While Paul listens to the others he looks at the woman and takes out his healing kit.
"This might help, maybe not too good against magic stuff, but it might stop it from getting worse or something, until we get you somewhere safe," he adds as he holds up the kit.
"Mind if I give it a try?"
"We should take you back to town to see the shrine maiden. Are you injured?"
If she is wounded, Blue Heron will LoH.
Gii removes his cape, offering it to Leeara. "The longer we dally, the more danger miss Leeara will be in," he states. "Cover yourself with this. The townsfolk will likely not be nearly as understanding as we are. We will take you back to Dustpawn, and there we will find someone who is capable of removing this curse."
"Sounds good," he says to the others.
As they get ready to saddle up, he pauses and glances around.
"Hey - the arrow she was hit with - is it here? Did anyone find it?" he says, asking the others.
"If we can find it and maybe find the arrow itself, we may be able to find some leftover poison on it... With a little alchemy we might be able to figure out how they did it and maybe how to beat it in the future..." he adds.
He glances at Gii -
"Could be that the 'poison' ain't more than bits of broken cursed rust or flecks of metal on the arrow... If that's the case we may be able to find it under her skin and we may be able to cut out the cursed stuff in a pinch if the spell don't work... Ah hell, I don't know, just trying to figure it out is all..." he says with a grunt.
With a few more hisses and meows, Leeara shook her head, but you do not know if it's due to the affliction or in answer.
"Noooo. Jussssstt poiiiisssonn."
Leeara almost jumped as the cape was offered to her. But she took it and smelt it before draping it across her shoulders, lifting the hood over her head.
A few soft wails escaped Leeara's lips and she moved with a swift gait to the makeshift nest of leaves, fur, straw and blankets. She pushed aside the materials of her nest until she found what she was searching for: a strange looking orb (a 1-inch diameter sphere of coloured basalt painted with tiny craters), the one she had mentioned she had taken from the Dominion of the Black cultists. She carefully placed the orb into a bag around her waist. She hissed at something she remembered. Turning, she located the still growling wolverine and opening her bag, she pointed and commanded, "Returrrrrnnnn." Suddenly the creature moved with speed toward the cook and launched itself at the bag. Just before it reached the top of the bag, the wolverine turned into a small fuzzy ball and easily slipped inside. Leeara tied the strings of the bag and secured it to her person (beneath the cape).
Scratching at something on her face, Leeara faced Gii and the others, "Readddyyyy."
Hearing the other man mention the poisoned bolt, Leeara shook her head, agitated, "Nooooo. Pulllleddd outttt asss I rrrannn awayyy."
Gii shakes his head at Paul. "The magic is in her blood, now. The only way to remove it would be to bleed her dry or, in the much less ridiculous option, to have someone cancel the curse with a stronger magic. I appreciate that you wish to assist, but your mundane skills will not be able to help her. All we can do is get back to Dustpawn as quickly as we are able."
"The magic is in her blood, now. The only way to remove it would be to bleed her dry or, in the much less ridiculous option, to have someone cancel the curse with a stronger magic. I appreciate that you wish to assist, but your mundane skills will not be able to help her. All we can do is get back to Dustpawn as quickly as we are able."
Paul strides over to Gii and looks at him with a scowl.
"Hey, doc - you don't need to be like that."
"I mean, just because you don't happen to like my idea don't make it bloody 'ridiculous', and just 'cause a guy don't happen to use magic don't make him gods damn useless," he says with a growl.
As Leera is getting ready, he looks around the cave, pausing to talk to her.
"Beg pardon, ma'am - anything else worth taking in this cave that might help you? I don't reckon we'll be coming back soon," he adds.
Gii shakes his head again. "I appreciate your worry and want to help, Paul. I do. But this is not something we can easily deal with. If even my magics are ineffective, the situation is truly dire." The Nethian retrieves his staff from Bart, nodding appreciatively as he reclaims it. "When you are all prepared, we must make haste."
|
"Doctor, will it help if, once we are across the river, she can ride Diamond? She can rest on the way to town, rather than exerting herself?"
"The magic is in her blood, now. The only way to remove it would be to bleed her dry or, in the much less ridiculous option, to have someone cancel the curse with a stronger magic. I appreciate that you wish to assist, but your mundane skills will not be able to help her. All we can do is get back to Dustpawn as quickly as we are able."Paul strides over to Gii and looks at him with a scowl.
"Hey, doc - you don't need to be like that."
"I mean, just because you don't happen to like my idea don't make it bloody 'ridiculous', and just 'cause a guy don't happen to use magic don't make him gods damn useless," he says with a growl.
Ayreth puts her hand on Paul's arm if able. "Peace, friend Paul. I do not think the good doctor meant offense. Likely, he is frustrated by his inability to help Miss Leeara. He is a good man, with a kind heart. Surely, you can relate." She smiles up at Paul encouragingly.
Ayreth puts her hand on Paul's arm if able. "Peace, friend Paul. I do not think the good doctor meant offense. Likely, he is frustrated by his inability to help Miss Leeara. He is a good man, with a kind heart. Surely, you can relate." She smiles up at Paul encouragingly.
His mood softens a little, he glances at her and lets out some of the tension.
"Sorry - I reckon I wish I could be more helpful is all..."
"Thanks," he says after a moment.
He shakes his head and glances around the room at the others.
"Oye - Is there anything else we can get from this place before we head out, or are we good," he asks the others.
Paul looks at Leera.
Despite his rough attitude, he seems to be genuinely concerned about her condition.
As he looks at his companions he turns back to the cursed woman, his eyes softening a little.
”Come on, ma’am – let’s get you home safe,” he says to her.
Paul will lead the woman down to the river. He’ll take the rope and swim across the river again
When he gets to the other side, he’ll help her across the water as best as he can.
At which point he’ll scout out Miss Ayreth’s horse, assuming the horse isn’t still by the river.
Once the horse is found, he’ll assist Leera on the horse and get her as comfortable as possible, lending her any blankets he can to make her warm and offering her any extra food that he has – if she wants it.
With that taken care of, he’ll take out his musket and advance with the others.
Gii follows Paul to the entrance of the cave, still worried and alert.
Blue Heron is quiet for most of the exchange between Paul and Gii. The Tien woman is prone to keeping her own council. However, she nods at Ayreth's words.
She is a peace maker.
Bartholomew was more then happy to oblidge Paul. Getting the woman back home, and cured, was more important then anything else at the moment. Hopefully Dalviss would understand. Hitting on a bit of inspiration, Bart reaches into his messenger bag and pulls out the woman's journal, then offers it to her. "I know its hard, but you need to resist the curse until we get home. I want you to focus on something else okay? Do you mind... hrm... Showing me your favorite recipes in the book? Or favorite ingredients?"
Using your magical light sources you manoeuvre your way through the cave and ease your way down to the entrance by the river's edge. Leeara gathers all the fallen vines and reeds and covers the secret entrance so it will not be seen from across the river.
Using Paul's earlier rope solution, you all manage to cross the river safely -- the river waters are still calm and there seems to be nothing in the river to bother you at this time.
Leeara is lifted onto Ayreth's horse who seems a little spooked at present by the scent of the part feline creature now sitting on its back. Ayreth's gentle words calm the creature enough and you begin the trek back to town using the dirt trail you travelled on earlier.
Leeara sits atop the horse, clutching at the cape and the bag she hid beneath the cloak. In her hands are the reins and her old diary (returned to her by Bart). She occasionally looks at the beaten leather covering and her shaking and various animal sounds stop for a moment or two. Yet, her afflictions remain the same for now. When her mind is less foggy, she remembers to point out her favourite recipes to the boy with the goggles walking beside her. Her fits of growls and meows continue along the narrow trail (which fortunately is free of any giant bullfrogs) and you reach the old bridge that crosses the Grackle River.
The area is clear of any goblins, so you feel reassured that the freed goblin, Rtak, did not return to the area with other goblin reinforcements.
From the bridge, Dustpawn is another two hours. Since all of you but Leeara are on foot, it seems a long walk after such an eventful day. Even the horse is led gently/slowly so Leeara does not fall off. All of you rest briefly along the return trek.
By the time you return to Dustpawn it is coming up to late afternoon of the same day (around 4 pm). Leeara looks confused from what you can see of her beneath the pulled down hood. Her shaking has recommenced as well as her growls and wails. Her feline eyes seem frantic as they scan the main street of Dustpawn.
Bart had been riding beside Leeara, in Alar's saddle. Now that the group had gotten a good look at time Bart was a bit less finnicky about hiding the creature. Still, when they reached the town he hopped down and Alar vanished from sight. It was around this point that the young lad her familiar growls and wails, and after a moment of worry he speaks up, "Whats wrong? We're here for ya!"
When they arrive at the shrine, Blue Heron will enter guiding the cursed girl. "Shrine maiden, this girl has been cursed and needs your succor. Please see if you can break what fell charm is upon her. If needs be, I can offer recompense."
"Beg pardon ma'am - but she's hurting and could use your help is all," he says sincerely.
Paul will make a Diplomacy Check -
Gii nods as Blue and Paul requests assistance. "She has been afflicted with the curse via some form of poisoned arrow," the Nethian explains. "We would be most appreciative of your assistance."
Gii nods as Blue and Paul requests assistance. "She has been afflicted with the curse via some form of poisoned arrow," the Nethian explains. "We would be most appreciative of your assistance."
[dice=Aid Another (Paul's Diplomacy)]1d20+5
Paul turns to Gii and nods, appreciating his support.
He turns to the priestess, curious to know what's going to happen next...
Seeing the adventurers at the Church's doorstep and hearing their urgent requests, Alyssia looks around the street and then quickly ushers them inside.
"What is the matter? A cursed poison, you say? Let me lock the door so we may have some privacy."
Once the door is latched, Alyssia Turpin turns around and looks over the "girl" in question. Leeara draws back the hood and reveals her form to the priestess.
"In Sarenrae's name, what is this? Leeara is that you?" The priestess' eyes are full of concern and bewilderment.
"Yesssss. Helllppppp meeee, Alyssssiiiiiaaa. Themmmmm."
Turning her attention to the adventurers, the priestess shakes her head in unsettled fashion. "The situation is dire. I knew something was wrong in town, but this? I ... I believe I have something that may help. Give me a moment, please."
The priestess moves to a alcove at the back of the altar, and, from a place in the wall, removes what appears to be a handful of scrolls.
"I have these. I believe they may help lift the curse and turn back the mutations. I apologise that I have no more than these at present--but you may have them for free. There are two scrolls of Remove Curse and two scrolls of Break Enchantment, here. If you require additional scrolls, there is a blackmarket in town, but you will have to pay for them. Elladas Demos is in charge. I can show you where to find her."
The priestess hands the four scrolls to the cleric in the group, Gii.
"You may attempt to cure Leeara, here. The doors are latched and I will keep away any who would enter the church. From the looks of Leeara, I suggest you be quick. May the gods be merciful and aid you this day."
Alyssia moves to the window by the front door of the church and keeps watch without drawing attention to herself.
@Paul:
"I have these. I believe they may help lift the curse and turn back the mutations. I apologise that I have no more than these at present--but you may have them for free. There are two scrolls of Remove Curse and two scrolls of Break Enchantment, here. If you require additional scrolls, there is a blackmarket in town, but you will have to pay for them. Elladas Demos is in charge. I can show you where to find her."The priestess hands the four scrolls to the cleric in the group, Gii.
"You may attempt to cure Leeara, here. The doors are latched and I will keep away any who would enter the church. From the looks of Leeara, I suggest you be quick. May the gods be merciful and aid you this day."
Paul reaches his hand to take the scrolls, but sees that she is handing them over to Gii.
"My thanks, ma'am," he says, doffing his hat and bowing before her.
He turns to Gii.
"Well, doc, your move. Unless maybe you think the good Sister could do the mending better," he says with a nod to the woman.
Gii looks at the scrolls uncomfortably, his earlier failure still fresh in his mind. "I believe we should have lady Ayreth attempt to remove the curse. I do not believe I could handle my magic failing me twice in a single day..." the Nethian trails off, mumbling about how he will pray twice, no, three times as long as usual, tomorrow.
Gii looks at the scrolls uncomfortably, his earlier failure still fresh in his mind. "I believe we should have lady Ayreth attempt to remove the curse. I do not believe I could handle my magic failing me twice in a single day..." the Nethian trails off, mumbling about how he will pray twice, no, three times as long as usual, tomorrow.
Paul turns to Gii.
"Oh snap out of it, doc," he says with a grunt.
"You're smart; you're savvy - you can do it," he adds.
"Just give it another shot; hell - if you screw up, the worst thing that'll happen is that I'll kill you," he says with a grin, trying to encourage the guy.
Gii reluctantly opens one of the scrolls, worry etched on his face. As he slowly reads the delicate caligraphy that makes up the arcane text of the scroll, a soft white light begins to suffuse his hands. As he finishes reading, he reaches out and presses a hand against Leeara's good shoulder, attempting to channel the scroll's power into her.
Ayreth reaches out to Gii, putting her hand on his back in a soothing manner. "Doctor, please have faith in yourself and your god, Nethys." Unseen by the Doctor, her fingertips flash for a moment, hopefully infusing him with confidence.
Alyssia, having watched the casters' concerted efforts and subsequent failure to activate the magic and remove the curse, moves swiftly by their side and takes one of the Break Enchantment scrolls.
She concentrates, calling upon Sarenrae's light and direction to help her aid the afflicted Leeara and begins reading the spell contained in the scroll. Alyssia lays her hand against Leeara's good shoulder (as Gii had done before).
Suddenly those present in the church begin to notice a foul, black substance ooze out from Leeara's pores. The blackness lifts above the cook's head and forms into a feline creature which growls ferociously once before the blackness evaporates in the air, leaving no trace.
The process takes mere minutes and when you look upon Leeara she has been restored to her normal, human form.
"Aha! Leeara you are returned to your normal form! Praise Sarenrae!", embracing the cook.
The priestess turns to Gii and Ayreth, "You have the remaining scrolls. As I have mentioned, more can be sourced from the blackmarket. If there are others in town afflicted with the same malady, you will need them. I am certain you will prevail in your efforts. May the gods be with you."
"Aha! Leeara you are returned to your normal form! Praise Sarenrae!", embracing the cook.
The priestess turns to Gii and Ayreth, "You have the remaining scrolls. As I have mentioned, more can be sourced from the blackmarket. If there are others in town afflicted with the same malady, you will need them. I am certain you will prevail in your efforts. May the gods be with you."
David kneels before the woman.
"My thanks, Sister," he says with a penitent voice.
He stands up and looks at Gii thoughtfully, then claps him on the shoulder.
"No worries, doc - you'll get 'em next time," he says.
He moves over to Leera -
"How are you doing, ma'am?" he asks her.
Gii stuffs the scrolls unceremoniously into his pack. His eyes are cold and frustrated, and he mutters under his breath, clearly unhappy.
Gii stuffs the scrolls unceremoniously into his pack. His eyes are cold and frustrated, and he mutters under his breath, clearly unhappy.
** spoiler omitted **
He sighs, but leans close to Gii.
"Yo, doc - I know how you feel; but hell - at least Miss Leera's okay now, right?"
Then he turns and looks at Leera, hoping she's feeling better and is able to tell her story.
The priestess smiled and laid her hand upon Paul's shoulder. "Thank you, Paul. I am here to aid, wherever I can. The gods were merciful this day." Alyssia moved toward the back of the church and unlatched the door. Leeara had been cured of her affliction and there was no need for further caution at this time. Alyssia had a duty to all the townsfolk and the church door was always open to any in need.
********************************************************
Leeara raised herself up. No longer slouched and in pain, the cook laughed uncontrollably, tears moving down her face. "Praise the gods for bringing you to town and for Alyssia's divine grace."
Leeara turned her hands over and look at her skin, touching the places of her body that were once part feline. "I am doing as well as can be expected, sir. Relieved. Grateful. Had your party not found me and brought me to town, I am certain I would have succumbed wholly to the curse." Leeara shook her head, struck by the magnitude of all that had happened to her.
"I am tired. I have not slept in days."
But turning to Alyssia and all of the adventurers in the church, she joyfully cried out, "Thank you for saving me!"
"Praise the gods for bringing you to town and for Alyssia's divine grace."
Leeara turned her hands over and look at her skin, touching the places of her body that were once part feline. "I am doing as well as can be expected, sir. Relieved. Grateful. Had your party not found me and brought me to town, I am certain I would have succumbed wholly to the curse." Leeara shook her head, struck by the magnitude of all that had happened to her.
"I am tired. I have not slept in days."
But turning to Alyssia and all of the adventurers in the church, she joyfully cried out, "Thank you for saving me!"
Paul nods at her.
"No worries, ma'am... If you'd like we can take you back to the inn, or wherever you'd like..." he says to her.
Gii nods at the woman. "You are welcome. I can only be thankful that we found you in time."
Gii nods at the woman. "You are welcome. I can only be thankful that we found you in time."
Paul nods to Gii, then looks at his companions, then back to Leera.
"There's a lot of stuff to think about here..." he says, clearly relieved that the lass is safe, but concerned that this may only be the start of troubles.
"If there's folk who can spread curses with poison then I figure that's something the folk need to know about."
He looks at the priestess as she leaves.
"Oye - Sister - do you know anything about a dark cult operating out of Osirion that follows dark shadows and stuff that may have come north into your turf to cause trouble and maybe be looking for stuff relating to fallen stars or stuff that fell from the sky..." he glances from her to Gii.
"What was the name to that cult again?" he asks him, and then the others.
"The Dominion of the Black," Gii provides.
"Leera, before you take your rest. Where were you when that woman shot you? What can you tell of us of her and her location?"
Leeara's eyes moved to the female with the blue hair. "What is your name, mistress?"
"I answered this question back in the cave. Alas, you may not have understood my poor speech due to the affliction. I will retell it."
"The four false prospectors staying at the Mineshaft... well, I was suspicious of them and followed them one night, several days ago. They went south into the hills - into Nesher Mine. They moved into a room, and I followed in the shadows. They met with a tall woman dressed in a dark, sparkly robe and spoke in a language I did not understand. On a nearby table, there were several strange orbs and crystals. I had a thought that the orbs were part of some terrible plot, so I grabbed one and ran. Unfortunately, the tall woman saw me and then shot me with a crossbow bolt laced with the cursed poison. It wasn't long after escaping the mine, I began to change into the feline creature you encountered. I decided to flee to my cave since no one but I know where it was. However, the tall woman sent two of her henchmen after me and they tracked me to the cave and tried to retrieve the sphere I had taken. I savaged them with my teeth and weapons. They're dead in the cave, now. I think the orb I have in my possession is of great importance."