Above & Below

Brask shrugs a thanks at Effort, and turns in for the night.  He thinks for a moment that he might be a jerk for not saying thank you, but decides that's unlikely.

Pip still has gold, no worries on covering him. You all receive a long rest, and thanks to that 17, it's an undisturbed sleep. :)

When morning comes, Effort rises to the disorienting feeling of motion.  Centering herself, she wakes up and leaves her "bed," summoning Cadmael to her side and stroking his head once, before sending him off to scout in the direction they were told the next Sister could be found.

Finding the others, she asks, "Did you rest well?"  Her steady gaze lingers on Kurama pointedly.

Cadmael Scouting: 11

Yeah, fine, no problem, Brask says, completely oblivious to Effort's pointed stare at Kurama.  So, what's the plan today?  I really want to hit something.  Just saying.  I got some, uh, poverty issues I need to work out.

Kurama awoke refreshed and ready for the next day.  When he noticed Effort gaze intently at him, he sighed and replied, "I am fine Effort.  Honestly."  He did begin to ponder to himself though at just what point had the tiefling decided she was his mother?  Or did she not even realize she was doing it?  He wanted to ask her directly but he doubted that either of them would've liked the woman's reaction if he did; though he strongly suspected that Brask would've gotten a real kick out of it.

 Really, Effort thought as Kurama brushed off her interrogation.  Having spent 3/4 of the entire group‘s collected healing supplies on this one man alone, and with only enough funds to buy one healing potion more - at a hard-won discount at the cost of her studies, at that… I wonder if he mistakes my interest as concern. Ah, to have been born with a silver spoon in one‘s mouth.  Sometimes she wonders if Brask would get a real kick out of Kurama‘s childish naiivity.  More often, she missed Burik, the only healer in their small company, and wondered why the burden of looking after the others‘ health had somehow fallen to her.  As if I know the first thing of healing others, she thought with a touch of amusement.  I destroy things.

I paused in the middle of typing out a long post and then my browser restarted for no reason. ACK!

As you all gather your things and prepare to depart, you notice things are already moving quite frantically outside the "inn". Cadmael hops outside and flutters up to the top, pausing for a moment before taking off and getting an aerial view of the caravan. Something is happening, he thinks. I can't tell what yet.

Getting down from the moving stairs is a bit tricky, but you're all able to depart without any twisted ankles. People rush by you, some carrying things, others just running. You hear someone shouting in the not-too-far distance, but can't make anything out yet. From above, Effort can see through Cadmael's eyes that the caravan has started to break up a little. It's veering off in two similar but still disparate directions. In between the two lines of tents is a small crowd gathering. It's a loose gathering, with a small opening in the middle that contains two people. You head in that direction, noticing as you get closer that one of the two is the source of the shouting.

A middle-aged man, at least moderately inebriated even at this early hour, is motioning wildly and shouting something at a taller figure. She has long, straight back hair that falls to her waist. A long vest made of leather contains various pockets that seem to be filled with herbs, flowers, and parchment. Her calm demeanor is noticeably in this situation, and her thin lips sit motionless on her long face. Dark eyes stare ahead at the man, and she effortlessly brings a small pipe up to her face. She puffs on it, letting out a small plume of gray smoke. With the other hand reaching to the back of her vest, she reveals a dagger. The blade has a glint of red, and before anyone can react - before the man even sees it - she swipes it across his throat. A line of blood shoots outward, settling on the ground in an almost perfectly straight line. The onlookers quickly change their tune, running away from the scene, some screaming in horror. The man grasps at his throat for a brief moment before collapsing to the ground. 

Kurama looked to the others in pure confusion as the scene unfolded in front of them.  When the man's throat was cut, his confusion turned to alertness as he instantly went on guard, prepared for anything to occur.  Taking a look at the man, he quickly tried to deduce if he still lived and could be saved (the perception check).  If he could be saved, Kurama would move ahead quickly against the flow of traffic and attempt to keep the man from dying.  

• Perception: 11  
• Medicine (if he goes to the man): 23  

Effort studies the woman for a moment.  "I think we might have found the next Sister," she says, moving forward to have a closer look.

Once she is near enough to be heard, but still far enough to not be encroaching on the bubble created by this incident, Effort touches her forehead, giving herself guidance.  She then stands there patiently and waits for the woman to either notice or acknowledge her presence, before coming any closer.

Well, you're gonna have to pay this one.  I'm fresh out, Brask says wryly.

If Kurama attempts to move to aid the dead man, Brask will attempt to restrain him:  9 Athletics check if needed.

(lol Brask probably falls flat on his face)

The woman turns toward you all as the rest of the crowd disperses. Kurama, you really can't tell from here how badly the man was injured, and so you start to rush over to aid him in whatever way you can. When the woman sees you, she turns slowly, reaching out a hand toward you, palm-side up. But when you stop to kneel down next to the victim of her dagger, her hand clenches into a fist. Though her face doesn't change, you can sense that she was expecting something else. 

"Even now, after all my attempts, right here in my presence," she wipes the dagger off on a piece of cloth, "you've learned nothing. Your ignorance will finally be your undoing."

She moves toward Kurama with a blade in one hand and a swirling mist beginning to form around her other.

Everyone, roll initiative. The rest of you are 30 feet away. Kurama is within 5 feet of the Sister.

Sister: 16

Pip: 15

Brask:  21

Sorry - was typing that as you replied. I could have Kurama roll an opposed athletics...but it has been awhile since you guys were in a fight. :)

(Rolled 14 on Athletics so it wouldn't have mattered anyway XD)

• Kurama initiative: 19  

Effort Initiative: 8 (7 + 1 guidance)

Cadmael: 14

When Kurama thunders right by her, Effort has to physically restrain herself from slapping her forehead.  She simply looks over at Pip and Brask with a weary expression and a shake of her head, and prepares herself for the very much not inevitable conflict. 

Rd 1: Pip > Brask > Kurama > Sister > Effort & Cadmael

Pip only looks unsure for a moment. Seeing the Sister's aggressive approach with dagger drawn, he fires the arrow he had been notching during the commotion...

Attack: 8 Damage: 8

Pip impressively predicts where she'll be, and the arrow sticks soundly into her shoulder. It causes her to pause for just a moment, although you see no sense of expression or pain.

Brask, you're up!

I'm happy to fight you lady, Brask says, but this was your choice, and don't pretend otherwise.  He makes two attacks with his maul:

Attack: 24 Damage: 13
Attack: 13 Damage: 13

She leans to the right as the maul swings by her, and as Brask brings it around for another attack she pivots away effortlessly. "There is always choice, you are right about that," she replies, glancing over at Kurama. "Sometimes right, and sometimes wrong."

Kurama, you're up!

Quote from Billtacular >>

The woman turns toward you all as the rest of the crowd disperses. Kurama, you really can't tell from here how badly the man was injured, and so you start to rush over to aid him in whatever way you can. When the woman sees you, she turns slowly, reaching out a hand toward you, palm-side up. But when you stop to kneel down next to the victim of her dagger, her hand clenches into a fist. Though her face doesn't change, you can sense that she was expecting something else. 

"Even now, after all my attempts, right here in my presence," she wipes the dagger off on a piece of cloth, "you've learned nothing. Your ignorance will finally be your undoing."

She moves toward Kurama with a blade in one hand and a swirling mist beginning to form around her other.

Everyone, roll initiative. The rest of you are 30 feet away. Kurama is within 5 feet of the Sister.

Quote from Billtacular >>

She leans to the right as the maul swings by her, and as Brask brings it around for another attack she pivots away effortlessly. "There is always choice, you are right about that," she replies, glancing over at Kurama. "Sometimes right, and sometimes wrong."

 Kurama turned his head around as the woman spoke, seeing her ready to attack him for perceived slights against her.  Quickly rising to his feet and shifting away from the wounded man as Brask and Pip attacked her, Kurama released the energy inside of him in a wave before saying, "You're the Sister who's been affecting my mind?  What have I done that has offended you so?"  Though he wanted to wait for her reply, he knew well enough that doing so could be a costly mistake.  Focusing, he sent the force at the Sister and attempted to strike her down twice.

• Attack: Hit 15/ Damage 8 Force
• Extra Attack: Hit 21/ Damage 9 Force 
• Bonus Action: Activate Arms of the Astral Self- DC 15 DEX Save or take 5 Force Damage

DEX save: 16

Both attacks knock the Sister back for a moment, but she quickly regains her footing. "Offend me? You overestimate your importance." Her eyes suddenly begin to turn pink, then red, and then a glowing, hot red. As she extends her arms with palms facing upward, she slowly lifts them up...and as she does, an immense wall of fire emerges from the ground. The inside of it burns at the backs of both Kurama and Brask. Effort and Pip stand on the other side, unable to see through the flames. The wall extends for sixty feet and reaches twenty off the ground.

Brask and Kurama, give me DC15 DEX saving throw or take 25 fire damage. Take half as much damage on a successful save.

Effort & Cadmael are up. You cannot see any of the three on the other side of the wall.