Pilla Linuveshi

GM Bill Koya's page

15 posts. Alias of Bill Dunn.


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Along the butterfly's journey, Rawnie can sense her familiar's general emotional state. For the most part, it's dominated by a sense of determination. Then, right near the edge of the empathic bond's limit, comes a wave of anxious anticipation followed by relief. For a few minutes, Rawnie senses the contentment of a child being doted on by a mother, and then it's back to determination as the butterfly makes its return journey.

The butterfly lands with 2 bits of paper - the map and a fresh parchment with a note in Mother Koya's spidery handwriting.
"Sandru says the camp is well-secure, so that's good. Ameiko is no worse, but no better either. She still talks in her fevered dreams about much the same. But one dream seems to have changed. Now she says "one treasure, one more seal, in the third vault." Have you broken or found a seal?
Desna's blessings on you all and this daring adventure"


Actually, Ameiko really doesn't know Minkaian. She never mastered more than Tien as far as far-flung languages go.

"She must have been more vulnerable than I realized. I think it likely she is dealing with a mental assault, maybe even possession if she's speaking in a tongue she doesn't know. Moreover, she seems to be the only one vulnerable to it. Perhaps it is a legacy of her grandfather's after all."

Koya takes out her Harrow deck and few cards while chanting some mystical phrases (casting augury spell). "The Harrow suggests that we will encounter trouble if we take Ameiko into the ruined town to seek an answer to her condition. I think it best if I take care of her here."


Koya holds the door to her wagon open so that Ameiko can be laid in a more comfortable bed than a camping bedroll.
"I did not expect her to be stricken like this, certainly not so soon. What was she doing when she fell?"


Koya looks at Rawnie's cards with some concern. "The Harrow shows us many things to worry us, none more than the Rakshasa and The Lost. I fear that Ameiko is already beset by some force. I will prepare some magicks tonight that may offer some relief. In the meantime, Ameiko, I'm afraid we will have to wait and see what happens."


Rawnie, Harrower Extraordinaire wrote:
"Mother Koya, is there anything I can do to assist?"

"Perhaps you should consult the Harrow, daughter. Ameiko's body seems too well to be this sick. There may be other influences bound up in her destiny at work, if truly there is some family secret hidden here."


Rawnie, Harrower Extraordinaire wrote:


"Hopefully the rumors of Brinewall being haunted are just that, rumors." Rawnie cannot help but mutter as the caravan inches closer to it's destination, though as she does she turns to Koya, "Mother Koya, perhaps we should attempt to please the spirits before we get much further, do you have any rituals which could help with that?"

"I wish it were that simple, my child. That would save many brave people from the dangers of putting the unquiet dead to rest. There is little we can do from a distance, nor is there a single solution to every peril we might encounter. Some unquiet dead - the hungry dead or shambling dead, for example - can only be destroyed on site through mortal combat. Others, like the ghosts of people who died with unfinished tasks or from great trauma, can only be put to rest through specific means either by finishing what they have left unfinished or by resolving their troubles."


Koya reaches out to touch Shalelu lightly on the back. Calling on the power of Desna in her role as protector of travelers, Koya mends Shalelu's wound.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9


On seeing the situation, Koya takes out her butterfly-shaped symbol of Desna and casts a sanctuary spell upon herself. Then she takes out a few bundles of bandages, ready to play the role of combat support and healer.

Meanwhile - Masamune stalwartly resists the fright-inducing yowl of the krenshar. That creature winces under fire from the samurai's bow, though he seems to have received only a minor wound.

I think we're waiting on Rawnie, then it's back to the top of the round with Ash, Piper, and Shalelu.


Koya pulls both Ash and Rawnie aside.
"I will stay with the caravan for now with Sandru. The two of you will serve in my place - Ash as a healer, Rawnie as a Harrower. Desna bless both of you and keep you from harm," she says as she kisses each on the forehead.


Koya is quick to speak on her own behalf about watches.

"Do not even think about easing my responsibilities as a full participant in this journey. I appreciate the concern, but I am determined to carry my own weight. First watch will be excellent for that leaves me a bit more time to simply watch the heavens once night is upon us and my watch is over."


Koya's excitement for the journey is readily apparent, but so is a bit of nervousness. She smiles at Piper's writing and says, "And a joy it is to me as well, Piper. This is a journey I have long put off, may Desna forgive me. But a journey started late is better than one never started."

As she works on getting her wagon all ready to go, she discusses duties with Rawnie. "I would be grateful of your help, daughter. Sandru worries unnecessarily about me, but I am honored that the two of you are so concerned with my welfare. The wagon will be a bit cozy but I think the two of us can manage it well enough."
And though her wagon will be a bit cozy with two main occupants, it is also the most comfortably furnished.


Meanwhile, just outside of Sandpoint, Koya joins the conversation between Sandru and Rawnie.

"Sandru tells me that you will be joining us on our journey, my daughter. Desna has blessed me that I will have so many of my children sharing the road with me, and I am glad. But how do you read the Harrow, Rawnie? What portents to you see ahead of us?"


A fleeting look of jealousy crosses Koya's face as Sandru speaks those words. "Now that my responsibilities in Sandpoint are laid to rest and if Desna wills it, I too will have my chance to experience the road as you have, my son. And since you have never been to Brinewall either, that is one travel experience you will not have over me!" she finishes with a wicked grin.


Jacen "Ash" Teleris wrote:
"The seemed to. We were fortunate that few of us received much in the way of injuries, but we came back with none at all, so that is clearly something to be happy with. If we come across undead tomorrow, then I suspect my gifts will be more useful still..." He trails off as he slides into the chair across from her.

"And you want the Harrow to see what the future has in store for you? Of course."

She quickly pulls out a subset of cards and sets them out in a fan for Jacen to pick one. It comes up as the Mute Hag, Neutral Evil representative of the Star suit, a suit that best represents questions about the purview of the gods - life, death, and undeath.

"The Hag represents your role in the present moment. She may be mute but her hag eye gives her the power to see into the hearts of men, to understand secrets. Your insights will be called upon in the days ahead."

She then replaces that card and has Jacen shuffle the deck and lay out a 3x3 array of 9 cards.
Ash's Harrow Reading 1

Koya turns over the first column.
"The first column represents the influence of the past. Hmmm… I see emptiness. An identity or destiny not fulfilled. The bodak on The Lost shows this particularly strongly. Someone has failed in their task or duty."

She turns over the second column.
"The second column represents the current state of affairs. Here, I see that the past remains with us and though it might be a past we could learn from under better circumstances, it appears to have a restlessness. A restlessness that will take effort to overcome."

She turns over the final column.
"This column represents that which is likely to come to pass. I see foolishness and greed, but that greed can be averted, the thief diverted to the path of justice, the crow thwarted."

She sits back in her chair. "Now, my son, does that answer your question? The Harrow is rarely explicit in its answer, the cards interpreted in many ways."


Jacen "Ash" Teleris wrote:

Of course...*sigh*

Spoiler:
When he heads home, he is not surprised to find Koya up. "Good evening, Mother, I am glad to find you still awake, as it seems I return to the horrors of that swamp again tomorrow."

Spoiler:

Koya's wagon is cluttered with shelves and drawers, all storing some kind of medicinal herbs, bandages, or the tools of a fortune teller. She sits at her table shuffling a well-worn Harrow deck.

"Ah, Jacen. It's good to see one of my sons remembers his responsibilities. Did your gifts serve your and your friends well?"