Raen releases her telekinetic grip momentarily and casts a new spell. The stone beneath the last giant's feet warps and arcs around him, snaking around thick legs and stout arms.
Raen's spell holds the giant fast, though the grip is tenuous.
Round 4:
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go
Raen: Magic
Orc Ally: TBD
Ushyle: TBD
Orcs: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Doxon: TBD
Giants: TBD
Black: 53
Thoon: 26
Vael's life continues to bleed into Hamilton and Doxon.
He follows up with another chant, calling upon spiritual energy to close wounds. The magic manifests as a glowing white energy in his hand. The dwarf flies toward Hamilton, places a hand on the roughrider, and lets the energy flow away into him.
Tulia takes aim and shoots at the lone giant.
Vael keeps everyone patched up while Tulia drills the giant with a bolt.
Round 4:
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Magic and hit
Raen: Magic
Orc Ally: TBD
Ushyle: TBD
Orcs: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Doxon: TBD
Giants: TBD
Black: 66
Thoon: 26
Tulia's quarrel is really on target!
Round 4:
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Magic and hit
Raen: Magic
Orc Ally: TBD
Ushyle: TBD
Orcs: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Doxon: TBD
Giants: TBD
Black: 78
Thoon: 26
With the giant held fast, Whistle Pig aims for center mass. All four stone strike true, and the giant falls!
The orc ally gives a tremendous roar. After spitting on the giant he approaches, "Allow me to extend my appreciation for my freedom. I did not expect such a powerful team like yourselves to render aid. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Thoon. Excuse my appearance. If you're offended by orcs, I can adjust."
Raen glances at Vael to see if the dwarf will intercede; she is prepared to do so herself in a moment if he does not, but sees no need to give away her invisible presence just yet.
The orc's statement intrigues the Varisian. Adjust? Perhaps the orc wears some disguise.
Or perhaps this is no orc at all?
Vael shifts from his orc shape to his dwarven one. "Stand down, Whistle Pig. You're jumping at shadows I think."
He then speaks to Thoon. "No apologies needed. I'm familiar with the idea of different forms. Don't judge a book by its cover, they say. Anyhow, thanks for the help fighting the giants. I'm Vael Oakfist, and with me are the Heroes of Trunau. They're too humble to call themselves that, but I've been with them for a while now, and I can tell ye they're strong. Now, I've got a feeling that you've a story to tell. I'd love to hear it."
The orc before you looks at each in turn. In the span of a few heartbeats the orc transforms into a dwarf with an iron grey beard and black eyes. "Aye, perhaps this is better. I'm no orc sir halfling. My name is Thoon. I was taken prisoner by the giants. Orcs are not known for their welcoming personalities, so I thought it best to take their form... as a matter of personal safety."
The dwarf bows, "Well met Vael of Trunau. My tale is rather a simple one. The giants here have been rounding up slaves to feed an army. They work them unto death, then round up more. I apologize for the intrusion, but I know you're here to slay the Tyrant King. Tis a noble goal, but not one I share. To be honest, my goal is simply freedom. I'm no hero. Still, I owe you my life." He turns and looks to see how the party reacts before adding, "I promise, no mental intrusions."
Raen knows a doppleganger when she sees one, apparently. While this is the first one she's ever seen in person, she's read extensively about them.
"What do ye mean, no mental intrusions?"
"During the fight I lightly probed some of your minds to deduce your intentions. Worry not, I can't dig beyond your surface thoughts, and wouldn't even if I could. It was purely self-defense in this hell hole."
Not able to get a read on this dwarf, Vael shrugs. "I suppose when it comes to survival, we use the tools we have. Where would you go? And what do you know of the areas beyond? A bit of knowledge would be a fair exchange."
"I also recognize that turnabout is fair play. You're welcomed to lightly probe my thoughts or test the probity of my words."
"Given freedom, I'll disappear. I long for a metropolitan city, Kaer Maga perhaps. As far as the areas here, I know some things...."
Thoon goes into a lengthy explanation of the places he's seen here. Many of them you've already been to, and he reports those honestly. There are a few new things he offers up; north and east of here is a boar herd. The shepherds are a quartet of ettins. Thoon also mentions that while the fire giants rule this level, he's heard that a dragon is really in charge here, but doesn't have more information than that.
Neutral, Shapeshifting and detect thoughts at will, darkvision
Raen casts an illusion upon herself before her glamer expires. Rather than a Varisian, the floating woman that emerges from invisibility is Garundi, with jet black hair bound in an elaborate braid, gold piercings in the ears, brows, nose, and lip, and dressed in voluminous desert greys. "Then consider yourself free," the woman speaks from above. The others recognize the voice as Raen's. "Take the passage south from this chamber, until you come to the place where sheep have lain. In the south wall of that cavern, you will find a secret exit from the mountain. Take care to avoid the giant villages that dot the foothills. Traveling west will take you to Nidal; east, to Nirmathas. May Sarenrae light your path."
Thoon nods, "Aye. I know the way out. This shackle is burned into my leg though. If you could free me from it, I'll get out of this mountain posthaste."
The Garundi woman nods in return. "That can be achieved."
Whistle Pig looks at the chain and instantly sees that it's not something he can pick. The shackle was fabricated ON his ankle, which is horribly burned. It'll take magic or ingenuity to free him. "I don't need any supplies, just need this ball and chain removed."
Vael whispers a cantrip that reveals magical auras. He studies the chain to learn more of its nature.
The Garundi woman looks over the device.
Ushyle touches the shackle and it releases instantly. By the grace of Milani, you are freeded, the half-elf says. To be bound against one's will is anathema to The Everbloom, and her servant will not stand idly by when he can do otherwise. Go now.
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Indeed, satisfied with Thoon's motivations, Ushyle invokes Milani's will...
and immediately vomits.
The spell works, but Ushyle's pale face doesn't seem healthy
Thoon, unsure of what to make of the situation, reiterates his thanks, then heads west.
The Garundi woman watches the shapeshifter depart. After Thoon is gone, she turns to Ushyle with a look of some concern. "Are you unwell, friend?"
Unable to speak from the bile in his throat, the half-elf merely waves Raen off with a feeble nod.
============================================================
Vael moves quickly to Ushyle, Tulia not far behind him. He immediately goes about examining the half-elf, hoping to discern what ails him.
Deferring to the dwarf, Raen offers her skill and expertise in assistance, such as it is.
Ham heads over to Ushyle, and cocks one eyebrow at him.
What'd you do? And how do we UNdo it, Ush?
As far as Vael and Raen can tell, there is nothing wrong with Ushyle. Except the puking, of course.
I... The half-elf is unsteady on his feet as he struggles back to them.
What'd you do? And how do we UNdo it, Ush?
Much, he says in response to Ham's question. Chickens always come home to roost. He wipes his mouth with the back of his palm, then collapses to his knees again as another torrent of vomit explodes.
Coughing, he tries to rise again, and Hamilton's help is there almost at once. As the fit subsides, color begins to return to his face and he manages a weak smile. My atonement begins, it seems.
As far as Vael and Raen can tell, there is nothing wrong with Ushyle. Except the puking, of course.
I... The half-elf is unsteady on his feet as he struggles back to them.
What'd you do? And how do we UNdo it, Ush?Much, he says in response to Ham's question. Chickens always come home to roost. He wipes his mouth with the back of his palm, then collapses to his knees again as another torrent of vomit explodes.
** spoiler omitted **Coughing, he tries to rise again, and Hamilton's help is there almost at once. As the fit subsides, color begins to return to his face and he manages a weak smile. My atonement begins, it seems.
What do we gotta do? Go rescue somebody? Liberate some folk? I'm in.
Vael ponders Ushyle's words. "I've watched you, and I'm confused. What have ye done that would need atonement? You've been a perfect champion to Milani, freeing all from their bonds be they worthy or not. You were instrumental in the rebellion at the giant camp. What more could Milani need?"
"If it will help, I can ask the questions to Desna. The Great Dreamer has always been supportive of Milani's message of hope. It will take time, and my questions would need to be simple, but I'm willing to ask."
Vael ponders Ushyle's words. "I've watched you, and I'm confused. What have ye done that would need atonement? You've been a perfect champion to Milani, freeing all from their bonds be they worthy or not. You were instrumental in the rebellion at the giant camp. What more could Milani need?"
I am many things, Ushyle says to Vael, but a perfect anything I am not, let alone a champion of Milani.
This is not the time to dwell, he says with finality, spitting the last of the foul taste from his mouth and giving a smiling nod to Ham. I am sure rescues and liberation will be part of this vision quest, but for right now our course ahead is clear, and I believe I am as able as I can be at the moment.
Raen respects the magic borne of divine faith, but it is times like this that her respect is unsteadied. She remarks, to herself, on her gratitude that her will remains her own, and her skill remains unmediated by the whim of some being of the Outer Planes.
"We proceed north, then."
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Doxon pulls up his trousers and returns to the group from the far end of the cavern.
We're ready to go? Did I miss anything?
"Aye, we're ready. Whistle Pig, to your scouting please."
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Coughing, he tries to rise again, and Hamilton's help is there almost at once. As the fit subsides, color begins to return to his face and he manages a weak smile. My atonement begins, it seems.
WP stays close to ushyle while he recovers, concerned.
"We proceed north, then."
WP thought's wipe back to the moment at hand. WP bows slightly with a quiet,"Yes Ma'am." His hand absentmindedly tugging at the Ring That Won't Come Off. He heads North as instructed.
The party heads north towards the place Thoon said ettin shepherds herd boars. Scouting provides little intelligence here. Glowing red crystals and a few flickering torches light this cavern. The intense reek of pig manure obviously comes from the small herd of domesticated boars wandering around the cavern. Each boar has a crude symbol branded on its flank, such as a sword, hammer, helm, or circle.
There are no ettins and the herd doesn't seem well maintained...
Raen floats above the others, reflecting. "Perhaps we could shepherd them out of the mountain? Or perhaps even induce a stampede against our foes. Hamilton, do you think you have the measure of such a task?"
Doxon pulls up his trousers and returns to the group from the far end of the cavern.
We're ready to go? Did I miss anything?
Milani's mad at Ush. He won't say why.
Raen floats above the others, reflecting. "Perhaps we could shepherd them out of the mountain? Or perhaps even induce a stampede against our foes. Hamilton, do you think you have the measure of such a task?"
Eh... It's tricky. These are boars, not pigs. Tell the truth, I'm kind of impressed they managed to domesticate these at all. If you want a stampede, then we really gotta spook them. Maybe one of your illusions? A large... Predator... Lessee... Maybe a few Owlbears?
Are these GIANT boars or mundane boars?
But for what end, Raen? I'm more concerned about what happened to the shepherds.
Ways out of this cavern or is this just a boar pen?
Mundane boars.
Then I have a better idea.
Ham approaches a nearby boar and would like a sense of it's attitude and disposition. There's almost certainly an apple in my travel rations. If the animal looks like it might parley, I'll offer it.
Wild Empathy: