Dashing from the flames, Faila runs further south. Looking east towards the treeline, where the boggles retreated to, she can only make out heavily brush. There is nothing obvious as to where the boggles went once they reached the wooded area.
Meresaa - It seems like Boyd has overcome the effect of the boggle's oil. In the meantime, Faila has dashed towards you, keen to avoid the fire to the north. To the east, the remaining boggle is locked in hand-to-hand combat with Toska. It seems like the situation, by and large, is under control. It is your turn.
Meresaa's shoulders slump slightly as her hairless brow furrows in apparent exasperation. Toska struggles to handle the single remaining boggle, Boyd runs erratically off into the woods on his own, and half the group seems intent on starting a wildfire.
Her attempts to help with the final throes of battle spurned, she crosses her arms and watches everyone's actions play out.
Scoping the battle from her position, Meresaa stands looking out over the grove.
Boggle #9's Turn
Terrified of sharing a fate similar to its friend, the remaining boggle makes a break for it. Dashing eastwards, the boggle creates an opening for Toska to strike.
Attack: 17 Damage: 10
The boggle yelps out in pain as Toska's great axe crashes into its side. Nonetheless, the boggle runs towards the treeline. As soon as it reaches the boundary fence it bends down, touches the wooden frame, and portals out of sight.
All - End of initiative. Between Nikita and Claude & Maud's efforts, the fire begins to die out, before fully extinguishing. Toska moves towards where the boggles disappeared before grunting and rejoining the party. "It ran,"she declares nonchalantly.
After finishing her casting of Shape Water on the surrounding snow to create a fire-break as Maud controls the fire, Nikita summons Thumbtack back to her shoulder. To the imp, she simply says, in Infernal, "Thank you. We are going to need to work together if we hope to survive this."
She thinks of her own coterie. Cut to pieces day after day as they fled by things far worse than these... boggles. Things more similar to Maud, in truth, though a different kind of fiend, and bigger. Iuz's minions would never have fled as these boggles did.
As the party finishes making their way past the farmstead, she says laconically (in Common), attempting gamely to cut through the oppressive suspicion that has overcome the group:
"Well. That was ugly. Those boggles spread fear and suspicion by their very presence. Still, we're apparently not dead. Prospect, then? Perhaps a short rest between, once we are well past the farmstead?"
Ermasnietsz blinks repeatedly while examining her surrounding as if she's still expecting the boggles to return unannounced and attack. She's somehow learned how to pretend to be inhaling air though it will take her a while to imitate the act perfectly.
"You don't yet understand it, do you? These boggles were sent to keep us engaged while working as a mean of distraction. The culprits needed some time to relocate their lair, and they're probably successful"- she responds to the proposal of Nikita in a convoluted way instead of answering negatively.
"Most peculiar," Meresaa says, listening to Nikita. "I certainly felt those things and it was clear most of the rest of us were under some sort of influence as well, but I must have been too distracted to realize the source and specific effects."
She strokes her chin in thought.
"I'd certainly love to get one of these back to a lab and study their biology. That could be an incredibly potent tool if properly utilized!"
Suddenly she seems unsteady on her feet and she stumbles a bit before catching herself on the fence.
"For now, it might be prudent to see to our wounds before pressing on, though. Would anyone be opposed to taking a break once we're well away from this mess? I'm feeling a bit lightheaded and wouldn't mind a snack to boost my blood sugar if there's to be more excitement ahead."
She begins checking the many pockets inside her robe for food.
Boyd scrunches up his face when the strange interdimensional woman says she wants to eat "blood sugar"... Still, he doesn't say anything, lest she turn him into a newt.
Instead, he turns toErmasnietsz, "Well, if they was to distract us they didn't do great. Scattered like leaves in a squall, they did. Still... looks like a few of us are hurt." He eyes Meresaa sideways, then shakes his head as if to clear it. "Suppose we oughta take a rest and patch up. Who knows what's in store for us..."
Faila's run slows as the fire is brought under control, and as the group slowly reconvenes, clearing their boggled minds, she circles them for a few seconds, until it seems as if their voices are reassuring her.
The scrawny urchin trots up to Meresaa, staring at her with concern. Faila begins producing a few pieces of fruit out of her bag and pockets that she took from the Skurra tent, handing them to her blue friend. "You're hurt!" she exclaims.
"Ah, perfect! This should help the wooziness. Thank you, child."
Meresaa takes the fruit and starts eating. After swallowing the first bite she looks back to Faila and explains, "Vedalken, being generally tall and slender, have a predisposition toward hypoglycemia, you see." She takes another bite, confident that her simple explanation was sufficient.
Ermasnietsz attentively listens to the opinion of her rogue comrade, eyes glued to his face when she repeatedly moves her head in approval or disapproval. She's less reluctant to take a short rest after the latest confrontation. Perhaps, she's willing to take a long rest too. Who knows?
"I wish that you are right, Boyd. It makes sense. Yes, they're unable to create an effective diversion. But, we're both pre-supposing the fact that they're sent by someone."
After that, she will summon Toska and Claude-Maud to appreciate their contributions.
"I thought I'd offer you both a better life, at least an independent life. But, you disappoint me. What should I do to you?"
…Wonder what the timing of our date with prospect was…” he skids up to the group. The last trails of expeditious retreat still lingering in his arcane veins… it seems he speaks to the group and the sky simultaneously…
”a rest all of us will do! A rest makes Nick Nack feel safer too!” he nods at each of them; in thanks toward their contributions…
”only ahead if you ask me… these disasters of saltmarsh can’t be solved by retests of conviction…. Though I don’t mind a slower approach than just rushing ahead as well…” he smiles at the group, happy all are safe.
Boyd nods to Ermasnietsz, "Mmmm. Things like these don't just pop up out of the blue.... ... .. . Except, most of you lot, I suppose. Suppose they're related? Say Prospect is pulling magic things like you folk out of thin air?"
After that, she will summon Toska and Claude-Maud to appreciate their contributions.
"I thought I'd offer you both a better life, at least an independent life. But, you disappoint me. What should I do to you?"
Ermasnietsz - Toska bares her teeth at you, "stop talkin' if yer knows what's best fer ya. We're 'ere fer the Carnival, nothin' else."
Claude/Maud looks confused at Nikita. Talking to Nikita, Maud asks in infernal, "What did the angry one say? She seems to have upset the orc." Claude/Maud chuckles, "looks like this trip may be more entertaining than I initially thought."
Claude then speaks to Ermasnietsz in common, "M-Maud says I should follow wh-what y'say. Bu' tha' I'll ne'er 'ave an in-de-pe-dent life." He gulps nervously after delivering the message.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Mid-Morning - Day #2 - The Road to Prospect
The party gathers up and continues on. There is a somewhat tense air as they leave the farmstead behind, contemplating whether the boggles fought had been an advanced scout. As they traverse the road towards Prospect the snow begins to stop and give way to the sun. Snow that was covering most of the land begins to melt and reveals an increasingly unusual landscape the closer they get to their destination; the flora seems strange, unusual, a plethora of colours poke through the remaining snow and ice.
After around half an hour the group comes to a stop and takes a short rest. Birds can be heard chirping overhead. A sweet, sickly smell of pollen is in the air.
Claude & Maud have been fairly quiet since leaving the farmstead. It seems like Maud is more than content for Claude to take the lead. He keeps himself to himself, sitting away from the rest of the group. "Wha'? Whassat?!"he yelps, pointing into the undergrowth. "I-if yer'll done restin', I think we should ge' movin'."
((ALL - You have all had the benefit of a short rest))
Ermasnietsz silently gauges the reaction of the orc woman and replies, "To lead a better life, it's not necessary to leave the carnival."
She lets Toska to ponder over the true meaning of her words. Then with a broad smile she bends forward to meet the eyes of Maud, and whispers something. Why not, Maud? Don't you want to have a body of your own? Perhaps, you want a stronger host, don't you?
To Boyd, she replies, "That's not impossible. It's probably messing with our memory too, 'cause I don't remember a thing about the previous night... ghosts.. guard house and the black carriage.. then nothing..
Nikita feels weary but determined. She wants as little as possible to do with whatever communication is occurring between Claude/Maud, Toska and Ermasnietsz.
Still, she obliges and duly translates Ermasnietszand Toska's words to Infernal for the Imp, rusty though she is in the language and never truly having used it outside her instruction. Only to the extent necessary - Nikita is actually a bit surprised of the need, since she had been taught that Imps and some other fiends know Common. To Maud, Nikita'sInfernal would sound like a schoolgirl's speech, studious, but still stumbling a bit as she gets through a difficult recital. Translating only the part that Nikita heard of course (assuming she did not hear any personal whispers).
Brooding a bit, she checks her equipment meticulously, counting 16 arrows left in one quiver and 20 in her backup. She mentally reviews her spells, of which she has only cast cantrips thus far. She uses Prestidigitation to clean off any muck from the battle and the fire-fight. Once done she sits back. As opportunity permits, she briefly attempts to make eye contact with the other party members, attempting to be reassuring to Faila, Nick Nack and Boyd, and politely respectful to Meresaa, Ermasnietsz, Toska and Claude/Maud. She doesn't trust herself to speak at the moment in any way that would improve the strained dynamic between the group.
Nikita keeps Thumbtack close, mostly, not wanting the owl to fall prey to some strange, fey flying creature. She risks a brief flight of a few seconds, 30 feet up and back down, to get a quick scouting of the area, midway through the rest.
Thumbtack'sPerception, at advantage due to owls' Keen Hearing and Sight: 11
The act of scouting also makes Nikita think of something. Again in Infernal, she asks Maud: "I have heard that Imps can become invisible. Does being attached to Claude prevent you from doing that? Otherwise, you could be an effective scout potentially."
Nikita - Once more Claude's eyes roll back into his head. Maud's voice comes from his lips, ((Infernal)) "my grip over the boy ever increases. In time I may be able to become invisible... I had wondered whether I had retained any of my prior ability and, well, you saw how I was able to cast through him. Let it be known that the boy has little to no magical ability. I however," her voice drips with self-importance, "am more than adept."
Claude's body starts to fade and become translucent, you start to see light penetrating through his body, revealing the landscape behind him. At this point, Claude is not completely invisible, only partially. He sticks out his hand in front of his face and smiles wickedly.
"I must admit," Maud stops short, contemplating whether to continue. "I have felt my connection to my home plane increasing the closer we get to this Prospect."
The owl moves overhead, flying scouting patterns over the area.
Next, a series of rather fantastical images flood your mind. It seems like it is not only the local floral that has been affected by its proximity to Prospect but also much of the local fauna. An array of bees of all sizes and colours fly around large, bird-like, fly-traps ((see below)). Wolves with plant-like limbs stalk through the undergrowth. Grazing cows and sheep in a multitude of colours have sprouted all manner of wings and extra limbs.
((Bird-like Fly-Traps))
Thumbtack sees it then. A large farmstead, partially ruined, covered in all manner of fantastical plants and wildlife sits at the epicentre of the twisted landscape. A wrought iron fence surrounds the perimeter. Above the front gate, in metal wording, reads 'Prospect'.
The closer the owl gets the more her senses are assailed. Strong smells of spice, lavender, and perfumes fill the air. There is a sweet taste like honey. Thumbtack is almost overwhelmed by the enchanting experience and chooses to give the property a wide berth.
In the immediate vicinity there seem to be no pressing threats. However, the owl does notice a black carriage located within the grounds of Prospect.
Nikita nods and attempts to keep a blank face as Maud shows what she is capable of so close to planar rift. But her thoughts are troubled.
The man Claude may have been a charlatan, but he does not deserve to have his identity breached and co-opted in such a way. Nor does Maud for that matter, fiend though she is. Truly, I must never forget that this is just another kind of fiend, even though she seems more harmless than the demons and cambions that decimated my coterie. Still, I hope we can set all this to right and eventually bring everyone back where they belong. Not just Esther and Asha, but all of us. Though it seems... next to impossible at the moment. It may be all we can do to survive, if that.
After Thumbtack returns from his scouting report, Nikita has the owl stay firmly perched on her shoulder, not wanting to take further scouting risks in such an alien environment. She attempts to describe what Thumbtack saw on her scouting sortie to the group.
"As you all have guessed, we are near Prospect. From all appearances from Thumbtack's scouting, it remains the epicenter of the planar incursion from the Feywild and other planes that we are seeing here. All kinds of strange, twisted plants and animals, or even hybrids thereof, in evidence throughout, in greater and greater abundance as we draw closer. No obvious threats. But even the boggles did not seem dangerous until they began attacking us physically and affecting us mentally."
"Prospect appears to be a large, ruined farmstead (not the one we just passed). It has a wrought iron fence around the grounds and Casper Brink'sBlack Carriage," she pauses for a moment, "located within. The only entrance Thumbtack saw to the grounds is a front gate. As some of us have said, I don't doubt that the Sanguine Cabal know we are coming, regardless of whether or not the boggles were an intentional diversion set by them, or just a chance wild encounter with extraplanar beings from the rift. But with Esther and possibly Asha captive inside or beyond, I am not sure we have any other choice but to enter as stealthily as possible, taking the risk of springing the trap on ourselves. If any of you have a better idea, now's the time to speak."
Faila sits down and rests silently as the party does, but her eyes widen in horror watching the antics of Claud, who is really Maud, spewing the ugly sounds of Infernal and turning halfway invisible. Too many strange things, we are close, there is no going back now. Her shoulders are slumped as she listens to Nikita's description of their goal. "Let's sneak in to Prospect," she says. Her adrenaline is rushing now. Everything so far has pointed to this place, and homeless, careless, transported far from anything familiar, it has become her goal now.
Boyd looks like he's becoming increasingly concerned with Maud. Mama taught him not to stare, but you can often catch the man looking at Maud with a disgusted look on his face. His hands sometimes wander up to his neck, perhaps checking for signs of extradimensional creatures growing out of his flesh.
As they approach Prospect with an idea of what's coming, Boyd weighs in with his expertise. "Ahem... now I don't know nothing about no magic, so I can't speak to that, but I do know... ummm... buildings and such. Asha's family were fat cats, from what I understand. Sometimes these richlings've got a secret tunnel that leads outside the walls of the manor, incase of attack. Problem is, it could be anywhere, if they even have one at all. It'd probably be within a few hundred feet of the walls, though; probably under a big bush, if they're smart."
He ponders the situation and adds, "If they don't got one or we can't find it, then I can sneak in. But I don't know nothing about magic! So I need you all to keep me from getting blown to bits and such."
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Farmstead Fight (or Flight?)! - Round #7 - Faila's Turn
Faila's Turn
Dashing from the flames, Faila runs further south. Looking east towards the treeline, where the boggles retreated to, she can only make out heavily brush. There is nothing obvious as to where the boggles went once they reached the wooded area.
Meresaa - It seems like Boyd has overcome the effect of the boggle's oil. In the meantime, Faila has dashed towards you, keen to avoid the fire to the north. To the east, the remaining boggle is locked in hand-to-hand combat with Toska. It seems like the situation, by and large, is under control. It is your turn.
Battlemap:
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Meresaa's shoulders slump slightly as her hairless brow furrows in apparent exasperation. Toska struggles to handle the single remaining boggle, Boyd runs erratically off into the woods on his own, and half the group seems intent on starting a wildfire.
Her attempts to help with the final throes of battle spurned, she crosses her arms and watches everyone's actions play out.
Meresaa...takes the dodge action...?
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Farmstead Fight (or Flight?)! - Round #7 - Meresaa's Turn
Meresaa's Turn
Scoping the battle from her position, Meresaa stands looking out over the grove.
Boggle #9's Turn
Terrified of sharing a fate similar to its friend, the remaining boggle makes a break for it. Dashing eastwards, the boggle creates an opening for Toska to strike.
The boggle yelps out in pain as Toska's great axe crashes into its side. Nonetheless, the boggle runs towards the treeline. As soon as it reaches the boundary fence it bends down, touches the wooden frame, and portals out of sight.
All - End of initiative. Between Nikita and Claude & Maud's efforts, the fire begins to die out, before fully extinguishing. Toska moves towards where the boggles disappeared before grunting and rejoining the party. "It ran," she declares nonchalantly.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
After finishing her casting of Shape Water on the surrounding snow to create a fire-break as Maud controls the fire, Nikita summons Thumbtack back to her shoulder. To the imp, she simply says, in Infernal, "Thank you. We are going to need to work together if we hope to survive this."
She thinks of her own coterie. Cut to pieces day after day as they fled by things far worse than these... boggles. Things more similar to Maud, in truth, though a different kind of fiend, and bigger. Iuz's minions would never have fled as these boggles did.
As the party finishes making their way past the farmstead, she says laconically (in Common), attempting gamely to cut through the oppressive suspicion that has overcome the group:
"Well. That was ugly. Those boggles spread fear and suspicion by their very presence. Still, we're apparently not dead. Prospect, then? Perhaps a short rest between, once we are well past the farmstead?"
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Ermasnietsz blinks repeatedly while examining her surrounding as if she's still expecting the boggles to return unannounced and attack. She's somehow learned how to pretend to be inhaling air though it will take her a while to imitate the act perfectly.
"You don't yet understand it, do you? These boggles were sent to keep us engaged while working as a mean of distraction. The culprits needed some time to relocate their lair, and they're probably successful"- she responds to the proposal of Nikita in a convoluted way instead of answering negatively.
"They knew that we're coming for Esther."
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
"Most peculiar," Meresaa says, listening to Nikita. "I certainly felt those things and it was clear most of the rest of us were under some sort of influence as well, but I must have been too distracted to realize the source and specific effects."
She strokes her chin in thought.
"I'd certainly love to get one of these back to a lab and study their biology. That could be an incredibly potent tool if properly utilized!"
Suddenly she seems unsteady on her feet and she stumbles a bit before catching herself on the fence.
"For now, it might be prudent to see to our wounds before pressing on, though. Would anyone be opposed to taking a break once we're well away from this mess? I'm feeling a bit lightheaded and wouldn't mind a snack to boost my blood sugar if there's to be more excitement ahead."
She begins checking the many pockets inside her robe for food.
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Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Boyd scrunches up his face when the strange interdimensional woman says she wants to eat "blood sugar"... Still, he doesn't say anything, lest she turn him into a newt.
Instead, he turns to Ermasnietsz, "Well, if they was to distract us they didn't do great. Scattered like leaves in a squall, they did. Still... looks like a few of us are hurt." He eyes Meresaa sideways, then shakes his head as if to clear it. "Suppose we oughta take a rest and patch up. Who knows what's in store for us..."
Faila's run slows as the fire is brought under control, and as the group slowly reconvenes, clearing their boggled minds, she circles them for a few seconds, until it seems as if their voices are reassuring her.
The scrawny urchin trots up to Meresaa, staring at her with concern. Faila begins producing a few pieces of fruit out of her bag and pockets that she took from the Skurra tent, handing them to her blue friend. "You're hurt!" she exclaims.
"Ah, perfect! This should help the wooziness. Thank you, child."
Meresaa takes the fruit and starts eating. After swallowing the first bite she looks back to Faila and explains, "Vedalken, being generally tall and slender, have a predisposition toward hypoglycemia, you see." She takes another bite, confident that her simple explanation was sufficient.
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Ermasnietsz attentively listens to the opinion of her rogue comrade, eyes glued to his face when she repeatedly moves her head in approval or disapproval. She's less reluctant to take a short rest after the latest confrontation. Perhaps, she's willing to take a long rest too. Who knows?
"I wish that you are right, Boyd. It makes sense. Yes, they're unable to create an effective diversion. But, we're both pre-supposing the fact that they're sent by someone."
After that, she will summon Toska and Claude-Maud to appreciate their contributions.
"I thought I'd offer you both a better life, at least an independent life. But, you disappoint me. What should I do to you?"
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
“Are we early? Or are we late? Or just ontime?
…Wonder what the timing of our date with prospect was…” he skids up to the group. The last trails of expeditious retreat still lingering in his arcane veins… it seems he speaks to the group and the sky simultaneously…
”a rest all of us will do! A rest makes Nick Nack feel safer too!” he nods at each of them; in thanks toward their contributions…
”only ahead if you ask me… these disasters of saltmarsh can’t be solved by retests of conviction…. Though I don’t mind a slower approach than just rushing ahead as well…” he smiles at the group, happy all are safe.
Boyd nods to Ermasnietsz, "Mmmm. Things like these don't just pop up out of the blue.... ... .. . Except, most of you lot, I suppose. Suppose they're related? Say Prospect is pulling magic things like you folk out of thin air?"
Ermasnietsz - Toska bares her teeth at you, "stop talkin' if yer knows what's best fer ya. We're 'ere fer the Carnival, nothin' else."
Claude/Maud looks confused at Nikita. Talking to Nikita, Maud asks in infernal, "What did the angry one say? She seems to have upset the orc." Claude/Maud chuckles, "looks like this trip may be more entertaining than I initially thought."
Claude then speaks to Ermasnietsz in common, "M-Maud says I should follow wh-what y'say. Bu' tha' I'll ne'er 'ave an in-de-pe-dent life." He gulps nervously after delivering the message.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Mid-Morning - Day #2 - The Road to Prospect
The party gathers up and continues on. There is a somewhat tense air as they leave the farmstead behind, contemplating whether the boggles fought had been an advanced scout. As they traverse the road towards Prospect the snow begins to stop and give way to the sun. Snow that was covering most of the land begins to melt and reveals an increasingly unusual landscape the closer they get to their destination; the flora seems strange, unusual, a plethora of colours poke through the remaining snow and ice.
After around half an hour the group comes to a stop and takes a short rest. Birds can be heard chirping overhead. A sweet, sickly smell of pollen is in the air.
Claude & Maud have been fairly quiet since leaving the farmstead. It seems like Maud is more than content for Claude to take the lead. He keeps himself to himself, sitting away from the rest of the group. "Wha'? Whassat?!" he yelps, pointing into the undergrowth. "I-if yer'll done restin', I think we should ge' movin'."
((ALL - You have all had the benefit of a short rest))
DM roll:
25
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Ermasnietsz silently gauges the reaction of the orc woman and replies, "To lead a better life, it's not necessary to leave the carnival."
She lets Toska to ponder over the true meaning of her words. Then with a broad smile she bends forward to meet the eyes of Maud, and whispers something. Why not, Maud? Don't you want to have a body of your own? Perhaps, you want a stronger host, don't you?
To Boyd, she replies, "That's not impossible. It's probably messing with our memory too, 'cause I don't remember a thing about the previous night... ghosts.. guard house and the black carriage.. then nothing..
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
Nikita feels weary but determined. She wants as little as possible to do with whatever communication is occurring between Claude/Maud, Toska and Ermasnietsz.
Still, she obliges and duly translates Ermasnietsz and Toska's words to Infernal for the Imp, rusty though she is in the language and never truly having used it outside her instruction. Only to the extent necessary - Nikita is actually a bit surprised of the need, since she had been taught that Imps and some other fiends know Common. To Maud, Nikita's Infernal would sound like a schoolgirl's speech, studious, but still stumbling a bit as she gets through a difficult recital. Translating only the part that Nikita heard of course (assuming she did not hear any personal whispers).
Brooding a bit, she checks her equipment meticulously, counting 16 arrows left in one quiver and 20 in her backup. She mentally reviews her spells, of which she has only cast cantrips thus far. She uses Prestidigitation to clean off any muck from the battle and the fire-fight. Once done she sits back. As opportunity permits, she briefly attempts to make eye contact with the other party members, attempting to be reassuring to Faila, Nick Nack and Boyd, and politely respectful to Meresaa, Ermasnietsz, Toska and Claude/Maud. She doesn't trust herself to speak at the moment in any way that would improve the strained dynamic between the group.
Nikita keeps Thumbtack close, mostly, not wanting the owl to fall prey to some strange, fey flying creature. She risks a brief flight of a few seconds, 30 feet up and back down, to get a quick scouting of the area, midway through the rest.
Thumbtack's Perception, at advantage due to owls' Keen Hearing and Sight: 11
The act of scouting also makes Nikita think of something. Again in Infernal, she asks Maud: "I have heard that Imps can become invisible. Does being attached to Claude prevent you from doing that? Otherwise, you could be an effective scout potentially."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Nikita - Once more Claude's eyes roll back into his head. Maud's voice comes from his lips, ((Infernal)) "my grip over the boy ever increases. In time I may be able to become invisible... I had wondered whether I had retained any of my prior ability and, well, you saw how I was able to cast through him. Let it be known that the boy has little to no magical ability. I however," her voice drips with self-importance, "am more than adept."
Claude's body starts to fade and become translucent, you start to see light penetrating through his body, revealing the landscape behind him. At this point, Claude is not completely invisible, only partially. He sticks out his hand in front of his face and smiles wickedly.
"I must admit," Maud stops short, contemplating whether to continue. "I have felt my connection to my home plane increasing the closer we get to this Prospect."
Thumbtack's Perception:
The owl moves overhead, flying scouting patterns over the area.
Next, a series of rather fantastical images flood your mind. It seems like it is not only the local floral that has been affected by its proximity to Prospect but also much of the local fauna. An array of bees of all sizes and colours fly around large, bird-like, fly-traps ((see below)). Wolves with plant-like limbs stalk through the undergrowth. Grazing cows and sheep in a multitude of colours have sprouted all manner of wings and extra limbs.
Thumbtack sees it then. A large farmstead, partially ruined, covered in all manner of fantastical plants and wildlife sits at the epicentre of the twisted landscape. A wrought iron fence surrounds the perimeter. Above the front gate, in metal wording, reads 'Prospect'.
The closer the owl gets the more her senses are assailed. Strong smells of spice, lavender, and perfumes fill the air. There is a sweet taste like honey. Thumbtack is almost overwhelmed by the enchanting experience and chooses to give the property a wide berth.
In the immediate vicinity there seem to be no pressing threats. However, the owl does notice a black carriage located within the grounds of Prospect.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Nikita nods and attempts to keep a blank face as Maud shows what she is capable of so close to planar rift. But her thoughts are troubled.
The man Claude may have been a charlatan, but he does not deserve to have his identity breached and co-opted in such a way. Nor does Maud for that matter, fiend though she is. Truly, I must never forget that this is just another kind of fiend, even though she seems more harmless than the demons and cambions that decimated my coterie. Still, I hope we can set all this to right and eventually bring everyone back where they belong. Not just Esther and Asha, but all of us. Though it seems... next to impossible at the moment. It may be all we can do to survive, if that.
After Thumbtack returns from his scouting report, Nikita has the owl stay firmly perched on her shoulder, not wanting to take further scouting risks in such an alien environment. She attempts to describe what Thumbtack saw on her scouting sortie to the group.
"As you all have guessed, we are near Prospect. From all appearances from Thumbtack's scouting, it remains the epicenter of the planar incursion from the Feywild and other planes that we are seeing here. All kinds of strange, twisted plants and animals, or even hybrids thereof, in evidence throughout, in greater and greater abundance as we draw closer. No obvious threats. But even the boggles did not seem dangerous until they began attacking us physically and affecting us mentally."
"Prospect appears to be a large, ruined farmstead (not the one we just passed). It has a wrought iron fence around the grounds and Casper Brink's Black Carriage," she pauses for a moment, "located within. The only entrance Thumbtack saw to the grounds is a front gate. As some of us have said, I don't doubt that the Sanguine Cabal know we are coming, regardless of whether or not the boggles were an intentional diversion set by them, or just a chance wild encounter with extraplanar beings from the rift. But with Esther and possibly Asha captive inside or beyond, I am not sure we have any other choice but to enter as stealthily as possible, taking the risk of springing the trap on ourselves. If any of you have a better idea, now's the time to speak."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Faila sits down and rests silently as the party does, but her eyes widen in horror watching the antics of Claud, who is really Maud, spewing the ugly sounds of Infernal and turning halfway invisible. Too many strange things, we are close, there is no going back now. Her shoulders are slumped as she listens to Nikita's description of their goal. "Let's sneak in to Prospect," she says. Her adrenaline is rushing now. Everything so far has pointed to this place, and homeless, careless, transported far from anything familiar, it has become her goal now.
Boyd looks like he's becoming increasingly concerned with Maud. Mama taught him not to stare, but you can often catch the man looking at Maud with a disgusted look on his face. His hands sometimes wander up to his neck, perhaps checking for signs of extradimensional creatures growing out of his flesh.
As they approach Prospect with an idea of what's coming, Boyd weighs in with his expertise. "Ahem... now I don't know nothing about no magic, so I can't speak to that, but I do know... ummm... buildings and such. Asha's family were fat cats, from what I understand. Sometimes these richlings've got a secret tunnel that leads outside the walls of the manor, incase of attack. Problem is, it could be anywhere, if they even have one at all. It'd probably be within a few hundred feet of the walls, though; probably under a big bush, if they're smart."
He ponders the situation and adds, "If they don't got one or we can't find it, then I can sneak in. But I don't know nothing about magic! So I need you all to keep me from getting blown to bits and such."