Eliza Yarrow's page

"You have my deepest thanks." Eliza replies to Alexi, offering her and her sister a shallow bow (mostly because she simply can't bend as far as she used to). "We could not have done with without your skils and your wisdom. Should you ever need it you will always be welcome here."

She settles Alexi's agreed upon pay and bids the Duskwalker a fond farewell.

"I meant what I said ." She tells Tadia. "You are all welcome here, if... if you'd like to stay permanently. I think it would be good to have a young person here - I enjoy my books and my peace but I'm... used to having students. I think I might be lonely." She offers a smile. "So you'd be doing an old lady a favour. If you were so inclined."

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Eliza moves away from the mouther and attempts to duck past Xarwin to flank him. Unfortunately the ghost is badly hemmed in and there's no way through for her.

Strategy: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Uncertain of her ability to hit the ghost without additional magic she settles for distracting him, hopefully allowing Alexi to land a telling blow.

Aid Alexi: 11 + 15 = 26

Unable to retreat Eliza attempts to ascertain her best course of action.

Strategy: 1d20 ⇒ 10

She stabs at the creature twice, unwilling to risk an escape attempt and then be caught again.

Stabs: 10 + 15 = 251d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Damage: 2d6 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 2 + (5, 6) = 162d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 6) + 2 = 10

Although Eliza doesn't relish the prospect of approaching the ghost once more, at least the summoning leaves it vulnerable.

"Attack now, he has to focus on keeping that thing here!" She commands, pleased to see that Alexi and Tadia are taking the initiative.

Strategy: 1d20 ⇒ 13

With a plan in place Eliza strides forward and stabs at the new aberration.

Strike: 13 + 14 = 272d6 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) + 2 + (2, 6) = 16

Unfortunately it seems Xarwin isn't going to give up Eliza just yet, but at least it's distracting him from the rest of the group so Eliza stabs once, ducks beneath him and hurries back to her friends.

"I'm getting too old for all this." She huffs. "At least he's being an idiot."

Strike: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 232d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 1) + 2 = 8
Strike then double move.

Occult: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

"That's a..." Eliza starts to say but is cut off by the appearance of Ioseff Xarwin. She doesn't have time to give him a well deserved piece of her mind before the ghost sails right through her!

Will: 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 3 = 30

With a phenomenal effort of will Eliza drives the offending presence out, feeling Fulvia's ring from upstairs burn in her pocket as she does so. It clearly has some sort of antithetical effect on the ghost!

Strategem: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Unable to calculate an efficient way of assaulting the ghost Eliza pulls back, putting as much space between herself and the ghost as possible.

Double move.

5d20 ⇒ (20, 13, 20, 8, 6) = 67

Eliza continues her persuasive work and, through some sort of divine inspiration finds some remarkably effective arguments - although she belabours the point a bit too long.

"Focus on more positive things!" Eliza hisses at Miya before waving to re-attract the psychopomp's attention.

"Focus girl!" Perhaps a little of her own frustrations start seeping through as Eliza addresses an immortal outsider as 'girl'. "We have fought numerous undead here - affronts to Pharasma. It is your duty to assist with this!"

Occult: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Mentioning Xarwin directly seems to be an ineffective tactic, so Eliza moves on to what she knows - the occult.

Occultism: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

"Great evil dwells here, powers that pervert the course of life and death." She says, "It is an affront to the way everything should be. There is a true order to the world and the Dark Tapestry corrupts it. It takes great strength to resist it and even more to throw it off afterwards. I have never known beings of greater strength and passion than you and your kind. Remember that."

"I doubt she has a choice in the matter, dear." Eliza says, trying to steer Tadia away from a potentially... sensitive matter.

"Why did you come here?" She asks instead, hoping to draw the psychopomp out by more indirect means. "You came for Ioseff Xarwin perhaps? For what he did against death."

Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Trying her best to ignore the flying bones, Eliza continues to strategise as she sloshes through the water, trying to keep the undead's attention divided.

Strategy: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Unfortunately the creature has proved quite capable of attacking in all directions so the investigator takes a moment to staunch the worst of her wounds.

Medicine: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 254d8 ⇒ (4, 1, 1, 5) = 11

Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Elize schemes for a moment and then decides that for this cause she'll have to get her feet wet, wading into the water to strike the undead in conjunction with Alexi.

Strike, Flanking: 13 + 14 = 272d6 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) + 2 + (4, 2) = 16

Eliza pulls out the heavy crossbow recovered from the rooftop armory, sights briefly and fires at the creature as it approaches.

Xbow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 321d8 ⇒ 5

"This seems much older than the cellar." Eliza says, looking around with a discerning eye. "These might even date back to the Order of the Starless Night. Let's try the bridge first, carefully!"

Eliza ponders the psychopomp's words - combined with her own niggling feelings there might be some value to that course of action.

"I think that is the best decision." She says grimly. "Whatever the thing is up there I'm certain that the... Malevolence fears it. And the enemy of our enemy is our friend as long as it's trapped at the top of the house at least. Let's finish breakfast and then I propose we head downstairs and see what is in the basement."

Eliza leaves Tadia to her own devices, knowing that talking to the girl now is likely going to involve further confrontation and resolves to herself she might try again tomorrow.

Dominion of the black DC 24 Library lore: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

After spending a bit of time trying to recuperate herself, Eliza checks in on Miya, hoping the young girl is not mentally scarred by the repeated traumatic experience.

Dream - Xarwin Caul perception DC 21: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

The next morning, Eliza does not push everyone to keep moving, but instead calls a group meeting around the kitchen table, with Ezramalkin flitting around the room.

"Look, our current tactics are not paying off. There have been too many close shaves with the next life for my liking and we need a new strategy. Has anyone got any suggestions before I suggest my own? I want to make sure we use all the expertise in the room."

A - Acro: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Hero Point: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Hero Point - last chance: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Really?! If it has AOO it can have one

Eliza knows she just has to get her and Alexi out of here but between her and the door is the Brain Collector. She grits her teeth feints once, feints twice and then goes for it.

She just about manages to grab Alexi and drag her down the stair case, knowing the Brain Collector is too large to follow.

DAS: 1d20 ⇒ 4
BM: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 82d8 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Eliza finds everything going not-so-suddenly, terribly and completely wrong but with a heroic effort of willpower she fights on!

Strike: 4 + 13 + 2 = 19
Hero Point: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 2 = 28
Damage: 2d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 4) + 1 + (4) = 14

DAS: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Rapier: 13 + 9 + 2 = 242d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 6) + 1 + (2) = 13
Rapier: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 4 = 16

Eliza slices at the creature's soft tissue.

DAS: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Battle Med: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 222d8 ⇒ (8, 3) = 11

Eliza throws Miya a stimulant pill and then ducks behind the creature, hoping against hope that attacking from behind will be easier. Unfortunate she can't figure out how!

Eliza's heart stops a beat as she realises that fate is not on their side and she doubles down, stepping over Eliza, unconscious on the floor and strikes.

DAS: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Rapier: 12 + 9 + 2 = 232d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 1 + (4) = 10

She is not usually a Godly woman, however she utters a prayer as she does so. "Not today Pharasma, we're not ready."

DAS: 1d20 ⇒ 3 You have got to be kidding me!?!

Eliza, knowing she stands no chance standing toe to toe with the thing, continues to help her allies, this time focusing on Tadia, unable to help Alexi any further.

Battle Medicine: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Eliza steps forward but cannot figure a way to target its weaknesses so instead, steps behind Alexi, bending over to her aid.

Devise AS: 1d20 ⇒ 5

BM: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 242d8 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Eliza's head fills with the sound of siren song, and her eyes glaze over as she examines the Nosoi, not noticing them attacking Tadia.

Crit fail - fascinated.

Eliza pauses, evaluating the situation.

"Yes, we will free your children. We will free you too if you can help us."

"Free you all from what?" Eliza probes, suddenly forgetting her frustration when confronted by the figures.

Eliza lets out the most frustrated groan and throws her hands up into the air in frustration.

"Look, Tadia - I don't know how to make you happy here! I have tried to be welcoming. I have tried to be fair, as yes, I have hired you all to help me."

"But, I have already welcomed you to stay here after we are done if you so choose, you would have earned it, even if it was not the most exciting prospect for someone you age. I have even said how I would like the company in such a big place! But at the slightest hint of disagreement, you always want to run away! I can only help you if you allow yourself to be helped! "

With that, Eliza turns away to the boards and starts yanking at them, taking out her frustration on the planks, rather than the girls behind her.

Still removing the boards from the door, Eliza listens to the girls behind her, before realising the whole situation is escalating very quickly. She gives up with the stubborn plank nailed into the doorframe and whips around placing her hands sternly on her hips.

"Girls, please!" She snaps, exasperated. "I'm sure we are all grown up enough to come up with a consensus. Tadia is indeed very skilled in many walks of life - luckily for us all this seems to be one of them. Miya is a very successful swordswoman and to help her do this, we can improve her chosen weapon to make sure she can keep us all safe."

"Perhaps, if we can all learn to work together then this would be considerably easier?" She says glancing between the two girls, her left eyebrow arched expectantly.

When Eliza points out the striking rune on the hatchet they discovered, Miya nods and agrees here kusarigama could benefit by its increased power. While pulling boards off with Eliza and Alexi, she asks "Can you transfer rune?"

Eliza winces. "No, I just know that its possible, its not something I ever bothered to learn and just, perhaps wrongly, assumed thats what everybody trained in defence would learn?"

Eliza closes her eyes for a moment, steadying her emotions as she is surrounded by the young women.

"Right, let us get back on track I think. I think these potions are restoring our sense of control over ourselves, and Miya is certainly feeling more of her usual self which is reassuring."

Does anyone not have a +1 rune on their weapon? If so, its worth switching these over. The other Hatchett had a striking rune as well, so that might be helpful too. Eliza already has both.

Eliza sets to pulling some of the boards off the room, glancing back towards Alexi and Miya with an expectant look of help.

"So Miya." Eliza says, waiting to see if there was any change in the champion after she swigged the potion. "How has it made you feel? Any better? Less....." Eliza cannot think of a word to finish the sentence so just lets it trail off, hoping that her plan was effective.

"I don't know what you just did Alexi, but whatever it was it was certainly effective."

Eliza sniffs the potions trying to figure out if they're still usable.

Crafting untrained?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

"These will certainly be useful still. I think they will make a few things a little less severe if we need it." Eliza comments, "Although we might want to add water to make them more consumable before we try. Who knows how long they've been here and it certainly looks like they've dried out some."

Eliza, clutching one of the potions, studies Miya momentarilly. "Miya, you should try drinking one. I have a feeling it might make things a little more ... manageable after the outburst yesterday. I might not be right, but there is no harm in trying."

Night before.
After the candles have been blown out and everyone is about to finally get some rest after a long night of sleep, Eliza's voice rings out through the darkness.

"Why exactly are so many of these creatures fighting against our presence here not coming out to meet us in the hallways? Don't you think it strange?"

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Dream, Ashen Man - still have pursue a lead? DC 26: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 1 = 26

*********************
Current time
Eliza's stomach turns as the blood splatters the floor, over the toes of her boots.

"I do not think it wise to touch this hatchet right now." Eliza poses whilst looking into the room cautiously, not taking a step inside.

"Well thats a relief it isn't permanent at least. I wonder if we could have conversed with the creature through you, although I suppose it never gave us the chance to find out." Eliza says, exploring the possibility.

"I wonder if that is enough excitement for the day and we should retire for some rest. I myself wouldn't mind, and honestly I want to see what else I can dig up about this place."

Presuming its the afternoon? I'll do 1 research check, but tell me if I can do more.

The Ashen Man, Pursue a Lead: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 1 = 27

1 short!

The Ashen Man, Pursue a Lead: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 12 + 1 = 32

Eliza quickly bends over Tadia to tend to the woman.
Medicine: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 182d8 ⇒ (8, 5) = 13

Gently shaking Tadia's shoulder, Eliza tries to rouse the psychic. You're okay, don't startle now."

As soon as Tadia stirs, Eliza cannot help but muse on the situation.

"That was indeed an interesting if not terrifying specimen. Miya, have you regained your voice?"

DAS: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Rapier, DAS: 16 + 9 + 2 = 272d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 1 + (5) = 9

Eliza follows in pursuit, not wanting to allow Tadia to take all of its ire.

Eliza bends down momentarily to help clear Maya's airways before stepping forwards and striking the creature yet again.

Battle medicine, Miya: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 212d8 ⇒ (8, 3) = 11

Rapier: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 182d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3) + 1 = 9

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Eliza claps her hands to her ears, but it does little good against the piercing scream.

She strides forwards and tries to surround the bird of bones before stepping back again to give Miya and Alexi some space to do what they do best.

Strike, flank: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 212d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 1) + 1 = 7

Stupefied 1

"Okay, what is the best tactic with this thing as you have both fought it before. Do we want to try to get up close, or will we be unable to and need to fight from afar? The more prepared we are, the better. For example did either of you think it might be weak to something such as fire or light?"

"Look, let us all calm down a moment and take a deep breath." Eliza says, holding up her hands and taking a step towards Miya and Tadia.

"Clearly this place is wearing us all thin and our emotions are a little fraught. Let us first all recognise this and appreciate that we all want to achieve the same goals." She tries, hoping that people are ready to not only listen but take on board some advice.

"How about we take a moment to rest for the afternoon and regroup. Perhaps then we can all figure out together how to help both Miya and Alexi."

"Wwhat happened to the two of you?" Eliza asks with concern, as they enter in on Miya and Alexi. "Are you both okay? Don't tell me you continued exploring without us? That would indeed be foolish based on our previous encounters!"

Eliza pauses, just outside the room round the corner, hoping someone follows but when no one does, she stands silently round the corner and eavesdrops on the conversation; she is pleasantly surprised when Tadia takes her side.

After listening for a moment, Eliza strides back round the corner decisively.

"Right, I am going to the crypt. It is my house, so if I have to go, then so be it, however, anybody else who would like to join me is more than welcome. We are going to look for the man Tadia did see. Please note, that this job is more dangerous than I expected so I am being reasonable here and not insisting that anybody joins me. If you are too scared to face the unknown, I understand."

With that, she decisively walks down the stairs towards the front door, very much hoping that somebody joins her.

"Exaclty, thank you Tadia. Let's all go."

Eliza says, making the final decision and she leaves the room, not looking back, hoping that others follow.

Eliza, not one to usually insist, but on this occasion, she snaps at Miya. "Miyasaki, I do not know what has gotten into you but this is ridiculousness. I do not want to pull the boss card on you but you are under my employ, and I am sure Tadia and Alexi agree that this is important to investigate further." Eliza looks around at the other two women for support.

"No Miya, I think after everything we've found, and now what Tadia had said, I must insist that we head out to the Crypt to find out what is going on." Eliza says, and places a gentle hand on the Champion's shoulder, attempting to guide her.

"Come on everyone, let's go find out what is going on."

Eliza's head shoots up from her hands and she rushes out of her seat to the window.

"What do you mean?" She says looking towards the crypt. "I cannot see anybody? Did I miss them?"

Bedroom

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
As they reach the bedroom, Eliza walks up the fireplace and examines the trinkets on the mantlepiece. As she does she notices a skeletal left hand partially buried in the dust and ash. She picks it up with the tips of her fingers, keeping it at arms reach from her, squinting to look at the inscription on the ring.

"What's this? It says something in Elven..." She asks aloud, taking the ring off the hand. She fishes her glasses out of her pocket and still has to squint to be able to read it. "Love Eternal Under Starless Sky— Ioseff hearts Fulvia”

"Now last time I heard, Fulvia is not a standard elvish nickname for Asethanna, but I might be wrong. Has anybody read anything about Xarwin remarrying at any point, or perhaps getting engaged again? I think we just found what people would call juicy gossip on the man."

************
Dining Room
Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Eliza points out the bat display at the back of the room. "That reminds me of a snippet I once read in one of my colleague's journals on the Outer Gods. Nyarlathotep I'd say, in his guise as the Haunter of the Dark. I remember reading that Nyarlathotep seems to enjoy manipulating mortals and driving them to madness. Now that would certainly make sense in this household and I think should confirm any suspicions we had about this place being entwined within the Dark Tapestry. "

****************
Sun room?
Eliza sits down, and reaches into her pocket, pulling out the letter received from Ravounel and opens it, staring down at its contents. "When I took this letter of inheritance, I never once thought that clearing out this place would be such a challenge. I have studied links to the otherworld my whole life, but now I'm experiencing that dark side of it myself I am finding it much more gruelling than thrilling."

"What do you mean Miya? It might be helpful in the grand scheme." Eliza says, but something about the woman seemed steadfast, and she wasn't in the mood to sway people's minds right now. "Okay, let's continue upstairs today and see what we find."

Eliza heads back to bed late that night quietly pondering how she can help Tadia with her Father issues without interfering.

Dominion of the Black Dreams DC 18 Occultism: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Eliza dreams of the Dominion but when she awakes, all memories of the dream leave her and only the fear that she felt lingers.

That morning, after everybody has stirred, she suggests that they head to the crypt outside in the grounds, hoping to find out more about the scopes and Order of the Starless Sky.

Still not meeting Eliza's eyes, Tadia's exploration takes on something a little more destructive as her poking and prodding turn into tearing at the target book.

"My father?" she responds, snorting in disgust. "Don't be ridiculous. If I died here tomorrow, he wouldn't even notice until next year when I wasn't there to be paraded around as some prize for the first ball of the season." Her annoyance results in the spine pulling entirely off of the book she's punishing. She shoves the evidence back onto the shelf and then steps away. "And even then he'd just be annoyed that I'd disrupted his 'all important' schedule."

Her voice takes on a tone clearly mocking her father.

"Tadia, you disappoint me. How dare you die and disrupt my well crafted plans. I'll have to take this out of your allowance."

Her charade fades and pain appears for just a moment on the young woman's face before being replaced by ever-present mask of anger. "Well, sod his plans. Even if we don't all die here, I'm not going back."

"Tadia, do you really think that?" Eliza retorts, shocked at the young woman's understanding of the whole situation. "Firstly, we are not going to die here. This is my home now - our home if you'd like to call it that. There is a special bond that a person holds with their true home, a protection of sorts. Yes, the manor doesn't seem to have realised this itself yet, but it will - eventually."

She sighs heavily and walks over to the shelf with the destroyed journal, picking up the pieces and examining them, somewhat tactlessly, to check if she can salvage any of it.

"I know that you are angry at him right now and that you feel diminished by his words but that doesn't mean that your relationship is not salvageable. Words are just that, and nothing is beyond repair. But perhaps, time is what you both need. Time away from each other. You would have to think carefully about what you would do with yourself here, of course as you cannot just wile away your time. An old woman such as myself has much to be doing, I even have a few papers I have been meaning to write but never got around to. But living here would involve being far away from any entertainment."

Eliza smiles kindly, at the young girl.

"And after all of that, you'd also have to put up with me!" Eliza tries to jest, to nervously lighten the mood somewhat. She had dealt with many things in her years, but dealing with an emotional young woman was not a skill she had practiced.

Free check, society Order of starless sky DC27: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 2 = 21
Free check, starless scopes DC23 Library Lore: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 2 = 25 Pass
Free check, Void Mirror DC23 Library Lore: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 = 28 Pass