I'm so sorry Melfoil! I'm sure you're a great doctor. Really!
Diana frowns at Justin's declaration. "Very strange" she mutters. "She, she must've been here." She runs a thin hand through her hair, ragged with sweat. She takes a deep breath. "T-that couldn't have failed." She sighs, and wraps her arms around herself, a death grip on the knife. "I'm cold." After the adrenaline hit runs out, the earlier divination is again preying on her.
She turns in surprise at Dannigad's arrival, although she doesn't recognize him. The police? Fear covers her face, as unpleasant memories flood her mind, weeks of hiding and waiting. Weeks apparently interrupted by one of her current companions... Diana smacks a hand into the side of her head to clear it and tries to focus. "Foolish. Distracted. Shape up." She mutters, as though she's merely thinking and completely unaware others can hear her. Shaking her head with such vigour that her hair dances everywhere, she pauses for just long enough for the elf to capture everyone's attention.
Previously, she'd ignored him, completely missing his hurt expression at her words. But now, his disgusting toad and strange antics demand her attention. A whisper just loud enough for Leon, she hisses. "Thrice damn" and raises an eyebrow. At Melfoil's wink, she snorts, and then throws the knife at the ground. She tries for point first, but instead it clatters to the ground sideways, and she flinches from the rattle. "Uh, well, yes. Foul and evil magic." She raises her chin slightly, and her nerves are only betrayed by her shaking hands. "I-it's bonded to the monster which assaulted this woman. Perhaps another mage could confirm that? If our i-innocence is in q-question" Suddenly she pauses. "Wait..." She trails off. If it connects to him..."Maybe if-" Again, she trails off, and then grins baring many sharp teeth. Then we can track that. Confidently, Diana declares "I can find him."
The explanation about magic holds her interest. The policeman won't arrest them, and is thus beyond her concern. The bigger picture consumes her mind and preys on Diana's conscious thoughts, and such a picture is only concerned with this new form of magic. Souls are precious scarce things, and to harm one is unthinkable. But on the other hand, knowing such magic would require a truly in depth understanding of the soul. Such a knowledge would be an incredible tool "Truly a crime." She mutters, her face contorted with conflicting emotions. Not to harm others, but for the knowledge. Reverently, she bends to pick her dropped dagger. "And this tool could be used for such an abomination?" She turns to Melfoil. "Why would he leave it behind?"
I could try divining for the knife's owner tomorrow when the ability recharges.
"Right. Yes, right. Okay." Calmed by Leon's demeanour, Diana takes a big shuddery breath and some of the tension leaves her shoulders. Brushing her hair out of her eyes again, she takes in Leon's huge muscular form as it leans over her. Again, she thinks how lucky she is to be mostly on his side. She bares her teeth, and prepares to demonstrate to his request. "Righty then. Fear is the order of the day!" She glances at the elf, and sighs. Fear could wait. For now, she'd settle for not ruining Justin's shoulder permanently. She's already broken his wife after all.
She yells at him. "Elf! Cease butchering that man's shoulder." She ducks under Leon's outstretched arm, and stalks towards the body. Her robe billows out dramatically, as she calls her powers into her hand. A glowing light contained within her palm reveals her magic. "Have to do everything myself. Can't look away for a minute. What did I do to deserve this?" She cuffs Melfoil's head to move him out of the way, and then leans over to touch Justin's shoulder. Much to the elf's chagrin, the wound begins to seal itself, animated by Diana's magical power over flesh and bone. "Only thing worse than a screaming patient is an incompetent doctor."
She spins, and gracefully strides back to the corpse of the lady. She shudders momentarily, her bright green eyes tracing the mangled corpse, with it's twisted limbs and gruesome expression. "Thrice damn." She bends to examine it closer, almost with the same morbid curiosity as Melfoil. "Why would someone do this to you?" Reverently, she stretches out a gentle hand and slowly draws the knife out of her neck. She holds it up to her face for examination, murmuring quietly. "Who were you?" Without looking up, she addresses her fellows. "That man used powerful magic. If we are to confront him again, it is imperative we illicit a counter." She sighs, aware that this task will require a lot of work from her, given how unmagically gifted her colleagues are. "Something to think about." Diana frowns as another thought strikes her. She angles her head to stare intently at Justin, eyes burning. "And you, oh great mysterious paladin. Whoever in this hellscape is 'The Emperor'?"
Diana gasps, recoiling from the body and then the ice. "Ah! Thrice damn!" She tumbles over, collapsing against the alley wall and scrabbling for purchase to stay up. She takes in her companions pale faces, and emits a low moan. Breathing deeply, she stutters "I-I've never seen a m-magic like that. H-how did he, no." She pauses, as if for dramatic effect, "No. It." She shakes her head, sending her hair even wilder, strands landing in her face covering her bloodshot eyes. Diana continues as if she hadn't paused, "Do that?" She glances at the body again, and then brings her palms up to stare at them. Wordlessly, she continues staring with wide eyes. Her face betrays her mix of shock and fear.
Diana gulps. "Leon? Melfoil? H-help?" She clenches her hands into fists to stem the trembling. Whoever this was, they were powerful. Magic she didn't recognize had separated and blinded her. And his words pierced Diana through the heart, shadowing her fears about the party. What if the group fails to accept her? What if her sight fails or as always her visions foreshadow doom? "S-stay back!" The desire to commune with one so wretched, to learn his story and powers, leaves her quickly. The identity of this 'Emperor' can wait. To be down here, he'd done something. Lethal options then. In a mirror of the man, she raises her own hands and her narrow fingers dance. Her tangled hair stands on end as the familiar words of her most potent attack spell weaves a curse onto the mysterious stranger. With a sharp cry, she pulls at the very flesh and bones of the man, trying to tear his body apart.
Boneshaker:6d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4, 2, 1, 6) = 20 Casting [link=https://www.aonprd.com/SpellDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Boneshaker]Boneshaker. DC 18 fortitude save for half damage and no movement. Otherwise, he's being forced 5 feet away from the seer, as she rips his bones around.
Diana insistently pushes into the dark fog, walking getting easier with every step. Bursting into the alley, she watches her companions execute their attack and balks. "Why would..?" she questions for a moment trying to understand why in the thrice damned hell would Leon do that, before flinching as Melfoil impacts the man. No time for the mystery of the symbol, as much as mind insistently begins turning it over. Her companions were trying to get themselves killed again. "All you've ever done since I met you", she mutters while working a spell to protect her allies. She gently lays a hand on Leon's muscular back as he changes, bending the fates to guide his blade. "Go save our elf." She insistently tugs the threads of the universe, trying to bend her will unto that of the future. Leon had once asked her if she could stand up to the universe. Time to find out.
Casting heroism on Leon. +2 attack, saves, and skill checks for the next hour. Go get em!
Diana sighs as Leon grabs her, feebly protesting "I-I am really quite fine, if you'd just give me a-". Her voice is punctuated by gasps as she tries to refill her lungs with air. Shuddering at the though of having to fight through the crowd herself, Diana realizes being carried may be undignified, but is at least easier.
"State of-", she pauses to breath, "Thrice damned, emergency? What-", again she breathes. It's coming easier now. Feeling flows back into her body, and the surroundings crowd her mind. The press of bodies, of the noises, and the smells. Reality swims before her, and she tries her best to focus. "What does that even-". She hasn't had a trance that vivid for a long time. Something about it seemed off. The universe was saying something. A mystery that presently she had not the time to figure. "Elves" she sighs.
Locked into her own head, she missed Melfoil's display of alchemical mastery and communicative prowess. However, the smell and splash rips her from her revery. She stares at Melfoil, across Leon's back, blinking rapidly. The people here were cruel for certain, and a certain sympathy for her comrade springs up in her. "I've known them for all of a day." she mutters. "Why do I, I cannot believe, this is certainly." Diana finds herself unable to articulate her thoughts. Lacking anything better, she goes for the low joke and points at Melfoil. "You... You have a little something on your face." She immediately feels guilty and anxious, and shudders nervously. Trying to get away from her embarrassment, she tunes into what Leon is saying.
Listening to Leon plan revenge, an idea sparks within Diana's mind. Moving quickly, her hands weave the fibres of a spell out of the air, and her lips spin an ancient language. Her eyes flash menacingly, and she channels her power, bending the mind of the one who threw the bucket. Diana's teeth look canine as she smiles and yells into crowd. "Please friend, join us."Casting charm person (DC 18) on the guy who threw the bucket.
Feeling like she's regained the ability to stand, Diana pushes at Leon's broad chest with her weak arms. The feeling of being constrained is getting increasingly uncomfortable, especially with Leon being Leon. He was still scary and still possibly responsible for murdering her child. Possibly. "Put me down, you rampaging brute" she sputters. "I can walk!"
Her third eye blinks out of existence silently, without fanfare. Diana remains motionless at the table, and only a slight difference in her breathing makes it clear she's conscious again. Swallowing, she jumps to her feet, trying to shove the chair backwards. Instead, her foot catches on something under the table and she collapses to a heap on the ground. "Thrice damn it!" she curses, trying to stand.
I haven't... that was something..." at first, she tries to communicate how strange that trance was. Using the table to pull herself back up to an unsteady standing position, Diana realizes she should be explaining what she saw. "I- I saw her. F-follow me! Quickly!" Turning, her legs once again fail her, being still weak from the trance. "Awwwk!" she makes an awkward screeching sound as she again falls over. Splayed out on the floor, she gives up on walking, and spits out commands as fast as possible. "Alley. Three streets. There." She flails one arm in the vaguely right direction. "I'll catch up. Trance weakens me." She gasps for breath, and then yells at the gathered people. "NOW!"
"Right. Matilda. Well, uh." Diana scratches her head and frowns in concentration. "I suppose it would be appropriate to get started." She reaches over and grabs Melfoil's arm, using it to wipe a patch of the table in front of her clean. From her pocket, Diana extracts a piece of chalk with which she draws a circle on the table. "So, this will take around an hour I expect." She glances at each person around the table in turn. "Do not touch me, or talk to me." She places her hands on the table, and closes her eyes. A glowing image of a large red eye opens on her forehead, and in a deep voice she cries out.
"I, Diana of house Kalihezi beseech the cosmos! Show me how we may find Matilda de Fontaine", and with that she falls silent and still.
Using the Automatic Writing ability. It takes one hour and functions as Divination with a 90% success chance.
Diana gives a long sigh, and close her eyes. She whispers too audibly "Cosmos give me strength", and exhales dramatically. She swallows, and tries to act polite. "Forgive me, my wording was evidently not quite clear enough. She shall not remain lost for long, especially with my sight to aid you." She gives a small smile, as a sudden pang of sympathy shoots through her. "And I do understand protecting your loved ones." Her mind starts turning, working in overdrive. The new influx of information is driving her crazy. Shaking her head to clear it, Diana finishes to the point. "Scrying requires a specific focus. I need someone to target. I was inquiring whether you wish me to directly scry for your wife or for your murderer." Cocking her head sideways, she voices another thought as it hits her.
She glances at Leon after his mother remark, but concludes that it wasn't a jab for her. Either way, Diana straightens in her chair and makes her face more of a mask.
"Only Purgatorium... Waiting to be judged..." She twists a finger through her hair as she gazes in awe. "No. No we didn't know that." Diana glances down. She wanted to spend today divining anything she could about Alec. This seems like a distraction. But her other divinations about her past had gotten no where. And a memory could reveal more. Biting her lip, she thinks hard. Finally, the group sways her. They too want a memory. And the paladin clearly knows things about this place. "I'll do it. If you agree to share with us what you know about this 'Purgatorium' as you called it, I shall bend my oracular vision to locating your missing wife. All I need from you is her name. That would make this divination much much easier." The glee of getting to commune with the universe getting to her, Diana's voice sounds happier and happier as she continues, and her smile grows massive.
"And tell me Melfoil, oh great doctor, am I the pig or am I but humble slop?" Diana's menacing little smile and narrowed eyes make it clear there is no correct answer. She sighs and turns back to the mysterious stranger, whilst whispering general complaints. "Leon's right. You're much more gentlemanly when occupied.
All business, Diana sits straight and tries to remain calm. Typical mortal. Wants his fortune told but doesn't know what to ask. Like I haven't seen this before. She resists the urge to laugh sarcastically, as even in a hellscape things are much the same, and instead politely begins asking questions. "Now hang on a minute. Are you looking for your long lost love or trouble? Because mark my words," Diana frowns, "Those are two very different things. I can help you, but you have to tell me what to look for first. Ok?
While waiting for an answer, she eyes the drink Leon pushed in front of her, grimaces and pushes it towards the mighty warrior, recalling the taste of the stuff from the night before. "Thrice damn it, this is truly a hell. There's nothing good to drink. she mutters.
Diana follows Melfoil, stepping carefully through the tavern. She avoid the various mysterious sticky patches on the floor and stands behind him as he talks. Diana bites her lip, and then whispers her first concern to Leon. "Uh. Leon, why would we permit the elf to talk? He's not, what's the word, great at socializing, is he?" By this point, Melfoil is way past being stopped. Diana shrugs. She's getting used to this. He seems wittier than normal. And he is presenting the group in an admirable light. In fact, that introduction was far better than anything Diana could've dreamt of.
Is he finished? Oh good. Time to impress. Diana smiles menacingly, and raises her arms in a most dramatic fashion. "Indeed. My most intelligent associate is quite correct. We, are quite capable of assisting you." She tilts her head forwards humbly, and gently sits next to Melfoil. "In particular, if you need something found, well, then you've come to the right group. I am a diviner. A seer. An oracle. Whatever you're looking for..."
He teeth are almost sharp and Diana's eyes appear to glow dull red as she finishes. "I can find it."
"What'sh that? Let the dwarf win? Okay Leeeeeon. Hehe." Diana bursts out with a fit of giggles. "I thinks Diana's had enough. Thrice damn it, wheresh the elf?" She whirls widely, and falls off her stool. Gesturing at the ceiling, she waves upwards. "I thought he was rrrrright there." She giggles for a moment, coughs, and lies still. Fumbling, she grabs the stool and slowly pulls herself up. "That... that... that mad innkeep! That was no wine. I think I've been poisoned!" She laughs hysterically at her drunken wit, losing her grip and slipping back to the filthy floor.
Eventually, she pulls herself up to the counter and sits. She glances at the collapsed tree, and watches Leon and Melfoil both fail on the same mug. "Why, I think our fine gentlemen won!" Diana claps her hands on the backs of the slim elf and massive warrior, more to keep herself stable than to actually celebrate victory. She considers the possibility of checking the dwarve's pockets for victory spoils, and is only prevented by her inability to stand up. "Malkred, check his pockets", she instructs. Diana then flops onto Melfoil and begins shaking him. "Elfoil. Hey, Elfoil. I think Leon has a concontshcion for you" She convulses with laughter
Diana weighs her options. On the one hand, getting flat out drunk doesn't seem productive. On the other, it does seem appealing. Seeing Melfoil and Maldrek take mugs though, her need to fit in makes her choice. She considers using magic to aid her fortitude or sabotage this Stumpy character. Maybe even a full illusion of her drinking, while she does nothing. Diana decides against such tactics. She wants the respect of the crew. And Leon...
Can she trust him if she loses her senses to the alcohol? Yes, she decides. He agreed to help.
She eyes the slop, reflavours it into something sweet, and quips "Atmos, here I come"" before drowning it.
Fort Save 1:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 "Ahhh. Delicious. Another, if you please! I can do this all night"
Fort Save 2:1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 - 2 = 7 "Mmm, that was... *hurk*" She convulses, as if holding down vomit.
Out of curiosity, what effect would neutralize poison have on a drunk person? I feel Diana may need it after that second roll... Can I even cast while drunk?
Diana glances at the disgusting slop in her glass. She turns to Maddy and rolls her eyes, smiling smugly. Casting prestidigitation for flavouring and colouration. She places her finger on top of the glass, and drags it down the side uttering some magic words as she does. "vinum mundaret". The liquid changes colour, until it appears identical to a fine elvish wine. Diana takes a single sip, and makes a satisfied sound. Her smile is purely innocent.
She snickers at Melfoil's joke, and then tries to hide it. "Yeah. We'll remove your 'paladin problem'. Heh". She shakes her head, and takes a long sip of her 'wine'.
I think resting first would be wise. If we do, I want to make my daily divination beforehand. We could also go now. I don't think I've blown my social spell likes yet.
In awe, Diana whispers "How did you get a..?" She catches herself staring, and tries to lift her eyes up to Maddy's face. She's only tasted one memory, but it was intoxicating. The promise of learning more about herself. Maybe I could remember what happened to Alec... The gleam of greed in her eyes, Diana turns to the party. She gulps and tries to whisper. "Perhaps we should possibly consider aiding that man". Deciding that her motivations shouldn't be so blatantly obvious she adds on "If he's still alive, I would decree it probable that he would know something more about the nature of this reality when compared to the rest of us." Diana smiles weakly, trying to sell her point. Glancing around, she takes in Leon's weary stare, Melfoil's relaxed pose, and Maldrek's calm. I am quite tired."O-of course, that c-could always wait until tomorrow. He-he'll wait." The carefully controlled desire and fear that the memory wouldn't be available tomorrow are making her nervous, but exhaustion wins out.
She slides onto a stool next to Melfoil, careful not to touch the disgusting counter. Glancing at it, she raises a hand and utters a few words of magic. "Sordes et abierunt". Casting prestidigitation to clear my own section of counter. The filth and slime retracts from Diana's outstretched hand, until she can comfortably rest her elbow on the bar, balancing her chin on her hand. "Perchance do you have any fine elvish wine?"
Diana pauses momentarily outside to muse upon the nature or reality. The strange and unnerving trip has left her feeling philosophical. "Strange. However did such a noble creature wind up here? Perhaps there is more to this world than can be seen at first glance". She suddenly screws up her face in concentration. 'Actually, how did any horses get down here? What foul deeds have these animals done? Especially one such as this" She squints at the gorgeous white horse, trying to perceive it's secrets. Abandoning that chain of thought for later, she enters the inn.
Upon entering this den of debauchery, Diana turns to her party members and begins to ask "Who would I see about a room?", but any chance of a reply is lost by Maddy's sudden appearance. Diana blinks in shock, stunned by the sudden introduction. "Uh". This surprise means she barely has a chance to move before Maddy grabs her. She shivers and tries to pull herself out of the hug, wanting her own space while she works out how to talk to the strange new person. "I, uh, I-I'm Diana" she stammers, trying to escape the clutching arms. Plaintively, she glances at the rest of the party, clearly begging for someone to intervene.
Sighing with relief, Diana relaxes. Her posture remains rigid, and her controlled facade remains almost intact, but the hint of a smile as Leon's compliment can be seen in the corners of her eyes. The potential for a conflict is over...
She freezes as Melfoil starts talking. Catching herself, she tries to maintain confidence, but rapidly begins showing signs of nervousness. One of her hands starts fidgeting with the ends of her long hair. She swallows visibly. Her palpable discomfort finally ends when Leon starts talking again.
She raises an eyebrow as Leon first mentions he knows how to find Atmos, and suppresses a giggle as he mentions alcohol, suddenly understanding. Finally, her straight face is lost at Leon's thinly veiled attempt to avoid having to pay. "Hahaha". After laughing, Diana grins widely, baring her teeth. "Don't try and trick me warrior". She waggles a finger in front of Leon, scolding him playfully. "Remember, I can see things. Not that I would need the second sight to see through that lie". Snorting, she turns towards the town, dismissively waving a hand over her shoulder. "Fear not, I'll buy. You've earned it". Fortified by the knowledge that soon drink can take over and the stress can end, Diana continues her banter. She takes a few steps, before spinning her head around, black hair flying up around her like a crown. "But I'll bet tomorrow's first round that you'll see Atmos long before I do".
Nothing bad having happened yet, Diana remains confident enough to act on the subtle hint conveyed by the tone of the Lord. She weighs the odds and decides she's more scared of having to fight all of the soldiers the Lord of Ash owns than she is scared of Leon. "While I'm sure that we are more than capable of protecting ourselves", she gently lays a hand on Leon's shoulder to get his attention, stressing certain words to increase their impact. "Perhaps it would be best for us to depart and consider all that we have learned?" Diana glances at the Lord and smiles for show. Her courtly training on managing powerful personalities in political situations is barely keeping her afloat. Don't show fear. "And I'm sure that if we're needed the Lord can send for us, right?" She waits for Leon to agree to leave, hoping that Maldrek catches on and helps. She can't keep up this confident facade for long.
Bluff to act calm and collected:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Finally back into a social situation she can understand, Diana relaxes. Years of training on how to speak with nobility take over. Her emotions become guided, and she becomes polite. Despite having missed the previous encounter with the Lord, she instinctively senses that Maldrek is who he wants to hear from. She silently curtsies, and waits for her own person to be addressed. Her outwardly projected calm is immediately ruined by Leon. Diana winces at the uncouthness of his remark, and wishes she had a way to silence the brute. He may be excellent in a fight, but politics appears to be beyond him. This is a moment for politeness and caution, because they need this Lord on their side.
Thankfully, Maldrek takes over with a more appropriate response. Diana smiles sadly, and nods at appropriate intervals. As he finishes, she opens her mouth to speak, aiming to continue what he started and add to the praise...
And is interrupted by Melfoil. Diana raises her eyebrow skeptically as he speaks, finding the insincerity behind his words a little disconcerting in such a tense situation. Having gotten a little used to the elf's style in the short time they've been together, Diana waits for him to run out of steam before seizing the moment. "The creature consumed Sila and used her flesh as a puppet to increase it's own power". She fills in what she feels is the missing detail between Maldrek and Melfoil's explanations. "We ended the monstrosity, and would've died without her sacrifice". Diana pauses for a moment to callously reflects on how she is more comfortable with a strange noble than the adventures she almost died with. As an afterthought, she finishes "I am truly sorry for your loss. Will the council really take it that badly?" Her demeanour remains polite and caring, but the consideration that this isn't a fey court, and that the Lord might be more upset about Sila's death than worried about the political implications of it never crosses Diana's mind.
Diana sighs at the antics of the toad and how they make it hard to focus on her emotions. She's scatterbrained enough about how she feels at the best of time, and she knows that amused isn't how she should feel know. Shaking her head, she concentrates on channeling her opinions on the confrontation she just escaped. Quietly, she talks to Maldrek as they walk. "He's not the first child I've lost, as you saw. I know what the anger and revenge will bring". She pauses to admire the contrast between Leon and Maldrek. "You show a remarkable inner peace and wisdom for someone in this world. I do wonder what you did to deserve this. Can you really have been as bad as you say?" Diana's eyes stare at Maldrek, almost as if to try and see his soul and learn the truth. "Either way, I am honoured to accept your friendship and offer my own".
As they leave the cavern, Diana turns and waves one hand in Targ's direction. "Maybe we should carry him out?" Maldrek's welcome swelling in her, she decides to try and participate in some friendly group banter. "Why don't you carry him, or would that be too much work as well?" she playfully calls after Leon. Immediately, she regrets her words. It's been a long time since she's engaged in banter, and she can't tell if she's doing it right or not. Was what she said funny, or likely to make Leon try to kill her again? Diana's face pales and her eyes go wide.
Her outburst finished, Diana finds herself feeling truly content for the first time since she's found herself here. She missed the thrill of having a goal, and forcing the future to reconcile with it. She missed Alec, and she might get him back. But mostly, she just missed having allies. Any doubts about the validity of the vision that brought her to her new companions has been dispelled.
Realizing that there is no response to Melfoil's madness that will allow her to preserve her dignity, Diana chooses to try and ignore him. Instead, she studies Leon's face and body, her eyes gently tracing his impressive muscles and scarred features. She watches him shake his head, and almost smiles at his exasperation. Idly, she wonders who would've won had they fought. That axe would likely end my existence in one cleave. Forcibly, Diana cuts off this line of thinking. It is unimportant now. They have reached an accord of peace. He agreed help and she finds herself forgiving him. You never know, the elf could be more sane than he looks and it was just an illusion. He could even be innocent. The thought thrills her for some reason. She wipes the tears off her face, and smiles weakly at Leon's imposing figure. "Yes. We may have avoided the darknesses of anger and fear, but we still must go back to the light of the sun and the safety of the castle, before a different darkness takes our souls". She looks around at everyone, and reactivates her light spell. "Let's go. There is nothing but death and decay to be found in these depths, nothing for our kind."
Diana takes in Leon as he talks, examining his wounded gait, his towering bulk, and his read-for-combat weariness. She bares her teeth and glowers at him, looking as if she'd be perfectly happy to tear him limb from limb. Every time he pauses she continues her verbal assault, needing to hurt Leon but knowing that he could tear her apart anytime he wanted and she couldn't stop him. "Tell me, oh brave warrior, how many children have you torn from their mothers arms? Enough that they all blend together?" She spits on the ground in front of him and lets him continue before jumping in again at the next pause, this time with less violence in her voice and more of a plea. "So how did you kill him? With that axe?" Diana gestures at the shrunken weapon affixed to Leon's hip. After his next words, she cocks her head sideways and pauses to reflect on the thought that it would've been quick. "Well, at least you were nice about murdering my son. Wouldn't want him to feel pain as his long life is snuffed out in one blow". Sarcasm drips from her voice and derisive facial expression. In mock gratitude, she bows her head a little and flourishes with her hand. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the master of kindness, the great LEON GADRAN!" As her yell echoes around the cave, she throws her head back, long black hair flying everywhere, and laughs hysterically.
She laughs much longer than is necessary, and continues as Leon starts speaking again. Of course one such as he would understand the dichotomy of revenge and inner peace. The very concept of a murderer lecturing her about vengeance causes her laugh to turn from a bitter sarcasm to actual humour. She brings her head down to stare into his eyes, still giggling. As if someone had thrown a switch, she sobers rapidly. Without any trace of emotion in her voice, she responds. "I'll just be rage, and you'll just be dead. Just. Like. Alec. Sound fair?"
Leon's speech about death, combined with his somber expression make Diana's mind up. As angry as she is, Leon needs to be on her side. The universe put her here for a reason. She opens her mouth to explain, when an elf interrupts her. She tries several times to insert a word into Melfoil's speech and shut him up, but can't get past his energy and enthusiasm. She finally snaps when he starts talking about mushrooms. "This is between me" Here, Diana points at Leon, "him, and my son. Now, would you shut up and STAY OUT OF IT?" She sighs with relief as Melfoil disappears and focuses on Leon again.
"I was born with the ability to see fates. That was not and still isn't a blessing. Because of this power, I have experienced intense pain. The universe has guided me to you and told me that I need you. The knowledge of the death of my child is not the worst a vision has caused me." Diana smiles sadly and closes her eyes, recalling visions from what feels like a separate lifetime. "Alec is not the first child I've lost. I know how to handle the anger, and I need you. Therefore, I will conditionally forgive you.". Her smile turns cold, and her eyes gleam menacingly as she lays out the condition. "Alec, is likely dead. We too, have died to end up here. There's a chance my boy is in this hellscape, and if he is you are going to help me find him. Find him, and then we find a way out. If you refuse to help, then I will refuse to help you in any way. I won't kill you, but I won't save you either."
Diana comes out of the memory with a blank look on her face. She pulls herself up to her feet, rocking slowly back and forth. "Justin" she whispers, brow furrowed in anger. If only they'd listened. She's prepared to begin ranting to the universe about the injustice done to her by the child, before an immense sadness comes over her. She hunches over and sobs. "Alec" she whispers longingly. Again she whispers: "Alec. Who are you?" A total despair wells through her, for no reason she can discern. Something about that child. She loved that child. She loves him and she has no idea who he is or where he is or where he came from. She loved him and she forgot him and the very thought is crushing her soul. How many other children has she forgotten?
Tears streaming from her face, she weeps for a completely unknown person. The fear she felt while hiding floods back into her. All of the anger at those who would make her boy cry."Leon" she whispers. She focuses, the possibility of finding Alec at the front of her mind. "Leon". Again, Diana addresses the hulking brute, this time at a conversational volume. Despite the tears on her face and the blood and dust on her clothes, Diana looks every part the noblewoman as she stands to address Leon. "What the hell." She pauses to take a breath before yelling."Did you do. TO MY SON? Tell me, or I might just RIP IT from your tiny little PRIMITIVE BRAIN!"
Yeah, she's panicking and over reacting. Plus, I didn't want to actually add up the damage and I figure we're unlikely to fight anything else today. Shame about that soul eating roll
Since we're at a convenient break and I've been here for a little while, I just wanted to ask if you guys had any advice for how I'm fitting in or any tips for my roleplaying.
I'll level myself and make a longer post tomorrow.
Diana sniffs the air hungrily. While she would normally have some resistance to feasting blindly, after reading the beast's hunger there is no way for her to resist the juicy soul in front of her. She sprints for it, growling and baring her teeth. All her normal poise is forgotten in her all consuming greed to be there first and eat it first.
After the race finishes, Diana pauses and gazes meekly at the blood saturating her robe. All of the injuries belonging to the others have relocated to her own body. The adrenaline and rush to consume had stopped her from noticing before. Panicking, she breaks the life link for everyone before unloading every ounce of magic she can muster into healing herself. Spending every 1st level spell I have left to get back to full hp. As her magic begins to dim and she can cast no more, Diana stops. She gives a low moan and collapses against the wall, tucking herself into a tight ball.
Wracked with the sudden pain of Melfoil and Leon's injuries, Diana screams. Blood begins to erupt from her body, as the wounds on the others close. Almost as quickly as it came, the pain disappears, leaving Diana hunched over and gasping for breath.
Life link. I take 10, you each heal 5.
As she stands and surveys the scene, she realizes that Targ is still quite close to the beast. Close enough to be at a huge risk of dying or worse. And if Targ dies, then she might. If his soul gets eaten, then... Diana doesn't know, and her curiosity is losing out to her survival instinct. Perhaps... perhaps Leon was right. Maybe she shouldn't risk dying down here. Targ had never featured in a vision. If he's unimportant to fate, is her life really worth his? She's an instrument of fate, a warrior of timelines. He's a nobody trapped in a hellscape. Without giving any outward sign she's doing it, Diana instantaneously cuts Targ off from the lifelink. Just in case.
It feels to Diana like the pain has sharpened her mind. None of the usual emotions cloud it. No longer caring about the fight or saving Targ, she simply trusts in fate to take care of those who are meant to survive. What happens will happen. In the meantime, the collection of knowledge is still key. If the universe won't give her answers, something a little closer to earth might. She unfolds her magic, and reaches for the beast's mind. Last time, she was fuelled by rage. This time, cold logic empowers her actions, trying to satiate her curiosity about what is actually beyond the edge of the world.
Brain Drain:5d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 4, 6, 5) = 21 DC 17 will for full negation, else I get to read surface thoughts.
I liked the transition horror bit. It was well written. I'm also casting cure moderate before the fight, to cover for the life link: cure moderate wounds:2d8 + 5 ⇒ (8, 5) + 5 = 18
Diana's usual inability to keep a strong emotion for more than a few minutes replaces all of her fear and anger with curiosity the instant she witnesses the creature. Sila's flesh? In the monster? The very idea has Diana fascinated. Why would a creature that feasts on souls need flesh? Perhaps Melfoil's earlier theories had some merit...
This revery is broken by the Melfoil's hurried planning. Diana nods along, agreeing with Melfoil's wisdom, until his mad grin, which is made all the worse by the flickering light of his flame, turns to her. "Distract the... Sure. Why not?" she calls into the darkness as he vanishes.
Attacking the mind didn't work, but hitting the body did. Since it probably isn't used to having bones, that would make for an ideal angle of attack. Decision made, she works her magic. "YAH" Diana yells with exertion as she unleashes her spell.
Boneshaker - I cast boneshaker to hold it back. No idea if it counts as alive or dead, so I have no idea how the spell is going to affect it. Either way, I want to try and force it away from Targ.
Diana quietly watches Maldrek go, secretly upset that the skilled warrior is leaving them. She felt safer with more fighters around her. The seer takes a deep breath, turns to Leon, and stands up straight. "And wouldn't you rather carry just my unconscious body than have me and the elf carry you and Maldrek?" Witticism made, Diana stops walking to stretch and ponder. "Anyone want to conjecture as to why it made for this cave as opposed to the nice impenetrable shadow border?" Watching Leon walk away, Diana realizes that the safest place is probably right behind him. She hurries to keep up.
Life link should heal all the damage everyone took in that fight and then do it to me. How much in total?
While Targ prepares Clarice's protection, Diana decides to perform her own style of protective ritual. As she works her hands in strange patterns, she explains the ritual in a soft voice. "If you add somewhere, you have to subtract somewhere else. To change your fate, you have to inflict it on someone else. This should...", Diana grunts with the exertion of the magic, "This should redirect immediate danger from all of you towards me." Momentarily, Diana's eye's flash solid red and then fade back to more normal eyes, although her pupils still contain a shade of green almost too bright for a human. Her arms cease moving and she hugs them around her frail torso, shivering. "So don't go getting yourselves killed.
Activating life link. At the start of my turn, you all heal 5 points of damage each and I take all the damage healed. Ends if you go past 100 feet, so don't stray too far.
***
Knowing the dark will protect her, Diana grins wildly as Leon talks to Targ. Of course she knows that the moment calls for sympathy and sadness, or even grim determination about the present task. But the idea that the big strong warrior is actually capable of such tact and care surprises her. And pleasant surprises amuse her. What other surprises does this party hold? Who knows? Certainly not Diana. She barely suppresses an excited giggle. She was going to find out.
Visibly trying to awkwardly integrate with the group, Diana adds to the conversation. " It took Sila and it tried to take Clarice. If there's any way to save her, we'll find it." Once again going for dramatic effect, Diana grabs a small stone out of her pack. A simple magic word causes it to burst forth in a blazing white light (Light orison!), silhouetting her head. "And if we can't save her, then it will suffer."
I don't have torches, but I do have a light cantrip. Almost the same thing.
As Targ pleads, Diana has a sudden flashback to life. A multitude of crying adults flashes through her mind, all of them victims of her foresight. Knowing she was never good at being comforting, she lets Maldrek handle Targ.
Diana pointedly looks at the shadowbeasts clawing at the boundry, and then picks Clarice up, cradling her with two arms. "Right, well, that should be everything, right? Lets go".
"THRICE DAMN" Wide eyed, Diana stares where Sila was only moments before. Once again, she finds herself wondering how it is possible for her to be taken by surprise so often. She rubs one hand over her forehead, sweeping the sweat off. "Did anyone know it could do that?" she whispers, unable to keep her thoughts in her head. "I should've known it could do that. Why didn't I know it could do that? What even was that?"
While she thinks out loud, Diana focuses on the body of her patient. While the spell closed many of the wounds, Clarice isn't waking up. Distressed, but trying to keep the panic out of her voice, Diana starts talking to the only trained doctor present. "Melfoil, you... you're a physician, right? Could you perhaps give me a hand?" Diana pauses without looking up from the goblin. "Melfoil? Melfoil?" Did something else happen? As she turns to look for the elf, she spots his faraway body, rapidly getting smaller. Anger shoots through her again, cutting of her vocabulary. Hands clenched into fists, Diana growls vague curses about the intelligence of commoners and something disparaging about elves. This is interrupted by Leon's sudden departure. "LEON? LEON COME BACK!"
As much as she wants to stop, regroup, heal, and investigate if her magic can cure souls, with two party members gone the only option is to follow. Diana turns to Maldrek. "I suppose we should follow, lest they get themselves killed and leave me stranded here. I can speed one of us to match the elf. How injured are you?"
Diana sprints for the wall, tripping as she does so. Catching a bone, she barely manages to pry herself back to her feet. Being out of immediate danger and with her anger suitably dealt with, Diana's mind turns to Clarice. "LEON", she yells trying to get his attention. With both hands, Diana waves frantically at the fragile body clutched to the demon's chest. "Allow me". She grimaces in concentration and lets her magic flow, channeling it into her hands. What the blind would never understand is that magic is simply the art of changing fate, and if Diana got her way, Clarice's fate would not be to die today. As she unleashes her spell, she whispers to herself "Come on, I've already saved you once. Live, dammit!".
Diana flinches, after unexpectedly encountering so much resistance in the mind of such a wild being. In a split second, she decides that if she can't attack the mind, she might as well hit the body. She raises her hands and begins a different spell. 2 horrifying spiked chains rip out of the ground, one ripping at the beast's side while the other gets underfoot to tangle it's legs.
I cast barbed chains, one chain attacking and one tripping. For each attack that works, it has to pass a DC 16 will save or be shaken for 1d4 rounds. It doesn't stack if it fails both saves (assuming I get two successes). Trip attempt:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 Attack roll:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 Damage roll:1d6 ⇒ 3
Double post because I seem to have won initiative despite my dex penalty and it seems like keeping the roleplaying separate from the combat will be easier to follow.
Diana stares with detached curiosity at the creature moving in the shadows, and goes back to wondering about the fundamental nature of such creatures. Perhaps if her newfound allies have nothing better for her to research, she could spend her next daily trance asking the universe about them. The thought that this might not be the time for daydreaming hits her moments before the beast strikes.
"CLARICE! Rage immediately fills Diana's mind. One thought flashes through her mind as she reacts: I just found them. You can't take them now.. One of her arms stretches out, palm down, long dainty fingers stretching towards the beast. Her eyes glow solid red, and she screams in a voice completely unlike her previous softer gentle tones. "Beast! I'm going to fry your tiny little mind. I'm going to crush it, if you even have one. I. Will. End. You". Her rage is conveyed by a deep guttural voice, that wouldn't be out of place on a demon. As she screams she flips her hand over, snapping her fingers together in one smooth motion.
DC 17 will save for complete effect negation, and if this works I get to read surface thoughts. Either way, it knows I did it.
Brain drain damage:5d4 ⇒ (3, 4, 3, 4, 3) = 17
I'm going to leave some space here in case anyone would like to further add to this scene. Just reply to this post so we know for sure.
Finishing her outburst as fast as it started, Diana straightens with a more calm expression. She raises a hand to wipe the tears off her pale face. "Right", she nods at Leon. "Right" she says again, slightly softer. As Melfoil begins speaking she turns to look at him, once again every part the noble, completely unmarred by her emotional outburst. As he introduces himself, she nods vigorously at him, sending her loose hair flying. "I do look forward to conversing with a mind of your caliber."
While Melfoil continues about the rock, she raises a hand to brush the hair off her forehead and frowns in concentration. "Scried it's..." Diana repeats, trailing off as she suddenly grasps his meaning. Her voice turns playful. "The king gave it to me when I told him I sought to find you. All it does is find Sila, and that doesn't look like a service you need right now". Diana gestures at Sila. "Here. Have it. I don't need it anymore. If you can find another use for it, then I look forward to learning how". Diana throws Melfoil the stone and winks at him. Demonstrating a clumsiness that belies her seeming grace and poise, the stone falls short and to the left. "Oops.".
Diana pauses, and then remembers something interesting Melfoil had said. "Do you really think the shadowbeasts will strip the flesh from our bones? I heard they go for eating souls. Oh! That reminds me, I meant to ask". Here, she becomes visibly excited, almost bouncing in place. A wide smile reveals perfect teeth, and her eyes glow with curiosity. "You're a doctor, what are your insights into their physical form? Do they have any physical form? Skeletal structure? Muscles? Brains? Are they magical, or mundane? Do you know anything? I've been wondering for days."
As Leon speaks, Diana folds her arms around her fragile body and smiles with relief. This sounds promising. Unused to physical contact, Diana flinches when Leon places his hands upon her shoulders. As if to signal the shock to her system, the lights around her head go out. She manages to keep a confidant expression on her face until Leon's last line, which freezes her. Diana stares into Leon's eyes, and feels the most primal fear. This man would kill her if she gave him a reason. He would kill her and no one would care.
Glancing around, Diana searches for an ally and only sees faces curious to know if Leon would murder her or if she could talk her way out of it. Her unnaturally bright green eyes go back to Leon. "Um". Swallowing, she rapidly becomes more jittery and nervous. Only one thought runs through her mind repeatedly 'I've made a terrible mistake'. Raising one shaking hand to point at Leon, Diana speaks. "I'm not...", she gulps, "I'm not a warrior that can stand against fate. It's.." she pauses. "Well, I'm here because you can stand against fate". She stresses the 'you' in that sentence, to make sure she's understood. Stuttering from fear, she tries to quickly explain. "Fate d-doesn't, it's n-n-not, it doesn't quite work the way you think it does. It's d-d-different for each person. S-s-some people have fates, and s-some are unimportant. You have fate dripping off you." She gets more confident as she goes. "Being a s-seer isn't about s-seeing the whole future, it's about seeing where to s-see the future. Finding the right place and waiting for the right time."
Pausing to breath, Diana looks at Leon with a fierce expression. "How did I end up in this dimension of torture?" Pushing Leon's hands off her shoulders, she stands tall, matching him for height. Any intimidation is lost by the difference in their builds. Where Leon is strong, Diana is slim and looks as if the wind could blow her over. "I. Don't. Know." She punctuates every word with a grimace. "Same as you. I don't know. Anything relating to what this place is, how I got here, or how long I have is beyond my scrying abilities. The only thing of relevance I've seen since I got here is you. Specifically, the four of you. A human with something more in his blood who fights like a demon, a brilliant elf with a penchant for inventing strange alchemical devices, a skillful and mysterious devilchild, and a goblin warrior and her sentient blade." Diana gestures at the people she talks about in turn. "I asked the universe how I escape this realm, and I saw you. I don't know what it means. I don't know why I'm here. I don't know how to get out." Diana pauses, and shivers. Eyes suddenly filled with tears gaze at Leon. "You're my only clue. I don't know where else to go. Please Leon." Finally, the proof that she has some kind of advance knowledge comes as Leon's name slips out despite never having been given to Diana. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry". With this final apology, Diana collapses against Leon sobbing.
Thanks for having me! You guys are great roleplayers. I look foward to playing, which should be fun as long as Diana doesn't goad Leon into killing her.
Diana smiles grimly as Leon talks, looking every part the wise woman who knows all. She is aware of the effect her noble blood and trained confidence has on others, and tries to channel that now. She is also aware that these first moments are important. They need to accept her. To that end, she begins by laughing back at Leon, a laugh that says something has amused her greatly.
"Hahaha. Mad? Mad? Of course I am mad." She raises her hands in a 'what-can-you-do sort of shrug, before snapping out one finger to point at Leon. "So tell me human. Tell me what it is like to be blind. To stumble through the day never knowing what happens next. What's around the corner. I am mad because unlike you, I can see." Gonna use a dancing lights spell ability like for dramatic effect. Diana makes a gesture and red lights dance around her hands, rising to rotate around her head. Gently, she pushes Leon's axe down with one finger so it points at the ground. "Fighting fate only works if you know what to fight. You need me because I can see the future, and you will trust me because I've already seen that you will. The proof is in the stars."
She grins. Leon seems vaguely superstitious to her, and this should scare him into trusting her a little. Fear and trust are just two sides of the same coin. She's done this before. To gain the trust of the superstitious, apply fear first and then offer help. They'll be scared into letting her prove herself, and then she demonstrate her usefullness. "Of course since you can't read the stars, I come bearing useful magics as well. I can heal, hurt, and twist minds and bodies."
"Greetings. Hail. Hi. She speaks quickly as she hastily and clumsily dismounts from her horse, almost falling over. Quickly, she regains her balance and regal poise, standing up straight to look at the party. Diana has long black hair, pristine skin, and a noble bearing. Her gaze slides over everyone quickly, taking in their weapons and weary stances. It lingers on Leon as she strides forwards.
She begins loudly whispering to herself as she walks. "I cannot understand you people. Here? Are you trying to get yourselves killed? After everything I did? This is what I get? Unbelievable. Simply ludicrous. You could've gone anywhere, done anything, and this? And him. What is it about him? Thrice damn me, this is a trick." Diana strides into the centre of the group, ignoring the various weapons pointed at her. She stands before Sila and displays her glowing object, speaking much louder this time. "Here. Proof your king sent me. I'm with you now. You, and these..." Diana pauses for a moment to think of a none offensive way to refer to the group. "These... souls. Yes, souls. That's a good way to put it. I should remember that one." Diana turns to Leon and opens her mouth as if to continue her rant. "I..." She pauses, and sighs. A thought had struck Diana, one which terrified her: Was I speaking out loud earlier? I've been alone for too long, I can't tell anymore. Oops. She decides to pocket the anger for a later date.
With practised ease, an expression of calm comes onto her face, and she properly introduces herself to the crowd. "I apologize. I have spent too long tracking you. I am tired, and uncertainty makes me nervous. My name is Diana, and I come offering aid. What plans do you have thus far for hunting the beast and how may I assist?"
