Yasami was dreaming. At least, she was pretty sure she was. Given she was riding through the woods on the back of a giant warg puppy and calling out for Big Bumble. Perhaps it was her realization that it must be one that caused the dream to shift subtly, because now she was still in the woods but alone – until she heard a snapping branch behind her and spun to face her would-be ambusher.
Alak stood there, grinning that dorky smile that had always looked odd on the face of a Hellknight. ”You’re dead,” you inform him.
”Am I? Well, that explains a lot. Still, if a man’s going to be dead, there are worse places he could end up than in a woman’s dreams. Certainly thought I was heading somewhere much worse.”
”Why are you here?” you find yourself asking.
”Good question. I’m dead, so that must mean I’m a ghost or something. Maybe I have a message for you, from the other side. Maybe this is a vision, like Oren always gets. Or maybe I’m just a weird part of your subconscious. Though hey, if I am, maybe I’m not dead. That’d be swell, wouldn’t it?”
”Swell? Really?”
”Don’t look at me, I’m your subconscious, remember? Hmm. How could we figure out if I’m you, or a ghost?” He snapped his fingers. ”I’ve got it! Let’s ask them!”
You turn around to see where Alak is pointing, and see two other familiar faces…
Yasamina looks over at the woman standing in the distance, her back turned towards the dancer. The long, straight hair reaching just above the back; the classic pose with the right foot just a little ahead of the other and the bent knee. The woman turns around, and Yasamina's gaze meets Conie's grey eyes. Constantina is holding a bundle in her hands, emanating sounds of multiple laughing infants. Yasami's jaw drops, and she just shakes her head in disbelief.
"Hello, Mina." the raven-haired woman smiles, and briefly looks at the bundle in her hands.
"Conie...", Yasami takes a while to process what she sees, and looks at what's left of Alak. "A shame we have to meet like this. I miss you. I was just thinking about you the other day." they both take a step closer, and Yasamina looks at the bundle again.
"I know. You are doing that now, too. Funny, how that works."
"Conie, I have so much to tell you. So much.", Yasamina starts moving closer, slowly.
"Well, why don't you? And come look at your sisters and brothers while you do that.", the girl smiles as she looks at the mumbling bundle, and Yasamina slows down to a halt.
"Not sure I want to. Are they puffy and pink and have curious eyes?"
Constantia looks down again and raises an eyebrow. "Not exactly. More like... a very raw steak with a lot of eyes and a few dozen limbs. You're a physician - you saw these already.", she extends the bundle toward Yasami, and hands it to the Varisian. The bundle unravels in Yasami's hands - the contents start falling out, one wet, bloody, disgusting splat after another hits the floor - Yasamina's sisters and brothers slowly quiet down their mumbles and screams as their fire is once again put out prematurely.
Yasamina turns away only to see Alak's remains. Everywhere she looks and goes - blood, tears, broken bones, pieces of flesh flayed off. And sadness everpresent. She forces herself to look at the abortions. Their bodies splattered on the cold marble floor, hues of red mix with white and ivory like a macabre abstract painting. Both women stand there for a while, in silence with Yasami holding back tears.
"Viola is well." Yasami breaks the silence. "She is beautiful. She has your eyes and cheeks, your hair... Good health. My mother is raising her."
Yasamina comes in closer to reach for her friend, but stops her arm halfway. Conie raises her hands for a hug, but seems disappointed when Yasami stops. "Why not?"
"I don't want something bad to happen to you. Everything I touch, I destroy."
"Do you?"
Yasami looks at her family on the ground, and towards Alak's remains. Then at Conie, standing there, untouched so far. She fails to hold back tears now. "Do I -not-? Even you, in the Zimra house. I forced you to go. And ultimately - I had to bury you, sing your requiem, speak at your wake. My best friend."
"A lot of people bury their best fri-", Conie starts talking, but is interrupted by Yasami: "You damn well know what I mean!" she almost shouts through tears. "I killed these creatures by being in the house. I killed the hell-knight by teasing him to go with us. I killed you by persuading you to meet Kischek. ME!", Yasamina points to her chest, starts weeping, and drops to her knees.
"And those were just circumstantial deaths. I've killed Kischek on purpose. He lasted weeks. Endured pains and agony I can't even imagine."
Yasamina looks at her hands, now red with the blood of her mother's unborn children. She sits, puts her arms around her knees and rests her head on her shoulder. A broken caricature of the happy-go-lucky Mina of old times, wallowing in self-pity. "I'm a murderer. Just in this... dream - I see seven bodies. And those are just the ones I regret."
Conie steps closer, almost touching Yasami at this point. "Thanks to you, Viola is in the world."
"Just a small lifeboat in a sea full of monsters."
Conie reaches for Mina and puts her hand on her knees. "Every navy starts with a lifeboat. More than sixty souls walk the world because you saved them from a burning building. Champion that which you love, Mina. Those who fight for nothing, die for nothing."
"Will I see you again?" Yasamina grabs Conie's hands in hers and looks into Conies's grey eyes one last time.
"Perhaps... depending on how much more deranged you become.", Constantia smiles at Yasamina and goes in for a hug. An immigrant Chelish violinist, and a Varisian fire-dancer. A match made in heaven.
"Goodbye, Conie. Love you.", Yasamina whispers as she hugs her friend.
"See you around, Mina."
Yasami wakes up in the middle of the night, a little sweaty, a little cold. She heads over to the water bucket and washes her face.
She pulls out her uniform with the ceremonial blade. "Let's see...", she removes the scabbard, looks at the blade itself, and realises she never actually tried this sword in combat. A decorative, but very functional guard, leather grip, slight curve at the end of the blade. She traces her forearm with the blade, and sees small hairs fall through the rays of moon shine.
She does a few thrusts, checks the balance, and touches the blade tip with her index finger. A few drops of blood trickle down her hand. She wipes it off with one of the bloodied rags she used to call clothes.
"Can you do that to a barghest, friend? I guess we'll find out soon enough."
She puts on some clothes, and runs off into the night looking for Caiten or Sulee.
She puts on some clothes, and runs off into the night looking for Caiten or Sulee.
Yasami checks the Grace, waves to everyone, but doesn't see the toymaker. She carries on towards the place Caiten showed her earlier.
She knocks on the doors a few times until Caiten opens up. "Good evening. Hope I'm not inerrupting anything.", she peeks inside and presents her ceremonial blade. "If you haven't started on my rapier yet, I'd like to use this instead. Sentimental value. Is that possible? As far as I know, the steel is treated and functional in a fight. Balance is good, and it has a nice swish to it. In addition to making holes in things."
"If you haven't started on my rapier yet, I'd like to use this instead."
Caiten answers the door and sees Yasami standing there. Listening to the request, he answers, "Yes, that should be fine. I will take care of that in the morning. I am having some of the townsfolk helping me with the work, but they should be able to make that adjustment. I think they are starting on the creation of the runes that we need in a day or two." He takes the sword and inspects it for a few seconds, then sets it on the workbench.
Sulee comes to the doorway as well. "Are you OK, Yasami? Do you want to come in and talk for a minute or three?"
Yasamina looks at herself after Sulee asking. "Hard to say. A bit emotional, still. Given the circumstances, I suppose I'm okay? Trying to channel that grief and-" she pauses for a second. "Other things... Into something of use. Also I just woke up, so that might be it? Why do you ask?
She smiles at Sulee, and lifts her index finger. "Ah - we never taught you how to dance!, she wiggles her dress a bit, then her expression changes from playful to curious. "Wait a minute. You guys sleep, right? Did I wake you up?"
"We do both sleep, though we haven't quite gone to bed yet tonight. It has been a long few days - everyone's emotions are a bit raw still. I'll have to put off the dance lessons for a bit yet."
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"I missed you, you know," says Lisi as their embrace ends. "Narine...I don't know where this whole Dahak thing is going to take us. As I said, possibly to Garund and the Expanse. But...I'll come back. I won't get devoured. I'll come back. And then..."
Lisi is at a loss for words at that point. "Ah, I'll probably be very hungry and thirsty."
Narine smiled at him, and a glimmer of understanding twinkled in her eyes. "Well be safe on your journey. And when you come back..." she paused for a moment, mimicking his own cadence as she chose her words, the sparkle in her eyes turning somewhat mischievous. "I'll prepare something lavish to sate your appetite."
--------------
Lisi arrives at Morta's Mortuary. "Hello, Morta! You look sepulchrally fabulous as always. I was wondering if you could help me with a peculiar request. I need to make something very large, bestial, and angry--quite sleepy and stupefied. It would probably have to be stronger than any extract of belladonna, although I'm not certain of that."
Morta looked up from where she was reading a book titled "Cradle of Filth". She set it down and rose, moving so gracefully that in her long, elegant black dress she almost seemed to float. "Sepulchrally fabulous?" she repeated with a large smile. "Oh I like that. Have to remember that one."
She walked behind the small service counter. "And just what would possess you to think that I would have something like that lying around?" she asked with faux offense, even as she started pulling out a variety of substances in carefully labelled vials. She searched through them and decided on three different vials.
She held the first one up, a small tin of some sort of paste. ”Stupor poison. Causes the recipient to slow down and fall asleep when it enters the bloodstream through a wound or the like.” Picking up the next, a jar with dried herbs inside, she continued. ”Addlebrain. When inhaled, it weakens the one who inhales it, body and mind. Imported it from Katapesh.” She showed Lisi the third and final option, a small vial of liquid. Distilled Wolfsbane. When eaten, makes the one foolish enough to eat it very very dead. The strongest thing I have, also very expensive to obtain.”
Lisi arches an eyebrow. "Ahhhh...from monkshood. That looks incredibly concentrated. And a little bird told me you had these. A bird I like to you know, share some birdseed with. She says hello, by the way."
"I'm partial to the wolfsbane, but I know it's rather bitter and...I want to slow the beast down first. I'm wondering if we should give it stupor poison and then the wolfsbane. Perhaps in something sweet, like a honeycake. Something he wouldn't want to share..."
Lisi doubts a hungry barghest will want to share, but who knows?
"Morta, let me check our communal coffers and confer with the other erstwhile Heroes, and I'll return promptly. Oh, and we have a bunch of severed heads, in case..." He gestures vaguely at the mortuary and shrugs.
****
Lisi lets Shadow and Rocco sniff all over his incredibly dull--ah, interesting office, strewn as it is with legal documents, land use maps, Isgerian archeological writings (a very spotty, biased, and fabulated topic), and leftover tea mugs.
"So this is a humanoid room, something like a warg den" says Lisi. "Unlike the Citadel, or the outdoors, we do not mark these rooms. We do not leave droppings, either. Instead, we go back outside. That way, the rooms do not become smelly. Just like we don't leave droppings in the den."
He offers Rocco and Shadow some biscuits. "Eating a snack, though? Always appropriate. Shall we go for a hunt this evening?"
*****
"Friends, I've found some substances we can buy. One is 155 gold sails and, and...oh. So maybe not that one? How about...16 gold sails? That will make our goblin god friend very sleepy. The other one will kill him outright, but I think the soporific may be easier to conceal, in any case. Can we buy it? And some food to offer him?"
Caiten looks mildly curious at the mention of poison. "I hadn't thought of that option much. 16 gold we can probably afford. What delivery method does this poison have? And do we need to wait for it to take effect?"
Trin listened quietly while he spoke, still with her arms wrapped around him from behind, chin on his shoulder. She lets him get it all out, then comes around and sits sideways across his lap, arms around his neck to keep herself from sliding off.
”Joran Bravestone. I really hate to break this to you. But you are not perfect.” She gave a faux wince, eyebrows up, head shaking slowly, with a sharp intake of breath. ”I know, I know. I went and settled for a man who is slightly less than a god in his capabilities. I really should have higher standards. But you know, you live here in town, so it’s convenient.” She shrugged playfully, and kissed the bridge of his nose.
Although he rolls his eyes, he still can't help but chuckle at how funny and adorable she is.
”Listen to me. No one wins every fight. No one. And no one can know the future. I asked the others what happened, and they told me about the fight with the archers. You tried diplomacy. Should you have charged out there, ready to kill, not knowing if those men were of an evil nature? Sure, there may have been a better plan. But you are not a man of subtlety, Oaf. I can say that with confidence. So I don’t fault you for not considering a stealthier plan might be in order.”
”As for walking away…Joran, I don’t think we can. From the sound of it, there is quite a bit of chaos going on right next to Breachill. Even if you walked away…ESPECIALLY if you walk away…those dangers will find their way here. We wouldn’t be safe here. And could you honestly run, and leave your home behind? I don’t think I could.”
She looked into his eyes. ”I am sorry about Alak. But you are in a dangerous line of work. You put yourself in harm’s way to protect others from it. And every single person with you chose to do the same. Including Alak. He chose to sacrifice himself to save Oren, and the rest of you. He could have run. Oren could have, too, before facing the beast. You all made the choice to brave the dangers. Because that’s what heroes do. And I adore you for it.”
She kissed him tenderly, lips lingering a long time, then she laid her head on his shoulder and held him.
Knowing she's right, Joran finds her embrace so very comforting. He smiles and lets out a resigned sigh as he holds her tightly. "You know, it feels like I fall in love with you more and more every day, gorgeous. Of course, the way you kiss sure helps," he winks, grinning wryly, no longer fearful about confessing his love for her - especially after what he just went through. "Of course you're right. You're right. There's no way I would ever abandon Breachill. Who am I kidding?" He shrugs. "Okay, you win. Of course, that's not hard for you to do when it comes to me." He smiles, kissing her on the forehead. "We're going to go back, we're going to kill that thing, and then we're going to find Voz and take her down too. And when that's done, maybe, just maybe we can find some time together without the rest of those knuckleheads around. A real live date, just you and me, darlin'." Leaning over a bit to look into her eyes, "What do you say? You're not going to be busy that night, are you? Maybe have to wash your hair or something," he jests, chuckling, and probably just costing himself that date.
Oren hadn't said much over the last few days. Even at the best of times, he was the quietest member of the group, preferring to let his more socially inclined friends do the talking. He certainly didn't feel more inclined to talk now that the mood was grim. What could he even say that would raise his comrades' spirits?
So he mostly bided his time alone until they were ready. Until his latest vision. Of course, Voz is alive. Of course that giant, insane barghest couldn't or wouldn't do the world a favor and kill her for us It's cold comfort to Oren that Voz's current associates are in such dire straits that they need to eat other. And as much as he hopes that they can simply wait for Voz and her associates to all kill and eat each other, he doesn't feel like they'll get so lucky.
So instead, he pays Caiten a visit, hoping to get Foehammer upgraded the same way the other weapons have all been upgraded, and he obliges. Foehammer feels stronger in Oren's hands. And for a long moment, Oren stands there, envisioning Foehammer coming down on the barghest's skull and crushing it. Caving in Voz's ribcage. And cracking open the head of the monster that is responsible for the apocalypse he sees in his visions.
And then he heads off, ready when everyone else is.
When Oren stops by to pick up Foehammer, Caiten asks him, "Oren, I know you often wreathe your weapon with fire when attacking. I suspect that this Barghest is resistant to fire damage as a lot of creatures from the lower outer planes are. Are you able to still attack at your fullest while not causing the fire damage?"
Dario sits in the Wizard's Grace, pistol and blade ready, when Lisi comes in. Hearing about the poisoned tribute that could be offered, Dario's sly grin grew.
"That's a cunning plan. He'll likely plan to cut us down and eat us regardless but maybe it'll give us the edge to put him down quick and efficiently." The gunslinger looked around the room, seeing what the others would say.
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"What do you say? You're not going to be busy that night, are you? Maybe have to wash your hair or something," he jests, chuckling, and probably just costing himself that date.
"I think I can slate you in. I'm holding you to it, Oaf. You bring yourself back in one piece, and take me someplace nice. Just the two of us. In the meantime..." She kissed him again, with a passion that made him feel a very warm all of the sudden. It lasted some time, but she finally pulled back. "Call that incentive to stay alive," she said, breathless.
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Cevendyl hadn't been around a lot, but he popped up when the time was right; he was always at his happiest when he was teaching magic with Caiten & Sulee, although he also seemed to have a way of almost conjuring Trinil’s last bowl of stew when he was hungry.
When the time came, he made his way to Caiten, dagger in hand. He looked from the dagger, to his friend, to his holy symbol … to the poppet, finally speaking: ”My friends, I have never let this dagger leave my sight, not since the day my father gave it to me.” Cev held it aloft with quite a bit more reverence than one might expect ”This was given to me by my father, which is utterly unremarkable in itself, until you know that my BOTH of my parents were half-elven. Half Elves living in Iadara are an extraordinary rarity, and half elves making a better than passing go of it, rarer still. Both my father & mother were divine servants, accepted into the temples of Ketephys and Yuelral respectively, and they came to be held in rather high regard throughout the city. No one had ever requested a unified forging before, and as such, it may have been granted simply because of the ingenuity of the request, and yet at my coming of age, I was presented with the first dagger ever forged and blessed by artisans of two Sovyrian temples. It isn’t even a masterpiece, by any stretch, in any way other than its personal and cultural relevance. But it’s all I have of them.” He smiled his jokey smile, the one as if he were teasing Joran … ”Sooooooooo maybe don’t break it or anything? I have big plans for it.”
It turned out, Cevendyl had several big plans.
As he made his way back across town, he stopped again at the temple, hoping to speak to Kellen, the High Priest. As much as he had wanted to proposition the man since the day of the call, Cev knew this meeting needed to stay formal. He needed the church’s help. He needed Kellen’s help.
”Your Eminence, I am humbled to find myself in need of your aid; to be more forward, the aid of both yourself and your temple, perhaps the very grace of Desna. When my friend & I came by the temple the other day, I simply wanted to know more about the demon we encountered, but now I am here to ask for your help: we believe that we can use a potion to slow it or even incapacitate it, but this will cost more than our small fortunes thus far can afford. I am asking you in the name of all that is holy to help us meet this expense. I will pledge our repayment of the debt, as well as proof of the demon’s demise. I beg you to help us; this will not only help Breachill, this is part of preserving our people’s legacy. We must be victorious in this, we cannot lose more than we already have.”
"and when all of that business is settled, as well as dispatching the vile necromancer who was hiding in the town's midst, I hope that you will also look favorably on a project of mine: I want to ask the Town Council to cede the Book Company to me, so that I can make it an additional place of worship, like Cayden's Keg & Shelyn's Smile. I believe the bookshop itself can be redeemed as a repository of knowledge in which many can learn of Yuelral's wisdom."
As Cevendyl leaves the DreamHouse, he smiles again, VERY excited to go pick up his new vestments from Winthrop Finney at Crimson Wood Furs.
When Oren stops by to pick up Foehammer, Caiten asks him, "Oren, I know you often wreathe your weapon with fire when attacking. I suspect that this Barghest is resistant to fire damage as a lot of creatures from the lower outer planes are. Are you able to still attack at your fullest while not causing the fire damage?"
"I can do so, yes. Usually when I fight, I emulate dragons fire, but if it's going to be useless against the barghest, I won't use it."
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As he made his way back across town, he stopped again at the temple, hoping to speak to Kellen, the High Priest. As much as he had wanted to proposition the man since the day of the call, Cev knew this meeting needed to stay formal. He needed the church’s help. He needed Kellen’s help.
”Your Eminence, I am humbled to find myself in need of your aid; to be more forward, the aid of both yourself and your temple, perhaps the very grace of Desna. When my friend & I came by the temple the other day, I simply wanted to know more about the demon we encountered, but now I am here to ask for your help: we believe that we can use a potion to slow it or even incapacitate it, but this will cost more than our small fortunes thus far can afford. I am asking you in the name of all that is holy to help us meet this expense. I will pledge our repayment of the debt, as well as proof of the demon’s demise. I beg you to help us; this will not only help Breachill, this is part of preserving our people’s legacy. We must be victorious in this, we cannot lose more than we already have.”"and when all of that business is settled, as well as dispatching the vile necromancer who was hiding in the town's midst, I hope that you will also look favorably on a project of mine: I want to ask the Town Council to cede the Book Company to me, so that I can make it an additional place of worship, like Cayden's Keg & Shelyn's Smile. I believe the bookshop itself can be redeemed as a repository of knowledge in which many can learn of Yuelral's wisdom."
Let me know what to roll for the loan request?...
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Lisi nods to Caiten. "Ten minutes, perhaps. We need food, libations, and something to cover the taste of the poison. If we provide entertainment..."
As he made his way back across town, he stopped again at the temple, hoping to speak to Kellen, the High Priest. As much as he had wanted to proposition the man since the day of the call, Cev knew this meeting needed to stay formal. He needed the church’s help. He needed Kellen’s help.
”Your Eminence, I am humbled to find myself in need of your aid; to be more forward, the aid of both yourself and your temple, perhaps the very grace of Desna. When my friend & I came by the temple the other day, I simply wanted to know more about the demon we encountered, but now I am here to ask for your help: we believe that we can use a potion to slow it or even incapacitate it, but this will cost more than our small fortunes thus far can afford. I am asking you in the name of all that is holy to help us meet this expense. I will pledge our repayment of the debt, as well as proof of the demon’s demise. I beg you to help us; this will not only help Breachill, this is part of preserving our people’s legacy. We must be victorious in this, we cannot lose more than we already have.”"and when all of that business is settled, as well as dispatching the vile necromancer who was hiding in the town's midst, I hope that you will also look favorably on a project of mine: I want to ask the Town Council to cede the Book Company to me, so that I can make it an additional place of worship, like Cayden's Keg & Shelyn's Smile. I believe the bookshop itself can be redeemed as a repository of knowledge in which many can learn of Yuelral's wisdom."
...
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Kellen smiles at Cev, putting a hand on Cev's shoulder. "Say no more, my friend. Whatever aid we can offer, it's yours. And I think that would be a fitting goal for the book shop."
Eventually the rune crafting work is done. Caiten collects the last of the weapons and other items, pays the prices that the people of Breachill generously lowered for them, and waits in the Wizard's Grace for the others of the group to come by.
To all the members of the troop, he asks nearly the same questions: "I believe that it is time to head back and face down Ralldar. Is there anything else that you need that we can have ready by tomorrow morning? Can you be ready to go at that time?"
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Cevendyl arrives at the Grace: it is quite an entrance. His new outfit is everything; pure champion, pure Yuelral. As if there were only one thing missing, he takes hold of his coming-of-age dagger ... and it transforms into an excuisite elven curve blade. If ever there were a Paladin of Kyonin, it was Cev in this moment.
OUTFIT1
OUTFIT2 (face is shadowed, not covered)
SYMBOL (center of chest)
SWORD
"K10 ... please work with Lisi to ensure that we have purchased the strongest potion we can purchase. I have borrowed the cost from Kellen, and assured him that we will slay the demon prior to settling our debt.
"What do you say? You're not going to be busy that night, are you? Maybe have to wash your hair or something," he jests, chuckling, and probably just costing himself that date."I think I can slate you in. I'm holding you to it, Oaf. You bring yourself back in one piece, and take me someplace nice. Just the two of us. In the meantime..." She kissed him again, with a passion that made him feel a very warm all of the sudden. It lasted some time, but she finally pulled back. "Call that incentive to stay alive," she said, breathless.
Smiling mightily as he works to catch his own breath, "By the gods, woman, that is incentive enough for me!" he declares, looking as if he just conquered the world.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To all the members of the troop, he asks nearly the same questions: "I believe that it is time to head back and face down Ralldar. Is there anything else that you need that we can have ready by tomorrow morning? Can you be ready to go at that time?"
"I'm ready to go now. But if we need to wait until morning, that's fine too. Ready whenever."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
When the morning arrives, Joran packs his gear, gathers his weapons and readies to move out. Arriving at the Grace before the others, he makes his way to Trinil and gives her one more good, long and lasting kiss for luck. "We won't be gone long, gorgeous. Because I have a date I need to keep with this one gal I know. She has gorgeous hair, dark skin, the prettiest face, eyes that shine like stars, a golden personality and she makes me laugh." He tells her, looking her in the eyes and smiling that million dollar smile. "By the way, in case there's any mystery to who I'm talking about, I'm talking about you, gorgeous." He winks, grinning wryly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Once the others arrive, "We ready? Let's roll. We've got a nasty beast to destroy." And with that, Joran leads the way out, and leads with a purpose.
Dario watches everyone slowly make their way in, his eyes lifting at their improvements. Better armor, better weapons, a massive change of costume, and better attitudes then they all had days again. A smirk begins to spread across his face before he shook his head.
"My, oh my, oh my...we are a nightmare to see coming. Maybe he'll be wise and let us grant him a mercifully quick death." Dario says with a wink, pushing away from the table at Joran's words. It was time to go and cut down a god.
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"I'm ready to go now. But if we need to wait until morning, that's fine too. Ready whenever."
"We just got our equipment ready today and I don't know how long it will take to find everyone. But mostly waiting until morning is because us spellcasters can use the time to set our selection of spells available appropriately. Prestidigitation is a fine spell to have available when cleaning up a dirty room, but it doesn't help much when fighting archers in fortified tree forts."
~~~~~~
Cevendyl arrives at the Grace: it is quite an entrance. His new outfit is everything; pure champion, pure Yuelral. As if there were only one thing missing, he takes hold of his coming-of-age dagger ... and it transforms into an excuisite elven curve blade. If ever there were a Paladin of Kyonin, it was Cev in this moment.
Caiten watches Cevendyll transform his blade with interest. "Hmm... That is a very useful ability. I got this for you, and don't worry, it didn't cost much." Caiten holds out the steel shield. "When we first engage with an enemy they tend to be fearless and attack relentlessly. If you are able to draw their ire and protect yourself with this, then that will allow the rest of us to attack without as much fear of retaliation. However, this shield will not stand up to many attacks from something like a Barghest. When it breaks, it will become useless until repaired. Being able to drop it at that point and transform your weapon seems like a very good tactic. You can protect yourself as well as those around you while the enemy is fearless and constantly attacking, then when they are injured and weakened and are fighting more defensively, you can press the attack with the more damaging larger blade."
~~~~~
At some point when Caiten sees Lisi, he approaches. "Lisi, I have seen you casting magic quite a bit farther of a distance than expected. I also remember the layout of that room that the Barghest makes its lair in. I am not able to reach to the other side of the room with most of my spells. Most notably my healing spells. I could have Sulee deliver them, but they would be a very weak version at that point. I have also seen the amount of damage that this creature can do. I don't think that I can keep everyone standing on my own, and definitely not when they are on the opposite side of the room. Are you able to help me out with those problems from your own healing spell ability?"
~~~~~
"Are you all familiar with the pack tactics of wolves? When they fight something that is able to fight back, whichever wolf is the target of the prey's attack evades and avoids engaging - but the rest of the pack attacks from the sides and from behind. Then when the prey turns to face one of the other members of the pack, that wolf becomes evasive and the first wolf returns to the attack instead."
"I think we could use the same, or at least similar, tactics. When the Barghest comes near and attacks you, don't worry so much about attacking back. Instead evade and avoid as much as possible and rely on the other members of the team to do damage instead. Then when he decides to take on one of the others in the group because they are currently a bigger threat, then you can go back into the attack."
"I can heal from afar," says Lisi in agreement. "If we give the barghest the wolfsbane, he'll know what's going on as soon as it starts to affect him. It will take him some time to die, during which he'll try to take as many with us as possible. ...I wonder if Renali can summon some of those spiders back to help immobilize him?"
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"I did not control them -- they merely backed off because I told them you were not easy prey. I do not know if I can convince them a barghest is, but I can try," Renali nodded.
"I can heal from afar," says Lisi in agreement. "If we give the barghest the wolfsbane, he'll know what's going on as soon as it starts to affect him. It will take him some time to die, during which he'll try to take as many with us as possible. ...I wonder if Renali can summon some of those spiders back to help immobilize him?"
"and I wonder if she would consider joining us for our return."
Listening in on Caiten as he speaks of tactics, "So ultimately what you're saying, Caiten, is ... hit and run." Thinking on that a moment, "I like it. Hit and run from all sides. Make it pick and choose who it wants to go after. Sounds like a plan to me."
"I did not control them -- they merely backed off because I told them you were not easy prey. I do not know if I can convince them a barghest is, but I can try," Renali nodded.
"Renali, I have noticed that Lisi has great success communicating with our puppies when he uses metaphors that relate to their upbringing: maybe you can do the same with the spiders. Maybe you can tell them we will all weave a web together to catch this fearsome predator; maybe you can tell them our special venom will weaken the prey just like a spider would, and that when our venom takes effect, you will call to them to drain their prey."
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Listening in on Caiten as he speaks of tactics, "So ultimately what you're saying, Caiten, is ... hit and run." Thinking on that a moment, "I like it. Hit and run from all sides. Make it pick and choose who it wants to go after. Sounds like a plan to me."
"It is a plan, but not without risk. The barghest has a greater reaction time than most of the monsters we fought. I left myself open for a split second when we were retreating the first time and it got me. I don't doubt that it could do the same against an opponent that is pulling off a hit and run and that thing is smart enough to go after the person it perceives to be the biggest threat and cruel enough to strike down a wounded opponent. It's certainly less risky than standing in front of it and taking its blows, but still risky, especially considering how strong he is."
Renali nods to Cevendyll. "Of course I shall accompany you. Not only did you help me when I was trapped and lost, you intend to open my way home." She listens to his suggestions regarding the spiders. "That might work. Your words show wisdom. I shall try."
Wrapping up any last business, packing away the poisoned offerings for Ralldar, you all take you leave of Breachill once more, and make your way into the caves behind Guardian's Way, through the miles of lightless tunnels.
As they walk, Caiten approaches Renali. "If you plan to also join us in the battle, would you please take these." He hands her the two vials of Holy Water that they found a while ago. "Please stay out of close range. Instead use your spells at a distance or throw those. You do not need to be very accurate with them, and they will not harm any of us."
"It is a plan, but not without risk. The barghest has a greater reaction time than most of the monsters we fought. I left myself open for a split second when we were retreating the first time and it got me. I don't doubt that it could do the same against an opponent that is pulling off a hit and run and that thing is smart enough to go after the person it perceives to be the biggest threat and cruel enough to strike down a wounded opponent. It's certainly less risky than standing in front of it and taking its blows, but still risky, especially considering how strong he is."
Wagging a finger at him, "That's right! I had forgotten about that. Yeah, I don't think that's a good plan anymore. Bad, bad plan."
"Indeed, running may not be the best idea. But you can still move out of his reach without leaving yourself open to attack if you do it carefully."
"Indeed, running may not be the best idea. But you can still move out of his reach without leaving yourself open to attack if you do it carefully."
You led a mule along with you, loaded with the offering for Ralldar, borrowed from one of Breachill's grateful families whom you'd saved in the fire two weeks back. Had it only been two weeks? Looking at the people around you, people you had fought beside, bled with, and nearly died for, in some cases, if surely felt longer.
The walk was filled with somber thoughts. Thoughts of Alak. Thoughts of visions and dreams. Thoughts of the people in town that you hoped you'd see again, who would miss you if you didn't make it back. Thoughts of what fate might await Breachill if you all failed, and this thing got loose -- not to mention Voz and the portal full of cultists at the bottom of it all.
You return to the large chamber that had been home to the giant spiders Renali spoke to, and you find them all dead. Rather, you find their legs, each one torn free and discarded, and signs that the bodies have been violently torn apart. Based on Lisi's analysis, and to no one's surprise, the cause of death was an angry, hungry barghest.
A quick scout forward revealed that Ralldar was still seated on his throne, and you all make your final plans as you begin to unlead the victuals from the mule's back...
Caiten comes back from scouting the area without the need of light. "Yes, he is still there sitting on his impromptu throne."
He offers the two invisibility potions to Oren and Joran first. "These may keep you from being a target immediately when you go in there and let you get into position. The effect will end once you attack though."
"Cevendyll, I presume that you will want to go down there to help protect Lisi. I also assume that those of you without good ranged attacks will want to go down the ledge as well. I am going to take position above the ledge again. I can generally do my part in the battle from there."
"And if someone can light up Sulee's sword again, she can keep the area lit once the festivities begin."
Hexes
Stoke the Heart
Phase Familiar
Needle of Vengeance
Cantrips
◆ Shield
◆ Message
◆◆ Stabilize
◆ Guidance
◆◆ Divine Lance
1st
◆◆ Bless
◆◆ Command
◆◆ Heal
2nd
Heal H+1
Heal H+1
◆◆ Shield Other
Speech
Manual Dexterity
Independent
Flier
Nodding, he takes the potion. "Yep, I'm going with Lis." Joran then just remembers something and pulls out his rope and hands it to Caiten. "Here, Caiten, take my rope. I won't be needing it. Alright, if we're ready, let's do this. It's now or never." Just before they make it within sight of the barghest, Joran drinks the potion and prays this plan works.
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When invited, Yasamina steps inside, looking at the various tools and doohickeys. "So - once we actually get this gear ready, what then? I don't really know jack about this creature we're about to face. I saw it do something with Joran at a distance, so it seems to know some magic. Not sure I like that, but it happened. Does it have other tricks up its sleeve? Can it gate in friends? Can it fly or something? Does it s$~* fire that can be aimed at us? What should we be ready for? Most of my academy days were not spent studying various beasts of the world. It was more... well, politics of it instead. You guys seem like a knowledgeable bunch. Any thoughts?"
On the trek to the cave, Yasami will help carry whatever she can to help kill the barghest. She has a determined look on her face. And while she doesn't exactly smile all the time, she doesn't seem overly sad at this point. As if she somehow coped or shut off her feelings. Or perhaps it's just the focus on the task at hand that keeps her mind busy. In either case, she does stop once, looking at the bunch, and wants to speak.
"Before we do this, I understand the stakes are high. If I am to die today, I would like my family to know how and why. I don't need you to do that, but -if- anyone of you would like to grant me a last wish post-mortem, there is a gnome in Shelyn's Smile. In the artisanal wing. Her name is Meebo Biddybink. She will know who to get in touch with."
She pauses. "I've known most of you for less than a month, but it feels like half a year at this point. And it was a pleasure. While I am sure we will pull through here, I am just making sure there is a contingency in place. Other than that, I feel filled with actual purpose after a while, and I would like to thank you for that. I wish all of us many, MANY, more colourful sunsets."
"So - once we actually get this gear ready, what then? I don't really know jack about this creature we're about to face. I saw it do something with Joran at a distance, so it seems to know some magic. Not sure I like that, but it happened. Does it have other tricks up its sleeve? Can it gate in friends? Can it fly or something? Does it s&$# fire that can be aimed at us? What should we be ready for?"
"A better person to ask may be Cevendyll. As much as I am a Divine spellcaster, my knowledge of the outer planes and the creatures that come from it is limited. Mostly I just know the basics. A Barghest is from Abaddon or Hell or maybe both. Often creatures from those planes are resistant to Fire damage, but weak to Good damage. They have some small amount of spellcasting, but not much - and I can't list the spells. I think it was Confusion that this one tried casting on Joran. I don't think that it can summon other creatures though. And I vaguely remember something about poison."
Joran then just remembers something and pulls out his rope and hands it to Caiten. "Here, Caiten, take my rope. I won't be needing it. Alright, if we're ready, let's do this. It's now or never."
Caiten takes the rope, pulls out his own as well, ties the ends of the two together and looks around for something to attach them to. If he finds something, he attaches the end of one rope to it and hands the coil of rope to Lisi. "Leave that draped over the ledge. It will help people climb back out of the area if needed."
He then heads off to the northern tunnel along with anyone else who wants to go that direction.
"Sulee, stay with the others and keep their path lit up."
"I'll take care of it or I'll make sure someone does, Yasami. You worry about which eye you're going to put that blade through and then what we'll drink when we all get home together." Dario answers, giving her a nod of respect. It had been two weeks, two whole weeks together, and yet it felt like so much more. It was the longest that Dario had ever stayed in a place since leaving his home, not even the big cities could keep his interest this long. Yet a little town with a big need, that was where he was putting his feet down. "If we do this, we'll need a proper name. Can't just be "those heroes over there". We need something that rolls off of the tongue."
"I'll go with whomever wants to be quiet and unseen. The light from the other group should be able to help us navigate through the dark and once the bastard is illuminated, we'll show him what preparation can do." Dario offers, seeing who else will want to spring from surprise.
"A better person to ask may be Cevendyll. As much as I am a Divine spellcaster, my knowledge of the outer planes and the creatures that come from it is limited. Mostly I just know the basics. A Barghest is from Abaddon or Hell or maybe both. Often creatures from those planes are resistant to Fire damage, but weak to Good damage. They have some small amount of spellcasting, but not much - and I can't list the spells. I think it was Confusion that this one tried casting on Joran. I don't think that it can summon other creatures though. And I vaguely remember something about poison."
"So - once we actually get this gear ready, what then? I don't really know jack about this creature we're about to face. I saw it do something with Joran at a distance, so it seems to know some magic. Not sure I like that, but it happened. Does it have other tricks up its sleeve? Can it gate in friends? Can it fly or something? Does it s&$# fire that can be aimed at us? What should we be ready for?"
"The most important thing to remember about barghests is that they are basically outcasts trying to gain the power to return "home" -- and all things considered, this one is doing a pretty good job given that it has evolved so much. Part of what is brilliant about our plan is that we are working to disorient the beast; that should help a great deal in blunting its use of minor teleportations. While the wolf pack analogy is a super strategy, it is dependent on linear movement through 2 dimensional space; wolves are less adapted to prey which can instantly appear behind the weakest member of the pack. We need to be careful not to trigger it. Sadly, we will not be able to de-venom his fangs, so let’s not get bitten.”
Cev smiles a rather wry and mischievous grin to them"I intend to work VERY hard to buy us our time though. I am going to offer it something no other barghest has ever achieved, I am going to offer him a god. I am going to spin a tale, all true mind you, of being sent by my goddess to learn from the great Ralldar. That even she, the wisest of all the gods in Elysium, knows the she can learn from the masterful Ralldar, and she has sent me to watch over & guide him as he returns to the Abyss. She has pledged to follow him there as soon as he arrives!”
”All of that is true, although our point of view may differ from Ralldar’s, and clearly Yuelral would only need to follow it to the Abyss if we fail. We will not be failing however.”
On the trek to the cave, Yasami will help carry whatever she can to help kill the barghest. She has a determined look on her face. And while she doesn't exactly smile all the time, she doesn't seem overly sad at this point. As if she somehow coped or shut off her feelings. Or perhaps it's just the focus on the task at hand that keeps her mind busy. In either case, she does stop once, looking at the bunch, and wants to speak.
"Before we do this, I understand the stakes are high. If I am to die today, I would like my family to know how and why. I don't need you to do that, but -if- anyone of you would like to grant me a last wish post-mortem, there is a gnome in Shelyn's Smile. In the artisanal wing. Her name is Meebo Biddybink. She will know who to get in touch with."
She pauses. "I've known most of you for less than a month, but it feels like half a year at this point. And it was a pleasure. While I am sure we will pull through here, I am just making sure there is a contingency in place. Other than that, I feel filled with actual purpose after a while, and I would like to thank you for that. I wish all of us many, MANY, more colorful sunsets."
"I'll do everything in my power to keep you from dying, but understood. I'll make sure that your family finds out if something happens to you. But these last few weeks that I've spent with the seven of you are something that I'd never trade away. I've never had friends like you before, that will watch my back no matter what. I don't want to lose any of you."
And at that, Oren will drink the potion and vanish as he advances.
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The carefully laid plans are put into action. Joran and Oren become invisible, quietly moving into position down the cliffs.
"Honored Ralldar, we beseech your forgiveness; we return to your kingdom to recognize your esteemed worthiness as a just and mighty god." Lisi calls out, in goblin, from atop the southern ledge. Ralldar smiles but remains seated on his throne, watching them. Lisi and Cev climb down the rope, carrying several of the items they brought as an offering, while Renali unloads more from the mule up above.
"We hope you meted out sufficient punishment upon the failed Hellknight who cravenly drew you away. We bring you libations, meats, and as a dessert, a bloodcake..fashioned with our own blood, salted with our tears, and honeyed with the riches of the weak Overworld you shall certainly claim with alacrity." Lisi recited his rehearsed words. Renali begins lowering the rest of the food to sit at the bottom of the ledge.
Lisi bows (but not too low, lest Ralldar just reach out and bite his head off), setting down jugs of strong cider, several roasted pigs and mighty shanks of mutton, and the aforementioned bloodcake, which jiggles gruesomely. The dark brown of the bloodcake and the honey-vinegar topping masks the wolfsbane's presence both visually and olfactorally.
He steps back politely.
Ralldar watches, his lupine smile wide on his ugly face, leaning forward with interest. He replies, in Goblin. "I knew you would return. Your offerings please me." He sniffs the air. "Where are the rest of your companions? Cowards, like one who fled? I can still smell them on you."