"And once again, we're expected to sneak someplace," Zaine remarks to Tulip.
Kline smiles, "I'm hoping we can pull off a coup and get a large enough army that you won't need to sneak because all the things you'd have to sneak by will be out fighting our army."
"Glaur says you've made peaceful negotiations with a number of tribes that live here in Savith-Yhi. Plus there are the morlocks and maybe the urdefhan. If we can scrape all that together, and figure out how to weaponize the city... that seems like a good start."
"However, sneaking past the serpentfolk in the snake part of Ilumera to explore the Hunter's Maze will require some stealth, if you don't want to have to fight your way in and out."
"I'm not certain if we should look for the weapon first or start marshaling the resources you might have."
Sasha smiles at the focus of the other woman's gaze and she looks at Zaine to make sure he is ok with it before asking, "Do you want to touch Zaine?"
Athyra nods. Waiting for Zaine's affirmation, then, still holding his hand, she leans forward to lick his hardening tip, almost exactly as Sasha had done earlier, then touching gently with her free hand, just the tips of her fingers moving over his member.
"Maybe we can get a wand of silence." Áine suggests with a hint of amusement, "But how long is that going to take? Maybe a few scrolls?" she continues, "I do have a few spells that may help, this time around. Though you wouldn't get the joy of the big of your gun."
"I suppose it's probably too late for me to worry about my hearing..."
"I'm not certain if we should look for the weapon first or start marshaling the resources you might have."
"Presumably the weapon won't get more antsy and belligerent the longer it waits. I say weapon first, army second."
"Maybe we can get a wand of silence." Áine suggests with a hint of amusement, "But how long is that going to take? Maybe a few scrolls?" she continues, "I do have a few spells that may help, this time around. Though you wouldn't get the joy of the big of your gun.""I suppose it's probably too late for me to worry about my hearing..."
Sasha, practically, "The damage would be caused by an injury not natural degradation, so you could ask Faith for a big healing or restoration." She thinks, "Or maybe Remove Deafness."
"I'm not certain if we should look for the weapon first or start marshaling the resources you might have.""Presumably the weapon won't get more antsy and belligerent the longer it waits. I say weapon first, army second."
Kline nods, as do Glaur and Kassata, although the pirate doesn't seem as worried about evil invading army. "I don't think I'll be in good enough shape to be of much help, but I would like to talk to Udarra and see how her people are doing since my capture and since you released all of the prisoners from the fortress."
Sasha shifts to give Zaine a kiss then grins at Athyra, nodding. "He did." A pauses, "He tastes different normally since he was coated in both of us."
Athyra, who used one hand to cup Zaine at his explanation the her other to gently touch along his length with interest as his body changes, considers. "Taste good. Still good before?"
"I'm biased, but yes." Sasha says. They both see Athyra continue to rock and squeeze her thighs as she pets Zaine's hardness. "Do you want to be touched?"
Athyra considers Zaine, leaning back, and Sasha right near him, her dark eyes taking in their bodies, Zaine obvious growing need, and the less obvious ones Sasha shows. She smiles, bends down to kiss the tip of Zaine's member again, her tongue coming out to taste again. "Yes." She pauses, "What is good way to start?"
Sasha, practically, "The damage would be caused by an injury not natural degradation, so you could ask Faith for a big healing or restoration." She thinks, "Or maybe Remove Deafness."
"What?" Zaine breaks into a smile. "Just kidding."
Then he parts from her, and moves aside, guiding her to Sasha's waiting mouth. As they kiss, he runs a hand over Athyra's back, fingers lightly tracing her spine.
When Sasha and Athyra part, he leans in and kisses Sasha, reaffirming their connection. This kiss is a little more forceful. He knows her well, knows what sets her on fire.
He guides Athyra to lay between them, making room for her. He leans in, kissing her mouth again, then moving to her neck, nibbling lightly at the sensitive skin. At the same time, his hand goes to her breast, gently removing the hide that covers her.
"Presumably the weapon won't get more antsy and belligerent the longer it waits. I say weapon first, army second."
"This is sound thinking," Faith says. "I agree with Zaine. Putting hands on a powerful Azlanti weapon may also help to motivate reluctant allies."
"The damage would be caused by an injury not natural degradation, so you could ask Faith for a big healing or restoration." She thinks, "Or maybe Remove Deafness.""What?" Zaine breaks into a smile. "Just kidding."
"I offered," Faith shrugs, in on the joke just a little late, "but he would not hear of it." For once, Faith keeps a straight face.
With more than a little reluctance, Conner hands Faith a bag full of incredibly clear quartz stones. Near the top is one that has been carved into a small horse.
"These are perfect," Faith says. "What were you using them for? ...and, is this your work?" He holds up the horse.
"Of course," he says solemnly. "I'll be happy to insult you in any way you need."
"Good man," says Faith. "I knew I could count on you. I will let you know when I am ready to attempt this ritual."
Faith thinks for a moment, then breaks into a big smile. "Yes," he says, "it will help a great deal if you can channel energy into me at an appropriate time. Between Hiding From Undead and Trapping Shadows, even with Jask's assistance, I am stretching myself thin."
"I will let you know when I am ready to attempt this ritual. Decrepit corrupted magic purified through the shining light of Vildeis, amplified by the efforts of others." Faith shakes his head in wonder. "The Lost City of Saventh-Yhi!" He laughs at the sheer enormity of it all.
"Which of our experts are you going to talk about it?"
"Either Aerys or Conner may have heard someone speak of it. If not, I will ask Zaira. If none of these know, then the device waits yet to be found."
Faith sweeps his arm to indicate the sprawling breadth of Saventh-Yhi.
After a day or so to allow the group to prepare, Pakshee teleports the group (with some people still consigned to inter-dimensional storage) directly into Ilmurea before Udarra's manor home.
Their sudden arrival causes a flurry of activity and several angry snarls until both the group and Eando are recognized. At that point Udarra is led outside by Thekola, the young morlock smiling when he sees the group. Udarra smiles as well, "I was worried when you didn't return even though so many of our missing kin did. I am so pleased that we didn't lose you to serpents or vampires."
"These are perfect," Faith says. "What were you using them for? ...and, is this your work?" He holds up the horse.
"Chess pieces." The big cook says after a moment, "And yes. I started on the black pieces."
When Zaine kisses her, Sasha's response starts softer, sweeter, than normal, taking a moment to meet his fire. But her eyes find his when he pulls away, her lips silently mouthing 'love you'.
Following Sasha lead, Athyra's response is quicker with Zaine's second kiss, her own tongue trying to follow the lesson they are both teaching. Her whole body shivers when Zaine shifts to her neck and Zaine find her nipples hard as he easily pushes away the bando top revealing breasts just as tanned as the rest of her body. Athyra's hands go to each of the lovers, touching each's chest, clearly having an easier time following Zaine's example on Sasha then himself. Sasha runs her fingers down Athyra's arm and side, leaving her body open to the other woman's experimental touch, even as Sasha leans down and carefully licks around the nipple of the breast Zaine isn't touching.
Athyra's own hands continue to touch but her back arches, extending the connection of both Zaine's hand and Sasha's mouth. Small goosebumps follow the trail of Sasha's fingers as she runs them down ribs and across the flat expanse of Athyra's stomach.
Their sudden arrival causes a flurry of activity and several angry snarls until both the group and Eando are recognized. At that point Udarra is led outside by Thekola, the young morlock smiling when he sees the group. Udarra smiles as well, "I was worried when you didn't return even though so many of our missing kin did. I am so pleased that we didn't lose you to serpents or vampires."
"We were pretty thrilled about that too.
"We were pretty thrilled about that too.
Áine snorts in amused agreement.
Faith thinks for a moment, then breaks into a big smile. "Yes," he says, "it will help a great deal if you can channel energy into me at an appropriate time. Between Hiding From Undead and Trapping Shadows, even with Jask's assistance, I am stretching myself thin."
"I will let you know when I am ready to attempt this ritual. Decrepit corrupted magic purified through the shining light of Vildeis, amplified by the efforts of others." Faith shakes his head in wonder. "The Lost City of Saventh-Yhi!" He laughs at the sheer enormity of it all.
"I know, right?" Áine agrees with his sentiments, "Let me know when you are ready. I will have it prepared."
"How have you fared?" Faith asks. "Has the situation worsened since we were here last?"
Faith hands back the knight. "I do not think my ritual will destroy the stones, but should it do so, I would rather not destroy your handiwork."
"This is not a thing that I have attempted before, so I am uncertain," he says apologetically. "But it is a necessary task, and I thank you for the stones."
Faith smacks his forehead with his palm. "Possibly it was. I shall have to return, perhaps with Pakshee. I cannot keep track of how her magical skills grow with each passing month."
"If nothing else, I would appreciate the time to Detect Magic and remove all doubt." Faith shrugs, and his countenance returns to its usual cheer. "A task for another day," he says. "Sleep well, friend."
"How have you fared?" Faith asks. "Has the situation worsened since we were here last?"
Udarra shakes her head then raises a hand in a sorta gesture, "Getting so many of our breathern back was a glad boon, but there is an adjustment period." She waves the group to follow her inside the old stone built into the wall. "I know from those that wanted to talk to me that you had rescued Kline and freed them, helped them to escape the vile fangs of the serpents." She claps Kline on the arm, which may have been intended for his shoulder, but blind, "You are a herald of the ancestors Kline, we would be lost without you and the others." She smiles toothily at the rest of the group.
"Come tell me what happened, what you need of us, while i summon a feast in your honor."
Faith hands back the knight. "I do not think my ritual will destroy the stones, but should it do so, I would rather not destroy your handiwork."
"This is not a thing that I have attempted before, so I am uncertain," he says apologetically. "But it is a necessary task, and I thank you for the stones."
Connor takes back the partially finished chess piece. "What are you going to be doing with the other stones?" The big chef asks, curious but likely fishing to see how likely he is going to need to find another fifteen clear quartz pieces.
"Sleep well, friend."
"Sleep well, Faith." Jask says.
With only one hand on Zaine, she is unable to do the cup and pet she had earlier, and she hesitates. Sasha parts from her licking to reach over Athyra's body and guide the other woman until they are both giving Zaine a slow handjob, Sasha intentionally teaching Athyra the parts that he most likes stimulated.
Zaine will let the others do most of the talking.
He guides her legs together and slides the skirt down and off, putting it aside. He leans over, kissing her belly just above her sex, and looks up once, catching her eyes. In them, she sees a burning desire, a need to experience her, and a confident power. He's not a conqueror, but an explorer, ready to name and define every corner of her bliss.
He opens her legs, encouraging her to move with lips and teeth and tongue. Then he parts her, taking up where his fingers left off. He traces her borders, penetrates her, finds where she moves, where she cries out, where she grips him or the bed harder. The whole time he spirals around her sweet button, never staying for too long. He brings her along on this journey, always heightening, always finding another plateau. When he judges she is ready to break, he places his mouth over her center, licking, sucking, and at the same time filling her with a few gentle fingers.
Faith summarizes the adventures with the vampires as well as in the serpent's temple, finishing with: "We will have an army from the vampires, once we have presented evidence to their leader. We hope to have an army of your people. Our intentions are still to thwart the serpents' evil and destroy them, but there are tasks we must accomplish first."
"Their end is inevitable, only they do not know it yet." Faith's confidence is solid. "But without proper preparation, all will come to naught."
"There are shadows in that place. Shadows created by old twisted magic. I intend to bind the shadows into stones, consecrate the inner section to destroy the old magic, then drag the stones into the consecrated area, thus destroying the shadows."
Faith holds a clear quartz up to the light, looking at its faint shadow. "The stones may be unharmed. They may become smoky. They may be destroyed. There is even the chance they will appear unharmed, yet cast shadows as though they were opaque. I cannot say."
Faith grins to Connor and Nali. "I thank you for these."
"We hope to have an army of your people."
Udarra nods enthusiastically. She places an ancient gnarled hand on Kline's shoulder, "For the emissaries of the ancestors, there is nothing we would not do."
Kline clears his throat, clearly aware that he manipulated their religious believes when he came but also not about to change that now. "Before I was captured, Udarra, you told me about a weapon lost by the ancestors."
"Oh yes," the morlock oracle says, "a powerful weapons lost when the ancestors came to the darkness from the lands of light. Stolen away and hidden in the Hunter's Maze of the Snake."
Kline nods, "My friends wish to recover the weapon, to help in the war against the snakes. Can you show them where the Hunter's Maze is?"
"It is deep in the part of the city taken by the snakes," Udarra warns as she points out the area on the rough map of the city she has avaliable. On the positve the area she points to, while you have to skirt the heavier density of serpentfolk controlled city is in an area wihout any major buildings or the like that would indicate a heavy serpentfolk presence.
Faith holds a clear quartz up to the light, looking at its faint shadow. "The stones may be unharmed. They may become smoky. They may be destroyed. There is even the chance they will appear unharmed, yet cast shadows as though they were opaque. I cannot say."
Faith grins to Connor and Nali. "I thank you for these."
Connor's fingers tighten around the single, partially carved quartz Faith returned. "So what I'm hearing is that even if the stones look the same I might end up with a board full of cursed chessmen?"
When asked to accompany Faith on a task, Pakshee is more than willing to go. Asking around does also reveal that a number of the Pathfinders have ioun stones, if you want to see if any of theirs would make getting back into the hidden temple room easier.
Which isn't to say her control doesn't have its limits, it just means even after Zaine starts to explore her, for him and Sasha to learn the areas that bring their new lover more pleasure, her eyes switch between the two, learning much about them. It does nothing to protect her from her bodies response to Zaine's penetration, her body rocking on the fingers, her arms clutching at Sasha alongside her.
"Anything special you can tell us about this Hunter's Maze?" Zaine asks.
Zaine breaks into a smile. "Enjoying yourself so far?" he asks, resuming his place cuddled up next to her. His free hand caresses her belly.
"Anything special you can tell us about this Hunter's Maze?" Zaine asks.
"Not much," Udarra says apologetically. Her head moves as if she is looking at the people at the table despite her blind eyes, "The old stories say it was in the heart of the slave pens the ancient serpents kept, both a prize for the snakes and a final end for slaves."
Udarra thinks, "Having lived my life in buildings they built, I would expect narrow and twisting passages," she shrugs at Aine, "Will make it hard for you to stay away from dangers."
Her eyes go down Zaine's body, find his hardness, then shift over to Sasha's wetness pressed near her other thigh. "You both wait for me?"
"Understood. But just to confirm," Áine nods, as she continued she gestures as if expecting the blind woman be able to see her movements, "by narrow, are you thinking around 5' or less in places? And is that occasional or more of the norm?"
Udarra thinks, "Having lived my life in buildings they built, I would expect narrow and twisting passages," she shrugs at Aine, "Will make it hard for you to stay away from dangers."
"Faith makes it impossible to stay away from dangers. It's why he gets up in the morning."
"Faith makes it impossible to stay away from dangers. It's why he gets up in the morning."
"This is true," Faith agrees. "It makes for an invigorating morning and a hearty day."
He turns to Udarra and gestures to Tulip. "I am more concerned about Tulip maneuvering in tight quarters."
"At least ambushes by necessity will be close quarter," Faith says, "and not from archers half a ballroom away."
"So what I'm hearing is that even if the stones look the same I might end up with a board full of cursed chessmen?"
Faith nods. "It is a possibility. More likely it will just be a rumor, spread from sailor to sailor. We cannot know until the ritual has been completed, I fear."
Faith thinks for a moment. "I would be happy to purchase a replacement, but I know that cannot compete with the pleasure of working with your hands. Fish tastes better when you set the hook yourself."
Faith will ask a Pathfinder with an ioun stone to accompany him and Pakshee back to the Temple District. It will be worthwhile information even if the ioun stone doesn't work.
"by narrow, are you thinking around 5' or less in places? And is that occasional or more of the norm?"
"I would suspect, since the serpents are similarly sized to humans while their captive could be any size, there would be a number of passages that are only five feet all around."
"I am more concerned about Tulip maneuvering in tight quarters."
Udarra looks concerned, "That could be very uncomfortable." The old woman thinks, "You have the ability to move from one place to another with being in the intervening space, since that is how you came back from the above world. If an area seems too hard for Tulip, maybe you can move past it then have Tulip come that way."
After a fine dinner and the offer of her home if it is needed, the group is able to set off to the area of the ancient city Udarra indicated. Between flight, the darkness of the cavern and the ability to be invisible should the need arise, the group is able to move across the subterranean lake and to the north side of the cavern.
On the outskirts of Ilmurea, among a vast maze of fallen rock and rubble at the edges of the city’s cavern wall, lies a sprawl of ruins. A stagnant aqueduct of putrid water and collected waste runs between several half-collapsed hovels formed from immense slabs of rock, each leaning upon one another to form a chain of habitats. The numerous gaps among these walls appear dark and silent, but rust-red smears of dried blood mark their outer walls, many in the shape of handprints. A large escarpment looms along the northern wall of the cavern, accessed by two steep ramps of loose stone.
With your aerial approach, you can see movement in the amid the ancient hovels. You can also easily move directly to the escarpment forty-feet above the hovels rather than moving through.
Great piles of loose rock create sloping ramps leading up to this high terrace. At the top, barricades of sharpened stone block the approach. Three large fire pits are spread across the terrace, the glow of their smoky embers reflecting off the mineral deposits of the north wall. Several small cave entrances lead into the north wall, while giant serpentfolk statues flank two larger entrances. To the east, a holding pen corrals several huddled figures inside.
.
Faith nods. "It is a possibility. More likely it will just be a rumor, spread from sailor to sailor. We cannot know until the ritual has been completed, I fear."
Faith thinks for a moment. "I would be happy to purchase a replacement, but I know that cannot compete with the pleasure of working with your hands. Fish tastes better when you set the hook yourself."
Conner smiles mid-way through Faith's response, "The captain always prefers playing white, I'm thinking there are worse things than cursing her pieces."
Faith will ask a Pathfinder with an ioun stone to accompany him and Pakshee back to the Temple District. It will be worthwhile information even if the ioun stone doesn't work.
While a number of the Pathfinders do have ioun stones (mostly seated in their wayfinders), with the revelations of Savith's Tomb, most of the people Faith knows are busy from sunrise to fall. However, there was a new addition to the expedition who arrived with Athyra and Sammi just before that fateful event. Since they haven't quite been fitted into the studies and exploration in the city, Dr. Vhelnas Lowll says they are available to assist.
Dr. Lowll is a severe middle-aged woman, her once light skin deeply tanned and lined from decades in the Kaaava Lands. She seems content to walk in silence as you lead your small expedition to the Temple District, but you notice her eyes are continual drawn to items of blue and you can almost see her marking them in a mental map if the blue seems organic in origin.
Athyra watches the hand kiss, her tongue steals out whith the mouth kiss, and her hot lower mouth moves against Zaine's hand almost of its own volition.
Athyra's forehead furrows a little, "You both gave me pleasure, although Zaine made bigger pleasure. Can I give pleasure to both of you?"
Sasha leans up a bit so Athyra can see her face and the frank honesty, "I know you're asking about more but you have already given us both pleasure too. So you don't have to do anything you aren't ready for."
Athyra nods, kissing first Sasha then Zaine. "I understand, but like pleasure with Zaine. With Sasha." She smiles, "Would like more, but more with both."
"I would suspect, since the serpents are similarly sized to humans while their captive could be any size, there would be a number of passages that are only five feet all around."
Áine places a finger on her upper lip as she ponders, "That could make for a lot of combat."
"I am more concerned about Tulip maneuvering in tight quarters."Udarra looks concerned, "That could be very uncomfortable." The old woman thinks, "You have the ability to move from one place to another with being in the intervening space, since that is how you came back from the above world. If an area seems too hard for Tulip, maybe you can move past it then have Tulip come that way."
"Or I could temporarily shrink her." Áine offers, "as long as she's willing, of course." she cocks an eyebrow at the big t-rex.
Áine motions with her head towards the figures in the corral and raises an eyebrow, "Now or later?" she asks. While waiting for a response, she uses a wand to cast Negate Aroma on everyone in the party and follows it up by casting Quieting Weapons on her bow, Zaine's musket, and a weapon of choice for Sasha and Faith as well as Barkskin on herself (retrieves it) and Juliver. She looks at Pakshee, raises an eyebrow while fingering another Pearl of Power, "Natural Armor bonus?" she asks.
Conner smiles mid-way through Faith's response, "The captain always prefers playing white, I'm thinking there are worse things than cursing her pieces."
Áine smirks, nods in agreement with a twinkle in her eye.
"Or I could temporarily shrink her." Áine offers, "as long as she's willing, of course." she cocks an eyebrow at the big t-rex.
Zaine pats the dinosaur on her flank. "I'd say shrinking is probably our best bet. She won't like it, but it sounds like that will be easier than teleporting her whenever we run into a roadblock."
Assuming consent, Zaine moves her onto her side, then opens her legs. He draws Sasha in, first for a kiss, then just to hold her with one arm while the other guides his manhood right at the gates of her. He brushes the engorged head over her lips, teasing. His mouth goes to her neck, from time to time to her mouth when she cranes her head back, or to Sasha's.
Then, with a push, he is inside Athyra. He is very slow, knowing she will need time to adjust to him. He continues to kiss, and as he feels her body growing accustomed to being filled, he fills her more, another inch buried into her, until she has taken him to the hilt.
Áine motions with her head towards the figures in the corral and raises an eyebrow, "Now or later?" she asks.
"They may be dinner," Faith says. "We have a greater purpose here, but I would not leave them for that."
Conner smiles mid-way through Faith's response, "The captain always prefers playing white, I'm thinking there are worse things than cursing her pieces."
"Even if your quartzes do not survive the ritual, I will ensure they are returned to you," Faith says with a mostly-straight face.
"If there is something in particular you are looking for, I can keep my eyes open," Faith says at one point. "Everyone here has a pet project, and I am happy to assist with yours if I can."
Áine motions with her head towards the figures in the corral and raises an eyebrow, "Now or later?" she asks."They may be dinner," Faith says. "We have a greater purpose here, but I would not leave them for that."
It isn't hard to direct the invisible aerial group over to the holding pen without taking much time. The stockade of is made of serpentstone posts and mithral wire creating an open-air holding pen. Each post is carved to simulate a snake's scales and is topped by a fanged viper's head. A single gate stands int he northern stretch of the fence. The keen eyed among you can see there is no lock on the gate, no bar keeping it closed. It has been pushed shut, but there is nothing obvious keeping those inside, well, inside.
Within the pen there are fifteen morlocks, sitting, barely moving, eyes vacant and barely aware of the creatures next to them much less anything else.
"Even if your quartzes do not survive the ritual, I will ensure they are returned to you," Faith says with a mostly-straight face.
The chef huffs in amusement as he leaves.
"If there is something in particular you are looking for, I can keep my eyes open," Faith says at one point. "Everyone here has a pet project, and I am happy to assist with yours if I can."
"It's a pet project when you are working on something larger and you want something more to do. When you have your own project and your resources are reassigned to someone else's project, what would you call that?"
Athyra's leg lifts to Zaine's hip, willinginly opening herself to Zaine, gasping as his hardness teases, her head resting on Sasha's shoulder, her neck bare for both of the lovers to nuzzle.
As Zaine sinks fully into Athyra's body, Sasha moves her hand down, skiming from the other woman's breast to the her nub. Gently adding just a bit more stimulation but which causes Athyra's body to clamp around Zaine in an sudden and intense orgasm.
Faith squints at the holding pen, and sighs.
"There is a glyph on the inside of the mithral gate," Faith says. "A persuasion glyph. It appears very powerful, and would affect us if we were to enter the holding pen. I do not wish to leave those morlocks to their fate, but if we cannot think of a way to safely release them without revealing ourselves, then perhaps we need to free them on our way out."
After a few days of preparation, Faith gives warning the night he intends to perform the purification ritual. "Prepare as you would for battle," he recommends, "in case something goes awry."
"It's a pet project when you are working on something larger and you want something more to do. When you have your own project and your resources are reassigned to someone else's project, what would you call that?"
"I would call that an annoyance," Faith says immediately. "Or a nuisance. Possibly a thrice-damn'd nuisance, depending on the context."
"Is the blue your personal project or someone else's?"
Faith squints at the holding pen, and sighs.
"There is a glyph on the inside of the mithral gate," Faith says. "A persuasion glyph. It appears very powerful, and would affect us if we were to enter the holding pen. I do not wish to leave those morlocks to their fate, but if we cannot think of a way to safely release them without revealing ourselves, then perhaps we need to free them on our way out."
"On the way out, then." Áine says.
After a few days of preparation, Faith gives warning the night he intends to perform the purification ritual. "Prepare as you would for battle," he recommends, "in case something goes awry."
Áine grins, "Thanks for the heads up. I'll be looking forward to it!" a shadow briefly crosses her brow, "How much extra energy do you think you might need? How many spells should I reserve?"
"We'll probably have a lot to mop up when we're done," Zaine observes.
He rests against Athyra for a time, catching his breath, then pushes up, smiling, kissing her first, then Sasha. He disengages, then cuddles back down with Athyra between him and Sasha, his body shiny with a sheen of sweat and juices. "Still enjoying yourrself?" he asks Athyra. "Sasha still needs a turn. She's probably climbing the walls." He looks to Sasha. "Why don't you introduce her to a sixty-nine?" He settles back looking forward to watching the two of them.
At each of the barricades there are three urdefhan and a single fox-headed creature with an emaciated body and massive claws.
However, since the barricades stand a decent distance from both entrances to the Hunter's Maze, the group is able to examine those as well without losing their element of surprise.
Two colossal statues of hooded serpentfolk look out over the cavern, flanking a perfectly round passageway in the northern wall. The statues wear scaled armor and carry hunting spears, and their deep-socketed eyes glitter with a violet hue. Beyond the open doors at the entrance, sigils and runes mark the inner walls of the passageway.
Like the glyph on the holding pen, this symbol has built to be more powerful than the standard version (ie heightened to a 9th level spell with a correspondingly high caster level.)
"Bypass and defend ourselves if attacked?" Áine asks.
"Bypass if possible," Faith agrees.
"The runes in the passageway are to sow fear, but the working is incomplete. Once finished, they will be very powerful. I am thankful we did not wait much longer."
Zaine nods in agreement to the plan.
Almost the moment the entire party is in the 15-ft wide tunnel entrance, Aine whispered a hurried stop. Apparently when Faith saw incomplete magic, it wasn't that it wasn't finished, just that it becomes active when the outer doors are closed. Which a intricate and barely noticeable trap which would have closed the door.
After a moment, Aine gives the all clear for the group to move forward. And the group is able to move up the flight of stairs that lead to the untrapped interior doors. Although there is the ability to bar those doors once you have passed through.
Past those door, another rise of stairs that ends in a brightly illuminated large room, although it maintains the round ambiance of the tunnels. Multiple stairways exit this room, most leading deeper underground. In the middle of the floor, a pattern of gold-inlaid tiles forms a square; each tile is etched with a strange rune. To the north, twin statues of defaced serpentfolk warriors stand upon five-foot-high platforms, their arms stretching to the thirty-foot ceiling overhead.
You see two pairs of urdefhan, one at the top of the stairway to the right and another at the stairway to the left. As you invisibly rise up the southern stairway, you see one wave to the other group. Two urdefhan exchange places, taking care to walk around the exterior of the gold-inlaid tiles rather than take the shorter path across.
Even though the trigger has been disarmed, it is a temporary thing. Juliver whispers, "It'd going to reset in max ten minutes."
Áine's casting of Pack Empathy on the group may or may not make them entuned enough to realize that the trap at the entrance is only actually temporarily disarmed. With all the traps about, she also uses a wand from her hip quiver to cast Life Bubble on everyone in the party, just in case.
"Shall I check out what's in the near surroundings while you see if you can figure out anything about the golden tiles?" she whispers to Faith.
Faith nods to Áine and moves slightly closer to the tiles, but up in the air, and ... no closer than standard Detect Magic range.
Those who know know how to look for it, don't see any trap in the traditional sense.
However, to the north, there is a large cavern, soaring up to 60-ft. It is filled with a number of 15-ft tall plateaus and there are more of both the urderfhan and fox-faced outsiders waiting to attack those on the floor below.
"I would call that an annoyance," Faith says immediately. "Or a nuisance. Possibly a thrice-damn'd nuisance, depending on the context."
"Is the blue your personal project or someone else's?"
Dr Lowll does crack a smile at the first, a bit of the annoyance that tightened her frame bleeding out. "It's my focus of study with the Pathfinders."
She considers, "As a man of medicine, you've likely heard of Yaje."
She nods when she sees the recognition in his eyes, "Sometimes useful, often dangerous. A lifetime ago I met a old druid who told me that there used to be another version of the tincture, called Blue Yaje. The key to it being a blue plant which was substituted for the ayahuasca base. According to the legends I've found, it is supposed to have a stronger effect with less of the side effects." She chuckles, "And also legends that it will transport you to a another world filled with stout dwarves and lithe women who can open your mind to its fullest potential."
"I've yet to find that plant. Given that many of the legends arose during the run of the Azlant empire, I agreed to assist Amivor in the hope I'd find a lead here."
"Only for the young brat to curtail my investigation once I got here. Something about his medical going awol."
"Still enjoying yourrself?" he asks Athyra. "Sasha still needs a turn. She's probably climbing the walls." He looks to Sasha. "Why don't you introduce her to a sixty-nine?" He settles back looking forward to watching the two of them.
Sasha, is as Zaine knows, flushed, her body pressed against Athyra. However, the wiry druid blinks her eyes open when Zaine asks. "Was good." She blinks, looking at Sasha over her shoulder. "Sixty-nine?"
Sasha smiles, kissing Athyra's shoulder, her hand moving from the other woman to brush against Zaine, just for a minute. "Me pleasuring you with my mouth, like Zaine did while you do the same for me."
Athyra presses her thighs together, considering.
Sasha kisses her forehead, "Gently, I know how sensitive you must be right now." She grins, "Been there." She looks at Zaine, finding his eyes, "Love it." Looks back at Athyra, "But only if you want."
Athyra cuddles into the two for a minute, letting her body rest. Then, "Yes." She kisses Sasha then Zaine. "You enjoy this too?" She asks the gunslinger before turning back to Sasha.
The redhead guides Athyra to all fours, "If you need a break, or its too much you can move away more easily." Hands skimming her body as she moves beneath. Softly, sweetly, Sasha kisses Athyra's lower mouth, her tongue moving slowly, touching muscles and tasting both of her lovers. Even with the delicate touch, Athyra's hips buck, and Sasha slows, her hands moving to waist and back just enough pressure on muscles.
After a minute, Athyra dips down, licking the length of Sasha's lips. Tasting, then going back tongue moving experimentally on the smooth flesh.
Faith frowns at the tiles, but they refuse to spill further secrets to the dour look on his invisible face.
"Similar to a magic mouth spell," he says quietly.
"I am curious, but if the serpents won't set it off, we shouldn't either."
Faith listens thoughtfully, and asks, "How much of this description do you expect to be true? Old things do linger here, and it is possible you may find the plant you seek."
He chukles. "Stout dwarves and lithe women sound like the work of a lonely man with an active imagination. I am happy to take the scenic plant-based route back to camp after you have assisted with my own research today."
He looks at Dr Lowll apologetically and shrugs. "It is almost literally the least that I can do."
Zaine can't audibly shrug, but he'd like to.
He settles back on the cushions and watches as Sasha guides Athyra around the curves.
Áine returns and makes her presence known, "East and West are small circular hallways, very difficult to avoid anyone passing through. To the North is a big cavern. Maybe 60' tall. There are many 15' plateaus with urdefhan and fox faced outsiders keeping watch from above. That might be the best way for us to go. Maybe above them?"
"Yes, check out the easiest places first. I agree." Faith seems to be having a little trouble keeping his voice down at the presence of so much evil.
Numerous tunnels open into this massive cavern whose 60-foot-high ceiling arches high overhead. Several small plateaus stand in the center of the cavern floor with narrow crevices running between them. Four of the 15-ft-tall plateaus are occupied by the enemies Aine mentioned. Moving around the chamber high up, you can see so many exits, but one in the northeast side of the cavern has a door. Additionally, two of the tunnels in the northeast lead up into stairs.
As you move about the large chamber, one of the fox headed fiend looks up, directly at Faith. A toothy smile growing on its face as magic starts to shimmer around its hand.
The second fox fiend, jerks, like someone just yelled at it.
She smiles at the lackluster apologetic attitude, "Psionic abilities are rare outside of the enclaves in Vudra," a hint of the obsessive curiosity that Faith has seen in most of the Pathfinders sparks in her grey eyes, "a process that awakens those abilities would be..." she smiles.
Sasha continues to gently tease out Athyra's pleasure points, slowly adding a finger to the pressure of lips and tongue, causing Athyra's back to arch and for her to freeze in distracted pleasure. Only returning to Sasha's body after long moments. She does seem fascinated by the squeeze and pulse of Sasha's body when she mimics Sasha's actions.
Áine fingers the tops of the cylindrical shafts at her waist quiver, pulls out a rod and casts Extended Fickle Winds around everyone in the group.
Initiative Zaine
Initiative Tulip
Zaine snaps a shot off at the fox-headed monster.
Zaine takes careful aim, this time putting the musket ball right in the center of the monster's mass.
Tulip wheels around and charges the same creature, though she stumbles, and her jaw comes down on nothing.
grab
Faith gives Áine the Blessing of Destruction .
Faith makes a surprised noise at the thought of stable psychic abilities.
"a process that awakens those abilities would be..."
Faith finishes her sentence in a number of ways. "Revolutionary. Fantastic. Dangerous. A boon. A weapon. Valuable. I wish you luck in your search, Doctor, but if you succeed, you will be in far more danger than I have ever been."
Faith shrugs. "And I punch ghouls."
Áine fingers the tops of the cylindrical shafts at her waist quiver, pulls out a rod and casts Extended Fickle Winds around everyone in the group to protect the group from physical ranged attacks without deterring their own.
Faith gives Áine the Blessing of Destruction.
The fiend, in the northwest plateau, finishes pulling together the energy he was drawing from himself. He gestures clawed hands at the invisible group - which draws the attention of the urdefhan who see nothing. The spell starts as a prickling, the drawing of moisture first from your skin then your entire body, like you've been in a Saharan desert for two weeks.
Zaine snaps a shot off at the fox-headed monster. The shot hits solidly, doing a bit less damage than Zaine expected. However, between the shot and Tulip utterly shrugging off the effects of the spell, it's vulpine eyes narrow.
Across the chamber the other fox-headed fiend sighs.
And given he definitely seems an outsider type creature, he likely has teleport or dimensional travel.
Faith moves into melee range and attacks the second fox-headed fiend directly.
Zaine save
Ride check
Sense Motive
If Áine had fox features, she would be giving the same feral smile that the spell caster had. She focuses on the farther fox fiend first and drills her arrows through him until he falls, then turns her attention to the first one.
If Áine had fox features, she would be giving the same feral smile that the spell caster had. She focuses on the farther fox fiend first and drills her arrows through him. It takes every shot Aine can make and, even then, if the creature were a little faster it would still be drawing breath.
With the further fiend fatally fallen, Faith moves into melee range and attacks the first fox-headed fiend directly. His good weapon searing the flesh of the fiend.
Guarded even as he does so, the fiend casts another spell. Waves of heat and exhaustion spread out from the creature in a cone.... but he misjudged the distance and the only person caught in the negative energy wave is Faith.
Juliver's eyes go wide, "I think these aren't standard meladaemons, although we were lucky they weren't paying attention outside.... they have a natural ability to see things that are camouflaged by invisibility magic."
Zaine takes careful aim, this time putting the musket ball right in the center of the monster's mass. Between the damage he just took and the obliteration of his companion, you can read that he knows he took the wrong action in his eyes.
Tulip wheels around and charges the same creature, though she stumbles, and her jaw comes down on nothing.
But Sasha rolls off the dinosaur's back, tumbling to the far side of the fiend with a slash of her sword. Making the only possibly way for the fiend to escape be via magical means.
Both of the urdefhan use the the bows specially designed for their inhuman strength. The arrows are harmlessly deflected by the wind spell around each of you.
Tulip chomps on the closest monster.
grab
Faith shows the fox-headed fiend Cherish, since it can see him.
Áine turns her attention towards the other meladaemon, if it goes down, she switches to silver-headed arrows for the Urdefhan.
Arrows1&MS: 35+26 = 61hp
ArrowRS: to hit 25, 30hp
Arrow 2: to hit 26, 28hp
Arrow 3: to hit 18, 31hp