Pems keeps concentrating on the aura.
ZephTyr unroils his whirlwind from the ground, coming up at the woman's words and back to hover over Tsin's head.
Sense Motive
He wants to believe she desperately needs his help, but the facts in evidence seem very confusing to his airy mind.
"Use the wind in your lungs to speak truth, even as we do," ZephTyr blows. "If you wish, I will carry you out of here right now on the winds of my arms, but utter no words of untruth."
Quinn smiles with oozy charm as he holds the pretty lady's hand. "Right, we can't just deposit her somewhere with witchy trees and two headed giants lurking about, you'll need to stay close by my side, darling, as we explore this place." More than happy for the company of a pretty lady, Quinn still retains caution and keeps his shield ready to bash her if she turns hostile.
Pems, you detect two magical auras coming from the maiden.
The woman nods, moving closer to Quinn.
"Oh, thank you, my savior. I would be scared to be out there on my own. I will stay with you until you can bring me home. I promise I won't be any bother."
Malavarius arches a bushy eyebrow at the maiden's words and mutters softly but still loudly enough for everyone to hear, "Oh indeed?"
"Oh, thank you, my savior. I would be scared to be out there on my own. I will stay with you until you can bring me home. I promise I won't be any bother."
Tsin lets her gaze break away, enough to understand that Pems is still studying the woman with interest. She renews her gaze as the woman moves closer to Quinn, cooing the whole way.
"Oh indeed?"
"Quinn, what did we say about kittens? Leave this pussy be, alright? I'm sure she'll be just fine once we've cleared the place, but there is no way this stray is traveling with us."
Tsin yearns for Pems or Malavarius to confirm her suspicions about the auraless lass. She renews a readies swing on the woman, but only after maneuvering around her to be opposite Quinn.
ZephTyr keeps a sharp eye (like a hurricane's) on Tsin, hoping the butcher can hold off on butchering a bit longer.
Pems tries to appear nonchalant as he studies the magical auras.
Quinn beams a smile as the pretty lady calls him savior, then bristles at Tsin criticizing his new companion. "She is traveling with us and for all we know Cayden put her in our path for a purpose." Quinn pauses with a boyish grin on his face, leaving room to question his definition of 'purpose'. Still holding her hand, Quinn reassures little Tasha "It will be alright, darling, Cayden will provide for both of us!"
Pems, you believe there's a faint aura of transmutation magic but you can't tell what the other aura is, though it appears to be of moderate strength.
Pems narrows his eyes and edges closer to Malavarius. Under his breath, he mutters "Mal, she's giving off transmutation magic and something else, something stronger. I don't know... This feels too contrived. Too much like a trap for Hektir and Quinn. Pretty faces, damsels in distress. I don't like it."
"Transmutation?! Good heavens!" Malvarius blurts and huffs in surprise at Pemsworth's words. The old wizard tugs his beard in frustration before spinning on the woman, wagging his staff chastizingly. "Here now, lass, you can either lower what magics you've drawn about yourself willfully and explain yourself, or I can strip them from you myself and Tsin here will likely begin putting that sword of her's to work! Now, if you please, which way will you have it, hmm?"
"What? I haven't put up any magics about myself! I wouldn't even know HOW to do that! It must have been that evil monster. She must be stopped!"
"What? I haven't put up any magics about myself! I wouldn't even know HOW to do that! It must have been that evil monster. She must be stopped!"
ZephTyr roils at the woman's words.
"That is good then...then you will not mind if Mal strips the magics from you?"
Tsin listens for the slightest hint of lie, leveraging it for 'probable cause' that will assuage the Brothel Boys.
"Strip her, Mal. Italsha, hold still. You must be horrified that you've been tainted by that horrible creature. Unless you are the horrible creature here."
Any lie detected, or movement made to pull away from any of the group, and Tsin strikes, in reprimand for failing to follow instructions.
As Mal begins to cast, the woman suddenly snarls, her face turning from a look of distress to one of anger.
"Stupid fools, I should have known you'd be of even less help to me than the centaur!"
She pulls her hand free of Quinn's and begins to cast a spell of her own as Tsin's sword falls. The cut seems to shatter her concentration and her spell fails as Mal's goes off.
Maiden fair: 24
Hektir: 16
Quinn: 15
Malavarius: 12
Tsin: 11
Pemsworth: 10
Antagonist: 9
Round 1, Init 16
ZephTyr flies behind the woman, providing flank to Tsin.
to hit; (power attack, flank)
slam damage.
"Save your spells, witch. They will not help you. You had the chance to deal honestly with us..." ZephTyr blows in her ear.
AC 3 NA + 2 dex + 2 dex + 1 ring +3 barkskin +4 mage armor= 25
HP 83/83
Mage Armor (7 hours)
Endure Elements (24 hours)
Resinous Skin (160 minutes)
Barkskin(160 minutes)
Greater Longstrider (8 hours)
Combat:
Attack: +6 BAB +5 Str +1 Amulet =+12
Slam: [dice]1d6+7 /dice] slam damage.
One object, creature, or spell is the target of the dispel magic spell. You make one dispel check (1d20 + your caster level) and compare that to the spell with highest caster level (DC = 11 + the spell's caster level). If successful, that spell ends. If not, compare the same result to the spell with the next highest caster level. Repeat this process until you have dispelled one spell affecting the target, or you have failed to dispel every spell.
Once his own attempt to rip whatever magics cling to Italsha has finished, Malavarius taps his staff harshly to the floor and calls forth a familiar curtain of protective magics to shield those nearest to him.
HP: 39/44
AC: 13 (13 T / 12 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 [X] [ ]
Level 2 Prepared (3+2+1): create pit [ ], glitterdust [X] [ ], resist energy* [X], scorching ray [X], spontaneous immolation [ ]
Level 3 Prepared (2+1+1): dispel magic* [X] [X], fireball [ ], haste [X]
Level 4 Prepared (1+1+1): stoneskin* [ ] [ ], wall of fire [ ]
Protective Ward used: 4/8
Ongoing Effects:
protection from energy (Quinn): 70 minutes
ward: 1/6 rounds
Round 1, init 15
Quinn lets her hand pull away as his own hand drops to his rapier and draws the blade in a smooth motion. Moving after the witchy beast, he strikes at her with a look of disappointment on his face.
Pems stares hard at the woman and evil eyes her AC!
Round 1, Init 11
AC = 23 (Warded)
HP = 74/74
Weapon Equipped = +1 Falchion
Condition(s) = Warded
Pharasma's Blessings = 2-1, 2-2
"Stupid fools..."
"There you are. You're probably the satyr's second concubine, pleading for the attentions of a man of god. Quinn is rather less hairy and hooved, I'll admit."
She tries to remember the same arc, hoping to pair it with a second, equally effective, swing.
Hektir: 16
Quinn: 15
Malavarius: 12
Tsin: 11
Pemsworth: 10
Antagonist: 9
Mal's spell works -- perhaps unfortunately, as the maiden's form grows and twists, revealing a repulsive, hunchbacked crone with skin the color of a fresh bruise. Despite her hunch, she looms taller than a human.
It's an annis hag.
She swipes at Hektir's form as the elemental flies behind her, but he's barely able to avoid her claws, his own blow seeming to rebound off her tough skin.
Quinn's sword strikes home, though much of its impact seems to be blunted by her tough skin. As Mal's protective ward spreads over you, Tsin's words seem to do more harm than her blade.
"Poryphanes! That sick stayr could only wish I would take him to bed. Kyrisjana is the best that he could ever do," the once-maiden spits as she shrugs off Pems' curse.
Carefully gesturing, the hag reaches for a symbol around her neck -- an eye on three sharp stones -- and a second hag suddenly appears next to her. They begin to cast in unison, so it's not clear which is real and which is illusion.
It's the holy symbol of Mestama, the demonic patroness of witches, hags, and vengeful widows.
They're casting divine favor.
Maiden no-so-fair: 25, -2 AC 1 round, divine favor (+2) 10 rds.
Round 2, Init 11
AC = 23 (Warded)
HP = 74/74
Weapon Equipped = +1 Falchion
Condition(s) = Warded
Pharasma's Blessings = 2-1, 2-2
Tsin watches the transformation with morbid fascination. "Oh, you truly are an ugly thing. I thought you were only ugly in motive, not it appearance."
"Your skin will turn some of my blade, eh? That tough hide of yours... And you're able to fend off magical attacks to some degree as well..."
Tsin tries to suss out more information, for its activity in doubling and casting.
She purses her lips as she fails to glean any further information. No matter, you'll fall just as quickly... She targets the same hag as before, trying to ignore the newly appeared second hag.
Malavarius stumbles back a few steps in surprise as the maiden twists into a hulking hag, only to then twin herself. "Bah! Blasted hag, I'd guess the satyr would've preferred the tendriculous' companionship over yours, madam! And calling on that spiteful Mestama won't avail you much either." Tugging his beard, he intones a quick spell, hoping to disrupt the hag's. "Good grief, and now there's two of them. Let's see if we can do something about that, hmmm? One of you, down you go!" And with that, the ground behind the pair of hags twists and distorts inward, until a gaping pit threatens to swallow one, or perhaps even both, of them.
HP: 39/44
AC: 13 (13 T / 12 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 [X] [ ]
Level 2 Prepared (3+2+1): create pit [X], glitterdust [X] [ ], resist energy* [X], scorching ray [X], spontaneous immolation [ ]
Level 3 Prepared (2+1+1): dispel magic* [X] [X], fireball [ ], haste [X]
Level 4 Prepared (1+1+1): stoneskin* [ ] [ ], wall of fire [ ]
Protective Ward used: 4/8
Ongoing Effects:
protection from energy (Quinn): 70 minutes
ward: 2/6 rounds
pit: 1/9 rounds
Pems' sharp intake of breath stops as he grits his teeth at the creature's sudden change. He mutters something about pretty faces and sharp teeth in Hektir and Quinn's general direction...
He pulls the icicle dagger wand from his pocket and activates it! and damage, Reflex DC 14 for half! If she takes damage, !
Round 2, Init 16
ZephTyr keeps attacking.
to hit; (power attack, flank)
slam damage.
to hit; (power attack, flank)
slam damage.
"At least a more honest woman, you're turning into a harpy before we've been lured into marriage with you."
AC 3 NA + 2 dex + 2 dex + 1 ring +3 barkskin +4 mage armor= 25
HP 83/83
Mage Armor (7 hours)
Endure Elements (24 hours)
Resinous Skin (160 minutes)
Barkskin(160 minutes)
Greater Longstrider (8 hours)
Combat:
Attack: +6 BAB +5 Str +1 Amulet =+12
Slam: [dice]1d6+7 /dice] slam damage.
Round 2
Quinn blinks as the true appearance of the maiden is revealed. "Why does this always happen to me!?! I didn't even drink that much today!" Then she doubles, "What witchyness is this? A hag asking for the Divine Favor of Mestama! Slay her, Tsin, quickly, what are you waiting for?"
"Quinn, please try and prick her harder than that. Perhaps the ranseur might help you compensate better? You know, for its length?"
Hektir: 16
Quinn: 15
Malavarius: 12
Tsin: 11
Pemsworth: 10
Antagonist: 9
Hektir's first blow hits the hag, but the second lands on the second hag, which promptly disappears. Despite the blow, she grins as the wound from Quinn's sword instantly closes.
The smile only growing wider as she leaps aside from Mal's suddenly appearing pit, despite a slash from Tsin's blade.
Her speed belying her bulk, she again avoids the worst of the icicle and reaching out, shoves Quinn, the cleric losing his balance and toppling into Mal's pit!
Maiden no-so-fair: 61, divine favor (+2) 10 rds.
"Quinn, please try and prick her harder than that. Perhaps the ranseur might help you compensate better? You know, for its length?"
"I wouldn't touch that hag with a ten foot pole arm if I could help it, but given this situation I'll strike with anything to keep her back. She will pull the arms off Mal or the legs off Pems for an appetizer, then turn to us for the main dish."
Distracted by the banter, Quinn barely slices at the hag as she pushes him into the pit!
Landing heavily, Quinn grunts at the flash of pain through his body. Calling to Cayden, a pool of frothy yellow liquid splashes into existence on the floor and the cleric rolls into it. With a loud BUURRRPPP and the pop of a massive bubble he rips back into existence directly in front of the hag and strikes again with puny rapier. "Kill her, butcher, kill her quick!"
For the second time in as many uses, the inebriation from hopping through dimensional space disorientates Quinn and deposits him in an unexpected manner. Flashing back into existence at the top of the pit near Tsin, he remains too far from the hag to strike the creature and instead runs to the defense of Mal and Pems.
for damage!
Pems stabs reflexively but is shocked to see Quinn disappear into the sudden pit! He steps away from the hag and his eyes seem to grow black, sucking the light from around him as he murmurs cold syllables.
Will DC 18, then Fort DC 18! damage if failing the first check.
----
As the hag hops nimbly away, Malavarius instinctively raps his staff across her shin as she rushes past him. Hazarding falling prey to his own magics, the old wizard takes a step back beside Tsin and casts one of his most powerful protections over her. As the magics settle over her form, her skin turns stony without hampering her movement. "Don't fret about her claws overmuch my dear, that should shield you quite a bit, I'm sure. And I imagine it's about time you show her just what you can do with that blade of yours."
As his spell finishes, Malavarius nearly teeters and falls into the pit, but just barely manages to catch his balance.
HP: 39/44
AC: 13 (13 T / 12 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 [X] [ ]
Level 2 Prepared (3+2+1): create pit [X], glitterdust [X] [ ], resist energy* [X], scorching ray [X], spontaneous immolation [ ]
Level 3 Prepared (2+1+1): dispel magic* [X] [X], fireball [ ], haste [X]
Level 4 Prepared (1+1+1): stoneskin* [X] [ ], wall of fire [ ]
Protective Ward used: 4/8
Ongoing Effects:
protection from energy (Quinn): 70 minutes
stoneskin: 0/80 damage absorbed, 80 minute duration
ward: 3/6 rounds
pit: 2/9 rounds
Round 3, Init 11
AC = 23 (Warded)
HP = 74/74
Weapon Equipped = +1 Falchion
Condition(s) = Warded, Stoneskin DR 10/Adamantine 80dam
Pharasma's Blessings = 2-1, 2-2
Tsin watches the pit erupt before her, watches the creature throw Quinn down, watches Quinn bolt back up. She almost loses track of the large hag.
When Malavarius protects her, she pivots and chases the hag. "It will be my pleasure, Mal." She trusts in Mal's magic enough to restrain herself from casting the Slowness on the hag to prevent attacks while she closes.
Round 3, Init 16
ZephTyr *airpalms* as Quinn goes headlong down the pit.
Typical Quinn. Always falling for the ugly ones.
ZephTyr flies around the hag, , slamming when he gets there.
to hit; (power attack,)
slam damage.
Pot crit:
to hit; (power attack,)
slam damage.
AC 3 NA + 2 dex + 2 dex + 1 ring +3 barkskin +4 mage armor= 25
HP 83/83
Mage Armor (7 hours)
Endure Elements (24 hours)
Resinous Skin (160 minutes)
Barkskin(160 minutes)
Greater Longstrider (8 hours)
Combat:
Attack: +6 BAB +5 Str +1 Amulet =+12
Slam: [dice]1d6+7 /dice] slam damage.
Hektir: 16
Quinn: 15
Malavarius: 12
Tsin: 11
Pemsworth: 10
Antagonist: 9
Mal's staff bops the hag as she moves, drawing a grimace and growl from the giant woman, though she easily avoids Pems' dagger.
She lashes out as Hektir flies past her, ripping at his airy form even as he slams her.
Pems reappears and rushes into the fray, along with Tsin, whose blade cuts deeply into the giantess, who looks to be feeling the effect of her wounds now.
As Pems' casts his spell, her eyes widen and she cries out in fear.
A moment later, she casts -- carefully to avoid provoking any attacks -- and disappears. A second later you can see the curtain behind her flap as she pushes through it.
Maiden no-so-fair: 114, divine favor (+2) 9 rds.
Quinn slices at nothing, hoping to connect with something...
...but fails to make contact with anything.
"Hags that look like beautiful women. Flying goat men with pet carnivorous plants. Two-headed giant witches. What kind of damnable place is this?!?" Pems lowers his icicle dagger, but shakes his head disgustedly. "So, was that a prisoner or a resident?"
Malavarius hurries after the fleeing hag, "Not so fast, madam!" Skidding to stop past the curtains, he looks ahead and to his right and blurts, "Oh good heavens! Which way have you gone, you crooked crone?!" Making a snap decision, Malavarius calls forth a burst of golden flakes in the midst of the hall!
HP: 39/44
AC: 13 (13 T / 12 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 [X] [ ]
Level 2 Prepared (3+2+1): create pit [X], glitterdust [X] [X], resist energy* [X], scorching ray [X], spontaneous immolation [ ]
Level 3 Prepared (2+1+1): dispel magic* [X] [X], fireball [ ], haste [X]
Level 4 Prepared (1+1+1): stoneskin* [X] [ ], wall of fire [ ]
Protective Ward used: 4/8
Ongoing Effects:
protection from energy (Quinn): 70 minutes
stoneskin: 0/80 damage absorbed, 80 minute duration
ward: 4/6 rounds
pit: 3/9 rounds
Round AoO
to hit; (power attack, flank)
slam damage.
High is good
Zephtyr swings at air.
Round 4, Init 16
ZephTyr looks around for the hag, hoping another can pinpoint it.
"Where!?"
Zephtyr will fly and slam the hag
to hit; (power attack)
slam damage.
ZephTyr casts his own spells of manly might, unleashing Echolocation. He will fly in the direction of the hag, pointing out her location to the others.
AC 3 NA + 2 dex + 2 dex + 1 ring +3 barkskin +4 mage armor= 25
HP 83/83
Mage Armor (7 hours)
Endure Elements (24 hours)
Resinous Skin (160 minutes)
Barkskin(160 minutes)
Greater Longstrider (8 hours)
Combat:
Attack: +6 BAB +5 Str +1 Amulet =+12
Slam: [dice]1d6+7 /dice] slam damage.
Quinn runs after Mal, looking for any signs of the witchy hag.