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Hi all, I am finding myself increasingly busy with work and other responsibilities, so I need to cut back on my activities here on the boards. I am going to withdraw from this game, at least for the time being. If the situation changes enough for me I will be sure to reach out to ShadowBloodmoon via PM. Until then, good luck in your ongoing adventures! ShadowBloodmoon, if you can go ahead and mark me inactive for the campaign I would appreciate it.
With a flick of her hand, Aurica wills the closest goblin dog to fall into a deep slumber.
Aurica looks askance at Zarque's philosophical statement about the innocence of pets. "Those are goblin dogs. They are disease-ridden pests that ought to be exterminated so as to protect the health of good folk everywhere. As for making them fall asleep, I can do so, but it lasts mere seconds. Though long enough to strike a clean killing blow, it certainly doesn't last hours--and I can only target one at a time."
"If we can do it without drawing attention from elsewhere...it would be nice to know these won't be coming up from behind us," Aurica replies. She looks to the others. "Shall we?"
"I'll follow your lead," Aurica replies to Milah.
As they had approached the tunnel entrance the previous evening, Aurica stopped the emanation of her aura so as not to draw attention to their position because of the light. She tried to remain mindful of such concerns, and so she left it off for the rest of the night. After Shalelu finishes her discussion of the tunnels, Aurica sits down on the ground by herself and pulls out her harrow deck. Looking up at the few stars she can see through the Nettlewood's canopy, she prays quietly, "Desna, guide us," and then begins working through a harrow reading.
The soft glow of Aurica's star aura has accompanied them throughout their trek , aiding the group's level of alertness. When they come to a stop, Aurica replies to Shalelu, "I agree with Milah--I'd rather come upon the goblins' home in the day."
"I'm afraid I won't be of much use in that regard. I've never had an eye for small signs of a creature's passing like I have for the cards," she says, referring to her practice as a harrower.
Once they have all left Tsuto's presence, Aurica speaks. "We know now that Erylium and Nualia have a relationship of some kind. Perhaps it was Nualia who bargained with the Sczarni for Erylium's release. I don't know what to make of it that we heard this name "Malfeshnekor" in the catacombs and that name belongs to a monster that Nualia seeks to release....could the monster be nearby, underground? If so, why is Nualia excavating Thistletop?"
Aurica looks knowingly at Milah. "Malfeshnekor" is the name they heard in that strange section of the catacombs... "What do you know of Erylium?" she asks Tsuto.
"Seeing her in Tsuto's journal was the first I have ever heard of this Nualia. His writings indicated that she was undergoing some kind of demonic transformation. I'm not sure if that makes her more or less dangerous than an actual demon like Erylium... But have either of you ever heard that name, Nualia?"
"Agreed. Lead the way, Zarque."
"Yes, and I learned that Vhiski made an offer to the missing guard that he couldn't refuse, and that's why the guard and the demon are missing. Apparently some buyer contacted the Sczarni offering a lot of cash to get access to the demon."
Having been just about to start discussing her findings with Milah, Aurica pauses until the tall man finishes introducing himself and makes his purpose known. "My name is Aurica Movici, and this is Milah Ashkenazi."
To the tall Shoanti man, Aurica replies, "Yes, in fact--although it certainly isn't a name we chose for ourselves. Please, sit with us," she finishes with a smile.
I'm cool with all 3! They could probably use a quick introduction to the rules we're using--the 3d6 instead of d20, converting things like AC from a score to a modifier, and the recharge stuff.
We never should have left that demon alive, Aurica thinks to herself. What havoc will she cause now? Moving over to Milah after listening to the old man's tale for a short while, Aurica says, "It seems like Erylium and this guard have disappeared without a trace. They could be anywhere. Unless we can find a way to track their movement starting from the jail, I don't know how we'll ever find them. We could go back down into the catacombs, of course--she might have wanted to return to her own lair."
"Yeah, let's head over there once we've washed up a bit."
"You're saying one of the town guard is missing, as well? This can't be good. Have you spoken to his family to see if they know his whereabouts?"
"What?! How did Erylium escape? We had her tightly bound," Aurica says in disbelief. "Well...I obviously need a bath. We should visit Mayor Deverin soon, though."
Aurica nods in agreement."We'll have a lot to tell Sheriff Hemlock about when he returns from Magnimar..."
"Do you hear me, Malfeshnikor? Speak, then."
Confused, Aurica looks at the rod, the cup, the book, the scroll, the dead bird, and the lightning running along the walls again. "Who is listening?" she calls out in a loud, clear voice. "Show yourself!" In frustration, she tries to get SOMETHING to happen, and makes a forceful gesture with the rod in her hand.
Aurica reaches for the iron rod and places her right hand upon it, wrapping her fingers around to grip it. With her left hand she lifts up the bottle of red alcohol and, having sniffed it at the rim, lifts it up to get a small taste.
Aurica is awed by what she sees. She slowly walks forward into the room to get a closer look at the floating objects.
Aurica nods in agreement.
"Who is listening?" Aurica whispers. She approaches the iron door. "Perhaps an answer lies beyond here."
Aurica begins cautiously moving south down the hallway, allowing Milah to lead the way.
Aurica lays a hand on Zev's shoulder. "There's no need to risk injury, Zev. Shoot it with your bow from up here until it is dead." Once that unpleasant business is done, Aurica opens the door to the east to proceed.
Aurica looks at Milah and at Zev as if to say, Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
"Korvus, isn't it?" Aurica calls out in a commanding voice. "What have you been doing all this time? Erylium demanded your assistance earlier, did you not hear her? Her enemies have gone away with her, now, because of your failure to respond!"
"Do you think the creatures we have been destroying are related to the experiments these poor souls underwent?"
"Three arms...and no neck. This is strange, indeed," Aurica says to Milah. Let's check the other rooms. Aurica opens the center stone door and then the one on the right after she is done looking in the center room.
Aurica approaches the door on the left. She opens it if there's an obvious way to do so, or looks and feels around for a handle/button/mechanism.
Not wanting to linger long in this place of torture, Aurica moves quickly to the room to the south to look through the papers.
Their enemies defeated, Aurica takes time to walk the perimeter of the room, inspecting the various cages for items besides debris and detritus, as well as signs of what creatures have been held in the prison cells. If there is nothing of note, she proceeds along the wooden walkway into the corridor to the east.
Aurica looks around, eyes peeled for signs of another creature here.
Aurica moves into the room but maintains her distance from the enemies. She changes her aura from Star to Moon (everyone gets that refreshing 2 temp hp!) and casts Greater Serendipity (-1 on their attacks, saves, skill checks, +1 on ours) . "Take heart, Milah! Fate is on your side!"
Aurica dumps the unconscious wren unceremoniously in her pack as they approach the door. She nods at Milah. "Ready when you are."
"Why don't you tell us what's so special about your pet bird?"
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