Yukarii didn't push the buttons but she did begin to get a feel for what functions and controls were most used. She didn't figure out the code but she thought she could guide the next person to try something. "I do not think I can figure out the code myself but I think I can help you the next time you try to decipher it Xindyra -san."
Saersha looked at the person through the slider window as they sarcastically asked if they could read the sign and implied, she was unable to. Saersha's eye's narrowed as she looked at the man and said, "Truly, what an appalling librarian you are. Of course, I can read, and I guarantee I have read things you would kill to add to your library." Straightening her shoulders Saersa continued, "I am Saersha and we are looking for information on the location of certain ruins within the city. We could go to others for this information but thought surely such a library as yours would have the information that we seek. It would seem we may have been mistaken." With a sigh Saersha said, "It's a shame really, we had considered to provide a donation to those who could help us, it's a shame we may have to give it to those frightful Augers instead of such a reputable place as your own."
Feena realized that maybe she was being discourteous to Aylunna and Iomedae to ask what she had, but she needed to know, and it seemed that Alyunna understood that as she provided directions to the Sunward Quarter where Sarenrae's sanctuary was located. "Thank you for your directions and understanding Holiness. I did not mean to be rude to your own goddess just...," Feena wasn't quite sure how to put it into words and left it there with a final, "thanks you." As their group reached the Sunward Quarter Feena felt something within her stirring as her phoenix blood began to react to the presence of a place of Sarenrae's worship. By the time they entered the sanctuary Feena almost felt that gentle flames enveloped her providing a warmth she had been sorely lacking. She saw the priestess approaching them and smiled when the woman welcomed them and asked what she could do for them Feena smiled sadly. "We have recently come from what was once Rossler's Coffer, I needed to let you know that Father Gregory is dead and that the town will not need a replacement as it no longer exists," it was obvious that she was serious, her eyes meeting the priestess' eyes through her glasses, just as it was obvious that she was hurting as she said it. "I felt it was my responsibility to report this to someone further up in the church so they can do what they need to. There is no body to cremate and offer up to Sarenrae but I can guarantee his soul has made its way to Pharasma for judgement in the Boneyard as we helped the villagers, we were close to accept their death while we too were trapped there." Feena wasn't sure what more to do, how to bring up her own weakness and need for healing, without coming across as callous. She worked to keep hold of her feelings even as little tears of flame began to gather at her eyes. "I know it may sound bad, but I also need to find someone who can heal an affliction that has occurred to me, something...drained away a part of my strength and I have been unable to recover it. Is there anyone who has that capability here?"
Yukarii looked with interest at the rocks as they passed tehm and spoted the caves in them. How she spotted it was unclear to her, perhaps it was the dimming of the light for a moment, or just intuition, but she realized those were dragon layers! So distracted by the idea of dragons living "just over there" Yukarii failed to notice anything else of interest. When the door opened and the man appeared Yukarii was amused at the way he acted. He seemed maybe a little loopy but as he told of the prophecy her eyes widened. She hadn't expected to be included in a prophecy and it was a great shock to hear. Yukarii looked at her companions for a moment and then bowed to an appropriate depth of respect for their host. "I am called Yukarii, it is an honor to meet you." She gestured around herself and asked, "Can you tall us more about this place? And can I meet a dragon," she was maybe a little too excited by that last possibility as she was a little breathless at the idea.
Yeah, that's gonna be a tough level for spell selection. Prayer would be really good but so would taking curse. Nothing says FU like smacking them for such a massive penalty as bestow curse gives. given the present party dynamic though Prayer is probably the better option. I can always get curse the next time.
Valeria took note of how hard Tryphylla was hit by the Baron and quickly moved in to assist. She chanted a healing spell and, when she reached her companion, discharged glowing golden light into the halfling.
Yukarii was stunned by the sudden appearance of the heavenly choir and looked on in surprise, and no small amount of pain from the brightness of it all, She was the first to pass out from the overwhelming sensations and the last to wake up, with a splitting headache no less. "Ugh! that was not pleasant," as she pulled her hood well forward to hide her eyes and reduce the light reaching them. Yukarii nodded in response to the question and said, "It seems the most obvious thing to do."
Or maybe be tutored by Tukarii who already speaks Necril?
Yukarii was not at all pleased the zombie kept coming for her but at least her images were doing their job as one popped from what could have been a serious hit. Needing space to work with Yukarii stepped away from the monstrosity and sent a flurry of magical bolts into the closest of the undead.
While the initial assault of the zombies failed to penetrate her shell of temporary life the explosion of negative energy did! Still , she had shrugged off most of the two hits but he had no further protection now.
Yukarii sent another beam of extreme heat lancing out at one of the zombies and the moved to gain some distance and put the others more in between her and their attackers.
Yukarii found herself wishing she had some different spells available to her but there was nothing to be done about it. She stepped to the side and sent a red beam lancing out at the nearest enemy she could clearly see .
Valeria's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at the lead collector and noticed his discomfort. He should be confident given his back up and the fact that he was an official, but why was he sweating so much if that was the case? As Lope spoke to the man and tossed a thousand gold worth of coins and jewelry on the ground before him Valeria's eyes narrowed and arrowed in on Giado. "I believe you should be very glad I am no longer the Paladin who fought during the fall of Kenabres or I would cut you down where you stand for your treachery in this blatant act of attempted theft since we all know the taxes you demanded were far more than were owed implying you want to pad your, or your lord's, pockets," Valeria paused for effect and the continued,, "fortunately for you I have fallen from grace and am now in the service of another who is far more willing to let things slide." Valeia waited a moment and then started to walk away, back towards the manor, and spoke just loudly enough the man would hear her, "I think I may need to write a letter instead our liege and let him know that someone is impersonating a tax collector to extort his subjects." Valeria continued talking to herself and added, "Of course if only the correct amount of Taxes are taken I would have to assume I misunderstood things wouldn't I?"
Yukarii listened to the discussion of whether to proceed today or wait until morning and, given they would be climbing in the dark, which would not bother her much, she had to nod in agreement with the decision to stay and rest and set out in the morning. As Mike spoke of doing more prospecting Yukarii considered and then said, "I will help as I can Mike-sensei."
Tryphilla:
Valeria smiled happily and said, "Thank you Tryphilla, it is nice to have people as kind as yourself around me." She had a thought cross her mind and giggled as she said, "Between yourself, Cyrene, and me we are quite the Odd Squad aren't we?" Given what they were here for Valeria allowed Lope and Diana to run the conversation without argument. It was part of her role as a Lady in Waiting after all so it did not bother her. It seemed they had gleaned useful information and made a good bargain as well. Overall this was a very worthwhile stop. Once they began to discuss their next destination Valeria thought it all through and said, "Are any of those locations between here and Cassomir? If so it might be a good idea to stop at them on the way to Cassomir. Regardless I think it would be dangerous for us to split up."
Yukari was relieved to see the ghostly thing dissipate. It was now at peace in the care of The Reaper and would be taken to its deserved place in the afterlife. The bolt of lightning that struck the standing stone causing it to glow. The sudden flash had left her blinded and caused her to cry out in shock as she covered her eyes and stood stark still before lowering carefully to the ground and pulling her hood way over her face to shield her eyes from as much light as possible.
Yukarii was relieved they all made it up safely, even if they did have a close call at one point, but when she saw what they would have to fight, and heard what it was, she was more than a little worried. She prpared herself for the fight to come, casting her regular defensive spells, and signaled her readiness.
When the fight began Yukarii lead off with a volley of magical missiles feeling sure they would be the best spell to start the fight off with.
Lucina sniffed and nodded to Valeria, "Don't need nothing fancy like, a stable'll will do. Beats sleeping in a ditch! Done that more times than I care ta remember after a few brews..." Valeria smiled gently and said, "Well then, I think we can come up with something that will work for you. Let's get you a room and something to eat then we will go over what you will be doing."
When Triphylla returned and told them of how things went at the lake Valeria nodded in agreement with Lope and said, "I agree, teh lake is the biggest issue right now and needs to be dealt with quickly."
Yukarii looked at the diamond with interest The potential value was very important. She had heard of prayer that could exchange a diamond of this worth for the soul of a deceased person bringing them back from the dead. She wasn't going to speak of this but she did make sure to remember in case it became important at some point.
Hearing of the wyvern's odd behavior Yukarii nodded in agreement with Zendara and said, "Yes, that fits with what I know as well."
Valeria considered what was said of Lucina and couldn't help but agree with Lope's sentiment. She thought over what Lope asked her about trying to talk to Lucina and help her deal with her problems. After a moment she said, "I can try, though it will only do any good if she wants help. If she doesn't, well, nothing any of us do will make much difference." As Diana brought up the idea of community service Valeria thought it over for a moment and said, "That could be a good idea, it would also give us a way to help keep her from drinking while she worked at least. If we find her a trade she can do, one she enjoys in particular, it might do more than anything else."
Yeah, given Valeria is meant to be quicker in her movement I would prefer to avoid the spd penalty. Also, she will be gaining a fair bit of her AC from her Cha instead of her dex and it is affected by the Max Dex bonus. While this can be overcome, at least in part, by the armor bonus eventually she will be losing out.
Oh, I am so in for this.
Valeria was surprised to see Dame Crabbe for a moment and then realized that she shouldn't be. The discussion was harrowing and Valeria found she very much wanted to help Sepsinia recover from whatever was done to her. She knew the blessings she needed were beyond her reach for now but she would figure out a way at some point. After Sepsinia was taken to her room and Dame Crabbe said they were all honorary members of her family Valeria felt shock and surprise and...happiness that someone would accept her like that. She smiled brightly to Dame Crabbe and curtsied as gracefully as she could while still in her nightgown and said, "My thanks, that means a very great deal to me." The next morning when Sepsinia gathered them all together to give them the few mementos she had of Opillio Valeria was hesitant to accept but she ultimately agreed with Lope's decision and said, "He is correct, if this is what helps you to move past what happened then we are glad to accept." Once the others began to leave Sepsinia's room to attend to other matters Valeria stayed to speak with Sepsinia privately. Sepsinia: Valeria did not smile as she spoke but her tone was very serious as she said, "I know you may not believe this but I understand life shattering loss. What I have suffered was greatly different than what you have but it does five me the ability to understand, at least a little." She was obviously nervous about this but Valeria pushed through and continued, "So if you ever need to talk about it all I will gladly lend an ear, and a shoulder to cry on if you need it." She smiled very awkwardly in her nervousness and finished, "Just know you are not alone."
Valeria was rather quiet as they visited with Dame Crabbe and Sepsinia and was worried for the young woman as something seemed wrong. While she did not know what the cause was it seemed that others were more capable of determining it. The suggestion that she was affected by a spell was very concerning and she had to shake her head and reply, "I am afraid that I have not yet gained that level of magic from my goddess as of yet. From the description I rather doubt I could break it even if I could dispel magics. " Considering for a few moments Vaeria said, "The only thing I could do to help would be to talk with her. I have experienced much loss in my life, maybe I could connect with her and help her talk about things?"
When the ghoul was able to finally get at them they were more than ready to handle it. Yukarii quickly cast a spell and sent a beam of scorching heat lancing out at the foul thing.
Valeria shook her head woozily when Lope asked her if she didn't sleep well and said, "No, I didn't. I ad...I remembered things I didn't want to again."
Valeria looked at the village and thought it was a rather nice little village. She'd certainly seen worse and she was just as glad this wasn't one of the bad ones. That they had not had to camp near the forest was a very good thing as fr as she was concerned and Valeria was more than ready to wander around and try to learn what she could.
Valeria had heard the same rumors that Lope had but she stumbled on one he had missed. She looked to her companions and said, "Supposedly Baron Vort has 'gone native' and is living with some peasants Southeast of Baron Telus's land. He's even destroyed the Gold Canyon Bridge to keep people away. Someone was trying to tell me that a witch got in his head and made him do it." Valeria wasn't sure how much of that she believed but that was what she had heard.
Valeria was trying to figure out what Lope was thinking fighting with his eyes closed and spotted the Count catch him with his blade drawing first blood. She had to admit the gambit was worthwhile but he'd have been far better off trying to take out the images and playing the long game if he wanted to win. With the dual now over Valeria walked up to Lope and called for divine magics to heal his injury. She touched his arm where he was injured and healed the wound before she turned to face the Count and said, "Well fought Count Bartleby. Your use of those dupicates was a quite effective use of magic, though I suspect you had little need of them in truth."
Valeria was a bit surprised at the sudden onset of a dual and tried to figure out how they got there. Unfortunately, it wasn't too easy for her at the moment, so she decided not to worry about that. Instead, Valeria rose and said, "If it will put your mind at ease, Sir Gusairne, I am capable of using healing magic. I will stand ready to heal any injuries that might be incurred."
Yukarii woke when the word spread about Vesserik's dance.
As the prospecting station was set up the next day Yukarii knew she would not be of any use when it came to digging anything up, but she could certainly help look for good spots.
Saersha's lips quirked as her lips twisted into a naughty grin and she said, "It might be hard but that's a sacrifice we will have to make."
Zelera accepted the hand up when it was offered and listened as Siofra said how that was a benefit to her. This caused Zelera to grin as she said, "Oh yes, that does make him quite easy to find and to play tricks on." She hesitated then as she came across some words she did not recognize. She thought about pretending but decided that she would just ask. It was more likely she would find use for them if she knew the meaning of them. After deciding to ask Zelera put words to thought, "So what do racoon tears and lamp owners have to do with anything?"
That is likely my last post until I get back from Gencon so bot me as needed in the interim.
The village was most definitely in need of work to make it prosperous again. Oh it wasn't the worst shape she'd ever seen, that was one of the small villages near the wound that made this look like a luxurious city by comparison but that was not something she really wanted to remember. She excused herself from meeting the villagers the first time, she knew that would likely end badly as so many of her first meetings went anymore. Eventually she would feel comfortable about introducing herself, just not today. When the meeting at the tavern was done Valeria was ready to check out the blocked pump. She wasn't particularly mechanically inclined but she would do what she could. "I'm as ready as I will ever be Lope."
Yukarii turned to the Inn Keeper as he came back by and bowed slightly as she said, "Yes, Jack-san has finally crossed over and took the soul of an assassin connected to his killer with him. You should not see him again."
There, claimed.
Valeria heard the call that the ballroom had been invaded and promptly felt a wash of fear tear through her as more memories of Kenabres' fall tore through her mind. Fortunately the lack of panicking attendees or obvious enemies told her that something else was going on. She was not sure what that was and looked around for her companions to try and find out what was happening. Valeria noticed Lope approach Sepsina and then the woman fleeing from him with her mother following right behind and approached her friend. When she reached Lope Valeria asked, "And what, prey tell, is going on with your lady friend Master Bull?"
Alright, as far as the loot goes I will definitely grab the Scrolls of Breath of life and Raise Dead (I am the only one able to cast both of them without a check so that is easy) and have them marked off the list. I also would like one of the Rings of Prot +2 if they aren't all claimed now (not marked off). Other than that most of what I need is to upgrade existing gear. ----- As far as a fifth player I am good with that. I think a fifth person that could cover both ranged and melee as needed would be good, a switch hitter ranger or some form of kineticist could handle both roles very well and provide some additional spell casting, or at least the equivalent there-of.
Valeria was quite relieved they had worked everything out and let their prey "escape" successfully with none the wiser. When they had returned and decided to get their manticore trophy stuffed and mounted she was of mixed opinion about it. Ultimately she thought it could be an interesting work if done properly and set about doing a few sketches of how it might best be posed to suggest tot he taxidermist.
Having come up with something she thought was both practical and striking she went to Triphylla and said, "Might I suggest you show this to the taxidermist you will be helping? If the whole thing is used it would be quite the striking look for it and do justice to the fearsome creature it once was." The image was of the manticore poised to strike before they had blinded and slaughtered it with the tail in position about to fling it's spines. ____ Again Valeria had been rather withdrawn after returning, other than making the drawing she had given to Triphylla earlier. Though if the drawing was any indication maybe she was starting to come out of it.
Valeria realized that the nobles were getting ready to withdraw and prepare for the masquerade ball and knew that she needed to as well. Fortunately she had just the outfit prepared for such an event. She excused herself and made her way to her room where she began to don the outfit.
Hope seemed to realize specifically what, or rather who, was the topic of conversation and Hope tried to consider the question seriously. She had done a lot of maturing during their journey so far, even if she was still fairly withdrawn and childish at times. , so the fact she was not simply responding but thinking, or at least trying to, was a good sign. Hope had finished her food by the time she finished thinking, having matured or not she still work through her thoughts and feelings very quickly. Finally Hope took her gaze from Seri and focused on Triel instead as she said, "I don't know. I want someone who wants to be with me and won't hurt me by leaving or turning away like..."[-/b] her words choked off as the pain of what happened with Elanna washed through her. The mental scarring that had caused Hope was still in evidence even after all that had happened since. [b]"I don't think I can be....a fling, it is not in my nature." Hope looked back at Seri and then continued, "She is pretty, and her music is..." she seemed to be at a loss for words to describe what she felt for the moment but given her expression amazing or wonderful or divine might well apply, "If it is only a friend then I think I can handle that, if it doesn't go further. IF it did become more then I think I could not let go."
I will be gone June 21-25, 2023 for Origins, and Gencon August 3–6, 2023.
Valeria remained largely withdrawn the rest of the evening as the specter of the past continued to bother her. Having gotten air earlier helped but not enough that she was able to help any further. She knew she should try to talk to someone, or maybe see if Cyrene could help her forget, but she didn't even have enough in her to draw that night, let alone anything else. Sleep came hard and slow, the soft bed something she once would have enjoyed now reminded her too much of the succubi's harem she was kept in in the abyss. She nearly tried to sleep on the harder floor but didn't as that would not fit the role she was playing. Valeria did eventually go under but it was not a pleasant sleep. She was back there, in Kenabres, when the Wardstones failed and the Wound overran the city. Except in the strange logic of dreams she wasn't in Kenabres but rather here at the Palace of Birdsong! She quickly got out of her bed and into the hall where she heard the sound of someone in pain, hurting horribly, what she saw was what she expected, a man clawed into tatters of flesh, still alive and gasping for air with no hope of survival. She did as she did in reality, she knelt and tried to heal him but her magic wouldn't come, somehow disrupted by the sudden fall of the Wardstones and the city's greatest protector. Then she heard the scrabbling of claws and saw the horrific , skull like faces, of the demons coming for her en mass. When this happened in Kenabres she was in her armor and managed to destroy them but this time she was not so lucky, this time she was still in her bed clothes and her glaive would not come when she called it. As they swarmed over her Valeria finally snapped out of her night terror. Valeria sat upright immediately with a muffled scream of terror due to her lungs having just emptied from a gasp. Her heart was pounding, she was drenched in sweat, and gasping for breath as she tried to calm her panic. She was having troubles realizing she was not in the dream still, but eventually she managed to grasp her holy symbol from the little nightstand by the bed and held onto it as she tried to calm herself down through prayer to her goddess.
Valeria didn't even try to go back to sleep after that but rather sought out a way to clean herself off and decided to get dressed for the day. It was an early start and left her feeling very tired, there were dark circles under her eyes as she joined the Julia and Lope. She didn't eat very much that morning and the hunt that she heard about sounded like it would be as disgusting a farce as the halfling races were yesterday.
Yukarii very much let the others guide things for the time being. The aftermath of fighting the vampire, then being scryed on, and followed, had left her rather shaken...especially the vampire. To this day she still had little more than scraps of her memory from her time imprisoned with the vampiress. She remembered pain, she remembered pleasure, and she remembered the terror of what she was going to become. She was rescued in time but it cost her parents their lives to do so. Being so close to another of the bloodsuckers had made her very introspective and withdrawn. When they reached the inn Yukarii was greatly relieved to be off that steep trail and out of the cold. Her attention was caught when she heard that the rooms they would be in were considered by some to be haunted. This sounded like just the thing to distract her from her troubles. Yukari pondered the issue and asked, "What has supposedly happened with this haunt?"
Yukarii nodded in agreement with the pair and said, "I agree, that makes the most sense to me as well."
Falina saw a superb chance to try and affect their attackers when the group came up behind them with only Arani to stop them from reaching her. Faline cast a spell that settled settled down on the nearest sahuagin and made everything around them seem to move much faster than they were and then shifted back slightly to get some space between them.
"I think we need to find somewhere safe to spend our time examine what we have found," she looked to Edwin as he mentioned that he felt like he was being scryed on and added, "Preferably somewhere hard to identify magically and that we can at least partly disguise."
Yukarii examined the rod while they waited on the vampire to re-form so they could end her. She had little else to do while they waited after all so it was time well spent.
When the vampire finally formed and was staked Yukarii looked on with a strange mixture of hatred and sympathy for the creature. As the vampire turned into dust Yukarii offered a short prayer that Noralla would guide her to the other side. Yukarii quickly conjured an illusion of a heavy tapestry across the opening to the room, all the better to keep the light out, and headed towards the rope. She was already heading down the rope while maintaining the illusion as long as she could to help buy them time to flee.
Sorry for being so invisible lately, I finally got a replacement for the new PC that went out and have been getting it up and running the last week. I should be back to regular posting from here on out.
Yukarii was more than a little annoyed the vampire managed to get away but at least it wasn't so fast they couldn't follow her. The exotic half-elf followed Zendara closely and was becoming worried as they got into the seedier part of town. Hearing that there was a cultist preaching of that unspeakable monstrous entity was more than a little disturbing but this was neither the time nor the place to deal with him, there was a vampire to put down for good. Seeing that they had to enter the flophouse Yukarii was not exactly enthused with the idea but she knew they had little option at that point. They needed to follow and put down the undead priestess once and for all. Yukarii paid her fee and stayed hot on Edwin's tail now as they made their way inside with Yukaari safely nestled within her consciousness.
Saersha watched the others leave to go about their various errands before looking at Embyr thoughtfully for a moment. After think she finally said, "Come My Pet, let's see if we can find a place to go try and learn more about the mysterious entity from before. Knowledge is power, if we can identify what it might be then we are closer to understanding how to handle it." Saersha went to the owner of the establishment and asked, "I need to do some research on spiritual entities. Do you have a suggestion on where I might go to begin my inquiry?"
Yep, jinxed it, still having problems! X_X Got another call with tech support tonight. I'm starting to hope they will just replace it but maybe they have some thing else they can do still. It is doing better than it was...somewhat at least. |
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