Bleeding Heart
Log Info
- Title: Bleeding Heart
- GM: Dirk
- Place: The Felwood
The Adventurer's Guild has once again been contacted by the household of Lord Dunstable Pryde, noted landholder and horse breeder whose estate sits on the farther edge of Alexandrian territory. Despite its proximity to the northwestern fringes of the Felwood, the Pryde Estate has been an integral part of Alexandria's cavalry, sending thoroughbred steeds by the dozens each year to bolster the ranks of the equestrian classes. Lord Pryde himself is a decorated officer in the Alexandrian military, forced into retirement after a grievous injury left him lamed in one leg. But of more note to the Adventurers is the good baron's troubled son, Timothy Pryde.
Those in the know (and gossip will spread) have heard of Timmy Pryde, the so-called 'Master of Evil'. Though it's possible he does have some leanings towards magickal gifts, thus far the lad has only proven to be a master of mostly mischief, mild mayhem, and amusing mummeries. So it might come as a surprise to some when the Guild receives an urgent request from the Pryde Estate, not from Lord Dunstable, but from Timmy himself. What could be going on out there? That's what you brave heroes are meant to find out!
The trip out to the Pryde Estate is a pleasant one. The countryside is calm and idyllic. The scars of the Dragonier wight invasion of last year are all but dissipated. The air is mild and balmy as summer has begun to surrender the year to autumn. The Pryde Estate itself is an old, well-worn, but lovingly maintained manor home. It gives an impression of drab majesty, of shabby splendor, like a regal lion proudly slipping into twilight. The stableyards are similarly well maintained, with a fine herd of horses gamboling around the yards without a care in the world. A pair of curious young colts trot up to the fence as the party passes through the gate, whinnying brightly. In all, it's quite the charming, rustic scene.
But of course, every bright day has to have its gray stormcloud. And that cloud is in the form of young Timothy Pryde. He's a youth of about seventeen, caught between the awkwardness of transition from boy to man. He's dressed head to toe in black, accentuated with silver jewelry. His black hair tumbles in inky waves over one eye and reaches his shoulders. Be careful you don't cut yourself on all that edge the lad is exuding.
Slixvah, clad in violet and cyan silk robes with several shawls swooshing about. She stops by the curious animals, her eyes betraying a smile as she reaches up to pat a few of the colts on the side of the head as they make their way past.
She slides into the estate grounds, looking about curiously before her eyes land on the edgiest thing she's ever seen. "Good day, darlin'! I jus' love ya getup!" she coos warmly.
Andelena, Sunguard of Daeus, strolls into the estate, wearing her white cloak and her mithral armor. She stares analytically at Timothy, their gracious host, in that way of 'what are the kids doing these days'.
Eventually she just shrugs and says, "Hey kid. Your dad's missing, huh. So... Tell me what happened. What'd you fuck up? Magic artifact, summoned some shit you shouldn't have, what?"
"Don't be so hard on the boy," comes the maternal voice of Deliverance, the longsword on her swordbelt.
"I'm not being hard, I'm just getting right to the facts. What happened, why's the dad gone, what're we up against so we can go get your dad back from whatever's out there?" Andelena responds, hand on the hilt of Deliverance now and patting the blade like she's reassuring it. "Sorry. Blade's chatty."
The fact that the estate happens to be close to the Felwood is the first concern. The fact that it isn't the Lord of the manor that summons them is the second. Rune arrives atop her bay stallion, dismounting from the horse as they arrive and making sure the beast is properly secured before she approaches the darkly dressed youth.
In some ways, the rogue isn't too far off in dress from the young man in question. Her own black hair sporting blue tips and her leather gear dyed black other than the shimmer of mithral beneath it.
She opens her mouth to say something, but is just a moment too late as Andelena starts into the lad with an array of questions. As per her usual demeanor, the half-sil is a quieter presence. "Just tell us what happened. We're here to help."
Eztli is in a relatively pleasant mood, as she wanders down past some of the farms. The small makari stops out of earshot of the teenager, and chuckles a bit to herself. "Gods, I used to look a bit like that." She continues chuckling to herself. "Got a spiked collar and everything Wouldn't wear anything that wasn't some shade of black. Unfortunately, turned out people were still in to that." She muses before wandering over as well. "Hey, Timothy, right? We're here to help, so please tell us what you know so we can help, okay?"
Timmy pushes off from his lean, idly fidgeting with one of the rings on his left hand--a grinning silver skull with chips of jet in the eyes. "Uh. Yeah. So, like... I totally didn't mean for it to go this far," he says sullenly. His gaze flicks between the assembled adventurers. Andelena, in particular, gets a wary look. "It was supposed to be, like, a super easy summoning rite, right? I did everything right, y'know? Waited for the new moon, drew the pentagram with silver dust, and murked Barnabus' cat for the offering." He fidgets with that ring some more. "It wasn't my fault!" he finally wails. "If that dumb betch Janina hadn't dumped me, I totally wouldn't have had to summon up a new girlfriend, y'know? And when she showed up, she totally starts making the moves on my dad! Like gross?!" He starts to get more animated, hopping from foot to foot. "I did the banishment rite three times, and it isn't working! And now she's gone out to the Felwood with my dad, and I don't know what to do!" The poor lad is almost on the verge of tears at this point. "Please help me. I'm sorry, okay? I thought... it wasn't supposed to be like this!"
Slix turns towards Andie, her beak half opening in tandem with Rune. "Yeah, wha' th' sun lady said," she chirps.
There's an abrupt look to Eztli, her feathered brows high up on her head. "You did?!" she whispers loudly with a grin. "Gods, I bet you rocked it!"
She turns to Timmy, listening to him with her head quirked to the side briskly. "... oh my gawd, what a betch!" Slix echoes, putting a hand over her heart. "She tried ta do all tha', yeeesh. So gross, listen kid, it's alright, we all do a lil' fucky wucky from time ta time, usually not invoking dark arts, we'll deal wit' tha' later. But why don' ya do a lil' thing fo' me and breathe, an' tell us exactly which way he went inta th' woods yeah?" she steps forward, reaching forward to put a hand on his shoulder to calm him.
Andelena looks like she has questions about Eztli once looking like their host, but the question is driven right from her mouth when she learns that--
"Okay Timmy." The phrase drops from her mouth and Andelena pinches the bridge of her nose. "You summoned yourself a demon girlfriend. Except she didn't go for you, went for your dad, made off with him like I almost eloped with Bry, and... we're here."
She sighs. Deeply. So does Deliverance.
"Are all young men so earnestly stupid, responsible, and think entirely with their... lower halves?" Deliverance asks.
Andelena would point out that's being harsh on the boy, but, well. She's entirely in agreement. "Yeah. Doesn't get much better for a lot of them when they age, too. Okay. Did you summon a succubus, specifically? Or just whatever female demon was described in your little unholy texts as having the nicest rack? It'd be nice to know what we're going up against exactly."
A bit of a peculiar look is given to Etzli, as if Rune were trying to picture them in the same sort of edgy outfit as the young man. The lift of her eyebrow suggests she can't quite picture such a thing. That, however, may be a discussion for another time.
The moment the boy starts in on just what had happened, Rune can't help but lean her head forward slightly, rubbing at the bridge of her nose in disbelief. It appears, despite her bluntness, that Andelena had the measure of the boy, alright. It also seems that the two have a very similar response.
The fact that Andelena equates a demon making off with a kid's dad to her and her husband certainly gets a perplexed look. "Makes me wonder which of you was the sex demon in this case..." Then, realizing that making light of the situation may not be the best idea, she clears her throat.
"Please let it not be a succubus. I've had to deal with one of those before and the mind-fuckery is not my favorite thing..."
Eztli does have to stop herself from glaring a bit at the explanation, but the small makari turns away, turns back, and sighs. "That's not an excuse to go killing other people's animals, Timmy, and you should ask yourself why she left instead. But, regardless, that's not important right now. Do you still have the books with the rituals you used? It might let us know what did happen, at least."
Timmy's lower lip trembles a bit as Slixvah offers that bit of comfort. "I just... wanted someone, y' know? Everybody totally hates me," he says in a sullen, borderline petulant tone. He snuffs loudly, wiping his nose off on the sleeve of his expensive Scorching Subject exclusive crushed black velvet shirt. "S-she said... she has a castle out in the Felwood," he says, pointing towards the gloomy eaves of the forest. "Like... a couple miles into the wood. They left on foot, and dad has his cane, y'know, so... you might be able to catch up if you hurry! Please, just... help my dad! I didn't mean for this to happen!"
Eztli's question turns Timmy's gaze towards her. With a sniff, he hangs his head. "Y-yeah... hold on," he mumbles. He turns and heads into the manor hall and returns a few moments later with a leatherbound book. He offers it out with his eyes fixed firmly on the ground. "It's all in here," he says. "The dude at Scorching Subject said that it would totally work. And, like... I wouldn't have to be lonely anymore." He fidgets with his ring some more, shifting back and forth on his feet. "Man, my dad is gonna be so pissed at me," he whines. "He's gonna send me to the fuckin' military academy, dude. I'm so screwed. Fuck my life, man, for real."
GAME: Slixvah rolls knowledge/arcana: (11)+16: 27 GAME: Andelena rolls Spellcraft: (19)+15: 34 GAME: Eztli rolls knowledge/arcana: (13)+8: 21
Slixvah looks at Deliverance. Sloooowly lifts her shoulders. "... I have been earnestly stupid befo', so I get it," she admits, shifting on her feet. She cannot, however, break out into a laugh at Rune's words. It lasts a moment before she sighs and shakes her head.
She gives the boy's shoulder a squeeze. "... yeah. Don't like, do tha' man. Pets can come back ta haunt ya, they gots strong emotional ties, makes th' mojo strong, also not ta mention its mussed up." Her eyes soften. "I get it. Bein' lonely is hard. Bu' it's betta ta channel tha' frustration inta something productive tha' somethin' destructive, yeah?"
She looks to the book, shakes her head, and takes it. Flipping through it briskly, turning it to the other magic folk so they could look together. She scowls. "... ok, I've looked at dark arts books recently, and this is... super fake," she rubs her face, handing it to her friends. "Sorry Timmy, you got duped by this Scorching Subject dude. Just like- Timmy, dawg, chill, alright?" She shakes his shoulder. "Breathe."
Andelena can't help it. She snickers at Rune's remark. "Judgment's out on that one, Rune," she responds, before she resumes her attention on Timmy. Seeing how emotional the kid gets, she just sighs and nods.
"Look, you did something dumb and you got taken for a ride. It happens. We're gonna go take care of whatever the fuck it is you summoned and get out of here."
She looks to the rest of the group. "We hitting the ground running or what? I'm good to go if everyone else is."
Eztli spends some time looking at the book. She stops, looks to the kid, and back to Slixvah, who reaffirms her suspicions. "This book shouldn't have been able to summon anything. Unless there's another book, then, either he didn't actually summon the demon and something else brought it here, or it accidentally worked. I'm not sure." The small makari shrugs. "So we aren't learning much about that book. Better to not let them get too far then, yeah? We can sort out what actually happened if the demon bodies are still around long enough to investigate."
One could almost feel bad for the kid. If he wasn't also spewing nonsense that made it clear that he was a spoiled rotten, raging twat-nugget. Thankfully, Rune knows to keep those sort of thoughts to herself.
As the kid returns with the book, Rune looks to the others, seemingly perplexed, "Since when do edgy clothing stores sell books on summoning sex demons? Think we may need a word with the proprietor about what sort of shit they're selling, these days." As the one member of the group distinctly lacking in magical prowess, the rogue leaves examining the book to the others.
Instead she just taps the side of her nose and winks to Andelena.
"Yeah. If it hasn't been too long yet, we should get a move on." Rune knows it very well could end a lot worse than 'military school' for the kid.
Timmy shrinks back from the four heroes, eyes wide and liquid. Well, at least the eye you can see past his carefully coiffed emo-fringe. He points at a track leading away from the estate and into the depths of the Felwood. "They went down that road," he says. "Past the cemetary. I... I don't really know what's in the forest past that. But my mom used to tell me that there was an old castle in there. So... like... that's where you should probably go." He clasps his hands. "Just... please bring my dad back. I'm sorry. I didn't mean... I just... aww maaaan..." Oh, to be a teenager and know everything. Rune does bring up an excellent point. Time is wasting. It's early afternoon at this point, but night comes swiftly in the deepening autumn, and in the Felwood, it comes even sooner than that.
GAME: Eztli casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 8 DC: 16 GAME: Slixvah used a Wand of Mage Armor. GAME: Slixvah casts False Life. Caster Level: 8 DC: 17 GAME: Slixvah rolls 1d10+witch: (9)+8: 17 GAME: Andelena rolls Perception: (6)+13: 19 GAME: Slixvah rolls alertness: aliased to perception+2: (10)+14+2: 26 GAME: Eztli rolls perception: (11)+5: 16 GAME: Rune rolls perception: (18)+23: 41
After preparations are made, your party sets off into other depths of the Felwood. The cooling autumn air soon turns clammy and humid as you step beneath the boughs of the cursed wood. This area of the Felwood tends towards marshy, leaving the ever-present scent of old mold and mildew on the air. The cart-track you follow fortunately remains relatively dry, though it's flanked on either side by glistening pools of stagnant sludge and carpets of moldering leaf-litter. The atmosphere grows oppressive. You can't shake the feeling that you are being watched.
Slixvah heads out with the others, her venturing into the Felwood. She spends a moment to stop by a brush, eyeing her companions as they walk forth as she mutters to the plants. "Sorry, boo..." she murmurs. A hand reaches out, and a sickly green light drains the plant into dust. She shudders from the energy.
More protective magics are thrown about. A familiar twist of luck on Andelena, a wand used to fortify herself. "Not going to forget that again..."
As they go, she looks about the woods, hands in her pockets. "... bleh... I don't like this place..." she murmurs before her eyes drop to something in the road. She squints. "... basket? Hmm. Picnic out here sounds terrible...."
As the group moves into the Felwood, there is that strange feeling that always accompanies the place. Like a shiver that raises goosebumps on Rune's arms. However, it also means that she must be that much more wary of her surroundings, as any number of dark creatures might be lurking just beyond the edge of the trees.
"A picnic out here sounds like just the sort of thing a besotted fool might do if he weren't in his right mind." Rune seems to spot the same thing, approaching beside Slixvah. Then, just at the edge of a bit of under brush, she spots a glitter of gold. Reaching in, Rune pulls free a mahogany wood cane with a golden lion's head carved into the grip. "Definitely our lost Lord. Seems this is likely where he was made off with."
"Can't say I'm a big fan of this place either. Seems like the forest itself doesn't really like us." The small makari grumbles in agreement as they venture further in, the sorceress pausing to weave a simple protective enchantment around themself."
Unlike the others, she doesn't actually notice what the others did, until they're already pulling it free. "That, or it's a mimic pretending to be a picnic in the middle of a haunted forest. But I don't think that's the case, this time. See any tracks leading away from where the cane was dropped?"
"Thanks!" Andelena calls over to Slixvah with the twist of fate applied to her. She frowns as she surveys the scene herself. "Yeah, I'm seeing the picnic too. I don't like it--"
And then she points to the cane that Rune points out. "Or that being here one fucking bit. Eztli's right. Anyone got visual of some tracks? Footsteps?"
In the meantime she keeps one steady hand on Deliverance's hilt, ready to draw at any moment.
GAME: Slixvah rolls survival: (16)+3: 19 GAME: Rune rolls survival: (2)+12: 14 GAME: Andelena rolls Survival: (3)+3: 6 GAME: Eztli rolls survival: (12)+1: 13
Slixvah blinks as Rune pulls out the cane. "Well, shoot. That's somethin'!" She puts her hands on her hips. "Hmm, good point! ... tracks. Tracks..."
"Unmesi. Look down you buffoon," a tinny, muffled voice says in her robes.
She looks down. A pair of boot tracks with a limping gait. "... oh! Hey! C'mon girls! Let's go!" she points forward, grinning.
Andelena sure wasn't having any luck finding any, so when Slixvah announces that she finds tracks, she blinks. "Oh, hey, nice finding, Slixvah!" she says, before she goes and leads the way forward, drawing Deliverance as she runs forward.
With the threat of real danger in the Felwood, Rune removes her blades from their sheath and slides the cane into one for safe keeping. She doesn't want to consider the worst, but it is something they can deliver back, if needed.
Then, as the muffled voice points Slixvah in the right direction, Rune looks up. "Found something?" She seems more than happy to follow, leaving it to the witch to guide the way. "Seems like father, like son when it comes to being easily done in by evil seductresses."
The tracks are spotted! Once they're pointed out, they're fairly easily followed. Lord Dunstable is a fairly hefty gentleman, and his limping gait is hard to mistake. Considering he's without his trusty cane (why did he drop it, and his delicious looking luncheon to boot), surely it won't take much effort to catch up to the doughty old cavalier.
About five minutes later, the path opens up. At the other end of a broad clearing, sure enough, there's a mustery, crumbly, moldery old castle. It's not a large affair, as castles go. It looks like it might have been some nobleman's hunting lodge or private forest getaway, in those days before the Felwood was corrupted. A low-hanging fog shrouds the ground, but the cart-track has petered out, leaving rough, wild undergrowth to catch at unwary feet.
It's then that you all hear a deep baritone voice upraised. First in irritation, then panic! "Wh-what the... oh bloody hell I... w-whoa what... oh, I say HELLLLP!"
You come into a depression in the land, what might have once been the castle's courtyard before a sinkhole caused the ground to collapse into a rough bowl shape. Looming, gnarled trees ring the depression, with divots and paths leading down into the hole. More rough vines and brambles can be seen littering the ground, partially obscured by the rolling fog. Four large statues are located, forming a perfect square--their features long obscured by moss and mold, giving them a decidedly sinister cast.
But there, towards the middle of the depression. A broad-shouldered, regal-looking fellow, wearing his old dress regimentals with its golden epaulets on the shoulders and red silk sash with its cluster of medals. That must be Lord Dunstable Pryde. He's currently buried to the waist in sticky, shifting mud, his face red beneath his regal graying muttonchops as he grunts and heaves to free himself from the mire.
It's then that a silvery, feminine voice rings out over the courtyard. "Not to worry, my darling! You'll be free of alllll your cares, soon enough!" It's hard to tell where the voice is coming from. But from one moment to the next, it changes. "NOW FEED, MY PRETTIES! EEEE HEE HEE HEE HEE!" From the brambles surrounding the bog comes a sinister droning buzz. Three insectoid shapes rise into the air. Spindly legs extend from translucent red abdomens, and glittering eye clusters are set over a wicked proboscis long as a sword blade. They begin circling the unfortunate lord as he sinks deeper into the trap.
"Oh, Daeus save me! HELLLLLP!" he cries, eyes wide with horrified panic as the bugs loom closer.
GAME: Dirk rolls 1d20+10: (10)+10: 20 GAME: Dirk rolls 1d8+6: (6)+6: 12
As the party rolls up on the horrific scene, two of the giant mosquitos turn their eye-clusters your way. Two of them start buzzing towards you with a humming of broad wings. Vile ichor drips from their proboscis as they approach, eager to sup on warm blood. The third settles daintily upon the surface of the mire. Lord Pryde swings a ham-like fist. "Away! Get away, you filthy thing!" he bellows. But the insect is undeterred. It pounces, sinking its feeding tube into the nobleman's shoulder. "YEAAAGH!" He resumes his panicked struggles, even as the bug's abdomen starts to distend with stolen blood!
GAME: Andelena rolls weapon16+1: (2)+16+1: 19 GAME: Andelena rolls damage16+1+6+1d6: aliased to 1d8+7+1+6+1d6: (5)+7+1+6+(6): 25
"The Knight's coming!" Andelena bellows at the top of her lungs as the Lord cries out for salvation from Daeus. Deliverance tight in her grasp, she calls on the blade. "Livvie, with me!"
"I am with you!" Deliverance responds.
"Holy Knight, may I be the servant that delivers your judgment!" Sunguard and blade alike say in sync, and the Sunguard rushes forward as Deliverance is bathed in silvered flame. The steel-eyed Sunguard goes to lash out at the insect, tearing into its exoskeleton with a firm blow.
As Andelena goes to engage one of the giant skeeters, there's a vile hissing sound from somewhere farther in the courtyard. "No! No! You mustn't hurt my precious babies!" There's a quiet WHOOF, and the fog around Eztli and Slixvah whirls up into a thick cloud of mist! Vision becomes obscured for the two of you!
GAME: Eztli rolls 1d20+8+1: (10)+8+1: 19 GAME: Eztli rolls 1d20+8+1: (18)+8+1: 27 GAME: Eztli rolls 4d6+4+1: (20)+4+1: 25 GAME: Eztli rolls 4d6+4+1: (16)+4+1: 21 GAME: Eztli casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 8 DC: 18
"Ah shit, can't see through this damned fog! Slix, you still there! I'm talking until I'm out of this so I don't knock you over in the process." The small makari shouts as she pushes through the obscuring mist more, until she's on the other side. "And you're not allowed to kill that guy, so one of us isn't getting what we want." Eztli growls, conjuring a pair of flaming spears that hover near her hand, sent hurtling towards one of the creatures with a flick of her wrist.
GAME: Slixvah casts Fly. Caster Level: 8 DC: 18
Slixvah gives a sloppy salute! "You're welcome, and thankies lil' Fifi!" she giggles, patting a pocket in her robes.
A tinny snoring comes from her robes.
Down the path she struts, humming warmly to herself. Before that too ends in a squawk as she spies the castle. "We're here, girls! Welcome to-"
She blinks at the scream. Beak clicks briefly. Before she can do anything, Andie's flying forward and she's obscured in fog. ".. oh, shoo', it's go time!" She claps her hands twice. "Oooooh Ruru~! Dah-ling, we're gonna move tha' fun test up a bit! PU PU NAD WAYA!" she shouts her incantation, as a long ribbon of feathers glowing with cyan runes grace across the half-sil's shoulders. There's a gust of air that blasts up in an updraft, seemingly taking away Rune's tether to gravity.
"Desire where you wanna go, honey!" she shouts overhead, her having flown out of the fog cloud and across the way from Andie.
GAME: Rune rolls weapon6: (7)+13: 20 GAME: Rune rolls damage6: aliased to 1d4+0: (3)+0: 3
"Shit. We need to get to the old guy before they make short work of him. He might have been a warrior once, but he certainly hasn't been in a long time." Rune seems about to make a run for it when Slixvah decides to use this moment for one of her experiments.
And, as so many times before, the witch's magic seems to interact strangely with Rune. Rather than simply lifting her in the air, there is a reaction of two magics colliding, creating a smoke-like mist along Rune's back. A moment later, two ethereal wings seem to burst from her back, whispy, smoke-like tendrils clinging to it and phantom feathers falling to the ground from the appendages.
The loss of gravity gets a very distinct squeak from Rune, who is very much the sort who enjoys keeping her feet on the ground. However, the wings seem to react on their own, lifting her a bit above the ground, dangling her toes there. "I really hope you know what you're dooooo-iiiiiiiiiiii--"
And then she's off, flying across the battlefield. Apparently she gives up on the thought still clinging to her lips as she draws out one of her daggers and gives it a chuck towards the insect harassing the trapped Lord. "Hey, bug-brain! I'm a tastier treat, come get me!"
GAME: Dirk rolls 1d20+10: (12)+10: 22
The great mosquito that just got lazored by Eztli is not having any of it. With an angry buzz, it swoops at her, flickering its spindly legs to try and get a grip on the smol sith as it jabs at her with its dripping proboscis. But her mage armor deflects the attack with ease, leaving the insect frustrated!
GAME: Dirk rolls 1d20+10: (17)+10: 27 GAME: Dirk rolls 1d8+6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Dirk rolls 1d20+14: (15)+14: 29 GAME: Andelena rolls Fortitude: (3)+14: 17 GAME: Dirk rolls 1d2: (2): 2 GAME: Dirk rolls 1d20+10: (6)+10: 16
The mosquito Andelena chopped into is also not having it. With a furious buzz, it swoops and pounces. This one has more luck than its brethren, locking its legs around Andelena's torso and plunging its proboscis through a gap in her armor. Its hideous abdomen quivers as it slurps a gulp of her blood--fortunately, she doesn't succumb to the disease the thing carries!
The dagger chunks into the mosquito feeding on Lord Pryde. With a furious buzz, it pulls its proboscis out of the harried lord, who gasps in relief--although by now he's up to his armpits in the burbling mire. He renews his struggles to pull himself to firmer ground. Meanwhile, the mosquito swoops in to try and latch onto Rune--but the airborne rogue proves far more nimble, and swooshes out of the way with ease!
GAME: Andelena rolls weapon16+1: (14)+16+1-2: 29 GAME: Andelena rolls weapon16+1-5-2: (6)+16+1+-5+-2-2: 14 GAME: Andelena rolls weapon16+1-5-2: (11)+16+1+-5+-2-2: 19 GAME: Andelena rolls damage16+1+6+1d6: aliased to 1d8+7+1+6+1d6: (4)+7+1+6+(6): 24 GAME: Andelena rolls damage16+1+6+1d6: aliased to 1d8+7+1+6+1d6: (4)+7+1+6+(5): 23
Andelena growls in anger as the mosquito has a hold of her. "Back the fuck off. You're not my cats or my husband," she growls, before she swings her sword again down into the mosquito, carving it apart and answering its attempts to draw blood from her by spilling its own--and her own--blood out of it.
She huffs hard as she's left with the grisly remains of the bug, swinging her attention over to the other mosquito not far from her and the mosquito by Rune and the man who is trapped.
Decisions, decisions.
"Ezt! If you can take care of that mosquito in front of you, I'm going to help Rune!" she yells.
"NO! NOT MY BABIES! I'LL MAKE SOUP OUT OF YOUR MISERABLE SKINS AND CHEW YOUR TWIGGY LITTLE BONES!" The voice screeches like nails on a a chalkboard, and a horrific figure sweeps out of the fog. It looks like a woman, only every bit of ten feet tall. Her limbs are long and spindly, and her fingers end in wicked, dagger-like talons. A filthy knot of hair obscures her eyes and sweeps down over her face, leaving only a knobbly, wart-covered nose and pointed chin visible. And above that chin are flat, iron-gray teeth that grind and gnash. She sweeps her hands out, and another whorl of fog rises to obscure Andie and cloud her vision! Could this be the demon that young Timmy supposedly summoned up from the depths of the Nine Hells?
GAME: Eztli casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 8 DC: 18 GAME: Eztli rolls 1d20+8+1: (18)+8+1: 27 GAME: Eztli rolls 1d20+8+1: (1)+8+1: 10 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Eztli rolls 4d6+4+1: (19)+4+1: 24
"Just, hang on!" Eztli calls over to the cleric. "Let go of her!" The sorceress growls, but whatever magics she weaves are not enough to free Andelena from the insect. She curses under her breath, and focuses on avoiding being skewered by the insect in front of her, and returning another barrage of flames, catching it square in the chest, and leaving nothing but ashes in various sized pieces where it was.
GAME: Dirk rolls 1d20+10: (4)+10: 14 GAME: Slixvah casts Dimension Door. Caster Level: 8 DC: 19
Slixvah's beak drops open as she watches Rune fly overhead. "... holy shit tha's so cool!" she squees, seeing the clash of magic at work. But she refocuses, seeing Rune go for the man and the other two women dealing with the mosquitos.
And then her eyes land on the being stepping out. She blinks. And then she... grins? "... oh my gods. A real, bonafide witch," Slixvah chirps loudly.
And then she pulls out a knife. "And I cannot wait ta undo th' stain you make on my GODS DAMN PROFESSION!"
Slix blasts forward, grabbing an ethereal thread out of the air as she dips under a mosquito attempting to learn if she tastes like fowl. One hand grabs Rune's arm, a looong feather grabs onto Timmy's father. "NDIF EM A EPHT!" And she cracks the tether. And they vanish along it, riding like a wave through the weave until they're spit further back and away from the front line. "Stay in cover, demon diddler!" she shouts at the man.
Lord Dunstable is nearly chin-deep in the sucking bog, preparing to make his peace with Daeus, when that feather extends to him like the hand of the Knight Himself. With a grunt, he reaches out a muddy hand and latches on, and ZWOOSH! He finds himself flat on his rump behind some of the brambles. His fine uniform is totally ruined, but he's alive. He coughs and splutters, trembling with relief. "Thank you, Holy Knight," he wheezes. Slixvah's call has him looking up and his muttonchops bristling angrily. "I say! I never diddled any demon! She seemed like quite the charming young lady, thank you very much!" He staggers to his feet, letting loose a snarl of pain as he sets his weight onto his bad leg. "She certainly didn't look anything like that, I can quite assure you!" But he listens to reason, and doesn't do something silly, like try to jump into the fray himself. He hunkers down behind the brambles, watching the battle unfold!
GAME: Rune rolls weapon2: (19)+15: 34 (THREAT) GAME: Rune rolls weapon2: (7)+15: 22 GAME: Rune rolls damage2+damage2+1d6: aliased to 1d6+1+1d6+1+1d6: (6)+1+(5)+1+(3): 16
For all of Rune's experiences with witches, this creature certainly fits the bill of the typical stories her mother might have told. Evil hags which have supernatural abilities which they use to entrap and ensnare the unwary.
"If this is a witch, then you definitely got the better end of the bargain, feathers." Rune calls out, scrunching her nose a little bit in disgust at the creature. "Seriously, you and your son were trying to bone that? I guess there really is no accounting for taste with some people. Haven't they ever taught you not to stick your dick in monsters?"
With that, Rune is just about to move when a touch of magic flares through her and she finds herself and the old man teleported back near the entrance of the clearing. It's a bit of an unsettling feeling, like she just left her lunch back in her previous position. The rogue makes an uncomfortable sound and then swallows.
"Thanks. Spread out, cover his retreat. If Slix is right and this thing is some kind of witch, then it certainly has magic and we don't want to get clustered too close." She moves into position, strange shadowy wings flapping behind her as she moves. One of the feathers even falls right onto Slix's foot and just vanishes as if it were smoke.
GAME: Dirk rolls 1d20+10: (16)+10: 26 GAME: Dirk rolls 1d8+6: (4)+6: 10 GAME: Dirk rolls 1d2: (1): 1 GAME: Rune rolls fortitude: (15)+7: 22
The last mosquito standing (or rather, flying), seems doubly aggravated that its nicely placed meal has suddenly vanished. It zooms towards the nearest source of available mammalian blood--that being Rune. With a furious buzz, it locks its spindly legs around the unfortunate rogue and jabs its feeding tube into her shoulder. Fortunately, she avoids being infected with sickness, though a portion of her blood swells the thing's hideous abdomen!
GAME: Andelena rolls weapon16+1+2: (3)+16+1+2: 22 GAME: Andelena rolls damage16+1+6+1d6: aliased to 1d8+7+1+6+1d6: (4)+7+1+6+(1): 19
"My sentiments exactly, Rune!" Andelena calls out as she goes to join the half-sil rogue. She comes to stop across from her at the mosquito that had tried to draw blood from Rune only a moment before.
"Get the fuck off my friend, too!" Andelena growls at the mosquito, tearing another silver-flamed attack into this particular insect's exoskeleton. But the damnable thing is still intact enough to live.
That's something she can solve soon enough. The grayflame winks out from Deliverance in the meantime.
GAME: Dirk rolls 1d20+13: (15)+13: 28 GAME: Dirk rolls 1d20+13: (12)+13: 25 GAME: Dirk rolls 2d6+10: (8)+10: 18 GAME: Dirk rolls 2d6+10: (7)+10: 17
As Andelena rolls up to slash at the mosquito, the hag issues another hideous shriek! "ENOUGH! DEATH TO YOU!" She swoops forward, her gnarled toes barely seeming to graze the ground. With a maddened cackle, she rears back and lashes out with her spindly arms. Her claws cut a vicious slash across Andelena's armor, making sparks skate off the metal as they dig out thick weals of metal!
GAME: Dirk rolls 1d20+6: (6)+6: 12 GAME: Dirk rolls 1d20+9: (1)+9: 10 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Eztli rolls 13d6: (47): 47
"I'd like to assume there is some sort of charming magic at play, because, uh, yeah." Eztli muses quickly and quietly to herself, taking a look to make sure the others were safe after repositioning. The small makari quickly darted into position, right between Andelena and Rune, where they reared back, flames spilling out of the sides of their mouth before a spray of flames flow through the space, barely missing her allies, but covering the insect and witch in fire, with the insect no longer moving as they subside.
GAME: Slixvah rolls knowledge/nature: (9)+9: 18 GAME: Slixvah casts Glitterdust. Caster Level: 8 DC: 17 GAME: Dirk rolls 1d20+6: (10)+6: 16
"Sorry not sorry, I am soooo mad right now," Slix smiles sweetly at Dunstable. "It's people like tall over there that makes my life harder!"
She looks to Rune. "My bargains are for far more nobler causes, sugar. But uh... I mean I'm not picky! At least I have standards too!" she tries to joke. "Yuh, I got you, honey." Her eyes drift down to the shadow feather that falls. The leather on the curvy knife's grip creaks from fingers tightening.
"An Annis Hag! Smashing them does th' better, they hide is taut against stab and slashin'! Resistant ta magic they is! Hey! Bitch! Resist this! ALFSA ANBA UTO!" The knife glints off the sun as she runs forward, growing brighter, brighter, brighter. And then she pulls the light off and throws it at the hag as it explodes into a confetti of cyan and white.
GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+2: (4)+15+2: 21 GAME: Rune rolls damage1+5d6+1d6: aliased to 1d6+1+5d6+1d6: (6)+1+(17)+(2): 26
The verbal warning about the exact type of hag they are dealing with is met with a quick nod of her head, "Good to know, but I'm of the opinion that if I stab them enough times, hard enough, that it won't matter." Rune is probably right in this case. Besides, she would have to waste a whole lot of time to change out her weapons.
So, with a flap of the feathered wings, she is skyward again, though somewhat awkwardly. Her boot catches on one of the brambles and it sends her tumbling just a bit in the air before she rights herself and lands behind the hag.
One blade slices out, looking for a weak place in the flesh.
GAME: Andelena rolls weapon16+1+2: (14)+16+1+2: 33 GAME: Andelena rolls weapon16+1+2-5: (16)+16+1+2+-5: 30 GAME: Andelena rolls damage16+1+6+1d6: aliased to 1d8+7+1+6+1d6: (8)+7+1+6+(1): 23
Her armor looks worse for wear, and something about the hag's claws carving into it just seems to set off Andelena even more. Her teeth grind together as she growls, steel-gray eyes ablaze with fury.
"Death to me? FUCK NO. JUSTICE TO YOU!" Andelena bellows. She raises her blade high. This time, she doesn't need to call to Deliverance to prepare. She knows. Instinctively she knows. The spirit of the blade is always with her.
"Holy Knight, may I be the servant that delivers your judgment!" the two call out in sync, and the blade ignites again in silvered flame. The Sunguard brings the blade down twice.
The first strikes down into the chest.
The second, well...
Judgment's delivered in the form of the hag's head bouncing across the ground, a fresh spray of blood coating the ground. Andelena huffs hard.
"It's fucking over," she says. "Knight protect us and deliver us."
And with that, the battle is ended. Silence settles over the Felwood once more. Lord Dunstable limps out from behind the brambles, regarding the four of you with wide eyes and undisguised awe. Andie in particular earns the elder gent's admiration. He plucks one of the medals off his sash--a finely-wrought platinum disc engraved with the golden sunburst of Daeus--and presses it to his lips. "Oh most Holy and Blessed Knight, your unworthy servant thanks You," he mutters reverently. He looks down at himself--he's caked in thick black mud from head to toe. With a grunt, he scrapes some of the sticky black glop off his chest and shakes it off his hands. He limps his way over to the four of you. "I shan't ever forget your bravery, good ladies," he says. "You've saved my life, and no mistake. Praise Daeus!" He squints up at the crumbling old castle. "I say. I didn't realize this place was still here. I knew there was an old castle in the family, but... it was lost hundreds of years ago." He casts the headless hag a sour look, his muttonchops bristling once more. "And to think that that sort of wretched filth could move in here... Daeus defend me!" He gives a shake of his head, turning back to the four of you. "Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. If you hadn't come..." He lifts hand to rub the puncture where the mosquito had been draining his blood. His face turns white as he starts to shudder. Now that the danger has past, the realization of just how close he came to death is starting to hit.
With the hag fallen and the danger seeming to be over, Rune sheaths one of her swords and reaches back into the other to pull out the walking stick they had found earlier. "I think you lost this." It is offered out to Lord Dunstable with one hand.
Then, her eyes look towards the castle, expression wary. "Anything that exists in the Felwood has a way of being tainted over time." Her brows furrow, "We should likely have the guild check the place out, make sure there aren't any more nasty things lying in wait."
Then, she looks back at the old man, "And... you should probably have a word with your son about killing cats and summoning demons. Otherwise, he'll be the reason we're called out someday."
Slix's feathers are all floofed, an angry scowl on her visage. "Good. Stab them over and over, darling!" she calls out to Rune, the witch flipping her knife over with two fingers on the the blede edge, ready to enact more magics as she ducks behind Andelena. Half ready for the body to explode as the sunguard rips into it. But instead, a head is lopped free. "Good fuckin' riddance! Good shit, Andie! Praise the friggin' sun!"
She scans about for a tense few beats before exhaling sharply, eyeing Lord Dunstable hobbling towards them. "Heya. Sorr' for callin' ya a demon diddler. Hope ya can forgive me on tha' one!" She shakes her head. "Annis hags, li' thi' one," she jabs a thumb over to the cooling body. "They love eatin' good, honest folk. Shape shiftin' ta whatever the others want and loves ta sew terror. Not on ya. Or ya boy."
She looks over everyone, making sure everyone was okay, gaze settling on Rune and her shadow wings finally. "Ya know, in bird culture, gettin' wings ta fly is highly desirable," she winks.
A sage nod follows. "... yeah. Th' Felwood does that. Ya boy's just a lonely lad."
GAME: Andelena rolls 3d6: (15): 15
Andelena lets the silver-gray flame from her blade die off, looking at the Lord with a small smile even though she's now quite covered in blood. "I am sworn to defend the innocent," she replies, "and you were hoodwinked. Happens to everyone--I was just grumping earlier because I was dealing with, uhhh, giant fucking insects in my face."
She murmurs a prayer of healing, one that washes over herself, her allies, her friends, and Lord Dunstable. It's answered by the Knight, a shimmer of holy magic emanating from her and washing over her friends. Her red waves of hair flow and float for the effort.
The Sunguard takes a breath and adds, "Go spend some time with your kid. He's got a weird sense of fashion, and he should make atone for the cat--but I'm real fuckin' worried about him. Same as Rune here."
She smiles at Slixvah. "Thanks, Slick," she says. Appears Slixvah's earned a nickname.
"Well, that settles that." Eztli huffs, wincing just a bit with the head going flying. "Everyone alright? I didn't scorch either of you, did I?" She asks with a glance at Andelena and Rune.
She looks at the lord after, and sighs. "Sounds like he's not handling a breakup well, but that's no reason to go harming people's pets. Seriously, he needs to go and apologize for that. I'm sur he'll be happy to know you're okay, pretty sure he put out this warning for you."
"Shame they're magic wings, don't think any feathers will last if you get one, I heard they're good luck." Eztli snorts.
Lord Dunstable accepts his cane back with a grateful smile. "Oh, bless you, young miss! I thought I'd lost it!" He eyes the old castle, whiskers all a-bristle once more, before he gives a soft harrumph. "Well... I'll see about contacting the Guild and having all of this seen to. We certainly can't be having more of this nonsense, so close to home, eh?" He turns to start making his way back towards the estate, grateful for your company as you escort his lordship back home.
The knowledge that his son killed the butler's poor cat has him scowling with fury. But he reins it in. "Damn it all, that boy. I swear, he'll be the death of me!" He shakes his head with a gusty sigh. "I do try to do right by him. And gods know it's been difficult since we lost his mother, may Daeus rest her soul. But he will insist on acting out. Dressing like a bloody cretin, and that dreadful oruch 'metal music' he insist on listening to. I swear, I'm at my wit's end with the boy!" Slix gets a glance and a worried sigh. "I had thought that the military academy might whip him into shape. But... I suppose that just means that I've failed as his father. Surely there must be something I can do..."
It's a conundrum that's plagued the parents of rebellious teenagers all the world over. And yet, as the party comes back into view of the estate, there they see young Timmy waiting at the gate. "DAAAAAD!" The youth comes pelting down the road, throwing his arms around his father's neck. "I'm sorry I'm so sorry I didn't mean to..." Lord Dunstable boggles as his son bawls and bally-hoos against him, tossing a look that's part desperation and part embarassment at the four of you. "Er. Right then. Ah. Well! I suppose... my son and I have some things to discuss. But please... the four of you are quite welcome to lodge here."
Another victory for Alexandria's mighty heroes...?
OOC
Map: https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=m7g4yqmxg4r
<OOC> Dirk says, "Dragon=Eztli. Birb=Slixvah. Swordswoman=Andelena. Mask=Rune. Crown=Lord Dunstable. Red bugs=giant mosquitos. Green witch is currently hidden behind one of the statues."