Gerard smiles, then guffaws at Euphemia's suggestion. He shakes his head slowly. Instinctively, he tries to catch Frank. But, Andrea is there.
Andrea catches Frank and cuddles the hedgehog, utterly captivated by his DC 50 Charm Person power.
A short time before everyone leaves for Walcourt, Andrea spends that time quietly praying with Fiosa. They sit together in a small sitting room, Fiosa's small hand placed in Andrea's and heads bowed as they each whisper their prayers to their goddesses and each other. Andrea's symbol of the Savored Sting and Fiosa's to The Mother of Souls lifted to each others lips and kissed as they pray for an end to the night terrors.
Euphemia's hands were a bit late, so she merely gives a nod of thanks to both Andrea and Gerard. Honestly, that last salute.. thing was a little out of character for Frank, but then again, she supposes it has been a very long time since any creature besides herself (and perhaps Rance, gaslighting aside) knew of the level of his sentience.
However, once she is certain her familiar is well, she looks to Gerard.
Maybe it's a good thing that he thought her words were a joke.
[b]"Is there something wrong with my suggestion?" she asks, no edge to her voice at all. Honestly, she only brought it up due to the scarcity of magic items.
[i]Ah... Mistress, I do apologize. I had assumed the slope of your shoulder would be less... abrupt, what with your typical posture. If you could convey my thanks to the priestess, that would be splendid.[/i
Gerard moves back away from the witch. He hadn't been that close, well... since the incident. He focuses on checking the gear about his person. Actually, no. I have often considered that very idea.
How much flour would be needed, how well it would distribute itself and how large an area would be covered. What manner of container, a sock, some glass sphere. A thin white paint? I'm actually surprised it hasn't been used more often.
I really liked the idea, maybe because... It's common ground. . Gerard turns away.
The paladin checks his gear.
I shudder to think of the REAL courage and Fortitude it takes for the common fighter or rogue to wade into battle with the denizens of Hell. Often I wonder if it's truly belief. My goddess actually grants me spells and powers. So I KNOW she is with me. What of you Gerard, a man who chooses to fight the good fight with nothing more than a blade, your wits, cunning and your heart. How do you find the courage to put your life at risk. Do you believe in the heavens and a god who will take you? I admire how you have not lost yourself in this shadowy moral perversion of law, For Westcrown was largely a portrait of order without hope.
I am proud to call you friend, and be assured I do. But I wonder what enables you to not look to the self in a place like this. I feel perhaps your adherence to a moral code with no divine encouragement makes you MORE faithful than any Cleric or Paladin. Or if you do not follow a god, so infused with a sense of fairness you cannot help but to stand for others.
The paladin smiles.
Regardless, I can think of a few Deity's who would be proud to welcome such a man. I will be your flank. Let's put Illnerik for his FINAL end in this life.
Turning to Daniel, the rogue attempts to reply.
When the people cry out for something to be done, it is to the gods. When the gods need something done then turn to man. I just cut out the middle-man.
I'm glad to count you as friend.
@Gruum
What might you have in the way of daggers, hand-crossbows or mirhral chain shirts Master Gruum. With magic so scarce... I've more coin for arms and armor. My apologies, I failed to kill the Halfling wizard, Sir. But we got closer... He was neutralized for most of the fight. Got close, but not close enough.
Perhaps you have something to help in our latest errand. Walcourt. Would you know anyone who worked on the tunnels of the place? Knows where the sewer entrance might be.
Gerard gratefully accepts the ghost salt.
We might as well know where the Dusk Market is, just in case. Could you divine the location of the sewer entrance to Walcourt?
"I will spend the late morning trying to scry that information for you."
We should be very careful with the Dusk Market, no surprise at all that we get ambushed there unless we geavily hide ourselves with illusions and magic.
McAListar would you see if you can procure scrolls of Invisibility Purge for later? We divined that the foe has access to invisibility.
Andrea will buy the scrolls of Dispel Magic and distribute them to those who can use them.
"I'll see what I can come up with....no promises though," he warns
From the household kitchen you are able to procure flour easily enough and in the quantity you require. The laundry and seamstress will be able to handle a "sock" request for you.
Gruum looks at the group shaking his head,
"Aye, magicks be scarce now! I've got a suit of scalemail that has two enhancements that I've picked up at an estate sale (+2) with a spell resistance (SR13). I've, also, got a this hand crossbow up (+2)." He shacks his head again...."Supplies are short."
Daniel when you were back at the manor with your brother he would show you a suit of fullpate with the equestrian enhancement. "don't really get to wear it much in town."
Daniel when you were back at the manor with your brother he would show you a suit of fullpate with the equestrian enhancement. "don't really get to wear it much in town."
The paladin takes the armor and grabs a house servant to assist him changing. ..
Daniel Finds time to speak with Andrea.
Enough time has elasped for me to call an ally from Heaven. I could call Azreal again, but I was thinking of a Half Celestial Griffon to aid against flying enemies. A particular angel may be better if you have any suggestions? Mostly I was thinking something powerful and mobile to flank with Gerard or go after fliers.
I have not seen Walcourt, but it seems like we will be spending ourtime inside and thus a griffin seems like it would be at a disadvantage.
Andrea ponders some more.I am not very familiar with the angels of law since I deal mostly with the Azata of Elysium. A bevy of Lantern Archons perhaps that can use their aura of doom to unerve targets. They can fly, provide flanking and have light rays that chip away at their targets.
Andrea protests outside of Grumm's, carrying a placard denouncing Grumm as anti resurrection.
Andrea protests outside of Grumm's, carrying a placard denouncing Grumm as anti resurrection.
Andrea holds up the scroll of Resurrection and shows it to Orsin With this, we can bring back Duncan from his state of ashes. I've kept them and his beard waiting for the chance to bring him back. Plus we have collected money for Grimm and Ermolos. I say this is an excellent time to bring them back since we owe it to them as friends and the city needs all the help it can get.
@Grum
You got a masterwork hand crossbow and some bolts, cold iron, silver, whatever you got? You'd think with so many cut-throats about, you'd find gear suitable to the... trade.
Thanks, Gruum.
One masterwork hand crossbow and I've got 10 silver tipped bolts and 10 silver tipped longbow arrows.
Euphemia makes a frustrated gutteral sound, somewhere between an exasperated groan an a frustrated sigh.
"I was not trying to find fault with you, there, only my own idea. As for your distance, I promise that grabbing you is not typical. I was simply worried about nothing, it seems. I thought you to be sabotaging your relationship with Sir Daniel whilst getting ideas about my familiar. This is, of course, notwithstanding your general uneasiness that I interpreted as a suicidal urge in formation. You get this... look about you when you've an impulse as such."
She quirks her eyebrows. "You had it last night, to be sure. If I were to be more concise, I'd say you still have it about you... though it is less obvious."
It felt like a betrayal. It's not easy for me to trust, but when i do it's completely. Your prehensile mane was the least of it. Though had I let my reflex get the best of me... you'd be short a lock or two.
Gerard doesn't seem as distant as before, though he's far from "before guests arrived".
@Gruum
Thank you, Master Smith!
"Another grand one of my reasons for using my hair, I suppose. It would not have hurt me if you'd reacted by shearing it off. In fact, it would grow back quite quickly."
She gives a small smile back.
"You have permission to cut it while it is in that state, you know... I had more than halfway expected that you would."
Her face darkens at the 'betrayal' portion of the spiel.
"You don't deny your impetus, though, Gerard. Using my hair is no different than cusping at the front of your shirt to draw you in. The point is and always was to get your attention and be taken serously. Do you know how hard that is?! Most people just think I'm mad (in the lunatic way, not in the way I seem to be waxing now)! I had been meticulous in gentility. What, besides the mane, made you think I had betrayed you?"
"Was it the moniker? You said you wanted control of the council, a position that would make you de facto prince of thieves..."
She put a hand to her face.
"Was it the fact I defended Sir Daniel so readily? The man is a cloud of despair, already, I'm sure, conjuring up the shadows in his mind... I didn't know how he'd react. I couldn't be sure that it wouldn't cause a rift."
"Or that I reared up to begin with...? Gerard, I would be just as long dead without a temper as you without cutting reflexes."
She puts a hand on her hips. "And obviously neither of us trusted each other completely before that point because if you trust someone you put faith in their intentions. I thought you were actually going to hurt Frank for a moment, and you thought... I don't know what you were ascribing to me. Trust can't be something so fragile that something like a grapple or a jest breaks it."
"Nor should it be given instantaneously in an unconditional manner. You didn't know my flaws: how could you trust me to never screw up? I didn't know your sense of humor is so macabre: how could I trust your words in a desperate mood were a joke?"
Orsin nods. "Agreed. I somehow miss the miasmic stench of whores and ale that seemed to follow that little nightmare. Meaning Grimm...and maybe Duncan. Not Ermolos... Well, as far as I know, I didn't speak to him much and I don't think post-resurrection would be a good time to ask him about his drinking habits." Orsin seems a little frazzled and the pressing doom of the city weighs heavy on his thoughts.
Orsin nods. "Agreed. I somehow miss the miasmic stench of whores and ale that seemed to follow that little nightmare. Meaning Grimm...and maybe Duncan. Not Ermolos... Well, as far as I know, I didn't speak to him much and I don't think post-resurrection would be a good time to ask him about his drinking habits." Orsin seems a little frazzled and the pressing doom of the city weighs heavy on his thoughts.
Andrea smiles. Grimm was definitely the ale and whores one while Duncan preferred the ale.
Andrea produces the urn with Duncan's ashes. Grumm said he would arrange the raising of Grimm and Ermolos with the money he and I donated. Since McAlistar has more skill than I do, we can have him cast the spell, or Tobian, who is right now closer to us.
Andrea pauses and seems to look around a bit, as if she was about to speak to someone.
Well, no time like the present. She holds her arm out for you and keeps a firm grip on the urn with the other as she goes to look for Tobian.
Daniel, unsure if he would be welcome, attempts to follow Andrea and Orsin, whilst he quite liked Gerard the man was a live wire. Adrea was a cleric and perhaps it was habit, but Daniel was a holy soldier and more used to the company of the faithful. Despite the occasional lewd looks she shot him, he quite liked her company. While he would not ever agree to such a casual meeting of bodies as the Calistrian would propose (he was totally inexperienced in such matters and had a very immature and romantic view of sex being intertwined with love), he considered her a friend.
I would follow if this is not a private matter...?
Please feel free. You are a comrade now.
Euphemia smiles in earnest at the joy that is likely to follow with fellows returned from the vale... but she is hesitant for reasons similar to Daniel. Not to mention... she'd made quite a mess in the past day already, despite her best intentions, which she intended to clean up. That, and she had her own fiddling with the natural order to do.
As much as the hedgehog would like to add some clarity to the situation, the hedgehog is mute to Gerard and doubts he can get a word in edgewise. He sniffs the air, though.
How could I not trust you, in my heart?
Andrea it is DC14 to successfully cast the spell. (CL=+1)
To have any chance of activating a scroll spell, the scroll user must meet the following requirements.
The spell must be of the correct type (arcane or divine). Arcane spellcasters (wizards, sorcerers, and bards) can only use scrolls containing arcane spells, and divine spellcasters (clerics, druids, paladins, and rangers) can only use scrolls containing divine spells. (The type of scroll a character creates is also determined by his class.)
The user must have the spell on her class list.
The user must have the requisite ability score.
If the user meets all the requirements noted above, and her caster level is at least equal to the spell's caster level, she can automatically activate the spell without a check. If she meets all three requirements but her own caster level is lower than the scroll spell's caster level, then she has to make a caster level check (DC = scroll's caster level + 1) to cast the spell successfully. If she fails, she must make a DC 5 Wisdom check to avoid a mishap (see Scroll Mishaps). A natural roll of 1 always fails, whatever the modifiers. Activating a scroll is a standard action (or the spell's casting time, whichever is longer) and it provokes attacks of opportunity exactly as casting a spell does.
Andrea goes to a side room with Orsin and clears a table to put the urn on. Taking out the scroll, she scans the complicated miracle and takes a deep breath..
Andrea begins to chant, her voice faltering some as the twining script almost escapes her gaze but she continues on. The scabs on her palms where the divine wasps stuck her crack and a trickle of blood flows from them, glittering softly as her voice begins to gain strength.
Andrea continues to chant and even though she stumbles, she reaches the end up the scroll, the words smoke and burst into silver flame as they vanish and the smoke drifts over to the urn.
The urn begins to shake, clattering on the table and suddenly tip over, spilling the ashes inside which pour out in a small pile. The ashes stir and begin whirling into a humanoid form, hands and feet, shoulders and legs. More details emerge, a grim bearded face and callouses that spoke of hours at the forge. Soon the ashes were gone leaving behind only..
Duncan Redhammer, who took a gasping breath.
Duncan inhales sharply like one who was drowning and not tasted air in too long.
Gahh. *cough* Oh, Gods. That hurt.
He remains on all fours, sputtering and hacking for a few minutes before looking up at Andrea with glassy eyes.
Then on wobbly limbs the dwarf stands and not caring for his nakedness or the other two men in the room, stumbles over and wraps the girl in a hug so tight he might break her back.
Oh, girl. What's happened te ye. Ye look so sad. Heard ye voice an dropped everythin and started runnin tewards ye voice. Then a pain worse than dying. But I'm here girl. I made it....
He continues to crush her like a what? Long lost uncle? Father? Duncan was an orphan and counted those he called family on one hand. Was Andrea among those?
It goes on for a long time. The he slowly holds her at arms length.
He looks at Orsin and gives a nod an mouths a Thankyou.
Then he eyes up the paladin.
Without skipping a beat and not caring for the obvious wealth of the young man, as indicated by his fine armor, Boy. Pants. Ale. Now.
With as much grace as he can muster, Daniel swings his Handy Haversack off his back and produces some too long trousers and an Armored Coat, which the dwarf dons and tears at the pant legs to shorten them.
Then Daniel attempts to find something for the Dwarf to drink.
Duncan looks at Andrea, Where'd ye find that one? Ye moved up ta seducin paladins now, Fiosa approve of im?
Feeling Duncan almost crush her with his hug, Andrea throws her arms around him in return and begins sobbing, her voice cracking and tears streaming as she clings to Duncan, blubbering like a little girl.
Oh it's been so long and hard Duncna, so much pain. *Hic* Hic* Andrea stains Duncan's beard in tears.
Eventually, when Duncan pulls away, Andrea wipes her face on a cloth and straightens herself as the dwarf harangues Daniel for some clothing. Hearing him jibe at her like old times, she gives a short laugh.
Oh no,Daniel here is very much a marriage type. No naughtiness before a ring is offered. Andrea finds a chair and rests, slumping some. Oh so much has happened, it will take all night to tell you everything.
You nearly blew that caster roll. Ha that would have been interesting
The burly dwarf in his naked glory awakens to a teary Andrea and stern looking Orsin. The smell of moth balls, incense and stale ale fills the room. Strange new faces looking on at the byproduct of the miracle.
After we get some ale and food in you, and clothes on your back, we need to get you over to Grimm's so he can see your return. We all have a lot to talk about what has happened since the Sister sof Eiseth were disposed of.
Duncan looked fairly ridiculous in a borrowed Armored coat and breeches.
The dwarf just didn't look right without his usual arsenal of weapons and Armor.
Right, Girl. Gotta git me some gear and get back in tha fight. Ragathiel demands I see this through, specially now I been given a second shot
Andrea hurries off to the kitchen and soon she and Fiosa bring in some ale and whateve ris on the fire for Duncan to consume.
While he eats, Andrea talks.
She talks of meeting Grimm and traveling to the Wavedoor. Where Ermolos was slain by the undead dragon.
She talks of Delvehaven, where shadowbeasts stalked the halls, dolls tittered over tea and the spirit of Bisby spoke of Ilnerik, the lord of shadows. She talks of the vampire spawn who sought the Morrowfall and shows Duncan the glowing artifact.
She then speaks of the mayor's mansion exploding and their greatest defeat. Of Faelyn and Grimm's death and how devil's seized control of the infernal engine below Westcrown.
She talks about the routing of the Red Knives and meeting the Tilneros, of redcaps, satyrs, giant beetles and a hag in a worm ridden tree.
She speaks about Euphemia and Gerard and how John and Lucrezia have gone to other responsibilities, and of Walcourt where Ilnerik and the Totemrix lie.
Finally, she talks of Eccardian and Chammady Drovenge and their infernal ties and their plan to seize control of Westcrown.