Search Posts
Valeria watched in horror as Triphylla go down and didn't even listen to Lope as she rushed in to heal the insane halfling and then did it again.
"Was that the last of this place? If not I will get out the wand and try to get us all healed up," she said.
For a moment she thought their ruse would work, but it did not last long enough as the ball of lightning was sent at them. It was only the tingling on the back of her neck that gave her the warning she needed. If she was in the full plate she had worn as a paladin she would not have been anywhere near so lucky, fortunately she wore far less armor than she did back then. Her follow-up of a prayer to hold one of the cultists in place came to fruition and worked! Seeing the bands hold him still, she felt she was the best contribution she could have made for the time being. She did move though, clearing up more space so they wouldn't be quite so clustered together.
The dwarf was grumpy and ugly, but that wasn't necessarily her fault. When Lope led the way back out, Valeria went with him without comment. She didn't exactly like leaving a poison mixer to go elsewhere and ply her trade, but she wasn't going to fight the dwarf alone and the less they noise they made the better. Instead she followed along and readied to enter the next door once they went in.
The girl gives Valeria a curious look which softens after a moment, she replies "I believe you do know, something terrible happened to you didn't it..." The haunted look in Valeria's eyes was all it took to respond as she shuddered and had to swallow down the panic as the memories washed over her for a moment. Finally, she simply said, "Yes, I do." Valeria did not want to leave this woman locked up, she couldn't accept that idea at all, they needed to get her free of this place one way or another. When she saw Cassaranda stand up and wince as she was let out Valeria cast a prayer and gave the woman a hug as she discharged a dull golden light into the former captive's body.
"There, that should help," Valeria said, before leaning in close and whispering something softly into Cassandra's ear. Cassaranda:
"We should talk when this is over, I think it would be good for both of us to talk." As they prepared to storm Huddrigga's chamber Valeria readied herself for the fight at hand and awaited the opening of the door.
Sorry for the delay, a post is incoming after work today.
Having successfully made it past the golem and the wererats so they could get to the woman Valeria watched and realized that Lope didn't seem to be handling the woman's situation very well and Valeria worried that he would do more to upset her and make her less cooperative. After a few moment Valeria approached and said, "You may not believe that we are here to help but I promise that we are. I know all too well what it is like to be captured and at another's mercy but we need your help to make sure this will not happen to anyone else." She gave the woman a pleading look, one filled with the haunting memories from her own experiences, and hoped that she could help get the information that they needed.
Wow, I was actually a level behind too! X_X Lvl 8 +1 Cha HP +8 BAB +6+1 Will +1 Skills +4 +1 int +1 human +1 fav class acrobatics +13=+2+8+3
BG Skills
Spells
4th
Lvl 9 HP +8 +1 F/R Skills
BG Skills
Feats reach Spell Spells/d +1 3rd/4th Spells Known
Crap, I knew I should have checked in sooner. I will get the level up done ASAP, won't be until at least this evening though.
"That sounds like the best option for us, under the circumstance, trickery is the better option." Valeria smiled and added, "My goddess would approve." With their plan to get past the construct Valeria activated the hat to disguise herself as a cultist and, with everyone ready to go, took her place int he line and hoped the ruse worked.
getting a post up today
Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not unwilling to keep going or even asking for it to end, I just don't recall which book we were even on any more and what teh last one was going to be.
As they began their exploration of the building Valeria found herself largely spacing out. So much had happened so quickly to them, so many people she was connected to leaving for other things, it had worn her down. She had kind if just going through the motions at the moment, following along in the footsteps of the others as her depression at people she was connecting with had abandoned her again. Of course they hadn't abandoned Valeria, not really, but it sure felt like it to her presently. She instead tried focus more on what was going on ahead of them as she made took count of her gear, making sure she was ready for the inevitable trouble they were going to eventually run into down here.
Sorry I've kind of pooffed on you all. I haven't disappeared entirely I've just had troubles keeping up with this game for a while. Too many PCs with ties to mine that have pooffed on us off and on has taken its toll on my continued motivation. As I recall we are fairly close to the end of what we are running aren't we? I know we weren't doing the whole series of books, but I wasn't quite sure where we are in relation to how far we are going to go. I plan to try and get a post up today.
With the fighting over and everyone on their side still standing, if battered, Valeria listened as they discussed things with each other and the authorities when they arrived. The invitation to dinner was welcome and the bath even more so. "I look forward to dinner, almost as much as the bath right now. Later I am sure that will be the other way around but for now I agree, let us leave and get to baths immediately."
Yes, I do exist
Their transportation across the moonlight bridges was quite exciting, she hadn't been able to do something like that before and it was definitely different. She kind of wished she could have done it at night but maybe she would have the chance in the future. Eventually they reached the fighting ahead and Valeria saw their target plus an animated suit of armor fighting her companions. She cast a quick prayer before casting a second one that wreathed her hand in dark energy. With that done she quickly moved, puling her dagger as she went and touched the noble in an attempt to curse him.
Valeria was a bit surprised at how easily they caught up to their quarry, only for him to slip through their fingers. Fortunately, Dianna could get some of them to where he went and the rest would have to follow on foot. "I might be able to speed our way for the rest of us. How many streets over and how far our destination is?"
Valeria was relieved they had made it out alive and even happier they had gotten what they needed. It could have gone very badly but they had successfully made it out of the camp and back to town. The absence of Dianna had been worrisome but it seemed she was back and none the worse for wear so that was a relief. When they finally went to Meet with the council Valeria wore one of her nicer outfits since this was such an important meeting but while she was there she stayed quiet and let Lope do the talking and, as usual, he seemed to be doing a thorough job so she had little reason but to let him talk for now. Instead, she kept a careful eye on those gathered watching for anyone who seemed like they might be a traitor.
While the searching was done Valeria went to St John and began to heal him before he started grabbing documents to take.
Once he was in good shape she looked to the others, "Did anyone else need healed before we leave? If not, we should go before the storm passes."
Valeria was relieved they had all survived the vicious fight but felt sorry for the ram at the end. The creature seemed unable to understand what had just happened to it's mistress and she wished they could have spared it. The creature was unwilling to back down though and so it was killed. While the others looted the body and room, she worked to pull the animal next to the remains of their owner and said a prayer over them asking the Redeemer Queen to give the woman and her faithful ram a chance at redemption in the afterlife if she could. With that done she looked to the others and said, "We should hurry and get out of here while we can if we have what we need. Worst comes to worst we take everything we can carry and examine the contents later."
Valeria moved to the door as she aimed with dignity's barb at the ram and lightly pulled the trigger.
"I agree," Valeria said, "Tangling with a dragon would be something to avoid, especially when we have so many enemies around to join the fight if we are heard."
With the obvious need get everyone healed up for the next part of this fight Valeria pulled out the healing wand she kept forgetting she had and started using it starting with Lope.
She then turned to Estini and did the same thing.
Then Valeria used the wand on St John to finish the healing off.
With that done she put the wand away and aid, "There, that should do it."
I'll work on healing everyone but I need to know what everyone is at first.
With the last of the attackers surrendering and begging for mercy Valeria relaxed slightly, though she still kept an eye out for any further trouble as they questioned him. That she wasn't talking left her more free to observe the man's reactions to the conversation as well.
I will be off at Gencon starting 7-30 until 8/4.
Valeria shifted to a defensive stance with one of the bandits so close to her and cast a spell defensively calling on negative energy to use against her foe. She managed to complete the spell without giving him the chance to attack and reached out to touch him with the energy of anti-life before stepping back from him.
With the fight on Valeria made her way a little closer, pulling her crossbow as she did, and cast a spell on the big, furry, cat that was attacking them. She pressed a compulsion into it's mind that generated a murderous rage towards one of the nearby bandits.
Valeria stayed back with Lope and John while Tryphilla and Estini snuck forward. She kept her eyes opened and saw when the smoke appeared.
She didn't think much of the smoke at first, there was a camp they were sneaking up on after, but the something still seemed worrisome about it.
The smoke continued to appear but she thought nothing further of it, probably just some very green wood being burned or some idiot set something on fire. Nothing to be concerned about. She didn't somment as the suggestion was made to move to the left, she simply prepared to do exactly that while she had her crossbow at the ready.
Valeria was glad to see the souls released from the spell and found the new situation to be an intriguing turn, one that might work out very nicely. She had no objection to the plan and followed along when they were on their way to their next destination. As they discussed their plans on how to go after the Taldan Horse Valeria nodded her agreement at a stealth approach and said, "That makes the most sense to me." She looked at the valley thoughtfully and asked, "How far down do you think it is from the top of the ridge to the buildings? I might be able to create a means to quickly get us back out of there if we get caught."
Valeria watched as they questioned the dead and tried to get useable information out of them. As she expected they resisted the questioning, trying to answer with half-truths and evasions, she didn't know just what the Gran Uncle was, but she did realize they were holding something back.
The magic was working as it should, and they were getting answers and fortunately someone knew what the Grand Uncle was. An aasimar woman in a bower? She wasn't quite sure what that meant but it was intriguing. She finally spoke up and said, "When they spoke of the Gran Uncle there was something they were holding back from us but are otherwise telling the truth."
Valeria slept unwell again that night, the craving for the more of the euphoric feel of that damnable mist bringing old addictions clawing at her mind. It wasn't until she felt a familiar presence in her sleep that she calmed down enough to rest. Had she been conscious enough to recognize the feeling she would have recognized the presence of Kassi, one of her former tormenters who turned on the harem when the Redeemer Queen rose from the Abyss and rescued her. After that presence Valeria managed to sleep fairly well, whether Kassi was really there or not Valeria was unlikely to ever know. The next morning Valeria woke and felt more refreshed than she would have expected and there may have been the faint smell of someone familiar in the room. Valeria quickly shook the feeling off and decided it was just her imagination. Breakfast was good and when they reached the interrogation of the would-be assassins remains Valeria kept quiet for the time to let the questions be asked.
Valeria was relieved the Enmarator was able to cast a spell to protect himself. Even better they had managed to take out the assassins in short order and they all came through relatively unscathed. As the priest expressed his gratitude Valeria said, "I am pleased a servant of the Redeemer Queen could be of aid to you." As the Enmarator began to tell of the prophecy Valeria listened with interest. True prophecies were so incredibly rare and one connected to the fall of Aroden was very concerning. Just who was this Twilight Child and the Immaculate Circle anyway?
Valeria had been very out of sorts since the worship ceremony at the theatre. The strange mist had gotten to her and triggered things she did not want to repeat as her mind started craving things she had once been forcibly addicted to. It left her listless and lacking in any real ability to interact with the others the rest of the day. When nighttime came and she prepared to pray her drawing that night was one of the darkest she had made recently. Hungry mouths trying to reach a person suspended above them, tongues reaching, stretching, trying to grasp the figure and drag her down so they could devour her. Eventually she was done, and Valeria went to what she expected would be a very poor sleep. The next morning Valeria found that her sleep had been dreamless, much to her surprise. The only thing that Valeria could think of was that her art had helped channel those prayers to the Redeemer Queen and that she had sheltered her servant from the nightmares that she should have had. She was still rather listless and not focusing well but she was doing better than before. ____ When they met with Chief Enumerator things seemed to be going well. At least they had been right up until there was the steely rasp of blades and the Chief Enumerator suddenly sprouted blades from his chest. With a sudden fight beginning Valeria knew she had little time. Not even waiting for someone to tell her she cast a spell, her hands coated in golden light, and was already moving towards the Chief Enumerator, right into range of the assassins. The light channeled down to her foot as she stopped next to the priest and her foot reached out to touch him, discharging the golden light into his body in an attempt to heal him.
Valeria was still enjoying the last dregs of the euphoria of the mist but her head began to clear enough to let her think. Several things began to come together as her mind cleared, little things she had noticed during the ceremony but had been unable to process at the time. When she finally put it together she knew something was wrong about the reborn prince but she was not sure what it was. The last of the mist finally wore off and Valeria whimpered at the loss of the feeling. After several minutes to collect herself she finally rose and began to approach the others. Once they were away from anyone to overhear her she said, "Something is wrong with the reborn prince. I don't know what but something."
Valeria felt the golden mist fall and began to feel...uplifted, connected with those around her, and she did not register why this all felt so wrong. Valeria had even begun to bow her head in prayer to join in paying reverence but when she heard Lope say quietly they were being drugged by the mist Valeria felt a new feeling wash through her body, fear at being caught in the snare. Valeria was not unfamiliar with being drugged, those dark times in the succubi's harem had resulted in that happening many times, and now that she was aware of it, she could feel the wrongness of the drug even as it felt so right. This, above all they had dealt with in this city, was the first thing to really, truly, scare her. She vaguely remembered when she was cleansed of the drugs after getting free, but she knew it was not a pleasant time, and she did not want to do it again. Unfortunately, she was having trouble resisting the call of letting the drug have it's way and found she lacked the will to try and shake it off. Despite the fact that most under the affects of the mist were getting involved in the ceremony Valeria did not. Instead she sat there, somewhat listlessly, enjoying the euphoric high of the mist. She was still sitting there, not really paying attention to what Lope and Tryphylla said, she just wanted the high to continue.
Valeria was surprised when the woman popped out of the shrubbery and went on her guard, though she drew no weapons. Fortunately, they seemed to be doing alright talking to her until she got spooked and thought they were sent by Straubel. On the upside they managed to calm her down enough to keep listening when she asked where Sir Dratavis was. Valeria stepped slightly forward as she said, "He did not come with us, not right away, but he does intend to catch up, but he did not say exactly when or where. The last we saw him he was safe."
Valeria was content to stay towards the middle of the pack as they proceeded while she kept her eyes open. If there was a dryad, she rather wanted to meet it.
"I see it too," she said when the trap was pointed out, "I think that we can avoid it if we go over that way," she pointed to the side away from the trip wire, "a short distance and then cut back over."
Valeria had been rather quiet through everything that had happened after the fight. She felt inadequate that she couldn't restore Trip and it left her sullen out feeling guilty for her failure. Fortunately, they were able to get a means to restore Trip and one other, at least for now, and between that and the sight of Terrance's sketching the scene it was enough to start bringing Valeria back to her senses. She approached Terrance and looked over his shoulder at his sketch and assessed it. He seemed decent at least, though it was hard to tell from the brief sketch he had made so far. "Not bad," she said, "do you enjoy drawing?" She tried to strike up a conversation with him about technique to gauge his skills as something to talk about to try and draw herself out of her funk. After a bit more discussion it seemed they had their next goal and were ready to get moving. Valeria looked to Trip and said, "If you need help, stay close and I will help you until you get fully loosened up again." Her gaze shifted off towards the status and then she added,"I think I need to gain access to the spell from those scrolls so we can finish reviving everyone from the Medusas gaze." She squared her shoulders and then added, "If I want to do that I need to get stronger, I agree that we should push on."
Sorry I've been lacking in posts, it's been a rough couple of weeks at work and since a lot of my posting is done from there I've been lagging behind. I hope to get caught up this weekend.
Yeah, the linked explanation explains it really well. Flesh to stone seems to be the only viable way, I think.
The medusa died quickly but the damage had already been done. Valeria knew she had no way to free their companion from her stone prison and said, "I can't cast any of those spells either. I agree that we need to free her quickly, and the rest of these people as well."
Valeria didn't know what the woman was when her form changed like it did, but she knew she didn't like it. Given she thought this person was a mage of some kind since she seemed responsible for all these stoned people Valeria did not want her to be able to cast anything reliably. She cast up a prayer to her goddess and called upon Nocticula to curse their foe's tongue to fumble when she cast spells. Her spell on the way Valeria stepped back and prepared for a fight.
Valeria's eyes widened as she realized what seemed to be happening and said quickly, "Diana, she's making you part of the display before turning you to stone!!!"
Valeria was shocked at what she saw when they entered the chamber with all the statues. While the work was dark and morbid it was exquisitely done! They were so life-like that she thought they might move any moment. The revelation of what the scene before them had surprised her but what really worried her was the fact of who these statues likely were. That was bad, very bad! When the teenage girl popped up Valeria was instantly suspicious, though that eased somewhat when the girl started to talk. "The scene is indeed very well done miss, I can feel the tragedy oozing from it, even if it is incomplete still." She looked at the girl as she gestured for Diana to take the hand of one statue and asked, "Who did this? As an artist myself I would love to meet them!"
Valeria gracefully accepted the ring from the box and her eyes opened wide at the sight, especially when she realized that it was more than meets the eye based off of the reactions of Lope and Diana. She decided she would ask them what it did later on and instead curtsied gracefully as she said, "Thank you for such a gracious gift." Not long after their meeting with the council was over and they left to discuss their next steps. The discussion of what to do next seemed quite quick and easy and they were all largely in agreement. Once they headed out Valeria followed along with the group. It seemed that John knew the way, or at least thought he did, and so she was content to place her trust in him for now.
As they finished exploring the building, looking for any other useful information, Valeria kept her peace as she went along with her companions. When it came time get back down to the ground floor she had everyone wait and she conjured a bridge of what looked like moonlight made solid for them to walk down. It was far safer than trying to go down the precarious rubble pile again. She left the bridge in place as they finished looking around and dismissed it entirely before they left. ____ While Valeria's sleep was not as plagued with nightmares as it usually was it still wasn't completely clear. Despite the occasional start from her usual nightmares, she slept rather well and readied herself for the council meeting the next morning. When they arrived, Valeria let Lope do the talking, he was much more eloquent than she was, and it seemed like the best solution until she had some reason interrupt him.
Valeria was glad to see the blue b$+~$ fall but looked at everyone in concern. Given they were not pressed for time now she said, "The creature was a div, a corrupted genie that was consigned to Abbadon. This kind is similar to succubi in that she employs seduction and dreams to entice her victims, to tear apart lovers, foment obsessions, and tempt people into her embrace to spread disease. Any of you who touched her need to be checked by someone more knowledgeable of illness that myself to make sure you are clean of any diseases she might have been carrying," she looked at Rhundle specifically and added, "especially you sir." Valeria looked at the remains of the Pairakas and shuddered at the old memory surfacing again before she looked away. "Getting cleaned up is also very high on the list of things to do as is reporting to the council. I think we should get to it quickly." Organized Play Characters
|
Hickory
Zing
Dix Dixson
Fidget Farstrider
Brother Blooz
Emancip8
ZoomZoom
Trixtrillion
Quint Quaff
Dapperel
Zed X
Max Smart
Eliza Sotashin