Vultan holds his breath and prays as the mountain of creature nearly stomps him flat. His brain tries to work out what it would look like, with Con being relatively strong, but the creature obviously being enormous.
Blessedly, Con dives out of the way. Cursedly, it puts him right where the giant's accomplice can see him.
He lowers himself slightly in preparation to launch out from hiding and open combat, but hesitates just long enough to see Con get off without any issues.
Impressive. I'll take that any day.
He steps out as everyone else does and listens intently to the chatter, keeping his eyes peeled on their surroundings.
"Yeah, I'm with you, Tam. Info first. It could be that impeding their goals significantly outweighs saving folks, and I don't want to get caught in the weeds of saving the few over the many."
He pauses for a moment.
"Like... We're in the many, man. I don't want to die to the Shadow."
"Also, Con, remember those fancy teleportation boots. Those will give us a big edge in reconnaissance, and you seem to have some social camouflage besides."
"Do we think the folks we encountered were patrolling, or do you think they were up to something? We gotta start gathering intel from somewhere..."
Vultan follows along with the plan, grinning ferociously the whole time.
If only Captain Moriarty could see me now! Next thing you know, we'll be planting civil unrest!
He watches carefully from the nook that he and Keri had tucked themselves into, but when he sees the attention they've grabbed, he goes still as a stone, praying he goes unnoticed by the patrolling hulk.
Hide!:1d20 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 3 + (3) = 15
Keri sneezes and Vultan hopes the acoustics somehow deceive the Hulk and directs it away from their location.
Vultan listens as Tam offers dissent. He can see the fire in Tam's eyes as he makes his passion for helping those suffering here clear. Startlingly, Vultan finds his own eyes are quick to match. Hearing Keri assent sells him completely.
He places a hand on Tam's shoulder as he speaks, though he chooses his phrasing a little more carefully than she does.
"Well, if you're in, I'm in, and when I'm in, I'm aaaaalll in. Let's rock this place."
Upon hearing the sailor's concerns, Vultan nearly speaks up with his opinion of their deployment, but Tam and Keri beat him to the punch and share his opinion. He nods a confirmation alongside their choice of landing on the docks.
"I'd honestly rather not. Dealing with what appears to be a militarized force in anything other than a guerilla fashion is going to be deadly, top to bottom. And if we're not careful where we sleep or wait for dusk, we end up surrounded beyond anything we can handle, and thus ends our foray.
I think it's an unwise choice. The most efficient we could possibly be is to perform a single-night intrusion to gather supplies we already have at this point."
He quickly realizes he's pouring pessimism on someone else's idea and backpedals, if only slightly.
"At least that's my two cents. I'm sure there is a lot of good to be done here, but we just aren't that good yet."
He mulls over whether there might be some worthwhile information to gather but quickly decides it wouldn't be worth the risk.
I don't think we can be too risk averse, but...
He thinks back to the idea that you can't do the greater good without helping those right in front of you. It was a bizarre ideological conundrum, but he realized it wouldn't be that hard to get behind trying to do some good here; if the others persisted, they would have his support.
Gax disburses power and Vultan suddenly feels as though his stomach has dropped out, as though he's just come over a hill at high speed and has all the potential energy in the world to spend. And spend he does.
He closes his eyes and flares his wings momentarily, then tucks them in tightly as he senses his way through adopting the power he'd been granted.
Ok, lets see...
He visualizes and disperses concepts, sometimes pushing energy into them, other times shying away. He visualizes assisting his friends and grasps that, pouring in his potential, but then stops halfway.
If I have that power stripped away from me, I need something to prop myself up with. Helping others is important, but there may come a time when I need to put my own gas mask on first.
The concept of prayer informs his decision, the idea of willing divine assistance, except... what if it was his own assistance? What if he could will things to be with his own Power?
He flexes his arms and his eyes search under their lids as Vultan empties the remaining potential into himself. A small groan exits his parted lips as he pushes until he can push no more.
He lets up and takes a breath, relaxing his arms, his wings, and feels out how the new power sits within him. He opens his eyes and looks at his hands. He waves them at each other, and then waves one over his hair, not quite touching it as he does. A wave of pressure emanates from his palms as he wills it.
"Yeah, that's perfect."
As easily as breathing, he adds that pressure around his entire body. He watches as goosebumps raise on his arms as the sensation settles about him.
He turns to Keri and flashes her a winning smile, as if to say, "Here we are, having grown once more, together."
He continues to feel out his new power and search his mind for what he's learned in the process.
A new spell or two and... I can sail. Excellent. Didn't realize I wanted that so badly.
He spends the following days in contemplation, in Keri's company, and with Tam and Con as a sparring partner. He wasn't any stronger, but the additional agility was beginning to show. He was also content with the new "willpower-power" and its effects, noting that the character sheet read, "Telekinesis" and being comfortable with the powers that be interpreting his wishes in this way.
He also continues to sing. He sings to the party at the end of each day, and he sings with Keri every time the fancy strikes them.
"Some owl, I may actually be some sort of songbird..."
With their stay at the monastery coming to a close, Vultan bids the residents a warm goodbye. It had been nothing but pleasant, and with their new direction, he was excited to move forward. And down so, so many stairs.
He sits with Con at the fire and remains pensive of their adventures, both past and present. Eager to rise with Keri the sun the following morning, he rouses the party following their morning ritual.
"So... Guess who has two thumbs and can sail like a real boy?"
He gestures at himself, hoping more for exasperation than to inspire anything resembling hope.
He knew the hope would come after.
Once they were waterborne, he takes command and issues advice to everyone on how to ensure excellent navigation.
He tells everyone about how starboard comes from steerboard and means right because that's the side of the ship most commonly used for the steering gear. Which makes port the left because that's the side you'd want to have facing a port as you came in so you wouldn't damage the steering gear if you ran aground.
He does his best to portray manliness and machismo, making poignant eye contact with Keri as he did so. Much of Vultan winking and raising of eyebrows was endured by her on their journey. He felt very confident in himself after the whole becoming-a-sailor thing actually assisted with their journey a sizeable amount.
One night as they rested, he's looking up at the stars and realizes he's unconsciously marking navigation points based on their direction of travel. He couldn't draw a map or anything, but it was just so apparent why stars made for such an excellent navigational aid!
Expert Path Ascendant
Attributes Agility +1, Will +1
Characteristics Health +4, Power +1
Languages and Professions Sailor
Magic Discover Telekinesis (Block Strikes) Spell Exchange (Uplifting Melody Rousing Ballad)
Ascendant Defense When you're not wearing armor, your Defense equals 2 + your Will score.
Unwavering Resolve When your mind is focused from your use of the Focus Mind talent, you make challenge rolls to resist gaining Insanity with 2 boons.
Vultan joins the meeting and listens long and quiet. He opens his mouth to ask questions but Tam beats him to it.
He seems to be speaking better, I'm going to let him have the stage.
He follows along, but has his own burning question. He addresses Gax when the conversation leaves an opening.
"Gax, undoubtedly you are quite powerful. I am convinced of your mission. However, I serve Titania, and I'm not alone. It is my belief that she will be angered if I serve you explicitly in this way, and that belief is not without evidence. Would you be much angered if we opened a gate in her name to improve our ability to serve your interests, which seem to be in the best interest of all beings in this plane? Titania would be thankful for the power rather than scorned at our service to you, and we would be that much more capable of putting your goals within your grasp and saving all life as we know it."
There's enough gates that she should be able to keep hers at the end, too... Maybe it will curry enough favor for the gift I'm looking for.
Regardless of the answer, he eyeballs the gear. He thinks through his character, his purpose, their goals, and his self-actualization.
Fire stone, definitely for Keri. Life ring, I could...
He watches Tam take it, then thinks a moment more.
No, it definitely makes more sense for that to stay with someone more resilient than I am.
Ok, boots and... Sepsis stone. Hah. What a name.
He steps forward and takes both in-hand. He hands the stone to Con and looks longingly at the boots.
It would be a decent utility for me or anyone, but it would actually manipulate Con's capabilities by a large margin. I want to see the look on that organ filch's face when Con closes the distance.
A wicked smile crosses Vultan's face as he eyeballs the boots in his hands. He presses them to Con's chest and gives him a too-knowing nod.
"It's gonna be a pleasure to watch you work, good buddy."
Vultan wakes up to a kiss from Keri, and is pleased by their circumstances. He stretches pleasantly and lays for a moment more before rising.
"Mmmm-mm! Nothing quite like a hot and a cot!"
As he starts to move, he gives an audible "Ow" before looking at Keri and saying "Sore, oof."
He dons his garments in turn and follows Keri by the hand as they make their way.
Shouldn't be a problem unless I gotta move quick. Let's hope today is just diplomacy. With what's at stake, it wouldn't hurt to drag out the talks to be sure we're on the right path...
Nick's potential compulsion nags at the back of Vultan's mind, filling him with worry over whether talks can remain peaceful and reasonable while they search for the best next step to take.
Like Con, Vultan was suspicious of the stranger initially, but blessedly, he seemed to mean no harm. He lets his guard down, more glad to see someone friendly than willing to continue being jaded.
However, he refuses the root. He wasn't a stranger to stairs, hard work, cardio, or any part of climbing to the top of the hill.
And someone needs to keep their head if this stuff turns people into puddles.
Slowly but surely, the wind is taken from Vultan. He hopes the others understand his decision and don't judge him too harshly.
Not like I haven't spent enough time exhausted to be familiar with the feeling at this point. I can cope.
As soon as Vultan is inside the keep, he puts his back against the wall beside the entryway and slides down to sit on his butt, huffing and puffing. He closes his eyes and tilts his head back.
"WHOOOOoooo! Made it. Hey, Nick."
He tries to remain casual, though he's certainly interested in their friend's appearance here. He becomes more and more wary as Nick paints a picture of his own compulsion. His friendly look getting sharper and sharper. Until Nick offers them rest.
Thought he was going to jump us there for a second... Hopefully if that's his plan, the bond between him and Keri gives him pause.
He looks warmly at her without insinuation. He huffs out another breath, catching up to his oxygen needs seemingly just out of reach.
As much of a blessing as stairs are, it was a brutal punishment for Vultan's calves.
"I wouldn't hate this so much if we could improve our attributes organically, but the fact that this won't get any easier without me willing some strength into my next level is really discouraging!"
He tries to laugh, but it's a bit forced through the continued struggle against the arduous climb. He's glad for Tam and Con deciding to rest on the wide step, and he's really glad for his partner when she summons up fire once more.
"You're really a blessing, you know that?" He says as he admires her. He sits down next to her, puts an arm around her, and kisses her on the temple.
They sit like that for some time, and Vultan pokes some small fun at Tam for the smoke constantly being blown around the fire at him. Their brief respite begins coming to a close and they start getting packed, Vultan begins to sing.
"On the road aga-"
He cuts off as he notices Tam's attention turn to the person-shaped thing coming down the mountain. He squints scrutinizingly and charges his crossbow, but then stands so it's not obvious he's holding it.
Vultan follows Keri's lead in praising Titania at sunrise; while she often has to prod him to wake up in time for the ritual, his willpower gives him all the focus he needs to roll out of bed instead of giving in to the temptation of the snooze button.
Hah, snooze button. I bet that hasn't even been invented. Or maybe it has... mechanical clocks? Hmm...
He occupies his mind with trifles as often as he can. As nice as it was being immune to the cold, it didn't make the journey pleasant. He levelled prayer at every trial the party experienced and was pleased to find it as potent as he could have hoped for.
He was also liberal with the use of song to help spur the party on when the going got tough. He thrived on the party's exasperation after the fourth day of breaking camp and starting their trek with a stirring refrain of On the Road Again.
My faith, manifest. And such that I can help others succeed. What a blessing!
He takes advantage of his cold immunity to be the last one in and the first one out for their boat-borne journeys, saving them from the troubles of wet clothes and any additional harm that the freezing conditions were so eager to proffer.
As they arrive at their most recent tribulation, Vultan listens as Tam targets his physical shortcomings and responds with mock vitriol.
"HEY. I resemble that remark."
He gives a moment for the satire to set in before continuing.
"I'm in agreement. I'd find it hard to believe this is the most advantageous way up.
He gestures at the climb before them with actual vitriol to indicate he was happy to look for another way about their ascent.
Con suggests using Vultan's holy vestments to assist with cleaning the mess. Vultan prays over the decision and decides using Titania's gift to cleanse the lighthouse and bring light, warmth, and joy to the islands inhabitants...
...well. Future inhabitants. Maybe.
...would be a worthy use. He disrobes and prays over the garments.
"Titania, thank you for your precious gift of these vestments. Please empower them to cleanse this disturbing filth and bring peace back to this beautiful place."
For the first time, he feels divine energy infuse his effort. He gives a small gasp as he feels it rush through him, and his hands get a pulsing sensation as he lays them on his vestments.
Will Challenge for Corruption of Vestments with Prayer Boon:1d20 + 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (19) + (4) + 3 = 26
So that's definitely prayer. Level up!
"Priest 2! Woohoo!"
He begins scrubbing away the blood with zeal, excited at the new power of his prayers and also at the easy progress he makes right away using his vestment as a vehicle for cleaning and cleansing the lighthouse.
Novice Path Level 2 Core Priest
Characteristics Health +4
Magic Learn Two Spells (Song of Inspiration, Stirring Refrain, trading Triumph of Faith for Omen)
Prayer When you or a creature within short range of you makes an attack roll or a challenge roll, you can use a triggered action to grant 1 boon on the triggering roll.
Vultan levels his crossbow at the crab monster and nearly pulls the trigger when his target, the head, falls from its shoulders. He whips the crossbow around to line up on a fish man, but the fish man is very obviously surrendering.
He lowers his crossbow and takes a breath, but doesn't take his eyes off the fish man. He watches as realization hits and the fishman curls up in unrepentant fear. Vultan's gaze fades to a thousand-yard stare as exhaustion attempts to take over by force and Vultan doesn't find it within him to resist.
He's brought back to the moment as Tam brings an end to the fishman right before the Prince's eyes. Vultan blinks and shudders, shaking his head to clear some of the fog. He looks around the room and sees much, but his eyes land on Keri.
Yeah, that seems like a good plan.
He walks over to where she's folded on herself and sits where he's in bodily contact with her. He isn't ready to set down his crossbow just yet, but with his free hand, he comforts Keri. He keeps his eyes up and vigilant for any incoming dangers so he can rouse her if need be.
Not letting my guard down but thank the goddess for a break.
He looks around at the scene, all the people bits and fishman bits and the crab head over there...
I guess we could leave it this way. Or we could clean it up a bit. If these things were the only threat on the island, we could settle--No, no... Maybe retire here, but I'm not leaving Keri alone for eternity.
I still have work to do.
He leans down and plants a gentle kiss on her cheek and comforts her for a moment more before rising, fresh steel in his eyes. He begins to take down the lighthouse bulb covering, focusing on clinical detachment and data points to keep from being overwhelmed.
The feel of detached skin... The consistency. How it yields differently when there isn't a body to keep it warm and vitalized. Interesting...
When the lamp is cleared enough to eliminate the angry, haunting hue, he walks around to each of the sailors, now passed. He crosses himself and says a prayer for their souls. He prays to his God for their eternal souls, and then also to Titania, that they would find joy and peace in their next life.
Odd... I never crossed myself before. Must be that somatry is a habit now... Probably the result of magical capability...
He gives a passing thought to burying them appropriately but decides that his seventh wind wasn't going to provide him enough steam to dig one hole, let alone enough for everyone.
Vultan lets his guard down in his exuberance and the enemy on the ground near him manages to catch Vultan's foot in its mouth. It bites down with everything it's worth and Vultan feels the bottom drop out from under his resilience. The exhaustion catches up with him as the pain arrives at his brain and he goes out cold before even hitting the floor.
Fate:1d6 ⇒ 4
Vultan hits the floor and doesn't wake up as the fish continues to gnaw on him like a dog with a bone.
Battlescar:1d20 ⇒ 9 More Battlescar:1d6 ⇒ 3 HAIL SATAN:3d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 6) = 18 Oops, all battlescar:1d6 ⇒ 3 How many piggies went to market?!:1d3 ⇒ 3
Kil'hara sends healing energy to Vultan and he comes to, kicking the fishman away before he's even fully aware of what's happening. His foot is a mangled mess, and he's definitely missing some toes.
Ok, just wait for shock to take over aaaand... now it's a problem for future Vultan!
The shock takes over, and while Vultan's brain says, "You need to stabilize the situation and find space to take a breather", his heart said his friends were in trouble, and as long as the limbs moved, they'd move to save them.
Then his mouth said, "So long, gay bowser!" as he grabbed onto a fish man above the stairs and pulled and twisted with all his might, throwing him towards the glass-laden floor below!
Prince Vultan sees the dire situation. He ascends just in time to watch a very injured Con get revitalized by Kil'hara's magic. He sees a fish man next to Con who isn't obviously afflicted with whatever it was that had incapacitated the other fish men.
He levels his crossbow intending to keep the fish man from incapacitating his good buddy again, and pulls the trigger.
Nice Shootin' Tex!:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
The prince's trigger finger trembles as he raises the crossbow and the shot goes off before he even shoulders the crossbow.
Somehow, the wild bolt ricochets from across the room and strikes the fish man in the temple.
Vultan looks around wildly for whoever else has a crossbow and is firing at the same fish man before realizing what happened. He gives an exuberant shout at the realization.
"WHOOOO!! That's what I'm talkin' about, babyyyyyyy!"
Vultan levels his crossbow at one of the fishmen before realizing he'd bled out moments earlier. He takes ai-
Keri wrote:
"Vultan, Kil'hara, we need help!"
He feels a jolt of adrenaline at Keri's call and uses a wingbeat to jump to the stairs. He gets nearly to the top and has to parkour over the fishman flailing on the stairs. Fortunately, running with a rifle translates effectively into running with a crossbow, and with his wings, it's an easy feat!
Using Defend action and then running upstairs to save Keri from imperceivable peril.
Vultan hardly gets the words out of his mouth before the two fishman secreted away downstairs arrive to ruin his day. The first attacks, and the wicked strike catches Vultan before he can put up a defense.
Using fortune to reduce damage roll of 6 to 1.
Blessedly, his exhaustion works in his favor, and his limpness allows him to move with the hit enough to reduce its impact. He grunts with it and nearly loses his feet; he turns to the fish man and is startled to find that there is two, the second of which grabs him!
"Urrrghhhh"
Exhaustion threatens his ability to resist. Right as he puts together enough energy to attempt breaking free, it happens. A rumble sounds, and if there were a way for a sound to be covered in a greasy blackness, this was definitely it. He feels it slide around him and through him, but it doesn't take; it's like the effects lacked the friction to buffet him in any way.
Triggered action Triumph of Faith to resist Grabbed Affliction. Triumph of Faith vs Grabbed:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
He notices right away that the fishman that had grabbed him let go and he and his compatriot fell to the floor, writhing with some unseen sensation that had clearly overwhelmed their senses.
Vultan takes the chance to finish reloading his crossbow and then uses his wings to flutter away from the fish men, hoping they don't gather enough faculties to lash out at him as he does.
Okay, what was that?!
He thinks it as he finishes reloading his crossbow and taking aim. Relief washes over him at the turn of the tide.
Vultan hears the enemy drop down behind him and tries his best to spin on the stairs.
Agility to avoid peril:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
He's not fast enough, and the enemy uses his position to grab Vultan by a wing and twists. The Prince is unceremoniously tossed from the stairs onto the floor below. He flares his wings in an attempt to gain control of his fall, but it's too short and he hits the glass-laden floor before righting himself.
Strength to avoid bleed:1d20 - 2 ⇒ (20) - 2 = 18
He hits hard, but between his flared wings, his own spatial awareness, and his armor, he nearly catches himself. His strength isn't enough to stop himself completely, but the reduction to his velocity as he hits the floor prevents the glass from doing the worst of its damage.
He starts to pick himself up as his mind and body scream for him to stay down. There is a literal fire in his eyes as he looks up to where he was thrown from.
"Tonight..."
He mutters it under his breath as he rises, leveling his crossbow with the fish man on the stairs.
"You."
Here's a tip:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 And the rest of the bolt, too:2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8
The bolt flies true, and Vultan almost drops the crossbow as he brings it down to reload it.
"Yes, friend Kil'hara, I need healing."
He looks down at himself as he begins working the crossbow, realizing not for the first time that he's glad his garb is red.
With the verbal and somatic components complete, Vultan feels the energy coalesce fully in his two fingertips pressed against his heart. They glow with an ardorous red light. At the same time, a circled symbol appears on Prince Vultan's forehead and red motes begin to flow from his hair. He reaches out and touches Con and Keri over their hearts, pumping his thumb in imitation of a pistol's hammer slamming forward. Con and Keri take on a similar visage with the symbol inscribed within a circle on their forehead and red motes floating up and back from their heads.
Using my one casting of Blessing to give Prince Vultan, Con, and Keri 1 boon to every check for the next minute. Additionally gives them immunity to frightening.
Vultan fades a bit with his exhaustion, keeping his eyes peeled but not really having the energy for complex thought or enthusiasm. They make their way up and, while he keeps his head on a swivel, he doesn't hear anything so crazy that he feels the need to jump in or adjust their course.
I should say SOMETHING, but I'm tired. And this all seems like an appropriate course of action.
He gets his Crossbow aimed appropriately, reluctant to pull his hand away from Keri's and get an appropriate stance for the engagement they were undoubtedly about to face.
They get to the beacon's level and...
Will Challenge VS Human Skin:1d20 + 3 - 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 3 - (3) = 15
...The great Prince Vultan narrows his eyes.
What the f+%@.
He'd seen enough viscera for one day. He finds that he's suddenly very nauseous, but he decides the nausea isn't particularly threatening and continues to assess the room.
Int Religion w/1 Boon for Religious Career:1d20 ⇒ 20
He narrows his eyes at the mess across the floor and the angles across a couple of intestinal intersections stick out like a sore thumb.
Oceanus. Gonna be a no from me, dawg.
Will Challenge VS Frightening:1d20 + 3 - 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 3 - (2) = 14
He wasn't sure why he was repulsed from attmpeting to look at the creature at the center of the mess, but his eyes finally acquiesced to look upon it. His nausea came back in force, but he was too tired to care.
I'll just throw up on myself while I put that thing in the ground.
His crossbow is already leveled on the thing, but he decides there's a better course for their opening salvo.
Time to spread some joy. Thanks again, Titania. And Keri~
He glances briefly aside at Keri, whose beauty truly did rival their queen's. He draws on his faith and points with two fingers at his heart, preparing to cast a spell.
Vultan wheezes alongside Keri, grunting with exertion as he tries to maintain his composure in the face of the disgusting fog. He squeezes her hand rhythmically as a show of support; it's all he can do while he's hacking up his lungs over the repulsive gas.
"Eugh, yeah, that's awful. AHEM."
He expels another chestful of foulness as he acclimates to the disgusting fog. He's not sure if it's dissipated or if olfactory fatigue is setting in, but he's thankful either way.
"Well, they didn't steal our chick, so I guess that's fine."
He gives Keri a playful nudge with his elbow as he's holding his crossbow.
He sobers once more, welds his cheek to the crossbow, and gives Tam a brief nod. The door creaks open and Vultan flexes his finger against the Crossbow's trigger. He mentally leans into the act of shooting anything dangerous, but nothing presents itself.
He creeps up to the top of the stairway and looks down. Nothing comes rushing up to meet him. He reaches his supporting hand away from the crossbow and snaps his fingers, loud.
Still nothing.
He sidesteps to allow Tam or Con to walk past and he moves down with one hand on their shoulder to keep them from stepping into his firing line.
His eyebrows gradually raise as he realizes what they've walked into. He steps back up the stairs, careful to walk up where the stairs are mounted so as to cause the least creaking, and he closes the door behind everyone.
After the echo of the door closing fades, he offers, "Obviously they haven't found this place yet, so we're safe for now."
He heaves a heavy sigh before suggesting that the other boat crash survivors were still up there.
Vultan leans back against a wall and sinks nearly to the floor, breathing hard. Coming down off of the adrenaline hit him like a truck. He slows his breathing intentionally and looks up to Keri. He thinks to ask how she's holding up, but she's busy with the fishman she'd charmed.
I mean she is the most charming person I know~
He laughs quietly to himself at how this must be playing out in the fishman's head.
No surprise he's head-over-heels, hah!
He admires Keri managing control of the situation.
Yeah, I can keep going. Especially if it's for her.
He hoists himself up off the wall and walks over to where the chest fell when he took it off. He opens it and begins donning the armor kept inside. He spent time practicing before they'd departed and there wasn't a whole lot to it; it wasn't a lengthy operation.
Then he withdraws a small box with straps and straps it to one leg. Finally, he withdraws a crossbow. He draws the strong back with the trigger pulled so it stretches and retracts.
Check, check, and check.
He straps the backpack to his body once more, looking a touch more formidable and feeling a touch more confident. He reaches to the box on his left hip, pops it open long enough to grab a bolt, and then slides the bolt into place on the crossbow.
He looks at Keri and says flamboyantly, "Aww, shoot. Hun, did you bring any bubble gum?"[b]
His demeanor sobers rapidly in the intervening pause.
[B]"Seems I'm fresh out."
He racks the bowstring back on his crossbow, sets it on his hip, and offers his free hand to Keri. His exhaustion takes a back seat for the time being, Vultan feeling fresh now he's armed and armored.
He preps to aim it at the closet as they slide it open.
Will, 1boon/1bane:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
"I don't know what I was expecting."
He does his best impression of Arrested Development to lighten the mood before they move on. Hearing Con shout from the kitchen, they move there to make sure he's ok.
Banes for Exhaustion and Ew-factor:2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6 Will:1d20 - 5 + 4 ⇒ (6) - 5 + 4 = 5 Insane because of Membranes:1d3 ⇒ 3
Vultan draws his free hand away from Keri and covers his mouth as he nearly loses what little his stomach has left in it. The revulsion was swift and racked at Vultan's brain; he takes a few steadying breaths, but can't take his eyes off the mess.
And we're stuck on this damn island. F%%+!
He begins to hyperventilate, and the physical reaction doesn't go unnoticed. Coping mechanisms start to kick in and he steadies himself. It takes a bit longer than Vultan believes it should, but he again chalks that up to his exhaustion. He steels his resolve, blinks the focus back into his eyes, and takes one final centering breath that uses every inch his diaphragm can offer.
"Glad you're whole, Con. Let me know if I can help."
He asks just before he's finally able to peel his eyes off the fleshy mess, but he meets Cons eyes as if it were just another day back on earth. He doesn't press, though; the Prince could tell Con was hunting for some resources, and he didn't feel like stopping him with chitchat.
Finally, they rally in the bedroom. It's another gruesome site, but this was at least fascinating, and the bland viscera had lost its charm.
Vultan catches himself spacing out at Tam snags something out from the fishy mucous. Keri nearly tugs him along as they make their way to the cellar door. He knows she wouldn't force him, but he'd rather face whatever it was side-by-side with her and Tam than let them go it alone. He levels his crossbow in preparation for what they might find.
Vultan feels the energy healing him overrun his capabilities. As projects healing to Keri, he can feel the overrun extend to her as well, and he notices Kil'hara casting.
"Hell yeah!! Thanks, Kil!"
He barely finishes the sentence before yet another fish man enters the fray...
...and attacks one of its own! The vicious attack deals grievous harm to the victim, and Vultan is filled with hope.
"How... What is happening?!"
Vultan says one of his favorite phrases through a smile. As if on cue, a too-bright photographic flash fills his vision.
1d20 - 1d6 - 2 ⇒ (16) - (1) - 2 = 13
Brief as it was, the light had a wax period just long enough for him to get his eyes closed before the worse comes. He sees it wane through his eyelids and opens his eyes. He can't see as well as before, but it was still well enough!
Vultan Used Scratch:1d20 - 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (15) - (6) + 2 = 11 It's not very effective...:1d3 ⇒ 2
Vultan swings so wildly at the source of the light that he can't be sure if the attack found purchase. He felt his exhaustion sapping his movements.
That's going to beat out my will to keep moving, and it's going to do it soon.
Vultan attempts dodging out of the way of the next attack when it comes. It comes just as swiftly despite the way the creature paled at his roar! Fortune favors Vultan, however, as the attack lands squarely on his enchanted clothing, turning the sharp attack into a blunt one.
Using Fortune to reduce the damage roll of 4 to a 1, reducing damage total to 3. Battlescar rolled in Discord, no battlescar at this time.
It hurts nonetheless, and Vultan starts to feel like he's been hit one-too-many times. His eyes lose focus as he leans on the power of his faith in Titania. He can feel the subtly fae magics well up within him, relieving his injuries. He looks to Keri who had just been wickedly attacked herself; he raises a hand and sends that same Faeth (sic) magic coursing down his arm and out to her, stitching her most vital injuries back together.
"We'll get through this together!"
It's almost a battlecry, a mental banner to rally his compatriots.
Vultan watches the scaly creature drop to the floor as Con pulls his spear free. His exultation is cut short, however, when one of the creatures coming from the back of the house strikes him from behind to great effect!
Vultan turns on the disgusting thing, slowly. He reaches a hand to where he'd been struck and, feeling blood, coats his hand with it before slowly dragging his hand across his face. He maintains eye contact as he smears blood across his face, glaring daggers into those fishy little eyes.
Ok, here we go... If it can repulse bears, it can repulse these little things.
He opens his mouth and begins to cry out at the creature with all the potency his magic-fueled lungs can offer. He flares his wings for added effect, making himself appear very large.
"HaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHHHH!!!!!"
He continues the eye contact as he looms over the creature, attempting to intimidate it into flight, or at least a later confrontation.
Intimidation, Will vs DMs choice:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
I could get an attack in and maybe hurt one, or I can help guarantee Con gets a hit in and maybe kill one.
Vultan continues to empower Con with boons.
Why didn't I arm myself when I had the chance?!
Lyrics:
It's like speaking in tongues to all of you now~
When will we ever (when will we ever)~
Get what we deserve?~
How long until the tables turn?~
When will we ever (when will we ever)~
Get what we deserve?~
Vultan does his best to continue pumping magic into the air for Con to put one of these things down. He glances around the room and realizes Keri isn't present. He feels a small panic rising, though he can see the door to the room she was in.
And Tam just came from there... He wouldn't abandon her with all of us right here. Whatever is keeping her busy, if he believes she's got it handled, I'll trust him.
His trust for Tam as his compatriot is eaten away slightly by Vultan's distrust for Tam's patron, but Vultan wanted to believe the best in him would win out.
Vultan watches as the door bursts open and three shadowy shapes burst in. Even fatigued, Vultan could feel his pulse rising.
"Great."
It wasn't like riding a rocket into an adrenaline-fueled panic, his exhaustion added metaphorical friction to his body's natural reaction. It felt more like the lumbering acceleration of a train. He oriented on the door and he could feel his senses sharpening by the second.
"Just great."
He spat the word out with significant vitriol as he narrowed his eyes, trying to identify the targets. Then Con ignited his spear.
Frightening:1d20 + 3 - 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 3 - (2) = 11
His bile won out over their disturbing appearance. With heads like Angler fish bearing mouths full of vicious teeth, the scaly humanoids would have given him a start on any other day. But not today.
Fast Turn
Vultan flexes his diaphragm as he finally feels awake enough to act.
Gonna be real tired later, eugh.
He speaks over his shoulder loud enough for Keri and Tam to hear:
"Enemies here!"
Then he turns back to the three creatures and Con facing them down.
"Hey, Con.
He inhales.
"DISRESPECT YOUR SURROUNDINGS!!!"
Uplifting Melody, 2 boons to target of my choice each turn I use an action to concentrate on the spell.
Vultan is much too exhausted to take in the peripheral details. He finds himself dwelling on the idea that they could hole up and rest rather than making useful observations of their surroundings.
Vultan follows along beside Keri, taking in the scene but ultimately at a loss for any words of wisdom he feels would help the party.
I'm just glad I'm not frozen over, these clothes are a blessing.
...Oh, literally, hah.
He allows himself a small smirk as they walk along the wall. An outhouse makes its way out of the fog as they approach. The prince eyeballs it briefly, then marks physical details to determine orientation in relation to the wall. As he does so, Tam makes for it.
I can't say I'm not excited at the prospect of some hospitality.
He starts spinning up what he'll say to the folks who live here when he arrives on their doorstep with his friends and the lucky half of a ship's crew.
He follows after Tam alongside Keri.
"Ew, Tam, don't--
He cuts off as two of his senses are assailed.
Will vs Insanity:1d20 + 4 - 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 - (3) = 3
The sight shreds his improving demeanor. He was expecting mundane and what he got was insane. His skin crawled with involuntary imaginings and he turned away.
"Naturally."
He said it with as much exasperation as he could force, doing his best to mask how unseated it had made him.
We knew. We knew this was what we would face.
He looked at Keri, who had apparently fared better than he had at seeing such a thing.
Worth it.
He steeled his resolve, though he could still feel the grotesque scene clinging to him like a thin veneer on his mind. He has only a moment to reflect before Tam had spotted another building. Again, Vultan marked the features of the outhouse and the features of the nearby building so he could relate their proximity, slowly building a map in his mind.
And lit lanterns. You know what doesn't light lanterns? Monsters don't li--
The face of the harvester popped into his mind and he truncated the thought. He thought that it must be something along those lines to be the cause of this and have the presence of mind to light a lantern, too.
Though, the door... Every part of this looks abandoned except for the lit lanterns, maybe they're magic?
He squinted at them furiously as they approached and entered. He stepped through into the macabre interior and was glad not to be further phased by it. He watches as Keri pulls a flame from one of the lanterns as he motions for everyone to filter inside. He gives Con a nod when he pulls the door to, and then turns back to the room at large.
He replies to Tam's vague and hopeful statement:
"That'd sure be nice. Let's make sure we're prepared for some not good things, too. On top of that, though, I say let's not look for anything at the moment, I think we could all use a nice sit."
He glances around for a fireplace of some sort, he knew that would raise the temperature to something more pleasant.
Prince Vultan tries several times to pause as they note the lighthouse getting further and further away, but everyone seems to believe in the path they're on. Vultan didn't see any clear alternatives, either, so on he went.
He scans the grassy field left to right, and then scans the air above them right to left.
Not that there's much to see.
The geography still made enough sense that he didn't feel put off, so when Tam suggested illusion magic, Vultan felt confident he was wrong. He didn't vocalize, however; it was better to have someone suspicious of a different angle and while Vultan was confident, he couldn't be certain.
His grip on Keri's hand tightens as she mentions staying together.
"If not the lighthouse, then... what should we look for?"
He continues to squint scrutinizingly into the mist, trying to discern anything; and by not addressing anyone directly, he's opened the opportunity for anyone to answer.
Vultan feels his wings graze the beach and he kicks his feet under him, transitioning from pulling Tam to supporting him. Hearing his plea, Tam can do nothing but look longingly from Tam to the sea. He was already stretched so thin with exhaustion and cold, and he wasn't anywhere near as capable a swimmer as Tam must be with his patron. Still, his heart aches for Tam, and his face wrinkles with emotion.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry Tam..."
It's all he can think to say. He knew it wasn't his fault, but he was sorry anyway. He wracked his brain for any way he could help, but between the cold, the fatigue, and the shock, Vultan concludes rapidly that he would be useless trying to help Tam.
Prince Vultan gives Tam a hug, if he's allowed to. Half from empathy, and half out of worry for Tam's warmth.
She's probably standing as close to us as she can get, that will be the closest point on the shoreline I can reach.
It wasn't hard to stay aligned to shore because it was so large, but Keri's voice helped Vultan keep to the shortest path. And he needed it. His body and lungs were burning with the effort.
Blessedly, the ache of hauling Tam to shore was enough to distract him from the cold.
Prince Vultan didn't think twice when he saw Tam in need. He wasn't in good shape, but...
Swim:1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12 Banes for Fatigue and Swimming For Two:3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 2) = 5
He didn't let that stop him. He sprints and glides out to Tam, swimming for everything he's worth in the rough water and giving Tam something to hold onto to catch his breath. Vultan drags Tam back to shore for everything he's worth.
Vultan fishes through his pack and looks back out to sea.
"I... It's fine. Just a little in shock. And shy on weapons, now."
He adds a tinge of frustration with an acidic look towards the ocean with the latter statement.
He looks up at her and the vitriol in his countenance fades. His head jerks towards Con as he speaks, breaking Vultan from a daydream. He replies:
"Not me, Con. Well, actually..."
He buttons up the chest and puts it back on with the new straps he'd purchased for their journey.
"I want to wait, but I don't know that everyone can afford to."
He casts a glance over the shipwrecked crew.
"HELLO, HEY, EVERYONE. WE'RE ON THE MOVE!"
He raises one hand, palm out and fingers together, and waves it in a tight circle in the air before aiming a knife-hand at the lighthouse. He turns a mirthful look on Con and winks as he says:
"You can take them for me."
He turns back to Keri.
"I want to give Tam another moment. I won't keep you from going right now; I'll catch up quick if you do. I promise."
He grabs one of her hands as he speaks and kisses it once to punctuate his promise.
Vultan was briefly surprised at how his wings didn't retain water as he crawled up onto the dock. The surprise faded when he remembered that bird feathers are typically hydrophobic. Still, he shudders as the cold wind on his wet body drives entropy like a truck into his core temperature.
Just like Kyrgyzstan.
He flaps his wings a couple times before wrapping them about himself like a cloak. He scans the shore and gathers an understanding of the situation.
Ship went down, doubtless those chained to it have perished. The water is rough enough that some crew may have perished as well. Where's-- Ok, there's Keri, she's safe. Con and Tam as we-- Tam, why are you... Welp, good luck down there.
He starts walking as he's thinking and hears Keri calling out and taking control of the situation.
You go, princess!
He goes about offering encouragement and helping anyone sitting to their feet so they can make the journey up the cliff. He takes his time doing so, however, and keeps a watch on the shoreline as people mill and huddle.
Tam, you'd better come back quick!
He slowly makes his way around to where Keri is and wraps her up in his wings, holding her close. Definitely only for warmth, of course. Prince Vultan thought a moment or two of rest after their trauma would help them reconstitute for their hike to the lighthouse.
Vultan notices from inside his little box when the first person jumped for the docks.
Do I keep rowing to get us closer?
Others begin jumping, Tam included.
Nope, I help them bridge the gap.
He gets up and makes to help, thankful his legs were able to hold him up on the boat as it tossed and turned. Every time he went to help someone, however, they took off to jump at the dock before he could do anything meaningful.
If I don't go now, I'll be the last as the boat gets ripped back out to sea.
The thought was clinical and unpanicked, but panic definitely infused his limbs as he leapt for the dock.
Jump!:1d20 - 2 - 1d6 ⇒ (4) - 2 - (5) = -3
Unfortunately, he botches his jump as a result. He pressed just too hard on the wet wood of the boat and broke static friction, robbing him of most of his momentum.
Solo swimmers drown when they plunge into water and instinctually gasp due to the frigid cold.
He hits the frigid water with a splash, flaring his wings in time to arrest himself upon the surface. He does gasp, but it's air.
Thanks, left-brain!
The dock is just there! He begins to swim furiously, using his wings to power himself through the water.
As the waves crash in and the rowing gets tough, Vultan gets rowing. He builds a small box in his mind and promptly inhabits it, building a shield between himself and the corporal torture of the moment.
Perception:1d20 + 1 - 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 1 - (5) = 11
He's dimly aware of his senses, hearing Tam call out, seeing the lights in the water.
Hopefully just flora or fauna, we'll just keep on keeping on.
Vultan feels his tiny mind box crack as the pain in his limbs begins to become acute.
Gonna have to sleep this one off, I guess.
He musters enough presence of mind to look to Keri, and sees that she's largely in the same shape he's in. He mourns that she must suffer through this at all, but he's glad to see someone he believes in so much demonstrating such resilience. He attempts to lighten the mood, shouting over the crashing waves.
"SO, YOU UH... COME HERE OFTEN?"
He's not expecting an answer given the grueling circumstances, but he hopes the joke will lighten her spirits, and potentially others as well.
Vultan did his best to row and entertain any questions the captain had about the navigational device. It was hard work, but he wasn't a stranger to that. Plus, it was easy to stay motivated with Keri by his side.
When they finally hit smooth sailing, Vultan enjoyed the days off filled with waiting. He filled the boat with song on more than one occasion, offering his magically entwined voice to decorate everyone's time aboard. He wasn't afraid to abscond with songs from Earth that were near to his heart.
Bones in the Ocean:
Gods bless the Longest Johns.
Oh, I bid farewell to the port and the land
And I paddle away from brave Urth's beach sands
To search for my long ago forgotten friends
To search for the place I hear all sailors end
As the souls of the dead fill the space of my mind
I'll search without sleeping 'til peace I can find
I fear not the weather, I fear not the sea
I remember the fallen, do they think of me?
When their bones in the ocean forever will be
Plot a course to the night to a place I once knew
To a place where my hope died along with my crew
So I swallow my grief and face life's final test
To find promise of peace and the solace of rest
As the songs of the dead fill the space of my ears
Their laughter like children, their beckoning cheers
My heart longs to join them, sing songs of the sea
I remember the fallen, do they think of me?
When their bones in the ocean forever will be
When at last before my ghostly shipmates I stand
I shed a small tear for my home upon land
Though their eyes speak of depths filled with struggle and strife
Their smiles below say I don't owe them my life
As the souls of the dead fill the space of my eyes
And my boat listed over and tried to capsize
I'm this far from drowning, this far from the sea
I remember the living, do they think of me?
When my bones in the ocean forever will be
Now that I'm staring down at the darkest abyss
I'm not sure what I want, but I don't think it's this
As my comrades call to stand fast and forge on
I make sail for the dawn 'til the darkness has gone
As the souls of the dead live for'er in my mind
As I live all the years that they left me behind
I'll stay on the shore but still gaze at the sea
I remember the fallen and they think of me
For our souls in the ocean together will be
Vultan is glad for the magic keeping his voice afloat through the song, emotion had always robbed him of his ability to keep a tune and this song was close to his heart. Especially now with so many people he cared about behind him.
As the water got rough, Vultan did everything he could to keep from letting it make him ill. He knew a couple tricks from when he was younger, like laying down so the brain could turn off the part that helped him keep his balance and ultimately caused the sickness.
Sea Sickness:1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3
Ultimately, though, he couldn't escape the nausea, and his sympathetic reactions didn't help. He found himself at the railing next to Keri more often than not. Blessedly, it was easy enough to hold her hair back as they made sick together, and though he didn't wish it upon her, his misery was thankful for the company.
Vultan watches Keri on what simply must be her worst day. He does his best to hide a wry smile behind a hand while she attempts to persuade a highly suspicious crew.
After, he says to her, "I wonder if you might get through to them better if you tell them it's magic. Sufficiently advanced technology and all that."
His suggestion is serious, but he worries he'll come across as facetious as his amusement is still evident.
Vultan takes another sip from his ration of desalinated water and winks at a suspicious crew member as he does.
More for us, if they're so concerned.
He was concerned for himself, though, as the compass was working, but they were at a bit of an impasse. He consulted with Keri but the most they could come up with was guessing; although a 50/50 was a significant improvement over complete aimlessness. the following morning and, luckily, the weather had adjusted enough for them to be reasonably confident in the direction of sunrise! He orients on the captain and waits for a convenient moment.
"Captain, could I have you take a look at this with me?"
Once he has the captains eyes on the compass, Vultan illuminates him as best he can.
Retconned in Discord: We were able to determine sunrise direction this morning, allowing us to determine true north.
"Sir, what we've built here is a compass. You may be familiar with the idea already; it's indicating which direction is north. No matter which way you rotate it, it will continue to indicate north for us."
He looks to the captain for any skepticism or confusion, and hopes the captain is convinced of what he sees.
"The problem we have is that we're not sure which end is north."
He indicates each point of the compass in turn.
"It's a coin toss on if we get our heading right, but we can keep our course true and get free of this fog and then re-orient if needed. Once we're free of the fog, I can score the compass to indicate which way is true north and we can navigate with it the rest of the way."
He leans back from the compass and looks the captain in the eye.
"I'm confident this will work, and when it does, I'm happy to help you get one made so you have it to navigate by in the future."
Vultan hopes that by sweetening the deal, the captain will find his appeal favorable. He leans on his stolian charms with a smile confident enough to advertise with.
Persuade the captain to action:1d20 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + (1) = 16
Vultan does his best to operate as a spare pair of hands for Keri as she gets the improvised compass set up. He leans over the compass and watches intently as he listens to Tam explain... something?
Intelligence to understand Tam's complex idea:1d20 ⇒ 11
Vultan remembers a science experiment he'd done with his kids not terribly long before being brought to this world. He was a little surprised to find out it would functionally desalinate seawater, but only a little.
Yeah, that tracks. Neat!
Tam seems bolstered by Keri's recognition through his speech impediment, and that in-turn bolsters Vultan. He's glad to see his comrade with a smile on his face, and offers him an encouraging smile in return.
He returns his eyes to looking at the improvised compass once more, hoping for some sign it was working.
