And then, when she realizes how quickly Alaric is taking care of everyone, she waits rather than risking jamming the wand.
Lio casts cure light wounds on Shae, her druidic shaky with emotion. Her hand touching Shalelu's cheek very tenderly, afraid to hurt the tall elf if she were to embrace her while she is still injured, and being a bit singed herself.
Lio holds out the wand for Mel to take. Her eyes focused on Shalelu. "Annwyl?" Her words are soft, quiet.
Shalelu's eyes gradually come to a focus on Liothonae's face.
She smiles.
"Cyfarchion, fy anwylyd," she says.
Alaric rushes to Reta first, calling out her name. He's about to embrace her when he realizes she might be a little... tenderized.
Reta comes to. Her first, weak word upon waking is, "Missier."
As Myriana works on her chains, she adds, "Reta try to make you proud. They say to Reta, Goblin, tell us if woman whose name you cannot remember is related to some people you do not know, and where she has hidden the thing that sounds vaguely familiar! But Reta tell them she knows nothing!"
Zaiobe is next. Alaric puts a hand on her cheek.
Shalelu's eyes gradually come to a focus on Liothonae's face.
She smiles.
"Cyfarchion, fy anwylyd," she says.
Lio smiles back, her eyes revealing a look so full of love that it might give an observer a toothache. "Annwyl." practically speechless, Lio's eyes form tears, yet she is smiling. Provided Shae is healed enough to embrace, Lio pulls the taller elf into one, as she remains kneeling in front of her.
Then Koya.
Koya's eyes snap open and she is instantly alert. She relaxes slightly as she takes in the situation.
"Never doubted for a moment you'd show up," she says with gruff affection.
Mel takes the wand with a quick, probably unheard "Thank you." She tries to heal Ameiko into consciousness.
Ameiko clearly got the worst of whatever was done to everyone, but nonetheless the light cure is still enough to bring her back into consciousness.
"Mel," she says. "You are definitely a sight for sore ... everything. Ow."
Alaric visits everyone else in turn, putting 2 charges into each, leaving Shalelu for Lio to look after.
"Remind me," Sandru says, rubbing his aching head as he takes in the situaion, "Not to get captured by psychopaths again. Bad for the health."
Buttersnips apparently sees no reason to be stoic, and bursts into tears as she is released from her bonds. "Oh, it was dreadful," she cries. "We were beaten and brutalized and chained. Words cannot express how grateful I am to be rescued from certain death."
Bevelek simply says, "Thank you." Vankar nods in agreement.
Spivey has been chained about the waist with the smallest manacle her captors could apparently find.
sogood to seeyouall, she says. you know, i am startingto think our enemies are very badpeople.
Kelda is silent until she has assessed the situation for a few moments. Then she asks, "Any still left to kill?"
Uksahkka seems shocked to see you.
"I'm ... I can't believe I'm still alive. I ... thank you," she says.
The unknown man looks about warily when he is brought to consciousness, a grim expression on his face. It stays there until Uksahkka says, "Ulf, they're friends! They're here to rescue us."
A bit of the tension leaves his body.
"Well," he says, "If that's true, it sounds like I owe you all a debt of gratitude. Name's Ulf," he says, sticking his hand out. "Ulf Gormundr."
Hrunndalf casts his most powerful healing spell on Ameiko. When she wakes up, he then lifts her off the ground in a gently crushing bear hug, babbling quietly to her. "געטער און דעווילס, איר ניטאָ לעבעדיק. דו זאלסט ניט אלץ צו דעם צו מיר ווידער, אַמעיקאָ, איר הערן מיר? קענען ניט גלויבן מיר געמאכט עס אין צייַט. זאל ס באַקומען איר געהיילט. דאַנקען די געטער איר ניטאָ אָלרייט."
Lio smiles back, her eyes revealing a look so full of love that it might give an observer a toothache. "Annwyl." practically speechless, Lio's eyes form tears, yet she is smiling. Provided Shae is healed enough to embrace, Lio pulls the taller elf into one, as she remains kneeling in front of her.
Shalelu falls into Liothonae's embrace. The two elves remain there holding each other for quite some time.
Once Koya and Spivey are able to assess the remaining damage, they draw everyone together and expend their channels until everyone is healed.
hit points
Hrunndalf casts his most powerful healing spell on Ameiko. When she wakes up, he then lifts her off the ground in a gently crushing bear hug, babbling quietly to her. "געטער און דעווילס, איר ניטאָ לעבעדיק. דו זאלסט ניט אלץ צו דעם צו מיר ווידער, אַמעיקאָ, איר הערן מיר? קענען ניט גלויבן מיר געמאכט עס אין צייַט. זאל ס באַקומען איר געהיילט. דאַנקען די געטער איר ניטאָ אָלרייט."
"Oof," says Ameiko as she is swept, smiling, into the bear hug. "Good to see you, too."
A more thorough search of the Laboratory will reveal:
Alchemical equipment worth 3,000 gp
An empty Ring of Counterspells
A vial containing an ounce of stone salve
6 gold ingots worth 500 gp each
A search of the Tower rooms reveals no further foes, raven poop from thousands of birds over quite a long period and:
A diamond worth 600 gp
A ring of manacle keys
When Lute Haggersley returns to Kalsgard, he rewards you for his rescue with:
7 gold arm rings set with freshwater pearls worth 250 gp each
When Fynn Snaevald hears about the events that have passed this day, he volunteers to help finance your Caravan's journey, effectively adding:
2,000 gp to the Caravan fund
Hrunndalf gingerly (and reluctantly) sets Ameiko down and forces himself to look at the damage that had been done to her. He is not willing to wait for the channeling, and heals her wounds from his own power, as if he could somehow undo the pain that had come with them.
As the prisoners are freed one by one, Hrunndalf also takes the time to greet the others, with a careful, not-so-ursine hug for Koya, a cordial two-handed arm-and-shoulder shake for Sandru, and another one for Shalelu, assuming Lio lets her go anytime soon.
He gives Uksahkka and Ulf a relieved smile. "Good to see you alive. I am sorry you were dragged into this."
As the prisoners are freed one by one, Hrunndalf also takes the time to greet the others, with a careful, not-so-ursine hug for Koya, a cordial two-handed arm-and-shoulder shake for Sandru, and another one for Shalelu, assuming Lio lets her go anytime soon.
He is greeted in turn with welcome smiles, hugs, and handclasps in turn. Presumably Shalelu is released enough for this at some point, although probably the details of if and when should be checked with first before making that assumption.
He gives Uksahkka and Ulf a relieved smile. "Good to see you alive. I am sorry you were dragged into this."
Uksahkka smiles back at Hrunndalf.
Ulf replies, "I suppose I might say the same, but looking around at the reunion here, I'm pretty sure you didn't storm an ogre-held fortress looking for my sorry ass. But if I get to tag along when you bust everyone else out of here, you've can have my thank-you-kindlies with chocolate sprinkles on top even if you don't know me from a hole in the ground and care even less."
As the prisoners are freed one by one, Hrunndalf also takes the time to greet the others, with a careful, not-so-ursine hug for Koya, a cordial two-handed arm-and-shoulder shake for Sandru, and another one for Shalelu, assuming Lio lets her go anytime soon.
Lio eventually, very reluctantly, lets Shalelu go, and then it is only because Myri is probably waiting to greet her sister.
Ulf replies, "I suppose I might say the same, but looking around at the reunion here, I'm pretty sure you didn't storm an ogre-held fortress looking for my sorry ass. But if I get to tag along when you bust everyone else out of here, you've can have my thank-you-kindlies with chocolate sprinkles on top even if you don't know me from a hole in the ground and care even less."
Hrunndalf replies, amused: "Halda þinn stökkvir, Ulf. Ef þú vilt sýna þakklæti þitt, leiða okkur yfir kórónu heimsins um miðjan vetur. Við munum borga þér líka."
Lio smiles back, her eyes revealing a look so full of love that it might give an observer a toothache. "Annwyl." practically speechless, Lio's eyes form tears, yet she is smiling. Provided Shae is healed enough to embrace, Lio pulls the taller elf into one, as she remains kneeling in front of her.Shalelu falls into Liothonae's embrace. The two elves remain there holding each other for quite some time.
As they are holding each other, Lio very quietly whispers to Shalelu:
Ulf replies, "I suppose I might say the same, but looking around at the reunion here, I'm pretty sure you didn't storm an ogre-held fortress looking for my sorry ass. But if I get to tag along when you bust everyone else out of here, you've can have my thank-you-kindlies with chocolate sprinkles on top even if you don't know me from a hole in the ground and care even less."Hrunndalf replies, amused: "Halda þinn stökkvir, Ulf. Ef þú vilt sýna þakklæti þitt, leiða okkur yfir kórónu heimsins um miðjan vetur. Við munum borga þér líka."
** spoiler omitted **
Lio frowns at Hrunndalf, not understanding what he just said. Assuming if it's something actually important, he will share his conversation with the party later, she looks at the torture equipment. She takes a look around to asses the contents of the room without approaching them. And she spares a glance for Zaiobe, whom she knows was tortured extensively from what Melinda said. By this point, everyone is healed up, although Lio remembers to retrieve the wand of cure light from Melinda at the first opportunity.
Kelda is silent until she has assessed the situation for a few moments. Then she asks, "Any still left to kill?"
Rhost shakes his head, then cocks it to the side as he thinks. "Hellwasps," he says finally.
Hrunndalf replies, amused: "Halda þinn stökkvir, Ulf. Ef þú vilt sýna þakklæti þitt, leiða okkur yfir kórónu heimsins um miðjan vetur. Við munum borga þér líka."
Ulf cracks up laughing.
When he finally starts to get his composure back, he gasps out, "That's exactly ... what the guys who kidnapped me ... wanted me to do!"
Shaking his head at the irony of it, he stifles his laughter, shakes his head, and continues. "Well, first, let me tell you the same thing I'd tell anyone. Crossing the Crown of the World in the winter is completely idiotic. No matter what you've been told about the pot of gold at the end of the Moroszko Storm, no amount of profit is going to do you any good if you're lying dead in a frozen ditch in the upper middle of the backside of nowhere. If you want to make money, open a shop. Maybe sell magic items to adventurers with more money than sense."
He shrugs. "But if for some reason you're too stubborn, too desperate, or too dumb to take good advice, I've got to say I like your method of asking a lot more than the last people who did it. So if you're dead set on going, I'd say you've got yourself a guide."
Hrunndalf casts his most powerful healing spell on Ameiko. When she wakes up, he then lifts her off the ground in a gently crushing bear hug, babbling quietly to her. "געטער און דעווילס, איר ניטאָ לעבעדיק. דו זאלסט ניט אלץ צו דעם צו מיר ווידער, אַמעיקאָ, איר הערן מיר? קענען ניט גלויבן מיר געמאכט עס אין צייַט. זאל ס באַקומען איר געהיילט. דאַנקען די געטער איר ניטאָ אָלרייט."
Mel, who had been about to reply to Ameiko, instead swallows whatever she was going to say and goes over to Reta and Zaiobe. "You did amazingly well."
Ulf replies, "I suppose I might say the same, but looking around at the reunion here, I'm pretty sure you didn't storm an ogre-held fortress looking for my sorry ass. But if I get to tag along when you bust everyone else out of here, you've can have my thank-you-kindlies with chocolate sprinkles on top even if you don't know me from a hole in the ground and care even less."
"Actually, we were planning on storming the castle for you before... If they hadn't been taken there just would have been more of us doing the storming." Mel says in her normal upbeat if slightly odd manner. "And even more so when Uksahkka got taken because of our meddling."
Kelda is silent until she has assessed the situation for a few moments. Then she asks, "Any still left to kill?"Rhost shakes his head, then cocks it to the side as he thinks. "Hellwasps," he says finally.
Lio nods. "Ah swahrm uf em, wearen 'e sken of ah mahn. 'eryre trahpped behaind summa glahss, bought maight 'ave gott'n oute. An 'eres an ulfen mahn, kannot r'member 'es naime, who weh freed summa taime ago, 'es arounde summawhere."
And when Hrunndalf releases Ameiko and moves over to one of the others, Mel goes back. A quick smile, a hug. "Very glad he can do that, you look much better." Then she grabs the sword and as she hands it to Ameiko, "And he has been waiting for you for a long time."
As they are holding each other, Lio very quietly whispers to Shalelu:
"... Mae'n debyg y byddwn yn syml rhaid i ni gadw arbed ei gilydd hyd nes ei fod yn olaf ffyn."
With all the masses of people swarming the rescued friends, Kalimac pushes his way into the crowd looking for Ameiko. The burnt and frostbitten halfling grabs her in a fierce embrace. His face buried in the folds of her clothes, he murmurs something unintelligible.
Mel, who had been about to reply to Ameiko, instead swallows whatever she was going to say and goes over to Reta and Zaiobe. "You did amazingly well."
Rhost shakes his head, then cocks it to the side as he thinks. "Hellwasps," he says finally.
"Involved in this?" she asks.
Lio nods. "Ah swahrm uf em, wearen 'e sken of ah mahn. 'eryre trahpped behaind summa glahss, bought maight 'ave gott'n oute. An 'eres an ulfen mahn, kannot r'member 'es naime, who weh freed summa taime ago, 'es arounde summawhere."
Kelda looks slightly perplexed. "And now you want him dead?"
** spoiler omitted **
Lio smiles, her voice still practically a whisper
With all the masses of people swarming the rescued friends, Kalimac pushes his way into the crowd looking for Ameiko. The burnt and frostbitten halfling grabs her in a fierce embrace. His face buried in the folds of her clothes, he murmurs something unintelligible.
Ameiko holds Kalimac in return. "Hey," she says quietly.
Rhost shakes his head, then cocks it to the side as he thinks. "Hellwasps," he says finally."Involved in this?" she asks.
Lio shrugs, looks over at Rhost for his interpretation, offers her own as well. "Dunna ken so. Bought pr'ttey laikely tah attak us unna waye out, ef et kann do so wethout putten etself enta dang'r. Sence we dinna let et out."
Kelda looks slightly perplexed. "And now you want him dead?"
Lio looks confused. Nought ahs fahr as aye knou. Ah jus' mention'd 'em sence he's oute 'ere summawhere, runnen amock, laikely. 'es ah freidnley."
Lio smiles, her voice still practically a whisper
After she finishes a hushed conversation with Liothonae, Shalelu approaches Myriana.
"I have heard," she says. "That when your little sister saves your life, it is a sign that she is growing up."
She takes a look around to asses the contents of the room without approaching them. And she spares a glance for Zaiobe, whom she knows was tortured extensively from what Melinda said.
Zaiobe did look badly damaged when the group first entered. Her wings had been broken. By this point, however, she has been fully healed, at least physically.
And when Hrunndalf releases Ameiko and moves over to one of the others, Mel goes back. A quick smile, a hug. "Very glad he can do that, you look much better." Then she grabs the sword and as she hands it to Ameiko, "And he has been waiting for you for a long time."
"My lady," Suishen says gravely, "I am pleased to once again place myself in the service of the family. I have gathered that you are planning to return to Minkai and at long last throw the pretender off the throne. My experience, my powers, and my sharp edge are all at your disposal."
Ameiko blinks. "Oh my ... um, thank you," she replies.
Lio smiles, her voice still practically a whisper** spoiler omitted **
Rhost shakes his head, then cocks it to the side as he thinks. "Hellwasps," he says finally."Involved in this?" she asks.
Rhost shakes his head again. "No. We killed them."
She takes a look around to asses the contents of the room without approaching them. And she spares a glance for Zaiobe, whom she knows was tortured extensively from what Melinda said.Zaiobe did look badly damaged when the group first entered. Her wings had been broken. By this point, however, she has been fully healed, at least physically.
If at any point, Zaiobe isn't touching/conversing with Mel and Alaric, Lio will approach her, offering her hand, palm up, for Zaiobe to touch/speak through. She will not actually touch Zaiobe without Zaiobe's permission.
Rhost shakes his head again. "No. We killed them."
"Good," says Kelda.
Lio shrugs, looks over at Rhost for his interpretation, offers her own as well. "Dunna ken so. Bought pr'ttey laikely tah attak us unna waye out, ef et kann do so wethout putten etself enta dang'r. Sence we dinna let et out."
Ulf, overhearing, tosses in the following, "Hellwasps? Nasty customers. Like flying poisonous piranhas, only not so sweet tempered. If they're locked up somewhere, might want to leave them for the authorities to deal with when we tell them about this. Evidence of deals with hellish forces aren't looked on too kindly in these parts, and the king's wizard can probably have banishing spells at the ready when they come to investigate. If you don't mind my throwing in my two coppers on it."
If at any point, Zaiobe isn't touching/conversing with Mel and Alaric, Lio will approach her, offering her hand, palm up, for Zaiobe to touch/speak through. She will not actually touch Zaiobe without Zaiobe's permission.
Zaiobe touches her hand to Liothonae's.