Her suggestion to Ed was to lay down and stay there for an hour.
She agrees, "Please don't kill me! I can't get away and eventually you would kill me. I agree to your terms." With a defeated look she releases Cyril then Saronis from the charm. "How can I serve?"
Later she offers, "I can give one of you a profane gift. Would you want that, it will allow us to telepathically speak as long as we are on the same plane. What class is your group missing? Shall I change my visage?"
Shaking off the feel of the charm he states, "You drained us?! Is it permanent?"
Day 1
Need 16.
Day 2
Need 16.
Day 3
Need 14.
Day 4
Need 13.
Day 5
with guidance and other possible helps... makes it...
She nods to him, "It is until you resist it. But that will be hard since I drained you so much. But there is a chance every morning."
In the coming days she would show you her treasures that are now yours: piles of equipment, coins, and clothing.
Some magical items but mostly MC.
"I feel better now with all my equipment but yes I feel weak. Cyril can you check my health? Maybe we should rest and recover first?"
"We are alive", Cyril huffed. "but our vitality has been taken. It will take time to renew." The nobleman scowled at the evil outsider.
"Ed. We can be no help to you now. You must decide how to proceed."
He growls and states, "You will serve them. Break your compulsions on them. Then I won't kill you!"
She agrees, "Please don't kill me! I can't get away and eventually you would kill me. I agree to your terms."
With a defeated look she releases Cyril then Saronis from the charm. "How can I serve?"
Cyril looks at The Wonder Dog in ..Wonder. "Ed! By the Gods! You are a Good Boy!"
Looking at the newly-sworn succubus, the investigative wizard's gaze narrows.
"How long can you function without draining vitality? Can you touch others without draining them?"
☆
Later she offers, "I can give one of you a profane gift. Would you want that, it will allow us to telepathically speak as long as we are on the same plane. What class is your group missing? Shall I change my visage?"
Cyril looked to Saronis, unsure how to take this powerful cooperative minion. "We will accept the Gift, so long as you act as our telepathic receiver only. No mental manipulations!"
The wizard looks to the elven fighter. From what I've read, succubi have great Dexterity and Constitution. They could make great fighters. Especially with their ability to befuddle minds at close range. But they are smart too. If she was a rogue, that would free me up for more arcane and deductive tasks. Succubi are natural sorcerers, and I'd like to think I wouldn't be intimidated by the addition of another spellcaster in the group. What do you think, Saronis?"
Day 1
(needs 20)
Day 2
(needs 18)
Day 3
(needs 16)
Day 4
(needs 14)
In the coming days she would show you her treasures that are now yours: piles of equipment, coins, and clothing.
Some magical items but mostly MC.
A little restless being stuck in a succubbus's lair unti they are all healthy enough to leave, Cyril sifts through the small treasure hoard, and finds a well-made copper dragonscale bag. After some study, Cyril discovers it to be a handy haversack.
"Excellent. I can carry more books with this."
Cyril looks at The Wonder Dog in ..Wonder. "Ed! By the Gods! You are a Good Boy!"
He happily wags his large tail still ready to gore her if needed. He barks happily too.
Looking at the newly-sworn succubus, the investigative wizard's gaze narrows.
[dice=Knowledge (planes)]1d20 + 19 + 1d6
"How long can you function without draining vitality? Can you touch others without draining them?"
[dice=Sense Motive, Empathy (Ex, Su)]1d20 + 23 + 1d6 ☆
[dice=Sense Motive, Empathy (Ex, Su)]1d20 + 23 + 1d6
She tentatively says, "If you want me robust and in excellent shape, once a week. With a bit of food and water each day. Though I can function on just mortal fare for months to function. Touch yes, but if you kiss or fondle me then the draining happens. I think there are some spells that ward it."
Cyril crosses his arms. "Fine. I'm certain we will experience more foes as we gather our group. I'll designate who you can feed on. You will just have to subsist on mortal food for the time being."
"So, I assume, if you chose to fondle me, the draining would occur", the wizard surmised.
He sighs and states, "I hope we find our family soon. I can see the advantages of the different classes but I don't know which would be most helpful. Perhaps Rogue for traps and damage."
He looks at Elli, "Yeah I would take the gift but no more charming us or our group. Show me a few options, those horns are too much."
In the days of recovery he fills the demon's wealth into bags and it pleased to find one of them takes more and more.
Cyril crosses his arms. "Fine. I'm certain we will experience more foes as we gather our group. I'll designate who you can feed on. You will just have to subsist on mortal food for the time being."
"So, I assume, if you chose to fondle me, the draining would occur", the wizard surmised.
She smiles a toothy smile, "Excellent will you want me to start off trying to charm foes before combat?"
During the time of rest she bestows a profane gift to each of you.
"How about this face?" She asks looking for attraction.
She smiles a toothy smile, "Excellent will you want me to start off trying to charm foes before combat?"
"Well, yes. Isn't that your normal tactic?" Cyril confirms.
During the time of rest she bestows a profane gift to each of you.
"How about this face?" She asks looking for attraction.
"Yes. Alluring. It will do." The wizard said, trying not to sound to invested.
She states, "Yes it is but clarifying. No draining until you give the signal."
She recognizes attraction from both of you. She touches Cyril's cheek, "I am glad you approve."
She recognizes attraction from both of you. She touches Cyril's cheek, "I am glad you approve."
Cyril audibly grumbles. "I am ready to leave our prison when you are", the wizard said with furrowed brow.
"Don't be that way I am your minion now, but I won't make it easy for you!" She states toying with you.
The four of you exit following Ellinore. Up through the complex and out into the forest. She leads you back to her cottage.
She asks, "Are we leaving this zone now or were you looking for something else?"
He happily follows the group sniffing different things as his normal dog form. He keeps running around and investigating things.
"We were looking for our fellow allies. But I believe the tracks and scent we found was yours. Did other mortals come this way before us?" He asks hoping she will give a direct answer.
"Yes there have been some through here but that was months if not years ago. Did you see my brother? He was the cage warden..."
"Yes. As a matter of fact, we did", Cyril spoke slowly, remembering the chain of events that lead to the present. "We encountered him, but he is alive. Or at least the last time we met."
"Months? Years?" The wizard frowned. "More temporal manipulations?"
A bit frustrated she relays, "Yes, I know it is frustrating with the temporal manipulations. So out of this zone we go and search another zone/door?"
"It appears we have no choice but to continue."
"Perhaps we'll have some luck with The Whimsical Gate", the noble adventurer sighed in resignation.
Going through the Whimsical Gate:
The brightly painted door adorned with playful images and whimsical designs. It giggles when approached
You see several scenes in the distance. You can go West to a miniture town with walls. You can go East to a miniture village of what appears to be tea cups and kettles. You can go North along the golden brick path seeing the flowers and many of the fauna waving and greeting you.
"Of the three settleements I see", Cyril explained, "I think we should try the walled city first. They clearly have something or someone to hide."
As you approach, you see those who live there swarm around on their walls and move siege weapons. As you get closer, you notice the town does not get bigger. Once you are 30 feet away, you see that the wall might come up to your chest.
"Hail to thee, citizens of the Walled City!" Cyril broadly spoke to the city walls, maintaining a healthy distance. "We mean you no harm. We are looking for missing members of our party. Giants such as us. Can you help us?"
They seem to stop their hostile actions but are ready to fight if needed. Their gate opens and out rides a military figure on a toy horse. Both of them no more than 6 inches tall.
"Greetings giants, we Toy Soldiers greet you. We hope you come in peace but understand our apprehension. Other giants you say. Yes a male of about your stature did come through. He seemed confused. He went to the North followed the gold path through the flowers."
Despite his stoic demeanor, the sight of watching toy soldiers walking around on there own, fills Cyril with nostalgic thoughts.
"Thank you, men. We appreciate the information and will leave you in peace. Have a blessed day."
"Just beware the hot heads! They are porcelain dolls but can still bring the pain with their magic."
"Thank you for that consideration. Enemies of yours?" cyril asked, resisting the urge to salute.
He adds, "Indeed, we have a long standing fued with them!"
"Well, thanks for the warning", Cyril Smiled. "We shall take our leave." The wizard saluted as he left.
Cyril returns to the others and the group heads down the gold brick path.
A golden brick path winds ahead, each gleaming stone catching the light like a sunrise frozen in solid form. The air hums with melody — soft at first, then rising into a jubilant chorus. On either side of the radiant trail, flowers sway and whirl in rhythm, their petals shimmering in a dozen hues.
Each bloom bears a face — bright, smiling, and alive with expression. Some laugh in trills of silver bells, others croon soft harmonies that ripple through the air like ripples across a pond. Their eyes gleam like dew at dawn, and when they sing together, their voices weave a living harmony that fills the world with color and joy.
Among them move slender, humanoid figures, their forms shaped from vines, blossoms, and sunlight. They dance along the edges of the path, twirling with effortless grace, leaving drifting petals and motes of golden pollen in their wake. As the wind passes, the flowers bow and sing louder, their music blending with the rustle of leaves and the faint chime of the golden bricks beneath your steps.
It feels like walking through a dream — a realm where joy has taken root and grown into song.
"By The Mistress! What an amazing place! Like some kind of fairy tale or storybook made real!" The wizard turns around to see his companion's expressions.
Ed happily runs around the group. Barking and having a good time.
She sits down and happily listens to the flowers. When the chain gets taunt, she gets up but still listens.
He smiles watching the show. He hums along and keeps his sword sheathed.
"Do you think there will be much fighting here?"
An hour of walking and you see a figure sitting out among the flowers.
He runs forward, barking. He licks her face and bowls her over.
She happily wakes up laughing. "Good Boy Ed!!!"
Cyril runs over and helps the lost First Mate off the ground, and gives her a hug.
"Saffire! You're alive! Are you alright? I think I have some rations in my backpack still.." The wizard bleats as he fumbles with his pack.
In a dreamy state she states, "Yeah I am good, a little thirsty. The last thing I remember is entering this blasted dungeon... but the flowers are so beautiful!"
Cyril offers Saffire his waterskin. "Be aware. We have acquired a succubus. Her name is Lady Ellinore. It's a long story."
"Uh... okay." She says a bit delirious still, and takes the waterskin.
"We need to..." Then he sits down and listens to the flowers...
"Cyril and Elli, tie a rope around the group, and I will pull you guys out of these fields. Otherwise, we will be stuck here like Saffire." He quickly states.
"Yes. Good idea", Cyril answered.
The wizard used several ropes among the party and created a rope chain, which was tied to Ed's thick collar. "All is ready."
Ed gets big and drags the group along as needed but at a slow pace to enjoy the show.