Amily in the Wight
Log Info
- Title: Amily in the Wight
- Emitter: Ravenstongue
- Characters: Aelwyn, Dirk, Khepri, Eztli, Jay, Nemori
- Place: Alexandros Forest
- Time: Sunday, July 31, 2022, 1:44 PM
- Summary: After slaying the cult leader at the town of Clarity, the adventurers go in search of one of the residents who escaped before the town was absorbed by the cult. They track her through the forest, and she is having a good time, until something startles her into a cave. Exploring, the adventurers encounter some Dire Corby's, a corvid-like race of aliens determined to take her as food. Integrity the Egalrin, vociferously opposes them while everyone else gets down to fighting. Amily is freed, but there is another threat in the cave, a wight, which attacks Dirk as the others retreat. Finally it is finished, and the fate of her parents and town is shared. Amily handles it well.
In the aftermath of the cathedral burning and the slaying of the Holy Doctor Clarity Arzt, a journal was discovered, belonging to a 15-year-old girl named Amily. Amily escaped the cult and ran into the wilderness, trying to run away from the horrible fate that befell her family and community: becoming part of the unholy abomination that the Holy Doctor called 'the Congregation'.
Her last written words linger with the party: "I have to be brave. So I'm running away, and I'm not looking back. If you read this, I'm gone. If the wights take me, then so be it."
Not all are content to let this teenage girl fend for herself in the peril that she might be in. So here you are in the wilderness, looking for a teenage girl who grew up in a cult... and almost certainly doesn't have any survival skills.
What do you do?
Dirk, in contrast to the brave young lady Amily, -does- have survival skills, and plenty of them. And so the burly old snowbeard is on the hunt. Thunderbelcher held loosely in one hand, hunkered down close to the ground as he passes his fingertips of the other hand over the earth. Seeking any sign of the girl's passage that might indicate which direction she'd gone. "Everyone stay close an' keep yer voices down," he growls softly as he sweeps his gaze from side to side. "An' try not tae make too much noise. Last thing we're wantin' is a pack o' wights on us, right?"
It is forested terrain. Seems like the town of Clarity didn't do a ton of pruning of the natural flora and fauna because it helped hide their settlement from outsiders.
<OOC> Aelwyn says, "I can give my check for someone else." <OOC> Khepri says, "Aelwyn, pass me yours, I've got a pretty healthy survival check. RT, does this count as a track check?" <OOC> Nemori will pass on hers to Dirk. <OOC> Eztli says, "I'll probably help someone else" GAME: Khepri rolls survival+12: (2)+9+12: 23 GAME: Dirk rolls Survival+2+2+10: (8)+10+2+2+10: 32
Aelwyn was trailing after the other people, and just like the brave young lady Amily, he had absolutely no idea about anything survival or outside the comfortable walls of reasonable civilization. Still, the sith-makar rumbles as his ruddy scaled body does its best to blend in with the surroundings. "It seems hopeless to find anyone in here," He quietly hisses, but with a roll of his shoulders, trails along regardless. His orange eyes scan the treeline; at least he had a good vision in the darkness if nothing else.
"So who is good at tracking? Tracking?" Integrity C Truefeather, esquire, the 'C' is for courreur-de-bois- asks loudly, spreading his wings wide so he looks larger, "I'm all right at it. I'm more of a library bird but I've spent some time in the forrests."
GAME: Khepri casts Bless. Caster Level: 4 DC: 14
Khepri is methodical. Deliberate. But there's also a twinge there of uncertainty, as it still holds its khopesh in its fist. It pauses, looking at the heavy blade with its blank yellow eyes, before stopping to examine the ground again. "Agreed," the golem rasps to Dirk. "We are ill equipped for such a foray. We shall find the girl, and return with her to Alexandria." The voice is firm, despite its toneless sound.
GAME: Nemori casts Spiritual Weapon. Caster Level: 6 DC: 15
Nemori is no tracker, but her Elven Eyes are often called upon to see things.. which, when you think about it, is actually kind of prejudiced. Add that to the fact that she has little actual interest in tracking this Amily down... she's more than happy to defer to the old dwarf, staying out of the way while he puts the proof to his vaunted woodsman skills, standing by to simply help point out signs he may.. or may not have missed.
"Let us just get this finished. I have had more than my fill of grotesque for the day."
It was only complete luck that Eztli managed to survive any reasonable amount of time out in the wilderness. Probably why she was so stunted, perhaps. But still, she's at least able to help the others find a few things out of place, that might be missed when everyone is towering above her.
And so the search efforts begin. There's six pairs of eyes that are all looking for signs of the girl Amily.
Luckily, it appears that no rain has fallen on Clarity or the surrounding area since Amily ran away, and it really does appear that Amily had no training in survival skills of any sort, as a trail of footsteps consistent with a pair of smaller-sized sandals is quickly found.
There's something odd about the tracks as they go on, however. They meander around for a while, almost directionless--like Amily was spending a little while just enjoying her newfound freedom, and there's even something that looks to Aelwyn like she burst into spontaneous dance, the clips of her sandals leaving strange indentations into the ground...
And then there's evidence to suggest a campsite, with a failed attempt at a campfire remaining in a small clearing of trees--but there's another set of footprints, too. Four sets of large footprints with three toes and almost talon-like indentations. And Amily's footsteps become far more like frantic ones, running for her life.
To a nearby cave system, where the tracks become much less easy to observe.
GAME: Khepri rolls knowledge/nature: (6)+7: 13 GAME: Dirk rolls Knowledge/Nature: (10)+9: 19
Khepri stares down at the tracks, before looking to Dirk. "I am not familiar with these tracks but... they are reminiscent of something I saw in one of my instruction tomes. A great, birdlike humanoid called a 'corby' or 'dire corby'." It tilts its head. "What is your assessment?"
"She was enjoying her freedom, allegedly," Jay says, commenting on the obvious tracks. Continuing to state the obvious, he adds, "I don't recognize these."
Then, "Oh. A cave. Lady Nemori, you're good with caves, right? Tell me they aren't anything like sewers." His feathers ruffle as he refolds his wings.
"A bird? A Dire Corby?" He straightens up, "That sounds amazing. I'm sure the name is just an affectation! They'll be happy to see us. Well, me. I'm sure we'll get along flockingly."
"Want me to go check it out, or should we clang the pans?"
Dirk narrows his eyes as he spies those taloned footprints. He traces the outline of one with a fingertip. He looks up at Khepri with a nod. "Aye, I think yer on tae summat," he growls, rising to his feet. "They're a wee bit like our good legal eglarin here, only minus the wings." He turns his gaze towards the cave. "We have tae move. They could be on 'er right now." He racks his rifle. "Any o' you tallfolk what cannae see in the dark?" he asks his companions. Of course, -he- has no trouble operating underground. It's not his favorite place in the world, but for all that he's a black sheep of his people, he's still a dwarf, with ancestral ties to the world below ground.
GAME: Aelwyn rolls perform/dance: (13)+5: 18 GAME: Jay rolls perform/dance: (2)+0: 2 <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "NO I HAD NO CLUE JAY WAS TRAINED IN DANCE" GAME: Dirk rolls Performance/Dance: (15)+Performance/Dance: 15 GAME: Nemori casts Light. Caster Level: 6 DC: 13
"I lived in a city underground, Integrity. Not caves," Nemori tells the egalrin, trying to keep her voice from coming out flat... and mostly failing. Still, despite her apparently mild offense, she kneels and picks up a small stone.. then enchants it with a minor light spell. Which she hands to Jay. "Take this. You can put it in your pocket if you wish to hide the light."
Aelwyn's eyes were trailing after the footsteps, but after a while his head tilts and he pauses. His walk begins to take on a different pattern, and he begins to lightly mimic her footsteps along the way, as if trying to figure out something.
"Hmmh. Odd place for such steps. Who would dance the rich tiptoe dance in the woods?" The draconian finally mentions, and moves on after the rest of the group. "This one can see in the darkness, Sharprifle." The ruddy scaled sith-makar states and was already wrinkling his snout at the prospect of going down under again. Really bad experiences lately.
"Someone who grew up in a cult and was finally given a taste of proper freedom and hope for the future." Eztli sighs, looking at the large footprints. "They're in danger, if they're still alive. We should move quickly, before they're found."
"I can see fine, but Jay can not. Thank you Nemori, we should head further in. Still, stay careful, and stay together."
GAME: Nemori rolls perception: (20)+9: 29 GAME: Khepri rolls perception: (15)+10: 25 GAME: Eztli rolls perception: (20)+5: 25 GAME: Jay rolls perception: (10)+14: 24 GAME: Dirk rolls Perception: (5)+10: 15 GAME: Aelwyn rolls perception: (9)+1: 10 <OOC> Nemori ..... is more than just her eyes, dammit.
Jay pockets the light source, for now. "Thanks! Hey, if you made it bright enough and I swallowed it, do you think enough light would escape my croup that I could see by it? We should experiment with this later."
The egalrin observes the footsteps and Aelwyn's efforts to duplicate them. He sighs sadly, the featherless made a good effort, and while those do seem like dance steps they are weird, nothing like the ELEGANT and BEAUTIFUL egalrin mating dances. Which... he should not share.
"Weren't the cities in caves? Isn't everything underground technically a cave, or a river?"
There's a sound from within the cave. It's faint, but it echoes to the point where it sounds like...
A girl screaming.
It appears the time is at hand. And her time might be running out if you don't hop to it.
Khepri stiffens suddenly, its head tilting in that quizzical way. Then the inquisitor begins to move swiftly, without heed. The charms around its neck jangle, the prayer strips attached to its shoulders fluttering in the breeze of its passing as the golem charges forward, khopesh and shield in its fists as it charges to the rescue. "Swiftly!" it snaps, the only word uttered as it enters the cave.
"Screams." Jay identifies the sound, "Not good ones. I'm right behind you Khepri!"
"Were not the scales usually the most balanced?" Aelwyn rumbles, rolling his shoulders. He inhales deeply and then follows right on after the two running in. "Will keep a clear swathe," The draconian quips to the others less likely to run up to the frontlines.
Nemori raises a hand, mouth forming the word "Wait..." but it's too late. Two have already entered. Then three. She mul'niessa scowls, even folding her arms across her abdomen as she glares at Eztli. "I suppose you are going in as well?" she demands, almost accusingly, before she drops her arms, then draws her rapier. "One day this is going to get one of you killed. Sooner probably rather than later."
Eztli freezes up, and she seems unsure how to act, or rather, was fighting with the urge to run in after them. She looks to Nemori, and sighs. "You know screaming isn't the time for slowing down, she could be dead before we reach her." She states to the cleric, already raising and lowering a hand over herself in a warding motion, causing her clothes and body to shimmer for a split second. "She needs someone to help her. Would you not have wanted someone to help when you left home?" She asks, before joining the others in running down to the source of the noise.
Dirk startles when he hears those screams. "Great Gilead's Ghost!" he gasps. He doesn't hesitate. He starts trundling forward as fast as his tubby stride can carry him. He glances over his shoulder at Nemori with a scowl. "Then we'll die big damn heroes!" he growls before turning his attention back to the front. "HANG ON, AMILY, WE'RE COMIN' FER YE!" he roars, letting the cave's natural geology magnify his deep, booming voice.
Nemori doesn't quite throw her hands up in exasperation... she may not be altruistic, but by now she's set some sort of precedence that she's unlikely to abandon friends, at least. "Dead hero is still dead," she mutters. "And I happen to value my own life more than some random, stupid little girl who runs into a cave..." Mutter, mutter, mutter.
The cave entered is winding and long, but that's about the extent of the insight that can be had. Now is no time to ponder geology.
Except, well. There's bits of smashed bone that line the cavernous system, and there are an exceedingly large number of passages that run higher above your heads. It becomes clearer and clearer that this is the dire corbies' true gauntlet for hunting--they chase people into these caves and pick them off from above as they run.
Luckily for you, they're not hunting you. They're hunting the girl. Her screaming becomes clearer and more agonized as you get closer and closer--
And then there she is. A human girl, skinny and pale, has her leg caught in a bearclaw-style trap, likely appropriated from a dead hunter by the corbies. Her short brown hair, which should normally be in little ringlets, is matted with mud and blood. And she's trying desperately to pry the trap open with her fingers, tears streaming down her face. "Help! HELP! HELP ME!" she screams.
And her blue eyes fall on your group. Bewilderment crosses her face.
But the corbies are close, too. Their strange corvid-like noises signal their advance.
GAME: Eztli casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16 GAME: Dirk casts Longstrider. Caster Level: 5 DC: 13 GAME: Khepri casts Bless. Caster Level: 4 DC: 14 <OOC> Khepri says, "Alright. I am running up to 11,5. 4x move in medium armor. <OOC> Khepri says, "And done. BTW, as noted, everyone has bless, so +1 to hit, +1 vs fear."
Khepri can't describe what's driving it on. There is duty yes, but something... else? All it knows is the khopesh feels warm in its hand, the blade tugging ever so slightly, and it is obliged to follow. Metalshod feet carry it into the cave; its yellow eyes pass over Amily, trapped, vulnerable. Then it turns to behold the muscular corbies, and the beak-faced golem makes an ominous sound, like a hungry machine of gears. Deliberately, it bangs the hilt of its khopesh on its shield, a challenge.
<OOC> Aelwyn says, "Can I move to 12,7 and nick a javelin at number 2?" GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon2: (19)+5: 24 GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage2: aliased to 1d6+0: (2)+0: 2
Aelwyn was right on the heels of Khepri as the large golem rushes into the fray. He had a javelin in his hand; and as soon as he gets a vision on one of those overly buff and large corvids, he swings it over his shoulder. It takes a bit of a wind from one of their wings, but does not do much more. "Next time, breathe, Scale. Could have run into anything." The Dragoon rumbles with a growl as he settles besides him, his glaive in hand.
These guys may look like corvids, but they don't look like they're happy to see their primo show up to their fiesta.
GAME: Jay rolls bluff: (19)+7: 26 GAME: Jay rolls linguistics: (14)+8: 22 <OOC> Dirk now can't unsee Jay whipping a wing out in a point and shouting OBJECTION!
Momentum: The propensity of an object in motion, to continue in motion. Bravery: Acting in a couragous manner. Courage: Seeing a scary situation and acting despite the fear.
Integrity C Truefeather, the 'C' is for compensating, has had unfortunate experiences underground, in the dark, and is still coming to terms with combat, being injured, bleeding, and seeing people die. And he can see that Amily is experiencing all those emotions.
Khepri, Aelwyn, are moving forward. Jay doesn't want to but finds his talons scraping on the cave floor. His feet moving faster. The blood pounding in his ears. He stoops forward, wings spread, flapping, running. Right up to the girl.
"It'll be ok. We're here." He tells her, before spinning around, standing. Cawing, as loud as he can, as forcefully as a hungry corvid.
"MINE! MINE! MINE! I GOT HER FIRST! MINE! YOU CAN'T HAVE HER!" A challenge to the Dire Corbys, "STAY BACK! BACK!"
GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11: (18)+5: 23 GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11: aliased to 1d10+3: (6)+3: 9 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+3: (5)+3: 8 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+3: (6)+3: 9
One of those large and overly buff corvids comes charging at Khepri. However, Aelwyn's prepared, and he strikes a grievous blow with his glaive, rendering the corby's attacks into almost sort of a flailing manner that in no way connects meaningfully with Khepri's war golem form.
Eztli blinks when one of the large creatures charges in. She stops to begin manifesting a flaming spear next to her, but in a shower of sparks it vanishes. Instead she steps forward, and begins chanting something quickly in Draconic. "Stay where I can see you, Aelwyn! I'm going to do what I can to help." She shouts to the other makari, before continuing to chant. Hoping that none of the beasts would run past them in the meantime.
<OOC> Dirk says, "Gonna trot up to 14,8 and take a shot at Corby 2." <OOC> Dirk says, "I'll also send Lulu to 13,4 so she can provide flanking." <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Make your roll with a +5 heroic leeway bonus. GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+1: aliased to Ranged+1-2+1: (13)+8+1+-2+1: 21 GAME: Dirk rolls Dmg: aliased to 1d12+4+1: (4)+4+1: 9
Dirk narrows his eyes as he sees Amily's predicament. "Hang on, lassie, we're comin' tae help ye!" he calls. He motivates his hefty ass, his heavy boots thudding on the earthen floor as he trots forward. As he goes, he whistles sharply three times through his teeth. "Lulu! Get 'im!" he hollers, sweeping his hand out to indicate the corby that's stepped up to menace his friends. With a mighty hoot, Lulu leaps off her master's shoulder and wings forward, zooming over the combatant's heads to start fluttering menacingly. The little owl can't do much, but she's good at keeping foes off balance! Skidding to a halt, Dirk swings up his thunderbelcher and sights down the barrel. With a deep breath, he pulls back on the trigger. CHK-BOOM! Thunder rings through the close confines of the cavern as the bullet flies true, turning the corby's head to red mist. The feathered menace drops into a boneless heap. "BOOM! HEADSHOT!" the old dwarf thunders with a grin as he racks his rifle.
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "The third swole crow is going to go right up to Aelwyn and also try to claw at him." GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+3: (8)+3: 11 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+3: (6)+3: 9
Another of the dire corby pack, not daunted by the death of their comrade, lunges forward at the dancer-draconian Aelwyn. But trying to attack a dancer is a fool's errand, especially when the dire corbies apparently make poor dance partners and can't catch the right rhythm to attack Aelwyn.
<OOC> Nemori will move to 10,5 <OOC> Nemori says, "Then I will use a swift to cast liberating command on Amily." GAME: Nemori casts Liberating Command. Caster Level: 6 DC: 14 <OOC> Nemori says, "She gets an immedate action to do an escape artist check, with a +12 bonus." GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+12: (8)+12: 20 <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "She gets loose!"
Against her better judgement (or at least, that's what she tells herself), Nemori rushes after Jay. Not so swiftly as him; she's certainly not about to risk herself /that/ much just to rescue some random, barely named whelp of a human who has had the gall to inconvenience... ahem. She hurries enough to get others between her and the bad birds, then takes hold of her muse's token and snaps at Amily, her words carrying a small measure of divine power. "Stop whining and get yourself free!" she demands of the girl.
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Corby-4 (Fourby) is going to actually use the special dire corby leap..." GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+10: (4)+10: 14 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+3: (8)+3: 11
Another corby in the pack grunts and then lets out a shrill scream as it leaps into the air to charge at Khepri. But it doesn't quite stick the landing--too much adrenaline, perhaps--and the awkward landing makes for an even more awkward swiping of claws.
Amily's tears roll down her face, her blue eyes just full of confusion at the scene that's unfolding in front of her--but the words of reassurance from the party, both spoken aloud and in their actions, spur her on. Nemori's divine words in particular, as harsh as they are, are the final bit of motivation she needs--
As her hand finally finds the mechanism on the trap to loosen it. She pants as she pulls her leg out, and she crumples into Jay's form, crying as she just throws herself into his arms. (Hopefully, he'll catch her.)
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "The last corby is going to weave around and try to attack Aelwyn, too." GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+3: (17)+3: 20 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5
The last remaining corby to act intends to not fall flat like its hunting comrades have. It weaves around its ally and swipes out at Aelwyn. In the surprise, it manages to score a small scrape against Aelwyn, drawing blood as its talons manage to catch somewhere underneath those scales. Meanwhile, Amily turns her head in the direction of the opposite end of the cavern passage, and she screams.
An undead figure approaches, a nasty thing twisted by necromancy and shadow. Flesh warped and ruined, the thing snarls with murderous intent.
A wight.
<OOC> Khepri says, "Swift action, activate judgment (Destruction). Hack down #4." GAME: Khepri rolls kastuvas+6: aliased to 1d20+7+6: (10)+7+6: 23 GAME: Khepri rolls 1d8+6: (8)+6: 14 <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Hanging on by a THREAD."
Now there's no time for words, or argument, or recrimination. It is battle, to save an innocent, to guard... Khepri's yellow eyes glow in puzzlement. But still, there are foes to fight, and so the golem parries the flailing blows of the dire corbies away with its shield.
Then the gangling figure draws itself up, and the khopesh flashes with light. "In the name of the Harpist, I consign you to Her judgement!" And then its arm swings down with mechanical grace, the blade biting deep into the dire corby's chest, a brutal wound as the heavy axe-like sword pulls free again.
<OOC> Aelwyn says, "Aelwyn will smack at Corby 1, nothing else. ._." <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Roll to smack with a +5 bonus!" GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11: (15)+5: 20 GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11: aliased to 1d10+3: (3)+3: 6
Aelwyn's bloodied blade slides across the crow that flew past him, the Dragoon wounding up on his tipclaws. The momentum carries him away from the other corbyn's claws as he slides around, ducking and twirling with his spear. "hiss roar sizzle hiss hiss" The Dragoon shouts back at Eztli, hissing as his ruddy-scales get a splash of bright red, spilling over his orange-scaled front. "These do not know how to dance politely!" <draconic>
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Jay, that's a creepy damn thing in front of you, and the girl in your arms is screaming about it." <OOC> Jay says, "I would like to move to 9,10, and move Amily to 10,10, so that the Wight can't charge at us." <OOC> Jay says, "I'll say reassuring things to her, caw for help and draw my rapier"
Jay... catches Amily, wrapping his wings around her. He is soft, feathery, like a down filled comforter with a loud lawyer at it's core. He is however, primarily a defense attorney, and when one needs one, an asset to the side.
"It's okay. Okay." He tells her. A shock ran through him as he spots the wight, and in spite of his adrenaline rush, he forces the panic down. "We're here. You're very brave. You're strong. You will survive this. You were smart to leave the town, and you did amazingly well in the forest. You rescued yourself. You just need a little more."
He ushers her away from the bear trap, away from the wight, back the way they came to get at least a corner of rock between them and the undead. "Nemori." He caws, attempting to sound calm, his voice raised, "Nemori. Khepri. There's a wight. A Wight. Over there."
His silvery blade indicates the direction.
GAME: Eztli casts Enlarge Person. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16 GAME: Eztli casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17 <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Excellent. Make your roll with a +5 bonus." GAME: Eztli rolls 1d20+2+3+5: (9)+2+3+5: 19 GAME: Eztli rolls 4d6+4: (22)+4: 26 <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Dire Corby 1 goes down."
"Grow!" The small makari hisses suddenly, finishing off the spell she was preparing, and causing Aelwyn to grow much bigger. Now, her attention was attempting to turn, until she heard the words. Eztli froze in place for a moment, before she manages to move her feet forward again. She raises one hand, manifesting the flaming spear she was attempting to before, and this time a flick of the wrist sends it flying into one of the creatures, burning it until it falls to the ground. "Stay with Jay, you can trust him." She says to the girl. "But keep moving, away from where you were to where I am. And get behind us, please." She states quickly.
<OOC> Dirk says, "Move to 8,9 and shooty-shoot at the wight. Think that should just put me within touch attack range." <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "+5 heroic bonus." <OOC> Dirk says, "With Deadly Aim, obvs, and favored enemy bonus." GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+1+4+5: aliased to Ranged+1-2+1+4+5: (17)+8+1+-2+1+4+5: 34 GAME: Dirk rolls Dmg: aliased to 1d12+4+1: (5)+4+1: 10 <OOC> Dirk says, "Lulu will maintain her flanking position."
Dirk's gaze gets drawn to Jay as the legal eglarin calls out the existence of a wight in the cave. His expression turns stormy, his whiskers bristling furiously as the existence of one of his chosen prey is revealed. He trundles forward, rounding the corner to see the slavering wight coming at them. "Oh no ye don't, ye walkin' meat-pile!" he snarls. Up comes his thunderbelcher. CHK-BOOM! The shot flies true, hitting the wight center mass. "C'mon, ye bastard! I got -plenty- o' these!" he growls, racking his rifle.
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+3: (20)+3: 23 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+3: (10)+3: 13 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3 <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Okay, second attack." GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+3: (6)+3: 9 <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Wight is gonna go up to Dirk. Because Dirk did a big ouchie to him." GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+4: (16)+4: 20 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4
The appearance of the wight changes things for the corbies. They seem very excited for it to be here, rasping in a way that suggests almost that it's... either in league with it, or is more than happy to have a distraction. The latter is more likely than the former.
One corby takes another successful slash at Aelwyn, finding the rhythm again to score blood. The wight, meanwhile, rushes forward, and it slams its arm down onto Dirk, snarling with destructive intent.
GAME: Nemori casts Spiritual Weapon. Caster Level: 6 DC: 15 GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (7)+4+3: 14 <OOC> Nemori says, "my luck domain gives me a free reroll at this level." <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Nemori, you do get one free reroll, and also, +5 heroic leeway bonus." GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon+5: aliased to BAB+Wisdom+5: (7)+4+3+5: 19 GAME: Nemori rolls 1d8+2: (1)+2: 3
"Ugh. Somebody please silence her mewling?" Nemori asks, in little mood to be charitable. (Haha. Nemori, charitable. Hahaha.) With her rapier still wielded in one hand, Nemori remains where she is, raising her symbol of Ceinara to summon a larger duplicate of the weapon behind the newly arrived wight. The transluscent, sunset coloured blade slashes at the creature.
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Fourby is going to paw at Khepri." GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+3: (16)+3: 19 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7 <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Amily is going to try and run, but only gets to about 15 feet" <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "her injured leg gives her trouble. Setting a DC 15 Acrobatics check to see if she makes it." GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20: (15): 15 <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "She manages to walk the full 30 feet and then total defenses."
Another round of ineffective flailing from a corby at Khepri is in the background as Amily tries to limp away. She stumbles partway through, but she manages, and hides herself against the cave walls--murmuring prayers to Althea, not the Holy Doctor, to see her through this.
<OOC> Khepri says, "Can I charge to 7,9 and bulldoze into the wight?" <OOC> Nemori says, "Probably take an AoO from the Corgi." GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+3: (7)+3: 10 (AOO - Miss) GAME: Khepri rolls kastuvas+1+5+2: aliased to 1d20+7+1+5+2: (12)+7+1+5+2: 27 (+2 Charge, +5 RT Heroic) GAME: Khepri rolls 1d8+6: (2)+6: 8
Khepri realizes its fears were founded -- things have suddenly gotten tense with the arrival of a wight. And where there is one... "Aelwyn, continue engaging -- this one is ready for the Halls." The golem contemptuously slaps away a clumsy blow with its shield, and then whirls and charges. Feet hammering on the stone floor.
It sweeps past Dirk like a steel-jacketed wind, the khopesh almost -humming- in the air as it whirls, and the heavy blade flashes with bright light when it sinks into the undead horror. "Return to your tomb, unquiet one! You have no place here, your time is done! Sleep forever!"
GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11: (16)+5: 21 GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11: aliased to 1d10+3: (8)+3: 11 <OOC> Khepri says, "... Actually, it's 2d8+4, not 1d10+3." <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Dead either way."
Aelwyn kept his step in time with the corbyn's movements, fluidly stepping around them as they tried to attack him. Until he suddenly _sees_ from far above. "Huh-ah!" The Dragoon hisses out, trying to rebalance himself with his far larger body. He couldn't deny it felt oddly gratifying to tower over everyone near him - but his rhythm was also broken, and he gets several cuts across his flesh.
"HA." The ruddy sith-makar hisses out. "Engorge." The Dragoon grins toothily at one of the Corbyn's - and with his much larger glaive, slices the bird-creature in half. Perhaps later he will remember to control his excitement.
GAME: Jay rolls perception: (9)+14: 23
"Yes! I am! Very trustworthy! I'm a lawyer." Jay calls, running after Amily. He laughs encouragingly, "You have the right idea, get out of the cave! Wait for me though. They're a lot of twisty little passages, all alike. It'd be easy get lost! It's also dark!"
He holds the pebble he got from Nemori higher, "I've got the light! We don't want to be eaten by something new!"
The verbalized thought prompts him to double-check his surroundings. Nothing... nothing besides combat. The corbies and wights make for poor stealthy assassins. Allegedly.
There's one corby left and one wight left. The corbi actually looks remarkably healthy, and the wight looks like it's on its last legs.
<OOC> Eztli says, "Burn the wight to ash and hope it doesn't miss because Eztli isn't thinking straight" <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Another scorching ray? Roll to hit with a +5 heroic bonus, please!" GAME: Eztli rolls 1d20+3+3+5: (4)+3+3+5: 15 GAME: Eztli rolls 4d6+4: (18)+4: 22 <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "The wight is gone." <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "It's burnt away to a crisp. Pose it!"
Eztli is frozen again when she can actually see the wight again, draining the life from Dirk, at that. The bird creature still present would be the smart thing to deal with. Eztli wasn't in a state of mind to be making smart decisions.
"GO BACK TO THE HELLS THAT SPAWNED YOU, AND LEAVE. US. ALONE!" The small makari all but screams at the creature, conjuring another flaming spear that launches into the wight, turning it into a roaring bonfire until it falls over, and even then it still continues to smoulder, for much longer than the bird creature had. Eztli sighs, and leans heavily against the wall she was next to. <Draconic>
<OOC> Dirk says, "Move to 11,9 and shooty-shoot the last Corby." GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot-1+1: aliased to Ranged+1-2-1+1: (10)+8+1+-2+-1+1: 17 (-1 Neg Level) GAME: Dirk rolls Dmg: aliased to 1d12+4+1: (8)+4+1: 13 <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Hanging on by the skin of its teeth. Beak. Whatever." <OOC> Dirk says, "Can I have Lulu swoop in and do a double-talon attack?" GAME: Dirk rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21 (Lulu attack) GAME: Dirk rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19 (Lulu attack) GAME: Dirk rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4 GAME: Dirk rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4
Dirk yelps as the wight's hand slams down on his chest, a sound that cuts off in a ragged, gut-wrenching cough as his life force is drained. His cheeks turn pale, and he staggers on his feet. But then, there's Khepri and Etzli to his rescue. "Gods love ye, friends!" he grunts through a haze of pain. He turns his attention back to the other battle taking place. Seeing the corbies falling, he steps forward to line up a shot. As he lifts his rifle, he gives a trilling whistle through his teeth. "Lulu! Strike!" he calls as he sights down the barrel. CHK-BOOM! His bullet zings into the corby's torso, staggering the creature. With an answering hoot, Lulu tucks her wings and dives, talons outstretched. Those sharp claws, so adept at catching little rodents, tear great gashes in the corby's feathered face. An eye gets slashed, and a great chunk of face-feathers flutters away in a cloud. It's enough to send the last corby to the ground.
Dirk lowers his rifle and sinks to one knee, planting his free hand on the cave floor as he pants for breath. The wight's evil lingers, and his life force is lessened. Lulu wings back to her master's shoulder, hop-hop-hopping along and hooting soothingly as she lightly taps his cheek with her beak. "I'm a'right, lassie," he says wearily. With a hefty grunt, he heaves to his feet. Staggers a couple steps before righting himself. "We need tae go," he says. "Afore more wights show up. And... I need a priest. I need this filth off me afore it sets in."
GAME: Nemori casts Calm Emotions. Caster Level: 6 DC: 15
Nemori releases the unseen tether keeping her floating rapier in existence, the ruby sword fading away as she turns from the fallen wight towards the fleeing girl. Another snappish admonishment is on her lips, but then she schools her features to something less.. antagonistic. Instead, she puts away her weapon, then calls upon a soothing divine blessing, becoming the center of an aura of calm as she walks towards Jay and his ward-of-the-moment. "Easy now. Integrity will watch you and keep you safe. We have all come to rescue you and take you to a safe place," she tells the girl.
As the wight crumbles to ash, and the last corby hits the floor, Khepri lowers its khopesh. The golem stares at the blade again, before giving it a shake. Reaching into a pouch for a cloth to clean it, the Executor's eyes move to Dirk. "Indeed. Though you may throw it off on your own -- dwarves are known for their doughty natures -- it would be best to seek counsel at the temples. Just in case."
With that, Khepri sweeps forward, letting Dirk lean on it if needed. Catching sight of the girl, the golem intones, "We return to Alexandria. Please come with us if you want to live."
Aelwyn's blade was about to slice over towards the second corbyn, before there is that ear deafening BOOM by his ear, and the feathery fiend is just torn to pieces by bullet and bird alike. The enlarged sith-makar was still grinning with maddened glee, before he catches himself. Breathing in deep and with a roll of his shoulders, he glances around. Dirk gets a solemn nod from him, 'A fine shot, Sharprifle.' The Dragoon compliments, before walking over towards Eztli.
A moment of pause, and then a toothy grin from the bloodied Dragoon as he offers his hand to the Eztli. "Can this one carry her out again?" Something about being large and big sith-makar finally. <draconic>
"Yes, wait, wait. We're strong in a group." Jay shadows Amily, keeping close, holding back from grabbing her, just yet. His eyes are on the battle. Battles. There's a long stare as he see's the dwarf's life energy drained.
"Yeah... it's not great." He mutters under his breath.
His attention returns to Amily, "Yes. Alexandria. You can't go home." He pauses, "I think you know why."
"It will still be ok. Don't worry."
Amily is soothed by Nemori's words and spell, the emotional duress that the girl's been under lifting off her features. She manages to rub the tears away from her eyes. A closer look at her now reveals her long black dress, spun from low-quality cotton, is threadbare in parts and ripped and torn in others--it was likely a longer dress once, but is now only knee-length. She has all manner of bruises and cuts on her body, not to mention the gashes on her leg where the trap had her. Her sandals are hanging onto her feet for dear life--but her backpack is in good condition.
She takes a moment to just breathe, before she looks at the group, bright blue eyes that look like they've gone through hell and back. "Are my parents dead?" she asks. The tone in her voice suggests that she already knows their fate. All but one was accounted for--and the one was her.
Eztli is finally able to catch her breath, with the other creature fallen. The small makari sighs, and chuckles weakly at the offer. "Thank you, but it won't last, I'd crush you underneath in a matter of minutes."
She sighs, and turns her attention to the girl finally as she works back. "Amily, I am sorry." Eztli speaks up. "When we arrived at the town, everyone was gone. But I can promise you, the person who caused it will harm no one else, I can promise you that. We need to go now though, it was brave of you to leave when you could. So please, keep moving forward."
Dirk nods his head to Khepri. "It'll be costly, but I'd rather lose some coin than part o' me soul," he says. "I'll head straight fer the temples soon as we're safe in Alex." Aelwyn gets a weary grin and a tug of his tricorne's brim. "Yer nae so bad yeself, Dragoon," he says. "Well fought indeed." Turning, he lumbers over to where Amily and Jay stand. "Yer a brave lass," he says, adding gentle soothingness to Etzli's words. "An' a sharp one too. Ye saw through that charlatan's hoax. Ye done the right thing, lightin' out as ye did." He glowers over his shoulder at the dead remnants of their foes. "Just rum luck that this lot found ye. But not tae fret, lass. Yer among friends. We'll see to ye." He looks back up at her. "I've got a spare room in me cabin yer welcome to, 'til ye can find yeself a trade an' strike out on yer own. It's quiet out there in the wood. Nice an' peaceful. Just what we're wanting, I'll warrant."
Khepri's yellow eyes glitter in the dim light. "They have gone into the Halls," it adds, its metallic voice acquiring an odd tone. "They will not be unmourned. The words will be spoken. They will be commended to my Lady's care." The golem nods to Dirk, approving of the sentiments voiced.
Then, carefully, the golem removes one of the simple scarab charms around its neck, and offers it to Amily. "The Lady's blessing be upon you."
"Better to forget them and move on," is Nemori's contribution to the conversation, though she says it without looking at the girl, rather looking back towards the cave's entrance. "Come. Let us move. As has been said, we have no wish to remain here if more of Integrity's cousins... or more wights... show up."
Aelwyn seems to get a bit of wind knocked out of him. "Hmmh, must these moments always end in minutes?" The draconian rumbles, before he turns towards the dwarf. He nods his head towards him, "Perhaps one day he shall show the way of a gun." The Dragoon rumbles, before he lumbers his way over towards Amily. He gives her a tilt of his head, and then bows his head. "She is a good dancer." The draconian says, "And she will be a great dancer in her time." Words of 'sympathy', before the bloodied Dragoon begins to lumber towards the exit.
"Hey don't bless her yet, she's not dead!" Jay protests, then glances at the girl, back at the Vardaman golem, "Ummm... I might have it wrong. All the blessings. Yes."
There's a hard look and a nod from Amily as she just... accepts the facts, taking Khepri's offered charm. "I figured that's how it'd end," she says. "Mother and Father weren't willing to listen to me. I tried. I failed. They made their lot and picked that woman over their own daughter. Now they're dead."
There's a cold tone in her words, but she looks away from the group. "I wasn't born in Clarity, you know. I was born in Alexandria. My parents left with me when I was four. I don't remember much, but I remember seeing a dancer on a stage, and all I wanted to do was to be like her. But then we got to that town, and... There was no more dancing. No more singing. No more laughter. No more happiness."
She clutches the Vardaman charm tightly in her hand, pausing for a moment as she winces from the leg. "Just take me to Althea. The real one. Wherever her Cathedral is. I'll figure it out from there."
<OOC> Nemori says, "A nice cleric would heal her leg for her." <OOC> Nemori will have to drop the calm emotions spell, it's concentration based. GAME: Nemori casts Murderous Command. Caster Level: 6 DC: 14 GAME: Nemori rolls 1d8+5: (4)+5: 9 <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "That heals up her leg nicely."
With the girl's emotions seeming in check, and the others there to help keep her grounded... Nemori releases the calming magic. Moments pass before she grumbles to herself, then touches the girls shoulder to imbue a small amount of healing magic. "We cannot have you slowing us down," she tells the girl, while deliberately not looking Jay and Eztli's way. In fact, she quickens her own pace to keep ahead of the main body of the group.
Dirk tips back the brim of his tricorne, squinting up at Nemori. "Och, yer just a fountain o' kindness, aren't ye?" he grumbles. He hefts his thunderbelcher over his shoulder. "C'mon, friends. Let's go home." He turns and lumbers for the cave mouth,
"She... is..." Jay says, without irony, "it's just hard to see. Anyhow, c'mon Amily, let's get thee to a nunnery! Althean preferrably."
Nemori brims over with so much kindness that it inverts.
"I, yeah, we need to go." Eztli sighs, taking one last look at the incinerated wight before she joins the group leaving the cave. "You'll figure it out, the temples will help you. And if not, you can look for me or the others here in the city, they'll help you out. It's a rough time for a lot of people, but we'll get through it."
And with that the small makari is quick to make her exit before anything else shows up.
OOC & Combatty
Pre-Game
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Ok! Quick refresher as we start. One free reroll, use it or lose it. Speak up within five minutes of your turn in initiative or you'll get skipped over. I'm using my heroic leeway bonuses system again--I will let you know if you get a bonus, and here's the quick write-up/overview of it if you forgot how it works.
http://www.tenebraemush.net/index.php/User:Ravenstongue"
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "This should be a little less spooky-dooky than the last one, but you are looking for a teenage girl lost in the wilderness... which is overrun by wights... So, you know, could be spooky stuff."
Map
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mvd05ux2oo7
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
24 Khepri 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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23 Aelwyn 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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22 Jay 1
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7 Dirk 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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6 Nemori 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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==============================================================================
Post-Game
<OOC> Eztli says, "Thanks for the scene RT! It was fun! And don't worry about it Nemori."
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Part of why I developed heroic leeway is to see everyone getting to do cool stuff, because I am low key one of the biggest fangirls of other people's characters."
<OOC> Dirk says, "How should we handle Dirk getting a restoration spell done for him? O.O"
<OOC> Nemori says, "It will be handwaved, Dirk."
<OOC> Dirk says, "Bless. <3"
<OOC> Nemori says, "Non-DC PrPs don't result in anything permanent."
<OOC> Khepri nods. What Nemori said :)
<OOC> Nemori says, "If you want you can roll a fort save just so you can ICly know if you shook it yourself, or if you needed a temple."
GAME: Dirk rolls Fortitude: (20)+8: 28 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "He powered through with DWARVEN STRENGTH."
<OOC> Dirk flexes in dwarven.
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Alright. That wraps it up for me. Also, gdi, Jay, hittin' me with the Shakespeare. One of my weaknesses."
Dancing
GAME: Jay rolls perform/dance: (2)+0: 2
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "NO I HAD NO CLUE JAY WAS TRAINED IN DANCE"
<OOC> Aelwyn says, "Jay can't dance, Jay can't dance, dun dun dun."
<OOC> Ravenstongue laughs and laughs. I love your characters so dang much, y'all.
GAME: Dirk rolls Performance/Dance: (15)+Performance/Dance: 15
<OOC> Dirk can dance if he wants to.
<OOC> Jay says, "Dance... is an important bird thing. :)"
<OOC> Dirk knew it, Jay's really a bird of paradise.
<OOC> Jay fingerguns, "That's what the ladybirds say. :)"
Ravenstongue pages: Those sure seem like dance steps to you, but they're weird fleshypeople dancing, not the ELEGANT and BEAUTIFUL egalrin mating dances.
Long distance to Ravenstongue: Jay shakes his head sadly, the fleshy humans will never understand the joys of true dance.
Compliments
Khepri pages: And for the record: I think Jay is an -awesome- character and I always have fun RPing with him. Just so you know :)
[RPFive] Khepri laughs helplessly at Jay. "Mine? Mine? Mine?" :D :D
You paged Nemori with 'Thanks. I'm glad you like. I wish I had gotten to play Cryo more, they're very similar in some ways.'
From afar, Nemori could see it. I didn't get to play with Cryo much.. early on with Lysos, then a bit later with a few other alt appearances. I definitely enjoy Jay.
You paged Nemori with 'Jay is 'Cryo Lite' to me in some ways. I mean, not entirely the same, but very similar in a lot of circumstances.'
You paged Nemori with 'but I do a have a lot of un with 'how can he do things as a bright bird'
Nemori pages: That's the important part, I am glad you are having fun with him.
[RPFive] Khepri says, "Awww. Jay savin' the girl. :)"