To the north, there is a bed of stone elevated from the mud. All around the surface there is a metal cage with familiar gems inset at very specific angles.
Zaine follows Sasha into the room as he reloads the musket. "Crystals," he says, as though that solves anything.
Her head leans back with a near scream of frustration, her body tensing and staying tense for a long moments as she forces herself to breathe. After a moment, the tone back though no where near as steady as it had been early, "And what, Master, will be happening to distract me from this task?"
He looks up from his work. "I'd be f*#%ing you of course. If you were good. If you were bad..." This slap is softer than the last, but hard enough to get the point across. He runs a hand over the raised muscles of her abdomen. His fingers come away with the last of his seed; this he presents to her. Then he runs a finger over the moisture between her legs, tracing that around her lips.
He returns to his teasing, but this time, he backs off more slowly. Her hips raise in response, and now he lingers for a moment. Then he lingers for a bit longer. And a bit longer. Then, when he breaks away, she feels his fingers slide into her, beckoning, then out.
Faith looks over at Juniver. "I have a fishing rod, what kind of bait does your rapier take?"
"Those crystals sound familiar," Faith says, smiling at Pakshee as she helps him clean mud from places it was never meant to be.
"They're something we're looking for?"
Faith looks over at Juniver. "I have a fishing rod, what kind of bait does your rapier take?"
"I don't even think mithral is magnetic." A deep sigh. "Pakshee, would you cast fly on me? I don't even want to think about how hard it would be to swim in mud."
"Those crystals sound familiar," Faith says, smiling at Pakshee as she helps him clean mud from places it was never meant to be.
"They're something we're looking for?"
Pahskee, of all people, respond. "To fix the magic portal and find more of the snakes like the one at the temple of blood back home."
He runs a hand over the raised muscles of her abdomen. His fingers come away with the last of his seed; this he presents to her. Then he runs a finger over the moisture between her legs, tracing that around her lips.
She can't fake the haughty look she used the last time his fingers were offered, her tongue leading his finger into her mouth, sucking, pulling.
He returns to his teasing, but this time, he backs off more slowly. Her hips raise in response, and now he lingers for a moment. Then he lingers for a bit longer. And a bit longer. Then, when he breaks away, she feels his fingers slide into her, beckoning, then out.
The sound small, pleading, "Zaine." Her hips move, her body wanting more, she tightens around his fingers, unable to achieve the release her body is screaming for without him. A deep breath, trying, failing to find a balance.
Her fingers clenching the bedspread, her heels moving on Zaine's back. She looks down her body to Zaine, teeth biting into her bottom lip. The tone is still challenging, but doesn't disguise the need one bit. "I thought Master was going to f@#! me until I screamed. Or do I bore Master and he needs a different slave?"
"They're something we're looking for?"Pahskee, of all people, respond. "To fix the magic portal and find more of the snakes like the one at the temple of blood back home."
"Right!" Zaine says, remembering a bit. "So this is another portal? That needs to be repaired? I suppose we need to count those up as we clear out the town so we know how many we're dealing with." By Zaine's tone, he's completely unsure of this conclusion and has no self-consciousness about this fact.
The painful sting doesn't seem to bother the redhead, even though she gasps with the bite and almost purrs with the smoothing after. "A girl's tongue inside me, Master?" A pause, as she just lets herself feel Zaine's masterful work. "And mine licking her." She watches Zaine's body, green eyes seeing if this is what he wants. "Both of us. Wet. Hot. Both for you to taste, to take."
The need she sees in his eyes tells her this is exactly what he wants. That and the increasing swelling inside his breeches.
Her fingers clenching the bedspread, her heels moving on Zaine's back. She looks down her body to Zaine, teeth biting into her bottom lip. The tone is still challenging, but doesn't disguise the need one bit. "I thought Master was going to f**@ me until I screamed. Or do I bore Master and he needs a different slave?"
He pauses in his ministrations, and his voice rusty, filled with love: "I will never be bored of you, Pepper." Then, more stern, punctuated with a slap, and then the following caress. "If it's another slave I need, it's the both of us that will f~$* her." He runs his tongue up her cleft. "Already begging for release, are we? Slave, we're barely at the beginning of how I'm going to take you."
He dips back down, returning to his games. Now he lingers even longer, and she finds that if she is more vocal, he lingers even longer. The presence inside her is still only brush strokes, though. Then, at last, his tongue finds her button. As he caresses her, she feels a new pressure. A finger, slicked with her, probing gently but insistently at her anus. It is not the first time he has done this, but something about tonight is electric. The games have gone far. She has never felt this need in his touch before.
"Found it!" Faith shouts triumphantly, followed by a miscellanea of unhappy noises as he clears the mud out of his sinuses.
"...whatever it was."
Pakshee moves over the Faith, checking his face, clearing mud from the warpriest's ears.
"Yeah." Áine says, putting her hands together and giving him a 'namaste' bow...and the mud mostly falls away from him, "and again, thank you, thank you for drawing it out, and Juliver for all your timely information, you are a font of knowledge." she grins at the Pathfinder.
Meanwhile Juliver looks at the pool of mud with a sad look on her face.
Áine notices the look, sighs, takes off her bow and quiver and lays them on the carpet, takes a deep breath, then wordlessly dives straight into the mud, right over where Juliver's rapier sunk into the muck.
It's a pretty nice dive. She disappears straight down into the mud.With the sigh, whispers "Only for you."
Casting Time 1 standard action
Range touch
Target creature touched
Duration 1 minute/level
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell resistance yes (harmless)
DESCRIPTION
The subject can burrow at a speed of 15 feet (or 10 feet if it wears medium or heavy armor, or if it carries a medium or heavy load) through sand, loose soil, or gravel, or at a speed of 5 feet through stone. Using burrow requires only as much concentration as walking, so the subject can attack or cast spells normally. The burrowing creature cannot charge or run. Loose material collapses behind the target 1 round after it leaves the area. This spell does not give the target the ability to breathe underground, so when passing through loose material, the creature must hold its breath and take only short trips, or else it may suffocate.
"Nicely done," Faith says, as Áine slices down into the mud.
"And nicely remembered," Faith says to Pakshee. "I appreciate how you are able to keep focus on the important things. We do need to track the snakes to their lair and thwart their nefarious plans, whatever they are."
Meanwhile Juliver looks at the pool of mud with a sad look on her face.Áine notices the look, sighs, takes off her bow and quiver and lays them on the carpet, takes a deep breath, then wordlessly dives straight into the mud, right over where Juliver's rapier sunk into the muck.
In the wake of Aine's dive, Juliver looks embarrassed but happy. Aine does resurface with the rapier. But she also finds an ancient skeleton clutching a unique and antique Pharamin holy symbol, a passel of gems, and a life-sized human skull composed entirely of crystal.
"And nicely remembered," Faith says to Pakshee. "I appreciate how you are able to keep focus on the important things. We do need to track the snakes to their lair and thwart their nefarious plans, whatever they are."
Pakshee beams at the praise. Then her eyebrows rise at Zaine's question and she stares hard at the metal cage of crystals. Slowly she shakes her head, "I don't think he was trying to mimic the portal and there isn't any active magic in it, so..." she nods.
The short once-cannibal steps forward and carefully but surely sticks her hand into the lattice work to pluck one of the crystals from the structure. Nothing explodes, nor anything else. Only then does she finish her thought, "so it should be safe for us to take the crystals and use them in the portal that Juliver broke."
Color riding high on her cheeks, she looks down at Zaine between her legs, her fingers twisting in the sheet. A long moment, the a blink, and the utterly put on tone, "Does that mean you are done with me, Master?"
Pakshee beams at the praise. Then her eyebrows rise at Zaine's question and she stares hard at the metal cage of crystals. Slowly she shakes her head, "I don't think he was trying to mimic the portal and there isn't any active magic in it, so..." she nods.
The short once-cannibal steps forward and carefully but surely sticks her hand into the lattice work to pluck one of the crystals from the structure. Nothing explodes, nor anything else. Only then does she finish her thought, "so it should be safe for us to take the crystals and use them in the portal that Juliver broke."
Zaine nods. "Take intact crystals from broken portal to intact portal. I don't know a thing about portals, but that sounds right."
What he does no can no longer be properly termed teasing. He concentrates on her most sensitive areas, seeking the crest of her pleasure and encouraging it to build, to continue. As she becomes accustomed to the feel of his finger inside her, she feels another pressure. A second finger joining the first, filling her more deliciously.
"It does," Faith says, clearly pleased with Pakshee. "And also, it sounds like something we would do."
After returning Áine nods in agreement, as the mud begins to fall away as if repelled by an anti-mud magnet. "It does."
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With the discovery of the room with the crystals, the group can find not other passages or rooms in the muddy complex.
As you get up, get ready for a day of taming the not-quite-jungle city - breakfast and all that - you see an line of pirates schlepping in gear from the cliff entrance to the city.
One of the more curious things are a set of small boats.
And a ton of kegs. Many of the pirate crew (and quite a few of the Pathfinders as well) look cheerful. You see the tired ship's caster following the group and speaking with Kassata. Word quickly goes out that the caster will only be in Savenith-Yhi for the night so that another set of purchases can be brought into the far off jungle camp in time for Winter Solstice and Turning Day the week after.
Towards the beginning of the 'lesson' Sasha continue to watch Zaine, but as her body convulses riding the growing pleasure, her head falls back, her body stretching out, her hips lifting giving him all the access he could want, her heels moving on Zaine's back, her fingers digging into the surface of the bed.
Her voice has very little in the way of words. His name. More. Yes. Please. Very little of it quiet although movement of her hips tries to still as the second finger joins the first - at least until her body adjusts to the new girth.
And a ton of kegs. Many of the pirate crew (and quite a few of the Pathfinders as well) look cheerful. You see the tired ship's caster following the group and speaking with Kassata. Word quickly goes out that the caster will only be in Savenith-Yhi for the night so that another set of purchases can be brought into the far off jungle camp in time for Winter Solstice and Turning Day the week after.
"Is that a beer shipment?" Zaine asks, his tone implying that he wouldn't mind if that were the case.
"Yea, I saw that smoke in the north. Captain thinks it means there is someone new moved in."
Faith wanders over to this conversation, to find out which area may be re-inhabited. And to ask questions like "many small fires or one big fire?" "One area or spread out?" "What color was the smoke and how high did it go before it dispersed?"
Faith wanders over to this conversation, to find out which area may be re-inhabited. And to ask questions like "many small fires or one big fire?" "One area or spread out?" "What color was the smoke and how high did it go before it dispersed?"
The pirate looks confused at first, but with a few more questions you get that it was normal white-grey smoke, dispersed like cook fire smoke and were small with multiple sources, although grouped somewhat.
"Is that a beer shipment?" Zaine asks, his tone implying that he wouldn't mind if that were the case.
Kassata, from a little behind Zaine, "Yep." She moves up so she can speak more easily with the gunslinger, though on the far side from Tulip, "That one for tonight because I'd have a mutiny on my hands if beer came on board and the boys didn't get to wet a whistle." A smile, "And the rest to be pulled out of storage on the 11th. Because even if they aren't the rest of the year, everyone on my crew swears to be a loyal Caydenite come ascension day." Amusement clear in her tone. "Good captain that I am, I must make sure to allow my crew their religious freedoms to get s@@$ face drunk."
Faith asks if the pirate can show him where the smoke was coming from. He will have a better idea in his head if he can it.
"Normal smoke makes for a nice change of pace," Faith admits. "Too many things in this jungle are far from normal."
Kassata, from a little behind Zaine, "Yep." She moves up so she can speak more easily with the gunslinger, though on the far side from Tulip, "That one for tonight because I'd have a mutiny on my hands if beer came on board and the boys didn't get to wet a whistle." A smile, "And the rest to be pulled out of storage on the 11th. Because even if they aren't the rest of the year, everyone on my crew swears to be a loyal Caydenite come ascension day." Amusement clear in her tone. "Good captain that I am, I must make sure to allow my crew their religious freedoms to get s*#$ face drunk."
"Wouldn't mind a beer myself," Zaine says. "Do I have to be sworn in on the crew, or can I just drink as a guest?"
She feels him against the gates of her anus, rampant and wet with her. Again, he is gentle, but insistent. With a soft push, the head of his manhood, thick with desire, is inside her. As much as she might have hoped, his fingers did not entirely prepare her for this new intrusion. She is full, almost frighteningly so. And with his entry, there is a bolt of pain that fades into a hungry ache, reminding her of the slaps that came before. He stays still, allowing her body to adjust to him.
He brushes kisses over her jaw, then, whispering in her ear. "Now, slave, I'm taking the last bit of you. After tonight, you belong to me completely."
"All the monkeys. Haven't seen one in three days."
"Which monkeys are you talking about?" Áine asks conversationally. "Where?"
Kassata, from a little behind Zaine, "Yep." She moves up so she can speak more easily with the gunslinger, though on the far side from Tulip, "That one for tonight because I'd have a mutiny on my hands if beer came on board and the boys didn't get to wet a whistle." A smile, "And the rest to be pulled out of storage on the 11th. Because even if they aren't the rest of the year, everyone on my crew swears to be a loyal Caydenite come ascension day." Amusement clear in her tone. "Good captain that I am, I must make sure to allow my crew their religious freedoms to get s&** face drunk."
Áine's eyebrow curls upward, "Sounds like I should be ready to patrol that night." she comments in a similar fashion.
As you get up, get ready for a day of taming the not-quite-jungle city - breakfast and all that - you see an line of pirates schlepping in gear from the cliff entrance to the city.
Explicitly - if you have anything on order from the city you now have it.
next order already placed here
The day is Kuthona 7.
Áine keeps an eye out for small flying lizards, just in case. Might even go out of her way to actively look a little.
This time when you go over the high bridge fall above the water, you head straight towards the massive spear that marks the central point of the district. Before you get close to the base ziggurat, you need will need to move through a large plaza that fronts it.
From the far side of the plaza, where you have cover, you can make out the one-hundred-foot-high ziggurat capped by the hundred-foot-tall spire of stone. Using the spyglass that you recovered six months ago on the Shiv, you can see the tiers of the ziggurat are decorated with images of an immense giant mantis laying waste to various cities and devasting all manner of humanoid cultures.
Sasha goes stock still when it is her turn to use the spyglass. She breathes out, "Not all of them, but some of the bas relief artwork matches some of the ancient pieces in Acharkek's temple." Zephyr chirps seeing the larger deinonychuses circling the spire.
At the base and on the first few tiers of the ziggurat, you see troglydtes, a number dressed in bug-like chitin decorations merging lizard form with bug exoskeleton.
Faith asks if the pirate can show him where the smoke was coming from. He will have a better idea in his head if he can it.
"Normal smoke makes for a nice change of pace," Faith admits. "Too many things in this jungle are far from normal."
The pirate isn't the brightest of the people working in the massive base camp, but he does get what Faith needs. He motions to the glass windowed top of the group's tower and once at the top he motions to the jungle on the northern bank of the lakes encompassing the Military District. There isn't currently anything to see, but the Pathfinder on duty does agree that at dawn and dusk you can see the light smoke of cook fires escaping from the jungle foliage.
"Which monkeys are you talking about?" Áine asks conversationally. "Where?"
The Pathfinder, who had been talking to the mixed group of people Aine recognizes as those often tasked with the combination of camp maintenance (water, food) and guard duty, starts. She clears her voice then, with a shrug, "Well, of them ma'am." A pause, "We used to see them all over the place, just doing their monkey thing, but just realized that I haven't seen one for ages."
Áine's eyebrow curls upward, "Sounds like I should be ready to patrol that night." she comments in a similar fashion.
"Wouldn't mind a beer myself," Zaine says. "Do I have to be sworn in on the crew, or can I just drink as a guest?"
Kassata chuckles. "Not that bad, I have a few that are dedicated Besmaran. Them'n and the more reliable of Glaur's people can be on guard." She thinks, "I'm sure they'd appreciate if you'n and Juliver were on with them."
Then to Zaine, "Guests of the crew are welcome, you just need to get someone to give you one. Wouldn't be surprised if your girl hasn't already gotten one or three."
Her eyes widen as he pushes into her anus. The sharp gasp of pain, unlike the earlier screams of pleasure, she swallows. Her pulse and breathing speed up until, with a noticeable effort of will, she slows her breathing. Zaine feels every shift, every adjustment as her body tightens and eases around him, tightens, eases. Finally her back relaxes to the surface of the bed, her breathing low in her body. A little smile, so he knows she's ok, and her voice broken from earlier screams, "You feel bigger, Zaine."
He brushes kisses over her jaw, then, whispering in her ear. "Now, slave, I'm taking the last bit of you. After tonight, you belong to me completely."
Her green eyes hold his for a moment, not back into character, the same low voice, "F$#! me, Zaine." With a little nod so he has no doubt that she is a willing participant with him. But she moves a hand to touch his arm, a slight request to wait for just a moment. She breathes, swallows, her bottom shifts on him.
Another swallow and her voice is stronger, although still rasped with her earlier screams but in the defiant play-tone. "Master can bugger me, have me on my knees to service him, take me, have me perform, but you won't break me."
the tiers of the ziggurat are decorated with images of an immense giant mantis laying waste to various cities and devasting all manner of humanoid cultures.
Sasha goes stock still when it is her turn to use the spyglass. She breathes out, "Not all of them, but some of the bas relief artwork matches some of the ancient pieces in Acharkek's temple."
Áine nods, "Looks like some are newer builds over older existing artwork."
At the base and on the first few tiers of the ziggurat, you see troglydtes, a number dressed in bug-like chitin decorations merging lizard form with bug exoskeleton.
"Kinda interested in the story here."
The Pathfinder, who had been talking to the mixed group of people Aine recognizes as those often tasked with the combination of camp maintenance (water, food) and guard duty, starts. She clears her voice then, with a shrug, "Well, of them ma'am." A pause, "We used to see them all over the place, just doing their monkey thing, but just realized that I haven't seen one for ages."
"Huh. Maybe something to do with the charau'ka and the ape-demon being cleared out up north." Áine comments, "Not sure. Did you see anything else you think might be off?"
Kassata chuckles. "Not that bad, I have a few that are dedicated Besmaran. Them'n and the more reliable of Glaur's people can be on guard." She thinks, "I'm sure they'd appreciate if you'n and Juliver were on with them."
"Happy too, s'long as we're in camp." Áine glances at Juliver, "You okay with that Jules?"
Then to Zaine, "Guests of the crew are welcome, you just need to get someone to give you one. Wouldn't be surprised if your girl hasn't already gotten one or three."
"I'm sure she has," Zaine says, clearly amused. "The question is, did she notice?"
He sinks into her inch by aching inch, each time pausing to allow her body time to adjust to this. And he does feel bigger; perhaps it's the tightness of her, perhaps its his own arousal pushed to new heights. In likelihood, it's both. He holds her gaze every time he slides more deeply into virgin territory, savoring the furrow of her brow, the wince of pain, the flash of fear. Then he'll stop, kissing her tenderly on her lips, her forehead.
Then, when she is fully impaled on him, he allows her to rest. "I love you, Pepper," he whispers, kissing her again. He takes one of her hands, and guides it between them, so that she can touch herself. "And now, slave, I'm going to f+$% you."
He starts slowly, barely moving his hips. As her body accepts him, the thrusts become deeper, the movement greater. She said she couldn't be broken, but she is taking all of him.
Faith thanks the pirate with a hearty slap on the back.
"Are we going to try talking to them first?" Faith looks to the ranger. "What do we know about troglodytes? That armor doesn't look like the hallmark of a peaceful village."
"Kinda interested in the story here."
"Are we going to try talking to them first?" Faith looks to the ranger. "What do we know about troglodytes? That armor doesn't look like the hallmark of a peaceful village."
"They are modifying the art in furtherance of worshiping Achaekek." Being quite deliberate in her pronunciation of the deity's name. Sasha motions for the spyglass, taking her time looking at the unadulterated bas relief. Finished, she leans against the stone of the sheltering building, shakes her head. "But not the Achaekek I'm familiar with. No scenes of individual assassinations, none of the mantis god cutting through pretenders to the throne. Lots of monsters, lots of death and destruction of humanoid settlements." She shrugs.
"Huh. Maybe something to do with the charau'ka and the ape-demon being cleared out up north." Áine comments, "Not sure. Did you see anything else you think might be off?"
There is some discussion, a few really wild thoughts thrown out, but the answer seems to be no.
"Happy too, s'long as we're in camp." Áine glances at Juliver, "You okay with that Jules?"
Juliver starts a bit at her name, still seeming half-asleep, yawns, nods.
"I'm sure she has," Zaine says, clearly amused. "The question is, did she notice?"
"It is a delight to watch." The captain says.
Meanwhile Sasha is on the far side of the barrels, talking with the grumpy ship's spellcaster. She gets a package that goes into the bag she carries and a larger one that, unwrapped, proves to be a sawtoothed sword made of mithral. She pulls a money pouch and gives it to the caster tasked with fetching supplies from civilization.
At Faith's side, Pakshee also looks excited at the goods being brought in, her hand squeezes Faith's.
Kisses are returned with earnest need, "I love you too, Zaine." A hint of amusement, "I'll be walk.." she shakes her head putting off the thought as Zaine leads her hand down between their bodies. Eyes locked with his, he feels her hand move, feels her fingers dip in and out of herself, then down to caress the point where they are connected, the wetness on her hand easing the base of his shaft. Up, a whisper on her button that makes her body clench. A smile, a tease, "Master will satisfy himself." The insolent slave replies, "But will Master satisfy me?"
Her fingers move on her button and in her body with the rhythm Zaine sets, except when the wash of her body's feelings cause her to still, pleasure and pain vibrating through her. And she screams. Mostly his name mixed with sounds that almost make way to words. The play version of the slave may never admit it, but Sasha makes it clear she is well and truly his.
"They are modifying the art in furtherance of worshiping Achaekek." Being quite deliberate in her pronunciation of the deity's name. Sasha motions for the spyglass, taking her time looking at the unadulterated bas relief. Finished, she leans against the stone of the sheltering building, shakes her head. "But not the Achaekek I'm familiar with. No scenes of individual assassinations, none of the mantis god cutting through pretenders to the throne. Lots of monsters, lots of death and destruction of humanoid settlements." She shrugs.
"I was raised as an Erastil worshiper," Zaine says apologetically.
"It is a delight to watch." The captain says.
"Oh, it's funny now," Zaine says. "Trying to win her over? A lot less so."
As he watches the bliss take her over, he finally lets himself go. As she demanded, both as his lady love and as his insolent slave, he f+%@s her. He covers her mouth with his own, the kiss as hard as the thrusts. He can't hold on for long. His body seizes, going steel-tense. He comes with a strangled cry, in shuddering waves, deep inside of her. It seems to go on forever for him, and when he finally collapses, he pillows his head on her chest, just below where her shift has been hiked to. His arms close around her in a sweet embrace.
Before the group gets too far in discussing religion, there is a flurry of activity on the third tier of the ziggurat. There is a slab of marble on that level, the stone stained maroon brown in streaks. A rising sound, one that grates on your bones, you realize is from a number of the troglodytes running the serrated edge of arm pieces against the chitin decorations on their body.
As the sawing whine rises in pitch an albino troglodyte comes forward, placing on the altar weapon that looks like front leg of a giant mantis, the chitin aged and mottled. The sounds start to ebb and a younger troglodyte his body lacking the bug armament and decoration of the many of the others. The young creature comes forward, grabbing the blade off the altar, only for his skin to go a sick grey color and his pride stance to weaken.
It only takes that moment, the albino coming forward and, in a single motion, snatching the blade and using it to gut the applicant.
"Oh, it's funny now," Zaine says. "Trying to win her over? A lot less so."
"mmm" The captain comments. "You don't seem to mind the effort you put in."
It only takes that moment, the albino coming forward and, in a single motion, snatching the blade and using it to gut the applicant.
"Yeah, definitely not something we got up to in church," Zaine says, gripping the musket.
"mmm" The captain comments. "You don't seem to mind the effort you put in."
Zaine grins. "Would you?"
When he returns, he scoops her up in a bridal carry. "The only thing you have to do is take off your shift," he says. "It's a minor miracle that made it through." When she divests herself he gives her a long, and longing look. "You really are perfect."
He gently lowers her into the steaming bath, climbing in after her, and bringing her down to pillow on his chest. He dips his hands into the water, getting them warm and supple, before kneading the muscles of her shoulders and arms.
"Well. One less we have to worry about." Áine quips, "Shall I do a recon, or do you feel what we got with the spyglass is good enough?"
"Not the friendliest-looking ceremony," Faith says.
"I would love to know how many of those troglodytes are around, and if there's a way into that ziggurat that takes us around or through the albino. They seem like the priest of the situation." Faith pauses for a moment. "Anything else useful that we might want to find from a recon? I'm just hoping for a better tactic than a frontal assault yodeling our battle cry. I'm still working on my battle cry."
Faith squeezes Pakshee's hand in return. "Let's go get your new things," he says, enjoying her eagerness.
Oddly enough, thus far there have been no notes from the on anyone finding a way to enter any of the ziggurats thus far. The levels of the troglodytes pyramid definitely looks lived on. From your own reconnaissance of the district and the notes you've gotten from other people, you would guess there are a few hundred troglodytes in the district and a few dozen of those that seem to have a position in the bug cult.
The body near the altar is torn to pieces by a number of the attendant troglodytes, hunks of the meat distributed amid the faithful while a small portion is added to the altar to create new stains. As the ceremony calms down, there are less of the creatures in the immediate area, leaving a small number of the mantis-clad priests, the albino and a paired patrol of the troglodytes who mount up on young tyrannosaurs and move around the pyramid.
Zaine grins. "Would you?"
"Nope," the auburn-haired captain says, "but that is one of the reasons there is a no solicitation of the captain with her crew rule on my boat."
Faith squeezes Pakshee's hand in return. "Let's go get your new things," he says, enjoying her eagerness.
Pakshee doesn't quite drag Faith over to the annoyed caster, but it is a near thing.
When Zaine comes back and plucks her from the deshelved bed, she leans her head into his body, "Hi, again." Wiggling in his arms to pull the sweat damp shift over her head. A blush, a happy sound of sated pleasure. "I have a lot of work to do," Sasha comments, "to make you as happy as you make me."
That said the heat of the water eases what were obviously tense muscles and she melts into it, and into Zaine's touch. After a some time, Sasha shifts getting more comfortable, her hands moving against Zaine's thighs, gently massaging the muscles, just to touch him more.
"Zaine," she asks after a time in quiet thought, "when," a pause trying to figure out the words, "when we were being slave and master, were you picturing me with someone or was it just the idea of me being with another woman that you liked?" Her forehead just a little furrowed with the question.
The body near the altar is torn to pieces by a number of the attendant troglodytes, hunks of the meat distributed amid the faithful while a small portion is added to the altar to create new stains. As the ceremony calms down, there are less of the creatures in the immediate area, leaving a small number of the mantis-clad priests, the albino and a paired patrol of the troglodytes who mount up on young tyrannosaurs and move around the pyramid.
"They have to see us eventually, right?"
"Nope," the auburn-haired captain says, "but that is one of the reasons there is a no solicitation of the captain with her crew rule on my boat."
Zaine nods sagely, patting Tulip's neck. "I have a similar rule on my t-rex."
When Zaine comes back and plucks her from the deshelved bed, she leans her head into his body, "Hi, again." Wiggling in his arms to pull the sweat damp shift over her head. A blush, a happy sound of sated pleasure. "I have a lot of work to do," Sasha comments, "to make you as happy as you make me."
"Did you miss how happy I am right now?" he asks, grinning. "I mean, if you want to do something special to please me, I'm not going to say no, but I just had the most intense orgasm of my life."
"Zaine," she asks after a time in quiet thought, "when," a pause trying to figure out the words, "when we were being slave and master, were you picturing me with someone or was it just the idea of me being with another woman that you liked?" Her forehead just a little furrowed with the question.
"I didn't have anyone specific in mind, if that's what you're asking. We talked about it a little before, and you mentioned it would be fun to...be with a woman with me, and, well...the thought kind of stuck with me."
Zaine rubs her shoulders and neck. "If you want to keep it to fantasy that's fine too. Or, did you have someone in mind?"
"What do you guys know about troglodyte's?" Áine asks, "I mean other then they're lizard men types and stink real bad?"
After receiving any answer, Áine takes off to get a better idea of a good way in and out of the home of the bug worshipers.
Áine intends to sneak in avoiding contact. If she can get into contact with the bug god worshipers structure, she will be using her reconnaissance gloves to get an idea of what is within and where there might be any secret door type entrances...priority is to find a way to the place without raising the alarm in advance.
Juliver offers some comments about a tribe of troglodytes in the deserts of Quadira, it isn't really relevant to the tribe you are observing.
"Did you miss how happy I am right now?" he asks, grinning. "I mean, if you want to do something special to please me, I'm not going to say no, but I just had the most intense orgasm of my life."
Sasha grins back, clearly pleased down to her toes by Zaine's words, "It's not just about how I make you feel in bed, you think about me." She swallows, "You gave me your name, I want you to be happy in that way too. Cared for, loved."
Zaine rubs her shoulders and neck. "If you want to keep it to fantasy that's fine too. Or, did you have someone in mind?"
"I have you," she says simply. "It's hard enough to understand that not everyone is figuring out how to kill us, if they had to."
She rolls her shoulders in his hands, purring at the relaxed muscles, fingertips just moving randomly. Mischief in her voice, "If you could pick any type of woman," curiosity, "who would you want to see me with? To be with the both of us?"
"What do you guys know about troglodyte's?" Áine asks, "I mean other then they're lizard men types and stink real bad?"
"Not a thing. Except that. I know that now."
Sasha grins back, clearly pleased down to her toes by Zaine's words, "It's not just about how I make you feel in bed, you think about me." She swallows, "You gave me your name, I want you to be happy in that way too. Cared for, loved."
"I think that's what it means to be partners," Zaine says, running strong fingers down her arm. "You do make me feel loved, Pepper. Taking my name...your name now. Just being who you are. But I think it's good that we both have the need to make sure the other feels loved."
She rolls her shoulders in his hands, purring at the relaxed muscles, fingertips just moving randomly. Mischief in her voice, "If you could pick any type of woman," curiosity, "who would you want to see me with? To be with the both of us?"
She feels a faint stirring against the small of her back. He runs his fingers through her wet hair. "I love your hair, you know that. Another redhead might be fun, but I would be fine with any color hair, really. Black hair is pretty." He briefly cups her breasts, so cruelly neglected during their lovemaking. "Your body is perfect...so someone either close to you, or completely different." He pauses, thinking. "I mean, if I could pick any kind of woman, I'd probably say a mermaid or something."
He pauses, thinking it over, his hands below the waterline, circling her waist. "What about you? What kind of woman would you want to be with?"
Áine returns, not looking entirely pleased. "Well, as you already know, there are a few hundred trogs' in the district and a few dozen in the bug cult. I was able to get to the pyramid, but couldn't find any way in before I had to vacate the position. It definitely does have an interior, but I don't know where the entrance is. With a little luck, I think I can get you all back to the rear corner. Or at least close. Not quite sure what's going to happen from that point. To be honest, I wouldn't really feel bad about taking out that bug cult." she pauses, looks sideways at the ranger with the Mantis tattoo, "No offense intended, Red. For some reason, I almost feel like this should be a hit job on the white slasher there." she grimaces, then shrugs. "Anyway, I should be able to make it so their dinos' don't notice us. At least until we touch one of 'em or attack someone. The riders and other trogs'll still be able to see us if we're not careful. I should also be able to make it so we're protected from their stank. Don't want anything like that last vampire gubers crew. That was nasty. Don't think they're quite that bad anyway. Might have to get out of there through the air if the entire settlement comes after us afterwards though. Really, don't know what'll happen. What'dyaguysthink? Am I missin' somethin'? Any other ideas?"
"To be honest, I wouldn't really feel bad about taking out that bug cult." she pauses, looks sideways at the ranger with the Mantis tattoo, "No offense intended, Red."
"None taken." Sasha says, looking a confused.
"I mean, if I could pick any kind of woman, I'd probably say a mermaid or something."
Sasha's head cocks, clearly thinking, "Do mermaids even have compatible sex organs?" A pause, "I mean obviously mouths and t&#%, but," she shakes her head, "I've never met a mermaid."
He pauses, thinking it over, his hands below the waterline, circling her waist. "What about you? What kind of woman would you want to be with?"
"No claws." That response quick. "I trust you with a weapon when I don't have armor, but..." She shakes her head. After actually thinking, she wiggles into Zaine, "Happy. Opinionated." She shrugs, "I like it when people are direct and not confusing."
Initiative Zaine
Initiative Tulip
Zaine points at the albino priest. "You're mine! It's not really a religious thing, but you're probably going to take it that way!"
He brings the musket up to his shoulder and takes a shot.
reroll from Black Powder Bravado
Tulip advances, ready to receive an enemy charge.
Tulip bites into the enemy.
grab
She catches a hand with her fingers, brings it to her moth for a soft kiss. "I don't ever want you to feel like I take you for granted, Zaine. You make me feel way too special for you to not know that."
"You do, Pepper." He kisses her, then winks. "But don't be shy. Keep trying."
Sasha's head cocks, clearly thinking, "Do mermaids even have compatible sex organs?" A pause, "I mean obviously mouths and t+#+, but," she shakes her head, "I've never met a mermaid."
Zaine shrugs. "I was thinking more like... a green woman or a blue woman. That might be fun. If I was making someone up."
"No claws." That response quick. "I trust you with a weapon when I don't have armor, but..." She shakes her head. After actually thinking, she wiggles into Zaine, "Happy. Opinionated." She shrugs, "I like it when people are direct and not confusing."
Zaine nods. "That all makes sense," he says.
"Well, from a practical standpoint, we should start with someone we know." He considers. "Athyra has a lot in common with us. She likes dinosaurs, and seems happy to me. Kassata is pretty forthright. Probably knows what she likes in bed. Aerys has been a friend this whole time. I trust her." Zaine searches Sasha's face. "Any of them appeal to you?"
"It sounds sensible to me," Faith says. "And I am also in favor of taking out as much of the cult as possible."
Faith and Cherish (glowing with symbol of scarred breastplate visible on its blade) introduce themselves to the nearest troglodyte, point-first.
She was less precise about more bright patterned clothes.
"I was thinking more like... a green woman or a blue woman. That might be fun. If I was making someone up."
Sasha makes a low sound of consideration, thinking.
"Any of them appeal to you?"
She thinks, the way she does where she examines a thought from multiple angles before even considering how to express those thoughts. "I like Athyra, she's comfortable to be around, but she reminds me of... like me but worse. I'd be worried to take advantage of her not being used to people."
After a moment, Sasha nods, "Kassata is straightforward. She watches us when we talk to her crew."
Sasha forehead furrows, "Weren't you trying to match up Aerys with Faith?" She smiles, "We can trust her."
"Athyra has the best body. Kassata has the best breasts. Aerys has the best hat."
"I like that one," he says, indicating one of the more intricate patterns. "It looks like it will move as you move, eye-catching in a fun way."
He watches Pakshee examine her purchases, nodding thoughtfully. "This one reminds me of you already," he says of another. "It feels like your bird."
"Thanks, Faith," Zaine says.
"In terms of Aerys, well... I had my eye on you from the moment you approached me on the ship. Faith and Aerys got along, so I just assumed..." Zaine shrugs. "I'm a little mystified that he chose Pakshee, but they're happy and it's none of my business. It sounds to me like she doesn't interest you. I mean, if the best you can say about her is that you like her hat." Zaine grins. "It's all right. I'm glad you're being honest here."
He considers. "So, it sounds like of the options I've laid out, Athyra appeals to you the most, but you have concerns. Kassata works for you, but you don't like her as much as Athyra."
Zaine shifts again. She can feel what this conversation is doing to him, even as he does his best to maintain an businesslike tone.
"Is there anybody I missed that you might be interested in?"
She puts a hand on his chest, over his heart, "and make bird, more? Stronger?"
"Well, bear in mind that just because we ask a woman doesn't mean she'll take us up on it."
"And I wouldn't want to be with anyone who didn't want to," her hand moves in the water, indicating him and her and the two of them.
She turns, her hip rubbing against him but her face serious, "Do you want someone else that is a part of you and me, or are we just talking about someone who wants to have fun with us and knows it is casual."
"Because that is something we need to be honest with her and us about."
"And I wouldn't want to be with anyone who didn't want to," her hand moves in the water, indicating him and her and the two of them.
"Of course," says Zaine, in total agreement.
She turns, her hip rubbing against him but her face serious, "Do you want someone else that is a part of you and me, or are we just talking about someone who wants to have fun with us and knows it is casual."
"Because that is something we need to be honest with her and us about."
Zaine nods again. "To be perfectly honest, Pepper, I can't imagine feeling about anyone else the way I feel about you. You consume me in a way I didn't think was possible. So right now, I want to have fun."
Zaine touches her face with his hand, wet and warm from the bath. "But the most important thing is that I want you to be as comfortable as possible. If that's with a single partner that we essentially date, that's fine with me. If it's more casual, or if we play the field, that's fine too."
He kisses her nose. "Just never forget that I love you. And as soon as you can walk normally again, I'll show you just how much I love you."
"It sounds sensible to me," Faith says. "And I am also in favor of taking out as much of the cult as possible."
"Thank you, Faith!"
HIDE FROM ANIMALS
School abjuration; Level druid 1, ranger 1
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components S, DF
Range touch
Targets one creature touched/level
Duration 10 min./level (D)
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes
Animals cannot sense the warded creatures. Even extraordinary or supernatural sensory capabilities, such as blindsense, blindsight, scent, and tremorsense, cannot detect or locate warded creatures. Animals simply act as though the warded creatures are not there. If a warded character touches an animal or attacks any creature, even with a spell, the spell ends for all recipients.
LIFE BUBBLE
School abjuration; Level cleric 5, druid 4, ranger 3, sorcerer/wizard 5
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M/DF (a bit of eggshell)
Range touch
Target creatures touched, up to one/level
Duration 2 hours/level; see text
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes (harmless)
You surround the touched creatures with a constant and moveable 1-inch shell of tolerable living conditions. This shell enables the subjects to breathe freely, even underwater or in a vacuum, as well as making them immune to harmful gases and vapors, including inhaled diseases and poisons and spells like cloudkill and stinking cloud. In addition, the shell protects subjects from extremes of temperature (per endure elements) as well as extremes of pressure.
Life bubble does not provide protection from negative or positive energy (such as found on the Negative and Positive Energy planes), the ability to see in conditions of poor visibility (such as in smoke or fog), nor the ability to move or act normally in conditions that impede movement (such as underwater).
When you cast this spell it has a total duration of 2 hours per caster level. You can divide this duration up in any manner you wish, not necessarily equally, between up to 1 creature per caster level.
Julver and Pakshee have a +4 Natural Armor Bonus from Barkskin
"Hit 'em hard, hit 'em fast." Áine targets the big white Troglodyte first, filling his heart and lungs with cold iron and wood, making it quite difficult to talk, or breathe, or live.
He takes a look at the shirt, and slowly nods. "...like water. Well chosen. Thank you. You have a good eye."
As the group was under cover preparing for the fight, the situation shifted slightly. After allowing the red, chitinous bug blade to soak in the blood on the altar for a time, the albino priest shaped a hole into the wall near to the altar. As the group moves across the open ground and are spotted by the lesser priests, they call out a warning that shouldn't be quick enough to make a difference.
"Hit 'em hard, hit 'em fast." Áine targets the big white Troglodyte first, even as her arrows start to move across the space, however, the red sword flashes a impossibly deep blackness and the albino disappears, only to reappear up another level near one of the t-rex's.
Zaine points at the albino priest. "You're mine! It's not really a religious thing, but you're probably going to take it that way!" He brings the musket up to his shoulder and takes a shot, adjusting on the fly for the albino's new location and hitting only because of the intense focus and connection with his musket.
Faith and Cherish (glowing with symbol of scarred breastplate visible on its blade), and quickened with another casting of fly courtesy of Pakshe, introduce themselves to the nearest troglodyte (one of the lesser priests), point-first.
Tulip advances to near the base of the ziggurat, ready to receive an enemy charge.
The albino drags a hand through the blood on his torso, touching both of the t-rexes's flanks. The bloody print begins to glow and the dinosuar's eyes also glow the same blood red.
On the first level, the three priestly troglydtes surround Faith. The life bubble does it's job and Faith is protected from the stank and stink. One spear thrust comes close to perforating Faith, but misses only due to the extra divine protections on your warpriest.
Sasha moves twice, running up the stairs, and moving up the group by Faith.
Juliver, slower, stays by Tulip. While Pakshee sits on the magical carpet, slowly crafting a spell.
There is a rend in the air of the battlefield behind the group, a large red mantis leg slowly protruding.
"I mean a few people would pair of exclusively, but that wasn't common..." A pause, a shrug, "Or it isn't normal in a cult of assassins."
She waves it away, "I am happy with you, Zaine. I'm happy to play either here," motion to her head, "or in the real world with someone we can both trust, but I need you. I don't need someone else." Looking to see if he understands.
He kisses her nose. "Just never forget that I love you. And as soon as you can walk normally again, I'll show you just how much I love you."
Her nose scrunches with the kiss, the smile gaining power. She leans in and kisses the crook of Zaine's neck before settling back into his arms. "Waiting for that... might take some time." She sucks at her lower lip, "I have some healing potions in my bag though."
Zaine takes careful aim down the barrel of the musket and fires.
Tulip continues her inexorable advance.
Zaine shrugs. "I don't know what's normal. I know what feels right."
Her nose scrunches with the kiss, the smile gaining power. She leans in and kisses the crook of Zaine's neck before settling back into his arms. "Waiting for that... might take some time." She sucks at her lower lip, "I have some healing potions in my bag though."
"If you can, you can always just wait for a healing spell," he grins. "I'll make sure to pick up some alchemical grease. That should cut down on the discomfort."
Affectionately, he draws her close in the water. "All right, Pepper. Enough avoiding the question. Who should we approach? Or approach first? Athyra? Kassata? Someone else I haven't thought of?"
Her hands play with Zaine's for a minute as she gives the question serious thought. "There's the cute blonde that works for Glaur. The one you always talk to instead of having to talk to him." She uses her hand to motion to Zaine's shoulder, "Short, always has her hair pulled back in braids." She pauses, thinking, "Zaira, I think?" She shrugs, "To think about different ideas, since both Kassata and Athyra are tall are closer to me in build." A pause, "Except for Kassata's boobs, her are much bigger than mine."
Sasha's hands start on Zaine's knees and move up, wiggling between their bodies to skim his thighs. "I guess it depends on how quickly you want multiple women in your bed, love." A shrug, "Athyra is much more like us, but she's not in camp as much."
Her fingers pause, and she leans back on Zaine's chest, her hips move just a little. "I'm trying to picture you f!@*ing one of them. I'm caught between jealous and turned on."
Sasha wiggles. Then slides her body against Zaine. "This feels really right."
Zaine groans happily in agreement.
Her hands play with Zaine's for a minute as she gives the question serious thought. "There's the cute blonde that works for Glaur. The one you always talk to instead of having to talk to him." She uses her hand to motion to Zaine's shoulder, "Short, always has her hair pulled back in braids." She pauses, thinking, "Zaira, I think?" She shrugs, "To think about different ideas, since both Kassata and Athyra are tall are closer to me in build." A pause, "Except for Kassata's boobs, her are much bigger than mine."
"I don't mind you talking about another woman's boobs," Zaine says, brushing his palms over hers. "Zaira...I don't know why I didn't think of her. Good idea." He leans in and kisses Sasha softly. "Shall we talk to her tomorrow when we get back from camp? I was thinking we could invite her to dinner and tell her our intentions. Don't actually try to seduce her or anything, just let her know we're interested and give her time to think it over. Does that sound good?"
Sasha's hands start on Zaine's knees and move up, wiggling between their bodies to skim his thighs. "I guess it depends on how quickly you want multiple women in your bed, love." A shrug, "Athyra is much more like us, but she's not in camp as much."
Sasha feels her ministrations have perhaps the desired effect. Or it could be this conversation. "Well, depending on how things go with Zaira, we can speak with Athyra when she returns."
Her fingers pause, and she leans back on Zaine's chest, her hips move just a little. "I'm trying to picture you f@!&ing one of them. I'm caught between jealous and turned on."
He nods, his own hips shifting a little. "I know what you mean, Pepper. There's a part of me that's jealous, but the thought of you..." he shakes his head, his voice a murmur. "It's almost too hot to imagine."
Faith Cherishes the next round of introductions between his dagger and the troglodytes.
He thinks for a moment. "Which of these is your favorite? You should try them all on to ensure they fit," he says, the twinkle in his eye and the tone in his voice suggesting that he will enjoy watching the on as much as the off in between the ons.
She considers the array of sometimes painfully bright fabrics. She nod, "If they don't fit Not-boy-not-girl is going back and can fix." Her hands touch the fabrics delicately, like she might hurt them with rough handling, first settling on a hot pink flowers and shapes on a lime-green background. She eagerly sheds the 'boring' pants and shirt she has been using after her bright clothing colors had her targeted to easily by the snakefolk, then pulls on the dress which comes down to mid thigh, the neck high, the back a deep V that dips down to the just past her hips. She frowns down at it. "Backwards?"
Zaine groans happily in agreement.
She wiggles again. Not for any reason but to hear the happiness in Zaine's tone.
Don't actually try to seduce her or anything,
"I will not take off my clothes and suggest group sex at dinner." Sasha says sincerely. "So we should be safe, since, excepting the group sex, that is how I seduced you."
"Unintentionally the first time."
but the thought of you..." he shakes his head, his voice a murmur. "It's almost too hot to imagine."
"If you had to choose," because clearly he won't have to, if this happens, "is it me down, licking, sucking, touching," her fingertips moving higher, then lower, not getting anywhere important but there, "or someone other than you making me scream?"
A pause, her hands stilling, "Is this like when you want to watch me pleasure myself but enjoy it too much to wait to join in?"
She wiggles again. Not for any reason but to hear the happiness in Zaine's tone.
She gets exactly what she's looking for.
"I will not take off my clothes and suggest group sex at dinner." Sasha says sincerely. "So we should be safe, since, excepting the group sex, that is how I seduced you."
"Unintentionally the first time."
"So you say. I remember you taking your top off in front of me. You can talk about Kassata's breasts all you want, but as far as I'm concerned, these are perfect." He hefts both globes in his hands, this fingertips lingering over her nipples. "I already thought you were the most beautiful woman in the world, and then you did that."
"No, I don't think we suggest group sex in those words. We just tell her that we're interested in her romantically, and we'd like to have kind of a date with her. It'll be good anyway. We can get to know her and see if there's a spark."
"If you had to choose," because clearly he won't have to, if this happens, "is it me down, licking, sucking, touching," her fingertips moving higher, then lower, not getting anywhere important but there, "or someone other than you making me scream?"
Zaine groans again, shifting his body. "I'd be interested to know how you plan to scream with my cock in your mouth?"
A pause, her hands stilling, "Is this like when you want to watch me pleasure myself but enjoy it too much to wait to join in?"
He nods. "Something like that." His hands drop from her breasts, down to her belly. "You're beautiful when you're just standing there. In the throes of pleasure, even more so."