Sylva hisses through gritted teeth as an arrow way bigger than herself nearly skewers her! She whirls from the impact, and as her belly is ripped by the projectile she recalls the kentauride’s innards spilling out of her equine midsection.
Sir Bat blocks the sword that would have otherwise split her little skull!
“Care to join me?”
Sylva signals Sir Batman by pointing to the target she would like to flank with him.
Sylva hops over her unconscious foe and kicks the remaining soldier, trusting Ravenna to deal with the archer.
If THAT takes the remaining soldier down, Sylva turns to the archer. She holds two fingers up, then points down to the ground. Then she points to the archer!
Sylva takes cover behind the pile of KO’d hobgobs, expecting her clever diversion will make the archer wonder how wise it is to focus on the cowering opponent when three others are targeting her.
Sir Batman seems to be listening to voices giving suggestions in the ether. The bronze-colored bat smiles, nods, and makes it so!
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Nox watches one thug fall only for Batman and Sylva to pummel another. He looks at the archers in the back and frowns. He lifts a hand and one of the bolts they'd fired rips itself from the ground splintering in the process so that only the steel tip remained floating.
He then launches it at one of the archers aiming for the soft bits that it would likely penetrate with ease.
Ravenna takes a shot at Nox's target before ducking behind a choice bit of cover to reload.
Batman and Sylva quickly take down the second warrior, leaving only the hobgoblin archer still standing. Ravenna shoots the woman and Nox stabs her with a hurled crossbow bolt. The hobgoblin grimaces as she moves to take cover behind the telescope, reloading her crossbow as she goes. She takes aim at Nox and fires, but the bolt luckily only grazes the sorcerer.
Sylva encourages Sir Bat, “Let’s end this!
“Surrender while you can!” She delivers a nonlethal blow or two to make her point.
Sir Batman startled by the sudden commotion, jaunts purposely toward the remaining hobgoblin and into its space!
Howdy!
The Champion then decides to Everstand Strike!
He--uncertainly, but Freely--Raises his Shield...?
Nox strikes the archer as his fellow sprites move in to flank her. Batman misses, but Sylva lands two hits to knock the hobgoblin out!
Sakuachi lets out a sigh of relief. "Phew! I hope that was all of them! We should probably get out of here in case more thugs show up."
Sylva raises her tiny fists in triumph. “Hey! I’m getting the hang of this—you see that, Sir Bat? I bet my punchjitsu’s as strong as a fairy-princess-bride’s!”
She turns to the astronomer. “Please lead the way, Sakuachi!”
With the raiders dispatched, yoy can leave the observatory and walk into Skywatch proper. No sooner than you do this, however, you experience the city’s disorienting magic. This aura warps an observer’s perception of their surroundings. Streets seem to make impossible turns, and buildings weirdly blend together or appear identical.
"Ugh, it gives me a headache," Sakuachi groans. "This way. I think..."
Fortunately, you only end up stumbling around for a couple minutes before a young man dressed in thick sealskin clothes appears. He scans the streets a moment before he waves and calls, “Sakuachi!” A pair of pale-skinned humans clad in leather armor and gray furs step out from the shadows, and the three approach.
This is Innumma, one of Sakuachi’s escorts. After giving him a hug, Sakuachi introduces her friend to you. Innumma, in turn, motions to his leather-clad companions and explains that they’re members of a Brevic mercenary company called the Smiling Wolves. “I stumbled into their camp at the riverside docks,” Innumma says. “They’ve been very helpful. They know how to navigate this place.”
"Brevic?" Ravenna asks, perking up. "Are we near Brevoy, then?"
Sir Batman looks across the fallen hobgoblin to Sylva.
Let me touch you up a bit.
The Champion of Mazludeh then nods to the librarian before leading the way.
Skywatch probably will be watched. Be wary.
Sir Batman warily warms up to the Smiling Wolves,as they begin navigating the place.
"In Brevoy, actually," Innumma says. "Skywatch is located near the Icerime Peaks in the northeast part of the country."
The mercenaries are named Joruf and Yana. They quickly recognize you as capable adventurers and, once introductions have been made, offer to bring everyone back to their camp along the river. "We are here looking for treasure, of course, just like everyone else," Yana says. "Our fellow Wolves may be able to help reunite these two with the rest of their wayward companions. Come. Our leader, Matz, can tell you more."
During the short jaunt to the docks, Yana occasionally looks skyward and measures the stars with her fingers before making a sudden turn down an alley or an inexplicable detour through an empty building. As you walk, Joruf explains, “Strong magic twists up these streets. The only way to make heads or tails of the place is to use the stars.”
The Smiling Wolves’ base in Skywatch is a collection of heavy cloth tents erected along some wooden piers that jut out over the Little Icerime River. A bonfire burns in the center of the camp, around which tough-looking people mill about or squat, drinking hot tea or sharpening knives. They wear fur-trimmed armor like Joruf and Yana and look to be no strangers to combat.
As they approach the rustic encampment, Joruf and Yana let out a lupine howl that’s picked up throughout the camp. As the call dies down, a tall, lean man with a thick head of hair and a scruffy beard emerges from the largest tent with a grin.
"Greetings, strangers," the man says. "I am Matz Balandim, leader of the Smiling Wolves. What brings you to Skywatch?"
Sylva answers the question literally. “A weird machine that launched us across space!”
Looking up at the sky, she muses, “It only took a few minutes to travel from one of those stars to here, and that’s only because we took three wrong turns and totally miffed the locals. They’re really a lotta million billion miles away, but it doesn’t take that long to get from one to another.
“Makes ya think,” she says in a tone that suggests she has little intellectual curiosity about space travel, if any.
Sir Batman's blue eyes shine as they are lead further into Skywatch. The bronze-colored sprite flutters up to shake hands, slap backs and kiss babies.
Sir Batman. Champion of Mazludeh. We got lost. Yes, those are my real ears. Yes, those are my real wings. No, those are not my fruit-roll-ups, but if only barely old, I'm game!
Sir Batman answers every question posed to them with truth, exaggerated eagerness, and a bit of false modesty.
"Space travel, eh?" Matz says, raising his eyebrows. "That's pretty impressive. We took rafts to get here--much less fancy than you folks!"
Matz explains how his company of mercenaries took control of the lockhouse on the Little Icerime River and now occupy these docks, effectively controlling who enters and leaves the city via river. He bemoans the existence of rival treasure hunters like the hobgoblins of the Obsidian Oath, who mix bloodshed with looting in equal measure. The Smiling Wolves, by contrast, have no interest in mayhem; once they’ve gathered as much as they can fit on their rafts, Matz says, his company plans to leave the city the same way they entered.
"We found Innumma here lost and wandering the streets, so we decided to take him in! I'm glad he was able to reunite with one of his friends, though I know there are still a few missing. For now, though, our camp is open to you so that you can rest and recover. I'll send my people out into the city to look for the others so that hopefully you can have leads to follow once you're ready to go."
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Nox eyes the leader of the group and their strange greeting to one another in the form of a howl.
"Well it certainly wouldn't do us well to just... wait around right? Though I feel like our presence here won't exactly help much especially given our search for Osoyo. But perhaps we can aid in searching for the missing members of the group so that we can continue on faster."
Sylva really could use the rest.
“Two bowls of water would suit me as a bath and a bed.” She points out her gills, and since big people probably can’t tell, she says, “I’m amphibious.”
Once able to relax, she tends to her sore spots that were mostly healed by Sir Bat.
"Wasn't there something about restricting travel on the rivers around here?" Ravenna muses idly.
Sir Batman nods in agreement with Nox. Every 10 minutes the Champion of Mazludeh uses his LoHs to heal anyone injured.
After, he Refocuses, Sir Batman seems eager to be about their quest, mission, thingy.
Perhaps, we can playfully muss up the feathers of 2 birds with only 1 hand.
The bronze-colored sprite winks.
"Wasn't there something about restricting travel on the rivers around here?" Ravenna muses idly.
"House Surtova built this city around the ancient observatory here," Matz explains. "On the day that the members of House Rogarvia disappeared without a trace, the ruler of Skywatch, Queen Equendia, ordered the city's gate closed sealed to all outsiders. Nobody came in or out for over twenty years.
"Then, one day a few months ago, the gates of Skywatch were suddenly discovered to be flung open. But behind its walls, no citizens remained. Word soon got out about the abandoned city, and now, here we are."
The next morning, after a good night's rest at the camp, Sakuachi implores you to find her friends so that you can all leave Skywatch together. Matz tells you that his Smiling Wolves have spotted each of the missing companions around the city:
Ulikuq is an astronomer and the group's best sailor, despite being just a few moons older than Sakuachi. A Smiling Wolf named Iabor spotted someone matching navigator Ulikuq’s description near a guard post on the other side of the observatory. Matz tells you that this post is also the base of operations for Ghodrak the Quick, the leader of the hobgoblins of the Obsidian Oath.
“The Obsidian Oath has been a real thorn in our side,” says Matz, scratching his chin. “Take care of them for us, and I’ll give you a raft suitable for a voyage down the Icerime.”
***
Deniigi is one of Aaminuit's finest hunters. Yana spotted a woman she believes to be Deniigi near the Mystic Market, a merchant’s square in the city’s southwestern quadrant. According to Yana, she saw Deniigi talking with some other newcomers and figured they knew each other.
“Maybe she made some friends?” Matz chuckles. “Either way, try and learn a thing or two about these other newcomers while you’re there. In return, I’ll order the locks open when you’re ready to leave.”
***
Pamak is the group's chronicler. Joruf saw a figure matching Pamak’s description leaving the city via the gates to the northwest. Matz mentions that a Smiling Wolf named Hissoi also went outside the gates to scout the area, but hasn’t yet returned. If you could solve this mystery while you look for Pamak, Matz promises to load your raft with as much treasure as it can hold before you ship out.
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Nox grumbles, he knows he asked for exactly this but without knowing what kind of raft they'd give them in the first place the promise of treasure seems like it's just a way to say you get some of the loot, for all they know it could be enough spoons to melt into a sword or more bullets for Ravenna. Not that more bullets for Rave would be bad.
"Well there doesn't seem to be much that we can say against aiding them, but who to search for first... I feel like maybe assaulting the oath head on might be... a bit much for us at first. But it's also dangerous to leave them to possibly execute Ulikuq while we rescue the others."
He opens the floor of who to rescue first to the party, "What do you all think?"
As much as Sylva is happy with a mission to find friends, not enemies…
“Yeahhhh… if only Ulikuq is in apparent danger, that’s who we rescue first.”
Ghodrak the Quick, the leader of the hobgoblins of the Obsidian Oath seems to be in need in a lesson in manners!
Sir Batman begins inching (because he is only 6" tall) in that direction....
When you are ready, you head out into Skywatch, attempting to make your way to the guard post across the city using the stars to guide you. Unfortunately, it proves to be more difficult than you had hoped. The strange enchantment afflicting the city leads to you getting lost and turned out more often than not.
After wandering for an hour, you find yourselves walking down a main street between rows of abandoned three-story apartment buildings. You hear a yowl, then a strange feline creature emerges from the doorway of one of the buildings. The creature resembles a large, broad bobcat from a distance, but a closer view reveals something amiss. Its form ripples and billows with heat, and its eyes glow from within as if they contain tiny, flickering flames. The pungent scent of rotting leaves smoldering in a bonfire clings to its fur.
The big cat licks its lips hungrily as it prepares to pounce!
Then it pounces, its teeth tearing into Batman!
“D’awwwwwAAAAAAAAA—bad kitty! No claws!”
Sylva hopes that Sir Bat is more mouse-flavored than herself as she moves toward the predator!
Blue eyes starring up, up, up at the stars straight streaming tears until his bronze-colored head swirls and swims, Sir Batman giggles.
I feel like we got treated for free!
Blinking rapidly, blue eyes refocusing on the quickly approaching feline,
Good kitty! Soft kitty! Little ball of....ouch!
The Champion of Mazludeh bleeds red!
Lucky for you the best time to attack a Champion is before he can act in initiative! Damage rules!
He winks at the audience.
Raising his Shield, Stepping into the felines space, he Strikes from across Sylva!
"Very bad cat!" Ravenna shouts in agreement, drawing her jezail in a flash and firing away at the creature. She reloads, trying to figure out just what the hell this thing is.
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Tendrils come up just short of the attack from the feline and wrap around Batman strengthening his hardy shell.
"Watch out you don't want to catch the scratch fever. Also kitty he doesn't taste that good!"
Hildy barked at the cat creature since of course dogs and cats never liked one another ever in any world or screenplays.
Neither Ravenna nor Nox can recall what kind of creature the big cat might be. Ravenna misses with her shot, but both Batman and Sylva score hits. The cat bites and claws at Batman.
Sylva makes several wild swings, only one of which hits—really hard!
“Don’t make me get the spray bottle!”
Ravenna fires again before calling out to her tiny ally. "Batman, how you doing over there?"
Sir Batman giggles even more when the big kitty continues to play with the sprite.
Just fine, thanks! This guy is so cute!
As the bronze-colored bat Reacts quickly to Shield Block a bit of that initial strike, the Champion of Mazludeh grins even wider!
This reminds of that one time I accidentally fell into a nest of angry chipmunks. That was fun! The one called Theodore was a biter for sure!
Sir Batman then turns his attention to the cute kitty. The sprite just stares at him.
He then ◆Raises his Shield, before Striking!
Ravenna hits the cat with an icy bullet, then both Batman and Sylva score critical hits! The beast yowls and disperses into a cloud of ash and cinders! After a moment, it reconstitutes itself and takes off running, disappearing around a corner of the streets!
Sylva watches the cat run off. “Oh, I can never stay mad at a cat.”
She turns to Sir Bat. “Lemme just take care of—”
“—AAAAAH!! Stupid cat! Oh—blood! I’m so sorry!”
Sylva quickly bandages the bloodied bat, then steps back in fear she might accidentally kill him.
“I’m so sorry,” she whimpers.
Sir Batman looks both disappointed and delighted, as the bad cool cat disperses and reconstituted.
I want one!
The Champion of Mazludeh then smiles fondly at Sylva, as she studiously stabs, staples and stitches his arm to his side.
Thanks, Sylva. Splendidly done of course.
The bronze-colored sprite then begins to self heal for 50 minutes before being whole and new.
Well, that was certainly entertaining! I can't wait to see what attempts to chew on me next!
The sprite laughs!
This time, you successfully navigate the enchanted streets and reach the guard post. Copious amounts of blood stain the face of this squat stone building, likely spattered from the heap of animal carcasses piled nearby. All the windows are barred, and the front door is made of hardwood reinforced with iron fixtures. A tattered linen painted with the symbol of a trident against a gray flame hangs prominently above the lintel.
Sylva announces (maybe a little too cockily), “I’m better at picking locks than picking scabs…”
“Holy saved faces, Batman!”
Sir Batman watches the maestro magically make their locked door situation a thing of the past.
Well played!
The Champion of Mazludeh then Raises his Shield before leading the way inside!
The wreckage of wooden desks and shelves litter the floor of this stone foyer. The northern wall bears a rectangle of notably lighter stone where a frame was once mounted. A door leads to the east, while in the corner, stairs descend into a basement. You can hear gruff voices coming from below...
Sylva asks her companions, “Should I slip inside and eavesdrop on the chatter?”
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Nox leans to try and get a better grasp on the situation downstairs but frowns as he's not able to. "Well you are the quietest of us, and with a little trickery we can make you the invisible-est too."
The sprite takes some dust from the ground a single hair from the corgi a handful of semi-solid shadow and some of the lightness of the cat from earlier's step. Jumbles it all together and pokes Sylva in the nose, causing her to feel the irresistible urge to sneeze for just a moment before she becomes completely see through.
"Be very careful you have about ten minutes or so to get as much information as you can, but the spell will break if you try to hurt anyone."
“Me? Quiet? Yes indeed,” Sylva whispers as she marvels at her lack of a shadow! “Why, I’ll be as quiet as a mouse in a cat’s intestinal tract. As quiet as a gentle rain over a field of dandelion fluff. Or quiet as a mime… ’cause mimes, err… don’t talk.
“Back within nine and a half minutes. If you hear music, that means ‘help.’”
Grimy stairs descend into this cold and musty stone basement. Rows of floor-to-ceiling bars form four cells, two on either wall. A human figure in heavy furs huddles behind the bars in the north-west cell.
Two hobgoblins stand outside the cell, interrogating the prisoner. They are trying to extract information about Skywatch's street-warping magic, but the human, who matches the description of Ulikuq, refuses to answer them. The hobgoblins are getting increasingly frustrated. Nobody notices the invisible Sylva watching them...
Seeing that a life is at stake, Sylva wastes no time to make her musical signal!
She sings out a spell—
Hoooob—goblins!
Hoooob—goblins!
What do you do with those Hobgoblins?
—and immediately, nonverbal vocals and unseen banjos join her own unseen banjo!
They're over here
They're over there
Those darn Hobgoblins are everywhere
With ⏩Musical Accompaniment sending banjos and aaaahs all around, Sylva drops her physical banjo, hoping her foes will see it is a human-sized instrument. She ▶️sneaks away from where she had cast, preferably to a place only a sprite can fit!
The sudden music catches the hobgoblins—and Sylva’s allies—by surprise!
“Come and get me you big dumb jerks!”
Sylva laughs wildly and ⏩bolts upstairs!