"A toll? You're not 'protecting your home', you're simple robbers that ambush travelers." Kel scoffs at the elf. "You're obviously the evil ringleader of this band of highwaymen and cutthroats. Your tactics are those of cowards, and I bet the others will run once you're dead." Kel holds up both hands, but it's not the open palms of peace, rather it's the single, long finger of disdain that she shows from each hand. "Now you drop all of your weapons and apologize profusely for attempting to rob an elven ambassador on a peaceful mission!"
Anklebiter looks surprised, and hesitates to lower his staff...
The leader looked a bit unsure of herself, though not enough to back off. "Ambassador? That doesn't sound right. Not coming from a halfie like you. And yes, a toll. Think of it as a tariff on trade, if you like. But if you try to run or fight, we'll fill you full of more than enough arrows to make your ambassadorial visit a short one your grace. After all, that one said your business is not here. So why don't you either pay the toll, or tell us why you are here, in our territory, and convince us why we should let you pass."
"What's your flaming toll?" Calla growls. "As for why we're here, I already told you. You're merely a waystop on the way to somewhere else. Trust me, even before we met you, we knew no one actually wanted to come to this shithole country."
"Why don't we say...200 gold pieces each, and call it a day?"
Calla growls.
"It'll be easier to just pay then kill them all," she mutters to her companions. "We have bigger fish to fry."
"Done," Bruendor says, releasing the hold his teeth have on his tongue. "You're lucky we have somewhere important to be."
Earlier...
Lefrik had looked very tempted at the statues, but not for the reason they might think, "If I had time, I'd ask for a commission. Alas, no time."
Now...
Lefrik looks disgusted, "I think I'd prefer to fight than yield up coin to brigands, but ... if the rest of you insist."
"Ambassador? That doesn't sound right. Not coming from a halfie like you."
"That is exactly why I'm an official representative to foreign nations and peoples. Have you met the other elves on Golarion? Jerks, the lot of them, they could never handle this role. For example, your drow cousins are trying to drop stars upon the world and destroy all life on the surface while we're trying to prevent that and save the lives of your people, literally, and you're robbing us." Kel yells to the assembled group. "How does that make all of you feel? Knowing that you're robbing the very people working to save your lives?"
Kel turns her attention back to the leader. "Don't be our foe on this quest, be our friend. Don't steal from us, trade with us. We have coin, sell us something useful, something that will help us succeed in saving our people."
"I spent my money," Anklebiter says in a significant tone from somewhere behind Lefrik. "I spent it on spells."
"And I spent my money on arrows. With very sharp tips. You call it stealing, I call it a trade tariff for the right of passage through our lands. The something useful I am selling you is that right of passage, the same as any toll highway or bridge in your southern kingdoms. However, since you are such a noble personage you can pay for your goblin friend here. And yes, our southern kin are soft and weak. That is why we don't suffer them, or their pets, lightly. Now, I am sure we can agree on your passage. If your lives and passage upon your way isn't worth 1200 gp, then perhaps 800 would suffice. Your choice."
"What a kind offer, noble bandit, to reduce our robbery to 800 gold coins." Kel pays out the coins with a sort of begrudging respect as she remembers her own tough days earning a living at The Golden Goblin. "May we pass freely now through the lands of the robber baron?"
"Why yes, Madam Ambassador, you may go with our blessing. And thank you and your friends kindly for the coin. It will go a long way towards keeping our children from starving this winter. Our harvests were burned by a marauding dragon, and by the time we stopped it, we were down to last year's grain and a handful of withered apples. Your toll to use our auidara will save many lives. Go in peace."
The elf bowed deeply to you, tucked the coins into a waist pouch, and then she and the rest of the ice elves disappeared from sight, merging into the snow covered trees and rocks as if cloaked by magic.
"That was ... interesting," she said. "On to the next gate? Anything else we should expect?"
She looks toward Quilindra at the last question.
Kel calls out to the vanishing elf. "Is that dragon still a menace to you and your folk?"
"Marauding Dragon? What type?"
Quilindra shrugged at Calla's question. "I have no idea. I know the way, but I've never actually traveled it. Killias told me the route, and I pieced together a little more information on my own, but that's about all I know."
As she was speaking, the others tried to draw out more information from the departing ice elves, but to no avail. Kelendra was fairly sure that the elf was telling them the truth about the dragon, and the intended use for the coins, though.
A few minutes passed and no other elves came back into sight, so Quilindra shrugged again and set her bracelet to the portal. This time, the portal membrane was the translucent red of the fire opal that Quilindra touched to the activation slot. Steeling herself, the half-elf walked through the barrier and on to Ustilav.
Kel follows through the portal as the journey continues and marauding dragons are left behind.
Anklebiter grumbles under his breath, readies a spell and hops through the portal.
Bruendor watches Quilindra as she activates the elf-gate, and leaps through along with his friends, his hand upon his rapier as he goes.
Calla silently thanks the Lady in the Room that they don't have to go haring off dragons that are bothering people who bothered her as she leaps through the portal, bow out.
"If we just missed a chance to kill a LInworm, I'm going to be very dissappointed" He grumbles
"And what would you do if you were a king?" Calla snarks. "Besides make Greenie the court jester, of course. Do you really want to settle down and breed a little of little Blondies?"
You came though the gate to see the inside of an elven tower that must have once been beautiful, but was now filthy and overgrown with neglect. The gate itself stood in a room that was 30 feet in diameter. To the left and right were tiered chambers of the same size, with about a 5 foot drop between each. You also see no immediate signs of Quilindra. It was only after you looked into the southern room that you see the half-elf laying sprawled among the ruins. To your right, from the north, came a shriek of anger that sent fear coursing through your bones.
Anklebiter releases a burst of protective energy.
"We go, we grab her, I turn us all invisible and we get out of here!" he counsels.
"It's a plan, Lefrik, you get the grab duties, I'll cover us with an illusion, then we run." Kel weaves an image of another three half elves sprinting away through the ruins, complete with the thumps of running feet, leading the roaring creature away from the party.
"How'd she get over there?" Calla asks no one in particular, snapping her bow up as she nods at Anklebiter's question.
She looks around to try to spot the thing as she casts heroism on herself.
"And what would you do if you were a king?" Calla snarks. "Besides make Greenie the court jester, of course. Do you really want to settle down and breed a little of little Blondies?"
"Maybe I'd have someone fashion your tongue into a sword tip, probably cut through anything. What's wrong with wanting to be a legend?" Hrumphs, though if she makes another comment he'll sigh and mutter and move on.
=======
"Say when"
A nod, and he will break into a full run to move to help to the half elf as planned
anklebiter
kelendra
bruendor
calla
lefrik
enemy
As you are making your plans, a figure floats into view in the northern chamber. Its form is that of a semi-transparent elf, dressed in fighting leathers. Her eyes are the most tangible thing about her, and maybe the elongated claws at the tips of her fingers.
calla's, Anklebiter's, and Kelendra's spells all went off.
R1: calla, enemy, bruendor, kelendra, anklebiter, lefrik
Calla's eyes bugged out as she recognized this figure as a banshee, ready to attack!
HP 76/76
AC 24/27, touch 16, flat-footed 19/22
Fort +10*, Ref +9*, Will +12*; CMD 22
Divine retribution (DC 16) 0/6; Judgments 0/3; Bane 1/9; Discern lies 0/8
cold iron arrows 0/29; elf-bane arrows 0/3; human bane arrows 0/4
Spells: 0/5 (first-level); 0/5 (second level); 0/4 (third level) Consumables: Gravity Bow ring 0/3
Effects: Heroism (+2 to attack rolls, saves, skill checks), 90 mins.;
"Be careful!" Calla calls out as she pulls an arrow to her bow and calls upon her lady's vengeance. "The banshee's cry can kill you!"
She prepares to fire should the creature unleash its scream.
The ghostly creature glided forward, long claws extending to rake through Anklebiter. The goblin felt them pierce his defensive wards with ease, then felt the coldness of the beyond tearing him from the inside out.
Anklebiter takes 37 damage and must make a DC20 Will save or cower in fear for rounds
R1: calla, enemy, bruendor, kelendra, anklebiter, lefrik
R2: calla, enemy, bruendor, kelendra, anklebiter, lefrik
current hit point status
anklebiter -37
bruendor -0
calla -0
kelendra -0
lefrik -0
HP 76/76
AC 24/27, touch 16, flat-footed 19/22
Fort +10*, Ref +9*, Will +12*; CMD 22
Divine retribution (DC 16) 0/6; Judgments 1/3; Bane 2/9; Discern lies 0/8
cold iron arrows 0/29; elf-bane arrows 0/3; human bane arrows 0/4
Spells: 0/5 (first-level); 0/5 (second level); 0/4 (third level) Consumables: Gravity Bow ring 0/3
Effects: Heroism (+2 to attack rolls, saves, skill checks), 90 mins.; Destruction judgment (+3 damage); Protection judgment (+2 to saves)
Calla stops waiting and -- calling again on her goddess to grant her judgment against this obviously cursed elf -- launches her arrows at the banshee.
Barrage finishes, she sidesteps behind Bruendor.
Anklebiter squalls with agony at the banshee's touch, and hurriedly gabbles out a spell. Immediately, Goblins appear around the little Wizard.
"Stupid ghost! Go back to your grave!" Anklebiter snarls.
"AB!", Bruendor cries as the goblin recoils in pain from the banshee's malevolent touch. "Back, you monster! Or you'll taste second death this day!" He shifts slightly, giving Calla a clear shot on the translucent elf maid, and stabs at her with Bloodbane, frustrated that it can find no elven life to snuff.
As Bruendor shifts forward, Kel moves into the space he vacated and quickly swipes a hand across each of her companions while praying furiously.
Lefrik sticks with the plan and tries to race towards the half elf to rescue her A banshee? Oh sweet Desna preserve us
Ankleiter's spell went off and seven more goblins appeared beside him, each moving and looking exactly as the original. But, the banshee seemed to look right through the spawns, staring the original Anklebiter straight in the eyes. The goblin knew that she wasn't fooled by his images, and that the next swipe of her claws would be the last thing he saw.
Then, a pair of arrows sizzled in overhead. One missed, but the other punched into the banshee, drawing another howl from the creature. Bruendor was there, then, sweeping past the goblin and landing a strike of his own, his elvenbane rapier digging deeply into the incorporeal form. Behind the dwarf came Kelendra, putting up a hedge of protection around all her mates, even as Lefrik leaped after Quilindra to see to her.
The banshee turned on Bruendor and his eyes went wide as the insubstantial claws raked through his armor and tore at his very being, leaving a cold rent deep in is chest. The air grew too thick to breath, and all teh dwarf could think of was the terror of dying in this forgotten place.
Bruendor takes 31 damage and must make a DC20 Will save or cower in fear for rounds
R2: calla, enemy, bruendor, kelendra, anklebiter, lefrik
R3: calla, enemy, bruendor, kelendra, anklebiter, lefrik
current hit point status
anklebiter -37
bruendor -31
calla -0
kelendra -0
lefrik -0
HP 76/76
AC 24/27, touch 16, flat-footed 19/22
Fort +10*, Ref +9*, Will +12*; CMD 22
Divine retribution (DC 16) 0/6; Judgments 1/3; Bane 3/9; Discern lies 0/8
cold iron arrows 0/29; elf-bane arrows 0/3; human bane arrows 0/4
Spells: 0/5 (first-level); 0/5 (second level); 0/4 (third level) Consumables: Gravity Bow ring 0/3
Effects: Heroism (+2 to attack rolls, saves, skill checks), 90 mins.; Destruction judgment (+3 damage); Protection judgment (+2 to saves)
Calla launches three more arrows toward the center of the specter's chest, though only one manages to find its mark, the other two going wide.
Stepping back, Calla grits her teeth.
"Keep on it," she encourages her companions.
"Get back in your grave, spirit!" Anklebiter exhorts the banshee as he releases a spray of magical darts on the undead.
Lefrik picks her up to get her to the healer, "Hang on. I don't suppose you have anything that hurts undead?"
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Bruendor felt his heart leap into his throat as the banshee's spectral claws rent his soul, and for a moment he wanted to curl into a ball and pray to the gods not to let him die in this forlorn ruin.
But only a moment. A blinding streak of arrows and the glow of force missiles slamming into the ethereal elfmaid gave him back his resolve. He tightened his grip on Bloodbane, and resumed his attack upon her.
Kel heals the damage to Bruendor as she tries to keep her companions standing.
Quilindra's eyes fluttered heavily, and she flushed in Lefrik's arms. In a slightly slurred voice that went with her dilated eyes, she said, "My sharp tongue and ready wit isn't enough? Other than that...no." Her eyes closed again.
Bruendor continued to slash and poke at the banshee, even as Kelendra came up behind him and healed the worst of the wounds. More missile slammed into the creature, both magical and mundane. The banshee continued to focus on Bruendor, ripping him open with her ghostly claws again.
Bruendor receives 27 healing
Bruendor takes 35 damage and must make a DC20 Will save or cower in fear for
R3: calla, enemy, bruendor, kelendra, anklebiter, lefrik
R4: calla, enemy, bruendor, kelendra, anklebiter, lefrik
current hit point status
anklebiter -37
bruendor -39
calla -0
kelendra -0
lefrik -0
"Die, you filthy, undead freak!" Anklebiter shouts. "DIE!"
In his anger, the Goblin mis-times his casting, and his spell fizzles…
HP 76/76
AC 24/27, touch 16, flat-footed 19/22
Fort +10*, Ref +9*, Will +12*; CMD 22
Divine retribution (DC 16) 0/6; Judgments 1/3; Bane 4/9; Discern lies 0/8
cold iron arrows 0/29; elf-bane arrows 0/3; human bane arrows 0/4
Spells: 0/5 (first-level); 0/5 (second level); 0/4 (third level) Consumables: Gravity Bow ring 0/3
Effects: Heroism (+2 to attack rolls, saves, skill checks), 90 mins.; Destruction judgment (+3 damage); Protection judgment (+2 to saves)
Calla launches three more arrows.
"Stop flirting with your cellmates, Blondie, and get over her to help kill that thing!" she calls.
Kel continues offsetting the damage to Bruendor.
Bruendor screams in silence as the banshee's misty claws slice through him, and again he feels the terror try to grip him. And as before, he fights through the urge to give in to that fear. "Give AB some space!", he shouts, knowing the goblin has a far better chance of harming this thing than anyone's mortal weaponry.
"Heh, well... " He carries her at a fast pace behind the others when he can next