Stormraider Keep (A M.E.T.A.L. Campaign)

(Assuming that Alaska is in fact Elyria.)

"My priority is to save my teammate and I'm not so sure Aurelius' new mistress is a mere hag, and unless we can make him break her control over him we would have to face her just the two of us, possibly fighting our friend here too. Let's see if Aurelius can overcome this charm and we'll decide together with him on how to proceed." Elyria quickly whispers back to Flynt. 

Aurelius mulls over what his friends have said to him.  "Enchanted?... Well, certainly I am bewitched by her beauty and wisdom, but I think I would know if some foul magic were affecting me... Still, I trust you my friends, and to alleviate your concerns and show you that I am sincere in my devotion, I will say the prayer."

He then casts protection from evil and good.

WIS Save at advantage 13

(ugh)

The paladin contemplates a few moments after completing the protection chant, and then shrugs.  "I feel no different, I am still determined to travel to the fortress.  Come now, I can delay no further, do you follow me, or shall I go alone?"

For Aurelius: 

Nobody else notices anything different with Aurelius either.  He seems completely convinced.  Given his conviction, you think maybe he might be on to something...  Well, on second thought no, it seems crazy.  But he really does appear to be swayed by whatever he saw.  Which he still hasn't fully explained to you.  About the most you got was 'Leilatha's sister' and 'vision of beauty'.  

Elyria gives Aurelius an incredulous look, shaking her head, growing desperate now. He could not be allowed to leave. There was only one thing now that the elf could see that would move the paladin so profoundly that he would be able to cast off the powerful charm that he had been afflicted with. Elyria seeks eye contact with the paladin, starting to float up and land to sit in front of him, carried gently by her winged boots, her eyes still locked with his, then closing them to lean in to give him a soft kiss, hoping by the mercy of the gods of the forest that it would shock him enough to break the hold of the charm.

(OOC: Yes, that is how desperate Elyria is to get you all to save Rahkeshi ;-)

(well that was unexpected!)

"El...mmmph....Elyria...What are you doing??... what about Rahkeshi??"

(The paladin is definitely shocked.  I'm not sure if this qualifies as meriting another save, but I'll make it and let the DM decide.  WIS save at advantage: 20 )

(I'll allow for a new save with that!)

For Aurelius:

"I'm sorry Aurelius, I just needed to get your attention away from whoever you is calling you away from us in our time of need." Elyria says a bit apologetic as she hovers away again, landing by Flynt and Yoê. "So, did it work, do you still insist on abandoning your mission my friend?"

His head whirling with conflicting thoughts and emotions, Aurelius steadies himself against Lady's side.  After a moment he says, "I apologize for my selfishness, of course, we must rescue Rahkeshi first, and complete the mission. There will be time afterwards for... for my new mistress."

With a sigh of relief that her sacrifice was not for naught, Elyria blushes a bit as she looks between the others. "Erm, yes, so, find somwhere to rest nearby and then leave for Leilatha's fortress?" She suggests quickly to shifta attention from what just transpired. 

Aurelius' fingers stray unconsciously towards his lips as he stares after Elyria.  ".... What?... oh, er, yes of course, we should leave as soon as everyone has fully recovered."

Flynt is taken aback a bit by the brash move but watches as the effort to snap Aurelious out of his condition seems to work. With a sigh of relief he releases the reins. "I agree. Rest then onward. "

"Good, then let's move out." Elyria says, back to her grim self again, starting to move towards the fortress but looking for a suitable resting spot, Aelric scouting ahead.

Perception: 21 Survival: 22 Aelric perception: 19

(Long rest, or should we push on after a shortie? Elyria would prefer a shortie I think.)

Yoë is stunned by Elyria's kiss.  She stays silent for many seconds while everyone is in a state of surprised shock. "Yea, what about Rahkeshi?" she says in a quiet voice, echoing Aurelius' question.  "I had no idea Elyria and Aurelius! Did you know about this!" she asks urgently of Flynt.  "I had no idea..."  The satyr remains confused for a while, slowly seeming to get the idea that Elyria was just acting to shock Aurelius.  She doesn't really speak to the elf though, and keeps giving her odd looks now and then when she thinks the woman isn't watching. 

Once you all head out, Elyria is quickly able to find a place up a bit of distance along the canyon away from where your fighting occurred.  The spot follows a curve off the main path where you could rest and should be out of sight of anything else traversing the area.  

Yoë says, "Another 3 hours or so and we should be near Lady Leilatha's fortress.  It's another hour to work around to the entrance below where we usually travel from town to get inside. Or we could just try the gates.  And of course, it will be about the end of the day when we get there." 

(OOC - for the 8 hour 'day' you are about halfway through.  I would say after a short rest here, if you kept heading inside after the extra hour to the other entrance, you'd still be ok.  But soon after you'd be running into needing a rest to avoid potential exhaustion.) 

Elyria keeps to herself as she tries to find a place to rest. As you settle down she would collect herself and walk over to Aurelius, speaking in a lowered voice. "I'm...I'm sorry about before, that was perhaps not so thought-through, but I really needed you to help us free Rahkeshi." She says, looking over at the paladin, with a shy smile. "Now perhaps you could tell me about this new mistress of yours. I presume she somehow appeared to you as you donned Lady Leilatha's silver circlet? A bit foolhardy, even for you my friend." She says in a slightly accusing tone.

Aurelius laughs, although his eyes still appear a little shaken, and says "Of course, no harm done.  It's not your fault, my charms are very hard to resist." He winks at her.

"As I donned the circlet, boldly is how I would describe it, I was aware of the presence of quite a few others, females, who seemed to have some connection to Leilatha.  Sylmare was among them, although it was not she that spoke to me.  The clearest picture I had was of a woman with white hair, and so I addressed myself to her, asking her name.  She did not give it to me, but suddenly it became clear to me that she is the leader I've been waiting for my whole life.  Now, that feeling is more in the background.  I can't describe it, but I must eventually go to her fortress and meet her face to face."

"It would seem you're the one getting charmed Aurelius." Elyria says a bit dryly, then listening attentively to him. "Yes I guess I can't stop you from that then, but first we get Rahkeshi, and then I think it would be appropriate if you visited the Summer Queen and declared that you now have a new mistrss." She says in a serious tone.

(OOC: Long or short rest?)

(OOC - You are 4-5 hours into the 'day', making a long rest now really early.  You could choose for a long rest now,  but it would need to be about 12+ hours to only be one long rest per 'day'. More like waiting a good part of the day to get to the long rest. But up to the players.)

The paladin says, "I took no damage in the battle, but I can stand watch if you need to recover some.  Otherwise, let us travel to Leilatha's realm before it is claimed by Sylmare and the Betrayer, and rest there."

Elyria nods and unless Flynt has any objections she rests for about an hour, letting Aelric and Aurelius keep watch, before getting up and continuing to the late Lady Lailatha's fortress.

(Recover 17 hp)

Perception: 8 Aelric perception: 15

(Who took the feather? Elyria has the silver circlet for now.)