The force of the shield-maiden’s riposte spins Sorakayoshi around, but his boots clamp down on the stone floor, and he whispers an arcane phrase as he slowly turns back to face his opponent, his eyes wreathed in icy blue flame which radiates across his entire body, throwing a chill throughout the room. The broken broadsword clatters down, and he says, “Congratulations. You’ve earned my respect hero. And you’ve earned PAIN.” He holds out his right hand behind him, and dark smoke seeps like a blur from his scabbard to fill it, and a weapon materializes there so wicked, so cruel, that even brave Varielky feels a deep and immediate fear in her heart.
(OOC: Varielky, having won initiative in round 1, may move the melee up to 30’ in any direction, now, before for round 2. For round 2, Sorakayoshi rolls 17 for initiative. I rolled for Varielky, a 2, so he will go first. The fear, btw, is not a condition, but is merely RP.)
Several hours pass as the beast’s huge wings rhythmically stroke the cool night air, until eventually, mists give way as you pass through a wide valley into foothills, and then you are over the mountains, where you see a small village here, a lone mill there, a swirling maelstrom of bats teasing the edge of a wide forest, and on the slopes, other beasts whose names you do not know. Over a high pass where no road leads, into the Bantu Mountains, climbing upwards and upwards until the huge wings finally slow their muscular beating as the bird circles a small rocky clearing just below a tall peak.
The clouds have given way as the miles passed, and now, with grey-blue smudging the tips of the peaks behind you in the east, it seems, the roc has decided its journey is at an end. Flapping briskly, it gently drops Auger four or five feet to drift gently down to land, standing upon the ledge, over an escarpment, no telling how far it drops off into the dark cleft below, while the handler, whose snoring ends abruptly as he feels himself falling, flips down on top of the large saddle beside Auger.
There is a mountain spring on the ledge, a small pool, and the beast dips in its beak then tips back its head to guzzle the fresh draught. It then tucks its head under its wing and seems ready to sleep.
Auger settles himself by the pool, whispers a brief and simple prayer to Piya, and draws some water himself as he sits, quietly contemplating Baylen and allowing it to go to sleep before he takes any other action. As he waits he works through his regret at leaving his friends behind, while in danger no less. He had had to follow his path and -- and what had it led him to? He dearly hopes they were all safe. It did look like Snow had gotten the one airship, well active, if not yet moving. He could not recall seeing Varielky or Benita. Hopefully they were alright. Maybe they all left shortly after Auger did. He could only hope now.
Once the great Roc is clearly asleep, and careful to shade it from the closed eyes of the Roc, Auger looks around at their little site, finds a smallish rock and touches it, drawing from the Yemma's Starfell Diadem to cause it to light up their area. Auger quietly says to the handler, "I am Dannel Fetherlac, but am called Auger, for a tool I use in my carpentry." As Auger speaks he finally removes his pack and checks the materials before him. Bedroll. Rope. His tools. An axe. His waterskin (he carefully refills that). A lantern. Some oil. His other dagger. The brazier and the wood (Py! You will be back soon!). Some writing implements. Enough rations for... 3 days he estimates. "I intend to go back if I can. If our great friend here will let me. Though given where we are," Auger gestures over towards the cliff edge, "that may take some doing. Tell me sir, what is your name? Join me for a meal if you like. And please tell me you know something of training a Roc." Auger pauses reflectively for a moment. "And a rider."
While waiting for the handler to respond, Auger plans out his evening. A discussion over a restful meal. Then resummon Py. Then commune with the dowager, if this handler is to be trusted, Py watching and warning, if needed. And then... then who knows. He had a longish trek back. Could he learn to ride? I wonder, Auger thinks, again visualizing himself in the sky. But able to guide Baylen himself. That would be better. Pulling it off would be amazing. Learning to do something like that well. That might take some serious time.
--
OOC: Auger hopes to take a short rest before doing anything else. If able to advance to the Dowager communion Auger lets her know of everything that has happened, including that Granophyre appears to know where to head next and why. The question Auger asks are as follows:
Any commentary she can share on the night's events in general.
The connection to the Roc. Auger describes it as carefully as he can. Why does it create a feeling of contentment within him? How is it somehow... family?
The Roc-riders and their Warlock-like connection to the Sea of Stars: Can Auger use his own powers to strengthen his connection to the Roc? To Baylen? And for the riders specifically, would they be empowered as he is, through a connection to... another Pixie? Some other power?
Does she know anything of this part of the world (the Bantus)? Auger is probably lost and seeks a path back, but wonders if the Roc might have come here for any reason beyond its instincts.
Finally Auger apologizes for following his own needs and curiosity when it clearly had carried him far, far away from Strewn and his quest.
No heart is immune to fear. It is a primitive response, stronger than our very minds. The fool feels fear and dismisses it thinking they can overcome it. The brave feels fear and dismisses it thinking they can overcome it. Some claim there's a difference, and then proceed to argue what that difference is. Some say there isn't. For Varielky, that mattered little. Be she a fool or brave, she tried to overcome her fears.
Varielky instinctively takes a few steps back when the vicious weapon materializes, but quickly resolves her heart to stand firm. It's not that the fear is gone, it is simply that Varielky chooses to stand against it head-on. Merely a trial of courage, presented to her by the gods. The melee has been going back and forth for a while, and now, they are standing a few feet out of the guardhouse. Varielky is intent on standing her ground and not retreating too much, and simultaneously, she doesn't want to be led into the guardhouse. While she dictates the flow of this duel, she will try to keep them close or around the door.
(OOC: So far goes all for post #1261. I'm adding her turn for the next round assuming you choose to play this way as described in the OOC chat. If you end up deciding otherwise, just ignore the following.)
At first, Varielky considers disarming the warlock captain, but since the weapon just materialised in his hand, she has a feeling such action would be pointless. Perhaps this is not the time for tricks like that. And so, Varielky continues to slash the warlock captain, intent on keeping him on the defensive side. Her first strike lands true, but as she's about to slash again, for but a brief moment, fear in Varielky's heart surfaces, as it was much harder for her to control her feelings in this empowered state she's in. That brief moment of fear, which develops immediately to hesitation, gives Sorakayoshi enough time to dodge, parry, or otherwise avoid Varielky's attack, if not use it to his advantage.
Varielky quickly regains control over her emotions, for the time being, and uses the momentum gained from the missed attack, twisting her upper body to put more force into her shield, then smashes it into Sorakayoshi with great strength, toppling Sorakayoshi to fall on the floor in front of her, which Varielky quickly takes advantage of that by slashing against him twice more. She's overworking her body, and she knows it will protest later, but that's better than being dead, most likely.
Details: (You mentioned Sorakayoshi has some reactions, so I posted Varielky's turn assuming none of them does more mechanically than damage Varielky. If any of them do, it might change the rest of the turn.) Status: Still raging, round 2/10. Action: Attack twice. Attack #1: 18+10=28 to hit, 7+11=18 damage. Attack #2: 1! - critical failure (if this has any effects beyond missing, that might also change the rest of the turn, but I posted the rest assuming it doesn't to speed things up). Bonus Action: Shied Shove to knock Sorakayoshi prone. Athletics: (14, 20! - advantage)+8=28. If somehow he manages to not fall prone, Varielky doesn't continue her turn, but assuming he does... Action Surge: Attack twice more against prone Sorakayoshi. Attack #3: (17, 13 - advantage)+10=27 to hit, 3+11=14 damage. Attack #4: (7, 11 - advantage)+10=21 to hit, 4+11=15 damage.
Her first blow hits the Captain hard, slicing through his plate armor to draw blood, but an icy magical flame erupts from Sorakayoshi, causing Varielky 5HP cold damage (no resistance).
After her missed attack he ripostes, a strong blow barely repelled by her shield.
As the shield-maiden continues to rain blows upon him, Sorakayoshi falls onto one knee (RP — suffers the prone condition—and, Varielky senses that he is down to half his hit points). But each time the shield-maiden’s further attacks hit, the warlock’s icy enchantment assaults her, causing an additional 5HP each hit (x2=10more HP), though her strikes are also bruising and drawing blood from the tall imperial.
Now Sorakayoshi takes the advantage, pushes up again and slams Varielky with his ornate shield, followed by a series of feints and thrusts which back her up directly under the turret which Varielky had edged away from earlier, and through the murder hole of which a heavy crossbow bolt now cuts the air, critting Varielky for 8HP (after resistance).
“I said leave her to me!,” Sorakayoshi booms, while his face, in contrast to his words, almost gleefully smirks with contempt. His blade of wounding now whips up and over Varielky’s defenses, hitting with a 26, causing only 4HP (after resistance), yet the cruel weapon seems to pierce Varielky’s very soul, causing an additional 3HP necrotic damage at the beginning of her turn. (See below)
Varielky now hears Snow’s message and can respond. Sorakayoshi rolls 22 for initiative for the following round.
(OOC: At the start of each of the wounded creature's turns, it takes 1d4 necrotic damage for each time you've wounded it, and it can then make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, ending the effect of all such wounds on itself on a success. Alternatively, the wounded creature, or a creature within 5 feet of it, can use an action to make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check, ending the effect of such wounds on it on a success.)
SNOW
Snow sees Benita crouching under the eave of the roc’s nest nearest the guardhouse, crossbow raised, covering Varielky. She glances up at Snow but her knit brow and eye-daggers demand silence from the bard. Focusing on the tram lines, the distant writhing metastasizes into dozens of snakes slithering on the lines: red-colored ones which flare and flame at one another and seeming to follow the bidding of some unseen master, rushing toward the aerie.
The airship slowly wheels around, the ladder up which Snow and the others ascended still hanging down, bumping now against the edge of a nest, rocking away then shifting back into its place hanging off the deck, and it draws within 60’ of Benita traveling 60’ per round; Benita is now 60’ from Varielky.
AUGER
The time is about 3 or 4 bells in the morning when Auger lands. The sun still hides behind the mountain ridges but the night is passing quickly. The southerner realizes, as he takes stock of his situation, that he is exhausted, and to avoid a level of fatigue he needs a long rest.
The handler, a lanky old watery-eyed chimp, drooping and plainly likewise exhausted, hears Auger’s introduction, clears the phlegm from his throat. “I am Driss…,” he replies. “You do seem a downy-feathered naïf. But he likes you no question.” But his focus wavers, he bows ever so slightly, mutters something incomprehensible, yawns, looks around, then shoves himself under one of the roc’s wings and in a few moments picks up the snoring he’d left off earlier.
Auger had high hopes for his evening, but once the handler responds, is overcome by the urge to sleep himself and curls up near his things by the small pond. He hopes again that his friends are okay, and he starts thinking about the Dowager but cannot concentrate as the need for sleep overcomes him at last.
The light from the rock shines, forgotten, for another hour, before the magic that infused it exhausts itself and the darkness of the night takes full hold.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(Varielky rolls a total of 16 for her initiative. Her max is 21, so if he rolls over that he wins automatically. Well, I have a feeling it wouldn't matter for much longer.)
Although his attacks aren't very powerful, the icy magic that protects him and the now strangely bleeding wound, as well as the crossbow's bolt, bring Varielky close to her limit. Despite the danger, Varielky is not dissuaded from attacking. If nothing else, she hopes to take him down with her, if she could.
"Your magic is potent, even I can tell," Varielky says as she makes a series of faints, but in her condition, too slow to make the true strike land. "And your weapon is cruel, but your own attacks are weak! Even your friends' bow hurt more. I suppose we each fight in our own way, though."
(At this point, Varielky missed attack #1, so if Sorakayoshi ripostes and deals enough damage (9 after resistance, if any), Varielky would be downed. Otherwise, she continues.)
It is then that Varielky hears Snow's message. "By the time you arrive, it might be too late. Don't try to help me before either I or Sorakayoshi fall, though!" She replies.
Varielky then calls in Dreyen: ["Thor! Hear my plea! Bring your thunderous wrath upon this wicked man!"] As always, her last word cannot be heard as the thunder rolls, a deafening blast that surrounds her and Sorakayoshi both. Then, knowing this might very well be her last chance to strike Sorakayoshi, Varielky attacks before she even regains her hearing. An attack that cuts deep into Sorakayoshi's arm, trying to force him to drop his weapon, so that Varielky might be able to kick it away, as futile as that may be.
Details: Action: Attack. Attack #1: 6+10=16 to hit, which misses. Bonus Action: Casting Shatter through Thunder. I'm pretty sure it's been a minute since she last used this property. Sorakayoshi must succeed on a DC18 constitution save or take 13 thunder damage. Attack #2: 13+10=23 to hit, 7+11=18, adding a superiority die for Disarming Attack manoeuvre, for 1 extra damage for a total of 19. Sorakayoshi must also make a DC16 Strength save or be forced to drop his sword to the ground. Free Action: If Sorakayoshi drops his sword, Varielky would try to kick it as far away from them as possible, hoping that he cannot summon it after all.
Edit: Forgot to add, but Varielky's Constitution save is a total of 14, so she'll take the damage again next turn.
Snow looks at Benita and just then hears Varielky's reply, not in the slightest bit surprised she didn't want his interference in her duel with Sorakayoshi. It did leave him in a quandary though, bearing in mind they would be passing her position shortly and she had to somehow get aboard. Or be revived if she is felled, in time to then get aboard.
One thing at a time he decides. He turns his attention to Benita, who they would pass first anyway.
"She doesn't want our help, not yet anyway. Grab the ladder whilst you can, I will keep an eye on her", he whispers.
He takes a quick look at the snakes on the cable, trying to judge how long it would be before they arrived, before rushing to the ladder to make sure it doesn't fall.
Sorakayoshi’s riposte hits for 5HP (after resistance, but note that Varielky will now take 2d4 necrotic damage at the start of her next turn), and he brings up his arcane shield in time to deflect the worst of Thunder’s blast (he only takes 6HP). “Hahahaha,” he laughs in response to Varielky’s verbal barb, “and your magic attacks are pathetic compared to mine.”
But his gloating is short-lived, for Varielky’s next slash strikes with full effect, although Sorakayoshi (rolling 26) easily defends against the shield-maiden’s disarm maneuver. He grins, appreciatively, as a child might grin appreciatively before smashing a bug, until a crossbow bolt seems to appear from nowhere, just touching the edge of his shield, impaled in his right shoulder, and Sorakayoshi’s grin turns to a grimace as he takes 10HP damage. Varielky and he both look for its source and see Benita la Cass running for the airship ladder.
“Hardly sporting,” he fumes, one heavy boot clomping away from Varielky, and using his blade as a focus, he shoots three twisting bolts toward the raven-haired fighter, two of which strike her, knocking her on her back, but she slowly picks herself up again a moment later. “COME ON, BRUISER!,” she yells to Varielky.
Sorakayoshi then turns his attention back to the shield maiden as he action surges, one slash hitting for 5HP damage after resistance, and he has managed by giving Varielky openings then pulling just out of reach, to shift the melee back into the guardhouse. Once inside, his eyes slide to the two guards in the room whose bodies tense in readiness, eager to assist if Sorakayoshi should fall. (His initiative roll for the next round is 10.)
SNOW
The bard sees this unfold, and can act at the beginning of the next round as the ship comes around,. Granophyre and Tamazaert have entered the ship’s cabin, while Chanakya Trivedi Das struggles with the ship’s controls to maneuver in such tight quarters. To keep the ladder low enough to board, the ship’s bottom drags against the escarpment wall for a moment, causing the ship to pitch violently to port before he corrects it, grimacing with effort. “You’ve not lost your touch at making friends!,” he shouts, rather ironically, as the deck levels out once again.
(OOC: Assuming that if you’re sleeping, the point is to avoid fatigue with a long rest, rather than a short rest).
When Auger awakens, the sun is shining brightly overhead, and it must be after 10 bells in the morning. His amber-furred companion from last night, Driss, is humming quietly to himself, holding his hands out and warming them in front of a stone he himself must have heated red-hot with some kind of spell. The ledge they occupy -- much more spacious without a giant hawk covering most of its surface, is surrounded on three sides by steep escarpments falling away a hundred feet, dizzying and severe, to snowy slopes. The west side of the ledge is a cliff face sloping somewhat upwards, not far below the peak. This is one of the lower mountains in the vicinity, Auger realizes, several others within sight stretching high pu into the white wispy clouds which soar overhead. The temperature is barely above freezing, and the roc is nowhere to be seen.
“Aha! Yer awake!," says Driss. "Wyrm took off only an hour ago, he wuz tired, yep. They can’t fly forever. Hunting, now, I wager. Aye, yes. Errrr… Last night, did ya say somethin about food, sonny?”
Although Varielky can hear Benita, disappointing her is inevitable. This time as Sorakayoshi pulls out of reach, Varielky feels her body finally giving in. Her consciousness fading away. As her body falls forward, pulled by the weight of the sword Sorakayoshi pulled away from, Varielky speaks a few final words before the comfortable darkness envelopes her. "You won. This time." Her speech is slow and weak. "You are. A fine warrior. In your own way."
Now, her still-bleeding body lies in front of Sorakayoshi. Though, in those last moments, Varielky is not unhappy about fighting Sorakayoshi. She might have lost the duel, but the fight itself is what counts.
(OOC: I don't know how you wish to handle this onwards. Do Sorakayoshi's weapon's ongoing damage remain after she falls unconscious? I rolled a Constitution save just in case, which failed with a total of 12. I also rolled a death save, but then remembered you usually didn't want us to. It's an 18, so a success, for the record.)
“Making friends and getting into trouble is what I excel at. I’ve had enough practise after all”, Snow shouts back to his father as he sees Varielky fall.
“Ok, I did what you asked and waited for one of you to fall”, he mutters under his breath, and then speaks a word of Elvish and sends healing energy to Varielky.
(OOC: Yes, a long rest. Yemma's Diadem recharge (1d6): 3. It is back to full power.)
Sleepily, Auger waves Driss over and offers him some food. "There is not much but we can share at least this."
Auger pauses his speech while he sets out some food to share with the old man, Driss. (OOC: A ration is supposed to be a day's meal so can I mark off one ration and treat Driss and Auger as full?)
Looking out at the sky, Auger continues speaking, "I heard you call him Wyrm. I do not much like that name. It seems to be a reference to some lower creature. The name sounds demeaning to my ear. It is a name given to a creature by those who would beat him and keep him low. I would prefer we call him Baylen, meaning 'one who soars'."
Auger turns to look at the older man unblinking, as he defines the name, intending to convey the importance of his thoughts in this matter. "What do you think of that, Driss?"
Sorakayoshi, who is panting with exertion, his movements in his heavy armor now deliberate and forced, winces at Snow’s mockery, groaning. “How I despise bards! As likely to kill with a song as buoy the spirits, hmmmmm??! You should kept your mouth SHUT!,” he roars, stepping over Varielky’s body, and releases a series of six twisting blasts at his white-haired assailant. (Snow has partial cover from the ship’s gunwale). The first blast goes awry, the tall imperial’s concentration blown by Snow’s cutting words, followed by two more blasts which deflect off of the gunwale, but, three hit, one critically, for 7, 11, and 17HP force damage.
Benita rushes up the ladder, and across the deck, and throws a dagger at Sorakayoshi, which, even sorely wounded, he smashes away with his shield. She then flips over the guard rail, and hanging upside down from it, her legs holding her in place as she extends an arm down toward Varielky, calls down to her. “JUMP!”
As the ship passes the guard tower, a crossbowman releases a bolt at Snow, hitting with a 20, for 6HP damage. Chanakya Trivedi Das, seeing Snow struck right and left, sets his jaw, throws the throttle forward, and pulls up on the altitude lever, while Snow spies from his vantage point that at least two dozen of the red flaming snakes are approaching the aerie landing. The airship which Snow’s father called the Reaver’s Word points upwards at an angle and will move at a dash next round.
(OOC: Varielky will continue to suffer necrotic damage, 2d4/round, until she either makes a CON14 save, or someone uses medical attention to relieve her.)
Driss gratefully accepts the meal, and to Auger’s demand, seems about to say something, thinks better of it, and replies, “Sure, sonny. You call him whatever you want. What he answers to…that’s what will make the decision, yeah?” He makes conversation, trying to get a take on the foreigner with whom he is stuck on this mountaintop, and, in answer to Auger’s question from the prior night, tells the southerner, “Yeh, I have lived around rocs the greater part of my life. Odd career choice for a chimp, I realize, but ye know, they choose us, not the other way around. I’ve trained more than ten champions in riding. It depends on the connection. Yeh, without that, there is nothing I can do. Take Dairiku Sorakayoshi fer example. He lied, t'be sure, he never linked with this one,” he says gesturing to the horizon. “He want to ride, it is his privilege, but no beast would have him. So he cheat, figure he can beat this one into submission. Neh, neh, neh.”
Auger has several hours to converse with Driss and, if he wishes, commune with the Dowager or do other things before the roc returns around 1 bell in the afternoon.
Varielky is not surprised to wake up again but instead surprised that Sorakayoshi stands on top of her. She rolls away, and then stands up. "I'll be stronger next time, I'm sure. Don't die a foolish death before that." And with that, Varielky jumps up to catch Benita's arms. She expected the pain such effort would induce, but it still nearly causes her to twist and let go of Benita. Indeed, her body was in very bad shape, both from injuries and exertion.
"Also," she calls as the ship pulls her away, "I have dropped my axe somewhere around here. If you would be so kind as to bring it back when we meet again, that would be very appreciated. They don't make such fine throwing axes everywhere, you know!"
Details: Action: Disengage. Movement: 15 feet to stand up, then the rest to move and jump as needed. Varielky's High Jump from a standing position is 4', and added her height plus hands (as explained in the rules, I just found out) she can reach a total height of 4'+5'2"+2'7" (if my little empirical knowledge doesn't deceive me) for a total of 11' 9". In metrical, it should be ~358 cm. I hope that's enough to catch Benita. If some roll is needed, I rolled a 16 without bonuses, not sure which would apply.
Snow smiles at Sorakayoshi, a devilish grin, knowing that he has achieved his purpose in distracting the warlock.
His feeling of triumph is short lived though as he sees the six blasts heading for him. Too many to avoid, he takes first one, then two and finally a third blast. He cries out in pain as the blasts sear his skin and send him reeling, only to further suffer as the crossbow bolt finds his flesh as well and drives him to a knee.
He stands and looks down from the ship as it angles up, his battered features full of contempt for Sorakayoshi.
Seeing Varielky stand and jump towards Benita he uses his mind to help give her some extra distance.
Fighting through the pain, he then raises his violin to his chin and begins to play a tune to humiliate his foe and inspire his companions. His bow expertly skimming across the strings.
As he plays, he channels his magical energy into the void within the violin, then releases it in a field of irridescent lights directly around Sorakayoshi and the guards.
He watches to see the effect and then kneels down behind the gunwale, shifting into a seated position with his back to it, still playing.
Bonus Action: Telekinetic Shove Varielky 5ft closer to Benita.
Action: Cast Hypnotic Pattern on Sorakayoshi and all the guards (30’ cube). DC 18 Wis Save with disadvantage (due to violin) or incapacitated with speed 0
Movement: Sits down to gain full cover from the ship
As Driss speaks Auger does not quite follow what he means by the name choice then realizes he had heard something about animals not really being flexible thinkers. Still, he knows he does not like the given name. When told of Sorakayoshi's cheating approach and hears confirmation of his terrible treatment of Baylen, Auger shakes his head in disgust.
Realizing there are other important matters to discuss Auger engages in conversation with the chimp. "Thank you Driss. Tell me. With your great experiences as a trainer there are numerous things I would like to know. This Roc and I - I felt a connection to it, though I did not know what it was for many weeks prior to seeing Bay-- the Roc-- in person. Is that unusual? I was drawn directly to the Aerie due to that connection."
Auger has numerous ideas and questions to sort through (detailed below) but at this moment most wants to get a sense of whether his unlikely companion is a potential friend or ally. If the conversation steers that way, rather than immediately answering Auger's questions then that is fine. It appears they have the time.
Details
(OOC: Somehow I completely missed that Driss was a chimp till now. Must work on reading skills)
Auger wants to:
1. Converse with Driss (for 20-30 minutes) and asks about the following:
His thoughts on their predicament. What does he think is the best course of action?
What is Driss interested in? Is he a die-hard imperial?
Is Auger's connection enough to allow him to ride the Roc? How long it would take Driss to train Auger as a rider? And what would it mean for the Chimp to act as his trainer... would he be creating trouble for himself in doing so?
Auger will try to make it worth it for Driss. He knows of a chimp community where Driss could possibly relocate away from direct Imperial oversight if that is appealing at all.
When asked Auger offers that he is a southerner who was in the Vale to help with the business of a colleague. He will apologize for he cannot share any details, it is the colleague's business and Auger will not share details per the agreement. He will restate the obvious with Driss, that Auger's actions to get to the aerie probably make him a target to Imperials.
Otherwise Auger will make idle chitchat and share details of his life back in Belliu Village, should Driss care to listen. Auger's connection to the Sea of Stars will be stated but left mysterious as per Auger's default approach.
2. Re-summon Py (1 hour and 10 minutes). Then get it to scout the local area in more detail. If Auger jumped off an edge would he find a safe landing below?
3. The Dowager usually takes super long periods of time. Auger will attempt to fit that in if he establishes some small amount of trust with Driss. He will tell Driss that he must meditate at times and that it is okay to approach him and grab his attention, should Baylen return. These questions were posted previously in 1263. There is probably no time for Auger's questions, but he does want to at least inform her of what happened at the Aerie and about Auger's current predicament. And opportunity.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Benita pulls and with Snow's help, Varielky flops over the rail and on deck. The guards reel in confusion as a result of Snow’s hypnotic music, but Sorakayoshi’s shield seems to reflect the magic away, and he stands in the guardhouse doorway, alert and fuming, as the Reaver’s Word picks up speed. The airship drifts upwards through mist, following the slope upwards, then passing just over the tall pyramid of the mountain’s sharp peak and plunging into the gray clouds above as the Saraswati Violin adds trumpets and drums triumphantly to the bard’s energetic melody.
Below, red-flaming snakes slither over the aerie’s edge and two dozen more elite guards march, double-time, out of the guardhouse door. Sorakayoshi growls commands to the assembled forces, then strides confidently across the aerie, to the roc’s nest where Wyrm had been chained. He slows as he nears it, looking in all directions, for of course, the unthinkable has transpired. Wyrm is nowhere to be seen, and his plan to pursue the airship, thwarted. “DRISS!!!!,” his voice booms into the night.
AUGER
(OOC: Auger realizes he has awakened having leveled up to Level 8.)
Driss, atop the quiet mountain top two hundred miles from Sorakayoshi’s vengeful wrath, answers Auger. “Ay yeh I’ve heard of it before. The link forms at sight, and sometimes, at a distance greater than either one kin see, but through clear air, the magic flows and like the gods and the lands and seas, the two kin’t be sundered n’matter what.” The conversation continues. While a person just met does not often tell all immediately, and, indeed, Driss does not really seem like the chatty type, yet, perhaps the circumstances, like being trapped with a stranger in a locked common room, lessen his reserve to some degree:
His thoughts on their predicament. What does he think is the best course of action?
“That’s up Wyrm, I think. Er, Boyleen. Baylen.”
What is Driss interested in? Is he a die-hard imperial?
He doesn’t say anything die-hard. He talks about rocs with enthusiasm.
Is Auger's connection enough to allow him to ride the Roc?
“Oh, so yeh havn’t ridden before? Tha makes sense… Only one way to find out.”
How long it would take Driss to train Auger as a rider?
“It takes time, both for roc and rider to adjust and learn their own way of communicatin.”
And what would it mean for the Chimp to act as his trainer... would he be creating trouble for himself in doing so?
“Erm. I havn’t agreed t nuttin yet. Fer as I kin tell, we stuck here together until Wyrm decides otherwise. Less,” he is glancing at Auger’s garb and diadem, “y know some magic kin get you across them mountins w’out ‘im.”
Auger will try to make it worth it for Driss. He knows of a chimp community where Driss could possibly relocate away from direct Imperial oversight if that is appealing at all.
“Why would I want to? I haven’t done nuttin wrong.” But Auger sees a tired look in his eye, and senses that he could offer a deal which Driss would accept. Driss seems like an honorable person, at least, at first blush.
Driss asks about Auger in turn, and listens thoughtfully, squinting with one eye shut, to the southerner’s description of home, and intuits that his choice of topic is a deflection away from the questions he refuses to answer. Driss' sense of trust in Auger is not great, the southerner intuits, and not without reason, he might wisely accept.
Py comes to life and flits away to scout the local area. It will be back later with answers, if nothing destroys it.
(OOC: next post will detail communion with the Dowager.)
As the Reaver’s Word plunges into the clouds, Snow breathes a sigh of relief, having seen Varielky scramble on board to safety. As his music comes to an end, he uses the power of the Saraswati Violin to send out waves of healing energy to those who have been injured in the fight. Varielky and Benita benefit from the restorative energy, as does Snow himself. Even Strewn, Tamazaert and Sura are included in the magical healing if they have such a need.
Once done, and he feels the power of the violin infuse him, he struggles to his feet, stows his instrument and walks down the length of the Reaver’s Word in silence. He spares Varielky and Benita a nod as he passes, but his eyes are fixed on Chanakya Trivedi Das, his father.
As he approaches he starts to speak.
"I have wondered for years and years what I might say to you if ever I had the chance to speak you again. Many times I have practiced my speech", he starts. "But never in those fantasies have you appeared at such an opportune moment. Never have you appeared in the nick of time to save my life, and the lives of my friends".
He is much closer now, standing in front of a virtual stranger. An older version of the man from his memories, but no less dynamic.
"I hate that you left, hate that you never came back. But right at this moment, I also feel a love and gratitude for you, and this airship and this power you have to man it", he adds then stops, shrugging and looking around as if totally confused.
"Where the blazes have you been? Why did you never get in touch? How could you abandon Mother and I like you did?", he says, his voice raised into almost a shout as emotion starts to take over the normally composed bard.
"Twenty years! You've missed most of my life up to now!", he says finally before he stops speaking, just staring at his Father, pleading for a good enough answer that it won't make him hate the man.
Action: Mass Cure Wounds Heal 1+5+2+5=13 (Varielky, Benita, Snow, Strewn, Tamazaert and Sura should all be within a 30' radius of the middle of the airship, and line of sight not needed)
Varielky plummets back, lying on the her back, panting. "I've caused you more trouble again, haven't I? Sorry." She talks to nobody in particular, and so, to everyone who can hear her. Her tone is not really an apologestic one, however, for she does not regret her actions. "And thank you for saving me when I fall," Varielky turns her head to Snow while he plays, and this time she is sincere. "It is truly amazing that a single word can be the difference between life and death." Surely more complicated than that, but that's beyond Varielky's knowledge.
Varielky keeps lying there for a bit longer, catching her breath. Even after she catches her breath, Varielky keeps lying there on the deck, as she contemplates whether the effort of standing up is really worth it at this moment. Eventually, she has no other choice but to stand up. If she keeps lying there, she might fall asleep, and sleeping on the open deck of a flying ship couldn't be a good choice.
When she stands up, Varuelky searches for Granophyre. "Did you find what you were looking for, at least?" She asks. "Where does your journey lead us now?"
Auger cannot help himself, being so far out of his own contexts he tries to find get what information he can while replying as much as needed to keep the chimp talking. (OOC: A few replies in the various contexts for Driss)
When Driss suggests that what happens next is up to Baylen, Auger can only nod along helplessly, "I wonder if he will think to bring us food. I only have so much."
At the suggestion of trying to ride, Auger nods along, almost too vigorously. He had decided that was what he wanted. But remembering a recent experience riding on sandboards, he was unsure he would be able to do it very well. "If it is a matter of communication, then really the Roc knows how to fly itself then. Its just a matter of convincing it where to go, perhaps?"
At the mention of his magic "Yes. I have some abilities,"Auger says in reply to Driss. "But not so much that I can get us back. We will be reliant on Baylen."
Sensing he has over-stepped with his pestering, Auger excuses himself as he begins preparing his things for the ritual to recall Py. "I apologize for all the questions. I hope we can work together to get more control of the situation and I know so little of Rocs. When Baylen -- or Wyrm-- returns. Perhaps we can see about harnessing him with that saddle. And trying to fly."
[Edit: I forgot to add this...]
OOC: Should Auger prove able to contact the Dowager we can skip most of the list of questions as Driss will have answered some of the queries. For Level 8, Auger will advance Warlock to Level 5 and gain a new Invocation. Perhaps the Dowager can help Auger choose between Beast Speech (Cast Speak with Animals at will - very relevant with the Roc) or Voice of the Chain (allowing Auger to communicate with, see through and speak through Py, at any distance on this plane of existence - so Auger can send Py to look for and then stay in touch with the others if he wants)
VARIELKY
The force of the shield-maiden’s riposte spins Sorakayoshi around, but his boots clamp down on the stone floor, and he whispers an arcane phrase as he slowly turns back to face his opponent, his eyes wreathed in icy blue flame which radiates across his entire body, throwing a chill throughout the room. The broken broadsword clatters down, and he says, “Congratulations. You’ve earned my respect hero. And you’ve earned PAIN.” He holds out his right hand behind him, and dark smoke seeps like a blur from his scabbard to fill it, and a weapon materializes there so wicked, so cruel, that even brave Varielky feels a deep and immediate fear in her heart.
(OOC: Varielky, having won initiative in round 1, may move the melee up to 30’ in any direction, now, before for round 2. For round 2, Sorakayoshi rolls 17 for initiative. I rolled for Varielky, a 2, so he will go first. The fear, btw, is not a condition, but is merely RP.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
AUGER
Several hours pass as the beast’s huge wings rhythmically stroke the cool night air, until eventually, mists give way as you pass through a wide valley into foothills, and then you are over the mountains, where you see a small village here, a lone mill there, a swirling maelstrom of bats teasing the edge of a wide forest, and on the slopes, other beasts whose names you do not know. Over a high pass where no road leads, into the Bantu Mountains, climbing upwards and upwards until the huge wings finally slow their muscular beating as the bird circles a small rocky clearing just below a tall peak.
The clouds have given way as the miles passed, and now, with grey-blue smudging the tips of the peaks behind you in the east, it seems, the roc has decided its journey is at an end. Flapping briskly, it gently drops Auger four or five feet to drift gently down to land, standing upon the ledge, over an escarpment, no telling how far it drops off into the dark cleft below, while the handler, whose snoring ends abruptly as he feels himself falling, flips down on top of the large saddle beside Auger.
There is a mountain spring on the ledge, a small pool, and the beast dips in its beak then tips back its head to guzzle the fresh draught. It then tucks its head under its wing and seems ready to sleep.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Auger settles himself by the pool, whispers a brief and simple prayer to Piya, and draws some water himself as he sits, quietly contemplating Baylen and allowing it to go to sleep before he takes any other action. As he waits he works through his regret at leaving his friends behind, while in danger no less. He had had to follow his path and -- and what had it led him to? He dearly hopes they were all safe. It did look like Snow had gotten the one airship, well active, if not yet moving. He could not recall seeing Varielky or Benita. Hopefully they were alright. Maybe they all left shortly after Auger did. He could only hope now.
Once the great Roc is clearly asleep, and careful to shade it from the closed eyes of the Roc, Auger looks around at their little site, finds a smallish rock and touches it, drawing from the Yemma's Starfell Diadem to cause it to light up their area. Auger quietly says to the handler, "I am Dannel Fetherlac, but am called Auger, for a tool I use in my carpentry." As Auger speaks he finally removes his pack and checks the materials before him. Bedroll. Rope. His tools. An axe. His waterskin (he carefully refills that). A lantern. Some oil. His other dagger. The brazier and the wood (Py! You will be back soon!). Some writing implements. Enough rations for... 3 days he estimates. "I intend to go back if I can. If our great friend here will let me. Though given where we are," Auger gestures over towards the cliff edge, "that may take some doing. Tell me sir, what is your name? Join me for a meal if you like. And please tell me you know something of training a Roc." Auger pauses reflectively for a moment. "And a rider."
While waiting for the handler to respond, Auger plans out his evening. A discussion over a restful meal. Then resummon Py. Then commune with the dowager, if this handler is to be trusted, Py watching and warning, if needed. And then... then who knows. He had a longish trek back. Could he learn to ride? I wonder, Auger thinks, again visualizing himself in the sky. But able to guide Baylen himself. That would be better. Pulling it off would be amazing. Learning to do something like that well. That might take some serious time.
--
OOC: Auger hopes to take a short rest before doing anything else. If able to advance to the Dowager communion Auger lets her know of everything that has happened, including that Granophyre appears to know where to head next and why. The question Auger asks are as follows:
Finally Auger apologizes for following his own needs and curiosity when it clearly had carried him far, far away from Strewn and his quest.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
No heart is immune to fear. It is a primitive response, stronger than our very minds. The fool feels fear and dismisses it thinking they can overcome it. The brave feels fear and dismisses it thinking they can overcome it. Some claim there's a difference, and then proceed to argue what that difference is. Some say there isn't. For Varielky, that mattered little. Be she a fool or brave, she tried to overcome her fears.
Varielky instinctively takes a few steps back when the vicious weapon materializes, but quickly resolves her heart to stand firm. It's not that the fear is gone, it is simply that Varielky chooses to stand against it head-on. Merely a trial of courage, presented to her by the gods. The melee has been going back and forth for a while, and now, they are standing a few feet out of the guardhouse. Varielky is intent on standing her ground and not retreating too much, and simultaneously, she doesn't want to be led into the guardhouse. While she dictates the flow of this duel, she will try to keep them close or around the door.
(OOC: So far goes all for post #1261. I'm adding her turn for the next round assuming you choose to play this way as described in the OOC chat. If you end up deciding otherwise, just ignore the following.)
At first, Varielky considers disarming the warlock captain, but since the weapon just materialised in his hand, she has a feeling such action would be pointless. Perhaps this is not the time for tricks like that. And so, Varielky continues to slash the warlock captain, intent on keeping him on the defensive side. Her first strike lands true, but as she's about to slash again, for but a brief moment, fear in Varielky's heart surfaces, as it was much harder for her to control her feelings in this empowered state she's in. That brief moment of fear, which develops immediately to hesitation, gives Sorakayoshi enough time to dodge, parry, or otherwise avoid Varielky's attack, if not use it to his advantage.
Varielky quickly regains control over her emotions, for the time being, and uses the momentum gained from the missed attack, twisting her upper body to put more force into her shield, then smashes it into Sorakayoshi with great strength, toppling Sorakayoshi to fall on the floor in front of her, which Varielky quickly takes advantage of that by slashing against him twice more. She's overworking her body, and she knows it will protest later, but that's better than being dead, most likely.
Details:
(You mentioned Sorakayoshi has some reactions, so I posted Varielky's turn assuming none of them does more mechanically than damage Varielky. If any of them do, it might change the rest of the turn.)
Status: Still raging, round 2/10.
Action: Attack twice.
Attack #1: 18+10=28 to hit, 7+11=18 damage.
Attack #2: 1! - critical failure (if this has any effects beyond missing, that might also change the rest of the turn, but I posted the rest assuming it doesn't to speed things up).
Bonus Action: Shied Shove to knock Sorakayoshi prone. Athletics: (14, 20! - advantage)+8=28. If somehow he manages to not fall prone, Varielky doesn't continue her turn, but assuming he does...
Action Surge: Attack twice more against prone Sorakayoshi.
Attack #3: (17, 13 - advantage)+10=27 to hit, 3+11=14 damage.
Attack #4: (7, 11 - advantage)+10=21 to hit, 4+11=15 damage.
Varielky
VARIELKY
Her first blow hits the Captain hard, slicing through his plate armor to draw blood, but an icy magical flame erupts from Sorakayoshi, causing Varielky 5HP cold damage (no resistance).
After her missed attack he ripostes, a strong blow barely repelled by her shield.
As the shield-maiden continues to rain blows upon him, Sorakayoshi falls onto one knee (RP — suffers the prone condition—and, Varielky senses that he is down to half his hit points). But each time the shield-maiden’s further attacks hit, the warlock’s icy enchantment assaults her, causing an additional 5HP each hit (x2=10more HP), though her strikes are also bruising and drawing blood from the tall imperial.
Now Sorakayoshi takes the advantage, pushes up again and slams Varielky with his ornate shield, followed by a series of feints and thrusts which back her up directly under the turret which Varielky had edged away from earlier, and through the murder hole of which a heavy crossbow bolt now cuts the air, critting Varielky for 8HP (after resistance).
“I said leave her to me!,” Sorakayoshi booms, while his face, in contrast to his words, almost gleefully smirks with contempt. His blade of wounding now whips up and over Varielky’s defenses, hitting with a 26, causing only 4HP (after resistance), yet the cruel weapon seems to pierce Varielky’s very soul, causing an additional 3HP necrotic damage at the beginning of her turn. (See below)
Varielky now hears Snow’s message and can respond. Sorakayoshi rolls 22 for initiative for the following round.
(OOC: At the start of each of the wounded creature's turns, it takes 1d4 necrotic damage for each time you've wounded it, and it can then make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, ending the effect of all such wounds on itself on a success. Alternatively, the wounded creature, or a creature within 5 feet of it, can use an action to make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check, ending the effect of such wounds on it on a success.)
SNOW
Snow sees Benita crouching under the eave of the roc’s nest nearest the guardhouse, crossbow raised, covering Varielky. She glances up at Snow but her knit brow and eye-daggers demand silence from the bard. Focusing on the tram lines, the distant writhing metastasizes into dozens of snakes slithering on the lines: red-colored ones which flare and flame at one another and seeming to follow the bidding of some unseen master, rushing toward the aerie.
The airship slowly wheels around, the ladder up which Snow and the others ascended still hanging down, bumping now against the edge of a nest, rocking away then shifting back into its place hanging off the deck, and it draws within 60’ of Benita traveling 60’ per round; Benita is now 60’ from Varielky.
AUGER
The time is about 3 or 4 bells in the morning when Auger lands. The sun still hides behind the mountain ridges but the night is passing quickly. The southerner realizes, as he takes stock of his situation, that he is exhausted, and to avoid a level of fatigue he needs a long rest.
The handler, a lanky old watery-eyed chimp, drooping and plainly likewise exhausted, hears Auger’s introduction, clears the phlegm from his throat. “I am Driss…,” he replies. “You do seem a downy-feathered naïf. But he likes you no question.” But his focus wavers, he bows ever so slightly, mutters something incomprehensible, yawns, looks around, then shoves himself under one of the roc’s wings and in a few moments picks up the snoring he’d left off earlier.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Auger had high hopes for his evening, but once the handler responds, is overcome by the urge to sleep himself and curls up near his things by the small pond. He hopes again that his friends are okay, and he starts thinking about the Dowager but cannot concentrate as the need for sleep overcomes him at last.
The light from the rock shines, forgotten, for another hour, before the magic that infused it exhausts itself and the darkness of the night takes full hold.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(Varielky rolls a total of 16 for her initiative. Her max is 21, so if he rolls over that he wins automatically. Well, I have a feeling it wouldn't matter for much longer.)
Although his attacks aren't very powerful, the icy magic that protects him and the now strangely bleeding wound, as well as the crossbow's bolt, bring Varielky close to her limit. Despite the danger, Varielky is not dissuaded from attacking. If nothing else, she hopes to take him down with her, if she could.
"Your magic is potent, even I can tell," Varielky says as she makes a series of faints, but in her condition, too slow to make the true strike land. "And your weapon is cruel, but your own attacks are weak! Even your friends' bow hurt more. I suppose we each fight in our own way, though."
(At this point, Varielky missed attack #1, so if Sorakayoshi ripostes and deals enough damage (9 after resistance, if any), Varielky would be downed. Otherwise, she continues.)
It is then that Varielky hears Snow's message. "By the time you arrive, it might be too late. Don't try to help me before either I or Sorakayoshi fall, though!" She replies.
Varielky then calls in Dreyen: ["Thor! Hear my plea! Bring your thunderous wrath upon this wicked man!"] As always, her last word cannot be heard as the thunder rolls, a deafening blast that surrounds her and Sorakayoshi both. Then, knowing this might very well be her last chance to strike Sorakayoshi, Varielky attacks before she even regains her hearing. An attack that cuts deep into Sorakayoshi's arm, trying to force him to drop his weapon, so that Varielky might be able to kick it away, as futile as that may be.
Details:
Action: Attack.
Attack #1: 6+10=16 to hit, which misses.
Bonus Action: Casting Shatter through Thunder. I'm pretty sure it's been a minute since she last used this property. Sorakayoshi must succeed on a DC18 constitution save or take 13 thunder damage.
Attack #2: 13+10=23 to hit, 7+11=18, adding a superiority die for Disarming Attack manoeuvre, for 1 extra damage for a total of 19. Sorakayoshi must also make a DC16 Strength save or be forced to drop his sword to the ground.
Free Action: If Sorakayoshi drops his sword, Varielky would try to kick it as far away from them as possible, hoping that he cannot summon it after all.
Edit: Forgot to add, but Varielky's Constitution save is a total of 14, so she'll take the damage again next turn.
Varielky
Snow looks at Benita and just then hears Varielky's reply, not in the slightest bit surprised she didn't want his interference in her duel with Sorakayoshi. It did leave him in a quandary though, bearing in mind they would be passing her position shortly and she had to somehow get aboard. Or be revived if she is felled, in time to then get aboard.
One thing at a time he decides. He turns his attention to Benita, who they would pass first anyway.
"She doesn't want our help, not yet anyway. Grab the ladder whilst you can, I will keep an eye on her", he whispers.
He takes a quick look at the snakes on the cable, trying to judge how long it would be before they arrived, before rushing to the ladder to make sure it doesn't fall.
VARIELKY
Sorakayoshi’s riposte hits for 5HP (after resistance, but note that Varielky will now take 2d4 necrotic damage at the start of her next turn), and he brings up his arcane shield in time to deflect the worst of Thunder’s blast (he only takes 6HP). “Hahahaha,” he laughs in response to Varielky’s verbal barb, “and your magic attacks are pathetic compared to mine.”
But his gloating is short-lived, for Varielky’s next slash strikes with full effect, although Sorakayoshi (rolling 26) easily defends against the shield-maiden’s disarm maneuver. He grins, appreciatively, as a child might grin appreciatively before smashing a bug, until a crossbow bolt seems to appear from nowhere, just touching the edge of his shield, impaled in his right shoulder, and Sorakayoshi’s grin turns to a grimace as he takes 10HP damage. Varielky and he both look for its source and see Benita la Cass running for the airship ladder.
“Hardly sporting,” he fumes, one heavy boot clomping away from Varielky, and using his blade as a focus, he shoots three twisting bolts toward the raven-haired fighter, two of which strike her, knocking her on her back, but she slowly picks herself up again a moment later. “COME ON, BRUISER!,” she yells to Varielky.
Sorakayoshi then turns his attention back to the shield maiden as he action surges, one slash hitting for 5HP damage after resistance, and he has managed by giving Varielky openings then pulling just out of reach, to shift the melee back into the guardhouse. Once inside, his eyes slide to the two guards in the room whose bodies tense in readiness, eager to assist if Sorakayoshi should fall. (His initiative roll for the next round is 10.)
SNOW
The bard sees this unfold, and can act at the beginning of the next round as the ship comes around,. Granophyre and Tamazaert have entered the ship’s cabin, while Chanakya Trivedi Das struggles with the ship’s controls to maneuver in such tight quarters. To keep the ladder low enough to board, the ship’s bottom drags against the escarpment wall for a moment, causing the ship to pitch violently to port before he corrects it, grimacing with effort. “You’ve not lost your touch at making friends!,” he shouts, rather ironically, as the deck levels out once again.
Here is an updated battlemap.
AUGER
(OOC: Assuming that if you’re sleeping, the point is to avoid fatigue with a long rest, rather than a short rest).
When Auger awakens, the sun is shining brightly overhead, and it must be after 10 bells in the morning. His amber-furred companion from last night, Driss, is humming quietly to himself, holding his hands out and warming them in front of a stone he himself must have heated red-hot with some kind of spell. The ledge they occupy -- much more spacious without a giant hawk covering most of its surface, is surrounded on three sides by steep escarpments falling away a hundred feet, dizzying and severe, to snowy slopes. The west side of the ledge is a cliff face sloping somewhat upwards, not far below the peak. This is one of the lower mountains in the vicinity, Auger realizes, several others within sight stretching high pu into the white wispy clouds which soar overhead. The temperature is barely above freezing, and the roc is nowhere to be seen.
“Aha! Yer awake!," says Driss. "Wyrm took off only an hour ago, he wuz tired, yep. They can’t fly forever. Hunting, now, I wager. Aye, yes. Errrr… Last night, did ya say somethin about food, sonny?”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Although Varielky can hear Benita, disappointing her is inevitable. This time as Sorakayoshi pulls out of reach, Varielky feels her body finally giving in. Her consciousness fading away. As her body falls forward, pulled by the weight of the sword Sorakayoshi pulled away from, Varielky speaks a few final words before the comfortable darkness envelopes her. "You won. This time." Her speech is slow and weak. "You are. A fine warrior. In your own way."
Now, her still-bleeding body lies in front of Sorakayoshi. Though, in those last moments, Varielky is not unhappy about fighting Sorakayoshi. She might have lost the duel, but the fight itself is what counts.
(OOC: I don't know how you wish to handle this onwards. Do Sorakayoshi's weapon's ongoing damage remain after she falls unconscious? I rolled a Constitution save just in case, which failed with a total of 12. I also rolled a death save, but then remembered you usually didn't want us to. It's an 18, so a success, for the record.)
Varielky
“Making friends and getting into trouble is what I excel at. I’ve had enough practise after all”, Snow shouts back to his father as he sees Varielky fall.
“Ok, I did what you asked and waited for one of you to fall”, he mutters under his breath, and then speaks a word of Elvish and sends healing energy to Varielky.
As the airship ploughs onwards, he shouts at Sorakayoshi, hoping to distract him.
“Sorakayoshi you insignificant worm, I see through you. You are as pathetic as you are feeble minded”.
Bonus Action: Healing Word level 3 on Varielky - 4+4+1+5=14
Action: Vicious Mockery on Sorakayoshi - Wis Dc 18 or damage 2+4=6 and disadvantage on next attack
Reaction:
If he sees Sorakayoshi attack Varielky.
Cutting Words: 2+2=4
“Didn’t you hear me, you are a vile yet meaningless waste of space”
(OOC: Yes, a long rest. Yemma's Diadem recharge (1d6): 3. It is back to full power.)
Sleepily, Auger waves Driss over and offers him some food. "There is not much but we can share at least this."
Auger pauses his speech while he sets out some food to share with the old man, Driss. (OOC: A ration is supposed to be a day's meal so can I mark off one ration and treat Driss and Auger as full?)
Looking out at the sky, Auger continues speaking, "I heard you call him Wyrm. I do not much like that name. It seems to be a reference to some lower creature. The name sounds demeaning to my ear. It is a name given to a creature by those who would beat him and keep him low. I would prefer we call him Baylen, meaning 'one who soars'."
Auger turns to look at the older man unblinking, as he defines the name, intending to convey the importance of his thoughts in this matter. "What do you think of that, Driss?"
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
VARIELKY and SNOW
Sorakayoshi, who is panting with exertion, his movements in his heavy armor now deliberate and forced, winces at Snow’s mockery, groaning. “How I despise bards! As likely to kill with a song as buoy the spirits, hmmmmm??! You should kept your mouth SHUT!,” he roars, stepping over Varielky’s body, and releases a series of six twisting blasts at his white-haired assailant. (Snow has partial cover from the ship’s gunwale). The first blast goes awry, the tall imperial’s concentration blown by Snow’s cutting words, followed by two more blasts which deflect off of the gunwale, but, three hit, one critically, for 7, 11, and 17HP force damage.
Benita rushes up the ladder, and across the deck, and throws a dagger at Sorakayoshi, which, even sorely wounded, he smashes away with his shield. She then flips over the guard rail, and hanging upside down from it, her legs holding her in place as she extends an arm down toward Varielky, calls down to her. “JUMP!”
As the ship passes the guard tower, a crossbowman releases a bolt at Snow, hitting with a 20, for 6HP damage. Chanakya Trivedi Das, seeing Snow struck right and left, sets his jaw, throws the throttle forward, and pulls up on the altitude lever, while Snow spies from his vantage point that at least two dozen of the red flaming snakes are approaching the aerie landing. The airship which Snow’s father called the Reaver’s Word points upwards at an angle and will move at a dash next round.
(OOC: Varielky will continue to suffer necrotic damage, 2d4/round, until she either makes a CON14 save, or someone uses medical attention to relieve her.)
You are now situated like so.
AUGER
(OOC: yes for rations.)
Driss gratefully accepts the meal, and to Auger’s demand, seems about to say something, thinks better of it, and replies, “Sure, sonny. You call him whatever you want. What he answers to…that’s what will make the decision, yeah?” He makes conversation, trying to get a take on the foreigner with whom he is stuck on this mountaintop, and, in answer to Auger’s question from the prior night, tells the southerner, “Yeh, I have lived around rocs the greater part of my life. Odd career choice for a chimp, I realize, but ye know, they choose us, not the other way around. I’ve trained more than ten champions in riding. It depends on the connection. Yeh, without that, there is nothing I can do. Take Dairiku Sorakayoshi fer example. He lied, t'be sure, he never linked with this one,” he says gesturing to the horizon. “He want to ride, it is his privilege, but no beast would have him. So he cheat, figure he can beat this one into submission. Neh, neh, neh.”
Auger has several hours to converse with Driss and, if he wishes, commune with the Dowager or do other things before the roc returns around 1 bell in the afternoon.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
2d4 damage: 4.
Constitution save: 16. Effect ends.
Varielky is not surprised to wake up again but instead surprised that Sorakayoshi stands on top of her. She rolls away, and then stands up. "I'll be stronger next time, I'm sure. Don't die a foolish death before that." And with that, Varielky jumps up to catch Benita's arms. She expected the pain such effort would induce, but it still nearly causes her to twist and let go of Benita. Indeed, her body was in very bad shape, both from injuries and exertion.
"Also," she calls as the ship pulls her away, "I have dropped my axe somewhere around here. If you would be so kind as to bring it back when we meet again, that would be very appreciated. They don't make such fine throwing axes everywhere, you know!"
Details:
Action: Disengage.
Movement: 15 feet to stand up, then the rest to move and jump as needed. Varielky's High Jump from a standing position is 4', and added her height plus hands (as explained in the rules, I just found out) she can reach a total height of 4'+5'2"+2'7" (if my little empirical knowledge doesn't deceive me) for a total of 11' 9". In metrical, it should be ~358 cm. I hope that's enough to catch Benita. If some roll is needed, I rolled a 16 without bonuses, not sure which would apply.
Varielky
Snow smiles at Sorakayoshi, a devilish grin, knowing that he has achieved his purpose in distracting the warlock.
His feeling of triumph is short lived though as he sees the six blasts heading for him. Too many to avoid, he takes first one, then two and finally a third blast. He cries out in pain as the blasts sear his skin and send him reeling, only to further suffer as the crossbow bolt finds his flesh as well and drives him to a knee.
He stands and looks down from the ship as it angles up, his battered features full of contempt for Sorakayoshi.
Seeing Varielky stand and jump towards Benita he uses his mind to help give her some extra distance.
Fighting through the pain, he then raises his violin to his chin and begins to play a tune to humiliate his foe and inspire his companions. His bow expertly skimming across the strings.
As he plays, he channels his magical energy into the void within the violin, then releases it in a field of irridescent lights directly around Sorakayoshi and the guards.
He watches to see the effect and then kneels down behind the gunwale, shifting into a seated position with his back to it, still playing.
Bonus Action: Telekinetic Shove Varielky 5ft closer to Benita.
Action: Cast Hypnotic Pattern on Sorakayoshi and all the guards (30’ cube). DC 18 Wis Save with disadvantage (due to violin) or incapacitated with speed 0
Movement: Sits down to gain full cover from the ship
As Driss speaks Auger does not quite follow what he means by the name choice then realizes he had heard something about animals not really being flexible thinkers. Still, he knows he does not like the given name. When told of Sorakayoshi's cheating approach and hears confirmation of his terrible treatment of Baylen, Auger shakes his head in disgust.
Realizing there are other important matters to discuss Auger engages in conversation with the chimp. "Thank you Driss. Tell me. With your great experiences as a trainer there are numerous things I would like to know. This Roc and I - I felt a connection to it, though I did not know what it was for many weeks prior to seeing Bay-- the Roc-- in person. Is that unusual? I was drawn directly to the Aerie due to that connection."
Auger has numerous ideas and questions to sort through (detailed below) but at this moment most wants to get a sense of whether his unlikely companion is a potential friend or ally. If the conversation steers that way, rather than immediately answering Auger's questions then that is fine. It appears they have the time.
Details
(OOC: Somehow I completely missed that Driss was a chimp till now. Must work on reading skills)
Auger wants to:
1. Converse with Driss (for 20-30 minutes) and asks about the following:
2. Re-summon Py (1 hour and 10 minutes). Then get it to scout the local area in more detail. If Auger jumped off an edge would he find a safe landing below?
3. The Dowager usually takes super long periods of time. Auger will attempt to fit that in if he establishes some small amount of trust with Driss. He will tell Driss that he must meditate at times and that it is okay to approach him and grab his attention, should Baylen return. These questions were posted previously in 1263. There is probably no time for Auger's questions, but he does want to at least inform her of what happened at the Aerie and about Auger's current predicament. And opportunity.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
SNOW and VARIELKY
Benita pulls and with Snow's help, Varielky flops over the rail and on deck. The guards reel in confusion as a result of Snow’s hypnotic music, but Sorakayoshi’s shield seems to reflect the magic away, and he stands in the guardhouse doorway, alert and fuming, as the Reaver’s Word picks up speed. The airship drifts upwards through mist, following the slope upwards, then passing just over the tall pyramid of the mountain’s sharp peak and plunging into the gray clouds above as the Saraswati Violin adds trumpets and drums triumphantly to the bard’s energetic melody.
Below, red-flaming snakes slither over the aerie’s edge and two dozen more elite guards march, double-time, out of the guardhouse door. Sorakayoshi growls commands to the assembled forces, then strides confidently across the aerie, to the roc’s nest where Wyrm had been chained. He slows as he nears it, looking in all directions, for of course, the unthinkable has transpired. Wyrm is nowhere to be seen, and his plan to pursue the airship, thwarted. “DRISS!!!!,” his voice booms into the night.
AUGER
(OOC: Auger realizes he has awakened having leveled up to Level 8.)
Driss, atop the quiet mountain top two hundred miles from Sorakayoshi’s vengeful wrath, answers Auger. “Ay yeh I’ve heard of it before. The link forms at sight, and sometimes, at a distance greater than either one kin see, but through clear air, the magic flows and like the gods and the lands and seas, the two kin’t be sundered n’matter what.” The conversation continues. While a person just met does not often tell all immediately, and, indeed, Driss does not really seem like the chatty type, yet, perhaps the circumstances, like being trapped with a stranger in a locked common room, lessen his reserve to some degree:
His thoughts on their predicament. What does he think is the best course of action?
“That’s up Wyrm, I think. Er, Boyleen. Baylen.”
What is Driss interested in? Is he a die-hard imperial?
He doesn’t say anything die-hard. He talks about rocs with enthusiasm.
Is Auger's connection enough to allow him to ride the Roc?
“Oh, so yeh havn’t ridden before? Tha makes sense… Only one way to find out.”
How long it would take Driss to train Auger as a rider?
“It takes time, both for roc and rider to adjust and learn their own way of communicatin.”
And what would it mean for the Chimp to act as his trainer... would he be creating trouble for himself in doing so?
“Erm. I havn’t agreed t nuttin yet. Fer as I kin tell, we stuck here together until Wyrm decides otherwise. Less,” he is glancing at Auger’s garb and diadem, “y know some magic kin get you across them mountins w’out ‘im.”
Auger will try to make it worth it for Driss. He knows of a chimp community where Driss could possibly relocate away from direct Imperial oversight if that is appealing at all.
“Why would I want to? I haven’t done nuttin wrong.” But Auger sees a tired look in his eye, and senses that he could offer a deal which Driss would accept. Driss seems like an honorable person, at least, at first blush.
Driss asks about Auger in turn, and listens thoughtfully, squinting with one eye shut, to the southerner’s description of home, and intuits that his choice of topic is a deflection away from the questions he refuses to answer. Driss' sense of trust in Auger is not great, the southerner intuits, and not without reason, he might wisely accept.
Py comes to life and flits away to scout the local area. It will be back later with answers, if nothing destroys it.
(OOC: next post will detail communion with the Dowager.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
As the Reaver’s Word plunges into the clouds, Snow breathes a sigh of relief, having seen Varielky scramble on board to safety. As his music comes to an end, he uses the power of the Saraswati Violin to send out waves of healing energy to those who have been injured in the fight. Varielky and Benita benefit from the restorative energy, as does Snow himself. Even Strewn, Tamazaert and Sura are included in the magical healing if they have such a need.
Once done, and he feels the power of the violin infuse him, he struggles to his feet, stows his instrument and walks down the length of the Reaver’s Word in silence. He spares Varielky and Benita a nod as he passes, but his eyes are fixed on Chanakya Trivedi Das, his father.
As he approaches he starts to speak.
"I have wondered for years and years what I might say to you if ever I had the chance to speak you again. Many times I have practiced my speech", he starts. "But never in those fantasies have you appeared at such an opportune moment. Never have you appeared in the nick of time to save my life, and the lives of my friends".
He is much closer now, standing in front of a virtual stranger. An older version of the man from his memories, but no less dynamic.
"I hate that you left, hate that you never came back. But right at this moment, I also feel a love and gratitude for you, and this airship and this power you have to man it", he adds then stops, shrugging and looking around as if totally confused.
"Where the blazes have you been? Why did you never get in touch? How could you abandon Mother and I like you did?", he says, his voice raised into almost a shout as emotion starts to take over the normally composed bard.
"Twenty years! You've missed most of my life up to now!", he says finally before he stops speaking, just staring at his Father, pleading for a good enough answer that it won't make him hate the man.
Action: Mass Cure Wounds Heal 1+5+2+5=13 (Varielky, Benita, Snow, Strewn, Tamazaert and Sura should all be within a 30' radius of the middle of the airship, and line of sight not needed)
Varielky plummets back, lying on the her back, panting. "I've caused you more trouble again, haven't I? Sorry." She talks to nobody in particular, and so, to everyone who can hear her. Her tone is not really an apologestic one, however, for she does not regret her actions. "And thank you for saving me when I fall," Varielky turns her head to Snow while he plays, and this time she is sincere. "It is truly amazing that a single word can be the difference between life and death." Surely more complicated than that, but that's beyond Varielky's knowledge.
Varielky keeps lying there for a bit longer, catching her breath. Even after she catches her breath, Varielky keeps lying there on the deck, as she contemplates whether the effort of standing up is really worth it at this moment. Eventually, she has no other choice but to stand up. If she keeps lying there, she might fall asleep, and sleeping on the open deck of a flying ship couldn't be a good choice.
When she stands up, Varuelky searches for Granophyre. "Did you find what you were looking for, at least?" She asks. "Where does your journey lead us now?"
Varielky
Auger cannot help himself, being so far out of his own contexts he tries to find get what information he can while replying as much as needed to keep the chimp talking. (OOC: A few replies in the various contexts for Driss)
When Driss suggests that what happens next is up to Baylen, Auger can only nod along helplessly, "I wonder if he will think to bring us food. I only have so much."
At the suggestion of trying to ride, Auger nods along, almost too vigorously. He had decided that was what he wanted. But remembering a recent experience riding on sandboards, he was unsure he would be able to do it very well. "If it is a matter of communication, then really the Roc knows how to fly itself then. Its just a matter of convincing it where to go, perhaps?"
At the mention of his magic "Yes. I have some abilities," Auger says in reply to Driss. "But not so much that I can get us back. We will be reliant on Baylen."
Sensing he has over-stepped with his pestering, Auger excuses himself as he begins preparing his things for the ritual to recall Py. "I apologize for all the questions. I hope we can work together to get more control of the situation and I know so little of Rocs. When Baylen -- or Wyrm-- returns. Perhaps we can see about harnessing him with that saddle. And trying to fly."
[Edit: I forgot to add this...]
OOC: Should Auger prove able to contact the Dowager we can skip most of the list of questions as Driss will have answered some of the queries. For Level 8, Auger will advance Warlock to Level 5 and gain a new Invocation. Perhaps the Dowager can help Auger choose between Beast Speech (Cast Speak with Animals at will - very relevant with the Roc) or Voice of the Chain (allowing Auger to communicate with, see through and speak through Py, at any distance on this plane of existence - so Auger can send Py to look for and then stay in touch with the others if he wants)
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory