Haleen seems to realise that Grall needs some space but right at the end of his prayer the barbarian feels a small hand interweave with his...
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Haleen places a small hand on Grall's back and gives him an encouraging smile.
Haleen interjects. Why don't we work out what we're dealing with at this oasis first? The six of you have got to be best placed to combat whatever is there. Besides I can guard the caravan with you close at hand. Looking to Arasmes and Zeladiel Radi looks like he is going to violently object until Haleen snaps her fingers in his face, a spark of fire dancing from thumb to forefinger. The merchant shuts up at least for now. DM:
hb
Sense Motive DC 17 / DC 15 for Grall: Haleen seems to have strong feelings about the six of you working together as opposed to taking guard duty herself.
Khalid has moved his possessions from the wharfmaster's house to Grall and Haleen's cottage in the upper town. It is not large but large enough to avoid embarassment. That leaves Linah and Zeladiel in the house with Arasmes quartered near the market. Nuveril of course has spent time elsewhere. 6th of Rova
I am well Linah and pleased to see you hale. The woman presses her hands against yours and kisses you on the cheek. I am very sorry about Sajan. Aside from the daemon's influence, you've come to know the former flame witches cheery countenance quite well. She seems to avoid use of her magics though, her hair having grown back to a respectable length in the last eighteen months. I'm here because this time Grall is not leaving without me. She settles into a chair and folds her legs under her. Now I am biased but I would think the larger the party the better both to avoid fights and have many sets of eyes to spot this jann. I bet now the gnoll threat seems to be over Almah would offer to send soldiers as well.
Haleen is visibly overjoyed at Xulthos' death. She seems to fight the urge to go to Grall, healing Sajan and checking on Linah.
Haleen wilts a bit before Grall's anger. At his quieter words she replies in the same way. I do understand. We must each do what we must. Don't let it in your mind.. She stands aside. As you leave the battle market Oxvard places several blessings on the group. These will only last a few minutes. Abadar go with you.
You are preparing to leave, when Haleen approaches. Gone is the veil and heavy cloak. Underneath she is as bald as an egg as if all her hair has been crisped away by flame. The woman has helped herself to one of the suits of studded leather armour and a scimitar. She seems to be studiously avoiding looking at Grall. I wanted to say how sorry I was for before. She looks at Sajan. Particularly to you. All I can say is that I wasn't in control of my actions. That thing was. I want to make up for it. Help you if I can. Now she looks at Grall. Please.
I have some magic that might help fight off magical despair but nothing that can block mental control.
Grall: You see a hint of a smile, the first one so far. We are a mess. I don't know where these powers have come from, Saranrae is as good a guess as any I suppose. I do know that noone is going to control me ever again. Not that thing, not my Father. I will decide how I use my power. I'll speak to the others, your comrades, if you wish. She takes your hand. I'm just glad we're together.
Grall: In the evening after the final battle you manage to talk to Haleen alone and she gives you her version of the last few months. Clearly the emotional toll of her experiences with Kardswann and the Kuldis has been a heavy one. She holds out her hands. I'm not sure how or why it happened. Sometimes a blessing, but mostly a curse it seems. I don't know why me. It started several months ago. I started lighting fires. Only by thought, rather than with me hands. Father thought it was some sort of accident but I knew better. When my emotions were strong it would just .. well happen. That was scary enough. But then came the dreams. Most I didn’t understand, could barely remember other than they were horrible. But there was one that I kept having, most every night. It was of you Grall, dressed in golden armour and your sword glowed like the sun. You were fighting something enormous, as big as a mountain, a mountain of fire. You stood before it, so brave. And it … it just swallowed you whole. Again and again and each time I woke up screaming. I dreamt of this place too. A town built on a hill besides a fast flowing river. Although in my dream there was a great red tower, higher than the battle market. I found a book in Father's library that described it so perfectly, Kelmarane. I know it was stupid but I thought that maybe I was having the dreams for a reason. I thought that if I came here maybe I could find a way to prevent it all from happening. Prevent you from dying. I knew if I told Father or Uncle what I was doing they would stop me. Father was working on a marriage contract, something to expand his power and influence. A crazy, fire starting witch of a daughter wasn't part of the plan. That’s why I couldn’t explain in a letter, I was worried they would read it. So I took what I needed and What I found here was the gnolls and Kardswann. I used my fire on the gnolls but that didn’t stop Kardswann. He took me to the church of Saranrae. Well beneath the church, to the crypts. He made us intangible with his magic and dragged me through the solid stone like it was air. Something … dwells down there in the darkness. I never saw it, there was never any light. Only felt it and heard it. Just a horrible noise. You can't think, it nearly drove me crazy. Its name is Xulthos. It did something to me, worked some magic on my mind and after that most everything gets blurry. It is like I wasn’t in control of my own body any more, I was just a servant to its will. I can only remember bits and pieces, but I know I did some horrible, horrible things. I became a monster. I don't know how you can even bear to look at me.
Haleen shoots Zeladiel a fiery look.
Haleen, her eyes full of tears, rushes over to Grall and gently cradles his head in her lap. She strokes his blood matted fur. Its over! Its over! Oh my poor Grall.
Haleen turns to Grall and shakes her head at the sight of his many wounds. Oh my poor Grall! She raises her right hand, chanting, and Grall can feel the heat radiating from it. This is going to hurt... She rests the hand on the gnoll's chest and its as if his veins are suddenly flowing lava. Some of his wounds close as if seared by flame. Cure Moderate Wounds
Haleen moves forward. She looks horrified. Kardswann! You don't need to do this! You can fight him!
Bolstered by Linah's healing, the Flame Witch / Haleen climbs unsteadily to her feet as Grall dashs off toward the steps. The woman, bald as an egg, turns to Linah. Whatever enchantment held her (if enchantment it was) seems to have been broken. Fear and concern are painted on her face. Close up and with the veil down your struck by how young she is, maybe 19. If he charges off to dual Kardswann he's going to get cut to pieces! Kardswann doesn't fight fair. He'll kill Grall and your companions anyway he can! We have to help! Shes moves to follow the gnoll.
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