"It is, actually. That's how babies are made, you know." Ashlyn points out quite helpfully.
"I do know how babies are made," Tettia responds with a roll of her eyes. "I was the top of my biology class." She shakes her head. "But a fixation on something like that is like a fixation on alchemical brews, or drink, or ... or other things. It can't be that good. Toddy said ..." She flushes and trails off, looking away. "She told me that it wasn't really that great," she continues in a quiet voice. "Something you did because you were expected to. Because you wanted a baby. Messy, uncomfortable, ..." Her words fade to almost a whisper. "... painful." Her arms wrap around herself.
The young woman takes a deep breath. "I don't want to talk about this any more."
Jenner claps Sarine on the shoulder. "Well rolled at any rate. Sorry, Desna seemed to have that one sewn for me before the cloth was even cut. I'll spot you a drink for it-- if we ever get a brewery built on this island of ours!"
He settles his hands on his knees, regarding Tettia over the campfire's light. "Ah now, lass, 's a sad fact that not all folk have a grand time of it, 'specially if a partner's less than attentive. Still and all, yeh've said you don't want to talk on it further tonight, so, I should listen to that, shouldn't I? As should we all," he says with a slight flick of his eyes at Aurelian.
"Now, I could show more-- how did you call them? Parlor games! If folk like..." Jenner says with a grin, holding up the dice.
Aurelian looks sad at Tettia's last words, as if she's describing some horrible crime, but he lets it go, not wanting to upset her anymore. Hopefully someday she'll meet some man, or woman, or something else that teaches her how very wrong Toddy is.
He grins at Jenner's last question.
"Yes, games are good. Let us play and forget all the things we don't want to think about," he says. "Come, show Aurelian Fache a game, and he will show you how good he is at it."
Elizar rolls his drippy eyes and wails loudly.
"Oh, don't be a stick in the mud, El. It'll be fun!"
Ashlyn waits to hear the rules of the next game.
Passing the time with games and other diversions the group heads northwards once again, criss-crossing Ancarto for what feels like the hundredth time. Delving into the crimson forest eventually uncovers the source of the plague - a mighty willow tree tinged with blood that controls the corpses of all those who succumb to its leeching roots.
Unfortunately for the tree you are no ordinary adventurers and the trees lack of mobility proves to be its downfall. Its zombies are dispatched in short order and the tree itself falls, burned and broken by your blades and magic.
With the forest cleared thoughts turn towards home once more - it has been weeks since you were last in Talmandor's Bounty.
"See, there is no threat from a little wood," Aurelian notes after the fight, wiping blood from a small cut he received from his forehead.
"We should go home now. It has been too long since Aurelian spent time with his fellow colonists." He smiles, thinking of a couple in particular he wishes to become reacquainted with.
"Yes, we should go back and check in with Ramona. This expedition is worth a celebration or two, I think," Sarine says with a grin on her face, although she has a different sort of celebration in mind than Aurelian does.
"It will be a bit of a haul, but let's climb up the mountain on our trip back. We've explored the south side of Ancorato quite a bit on this journey, but there is still much of the north side of the island we haven't seen."
"Little wood? You think so?" Ashlyn looks back at the big burning tree. "Looks like a big wood to me. But, you're right. It was WAY less trouble than I imagined it would be."
Elizar makes an exasperated face, scowls at Aurelian, and pointedly THINKS something at Ashlyn.
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Ashlyn's eyes widen and she blushes a bright red.
She opens her mouth...
...And closes it.
Apparently she couldn't think of anything to add.
Tettia looks from Ashlyn to Elizar, confusion coloring her expression. "What? What did he say?" she asks. "Does he know something about wood?"
"Nope! Nothing at all! Definitely nothing even remotely related to... anything at all!" Ashlyn stammers hastily. Then she gives Teddy a great big nervous grin.
Elizar scowls and begins to wail something slowly...
"Shh!"
Ashyn grabs Elizar by the arm, pointedly turns and drags him down the trail. "Come on. the colony is THIS WAY."
Aurelian looks a bit perplexed as well as Ashlyn and Elizar's interaction, but the dead man is often confusing. And noisy.
He shrugs at Sarine's request to climb the mountain again, perfectly willing to do so if it's important to her.
Climbing the mountain is arduous, but ultimately unfruitful. There is little changed on the island, except for the sight of a large masted ship which has sailed into the bay near Talmandor's Bounty and appears to be anchored there delivering supplies and so forth.
The return to Talmandor's Bounty is a curious one, despite your group's heroics and the general hustle and bustle of unloading the ship, everything seems somewhat subdued. Various people look up and wave but the mood is generally one of grimly carrying on, rather than excitement.
Ramona, at least, is pleased to see you as is Carver Hastings. The two find you in what is rapidly becoming the town square and, upon hearing tales of your heroics, Carver promptly invites you all to dinner. "I know the captain." He says with a smile. "I think we can rustle up a few good things for a celebratory feast tonight!" With that he bustles off, leaving you with Ramona and a rare few moments of peace.
Ashlyn excitedly rushes over to the ship, curious if the handy haversack, traveller's any-tool, and wand of cure light wounds that the group had ordered has arrived...
"A feast? Oh, wow! That sounds great. I've been surviving on really filling berries for a while! A feast sounds wonderful!"
"Oh, yes! A feast! With music and dancing and wonderful food!" Tettia gushes as she envisions the event. "I haven't been to a party in such a long time."
"Elizar loves to dance!" Ashlyn tells Tettia, clapping her hands.
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Elizar looks at Tettia, slowly waggles his ectoplasmic eyebrows, and gives her a rather lascivious grin.
"Yes, this is good to celebrate Aurelian Fache returning. I can see people here have been very sad without him here," he says, pleased. "Is it always this sad when he is out exploring?"
The young woman keeps an eye on the incorporeal being, but leans in close to Ashlyn. "He's a gentleman, right? He wouldn't get ... stuff ... on my dress, would he?" she whispers.
Ashlyn leans over and whispers to Teddy, "I suppose he is rather... squelchy. But the mess will vanish in no time!"
Tettia frowns a little at Ashlyn's reassurances. She glances at Aurelian for a moment. "I do so miss dancing, but ..." She takes a deep breath and shrugs. "Toddi and I would dance together whenever we couldn't find someone we were willing to ... well. At least we did until she got engaged." Her eyes widen a little. "Do you dance?"
Ashlyn grins. "I sure do! Doesn't everyone? The music starts and you just move."
It's clear that although Ashlyn enjoys dancing, she's not a dancer.
Tettia grins back. "Good, then I at least have one dance partner that won't leave me all squishy," she says, relieved.
"Did something happen in town while we were gone, Ramona?" Sarine asks. "Everyone seems subdued."
"There's been a lot of... unrest." Ramona admits. She has a smile on but looks tired, haggard even. "Lots of people have turned against the settlement here. Its not your fault at all but every tale you tell of the monsters you've fought make people think that there must be even worse stuff out there just waiting to get us. Robin Smythwick even went on hunger strike until we promised to abandon the colony. Carver talked him round in the end but..." She trails away with a tired sigh. "I'm glad you're all back. It's some good news we all needed, as well as the supply ship. Some tastes of home should make everyone feel better."
She shakes her head firmly and smiles, looking more like the leader you all remember. "Anyway, you all deserve a rest. Take the day, enjoy yourselves and I'll see you for dinner later!"
With that she grasps your hands in turn and heads towards the ship.
"What? No! They should know that Aurelian Fache is here, and is making sure none of the monsters survive to attack the colony," he says. "And we have made friends with some of the monsters too!"
He will spend the rest of the day relaxing, hopefully getting in some afternoon enjoyment if any willing partners are available, before getting ready for dinner.
Ashlyn heads down to the beach after collecting their hopefully-arrived-gear, and strips down to her swim suit. Then she and Elizar head into the ocean for a swim. She collects a few nice shells and goes pearl diving while she's at it. When her swim is done she dries off on the beach for a while, and generally enjoys some peaceful free time for a change.
Aurelian goes in search of pleasurable company and finds that his friends from previous nights are toiling in their garden. They are both delighted to see him and usher him inside to 'hear tales of his exploits' and 'thank our hero'.
Ashlyn gets a lovely swim, and a few suggestive whistles from sailors on Truth's Value which leave Elizar glowering. Tettia settles down with her spell and after a couple of hours makes a breakthrough - the rest of the time passes in frenzied note-taking and almost before she realises it it's sunset and time to meet the group for dinner.
Everyone assembles in the square, except for Aurelian who is mysteriously elsewhere - not that that surprises anyone. Ramona however is late... which is unlike her.
Aurelian meanwhile is still pleasantly engaged with his two lovers, who seem to have been practising since their last encounter - both are far more flexible than he remembers and their appetites are voracious!
Focused on his enjoyment, as usual, Aurelian is oblivious to anything unusual.
Group
As you all mill around, waiting for Ramona and Aurelian to appear, there is a sudden whoosh and the sound of screams from the beach! Rushing down towards Truth's Value, you see a small group of sailors battling desperately against some of the townsfolk! Just as you arrive Alba Denevar steps back and hurls a vial at the side of the ship where it shatters in an eruption of green flames!
She turns to you, a strange leer on her kindly face. "Oh good, the heroes have arrived!" Then suddenly her face splits down the middle revealing the creatures terrible new form!
Aurelian
Just as you stand for a glass of water and a (momentary) pause in your exertions you faintly hear cries coming from the village. Tobias and Marguerite share a look before Marguerite turns round to present her rounded behind.
"Come back my hero." She says, smiling over her shoulder. "We want to taste you again!"
Something in her tone of voice is different and as the swordsman realises that he is bleeding slightly from a scratch on his upper arm, the smear of blood on Tobais' lip suddenly looks far more sinister than it did a moment ago...
"No, there is something happening," he rejoins the pair, ignoring the scratch. "Aurelian Fache must go save the day!"
He snatches up his sword and pants and gets ready to make a heroic entrance.
Wary of the horrible monster in front of her, Sarine moves toward the brawl between the sailors and townsfolk, trying to put herself between them and the creature. "If you've hurt Alba..." she growls at it.
She then raises her voice to shout over the melee. "In the name of the Bounty, stop fighting this instant! The enemy is right in front of us, not each other!"
Ashlyn rushes to the side of the sailors, ready to defend them.
Looking at the weird monster Ashlyn exclaims, "Ewww! What happened to you? You look like a melted candle!"
Elizar places himself between the monster and the foolish woman he follows around all day.
Tettia screams in surprise as the woman transforms in front of them. Her scream transforms into words of arcane import and a missile of flame streaks towards the creature.
On return to camp Jenner had immediately stopped by Alba's hut to see how she was recovering. He had been relieved to find her not there, as it seemed proof enough that she was back in fine health and therefore 'to normal....'
...imagine therefore his shock and horror on reaching the beach, after being drawn by the screams
"Alba!" he roars-- not because he mistakes the shifting, formless creature for her, but as a wordless threat of vengeance. He doesn't waste time with more words, he just breaks into a run.
Sarine's shout gets the attention of everyone, the green glow of her sword lending her imposing frame an impressively eldritch glow. Unfortunately, while the sailors retreat a step, the townsfolk shudder almost as one and their forms begin splitting to reveal more of the creatures that impersonated Alba!
Said monster leaps forward, her arms stretching impossibly to grasp at Sarine's neck!
Fortunately the woman is too quick and sways easily away from the blow. Sadly Ashlyn's bravery has left her terribly exposed and surrounded by the monsters! Tettia lends a hand by blasting one of them with a jet of flames and the creature drops to the ground, its skin now really running like candlewax!
Aurelian
Just as Aurelian puts his legs through his pants everything begins at once. Marguerite turns to face him, a fearsome snarl on her face as Tobias starts forwards, his arms elongating to strike the swordsman!
"Help Ashlyn!" Sarine shouts as she watches the situation devolve into chaos.
She turns back to Alba's impostor, focusing her attention into a battle rage. "This I can fight. You should never have touched our people," she growls at the monster.
HP 57/57; Hero Points 2/2
AC 22, touch 15, flat-footed 18, CMD 21 (23 vs. disarm)
Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +2 (0/1 set mind; 0/4 charmed life; 0/1 defiant luck)
Panache: 5/5 (0/1 deed reroll)
Effects:
"No, this is not the type of biting play Aurelian Fache likes!" the swordsman declares, wrenching his pants up before he steps close to Tobias to slash at his deranged lover.