"Be careful!" Kallie had whispered to Romon before he made his way up the wall. She nervously looked at the others and found an excuse to let someone else go before her when she could, but when her time to go up came and with fewer of her friends on the ground with her, she hurried to make her way up with them.
When she caught her breath after such strenuous activity, she looked about the courtyard with a hint of relief. She had expected to see human skeletons near spits in the courtyard.
Kallie pointed at the tower when Muchorak put his question forth. "W-we'll be exposed and vulnerable in the courtyard, perhaps. Getting inside and keeping ourselves hidden may be the best option for now." She had steadied her voice, but her fingers still shook.
I am really sorry for the delay everyone. Some RL stuff sidetracked me hard but I should be regular again now.
"If there are more of them outside the battlement, I wonder...I wonder if storming through the gate and sealing it from the inside might be wise?" Kallie pondered, showing her lack of experience in matters of strategy. "We still have the element of surprise. Hopefully."
Assuming Muchorak tells us about the bridge:
Kallie felt sick in her stomach at the realization of how close they had come to hurtling into the sea below. Oh gods. If I ran all the way across I could have collaps.. She covered her mouth for a moment.
She eagerly agreed to help fix the bridge if needed. If they had to leave in a hurry, going one at a time might not be an option...
Kallie's intent to go across the bridge as quickly as possible died as soon as she let herself look down. She had then slowed down, keeping a near death's grip on the ropes the rest of the way across. She couldn't hide her shaking once she set foot on solid ground.
"O-okay we made it..." she stammered, as if crossing the bridge was the hard part. She saw Muchorak's searching and Ali's sniffing, and stuck close to the others, not wanting to distract them. She was becoming increasingly worried about attacks from atop the stockade. "Gods, how many do you think are left?" she whispered to Inikai, Romon, and Marak.
Kallie looked at the others nervously, worried about the prospect of exposing themselves one by one. She knew there was at least some safety in numbers, and as much as it shamed her it frightened her not to have someone to take cover behind.
It'll be okay, it'll be okay...just run as fast as you can and as quietly as you can...
Sorry for the delay. I'll update as quickly as I can!(a friend is bringing a book home from Gencon!)
Kallie winced at the sight of Romon stabbing the goblin's corpse. She knew in her head that it was necessary to be sure, but...
"At least he didn't warn the others." she replied to Muchorak's worrying question, though there was a hint of uncertainty towards the end. She prayed he hadn't been able to "magick" a warning to the other goblins.
She found herself reaching down to pat Ali on the shoulder confortingly, more than a bit surprised at the gnome's reaction to another goblin's death. Maybe she isn't that feral after all...
Kallie slowed her pace, whispering words of power under her breath, her fingers twitching and ready to hurl her magical darts as soon as she saw the goblin again.
Kallie kept her back to Muchorak's, her fingers still twitching and ready to throw a couple of magic missiles the moment the goblin showed his face again.
She was quick to agree with Romon and Inikai. "Y-yeah, let's keep moving. Is anyone else hurt?" Muchorak still seemed to smell of burnt hair and skin to her. But Marak seemed like he had been in pain earlier as well...
She hoped for Ali's sake that they could just drive the cat away. She found herself wishing she actually knew how to cast that spider-web spell without needing a scroll.
If the fire is still there:
Kallie took aim at Muchorak again, launching her healing flame at the ranger.
If the fire is gone:
Kallie stumbled forward through the brambles, reaching out to touch Muchorak before letting her flames flow over him and keeping her eyes open for their assailant. "Where is he?!"
Her fingers twitched. She planned to use her most powerful spell as soon as the goblin showed his face again. She hoped Ali had cowed that cat though...
Kallie cried out as she felt the thorns cutting into her legs. It was the first time an enemy had drawn her blood. She was haf locked up in horror then if not for the sight of the flaming sphere rolling over Muchorak.
"Oh gods, no!" She lashed out her arm to throw out her white flame once more, but this time she aimed at Muchorak.
Kallie nearly yelped at the sight of the brambles constricting about them, and nearly let loose her flame before she caught her wits. She held her heavenly fire in check, stumbling after the others and keeping her eyes out for whoever was responsible for animating the plants. Then she would let the fire fly.
Kallie will move as far as she can while keeping behind Muchorak. Holding an action to use Heavenly Fire on whoever it is controlling the plants.
Kallie looked up from the grim business she had barely helped with to see Romon's gesture. Did he and Ali find something? She looked at the others and wandered over to the trail Romon and Ali seemed to be interested in, waving the others over as she went.
I'm pretty sure we're all ready to go down the trail.
Kallie concurred. "Yeah, let's get moving!" Once the matter of the bodies came up though, she began eyeing the pit. "Do you think it would be quicker to use that?" She would have started to drag the corpses over herself, but she couldn't bring herself to touch them. Instead she was delicately nudging the closest dead dog forward with her feet, ready to leap back the moment it so much as twitched. She whimpered at the sight of what she was doing.
"Ali..." she desperately tried to focus on something besides what she was doing. "You said you smelled a cat? You don't mean a big cat, do you?"
Kallie frowned in thought as she tried to think of something to say to ease Inikai's unexpected soft-heartedness. Ali's warning gave her just that. "Maybe there wasn't anything that could be done for them...it sounds like they were diseased. They were probably rabid..." She was certain of that now, though she was woefully ignorant about animals and the wild.
She was nervously keeping an eye on Ali now though, as if she expected the gnome to start foaming at the mouth at any moment.
Kallie had let out a deep sigh of relief as the last of the dogs was cut down. She was grateful for Marak's quick healing, particularly for Ali's sake, but Inikai's reaction drew a curious look from her. She had felt uncomfortable with the matter of finishing off the fallen goblins, but Inikai shedding a tear for what seemed like mad dogs was entirely unexpected. She found herself awkwardly and silently patting him on the shoulder, trying to comfort someone who she had never thought of as needing comforting.
When Muchorak spoke up, Kallie was quick to agree. "Yes, let's keep moving, please!" If they were on a bridge, they couldn't be attacked from all sides at least. Then we'll just have to worry about being completely exposed to anyone with bows or magic and...oh gods... Kallie tried desperately to stop thinking about their situation for the moment.
"Ali!!" Kallie's face blanched in horror as the dogs fell on Ali, not even taking note of the results of her first attack. She actually started to run forward, intending to wade into the fray after her; it was like watching a child being mauled. "Get away from her!" she screamed as she threw her flame again, too angry and panicked to use anything but her instinctual magics.
Kallie stayed her shaking hand as the dogs came into view, waiting to see if Ali's attempt at befriending them would work. She was ready to hurl her flame the moment they snapped at the gnome or any of her other companions though.
Kallie's holding her action until Ali's wild empathy attempt. If it doesn't work, she's using Heavenly Fire on the closest hostile dog to Ali.
Ranged Attack: Natural 20 + 2 = 22
Damage: 8
"Ha...yes...silly me..." Kallie reluctantly went along with Ali's infectious good cheer, awkwardly patting her on the head and fighting the urge to try and pull her leg out of the gnome's grasp. Gods, it's not like I haven't been embarrassed worse in front of this group already. "So...Birdcrunchers. I would ask if the name meant anything special but I suspect it means exactly what it says. Can there be that many of them left after the attack on Sandpoint?"
"Be careful, Romon." Kallie said worriedly when she saw him searching the bodies. "Mother sai....I've heard goblins are crawling with fleas and ticks."
Kallie breathed a sigh of relief just in time to be doused by Ali's rain. "Ahh!" she panicked before she realized what was going on, she had imagined something large drooling overhead... "Ali..." she mumbled irritably as she pooled the hood of her cloak over her head. "You...you can just ask them?" She asked before she realized she shouldn't have been surprised considering what the gnomish druid had been capable of so far.
She started worrying over those who were wounded as Muchorak, Ali, and Shalelu discussed the matter of finding the goblins' lair. Anything to keep her from looking directly at Marak's grim task.
"No one is badly hurt, are they? I can help, but...it only works once on each person in one day...."
I don't know, Set. When we get to the beach after all this gory action in the heat, maybe a swim would feel good. We'll be all sweaty and sticky with dried blood ....
And then the blood draws the sharks! See!?
Khaladon wrote:
The Ballad of Brave Maid Kallie
Bravely bold Maid Kallie rode forth from Sand-a-point.
She was not afraid to die, O brave Maid Kallie!
She was not at all afraid to be killed in nasty ways,
Brave, brave, brave, brave Maid Kallie!
she was not in the least bit scared to be mashed into a pulp,
Or to have her eyes gouged out, and her elbows broken;
To have her kneecaps split, and her body burned away;
And her limbs all hacked and mangled, brave Maid Kallie!
Her head smashed in and her heart cut out
And her liver removed and her bowels unplugged
And her nostrils raped and her bottom burned off
And her nether parts--
=D
0_0
Manages to go even more pale.
Wellard wrote:
That Winter they were forced to eat Kallies Minstrels..and there was great rejoicing
That does it, I'm not taking Leadership. Ever! >:(
Kallie's head jerked about as she tried to take in all that was going on. Muchorak's safe, Ali and Romon are still in danger, Ali's got the goblin, Romon! Seeing Romon's attack go astray, she immediately pointed at the goblin in front of him, letting her white flame fly too soon.
Seeing so many of the goblins swarming over Muchorak, Kallie let loose her most powerful spell in a brief moment of panic. With a shout, she pointed two fingers at the three, sending two darts of magical energy in an unerring arc to slam into the goblin that the ranger had already wounded and the one right next to him.
Oh gods we're just rushing in okay okay you've done this before stay calm, stay calm. Kallie's pulse quickened as she stepped to the side and stayed in place as many of the others charged ahead.
She pointed with her right hand and tried to hold her arm steady with her left as she took aim on the farthest goblin before unleashing a line of heavenly flame. Gods please let me hit, if he gets away and warns the others... Her hands still shook despite her prayers.
"Ha, yes! Silly me...." Kallie said with forced cheer. She truly felt out of her element now. I just need to stick close to the others. They know their way around, at least... Absolutely no wandering off, none at all!
She drew closer to the others instinctively as they seemed to be preparing for a swift strike before a thought struck her. "Are you planning on attacking all of them at once, or did you want to try and draw some of them away to be...picked off..." she hesitantly asked Muchorak.
Kallie whispered faintly to Romon and the others in the back of the group. "Will we be able to find our way back out if we need to leave in a hurry?"
She had been grateful for the chance to stand upright again after coming through the cramped tunnels and stretch her back, but the trek deeper into goblin territory had her looking over her shoulder more and more.
Kallie followed after the others, crouching and walking after Inikai. She frowned as her clothing and hair snagged on the walls and ceiling of the unusual thorny tunnel, but managed to stifle her complaints.
How am I going to aim in here?! she wondered and worried. She could make those magical darts that seemed to always home in on their target, but she could only manage that a few times a day.
Kallie looked at Romon and Ali with gratitude, thankful both that Inikai wouldn't have to go alone and that her own inability to follow her own suggestion did not take prominence in the conversation.
She looked at Inikai, hoping he would accept the aid, though she wondered if sending more people would increase the risk of being seen by the goblins...
"By yourself? Are you sure?" Kallie looked at Inikai worriedly. She had been inching closer to him throughout the trip, trying to work up the nerve to confide in him about her vision but never quite managing it. "Can't someone go with you?" she asked with a hint of embarassment. She could barely swim herself, so she was essentially asking someone else to step up to the task.
As they drew closer, Kallie's worries pressed back to the front of her mind. She hesitantly asked, "So...how are we going to approach them? Are we going to try and sneak in under the cover of night?" She glanced at Shalelu, Muchorak, and Ali. "Are some of us going to scout ahead?"
She tried to phrase the questions as if they were rhetorical, as if she actually had a clue on how to raid an enemy camp. The truth was she was just realizing how completely ignorant she was on such matters.
Despite her apprehension about venturing so far from home, Kallie felt excited as well, and after seeing so many of the sights so close to Sandpoint that she had never seen before she wondered why she had taken so long to do so. She was gawking like a tourist in her own homeland before she remembered herself and tried to keep her eyes forward and her mind on the task at hand.
Her legs ached from the hike. She was suddenly painfully aware that Rynshinn knew what she was talking about when it came to heels. She looked at the others and kept her complaints silent. It wouldn't do to whine in front of people used to this sort of travel. Where Ali and Muchorak had always made her just a bit nervous before, she was thankful and comforted by their presence out here in the wilderness.
It's going to be a while before any of the new clothing is ready, according to Wellard. I've got Marak's though!
Kallie's eyes widened at the prices. "I'm afraid I'll have to pass for today then... But I will be back for more! Thanks!" She gave the horned helmet one last parting, longing glance before leaving.
It was probably too heavy anyway....but if I could find someone to rework it....
Kallie was squinting in the sunlight. The heat didn't agree with her, or at least she certainly didn't agree with it.
She stepped forward towards Inikai and Marak, noting what Muchorak's gift seemed to go over well. He wants to kill something with it already. I guess that's "happy" for a Shoanti from the Cinderlands?
She gave Inikai an apologetic look and shrug. "I'm afraid your's is still coming, Inikai. Probably when we get back?" She winced as she said it. She hoped they wouldn't be gone that long. I'll be happy if we actually make it back!
She held out an old leather-bound tome in both hands for Marak. "For your scholarly pursuits." she said with a smile uncharacteristic to those who didn't know her well.
Kallie soaked up the praise of being called "hero" gladly and found herself staring at the helmet for quite some time. Oh wow...I don't think I have enough...and it looks heavy but...oh wow...
When Voon produced the book, she exclaimed, "That's perfect!" as she flipped through it herself before remembering whose gift it was. "Ahem...yes, I'll take it! And I'll be coming back soon for more, I think!" She gave the helmet another glance...
"Say...how much are the bracers and the headband?" Shoanti are big on beads, right? She couldn't help but wonder if it would help her awkward standing with Muchorak.
Shopping Crew(and Wellard):
Spoiler:
I'm not sure if we would have everything yet or not. I definitely have the book and whatever else I might get from the Feathered Serpent, but the clothing orders might take a while.
More coming, sorry. I'm in a bit of a rush today. :(
Kallie tried to look calm and prepared for the journey, uncomfortable though she was with the pack on her back. Even if it wasn't that far, it was still further from home than she had ever been before. The realization of that and knowing all of the others were far more well-travelled was humbling and embarrassing. Gods, just remember not to panic the first time you see a deer. Or a bear.
She was looking nervously at Inikai again. She had to talk to him sooner than later. She just hoped he wouldn't laugh. Or think she was mad.
SHOPPING CREW
Spoiler:
Kallie entered the Feather's Serpent and immediately lost herself in all the sights to be seen, as usual, gawking at whatever exotic items were available. Remembering why she had come in the first place, she coughed and approached the shopkeeper. She never could quite place where the man was from originally.
"Mister Voon! I'm trying to find something for a friend! Do you have any books about Thassilonia? Like, really old books?"
She'll look to see if there are any other wares that she thinks would be of interest to the party as well. She has money she's willing to throw around. ;)
Kallie didn't bother to put up a cool front before her fellow townspeople. Not the ones who knew her at least. Most of them knew her as the easily-excitable girl who dressed strangely anyway.
Wellard:
Spoiler:
How much is the clothing for Kallie, Ali, and Inikai and the book for Marak going to cost? Kallie's covering the cost of all of that, I think.
Kallie's orders are going to take as long to finish as Romon's right?
"Good idea! I know where to look for a book like that, and there's an armory in town that should have what you're looking for as well. Just let me place that last order real quick..."
Kallie explained the new order for Inikai's clothing to Rynshinn before leaving to visit the Feathered Serpent. She was excited to be visiting the strange shop. She had never dared to go inside alone before...
It kind of sounds like the exact kind of place Kallie would gravitate towards, but if it's a genuinely creepy place, she wouldn't be in the habit of going alone. ;) How strange is the owner, exactly?
Yeah, that sounds good! Ali's suggestion sounds right too(the blues especially!). Maybe something kind of like a cross between a hooded robe and a trench coat. Something to hide spell components or doodads in, but won't get in the way of him trying to fight too. Kallie still thinks he's a sorcerer like her or just a really unconventional wizard, so it could lead to some awkwardness when we give it to him. :)
She would suggest some Shoanti-style designs, but she wouldn't want to offend him, or Muchorak for that matter!
Kallie..this is Rynshinn you're talking to not Vernah..as I mentioned above Vernah was, unfortunately, one of Choppers victims
Oops, sorry. Awkwaaaaaard....
Kallie broke off from her drawing when she heard the reaction to Ali's undressing. Rushing over with Rynshinn, she quickly wrapped her cloak around the gnome and helped to usher her behind the curtains. "Um, Ali...remember what we talked about? No naked in front of strangers, okay?" She didn't scold her though. She can't help it. I mean she was raised by wolves, afterall.
She was absolutely pleased with herself as Rynshinn checked over her sketch for Ali's gift, but when the tailor turned a critical eye on her own sketch, she looked absolutely heartbroken; as if the woman had taken an axe to an artist's masterpiece, even if her critiques made sense. Her mouth worked up and down silently as Rynshinn pointed out the problems. "Yes bu....okay, okay....I'll go with that. No heels....but I'm keeping the coif! Just...make it tight I guess...." She was suddenly thankful she hadn't thrown in the ram's horns after all.
Kallie tapped her chin in thought at Romon's suggestion. Romon, Ali, and Wellard:
Spoiler:
"Huh...Inikai might be hard to shop for..." She was thinking it over. Marak would be easy to shop for, she thought. And Muchorak...she had difficulty imagining how to present fine clothing to the stoic and taciturn man. Inikai was almost a blank to her though, even though he was the one among her new companions that she knew best. "I'm going to have to think about that one for a moment..."
Knowledge(local) : 11!
Kallie glanced towards Rynshinn, wondering who the new arrival was. Looks like Romon-bait!
I think I'm just going to pick up a potion of eagle's splendor, just in case
DM Wellard wrote:
(yes she is prettier than Kallie...do I see green eyes flashing).
Maybe if she was "goth", then the claws would come out! No one pushes in on the Black Witch's territory! :)
Kallie smiled excitedly at Vernah as she entered. She had often been a little envious of the tailor's beauty, but did not seriously consider her any sort of competition. After all, she didn't even wear black.
She tried to keep her hands from shaking with anticipation, but she couldn't keep from grinning like a giddy schoolgirl. "Vernah! I've got a big order to place and a lot of money to burn!" She rushed to the counter, looking for anything to write with and to draw on. Assuming Vernah has any to spare: Kallie looked back at Ali and winked, trying to get her excitement under control. "I'm going to need two full outfits made," she whispered. "One for me and one for her. Do you have a lot of black and green to work with?" She paused for a second before turning back to Ali. "Ali, you like trees, right? What color is your favorite on leaves? Green, brown, red...something else? And oh, yes, Romon, show her around!" Kallie will be joining in soon enough.
She turned back to Vernah, whispering loudly. "I'm helping her out. She was raised by wolves out in the wild. I think. She's never had a dress before, so we're picking up some clothes for her today. But this order is going to be more for travel. It needs to be sturdy enough for that. And I guess it should be able to fit over or in the armor she's wearing now." She eyed the gnome's old gear critically. "Probably over. Here, I'll draw it as well as I can...can you make this work?"
Spoilered for space
Spoiler:
Basically, she draws up a travelling outfit for Ali. It's sort of a multi-layered set of leggings, boots, gloves, and a sort of big hooded poncho-like top that could fit over and hide her armor, all cut to have a leaf-like appearance. Apparently Kallie really believes fey dress that way. Khal, if there's anything Ali would much rather have, let me know! :)
"Oh...and this is for me..." She furiously went to work again, drawing up a figure too tall and full of figure to actually be Kallie. She frequently erased bits and mumbled to herself. "No...no ram's horns yet....that's too much...have to work up to that....maybe I can get a skullcap made later....oh gods, and made of silver!....too much skin....not enough....(Wisdom Check: Natural 1)...yeah needs more, and heels!"
Spoilered for space
Spoiler:
Well, it depended a bit on the Wisdom check...
Kallie's trying to design a travelling outfit for herself as well, something sturdier than her dresses but more majestic as well: A long black dress with the skirt cut down the sides and a V-cut top that as drawn is too big for her(she's drawing as if she's a Seoni when she's barely a Merisiel ;)) with long sleeves fitting into black, fore-arm length gloves. The dress is topped with a black silk coif: The face opening comes down to a point above her nose with a purple gemstone set in the forehead, and is cut in the lower back to let her hair out. There's also a black silk belt, and black calf-length boots drawn with heels.(hopefully Vernah will catch that and realize the problem there...) Lots of black and silver going on. :)
Her fingers and wrist ached after her frantic sketching was done, but she was still smiling. "You can make these work, right?" The art of making clothing seemed like a sort of magic at the time. She assumed Vernah simply could make her mad designs reality.
She later let herself be drawn into Romon's display. She was pleased that Romon was apparently taken with the wares available. It was a bit of a relief to know that the man from the city could see that Sandpoint wasn't just some hayseed backwater town. Still, she frowned intensely whenever it was suggested she try something overly bright and cheery. She did obey the instructions on posture from both Romon and Vernah however, fearful that being too lax at this moment could ruin her order.
"Ali, have you seen anything you like?" She was enjoying the outing. The strange omens hanging over her head were put out of her mind, if only for the moment.
Kallie's eyes widened at Romon's question about a local tailor. She had nearly forgotten... "Oh yes, we do! I can show you...hold on...."
She glanced about, looking for Ali. When she found her, she leaned forward, smiling and asking, "Ali, remember that promise I made you? Are you ready to get some new clothes?"
Turning back to Romon, she apologized for the interruption. "Sorry, just remembered something. I actually have business there as well, so it's no problem if you want to come along."
At the market:
Kallie picked through the merchant's wares, looking for any interesting books or potions that caught her eye. I don't have the Beta book on me at the moment...
Kallie, waiting in the glassworks and outside the tunnels for her friends to finish their business let out a banshee's scream the first time Ali decided to test her newfound boots on her. She threw white flame in every which direction to no effect, though a few of those hit may have felt slight headaches, toothaches, and back pains disappear.
Kallie was looking at the statue again as Quirk explained who it represented. Something close to admiration and envy was sneaking over her face again as she stared at it, but this time it was quickly replaced by a stern expression of contempt. Alzanist, huh? Ha! You're nothing to be admired. Me? I'm going to be greater than you. Just watch.
The clearing of the pool was bonechilling, but she had to admit that the crowd made it easier. She made sure to bother posturing for the audience, standing tall and keeping a calm face. When it came time to move the bodies however, she stayed just long enough to be certain they were being cared for before whispering to Marak and the others to please excuse her. Even the crowd didn't make seeing so many dead any easier.
"Yes, let's." Kallie said with arms folded, half-heartedly trying to sound enthusiastic. She seemed as if she had something more to say, but was clearly uncomfortable to bring it forth in front of everyone.
Kallie's mind raced, trying to keep up with the images and desperately fighting the urge to cry out. At Alys' parting words, she called back, asking "Wait! How? How will I know what to do?"
She awoke with a start, as rigid as a board in bed. Upon hearing her mother downstairs, she suddenly sat up, losing her balance and falling out of bed. Oh gods! Sweet Desna! She quickly raced downstairs, nearly tripping over herself, blurting out to her mother, looking wild eyed and as if she had just seen the gods themselves. "I've had a vision!" She paused for a moment, realizing it may need further punctuation. "For real, this time!"
Kallie held her hand to her chin in thought as the others seemed eager to head to Thistletop. It was the most sensible course of action, but the thought of facing Nualia...she still couldn't quite believe it was her.
