The mahogany-haired pirate perks up, "Power is almost like treasure," she rubs her hands together, "how are we going to take the power?"
"I don't know," Faith says. "I will be trying to figure that out. Step one will probably involve others not getting to it. We have slain serpentfolk and Red Mantis already."
"I think one Red Mantis got away ... so be on guard for invisible assassins," he says with a straight face.
He shows Glaur where on the map the runes are located.
Faith takes a few minutes to look at the body, pondering the tableau.
Faith frowns. "I'm still not sure what happened here yesterday, but I don't like it."
"I am fine for fighting the god in order to demoralize the serpent folk, but I would rather do it without all those serpentfolk trying to kill us at the same time."
Faith ponders. "The serpent beast is another good target, if we can keep your powder dry. I don't relish the thought of picking off clusters of serpentfolk two and three at a time, but we may need to do that."
He nods at Zaine. "The God first if we can figure out how not to be swarmed by serpentfolk while we do it."
"What do you think, Áine? You are the most stealthy among us."
"Strong, strong, weak," Faith says, pondering. "I will pray, and I will see what I can find."
He moves his hand from his scar to her hand. "I should be able to give a solid yes or no on the question of evil."
Faith prays for a variety of Detect spells in an attempt to figure out what is troubling Pakshee.
"I think one Red Mantis got away ... so be on guard for invisible assassins," he says with a straight face.
"...and on that point. Should I continue to maintain the Alarm spells or keep them for use in exploring the interior and trying to take out a Serpent God?"
"I am fine for fighting the god in order to demoralize the serpent folk, but I would rather do it without all those serpentfolk trying to kill us at the same time."
"Yes, I think the god should be our first target if possible."
Faith ponders. "The serpent beast is another good target, if we can keep your powder dry. I don't relish the thought of picking off clusters of serpentfolk two and three at a time, but we may need to do that."
"Maybe we should look for the god and target the serpent if he's not home."
He nods at Zaine. "The God first if we can figure out how not to be swarmed by serpentfolk while we do it."
"What do you think, Áine? You are the most stealthy among us."
Áine nods, "I agree. We know the godling lives here...and I guess probably knows we're looking for him...or at least are around." she says, indicating the disemboweled body. "I guess we should look around here first, and if we don't find him continue our search in the direction of the serpent? I'm more then happy to scout ahead as we go, but I don't know if I'll ever be good enough to not be detected by hundreds of serpentfold." she says with a smile. "Regardless. Be on guard for reverse thumbed godlings." her smile has slipped into a smirk.
You spend most of the day in semi-close proximity to the lair of the 'god'. The only activity that you spot are the non-regular movements of the armed serpent-folk.
Physically, each of the serpentfolk you have seen to this do not look seem to be the same individual.
Having no noticeable luck at ambushing said 'god' at his lair, you go to check on the water-serpent-beast-pet. The creature stays beneath the surface of the water until the moment something enters the water - at which point it strikes out swiftly - generally swallowing the something whole. Twice you've seen passing serpentfolk toss small rodents into the pool but you also saw it strike at a bird which foolishly splashed in the water.
"I guess we throw in some bait and hope we piss it off enough to keep it above water?" Zaine shakes his head. "Wish there was a way to drain this thing."
After watching several of the serpent folk patrols, Áine consults with the rest of the group, revealing what is under the spoiler.
"Do you make anything of that?" she asks.
"Wish there was a way to drain this thing."
"Don't know about that," Áine says, looking around for evidence of anything that might do just that, "but I can cast air bubble on your musket, if you'd like." she pauses before continuing, "this might also be an appropriate time to use our water breathing and water walking magics. I have one of each available if anybody wants them."
"I do not know what the serpent folk are doing," Faith says. "I could hazard a guess, but I do not know that it would be useful."
"I think we would need to create a distraction in order to successfully attack the god." Faith frowns. "Or have an army. Twenty of one, a score of the other."
"Do we want to walk on water? Would the creature not just retreat under the waves once we began to prevail? I can pray for spells which grant water breathing and water walking -- if you would rather save your magics for other things, Áine." Faith ponders, then nods.
"I do not know what the serpent folk are doing," Faith says. "I could hazard a guess, but I do not know that it would be useful."
"I think we would need to create a distraction in order to successfully attack the god." Faith frowns. "Or have an army. Twenty of one, a score of the other."
Zaine shrugs. "Maybe we should just attack their army and knock out their patrols. Seems like that might be the easiest way in. And, if I know gods -- and it's pretty clear that I do not -- killing a bunch of worshipers might be the way to draw it out."
"Do we want to walk on water? Would the creature not just retreat under the waves once we began to prevail? I can pray for spells which grant water breathing and water walking -- if you would rather save your magics for other things, Áine." Faith ponders, then nods.
"As long as we can keep my powder dry and my bullets flying, I'm game. Think I'd still need one of those air bubbles for that, though."
"Do we want to walk on water? Would the creature not just retreat under the waves once we began to prevail? I can pray for spells which grant water breathing and water walking -- if you would rather save your magics for other things, Áine." Faith ponders, then nods.
"Probably not...and not my magics. One time items. Just mentioning we have potions. I think water breathing would probably be good to have, especially for our melee people. Also, I can cast Air Bubble twice. I was assuming on Zaine's musket and my bow...or I remain above the water. Either way."
"As long as we can keep my powder dry and my bullets flying, I'm game. Think I'd still need one of those air bubbles for that, though."
"Gotcha."
Zaine shrugs. "Maybe we should just attack their army and knock out their patrols. Seems like that might be the easiest way in. And, if I know gods -- and it's pretty clear that I do not -- killing a bunch of worshipers might be the way to draw it out."
"Just guessing...it's not really a god. Just using the snakies here."
"Just guessing...it's not really a god. Just using the snakies here."
"I wasn't planning on getting in a theological debate with it," Zaine says, squinting off into the distance.
"Let me pray for magic, then," Faith says. "Water breathing, at minimum."
Having gotten the normal rhythm of the serpentine inhabitants of the district, you are able to approach the pool where the snake-pet lairs. Only when you approach does the sheer size of its home become apparent. What must have been a massive open-air coliseum when Saventh-Yhi was a thriving metropolis, the settling, sinking of the island is apparent in how the water has flooded the bottom three-quarters of the space - leaving a pool 400-feet across.
Standing on the un-submerged seats above, you can see movement in the cloudy, silt-filled water.
Zaine will wait for the various power-ups.
"I'll go ahead and be bait," Zaine volunteers. Unless anyone else has a better idea, he and Tulip will hop in the water.
Zaine points at the monster. "You don't speak Taldane, but I'm here to shoot you," and fires.
Tulip latches on with her jaws.
Áine casts Air Bubble on Zaine's musket and her bow and Aspect of the Falcon on herself.
Her Barkskin is currently at a +3 Natural Armor and she has one more. Let me know if there are any takers.
She will be flying above the water, unles there are other ideas.
Faith prays.
Faith gives Water Breathing to all, and Water Walk to any who request it.
He gives himself Water Breathing. He will also have Shield of Faith, Bull's Strength, and Sacred Armor going prior to stepping into the water. And a Blessing of Destruction for any who desire.
Faith steps into the water, and shows Charity to any who attack.
Áine hovers above the water firing into the gigantic serpent below.
Tulip moves onto the surface of the water, her weight causing her to sink just a bit down. Meanwhile Aine floats above the dinosaur ready to strike. The waves caused by Faith's entrance at the pool's edge are far more substantial than Sasha's - who slips into the water with two light spears.
The only hint of the attack is a slight ripple on the surface of the water. Then two serpent heads burst out of the water, on either side of Tulip acting with a predators speed. A speed with is completely blunted by Tulip's mithral barding.
However that self-same armor slows Tulip just enough that she doesn't manage to get her killing teeth latched onto the snake. Zaine's bullet and Aine's arrow, however, sink into the creature and seconds later Faith and Sasha land strikes of their own. Both heads of the creature hiss in pain, anger.
While she is gone, Aerys comes up. A smile as she watches Tulip get used to her new barding. After a moment she gives Zaine a bulky yet surprising light bag. "For your other girl." A pause as she watches Tulip, then half under her breath, "It needs an armored dinosaur army."
When she comes back she moves close to Zaine to admire Tulip's new metal hide, the aura of jungle funk is gone. Her red hair, pulled back in the loose braid is clean. Quietly, leaning in close, "I have a surprise to show you and Tulip." Her smile excited.
Áine targets a head and turns it into a pincushion. Unfortunately, its thick skull offers just enough protection to keep her arrows from penetrating its brain.
Zaine carefully sights down his musket, looking for the perfect shot, before firing.
Tulip squawks in frustration and attempts to get her jaws on the monster.
grapple
Zaine hefts the bag with a frown before understanding dawns on his face. "Thanks. And an armored dinosaur army is the goal. Eventually."
When Sasha returns, he listens. "Me and Tulip? It's probably not what I was thinking it was initially then."
Faith frowns a little, but continues to strike with Charity.
"There is a line of power near the tower," Faith says. He hums in the rhythm of the energy pulsing. "Is that what you are feeling?"
Again the two-headed serpent attacks Tulip futilely. While it clearly prefers the larger target - and meal - even it's slow reptilian brain seems to understand that this is not working. The left head flicks its tongue, gaze turning to the smaller meal on the bigger one.
Faith frowns a little, but continues to strike with Charity. Charity proves true. Sasha's spear thrust is also effective, even if it doesn't produce the impressive wounds of her swords.
Áine targets a head and turns it into a pincushion. Unfortunately, its thick skull offers just enough protection to keep her arrows from penetrating its brain.
Zaine carefully sights down his musket, looking for the perfect shot, before firing. A shot that blows a chunk of flesh from the serpentine monster.
Tulip squawks in frustration and attempts to get her jaws on the monster. Then a muffled roar of triumph when her jaws sink home and the coils of the monster are not immediately dislodged.
A pause, a smile stealing onto her mouth, "Tulip doesn't have to come," a pause, "but I didn't want her to feel left out and get mad at me." She motions to the stairs, which prove to be a bit harder in Tulip's new finery, the ancient stone wall developing a few new scrapes on a tight corner. On the second floor, Sasha proudly takes you both to the door of... a closet. Zaine clearly remembers checking the series of doors and they all lead to tiny rooms, mostly empty.Opening the door reveals a tent flap and a small two-person tent crammed into the room that is just big enough to hold it.
Tulip chomps on the sea monster. Maybe it tastes good?
grapple
Aerys thinks for a moment, "I don't know how well armor would work on Sasha's flying terror." The smallest motion of lips, "But I'm thinking those stout dinosaurs with the three horns, they would make an impressive barring ram against a line of enemies." Clearly crafting something in her head.
Zaine nods. "Now imagine one with a cannon on its back. There's not a castle wall that could stand up to that."
A pause, a smile stealing onto her mouth, "Tulip doesn't have to come," a pause, "but I didn't want her to feel left out and get mad at me." She motions to the stairs, which prove to be a bit harder in Tulip's new finery, the ancient stone wall developing a few new scrapes on a tight corner. On the second floor, Sasha proudly takes you both to the door of... a closet. Zaine clearly remembers checking the series of doors and they all lead to tiny rooms, mostly empty.Opening the door reveals a tent flap and a small two-person tent crammed into the room that is just big enough to hold it.
"Uhhh... that's great, Pepper?" Zaine says, clearly confused.
Áine swoops around on her flying carpet to the beast's other side, but not being familiar with flight, her aim is thrown off enough that all three arrows glance off the giant snakes thick scales and ricochet high into the air. She pouts.
Faith continues to strike with Charity.
Faith looks at the energy and watches where it vanishes into Pakshee.
"It has grounded into you," he says. "Do you feel different? Or more of the same prickly?"
Having decided that the small thing on her meal is making it harder to grab, both heads of the giant snake strike out at Zaine. Both sets of fangs sink into Zaine delivering a heart-stopping level of venom.
Faith continues to strike with Charity. Taking advantage of the creatures focus on Zaine, the knife sinks deep, severing the creature, bathing the combatants and filling the pond with snake blood.
Zaine nods. "Now imagine one with a cannon on its back. There's not a castle wall that could stand up to that."
Aerys smiles at the image, she holds her hands out as if to show a large moving force, "I was picturing a platon of armored rams, coming down a hill at a standing phalanx." A shrug, "Great potential imagery either way."
"Uhhh... that's great, Pepper?" Zaine says, clearly confused.
She looks at her presentation in the face of his confusion. She grins, grabs his hand and pulls him towards the tent flap. Once inside she motions to the large open space, a pile of rugs and blankets clearly a nest for Tulip while Zephyr squawks from a 'nest' tucked near the top of the tent, about 20-ft from the ground.
"Normally they are set up so a whole group can use them." A smile, "But this one is just for us, Tulip and Zephyr, so I figured more open space and," she pulls back a curtain to reveal a tub, buckets of water next to it.
"And," not quite dragging him to the next curtain, she pulls it back to reveal a bed. "I can rough it, but," her skin tints, starting to darken to her hair color, her eyes finding his, "I like a space that is just for us. And comfortable."
Aerys smiles at the image, she holds her hands out as if to show a large moving force, "I was picturing a platon of armored rams, coming down a hill at a standing phalanx." A shrug, "Great potential imagery either way."
"Imagine those with small swivel guns mounted on a saddle or howdah, loaded with grapeshot. That'll keep the vanguard safe. Then, maybe it's the saurians with full cannon broadsides." Zaine clears his throat self-consciously. "Might have been thinking about this for awhile."
She looks at her presentation in the face of his confusion. She grins, grabs his hand and pulls him towards the tent flap. Once inside she motions to the large open space, a pile of rugs and blankets clearly a nest for Tulip while Zephyr squawks from a 'nest' tucked near the top of the tent, about 20-ft from the ground.
"Normally they are set up so a whole group can use them." A smile, "But this one is just for us, Tulip and Zephyr, so I figured more open space and," she pulls back a curtain to reveal a tub, buckets of water next to it.
"And," not quite dragging him to the next curtain, she pulls it back to reveal a bed. "I can rough it, but," her skin tints, starting to darken to her hair color, her eyes finding his, "I like a space that is just for us. And comfortable."
Understanding dawns on Zaine's face. "Oh, wow. This is a hell of a thing, Pepper."
He glances at the bed, then at the buckets, caught in the midst of indecision. Then: "All right, first step. C'mere, girl," he says to Tulip. He takes the barding off, piece by piece, letting the t-rex get comfortable. "Make yourself comfortable. You have a nest now." He gives her a pat.
Then he returns to Sasha and takes her hand once again. "I'm all yours, Pepper. What's first?"
"Come over and I will check you for poison," Faith calls to Zaine.
Faith nods and puts his hand on Pakshee's shoulder. "I think you should try," he says. "When you are up for it. I will help where I can."
He did take two nasty bites
Tulip swiftly takes Zaine over to Faith then edges the pair to the shore. As soon as Zaine disembarks the dinosaur, she is back on the water, confused as to why she can't get to her tasty snake snack which has sunk beneath the water. She chirps at Zaine.
"Looking good, lad," Faith says, "should be strong as snow tomorrow."
He sets his hand on Zaine's shoulder, and heals HP.
"Looking good, lad," Faith says, "should be strong as snow tomorrow."
He sets his hand on Zaine's shoulder, and heals 2d8+9 HP.
"Oh, that poison was nothing. I've had worse drinks," Zaine says. "Back when I was with the Last Chancers, our cook -- he was also our barber and our doctor, which is why my hair looked like that for the better part of a year -- anyway, old Killingsworth used to make this stuff that could clean the powder out of a cannon. We used to drink it, then spend some time watching our hands move." Zaine chuckles with the memory. "Anyway, thanks for the heal."
One of Sasha's eyebrows rises, "Did you drink it before or after it was used to clean the cannon?"
Meanwhile out on the water Tulip dives into the water to seek the giant snake. Only to be immediately bobbed up to the surface by the water walk spell.
Áine watches Tulip for a moment with a bemused expression before glancing at Sasha and Zane, "That must have given it a rather...unique taste, I would think." she says with a shake of her head, and just a hint of a shudder.
She separated herself from the wall she'd been learning on, "Going to have a look around. You guys still up for a hunt if we can turn anything up?"
One of Sasha's eyebrows rises, "Did you drink it before or after it was used to clean the cannon?"
Meanwhile out on the water Tulip dives into the water to seek the giant snake. Only to be immediately bobbed up to the surface by the water walk spell.
"During, kind of. You know, it was like, one drink for you, one drink for the cannon, one drink for you," Zaine says, smiling wistfully. "I mean, you don't drink the stuff that comes out of the cannon. That's mixed with gunpowder. No... this was later, and I think I was with the Steelhands? We'd put the gunpowder on top, and then light that before drinking." Zaine coughs. "You do strange things when your entire life lurches between extreme boredom and almost dying. Also, I think I was sixteen or so when I was with the Last Chancers."
"Better than cannon backwash." Faith laughs.
"I am up for a hunt. Do you think we would do better at night? Or will we be more hampered by the darkness than the serpentfolk?"
"If it had the soot and remaining gunpowder, it'd probably be less corrosive than the pure cannon cleaner." Sasha says after thinking about it.
Aine comes back from her scouting mission to report that she isn't certain about tracking down the 'god' as both he and his serpentfolk minions wear boots. While his are no doubt a higher quality, they do not have a horribly unique tread - based on the prints in blood she found in the creature's lair.
"We can pick off random clusters of serpentfolk, but I think it makes more sense to do it strategically. Perhaps if we investigate other areas, we can find our way back here nearer to the god. Or near enough that Zaine can pick it off from a distance."
Faith ponders, and frowns. "I hate the thought of those murdered captives ... and their killers going unpunished."
"The man we talked to earlier. The one that that so-called god eviscerated. He was dragged outside of the lair before being displayed...and there aren't any signs Gator's been back since. He was headed in the direction of the Spire, but we already saw him there." she pauses, listens to Faith then continues, "maybe take out some more bridge guards and do a little more exploring then."
"Perhaps if we are lucky, we may stumble across the thing in our exploration," Faith brightens at the thought.
Faith ponders, and frowns. "I hate the thought of those murdered captives ... and their killers going unpunished."
"Killer stupid. Stay in one place long time, many trophy. Will be to stupid to go away now." Pakshee comments.
With no trail to find the crocodilian 'god' the group heads to observe the guards on the bridges that span to the eastern shore. You see a group of four serpentfolk, their attention focused eastward, not inattentive to the island behind them, but easier prey.
The light coaleases into a small humanoid fox. It spins a golden flute in its paw.
"Imagine those with small swivel guns mounted on a saddle or howdah, loaded with grapeshot. That'll keep the vanguard safe. Then, maybe it's the saurians with full cannon broadsides." Zaine clears his throat self-consciously. "Might have been thinking about this for awhile."
Aerys makes a low, odd sound which can be identified as a chuckle with a great deal of imagination. "Need to do something about the recoil." She says after a moment, "I know how much the cannons shipside buck when fired, need something really big or really nimble to handle that on a field, I'd think."
Understanding dawns on Zaine's face. "Oh, wow. This is a hell of a thing, Pepper."
The clear excitement that buoyed her while she lead them upstairs hadn't popped, but with Zaine's words her smile broadens, her steps bouncing.
He glances at the bed, then at the buckets, caught in the midst of indecision. Then: "All right, first step. C'mere, girl," he says to Tulip. He takes the barding off, piece by piece, letting the t-rex get comfortable. "Make yourself comfortable. You have a nest now." He gives her a pat.
Then he returns to Sasha and takes her hand once again. "I'm all yours, Pepper. What's first?"
Sasha watches as Zaine gets Tulip settled, stripping off her own well-used chain shirt. The dinosaur sniffs suspiciously at the clean nest, moving and reshaping the pile with her claws.
Her eyes steal across the wide expanse of the tent, at where the bed is hidden behind hanging canvas. "I got you hot water so we could get rid of the jungle funk."
The air on the bathing side is a little warmer from the steam from the buckets, but that likely has very little to do with slight color, as Sasha casual mentions, "The magic makes it so that no one in the tent can be detected from the outside. No smell, no sight."
"Not a single sound escapes."
Áine reveals the info under Perception spoiler.
Faith startles, and looks at Áine.
"...there are times when a fireball would be convenient," Faith says quietly. "But Vildeis prefers that personal touch. Any clever ideas apart from not falling into their trap?"
Faith murmurs an appreciative noise. "Nicely done," he says.
Áine almost smiles, "Well, I'm just about out of spells again. Does anyone have magical storage big enough to carry people?"
Áine almost smiles, "Well, I'm just about out of spells again. Does anyone have magical storage big enough to carry people?"
"If you want to get into my saddlebags, that's your business, but I bet your bow has a longer range than their javelins," Zaine says. "Or I could just go ahead and draw the first volley with a charge."
Aerys makes a low, odd sound which can be identified as a chuckle with a great deal of imagination. "Need to do something about the recoil." She says after a moment, "I know how much the cannons shipside buck when fired, need something really big or really nimble to handle that on a field, I'd think."
"Cannon just need some deck to roll back on to absorb recoil. Might have to be forward facing on either side as opposed to broadsides. You'd only have two cannon, but if they were big enough they'd do the kind of damage you'd want."
Her eyes steal across the wide expanse of the tent, at where the bed is hidden behind hanging canvas. "I got you hot water so we could get rid of the jungle funk."
The air on the bathing side is a little warmer from the steam from the buckets, but that likely has very little to do with slight color, as Sasha casual mentions, "The magic makes it so that no one in the tent can be detected from the outside. No smell, no sight."
"Not a single sound escapes."
A grin creeps over Zaine's face. "So, say, if you were screaming about something, no one could hear you. Good to know." He pauses, and still grinning: "Wait, is this an elaborate ruse to kill me? Oh well. I'll die clean and relaxed."
Zaine leaves a trail of clothes on the way to the tub before lowering himself into it with a happy sigh, leaning back against the rim.
Áine shakes her head, then nods "That's true." she agrees, "what do you think they'll do if I start shooting from a distance? If I'm the only one visible, we might be able to get them to separate if the visible ones come out to get me and the other 4 stay hidden. Anyway, it's probably either that or I try to get the melee group in to close and personal distance using the bags, while Tulip and Zane act as a distraction.
Do you think they have a larger force they'll be able to alert in a protracted fight?"
Áine shakes her head, then nods "That's true." she agrees, "what do you think they'll do if I start shooting from a distance? If I'm the only one visible, we might be able to get them to separate if the visible ones come out to get me and the other 4 stay hidden. Anyway, it's probably either that or I try to get the melee group in to close and personal distance using the bags, while Tulip and Zane act as a distraction.
Do you think they have a larger force they'll be able to alert in a protracted fight?"
"Most likely," Zaine says. "This doesn't look like everything. I imagine they have some way to signal reinforcements. Finding and neutralizing that would probably go a long way to making this easier. Do we have any invisibilities? We should pick up some rings. Getting someone to get a closer look and find that early warning system is a..." Zaine snaps his fingers. "Pepper, can you send Zephyr over there? See what you two can see?"
Áine's eyebrow raises and she perks up with an appreciative nod towards Sasha, waiting for her response.
Zaine snaps his fingers. "Pepper, can you send Zephyr over there? See what you two can see?"
Sasha, who had been focusing on the bridge her fingers on the hilts of her blades, looks at Zaine. After only a moment she moves next to Tulip, leaning against the dinosaur as she closes her eyes.
And keeps them closed.
Still closed.
We are talking a good ten, twenty minutes before she opens her eyes. Using the backend of the spear she had for the aquatic combat, she moves to a sparse patch of dirt amid the stonework and sketches, crudely.
Pointing as it makes sense, "Bridge. Us." She points to three squares in the area around. "These ones smell of snake and you can hear creatures moving inside. Not sure if they are reinforcements or living spaces."
Of the buildings Sasha pointed out only one is close enough to respond in combat time to an alarm, but the others could produce second and third waves in five to fifteen minutes.
"They tend to have a horn or two or three. Is Zephyr's sight good enough to spot which of the guards on the bridge might have one without making it obvious something is up?" she catches herself, "then again, taking out the guys in the building might be a better move. Sasha, do you know about how many there are there? Shall we stage a raid?"
"Sounds good to me. I figure they'll notice me as soon as I start for them, so everyone sneakier should get into position." Zaine draws his musket and checks the load before pulling the hammer back. Tulip squawks, sniffing the air hungrily.
"My blessings will probably not last long enough to be useful if there is to be sneaking involved," says Faith.
"Feast well," he says to Tulip, and moves into position as quietly as he can. Which isn't very.