The third figure is a tall and broad-shouldered warrior. He has vaguely Kellid features, though his red hair would be most unusual for those people. He walks with an air of confidence.
At the warrior's side is a large falchion, and he wears a breastplate. His boots are weathered, with what look to be faded bloodstains, but sturdy.
He calls out.
"Are you with Elder Lythiin?"
1st lvl (6):
2nd lvl (6): Barkskin x2, Calm Emotions, Delay Poison, Spiritual Weapon, open slot, hypnotic pattern (spirit)
3rd lvl (4): Heroism x2, Dispel Magic, open slot, Daylight (spirit)
4th lvl (4): Blessing of Fervor, Slowing Mud, Spiritual Ally,
5th lvl (3): Baleful Polymorph, Breath of Life (2),
Mara finished her mediation and prepared for the grim day ahead. Although she had successfully cured Theo of his infestation, she had been unable to revive Kat, who presumably did not want to return. Somehow they would have to complete their mission in the Mysterium with just the three of them. She cast her initial spells, and the group walked out into the corridor.
She soon heard hushed voices, and rounding the corner saw three women — a couple of humans and a halfling — survivors! "Hello there!", she greeted them. "I'm Mara."
To the three strangers, Mara looked to be an old half-orc woman, who wore two dolls on a chain around her neck. On closer inspection, they looked to be a human male and an orcish female. The old woman carried a glowing greataxe, possibly lit by a light spell.
"We met a group of guards holed up in a barricaded room near here. We're trying to find Elder Lythiin."
Cerise is taller than average, small-boned, with a lean but not thin build. Her features have a distinctly Varisian cast. She has auburn hair and green eyes. Her clothing appears to be something like a Harrow Deck Reader or else circus performer - a billowing blouse and breeches tied snugly at the wrists, ankles and waist. A shimmering, iridescent cloak hangs from her shoulders, swaying and diffusing light about her silhouette in a disconcerting manner.
She looks to the other human woman, trying to determine if these strangers were culprits to be arrested or allies to be aided.
The smaller of Allegra’s mercs stands just shy of three feet, her weight likely shy of three pounds. But the manner in which she emerges from the forest of legs that is her taller companions is not shy at all. Her fists are clenched… but there’s no hostility. Maybe a sense of relief.
People. Not those… things.
Her hands open slowly. Perhaps the newcomers might, like others who see Pocky for the first time, expect she is a magic user. Or perhaps they noticed the callouses in her bare knuckles and bare feet, all of which are caked in dirt and dried blood. Regardless, the outfit appears to be some sort of ceremonial dress. Not literally a dress, but a blue kimono with a matching habit. The gaudy earrings match the silver (and the angularity) of her triangular holy symbol. Her wrists are clad in silver bracers, like those of an amazon warrior. And adding color to contrast the cool colors is a vermilion amulet, matching sash, and lacing up her lower legs. It is a grand costume.
Or rather, it was.
Now that grand blue outfit looks as worn as the halfling’s blue eyes.
Still, a near-death experience is no reason to forget her manners.
“Pocky,” she says in a soft, hoarse whisper. Then with an air of confidence, “My name, I mean… is Pocky. I’m from the Order of the Cloud Sisters—a nun.
“I don’t know this Elder.”
Theophilus--and The White Rabbit--take a day to properly morn their dear companion; Kat. They each take every orange from his pack, adds sugar and allows to sit for 24 hours. While waiting, Theophilus mends clothing. The next morning they pour 4 glasses of the juice, handing them out to each.
Cheers to a brave companion! May she find peace!
The Witch then prepares for the rest of the investigation by communing with The White Rabbit: They play cards.
The morning that the remaining group decides to continue venturing in the deadly Mysterium, Theo casts his buffs.
He also Hexes his friends!
Once again roaming the hallways of the spooky building, the Mad Hatter's darting blue eyes land on the trio of females approaching from their opposite. His blue eyes go absolutely wide as he immediately notices the sad state of affairs that their attire is in!
He faints...
Dervak joins the toast "To Kat," and drinks the orange juice.
"Mara, Theophilus... should we let Mari go? Maybe she will be with Kat.
It is not what Kat wanted, but it is what Mari wanted.
I don't know the right thing to do.
I know what feels right to me. But my instincts aren't always so good."
“Oh my gosh!”
Pocky stifles her urge to help the man… not that she really can do much.
“Um… is he… dehydrated or something?”
Theo looks at Dervak, as if he was asking the Mad Hatter what the answer is to the biggest question....
"Oh, that's Theophilus. He's probably fine. The rabbit will let us know if anything is wrong."
Dervak looks around for the White Rabbit.
"I'm Dervak."
And that name does ring a bell for Allegra.
Dervak was a particularly monstrous half-orc in the employ of Count Haserton Lowls IV. The brute force of his squad of "fixers". Rumored to be something worse than 'just' a half-orc. Cursed, maybe. Or fiendish. With massive tusks and a penchant for using them in a fight.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Mara echoed the toast, "To Kat!"
She felt terrible. It had been her responsibility to keep her companions alive through this nightmare, and she had failed. She replied to Dervak's question, "It just seems so ... final. I wonder if I should try to talk with each of them, and make sure. I prayed to preserve Kat's body yesterday, to give me time to figure out what to do."
Mara checked on Theo, and helped him back to his feet. "We've all been through a terrible ordeal. Are you OK Theo?"
The White Rabbit takes out a big palm leaf. He begins fanning the poor gentleman.
Standing up with the assistance of Mara, Theophilus smiles weakly at her.
Been a stressful few months. The sight....
His blue eyes begins to roll back into his...
Ouch! My good White Rabbit! What have I asked you not to throw at my face? That's correct! Stale Jelly Babies!
The White Rabbit tries his best to look contrite. He fails. The big grin probably isn't helpful.
Theophilus straightens his ever present top hat. He straightens his pocket handkerchief. He puts on a big smile. He approaches the trio of females.
Theophilus Carter; Hatter. If we have the time...
He looks back at Mara.
Thw White Rabbit begins taking out the tailoring kit.
Pocky taps her blue silken headdress. “This is a habit, not a hat. I suppose that won’t make a difference, but…” She watches the white rabbit. “Um, is your pet going to…?”
‘Mend my habit?’ Am I really asking—?
“Well, who am I to refuse an act of kindness? In fact, Mr. Carter, when I thought you had passed out from thirst, I was going to offer you water.”
The little nun reaches into her purse and removes the only thing in it (besides money)—an empty goblet.
“I mean, if you don’t mind using my cup. I don’t have… germs.”
When Allegra makes no move to arrest or assault these persons, Ci Ci visibly relaxes.
"I am sorry to hear you lost a comrade," Ci Ci says in a genuine conciliatory tone. "May she find rest. We've run into some near-fatal encounters ourselves since we've been out this way. Perhaps our fortunes will be more favorable if we travel together for the time being?" She looks to Allegra again to make sure she isn't making assumptions.
"My name is Cerise, Cerise Barchetta, but most people eventually settle into calling me Ci Ci, and it's what I habitually answer to. It's nice to make your acquaintances."
Mara explained to Pocky, "Theophilus could be thinking of making you a brand new habit, in the latest style!
"But Theo, we might want to finish our task inside Mysterium before we get too heavily into tailoring. My heroism spell for Dervak only lasts an hour and forty minutes."
Pocky sees no takers, so she wills her cup to fill with water and takes a swig.
She swallows quickly to stifle a potential spit-take when Mara mentions style.
“Do I look like a Shelynite? Wait… don’t answer that. Let me pretend the answer’s a ‘yes’ even though I know I’m not so pretty.”
Realizing she missed the obvious, having been so fixated on the need of food and drink, she says in a more serious tone, “If you lost someone dear to you, I’m truly sorry. We ourselves barely survived a situation last week… unlike the priests and scholars we saw getting torn to pieces by sheer will. My training certainly didn’t prepare me for monsters like that—not that I’d want to say ‘I told you so’ to Mother Superior.”
Hearing herself she mumbles, “Especially since technically I can’t. I mean, if I live to talk to her again, it means I’ll have survived; therefore, she will have told me so.
“Never mind that. As Ci-Ci says, we’ll need to band together if we’re to survive.” She gives the others a chance to respond.
(She also holds up her empty cup, ready to fill it for whoever is thirsty.)
I wonder if Theophilus finished all of his orders for Lady Spliterbone. She's not going to be happy if he gets distracted by working on new projects. But I guess he works on those in his dreams?
"Cerise." Dervak nods.
"Pocky." Sounds like it is a nickname. Short for something. Pocky... Pocket? Pock-mark? Apocryphal? Apocalypse?
"Yes, I think we know the beasts that were tearing people to pieces just by looking at them. They nearly got us too. We killed them all but they just came back.
Theophilus figured out how to stop them, by breaking the mirror they came through. He is very smart. Sometimes he says things that confuse me because I am not as smart as he is, but that part I got."
"So I broke the mirror.
I don't think they are going to come back."
Dervak may notice (at the mentioning of Lady Spliterbone) that The White Rabbit does take out a notebook (Red), flips a few pages, nodding his head, as he reaches for a pencil. Scratching something in the notebook, showing it to Theo (who absently nods), The White Rabbit places it away.
He winks at Dervak.
Theophilus--meanwhile--makes a pouty, frowny face. But the ever-pragmatic (?) Witch voluntarily returns his tailoring implements back inside the pack.
I didn't mean right this particular moment...
Theophilus then smiles warmly at the halfling.
Pocky? Yees, well, nice to meet you. Thirsty? Why, now that you mention it, I am a bit parched. Worked up quite the thirst recently; dying and all does that, so I am told. Although, I suppose that I may just tell myself nowadays.
The gentleman then moves over to Cerise Barchetta. The Mad Hatter grandly bows, tipping his top hat out wide, a big smile from ear to ear.
Theophilus CArter. my dear Miss Barchetta. My associates and I were just about to do a walk about the lower...
He looks to Mara for reassurance.
...levels of this spooky establishment. I think it a splendid idea if our two parties form a grand throng!
Theo then looks down at The White Rabbit.
Order more linens, utensils, flower arrangements, lamps, lamp oil, lamplighters...we may need a bigger...hall!
The White Rabbit is seen furiously writing it all down in a notebook (this one was blue).
Pocky reaches up, holding her empty cup. It fills to about a sixteenth of a gallon. Then, because of that mention of just being dead, Pocky doubles the helping, filling the goblet to the brim.
“This is for you, Mr. Carter. I can refill it for your rabbit. Animals don’t really like me, but this one is… very special? What’s your rabbit’s name? Is it a boy bunny or girl bunny?”
In reply to Dervak, Pocky nods.
“No disrespect meant to those who died before my eyes, but I believe you and Mr. Carter are smarter than a room full of professors. The poor wisemen said nothing of shattering mirrors. All they could do was scream.” She shudders a little at the flashback. “I hope that we won’t encounter more of those, but if I see a mirror, I’ll get to it if I have to go through a wall to do so.”
"Uh, our recently departed comrade had the same idea.
I disagreed with her. I am pretty sure it was just that one special mirror.
See, the Elder told us that entry level had an enchanted mirror that was supposed to summon axiomites to defend the library. Something went wrong. It summoned... something else. Something from Beyond."
Mara patted Theo's arm, "That's a good idea. This place is very dangerous, and we would do well to stick together.
"We arrived at the Mysterium three days ago ... or was it four? I'm losing track of time in here. It was already locked down; we volunteered to enter the building and figure out what happened here. We've been tasked by Elder Thyrr to find Elder Lythiin, who is supposed to be in here somewhere."
Her eyes dropped as she recounted, "We were four when entered the building. Kat was killed by axiomites." Mara's voice faltered, her grief still raw.
Allegra tops out at about six feet, her armor adds a significant bulk to her. While her tabard and cloak are well worn after a week in hiding, her armor is shining, pristine, and glistens in the light. It covers her head to toe as she silently gazes at the new group. She shifts and concentrates on the newcomers one by one as the group starts to converse, half-listening as she scans for chaos. Moments later, she mutters a swift prayer to Iomedae and continues to scan for fiendish presences. Eventually, she lifts her visor, revealing a cold gray eyes and a sneer that looks comfortable on her lips. The left side of her face is an angry mass of scar tissue, an Asmodean pentagram between broken chain links branded deeply into her cheek. She lifts a chain from her hip containing a 5-armed spinning iron star and a badge and presents the badge to the group.
Wary but at least confident that there isn't an immediate threat, she finally speaks up. "I am Royal Accuser Gavrospex, here on the authority of Prince Ordranti III to apprehend Count Lowls. Dervak, Ms. al-Katheeri, Mr. Carter, will you attest that you are no longer in the employ of Count Lowls? If you are indeed acting to thwart his plans, then our interests do currently align and we stand a better chance acting together than at cross purposes. Cross us, and you'll die before we drag the Count back to Ustalav regardless, so I hope that does not happen." Though the threat may seem empty coming from someone on the wrong side of a week of hiding in a dungeon, the menace in her voice is quite convincing.
The iron star on her belt is a holy symbol representing the Godclaw, a pantheon of 5 lawful gods that's typically only worshipped by the Hellknights of the Order of the Godclaw. She carries a gleaming adamantine great axe and a buckler is strapped across one wrist.
Oh, a challenge to my warrior prowess, is it? This one has nerve, at least.
Dervak laughs a bit. "Well, we'd see about that, wouldn't we? I can tell you are a warrior and you wouldn't back down either. It would be a battle. Gorum would be pleased, whoever won. But we do stand a better chance of stopping Lowls together so I too hope it does not come to that.
Barely anyone recognizes the authority of the Prince in Ustalav. The Counts do as they will. And we are not in Ustalav now, are we? We are hundreds of miles away. So no, I do not really care on whose authority you are here. And I do not fear your threats.
Yeah, I'll 'attest' I don't work for Lowls. And I aim to kill him. The danger he poses to our world is far beyond whatever this Prince may know. Knowledge in Lowls's head that is dangerous just by existing. About things of the Dark Tapestry, where merely knowing of them increases their power.
And he's got allies who could probably break him out of any cage or cell, through the Dreamlands.
If killing the Count is okay with you, then we can work together. But I cannot leave him alive unless you have a way to wipe his mind like a chalk-slate."
Allegra's sneer gives way to a predatory grin as Dervak rebuffs her threat. "Suit yourself, it matters not at all what you acknowledge. Execution falls within my mandate secondary to capture. Either way, the Count will fall and Ustalav will have its due."
"She's all business," Ci Ci adds in a like-it-or-not tone, with a side glance at Allegra, a gentle eye roll, and a hint of a smile.
Theophilus watches in awe as his friend, Dervak, matches words with this Allegra. The gentleman begins snapping his fingers; causing The White Rabbit to hurriedly grab a notebook (Purple) and begin scribbling!
I wonder if I may have his head after you have relieved him of it?
He grins.
"I won't have a need for it. Neither will Lowls."
Mara was a bit taken aback by the armored woman's aggressive demeanor. Nevertheless she replied, "Count Lowls arranged for our memories to be erased, and dumped us in Briarstone Asylum. So I don't regard him as my employer anymore! We uncovered correspondence that leads me to believe that he came to the Mysterium to steal an occult tome called the Necronomicon, which is rumored to contain forbidden dark knowledge. I don't know exactly why he wants it, but I fear the worst."
Ci Ci remembers rumors and whispers about the vile tome. It was penned by the lich Geir who served Tar-Baphon, the Whispering Tyrant nearly 1000 years ago. The text was captured by the Shining Crusade and thought lost during this tumultuous time in Ustalav.
"I had heard it was in the possession of the Shining Crusade, but was lost recently. I take it Lowls might know where it is, then?"
Allegra nods. "If confronting the Count averts greater tragedy, all for the better. I would know those who fight beside me. What are your capabilities and preferred fighting styles? I wield this," she says, holding up her axe. "The Godclaw have blessed with me some ability to enhance my effectiveness as well as a limited ability to heal, although I am certainly no true healer."
When Allegra makes a death threat, Pocky wonders how that will blow over. With hot air or cool?
The tall warriors share that language, and are probably bonding. So Pocky decides the best she can say on the matter is nothing. That is, until Allegra makes her request.
“Well, I don’t carry a weapon. I am one.”
”I am a friend of Light and Fire,” Ci Ci adds, as if prompted. ”They heed when I call upon them, and only the hottest fires burn me.”
Dervak doesn't bother to correct Cerise about the dreaded tome. The less he thinks about such things, the better.
Knowing about this stuff can drive you mad. Glad I don't know so much. But I still have memories from that thing...
Dervak hefts his falchion and twirls it.
"I prefer this.
There is magic and fury in my blood. It used to be dark and beyond my control. I only gave into it in extreme cases. That I let it out as much as I did had a terrible price.
I have mastered my rage, and changed my blood. The magic is now different."
He gives a wry smile. "I've gotten lucky, if you can believe it.
Despite all the horrors I have faced, and all the things that have happened to me... I guess I am still alive because Fate favors me. Destiny wants me for something.
In combat, I can be fast and elusive if we need to buy time, or savage and strong if we need to end a battle quickly."
Mara weighed in on the discussion of capabilities, "I use magic that mostly protects and bolsters my allies, although I can hinder our enemies too."
She lifted her greataxe, "But mommy made sure I know how to use this too!"
Once the discussion wrapped up, she advised her allies, "If we're going to join forces, I should take a few minutes and meditate for some additional prayers."
Pocky kneels beside Mara. “I will meditate beside you. Not for magic. I want to pray for the soul of your friend Kat.”
Theophilus looks at Allegra while shuffling a deck of Harrow cards. The White Rabbit begins to pantomime karate.
We take ass; and kick names!
Ci Ci conjures a ball of fire in the air between her outstretched hands. she then begins to shape the fire as a potter might shape soft clay. She separates the fire into two pieces: one larger, one smaller. She focuses on the smaller ball, while the larger one is left to hover in the air.
She works the smaller fire into the semblance of the White Rabbit, poised on its hind legs, front legs held up in a fighting stance. Once the image is completed, she taps it on the nose. The image begins to move, following the motions of its real-world counterpart.
She then turns her attention to the larger fire, carefully shaping it into the likeness of Theophilus, complete with hat and Harrow Deck. Once the image is finished, she places the hat of fire upon its head, and whispers, "Presto." The image comes to life, shuffling the cards of the Harrow Deck with astounding dexterity. The cards dance and spin between its hands, and sometimes fly about, orbiting its head.
After a few moments, the cards land neatly back into the Theohilus image's left hand. With its right, it reaches up and lifts the hat from its head, extending it out in front of it, with the top facing the ground.
The White Rabbit image, as if one cue, breaks from its kata and begins to turn somersaults and cartwheels, moving towards the hat. With a tremendous leap, the White Rabbit image cannonballs into the opening of the hat, vanishing inside in a puff of smoke. The Theophilus image drops its cards inside the hat, which erupt in a burst of fireworks. One they subside, the Theophilus Image places the hat back upon its head, and makes a flourishing bow. A moment later, the flames vanish as swiftly as a snuffed taper.
The little meditating nun can’t help but hear Ci-Ci casting. She opens her eyes, cracks a smile at the magic show—then imagines Mother Superior scolding her.
When you pray to the Cloud Sisters, do NOT be partially cloudy!
Though the imagined words will not be followed by the obligatory yardstick slap, Pocky shuts her eyes and focuses on her prayer.
Mara returned around the corner to Mun's makeshift laboratory (where Kat's preserved body was as well) and sat down with her dolls to meditate. After fifteen minutes or so she had finished and rejoined the others.
Orisons: Detect Magic, Light, Guidance, Read Magic
1st lvl (6):
2nd lvl (6):
3rd lvl (4):
4th lvl (4): Blessing of Fervor, Slowing Mud, Spiritual Ally, Threefold Aspect, Rainbow Pattern (spirit)
5th lvl (3): Baleful Polymorph, Breath of Life (2), Overland Flight (spirit)
Clutching her human doll, she implored, "Daddy, make Allegra and Pocky's skin tougher." Switching to the orc doll she entreated, "Mommy, give them both orcish courage!"
"That should help protect you from the horrors in here.", she told her new allies.
Dervak watches Cerise's magic with some interest.
She still has a sense of joy about her. I hope we can help her keep that.
He turns to Allegra. "Is there a scout among your band? One skilled at dealing with traps? If not, I would take the lead alongside you or Pocky."
Theophilus--and The White Rabbit--watch in absolute fascination at the beautiful performance by Cerise. The two sway in a silent song being played by the flickering flames as they dance, twirl, waltz about the scenes of the play.
The White Rabbit is seen passing a bowl of freshly popped popcorn around to the group.
Once the display vanishes, both Theo and The White Rabbit put on their mean faces for the continuation of the investigation against the vile villainy of Lowls....
"Time to kit-up, I suppose," Ci Ci says, drawing upon her power once again. She moves through a complex series of gestures and motions, as if dancing while braiding rope.
"Armored, she is," she says, moving seamlessly into the next sequence. ”Arrows turn in flight."
She then reaches into her pouch and retrieves a wand. She whirls it in a circular motion before her. "My strange shield," she says to no one in particular. The motion coalesces into a floating translucent disk of energy.
She looks to the others of the group, pointing the want negligently. "Does anyone else need one?" she offers.
Pocky gladly accepts the popcorn! She’d already depleted the last of her rations.
She replies to Dervak, “I’m good at keeping hidden, and I think I have a sharp eye.
“I appreciate the vote of confidence. I can take lead with you if you want. Or another option is for me to stick to the middle in a formation. I can always leap over one of you tall people and attack, in one deft move of many.”
She makes sure to swallow her popcorn before demonstrating her acrobatic prowess with a double jump. She makes no running start. She simply moves like the wind.
“The Cloud Sisters blessed me to soar like the wind, strike like lightning, or become like the clouds themselves: ethereal, and capable of absorbing water and becoming one with it.”
Dervak's wand of Shield is currently at 35 charges. He will use it before we open the next door in our exploration.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Mara attuned her phylactery to monitor the health one of her new allies.
Dervak is completely willing to share diamond dust for Cerise to cast Stoneskin on herself.