After Skygni is freed, Xanderghul flows out of Melinda's backpack and approaches her. The two seem to engage in some kind of brief, silent conversation.
"You cannot," Skygni finally says aloud, "Possibly be serious."
Xanderghul seems undeterred.
Myriana stops, raises an eyebrow. Looks at Mel questioningly. Looks back at Skygni.
Mel looks from Xander to Skygni, looking mildly confused, "Anything you can share?"
"Nothing of interest," Skygni says, "Unless you care to know that the cat is insane."
"Nothing of interest," Skygni says, "Unless you care to know that the cat is insane."
"How so?" Mel's tone more interested than worried.
"Can we maybe, walk as we talk? I would really like to find the others." Myri offers a smile. She knows the others are as concerned as she is.
"How so?" Mel's tone more interested than worried.
Skygni merely shrugs.
At last. A suitable mate for Xanderghul.
"Can we maybe, walk as we talk? I would really like to find the others." Myri offers a smile. She knows the others are as concerned as she is.
Alaric nods emphatically at this.
Skygni merely shrugs.
Mel looks blank for a second, shrugs, and starts off down the hall past where Runecaster appeared.
You continue down the hallway to a set of stairs that descend to a pair of alcoves flanking an ornate double door. Standing in each alcove is a bronze statue depicting a warrior dressed in the ornate garb and armor of a warrior of distant Tian Xia. Beneath their broad helmets, the statues wear demonic face masks with snarling fanged maws, while their hands clutch gracefully curved swords in poses of battle.
Through the door, you see a chamber which has been transformed into a multilevel architectural wonder. The peak of the ceiling rises to a pyramid sixty feet above the floor. There are four twenty-foot-high ledges overlooking the room, one on each wall. A fountain issues from the southernmost of these ledges, pouring in a waterfall to a decorative pool in the floor containing several ruby-hued koi. Black-lacquered folding screens have been set at various places about the room, creating a veritable maze of panels.
When you open the door, you see an attractive blonde woman who appears to be having tea with a troll. The moment the door opens, the woman smiles broadly at you and steps behind a concealing screen. The troll looks slightly confused.
Alaric looks at the screen, his eyes unfocus, then narrow, as though he is looking through it: a variation on the mind-reading expression Mel finds so obnoxious.
"Ms. Silverskorr? Sorry to bother you like this, but perhaps you can direct us to some guests of yours?" Mel directs her question to the screen behind which the woman stepped.
At the same time, she steps next to Myri, touching her shoulder. "زاندر غول" she says quietly.
"Ms. Silverskorr? Sorry to bother you like this, but perhaps you can direct us to some guests of yours?" Mel directs her question to the screen behind which the woman stepped.
"What guests are those?" the woman asks lightly.
The troll lumbers to its feet.
"What guests are those?" the woman asks lightly.
The troll lumbers to its feet.
"Ulf and Uksahkka for two." A pause, "It is very hard to go on a journey with no guide."
Mel moves over to Rhost, touching his shoulder. "قوة"
"Ulf and Uksahkka for two." A pause, "It is very hard to go on a journey with no guide."
"Are you planning a trip of some kind, then?" she asks. "Sounds delightful."
"She's turned herself invisible," Alaric remarks with clear annoyance.
Mel nods, obviously not surprised by such an action. She keeps her eyes trained toward the screen behind which the woman had moved.
Hrunndalf casts Bull's Strength.
"Yes," he replies. "I hear it's lovely this time of year."
"Yes," he replies. "I hear it's lovely this time of year."
"Oh? Where are you headed?" she asks.
"I was thinking that a journey west would be nice. But we need guides."
"I was thinking that a journey west would be nice. But we need guides."
"West? To ... Arcadia?"
"West? To ... Arcadia?"
"What do you care?" says Hrunndalf before his curse kicks in. "You'll be dead."
"What do you care?" says Hrunndalf before his curse kicks in. "You'll be dead."
"Mmm," she answers. "I suppose, one way or the other, it doesn't really matter."
Kalimac and Attatoq move a bit away from the main group, the better to set up charges.
“Some of the others were convinced that we had ended the Amatatsu line back at Brinewall, you know,” she remarks, in a casual tone. ”I was never so certain. We never found the Seal, after all, and I didn’t like that. It left things ... messy. And so I remained in this backwater pesthole of a land, slowly accumulating power over the course of decades. It took a good deal of effort. Faking my own death. Murdering my lover. Gradually increasing the power of the Rimerunners Guild step by step. All with one aim in mind – ensuring that an Amatatsu would never, ever sit upon the Jade Throne. I stand athwart the pathway to Minkai, in a kingdom that, for all practical purposes, I now rule. And your little quest ... ends here.”
Hrunndalf takes slow, measured steps to maneuver himself into place for the imminent outbreak of violence. To buy a few more heartbeats of time, he replies, "Who was your lover? The original Thorborg Silverskorr, perhaps? This sad story is about to die with you, you know."
Hrunndalf takes slow, measured steps to maneuver himself into place for the imminent outbreak of violence. To buy a few more heartbeats of time, he replies, "Who was your lover? The original Thorborg Silverskorr, perhaps? This sad story is about to die with you, you know."
Her laughter is sparkling. "And is that supposed to convince you to pour out all my secrets to you, lest my tale go untold? You're charming."
"Even in the unlikely event that you defeat me here, it doesn't really matter. The reappearance of the Seal did not go unnoticed. I have been in communication with my fellows in Minkai, and they know what I know. My agents, who pervade this country, will hound you here. Should you somehow evade them, more enemies than can be counted will await you there. Your chances of success are nonexistent."
Kalimac and Attatoq move forward. Kalimac assumes the appropriate wolfish deferential manner as best he can. "Well met. I am Kalimac Proudfoot, and this is my friend Attatoq. The rest of my friends here are Myri (the girl picking the lock); Mel whom you've met; Alaric the city boy; Rhost the not-so-city boy; Hrunndalf; and Liothonae." Kalimac indicates each person as he names them.Skygni responds to the various attempts at diplomacy with a slightly-less-baleful glare.
Lio doesn't say anything.
Survival:
Nature, Local or Nobility:
All others:
You recognize her as a Winter Wolf, an intelligent magical beast that generally dwells in frozen climes. They are sometimes known to ally themselves with humanoids, most commonly giants (although alliances with other types of humanoids have been known), and they are said to make excellent scouts and guards ... but they are known to see such arrangements as alliances, and not as a master/pet relationship.
"Ms. Silverskorr? Sorry to bother you like this, but perhaps you can direct us to some guests of yours?" Mel directs her question to the screen behind which the woman stepped."What guests are those?" the woman asks lightly.
The troll lumbers to its feet.
** spoiler omitted **
Lio pulls out a scroll and starts casts something in druidic.
"My agents, who pervade this country, will hound you here. Should you somehow evade them, more enemies than can be counted will await you there. Your chances of success are nonexistent."
"Lady," Rhost says. "We choose stupid."
"I think," Shalelu says, "That is the highest compliment I have ever received." She leans in so close that her lips brush your ear. "I love you," she whispers.
You can hear how ragged with desire her breath is, as she exhales when your lips brush her ear. The sensation, of your soft lips against her sensitive ear, gives her goosebumps. Her skin is flushed, hot, tingling. And the words you speak. She holds on to your hands, as you hold hers. Completely lost in you, in the sensations you create within her, in the sound of your voice, the clean scent of your skin. From somewhere she finds her voice, small and quiet as though it may be. "I love you." She is almost shaking, so overcome is she by her feelings for you, by your closeness.
"Lady," Rhost says. "We choose stupid."
"So be it."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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XXXXXXXXX**XXXXXXXXX
..)../...........XXX
XXX..\.../..../..XXX
XXX../...\....\..XXX
XXX.....././../..XXX
XXX........\.....XXX
X**....\..././...**X
X**./../.....\...**X
XXX.\..\../../...XXX
XXX./.....\.../..XXX
XXX......./...\..XXX
XXX../......../..XXX
XXX..\..oooo.....XXX
XXX../..oooo.....XXX
XXXXXXXXXOOXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXOOXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
. = 5‘ space
X = Wall
* = Raised platform (20’ high)
O = Upper water feature (20’ high)
o = Lower water feature (on ground)
\ = Folding screen
/ = Folding screen
) = Door
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX**XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX**XXXXXXXXX
..)../K..........XXX
XXX..\.../..../..XXX
XXXA./...\....\..XXX
XXXMR..../?/../..XXX
XXX.Y....TT\.....XXX
X**L.H.\.TT/./...**X
X**./SS/.....\...**X
XXX.\SS\../../...XXX
XXX./.....\.../..XXX
XXX......./...\..XXX
XXX../......../..XXX
XXX..\..oooo.....XXX
XXX../..oooo.....XXX
XXXXXXXXXOOXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXOOXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
. = 5‘ space
X = Wall
* = Raised platform (20’ high)
O = Upper water feature (20’ high)
o = Lower water feature (on ground)
\ = Folding screen
/ = Folding screen
) = Door
A = Alaric
R = Rhost
K = Kalimac (on Attatoq)
H = Hrunndalf
Y = Myriana
L = Liothonae
M = Melinda
SSSS = Skygni
TTTT = Troll
? = Last presumed location of Thorborg Silverskorr
You can hear how ragged with desire her breath is, as she exhales when your lips brush her ear. The sensation, of your soft lips against her sensitive ear, gives her goosebumps. Her skin is flushed, hot, tingling. And the words you speak. She holds on to your hands, as you hold hers. Completely lost in you, in the sensations you create within her, in the sound of your voice, the clean scent of your skin. From somewhere she finds her voice, small and quiet as though it may be. "I love you." She is almost shaking, so overcome is she by her feelings for you, by your closeness.
You can feel the answer to your own emotions in the tightening of her hands on yours, the deepening of her breath, the shifting of her body closer to yours. Her lips still brush your ear as if she is whispering, but it is only a wordless exhalation.
Initiative:
Active Spells: Cat's Grace: Dex+4
to hit1: +1 pt.blk shot, +2 Cats Grace, -2 Deadly Aim, -2 Rapid Shot, Precise Shot, Improved Precise Shot, Seeking
to hit2: +1 pt.blk shot, +2 Cats Grace, -2 Deadly Aim, -2 Rapid Shot, Precise Shot, Improved Precise Shot, Seeking
dam1: +1 bow incl, +1 pt.blank incl, +4 Deadly Aim
dam2: +1 bow incl, +1 pt.blank incl, +4 Deadly Aim
Myri fires two arrows at __________,
Alaric concentrates on the place the witch had been. "I don't believe it."
Dispel Magic.
Kalimac bellows at the troll, "דעם איז אַ שלעכט טאָג פֿאַר איר, טראָול, פֿאַר איר פּנים דעם צארן פון קאַלימאַק פּראָודפאָאָט!" With his challenge given, he charges the troll with his fate-given lance, ending his charge well past the troll's reach.
[ooc]Since the troll is challenged, all allies get a +2 attack bonus against the troll when Kalimac is threatening the troll.
Initiative:
Charge:
Damage:
Charge Crit Confirm:
Damage:
Initiative: or
Þrumublað, two-handed, Power Attack, Bull's Strength:
To hit: (crit )
Damage: (crit )
. . . plus electric.
Possible AoOs (up to 2 per round, even flat-footed):
To hit: (crit )
Damage: (crit )
. . . plus electric.
To hit: (crit )
Damage: (crit )
. . . plus electric.
Rhost holds for Melinda to cast , then heads up. He wants to get a look at whatever is on the raised platforms (and a look at the hall from above -- in case of Hidden Enemies).
Troll
Init
To hit
Damage
If rend
Kimandatsu
Init
Cone of Cold
Init
Breath weapon
Knock over panel if need be
"The one you have been calling Thorborg Silverskorr," Skygni growls. "Is the ogress Kimandatsu. I can smell her stench from here."
"The one you have been calling Thorborg Silverskorr," Skygni growls. "Is the ogress Kimandatsu. I can smell her stench from here."
"Thank you. I guessed, but it is always good to have confirmation."
“She is no ogre,” Suishen says, “Although she likely resembles one in form. She is an ogre mage, a different breed altogether. For she is an oni, and a member of the cabal known as the Five Storms.”
“The nation of Minkai has long been a battleground between spirits from beyond, spirits known as kami and oni. The clash between them has long bled over into this plane of existence.”
“Originally, the gods fashioned the kami to protect those parts of the world incapable of self-awareness – plants, stones, rivers, and even whole lands. Kami are bound to obey the Laws of Golden Perfection, a set of rules put in place by the gods themselves – rules that proscribe how the kami may manipulate events in the world.”
“But when a kami fails to carry out its duties, it is cast out and becomes an aimless spirit. And some of these outcasts resent their punishment, turn to evil, and transform themselves into oni. The oni take on the form of humanoid creatures so that they can enjoy the pleasures and vices of the flesh. All oni are shapechangers, with a monstrous true form that is as distorted and corrupt as their souls. But an oni’s mystical connection to the spirit realm reinvigorates damaged tissue, in a sense recreating it unless the damage incurred is inflicted by acid or fire.”
“Hundreds of years ago in of Minkai, a powerful cabal of these oni known as the Five Storms emerged from the mysterious Forest of Spirits. Intent on seizing control of a land they felt they deserved to rule, these oni, began a covert war against the five royal families of Minkai. For by obscure but nonetheless binding divine laws, only once all five families had been wiped out could the Five Storms take complete control.”
“Thirty years ago, they came close to their goal. But since that time, they have continually been eluded by the surviving scions of the family Amatatsu.”
“She is no ogre,” Suishen says, “Although she likely resembles one in form. She is an ogre mage, a different breed altogether. For she is an oni, and a member of the cabal known as the Five Storms.”
“The nation of Minkai has long been a battleground between spirits from beyond, spirits known as kami and oni. The clash between them has long bled over into this plane of existence.”
“Originally, the gods fashioned the kami to protect those parts of the world incapable of self-awareness – plants, stones, rivers, and even whole lands. Kami are bound to obey the Laws of Golden Perfection, a set of rules put in place by the gods themselves – rules that proscribe how the kami may manipulate events in the world.”
“But when a kami fails to carry out its duties, it is cast out and becomes an aimless spirit. And some of these outcasts resent their punishment, turn to evil, and transform themselves into oni. The oni take on the form of humanoid creatures so that they can enjoy the pleasures and vices of the flesh. All oni are shapechangers, with a monstrous true form that is as distorted and corrupt as their souls. But an oni’s mystical connection to the spirit realm reinvigorates damaged tissue, in a sense recreating it unless the damage incurred is inflicted by acid or fire.”
“Hundreds of years ago in of Minkai, a powerful cabal of these oni known as the Five Storms emerged from the mysterious Forest of Spirits. Intent on seizing control of a land they felt they deserved to rule, these oni, began a covert war against the five royal families of Minkai. For by obscure but nonetheless binding divine laws, only once all five families had been wiped out could the Five Storms take complete control.”
“Thirty years ago, they came close to their goal. But since that time, they have continually been eluded by the surviving scions of the family Amatatsu.”
"That clears it up," Alaric deadpans. "Thanks, Suishen."