Tikroch begins to take a combat form but is to slow to act on anything now. Instead, he takes the first step to shift back to his human form ready to defend himself. Meanwhile, he commands Luca to dive into the stairwell to hide and ambush whatever comes out to attack.
Chrysa/Senna/Mila are up
Chrysa sees Tik's reaction and needs to be able to see what is coming. Quickly the dashes forward and cuts down the curtain, letting her allies have a better viewpoint. "They are behind the columns" she indicates with her swords both left and right.
Using what remains of her fly spell, Senna swoops into the room cautiously before sending a barrage of force bolts at the one opponent she can see clearly behind the columns.
6th Spells (4): x
5th Spells (6): x
4th Spells (7): xxxx
3rd Spells (8): xx
2nd Spells (8): xxx
1st Spells (8): xxx
Spontaneous Spell: Sending
Breath Weapon (1):
Blood Intensity (2):
Blood Piercing (2):
Stunning Fist (4):
Vest (1):
Max Rod (3):
Scabbard (1):
Ring of Contort (1):
Stoneskin (1):
Spiked Pit (1):
Dancing Lights (3):
Effects:
Mage Armor : +4 AC for 14 hours
See Invisibility : see for 140 mins
Bear’s Endurance : +1 on Fort Saves; +13 HP for 14 mins
Fly : 14 mins
Shield : +4 AC/FF and incorporeal touch for 14 mins
Greater Heroism : +4 Morale on ATTs, Saves, and Skills. Immune to fear effects. Gain +14 temporary HP for 14 mins
Crafter’s Fortune : +5 Luck on one Craft skill within 14 days
Secluded Grimoire : P & P Vol 1 is under this spell until recalled
Team Effects:
Ashen Path : see thru ash, smoke, dust, fog to 60’, +4 on saves vs contaminants, for 140 mins (23.3 min/person)
Donovan invokes his shield of faith spell and moves into a position to draw out the archers, hoping that the magical protection along with his armor will allow him to absorb the brunt of their fire.
Senna glances about the room and notes the shifting figures and the halos surrounding them. ”Don’t go in! We’ve got several invisible enemies!”
Mila can only see a little bit of Senna's target, but does her best to take a shot.
But Mila only connects with a mirror image.
There's a flurry of magic, as a few obvious haste spells are applied, and two of the pitaxian heralds step out from the debris, and there is discordant sound which blasts from the pitaxian heralds as they try to disable the party. One shouts, "for Pitax! We must stop the villains!"
There's faint shuffling and in response to Senna's statement, a few enemies appear and immediately attack, viciously sweeping at Chrysa and Senna with large greatswords. The one in the front looks upset, and screams at Senna, "you will all pay for your crimes!"
The invisible one who slipped past Chrysa seems to be trying to cut through Senna.
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Naomi quietly tuts as she strolls up towards the fray. Her eyes lock on the foremost assailant as they yell at Senna. "A lot of crimes in tattooing, is it?"
There's so much sound and fury and confusion in the fray already, it takes very little for Naomi to simply nudge things farther in that direction with a few sharp jabs...
Assessing the situation, animal forms are going to just get in the way. "Luca, find an opening then strike. We need something a little more flexible for myself." Focusing his will he forces his shape to change, shrinking seemingly smaller before blooming out into a mass of tendrils and vines. Using his new mobility, he climbs up the walls to position himself above the action.
Mila pulls the string of her bow rhythmically to produce a fast paced song while she quickly intones some magical words, before stepping away to give Tikroch more room.
Senna stares at the bloody rent in her side, blinking.
Donovan's sword and shield slip out of his hands and clang on the ground as he winces and grabs his ears.
\
Chrysa is not in a good position due to blood and space, but does her best to make the attacker of Senna pay at least a little before going down.
One of the wardens is obviously confused and tries to drop Chrysa.
The weapon out of his hand and stuck to Tikroch's plant form, the confused warden lashes out ineffectively with a mailed fist.
The warden sees their compatriot drop to the ground, and with tears in their eyes, lashes out at Chrysa, saying "you attacked our farms, you attacked our families! You won't get away with it - not without a fight! Gliocas will pay!" There is desperation and anger in his face and voice.
His own greatsword is gone, stuck to the sticky form of the climbing plant. He looks around and shouts, "they have magicians - these fey tricksters - gird yourselves, shake off the confusion! Get to her, friends!" And he points at Naomi.
As if on command, one of the heralds, from behind, moves to attack the one acting 'normally', swinging her longsword.
One of the heralds hurts themselves.
An enemy appears in front of Senna, one of the Wardens, and attacks her.
Senna drops unconscious.
If Naomi thought she was safe in the backline, the appearance of formerly invisible foe adjacent to her seems to immediately dissuage her of this, as a screaming enemy appears and swings a greatsword at her.
But the swing is wide and doesn't connect with her.
Even more enemies spring up around Naomi and Mila,
A pair of lightly armored heralds step out from the far end of the hall and attack Tikroch, who is the most obvious target.
But they both miss.
Senna’s eyes roll up into her skull and she hits the ground.
6th Spells (4): x
5th Spells (6): x
4th Spells (7): xxxx
3rd Spells (8): xx
2nd Spells (8): xxx
1st Spells (8): xxx
Spontaneous Spell: Sending
Breath Weapon (1):
Blood Intensity (2):
Blood Piercing (2):
Stunning Fist (4):
Vest (1):
Max Rod (3):
Scabbard (1):
Ring of Contort (1):
Stoneskin (1):
Spiked Pit (1):
Dancing Lights (3):
Effects:
Mage Armor : +4 AC for 14 hours
See Invisibility : see for 140 mins
Bear’s Endurance : +1 on Fort Saves; +13 HP for 14 mins
Fly : 14 mins
Shield : +4 AC/FF and incorporeal touch for 14 mins
Greater Heroism : +4 Morale on ATTs, Saves, and Skills. Immune to fear effects. Gain +14 temporary HP for 14 mins
Crafter’s Fortune : +5 Luck on one Craft skill within 14 days
Secluded Grimoire : P & P Vol 1 is under this spell until recalled
Team Effects:
Ashen Path : see thru ash, smoke, dust, fog to 60’, +4 on saves vs contaminants, for 140 mins (23.3 min/person)
Seeing the carnage unfolding below, Tikroch tries to choose targets wisely. Gesturing for Luca to maul the soldier below him, Tikcroch opts instead to try for one of the enemies harassing Naomi.
Luca, seeing the signal to attack, pounces on the enemy in front of him.
Naomi staggers back from the vicious blow, a look of honest emotion on her face as she whips her own blade into line, seizes control of the fool's mind, and skewers them.
A thick, raspy voice eminates from the rear of the chapel. "You must be Naomi. Irovetti told me about you - he bet me that you wouldn't come on your own - that you were too much of a coward." He laughs, a short, nasally bark, "looks like he was wrong."
From around one of the columns is a svelte-looking half-rat, half-human being with a longbow. The rat-man wears sturdy clothing, if well-worn, and it seems that he's using an even finer bow. If anyone could immediately determine what sort of activities he seems to excel in, it is archery. A fact which is absolutely not lost on Mila.
"I've been hunting your kind long enough, even a shapeshifted form doesn't matter, this is going to hurt." And he raises his bow and fires a fusilade of arrows at Tikroch.
Seeing the druid on his last legs, the sneering voice calls out, "ready to surrender? Irovetti promises a fair trial, which is better than your Gliocan filth gave to the fine people of Pitax."
You get the impression that this rat fellow doesn't quite believe what he's saying re: the accusation.
Donovan manages to defensively heal Senna, and hopes that the sorceress has something to clean up this mess.
Mila narrows her eyes at the lying archer. Their situation was dire, so there was little time to think things properly, so she raises her bow and begins shooting.
On the floor, Senna gasps. Going from nearly eviscerated to fully healed and awake is… jarring. She takes a moment to register what’s happening and where the enemies are. First and foremost is the fellow standing over her with a sword slick with her own blood up to the hilt. She allows herself the privilege of anger. OK, you f$&#ers wanna play? Let’s play.
She weaves a complicated spell in an eye-blink. Fog pours into the room, filling the space. It doesn’t blind her or her allies, but it may prove irritating for their enemies. Lying on her back she knits a more complicated magic and breathes out a column of fire that quickly assumes the form of a massive snake that slithers through the mist engulfing every enemy in its path. Senna knows that some of the enemy may dodge it entirely but, with a bit of luck, she’ll burn a few to ash.
6th Spells (4): xx
5th Spells (6): xx
4th Spells (7): xxxx
3rd Spells (8): xx
2nd Spells (8): xxx
1st Spells (8): xxx
Spontaneous Spell: Sending
Breath Weapon (1):
Blood Intensity (2):
Blood Piercing (2):
Stunning Fist (4):
Vest (1):
Max Rod (3):
Scabbard (1):
Ring of Contort (1):
Stoneskin (1):
Spiked Pit (1):
Dancing Lights (3):
Effects:
Mage Armor : +4 AC for 14 hours
See Invisibility : see for 140 mins
Bear’s Endurance : +1 on Fort Saves; +13 HP for 14 mins
Fly : 14 mins
Shield : +4 AC/FF and incorporeal touch for 14 mins
Greater Heroism : +4 Morale on ATTs, Saves, and Skills. Immune to fear effects. Gain +14 temporary HP for 14 mins
Crafter’s Fortune : +5 Luck on one Craft skill within 14 days
Secluded Grimoire : P & P Vol 1 is under this spell until recalled
Team Effects:
Ashen Path : see thru ash, smoke, dust, fog to 60’, +4 on saves vs contaminants, for 140 mins (23.3 min/person)
All of the arrows which fire towards the wererat fly upward, clattering into the roof by sudden gusts of wind.
One by one the pitaxian forces are killed by the firey snake until there is little left beyond their charred corpses, having roasted within their armor.
In a hasty blur of motion, Naomi flits over the smoldering corpses of the Pitaxian ambushers, letting fall one rod from her hand and drawing another from her belt.
"There's no need to be so judgmental, so final in all of this. We could have been friends back in Pitax, if I looked for different traits in friends. But there's still time to forge a friendship, don't you think?"
The herald stares at Naomi, bafflement which curdles into hatred. She looks down at her fallen friends and says only, "Irovetti was right. You people are sick," and then points at Naomi, "and you - you betrayed him to side with these scum." She seems to hold herself back, but spits towards Naomi disrespectfully.
The wererat lowers his bow, and puts his hand on her shoulder, saying his his raspy voice, "come now. That isn't any way to treat our friend." She struggles to get away and finally succeeds, standing up proudly, "you idiot - she charmed you" She juts her chin out towards Senna, "just kill me too - you've already killed everyone I care about. I'd rather die that be subject to her mind games..." A tear falls down her cheek as she stands up proudly, before she closes her eyes and waits for whatever happens to her to happen.
The wererat shakes his head, "so immature..." and he turns to Naomi, "well, I suppose I was wrong about you. You're a better person than Irovetti said,." He raises his bow, "but I was hired to do a job, and you're with my other targets so..." He looks a little confused about what to do.
Senna sits up, taking a moment to appreciate the piles of ash that were the enemy. Masked by the bank of fog, she rises to her feet and sheathes the rod. After inspecting her vanished wounds, she offers Donovan a bow of thanks then works a simple magic to repair her clothing as she leaves the fog bank and approaches the remaining herald.
“Irovetti was right. You people are sick," She juts her chin out towards Senna, "just kill me too - you've already killed everyone I care about. I'd rather die that be subject to her mind games..." A tear falls down her cheek as she stands up proudly, before she closes her eyes and waits for whatever happens to her to happen.
The sorcerer is unmoved by the defiance, the insults, or the tear. She snaps her fingers to get the herald to open her eyes. ”This is awkward. I hate to ruin your moment, but what are you talking about? I met your King for all of a couple minutes a few days ago. If he even remembers my name, I’d be surprised. I met these Gliocans an hour before that. So, what sickness am I being accused of exactly?”
Frowning that her arrows were deflected, Mila looks between the herald and the archer. Something do not fit.
The woman says nothing, and it is clear she has no interest in speaking with Senna or the party.
"Dear, if you try to carry out that job you will promptly be slain. You gave it your best shot - far better than most in such a circumstance could have arranged. Is it really reasonable to ask more of you than that?"
"Now," she pitches her voice to project a skosh more than is purely conversational for the herald's benefit, "As someone who worked closely with King Irovetti, I feel it's only fair to you to make it quite clear that the only loyalty he values is that of a thrall to its master. The treacheries I have seen him prepare would shock you to your core. Most recently of all, of course, being, in the political, his viciously unprovoked invasion of Gliocas, and in the personal, sending me off to Gliocas as a sacrifice to bait his unworthy trap. Were it not for the evenhandedness, wisdom, and welcoming nature of their Prime Minister, then Irovetti's base mendacity would have seen me executed for his lies.
"Even should you keep troth with him, ultimately you are a disposable toy to a tyrant such as he. Should you not consider that other paths might be more fruitful?"
She smiles back at the wererat. "Now, we've already established that you've done your level best to fulfill your contract, up to the very point of your own demise. I expect that sees your end of that bargain fulfilled, yes? However, if Irovetti feels vengeful as is so common and wishes to lash out at those who served him best, then it would be best to be beyond his reach. Why don't you tell me and my friends what you know about this place? Are there other guards? Other threats? What is this weapon that is supposed to be concealed here? I promise you we will secure you an appropriate place within Gliocas for your deeds; you will be safe from Irovetti. Oh, and do introduce yourself to them, Dear. Manners after all."
It doesn’t appear much will sway the herald, other than magic. Either she has some sort of fervor that precludes her from listening to Naomi or the argument is unpersuasive, it isn’t clear. When she isn’t immediately killed, she attempts to stand up straight as long as possible, obviously waiting for her death, as she tries not to look at the charred corpses of her friends.
The wererat shrugs, and explains only to Naomi, while giving the others sidelong looks with veiled hostility, ”of course, you’re entitled to know what I know. This was a trap, as you figured out. Irovetti thought you would take it, and I guess you underestimated him.” He gestures vaguely at the chapel, ”there’s nothing here other than the ruins. Cursed ruins. This entire place is cursed, it is unnatural. Your druid friend can feel it, I’m sure.” He shrugs, ”the supplies here are just glass bottles and dyed water. No poison.”
He scratches his long nose, which twitches slightly, ”he said he expected you to betray him and if you showed up that it would be confirmation enough - and here you are.” He growls, ”not my favorite employer, as a bounty hunter, but not the worst either. Fair pay. Honest with me at least. And the plan might have worked, if not for that sorceress.”
He chuckles to himself, ”he also hoped to draw them away from that country for the attack, which I suppose you mentioned - timing was a bit off though. And as for these soldiers -“ and he grimaces, ”well, they know that Gliocas attacked some Pitaxian border town, Clover Hollow, or something. Burned it to the ground. No survivors.”
At mention of this name, the surviving herald stiffens slightly. Gaetane continues, ”you may have been his spymaster - but he had others in his employ. He kept things from you, and didn’t trust you completely. How he did all this, I don’t know. Maybe he used magic on YOU to make you forget.” He chuckles darkly, ”ironic, sort of. He may have manipulated you just as you manipulated me.”
He grimaces, and says, to the others, ”anyway, my name is Gaetane, and I think that’s enough for you to know.” He smiles slightly, ”what’s next? Where do we go from here?”
Mila crouches besides Chrysa, eyeing the mercenary and the surviving herald. From her pouch, she takes a gnarled wand and points at the regent of Shadowfall. "Donovan! Chrysa needs your help."
She then looks at the mercenary, concentrating for a bit in order to sense the magical auras around him.
When all she receives is a sullen silence in reply, Senna shrugs and begins to disarm the herald, offering a piece of advice. ”If you want to die cleanly, forget any ideas about a glorious last stand here. I’d rather not kill you by inches, but I will.”
Senna takes the herald’s gear, ”Please, sit down – whether you want to or not.” She heads back into the fog to drop the gear and see how Chrysa is doing.
The herald ignores Senna’s words completely. She remains standing, defiantly staring into space. After a moment, she only looks down at the ground at the charred remains of her friends and then up.
Seeing hostilities don't seem to be re-engaging right now, Tikroch shift back into his human form and digs out a short stick from his pack. Channeling a small bit of his magic, he activates the wand and touches Chrysa to rouse her from her incapacitation.
Naomi dismisses the herald from her thoughts, and favors Gaetane with a warm smile. "Well dear. Why don't you fill me in on anything you know about this mysterious curse, and then let's go on and investigate it, hmm? Once my other friends are prepared of course. This does seem like something that all of us can agree should be dealt with, and of course I wouldn't suddenly ask you to fight against any of your former compatriots." Her face draws up in a moue of sorrow. "I know what a messy business that can be."
"So, Sir Donovan. Can we trust that the injuries to our persons will first be put to rights?"
Chrysa's dark eyes shoot open, her hands not going to her swords but to check her torso for injuries, which are covered in them. "You won?" she asks the crouching druid above her.
Senna rummages through the team bag until she finds a wand with an appropriate label. Through a lot of trial (and surprisingly few errors) she manages to make the wand spark with healing energy several times to treat Chrysa's wounds. She regards the 'patient', "How are you feeling? I can zap you more, if you want."
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"Healed by a thousand cuts" Chyrsa says, then gives the tattoo artist a tired smile, including a "Thank you." as she stands, her iron will lost to pure gratitude in that moment.
Then she retrieves her swords, sliding them into the scabbards at her hips "Tell me what happened" she asks from anyone willing to do so.
"Ah, a trap. Upsetting, but worse than upsetting is having to respect that louse of a king just a little bit. Setting this all up, deceiving his people, giving them an enemy to unite and hate. It is masterful. Sadly."
"We should make sure, before turning our attention to this curse... not that we care if this man's land is cursed" she mutters as she carefully starts to look around, making sure none of the 'poison' crates or bottles are trapped.
"Do your... companions... know anything about reinforcements or any additional scouts in the area?" she asks Naomi.
At one point, she'll ask Naomi, "What do you plan to do with them?" she'll nod to the prisoner and the charmed.
Mila frowns a bit as the hasty tattooist pokes Chrysa with the wand, when Donovan is just a few steps away and could heal her better with his blessings.
While she knows the herald has shut them down, she still can't help but to talk to her. "Your King tricked both of us. I can see you are adamant in your path and reasoning, but perhaps, with time, you'll see the lies, if not the whole truth."
"Gliocas did not attack Clover Hollow, but I'm sorry for your loss nonetheless. I suspect your own king raised it to justify his ruse and greed, or at least failed to protect it against a third enemy and shift the blame to justify his schemes. I wish you peace."
The herald seems to not take heed of anyone's words, still obviously traumatized.
Gaetane seemly opens up again with some difficulty, "no - I'm not going to tell you about me. But there are contingency plans, friend, against you." He gestures towards Naomi, then laughs harshly, "of course, maybe they're also a trap!" and the rheumy eyes of the wererat glimmer mischieviously, "the capitol will go into lockdown. He has some weretigers, filthy beasts if you ask me... trolls, that brute Villamor, and some other allies he didn't tell me of." He grins at Naomi, baring his teeth, "he also said was going to try to get some renegade cloud giants - they can be fickle - to guard against aerial incursions. And his palace is trapped - and designed to confound even the cleverest invader. He is a magician of no small prowess, after all." To Chrysa, he waves his hand dismissively.
He continues, "Anyway, if the attack on Tri Firinnean is successful or not, he intends to push, hard, into the border, within the next few months. Where Drelev was."
He gestures vaguely to the southeast, "just a matter of mobilization. I'm sure you know of Avinash Jurrg." "Well, he commands a regiments - regular warriors, armored trolls, and loyal wyverns, as well as a few hill giants. Scores of enemies. Some will be held back for protection, but most will be brought against Gliocas soon" He points northeast, "and shadowfall. He wagered he has enough forces to make it hard to protect such a large border."
Coughing, he laughs, "your fool of a ruler expanded too quickly, he thinks. It won't be possible to defend the entire Narlmarches. And even if he loses in the attack, it'll be a grievous blow to her aspirations, he thinks he can maneuver her into a stalemate of 'peace' which would eat into the forest, her richest source of resources."
After he calms himself down, he shrugs, "you know, we could go to Daggermark, together, Naomi. There is work there enough, and I could guard you, if you'd like..." he trails off, shaking his head slightly, as if confused. "Neither country will stand long, I think. Look around, even old churches are cursed. This entire land is cursed. Everywhere. You, plant creature, can't you feel it?" He gestures towards the sargassum fiend. "It'll come to a bad end. I want out, and I recommend you all get out while you still can. Plenty of adventures to be had elsewhere."
Ignoring the prisoners, she turns to her companions. Normally she would simply kill these two now that their usefulness is done, but she did nothing in this fight other than fall, so she looks to them and asks "What is your plan with them?"
Having returned from vacation, Donovan attends to Chrysa to deal with her remaining revitalization.
Since time is no longer of the essence, he burns through some of the power in his minor healing wand.
Naomi is next.
Then Mila.
Tikroch, being really wrecked, just gets a heal spell.
"What is your plan with them?"
Senna gazes at the captives for a moment before turning to address the ruler of Shadowfall. ”The herald wants me to put her out of her misery quick… but she hasn’t earned that kindness from me. I’m inclined to let her go… to find death or redemption some other way, like the herald in the bell tower. But I understand the argument for killing them. It is pragmatic. As for the Ambassador’s friend – it’s not my decision.” Senna elects to keep her opinion on the wererat to herself. It averts potentially setting the creature off and picking the fight Naomi, at least, wants to avoid. But, if asked privately, Senna would say that of all the ambush survivors, the wererat is the one they’d be wise to kill without hesitation.
Chrysa nods, simple and accepting. Turning her attention then to the former Ambassador "Do you plan to run away with him?"
"The herald lives." Mila states, eyeing Senna.
Chrysa's gaze shifts to Mila "By saying 'inclined to' I believe she was stating that was her wish, while leaving deference to my authority in place in case my arrogance demanded acknowledgement. It is called tact, Mila. While it is unnecessary, it is appreciated." there is a ghost of a smile on her lips