"What kind of object are we talking about?"
Darius makes a deathly serious face, " The Raven's Head. "
"And where in the Hells did you come across that old relic?"
" We are currently hunting a cult of the Undead variety. One of the subordinates held it and we retrieved it. Now, do you have a way to transfer such a thing? I spoke to other people of your station, they were 'less' than desired. "
"Transfer it, aye, but to where?"
" Somewhere you think would be safe. And not Thrushmoor. It needs to be both hidden from the enemy and known only to other more powerful Pharasmins. "
Z furrows her brow and asks, "Why don't we just ship it off to Lastwall and be done with it?"
"Why does it need to be kept so safe? It's a fine weapon, but it's just a magical mace to anyone who's not a priest."
" It is being used by the Whispering Way as a component to bring back their dark lord. We have not finished routing them out. So bringing such a piece along for the process would be less than wise if we were to be... defeated. "
"Well...damn. We can't let them corrupt the thing when we just got it back" she scratches her head.
"I'm just not sure who I'd send it too. We don't really have a logical chain of command, and I don't know that I'd be able to send it anywhere safer than you could carry it yourself."
"I know a few deep holes I could chuck it into until you send word back."
Darius seemed pleased. " Very Well, you impress me with your sensibilities. You also align with your Goddess quite appropriately. Now I have another request, what is the highest of magic your Goddess has gifted you? "
"Humm..."
Damn it, this stupid mace is taking up my time with Darius.
Oh wow! Would that work?
"Hey!" exclaims Z, "What about the Beast!?"
"Think about it" she continues, "Why would the Whispering Way check for it where they've already plundered? Not only that but we know the Beast is a capable combatant."
"We couldn't tell the Count about it obviously, he would likely either sell it or keep it in his own collection. But the Beast likes us right? If we asked he likely wouldn't tell anyone about it and he would have no reason to not return it when we asked."
"What do you think Darius?"
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Darius seemed pleased. " Very Well, you impress me with your sensibilities. You also align with your Goddess quite appropriately. Now I have another request, what is the highest of magic your Goddess has gifted you? "
[dice=Sense ALL the THINGS]1d20+20
"I can sling some pretty hefty charms if my life depended on it. Heals and Harms, mostly."
Gravecharge is a large, domed structure across whose surface a massive skeletal cavalry force is depicted in relief racing in a spiral reminiscent of Pharasma's holy symbol. This grim facade pays tribute to Baldrumon Vielass and the order of knights he led in battle against the dragon Kulsyther, whose deaths allowed Soividia Ustav to conquer the northern reaches of modern Ustalav.
Within the cathedral, before the pulpit, the remains of Vielass's knights and their steeds are interred in a 20-foot-deep ossuary. Some claim that to this day Vielass's lance remains driven through Kulsyther's jaws within this chamber.[1]
Darius listened to the whole idea, both surprised and wary of Zin's sudden enthusiasm. His orcish face contorts into what would likely be a condescending smirk. " While I commemorate your effort on the idea it seems you have forgotten a major flaw. They have already proven to be able to cause Caromarc much trouble. The Beast deserves peace after all he has been through and setting up a situation where he is perpetually lying to his father that may end up causing unknown harm I cannot abide by. "
"I can sling some pretty hefty charms if my life depended on it. Heals and Harms, mostly."
Gravecharge is a large, domed structure across whose surface a massive skeletal cavalry force is depicted in relief racing in a spiral reminiscent of Pharasma's holy symbol. This grim facade pays tribute to Baldrumon Vielass and the order of knights he led in battle against the dragon Kulsyther, whose deaths allowed Soividia Ustav to conquer the northern reaches of modern Ustalav.
Within the cathedral, before the pulpit, the remains of Vielass's knights and their steeds are interred in a 20-foot-deep ossuary. Some claim that to this day Vielass's lance remains driven through Kulsyther's jaws within this chamber.[1]
" Splendid, I would enjoy that. As to the Heals and Harms do you mean that of the actual namesake? "
"Yep"
" In light of the situation, what is the price you would place on doing so to my compatriots? We have suffered ailments from the travesties inflicted upon us by.. Unsettling encounters. "
Darius reveals the Raven's Head to the older woman.
"Normally I'd charge you the going rate, but I'll give you each a free chit to cash in since you were nice enough to return that there mace."
"What all do you need?"
" Heal and Restorations mainly I doubt you can.... fix my current situation. " Darius motioning to his own form, " I was much more Elven when we started. "
"Ha! That's what you get for trusting those hippy-dippy Druid types to bring you back."
"Not that I hate Druids or anything. Some of my best friends are Druids."
" Of course that was a particular matter... Why don't you start with Zin please... also.. she is quite volatile, so be careful "
"All right then. What ails ya?" she addresses Zin.
"I am not." she says to Darius flatly, turning to the woman she holds up her hands, "This, and you can't help me."
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"Well Zin, you've seemed much more stressed since our last adventure. I think a Heal spell will help clear your head."
Z stares at Jones for a moment before shrugging, "I don't see how, but it's her wasted spell."
Z holds out a hand for the woman.
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The priestess sheathes her hand in white light, and chants her spells.
"BEGONE AILMENTS OF THE BODY AND MIND! LEEEEAVE THIS WOMAN!"
Then she backhands Zin hard enough to send a normal person sprawling.
Naturally, it doesn't hurt, but Zin does feel her mind clearing.
Z seems to lose control of her body temporarily as she falls to her knees.
Gasping sharply, Oh gods, the pain. It's so much worse suddenly.
Z rubs her temples with her palms, groaning as she does so.
Darius died, I think? That abomination killed him. He isn't transformed at all, he's a half orc now, or a full orc? Sledge and Jones, they lied to me? Why?
Poor Amanorm.
Z struggles slowly back to her feet.
Did.. Did Darius say he had feelings for me? It's all so cloudy.
Kill them! Burn them all!
Oh... You're back...
You will never be rid of me. Whatever addled your feeble mind only weakened my influence temporarily.
I will be rid of you, there is a cure out there.
How very astute of you, there is in fact a cure. Why... I believe your father found it.
Shut up. My friends will help me find peace from your incessant ramblings.
There is no respite from me, your so called friends are only so out of fear of you.
You lie.
I have no need, you know it to be true. They will abandon you the second they have the chance, and you'll be left all alone again; with me. Punish them, let nothing but ash remain!
Shut up.
But let us not forget the saddest affair of them all! That you thought Darius had feelings for you. You!
He could have meant what he sa--
Oh yes, all the men are lining up to be with you aren't they? Of course not, you are a walking burning corpse. You will die alone. The one called Darius only saw a weak woman whose virtue he could steal away, nothing more. Burn him, destroy him and this temple for his arrogance!
I SAID SHUT UP!
The flames in Z's arms explode outwards in sheets and she points at Darius, "You! How dare you... say those things in an attempt to become intimate with me!"
"And you two! She says rounding on Sledge and Jones, You lied and manipulated me in my weakened state!"
Z brings her arms to her chest and makes as if to cry but no tears find her face, only the faintest sound of sizzling liquid.
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"Ah, I see. She was nuttier than squirrel s#*#. Glad we got that sorted." the priestess says, lacking in any ability to read a room.
Darius sees the outburst and is at first prepared for the backlash, but the situation sours somewhat and unlike his assumptions, the woman only remembers portions of the events. Darius quickly acts however and moves forward wrapping his arms around the girl.
" One, I did so because I wanted to. Two, I was dead, I couldn't do anything more. Jones and Sledge didnt want the reality of my death to hurt you. We are your allies and I am trying to be someone you can trust. I do not wish to take anything you would not want nor am I one to do so. Though.. it is okay to cry. "
Jones gives the priestess an apologetic look.
"Perhaps we can discuss this elsewhere? Say, on the way to the nearest tavern?"
She shrugs.
"I could use a drink."
"Fergus! Watch the church while I'm gone! And no repeats of last time!"
One of the people in robes meandering about looks sheepish and gives her an "Ok" symbol.
"You know any good ones?"
"Zin, you were nutty. We did what we had to do to keep you safe. I'd expect you to do the same. Well, I'd expect Jones to do it. You aren't particularly subtle."
Z tenses her body at being held by Darius but says to Sledge and Jones, "You were afraid that I'd act rashly.. I can control myself... I can." she repeats, perhaps more to herself the second time.
Z tries to unwrap herself from Darius but obviously cannot possibly overcome his strength, "And you're a liar... Let go of me... I-I want to be alone."
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Jones softens his voice.
"Yes, normally you can control yourself. We all know that. But you were driven insane by the sight of Shub-Niggurath, among other things. Vanne was similarly afflicted, and Sledge and I were quite shaken. You need not feel ashamed."
"We did manipulate you, but only for the purpose of healing you later. Now that you are back to your normal self, we will give you the same trust and respect that we always have."
Z still struggling against Darius' grip listens to Jones, her fires seem to calm.
"Maybe you're right.. I can't recall everything of what transpired since Darius' death."
Z breathes in and out heavily a few times, "Okay. Okay. I'm sorry, I think the sudden return to normal put me on edge. I understand your actions, Sledge and Jones, thank you."
"As for you." she says turning back to Darius. "I'm tired of this. Gods know why but I have feelings for you. So either you need to reciprocate, or drop this facade right now."
"In either case, I will really really need a drink or several of my own. Let's finish this up?"
Z inclines her head as best she can to the Cleric woman of Pharasma in thanks.
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Darius blinks and gives a low sigh to Zin, staring uncomfortably long, as if searching for something inside her eyes. It was then he responded calmly, " I would rate your reaction appropriate behavior I suppose. I am guilty of a few things, but a facade is not one of them. I am versed in many a subject but it is one of this caliber I have no practical example. "
There is a slight sizzle as Darius notes her arms are still quite hot as well as her bodyheat. He loosens his hold somewhat, " I had promised you something, I am not sure if you remember it but I ask you now, what would you ask of me? What is reciprocate to you? As to drinks, the last time we tried to do that this situation escalated. "
Darius then looks to the Pharasmin, " Please continue for my allies if possible, the Restoration for myself will have to wait... "
"Well, now that you mention it, I've been feeling marginally less healthy for a while, and I've noticed a significant drain on my ability to express emotion. The latter has never been much of a concern for me, but since you're offering to Restore it for free..."
Jones steps forward.
"Are you saying you've never been involved with anyone before?" she asks Darius, "How am I supposed to help you there? Obviously I have no experience with anything like this!"
"Anyways" she continues, "I mean.. What we did before would be a good start, right?.." Z looks up at Darius, "Humm..... "
"I really do hope you get rid of these soon though, it's very awkward." she says, grabbing onto one of Darius' tusks and shaking his head around with it.
"Furthermore, I can drink just fine, I don't know what you're talking about when it comes to that." though the look she gives Darius tells him that she clearly remembers, the flush in her face explaining her humiliation.
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"Well, now that you mention it, I've been feeling marginally less healthy for a while, and I've noticed a significant drain on my ability to express emotion. The latter has never been much of a concern for me, but since you're offering to Restore it for free..."
Jones steps forward.
"Drop your pants and bend over, I'll be quick." she says, and reaches her hand into the fire behind her.
...Is that really necessary?" Jones asks, looking startled.
"Is if you wanna get healed. My healin' has a sense of humor to it. It don't work without the "somatic components"."
Z raises an eyebrow at the old woman and looks to Jones and Sledge, "I think I'll wait outside for you all. Have fun."
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It's this or spend 200 gold. Swallow your pride.
Jones sighs. "Very well, let's get this over with."
Jones feels a warm pressure, though it's not unpleasant.
Afterward he definitely feels healthier.
Jones politely thanks the priestess, then steps out of the temple.
"I will never understand why the Pharasmin faith attracts so many strange people."
"Well when you deal in life, death, and prophecy you're bound to attract some odd birds." says Z absentmindedly to Jones, leaning against the outside church walls.
"Oh, by the way, I could use your help with some research later if you're up to it."
"I suppose you're right. And I would be more than happy to help you! A nice, quiet library will be a welcome break from all this chaos."
The reaction she gave told Darius all he needed to know.
Darius huffs, " I'm a 50 years old Hunter, 'involvement' was a year at best. The tusks however we'll both have to get used to, unfortunately. "
Darius then watched Jones receive his 'treatment' before leaving as well. placing himself to the right of Zin he spoke, " Well then I would suppose it be times for ACTUAL drinks this time. I still have some time to recover from my death and Caromarc to acquire funds. We should take this opportunity to research, reorganize and equip ourselves for the next stage in our journey. Caliphas is where we need to go after all this business is done. "