Daphne purses her lips and says nothing during Aikaterine's speech. She leans against the wall, arms folded, eyes downcast. Anyone looking notices her fingernails are digging into her upper arm. Her foot taps against the floorboards, faster and faster as Aikaterine speaks. Her wings are starting to vibrate, a very faint buzzing rising behind the other elf's words.
"Excuse me," she finally blurts, voice sharp and weak at the edges. She rushes into the side room and goes out the back door to sit among the flowers, where she can have a discrete, unobtrusive panic attack.
You hear something. Flapping of large wings for a moment before they stop and then a light thud is heard above you.
Before Theseus can answer either woman, he looks up to the ceiling, confused. He holds up a hand to signal quiet as he helps Orpheus to his feet.
You see a winged figure fly down from the sky, though their features are obscured by glare from the sun. Whoever it is, landed on your roof.
From outside, the others hear Daphne's hoarse voice shout, "Hey, up there! You can use the f@@%ing front door like everybody else!"
Upon hearing the thump on the roof, and noticing Theseus' confusion, Kyronai backs out of the doorway and slowly backs up to see what is on the roof.
After you rudely yell at the figure, it jumps down in front of you. With her large black feathered wings, fighter's frame and jet black eyes along with jet black hair, you recognize her. "Nemesis will use whatever entrance she wishes, traitor." You are able to remember that while she is the goddess of retribution, she is also the goddess of balance, in which she has to balance the scales of justice almost obsessively. You also know that while Theseus and Orpheus are only half-god, Nemesis is a full god so hurting her will be difficult for you.
After you all hear Daphne curse, you see the back of someone with large black feathered wings from a window drop down in front of Daphne. Kyronai sneaks out and is able to see that it is a woman, with jet black hair to go along with her wings.
Where she was once trying to connect to these men, with Daphne’s exit, and the landing of the figure on the roof, she is ready for action again. When the figure outside seems to drop down, showing its humanoid form, she at least knows it is not a Pegasus or dragon. She will nod with the others that it should be common sense at this point to head outside.
”Well…what do we have here now?” she asks, hoping to inspire this mystery guest to turn.
The sudden thud and shouting woke Bástya out of the seeming half stupor she had entered during the treatment and not yet woken from. She breilfy looks around in the house to see if she can find any makeshift shield or weapon
Regardless of the outcome of her search she then follows Akiaterine outside and seeing the soot black wings Bástya instinctively enters a defensive stance.
The others see Daphne taking a step back, eyes wide. For a moment, her bottom lip quivers, struggling to get the words out.
"Funny," she manages. "You sound a lot like Zeus."
It's hard to spot with the sling in motion, but little scraps of fluff have started spilling from within with every twirl. They look like... swan down.
She flicks her head towards the cottage, not seeing Kyronai crouched behind the rosebushes. "Anyways, your agents are already here to take me away, Nemesis. You're r-redundant."
Kyronai doesn't know what the relationship is between Theseus and Orpheus is to this new woman, but he needs to not get caught between them if they are allies. He casts fly on himself and moves up to the roof of Daphne's house.
Both of you recognize her as a god, but otherwise nothing specific. The latter starts searching around for a weapon which catches the eye of Theseus who carefully slides Bástya's weapons at her.
This is Nemesis, goddess of retribution and enforcer for the gods so very unlikely to be a Promethean. And unlike Theseus and Orpheus, she is a full deity so you cannot currently harm her.
The figure ignore's Aika's question, instead focusing on the glib Daphne.
"Zeus is lord of the gods, and I am their weapon. The fact that you're still alive means that they haven't done their job. I should have been sent a long time ago to deal with you. Luckily Poseidon knew that these agents would be too soft to exact punishment. Even the new goddess still has too much mortal in her." It is obvious that Daphne's words have gotten to the goddess who is very agitated.
Daphne slowly blinks. "Yeah, you know what? You're right. You should have been sent here a long time ago. And gosh, I'm impressed you have the nerve to show your face here now. You dare set foot on the flowers I grew for her?"
She takes a step closer. "You're the goddess of justice, Nemmie. The goddess of vengeance. The keeper of balanced accounts. But where were you then?" Her mouth draws a thin line, and her voice turns as cold as ice water. "You know, I can't think of anything sadder than bragging about being nothing but a weapon. Being proud of being some old man's bloody, brittle, breakable sword. You're supposed to keep the balance? To enforce justice? If that's what you're here for, then we have a lot to talk about. I can brew us all some tea. There are barley cakes; I think I did a really good job on them, honestly.
"But if it's not, then you really are just a sword and nothing more, and you can get off my d-damn property."
Aikaterine is quiet for the exchange. She has no will against this goddess woman, nor for that matter Daphne, as she’s been extremely evasive. She knows nothing about her, she’s been a neutral party here and has sought to stop the Prometheans, but more than that she has little say.
”Daphne here is no longer working for the Prometheans and seem intent on talking. What is Poseidon hoping to silence? It is possible she will aid us and turn from Zagreus’s madness and those others who may be behind this. Poseidon may wish their deaths, but you are your own goddess. Stay your blade and we may have allies. Which do you determine is more beneficial to our cause?”
Bástya nods curtly at Theseus but doesn't verbally acknowledge him before she exits. As she rounds the corner the defensive stance she enters is her
As the conversation breaks out she remains silent simply listening as she understands that she doesn't understand the social and political dynamics that exist within this mess of a situation. however if Akiaterine does not prevent it Bástya will move with her in a sort of bodyguard stance.
Kyronai shakes his head in wonder at Daphne's death wish. He has questions for Nemesis, but they are similar to what Aikaterine has asked, so he's content to remain on the roof, observing, possibly unnoticed.
Daphne looks at Aikaterine as the goddess speaks up for her, startled. She looks back at Nemesis and slow-blinks.
"They're really very good barley cakes," is all she says, but her voice is quieter now.
Nemesis has come here to kill her. If Aikaterine is going to advocate for Daphne to not be killed... well, she'll give the goddesses a chance to decide amongst one another. But she's not going to lay down and die for anyone. Not here. Not for a god.
Yes, Nemesis is a child of Zeus and Nyx. Other than sharing a penchant for divine retribution and being uncle and niece, you see little other connection. Though you do know that Nyx was Zagreus' adoptive mother so Nemesis had a more sibling-like relationship with your current foe.
"As a weapon, I am useful and necessary so I am proud to be one. Ours is not to question the will of the gods. They have their reasons for the acts that they do. But there is no excuse for what you have done. You foolishly followed a fool. One who will pave a road of stone over everything and everyone on his concealed quest to likely rule to bury the pain he has felt, and he'll take everyone down along with him. In his path though, he orders people like you, fueling the anger in your hearts against the gods to do despicable acts of abominable deeds with one hand, meanwhile criticizing the gods for far less egregious acts; meanwhile, he takes the 'high road' of moral superiority. And you expect me to believe that you have left that all behind? Even now you are defiant as you ever were. Yes Poseidon voiced his concern and felt it was for the good of all to extinguish your flame so you do not burn the world along with your traitorous friends. For all I know, these people are double agents plotting to betray the gods like Zagreus did. Neither I nor Poseidon want to take any chances. We cannot afford to. What is more beneficial would be to end all of you."
Daphne meets Nemesis's gaze for a few seconds longer, then ducks her head. "Give your agents some credit. You lot didn't even tell them who I was, and they still tracked me down. They were questioning me when we were interrupted. Can you blame them for wanting to drain the last honey from the comb before melting it down?"
Committing to diplomacy against Nemesis (not that combat would have much chance of success), Kyronai floats to the ground. He lands halfway between Daphne and Nemesis, but off to the side and not too close to either.
"Poseidon is not the ruler of Olympus; Zeus is. His agents have prevented conspiracies against loyal kings, slain Ares' murderer, and among other tasks in the service to Olympus, foiled a rebellion headed by the sorceress Circe and re-imprisoned her. Poseidon and other deities are certainly free to pursue their own interests, but any fool can see that allies working at cross purposes is a few short steps away from betrayal.
"Especially when certain agents of Olympus trend to more extremist options, causing more and more people to turn towards groups like the Prometheans.
"Zeus sent us here. He and Poseidon confer frequently. Yet Poseidon has chosen to send you anyway? Honestly, Zeus may have to consider that you chose to silence friend and foe alike to obscure your own allegiance."
”A patient blade can weather great obstacles. We have been patient and have uncovered much. I would implore you to do the same. You are a noble goddess. You deserve respect. There is something at work here and I’m trying to figure it out, yet every time we are getting close, I find out either Zagreus or Lord Poseidon seem to attempt to stop the truth. On the ship, it was he who sent those serpents at us, and it was him who wished that fisherman to die before we spoke to him, as well as other things that I will not mention.” she states, looking at Nemesis knowingly. ”And now you are here, threatening to kill us all. Please…see that this is more complex in your wisdom, that is far greater than my own. We can use illumination from all sides. That will bring about truth and I would like to hear Daphne and those here what they’ve experienced instead of just silencing them. “
"We didn't even know until I saw you myself. I watched this group from a distance and followed them." Nemesis then considers everyone's words. "Fine. Ask your questions of this one. If find things acceptable you may live for now. Consider this a stay of execution." She replies after a few moments looking at Aika and Kyronai.
"Thank you," Kyronai replies in a tone of voice that doesn't really imply that he's thankful.
"First of all," he turns to Bástya, "who are you?"
"Thank you," Kyronai replies in a tone of voice that doesn't really imply that he's thankful.
"First of all," he turns to Bástya, "who are you?"
Slightly taken aback Bástya takes a moment to respond but after gathering herself says “my name is Bástya. I arrived here just a few days ago from Skåne in the north. I was retreating after my family died in a raid and I thought my Gods, the Ostmen Gods, had forsaken me. So I came here in search of better more benevolent gods, in particular Hephaestus whom I had heard of in the north and made this armor to honor. No sooner had I completed my journey to Grikkland than I was captured by these so-called Prometheans. They had me make them weapons and maintain their existing equipment. That basically brings you to now.” she finished after a moment.
Kyronai nods.
"Okay, thank you Bástya. As of this moment, you are free from Promethean slavery. Any claim they may have over you will be met with violence. Come with us for now, and we can discuss your future once things have calmed down."
Kyronai glances at Aikaterine to see if she has anything to ask the dwarf or say about that situation.
Afterwards, Kyronai looks at Daphne.
"You have been reticent to explain your role in the Prometheans, but your opportunity for doing so seems to about to end. Do you have anything you want to say?"
Daphne looks at Bastya, then at Theseus and Orpheus, long and hard.
"I wasn't 'reticent'," she says, going to lean against the bee boxes. "Those two interrupted me. My role in the Prometheans was mainly about what I knew. And, um, who I knew. When it started, we were working within the system. Passing out flyers, talking to victims. It was only as it sank in how... hostile to reform the regime would be that stones started getting thrown. But I didn't--I didn't kill anyone." She holds up a sling stone. "My sling won't draw living blood. It just saps the drive to fight. Besides that, I just helped as a healer.
She takes a deep breath. "I left around the time that doctor entered the picture." Her eyes narrow. "He wasn't exactly why I left, but gosh, he sure made a hard decision easy."
Kyronai calls out to Theseus and Orpheus, asking them to come out to the yard.
"I put the same questions to you: What is your role with the Prometheans?"
”I understand why it’s hard to express what happened but I would encourage you all to be candid with Nemesis and I.”
Theseus and Orpheus reluctantly leave Daphne's home, with the former stowing his blade with his hands up. Nemesis' eyes flare up with actual fire upon seeing them. Almost instantly she dashes to Theseus and holds him up by the neck against a wall of the cottage. "Theseus, son of Poseidon, traitor to Olympus? How dare you?"
"Nice.. to.. see.. you... too.. Neme. Can't breathe.." The maze runner barely ekes out a reply. With a huff, the living embodiment of retribution lets him down but keeps her hold on him. In her other hand a sword made of pure flame forms.
"How could you betray your own? Mortals are foolhardy, but you have the blood of a god. You should know better." She snarls, her sword arm twitching every so slightly.
"Because these mortals deserve better. You think Minos was the only despot who took his pain out on innocents while the gods do nothing? What about all the worshippers who can't visit a temple or who can't read or write? They get ignored and suffer in silence. Or they have to rely on heroes who ignore their pleas for better pay. Even the altruistic ones can't be everywhere. The gods can, but they don't. Not to mention their own misdeeds. Someone needs to hold them accountable." Theseus then turns to Daphne. "We've made many mistakes along the way, Doctor Ravendrax wasn't the only one. I wish I could take back mine. Orpheus and I are recruiters, sent to find other powerful beings to join the fight. But in this case, we were sent to tie up a loose end.
Nemesis takes a moment to consider his words. "I have heard enough. The defense has said its peace and I am ready to render my verdict. All of you are guilty. The sentence is death. None have convinced me that leaving any of you alive is the right choice." As she pulls back her sword, a small dagger flies towards her and knicks her shoulder, a drip of divine blood falls to the ground with a sizzle. "All that for a drop of blood?" She asks the thrower, Orpheus.
"The dagger wasn't meant to kill you. But the poison on the blade will be enough so they can." He replies before the goddess of revenge dashes over to Orpheus and runs him through. Theseus draws his blade and runs over to slash her in the back before she turns around runs him through as well. You can see the three glow for a moment before the glow goes away.
"I'm sorry Daphbee. Forgive me." Theseus slumps to the floor, his eyes closing for the last time. Orpheus is wordless as he hits the ground, only tears belaying any meaning.
Nemesis turns around and flies towards Daphne and attempts to skewer her as well.
Orpheus acts in one final act of desperation at the goddess's judgment. Aikaterine suspects what it means, which is confirmed by Orpheus's words before he dies.
It is Aikaterine's desire to live, sure. She knows Nemesis is filled with fire. At this moment, Aikaterine does not spring into action to destroy the goddess and fulfill the desires of Orpheus but closes her eyes in faith.
"My Lord Zeus. It was an honor to serve you in my life. I cannot understand how I have been deemed guilty, let alone Daphne, or Kyronai after your patience regarding him, but I trust your rulership and desires; that you know better than us all. If this be my end, and Nemesis's, Poseidon's, and your judgment on me, so be it. Who am I to argue. I submit to you. I meet this end in faith instead of rebellion."
"I came here in search of more temperate Gods who wouldn't send their worshipers needlessly to die." Bástya begins as she raises her shield into her off hand gripping a handle place on the far edge. She continues "If the most I can hope to find is Gods who kill their disciples themselves then I may as well have joined my captors" She then clicks a rune into place on her shield causing it to spring a cage of energy around itself
She lets her words hang in the air and stays her weapon for now simply moving it into a position to block offensive action.
"I had hoped I was wrong" The dwarf says as she reaches and hand out intercepting the goddesses blade. "But now I see that even you wont measure your response even to your faithful."
Dr 12 vs the attack for the target
and shield block reducing damage by 14 and then sharing remaining damage
Daphne stares blankly as Theseus and Orpheus fall. She stares at them for a long moment, and then her gaze slowly travels down to the sword embedded in her gut.
She looks up at Nemesis. "Yeah? And what then, Nemmie?"
At point blank, she swings her sling around and hurls one of the dark river stones at Nemesis's head.
As the goddess ducks back reflexively, Daphne twists away and darts back, raising to her mouth that piece of honeycomb she retrieved from the jar. As she tastes the honey, it trickles from her hand with a soft, muted glow as if the sun is shining through it, and the cauterized wound all-but fades away.
"Aikaterine, too?" she asks hoarsely. "She's one of you. Just like Theseus. How many more family you gonna bury today, sweetie?"
Aika readies herself to protect Kyronai. Bástya also takes up a defensive stance. Daphne heals herself as she uses her sling against Nemesis. It seems though that the pain of her wound causes her to twitch at the last second, causing the bullet to go way too high.
"So is Zagreus and maybe anyone else helping him. I will stop at nothing to rid the world of his plague." She responds.
From behind Aikaterine, Kyronai draws an arrow and aims it at Nemesis as he speaks.
"Nemesis, this situation has moved beyond simple retribution. You'll have to be satisfied with the two lives you've taken. Discussion is what's needed now, not murder.
"You are outnumbered, and if my assumption about that dagger is correct, you are no longer immortal."
"No matter. I am not the goddess of discussion. Even without my immortality, I am more than capable of slaying the likes of you." Nemesis steps forward and slashes at Daphne.
"With all respect, don't be foolish. The God of War succumbed to this poison and died. Go your way and recover. We don't wish your death. We are on your side! May Zeus curse your behavior if you continue!"
Aikaterine will now move up adjacent to Nemesis, hoping to take all incoming blows to anyone.
Looking to Aikaterine the dwarf sees that a more measured approach is going to be attempted and tempers aggression for a moment more simply raising her shield again.
"Words will no longer sway her," Kyronai announces after Nemesis savagely strikes Daphne.
From behind the (understandably) peeved off dwarf, Kyronai utters arcane words that would have caused his mother to wash his mouth out with soap. He summons a mass of black tentacles to spring up behind and beneath Nemesis that reach out and try to capture her.
"No matter. I am not the goddess of discussion. Even without my immortality, I am more than capable of slaying the likes of you." Nemesis steps forward and slashes at Daphne.
Daphne bites her inner cheek hard enough to bleed as the blade sears her flesh. She licks hurriedly from the honeycomb, soothing the instantly-cauterized slash across her stomach, and manages only a few words.
"Go home, Nemmie." She reaches down and snaps off a strand of white sweetpeas, then leans down and tucks them into Bástya's hair under the helmet. Bastya feels a gentle, guiding presence beside her, almost like a helpful second shadow. "Don't make them send you there."
Kyronai's arrow misses but the tentacles he summons do not, the appendages grabbing her arms.
Aika's pleas seem to fall upon deaf ears as Bástya continues to take up a defensive stance. Daphne uses her particular set of skills to give the dwarf an advantage to fight the goddess of retribution as she also mocks her as well.
"Zeus, what a fool. How did I not see it before? You represent his hubris in sending a fledging goddess and mortals to do a deity's work."
Nemesis attempts to break free of her bonds.
She is barely able to break free and steps out of the tentacles and slashes at Daphne again!
Nemesis 21,-2 Bon Mot
Disappointed that the enemy managed to escape one of his strongest spells, Kyronai can only hope that another spell may affect her. Gripping his bow tightly, he casts subconscious suggestion on Nemesis.
Flee back to Olympus. You are no longer immortal and may die in this battle.
To drive his point home, Kyronai follows his spell with an arrow empowered by a wand of manifold missiles stored in his quiver.
And then another arrow!
Clutching her slashed shoulder with a cry of pain, Daphne backs away. She drops a stone in her sling and begins to twirl it around, her eyes fixed on Nemesis. Her wings are beating fast enough to produce a low buzz.
"You think Zeus is a fool?" The sling begins to emit a low whistle, harmonizing with her buzzing wings. "Now you're talking like a rebel."
Disappointed that the enemy managed to escape one of his strongest spells, Kyronai can only hope that another spell may affect her. Gripping his bow tightly, he casts subconscious suggestion on Nemesis.
Flee back to Olympus. You are no longer immortal and may die in this battle.
To drive his point home, Kyronai follows his spell with an arrow empowered by a wand of manifold missiles stored in his quiver.
[dice=Ranged attack]1d20+16
[dice=Arrow damage]2d8
[dice=Arrow acid damage]1d6
[dice=Magic missile damage]2d4+2And then another arrow!
[dice=Ranged attack]1d20+16-4
[dice=Arrow damage]2d8
[dice=Arrow acid damage]1d6