As always, a bummer when it happens, but thanks for the heads-up. I've also had to take time off before. Hope you have a good rest/recharge, and that we meet on the boards again.
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Matt readied himself for danger, and called Maggie back down to his shoulder. He didn't want to risk her getting targeted by one of the raptors. He then nodded to Madison, signalling his readiness to proceed.
Matt watched the strange family in silence, pondering the lives they'd encountered while in the north, and the bonds of love he'd seen. For a land ruled by a family of ice witches, the hearts of the common people were open and warm. It made him that much more determined to do all that he could to end the witch's evil reign, and not just to revenge what had been done to his sister. The barn was chilly, but better than outside. They had to avoid the section of soaked and blackened hay - he was still embarrassed about that particular spell choice. When it came time to sleep, he was happy to roll himself up in his blanket and lose himself to his dreams.
As the others tended to the faun, Matt took a look at the dead fey, wondering if they were carrying anything worthwhile.
Seeing the potential for an inferno, Matt quickly dismissed his spell. He wasn't going to catch the too-fast quickling with it anyway. He'd have to hope that his companions could take care of the fast fey. Hoping to undo some of the damage he'd done, Matt raised his arms to the roof, his fingers wiggling in a motion that imitated rain, he then swept his arms back and then pushed them at the fire. "Hiycmoaaura naush!" A wave of water rolled over the burning straw and hay, dousing it.
Matt had his spell ready to cast. As Maddy made room for him, he stepped inside the doors, made sure she was clear of his line of sight, and threw the ball he'd made at the quickling. In mere moments the ball of fire was rolling at the quickling. It wasn't until it was out of his hands that he wondered at the wisdom of starting a fire in a barn.
Matt nodded at Maddy's question. In a whisper, he said, "Good point. Evelina, can you scoot quickly around back and see if there's another door or exit?"
Catching his sister's eye, Matt nodded towards the rope. Knowing that her blade would make short work of it, he made himself ready, even as Freyja began to sing. Reaching into his spell pouch, his nimble fingers quickly found the reagents he needed for his spell. Mixing the tallow, brimstone, and a sprinkle of iron filings, he rolled them into a small ball. Cradling the ball in his hand, he waited for the door to open and for a clear shot.
Matt watched the others get all verklempt over the woman's story, but Matt had to hide an eye-roll. First that lady with the tail, and now this? For a land ruled over by wtiches, there sure is a lot of free love happening. But I guess there's little enough else to do on cold winter nights. Still, he didn't mind going after some wicked fairies. "I don't know that they care much about the truth, Martok. But we'll stop them, you can trust in that."
Holding the bleeding wound in his side with both hands, Matt follows Maddy towards the house, hoping they would be safe until they got inside. As he watched his twin, her wounds knit shut, leaving barely a scar. "How...how did you do that?" he said, his mouth dry with pain. "That thing got you, I saw it. But now..." he reached out and touched the healed wound. "Can you heal me as well?"
Matt obeys Maddy, stepping back just enough to allow her to move in. He then spun flung both hands towards the speeding fey, calling out "Nerais nairraira!" Two glowing points of magical energy flew unerringly towards the fey, disappearing into its body, causing a flinch.
Matt shook his head as Maddy asked for a spell of slowing. "I can't cast that, it's still beyond me. But he won't be running so fast if he can't see!" Turning rapidly to track the speedy foe, Matt made a "V" shape with both hands, and swiped the V's across his eyes. He then clenched his hands into fists, an thrust both fists towards the blurry fey, crying out, "Faracoss!"
Matt stood at Maddy's back, scanning the area behind her, looking for danger.
Matt nodded at his twin's words. "Of course, we will all help. And perhaps 'Thora's Respite' would be a better name for this place going forward."
Despite his general lack of religious affiliation, Matt couldn't help but be affected by what they'd accomplished. He added his congratulations to Cithembi, and said, "There's no reason not to stay here now, right? I'll set up a ward around the place, so we don't need to worry about uninvited visitors again."
Reluctantly, Matt allowed himself to be brought back into the temple. At first he was twitchy and nervous, expecting the spirits to return and haunt them. But after Martok found the treasure trove, his professional curiosity was peaked, and he lost his nervousness. Sitting down in front of the hidden cubby, Matt cast the simple spell that would allow him to see the magical signatures of each item. As the others began helping Cithembi remove the detritus of neglect from the church, Matt stayed put, putting his prodigious mind to use, rather than rely on the relative frailty of his body. Finally, he laid everything out and explained it all. "A few scrolls here - one for resisting cold, which could come in very handy, and also hold person. Again, useful. This lovely ring has the "feather falling" spell, so whoever is most likely to be somewhere high or dangerous should have it." His eyes went briefly to Evelina, but he put the ring down without saying anything further. Carefully holding up the belt, he continued, "This sharp accessory can be worn as a belt, but pulled off and turned into almost any weapon, and a good one at that. You can pick anything cutty or pokey. Needless to say, I don't want it." He lay it down beside him. "These are just pretty, and there's some coin here too. Do any of the ladies want a pretty?" He grinned and tossed one to Freya and one to Evelina.
Still shaking off the effects of the despair he'd felt a moment ago, Matt left the courtyard, shuddering. "If we're going to spend the night here, let's do it far from this place."
Frowning that the undead had avoided his ball of fire, Matt tried again. He commanded the fireball with his mind, and it once again rolled up to the nearest undead person.
The wizard then sent another spell unerringly their way - two points of energy that zapped into one unbreathing chest. No way to avoid that spell.
Matt feels a wave of despair roll over him, so complete and crushing that he nearly curls up in the snow and gives up. It's only with a great effort of will that he manages to keep going, to keep fighting. Reaching into his spell pouch, his nimble fingers quickly found the reagents he needed for his spell. Mixing the tallow, brimstone, and a sprinkle of iron filings, he rolled them into a small ball. Cradling the ball in his hand, he waved his other hand over it and said, "Illrenailr rfhasa!" On the last syllable, he threw the ball towards the strange, not-dead people, and it grew and burst into flame. By the time it arrived at their side, it was several feet in diameter and burning hotly.
Just in case.
It was Maggie's excellent hearing that caught the sound of Evelina's voice calling them. "Ack! Evelina! She wants us!" Without waiting for her land-bound siblings, the raven winged her way straight over to the sound of the commotion. Alarmed, Matt grabbed Maddy's arm, and they followed as quickly as they could through the snow.
Matt beckoned his sisters over. "Let's make sure we're actually really alone here. Maggie, can you fly overhead and see if you can see anybody else around? Maddy, let's you and I check it out, while they make camp. We don't want to be surprised again if we can help it." Together the twins began to scout the town, keeping a keen eye open for others.
Matt nodded, agreeing with his sister. "Let us head there."
I'm happy! :)
Matt moved slowly, feeling the cold more than he had the previous week, after the respite in the summery glade. Helping where he could, he assists with getting the tents up and food ready.
Finally noticing the wolves, Matt got a bad feeling. "I don't think we should allow that." Moving slowly towards the elk, hands out, he spoke as if it could understand. "It's not safe here, my friend. Behind you are predators. Best you should move on."
Matt began to smile as the warmth and innate goodness of this place started to seep into him. He began to pull off his jacket, saying, "I can't quite put my finger on what it is, but the magic that keeps the winter away here feels good and fair. It's nothing I could do, probably not with a lifetime of training, but there are other types of magic in the world. Perhaps a druid lives here, one who might be an ally in the fight against the witches."
Matt walked into the summery grove with great trepidation. As lovely as it was, it just felt wrong to him. He looked at it with narrowed eyes, trying to figure out if the whole area was under some sort of enchantment.
Even with Cithembi pointing, Matt wasn't able to see what he was talking about.
Matt looked up from his spellbook in time to see Cithembi fumble his spell. Alarmed, the wizard moved to the catfolk, laying a hand on him, trying to determine the trouble. "I think it's a curse, Cithembi. Something specifically designed to stop you from helping with the rotten food. It's not something I can help you with, I'm afraid. Martok, be careful, it's possible you've been cursed as well."
Matt examined the spoiled food as best he could, without getting too close to it. "This is almost certainly the same thing that happened to those two items we found in the other camp. I would assume there are some nasty creatures nearby who like to do this to any passing through." As Cithembi fixed up the supplies, Matt sat quietly against the wall of the cavern with Maggie, studying his spellbook.
Matt smiled wearily at Freyja. "Thanks. I was worried too. In fact, I barely slept; I could only keep thinking about what life would be like if I stayed blind. I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep." Though it was still relatively early, he rolled himself up close to the children, and soothed by their soft breathing, soon fell asleep.
Maddy, Maggie and Matt agreed; they didn't like it here. "Let's push on," he said.
Matt moved over to where Martok held the strange liquids. Holding his hands over his eyes for a moment, he murmured, "Nadasd nerais." His eyes now capable of detecting magic, he examined the two strange bottles, trying to determine if they're potions of some sort.
Matt took one alchemists fire for himself, and a few tindertwigs - it never hurt to have that sort of thing on hand. He left the potions for the front line fighters, he would hopefully not need them. "Yes, let's make sure there's nobody there that needs help, and then we can move on if there's still enough light."
Matt cocked his arm back again, but this time as if throwing a javelin instead of a ball. He cried out "Sphlonsuruk sphuaur!", and a jagged wooden spear appeared in his hand, glowing faintly with a greenish light. He hurled it at and it flew straight and true, striking them in the shoulder.
Matt spun around, trying to keep his eyes on the goblins. As they turned, ready for another pass, he put his back to the sleds, trying to stay behind Maddy. With the goblins moving as quickly as they were, and his friends already joining the fray, he decided to stick with as safe a spell as he could. Drawing his hand back as if he were about to throw a ball, he cried, "Nerais nairraira!" He threw his hand forward, and two motes of energy flew unerringly towards the goblin furthest from Evelina.
Matt was intrigued by the bear trap when they showed it to him the next morning. He could immediately think of some things they could use it for, and none of them included trapping bears. He added his thanks to the others. It was a relief to be able to study his spellbook properly. When he tucked it away, he rose, and thanked their hosts. "We are grateful for your hospitality. May you live many long years together in happiness." He then moved with the others out the door, ready for a full day of travel.
Matt had spent much of the evening in meditation - trying to focus on his connection with Maggie, and understand what they could do together with it. Having her deliver touch spells for him would be a great boon, though he would have to be careful not to put her in danger. That night he slept fitfully, worried about his eyes. If this turned out to be a permanent affliction, then he would be of little use in their mission. When dawn finally came, though it remained dark for the wizard, he could barely restrain himself while Martok doctored his eyes again. He gripped Maddy's hand tightly as the dwarf rinsed s the last of the blood and pus and gunk was carefully rinsed out, light began to filter into his eyes. He blinked several times, wincing at the light, and slowly the room came into focus. Eyes watering, Matt said, "Well, hopefully you have ten. But I can see two of them in front of me right now." He wiped his cheeks, and looked around. He closed one eye, then the other. Finally he slumped back, relaxing completely, releasing tension he hadn't been aware of. "You have my gratitude, Martok. Thank you."
Matt had heard of Huldra before - they'd been part of a first year course he'd taken. The professor had impressed upon them how dangerous this species of fey were - their inherent talent for enchantment made them hard to fight. He felt himself tense up, but wasn't about to start something with an enemy he couldn't see. The others seemed to trust her, however, and he had spent an evening in her company while in the vulnerable state of a ritual, and she had attempted no harm. Keeping a bit behind Maddy, Matt said, "It was not a troll that had him, but a parasitic mold. The green creature you saw was your husband, covered in the stuff. We removed and killed the mold, and burned the cave it came from, so hopefully the area is safe now. But he is not quite yet himself; it will likely take some time for him to fully recover from having his actions controlled by the mold." He then looked to the others, and said, "What now? Do we continue on?"
Matt stood behind Maddy - at least, he thought he was behind her. Not understanding what the others were saying, he whispered, "What's going on? Who has a tail?"
Matt was relieved to get back to the cottage. Though it couldn't be more than mid-day, he was hoping that they'd stay here another night, and hopefully his sight would return in the morning, before they left. However, he wasn't willing to ask for this and slow them down.
Listening to the man stammer and hesitate, Matt realized that the mold had probably needed to keep him in a confused mental state in order to control him, and still keep him alive. Softly, he said, "His mind has been damaged by the experience, and I don't know if it's permanent or only temporary. Martok, can your god help you to repair his mind?" At Maddy's suggestion, he said, "Yes, fire would be an excellent way to kill the spores, should there by any left. Although, with all of us here, even if one gets infected we should be able to deal with it pretty quickly."
Matt allowed himself to be guided forward, and Maggie rejoined him on his shoulder. Unable to see the man or his surroundings, the wizard just stood quietly and listened.
Matt listened to Maggie's narration of the unfolding events, and considered his options. Without sight, there were some spells he just couldn't cast. With his friends in pitched melee battle, there were others that he didn't dare cast. There was little enough he could do to protect them, but there was a little. "Maggie! Fly to Evelina!" Understanding his intent, the mottled raven launched herself from his shoulder and flew to the diminutive swordswoman. Avoiding the swinging blade, the raven half flapped, half-rubbed herself against Evelina's back. As she did so, Matt cried out, "Nma'oaa' rma'rl orrar" Hopefully that will shield her from some of that thing's evil.
Things were happening too fast, and Matt didn't understand the layout infront of him. Grabbing Maddy's arm, he touched her quickly on forehead and heart, murmuring, "Nma'oaa' rma'rl orrar". He released, her saying, "Be careful, now go." On his shoulder, Maggie was flapping with agitation, trying to describe the scene. "Ark! Big pit, Matty, don't go FOR-ward. Green man, coming out. Evelina, FAST! Behind him. Careful Maddy!" She continued to narrate as best she could, sometimes flapping up onto his head for a better view, other times resting on his shoulder, and basically making a lot of noise.
Matt shrugged, not knowing if anybody was looking at him. "I don't think that it can take you over if you're resisting, but I'm not sure. I think it can be removed and the person saved, but again, I'm not sure. We'll just have to do our best not to kill the host, if possible. Use non-lethal damage if you can, then I think we can tear it away, and then probably burn it." Feeing for the cave entrance, he asked, "How big is this? Do we have to go in single file? Do you think we should wait outside for it to come out?"
Matt followed the group through the forest, relying on his sisters to help him travel. After they were well away from the cottage, he called the group to stop, and told them his thoughts. "It's likely we're not dealing with a troll at all, but somebody caught by a mindslaver mold. Quite possibly her husband, and there may be more than one. The mold parasitizes people and controls them. So, we're going to have to be careful not just to blast at it, or we'll kill the host instead. I think we can pull it off, but it'll hurt the host. We'll need to be ready if that happens." tag? As they stood in front of the cavern, Matt said, "Do we need to go in? Perhaps we can draw it out."
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