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When Revecka and Drak move off to examine the ammunition, Fortiva takes that opportunity to visit with Narcela.
Wiping her hands as she enters, she says, "Well, Ree's devices are all in place and powered up. Going to be quite the show."
Leaning over what they were working on, Fortiva scrutinizes it for a second before asking, "And how are things here? That looks pretty impressive as well."
"Right, yes, had the whole thing upside down - sorry about that. But I think I've got it now - this one goes here and that one goes there."
Having corrected her initial mistake, at least a little, Fortiva steps back from the table to talk more about the plan - trying to assuage Narcela's anxiety. She talks about how these things tend to work out, and about the various strengths that the group brings to the mission.
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Teja chats with Star for a bit longer. "The thing about being a friend is that there is some balance. If one party takes and takes and takes, then they are not being a friend. And some friends are closer than others. A very good friend who you have shared lots of experiences with... might give up a lot. A friend you have just made might be willing to sacrifice very little. The important thing is that each friend decides the limits for themselves."
She thinks for a moment longer. "Also friends often spend time together, just talking. Just like we are. Talking, interacting, drinking. Spending time getting to know one another. There is no 'contract' that says someone has to be friends, you just... become them."
Teja chats with Star for a bit longer. "The thing about being a friend is that there is some balance. If one party takes and takes and takes, then they are not being a friend. And some friends are closer than others. A very good friend who you have shared lots of experiences with... might give up a lot. A friend you have just made might be willing to sacrifice very little. The important thing is that each friend decides the limits for themselves."
She thinks for a moment longer. "Also friends often spend time together, just talking. Just like we are. Talking, interacting, drinking. Spending time getting to know one another. There is no 'contract' that says someone has to be friends, you just... become them."
Star listens solemnly to Teja's words.
--
As Astrid shows off her hauling power to Revecka, to Ardis scholar breathes a sigh of releif. Good, just put that one down there and...done! She takes in the machinery arrayed widely around the trap area and smiles. Great. That should do it! Now its just a matter of trusting the math to hold. Which it should - heck in theory an active Stasian array could even collapse extraplanar portals with a few tweaks, not just spells - but there's only one way we'll find out. She turns to Astrid. Thanks for your help! And you can let Fortiva, Drak and the others know the same. And for last time, you know. You Pathfinders really aren't all just axe-envoys: good to see that for myself.
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Back in the tent with Narcela, Fortiva joins Jakoby in trying to provide a second- and third-look at the changeling's notes about Aslynn's airships. Unfortunately your contrasting theories clash with not only her own notes but each other, and Narcela puts her hands to her head in frustration. No, that doesn't make sense. That's not how the Umbral Vises work. Ugh! she cries. I feel were so [i[close[/i], but she always manages to find a way to slip away...
Fortiva manages to calm her down somewhat by changing tacks and reminding Narcela of all the times Pathfinder agents have worked together and succeeded at foiling her mother. It helps a bit. And as Drak 's new suggestions don't seem to be that actionable, they at least don't further upset her.
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Astrid remembers another story from her childhood and returns to Narcela.
"Okay I think we have just about everything ready to go. Revecka is certain her egghead contraption will stymie your mother's arcane abilities and maybe more. The giant robo seems pleased about something or other. I think you can quit worrying about this plan. In fact, I'm certain of it. I should have thought of this earlier, but Amma Gunnhild actually fought a coven of hags before she sailed away to Valenhall. Here's what she did..." Astrid goes on to tell a wildly exaggerated account of how her Amma surprised the coven in the middle of some sort or wicked ritual and beat them to death with their own brooms.
The shield maiden gets a puzzled look on her face as she finishes her story. "You know, what? That story made a lot more sense when I was five. I wonder if Amma Gunnhild was making some of it up. Unless I miss my guess, it happened more like this..." She retells the story in a much more believable fashion.
Hero point reroll
After she retells the tale she shrugs and grins. "I guess it doesn't really matter that much. The tactics should mostly work either way and at the end of the day she still had three dead hags."
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Astrid’s second attempt at a story again starts off on a bad note as Narcela doesn’t seem to get the connection between Amma’s exploits and the current situation as much as Astrid does. But when Astrid takes in her audience’s reactions and tweaks the tale accordingly Narcela gets more into it and is nodding along by the end.
Well, your family certainly has a colorful history. But I suppose I see your meaning. Hags, and my mother, are devious cruel and dangerous. But they are not invincible.
Narcela listens and nods at Teja's insights. My mother has always delighted into molding others into twisted versions of themselves. Sometimes through whispered manipulations, a rumor here and nudge there to have mortals dance on her strings. Sometimes literally...like she tried to do to me. And she wants the Draught of Dreams so that she can dominate the Dreamlands enough to sculpt countless psyches to her whims. Narcela looks back at you with a defiant spark. That, that could be why this may work. Shoved into a prepared dreamscape she'll be more vulnerable to shaping herself. Zarta's mind could turn the tables on her a strip her strength away enough for us to finally stop her when she re-emerges!
Oh, and then there is her literal weakness to cold iron. But I'm sure you knew that. she adds, offering you such a weapon to prove her point.
As the hours have passed and you have contiued to talk with the allies around the camp a Pathfinder messenger runs up to you (quite out of breath by the time they find the last of you).
'Sirs...Ma'ams...Waterfall says place is ready...Zata's heading to bed...time to...bait the trap...'
The much lower-level ratfolk agent slumps down to take a breather but their message is clear: it's time to grab the Draught of Dreams and set off the scheme to trap the night hag!
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Astrid grabs the chalk. "Ha! Gimme that!" She taps the chalk against her chin and grins evilly while composing her offer.
Aslynn, you filthy cur, this is Astrid Gertasdottir. Remember me? Did you like the note I left you when I cleaned out your vault? Sorry I didn't leave one when I killed your fire horse and stole your boat. I'm normally not rude like that but I was in a hurry.
Anyway I've got this ridiculous dream chalice and I think I'd rather have some more of your stuff instead. Meet me out here in the desert when you have something good to trade.
"Ha! That ought to rile her up"
She turns to the rest of the party. "What do you think?"
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Now I am curious of what you did write on the wall Ms Astrid. That might work but I believe I have a better idea, one that may be more effective.
He takes the chalk and writes the following.
Aslynn, this is Patrick. I am tired, You win. I surrender. Please tell me what you want? What must I do to stop you from plaguing my dreams with nightmares? I am here in the desert, waiting. Please come. I will do ANYTHING, even betray the Pathfinders. I am your obedient servant - just stop the torture. I cannot take any more ... Please, NO MORE!
He then steps away from the others a bit, preferring to be alone.
Knowing my luck it'll be Ms Zarta as a succubis again
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Patrick, that is certainly an option, but I think we want this to be more of a business proposition.
Drak will write out the following, pointedly NOT using the chalk. As I recall, Aslynn can read anything written with the chalk, so we need to determine what we want to say before we write it with the chalk.
Greetings Aslynn. Your recent activities have created divisions within the Pathfinder Society. I represent a group that currently has possession of the "Chalice of Dreams" and we believe this Chalice has some value to you. We are willing to sell you this item for a fair price and would like to meet with you to establish negotiations for this item. If this negotiation goes well, we could potentially provide other items of interest to you in the future.
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"No no, I say instead of lying outright, we omit and infer" she looks at Astrid "not offer to trade" she looks at Patrick "nor grovel" she looks at Drak "nor do legitimate business" she puffs her pipe "Instead, let's appeal instead to her Sense of Mystery with vague and cryptic phrasing:"
Aslynn,
We bear the Draught of Dreams and a Proposition. Your Invitation, which we make at Great Risk, is extended through the day. Meet in the desert.
-The Agents
"How about that?"
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"I think the wording from Drak certainly suggests we have acquired the chalice through... questionable.. means. There is also the subtle time pressure in Drak's missive... the suggestion not that we will sell it to someone else, but someone else might take it off our hands. She would likely see that as a weakness she could exploit. But in our favor, it will encourage her to act more quickly than she might chose to otherwise..."
You wrest the chalk away from Astrid and Patrick and, after some discussion, write your message on the stone [ooc]will assume a hybrid of Drak and Jakboy's proposal based off comments. The steel-grey chalk's script gradually changes color to a dark blue hue over several seconds.
After a few moments more words appear in the rock, in an arcing font whose deep red letters look like blood seeming to seep out directly from the stone:
My what an unexpected treat! A Wonder for me, to give when we meet? To me your club has shown such anger and fear, have you come at last to you senses my dears?
I understand, you must tire of battling my games. All at the whims of leaders who trust you not with their names. I respect those who refuse to dance to another's schemes; why not bargain a break with that Draught of Dreams
I am open to bargain, fair to my core. Although...many of you have been less kind to me before. You broke into my home, stole my kin and my prizes. A more cynical queen might think you're planning surprises. So what is it you want: speak clear your appeal. And how am I to trust that your chalice is real.
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"Let's tell her to come confirm it for herself!" Amma insists "Dunna think she's in the mood to let slip this opportunity, so let's stick to the plan:" she looks around at the players, setting her eyes at last of Fortiva.
"You among us look the shadiest character, *lest a mammoth trample my breakfast*. Why don't you put that silver tongue to use, and tell her that you will prove to her that it works - in person - lest she's thinking we're proffering a phony, and watch as that greed *takes the reins of her sled*?"
Red-eyed and rosy cheeked, a pang of hunger bestrokes our smoky hero - she suppresses it by lighting another bowl, and staring intently into the chalk, puffing slow, thoughtfully, deeply...
"lest a mammoth trample my breakfast" = "unless I am mistaken"
"takes the reins of her sled" = "becomes a behavior one exhibits"
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Fortiva gives Jakoby a wink and a half-curtsy. "Subtle might be the word I would choose, but kind of you to notice."
Taking the chalk, she considers a non-rhyming response and offers to the others, "Indeed, we've bet against you before, but have also been playing this game long enough to recognize a losing hand."
She looks for nods of approval or disapproval before writing that first bit while sharing her thoughts on the next, "We have the Draught and are willing to demonstrate its authenticity. But you must come to us - no more daughters. What better spot than here in the desert, far from the nearest Lodge?"
Again, she pauses before scribbling with the chalk, incorporating any notes into the text.
Giving a little shrug, she adds, "I'm tempted to end with a little ego-stoking. It's probably unnecessary, but I want to goad her at least a little. 'Why hesitate? It cannot be that you fear us? We would never dream of confronting you at your full strength,' maybe?"
(( Don't see Guidance or Inspire Competence among the others, unless I missed it. And will naturally hero point a failure. ))
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As the others hurriedly erase Astrid's message before it reaches Aslynn, the shield maiden frowns and hands over the magic chalk "Bah! Fine! Write whatever you want." She stomps away, muttering to herself. "Buncha namby-pamby milksops don't wanna properly taunt an enemy. Never saw the like..."
Several times during the following discussion she opens her mouth to speak but ends up holding her tongue and softly growling in disapproval instead.
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"Garbage? Oh right, just an Arclord, the key to the electric castle, and this chalice...
That's not quite the kind of the goading I want to include.""You'll all have a chance to grovel or insult once she arrives. Focus on that, if it helps."
"What? No, not vault. The other one. The one in Aslynn's crazy castle. It had the wheel we used to steal the hag's boat. Also that grandfather clock, that piece of th Hao-Jin tapestry, that weird sphere with the Skald runes and a bunch of other crap. You were there, weren't you? Don't you remember how hard it was to get the clock into my bag of holding?"
Fortiva's carefully composed message again glows as she writes it. And again a blood-red response emerges back:
Wise of you to see the light; some of you at least - I know foolish Astrid'd rather fight. Show the Draught is real and to you I will come and then we can deal to determine your rewarded sum. If all is as promised I'll pay and we will be square even there is for the first time here a gap of several seconds between the words emerging. even for the loss of my favored Mare.
Aslynn's last words remain on the rock, their red text darkening from bright to deep red under the desert heat.
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"Well, here we go..."
Fortiva applies a cold iron blanch to her shortsword, visually verifies that everyone else is set, then pours out the liquid in the Draught as instructed. As she speaks Zarta's name to activate it, she places the chalice on the designated rock, writes one final message to Aislynn, and steps back to a relatively safe spot.
The Draught is active. Bring us your best trade.
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Astrid raises her shield for a moment before reconsidering. With a curse, she digs into her pack for a wooden mug which she fills with ale from a waterskin. She leaves the water skin on the ground nearby and does her best to look nonchalant, occasionally drinking from her mug.
She raises an eyebrow at Teja's drawn weapons. "I thought we were trying to look like we're here to parley."
Fortiva follows the ritual instructions and spills the draught's contents. The swirling pink and purple liquid flows out across the sands to cover a low and flat area. As it begins to pool its hues begin to coalesce and shimmer before dissolving into a smooth crystal-blue sheen that expands outwards into a vague oval shape. The opaque portal sits shining in the desert sun's rays.
With that done you get into position and ready yourselves to treat with Aslynn.
And ready yourselves
And ready yourselves
As the minutes tick by the portal still shines - and glancing at the draught of dreams it already seems to be refilling itself with liquid - but the queen of the hour stubbornly fails to appear.
Finally after about six minutes the hairs on the back of Drak's neck raise as the bard sense an additional presence
From beneath the sands two figures dramatically rise up! Vaguely humaoid in shape, both figures are 'off' - as they float up their thin bodies and long limbs form strange angles and proportions. Both look at you with dark blurry eyes and smile grins displaying a nightmarish amount of teeth at you!
Initiative
Fortiva
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Jakoby gasps, her nerves seizing in fright. But, as her faith runs deep, she makes a reflexive action to defend herself, or perhaps, her deity moves through her, realizing that she stands directly between the Draught and... something... indeed, with her uttered curse, a soft violet light encases our smoky hero, as gentle tendrils of a spiritual weed vine protecting their harvest from an ill wind!
◆) Cast Shield
↺) Shield Block
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As the minutes tick by, Fortiva grows the slightest bit annoyed. Sure, this isn't a real business transaction, but the Hag could at least be prompt with her attack.
Moving out from cover, she sidles up next to Astrid and takes a solid swig from her own aleskin. Hiding in plain sight was always more fun.
◆ Stride forward to the center
When Drak's warning comes, she drops the skin to the ground and her hand to the hilt of her sword. When the two things appear, she lets out a long sigh and mutters, "These damn things again."
She calls out to them, "Where is your mistress, you misbegotten cretins?"
◇ Delay
Seeing them choose violence, Fortiva launches herself across the sand and buries her sword into the chest of the other one.
◆ Stride to whichever one didn't act
◆ Quickdraw -> Strike w/ flaming, frost shortsword
for slashing, precision, fire, cold
◇ Debilitating Strike: Enfeebled 1
◆ Strike again while it's still flat-footed
for slashing, precision, fire, cold
◇ Debilitating Strike: -10 movement speed
↺ Opportune Backstab -> if blue is hit by a melee strike and is still next to me, react to stab it.
Fortiva and Astrid's taunts receive only mad grins in return from the figures. Beings that Astrid identifies as animate dreams. Manifested nightmares, they lack any real weakness: in fact their incorporeal and dream-like nature makes them even more resistant to the Ulfen's attacks
But as if cued by Fortiva's final question, from the sands near Patrick a third figure emerges. The night hag Aslynn! dressed in a cloak and hood more practical for desert climates laughs "Never fear, for I am here!"
Aslynn strides past the wizard directly towards the draught of dreams. A clawed hand reaches out to grab it while she taunts "You brought it out? Silly fools. Here's the deal: I win, you lose!"
As she hefts the chalice up, the clockwork chirper connected to it flies up and circles the area tweeting loudly. Paying it no heed, Aslynn puts the draught to her lips and Aslynn drinks deeply from it, then begins to cackle as her form shifts. Her eyes glow, her teeth grow sharp, and curved horns stretch forth from her brow. A chain appears wrapped around her torso. One end of the chain is attached to an iron cauldron sitting in the sand at Aslynn’s feet, the other is held tightly in one of her clawed hands.
Aslynn calls out victoriously over the noise of the clockwork chirper as she brandishes the jeweled chalice. “Boundless wonder now rests soundly within my clawed hand! Very soon, to fruition, shall come all I have planned. A realm of endless nightmares shall be mine to command. Within my way, not one Pathfinder shall I let stand"
As she cackles a *thrumming* sound fills the air. A rectangular prism of light-blue energy surrounds you, sealing off the area and forming a translucent barrier forty feet in the air. Aslynn and the dreams look around at the activated containment field - the dreams appear confused but Aslynn's expression remains one of triumph.
Initiative
Teja
Fortiva (delaying?)
Fortiva jumps into action and delivers two quick cuts with her fiery sword. Unfortunately, while the dream does get cut twice its for much less damage than the elf hoped for as her slashes move through the quasi-real dreamstuff of her target.
Aslynn laughs at the results. [b]You think you'll win this fight? you can't even stab my pets right!
Initiative
Teja
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Aside to Astrid "Did you think it was gunna go like this?" she winks at her friend "Dunno if I should shoot her or stab her..." Amma considers her options...
Probably no matter what happens, my first action will be to Hunt Prey with the Monster Hunter ability vs Aslynn, way down the initiative line.
I would only like to roll if I can use the Nature skill - otherwise, I'd rather not risk critical failure!