Wish that was an option, chaps, but my poor old brain can only take so much - it's liable to turn into a little steaming puddle if I keep the rate I've been going at. :)
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We stop him for good by figuring out whatever in the Hells these Razmirans are up to, and how to stop it, get those medallions back, Calia replies to Forest's musings, clutching the lantern with the flickering Everflame in her hand. But for now...we gather up the bodies of the fallen, we get back home, and we warn Kassen. We get everyone prepared, double watches, start making supplies and weapons. And... She glances at the ground, a trace of guilt in her eyes. ...someone's going to have to coordinate it, take charge. Someone who's fought these monsters before, who can work with people, who can help to keep morale up. You guys...might be figuring out the rest of this without me. You can handle yourselves, you don't need me...but home might.
Razmir, Calia calls out, still brandishing her long knife toward the body (can't be too careful). He's wearing a mask from the cult of Razmir - bloke who calls himself the "Living God", been gathering himself some followers up north...near Lake Encarthan. Pieces were beginning to fall into place...and Calia wasn't pleased. Looks like most of the ones who came died - this guy's been dead just as long as the guy near the lake, and the one with the frogs, and most of the zombies. But if any of them managed to get away with those medallions...and they have to have gotten away, or we'd have found the medallions by now...we're right f@$@ed. Because it sounds like Asar's not going to rest until we get those amulets back where they belong. Throwing her caution aside, she kneels and begins to go through the bags and pouches still attached to the ripe body. Maybe they're in here...
The speech had done nothing to allay Calia's nerves - her eyes are as wide as ever. So...so there's going to be more of these things rising? What if...what if they get to Kassen? What if...? Her voice trails off, her unspoken words thick in the stale air. Grabbing the lantern, she makes for the Everflame. Come on, guys - we've got we came for. The flame's here. Let's get it, get back, and get going preparing everyone - Only then does she notice the outline of the dead man on the floor. Setting the lantern aside, she draws her dagger, brandishing it before her as she approaches the still figure.
Oh, yeah, I was going to stick around long enough to wrap things up. It's a wrench to go, but I can do what I can do. Hope to game with y'all again sometime!
I won't grab anything from Kassen...because unfortunately I'm going to have to back out once Crypt of the Everflame concludes. I offered a long time ago to GM the next game for my IRL group, and a TPK today brought that moment to bear six or eight months sooner than I expected. That combined with some personal stuff is leaving me without the mental capacity for my current PbP game load, so I'm having to cut back. :( I don't want to keep that scaling dagger away from someone who'll be going on to use it, so whoever might find it useful is welcome to it. Sorry again! I wish I could go on, but my brain is just not going to handle it.
At the mention of Lake Encarthan, Calia's face goes white as a sheet. She knew the tales of the horrors there - she'd told the tales of the horrors there, to kids sitting in front of a flickering fire begging for a scare. But the stories couldn't all be true...could they?
Don't worry, Artie - we wouldn't leave you out of a fight for long, Calia responds with as much cheer as she can muster, offering her hand to help Artemis get up...or at least help him start to get up. Being so tiny had advantages...but there were drawbacks, too. I think Sariel might have been affected by Asar - he was acting weird, but Doreen says he'll get better if we take him to that fountain we saw before. At Forest's concerned call, Calia rises and approaches the sarcophagus cautiously. Is it...is it usually open like this? Laird, did anyone tell you whether the sarcophagus was supposed to be open? She continues to move forward, carefully avoiding the blue mist as she stretches to her tiptoes to peer into the casket. He looks fine...well, I mean, great, after all these years...but there's a broken chain around his neck - like, a jewelry chain. It looks like something got grabbed off it. Laird, does Asar have anything that looks like it could be part of a necklace? Well, I mean - what's left of Asar, anyway.
Artie! Rushing up the steps, Calia places a hand on Artie's shoulder, shaking him as she begins to murmur a Gnomish blessing in a panicked tone. Artie - you ok? Come on, we aren't out of here yet!
Calia gasps in horror as Asar's sword threatens to cleave Artemis in two - and her eyes go even wider as she sees Sariel turn on the good-hearted Laird, cutting a deep gash across his chest. It can't be...Sariel would never...it has to be this creep making him... She presses the attack with her short blade even harder, so focused on helping to take down the animated bones that she forgets even to smile, though her light-hearted comments continue to buoy her allies' spirits...at least for now.
Calia crows with triumph as the skeletal minions fall to pieces, and again as she sees Sariel charging forward, back to his old self...and then she realizes how unfortunate her mental turn of phrase really is. What could have done that in a day? He was out of it before, but not like that... Still, though, that concern could be dealt with later - for now, there were bigger problems, and dwelling on it would only distract everyone. Come on, lazybones pig boy! she calls out in a tone playing at exaggerated mockery as she flourishes her blade. What, showing up to claim the credit while we're doing all the work? Now, now, I know you know better than that - get in here!
You're right - that is an essential component.
Free action - it only takes a moment to fall in love with Forest. ;)
*casts Raise Dead Radioactive Monster*
Oblivious to everything but the undead monstrosities before her, Calia darts forward between friends and foes both, leaping and pirouetting between the sea of legs surrounding her, her patchwork cloak swirling and accentuating her every movement. Gracefully, she lands on her toes behind Asar, facing Artemis between the monster's legs and jabbing forward with her sword to try and create an opening for Woodruff. It's a little sad, isn't it, Artemis? He's come all the way back from the Boneyard to have another go at us, and he's still losing.
Calia's eyes go, somehow, even wider as she takes in the impressive tableau of the Crypt of the Everflame - and then her awe turns to shock as the figure steps out from behind the pillar. As the eerie glowing skeleton charges Artemis, the gnome girl cheers as her friend pulls up his shield to block the assault. Looks like you're gonna choke on this feast, a%%!&$~! Come on, guys - he couldn't beat Kassen the first time, and he's not gonna beat Kassen now!
Well, I don't think they're strictly animate this time - but look at the bridge. Pressure plates. Some sort of nasty surprise from those, I'd guess. I'll take a look - you guys keep back a bit, in case I flub it up. Calia graciously accepts Artemis's length of rope and knots it around her waist, then creeps forward and begins to work at the pressure plates, wedging tiny slivers of metal from Jenna's toolset into the cracks to try and disable their response.
Hooray - more statues, Calia mutters, thinking back on the shield that had come flying her way the day before. Carefully, she scans the stone villagers from afar, trying to find any sign that they, too, could be more than they seemed. She casts a critical eye over the ceiling as well - a cave-in would be big trouble here, and she racks her brain for any stories she's heard about how to prevent that fate.
But the accoutrements did hopefully mean one thing...that their search might be almost complete. If the fancy doors and statues are any indication, chances are pretty good the Everflame's behind them...and if whatever took Dimira was keeping her alive, I'd bet my buttons the Everflame's involved. I'll go ahead, scope things out a bit. I'm not sure about that ceiling, but if walking lightly's going to do anything to keep it from going wrong, I'm the one for the job.
Wait - hold up! Calia hisses softly, holding up her hand. Cross in just a sec...just let me do something real quick, see if I can give us a better shot. Withdrawing to just outside the corridor, she murmurs an incantation; soon the sling bullets in her hand begin to glow faintly. With another couple of incantations, a warmly lit human-like figure stands before her, and the sound of conversation, just too far away to be heard clearly, hovers somewhere in the air. One...two...three! Carefully, she lobs the warm bullets into the room; the glowing figure follows their path, and the disembodied sounds of speech and footprints move with it. Now go around the other way - quick!
Her distraction complete, Calia follows her own advice and scoots across the room, trying to keep her footfalls light.
Whew - that trip suddenly took off on me! Back now, though, and I'll get caught up. A good time was had. :)
By the way, I'm leaving this morning to visit family - I will have Internet and should still be able to post once a day, but if I go quiet at any point over the next few days, that's why.
"I only saw that which all men fear. Giant frogs. I hope the rest of you did not have to face them." All men perhaps - but it seems we smaller folk are made of sterner stuff when it comes to facing down the terror of the giant frog. Calia's words are weighty with obviously feigned haughtiness as she joins in Forest's jest; she knows everyone else had to see something much worse than a giant frog to shake them so, but she's got no intention of prying so deep. Be wary - next it'll be a killer bunny out for revenge! She gathers her hair in both hands to create imitation ears as she widens her eyes and bares her teeth, doing her best deranged bunny impression. Joining Artemis, she peers ahead, sending a light just into the room - and instantly she can tell something's amiss. I'm not sure what it is...but something's moving up there, she whispers under her breath, trying to keep her voice calm. Up on the roof - I don't know if you'll even be able to see it, and I'm afraid sending the light up further will call whatever it could be down on us. Everyone get something to hand that'll let you hit it from far off, then I'll send the light up. She punctuates her instructions by retrieving her own sling from her sash, pulling out a bullet and seating it in the leather pouch.
It...it looked real to me too, Laird. Trying to shake off the jitters, Calia reaches her hand into the water, swirling it around and murmuring. The water surrounding her hand begins to roil with an oily sheen; within moments, the stain begins to spread over the water's surface, blurring and concealing the scowls and sneers even further. Maybe it wasn't this time...but who [i]knows what they're saying when I'm not looking?[/i]
Moving over to the other pool, she kneels next to Doreen and repeats the process of dirtying the water and concealing the scene playing on its surface, then rises, looking at the still-kneeling Doreen. What did she see, I wonder.... It can't have been everyone talking about her behind her back...that's her everyday reality, and it's my fault...my fault.... Maybe that illusion was right...maybe they were better off without me... Shaking her head, her hand hovers over Doreen's shoulder for a moment, ready to try and share some comfort...but then Calia pulls her hand away, checking the blade at her hip and turning to the huntsman. You ok, Forest? Following Artemis to the door, she takes a look as well, examining it for any signs of anything amiss.
Yesterday it was a fire knocking out the Internet, today it's a thunderstorm threatening to knock out the power. XD Ah, this place in summertime. Post'll be up soon assuming the power holds out; if not now, it'll be a few hours from now when I was going to be skipping town anyway. ;)
Doreen's scream wrenches Calia back to reality. Whatever that was, it certainly wasn't the disgust her reflection had shown. Looking back up, she realizes that only Artemis and Woodruff look back - the rest of the eyes in the room are locked on the pool's surface. An illusion...it's some kind of illusion! Forest! Laird! Doreen! Whatever you're seeing, it's not real! Artie, Woodruff, help them - I don't know, shake them or something!
Calia examines the ruined etchings...and in the corner of her eye sees the party's reflection in the water. Doreen's sneer catches her gaze first - typical. But then she realizes...it's not just Doreen this time. Forest's easygoing smile is twisted into a glare. Laird leans over to talk to Woodruff, and the disgust in the eyes of man and angel both threatens to bowl her over. And Artemis...Artie...stares with open hostility, even anger... Troublemaker...good-for-nothing...Kassen was without you... No...no...no! Calia screeches, looking up to confront her "friends" and their sudden revulsion. But she looks up to see, not disgust or loathing, but fear on every face, and all of them look not at her, but at the pool's still surface...
Sorry, came down with food poisoning yesterday. Left work early, slept for eighteen hours, woke up again just in time to come back to work and play catch-up. I'll get posted by late morning.
...Ranger's Lament? Calia wonders aloud, digging through the contents of the pack (and attempting to avoid getting too much of the stinking black mold covering the fruit in the backpack on her hands). Well, if they're looking to meet up there, they sure weren't locals - and I'd bet crowns to cakes that guy Jenna found out by the lake was one of them, too. Same style of clothes, and the coins look to be minted the same place, too. Adventurers or something, maybe, headed to wherever this "Ranger's Lament" place is, and thought the Crypt looked like a likely place to find some treasure. The idea of random explorers breaking into the Crypt of the Everflame clearly annoys Calia, but she moves on. But it looks like they got more than they bargained for out of it - poor sods. Standing up from the recess, she peers into the next room - and sees only vague hints at a pool, a porticullis, an open chamber containing them. Well, those chains look familiar - it looks like this is what we fought our way through swimming skeletons to open up. Seems a shame to let it sit after all that work - anyone want a better look? She conjures her small motes of light and waits for a nod before sending them to flit about the room ahead.
Calia cheers in triumph...but the shouts of victory quickly morph into almost-comical moans of abject disgust as the zombie's ichor washes over her. Eeeurrgh! But she keeps her head enough to realize she's in a bit of a pickle - a zombie bearing down on her, a tiny, not-terribly-threatening sword in her hand, and no one arriving quickly to aid in bringing down the monster. So once again, she tucks her head down and ducks past the zombie blocking her path, cheering again when she arrives at the other side brandishing her sword. Woodruff, over here! Give me a hand!
Surrounded on both sides, Calia knew her job - to keep everyone else fighting. Too slow! she taunts as the zombie's claws sweep past her, and she lashes out with her sword to aid Woodruff in fighting the creature between them.
At the sight of the bloated flesh and the stench permeating the corridors, Calia gasps - and just as quickly throws a smile onto her face. It seems they are looking for a tango, then! Well, then, be a shame to turn down a good dance together - we'd be just like Emmy Bates at the Archer's Day festival, huh, Artemis? Winking good-naturedly and bouncing on the balls of her feet, she draws her sword, its blade flashing in her floating lights - then rushes forward, tumbling between the zombie's legs and brandishing her weapon from behind its back. But as she disappears behind the shelf, it's clear her eyes are on the floor, the walls, the zombie's feet...anything but the face she's hoping isn't a familiar one.
Hsst...hold up! Calia whispers fiercely, swinging her knife out to block the others while she directs her dancing light with her shield hand. There's something up there...something moving. There's shadows, footsteps, breathing.... Do we try and get past whatever it is or go and see if they want to dance?
Taking up her place in the center of the group, Calia still shudders a bit from the sheer energy and liveliness of the drink she'd had...but the others were right, she knew. Her own drink had been merely to test and make sure the water wasn't dangerous - it wouldn't do to waste it, if it was limited somehow in quantity or power. I only hope we can stop whatever's happening before that fountain gets corrupted somehow...it's amazing it's still so pure as it is, with what's happened to the rest of this place. You're right, Forest. If Sariel and Roldare aren't better when we root out what's happened here, we'll bring them to that fountain to drink. I can't see how it wouldn't help them, at least some.
Do drink, please, Calia responds, staring wide-eyed at the fountain. I feel...better than I've ever felt.
Talking with Proudsnout:
*Savior of the...?* Calia could make little of the pig's strange comments...but one thing was abundantly clear. Something was wrong with Sariel, and Proudsnout knew it too; maybe the pig was right that defeating the evil suffusing the Crypt would solve the problem and maybe he wasn't, but it seemed as good a plan as any. *Well, don't worry, bud. We'll do what we can.* As the enchantment wears off, she offers the pig some of the remnants of her breakfast, sitting close as he plops beside her until her watch is done. Approaching the fountain with reverence, Calia peers into the fountain, marveling at the small pool's clarity. There was a calm to this room, like no other room in this place...it was the most inviting thing she'd seen since leaving Kassen. Maybe the most inviting thing she'd ever seen. But what if it's a trick? Well, only one way to find out. Conjuring a small, rough cup, its dull grey material out of place against the shine of the silver fountain, she scoops up some of the water and raises it high in a toast. To coming of age, then, she pipes in a high, slightly nervous tone, tipping her cup back and drinking deep.
Talking with Proudsnout:
*It happened when he...when he almost died, didn't it? I knew something was funny about him, and he's been out of sorts all day...* Calia suddenly eyes the pig with slight suspicion. *Wait...his destiny? What destiny? And what do you mean he can't hear you? ...You're not just his pet, are you? There's something...different about you two.* We will be careful, Sariel...you two stay careful too. Couldn't think of any better gents to hold the fort. Calia reaches up to pat the farm boy's forearm hanging at his side. Mind keeping watch of my stuff? There's some coffee still in the pot if you want some, and more trail rations in my bag's side pockets if you guys need them, too. You can even use my blanket if you want. She finishes with a smile barely concealing her concern and turns to the others. Ok, once more into the breach, she begins with the same concerned smile, sighing slightly. There were two ways we haven't gone yet from that first room, south and west. My vote's to go around in a circle - go round the bend in that south hallway, see what's past it. Setting her bag against the wall, she checks her sash, pats the long knife at her side, and moves toward the door. Come on - we're burning daylight! If it's even daytime...
Calia had risen early at a touch on her shoulder; as everyone else slept, she settled in for the watch. Conjuring a crude cup, she withdrew her coffee pot from her bag and filled it, setting a hand on its side and murmuring a chant as the water began to steam within. I love magic, she thought with a smile as she sipped at the magically heated brew, occasionally turning to switch her view between the doors. As she brews the coffee, Proudsnout begins to tuck in next to her, huddling against her side and nudging her arm with his snout. What is it, bud? she whispers softly, patting his bristly head. You're usually stuck to Sariel like glue... And then she remembers the strange look in Sariel's eyes after the skeleton attacks yesterday, and glances over to see the young farmhand tossing and turning in his bedroll. Is he just picking up on the rest of our stress, especially Sariel's...or is something different? Something that only Proudsnout can recognize? And at the thought, another memory from their time in the crypt surfaces - the giant frogs she had somehow, inexplicably, talked out of their room and up to the surface. Maybe it'll work one more time... She gives a couple of test snorts, then looks Proudsnout in the eyes. *Ok, bud, maybe you know...is something...wrong with Sariel? Your friend?* At least, that's the words that go through her mind; what comes out is nothing but a series of grunts and snuffles.
I've got some food too, if anyone needs it...dried beef, dried vegetables, some crackers... Pulling out her clay mug, she fills it with water, then crumbles a few handfuls of her trail rations into it. With a look of concentration, she mutters a few words of Gnomish and stares at the cup with deep concentration...and after several moments, the water inside begins to bubble and steam, turning the dried contents into a thick stew. If anyone else wants something hot, let me know. After her mug is emptied, she magically cleans it, then spreads her bedroll and blanket out and snuggles down into them. Wake me for the last watch, she mumbles; within seconds she's asleep, clearly more tired than she'd been willing to admit.
Real sorry for posting sluggishness the last couple of days, everyone - I had some work stuff, some personal stuff, and some weird medical stuff all converge over the last couple of days, and I'm as unhappy about it as you. ;) I'll be posted by morning. I'm hoping the unpleasantness is done, but if I miss a post the next few days, that's why. I'm still excited about the game - sorry a CR12 Real Life Circumstance reared its ugly head!
We found Roldare in one of the rooms upstairs - he was one of the ones that came along with you, right? He'd gotten shaken up pretty bad, but he was in a safe enough spot. Only one door to watch, and enough room for all of us if we squeeze tight. And...I think Roldare could use the company. Calia glances back toward the stairs almost guiltily. If we have to fight back through the skeletons, we have to fight back through them...it can't be helped. She helps Forest to put Jenna's magnificent bow away - and then notices the quiver that Jenna had left behind, and the strange arrows sticking out from it. Uh...Forest? Is there a reason you weren't using these to fight those skeletons? She pulls out an arrow with its tip missing, the shaft instead rounded off smooth. I mean, you aren't exactly going to get an arrow point to stick in bone...we've noticed that smashing them does way better. Like Woodruff's fists, or Artie's big club.
Back at ya, bud, Calia responds with a smile to Laird's kind words. Mind giving me another hand up? Swimming's fun and all, but I wasn't exactly born with fins. She glances at the angel's head, bumping up against the low ceiling of the cavern. But it can wait until you've got a little more overhead clearance, she finishes with a wink. Sense Motive DC13:
As she waits for Woodruff to haul her back up to his shoulders, Calia shoots a glare toward Doreen, half-expecting and half-daring her to make a nasty comment about the angel's kind words.
Calia watches as the angel turns the huge wheel...and is a little disappointed when nothing happens in here, although the sound that echoes through the corridors is promising. Splashing and half-swimming through the water, she rejoins the others. Well, I guess we'll find out what that did...we should go back to that round room, check out some of the other hallways leading from it. Although...I don't know if I've got much magic left in me, except for the lights and other simple stuff. I don't know if I'm going to be able to mend anyone else if they get hurt. Maybe it'd be a good idea to go back and check on Roldare, rest up for a while? I hate to leave Dimira, though...
I managed it once earlier, but I don't know if I've got it in me again, Calia replies to Laird's worried inquiry, looking over Woodruff worriedly as he begins to crank at the wheel. Let me try... She sets a hand on Woodruff's hip as he works, willing another rush of healing energy into him...and she's rewarded with a brief burst of light between her hand and the angel, though from its small effect, it seems the day's labors are taking their toll.
Surrounded by skeletons, Calia decides that there's a good many places better to be than next to the wheel at the moment. Like perhaps...there, she thinks with a smile. And like a flash, she's off - deftly, she pirouettes past the skeleton, ducking away from the bony claws, her sodden patchwork cloak fluttering behind her as she dodges and spins. Finally, she ends up opposite Woodruff, brandishing her long knife and shouting in triumph at her success. Didn't anyone ever teach you to dance?
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