That night, Lilyth had been sitting on a log by the fire with a cloth in hand, cleaning her amulet to the point where it sparkled under the moon light. As a vampire, she didn't really need to rest too long to be back in tip-top shape, but she did enjoy the down time and being able to make sure all her weapons and holy items were in perfect condition did help clear her mind. She knew Cora would be coming to talk to her about how they ended things off before, and she wanted to have a clear head when it did happen.

She had just gotten done wiping down her hand axe when the rogue approached and sat next to her, opening with probably the worst ice breaker known to man.

"Um... I mean, I guess?"  The cleric set down her axe. After a moment, there was an awkward silence that fell between them two, Lilyth fiddling with the hem of her under shirt thinking of something to say. Might as well get right to it, huh?

"Cora, why won't you give me the real reason why you left?"

Cora reminded herself to kick herself in the face for such a terrible opener. She squeezed her fists tight until her knuckles were white, still in disbelieve what an idiot she could be in front of someone she loved.

"I want to." Cora said softly, turning to her. "I really do. The answer is complicated, ok? I didn't walk away because I don't love you. Alright? Truth be told, I do. What we shared was the most amazing thing. But, I work for.." she tried to find the right word, "..people..that wouldn't understand this, what we had, or allow me to be happy. I HAVE to work alone. I am bound. Bound to a contract, bound to rules."

Cora sighed, looking away. She was frustrated because of the deal with Hell. She was frustrated because she really did love Lilly. Even at this moment as they spoke Cora's heart pounded for her remembering the days and the long nights they were together. She ached with yearning she couldn't release, and she hated that, too.

"I have a job to do, and..once that's done I have to go back home. There's things about me you don't know completely yet. And believe me. I want to tell you everything. But, I can't, because i'm SCARED they will hurt you, too."

Cora looked back at her. She was so beautiful. Irresistible. Delicious. It took Cora's entire willpower to contain her hunger, the heat she wanted to release and show Lilly again how much she loved her. But the Gods only knew what Hell would do to Lilly if they found out Cora brought her back with her, or didn't fulfill their wishes. And for the first time in a long time, she was afraid.

(Ooc: aight, just keep it to few exchanges so everyone can join in again)

Wow. First time I've heard a DM say ease up on the posts. LOL. 

Lilyth listened to her words but she dared not to look to her, unable to gather up the courage to do so at this point in time. It was irritating. What people, what contract; what was she talking about? Why wouldn't they allow her to be happy, why does she HAVE to be alone, who or what magical being was bounding her to this life of unhappiness? Was she even from this world? What was she? Was she even real?

She leaned forward and put her head in her hands to listen at Cora's final statement, trying to find words to say in response, but nothing but more questions assaulted her mind. What was there to talk about? "You're just going to leave again."

The vampire now looked at the fire, still not giving Cora eye contact. "So this is just a job to you, huh?" She laughs a hurt filled laugh, her hands clasping together in... a mixture of emotions.  "When, we're done here, you're going to go back home, is that it?" She dug crescents into the back of her palms. "What's the point then, Cora? Why even bother trying to fix things with me you're just going to up and go when this is all over?" Finally, with tears stinging at the corner of her eyes, she finally met eyes with the rogue. "So you can hurt me all over again?"

Cora was getting frustrated. She sighed and did her best to remain calm. But most of all, Lilly was right. About everything.

"No, I don't--..!" She struggled to find the words, looking at the fire. "I don't WANT to leave, Lilly. Ok? I didn't WANT to hurt you. I love you! I didn't expect to see you again. But..this isn't just some simple 'go into the cave and kill the goblins' contract. This is something much, much more serious. I didn't expect to fall head over heels for you. And..i'm sorry. I got carried away, and I messed up. I HAD to go. I am afraid they will hurt you, too. Use you, too. I can't have that."

She met Lilly's gaze, held it. "This isn't easy for me! This isn't my choice! Besides. If I told you the truth, you wouldn't understand. And neither would THEY. I LEFT you to PROTECT you. And believe me. It wasn't easy. Do you think after what we shared I would WANT to go? Couldn't you tell my kisses were real? My touch was real? My pounding heart was real?!"

She stopped a moment, still looking at her. She realized she was almost yelling and had to calm down.

"I..am a tool. Yet..I want you more than anything. My love for you is real. This..is KILLING me, inside. Along with everything ELSE I struggle with. I am a tool. And i'm stuck."

While Cora spoke, Lilyth broke their eye contact to get up from where she sat and stood by the fire, her back to the rogue as she wiped the tears that threatened to fall down her cheeks. You said no more tears Lilyth, no more, you're done now. Her arms now crossed over her chest, her nails digging into the inner flesh of her biceps, all the while she thought of something to say back. Her brain was screaming at her to just walk away; you've cried when she left before, you're crying now, and you'll be crying again when she leaves, do you like being hurt?

And yet her heart was telling her to, in the least, forgive her. You saw how she cried before, she's telling the truth, you know she is, just let it go, let the past be the past.

Don't you love her too?

Lilyth didn't realize how hard she was biting the inside of her bottom lip until her fang broke through the thin layer of skin, a familiar metallic taste coating her tongue. "You are a tool." She swallowed hard. "You're a *****, you're an *******, you're the worst kind of person that walks these realms, Cora." The vampire paused, letting her words sink in the others mind. "It's going to take a lot for me to let you back into my heart again." She sighs. "But I forgive you."

She turns back to look at her again. "I don't know about who you work for, I don't know what they would do to me, but I don't need protecting. When I want something, I go after it, and at the time you were what I wanted, but you didn't even give me the choice."

"We're starting back at square one, rebuilding the bridge you tore down, and if... If I want to rekindle the relationship we had, it will be on my terms. I'll... I'll let you know when that happens." There was a weight that fell of her shoulders, and she could finally really breathe again, but now she was exhausted, mentally and emotionally.

If Cora had anything else to say, she would allow it and listen, but afterwords, Lilyth would apologize. "It's getting late, we should sleep." If any questions needed answering she would answer later when her body wasn't wanting to collapse in on itself. With a goodnight, she walks off to find herself a suitable sleeping spot.

--

When day light broke the horizon, Lilyth was already up and ready for today's adventure. She looked... Worse for wear, but regardless she greeted everyone with a smile and gave them the rations they were given previously (yes, even Cora). "Can't fight on an empty stomach now can we?"

Being a vampire she didn't require actual food, instead, she would stock up on blood pouches (which she harvested from before she was thrown into jail) and drank one of those. It wasn't as good as getting it fresh from a living body, but it sedated her urges, only thing she had to worry about was how much she had. If given the chance I'll have to feed off of anyone anything I see...

When they finally headed out, Lilyth merely followed behind the leader, no questions asked. She didn't have the energy to argue, and upon noticing the shipwreck, her automatic response was to run forward and see if the Captain was still alive, checking to see if he even had a pulse. If he didn't, she'll try and see how long ago he passed.

Medicine: 8

((ooc: mm yeah he sure is dead.))

Sheshka will take the opportunity to try and find some food. First and foremost, she takes the spears from before and uses them to fish. They're on the coast. She knows these waters. Favors them, even. So while the others set up whatever sort of 'camp' they like, the Orc will forage. 

 If she finds anything, she'll prepare it however she can. Simple, quick, and sustaining. It didn't matter at the moment if it had a lot of taste. They just needed to survive. Once done and cleaned up, she will find rest and, inevitably, take a turn watching for danger. If given the chance, she takes the last watch and stays to witness the sunrise. She will also take the opportunity to re-braid her hair. 

It isn't much longer until the rest of them are up and ready. Apparently there's some history between the Vampire Lilyth, and Cora. Whatever. It's their business. Hopefully it doesn't interfere with the task at hand. Speaking of, Sheshka gets up and dusts herself off. She shakes off the simple single piece of black fabric that serves as padding under her armor. It was light and airy. It breaths and moves with her. A simple unitard piece of clothing over which she straps on her leathers, belt, and sash. She's ready to go!

The captain corpse is odd...especially to find several chests just laying around. Something doesn't feel right here. She scans the area to see if maybe others lay in wait. An ambush, maybe?

Cora, that night, didn't sleep well. The reason was simple. 

Everything Lilly told her was correct. Everything. Used to the pain, the hurt, the anguish, Cora accepted her words, and looked at the fire, wishing it could take her and destroy her forever. Deep down inside, what she had to do to Lilly was killing her. Normally, she wouldn't have cared less about others, but she cared about Lilly very deeply. As Lilly spoke to her that night she simply accepted her terms and said nothing more. While her confidence in her wants and abilities were justified, she didn't know about the nightmare Hell would impose on her, and she didn't talk about it that night. The truth would have scared her, no doubt.

She tossed and turned all night, the anguish and sadness she had caused Lilly eating her away on the inside. She woke up in the morning, smiled weakly at her as they wished each other good morning, but didn't have time for her morning exercise routine.

The captain and the chest was now her focus, but it was difficult to suppress her feelings for Lilly, like trying to keep a wild animal at bay.

Investigation: 8

She realized her eyes got watery, and blinked away a few tears. The words Lilly said hit her like a wagon in her stomach as she recalled her words. "You're a *****, you're an *******, you're the worst kind of person that walks these realms, Cora." 

What hurt the most was that Lilly was right.

(sorry, doesn't mean to restrict anything. Just want to keep everyone involved at all, being pbp and all. It's fine as long as everyone's having a good time)

@Xero: Yep pretty much you don't need to worry about food. You can easily find extra food on shore and no roll is required.

===DM===

Cora and Lilynth approaches the body, while Sheshka stands guard near them, watching for possible danger.

As Lilynth checked the captain's body, it's obvious that he's already dead, although you are not sure for how long. Stab wounds are found all over his body. Cora, you recognize that this man is "Ravek the Feared" a coalition captain famous for his intimidating aura, beneath him you see his famous cutlass (re-flavored scimitar!) stuck beneath his body. Just seeing it, you can feel uneasy aura emanating from the cutlass.

Before you make further investigation, the sand stirs, and skeletal hands reach out from below, and suddenly six skeletons each armed with a cutlass jumps out from beneath the sand attacking you!

Roll Initiative!

As Sheshka was standing guard and being highly perceptive, she doesn't get surprised. However, Aendar, Cora, and Lilynth must make a Perception check contesting the skeleton's Stealth check of 16. Further, as Cora and Lilynth is currently occupied, you two have the check at disadvantage. If your results are lower than the skeleton's, you start the battle surprised!

edit: forgot skels' initiative: 21

Initiative!!!! 9

Perception: 6

Wow. Oblivious. 

Cora squat down next to Lilly, trying to forget what was said last night. As the vampire examined the wounds, Cora noticed something. She knew this man. This was Ravek. And his cutlass was under his body. She turned to Lilly, looking at her, speaking to her finally since the day started.

”Listen, I deserve what you said to m—“

(Where is everyone else? Is it just us three? It’s ok to grab a few more players if you’d like to keep the game going.)

Perception: 11

(( those r sum skeaky skeles))

Lilyth has set aside her shield and mace, trying to see if she could help the poor guy, but her mind was still off it’s gears, not even being able to see how long he had passed.

With an irritated sigh, she turned to Cora and before she could speak she noticed the skeletons ready and attacking either of them.

((I’m not too familiar with surprise rounds I’ll edit this post if it’s not sufficient enough!!)) 

(I have notified drag9x via message but havent received replied yet. I think I am going to look for at least Jacques's replacement for now)

(Also for surprise round, the battle starts as normal, so I'd still need Lil and Cora's initiative, but any of you who is surprised simply skips your first turn. For example as both of you are surprised the skels will go, then Sheska, then the skels again, then you can all go as normal. This is assuming you also roll lower initiative than the skeletons) 

(Sorry will post more later)

((Okies, got it. Thank you!))

Initiative: 6

((thanks dice gods))

Initiative: 9

Bbhbbhbbbhh...

Initiative: 18

Alright Aendar, I also need your perception check to see whether you are surprised or not.

(I'll just assume Aendar also stays watch with Sheshka)

===DM===

Three of the skeletons run with their cutlasses to Sheshka, while the other three runs to Aendar!

Vs Sheshka (AC?)
Attack 1: 14 Damage: 5
Attack 2: 20 Damage: 8
Attack 3: 12 Damage: 4

Vs Aendar (AC?)
Attack 1: 11 Damage: 7
Attack 2: 17 Damage: 4
Attack 3: 11 Damage: 6

Sheshka and Aendar may take their turn, then the round would switch to the skeletons again, they all of you can take your turns as normal.

"So ironic," thinks Aendar, "Wizard of Necromancy School is being attacked by some skeletons"."I'd rather evade the melee part of fight, i believe you won't die from them, Sheska", says Aendar and uses Misty Step to appear in 30 feets behind skeletons. He uses his action to ran a little bit further(about 15 feets) from danger to use ranged spells later.

AC:10 HP: 26

(ooc: after attack 11 HP left)