'Twas fun while it lasted for sure. So this game goes the way of so many games before. *Sigh* Happy gaming to all! Thanks Holly for running this while you had time.
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Form up, two by two, that will prevent flankers. Vysla will be my partner. Let's move as quietly as possible.
Koddast stops and takes a moment to actively perceive the sounds and sights, and see if Vysla smells anything.
Koddast looks at the Brownie, seeming to be noticing it for the very first time. When it comes to fey, I think they should all come to justice. He says and then in one quick motion draws an arrow, pulls and fires at the fire-gazing Brownie.
This is going to sound heartless, but there was bound to be some collateral damage in this fight either way, and I do believe that by getting rid of the Titan's wheel in the most expedient way, we've saved ourselves a lot of time and trouble. To quote a philosopher in a book my mother used to read to me, "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Now, we'd best see about that minotaur.
After the party reaches a safe distance from the Quickwood, Koddast pulls out his cure wand and expends a few charges to heal his comrades.
It seems Tamar is right, and my father repeated often, there is no shame in running from a foe you have no hope of defeating. Come on comrades! Run for it! Koddast fires again, and continues to retreat back in the direction of the carnival.
Koddast fires his bow, and continues to move back as well.
In addition to the 20 arrows Koddast started the adventure with, I haven't checked the precise amount, but I think he's down 7 or 8 at this point, he looted 30 arrows from a previous encounter. Problem with that is that those arrows are sized medium, and I don't think they'll fit Aleon's bow...? But I do like your plan. Run 'n shoot has frequently been the way I've overcome encounters in the past. What worries me more is that the thing is immune to fire, and has a REALLY high SR... Maybe if we can keep the thing occupied, and pull it off the bridge long enough, Opo and the kids can sneak past it, and we can all just skedaddle back to less dangerous pastures?
Koddast takes off at a dead sprint in the opposite direction from the bridge and the huge quickwood, barely taking the time to call Vysla to heel as he goes. Come Vysla!
Damn that things big. Let's bring her down ladies and gents... I mean drow, ogres, and ghoran. Koddast says and offers Tamar a wicked wink. Then he moves next to Aleon and calls Vysla to him. Come Vysla. Just as he releases his fiery arrow at the wooden monstrosity he whispers to Aleon. Let's hope Opo hears the commotion and surprises that thing with a nice little fire bomb in the back side.
Careful all! There are no man-made bridges over the forest creeks this far into the fey forest... The Fey must have put it here, and that makes it dangerous. Koddast keeps an arrow nocked and ready to fire.
Vysla! Watch that pony, if it moves, attack. Koddast says and draws bow on the ice-bearded gnome while invoking his natural cold resistance, expecting ice to be one of ice-beard's attack forms.
Listen gnomey-McIcebeard, stay right where you are, and I promise your death will be quick. You make one move to spur that pony and I'll drop this arrow in your eye socket, and my drow friend over there will make you wish you'd never been born before the pain ends.
Onward we go then. Let's go find out about this Mr. Sathelbry and his tainted sleigh rides. Koddast says, and moves off in that direction.
Koddast sighs and smiles at Tamar. Too true my friend, too true. Then moving to his massive ogre companion he slaps him on the back. Nothing like breaking stereotypes, eh big fella? Who'd've thought the ogre would be the most intelligent of the bunch. After hearing Opo call for them to go to the sleigh rides, he calls Vysla over. Vysla, will you give Opo a ride?
Vysla turns her head in that way dogs do, but then backs up from Opo and Koddast. Sorry Opo, I guess she isn't up for the whole beast of burden thing. To the sleigh rides! I wonder what horror awaits us there.
Koddast is thoroughly satisfied at having dropped the fat pig, but looks at Tamar, Azalia, and Opo as if their heads just twisted around 360 degrees while projectile vomiting. I can't believe what I'm hearing? You want to kill these poor people because they might feel disgusted with themselves after this charm wears off? I've seen people disembowel their comrades while under the effects of charms, and we didn't kill them because they'd feel guilty!? Just leave them be, if and when we take care of the cold rider, we can address what's to be done with these people. There's no sense wasting precious resources killing a bunch of common folk, I'm sure even you would agree with that Tamar?
Vysla, knock him down! Koddast says as he draws another arrow and fires.
Both Koddast and Vysla are too agile for his disgusting pie contraption to hit them. Your guts will be the last of those spilled on this ground today, hog!
Vysla come. Koddast calls pulling his she-wolf out of the range of Opo's fire bomb splash damage. Then he draws arrow, taking careful aim, and letting fly. Back to the hells with you foul beast!
Of all the disgusting tortures! There's no way we'll convince those poor people they're eating anything but pie! And... honestly, I've eaten worse in a pinch. Perhaps there's no reason to disturb their enjoyment with the truth. A little entrails never hurt anybody in the long run. If they get sick there's a good cleric in town that can cure disease. Koddast moves slowly, bow drawn to the north west in an effort to see what might be hiding behind the wagon. Come Vysla. He calls, and the wolf strides quickly to his side sniffing the air for danger as she moves.
Lead on Jan. To arms comrades! Or to spells in your case Tamar. Koddast winks at his drow companion. Come Vysla, there's butcher's work to do.
Koddast wipes the kiss from his cheek, but blushes all the same, and grumbles some unintelligible words. After a moment he again regains his composure. When this is all over, Syntira, if we are indeed victorious, I would like the permission of an audience with your grace, to discuss the future of the Darkmoon Wood. He says matter-of-factly, and then grabs his bow and stands ready for action.
For one very important reason Opo. If the illusion of the Eye of Rapture captures your senses, and you start throwing bombs at allies, I won't hesitate to have Vysla eat your throat, whilst I skewer you with fiery arrows. The potion is for our protection, to keep our minds from being clouded by the malice of the crystal flower in the hands of the cold rider. He steps closer to Opo, and kneels down so their eyes meet at the same level, and whispers. Have no fear my little friend, your fireworks won't be affected, they aren't magical after all, but chemical.
Koddast begins to regain his composure as he listens to Syntira's story. He knows all too well the pit of her hate, and the depth of her anger at those that "bled the land with axe and flame." Part of him wants nothing more than to draw bow, and take her life, but another part, a human part, knows that there are those that need saving now, saving from a cold lonely death. His thoughts and heart turn to his mother dying, cold, alone, babe in arms. And so his heart begins to burn with that old fire, but towards a new enemy. For good or ill he does not hesitate, but takes up one of the potions she's conjured, and quaffs the vial in one sip, offering another to Vysla to save her from the magic of the Eye of Rapture.
Koddast stands aghast for a full minute one hand gripping his bow, the other the scruff of Vysla's neck. Staring at the queen of the wood, the head of the proverbial snake that has been his nemesis for so many years in his fight to protect the lumber consortium, Koddast is frozen in shock unable to act. Vysla growls and pulls against his grip but he still just stares at the transformed fey queen. Syntira... Is all he can get past his dumbfounded lips.
Koddast holds Vysla still so Gwern can pass his slimy feelers on them both. The she-wolf is none too happy with the situation, but does not ignore her master's hand of control. We've come for your aid Gwern, Azalia has not told us of any other reason to be here. I hope you'll start explaining and soon, or you'll find us quick and ready enough to turn from friendly to hostile.
Koddast takes several steps back, as the snail emerges from the shell, and calls Vysla off the scent. Come Vysla. He first whispers to Tamar. If this comes to a fight, save your magic friend. If my memory serves, this snail's shell would only reflect any magic back at you. He then sizes up this giant snail. Realizing that, even after an ogre's arrow hit it, it still isn't aggressive, Koddast lowers his weapon to his side. Good morrow, uh, sir... Are you indeed the guardian of Queen Syntira? We have urgent need of her counsel. For we fear that a terrible curse is being laid upon the townsfolk of Falcon's Hollow. It's come to our attention that one of the famed Crystal Flowers is nearby, and may be corrupting all good thoughts.
What'd you find girl? Koddast draws his bow and nocks an arrow. Moving slowly toward the boulder.
What is it girl? Koddast says as he looks for clues.
Koddast follows the faerie gladly and tries to make note of the trails and means by which she leads, so that, if necessary, he can lead the company back out, or, a little more selfishly, if he wants to find his way back here in the future. Lead on m'lady. The night approaches, and the dark powers will soon be at their zenith. Let's see if we can't get at the heart of the matter, and save all those hapless townsfolk from death by illusion.
Koddast climbs down from the tree. Once down, he stows his bow and grabs his curing wand to again heal Vysla. As he approaches he looks directly at the small faerie that offered up her magic to heal her as well. In a moment of profound thanks, and gently served up humble pie, Koddast addresses the faerie with kind eyes, and soft heart. Azalia? I greatly apologize for my brusque and rude treatment of you before. You came to Vysla's aid, at your own peril. I ask that you accept my apology. If you are willing, I will count you as a friend, and willing or no, you may count me as your friend and ally. You've made this old ranger second guess his old grudges. Though I'm not willing to trust your kind as a whole. I do admit that I must make room and allowance that not all fey are my enemies. M'lady? I beg your deepest pardons. He says and makes his best courtly bow. He then activates his curing wand and touches Vysla with the healing magic.
There you go girl, you're looking better already. He says as he watches the magic seal her cuts and stop her bleeding.
Koddast, seeing that his arrows are not doing much good against the mirrored images, turns his bow to the dire wolf attacking Arael. Steadying his aim with the practice of an expert marksman, he lets fly.
Sorry you had to bot me, busy day at work today, way busier than I would have liked. Your bot works just fine for me, since that's probably the most successful outcome I could have hoped for. How many images does the evil caster have left?
Vysla stay!Koddast commands. Yer no good in this fight any more. The she-wolf looks at him quizzically and it's clear she'd still enter the fray, but she obeys the command nonetheless. Koddast runs to the nearby tree, and climbs up its boughs as far as he can to get a better vantage point from which to fire on these dastardly fey.
Koddast sees that Vysla is too wounded to continue being any good, so he calls her back. Vysla come! He shouts, and Vysla bounds away to his side, using all her agility to try and avoid being struck unawares.
While she lopes over he draws his curing wand from his belt and activates it, his hand glowing with the healing magic. As soon as Vysla arrives he touches her, releasing the healing magic.
What in the name of all the benevolent gods! Koddast points at the ice blocks, and just like Aleon said, sees people buried deep, frozen in the centers of the blocks. Your lives will pay the forfeit of this treachery foul gnomes! Vysla! Kill! He screams and draws his bow, firing an arrow at any gnome in his line of sight.
To the hells with you fey-kin! Koddast shouts.
I'm sorry, did you say Queen Syntira? As in the queen of all the fey of Darkmoon Wood? How is she possibly going to help? More than likely she is in control of the flower herself, and seeks to use the carnival as her own brand of malicious torture. You bring me to her, yes, please do. I'll parley with her. She is a queen after all, and deserves my respect, but if I sense even the slightest fart outside of diplomacy, I'll let fly a barrage of fiery arrows hellbent on consuming her and her entire queendom. If she's willing to help, I'll hold my ire; as a wise warrior once said, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Come Vysla, no need to search for what someone is willing to lead us to on her own. Koddast says and follows the floating faerie as she flitters through the festival. Later, as they pass the promised "monster" Gradzaal, Vysla growls low and her hackles raise in fear and defense. Good gods, that is a monster! Koddast all but screams. Where in all Andoran did they get that beast? Also, does anybody else think that cages is just for show? I think Gradzaal could snap those bars like so much tinder in a heartbeat if he so chose. Shadows! I wouldn't wan to be around if he decides it's time for freedom. Let's keep moving. After Opo's worker explains that all things are prepared for the fireworks show, Koddast pauses. Bugger me, we did say we'd watch Opo's show...? But what if whoever has this crystal flower is just waiting for that moment to unleash hell on us all? It's your call Opo. If you want to go do your fireworks thing, I'll come along, but I fear doing so puts us all in more jeopardy.
I've heard of such things, in fact I've actually seen similar flowers in the wilds of the Darkmoon Wood. Dangerous fey-magic, and not to be taken lightly. Some can be used for powerful potions, but their magic is always treacherous, just like the fey! Koddast growls again, and Vysla howls at the sky, sensing his anger. If such a flower exists here we'll have to find it right away, as who knows what terrible things could be occurring under its influence! With that he turns to his new-found friends with a stern gaze. My friends, though we came here for revelry, I fear this evening's work will be more butchery. We must find this flower and destroy it, trust no one, not even your own senses. Vysla! Koddast says, and with no less quickness grabs the faerie from Aleon's shoulder.
He holds the faerie right in front of Vysla's nose, and then commands. Track! Let's follow Vysla's nose, my friends. If there are other fey about, or their scent, she'll find it. He unceremoniously drops the faerie back on Aleon's shoulder. You'll want to keep her in that jar, or she's liable to warn her kin when we come across them. Koddast says in a tone of voice that brooks no argument. He then follows after Vysla as she sniffs the air and pursues their prey.
Koddast collects the arrows adding them to his own quiver, the money he adds to his own belt pouch. He takes the cheap vodka and tosses the flask to Tamar. Here's for your trouble m' friend. He smiles. Then he takes the lady's purse and returns it to her. I believe this is yours m'lady. He makes a half-bow, and offers his hand to help her stand up. All the while he looks at Opo and stares hard, telling the goblin to keep his hands off the lady's purse with his eyes. Looks like you took a pretty good bump there. Here let's have a look. In the process of searching the thug's body, Koddast, using the dead thug's own masterwork dagger, for a bit of irony, cuts some of his clothing into strips to bandage up the young lady's wound.
I couldn't help but notice you have a ticket for Almas departing tonight in there... He says pointing at her purse. For a moment he says nothing else, letting that observation hang in the air for just a moment. Wouldn't be that you're running away from something would it? I have a thing against brutes that bully ladies into running. While he talks he slips the masterwork dagger into his belt, and the iron key into his belt pouch.
Hold on! Let me check the bodies to see if they have anything useful or any information that might be important. Koddast says and then goes about the macabre business of searching the bodies and the wagons. Vysla, search. Koddast says, hoping the wolf's scent might pick up anything he misses.
Before Vysla turns away to start sniffing the ground for anything interesting, she licks Opo's face. Aleon, will you make sure our damsel in distress is all right?
Like I said, last mistake you'll ever make. Now you should be asking yourself, 'was it worth it?' I'd have to say not. Koddast fires another arrow, and Vysla snaps another bite.
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