Val decides now is the time to say a few words: "And why would we hunt this demi-gorgon for its blood when we can more directly spill that of the thessalhydra? Why not go to the cave, fight the hydra, collect its blood and escape through the ritual?"
After a moment: "Also, am I the only one surprised the hydra can understand and perform rituals? Smarter than me, that one."
“That’s all very interesting,” Evy says. “And you are?”
"Very busy," she responds. "If you don't want my help, I'm happy to leave you trapped here in the Upside Down."
"Why would we hunt this demi-gorgon for its blood when we can more directly spill that of the thessalhydra?" Val asks. "Why not go to the cave, fight the hydra, collect its blood and escape through the ritual?"
"The thessalhydra isn't here," she says, sounding even more impatient. "It uses the Upside Down to travel. It enters from over that direction," she says, motioning the way from whence the cousins came, "and leaves using the ritual I described. I suppose if you wanted to wait around, it will travel through again in a few days."
"Am I the only one surprised the hydra can understand and perform rituals? Smarter than me, that one."
"Yes, yes. It's very smart," she comments, looking like she's ready to leave.
“Yes, we would like your help. Thank you. But if you won’t tell us your name, I’m just going to have to think of a nickname for you.” Evy smiles charmingly.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"Not here," Val repeats. "Then that enchanted riddle-loving armor set lied to us." He then looks at his new blade and says to Evy: "I wouldn't mind waiting for and fighting the beast here in this Upside Down realm. My blade is reverberating with power. It was made for this place."
Val laughs as his cousin's wit. Evy had already accepted the mysterious lady's help so there was no point in him repeating the sentiment. That said, there was a part of the potential accord the male tiefling wanted to clarify: "So, we help you with the demi-gorgon and then you help us bring down the hydra, right? A monster for another. It is only fair."
"Help me?" she asks, sounding amused. "I have my own quest. And it doesn't involve the demogorgon or the thessalhydra. But the sooner I can send you on your way, the sooner I can get back to my task." She points again in the direction she indicated earlier. "The cave with the flowers is that way. You'll need some of the demogorgon's blood. It is attracted to spilled blood. Spill some blood, and it won't be long before the annoying creature will show itself. Then pour the monster's blood on a flower, and you'll find your exit. I think you'll find what you're looking for on the other side." She brushes by Evy and begins marching down the rise toward the derelict version of the halfling's hut.
"What?" Val is thoroughly confused, though, to be honest, it doesn't take much for that to happen. He knows he is not likely to get an answer at this point but he tries anyway "Why even tell us then? Why tell us to seek a way out if you are clearly not interested in our quest or us for that matter? How is our mission related to yours? What is your mission? If you are so busy, why were you just standing here lollygagging with your blade until we arrived? Who are you and what do you want? Are you that old man's wife?"
As the woman walks away, Val turns to Evy: "Like I said, if this hydra is bound to come this way sooner or later, why don't we wait for it to come to us instead of chasing it? Who knows if this lady is being truthful? Why find a way out of here before fighting the monster we actually came here to fight? Why do we need to fight another monster before then? It's like this lady has been sitting here waiting for the first pair of suckers to come by so she can deliver partial information on what she wants us to do. She said it would be wise to seek an exit as soon as possible but did not explain why. Why isn't she seeking an exit as soon as possible? I am not convinced."
Val is sounding childish and stubborn by the end of his rant.
As the woman brushes by her, Evy trails a hand along her hair, but gently, and lets her go. She breathes a word that rhymes with witch, but doesn’t sound like an epithet the way she says it.
Still, she nods along with Val’s complaints. She’s going to see if any of Val’s words make anything happen before she acts, however.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
The haughty woman stops and turns around to half glare/half scoff at the pair. "First of all, I wasn't just standing there. I was walking this way, and when I saw you, I stopped to see if you would approach peacefully or if I would need to cut you down before continuing on my way. Secondly, I don't know who you're talking about, but I am no wife. Thirdly, I know not why you are here, but as there is no possible way your quest is the same as mine — which is none of your business — I care not about yours. And finally, I'm not a complete ... " She turns her dark eyes on Evy and repeats the insult. "You needed help, and I decided to give it. I'm beginning to think that was a mistake. Attack the demogorgon to collect some of its blood now and perhaps surprise the thessalhydra in your own world, or wait until the beast re-enters the Upside Down. That's up to you. But know that if you battle with the thessalhydra, blood will most likely be spilt, and you'll soon have two monsters to deal with at the same time."
Evy smiles devastatingly, charm on full bore. "I don't need you to be anybody's wife." She glances at Val, and a small frown appears between her eyes as she sighs. "But, of course we'll take your advice," she turns back to the woman. "You clearly don't care if we live or die, so there's nothing for you to gain. It's just a shame we didn't meet in different circumstances. Maybe if you make it to the Material Plane, you can look me up... Pensevelyn Rilanoth. I'd love to, um... see you again." She winks, then turns to walk past Val back... well, she doesn't know where, she's just walking away.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Despite the woman's tone, Val considers this a victory. His many questions finally got her to share at least a small part of her reasoning behind the advice previously given. There is indeed no reason why the cousins should entice two monsters into a fight if they can avoid it.
As for a response, Val judged what Evy had said to be enough. As such, he has nothing else to say to this warrior as she walks away. When Evy walks past him, he whispers: "There is nothing wrong with being married to someone... Why was it taken as an offense?"
Assuming the other sword wielder is indeed gone, Val leads the duo in the direction she had suggested. "Let us hunt this demi-gorgon, then."
Trees and more trees. Wind and more wind. This place really is desolate. After a while, they realize there is something ahead. If they weren't constantly surrounded by trees, they would have seen it earlier. It's some kind of rock face. A little further, and they're standing within view of a cave opening.
"If I understood it right, we need demi-gorgon blood to activate the flower, and any old blood to lure the demi-gorgon to us." Val places the tip of his ring finger at the point of his new blade and asks his cousin: "Let's hope a drop will do the trick. Ready?"
“That’s all very interesting,” Evy says. “And you are?”
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Val decides now is the time to say a few words: "And why would we hunt this demi-gorgon for its blood when we can more directly spill that of the thessalhydra? Why not go to the cave, fight the hydra, collect its blood and escape through the ritual?"
After a moment: "Also, am I the only one surprised the hydra can understand and perform rituals? Smarter than me, that one."
“That’s all very interesting,” Evy says. “And you are?”
"Very busy," she responds. "If you don't want my help, I'm happy to leave you trapped here in the Upside Down."
"Why would we hunt this demi-gorgon for its blood when we can more directly spill that of the thessalhydra?" Val asks. "Why not go to the cave, fight the hydra, collect its blood and escape through the ritual?"
"The thessalhydra isn't here," she says, sounding even more impatient. "It uses the Upside Down to travel. It enters from over that direction," she says, motioning the way from whence the cousins came, "and leaves using the ritual I described. I suppose if you wanted to wait around, it will travel through again in a few days."
"Am I the only one surprised the hydra can understand and perform rituals? Smarter than me, that one."
"Yes, yes. It's very smart," she comments, looking like she's ready to leave.
“Yes, we would like your help. Thank you. But if you won’t tell us your name, I’m just going to have to think of a nickname for you.” Evy smiles charmingly.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"Not here," Val repeats. "Then that enchanted riddle-loving armor set lied to us." He then looks at his new blade and says to Evy: "I wouldn't mind waiting for and fighting the beast here in this Upside Down realm. My blade is reverberating with power. It was made for this place."
Val laughs as his cousin's wit. Evy had already accepted the mysterious lady's help so there was no point in him repeating the sentiment. That said, there was a part of the potential accord the male tiefling wanted to clarify: "So, we help you with the demi-gorgon and then you help us bring down the hydra, right? A monster for another. It is only fair."
"Help me?" she asks, sounding amused. "I have my own quest. And it doesn't involve the demogorgon or the thessalhydra. But the sooner I can send you on your way, the sooner I can get back to my task." She points again in the direction she indicated earlier. "The cave with the flowers is that way. You'll need some of the demogorgon's blood. It is attracted to spilled blood. Spill some blood, and it won't be long before the annoying creature will show itself. Then pour the monster's blood on a flower, and you'll find your exit. I think you'll find what you're looking for on the other side." She brushes by Evy and begins marching down the rise toward the derelict version of the halfling's hut.
"What?" Val is thoroughly confused, though, to be honest, it doesn't take much for that to happen. He knows he is not likely to get an answer at this point but he tries anyway "Why even tell us then? Why tell us to seek a way out if you are clearly not interested in our quest or us for that matter? How is our mission related to yours? What is your mission? If you are so busy, why were you just standing here lollygagging with your blade until we arrived? Who are you and what do you want? Are you that old man's wife?"
As the woman walks away, Val turns to Evy: "Like I said, if this hydra is bound to come this way sooner or later, why don't we wait for it to come to us instead of chasing it? Who knows if this lady is being truthful? Why find a way out of here before fighting the monster we actually came here to fight? Why do we need to fight another monster before then? It's like this lady has been sitting here waiting for the first pair of suckers to come by so she can deliver partial information on what she wants us to do. She said it would be wise to seek an exit as soon as possible but did not explain why. Why isn't she seeking an exit as soon as possible? I am not convinced."
Val is sounding childish and stubborn by the end of his rant.
As the woman brushes by her, Evy trails a hand along her hair, but gently, and lets her go. She breathes a word that rhymes with witch, but doesn’t sound like an epithet the way she says it.
Still, she nods along with Val’s complaints. She’s going to see if any of Val’s words make anything happen before she acts, however.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
The haughty woman stops and turns around to half glare/half scoff at the pair. "First of all, I wasn't just standing there. I was walking this way, and when I saw you, I stopped to see if you would approach peacefully or if I would need to cut you down before continuing on my way. Secondly, I don't know who you're talking about, but I am no wife. Thirdly, I know not why you are here, but as there is no possible way your quest is the same as mine — which is none of your business — I care not about yours. And finally, I'm not a complete ... " She turns her dark eyes on Evy and repeats the insult. "You needed help, and I decided to give it. I'm beginning to think that was a mistake. Attack the demogorgon to collect some of its blood now and perhaps surprise the thessalhydra in your own world, or wait until the beast re-enters the Upside Down. That's up to you. But know that if you battle with the thessalhydra, blood will most likely be spilt, and you'll soon have two monsters to deal with at the same time."
Evy smiles devastatingly, charm on full bore. "I don't need you to be anybody's wife." She glances at Val, and a small frown appears between her eyes as she sighs. "But, of course we'll take your advice," she turns back to the woman. "You clearly don't care if we live or die, so there's nothing for you to gain. It's just a shame we didn't meet in different circumstances. Maybe if you make it to the Material Plane, you can look me up... Pensevelyn Rilanoth. I'd love to, um... see you again." She winks, then turns to walk past Val back... well, she doesn't know where, she's just walking away.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Despite the woman's tone, Val considers this a victory. His many questions finally got her to share at least a small part of her reasoning behind the advice previously given. There is indeed no reason why the cousins should entice two monsters into a fight if they can avoid it.
As for a response, Val judged what Evy had said to be enough. As such, he has nothing else to say to this warrior as she walks away. When Evy walks past him, he whispers: "There is nothing wrong with being married to someone... Why was it taken as an offense?"
Assuming the other sword wielder is indeed gone, Val leads the duo in the direction she had suggested. "Let us hunt this demi-gorgon, then."
Trees and more trees. Wind and more wind. This place really is desolate. After a while, they realize there is something ahead. If they weren't constantly surrounded by trees, they would have seen it earlier. It's some kind of rock face. A little further, and they're standing within view of a cave opening.
"Well, this should be it. Should we confirm the cave is full of magical flowers before attracting the demi-gorgon with some blood?"
"By the way, did you see any living creatures around on your way here?"
-> Perception check: 13
“Just keep your fancy sword ready,” Evy says. She moves up to the mouth of the cave, to one side, to peer within.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
No, neither of you saw any living creatures since the prideful woman.
Evy, you peer into the darkened interior and indeed see a strange plant near the front of the cavern within with rather large flowers.
"If I understood it right, we need demi-gorgon blood to activate the flower, and any old blood to lure the demi-gorgon to us." Val places the tip of his ring finger at the point of his new blade and asks his cousin: "Let's hope a drop will do the trick. Ready?"
“The world isn’t ready for us,” Evy says, and nods at Val.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Val pricks his finger and lets a drop or two of blood hit the floor. He looks around for any indication of an approaching creature, visual or audible.
Let's talk in measures of hp. How many hp of blood are you spilling?
I was hoping a prick of the finger was going to be zero HP, but if that is not allowed I'll increase it marginally to 1 HP. Gotta ease into this.