"Maybe." Karlan responded. "Understand this is not a reward. It's mercy. It's trying to turn something vile into something of worth to a people who've only been victimized. And its under the trust that you're sincere in your desire to be left alone. But if you betray this trust, if the people, or the rangers, or the guard find out that you've returned to old habits."
Karlans face adn tone darkens. "Your life will be forfeit."
Standing next to the paladin, Ailetha nods in agreement, her arms crossed in front of her and staring at the hags with no showing of her usual merry nature.
We shall always be guardians of Turtleback Ferry. If word should come of you harming any intelligent non-evil life, we shall be back in the blink of an eye, and next time there shall be no negotiating.
|
They seem satisfied enough with the proposal "We'll be right here maintaining our appearances, perhaps one day our princes will arrive..." then there is a spark in the humpacks eye "...but should things change for you, good knight, you know where to find us" the look salacious and scandalous.
With everything calm and tranquil, given the circumstances, it eventually becomes clear that there is some greater magic operating on the hags - that they truly see themselves as captivating beauties and are completely transfixed on finding a quiet spot to endlessly weave their magic to sustain their 'youthful appearances' - you wonder if they are under a mighty curse of divine proportions.
***
The caves now cleared, the Hags dealt with, a giant in chains, and a dead body packed away - the party is now in the position of determining the next course of action.
"So with the threats all dealt with here in the cave, I'm happy to teleport some of us back to Sandpoint to give a warning. Which of you wish to join me?"
'Oh, they're definitely hideous...looks like the crew is getting soft. Its a gods damned shame.' Kabal replied quietly to Bree. A part of him wished they were a million miles away but Kabal wasnt much on wishing. 'Come on, lets see whats up.' and he took her by the hand and strode back towards the others.
'So what's the plan? Sounds like we need to get a move on. Maybe the rangers can help with getting word to Sandpoint. Hopefully there still set up out side here.'
Kabal kept his eyes on the hags just knowing they would try to stuff one of them in their cookpot if they had half a chance.
"We're talking it over. Celestra may have a way to get us there faster and still finish affairs here. Come on we still have to let the army outside know what's going on." Karlan says leaving the cave.
Bree shakes her head in bemusement as Karlan seems to say pretty much the same thing that Kabal just said. She doesn't understand these new people at all, and wishes that Harry had at least stuck around long enough to translate for her. She shrugs her shoulders and starts towards the exit, Kabal's hand still in her own.
Ok someone toss me a summary and a general outline and I can then tidy up :)
After that we have to split between the ghost and warning the town Karlan should go to sandpoint but at the same time I recall one of the only ways we even got to the ghost was Karlan's not insignificant aura against fear. We could try to enter the swamp together and if we face the same obstacle we can decide than.
The band of heroes explains the finer points of the Three Hags and initially all look somewhat perplexed, however after some conjecture, and the realisation the Hags might have some uses for good (possibly be petitioned to stop the worst of any storms, important given the state of the Dam) they warm to the idea.
Rushing to the Shimmerglens, the group finds the navigation to its centre a lot easier, even though the dark terrain has somehow become even darker and less forgiving – a sense of anger and rage somehow being exuded as the Ghost was drawing closer to her deadline.
Hearts started to fall after Celestra raised the problems with recovering the dead Ranger, that reincarnation was known only to be effective for a short period, there was no raising the dead if they’d been repossessed as an undead vessel, and there were doubts to anyone having faith to call on a true resurrection. How this news is going to be taken is cause for concern...
As the party arrives at the meeting place, the ghostly form coalesces and begins turning into the spectre of the broken fae creature.
Ailetha, uncertain as to why the more religious types were not stepping forward, takes a step toward the ghostly fey.
Gaining her composure, she speaks:
My Lady, Princess of this land. We have done as you requested. We travelled to the horrid Hook Mountain lair where your beloved was being kept. He had been turned into an undead, a wight I believe. But, there was clearly some of his sentience left as he continued to fight with his bow rather than undead powers as most wights would. We killed the wight that controlled your Lamatar, and also the evil stone giants who ruled the caves. We have since returned with the body of your beloved, as well as his prize bow and other equipment.
Celesta approaches the ghost binging the wrapped corpse with her. "I am most sorry for you loss, my dear. It breaks my heart to tell you, but your love was probably tortured and broken before being tuned into a wight. His original spirit is no longer in control of his remains and I'm not sure that he can be reincarnated. I give him my blessing and the blessing of Cayden Cailean as I leave him with you. I am sorry that I could not have done more, but I leave him in your loving care in the hopes that you find solace. May you feel peace once again and become whole once again."
Celestra steps toward the ghost and humbly lays down the corpse. She then steps back politely after leaving him at her side.
"My heart reaches out to you and I tell you that I feel your grief. I too have lost my dearest love and I too feel a great loss in her absence. I just wish you healing and offer all of my compassion for you. I truly hope that you can find love again!"
Fearing that the deranged spirit is not going to take kindly to this news, Bree crosses her arms beneath her chest resting her finger tips on the daggers that are now in easy reach. She shifts slightly from foot to foot keeping her knees bent, ready to move quickly if she needs to.
The ghostly form of Myriana solidifies.
She looks at the party with grave concern and is troubled deeply by what she hears, but her concern breaks as she looks at the bent, twisted, and hacked body of her former love – it dawns on you that in a way they bear a similar appearance, both once beautiful but now profoundly broken.
As she draws closer she becomes overjoyed, and she begins weaving a spell as she caresses him gently and tenderly – an impossibility – thinks Celestra, the magic cannot work. The body begins to repair and transform, taking on a distinctly elven appearance. You are stunned when you see the chest begin to move.
There is a nimbus of light glowing within Myriana, she looks to Celestra who offered warmth and consolation in her hour of need, and the light extends to the Caydenite like a warming caress.
Lamatars eyes flicker open, a look of shock on his face then suddenly a smile - matched by Myriana!
The reunited lovers have barely two heartbeats together when Myriana begins to fade away softly, still smiling... and moments later she vanishes, never to return.
The light remains within Celestra who knows now how it all came to be, such a powerful love could not be overcome even by death, and the strength of it broke the bounds of what was thought to be possible.
Inspiration (Su) A nymph can choose an intelligent creature to inspire and serve as a muse by giving that creature some token of her affection (typically a lock of her hair). As long as the nymph retains her favor for this creature and as long as the creature carries the nymph's token, the creature gains a +4 insight bonus on all Will saving throws, Craftchecks, and Perform checks. A bard who has a nymph for a muse in this way can use his bardic performance for an additional number of rounds per day equal to his nymph muse's Charisma modifier. The nymph retains a link to her token and its carrier as if she had cast a status spell on the carrier. The nymph can end this effect at any time as a free action. A single nymph may only inspire one creature at a time in this manner.
Tending to Lamatar, he is disoriented but soon understands what happened. He is at first shamed by his failure to protect both Fort Rannick and his lover, but decides not to waste the new life she gave him. He becomes the new guardian of Whitewillow and the Fey community, and will not return to civilization.
As Karlan watches, Whitewillow and the Shimmerglens start losing their darkness – he can already see that this once beautiful place is already being mended, and he knows he was at the heart of making that happen.
"Right, we've got an army to race."
"It is clear that love is a very powerful magic! I would not have thought such a thing was possible, but their love has brought him back to life. We would do well to remember that in the difficult times that lie ahead."
"Well, my friends, even though my heart has been lightened, we still need to make haste and return to Sandpoint to bring them news of the danger they are in. Which of you will accompany me?"
Ailetha looks around the group.
My advice is that Sable and Karlan accompany you. Bree, Kabal and I shall return to Turtleback Ferry where we will meet you tomorrow. Then we can all return to Sandpoint the next day.
With that the party begins the transition to Sandpoint, to find it a town unaware of impending doom...
The party begins leapfrogging back to Sandpoint.
Upon arrival, they find everything is very much business as usual.
The sound of the ocean, the waves lapping on the beach, the gulls cawing as they anticipate a free lunch from the fishermen unloading their catch in Sandpoint harbour - and the noise and smells of various cottage industries plying their trade.
You even manage to get the passing hello from friendly locals who recognise the heroes of Sandpoint.
They clearly have no inkling of what is coming.
Bree looks around at the calmness of the town before asking Karlan, "Alright, who do we talk to? I'm guessing we shouldn't run around warning every person we see of their impending doom. Unless you're wanting a riot; I'm sure we could find something worth looting in the chaos."
"Well we start by telling the sheriff, then we tell the council, followed by the harbor master, check back with the sheriff, rally the militia, find out where the army is, see how much time we have, discuss with the council again, organize a defense or an evacuation, and if we have time try to get support from Magnimar, Riddleport, and if we're really lucky Korvosa." Karlan says in rapid success as he heads for the Sheriff's office through now familiar streets.
Bree can't help but to scoff as she follows the Paladin, "Riddleport? Really? Have you, uh, have you ever been to Riddleport?"
"If we don't succeed here there might not be a Riddleport to go to."
She mumbles to herself, "That probably wouldn't be the worst thing to happen..."
Karlan is just the right person for the job. With both experience and authority, he alerts the correct people and the militia is called out - there is a sense of urgency and concern, but not panic.
Barricades are hastily raised, buckets of water located at strategic points, and by and large most people keep foot traffic to a minimum. It is a long afternoon that leads to a fatigued evening. The occasional calls from watchmen mark the hours in the darkness, and every once in a while there is a flurry of action as a false alarm is raised.
The morning sees most people tired and restless as first light breaks.
Karlan will be sleeping at the barracks for the duration of the potential siege after ensuring as many soldiers as possible are armed with appropriate longspears and pikes.
Celestra returns to Rusty Dragon and makes herself at home, visiting with Bethana.
"Bethana, my dear! How have you been? It looks like you have been keeping the Dragon up and running! Oh how I've missed you! You would not believe all of the adventure I have been on."
Once she settles in, she moves to more serious business.
"So, Bethana, I trust you have heard of the oncoming threat from the gathering army of giants from the Storval Stairs?"
Bree likely spends her time waiting in the one place in town she'd feel the most comfortable - the tavern.
Perception:
Ailetha spends most of her time encouraging the town and raising their morale, unfortunately she is not really paying attention.
Bree, Sable, and Celestra are enjoying fresh breakfast in the tavern, Celestra has just finished Bethana if she has heard about the pending attack when the question becomes moot.
The thunderous crack of stone against stone rings through the air. As Sandpoint discovers itself under attack, screams and cries of terror mingle with the growing howls and roars of the attacking giant army that seemed to materialise out of the dawn mists undetected.
Sir Karlan notes a few of the militia hoofing it to the cathedral to ring the bells to alert the whole town.
Karlan is at the Garrison (Location 10)
Kabal is probably with him (?)
Ailetha, tavern or Garrison?
Bree, Sable, and Celestra are at the Rusty Dragon (location 37)
Over to you guys.
Battle Prelim
Initial actions?
[ooc]Assume 5 rounds worth of prep and movement and that you can leave from your present location immediately[/oov]
"Bethana, our visit it cut short! Go and hide until the all clear is announced. We must go now!"
"Bree, Ailetha, Kabal, let's go! Connect hands and we will teleport!
Rounds 1-3
1. Celestra casts Longstrider
2. Celestra casts Bless
3. Celestra casts Teleport (Grabbing Ailetha, Bree, and Kabal). Celestra will select a location halfway between the garrison and the wall, a familiar location on Cliff street near building 4.
"Bloody hell. Can't even have five minutes for a drink," Bree begins to head towards the door, drawing daggers along the way when she catches Celestra's words and pauses. Hesitantly, she slips the daggers back home and bracing herself for contact she extends her hand to Celestra, sliding her other hand into Sable's.
Seeing the men run to the alarm bells, Kabal rises and stretches before barking a rough 'Looks like the party is about to start. Sandpoint better have their steel sharpened for this one. '