The Exploits of Misfit Company

As much as the artificer seemed to know of the magic, it yet still took him a few moments into the ritual to really clock in on its length and breadth. At which point he softly clear his throat and mutters something along the lines of "I'll just be over here" to no one in particular, before then drifting off to some corner of the room. It is there that he carefully sat down, pulls out few tools from his pack, and set to work tinkering of his boots.

When the time finally comes to receive the divination, Courage listened with rapt attention. "Not gonna lie, son. Any magic capable of turning a whole civilization is likely to beyond us... Which is saying something, considering what we've been more or less tasked to do, and... pretty much pro bono." He chuckled. "Well, I suppose the reward would bragging rights and our continued livelihoods upon this particular plane of existence, which ain't so bad in itself... Though, considering the supposed, uh... source of magic used in their... transformation, you could inquire with Druidic Circles about it. See if perhaps they have a solution or two in their back pocket." He suggests, but then makes a face and looks thoughtfully off to the side. "Though, depending on said circle, they may not be so inclined to relieve the kingdom of its curse, if its even possible at this point. Perhaps...." Courage pauses for a moment, and then looked to Vastra and Alys more solemnly. "Has, uhm... has your friend Kasha reached out to you yet?"

"No, she hasn't. And restoring an entire kingdom that's been transformed is far beyond my abilities."

After sharing the details of her visions with the group, Alys remained on the floor. She stilled herself for the discussion so she could focus on listening for everyone's input. Her eyes were filled with hope from Yvan's questions that prompted belief in restoration rather than mindless spilling of blood. The scholar would correct her glasses then look to Courage as he'd begin to share the 'other side of the coin'. Her brows would begin to knit at the challenge. The wizard's mind started to race with considerations along with his string of thoughts. Was all that knowledge lost? Was the only way to search for me be to go on looking for it with the information from her spell? Surely there could be somewhere, or someone, to study or gather more information from? Maybe?

Then a pause from Courage. That look. That question.

The elf's eyes flicker. Her mouth would open, trying to produce a response but then close when nothing came forward. The blonde could only shake her head. Her expression drops. Alys starts to fade. Blue hues lose all vibrancy and any colour to her skin drains. It all came bubbling forward from the prompt and she already felt herself starting to shut down. She knew she couldn’t hide from it forever, but wasn’t ready while so far from home...

Were the walls closing in?

"Pardon me..." Alys excuses herself. She needed some air.

Hands shook if she didn't steady them, and her throat felt like it was threatening to close. Stealing a moment of time to herself, the cleric would let her feet take her towards an area she could catch a breath. Senses guide her to a place she could finally take in a deep inhale. Held tears drip. Picking up a light fresh scent, Alys would find herself amongst a garden. Spotting a beautifully blooming flower. The tenderest of dimpled smiles would crack her visage. Feeling drawn to it, the elf reaches out with the urge to take it for herself.

Alys would stop. She doesn't pluck it. Lowering her hand, she'd remove any threat of uprooting it from it's place of comfort. If she wanted to preserve the true joy it brings, she must allow it to flourish in it's environment of choice. It should be nurtured so its charm can be shared as it was with her. Bringing a hand to her cheek, she collects her tears. Along with water from her waterskin, she'd weave strings of her magic through it. Leaning in, Alys would whisper gentle words to leave with the flora as she watered it.

Even then, the scholar remained. She'd back up to provide space. She'd reflect and wonder. Appreciate. Once again, she'd dive into the depths of her mind, knowledge and experience, but this time even sinking into her intuition.

Where can we go from here?

Courage shoulder's sagged at the news, and even grimaced a little after. But then, he looked up sharply, seeming somewhat flustered over something or other. "I-I wasn't suggesting such, uh.. power was personally.. uh..." Courage started to say, only to eventually trail off waving a hand dismissively over the topic.

Distracted considering other options, Courage at least hardly registers in distress in Alys, and only acknowledged the departure with a nod thrown in like an afterthought. If someone else moved to follow after her though, only then does snap out of his own thoughts, looking confused and curious  at once.

The question had been a silly one, but Yvan did have a slight hope that restoring the kingdom to its former glory would have been possible somehow. It would have made it easier for them to obtain the crown relic as well, perhaps a sort of reward to them for freeing the kingdom from the curse inflicted upon it. Though, it was Courage who got him to see it more realistically, but the hope that was there hadn't been snuffed out just yet. The tiefling had brought up a good idea in inquiring with some Druidic Circles...

Yvan's gaze is brought the ground at Courage's follow up question, a frown now thinning upon his lips when Vastra answers. Forest green hues would glance over to Alys when she needs to excuse herself, and he hesitates in following behind her to bring her some comfort. However, in the brief moment he had looked up, it seemed as if she would be better off taking some time to compose herself alone, but just before she disappears from his view, he communicates to her through their telepathic link.

I'll be here for you, if you need me.

When Courage speaks again, Yvan brings his gaze upon the tiefling chef up until he trails off and dismisses what he was trying to say. "I-it was a... silly idea anyway," Yvan mutters, rubbing the back of his neck. It doesn't look as if he's directing his words at anyone in particular. "I just thought we could... try a different method. I know we wouldn't get anything out of doing this, but... I don't know. I've never been in this for... any rewards. I-I just want to help... where I can."

Stella frowns. "So we probably can't reverse it. At least not right now. Which means we need to focus on getting in and out quietly, because cool as we are, we can't take on an entire country of cursed monsters." Faint, wry humor colors her voice briefly before she goes back to serious. "Doable, if we prep right. Which I think starts with getting a map and figuring out exactly where we're going. And some kind of aerial transport, unless we want to chance teleporting--or if there's a teleportation circle at the castle."

Though solemn and understanding initially, Courage cannot help but raise a brow at Yvan's last few words. "Isn't this a-..." He'd start to say, and softly at that, as if uncertain from the get-go how to even phrase his next words. But with Stella giving her own two cents on the overall matter, the tiefling looked back and forth between her and Yvan, before then simply shaking his head and brushing off the unspoken tangent.

"I believe your friend Vastra here has the teleportation well in order. Though, I'm not sure if we'll have much luck acquiring a map. Unless there's been some brave hearted explorer or cartographer of recent that's visited the land and recorded something, anything anyone would have at the moment would be decades if not centuries out of date, I'm afraid... Buuut, it couldn't help to try and one from the records on the country. Though... uhm...." He look between those remaining, including the Father, if he should still be about. "Don't s'pose any of you might now where such records might be held?"

"I've never been to Ericea. I could teleport there, but there's a 42% chance of there being a mishap similar to the one that happened when we teleported into this city."

Courage at least grimaces at the news, and brushing his beard fitfully by hand. "Right... I forgot about that. Teleportation incidents... not always pretty." He admits, shaking his head. "... But... Well, it'd be either that or hiking through beast country after chartering a ship there, assuming one is necessary. Pretty high odds of getting up to more shenanigans along the way.. but, might be we luck out and find our "cure" along the way, eh? Heh... hmn... Welp! That's my two cents on the matter anyhow. Given the choice, I'd rather take the mundane route, and use the teleportation as a quick escape if it be needed. But, I'll defer to you guys! No need to listen to one fresh recruit." He said, slapping Yvan on the back.

Always…

Eventually, Alys would make her way back. A bit sheepish from stepping away as she had, she didn’t intend to separate herself from the group for long or to be unreachable. The elf just needed some air and a moment to ground herself. Tucked in the shadows behind everyone, she’d catch some of the conversation.

Tiptoeing over, the blonde would slip herself under one of Yvan’s arms to tuck herself against his side. Without any words, she’d lace her fingers between his before peaking up. With pink cheeks, she’d offer a timid yet warm smile to assure she was okay. Though, she’d give his hand a squeeze and her face would soften, expressing apologies, checking in on him too.

Alys glances over to the others. She’d offer a small smile with a nod.

Breaking her silence, the wizard would look to her mentor. Alys has never been to Ericea either, but would her visions help improve their odds? It’d take a moment, but she’d eventually muster up the courage to ask a bit of a silly question, “Vastra, if I shared my vision with you, would that help our percentage? Or… Do… Do you think if I tried we’d have better odds?” She’d shift a little bit. She had the ability to teleport as well, but she was not as experienced, or prepared as Vastra was.

"It would give us better odds, yes."

A small chuff escapes the goliath at Stella's dry humor, the corner of his lip turning upwards ever so slightly, only to fade when the talk of teleporting came about. He couldn't say he liked those odds of a teleportation mishap occurring again, especially after the last attempt. It was nothing a nap didn't fix, but he didn't think they even had the time to consider taking a nap had something happened. He did, however, like the idea of making the trek over on foot for the possibility of stumbling upon a possible solution to fixing the cursed kingdom. His lips part to speak, yet he stops at the smack on the back from Courage, giving the tiefling a look of bewilderment prior to relaxing into a look of indifference.

His visage didn't remain that way for long, however, when he feels a familiar presence slip into his space, eyes glancing downwards to the welcome culprit. Yvan's lips twitch into a gentle smile, his eyes softening on Alys, quietly pressing a kiss on the crown of her head while giving her a squeeze. It had been a wordless way for him to express that he was glad to see she was okay and that there was no need for any apologies.

Yvan's smile remains this time around, remaining silent to allow Alys and Vastra to converse with no interruptions, and had need be, he would release the elf from under his arm to let her do what she needed to do to to let Vastra see her vision.

Alys would let out a happy hum when she'd feel her protectors lips press against her forehead, getting lost for a moment. Always... She'd repeat telepathically. After pausing in long silence, the elf would blink out of her reverie when she'd realize the group was probably waiting on her. Her cheeks would flush further, tucking her face away in the furs of Yvan's cloak. Hoodini would gently bonk his head against hers to shoo her from his space encourage her to move along and share her knowledge. "Right." Alys would peek up to give Yvan a small nod. She'd be right back. 

Instead of distancing herself from her friends by floating out strings of knowledge like she did with their 'employers', she'd personally offer an 'open book'. Approaching each Misfit one by one, the divination wizard would share what they may need to know to familiarize themselves with the next part of their adventure.

First, Alys would scurry over to Vastra a little apologetically for standing stunned from her response. "If I may..." She'd step closer into her mentors space. Taking her hands in hers, she'd lean in to press her forehead against hers. The rune on the blondes forehead would illuminate and her hands glow as her magic flowed. She'd share her memory and knowledge of Ericea. Once Vastra obtained what she needed to improve their chances for travel, Alys would step back. She'd bow her head respectfully before offering a small smile hoping it'd truly help.

Next, Alys would skip over to Stella. She'd offer her hand, "Maybe the same information could help you for any scouting you may do?" The cleric wondered if the rogue was more familiar with the terrain, it could also keep her safe give her advantage against the dice gods. Smiling an encouraging smile to Stella, the blonde would tilt her head forward. She'd share her memory and knowledge of Ericea with her if she wanted. If Obsidian booped her at the same time and wanted to know, he'd get some too.

Side stepping over to Courage, Alys would pause at his side. She'd lean in closer, moreso to whisper to Souperb. "Psst." Her eyes would glance over. "I've got some of the good stuff for you, if you're willing." A playful smirk would crack her mouth, unable to keep a serious face. The blonde would turn to face the tiefling and his gooey companion. "I'm happy to share the knowledge should you find any benefit or desire to know more detail." She'd dip her head respectfully to the artificer. He wouldn't have to remove his helmet or headbutt her if he didn't want too. The wizard would offer him a handful of thought strands instead. She was always grateful for his summaries and insight that spark deeper thought and discussions.

Now that all three were updated, Alys would of course bounce back to Yvan. Her blue hues lit up as she made her way back. She'd beam up at him. Popping up on her tip toes, the elf would reach up tall to reach his face to gently pull him forward. She'd nuzzle his nose and plant a warm kiss before pressing her forehead against. The rune on the blondes forehead would illuminate and her hands glow as her magic flowed once again. She'd share her memory and knowledge of Ericea. Not only that though, the elf would also share the beauty of the garden she stumbled upon as well as express the same hope he did. Her belief in him. She believed that they could make things a little bit of a better place any where they go. They just have to keep trying no matter the odds. As a team.

Eventually, Alys would pull away, again with bright cheeks, but she'd let out happy noises with a warm smile.

Now she was ready, when the others were.

Stella takes Alys's hand with a smile and lets her share the information. She mentally flicks through it with a nod. "Thanks Alys. At least now I know what terrain I'll be working with."

"Gather round, here we go."

79

And it works perfectly. Vastra manages to teleport you into a relatively safe spot in the capital city of Ericea, not too far from the palace where Alys knows the Crown of Aeglos to be. Vastra casts Mage Armor on herself. "Now I burned my only seventh level spell in getting here, so we'll have to use the helm. Fortunately, Greywatch Tower is a safer and more location than here, so I should be able to teleport back with no issue once we're done here. Now if there's any preparations you need to make before we head out towards the castle, I suggest making them now." 

Stella nods, one hand on her rapier hilt. "I'm ready. Let's do this."

Earlier...

Souperb seemed... interested? Confused? It was hard to say looking at the most amorphous face of the living soup mutant, but he at least appeared attentive. On the other hand, Courage seemed to have become lost in thought again at some point; but, he would focus up on Alys fairly quick... with the usual assistance from Souperb. "Ah, uhm.. right. Well, I have always been the curious sort. But... hmm, how to put this.... Unless those vision came with specifics about unusual methods of bypassing or defeating any beastfolk we happen to come across-eh.... Don't think they'll do someone like me much good -- But, I appreciate the thought, and trust that you'll know better what to do with what'cha learned than I would." He would reply to Alys, and would stand up on his tip toes if need be just to pat her own the shoulder.

With that, Courage kept himself busy at least long enough checking over his supplies one more time, before all are called over their little spacial jaunt. Upon arrival, the tiefling immediately set to work downing one of his potions, and offering fruity snack bars for everyone. "Mine as well eat those now this time around. Fortify yourselves a bit with'im. Oh! And also, these are for you two-" Souperb fetches from Courage's backpack a trio of vials filled with some blue liquid. Once in Courage's hand though, the tiefling focuses for a moment, and through the gauntlets sent some type of magical charge through the vials, before then offering two of the vials to Alys and Vastra. 

"A bit extra as always. This batch is a bit on the tangy side, but figured it'd go down easier than the last batch." He said, not really explaining anything until Souperb start tapping him on the helmet. "... Huh? Oh oh! Uh, these are to help bolster your, uh, fortitude a bit. Like last time.. eheh.. Sorry. Sometimes the mouth can't keep up with the brain." Once the pair took their vials, Courage popped open his visor long enough to down his, though shuddered after in delight. "Mn.. Good stuff. Anyways! I'm ready." 

---> Spell Stored in Souperb (2nd Level Shatter)
---> Drinking a Potion of Heroism, gaining 10 Temp HP.
---> "Casting" 3rd level Aid on Vastra, Alys, and Courage.
---> Hand out Chef Treats. Anyone that consumes them gain 5 Temp HP that lasts until next long rest or until depleted.

Yvan watches Alys in silent adoration as she goes through each one of the Misfits to provide them her vision (aside from Courage due to his decline). The goliath considers declining himself, truthfully, unsure if the information itself would do him any good, though he finds himself unable to when she rounds back to him and looks to him with bright blue beaming hues. His heart stutters at the sight, and whatever words he wanted to say dies in his throat.

The kiss had been more than welcome, and he ends up deciding to simply give in and press his forehead against hers to accept the vision. He expected it to just be that though, however he was surprised to see more, of a beautiful garden that he had to assume was where she had retreated off to to compose herself. Perhaps he could ask her to walk with him through it had they returned back to this city...?

A warmth blossoms within the confounds of his ribcage when she then gives him a sense of hope and belief in him and the team of making any place they had went just a little bit better, and just before she pulls away, his fingers slip themselves through hers as he nuzzles her cheek and whispers, "Thank you."

At their arrival, Yvan takes a quick look around the area, mostly glad that there hadn't been any mishaps this time around. As everyone prepared themselves, the goliath keeps himself vigilant, ensuring nothing had been lurking or looming in the shadows. When Courage approaches him to give him a fruity snack, he nods his head down and thanks him, then finishes the snack in two bites.

When everyone looks to be ready, Yvan leads them forth, unless Stella wanted to take lead and help them sneak about then area, in which he would stalk off to the back of the group to protect them there.

Stella starts slipping forward. "I'll run perimeter to make sure we aren't surprised by any nasties. And to get some early warning of the castle and what might be around it." She vanishes into the forest unless someone says something/replies/objects.

Stealth: 31

Perception: 20

(Ah, got my dice back from Ixi)

The:11
Forest:6
Is:7
Definitely:8
Empty:23
Stella:14

Yup. Completely empty and you're completely hidden.