Actually, rather than repeat things... I think I could make an interesting nature oracle who is... a kook rather than a cook.
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Oh hey, the campaign that killed me (But not my dog.) last time I played it. I'm not above rolling dice and considering giving this character new life.
14, 15, 15, 16, 12, 9... that is a heck of a spread for a MAD character.
This group always seems to make it's best rolls on mundane crafting and profession checks. Clearly we should give up this adventuring life and take up more medi-ack!
Kayle gives one last look to his companions, and to his mournful hound, then offers to shake Ekat's hand before he leaves.
Kayle shrugs at the spirit. "I'm not sure." he answers honestly, "I have always wandered, as if anywhere in the forest was my home for a night or two. I suppose that's why I follow Desna. She looks out for those without permanence. I think I would like to go to her. Spend some time endlessly exploring her realm."
"Please tell them I am at peace, and to look after Owens." Kayle responds after giving it some thought. He looks as if he wants to say more, and he makes a series of faces as he goes through some level of inner conflict. "Also, tell Nicolette that uh... she has an amazing body." he adds with a chuckle, "Hells, I'm dead. May as well!"
Kayle smiles with relief, his shoulders sagging even as he no longer needs breath. "That's a relief." he reasons, "The thing you have left to do, does it involve this tomb being broken into?" Perhaps it was being dead now, or the relief that he wasn't going to end up an undead. Either way Kayle was becoming curious now that he didn't have to worry anymore.
"The Ekat Kassen?" Kayle asked with a bit of reverent awe. Then his face showed further surprise. "Desna preserve me, you haven't been a ghost all these years have you?" he asked in shock, "I'm not going to be a ghost here forever am I?"
"Dead." Kayle says. Finishing the sentence without hesitation. He pauses, looking back at the changed colors of the room and his own body. He did not see Nicolette, but neither was her body on the ground. "Yet'n they live." he notes with a wry smile, "I dar say I did better than our last combat." His incorporeal form frowns as he still seemed to have the same issues with his speech even now. He turns back and regards the other presence that seemed to share the room with him. "My name is Kayle." he offered as way of greeting, "Who might you be ser?"
Bohr's notices almost immediately that there is no breath in Kayle. No movement nor pulse of life. His chest has a hole punched through the hide, and the amount of blood that had already pooled from the wound was certainly fatal. Despite all this, his drained features were serene. While Bohrs might feel he had failed to save another ally, Kayle had died with the impression he had prevented the deaths of his allies.
Kayle loses his strength as the bony claws plunge into his chest. His vision darkens as he slumps down's Asar's frame. Even so, he clings to the evil undead. "You'll kill no one... else..." the druid says. His voice almost a whisper as it trails off to silence. He collapses to the floor with no break to his fall. Hitting the cold stone like a bag of sand. His features were not pained, but bore a thin smile.
Kayle had trouble even standing as he got cleaved hard through his hide. His shield drooped as he lost most of his strength in that arm. His strain to lift it again made his shoulder and chest scream in agony, and blood dribbled off his closed fist as he did so. "He's too dangerous with that sword." he realizes aloud, "Nicolette, help me take him down." Though the druid was hardly imposing even before having his arm nearly cleave off his body, he did still step forward and come down off the ledge at Asar. He seemed resigned to this course of action, his fear either gone or drained away with so much of his blood.
Kayle was already regretting his failed attempt to trip Asar as he found himself without any healing for Owens as the dog was grievously wounded. He had to fight the urge to leap in and try and tackle the skeleton away bare handed. His hands raised a moment before he realizes he has more people with him than before. He again pressed forward toward Asar to get between him and any offense against his dog. He jutted his shield between the two as best he could without fowling Owen's own offense. "Git eff me dog!" Kayle shouted.
Kayle turns back to Calaithes and takes the stone, recovering some of his calm as they quickly turned the battle more in their favor.
Kayle will then whip his shield out wide at the nearest skeleton. Not so much attempting to strike it as to block it's view and range of motion from Owens.
"Well, he still wants our help." Kayle remarks with a hint of panic still in his voice, "Still want to negotiate terms?"
"Maybe talk when they aren't trying to kill us Nicolette!" Kayle angrily shouts as Owens is tagged by a blade, "Normally people don't get brought back when they die!" He bids Owens to attack anew as he reaches back his hand. "Someone gimme er stone!" he adds.
If one of his allies hands him a spare magical stone he will quickly sling it at an enemy. If not, he will use a regular sling bullet.
Kayle steps forward with Owens to keep in line with Nicolette. The last thing he wanted her was standing alone out front and being swarmed by the new skeletons. "He's undead Cal!" Kayle calls, "He's just a monster now. Use your stones or pass them to me." With that said Kayle will take aim at one of the skeletons that resisted Bohrs.
Getting Owens into position he tries a different tack, giving the dog a soft command in druidic. He knows the pooch will at least defend himself this way.
Kayle will untense as the onrushing skeleton is crumpled by Nicolette's hammer, and with that threat removed he considers his options. The arrows that came his way interrupted his thoughts. Raising his shield to block, the first impacted it with a heavy thump. The second sinks into his unguarded thigh, and he winces as he eases his weight onto his back foot. "Rest, and be destroyed." he commands to Asar before adding something in druidic and waves his hand about with the sling wrapped around the back of his palm. It catches the air as his hand moves, a pronounced swoosh as it seems to drag powerfully through the air. There was some kind of energy gathering in the air about the druid in these brief motions. He lifted his wounded leg again, and brought all his weight down upon it to complete the spell. All the power that could be felt in the air dropped, and the floor shook as a shockwave came out toward Asar.
With the space beside Asar open, Kayle reached out and tapped Owens on the shoulder. "Get em." he commanded. His normal accent coming through in the excitement.
"Stay clear of them for now." Kayle remarks as he sets his sling spinning, "We have the advantage." He bids Owens to stay put defend with a measured shield hand. Then with an eye to one of the archers he looses his stone.
Kayle: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Even a high number can be used to juice it higher by taking the +2 rather than rerolling.
"I'll take point with sling and shield." Kayle reiterated, "Owens and Nicolette can come in behind me if we get into combat. That should keep you two safe to toss stones and use magic."[/b] With a nod Kayle gave one last rub atop Owens head and readied himself as magic was prepared.
Kayle will move up to the door and prepare a light orison onto one of his magical stones. "If we're fine to go in I'll be in the front." he explains, "I'm ready to finish this."
Kayle moves past Nicolette with a pat on her shoulder and takes up the front near the bridge, letting his brother work his magic. He scrutinizes the statues while the rogue works. Wondering if the trap didn't involve them. After all, dropping the bridge wasn't the most practical trap if it had to be rebuilt.
While his brother and Bohrs were focused on the doors Kayle took a moment in the back of the party. Looking at Nicolette's back and rubbing the top of Owens head to steady himself. Taking his hand from his companion a moment later he poked Nicolette softly in the side. "Oi, hammer." he whispered with a hint of playfulness, "You mind if I go out ahead of you this time?" If she looked back she would see Kayle looked openly nervous, but he would flash her an unsteady smile. "I have a trick up my sleeve." he continued lightly, "It only works if you start out behind me and the mutt." Not to be ignored, Owens pressed in at Kayle's side and pushed his head up under the druid's hand to inject himself into the conversation.
While Calaithes deals with the pool Kayle finds himself a bit distracted by Nicolette. She was certainly effected by her ordeal, but more than that they still didn't understand how she came to be back before the group. Sensing her... anxiety(?) Kayle couldn't help but take a moment to scrutinize her as she looked to the pool. Trying to guess what was driving her anxiousness.
After doing that and having Cal clear the way he approached the narrow space where the bats were rested. His first action was to get low. This was common practice when not wanting to intimidate animals, but beyond that his movement became awkward as he stretched his limbs out and crawled. He was not acting on any knowledge, but more instinctually placing himself in the body of a bat. This was a hard thing to convey doing, as much of his natural connection to the world was formed through his a connection formed over years. That innate sense of nature that his master had carefully cultivated by sending him out into the wild. Much like Owens he had learned much of animals by sniffing or stumbling into their lairs. He still had a scar on his collar from the time he did that to a badger. The druid paused and took a steadying breath as he awkwardly crawled forward like a bat. Taking deliberate attempts to stretch over and brush against the linger sources of scent the bats had left about. Hair, body oil, and even some of the flecked white that was tinged with brown and mold.
Kayle was frustrated at being able to do so little, but he does help them out of the water. With Owens all too happy to stick his nose in everyone's face and play tug of war with the sturdier pieces of their outfit. Not letting go initially after successfully helping them out. "Well, so much for the room being clear." he groused, "I feel like I need to get my eyes checked." At Bohrs' suggestion he steps up, though he seems hesitant to suggest a solution. "So we may have another option to deal with the bats."[b] he begins before he takes to twisting about one of the leather straps holding his shield to his arm, [b]"I can improve the relations of animals. Assuming they aren't some kind of undead bat colony... it might be better than trying to sneak through. I'd rather ask for permission than forgiveness."
Finally seeing the skeletons Kayle will load a sling bullet and give Owens the command to watch and be wary. He remembered full well how useless he had been in the water before. He held his shot for if the other skeleton came up from the water.
If Kayle finds his shield he will strip out of his armor and try to retrieve it.
The druid can hardly believe what sat in wait here, his spells threatening to go to waste. He stepped up between the two pits of water and peered down to make sure all the previous threats were gone.
Kayle found himself hanging back as he could neither identify the water nor benefit from it's healing. He was taken aback as Nicolette took hold of him, taking a moment before it occurred to him to place his arms around her and offer her a hug. He says nothing, and watches her closely as she goes to take a drink as well. When all the others have finished he moves forward and kneels to fill his water skin. "It will be interesting to see if this still heals after being taken from the pool." he posited before her cupped some water to his lips and drank, "Healing is not always found in time, nor does it always work when we would wish it." Though his voice was bemused his posture still carried some of the defeat from earlier. The young man clearly pondering his failure to save Nicolette's life before. Or anyone from the village. He would search the room for small stones, either brought in from foot traffics or crumbled from the structure over time. Once he had six of them he would line them up neatly and consider them a moment before casting his spell. The short druidic chant leaving his lips neatly before he brushed his hand over three of the stones and they alighted briefly with a soft glow. Traces of moss filled in the cracks and imperfections of each rock. Rounding and making them soft to the touch before further spiraling out in patterns that mimicked vines. He repeated the spell on the remaining rocks to the same result. He picked up the rocks one or two at a time, turning without rising and placing them before the group. "Two for myself and Calaithes.We should get the best chance to use more than one." he explained as he set out a pair for his brother and one for Bohrs. Then, he scooped up the remaining three stones and approached Nicolette. He softly took her hand and brought it out before her so he could place a stone into her palm. Then he brought his other hand over it to close her fist around the stone. "This time will be different." he promised, "We are resilient, and above that you are strong. You will see that with your throw. I promise you."
Kayle found himself hanging back as he could neither identify the water nor benefit from it's healing. He was taken aback as Nicolette took hold of him, taking a moment before it occurred to him to place his arms around her and offer her a hug. He says nothing, and watches her closely as she goes to take a drink as well. When all the others have finished he moves forward and kneels to fill his water skin. "It will be interesting to see if this still heals after being taken from the pool." he posited before her cupped some water to his lips and drank, "Healing is not always found in time, nor does it always work when we would wish it." Though his voice was bemused his posture still carried some of the defeat from earlier. The young man clearly pondering his failure to save Nicolette's life before. Or anyone from the village. He would search the room for small stones, either brought in from foot traffics or crumbled from the structure over time. Once he had six of them he would line them up neatly and consider them a moment before casting his spell. The short druidic chant leaving his lips neatly before he brushed his hand over three of the stones and they alighted briefly with a soft glow. Traces of moss filled in the cracks and imperfections of each rock. Rounding and making them soft to the touch before further spiraling out in patterns that mimicked vines. He repeated the spell on the remaining rocks to the same result. He picked up the rocks one or two at a time, turning without rising and placing them before the group. "Two for myself and Calaithes.We should get the best chance to use more than one." he explained as he set out a pair for his brother and one for Bohrs. Then, he scooped up the remaining three stones and approached Nicolette. He softly took her hand and brought it out before her so he could place a stone into her palm. Then he brought his other hand over it to close her fist around the stone. "This time will be different." he promised, "We are resilient, and above that you are strong. You will see that with your throw. I promise you."
Kayle breaks out the wand he received when the group asks what he can do for them. "I don't want to prepare the spells for stones yet." Kayle remarks, "But we need all the luck we can manage."
"If we get to the rest room we can prepare for the skeletons there." Kayle remarks.
"Your new hammer is with the skeletons." Kayle answers matter of fact, "That thing took the other one." He looks to Tulia, a contemplative look on his face. After a moment his lips curl into a smirk. "I've always been curious what ranking Cayden Cailean has among her lovers." he reasoned while casting a sidelong look at Bohrs, "Maybe he broke the top four." He then shrugged. "I can't really think of any useful questions."[b] he admitted, [b]"Master taught me much by having me learn first hand. Perhaps Desna can warn us if that nasty red creature is coming back anytime soon."
Kayle was happy to have Bohrs and Calaithes explain what happened to Nicolette. He doubted he could have managed as well. "I have a good spell for taking those undead out, and from a range." he explained with a slight smile, "If you're feeling up for another go at them, that is." He let a hand rest on the back of Owens neck as the dog gleefully welcomed Nicolette back.
Trapped between Bohrs and Calaithes Kayle was briefly confused about which limbs were his own in the tangle. He slowly extradited himself from the pile, turning over and dragging himself across the floor to do so. Then he got up and tried his best to inspect Nicolette, while also shoving his dog out of the way and checking on her as Owens tried to sneak his snoot back into thing.
Kayle gets a hold of himself just in time to make an odd face at Nicolette comforting him. As if he had smelled old cheese his master tried fermenting with beans. "Sweety?" he asked before Nicolette passed out. Somehow that killed the drama for him. "Are we sure this is the pale hammer?" he asked while gesturing to her. An odd smirk came across his features as Bohr and Cal tried to figure out how to get her down. "Doesn't it stop on it's own so long as no one steps on the plate?" he asked, "Unless someone else barges in we need only wait a moment." He did take a look at the flower while Nicolette made another lap. Was it really growing inside her?
Kayle can't help a shaky laugh, and for the fifth or more time in the last day tears come to his eyes. Owens perks up in excitement, leaping up at the pillar and crying mournfully as one of his people was alive. Cal!" he cries out loudly, "Bohrs!" He notices Nicolette's discomfort this time, and doesn't cry out again. Beaming at her he also approaches the pillar, reaching out as if he was going to take her by the cheeks, but catches himself and settles for poking her in the nose. "I told you so!" he manages to get out, his voice breaking from the emotions he was going through, "I told you if they charged... you fool!" His vision went blurry as he couldn't stop the tears and a sob worked it's way from his chest. "You silly simple fool." he softly added, "How are you even alive?" He made no move to get her down, shoulder's heaving as he sobbed and waited for the others.
Kayle stares for a long while at Nicolette as she hangs there. Dozens of thoughts competing for space in his head. First were questions. How did she end up like this, could she be alive, and what was the purpose of leaving her in such a position? Then other thoughts. Should he try and get her down, get the help of the others, check for danger if this was a trap. Each thought brought feelings and doubts along with it. How could he still hope she was alive? He must be a fool. Still, here he was considering hope. "CALAITHES!" he shouts at the top of his lungs and startling Owens who had likewise been looking straight at Nicolette, "Bo-BOHRS!" His voice cracking from strain and emotion as he called out to the cleric as well. "Down, how do I get her down?" he frantically asked himself as he looked about for where the chains were secured.
Kayle didn't speak to Tulia as Cal explained the situation, and he couldn't help tears threatening to come again as he did. "I'm sorry." he told the little fey, "I was useless. I was right next to her, but I couldn't protect her."[b]
Kayle came up emtpy in his search for some suitable wood, unable to find anything that wasn't soft and green wood or solid enough. At least until Owens came back with a hefty hunk of oak in his maw, having to drag the thing with his head turned sideways and making an effort of it. [b]"Bless you buddy." Kayle noted with a broad smile, "Let's see how Cal likes it." The dog seemed a bit dissappointed when he did not hurl the thing immediately, but as they neared the tomb again Kayle hucked the thick branch inside and Owens chased after it. Skidding across the stone to pick it up from where it had clattered into the wall. Then, since Calaithes was the closer the dog trotted over to the half elf with the stick. "The spell lasts for a limited time, so best to cast it before we enter the room." Kayle remarked as he returned, "The stones throw as well as they sling, so no worries there. Depending on this room of rest I might need to convert my spells to healing."
When Kayle finishes preparing his spells for the day he beckons for Owens to follow him and makes his way to the door. "Let's find you a suitable club Cal." he remarks, Bohrs is right, we should at least find Roldare's sister. Come on Owens! Let's go find a stick."
Kayle will oblige his brother without anything but a nod. He still looked defeated. Looking straight ahead to his task he went about binding the wounds the creature inflicted.
Despite his efforts he was able to do little more than he had before, simply providing first aid. Though there was no time to really benefit. "Do we even explore more at this point?" he asked hopelessly, "With magic we might be able to destroy those skeletons, but to what end?"
Kayle was frozen in place, the length of his spinning sling going lax and coming to a stop. "Cal, let it go." he quietly spoke, sounding more defeated than he ever had. It had taken the realization of a spell to stop undead for him to muster any confidence in their mission, and seeing the carnage this one creature could visit on them had dashed it to pieces. He couldn't even be certain this thing was undead, but given what they had faced so far who could tell for sure. What he was supremely certain of in that moment, was that they stood no chance. "We should have ran home, with our tails between our legs." Kayle mutters hopelessly as he falls to his kness, What did we think we would accomplish against monsters?"
"Owens go!" Kayle commands, although he wasn't certain if the dog would follow whatever creature was going after Nicolette. He then hurried forward, sling in hand with the lighted bullet ready. He couldn't get a bead on the creature, so instead he circled around the chamber, careful of getting too close. "What in the hells...?" he asked again in a whisper to himself.
Kayle gives a start at the commotion, his nightmares mixing with the conflict to spike his adrenaline. Rising to his knees he gets his sling up and affixes light to a sling stone, but wasn't yet ready to send it. He wore only his breeches and his shirt hung loose on his chest. He took a deep breath and quickly exhaled as he tried to keep his cool. "What in the hells?" he asked.
Kayle will do his best to bar or jam the door they came from.
Kayle volunteers the first watch, and will provide care to the group while they rest. He spends his time drressing wounds and checking to make sure they are not disturbed during his watch.
Kayle helps carry Nicolette back, but his mind is mostly absent as they walk. He is reliving the battle over and over again in his mind. Sinking into the water, the brief moments he was able to glean while fighting to stay above the surface. Their desperate struggle to gain distance. As much as the memories troubled him, he let them play in his head. Agonizing over each detail, because the last moment was what he wanted to see least of all. His eyes were expressive, showing the transition from one memory to the other. His face locked in a mask of suppressed terror. He couldn't think of how they could win like this. They weren't strong enough in a fight. He couldn't reliably get Owens to fight the undead either. His best weapon was to aid others in melee, which left him depending on Owens. Who he couldn't be sure would be able to listen... He went around and around in his own head like this until they reached Tulia's room, and after they set Nicolette down he went to work boiling water. Washing out shredded cloth and preparing to treat the wounds of the group. "Let me work." would be his answer if disturbed from his task, "...and think." He couldn't see a solution. They should retreat to the village. Get real warriors to come help. Strong arms like Nicolette who could properly shield each other. Not just some upjumped druid with a sling and a few minor magics next to his stones. "Oh, but I can enchant my stone..." he ruefully joked to himself. Then he froze. Sparing a glance again to Nicolette he had a moment of guilt for not thinking of this earlier, but his elation at a possible solution soon broke through. His face lighting up in genuine enthusiasm. "I can enchant stones!" he cried out loud enough for everyone to hear, "It's a minor spell, but it's effective against undead! Bohrs, what can you do to enhance attacks?!" He noticed the surprise coming from Owens, realizing he probably looked half out of his mind. He took a breath, getting ahold of himself and preparing for a lot of work bandaging his comrade's wounds. "I have a plan..." he began again.
Kayle keeps frantically working at Nicolette, refusing to acknowledge what the more rational part of him was aware of. His movements slow as his vision becomes hot and blurred by tears. "No..." he chokes out, "You can't do this. I told you, you can't do this!" Owens pushes his nose in under Kayle's arm, seeking to comfort him, but he pushes the great dog back and takes Nicolette by either cheek. "You can't be dead!" he shouts in protest, "Nicolette!" His voice cracks from the strain, his throat tight. Finally the druid simple hunches over her cold form and his body convulses as he sobs.
"We need to stabilize her as soon as we're clear of the water." Kayle remarks once they get what can be perceived as a "safe" distance form the skeletons, "She won't last long with a wound like that. We can get her to where Tulia is after." Once they do get to dry ground Kayle is quick to get to work, using whatever clean cloth he can did from his pack or rip from his clothing to stuff into Nicolette's open wound as gauze. "Bohr's, please help me." he asks without turning his eyes away from Nicolette's form.
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