Round 7, Init 20
ZephTyr 5' flaps closer and slams the piper with airy, magical, fisty slams.
to hit; (power attack)
slam damage.
to hit; (power attack)
slam damage.
ZephTyr lets out an airy breath.
"Save your spells, let me get this one. I'm going to put his pipes to a new hole," ZephTyr whispers, flexing his airy muscles. A single raindrop of spittle hits the ground under him.
AC 3 NA + 2 dex + 2 dex + 1 ring +3 barkskin +4 mage armor= 25
HP 65/83
Mage Armor (7 hours)
Endure Elements (24 hours)
Resinous Skin (160 minutes)
Barkskin(160 minutes)
Greater Longstrider (8 hours)
Combat:
Attack: +6 BAB +5 Str +1 Amulet =+12
Slam: [dice]1d6+7 /dice] slam damage.
Pems glares at the flying goat-man and tries to hex him with his evil eye!
Stymied, Malavarius throws his hands up in the air in frustration before calling up his familiar ward to shelter those of his allies still land-bound.
HP: 30/44
AC: 13 (13 T / 12 FF)
Fort: +2 // Ref: +3 // Will: +8 (+1 vs spells, SLAs, & Su abilities of evil arcane spellcasters)
Resist 5: Cold
Energy Absorption: 0/24 absorbed
Pearl of Power I: 0/1 used
Cantrips Prepared (4): detect magic, open/close, prestidigitation, read magic
Level 1 Prepared (4+2+1): endure elements [X], feather fall [ ], hydraulic push [ ], protection from evil* [ ], mage armor [X], snapdragon fireworks [X] [ ]
Level 2 Prepared (3+2+1): create pit [ ], glitterdust [X] [ ], resist energy* [X], scorching ray [X], spontaneous immolation [ ]
Level 3 Prepared (2+1+1): dispel magic* [X] [ ], fireball [ ], haste [X]
Level 4 Prepared (1+1+1): stoneskin* [ ] [ ], wall of fire [ ]
Protective Ward used: 3/8
Ongoing Effects:
protection from energy (Quinn): 70 minutes
ward (+2 deflection to AC): 1/6 rounds
Round 8, Init 20]
[b]AC = 23 (Warded)
HP = 41/74
Weapon Equipped = +1 Falchion
Condition(s) = Warded by Mal
Pharasma's Blessings = 2-1, 2-2
Tsin almost begins sidling back and forth, like a crocodile waiting for the reckless child to fall into the artificial pond at the zoo. She continues to practice her javelin throwing, despite the sluggishness in her forearms from her recent exposure to paralytics...
Round 8
The next time an opening presents itself, Quinn fires a shot at the creature.
Pemsworth: 9
Quinn: 9
Malavarius: 3
Hektir: 20
Tsin: 20
Antagonist: 13
Pems' evil eye seems to take its toll on the flying foe, letting Hektir land a blow, even if it's not enough to help Tsin's throw.
Letting out a curse in frustration, the figure apparently decides enough is enough and flies -- at enormous speed -- out the tunnel to the west.
P: 55; -2 AC 7 rds.
The immediate threat vanished, Quinn takes the opportunity to heal Tsin before investigating the chamber.
ZephTyr gives chase for a bit before realizing he doesn't have a chance. He returns to the party, hissing and spitting in a vortex of anger.
"WitchyPiper flew away," ZephTyr airs.
Zeph zips here and there, looking for things of interest in the room.
Perception
He also shows his wounds to whomever is holding a wand of CLW.
CLW
CLW
CLW
CLW
Her initial rage against the satyr is greatly diminished. The paralytic almost completely gone, and her injuries not fully healed, Tsin is unwilling to pursue the fiend.
"Hektir, hold. We need to stay together. It is hoping to separate us. As much as it's injured, Half-Doe has the upper hand. It walks these halls as we once walked Heldren."
Tsin thanks Quinn for his healing, then moves north in the chamber to watch the tunnel to the west for the satyr's return. If she can retrieve her javelins and ranseur, she does so.
"Blast this place and all Baba Yaga's blighted daughters!" Malavarius fumes angrily as he kicks one of the tendriculos' limp tentacles. "And this mouldering mess! It ate Tsin and nearly swallowed me right after! If I had the means, why, I'd burn these prideful, hollow statues and everything within them from the face of Golarion!"
As his anger slows, his shoulders slump and he leans heavily on his staff. As Hektir is tended to, he waves the wand bearer over with a nod and accepts some its magics as well.
Pems obligingly wields the wand of healing, offering its powers to any who need them. "What was the thing? Both of those things?"
Tsin watches the healing being passed around by the halfling, so decides to finish knitting closed several burnt pieces of skin, courtesy of the carnivorous plant.
"Shall we press on?" Tucking away the javelins, she debates which weapon to have on hand, with airborne enemies still about. She settles on her falchion, trusting that with its recent departure, the satyr is unlikely to reappear so quickly after.
When it appears that Hektir is done sweeping the place, she moves to the tunnel to the west.
Malavarius looks to Pemsworth as he voices his questions. "This mossy heap," he kicks a tentacle again, "was a tendriculos. Nasty, carnivorous plants with a rudimentary intelligence born from nature's corruption. Dreadful things, truly." The old wizard's gaze then turns to the hall their other attacker fled down, "The other was a satyr, with a touch of the lower planes in its blood unless I miss my guess. A troublesome foe, regardless."
ZephTyr follows Tsin, not having any answers to any questions except 'What is it like to be a pretty cloud?'
A freshly killed bull carcass lies in the passageway to the west.
Beyond that, the passage splits briefly before opening into a larger cavern. A series of head-high partitions fashioned from intricately brocaded cloth panels stretched over wooden frames take up the center of this cavern, forming a large enclosed area.
Tsin walks up to the cloth panel directly ahead, and draws it back. If it proves difficult, she doesn't hesitate to slit it open with her blade.
Quinn searches for the presence of magic and investigates the lumpy vegetation mounds before departing the room.
Shield and rapier in hand, Quinn stays a short distance behind the butcher, ready to provide support as needed. "Maybe we should greet them with kindness before cutting up their textiles? They could have valuable information about those we pursue? Maybe Pems and I should introduce ourselves first?"
"Tsin, oh good grief, my dear, don't walk so fast. Look at you, you look like a phlegmy mess! Here, give me a moment." Malavarius then invokes a simple spell and sweeps his hand over the crown of Tsin's head, then the length of her hair, her shoulders and back. As his hand passes over each part of her, the mucus and saliva and other unmentionable digestive juices flee from his hand and fall to floor. When he's done, Tsin isn't as clean as if she'd just bathed, but she's still likely nearer to it than Hektir or Quinn have ever been.
"There. You should feel a bit better now, I should think." He then shoos her off toward the hall and the brocaded room beyond as he follows along slowly, his staff tapping on the floor with each labored step.
Tsin flinches as Mal reaches toward her. "Careful, Mal, the Robe is still providing me cold skin. Best not touch."
She looks down on her robe, newly removed of plant innards, and nods to Mal. "Yes, I suppose it wouldn't do to let dry."
"Maybe we should greet them with kindness before cutting up their textiles? They could have valuable information about those we pursue? Maybe Pems and I should introduce ourselves first?"
Tsin continues cutting, and snorts as Quinn suggests diplomacy.
"Well, let's take a tally, shall we? We have will 'o wisps to harry our ascent. We have a witch tree to bar our way into Artrosa. We have a double-headed giantess to strike at us first. We have a male harpy to bait us into cannibal plant." She finishes opening the cloth, and turns back to address Quinn more properly.
"There are no allies here, Quinn, only those who will require either outright subduction or elimination. I suggest starting with the bloodletting first."
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"Cannibal plant?! Don't be ridiculous, Tsin, tendriculoses don't eat other tendriculoses!"
"What?"
"Why I never- Zeno! You don't know the plural form of tendriculos any more than a worm knows how to fly!"
"Ooooooooo. Mark my words, you haughty hawk, one of these days I'm going to turn you into... into... oh something! I'll think of something to turn you into!"
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"Cannibal plant?! Don't be ridiculous, Tsin, tendriculoses don't eat other tendriculoses!"
Duh.
ZephTyr sputters on, flying above Tsin like her own angry personal raincloud.
Pems looks with concern at Tsin's bloodthirst. He calls out loudly. "Hello? Is anyone here? Most of us mean you no harm."
"Don't be so sure, Mal. If worse came to worst..."
The cloth gives way to Tsin's hands revealing a partitioned-off sleeping area. It contains a sleeping pallet, a large clay vase filled with water, a trunk made of hardened leather, and a table set with various items such as small stones, clay plates, bones, knives, and wooden drinking cups, as well as hooks upon which hang cloaks, blankets, and other sundries.
Before she can investigate any further, however, a voice responds to Pem's cry from the southeast area of the room.
"Hello? Is someone there? Please, help!"
It sounds like that of a young female, and if Hektir is any judge, an attractive one at that!
Taking advantage of his corporeal form, Quinn creates the metaphorical equivalent of blocking a wind gust and slides forward before Hektir can react to the alluring voice. "Why, my darling, how did you come to be trapped in this hideous stone tomb in the middle of nowhere?" Searching for the source behind the voice, Quinn moves into the sleeping area through the opening created by Tsin.
ZephTyr flits from side to side, showing off his rugged, airy good looks and expansive, if gaseous, muscles.
You like the shape of the cloud, baby? Wait until you see my thunder!
Malavarius turns to Pemsworth, "You know, lad, I suppose we have to check just in case, but I've a sneaky suspicious that setting the room ablaze will, in the end, have been preferrable here." He shakes his head as Quinn and Hektir surge into motion.
Pems snorts, then follows after Quinn and Hektir, hoping to avoid allowing them free rein to ... impregnate their way into the diplomacy.
Tsin doesn't spare time to look through the personal effects. She moves towards the voice, wary of the next siren song to hit the party.
The voice comes from through the next partition, which you quickly bypass, revealing an attractive maiden, with long brown hair.
"Oh, please, won't you help me? It was the warden of Artrosa. She's horrid, and has kept me here for so long. Please, tell me you'll help me escape?"
Laying eyes upon the woman, Tsin moves directly at her. "Oh, you poor thing, you. Please, tell us more. You must be so vulnerable."
This time, Tsin closes her ears to the true siren song here- any of the boys' attempts to assuage her action. I am done with pretty faces...
Pems starts to sigh as he sees bother Airtyr's and Quinn's saliva run, then his sigh chokes as Tsin hacks at the maiden! "Tsin, what are you?!?" He reaches out toward the maiden, too late to stop what's about to happen!
ZephTyr will also act to try to save the innocent maiden from the crazed (and likely jealous) butcher. He would step in as soon as he saw Tsin was acting crazed.
Quinn throws himself bodily in front of the butcher's attack.
Quinn cringes in horror as the blade chops down, "Don't do it, Tsin, even the witchy tree negotiated with us. Please, please, let me negotiate with her!"
Hektir:
Malavarius:
Pemsworth:
Quinn:
Tsin:
Antagonist:
Round 1, Init 16
Sensing something wrong with Tsin, but not ready to attack the butcher with the big sword, ZephTyr whorls angrily above Tsin's head.
"We should talk first, Tsin," ZephTyr gusts, roiling into an angry whirlwind in her square.
ZephTyr's mighty winds, touch the ground at Tsin's feet, stirring dust and debris around the vexed vengeful vindicator, trying to protect the innocent vixen.
Whirlwind text: "If the whirlwind’s base touches the ground, it creates a swirling cloud of debris. This cloud is centered on the creature and has a diameter equal to half the whirlwind’s height. The cloud obscures all vision, including darkvision, beyond 5 feet. Creatures 5 feet away have concealment, while those farther away have total concealment. Those caught in the cloud of debris must succeed on a concentration check (DC 15 + spell level) to cast a spell."
"No, Tsin, let her live, she may be useful!" Quinn pleads with the butcher.
Tsin is completely caught off-guard by Hektir's sudden descent to surround her. Was it that obvious? I thought my words would have lulled them into passivity. Who would have thought he eyed me so closely. That's a rather uncomfortable thought.
Before she can turn her thoughts away from Winter, her Robe discharges for Hektir's indiscretion.
"Hektir, remove yourself immediately." Tsin has no words for the priest, only glancing at Malavarius, expecting similar entreaties. She seeks no permission, nor does she expect to ask for forgiveness after she's bled the helpless whelp.
Pems sees Quinn and Hektir trying to keep Tsin at bay and turns to the woman. "Girl, if you want to live through the next few seconds, you had better speak fast and be very, very interesting. Who are you and why are you here?"
"I am called Italsha. I was brought here by the horrible warden of Arkosa. She's a monster, who imprisoned me and terrifies all those who like here!"
Round 2
"Hear that, Tsin, she is just a prisoner. It is our duty to ensure that this attractive maiden is escorted to freedom. This situation begs for our kindness!" Quinn extends a hand towards the pretty lady. Please, my dear, take my hand and we'll heroically deliver you to freedom." Quinn flashes his winning smile, hoping his offer is more appealing than staying trapped in a remote tomb. "Now, tell us about this horrible monster, every little detail helps, what do you remember about her?"
Malavarius strides up behind Tsin and taps her gently on the shoulder with his staff. "Tsin, my dear, try searching out her auras before you let that blade of yours fall, hmm?" As the others tend to Italsha, Malvarius keeps a suspicous eye fixed on her.
HP: 39/44
AC: 11 (11 T / 10 FF)
Fort: +2 // Ref: +3 // Will: +8 (+1 vs spells, SLAs, & Su abilities of evil arcane spellcasters)
Resist 5: Cold
Energy Absorption: 0/24 absorbed
Pearl of Power I: 0/1 used
Cantrips Prepared (4): detect magic, open/close, prestidigitation, read magic
Level 1 Prepared (4+2+1): endure elements [X], feather fall [ ], hydraulic push [ ], protection from evil* [ ], mage armor [X], snapdragon fireworks [X] [ ]
Level 2 Prepared (3+2+1): create pit [ ], glitterdust [X] [ ], resist energy* [X], scorching ray [X], spontaneous immolation [ ]
Level 3 Prepared (2+1+1): dispel magic* [X] [ ], fireball [ ], haste [X]
Level 4 Prepared (1+1+1): stoneskin* [ ] [ ], wall of fire [ ]
Protective Ward used: 3/8
Ongoing Effects:
protection from energy (Quinn): 70 minutes
Round 1, Init 11
Tsin feels the cold, acknowledging quickly the likelihood of injuring Hektir with him wisping about. She turns her thoughts to Summer. Hearing Malavarius nearby, hearing his instruction, she lowers her blade, stepping forward no less aggressively to bring the waif back into her sight.
Before speaking another word to Italsha, she lets her eyes defocus on the maiden, and refocuses them on her aura instead. Regardless of her detection, she begins to answer her boys.
"Tsin, my dear, try searching out her auras before you let that blade of yours fall, hmm?"
"Yes, Mal, let's." She doesn't turn to look at Malavarius, her gaze firmly fixed on the woman.
"Hear that, Tsin, she is just a prisoner. It is our duty to ensure that this attractive maiden is escorted to freedom. This situation begs for our kindness!"
"Prisoner? Where are her shackles? Where is her warden? I see no mirrors here to oversee her captivity? And what would freedom look like to you, Quinn? We are not negotiating with the Witch Tree a second time today. What, would you drag her even deeper into Artrosa? No, I think we are not liberators here."
Tsin continues to look over the impediment.
"Italsha, is it? It's very unfortunate to come across you here. You see, we have been plagued by poppy fields before. The men here are horribly easy to charm with feminine wiles, and we are no strangers to witches. We practically hunt them." She raises her blade towards the 'prisoner'.
"If we sense that you are attempting even a hint of magic, you are dead. I am done waiting to be bitten to know that there is a snake in the grass. I will bite first this time."
"Jadrenka isn't the only monster here, though she is the worst, even if she looks as human as you or I. If I leave this room, she told me they would devour me! If I had any magic, I wouldn't be here, would I?
"Please," she says, gaze turning to Quinn and Mal. "I don't know what I've done to upset you or what kind of poppies you've been plagued by, but I just want to go home!"
A single tear leaks down her cheek.
"Please, I don't know what I've done to upset you or what kind of poppies you've been plagued by, but I just want to go home!"
Well, you little wretch, if 'good' doesn't become you, then what about...?
Tsin shifts her detection to Evil.
If she truly can't pin an aura to this person, Tsin speaks up.
"Mal. I can't see an aura about her. Any aura." She readies a strike, should the tear prove to be reptilian. Outside of Hektir's bluster, her thoughts return to Winter.
When the maiden fails to take his hand, Quinn begins to doubt her story. "Trapped you say, and without magic?"
Malavarius steps forward and grips his staff in both hands, now standing just behind and to the left of Tsin. As she shares her misgivings and her knuckles whiten around the pommel of her falchion once more, the old wizard looks at the so-called captive.
"My dear, we've travelled a very long way to find someone who's seemingly gone to very great lengths to not be found. We've encountered many folk who have feigned a need only to then try and harm us as soon as we tried to render aid." While he frowns with the gravity of the situation, his eyes still remain kind, if also a little sad. "I'm sure you understand our caution and concerns. Whatever guard you've raised against this good woman beside me, you would be wise to let it down. Now, if you please."
Hearing Tsin say she can't detect any aura, Pems casts detect magic on the woman.
You do not detect any evil, Tsin.
"Please," she cries, "I don't know what you're talking about. Auras? That's beyond me. I'm sorry if I don't have one, but I have no guard ...
"... except hopefully you?" she finishes, turning to Quinn and squeezing his hand gently.
She seems sincere to the young cleric.
Pems, your spell reveals a magical aura about the woman.