It's hard to tell through the obfuscating fog, but it seems to be a single campfire, set a ways back from the river bank, deeper in the woods. You can't make out any figures around the fire, but as Miro carefully brings the barge in closer, you can smell something pungent cooking on the fire, and hear the warbling sounds of a crow.
Iagon sighs, feeling more certain now. He calls out to the captain. Miro, can you get us close and anchor? I'd like to head out to land to warm those people of the hobgoblin horde.
"Agreed, these are probably people who need a warning," says the ranger-princess. "Let's see how big their camp is."
Attai looks in the direction indicated.
"I always wondered whether the... rough humanoids needed fires or campfires as much as those without dark or shadow vision. I...guess fire is good for cooking though, universally. So...we go cautiously?"
Moira yawns, stretches, winces, and curls up again. "I had an awful dream that you wanted to investigate fires on the shore. Wake me in the morning, or when we get where we're going..."
Somehow she pulls off that silly joke (she's funnier than I am). Everyone can see her eyes sparkling with mirth under the hat brim pulled low over her eyes.
Agreed...I have no desire to risk another run in with that hoard. Ortego, what have you heard of this hoard from Trudos? We didn't...well, he wasn't fully focused when we spoke to him.
"Reports have come in from across the empire, hobgoblins pouring over the World’s Edge, rampaging across the country. We heard word of raids and attacks on Faldemont, Maheto, and Dalaston. We thought it was isolated to the World’s Edge, but recently there was some encounter with a band of goblins in the Tandak Plains raiding shipping on the Sellen. Some civilian adventurers took care of them I suppose. But, after today, it sounds like this horde has driven out the ettercaps from Dunholme. If so, that would seriously cut off trade routes to this part of the Verduran."
Captain Ortego stirs awake, groggy eyed from hitting the brandy too hard, "Wha’s happening?" She crawls to her feet and picks up her heavy greatsword.
"Aye, sir," Miro steers the barge towards the riverbank, landing it softly amongst the lillies and reeds. All but the bargemen debark, moving cautiously toward the light of the campfire. A few yards from shore you come to a road, which Ortego informs you is the Verduran Highway, which follows the Verduran Fork and connects Arenway with Belhaim. From here you can see the camp more clearly, as it lies on the other side of the road.
A single figure stands hunched over a cauldron brewing over the fire. They are hidden under a heavy cloak. A raven sits on their shoulder, emitting the occasional caw as it ruffles and preens its feathers.
Moira whispers none too cautiously, "Just two people, just one of them not-a-bird. I think we should hail them, whaddaya say?"
Attai nods to Moira silently.
Iagon smiles. Moira, you're a bit...better with words that many of us. Mind greeting them? We're right here with you. True to that, Iagon will stand directly at Moira's side as she moves forward.
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Moira smiles back at Iagon and advances, whistling a happy tune as a sign of peaceful intentions interpretable by bird or man. She starts to sing a poem that's been stuck in her head lately,
"When half way through the journey of my life
I found that I was in a dark wood,
because the path which led my way was lost.
And ah, how hard it is to say just what
this wild, rough and stubborn woodland was,
the very thought makes my fear new again!
So bitter it is, that death isn't worse;
but I'll talk about the good I found,
I ’ll speak of what else I discovered there."
When she's sure she's been heard, she calls, "Hail, fellow traveler in this dark wood! We come in peace and with news to share."
As Moira approaches and hails a greeting, the figure jumps a little, then stands to see who approaches. Pale hands reach up to remove the hood, and reveal themselves to be a dark haired human woman. She remains mostly hidden under the heavy cloak, although her bare and filthy feet are visible.
"Ah, who’s there in the dark mists? If ye are friend, come close, if’n ye be meaning ta harm, best leave me be."
Iagon sees that as a clear invitation, and moves into the light, awkwardly smiling as he pushes back his hood. Hi! We're friends.
Moira sweeps off her hat in greeting and steps into the light. "I'm Moira, a traveler on the river. These are my companions, good folk, I think. We ran into a spot of trouble earlier today, or yesterday, depending on what time it is. Mind if I warm up a little?"
She squats by the fire and warms her hands, taking in the woman's appearance. Barefoot. Maybe she needs a ride.
"Ah, but friends have names. I am Galene, daughter of Averina Natalya, She Who Walks on Water, Queen of the River Green. Sit by my fire, friends, and tell me what news ye bring."
With a gesture of her hand, she beckons you all further into the light.
Liamae bows gracefully to the woman. "We thank you for your hospitality, Lady Galene. I am Liamae Tesilikaria, late of Kyonin. The trouble my companion Moira speaks of is a horde of marauding hobgoblins who are running rampant across the countryside, according to reports. Have you heard tell of these invaders?"
She studies Galene carefully, trying to judge her intentions.
Something about the situation seems off, perhaps it’s the pungent aroma of whatever’s brewing on the fire. But, Galene’s hospitality seems genuine, if her true intentions are questionable. Liamae gets the sense that, although her words do not seem to be hiding anything, Galene may not truly be who, or what, she seems.
"Ah yes, the goblin horde from beyond the world’s edge, come to take the southern wood, poised to prop up the Unborn Prince. Mother knows about the Crimson Bow, but worry not, friends, as the Queen builds an army of her own. Sog the Conqueror dares not cross her waters, not yet. Ye are kept safe on this shore, for now. For instance, mother has recruited a dozen or more sailors from a doomed ship into her ranks."
By now, Ortego has stumbled up behind the group, but she starts at Galene’s words, "What’d you say you old hag? Wha’d’you know about my crew? Wha’d’you do to my ship?"
Moira tries for damage control, "Galene, this woman lost many comrades today. We saved her from a doomed ship, perhaps the one you mentioned. She's in shock. Please forgive her, once she's apologized."
She elbows Ortego (weakly) and hisses, "You better hope she's not an old hag, or you're gonna be her new toad familiar. Calm down. And say sorry, or you'll be saying 'ribbit.'"
The Captain looks to Moira as if to say something, and decides against it. She stares drunken daggers at Galene and grumbles, "Sorry. Continue."
Galene smiles, wryly, and points a finger at Ortego, her eyes grow wide"Thats right, love. The mists took them into her embrace. Ah, how I yearn for her touch. Perhaps ye can reunite with yer crew, if’n ye wish ta join her too."
"What’re you talkin’ ‘bout?"
Galene begins wiggling her fingers and chanting low.
Attai shoots her (Galene) with his crossbow.
[+2 Dex, +2 BAB]
Iagon looks around in confusion, wondering how this went from a peaceful warning to a combat in such a short time. Wait! But...it was too late, as he watches the crossbow bolt fly through the air.
Damn...
"OH MY GODS ATTAI!"
Out of spells, hit in her strength and dexterity, and quite wounded, Moira is none too pleased by the sudden breakdown of diplomatic relations.
As Galene’s eyes begin to flash with arcane light, Attai, perhaps on edge, let’s loose a bolt. Foolishly unexpecting, Galene is struck.
However, the bolt doesn’t seem to harm her. Holding back her surging fury, Galene completes the incantation before screaming.
Suddenly, Ortego cries out, "NO! What have you done!? Galene!" She reaches for her sword.
"Yes, sister, join me in Mother’s love! Protect me from these fools!"
Ortego looks about, torn on what to do.
Moira quips, "I've never realized "ask questions first, shoot later" is just as bad until this moment."
But the witch was casting, after all. Maybe diplomacy will work better next time.
She starts to sing,
"My girl, my girl, don't lie to me
Tell me where did you sleep last night
In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun don't ever shine
I would shiver the whole night through
"My girl, my girl, where will you go?
I'm going where the cold wind blows
In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun don't ever shine
I would shiver the whole night through"
Our team is Inspired to Courage! Plus one to attack and damage!
She also steps five feet away from Galene.
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"Yikes! Things are degrading very quickly!" Liamae yelps. She steps behind Turante and draws arcane power from her flashy boots. They glow faintly as she touches the elven princess, causing Turante to double in size! "Get her, Your Highness!"
Iagon doesn't seem to understand this new course of action - in fact he has no idea what this odd woman has cast, or what Ortego was shouting about. But...Attai had been with him since the beginning of this dangerous quest, and he trusted the odd Harrower. He builds a wave of swirling wooden particles about himself, then hurls them at Galene!
The princess draws her elven blade and moves into combat.
Size Alteration (Sp)
As a standard action, you can expend 1 point of mental focus and touch a creature to alter its size.
You can increase or decrease the creature’s size by one step, as enlarge person or reduce person but not limited by the creature’s type. If the creature is hostile toward you, using this ability requires a successful melee touch attack, and the creature can attempt a Fortitude save to negate the effect. This effect lasts for 1 round per occultist level you possess. You can’t use this ability on a creature that is already subject to an effect that alters its size.
After being shot at by Attai, Gelene is on guard. A playful smile forms on her lips as Moira begins her bluesy tune, and she whips her cloak around to catch Iagon’s blast.
Princess Túrante suddenly finds herself twice as tall and eight times the weight! She needs not step forward to hit Galene with twice the reach. However she’s not used to being giant sized, and Galene deftly dodges the swing.
"Good Captain, can’t you see? You’re so called friends are attacking ME!"
Captain Ortego screams and draws her greatsword. She takes a swing at Attai, "STOP!"
Her blade comes crashing down on the Sylph. I guess he didn’t see it coming.
Attai cries out in shock and pain, dropping the crossbow. He brings forth the druidic lump of wood and clubs Ortega, trying to trip her...
Although grievously injured, Attai swings at Ortego’s legs and knocks her off her feet.
Galene steps out of Túrante’s reach and turns her attention to Moira, "What’s the matter, love? Did ye forget the words?"
Suddenly, Moira’s lyrics become confused and unintelligible as the language center of her brain begins to malfunction.
This enchantment causes a creature to be unable to speak intelligibly. Any effort the target makes to talk, in any language, comes out as a useless mix of unconnected words and noises. Even magic words are affected to some extent; the target has a 20% spell failure chance for any spell it attempts to cast with verbal components, and a 20% chance to incorrectly use a command word to activate a magic item. This spell has no effect on telepathic communication, or the vocalizations of creatures that lack a spoken language.
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Moira figures the best way for the most people to walk away from this is to put the witch out of action first. Maybe not dead. But down.
She garble-yells as she attacks, "You sneaping, caliginous inverted bumbershoot overbrimming with gurry!"
Liamae touches the hilt of Turante's blade, causing the weapon to glow.
Iagon shouts as he takes a quick step. Stop this madness now! He uses his power to force his skin to take on the appearance of gnarled wood, and it thickens.
He then hurls out another blast of wood at this witch.
Galene again twists away from Iagon’s blast, while Liamae further enhances her Princess. Moira is the first to hit and actually hurt Galene, who snarls and gnashes like an animal in return. "Yes, let’s drop the charade and stop the games," she hisses, and before Moira’s eyes, Galene’s face begins to twist and morph. Her malicious grin spreads from ear to ear, revealing sharpened teeth, while goat like horns spiral from her forehead. Her eyes turn black and pupils flash with pale yellow light. From beneath her heavy cloak, feet gnarl into cloven hooves and fingers grow deadly claws. Pale skin darkens into grey.
Between garbling her singing and shimmying her hips to keep the crew inspired, Moira manages to blurt "Glomble womble hombleblatt!"
Curse the fumbletongue! She'd meant to say that Galene is actually a big ol' stinkin' [redacted].
Túrante brings her newly-embiggened sword down on the hideous fusion of faerie and fiend.
Túrante’s blade cuts into Galene’s true form, and as with Moira, Túrante may feel as if Galene isn’t as hurt as she should be.
On the other side of the campfire, Ortego moans as she lies on her back. "Get away sister! We will return to Mother soon!" commands Galene.
Ortego sits up, head swimming. She looks up to Attai, confused and pleading, "I... I don’t understand."
Seeing Ortega somewhat mollified (or at the very least where sylph harrowers are concerned, not swinging a greatsword) Attai swings his considerable ire and attention to the hooded trickster. As well as his gnarled club...
Attai moves in and whacks Galene upside the head. A sudden crack of thunder resounds throughout the woods.
It’s getting a bit crowded around Galene, but Ortego has been left out in the open. "I am coming, sister! Now get up and run! Galene shouts, then begins casting.
With a gurgling croak and a burst of feathers, Galene transforms into a tiny, blurred, raven-like shape and withdraws through the air towards and beyond Ortego. Her actual raven familiar takes to wing as well and follows along.
Still knocked on her ass, Ortego has to decide, stick with these cool new friends who saved her from certain death, or run off with this cool new friend who seems to be saving her from the other cool new friends. What’s a Captain of the Imperial Navy to do?
The captain gets to her feet, stumbling a bit. She looks around, still bewildered as to what’s come over her. She stays where she is and simply mutters, "I... I’m sorry."