Zedth's Hell-scarred and War-torn (PF1) (Inactive)

Game Master Zedth

Veronica stood on the deck of the Salt, leaning over the rail and looking back at the as the ruins shrank in the distance. Her right hand was gently rubbing the dried blood on her robes, the crusty, powdery feel of the dried blood giving her a certain comfort.

We did good things here today. We rid this world of an old evil, resanctified a holy place, and saved dozens of people from future threats. But we also almost lost our lives to that threat... Brother Gromff was right, I was foolhardy to rush into the battle like that. My companions aren't familiar with the tactics of my people...

And it did not help that I was weak. Brother Gromff, Roland... even the girl Catcher are greater warriors than I. I've been so focused on defeating the devils that I've forgotten my place as a maiden of the Broken Shield. My skills are not yet honed for such endeavors... And in my blindness my companions nearly paid with their lives, instead of mine own.

She knelt her head to whisper a quiet prayer of forgiveness, but the prayer turned into a rasping cough that made her muscles twitch.

Should I apologize to them? Brother Gromff may chide me but wouldth ultimately dismiss it unimportant since we still won. Roland wouldth laugh it off saying I did what was best... Catcher wouldth chide me as well, though she seems to chide much. Though that doesn't mean that she is wrong. No, an apology would do little but reduce their faith in me, and faith is what we need right now.

Maybe it would be best if I followed in Brother Gromff's example. He seems to be a beacon of strong faith in the abnormally dark world. And while his faith is not mine, it is clear that his virtue is to be admired... Maybe that is my new role... as the Shield to his Sword...

But would that be ignoring my charge from thee, Ragathiel? Would that be running from my destiny as thy vengeful blade? Or was thy choice of a pick for me a sign that I should follow one of the stone? Am I to be apostle or warrior? Shield or Blade?

She let out a heavy sigh before bowing her head in silent prayer.

I have grown lax in my practice and in my piety. I shall wait for a sign, and in the meantime I shall follow the middle road.
Please, oh great Broken God,
Please of great General of Vengeance,
Grant this pitiful servant the wisdom to follow the righteous path.
That I may serve you in your plans to free this world.
Amen.

And as another cough racks her frame, she leaves to find her companions.

- - - - -

”See? No evil. Happy now?” She teases Gromff.

During their walk back, Catcher doesn’t give much thought about what happened at the estate. They had a hard battle, and they won. No more needed to be said about it.
She still doesn’t agree with the narrow and single-minded approach of the dwarf about all the small problems the faced in their journey.

Maybe because Dwarfs lived many centuries more than humans, they were content in doing little things over many years and in the end doing a lot altogether. What she didn’t understand is how someone that has been living in this war for almost a century, is capable of ignoring their precious time, to seek death doing small acts of good, while the whole world suffered in the war.

Of course she doesn’t voice her opinions anymore. She’d learned in the hard way that none of her companions were suitable to discuss facts as those. Catcher had been tagged as the nagging, troublemaker wizard for raising such questions. Maybe Veronica would be different, but Catcher doubted it. The woman smelled like a zealot, and the evidence was there, in her scars and actions.
Catcher could never understand how some were capable of giving into a belief like that. To admit being weak and powerless, to depend on the whims of some vague, distant, indifferent entity for power it would offer. She couldn’t deny that the borrowed power was useful, healing miracles kept them alive in their journey, but Catcher knew she could provide other means of healing as well.

They had been fighting demons for a long time, and the mage realized that, every single one of them had a powerful capability for regeneration. Using the excuse of searching for loot, she’d been secretly colleting blood samples and she was now sure that, the devil’s power to regenerate was tied to its blood, and that she could infuse the same blood with arcane energy and use it on herself or any of her allies to provide the same regeneration capability. However, she would never propose something like that to Gromff or Veronica. They would judge her for using devil’s blood like that. For the girl, it was only normal. Didn’t they took weapons and armor of their fallen foes and used it afterwards? What is the difference with the devil’s blood? It’s just a tool, a way to use the devil’s power against them.

Now, back in the ship already, she hugs the little elf girl, pet her hair and sit down cross legged on the decks. There were a lot of things to decide, but she needed more information, information that only she could find.
Opening her bag, she removes the fullplate that belonged to Darnoq. The armor crafted out of a devil’s body. Now that the murderous ghost is dead, it should be safe to use, even though only herself is capable of using such item.

The sailors all around look at the mage with fear in their eyes, secretly walking away from her, even Aersensi looks concerned for a moment. There was evil in that armor, Catcher just didn’t care about it. Like everything else, the armor was a tool, and it was time to decide if it should be used or not.

Taking a deep breath, steeling herself for what she is about to do, Catcher open her mind, the center of her power and much like what the hammer did with her, she does with the armor prodding, trying to understand all of its properties and how they can be used, or manipulated.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32
Veronica, I’ll take some freedom to add you to my narrative as well.

For a time, she forgets about where she is and what’s around her, the boat, the sailors, Aersensi; all of her concentration focused on the armor near the mage. That’s when a familiar voice partially disrupts her concentration.
Veronica approaches the girl with a slight smile and softly speaks. "Thank thee, Catcher, for all of the aid you have given us in these difficult battles. Were it not for thy prowess, we surely would have fallen to our foes by now." but it’s only when she finishes speaking that Veronica notice what’s happening and what the mage is doing, the powerful aura of evil emanating from the armor.

Gritting her teeth, the mage manages to say. ”Sit, watch over me.” and then she is lost again in her concentration and focus. That piece of armor wouldn’t beat her.

Roland already knew long ago that they would be victorious on this battle. He trusted his companions would be strong enough to do that, and they really were. But there was something else bothering him. When he suggested coming here, deep down he thought that they would find answers, specially some clue as to where was this spear of destiny that they all sought. But they came empty handed, having no clue as to what happened to this city, nor to the spear, not even with the senator. Even worse, they now had a talking weapon. Wait! A talking weapon!

When Catcher is nearby he asks the weapon aloud. "Hey Goldie, tell us what happened here. What is this city and why were you locked away?"

Whether it answers or not, he looks around for signs of more information, maybe some story written on the walls, or a long lost record book of some kind, who knew?

He watches Veronica approaching and saying her words. "Thanks. You did great too, but the dwarf will be pissed. This time he actually had a plan, and I can tell you that's rare. Thanks for the healing, anyway."

There was a lot of time to think on the way back to the Salt. About the fight, the mission, the companions. Mostly the companions. And at the end he finally realized that it was he who would have to change. Roland and Catcher were so similar it was odd they were always fighting. Both of them rushed into combat and nearly died. Both were reckless to a fault. Neither listened very well but had a lot to say. And worse, neither seemed to care about anyone, except Aersensei. They didn't even seem to care about their own well-being. Even after a close experience with death, they still argued and postured.

The only difference he could see was that Roland wanted to fight everything and she wanted to fight nothing. His arrogance was beyond belief and her lack of sympathy for anyone but the little girl and Watcher was grating.

Only Veronica seemed to be in the right mindset and yet she too jumped too far into the fray. It was nice to have someone he could understand, even if she was of a different faith. But the stress of arguing with the other two meant he had little patience left to have a civil conversation with her.

So if no one was going to change. If no one was going to listen. He would have to change. He would need to be the first in and last out. He would need to make himself the most threatening target. He would need a new weapon. He looked once again at the hammer of holding. He didn't trust the thing in the slightest. It might not be evil but that didn't mean it had their best interest at heart. It wanted to be wielded by a warrior that stole the show on the battlefield. One that made the enemies instantly focus on. That's what Gromff needed to be. The one they attacked first.

"No, I ain't happy. Bout a lot o things," he responds to Catcher. "So I'll make sure it don't act up."

Gromff will be switching to a more aggressive load out to attempt stay on par with Roland and, surprisingly, Catcher. She does a lot of damage for a Caster. Some spells are going to change and I was thinking of acquiring a two-handed weapon for batter damage. So if no one really wants it Gromff will begrudgingly accept it.

Taking a deep breath, steeling herself for what she is about to do, Catcher open her mind, the center of her power and much like what the hammer did with her, she does with the armor prodding, trying to understand all of its properties and how they can be used, or manipulated.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

----------

So, where is what I want to do:
Using her knowledge about magic and how it works (spellcraft), Catcher is trying to decide if the armor can be safely used. If it’s a cursed item, or if there’s any other penalty or risk of using it other than the negative levels if you are good.

The devil shell plated armor is not a cursed item. You are certain that there is no risk or penalty to donning the armor unless the person is of good alignment, to whom it would bestow 2 negative levels as long as the armor is worn.

After that, also based on her knowledge about armorcrafting, Catcher is trying to find a way to make the armor less cumbersome and restraining, the goal here is to by magic or remaking the armor, reduce the spell failure chance (in about 5%).

That way, I would craft a breastplace with 20% spell failure chance instead of 25%.
I’m already sitting on 10% failure chance with the feat, and it figures that keep the same 10% failure chance is something I can do.

This is a reasonable request. It would take some crafting time and possibly a small gold investment, as if you were further enhancing a magic item.

One other thing she is trying to learn if possible is if the magic in the armor can be transferred to another.

In this case, maybe transfer the darkvision effect to her current armor, the elven chain.

You are fairly certain that unless some very powerful magic (Limited Wish or greater) were to be utilized, it would be very difficult to strip the armor of its Darkvision and/or its gaseous form abilities to imbue another set of armor with. These properties seem to be intrinsic and part of the devil-skin essence.

@Veronica
She hadn’t notice she’d been holding her breath. With a long and tired sigh, Catcher open her eyes and look at the armor laying close to her.
”That will do.” she says finally.

Then smiling she looks at the scarred woman sitting in front of her, looking at the mage with concerned eyes.
Catcher had never given any thought about their new ally; she joined shortly before Miro and Adakos left. They had some opportunity to talk during one particular night, but Catcher had been distracted.
”I feel you want to ask me something. What is it that is bothering you?”

The devil shell plated armor is not a cursed item. You are certain that there is no risk or penalty to donning the armor unless the person is of good alignment, to whom it would bestow 2 negative levels as long as the armor is worn.

I thought slaying Darnoq removed that?

He nods to Veronica. "We know, we know. If you think something is right, you oughta do it. He will always find something to complain about, just don't take it personal."
______________________________
With his doubts put to rest by a post in another section, Roland is free to go back with the others and leave this place, certain that they did good by releasing this region from the grasp of the monstrosity.

Still, there could be a lot to learn from this place, maybe a lot of riches to gather, but none of that mattered to them. They needed to find that spear, and fast. He respected Walker a lot now, realizing the world would be a different place, were not for his sacrifice. And the world will certainly be a different place if they don't act fast, cause powerful as they may be, this devil locked inside the human was bound to be greater than anything they fought so far - She included.

Still, the road was long and they needed some better coordination. Maybe some conversation would do good. "So, we're gonna pay an extra to the captain and be on our way. And then we will destroy that armor, won't we?" He looks at the wizard and its new weapon. "Are you gonna really use Goldie in combat?"

The sickly pall that held the sunlight in its grip was noticeably absent on the companions' muddy trek through the ruined city. As were their sad-visaged spiritual guides; gone were their ghostly forms that seemed to appear and disappear at random, sometimes close and sometimes far. After climbing back into the dinghy the friends were pleased to see that these apparitions were also gone from the black water depths. No longer did the green ghosts reach upward in a silent plea for help. They were simply gone.

The crew of the Old Salt cried out in excitement when they saw the heroes rowing out of the reeds and dense foliage along the river's edge. When the small boat was stowed properly and everyone was back aboard, many handshakes, hugs, and congratulations were shared. Though the captain and crew had not witnessed any of the events at the old senate, they were the first to observe the sun's renewed vibrance and the tormented spirits' exodus from this haunted place. The captain called for a weighed anchor, and so the southron journey resumed its course.

Though the friends were still sick from the poisonous lake vapors and the health draining effects of the blood monster and wraith, the next few hours were enjoyable. The ship's crew were in a splendid mood, cracking open rare vintages, special reserves, and some fine preserved salt steaks - on the captain's orders - anyone and everyone were invited to partake to their contentment.

Captain Yorst and his men delivered the friends to the earthen dam as per their original deal. After several heartfelt goodbyes and decrees of friendship everlasting, the Old Salt reoriented itself northward, unfurled its sails, and set its course upriver back to their home city of Broaklesh.

-----------

You are now at the massive earthen dam that created the Emerald Pools Reservoir. The ground you stand upon is grassy and firm but nearby is the soggy river's edge where it pours into a massive lake tinged with green. There is wildlife all around you - waterfowl, large toads, snakes, large insects, and a pair of dire rats - all within a 100 feet or less from your current position.

You have a mile-long stretch of land to walk that will deliver you from this north side of the Great River (that also feeds into this reservoir, from the west) to the south side. You see a walled fort surrounding a small settlement at the south end of this dam, guarding and regulating any travel in either direction.

More to come later. Any actions now? Anyone resting, casting spells, asking any parting questions of the captain/crew? Please post any of that now.

"No, I ain't happy. Bout a lot o things," he responds to Catcher. "So I'll make sure it don't act up."

He holds out his hand for the hammer, "I'd like to see what it can do." If she lets him he takes hold of it and tests the weight. Good quality. A little too fancy but still functional. As it imparts what it can do he thinks on it for a moment. Bludgeoning weapon eh? Instantly his thoughts go to his commander at the Crevice and the weapon he wielded. Goldie responded and shifted into an enormous hammer the length of the dwarf and with a head to match. Longhammer Surprisingly, it even began to spark with electricity as well. Shocking bow should be in there. Gromff looked at it in surprise. He wasn't expecting such a close likeness to his former commander's prized possession. It even toned down the gaudiness. It was well on its way to earning his respect.

But no. That hammer was in a place of honor. It had earned a rest. It needed no imitation. He thought of another weapon, and another, going through several dwarven iterations until arriving at something useful. The head seemed to pop off and hit the deck with a thud. A long length of chain connected it to a two-handed, metal grip. A flail, and large one to boot, with vicious looking spikes all over the golden chest Keen scythe. A good balance. Gromff gives it a swing and actually smiles. Perfect.

+3 keen heavy flail with the scythe in the head. 17-20. Noice.

"I think its growing on me. But it needs a better name," he says scratching his chin. His commander's hammer was Mjolnir. This one should be, "Mjolvandr. Evil Grinder."

Ealier – Still on the ship

The woman, Veronica, had not answered yet when Roland approached.
For a moment, Catcher gets really irritated with him, just because he was there, but sighing once more she pushes away that sentiment and tries to smile; they’ve had a hard victory, she’d just discovered the skin-plate armor is better than she thought. Being made of organic matter, made it more flexible than Iron, with the same durability. Maybe she could use it as an entire body armor instead of just a breastplate. Both of types of armor would prevent her from moving freely, but the fullboded armor would offer a lot more protection, for virtually the same penalty.

"So, we're gonna pay an extra to the captain and be on our way. And then we will destroy that armor, won't we?"

”Oh, yes I think the captain and the crew deserves a good reward, but I don’t think we need to pay them. We weren’t able to collect everything from the senate, and we didn’t explore the place. Now that it’s free from the curse, we can direct those men there, and they’ll be the first ones to search it for any treasure and spoils. I think that’s payment enough.”

She then gets up and turn her back to Roland asking: ”Help me remove this armor.”
Assuming he does:

The armor, marked and dented in several parts is still whole. Its flexible links offers protection without encumbering the user. The reason why she asked for help is that the armor has several small splits and the thorned parts that are still attached to her flesh, as effect of the healing, it closed all of her wounds, leaving the armor attached to several parts where she suffered the worst injuries.

The difference in size, now with Roland standing just at her side is obvious. In a different perspective, some might have thought she was a big halfling or something like that.

As Roland pulls the armor free, part of the wounds rip open again, staining her already dirty, thorn and blood stained clothes with yet more blood. Catcher had been prepared for the pain, but even so small gasps escapes her frail but not so frail frame as the armor comes free.
Once the armor is fully removed, she stands there for a moment in simple thorn, bloody clothes. Through the thorn patches, it reveals a slender and defined body, carved with a many marks of past abuses and injuries

Finally in answer of his other question and says ”Help me put this armor.” pointing to the devil plated armor resting near them.

He looks at the wizard and its new weapon. "Are you gonna really use Goldie in combat?"

While Roland presumably helps her don the armor she continues answering the questions.

She then gets up and turn her back to Roland asking: ”Help me remove this armor.”

He cannot help but enjoy the situation. "Hmmm, and I was thinking we were still getting to know each other, hun? But we're not even gonna kiss before taking everything off? That's not very romantic, is it?" His smile shows he is making fun of the girl's request. Or maybe not. In either case, he helps her remove the stained armor off her slender, soft and young body. "You've been working out, hun?" But his smile vanishes when she points him the devil plated armor.

"Listen, kid. That armor has the very essence of a devil. It may not harm you, I don't know, but I feel you don't need that. You're skeptical about the hammer which you can simply drop, but is gonna wear that?" He shakes his head. "I'm not gonna help you get in trouble, sorry. We know you don't need help to find trouble, but in that case I won't be able to fight your armor without killing you. Not a kind of trouble I want to deal with." And so he does not help her don the armor, although she may still answer his previous question about the hammer.

Also, me and Veronica need to prepare a lot of Lesser restorations. Literally all I am preparing for second level. Might even make it the third too.

Gromff bids fair well to the captain and his men with typical dwarven gruffness but he is glad on the inside that their journey back is safe. The journey forward, for them however, was now very much a guessing game. The Spear was said to be lost to the wilds and would only show itself to those it deemed worthy. Which means it wasn't up to them. But they didn't have to go in blindly. Gromff turned his horse towards the settlement and squinted at it. "I think we could all use a rest. Maybe they got some info on the spear too." He looks at the others for input. He wasn't going to order them anymore. They wouldn't listen anyway. So he thought a different approach might yield better results.

Earlier - Still in the ship.
@Roland

"Cut the crap." she says firmly ”Don’t start patronizing me when you are the source of most of your problems.” Exasperated she continues ”I’ve hadn’t the chance to test the hammer, so It might do something other than what we are expecting. The armor? It’s safe, for me at least.”

Earlier
"I might be, but I don't like that armor. I don't want to say I told you so later... but...." He shrugs, showing he gave his opinion. And he still does not help don the armor. ^_^

Feast
Roland takes part in the celebration, and is glad they did some good to help other people. Who knows how long have they suffered passing through this evil-tainted land. Now it was over, and he deserved some thanks, of course.

Earthen Dam
"Rest sounds good. We're still too damaged from the last occurrence to be able to fight in case we need to. The problem is, I wouldn't trust them." He looks at the fortress at a distance. "If they build their little castle here it means they want to control this place and extract everything they can from the ones who need to cross. I'd rather go somewhere else to recover."

Earlier – Still on the ship
@Roland

For a moment, she is about to replay, but she is too tired for that. Catcher consider asking for Veronica’s help, but she doubt the woman would be more willing to help than Roland was. Nevertheless, if she wanted to use the armor, Catcher would need to deal with her allies childish attitude towards it, since she couldn’t don the armor without help.

He holds out his hand for the hammer, "I'd like to see what it can do."

”Oh, please, god no…” she says feeling that the time to rest will not come soon. ”What now? Weren’t you the one saying we should throw it away?” she asks not really expecting an answer.

She keeps watching as Gromff tries several strange looking weapons, but when he tries to put the bow and the scythe inside she stops him.
”Give me some time. I haven’t being able to understand the full extension of the weapon's power, nor if it has any side effect. For one that wanted to throw it away, you are too keen on using it without we knowing what is truly does.”

"I think its growing on me. But it needs a better name," he says scratching his chin. His commander's hammer was Mjolnir. This one should be, "Mjolvandr. Evil Grinder."

”It may be growing all you like. The name is still Goldie.” she says finally reaching for the weapon again. She shouldn’t let others use it, at least not before making sure what Goldie really wanted from them.

Leaving the ship
Roland was right about this at least. Catcher didn’t offer more money to the captain, but gives him what she think is a greater reward.
”Back at the ruins we fought, the late senate of the lost city, there’s a vault with a lot of coins. The place has been purified, so inside you shouldn’t face any danger, but I cannot guarantee the safety of nearby places. If you are feeling bold and courageous enough, you could explore the ruins. We didn’t have time to do that, and it’s bound to have more treasures lying around, waiting to be found, or you can just go home safely. It’s your choice.”

After the boat has left, she agrees with Gromff.
”My body feels very heavy and I can’t move freely anymore. I’ll need at least some days…” she says but what she really wants is some days of peace and quiet to study Goldie and see if the can do some other things as well, such as re-forging the scythe as a greatsword.
”I’ve been thinking about it and I want to keep Darnoq’s amor.” she says finally. ”It’s safe, at least for me and it offers a lot more protection than the armor I’m currently using. I would also want to remake the scythe we found into a greatsword. It has magic enhanced blade, making it sharper than most weapons are…”

As a reminder, the armor plating recovered from the monster Darnoq is not currently suited to be used as armor yet. Think of it similar to that of the dragonhide you guys harvested. It cannot be used as armor until it has been cut, customized, and crafted into wearable armor. It is easier to make into armor than dragonhide, however, as it was previously wrapped around a humanoid-shaped combatant. It can be made into full-plate or down to as low as scalemail while still retaining its magical properties.

”Oh, please, god no…” she says feeling that the time to rest will not come soon. ”What now? Weren’t you the one saying we should throw it away?” she asks not really expecting an answer.

For all she knew about dwarfs, they all should be headstrong and rarely change options… but it took only some minutes for this dwarf change his. Go figures.

Hours actually. It was a long walk back. Lot to think about.

"Aye, I didn't want ta bring it. Ye didn't listen. Never have."

She keeps watching as Gromff tries several strange looking weapons, but when he tries to put the bow and the scythe inside she stops him.

”Give me some time. I haven’t being able to understand the full extension of the weapon's power, nor if it has any side effect. For one that wanted to throw it away, you are too keen on using it without we knowing what is truly does.”

”It may be growing all you like. The name is still Goldie.” she says finally reaching for the weapon again. She shouldn’t let others use it, at least not before making sure what Goldie really wanted from them.

Gromff hands it over but keeps standing nearby, hands on hips. "See, even you don't trust it and yet ye brought it along. And yet I'm the hypocrite? Study it all ye want, doubt you'll figure it out any better than I. Smart weapons ur just that. So I'd rather it be in the hands o someone that don't trust it. You or me."

"Finally, we agree with something." she says looking exasperated. ”Anyhow, give me some days. I may not plan to use it. I feel a lot more comfortable with blades than hammers, but I still want to know what's up with Goldie.”

"Where are we, Catcher?"

Aersensi looked tired but still managed a smile as she tugged on the straps of the spellsword's enchanted white dragonhide armor. She looked up to her with trust and warmth, comfortable in their history together, comfortable in the knowledge that wherever the friends went, she would be protected.

Walker sat atop his horse with a stoop in his posture, also a bit tired, but for different reasons. It wasn't uncommon to hear the old man mumble to himself, often in an ancient forgotten language, sometimes seeming to argue back at his words just previously uttered. His wispy white beard blew in the soft breeze coming off of the reservoir, his eyes looking due south.

---------

A modest fort made of vertical wood stakes blocked the pass at the south end of the earthen dam about one mile from the companions. To the east was steep slant of earth covered in tall grasses, with several dozen rushing flows of water gushing out at irregular intervals, reforming hundreds of feet below into a small lake which eventually narrowed and became the Great River once again. To the west is a vast green-tinged reservoir that stretched nearly to the horizon. A hundred foot wide path crested the top of dam, bridging the north with the south, guarded only by the distant fort.

Actions? You cannot see any details about who mans the fort - if anyone - from this distance. Will you approach? Will make camp here? Everyone please post thoughts and any preparations/actions.

Earthen Dam

"Rest sounds good. We're still too damaged from the last occurrence to be able to fight in case we need to. The problem is, I wouldn't trust them." He looks at the fortress at a distance. "If they build their little castle here it means they want to control this place and extract everything they can from the ones who need to cross. I'd rather go somewhere else to recover."

"Or, seeing as their on the edge o civilization, they want to be protected from it," he says, exasperated at the barbarian's cincism. [b]"But yer right ta be careful at least. Might be like Sojourn."[b]

Wow, that's a lot of posts... Sorry I missed out.

Earlier - on ship.

Veronica watches over the girls ritual, unsure of what is going to happen.

Mayhaps she intends to destroy the wretched thing? I would hope so...

The ritual complete, she turns to answer the girl when the large one comes in. She watches in silence as the two banter and argue, blushing slightly as they seem to flirt and wincing when she sees the wounds still on the girl.

A frown crosses her face when Catcher speaks of wearing the armor, but she remains silent. She can only trust that the girl knows what she is doing, but that doesn't mean she has to like it. Though she is relieved when Roland refuses to help.

When the man turns to leave, Veronica steps towards Catcher, a hand out, and says "Please, allow me to treat thy wounds. I still have some strength in me."

And I can not help but feel guilty for the lack of finesse taken by my healing...

Ship Celebration

Veronica gives thanks to the Captain for his generosity. She requests to cook her own food, taking a small, lesser cut of meat and a bowl of vegetables, which she simply roasts over the fire with no apparent skill, as well as a small jug of water.

She sits against the railing of the ship, smiling at the joy in the sailors and nodding her head with their music. It wasn't the deep, orderly chants of her home chapel, and in a way it left her with a bit of longing for those times, but to see such happiness after all of the harshness that she had endured recently was revitalizing.

This... this is why we fight. This is why we sacrifice, why we endure through pain and suffering. This is why we must not lose.

Earthen Dam

Sorry Gromff, I don't have that spell.

Veronica, her robes and cloak clean and blood free again, nods at Roland and Gromff and says "Why don't we make camp and I can tend to our injuries and help our bodies be cleansed of that foul taint. Better to be well rested when facing the unknown."

But I can use heal to provide long term care. A days worth will heal 4 ability points to everyone but myself.

Please allow me to insert a shade more detail about your current position. Bolded portions are new.

Captain Yorst and his men delivered the friends to the earthen dam as per their original deal. After several heartfelt goodbyes and decrees of friendship everlasting, the friends left the ship on the same dinghy they used to reach the city ruins. A crewman rowed them to a short wooden pier - one of three - that decorated this area where the river feeds the reservoir. Well-used but sturdy, the piers appear to have been here for years. Waving goodbye to the companions, a crewman rowed the dinghy back to the ship. Moments later the Old Salt reoriented itself northward, unfurled its sails, and set its course upriver back to their home city of Broaklesh.

A modest fort made of vertical wood stakes blocked the pass at the south end of the earthen dam about one mile from the companions. To the east was steep slant of earth covered in tall grasses, with several dozen rushing flows of water gushing out at irregular intervals, reforming hundreds of feet below into a small lake which eventually narrowed and became the Great River once again. To the west is a vast green-tinged reservoir that stretched nearly to the horizon. A hundred foot wide path crested the top of dam, bridging the north with the south, guarded only by the distant fort. The path was made solid by means of a plank-road, covered in muddy cart wheel and foot prints in both directions.

"Where are we, Catcher?"

”We are close to the Wilds. We’ll go treasure hunting there!” she says scooping the hugging her tightly.

”Let’s just move there.” Catcher says finally. ”All the other places we went, even if controlled by Devil’s did not forbid travelers to enter. We just needed to pay a fee. Should we keep a low profile…” she says looking at Gromff and Veronica ”… and try to avoid any fights…” this time looking at the barbarian ”...we should be more than fine.”

Now it was two for and two against. Gromff wished one of the others had stuck around to provide a swing vote. But Veronica's idea seemed a decent compromise. If only other two knew the meaning of the word. "Let's just camp a night. See what comes and goes. Hmm?"

If they are in agreement, the dwarven priest walks his horse a ways off the road and hops down to start setting up camp. It was going to take more than a day to fix their wounds from the last fight though.

I'll make the tie-breaking decision to move things along.

Does anyone have a tent? Are you using it? Are you guys lighting a camp fire? Please post the answers in your next post(s). It is cold enough to warrant a fire.

With half wanting to press on, the other half wanting to rest first, the friends eventually agreed to stay while the healers of the group gathered their strength, practiced their healing skills, and had the chance to pray for more power. With little in the way of shelter, the friends set up camp near the piers where they were dropped off.

Who's on watch? 1-R, 2-G, 3-C, 4-V: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Roland Will Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Several hours went by and night grew ever colder. Soon after the changing of the first watch, the barbarian catches movement out of the corner of his eye, coming from the reservoir edge. The moonlight revealed a small girl emerging from the icy waters, wearing little more than a canvas wrapped in scraggly rope. Making not a sound as her small form rose out of the lake and onto the firm ground nearby, she appeared to be human, with a look of curiosity on her face.

Roland, you felt some sort of mental thrust from this little child, but you shrugged it off.

Roland looks at the girl with some curiosity, but whatever was coming out of the river at this time of the night was not a family member, he guessed. He clapped very loud to call the sleeping sheep and addressed the child. "State your business or be gone, I've killed my share of ghosts for the day."

The girl's eyes flash a bright blue color, surging with supernatural energies. She thrusts her hands forward with outstretched twiddling fingers and began to sing a dischordant haunting melody. As the music assaulted the friends' ears it played tricks in their minds and beckoned them to join the child in the cold waters of the emerald lake.

Everyone needs to make a Will save DC 17 or be trapped in a Captivating Song (Su): A nixie's song has the power to infect the minds of those that hear it, calling them to the nixie's side. When a nixie sings, all creatures aside from other nixies within a 300-foot spread must succeed on a DC 16 Will saving throw or become captivated. A creature that successfully saves is not subject to the same nixie's song for 24 hours. A victim under the effects of the captivating song moves toward the nixie using the most direct means available. If the path leads them into a dangerous area such as through fire or off a cliff, that creature receives a second saving throw to end the effect before moving into peril. Captivated creatures can take no actions other than to defend themselves. A victim within 5 feet of the nixie simply stands and offers no resistance to the nixie's attacks. This effect continues for as long as the nixie sings and for 1 round thereafter. This is a sonic mind-affecting charm effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Is it Charm or Compulsion? It sounds like a Charm and/or Compulsion. : )

Will Save, +2 vs Charm/Compulsion: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 = 24

Also, does this wake us up?

Also, does this wake us up?

I should have been clear about the result of Roland's action where "He clapped very loud to call the sleeping sheep". Everyone may assume that Roland's clap and words to the water-child was enough to wake you up.

Is this a charm/compulsion? Yes it is.

Will +2 vs spell-like abilities: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 = 20
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Noise. That's all Gromff heard when he awoke. First the clap then some annoying warbling. No taste in music. Then again, Roland wouldn't wake them if it wasn't important. But why'd he wake them for bad singing? The dwarf rolls out of his tent to see what all the commotion is about. Being a dwarf that lived, literally, under a rock most of his life, he had no idea what he was looking at. "Can it ye watery tart. Trying to sleep."

One quick correction - I wrote the wrong DC in the ability description (DC 16). The correct DC for the Captivating song is the one I originally posted - DC 17.

Surprisingly, we all saved then.

"Shoo."

Catcher actually failed the save by 1. I'm going to go ahead and roll Roland's save for expediency.

Roland Will Save DC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10, that makes 2 party members will failed saves.
Aersensi Will Save DC 17: 1d20 ⇒ 14 + X. Saved.
Walker Will Save DC 17: 1d20 ⇒ 15 + a lot. Saved.

As the warpriest and oracle-paladin gathered their wits and their arms, they noticed a pronounced slack in the barbarian and spellsword's gait, particularly when the pair began to walk steadily toward the lake's edge bereft of any battle stance.

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Initiative Rolls
Gromff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Roland: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Catcher: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Veronica: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Nixies: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Order = Nixies, then the party.
*Roland and Catcher may take no actions other than to move toward the singing child.

Catcher actually failed the save by 1. I'm going to go ahead and roll Roland's save for expediency.

You already did I thought.

I'll make the tie-breaking decision to move things along.

Does anyone have a tent? Are you using it? Are you guys lighting a camp fire? Please post the answers in your next post(s). It is cold enough to warrant a fire.

With half wanting to press on, the other half wanting to rest first, the friends eventually agreed to stay while the healers of the group gathered their strength, practiced their healing skills, and had the chance to pray for more power. With little in the way of shelter, the friends set up camp near the piers where they were dropped off.

[dice=Who's on watch? 1-R, 2-G, 3-C, 4-V]1d4
[dice=Roland Will Save]1d20+7

Several hours went by and night grew ever colder. Soon after the changing of the first watch, the barbarian catches movement out of the corner of his eye, coming from the reservoir edge. The moonlight revealed a small girl emerging from the icy waters, wearing little more than a canvas wrapped in scraggly rope. Making not a sound as her small form rose out of the lake and onto the firm ground nearby, she appeared to be human, with a look of curiosity on her face.

Roland, you felt some sort of mental thrust from this little child, but you shrugged it off.

What was this? Also, what do the Nixies do?

The first Will save Roland made was for a spell-like ability that the nixie used against him. (Charm Person). I should've put that in my first post to eliminate confusion on the matter.

Round 1, bad guys

*No tactical map for this one. Imagination should suffice.

The singing young girl turned to walk back into the waters from whence she came, soon swallowed up by the lake up to her neck so that only her head protruded. Her blue-glowing eyes shined out from the lakes surface, glittering off of the ripples caused by her reentry. She continued to sing her eerie song which appears to have ensnared both Roland and Catcher.

Suddenly a second figure splashed out from the waters, though this one was clearly not human in appearance. She was about the same size as the singing girl but with distinctly fey features - her hair was a aqua green, draped over her bare shoulders. Her skin was a deep blue and her fingers were connected by fish-like webbing, likely to aid her swimming.

Target, 1=G, 2=V: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Thrown net vs Gromff, 1 range increment: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 2 = 15, successful touch attack.
This blue fey girl leapt out from the lake side and tossed a net at the warpriest, trying to tangle him up before he could become prepared. The wet hempen rope entangled the dwarf well, impeding his movement and ability to help his friends.

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Combat Scene:

Round 1, good guys - Gromff and Veronica may go now.

Roland and Catcher move forward to the lake's edge for this round. You two may each now make a new Will Save DC 17 as you are about to enter a "dangerous area" (the icy cold water that will freeze and/or drown you). If you succeed, you may act normally this round. (you have already taken a move action against your will, so only 1 standard or 1 move action left for Round 1.) If you fail, next round you will enter the water.

Roland, you are armed. Catcher, you are not armed since the song captivated you right as you awoke.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
2nd Will Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
K.Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

"No, wait, don't go!" Roland's consciousness is ashamed for having been so rude with the little girl with the soft voice. So much that he's willing to go after her and apologize, but it takes just a little bit of icy water up his ankles to realize that was a freaking monster!! An unknown monster, by the way, but still a monster. One that needed to be put down! His eyes immediately shone red with anger, as he summoned his strength to go after the monster. next round, of course.

Rage 1/11. AC 19.

The song was like something she had never heard before; so enticing, so confusing.
She gets up and follows the voice and the young girl singing, but when her feet touch the cold water, the reality of the situation downs on her.

”What? How dare you!”
The mage says waving her hands around conjuring rays of fire to attack the 'little girl'. Scorching ray

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Veronica wakes from her sleep to a loud clap and a sound somewhere between enchanting and disturbing. She glances about and notices two of her companions having a particularly glassy eyed stare. She pulls her cloak about her with one hand and begins to approach her companions just as they being to regain their normal composure.

Seeing her companions regain themselves, she grasps her bow and a very particular set of arrows and aims them square at the beguiling creature in the water. And with a shout of "Begone, Nixie fey! Leave us be before we rend thy kind asunder!"

Draw bow as part of a move action to stand and ready an action to fire a cold iron arrow at the first Nixie that tries another song.

No armor right now, and the bow takes two hands so no shield cloak either. Both accounted for in stat bar.

Gromff flails for a moment at the net thrown over him but quickly gives up. With no armor or weapons on hand, he was unlikely to affect the battle anytime soon, so he resorts to support.

Concentration DC 16: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Unfortunately, a well timed tug from the nixie is enough to throw of his concentration and ruin the spell he was preparing to cast. "Blast."

Lost the spell. Crap.

The spellsword unleased a furiously focused beam of flame energy that utterly destroyed the singing fey. It caused a gush of steam to erupt where the nixie was swimming, showing nothing but floating unrecognizable blackened bits of flesh after the mist cleared.

The other nixie turned just in time to see the sudden ashy end of her sister. Realizing she was far outmatched, she turned back to the reservoir and leapt back into the cold waters. Before fully submerging, she barked a few words in heavily accented common -

"Fer da green quwaeen!"

The splash of her webbed feet pushing her deep down in the waters signaled the end of this encounter.

Combat over.

I don't have the gem, Gromff has it. We decided to keep it divided among the party, just to be safe.

"That will teach you!" she says, but she mistakes the last thing it said. "I can't wait to meet your queen!" she challenges.

The blue gem is marked in Catcher's inventory list so I assumed she had the blue and Gromff had the yellow. Please correct me if I am wrong. Whoever is in current possession of the blue gem, you will be the one to receive the information posted above in the "Catcher" spoiler.