"Well, dat last one has retreated to dat second waterfall dere. I'll heal the fae. Like it or not, she's one of Father Gozreh's creatures. We just better tie her up and maybe gag her 'till we're ready for her to talk...
CLW:
The healing brings the nixie back around. Realizing that she is still heavily wounded and surrounded, she does not struggle, but sits silently and glares at you with venom in her eyes.
Caelin stared at Goodluck in disbelief for a moment, but soon sighed acceptance. The nixie might know a way to deal with this mist, or have information on what's beyond the waterfall.
And the oracle was right about Gozreh, too. Caelin's lip curled in frustration at this.
He quickly placed his bow and arrow on the bank and stepped over to the nixie.
"I'll do the 'tie her up and gag her' part, Goodluck. I hope this turns out to be worth it."
He pulled some rope from his pack and knelt down, wincing at the pain in his hip.
Jervaise keeps an eye on the water...
"That elemental is still out there, and we want to explore the water; Goodluck, what do you suggest? Do you think you can lure back to the shore, where we can deal with it?"
I believe you are still holding that wand of geyser you pulled out a while back.
Goodluck peers through the mist and points at the last elemental's resting place.
Elemental ref
Fire dmg
Falling dmg
As Taecuss manages to mimic the necessary arcane gestures and words to trigger the magic of the wand, a pillar of boiling water erupts beneath the remaining elemental.
The rumble of the gushing geyser mixes with the gurgling cries of the elemental, as it's watery form is carried upwards, it's liquid body being vaporized by the intense heat. It hovers for a second high above the surface, at the point where water pressure and gravity cancel each other out. Then it plummets down again, splashing into the pool with crushing force. It does not reform.
The area falls silent, save for the ever-present roar of the waterfalls. The thick clouds of mist continue to billow forth from the furthest waterfall at regular intervals.
Goodluck shakes his head as the elemental falls. "All we wanted to do, lass, was talk. You coulda saved your friends dere if you'd have been a bit more friendly and bit less vile."
The bound, gagged and injured nixie just sits there, and does not even seem to acknowledge Goodluck's words.
The mist continues to fill the area for about a minute at a time, then dissipate. It seems to originate from behind the second waterfall.
Caelin: One blink for "yes", two blinks for "no". Will you help us?
Nixie: [two blinks]
Caelin: She said "Yes, yes!"
Caelin placed the tip of his cold iron greatsword into the ground next to the nixie's head. He used the sword to balance himself as he leaned over and hooked a bloody finger into the gag. Glancing back to Taecuss he asked, "Are you ready?"
The nixie's eyes lose some of their naked hatered at Taecuss's words, but a mixture of scorn and pity replaces it.
As Caelin removes the gag, she spits a mouthful of foamy blood, then sneers at Taecuss.
"I can't tell if you are simply dim-witted or trying to fool me, elf. Do you seriously think that a few soothing words are going to make the inhabitants of the Fellnight Realm forgive and forget being trapped for millenia by our sanctimonious brethren?
As we speak, the armies of Queen Rhoswen are flooding into these woods. Even if you manage to recover the wardstones, you are too late. You will never repair the faengard in time.
No, the only way you will know peace is if you jump over the edge and let the river carry you to an easy death. Because I promise you, you will find no mercy at the hands of my queen or any who serve her."
"We know nothin' bout dis, miss. Why were you and your Queen imprisoned?"
"You've met Vinroot, eh? That old' log is almost as ancient as these woods. And they attacked the dryads too? I feared they would. The creatures of the Fellnight Realm bear a deep grudge against other fey, of the First World or this.
Well, as you have already guessed, I've not quite been myself in the past few...days?...I've lost track of time, I'm afraid. I remember going out onto the hill around noon some time ago...a couple of days past, most like....I sensed a disquiet, as if the natural order of the area had been disturbed. To my alarm, I spied the unnatural mist rolling in from the north, and I at once knew that something sinister was at work.
I was about to go back to my cabin to pack some things to go and investigate, when suddenly this creature, the spark, came rushing out of the mist and caught me unprepared. It managed to dominate my mind and assume complete control of my actions. Normally, a spark is a fickle creature which exists on the material plane only for a brief period of time before it is consumed by its own erratic energy. But this one was different. I suspect it has languished in the Fellnight Realm for aeons, and that it has been changed somehow by the magic of that realm.
I thank you for your help in freeing me, and for not cutting me down once the spark forced me to attack you. I hope I did not injure any of you too badly while I was under the control of that wicked creature."
With a grunt, Devarre hauls himself upright and moves to stand by one of the windows facing the hill. He gazes out at the enchanted stones as he continues to speak.
"Now, let me tell you what I know of the Fellnight Realm and it's ruler.
In an age long before the rise of man, a young fey-queen named Rhoswen sought to expand her power by blending shadow magic with fey sorcery, her efforts leading her to a gloom-shrouded valley with trees as tall as mountains. Rhoswen named this the Fellnight Realm and made it her lair, twisting every living creature with her shadow-sorcery. In disgust, other beings of the First World severed her lands from their own, trapping her in her own demiplane where she has languished ever since, seething at the insult.
As you have already discovered, a powerful mirage arcana protects this part of the forest, emanating from three rune-inscribed monoliths erected upon the hill outside.
The stones erected upon this ancient fey-mound serve as a collective anchoring point used by the First World fey to separate Rhoswen’s Fellnight Realm into its own demiplane. Each stone corresponds to one of the three planes involved in the process - the Material Plane, the First World, and the Shadow Plane. A sister site also exists in the First World and, together, they project the Fellnight Realm into closer proximity with the Shadow Plane.
To hide this important site, the fey wove a powerful illusion into the stones to maintain the appearance of an undisturbed hillside. I discovered the stones while traveling the Verduran between Andoran and Taldor many years ago. I lingered here to study them and in time made this place my home. In time, I learned how to manipulate and extend the glamer enough to hide himself and my cabin from prying eyes.
The return of Fellnight fey into this world can mean only one thing. The barrier that seals off the Fellnight Realm has been breached somehow. I am certain that the mist is somehow connected to this. I might be able to tap into the wild for some answers, but I will need a bit of time to prepare the ritual. Now, do ye have anythin' else ye want to know before I begin?"
“A prison - aye, that's what the faengard is. The First World fey laid stones ta lock away one o’ their own — an evil queen and sorceress named Rhoswen, and those that served her. If ’n the faengard be broken, only one o’ the elder fey would know how ta mend it. Devarre might know more, though - that ol' druid takes a keen interest in the affairs of the First World for a human.”
Why do you follow this Rhoswen? She seems not to have good intentions for this area that I assume is your home.
Caelin tried to catch Taecuss's eye, mouthing the word "wardstones", hopefully out of sight of the bound nixie.
Why do you follow this Rhoswen? She seems not to have good intentions for this area that I assume is your home.
"You assume wrong, Little One," Arvormeigh sneers, "This area isn't my home. But it soon will be. When Rhoswen claims this forest, this delightful pool will be mine forever more..."
"As for why I follow Rhoswen..." the nixie clearly seems to falter for a moment, "I cannot do otherwise. I gave up that choice a long time ago."
Caelin tried to catch Taecuss's eye, mouthing the word "wardstones", hopefully out of sight of the bound nixie.
"Your weak attempts at duplicity do a discredit to your species, Elf," Arvormeigh notes, clearly catching the implied exchange between Caelin and Taecuss, "Or do you truly believe my fey eyes and ears are somehow less superior to your own?"
Are you sure you want to be on Rhoswen's side on this? We expect to be able to march right up there and just seize them. After all, her armies are all on the move now. And from our histories, she herself is not so formidable.
"It isn't a question of what I want," she explains, "It's who I am now. You really know nothing about us, do you? Have your people so forgotten their dealings with those of the First World that they cannot recognize the threat my Queen poses? 'Tis a pity. If your histories have marked her as 'not so formidable' you will surely be rudely awakened to the fallacy of that belief when she arrives."
"Her armies aren't 'on the move.' They are everywhere. And they are legion. Every creature, from the plants and animals and very elements themselves in this forest, will become her eyes and ears. Many already have. And they whisper to her. All who intrude upon her realm draw her attention. And it's a stern gaze, indeed, if you do not share her aims or show the proper reverence. All who defy her are given a place in her Hall of the Punished. If you wish to avoid such a fate, you would do well to release me and leave this place. Flee her wrath...before you become swallowed up in it. For there's no shadow where you can hide from her reach. Those of us from the Fellnight Realm know this to be true...as surely as we draw breath."
"Now, I have no wish to die," she continues, "Would you not treat with me for my release? There is treasure I can give you...to purchase my freedom, if you so desire. Or information I can provide, should you but ask. But I dare not betray my Queen. I cannot. Her will alone denies me in that."
"Tell us of your Queen. What power does she wield?"
"Indeed. I will retrieve it. One moment! Goodluck steps to the water and disappears beneath it, swimming like a dolphin. WHile he's retrieving his trident, he'll also take 10 (or 20 if he can) to search the pool with a +10 perception skill.
I don't have any interest in any treasure she can offer unless - he glances at her meaningfully it includes one or more of the ward stones?
"It certainly lies within my power to assist you in that regard," Arvormeigh offers, "But not before I have your assurances that you'll let me live."
I would be inclined let her return to her pool in exchange for information on the stones such as where they may be. There would be no reason for her to lie since she believes our attempts to recover and return them are utterly futile.
"That is certainly true." She nods. "It will do you little good, but apparently it will do me quite a bit of good if you'd be willing to exchange my life for them."
"Tell us of your Queen. What power does she wield?"
Making sure Jervaise is still in place with his merciful blade, Taecuss will reply to Goodluck, An excellent question, my friend."
"Perhaps it would be wiser if all of you were tell me more about yourselves first?" she counters, "For instance, I am Arvormeigh. And, as one of my Queen's more reliable servants, it's been quite sometime since I've suffered such a defeat from such capable adversaries. Who might you be? And how did your band find its way to my pool?"
"By the by, now that Avormeigh's elemental servants are returned safely to their rightful plane of existence, shall you and I go explore the pool? I believe your fine weapon still rests on the bottom of it.
"Indeed. I will retrieve it. One moment!
"Are our negotiations at an end then?" Arvormeigh interrupts before Goodluck departs, "I could retrieve it for you, if you wish. It lies, after all, at the bottom of my pool. And, since no one perished as a result of our conflict, I had hoped to at least preserve my life and the privacy of my own sanctuary. Let us speak as equals now. I shall play the part of your host and you can be visitors to my abode. In this way, I shall make amends for the misunderstanding which led us to battle one another."
She looks to Taecuss, sensing he may be the group's appointed spokesman. "Please? One of my kind was not meant to be bound so...or kept from the water for too long." She indicates the ropes tying her. "There is no need for these. I am still quite wounded. And I could never hope to outrun you here. I assure you, I will remain as docile as the breeze. And helpful, as well. You've earned that much with my defeat."
Jervaise regards Avormeigh warily.
"True names have power. I am reluctant to give mine to a self-confessed 'reliable servant' of the Queen. Still... I am unwilling to murder you in cold blood."
Hot blood is another matter entirely.
"Nonetheless, this is not your pool; you said that you were hoping to make it yours, when the Queen claimed this area, and we intend to make sure that that does not happen."
He then turnjs to Taecuss.
"What do you think? Shall we take her back to the Fey? I fear that it is too dangerous to leave her here... alive, at least."
Jervaise then waits patiently for the result of Goodluck's search of the pool...
You speak with great skill, fair and dangerous Avormeigh, but I fear some deceit from your side. Still, tell us all you may and I will not raise arms against you, unless you attack us first.
"True names have power. I am reluctant to give mine to a self-confessed 'reliable servant' of the Queen. Still...I am unwilling to murder you in cold blood."
"I am glad to hear it." She offers a tentative, hopeful smile. "And worry not in telling me your name. 'Tis but a simple thing and I'm no sorcerer capable of using it to do you harm."
"I only wish to know who you are," she explains, "Heroes of legend have come and gone from the lands of the First children. Some seeking aid and others simply raging against my kind. But we mark their names just the same. It makes the telling of their tales that much more interesting and entertaining. Otherwise, I'd only be able to claim that a man, a child-man, and three warriors of elven blood stood as champions against the waves of Arvormeigh. It doesn't really have a compelling ring to it, you know?"
"Nonetheless, this is not your pool; you said that you were hoping to make it yours, when the Queen claimed this area, and we intend to make sure that that does not happen."
"It is certainly mine at the moment. For, I claimed it as my own when I arrived. No one lived here before I made it my home. And so it is you who intrude here. Not the other way around."
She coughs and her voice seems more raspy and dry. "When my Queen arrives, she will simply take note of my claim here and acknowledge it so others of my kind do not try and wrest it from me. That is what I meant..."
"What do you think? Shall we take her back to the Fey? I fear that it is too dangerous to leave her here... alive, at least."
"The children of the Second World would not accept me," Arvormeigh shares, "I am cast out from their kind and their ancestors inflicted many injustices upon me before. That was a long time ago. It is why I sought the Fellnight Realm. Rhoswen accepted me there. And I accepted her as my utmost liege. That's why I can no more turn from her than go back to the First World. And the Second children wouldn't let me anyway. They hate me. Taking me before them would kill me as surely as if you did so by your own hand here. And better to die by my pool than under their harsh ridicule and naked ire."
"Please. I implore you once more," she asks, "Release me from these bindings. I must breathe again of the water. You have my word I shall not attack you. I am at your mercy. So please have mercy upon me. It is all I ask."
GMJaceDK:
Once Goodluck has finished his trident retrieval and pool search, he'll return to the land. If the discussion still continues, "We have nothin' to call her a liar for. She's acted as she has and we might as well accept her at face value. I say we honor her trust and treat her with respect."
Arvormeigh bluff
Perception:
Taecuss:
Caelin:
Jervaise:
Goodluck:
Meycho:
Meycho spellcraft
Tae spellcraft
Fey are certainly both fickle and deceptive, but to your knowledge, there is nothing that would prevent a nixie from keeping her word. It all depends on the individual.
Arvormeigh sounds both sincere and as if she honestly repents her actions. It is hard not to be a little moved by both her sad story and her obvious discomfort at being bound, injured and away from her natural element.
As the latest puff of obscuring mist clears, a few remaining tendrils seem to behave oddly, as if swirling around a round object in the air directly above where you are all standing. But before you can be certain, the shape is gone - perhaps it was just a trick of strange mist.
Listening to companions' words of mercy, Caelin tried hard to stifle thoughts of vengeance.
Rising to his feet, he sighed resignedly. "I trust your judgement in all things", he murmured softly.
Still limping badly from his wounds, he stepped back from the bound fey.
"We have nothin' to call her a liar for. She's acted as she has and we might as well accept her at face value. I say we honor her trust and treat her with respect."
"It is rare to see one of your kind display such characteristics. How forunate I am that you have crossed my path this day, rather than those who defile the water and the forest. I am most honored to know you. Although, I still don't know your name. May you also honor and trust me with that?"
Arvormeigh has limited knowledge of our world outside of her queen's realm. I agree with Goodluck and we show her what gives us our strength: trust and respect.
"Honor, trust, and respect," Arvormeigh nods, "These are certainly traits in short supply. But they are also the sustenance of heroes from every age. Perhaps you are such, as well?"
"I trust your judgement in all things"
"You do your people justice as a rare Elf of wisdom. And, truly, I am in your debt. Would you now also see these ropes undone that I might stand? We are all wounded, after all. Perhaps none moreso than I. And this air...it is difficult...to breathe it for very long."
"I am Goodluck K'Tango. I serve Gozreh at His pleasure."
Jervaise frowns.
"Very well. Show us what is hidden in the pool. Of course, if you betray our trust, I will see to it that you are killed, and your body burned..."
He then watches impassively as Taecuss cuts her bonds, tightening his grip on his sword.
"Very well. Show us what is hidden in the pool. Of course, if you betray our trust, I will see to it that you are killed, and your body burned..."
"How barbaric." Her eyes narrow in distaste and the air feels charged by her displeasure with such a threat. "Clearly, you take after your human side rather than the elven half." She hesitates, as if she's about to say something stronger, but seems to reconsider and sets aside her unease. "Well then, I'll see what I can do. Unfortunately, unless you can breathe water, I can only show one of you," Arvormeigh explains, "But I can lead you there and ensure you do not drown."
She looks to Taecuss since he's shown her the most compassion so far. "I would take you, if you so desire." There's a seductive quality which creeps into her voice, but nothing particularly sinister. Seemingly, it's just more fey playfulness as her mood changes more swiftly than the current behind her. "I assure you I'll let no harm come to you. Just as you've seen fit that none has come to me. Would you swim with a fey? It's an experience like no other. One certainly worthy of a hero such as yourself..."
She traces a single finger across his chest as she speaks. Then, she turns to face the pool, looking askance over her shoulder. Her touch, however brief, leaves a warm tingling sensation as a slight flush comes over Taecuss. Could it be some kind of fey magic? Surely not. He still feels in control of his own faculties, after all. But, there's no denying that proximity to Arvormeigh heightens one's senses...and emotions.
Before Taecuss and Goodluck enter the water, Meycho speaks up. Before you lead my friends underwater, or I give you my name, I want you to swear that you plan no vile or mischievous tricks against us.
Her reply is both aggrieved and curt. "Indeed, I plan nothing vile, nor mischievous, Little Man."
"Who are you to mistrust me so?"
Following Meycho's answer, she reaches for Taecuss' hand to lead him to the water's edge. Once there, she plucks a piece of reed from the plants growing along the bank. "You'll have to trust me," she tells him. Words of fey magic then roll off her tongue.
"Nar-lana soe vitra, hospana-dei...kosumen ot-stra."
Then, she places the reed between her lips and reaches forward to kiss the elven bard fully on the mouth, pushing the other end between his lips, as well. Pure air blows through the tube as she pulls him into the pool, falling into its depths with a mighty splash. The resulting sensation of both the cold water and her lips moving against his nearly overwhelm his mortal body, until...finally, Arvormeigh withdraws. The reed floats away between them and Taecuss finds he can breathe water as easily as if it were air.
"I always wanted to cast the spell that way," she laughs. Her words sound clear and strong in his mind, not at all like the warblings of someone trying to talk underwater.
"Your prize lies this way..." She turns and begins swimming for the bottom of the pool. Apparently, it's quite deep, the depression holding a great amount of water beyond just the surface area of the pool's surface. Taecuss loses sight of her for a moment, but his low-light vision magnifies just enough light to see a silvery flash ahead, presumably from her webbed feet kicking through the dark. Following in that direction eventually leads him to a man-sized opening along the rock wall. It goes further into the hillside, almost directly below the second waterfall. There's no sign of Arvormeigh when he finds it. Presumably, she went inside ahead of him.
DC 27 Perception check: