Bathed in sickly green flames, an insubstantial specter of a beautiful young elven woman floats just off the ground after having risen up through it during the surprise round to attack Lief.
Allarnon
Dimitrio
Ederin (+2 underground, +4 urban)
Kaylayne (acts in surprise round)
Lief
Good Team
Know (Religion) -
Kaylayne hopes the undead horror isn't the horror that they had so recently faced.
Still smarting from the poison thorns, Dimitrio grabs his blade to test his grip.
"More ghosts! Hopefully this one doesn't wail."
"Get back, Lief!"
----------
, fail
, pass
, pass
critical?
HP 99/99
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: 10/12 STR
Melee (rapier+3): +21/+16 = +10(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, 1/3 charmed life, 19/24 bardic performance, 5/5 1st level, 3/4 2nd level spells, 0/1 3rd level spells, 1/1 arcane bond spell, ring of fire 5/5
When an exceptionally vile hag or witch dies with some malicious plot left incomplete, or proves too horridly tenacious to succumb to the call of death, the foul energies of these wicked old crones sometimes spawn incorporeal undead known as witchfires. These ghostly creatures appear much as they did in life, although the grotesque undead energy that births them makes them appear young and attractive and wreathes their insubstantial bodies in a powerful aura of sickly green flame, a ghostly fire referred to as "witchflame" in local legends.
Witchflame (Su) Any creature damaged by the incorporeal touch or ranged bolt attacks of a witchfire must succeed on a DC 22 Will save or become engulfed in sickly green flames. While these eerie flames deal no additional damage, the affected creature glows as per faerie fire and becomes sickened. While under the effects of the witchflame, the victim gains vulnerability to fire and takes half again as much damage (+50%) from fire attacks of any sort. This effect persists for 10 minutes.
The supernatural flames can only be extinguished before this duration expires by a break enchantment, miracle, remove curse, or wish spell—the effective caster level of the witchflame is equal to the witchfire's HD (CL 10th for most witchfires). Any creature entering the same square as a witchfire or striking it with a melee attack must succeed on a DC 22 Will save or begin burning with witchflame, even if the attack would not otherwise harm the witchfire because of its incorporeal nature. A bolt of witchflame has a range of 60 feet with no range increment. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
Sorry, you're still in the swamp, so the terrain rules still apply - I should have mentioned it. Dimitrio is special, but the lot of you can't 5' step and everything is difficult terrain.
Dimitrio, and indeed any who attack the woman in melee, please make a DC 22 will save...
Round 1, Init 12
"Kill it! Kill it dead!" Kaylayne notes.
Kaylayne moves closer to the party (15' up), and wills more of the Other Kaylayne's frenetic essence into the others.
[ dice]1d20+15-2[/dice] touch hit; (rapid)
[ dice]1d6+5+1[/dice] fire damage.
+9 Bab +4 Dex +1 magic +1 PBS
1d6 + 1 magic +1 PBS
Pearl of Power 1: 0/2 used
Pearl of Power 2: 0/1 used
Rod Metamagic Extend: 2/3 used (magic vestment*2)
Scroll of Water Breathing
Wand of Lesser Restoration: 14 charges left
Ring of the Ram: 11/36 charges left
Wand of False Life 19 charges left
Staff of Dark Flame (9/10)
10 Adamantine Stones
25 Cold Iron Stones
10 Silver Stones
Spells:
Magic Vestment (24 hours)
Overland Flight (12 hours)
Heroism: (0 minutes)
Barkskin (0 minutes)
Produce Flame: 0/12
Other Kaylayne: round 0/12
|
Allarnon growls at Tarkir. "Protect the elf" brishung up against him Tarkir's fangs and claws grow stronger through magical means.
Both Bears move in on the ghost as Tarkir snaps his jaws at her.
AC Bear: (AC 28) [+5 Armor; +1 Dex; +4 Natural; +3 Deflection; +1 Dodge; +4 Enhance Barkskin (Active); -2 Rage (+1 additional Dodge when raging); +1 dodge haste(Not active)]
AC Human: (AC 25) [+5 Armor; +2 Dex; +3 Deflection; +1 Dodge; +4 Enhance Barkskin (active); -2 Rage (+1 additional Dodge when raging)]
HP: 149/149; +0 Temp HP; -DR/5 Adamantine (110 remaining)
Buffs: Rage 14/17)
Tarkir
AC: (AC 31) [+4 Armor; +3 Dex; +9 Natural; +4 Enhance Barkskin (active); +2 Deflection PfE (Not active); +3 Magic Vestment; +1 dodge haste; +1 Dodge]
HP: 72/72 (+20 HP- Animal Growth-Not active)
Buffs: Greater Magic Fang (active)
HP 84/84
AC: 24 (Touch 18/ FF: 16)
Equipped Weapons: +1 Keen Longbow (+2)
+1 Cold Iron Longsword
Conditions:
Relevant Data:
+12/+7/+2 BAB
+2 STR
+6 Dex
+1 Keen Composite Longbow (+2)
+1 Weapon Focus
-2 Rapid Shot
-4 Deadly Aim
+6 attack/damage Rangers Focus
+8 damage Deadly Aim
+1 Attack/Damage PBS
Gravity Bow (2d6 damage rolls on arrows)
Boots of Speed (7/10 Rounds left)
+1 Attack/from Haste
+1 Attack Bless
Extra attack from Haste
0 Regular/ 34 Adamantite (*)/10Silver/21 Ghost Salt (*)/11 Blunt Arrows (8 Silvered (Blanch) 6 Silvered (Alchemical)/20 Thistle Arrows (*)
Ederin frowns as yet another hair raising ghost attacks the party. How many of these things do we need to deal with? He asks himself.
Wondering if this thing has the same weaknesses as the banshee, Ederin grabs his ghost salt arrows and fires a volley, waiting to see if they stick.
Round 1, Init 23
AC = 23
HP = 92/92
Weapon Equipped = +1 Cold Iron Rapier
Condition(s) = None
Lief doesn't need to be told twice. He retreats away from the witchfire, unaware of what it is, more of what it represents- mortal danger.
When far enough away, he debates protections. He simply wills the creature away, for what little good it will do. So much of Tanglebriar simply wants to kill intruders...
Though the beautiful maiden has done nothing, the party piles on and does their level best to take her out before she can even so much as speak.
Ederin connects thrice, and very nearly puts her back into the ground. Lief withdraws from the battle. Dimitrio, is slightly weakened, but not enough clearly as he connects twice. He fails to critical the incorporeal creature, and does less damage than he’d like, but he does a lot. Allarnon prepares as Tarkir connects, though he does less damage than he’d like as well (incorporeal). Kaylayne hastes the party, giving them an edge in round two.
Those who attack in melee find themselves wreathed in the same sickly green fire that engulfs the ghost. A successful Will save dissipates the flames, but what happens to an unsuccessful party? We shall see...
Badly buffeted by the party, she screams - her voice carrying through the forest - and you can see she has no tongue in her head to mouth anything more intelligible. As quickly as she came, she descends back into the earth (withdrawal).
Round 2, Init 23
AC = 23
HP = 92/92
Weapon Equipped = +1 Cold Iron Rapier
Condition(s) = Haste, Fly
"Well shot, Ederin. You've come well-prepared with those arrows."
For the disappearance into the ground, he can only compare the current struggle to that of the banshee, and its ability to attack from within solidity. He quickly consumes a vial, and lets the magic lift him from the ground, giving him a little distance.
Until you breach the canopy the Tanglebriar is as bad in the air as it is on the ground - so half movement. Then half again for going up and you're 15' up with Kaylayne.
|
|
Allarnon looks all around as he keeps an eye out for the ghostly visage.
"Where did she go?"
Allarnon-Bear Form
AC Bear: (AC 28) [+5 Armor; +1 Dex; +4 Natural; +3 Deflection; +1 Dodge; +4 Enhance Barkskin (Active); -2 Rage (+1 additional Dodge when raging); +1 dodge haste(Not active)]
AC Human: (AC 25) [+5 Armor; +2 Dex; +3 Deflection; +1 Dodge; +4 Enhance Barkskin (active); -2 Rage (+1 additional Dodge when raging)]
HP: 149/149; +0 Temp HP; -DR/5 Adamantine (110 remaining)
Buffs: Rage 14/17)
Tarkir
AC: (AC 31) [+4 Armor; +3 Dex; +9 Natural; +4 Enhance Barkskin (active); +2 Deflection PfE (Not active); +3 Magic Vestment; +1 dodge haste; +1 Dodge]
HP: 72/72 (+20 HP- Animal Growth-Not active)
Buffs: Greater Magic Fang (active)
Tarkir, and possibly Dimitrio too, glows as per faerie fire and becomes sickened. Further he is vulnerable to fire and is a little freaked out at the sickly green flames seemingly covering every inch of his body.
Round 2, Init 12
Kaylayne delays, wondering what will come next.
[ dice]1d20+15-2[/dice] touch hit; (rapid)
[ dice]1d6+5+1[/dice] fire damage.
+9 Bab +4 Dex +1 magic +1 PBS
1d6 + 1 magic +1 PBS
Pearl of Power 1: 0/2 used
Pearl of Power 2: 0/1 used
Rod Metamagic Extend: 2/3 used (magic vestment*2)
Scroll of Water Breathing
Wand of Lesser Restoration: 14 charges left
Ring of the Ram: 11/36 charges left
Wand of False Life 19 charges left
Staff of Dark Flame (9/10)
10 Adamantine Stones
25 Cold Iron Stones
10 Silver Stones
Spells:
Magic Vestment (24 hours)
Overland Flight (12 hours)
Heroism: (0 minutes)
Barkskin (0 minutes)
Produce Flame: 0/12
Other Kaylayne: round 0/12
The bard was once more alert to see where the ghostly woman had fled.
"Bearman, you OK? You are... glowing?"
In the meantime, he started his bardic performance to enhance his weapon to be able to hurt ghosts.
------------
, pass
HP 99/99
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: 10/12 STR
Melee (rapier+3): +21/+16 = +10(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, 1/3 charmed life, 19/24 bardic performance, 5/5 1st level, 3/4 2nd level spells, 0/1 3rd level spells, 1/1 arcane bond spell, ring of fire 5/5
HP 84/84
AC: 24 (Touch 18/ FF: 16)
Equipped Weapons: +1 Keen Longbow (+2)
+1 Cold Iron Longsword
Conditions:
Relevant Data:
+12/+7/+2 BAB
+2 STR
+6 Dex
+1 Keen Composite Longbow (+2)
+1 Weapon Focus
-2 Rapid Shot
-4 Deadly Aim
+6 attack/damage Rangers Focus
+8 damage Deadly Aim
+1 Attack/Damage PBS
Gravity Bow (2d6 damage rolls on arrows)
Boots of Speed (7/10 Rounds left)
+1 Attack/from Haste
+1 Attack Bless
Extra attack from Haste
0 Regular/ 34 Adamantite (*)/10Silver/20 Ghost Salt (*)/11 Blunt Arrows (8 Silvered (Blanch) 6 Silvered (Alchemical)/20 Thistle Arrows (*)
With the creature withdrawn, Ederin raises an eyebrow and keeps his bow prepared to strike. He sees Tarkir glowing but has no idea what he can do to stop it.
"Sorry Al, I ain't got a clue what'll fix 'im up. I'll keep my eyes open for the ghost, you do what you can to help the bear."
The party preps and prepares a bit more, but nothing happens. The wood remains calm where you are, and quiet. Several rounds pass, and still the ghostly elf does not return. Finally a full minute passes with no sign of her.
We’re out of initiative, for now, and you may do as you wish - although the bear still burns...
Kaylayne is slow to settle down, still on alert for several minutes.
"This place is awful," Kaylayne grumps. "I hope this elven warrior can help us in some way. I hope."
Kaylayne waits and waits.
"Fine, let us try to camp then. If this spot is suitable enough, great, if not, Ederan & Allarnon, let's find another."
"On the morrow, we'll fix this woman and see if she decides to come back."
|
|
"Going back will mean that we will have to travel back through the Forest of Thorns. While it doesn't bother me or Tark much it seems to have an effect on the others." Allarnon ponders as he pokes at Tarkir.
"The flames aren't hot, they just seem to make him glow." He says as he tries to calm the bear and show it that it isn't being injured as Tarkir vomits in the brush. His body heaves back and forth as he loudly dry heaves like a cat hacking up a hairball.
As you stand around deliberating, the sickness and flames remain on your poor bear. Eventually (10 minutes!) later, the effect fades and Tarkir is himself again with no lingering after effects, save a little hunger to replace what he lost.
The forest in this area remains eerily quiet however, and you suspect it's not a great place to camp - unless you've scared the creature off completely, in which case its an excellent place to camp.
Do you take the chance?
Lief watches from on high, not thrilled that the witchfire still lurks. He silently contemplates what attracts the undead to the ground as a form of protection, that they even seek protection in their all-too-obviously fractured mental states to recede into earth.
When he returns to the ground, as his magic fades, he sticks close by Ederin, Man of Many Arrows. "I worry that Tarkir will simply draw more moths to his flame. I'm alright with staking this ground, and fending off the creature, should it return. The way Tanglebriar works, I fear that returning to the Gate now would be its own punishment, and backwards tracking."
Kaylayne nods agreement with Lief, but finds her sleeping spot in the trees rather than on the ground (10' up).
"Sure. Not sure we have any good options really, just a series of bad ones," Kaylayne agrees.
Not wanting to move at all in this hellish forest, Dimitrio bunker downs to make the best of this clearing.
The party spends an uneasy night in the clearing, all the watches feeling that it is they who are watched. Yet nothing untoward occurs, and the sun shines brightly - somewhere above the canopy anyway. Down here the dimness is absolute.
You’re a half-hours slog from the spires that Kaylayne saw when she last checked. As she surfaces again today to get another look, she’ll see what must be vrock in the distance, flying lazily - and occasionally playing, or even fighting - above the structure.
"Some kinda Vrock nest? Or our destination?" Ederin questions when Kaylayne reports the vrock flying about. "Either way I ain't too keen on gettin' there, but we probably don't have much choice."
He shifts uncomfortably around the dead elven woman and looks at the bartender with the power to raise the dead. "You still plannin' on bringin' her back? If you are, I'll take point a little ways up an' keep an eye out for trouble, yeah?"
Kaylayne floats back to the ground, her face set in determination as she ponders her spells for the day.
"You can climb up higher if you want, Ederin, and see for yourself. Vrocks. Lots of them. We may or may not need to go that way, but there isn't much else out here to go by," Kaylayne responds. "Since our guide...uh...left us unexpectantly, we don't have a lot to go on. While we won't be lost here...we may not find our goal for a long time...which is why we need to bring this warrior back."
Kaylayne looks at the party.
"I think I should try to bring her back, like I did with Tarkir. She might be able to help us. She might know where we are going and what is going on. I need you all to help me pay for it."
Kaylayne takes a collection from the party, getting the components from everyone that she needs.
"Allarnon, put the woman up high, if you would. Make her comfortable," Kaylayne says, not sure if this is even going to work. "I'm not sure this is going to happen...or even if her spirit will answer the call...but I hope so."
"Dimi, if she returns, I'll leave it to you to figure out if she's with the Winter Council or not and convince her that we are too. We need information ."
Kaylayne has been stockpiling diamond dust and the like for such an occasion, and I'm fine, particularly to help with tracking, if the party pays for this out of group funds. I'll note it on the treasure sheet if you decide to spend the 5,000gp to raise her.
So no need to track your donation, I just need to know if everyone is behind it.
|
|
Allarnon, in human form, grabs ahold of the woman off of Tarkir's back and places her firmly down on a nearby rock. Crossing her arms he takes a few steps back and looks over to Kaylayne.
"There ya go? Need anything else?"
He never even thought of the elven warrior being a part of the Winter Council.
Nervously he steps back, his skin rips and flays away leaving behind a bear with skin and trace amounts of blood still covering his fur.
"Dimi, if she returns, I'll leave it to you to figure out if she's with the Winter Council or not and convince her that we are too. We need information ."
Dimitrio nods in understanding, "Listen Layne, I don't think we need to worry about her being uncooperative. I mean you would have just raised her from the dead so I would think she would be very grateful and offer whatever assistance she's capable of."
-----------
"I don't think you need to worry about her being uncooperative."
You're right. Because I put you in charge of it and not Lief.
Kaylayne smiles backing, something knowing in her eyes.
"Maybe. We're also asking her to come back to a demon-infested woods where she was tortured and made to suffer before she died. I could understand if she did not want to return or did not want to stay and fight again. She's given her life once, would she want to again?"
Kaylayne floats back to the ground, her face set in determination as she ponders her spells for the day.
"You can climb up higher if you want, Ederin, and see for yourself. Vrocks. Lots of them. We may or may not need to go that way, but there isn't much else out here to go by,"
"I ain't tryin' to confirm what you saw Kay, just settin' defense so you ain't disturbed doin' whatever it is you're doin'."
When he's done talking and finally makes it away from the party, Ederin keeps an ear out for a new voice so he knows the resurrection is complete.
Lief kicks up quickly, the worst two hours of sleep he's ever had in his life. He shakes the brutal, alien images from his mind, blaming Tanglebriar for all of it. He wipes himself off, looking for a decent place to prepare his formulae for the day. It becomes a bit of a chore, as his standards are high, and the environment is the embodiment of obstinacy. He lightens his mood every once and awhile by picturing Tanglebriar married to Kaylayne, and pitying Tanglebriar.
He doesn't engage, doesn't object to the raising of the elf.
Kaylayne approaches the still woman, and performs a miracle…
The woman screams as she wakens and struggles, uneasily, to her feet. She instinctively reaches for a blade, but her scabbard is empty, and as she nearly collapses with the effort, it wouldn’t have done much good to her anyway.
She faces you all, and looks around as her strength quickly returns - most of it anyway. ”You’re not… demons. Who are you? How did I survive the fall?”
Lief suddenly perks up, a thought not having occurred to him until just now. "You didn't. Survive, that is. The vrock finally dropped you to your death, and Kaylayne here just brought you back. But, from what, I wonder. You experienced death just now. What was it like? What did you see? Where did you go? And most importantly, why did you come back?" None of these questions were fit for a bear, but for an elf, certainly.
Lief suddenly perks up, a thought not having occurred to him until just now. "You didn't. Survive, that is. The vrock finally dropped you to your death, and Kaylayne here just brought you back. But, from what, I wonder. You experienced death just now. What was it like? What did you see? Where did you go? And most importantly, why did you come back?" None of these questions were fit for a bear, but for an elf, certainly.
She looks confused a long moment, before nodding to Kaylayne - the only person present who seems to fit the name. ”Thank you.” she whispers, still in some shock.
The strength returning to her limbs she stands a little straighter, though still on the balls of her feet - anticipating danger. ”I am Ina Dawes (link), second in command of Thorn’s End under commander Armistril. Give me a blade, longsword if you’ve got one, and a shield that I may defend myself if we come under attack. I’ll return them when I get to the armory.” she eyes the party carefully. She still wears a nicely fitted though battered breastplate and fine blue cloak, caked in her blood. It was likely in good shape before her impact.
”I remember falling, and the pain of hitting that pile of bodies.” she rubs her abdomen, where the elbow of a prior dead elf crushed her pelvis. ”But I remember nothing else sir. Nor do I recall being asked to return, or answering. Death is still a mystery to me, as are many things. For example, where are we?” she peers into the thicket but sees little through the dimness and thickness of the forest. Certainly no landmarks of note can be identified from here.
Kaylayne smiles wearily, still tired from the ordeal, while the elven maiden comes to life and then shows more life in asking for a weapon. She waits for Dimitrio to answer her questions, but does make nice while she can.
"I am Kaylayne and welcome back. I think we might have a fine for you to use," Kaylayne says shuffling for one of the two fancy swords that they retrieved from the banshee.
"Here, take this one," Kaylayne says, offering the blade. "Take some time to collect yourself..take it easy. You've just come back from the dead. You'll feel weak for a bit."
Kaylayne waits for the elven warrior to relax a bit.
"When there is time, remind me to tell you the tale of that blade. It...it is an interesting one. In the meantime, let's look at your injuries."
Kaylayne flicks a smile at Dimi, hoping the man will tap his way into the conversation soon.
Let's see, with the two negative levels, her max is 52 and she has 6.
10 charges tops her off nicely. I'll wait to respond so others have an opportunity to get into the conversation. She also wears two quivers, both empty and a sheath for a dagger.
Ederin, you hear a new voice, and may return to the group anytime.
Dimitrio added, "Glad you are back and we can use your blade in the fight against demons. However, what we need more than a good blade is information. What can you tell us about this place? Where are we?
He looked at Layne, "Describe to her what you see from above and see if she identifies any of it."
Dimitrio added, "Glad you are back and we can use your blade in the fight against demons. However, what we need more than a good blade is information. What can you tell us about this place? Where are we?
She chuckles at Dimitrio’s question as in the end it mirrors her own. She waits for Kaylayne to describe the region, and otherwise remains quiet for the moment as she tries to get her bearings. She hefts the offered sword and smiles at it’s obvious superior quality. She quickly sheathes it out of politeness, not wanting to be the only one with a bare blade.
As she's healed, she says again, "Thanks."
|
|
Allarnon's head continues to spin with the slew of information. As the elven woman rises he lets out a small gasp.
"Do the gods grant you all of their power?" He looks to Kaylayne as she has little problem bringing the dead back to life.
He clears his throat looking to Ina before Kaylayne is able to give her the deadly weapon. "You say you are from Thorn's End? What do you know of the Winter Council?"
He watches closely as Kaylayne checks over Ina's vast injuries.
Lief almost audibly groans as Dimitrio sees nothing but an elven woman fit for fornicating, he can't even pay attention to her opening question, that he utters it, himself.
"... where are we?"
"Tanglebriar, not far from Thorn's End, by our estimate. You must have been attacked there, correct? The vrock must have been plaguing you there, then carried you to the clearing."
He clears his throat looking to Ina before Kaylayne is able to give her the deadly weapon. "You say you are from Thorn's End? What do you know of the Winter Council?"
”You have not yet told me who you are. You suggest you’re hostile to the demons, which is a relief, but what is your goal?”
"Tanglebriar, not far from Thorn's End, by our estimate. You must have been attacked there, correct? The vrock must have been plaguing you there, then carried you to the clearing."
”Ahh, good. The vrock can teleport, so I wasn’t sure just how far away I really was…” she frowns.
"So who are you? What are you doing in the Tanglebriar so close to Thorn's End?"
"Our goal is to stop the Winter Council."
Kaylayne's eyes bulge as Allarnon blows up the intended plans but then turns her angry gaze to Dimitrio who really dropped the ball. Kaylayne steps in.
"...by which he means that the Queen herself has tasked us with removing what demons we can from Thorn's End and bringing the Winter Council back into line with the Queen's desires," Kaylayne recovers and explains.
"The Queen realizes that the current situation is untenable, what with the demons and all, and wants to bring the Council in line with her. She sent us in to speak with the Winter Council. We need help getting in to speak with them."
Kaylayne looks at the warrioress.
"Can you help us with this?"
Diplomacy
Lief listens to Kaylayne and Allarnon answer Ina without much thought. He debates how or if he should interject something productive. With her admission of her base in Thorn's End, she's marked herself as Winter Council. Second in command, under Armistril. So, Ina and Armistril, soldiers enlisted in protecting the members of the Winter Council. In command of more than just the two of them, likely. He feels more at ease with their expenditure in bringing this elf back, but only slightly. With the way the two of his companions butcher words with her, they may very well have resurrected an enemy. As they currently outnumber her, and her being in a weakened state, they may very well choose to end here and now, like Quilindra. Gleaning more information is a plus, depending on the woman's generosity with words.
"So, is Thorn's End actually under siege? Or were you simply unlucky to be on watch, and kidnapped by rogue vrock? We slayed a succubus, then dealt with two demons upon passing through the Lich Gate, then witnessed your unfortunate circumstance in the clearing. What can you tell us about Thorn's End and its current occupancy? How is Armistril? Well, I hope."
Allarnon stutters. "Sorry. I am Allarnon. And this is Tarkir" He nudges to his smaller bear companion. "Our goal is to stop the Winter Council."
Her hand drifts unconsciously to her blade and she frowns, but she does not seem overly hostile from the pronouncement.
"...by which he means that the Queen herself has tasked us with removing what demons we can from Thorn's End and bringing the Winter Council back into line with the Queen's desires," Kaylayne recovers and explains.
"The Queen realizes that the current situation is untenable, what with the demons and all, and wants to bring the Council in line with her. She sent us in to speak with the Winter Council. We need help getting in to speak with them."
Kaylayne looks at the warrioress.
"Can you help us with this?"
Her frown deepens at the obvious qualifications, but she doesn’t back away, nor draw her blade as yet. ”So you are agents of the Queen?” she wonders, more to herself than anything.
"So, is Thorn's End actually under siege? Or were you simply unlucky to be on watch, and kidnapped by rogue vrock? We slayed a succubus, then dealt with two demons upon passing through the Lich Gate, then witnessed your unfortunate circumstance in the clearing. What can you tell us about Thorn's End and its current occupancy? How is Armistril? Well, I hope."
”I appreciate you may be hostile to the demons, but that’s an easy thing to do. Hostility to the Winter Council though is a problem for me.”
”I’m not a politically minded person you understand, so I don’t know why the Queen would be opposed to the will of the Council, but it’s clear I cannot help you in any event. Perhaps Armistril may have more to say to you, but I cannot.” she thinks a moment.
”We’re close to the fortress you say? Perhaps I can bring Armistril here to you and you may converse. Which way to Thorn’s End?” she looks around the forest. ”Also, if I’m to be alone, perhaps I can pressure you for a bow and some arrows as well? I don't suppose you have a potion of invisibility?” she reaches...
Ederin emerges from his scouting position having moved toward the party after the woman screamed. He'd been content to listen in without joining the conversation, knowing Lief and Kaylayne were likely the better options to discuss the victims own resurrection with her.
He hears her offer to retrieve Armistril he raises an eyebrow and looks her over, not sure they can trust her.
In any event she seems as lost as they are, so he relaxes, just a little bit. "Only bows are mine, an' I ain't too keen on lendin' 'em out. Maybe the kid 'll give ya his crossbow." He says without introduction. "You don't know your way back home?"