Kobolds: The Ace from the Hole

Log Info

• Title: Kobolds: The Ace from the Hole
• Emitter: Cryosanthia
• Characters: Aryia, Sabina, Seyardu, Jinks
• Place: A06: The Soldier's Defense
• Time: Wednesday, December 01, 2021, 2:45 PM
• Summary: Aryia and Sabina visit with Aseaecrnoss 'Ace' Shirreessie in the Soldier's Defense. Sabina has to leave soon after, but Aryia remains and is soon joined by Jinks and Seyardu. Ace, imprisoned and tortured by kobold, reacts badly to the silverscale. She is reassured by Jinks and Aryia and resorts to a calm emotions spell. Her bed is also very hot and bright. It's clear she hasn't fully recovered mentally, and physically is quite emaciated. While the spell calms her, she and Endril discuss what they know of the Witch-Queen, her hideout, and the strange behaviour of the Vouivre-Dragon sister. There are other concerns, like the zombie kobolds, but the group primarily focuses on the rescue of Qio, the mul'niessa fourth to their party who is now working with the Witch-Queen. It's unclear how much duress he is under, and whether he could escape if he knew he was the last prisoner. Plans are considered and then they break, as the spell is wearing off and Ace has no love for the scaled.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A06: The Soldier's Defense *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

This hospital is composed of rock from the surrounding Redridge, which lends it a comfortable feeling of solidity. Inside, frescos line the walls. They depict warm, cheerful scenes intended to encourage healing among the sick and ailing. A small fountain towards the back of the foyer is fed by the nearby river, and a number of benches surround it, providing a place for conversation.

The entrance to the hospital is guarded often by Sunblades, its interiors tended to by the Hearthguards. Older Hearthguards tend to patients and oversee its operation, while for the younger it is an opportunity to practice their skills and hone their trade. The servants garb themselves in Althea's colors, with a stole representing the City of Alexandria on the outside, to recognize their service to both.

The building itself is quite large, though built in a way to make it appear to be a collection of smallar buildings rather than one large one. The Soldier's Defense is known for its ability to feel "like home." While it is still a hospital, it arguably accomplishes this feeling of peace and serenity better than many counterparts, with the benefits passed on to its patients. Across one of the walls are a series of paintings depicting the hospital's many benefactors over the years. The first in line is the painted face of an unknown soldier, who the hospital was first dedicated to.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing, in Order  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Aryia        4'8"     110 Lb     Shadow Elf        Female    A heavily scarred mul with a resolved look about her.
Sabina       5'4"     130 Lb     Human             Female    Tsuran woman of dark hair and green eyes                                   
Seyardu      5'6"     150 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint.
Jinks        3'4"     39 Lb      Gnome             Male      A gnomish fellow in fancy garb and jewelry.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  NPCs of Note =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Endril                           Human             Male      A competent fighter, the 'meat shield'.
Aseaecrnoss Shirreessie          Dawn Elf          Female    A willowy and traumatized cleric of Daeus.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Cryosanthia  6'9"     291 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

The Soldiers' Defense

The Medical Charity facility for the soldiers and citizens of Alexandria has become the only available hospital with the Temples closing the doors to their faithful. Beggars can't be choosers, and while the religious orders handled their fair share, and still do, it is done outside of their holy spaces.

Patients are typically placed in large, dormitory style rooms where they can be overseen by a few healers. Only the very rich, or the very infectious, can afford private rooms.

Aseaecrnoss Shirreessie is neither. She is located in a coveted corner of one of the upper wards, for any that might visit.

Aryia had been keeping an ear out for Aseaecrnoss' recovery, the mute had been visiting the Defense for various reasons herself. Though, instead of dealing with a looming headache, this time she was hale, and arrived with a wrapped package under an arm.

She couldn't help but gently sigh as she looked at it. Shit, it looked so terrible, but it's the thought that counts, right?

With a journal in one hand and the package in the other, she approaches quietly, the mul'neissa clearing her throat to announce her presence. She gives a little two finger wave.

Sabina's in the city. Not that she should be really but a girl has to get supplies and needful things for a new base of operation somewhere, right?

She unfortunately runs into a troublesome inquisitor. One that thinks she's still into shady things and wants to follow her around. But who wants to be followed?

She turns a cornor and goes invisible right after, ducking into a building that turns out to be the Soldier's Defense. There she waits for the troublesome fellow to go away. The arrival of Aryia causes her curiosity to get the best of her and she 'springs' back into sight. "Hello! Fancy meeting you here, Aryia!"

This corner is warm, verging on hot. There's a window providing direct sunlight, but the temperature seems magical. There's a thermocline near the bed, where the temperature raises significantly.

Aseaecrnoss Shirreessie, or 'Ace', is a Dawn Elf. They are normally slight of build. When she was pulled from the cave, she was a living skeleton, thin damaged skin over visible bones. Hollows around her eyes, ribs, hips in stark relief, tendons and veins visible on her arms. She's improved, there's more flesh on her.

She's still thin.

And jumpy, she startles at the noise and company.

This also rouses Endril, who had nodded off in his chair. He jerks awake, runs a hand through his hair, slicking it back. It's wet from sweat. "Oh! Hello." He immediately reaches out, patting his companion's arm, "It's ok Ace, these are the ones that rescued you."

Aryia is about to respond, but the sudden Bina-Beans appearing makes the mute elf flail a bit, a few harmless shadows being flung about and dissipating. Blink blink. "... ffff....-ck," she hisses out in a shudder before shaking her head and raising a hand in greeting. The faint annoyance shifting to a smile as she recognizes Sabina. "Good one," she gestures slowly, freeing a hand up.

The pugilist stops short of Ace, torch-bright eyes taking in their form and shape. She softly sighs, empathetic. Again, she waves, this time more subdued and careful. She up-nods towards Endril, motioning to speak, "Good to see you. And, I don't know if she can understand me, but you're looking better," the last bit was for the recovering elf.

She holds up a finger and pulls out the package, carefully unwrapping it. Stopping intermittently to explain. "I, um, made you something. Sorry it's... kind of terrible. They ran out of all the fabrics at the store so it's really gaudy and dog shit, but its soft, which is important and.." she trails off, face growing hot as she holds out a blanket to Ace.

It's a neon pink fabric with little white lilies spread across it like it was printed on, but the stitching was neon green, and some spots seemed a bit more lumpy than others. Even the name 'Ace' was sewed into the hem on one side. <Handspeech>

"She can't, but I can." Endril says, standing. He's wearing a tunic, trousers, boots. A heavier cloak is draped on the chair and trailing on the floor. Simple, durable, fighter gear. He bows to Aryia, then Seyardu, "Ace, Aryia is glad to see you and made you a gift, the blanket. Did you ask for comprehend languages today?"

The woman nods, pushing herself upright on her elbows. The man moves to adjust the pillows behind her, so she is propped up.

Ace takes the blanket, her fingers curling tight, wrapping in the fabric. She pulls it close, crossing her arms and hugging it to her chest. "Thank you." Her voice is tentative, weak, "I still feel cold."

Bina blinks as shadows fly here and there and then again as she's called a savior. "UMmm...I don't remember saving an elf but I am glad to hear she was saved. I'm also happy to be lumped in with any saving parties." Unfortunately she still cant understand handspeech and gets the meaning from Endril. She nudges Aryia. "That was nice of you."

Aryia glances to Sabina, her weakly smiling. 'Thanks', she mouths to her. A quiet chuckle leaves her, and she shakes her head with a smile before sitting on the foot of the bed. Not wanting to go through a translator, she opens her journal and scribbles out a message as the color returns to her face. Good. It wasn't a bad gift.

She holds it out to Ace, the book reading:

"I can make you another one if you want, stuff it full of wool, make it really warm. I'm glad you're doing better. Is there anything I can get or do for you?"

This is one of the rare cases where it looks like the pugilist was willing and wanting to give out hugs. She felt so terrible for the poor dawn elf.

Endril gestures at some chairs which can be moved closer, smiles at Aryia and Sabina, "Take some seats. You're the bath house owner? It was a good place to plan."

He waits for the women to sit before he does.

Ace murmurs some sort of prayer, as she touches Aryia's hand as the book is held out towards her, and reads what is written.

"Yes, please. A comforter would be very comforting." Ace still holds the blanket tight with her free arm. She moves slowly, a careful hug would be fine. The last question gives her pause, "I don't know."

Sabina smiles, "It's too hot in here and I should make some deliveries. I'll see you soon." She waves and slips out.

Aryia blinks at the touch, and she softly smiles. The journal is set aside, and she scoots closer. Carefully, she wraps the dawn elf in a hug. She holds it for a moment, and in that time, there's the faintest whisper on the wind. "It's okay. You're safe now..." <Sildanyari>

She pulls away, her hand staying atop the one that sought it out. "If you think of something, let me know," she motions slowly.

A sigh. She signs to to Endril, "Well... only one more of your friends to get back now." <Handspeech>

The dawn elf is warm, her temperature is good. The embrace is unsettling, it's so easy to feel her bones. Hugging her feels like holding a padded skeleton, one that doesn't have much padding. Her heartbeat races, fluttering, her breaths are shallow.

There wasn't a lot of room to breath, in the hole in which she was found. Short breaths may be habit now.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you." Ace murmurs.

Endril nods, "Yes. 'Que'. " <handspeech>

That the person brought back was seeing people again was certainly a good thing, and Seyardu spent enough time around the Soldier's Defense that any news was easily picked up on. So it was more strange that she was not around when the others were gathering.

Perhaps it was simply out of concern for the priest that her presence may cause concern.

After a while though, there came a quiet knock at the door. Or rather, several quiet knocks, in a pattern Aryia could pick up.

"Aryia, it is Seyardu. I brought food, is it alright for me to enter" it states, before the knocking quiets. <Handspeech>

Aryia was expecting the unsettling feeling. She empathizes with her immensely, and knows exactly how it felt to be emaciated on a number of occasions. She gives a reassuring nod to Ace, smiling once more and giving the hand a gentle squeeze and keeping it there.

The room they were in was no private affair, it was dormitory style, with other patients around so the healers could easily tend to many. The knocking is picked up by a twitching ear, and she leans over from the bed to whistle a soft two beat reply. "Yes." <Handspeech>

Endril looks towards the knocking, "Another visitor for you Ace." His glance moves on to Aryia, "Who is it, the dwarf, or the gnome?"

Ace returns the squeeze, also looking at the mul'niessa.

"S-E-Y-A-R-D-U" Aryia spells out. "Silver scale. Healer."

The door opened slowly, with a clawed silver hand pushing it open before she entered with a tray balanced in one hand. It was almost tortorous, the food brought. After being starved in a cave so long, the tray only laden with a small bowl of clear broth with tiny diced vegetables and meat, with a proportionately tiny cup of warm tea. But it would not do to have the cleric perishing from being fed too much after rescue. She moves to set the tray down on the bedside table, before taking a step back.

"Aseaecrnoss, yes? Peace, this one is Seyardu, one of those who went with the group sent out. It is good to see you doing better." She greets, not risking a smile at the moment.

Endril says, "Oh..." He moves too slow.

A scaled snout. A clawed hand.

The last thing she saw before the light was removed and she was bricked in. All that she saw, if the kobolds brought a light when they brought food. A scaled snout and a clawed hand, holding it out. It's here! Despite the bright sun and being wrapped in blankets, the dawn elf is suddenly cold, in the dark.

"No no no no no no no." Ace flinches, pulling her knees up, grabbing the blankets, crawling back on the bed until she hits the headboard. "No no no no no no no."

If one has been tortured enough to fear kobolds, how much worse must lizardfolk seem.

"Ace! It's okay. I'm here! You're not in the cave. She's a healer, she rescued you. You're safe." Endril is kneeling beside her, hand on shoulder and arm. His eyes are wide, his voice however is firm, calming. He stares at Aryia and Seyardu, "Did you prepare Calm Emotions?"

GAME: Aryia rolls diplomacy+4: (16)+-4+4: 16 (+4 for the blanket, vs DC20)
GAME: Seyardu rolls diplomacy: (14)+14: 28 (vs DC 25)

Aryia leans back against the wall, her sitting on the bed with Ace and holding her hand, a a calloused thumb running over the protruding knuckles. It didn't click with her until she saw that fear flash in Ace's eyes.

The mul'neissa woman pulls herself up to get to close to Ace, her holding onto the hand and gently intoning as she leans in. "Shh... shh... it's okay... we're in Alexandria... Seyardu is good, she's a wonderful healer... and one of my closest friends..." she croons in that sub-whisper, soft talk honed from old memories and new ones alike. She shakes her head at Endril. <Sildanyari>

"No, it is alright, I understand completely." Seyardu states with a shake of her head as she steps back again. "I understand the concern, actions or not. But none here have any desire to send you back there, or anything of that sort. If it is too much, I can send for another healer if that would put you more at ease."

"We're safe. You're safe." Endril emphasizes, close, a firm but careful grip on her shoulder. If there is any surprise at how easily he feels her bones, he hides it well. He looks across at Aryia, nodding. "She is a healer, she is a friend. She was there when you were brought out."

Ace's hand tightens on Aryia's, a squeeze that would verge on the painful, if she had the strength to do so. Then, the dawn elf relaxes, raises her head.

"I apologize. My behaviour was undignified and insulting." Ace says, her voice wavering. There are still hints of fear, but also of her control, "You mean no harm, and generously provide aid. I know you are... it is..."

A terrible memory. Not the now. "Please stay."

Aryia returns the squeeze with one that was careful, holding on with both scarred hands. She softly whispers, smiling warmly. "It's okay. No one blames you, and understands completely."

Returning Ace's personal space, Aryia pulls away to lean back against the wall once more. One hand leaving the frail one, yet still holding on with the other as she motions openly, "Thanks for coming, Seyardu." <Handspeech>

"Your behaviour was both reasonable and understandable, and you have no need to apologize." Seyardu replies. "Thank you Aryia, I am glad to have come over. If my presence is not too much trouble, It would be good to stay around. Though perhaps you or Endril should be the ones to offer the food. I know it has been hard, but the healers have increased the amount today."

"If you need anything else that the Soldier's Defense can provide, then please do not hesitate to ask, and I will put in what word that I can."

"I did." Ace says, murmuring another prayer. She is momentarily surrounded by a halo of sunlight, one that washes out from her and across the room. It's a sensation of warmth, of the sun, underwhich all concerns seem to burn away, as well as strong emotions, strong instincts, to be replaced with a sense of calm.

"It's not crazy to use emotional manipulation spells on yourself?" Ace asks, although in a way that begs agreement. "If you're injured you use a cure spell, poisoned or diseased, a spell to remove that. This is fine, yes. This is fine."

"I'm feeling much better now." The dawn elf manages to meet Seyardu's eyes, "Another blanket would be nice. Until Aryia brings a comforter."

It is already sweltering near her bed. It feels like Mictlan, perhaps even Am'shere.

"I resigned myself to dying, when the kobolds had me in their cage." Endril says softly, addressing Ace, "I wasn't expecting rescue. I hoped it would end. I begged them to kill me, well, for as long as I could ask."

He sighs heavily, "Coming back from that... do what you gotta do Ace. You survived. Unbelievable things. What doesn't kill you makes you stranger, remember?"

The mul'neissa squints and averts her gaze as the halo of sunlight envelops her, her bringing up a hand to shield her eyes. Such hand flickers in its own light, a pale moon color before the other spell fades. The mute softly sighs, and shakes her head. She signs to the elf. "It is a crutch, like drinking to forget. It's okay to use it every now and then, but do it too much, and you'll be dependent on it," Aryia imparts her wisdom. "But for now, it should be okay. Like he said, you guys have been through some tough shit. Take this time to heal."

The pugilist wipes at her forehead, the sweat starting to build on it. "Seyardu brought food for you," she motions towards the tray. Then, asks, "If... um, there's anything you want to tell us. Like... important information while you're under that spell, we would like to hear it. Seyardu, myself and other friends are keen on stopping this." <Handspeech>

"The spell only lasts a very short time, even if you were to cast it repeatedly. So it is not a good idea to rely upon it, as you will exhaust yourself further trying to do so. And you need that energy to recover. That being said, if it allows you to rest better, then I will let some of the other clerics know to be prepared to offer such for the time being if you need."

"The guild, the reason we went out in the first place was to find you all and rescue you. They did not give up on making sure you would be. I apologize that it took so long, but it was a difficult situation, and finding out where everyone was took finding out. Nanjusha is here as well, and has been recovering."

Seyardu turns back and looks to the door. "I will return with another blanket shortly."

"Thank you, for the blanket. Your cautions are wise. I would enjoy some nourishment," Ace admits, turning to look at the food tray. This places Seyardu in the corner of her vision. A scaled person, watching her eat. A memory fights with reality and a spell to take over, and fails. The dawn elf is still a little disturbed. Suddenly frozen.

"I'll feed you." Endril interrupt this, screeching his chair closer and taking the tray, "You kept me alive often enough, it's only fair."

Ace seems about to protest, but doesn't. "Okay. Let me think on that topic."

As she does, Endril starts with a spoon of the broth, holding it up to her lips. Ace slurps, then looks at Aryia once more, "I think the dragon is insane."

Aryia's hand is still there, even as Ace freezes up. And it gives a gentle squeeze. The elf pinches her brows at the news. "... wasn't a dragon," she motions slowly. "J-I-N-K-S told me it was a..." A pause, and she cups her hand around her mouth to whisper just a fraction fold louder than normal. "Vweev-ruh" she hisses out. Then motions more, "I think so to. Maybe. Might be someone else talking to them to drive them crazy." <Handspeech>

Aseaecrnoss holds hands with Aryia, dawn entwined with dark. "Oh." She becomes lost in recollection, repeats, "Oh."

"She said one thing to the Kobold queen, another thing to me. I don't know which were her real plans."

She's interrupted by another spoonful of soup. After this is taken and swallowed, she explains, "She told the Kobold Queen she would be their dragon goddess. She would build up their town, empower them to drive the softskins out. Their nests would never be threatened again."

The elf shivers, pulls her blankets tighter, "She told me, she'd build a castle, and then a knight would come rescue me."

Aryia rubs her neck, pursing her lips. "... well. The only knight I can think of was the Black Rose Knight. But that too was a half dragon beast thing after we killed her," she explains, casually dropping that the Black Rose was slain.

She rubs at her face. "Sounds like we're dealing with a gaggle of these fucks. Sisters I guess. Or whatever, coven, flock. Don't know. Just got to figure out how to stop them and slay them, the rest of the kobolds will scatter."

The mute huffs in frustration. "... dragon goddess. How delusional." <Handspeech>

Endril looks uncomfortable when the Black Rose Knight is mentioned. He seemed tense when the dragon was brought up, but that could be understandable concern. He offers another spoonful to Ace, and comments as he does. "Kobolds often look up to larger species, or they're very resentful. Sometimes both. They likely will scatter without leadership."

Ace takes the mouthful, swallows. "Alexandria. She promised she'd wipe out Alexandria. At best that's delusional."

GAME: Aryia rolls sense motive: (11)+17: 28

Something about the Dragon has Endril concerned.

Aryia nods in understanding, her having some adjacent knowledge with kobolds from certain scaled friends. She tuts. "Not going to happen. I punched that bitch in the air. Jinks blinded her temporarily. They can be beat."

Her glowing gaze settles on Endril. Since they rescued him a long while ago, the party has grown in size, and skill. And, inadvertently, Endril was becoming part of their party as well. Which meant there had to be a layer of- "Trust us. Speak your mind. We need all the information we can get," she motions to Endril. <Handspeech>

Seyardu was gone, perhaps it was just a trick of the light making it look like the shining silver scales were still there, or the cleric's own worries were making it seem like she was there, but she was not to be seen. At least for several minutes, until she returned, this time with a large, but thin blanket in her arms. She offers this to Aryia, and steps back again. "I hope that things can be resolved, but I feel like they cannot with those in charge still around."

"Well, the Witch-Queen definitely has to go." Endril states, which gets a nod of acknowledgement from Ace. "She was there when Uskvutha was present, and switched allegiances immediately when the green arrived."

He raises a hand in greeting for Seyardu's return, "Those three Kobolds from the Desolation had some different ideas. Not... terrible ones at least."

Ace looks at Endril, glancing between the mul'niessa and the man, "there's something else, isn't there?"

Endril exhales, sets the bowl of soup and spoon down. "A gold and green dragon caught up with us. It wanted the egg, from the Black Rose Knight... thing. It was going to take it and kill us, or at least try, but we talked it... Her? Talked her out of it. Convinced her we'd be able to destroy the egg before she could stop us."

"Your friend with the Thunderbelcher, very convincing." He rubs his hands together, "So we got her to wait down the road while we moved off, kept the gun on it until we were out of sight. Traded the egg for an escape."

"I know you had plans for it, I'm sorry." He looks down.

Aryia stares at Endril, her blinking a few times as he shares the news. A beat passes, her hand in Ace's held a tension that rose. In.

And ebbs. Out.

"Should have smashed the egg," she motions, shaking her head as she sighs. "Regardless, glad you all got out. The green dragon though, we think its the same creature as the Black Rose Knight. Did they tell you why they wanted the egg? Maybe even the gold dragon is the same thing, just using illusions to mask and pretend. The green one flew off while we were saving Ace. Went right to you all." <Handspeech>

The mute takes the offered blanket once her hand was finished speaking. She folds it over a few times, and gently drapes it over Ace.

Seyardu blinks, and sighs quietly at the explanation. "It was that or risk the others get hurt. They could not have outrun that creature if it decided to give chase. You made the right call in doing so."

"It is, not a dragon, not a true one at least. And it seems to have two voices in it's head, or something of that sort. Some sort of madness, perhaps. It was at the castle, and was driven off. I am sorry we could not provide some form of warning, but by the time we got back, everyone was gone."

"It was one dragon, half green, half gold. Front and back." Endril explains, his face looking pensive. "Hmm. Well, that might be. It... she seemed slightly more reasonable, when Loci started talking."

"Loci was hiding behind me."

Ace is watching Seyardu, now that she has returned. The dawn elf seems unwilling to look away from her. She takes the blanket and tucks it around herself. "Did it say what it wanted, Endi?"

"No.... no... not really. It seemed confused, that the Black Rose Knight was dead. Happy too, like there was some kind of sibling rivalry, and she won." Endril shrugs.

"She kept asking us how we fit in to the plan and why the castle wasn't ready, and where were her troops." He shrugs again, "We didn't tell her about the training camp. Once we were far enough away she went for the egg and ate it. Swallowed it."

"I heard the two voices thing too. If that wasn't obvious."

Aryia rubs her face again. "... probably ate it to incubate it. Egg fell out of the Black Rose's mouth," she motions slowly. "Maybe this witch melded with the 'dragon'" she air quotes. "Or.. something. I don't know..."

She leans back, a thumb running across Ace's knuckles as she closes her eyes. "... so... need to... go to the last place, get the last guy out. Then... try and put them down and crush that egg."

A small part of Aryia wishes they cut past the benevolence and giving it a chance and just ran her foot through the damn thing. But, it did let them, and more importantly Venom, escape. <Handspeech>

Jinks enters the ward at the far end, casually dressed in a fine vest and a loose-sleeved shirt, comfortable breeches, and polished boots. The gnome's hair is down and his lips painted an apricot-shade of orange. His lower lip curls just enough to whistle between his teeth. A little satchel hangs across his shoulders and rests against his backside, weighted by its contents.

"Oh, well, great minds..." he says to no one in particular upon noticing the mul' and 'makar. The coin he's busied a hand with goes 'pwing' when he flips it up high, moving a step forward then to catch it behind his back.

"It did not seem reasonable when it was tossing kobolds off of cliffs." Seyardu sighs. "But it could be reasoned with to some degree. As for eating it, I can not say for some explanation."

"We need to get the last one out, if he wants to be out. You should both know, that the wizard we are searching for, they may not be imprisoned like everyone else. From the sounds of it, they may be working with them, and I do not know if they had a plan to rescue the others."

"Heeeeey! My eating buddy!" Endril greets the gnome warmly. Seems like he's over a certain incident; at least comfortable enough to joke about it. "Popped in for a nibble? Grab one of those tall chairs."

Ace's head snaps to look at the small man. There's a tension, followed by her relaxing again. It's his size, but he's not one of -them-. He's safe. She's safe.She nods to Aryia, "Incubation sounds likely. It sounds like a very aberrant creature."

"I saw the temple, where the Witch-Queen is." she continues, as Endril starts to feed her again, "I don't know about 'melding' that... that would be make things very challenging."

"She's in a drowned cathedral in the centre of their town," Ace explains, "The Witch-Queen was going to keep Qiolveylraed close. He is likely imprisoned there."

"He's... yeah. He's... very Neutral. Truly Neutral." Endril is diplomatic.

"Well I hope he likes wet feet!" Ace snaps. Her spell is getting a workout.

Aryia is currently sitting on the bed with Ace, her holding the emaciated dawn elf's hand and relaxing with her eyes closed. The brisk movement from Ace makes her crack an eye open, and she lightly smiles at Jinks. And weakly snicker at the joke. She waves in greeting.

The information is filed away. Literally, as the mute scribbles down some notes about the man and where he is, as well as where the Witch-Queen stays. She gestures for a moment with her pen hand, "I mean, so am I. I get it. But he's probably biding his time. Maybe."

She raises a brow at Ace, then slowly gestures to add onto her assertion, ".... from pissing his pants if he doesn't cooperate with us." She cracks her knuckles against her jaw. <Handspeech>

Jinks still isn't ready to joke about -that- and the instantaneous flatlining of his smile is all the clue one needs in that regard. At least he doesn't throw up this time. "I just finished a lovely late lunch, actually," he smirks after recovering, tone dry. "Thought I'd come up to see how things were after walking my new friend over-- which sounded like a perfectly valid reason to not joining him in volunteering my time..."

The coin disappears into a fold on the dandy's belt and he shifts the weight of the satchel on his shoulder. He bounces his attention between four but keeps back to give Ace her space. No need to be in her face. "The last of your number might also be enthralled or charmed. His new master is a self-titled 'witch queen' after all. Whatever the case, seeing him to a place of reason should be no problem; especially with all of the avenues available to us." He smiles, seemingly sure of that conclusion.

"It is a possibility, yes. I do not know what this person was like, and you all knew him better. So I will trust your judgements on their character." Seyardu nods. "It sounds like if something is to be done, going to the cathedral is the next, or dealing with that dragon creature. But things will only get more secure, especially seeing how the black rose knight was slain. They may not take chances, but also, I do not know what their plans are. That they need a wizard so long is concerning."

The dawn elf looks confused, "What? I don't understand." She thinks about it a moment, "Oh! I do. I meant the top floor of the Cathedral is flooded. It's about two feet deep."

She elaborates, "Only the kobolds that have a garter snake colouration are aquatic. The others are from in-land tribes that relocated. So some of them live underwater in the drowned houses, the others live in floating houses above the original ones."

"If Qiolveylraed is in the Cathedral, he will be in water up to his waist." She shudders when she says it, but not on his behalf. "I will give him the benefit of the doubt, that he does not know we are rescued, and that he believed he couldn't rescue us on his own."

"Depends how tight a leash she has on him. If she can recognize the spells he's casting." Endril says, "or as leverage. Nanjusha said she was leverage." He shrugs again, "Or maybe he's building himself a golem, some kind of Iron Giant or Iron Maniken."

Ace coughs lightly, a very weak sound, and forces herself to look at Seyardu, "A wizard and a witch might have a lot to do. Scribe scrolls for each other, share forbidden magic, create items. Wizards can idle themselves off for months on a project, I would imagine the witch to become fatigued first."

Aryia's pen continues to scribble down more information into her journal. Location, conditions, potential problems, kobold factoids, how would one make a robe of scales, golems, potential projects they could be working on.

She squints at that fifth entry, and slooowly crosses it out.

She shakes her head, feeling a headache building. Still. She couldn't help but wonder, "What kind of magic does Que do? I know some wizards like to have some specialties. I'd like to know if I'm going to get my mind blasted, or my body blasted. Golems I can deal with. They can be punched."

The mightiest spell of all: fist. <Handspeech>

Jinks makes a face at the thought of standing water two-feet deep across the highest floor of this cathedral. Nothing like wading through muck up to your armpits. "Let's hope for something other than golems or undead. There's been an abundance of creatures without minds to manipulate recently... though the little minion lizards are quite easily swayed."

"So they are not all the same kind yes, which affects their lodgings. This is good to know." Seyardu nods. "I doubt they would do that, as that would not be a good idea for whatever work they are doing."

Seyardu looks to Aryia and nods. "Yes, their specialties may be of note. It may be perhaps they need something specific out of your adventuring companion. Or, it may be something a wizard could do generally."

"I don't know, he had the usual, magic missile, lightning bolt, fireball." Endril says, "Knock. He didn't talk about his specialty."

Ace nods to this. "A predilection for direct action. He may have employed a charm or an enthrall, typically did not."

Aryia scribbles that down too, as well as a note to look up the word 'predilection' for later. She gives a small huff, and looks to everyone. "So, this is our next step? Break him out? We can prepare to fight against the witch and perhaps mind messing magic. Do either of you know about a way into the sunken cathedral? Aside from the water surface?" she asks with a hand, the other one squeezing Ace's one last time before pulling away and tucking in a loose part of the blanket. <Handspeech>

"There was a way out of the 'castle' the lizards were building for the mad vouivre pretending to be a forest dragon. Underground where the Khazad and I hid initially; past the oubliette. It was small, though-- sized for the lizards-- and I'm not sure where it went... I just know they went out that way when I told them they had no more work for the day.

"The first time we saw the 'dragon' it dove into the water directly behind the training grounds." The gnome adds after thinking a moment. "Water-breathing spells seem a necessity. Or transmutation magics to take on the form of a creature that can naturally. I know words from the Hymn that can counter thrall and charm magics, too, should we need it."

"There was mention of a tunnel near where we found Nanjusha." Seyardu mentions. We might be able to go back through there, but there are still concerns with that area. But there are likely ways into these places underwater, whether sized for larger is the question."

"The kobolds have many paths they use, and they are likely constantly making more. I am sure we may be able to find a way in if we need to. But I am worried about the dragon showing up, while it is still around."

"There's a way in from the cave Nanjusha was in. She said some of the kobolds came from the Witch Queen. It's large enough they were able to get her through it. That was also under water. Sorry Ace." Endril replies. "I'm leaving the next steps up to you. Qio and Nanju were the deciders, I was the meat shield."

"The passages might be better or worsely guarded, now that Nan and Ace were rescued. Or blocked." He adds.

"It is no matter, Endi, but thank you. As to the Cathedral, it is easily accessible by water. The hindrance is the superabundance of Kobolds. Considerable numbers to sneak past, and available as reinforcements if alarms are raised." Ace explains, looking at the others, "The task differs, depending on your goals. Rescuing Qio may be as straightforward as informing him the Witch-Queen no longer has leverage, that you have liberated Endril, Nanjusha and I."

"We are extremely grateful." She manages a smile, even one for Seyardu.

"Yeah, yeah! Thanks. I owe you drinks." Endril adds, then looks pensive, "Yeh, you're gonna have to do something about that."

Aryia scribbles even more down, taking in the new information and adding it to the growing list of intel. She gives a long sigh, and closes her journal, tucking the pen in with it. She silent with her hands for a long moment, before pinching her nose and gesturing in front of her with her eyes closed. "Rescuing him put a hitch in whatever plans they have. Maybe we can sneak a message to him. I'm not sure what we could do to do that. But if we can do that, he could sabotage something on the inside to help us break him free." The shadow elf stands, and casts a look to Ace. And smiles. "You're welcome. Glad we could help," she signs to the two of them. <Handspeech>

"The money has made it worthwhile," Jinks adds with a nod, rolling his fingers to produce the tumbling coin from thin air once more. "Most of it, anyway..." a sideways glance at Endril and his smile dips a hair once more.

"I wonder how stable the building is after sitting in water all this time. If we could destabilize the base somehow that would likely provide a distraction... and if we could collapse the 'witch queens' base of operations entirely all the better."

"He may be being monitored, if there is a chance of contacting them. The which is a caster, yes? They may have planned for this. So any way to try and reach them may risk them being tipped off. After all, if they really are there as a prisoner still, then they need plans in place to keep a spellcaster there."

Seyardu sighs. "But if we could reach him directly, perhaps with invisibility magic? That is a possibility. And perhaps we could prepare a way to leave that place quickly with them."

"Those would be good things to look into." Endril says, he's finished feeding the bowl of broth to Ace. He hands her the tea.

Ace holds it carefully, taking a small sip, "Qio has some escape magic. I'm uncertain regarding a large group. It seems likely the Witch-Queen has made some preparations. She has been ensconced for... well, when did Bright Hope sink?"

Endril shrugs, "Not sure. Ten years ago? A long time."

"Is that ten years real world time, or Alexandrian time?" Ace asks.

"Oh. Right. Fifteen years, rest of the world, time." Endril answers.

The notion of destructive measures for distraction makes Aryia grin some towards Jinks, and she cracks her knuckles. "Find a spot where the stone is weathered and weak, and I can knock it down if you give me a few minutes," she signs confidently. "But yes, we may have to be more hands on with this method of telling him and getting him out."

The mention of Alexandria having a different timeframe makes the mute's face twist in confusion. But she just shrugs. The less one thinks about time shenanigans, the less of a headache it is. Thank goodness she wouldn't ever have to deal with that.

Right?

Anyways.

"So a small, prepared group. I think we can make that work somehow, Aryia gestures, slipping her journal into an inside pocket in her jacket, ignoring how much she was sweating by this point from the extra heat. <Handspeech>

"The mad vouivre is still a concern, too," Jinks reminds, "and we've no reference as to the 'witch queen's' competency with magic. At least we know the almost-dragon amalgamations are twinned and not tripling... and one stays dead for near-on a decade."

"... and, Coyote laughs, our luck has held out thus far." He smooths down his goatee, thinking.

"It is a possibility, yes. We may be able to break what they plan here, if necessary. And a small group, yes, or we will alert everyone there."

"The vouivre is still there, the kobold leader, and the witch queen. I do not think the kobolds can be dealt with before the others, but the Vouivres, there is a chance to get some out of the way."

"The undead." Endril adds, "Where the undead kobolds are coming from. That seemed 'new'. Usually someone has a lot of undead, or they don't. Unless it's a transition period, but I doubt even the regular kobolds would agree to that."

He sighs, "There's a lot more to this than kill three kobolds and bring back my thunderbelcher. I don't know if you plan to sort their problem out or just complete Qio's rescue. I dunno if they'll figure it on their own."

Ace has a brittle smile, "As pleasantly as I might put it, Endi, they can all rot engaged in anatomically implausible feats."

She carefully sips her tea.

OOC and comforter

<OOC> Aryia rolls for new comforter
GAME: Aryia rolls craft/tailoring+2: (18)+10+2: 30
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "wow"
<OOC> Aryia pours their heart and soul into this thing
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "that is a hella comforting comforter!"
<OOC> Jinks says, "It is the Oprah of comforters."
<OOC> Aryia pfft

Alexandrian Time-Skip
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Alexandria went into the mists for 5 years, 'rest of the world' time, and for Alexandria, it was a couple weeks."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "So someone from Alexandria thinking in years they lived, would remember things happening earlier than they did"
<OOC> Jinks says, "Yeah. It was that Stephen King book. Meanwhile, outside the fog the sociopolitical map shifted drastically."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "it was also around the 3.5->Pathfinder changeover. The Blar or Bludgun king was killed, Alexandria, when it got back, his King went to do something, then vanished. I don't think Alexandria has had a king since 3.5. Just 'nobles'"
<OOC> Jinks says, "It's been a ruling council for a long time."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "even the Temple task might be 'we're re-enacting the Mist spell to get rid of our demons' or something."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "anyhow, random comment really, from them."