DM Brainiac |
I'll have Calendula delay for now.
The man rushes over to the eastern door in the room and gives a series of three quick raps. "Viralane! Your friends are here!" He draws his rapiers and assumes a defensive stance. "You'll have to get through me first, you--"
Will, Shaken: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 - 2 = 10
"--lovely woman! Wow, where have you been all my life!" He lowers his swords and grins at Shenuska. "I'm Damil Russo. What's your name, sweetheart?"
Am I the only person picturing this guy as being played by a young Hugh Laurie?
Well, now I am too!
Calendula |
Close within 10 feet, not gonna strike first, but ready action to enter rage and attack at the slightest provocation.
Calendula stands with her hand on her hilt, waiting.
DM Brainiac |
"Viralane Barvisai. You know her, right? I mean, that blue lady just mentioned her by name. She and another woman, Hira Doss, are reading the books in the next room over. But don't worry, honey, I only have eyes for you!" Damil sheathes his blades and leans casually against the door. "So, what's a girl like you doing in a dungeon like this?"
Shenuska |
"Exploring." Shenuska replies, still smiling as she closes and runs a hand down the mans arm. "You must be a great explorer too! Can you tell me about what you've seen? I'm sure you were very brave?"
She smiles and draws him away from the door, leaving the way open for the rest of the group. She makes a pointing gesture behind Russo's back.
Will hit the party with haste just before they go through the door. In the meantime do my best 'wide-eyed ingenue' impression so Russo can 'impress' me!
DM Brainiac |
"You bet I was!" Russo says as he lets Shenuska lead him. "This place was full of dangers, but nothing that I could't handle. I smashed a trio of skeletons in the northern halls, then pried a gem out of a carving's eye socket as a trophy. Then I cut up a clockwork mage in the library to the west. I was just reading up on the fighting styles of ancient Thassilon. Thought I'd pick up a few new maneuvers."
He steps in front of Shenuska and leers down at her, not-so-subtly putting her back to the wall. "So, how about a kiss for the brave explorer?"
Shenuska |
"I think I can do better than that!" Shenuska replies, cupping his jaw with one hand as her other travels further south. She fondles him lightly for a few moments before pouting. "Well I can't do much when you've still got your britches on! Why don't you slip out of them?"
If he does so she'll mage hand the belt (and attached sword) across the room to the rest of the group and hope someone smacks him on the back of the head soon!
Nime |
"Shen," Nime says in a disapproving voice. "Is now really the best time for sex? You know I'm a proponent, but there's a time and place for everything."
She takes a deep breath.
"Well, be quick about it at least. We're going to make sure Viralane is safe."
She waves the group towards the eastern door.
Viralane?" she calls out as they move through it.
DM Brainiac |
Russo and Shenuska disappear around the corner, headed towards the northern reading rooms...
An elegant, geometric, mauve fresco decorates the floor of the room to the east. Dust and rubble have been swept aside to make room for a pair of bedrolls and a field camp, while a small stack of a few dozen books stand close at hand.
Viralane stands on the far side of the room, smiling broadly. "Well, hello, darlings! How strange that you find me here! We parted on such sour terms, and I have felt dreadful about how I treated you and took advantage of your trust. Can you forgive me, a woman with little recourse but to ply her trade as best she is able? Will you give me a second chance?"
Nime |
"Of course I will," Nime responds with a sad smile. "I'm not the one you really need to apologize to, however. Cora really feels like you betrayed her. She said you promised to take her with you and you didn't."
She shakes her head.
"Broken promises are like weights that pull us down and keep us from our potential. Horrible things. Once Shenuska and that gentleman in the other room finish having sex, we should get you out of here. This isn't a proper place for civilized beings."
DM Brainiac |
Viralane's eyebrows raise. "Shenuska and Russo? He's quite the boor, that man. I do hope she knows what she's getting herself into."
A pained expression crosses her face when Nime mentions Corla. "I feel awful about having to abandon the poor girl. I do hope she's alright? At any rate, I can't leave here--not yet. The only reason I've thrown in my lot with these Peacock Spirit folks is to remove the horrible curse that weighs upon my soul. The research here will finally reveal the method to reverse the curse. I beg you, let me stay here and pore over these tomes. I must find the cure!"
Nime |
Nime demeanor seems to grow colder the more woman speaks.
"You're not going to find the cure for your curse here, Viralane," Nime says in a cold tone that her friends have rarely, if ever, heard. "I believe your curse was instigated by Shelyn herself, because you don't show love and so your wonderful talent has been wasted."
"If you want a cure, come with us. Show real love, Viralane, and I'm sure, in time, Shelyn will bless me with the ability to remove your affliction. If you refuse, then I must accept that you value your own gratification over the gift that She's bestowed upon you and you're not worthy of it."
DM Brainiac |
Viralane sighs and turns her gaze on Rudrik, staring at the half-orc intently. "Rudrik, dear, I know you are the practical sort. Surely you can see the best thing to do right now is to leave Rivenrake Island at once."
Rudrik must make a DC 17 Will save with a -2 penalty or succumb to Viralane's suggestion spell.
Calendula: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11
Nime: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9
Rudrik: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Shenuska: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Theodric: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Viralane: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
That's Viralane's first action in combat, so everybody may act now! Shenuska will have to move until she rejoins your group.
Calendula |
"Sweetcheeks, don'tchu remember how this happened last time? You don't stan a chance vers me alone, let alone all us down here together. Yer hopeless. Without hope."
Again, close within 10 feet and wait for provocation, at which point rage/attack.
DM Brainiac |
Viralane chuckles. "Well, darling, that's where you're wrong. Because I am not alone."
On cue, a feminine voice chants a prayer in ancient Thassilonian. Magic assaults your minds, scrambling your thoughts! The air ripples as a beautiful half-elf in a dazzling dress appears, standing on the air as if it were solid ground!
"Oh, splendid timing, Hira! That line was far too good of an opening to pass up!" Viralane says, applauding.
Everybody but Shenuska must make a DC 18 Will save or be confused for 7 rounds! The half-elf is air walking 10 feet off the ground. Nime, Rudrik, and Theo are up!
Nime |
"You're stronger than this, Rudrik," Nime says, giving the half-orc a smile. "I have faith in you."
Using Close Allies to give Rudrik an additional +1d6 on his save.
Close Allies: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Will Save DC 18: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Nime on the other hand ... :(
Confusion Effect: 1d100 ⇒ 48
Babble confusedly? Oh yeah, Nime's got this. *cracks knuckles*
The Undine tips her head sideways at the half-elf's appearance. "How do you do that? I'd like to be able to do that. I'd like to have wings, but they would probably be really awkward and I can't imagine the types of things I'd run in to while flying. As it it, chairs like to jump out at me. I wouldn't want to think about what would do that if I was up in the air. But it would be so nice to be up in the air, surrounded entirely by Shelyn's breath."
Calendula |
Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Calendula places her hand on Nime and whispers calming words. "It's okay, Blue, you're doing good."
Casting Protection from Evil
Theodric Silvui d'Ontalen |
Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Shaking off the spell, Theo moved in and raised his metamagic rod, launching a small red bead of energy from it to a point between Viralane and her companion.
Empowered Fireball: 6d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4, 5, 1, 3) + 6 = 26
DM Brainiac |
I'll have Rudrik delay for now.
Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 211d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
The fireball engulfs both women, eliciting cries of pain! While Viralane is able to dodge the worst of the blast, the half-elf is very badly burned!
"Peacock Spirit, mend my flesh!" she chants, healing her injuries. She concentrates momentarily and she seems to split in two, creating an illusory duplicate of herself.
Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (5, 2) + 7 = 14
"Really, now, that was very rude!" Viralane shouts. She drinks a potion to heal herself as well.
Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4) + 3 = 11
Calendula takes a -2 penalty to Will saves and damage rolls. Everybody is up!
DM Brainiac |
Will: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 221d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 131d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Psychosomatic Surge: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7
Both women resist Nime's prayer. Theodric detonates another fireball in their midst. This time, their fates are reversed, as the half-elf dodges most of the blast but Viralane is too slow to avoid it! The actress screams, a surge of psychic magic saving her from death, but she still collapses in a smoldering heap. The half-elf is very badly burned!
Calendula and Rudrik are up.
Calendula |
Calendula takes a half step forward. "Hey ugly," she shouts, trying to get the half elf's attention. She chucks her sword arm up into the air twice, crying in pain as she thrusts the sword twice, deep in her belly.
To Hit, BR, Prayer, PA: 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 1 - 2 = 291d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 - 2 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 4 + 1 = 121d8 + 6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 4 + 1 = 13
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Crit Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 4 + 1 = 17
DM Brainiac |
The half-elf tries to parry with her hammer, but she is far too slow. Calendula's first slice leaves her bloody and staggered, and her second slash completely eviscerates her! Gore and bits of organs shower the bloodrager as the woman dies messily, falling to the floor in a graceless tangle of limbs and a slowly spreading puddle of blood.
Ruthless! :O
The half-elf has: potions of cure light wounds (3), potion of cure moderate wounds, wand of secret page (8 charges), +1 glamered chain shirt, +1 lucerne hammer, ring of protection +1, holy symbol of the Peacock Spirit, 11 pp. Viralane has: potion of cure light wounds (2), +1 leather lamellar armor, mwk dagger, ring of feather falling, 1,500 gp in jewelry and fine clothing, 8 pp, 8 gp. Shenuska arrives with Russo's gear: mwk breastplate, +1 mithral rapier, +1 rapier, composite
longbow (+2 Str), 10 gp.
Viralane is dying at -6 HP.
Nime |
Nime continues looking at the prone woman in her elegant but smoldering dress. Her face is a stony mask. But then the mask breaks and the oracle closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She steps forward and places a hand tingling with the spark of life on the still form.
stabilize
"So, was the sex good?" she asks Shenuska as she returns.
Shenuska |
"I didn't actually sleep with him!" Shenuska says, appearing genuinely surprised that Nime thought she would. "He had fun though and look, I bring gifts!" She deposits the rapier, breastplate and other gear on the floor next to the bloody pile of gear from the two women.
"This place looks like a bomb hit it!" She says looking around. "Been blasting off again Theo?"
Nime |
"I know you didn't sleep with him, you weren't gone long enough," Nime responds. She rolls her eyes as if that was obvious. "I just wanted to know if the sex was good? Life's too short for bad sex - particularly for you people."
She approaches Calendula. "Thank you for clearing my head," she says with a smile. "Sometimes I get trapped in my own circles of thought and it can be hard to find my way out." The blue-skinned woman leans over to put a soft kiss on the woman's forehead.
Calendula |
By my count, those last two rounds of rage makes my 12 for the day, and I'd like to rest before we adventure further on.
Calendula rolls her eyes and grumbles as people talk about 'dick size' and what does and does not constitute 'sex' and if it can be accomplished in less than a minute and a half, but says nothing.
"No real problem, Nime. I love ya."
She stretches and yawns, picking over the discarded items and measuring Viralane's neck against her sword, wondering if they can afford to leave the psychic alive. "She a risk e'en bound an gagged," she mutters, not wanting to kill the woman. "Why we keepin her around for?"
Calendula |
Calendula does as instructed and begins tying the woman, tight and precisely.
Profession: Fisherwoman: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29-3 if Survival
DM Brainiac |
The cultists have gathered a large number of books about ancient Thassilonian magical theory and practice. This collection of books grants a +4 bonus on Knowledge (arcana) and Spellcraft checks when using them as a reference and are worth 4,000 gp.
One section of particular note that should be evident to anyone who examines the books is a section that has been circled in red ink and left open. This short passage describes how “intrepid souls can run the Gauntlet of Fury to gain the favor of Runelords of Wrath, be they living or dead.” It is also annotated this with a short note, written in Thassilonian, that reads, “Would this favor allow us to consult with Thybidos? If so, his lingering presence in the Forlorn Sepulchers may aid immensely in opposing Alaznist.”
The books Russo was reading in the previous room grant a +4 bonus on Knowledge checks about the military history and fighting styles of Thassilon and are worth 1,600 gp.
Shenuska |
Shenuska rapidly packs all the books away into the extradimensional storage, although even that begins to bulge a little under her enthusiasm.
"Thybidos is here?" She says, examining the notes. "That could be important - we should consider this."
Knw His on Thybidos: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19