Ikethru's page

Sorry for the delay everyone.

Ikethru had fallen silent at Almah's question abut the monastery. She could not help but feel the sting of personal failure for not having reclaimed it already. But when brave Kara and the newcomers made their recommendation, she smiled faintly. Perhaps this was divine providence.

She bowed to Lady Roveshki and took her leave with the others. "It is good to have you with us." she said to Thadeous and Azten. "You have my thanks for your aid. If you will excuse me however, I must seek Father Zastoran. Our friend was badly hurt, and she needs healing."

She turned to Kara before the halfling took to bed. "We will have you well soon, I promise."

OOC-ing this just so you don't get overwhelmed Scribble! Ikethru will look for Father Zastoran first, to see if he can help heal Kara faster than she could by herself, and then she'll come back to start giving aid if Kara allows her.

Don't worry Thadeous. We're all guilty of it sooner or later! :) I like seeing what's going on in other characters' heads!

Ikethru smiled and bowed again as Azten and Thadeous introduced themselves. "Yes, it is good to have another of the Dawnflower's servants with us." she said with a look back to Martika. Surely Sarenrae had much that needed doing here if so many of her servants had been called to this place.

Ikethru had looked confused at the talk of a vulture taking two goats. A vulture? But then Almah gave further details.

"By the Dawnflower, that large?!" Hadrad and Hadrah surely must be upset... She tried to imagine how much such a beast would have to eat. "If it took two goats, it may be some time before it returns...until then all I can recommend is that we keep the livestock close and our eyes open. We have our wounded to care for in that time anyway."

She looked to Mirama and Javeed with a questioning look, wondering if her advice was sound. She had to admit she knew little about survival out in the wilds. She certainly had not expected the camp to be set upon by giant vultures. "Where could it have come from? Could we track it to its nest rather than wait for it to strike again?"

Ikethru was surprised by the sight of the newcomers, though any extra help was appreciated, especially in light of their apparent new troubles. An old man and a young man. The elder had the look of a mage. Master and apprentice? Or is the younger man his bodyguard?

She awkwardly and hurriedly bowed, a sense of urgency in her voice. "Hello, it is good to meet you. I am Ikethru, servant of Sarenrae."

She immediately turned back to Almah, hoping to get to the heart of the matter as the others introduced themselves. "Is anyone hurt? Anyone that may need healing? You said a vulture attacked?" There was confusion in her voice. She didn't think a mere vulture could cause much trouble for a camp full of armed men and women.

She added, more quietly so that she could spare a bit of the halfling's pride, "Kara is wounded. She was set upon by bloodsuckers. She will need rest and treatment before she goes out with us again." She continued, looking directly into Almah's eyes, "She was quite brave, moreso than should be asked of a slave put in harm's way."

Ikethru's eyes widened in surprise, but she gently let go as Kara demanded. Perhaps I underestimated just how strong, and proud, she really is... She tried to hide her smile as she quickly bowed in apology to the halfling. "You are right. I am sorry, Kara. Let us hurry then!"

Hurrying to Almah's tent.

Ikethru scowled disapprovingly at Dashki as she lifted Kara again. "We had better hurry then!" she said to the others before she made haste for Almah's tent.

The sooner they found out what was wrong, the sooner they could get to work on making it right.

Ikethru quickly put Kara down as gently as she could, barely fully taking in the sight of the camp before Dashki approached.

"Yes, what has happened?! Is Lady Roveshki safe?"

Ikethru had the sinking feeling that there was going to be much need for a healer tonight.

Feeling Kara grow still and restful against her back, Ikethru looked at Mirama with a smile and bowed her head slightly, thankful that she had reminded her of what her true duty to Sarenrae was supposed to be.

Now she prayed that their journey would remain peaceful on the way back to the caravan.

"Ikethru, sometimes you cannot serve all those you love and like at once. Saraenra surely can wait another day or two, before you free her temple of whatever evil it holds now. But Kara needs help now, so let us come back, strenghtned and more prepared than we've been today, to see this temple getting cleaned for your goddess again!"

With that, Mirama holds Ikethru by her shoulders, and nods firmly, looking straight into her eyes.

The priestess' eyes met Mirama's for a moment, then bowed her head in shame. "You are right...it is selfish of me to push us further while one in our care is such a state..."

She seemed absolutely crestfallen, but grateful as well, as she looked back up, "Thank you, Mirama." She placed a hand over one of the Mwangi woman's. "The goddess would want us to care for a soul in need before tending to one of her houses."

She sheathed her scimitar and looked about the room once more. "We should leave no sign of our being here, if it can be helped. Perhaps we should even leave the bowl where we found it?" She put the last suggestion forward gently. It could be used in exchange for medicine for Kara, perhaps...

She went to work picking up the stirge corpses and preparing them to be carried out to be disposed of elsewhere. Who knew, someone might actually have a use for them, somehow.

When the time came to leave, she picked Kara up from the ground. "You have lost too much blood to be walking across the desert." she said with a gentle smile, intending to discourage an protests from the halfling before they began. "Singing may not be a problem though, once we are far from this place." she added with a widening grin, hoping to keep the girl's spirits up.

Ikethru looked back and forth between Khalit and Kara, obviously torn between two duties. Kara did need help; it was far too dangerous here for someone in her condition and they had sworn to protect her. But...she loathed leaving the monastery in the condition in which they had it had been found. She had to see this building reclaimed in her goddess' name.

She clutched her wrapped forearms and turned her face upwards. Oh Dawnflower, what would you have me do? She spoke, uneasily venturing the suggestion, "Kara needs healing that I cannot give. It would be best if someone took her from this place at least. But if we leave any sign of our having been here...whatever may be here will be ready for us when we return. Or may even follow us back to our camp."

It was clear in her voice that she wanted Kara taken back at least, but it pained her to leave before the job was done.

Just weighing the options, but this would give the new players a chance to show up soon if all of us or some of us went back to camp.

Ikethru patted Kara's shoulder as she pointed towards the bowl, smiling sadly at the girl's seeming eagerness to serve even as she lay there wounded. "Yes, you've done well..."

When she had done what little she could, Ikethru sat Kara up gently. "The bleeding has stopped, but you're still going to need a lot of rest before you've recovered. Until then, it would be best if you stayed close to us, alright? We won't let you come to further harm." she promised, looking to the others afterwards and silently asking them to do their best to protect the girl.

She had little interest in the bowl. As far as she was concerned at the moment, it was practically Kara's considering the trouble she had gone through. She was more focused on securing the room they were in. If anything had heard the sounds of battle...

Ikethru took a position near the door leading out of the room, listening closely for any sound of approach and looking to the others, knowing that many of them had sharper senses than hers.

Perception: 13

"Kara, are you alright? You look awfully pale."

"Ikethru, can you do anything for her? I don't want anything to happen to my investment." Khalit winks.

Ikethru winced at Khalit's jest. She knew he did not mean any harm, but the words still struck too close for comfort. She put it out of her mind immediately though as she went to work.

"Dawnflower's mercy, she's lost a lot of blood..." She dropped to her knees and gently tried to keep Kara's hands away from her back, speaking softly in an attempt to calm the poor girl. "Shhh, you will be alright, I promise you."

She turned to the others as she continued to work, daubing the puncture wounds with a cloth from her pack and keeping pressure on the wounds. "I can stop the bleeding, but she's going to need a lot of rest, food, and care to recover completely. I...I am not close enough to my goddess so that I can call upon her to cure her. Perhaps Father Zastoran can..." She seemed somewhat ashamed to admit her own failings in that regard.

Heal: 27

If Kara has taken any damage that can be cured by a positive energy channelling, Ikethru will use one.

Ikethru was horrified at the sight of the two stirges feeding off Kara like gigantic ticks. She joined Mirama and tried to provide cover for the wounded halfling, taking a wild swing with her scimitar at the stirge the Mwangi warrior had wounded already with her blowgun. She was focusing more on Kara's back, however. She needed tending to, and soon.

Melee Attack: 5
Damage: 3

Ikethru's eyes widened at the sight inside the monastery. She immediately moved out of the way of the others and flung out her hand, hurling a bolt of her goddess' flame towards one of the creatures swarming over Kara.

She prayed the things, and the others, did not scream too loudly.

Stepping 5 ft. to the side of the window(in Kara's direction) so someone else can come through
Using Firebolt one of the things above Kara
Ranged Touch Attack: 6
Damage: 3

"We must hurry inside!" Ikethru hissed, moving to the middle window and trying to make her way inside.

Acrobatics(if that's what is needed): 13

Initiative:14
Perception:12

Ikethru looked at the others for a moment to see how they were going through. Jumping through windows wasn't something she was accustomed to doing.

She intends to go through if no one outside advises against it though.

"Goddess!" Ikethru gasped as Kara went through the window. She had only just wondered what Javeed's expression meant to convey from the distance when the halfling slave disappeared. Ikethru took off towards the scouts, as quickly as she could, turning her head to the al-Raedoth siblings. "Let us hurry, she's thrown herself into danger!"

Running full speed towards the others and will follow them through the window. :)

Ikethru held her position as she waited for a signal from the scouts, not trusting that her clumsier steps wouldn't give the others away. She was prepared to run as quickly as she could to their side, however.

Ikethru stepped lightly after the others, her scimitar in hand.

Stealth: 19

Please forgive the shortness. I'm a bit under the weather.

Ikethru was grateful to see the two return, but her face turned grim as Kara spoke. "I wonder what that could be, the thing you smelled... One thing at a time." She drew her scimitar and looked tot he others. "Shall we go now?"

Ikethru nodded. "Go ahead, but stay close to Javeed!"

Ikethru moved closer to Kara, laying a hand on her shoulder to stay her eagerness to go forth. "Yes, we should avoid announcing our presence." she agreed with Javeed, keeping her voice gentle to avoid seeming as if she was scolding the girl. "We do not know what may be waiting in there. It could be gnolls or worse. Certainly nothing benign could be inside, or else a house dedicated to our goddess would not be in such a poor state. And anything that provides shelter will draw something to it in the desert."

She looked around, and pointed at the gaps in the walls. "Going in through the windows might slow us down. Should we simply hurry inside as quietly as we can?" She wasn't sure if it was the best idea strategically, but put it forth to Javeed and Martika.

I'm ready to approach however we decide, of course. This is what I joined the caravan to do after all. :)

Ikethru had distracted herself with watching Kara teach Mirama to the point that she didn't realize they had arrived at the fallen monastery until after the others.

"By the Goddess..." She was glad they had finally found it, but the sight of the place was heartbreaking. She clasped the ankh of Sarenrae hanging from her neck as she prayed for that they would be able to reclaim it. Oh Dawnflower, this temple will be retaken in your name!

She looked to Javeed and Martika, who had struck her as the more strategically inclined of their group. "Surely we will not be able to sneak in under daylight. But it could be more dangerous to wait until night. How do you think we should approach?" She deferred to their wisdom, but it was clear in her stance and shifting from foot to foot that she was anxious to start as soon as they could.

Praise Sarenrae!

Ikethru watched Kara's impromptu performance intently with a faint smile; she was grateful for something to take her mind off the scorpions and that the slave girl's spirits seemed so high.

She could not help but worry though, about how much of the girl's act was out of genuine cheer or out of a sense of duty to entertain her "betters". Blessed Sarenrae, please give me the strength and wisdom to see her free at the very least.

bump :)

Ikethru whispered to Mirama as she passed, "Thank you for speaking with her." before falling in line with the others as they marched onward.

Her face seemed apologetic to any who looked at her. She continued to chide herself silently for losing herself to anger and possibly putting the others at risk.

Ikethru almost seemed ready to strike the last scorpion again even after it was clearly killed, but after a moment she exhaled and immediately began fretting over the others, asking each of them if they were certain they were not stung.

She was nervously fiddling with the wrappings about her forearms as she did so.

"We should make haste. It won't do to have the caravan sleeping in tents should more of these bloody things wander into our campsite."

"Thank you, Javeed!" Ikethru said as she rushed past him to Mirama's side. If anger had thrown off her aim, it certainly did not help her scimitar find its target as she swung down at the creature.

Charging the remaining scorpion
Attack Roll: 4
Damage: 5

"Be careful there, Kara! These things are extremely poisonous!" Ikethru couldn't hide her disgust for the creatures, and it was clear it wasn't simply their venomous nature that had her eager to burn them from the sands.

I forgot this earlier. Ikethru will move during the first round as well to try and keep between the scorpions and Kara as well.

cleric hate scorpion

Perception: 19+3(WIS) = 22!
Initiative: 8

Ikethru's breath caught in her throat at the sight of the emerging scorpions, her hands instinctively clutching at the wrappings on her forearms.

She came back to her senses in time to yell out "Look out! Scorpions, over there!" and with an expression of more anger and outright loathing, she hurled a dart of her goddess' flame at the closest creature.

Surprise Round
Using Fire Bolt
Ranged Touch Attack: 4
Damage: 3

Not even stopping to see if the first bolt hit, she inhaled through closed teeth and brought her hands together, trying to focus her mind before throwing another bolt of flame. The revulsion and memories the scorpions drew out of her once more threw off her aim.

1st Round
Using Fire Bolt
Ranged Touch Attack: 1
Damage:2

Ikethru thought there was no use in pushing the point at the moment. "Fine." she muttered, making it clear it certainly wasn't to her, and then made her way back to her small tent to retrieve her armor before meeting up with the others again.

She'll come right back and will be easy to find when it's time to set out.

Ikethru flinched at the casual appraisal of Kara's monetary worth. She couldn't hid her distaste at the exchange, and quietly excused herself to prepare her gear for whatever the day was bringing.

It's like a poison, here and in my homeland. Oh Sarenrae, will our lands ever change? As she passed by Dashki, the sight of his grisly trophy brought her to a halt. "Dashki," she kept a gentle tone, though her disgust still slipped through. "Is that really necessary? I know it was a wicked creature and it got you into trouble, but it still deserves a burial or burning." She tried to think about it from his perspective, attempting to avoid sounding holier-than-thou. "Can you not simply take some of its teeth and be done with it?"

Hey, I'm good. I've got a halfling porter and everything!

glares

Kara was about to take another bite of porridge when she saw the scars on Ikethru's back and her hand froze halfway to her mouth for a moment. Two freed slaves among us? And she wants to free me as well? She shakes her head suddenly, as if snapping her focus back to the present and finishes taking the bite. Mustn't think about such things now! After swallowing, she responds to Almah "Yes, ma'am. I shall work hard not to disappoint you."

Before Ikethru gets up to go see Khalit

"Please, just call me Ikethru." The priestess brushed the hair out of Kara's face in what was meant to be a comforting gesture. "I will make sure that you are taken care of. Just let me know if there is anything you need, alright?" she said with a friendly smile.

Seeing Kara's frown, Ikethru slowly pulled the back of her dress slightly to the side, exposing the deep scars on her back. "Our kind have to look out for each other, don't we?" she said with a faint smile, nodding her head pointedly towards Mirama. "Some of us have shared your plight. We will do what we can to see you free." she tried to reassure Kara quietly.

She stood up and moved closer to Khalit. She was grateful he had stepped forward to declare the girl under his watch. She trusted the al-Raedoth siblings, though she did not know them that well. "Thank you, Khalit." she said with a bow of her head. "She will be safe under your watch, I am certain."

Ikethru tried to stop staring with distaste at Dashki's abuse of the pugwampi corpse. She would have to speak with him later after their immediate business was done.

"You certainly have my aid in this." Ikethru suddenly looked very determined, her eyes hardening for the first time since joining the caravan. "Restoring the Dawnflower's temple was why I came. I am simply grateful that doing so will aid everyone else as well."

She was about to commend Khalit's idea of pooling their resources when Kara mentioned the fact that she was a slave. Like Almah, she was taken aback, but things suddenly made sense. Blessed Sarenrae, did her master simply throw her into this dangerous endeavor to be rid of her? She looked haunted by her own memories as she watched Kara and Almah go over the dispersal of the girl's wealth.

"While I believe pooling our resources would be wise, today I will go ahead and accept the full payment offered, Lady Roveshki." She knelt by Kara, placing a hand on her shoulder, quietly speaking to the halfling, "And that money is to be used at your command. Anything you require, I shall buy for you for your use. And as it is technically my property being loaned to you, none can take them from you." She would not see the girl's position abused if she could help it.

Already her mind was racing, trying to find a way to secure the girl's freedom and safety.

Ikethru was comforted that Father Zastoran had seen to Eloais already, though she was disappointed in herself for not having returned the cards to the man sooner. She bowed to Garavel, thanking him for telling her, and then set about to what little she could do.

She gathered enough small stones to build a tiny ring at the foot of Eloais' grave, and set herself to building a fire in it with some of the nearby drybrush. She gave the cards, particularly The Cyclone, one last look before placing them in the fire. As they burned, she prayed to Sarenrae to safeguard the man's soul on his way to Pharasma's judgment. After letting the fire burn out, she spread the ashes of the harrow cards over Eloais' grave with a final word beseeching her goddess to look over him, and those he had left behind, such as Almah.

As she passed back through the campsite, she politely asked any still awake if there was anything they needed assistance with, and then retired for the night.

Before they left, Ikethru retrieved the singed cards Dashki had dumped from the pugwampi's pockets. She couldn't just leave them behind.

She had difficulty not getting lost in Kara's song herself as they made their way out of the patch. What is she doing out here with our lot. She should be performing in a city somewhere, making a living in a safer place than this. She would have to find out more about the halfling, if she was willing to share her story of course.

She was glad to see the relief on Hadrah and Hadrod's faces, and especially glad that they thanked Kara. Almah declaring Dashki's innocence proven and her approval of the new arrivals to the caravan also lifted her heart. We've done some good today, at least. I must be in the right place then.

Still, she could not retire for the night until she was certain Eloais' remains had been laid to rest. She excused herself from the others with a short prayer to call on Sarenrae for healing, looking for Father Zastoran or anyone else who may have taken charge of that task. She wanted to offer her prayers for the man and place what cards she had gathered with his remains, hoping that he was now at peace at the very least.

Channel Energy: 1 point of healing

She'll just be doing what she can to aid in burying Eloais' remains before resting. If anyone else is hurting and showing it, she'll tend to their wounds with spells as well.

Ikethru looked where Kara pointed and nodded, quickly catching on to the idea that the halfling had to continue singing to keep the goat calm.

Unless someone else steps forward immediately or something goes wrong along the way:

She gingerly stepped around Rombard, giving him plenty of space, and tried to approach his tangled rope from behind the goat. She slowly sawed through the rope with her scimitar, keeping a grip on the end that would soon be coming loose and handing it over to Kara.

Ikethru reached down to lay a hand on Kara's shoulder. "It looks as if you were the one meant to get him back after all." she said with a smile. "Thank you."

She offered Dashki the same smile. Unpleasant though he was, she was glad his innocence in Eloais' murder was proven. Still, she wished they wouldn't be so rough with the pugwampi's corpse.

"Trying to grab the goat now won't set him off again, will it?" she asked, uncertain whether she should be asking Kara or Javeed.

If things go well with getting Rombard out, I'll go ahead and hold off on channelling until we're out of the patch.

Ikethru let out a sigh of relief after Javeed cut the beast down. "I pray it was the only one." she responded to Kara's question, looking at her with concern, but not judgment, after her display of anger.

"And yes, we should hurry." She approached Martika and Javeed; she was worried about the injuries they had suffered just then, especially with Javeed's fall. "Are both of you alright for now? Or do you need healing before we make our way out of this mess?" She stressed the question toward Javeed, in case he should be the one to step forward again to try and calm the goat.

She will Channel Energy or use healing spells at anyone's request.

Initiative: 3

"Javeed!"

At the sight of the creature, Ikethru entered into a prayer echoing Martika. "Holy Dawnflower, please guide us through this trial!" She then pointed at the the beast, hurling a bolt of flame a bit too hurriedly.

Casting Fire Bolt
Ranged Touch Attack: 1st roll(14), 2nd roll(8)
Damage: 1

Yeah, I'd heal a goat. :)

"The poor thing..." Ikethru winced at the sight of the goat nearly choking himself. She started forward to help before realizing what Martika has suggested, and instead waited to follow his lead. "We have to hurry, he's only going to hurt himself again struggling like that." she urged the ranger.

In a softer tone, she spoke aside to Kara, "It's alright. We'll get him out of there safely."

Ikethru nearly broke into a string of curses when the nettles pricked at her face. Taking a deep breath, she tried to focus on prayer to help stay her tongue.

Seeing how badly many of them seemed to be hurting, particularly Martika, she stepped closely behind them, clasping her hands around her holy symbol and whispering a prayer to Sarenrae to soothe their pain.

Channelling Positive Energy: 5 points of healing for everyone in range

"If anyone is badly hurt, please come to..." Ikethru rethought her suggestion. "Let me know, I will come to you."

Ikethru readjusted her skullcap, flustered at her blunder. That's never happened before..., she thought as she pressed it back into place. Seeing everyone else's accidents, she asked "Is everyone alright?" She followed Martika's lead, pulling out her scimitar and slashing at the larger cacti before them and moving forward more slowly.

"Be careful JaveeEEED!" she called out as she misstepped again. It was so hard not to curse, sometimes.

Acrobatics: 10
Acrobatics: 15

Ikethru's heart skipped a beat when she heard the cry, as she thought it was that of a child at first. After Kara recognized it and explained, she was relieved not only that it was just the goat, but also that Kara's spirits seemed to have risen.

She quickly followed the others through the cacti, taking less care than she should in her hurry to retrieve the poor animal.

Acrobatics: 8

Ikethru winced as she brushed against some cacti. I should have bought some torches. To think that I only thought to buy candles before setting out...

She kept a wary eye on Kara and the shadowed desert around them until Dashki made his discovery. "What is it?" she asked quietly.

Perception: 14