Siobhan takes a sniff of her drink. "Something called 'Bottled Regret'? Not sure the name's right--smells more like... I'm not sure."
She shrugs and takes a drink. "...tastes more like anxiety."
“The poncy knights and pantalooned princes never served anything like this at their garden parties.”
The ancient Celt blinks.
"Knights and princes?" She asks, the anachronism causing her mind to blank in confusion.
Though it could also be the drink's work.
”Queen Victoria was the British monarch of my time. My family was on the invite list, and my sister Edith and I were of age to captivate the interest of Prince Leopold, the youngest.” Alice sips her drink. “The night I changed was the first time the prince displayed any romantic interest in me, but I had attended these sorts of social events throughout my childhood.
“The knights were not warriors like you. Theye were the prince’s cricket friends.” Alice brings her glass to the bar.
She leans forward, eyes falling to Siobhan’s amazing abs before catching herself. Alice makes eye contact.
”I don’t want to talk about my past. It’s dull. You’re not.”
The drink makes it easier for the words to come out. Alice takes a swig.
There is only a drop left in her glass. Alice leans toward Siobhan, and keeps leaning, definitely tipping off her barstool.
Siobhan was about to say something about Alice's 'prince' being touched in the head if he was friends with crickets, but the sight of the normally very courtly lady on the verge of falling off of her seat puts the thought on hold.
The Celt leans forward to catch Alice before she falls over. "Oh my..."
"...I think you've had enough."
Alice is content to be caught.
She seems to recover from her dizzy spell quickly, as if Siobhan’s amazonian might is transferred to Alice by touch! Or maybe Alice could stay in her arms until the spinning room (both of them) comes to a complete stop. At any rate, she’s completely certain she won’t vomit in the warrior woman’s lap.
“You’re so kind, Siobhan. I can…” Alice tries to complement word with action, but Siobhan’s lap is like a very comfortable rock. “I can… right myself.”
She eventually does.
“There we go. Nothing broken,” she says for Ol’ Mam Grottle’s benefit. And for Siobhan’s, “I’m okay. I might need some food to wash the alcohol down.
“Shall we order here? Or… I can make something back at the inn.”
Siobhan helps Alice up. "I've no objections either way, really."
When the dress finally came up to her shoulders Felitcia grasped the hem and lifted it over her head revealing that there was nothing beneath it. Rather than completely discard the garment though she moved her hands behind her back and tangled them in the dress to bind her wrists and gave Rachel a very heated look. "I am completely at your mercy Mistress, please use me as you please."
Alice says, ”In that case, let’s grab a bottle of sweet berry wine or whatever you would drink for the taste. I’ll make us some magical food at the inn! It will look lovely, but magical food is flavorless.”
Richard smiles to the Venture-Captain and pours himself a cup of water, "It's excellent to meet you, Lady Heidmarch. Your understanding is correct. Though the story is longer than I can merit beginning, in a former life I was a professor, and my love of the academic is as strong as ever. Now though, the search for knowledge is within my grasp, and from what I've learned of the Pathfinder Society, the search for knowledge is your goal to. I want to help, in any way that I can. There are certain pieces of information I am looking for, and if I can find them in service to the Society, I am happy to share them."
"Right... let's get you going."
Siobhan carefully scoops Alice up and helps her out of the tavern once they've purchased a bottle of sweet berry wine.
Alice is sleepy and giddy and comfy and tipsy and she thinks Siobhan needs a hug so she hugs her finger.
Back at the inn Alice remembers why they bought a bottle of wine.
“Right, so I think I can make the food look attractive. But it’s the berry wine that will provide the flavor.”
Alice then makes a lot of brown dishes and spoons and cups and bowls. There are treats on the plates and bowls, but the cups are empty.
“The wares are edible.” Alice savagely breaks a prong off of a fork and bites the tip. “Ha ha! How dreadful. It tastes like bread crust, neither stale nor fresh. But if you pour wine into a ‘cup cake,’ that might be nice.”
Alice sits on a pastry, breaking off chunks to eat. She says to Siobhan, “I can’t take the human form now… you’ll have to test this yourself. Go ahead and pour some wine, and you can eat the cup.”
Siobhan tentatively pours some wine into the 'cup cake' and drinks from it.
"...huh. Quite sweet indeed. What berries were used to make it, I wonder?" She ponders before polishing it off--along with the cup.
"Yes, it's filling--but the wine does keep it from being bland."
Alice has what she’s certain is an alcohol-induced notion.
“Siobhan, how about you fill the remain cups, and some bowls as well. A single bowl will do the trick for me. The magical food is filling, but I believe you’ll know when you’ve reached your limit.”
Alice removes the big clunky boots, but is still wearing her fur bikini.
Siobhan does so.
As she sets about filling up the cups and bowls with wine, she tilts her head at Alice's choice of attire.
"Mayhap we should see about getting you some woad of your own." She chuckles. "If you're so intent on being a Celt."
Alice takes a fork prong, dips it in wine, and eats it.
She thinks about the woad. “You’re right. If I’m to match your outfit, i best go all out. The woad will wash after some days, will it not? You have a sort of… woad makeup kit?”
She double-dips her prong in the wine bowl.
“You probably call it something else.” Grinning, she begins to loosen her top. “In any case, if you’re serious, I would be honored if you really will paint me.”
Siobhan turns to her backpack and digs out her tattooing supplies.
"Normally, these wouldn't be permanent, yes. I suppose the Morrígan had a plan for mine." She says once she's ready.
"Regardless, did you have a particular design in mind for yours?"
Alice removes her top.
She considers Siobhan’s question carefully. Her reply: “I’d make a lousy Shelynite if I denied an artist creative control. I’ll only give one direction.”
She slips off her bottom.
“My skin is your canvas.”
Richard smiles to the Venture-Captain and pours himself a cup of water, "It's excellent to meet you, Lady Heidmarch. Your understanding is correct. Though the story is longer than I can merit beginning, in a former life I was a professor, and my love of the academic is as strong as ever. Now though, the search for knowledge is within my grasp, and from what I've learned of the Pathfinder Society, the search for knowledge is your goal to. I want to help, in any way that I can. There are certain pieces of information I am looking for, and if I can find them in service to the Society, I am happy to share them."
Sheila taps her chin as she considers Richard. "Indeed. Well, Professor Farthington, I am sure we can put your skills to good use here. I do have a mission that would be suitable for you and your group--the Gaian Explorers, was it? If you'd be so inclined as to accept, then return here to the manor tomorrow morning with your companions and I can fill you in on the details."
Siobhan carefully begins to tattoo a triskele spiral upon Alice's bare back, delicately tracing the threefold spiral with a brush dipped in woad.
One wouldn't think that someone as physically-inclined as Siobhan would be capable of handling a brush so precisely, especially not on someone as small as Alice, but she pulls it off with aplomb.
"There." She nods once she's finished. "A proper Celtic spiral, representing your threefold world: one for Earth, one for Golarion, and one for the realm of the Fey."
”Of course! I’ll meet with my companions tonight. Hopefully we’ll be back here bright and early.”
Richard informs the rest of the group about the job offer from Sheila Heidmarch. The next morning, after breakfast, he leads you to Heidmarch Manor to accept the mission from the venture captain.
Once introductions are out of the way, Lady Heidmarch gives you the briefing. "The mission I have in mind for you is a diplomatic one, but not of the traditional sort. The Pathfinder Society has been negotiating for weeks with General Azaersi, leader of the new hobgoblin nation of Oprak. Now that she has secured Oprak’s borders, the General has cast far and wide in search of useful allies: including the Society. Despite the General’s central role in the recent bloody conflict known as the Ironfang Invasion and the resulting instability in the region, she is potentially a powerful ally. The resurgent threat of the Whispering Tyrant must not be taken lightly, and an allegiance with Oprak could prove invaluable.
"However, General Azaersi’s full intentions are unknown. To further ascertain her motives, the Society has agreed to accept a small squad of hobgoblins into its ranks. You are to meet this group, the Iolite Squad, here in Magnimar, then escort them to a nearby training ground to conduct a series of joint training exercises. The training ground is near an ancient dwarven dig site that we have identified as an ideal location for these recruits to practice being Pathfinder agents; it is not a place of global significance, but it likely contains some interesting pieces of history.
"After your joint exercises, guide the recruits in exploring the site. The hobgoblins are competent soldiers and we do not expect great danger, but you must ensure that they all make it out alive. This is a diplomatic mission, after all. Defer to the hobgoblins when exploring—they must prove themselves capable Pathfinders—but give aid if they request it. With this task complete, escort the Iolite Squad back to Magnimar.
"We have arranged for you to meet the Iolite Squad at No-Horn, an establishment in the Dockway District. Do not keep the hobgoblins waiting long, but be wary of those who may resent their presence. The training grounds and dig site are in a rock-strewn valley to the southeast of the city. I'll provide you with a map.
"Any questions?"
She rises and sits bare-bottomed on a frostingless cupcake. “I love it, Siobhan. I’m gonna make my dress backless to show it off… but later. As soon as the woad dries, I’m gonna climb into a bowl of wine and bathe in it.”
When she does, she’s not the least bit worried she’ll pass out from drunkenness and drown. Siobhan would save her.
Alice is clad in her usual shade of blue, with the lacy hem, striped tights, lack of shoes… but the dress is backless—perfect for wings! But for a wingless, the dress shows off the woad on Alice’s back.
“What’s the fastest route to ‘em?” is Alice’s question. After all, the hobgoblins are not to be kept waiting.
"Understood. Aside from how to get there the quickest, I've got nothing else to ask."
Sheila Heidmarch provides you with directions to No-Horn. This exceptionally seedy tavern stands (albeit just barely) as an excellent counterpoint to the much grander and well-respected Old Fang—a good-as-any-other example of the type of low-end drinking holes that seem to pop up and fail on a monthly basis near the Bazaar of Sails. No-Horn (so named for its colorful sign depicting drinking devils capering around a tormented, hornless unicorn) is a leaning, black structure built from a discarded ship’s hull. Its food and drink, while certainly affordable on any budget, are as unpleasant to experience as the bartender himself, a foul-tempered and terribly disfigured man missing both ears.
Laughter and shouts rise from the boisterous crowd that occupies the cheaply furnished tavern room. The staff move from table to table with practiced efficiency to take orders and deliver pints of frothing ale. Four hobgoblins seated near the entrance size up everyone who enters and ignore the mugs on their table.
One is slightly taller than the rest of the hobgoblins. Her armor is well made, and her equipment—from her cloak to her sword and shield—is utterly unadorned save for the flag of Oprak at her shoulder. She stands as you approach her. "I am Sergeant Drussem. You are the Pathfinders we are supposed to meet with?"
When you reply in the affirmative, she calls her fellow soldiers to attention. before introducing each of them by name. Akrag grins broadly and extends his lanky arm to shake hands with each of you, his belt bristling with small bladed weapons. Gintka, their sapper, gives a quick nod as Drussem introduces her before she returns to fidgeting with the metal buckles and sealed vials adorning her gear. Finally, the Sergeant introduces Ozaril, their veteran scout, who gives a perfect salute, his fingers coming close to the many scars that cross his head.
Alice curtsies to all, not concerned with how un-warrior-like that makes her.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sergeant. I am Alice Pleasance Liddell, and while I may not appear to be a warrior, I bear the mark of one.” She shows off the woad on her back. “That mark was given by Siobhan, who is every bit the warrior she appears to be… and so much more!”
She goes on to introduce ”Rachel, who leads our group…” and “…Felitcia, who named us the Gaian Explorers…” and finally “…Dr. Richard, who connected us to the Pathfinder Society…
“…who connected us to you!”
While Siobhan tends to be quiet, Alice gives her and others opportunities to interject during introductions.
“I look forward to the merging of our teams! Shall we share a drink together before we’re off to serious business?”
(This she asks because the hobgoblins have full mugs. She suspects they were waiting for the Gaian Explorers’ arrival.)
Rachel blushes when Alice introduces her as the group's leader. "I, uh, like to think of myself as more of a 'senior advisor,'" she says as she bows to the hobgoblins.
"Well met, Commander Rachel," Sergeant Drussem says, offering the oracle a salute. She turns back to Alice. "Your squad seems to be a capable one. But we have had our fill of libations already, so it would be best to continue this discussion on the road for the sake of efficiency."
The other hobgoblins have already begun gathering their equipment and settling their tab. The bartender looks visibly relieved that the goblinoids are preparing to depart.
When they had breakfast the next morning and then received a job while they waited for their ship to be ready to depart. Once they went to their meeting with the hobgoblins Felitcia found herself curious about them. They looked not so dissimilar from humans or orcs to her and they seemed friendly enough.
As Alice introduced everyone Felitcia leaned against Rachel and put one arm around her waist as she nodded in greeting as she was introduced. "Ohhh drinks," she said in response to Alice asking if they should all have one together before they left, "I like this idea."
"Looks like they're already packing up, babe," Rachel whispers to Felitcia. "We'll have to get our drink on once the mission's over."
You leave Magnimar behind as you travel along the roads heading south.The roads are well-traveled, and you cross paths with many people along the way. The hobgoblins do their best to appear friendly, but most travelers give the group a wide berth, some even moving to the side of the road to allow the armed hobgoblins to march by.
"We are used to getting an icy reception," Sergeant Drussem says as you walk. "Many view hobgoblins with fear and suspicion. Our people have faced many hardships and adversity, but we are proud to serve Oprak and the strength and endurance it stands for. We believe the Pathfinder Society has much to offer in terms of knowledge, resources, and practical experience, and we hope that our presence can help to ingratiate hobgoblins with others throughout the Inner Sea."
Siobhan greets the hobgoblins and walks with them in silence.
Something about their bearing... it's almost...
Her body tenses up a bit as the march goes on.
...Roman.
She keeps her mouth shut and stares ahead, resolute in her desire to stay quiet and not ruin anything.
Alice replies, “I can relate. Siobhan and I went to a bar together, and the barkeep gave the the hairy eyeball and said ‘don’t break anything.’ Fortunately Siobhan was with me, or I’d have been thrown out, possibly literally.”
As you continue to walk, Ozaril steps closer to Alice. "Forgive me if I seem impertinent, but I have never met a fairy before. What is it like being so small? And what sort of fairy magic can you cast? May hobgoblins are suspicious of mystical beings like you, but I am merely curious."
Alice replies, “Surprisingly convenient.
“Everything is built for humans and such, so a morsel can feed me. A teacup is fit for a bath and a bathtub is fit for a swim. There was a moment when I was scared… I fell into a rabbit hole and wasn’t sure how I’d fare had the rabbit spotted me.
“But then I met all my relatively enormous friends and I’m glad to know them.”
As for spells, “Mostly fire and healing. I can also make myself taller or smaller and restyle my outfits. If we’re in dire need of food, I can make food as well.”
"Interesting. Very interesting," Ozaril muses.
"I can make fire, too," Gintka mutters, fidgeting with the straps of her bandolier. "With bombs. Made with science! Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." The hobgoblin grins.
The path winds through rugged, wooded foothills for several miles before opening onto a small ravine. A dilapidated homestead lies in ruin to the south, and a half-constructed camp is set up nearby.
Two armored men lie bleeding on the path west of the camp. A pair of enormous, black-furred wolves with beady red eyes loom over them. When they notice your approach, the beasts turn toward you, growling menacingly!
Seeing the wolves, Siobhan raises her axe and moves to engage!
"These are not normal wolves. They are wargs!" Rachel calls. "They are intelligent and will use pack tactics. Be cautious." The oracle casts a spell of protection on Siobhan moments before the warrior rushes to engage the foes!
Felitcia was surprised to come across the two black wolves who had recently mauled some men bu she didn't hesitate when Rachel gave her warning. Felitcia drew her fan, snapping the tines opened, and cast a quick spell to try and daze the one Siobhan didn't attack.
Felitcia shocks one of the wargs’ mind while Siobhan chops into the other one. Growling, the wargs move to flank the warrior, tearing at her with their jaws!
Siobhan keeps on swinging her axe at the already wounded one!
Then she heals herself!
The hobgoblins move in and start shouting and banging their weapons against their shields, distracting the less wounded of the wargs. It turns from Siobhan to snarl and snap at them.
Rachel sends healing energies toward Siobhan to mend her wounds.
Alice sees the healing is well in hand, so she attacks!
She says to the red-haired hobgoblin, “If your bombs need fire, Gintka, let me know! We can perhaps combine magic and technology!”
Richard takes a moment to study the wargs, sorting through what he knows about the beasts of Golarion.
As he moves in, he rubs some powdered silver on the blade and slashes at the closest worg, mystical resonance clashing against the wolf-beast as Golden Bear cleaves into the worg.
Felitcia lashed out with her mind again, the power trying to daze her target.
Felitcia once more dazes her foe while the rest of you focus on Siobhan's target. Siobhan and Richard slice into the beast while Alice scorches it with fire.
The Iolite Squad distracts the dazed warg, leading it on a chase to keep its attention away from you. The other, badly wounded beast snarls and snaps its jaws at Siobhan again.
Siobhan's axe bites into the warg's neck, and the beast falls! The second creature remains!
Siobhan struggles to keep control of her temper as she swings her axe!
She then raises her shield to try and put it between her and the beast!
Alice points both index fingers at the remaining foe.
“Bang,” she says Britishly.
“Oh, poo,” she says just as Britishly as both balls of fire miss by a mile.