Etgar cannot recall a bird quite like this. K-Arcana for this one.
Nice bird. He looks down at one of the children. It speaks to you?
"He does. His name is Duskfeather. Sometimes Mictena speaks through him. She is real busy right now and can't be here."
Neb-en-toti comes out and peers up at the bird with Niu, ready to dart away if the bird should look like large beetles might make a good snack.
"How did you meet Mictena?"
Etgar nods. Ah.. He gives the bird a curious look. Any idea what has her so busy? We'd like to speak to her.
Niu knows this to be a witchcrow. They are unnaturally intelligent. They use the same type of hexes and spell like abilities than he does.
A large crow with white wing tips lands on Hollin's head. A lyrical voice ushers forth with a curious, lilting accent. “Ah, newcomers, you must be the curiosities I heard tell of. I am Mictena, and I cordially welcome you to the Boneyard and eternity. Do not fret about your unusual condition; I shall be with you shortly to correct this horrible error and help you on your way to the final rest you have earned!”
From their time on the road, Niu knows that he and Etgar share a language other than Common and uses that to have a semi-private conversation.
Catching Niu's mood, Neb-en-toti disappears under his tunic again. While Agnimitra talks with the children, he keeps his eyes on the bird and responds to Mictena.
"Greetings, Mictena. We do not require any help with our condition. The psychopomp, Umble has already agreed to assist us, after we assist the people here.
What is your interest with the townspeople's spirits?"
Etgar tenses a bit, his hands wrapping about the haft of his spear in preparation to make a shish-kebab.
The bird sitting on Hollin's head says
Niu sighs internally. He realizes attempting to communicate privately was a long shot, but it was worth a try.
He attempts to detect deception in the voice of Mictena, but doesn't find much to go on with the voice coming through another creature.
"Again, I ask, what is your interest in these townspeople? If you are here to help them, why are you not helping to convince the people to let go of their previous lives?"
"I am preoccupied with integrating a bandit camp that just died in a mudslide. Thoot and Umble are incompetent and will be disciplined. Now, I must go. Quickly, is there anything else you need of me at this time? I will join you as soon as my work is done here."
"I see that pettiness isn't inclusive to the material world," Agni says to the creature, disappointment in her voice. "You would rather take the 'glory' of this job away from one of your own, rather than trying to help them advance to the betterment of all."
"They had a simple job. To move your on to your rightful place. They only confused you further."
The bird looks down briefly and in a masculine voice says "She is gone. I am Duskfeather."
Frustrated with the whole situation, Agni turns away from the children and clenches her teeth until she has a moment to calm herself.
After a moment, she turns back. "Seems that the psychopomps may be a problem for us," she reports to the others. "We need to deal with this issue as soon as possible."
Turning back to oldest of the children (assuming Kimi), she kneels down and says, "Do you understand what has been going on, and where you currently are?"
"Sure do! We are in the boneyard and we are dead. So are you."
Agnimitra smiles, if somewhat bitterly. "Good lass. Would you be willing to help us? There are some people who are having a hard time with understanding, and we want you all to pass on without regret or fear."
"Sure, Agni. What you want?
The DC 15 is to convince someone they are dead.
"Smart girl," she says to Kimi. "We need to work together with Lady Arabella and Lady Mullana to convince the rest of the town what you've already figured out. If we don't they won't be able to pass on properly."
"Okay, Agni. No problem. We can do that."
Covering his mouth as he giggles, Niu's expression beams with delight. "Well done, Kimi! I've always thought children were more in touch with reality than adults."
Turning in the direction where the mayor is waiting, he begins skipping while singing, "We're off to see the Mayor, that wonderful Mayor of Ours..."
Etgar follows, shaking his head at the situation. Our fate could hinge upon the will of these children...perhaps I didn't give them the credit they're due.
Retaining his normal masculine voice, Duskfeather says "I wish to have a word with you after the children depart."
Etgar turns to the bird, then looks to the retreating children and shrugs, remaining where he is in order to hear out this odd bird. I'm not well suited to that sort of conversation anyway...
Donovan's reluctance breaks as he watches the children retreat. 'This is why you took the oath, these people need the awareness that is Andoletta’s gift'
He turns to the witchcrow, "I need a quick word with Agnimitra"
He moves himself between the Iffrit and the "bird".
Agni looks at the bird oddly. "What more have you to say?"
"Mictena, being distracted may not have made her point and direction to you clearly. We must adhere to the inscrutable rules that govern the flow of souls. Contemplating the final destination of the River of Souls might be uncomfortable for some. That is why we are here. To guide you to your final destination. Travelling the Dead Roads back to Golarion is not an option.You must accept your fate and find your peace. Traipsing back and forth would disrupt the entire system. Something sent you to the land of the dead, yes, and so you need to be properly dead before you can move on."
Etgar shakes his head quickly and resolutely. Unacceptable. We are not dead and will not be made as such. We're performing this task to help you clean up this mess since we are here. And then, you are to find us a path home. We were put here due to a...clerical error...on your part. If you cannot fix it, perhaps Thoot and Umble are more capable.
"I don't know what sent us to the land of the dead or why," he points vaguely to his chest "we are not dead, and too many things have been trying to change that today for me to meekly change that. If I am required to hike back along this Dead Road I will."
"I will earn favor with Mictena by saving her the trouble of preparing you for your journey." On that note the crow takes to flight and begins a circular maneuver about 20 feet off the ground.
Etgar
Donovan
Niu
Agnimitra
Duskfeather
Round 1
Agnimitra 9/13 Donovan 12/12 Etgar 7/9 Niu 7/7
Don ✔
Duskfeather
Etgar, Niu, Agni
My flight rules vary from RAW in that the direction you ended your turn on is the beginning direction of your next turn. Hence arrows or lines indicating that.
Etgar nods as if he felt validated with this result, or perhaps just was happy to be pointed in a tangible direction.
Donovan's anger seems do actually transform him his allready large form begins to swell even further his features distend and his body hair bevomes a thick mat. He pulls one of his hatchets and in a very deep voice says. "This was your decision, remember that"
Etgar leaps to the side, eyeing Donovan warily. What the hell?
The crow circles back and attempts to give Nu some talon. It dips to attack and raises back to 20 ft.
Niu takes 3 hp of damage.
Don
Duskfeather
Etgar, Niu, Agni ✔
Niu takes a step closer to Etgar and Donovan and draws a dagger so that he will be covered by AoOs if the bird makes another swoop to attack.
After moving, he casts Sleep at the witchcrow.
The crow turns its head to Niu.
Ignoring Donovan's odd transformation, Agnimitra gathers some of her blessed fire in her hands and moves to catch up with the crow. "I think that my goddess will take some exception in your claiming me before my time."
Move Action: Move 30'.
Standard Action: Fire Bolt
The fire bolt is wide and short of the target.
Etgar takes a slight step forward to his friend's side and levels his spear at the bird, waiting for it to swoop back down.
Round 2
Agnimitra 9/13 Donovan 12/12 Etgar 7/9 Niu 4/7
Don ✔
Duskfeather
Etgar, Niu, Agni
"Odd, it didn't even seem to be affected by my spell. I don't think Witchcrows are normally immune to sleep. I wonder if something else is going on here?"
Donovan moves to follow the crow and throws a hatchet at it.
Don's crit confirms. Your axe is 1d6+4 iirc
The crow takes 18 hp in damage.
Duskfeather caws in pain and flies over his aggressor. Don feels doubt creeping into his mind.
Will save, please Don.
Don ✔
Duskfeather
Etgar, Niu, Agni ✔
More than a little frustrated, Agni drops the mace to the ground and pulls out her crossbow and loads it.