"Fair folk of Acisazi.... I am Canacha Bais. Silver Raven, heroine, and all around good gal.... We are here at the behest of some of your own to help save you from your aboleth problems. I understand that impressive folks such as me and my team here can cause a bit of... hesistance but we mean you and yours no harm. Just guide us to your inn. lead us to your elders and we can reach an accord that helps everyone... Thank you! for youe time and your listening."
She smiled to her friends... while it hadnt been her strong suit usually.. she felt as far as speeches go.. it wasnt that bad.
At first, Mirabella stays in the background, carefully gauging the reactions of the aquatic elves and half-elves. In particular, she looks for signs of magical enchantment or dominance.
Once she has an adequate read on the group, she joins the introduction. With a gentle smile, she says: ”As my companion says, we are here at the request of some of your fellow villagers that we freed from captivity. They swam ahead to notify the elders of our arrival. Have they not arrived?”
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Mirabella notices that he seems a little strange, his mannerismes leaves her with an odd feel.
The elf speaking to you seems to relent to your diplomacy "Ah so you are the ones they spoke of upon return. The speaker requested I lead you straight to her, as she has fallen ill and can't leave her home. She was already frail before the sickness and now is completely infirm." he says pointing towards the largest structure in the village, which looks like it's made from bones from a whale or other large creature.
"As well walk can you tell me the nature of this illness? Please describe the onset."
All smile and friendliness, Mirabella does not let the unease she feels register in her behavior.
"I'm glad to hear our friends arrived safely. And sorry to hear about your speaker. My companion Bicks here is a skilled healer, perhaps he can help her. I'm Mirabella, and this is Jack, Canacha and Logan. What may we call you?"
While making the seemingly innocent smalltalk, Mirabella continues to carefully observe the aquatic elf, taking careful note of his behavior, movements, weapons and other equipment. She also looks for the telltale signs of magical domination or similar enchantment, knowing this to be one of the tactics used by aboleth.
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The man starts to lead you towards the Speaker. "Nerrenn and I'm not a healer I couldn't possible tell you the nature of it, but it makes people sicklu and listless. The Speaker would know more about such, I'm mostly a scout and spent most of my time at sea." he responds to Bicks and Mirabella.
Mirabella gets the feeling that Nerrenn might be under some sort of charm or enchantment, but so far he is leading you to the person you need to speak too. Detect magic would tell more certainly, but might also tip anyone off. He doesn't seem to carry much gear, mostly just the clothes on his back and a fish gutting knife.
Maintaining her cheerful demeanor, Mirabella begins to hum and sing a simple tune with nonsense, made-up lyrics. Making sure both Bicks and Logan are listening, she slips in a single line of Infernal, betting that their guide does not understand the language of Hell.
As Mirabella ponders the dilemma of Nerrann's possible domination, an idea occurs to her.
Halting her song, she moves besides the aquatic elf and carefully retrieves her ioun torch from her belt pouch. Leaning close, she speaks to Nerrann in a serious and urgent tone.
"Nerrann, since you are obviously a capable warrior and and loyal protector of this village, I must ask you an important favor. We brought this powerful artifact to aid in our defense of your settlement. It may not be much to look at, but it contains a carefully hidden and powerful magic. However, it is imperative that it does not fall into the possession of our enemy, as it might unlock the powers and turn them against us. Will you keep this safe while we meet with the speaker?"
If Neerann accepts the ioun stone, Mirabella speaks up in a louder voice.
"Have anyone seen Aava and the rest of our friends? I would very much like to speak with them and if possible have them join us when we meet the speaker."
Logan's eyebrows rise when he hears Miri's special lyrics, if the scout was enchanted he had to wonder if the whole place hadn't already succumb to the baleful influence of the Aboleth.
Very carefully he asked, "Please tell us the name of the speaker so we know how to address them properly?"
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Nerrenn looks at the object Mirabella shows him sceptically. "I think you are pulling my leg little miss. That thing looks just like the glowing stones we use to light the underwater part of our villages. But if it's really that powerful I can't imagine why you think I would be better at taking care of it that any of your human companions over there." he says pointing towards Jack and Logan.
Getting to the house he answers Logan while knocking on the door. "The speaker is one person, she is called Athannah. You may join us." The door is opened and to your suprise Aava is the one greeting you into the speakers home.
Genuine relief floods over Mirabella at the sight of Aava. If her suspicion about Neerenn is true, they have a delicate situation on their hands and the presence of Aava and her group will hopefully do much from preventing the other villagers from turning hostile.
Abandoning her attempt to trick Neerann into accepting her trinket, she rushes at Aava and embraces the aquatic elf.
”Aava! Thank Shelyn you made it here safely! I was besides myself with worry…” she calls out loudly.
As she draws Aava close for a hug, she whispers under her breath. ”Neerann might be possessed. We can find out for sure, but we need your help.”
Bicks nods at Mirabella's songs and hums a little to sell the subtle ruse. "We are pleased your travels were safe. I hope the time since we last saw one another has been kind to you." Bicks uses an open-end question to allow Aava to hint if anything is going on, working under the assumption that Mirabella may have dropped a hit, but in a way that will work if she has not. Bicks will sense motive on any response and look for fear, concern or any other concealed feelings.
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Jack does his best to follow the conversation, sensing there's an undercurrent at play, though not necessarily catching exactly what that undercurrent is. He acts aloof while staying ready for the unexpected.
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Jack and Bicks kinda get the feeling Mirabella wants to hint at something about their guide, but by the time the figure it out Nerrenn has quitely slipped away while you were destracted by the reunion with Aava.
Aava is suprise by the small halfling pulling her in for a hug, she responds to Bicks and Mirabella while pushing her away slightly embarressed. "I'm sure you are wrong about Nerrenn, he is always a little on edge around landdwellers. And we are fine, but the situation in the village has deteriorated while we were gone. The sickness are making more people unable to leave their home or even beds. Some people even seem to just be gone but Athannah can fill you in on it better then me."
"You might want to send someone after Nerren," Jack tells Aava grimly. "It's not very often that our Mirabella is wrong."
His hand slips down to clasp Canacha's. "Shall we see Athannah now before anything else can go wrong?"
"I hope you are right, Aava. I'm afraid we won't know for sure until we confront our enemy. Will you join us as we meet the speaker?" Mirabella says, more worried than she lets on.
To Bicks, she remarks: "Did you happen get a good look at any of Neerenns gear, his small fish gutting knife for instance? My attempt to get him to take my ioun torch was to enable you to track it using your Locate Object spell, but perhaps you can visualize some of his other possessions. In any event, it can wait until after we meet the speaker. "
To Jack's suggestion, she responds: "Thank you for the vote of confidence, Jack, but there is no use rushing after him. If he has reached the water, he can surely evade us with ease."
"I got a clear enough view that I should be able to track him with the spell."
I can Mantacha him if need be!
She offered with a giggle but not letting Jacks hand go. it was hers now well at least until she had to shoot something
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Aava leads you all to see the speaker, the old elf is attended by 4 half-elves. Athannah is an old elven woman in her twilling years and most likely doesn't have most time left even if the sickness hasn't infected her aswell. She sits in a chair made from driftwood, wrapped in furs and with her long white hair tied back. She looks up as Aava leads you closer, despite being sick she seems quite clear eyed and aware. "Ah so you are the frineds Aava and the others told me about, come closer and listen to this old woman. You have probably been told a little bit before hand, but those informations are old now. Most of the village warriors has been lost since we sent out scouts to request help, and as of yet only Aava's party has returned home, though for the longest time we feared that they didn't make it anywhere. We are sadden to hear Shensen has disappeared but glad to know there are other likeminded in that infernal city. I'm certain that all of our troubles with sickness and missing warriors along with other people stems from the Drowned Eye and whatever has made that cursed place is lair. Will you aid us, even though I'm fearful a failed attack might draw attention to us, at this point we don't have much choice." she says.
Mirabella bows respectfully to the speaker.
"All our strength is yours, Speaker Athannah. We come we well prepared and will do all we can to eradicate this evil that haunts you. Aava and her companions have already told us that you suspect an aboleth to be at work, but please...tell us all you have learned about this threat. When did the trouble begin, what is the Drowned Eye and what manner of creatures attacked you?"
Likewise Logan bowed respectfully to the speaker and said, "We will aid you, but as my friend Mirabella said we need information. Anything you can tell us will help us help you."
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"I'm not sure an aboleth is the correct thing living down there, but given we are facing the undead draught which seems more organized. Some kind of powerful necromancer has taken control with them, and from my limited knowledge an aboleth makes the most sence. Yet it could be something els I can't say for sure what it is. If such a creature has moved in there you should utilize some kind of protection from it's evil mind control." she says getting something to drink from on of her attendants as he voice began to sound coarse towards the end. She continues"The Drowned Eye is located about 4 miles west of Acisazi, amid the treacherous reefs that complicate entry into the Dismal Nitch from the sea. The Drowned Eye is a deep pit in the ocean floor that drops away into inky darkness. Legacy tells that during the Age of Legends it was an actual outposts for the aboleth, but I can't tell if it's story or truth."
"Sounds like a charming location for a swim!" remarked Logan with copious gallows humour, "But yes I agree, Protection from Evil sounds like a good idea."
She checked the load on her pistol and smiled grimly. It doenst sound very pleasent at all... I'll make sure they pay for that fact. Are there any other forces we may see? Is this mind contral a somewhat permanent thing?
"I hope this is not rude and if the answer is no I understand but are there resources here, spellcasting, trading, or transportation? Anything that can increase our chances of success."
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"You could say it's somewhat permanent, it last for a long time and a strong enough caster could refresh it easily each time it runs out. As to what more is down there I only know of the Draugr and that a strong necromancer must be there to control them." she says gesturing for Aava to go and get something. "We don't have much but we have prepared what we can spare to help you out, Aava is getting it as we speak. As for spell casting I'm the only one available, though my age as limited my connection to the nature I can still call for druidic magic up to the second grade of spells." Athannah responds to Bicks as Aava returns with the items they would give you to help the village out.
"These items will be most useful. We have prepared for underwater exploration, but will still be out of our element. Jack, perhaps you should take both the trident and the ring. We can divide the potions between us. If there is nothing else to learn here, we should depart at once. Our enemy may already have been alerted to our presence here."
"Makes sense for us to buy the potions, just in case the aboleth or something else is able to dispel the magic we plan to use to move and breathe in the depths," Jack points out. "It's always better to have a Plan B in your pocket."
Logan shivered, the image Jack had just put into his head was nightmare fuel. "Erm yes. Maybe we should buy some potions, just in case..." remarked Logan.
"How much.. for the stuff? like all of it?"
She asked biting her lip exposing her sharp fangs for a moment... She had been saving her coin for when her new gun was finished. . . she she could get it ensorceled to make it really hurt... but... this was an element of nature she didnt do so well in.
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"They are yours to use to help us out with whatever is down there. No paymemt is needed, but you can always return the things you don't use or think will not be needed in your future fight. Aava explained the situation in Kintargo, while it might not be much the free use of these items can be considered paymemt for getting our scouts home." Athannah explains.
"Thank you. That is very kind. Our journey will be much smoother thanks in no small part to your aid."
with a slight frown She hesistated and nodded to the elder but still slipped her hand into her belt pouch. She withdrew ten really shiny peices of coin and held it out to the elder.
"You and yours have suffered and when we free you from your problems with the aboleth you will need to rebuild. This will help.
She placed the ten platinum coins in the elders hand and then closed it. making it clear she didnt want any pushback on it.
"Anything else guys? lets get this done..."
I believe we are as ready as we will ever be. In addition to these useful items, we have brought an assortment of potions and other magic along.
Unless the speaker or anyone else have anything to add, Mirabella leaves the hut with the rest of the group and goes directly back to the folding boat, ready to depart.
Logan nods and follows Miri saying, "Lets get this over with..."
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"One last thing, you would have to go down into the deepest part of the Dismal Nitch, also called the drowned eye. It's about 4 miles of coast of this village to the west. I assume you traveled here by ship and was set of a little north of here. I would either suggest you sail out just north of the area or you could travel by road to get closer before going into the water." Aava adds as you are about to leave.
"Thank you for your guidance, Aava. I think a bit of land travel would be nice before we embark on another sea voyage, so I propose we take the road and launch our folding boat once we're closer. If we get stranded and need help, we can always send our silver raven figurine to summon aid from the Sourge of Belial."
"I like the road idea. Aava, any dangers on the land path that we should watch out for?"
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"Nothing out of the ordinary, there might be bandits moving around or even some very protective snapping turtles along the coast. There is also a rumor about a mating pair of mist drakes in the area, but as long as you avoid their nest they should ignore you. If going by road I might think it would be better to leave ik the morning, the sun would be setting by the time you reach the closest place to sail the shortest path to the eye." Aava responds after thinking for a few moments.
"Ok, so let's rest up and head out in the moring. Thank you for the advice."
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The next morning Aava and one of her scouts meet you just outside the village "Mornings everyone, we will guide you to the closest part of the shore to sail out to the eye without much delay. The roads seems fine this morning so we shouldn't run into any trouble."
The travel is as Aava predicted quite uneventful, most you experienced were a few snapping turtles fighting for territory and some birds fishing for food. It's about an hour past noon when you get to the shore they had in mind. "From here it should only be about fifteen minutes out for skilled rowers, others might take the double amount. We will be going back to the village in case anything happens while you are diving down."
Logan replied to Aava, "Thank you, if the gods are willing we'll make a difference today!"
When their escort departed he nodded, it made sense for them to be on hand to defend the village if needed. To his companions, Logan motioned towards the sea and said, "Well shall we?"
Jack wishes Aava and her assistant safe travels and takes the rows for the short trip.
Lets deploy the folding boat and sail out. We can cast long-lasting spells like water breathing before we set off, in case we get ambushed. Once we are closer, we’ll cast the short duration spells and dive in.
Logan glanced at Bick's, as he said "I guess you'd better cast your spell, that will give us a good few hours underwater."
Bicks casts a spell on the group.
"Bicks, can you protect our minds from evil influence as well? Canacha needs an air bubble for her pistol and everyone should improve their ability to swim."
After Bicks casts water breathing, Mirabella waits for him to cast Protection from Evil on her, then she transforms into a merfolk, growing larger and her legs melding into a powerful tail.
Jack elbows Canacha as he readies for the descent, pointing toward the transformed halfling bard with a big grin. "Check it out--we've got our very own Mir-maid in the party!"