Difference between revisions of "Journey Day 05 AM Gifted Bandits"
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Latest revision as of 14:48, 14 March 2021
Jyslin does manage to hear some distant evidence of a conflict, but nothing comes of that here at the camp. None of that trouble - whatever it may be - comes for the party. Four hours later, Jyslin slips back into the tent, awakening Andie with a kiss before curling up to get more sleep herself.
Andie and Neosodos exit the tent and take their own place on watch, allowing the tiny dragon to make a circuit or two before he settles with her for a morning's memorization before the first rays of the sun as it finally crests the horizon.
As the party does finally stir for breakfast, all will discover a fresh wind blowing down along the hilly grasslands, sweeping across the white-capped Toadsquats with a decided chill which does bring on thin wisps of fog.
A full night's rest later, Syval rouses from his personal tent with a light grumbling as he seeks out the warmth of the cooking fire and unrolls a map from his scroll pouch. The dragonoid hisses and rattles threateningly, though Neos will understand him to have mildly asked, "Is it colder today to everyone or just me?".
<OOC> Syval says, "Knew what I wanted to say but had to rearrange that last sentence a few times to get it right. I imagine draconic to be a somewhat alarming noise to the ears of humans, and probably mammals in general. Honoria wasn't the only one who got comfortable with Andie's translation spell."
<OOC> Syval says, "Bah, connection hiccup. Looks like I didn't drop though."
Still glowing as she usually is when communing with Neosodos, Andie arches an eyebrow as she opens her eyes to regard the rest of the group, from Jyslin starting the morning meal to Honoria packing up her tent already. "Yes. Yes, it is colder today. If you give me but a few more moments, I will renew the translation spell. Please, be patient."
Jyslin looks up at the sound of spoken draconic and frowns. "Too bad you can't do that mindspeech thing that Neosodos does. That would be handy, and scare away less game."
<OOC> Syval does have that on his list!
Syval clears his throat sheepishly and turns his attention back down to his map upon realizing he was not, in fact, understood by most of the party. But it doesn't take the drake long to confirm their heading by the meager landmarks around their campsite, even with the fog, and he casts his eyes back to the communing witch and wyrm. Mindspeech is certainly on the young dragonoid's list of skills to learn, perhaps even today, but first there's magic to watch and it's made all the more mesmerizing through the lens of his new senses. Judging by the way Syval stops blinking as he looks on, Andie might be able to charge admission.
<OOC> Syval says, "By the way what's our normal breakfast and lunch been? I forgot to take notes and I figure we've run out of the loaf from earlier."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Probably something akin to the scrambled eggs and biscuits from that 1700s cooking show?"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Lunch is probably jerky, trail mix, and some dried fruit and veggies, all easily walk-and-chew-able?"
<OOC> Syval nods. "That makes sense. I was imagining something like a hoecake/Johnny cake/journey cake for bread as flour is energy-dense and fairly versatile. Can be wheat, oat, bean, nuts, corn, or other sources too. Cheeses too if I remember right."
<OOC> Syval should do more research into that. It's something he knows very little about actually.
<OOC> Syval says, "Pemmican was definitely common in the Americas but I've got no clue what would be the norm in a biome like we're in. :)"
<OOC> Syval says, "*US, not sure about the broader Americas as for tribal cuisines."
<OOC> Syval says, "Also, fantasy setting. Who knows how well some plant and animal products keep here."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "In general, the way they do iRL. But there are non-normal plants and animal products, and those are up to us."
Soon enough Jyslin is delivering breakfast, starting with a triple portion for the very hungry draconic humanoid. She lays Andie's on the other woman's plate at her knee while the communing goes on. Once everyone is served Jyslin then eats her own and cleans up, then breaks down her tent and packs up her things and Andie's.
Once Andie is done communing, she then lets her still-golden-glowing eyes flutter open. "I assume no one minds if I renew last night's translation spell?" Her gaze flickers over each party member, and when none objects she invokes the same spell, with the golden glowing hand floating over to touch each of them. "I will remind everyone: if we have a dangerous encounter, the spell could be dispelled. Just remember that." As convenient as it can be, it is not perfect.
As much as he enjoys the show of Andie's communion food does beckon too and with Jyslin thoughtfully giving him an extra portion (or two!), the dragonoid happily digs in. Dinner was already a long time ago!
Once he wipes off his mouth and magicks his dishes clean with a minor spell, Syval looks back over to the rejuvenated witch. "That's still far better than nothing. Have you learn anything about that bracelet?"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Halp."
<OOC> Syval ?
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "I am not recalling the bracelet. From which?"
<OOC> Syval says, "We found it "yesterday" morning among the gnoll corpses. One of them had a severed forearm with a bracelet firmly attached - nearly sliced my finger off trying to remove it. Turns out it's abjurative and necromantic, has a command word to enlarge and shrink, and it's very sharp on the inside."
<OOC> Syval says, "Andie confirmed it blood bonds, which is more than I could tell, and offered to study it."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Ah. Right. Thank you. That helps."
<OOC> Syval had a note to ask about it this morning. ^_^
<OOC> Syval also had a note to ask Neos at lunch about mindspeech so you beat him to it.
<OOC> Syval says, "*has"
"I have." Andie answers. "We can discuss it as we travel." she promises, rising to her feet at last to gather her own pack and then her dragon as they assemble and begin again.
After Jyslin scouts the area, eventually finding evidence of the battle from the middle of the night, the group continues onward. Andie then resumes her storytelling. "The bracelet is one that bonds with the wearer when a particular ritual is performed, including the casting of a spell to charge its powers." she explains. "Doing so will cause the bracelet to shrink down on any wearer to bite into their flesh. From then on, its powers will told hold on the bearer's body for as long as they live. And, as you noticed, will preserve the body perfectly after death, preventing decay. Handy, that.
Andie continues after a bit. "The bracelet is a protective item, hence its focus on abjuration magicks. It grants the bearer a boost to any armor or armor-like protection worn, and bolsters luck in overcoming the unexpected. Its greatest power is that twice per day it can be called upon at will to unleash the effects of a Personal Barrier spell upon the wearer."
After storing his breakfast dishes and the little wedge tent he calls home, Syval straps his bedroll to the top of his pack and stands as well to join the group. There's an awkward pause before the dragonoid tries several different ways to don the straps without getting the bag stuck on either wing but eventually, by completely unhooking both straps and passing it over his head, Syval manages... to jam it against the long and stiff frill running the length of his spine. Pulling his backpack around with a heated grumble the transformed wizard swings it awkwardly over one shoulder and looks to Neos in exasperation. "This body is not nearly so useful for hauling."
<OOC> Syval says, "Huh, and ironically a furca or similar construction, perhaps fashioned off my bardiche (!), might be a mundane improvement here."
<OOC> Syval says, "Phone."
Honoria steps over to lay an armored gauntlet gently on Syval's shoulder. "Might I offer an unorthodox suggestion?" she inquires, waiting for permission before speaking of this. "Your arms and shoulders are in front of your wings. I suspect you could turn the pack around, and wear it instead across your chest rather than your back. And if we invert its structure, you should be able to unclasp the pinions to drop it from your body in a crisis situation to get it out of the way in a hurry."
Andie pauses at this and turns to watch the discussion. "Not an unreasonable suggestion. I believe I could also summon a Tenser's Magic Disc. But then I would be layering spells on Syval." She smiles tightly. "Permission would be required."
Jyslin has ranged ahead and has nothing to do with this discussion. Neosodos looks on from Andie's shoulder and huffs, nodding. "I do not carry anything, myself. Even my hoard is in the magical cavern."
Given a wealth of ideas Syval thinks over them before settling on Andie. "If the cavern is that safe, why not store my pack there? Why not store all our camp supplies there? Water and small supplies I can carry on my belt, same as before."
Andie nods. "The cavern is safe. But it does mean you need me to open it before you can retrieve anything." That could be inconvenient or problematic, and as always it seems Andie feels it is vital that Syval knows those risks before making his final decision. But she is clearly willing to open it back up so he can drop his pack inside if that's what he chooses.
<OOC> Syval says, "Remind me how long it takes to open that portal, please? Is it just a command word?"
"I don't think I'll miss my tent until nightfall or my mess kit until meals," the dragonoid responds as he glances to Honoria. "I would think we should all store such rarely-used things in the cavern; with lighter loads we'll travel more quickly. You already open the portal each night at least."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Command phrase and a physical action."
"I do not believe my pack is slowing me down." Honoria offers. She may not travel ultimately lightly, but she is not overburdened, either. By comparison, Andie seems to travel with nothing more than a side-slung satchel, a couple of belt pouches and her stave.
Once Syval has made his decision, Andie nods and sets down her satchel, murmuring the command phrase as she hoists it up from the ground to over her head, causing it to reveal the portal to that space beyond. Once Syval is done, she closes it as she usually does every morning, and they can continue their day's journey.
Interestingly, Jyslin has not shown up at all during this entire situation. There has been no sign of her at all.
"Suit yourself," Syval grants to the knight, not fully trusting her to act without his approval. Once he steps back out prepared for the journey, the green-scaled were-dragon looks considerably more comfortable, having trimmed a couple small items from the ties of his belt as well in exchange for his coil of rope. Still bare-chested with his bardiche resting against one shoulder, he seems to have fit all the essential provisions for himself - at least for the day's hike. Lifting his head to the wind he sniffs lightly at it before addressing the women. "Thank you for waiting. Now let's hurry on. It seems Jyslin has left us behind. Andie, you can tell me the rest about the bracelet."
"The bracelet is one that bonds with the wearer when a particular ritual is performed, including the casting of a spell to charge its powers." Andie explains. "Doing so will cause the bracelet to shrink down on any wearer to bite into their flesh. From then on, its powers will told hold on the bearer's body for as long as they live. And, as you noticed, will preserve the body perfectly after death, preventing decay. Handy, that.
ndie continues after a bit. "The bracelet is a protective item, hence its focus on abjuration magicks. It grants the bearer a boost to any armor or armor-like protection worn, and bolsters luck in overcoming the unexpected. Its greatest power is that twice per day it can be called upon at will to unleash the effects of a Personal Barrier spell upon the wearer."
<OOC> Syval says, "You can skip over actually explaining it since it's already in your above pose -- ninja cat! XD"
<OOC> Syval says, "Would I know what Personal Barrier is?"
Syval listens thoughtfully to the witch's explanation and then he smiles. "Well that is helpful. Is it still removable once bonded or is it latched like we found it with or without the command words?"
As Syval finishes his examination of himself and his finished bonding with the now-armband, Andie hisses softly. "Damnit." Then she looks up at Honoria and Syval. "Well, you were right to be concerned, it seems. Jyslin is pinned down and injured. Neosodos cannot get a clear look at the attackers, but he can see evidence they are also armed with nets." Which means they could take Jyslin prisoner, or even hostage. Not great news.
Honoria frowns. "I have not my mount, to ride to her aid and defense." And she delivers it as such a straight line, too; clearly if she had a mount she would do just that right this instant. That's apparently just what a lady knight does when a companion is in danger.
Syval looks dourly over at the news, knowing further just how difficult the sharp priestess is to wound, much less surprise. "That I can assist, but only enough for two of us to ride. How far out is she?" he asks of Andie.
Andie turns and looks in a very specific direction towards the mountains to the south south-east. "Almost three miles." With her ability to perceive what Neosodos is seeing, she has a very specific bead on the situation. She glances back at the other two and sighs. "Summon the mount, Syval. If the two of you can ride it, go as fast as you can. I will find a way to keep up." The witch does not explain what she intends, or whether she believes it will work. It is as if she does not believe she has any other choice.
What must be done.
The dragonoid fishes a small bit of horsehair from the pouch at his waist then extends his arms and shakes them out as he grips his bardiche and points it level to the ground. "Very well," he replies and begins to weave through the air. There's no time for debating details.
In truth the conjuration is the most difficult spell the wizard knows and it's noticeably longer and more intricate than the lesser tricks of magic he's commonly performed before. As the spell reaches its zenith with the risen chants of his voice there's a feeling of distorted reality as the air by Honoria bends and warps before disgorging ex nihilo the form of a light horse complete with bit, bridle, and riding saddle. Barely is the casting complete when Syval pulls another bit of hair from his pouch and restarts the spell anew, summoning a second mount for himself.
<OOC> Syval uses Mount (full-round) twice as to make a pair of light horses, both 2hr duration.
<OOC> Syval says, "This actually uses all of my normal spell slots in the span of 5 minutes and I don't think I'd cast a single one until just now."
<OOC> Syval still has Enlarge Person for what ... oh wait.
<OOC> Syval says, "No, no play continues. That's /clever/ but it's not a solution for this problem."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li mm?
Once the two are mounted and ready to go, Honoria somewhat impatiently finally gives rein to her summoned mount and charges off in the direction indicated by Andie, leaving the dragonoid to keep up as best he is able; she is an excellent horsewoman, truly gifted, and rides as if she was born to it.
Chances are she was.
After Syval gets going, Andie summons forth her own spell, one she greatly prefers not to use like this. The golden feather she holds aloft is shredded to mere flecks of down, clinging to her robes as she launches into the air and flies in pursuit of the horses. She keeps her speed down, not wanting to arrive without the others.
When the group arrives at the destination, all but one of them can quickly make out the situation. Honoria is sadly having trouble, as dark as it has become. She can make out shapes and movement, but not much else. The dragonoid can make out what appears to have been the site of a battle, with chopped and hacked bodyparts representing what appear to be a dozen or more gnolls, along with a few smaller, less hairy figures. Also visible to him are drag marks leading back towards a low rock formation between two hillocks about one hundred feet to the south. Earth and turf have been disturbed around the combat site.
As Andie comes to a landing beside Syval and his mount, she grabs for Honoria's shoulder before the woman can charge off towards the site of the battle. Moments later the figure of Neosodos ripples into being on Andie's shoulder. "Jyslin held them off as long as she could. But they pinned her down. They were clearly prepared for a spellcaster, as they hit her with silence to prevent casting; I could hear nothing of their fight. Their weighted nets were reinforced; she was unable to slice through them before they gassed her."
Yet the dragon does not seem distraught. Instead, he points a talon towards the rock formation. "They are under cover, there. Obviously, I advice caution."
Andie takes all of this in, and her face draws rather tight. "That anyone could be out here, setting up a trap like this, and prepared to take on and take down a significant warrior and spellcaster like Jyslin? This bods rather ill." She does not immediately give orders, but waits to see what everyone has to say first.
<OOC> Syval says, "Why is it dark? I thought we set out at breakfast?"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Because I'm an idiot who lost track of previous poses."
<OOC> Syval hugs. "To your credit it has been more than a night and a day since we started this "day"."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "So yes. It is before mid-day. And if you guys would not have stopped normally, you can assume Neo dive-bombed you invisibly and mindspeech-shouted at you to stop."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Since if you had continued, you'd be stuck in the silence, and within the area of combat the enemy was clearly prepared to engage."
<OOC> Syval says, "Is the rock formation roofed as in a cave or open as in a valley?"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "From what you can see from where you are, you would guess it is largely open, like a 'wall' composed of boulders pushed together, by man or by fate."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "There might be a 'duck down' space around its base somewhere. But not a full-on roofed structure."
Bringing up his own horse, Syval pulls back on the summoned beast's reigns to halt it then dismounts. The conjured horse isn't combat-trained as much as the polearm-wielding mage might prefer it, and now he trusts the stability of his own legs more - even if they bend a bit oddly.
"Aye, like they know of us and have reason to be hunting," he considers while passing a dark look between the ancient princess and the witch. "I've only a spell of enlargement left which should last most of a battle but with numbers we'll need a way to thin them." Looking back at the rocks between the hillocks, the dragonoid strokes his chin then turns to Andie and Neos. "Do they keep watch upon the hills? Perhaps we can mount them from the east and west then charge down one slope after you rain fire from the other. I would not think their mage cast Silent upon his own camp."
"I would assume they can see you. All of us, now." Neosodos comments. "If we then turn around and split up, they are sure to keep watch over us. And if we move to take the high ground, they will react. Perhaps even to kill Jyslin."
Andie's eyes hood at this, clearly pained. But she shakes her head. "As much as I do not wish to allow that to happen, we cannot allow that threat to keep us from taking proper action. If these forces truly did set up and prepare for us, then they must be aimed directly at one of us or the other."
Honoria frowns at this. "Could they be Cantare assassins, here already since my awakening?" she asks.
Andie shakes her head. "I do not know. I would not have thought so. But I would not have thought any could be targeting us like this. Something has kept me from seeing any sign of this, until now."
Honoria then asks, "What are they, then? What did you see of them, Neosodos?"
The Eldritch Wyrm ruffles his wings a bit. "I saw humans, or at least what looked like humans to me. And what appeared to be kobolds." And then Neosodos adds something else. "Most of concern is that ... I could not smell them. I assume neither could Jyslin, which is how she was tricked, and trapped."
Syval's eyes narrow and he turns sniffs the air. "They're warded, then? We've only to do with what we have. We either charge the front or try another tact and if they see us, then there's no use in tricks except giving them too many to focus on."
"What an odd alliance between kobolds and humans... Perhaps we can make them listen to their betters, and cause some internal strife?" the dragonoid wonders as he casts an eye to the Eldritch Wyrm more his senior.
<OOC> Syval says, "I am also getting a crazy idea of stress-testing my Spark a bit but am I right in assuming that's not something I can reach in a typical full-round action?"
<OOC> Syval knows it's getting easier but wasn't sure it was single-round WIS check yet, much less actually using it after tapping in.
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "The DC would not be easy, and there would be clear consequences for failure. But you could try."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "With that info, do you want to change any?"
<OOC> Syval says, "Nope."
<OOC> Syval says, "Not feeling that desperate yet I don't think."
<OOC> Syval wants to hear Neos' council on the matter first, and he's not feeling so well-mastered of his draconic nature as to make himself a big target like that given a choice.
<OOC> Syval takes a little afk to roll out dough.
<OOC> Syval says, "Wow this was so much easier than the first time. 6_6"
"Without knowing the nature of their bond or leadership, I have my doubts how well we could pick apart their structure." Neosodos answers. He doesn't like it, but that's the simple truth. "The humans, at least, we can assume speak Shaaren. Assuming they were humans. But the kobolds? Kobold and goblinoid are the best choices there." And not one of those present has proficiency in those tongues.
Andie draws the fours' heads together. "I recommend," she murmurs softly, "we split up. Syval, Honoria, neither of you is very stealthy. I recommend you both choose a path of approach from here, up the middle. I can still fly for a short time, and Neosodos can both fly and stealth better than any of us. I will go east, Neosodos west, and then come in from their sides while they are generally busy dealing with the two of you."
Andie reaches out, wrapping her hand around the blade of Syval's polearm, murmuring a spell that causes it to glow with a crackling fire-like aura of red, orange and gold. Then she lays her hand upon the dragonoid's throat, murmuring again as she inscribes a flickring fiery rune of light into his scales. "When you are ready, you can activate this. It will give you one great and mighty shout. Good luck to you both."
That said, Neosodos disappears again, and flies off heading west from what little Syval can sense of his scent. Andie nods to both he and the lady knight, and then lifts off and flies to the east.
And that leaves the two of them. Honoria mounts once more, and prepares herself, sliding down the face plate of her helm as she steadies her shield and sets her lance in the stirrup. She waits for Syval to make his decision ... and then she gives a squeeze of her thighs and the magical mount leaps into action, charging forward!
<OOC> Syval says, "Spoke a little too soon and tore dough while trying to tidy up some edges. Fixed now. :P"
<OOC> Syval says, "Kobolds don't speak Draconic in the Shaar?"
<OOC> Syval debaaaaates...
Syval nods grimly to Neos' reply. Not what he was hoping but what he expected, and so Andie outlines the only path left for them: an all-out attack as each of their strengths allow. The dragonoid steels himself for what is to come, resolved even so much that his usual fascination is absent as the witch applies enchantments first to his blade and then to the towering wizard's leathery throat. Their battles so far have been surprises and instinct in the moment; for once there's time to think first, and knowing the odd assortment in the cave were able to capture Jyslin doesn't help.
An acrid breath vents out Syval's nose once the spells are in place and he nods to the witch and the wyrm. "Once this is done we'll have a hearty lunch to prepare from their spoils. First pick goes to Jyslin," he replies before turning to face the open ground before the twin hillocks. A glance is given to Honoria and a trusting smile at seeing the lady knight fully in her element and in her own way at ease. Syval tightens the grip upon his bardiche, feeling the new band upon his arm as his scales swell, then his talons scrape the dirt as he sets off charging in her wake.
<OOC> Syval will save Enlarge Person for another time.
<OOC> Syval says, "Though that would have made for an intimidating appearance."
<OOC> Syval says, "Ack that was the airplane mode button >_<"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li eep. Doesn't seem to have screwed up things too much.
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "You COULD Enlarge Person before you charge. Just making that clear. I specifically made the Shout spell a rune tattoo so that it wouldn't preclude you from speaking a spell before using the Shout. :)"
<OOC> Syval says, "Aye, the reason I didn't enlarge myself is my newfound appreciation for squishiness. Makes me hit harder and further but also makes me a bigger target, and historically I'm a mite delicate."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li nods. "Fair. Just wanted to be sure we discussed your alternatives before we moved on."
<OOC> Syval says, "OOCly, no clue whether that's wise. ICly, I blame Syval not having a reference for how much sturdier he now is with a dragon's hide and a magical buffer atop it."
<OOC> Syval says, "Also how long does Personal Barrier normally last?"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Personal Barrier lasts for one round per caster level. So perhaps a minute at most, FYI."
<OOC> Syval says, "Thank you. Crackers in the oven FYI. I may need to afk in 7 and 14 minutes to tend them but it should be quick."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li nods. "OK.
<OOC> Syval says, "And sorry to keep piling but once you get a chance later, say during my turn, could you let me know over Discord what my stat tweaks should be for this new form + bracelet-buff?"
<OOC> Syval afk #1.
<OOC> Syval returns and crosses fingers for the second and crucial bake.
<OOC> Syval afk #2.
<OOC> Syval says, "And I now have fresh crackers. ^_^"
Just as the party splits up and prepares their charge a magically-augmented voice calls out in Shaaren from about the location of the rocks. "We have the tigress woman hostage!" comes the shout. "We are prepared to ransom her back to you, safely."
Those words, at least, halt Honoria's charge as she turns to the others, unsure how to proceed. It is not for her to negotiate like this, for she does not even know quite what the party has to give, let alone if they are willing to part with any of it. And it occurs to her that it must be something specific; why else go to all of this trouble?
Andie lands on the rocky hillocks of the mountainous foothills to the east and above them, and then calls out, "What do you want for her safe return?"
There is no sign of Neosodos, and Honoria is looking to Syval questioningly, not sure what to do here.
Syval halts as well but his eyes glare in distrust towards the rocks as his tail lashes behind him. In a lifetime among the thronging marketplaces and guild intrigue of a merchant city, the dragonoid is no stranger to ransoms, even honorably upheld, but so far from the judges' justice the idea is more sour than the acrid tinge on his breath. "Be prepared to hear a price we can't pay," he speaks quietly to the lady knight.
"Everything you gathered from the hill giants." comes the answer, after a bit. It seems as though however they are projecting this guy's voice is requiring renewed efforts. So it must be something pretty minor.
At that answer, Andie considers rather than popping off right away. But Syval is sure to have an immediately negative reaction, given that would include both Honoria - or at least her statuette - and the tomes he has been studying and isn't done with.
But that is the price they name. Can anyone figure out why?
<OOC> Syval says, "The plot thickens..."
The dragonoid indeed clenches his teeth to bite back his first choice reply but then, after a moment's thought, the green drake relaxes and turns almost cordial. "You expect us to bargain such terms with a voice among shadows? Come out. Show us your face and that you truly have the payment you're offering still alive. Let's barter in the open if we're doing honest work."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Like a good stew"
<OOC> Syval isn't sure if he'll qualify as a green dragon or a brass one if he pulls this off...
"Fair is fair, whatever the heck you are." comes the shout back. "You want to see what we have in the open? Then you bring out what you have, too." It would seem they are at least willing to pretend they would agree to such a thing, but only if the party is equally willing to approach the idea.
Honoria, for her part, does not realize that she or her statuette would become part of the bargain. She's just watching what is going on, waiting for the signal to act.
Andie, for her part, is definitely open to this. Clearly she has no real attachment to anything they found, whereas her attachment to Jyslin cannot likely be overestimated.
"You'll see that my companion and I rushed over with neither packs nor supplies," Syval points out as he jabs the spiked butt of his bardiche into the ground and spreads his arms, palms up. "You're looking at all of it we carry now with us, and if you know us so well, you know we've no hidden archers or net throwers hidden beyond this clearing - unlike you perhaps. Come, is not the Silent spell enough?"
"One of you has magical transport. There's no way you left everything behind when you were already moving today." Comes the call-out. Apparently while they may not know everything, they know quite a bit. Enough to draw some solid conclusions.
Since the dragonoid is the one who answered the negotiations, Andie remains silent and lets him continue. Best not to show division in their ranks or any confusion, at least. And perhaps, as this continues, a certain very stealthy little drake can find his way to somewhere vital. Or at least try.
"Believe what you please but if you won't deal plainly with your face in the sun, at least speak plainly. If we had behind a spare saddle and a hooded lantern, those things we won't need until long past we've had time to ride back, would trifles like that really sway you?" Syval's nostrils flare as an empty hand slides to the scroll pouch hanging from his belt, resting upon it. "Perhaps you're looking for a map?"
"All of it, whatever you are. No games. We're not debating with you what it is we are after." the negotiator calls out. "You want your woman back. We want what you took from the hill giants. Fair and even trade. You going to make that deal? Or not?"
"A fair trade indeed, if a voice among rocks can be called a man of his word," Syval sooths as he reaches a hand back and scratches the base of his neck frill. "You're willing to wait then, for me to depart, retrieve the pittance from our camp, and return again? You are strange and unclear bandits, indeed."
<OOC> Syval frowns thoughtfully. :Ia
"Clearly, you want the woman dead. And if that is what you want, so be it. Just you remember: the obsidian blade is all your fault." comes the shout. At those words Andie gasps painfully, quivering in place with impalacable horror.
"We know you have everything here. We know you didn't leave anything behind. Now. Make your choice: ransom? Or body recovery?"
<OOC> Syval says, "Huh. Note to self: Jyslin's weak to obsidian. They have really done their homework."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li nods.
<OOC> Syval wishes he'd had time to learn mindspeech from Neos right about now. ^_^;
<OOC> Syval could check on the slippery wyrm. This is as much as stalling tactic as it is trying to create an opening.
"Stay that knife or the neck it cuts may as well be your own," Syval cautions blandly, not sharing in Andie's horror or at least not betraying it through his voice. It's a help that the dragonoid's face no longer shows expressions in the human way. "With a dead hostage you'd get nothing from us and then we both get nowhere. And stop that nonsense while you're at it," he glares. "You're right that we have magical transport to our camp but that is not the same as having everything present. Even magic takes time."
The dragonoid passes a glance to Honoria then says, "Andie if you please..."
Neosodos rolls Stealth (1d20+22) and gets 25 (3) Human Bandit 1 rolls Perception (1d20+12) and gets 15 (3) Human Bandit 2 rolls Perception (1d20+12) and gets 23 (11) Human Bandit 3 rolls Perception (1d20+12) and gets 21 (9) Human Bandit 4 rolls Perception (1d20+12) and gets 20 (8) Kobold 1 rolls Perception (1d20+14) and gets 20 (6) Kobold 2 rolls Perception (1d20+14) and gets 20 (6) Kobold 3 rolls Perception (1d20+14) and gets 20 (6) Kobold 4 rolls Perception (1d20+14) and gets 34 (20) Kobold 5 rolls Perception (1d20+14) and gets 33 (19) Kobold 6 rolls Perception (1d20+14) and gets 17 (3) Kobold 7 rolls Perception (1d20+14) and gets 18 (4) Kobold 8 rolls Perception (1d20+14) and gets 32 (18)
<OOC> Syval says, "Daaaang. <.<"
<OOC> Syval says, "Moments like this I think I appreciate why 5e came up with a group roll mechanic for stealth/perception." Neosodos rolls Not Exactly Perception (1d20+18) and gets 36 (18) Kobold 4 rolls Reaction Roll (1d100+0) and gets 24 (24) Kobold 5 rolls Reaction Roll (1d100+0) and gets 33 (33) Kobold 8 rolls Reaction Roll (1d100+0) and gets 62 (62) Neosodos rolls Coin Toss (odds (events)/1d100+0) and gets 50 (15,35) Neosodos rolls Coin Toss (odds and evens) (1d100+0) and gets 100 (100) Neododos rolls Initiative (1d20+7) and gets 20 (13) Neosodos rolls To Hit Touch AC (1d20+11) and gets 29 (18) Kobold 4 rolls Initiative (1d20+6) and gets 13 (7) Kobold 4 rolls To Hit (1d20+6) and gets 8 (2) Kobold 5 rolls Initiative (1d20+2) and gets 10 (8) Kobold 5 rolls To Hit (1d20+4) and gets 13 (9) Kobold 8 rolls Initiative (1d20+2) and gets 20 (18) Kobold 8 rolls To Hit (1d20+4) and gets 20 (16)
<OOC> Syval waves a little flag, 'Go Wyrm, Go!' Andie rolls 'Casting' Check (1d20+28) and gets 30 (2) Andie rolls Damage (16d6+32) and gets 86 (5,2,3,2,2,5,2,4,4,4,1,5,3,6,4,2)
"And still you keep lying, reptiloid." the angry voice calls out. "You had already packed up camp and begun movement for the day. That is why the weretigress was out scouting and patrolling." There's another pause. "Enough games! Bring it out, or she dies!"
Unseen by any, a certain tiny drake has stealthfully scarpered around and floated down beyond said wall, finally catching sight of the gathering of humans, kobolds, and one lovely if battered weretigress. Of course, Jyslin has healed the damage she took, but she'll want a bath after this, assuming the black stone blade against her throat doesn't end all of her concerns.
It is only the sight of that blade that causes Neosodos to hesitate. But he can tell with the way 'negotiations' are going that this is far more likely to go badly than to go well. He can feel Andie's upset and fear, and knows enough of his 'little brother' to know he's feeling inflexibly grumpy and wants to smash something Not that Neo can blame him. The little drake has several options ...
... but that list of options is quickly narrowed to nearly nill, as one of the kobolds grunts out in a barking voice, pointing towards where Neosodos is hiding. Two others twist towards that location and prepare to take action. It's now or never.
Neosodos leaps to wing, and aims his still-invisible body at Jyslin, tiny claws extended ahead of him. The three kobolds snap into action, each trying to intercept the Eldritch Wyrm. Of the three who have somehow pierced his camouflage, stealth and invisibility, only one is quite fast enough off the mark to make good an attempt at intercept ... but the best he can do is grab hold of the drake as Neosodos reaches Jyslin. The other two wave their arms wildly but miss.
And none have been paying attention to the line figure of the redhead perched up on the side of the hills. She cannot see of her own eyes anything that transpires. But through her familiar's senses Andie is very well aware of what is transpiring ... and the moment the drake sends her the telepathic message, she raises her staff in the air and drops its spike-tipped butt into the very stone ...
To those out on the rolling plains beneath the stone abutment there is only the peripheral vision of Andie's movement, and then the sight of a huge column of flame some forty feet in diameter coming down out of the heavens, over a hundred feet high. Even in broad daylight the column of flame is so bright it dazzles and bewilders, and it strikes so suddenly that there are barely even any cries. Just the shocked silence of a dead aftermath.
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "If we were playing at the table, I'd then explain some of what just happened. As the pose makes clear, Neo snuck in. Three kobolds spotted him. When he realized he had been spotted, that made up his mind; they'd capture him, too, unless he acted right then. So instead of subtle sneaky crap, he instantly made the decision to do the very reckless; he leapt for Jyslin, made contact, and cast Augmented Fire Resistance on her, even as he commanded Andie to unleash Flame Strike (which for her is augmented). His theory being that as her familiar, he would be largely immune to the damage; with his spell on Jyslin, she should be nearly as resistant as he is. But they would not be - in his estimation - as prepared for that level of fubar."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "And for the record, we're paused here expressly so that you can pose reaction to what has already transpired. *hug*"
<OOC> Syval says, "Well Bilbo's lesson was "do not laugh at a live dragon". Syval's may be "do not *%@# with a witch"."
<OOC> Syval enjoyed your pose. Now on to replying...
Syval's eyes flick skyward as a bright light illuminates his face, banishing the shadows from the easterly sun. Just as quickly an arm comes up to shield himself and the dragonoid grunts from the daze. The air breathes hot and parched in a soot-choked exhale that gusts out from the hillock valley, buffeting and whipping at his robes as he shouts to Honoria, "That'sssss our sssignal!" Waiting just a breath longer for the wind to ebb, the draconic wizard regathers his bardiche and runs forward.
Honoria takes that cue clearly and charges on foot, leading the way with her shield raised, sprinting up the rocks to get around the baked and still-steaming stone wall. That should make it easy to follow her footsteps.
When Syval can finally get up the hill and around the corner, looking down into the tiny valley holdfast where the hostage takers were hiding, what he finds is - predictably - devastation. The stone actually shows blast shadows in the shapes of the humans and kobolds who were there. Smoking bones and heaps remain on the stone. And while the stone is not molten, it steams and hisses in the dry gusting air.
But, most interestingly, one figure lies huddled in the midst of all of this. Golden to red scales glistening brightly in a shaft of sunlight, Neosodos lies sprawled on top of another figure. The only still-whole humanoid body in that space.
Said figure slowly climbs to her feet, long ashen blonde hair falling around herself as she scoops up the dragon and stands, looking around blinking somewhat owlishly. Jyslin touches her throat and grimaces, silvery light spilling from her fingers to close the wound opened there as the former wielder of an obsidian dagger twitched while being erased from existence by incredible fury.
Andie comes walking slowly down the stone hillocks and stands where she can see in, nodding as she sees both her best friend and her familiar apparently unharmed. "Glad to see that crazy planned work, Neosodos. Well done, my friend.
There are certain things one becomes accustomed to seeing as a wizard studied within Delzimmer's halls. Erratic flashes of magic, powerful spells, and great fiery bursts of the Art, especially from the evoker's demonstrations or better still the Archmage's annual displays. Syval's open shock then is a testament to how utterly Andie flames smote the hillock valley.
The dragonoid waves a hand before his face and coughs while wishing if only for a moment that his scales were red instead of green. "Saints on the hills and stars in the spheres..." he mumbles in awe. "Well woven. Andie I think you got all of them."
<OOC> Syval spent longer than he should have to confirm that "celestial spheres" is what that old geocentric model called the things the stars stuck to. The "firmament" is a specifically Jewish version from a older and more deeply flawed astronomy model that was apparently old enough to include a flat Earth.
<OOC> Syval says, "Spherical Earth models being comfortably 2500 years old in western traditions and proven experimentally within 200 years of that, most famously by Eratosthenes."
Honoria too seems impressed, if less wordy. She seems to see no need to give voice to her feelings, however profound they may be. Still, she watches in awe and feels no need to interrupt.
Andie glances up at Syval and nods. "I certainly hope so." Looking again to Jyslin and Neosodos, she leans upon her staff, sagging just a bit. "I am just glad it worked. That is definitely not something we have planned for or practiced."
Neosodos climbs up onto Jyslin's shoulder and then unfurls his wings, looking around himself for a bit before he nods firmly. "They are all gone. Good. That should mean the eyes cannot see, here." Then he glances towards Andie, waiting until she gives a slight nod, before he turns to look at Syval and Honoria. "This group was being manipulated and controlled by another, far distant, controlling one's mind directly and unrelentingly, and watching through all of the others."
And then Neosodos looks directly at Syval. "And whomever it was, I believe it is at least partially draconic." The unspoken 'little brother' follows.
Shaking loose of some of his shock as he first looks to Jyslin to affirm the ever-healing priestess is unharmed, Syval then turns his attention to searching the bandit camp, and firstly weaves a familiar sign through the air to summon magic before his eyes while intoning its incantation.
He's only just begun to search when Neos' words give him pause and the dragonoid frowns at the dire implication. "That explains how petty bandits knew of our journey... Control magic over distance is no small feat, and that means also they've been scrying upon us?" he guesses, looking questioningly back to the witchy core of the party. "What else do you believe about it?
Neosodos looks intently back at Andie, and she sighs and nods to her familiar. "The problem being, I do not believe it was magical control." She frowns, climbing carefully down the hillock until she reaches Neosodos and Jyslin, gathering the woman into her arms as the dragon climbs to the witch's shoulder instead.
After a hug, Andie takes hold of jyslin's head between her hands and stares deep into her eyes, focusing as hints of flame flicker around her red hair. Curiously at least, her staff remains upright without any care given to it whatsoever, as if it is merely waiting for its mistress' hand once more. After a few minutes Andie then releases Jyslin, sighing just a bit. "It seems their benefactor chose not to link to Jyslin, so its pawns in the area would seem to be gone, along with its perceptions."
That explained, Andie starts climbing back up and out of the small bowl depression with nary a care to whatever might remain of them. Jyslin glances around and then follows. Syval will find fading remnants of magic now ruined and lost, including what would appear to have been a collection of varied potions, and two caster's foci. Yet whatever might have been gained by their defeat is gone, blasted to nothing by Andie's spell and fury.
And then Neosodos adds, "I believe their master was using the Gift, rather than magic.
A dragon of some stripe - any stripe - with the capital-G Gift? Is that even possible?!
<OOC> Syval says, "I don't suppose there's a little bandit treasure horde that's been melted into a single solid lump of metal anywhere either?"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Not that you're seeing, no."
<OOC> Syval says, "Agh I'm drawing a blank. What's that other term for Honoria besides 'knight'?"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "chevalier?"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Sometimes anglized as cavalier"
<OOC> Syval says, "Thank you!"
Syval takes a slow deep breath in response to Neos' answer and lets it out long and hot. If he were red it would probably be smoking, instead it just smells like rotten eggs. "A dragon with a Gift? And it has an interest in us... or should I say, Honoria?" he asks with a knowing look to the knight nearby, though not one of recrimination. It's a foregone conclusion that he's not giving the chevalier up, even to such a great threat. He's far too attached.
"Would that we were only dealing with perytons... Is it related then to the voice we heard after all, or was that thing distinct?" he asks next, thinking through their troubles while busying his senses to prod and sift ashes in search of the shining glint of freshly-molten metal. Gold or silver might do his mood best now but the wizard would even settle for bronze.
"In us, at least. Or in something you managed to gather from the hill giants." Andie answers. It doesn't have to be Honoria; there was plenty else gathered from them. But obviously Syval's attachment to the chevalier certainly encourages his perception that she clearly would be that subject or target.
Syval's search will turn up some solidifying puddles of metal, but most appear to be evidence of weapons and armor. There may be small puddles that were previously coin, but they are small and likely mixed in with the rest of the mess.
Andie glances over her shoulder at Syval, and nods. "It is quite possible. May even be likely. I am not sure. But I do not believe that voice was the effect of a spell. So I would say it seems more likely than any other answer I have thought of as a possibility."
Hoonoria, meanwhile, asks only, "Why would a dragon, let alone one that somehow has the Gift, want of anything to do with me? Was I somehow in the care and hoard of such a being for a long time, and then stolen away and sought to be returned?"
The scaled wizard turns away dejectedly from the messes he uncovers, surrendering to the hassle it would be of separating out the valuable from the base anew. Perhaps if they were poorer and closer to home, but not with bags of coins, golden stones, and a chest of ingots in their possession.
"Though you were somehow able to cancel it out, which is a thing no Art can do to a Gift," Syval catches in the witch's reply, his mind attuned to matters of magic even if distracted. "That is a trait of your witch's primordial magic? I fear we'll need much more of it, that thing will not give up so easily. Wards even - to keep away its prying eye and however it infected the mind of that bandit."
Then to Honoria the dragonoid turns, only to stop when he realizes his tails dragged upon the ground enough to gather soot. Curling it around in front of himself, the young wizard grabs the hem of his robe and uses it like a rag to wipe the scales clean, his eyes and attention now aimed downwards as he replies, "I'm not a dragon expert, but no matter what his favorite collection is, you are of nearly priceless value. Forget for a moment your arms and statue, which are enough on their own and could rarely find their equals in these days. Your age for one thing and your blood for another." Deeming himself cleaned enough, Syval drops his tail and looks back to the knight eye-to-eye with a somber seriousness. "I think there are at least four witches who would pay a legendary price for you. Among the hill giant's horde we found everything I showed you in the cavern including your statue. That thing was either after a couple old spell books, a sundered blade which in its prime held a great enchantment but now is much-diminished, it wanted a simple map, or it wanted you."
<OOC> Syval says, "That's better. Ignore that first one."
<OOC> Syval also talked himself into an epiphany towards the end there but will save it for next round. Others should have room to speak.
Andie nods. "There are only a very rare few spells I am aware of that were ever crafted sufficiently to interfere with the Gift. All of them are very powerful and exceedingly rare." Yet another not so subtle hint that Andie is a good bit more than 'just a witch' despite any and all protestations to the contrary. "However, whatever it was it has not reached out to try to contact us again. At least, not that I have detected. If we are right to put that incident and this together, it moved on from attempting to contact us to commandeering others to use them as proxies against us."
Jyslin, curiously enough, is remaining pretty mum on the whole thing. She was the one who interacted with them the most, but her mind is clearly on something else, and worrying at it like a sore tooth. She may hear the conversation, but her mind is clearly not on it.
Neosodos concurs with most of Syval's assumptions. "Pardon. But was not the crate of ingots also found with the bags that included Honoria's statuette? I have not examined any of these things in great detail. Little Brother seemed to have all of that well in hand." And though it is unsaid, clearly Neo also considered these things 'Syval's hoard' and was respecting its privacy accordingly. Hooray dragon politics.
Honoria does not have a lot to say after Syval lays out his line of logic and conclusions on her - or her statuette - being the item of interest. It is still hard to wrap her mind around just how long it has been. She was never of much value or interest to dragons before; being so now just seems wrong. "I am sorry for the trouble caused." she offers softly as they walk down the hillock and return to the rolling grasslands.
Time, it seems, for their journey to resume.
<OOC> Syval says, "Honoria inspected the chest's contents not too long after her awakening right? I recall that vaguely but don't have it in front of me at the moment."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Answer: Yes. She has examined them."
"Then perhaps it's best we didn't follow, as it would have tried to take what we have by force and the further we stay from it, clearly the better," Syval considers before nodding to Neos' point. "Yes, and while none had the look of precious metals to me, perhaps it's time to examine them closely when we stop for the night."
But in the blasted, ashen depression between the two rocky hillocks the talk is running on, and once Honoria begins to depart from it the dragonoid takes his cue and begins to follow her, though not before casting a concerned glance to the abnormally self-absorbed priestess - one he hopes for the red-headed witch to catch.
"Don't apologize for things which aren't your doing," Syval chides the knight lightly upon catching up and dropping his voice to be less easily overheard by the others. "You're traveling in the company of a witch, a were-tiger, a wyrm, and a wizard with green dragon blood. That trouble follows you was clear when I first summoned you, and not a concern or I would have kept you in the statue. Until Andie complains as the leader of this party, I plan to keep you this way."
<OOC> Syval feels bad for neglecting Jyslin here but is hoping Andie can handle that for him as she seems to so far.
"We can certainly try." Andie offers to Syval without argument when he recommends that they take a longer, harder and perhaps better lit look at the ingots and other treasures found from the hill giants. Syval's starter hoard.
Honoria regards Syval for a bit, listening to what he has to say, and then merely nods and shrugs. "I simply would not wish to have known that Jyslin or another would die like that just because others lusted after me, or my statuette." Of course as a princess she likely faced at least some degree of the same thing in her life before her protracted 'time out'.
"So, we are agreed that we are not turning around, and that we are pushing back away from the edge of the range itself." Andie reiterates, as she and Jyslin lead the way back into the grasslands, looking to return to their previous distance away from the Toadsquats. The witch does seem to be paying close attention to Jyslin, but they do not appear to be talking. There are a few long looks, but nothing more.
"I don't see how turning back towards Delzimmer or that map mark buys anything for us. If you're set to continue towards the White Bog I'm still set to follow, one gold piece per day," Syval replies.
