With her light crossbow now in hand, Verona answered Emerik's question. "Da, I can, but I fear they will not listen to whatever, I say. The goblins of Ustalav were vicious and vile, and nothing has shown me that they are all that different in Varisia, but..." she hesitated not sure if it was even a good idea to potentially antagonize with her words.
Eventually, though, Verona made her decision and belted out a guttural cry in goblin that was hopefully loud enough that even the goblins would here it from afar. "Tso rau peb. Koj yuav pom tsis pom qhov ci iab ntawm no. Tsuas yog kev tuag!"
Whoops! Made my comment at the last second, I guess :)
At Gherix's introduction, Verona waves somewhat awkwardly at the old man. She had seen Magnus once or twice in Sandpoint, and though she could not claim to know him well, he seemed to be a decent man whose own eccentricity made Verona feel less strange herself. However, when Gherix mentions his dancing she frowns lightly. "Dancing can be effective exercise for old individuals but the strain of elaborate movement has been known to cause significant strain on the body and possibly lead to musculoskeletal injuries if overly indulged," she says clinically, doing so not out of indifference to the old man's possible plight but out nature. Bedside manner had never really been Verona's strong suite when it came to her medical practice.
The healer was on the verge of going over an exhaustive list of possible musculoskeletal injuries Magnus could suffer if he didn't take proper care of his dancing habit when several things distracted her in quick succession. First, was Seamus, who's mention of Hannah and his trip to the clinic quickly jogged the witch's memory. "Da, I remember you now. Sorry that I forgot your face. Hannah and I have some many patients that its sometimes hard to remember of them all," she says sheepishly. Verona could completely memorize a thousand page tome on herbology or medicine but names and faces could sometimes be the bane of her. It was one of many things that she hoped she'd get better at doing with time.
Putting that guilt aside, Verona was on the verge of asking if the girl was outright or was suffering any lingering issues when the call of 'Goblin' slammed into her ears.
Immediately, the healer went for her healing kit and spell bag, with her crossbow not far out of reach either. "They won't attack us so far away and with us being so many, but if they come about I can speak if their tongue if needed." Verona may have been young, but wasn't naïve either. Even knowing the goblin language she doubted that she of all people would be able to negotiate with the little green devils. Still, if things did come to that she hoped that bloodshed would not be necessary to ward them off. After all, she was a healer, and even goblins weren't except from her preference for mending over rending, though she had her limits.
Verona went back and forth on whether it was a good idea for her to join the . She had brought her own provisions for the journey back to Sandpoint, but that didn't mean she had to eat it alone. Of course, another part of her wasn't exactly comfortable with being near strangers and wanted nothing than to be alone with her thoughts.
In the end, whatever passed as Verona's sociable side won out. "Hello, my name is Verona. Verona of the Wilds. May I join you all?" She greets somewhat awkwardly to the lunch havers before her mismatched eyes landed on the one person in the group she recognized from before, Gherix. "And hello to you again."
Verona wished the unfolding tournament between the caravan goers with nervous distress. She never could understand why people would engage in such duels for fun, but she did not intervene. The last time she had done that she had made a great big mess of things when she tried to stop two of Sandpoint's town guards from in engaging in a friendly sparring match. Even still, her hands were in her herbalist kit just in case some of her healing was needed.
@Euan: FYI, I swapped out one of traits. Resilient has been replaced with Poverty-Stricken since I figured a woods witch should probably know how to rough in the worlds lol.
RP:
A shadow ran across Verona's already pale face as she heard Gherix ask her question. A part of her knew that the question was likely innocuous. Indeed, many of the people of Sandpoint - the ones that were brave enough to ask the strange Ustalav - had asked her the question before. Still, even after all of those asks, such inquiries managed to still make her nervous and tight-lipped.
"I did not, no," she finally says quietly, her eyes looking off for a moment. "Forgive me, you seem kind, but... I do not vish to speak of it. Just know that I've been in Vandspoint for a few months time now as an apprentice to the local healer there, Miss. Velerin." Uncontrollably, Verona began to blush at thought of the elven healer, her cheeks turning a light shade of rosy red. "She has been very kind to me and taught me much. Perhaps she can teach you some things as vell if your villing to visit us at our clinic in town? She knows much about the healing arts and maybe even about Thassilon."
Verona looked to her fellow witch with mild confusion before she she realized that she had been calling her by a different name. "Ronnie? Oh, you mean me, da?" The wood witch never could understand point of nicknames. Why bother call something by the wrong name when you already know their true one? It didn't make any sense to her, but her mother always taught to be understanding of the ways of strangers, so Verona went with anyway.
"Da, I would like to learn of the Thassilonian and their ruins if you know of them. I know very little of their brand of magics for I was taught by my mama the old ways of the wood witches of Ustalav. Our magics are deprived from understanding the bounty of the wilds and discovering and combining the hidden powers of herbs and plants. The Thassilonians were different though, da? Their was bond through runes and glyphs as I understand it." Even as the witch said the words they felt strange to her tongue. Such magic seemed so... artificial and lifeless. Even still, it didn't much impact her desire to learn more about the subject despite its alienness. Indeed, a part of her wondered if that feeling of strangeness would dissipate once she learned more. She certainly hoped so.
Verona's race has been changed from changeling to human and she should be all good for play now.
RP:
When the elf Tiasar came on the scene and started mentioning the utility of celestial blood in healing spells, Verona's mind was overtaken by the new idea. Indeed, she was so distracted by the new theories that were running wild in her head that she outright started to ignore what everyone else was saying for a while, instead quietly mumbling to herself various possibilities when it came to effectiveness of celestial blood in both arcane magic and alchemical creations and whether angel blood would be more powerful than azata or archon plasma.
That morbid little internal discussion would only come to an end when a new one came about to replace it. "Thassilonian?" she asked, turning her head to see who had mentioned the ancient civilization. "I have heard of them before in Sandpoint and other places in Varisia. A great civilization of arcane scholars, da? I am not a historian but if anyone knows of zeir magics I would be happy to learn and grow."
Verona looked at the apple inquisitively as if it held some mysterious power within. In a way it did. "Apples are an excellent source of nutrients and can help in the easing of diarrhea, constipation, even some cancers," she explained clinically, as if it was the most normal thing to say in the world. She really couldn't help herself when it came to such things. It was just how she was.
Seeing that Rastaf was still waiting for an answer, she finally took the apple and stored it in her satchel. "Da. I want one. Thank you, sir cleric."
Though her mind was still listing all the health benefits of regular apple consumption, Verona did not fail to notice Gheri's admittance of her arcane capabilities. Verona turned to the woman and looked her over as if she was a mystery in need solving. Forgetting to even introduce herself, the witch proceeded to bombard Gheri with questions. "You use ze arcane to heal as well? So do I. Tell me, how did you come into your power? Ve're you taught it? I vas. Do you have a familiar? I do. He's a frog. What's your opinion physical materials when it comes to healing spells? Most don't require them, but I wonder if unicorn blood could amplify their effectiveness?"
Verona would be considered eerily beautiful if not for her utter disinterest in flaunting her appearance. As is, her raven-black hair is an unruly mane of wavy curls that falls down past her shoulders. Like many changelings, she is naturally pale-skinned and is both parts tall and slender. The common changeling trait of heterochromia marks her as well, with her left eye being an emerald green and her right a deep blue. Given her rustic upbringing, she is used to wearing practical clothing: usually kirtles, tunics and cloaks made out of durable materials. Though not picky, she tends to favor black over other colors.
Brief Background and Crunch:
I present for consideration of this fine RotR recruitment, Verona of the Wilds. She's a Changeling Witch I made for a previous RotR game on these forums that unfortunately came to an end, but I believe she'll be a good fit here as well. Her more detailed backstory can be found in her alias page, but I will briefly mention that she's a relatively new inhabitant of Sandpoint who fled from her homeland of Ustalav after she had a dramatic run-in with her hag mother that ended with her adopted mother dead. Currently, she's serving as Hannah Velerin's apprentice in herbology and medicine, which is more or less what one would know about her if they successfully make a successful Knowledge (Local) 15 check. They'd also know she's a changeling from Ustalav, but not the circumstances that lead her to leave home, though, I mention there's a couple unflattering and fear-mongering rumors surrounding the creepy changeling witch who dabbles in alchemy and poison.
Mechanically, she was designed to be an arcane healer and a good debuffer when required. I will have to modify her sheet a little in regard to adding a third trait, upping her to 20 point buy, using spending that extra 200 gold, and maybe changing some other things around, but all in all, much of her stuff is good to go when it comes to her mechanical concept.
Verona was cleaning a vial as her mind wandered. The changeling was dressed comfortable for the upcoming autumn, a snug kirtle and a warm cloak around her back. Said cloak made all the difference when a cold rain came upon the caravan on the first day. Others had not been so wise and had dressed thinly as if summer would never end. Hence the reason why she had just finished attending to a wet-nosed child that had been sneezing up a storm since the day began.
She was nervous in truth. Not because of the boy. He'd be fine once he got more rest. No, it was the trip itself that made her so. She had gone to Magnimar to buy some herbs Hannah wanted that could not be found in her garden or the nearby wilds of Sandpoint. It was mostly uneventful trip, but the act had filled her with apprehension regardless. After all, being around strangers was still a relatively new thing for her, let alone going to a whole city with so many of them. Even so, a part of still relished seeing some many interesting new people. After all, Magnimar was a great city, filled with diverse peoples from across Varisia and beyond. A changeling such as herself was downright ordinary in such a place.
The caravan was little different in that way. Indeed, when the herbalist was done with putting away her medical equipment, she spied a large yet jovial seeming half-orc chat with a nearby dwarf. Such a thing was rather innocuous, but Verona's mismatched eyes saw that the half-orc had the look of a cleric of Sarenrae, the goddess of healing.
Curious about the man, and hopeful that he was another healer like herself, Verona forced herself to walk over to him and his companion and asked as if he was, doing so in her thick Ustalav accent. "Hello, good sir. My name is Verona. Verona of the Wilds. Did I hear you correct? A Sarenite you are? Coming to Sandpoint for the festival, da? Tell me, are you a healer as vell?"
Verona span her Pharasmite pendant nervously as she ruminated on what question she wanted to ask Mvashti. Would she ask a question about the town's mysterious enemies or her own? In the end, the thought of Hannah made her choose the former.
Harrowing Question:
"Vat do the goblins vant vith Ezakien Tobyn's bones?"
Hmm. Same here. Not much that I think would be particularly useful beyond maybe the smokestick. Of course, if anyone does want it I'm fine with not having it.
At first, Verona had been too distracted to listen to the others conversation about what to do next. She had been looking through the various alchemical concoctions that the goblins had, surprised at their potency and diversity.
Talk of going to the fortune-teller, though, quickly brought her out of her gawking. She still hadn't warmed to the idea of going to Madame Mvashti, but Verona wagered that it beat randomly talking to Sandpoint's natives for clues. "Sonas is correct. Vomething is amiss here and Madame Mvashti may be able to guide us to it," she says touching her Pharasmite necklace.
With the last goblin slain and their combat over, Verona immediately went about doing her iatrical duty. In a tone that would have come across as deadpan if not for the fact that Verona, as always, was completely, the healer told the ninja about his injuries. "You're leg has vuffered a vevere laceration, Daiki. Again. But..." the witch put a hand just above the red wound on the ninja's leg and began to concentrate.
Healing Hex:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
In no time at the leg wound was completely sealed and mended, as if it had never been there. "... I've been able to repair the damage."
With that done, the witch stood back up and scanned beach. She was the one that lead them here. In that sense she was partial responsible for the ambush, at in her mind. To not find anything of note beyond murderous goblins did not set well for her at all.
Not wanting to give the sole remaining goblin a chance to unleash out in some desperate attempt to escape a battle was now decidedly in their favor, Verona moved forward into range and weaved a stupefying enchantment spell.
Move Action: Moving about 25 ft. directly south. Standard Action: Casting Daze on Goblin 2. DC 13 vs. Will.
With Kano mostly mended Verona set her now steely eyes at the goblins in front of her. Singling out the one that looked to be the force's leader, Verona gave the gecko-rider an uncharacteristically hateful glare that's venom was boosted with subtle magic.
Standard Action: Evil Eye on Goblin O. DC 14 vs. Will. -2 to AC. It lasts 6 rounds if he fails and only 1 if he makes it.
Seeing the newly opened gap between her and Kano, Verona rushed to reach the wounded warrior's side. Fixing a hand to the tall woman's shoulder, the witch focused her mind on magical re-kniting Kano's torn flesh.
Move Action: Getting into Touch range with Kano from behind. Standard Action: Using Healing Hex on Kano.
Healing Hex:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Healing Hex can't be used on Kano again for 24 hours.
Even though Verona had helped direct the group to Junk Beach she had been distracted, her mind else where. She was going better at it, but Verona's mind couldn't help but go over all the diseases she knew of that were caused by poor sanitation as they went to the local junkyard.
Under her breath she muttered the all ways one would contract lockjaw in such a place. Perhaps that's why she didn't notice the goblins on the beach until she heard Filona's scream and saw Kano grievously slashed?
Verona only was able to get out a hurried shout of "Kano!" before the beach became filled with the sound of drawn blades.
"Too dangerous," Verona thought aloud, perhaps more to herself that the others. "Ze captive said zat ze goblin tribes had united to make zeir attack, da? If that's ze case, than it vould behoove us to learn more of Thistletop and its numbers zat may lurk there now, no?"
The changeling turned to look at Filona as if you signal that she agreed with the gnome. "Ze Junk Beach could be where ve learn more." With that said, Verona shrugged. She was a doctor, not an investigator, that this was all decidedly about of her expertise. If anyone had a better idea she was more than willing to go somewhere else.
While Verona may not have wanted to do the interrogating it didn't mean wasn't attentive. The witch searched her memories for anything that could come close to describing a 'beach of shinies' and eventually recalled Hannah complaining about the massive health hazard that was Sandpoint's town dump.
"Junk Beach," she says, certain that that's the answer. "Ze goblin vas speaking of Junk Beach, ze town dump. No one spends much time zere so ze goblins could have easily hide vithin ze vastes to await for zeir attack. I could lead us zere. Perhaps zere may be clues zere.
Verona gave the halfling an apologetic look as she backed away, having realized her error. "My apologies, Sonas, she says before quickly adding, "You are right zat I'm not entirely flaunt in vocial manners. I find zem... difficult to understand at times. Still, I am sorry for the unnecessary invasion."
Wanting to getting away from that faux pas, Verona hurried along with the others as the sheriff took them to the garrison. There, Verona looked at the captured goblin with an analytical eye. For a captive he didn't look to be too badly injured, which given the group's recent disrupt over torture, she was happy to see. After all, goblins, and all life in general, didn't deserve that.
"I can converse in Goblin if needed," she says somewhat anxiously, as it becomes clear that Filona cannot.
Though the witch was capable of speaking the language, she wanted to let Filona or any of the others do the talking if possible. If her misunderstanding with Sonas as any indication if it was obvious that she wouldn't be a great choice for leading the goblin captive's interrogation.
Verona looked on at the very awkward and flustered expression of Sonas' face with a puzzled frown. "Are you ill, Sonas," she asked, earnestly confused as to why the halfling was suddenly red. "Your face is taut and turning red. Such signs can be herald an approaching fever. Are you experiencing a headache? A faster heart rate? Do you feel hotter than usual?" she clinically asks the halfing, already approaching to check his temperature herself.
It was clear the healer was not well-versed in the dynamics of awkward conversations, Filona's sudden outburst and Sonas' reaction to having entirely going over her head.
Sorry for my absence. I've been having computer problems recently so I'm not going to be able to post as frequently.
Verona finally pipes up in the discussion when her examination of the destroyed skeletons suddenly gives her a theory. "Ze skeletons. Zey aren't from zis crypt. Look," she says as she points to all to pristine bones, "zey are far to clean to have been raised here, and none of the other sarcophagi have been touched. Zat means that zese skeletons vere likely summoned from elsevhere."
"Vhy vould a necromancer only pervert these two bodies and leave the others to rest?" Verona asked aloud, largely to herself than anyone else present. She theorized it was likely because who ever did was to weak in the dark arts to raise more, but it was entirely possible that was more to it than that. If there was, it was probable that finding out who these reanimated corpses once belonged to would put them in the direction as to what exactly.
With the others already searching the open sarcophagus, Verona's eyes focused on the robes currently dangling in mid-air due to Filona's magic. Although Verona wasn't entirely sure of Sonas' hunch that the robes belonged to someone of the faith, she didn't see any reason not to at least look at them to see if they were either. "May I?" she asks the Filona softly, already grabbing a hold of the levitating robe and bringing up to her face.
No Action: Making an untrained knowledge roll to identify robes. Knowledge (Religion):1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Thinking that her healing would destroy the skeleton outright, Verona was caught by surprised when the creature swiftly reacted and slashed her shoulder. With her shoulder bleeding profusely, the healer reflectively put a hand to it and tried to mend the damage.
Standard Action: Using Healing Hex on Verona. She can't use the Hex on herself for the next 24 hours.
"Pharasma's throne!" Verona utters. It wasn't the first time she'd seen the walking dead, but even so, the sight of the skeletal creatures still sent a chill down her spine.
Knowing that her crossbow would do little good with so many allies in her field of sight, Verona took the riskier play and moved through the crowd to reach the skeleton, doing her best to avoid the skeleton's bone-white grasp as she moved. Whether she avoided it's claws or not, Verona made to the skeleton's side and tried to concentrate pure life energy into it in the hope of disrupting the necromancy that held the undead's bones together.
Move Action: Moving to flank Skeleton #2 with Perri. Standard Action: Using Healing Hex on Skeleton #2 to hit them with positive energy damage. It's a melee touch attack.
Verona's eyes rose in alarm as her divination finally finished and revealed the presence necromantic energies. "Be on your guard," she warns the group, her hands clutching her Pharasmite pendant tightly. "I feel ze miasma of necromancy in ze air. It's moderate, but its presence likely means the vorst."
As the group headed to the mausoleum, Verona first made a silent prayer to the Lady of Graves to apologize for the intrusion. Though their intentions were noble, it is was still unseemly to disturb the home of the dead. Second, she focused her mind and see if any magic, particularly o the necromatic kind, had been cast at or around the mausoleum.
"I cannot track as a ranger can, but I may be able to detect the presence of magic here," she tells Perri.
Casting Detect Magic to see if there's any magical auras near or within the mausoleum. The range of the detection is 60 ft.
"So ve are decided zan?" Verona asks the group, eager for for them to be on their way, but unsure whether everyone is quite on board yet. Fighting undead was no easy thing, the creatures sometimes literally being able to chill the blood, but Verona knew it was better they they disturb the vault than necromancers.
"Holy vater," she tells the obviously apprehensive Daiki. "Ze undead are vulnerable to gods-blessed vater." Not having any herself, Verona turned to the sheriff in the off chance that Father Zanthus had left him some or he knew where they could find some vials in the chapel. "Did Father Zanthus leave any vials for us?"
Sorry should have done in this earlier but here's Verona selected spells for the day.
As the party moved out to Sandpoint's church, Verona heard the scattered cheers from the greeting townsfolk. The cheering was utterly bizarre to the changeling, having been so accustomed to the exact opposite in Ustalav. Not sure what to do, but strangely feeling bold after last night, she awkwardly waved to the townsfolk.
When they finally arrived at the chapel though, the sheriff's mention of the burial violation immediately set her on edge. Grabbing at her Pharasmite pendant and clutching it tightly, Verona told the group of her experience with such things. "Father Zanthus is vise to be so vorried. Violating ze final resting place of the dead is more than vimply blasphemous. It is dangerous to all the living. In Ustalav, my homeland, vuch acts almost always lead to the creation of undead. We would do well to investigate the burial before vomething monstrous vteps out of it."
Verona did not stay overlong at the tavern. When the party finally dispersed from the Rusty Dragon to their own homes and abodes she was one of the first to do so, quickly making her way Hannah's. The two talked long into the night there. About the goblin attack, Aldern's leers, her impending Harrow reading, and finally about a certain kiss.
When morning finally retook the skies, Verona rose with the dawn and joined Hannah in their routine of gathering herbs in the small backyard garden that laid behind the practice. When that was done the herbalist bid Hannah a sad farewell, though a part of her desperately wanted to stay with her. A dozen excuses to do just that came to her mind, but ultimately she chose to go to the Rusty Dragon knowing that it probably meant more misadventures with people she still considered near strangers.
Arriving at the tavern in her herbalist attire and carrying her staff and belt pouch filled with minor curatives, Verona stepped through the portal into its main hall ready for whatever fate had in mind for her. Almost immediately she spied those who had fought beside her during the goblin raid. Hearing them all talk of the town sheriff and Mvashti, Verona added her voice to the discussion. "Vhould ve not vpeak vith the sheriff first before veeking our readings?" she asks softly. "He may know vomething of the goblin attack and need our assistance. Could he not?"
All the table talk of Madame Mvashti and her Harrow readings set Verona on edge. Her adopted mother had been a Varisian herself, and Verona was accordingly inundated with tales of the prophetic power of Harrow readings. When Verona was a child she always wanted to have a reading herself. Learning of her hag mother though, and the nightmarish that future that would surely await her if she was ever captured by the hag, had chilled Verona on the prospect of having her future read. Best to leave such things to Pharasma and pray for the best she came to believe.
Alas, circumstances seemed to be against her. Though she may not have wished to have her future read, the others did, and with the recent goblin attack it seemed prudent to know something about their futures. After all, it looked as if fate had decided they would be champions of the town. Perhaps a reading would reveal the time or even reason for an upcoming goblin attack? There was only one way to be sure...
Verona cleared her throat and spoke up, her voice obviously nervous."I-I know of ze Harrow. It may do us all some good to be read, no? Pharasma seems to have fated us to defend zis town. Is it not possible that a reading of our future may also divine whether dangers may strike Vandpoint next?"
Verona hadn't much of anything since she arrived at the tavern. Her mind was still lost in a reverie of warm feelings and new tantalizing possibilities. It was only when Sonas and Filona started to speak of theaters that she perked up. "I've never been to a theater," she admits quietly, her voice half a whisper at the table. It became more animated when an idea came to her though. "If ve go can I bring my... friend as well? I think she'd enjoy such a thing."
After vividly explaining to Daiki the symptoms of goblin pox and its most reliable curatives, Verona moved with the group as they searched for any more goblins that were in need of capture or slaying. Instead, Verona saw the bodies of Sandpoint's townsfolk. Some were merely injured, but others sadly had been killed. The healer made a prayer to the Lady of the Graves for the dead's easy passage to the Boneyard. Those lucky enough to still be live she went, healing them the best she could with either her magic or her remedies.
They were so many injured that eventually Verona had to tell the party that she'd have to meet them at the Rusty Dragon later lest they be delayed in their goblin search by her constant stopping. They understood completely and went on their way as Verona reminded. Verona kept at her healing for some time, eventually getting herself lost in the comforting repetitiveness of her task. Focusing on healing made it a lot easier to forget the memory of the goblins she helped kill or the Fozglove's leering.
Eventually, Verona's focus was broken by the sight of a familiar elf who was also healing the injured. Without even consciously thinking about it, Verona ran up to Hannah and embraced her in a tight hug, catching her by surprise before she realized who was holding her. Verona! Oh, thank Gozreh, you're alive. I was scared that you'd been-"
"I'm ok," she whispers into the elf's shoulder, tears starting to fall. "I vas worried, too. But you're alright."
"Yes," Hannah began, her voice raw and so very sad, "if only that was the case for everyone else. Oh, Verona look what they did to our town!"
"I-I know, I'm so sorry." Verona wasn't sure if she really did though. She had only been in Sandpoint for a short time. She didn't know the people of Sandpoint to the same level that Hannah did despite her heart going out for their loss.
They stayed like that for some time, but eventually their duty to others forced them both to continue to heal what remaining injured were still in need. When their task was finally finished, Verona said something to Hannah that she had been wanting to say for some time now. Hannah was surprised by the admission at first, but her eyes softened and she gave the changeling a light kiss on the cheek. After a whole lot of blushing and more talking, Verona finally made her way to the Rusty Dragon with an unusual rosy glow on her typically pale face.
Verona may not have been the most socially adept, but even she could recognize that Aldern was leering at her. She had become quite familiar with such leers back in Ustalav where male villagers would typically either look at her with either suspicion or... that.
Verona promptly turned her back to Aldern as if he wasn't there to begin with. Suddenly wanting to think about anything else, the healer started to describe the gross effects of goblin pox to Daiki. "No. You don't have goblin pox. If you did, I vould have veen vkin inflammation, greenness of the skin, and possibly the development of green blisters. You also vould have been vuffering from pruritus and zus be unbearably itchy," she says matter-of-factually, as if she was only making small talk.
Verona didn't pay Aldern Foxgolve much mind as her hands and eyes were far to focused on Daiki's bleeding legs. The gash there was severe but not life-threatening if treatment was made quickly. Steeling yourself, the healer looked directly at the ninja as she made her diagnosis. "I can treat your injury. Ze laceration is deep, yes, but zere's isn't any excessive bleeding from a pierced artery nor signs of poisonous contaminates." With that said, Verona lightly touched the wound and mentally focused the arcane energies needed to re-knit that which had been violently torn.
Healing Hex:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Daiki is back to full hp and I can't heal him again for next 24 hours.
Her work done, Verona turned to Forglove. Not being well-versed in social niceties, Verona gave the man only an awkward passing glance as she told him her name. "I am Verona. Verona of the Woods. I vork vith Hannah Velerin."
Even amidst a hurdled flash of movement and clashing blades, Verona spots the ugly rend that is now on Daiki's leg. Her instincts kicking in, she rushes to his side to heal him.
Double Move Action: Getting Verona in a close enough position behind Perri so she can heal Daiki next round. If there even is a next round, of course. :)
Just a heads up, I changed the layout of Verona's sheet to better keep of track where all her bonuses were coming from. Mechanically nothing has been touched or changed. Hope that's alright.
"Vait," Verona says to the group as they're about to move out.
She ran up Perri first, giving the armored paladin a visual examination as she mentally went down a list of possible medical concerns. She looked him over for any cuts, bruises, or signs of strain from his stumbling in the grease. When she saw nothing of the kind, she gave Perri a simple, "You're ok," and moved on to the other fighters.
The same awkward examination was given to Kano and Daiki. When Verona once again saw that none of them had suffered an injury, she backs off shyly. "No one is hurt," she says without looking at anyone in particular despite having just a few moments ago looked over some of them with laser-focus. "Ve can go now."
With Daiki and Kano flanking the Warchanter, Verona opts to not risk the potential for friendly fire by firing a crossbow bolt. Instead she moves closer to her target by the Swallowtail Festival stage and casts an enhancement spell of her own.
Move Action: Moved by about four squares to current location on the map so I could get in range with the warchanter. Standard Action: Casting Daze. DC is 13 vs Will
Although the spell was spun and sung in the goblin's screeching, guttural voice, Verona was able to still able pick out the words and identify the casting as a grease spell. "Be vary! she shouted to the warriors engaging the warchanter, "Ze goblin has coated ze ground vith grease. Valk on it and use risk being made immobile or vorse.".
Seeing that her allies were having trouble hitting the goblin bard, Verona once again summoned her willpower and gave the warchanter the evil eye.
Same deal as before. Using a Standard Action to give the Warchanter the Evil Eye. Targeting his AC and lowering it by 2. DC 14 vs. Will. Successfully save makes it only one round instead of six.
With two of the pyromaniac goblins down and only one remaining, Verona took another step forward and loaded her light crossbow. As her mother taught her years ago, she aimed her shot and took in a breath before firing.
Free Action: 5 ft. step closer to Warchanter Move Action: Loading light crossbow to shot Standard Action: Attacking Goblin Warchanter
Verona ran with the others to the blazing cart, the smell of burning wood filling the air immediately. Even with the heat of the flames stinging of her eyes, the wood witch's witch was still able to step forward and give the goblin that has yet to be attacked a baleful stare.
Free Action: 5 Ft. step south. Standard Action: Giving Goblin 1 the Evil Eye and targeting his AC, lowering it by -2. It's a DC 14 vs. Will. A successfully Will save reduces the effect to just one round instead of six.
With the last goblin felled, Verona was prepared to tend to the wounded only for Father Zantus' arrival and burst of divine magic making that entirely unnecessary.
The men and women that had defeated the trio of goblins were a sundry bunch, with Verona very much included in that. Some appeared to be hale warriors while others looked like common people, farmers and artisans.
Verona was outsider, but even could tell that the Lady of Graves had woven a strange fate to bring such a party together.
The gruesome sound of fighting and havoc in the air quickly brought Verona out of her musing. The healer had no love of violence, but it seemed that her preferences mattered little now. Untimely death was about and it needed to end. "I'm vith you," she says to Daiki without looking directly at him, her Ustalavic accent coming through.
"My name is Verona of the Wilds, or simply Verona if you prefer," she tells the group. "Ve don't have much time, Zantus won't be able to heal everyone in Vandpoint by himself and zere is vomeone that I have to find. She can heal the wounded once the goblins are dealt vith, and she is ... quite dear to me."
Verona's free hand went to her Pharasmite pendant. She couldn't use it to channel the power of the gods as Father Zantus could, but she gripped it tightly and made a quick, anxious prayer all the same.
Verona saw as the five strangers around her quickly dispatched two of the three goblins. Not wanting the last remaining goblin to have the opportunity to flee, she moved forward towards it and Perri and directed her will to cloud the globlin's mind and senses.
Free Action: 5 Ft. step towards Goblin 3. Standard Action: Casting Daze on Goblin 2. DC 13 vs. Will.
By the time the Swallowtail Release came near, Verona had managed to sell off most of her cures, the townsfolk of Sandpoint evidently having developed a demand for them with winter fast approaching. Verona was in the amidst of pocketing her copper gains and few remaining unsold curatives when a familiar voice called her name.
"Verona!" Hannah heralds from the crowd. The elven woman waved her hand from afar before she quickly making her way to the wood witch's side. "I've been looking all over for you," she says playfully before adding, "How have you been without me? Enjoying the festival I hope?"
Verona's pale cheeks turn a light pink as she sees Hannah's beaming face. Temporarily bereft of words, Verona gave Hannah an awkward smile before catching she caught her wits and telling the elf about her about successful trivia game and ad-hoc remedy selling. Hannah cheerfully congratulated Verona for her gains before regaling the other herbalist about her own festival activities.
They talked for some time, enjoying each other's company, before eventually joining the rest of the town in listening to Father Zantus's tell and watching the titular swallowtails be released. Afterwards, Hannah fulfilled her promise to introduce Verona to some of her townie friends as they all enjoyed Ameiko Kaijitsu's delicious salmon at a feasting table together. As usual, meeting so many new people was somewhat nerve-whacking for her, but Hannah's being there made the experience not only bearable, but enjoyable.
Though Verona may not have initially been enthusiastic to go to the festival, she was at last starting to feel truly comfortable there, which it made it all the more tragic that a horde of goblins would arrive on the scene to ruin the rare moment of belonging.
In a flash, chaos broke out as noise, screams and terrible goblin songs filled the air. Verona lost track of Hannah as the crowd began to scatter in a rush. She shouted Hannah's name and thought she heard her own being called out in reply, but with the air so choked with clashing sounds it was hard to make out anything. In the end, Verona found herself close to the invading goblins and a few other unlucky souls whose faces were only somewhat familiar to her.
Seeing that violence was sure to break out, the witch acted on instinct and cast a protective spell on herself before the goblins could reach her with their foul weapons.
Move Action: Drawing Light Crossbow. Standard Action: Casting Mage Armor on herself. AC is now 16.
@GM: Pretty much. The activities are awesome and creative, but Verona would likely suck at the rest of them. :)
@Finona: Getting different maps would make the most sense, yeah, but I figured that in-character Verona would want the Hinterlands map over the others due to her profession. My apologies if this makes things redundant.
