Worried that Grigor and Emma might be blindsided by the elemental if he loses control of it in the melee, Dhice commands it to withdraw. Holding it in position at the edge of the blown-down circle of mangled trees, he starts to fret about what to do with the thing.
What the hell do you do with a vengeful elemental on a leash that's about the break... he mutters to himself.
Grigor, when you dropped your longsword it was because a tentacle of shadow was grasping you by the neck. Let's see a Defy Danger roll to see if you're able to retrieve your weapon as easily as you imply.
Dhice's elemental turns its head to stare at the channeler when he issues his command to it. It rears up to its full height, not moving toward you for a moment. It glances at the melee going on with the possessed sasquatch, and for a terrifying moment you aren't sure if your command will even be obeyed. Eventually, the creature stomps back over to you and becomes still again. The lack of pulse or breathing means that the elemental is completely immobile whenever it's not actively doing something or moving somewhere, creating a somewhat disconcerting effect.
The blistering hail of arrows from Archepex and Milo strike true. The sasquatch's massive body is finally unable to take any more punishment, and it collapses. The brandlewynn within it recognizes this, and sees in Emma's blazing eyes its own death, so it unleashes its final gambit. Abandoning the shredded and arrow-ridden shell of the innocent sasquatch, the evil darkness within it rushes at the anti-paladin herself. Emma's blade, meant to be an instrument of death for the creature, instead forms a bridge between their bodies as the tentacles slap at the blade and latch on tightly like an octopus' suckers. Grigor may also be in danger from this attack, depending on the result of his roll. If he succeeds in his roll, he will be the only one close enough to Emma to Aid her roll, if she needs help.
The anti-paladin feels the blade being tugged away from her fingers by the cloying darkness. What scraps remain of her soul are being fought over fiercely in her mind, as the brandlewynn attempts to claim her as its own vassal.
The elven cavalry will be arriving within moments. Most cannot hear their approach, but Lyntel and Archepex pick up on it.
Milo turns to watch the shadow beast latch onto the sword. They're fighting too closely for him to get involved, but he waits for a moment to see if there's something more he can do to help.
The earth elemental that Dhice summoned turns its head to look down at you, Milo. Its expressionless face nonetheless manages to convey intense hostility.
I hear elven war horns. Help is coming!
Nice elemental...goooood elemental....
Milo hear Lyntel's exclamation. More elves is the last thing he needs.
This "help" isn't going to execute me as a trespasser, is it?
Deciding to try to head off a confrontation, Dhice attempts to persuade the Elemental that this was all just a big mixup.
Stammering a bit, the Channeler addresses his irate elemental, "So, Mr. Elemental, with respect I, uh... that is to say, we really appreciate your help here but... ummmm" This is not going well he thinks, then tries again, "As much as we appreciate your assistance here, it wasn't my intention to bring you unwillingly into our plane. I was reaching out to another, but you were caught unintentionally. I can right this wrong by freeing you and allowing you to return to your home, but if I do so, do you commit to leaving peacefully?"
Not if the elemental tether is non-verbal, no. Nothing Milo could say to calm it down would be received.
Not if the elemental tether is non-verbal, no. Nothing Milo could say to calm it down would be received.
Upon noticing that Dhice appears to be attempting to sooth the elemental with words, Lyntel begins singing her calming lullaby once again, willing the elemental to be agreeable.
Dhice eyes the Elemental nervously but with confidence in his offer. Will it want more than just its freedom? he wonders.
Gripping the hilt of his broadsword, Grigor runs up the side of a nearby tree, swings up over a branch, and straight-up WWE's the dark tentacles around a thick branch, crashing down to earth with his full body and armor weight pulling at the incarnate darkness, shredding it where it meets ancient oak.
DREAM: I come to a screeching halt as I see the forest of barbed wire in front of me. Without thinking, I slide to the right against the wall outside the door and wait. The demon comes barreling down the stairs into the wire. In its confusion I attempt to slip back up the stairs. Am I able to avoid the demon?
Gripping the hilt of his broadsword...
Gripping the hilt of his broadsword...
That WAS the Defy Danger roll. I came up with a Strength based solution. Notice how the there was no damage roll?
Ahh, yeah sorry. I completely misread that as you grabbing the sword and then charging the thing with a WWE-style attack.
DREAM: I come to a screeching halt as I see the forest of barbed wire in front of me. Without thinking, I slide to the right against the wall outside the door and wait. The demon comes barreling down the stairs into the wire. In its confusion I attempt to slip back up the stairs. Am I able to avoid the demon?
Dream Yes, but only for a moment. He's fast on your heels you only have a moment's lead.
No Lyntel, not OP, I have no problem with you being an Aid specialist!
Thanks to the soothing song of the elves filling the air, Dhice's pleas are heard by the hostile elemental. Its expressionless face turns to its "master" and it speaks in the language of earth, Terran, a language that only Dhice speaks. "I will withdraw, channeler, thanks to the entreaty of the elf. But the soil in this forest is tainted, poisonous. Call not upon the earth elementals to aid you while within its borders, or taste my wrath." Without waiting to see if you agree to its terms, the earth elemental sinks into the ground, staring up at you the whole time.
Over near the Sasquatch's body, Grigor retrieves his fallen sword and breaks the tentacle around his neck with his tremendous strength. Seeing that the struggle of the battle has entered a metaphysical, rather than the physical realm, the fighter approaches Emma and provides a bolstering presence to her against the darkness, like a candle in the pitch black of night. He doesn't touch her, but his presence is fortifying to the anti-paladin's soul. At least, what's left of it.
And there truly isn't much. The horrors the anti-paladin have endured have already shredded what she started with into tiny little pieces, that are now being fought over the demonic influence in her already and the brandlewynn intruder.
In the end, the defiance that has defined Emma's entire life sees her through. In the wasteland of her mind, she and the demon within her do battle with the darkness of the forest incarnate, the brandlewynn - the climactic battle ends with the desperate and bloodied woman savaging the darkness with her very teeth.
In the end, the brandlewynn chose the wrong target to try and possess. The darkness is torn apart entirely by the experience, but to overcome such a primal darkness has its cost on the body. Emma, you stand victorious - but only for a moment. The draining sensation of the darkness of the brandlewynn being banished from your body takes with it all your remaining energy, and you fall forward onto your face, unconscious.
"HALT!" an imperious voice cries. Looking up, you see that you have all been surrounded by elves riding Thunder-Stags. Reference pic These majestic animals, bred for war by the elves, are the only kinds of mount that can navigate the thick undergrowth of the Sea of Trees safely. You count a dozen elf cavalry with one commander. All of the elves bear long spears and longbows, and the arrows are nocked and pointed at each of you. The elf leader, riding a magnificent creature with a crown of ornate antlers, approaches you all; his gaze passing from one of you to the next. His hardened expression doesn't soften once, even while passing over Lyntel or Archepex.
Archepex, you recognize this elf. His name is Commander Arranien Wildsong, and he's of your generation. Unlike you, he opted to stay within the Sea of Trees as a member of the Defense Corps, rather than becoming a far-ranger. You see a faint trace of something strange in his eyes when he looks at you.
Milo watches as the elves surround him. He's in trouble now. Hopefully these new companions vouch for him, assuming of course they don't work for the elves already as some sort of intrusion force.
Think fast, Milo! Think fast! You're in deep!
Lyntel stops singing as the elves surround them and shout for a halt. The nearest elf to you narrows his eyes at you in suspicion, Milo, and his mount seems to share his impatience. The creature rears up on its hind legs, dangerously near you, and kicks at the air, as the elf rider stays perfectly mounted atop it.
Emma, your head is awash with dark dreaming, much like Lyntel's was late last night...
Speaking of the dream, Lyntel, you were able to elude the demon in your nightmare last night long enough to wake up. You felt a little shaky for the first 10 or 15 minutes of your day today but it has not otherwise negatively effected events.
Suddenly Dhice's naive desire to visit the Elves is confronted with the reality that the Elves might not be so interested in being visited (by a human, at least). The young man edges his way into Archepex's shadow and waits to see how this is going to go down.
Milo joins Dhice in his attempts to be as inconspicuous. Hopefully one of our elven brethren may vouch for us?
Although nervous in the charged situation, Dhice is no less curious and attentive. With not much else to do but see how the elves sort this out, he starts looking around and is almost startled by Milo's presence. In all the action with his Elemental, Dhice had little interaction with the newcomer in the melee.
Milo, what does the group see and what impression do they get from observing you?
For Dhice's part, you immediately notice a wiry strength to the otherwise gangly looking young man. He's absurdly tall and thin, standing a good 6'4" but thin as a whip, with bony arms and gaunt, sunken cheeks. His forearms are partially hidden by tattered leathers, but you can see oozing sores like week-old burns all up and down them. He has fiery red hair and a thin goatee of the type worn by young men who can't grow a proper beard. His eyes are full of wonder but the lines of his face show deep concern.
The elf-leader, Commander Wildsong, scans his eyes over the group and frowns.
"Archepex," he hisses, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "How did you get this group of ragtag humans through the Girdle? And what is the meaning of this...desecration?" he asks, gesturing with the point of his spear at the fallen body of the Sasquatch. Nearby, Emma's unconsciousness is not peaceful. Faint growling sounds and squirming can be heard and seen coming from her direction, and one of the elf patrol cautiously aims his longbow at her supine body.
Milo is a strikingly young looking human, white/blond hair pulled into a short pony tail in the back. He seems dreadfully unassuming, despite his obvious competence in combat. He's lithe and nimble and has an almost constant dazed look in his eyes, like he's thinking about something else and not paying attention to you. He has a fantastic knack of slipping out of your notice, even when you're looking right at him. It's almost as though he's trying to look like he's no there and doing a great job of it.
Lyntel stands nervously next to Archepex, subconsciously wringing her hands.
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Archepex slides to the ground and approaches the grand elf with the customary, and technically required, gesture of respect. Commander Wildsong. It's good to see you too.
Lyntel answered the Question for access. We have come from clearing a Skaven warren with grave, and sensitive, news.
For your inspection I present Lyntel, Cousin and bard, and what is left of the original Mousetrap Company. Grigor, Warrior of Strength, Dhice Beirson, Speaker for the Dead and Elementalist, and Emma Sojurn. She's a little unstable, but loyal.
He looks around for a moment before he spots Milo again. That one I have just met, but he did help disperse the Brandlewynn.
I give a hesitant nod to the elves as Archepex introduces me.
Hi, I'm Milo...
Grigor salutes with his sword and waits. This is Archepex's rodeo.
The elves shift on their mounts as Archepex confidently introduces the party. At his words, Commander Wildsong nods to his troop, and one elf per person dismounts and approaches.
"Search them, and thoroughly," the imperious elf leader orders, staring each of you down and daring you to disobey.
Emma, you stir awake from your nightmares at this point, though your muscles are weak, trembling, and almost nonresponsive. You can move and act, but everything you do is a force of will; a struggle. For the time being, your strength has completely left you. Wearing your armor, you can barely rise from the ground. The elf assigned to you is searching your pockets as you awaken.
Milo does a quick inventory of his belongings, and once he's satisfied that he's. It carrying something incriminating, he submits to a search
Lyntel smiles at the male elf that searches her.
FINAL DREAM SEQUENCE:
I race up the stairs only seconds ahead of the demon. I reach the prone elf woman, and pick up the doll from the ground. The sight of the woman's face causes me to stumble. It is my face, aged a thousand years.
I awaken with a start to find Archepex standing guard over me. Thank you brother. I believe the danger has passed for now.
Archepex nods in that stiff way he does when he disapproves of something. Probably your going through a night without him.
Dhice submits to the search with apprehension, mostly because he isn't able to think of any way to object that wouldn't make things worse.
When the elf searching him finds the little vial with the tiny, multi-armed undead 'thing' that's constantly wriggling around and glaring at everyone with mismatched eyes, he says, "oh, you can keep that if you want. I forgot I had it. Creeps me out, honestly."
When his Tenser's Floating Disc is produced from his pack he eyes the elf warily, almost daring him to express anything more than passing curiosity about the marvel.
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After being thoroughly patted down by the warrior assigned to him, Grigor asked with an easy smile:
Find anything you like?
The elves pick through your pockets with a casual thoroughness that makes you all feel slightly violated; like you just went through airport security. Emma's body is hauled off the ground like a sack of potatoes and hurled over the saddle of one of the Thunder-Stags. Emma, your vision is hazy and blurry and it's hard to focus on telling your eyes to look in a certain direction.
"Hmph. I see a sasquatch, a horribly mutilated sasquatch with a bunch of strangers alongside a far-ranger." His gaze turns to you, Archepex, and his eyes harden further. "Bearing news of the Skaven?" he glances at some of the other elves in his patrol, and a faint smile is exchanged among them for an instant.
"Very well. Climb aboard our Thunder-Stags; you're to be brought before the Elfchild Queen, Amarynth. She'll hear your report." He reaches down to Archepex to help heave him up onto the Thunder-Stag's tall back. All of the rest of you are approached by an elf each, riding their own massive elf-beast. What do you all do?
Archepex mounts with ease. He is worried by Warsong's expression and the smile shared. It could mean anything, so he decides to not comment.
It is Skaven related, yes. The Sasquatch was a tragedy, and is death unavoidable. The damage to this grove should provide evidence enough of its posession.
Milo mounts one of the steeds. He's anxious about moving to a second location, but doesn't see a lot of alternative right now. Besides, there may be something interesting to pilfer in the palace of the Elfchild Queen
Lyntel holds a hand up to the elf that searched her, and is lifted up onto the stag.
What's your name?
Emma will stagger to her feet, if possible, then stand there swaying and leaking black soul-fluid. Otherwise, she'll lie there and leak black soul-fluid. It's all much the same to her at this point.
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Dhice can't help himself. The Elves' display of dominance, including the non-optional search and the patronizing "helping hand" up to the stags is too much for him.
His pride gets the better of him, and so with a weird squint of his eyes and a slight grunt, he switches his focus from Earth to Air to cause a small whirlwind to form around himself. He purposefully ignores the extended hand and causes the wind to lift him into the air ... depositing himself neatly on to the back of the stag. His body language practically screams, "oh yeah? How about THAT?", but he says nothing.
Archepex is purposefully not wearing his mask of invisibility at the moment. It would be rude to suprise a patrol such as this with those shenanigans. All he can do in response to Dhice is to his eyes a bit.