"Do you both think me fools? I will not take your junk in return for my treasures. Now, give me fair offering or leave me be, or I shall take my sacrifice after all!" the tree growls.
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"We're simply representing the increased value based on transportation costs and time. Tell you what, I'll make you a special deal, one that you can't find anywhere else in this frozen tundra. I have here in my possession the perfect item combination for you, my friend. Surely it gets lonely on this frozen cliff top, what an individual like yourself must crave is companionship. This fine token right here can create an impressive tree, not some skinny sapling, but a solid tree, with thick curving limbs. But wait, that's not all, with this fine elixir of love she can twine her branches in yours. Imagine gripping her tightly as you resist the wind together! A bargain, my friend, a true bargain in this climate! We'll trade you these two items for two items of our choice from your treasures. What do you say?"
The tree seems to consider for a moment and then gestures its branches toward the treasures.
"Very well, I can see you mock, but your items will do me as much as my own. I accept your trade."
"Thank you, Sir Tree, we jest in kindness, there is no mockery here." Quinn considers the remaining items with the party, then selects two from the group. "These will do us well. Good luck, Sir Tree, with your new companion and thank you again for your fair trade."
It's a potion of levitate and a scroll of wall of fire.
Selecting the scroll and ranseur, then distributing said items to Mal and Tsin respectively, Quinn joins the others at the entrance to Artosa.
Entering Artrosa, you find a long and twisting flight of stone stairs carved into a cramped passage of cold black basalt. Ancient wall carvings on both sides of the passage depict wide fields filled with wildflowers and springing deer. After a final turn, the stairs end 500 feet below in a large, rectangular chamber.
Hewn from the surrounding basalt, the walls of the large chamber have been chiseled into an incredibly intricate display of thousands of wildflowers. In the middle of each of the carvings, a wreath of pinecones encircles a life-sized carving of a young nude woman. On the north wall, the figure washes her hair. On the east wall, the figure sits staring upward at a crescent moon. On the south wall, the figure picks a bouquet of flowers, while to the west, the figure points to a triangular, knot-shaped symbol. On open archway beckons in the southwest corner. The chamber is huge, with the ceiling 30 feet high.
As you make the final turn down the stairs, before Hektir has time to really take in the images on the walls, you see a two-headed giant. She bears a pair of sickles on her large hips and four javelins on her back, as well as what Mal and Pems easily recognize as spell component pouches.
"Mieliśmy rację, Gurra," one of the heads says, apparently to the other. "Nie było innego wyboru."
"Nie, Gurra," the other says, "Nie sądzę. Nie powinniśmy pozwolić im odejść, a na pewno nie zrobi tego błędu z tej partii!"
"We were quite right, Gurra," one of the heads says, apparently to the other. "There was no other choice."
"No, Gurra," the other says, "I think not. We shouldn't have let them go, and definitely won't make that mistake with this lot!"
With that, both heads turn to focus on you...
Hektir:
Malavarius:
Pemsworth:
Quinn:
Tsin:
Antagonist:
Tsin hefts the ranseur, then tucks it into her Quiver. "Thank you, Quinn. I shall try and make good use of its striking distance to stave off the next assailant."
...
Round 1, Init 24
AC = 21
HP = 74/74
Weapon Equipped = Composite Longbow
Condition(s) = None?
Pharasma's Blessings = 4-1, 2-2
Tsin immediately pegs Two-Heads for yet another guardian. She whispers to herself, expecting the fight to be a tenuous one.
"What is it saying...?"
Malavarius' eyes widen as a two headed giant turns her attention(s) on the group. He calmly asks, "I don't suppose Baba Yaga came this way recently by any chance?" but he shifts his footing slightly, gripping his staff defensively as he watches and listens for the telltale motions or cadence of sorcery.
HP: 44/44
AC: 11 (11 T / 10 FF)
Fort: +2 // Ref: +3 // Will: +8 (+1 vs spells, SLAs, & Su abilities of evil arcane spellcasters)
Resist 5: Cold
Energy Absorption: 0/24 absorbed
Pearl of Power I: 0/1 used
Cantrips Prepared (4): detect magic, open/close, prestidigitation, read magic
Level 1 Prepared (4+2+1): endure elements [X], feather fall [ ], hydraulic push [ ], protection from evil* [ ], mage armor [X], snapdragon fireworks [ ] [ ]
Level 2 Prepared (3+2+1): create pit [ ], glitterdust [ ] [ ], resist energy* [X], scorching ray [ ], spontaneous immolation [ ]
Level 3 Prepared (2+1+1): dispel magic* [ ] [ ], fireball [ ], haste [X]
Level 4 Prepared (1+1+1): stoneskin* [ ] [ ], wall of fire [ ]
Protective Ward used: 1/8
Ongoing Effects:
protection from energy (Quinn): 70 minutes
Pemsworth: 25
Tsin: 24
Malavarius: 20
Antagonist: 14
Hektir: 11
Quinn: 10
"This could be trouble," Pems mutters, reaching out to touch Tsin and place his ward on her as she casts her own magic. "She's talking to herself about making a choice, and letting someone else go."
Mal prepares himself to counter any spell but his preparation is for naught as the giant advances a bit and then eyes Tsin, who feels a darkness descend on her.
Round 1, Init 24
AC = 23 (Warded)
HP = 74/74
Weapon Equipped = +1 Falchion
Condition(s)/b] = Warded, Divine Favor(+2 Att/Dam)
[b]Pharasma's Blessings = 4-1, 2-2
Tsin looks toward the giant's center mass, trying and succeeding to avoid the ugly mug's faces. She slips across the room, her armor no longer encumbering her as it once did. Unsure of the creature's abilities, now that she's felt the sting of its eyes, she wills the creature to let her sidle up, in payment for her own recent sloth.
Malavarius shakes his head as the giant rouses Tsin's anger. "Oh my. Oh dear. You- ah, you shouldn't have done that." Malavarius involuntarily winces as Tsin's falchion flashes through the air. He keeps his attentions on the brutish giant though, in case either head should try to call up a spell against Tsin or the others.
HP: 44/44
AC: 11 (11 T / 10 FF)
Fort: +2 // Ref: +3 // Will: +8 (+1 vs spells, SLAs, & Su abilities of evil arcane spellcasters)
Resist 5: Cold
Energy Absorption: 0/24 absorbed
Pearl of Power I: 0/1 used
Cantrips Prepared (4): detect magic, open/close, prestidigitation, read magic
Level 1 Prepared (4+2+1): endure elements [X], feather fall [ ], hydraulic push [ ], protection from evil* [ ], mage armor [X], snapdragon fireworks [ ] [ ]
Level 2 Prepared (3+2+1): create pit [ ], glitterdust [ ] [ ], resist energy* [X], scorching ray [ ], spontaneous immolation [ ]
Level 3 Prepared (2+1+1): dispel magic* [ ] [ ], fireball [ ], haste [X]
Level 4 Prepared (1+1+1): stoneskin* [ ] [ ], wall of fire [ ]
Protective Ward used: 1/8
Ongoing Effects:
protection from energy (Quinn): 70 minutes
Round 1
Hektir draws his scimitar and follows in after Tsin, trying to avoid the bloodspray from her blows.
to hit;
damage.
AC 23 (7 armor, 3 shield, 2 dex, 1 ring) +3 barkskin = 26
HP 83/83
Mage Armor (7 hours)
Endure Elements (24 hours)
Resinous Skin (160 minutes)
Barkskin(160 minutes)
Round 1
Quinn draws and loads his crossbow, but holds the shot. "A little information in exchange for your life, beastie? Tell us what you know of those that passed before us and we'll spare you, but you've only a moment to decide."
Tsin flashes the priest a questioning look. "I've barely started, Quinn. This thing is equipped for slaughter, much like me. I'll listen to reason if it comes soon enough, though I'm not sure it understands how to negotiate peacefully..."
"I'm banking on the likelihood that with two heads, one of them will have the wisdom to save its own life. However, the next few moments should prove that theory." The cleric flashes his winning smile, as the chaotic side of his plan for good shines through.
"Peace, Gurra! We are not enemies, but allies of Baba Yaga, sent by the Witch to seek her! We bear you no harm, but would speak with whoever is in charge."
Hektir: 11
Quinn: 10
Pemsworth: 25
Tsin: 24
Malavarius: 20
Antagonist: 14
As Quinn loads his crossbow, Hektir rushes forward, but his blade turns on the ettin's tough hide. Pems' words seem to do the same, the two heads apparently arguing over in Iobarian.
"Nie, Gurra, nie możemy nie ją ponownie. Nie słuchaj!"
Tsin rushes forward, blade cutting deep and drawing a cry of pain from the ettin, who retreats and again brings her hexes to bear. Behind her, you notice a small pig.
GG: 44
Round 2
As the creature retreats and fails to surrender, Quinn fires a shot and quickly reloads.
Will vs. Sleep
Hektir shakes his head, putting off thoughts of falling asleep between Erdija's soft haunches.
Pems shakes his head as the twin headed witch monster throws hexes. "Two... I mean three can play at that game!" he mutters and hexes the left head with slumber!
Pems' hex seems to have no effect.
Round 2, Init 24
AC = 21 (Warded, Charging)
HP = 74/74
Weapon Equipped = +1 Falchion
Condition(s) = Warded, Divine Favor(+2 Att/Dam)
Pharasma's Blessings = 3-1, 2-2
Tsin loses patience with Two-Heads. Watching the creature depart, she swings once as it retreats, then again after she charges it.
"Blasted giants! They're bad enough with just the one head!" He continues to hold his staff at the ready, should the witch-giant try and bring anything more robust than her hexes to bear against the group.
HP: 44/44
AC: 11 (11 T / 10 FF)
Fort: +2 // Ref: +3 // Will: +8 (+1 vs spells, SLAs, & Su abilities of evil arcane spellcasters)
Resist 5: Cold
Energy Absorption: 0/24 absorbed
Pearl of Power I: 0/1 used
Cantrips Prepared (4): detect magic, open/close, prestidigitation, read magic
Level 1 Prepared (4+2+1): endure elements [X], feather fall [ ], hydraulic push [ ], protection from evil* [ ], mage armor [X], snapdragon fireworks [ ] [ ]
Level 2 Prepared (3+2+1): create pit [ ], glitterdust [ ] [ ], resist energy* [X], scorching ray [ ], spontaneous immolation [ ]
Level 3 Prepared (2+1+1): dispel magic* [ ] [ ], fireball [ ], haste [X]
Level 4 Prepared (1+1+1): stoneskin* [ ] [ ], wall of fire [ ]
Protective Ward used: 1/8
Ongoing Effects:
protection from energy (Quinn): 70 minutes
Round 2
Hektir AoOs:
to hit;
damage.
Hektir then double moves to the backside of the witchy ettin, trying to prevent escape.
AC 23 (7 armor, 3 shield, 2 dex, 1 ring) +3 barkskin = 26
HP 83/83
Mage Armor (7 hours)
Endure Elements (24 hours)
Resinous Skin (160 minutes)
Barkskin(160 minutes)
Hektir: 11
Quinn: 10
Pemsworth: 25
Tsin: 24
Malavarius: 20
Antagonist: 14
As Hektir circles around the ettin, Tsin charges in, but the creature's curse seems to have its desired effect and her blows are thrown off every so slightly, hitting harmlessly against her tough hide.
Quinn's bolt does the same as Pems tries unsuccessfully to put Gurra to sleep.
Fear and frustration starting to fill her features, she edges away from Hektir and carefully casts, but the spell is thwarted by Mal's casting.
GG: 44, D/B
Round
Hektir moves to flank with Tsin.
to hit;
damage.
AC 23 (7 armor, 3 shield, 2 dex, 1 ring) +3 barkskin = 26
HP 83/83
Mage Armor (7 hours)
Endure Elements (24 hours)
Resinous Skin (160 minutes)
Barkskin(160 minutes)
Round 3, Init 24
AC = 23 (Warded)
HP = 74/74
Weapon Equipped = +1 Falchion
Condition(s) = Warded, Divine Favor(+2 Att/Dam)
Pharasma's Blessings = 3-1, 2-2
Tsin feels the creature's curse melt away, almost as if a phantom hand pressing down on her forearms has been lifted. Watching Hektir circle the di-biclops, she wastes no time taking advantage of the distraction.
Tsin attempts to topple the hexing heads, but almost hesitates on the second swing. Yet another pawn, placed in front of us, led to the slaughter, for the purposes of higher powers... could it have been convinced to talk, and see reason? Or was she chosen specifically because she will not negotiate?
"Ah HA!" Malavarius barks a jolly laugh as the ettin's magics come unwoven. "Did you see that, Zeno? It worked! Ha ha!"
Zeno peaks over the rim of the fuzzy winter hat Nadya had given the old mage.
"What do you mean 'what did I do'?" Malavarius huffs as he tries to explain to an unappreciative thrush the merits of breaking spells apart before they can form. As he does so, he sidles forward and calls up a familiar shimmering ward.
HP: 44/44
AC: 11 (11 T / 10 FF)
Fort: +2 // Ref: +3 // Will: +8 (+1 vs spells, SLAs, & Su abilities of evil arcane spellcasters)
Resist 5: Cold
Energy Absorption: 0/24 absorbed
Pearl of Power I: 0/1 used
Cantrips Prepared (4): detect magic, open/close, prestidigitation, read magic
Level 1 Prepared (4+2+1): endure elements [X], feather fall [ ], hydraulic push [ ], protection from evil* [ ], mage armor [X], snapdragon fireworks [ ] [ ]
Level 2 Prepared (3+2+1): create pit [ ], glitterdust [ ] [ ], resist energy* [X], scorching ray [ ], spontaneous immolation [ ]
Level 3 Prepared (2+1+1): dispel magic* [X] [ ], fireball [ ], haste [X]
Level 4 Prepared (1+1+1): stoneskin* [ ] [ ], wall of fire [ ]
Protective Ward used: 2/8
Ongoing Effects:
protection from energy (Quinn): 70 minutes
protective ward: 1/6
Pems watches nervously as the fighters dart around the witch giantess. He shakes his head and tries his slumbery hex again!
Round 3
If the creature still stands after Tsin's chops, then Quinn will unload another bolt from his crossbow.
Hektir: 11
Quinn: 10
Pemsworth: 25
Tsin: 24
Malavarius: 20
Antagonist: 14
Pems' hex seems to have the desire effect the second time and the ettin crashes to the ground, snores rumbling from her heads. The nearby pig squeals in alarm.
Tsin steps back to let the ettin fall prone at her feet. She nods to Pems, such a potent narcotic to carry across the room and knock out the giant impediment. "Well done, master Pems. They're so much easier to hit when they lie at our feet."
She steps up and chooses the closest head to work upon.
She turns to the pig. "You're next, have patience."
Hektir grabs the bacon familiar.
CMD
"Oh yeah, we're going to eat good tonight," Hektir says with a proud spit.
Malavarius tugs his beard. "Before you start chopping heads, do you care to perhaps bind her and see if we might learn something of this wretched place? Sparing her life- her lives? Zeno, is it life or lives if the thing has two heads?" The wizard shakes his own head before Zeno has a chance to answer, "Never mind, that's not the point. What was the point? What was I saying? Ah, yes! Perhaps sparing the giantess will loosen her lips with gratitude? Her piglet there might even be able to teach Flash a secret or two, Pemsworth."
Pems grabs Hektir's arm. "You cannot eat this creature! It was her familiar, a thinking creature as smart as... well, smarter than some of us. It would be as bad as eating people, Hektir. And please, Tsin, spare the giantess! It may be able to tell us and I doubt whoever runs this place will think kindly of us if we go about slaughtering their door guards! Baba Yaga sent us here for some reason! Let us not forget that!"
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Hektir rips his arms out of Pems' grasp.
"What are you talking about? We eat thinking creatures all the time! Heck, it's man's nature to eat meat," Hektir says, examining the hammy haunches of the pig.
"You're traveling with a damn butcher for piddlespot's sake! Of course, we're going to eat this witchypig. And we're going to kill those who attack and/or who have been serving Baby Yucky or Queen IcyFace," Hektir confirms, turning on Pems.
"I didn't ask them to take away my winter. I didn't ask for their witchy powers. I didn't ask them to curse me with this task. I just want my summer back."
"I don't think Baby Yagi is making it easy for us to even find her. And so, dammit, I'm not going to worry too much about eating one of them delicious witchypigs."
Hektir pauses to think for a moment, his eyes flicking to Flash, still holding the pig in his arms.
"Say...unless...you want to trade Pems..."
"Before you start chopping heads, do you care to perhaps bind her and see if we might learn something of this wretched place? Sparing her life- her lives? Zeno, is it life or lives if the thing has two heads? Never mind, that's not the point. What was the point? What was I saying? Ah, yes! Perhaps sparing the giantess will loosen her lips with gratitude? Her piglet there might even be able to teach Flash a secret or two, Pemsworth."
Tsin checks her backswing in time to avert disappointing Mal with the act of beheading. "Really? I was of the mind to end the creature so we wouldn't have a giant at our backs as we proceed further into this complex. I'm not sure we could bind her well enough to assure ourselves she wouldn't simply attack us again. Notice that she didn't bother talking with us before she attacked. Also notice that I didn't simply rush in to attack her, at the start."
Tsin sheathes her sword, and gets to binding Two-Heads. At the last, she produces the spriggan butcher's knife, Eye Gouger. "I don't suppose you'd allow me to blind her at least? Her magic came from her eyes, didn't it? She can live without her eyes, at least..."
"You cannot eat this creature! It was her familiar, a thinking creature as smart as... well, smarter than some of us. It would be as bad as eating people, Hektir. And please, Tsin, spare the giantess! It may be able to tell us and I doubt whoever runs this place will think kindly of us if we go about slaughtering their door guards! Baba Yaga sent us here for some reason! Let us not forget that!"
"Surely that's not true- that the pig is still sentient, once the giant is dead. In killing the witch, doesn't the pig revert to being just a pig? If you were to die, Pems, and for that matter, Mal, wouldn't Flash and Zeno simply become their former animal and bird selves? I thought their sentience was simply fragmented from your own."
"I didn't say you'd done anything wrong, Tsin. It was quite good of you to hold back until you did, as a matter of fact." Malavarius nods approvingly. "And if neither of the giant's heads cares to see reason, then I see little sense leaving her- them- bah! behind us unless she, they- oh never mind, unless the giant is bound to this room the same way that Rattyboar fellow was bound to his chamber in the hut."
He strokes his beard in thought then as Tsin turns the discussion toward Zeno and Flash. "There's a keen difference between Zeno and Flash, my dear. You're thoughts are correct regarding Zeno, as far as I can tell. With out me, he'd likely return to being a normal thrush of slightly below average intelligence."
Malavarius continues as if he didn't even hear Zeno's retort, "Flash, however, isn't just affected by the arcane power Pemsworth is mastering; he's the conduit through which it flows. And without Pemsworth, Flash could, I surmise, find a new vessel for that power." Malavarius waves his hand in front of his face dismissively then, his face twisted into a frown, "That's all theory and conjecture on my part though. Hardly matters at the moment. Frankly, I am tired of chasing after riddles and running blindly into Baba Yaga's twisted dens. This creature might be able to grant us some insight into what lies ahead." He brings his staff before him, folding one hand over the other as he holds it, and states simply and softly, "It will not take long for Pemsworth to see if there is anything to learn from her, from them- oh bother! Let's just give the lad a minute, shall we? If there's a chance it spares us another infuriating test or somesuch then it's time well spent if you ask me."
"I don't remember any rules about what we can or can't eat while on this quest. That rider fellow should have said something if we weren't suppose to eat witchypig. And I'm sure the giant would have eaten us without worrying about our brain power and moral objections. Plus, witchybacon is my favorite!" Quinn smiles eagerly and motions for Tsin to continue practicing her profession. 'Mmmmm, bacon."
Instead of a more permanent solution, Tsin decides instead to bind the creature's two sets of eyes, in the event that it still tries to use its witchery while bound.
"Alright then, let's begin the inquisition." She pricks the creature's singular backside with the knife, and remains behind it.
"When you are ready, ask a question. I shall observe it for what shifts in its aura occurs. From its answer, I should be able to indicate to you whether or not it's telling you the truth."
Pems smiles at Mal's advice, nodding. "For all I know, Hektir, I'm not actually performing any of these tricks. I could just be a dummy for the rabbit, who IS NOT FOR EATING." Flash pokes his head out of the backpack and hisses loudly at Hektir, punctuating the point.
Pems sighs at Quinn. "Is that it, then Quinn? Are we no better than giants and monsters? We have to have standards... Think of it this way: if any fool could make beer, would you drink the piss water an ogre made? Made literally from piss and water? Because if we allow ourselves and the ogres and the witch-fiends to be on the same level, we're no different and all beer might as well be yellowing piss you drink from a cup."
"What?!? Why would you even think we're better than giants and monsters? They are valid beings, just because some of them exhibit poor decision making and violence is not a reason to label their entire races. Heck, you could judge this group by those same failures! See, it's this thing called Free Will, and a minion of rabbits may not understand such things, but true Free Will is glorious! Cayden would have no other behavior, thus you see no birds, rabbits, pigs, or other such nonsense binding the journey of our clerics. Drinking ogre piss is a choice, and though I'll mock you endlessly for drinking it, as a choice of my own I'd never drink such filth because I have Free Will. As for giants and monsters, consider Mr. Tree that we just left behind, an arboreal entity of Free Will that had the freedom to consider my fine offer of goods and make a worthy exchange based on his needs. See, not all monsters are base creatures, yet all creatures have the potential to behave in a base manner. Cayden once described it this way..." As Quinn launches into his preachery, Hektir gives him the eye roll, puke sign, and thumbs down, a form of sign language they developed through the years for discrete communication in groups when Quinn's exuberance to extoll the principle of Cayden is about to earn him a punch to the nose.
Pems can't quite reach Quinn's nose, but a discreet crotch shot appears to be on his mind.
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Hektir looks in the pig's eyes, looking for any sign of intelligence or merit to Pem's points.
Malavarius harumpfs and knocks Quinn square atop his noggin with his staff. "I appreciate your point, but now is not the time for sermonizing or proselytizing, Quinn!" The old wizard then nods at the bound giantess and gives Pemsworth a reassuring nod. "There you are, my lad, go ahead and see what you might learn. You're quite good at this, you know." He offers an encouraging wink before taking a step back to watch the exchange unfold.
Pems kneels by the bound ettin. "Alright, Gurra. We need to know who you work for. Also, where is Baba Yaga?"
Tsin looks back and forth between the locksmith and priest.
"Are we no better than giants and monsters? We have to have standards... Think of it this way: if any fool could make beer, would you drink the piss water an ogre made? Made literally from piss and water? Because if we allow ourselves and the ogres and the witch-fiends to be on the same level, we're no different and all beer might as well be yellowing piss you drink from a cup."
Poor thing. Not only must he be craving a brew, but also he needs to pee really badly. Bad analogies only come from distractions like full bladders...
"See, it's this thing called Free Will, and a minion of rabbits may not understand such things, but true Free Will is glorious!"
So a priest of Cayden allows his own will to be subjugated by a Black Rider's... lovely hypocrisy there, Quinn.
...
Tsin watches the giant's aura, intent on trying this new found ability. I wonder what a lie truly looks like... color change perhaps, or texture modification to the veil of the aura...?