over to Mal. She looks at him solemnly, wondering how to broach the subject. Finally, she speaks "Mal, I just wanted to apologize for what I did last night. I know you did what you thought was best. So...can you forgive me?" She looks up quietly, waiting for a response.
"Uh..."
Mal sets Talvyra down gently, but scratches the back of his head while he thinks on the matter.
What happened that she could be apologizing for, waking me up, being clueless, needing to study her spellbook? Wait... did she do something to me when I was asleep?
As Mal thinks, the range of emotions on his face run the gamut from confusion to paranoia and back again. While Lureene simply suspects that he's not sure if she's being genuine or not, a knowing look between Alis and Priyya confirms that he simply has no earthly idea what she's apologizing for or if she's messing with him.
To hell with these stupid games, I can't figure her out.
At last he just shrugs and says, "Water under the bridge."
Sense Motive Checks:
Lureene nods, satisfied with the response from Mal. Let him try to figure that one out! "Thanks SOOOoooo much for that, Mal!" she responds, while giving the other ladies a surreptious wink. She stifles a giggle, barely.
Once she has had her fun, she turns her attention to Alis. Thinking for a moment and seeing Talvyra still unconscious, she asks "Do you think it is a good idea to summon Grak, as Tal is still asleep?"
"Aww, well that's nice." Alis says smiling. "Well, why don't we regroup for a bit and catch up on what's happened. We should wait for Talvyra to recover at any rate. El, there's something I wanted to talk with you about before you summon Grak..."
"Also, if you care anything about your own neck, you'll remember that Priyya's taken a liking to Mal and that unlike the two of you, she doesn't actually work for me. So if she decides she's got a problem with your antics and takes you to task for it... well, I'm not your bodyguard, ok? You can't be starting fights that you can't finish."
Sense Motive Checks:
Lureene sighs, wondering how 'Lis is able to read her so easily and responds to her in the guttural tongue,
Priyya watches the exchanges, the bantering in a language she doesn't comprehend, and the body language. Clearly, she's missing a few things. She has her suspicions, but she doesn't allow them to impinge on her fine mood... instead she answers the only question she can - Alis'.
"Sadly, we have no fruit. This jungle is pretty thin on tasty edibles. But we did get a couple of potions from some giants. We weren't able to identify them but perhaps you might." She fishes the large bottles from her pack and takes the time to ponder what's been said.
We weren't gathering fruit... and Alis would only make that up if she knew we were otherwise occupied. Clearly, that was a lie for Lureene's benefit... so, she knows. Hmm... ignore it or give her the satisfaction of acknowledging it? She likes match-making and its such a little admission.
Alis gives Lureene a smile and smooths her friends tresses rubbing over the spot where she got hit before pulling her close and planting a quick kiss on her forehead. "Sure, that seems like a good course of action. Anyhow, if you want to go ahead with the summoning I don't think it would hurt anything, just do it a bit further away so Talvyra doesn't startle should it awaken her..."
As Lureene moves a bit further upstream to do so, Alis regards Priyya's news with interest and finishes pulling her boots on. "Ah, I thought perhaps some of the fruits and berries I spied from the forest, well, jungle edge might have been edible glad I didn't try any."
Finishing the lacing with a couple quick cantrips, she skips on over to the cleric and says, "I'm guessing that the cost for these was blood and not gold. Did you encounter them up by the gorge or did you chase them into the jungle here before we arrived?"
Alis hums softly as she looks over potions and pops the top of one to dip her finger in for a quick taste. She wags it at Priyya and says, winking, "I don't imbibe this early in the morning for just anyone you know."
After a quick taste of each, Alis nods knowingly. "This one is a potion of Cure Serious Wounds, and the other of Delay Poison. The two we fought were carrying potions as well. One had a jug with several gulps of a weaker cure in it, the other several doses of alchemical antitoxin. So, how many did you encounter? The ones we fought were pretty stealthy, I only heard them at the last second when they emerged from behind the hut."
Spellcraft Checks
"So, how many did you encounter?"
Priyya raises an eye at the Celestial comment with a smile and then responds matter-of-factly, "Oh, just five of them. We killed two and wounded another. I was planning on finishing off the third one when they decided to retreat. We thought to find you before they came back in numbers."
It is a subtle move but Priyya places a hand on Mal's forearm to get his attention. "Mal, I need to speak with Alis about some religious matters that are ill-suited to Common. I'm sorry. It will only take a moment."
"Five! With just the two of you and Tal?" Alis looks at her rapier and then at Lureene and gives a small sigh.
And they still had that much energy left?
"Six really," Mal interjects, "but two of them were the ones we slew yesterday. Still dead, mind you. A couple of those berserkers were intent on carrying them off and a pair of archers were covering them. Priyya injured their lookout pretty badly, but they already had another archer manning the blind overlooking the ambush point where that snare grabbed you."
Lureene gasps softly as she hears of the ambush, "Well, I am glad both of you were not hurt!" She glances in the direction of where the giant cannibals retreated, then she strokes Grak's head gently."Do you think maybe I should send Grak out to see if the giants send reinforcements this way? Surely they know we are close by."
"Actually Mal and Tal took the brunt of the damage. I just stood around looking pretty - playing the damsel in distress really."
Lureene looks at Priyya closely, sensing something unusual in her tone. Is she JOKING??
"Well, you certainly play the part well, Priyya. Glad to see Mal played the part of dashing knig-...errr..." She catches herself, "Warrior!" She laughs weakly, feeling embarrassed for some reason.
Alis grins a bit at the shaky math exhibited by the new lovers. "Well damn, even if it was only four live ones, that's still twice as many as El and I took on, although as far as we could tell there weren't any lurkers on to tell of it. Speaking of damsels in distress..."
She winks and glances behind as Grak finally materializes in front of his mistress. When Priyya indicates her desire to speak on religious matters, she nods and says, "Yes, of course."
Religious Stuff.
"Well Sister Sarah, I'm more of an expert when it comes to feather boas rather than the scaly kind. Still, I'm quite relieved that you survived that encounter with no greater injury than that slight limp you've suddenly developed. Thank goodness our intrepid ranger seems to have recovered from whatever headache he was suffering from. It certainly seems to have improved his demeanor, though he seems a bit fatigued from the struggle."
"Still," she winks, "quite understandable after having faced seven hungry, overgrown cannibals."
"Oh and don't you worry, I am pleased, well... perhaps not as pleased as you two but you get the idea. Oh and don't worry Lureene certainly won't learn anything from yours truly. After all, sneaking around is part of the fun, right?"
"As to your question, there is a great deal of power in emotions. 'Acts of intimacy' in particular release a great deal of power and energy... even for those not actually practicing spellcasting. There's a reason why the Houses of Lyria we've visited contain so many finely appointed areas for lovemaking you know."
There is a knowing look in Alis' blue-violet eyes as she regards Priyya. "Coitus, massage, dance, even kissing can all play a part in the way member of my 'order' cast spells. It can be as simple as replacing the more esoteric gestures typically associate with spellcasting, or as powerful as augmenting the duration or efficacy of a spell."
"Efficacy?" She shakes her head, "Damn, every time we get into a serious discussion about these sort of things, I start to sound like my sister!"
She smiles and puts her prayer beads away. "Anyway, I'm guessing there's a timely reason why you're asking me this. Did something unexpected happen while you and Mal were lovemaking?"
Bluff Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
Priyya frowns slightly (not much can impinge on her good mood) at the limitations of Celestial as a language. 'Lovemaking' is such a limited word - full of hearts, and flowers, and whispering, and... and 'mental' gymnastics. What we shared was so different, so primal...
Even reflecting briefly on the experience, Priyya feels desire begin to burn in her as her aura flares suddenly before she mercilessly damps it down. This jungle may be hot and moist but it has nothing on me. Steady, girl! The only visible thing that remains of her agitation is a flush in her cheeks...
She continues in common, "I think, given all the bugs around here, I should perhaps continue to pray for the ability to cure any diseases we may encounter. The dilemma is that, from this new wellspring of eldritch knowledge I have, there are spells that could be quite useful in dealing with this 'devil' but I can't retain knowledge of everything at once. If we could nail down what this creature is - I can choose something efficacious. Our current notion is that it is some variety of demon, no?"
Alis nods.
"Well, if the gods have granted you the power to remove diseases directly, then that's quite the timely gift. I wouldn't worry about limiting the offensive abilities you pray for though. Don't most diseases take a while before they start to affect someone? Mal didn't even show any symptoms until several hours had passed so it's not like the urgency of being poisoned."
"Since you pray at daybreak, I'd just say that if you wake up and find that someone is sick, pray for their cure then and there."
"As for what that monster is... I think we were leaning towards a fiend that might be bound to a particular place by contract. Didn't you and Lureene say that was more the province of devils than demons? I don't really know enough about them myself to offer much advice beyond what you've told me."
"Today, at any rate, it seems I'm able to cure diseases... so if either of you are feeling a bit under the weather, just let me know."
In response to Alis' Celestial comment, she replies, "There was also that vision I had seemingly from both Goddesses... it look like your patron has taken something of an interest in me." She laughs, "Perhaps I am too much Priestess for one Goddess to handle."
Lureene nods at Priyya's comments, "Yes, while it is hard to tell the various types of demons and devils apart, the main difference is whether they believe in binding themselves to mortals using contracts, like 'Lis said."
She thinks for a moment, pondering what she recalls of the various planar cretures she has encountered.
She points off to the east, "If we want to find him, he probably lairs at Red Mountain. If the Giants are afraid of him, then it may not be a bad idea checking it out. They would avoid that area, would they not?"
"Well, if we do decide to hunt it down, follow my lead. Our unit was specially trained for fighting fiendish incursions in the 'Shade and I know some team tactics that will help."
"That being said, I thought Alis was more interested in getting off this island than looking for fights. Has there been a change in our mission priorities?"
"No changes, just prudent planning. That creature spotted us at the sacred shack, tossed a baboon through the roof, and the next day Alis and Lureene were ambushed there - at the spot where the locals don't usually go. I'm assuming the fiend alerted the giants and will probably continue to keep tabs on us. If so, maybe we'll get a chance to bag it. I want to be ready in case that happens."
Celestial Comment #2
Alis laughs and lays a hand on the front of her own bodice.
Mission Priorities
After Lureene and Priyya have discussed their theories of what capabilities the Red Mountain Devil might possess, and Mal has given his two copper, Alis speaks up. "No, our priorities haven't changed. Dafar is in trouble and we need to get there sooner rather than later. Our best chance for doing that will be to see if the lighthouse is complete enough to be made serviceable so that we can hail a passing ship."
"Unfortunately, it looks like the giant's chieftain has made it his palace which pretty much necessitates we deal with the cannibals to some extent. Also, it looks like Ieana has either thrown-in with them or is using her magic to coerce them for some purpose. Unless there's something I'm overlooking, I think we should focus our efforts there first. After all, if this monster is as powerful as Chivane's pet fury... well, I think we all remember how desperate that fight was and we even had some allies helping us then too."
"That said, if you can beseech Alíta for any protections or abilities that might aid us against that devil, then that couldn't hurt. It certainly seems to have taken an interest in us, that's for sure..."
Lureene nods in agreeement, "Ok, so I suggest I send Grak up to see if he can spot either the giants or the Red Devil. He is small enough to escape notice, ...I hope so anyway. Then, once Tal recovers, then we move out towards the cannibal village to do some recon." She looks up to Mal, "Does that sound good to you?"
Mal thinks on it for a moment before saying to Alis, "No harm in it, we could use a bird's-eye view of the situation."
"Yes, go ahead Lureene, that sounds like a good idea."
"That said, if you can beseech Alíta for any protections or abilities that might aid us against that devil, then that couldn't hurt."
Priyya sifts through her new-found knowledge. Some items present themselves. She smiles mercilessly. "If this is a true fiend, then I think I have one or two spells designed to bring it low while avoiding its likely resistance to magic. I'll meditate on what defensive capabilities I can bring to bear."
Grak gives his mistress a reproachful look, and hisses softly, "I noooo want Devil..." which is silenced by a look from her.
He then launches hinself skywards, and flies out in an everwidening circle, scanning the skies and ground for any predatorial threats.
Time: 2:45db (morning, 8:45am)
[ REAVER'S SHIV: Map | Position (018) | Overland Rules ]
Talvyra begins to stir as Grak returns from his scouting high above. While he thankfully doesn't bring down any immediate wrath upon your location, there was precious little he was able to see that you don't already know by looking at the old treasure map.
The main things he has to report are that he didn't see any giants nearby, that the gorge to your west is full of scavengers such as vultures and giant rats, and that he spotted some cave fishers on the cliffs of the south eastern peninsula where Red Mountain is. The poor little creature looks like he is about ready to expire from his exertion by the time he has finished talking.
"Misssstressss, it makesss Grak weak to go ssso far..."
There's a look of mild concern on Alis' face at Grak's condition. "El, Grak looks like he's about dead, what happened?"
"He's not sick, is he?" Priyya inspects the little fellow with a practiced eye...
Lureene, a concerned look on her face, takes Grak in her arms, and strokes the poor creature. She studies the cretaure intently for a few moments, and then re-establishes her link with him. She stays in contact with him mentally, getting as many details from him as possible and soon nods in satisfaction.
As the others get ready to move out, she addresses Alis, "I think I have figured out what the reason is for Grak vanishing. I estimate he can be no farther than 2 miles or so before our bond is severed, and he returns to the void where I created him from. Also, the further away he is from me the weaker he becomes. Right now, he is barely able to function and a simple blow would...banish him."
She continues stroking him, and murmers an incantation, while pricking her finger with her nail. As the drop of blood drips onto her hand, a soft glow emanates from her hand and engulfs Grak. Once the glow fades, Grak licks Lureene's face in appreciation, and his energy seems to have returned.
In response to Priyya, she replies "He is not wounded per se, but I believe your healing would also restore him."
In fact, from what you know of extraplanar creatures it's almost like an elemental straying too far from the elemental source from which it was summoned. You suspect that in Grak's case, that source is Lureene herself.
Ignoring the state of Lureene's pet in favor of joining Priyya in welcoming Little Sister back to the world of the conscious, Mal says, "Well it looks like Tal is no worse for wear, just a bit groggy. We can head out anytime, but I'd suggest keeping off the trails. If I was the giants, that's the first place I'd look for us. It's been about an hour so the ones who got away could be half-way back to their camp by now. We should at least have time to get down from this plateau and pick a new route before we have newly informed search parties. Barring any closer outposts we don't know about that is."
"Hmm..." She casts a dubious look at Grak. "Well, at least you figured out what it was. I bet the others were more than a bit surprised when he just vanished."
"If you have to heal him every time he wanders a bit too far," Mal double-checks the strapping and quick-release mechanisms on his claws idly, "you'll burn lots of spells we could use in a fight. Just keep that in mind."
Lureene laughs "Yeah, I'll bet. I hope Sash did not freak out too much..." Soon, a more serious look comes over her, "I really need to study more about Grak and his capabilities. I know sooo little about him."
On Mal's response, she looks at him cooly, "Well, I will certainly do that! I am glad we found about this now before we actually needed Grak to do something...like fly for help!"
Mal looks about ready to say something when he does something rare and bites his tongue. After thinking on it for a moment, he says gives a sardonic laugh and jokes, "On the bright side, there's no need to worry about that. Doesn't look like there is any help to fly for here!"
"True, I agree with that, unfortunately. But Mal," She looks directly into his eyes, "I know you will do your damnness to make sure we don't need any help! As far as surviving here anyway. We still will need help to get off this island, though."
"Damn straight," Mal gives Lureene a toothy grin that's half jovial and half feral. "I plan on collecting as much of the reward for saving the princess as possible. The fewer helpers, the better!"
"Alright, alright!" Alis laughs at the banter between the two. "Let's go kill some giants or something before somebody gets hurt! Which way everyone?"
Lureene studies the map for a few moments, then suggests "We know those giants are afraid of the tree spirit. Maybe if we head north for a half mile or so, then cut west until we reach the coast, and then head south, skirting the tree spirit terrain. Thoughts?" After a moment, she adds "Mal, are you able to lay a false trail for the giants to follow?"
"False trail?" It takes a moment for Mal to realize that Lureene isn't actually trying to mess with him. "If I took a completely different path I could leave a trail, but it would take magic I don't know to make one in a place I haven't actually traveled."