Veronica seems a little tired in the morning, though after she washes her face and says her prayers to Erastil she seems fine.
She watches the placid water over the side of the boat and gazes out at the unfamiliar land passing by as the paddleboat makes its slow way down the river. Moondancer whines and paces a bit, then flops down at Veronica's feet for the trip.
When the boat finally arrives, after Arven weighs anchor, Veronica unhesitatingly jumps into the water, then gestures for Moondancer to come in after her. The two dog-paddle to shore, climb out, and then simultaneously shake themselves dry(-ish).
Andreas slips off the side of the boat and into the water. His tall frame allowing him to walk most of the way to shore with very little effort.
Saoirse takes note of the surroundings as they travel, at least, what was visible beyond the dense fog, apprevciatingnthat it was a bit warmer than normal.
Taking a moment to secure her gear and tie her hair back, Saorse slips into the water easily swimming toward the island.
Rillka stares at the water. I wish I could fly. she thinks, silently dreading the getting into the water. She prepares herself and jumps in.
The water covers her, the cold and bubbles swirl around her.
Veronica is squeezing out her hair when she realizes that Rillka hasn't surfaced. She wastes no time in racing back to the water for her small new friend.
"Hey! Rillka didn't make it out!" she shouts as she wades back into the water and heads toward the boat, diving underwater to look for the halfling somewhere between the boat and the shore.
Moondancer paces on the shore, whining.
Albert gathers his things. Before jumping into the water, he turns to Arven. "You have done the kingdom a great service. Thank you."
Arriving on the shore, he hears Veronica calling for Rillka. He turns back to the water, preparing to dive back in once he sees some sign of her location.
Andreas stops his momentum and braces his stance. Knowing that if he tries to move back into deeper water, he could just make things worse. Instead, he keeps his stance firm and reaches his hand towards shore.
Rope.
His voice calm and his tone low enough for those around him to hear.
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Vinni wakes early and his face shows he had a rough night. He nods at whoever is awake at that time, then sits with his legs crossed on top of a rock to meditate. He thinks of his dream, wondering if it's a warning or just the wanderings of an aging mind.
During his meditation, he thinks "We are in Torawsh, the start of autumn. I suppose autumn leaves are appropriate. However, the rest of the world calls this Rova, the month of destructive Rovagug. I bet the chaos god doesn't care much about comings and goings of a small lizardmen's village. Or does he? If death comes, let me be part of the autumn leaves." He replaces his thoughts with that of his body being swept by the autumn breeze.
As they set out to navigate to the island, he is uneasy on the boat and stays silent. He keeps thinking of his dream and even ignores the interesting gnomish machinery. He breaks the silence during the ride to say "I've had a troubling dream. I was walking over autumn leaves when a looming shadow rose above me. I can't make it out, but thought you should know, in case this is a warning from nature and not my own mind making me scared."
As they arrive near the shore, he jumps in last and attempts to swim.
During his swim, he tries grabbing Riilka if he finds her to pull her out of the water. However, he has a plan if he fails.
As she makes it onto the shore, Saoirse hears the splash of Veronica diving back in, and turns to see Rillka flailing. Cursing herself for not being more aware, she quickly begins a rhythmic chant of encouragement, invigorating the wild priestess in her rescue effort.
Panic leaps into Rillka's throat as the water closes over her head. Bubbles and murky water obscure her sight and she struggles against the shadowy form that buffets her, trying to snare her in it's grasp.
Eventually, Vinni gets a solid hold and hoists the halfling's face back above the surface of the lake. Her breath and sight restored to her, Rillka calms and is able to paddle to the bank with Vinni's help.
The beach here is not sandy, rather it is composed of loose, jagged grey rock that shifts and cracks underfoot. Further inland, you quickly see the truth of the lizardfolk chieftain's words. Everywhere you look is grown over with brambles and briars shooting up in thick canes festooned with wickedly sharp thorns. In their shade grows a green herb dotted with a few small pale flowers.
A ruined tower stands near the center of the island, though reaching it will be a struggle.
Veronica isn't sure what's going on because she headed out hoping to find Rillka, but she's underwater looking for the halfling while Vinni is hauling her back out. Eventually she surfaces, splutters, and realizes that Rillka's been brought back to shore. She paddles back over and gets out, takes a moment to catch her breath and blow some water out of her throat and nose, and then squeezes her hair once more.
She checks in on her small friend.
"Rillka, that must've been awful. I'm so glad you're safe. Next time we'll make sure that someone stays with you, just in case. Or we'll figure out a way to make a small raft or float."
Once everyone is safely on shore, and Rillka has recovered, Saoirse looks around the island, taking in the hostile terrain. "The old wive's tales about this place were true, this island feels cursed down to the ground. Seee those green herbs dotted with a few small pale flowers? Those are stinging nettles. A valuable medicinal herb, if handled properly, but if it contacts the skin, it causes pain and an inflamed rash. Be careful!"
Rillka coughs up water, as she rests on all fours on the beach.
I hate water… she sputters and coughs up more water before raising her head, Thank you all for rushing to my rescue… except you Tall Folk… I knew you have been planning on drowning me all along. Definitely a raft. Rillka pats the top of Veronica’s foot in appreciation before she rises to her feet.
Listening to the bard, she looks at the plants. Great… even the plants want to hurt us….Lets get going before something finds us.
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Vinni has heard of some druids who didn't follow instructions and got poisoned by stinging nettles. That made him particularly wary of such plants, and helped him not get interested in the careful craft of herbalism.
Vinni says "There are spells that protect against this poison, but I focused on different spells this morning. I suppose we have to find the lizardfolk now. Allow me."
"Oh, yeah, stinging nettle," Veronica notes as she dries off again. "Don't let that touch your skin. Heck, even if we hack through it, it'll get on your clothes, and we'll have to wash everything. Can't burn it or the smoke will choke you. Fun stuff."
Andreas relief is evident for any that look on him.
Lady Rillka, tis good you are safe. Take your time and get your bearings about you. We will move on after you are ready.
He looks to the island.
We might as well head for the ruins and from there we can get a feeling for the island. The plants will wait till we clear the area.
but it is defiantly something to think about for the future.
"Rillka's right, we should get moving before we're spotted. Vinni can you see if you can pick up signs of several lizardfolk heading in the same direction? It's unlikely we'd catch up to them before they made it to the tower and the wisps....they're probably being ruled by them already, but it's likely safer than wandering this place randomly or blindly making a beeline to the tower." Saoirse says, getting ready to move forward across hostile terrain.
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Vinni replies to Saoirse "Well, as much as I want to brag about my tracking abilities and my... helping spectacles", he taps the spectacles he's wearing which seem to be helping him track. He continues "it will be fairly obvious when we find a large group of lizardfolk's tracks. Unless they're all druids, of course, hehehe. Anyway, right now I don't see anything, which means that not even their hunters go as far as here. We might as well make our way slowly towards the ruins as the baron suggests. We can assume they've been here for many days already, so there's no rush."
He stops his line of thought to consider something, then says "Well, I think it's important for me to know, baron. What is our priority in this mission? To get rid of this false god, or to try and reunite the female lizards and their eggs with the young chieftain we talked to yesterday? What happens if they use the eggs as hostages, do we back off, or do we push forward? I need to know so we're on the same page before... anything happens."
Andreas motions for Vinni to lead the way.
As for rules of engagement...that is a very tricky situation. We are here to save this tribe and their eggs. I think that if we take out that damn wisp the others will capitulate. I doubt that they will use the eggs as a bargaining chip but if they do, we cannot let harm come to them. We will fall back and regroup.
He turns and looks to the group.
Unless someone has a different tactic, I say we concentrate our power on the false god.
Unless someone has a different tactic, I say we concentrate our power on the false god.
"That's the plan," Albert says with a wry smile, falling into line behind Andreas.
Little has passed over this earth for decades, so Vinni is easily able to pick up the trail of over two dozen Lizardfolk. They lead, unsurprisingly, to the the looming ruin in the center of the island.
Following the tracks is rough travel though and likely was for the Lizardfolk as well based on the number of scales you find scattered along the trail like breadcrumbs. The briars bite into fabric and fur alike, snagging the unwary and before long, you all wear their cruel marks on your skin. Worse, the insidious nettles seem to work their way through your clothes until it no longer matters if the foliage contacts your skin or not. Albert gets the worst of it, the itching, stinging rash creeping along his skin until he feels like he's been boiled in oil, or wishes he had, rather. Saorise suffers as well and Moondancer limps, voicing a piteous whine every so often. Though Dwarves are made of stouter stuff, even Vinni begins feeling decidedly unwell after the second hour of travel.
The character takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
Just as you are nearing your destination, a chill shivers down your spine and a cold dread settles in your belly. The hairs rise on the back of your neck and while you see no watchers, you feel their eyes on you like an unwelcome caress. Moondancer pants with anxiety and tucks her tail beneath her, shuddering.
A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked.
Veronica squats down and does her best to pick some nettles out of Moondancer's fur. The poor wolf seems thoroughly demoralized. Is this how wolves were domesticated by people, by giving them anxiety? She scritches the wolf's ears to at least give her some comfort.
"This place is haunted, or cursed, or both," she says. "How do we approach? Sneak in? Walk in and try diplomacy with the lizardfolk?"
The trek across the island is as arduous as it is torturous; the very ground and plant life punishing them just for being present. When this was all over, a very long, luxurious bath lay in her future.
For all the unpleasantness of this island, though, it pales in comparison to the creeping dread and feeling of being watched, that she barely manages to shake off.
"Definitely both" she replies, barely suppressing a shudder. "I doubt sneaking will accomplish much at this point...Can't you feel it? Something knows we're here."
Rillka moves along with the others, her wet clothes cling to her uncomfortably, her skin burns and she is scratched in too many places to count. And the tall folk all seem to be taking it worse.
We are fighting against the very island itself. Lets go be direct. I have a feeling most of the lizard folk will want out of here as much as we do.
Albert pushes through the pain pricking at his skin, focusing his concentration to to stay alert to any danger. It helps a bit, as he shakes off the fear of dread that threatens to overcome him as the party approaches the tower.
Turning to look at the others, he sees that they were not so fortunate.
"Andreas, can you still take the lead? I cannot stand too close if I hope to strike these aberrations with the new spell I have learned, but I shall enter the fray as soon as I have none left."
"Here," he says, reaching into his pack. "It should buy us some time, and will help if the lizardfolk attempt to surround you."
Andreas' tall frame pushes forward as if he is not bothered by the touch of the plants.
However, when looking closely to his face, the scratches and droopy eyelids show that he is suffering just like the others.
I will take point.
Thank you for the potion. If someone else can benefit from it, let them have it.
Andreas pushes forward towards the ruins.
Keep your eyes open for enemies.
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Vinni stubbornly pushes on. He is annoyed that his body is not fighting off the poison from the plants, but doesn't want to show weakness. He thinks it'd be best to strike now and not let the poison do more damage. He says "We should move soon. The longer we wait, the more this poison will get to us."
Just before moving out, he enchants his quarterstaff.
[b]"I will trust your word on that, Vinni. Let us move forward."
Rillka activates her armored mask arcanist ability creating the look of a dark blue chainmail around her. She prepares to use the additional shield of faith ability should she or the others be attacked.
Saoirse retrieves a potion from her belt, holding it ready in one hand as they warily advance.
_
The rising of your collective hackles is your only warning of impending danger as a ball of blue lightning flashes into view, obliterating first one and then another of Albert's mirror images before anyone can react.
The ball resolves into the image of a leering skull, limned in sparking blue light. The aberration cackles wildly, preparing to zap away at the magus again.
Surprise!
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WoW
Round 1
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WoW
➤Saorise (sickened)
➤Ser Andreas (shaken)
➤Albert (sickened)
➤Rillka
➤Vinni (sickened)
➤Veronica
➤_Moondancer (sickened/shaken)
Andreas moves up and tries to get around the creature. He strikes hard at the globe of facial light.
Flank it if you can.
Albert takes a step toward Moondancer, sending arcane energy coursing through his blade. He then unleashes a torrent of magic missiles at the wisp.
"Moondancer! Heel!" says Veronica, trying to keep the poor scared wolf safe, but Moondancer decides not to heed her.
Figuring that this won't be the last wisp that the team fights, she touches Albert with a free hand, invigorating him with a touch of good.
As the Will-'o-Wisp materializes with a surprise attack, Saoirse quickly downs the potion in her hand, dropping the vial and drawing her sword, her presence suddenly seeming...more.
Rillka’s words of magic echo Albert’s as she sends her own barrage of magic missiles at the skull.
The light of the orb flashes as Ser Andreas lands a solid strike with his recovered sword. The illumined skull flickers under the barrage of magic missiles from Albert and Rillka. Vinni moves up into a flanking position to swing his enhanced quarterstaff, but the skull bobs away like a pulled piñata. Then the skull light winks out as if snuffed, disappearing from view.
Surprise!
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WoW - touch attack vs Albert, eliminates 1 mirror image
Round 1
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WoW - touch attack vs Albert, eliminates 1 mirror image
Saorise (sickened) - drinks potion of Eagle's Splendor, draws weapon, prepares Arcane Strike
Ser Andreas (shaken) - moves, drawing weapon, attacks WoW for 14 damage
Albert (sickened) - steps, taps Arcane Pool, casts magic missile vs WoW for 9 damage
Rillka - casts magic missile for 13 damage
Vinni (sickened) - moves, attacks WoW, misses
Veronica - calls Moondancer to heel, bestows Touch of Good on Albert
_Moondancer (sickened/shaken) - cowers
Round 2
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WoW - fades from view, becoming invisible
➤Saorise (sickened)
➤Ser Andreas (shaken)
➤Albert (sickened)
➤Rillka
➤Vinni (sickened)
➤Veronica
➤_Moondancer (sickened/shaken)
Saoirse begins singing as her eyes comb the area for the now invisible wisp, the sound of her voice filling her companions with courage to beat back the lingering dread.
Seeing the sword swingers rush in, Rillka realizes she will be unable to place her spell without “dusting” her friends so she will ready an action to cast it when the wisp reappears in an area to effect it and not her friends.
Rillka waits for the melee fighters to relax, staying on guard for as long as they do.She remains quiet, listening and waiting.
Andreas scans the area for signs of the enemy.
A hush falls over the battle as eyes strain to detect any sign of the wisp's movements. Unfortunately, invisibility is the wisp's natural state so there is no detectable magical aura or discernable sign of it's presence.
Second round(3): Albert detects 2 magical auras roughly 10 feet above the party.
Third round(4): Albert detects 3 magical auras roughly 10 feet above the party, the strongest is the newest and is faint.
The wisp's position seems to bouncing back and forth between hovering near Andreas and Moondancer, unfortunately Albert is only able to determine where it was in the previous round.