Any portico in a storm
Outside Auranar and Verna's home
GAME: Verna casts Resist Energy. Caster Level: 19 DC: 19 GAME: Verna casts Resist Energy. Caster Level: 19 DC: 19
The foul weather has made a turn worse, and now _acid_ is falling from the sky. Lightning strikes uncomfortably close, and Auranar jumps slightly, looking ill at ease as she turns her head skyward and frowns at the clouds that have determined to let loose their worst upon Alexandria today. Only... the weather seems to have fallen only upon the temple district... and their house. "Are you sure it's magical Verna?" She asks inquiringly. She could see the magic for herself with just a little effort, but she's loathe to repeat what her wife has already done.
GAME: Auranar rolls Fortitude: (3)+6: 9
It is perhaps a weird sight as the door moves along the street, slowly disintegrating under the deleterious effects of the weather. Underneath, a blue-skinned Goblin, labouring slightly in keeping the door steady above her.
The door comes to a stop, and angles backwards, giving Irshya a better view of the people attached to the feet and legs that alerted her to someone's presence in her path.
"It is magical, but I do not know what, exactly, sort of magic it is. As you might expect... things are a little rushed." She looks back and forth between the two. "My name is Irshya. Current of Rada. I wish we could have met under better circumstances!"
GAME: Irshya rolls fortitude: (17)+6: 23 GAME: Irshya rolls perception: (8)+13: 21
"I am rather certain, Aura," Verna notes from the vicinity of their portico, her voice lifted against the background winds. "It appears to be a combination of weather control as well as one more intentionally deadly; it is the latter that produces the acid and the severe lightning! Use of our own magic can be hampered by the ...distraction it provides!"
She then glances to Auranar and adds, "Any insight you might have would be welcomed, as always. I-" her attention is pulled as Irshya arrives near enough to be apparent and audible. "Irshya! Much time has passed, and, yes. Please, seek cover here if needed. I expect the storm shall only grow worse unless it is addressed. That parts of it have endured so long already is of great concern."
Auranar turns her eyes toward the unfamiliar person carrying a door for protection - an interesting and inventive solution to the current weather - and she jumps again when a lightning strike hits the house and winces at the fact that the stone looks a bit the worse for wear after the strike. "You are right, I should look around myself I..." She looks toward the stranger that her wife seems to know and lowers her voice to a whisper. "I just don't want to waste anything in case we've need of it later."
The wild elf wraps her arms around herself protectively, her cloak keeping the rain off of her. Thanks to her wife's magic the cloak remains intact. "If it's a distraction, it's a good one." More mumbled than anything.
Irshya squints, and the bursts into a grin, "Oh, Verna! It has been a while." She drags her portable cover closer to Verna and Auranar. Her smile disappears. "I prayed to Rada, and while he heard me, he seems to have not acted. This may be an ill omen, or something else happening that we're not yet aware of." She rubs at her cheek with a hand. "I don't think I am going to be able to stop or change this... we need to gather more people of divine and arcane power, and stop this before it gets worse." The Gobbo looks at Verna, nodding sadly. "I fear you are right."
Irshya winces slightly at the lightning, and looks sympathetically at Auranar. "The lightning, at least, seems normal, as scary as it is. I've asked around at the temples, they're aware of the storm... one would hope so, it's right over their heads! But nothing much of value has been done yet. I've found none with the strength to control the weather or to break the magics sustaining the storm."
"It is a storm within a storm, both conjured with intent," Verna assures Irshya. "I can make no guarantee of success, but I shall attempt to disrupt each of the spells. The acid and excess lightning are the greatest threat." She steps to the side to attempt to brace herself against a support of the portico while not beneath it. "It is likely that whomever conjured and directs these storms lies within the vicinity or can otherwise monitor the area. An attempt to thwart them, successful or not, might well draw their attention and ire to us."
Verna nods to Auranar with understanding and a hint of smile within otherwise firm tone. "We may well need all," she affirms before looking back to them both. "Be alert."
Auranar nods to Verna, her own eyes casting around for some sign of someone who doesn't belong. Which given the weather is anyone really. She even gives Irshya a somewhat suspicious look for a moment, but seems to let it go after a moment. She takes Verna's words to heart and casts no spell for the moment; just in case.
GAME: Auranar rolls Reflex: (15)+8: 23 GAME: Irshya rolls reflex: (12)+5: 17 GAME: Verna rolls reflex: (11)+13: 24 GAME: Auranar rolls 5d6: (17): 17
There's a crackling sound high above and then suddenly the sky lets loose a torrent of golf-ball sized hail that pummels those below it in a punishing way. One of the hail pieces strikes Auranar in the head and the sorceress is driven quickly beneath the shelter of the porch with Verna who thankfully is mostly able to avoid the hail, but poor Irshya finds that the hail is surprisingly strong, beating down on her door and pressing her practically into the ground with its strength.
"Hmm. Perhaps that is why Rada has chosen to leave it be." The Goblin lets out a low breath.
"Better to have them come to us, than to have to chase them around the maze that is this city." She blinks at Auranar a moment, her eyebrows rising. Irshya pouts at Auranar and looks away. She squeaks at the sudden torrent of hail that beats down on her door.
With some difficulty, she drags the door under the portico, leaning it on it's side and out of the way of Verna and Auranar. "Rude!", she calls out, shaking her wee fist at the hail.
GAME: Verna casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 19 DC: 20 GAME: Verna rolls 1d20+20: (1)+20: 21 (EPIC FAIL)
Hail was theoretically expected, given Verna's belief as to the magics involved. Herself, others, and assuredly Auranar being pummeled by said hail are intolerable, however. She takes a step from the portico to clear her line of vision to the swirling above and incants against the winds whilst restraining the urge to cover her face as she gestures. Her words may be swallowed by the storm as her own mana seeking to unravel that holding the weather together is ... swept away.
She frowns. More. "This will be most difficult."
Auranar utters an unpleasant curse when the storm remains intact, a cruel wind stabbing at the ground and obscuring practically everything from sight. She leans against one of the pieces of wood which holds the porch roof in place and touches her head. It comes away wet with blood and her eyes look oddly unfocused. "Wha-?" She utters in confusion, as if uncertain what had happened.
GAME: Irshya rolls perception: (14)+13: 27
The Goblin squeaks as the storm seems to pick up in fury, and she hugs at one of the pillars of the portico. She looks out at the storm, and looks back at Auranar as she curses. Irshya blinks as ... something clips the Wild Elf in the head.
"Oh gosh, are you okay?!" Her voice is lost to the storm, but her holy symbol glows brightly, and the Gobbo grabs at Auranar's hand, the glow transferring to the Elf's wounds.
GAME: Irshya rolls 4d6: (13): 13
GAME: Verna casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 19 DC: 20 GAME: Verna rolls 1d20+20: (4)+20: 24 GAME: Verna rolls 1d20+20: (3)+20: 23
Verna considers whether or how to make her next attempt. Perhaps not surprisingly, she looks to Auranar for ... suggestions? support? assurance? Instead, she sees lowered awareness and blood. "Aura! You-" she pauses a moment; a moment in which Irshya moves in to aid Auranar. ".. should take care." A breath is exhaled. "Thank you, Irshya."
The momentarily relief is not given tot he storm, however, and she turns back to it again. Now her shouted words are not only so to be audible; there is vehemence in her tone and her gesticulations are ...curt. Expletive intent might be inferred or implied.
To which, the storm response with inferred expletives to Verna, too.
From out of the blackness, there is a clanking of armor, coming at a run, and Seldan, wrapped head-to-ankles in a traveler's cloak that is showing signs of wear and the beginnings of holes from the acidic downpour, abruptly appears at the bottom of the steps to the portico, moving quickly and taking them two at a time. He breathes heavily and deeply, a sure sign that he has run for some distance, and his chest heaves once he is properly under shelter. "Mourner," he greets, once he has gotten his breath back. "Mistress Auranar," he begins. "My apologies for the abrupt arrival. This is no ordinary storm."
Auranar stares stupidly at Seldan past the woman that had healed her. "Bagha ha hu?" She utters stupidly, staring at him without comprehension. She... looks well enough, but... that didn't sound like spellcasting to anyone within ear-shot of her. "Groot?"
Irshya nods to Verna, and looks back to Auranar. "Are you feeling okay? Should I do a bit more healing..?" The Goblin gasps then at the clatter of armor and the sudden Appearance of Seldan. For a brief moment, the Goblin stands in front of Auranar, attempting to look bigger, her mouth opened to show off sharp teeth and fangs. Blinking, her mouth closes as it seems he knows the other two, and also bears the hallmarks of Eluna and her own.
"Be aware, the storm is throwing large pieces of hail, she has just been struck... I think I've closed the wound but uh... I know not of what she is saying.", the Goblin says to Seldan and Verna.
GAME: Seldan rolls heal: (17)+13: 30
Verna is wary of the rattling approach and starts initially as Seldan appears. "Your presence is most welcome. No, it is no normal storm. It appears two, conjured atop one another. I attempted to dispel the worst, but to no eff-Aura?"
She turns to Auranar with concern. Verna is fluent in many forms of communication and incantions, and the words uttered are unfamiliar. "Are you well, love?" Her focus does not leave her wife, though she adds, "Any aid you might offer Seldan would be greatly desired."
GAME: Verna rolls heal: (17)+20: 37
GAME: Irshya rolls heal: (10)+14: 24
"No ordinary storm indeed." Auranar's mutterings catch his attention, and Seldan instantly goes sober. He casts the acid-riddled cloak aside to the side of the porch, revealing that he, too, had suffered bruises and cuts from the hail raining down, and his armor is dented in places. Still. he doesn't seem to mind, disregarding the wounds entirely and instead studying Auranar closely, taking her pulse. "Disease, Mourner. She is not well. Have you a counterspell?" The words are steady, but grave. "I have not the needed spell upon me, and for that am I remiss. Still shall I attempt the dispel myself."
Auranar blinks again, stumbling as Seldan studies her and one of her hands landing on a bruise he bears softly. "Mumble grunt gorge." She says softly in a concerned tone. It seems like she maybe doesn't understand that her words are not coming across the way she intends.
"A disease." Irshya looks dismayed. "I.. did not prepare that one today. I had other things planned." The Goblin looks at Verna and Seldan. "If we could deal with the storm, we could take her to a temple." Her eyes fall on her damaged door. "If you wanted to hold the door above us, we could carry her now..."
Verna's eyes widen as she studies Auranar, in time with Seldan's prognosis. She accepts this, but wastes no words on confirmation before stepping close to Auranar. "I can remove affliction, be it illness, poison, or curse." She is well-prepared for such eventualities, it seems. With reason. "Dispelling would be best left for the storm. If no -one- of us can do so, perhaps..."
That branch of thought then loses focus as her attention is devoted solely to curing Auranar. She clasps her scales and beseeches, "Harpist, it is not yet her time. Let her not suffer this malicious affliction."
GAME: Verna casts Remove Disease. Caster Level: 19 DC: 20 GAME: Seldan attempts to cast Dispel Magic but fails due to ASF. GAME: Seldan casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 16 DC: 21 GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+16: (10)+16: 26
Meanwhile, Seldan turns away, to face the raging storm that lashes the edges of the porch and the cobblestones outside. He raises his hands and draws a quick set of sigils, but when he speaks the words of power, the aura that had been building up around him fizzles, and he sighs and begins again. The second time, they burst into violet flame before him, and he speaks another word. They reverse into a cold black fire, and invert, attempting to pull the magic in the stormy air with him - to no avail.
"You would fight, then," he murmurs, undeterred, staring into the blackness. "No matter. I have conquered worse."
GAME: Irshya rolls 4d6: (10): 10
Auranar shakes her head as the spell sinks into her from Verna and lifts a hand to her head. "Oh... That was... odd. Felt like my mind was on _fire_." She frowns; clearly perturbed. "What was that?" She glances toward Seldan and shakes her head. "We need to fix this." The question though, is how.
The Goblin once more offers a prayer to Rada, bringing a glow to her holy symbol. She takes Auranar's hand once more, the glow then diffusing to the others nearby. "I don't know how much good I could do, but I can muster up that spell, if you wish me to try?"
Verna exhales a breath of relief at Auranar's return to coherence and conversation. "A dreadful disease," she informs, "though I know not the source." Her eyes hold promis of both further explanation and acquiring the answer to that dangling unknown.
Irshya's mention of 'that spell' causes her to turn to her, however, "You can unravel magic? If so, your presence is even more a boon." Her face pans back to Auranar. "Love, are you able to do so?"
She then follows with explanation, "I attempted twice with no success, Seldan has done so once. If it might be beyond any one of us, it may not be beyond all of us, in concert."
Seldan turns back to the others, at Verna's voice, and listens carefully, then inclines his head, taking a step backward from the porch's edge lest the wind lash him with hail again. "A worthy notion, Mourner, and I shall lend my efforts. Together are we stronger."
With that, he drops to one knee, to Irshya's level, surveying her. "Forgive me -" He hesitates, as if searching for an appropriate title. "I forget my manners. The Mourner is a longtime friend, and her wife no less so for a shorter duration. I am Seldan, servant of Eluna Seeress."
He looks then over at Auranar, and lets out a breath upon seeing her restored. "A dangerous disease indeed, and well am I pleased to see you cured of it," he offers Auranar. "Feel yourself equal to such spells?"
Auranar smiles at Verna and Seldan, a burning light in her dark eyes. "I am." She says this confidently, obviously ready to do exactly as was suggested. "You lead the way Verna, and I will transcribe even as you do. Together we will prevail against this foul storm!"
Irshya blinks as suddenly, Seldan's right there. "Ah uhm. My name is Irshya. I am a Current, which is what priests of Rada are titled. As I offered to the two ladies, I wish we'd met under happier circumstances. But I'll bet we won't forget this!" The Goblin offers a delicate curtsey, before offering her hand. "I have heard of you, Seldan, Light of Eluna. The stories are right, you are impressively tall."
The Goblin inhales deeply. "I am ready to try that spell."
GAME: Seldan casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 16 DC: 21 GAME: Auranar refreshes spells. GAME: Auranar casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 7 DC: 17 GAME: Verna casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 19 DC: 20 GAME: Irshya casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 7 DC: 17 GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+16: (15)+16: 31
Verna nods to all and delays a moment for preparedness. One hand moves this time to her Scales whilst the other goes to Auranar's shoulder as contact without interference in casting. "Together we shall quiet this storm." She then begins to beseech rather than incant. "Harpist, lay Your judgement upon this threat upon your Hall on Ea, your servants, and all they protect and serve. Aid myself and those with me to banish it and make safe The Cycle!"
This time, Seldan lets out a breath, and murmurs, "Evil magic is afoot, and Your gifts used to hurt the innocent. Holy Dreamer, guide my hand and those of my companions, that together we might make it no more." His hand automatically closes around the crescent and sphere around his neck as he whispers those words.
And then, it is time. His gauntleted hand traces the same sigils again, the same words of power, the same strange and outdated approach to magic, but this time, as he centers the efforts of all, the power bursts straight and true from the blackness. The spell beneath his hand reverses, and it seems to _pull_ at the very fabric of the storm itself, pulling it into itself and dissolving it into the depths of the Void, the spell itself vanishing with it.
The storm quiets, the rain lulls, the wind stops lashing at their clothing.
Though Auranar's magic is not that of Verna's faith, nor as done by ancient rites as is Seldan's, her spell is too woven into the fabric of the magic that they create together. She builds the magic this time not in herself, but outward. Using it like a loadstone to pull the other magic into itself. Low words leave her lips, not a prayer, but words of power that infuse the signs she creates with her hands and _pulls_. She watches with satisfaction as her magic works together with the others and the storm lessens. "Do you see any other magic Seldan? Verna?"
The Goblin casts her gaze skyward, raising up her hands as high as she can. "Rada, hear me, and grant me the power to help banish this unnatural storm." She wobbles as her spell is released.
"Her voice falls silent as she watches the storm get pulled in multiple directions, shredded to pieces as it once shreadded cloaks, rooftops and doors. She steps carefully from the portico, and down the steps, peering into the street, and then back up at the sky.
"YEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! IN YO FAYCE!"
By the combined powers of Vardama, Eluna, Rada, and Auranar, the storm seems quelled, its powering mana unravelled and dissipated. Verna's frown softens and then inverts; regardless whether all is now truly well, an evil was overcome. Together. Aura's wise inquiry is not overlooked and Verna incants a new spell to answer that inquiry.
"She is right to ask," she notes for the others. "There may be more to these events. There is a likely imminent threat to The Harpist's Hall here, and this would be far too coincidental."
GAME: Verna casts Arcane Sight. Caster Level: 19 DC: 20 GAME: Seldan casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 16 DC: 18 GAME: Verna rolls spellcraft+4: (5)+36+4: 45 GAME: Verna rolls spellcraft+4: (17)+36+4: 57
Seldan, too, did not miss the import of Auranar's words, and even as Verna moves to inspect the local magical currents, the paladin does the same, drawing a simpler sigil before him that conjures a blue-silver-gold veil before him. This, he peers through, studying the auras around him intently.
GAME: Seldan rolls spellcraft: (11)+18: 29 GAME: Seldan rolls spellcraft: (12)+18: 30
The Goblin goes silent, the talk of the cause of the storm sobering her up. "I did not have enough time before, so I did not get a thorough reading, but it felt like a number of magics were involved in that. That's all I have... should we break out the various temples now?"
Verna looks around them with eyes now faintly glowing cerulean. "There is..." Something catches her eye in the near vicinity and she looks to the ground there. Her head then dips to track along the ground to her feet... and then she turns to face The Residence. There is a quell and return of glow as she blinks, then the cerulean narrows to twin lines. "By Her Hallowed Hindquarters! This effort is not solely focused upon the temples!"
"Aura," her eyes remain on the ground near them, "were there any unexpected visitors or lingering strangers? The land here is cursed! Seldan, do you discern the same?!"
"I do," the paladin answers at once. "A curse is laid upon these grounds, as well as magic to control the weather." Seldan turns to survey the others. "You have made an enemy," he observes in the mild way more appropriate to an observation of the day of the week. "Come, I have the means to remove a curse. IF you have the same, perhaps you will join with me."
Auranar shakes her head at this news, her lips a thin line of displeasure. "Not that I noticed, but I spent this morning..." She thinks a moment. "I wonder if Dolan saw whoever it was." She shakes her head. "No with our luck they came along while we were discussing things and took advantage of our distraction."
Verna now looks to Auranar and nods. "They would not likely made themselves known. My apologies, dearest, if I brought this upon his. It will be rectified." Now her eyes shift to Seldan. "I can, and I will join with you to remove it." This is their home, afterall!
GAME: Seldan casts Remove Curse. Caster Level: 16 DC: 21 GAME: Verna casts Remove Curse. Caster Level: 19 DC: 20
"As you will." Seldan's response is said with an incline of the head.
With that, he begins another incantation, but this one is - different. Sigils, yes, but as with many of his warding and defense spells, the final sigil that ties it all together is the crescent and sphere of Eluna's holy aegis, uniting the power with Her grace and mercy, calling upon Her blessing in the casting. A smile breaks his lips as he speaks the words of power, facing not only Verna, but the center of the house itself.
He waits and watching, allowing the two magics to again merge and meld, uniting towards a single purpose -
Verna's style of casting may differ from Seldan's, but that makes neither any more or less potent. She clasps her Scales once more and her prayer is... perhaps not as rote and general as it might otherwise be. This is notably personal. "Gray Harpist, please free my home, these ground from this ill fate lain by another. Let no other be harmed nor afflicted and wash away the evils spoiling this place." She would have the ground scoured physically clean... did it not include planters of meticulously nurtured herbs and flowers. No, those can stay. It is the evil that must go.
The spells done and the curse on the land lifted, Auranar looks between the two and then lands her eyes on Seldan. "Well then, if that's all... Why don't you come inside for a cinnamon roll Seldan?" She offers this firmly. "Perhaps some tea? It's been a bit since you visited and you deserve an offer of gratitude for your efforts." She offers a smile and moves toward the door, opening it and ushering everyone inside.
The rain is still falling, the storm not yet abated, but there's hope now that it will pass. That all of this will pass. Just like the storm.