Moths and Flames

Game Master Signore di Fortuna

With a stretch and a smile, Lysithia nods, taking Kel's hand. ="See you two a little later at dinner." she says to Evert and Astoria.

Kelda is quiet as they head back to their room.

Once inside Kelda closes the door behind them, "I thought we would get out of our armor before getting a bath." She sighs while starting to undo the straps on her armor.

"That would definitely make things easier." Lysithia says with a tired smile, moving to help her love with her armor, before removing her own.

Kelda nods while yawning, "I know it's not that late, but I just feel so tired. I'm sick of all these jerks getting away with all the awful things they're doing and I wish...I wish we could have stopped them...for good."

Letting out another little sigh she sits down on the bed while watching Lysi take off her armor, "How are you doing?"

"Much the same as you, love." Lysithia says, carefully beginning to remove her armor. "Tired, annoyed, frustrated. It feels like we've barely accomplished anything since we set out, and lost to almost everything we've come up against."

Sighing in frustration she removes her armor, setting it down in a corner on the floor, she waters it with a brief gesture and a whispered word of druidic. Slipping off her boots she walks over to the bed, sitting down beside her love. " We'll have to figure out a different approach when we're out there again."

Kelda leans her head against Lysithia's shoulder, "Well, we've tried the direct approach, and the sneaky approach....what else is there? I don't think they can be reasoned with...evil seldom cares about doing what's best for everyone. We definitely can't take on groups that are too large, and trying to separate them didn't work so well last time."

Letting out another frustrated sigh she wraps her arms around her love as she leans against her, "I'm still getting used to working with other people in a group. I'm not out patrolling alone anymore and it's not just my life on the line anymore....so I feel like we need to be smarter about it...but how?"

Turning her head slightly to kiss her cheek, "I know it feels like we keep losing since we're not just killing bad guys left and right....but at least we've survived. We lost one of the hostages, but managed to save the other two. Two out of three isn't bad....but I still hate that we lost someone. I just...I don't know what to do."

"We're not overly good at being stealthy, so that might not be the best way to go...I don't know, I guess we just...act as decisively as possible if we perceive a threat until it's not a threat anymore." Lysithia says with a frown.

"I guess we just do the best we can, and assume the monsters aren't going to back down until proven otherwise." she says slipping her arms around Kelda.

Kelda nods, "Alright, that's what we'll do then. I'm just so glad that we found each other, and that you're here with me. As long as we're together, I know there's nothing we can't face. As long as I can end every day with you in my arms, I can handle whatever comes our way. Come on, let's go heat up water for our bath." Kelda says, not moving her head from Lysithia's chest.

Kissing the top of Kelda's head, Lysithia takes a second to simply enjoy the quiet moment. "Okay, let's go! Settling into a hot tub with you is the perfect way to leave this day in the past."

Kelda nods and lifts herself from Lysi's bosom, "Okay, it beats rehashing things that I can't change. I just wanted to be sure that you weren't blaming yourself for what happened. They were waiting for those slavers and just too alert."

Getting off of the bed, she gathers up their bathing supplies and goes to heat up the water for the bath.

Once they are in the bathing room and the tub is full of good warm water, Kelda puts a few drops of a mild smelling oil in the water before gesturing for Lysi to get in first.

Breathing in the calming scent of the oil, Lysithia undresses, enjoying the feel of Kel's eyes on her as she does. With a smile, she steps into the water, lowering herself into the tub with a blissful sigh.

Once Lysi is comfortable, Kelda removes the rest of her clothing and joins Lysi in the tub.

Kelda lets out a little sigh as she lowers herself into the warm water, and sits between Lysi's legs. Kelda leans back against Lysithia as she lets the warmth of the water soothe her aching muscles.

After a minute or two of just soaking her sore muscles in the warm water, Kelda takes a cloth and soaps it up before starting to wash the grime of the day away.

As the warm water soothers both physical and emotional aches, Lysithia begins washing Kelda's hair, taking care to massage her scalp to help her relax as she washes her body.

Kelda feels herself starting to relax as Lysi lovingly washes her hair and massages her scalp.

Once she's rinsed off, Kelda helps Lysithia with her hair.

After they're both rinsed off, Kelda gets out and wraps a towel around herself, before helping Lysi out of the tub and drying her off gently while massaging her shoulders and back.

When they are both dried and dressed, Kelda takes Lysithia's hand as they head back to the room.

Inside the room Kelda takes a moment to just hold Lysi, "I know today didn't go as well as we hoped it would, and even though this has been a frustrating journey, there's no one else I'd rather take it with than you. I'm just so glad that you and Astoria are both okay. He could have killed her just as easily as letting me stabilize her. I don't think I would have been able to live with myself if something happened to our friend because I wanted to try some foolish distraction tactic."

"You had no way of knowing what would happen next, Love. In the end, you healed her, and we made it out of a bad situation alive. As long as we have each other, we'll get through this." Lysithia replies, brushing a lock of Kel's hair our of her eyes as she h relaxes in her arms.

Edited

Kelda nods as she leans into Lysi for comfort, "I...I know that you're right. I guess it just....scared me more than I thought it did. I'm sure things will look better once we get some rest." She says, her voice thick with emotion as she tries to block out the more negative thoughts.

It's not difficult to see that she is struggling with feelings of guilt, and is having a hard time of letting go of her more negative feelings about herself.

Pulling her in close, Lysithia wraps Kelda in her arms, kissing her forehead. "It was a scary thing to go through, and there's nothing wrong with being afraid that something endangered the people you care about."

Looking into her love's eyes, she gives her a reassuring smile. "We should definitely get some rest, leave the chaos aside for the moment. You're safe in my arms, and I'm safe in yours."

Being held by her love makes Kelda relax as the loving embrace backs up the meaning of the words that Lysi speaks to her. Of course everything would be alright as long as they just stick together.
To
Letting out a soft sigh, Lysithia can feel Kelda relax in her arms. Staying in the safe and warm embrace of her love's arms, Kelda nods her head, "Okay, I know you're right. I just need to stop letting my emotions get the better of me. I do feel safe with you, I just....when things like that happen, it brings the possibility of something happening to you close to home. I just have to get better at smashing things in the face, so nothing comes close to hurting you like that again." She finishes, sounding a bit pouty.

Leaning back slightly, Kelda stretches up so she can give Lysi a soft kiss, "I don't want to think about what almost happened anymore either. I just want to take a little nap, while being in your arms."

Kelda steps back from Lysi towards the bed while removing her grungy tunic and tosses it aside. She holds out a hand towards Lysi, "Ready for some rest?"

"Absolutely!" she replies with a warm smile, pulling her shift off over her head and tossing it on the floor as she pulls back the covers.

Laying back on the bed she extends her arms out to her love. "Come to bed sweetheart."

Kelda nods and crawls into the bed, and her love's arms as she pulls the covers over them.

Kelda snuggles into her side, and lays her head on Lysithia's chest.

Letting out a soft sigh, she plants a soft kiss on her cheek, "I love you so much."

The rest of the day passes by uneventfully and Duncan provides you with a hearty dinner. In the morning, you prepare to push on to Cooperton. Duncan provides you with some food to take with you, as gratitude for what you had done for him. Teeko, the weasel, stows himself in Astoria's backpack, peeking only his head out to look around.

After an hour or so of walking, the universe firmly decides that is against you and you spy a trio of goblins surrounding an elderly woman.

Awakening refreshed, with her love in her arms, Lysithia is filled with a more positive outlook on the day, which meets it's first challenge as they come across goblins surrounding a woman.

Remaining silent to avoid getting their attention, the druidess tries to get a read on the situation looking to see if the woman was in danger.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Kelda looks between the goblins and old woman, trying to visually assess the situation before jumping in.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Kelda sees that the woman is cowering while the goblins wield their blades. Lysithia is quite sure the goblins intend to murder the woman.

Kelda looks at Evert, "Evert, let them know they have company." She says quietly, indicating that he shoot at one of them, as she readies her hammer for some goblin clobbering....hopefully.

Looking back at Lysi and Tori, "Well girls, shall we go say hello?"

Am I correct in assuming that since all of their attention is on the terrified woman, that they don't notice us? Thereby giving us a chance to ambush them? I was speaking quietly to keep them from hearing me. I just wasn't sure what all we could do, but I thought if they were that distracted, that we could distract them from the old woman with an arrow?"

There's some distance between you and the goblins. You're going to have to move forward a bit for Evert to take a shot.

Ohhhh, okay. I didn't know we were that far away from them.

Kelda silently motions that they should move closer, before demonstrating by starting to move forward.

I'm not sure if we should move in slowly and surprise them, or just rush in all loud like. I just want to do whatever is less likely to get the woman killed. I just don't know what that is.

We have to get within at least probably 80ft for Evert to get a shot without a penalty, and my current spells all have a 30ft range. We'll need to move for at least a round(probably double move)

Nodding, Lysithia advances quietly, staff in hand.

Double move 60ft

Stealth (if needed): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Okay, I'm a bit slower than you guys. Even at double move, I'm only gonna be able to move 40 ft at a time.

Kelda moves forward, but not as quickly as the others.

Double move 40ft. Let me know if I need to roll something, I don't remember what stealth goes off of, but I know I'm not good at it. Lol

I only move 20ft too, so don't feel bad.

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Kelda, a stealth roll will be -3 for you.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Oh....well, in that case, I just approach. If I try to be all stealthy I'll probably draw more attention to us.

Astoria swallows back a wave of panic and approaches the hostile goblins with the others. She reaches into her pouch and readies her newest spell.

Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Cast Potent Sleep Will DC 17, centered on the woman, if the goblins see us or attack.

It's almost like that Stealth roll was intentional...

Will Save: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

Astoria (possibly doing this) seems to attract the goblins' attention immediately. The half-elf quickly unleashes her spell, causing the goblins to fall asleep.

Flashing Astoria a grin of approval, Lysithia races over to deal with the goblins before they can awaken.

Kelda looks over at Astoria and nods, "Good job. That was very well done."

Before her love gets past her, Kelda reaches out and takes hold of Lysithia's hand before she can reach the passed out pests.

Pulling her back gently as she indicates the elderly woman, "Please go make sure she's alright first love. I'll handle the little buggers."

Sending Lysi off with a kiss, Kelda goes over to the goblins and prepares to smash their heads in with her trusty hammer.

Kelda lets her hammer fly.
Crush your enemies: 3d8 + 9 ⇒ (4, 2, 4) + 9 = 19

Turning the first goblin into a sticky paste, Kelda moves on to the second vile creature.
Crush your enemies: 3d8 + 9 ⇒ (6, 4, 2) + 9 = 21

After obliterating the skull of the second goblin, she moves to stand over the final goblin, "This is for Sophie you miserable bastard." She says, before bringing her hammer down a final time.

and see them driven before you: 3d8 + 9 ⇒ (4, 5, 7) + 9 = 25

After laying waste to the last goblin, Kelda stands there for a moment as Lysithia sees to the well being of the elderly woman that the goblins were terrorizing.

I'm sorry if you wanted to beat on the little brighter, but I thought as the only healer in the group, that you should look the old woman over for injuries, in case she needed help.

Is this open plain or forested area?

Nodding, after a moment's pause, Lysithia goes over to the woman, kneeling at her side to check on her condition.

Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

I'm so dumb. I don't know why I said that about you being the only healer. I forgot that I'm able to heal as well. Lol

The road goes through plains.

Kelda dispatches the goblins with brutal efficiency as Lysithia checks on the woman, who is visibly shaken but apparently unharmed. "Gods bless you."

Hefting her hammer onto her shoulder, Kelda goes to stand next to Lysithia as she checks the woman for injuries.

"It's pretty dangerous out here to be traveling alone ma'am. Where were you headed?"

Lysithia gives the woman a comforting smile while helping her up. "I'm just glad we came across you when we did."

Kelda nods in agreement, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound so blunt. We are very glad that you're okay. I just thought if you told us where you were headed, that we could accompany you and keep you from being attacked by anything else." She says, her voice is full of compassion and understanding for the elderly woman that was nearly killed by the goblins.

"My grandson is missing," the woman answers. "He went to the river to get some water for our camp and never came back. I've been looking for him for two days."

"How old is he?" Lysithia asks, sharing a look with her companions. Two days alone in the wilderness unprepared,was definitely not encouraging

"Just turned ten years last week," the woman replies, her voice cracking with worry.

Images of Sophia screaming as the goblins attacked them fill her mind. Hardening her grip on her hammer until her knuckles turn white, she looks at the others, "Should we get her back to her camp first before we find him?" She would be damned if another innocent lost their life to some fiend or another.

"It'd be a better place to start looking for clues," Evert replies.

"Yes, that should be helpful, and make sure that she was safe while we look for him " Lysithia agrees.