Nera wanders closer after hiding predominately during Dolelan's attempt at the ritual with the flower and waiting be sure the tree didn't suddenly spring to life and begin devouring her comrades.
She edges closer to Dolelan and speaks plainly in common Walter slung over her shoulder in the usual fashion "Well that went far better than I expected possible." she says cheerily.
She begins to prattle off incessantly while slightly overlooking more common social norms as she casts detect magic on the tree the surrounding lush expanse and prods both tree and collects a few samples of the lush expanse with unbound curiosity. "Glad to see your face didn't melt off! So have we garnered a strange new ally? To what ends do you think shall he, she, hrim, it; will able to aid us in our task? How on name of Nethys did you manage to perform such a feat? I'd love to know specifics as I've never viewed such a display."
As she continues her annoying prattle in Dolelan's direction as she attempts to touch the tree and examine it more carefully "Do you think it would mind if I took a sampling of it's bark or sap? How does it vocalize sound or perceive things, with sight? Do you think it developed more complex organs during it's transformation? Are such organs composed of cellulose structure? Is the sudden shift of cognitive ability to hold a more advanced current form of sapience allow it to reflect on it's previous sentient experience? In more general terms can it recall it's previous subjective experiences and analyze them through it's more advanced connotative abilities or is it's new found abilities similar to one birth? Would that in some way make you it's parent if it is?
She pauses for brief moment to catch breath before looking awkwardly at her Scimitar. "Oh right I almost forgot." she mentions as if completely forgetting something important....
"Hello! mynameisNerawhatisyours?" she says in common towards the tree with a quick smile before she immediately repeats the same jumbled phrase in the 5 other languages she knows.
Nera is mostly quiet during Miwethwen's interrogation splitting her time between doodling and coming up with names for her spells. Upon her departure she quietly calls out ".....bye?...it was a pleasure meeting you."
A short time later she remarks to the rest of the group "....errr..ummm...we didn't simply have to let her go...I mean she did try to kill us. We could have simply tied her to a tree and let her sort out the rest."
Nera eyes legilds wounds with curiosity "I suppose I could help, but I warn you prolonged exposure to my healing methods....well....could have unpleasant side effects...." before she's promptly cut off by Dolelan resolving the issue.
She chimes in at Legiald's discussion of travel issues "You'd know better than I how far away Jackal's folly is. If we can reach there in a few hours and avoid fatigue I can manage. Otherwise resting in this cabin might prove beneficial and I can recoup my full magical prowess after the rest, but it's not entirely necessary."
Upon Dolelan's mention of the flower Nera looks slightly alarmed at Dolelan's cavalier nature before a cringing and her smile drawing a troubled frown, "Hmmmm...Err...Hmmm....I'm not sure you have any real idea what your your doing. All I know of such things are that the foci, as it is, is unstable and a liability." she takes a brief sigh " While academically interesting and a strange curiosity, it could be a liability if we travel with it due to it's delicate nature. If you wish to experiment on it I'll...ummm...not stop you...but I'll take measure to watch from....well a safe distance....and pray the built up magical power doesn't melt off your face upon release." she'll follow Dolelan and help in any way she can with whatever ritual or convoluted plan he has in mind offering advice on matters of the arcane, but will immediately retreat 300ft away and take cover behind a tree upon any initiation of his experiment.
OOC: Nera's reaction towards talk of killing the tied up woman previously would've been shock/surprise and she'd look clearly uncomfortable about such discussion, but wouldn't vocally protest.
Nera sits patiently in the corner scribbling notes obsessively and examining the flower and drawing a picture of it while craddling her scimitar in her lap during the time before the elven girl wakens. She'll pretty much be doing the same thing as she's clearly uncomfortable with where the days events have led and doesn't wish to partake in any...interrogation.
Sense Motive on the Girls promise/swear: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8(Walter) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14(Nera)
She pipes up from her little corner "Ummmm three things!... First, if it was your intent to kill all those that wander this area you've failed spectacularly....Second, You didn't actually swear to answer truthfully....Oh and Lastly,... ummm...what's your name? Creepy vine monster is a bit too impersonal.... oh and sorry about the ropes... and ummm.... all the other things." and she quickly goes back to drawing a the flower a little embarrassed by her sudden outburst.
A few hours before she wakes if it's acceptable...
Nera looks around at the rest of the party and takes a swallow before asking timidly "....What..do you suppose we're to do with her....you know once she wakes...and after we've asked her a few more questions, of course?"
Nera shoots Legiald an annoyed glance "I do believe I specified that it was an extremely dangerous more than likely categorically unstable foci that absorbs raw magical energies that could be storing destructive powers of near incalculable proportions. The slightest bruising or changing or it's structure could cause a cascading collapse of its integrity and an unpredictable surge of raw energy that likely considerably unpleasant to be near." after rambling on a little bit she stops to catch her breath ".....it's pale lilac colour does bring out Legiald's eyes, though." as she begins lending aid to treating Legialds wounds.
Tread 'deadly' wounds (Legiald) Aid: 1d20 ⇒ 2 (whelp that was a catastrophic failure, anyone else want to try?)
Nera looks horrified by Legialds actions before she realizes the green skinned elf is merely unconscious.
She smiles and says to Dolelan "You see now...you can tie the Bi** up!" Her eyes then narrow "....but no funny business." she eyes him with an idle smirk.
Nera stands there huffing in exhaustion looking like a rabid animal. She eventually collects herself and raises her scimitar in the air and brings it down in a swift cutting motion and the magical fire and electricity dissipates into the air. Her black blades deep dark gleam having lessened and dulled.
Deactivating flaming/shocking properties, using spell recall to bring back shocking grasp cost: 1AP
Upon hearing Dolelans comment she kicks a little dirt towards him and remarks "Dolelan! You know you ought to get to know a girl before you spring such an deviant...thing..... on the poor woman...I know in some larger settlements there are handfuls of women who'll take to such things for a few golden sails (Gold coins), but it's still terribly forward not to mention a horrible way to make first impression" chastising him a little bit reading far too much into his comment and playful wink.
She glances at the strange woman "Ummmm....errr....Hello?!... I know this might be a strange question to ask....... but would you mind telling me what you where doing inside that horrible vine monster thingy?"
Nera then gets a strange look on her face and casts detect magic focusing her gaze on the strange green elven girl. (I hit that vine monster with Arcane mark. If they're the same creature in 18 seconds there should be Nera/Walters rune glowing magically on her body.)
Nera looks surprised by the strange creatures resiliency and is even more surprised when it grabs her friend.... she continues her deadly dance while crying out "Why!...Wont!"*hack*"You!..."*hack*"Just die!" her dance less resembling the usual grace and now becoming stiff and..... angry.
An angry dance!
Mechanics:
Actions:
-Swift Action: Arcane Strike for +2 to damage.
-Free Action: 5-foot step to C,10 to flank w/ Charon
-Full Attack: Spell Combat, Arcane Mark + Attack.
*Provided the creature doesn't listen/can't understand Dolelan's magical commands and continues to threaten*
Nera looks a little perplexed by the monsters rampant growth after her attack and thinks to herself "Well that didn't work as well as I'd hoped...." as she begins casting her & walter's signature arcane sigil in draconic before taking a step forward to give her allies on the other side of the beast a tactical advantage.
She releases dual strokes of her scimitar the cuts from the first strike wrapping magically into a multitude of draconic runes before drawing any blood and exploding with fire and an electrical surge.
Mechanics:
Actions:
-Swift Action: Arcane Strike for +2 to damage;
-Free Action: 5-foot step to D,10 *Provides flanking to C13 for Char or Legi*
-Full-Round-Action: Spell-Combat + Spellstrike casting Arcane Mark;
*Casting Arcane Mark Defensively first;
*Full-Attack second.
*Never know what applies so I just toss in all of them in case it's something weird. I'd wager knowledge nature, but I've been surprised many times before.
Nera sighs, "Why can't we ever run into agreeable monsters....the hard way it is..." and she begins reciting the magical words to bring forth arcane power while her blade suddenly burst forth with magic of it's own lighting ablaze with fire, crackling with electricity, and glowing with a dark blue hue.
Once the final syllable crosses her tongue her hand erupts in wild electrical arcs and she swiftly dances and spins towards the creature leaving herself open to attack for a briefest of moments before lashing out with a quick strike of her scimitar the magical electric current flowing through herself and into her weapon creating an inferno of destructive magic that rips through the monster should her aim hold true.
Mechanics:
Actions:
-Swift Action: Enhance weapon shocking and flaming properties for 10 rounds. (Cost: 1AP)
-Free Action: Blackblade strike, +2 to damage for 10 rounds. (Cost: 1 BB-AP).
-Standard Action: [Cast Defensively; Shocking Grasp]
-Move Action: Move to E,10 using acrobatics for half movement to avoid AoO on a successful roll.
-Free Action (from touch spell): Deliver Shocking Grasp via spell strike for an attack.
Seeing dolelan she comments "Why dolelan I was just looking for you! So glad to see.......you're.....all............right?"
Changing gears she stammers out nervously "Mr. yellow eyes would you mind releasing my friend I have some questions to ask him regarding......a flower."
*He was acting strangely with the flower; Dominate Person is DC 15 any other enchantment is DC 25. To tell if someone is enchanted.
Earlier....
Nera smiles "Are you feeling alright Legiald? You know there are perfectly usable doors. It's a little rude to wreck the place up, but I suppose the most direct path is efficient..."
When he goes to pick up the flower "Be very very very careful with that it seems to be a focus for magical energies that I'm not sure even I fully understand... notice how the mist recesses near this house? My working current theory is that the flower is absorbing the latent magical energies in the mist....."
Cringing as he touches it and blathers on in a quickened frightened tone.."I'm not sure if it's a natural phenomenon or specifically constructed, but from my experience such objects are far better suited to stronger foci such as a gem, stone, ivory, or pearl as the slightest alteration or destruction of the foci could release a chaotic burst of long stored magical energies of spectacularly unfathomable if not frightening proportions. Such a foci seems extremely hazardous if not demonstrably dangerous."
Taking pause to catch her breath "If you're insistent on carrying it around might I ask you avoid crashing through walls or generally anything violent or strenuous at all that might disrupt the foci as I don't fathom being close to such an event would be.....well...healthy. I'd request you keep yourself approximately......at least 60 feet away from me at all times."
She thinks silently for a few moments before adding "Though perhaps some sort of extra-dimensional container could transport the foci safely....but then again it might need air and sunlight to remain living and so it might be a risk if such a planar pocket failed to provide such luxuries...."
Lost in thought she continues thinking out loud while chewing obsessively on a little bit of wheat "You know I really wish we had someone else who I could bounce my ideas off of who's well versed in matters of the Arcane....Charon's no good....Lugdro disappeared on us back in Bosh...Legiald while skilled in more mundane subjects is of little use.......and Dolelan...why dolelan's thoughts would be useful....wait...wait...WHERE'S DOLELAN! HE WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME LAST I CHECKED! DAMMIT HOW COULD I BE SO CARELESS!" she screams wildly just noticing the clever elfs absence as she rushes off to the strange tracks found moments ago and spends some time examining them....before a dagger landing in the dirt breaks her concentration....
Her blade still slumped over her shoulder Nera reacts quickly scanning the area for the direction the dagger came from and it's possible source. She whispers through their message spell (If it's still working)"Char, Legi if they wanted that dagger in us their aim would've been better. Do whatever needs to be done, but they might know where Dolelan is so keep that in mind."
If no one presents themselves she'll call out first in common then cycle through every language she knows starting first with Sylvan "We mean you no harm won't you show yourself we're missing a friend and would like to find him."
Nera looks a little bewildered "What's with you and touching that thing? Legi? I don't think it'll grow legs and wander off.....well I believe the probability to be rather low at least...." she mumbles to herself about the probability of events so far before finishing with "We should leave it for now, there are strange things afoot in this forest. Playing with things we don't understand while amazingly fun probably should require caution." after a lingering pause "When we return to investigate it further I promise to let you touch it first."
Nera pipes back "Oh I won't be staring at your dorsum, but I will follow you closely and make sure you aren't caught unprepared while guarding your flank!" as she follows Charon closely. Quite closely 10ft away at any given moment.
Nera takes a look around still cautious before sighing "Let's not touch anything that seems strange or magical......just yet" she'll take a 20 on perception to search the room for roughly 2 minuets. 28 and call out in each of the languages she knows "Is anybody here we mean you no harm..." before deciding to leave the room and it's strange flower to look through the other room down the hallway and then back to the living room? and repeat the same process.
She motions for the whoever is accompanying her to follow, but doesn't much care if they do.
Nera looks spooked as Legiald nears the mound she mumbles out "Donttoucheit!!!" she casts detect magic and scans the room, ready to feel blinded again.
Nera perks up "Well I hardly think being ready for anything is even feasible....." she then stammers "I mean a giant sentient bowl of rice pudding that shoots rainbows and bleeds stardust falls under the category.... of well anything...... and I don't think I could ever be ready for that...." as they make their way down the hall.
Nera looks at Legiald "Nope, but it sure is weird" pondering for a moment "Hmmmmm..... lets go check out the room down the hallway with the light." she hesitates for a moment "I'd say be ready for trouble, but lets not be hostile should this place not call for it"
She'll wander down the hall towards the room on the right.
Sorry for any delay, didn't want to go kicking down doors without letting others react.
Nera smiles as she listens to Legialds ramblings she whispers back "If you're so curious why don't you stop cowering in the bushes and come find out with us. Unless you boys are going to let the brave girls do all the exploring for you while you hide in the bushes. I'll wait if you can find the courage...." she pauses for a moment and then comments "Don't fret over such things Legiald if I die just burn my body, much easier..." a few seconds pass and she adds "Walter would definitely like to be buried, though."
She'll wait for a while unless Charon advances in which case she'll follow.
Nera looks a little surprised at the small furry thing she sees dart out of the house. "Anybody else see that?......weird..." she'll give another few knocks and exclaim in common and then in Slyvan "I'm coming inside I mean you no harm..." before walking into the house, unless anyone else stops her.
Nera wanders on over to Charon still whistling a little tune, "My I sure am glad you two headed off and ambushed this house before it was to sneak up and catch Dolelan and I unawares." she chimes cheerfully.
She'll cast detect magic on the house before closing in, but unless otherwise unimpeded she'll casually walk up and....."*Knock*...*noc*noc*noc*noc*... *Nock* Nock*".... knock on either the front door or the doorway and wait a short time for a reply of some kind her scimitar resting hung over her shoulder in one hand.
Nera shoots a glance at Dolelan "I guess they've found something, so no sense in waiting here" she'll wander towards where the sound was made forgoing all manner of stealth as she whistles idly in a cheerful manner sword still drawn as if while seemingly at ease expectant of the dangers that lurk in the misty underbrush.
Nera reels back shading her eyes with her off hand after a few seconds she communicates via message spell, "Take note the mist isn't ordinary it has strong magical properties and it's aura is...well... overpowering" she adds "....I've got a bad feeling about this...."
Nera raises her scimitar over her head. "I'll stay by Dolelan's side, but I do not think it wise to separate in this misty underbrush, I will divine for magical auras" she whispers through the message spell.
If she knows which direction the sound came from she'll cast detect magic in that direction and continue to work her way 360 degrees scanning for any unusual magical auras.
Nera fastens the reigns of her horse to a liberal amount of rope and ties it to a tree and leaves a few days feed for her animal. She gives her horse a brief pat on the nose "Now don't go eat'n all your feed in a few hours clompy, it's gotta last a little bit plus you'll make yourself sick"
Handle Animal 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16
Clompy whinnies in approval of his exposed, treacherous, and likely deadly new surroundings tied securely to a small boulder.
Nera wanders off into the ominous misty woods uncommonly cheerful and twittery thinking to herself.
Man, I'm gonna miss hanging out with Clompy Hooves. Better finish this business up at Jackals folly quickly so he won't be so lonely.
@Rosh ooc: You kill off Clompy Hooves I'ma be sooooo angry! *shakes fist*
Nera looks at Legiald funny, "I don't mind your pace, Walter used to be a little slow on his feat it's no trouble It gives me more time to take in the enviroment. I'll let you use my precious little pearl if it's needed, but I'd prefer to keep it on hand for emergencies than convenience...because well not having it in an emergency is awfully inconvenient." Nera will follow suit and disembark from Clompy Hooves provided they don't have longer than another days journey ahead of them.
Assuming we're getting close to Jackle's Folly and Nera is on foot?
Nera seems strangely ill at ease as she whispers "Oswiecac Lich Traheve" in Draconic activating her ioun torche to call for light.
She mentions to the group "This mist could quickly get thick, we should stick close or risk losing one another or being separated with with magical trickery."
Nera blinks in disbelief, "For once I find myself agreeing with the sociopath." as she lingers back she turns to Charon, "Boys, so interested in summoning a giant bat. It's like their overcompensating for something....." she says half-heartedly. "....Probably their inability to fly." she adds confirming the unintentional nature of the pun and her aloofness at the unintended joke.
Nera will abandon her horse by tying it up to a tree once they get within 1 hours walk of Jackals folly.
Nera audibly yips in suprise at the sight oh the creature chomping down on a poor little squirrel. ".....Aren't Bats nocturnal?...." she stammers keeping herself and her horse a good distance away from the creature as she clutches Walter in hand and raises her other hand to block the glare of the dawning sun.
when Legiald mentions a name for her spell "Oh dear, I'd never given thought to a name for the spell....blunting barrier it is! she then pauses for thought before rushing off to to gather her spellbook and a piece of parchment as she spends a excessively long portion of their journey by horse flipping through her spell book and scrawling ideas for names on an piece of parchment that soon becomes cluttered and filled to the brim with silly ideas for names. Every once in a while she can be overheard arguing presumably with Walter underneath her breath about names.
During the banter of Lady Starsong...
Nera perks up at Charon's mention of imaginary friends "Dolelan's got an imaginary friend? That's weird and ussually a sign of mental instability. Don't worry Dolelan as Charon already pointed out herself one of us already a violent sociopath, so if you're Schizophrenic it's not too much trouble, there's no need to be ashamed, plus it puts us on an even ratio for mental stability" obviously completely overlooking who Charon was really referring to when she made note of the sanity ratio of the party.
Upon the scenery change...
Nera whistles at the sight of the environment, which is approximately 1 hour after it becomes apparent to everyone else as she's been preoccupied scribbling notes and reading. "Walter doesn't fancy the look of this place, though I figure it does seem to fit the theme of the shadowy Sir Walter."
Upon mention of calling a bat..
She looks a little irked and unwary at the concept "I shalt be riding such a thing.....I'm kind of a little scared of heights....Plus I'm not crazy or nearly daring enough."
Upon the appearance of the bat...
Nera glances around nervously..."Legiald.....ummmmm......I sure hope you know what you're doing." she holds Walter in her palm expecting it to lunge in bloodlust at any moment.
Nera quips to Charon as they travel, "Oh I'd never stab you in the back miss Charon. I prefer to do my stabbing out in the open where those can clearly see me doing my stabbing. If I'm stabbing anything at all. I can't say I've had much experience around other elves, but I've heard common complaints among some of the mercs me and Walter used to travel with. Upward nose turning may have some scientific merit as a trend, but I'd wager it's more involved to the field of sociology rather than biology."
At Dolelan:
Nera looks puzzled, "Not sure how we're connected or even if we're connected at all. The strange mark could be a crazy wild coincidence but I'm reserving judgment on such things till further evidence is acquired due to the strange disappearance of one of us that bares the same mark....." she pauses for a moment as if thinking really hard "Oh dear gods! Where's Lugdro?! Last I saw of him he was at the tavern with us before we left Bosh!" she exclaims in a panick just noticing the strange sorcerers absence at present as she said the words aloud. (In this strange alternate time line it's only been a few hours since we left Bosh)
After some time tinkering around with her spellbook and chattering with the rest of the party Nera will ready her horse and look to Legiald or someone with a better sense of direction to lead the way to Jackal's folly.
Nera pauses letting the silence linger in the air for a moment, "You my murderous little Charon haven't run into many necromancers, then! However it isn't always about the corpses rising and trying to kill you much more often it's those effected by the deaths you wrought that'll catch up and return the favor or sometimes the long often violent arm of the local constable."
Nera will continue on her horse saying very little and only occasionally making light smalltalk till the vicious bats eventually intercede and disrupt their travels.
Nera whistles and comments "That's a doozy miss Charon, but you do know that murder isn't always the only solution to problems? You could pluck out someones eyes, cut off their tounge, chop off a hand or two, go for the whole arm if you're worried they might put on a hook, chop off a leg or foot, drop a heavy enough object on their heads to make them forever simple, if they did something illegal get them tossed in jail. There are tons of solutions that don't involve murdering, granted it's often the most expedient solution, but it's a little......well....extreme." she continues to ride on her horse oblivious to how extreme most her suggested remedies sounded.
Nera nods and takes her money. She think about the words Charon said, "But Legiald did down that last one....".
Her mind wanders to thoughts of alternate dimensions the most frightening of which involves a dimension where all reality is determined by 5 giant strange behemoths who communicate with each other and bend all of reality using a spider web made of light. Eventually she brushes such thoughts away as impractical and crazy before drifting off to sleep.
In the morning she spends a small amount of time eating trail mix and obsessively scribbling notes while studying her leather bound spell book. She rushes over to Legiald filled with boundless energy even in the wee hours of the morning, "Say I think I may have well....found a solution to your problem....you know your frequent proclivity for being injured problem....I first noticed it the night we first met and it seems to be a reoccurring theme so I put my mind to the problem and I think I might have discovered a remedy for the issue" she says proudly.
She babbles on excessively her eyes bright and wide, "You see I took some of the research I've been doing with in the rhelm of conjuration and realized if I reduced the application of typical force and instead refocus the magics into elasticity I can create a thin layer of long lasting invisible skin. If I combine this effect by also conjuring a small amount of lighter than air gas and then put it under extreme pressure it within the skin I can create a sort of invisible suite of protection that can envelope a test subject....." she suddenly looks a little embarrassed.
She continues a her excitement toned down a little, "...anyways oh dear I seem to be babbling on and on.... you're probably not interested in the specifics...but to put it simply it won't offer much protection outside you're usual armor but it's properties function much like chain mail distributing the force of such attacks among it's entire layer. It won't offer much protection but most mortal wounds will be reduced comparable to that of blow done with a closed fist."(She's explaining the technical aspects of Ablative Barrier)
She turns and adds the catch, "I haven't tested it myself on anything living but I do need a good guinea pig, It should last a while so when we reach the folly would you be interested? I promise to only ask a few questions if we survive mostly just to evaluate it's effects for review."
Upon Legialds speaking of Sylvan, Nera looks intrigued and surprised.
"Dtuigeann tú Gaeilge? Is é sin suimiúil. Tá sé deas go mbeadh an deis ag labhairt le duine éigin."
In Sylvan:
You understand Sylvan? That is interesting. It is nice to have the opportunity speak it with someone.
Staring at the sky for a moment and gauging where the moon hangs in the sky Nera mentions "I could travel for longer and I'd prefer to not put my head to rest at night as our enemies seem to be emboldened by the darkness. However, If we're nearing Jackals Folly than approaching in day may be for the better, as it gives us an opportunity to flee to the confines of the folly to the light of day should what we encounter deem it necessary."
Before they settle in for the night Nera collects a few rocks to provide a small wall to obscure light and gathers a few twigs and dried wood before casting spark to light a small fire for warmth.
She smiles at Legialds compliment ".....Thank you......err...I believe you all to be....well... quite strong as well....and at least mostly trustworthy"
At Charon's mention of bats "Oh yes I had almost forgotten speaking of bats....I do believe you owe us 25 gold Miss Charon....personally I couldn't care less for the money, but Walter will be hard pressed to let me go to bed easy if I go without getting that settled."
After a short while she'll stab Walter into the ground by her bedroll and spend an inordinate amount of time staring at her weapon lost in thought before drifting off to sleep.
Nera sighs slightly "Ah the real rub of the those questions is the "why"?....for simplicities sake....money. Both me an Walter have been mercenaries for quite a long time and with that we do jobs....for money...and hopefully help people along the way. The money going towards purchasing things to aid us in being better at our jobs and thus make more money and....hopefully....with that help more people."
She pauses for a moment as if thinking taking care to choose her words carefully "Both me and Walter hail from the east. We used to travel with a company for a spell, but that fell through after some time and have since been a duo."
She then quips at Charon "Quid pro quo? You know far more about me than I know about you."
Nera listens to the men discuss her question before piping in "Yes, I'm of a bit of similar opinion as both of you as well....however Walter insists that the appropriate answer is 'To cut off the vile beasts head a 7th time'"
Nera will continue to indulge Dolelan's interest in wide range of complex topics over the course of the travel.
@Legiald/Dolelan: I've always thought of Elven as more Swedish. I'm also partial to both Infernal & Celestial sounding like Latin, but with a different emphasis syllables, accents, and pitch.
After overlooking the horse Nera turns to Charon, "Oh no I don't expect you to care about...well...such creatures...even if they're harmless...and I hate to rain on your survivalist rantings, but Legiald enchanted the beast however the stress of combat allowed the creature to break it's mental bonds....anyways our horses have gone to ground....and well...every moment you spend wasting time on things like killing harmless threats is another moment our mounts wander farther from us or spend unnecessary time in these apparently dangerous plains."
She thinks for a moment, "Not that I mind walking mind you, me and Walter prefer it actually, but without each of us possessing mounts we're only as quick as our feet giving the other Walter far more time to well...prepare for us....or worse yet get bored and take flight delaying any answers you seek or vengeance you wish to take out on him."
When Legiald asks for healing she looks a little annoyed by his snappish demands. "What's the magic word?" her eyebrow arched. (She'll heal him she just wants him to ask nicely, using up pearl of power and 1 AP for spell recall for 2 uses and 20HP)
After the bat last of the bats attacking their packhorse dies Nera ignores the last charmed remaining and drops to her knees to tend to the bleeding horse wiping devils blood on the poor creature and muttering a few words in draconic. (Casting infernal healing on it in round 5, ignoring the last combatant, if it's still alive it should stabilize and gain 10hp)
As she's doing so she looks up for a moment and shouts at Charon "The creatures been tamed! there's no need for...." her words cut off as Charon rides towards the beast rapier drawn as Legiald and her other compatriots join after her to dispatch the previously harmless charmed creature.
She wipes the blood off Walter with a rag and evaluates the status of their pack horse for a brief moment as the droning sound of crickets signaling the end of their fight.
Gah! Didn't get home in time to edit my last post (blast Paizo and their 1 hour edit window). Sorry for the double post.
Note: Nera's Round 4 Actions could seriously interfere with what happens in Round 4 or what others do in Round 4 since we've seemed to have jumped the gun and skipped over her.
Round 4
Mechanics:
Summary: Nera uses Spell-combat/Spellstrike to cast Arcane mark and deliver it through Walter for 2 attacks against Cr2. She'll take a 5 foot step to (C,8) between the casting and delivering both attacks. She's not threatened if Cr4 died in round 3 so no concentration check should be needed for casting defensively.
Actions:
-Cast Arcane Mark (Part of full-round action)
-5foot step to (C,8).
-Attacks:
First attack (on Cr2): 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 2 + 1 + 2 = 21 Damage (on Cr2): 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 Second attack (on Cr2): 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 2 + 1 + 2 = 16 Damage (on Cr2): 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Note: The Bat seemed to still be under both the blinded/stunned conditions as per the round 4 map so it should have negative AC penalty of -4 in addition to any penalty for losing it's dex bonus to AC. The effects of color spray last 1d4, but the stunned condition will always last 1 round after the blindness condition wears off as per the spell description.
At this point in the game the only damage Cr2 has taken is 11 from Dolelan in round 3. If it's AC isn't incredibly high Nera just added 21 to that. If you're having trouble with when in the initiative count the bat dies to determine any retconning of actions you choose or choose not to do.
Nera spins like a ballerina casting the same spell she did a few seconds ago with her left hand as she moves before unleashing a duo of strikes into the bat Dolelan just struck recently any wounds withering into her personal mark shortly after being inflicted upon it's leathery flesh.
The gun kind of got jumped on round 4 since half the party didn't have actions posted. Not sure how Rosh is going to handle it :/. Sorry for any confusion. Easiest solution I can see would be to scrub round 4 entirely and let those that would act after Nera edit their actions accordingly provided she kills cr2. Will post round 5 actions when that gets settled in whatever manner is decided.
I still haven't posted Round 4 Actions you seem to have taken my round 3 actions and applied it to round 4. So I still need to make a post for round 4 and Nera should act before the other PCs and possibly the creatures if none rolled above a 27 on initiative.
As stated in my post I was waiting to find out what happened in round 3. (IE if the bat drops in round three she'll do something different in round 4). I delayed posting round 3 to find out what Dolelan did in round 2. So I'll edit this post for round 4 otherwise Nera just got skipped over for 1 full round.
Nera glances over at Dolelan which puts her at ease for a moment in combat. She refocuses her attention on the vicious creature that's pursued her before calling out to Charon. "Bet accepted" as her eyes narrow and she carefully casts a spell with one hand and in an instant she strikes out against the bat her sword glowing bright with power as the two wounds she inflicts begin to glow and form her and Walter's draconic rune upon the bats leathery flesh.
Will post up round 4 actions once I've get a c/d in round 3 on whether Cr4 drops or is still living plus whatever happens to her in round 3. I suspect the former considering the damage from rnd1 as well as any damage from rnd3. She'll be 5-foot stepping to spot C,8 so nobody include that in their 4th round actions :).
@Present Ride:
Nera gives Charon a frighteningly hateful look breaking her usual demeanor for just the briefest of instances with a murderous gaze before it leaves as quickly as it came replaced by her usual cheerful absentminded demeanor. "No...No.. Walter didn't get turned into a sword. He ......" she says itching the scar that runs across her face becoming lost in thought for a few minuets.
Forgetting what she was talking about she continues to chat with Legiald, "Well his mother and father didn't approve much, but he had a lot of friends attend from his days in the company he was in..... she turns talking to her sword "Our wedding was lovely wasn't it, honey? Remember the how pretty trees flowered and blossomed?.....Yes I remember Relgald throwing up it wasn't at all funny....the poor man died of choking on his own filth from too heavy drink years later." she says in a chastising tone.
Hearing Charon's question, "Yes I've heard of such things, they're supposedly quite rare and very dangerous. I'd love to examine one some time......." she continues happily prattles on about the subject till someone either stops her with other conversation or a 20 minuets after they've long stopped listening.
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After some walking light beams in Nera's eyes "I rarely travel with others and me and Walter fight over this question often....perhaps you could one of you could help settle it for us" she exclaims excitedly.
She starts in without waiting for anyone to reply "So a young man has a very fine battle axe forged and in his youth he encounters a wicked vampire. He fells him with his axe by cutting off his head and the vampire turns to mist and disappears into the night. By mere chance he runs into the vampire again a few years later and the same scene from his youth repeats itself complete with head dismemberment and all. Over the years multiple parts of his axe chip and break off and he replaces and them and the incident with the vampire repeats itself a total of 6 times every part of his axe long since replaced and reforged. By the time the man is old the vampire comes for him a 7th time the old warrior raises his axe to repeat the tired process, but gives pause when the vampire asks the question. "Is that the same axe you've used to cut my head off 6 times now?"" she finishes with a pause....."What's the appropriate answer?"
Nera calls out to Charon as her horse rushes past her. "Walter want's to know how much!" She takes calls out a warning "Don't bother with the one on your right it'll be out of commission for a while! Leave it for later lest that one that has it's faculties naws off your arms....which would be unfortunate."
(She's not taking the offer unless she hears terms, also waiting for Dolelan as his actions could interfere/change Nera's.)
Nera stumbles a moment cut off from her path of movement by Charon's swift riding. She calls out, "Oh loosing an arm would be dreadful!" not catching Charon's meaning. Her sword's arcane energy cracks licking the air. "...Errrr.....Walter says he doesn't mind you losing an arm or two he say's you don't need them much for or running or hiding."
Nera rides along with the group taking in the fresh night air and enjoying the moonlight her sword swing over her shoulder while she chews nervously on a piece of wheat. She nods politely a slightly expression on her face at some of the questions as Legiald makes conversation. "Oh...well me and Walter have been together a very long time....we're well...married. He's far more than just a sword being my husband for the last 54 years. Our anniversary is coming up in a few months actually."
Smiling she adds, "That's actually a really good question me and him are usually a duo.....let me check and see what he thinks." she pauses for a short while staring off into space for a few brief moments. "He's some what fine without. Walter wouldn't have agreed to such a deal back when Walter was Walter and wasn't well...Walter, but he doesn't need the money now a days for anything seeing as he's Walter so he's fine doing without if it'll make me happy." she finishes not realizing how confusing that might sound from someone without the proper perspective.
(Any degree of attention paid to her reply will reveal that she's leaving a few details out, but it doesn't seem to be intentional.)
OOC: Trying to toss up a red flag if these are weird bats or something. Weird enough most those knowledge checks are applicable for different standard bats. Except for Dungoneering that's just me being silly and cautious.
Round 2 Mechanics:
Actions:
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[Move Action] Move from H6 to D7 Acrobatics Check to Move through threatened square; DC=CMD:1d6d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
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[Standard Action] Cast Color Spray (Covers squares C8,B8,A8,C9,C10,B9) DC 15 will save negates) [Creatures effected: Cr1, Cr2, Pack-Horse]
On a Failure depending on HD the creatures gain some if not all of the following conditions: Stunned , Blinded , Unconscious , Helpless. Links provided for ease of use.
Feel free to roll for the variable duration of effects for each creature as I'm not sure the HD plus it'll cut down on metagaming if we're not sure how long any will last. I'd appreciate tossing up what creatures visually seem to be effected either before next round or in between simply so Nera/Charon can prioritize which things to attack IC.
*Note: flying creatures effected might/should be subject to a DC 15 fly check each round they're subject to the stunned condition to hover. The blinded/Stunned conditions effect their fly skill check accordingly if so.
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Nera quickly scans her environment her bright green eyes darting around wildly taking things in. A brief moment of zen washes over before she tumbles away from her foe with a graceful spin of a dancer. She then swiftly runs towards Dolelan's pack horse and the bats that have it double teamed passing Charon as she moves giving her a knowing glance over her shoulder.
@Charon DC 12 Sense motive:
Pulled the DC out of my butt. GM feel free to rule against this.
You notice Nera seems concerned with protecting the pack horse. Her fighting stance indicates an inclination to move to square C8.
When she gets close to the 3 creatures her left hand draws a fist full of sand colored yellow, blue, and red. Nera tosses it spraying it into the air around the 3 creatures it seems to linger as if stopped in time for an instant which is just long enough for her to trigger the arcane words of power and her left hand to finish a few complicated motions. Instantly the sand glows bright with a spectacularly bright and colorful then detonates with an ostentatious flash.
Enjoy the sneak attack Charon :] , dice willing of course.
Guessing perception rolls from earlier didn't matter too much? For the record I've got no problem with you rolling our initiative for us. Speeds up play at the start of combat if you're into shaving a day off these things while waiting for response.
Initiative:1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 = 27
Mechanics:
(Possibly subject to change if she somehow manages to act last or is killed from AoO or something zany)
::If Crit Damage::1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9Type: S/P
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Free Action
5-Foot-Step to G3
(Referring to Square between horse and creature as G3 due to lack of labeled axis, presuming horizontal as numbered left to right and vertical as alphanumeric top to bottom.)
"Bweaahahggaaahaha, Yweeeeeeaaalp" Nera reflexively cries out as she's side swiped and hits the dirt with a tumble.
Momentarily confused her reflexes kick in and she jumps to her feet leaving herself open for attack for brief moment before following up with a deadly stroke of her blade combined with a quick spin as she steps between this new foe and the horse her long silver hair flowing with her twirl and coming to rest as she raises her black blade above her head at an angle while her eyes dart around wildly to assess her new situation.
