Lisi bows back..
"...I suppose there's nothing evil about taking the kishi's collected gems and finery," he comments as the angel wings away.
He chuckles at Yasami. "You're more outspoken than I am, and I don't really like any gods. Did you hear the angel say that they don't interfere with the affairs of mortals? Ha! Most of our earthly problems are due to their meddling. Which does indeed bring us back to Dahak. Shall we be on our way?"
On a good day I am rather fond of the gods' meddling ...
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"You're more outspoken than I am, and I don't really like any gods. Did you hear the angel say that they don't interfere with the affairs of mortals? Ha! Most of our earthly problems are due to their meddling. Which does indeed bring us back to Dahak. Shall we be on our way?"
"We've also received some help from them, have we not? Cev's magical abilities and my visions from Desna?"
"Yes, of course. Meddle, meddle, meddle. It's a big chess game for them."
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"Well, they don't interfere directly. That's the verbatim, I think? But visions and followers are proxies, I suppose." she shrugs. "But yes. Dahak. We should take care of this cult fast. We got sidetracked enough, and they won't grow weaker."
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You continued on your way, travelling northeast through the dense jungle. You reach your destination at last once night threatens to fall.
You can hear the mining operation before you get anywhere nearby. Picks on stone ring out loud and clear, a cacophonous percussion punctuated by shouts as orders were called out.
Hearing the shouts and other noise of the mining camp, Caiten stops to make plans with the rest of the group.
"With it getting dark, many of us will be at a disadvantage. Sneaking around while carrying light is not likely to be effective. I am able to see in the dark, and if I remember correctly we have one potion that will give that ability to one other person."
"Lisi, do you know how much moonlight we will have tonight? And does anyone know if the Charau-ka and Boggards are able to see in the dark?"
"Alright, everyone. I'll go look at the place. Sneaky-like. Who wants to join in?" Yasami unstraps the redundant gear and puts it on the ground. She feels her chain shirt for a moment. As she does so, the chain links make a slight noise. "Caiten, when we're done we have some time, I would love to donate this armor's rune to you, and maybe we can work together to make something less... metal and loud?"
She leaves that suggestion hanging for a few seconds. "Yeah, anyway. I'll go stake the place out."
"Alright, everyone. I'll go look at the place. Sneaky-like. Who wants to join in?"
"If you are planning scouting and reconnaissance from a distance, it would be better to have fewer people. If there is a risk of combat, we might as well all go."
"Caiten, when we're done we have some time, I would love to donate this armor's rune to you, and maybe we can work together to make something less... metal and loud?"
"That is a good idea."
"and maybe Lisi could shapechange into something sneaky also? There's always a surprise ... it would just be nice to not be surprised by it this time."
Yasami looks at Lisi, her eyes wide.
"Please, pleeeeeease tell me you can turn yourself into something with functional wings and swoop around for a bit."
Like an overexcited teenager, she can barely keep her cooce down, and seema to be forcibly stoppong herself from jumping up and down. Her palms touching her cheeks and mouth to lower her own voice, and her fingers partially cover her nose. Only the eyes dart wildly at the druid, as if she was waiting for that transformation to happen immediately.
"OK, Yasami. Lead the way. I'll follow along with anyone else who wants to come."
"I'll come but I'll stay back, just in case things get dicey. I'll try to find a good vantage point to cover you all from." Dario offered, securing his equipment and following Yasami through the jungle. The gunslinger wasn't wanted to linger too closely, instead looking for a vantage point to look over the camp through his crystal lenses.
Once somewhere secured, he would get low to the ground and survey the mining encampment through his scope.
"I'll be right behind you, Yasamina. Right where all the fun begins." He says with an anticipatory grin, unsheathing his warflail and preparing to smash whatever comes their way.
Yasami takes point. She moves towards the mine, and keeps herself distracted by giving advice to others following. In doing so, however, she frequently steps on branches that crack. "How in all hells are there dry twigs in a jungle?!" she complains under hear breath.
The lot of you creep up on the perimeter of the mining camp, and look out upon a large clearing, more than 200 feet across. Dominating the center of the clearing is a large open pit quarry -- you can't see down into it from this distance, but hears the sounds of mining picks.
To the south, you see a large bonfire, several charau-ka gathered around it cooking. There appears to be a refuse pit in the ground beside them. On the far side of that, you see a ramshackle building, with what appear to be ill boggards on cots out front.
Across the quarry from you is another, smaller building, and a large, terrifying, vulture-headed demon is stalking past it as it seems to walk the perimeter. To the north of that is a large pit of mud, the tailing from the mine, it seems.
North of the quarry is a large cage, with a strange, giant reptile trapped within. Another of the demon vultures is stalking around on watch, and is headed in your direction -- it hasn't seen you yet, but it appears very attentive, and some of you are not very well hidden at present.
Seeing the ill Boggards, Caiten comments to the others, "It would probably be best to only consume our own rations while we are here."
"I see something coming this way in the dark. Do we stay and fight now, try to avoid them while we continue to investigate, or come back in the morning? I would prefer more information, but that is risky."
Caiten draws his longbow and tries to recognize what this vulture demon is.
Catalina creeps up to help scout, looming over Dario as he looks through his scope. In the darkness, her light-blue eyes are glowing, peering into the darkness at the creatures patrolling.
"Let's see what we can see...carefully...and then find somewhere to make camp and scout again in the morning, maybe? Find a more opportune time to sneak up on them..." Catalina mutters to Caiten, also racking her brain for information about the vulture creature.
Catalina recognizes this demon as a Vrock, horrid creatures driven by a powerful wellspring of wrath made manifest, and dangerous foes indeed. There are tales of them stunning their victims with a screech, or dancing to bring lightning to bear upon their foes.
"Those creatures patrolling are called 'vrock,'" Catalina says quietly, her face grim. "They are extremely dangerous...they can stun and attack with lightning," She says, glancing around at the party. "If it notices us, we will be committed to a fight, here."
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"Those creatures patrolling are called 'vrock.' They are extremely dangerous..."
"Then let's not engage until we are ready and have a plan. I don't want to repeat the problems we had the first time we encountered the Barghest."
"So they attack with lightning," Caiten asks of Catalina as he begins moving back through the underbrush away from the quarry and deeper into the jungle. "Did you happen to remember any weaknesses that it has? One that we are able to use also?"
Catalina backs away with Caiten, gesturing for the rest to follow, and nods at the android. "Yes. Cold iron and anything associated with 'good' ... they are hate made manifest." She glances about, frowning deeply. "If this is what is guarding things..." She shivers. "We will need to be careful..."
"They look as ugly as hate, that's for sure." Dario mutters, crawling back into the underbrush, holstering his pistol as he keeps count of the possible enemies. Falling back besides them all and away from the advancing vrock, he'd turn towards strategy.
"They have greater numbers then us but that don't mean much with how we fight. If they call down lightning, I think taking one of the buildings is the best way to fight them then. There is also that weird, runic, thing on the other side." Dario brings up, waiting to see if the others have more information one what it could be and how they could use it. "We should check back up on the camp at night, see how lit up it is. If we can quietly move in and take a building before the fighting gets bad, we'd have a strong position."
"Lisi, you think you could talk with that big lizard thing in the cage? I-I don't know much what you druids can do but...you turn into a g#$%~$n rat. If we can make it friendly, maybe free it, we'd have a better time fighting."
Sulee watches as the group returns back to the jungle wilds. "We have fought Charau-ka and Boggards before. So unless these ones are a lot more dangerous than the last ones, I'm not terribly worried about it. And instead these ones look a bit sickly. I would be more worried about these Vrock."
"They might be more dangerous though. Always better to plan in excess of expectations."
Caiten listens to Dario's ideas. "Yes, if Lisi can guide the large beast to attack, or at least cause chaos and distraction among the enemy, that would be useful. If not, we should probably leave it penned up."
Caiten looks at Sulee. "And I don't want you getting anywhere near the fighting tomorrow. I don't like the look of those Vrock either. I am not sure if they are from Hell, Abaddon, or the Abyss, but I expect that they are dangerous in any case."
Sulee huffs. "Well, I am certainly not staying here either. How about a tattoo? We haven't done that one yet. It should work."
Caiten looks at Sulee with a bit of confusion. "You will have to explain that to me later."
"As for the Vrock, if we can find a way to battle and defeat one of them before engaging with the other, that would be ideal. Also, I can have a spell available tomorrow that should help with the electrical damage, but only for one of us."
"Cai, maybe we can sit and plan a little? There are a lot of spells that I can pray for ... and while I know that Sulee isn't MY familiar, I have this feeling she knows every choice I could make: maybe all 3 of us can chat."
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"Of course Cev. I have been a familiar for quite a while. I know a few things."
Sulee goes and sits down next to Cevendyll. "After your reforging, you are now in a bit of a strange place. You aren't as good at dishing out pain with physical combat as Oren, Joran, or Yasami. And you aren't as powerful of a spellcaster as Caiten or Lisi. You are able to do both, but you struggle to keep up in both cases. You need to find your own path instead of trying to compete directly with the others. And from what I have seen, you excel at protection and retaliation - protecting and helping your friends, and stopping your enemies from doing what they want. You might not be the one landing the finishing blow, but whoever does might only still be standing because you were there."
"But as for spells, you do have a bit of power. And it is good to use it well."
"For Cantrips, I expect that you have already considered Divine Lance. When fighting Devils and Demons and such, throwing Good damage at them is too good to pass up. It is also one of the only Cantrips with both range and a high amount of damage. With spell damage taken care of, you might also consider spells like Guidance or Stabilize."
"The lowest powered single use spells are the hardest to choose. You really can't use damage spells with that low of power. I don't recommend that for Caiten either. They just don't hit hard enough to be worth it. Similarly, Heal isn't going to be fantastic at that level. It won't do enough to be worth it. Probably the best choice would be spells that have boosting effects, like Bless. When fighting shoulder to shoulder with Oren and Joran, they would be very grateful for the divine boost from Bless. You could also try spells that have non-damage crippling effects like Ray of Enfeeblement or Fear. Command is sometimes also useful, just remember that the compulsion doesn't last for more than a couple of seconds."
"At the next tier of power, you might try a damage spell, but it may not be the best choice. You have very few spells, so missing with one of them will be a much larger loss than it would for Caiten or Lisi who have more spells available. So if you are going to use a damage spell, use one that has at least partial effect if you miss - like Inner Radiance Torrent, or a powered up version of Concordant Choir. But there are also so many good protective spells that you could use. Resist Energy is great since Catalina remembers that these enemies use electricity. There is also Shield Other - that would be right on theme with your normal protective abilities and it would likely end up with your protected friend healthier than if you tried healing them up afterwards - though you won't be in as good of shape."
"So does that help?"
"Um...I switched orders," says Lisi apologetically to Yasami.
"...Sulee, you're an Arcanum unto yourself," says Lisitsei in wonder. "I can cast a spell to speak with animals, and that is an animal, not a magical beast, although it seems to hail from a primordial past."
Lisi ponders. "It seems we should make camp out of the reach of patrols and come back, yes? We can plan out our spells and take them on at first light. Probably that's when the beast is most hungry, as well. Now, thanks to my focus on storms, I can see a bit better than most through fog. If we summon fog, that can help--it prevents anyone from attacking at range, and should the vrocks take to the air, they are at a disadvantage. I can also try to entangle the lot of them in vines. That's a spell, though, that can be disadvantageous to anyone else passing through the vines, and there's no guarantee that something as powerful as a vrock will be caught."
He taps his nose thoughtfully.
"Maybe we can lure one away and then ambush it. Rocco and Shadow run faster than a vrock, I'm pretty sure. Lure it back into the forest a bit and we can take one out. At that point, the other one will come looking..."
He looks up.
"Let's attack them on our terms. Their camp will have defenses and places to retreat to. Our area will be prepared. What do you say?"
"...Sulee, you're an Arcanum unto yourself," says Lisitsei in wonder.
"Thanks. I do my best."
"Maybe we can lure one away and then ambush it. Rocco and Shadow run faster than a vrock, I'm pretty sure. Lure it back into the forest a bit and we can take one out. At that point, the other one will come looking..."
"I'm not sure that Rocco and Shadow alone would be the best choices. They may also simply be ignored. Yasami moves rather quickly. Do we have anything that would temporarily increase the speed of one or two people?" Caiten looks pointedly at Sulee.
"Lisi could use Haste on someone. Or Longstrider or Fleet Step on himself. Some of the Animal Form or Insect Form spells have forms that move very quickly."
"Of course Cev. I have been a familiar for quite a while. I know a few things."
Sulee goes and sits down next to Cevendyll. "After your reforging, you are now in a bit of a strange place. You aren't as good at dishing out pain with physical combat as Oren, Joran, or Yasami. And you aren't as powerful of a spellcaster as Caiten or Lisi. You are able to do both, but you struggle to keep up in both cases. You need to find your own path instead of trying to compete directly with the others. And from what I have seen, you excel at protection and retaliation - protecting and helping your friends, and stopping your enemies from doing what they want. You might not be the one landing the finishing blow, but whoever does might only still be standing because you were there."
"But as for spells, you do have a bit of power. And it is good to use it well."
"For Cantrips, I expect that you have already considered Divine Lance. When fighting Devils and Demons and such, throwing Good damage at them is too good to pass up. It is also one of the only Cantrips with both range and a high amount of damage. With spell damage taken care of, you might also consider spells like Guidance or Stabilize."
"The lowest powered single use spells are the hardest to choose. You really can't use damage spells with that low of power. I don't recommend that for Caiten either. They just don't hit hard enough to be worth it. Similarly, Heal isn't going to be fantastic at that level. It won't do enough to be worth it. Probably the best choice would be spells that have boosting effects, like Bless. When fighting shoulder to shoulder with Oren and Joran, they would be very grateful for the divine boost from Bless. You could also try spells that have non-damage crippling effects like Ray of Enfeeblement or Fear. Command is sometimes also useful, just remember that the compulsion doesn't last for more than a couple of seconds."
"At the next tier of power, you might try a damage spell, but it may...
"sooooooooo you can pretned to be WHATEVER you want, but if there's a prayer I owe someone, you'll let me know, right? In the meantime, I will let Yuelral know that I love you, and I cherish you, and that your magics and your concern have helped me grow. Deal?"
Sulee grins up at Cevendyll. "Thanks Cev."
As evening falls, Sulee helps sniff out a good place to camp, and starts helping to set things up for the night.
The next morning, Caiten also takes Sulee's advice into consideration as the two of them set up their spells and abilities for the day.
▸ Speech
▸ Scent
▸ Manual Dexterity
▸ Skilled (survival)
▸ Tatoo Transformation
▸ Familiar Focus
Focus Points (max 3): 3
Hexes
◆ Stoke the Heart
↺ Phase Familiar
◆ Needle of Vengeance
Focus
↺ Delay Consequence
Innate
◆ Time Sense
Cantrips
◆ Shield
◆◆ Haunting Hymn
◆◆ Stabilize
◆ Guidance
◆◆ Divine Lance
1st
◆◆ Bless
◆◆ Fear
◆◆ Command
2nd
◆◆ Heal H+1
◆◆ Shield Other
◆◆ Resist Energy
3rd
◆◆ Heal H+2
◆◆ Phantom Pain
◆◆ Heal H+2
Yasami steps back after the plan is proposed. They would sleep tonight, and make their move at dawn. "Right. Right. I like what Caiten is saying. Should I go lure one of the vro..." she pauses, trying to recall the name. "Vrock? One of the vrocks here to take it down in an ambush? I mean, I am a runner. Catalina says they can stun opponents. That might be a problem if it happens. What do they do? Lob lightning at you to disable you? Can we prevent that?" she looks at Catalina for guidance. "I mean you said you know of them. More than me. Lay it on me."
CASTS - Scholarly Recollection - Recall Knowledge - Fiend (Religion): DC 26
to remember teachings re Vrocks
to remember teachings re Vrocks
HERO POINT
to remember teachings re Vrocks
to remember teachings re Vrocks
The glow from Cev's Holy Symbol begins to subside ... and he takes a breath the way he does when he's about to "share information"
"When the gates to the Abyss swing wide, the first demons through are often vrocks, vulture-headed scions of rage who wheel through the air on black wings or dance with the exultation of their fiendish power. Vrocks form from the souls of hateful mortals who are thus given another chance to inflict their rage on the world. Their hatred for mortals is matched only by their desire to inflict suffering through their horrible screech or their devastating dance."
"That said, they are vulnerable ... to peace. Against Wrath Demons, my Litany against Wrath should be quite helpful, and the Glimpse of Redemption I create should cause them actual damage. This might take a few of K10's Healing spells, but we can do this!"
Catalina opens her mouth to reply to Yasami before Cev begins to lecture them about vrocks. The thaumaturge takes a deep breath and puts her hands on her hips, listening to the half-elf speak with raised eyebrows.
"So...exactly what I said before, then..." Catalina shrugs at the champion, turning back to Yasami to answer her question. "My advice would be to take it out quickly. Cold iron and 'peace,' as the preacher says. Good stuff."
"I think we need to scout out the camp during the day before we decide to move. We will be overwhelmed pretty quickly if we are not cautious." Catalina crosses her arms across her chest, glancing toward the camp with a worried look on her face. She sighs heavily and fidgets with her rings.
"Trying to convince one of those big things to fight with us or at least not fight us in general isn't a bad idea...if Lisi could pull it off."
Lisitsei nods.
"All right. I'll volunteer to draw them out. Can someone make me invisible? Here's my proposal. I will go into their camp, casting Haste just before I get close. I'll cast something...distracting...like Fireball or Ash Cloud, and then run back here. Then...ah, you all hit them with everything you have. Ideally one vrock runs or wings this way; ideally they both do. Er, are there only two?"
He crosses his arms.
"I agree that we should scout to confirm this plan. We should see where they move around. And...I need a way to run that is not easily seen nor expected--otherwise they'll Dimension Door right on top of me."
"So...uh...how the hell am I supposed to shoot them with peace?" Dario grumbles, looking down at his pistols. Demons weren't a common occurrence in the battlefield and for a moment, the gunslinger felt a little out of his league. Grimacing at his own self-perceived weakness, he stood a little taller. "I'll lay down cover fire. I ain't sure how much damage I'll do against the Vrocks...but I can certainly kill the boggards and the charau-ka. I'll keep the numbers minimal against us."
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"So...uh...how the hell am I supposed to shoot them with peace?"
Caiten looks at Dario in mild confusion. "Isn't that literally what your pistol is named?"
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"It...yes...but..." His eyes narrow for a moment and he rubs at his chin. "I don't think it works that way..."
"More like 'Pieces Maker.'" Lisi smirks.
"Invisibility, though? Caiten, can you do it?"
"Invisibility, though? Caiten, can you do it?"
Caiten thinks hard for a moment, then remembers to actually answer the question. "I don't know the spell, so I can't cast it directly. However..." He continues thinking for a couple more seconds. "I believe that we still have one invisibility potion that we found in the citadel. I don't remember if it was Rocco or Shadow who found it or if it was a different potion that they found. But I am fairly certain that they handed it to you. Check your pack. It may still be buried in the bottom of it. If so, remember to use it right before you start running, not right before you start attacking to get the attention of the Vrock."
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"It's just a flowery way of referring to positive energy," Catalina says with amusement, digging through her esoterica pouches to pull shavings of cold iron and a few talismans that radiate good to the top of her pouches for easy access. "As far as I know, they can still be hurt by regular weapons, Dario. You will be able to hurt them," She says reassuringly, grinning.
"So, are we just...going for it, or are we still planning to see what things look like during the daylight?"
"A final assessment would be ideal in case something significant has changed. But I think Lisi's plan is a solid one. A low threat presence to attract the attention of one of the Vrock should cause it to attack alone. Then luring it farther into the jungle where we can battle it without interference from the rest of the encampment's guards. It is likely that the other Vrock will hear the commotion and raise alarm or simply join the battle. But at least we won't be fighting both of them at the same time."