As they sent a terrifying power her way, Merfina steeled her mind - and made ready to steel the zombies, too. While she was all for giving people a fair chance to explain themselves, this appeared to be one of those times where all the information had been kindly provided.
Without hesitating, she gathered power together, pumped it up as much as she could, and sent a burst of crystals hurtling towards the Mohrg.
Crystal Blast, Ranged Touch Attack:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24 for Damage:6d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 1, 3, 2) = 13Plus Reflex DC 19 vs Entangle. -1 SP for the improved damage.
Prrrrrrobably? They said they fixed the main problem, at least, and it's been pretty stable since.
"...I feel like 'judge' is an interesting word to use in this context." Merfina mused as she looked at the runes and what they spelled out. "I suppose we should be on the lookout for some quartz, then?" she paused by the skeleton, to see if it was an undead and - either way - to give it some rites.
Shrugging, Merfina added the items to her storage. "I think it's fine to head down the next level. It'll take us forever if we try to thoroughly check each and every little thing, and we have more important matters to attend to." she said matter-of-factly. Hefting her blade up, she began moving towards the stairs.
"Hmm... have anything to purge invisibility?" Merfina asked, holding up the unseeable book. "This could be relevant - more so than the rest of the things here, at least." she did try shaking the leather bag over the book, though, just out of curiosity.
"Hm." Merfina said, plucking a needle out of her finger. A moment later, she sucked out a bit of blood and spat it onto the floor. "Yeah, that's dark elves all right - plenty paranoid." More importantly, was there anything in there?
Frowning slightly, Merfina moved over to check the lockers, just in case there was anything of interest inside them. The more information she had on the drow, the better - and even minor bits of information could help.
perception:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Spirit Effects: Milo of Clyde: Deft Fingers (+3 DD/SoH, Disable Magical Traps), Lead Slinger (Use Crossbows/Firearms), Milo's Truthtelling (mind-affecting melee touch attack), Street Savvy (+3 Perception, Sense Motive, Survival). Ubro: Channel Energy (3d6, 5/6 uses), Check Up (determine target's problems), Healer's Hands (+3 to Heal skill, bonuses when using it), Sand Skin (DR 3/piercing).
"Hm." With a slight shrug, Merfina checked the other two southern doors. Were these all the same? Well, that was evidence as much as anything else was.
Spirit Effects: Milo of Clyde: Deft Fingers (+3 DD/SoH, Disable Magical Traps), Lead Slinger (Use Crossbows/Firearms), Milo's Truthtelling (mind-affecting melee touch attack), Street Savvy (+3 Perception, Sense Motive, Survival). Ubro: Channel Energy (3d6, 5/6 uses), Check Up (determine target's problems), Healer's Hands (+3 to Heal skill, bonuses when using it), Sand Skin (DR 3/piercing).
"I appear to be visiting places with an unusually high number of doors." Merfina observed. After a few moments, she shrugged and opened the middle door on the south side. Central doors were often more likely to head to another area - not always, by any means, but definitely some of the time. She wanted to see what was here before they continued on down the stairs.
Spirit Effects: Milo of Clyde: Deft Fingers (+3 DD/SoH, Disable Magical Traps), Lead Slinger (Use Crossbows/Firearms), Milo's Truthtelling (mind-affecting melee touch attack), Street Savvy (+3 Perception, Sense Motive, Survival). Ubro: Channel Energy (3d6, 5/6 uses), Check Up (determine target's problems), Healer's Hands (+3 to Heal skill, bonuses when using it), Sand Skin (DR 3/piercing).
Before they moved on, Merfina put a hand on Miah's shoulder. A mark of healing appeared on both of her palms, and a moment later, a burst of healing energy rippled through the air.
Channel Positive Energy:3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 2) = 7
"That should help." she said, satisfied. "You know caves in general better than I - care to point the way?"
Also, this next bit is long overdue...
Channel Energy: 5/6 uses left. Spirit Effects: Milo of Clyde: Deft Fingers (+3 DD/SoH, Disable Magical Traps), Lead Slinger (Use Crossbows/Firearms), Milo's Truthtelling (mind-affecting melee touch attack), Street Savvy (+3 Perception, Sense Motive, Survival). Ubro: Channel Energy (3d6, 5/6 uses), Check Up (determine target's problems), Healer's Hands (+3 to Heal skill, bonuses when using it), Sand Skin (DR 3/piercing).
Merfina darted forward as Miah moved, plunging her blade towards the first crossbow attacker. (For that matter, did they even have the dexterity to reload delicate weapons? Undead came in many varieties, after all. Hmm.)
-and made up for her earlier mistake with one of the best blows she'd ever delivered, vertically splitting the zombie she'd missed earlier in half from head to groin. She whipped her blade back out of its body a moment later, sending it topping to the ground as she looked for the source of the crossbow noise. If it was an enemy, maybe that strike of hers would give them second thoughts...
"Well, no ice coating everything. That's good." Merfina said. After a moment, she headed over towards the western wall to check through the door there and see what else might be present.
I've known days like that - the days after I last moved I didn't even have internet, and in all honesty, I was too tired to have much presence of mind. XD Thanks for letting me know the schedule!
"Well... nothing to do but go forward, I guess." Merfina said, looking up at the sky for a few moments. With that, she bent down and tried to follow any other tracks from the dragon a little, planning to stop once she knew where they were going so they could widely avoid that route.
"Well, in that case..." Merfina said, taking out her chalk and bending down. "Give me a few minutes to call the spirits." Her hand quickly traced out two seals - one for Milo of Clyde, the other for Ubro, the Blind Hospitaler.
Binding Check (Milo, DC 14):1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 3 = 18 Binding Check (Ubro, DC 17):1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 3 = 23 Both good bonds, no Capstones. I'll also grab the Bless and Lore Consultant Constellation Aspects. Woo, flexibility. XD
Milo's perception and lucky breaks were always handy, and Ubro... well, he'd help ensure they had plenty of healing to face whatever came.
...Or, you know, they could just run. "Are you familiar with any dragons being in this area?" Merfina asked as she looked over at the footprint. "Because we may want to do what we can to avoid notice."
Selling:
Mwk Full Plate: +825 GP
Light Crossbow: +17.5 GP
Mwk Light Mace: +152.5 GP
Onyx Gems: +350 GP
Silver Dust: +25 GP
Cloak of Resistance +1: +500 GP
Subtotal: 2595 GP
Buying (or at least Wanting):
Endless Chalk: -500 GP (Pact Magic item. It's pretty much exactly what it sounds like. XD It's also quite important, since it allows me to actually draw seals and form pacts on a consistent basis.)
Aaaaand with her current funds, there's probably not much else I should spend money on right now. XD
Final(?) Total: 2095 GP
As for Spirits... I think I'd like to research Lady Jarah, Sybee Rose, Ubro, and Xalen d'Marek.
It really is a lot like crafting, and it's probably simplest to think of it like that.
Progress towards gaining new spirits is measured by success on four Knowledge checks (for the Ceremony, Constellation, Personality, and Seal), with a DC of 25 + Spirit Level for each check. There's a cumulative +5 bonus over time (officially over weeks, though the author said it should probably be per-attempt instead), so there's really no way to 'fail' the research long-term. Given Merfina's excellent Knowledge skills - something the Pactmaker is really, really good at because that's how they get their main class feature - it would probably be fair to just average it and say she could succeed in researching one new spirit per week of studying for 8 hours/day.
Also, what kind of shopping does this town have? I have some loot to sell off, and potentially some things to buy. XD
Merfina nodded slightly as Miah spoke. "From what I've heard of the Drow, a sudden vacancy in a leadership position might well lead them to be consumed with infighting for some time... it's probably doable, at least. Just let me be sure I have my things - there are some books I'd like to research on the way, and they may prove quite helpful."
For a long-ish journey, Merfina would like to split her day into eight hours of travel, eight of sleeping, and eight of research. By this point, I should be able to get at least a few spirits. XD
"Have you found any others willing to come with you?" Merfina asked. "I don't think of myself as weak, but I couldn't even begin to hold off the forces of a whole city of trained warriors. Honestly, the best way to get forces would probably be an offer of trade with one of the kingdoms... get a real army down there until you could rebuild. Of course, that would take time... and it doesn't sound like you have a lot of that."
"How have things been here in the town?" Merfina asked as she finished her report. "Have there been any other troubles, or sightings of problems?" She was a singer by trade, not an adventurer, but she didn't like to leave jobs half-finished. If there were other problems yet, she intended to support the town until its inhabitants were ready to stand on their own once more.
Merfina took one last look over the place, then politely locked what rooms she could and deposited the keys in the best central room she could find, leaving them for whoever might follow to this place. Getting food came before that, of course - provisions were just a little important.
"The Keep sounds like a good place to go." she said, nodding to Kivan. "Having a sturdy goal is good for morale, too. Gregor, as we march, would you mind setting up a few groups for watch rotation and giving everyone a job to do? People aren't as worried when they're working, and if everyone knows what the plan is, we'll be able to camp that much easier." He was enough of an outdoorsman that she was willing to trust his instincts on a matter like this. She traveled, but was honestly more of a city girl herself.
As she finally remembered the name of the town - hey, she hadn't been there very long - Merfina nodded slightly. "Right, right. I get it now. Follow me - I think I saw a few places with gear for everyone, and I think whoever owned them before will understand your need." With that, she set out to lead them towards the places they were hoping to see.
Merfina did check on the drow warrior she'd knocked unconscious, just to be sure, leaving it up to the tribesmen to decide her fate. As for those who came to talk to her...
"I'd be happy to show you around. There should still be some weapons lying about the place, and as far as I'm concerned, you're welcome to anything the drow had. As for my travels, my main goal is getting most of these people back to the town they were taken from." she said, gesturing to the group. "You may find it easier to stay with the group and turn towards Rybalka afterwards - for an opportunity to get food and other supplies first, if nothing else."
Know Local (Where is Rybalka compared to the town we started at and our current location?):1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
Merfina nodded slightly, then lifted her blade and shattered the dead cleric's holy symbol. "Your time in this world has ended. Go on now to the place your soul belongs, and trouble the world no more." she said. A moment later, she hefted her blade onto her shoulder and began marching out, moving at a quick pace to get over to the prisoners as soon as she could.
Well, that had gone... much better than expected, actually. "Don't let your guard down just yet." Merfina told Gregor. "There may yet be assassins on the premises." the job wasn't done until the people were home safe, after all. "Hmm... think the shard is still here? If it was sent ahead, they probably wouldn't have put in a letter that it would be on the way to her, since it'd likely reach its destination before the letter did..." Unless odd magic was involved, but that footnote was a given in literally any situation.
The entanglement wasn't going to last forever - and Merfina didn't hesitate at all to slip around and try to get into a flanking position before thrusting forward with her blade. Between the three of them now, they ought to be able to bring her down before she could do any more harm to innocent people... and the blow she delivered was most of what still needed to be done.
Well, at least the doors were open now... and Merfina whirled forward, charging her blade with crystalline energy as she darted across the room. She didn't bother with words - in part because she wasn't sure the drow would understand her if she spoke something other than Undercommon (which she didn't want to do, lest her companions think she was betraying them or something), and in part because the time for talking felt like it had long passed.
Using her Energy Blade tactic to add a Crystal Blast to her strike. (-1 SP) Vs Spell Resistance:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 Two-Handed PA:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 for Damage:2d6 + 14 + 3d4 ⇒ (4, 4) + 14 + (1, 3, 4) = 30+Reflex DC 17 vs Entangled
Before they entered, Merfina focused and cast a series of magic spells, focusing the gifts of Time's After Image on each of them to make them much harder to hit. (-3 SP, lasts for 5 minutes.) As the chief quaffed the other potion, Merfina booted open the door (or at least tried to, assuming it's not locked...) so they could take stock of the chamber, fully planning to rush in and engage the target before they had a chance to adequately respond.
As they arrived, Merfina checked to be sure the others were going where they were supposed to be - if something about the plan had already going on, she'd probably need to improvise.
In particular, checking for allies. I might want to buff them before we bust in. XD
Shrugging, Merfina flipped her blade around - which wasn't as easy as it looked, given the weapon's weight - and clubbed Miana in the head with its thick hilt. It didn't really hurt her any to knock the dark elf unconscious and prevent some kind of death message from triggering. They could always execute her later if need be, but for now, securely trying her up and locking her in a room ought to suffice.
And when that was done, Merfina turned, pointed to the sky, and gave the signal they'd previously agreed on to let the tribesmen know it was time to take back their future.
Merfina concentrated, but seeing Gregor hurt had made her a little bit more passionate than was really wise for battle... a lot of that was instinct, really, because she just didn't like seeing people get hurt. That didn't mean she wouldn't drive her blade through someone's chest when it was necessary, but she didn't enjoy anyone's suffering. Muttering something a little less than ladylike under her breath, she swung her blade in an overhand chop-
Spellcraft (Do I recognize anything they're wearing?):1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
A moment after the attack had been made, Merfina whirled around, with crystals sprouting off of her sword as she whipped it through the air. More than just raw power, she was aiming to both harm the attacker and subject them to the entangling powers of her crystal blasts. Alas, despite her efforts, the spell wasn't quite potent enough to pierce her foe's resistance to spells. Otherwise, however, it was a pretty solid blow...
Melee Attack:1d20 ⇒ 20 for Damage:2d6 + 14 ⇒ (5, 6) + 14 = 25Plus Reflex DC 17 vs Entangled Vs Spell Resistance:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Well, since Maina seems to be in the hallways... Merfina would like to focus on those, with an emphasis on those she's known to frequent. She's only going to spring an ambush if she can get the target alone, though.
Pretty much as described, really. Have some of the tribesmen go around and notify the others that they're about to take down the dark elves. While that happens, Merfina wants to find and take down Maina - with backup if she can - and once that's done, strike at the elf leaders before they can adequately respond to the situation.
"Take down this sneak, Maina, first." Merfina suggested. "While we're locating her, let your other men know it's time to counterattack - we can let them know under the guise of delivering food or something. When the sneak's finished, we give the signal and hit the dark elves before they have time to realize what's going on."
"Good enough. Anybody have a map of this place? I'd like to be sure we all know what paths we'll be using. Courage is important, but it's good to have a plan before you head to battle, too." The more organized they were, the more likely they'd succeed - and given the many innocent lives on the line, she'd take whatever sensible advantage she could get.
"I'm willing to accept surrenders when guarantees can be made, but... from all of their actions, they've lost the right to simply be asked to surrender. The main goal is to get the prisoners back to their homes, but you've been here longer than I have - and I respect that experience." It was important to note something about a chieftain you respected, after all. "What do you think would be more effective? Should we aim to smuggle them out first, or cut down the dark elves and let them out afterwards?"
Know Local (Any other customs of their people?):1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16 Diplomacy:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20Ah, naturally high bonuses, how we love thee. XD
"I have reason to believe the dark elves will soon be returning to their home. When they do, I don't think they're going to simply thank your people for your time and be about their merry way." Merfina answered calmly, hefting up her blade and resting it on her shoulder as a demonstration of strength. "More likely, they're going to try and kill as many of you as they can, then desecrate your bodies by turning you into undead. I fought quite a few such abominations on the way here, laid to stop any pursuers... and there's no reason to believe they're going to stop doing that now. Rather than waiting around to be butchered by assassins, I think it would be better to turn the tables on them before they're ready... and teach them that surface-dwellers aren't as stupid or weak as they think we are."
"Well, I think they've done quite enough of that." Merfina said firmly. "That's not even prisoners taken in battle, which would be one thing - that's simply preying on the helpless, and I do believe their egos are a little too large for their actions. I'd rather not let the elves know of our presence, so... we'll remain here while you get your Chief." After a moment, she looked at one of those who would remain. "By the way, is there anything I should or shouldn't do when your chief arrives? I must confess to not being too familiar with your ways, and I prefer to be polite."
"Are there any other humans here?" Merfina asked, not quite moving yet. "They took quite a few captives from the place I was visiting... and I'm not inclined to simply let them waltz home with prizes after what they did."
"They offended my honor." Merfina answered calmly. "I'm here to repay them for that, and undo the wrong they committed. From what I've seen of them so far, I don't expect them to simply allow you and your tribe to go, either. One way or another, there's going to be a fight... but I'd like to make it a little more than the one they think they'll be having."
"No." Merfina said firmly. "Not unless you actually give me cause to... like by worrying about what those dark elves think instead of deciding things for yourselves."
"No, I'm not." she said - and took a gamble. "Nor should I need to be, unless your Chieftain has lost so much of his pride that he only meets with people they permit him to. You don't strike me as the lapdogs of a bunch of outsiders, though - especially because I suspect they won't be sticking around too long, nor just... letting people who know of their presence go." Given what she'd seen of the undead, they seemed quite willing to kill and use anyone for any reason, and she wouldn't put it past them to try and zombify the guardsmen and make it that much harder for anyone to follow them home.
