Tal just watches the doll appearance and attempt at striking Mera. Shaking his head at its futility Tal does not notice that Mera seems to have lost control of herself. Interesting ‘game’ you have. What is the point of it and how do you know who wins?
Mera twirls her glaive in her hand twice before catching it in her left hand and swiping her right hand through the air in a silencing gesture. "Enough foolishness! I will win!"
She unleashes a feral scream as grabs the glaive with both hands again and spins her body 360 degrees in an attempt to bury the weapon down on the small doll again.
That devil glaive is overstepping its boundaries.
Sherix transmits feelings of disappointment.
Mera in a rage, cuts the doll with her glaive. The doll yells Ouchie! and jumps on the disc and disappears.
Frustrated, Mera growls when her polearm swipes through the open air when the doll turns invisible. She looks left and right for the doll, swiping her glaive around as she tries to find the doll. "Come on!" she shouts, "Come out and play with me!"
"I guess that's one way to win the game." Richard looks about. "We should move on at this point."
Edric asks an important question. "That glaive. It's what's left of a devil." Richard whispers the important answer. "Sherix doesn't like it, and I don't like it either."
Richard is ready to leave. "Maybe we can play a little later? Mera needs some time to review the rules."
A tiny voice says, Don't worry! We will come find you! Perhaps when you are playing ouchies with someone else! You then hear giggling.
Mera continues to swing fruitless in the air around her several more times before she finally stops, her breath ragged and panting. She places the glaive pole end on the floor and leans against it craching her breath. She searches the room menacingly for a moment before eventually taking a long drawn breath.
Using the polearm as a walking stick she starts forward and mutters "I hate dolls."
"Of course. We'll play next time." Richard sighs.
Why do I get the feeling that the next meeting with these little ones won't be as pleasant? Come now, Lady Wist-Thrune. This is hardly the behavior of a lady. We don't want you to be known as the "Pathfinder's Deadly Doll Dowager", do we?"
Kill him now! Make his blood stain my blade!
Still holding the glaive shaft in her hand, she whirls on Stryx and points the weapon at him. She narrows her eyes and spits words laced with venom "Do NOT presume to tell me how to be a lady, Greyfeather. You would do well to watch your tongue lest it were to accidentally fall to the floor. I bet my prince would find that appealing to us all."
She raises her weapon and turns his back to him, ignoring any response he issues. "Let's go, I'm suddenly quite tired of Delhaven and I'm ready for my glass of wine. If we could start the intra-party name calling name calling and get back to work I would appreciate it."
Tal moves over to Mera and places a firm hand on her shoulder hoping to direct her ire against him. That is enough Mera! You are out of control and not yourself. Stryx was not calling you any names nor was he threatening you. You on the other hand have escalated things to the point where you are threatening him with bodily harm. I can not and will not let that happen.
Keeping his hand where it is he looks her in the eye and asks, What is it going to be? Keep escalating the situation or apologize and resume our mission?
Mera snaps out of whatever daze she was in when Tal speaks to her. She looks at him quizzicaly, her left brow raising above her right. "Hmmm? Alright, alright. I was just frustrated from when the doll attacked me is all."
Turning to face Stryx she offers a dip and a curtsy. "Master Greyfeather, my most sincere apologies. I have misspoken and never truly meant you any harm, twas a misstep on my part."
She stands and looks back to Tal with a Are you satisfied? look.
"Please, let us proceed."
Sherix tweets.
"Mera is correct. Let us move on. The weaknesses of the shadow beasts await."
This is what you warned me of, Sherix. Still, we must do everything we can to save her.
Mera doesn't turn around to face Edric, but she pulls the glaive tighter to her chest. She says sternly "Uh, maybe some other time."
She waves her free hand dismissively and absentmindedly adds "Besides, I don't need any new items, my prince gifted this one to me and I'm happy with it as it is. It's mine.."
Tiny voices are heard, Ouchie! Ouchie! Boo! Boo!
Tal looks at Edric and Stryx to make sure they are satisfied with the apology from Mera and that they are willing to let the issue drop for the meantime. Truth be told Tal was wanting that glaive separated from Mera but now was not the time. Perhaps once back at the hideout when this was finished with Areal's support they could broach the subject and have a reasonable conversation about it then. Until then Tal kept exploring this damnable place hoping to survive it.
Turning to face Stryx she offers a dip and a curtsy. "Master Greyfeather, my most sincere apologies. I have misspoken and never truly meant you any harm, twas a misstep on my part."
"Really? One would wonder ..."
Turning to Richard he continues ... "There are far greater "weaknesses" at play here."
Turning to Tal "Considering recent events, I think I will take up rear guard."
Moving on to the next room, you see something that was where no doubt decisions of great import were once made inside this splendid council chamber. A gigantic nightscape mural blankets the domed ceiling. The mural’s bands of stars stretch to form an outline of the Pathfinders’ famed Glyph of the Open Road, superimposing its image over the night sky. Wooden stairs lead up to a balcony which circles the upper level of this great chamber. In the chamber’s center, ten highbacked chairs ring a stone table that rests flush with the floor. A large decorative lantern rests on the table’s center, its flame still impossibly aglow.
A floating orb approaches the PC's.
It flies up to Tal and tries to shock him, but misses.
"Great, what is that?" Richard muses.
Richard uncoils his whip, then begins to Inspire Courage.
"Whatever that thing is, it's no match for us. Right, Sherix?" The bird chirps.
Mera Sidesteps from the orb and swipes at it with her glaive when it attacks Tal, but the flying creature proves too quick for her strike.
Richard tries to think what the orb is while Mera misses it with her glaive.
"Will-o'-wisp!" Richard springs to life as he recalls information. "Bad news Stryx- it's immune to most magic. I don't remember if there were any loopholes...."
Tal grins as Richard sounds a bit panicky about the cute little ball of light that tried to caress him. Who needs magic when you have trusty steel in your hand.
longsword power expertise attack with heroism and inspire for
threat confirm for
Richard gives Stryx some disappointing news. Tal lands a solid blow, but his next attack falls short.
One should be prepared for all eventualities, Richard. That is why I carry this as well …
Stryx readies his crossbow
The Will-o’-wisp will try to attack Tal again with tentacles.
Mera readjusts her position and grips the handles of the glaive tightly. As she swings she yells "God-fiend take you! Hyaaahh!"
Tal continues his assault on the glowing ball of light even as Mera rushed in to attack as well. If possible Tal will step into flank with her.
Power heroism inspired longsword keen attack +2 If flank for
Richard aids Tal on his attack, giving an extra +2.
Mera and Tal make quick work of the ineffective will-o’-wisp.
"Good riddance to bad rubbish."
"Well then, where to next?"
Going up the stairs you see several rooms. Once warmly furnished, these simple guest rooms has been left in tatters by a century of dust and neglect.
Tal gives the rooms a quick once over before stepping in and to the side to allow the arcane magics to scan the room.
perception
Doesn't seem like much here but neglect. I bet these rooms were full of life in their prime.
If there isn't a visible threat, Mera will take her time searching the room as well as detecting magic.
Mera regards the room with sadness evident in her voice. "Maybe we can buy this and reopen it after we cleanse it."
"It is quite messy."
Unfortunately anything that might have been magical has either been removed or looted long ago.
A wooden hanging rope bridge connects the upper story of the north and south lodge towers, overlooking a weed-choked courtyard below.
Perception
Know engineering
Tal moves away from the guest bedrooms and into the upper level of the courtyard seen below. The sight brought back the thought of the invisible creatures they witnessed earlier. As such before he moved further he took a look at the room for any threats. Not seeing any he moved to the bridge. Just as he was about to the use the bridge it freaked alarmingly at him. Looking closer Tal backs away with a shake of his head. Thre is no way that is going to support me with all my gear and armor. I doubt it would even support the latest of us. We will have to find a different way past.