Letitia tilts her head, looking impressed at the Ulfen's idea to learn the language absent her headband. She nods her head briefly, then walks over to Ashling.
"You rarely complain about the wounds you take. Which is fine, but don't let healing resources go unused." She taps the young assassin on the shoulder, bestowing her healing hex.
"Yes, Samuel. Let's return to that first dawn piper. Then we'll ready ourselves to confront Nazhena."
the group backtracks through the forest pathways back to the entrance to the market square. the forest is eerily calm, especially now that many of the things that were in this part of the woods have been dealt with.
the group pulls up in the first clearing where they can just make out the water font that they first found before they knew what was going on.
Samuel moves himself into the middle position, just in front of Letitia, but behind Callix and Ashling "Good. Let's give the last piper a scary surprise and remove from her any desire to come back again to our world"
Samuel loads a cold iron coated bullet.
Callix suggests, "Start with a volley from Samuel and Timm?" as she looks for a place close enough to leap into combat.
Letitia nods at the plan and moves up, planning to hex the dawn piper as soon as she's in range.
If the group manages a chance for a surprise attack, Samuel definitely goes for it.
Moving both himself and Letitia within 30 feet.
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unfortunately, the piper sees the party coming. maybe Samuel was just a little too loud, or maybe the piper felt the disturbance of the other fonts falling.
The piper sees Samuel coming with a musket raised, and casts a spell on him.
There is no need for this. surely you don't intend to bring that horrible weapon to bear against me? join me and I can help you learn the secrets you have always wanted to know. what do you seek? the human female who bears a resemblance to you perhaps?
you have failed a save against charm monster. her words sound very reasonable to you!
the whole party may act!
Letitia rolls her eyes when Samuel seems ensorcelled. "Samuel is out of this fight for the moment. Deal with the fey's ally we saw lurking around here earlier."
Letitia levies her Slumber hex at the dawn piper.
Samuel lower his musket and raises an eyebrow "What are you talking about piper? Do you know about Ariadna? I made an oath to protect her since we were kids" the Taldan makes signs for the group to halt "Wait, I think she is a friend, she might know something about my sister!"
Callix nods at Letitia's warning, stepping forward to heft her cold iron axe, throwing it at the fae, hoping that it might snap the spell holding Samuel.
for
"The fey is lying to you, Samuel. Though I do not believe you will listen to me so long as she has you enchanted," Letitia says with a note of exasperation in her voice.
She wades into melee after the initial ranged assault, assuming it's not flying, Samuel! You can't trust fey. They lie, curse and Manipulate for fun! Ashling shouts as she runs by, I will not let this happen again...This fey dies now.
Timm scratches his head at Samuel's reluctance, but everyone else was attacking so he fires off a blast at the piper.
"No! What are you doing?!" Samuel tries to grab Ashling as she dashes forward, but she is too far, so he instead tries to stop Callix blocking her with his musket "Stop this madness! She wants to tell me what has it been with Ariadna! If you kill her I will never know!"
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The group moves to attack the fey, Letitia recognizing that the piper has charmed Samuel. the group does not stop with Samuel's plea, and Callix deftly side-steps his attempt to grapple her.
Callix then chucks an axe at the piper, striking for good damage, once again bringing out an angry yell at the use of the forbidden metal.
Ashling joins in charging the piper with her sword and drawing blood.
Timm is thrown off slightly by the actions of the others and his aim is off, just missing the fey with a fire spell.
Letitia holds, and her patience is rewarded as the little grey spriggan comes barreling out of the underbrush, growing in instants to a much much larger size.
as it approaches, Letitia hexes it, and it drops to the ground sound asleep
you should listen to your ranger! we could have been allies! now you will never know the secrets i could offer you! know your place and bow before my power!
the piper glows, surrounding itself in an intense aura of magnificence that is too potent for non-fey to withstand
Callix and Ashling are both blinded by the brilliant light, and take 1 point of bleed damage as their eyes bleed from the very sight of the creature.
Letitia and Samuel are unaffected, and Timm is far enough away that he is not hurt either.
fortunately, the attack shakes Samuel out of his charmed state
the party may act
Global Condition: none |Party Condition:
Callix HP: 49/51 - AC: 20/14/16 Status: blind
Letitia: HP: 44/36 - AC: 18/12/15 Status: mage armor, 8 thp
Timm HP: 62/63 NL 6 - AC: 22/16/18 Status:
Samuel HP: 51/51 - AC: 22/18/15 Status:
Ashling HP: 42/44 - AC: 19/15/15 Status: Cold 5, blindNPCs:
Dawn Piper HP: -21 | AC: ?/15/? |
Spriggan HP: ?? | AC: ?? | asleep
Unable to see, but feeling the strange wound, Callix quickly casts a Cure Light Wounds on herself to clear her sight -- or, at least, stop the bleeding.
"You lost your chance to ally with me when we first met and you chose mockery. I will never bow to the likes of you."
Samuel is fast to cover his eyes from the blinding light "Rats! You had no intention to help us, you just tampered with my mind, isn't it?!"
The Taldan frowns angrily and shots the loaded cold iron bullet at the piper "You could have helped us in the first place!"
And quickly reloads another cold iron coated bullet.
Samuel snaps out of his thoughts and sees that his group was correct to keep fighting the fey. he shoots the piper with an iron bullet
Timm steadies himself taking careful aim. a burst oof fire streams towards the piper again
this time it hits, finishing off the fey!
the water that was flowing upward falls to the ground and stops moving.
end of combat
Letitia nods in satisfaction when the dawn piper falls. She moves over to the sleeping spriggan and kicks away its weapon. She debates with herself, tapping her icicle wand against her thigh, as she contemplates jabbing it into its throat.
She points to it. "Watch that. When it wakes, it might still be violent. But it was also likely charmed by the Piper, so you may wish to give it a chance to live."
She turns her attention to the piper's corpse and the remains of the font. She casts detect magic, looking for signs of active magic auras and for signs that the elemental font is shut down -- or whether any other fonts seem to remain.
Callix keeps blinking the blood away, trying to restore her sight.
"Do you think she was lying?" Samuel looks at the fallen piper while leaning his musket over the shoulder "Or she truly knew something about Ariadna?"
The man kneels and examines the fallen bodies and the area.
"So... what know? Shall we wait for the trees to return to the wild plane they came from?" the High Sentinel turns towards Letitia "Or is the way to the Hut just opened?"
"Unlikely," Letitia answers Samuel while still studying the magical auras. "Remember, this fey did not admit to speaking with any Jadwiga. Bargaining with her would have been dangerous. Better to find Grandmother and see if she will assist in finding your sister."
Callix nods, "It's just the right type of lie to land, Samuel."
Casting a last look to the fallen enemy, Samuel nods to Letitia and Callix "Let's return to the center of the forest. It seemed the entrance to the hut was there"
Callix nods, "Here's hoping there's nothing between us. Let's take it carefully, though -- we don't want to blunder into a fight with Nazhena -- and whomever are guarding her -- unprepared."
Letitia continues her inspection for magical auras, but she says, "Indeed. We need to be ready to face Nazheena when we approach the gate. But there is also a side path near the pool." She gestures to it. "If there is a fourth font, it may be in that direction."
Letitia starts examining the auras around her. the magical auras that she found earlier in the dense vegetation remains as strong as ever, but it is unclear whether that magic was tied to the fonts or not. the area where the font was has no magical aura anymore.
the spriggan is laying on the ground, still sleeping but after a few moments he starts to stir a bit.
Samuel wonders if the piper could have been telling at least a partial truth about seeing his sister as he examines the area. the sprigan has a mwk morningstar but nothing else of value. the piper has nothing you could make use of.
in the center of the pol of water where the font was, you see 5 large oysters, larger than any you have seen before.
Callix suggests heading back to the center of the market square, but Letitia also sees a side path that could be followed.
Letitia shakes her head as she can't tell if all the fonts have been shut down. "The magic is still surrounding us. Since it hasn't diminished with the destruction of three elemental fonts, I can only surmise the magic is coming from the Dancing Hut itself. We can go see if the way is open to us, or inspect that path first. I care not."
She points to the spriggan waking up. "Kill it or get ready in case it is still hostile when it wakes."
Callix says, "Or that we've missed a font."
Letitia's mouth twists in annoyance. "Possibly, I suppose," she says in a clipped tone, "but the magic is just as strong as before we started shutting the fonts down. So, it is unlikely that the two are related."
Perhaps the magic isn't the hut, not that the hut isn't magical. It has to be ... but something around ot guarding it and these fonts were further protection for that? As for the fey, They expressed no interest in betrayal, kill it and be done with it
Samuel frowns and approaches the spriggan, picking up the morningstar making sure he is unarmed "Are we monsters? The creature is defeated, alone and unarmed..." he pushes the fey to see his face "You, disappear out of my face before the witch decides to apply more permanent measures to you..."
Given Letitia's and Callix answers, Samuel starts to walk back towards the center of the forest "Let's see if the way to the hut is open. If not, we can go west through the woods from there to check if in this section is another source of power"
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Letitia glares at the spriggan to back up Samuel's threat.
When the gunman decides to start heading toward the middle of the forest, Letitia calls out. "Hold a moment. Samuel, Timm, pay attention especially." She takes several paces until she stands thirty-five feet from them. "Mark this distance, and come no closer to Nazheena unless absolutely necessary. If you step closer than this, then she can target you with her hexes.
"My next suggestion is that you take aim, wait for her to start casting a spell, and then attack. She will no doubt have a number of vicious magic spells to throw at us, but it takes effort and concentration. If you disrupt that concentration by wounding her, you can stop Nazheena's spells before they're cast."
Samuel takes good note of Letitia's explanations "So you are telling me that if I shoot her at the exact moment she is saying her magic words, she is going to lose her magic?" the Taldan smiles maliciously "G$#%@$mit, that is a great thing to know!"
He looks how Letitia picks up the oysters with appetite "I certainly would not mind a snack"
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Callix says, "Spellcasting takes concentration, Samuel. Getting a new hole in your flesh tends to mess that up.. though a trained mind may be able to focus past the pain and finish the spell."
the spriggan wakes up and looks around confused and a little groggy. it sees the dead piper, and Samuel standing over it. the spriggan is about to act tough or object and it catches Letitia's death stare and thinks better of any reisstance.
The creature shrinks back to small size and bows several times
"yes, yes, masters. leaving right now. you will never see me again, I promise! and he leaves quite quickly, vanishing around the bend.
Letitia gives the others some helpful pointers about countering her particular brand of spell-casting.
Letitia and Samuel pick up some oysters and find some really amazing pearls inside! you shuck all of the oysters finding 10 enormous freshwater pearls, each worth 400 gp!
after some discussion, Letitia points out the the magic is still at very similar levels as it has been. the group moves back to the entrance to the market square. from here, you can see that the crazy magical reality-warping barrier has vanished! the way is open, what do you do now?
Letitia's breath catches when the way is open. Her mouth suddenly goes dry and her heart starts beating rapidly. The way was open to the hut, and to her grandmother -- the legendary Baba Yaga.
But first, she would have to face its guardian, her distant cousin Nazheena. She casts hex ward upon herself and strides forward.
Callix smiles, "If the way is open, I guess it's time... Though I've a few spells to cast."
"That was certainly a profitable snack" exclaims Samuel after extracting the last freshwater pearl and eating the oyster.
When his stare raises up, he finds the way open, and makes a tilted smile "Let's see what guardians the witches have left for the hut"
While Letitia and Callix casts their spells, Samuel takes one of the oils of magic weapon and applies it to his musket after checking a bullet is well loaded "Let's go, it is the time!"
With that, he advances towards the north of the vanished magical barrier.
Letitia pauses and makes sure everyone has cast all their pre-combat spells. "Assuming it is Nazheena there between us and the Hut," she says softly while activating her Flight Hex and rising up into the air about ten feet, "I want to talk to her. She is family, after all."
She flies forward with the rest of the group as they pass by the barrier and toward Baba Yaga's hut.
Callix winces, "That's a terrible risk, Letitia, especially given the circumstances of you leaving."
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Timm hangs back as you start prepping to go into the clearing.
"you guys are really going through with this eh? a full oon assault against one of the Jadwiga? I mean I'm all for sneaking around, stealing some stuff from the witches, messing with their supplies, killing some underlings... but a full witch? fighting her on purpose?? you all are crazy. and not the good kind of crazy i thought you were...
I'm sorry, I just don't think I can do it. I'm not ready to throw my life away fro whatever it is you lot are doing. I don't know that it matters that much too me which witch is in charge around here.
He backs away from the group and where the distortion once stood. he looks ashamed to be running from a fight, but also quite terrified
"I simply wish to give her the chance to stand aside as we breach the hut," Letitia answers Callix. "Nazheena's conniving and ambitious; I might be able to play to that."
After a pause, she shrugs. "It... probably won't work, though." Her voice has a tinge of sadness to it.
She is about to float forward when Timm talks about his reluctance to face a Jadwiga. She turns back around and looks down at him from where she is floating. "We've no time for you to work up your courage, Timm. Callix's spells will not last long. Your fire will be useful in the upcoming battle, but not if you lack the will to use it. Come along or run away, but decide. Now."
It is... risky. But i understand your want to speak to your family. If it were my brother, i would want to try to talk him down as well... Do what you must Letitia Ashling keeps her veneer of calm
"It is fine Timm, you are a free spirit after all" Samuel speaks up through his clenched mouth while arming his musket "Not every heart is crazy enough to face a witch's magic"
"Run now and tell our allies we made it to the hut. It is time for them to plan out the follow up, whether we are successful and take the hut or we fail and the chance is over" stepping forward and passing through the previous barrier, the man makes his way into the hut clearing "Either way, all the city shall soon know about the result..."
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Timm's eyes light up a bit as Samuel gives him a clean out.
Yes, of course. someone has to report back to the Heralds. they need to know what happened in here... I can do that! good luck to you brave people. Maybe I'll see you again somewhere. you never know I suppose... and with that he takes his leave.
The group moves towards the clearing.
A two-story wooden hut dominates this clearing. The hovel stands on enormous chicken legs that restlessly scratch at the ground, but a gigantic manacle of iron, attached to a huge chain bolted to a spike in the earth, shackles the hut in place. An osseous fence surrounds the structure, and two corpses are impaled upon the sharpened bone pickets. A few ravens hop and flutter over the bodies, picking at the choicest bits of flesh.
Within the clearing are three figures. Immediately you notice a winter witch in a flowing blue gown with snow white trim, holding a scythe made from ice. she is easily recognized from her statue you saw in her tower. Nazheena is clearly not surprised to see you.
Behind her is a second woman dressed in warm clothing with a cloak and hood, who appears to be studying the fence around the hut and taking notes.
Between you and the women stands a massive soldier made out of ice who shifts to block your path forward.
Nazheena speaks
“I suppose I should thank you for ridding me of this fey incursion,” she says coldly, “but we both know what you’ve cost me already.”
she eyes you each with a calculating look
"the little runaway witch. the girl with a sword. the drunken ulfen 'priestess'. and you... she singles Samuel out. "why do you fight against your own people? surely you have realized by now. you are one of us. a Jadwiga. you could take your place and help lead this country. As your sister has done.
And at those words, the woman behind her stands up suddenly, hood falling as she turns to the party
"Samuel??" Ariadna exclaims.
Conscious Letitia wants to talk with Nazheena, Samuel just remains silent behind her, supportive. But then, the witch singles him out.
The man's eyes go wide and his mouth opens in surprise "Ariadna! I... I cannot believe I finally found you!" for a second he lowers his musket "But why? Why did you leave in the coldness of the night like that without leaving notice?"
He then looks at Nazheena in disbelief "W-what do you mean?" and back to Ariadna "What have you done Ariadna? What have the Jadwiga done to you? Come here, I will protect you sister"
Callix holds back, forcing herself to hold her tongue rather than hurling vitriol -- and her axe -- at the witch, during her little speech -- but even she blinks at the sudden revelation. She clearly did know we were coming, and was ready to neutralize Samuel before we even got here. Spilled Wine, maybe Timm was right...
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Letitia's stomach twists when she sees the hut in all its glory. She floats up, ready to give Nazheena one chance. Her words falter, however, when Samuel's sister Ariadna is present with her. This could actually be easier. Or more difficult. Probably the latter.
She swallows to wet a mouth suddenly gone dry. She tries to ignore Samuel calling out to his sister, and focuses on her own family member. "Nazheena! I have the keys to the hut, Cousin!" She pauses to see if that gets her attention.
"You know our history! Elvanna is past her time. Her mad plan to cover the world in Winter will draw the ire of every nation on Golarion. I go to fetch our Grandmother, and when Baba Yaga returns, Elvanna and all who stood with her will be crushed!
"Think! When she returns, who will Grandmother reward, if not those who resisted Elvanna? So stand aside. You needn't do anything else. Stand aside, and let me fetch Baba Yaga. You will rise far higher than what Elvanna would be willing to give. And you need do nothing."
Letitia shrugs sadly, imploring her with her eyes. "I would rather you not die this day."