Peril & Fame 2: Andoran Act 2

[Nefarion Xid]

Almas

Somehow, any mention of the one-hundred-and-fifty feet stone statue of Cayden Cailean had escaped Alessandra. At least it hadn't been included in the 4708 A Guide to Andoran: What is Democracy Anyway? Standing on a rocky hill to the west of the capital city, the colossus was the tallest structure around, save for the bell tower of the university across the river, which was on a loftier hill. Cayden regarded Cheliax with a smirk and a deceptively casual fencing stance. His rapier was pointed dead at Egorian if Alessandra guessed correctly.

There was little activity aboard the Minx as the ship glided into the harbor, save for the usual ten hands making ready to make port. The impressed mutters about the gneiss god faded as the city drew closer. "It's ... dirtier than I expected. They told me the streets were all bronze," said an old man.

"All cities are dirty, tată. You do not cram this many people together and keep the streets white." The lean Varisian sell-sword was blunt with his assessments of the world, but overwhelmingly corrected.

Most of these people were fleeing Korvosa, or at least its ever increasing reach. While Queen Ileosa had yet to overtly threaten Magnimar, many didn't suppose she'd give the courtesy before the crimson sails of her new navy appeared on the horizon and locked down the entire peninsula. Rumors claimed she'd already felled half the Ashwood in the years since she took power. Thankfully, an armada to match Ileosa's ambitions took more than a decade to build. Logistics were on the side of the people of the west for now. All the same, Captain Thalin had privately confided they'd been lucky to evade her privateers. That certainly explained the pair of mercenaries, the lean one with his twin short swords and the stout one with the axe -- Alessandra's discounted fare as well.

The docks were a roiling mob when the Minx put in. Little wonder. This city was five times the size of Magnimar and an a real trade hub on the Inner Sea. At least they'd docked on the nicer side of town. The piers across the river looked like a mugging dozen crimes waiting to happen.

"The Pathfinder's Lodge and the University both are visible from Concord," Thalin offered helpfully as Alessandra collected her things. "Lovely stretch of mall with cherry trees on both sides. Shame they won't be in bloom yet. All the nice inns are along that way as well. Hope you find what you're looking for, Miss di Orsinesca."

Thread 1: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?507250-Peril-amp-Fame-2-Belhaim

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"Conall, wake up Hammerhead, but don't hurt him." Cassandra growled slightly, angry at the dwarf for falling victim to a mere sleep spell. Then she held up her focus once more and called down divine fire.

Conall 5' steps to HH and wakes him up by licking his face. With his barbed tongue. And nipping him gently.

Cassandra...casts Flame Strike on R3 for [roll0] damage, half divine and half flame. DC 20 reflex save for half.
CL check, if necessary: [roll1]

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

"Wha?.."

Hammerhead opened his eyes, his head sunk deep into the tall spring grass, as he felt a large paw - Conall, he realized - digging into the side. Shaking his head, he looked up.

And promptly remembered where he was. Namely, having fallen under the influence of a sleep spell, and directly in the path of a couple of warped undead fey riding on phantasmal steeds, at the behest of the aunt of a reclusive fey prince who wanted to kill off the entire population of the lumber village in northern Andoran where they were currently visiting.

And he no longer had a grip on his weapon, on account of having dropped it when he had fallen under the influence of the spell.

"Well, bollocks."

[BladeofObliviom]

Almas

Somehow, any mention of the one-hundred-and-fifty feet stone statue of Cayden Cailean had escaped Alessandra. At least it hadn't been included in the 4708 A Guide to Andoran: What is Democracy Anyway? Standing on a rocky hill to the west of the capital city, the colossus was the tallest structure around, save for the bell tower of the university across the river, which was on a loftier hill. Cayden regarded Cheliax with a smirk and a deceptively casual fencing stance. His rapier was pointed dead at Egorian if Alessandra guessed correctly.

There was little activity aboard the Minx as the ship glided into the harbor, save for the usual ten hands making ready to make port. The impressed mutters about the gneiss god faded as the city drew closer. "It's ... dirtier than I expected. They told me the streets were all bronze," said an old man.

"All cities are dirty, tată. You do not cram this many people together and keep the streets white." The lean Varisian sell-sword was blunt with his assessments of the world, but overwhelmingly corrected.

Most of these people were fleeing Korvosa, or at least its ever increasing reach. While Queen Ileosa had yet to overtly threaten Magnimar, many didn't suppose she'd give the courtesy before the crimson sails of her new navy appeared on the horizon and locked down the entire peninsula. Rumors claimed she'd already felled half the Ashwood in the years since she took power. Thankfully, an armada to match Ileosa's ambitions took more than a decade to build. Logistics were on the side of the people of the west for now. All the same, Captain Thalin had privately confided they'd been lucky to evade her privateers. That certainly explained the pair of mercenaries, the lean one with his twin short swords and the stout one with the axe -- Alessandra's discounted fare as well.

The docks were a roiling mob when the Minx put in. Little wonder. This city was five times the size of Magnimar and an a real trade hub on the Inner Sea. At least they'd docked on the nicer side of town. The piers across the river looked like a mugging dozen crimes waiting to happen.

"The Pathfinder's Lodge and the University both are visible from Concord," Thalin offered helpfully as Alessandra collected her things. "Lovely stretch of mall with cherry trees on both sides. Shame they won't be in bloom yet. All the nice inns are along that way as well. Hope you find what you're looking for, Miss di Orsinesca."


Almas, The Minkaian Minx -> Docks
Alessandra

Sadly, those certainly thug-infested piers looked all-too-familiar to a woman who'd spent her formative years a stone's throw from the Dusk Market's stomping grounds and half of her adventuring career cavorting with the Szcarni in Underbridge. Well, mostly one particular Szcarni, but that's a different story entirely. The sheer size of Almas did nothing for her; perhaps it seemed enormous to the Magnimar natives aboard, but it was smaller still than Westcrown.

Though...there is something to be said for majesty. And hope! The people of Almas looked hopeful and proud. Westcrown didn't have that: The Wiscrani were certainly proud, but underneath that mask they knew that they had little left to be proud of. No doubt the situation had only worsened in the intervening years, if half of the rumors held true. Something about Iomedae and a Glorious Reclamation, followed by decisive Thrune reprisal? Bah. Alessandra had paid less attention to Chelaxian affairs than she'd have liked, with the public's attention so clearly fixed on Korvosa. Not that Korvosa wasn't worthy of attention. Quite the opposite!

Alessandra stared blankly at the vaguely-criminal piers across the water for several seconds before she registered that Thalin had been trying to speak to her. Unable to hide her distraction but willing to fake it, she tilted her head in his direction and put on a smile. "Do I detect a hint of worry, Captain?" A joke. "I'm sorry, I was just thinking to myself. Politics." She laughed bitterly, turning her gaze back to the shinier parts of Almas. "A bit of deja vu too, I suppose."

She slung her trusty haversack over her shoulder and glanced toward the churning crowds. "I was planning on heading to the Field of Concord first, maybe visiting the Archstone. I'll be fine, Captain." As if to emphasize it, she chose that moment to fully don her armored coat. "...But thanks. You stay safe out there, alright? I'm going to be cross if I have to go rescue you from privateers to get passage anywhere!"

Another joke. She laughed her way down the gangplank.

[zabbarot]

Margot

The witch locked eyes with the rider as she steered Crocker towards him. She kept him high, and yelled down at him, "Why are you here? Has Ambrosia allied herself with the Witch-Queen?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Carnival

The lead rider seemed the only one who wanted to make conversation. He spoke with a rasping voice far louder than the withered corpse had a right to as he trudged through the expanse of taffy. "Damn the Witch! Damn all your kind! Your presence is an anathema! This world was not made for you!"

Whatever hate these things felt for humans, it didn't seem to dull their tactics. The third rider charged for Hammerhead, glaive set low. His skeletal stag followed up with a thrashing from his horns. It wasn't anything the stalwart dwarf couldn't handle. Meanwhile the second rider raised his gauntlet towards the cauldron and repeated his spell. Luckily, he chose one of the illusory cauldrons and made his displeasure known with a chilling hiss. With Hammerhead engaged in melee, the lead rider tried to put him down with Deep Slumber.

[roll0]

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"Ugh. Conall, wake Hammerhead up again." Cassandra sighed at the inconvenience of it all, and then she pointed her finger at the Rider just to the north.

Conall is gonna full attack R3, but leave the last claw attack to wake up HH.

Bite: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Confirm: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

Claw 1: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]
Confirm: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7]

Claw 2 (for HH): [roll8]
Damage: [roll9]

Cassandra is casting Baleful Polymorph on R2. CL check: [roll10]

[zabbarot]

Margot

With a lurch Crocker moved forward and lost altitude allowing Margot to reach the rider to their left with her magic. She waggled one finger at the rider as she cast her slumber hex.


Moved Crocker, dropped altitude to 25ft
Slumber hex on R2, DC 19, no SR because (Su)

[Nefarion Xid]

Carnival

The second rider continued to pace beneath the cauldron, attempting to subdue the women with his spells. The lead rider merely opted to strike across the field and stab Hammerhead. The blow glanced off his armor. Meanwhile the third used his glaive to flick the dwarf's fallen warhammer up to his free hand and then hurl the weapon into the mass of laffy taffy with a cruel chuckle.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Hammerhead glared daggers at the rider.

"I am going to get you for that."

However, knowing that he could not do anything productive without a weapon, for the moment, he opted to kick himself up and fly away magically, dodging as he did so.

"Cassandra! If you still have that other weapon, now would be a good time!"

Even if it saps my strength slightly, it's better than being unarmed.

Hammerhead withdraws to BR 22and is now 25 feet up.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Things were going worse, but Cassandra doggedly continued the fight, while Conall kept up at it on the ground.

Cassandra tries again with Flame Strike on R3, but she also piloted Crocker for Margot because she's doing Witchy things.
CL check: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] half fire, half divine. DC 20 reflex save for half.

Conall is going to full attack R3

Bite: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
Crit confirm: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]

Claw 1: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7]
Crit confirm: [roll8]
Damage: [roll9]

Claw 2: [roll10]
Damage: [roll11]
Crit confirm: [roll12]
Damage: [roll13]

[Nefarion Xid]

Arthfell

After resting and attempting to clear their minds, the party pressed deeper into the woods. For two hours, the Arthfell grew denser and wilder still. Nearing the heart of the forest, Elias could only suppose that some of the trees were millennia old. The ancient darkwoods grew nearly fifteen feet wide and a hundred feet tall. Their dense clusters of broad spade-shaped leaves cast a daunting penumbra on the forest floor. In places, swatches of briar stretched out of sight, forcing the party to waste several minutes walking around. Hacking through with Kiyoko's adamantine problem solver saved little time and proved exhausting as the patches were sometimes thirty feet thick.

Three times they came across another standing stone, but these bore a carved message in a language none of the party understood. Ellarie supposed they were meant as warnings for the previous inhabitants of Andoran, before the Taldan expansion. The message was clear though: humans weren't welcome here.

Almas

The black haired dwarf shook his head and let out a sad sigh as he walked with Alessandra down to the dock. "Don't think we'll risk going back. There's plenty of trade to be done right here in the Inner Sea. I don't need Varisia's grief or her privateers. Magnimar alone, eh? Every time I dock there I have some mate take up with a gang or get himself murdered in a brothel. No. Thank. You. I've made my wee fortune. I'll be happy to spend the rest of my seafaring bouncing around from between Cheliax and Absalom. Maybe I'll sell the Minx and visit my old mate here in Andoran. He's got a nice place on the river."

Coming down behind Alessandra and the dwarf were the Varisian cousins, the wiry one and the one built like a house. "Captain," interrupted the one Alessandra had called Seraf, "As you are so well traveled, would you be so kind of to direct us to the inn with the fluffiest pillows that could possibly come from a goose's ass? Also a place with the fruity drinks with the pineapple and the teeny umbrellas. If they could also be served inside a coconut, that would delight us."

Cousin Tobar brightened up and clasped his hands together hopefully.

Thalin laughed. "Almas is hardly tropical. I don't think they have coconuts here, lads. The Pointy End may be the nicest inn in the city though. You'll find that on the east end of the mall. Why don't you go with Miss di Orsinesca. It's a big city and the roads are a mess; I'm afraid you lads may get lost."

They scoffed, but followed Alessandra with an expectant look all the same.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie's hand ran along the etchings in the standing stone, the surface of the rock cool and slightly rough beneath her fingers.

"We don't really belong here." Her voice was hushed amidst the oppressive majesty of the ancient forest.

"Humans, I mean. The stones were warnings, I'm sure of it. Stay out. They've probably been here for centuries, but I don't think we're any more welcomed now than the old Andorans were then. So... we're probably on the right trail. That's good, right?"

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"Only if he shows up," the warrior responded, drily. "This is the least aggressive militant druid I've ever heard of." She too ran her hand along the engravings. "Ancient warnings of the dangers of trespassing. Has this ever stopped anyone? I mean really, have either of you heard the tale of the brave adventurers who saw the 'keep out' sign and went home?"

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie's lips quirked into a smile at her friend's words.

"No, but I fear most tales of adventure are highly exaggerated. Would you believe ours? A dragon with an identity disorder. A fake Count who rises from the grave. A plot to overthrow the government. And a devilish gentleman somehow behind the whole thing? What nonsense. Who would ever spin a tale of encountering a scary standing stone and running away? It just couldn't compete."

[BladeofObliviom]

Almas, Docks
Alessandra

Alessandra nodded understandingly as Thalin spoke. She couldn't really blame him for wanting to avoid the area, all things considered. "What can I say? I think a sailor ought to know what floats his boat better than I do." She nodded sagely, willfully ignoring the verbal abomination she'd just unleashed.

Seraf seemed familiar somehow. Had they met at some point before sailing together? His cousin too. Maybe he was Szcarni, she'd met a lot of Szcarni in the last five years, and most of their faces kinda started to blur together. Maybe she was just being a little racist? No, those fancy swords definitely appeared in her memory somewhere, even if she couldn't quite place them. She faked a wide grin in the sellswords' direction. "I'm rarely asked to babysit, you know! For some reason, the parents always look at each other in worriment when I offer. Very well, gentlemen. Onward, to pineapple drinks and the finest of goose-ass-pillows!" She posed, throwing a finger in air to emphasize the point.


...So, is Alessandra reasonably confident she can find The Pointy End? The inn, I mean. I'm reasonably confident she's figured out stabbing at this point.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

The young wizard had grown progressively less interested in the forest the more time they traversed its wilds. In Elias' mind, the magnificent trees would have been more impressive once turned into paper for proper books. However, the stelae drew his attention, and as they stopped for a breather he stooped to examine the latest one. Half listening to Kiyoko and Ellarie's conversation, he flashed a slight smile.

"If anything, I'd think that would make the old tales more credible. Before I met either of you, I might have looked askance at tales of three adventurers traversing an ancient thicket in pursuit of a lord of nature. Now?"

He shrugged.

Linguistics check to attempt to decipher the stela text.

[roll0]

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie laughed quietly before turning her attention back to the stones.

"Well if they aren't going to tell us anything useful, it's up to the crows. I'm about ready to burn this place down." She sighed in annoyance of their so far futile search for the Druid and then cast Commune with Birds, this time from memory.

"Where is the one known as the Bloody Stag right now?" She sent her query into the trees and clasped her hands in front of her, patiently waiting for a reply.

[Nefarion Xid]

Arthfell

After Ellarie cast her spell, minutes passed in silence. Then, one by one, birds began to filter down through the dark canopy and assemble on the branches nearby. A hawk, a great-horned owl, several mocking birds, five sparrows, a woodpecker and a pair of mated cardinals all sat together, chirping and shrieking rapidly at each other to come to some consensus on the matter.

The owl, evidently the best informed of the birds, finally quieted the others and regarded Ellarie below. "There is a man with black eyes and antlers like a stag. He rules here. All the fey follow him. Many druids too. Your Stag roams the forest heart with others. They gather at night. Many seek his counsel. Look for the bonfire. In the light of the fire, all creatures can meet in peace."

Almas

Alessandra found that cities were more alike than they were different. It was simple enough to lead the way through the winding streets to the mile-long mall on Concord. As promised, neat rows of cherry trees lined each side of the wide white limestone road. The Pointy End was a clever enough name for the inn as it lay on the 30 degree intersection of the mall and a side road. The building was sandwiched in there and the narrow, pointy end made for a slightly claustrophobic tea room/solarium while the rest of the inn extended comfortably a ways back. A handsomely painted signboard showed Cayden Cailean brandishing his rapier with a glittery tip.

Once inside, the sell-swords made straight for the tavern area, only to be told that liquor could not be served until 5 PM. As Alessandra entered, she noticed the older couple sitting in the tea room start slightly and look expectantly at the door, only to shake their heads in disappointment. As they were the only people in at this too-early-for-dinner hour, she could study them at a glance without being rude.

The man had dark reddish skin and a broad nose -- possibly from Katapesh. He had plump cheeks and wore a permanently pleasant look despite his mix of dismay and concern at the moment. His beard and hair were cotton in texture and color and he wore a large gold band on his left ear. A pack rested by his chair with an impressive adamantine warhammer hanging from a loop. A breastplate could be seen beneath his red wool coat.

His companion looked to be a Chelish woman of the upper class with thin lips and no laugh lines. She wore diamond ear studs and had her grey hair pulled up in a tight bun. Under her white pashmina, Alessandra could see that her brocaded black silk jacket was actually serviceable armor as it concealed supple leather between the layers. Both the man and woman looked to be in there mid sixties, perhaps nearing seventy.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie nodded her thanks to the great-horned owl and turned to the others.

"They say the Bloody Stag will be at a bonfire tonight. Along with several other druids and fey. They say, "In the light of the fire, all creatures can meet in peace." What do you think? Shall we give it a shot?" She frowned and rubbed her chin,

"Come to think of it, I don't remember why they wanted the Bloody Stag dead, only that they were willing to pay very well for it to be so."

[BladeofObliviom]

Almas, The Pointy End
Alessandra

Alessandra idly wondered for a moment how the Gods felt about their images being used as a form of advertisement. Well, Cayden was probably happy to appear in effigy wherever there were people drinking. Still.

The couple -- or perhaps simply a pair, romantic entanglement would be an assumption -- certainly caught her eye, however. Their reaction was indicative of something, though precisely what she couldn't be quite sure. They looked well-armed: Adventurers, no doubt, or else fighters of some other sort. Or perhaps they were just a pair of wealthy elderly people who looked the part. She briefly considered sitting down and surreptitiously observing them, but that would require keeping her mouth shut - and squandering the opportunity afforded by the pair's reaction.

"Goodness, do you both seem unhappy to see me. Is it the hair? I just sailed in, you see, and the salt spray does terrible, terrible things. Or were you just expecting someone taller?"


Alessandra is going to go ahead and hose them down with Detect Magic, just because she can. Psychic spells are purely mental, so there's no indication that she's doing anything other than speaking. Current Spellcraft bonus is +19 to identify stuff.

[zabbarot]

Margot

As Crocker rounded over the collapsing third rider Margot worked at picking apart the magic protecting the lead, now dismounted, rider.


Caster level check
[roll0]

[Nefarion Xid]

Carnival

The third rider, nearly torn apart by Conall's bite, remained upright in his war saddle, motionless except for the occasional pained jerk as his bones knit back together. Their leader hissed out a spell and summoned a new phantasmal steed to his service, which he swiftly mounted. "These fools are a distraction! Let us away!" he commanded his fellows in ancient Sylvan.

The second rider consented, moving towards the carnival's ice wall, but hurled a final spell at Conall before departing.

The third stag obeyed the call of their leader and moved to carry his rider to safety, but Conall swiftly relieved him of his burden. With a bite and a shake, the fey's body shattered in Conall's mouth. A moment later the stag that bore him followed in death, suddenly spraying into a shower of bone and ice.

With the riders in retreat, Margot looked for Hammerhead's weapon among the pink taffy and found it disappeared.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"Finish that one off, Conall!" Cassandra ordered before pointing her finger at the furthest Rider and calling down a bolt of lightning toward the ground underneath. After that, she concentrated on piloting Crocker where Margot directed.

Call Lightning @ the spot right underneath R2 and his steed, hitting them both for Lightning damage. Assuming I pass SR with this CL Check: [roll1]

Conall is going to charge + pounce at R1.

Bite Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
Confirm: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]

Claw 1: [roll6]
Damage: [roll]18+10
Confirm:
Damage: [roll]18+10

Claw 2:
Damage: [roll]18+10
Confirm:
Damage: [roll]18+10

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Before Cassandra departed, Hammerhead grabbed the scimitar from her belt (trying to be careful not to get 'handsy' by accident) and looked around.

The riders are retreating. No way I can catch up with them, not at my speed.

"Wait... where is Last Word?!"

Hammerhead dove down to where he had last seen his hammer.

Perception: [roll0]

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"Pretty sure they wanted the Stag because he's the ringleader of the attacks on the town. Or so they say." The tiefling ruminated on the bonfire. "A neutral location. Well, I guess we can see what he has to say. You realize if he goes hostile we'll be facing half the forest at once, right? And the birds said all creatures can meet in peace, not that they could necessarily leave in peace... assuming you didn't paraphrase."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie shook her head and looked thoughtful.

"No, they didn't say anything about leaving. Still, it seems like this is our best chance to learn what's really going on with the wolf attacks." She turned to Elias,

"I hope you have a Teleport in the tank. We should all stay close in case we need to make a swift exit."

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Disappointed that the monolith had failed to reveal any deeper secret, Elias had waited patiently why Ellarie's spell did its work. Unable to understand the cacophonous debate of the surrounding birds, he tried to imagine what it must have sounded like for the skald. It was a silly fantasy, but it served to pass the time until she relayed their message.

"Indeed, he is supposedly the ringleader behind the attacks. Of course, to offer so much...I have little doubt there is more to the story. We should attend this conclave - perhaps more answers await us there. But if we do so, it will be without a waiting Teleport to carry us from harm."

[Nefarion Xid]

Almas

The older Chelish woman smiled faintly at Alessandra's joke. "We had hoped you were an old friend," she said, revealing an appropriately cosmopolitan accent. It's possible she'd grown up in Absalom.

"I'm afraid he's four hours late at this point."

"He was always so punctual, our Taergan," said the man with the warhammer, giving Alessandra the affectionate smile of someone who likes making friends out of strangers.

The woman had been appraising Alessandra with the same attention to detail she was giving the pair. "You wouldn't mind me asking if you're acquainted with a Master Taergan Flinn, would you, dear?"

You don't recognize the name. It's possible he's elven or half elven, going by the name. But there are plenty of humans with vaguely elven sounding names.

You see that the pair are decked with magic items. The warhammer is magical, as is the man's breastplate. He has two potions under his coat. The woman's leather jacket is enchanted, so is the rapier behind the table and her beautiful wool scarf. She also has two potions in a hip pouch.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie's face crinkled as she contemplated the long walk out of the Arthfell.

"Well, I suppose that means we'll just have to play nice." Speaking of long walks...

"Hold tight, I'm going to see if I can tell just how much farther we have to go before we reach the center of these woods, I'd guess we have about three more hours until nightfall." Ell activated her boots and flew up towards the treeline, trying to get above the forest canopy in order to gauge just how far they had left to go.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

The Minkaian crossed her arms and leaned against a tree while Ellarie did her scouting. "You know, if we get to the druid grove and find out that this is all some wonky dispute over territory or resource management, I say we still kill him and take the money. 'The unspoiled natural beauty of the blah blah blah' is not the same thing as a reward for the time we've put in on this. These woods seem to be full of nasty monsters anyway."

[zabbarot]

Margot

As Hammerhead went to find his hammer, Margot dismissed the taffy tentacles for him. She made another attempt at attacking the lead rider, this time with an evil eye.

[Nefarion Xid]

Arthfell

As Ellarie neared the canopy, there was a sudden shriek as a moss covered burl unfurled a pair of ragged wings and darted towards her. Before she could react, the woody, man-sized creature had wrapped all its legs around her waist and was attempting to pin her arms to her sides. Despite her predicament, she saw a second monster begin to detach itself from the trunk of a darkwood tree.

Ellarie - Despite only getting a very quick glance at the creature, you think it's some kind of gargoyle. You have heard stories of gargoyles blending in with trees instead of hanging about gothic buildings. They're ambush predators with a child-like intelligence and a sadistic streak. They love to push people off of buildings, or pick them off the street, fly up, and drop them. They also think it's hilarious to throw cats at people.

Elias & Kiyoko - You cannot yet see the second gargoyle. Ellarie is 70 feet off the ground. No map for this one because I don't want to deal with a complex 3D map. You're in a clearing that's a rough circle 60 feet across.

Elias, Kiyoko and Philip have won initiate. Ellarie may act after the gargoyles.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

He was hardly surprised when another deadly creature burst from the forest to try and kill them. With a sigh, Elias pulled a pinch of ground mica from a pouch at his belt, tossing it into the air so that it could fly towards the winged beast and explode in a shower of gold and green sparks.

Elias casts Glitterdust such that the visible gargoyle is at the edge of the burst,
with the rest bursting behind the thing in case it has friends. DC 19 will save to not be blinded.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Hammerhead looked out over the plains and hills as the Cold Riders retreated.

They're gone now, I think. Killing one of them ought to have convinced them we're not worth it. So now that that's all taken care of, it's time to find Ambrosia and put an end to this. Let's see... where haven't we checked yet?

Trudd, I wish I had Last Word.

He turned to the others.

"So, who's up for heading over to the peep show?"

A pause.

I probably could have phrased that better.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

Sighing in perfect sync with Elias, Kiyoko drew her longbow and took aim. "I think the Forest of Spirits might actually be less deadly than this. I'd have to check. We'd need a side-by-side comparison." She let the arrow fly right after Elias's spell went off.

Attack (Deadly Aim): [roll0] vs. Flat Footed -2
Damage: [roll1]

Soraya

"Well aren't you the naughty ones." Soraya's voice drifted across carnival grounds. "No peeping, if it's all the same to you. I didn't have a problem with you reducing the body count a bit, but I really do need Ambrosia alive and active. You've had your fun. Leave this place."

[TheDarkDM]

Philip

Somewhat less stoic than his cousin, Philip gawped for a moment as the gargoyles emerged from the trees. However, as Kiyoko began to banter, his faculties returned to him.

"The Forest of Spirits? That sounds cool!"

A rapid finger motion sent four crimson bolts streaking towards the flying monster.

Philip casts Magic Missile!

[roll0]

[zabbarot]

Margot

The witch frowned as the riders sped out of sight. "I really thought the tortured shells of ancient fey royalty would fight to the death. Teach me to make assumptions," she said to no one in particular.


"So, who's up for heading over to the peep show?"

Margot just stared, flabbergasted. "Seriously? Now? ... I guess we know which hammer your really concerned about."



"Well aren't you the naughty ones." Soraya's voice drifted across carnival grounds. "No peeping, if it's all the same to you. I didn't have a problem with you reducing the body count a bit, but I really do need Ambrosia alive and active. You've had your fun. Leave this place."

Margot rolled her eyes. "Oh no, it's the ghost of my mother. 'Don't interfere with my fiendish plot'," she parroted Soraya's accent poorly. "Give the dwarf his hammer back and we'll talk about it."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

"Consarn it, Margot, that's not what I - I meant, that's the only place we haven't checked yet, and-"

Then Soraya - or, to be more precise, her voice - showed up, and Hammerhead fell silent. Unmoving, he looked toward Margot and Cassandra, adopting a low stance, ready to move or retreat on their word.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra pulled out her wand, and tapped herself with it once, then proceeded to fly down to Hammerhead and do the same. Finally, she attended to Conall. All the while, she kept her eyes peeled for the source of Soraya's voice. "See if you can sniff her out (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/rules-for-monsters/universal-monster-rules#TOC-Scent-Ex-), Conall," she told her companion quietly as she tended to his wounds. "If you smell her, attack with prejudice."


Cass: [roll0]

Hammerhead: [roll1]
[roll2]

Connal: [roll3]
[roll4]

[Nefarion Xid]

Arthfell

Blind and wounded, the first of the gargoyles shrieked for a different reason entirely and hastily (and clumsily) retreated through the branches to safety. The second predator was not yet deterred; he leapt into a dive and planted his gnarled horns into Ellarie's shoulder. (4 damage)

[Jade_Tarem]

Soraya

"Kindly do us all a favor and don't talk about my plot as though you know anything about it." The voice sounds more tired than angry. "And if you insist on healing here, I will take that as a sign you are about to attack. I would be happy to let you have the hammer if you leave and return to the nearest town. I will not return it in such a way that you can turn around and brain me with it."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

More disgusted by the winged beast getting in her face than injured by its attack, Ell flew back slightly and drew her weapon, yelling down at her allies before her raging song poured from her lips in warm comfort.

"There's two of them!"

Attack 1, power attack
[roll0]
Damage (+2 for Raging Skald)
[roll1]

Lesser Elemental Rage Damage (electricity)
[roll2]

Elemental Rage Damage (Acid)
[roll3]

Attack 2
[roll4]
Damage (+2 for Raging Skald)
[roll5]

Lesser Elemental Rage Damage (electricity)
[roll6]

Elemental Rage Damage (Acid)
[roll7]

Spirit Totem Attack
[roll8]
Damage
[roll9]

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"The Forest of Spirits is overrated," Kiyoko lied in response to Phillip. Really, the Kami just didn't get along well with the granddaughter of the horrible Oni boss who had weaseled his way out of eternal punishment and screwed them all over in the process. She readied to fire again, but Ellarie's attacks had killed one and taken all the fight from the other one. "Well, at least this time the snuggles were less aggressive."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Fine. Cassandra drank her potion and vanished.

[Jade_Tarem]

Soraya

"Conflict it is, then." Soraya surveyed the group she'd been tailing through the carnival of horrors. One Peerless agent of the empire versus a dwarf, a fairy, a witch, a big bad wolf, and an animated sidekick. A thin smile drifted across her features before turning into a smirk. Time to bring this fairy tale to an end.

A pair of boots landed on the lip of the cauldron as Soraya touched down, and a moment later she was visible. Staring down into the pot, She adopted a stance (https://youtu.be/9UmfH_cwdwo) that made it clear she was still flying under her own power, but beyond that it folded her gold-bladed scimitar back across her chest with one arm and tucked the other one behind her, making her look like a top about to spin. She nodded at the witch. "Engarde."

Soraya does a thing! Then she moves and attacks.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Glancing about for the blinded gargoyle, Ellarie's eyes narrowed in suspicion as she was unable to spot the creature. She reluctantly dropped her rage and continued upwards and through the forest canopy to complete her scouting mission while muttering grumpily under her breath.

"Stupid forest. Stupid gargoyles."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

As Soraya became visible and attacked, the logical part of Hammerhead's mind went into overdrive.

If she hits Margot again, she'll die. I have to push her away.

The more emotional part of him, however, was the one he gave voice to as he promptly bull-rushed the woman.

"GIVE ME MY HAMMER! (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0931.html)"

And how the heck did Soraya get it out of the tentacles, anyway?

Hammerhead will charge toward Soraya, with the intent of Bull-Rushing her away from Margot.

Combat Maneuver Check: [roll0]

I am uncertain if the +1 bonus from Sky Sentinel applies here, since Soraya is a creature that happens to be flying rather than a 'flying creature', but add it in if you think it makes a difference.

[zabbarot]

Margot

Margot held her hands up in mock surrender as the blade ran through her. "'My fiendish plot is different'," Margot parroted again and spat blood at the woman. She worked her slumber hex once more, and hoped for the best while mentally preparing for the worst. I wonder if I'll see him again... Crocker dropped to the ground with a soft thud, having lost all his momentum after the previous battle.


Slumber Hex DC 19
Crocker moves 25ft down to land.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

No! Cassandra quickly pulled out the stone and spoke into it, calling to Stray and hoping she wasn't interrupting something more important than her traveling companion being skewered to death. Below her, Conall struck out at the Qadiran interloper.

Summoning that Stray!"

Conall shifts underneath Soraya and attack with his Bite: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Confirm: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[Nefarion Xid]

Carnival

A second after Cassandra spoke into the stone, it crumbled and burned away into ethereal smoke. A swirl of black and violet shadow wafted off the remains of the stone and rapidly coalesced into human form suspended in the air. An audible puff banished the shadows and what remained what remained was not what Cassandra expected. Instead of the Prince, she found a similar fey creature. This one had pale purple skin, ears like a half elf, and silken black hair that he wore loose down to his hips. A pair of ruby earrings on long platinum chains dangled from each ear. He was dressed in ballroom attire, all black except for his handsome purple waistcoat. Raven feathers and moonstones had been affixed to his high collar and his pointed coat tails. An obnoxious amount of frilly lace spilled out of his sleeves. He appeared in a sitting position, still holding a crystal goblet to his lips. To his credit, he didn't spill a drop of his wine. For a moment that felt longer than it was, he said nothing, but stared into the distance with a smug, annoyed, bewildered expression.

"Well," he said with a sigh in Sylvan, "I'll get you back for this, Stray."

The fey courtier righted himself, taking to his "feet" in mid air and produced his rapier with dumbfounding alacrity.

"Name me, mortal, and you shall have my service, as I have sworn." This was thankfully in common Taldane, though he didn't seem happy about it.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

What? She almost fell out of the sky from her surprise at not seeing Stray himself.

"Lord Abarta," she stated and pointed toward Soraya, though she had no way of knowing if the fey man could see her. "If you would be so kind as to subdue that woman attacking the dwarf and the woman in the pot - kill her if you must - and aid us in protecting the rest of the carnival goers here from Ambrosia's fey servants, that would be most appreciated."

[Nefarion Xid]

Arthfell

Rising above the forest canopy unmolested, Ellarie could see that it was two hours to sundown. Thanks to the proximity of the western Aspodell Mountains, nightfall would be early. The Arthfell was narrowed as it ran north. They must nearly be to the halfway point if you were traversing the forest laterally. To the north, the trees grew larger still and the leaves bore an ominous, darker shade of green.

Carnival

"It is as you say. I, Lord Abarta, am at your service." The fey gentleman bowed low. He then turned to gesture at Soraya with his wine glass instead of his mithral rapier. "You there, belligerent, ethnically ambiguous woman, I am obliged to "subdue" you. Be a lamb and throw down your sword. This wine is rather expensive and I shall be become cross if you make me spill it."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Having assessed the time and their approximate location to her satisfaction, Ellarie drifted back down to her companions to deliver her information to them.

"Well that flying vermin was mildly annoying. Too bad the other ran off. It's just as well, we've got less time than I thought. It's two hours until sundown but we're nearly to the center of the forest. There's even larger trees to the north. Holding even larger vermin I'd bet." She crossed her arms indignantly.

"Hmph."

[Jade_Tarem]

Soraya

"If I just say you subdued me and let you get back to what you were doing, does that count? I have about as much desire to fight you as you do to fight me. It sounds exhausting."

Kiyoko

"Ha!" The tiefling crowed. "Good to see you back in good spirits. Let's get to this bonfire before something else in this forest needs to be taught about the food chain."

[Nefarion Xid]

Carnival

Lord Abarta saluted with his rapier. "You know what it means to serve. We do what we must."

[Jade_Tarem]

Soraya

The response drew a small sigh from the Qadiran. "As you say. Engarde, then. I will try to avoid the wine." With that, she slid sideways in the air, resumed her stance, and began hacking away at Hammerhead.

Swift Action to reactivate Luck, 5' adjust, full attacking.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Gritting his teeth as Soraya's sword found purchase, Hammerhead snarled out a reply.

"Don't worry about avoiding his wine - worry about avoiding me!"

Attack 1: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Attack 2: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

Add another +1 if Sky Sentinel is applicable (I don't remember if that was stated last time).

[zabbarot]

Margot

Still spitting blood, Margot urged Crocker on to put some distance between herself and the Qadiran before turning to target her with a dispel.

Moving 20ft, with a hop back into the air at the end 5ft up
Casting Dispel Magic, CL Check [roll0]

[Nefarion Xid]

Carnival

Lord Abarta charged through the air and gave Soraya a lazy warning thrust, then landed a backhanded slap with the flat of his blade to Hammerhead's breastplate, sending the stunned dwarf sliding ten feet backwards.

"I believe I had this dance," he said curtly, eyes alight with mischief or insanity. Hammerhead found he now held Lord Abarta's wineglass in his left hand.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra sighed and pointed her finger at Soraya, wondering if anything could lay the dreadful woman low. Probably not. It's been that kind of day. Then she headed east. "May want to put some distance between you and her, Hammerhead," she offered.

Soraya can make a DC 21 fort save, followed by a will save if he fails. Which he won't, but hey, it's something to do.

Conall jumps and attacks: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] plus Grab on hit: [roll2]
Confirm: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]

[Jade_Tarem]

Soraya Fortitude Save (With Charmed Life): [roll0]

I am not 100% sure about the bonus. I don't have my sheet in front of me. Let's see if it matters, I know it's correct to within 2-3 points.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Hammerhead gritted his teeth, angry beyond words that he was practically helpless against Soraya.

She dodged both my attacks, she has my hammer!..

Even so, Hammerhead knew he had no chance, and headed east alongside Cassandra.

Move to DB 36.

[Jade_Tarem]

Soraya

Now ignoring the adventurers and their adventurous ways, Soraya kept her attention on Lord Abarta. "That's very forward of you. I should warn you that Qadiran women set a fast pace." She whirled her scimitar in a defensive pattern.

Shutting down luck, Total Defense.

[BladeofObliviom]

Almas, The Pointy End
Alessandra

"I'm afraid I don't recall meeting anyone by that name.", she says apologetically, "But I'm certain he'll turn up eventually."

She picks out a seat, staying close enough to the couple to continue conversing but not so close as to be sitting with them, per se.

"Though I'll grant that trouble seems to find Pathfinders at the best of times. You are Pathfinders, yes? I apologize for the assumption, but there are only so many reasons to carry arms and armor to teatime, and the Lodge is just over there..." She trails off and chuckles. "I'm terribly sorry, prying before I've so much as introduced myself. I am Alessandra, nice to meet you."

Alessandra places an order for a cup of tea at the next opportunity. If she's at the nicest inn in the city, she might as well take the opportunity to relax a little, enjoy the ambience.

[Nefarion Xid]

Carnival

"Cassim yn Bashir, we meet again. Though I'll admit, the last time I encountered one of Cassim's students, we were fighting on solid ground. Bit hard to do that one lunge when you don't have any real footing."

Lord Abarta shifted his weight slightly to the left, then made a quick jab for Soraya's throat. The resulting parry and riposte from her scimitar sliced away one of the feathers on Abarta's jacket. He wasn't quick enough to parry this time, but he could at least dodge. His lips pursed.

"One of Cassim's better students, I see ..."

Meanwhile ...

Having moved to catch their breath, the party could now see the Cold Riders were nearly around to the east end of the carnival. Likely the leader would want another minute for his wounds to heal. As of yet, there was no sign of Jaeger, though last they'd seen him, he was headed in the direction of the peep show. For the moment, things looked rather calm on the grounds.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Noting the presence of the Cold Riders in the distance, and deciding to let Lord Abarta have his fun, Cassandra did what she thought best: she flew. Extricating Jaeger from the peep show was next on the list before they could fully retreat from the field.

Flying run toward the peep show. Unsure where this puts me on the map.

[Jade_Tarem]

Soraya

Soraya smiled more genuinely, happy to discuss it. "Training standards went through an overhaul in the last century or so, though grand-uncle did say I was a diligent pupil." Her smile shifted to a slight smirk as she reset her stance, the hand behind her back making a finger-wiggling 'come on' motion before re-closing.

Total Defense again.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Floating along behind Ellarie and Kiyoko, Elias glanced back up at the canopy.

"Well, at least these vermin were a bit less tenacious than the last. I'm glad you're alright."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Hammerhead followed along with Cassandra.

"Any sign of our druid-y friend?"

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra pretended not to hear Hammerhead's question, which was actually not hard at all, considering the distance now between them. On the ground, Conall began to follow the others, though he gave Soraya a dubious look.

Run flying toward the peep show tent again. Conall follows as he's able.

[Nefarion Xid]

The Pointy End, Almas

"It's nice to meet you too Alessandra. I'm Verus. Everyone calls me Igneous though. And this is my wife, Branda." The old man was all smiles, though his wife maintained a decidedly neutral expression -- not unpleasant, just socially cautious.

"We're not Pathfinders, though we've worked with the Society in the past. We're the Golden Watch. We are, and our absent companions."

The Chelish woman tilted her head slightly in her husband's direction, silently advising caution. He responded with an emphatically dismissive shrug, immediately crestfallen as the day's disappointment reached critical mass.

"Our best days our behind us, but we still meet every year in this inn and we go scare up some adventure. You know, go bash some goblins for old times' sake. It's good to stay active. Course, Rhoma passed away last year."

"She was eighty-seven, dear."

"But today we find out Dern is laid up in home for old folks and invalids! Declared mentally incompetent by his own children. They wouldn't let us see him. Said it would just get him riled up. No sign of Taergan at all. And he's a half-elf, mind you. Still a spry young man in his sixties. He's got more years left than the rest of us put together. Gods know what's kept him. We've been sitting here for hours trying to decide on what to do about it."

Branda's lips curled into a mirthless smile. "Call it adventurer's intuition. Something doesn't feel right about all this. I suspect Dern's predicament and Taergan's delay aren't coincidences. We may be targeted next. By whom, I couldn't possibly guess. I think its best we stay someplace very public for the time being."

Arthfell

As the party pressed north, darkness fell. Even the soft verdant glow had faded and the light of the full mood overhead couldn't penetrate the canopy spare for a few rare ethereal rays. For a time, the party walked in oppressive silence. The wood was too still to disturb and everyone felt a fierce need to keep their ears peeled for movement. There were no animal sounds, no hooting of owls, nor the chirping of insects. At least, no normal thing made noise. They heard the baying of worgs twice. Once, a trio of wisps darted overhead, taunting the party with shrill laughter and unspeakably foul things in Aklo. Far above, they could make out the sharp gold eyes of the gargoyles. They watched always, but never neared -- now smart enough to wait for something bigger to start the fight so they could swoop in and steal some trinkets or a severed limb to snack on.

At last, they caught sight of the flicker of fire dancing across the bark of the titantic trees some three hundred feet ahead.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie stopped as she spotted the glowing orange of the bonfire through the thick tangle of ancient trees and undergrowth of the deep woods. She raised her hands above her head, trying to loosen up the muscles which had grown tense beneath the overwhelming weight of the forest's silence. She expelled a deep breath and turned to the others,

"I'll go in talking. What shall we do to prepare? I've got a couple of spells in mind for myself. Kiki, do you want my Good Hope potion?" Her voice was low but rapid fire thanks to the pent up nervous energy that had accrued during their nearly silent trek after the gargoyle attack.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"I'll pass on the potion. I don't think it plays nice with my destiny." An odd turn of phrase, but true. "Anyway, I'm thinking we cloak ourselves and hit the druid with everything we've got before he can react. Unless you think we should actually hear him out."

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

As the bonfire became visible through the trees, Elias waved for the group to stop.

"Hold a moment. While I can understand the impulse to simply bludgeon our quarry and escape, I would like to know what's going on here. If this Blooded Stag abides by druidic tradition, the circle of the bonfire should be sacrosanct. Those of us who enter should leave our weapons at the edge of the circle as mark of our intent to parlay. Ellarie, when you speak with him, you should state that you understand the fire and the gathering means a peace bond. Identify us, and then ask "Who speaks for the forest?" With that, we should be able to get some answers."

It seemed to take the wizard a moment to realize he had assumed Ellarie would take the lead.

"At least, assuming you wish to speak with the druid. I would accompany you..."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie listened to Elias's instructions carefully, nodding along silently at intervals to indicate she was paying attention.

"I do feel as though there's more to this than those soldiers back at the inn let on. This may be our best chance to find out." She turned a rueful smile towards Kiyoko.

"Besides, we'd most likely be terribly outnumbered in any case, as much fun as going in swinging always is. Though your chance might come yet, who knows how this'll go." She took a deep breath to steady her nerves.

"Right, so like Elias says, him and I will go in talking. Kiyoko and Philip will keep watch for any signs of trouble." Her face glanced up to the dimly reflective eyes of the predatory gargoyles high above them.

"And make sure none of those blighters take off with my sword." She scowled at them for good measure in case they were paying attention.

"But first a little bolstering." She focused for a few moments and cast her chosen magical spells before being sure the rest was ready and set off again.

Ellarie casts Heroism, Glibness and Aspect of the Nightingale on herself in that order.

Ellarie carried her sword across her arms as if an offering as the group approached the druid circle. She made a show of placing it just beyond the light's perimeter. And then followed it with the battered and unremarkable longbow she had picked up who knows where. She stood and raised her hands to show they were empty and slowly walked into the firelight.

"We recognize the peace bond of the bonfire. We have no intentions of violating the sanctity of the flames. I am Ellarie Chapman. My companion is Sir Elias Apion. We have come to parlay." She caught herself just before she forgot entirely.

"Who speaks for the forest?" She blinked her eyes as she spoke to help them adjust to the brightness of the fire after traversing the dim forest for so many hours.


Diplomacy
[roll0]

[Nefarion Xid]

Carnival

As the party neared the Blind Peep Show, they saw a bloodied grizzly bear emerge from the tent. The creature gave a look of understanding towards the flying cauldron and reverted back into the the red haired local druid. He has a grim look on his face.

"A nymph and a pair of quicklings. They were luring men in one at a time, and ... well, it's taken care of." Jaeger trailed off. The implication was clear enough from his haunted eyes.

"You all look like you've taken some damage. Is it too much to hope we've dealt with the worst of it?"

Lord Abarta could be seen trailing behind. Cassandra could see that he was lightly wounded at this distance and did not have the Qadiran woman with him.

Arthfell

As the pair approached the gathering, they passed through a ring of ancient paueliel trees, delicate looking too-slender trees that grew as high as the redwoods and darkwoods here. Their silvery bark positively glowed in the flicker of the bonfire. Assembled in the one hundred food circle were a myriad of forest denizens. Most paid little heed to the sudden appearance of the two humans, like the squad of hobgoblins. The sprites and quicklings stared daggers. The trio of centaurs stamped their hooves. The werewolves (many in remnants of Eagle Knights' armor) began to howl. The raven haired nymph glanced their way once, then once again closed her eyes and motioned for the gaunt half-elven man sitting behind her to resume combing her hair. All around, the hide and wool covered druids made a motion for peace, but the throng continued to voice their displeasure until a roar silenced them. At the rear of the grove, a green dragon (about Svangi's size) reared up, sunk his claws into the ground and continued to bellow until all were quiet. Accomplished, he politely wiped the acid and spittle from his lips and once again made himself comfortable as a housecat would.

A figure appeared into view, walking around the bonfire with his hands raised high. This human man wore a smile, but there was nothing disarming about his face. His eyes were glassy black orbs and all his teeth had been filed to points. A pair of antlers grew form his forehead through cracked and broken skin. His face and exposed forearms bore intricate designs from ritualistic scarification.

"We've been expecting you!" he called, gesturing towards Elias and Ellarie with his staff, topped with a stag's skull. His voice was unnervingly high for a man of his age and size, a shrill, lilting thing. "I speak for the forest and I say you are welcome here, Ellarie Chapman and Sir Elias Apion. I am Mathedras. You are recognized, in peace, by the grove." There was only slight derision in the way he said 'sir'.

His smile widened. "You've come so far today. Whatever you have to ask of the grove must be important."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Breathing slightly heavily after flying nearly five hundred feet in twelve seconds, Cassandra touched down near Jaeger and waited for Hammerhead to catch up. "The last two Cold Riders are heading east toward the River. I could catch them, but there isn't much point now. Lord Abarta (I'll explain later) is on his way after fighting Soraya. He's wounded, but I'm guessing he got the better of her." The druidess chewed her lip in worry. "At least, I hope that's the case. I'll heal us up a bit and speak to him. If the danger is passed, we should try to get these people home."

As she applied healing to those as needed it, she gave Hammerhead a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry about your weapon, Yandeath. If Soraya isn't dead and available to take it form her corpse, we'll get somewhere where you can obtain a new weapon as soon as we can. In the meantime, I know it isn't much, but please keep my scimitar."

Going to use my wand now, and I suppose I should use the previous rolls.
Cass: Heal for 9
HH: Heal for 23
Conall: Heal for 23

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie's eyes widened as they adjusted and she took in the vast array of creatures that sat before her. She blinked as the dragon hushed the chorus of dissent from the motley group, she certainly hadn't been expecting a dragon. But they had been expected, apparently. That news was unsettling.

"Thank you for your consideration, Mathedras." She nodded to the Druid and to the dragon in turn.

"We have traveled to the heart of the Arthfell to ask you what your grievances are with the denizens of Oregent?" She clasped her hands in front of herself and waited patiently, her eyes roving over the individuals around the fire.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

Standing outside the circle with Phillip (and everyone's weapons) to keep her company, Kiyoko split her attention between watching for threats and trying to get a count of creatures at the bonfire from sound alone. She'd accounted for a dragon, a bunch of tiny things flitting around, 1d4 large things with hooves that were probably centaurs, several other things with padded feet (werewolves? The legendary puma?) and probably some other, quieter things that she'd missed.

And the ultra-squeaky Voice of the Forest. The fact that anyone took him seriously while he called himself that, in that voice, meant he probably wasn't screwing around.

"It's a world-class menagerie in there, all right," the Minkaian frowned and worked her jaw a bit, thinking. For once - and this was a first, most assuredly - she wasn't sure if she wanted to start something after all. The bonfire was like a who's-who of Horrible Things that Kill People in the Woods. They were really just down a crazed woodsman and a frumious bandersnatch. All of which begged the question... what should she do if they turned hostile?

[Nefarion Xid]

Carnival

"No corpse, I'm afraid. Gravely wounded and fled." Abarta landed near Cassandra and made an expectant gesture towards the bloody wound on his shoulder. "I believe I was to "kill her if I must"? I mustn't." He wore a sly, but not unfriendly smug expression.

Further scouting of the fair grounds revealed one more grizzly discovery. The half finished meat pies were lumberjack flavored. Three dismembered corpses were found in the tent that served as a prep kitchen. Once butchered, it was hard to tell their meat from the mutton and there was no way of telling what the oblivious townsfolk seated outside had eaten. Whatever monster had done this had already fled the area. Abarta seemed nonplussed. "Tastes just like pork, you know. Hmm ... so I've heard."

Jaeger excused himself to dry heave.

The Cold Riders did not make another appearance.

Though fifteen people in all have been killed, you know it would have been far worse had you not been here today. The Cold Riders would have made short work of the addled fairgoers and little would have stopped them from massacring the town after.

You are awarded 10,000 bonus XP. Informing Stray of what happened will complete your original quest.

Arthfell

The Bloodied Stag laughed at the question, cackled more like. The sound was even more grating and sinister than his normally unpleasant speaking voice. "How many miles of stumps did you pass on your way here, Ellarie Chapman? That is the damage done since only my father's time. Five decades. I should think our quarrel with the Lumber Consortium is quite self-explanatory."

He took a few steps towards the pair as he spoke. At the back of the grove, the dragon chuckled as quietly as he could.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"I did say that, didn't I?" Cassandra sighed, mostly from weariness. "It would have been nice to recover Hammerhead's hammer, but that will do nicely." As she spoke, she flicked her wand several times, stitching up Lord Abarta's wound. When she was done, she gave the Fey Lord her best curtsy. "Thank you for your assistance, Lord Abarta. I am sorry if Lord Stray inconvenienced you, but your arrival was timely, and I appreciate it."

Cassandra gave the other druid a look of sympathy. "Jaeger, I'm sorry we couldn't save more of these people. At least we saved some. I hope the evil memory of those who survived fades. Is there anything more we can do? After we rest, we should make our way back to Lord Stray's palace and make our report."

CMW: [roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

My hammer...

Hammerhead mournfully sniffled softly before recomposing himself.

Focus, Hammerhead. Sniffling about a weapon when people nearly died is in poor taste. Even if it is the only link back to your old life at this point.

Hammerhead looked to Jaeger.

"All things considered, considering the level of screwy magic at work here, I would say that it's a miracle more people weren't killed. Still... I pity these folk. This is going to hang heavy over them for a very long time."

"Like Cassandra said, if you want any last minute favors or help, we'll try. But then we should let Stray know what happened."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie nodded sympathetically as the Druid relayed his self-admittedly predictable gripe with the town.

"We did indeed pass a sea of stumps on our way here." She looked at the Archdruid thoughtfully.

"I also noticed that the trees were being allowed to grow back in places. Is there a peaceful compromise that would satisfy you and your people? And minimize potential casualties on both sides?" She spoke in earnest though she couldn't help but wonder at her unlikely role as mediator between these throng of forest dwellers and the small town folk of Oregent.

[Nefarion Xid]

Carnival

Jaeger shook his head. "No, I don't think there's anything more to be done. Frankly, you should leave right away. Whatever you tell Kreed, it's not likely he'll believe you. He may even find a way to pin this whole mess on you. I'll do what I can to clean up and think of something convincing to tell the Gavel. He'll want revenge for this, but that's not new. I'm afraid the pogroms will continue. That can't be helped. Still, thank you for doing what you did."

He smiled weakly. "I wish I could give you some sort of reward. I don't suppose you'd be interested in a magic longbow? We don't have much, but you can always count on a Temple of Erastil to have a magic longbow."

"Service is it's own reward," Abarta crooned. "Such intrepid heroes could not possibly beggar a reward from your humble temple."

Jaeger raised an eyebrow and gave the fey noble an amused nod of recognition. Clearly Abarta's cheek reminded him of someone.

"Speaking of service though, I believe mine is concluded. Though, should you wish to extend the terms of my compact, I'd be happy to entertain your bargain, Cassandra, darling."

Arthfell

"To the east, the trees return because of us. Because of our violence. Because of our vigilance. The people of Andoran dare not settle too close." The Bloodied Stag stopped his approach and now stood ten feet away. He continued to speak loud enough for the congregation to here him. "It was not ours who broke the peace. Cease logging, leave the outlying farms and the violence shall cease. Do not think us unreasonable." He had an unsettling smile, but there seemed to be nothing false about him now.

The biggest of the hobgoblin warriors spit towards Ellarie. It landed twenty feet short, but it was still a clear insult.

"Though I can only speak for the forest. The Black Talon Legion would require separate negotiations."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"I have not trained with the longbow," Cassandra said pointedly, responding to Jaeger's offer. She met Jaeger's gaze and then flicked her eyes to Hammerhead, however, hoping that the druid understood her intent.

"Speaking of service though, I believe mine is concluded. Though, should you wish to extend the terms of my compact, I'd be happy to entertain your bargain, Cassandra, darling."

"Ah...that will not be necessary, Lord Abarta." Cassandra's cheeks colored slightly and she faltered as she remembered what Stray had told her of Abarta previously. And what he'd said regarding Frilogarma, remembering that Abarta served her. Abarta couldn't possibly know of what she wanted almost more than anything. Could he?

The druidess smoothed her clothing, flicking away dirt and debris from the tumults of battle with her magical gloves. Her voice was once again that of Cassandra the noblewoman. "We will take our leave shortly and put some distance between ourselves and this place, lest we find our welcome cut even shorter than it has been. Perhaps we shall meet again in more pleasant circumstances."

Bluff to pass a secret message to Jaeger. We'd gladly take the bow, but for Hammerhead. [roll0]

[zabbarot]

Margot

Crocker sailed past the peepshow as Margot looked for Beignet. She could tell he was fine through their connection at least. Once found he smiled proudly and waved a fat stuffed avoral in the air. The terrabiscotti warrior looked on silently with an armload of stuffed animals. He didn't look particularly happy, but it wasn't his fault. Margot made a mental note to mold the next one a smile before baking. With her crew rounded up she made her way back to the peepshow tent in time for Lord Abarta's arrival.

"Thank you for your assistance, Lord Abarta," she said with a curtsy, "Would you like anything for your trouble? Maybe a pastry for the road?"

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie pointedly ignored the nasty hobgoblin and looked at the disfigured visage of the Archdruid for a long moment. He seemed sincere, in both his belief in his forbearance of the townsfolk, a one-sided account or no, and also in his tacit assertion that he was not the one who was leading the werewolves in their operations against Oregent.

"I will relay your assurance to the townsfolk that as long as the forest remains unmolested, then so will they and make it known to them that the werewolves are an autonomous faction. In return, I would ask you to point me towards who does speak for The Black Talon Legion and for safe passage back through the forest for my companions and I." She tried to keep her face passive as her heart beat just a little bit faster. If the Druid decided to set his cadre of forest fiends on them there was little she could do to stop them. Idly she wondered if she would be doing Elias any favors by dying first. It might buy him some time at least.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Hammerhead swallowed and then spoke.

"Well... as much as I feel a bit iffy about taking something important to your temple, I find myself lacking for a weapon, Jaeger - so I'd be right appreciative if you were willing to give it."

Once the remainder of their business had been concluded, Hammerhead shook Jaeger's hand.

"Hopefully we'll meet again one day under better circumstances, eh?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Athfell

"There are three werewolf packs," Mathedras said, his voice lower this time. "They seldom agree with one another. As much as I would enjoy seeing someone try to negotiate with the packs, I will deign to caution against it -- a courtesy for honoring our druid ways."

He gestured absently towards the hobgoblins. "Commander Dysedrag will entertain your diplomatic overtures. But as an military junta, the hobgoblin people settle little with words, not from those they see as eventual slaves."

The Bloodied Stag paused to set his staff against his shoulder while he pressed his hands together and muttered in the inexplicable secret language of druids. A soft green light poured from the gaps in his fingers and a moment later he held over a rough wooden figurine for inspection. The piece of driftwood resembled a stag's skull with a jagged pair of antlers. A tiny green flicker could still be seen in both eye sockets. "My token. It will crumble at sunrise, three days hence. Carry it prominently and you shall go in peace. Even the beasts and carnivorous fauna know my sign. I trust three days is enough time to conclude your business in the Arthfell?"

Carnival

Lord Abarta beamed at the mention of pastries. "Oh, I'd be delighted to relieve you of whatever confectionery you'd be kind of enough to part with. I do have such a sweet tooth." It was then that Hammerhead noticed Abarta was once again holding his crystal goblet. He didn't remember ever handing it back.

Beignet silently pressed one of the stuffed animals he'd won into Abarta's free hand. "Ah! A, um ... I suppose it's some sort of rabbit/antelope chimera. But purple! My favorite. Thank you, tiny person."

Jaeger gave Yandeath a long and hearty handshake. "One day there will be better circumstances. I hope I live to see it. I'll do what I can here to make it happen. Sometimes I think I should get back out there. Have another go at proper adventuring. But the people here need me. Clearly." His eyes wondered back to the tent.

"Well. You three should get going before Kreed's goons show up. I'll have my sister meet you with the bow a ways down the river on the west side of town. Don't feel bad about taking it. Not like it's an ancient relic of our faith or anything. We just bought it from a ranger who needed some cash for retirement. We got a great price on it too."

[zabbarot]

Margot

The little witch smiled and wrinkled her nose. Sugar and flour danced out of Crocker forming into a fat little donkey shaped pastry. There was a small flash and the pastry was decorated in an icing mock up of the last outfit she remembered seeing Stray in.

"In honor of our mutual friend."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Hammerhead brought his hand to his chest, a dwarven salute and signal of goodbye.

"Safe times to you, Jaeger. Let us depart, Cassandra, Margot."

And with that, Hammerhead began trudging in the direction of the river, ready to collect the bow before making the long journey back to Stray's castle.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"Very well," responded the druidess. "I am ready." In truth, she was more than ready to be away from the place of the bloodbath of villagers, even if they'd saved most of them. She hovered in mid-air, picking at her clothing and trying not to scowl.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

The wizard knight had remained silent as Ellarie conducted negotiations with the druid, having found his attention drawn equally between the group of hobgoblins, so incongruous in this gathering, and the lithe form of the green dragon. As his companion concluded niceties with the druid, and acquired his mark of passage, Elias bowed to the Bloodied Stag with a courtier's grace, turning towards the hobgoblin commander the druid had pointed out. Approaching the gathering of grey-skinned goblinoids, he gave a semblance of a salute.

"Commander Dysedrag, a pleasure. I am Sir Elias Apion of the Empire of Taldor, a stranger in these lands and soon to leave them. Before I depart, sir, I would ask one thing - what are your peoples' intentions for Oregent?"

[roll0]

[Nefarion Xid]

Arthfell

Dysedrag, evidently the taller and more wiry built of the trio, acknowledged Elias with a sneer, but said nothing while he looked over the wizard's gear. "You practice elf magic, don't you? What's a Taldan wizard doing in the Arthfell? Long way from home. What do you care what happens to Andorans?"

There was something about his appraising eye and the way he chose his words that told Elias the commander was far more intelligent than the average hobgoblin legionnaire.

Carnival

For a time, Lord Abarta stood perplexed, looking between his stuffed animal and his cookie. "Well. This was fun. This was a fun day. I uh ... I am going to see if they have one of those ski-ball games. Would you like to play the ski-ball with me, Jaeger?"

"Eh, well, I think I need to ..." The druid again gestured towards the tent.

"Oh! Yes. The dead bodies. Well. Good luck with that."

Abarta gave a last wave to Cassandra and went in search of carnival games.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Casting his own appraising eye over the hobgoblin commander, Elias paused as though considering his answer.

"Well deduced. This is little more than a diversion for my colleagues and I -
our business is further north. We thought it might be a pleasant afternoon, to stroll through a forest so primeval."

He rubbed his bare chin with a hand a moment before continuing.

"In truth, I care little for the affairs of Andoran. But if the local yokels are in danger, it seems the neighborly thing to warn them."

[Nefarion Xid]

Arthfell

The Commander scratched the uneven scar on his chin thoughtfully. "The humans are always in danger. They make good slaves. If you think about it, you've been in danger since the fall of Azlant, ain't ya? It's always something. World's a dangerous place." His lips curled into a cruel grin.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Perhaps unexpectedly, Elias could not help but laugh in appreciation of the commander's comment.

"It is always a pleasure to encounter an educated soul. I suppose you're right, Commander, it is ever my race's fate to endure the fickle storms of history. As it is your race's fate to ever test that endurance."

He touched fingers to his forehead, a mark of respect one might give a worthy foe.

"A shame that our peoples sup on war rather than peace. But we are all slaves to fate, are we not?"

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie looked taken aback by the hobgoblin's words.

"Well, I don't know about that. I think I'd make an awful slave. I'm far too stubborn and always mouthing off at the wrong time too." She rubbed her nose as her words trailed off. He eyes found Elias,

"Are we done... here?" She waved the Druid's talisman vaguely towards the assembled who's who of forest badasses.

"I would hate to keep these folk from enjoying their evening any longer than strictly necessary."

[Nefarion Xid]

Arthfell

"On the contrary, Miss Chapman," the rumbled, getting to his feet with a long stretch, "I've enjoyed your intrusion. These meetings are dull, if necessary. A little diversion if a welcome relief from the tedium. They're all so obnoxiously, undeservedly proud."

The green, nearly seven feet tall at the shoulders, lumbered towards the pair. He lowered his head and pressed near enough Elias that his breathing tousled the wizard's hair.

"Not like you. No. I think you've earned your right to barge in and bandy strong words about." Even whispering, the dragon's voice could be heard clearly across the gathering, now silent except for the crackle of the fire. "A little bird told me you're dragon slayers."

Silver Isle

After ten hours of nonstop flight aboard Crocker, the party finally neared the Silver Isle and the home of their fey "patron". The palace was a grand sight from the air, but somehow taking it all in at once made it seem less complicated, less mysterious. Only a few windows were lit from within, likely only the rooms perpetually illuminated with magic. The front door was surrounded by stone terrace and twin curved stairways leading up from the drive below and the bridge beyond. Statues stood silent vigil along the bridge every thirty feet. Like the marble nymphs in the grand stairs, each bore a pale blue magic flame which cast the whole structure in an ghostly hue. The darkwood double doors were closed.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Tumbling out of Crocker, Hammerhead took a moment to stretch himself out.

"Sweet Trudd, I thought I was going to lose feeling in my legs for a while there."

Although, on the upside, I got the chance to make some improvements on the recipe for my mutagen,
so I suppose it isn't all bad.

Walking up to the darkwood double doors, Hammerhead knocked and called out.

"Hello? Your Highness? Prince Stray? We have returned!"

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Though he endeavored to keep a mask of calm in place as the dragon closed to take his scent, Elias could not help the thrill of terror that ran up his spine. Still, once the great creature's head withdrew slightly he gave a low bow.

"You are clearly well informed, forest lord. Necessity brought us into conflict with another of your ancient race far to the east, and he did not survive our contest."

Straightening, Elias became keenly aware of the dragonskin hanging from around his shoulders.

"Might I ask your name, forest lord?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Arthfell

The dragon snorted and his webbed spines stood at attention. His eyes widened and he smiled, insomuch as a creature with barely any lip could. A green's protruded even with its mouth closed, like a crocodile.

"It's true then? You're the ones who killed Svangi." A moment passed which felt longer in Elias' head. The big green erupted in a barking laughter so loud and close it made their ears ring.

"Ha! That whelp deserved it. Sniveling weakling. Sticking his horn in where it doesn't belong. Overextending himself. Oh, I knew he was too much like mother. Only he wasn't strong enough to get away with it."

He stat on his haunches and turned his head to regard Elias and Ellarie from the side. It was less intimidating than talking directly to the enormous horn on his snout with his beady golden eyes set two feet back.

"My name is Gardithalion. You've earned that much for ridding the world of that disgrace. Be at peace. I have no quarrel with you. Athervox, though. Oh, mother had a soft spot for little Svangi, despite his weakness ... or because of it."

Silver Isle

The left door began to creek open all of three seconds after Hammerhead had knocked. Likely, it had been warded with Alarm to alert the prince to visitors.

"Yes, that is how doors work. I feel like we've grown. As a culture. We knock now instead of teleporting."

Stray's head sprung from the crack, completely horizontal and so high that he must have been levitating on the other side.

"So. Did you. Um. Did you do the thing? You uh ... you got, you know, the sword. Right? What the devil did I send you out for?"

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"In point of fact, we actually lost a weapon," Cassandra replied patiently, with a gesture toward Hammerhead. "If you recall, you sent us to track down your aunt, Ambrosia, and find out whether she had anything to do with the attempt to free Rhoswen. Spoiler alert: She didn't. Or she lied really well. Thanks for Abarta, by the way, though I think he's a tad annoyed at you now." Cassandra waited mere moments for Stray to remember before continuing. "Can we come inside? It's been a long day, and I need a hot bath. My lord."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

"Also, just as a bit of a heads up, Your Highness: Ambrosia hypnotized a bunch of people at a carnival the town was holding, and then tried to kill them with a series of elaborate death traps. We managed to save almost all of them - I think something along the lines of twelve died - but they're probably not going to be happy when they come out of their stupor."

[zabbarot]

Margot

"And there was an angry Qadiran woman. She stabbed me, thank you very much." Margot shifted her shirt to show the small hole in it, the blood had been cleaned away however.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Her smile was strangely gentle in the face of the great Gardithalion, though her heartbeat had sped up exponentially once he had revealed his knowledge of their identity.

"It's one of the defining characteristics of mothers, I think. A transcendent indulgence for their progeny's oddities. So many of us would never have reached adulthood otherwise." Ellarie gave the dragon a polite bow.

"It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Gardithalion. I too enjoy the occasional birdsong. They have so much to say, if one only knows how to listen." Her face turned to Elias as if to silently ask if he more to say before they took their leave.

[Nefarion Xid]

Silver Isle

"Well. You got better."

Stray blinked. His head descended until he was at his normal height and upright, then he pulled the door open and retreated into the foyer. Within, the lights were set to their typical night-time setting, the same ethereal blue as the ones on the bridge. Stray was dressed much like Abarta -- some perverse facsimile of Chelish fashion with white lace at this throat and spilling out of the sleeves of his silver embroidered jacket. He was barefoot however.

"Keep in mind I've spent just ... all afternoon and evening drinking and dancing. You've met Abarta, but you've only had a taste of what they're like. They're all manic depressive except the depression just manifests as a different weirder kind of mania!"

Stray vanished in a whorl of blue and black, then reappeared seconds later with a cup of tea in hand. "I've put another pot on for you."

"So, Ambrosia killed people? With magic. That certainly sounds like her. And where is Ambrosia now? You've not stuffed my auntie's corpse into that walking bathtub, have you?"

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"Ambrosia seems to have left the carnival between my conversation with her and our return with the Druid Jaeger. Either way, she did not show her face again - her real face, mind you, she originally had the guise of an old man - once we'd parted." After the excitement the three of them had had, Cassandra really didn't care how manic depressive Stray's hosts had been, but she kept that thought to herself. "We had intended to apprehend her, but circumstances were otherwise. Still, our efforts were fruitful to some degree, at least on the local level. Perhaps more, if Ambrosia can be believed. Was your time with Frilogarma productive?"

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Following Ellarie's lead, Elias mirrored her bow to the dragon.

"An honor indeed, proud Gardithalion. We shall leave you in the peace you have granted, and speak of your magnanimity. If you would but allow one question - you have given us warning of Athervox, lest she seek revenge. Might you know where she ranges, that we not trespass her territory in ignorance?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Arthfell

Gardithalion gave a slow nod and a blink towards Ellarie when she mentioned it had been an honor. A dragon would never return the pleasantry aloud, but she took his gesture to mean he at least respected their strength and appreciated their tact.

"Athervox' dominion is the Whisperwood to the west. Like Svangi, she obsesses over the stars, the planets, and the Dark Tapestry, and so she is always at work in her observatory, the one she inherited from grandfather Gartheris. I do not believe anyone has been foolish enough to disturb her for over four decades -- not since she cast out House Thrune's spies in a spectacularly violent fashion. Depending on how deep she is in her charts, she may not even learn of poor Svangi's demise for years. Or perhaps she has already put her plans for revenge in motion. I shan't hold my breath either way. I have no stake in this." The green nodded once more in Elias direction and began slithering back to his seat at the rear of the glade.

He's not lying exactly, but you suspect he means to loot his mother's observatory if you kill her.

Silver Isle

Stray mopped at his brow with his sleeve. Judging from the shine on his skin, he'd had quiet the evening.

"Were you not instructed to discretely learn of any connection to Rhoswen? Hmph. I suppose it can't be helped. She probably intended to slaughter the entire town and would have done so successfully without your presence. You said the people were hypnotized? Be more specific. As many details as you can remember. I'll need to know what spell she used."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"I am certain it was an Aura of the Unremarkable, or something similar at any rate," explained the druidess. "Though it had to have had a much large radius than that spell normally has. You know your aunt's abilities better than I, to be sure. The people there acted as if nothing was amiss, even while being injured." Discretely, indeed! "We attempted to be discrete, yes, but that other woman made things more difficult. That is not an excuse, merely an explanation," she added for clarification. "And it became apparent that Ambrosia intended something vile to happen at the Carnival, so we felt bound to avert it if we could. Alas that we were not wholly successful."

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

The dragon's answer elicited a final bow from Elias.

"You have our humble thanks for your counsel."

Turning, he walked with Ellarie towards the edge of the clearing, where Kiyoko and Philip waited in the shadows.

"We should get some sleep. With the Stag's token, we should be safe until I can teleport us back in the morning."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Having reached Kiyoko and Philip safely, Ellarie encouraged the others to walk until they found a clearing suitable for the spell she had in mind to keep them comfortable in the forest overnight. She felt like she had been walking forever, though her legs were strong and it was her mind that was on the verge of overload. The day had been an exhilarating and exhausting seesaw of emotion. She focused quietly, forcing her mind still and conjured a small wooden cottage. Smiling at her handiwork, she opened the door and peered inside before she went in and started taking off her boots and armor.

"Go collect us some firewood, please. Only take dead branches from off of the ground. Do not harm any living plants." She instructed the unseen servant that was conjured within the cabin carefully and then started a fire with the gathered wood, rendering the little cottage cozy for the night. They awoke the next day without incident and arrived back at their inn. Ell could scarcely believe they had made it out of the forest unharmed.

"Why don't we get some breakfast and wait and see if our Captain shows up? We certainly have a lot to tell him."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead



Silver Isle

Stray mopped at his brow with his sleeve. Judging from the shine on his skin, he'd had quiet the evening.

"Were you not instructed to discretely learn of any connection to Rhoswen? Hmph. I suppose it can't be helped. She probably intended to slaughter the entire town and would have done so successfully without your presence. You said the people were hypnotized? Be more specific. As many details as you can remember. I'll need to know what spell she used."

Cassandra

"I am certain it was an Aura of the Unremarkable, or something similar at any rate," explained the druidess. "Though it had to have had a much large radius than that spell normally has. You know your aunt's abilities better than I, to be sure. The people there acted as if nothing was amiss, even while being injured." Discretely, indeed! "We attempted to be discrete, yes, but that other woman made things more difficult. That is not an excuse, merely an explanation," she added for clarification. "And it became apparent that Ambrosia intended something vile to happen at the Carnival, so we felt bound to avert it if we could. Alas that we were not wholly successful."
As Cassandra outlined what had happened, Hammerhead perked up, and spoke.

"Oh, and another thing, very important, your highness. Aside from the woman who seemed to be in cahoots with Ambrosia - and who stole my beloved hammer, no less - we also encountered the Cold Riders, three of them. We managed to kill one of them and wound another, but then the remaining two got away."

[Nefarion Xid]

Silver Isle

Stray went quiet for a while. Cassandra could see the mischief had gone out of his eyes. Now they were just glassy and burdened with some private ordeal. He didn't even bother to correct everyone that it was "Your Grace" and not "Your Highness".

"I'm sorry about Last Word, Yandeath. I'll see what I can do to have it returned. Can't be too difficult to track down a magic dwarven longhammer here in cow country." He patted the dwarf on the shoulder. "Why don't you all retire to the east wing? I'll have some food brought up. I shall be in my library."

No mention of where in the palace this specific library might be located.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

As Stray's eyes went glassy, Hammerhead adopted a look of concern. Ordinarily, he would have been rather grateful for the assurance that Last Word would be recovered (and he trusted he would be, when this was over), but he spoke first instead.

"I have a sinking feeling that I know what the answer is going to be, but... are you alright, my Prince?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Silver Isle

Stray had already turned his back on them and made a few steps towards the stairs. "Ambrosia may have thousands of years on me, but she's forgotten her history. She's shortsighted, vain and greedy child. The magic you described, it wasn't a spell -- there's no spell that could do that. This was an artifact and I mean to find out who put it in her hands."

He glanced back over his shoulder, "There's nothing more for you to do tonight. Have a scone and get some rest."

Oregent

With a little bit of bothering, the party succeeded in entering the Diamond Regiment's barracks, or at least their heavily guarded waiting room, which meant it was guarded by one heavy sergeant who was having a thick stack of pancakes for breakfast. Within minutes, the Captain they'd spoke to the previous morning entered, hair still wet from grooming. He'd nicked himself shaving and periodically dabbed at his chin with a red handkerchief between sips of coffee.

"Morning," he said curty, having forgotten their names or at least forgotten if they'd given them. "Surprised to see you back so soon. Or at all. A welcome surprise, granted. But, as you've not reported to the bounty office, may I assume you've met with mixed results regarding your sylvan sortie?"

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

"I'm just as surprised as you are, Captain. Especially considering what we were up against. Though we did happen to kill a werewolf shortly after we entered the forest, a big one. We didn't take a trophy from him though I don't think?" She looked to the others gathered around her.

"More importantly, we found the Blooded Stag. We even spoke with him and his dragon. The hobgoblins weren't too friendly though. The whole humans are only good for slaves bit, I'm sure you're familiar." She sighed.

"Though this Hobgoblin was particularly intelligent." Ellarie did a double take at her companions and frowned.

"Well, perhaps not as intelligent as you all." She waved a hand in her companions direction.

"But maybe as intelligent as I am." She shrugged.

"Commander Dysedrag, I believe it was." She turned back to the Captain to see if he was keeping up.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"More to the point, there's a coalition of druids, hobgoblins, fey, magical beasts, predatory plants, and dragons in the Arthfell who are not terribly pleased with the rampant habitat destruction. Now, I don't personally care about the economics or environmental factors behind this, but if you plan on continuing as you are, you'll need to do more than send in some dashingly good-looking mercenaries. You'll either need some kind of planar super-champion or an army."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra burned with a desire to know now about the artifact Stray mentioned, but she stamped it down. They were all tired, and rest really was the best thing. After a little food. "Let's go," she said to the others, stifling a yawn. "The world can wait until tomorrow."

[zabbarot]

Margot

"Should I leave Crocker outside? Last time he was just already in so I didn't think about it... I can put some slippers on him to protect your nice floors."

[Nefarion Xid]

Silver Isle

"Yeah, put some pink booties on him because that'll be hilarious." Stray smirked, cheered up momentarily before he puffed away to wherever it was he went.

The next day at brunch, (if breakfast was severed by anyone in the castle, Stray didn't sanction it) the Prince appeared with a bowl of freshly cut pineapple. He ate from it bare-handed and only offered some to the rest of the table after he'd taken several bites in silence. The bowl was balanced on a worn black leather tome with silver lettering down the spine. "The Book of Kas" in Sylvan.

"The Duke of Aerilon was an avid collector of antiquities, but he prized fey curiosities above all else due to his sorcerous bloodline. He kept it a secret, of course, since the source of his bloodline didn't run through his lord father. He never told anyone he was a sorcerer and the poor man died in his fifties from an blood clot. In his collection, and don't ask me how I know this (definitely ask me how I know this) was a misplaced weapon of the First World. Naturally, this one was kept off the display shelves when company came round. I'm positively vexed by how he came by it in the first place, but the description from his secret grimoire is right on."

Once he'd sucked the pineapple juice of his fingers, he began flipping through the book. "A pink, glassy orb measuring six inches in, oh, I'll spare you the details. The point is it's only got the one use. It's gone now and Ambrosia can't do any more harm with it. The real point is, I know the son of a bitch who gave it to Ambrosia in the first place because the orb and estate passed to the Duke's daughter and she married into the fifty seventh layer of the Abyss. I've found our mysterious magic user with inexplicably ancient knowledge who thought it would be a laugh to unleash Rhoswen on the world."

Oregent

The young captain took in their report with a stoic expression. Once Ellarie was done explaining, he gave a slight nod to indicate that he at least believed all she said. "Quite," he said with a mirthless smile. "As it happens, we are the army, Miss. Talmanor's a bit scarce on the ground at the moment, but we have our planar patron as well. The Arthfell is an ancient place, full of all manner of dreadful things. As you saw for yourselves. The truth of it is there's nothing the regiment can do about it. Dozen miles of pitch black with owlbears and dragons."

He paused long enough to dab at his chin once more and glance down at the handkerchief. "The hobs though. Hmm. I shan't say what the military doesn't know, but I shall suffice with, "Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention"." He looked genuinely pleased.

"The big one you killed. Wasn't the blighter with claws, was it? Oh, eight feet tall?"

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"That sounds right. He was a bit taller when we met him due to magical enhancement, but he shrank back down after we killed him. Werewolf, big, had the magic belt that Elias is wearing and a tacky... shrine with 'hide and seek' on it."

[Nefarion Xid]

Oregent

"That's the one." The captain smiled at the mention of the belt. "That aberrant beastie has killed at least twenty over the years. That's the ones we know of, the ones anyone cares enough about to say they're missing. Have a word with my secretary on the way out and she'll see your compensated. It's not that much considering all the danger you've put yourselves in, but you have the thanks of the republic and a bit of coin."

For a moment he searched himself and the area for something to write with, then settled on shouting, "Sheila! Give the nice adventurers two thousand on the way out!"

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra had spent some time before bed soaking in a bath, and had discovered much to her chagrin that pixie wings, when wet, were unsuitable for flight. She'd had to toddle off to bed on her feet, an obnoxious task for someone who'd bother shrunk and quickly become used to flight. While she was waiting for the wings to dry, she idly wondered if she could talk Stray into giving her a human-sized form with wings. A swan-maiden, perhaps?

Next day they gathered once more. "You're implying that the husband of the Duchess Elizabeth Roloviel-Meresin is responsible for this," the pixie-shaped druidess said, her blue eyes widening at the accusation. "Do you have any idea what the repercussions of that becoming known would be?" Cassandra asked him pointedly. She waved a small hand to forestall an immediate answer. "Of course you do, but it's preposterous! What possible motive could he have? The Meresins are probably richer than Stavian, so it's not like they'd benefit that much from sowing chaos. Unless they mean to sweep in as the rescuers and take the throne. Gods know Stavian's a fool and could stand to be replaced, but I'd rather have his daughter than someone who consorts with dark fey. But I still don't believe it. Not with the reputation they have."

She paused to recollect her thoughts. "You said before that Rhoswen will keep for now, after we replaced two of the stones. Let's assume you're right. What's our next step?"

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie brightened at the Captain's pleasure, and at the mention of the reward money.

"Thank you Captain. I wish we could do more, but alas... our business is pressing." She trailed off, knowing there was little him and his small force could do as well, but wishing them the best.

"Oh, before I forget, it's the Black Talon Legion Commander Dysedrag belongs to. And reportedly, there are three werewolf packs who don't necessarily agree with each other all the time." She hesitated, considering giving him the Bloodied Stag's token, but decided against it. Them running into the forest would only serve to accelerate their demise, she was sure.

"That's all the pertinent details I can remember. I think it's time for us to get going." She looked up at Elias for confirmation.

[Nefarion Xid]

Silver Isle

"Well, I had rather hoped you'd pop back to Taldan and kill Turel on my suggestion." There was no humor in Stray's voice.

"I was there in Oppara when he clawed his way to the top from obscurity. I've known all along he was a sorcerer, and I've seen first hand the insidious things he'll do to get what he wants. He had Elizabeth Roloviel's husband murdered and pinned the accusation on me. His public face is squeaky clean though. I doubt his own lackies even know who they're really working for."

Annoyed, and clearly tired from a sleepless night, he angrily flipped through the pages of Kas' journal. "It's hardly personal. The thought of Elizabeth sharing a bed with that snake only barely fills me with rage. I've spent the night putting together the pieces though. Turel's on the short list of arcanists in Avistan powerful enough to move the stones and he had access to the Eye of Rapture thanks to his marriage. And the inexplicable Qadiran woman? It all makes sense, doesn't it? Someone wants blood in Andoran. Because, what will happen when Stavian thinks this country is weak?"

He pointed the rhetorical question squarely at Cassandra.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"Just pop back home and insert myself back into high society just like that, yes?" Cassandra asked lightly, snapping her fingers once for emphasis. "I haven't exactly cultivated a respectable reputation in Taldoran social circles." Her lips met in a thin smile. "There goes Cassandra, what a disappointment she must be to her parents, mucking about in the wilderness. No sense of propriety, that one." She did a passable imitation of a Lady she'd once overheard (and pretended not to).

Cassandra sighed. "I'm sorry; I do not mean to be flippant, but the Court of Taldor is not a very welcoming place to me. By my own choosing, of course, and I would not change my past decisions, even knowing where my path has led. Rowan always said to be as cognizant of the metaphysical dangers of freedom as the physical dangers of the open road, but also never to regret a path once chosen. I do not do so now, though I believe looking back has given me perspective." The perspective was that Lady Cassandra Vallas was now beginning to think more of others, and less of herself (solely at any rate). The desperate bid to save as many villagers as they could at the carnival had stoked the embers of her conscience, and she wanted to continue in that pursuit.

"I have an idea," the druidess said suddenly. "A request, really. Send me to Syntira first. If it pleases her, I could be made an ambassador to the Court of Taldor, serving the purposes of the Fey in seeking peace. That would perhaps give me the station I need to re-enter those circles more quickly than I could as my own self, something other than the form of a pixie. Helpful though it has been, I need the ability to use my shifting powers without losing the disguise permanently. This may hopefully enable us to learn more about Turel's plans, and aid us in preventing further bloodshed. I already have one foot in both worlds. Perhaps that can be made truer still. Please. I will swear myself to Syntira's service. And yours, your Grace, if you wish it."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

As Cassandra and Stray discussed what had to be done next, Hammerhead stroked his beard, deep in thought. Eventually, he spoke.

"As long as we're discussing our next move, what is the best way that I can contribute to this? If I'm understanding you two correctly, doing this Turel fellow in is going to require a lot of intrigue, and in that regard, I'd stick out like a sore thumb? Shall I just be playing the part of bodyguard once more? I have no objections if that's the case, mind, just thought I'd bring it up."

"Also, I'll bite - how did you know that the Duke of Aerilon had a weapon of the first world in his collection?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Silver Isle

Stray was quiet for a while, sucking on his bottom lip and staring at the wall between and behind Hammerhead and Cassandra.

"I ask too much. Forgive me." He laughed, though his eyes did not move. "For a moment, I honestly did expect you to traipse back to Taldor to assassinate a duke. If Turel sat on the throne, I think the economy would recover, at least. After the civil war, of course. But that can't be helped. Not yet. I don't have the power to stop his machinations. And you, well, no offense. Perhaps one day."

He cradled the book to his chest and wrapped his arms around it. "You're not my vassals. I shouldn't be sending you on errands anyway. If you want to speak to Syntira, you have my blessing. I can take you there myself. Whatever you do after, it should be of your own volition."

The prince laughed again, half choking this time. "Gods, it's a good thing there are people smarter than me in the world fighting against evil. I'm rubbish at it."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, Your Grace. You got us to go to Falcon's Hollow and stop the Cold Riders, didn't you? A lot of lives would have been lost if you'd not sent us there."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra shivered. Even having this conversation could be considered treason in some circles. Quickly mastering herself, the druidess gave a nod to Stray. "No offense taken. It is...something of a relief to know I do not have to assassinate a duke. Or attempt to assassinate a duke. Not yet, at any rate. Speaking of which, I hope my parents aren't in any danger. They have a bit of a cordial relationship with Turel and his wife."

"I do desire to speak with Syntira. And perhaps Aripha as well, eventually, should she be willing to see me. I would welcome my companions continued company, should they be willing. And there is the matter of Hammerhead's maps, if he has not forgotten that. I would suggest we try to pick up Ambrosia's trail, but she will not likely let us find her a second time. Beyond that, well, I suppose we see what our path lays before us."

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Having collected their modest reward from the captain's clerk, Elias led the way back to the street and the open air. Taking a deep breath of the assembled scents of life in Oregent, he turned back to his companions.

"Well, that was a bracing adventure, but we should probably move on. Unless any of you have further business to attend to, let's fetch Trisha and the horses and return to our true business."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"Elias... why are we dragging Trisha around? She's not exactly earning what you pay her." The tiefling shrugged. "Other than that, yeah, we should get a move on."

[Nefarion Xid]

"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, Your Grace. You got us to go to Falcon's Hollow and stop the Cold Riders, didn't you? A lot of lives would have been lost if you'd not sent us there."

"Well, that is kind. And likely true. I suppose I'll add it to the list of times I've prevented a town from being wiped off the map. Six. It's six times." Stray smiled politely and added something in Minkaian with a shockingly polished accent.

"I do desire to speak with Syntira. And perhaps Aripha as well, eventually, should she be willing to see me. I would welcome my companions continued company, should they be willing. And there is the matter of Hammerhead's maps, if he has not forgotten that. I would suggest we try to pick up Ambrosia's trail, but she will not likely let us find her a second time. Beyond that, well, I suppose we see what our path lays before us."

"Eh. Leave Ambrosia to me. She's lost her toy now, and you've busted up her little carnival. Odds are good she'll go off and sulk about that for a few years. The Cold Riders as well. They'll want revenge, but they may be years plotting it. I would recommend a trip to the mountains to put them down for good, but worse things lurk in the snowy crags. Things even I fear."

He paused, thinking for a moment. "What is this about a map? You never said you had a map. I like maps."

New Falcon's Hollow

Elias and company enjoyed a ride of a few days north to the last bastion of civilization before making their departure towards Droskar's Crag. As they approached the River Foam and the lumber village nestled on its southern shore, they saw that dozens of men were hard at work constructing a wooden palisade with sharpened spikes, blackened and hardened with fire.

As they approached, a half orc in chainmail broke off from the group and approached with his sword drawn, waving the party down at a distance. "Oi, you lot!" he yelled, "Who are you and what's your business?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead


[QUOTE=Nefarion Xid;22255725]"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, Your Grace. You got us to go to Falcon's Hollow and stop the Cold Riders, didn't you? A lot of lives would have been lost if you'd not sent us there."

"Well, that is kind. And likely true. I suppose I'll add it to the list of times I've prevented a town from being wiped off the map. Six. It's six times." Stray smiled politely and added something in Minkaian with a shockingly polished accent.

"I do desire to speak with Syntira. And perhaps Aripha as well, eventually, should she be willing to see me. I would welcome my companions continued company, should they be willing. And there is the matter of Hammerhead's maps, if he has not forgotten that. I would suggest we try to pick up Ambrosia's trail, but she will not likely let us find her a second time. Beyond that, well, I suppose we see what our path lays before us."

"Eh. Leave Ambrosia to me. She's lost her toy now, and you've busted up her little carnival. Odds are good she'll go off and sulk about that for a few years. The Cold Riders as well. They'll want revenge, but they may be years plotting it. I would recommend a trip to the mountains to put them down for good, but worse things lurk in the snowy crags. Things even I fear."

He paused, thinking for a moment. "What is this about a map? You never said you had a map. I like maps."
I don't remember anything about a map eith-

Oh! THAT map!

"Oh, right, yes, I'd almost forgotten myself. It's in this thing right here."

Hammerhead dug the offending item out of his backpack and handed it to Stray.

"I confess I may have skimmed over a lot of it, but it was a travelogue that belonged to a woman I knew briefly before... well, to be quite blunt, she was killed during an expedition. There's a map in here indicating a few points of interest."

[zabbarot]

Margot

As everyone discussed the events of the previous day, Margot munched happily on the pineapple Stray had brought in. It was a rare treat in Galt. In fact it'd only been allowed to the nobility before they'd all been murdered. She smiled to herself. Pineapple is as good a reason as any for a revolution. The mention of a map grabbed her attention however.

"We've had a treasure map this whole time and you guys were futzing around playing hero instead?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

"We kind of got distracted after the whole 'monsters coming out of the fog which in turn lead to a dead druid which in turn lead to a broken open fey prison' thing."

[Nefarion Xid]

Silver Isle

Stray spent several minutes examining Aquila's notebook, scanning it with magic, sniffing it, even licking one page, and then reading it backwards. His brow knit as he read and he grew tense and pale.

"Gods. Victoria wasn't just looking for adventure, she was trying to find the three Lesser seals of Tar-Baphon. I don't know what could posses someone to do something so foolish. Well. I do. I do and it worries me. This isn't knowledge any one person should have. The locations are secret for a reason."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"Our business is, by definition, not your business. We are, however, merely passing through." Kiyoko shrugged, most of the hostility having drained from her voice over the course of the sentence. "Who are you?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Hammerhead grew increasingly nervous as Stray grew tense and pale.

"I've never heard of the seals of Tar-Baphon. I'm guessing there's a very good reason they're secret?"

[Othniel]

Cassandra

The druidess paled visibly. "That's worse. So much worse than an uppity sorcerer trying to stir up trouble in Taldor." Cassandra was vividly recalling a moment when, in the tomb of the dragonslayers, a ghost had touched her. She shivered, and could once more feel the icy touch. "I hate undead. Hate!" The tone of her voice said it was more fear than hate.

[zabbarot]

Margot

The witch leaned back and sunk into her chair. "What would that monster even want now after all these years? He had sought godhood. He considered Aroden a cheater, and Aroden murdered him. Everything the Whispering Tyrant did seemed like an attempt at revenge for his murder. So Taldor trapped him the second time, but he's been sealed so long Taldor has all but destroyed itself. I guess it doesn't really matter. The fact is it took divine intervention to stop him both times, and Aroden is long gone. I suppose Iomedae would pick up the fight. She was still mortal during the Shining Crusade. She must have seen the mess he caused first hand. Should we call a priest?"

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra drew her knees up and hugged them to her chest as Margot presented her knowledge. "You said this Victoria was after the Lesser seals. That implies the existence of Greater seals, no? What would one even do with the seals, aside from the obvious answer of breaking them...if you wanted an apocalypse?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Silver Isle

"Great Seal," Stray corrected. "There's only one and that's the seal atop Gallowspire. The three lesser or sympathetic seals empower the Great Seal. If they're all broken, then the Great Seal is vulnerable. As long as at least one stands, I'm given to understand Gallowspire is beyond the reach of even the gods."

He paused to collect this thoughts. "One of the seals has already been broken. That sentence alone is dangerous enough information in the wrong hands, but rest assured the worst hands already have it. Not all of Tar-Baphon's followers retreated with him. Many were left at large when the Seal was put in place. A few have been hunted down, but it's impossible to say exactly how many remain. Now, given that the people charged with protecting the lesser seals know where they've been hidden, I would hazard to guess that our dearly departed Victoria worked on behalf of the Tyrant, or at least one of his cronies on the outside. Hmph. I don't suppose it's too much to hope that you brought her skull with you?"

New Falcon's Hollow

Sweat began to bead on the half-orcs brow immediately and he took a step back while lowering his sword. "I-I'm sorry. It's me job to ask questions of strange folk. N-not that you're strange! You're all, very normal, very friendly looking people!"

The group of laborers he'd come from didn't look so impressed. They continued to glare for a moment longer before returning to their palisade.

"People have been going missing. Fifteen just last week. Folks isn't very trusting in times like this."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Hammerhead spoke up.

"So, just to clarify. I'm getting enough context clues to guess that this Tar-Baphon guy was apparently some sort of ancient bad guy sealed away to stop him from taking over the world, and that these seals are what's stopping him from rising up - but what is he, exactly? A lich? A wizard? A dragon? Some other sort of monster?"

"And, no, we did not bring her skull with us. Last I saw of her, she was cut down at the ruined monastery where I was captured, and then met Cassandra when she and a bunch of others broke me out."

[zabbarot]

Margot

"He was human once. Now he's a lich, I guess, or maybe some horrific pseudo-god. Once you're fighting gods I'm not sure it matters what you are. Point is he'd kill us all. Not even intentionally. On the bright side, he probably still hates Taldor so chances are good he'd murder Turel for you too... if you're in one of those 'just want to watch the world burn' kind of moods."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie watched the tiefling handle the hostile laborer. Kiki certainly seemed to have a way with half-orcs. Her expression turned to dismay as the man spoke of the town's missing persons problem. Was every town the encountered doomed to have some sort of predicament?

"Missing persons you say?" She scratched her cheek thoughtfully, not entirely convinced she wanted to get involved.

"Was there some sort of pattern to the disappearances?"

[Nefarion Xid]

New Falcon Hollow

The half orc gestured to the south east where there was a rough circle about two hundred yards wide of dead grass. There were still some wagons left there, but the tents has been pulled down.

"Quinn's Carnival came to town five days ago. Everyone who went says that had a real good time, but nobody seems to remember much of it besides how good the beer was. The next day, that's when people started to figure some had gone missing. We ain't found nothing round the fair grounds, but one bull-man, half burnt up. No sign of the missing. No blood. No tracks. No sign of Quinn or any of the carnies neither."

Silver Isle

"As a mortal man, Tar-Baphon fought Aroden, a god, and made him bleed. He rose again as a lich millennia later and only the combined of humanity and dwarf kind pushed his undead army back to what to Ustalav. If the Great Seal of Gallowspire breaks, Taldor won't be able to save us this time. The fighting will come down to Hell itself aiding Cheliax. Could they win? I find it likely. Asmodeus is cleverer than Tar-Baphon could ever wish to be. But Avistan will burn and Thrune will claim what isn't smoldering."
Stray sunk into his chair fidgeted with the buttons on his coat.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie turned to Kiyoko,

"Ignoring whatever this is is a valid option." Her eyes flicked to Elias,

"But I can't imagine what could tamper with so many people's memories at once. That's far beyond my abilities." She raised an eyebrow at her companions,

"Does anyone speak bull-man?" A slow, slightly gleeful smile stretched across her face.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

It was difficult for Elias to stifle a sigh at this new development. It seemed everywhere they traveled, there was some local disaster just poised to unfold lest they intervene. In different circumstances, or with people he cared about involved, Elias might have leapt to the mystery. But they had business with darker and deadlier threats than a missing carnival. And yet...

"I know the tongue of minotaurs. I assume you meant a minotaur? Sir Elias Apion, at your service sir. We are on a mission of some urgency, but we could perhaps help put your minds at ease. Who leads your charming community?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Hammerhead's eyes widened as Margot, then Stray, detailed exactly who Tar-Baphon was. It was not as bad as he had expected.

It was worse.

"Well, yes. Yes, that is definitely, definitely very bad."

"So, the question now is, what should we do? Try to go to the other two seals, and make sure they are still guarded properly? Or try to repair the third seal? Is there even a way to repair the third seal?"

Order of the Stick flashbacks... intensifying...

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"Gods, no, we just blew three days not solving Oregent's problems, and we're late to whatever this issue is." The Minkaian rolled her eyes. "Let them contact the authorities they love so much for missing carnies."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie's grin grew wider at Kiyoko's protestations.

"We'd probably be staying the night though, right? It would only take a minute to hear what the Minotaur had to say. We wouldn't have to do anything with the information." She shrugged, remembering the werewolf.

"He might not even talk to us anyway."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"If there is a way to repair it, such ability is likely beyond the three of us." Cassandra glanced at Stray. She suspected his strengths lay in a different realm than that as well. "We probably should seek the others out. If this Victoria knew or suspected their locations, others may have the same information, and I would rather we recover them and transfer them to safer hands than abandon them to the whims of chance. Or at least ascertain that they do, in fact, remain inviolate if that be the case."

"Besides," she added with a small smile for Margot, "There's bound to be treasure along the way, yes?"

[zabbarot]

Margot

The witch frowned. "I appreciate treasure, but I'll admit I also have a certain vested interest in the world not being overrun by hordes of undead. The prince is likely right. Cheliax would win through some bull**** gambit that only works because nobody's going to tell Asmodeus he isn't clever. Abyss, they might join forces. Regardless everything we know gets burned down and Cheliax gets stronger." As a Galt native Margot was born with a healthy mistrust of Cheliax.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"That's more or less my point. The Minotaur isn't going to talk to us, and if he did, he isn't going to give us anything useful." The tiefling sighed and facepalmed. "Do what you like, I guess. Just don't be surprised if this is a colossal waste of time."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

"I know, I know! I'm sure you're right! It's just..." Her voice trailed off, though it held her childishly excited tone.

"I've never seen a Minotaur before!" She clasped Kiki's arm.

"I'll buy you a drink and dinner afterwards, I promise! No, two drinks!"

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"Two beers, huh... you realize this is going to be a minotaur corpse, right?"

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Her enthusiasm faltered a tiny bit,

"Yeeeeah, but he's still generally Minotaur shaped, right?" She turned to the half-orc.

"Where's his body being kept?"

[BladeofObliviom]

The Pointy End, Almas

"It's nice to meet you too Alessandra. I'm Verus. Everyone calls me Igneous though. And this is my wife, Branda." The old man was all smiles, though his wife maintained a decidedly neutral expression -- not unpleasant, just socially cautious.

"We're not Pathfinders, though we've worked with the Society in the past. We're the Golden Watch. We are, and our absent companions."

The Chelish woman tilted her head slightly in her husband's direction, silently advising caution. He responded with an emphatically dismissive shrug, immediately crestfallen as the day's disappointment reached critical mass.

"Our best days our behind us, but we still meet every year in this inn and we go scare up some adventure. You know, go bash some goblins for old times' sake. It's good to stay active. Course, Rhoma passed away last year."

"She was eighty-seven, dear."

"But today we find out Dern is laid up in home for old folks and invalids! Declared mentally incompetent by his own children. They wouldn't let us see him. Said it would just get him riled up. No sign of Taergan at all. And he's a half-elf, mind you. Still a spry young man in his sixties. He's got more years left than the rest of us put together. Gods know what's kept him. We've been sitting here for hours trying to decide on what to do about it."

Branda's lips curled into a mirthless smile. "Call it adventurer's intuition. Something doesn't feel right about all this. I suspect Dern's predicament and Taergan's delay aren't coincidences. We may be targeted next. By whom, I couldn't possibly guess. I think its best we stay someplace very public for the time being."

The Pointy End, Almas
Alessandra

Picking out a seat just far away enough to not technically be sitting with the pair, Alessandra listened intently, processing this information. "My apologies for the presumption, then. I'll grant that what you're saying is a touch concerning."

An understatement. It might be a coincidence, of course...but one learns a few things navigating a criminal underworld, and one of those things is that there are no coincidences when it comes to mysterious disappearances. Without so much as a suspect it would be difficult to pin down a motive, of course: It could be someone's personal grudge, it could be an individual or group preying upon wealthy-looking single targets.

"...Alright, I can't let this go. What if I looked into this for you?", she asked, betraying her curiosity. "I have this terrible habit of sticking my nose where it doesn't belong, you see. Scratches an itch."

[Nefarion Xid]

Silver Isle

"The Lesser Seals were constructed using bone fragments from Tar-Baphon himself and splinters of the Shield of Aroden, which was sundered in the battle. Tar-Baphon's body was destroyed, but his phylactery was concealed within Gallowspire, so he no doubt reformed only days later. Still, it was enough time for the Crusaders to push his army back and erect the seals in the first place. The broken seal could be reforged, but you would need both a bone and part of the shield. The pieces of the shield reside within the Crusader's College at Lastwall. Even I don't know where to find the rest of Tar-Baphon's bones, but someone at Lastwall might. I'm not sure they'll trust you, but it may be that the college does not yet know one of the seals has been broken. Someone needs to tell them."

He smiled with a complete lack of warmth and dull eyes. "I cannot take you to Lastwall. I'm forbidden to travel outside of Andoran. But I do have a faithful vassal who can take you there. If that's what you want. I can carry you to see Syntira as well. And if you're feeling particularly spunky, you could reunite the Skull of Ydersius with his body and slay his avatar in the presence of Pharasma herself." He paused a beat. "That last one was a joke. But feel free to offer once you're stronger. I'd like to see that."

New Falcon's Hollow

"Yeah, sure, mi-no-tower. What you said. Everybody knows that." The half orc shifted uncomfortably. "We just dragged him out into the fields a ways if you want to have a look at him. Coyotes probably got to him, but there should be enough left."

He pointed about a half mile out towards a depression in the fields that looked to be the town's garbage dump. Should the party venture out that way, they find the putrid smelling, despoiled corpse of an 8' minotaur with most of his skull intact. His eyes had been picked out by birds.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie started down silently at the beast, enthusiasm deflated.

"Not quite as majestic as I thought he'd be." She turned to Elias,


"Translate for me please? I would like to ask what he was doing here, and who killed him." She turned back to the corpse and regarded him almost pityingly before she cast Speak with Dead on him.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra pressed her lips into a thin smile directed toward the Fey Prince. "I'd much prefer to put off meeting Pharasma as long as I can." Drawing out one of her maps, she unrolled it and examined the area around Lastwall. "Yes, I still think I'd like to see Syntira first, but if you also have someone who can safely take us to Lastwall, I would not turn down such an offer. Even with Crocker, it would be a long journey through perilous terrain. Would it be better to go directly to Lastwall, or should we not seek out the other seals as well? Then Cassandra put down her map. "Who is this vassal?"

[Nefarion Xid]

New Falcon's Hollow

The minotaur shuddered to life, or at least his skull did. A dim green light filled his eye sockets and his jaw clacked experimentally. With some difficulty, Ellarie was able to ask her questions in halting Giant. "I worked for Namdrin Quinn and Ambrosia the Nymph. I did security and helped set up. They also had me kill people. I liked it. She'd seduce the drunkards as we toured the country, and I'd bring my axe down on their heads. I hate your kind."

"The one who killed me was some bitch in a flying bathtub. She hit me with a spell. Then blackness"

Silver Isle

"Oh," Stray chuckled. "Only the preeminent sorcerer in Andoran. I brought him up from nothing."

He rose, still clutching Kas' journal protectively. "Stay another night. Before you're off, I'll see if I can't track down that naughty hammer of yours, Yandeath."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

A genuine look of gratitude passed over Hammerhead's face as the offer to track down his hammer was made.

"Bless you, Stray."

He then turned to Cassandra.

"For what it's worth, in regards to the seals, I think it might be worth it to go to the college first. They may have useful information or resources regarding the seals."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie frowned as the Minotaur spoke of his hatred for humans.

"I'm liking this gent less and less as time goes by." As he went on to name his killer, Ell shook her head. She could not hope to begin unraveling that mystery. Bathtub? She turned back to Elias and rattled off her next two questions.

"Who is Ambrosia the Nymph and why is she going around killing people?"

"It's trees isn't it, I'm guessing the reason is trees." She muttered under her breath, she was developing an active dislike for fey folk.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"I had a beef with him from the start," Kiyoko muttered. She was the team's resident bad person. She was allowed to do that.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"Very well." Cassandra nodded as the discussion seemed drawing to a close. "I have one small request, Your Grace. Return me to my normal state. It was a clever disguise, and I very much enjoyed the ability to fly at my leisure, but out of respect I wish to present my true self to Syntira."

[Nefarion Xid]

New Falcon's Hollow

"Ambrosia the nymph?" croaked the minotaur rhetorically. "She's a nymph. Blue skin. Black hair. Baba Yaga killed her boyfriend 'bout two thousand years ago. She's had it out for humans ever since. When she's not moping, she's killing. Gotta have a hobby. She hopes the conflict forces Andoran's hand. If it gets bad, the rest of the fey will follow her. Maybe. Make her queen or something."

200 XP each for questioning the minotaur

Almas

"That's the spirit!" Igneous made no attempt to contain his excitement and satisfaction. His wife remained cool as ever.

"Aid and discretion would be appreciated greatly, Alessandra. We can offer you five hundred sails for your trouble. If nothing's amiss, it's a substantial sum for easy work. If there's foul play, well, then there's profit and spoils in taking players off the board," said Branda.

The old man clapped his hammer with proud, nervous energy.

"Best start with Flinn's home. He's come into a lovely three story brownstone on the north side of town." Branda scribbled down the address. "And Dern Fosimuth. He may know something relevant. He may not. At any length, we'd like to get word to him about the situation. You could say you're his daughter, there for a visit?" She added the address of Mother's Care Home.

400 XP gained for accepting the quest!

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Her smirk at Kiki's jest was short lived as the Minotaur's answer sank in. Two thousand years old, Baba Yaga... this sounded worse than Ellarie had expected. A look of concern clouded her face which she turned back to Elias a final time.

"I want to ask, Where does Ambrosia go when she's sulking and not killing?"

[Nefarion Xid]

New Falcon's Hollow

The minotaur answered, "Her wagon," and was silent once more. Assuming Ambrosia's wagon must be one of the several left in a circle back at the fairgrounds, the party made a thorough search and found nothing. Either the authorities had already taken everything of interest or value, or Ambrosia had.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Her brow crinkled in annoyance by the Minotaur's vague last answer, Ellarie stood with her hands on her hips and shrugged amidst the empty wagons.

"Oh well, time for those beers, Kiki? I could use a hot meal, myself. Maybe the inn will have a musician if we're lucky."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"I'm for that." Kiyoko shrugged at the minotaur and turned, musing out loud, "Sulking or killing... tch. There were oni like that. Dreadfully dull. I like her plan, though - provoking Andoran, that is. It makes sense and is likely to establish the Fey as a permanent presence throughout a huge swath of forest."

[Nefarion Xid]

Silver Isle / Darkmoon Vale

On the second day, Stray returned from his outing with Last Word. He made no mention of where he'd located it or what he'd had to do to get it. He just laid it on its head by Hammerhead and walked away with the glimmer of an amused or self-assured grin.

As agreed, on the third day, Stray returned Cassandra to her human form and then teleported the party to meet Syntira. They arrived somewhere at the headwaters of the Darkmoon River, a small valley overlooked by the mountains to the north and surrounded on all sides by truly ancient darkwood trees whose roots and vines had woven together for form a wall. A three tier cascade could be seen at the north end of the small valley. The water drained to the south east, somewhere in a rocky pool that must have lead to an underground river. All around the land teamed with vibrant flora and completely unimpressed fauna. The enormous elk drinking from the pool merely glanced at the party once and then went back to what he was doing. Most of the valley was covered in a pleasant penumbra from the enormous trees and nearby a trio of nymphs sat in a circle, singing in a dream-like trance. The words were Sylvan, but thinking too long on the meaning of the song brought a tear to Cassandra's eye. Margot find herself momentarily dazed and unable to form a coherent thought. The sound soon faded to an ethereal, peaceful hum and the words were forgotten.

Stray had sensibly dressed for the occasion, wearing only his circlet and a simple linen shirt and trousers. Barefoot, the grass looked to curl around his toes on its own accord.

"Really can't guarantee that you won't go blind." He laughed, but he wasn't joking. "Still time to consider a blindfold."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra had dressed herself once more in her traveling noblewoman's clothing (though she had put away her furs by now), cleaned and mended from the wear it had picked up during her travels. She completed the outfit with her jewelry, and presented a picture that was sure to impress any ordinary noble receiving a delegation. Syntira's folk were anything but normal, however, and Cassandra felt her style and quantity of dress to be out of place. When they passed near the singing nymphs, Cassandra stood as if enthralled, listening to the almost painfully beautiful music and not wanting it to stop. As the sound faded, a deep feeling of loss welled up within her, and she sighed.

She gave a small start at Stray's comment. "I would consider it a small price for the experience, Your Grace," she responded quietly. "That I am permitted here if but once is a greater gift than I could ever hope to repay."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

When Stray showed up with the Last Word, Hammerhead made his gratitude plain and clear.

"If you ever need anything, Stray, anything at all - I owe you one."

A day later, he was still running his hands carefully over the haft as he took a look around the glade. At Stray's suggestion of a blindfold, he perked up.

"I think I'll take one, if you're offering. Can't smack people if I'm blind - though hopefully I don't need to do that here."

[BladeofObliviom]

Almas

"That's the spirit!" Igneous made no attempt to contain his excitement and satisfaction. His wife remained cool as ever.

"Aid and discretion would be appreciated greatly, Alessandra. We can offer you five hundred sails for your trouble. If nothing's amiss, it's a substantial sum for easy work. If there's foul play, well, then there's profit and spoils in taking players off the board," said Branda.

The old man clapped his hammer with proud, nervous energy.

"Best start with Flinn's home. He's come into a lovely three story brownstone on the north side of town." Branda scribbled down the address. "And Dern Fosimuth. He may know something relevant. He may not. At any length, we'd like to get word to him about the situation. You could say you're his daughter, there for a visit?" She added the address of Mother's Care Home.

400 XP gained for accepting the quest!

Almas

Alessandra nodded, mulling over the information. "That seems a sensible approach. Though...his daughter, you say? What can you tell me about her? I can only presume that the staff know who their regular visitors are."


Can I assume physical descriptions of the missing persons are included? It seems like a reasonable thing to ask for but am unsure if it's already implied somewhere.

[Nefarion Xid]

Darkmoon Vale - Syntira's Demesne

"Oh, I can promise there will be no smacking," Stray said, leading the way towards the absurdly massive darkwood tree at the rear center of the valley. Its roots arced into the air, taller than a house, before plunging back into the river. In the water, something watched the party beneath a cascade of black hair, but when they drew closer it vanished beneath the surface.

"In addition to the fey rules of decorum, which I assure you are perfectly abstruse, the Queen's Demense is magically protected. Even if it wasn't, you'd have to go through him." Stray gave a nod forward to the base of the tree where there stood a winged figure. He had pointed elven ears, sharp cheek bones and stern eyes that were hard to meet beyond a quick glance. Either he wore a cloak of sable feathers, or else he had a pair of wings currently draping over his shoulders. He had bronze skin and the sharpness of his features made one think he'd been sculpted rather than born. Resting against the root archway beside him were a longsword and longbow, both darkwood themselves, but so fantastically shaped they must have been crafted in the First World.

"Stray," said the figure, ignoring the way the wind tousled his golden hair. There was a casual coldness in his voice. Clearly, he spoke in Common so his guests could hear the disdain.

Stray didn't correct him. "Is mom busy? She's not out creating new species of beetles, is she?"

The fey man tilted his head by a millimeter. "No. If you were curious, you could have scryed first. As one does."

"Oh don't be silly," Stray laughed, poking his finger slightly-too-hard into the autumnal leaf tunic that cover the guard's wooden darkwood mail. "I'm her favorite."

"You're really not."

"She loves all her children equally!"

"If it pleases you to think so. The women, the dwarf, what do they want?"

Stray stepped aside and gave Cassandra an expectant look. If the mortals were going anywhere, they'd have to plead their case.

The guard is either an Erlking or a unique First World fey being.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Giving the fey creature her most polished curtsy, Cassandra decided that nothing short of complete honesty would do here. "I shall spare you the details, my lord Erlking; unless you would like them, that is. My purpose in seeking an audience with the Queen is twofold: I bring news regarding two subjects, and I seek a boon from Her Majesty." Well aware that the Erlking could end her life in a moment (though she didn't think he would unless he saw her as a threat), Cassandra continued on, intent on delivering the most important bit of news immediately. "First, I bring dire news of dark fey uprisings in the forest to the south and east. They have attacked both goodly fey and non-fey alike, and seem content to burn and murder their way across Verduran Forest and portions of Andoran. The Druid Devarre had meant to deliver the news, but alas, he has fallen. To the same menace, I fear, yet I cannot be entirely sure. My companions and I have slain many spriggans and several worgs in our travels since leaving Belhaim, most of them in the area of a waterfall where a ring of stones kept Rhoswen imprisoned in the Fellnight. There we found three stones missing, which allowed passage between the realms (I stepped inside to test it myself), and after the battle, we managed to move two back into place. Lord Stray has assured us that such action is enough for now, assuming she is still inside. We also aided the Unicorn Palomir and his dryad friend Fira, though we were too late to save Fira's sisters from the fires the spriggans set, and I still fear for Fira." Of all the destruction and murder they'd seen, that episode had effected Cassandra the most. She had always believed dryads to be among some of nature's most gentle creatures, and it deeply saddened her to know that they'd been only minutes or hours too late.

"After we journeyed to seek an audience with His Grace, Stray bid us seek information regarding the Nymph Ambrosia, specifically to determine whether she was responsible for the open passage to the Fellnight. He teleported us to New Falcon's Hollow where I spoke with her in the guise of a pixie, and concluded that she had nothing to do with it. Indeed, I believe she feared what would happen should Rhoswen be loosed. She may have been lying to me, of course, but I believed her. She warned me to stay away from the carnival she was traveling with come evening, but we resolved not to do so. I felt that she was a danger to the people there, and could not stand by if she intended violence against them. We returned to the carnival to find the attendees enchanted with a similar effect to an Aura of the Unremarkable, and then did battle with a pair of grimstalkers, a minotaur, three cold riders, and an emissary of Qadira to Ambrosia. With the aid of the Druid Jaeger and Lord Abarta of the Ether Court (whose service His Grace had obtained for us in the form of a magical token) we managed to mitigate the damage and death she could cause, though to my sorrow, the Qadiran woman escaped."

After pausing a moment to make sure the Erlking was still following her stream of information, she continued. "The other portion of news involves a man from my homeland of Taldor, though I believe it ties in with what I have already told you. My father is Prince Tybalt Vallas, Duke of the Fog Peaks. I am his eldest daughter, though I have not exactly behaved the way a Taldan noble should ever since I spent three years sojourning in the lands of Alistair when I was a child. But I digress. An acquaintance of my father, Duke Turel Meresin of Rothbourn, is believed by Stray - that is, His Grace - to have given Ambrosia an artifact that allowed her to ensorcell the carnival-goers. He may be in cahoots with Rhoswen, or other dark fey at the very least, with the intent to create a threat to Taldor, which would enable him to later swoop in and deliver the country from the peril...and into his own hands. I do not know the capabilities of Lord Alistair, but his realm may be in danger as well."

Cassandra stopped to wet her lips, and realized that she'd come to the end of the tale. "That is just about the sum total, my lord. Barring the details, that is. I would prefer to ask my boon of Her Majesty myself, however. It is...a personal matter." The druidess blushed slightly, feeling suddenly self-conscious.

[Nefarion Xid]

Droskar's Crag

Departing New Falcon's Hollow, Elias' party crossed the River Foam and made their way into the heart of the Darkmoon Vale. For two days they rode, unhindered, but surely watched by unseen eyes. Unlike the gloomy depths of the Arthfell, the Darkmoon woods were entirely pleasant. Even with Spring still a week away, the birds (especially cardinals) sang happily. Philip proudly noted that the warmth of the vale was due to the Five Kings Mountains taking the brunt of the northerly winds.

Towards evening, they arrived at their destination, the squat remains of a dwarven monastery built into the foot of the mountains. Despite the sound looking craftsmanship, the building was in the slow process of collapsing in several places -- fitting for a monument to the god of the lowest bidder. The arched double doors to the courtyard had fallen forward and rotted away into five separate pieces. The eastern wall had crumbled entirely.

Tracks were visible coming and going out the main gate and to the north-western tower. The prints that stood out appeared to belong to a huge (in the technical sense), barefooted humanoid, missing his left pinkie toe.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Hammerhead listened attentively as Cassandra laid out their case to the winged fey man, then, hesitantly, spoke himself.

"We fear that, even though disaster was averted at the carnival, if Ambrosia, Turel, and the Dark Fey are left unchecked, they may try something similar again in the future - and this time, with no-one to stop them. We are in need of Her Majesty's help to avert a future crisis."

I'm not much one for speeches... hopefully that helps Cassandra a little.

Aid Another on Diplomacy!

[roll0] vs DC 10

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie stood silently for a moment, squinting and tapping out a tune on her thigh with her fingertips as she pondered the tracks.

"So north-west tower first, eh?" She reached her arms over her head to stretch her road weary muscles.

[Nefarion Xid]

Droskar's Crag

Moving into the monastery courtyard, the party came into view of the double doors on the western complex, both ajar and on the verge of turning to dust. However, both were covered with all manner of languages (Taldane, Tien, Draconic, Infernal, Goblin, Abyssal, and of all things, Thassilonian) in white paint, repeating some variation of a lengthy. "Go away! No really, I will murder you. You will seriously ****ing die!" Crudely drawn pictures of skulls with Xs for eyes and some giant humanoid bashing two smaller figures to pulp drove the point home.

The doors appeared to be trapped, but the "trap" was merely a foul smelling bucket placed atop the doors (which opened outward).

In smaller text, at the bottom of the door, were the words, "I hope you get splinters!"

Almas

"Dern doesn't actually have a daughter," said Igneous. "It's his ingrate son who put him in the home. They wouldn't let us in, but they'll have to let in "family"."

Branda explains that Dern Fosimuth is a balding elderly man with tan skin and white hair. He has a scar on his cheek. Taergan Flinn is a half elven man (in his late 30s by human appearances) with red hair, freckles and blue eyes -- that shouldn't be too hard to find.

Darkmoon Vale

The Erlking stared through Cassandra as she rattled through the events of the last few weeks. He didn't look impressed, but his cold expression hadn't changed since the moment he laid eyes on Stray.

"I sense no falseness in you. Be warned, the Queen's senses surpass my own. All that you are will be laid bare in her countenance." He paused long enough to gesture beside him and command, "Disarm."

"It's been said my tongue is a ..." began Stray.

"All tongues are weapons, Stray. As an impetuous rake, your weapon is employed too readily and too often your opponents are undeserving and ill prepared for your barbs."

Stray was quiet.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"As you command, my lord." Cassandra slowly (and deliberately) removed both her daggers and scimitar, wrapped her sling around the scabbards of the three weapons, and laid the bundle at the Erlking's feet. "I possess no other weapons, save my druidic spells and my friend Conall, a wolf currently inhabiting this crystal." She lifted the crystal from her chest so the Erlking could see it. "I can leave it here if you prefer."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

Gazing at the doors and the... trap, the tiefling considered their options. Fighting something that big would be challenging, but not beyond them. "I'm getting the feeling that we're not welcome. I like ignoring that feeling."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Dutifully, Hammerhead removed Last Word from his back and laid it at the Erlking's feet. "I would ask that you do take care with this - it is very precious to me. There is one other item I possess that might be considered a weapon - it is a mutagen that increases my strength and constitution when imbibed. I can also leave that if you prefer."

[zabbarot]

Margot

Margot just turns out her pockets to discover crumbs and a half eaten gingerbread man. She offers a weak smile, but stays silent.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Cracking his back after the long trek on horseback, Elias perused the collected warnings with no small curiosity. The sheer number of languages alone betrayed something unusual about the tower's inhabitants.

"It's strange though, isn't it? Most of the murderous giants I've read of would be only too happy to welcome more prey to their doom."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie looked askance at the strange writing on the door, then back to Elias and then back to the door.

"Shall we knock? I'm going to knock."

Ell slowly approached the door and called out,

"Hello! Is anybody home?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Darkmoon Vale

Ronan commanded the party to keep their crystal, potion and cookie respectively, then stepped aside without further comment. Behind him, a path lead through the arcing roots and then up in a spiral around the trunk of the great darkwood. There was no evenness stairs that had grown into the side of the tree, and in places they sloped away perilously. Stray paused at times to assist the climbers, often flying near them and offering his hands for footing.

"The tree is Lucairiun," he explained. "The Brilliant Shadow, or the Beautiful Shade." The exact translation failed in Sylvan, a language simultaneously more parsimonious than the common tongue, yet infinitely more nuanced. "She was a gift to Golarion, one of the Eternal Trees. The Eldest saw Earthfall and they mourned the world's fate, but for an age there was nothing to be done. When the dust finally began to clear, oh, ten thousand years ago, that's when they dispatched the Twelve Monarchs. They planted their trees with their roots in Golarion, but as plants grow towards the sun, the Eternal Trees grew towards the First World."

It was then they realized that after minutes of arduous climbing, the world around them was surely no longer northern Andoran. The rime covered silver mountain to the north soared beyond the clouds. In all other directions there was a sea of green. From an incalculable height they could see for thousands of miles around. The vast forest gave way to a shimmering ocean in the distance, or so they imagined it to be an ocean. Reconsidering the shape of it, they realized it to be a river, its headwaters beginning at a waterfall from the mountains before it encircled the globe, cascading down and apparently back up in places before finally emptying into a lake a jagged lake at the base of the mountain. From their, it rained up and returned to whatever lay beyond the mountain that fed the first waterfall.

Like the hands of a swiftly moving clock, the forest faded from green to gold to red, touched by an unseen force that stretched out from the branches of Lucairiun. The forest was bare. Then, the forest was covered with white. Then verdant once more and bursting with flowers. They stared for a moment, an hour, a century. The cycle repeated left to right, sweeping over the land and transforming the season. Following the line of transformation, the motion seemed to accelerate. Years passed in minutes. One season turned into another in a second. One season blurred into all seasons. It rained ice cold red blossoms and they began to think to bury themselves beneath the warmth of the snow and sleep til midnight when the air was honest like young love.

They were brought back to reality by a polite cough from Stray. Below, they once more saw only the valley whence they had arrived. He gave them a solemn, knowing look. It was plain to him what they'd seen. His emerald eyes stayed on Cassandra, condemning and loving at once, full of pain and mirth.

"The days are as water. The world will fall away beneath your feet and you will become as we are: joyously, rapturously lost."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

The druidess felt - a small part at least - of that same longing toward the First World that Stray described in the growth of the trees planted by the Eldest. She knew there were dangers involved, though she did not know how many nor the extent of each, but she felt it was something she had to strive for, and had had that feeling for most of her life, short though it was compared to the fey in whose realm she now traveled. A follower of Ng, the Eldest known as The Hooded, could do no other. Cassandra needed something to balance the two directions she had felt pulled in for nearly fifteen years. To make her into a new thing. She was silent until Stray spoke again, focusing on the experience and knowing it would be etched in her memory for all time.

"The days are as water. The world will fall away beneath your feet and you will become as we are: joyously, rapturously lost."

"Lost, but ever seeking," she replied in Sylvan. But in the fey language, her meaning was deeper, like one who has discovered a path in the woods, and upon following that path, the traveler would find that it branched. And down every branch, there were even more splits, so that a wanderer could continue forever and her curiosity never be sated. Down each path was something new: perhaps delightful, perhaps dangerous, perhaps the twain. The traveler would only know by following the path. Those, such as Cassandra, who worshiped the Lord of Crossroads knew of such dangers; nevertheless they pressed onward, for there was so much of the planes to see and experience. Even the danger was to be savored. Full immersion into the Realm of the Fey could be both delightful and terrifying, but it would be an experience, a path, like no other. That was Cassandra's desire.

[Nefarion Xid]

Droskar's Crag

There was no reply to Ellarie's call. The "trap" consisting of a bucket of dead, soggy rats was easily removed and there seemed to be nothing magical about the entry way or hall beyond. A shrine to Torag dominated the space with rows of rotting darkwood pews arrayed around it. The stone anvil had been desecrated long ago with Torag's name chiseled away. The surface of the anvil/altar bore three shallow alcoves in the shape of a popular Dwarven gem cut, but the stones had been pried up. The rest of the chambers were equally disappointing with nothing of historical significance or value left. Bloody adventurers had likely picked over everything on multiple occasions. However, they did find stairs down to much larger dwarven complex where the walls were completely covered in intricate diamond-shaped patterns and scrolling with the names of those who built this place. In the center of the large rectangular chamber, there stood a shattered obsidian obelisk. Judging by the amount of rubble on the floor, it had once been nine feet high. Still, there was no sign of inhabitants or magic.

To the right, a short corridor lead to a long disused forge. Other passages lead left and straight ahead.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

It was beautiful. And, at the same time, utterly terrifying.

Hammerhead might have forsaken the stone for the surface world, and he might well have been toying with a couple of alterations to the mutagen that (if the notes he'd cribbed off that alchemist were correct) would give him wings, but he was still, at heart, a dwarf. And dwarves like nice, solid ground beneath their feet. And so, every beautiful sight, every wondrous moment, every feeling of joy, carried an undercurrent beneath it of apprehension.

you are not on solid ground get to solid ground get to stone

When Stray broke them from their reverie, he shook his head, wiping his brow. A little pale, he reverted to his native dwarven, muttering mostly to himself rather than to the others.

"I'm no crazy tree-fighter, but it's times like this when I remember why my people are content with living under the ground."

[zabbarot]

Margot

Margot's eyes went wide as the seasons kaleidoscoped in front of her. This was beyond anything she'd ever conceived. Beyond even the secrets her patron had hinted at. She looked down to where Miette clung to the branches below her and couldn't help but imagine something malicious gleaming in his black candy glass eyes. A shiver of fear went down her spine as she realized how little she actually knew about her patron. Perhaps she shouldn't have brought him here.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"So... anyone have a favorite direction? I say right hand rule."

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Taking the time to cast some preparatory spells, Elias eventually responded by gesturing towards the forge.

"We may as well ensure there is nothing to come after us."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie shrugged, looking at the old giant footprints pensively.

"The forge it is, then." She could see no reason for dissension from the other two so she cautiously made her way into the forge.

[Nefarion Xid]

Darkmoon Vale

At her word, Stray drew Cassandra towards him and kissed her forehead. He said no more and once again began the ascent up the winding wooden stairs. The passage had grown easier, by the party's reckoning, the stairs less physically perilous now, having passed through the veil. Soon, the stairs wrapped back into the tree and they climbed through an arch formed by the first branches.

When they emerged, the midday sun had been replaced by a brilliant starry sky, bright enough to shed light as a full moon on Golarion. What had at first appeared to be a blank spot in the stars looked to be a midnight blue moon with a subdued, ethereal inner light that twinkled behind its faceted gem-like surface. All around, the branches of Lucairuin continued their skyward progression, forming a miniature forest in the air. Miniature was a relative concept, of course, as the true size realm in which they now stood could not easily be guessed and they felt at once comforted by its beauty and intimidated by its unfathomable wildness. In the middle of this celestial wood, there was a small meadow and its center a placid pond with still water like glass. On the far side, the nymph queen sat barefoot in the grass, garbed only in a gauzy blue gown. She idly traced her finger through the unmoving water, gazing deep and seeing something unseen beneath the surface.

Though her face was yet hidden beneath the cascade of wild auburn hair, previous concepts of beauty began to fade from the minds of the party. Twinges of lust and jealousy ebbed away to be replaced by a mute, loving acceptance.

Make one

Droskar's Crag

The forge was much as the rest of the complex, long ago despoiled of anything valuable or useful. Probably. The air was several degrees warmer here. In the center of the room there was a circular pit ten feet in diameter, still glowing with a dull red. Suspended above by black chains was an equally Brobdingnagian crucible. Taking in the controls, Elias guessed the slag filled blast furnace could be activated by pumping in super heated air through a series of vents which led from an deeper magma filled cavern. Even only partially open in their default position, the metal pellets below were still alight.

"What do you suppose the pellets are made of? If they're iron, they would have melted, wouldn't they?" Philip offered, gesturing down at the fist sized spheres of black metal.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie peered at the balls Philip pointed out.

"Are they adamantine Kiki? Like the problem solver?"

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

The tiefling stared into the furnace, wondering that herself. "Not sure. Do you want me to whack one to find out?"

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie stood back a ways just in case.

"Yeah, would ya?"

[Othniel]

Cassandra

A momentary look of confusion passed over the face of the druidess at Stray's kiss, but she followed along wordlessly, senses drinking in the experience. Once they reached the glade, she stared at the seated figure, waiting for...something.

It took a moment and a great deal of willpower, but Cassandra managed to tear her eyes away from the sight before her and she looked to Stray for guidance.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"Welp, stabbin' time." She pointed her blade at the nearest ball and thrust at it experimentally.

Damage: [roll0]

[Nefarion Xid]

Drokar's Crag

Leaning over the pit and stabbing into the slag and pellets with her sword, Kiyoko felt a satisfying jolt in her arm. The metal made a distinct clack on impact. Whatever carbon and slag had formed around the balls over the years cracked away, but the material beneath bounced Kiyoko's blade away. Further inspection revealed each sphere to be an adamantine sphere, hollow in the middle given their weight. Still, all told, the party could estimate the value of the 12,000 gp, should they find a way to extract the balls, let them cool and clean away the residue of the forge.

Darkmoon Vale

Stray only glanced momentarily to Cassandra, only gesturing for her to wait before shuffling around to the far side of the pond to kneel by the queen. She looked up and gave him a kiss on the forehead, just as he'd done for Cassandra. They spoke for a time in hushed voices, surprisingly inaudible for the short distance. For a brief time, the party stood, but soon became compelled to sit in the grass and enjoy the stars. They felt the embrace of the ground, a sort of beanbag chair for the soul. Blades of grass twisted their way through their fingers like a sympathetic shag carpet. For a time, they contemplated their place in the world and their insignificance when compared to the oldest and most powerful beings, and their insignificance compared to the gods, and how small were the gods to creation if even they could be born and die. This crushing existential dread was soon replaced by the knowledge that cream cheese frosting was delicious and that a universe in which cream cheese frosting existed couldn't be completely devoid of meaning. Even Miette rolled around in the grass, his eyes completely glazed over and his tongue lolling out as he gazed dumbly upward. He occasionally gave out a contented chirp.

At some point, Stray came to retrieve Cassandra from her reverie. He led her by the hand around the pond to where Syntira still sat. Seeing her face for the first time Cassandra thought she must have resembled her own mother, or at least some idealized, infantile recollection of what a young mother should look like. She would later have trouble describing the queen at all beyond the words beautiful and kind. For a time she said nothing, but held Cassandra in her gaze. Her eyes seemed blue and green and grey and brown all at once.

"What do you suppose Ng likes best about you?" she asked suddenly.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

As the serenity of the place began to worm its way into Hammerhead's head, any fear he might once have had promptly vanished, and he allowed his frame to settle deep into the meadow. As the thoughts of the insignificance of man and the feeling of shag carpeting disappeared and gave way to the beanbag, Hammerhead's head was filled with images of reclining in his favorite seat, watching men wrestling while he laid back gormlessly and ate cream cheese frosting directly from the can.

Or, even better...

"So... like... I've always thought dwarven rock bread, was, like, the best thing ever. Never goes rotten, good solid crunch, you can use it as an improvised weapon. But, what if, like, you added cream cheese frosting to it? And, then, like, maybe raisins in the loaf itself. Made it a, like a, cake, with fruit in it, and whatnot?.."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

The druidess didn't respond immediately, though she did unconsciously touch her gloved left hand with her right. She'd taken to wearing the pair to show her reverence for Ng the Hooded, the Eldest whose quiet following she had been introduced to many years prior in a glade in a remote corner of Verduran Forest. Loath to waste an opportunity, she'd also enchanted them to be useful. Cassandra pondered the lessons she'd been given by a young Huldra named Rowan and considered what she knew of the mysterious entity she gave her veneration to. Ng was the most taciturn and mysterious of the Eldest, prone to wanderings and inscrutable questions, or so it was said by his worshipers. The Lord of Crossroads rarely acknowledged even the most faithful - though clerics of Ng still received their spells and abilities as normal - and Rowan had taught Cassandra the first lesson that all who worshiped Ng learned: Seeking after knowledge could be both physically and metaphysically dangerous. Doubly so for those who would worship a god of secrets. Sometimes you realized only too late that it would have been better not to seek an answer to something. She hadn't comprehended much at the time, but with age had come a portion of understanding.

What did Ng like best about Cassandra? The thought made her smile and brought a slight color to her cheeks. Likely he saw naught but a child playing at things she didn't understand, but earnest in spite of - or perhaps because of - her ignorance. "I would be presuming too much to know the mind of one of the Eldest, but it is my thirst for more knowledge of the world - not only the Material Plane or the First World, but the rest of the Planes as well - that has kept my feet wandering these years. I may have been set on the path by another, but it was my choice to keep walking it, knowing that at some point I may meet with peril and death, but continuing on in spite of that for the purpose of seeking understanding. This is what I believe the Lord of Crossroads would like best about me: my curiosity."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"Gyagh, ach, ach, kah!" The tiefling slapped her hands against her armor - the adamantine had been a little too hot for her to handle safely. As they sat on the ground, rapidly cooling, she looked at the other two. "Okay, I've finished grabbing all the dwarves' balls. Now what?"

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Unable to keep the smirk from her lips, it was a moment or two before she could speak without an intruding giggle.

"Could we roll them straight into Elias's bank? Surprise Djinn, Dwarf balls!" She shrugged.

"Unless you meant what we should do in general, then I think we should check out the room the footprints don't lead into. That way will probably be less interesting so we may as well get it over with."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"I knew you'd come around to my way of thinking eventually!" Kiyoko took a deep breath and blew on her hands one more time. "I'm for that."

[Nefarion Xid]

Darkmoon Vale

"Wouldn't that be lovely," Syntira said. The way she spoke reminded Cassandra of a stalking cat, slow to do anything, but then dartingly quick when she knew where she was going. "I wouldn't presume to know him either and I've met him twice. I do say "he" because isn't it just like a man to say and do nothing of import and flounce about the planes like creation's gift to all the poor put upon simple minded folk? On the night I departed the First World, he came to me to ask, "Will he love you for this?" and I didn't see Ng again for ten thousand years. I still haven't the fainest idea of whom he spoke, and I've thought about it every day since. I wouldn't say it's made me a better queen, though I am reminded to be less cryptic."

The queen had a lovely smile. There seemed to be no falseness in her and her smile only ever meant good things.

"Love freely and deeply, but save your devotion for someone devoted to you."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"I am not sure such is appointed for me, your Majesty." Cassandra's response was soft and held a hint of sadness. "But I thank you for your words, and for being more perspicuous to this simple-minded druidess than she has a right to expect." Cassandra gave Syntira a smile to show that she was not mocking the Fey Queen.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead


"Okay, I've finished grabbing all the dwarves' balls. Now what?"

Many miles away, and quite possibly in another dimension, Hammerhead sneezed heartily just before Syntira showed up. Having not been addressed, he did not speak, but instead looked on in awe.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Pulling the Djinni bank from his pocket, Elias gave a few experimental pats to the adamantine spheres to ensure they were cool enough to handle. He gave Ellarie a smile in response to her crude joke, before scribbling down a small note and passing it through the coffer.

"Incoming: Antique adamantine forge ingots, for immediate sale. Minimum acceptable price 12,000 gold pieces, Golarion standard. Thank you, and have a pleasant day."

Thus prepared, he began feeding the adamantine though, his attention turning to the passage they had come from.

"I agree. Even if the footprints do not lead to our ultimate goal, their owner may know something that could prove useful to us."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie shook herself. She had been watching Elias transfer the adamantine balls into the Djinn Mart with a mesmerized fascination. Twelve thousand gold pieces was still so much money.

"I wonder if I'll ever get used to not being poor." She shook her head as though to clear it.

"Right, let's keep moving then!" She headed towards the left passage, saving the trail of the giant's footprints for last.

[Nefarion Xid]

Darkmoon Vale

She continued to smile at Cassandra with a mixed expression of compassion and affection. "I don't think it's ever easy to listen to our elders. No matter how much they've seen or how well meaning they are. They may as well tell you the sky is red while you're looking up. They speak of a world you don't yet know. You just have to take it on faith."

She turned and leaned out over the pool where she traced her finger once more along the surface. The entire pond ebbed once and the light of the stars bled into silver streaks that swirling within black ink.

"You said love may not be for you. I hope you don't mean that. Not romantic love. Oh, that's an evanescence. It appears without reason and dries up like morning dew, doesn't it? I do mean love. Everyone deserves that, someone brave enough to try and understand them, if not condone what they do, to love them enough to weep for them."

For a moment, the image of Ambrosia appeared in the pool. She sat with her knees clutched to her chest, her raven hair a tangled mess over her snow white skin She stared daggers into the distance, seemingly indifferent to the tears that rolled from the corners of her eyes.

It was about now that Hammerhead realized he spoke Sylvan. Or at least he understood it. Everyone here had been speaking it all along. Knowing what these elegant words meant at last made him feel a little like cream cheese frosting poured over a warm cake.

Droskar's Crag

The return note read: "Two hundred, thirty eight and three eights pounds of gold to be precise, given the exact weight of the adamantine. But we shan't quibble over the difference as you've been such a sound investment thus far. Amenably, we shall call it an even twelve thousand gold pieces. ~ Bursar Nawaf Azim Nesai in the service of His Most Charitable Excellency, Sultan Zafer XXXVIII, Lord of the Heavens and All the Stars of the Mortal Void"


"I didn't know the djinni were so cheeky," said Philip, peering around Elias' shoulder.

***

Continuing to explore the dungeon and follow the tracks of the giant fellow with a missing toe, the party finished with the dwarves' contribution and descended into a natural cavern that had been unearthed by an attempt to expand the dungeon farther to the north. This section still bore numerous signs of having been inhabited by kobolds -- namely that there were dozens of kobold skeletons strewn about. Kiyoko noted that many of them appeared to have been cut down by a katana as they were cleanly bisected through the neck or ribs. One simply had a triangular hole punched through the back of his skull and out between his eye sockets.

At one point in their exploration, a decrepit kobold skeleton shambled to life and made a pathetic attempt to claw at them. It flew to pieces with a reflexive kick from Ellarie. Despite the humor, an oppressive presence lingered here and gave the cavern a palpable sense of, if not dread for the intrepid heroes, at least wrongness. The air quickly grew stale, heavy and cold.

Finally they found a tunnel that looked to be a recent addition. At once Elias could see that it hadn't been carved out with tools, but rather by magic. Someone had either made this passage by transmuting the stone or simply blasting it to dust with Disintegrate. The tunnel opened up into a worked stone chamber. At first glance, the only thing noteworthy about this bare room was the twenty foot wide well in the center. Upon further reflection, the party began to realize that the masonry was unusual in that it appeared to be flawless. The uniformly cut rectangular stones had been joined together without any mortar at all. This ruin surely dated back to Azlant.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Syntira's words made the druidess think slightly deeper, and she blushed, feeling somewhat ashamed. She supposed that she did know that kind of love, after all. Else every time Cassandra returned to her father's castle there would not be the eventual pain of parting. She didn't share these thoughts, however, for they were deeply private. Her attention was demanded by the image of Ambrosia then, and suddenly two very different emotions were at war within her. On one hand, she felt deep-seated anger at the woman who had brought suffering and death to New Falcon's Hollow, while on the other, a small spark of pity. "Is that Ambrosia as she is now, Majesty?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

At Syntira's words, Hammerhead could not help but feel a pang in his chest. It had been so long since he'd left. At times, it felt like it had been years, even decades ago, even though in reality it had only been a few months. It had been inevitable, he'd told himself - Yandramri Hoardguard IV was simply too dead-set on Yandramri V taking over the family business. An endless lifetime of balancing accounts, bartering, and buttering up merchants, none of which Yandramri V had had any sort of aptitude or appreciation for.

But Yandeath Hammerhead - he was his own man. He was not beholden to anyone, not his mother, not his father, nobody. Even though he helped Cassandra, it was because he believed in what she was doing and chose to help her of his own free will, not because of any sort of honor or duty.

...so why did he feel like his heart was so heavy? What was this feeling? Sadness? Regret?

Then, as Syntira conjured the image of ambrosia, a question bubbled forth from Hammerhead's lips.

"What I want to know - if it pleases or is within the ken of your majesty - how did she come to be like this?" Hammerhead indicated the tears rolling unheeded down Ambrosia's face.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

It was interesting that they'd found strikes made with swords popularized on the other side of the world, but Kiyoko didn't think that much of it - adventurers were an eclectic bunch, and that was doubly true with the Pathfinder Society sending them all over Golarion. She was more interested in the shift in architecture. "This... isn't dwarven make. Azlanti? Thassilonian?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Darkmoon Vale

"She loved," Syntira simply, briefly making eye contact with Hammerhead. It was a difficult thing to endure for long, like looking into the noon day sun. She was beautiful, yes, but ancient and eldritch too.

"Ambrosia loved the Prince of Winter and he loved her in return. For thousands of years they were blissful in the land now known as Irrisen. Then the Witch Queen came. Baba Yaga decimated the Winter Court and took their power for her own. She killed the Prince, my brother. She tore out the hearts of their children and enslaved the tortured husks as her Cold Riders."

The image in the pool turned to the glittering crystalline spires of Whitethrone.

"Ambrosia cannot stand against the might of Baba Yaga, so she has turned her suffering towards those who bring suffering to her kin. It is not just, but I cannot hate her for what she does, as I cannot hate the shepherd who kills wolves to protect his flock."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Even though the events described had happened long ago, the import of what Syntira described hit Cassandra strongly, and she felt sick. "Do I understand correctly," she asked weakly, "that you know of the path that led us here?"

Cassandra's question was confirmed with a nod. The druidess had figured what she'd spoken to the Erlking would find its way to Syntira before they did. "Do you know of a way to avert a war between your people and those of Andoran and Taldor, your Majesty? We have an errand that will take us far north to Lastwall as you likely are aware of, but I would see peace between the people of my birth, and the people of my desire."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Disquieted by the oppressive atmosphere, Ellarie's voice was hushed as she remarked on their surroundings.

"Somebody knew these ruins were here and dug into them. But who? Surely not the kobolds."

[Nefarion Xid]

Darkmoon Vale

The queen lowered her head, obscuring her expression beneath her golden red tresses. "I have watched the world for a hundred human lifetimes. There is an ebb and flow to conflict. All moves in cycles. I have been both mother and warrior. I have slain men. Their bones lay scattered and forgotten in my wood, crushed to dust by the ages. Their names forgotten. Their children's children's children forgotten. I remember their faces though. I have no love of war and my heart aches for it."

"I was swift in the past. I moved like a storm with fury sweet Ambrosia could not dream of. I do not know why I delay now. All moves in cycles .I have never seen more greed and wrath in the world. Yet I hesitate."

Stray had been uncharacteristically silent. He rectified that. "Logistically speaking, Andoran has the military power to kill us all. War on that scale would have been unacceptable in the past, but Druff is bought and paid for by the Lumber Consortium. Any act of reprisal, even defense on our part could be the impetus he needs for genocide. Worse, and I do mean that on a global scale, a full military incursion into the Vale will only invite Cheliax and Taldor to attack. It's the sort of opportunity they've been waiting for for years."

Syntira turned to Cassandra, her warm and loving eyes had turned to cold glass. "Were you queen, what would you do?"

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra remained silent for several long moments as she pondered what the Fey Queen asled. In a way, it wasn't a fair question, as she didn't have nearly the amount of information available to her that Syntira likely had. The druidess figured Syntira realized that when she asked the question, so she decided to answer to the best of her ability. She had the distinct feeling she was being tested, however, and that made her uncomfortable. "I do not believe that Taldor has the wherewithal to mount an effective campaign against Andoran with Qadira nipping at her heels, but Cheliax is strong enough on her own to catch Andoran between the hammer and the anvil," she said first to Stray.

Then she turned back to Syntira. "As Queen, your foremost duty is to protect your people, but to do so justly and without malice toward those would would oppose you. I do not yet have a satisfactory grasp on the entire situation yet, particularly here in Andoran where I am a stranger. It may prove to be a task beyond my short lifespan, though I shall strive toward that goal. I believe it might be worthwhile to approach sympathetic-minded people within the government, to push for a peaceful resolution. No doubt you have done this already to no avail. But a multi-pronged approach is probably best. There must be good people in Andoran willing to listen and co-exist with the Fey of these lands. If there are not, then peace is doomed from the start, and I refuse to believe that."

"What I believe you have is a larger version of the problem I have faced within my own family. By now you know that I spent several years living among the Fey of Verduran Forest. It was not of my own volition, though I would not change the past for anything in the world. The experience was not only remarkably life-changing, but deeply influential with regard to how I view the world. I do not know if it is the same for Fey, but Human children are very impressionable, you know. I...do not find interest in the mundane trappings of my station, my position in Taldan nobility, and this has caused no small degree of tension within my family. The Fey of the forest near my home were distrusted before my sojourn among them. Since my return, my father's distrust has blossomed into fear and joined to hate, likely at the urging of my brother, Alexander. They believe that my time there damaged me. That there has been something wrong with me because of the Fey. It saddens me, and I pity them. They act so out of ignorance - because they do not understand - and their minds remains closed to the possibility of understanding, though I try every time I return home." She paused, frowning. "It may take an extraordinary effort with Alexander. He has a...dark soul, I believe. But I digress."

"If I were queen, I would endeavor to build rapport with the people of Andoran - reach out to them, directly if necessary to avoid the agents, allies, and backers of Druff - so that they can see that continued peaceful coexistence is mutually beneficial. My own people would likely consider me a traitor to my nation for advocating a strengthening of the (admittedly weak) bonds between Andoran and its Fey inhabitants, but so be it. It is a risk, but if you could tie your people to the people of Andoran, perhaps it would be less two groups often in conflict, and one group working in concert. One thing that people are highly concerned about, no matter where you find them is their future, especially that of their children. If you can convince the people of Andoran that peaceful coexistence is in their children's best interest and that they need the Fey to remain here, I believe that such an effort would be fruitful, though it would take much patience, forbearing, and yes, more than a little luck."

"The other side of the coin is waging a campaign of information against the Lumber Consortium. They have Druff in their pocket, as Stray said." Cassandra was invested in her idea now, and it slipped her mind to use the correct title for the Fey prince. "Providing an alternative to the continued logging of the Lumber Consortium would go a long way toward undercutting their support for Druff, though it cannot be merely an alternative. You must offer a better alternative." Finally finished, Cassandra stumbled to a stop, and quickly remembered her place. "Ah, your Majesty."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"Only one way to find out, really." Red eyes narrowed as Kiyoko took in the room. It had been a while since she'd issued orders, indeed, she wasn't really the 'leader' of this little group, but they seemed to be waiting on her to say something. "Spread out and examine this room closely. Something isn't right, and old Azlanti rooms always have tricks to them anyway. Look for the magic."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie nodded at Kiki's proposed course of action.

"Seems a sensible plan to me." She cast Detect Magic and began to sweep the room.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Hammerhead slightly cleared his throat.

"Not that anyone asked me, but I would have to agree with Cassandra. Attempting to use force, as you said, your majesty, will only end in tears. The best possible strategy is to try and reach out to those elements in Andoran who are still willing to support continued friendly relationships with the fey. It is one thing Taldor attacks the Vale when Andoran is unwilling to step in, but if they attack you and you have Andoran at your back, that would be a very good deterrent. And then, yes, in the meantime, a war of information and subterfuge is the best way to go about discrediting the Lumber Consortium - direct conflict is not viable or advisable."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

After exhausting all other possibilities and coming up with absolutely nothing, Ellarie leaned over the side of the well and peered down. She couldn't see far, but she could smell the stale water at the bottom.

"Who feels like a dip? Should we draw straws to see who goes first?" She cast Light on a random piece of debris that turned out to be a kobold femur and tossed it down the well. She grimaced as she wiped her hands off on her pants. She pointed out the streaks of stone that were clear of the mold that had grown up the well's sides.

"I think our giant friend went this way."She shrugged and activated her boots of fly.

"I guess there's no sense in waiting around is there?" She jumped into the well but descended slowly, peering down as she sunk lower towards the water.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"This is what we do now." The tiefling made a brief purchase through Elias's mobile market. "All our travels will now end with jumping down a dank well. Maybe this time we'll fight a statue of Erastil." Securing the rope, she slid down, keeping her descent slow enough only to brace for when the bottom came within range of her darkvision.

[Nefarion Xid]

Darkmoon Vale

"We tried that," Stray said flatly after Cassandra had given her long winded answer. "I said pretty much exactly that before the People's Assembly and they gave me my island and ceded the land north of the River Foam, formerly recognizing that as the dominion of the Darkmoon Queen. It went well! For a few years. The current administration is deep in bed with the Lumber Consortium and considers the treaty Codwin signed to be "illegal"." He scoffed.

"There are plenty Assembly Persons who think well of me. Fewer than there were. But, still, enough. Popular opinion may be on our side even still. Unfortunately, I don't think Druff cares about the popular opinion. He only does what the Consortium wants and the Consortium only wants easy profits. They are a rot which should be cut out. I would have done it myself long ago, but I am on rather a short leash." Stray gritted his teeth.

Syntira glanced up to her son with a sad look, then returned her gaze to the still waters of the pond.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Taking the time to examine the stonework of the excavated room, Elias spoke more to himself than to his companions.

"Azlanti, and old. Not some far-flung boondoggle during the Empire's decline, no. This was constructed at the height of their wealth and power..."

As Kiyoko began affixing her grapple to the edge of the well, he floated over.

"What is a place like this doing beneath an abandoned church in the back woods of Andoran?"

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie listened to Elias's wonderings from above as she lowered herself down the well.

"I couldn't say specifically, but I know enough to realize there is adventure to be had everywhere, if one only knows where to look." She grimaced as her feet submerged in the water.

"Especially wells. They're a hotbed for adventurous pursuits. Who knew?"

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"Ten thousand years is a looooong time." Kiyoko waded forth, speculating as she splashed along. "And Azlant and Thassilon stretched across vast amounts of territory, right? This might not have been a backwater when they made it. Hells, it might not have even been underground. Maybe something came along and buried it later, then even later people came and built a complex with a well over it. You'd only need one coincidence per three thousand years to make that happen."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"Then wage the war of information against the Lumber Consortium and Druff. If he's that overt and you have popular opinion on your side, then all it needs is a big enough shove." Cassandra sighed, quickly tiring of the topic. "Or weather the storm until he passes and is replaced and fight what battles you can. He's mortal, and will be gone in the blink of an eye in the memory of the Fey people."

[Nefarion Xid]

Droskar's Crag

Having descended seventy feet into the pool below, the party found the well considerably wider (now forty feet across) at the bottom. The entire vertical space took the shape of a narrow arch. The pool was an unsettling milky grey color and smelled of wet earth and bile. The scent was thankfully quite mild if foul. Kiyoko sank down to her waist, but it wasn't a solid stone floor that her feet touched. The bottom of the pool seemed to be filled with pieces of wood? Pieces of various sizes and irregular shifted beneath her boots as she moved along.

Nah, she decided after a few steps. That's definitely a pile of bones.

The well leads to a round flight of stairs leading up, and then a 15' corridor and a cone-shaped chamber beyond. Despite the unsettling nature of the pool, nothing seems seems to be dangerous. Nothing detects as magical.

Darkmoon Vale

"Of course!" Stray exclaimed, already transparently mocking Cassandra with his tone, "We just need an enthusiastic and incredibly vague shove! Or we do nothing! Living well really is the best revenge. I can't believe we didn't think of that."

His mother tried to silence him with a look, but he continued. "To be painfully clear, the reason I haven't slipped into Druff's tacky gold bedroom and turned him into a fussy blond ferret, is because the moment I do, a Pit Fiend will appear in a puff of brimstone and self satisfaction to raze my castle and kill everyone on the island! If I go to the Assembly and beg, the same thing will happen. If you haven't figured it out by now, the Supreme Elect has the full backing of Cheliax and by extension the bloody Prince of Hell."

"He's right," Syntira said sadly. "If we show our hand, Hell will show theirs. I have few allies in the Upper Planes. Hell is loathe to make such shows of power but, I have no doubt they will strike with impunity if we openly contest their designs."

"I mean, a Pit Fiend did stuff me in a sack and tell me that to my face."

Whatever spell had initially caused the party to become so tranquil had apparently been broken, except for Margot's familiar who was eating a dandelion.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"That must have been very illuminating for you, Your Grace," Cassandra responded icily. "So that's it then? 'We don't know what to do, and Asmodeus is stronger and craftier than us, so we'll just stew and pout in our castles and glades while our people kill and die.' I know, why not go prevent the world's strongest dread necromancer - who it took a god to defeat - from coming back to life? Maybe that's more your level of capability." If the druidess could have taken the words back, she would have, and she blanched suddenly, looking at Syntira. "That is, uh...well, you did ask a mere mortal who doesn't have the benefit of years - let alone millennia - of experience her opinion." Cassandra decided not to point out the mocking, though she thought it the height of rudeness to ask an opinion and then treat the speaker with derision.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"If we're going to keep diving down wells, I'm going to pick up some way to not wade through hip-deep nasty garbage water."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

"This is just our thing now. I need to waterproof my boots. I hate the feel of wet socks." She griped as she surveyed the bottom of the well.

"I swear if we find Valere at the bottom of a well when we get to Oppara I am going to scream." Ellarie stopped short and pointed to an old set of giant tracks that went down the hallway.

"Oh hey look at that! Our giant was here." She couldn't shake the feeling that the giant might be amicably disposed to them since seeing the warnings on the entry door.

"Hello! Is anybody home?" She continued forward and into the cone shaped chamber.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Hammerhead, not being so bold as to say what Cassandra has said outright, nonetheless snorted huffily as Cassandra's ideas were shot down.

If you were just going to poo-poo what we said, was there even a point to coming here?

[Nefarion Xid]

Darkmoon Vale

"Our people," Stray said coldly. "Not yours."

He folded his arms and rolled his eyes vaguely in Cassandra's direction. "Well, this has been fun, and as much as I like getting dressed down by a sassy teenager, I think I'm late for some twelve o'clock brooding. Those dark corridors aren't going to pace them ..."

Stray's mouth continued to move, but he'd gone completely mute. Even after he'd noticed his condition, even clapping didn't produce any sound. He soon threw up his hands in defeat and went to sulk by the edge of the clearing.

"There are frequently questions with no answers. They've been engineered that way." Syntira's words sounded grave, but there was a pleasant, loving expression on her face. "You mustn't begrudge despair. It is a reasonable reaction to a hopeless situation. Sometimes, you can't get what you want and no amount of cleverness will change that."

She turned and gave Cassandra a weak smile. "I don't mean to disguise fatalism as wisdom. In truth, I do not consider myself all that wise. My son is burdened with the knowledge of things he cannot change. Being clever has never made him happy."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"But you still try." Cassandra's voice was small, almost pleading. "I have to believe that. If this evil cannot be fought now, it must at least be endured, as the tree endures the bite of winter."

She glanced in Stray's direction and then at the ground. "I apologize for my tongue, your Majesty." While she still felt annoyed at Stray, Cassandra was also chagrined that she'd risen to his provocation. Arguing with him would be imprudent and ineffectual. "I regret my hasty words, and my tone directed at Prince Stray. I...do not respond well to mockery. You have been more than gracious in suffering our presence here, children playing at the counsels of the great. If you would continue your forbearance a little longer, may I ask your reason for your question? My reply to Prince Stray was in anger, but there was a point to it. Do you seek to turn me from my purpose in seeking peace?"

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Flying down the well, Elias came to a halt a foot above the noisome morass and wrinkled his nose. He gasped as Kiyoko and Ellarie sank into the depths, stammering wordless apologies for not experiencing it with them as he drifted towards the stairs. Philip was not so lucky - when he emerged from the dank water, he looked one step removed from a sewer rat. As the apprentice set about cleaning himself and the two woman warriors with prestidigitation, Elias peered down the corridor with his darkvision. He did not jump when Ellarie called out, and it certainly wasn't because his feet were already off the ground.

"Much as I approve of a friendly tone, we may wish to move forward with greater subtlety. We do not know what foulness lurks in this dark netherworld."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Chagrined by Elias's gentle rebuke, Ell smiled sheepishly as Philip attended to her sopping boots. She could have done it herself, but he had already started and she wasn't going to stop him. It was a sweet gesture either way.

"Thank you, Philip." She smiled fondly at the young man and focused her attention upon the turning gears on the far side of the room. She cast Light in her hand and peered warily. The gears practically shone with newness so free of rust and wear they were.

"This looks like a door we'll be walking through. Trapped, you think?" Her tone was dubious as she recalled the giant's prior dead rat in a bucket "trap". Upon closer inspection, she could see that the room was lined with slits in the stone that would probably maybe definitely produce swinging blades when they tried to cross. A lock/tumbler mechanism was located on the wall next to the door.

"Be careful! It really is trapped." She pointed out the lines of blade slits and the locking mechanisms to the others.

[Nefarion Xid]

Darkmoon Vale

"Consider why people ask questions when they already know the answers. Do you really think I required the counsel of a young human woman?" There was jest in the queen's tone, but she wasn't mocking her like Stray.

"You were not brought here to advise a queen, Cassandra. I merely wanted to look into your eyes and know what was in your heart. Your interests lie with the good and growing things in the world. Why should I seek to turn you from that path?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Although the question hadn't been addressed to him, Hammerhead answered it - half to himself, half to the others.

"Not saying you'd do it, your majesty, but in tales like this often times deities or mysterious powerful entities will take a hit on doing short-term good to enact some sort of long-term plan. Of course, half the time the plan ends up being too complex for its own good and falls apart, but... anyway." He now fully and concientiously addressed her. "If not to give advice or an opinion, there now is an important question. Is there anything that you would ask of us?"

[Othniel]

Cassandra

It was a test then, Cassandra thought to herself. Silently considering the words of Syntira, she listened as Hammerhead spoke. The druidess still had her boon to ask of the Nymph Queen, though that could wait until Syntira had finished weighing them in her mind and saying what she wished. She was reasonably sure Syntira knew what she would ask already as well.

[Nefarion Xid]

Darkmoon Vale

Something Hammerhead had said had amused Syntira; there was mischief in her eyes for a moment, but she returned her gaze to the pond. "The most I can ask of anyone is to do what they think will create the most good in the world. All of our troubles will amount to naught if the Whispering Tyrant is freed from his prison. Proceed to Lastwall and learn what you can. If the Lesser Seal at Droskar's Crag cannot be repaired, then perhaps one of the others can be fortified. Keeping the location of the Seals secret has long been their strength, but I believe it is time for a more direct and proactive approach."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Hammerhead

Happy to both hear of a way he could help contribute (talking definitely wasn't his strong suit) and of the prospect of hitting stuff on the head in the name of protecting the world, Hammerhead pulled himself up straight and inclined his body in a bow.

"You can definitely count on us for that, Your Majesty. Is there anything else that you would tell or ask of us before we depart to do this task?"

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Scanning the room attentively as Ellarie pointed out the lethal mechanisms scattered throughout, Elias was silent for a long moment. Then, he held out his hands to the party.

"Hold onto me."

Elias expends 100 feet of Dimensional Steps to teleport all four party members over the trap area.