Daphne the Beekeeper's page

I'm sorry to say it, but I'm going to have to bow out of this game due to time constraints. I appreciated getting the chance to play, and it's been a pleasure roleplaying with all of you! I'm just a lot busier now, and time constraints don't allow me to keep up with things the way I'd like.

For ways to write Daphne out, retconning so that Daphne stayed at the island with the king might work. So might her going to help negotiate with potential allies/enemies, splitting off from the main group to do so. She could also be killed off, potentially, if it suits the narrative.

I apologize for the suddenness, and I truly hope you'll be able to find a replacement or press on another player short. Best of luck to everyone!

Daphne purses her lips. "Well. Yeah, okay. Let's go meet 'the boss'."

Daphne's solid rosy eyes glitter in the sunlight. "Why's everything so quiet around here? Where is everyone?"

Daphne stays very far from the sides of the chariot during the ride, doing her best to keep herself occupied. By the time the party lands, she's downright jumpy, and the empty streets don't help this.

"I haven't, um, been to Athens in a long time," she says quietly, "but you know what really sticks in my head about it? The noise."

Daphne arrives on the scene, and her widen. "Oh my gosh. Well, that's... one way to travel, I guess." She shifts in place. "A very high-up way to travel. Fun. Great job, Kyro."

Daphne's antennae prick up. "Wait, that's a good point. How did they get off this island? Maybe we can take the same way off."

Obviously, if I'm forgetting something obvious that we've already learned, you can ignore this.

Daphne regards Kyronai for a moment. "Yeah. I mean, I think you're right about that." She crouches over where Apollo's body dissolved into light, touching the cold stone. "The threat of the Prometheans is that nothing they say is wrong. They just... they don't have any better ideas. They don't realize that some of the gods would rather bring the sun crashing down to Earth than let the Earth spin free without them." She rises, wiping an eye. "And the gods who wouldn't never do anything to stop the ones that would. That's the problem. So what do we do now?"

Daphne stumbles away reflexively from Kyronai as his transformation begins, then, eyes widening with concern, rushes over. "Kyro, are you okay? Oh my gosh, what--was that what I, um--what I think it was?"

Daphne's heart races as she realizes her reflexive retreat left Kyronai exposed, and she cringes as Apollo's brutal strikes narrowly miss their target. It's been a while since she's fought with allies like this.

It does! Thank you.

Does Apollo have reach, or is his position inaccurate? I don't get my Implement's Interruption anyways (already used my reaction on the Ready), but it's a good thing to know for future rounds.

Daphne takes a sip from her honeycomb to bolster herself against the searing heat.

1A: Sip From the Chalice, gaining 7 temporary hit points.
2A: Ready An Action: Stride to the square south of Kyronai the second she's no longer grappled.

Oh, my bad! I'm a little confused on the Initiative order at the moment. Since Bastya is already adjacent to the guy, I don't want to give her a Stride anymore, so I'll change my turn to:

1A: Share Vulnerability
2A: To Battle! Give Bastya a Strike as a reaction.

Does Bastya use the Reaction Daphne gave her?

Alright, so Bastya's Strikes will all count as cold damage.

Daphne thrashes in the flames, but she's no athlete, and she isn't going anywhere. "F-Funny," she manages, "I always figured the god Apollo would shine bright enough on his own. But your glow's a little sickly today, isn't it?" She manages to twist her head to face Bastya. "Bast, Alex, strike for his wings!"

1A: Insult Apollo's aura. Assuming that suffices, Mental Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 3, 2, 1) = 15
1A: To Battle! Give Bastya a free Stride, if she spends her Reaction.
1A: To Battle! Give Alexander a free Stride, if he spends his Reaction.

Might be good to try for a flank!

Daphne learns Apollo's highest weakness (if any). She can have all of her attacks either trigger that weakness as if they counted or target his personal antithesis (effectively an inflicted Weakness 7 against her attacks). Assuming he has a weakness, she then shares this with Bastya, allowing all of Bastya's Strikes to also count as applying the weakness (she can't do this if she's just stuck with the personal antithesis, so in that case she'll stick to the Chalice action).

Daphne whirls on Alexander, exasperation briefly appearing to win out over her fear. "What in the world have we done to antagonize him?"

Exploit Vulnerability on Apollo: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29

I'll write flavor-text when I know her results--if successful, she'll Share Weakness with Bastya so Bastya's attacks gain the same vulnerability. Otherwise, she'll give Bastya a Sip from the Chalice (the honeycomb), which grants Bastya 7 temporary hit points until the end of my next turn.

1A: Exploit Vulnerability.
1A: Share Weakness with Bastya OR administer a Sip from the Chalice to Bastya.
1A: Step away.

By the way, I didn't really have time to move this turn, but this is a no-save ability that's doing (if it's at-will) epic-level damage, and I worry that all he has to do is Step to get into position to do it again. I know it sucks for Bastya's build, unfortunately--and mine, really--but we should probably not be clustering in this fight. I guess we'll find out if that's a limited-use effect, though.

Exploit Vulnerability on Apollo: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26
Battle Medicine on Kyronai (DC 30): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 20 = 22 Normal failure.
Drain the Chalice on Kyronai to heal him 30 hit points.

Daphne tries to recall what she knows about the god's weaknesses, but the beating of her own heart almost drowns out her own thoughts. She fumbles for the balm for Kyronai's burns, but wastes precious seconds before retrieving her honeycomb. She hurriedly dabs it across the worst-burned areas, and it glows with celestial light as the burns fade into faint scars.

Daphne's smile is as taut as a fiddle string. "Yeah, of--of course. Places to be."

"Sorry, Bast." Daphne smiles sympathetically. "Maybe some other time." She shrugs at Kyronai. "I'm afraid it's... just me. I had to go out of my way to find them when I joined, and this is the first time I've seen one of them even set foot on the island."

Daphne is quiet for a moment. "Well, then, now what? I mean, we're on an island. Are we just gonna wait in the middle of a populated..." She looks over at Bastya and seems to notice the artificer's wonder. She smiles slightly, then turns back to Kyronai and King Alexander. "I don't like staying this close to shore. Not around so many people. Maybe we should pick up supplies, then find somewhere remote to wait it out. Do any of you have any other ideas?"

Daphne's eyes narrow. "She did, huh? Did she give any details?"

"Well, the sooner we're off the island, the better, I guess." Daphne looks at Kyronai. "Is there a ship waiting for us?"

Daphne looks at Kyronai askance, but says nothing.

A glint of hope can be seen forming in her eye as she continues "But if, as you say, Zeus truly wishes to guide and protect that would be a fight I could join him in." She says with a smile starting to form. She then turns to Daphne and places a hand on her shoulder "And any guide that's worth the salt on their hull wouldn't forsake a friend because they were misled. I believe that he will let Kyronai be your example and your guarantor."

Daphne's lips tighten, but she nods. "Thanks, Bast."

Later:

Daphne dips her head in greeting to King Alexander. "Hey, Your Majesty. It's been a minute, huh?"

Earlier:

Bástya chuckles lightly at their predicament a spark of longing in her eye "Ah, three dead men play cards well Hel comes looking for them?" she asks jokingly keeping her freindly lilting tone the whole time "Or Hades I suppose, can't help it ye remind me of home." she adds before shuffling the deck and offering "Either of ya heard of Skat?"

"It rings a bell!" Daphne smiles weakly. "Anyways, I'd love if you taught me. We might be here for a while."

Now:
Daphne nods reluctantly as Kyronai breaches the subject they've been avoiding for several hours. "Yeah, I-I guess we'd better get moving. If she's still looking, she'll find us sooner or later, and if she's not, we should be okay getting to Olympus."

She rises and stretches. Her wings and antennae dissolve into golden light, and her form draws itself a little thinner, as she returns to her elven form. "Thanks, Kyro. I appreciate it. I really do." She turns to Bastya. "So, I guess you should know, just so you're not... out of the loop. When I get back to Olympus, they're probably gonna, uh, lock me up."

A sheepish laugh escapes her. She rubs the back of her neck. "I mean, gosh, I sure hope I'm still worth locking up."

Daphne smiles sheepishly. "Honestly, I just thought it'd be nice to... find a way to pass the time."

"I-I guess it's up to us, then. One way or another." Daphne gives a brittle laugh. "Anyone got cards?"

I've already got one, so go nuts! X3

I also already have the lover's gloves and I'm not trained in Athletics. I could maybe use the bastard sword, though it's not Daphne's style--I'd rather strip away its +2 potency rune and striking rune for my sling and staff. That's up to Bastya, though.

As the group settles into the old shelter, Daphne shifts back into her elven form. Still, one could almost see her wings buzzing with nerves behind her back. Desperate for something to do, she does her best to tidy up the interior.

"I could get off a message," she says, fidgeting. "If you know anyone who can help, I can send a written message. But it will take time. So, um...do you think Zeus would protect you, if he knew what was happening here?"

Oh, yeah, then I won't Cover Tracks. 29's a lot better. :P

I think you're the only one who even could have summons, since we lost Aika. The creek shouldn't have us leaving many tracks ("tracks left on surfaces that can't hold prints like bare rock" are a Master-level tracking challenge), so I need to know the base DC before I decide whether to Cover Tracks.

If Kyronai doesn't want to have taken the dagger, Daphne can. She's peaceful, but practical.

We're using the creek bed to avoid leaving obvious tracks, and leaving the doors locked so Nemesis will have to make sure we aren't inside first. Other than that, Daphne doesn't have a lot of utility for this situation. She could conjure up an animal messenger to maybe leave a false trail, but a housecat-sized honeybee probably wouldn't do much. I don't have any tools that can help us go faster.

I could use Cover Tracks, but that would have us at half speed. Can Daphne gauge what the DC would be to track us across the creek bed?

Oh, Daphne will also use Battle Medicine on herself as the party goes.
Battle Medicine (DC 20): 10 + 16 = 26
Healed for: 2d8 + 15 ⇒ (2, 3) + 15 = 20

Daphne looks to Bastya. "I'm so sorry you got caught up in all this. It wasn't--"

Her voice catches, and she goes silent. After making sure Bastya is in agreement with the plan, Daphne grabs a few accouterments--it seems she'd already begun to pack when they first got here--and leads the trio to the creek bed. They race into the forest, where she seeks out one of the old shelters she's encountered over the years. Failing that, an adequately dense thicket might do.

Daphne looks over her cottage, chewing her lower lip.

"I say we run. We can walk in the creek bed to keep from leaving tracks, and the woods will keep her from finding us easily. Then we can..." Her eyes drift over the bodies of Orpheus and Theseus, their blood staining the grass and flowers they fall upon. "...decide what to do next tonight."

Daphne's vote is to flee.

Clutching her slashed shoulder with a cry of pain, Daphne backs away. She drops a stone in her sling and begins to twirl it around, her eyes fixed on Nemesis. Her wings are beating fast enough to produce a low buzz.

"You think Zeus is a fool?" The sling begins to emit a low whistle, harmonizing with her buzzing wings. "Now you're talking like a rebel."

1A: Stride away.
1A: Interact to load sling.
1A: Intensify Vulnerability (Weapon).

❤️

"No matter. I am not the goddess of discussion. Even without my immortality, I am more than capable of slaying the likes of you." Nemesis steps forward and slashes at Daphne.

Daphne bites her inner cheek hard enough to bleed as the blade sears her flesh. She licks hurriedly from the honeycomb, soothing the instantly-cauterized slash across her stomach, and manages only a few words.

"Go home, Nemmie." She reaches down and snaps off a strand of white sweetpeas, then leans down and tucks them into Bástya's hair under the helmet. Bastya feels a gentle, guiding presence beside her, almost like a helpful second shadow. "Don't make them send you there."

1A: Giving Bástya the benefits of Share Weakness. All Bastya's Strikes will be treated as if Nemesis has Weakness 6 to them.
1A: Sipping from the Chalice to gain 11 temporary HP.
1A: Bon Mot on Nemesis.

Bon Mot: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (15) + 22 = 37

To clarify, Drain Chalice heals me for 50 HP, but I can't do it again for 10 minutes. I can still let people Sip from it, though!

That first attack crits, so Daphne takes 77 damage.

Daphne stares blankly as Theseus and Orpheus fall. She stares at them for a long moment, and then her gaze slowly travels down to the sword embedded in her gut.

She looks up at Nemesis. "Yeah? And what then, Nemmie?"

At point blank, she swings her sling around and hurls one of the dark river stones at Nemesis's head.

Sling: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25 Sling (Hero Point): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21

As the goddess ducks back reflexively, Daphne twists away and darts back, raising to her mouth that piece of honeycomb she retrieved from the jar. As she tastes the honey, it trickles from her hand with a soft, muted glow as if the sun is shining through it, and the cauterized wound all-but fades away.

"Aikaterine, too?" she asks hoarsely. "She's one of you. Just like Theseus. How many more family you gonna bury today, sweetie?"

1A: Strike
1A: Step
1A: Drain Chalice

I think it makes sense. At this point, from Kyronai's and Aikaterine's and maybe Bastya's perspectives, Nemesis is a somewhat problematic ally, while Orpheus and Theseus are objectively enemies you've captured and don't want to escape. Daphne isn't exactly on great terms with them, either.

In that case, she just says "I was interrupted."

Good to know!

Daphne looks at Bastya, then at Theseus and Orpheus, long and hard.

"I wasn't 'reticent'," she says, going to lean against the bee boxes. "Those two interrupted me. My role in the Prometheans was mainly about what I knew. And, um, who I knew. When it started, we were working within the system. Passing out flyers, talking to victims. It was only as it sank in how... hostile to reform the regime would be that stones started getting thrown. But I didn't--I didn't kill anyone." She holds up a sling stone. "My sling won't draw living blood. It just saps the drive to fight. Besides that, I just helped as a healer.

She takes a deep breath. "I left around the time that doctor entered the picture." Her eyes narrow. "He wasn't exactly why I left, but gosh, he sure made a hard decision easy."

Daphne meets Nemesis's gaze for a few seconds longer, then ducks her head. "Give your agents some credit. You lot didn't even tell them who I was, and they still tracked me down. They were questioning me when we were interrupted. Can you blame them for wanting to drain the last honey from the comb before melting it down?"

If Aikaterine or Kyronai want to roll Diplomacy, Daphne will Aid.

Daphne looks at Aikaterine as the goddess speaks up for her, startled. She looks back at Nemesis and slow-blinks.

"They're really very good barley cakes," is all she says, but her voice is quieter now.

Nemesis has come here to kill her. If Aikaterine is going to advocate for Daphne to not be killed... well, she'll give the goddesses a chance to decide amongst one another. But she's not going to lay down and die for anyone. Not here. Not for a god.

Daphne slowly blinks. "Yeah, you know what? You're right. You should have been sent here a long time ago. And gosh, I'm impressed you have the nerve to show your face here now. You dare set foot on the flowers I grew for her?"

She takes a step closer. "You're the goddess of justice, Nemmie. The goddess of vengeance. The keeper of balanced accounts. But where were you then?" Her mouth draws a thin line, and her voice turns as cold as ice water. "You know, I can't think of anything sadder than bragging about being nothing but a weapon. Being proud of being some old man's bloody, brittle, breakable sword. You're supposed to keep the balance? To enforce justice? If that's what you're here for, then we have a lot to talk about. I can brew us all some tea. There are barley cakes; I think I did a really good job on them, honestly.

"But if it's not, then you really are just a sword and nothing more, and you can get off my d-damn property."

Bastya finds: Another chair!

The others see Daphne taking a step back, eyes wide. For a moment, her bottom lip quivers, struggling to get the words out.

"Funny," she manages. "You sound a lot like Zeus."

It's hard to spot with the sling in motion, but little scraps of fluff have started spilling from within with every twirl. They look like... swan down.

She flicks her head towards the cottage, not seeing Kyronai crouched behind the rosebushes. "Anyways, your agents are already here to take me away, Nemesis. You're r-redundant."