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Gaddamn, Mott. Well done with that ending. Just... well done. You took our essences, and you brought it home. Gonna remember your final touch to the story for some time....
Hey, Guys, Tsin has posted her last. It has been an honor to share this game with you all. Let's hope our paths cross again, one day.
Tsin regards her fellow journeymen one last time. She sees bright futures for each of them, though some futures come to an end sooner than others. "And if you ever feel the urge to visit the North, I'll be here!" "We'll hold you to that, Adviser. Do your best to council a queen who will find no reason to take your head, and you should be just fine." With Quinn and Hektir, she takes some comfort that they'll at least have each other, and will return to their rutting season armed with a Traveling Tavern which must certainly have bedposts to notch. "Quinn, your presence has been a supreme comfort. Perhaps I was overly confident, knowing that you were about, so I will have to adjust my expectations during future conflicts. Unless one of my fellow Riders has your capacity to restore life, as you have." Tsin smiles politely at Hektir, understanding very little of his new motivations, him having failed to ask Baba Yaga for anything that would give them away. "Look after our Quinn, Hektir. There is method in his madness, and you'll have a longer life if you remain his constant companion." Lastly, Tsin approaches Malavarius. She brushes a couple of stray greys from his shoulder, before settling on his countenance. "I would call you a strange bird, master Malavarius, but that ship has sailed, has it not? A wizened chameleon, maybe? So many colors..." Tsin looks over his shoulder, and up into Zeno's reptilian eyes, before returning to look at the elder wizard. "I worry about you the least, now. When a wyrm worries about you, you will be well looked after. I have enjoyed our conversations, and will remember you fondly. I know not how much longer you have to live. You could have asked Baba Yaga to become fey yourself, rather than free Zeno, which undoubtedly speaks to your character. Should my nature ever grow powerful enough for me to bestow the luck of a long life, you may find me on your doorstep to offer it. Until then, heed your dragon's counsel, unless you find yourself the target of a curse which turns you into sparrow against your will. Then, perhaps, take his advice with a grain of salt." ... Tsin lets the color in her face subside a little, before stepping from the heavily forested acre behind her family's estate. She understands Baba Yaga's impatience, but it would only be a handful of minutes for what she was asking. She only wished the witch's temper would, well, temper a bit, given that she would likely never see her family again. Striding across the lawn in the moonlight, she arrives at the stable, where she finds both Orwyne and Melisande waiting for her. No one else, as promised. The evening air is biting, but it refreshes the Rider while it chills her sisters. Orwyne is quick to see the change, the opalescent color of Tsin's irises first, then the strange litheness in her frame when they hug. She gives both of them a succinct recounting of her journey, then presents them with several items. The Hyperboreal Robe, a miniature fey crossbow, a mantis eye shard, and the Snowshoes of Northern Pursuit. Every item produced makes her feel like she needs to produce another in support of her wild tales, but she realizes the time draws nigh. Both sisters step in for another pair of hugs. Melisande recognizes the otherness of her once human sister, so disengages from their embrace in a polite window of time. Orwyne the Younger tries desperately to hold onto her older sister. She yelps in surprise, as Tsin slips from the hug like a greased pig. The Rider wiggles her finger, demonstrating her prized Ring, and laughs lightly to ease the furrow in her sister's brow. She exacts only one promise- that they each stay true to themselves. She promises them nothing in return, only whispering a hope that someday, they may once again enjoy each other's company, however fleeting. Tsin does her best not to look back, squeezing her eyes with only the lids, to clear the welling tears. She will not let the witch easily know her sorrow. She steps through Baba Yaga's doorway, and returns to her Mistress in Whitethrone.
"I'm well and truly done here. I hope never to return to your Kurgan, Mistressmine, though I will no doubt comply, should you order it." Tsin begins taking a mental inventory, expecting that they'll still have a moment or two before everyone parts ways, upon their return to Golarion.
You've been a wonderful GM, Ser Michaels. Here's to many more years of gaming accomplishments for you. Paizo should dedicate a wall to GMs who finish APs...
"We could have had a dragon fighting for us, this whole time..?" Tsin shoots Malavarius an imploring look, though she resigns herself to never knowing truly what just occurred before them all.
Rarefied air. Well done, all.
"It feels like Malavarius isn't just remembering something now. I hear a tinge of resignation, but I can't place the whole of it. Is he beseeching Baba Yaga to do something he has been incapable of doing himself? I don't think hats have native languages..."
Tsin finds her gaze pulled inexorably to Malavarius, as the wizard implores Baba Yaga to release Zeno of a heretofore unknown curse. Her question can easily wait, now that there is something much more interesting to witness, in this exchange between Wizard and Witch.
Tsin grits her teeth, then loosens them to let the tongue behind them waggle for a short answer. "Fair enough. You mean to get to business, swiftly. I am slowly remembering Illarion's words, that the Red Rider and the White Rider were also dead..." Tsin reflects for a moment. "What were their names? Red and White?" The new Black Rider understands the need to go slow with questions, to avoid another tongue lashing. Tsin takes no small comfort in learning that she will be part of the decisions to bestow two more Mantles...
Tsin remains quiet, as the Boon of Queen's Right wafts to Pemsworth. She refrains from recalling aloud the girl's father, or the wool pulled over her eyes by the gorynych. The girl's humanity must surely be intact, otherwise Pemsworth would see her as unfit. She marks Whitethrone as Pemsworth's locale, for future reference. She waits to learn what Boons are claimed by the last two. "Perhaps we can retire to the comfort of your Hut elsewhere, Baba Yaga? Unless you've already managed to create Quinn's? A cup of tea might facilitate the exchange of ideas?"
Tsin grimaces as the Crone establishes the accuracy of her cutting insight. She takes the opportunity to retrieve her Figurine, tucking it away, while the others finish their business with Baba Yaga. She tries to keep track as to who really has submitted their requests- she a Rider, Quinn a Tavern-owner... She wonders if Baba Yaga will actually allow Hektir to call in a favor someday, rather than today. She is relieved when Baba Yaga doesn't needlessly fulfill Malavarius's request. That leaves Pemsworth with his Boon, as well. She looks on with interest, expecting that when the business is concluded, the Kurgan will become a distant memory, whisking off to where Baba Yaga desires to be most, at the moment of her release. It is the very thing Tsin holds the most interest in.
Tsin appears about to answer Malavarius, before she bows her head respectfully, and gently nods, saying nothing to her elder. When her head lifts, she turns to Baba Yaga and speaks. "I know that my service has just begun, Mistress-Mine, but I will be honest with you, as always. I know not what the future holds for me, only that it will be a long one, hopefully. I do know that if you ever call on me to raise Sever against any of these men, I will fail to follow that order. I have seen your punishments first hand, so please understand my resolution on this."
"If you won’t even entertain forfeiture of our world, then instead I ask you to ensure that Tsin’s mind remain her own, forever and always, beyond even your ability to magically influence.” Tsin raises an open hand towards Baba Yaga, as Malavarius makes a request of her. "Oh, please don't take that responsibility, master Malavarius. You have a boon to accept, for the magnificent strength you've brought to our efforts. I feel the same for Baba Yaga's Gifting, and whatever influence she will have over me, it will likely remain authoritative, not enthralling. I will of course be in Her service, so I gather She will want me at my fullest wits and senses throughout this next 100 years." The swordswoman's eyes have softened, and she now looks more warmly on the elderly wizard, for his concerns. Call it a witch vigil, old soul. Eyes on Baba Yaga, for at least the next 100 years...
Tsin's brow furrows, as the Crone's fingernail approaches her, but she doesn't lean away. She's endured far worse on this journey, what is one more cut? The swordswoman bids her Shield Guardian come to her side, while turning to Baba Yaga. "This seems a cumbersome thing. Would you be able to turn it into a doll, so I might travel more easily with it? Or must it stay in the Kurgan?"
Tsin watches with no small amount of awe, as the priest's ebullience bursts from his chest, regarding a much tamer version of Baba Yaga's trusty Hut. The swordswoman returns Pems's mutter. "For as long as he's remained an ape, perhaps he's destined to become the alpha of a tribe. If Quinn can harness that curiosity, perhaps some wildlife preserve within his turkey-legged Ale-Hut for folks to gawk at Hektir's Hairy Harem..." Whereas Tsin contemplates fey ascension, she can't for the life of her understand why the beast-man seems to be devolving. Quinn has become something otherworldly, Pems stands taller, and Malavarius the wiser, but Hektir's grunting as both ape and man, well... she won't have to wonder much longer, hopefully. Perhaps he'll be struck by epiphany, and channel the powerful witch's boon into something which will elevate his thinking above both belt and belly.
Very kind words, Mellowgoth. We are the fortunate few, to have come together and enjoyed a story to its end.
Tsin regards Malavarius and his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad hat. "I will do no such thing. My boon is mine to decide. Baba Yaga will answer your questions, or she won't. She may feel honor-bound to offer us rewards for seeing her released, but we needed her to end Elvanna's Winter, and she has done so already." "You said it yourself- there may be no good answer, when you are opposed to Baba Yaga claiming queen's right. If you want to decide who claims the throne, might you ask her to make that your boon? I can't imagine who you'd like to see on the throne."
"You'd do that? Just go back to service again? After all we did to escape? Why? ... Power, got it. Power's well and good, I guess. And you're definitely scary with that sword, Tsin. And you know, without it. You scare me a lot, Tsin. I hope you remember your friends when you're all fey and riding." " Tsin breaks from Baba Yaga's gaze, to address Pems directly. "Everything we did, we did to stop Irrisen from bleeding its winter to all parts of our lands. This... commitment... would be different. There is Perspective to be gained here. Yes, from a place of Power, because therein lies greater influence." Tsin would speak more freely, outside of Baba Yaga's presence, so she holds her tongue for now. She is careful to avoid Malavarius's gaze, while she tries to make up her mind. "Yes, you are welcome to remain as one of my heralds, my true Black Rider. I think I could hardly choose better. You must serve me faithfully 100 years, but you will become truly powerful, beyond your current comprehension. You will be fey, no longer human, with all its frailties. And when your term reaches its end, I will offer you an additional boon, should you serve faithfully." "100 years, but no longer human. Instead, fey." Tsin regards the entirety of the offer, before slowly nodding, then answering. "I accept."
Tsin returns the Crone's glare, wordlessly. Her mind is a mixture of emotions. She is relieved that what needed to be done is done. She is intimidated in the presence of an obscenely powerful witch. She is annoyed that said witch keeps calling her impertinent. She is happy for her companions that they are released from the Mantle. The feeling that continues to thrum between her temples the strongest, however, is dread. Baba Yaga is once again a force to be reckoned with, in this world, and apparently several others, from what she remembers of their Hut travels. She can now come and go as she pleases, choose who she wants to assume the Icecrown of Irrisen... She knows that Elvanna was a blight, but she can not in good faith say that Baba Yaga is any less so. Tsin watches as Baba Yaga turns her back on five witch slayers. When the Crone stills the cauldron, the swordswoman nods appreciatively. When the mirror shatters, she flinches for the suddenness. At the last, Baba Yaga's offer of a Boon brings Tsin's emotions to double, double again, toil and trouble. "This journey has made it impossible for me to return home. We've seen so much." Tsin looks at both Quinn and Pems, and fails to remember what they once looked like. "We are not the same citizens of Heldren." She turns back to Baba Yaga. What is it they say..? Keep your enemies closer..? "Your Black Rider is dead. What would it be like, to be a Rider in your service, post-liberation?"
Tsin watches intently, as the Crone steps from her prison. They just slew one witch, and in her place stands another, more powerful one. Before she considers anything rash, Tsin sheathes Sever in her Baldric. After wiping Elvanna's blood from it, of course. "A journey at an end, then? Having freed you, have we fulfilled our oath to your Black Rider? As Pems says, are we 'free and clear'? Elvanna's treachery is still active, I would guess. What will you do next?"
Tsin jumps at the sound of the wizard's cheer. "It was well-timed, I agree. Surprising how steady she held herself, while cackling. I can only imagine the executioner's job is much easier, for the restraints." From butcher to blackhood, eh?
The moment decelerates abruptly, as Tsin can feel the magic bestowed upon her Sever, by Baba Yaga. Almost as if Sever became... barbed... for the instant it found the witch's neck flesh. There was really only one way it would leave the meat- on the other side. As the body collapses, and the head becomes pacifier for the simian, Tsin shudders. Not in disgust, or fear, but in relief. Here, in the Kurgan of Baba Yaga, the Heldren Five managed to execute a queen. Her mind races over the possible paths they have yet to take. She reigns in those horses as soon as she hears the Crone's Voice. Tsin watches as Pemsworth does as Baba Yaga bids...
Round 8 Status:
AC = 31 PfE + Hasted HP = 153/218 Weapon Equipped = Sever Condition(s) = Mindblank, Protection from Spells, Protection from Evil, Judgment of Purity, Expeditious Retreat, Align Weapon(Good), Hasted, -4 to Saves(2r v 14r)
Tsin regards the witch for a moment, before she renews her attacks. "You've grown overly confident in your magical protections. You've stoned your skin. I've had the luxury before, by my wizard friend's hand. It doesn't last. Will you beg for your life, once we've pierced your protection? Are you mad with power? Or are you that scared of Baba Yaga?" The swordswoman continues several times over to take the witch's head off. She steadies her upper body, and whips Sever back and forth, at neck-level...
Edit:
Round 7 Status:
AC = 31 PfE + Hasted HP = 158/218 Weapon Equipped = Sever Condition(s) = Mindblank, Protection from Spells, Protection from Evil, Judgment of Purity, Expeditious Retreat, Align Weapon(Good), Hasted, -4 to Saves(2r v 14r)
"It speaks." Tsin shakes her head, unnerved by the witch's vocalization. "We are but pawns played against you, Elvanna. We are under an oath to finish what you started, when you began to ice over the world." Tsin fears what's to come next from the witch's throat, so she tries to open it below the chin, so Elvanna will have a much harder time, with Severed vocal chords...
Edit:
Round 6 Status:
AC = 31 PfE + Hasted HP = 158/218 Weapon Equipped = Sever Condition(s) = Mindblank, Protection from Spells, Protection from Evil, Judgment of Purity, Expeditious Retreat, Align Weapon(Good), Hasted Tsin actually yips, as the newly-healed demodand suddenly falls to the floor, a stony form joining the shield guardians down below. "Single-handedly eliminated the demons, master Malavarius. Well done. Excellent work. Is it too much to ask you to do it one more time? Elvanna would make a wonderful statue in this chamber." The swordswoman flicks a glance at the ice witch, wondering if the woman has anything of righteous indignation to share with Baba Yaga's contingent of substitute riders. She shrugs, then descends mid-air in an arc to find Elvanna's flank, getting out of the way of Hektir rushing directly at her. In a lazy swing-like swoop, Tsin takes position on the other side of Elvanna, and begins an exploring slash, to test the woman's magical protections. Only in this moment does it occur to her that Elvanna probably has the same kind of magic as is in her own Ring. She allows a modicum of respect to the only other woman in the room, as a fellow soul who hates unwanted embraces. "Well, Elvanna. Unless you'd like to spend your last moments futilely attempting to summon another demon to your side, amidst all this opposition, would you rather offer your surrender, and let Baba Yaga decide your fate? I thought not."
Tsin watches as her bladework slips away, as the creature is blessed by Elvanna's gift of healing. "Well, I can't fault you for propping up your demon-thing, but you should be feeling the pressure of growing numbers, while yours diminish." Tsin looks around the demodand, dismissively. "Elvanna, usurper would-be queen. It was no honor to meet you. It will be a relief to end your attempted reign, as it means our oath will be fulfilled to your Baba Yaga. Do you have any last words to those who will defeat you?"
Round 5 Status:
AC = 31 PfE + Hasted HP = 158/218 Weapon Equipped = Sever Condition(s) = Mindblank, Protection from Spells, Protection from Evil, Judgment of Purity, Expeditious Retreat, Align Weapon(Good), Hasted, Sickened1r Tsin looks upon her Shield Guardian with a touch of pity, knowing what it feels like to be at the center of that elemental abuse. For the knowledge she inherently knows about the ground-shackled golem, she bids her to cast its magic up at the slimy demodand.
She then bids the living statue to attend her, and move to her side, making room for the second statue to approach, should Quinn so desire. With the Shield Guardian done with its activity, Tsin takes to the air, charging the demodand. With Sever coated in magics against evil things , she feels quite ready to slay it. She still reinforces her strike with the Baldric's blessing of Bane.
Tsin barks, as the cold finally finds her vulnerable. "I suppose your protective magics had their limits. I shouldn't have taken it for granted, master Malavarius. Thank you for dismissing the The swordswoman eyes both demodand and demagogue. She will let the slimy thing decide its fate, as it appears to be on the verge of attacking, again...
Round 4 Status:
AC = 31 PfE + Hasted HP = 218/218 (-116 cold) Weapon Equipped = Sever Condition(s) = Mindblank, Protection from Spells, Protection from Evil, Judgment of Purity, Expeditious Retreat, Align Weapon(Good), Hasted, Sickened2r For the barrage of incoming witherings, Tsin finally shifts her Judgment to something more robust. Tsin encourages the Shield Guardian to exact the same level of punishment against Aqua, making sure to slip into flank with it, first.
"Let's destroy these damned elementals, already! My golem is almost done for, and she's barely lent herself to this battle."
Despite the acid working its way into her throat, Tsin utters a very grateful word of thanks to the priest. "Another serving of elemental fists, and I would have blacked out. The room pulses with animosity. I'm only glad I'll be able to return shortly. I would have slain another elemental, if my muscles hadn't seized up."
Round 3 Status:
AC = 33 PfE + Judgment + Hasted HP = 70/218 (-116 cold) Weapon Equipped = Sever Condition(s) = Mindblank, Protection from Spells, Protection from Evil, Judgment of Protection, Expeditious Retreat, Align Weapon(Good), Hasted, Shaken1r, Sickened3r, Staggered1r Tsin points to Aqua, and commands her Shield Guardian to attack it swiftly.
While she girds her loins against the rest of the room, her will and her constitution are put to the test, rigorously.
She fails to withstand the barrage of cold blows, so moves from the chamber, defeated. When she passes any of the skulkers in the fog, she simply growls at them...
Round 2 Status:
AC = 32 PfE + Judgment HP = 218/218 (-56hp/-32cold) Weapon Equipped = Sever Condition(s) = Protection from Spells, Protection from Evil, Judgment of Protection, Expeditious Retreat, Align Weapon(Good) Tsin actually smiles as one of the demodands disappears, while one of the elementals shatters away to threaten no more. "Well done, master Malavarius. There is a way forward now, a couple of elementals still stand, one slimy thing, and of course, Elvanna herself. If you gentlemen care to enter..?" It's more than a little intimidating being the only focus in the room, especially with Elvanna standing right there. With the green fog separating her from the others, at least temporarily, Tsin considers Baba Yaga's words, regarding the stone golems. She takes the crone up on the offer, selecting the more finely crafted golem as her guardian to stand against Elvanna. "If you would be so kind, please attack the ice witch Elvanna with everything you've got." Stone Golem Attacks, if possible this round:
With that in motion, Tsin 5' steps closer to Purple, and throws Sever wide, hoping to reduce the antagonists before her by one. She applies a touch of Bane in her single swing, trying to make it count.
"Mal, please be so kind as to destroy something outright, in there."
Round 1 Status:
AC = 32 PfE + Judgment HP = 218/218 Weapon Equipped = Sever Condition(s) = Protection from Spells, Protection from Evil, Judgment of Protection, Expeditious Retreat, Align Weapon(Good) Tsin watches around the backside of the triceratops, thrilled to no end that there is no easy path into the heart of Baba Yaga's Kurgan. Certainly no easy path to the side of Elvanna, sitting well-guarded at the back of the pack. She wriggles her way into the room, shooting for a spot in front of Blue, using the dinosaur to the best of her strategic ability to avoid unnecessary slams from either Blue or Purple . She whispers to Pharasma, possibly one last time before the events here unfold to their completion. She lays into Blue, hoping to make room for the others.
Tsin reties her braid, making sure she'll have no mundane reason to complain, should her vision become as obstructed as Quinn is promising for the fog of door. She checks each weapon for ease of access, keeping Sever front and center. She petitions Pharasma for a little magical acceleration. She also tinges Sever with more magic, in case she needs a weapon capable of flensing evil skin. She brings her Spell Resistance up , fully expecting a face-full of offensive magics to greet them as they pass through the doorway. "I'll bear left. We shouldn't give them ourselves as a gaggle, if we can help it."
"What do you say, Quinn? One last time, pressing your palms to the doors, and informing us of what lies beyond? Unless the wise Baba Yaga cares to elaborate on the nestles of her Kurgan? That's a pretty impressive set of doors. I imagine it's not long before we're crossing swords with Elvanna..." Tsin turns to the others. "Are we ready, then? I mean, really ready? This might be Rasputin, all over again. If we can strike her down swiftly, whatever obstacles she might still have between us should fall. Do we accept surrender, should she beg? I'd like not to, of course, but we should consider all options."
Tsin wipes the greatsword on the wendigo's neck fur, before sheathing, and walking briskly back to retrieve Sever. She doesn't speak on the recent unnerving experience, a howl capable of disarming her in panic. She returns to Quinn's side, hoping the claw marks are able to speak to her injuries, and the healing will commence. "I suppose we'll be left unmolested in the wendigo's lair? The thing is intimidating enough to chase other guardians off to their respective corners of this kurgan." She expects the priest and ape to investigate, for their keen eyes.
Round 6, Init 14 Status:
AC = 30 PfE HP = 118/218 (2 Cold Resistance) Weapon Equipped = +1 Greatsword Condition(s) = Protection from Spells, Witch's Charge, Protection from Evil, Shaken
Tsin continues to bleed and freeze, so lashes out, praying to Pharasma that the gorilla does his level best on the other side of the wendigo. They have the numbers, but the creature is something wholly unholy, so who knows, really. She senses a bitter irony in the making, should they fall to this guardian, so close to their final goal. Her fear forces her to steady her swings, making them less powerful.
"Where in the hells is Mal?! This thing should be stone already..."
Round 5, Init 14 Status:
AC = 30 PfE HP = 189/218 Weapon Equipped = +1 Greatsword Condition(s) = Protection from Spells, Witch's Charge, Blessing of Fervor, Protection from Evil, Shaken "Thank you, Quinn. This is a much better position."
Finding herself in flank against the wendigo, Tsin still feels a pulling sensation. A desire to retreat, and secure her true weapon. Only for its true strength, not because the monstrosity before her still causes her doubt of her martial skill. She corrects her swing, the greatsword feeling awkward in her two hands, placing the tip of the weapon in tighter arc.
Round 4, Init 14 Status:
AC = 30 PfE HP = 189/218 Weapon Equipped = +1 Greatsword Condition(s) = Protection from Spells, Witch's Charge, Blessing of Fervor, Protection from Evil, Shaken With the large ape in front of her, Tsin debates her next steps. She can easily slip through the hairy legs, and take a stab at the wendigo with her lunge technique, but she also wonders what she might do from the other side of the beasts. "Quinn, do you think you could help me retrieve Sever, so I might hack this thing down from the other side of it? I understand if that's not possible at the moment, but I'm doing my best to strategize." If Quinn has other plans:
Tsin moves up to 10' away, and lunges once.
If Quinn whisks her back down the corridor: She takes the time to sheathe the greatsword, and pick up Sever, ready to return to the fight from the other side.
Round 3, Init 14 Status:
AC = 30 PfE HP = 189/218 Weapon Equipped = +1 Greatsword Condition(s) = Protection from Spells, Witch's Charge, Blessing of Fervor, Protection from Evil Tsin does the same, returning to the fight by foot, though she's mildly out of breath from all the running. She stops just 10' away from the howler, should the tunnel permit a columnar front line. The swordswoman now wields a greatsword, in place of discarded Sever.
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