"Hmm. 'Morgana bares all'," Asta reads out as she unfolds the centerfold. "Pft. 'All' what? Is this what faerie people like?" she asks as she tosses the Playfey to Torod.
Torod obviously wants to look at through the magazine, but is too embarrassed to do so with the women around. He reluctantly leaves it as they go to the next tower.
Perception
Sunset has no qualms about actually taking the item. If given looks she shrugs.
"Alchemical research. I want' ta' see whut t'is they be makin' tha' paper out'a." She replies casually.
"I've seen women bare more skin back in Irrisen," Asta scoffs, "and the place is locked in endless winter every hour of the day, every day of the year."
"Oh... I dun't know. Them garter belts do seem ta' be quite fetchin'...."
”I’ve seen some interesting armor choices on women as well,” Thomas comments over his shoulder. ”But I do believe we have one more exterior tower as well as the central spire to deal with yet...”
Sunset does move along with every one else as they continue to look through the place.
"Huh?" Seraph had continued her searching, oblivious as to what the group was discussing until the mention of garter belts. But by then the moment had passed and she turned back to searching then. Using her divine gift to root out dark auras in an attempt to forewarn the group ahead of time.
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Checking out the northwest tower your find this tower stretches high into the sky, its upper reaches hidden in the forest’s canopy. The vines choking the tower’s exterior, which are festooned with bleached humanoid skulls, nearly obscure the dark arrow slits. At ground level, a closed wooden door hides behind a cloak of hanging vines.
This tower seems to have withstood the test of time, its walls are still intact. The door is of original construction and is beautifully carved through obscured by moss.
Seraph don’t detect evil at the tower’s door.
Asta: (-1 Con; -1 wis)
Torod: (-12 wis)
Strawberry (-1 wis)
Seraph (-2 wis)
Sunset (-1 wis)
Thomas moves up and listens at the door before attempting to open it.
Asta reaches out, grabs Thomas by the shoulder and yanks him back.
"Assassin vine!" she warns the group, pointing out the murderous plant.
Sunset takes note of first the skulls and thence the topiartey... With Lady Asta's quick reactions preventing Master Tomas from joining the folaige's decorations she steps aside and frowns.
"Well.. I could burn it?" Ans she glaces at Seraph'ss weed whacker.
"Or, if'n tha' mood's still takin' ye luv? Ye can have a whack at tha' leafs an' make mulch a tha' problem, hey?" (^_~)
"With pleasure." She tilts her head from side to side cracking her neck loudly, cooing softly at the relief that popping the tension away brings. At Sunset's comment, she nods and moves forward with a two-handed grip. She grunts out as her muscles flex. "Be ready to shot it..." With that said she moves forward she, focusing on defensive moves while keeping the blade flat between her and the plant. Once she reached it she swings the blade in a ground to plant chop hoping to tear it from the stone of the tower with all the power she could muster...
Tomaru dives in alongside Seraph.
it would seem that assassin vines are inscrutable.
Wyandare (Scimitar +2 feybane):
Confirm Crit
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Having spotted the assassin vine, Asta pulls Thomas out of the way just in time as the vine’s loop of death misses it’s attack.
Seraph and Torod quickly dispatch the carnivorous plant, making chopped salad of it.
Opening the door and looking inside you find another fey living space bed, table, and locked chest. On the table is a fresh skull being prepared to hang with the others outside.
It doesn’t seem that anyone is home currently.
Asta: (-1 Con; -1 wis)
Torod: (-12 wis)
Strawberry (-1 wis)
Seraph (-2 wis)
Sunset (-1 wis)
Sunset frowns at the room's display. She moves forwards cautiously, remembering the cloud encountered before.
She looks at the chest and does attempt to both make it safe ass well as open it.
"Well.. that in't openin' any time soon..." Though she does cast her glance around in hopes of spying a key...
The vine dispatched she gives a brutish grin. "Time for the final tower eh? Storming the Kings chamber. This'll be fun."
Once the others were ready to go she heads for the central tower sword in hand and looking ready to split the next opponent that appeared.
"We should collect the skulls," Asta notes. "For burial. I know we do not know the identity of their previous occupants, but they should not languish as trophies for a sociopathic faerie."
"Agreed," Thomas says in reply to the queen's suggestion on the skulls. "But not until we are certain we've cleared this place of threats. No need to leave ourselves exposed to another ambush while we tend to remains that have been here for untold years anyway. They can wait a few more minutes."
He then turns and goes with Seraph back to the central tower.
As/Before everyone approaches, Seraph uses her divine gift to search for evil as she looks to enter the ground floor of the central tower again.
Once they reach the central spire again, Thomas cautiously begins moving up the stairs to the upper levels.
Asta renews her Detect magic-spell and looks ahead...
Sunset draws her weapon and covers the ascent,
Seraph seeing Thomas take the lead she decieds to hug close to Asta once more. She occasionally rubs her head as it throbs something fierce. However, she felt confident in their ability to clear this place. Gonna be sleeping in a new castle today. It's too bad this will be Torod's Baby home soon.
She casts Shield of Faith on herself again, cladding herself in her goddesses divine protection before speaking about marching order.
"Torod, guard are backs in case speedy comes by again. I'll follow Sir Thomas, Milady's please stick to the middle." She gives her muscles a powerful flex. "Retreat. I'll gladly cover the rear."
Torod does as asked, but does so in a child having a tantrum sort of way. He can be heard mumbling under his breath and he's not actually doing much watching of backs.
"If it goes wrong somehow. Retreat. I'll gladly cover you."
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The stairs end in a circular room featuring wide windows draped with hanging vines that offer panoramic views of the keep's overgrown courtyard and the forest beyond. An open circular skylight in the ceiling provides glimpses of the forest canopy overhead. The walls between the windows are carved with exquisite, delicate nature motifs highlighted in gold and silver leaf. A riot of flowers, plants, and bushes sprout from the thick loam that carpets the hall's floor, as if one were walking in a fantastic glade elevated high above the forest floor
An alluring graceful elven woman with alabaster skin, golden hair, and emerald green eyes and wearing a white ground of archaic elven style, tied at the waist with a blood-red scarf. Nods speaking in Elven”ברוכים הבאים בשלום, נא להודיע לך.”
Next to the elven woman, is her companion a slender elf with pale green skin that has the texture of smooth bark, deformed toothy face and clawed hands. He is dressed in black and red and has a number of scar-like patterns on his arms and shoulders.
Asta: (-1 Con; -1 wis)
Torod: (-12 wis)
Strawberry (-1 wis)
Seraph (-2 wis)
Sunset (-1 wis)
Thomas keeps his sword and shield prepared. He replies in her native tongue:
"... What?" Asta says, bemused. "Can someone translate for me?"
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She replies in elven
Her words seem reasonable and truthfull to Thomas.
Although Asta can not understand the conversation, she keeps an eye on the strange Elf and her ... companion, eyes looking for the minute cues that betray falsehood and aggression.
"She wants to be our friend." Torod tells Asta before stepping up and introducing himself. He pushes past Thomas to do so.
He tries to be charming and diplomatic, but even at his best, that is just not Torod.
As the grou comes across the couple Sunset lets the party's warriors take front whiel she steps lightly to one side.
She eyes the finery even as she nods acknowledging the couple who ocupy the room.
The fellow has Sunset's attention, rather than the lass.....
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Asta feels distrustful of the Elf lady.
Trusting due to his damaged common sense, Torod pushes past thomas to introduce himself to the Elf lady.
Sunset enters the room eyeing the finery and nods to the couple, watching the male elf.
The graceful elven woman smiles at Asta and speaks in common ”Forgive me, I will converse in the common tongue. You have invaded my home, but I am sure we can overcome this misunderstanding. As I said my companion is know as Grim. I am known as the Dancing Lady, Queen of this fortress, and I insist you stay for dinner!“ The Graceful Elven woman begins to move her body in rhythmic swaying that is utterly enthralling dance.
Dancing Lady
Torod: (-12 wis)
Strawberry: (-1 wis)
Grim
Thomas:
Seraph (-2 wis)
Asta: (-1 Con; -1 wis)
Sunset (-1 wis)
"'Ware treachery!" Asta shouts - and abruptly, she projectile vomits a stream of black, squirming bodies!
+2 v enchantment, +2 v charm and compulsion.
Thomas’ arms slowly lower to his sides as he is completely enthralled with the dance.
Sunset eyes move to watch the lythe elven form for but a moment, her attention returning to remin fixed upn 'Master Grim'.
At Lady Asta's call Sunset...
Her sword wavers, the sight of the Woman's dance was captivating, stirring a feeling long since extinguished by forced brutality. Her heartbeat thumps hard in her chest as she zones out completely...
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Hearing Seraph's sword point 'clink' upon th floor's stones Sunset....
(¬_¬)
And she looks to Asta.
"It's gon'a be bugs... agin... In it?" She sighs.
LOL
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Asta resist the temptation to be Captivated by the Lady’s Dance.
Torod is enchanted as is Strawberry.
Thomas can’t take his eyes off of the lady
Sunset pulls her eyes away from the Dancing Lady and turns her glare on the Grim.
Seraph feels the pull of Dancing Lady’s movements and becomes enthralled
The Grim moves forward slashing Sunset with his claw in a sensitive place with a sneak attack before she can react.
to hit vs flat-footed
plus poison
Dancing Lady
Grim
Asta: (-1 Con; -1 wis)
Sunset +20 damage. (-1 wis) (poison? Fort vs DC 14)
Torod: (-12 wis)
Strawberry: (-1 wis)
Thomas:
Seraph (-2 wis)