Callix draws her magical axe, spinning it in her hand, and says, "Well, it might be time to see about that fire of yours, Timm.... and I'm thinking we might want me to cast silence so Samuel's musket doesn't attract every guard in the city before we're even two feet into the woods."
No touching dolls - check. I'll limit myself to burning dolls. - says Timm, scratching his chin.
"I am starting to like this gnome" Samuel grins.
...my cousin Babburcio Beggins couldn't speak for hours after he met one witch...
"I am sure a few people likely took the witch for a hero afterwards" Samuel chuckles.
The Taldan takes the blanch and applies it to 10 of his bullets that he adds to the 5 remaining with the previous blanch "Thanks Letitia. I am sure you have good reasons for this prevision"
---
Samuel advances himself in an attempt to gain passage or at least confuse the trolls while the group prepares in the back. Talking in Skald "Hi there you guards of the market. Elvhanna sends us to inform you the riots are intensifying in the southern quarter and requests two of you, his strongest guards, to go reinforce the troops there"
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Letitia's mouth grows tight as Timm begins to give a long-winded explanation about his family's dealings with witches. After a while, her fingers twitch as they long to take up the needle and thread that would let her cast lipstitch. Thankfully, Lazlo hoots that another spell is ready, so she steps away to commune with her familiar.
=======================
Letitia is again wearing a dress befitting a Jadwiga, leaving her shoulders bare and having only a white lace up and down her sleeves. She steps up to stand a pace behind Samuel and affects a haughty demeanor. "Go! And be quick about it!" she snaps. She'll also translate the instructions into Giant if the trolls don't seem to understand Samuel.
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The three trolls look at you, clearly with some confusion. you don't look like winter guard... but Samuel walks up like he is supposed to be there and gives new orders, and the group does have a Jadwiga with them...
the three talk amongst themselves for several moments, Letitia picks out bits of what they are saying in Giant
....I'll go... he said the strongest... you want to say no to her?... what about the... just go!...
after some discussion, two of the trolls walk away, eyeing the eclectic party closely, but continuing on their way.
that leaves just one troll watching you.
in Skald he says
All right, enough lollygagging. don't you have somewhere better to be?
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Letitia calmly takes a step forward. In Skald, she answers him, "Yes, we do. Our queen commands us to take possession of the hut. She is tired of the delays. You will accompany us inside the wood."
Timm notices that only a single troll stayed, and smiles with happiness. The air warms up around him - and suddenly he lets a blast of pure fire flow from his hands towards the single enemy.
The shot ends up flying a lot hotter and stronger than he expected, and he has difficulties pretending he knew what he was doing.
When fire starts to burst around Timm, Samuel hits him with the back of his musket calling his attention "Easy boy, look the witch is doing her business" he casts a smile.
"You are just arrived, you sure want to pay more attention and not end like your cousin with the lips stuck together eh?" Samuel waits to see if Letitia 'convinces' the troll about his new job.
unfortunately for Letitia, these trolls are members of a hand-picked militia serving the current Witch Queen. they are well trained to recognize certain spells and hexes, and this allows the guard to shrug off the compulsion easily.
"that wasn't very nice now, was it lass? he hefts his axe and walks towards you
he walks right up to Letitia and swings his big axe with two hands
The whole party may act
Global Condition: none |Party Condition:
Callix HP: 51/51 - AC: 20/14/16 Status:
Letitia: HP: 11/30 - AC: 17/12/15 Status: mage armor
Timm HP: 63/63 NL 6 - AC: 22/16/18 Status:
Samuel HP: 51/51 - AC: 22/18/15 Status:
Ashling HP: 44/44 - AC: 19/15/15 Status: Cold 5NPCs:
Troll : HP ?? | AC: ??
Letitia reels from the heavy blow. She staggers back a step, but rather than fear, outrage fills her. How DARE this beast get the better of her. Her eyes glow a glacial blue as she summons her witch's powers and throws them at the troll, all the while hissing in the giant's own language.
"You will die in your bed; no weapon in your hand.
Disgrace be your fate, feel the hourglass' sand.
"Tsk!" Samuel curses when the troll manages to go over Letitia and almost cut her in half.
The Taldan raises his musket and aims at the giant creature expecting to go down with the witch hex. If not, he releases the bullet on the troll before it can get another attack.
"your tricks won't work on me! traitor to the throne. you will die here!
Samuel sees the troll not fall asleep and fires a bullet, the sound echoing through the market square. the bullet strikes the troll, but doesn't stop him.
Callix, Ashling, Timm, troll, Letitia, Samuel
Global Condition: none |Party Condition:
Callix HP: 51/51 - AC: 20/14/16 Status:
Letitia: HP: 17/36 - AC: 18/12/15 Status: mage armor
Timm HP: 63/63 NL 6 - AC: 22/16/18 Status:
Samuel HP: 51/51 - AC: 22/18/15 Status:
Ashling HP: 44/44 - AC: 19/15/15 Status: Cold 5NPCs:
Troll : HP -19 | AC: ??
Oh no! - says Timm, both hands in his head, as the enemy advances towards Letitia.
The gnome then proceeds to move sideways, trying to find an angle without cover, and lets out a blast of pure fire.
The ball of fire forms around him at a monstrous pace, forming rays of fantastic light effects. The entire air around the gnome seems to warm, but yet - only a little drop of fire leaves his hands, and he disappears barely five feet away from the pyrokineticist with an almost silent *poof*.
Timm shows his teeth, cheeks pinking up from shame. I can do better!, he mouths.
Callix sighs, Should have gotten closer, just in case..., then rushes in, hoping her natural agility will be enough to avoid a claw as she closes, swinging her axe at the troll.
Ashling draws her scimitar with a sigh and dashes up to the troll, swinging her blade like a whirling dervish.
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seeing Letitia take a big hit, the others rush in to help her. unfortunately, all three of them miss!
the troll swings at Callix as she tries to close the distance, but it is focused on the witch and does not connect either
it continues to attack Letitia, focused on stopping the traitor Jadwiga
it misses twice, but makes a connection with a backhanded claw. it knocks the wind out of her, but she stubbornly stays on her feet.
meanwhile, the bullet wound in the troll's flesh closes, the spent bullet falling on the cobblestones with a clang.
the whole party may act
Global Condition: none |Party Condition:
Callix HP: 51/51 - AC: 20/14/16 Status:
Letitia: HP: 5/36 - AC: 18/12/15 Status: mage armor
Timm HP: 63/63 NL 6 - AC: 22/16/18 Status:
Samuel HP: 51/51 - AC: 22/18/15 Status:
Ashling HP: 44/44 - AC: 19/15/15 Status: Cold 5NPCs:
Troll : HP -14 | AC: 19
Timm once again focus, but this time he does so ever more intensely. It's visible the fire around him concentrates in such way that even his skin seems to burn, visibly hurting the gnome in the process. He moves to avoid his allies with his blast, and when he finds a position where the enemy doesn't have any cover - he shoots an empowered blast of incandescent pain.
"Tsk! It's flesh is regenerating..." Samuel points out while astonishingly fast reloading the musket with another bullet.
Rising his aim, steadying the firearm on his right shoulder, the man targets for the head of the creature "You, silly bag of muscles, should have followed the witch's order. Now, leave her be"
Ashling continues to try and hit the troll, activating the cold aura of the riders cloak, holding her position on the opposite side of the troll
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Ashling moves in to attack, taking on the appearance of the Black Rider. her cold aura does nothing to the troll, and her sword swing is just off, glancing off of the hard body of the troll
Samuel and Timm are both able to find weak spots with their shots. a bullet sinks into the troll, followed by scorching fire that melts part of the troll's side and stops its regeneration.
the troll takes another step towards Letitia, trying to finish her with his last breath, but the fire is too much for his body to handle and he falls to the ground, smoking.
end of comabt
Global Condition: none |Party Condition:
Callix HP: 51/51 - AC: 20/14/16 Status:
Letitia: HP: 5/36 - AC: 18/12/15 Status: mage armor
Timm HP: 63/63 NL 6 - AC: 22/16/18 Status:
Samuel HP: 51/51 - AC: 22/18/15 Status:
Ashling HP: 44/44 - AC: 19/15/15 Status: Cold 5NPCs:
Troll : HP -59 | AC: 19 - dead
Letitia replaces the pinch of mica she had started to retrieve from her pouch when the troll falls to the ground. She leans in close, eyes blazing and her bloodied face contorted in fury. She hisses at it in its racial language.
"Were I not pressed for time I would flay the skin from your bones for days and dance to your screams. I will savor your dying breath for a long time to come."
After saying her piece, Letitia chants softly while she uncorks an empty vial and holds it at the troll's mouth for a moment. Then she corks it up and stows it away on her person. Then she uses her icicle wand to pry the troll's eyes out. She puts them into another compartment.
Callix produces the wand, "It would seem that these have been warded against enchantments," she offers as she begins to heal the witch.
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Letitia jumps slightly at the first touch of the wand. She rises to her feet smoothly after her grisly business with the troll. "Warded, trained, lucky or stubborn," she says, and spits upon the corpse.
She steps away from the dead troll and casts a spell on herself, false life.
"I am fine to continue. Let's enter these enchanted woods, shall we? The hut awaits us within."
Timm approaches in a shy manner.
Are... Are you okay? - he spoke, stuttering for moments - You will forgive me if my first reflex is to just... Burn... These brutes. You know, gnomes and trolls have a bit of a story!
He waits for her to complete her business with the troll and people inspect him for any goods, before swiftly burning the remains.
I remember my cousin Gadenyo Gorebosem. He was such a nice fellow! He used to navigate the Varisian forests searching for the special yew wood they have over there to make his fantastic lutes. Anyway, a given day he crossed with a couple trolls there... Rock trolls, mind you, not these ice ones. They were frozen in place through some sort of spells, but poor Gadenyo still managed to get hurt when he went to inspect them and the statues dropped over his left foot. And it was his good foot! He used it to play kick-the-ball games on the Sunday faires by auntie Murea Mardigras. Ah, she was something! The funniest of my aunties! Always willing to tell a good tale...
He finally interrupts himself - maybe something of a miracle - as he turns to Samuel.
Wait! These things... These firearms... They were incredible! So strong, precise... And so, so loud! - he speaks - I... I bet we should be concerned on who else heard it!
"Au! Nice barbecue, gnome!" Samuel smiles and hangs his musket on his back "Perhaps the Summer Lords sent us a blessing with you after all"
"Help me here Ashling!" while Callix and Letitia work on placing the witch back at working state, Samuel requests the help of the blue fighter to move the troll scorched remains behind one of the trees.
He picks up any useful item or treasure the troll might have had.
"Yeah, let's move on. It seems there are two ways, let's go left for now, for example" picking up a random direction, the Taldan starts to move forward with the party.
Letitia checks the spots where her wounds used to be, nodding in approval at the healing while Timm talks about his family's experiences with trolls. She remains quiet, trying to keep from wondering too much about how that troll had managed to throw off two of her effects. And not thinking about what might have happened if it threw off a third, if her companions hadn't been able to bring it down.
When Samuel picks the left branch of the fork in the path before them, she scowls. It was smaller and seemed to turn away from the center of the wood. "The path with the most tracks should lead the way to the hut, I expect. Alec--" she turns, expecting to see the hunter with them and catching herself too late. She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.
Trying not to tremble, she gives Samuel a "go ahead" gesture.
"Hmmm... well, you are right, the other side is perhaps more transited... my thought was we are less probably less seen on the left" seeing Letitia just makes the go ahead gesture, he moves forward checking ahead for danger "Anyway, any of the two can be the better path, we just do not know... so let's just take this one and keep moving"
Samuel moves ahead and to the left after some discussion on whether to go with the wider path to the right or the smaller one to the left.
A pool of strange silvery water stands in a clearing here. On the pool’s surface, ripples begin at its outermost edges and rush inward to a single point, where drops of water fall up toward the sky. The entire pool rains skyward while snowflakes float down between the droplets. A brisk wind rustles through the trees. Paths continue on to the north and east out of the clearing.
a thin figure stands in the center of the frigid, ankle-deep water with one shoulder hunched and his head cocked at a crooked angle. it is humanoid but definitely not human, with blazing eyes and hair that almost looks to be on fire.
there is another figure hiding in the bushes to the north end of the clearing
"Is this some relative of you gnome?" Samuel observes the drops going up in the sky for some seconds then addresses the fiery figure "Ei, can you tell us where is the Dancing Hut?"
Noticing something, Samuel turns to the bushes at the north and asks "Who is there?"
Hearing Samuel speak, Letitia goes around the corner to see the strange pool.
She considers the odd scene, and the fiery figure in the center of the water.
Also she wonders about how the water could be flowing upward.
Callix waits, looking at the strange creature, trying to figure out what it might be.
I can’t say I recognize her, my good boy. - says the gnome, thinning his eyes to check - Hey there! Oh, I do love your eyes and your hair!
He completes with the most honest of his smiles, fascinated by the flames. He might be in love again.
You recognize the creature from your studies of the fey. this is a Dawn Piper. they create elemental fonts like the one you see here. the font is somehow connected to the First World and gives the piper some abilities based on the type of element involved.
the water itself seems to be natural, and is falling upward as a result of the reality-bending power of the piper.
the creature turns slowly to look at you, but continues to hold its odd pose.
though the hair is bright and fiery like Timm's, the creature does not look like a gnome. it is tall and thin, more like an elf. the hair glows slightly and seems to be moving of its own accord.
the creature replies to Timm, its voice detached and haughty ah, more denizens of this sad and colorless plane. of course you love that which reminds you of your true home little one. perhaps you would like to serve me, like my steward from the Dullard Lands they indicate the bushes to the north and a small creature shuffles out. it is a spriggan, holding a simple sword and watching you all warily.
the creature does not respond to Samuel's question at all
Letitia makes a sidelong glance at the gnome beside her, wondering if the mercurial being would be enticed by the fey's offer. She dismisses the speculation as she focuses on seeing if there was anything to be gleaned from this native of the First World.
"I am Jadwiga Letitia. Has any other Jadwiga been by to treat with you? I would know what bargains or alliances you have struck with them, if any."
Samuel does not lose his eye on the spriggan.
"Yes, you better tell us what this weird font is about and where the hut is located" the man words come out not very skillful.
Timm looks at the creature - first speechless, then finally back to his own.
Sweet cheeks, you come with looks and an attitude, huh? - he pauses briefly to smile even more - You almost make an old gnome learn to climb! We do have more pressing matters at the moment, though, like my friends already expressed.
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well it is nice to meet you, miss Jadwiga. quite a unique name it is. I cannot say I have ever met another person with the name Jadwiga, and certainly have not made any alliances with them. and what is it you wish to bargain? are you jealous of my offer to the gnome? perhaps I could take you on as a servant, but what is it you could offer me in exchange?
they cut off when Samuel cuts in. their eyes narrow and they look down at the gunslinger.
"you ask questions as if you somehow deserve answers from me. as if your simple human mind could even understand an explanation of First World magic. i must say i am amazed that your species has lasted this long."
Letitia's voice comes out sharp and cold as the winter wind. "Jadwiga are not servants, Dawn Piper. We rule this land on behalf of the Mother of Witches herself, Baba Yaga, my grandmother. If these names mean nothing to you, then you are no use to me."
She turns to the others, dismissing her. "It's clear the hut is not here. Let's try that other path."
Callix chuckles for a moment, then adds, "However, in case human names and titles bore you too much to learn them, we're asking if you've had dealing with someone who'd be about that dismissive."
Ashling as the black rider steps forward , Their species lasts this long because they are exceptionally good at one thing. Much like myself. This Jadwiga, has aligned herself to me and thus the Mother. pick a side Dawn Piper, be intelligent. WHEN we return things to normal, the Mother will reward those who sided with her
"The Dullard Lands? Where or what is that?" Samuel asks around confused.
The Taldan bites his tongue when the creature addresses him, and instead of another impertinence he asks "What are you doing here? What is this font of yours?"
Nodding to Letitia he adds "Yes, we do not have time for socializing, we need to find the hut. Perhaps we need to cross to the other side of the lake though"
Letitia stopped in the middle of her storming off when her companions kept talking with the Dawn Piper. Her near death by the ice troll had her on edge. A simple-minded troll wasn't cowed by her status as Jadwiga, and that bothered her more than she let on.
She let out a groan when Samuel kept asking questions. "It's a Dawn Piper, Samuel. The elemental font connects to the First World and gives it abilities based on the element -- in this case water. Being a native of the world of the fey, it likely regards this realm as dull and lifeless. Hence, Dullard Lands. Keep asking questions and you'll prove the Piper correct."
Samuel grumbles, but nods admitting Letitia knows more about this than him "He might have something to do about the forest growing here. If she really comes from the First World and all that..."
Casting a last look, Samuel moves with Letitia to the other path to check what is there.
When we're done saving Golarion... Write me, hot cake. I'm sure we can have fascinating stories to share - some we will tell each other, many more we can experience together. - says the Gnome, still flirting with the fey, but following the others.
The piper chuckles at Letitia's outburst
"very well, little ruler of this land. run along and find your granny! i shall stay here, shaking in my boots, I assure you.
as the others talk with each other discussing the piper, the font, the dullard lands, and such the piper just raises their eyebrow with a slightly amused expression. when the group leaves they go back to whatever it is they are doing with the font, ignoring the party completely.
Samuel and Letitia lead the way back to the fork and head in the opposite direction. they see from here that a wide path leads directly North to another clearing, and a smaller path leads east.
to the east they see a house that has been lifted up off the ground by the rapidly growing trees! the foundation is broken, and the house sways slightly in the wind. you can see movement from the windows of the house
Letitia rolls her eyes, refusing to be baited by the fey. Perhaps one day she will have the luxury of returning to teach the being some proper respect, but she lacked the time.
When they see the broken house swaying in the wind on the treetops, she activates her Flight hex and rises up to get a better look inside the windows.
Samuel chuckles at Timm approaches with the fey "Do not throw off the towel, the ones that deserve it the most are the tougher ones"
Back to the central path, the High Sentinel has his musket ready in case something dangerous gets out of the house.
Samuel observes the tree in the house while and Letitia venturing within "Take care Letitia, it does not seem very stable that one"
For some reason the man does not seem any surprised that the witch is suddenly flying.
Callix watches Letitia fly up, Hope nothing happens to her up there, as I don't really have the means to help...