(OOC: @valeskah - Did Aoife go and hide somewhere behind the green sofa? I'm sure that Val probably saw her scurrying out from under the potions cabinet. Current status, referring to the map of B10 from post #3658:
Bavlorna, the hag - sitting on the green sofa.
4 Lornlings - the miniature copies of Bavlorna that the hag can summon
2 Lornlings - on top of the potions cabinet
2 Lornlings - on the shelf in the northeast corner with the broken dinnerware.
Since Aoife entered the room from B9 and the mouse-door under the potions cabinet, she probably only saw the 2 Lornlings in the northeast corner
Octavian-doll - sitting on the red chair.
The portrait - leaning against that cabinet on the east wall.
Finley - not sure whether he's still near the portrait and the east wall or whether he has moved.
Val - standing next to the red chair, i.e. southeast of it since she doesn't want to get too close to Bavlorna.
Bavlorna looks to Val and Finley with glee in her bulbous eyes "See bargain fulfilled"
Valrieth says, "Oh, Octavian! I'm so...so sorry." Her voice trembles as she fights back tears, and she reaches out to squeeze the doll's hand gently. Then she turns to Bavlorna and her voice becomes more firm. Never one to dissemble, Val asks, "So...is it just a doll? I mean," she gestures to the doll, "the eyes opened. But can Octavian move around? For example, could he get up and run around the room freely on his own? Or is he trapped in an inanimate doll, and he's stuck there until someone comes along and moves him?"
She is standing next to the red chair.
(OOC: You mean Bavlorna got up to move next to the red chair?)
"In time he will be able to move once he gets used to his new body" says Bavlorna.
Valrieth asks the hag, "And is there a way to restore Octavian back to his former body? Are you able to do that? Or is it gone now?"
Val is starting to feel like they're not going to make it out of this room with Octavian, not without a fight. But she definitely doesn't want to fight Bavlorna and 4 Lornlings at the same time while Aoife is still less than 4-inches tall (i.e., 1/20 of her normal height).
(OOC: @weathervision - Does Valrieth have any sense of how much time has passed since they entered the room?)
A minute has passed since so Aoife is back to her original size.
Bavlorna looks to Val "Perhaps he can be restored to a better semblance of his former self if you are willing to strike another bargain with me?"
Valrieth is not surprised by Bavlorna's offer, but given what happened this time, Val is understandably not enthusiastic about the prospect of another bargain with Bavlorna. Especially not right after seeing the horrific results of their first bargain. Val turns away from Bavlorna and gives Finley a sour look and rolls her eyes as if to say, "Ofcourse the hag wants them to make another bargain!"
Val turns back to Bavlorna and, with forced politeness, says, "It's very generous of you to offer. But a bargain is a serious matter, and my parents always warned me not to enter into a bargain lightly! Um...I'm not sure. Could we have a moment to discuss it? Privately." Val points to the east door that leads to B11 and asks, "Maybe we could use that room? And we'll need Octavian's input, of course!", as she makes a move toward the red chair to scoop up Octavian-doll.
Having studied her notes from their last visit, Val remembers that B11 has no other exits. It should be clear to the hag that they're not trying to run away with Octavian if they use that room. Before Bavlorna can answer, Val hurriedly clarifies, "We'll just step in there for a brief moment, of course! Then we'll be right back to give you our answer." (Val wants Aoife know that they're not abandoning her here, and she also doesn't want to leave Aoife alone with Bavlorna for too long.)
Bavlorna thinks for a moment and then says "Go head to my aviary. I will be waiting for you though not too long deary"
B11
Slivers of light enter through cracks in the shutters that cover three tall windows. The light reveals the shapes of several pedestals. On each one rests an object with a patchwork cloth draped over it. Wilting ferns in crumbling clay pots give the room its earthy smell. The floor is covered in a layer of straw.
Bavlorna thinks for a moment and then says "Go head to my aviary. I will be waiting for you though not too long deary"
"Thank you!", Valreith attempts a very clumsy curtsey and scoops up the floppy Octavian-doll.
(OOC: Unless the doll is Tiny-sized, Val will ask Finley for help carrying Octavian-doll to B11. She's barely 3-ft tall herself, so even a Small-sized doll would be awkward for her to carry by herself. Of course, the desire to "discuss it" with Finley was a bluff. Val just wanted a minute of time so that they could prepare for a fight and get Octavian out of Bavlorna's reach. Posting what's certainly 5 - 10 rounds of activity here just to move things along more quickly. I'll wait for @Snievan respond before we proceed in case he wants to do or say anything else. @weathervision - Just let us know what Octavian indicates and whether we're interrupted before we finish the following things.)
As soon as they're in B11, Val says loudly, "Oh, this is awful, Finley! What do you think?! One more bargain for Octavian?!", as they prop Octavian against the wall by the door and she moves back to the door. Then she closes the door to the parlor with a "click" and leans against it. She looks at Finley and puts her finger to her lips in a "shushing" motion and shakes her head. Then she looks back at the door to the parlor with a grim look and draws her finger across her throat. She tells Finley, "We can't leave her in there for too long. Get your potion ready for when we go back in." But first...
Val goes to Octavian, bends down, and pulls Octavian's flute from her pack. As quietly as she can, she asks, "Octavian, I brought your flute, does it have the power to help us here?" If he nods or smiles or gives some other sign for "yes," Val holds the flute up to his "mouth" and asks, "Can you play it yourself?" If Octavian-doll cannot play the flute, she's going to have to try to get it Aoife, whom Val remembers saying that she could play some sort of flute.
Next, Val takes out her gilded acorn and casts Summon Beast. She holds the acorn in her fist, pressed against her chest as she chants an incantation. Toward the end of the spell, she holds the bauble in her fingers and blows on it. A sparkling mist seems to flow out from the golden acorn toward the rug where it coalesces into the shape of a small fox, but its fur is forest green and sparkles even in the grey light coming through the windows as though it's covered with multi-colored glitter. Val strokes the fey beast's head.
Finally, Val asks Octavian, "Do you know...um...that is, now that you're a doll, do you need to breathe?" If he seems uncertain, she puts a hand over the doll's mouth and nose and gives him an inquiring look to see whether he looks distressed or not.
Val wants to keep Octavian out of Bavlorna's clutches no matter what happens next, and she wonders whether he could survive in the portable hole. If he's truly a doll and does not need to breathe, then he could certainly survive in there until they get out of Bavlorna's hut. In that case, she asks Finley, "Could you make a bauble that glows?" While he does that, she unfolds the portable hole. They can lower Octavian-doll into the hole with the glowing bauble for light. Val reassures him, "We're going to get you away from her and out of here. We'll find Zybilna, and maybe she can help you."
If Octavian-doll does need to breathe, then they'll just have to keep him out-of-the way for whatever happens next...maybe just leaving him in B11 when they return to the parlor.
If Val gets through all of that before Bavlorna gets impatient, Val will indicate that it's time for Finley to drink his potion. Val says, "I'll hang back while you get close to her. When you tell her that we are not going to bargain and that we're taking Octavian with us, that will be my signal to attack. If you get a chance to blast a bunch of her little Lornlings at once, you might want to do that first."
Octavian has played the flute for years and that muscle memory comes back to him as he nods that he can play the flute by himself. His wooden legs twitch and though he tries his hardest Octavian is unable to walk.
When asked about breathing Octavian does a few tests himself and yes, he can blow into his flute though he seems to not need air to survive as holding his breath did not put a strain on him in any way. Maybe he has some strange equivalent to bellows that blow air.
The look of distress in clear in his expression and he stares blankly at his wooden limbs.
Maybe he has some strange equivalent to bellows that blow air.
(OOC: Ew! With Bavlorna, the body horror never stops! @weathervision - Is Octavian small and light enough to sit on Val's shoulders?)
If Octavian can play the pipes for them, then Valrieth would not ask about putting him in the portable hole, so it won't take them very long at all. Val and Finley will have to bring Octavian back into the room with Bavlorna (B10), but maybe Octavian doesn't need to get too close to Bavlorna and her Lornlings?
Finley would walk over to Bavlorna so that he's hopefully close to her when the fight starts. He just needs to talk to her and stall long enough for Val to find a spot in B10 that's not too close to Bavlorna or the Lornlings. Once Val finds a good spot for Octavian, she can sprinkle the Scatterleaf Tea Leaves that she's been carrying ever since the first ride at the Witchlight Carnival, and Octavian can start playing his pipes. The pipes will be everyone's signal to attack Bavlorna.
Anything else Finley wants to do to prep before we get back into B10?
"O' course, ah can make a bauble that glows," Finley replies, doing so with a small tool and a piece of metal, as it begins to glow he grabs the Fire Breathing potion. "Ah'm ready if'n ye are, how long do ye need ta get where ya needta go?" (ooc: Sorry, I got busier this weekend than I thought I'd be! A friend invited me near last minute to come out to a film premiere and ended up staying out there an extra day.)
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Finley Stoneshaft, Dwarf Artificer - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, Falkas, Half-Elf Drow Warlock - Keys of Empire
Aoife assumes the others will return ready to fight, so she prepares herself to cast Hunter's Mark on Bavlorna and readies her bow for the first strike.
(OOC: @valeskah - Did Aoife go and hide somewhere behind the green sofa? I'm sure that Val probably saw her scurrying out from under the potions cabinet. Current status, referring to the map of B10 from post #3658:
)
Finley, whom was still near the portrait walks forward to stand near Val, "Tha's 'orrible." He says.
Finley Stoneshaft, Dwarf Artificer - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, Falkas, Half-Elf Drow Warlock - Keys of Empire
Bavlorna looks to Val and Finley with glee in her bulbous eyes "See bargain fulfilled"
She is standing next to the red chair.
Valrieth says, "Oh, Octavian! I'm so...so sorry." Her voice trembles as she fights back tears, and she reaches out to squeeze the doll's hand gently. Then she turns to Bavlorna and her voice becomes more firm. Never one to dissemble, Val asks, "So...is it just a doll? I mean," she gestures to the doll, "the eyes opened. But can Octavian move around? For example, could he get up and run around the room freely on his own? Or is he trapped in an inanimate doll, and he's stuck there until someone comes along and moves him?"
(OOC: You mean Bavlorna got up to move next to the red chair?)
(Yes, she is standing next to the red chair)
"In time he will be able to move once he gets used to his new body" says Bavlorna.
Aoife crouches behind the green couch and listens to what is going on, trying to hear where everyone is. (Perception 23)
Past characters:
Cariadne - Forest of Celador
Daphyra Fuffletail - The City of Cats
DM - Geek Legends - Wild beyond the Witchlight
Leela Steadystone - Adventures in the Sands
Mirri Goldenhorn - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Lola Smythe-Whyte - Larkin Expedition
Daphyra - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine
Valrieth asks the hag, "And is there a way to restore Octavian back to his former body? Are you able to do that? Or is it gone now?"
Val is starting to feel like they're not going to make it out of this room with Octavian, not without a fight. But she definitely doesn't want to fight Bavlorna and 4 Lornlings at the same time while Aoife is still less than 4-inches tall (i.e., 1/20 of her normal height).
(OOC: @weathervision - Does Valrieth have any sense of how much time has passed since they entered the room?)
A minute has passed since so Aoife is back to her original size.
Bavlorna looks to Val "Perhaps he can be restored to a better semblance of his former self if you are willing to strike another bargain with me?"
Valrieth is not surprised by Bavlorna's offer, but given what happened this time, Val is understandably not enthusiastic about the prospect of another bargain with Bavlorna. Especially not right after seeing the horrific results of their first bargain. Val turns away from Bavlorna and gives Finley a sour look and rolls her eyes as if to say, "Of course the hag wants them to make another bargain!"
Val turns back to Bavlorna and, with forced politeness, says, "It's very generous of you to offer. But a bargain is a serious matter, and my parents always warned me not to enter into a bargain lightly! Um...I'm not sure. Could we have a moment to discuss it? Privately." Val points to the east door that leads to B11 and asks, "Maybe we could use that room? And we'll need Octavian's input, of course!", as she makes a move toward the red chair to scoop up Octavian-doll.
Having studied her notes from their last visit, Val remembers that B11 has no other exits. It should be clear to the hag that they're not trying to run away with Octavian if they use that room. Before Bavlorna can answer, Val hurriedly clarifies, "We'll just step in there for a brief moment, of course! Then we'll be right back to give you our answer." (Val wants Aoife know that they're not abandoning her here, and she also doesn't want to leave Aoife alone with Bavlorna for too long.)
Bavlorna thinks for a moment and then says "Go head to my aviary. I will be waiting for you though not too long deary"
B11
Slivers of light enter through cracks in the shutters that cover three tall windows. The light reveals the shapes of several pedestals. On each one rests an object with a patchwork cloth draped over it. Wilting ferns in crumbling clay pots give the room its earthy smell. The floor is covered in a layer of straw.
"Thank you!", Valreith attempts a very clumsy curtsey and scoops up the floppy Octavian-doll.
(OOC: Unless the doll is Tiny-sized, Val will ask Finley for help carrying Octavian-doll to B11. She's barely 3-ft tall herself, so even a Small-sized doll would be awkward for her to carry by herself. Of course, the desire to "discuss it" with Finley was a bluff. Val just wanted a minute of time so that they could prepare for a fight and get Octavian out of Bavlorna's reach. Posting what's certainly 5 - 10 rounds of activity here just to move things along more quickly. I'll wait for @Snievan respond before we proceed in case he wants to do or say anything else.
@weathervision - Just let us know what Octavian indicates and whether we're interrupted before we finish the following things.)
As soon as they're in B11, Val says loudly, "Oh, this is awful, Finley! What do you think?! One more bargain for Octavian?!", as they prop Octavian against the wall by the door and she moves back to the door. Then she closes the door to the parlor with a "click" and leans against it. She looks at Finley and puts her finger to her lips in a "shushing" motion and shakes her head. Then she looks back at the door to the parlor with a grim look and draws her finger across her throat. She tells Finley, "We can't leave her in there for too long. Get your potion ready for when we go back in." But first...
She holds the acorn in her fist, pressed against her chest as she chants an incantation. Toward the end of the spell, she holds the bauble in her fingers and blows on it. A sparkling mist seems to flow out from the golden acorn toward the rug where it coalesces into the shape of a small fox, but its fur is forest green and sparkles even in the grey light coming through the windows as though it's covered with multi-colored glitter. Val strokes the fey beast's head.
If Val gets through all of that before Bavlorna gets impatient, Val will indicate that it's time for Finley to drink his potion. Val says, "I'll hang back while you get close to her. When you tell her that we are not going to bargain and that we're taking Octavian with us, that will be my signal to attack. If you get a chance to blast a bunch of her little Lornlings at once, you might want to do that first."
Octavian has played the flute for years and that muscle memory comes back to him as he nods that he can play the flute by himself. His wooden legs twitch and though he tries his hardest Octavian is unable to walk.
When asked about breathing Octavian does a few tests himself and yes, he can blow into his flute though he seems to not need air to survive as holding his breath did not put a strain on him in any way. Maybe he has some strange equivalent to bellows that blow air.
The look of distress in clear in his expression and he stares blankly at his wooden limbs.
You are able to accomplish everything as Bavlorna is patient enough to wait 1-2 minutes.
(OOC: Ew! With Bavlorna, the body horror never stops! @weathervision - Is Octavian small and light enough to sit on Val's shoulders?)
If Octavian can play the pipes for them, then Valrieth would not ask about putting him in the portable hole, so it won't take them very long at all. Val and Finley will have to bring Octavian back into the room with Bavlorna (B10), but maybe Octavian doesn't need to get too close to Bavlorna and her Lornlings?
Finley would walk over to Bavlorna so that he's hopefully close to her when the fight starts. He just needs to talk to her and stall long enough for Val to find a spot in B10 that's not too close to Bavlorna or the Lornlings. Once Val finds a good spot for Octavian, she can sprinkle the Scatterleaf Tea Leaves that she's been carrying ever since the first ride at the Witchlight Carnival, and Octavian can start playing his pipes. The pipes will be everyone's signal to attack Bavlorna.
Anything else Finley wants to do to prep before we get back into B10?
"O' course, ah can make a bauble that glows," Finley replies, doing so with a small tool and a piece of metal, as it begins to glow he grabs the Fire Breathing potion. "Ah'm ready if'n ye are, how long do ye need ta get where ya needta go?" (ooc: Sorry, I got busier this weekend than I thought I'd be! A friend invited me near last minute to come out to a film premiere and ended up staying out there an extra day.)
Finley Stoneshaft, Dwarf Artificer - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, Falkas, Half-Elf Drow Warlock - Keys of Empire
Octavian is 3ft tall and he is not light enough to sit on Val's shoulder. Someone bigger would have an easier time carrying him.
"If yer 'avin' trouble carryin' 'em, ah can strap him carefully ta me back with me rope." Finley offers with a glance towards Val.
Finley Stoneshaft, Dwarf Artificer - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, Falkas, Half-Elf Drow Warlock - Keys of Empire
Octavian is tied to Finley and you both head back into Bavlorna's Study.
Bavlorna once more has a cruel smile "Well deary have you made a decision?"
Aoife assumes the others will return ready to fight, so she prepares herself to cast Hunter's Mark on Bavlorna and readies her bow for the first strike.
Past characters:
Cariadne - Forest of Celador
Daphyra Fuffletail - The City of Cats
DM - Geek Legends - Wild beyond the Witchlight
Leela Steadystone - Adventures in the Sands
Mirri Goldenhorn - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Lola Smythe-Whyte - Larkin Expedition
Daphyra - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine