Perception:
The magus readies a spell and watches for a threat.
You continue to hear the hummed tune; though it has no obvious source, it dances around the caravan before closing on Malnival.
The sound floats around Malnival for a few seconds, then moves away, again circling erratically through the caravan.
"It is a spirit of some sort, manifesting through song," Miyaro explains. "It doesn't appear to be hostile."
Parity snorts, "Spirits ... in the Forest of Spirits. Who knew?"
"It is their home, and we are visitors."
"Well, I'm glad it's not hostile, but we could waste a lot of time following it. Let's press on to the House of Withered Blossoms, unless the song spirit has some warning for us?"
Hope we don't run into any goat spirits.
The spirit moves towards Parity, but quickly retreats and it flutters over to Heng.
After a couple frigid minutes, Kelda steps out of the stream and stands by the shore, her body steaming still. "Come, I know a vay ve can varm up." She extends her hand, the look in her eyes that of a hunter.
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Heng's tattooed brow furrows. "I sense that this spirit means no harm. By keeping its distance from Parity, it has shown itself to be a good judge of character anyway." Heng smiles briefly. "Do you remember the spirit from the graveyard in Brinewall, Tata? Perhaps this is an ally. Be prepared to subdue me if I act in an uncharacteristic manner, Parity."
sense motive
Acting on a hunch, Heng opens himself to the spirit.
As Heng drops his mental defense, the spirit clings to him. The tune reaches a dramatic crescendo and then ceases abruptly. The spirit's presence is gone.
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Heng stands very still as the tune crescendos. Then the characteristically quiet and stoic half-orc opens his mouth and begins the song anew. He switches from Taldan to fluent and soulful Tien as he continues a performance that leaves even Ameiko impressed. As the final note echoes through the forest, Heng blinks several times and raises an eyebrow. In Tien he continues, "That was quite unexpected, but I feel as though my rudimentary Tien is even better than my proficiency in the Common western tongue."
Malnival and Kelda conclude their 'sparring' in rather loud fashion, drawing a few embarrassed glances or chuckles from the caravan crew.
*
If you take no action to remove the spirit, she will stay with you. You will continue to think in poetic terms and musical tunes echo constantly in your head. Her presence gives you a boon of +2 on Knowledge (history), (local), and (nobility), and you can make those checks untrained.
"If anyone can take care of herself, it's Maeve," Parity says, trying to sound earnest. "I'm glad I can return the favor, Ame. I often feel you know me better than I wish sometimes, as well. I'm starting to not be uncomfortable with that," Parity chuckles.
"We should probably get back to the others. They need to see you as strong and comfortable with your decisions ... even when you're not. It's important practice when the time comes to ascend the throne. Odd, how some of these things parallel survival in the pits. I guess this is just a larger arena, no?"
Once Heng doesn't go hostile, Parity takes his hand of Suishen and ignores most of what he says next, although he does hum along with the monk's song.
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Heng is initially put off by the music that seems to persist in his mind, but his years of meditative practice serve to keep it from being distracting. The others note that Heng becomes more melancholic after the incident. Heng notes this as well and isn't sure if this arises from memories of his father that the music conjures or the appearance of the ghost that now sometimes visits his dreams.
Harlan watches as Heng begins singing.
He's not very good.
"What do you think Skygni? Are we making the right decision here?"
Skygni blinks at Harlan, and gives Heng a sniff. "He smells the same."
Date: 13 Calistril 4712
The next few days after entering the forest pass without additional incident. In the late afternoon on the fifth day, as the shadows of the trees are growing long, a great white shape bursts from the trees a hundred yards ahead. It is an albino tiger of enormous size, and it is charging headlong towards the caravan. Its snarling visage betrays its hostility.
Knowledge Planes:
Malnival cast shield on himself as he draws his scimitar.
"Um...that's a big kitty."
Harlan debates reading his crossbow or steadying the horses, and votes for the latter.
"If you say so. Are there others?" Parity asks his friends who can see.
Parity draws Suishen and growls, roaring out in defiance as the creature runs forward, throwing his cloak out wide and making himself large and intimidating.
"Any time ... of course." Parity awkwardly pats Ameiko on the hand.
The tiger continues to charge, crossing the wide clearing in a matter of seconds. As it nears the front wagon it comes to an abrupt halt. It sniffs the air around you, but still appears imminently hostile. Up close, you can see exactly how big the tiger is: nearly eight feet at the shoulder, and it bears the preternatural markings of a dire animal. In particular, two saber-like fangs jut from its upper jaw.
Parity's attempt to demoralize it comes across feeble, given the tiger's size. In response, it roars loudly, covering Parity in its warm breath.
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Heng resists rubbing his scalp as he doesn't want to startle the tiger. In a low voice he notes, "I have heard that some monks attain such a state of oneness that they may speak with any living thing, but sadly, I do not have this ability. Can anyone communicate with the beast? Perhaps magic or music might calm its emotions."
Shalelu shakes her head, holding her bow ready but careful not to look too threatening. "I'm not very good with animals."
Recoiling from the creature's breath and just now realizing how big it is, Parity goes on the defensive, using all his resources.
Taking a cue from Heng, Ameiko steps to his side and expands on the melody, trying to lay a calming air. It seems to have no effect on the tiger.
The tiger roars threateningly at Ameiko and Heng, hackles raised and crouching as if to pounce.
You hear a responding growl from your own ranks, but it isn't Skygni. Kelda advances slowly towards the tiger, speaking in animalistic grunts and tones. You notice her visage has changed slightly, half a head taller than Heng now, black fur covering her pale skin, and pronounced, pointed teeth.
The tiger backs up a few steps, its wild eyes blinking into a moment of lucid clarity. Then, as suddenly as it appeared, it turns and sprints back into the forest.
Parity sniffs, "Something doesn't smell right ... we have another creature in our midst?"
Harlan watches as Kelda succeeds where he can't, somewhat surprised at her method.
What did Mal do to her?
Malnival stands stunned as he watches Kelda. "No Parity, we have the same ones. It is just fair Kelda. It seems lycanthropy runs in the family?"
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"Kelda, thank you. You have spared us from an unnecessary fight that may have angered the spirits. I also want to say that I understand in some slight way your struggle to hide and control your heritage. My own savage blood worries me at times," Heng tries to reassure her awkwardly.
Later he asks Koya if she knows a prayer that would calm emotions to avoid conflict.
As the tiger departs, Kelda regains her composure and returns to her normal appearance. She looks embarrased and little frightened. She nods to Malnival and Heng, but does not muster a vocal reply.
Malnival sheaths his scimitar and walks up to the barbarian, kissing her on the check before putting an arm around her. "Good thinking Kelda. Without your help I think we would have been forced to kill the beast."
"I cannot say I vas thinking at all," Kelda says, shaking her head. "I felt such confusion and sorrow from the tiger... I just acted and the bear came forth."
"I carry my father's curse, it seems," she adds, not sounding pleased.
It does not seem a curse Kelda. You changed back. That must mean something."
Kelda nods, but says nothing else, lost in her own thoughts.
Date: 14 Calistril 4712
The next day, in the middle of the morning, you pass through a wide swath of the wood that has been burned down. Tall, blackened trunks remain where great trees once stood, their canopies burned away. The snow still covers the ground and few remaining branches, with dark ash everywhere else.
Perception:
Malnival cast a spell as he glances at the others. "You guys smell smoke?"
"Huh ... sorry, lost in my own thoughts. I don't smell anything.
"Mal's right, something is coming."
"It's not a curse Kelda. You were able to save both us and the tiger, that's a blessing!"
As Harlan and Malnival react to something they sense, bringing up defensive magic, a few moments later you all hear a loud crackling roar, like the spreading of a massive fire. The forest remains in its cold wintry state, however.
Above the roaring, Parity feels something intensely warm approach him, whispering in his ear.