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Aja moves to the southern door and tries to help Cassius keep it closed by throwing an arm against it.
Status: HP: 6 / 8 | AC:15 / T:12 / FF:13 | CMD:12/10 1st Spells (4): x
Effects:
Aja winces as the arrow manages to penetrate her armor and slice into her flesh. ”Hate bowmen.” She pries it loose and drops it. Hearing attack coming from two directions, she decides bolstering her allies seems advisable. She slides toward the center of the room, not wishing to remain an archery dummy, and calls on the powers. ”Xochitl, First Father, give us the strength of many working as one!”
Status: HP: 6 / 8 | AC:15 / T:12 / FF:13 | CMD:12/10 1st Spells (4): x
Effects:
Aja releases the silver pendant "Stairs?" Then she chuckles, "I hope you don't expect me to lead."
Aja moves toward the wounded. Disconcertingly, she sniffs at Robert’s burn and prods the wound gently before clucking largely to herself, ”Don’t have time to fix this in the old ways… Gather ‘round all of you.” From the bodice of her dress, she pulls a silver talisman to no god you can identify. ”Amina, friend of life, I am. Salve these wounds, spirits of flesh untainted.” A wave of light rolls off the Oracle, healing those around her, including a limping rat struggling across a sewer grate.
"--You are actually blind?" he says with skepticism. "It's not just some front?" In the narrow corridor, the oracle smiles in no particular direction, ”A front? No, no. I see a little… but not far and not well. But good as any seaman, I can walk a plank. Ha!” She briefly admires her witticism before adding conspiratorially. ”I would appreciate you warning me of archers. Beyond ten paces or so, there are no shadows, only mist before my eyes. That’s a fact, not a front.” Realising her tapping might irritate some, and trying to be accommodating, Aja holds her cane and lets her fingers dance against the wall to ensure she’s proceeding in a straight line. She hums a little ditty as she walks. Cassius Perception DC:10:
Now that you have a chance to look at the Oracle up close… you realise that her plain, utilitarian cane is actually a well-disguised hanbo of superior construction (masterwork). Hearing Robert's comment, she proceeds from the hall into the open sewer area. "Who's hurt?"
Perceiving no enemies and recalling that the other door is supposed to be the quicker route, Aja doubles back to catch up with the group.
Tap tap tap Aja navigates her way out onto the metal bridge, trying to perceive what's on the far end of it.
Aja opens the door and hopes it isn’t trapped. The soothsayer loads and sends a sling stone at the goblin on the bridge.
Status: HP: 8 / 8 | AC:15 / T:12 / FF:13 | CMD:12/10 1st Spells (4):
Effects:
With the corridor so crowded, the blind woman uses her hand to navigate along the wall and wanders up the other path. She listens at the door before opening it.
Status: HP: 8 / 8 | AC:15 / T:12 / FF:13 | CMD:12/10 1st Spells (4):
Effects:
I'm a little confused by the map. I've put Aja in the area I think Rsolk is referring to, with upper and lower doors. Am I in the right area?
When the negotiations are resolved, the soothsayer’s ramblings recede into indistinct mumblings, no more than background noise. Perception DC15: Among her mumblings you hear the word ”cats” said twice with a fair amount of… pique, perhaps.
Aja’s mutterings become more sensical and audible. ”… ‘Trust’, no, certainly not! But a calculated risk, that’s another thing indeed. You know me. Your folks get stitched up and I make a bit of coin. It’s good business. Now, some people say I’m tetched in the head. Crazy, right? But I’ve heard it enough to give it mind. But you know what no one ever says about me? They never say “Aja is stupid and she wants to die”. I’m a Blacklake girl. I’ve got nowhere to run to (even if I could run) and your folks know where to find me… I may be crazy but I’m not stupid enough to screw with you, lose your business, and wind up dead or worse. You can have a bit of faith in that.” ”I don’t know these folk’s business at the brewery but it seems like you’re no worse off making a deal. If they handle one of your headaches, you win. If they cause your headache to have a few headaches, still a win. And if they fail and die… well, you’re no worse off that I can see.” ”But if you’d rather handle your problems yourself, that’s fine. It just seemed like low-hanging fruit and they’re here to barter passage.”
”Only thing I’m draggin’ is this gammy leg.” she chuckles. ”These folks are looking to pass through Rat territory and wanna chat with the Rat King about the toll and somesuch. I don’t rightly know their business, I’m doing this as a favor for a friend… But what little I heard makes me think the Rat King might welcome the chin-wag.“ She tries to suppress the little spastic gestures her hands make as she smiles at the other woman and waits hopefully.
Aja nods at Cassius’ suggestion and maneuvers through the group until she is at the front, muttering to herself continuously and periodically gesturing. She raps lightly on the door with her cane… and smiles brightly at whomever responds whether they come to the door or spring up behind the group. She stills her muttering briefly, ”Hullo! Do you remember me? Aja the healer? These people wish to speak with the Rat King. I think he’ll find it a conversation worthy of his time.”
Something in Isabeau’s words draws a frown from the soothsayer. Her response is directed to the entire group. ”My dealings with the Rats are what some call transactional. My concerns are practical. Blacklake is my home. If you make a promise you don’t keep, I will likely pay a heavy price on a quickly arriving day. So, offer nothing you can’t assuredly deliver. Bravado is no basis for promises here.”
”Do either of you already have a working relationship with the Dead Rats?” Aja frowns, ”Now and again, I’ve treated some of them. I’ve never come uninvited but… I may be able to get you heard before they gut and feed us to their crocs.” She considers what she can add, ”It breaches no oaths to say they have lost members recently – death and desertion. Pressure like that can open people to new ideas.”
"Negotiating, in good faith, with the Dead Rats is the best way, then? Assuming we have something they want."
"We must gain access to the leader of the Gnashing Fangs, through either subterfuge or force. Preferably, in that order. He has information we need so his cooperation would make things simpler." Aja waits for clarification. When none comes, she nods. "Ah, I see. Remember this choice, it was yours."
”It would be more accurate to say that Guen takes the form of a large cat…” The healer is impressed and intrigued. ”Not now, but… could I pet this cat at some time? I would like to know what a shadow feels like.” ”Lady Aja…” ”No, no… just Aja. That future I haven’t been for…” She stops suddenly and turns her face to address Cassius. Her tone is a bit more than a whisper, tinged with dread. ”The past is a corpse. Best to lay flowers on the grave, not dig it up.” ”…you're familiar with the downbelow, then? Have you run into any of the supposed gangs down here?” She resumes her hobbled walk, her face brightens, and her tone climbs back to its normal cheerfulness. ”I’m only a little familiar. Most patients find me above. Down here… the sewer breeds many small infections, diseases of filth, and Lungrot, of course. Only the sickest, or the most cautious, call me down.” ”The gangs… they are the most cautious. They ‘escort’ me down and up by winding routes, spin me round, carry me like a sack of potatoes at times, and try to confuse me with noises that I might not know what is above us. It’s a silly game that makes them feel safe.” She adds, ”But it also keeps me safe. Predators that would take a blind woman alone in the sewer hesitate to attack one who has been seen with a gang.” She walks in silence for a way before offering, somewhat shyly, ”This job… what are we doing?”
"If by knight you mean me, my name is Robert. I'm no knight though. I'm a farmer..." Aja cocks her head. ”Raised a farmer, born a knight, mayhaps?” "This is Guen." Isabeau states matter-of-factly. "Poor dear, she has been cooped up too long as of late. She was quite pleased to hear we may soon be flushing out some rats for her to hunt." Guen makes a sound somewhere between growl and purr in assent. Aja freezes at the strange noises coming from Isabeau’s spine and then her friend. ”That sounds like a large cat… or do the echoes make a fool of me?”
”Likewise.” The soothsayer replies neutrally, either ignorant of (or unconcerned about) Alixus’ frosty tone.
Aja moves her hand down to hold onto Isabeau's elbow, explaining "This is better. It lets me feel your movements and anticipate what comes. I apologize, I cannot walk quickly." She quickly proves the truth of it and that her walking stick is used for more than just guidance. She has a pronounced and severe limp. "So there is a Mehji and a Cassius. What is your name and that of 'Sir Knight'? And... is someone wearing cologne?"
Aja turns and cocks her head, trying to ‘look’ at Mehji. Her tone is both playful and curious. ”Hello! Are they? Your toes... are they really thick?”
"And we should take the word of a stranger on that?" he pipes up in response to the blind woman's declaring she is not a 'threat.' The blind woman seems unbothered by Cassius’ challenge, almost as if a veil has dropped over her emotions. ”A question asked, was answered. It is your right to believe me or not. The girl may choose to believe, safely knowing you will not.” "Even if you aren't-- who are you?” The veil lifts and her cheerful disposition returns. ”Oh! I am Aja, a soothsayer and healer. I am known in Blacklake – above us. Ask about me and you will see. Some call me the Lady of Eyes.” "We have business of our own, I fear, and cannot take time to escort even a blind woman to safety." Aja appears genuinely confused. ”Did I not use the phrase right? I need no escort out. I am to go with you in.” She casts a sidelong glance at her imaginary friend. ”Did I say it wrong? The shadows…”
The blind woman returns her attention to the group, smooths her kaftan, and shoots at glare at her imaginary friend before clearing her throat. ”I have been told to say The shadows guide YOUR path.”
Robert’s answer leads to a rising eyebrow. The blind woman leans to one side as her eyes stay roughly in Robert’s direction. She speaks, as if confiding to a friend next to her. None is present. ”Oh, I like this one. Seeking no advantage. Protecting without reason.” She seems to listen for a few heartbeats then nods. ”I know! Not what I’d expect of a Sharran. This time, you may be right.” She rolls her eyes at a response (or a figment of her mind) no one can hear before stepping closer to Robert and putting out a hand tentatively towards his arm. ”Shall we stroll then? It’s such a lovely eve… the stars are bright, the moon is full, and the shadows guide our path.” Almost as an afterthought, she answers Isabeau’s questions, with a hint of humor, ”Some find me concerning but, if you mean am I a threat… no, I am no danger to anyone here this night.”
”Down here?” the blind woman queries, seeming puzzled. Dank water drips from the ceiling, splashing on her shoulder. She ‘looks’ up… well, angles her face in that direction. ”Seems we might be due for a spot of rain tonight.” Sense Motive DC:10:
She isn't puzzled about her location. You'd bet she knows exactly where she is.
”This isn't the best place for a blind woman." She turns her gaze roughly in Robert’s direction. ”Few places are good for the blind in Neverwinter. Are you concerned about my well-being that you would warn me so?” There seems to be some extra weight to her question.
I've taken the liberty of building a loot tracker. It's shown in my header. I assume we are taking anything not nailed down? :)
Thanks for the information and the very kind offer! I think it's probably unlikely that Isabeau's mother and Aja know each other. Aja is younger than Isabeau, doesn't associate with any church, and doesn't even sell herself as an oracle. Her living is made as a soothsayer and a low rent healer. Also, mentally, she's 'off' quite a bit. If Isabeau's mom lives or works in the Blacklake neighborhood, she might know Aja as an odd (and slightly tragic) local, frequently seen speaking to the air, living on the fringes of society. I'm not saying they couldn't cross paths but it would be happenstance and not anything collegial like two oracles sharing their views.
It’s not a problem, I have other good spells to choose. It makes sense for the shadow specialist to have that one.
Mehji, bit of housekeeping... we both have Shadow Trap. I can swap that out for something else if you love how it fits your theme. Just give a holler when you have a chance.
Delighted to be invited to the party!
Starting HP appears to be max for your class.
The GM said he'd likely keep the recruitment open until Thursday or Friday so you have a bit of time to get an entrant in. Good luck!
I'll add... False Flag Operation Double-Bluff or Cannon Fodder :D
Aja is done with stats, backstory, and description. I'm happy to figure out additional tie-ins to folks as needed, if I make the cut. Thanks for considering her!
This stormraven with my WIP Aja... |