"Not sure what we'll see out here. In theory, we're not prisoners or wanted by any..."
"...one, so we should be okay to walk around. It's unlikely that anyone will have time to plan and execute a broad daylight attack as we are leaving...right?" Kaylayne says, finishing a thought that got cut off by some unseen force.
Quilindra can heal, but is resistant, concerned that she has other spells which might aid the group. No heal-bot she. Better off with the wands Dimitrio.
The doors are locked, but I think you can manage it without too much trouble.
Kaylayne and Ederin sneak outside and have a quick look around. They see no immediate guards stationed nearby, and the palace looks to be quiet. Kaylayne does sense a scry sensor just outside the doors however so perhaps an alarm has been raised quietly somewhere.
Lief works the doors, hoping to make quick work of it.
When they are free of the Paradise Chamber, curtains and wasps and all, Lief turns to Quilindra. "Alright, where to?"
Quilindra looks around the quiet courtyard, “We must move quickly now. Even if you feel that the elven nation as a whole can be trusted, the Winter Council cannot. They are not the nation. They are their own society, and they’ll stop at nothing to maintain their status quo. We need to be out of Iadara quickly. If we can keep moving along the auidara paths, I think we can stay ahead of our pursuers and should be able to reach Thorn’s End before the Winter Council realizes it and can react.”
“While there’s not any one auidara that leads directly to Thorn’s End, several of them did lead into southern Kyonin at a time. Most of these have been deactivated or destroyed - we don’t want Treerazer’s demons using them to invade after all. But some of them still exist, and I know of one that’s only a few hours away from our goal, but the path is a little circuitous.”
“There are two types of auidara. Some are simply two-way portals that link distant locations, but many are hubs that connect to two or more sites. For the simple portals, you just activate them and step through. The hubs are a bit more complex; you need a portal key to indicate which of the multiple destinations you wish to travel to.”
”I’ve got all of the portal keys we’ll need to navigate our route I think, from Iadara to a site in Galt, and thence to a site in northern Irrisen, and from there to an abandoned elven fortress in Ustalav. It is from this abandoned fortress, a place called Mirianath, that we make our final journey into Tanglebriar.”
”Before we reach Mirianath, we should prepare. At Galt and Irrisen, we’ll need only to keep level heads to talk our way by the guards, but in Ustalav we may have trouble. Rumor holds that the elves who once held Mirianath fell to temptation and became banshees. I can protect us somewhat with my singing, but more protection against their dirge would be wise.”
She has clearly been planning this for some time. Simple knowledge checks will tell you that an overland route to Thorn’s End would take you through the Tanglebriar, a vast swamp in southern Kyonin. Although technically within the borders of Kyonin, it has become the largely uncontested domain of the demon lord Treerazer since he was driven there by the returning elves some two thousand years ago. The realm grows ever more in appearance like Treerazer's lost Abyssal home though the elves have managed to contain the threat. Overland travel through that terrain, harried at every step by a horde of demons, would be most unpleasant indeed!
Lief can tell you that Treerazer is a scion of a powerful demon lord, now permanently banished to the Material Plane. He is a hugely powerful nascent demon lord who has twisted the land, creatures, and flora around his adopted home for hundreds of years. Treerazer's unholy symbol is a bleeding tree split in half.
Though you obviously have no visual image of the beast, there is some lovely art (link).
Kaylayne listens to Quilindra, gathering in what she says and trying to parse it.
Know (Religion) - banshees? dirge?
"How does the Winter Council affect such effect when they are so far from Kyonin? How do they travel from place to place and avoid the path of such obvious dangers?"
Quilindra shrugs, "I suppose they use sending, teleport and other powerful magics. They may even use the gates themselves, I have no idea. It's been their seat of power for centuries though I think."
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"Don't we have enough to worry about with the drow. Now we are poking our noses in at Demon Lords?" Allarnon grows frightened as he hears more of this Winter Council and the elves.
Who are the bad guys here? Is it the drow or the elves? Have we been played this whole time?
Allarnon continues to make his way through the massive Courtyard.
"May I ask why they allowed you to hold onto the portal keys? You were imprisoned back there. Seems a little ridiculous that they didn't confiscate valuable items that would leave them vulnerable."
Clearly out of his league here, Dimitrio deferred to Layne and Lief to let him know if what the elf said was true.
He readied himself by healing with his cure stick, making sure he was ready for the next confrontation.
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HP 89/91
AC 28, touch 17, flat-footed 22
10 +4(DEX) +1(belt of DEX +2) +6(chainshirt+2) +2 (buckler+2) +2(ring of prot) +1 (dodge)
Conditions:n/a
Melee (rapier+3): +20/+15 = +9(base) +4(dex) +1(belt of dex +2) +3 (magic) +1(weapon focus)+1(swashbuckler specialization)
Melee Damage (rapier+3, arcane strike, panache): 1d6+18 = +3(weapon) +4 (dex) +1(belt of dex +2) +2 (arcane strike) +5 (precise strike)+2 (specialization) +1(swashbuckler specialization), 15-20, x2
5/5 daggers, 5/5 panache, 2/3 charmed life, 22/22 bardic performance, 5/5 1st level, 4/4 2nd level spells, 1/1 arcane bond spell, ring of fire 5/5
Kaylayne has no further questions...and even less options. She shrugs at the rest and is ready to move on.
"If we could get a chance to rest and finish up Allarnon's amulet before we attack, that would be nice."
"May I ask why they allowed you to hold onto the portal keys? You were imprisoned back there. Seems a little ridiculous that they didn't confiscate valuable items that would leave them vulnerable."
"I think it's less of a prison and more of a delaying tactic. We elves are quite opposed to imprisonment and that Chamber is a reflection of that I think. When I entered, I was the guest of a petty noble who stepped out, 'just for a moment'. It took me a long time to realize I was imprisoned, and even longer to try to get out."
"If it weren't for you, I'd still be there I suspect. They didn't take any of my gear, why would they? They just wanted me out of the picture - and they got what they wished. But now..." she grins happily, eager to be free.
"Iadara is the heart of the Aiudara Network - nowhere else on Golarion are there as many separate elf gates in such close proximity. There are certainly more than a dozen functioning elf gates in the city limits or within an hour of its border, and likely twice that number of non-functioning gates as well. The majority of these gates are not hubs - each has a single destination when leaving from Iadara."
"We need the Lotusgate, a delicate arch of stone sitting at the center of a series of ring-shaped gardens filled with a riot of lotus flowers. It's this way." she begins to walk quickly away from the Palace and along the edge of town, avoiding other elves while trying to look casual.
Before long, you come to an incredible water garden. Lush and beautiful, it sits to the right side, and a little down, from a side road. Small trails crisscross the ponds, waterfalls, and other features scattered throughout the small park. Sitting near the rear of the garden is an familiar arch of stone - an Aiudara Gate.
You see an obvious guard post, more ceremonial than anything but present none the less, yet it lies empty.
"You are not an elf." Lief continues to follow Quilindra, nonetheless. What choice do they have? Well, what are the choices..?
Lief begins to contemplate that very question.
"Iadara. Hmm," Kaylayne repeats the name to herself while proceeding. "Let us find this Lotusgate." Kaylayne will float slightly higher (15' up) to help scout for the gate in question.
Perception - lotusgate and danger
"Allarnon, have you ever seen such wonders? I know you come from afar...and you've seen the horrors of the Underworld here, but there are things in this city that are pretty stunning, are they not?"
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"They are stunning indeed. A lot of it reminds me of the wilds of back home. We never had gates that traveled between such distances though. Only the single gate that brought me into the Kyonin Forest. Perhaps it is also one of the elves ancient and long forgotten gates?"
He looks down at the necklace. "How long do you need to complete such a task?" He asks Kaylayne as he didn't quite understand the full aspect of magic.
He looks down at the necklace. "How long do you need to complete such a task?" He asks Kaylayne as he didn't quite understand the full aspect of magic.
Kaylayne sighs...wishing so many things were different.
"A day or two...no more," Kaylayne replies with a head shake. "I'm *so* close to finishing it. I didn't expect this at all...any of this." She looks at Allarnon in the eyes. "I don't think we should instigate any fights until it is completed. It will be a great aid to our fights."
Dimitrio neared Lief and asked, "Why are you so sure that she's not an elf? Is there a way to prove your claim?"
He reiterated Lief's question to Quilindra and then listened for the elf to respond to Lief's statement....
"Ain't we supposed to be movin' on this kinda quick?" Ederin asks. He understands the need to bolster Allarnon's defenses, but waiting a day or two doesn't sit well with him.
"These Winter Council blokes, they attacked us outright, middle of the city, and they didn't give a shit what the queen thought. Now we'll be missin', so will Quill here. Ain't gonna take 'em one or two days to put together what's goin' on." He raises an eyebrow as the group and shakes his head.
"After all we been through, ain't it clear by now we can't underestimate who we're up against." The talk of the demon lord has unerved him some. He didn't echo Al's concern about it, but in the back of his mind he was praying to Erastil that they not have to take this Treerazer on.
Ain't up for pickin' fights anymore now? Must be gettin' old. He thinks while waiting to hear the rest of the groups input.
Kaylayne sees some guards, some distance off yet, but closing amiably. They appear to be in no hurry, as if just coming from a meeting and returning to dull duty (though in a very beautiful place at least). She anticipates they’ll arrive in maybe a minute or two.
Quilindra says, ”Yes dear Ederin, you’re absolutely right. We must hurry. There’s no knowing how quickly the Winter Council will react to your escape. It won’t be too quick, as they are some distance away, but with magics, who knows? Could be a few days, but it may yet takes us a few days to get there.”
”These gates are quick of course, but they’re not all so well guarded.” she motions to the empty guard post. "The other side is the Galt Gate. It's guarded of course, but they get lots of travelers so we shouldn't be seen as anything but innocent. I hope...” she looks nervously at the gate and bites her bottom lip a little.
Not feeling like a lot of ceremony, Kaylayne steps floats through the gate.
What could possibly go wrong?
"Why are you so sure that she's not an elf? Is there a way to prove your claim?"
"Dimitrio, enough already. You trust a queen enough to escape a prison, and now you seem just as ready to dismiss the queen's cautions? You yourself called Quilindra a scorpion. You were the one cautioning us moments ago." Lief shakes his head, feeling like anything else he raises in argument will fall on the dancer's blue balls.
Lief relaxes mentally, as Ederin speaks for both of them, whether or not the archer knows it. "Let's look for time on the other side of the gate, so as to avoid the initial search parties."
He follows the others through the auidara.
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Allarnon nods in agreement as he follows the rest through the gate. "How many are on the Winter Council?"
His body stays tense not knowing what is going on or who the enemy could be. At least this group secluded themselves into their own little domain. Though how many were still scattered amongst the elves.
Allarnon nods in agreement as he follows the rest through the gate. "How many are on the Winter Council?"
Quilindra says, ”Well the Council itself is just a handful of members, but the organization is indeed vast. Still, cut off the head…”
You step through and into a natural cavern, a large, ~200-foot diameter chamber filled with softly humming crystals, floating motes of multicolored light, and a dozen stone bunkers. Scrollwork carved into the stone to appear as trees and foliage, barely visible in the dim light is none the less magnificent.
You are greeted by several elven soldiers and offered drinks of wine and snacks of fruit and cheese if you wish. It’s clear this is a heavily used gateway and the chamber is somewhat busy with folks moving crates and other gear around. There are several passages leading from this room.
One elf, a sergeant, says amiably, ”Need anything? We pride ourselves on being quite well equipped for so small an outpost. C’mon, ask for something obscure. And of course we have garnets if you plan on coming this way again.” He grins at the group, eager to please.
Kaylayne yawns, noticing her tummy rumbling.
"Yes, we could use a place to camp. It's been a long day...and could use the garnets as well, if you don't mind," Kaylayne replies, looking for a place that is out of the way to make camp.
"Have you had any other visitors recently, Sergeant? And is there any dangers up ahead that we should be wary of?" Kaylayne asks the elf with a rare smile.
Diplomacy
Lief keeps close to the others, uninterested in playing social with elven guards. Let the women have at. Well, one of them, since at least one of them is a known succubus. He finds a small flat place to sit, and wait for the signal that the rest of them are ready to proceed through the gate.
"I presumed we were passing through immediately." Lief shrugs his shoulders, waiting.
"Yes, we could use a place to camp. It's been a long day...and could use the garnets as well, if you don't mind," Kaylayne replies, looking for a place that is out of the way to make camp.
"Have you had any other visitors recently, Sergeant? And is there any dangers up ahead that we should be wary of?" Kaylayne asks the elf with a rare smile.
"is there a safe place to even rest around here. One where we won't get assassinated maybe?"
”Well we have guest bunks, but if you want your own camp, it’s very pleasant outdoors this time of year. Not planning to rain for a few days as well. Garnets large enough to work the gate are 10gp, and you’ll only need one really - they don’t break or anything like that.” he smiles.
He thinks a moment and shrugs, ”We haven’t had any trouble here for some time, but of course we’re a busy route so yeah, lots of visitors. Galt’s about as stable as one can expect just now, but of course that could change. Still, we keep a weather eye on the country, and things are OK just now. You should be safe if you should chose to venture forth. We’re a few hours from Isarn, the capital, if you should wish to venture forth tomorrow.”
"Why are you so sure that she's not an elf? Is there a way to prove your claim?""Dimitrio, enough already. You trust a queen enough to escape a prison, and now you seem just as ready to dismiss the queen's cautions? You yourself called Quilindra a scorpion. You were the one cautioning us moments ago." Lief shakes his head, feeling like anything else he raises in argument will fall on the dancer's blue balls.
Dimitrio nodded, "I did and I am still concerned but I wish there was a way to put this issue to bed. It would be great if you could prove that she is succubus and we could just stop pretending..."
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Dimitrio resigns himself to resting but expresses his interest in keeping watch.
He addresses Quilindra, "So what is on the other side of this gate?"
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"I did and I am still aroused, but I wish there was a way to bed her. It would be great if you could turn your back, and I could stop pretending..."
Lief leans in, conspiratorially. "Are you prepared to do what is necessary, to prove her nature? Just say the word."
The young man continues to listen to the various conversations, occasionally looking at Ederin for his expression.
Kaylayne begins to scout about for a suitable campsite (slightly) away from the elven encampment. She keeps up the pretense of being a nice, friendly visitor (despite the demeanor of her companions).
"She shall camp here. Usual watch rotation, I suppose. Quilindra, as you are our guest, there is no need for you to keep watch, we'll handle your safety. After where we've been, we're very good at keeping safe," Kaylayne says to everyone, beginning to make camp.
"I did and I am still aroused, but I wish there was a way to bed her. It would be great if you could turn your back, and I could stop pretending..."Lief leans in, conspiratorially. "Are you prepared to do what is necessary, to prove her nature? Just say the word."
The young man continues to listen to the various conversations, occasionally looking at Ederin for his expression.
Dimitrio nodded, "Yes, we need to know but revealing her now could be a problem. Is this something that we can let her know and be... away while we do it?"
He added, "What did you have in mind?"
"What did you have in mind?"
"Well, since you and the others refuse to press her on the only reasonable conclusion of her nature, you'll need to kill her outright, and watch her change back into demon form, so you'll finally have the proof you are so desperate to acquire. Be quick about it, Dimitrio. She'll never know what hit her, if you can catch her off guard. If you're too uncomfortable with that, you could press her, as I have been doing. Press her hard. Really grind her. Make her sweat. Exhaust her with your will to know her."
"What did you have in mind?""Well, since you and the others refuse to press her on the only reasonable conclusion of her nature, you'll need to kill her outright, and watch her change back into demon form, so you'll finally have the proof you are so desperate to acquire. Be quick about it, Dimitrio. She'll never know what hit her, if you can catch her off guard. If you're too uncomfortable with that, you could press her, as I have been doing. Press her hard. Really grind her. Make her sweat. Exhaust her with your will to know her."
Dimitrio waited for the punchline... that never came.
"You're serious, aren't you?"
He shook his head, "Isn't she supposed to be helping our cause? I mean, would you know where to go if not for her? And you want to kill her?"
The party is escorted out the main chamber and through a few hallways and lesser chambers before exiting a cave entrance surrounded by the ancient ruins of some larger complex. Apparently you were in the ‘basement’ of this ruin. A short distance away like a few campgrounds. Simple affairs, little more than a structured fire pit and level soft ground for tents and sleeping bags. You find you’re in a copse of trees surrounded by plains on all sides. Far to the northeast, you see the dim lights of what must be Isarn.
Lief and Dimitrio trail the party, talking conspiratorially in hushed tones as you move to a convenient camp, and one relatively far from the others already sleeping this night. As you pass near one of the other camps, you see their watch nod to you in boredom.
You place your watches and spend a relaxed night under the canopy of the trees, and beyond, the stars. With luck, none will fall on Kyonin tonight.
You awake refreshed and ready to face a new day in the morning (Starday, 24 Lamashan, 4709), if a little late to accommodate your various rituals and required rest. By mid morning you’re the only camp still inhabited and you’re not likely to be overheard as you plan your next steps.
Quilindra starts quietly, ”The next gate is in the far north. North of Irrisen, along the border between the continents of Avistan and the Crown of the World, lies a mysterious region ruled by one of Golarion’s most reclusive elves.”
”Known to many in the region only by rumors and myth, these elves are referred to as Snowcasters, and the stories of what they do to visitors are almost universally over-exaggerated. Yet while tales of cannibalism, demonic sacrifice, and the ability to freeze a man solid at a glance are all blatant falsehoods, the Snowcasters’ disdain of intruders is quite legitimate. Well, some of the stories might be true.“ she admits.
”It means that the gate is seldom used, unlike this one. I have the moonstone necessary to reach the Icegate from here. From there, we step back through the gate using a fire opal to open, well, Lichgate in Ustilav. That’s where the Banshee lies, and she’ll be trouble. So we might want to prepare for her here, before stepping through to Icegate.” she trails off thinking.
"You're serious, aren't you? Isn't she supposed to be helping our cause? I mean, would you know where to go if not for her? And you want to kill her?"
"No. You want to kill her. Because you foolishly seek evidence only your eyes will support. Use your head, for a change, Dimitrio. Go up to her, and ask her for the truth. When she lies about being an elf, press her. When she continues to lie, threaten her very life. Her life isn't our only resource, Dimitrio. We'll loot her body. She has the means of activating the gates, remember? And apparently the garnet is the gemstone which will activate this one, so who's to say how many gems you'll find on her cooling corpse."
Lief looks at Dimitrio, hoping the man will choose to schmooze, rather than kill the succubus outright. When Quilindra speaks on gemstones, Lief looks at Dimitrio with a knowing glance. Fearing the dancer to be as dense now as he's ever been, Lief begins again with a question. To refresh their minds for the new day.
"Quilindra. You've been wonderfully evasive with my questions. Perhaps you'll answer Dimitrio's? He has a question for you. Don't you, Dimitrio?"
"Quilindra. You've been wonderfully evasive with my questions. Perhaps you'll answer Dimitrio's? He has a question for you. Don't you, Dimitrio?"
Dimitrio gulped. He felt like everyone had taken a step backwards except him when they asked for volunteers.
He looked at Lief and then turned to Quilindra, "Listen love. You're all beautiful and such but we need to trust you. Are you a demon? Are you the succubus the Queen told us about?"
He shrugged, "I mean it's not like we're going to kill you or anything. We could have done so already but it would be nice if we all came clean, you know."
He winked, "So are you going to suck the life out of me if we kiss?"
Quilindra looks surprised when Dimitrio speaks so, ”What has he been saying to you dear boy? Do I look like a demon? My, my surely you’re powerful enough to see though that, aren’t you? I'm not evil. Check me if you wish. I'll not be offended.” she laughs lightly, her distinctly elven voice tinkling in the morning sun. She seems so alive and desirable - how could she possibly be one of those the drow worship and revere?
She squeezes Dimitrio’s arm in a very friendly way, and turns back to the group to talk strategy, ”So I don’t really have much that’ll really last so I’ll hold my haste spell until we actually see the Banshee. I don’t suppose any of you can manage a death ward, or six?” she looks hopefully at the party for answers.
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Quilindra starts quietly, ”The next gate is in the far north. North of Irrisen, along the border between the continents of Avistan and the Crown of the World, lies a mysterious region ruled by one of Golarion’s most reclusive elves.”
”Known to many in the region only by rumors and myth, these elves are referred to as Snowcasters, and the stories of what they do to visitors are almost universally over-exaggerated. Yet while tales of cannibalism, demonic sacrifice, and the ability to freeze a man solid at a glance are all blatant falsehoods, the Snowcasters’ disdain of intruders is quite legitimate. Well, some of the stories might be true.“ she admits.
”It means that the gate is seldom used, unlike this one. I have the moonstone necessary to reach the Icegate from here. From there, we step back through the gate using a fire opal to open, well, Lichgate in Ustilav. That’s where the Banshee lies, and she’ll be trouble. So we might want to prepare for her here, before stepping through to Icegate.” she trails off thinking.
Allarnon's simple mind is confused by all of this talk of gates and traveling. He holds his hands out to slow things down.
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Slow down a bit. We were asked to stop the drow and then this Winter Council. What does traveling to Ire's Son have to do with this? Could someone please explain these gates and Moonstone. Fire Opal? So we go in one gate with one stone, then step back into the same gate with another stone? What happened to this Demon Lord? Now a lich in Use ta Love? And a Banshee?"
He continues to go on and on in his confusion as he is interrupted by Dimitrio's profession of wanting to kiss Quilindra and question he identity further.
"The hell Dimitrio!? I thought we already agreed she didn't look like a demon. Look!" Allarnon grabs her hand with his. "Look nothing is happening. Nothing!"
Knowing even less about what this society deems to be correct and not out of sorts or what would be deemed wrong or inappropriate Allarnon grabs Quilindra by the waist with his other hand and gives the young elven woman a kiss on the mouth before she has time to react. Back home noone would have thought twice about a lick or a quick kiss.
Releasing her just as quickly as he grabbed her Allarnon looks back at Dimitrio and Lief. "Better now?" He looks onward more interested in answers to his questions at the moment.
Kaylayne looks around the campsite with her enhanced vision and tries to ignore the Other Kaylayne dipping and darting around trees doing her own scan of the area.
"Yes, this will do," Kaylayne says making plans to camp. "This is so nice we might stay a few days."
"...<helpful information>..."
Kaylayne listens, trying to put the geographical pieces together in her mind and tying them to the known dangers to come.
Know (Geography)
"...<death ward>..."
Spellcraft (Death Ward)
"What is death ward? What are you referring to? The banshees? What else do you know?" Kaylayne asks, unsure what to expect after so completely failing her knowledge check.
Allarnon’s confusion clears as he swoops in to kiss the fair elven maiden. Such soft supple lips, opening slightly with warmth as he kisses her. She reacts with surprise, and pulls back after the kiss, but stops short of slapping the scruff off the back of his neck. She does frown, ”That was most impolite good sir. I understand you’re not from around here, but we do not take advantage of a lady like that in good company. Now as to your other topics, I can see you’re confused. Let me help.”
She goes on to outline the way the gates work, each one being a two or more way portal depending on the keys. "Aiudara gates go all over Golorian. I have a path that will take us close to Thorn’s Edge, but it does go through a few gates to get there. It’s the gate after the Banshee however, so it’s not too far.”
”If you’re afraid of the Banshee, we could go back to Iadra and walk the 60+ miles through demon infested swamps, but this way seemed better.” she smiles at the party.
She goes on to say, "There's a Banshee that lives near the gate, or so I've heard. It used to be used on occasion for rallies against the demons, but no longer. Banshee are tough..." she has intimate knowledge of Banshee's and shares what she knows (link). She seems quite frightened by it.
As for your knowledge geography, Quilindra doesn’t know exactly where each gate lies, but she said the next one is far up north, so yeah, it’ll be cold. But in theory, you’ll only be there a few moments - just long enough to all step through, and then long enough to fire up the gate and step through again.
As to whether this is the right route you have no idea. You’re bouncing around the world in a most haphazard way.
As for IDing a spell, I think you made it. Or is there some rule I’m missing? I’d imagine it’s easier to know a spell than to guess what it is from being cast, and if someone cast Death Ward you’d have IDed it. So go ahead and assume you know what it is.
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There’s a conversation on the boards about it here (link) but they don’t come down clearly one way or another.
I’m making the ruling on two main points, though others resonated with me as well.
1) Typically abilities are a decision on the "users" end. Given that, even with abilities that are "always on" the creature can take steps to drop them (like SR). So yes, sex without level drain if the succubus wants to should be possible. If the succubus decides it doesn't care at some point during the act, the drain would kick in. - that’s from the thread, and it makes sense to me. Further, and more importantly…
B) A succubus drains energy from a mortal she lures into an act of passion, such as a kiss. - that’s from the text on the ability. So it doesn’t have to be a kiss, it has to be an act of passion. She choses if it’s an act of passion, or just a kiss. I’d argue grabbing Dimitrio by the arm in a suggestive way (or the thigh) would also do the same. You’ve either got to be ‘willing’ to receive her passion, or ‘grappled’ and have it forced upon you.
Does none of you fine lads and ladies have Detect Evil?
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A night outdoors did wonders for Ederin who'd been feeling stuffed up and tired of dealing with anyone not in his party. Though he was getting awfully exhausted of them too. Dimitrio could barely keep away from Quill, and Lief could hardly breath but to accuse her of some offense or other.
When Quillindra starts discussing the various steps of travel, the archer doesn't know if he's excited, or exhausted by the details. He does however make a mental note to prepare an endure elements, just in case. All the talk of snow was making him cold.
"Quill, what exactly can you tell us 'bout these banshee's eh? I fought an' killed some odd creatures here an' there. Ghosts, cat's 'at fell from the stars, giants made o' dead elves, but I ain't met a banshee yet, an' you seem more an' a little worried about the whole thing."
He frowns and looks at their elven guide wondering if she's hiding anything about their travels. His instincts were to trust her, but Lief's constant questioning of her motives kept him wary.
"And, when this banshee 'as taken an earth bath, how many gates d' we 'ave left before we get where we're goin'? Seems more an' a little complicated if you ask me, hopin' through all these far flung gates."
"Before we leave in the mornin' I need to see if those guards have some ghost salt blanches for me arrows. Had to use 'em on regular folk when I was runnin' low an' I ain't keen on loosin' a bunch of arrows at somethin' that won't feel 'em."
"The hell Dimitrio!? I thought we already agreed she didn't look like a demon. Look!" Allarnon grabs her hand with his. "Look nothing is happening. Nothing!"
Kaylayne nearly grabs Allarnon by the cuff and drags him off of Quilindra, but it happens so fast that she can't do anything but shake her head in anger.
"Allarnon, in this world, it is considered infinitely rude to do what you have just done. Now apologize! APOLOGIZE!" Kaylayne rumbles, hoping the bear man releases the depth of his misdeed. "That's not how you treat women. Ever."
Kaylayne glares at Allarnon, her fury rising.
* * *
Kaylayne gives an apologetic glance at Quilindra and marvels as the elven woman recovers enough to be helpful.
"There's a Banshee that lives near the gate, or so I've heard. It used to be used on occasion for rallies against the demons, but no longer. Banshee are tough..." she has intimate knowledge of Banshee's and shares what she knows (link).
"If half of what you say is true, then we're staying here for a few days so I can finish Allarnon's amulet. We'll want to be a full strength when we face one, let alone more, banshees...I don't know how we will deal with it yet. And so we best be careful," Kaylayne announces, still giving Allarnon an angry look and shaking her head.
"I'll need a day or two."
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Allarnon's face turns red with embarrassment and his face even further with confusion as Kaylayne berates the grungy man. He begins to stammer. "But...but...but. It didn't mean anything. I was helping her by proving her innocence so we can move on past it."
Turning to Quilindra as Kaylayne starts screaming Allarnon hangs his head like a child an apologizes to her. "Sorry Quilindra. I didn't mean anything by it. I was just tired of them accusing you. You have been nothing but helpful to us."
He backs away as he hangs his head in shame.
Lief has had enough. From the dim-witted Dim-itrio, to the all-arms All-arnon, to the ca-tering Kay-layne, the young man steps up to confront Quilindra.
"Quilindra, enough already. You don't have to evade my question any longer. Your words have betrayed you, your dodging exemplary. Show us your true form. Here and now. You are no elf. You are demon. An enticing one, at that, but demon, nonetheless."
"Until you do so, you will have none of my cooperation. Your deception is dangerous to every one of my associates and myself. I will have this resolved, now. We will go forward, on equal footing. You did not deceive the queen, you will not continue to deceive us."
Turning to Quilindra as Kaylayne starts screaming Allarnon hangs his head like a child an apologizes to her. "Sorry Quilindra. I didn't mean anything by it. I was just tired of them accusing you. You have been nothing but helpful to us."
Kaylayne's face betrays her mixed feeling about Allarnon's apology. It was good he apologized, but he apologized for the wrong thing.
Men. Are. Idiots. Thinkin' they can grab whatever. No.
She sighs deeply, and lets it go. She wonders if Quilindra will accept the apology for what it is or ask for a clarification on what the actual problem is.
* * *
She does not comment on Lief's rudeness or his quixotic quest to prove something that does not need to be proven.
"If half of what you say is true, then we're staying here for a few days so I can finish Allarnon's amulet. We'll want to be a full strength when we face one, let alone more, banshees...I don't know how we will deal with it yet. And so we best be careful," Kaylayne announces, still giving Allarnon an angry look and shaking her head.
"I'll need a day or two."
"Just the one Banshee actually." Quilindra bites her lip and looks upset at the delay, but says nothing.
Turning to Quilindra as Kaylayne starts screaming Allarnon hangs his head like a child an apologizes to her. "Sorry Quilindra. I didn't mean anything by it. I was just tired of them accusing you. You have been nothing but helpful to us."
He backs away as he hangs his head in shame.
Quilindra looks sadly down as well and says, "It's OK, don't worry about it. Lief is stressing us all out."
"Until you do so, you will have none of my cooperation. Your deception is dangerous to every one of my associates and myself. I will have this resolved, now. We will go forward, on equal footing. You did not deceive the queen, you will not continue to deceive us."
”Can I have a kiss at least?” she says coyly and leans in to Lief. ”After all, if the bear can take one, surely I can too!”
When Lief, presumably, backs away, she laughs.
”Oh, fine!” Quilindra pouts again and shakes out her hair. As her hair falls free, so does her blouse, and pants, and pretty much everything else excepting a flowing wrap in red which highlights her henna-colored tattoos and, well, her wings and tail! She looks every bit the succubus (link) Lief continues to accuse her of being.
”Happy now? You think this is a better look as we try to travel? Or should I look every bit the elf?” she flares out the wrap, and moments before you can see anything really juicy, she’s once again a demure little elf, just trying to make herself understood.
”OK, OK, so I’m a demon. Curiously that doesn’t seem to bother you,” she looks at Lief, ”so let’s proceed.”
Kaylayne rolls her eyes, giving Lief the I-hope-you're-happy-look.
"Good, now that you've exposed the obvious Lief, can we get back to making camp?" Kaylayne grates, trying to get dinner started.
"Like I was saying...we'll be staying here for a few days. You all know what is coming, and you'd better be prepared. For the banshee, I might be able to protect one or two of us from the withering effect of the banshee, but not all of us."
Kaylayne, after fooding, sleeps. After sleeping, begins work on Allarnon's amulet.
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Allarnon's jaw drops as Quilindra drops her mirage and shows her true form.
"I..I...I dont even.... WHAT THE HELL!" He grows angry and quickly gets even sicker realizing he had actually just kissed the demon.
Bending over his stomach heaves and releases onto the floor. He looks defeated and his world crushed.
"I trusted and defended you!"
Dimitrio took a step back and while his head was repulsed by the demon, his loins stirred at the promise of passion.
"Er... OK, now that this is settled... Yes, I think it's a good idea for you to be an elf again. Much better chance of not being hunted down and killed."
He asked the more than a few people who were smarter than he was, "Ok, so how do we fight and protect ourselves from a banshee?"