Tikroch and Luca follow along, trusting Chrysa to find any hidden mechanical dangers.
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Following a few steps behind Chrysa, Tikroch and Luca remain wary of ghosts and other dangers.
Finding nothing of interest in the upper room, Tikroch looks to the others then pads down the stairs towards the lower levels to see if they missed anything in this building before checking out the others. Pretty sure there wasn't anything on the main floor... maybe a basement?
Remembering their last ghostly interaction, Tikroch's fur stands on end before he can control the reaction. Nodding to Luca, they both sniff around the room for anything of interest.
Tikroch leopard pads along with the others investigating. These occult issues are beyond his knowledge. The best he can do is be prepared for when something jumps out at them. Glancing back at Luca, he motions for him to keep a sharp eye out.
Following his own advice, Tikroch also keeps aware of their surroundings.
Determined to not get caught changing forms again, Tikroch opts for a large cat with spots but with bright blue eyes. He then casts one more spell before accompanying Chrisa as she scouts. Not to stay to close, but to be able to respond quickly to trouble. He does send Luca as a close bodyguard though.
Embarrassed that he's once again caused Donovan to expend powerful magic on his behalf, Tikroch ops to change tactics for the remainder of this exploration at least. Let this be a lesson, don't explore in a form you aren't ready to fight in. Cramped hallways are not your friend. He casts a few more spells, including a charm to harden Chrysa's skin to a tough bark to hopefully protect her in case the get ambushed again.
Seeing hostilities don't seem to be re-engaging right now, Tikroch shift back into his human form and digs out a short stick from his pack. Channeling a small bit of his magic, he activates the wand and touches Chrysa to rouse her from her incapacitation.
He's not evil Mila, just misunderstood!
Luca, seeing the signal to attack, pounces on the enemy in front of him.
Rolls:
Seeing the carnage unfolding below, Tikroch tries to choose targets wisely. Gesturing for Luca to maul the soldier below him, Tikcroch opts instead to try for one of the enemies harassing Naomi.
Rolls:
Assessing the situation, animal forms are going to just get in the way. "Luca, find an opening then strike. We need something a little more flexible for myself." Focusing his will he forces his shape to change, shrinking seemingly smaller before blooming out into a mass of tendrils and vines. Using his new mobility, he climbs up the walls to position himself above the action.
Tikroch begins to take a combat form but is to slow to act on anything now. Instead, he takes the first step to shift back to his human form ready to defend himself. Meanwhile, he commands Luca to dive into the stairwell to hide and ambush whatever comes out to attack.
Utilizing his small size and depending on his speed to get out of trouble, Tikroch starts to investigate the room in person.
As the stealthy types cast their invisibility, Tikroch orders Luca to try to detect them and to keep an eye out for their return.
Patiently waiting for their return, he also keeps an ear out for any signs of trouble.
Before they move out, Tikroch casts a few spells of his own to prepare for the impeding assault. After the castings, he gives Chrysa an apologetic look before shifting his form once more. This time turning in to a child sized old man with oversized hands and feet with big ears. Holding his scythe he really looks the part of a redcap. "Why not use the abilities of the enemy of I can? The extra speed might come in handy."
Scouting:
Having satisfied his curiosity and determined that any further investigation would invite undue risk, Tikroch returns to the waiting party. Leaving the odd atmosphere of the air beyond the wall is refreshing as stepping from a hot spring into the snow.
Returning to the group, Tikroch changes back to his human form. He basks in the air for a moment before telling what he found. "Beyond the wall is odd... It's like a greenhouse instead of the cool air just outside the perimeter. The outbuildings have thoroughly collapsed and are unusable but the main abbey building appears to have a significant number of beings occupying it or at least working there. There was an attempt to conceal their numbers so there is some efforts of subterfuge though they were clumsy." Tikroch grins at his ability to see through the concealment. Shrugging, "I couldn't see anything inside the building itself as they blocked the windows with boxes. Not sure if that is on purpose or if they just have so much stuff." "Lastly, there is one lookout in the tower that will need to be neutralized if our approach is to remain hidden. Perhaps one of you more skilled in subtlety can take care of that. I can provide magic to allow you to walk on the air if necessary."
Tikhawk Explores: Flapping a couple times to get used to the different air feel, he flies high to get a good first look. Finding nothing of interest at the outbuildings, Tikroch aims to observe the main abbey. Being careful to try to notice any lookouts and avoid them, he flies around the building to hopefully see something interesting.
Tikroch considers Chrysa's request for a moment before nodding. "A reasonable approach. Let us observe the hilltop for a little while to see what wildlife approaches. It will help determine if I should attempt to remain unseen altogether or if I can blend in." As they observe, Tikroch takes a small statuette from his pocket and places it on the ground. Speaking the command word, Luca grows back to normal size! He gives the dino a rundown of the situation before commanding him to Defend the party.
Tikroch, after consulting with Mila, takes the lead guiding the party through the wilderness.
Flying through the battlefield, the druid is surprised as many of his foes pull away to target the tattoo artist?! Somewhat impressed by the showing of magical might, he turns to face other foes in the sky. Their arial ballet is smashed as the huge beak snips necks and wings in a single bites. Having slain or chased away his fair share of the wyverns, the heron alights at the gathering of... heroes might not be the right word... party members and city officials and newcomers. Shifting back to human, he raises an eyebrow at Senna before shrugging and giving her a nod in greetings. Making sure the Pitaxian envoy hasn't been unduly detained, he looks to Sophiel or, begrudgingly, Marcanth for what needs doing. Remembering the fey casualties, he chides himself for his poor attitude toward the ranking fey advisor. "As far as I can tell, the battle is won. They flying beasts are either dead or retreating. Is there anything left that needs doing?"
Crysa, Naomi, GM: Making sure to keep Naomi protected by keeping her in between himself and Chrysa, Tikroch walks past the injured fey, not even bothering to show any concern. Inside though, They fight and die for this place. They aren't the foe's I'm worried about then. The large druid is content that the fight on the ground is well in hand passing the various characters in their fights. He even chuckles a bit as the kobolds swarm the troll. Finally seeing Sophie though, spurs the druid to action. In a rare show of magical ability, Tikroch extracts the power of a spell and instead forms it into the a portal reaching directly in the plane of air. Extracting a large elemental to provide additional cover, he points to the wyverns as its targets. Proving her trust is well placed, he shifts to a giant bird to come to the flying ruler's aid in the sky.
Crysa, Naomi, GM: Suddenly very thankful for the long lasting magic cast before the ceremony, Tikroch takes stock of the situation. No immediate hostiles around. At least we have time to think. "We should find cover before we become targets. Maybe we can slip through the damaged gate. I'll try to wedge open a gap to see if you all can squeeze through. I can use my shifting powers to get across. We need to find Sophiel. They undoubtedly sent assassins if their frontal attack was this fierce."
Tikroch is on edge for most of the exchange and congratulatory mingling. All the pomp and circumstance doesn't keep daggers out of the shadows. As the group filters out and reconvenes for the night, the druid considers their options. "Pitax says they're leaving but Koth was nowhere to be seen. Who knows what that hothead is willing to do given the embarrassments we handed him. He already tried to kill Mila in front of the whole crowd after all. I wouldn't put it past Irovetti to have ordered him to stalk us in the night. I can get a few of us back to Gliocas near instantly but that leaves all the rest of the retinue stuck here using the slow roads..."
Tikroch was getting into the spirit of the festival until it was time to get back to work providing a mount for Mila. He was prepared for the competitive nature of mounted combatants charging at each other. He was not prepared for Koth to take a cheap shot with a lethal lance. It's only Mila's reaction and spell that hold his anger in check allowing her to whisk him away.
At the celebration, he shows up with a few spell protections enabled. Irovetti's accusations are a step too far and causes the large druid to speak, possibly out of turn, "You accuse us of cheating while your pet tries to skewer our companion?! Is this the hospitality you show your guests? What punishment will Koth receive for his treachery? Or do you intend to assassinate us?" Tikroch leaves the clumsy accusation hanging in the air as he glares at the ruler.
After the cheater from Gralton is identified, Tikroch decides he should attempt to find if anyone is trying to sway the crowd against Chrysa the way the dwarf was trying to influence people towards Ankus. Using one of his newer druid abilities, he extricates himself from the crowd to a private spot to transform into an average human. Using is hopefully unassuming form, he pays particular attention to anyone trying to turn the crowd against his party member.
Keeping an ear on the story being told, he is a bit surprised at the story of Vordakai. The environs surrounding Varnhold is where he met Donovan while making their way into the Stolen Lands. Knowing it had been so dangerous just a short time before they got there gives him a new appreciation for the ladies of Gliocas and Shadowfall.
"I would have avoided using it if I saw another way. Though the abilities of the enemy can be useful at times... I may keep that idea as a tool to use if we need it... but Yes! Let's eat!" It seems some of the wild has shed from the druid as he spends time with a group rather than forging his way on his own.
Tikroch takes the time after the archery event to do some self reflection. What might his weakness be to using brute strength through an axe to chop logs? He's strong enough but not quite fast enough. A potion of haste would fix that.
One of the legendary fey... a norn. It fits the requirements and it may be flashy enough for the crowd. A plan in mind, Tikroch rests with spells on the mind.
Watching the other competitors is a little disheartening with how well most of them are doing. Finally, his time arrives and he stands before his set of logs, axe in hand. When the signal to start sounds, he quaffs the previously purchased haste potion. Then, he gathers his magical energies and focuses them to transform into a fourteen foot tall fey woman and begins chopping. He starts off strong, chopping through the first log in two hits. He begins on the second. Another strong swing sends a huge chunk of wood flying. Unfortunately, he seems to run out of steam from there. It takes a few more swings to get through the second log. On the fourth log, the axe gets away from him and one of his swings doesn't even bite into the wood. Using his new size, he is able to position himself between two logs, able to attack both. When he has to move, he puts extra force into one attack to maximize the one strike he makes . By the end of the event, he's chopped through five logs. Grinning at his performance, he raises his enlarged arms in celebration. Rolls:
Sorry, I posted, changed my mind about how to proceed and changed it. Then changed my mind again... I copied then deleted the post to make sure I don't miss the edit window. Ended up doing the math of attacks and movements + haste vs without haste. Being large lets me have two logs in range at once which is a big help.
Watching Mila take so many shots at once is almost dizzying! As the score is tallied and announced, be even gives a small fist pump! When the group gets back together, he passes along some words of congratulations. "I'd heard stories of some rangers that could shoot like that but never thought I'd see it in person. Well done!"
Tikroch watches the archery with interest, especially as the current constant nails every shot they take. It occurs to him as he's watching that he could probably cast some spells to enhance his viewing... a task for a later day.
Unfortunately, Tikroch didn't catch any of what the ladies are referring. "Did he speak poorly? It seemed fine to me. But these games we are supposed to compete in... would they be a ruse to weaken the champions from other nations? And that one rule, "don't get caught cheating"... I fear some of the contestants may use underhanded tactics." Tikroch's observations are rather obvious to those used to playing in the political arena but the fact that he is even paying attention to the subtle parts of the interactions is a vast improvement to his attitude when he first arrived in the stolen lands. "Lets see if we can find out more." He purposely searches out the rules for the events to review.
Surprisingly, Tikroch is actually trying to pay attention to the conversation that is probably politics and the big words being bandied about. Trying to get a feel for a battlefield that is well outside his expertise, he keeps an ear out for irregularities.
At the introductions he simply nods his head to Iorvetti. Tikroch sniffs at the drink trying to figure out what it is. This guy is awfully full of himself... Taking a sip of the beverage he looks between the king and Naomi waiting to see what happens next.
”Gracious GODS, you’re a tall fella! I hope you aren’t the littlest brother.” The comment starts with an arched eyebrow before migrating to a smirk as the artist fumbles with her statements. "Heh, no worries.And to be fair, I'm large even for my order."
A hulking human follows behind the perfumed nobles looking distinctly out of place though still a part of the retinue from Gliocas. Although if one knows anything of the country, druids are somewhat common having one in almost every village. He threads his way through the crowds and vendors making sure not to disturb anyone's wares. Stopping at the tattoo artist he looks over the sheet of birds from behind the others taking note of the artistry at least. Leaving the intrigue to those more equipped, he instead looks around for anyone paying too much attention to the group.
The hippo moves to take another bite out of the closest peluda.
Meanwhile, Luca charges at the same target.
Luca Rolls:
Pre turn and missed rolls:
Unsurprisingly the giant hippo cant avoid all the quills but he does manage to deflect most of them with his thick hide. Luca positions himself just right to avoid the attack all-together. Finally recovering from his transformation, the hippo reaches out his huge jaws to bite a chunk out of the closest dragonette.
rolls:
Covering himself with his cloak, the druid takes quite a few quills to his arms and back. Feeling the poison coursing through his veins, he looks up just in time to see a gout of flame roaring from the third dragon.
Tikroch watches as the creatures rise from the water. Surprised they don't seem familiar to his extensive knowledge of the natural world, he is caught a bit off guard. He glances to Vincent as he explains the situation and looks back to the creatures, a plan of action coming to mind.
These damned fey and their tricks... at least this giant seems sincere in her goal to protect these creatures. In Sylvan, "In deference to the current leader of Gliocas, I suppose we'll have to at least give you the opportunity to prove your good intentions and hope she can find a way to get you back home or find you a place to stay in this world. If they like, we may be able to speed up the travel time to present your case to her adjudicators. You will have to keep them docile until the magics can be prepared."
In Taldan, "Thank you for your restraint. This is an unfortunate situation. They are here through no fault of their own. They are peaceful enough for now. Your presence is no longer required." Tikrok nods to the Dengrazodians considering the conversation complete.
Showing his poor aptitude for reading people, Tikroch ignores them and addresses the giant in sylvan, "You are not the first group I've encountered that have been thrust through a portal to get to these lands. If I'm not mistaken, you are from the First World? You are currently in unclaimed portion the Stolen Lands though it's quickly being reshaped into the nation of Gliocas. Surprisingly friendly to misplaced beings like yourselves... if they can follow the rules. You and your pets might find refuge there. It will take you a long while to get to the borders towing your trees though." The druid raises an eyebrow at the alchemist drinking potions but trusts the others in the group to engage with them. He holds off on casting spells himself for now.
Tikroch nods in deference to Mum's plan and follows her into the clearing. With a hand on Luca's back, he eyes the creatures identified as plane-touched with a little suspicion but not hostility. Not yet at least. He maintains a neutral expression as he awaits whatever responses come forth.
Tikrock periodically checks back in with the party, spending most of the time traveling as a hawk to survey the area. Thankfully there isn't much of note to see. He spies some sort of encounter off in the distance so decides to turn back into a human and stick with the group. As they approach he ponders what the creatures could be.
The hulking druid looks over the spy not unkindly but definitely judging. He stands over six feet tall with longish dark brown hair. His dragon scale armor is etched with wild runes and designs. A gleaming scythe is stowed but a discerning eye shows that it hasn't seen much use and is more of a symbol. "I am Tikroch of the Wildwood Lodge. I will be honest. I've had my misgiving about how useful a person trained to hide in the midst of a kingdom's court might be. Sophiel has assured me your skills are equally adept in the wilds. I'm happy to see your wardrobe is already in tune with our tasks at least. I look forward to working along side you." He is not intending to be rude, but his time shapeshifted as a beast and spending time among the creatures lends itself to socializing being... efficient.
"I'll prepare most of my magics for travel and exploration. I can bring a few with us for long range travel . It should be enough for our expedition. Even through trackless swamps, I should be able to tame the terrain for us at least a bit as well. We can always make camp out there and adjust as needed. I can make ready some spells for that as well as some long range communication . We can send a bird with reports once a day though it may take some time to make it back."
Tikroch considers Sophiel's words for a moment before nodding. "Fair, in that case it shouldn't be difficult to find a tree outside the city limits that fits our needs for coming and going. Unless you desire to keep this contact's identity a secret, bringing her in the traditional method is probably best anyway. Maybe I should commission my own grove for such purposes so as to not give yours away. Or just use whatever is available in the wild. I would hope another with our skills wouldn't be working against us but you never know."
Talk of festivals and tournaments... distractions from the looming threats. But they provide an avenue to get this book. A necessary distraction I suppose. "Yes, recall your spy. Establish a meeting point and I, and whomever else wants to, can retrieve her and return. Or, while we are already out in the wilds, we can check out some of these locations you've identified. I wouldn't imagine an effective court spy would also desire to spend time camping outdoors. Especially if it isn't necessary to her mission." He takes some time to memorize the points on the map and any nearby landmarks. "May we use your arboretum? It may also be prudent to acquire a few magical tree feather tokens to create a quick avenue for escape." |