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The She-enemy begrudging accepted being bound and blindfolded, but her sister said she had powerful magic, so the Halfling added her voice to Philgor's plan, "Gag her, too. It's been said she has powerful magic, so better to be safe than sorry!"
In lowered voice beside her companions, Qiola warned, "I don't trust her. Too keen to get to Arwyll Stead, she is."
GM Motte: Since Qiola has durable arrows, after combat is over, can she go in search of the arrows that went astray to see if she can locate them and add them back to her quiver? I can make a roll to see how many she finds.
"She's casting a summoning spell! Be ready!" Qiola warns the others. Qiola nocks a new arrow into her bow and fires at the bat hovering in the air above the wolf and then again and then takes a 5ft step back to her original position.
Nocks another arrow and fires at the large bat, again.
Consumables:
Using the light provided by the magically glowing centipedes and Argus' sunrod, Qiola takes a 5ft step forward and fires at the Orc enemy to the south of the centipede.
reloads swiftly and fires again.
Miss chances, if applicable:
The darkness surrounds Qiola and she cannot see the enemy anymore. She nocks an arrow in her bow and points it before her, waiting before she takes a shot. She takes a defensive stance. Rizu does not move from his spot either, beside Qiola. He lifts his nose in the air and tries to pin-point locations of the enemy or note when they move closer. He takes a defensive stance in the dark. (Rizu's AC now 23.)
"Let the light bearing centipedes proceed!", the Halfling agreed quietly - eager for more light with which to see the Orcs up ahead before moving in on them.
She quietly informs her companions of the Orc's words, "The female Orc said she'd seen some of us. Told her lot to get ready and not let us get into the cave." Qiola readies a ranged attack against the enemy.
reloads swiftly and fires again.
In low voice, the Halfling states, "I'm calculatin' they're less than a hundred feet from us." She nocks an arrow and waits in her position, sensing Rizu's eagerness to engage with the Orcs. "We're ready for 'em."
As Philigor takes her position and instructs for her to move back, Qiola does, her bow ready. Rizu moves back with his mistress. In a whisper she says, "They're lookin' for an entrance. I don't think they've seen us."
"Orcs aren't interested in silken words, lass. Best we be ready with our weapons," the Halfing responded in quiet voice before moving to take cloaked position on the other side of the south-eastern tunnel, bow readied.
To her companions, she warns in quiet voice, "I hear Orcish voices comin' from the southeast tunnel."
As Philgor stepped in first to look behind the slab, Qiola moved behind him, with Rizu behind her. Since Lyra was covering the back with her bow, Qiola would cover the front with her bow. The Halfing's eyes roamed across the narrow space, Philgor's torch providing light - looking for any traps before attempting to step through the opening.
For now, Qiola noted the presence of the fire beetles, but decided upon searching the remainder of the space and leaving them undisturbed. She quietly moved toward the large, flat stone propped against the northern wall and examined it to see if it served a purpose or there was something beyond.
Qiola finished Kyra's sentence in quieter voice, "Aye, they're fire beetles. Dangerous, aye, but if we leave 'em alone, they'll probably leave us alone."
Looking across at the glowing insects in the eastern corner, Qiola tries to determine what they are and if they are a threat to be wary of.
If she moves about the space, will will do so mindfully/carefully/quietly as possible.
With packed gear, Qiola and Rizu move alongside Xorrin, following the others up the red rock with the fancy manor atop. When they stopped near Lyra, she asked in lowered voice, "Who's got the key to this secret tunnel, then?" Qiola casts her eyes about the hill and manor, hoping to spy something of note. "Rizu, keep an eye out or use ya nose, love"
Listening to Argus, Qiola nodded. "Aye, we must sleep to be our best come mornin'." To Xorrin and Rizu she added, "Come on, you two, to bed with us. We can sort out this mess tomorrow." The Halfling wife and husband bid the others good night and the three moved back inside the Blissful Badger and to their chamber to sleep.
Qiola's endeavour proved fruitless and she turned to Rizu, quietly asking, "You catch a whiff of that thing?" Rizu's posture told her he hadn't or didn't get far tracking it. "We tried. Let's get some more shut-eye," and Halfling and warcat crossed the street back to the others.
Annoyed that she could not successfully pinpoint the magical aura, Qiola quietly calls to her warcat, "Come Rizu, let's check that side of the street", and the Halfling begins to move in the general direction of the trace ... but mindfully and cautiously, her bow still in hand.
Good luck with your busy week ahead, mott.
Moving to her husband's side, Qiola laid a hand on Xorrin's shoulder for job well done in curtailing the impending trouble with no bloodshed. Qiola cast Detect Magic in the vicinity of the unconscious townsman, Zeb, wondering if it was spell which took the man and changed his general disposition.
The warcat was already prowling inside the bedchamber - having heard and smelt those below. "I knew there'd be trouble if the Half-orc stayed in town", Qiola grumbled to herself as she too rose and pulled on her skirt, grabbing her sap and bow and arrows. She wore the ring but didn't have time to don the armour, so she begrudgingly left it in the room. She could hear Xorrin speaking with the fighter on the stairs and with "Come, Rizu" they followed behind the men to investigate the commotion. Once outside, her eyes began to scan the area for further sign of threat or something of note, waiting to hear answer to Xorrin's question.
Rizu lifts his nose to the air and begins to sniff.
Qiola listened to the scoutsmaster's account and simply nodded her head. "I'll be puttin' a reminder in my head, then. Next fight, count those Orcs." The Halfling eyed the group, again. "I'd like to hear what you're all good at - weapons, magics and such. Best to know what resources we have and what needs shorin'. Don't be shy, now." Qiola gave them what she hoped was an encouraging smile. If they were to work side by side to defeat the Hell's Fury tribe, it'd be good to know who could do what and where to place people in the ambush.
Qiola's brow furrows upon Lyra's words. The scoutmaster, Terrin, was in the room with them, but he and his people had not given word as to the number of the town's constant enemy? "I'm glad you lot killed three of 'em," the Halfing inclined her head in regard. Looking across to the scoutmaster, "Master Terrin, your people havin' trouble countin' their numbers? Are they breedin' too fast, allied with other Orc tribes or you can't get close enough to make their count?" Looking back to Lyra as she waited for Terrin to answer, she asked the Half-Elf lass, "When you last fought the tribe, how many did you see? Just the three you killed?"
"Mister Argus's idea of a ruse is a sound plan." Looking about the group, she poses her question to all, "How many Orcs in the Hell's Fury tribe?"
I'm in another game with Mott and he posted this up today, so I am relaying the info here just as a FYI:
"I need no gold to do the right thing. But I'm not daft to risk my life or those I love for a Half-Orc I only just crossed paths with. You made the offer of coin and I accepted - If you expected none to take you up on the coin then you shouldn't have offered it." Qiola gave the Mayor a long, dark look. The fool couldn't look after his own town so who was he to cast shadow on those outside of Lastwall. Xorrin's words that he would follow her lead helped to settle her ire at the mayor's meaning and she smiled at her husband.
Qiola stood in the parlour with Rizu, Xorrin and the others. She listened as Mayor Proum spoke of his plans and then made his offer. Such a large sum of gold...He must be desperate. She heard the one named Philgor say he would protect the Half-Orc for free and the Halfling tried not to show her disapproval. Instead, she placed a pleasant smile on her face and addressed the Mayor, "I'll gladly accept coin for mine and Rizu's services. My husband can speak for himself, but if I'm to risk my life and those that I love, then I would do it knowing there is reward to look forward to at the end - well, other than killing some Orcs."
Lyra, thanks so much for locating those sections of the story for us. I will have Qiola note what's been told her, like it was played in on the main game thread. :)
Looking over her shoulder at the females and their ready speeches, Qiola gave a quick nod upon Lisbet's words. "Don't much like surprises, but I do enjoy seeing someone true to their word." When the fair woman cursed, Qiola's brow rose and she enquired, "Ye alright, Miss Lisbet?", wondering who she was speaking to. When Argus agreed to planning the attack, Qiola amiable concurred. "As I was sayin', let's move inside to fill our stomachs and plan the end of this Hell's Fury tribe. You know the town better than us, if we bring them here, where could we set the ambush? I'm all for ambushin' Orcs,", there was a glint in the Halfling's eye as if she relished the chance to kill some Orcs.
Her husband's words broke through the thinly veiled contempt Qiola felt for the female Half-Orc. She looked into Xorrin's blue eyes and then gave a small nod as his meaning registered. In their native tongue, she replied very quietly, "Rydych yn siarad gwir, annwyl o' fy nghalon. Rydym yn cadw llygad barcud ar y un." Halfling Translation:
"You speak truth, beloved o' my heart. We keep a watchful eye on that one."
Casting a glance at Rizu, she informed the group, "We're returin' to the inn," and calling Rizu, the Halfling hunter moved to go back inside, hoping Xorrin was following.
"Tis not a matter of worth. You drew them here, to these good people. They deserve your consideration." There is no warmth in the Halfling's tone and even though her voice is low, the meaning is undisguised.
At the scoutmaster's assurance that his people could handle the transportation of their own, Qiola affably inclined her head, and quietly added, "Aye, he is one of yours," and watched silently as they covered him and built a rough litter to take the body away. Both Lisbet and Lyra gave assurances as to the character of the Half-Orc female. Qiola cast a sharp look toward Vegazi, when the female answered that she did not know why the Hell Fury tribe pursued her. They will not stop until they have this Half-Orc, to be sure, Qiola mused silently. As to what they would do now, Qiola listened to Lisbet and Lyra, who seemed the more vocal members of the their group. "The Half-Orc should leave town and travel far away or turn herself into this tribe so the town can be spared from their unceasing wrath." Qiola bristled in the presence of Vegazi, for such creatures only brought violence wherever they went. She certainly did not trust Vegazi, nor readily admit her as travelling companion. Looking back to the others, Qiola agreed to setting off in the morning. "Let us eat, plan and prepare this night and then meet our fates come dawn."
Qiola could not help the man - the dead scout named Hektir, so she closed his eyelids and whispered a quiet prayer. The man's suffering had been needless - a cowardly way to send a message to this Half-Orc, Vegazi. Qiola's scowl deepened as she looked upon the female Half-Orc with ill-disguised contempt. Her hands clenched around the healer's kit. She's a friend of theirs or an ally, but how could this be ..., the Halfling thought to herself; her hearbeat quickening. To turn her focus from killing the Half-Orc or demanding she return to this Hell's Fury tribe, Qiola addressed the scout master, "I'm sorry for the loss of your scout. My Rizu here can transport Hektir's body, if you wish it." Listening to the Argus fellow speak of his violent contempt of browbeaters, Qiola found herself nodding upon his declaration of ending the tyranny, once and for all. "Tell us about this Hell's Fury tribe. Why do they mean this one ill?", she bid the group plainly and clearly referring to the Half-Orc.
Qiola jumped atop Rizu and rode him out with the others to see what the trouble was. She watched the flying devils in the sky and noted the Half-Elf's magic eagles go after them. The Halfling hunter moved out of the saddle. "Stay, Rizu" she quietly instructed her warcat, before drawing her healer's kit from her pack and moving to the body to stand beside Lyra and Lisbet. That was when she heard the message spoken in Orc and repeated over and again. "The Hell’s Fury tribe demands the half-orc Vegazi. Until then, devils will walk among you. Refuse, and this won’t be the last body that falls,” she translated aloud, not knowing who among the original party knew the Orc tongue. She knelt by the bloodied human on the ground, and rolling up her sleeves, began to examine them, hoping to provide some aid/relief with her modicum healer's skill. Qiola wondered if they would live yet or if their injury was too deep at the torturous hands of the devils.
Sorry to hear. Hope your back heals soon, motteditor.
The familiar touch of Xorrin's hand atop hers made Qiola smile and her brown eyes shone with love for her husband knew of her demons well enough. She looked upon the man. "Mister Argus, you've an interesting profession. Why'd the creek need redirectin'?" Qiola's voice held a sincerity - she was curious to know the reason. Then the tall Half-Elven lassie answered her earlier question and Qiola gave over her attention to the caster as she waited on the man's answer. Qiola stared at the curved scar on the woman's body and *tsked* softly. "There were no healers in your town to heal ya at the time, Miss Lyra?" The Halfling's gentle brown eyes looked at the tall Half-Elf. "It is a badge of honour, to be sure, lass." She gasped at the mention of a flying turtle! "Your Olive is a magical, flying turtle?! I have never heard o' such a creature and would be happy to meet her soon." Looking down at the medium-sized, striped warcat by her chair, she whispered to her animal companion, "Don't you go attackin' this Olive when she arrives, Rizu. Show yer best manners."
Rest/sleep well. :)
I realise the warcat shares your main alias' avatar. Would you like me to change it? I just couldn't find an appropriate avatar for a warcat. :) And aye, out of game I know it's an eidolon, just wasn't sure if it was visible currently and in the room with you/us in game. :)
It was good these folk had room for her, Xorrin and Rizu in their company. Qiola had intently listened as Lisbet and the Half-Elven lass recounted the tussle in the woods. Qiola had known many a druid in her time yet all had been good and honourable. Least they had killed the villainous druid in battle. At the mention of Half-Orcs and sisters to boot, Qiola's features hardened into scowl. "Half-Orcs are just as savage as their full-blooded kin!" At the mention of someone they had brought back with them, Qiola was shaken from her ill thoughts and asked, clearly confused, "Who is Grev?" And as the Half-Elf shared the story of her parents and even though Qiola was uncertain as to whether the mother or father were still living, so she nodded compassionately, yet her eyes were dark at mention of an Orc raid. So, the lass was not married, but she had someone or something called 'Olive'? "You will find your life mate when you aren't lookin'. But who's this Olive? And for that matter, I didn't catch yer name, lass", looking to the Half-Elf inquiringly.
Qiola turned her attention to the tall, red-haired man with the side whiskers, and with amused curiosity asked, "Does the rollin' stone have a proper name?" Upon hearing of their wood chase, her jolly manner turned into earnest regard, "Did you discover the caster? How were they bamboozled? May we hear the whole story?"
She had caught him in the act, but not before Xorrin had polished off her mead. "Dammit, love, you thought to fool me with that ol' trick." She shook her head in mock annoyance. "Now you owe me a mug of mead. Best pay up, m'love." Looking around the table at the others, Qiola asked plainly; a warm smile on her face, "Any of you folk married? And have you a place in your crew for two handy Halflings and a warcat?"
Her hair moves mighty strange, the Halfling woman thought to herself but she did not speak it aloud lest it be viewed as impolite. Instead, Qiola rolled her eyes at her husband's antics. "Miss Lisbet, don't you pay him no heed. He's a rascal to be sure, but he's my handsome rascal and I love him so."
The Halfling turned and looked up at the tall, fair-haired woman standing there and her mouth dropped before she chuckled softly. "Aye, lass, yer taller than a white oak! And just as fair. The kitten is past cub and not full grown, so he'd appreciate being called by his name, Rizu. And nay, he's not much of a bibber. Water'll do just him fine, thanks." Qiola stuck out her hand toward the tall woman, in order to shake her hand. "I'm Qiola Faireye, good to meet you. The husband there is my Xorrin. So, you're with this good lot, then", the Halfling gestured with hooked thumb toward the table. "What's yer name, tall one?" After the introduction was made and pleasantries exchanged, the Halfling noted the Mayor's words of gratitude to the group and gazed upon his purse, the fine bolts and the vials. He was even gifting these folk armour or weapons. Looking back to the strangers around the table, "You must've been mighty useful if the Mayor rewards ye with such gifts of gratitude."
Xorrin's quick acceptance of the man's offer to dine and drink with him (and the whole of his party) was nothing unexpected and Qiola smiled agreeably at the fighter. "We will be pleased to join ye, Mister Philgor. I'm supposin' there's much to talk about."
The Half-Elven lass' praise toward Rizu was unexpected, yet polite and nice. "Thank you, darlin'!," the Halfing woman responded to the other, with a warm smile. When Xorrin had put on the slur, Qiola rolled her eyes and whacked him lightly on the shoulder. The warcat looked at the male Halfling, familiar with the way his mistress and her mate spoke to one another, even though his comprehension of the Common tongue was simplistic at best, he was familiar with the affection between them. When Xorrin stood and moved toward the other table of people, Qiola sighed -- the man was not as smooth or subtle as herself but what could one do ... she loved him beyond his limitations. Upon hearing her husband mention her name by way of introduction, the Halfing woman stood and said under her breath to Rizu, "Come, Rizu love. Xorrin would have us meet some people." She chuckled and strode over with a confident air, the warcat loyally by her side as was his way. "Well met," her warm brown eyes flit across the faces around the table. "I'm the said Qiola Faireye and this fine creature by my side is Rizu," lovingly rubbing the warcat's temple. She then looked upon her dashing husband with pride for she appreciated his boldness for all her theatrics. He took charge and that was never a bad or dull thing, in her opinion. |