Peri keeps his strike readied, but calls forth his Astral Self. Startin' to feel like second nature, it comes so easy now. He watches Kei's every gesture, alert to trickery or deception. "How do you feel about them callin' your pal Bela a blood sucker? You just gonna let that slide? Let 'em go after him, kill him in his own castle?"
"I don't plan on letting any of you kill him" he says in a matter-of-fact manner. The effect of Peri's stunning blow now fully faded he stands a bit straighter. He touches his gut where a halfling fist sized bruise will no doubt be emerging and winces a little. "Remind me not to upset you in the future" he shoots at Peri with a grin.
His face becomes serious once more. "Call him what you like, but one thing is sure" his voice dips to a whisper. "His death will come at my hands. No-one makes a fool out of me and lives to talk about it. Make me attack my friends? I think not." It dawns on him. They've thought he was charmed this whole time. He can't help himself and starts to laugh. "Is that what this mob is about? You think I'm on his side? His gaze wore off our first night out of Saltmarsh." His laughter deepens to a point it makes his tender ribs hurt. He holds his hand up as if to halt traffic as he bends at the knees in hysterics. "You lot don't have a single bad bone between you".
Peri feels a mixture of relief and irritation at Kei's revelation. "Keep laughin' and there's gonna be a whole pile of bad bones where you're standin'! We've been worryin' about how to unpossess you, and you've been just fine the whole time?!" He thumps Kei in one of the bruises, but pulls the punch so it won't do any more damage. "You'd best be grateful you only got a few lumps; Qivys was willin' to take the whole finger! And you don't wanna know the beastly things Boko was gonna do. Actin' a fool, makin' us all worry you were gonna sneak off on your own to be that vampire's lapdog..." He gives a loud huff as his ire fades, letting someone else take over the chastising.
"What? What? What?" shouts Lankus, leaping up, dressed only in his undergarments, with a heavy crossbow loaded and readied. He's clearly still half-asleep, but in a state of alarm. "What's going on? Where is it?"
No, not one apology, nothing about ‘I’m sorry I attacked you, I was charmed,’ from Kei. Just the continued ruse that he was under the charm spell still, intended or not, like being deceptive was a natural state of affairs for him.
And his *apology*, such as it was, was a feeble attempt at justifying his actions, though no attempt was made to explain his lack of immediate apology or explanation once the charm wore off. It is a good thing Kei is so bad at actually telling the truth that his tale had the ring of sincerity to it.
Yes, a fair punishment for his lack of transparency the beatdown was, and the whole situation just made Gerrard laugh—first at Kei and his self-invited beating, then at himself for being so worried, then just in relief that he wasn’t going to have to deal with a vampire-charmed comrade, at least for tonight.
Between chuckles, Gerrard says, “Fear not,Master Lankus, the situation is resolved. Let us get some sleep secure in the knowledge that the vampire’s charm no longer rests upon the secretive Master Kei.”
Rolling over and preparing to go back to sleep, Gerrard says a small prayer of thanks that he companions are hale once more, though concerns swirl in his mind about Sahuagin and Vampires, Sea titans and red-haired love interests until he once more slumbers.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Boko mutters to the group, “so you were not kidding, he is always like this.” She sighs, and very deliberately does not add another punch to the solar plexus. Settling down to begin her watch, she says to Lankus, “the vampire can charm people. He charmed Kei when we first encountered him. We now know it wears off in a day, but Kei did not change his behavior nor tell us what happened so there was just now a… confrontation. Avoided. Fortunately.”
In the morning she quietly asks the spellcasters if anyone can also prepare protection from evil and good which, she thinks, can help out a lot once they come to find Bela and his friends. She has also prepared daylight.
She goes to find the ring where Qivys placed it and then locates a small branch. Using pibe needles or dry grass she ties the ring to the branch and then places it in the flowing water of the stream that they’ve been following. She doesn’t want it tracked to give up their location or it to be used to look in on the group. It may be paranoia or it may just be her learning from the worst option happening to the group.
His hysteria begins to subside as the rest of the group goes about getting back to sleep. It's not like anyone asked me if I was OK. They just kept asking my opinion on Bela. He justifies his actions to himself. "So, are you still willing to help me in the morning or was it all a ruse to set this intervention in play?" He says to Peri and Lankus as everyone settles in for the remainder of the night.
((Keis Spirit Session request and follow up remain his intent even after having the mana beat out of him by his friend))
To Boko's early morning question he replies "I can help with the spell you seek, but only once per day. That is if you trust me." The bitterness in his voice hangs heavy on the last few words.
Peri throws his hands up in exasperation. "No, that wasn't a 'ruse.' Of course I'll help. I'm always willin' to help you; I just didn't wanna be helpin' out the vampire! And quit bein' all mopey. You're lucky we like you, or we'd've just shot you in the back and threw you in the river! Now, do you wanna do your thing now, while we're all awake, or can I go back to sleep? I've got last watch, so we can do it then if you'd rather."
If Kei wants to wait then Peri will turn in for the night.
"I think on the dawn is best. Give this unusual pain in my ribs a chance to disappear". He winces again as he brushes the spot Peri connected with. Boko's question surprises him a little. "You...um...can if you like. Didn't think you'd...well, I didn't know you would want to". If he was prone to blushing he may have but that would involve a sense of self-consciousness. No matter what they may do to you in your sleep, I think this lot actually cares for you. It's that thought he focuses on as sleep claims him again.
The arcane hut fades, leaving the party in the winter cold as the morning gloom brightens a bit.
Boko finds the ring, and submerges it in the icy river. The river – a wide, rocky stream, really – is barely 20 feet across and quite shallow. It is also mostly covered with ice. But Boko is easily able to find a gap with running water. Submerging the ring has no obvious physical effect. The water has a sour smell but seems drinkable.
She notices something else, too – a thin trail of smoke against the grey skies, somewhere upriver. Evidently a small fire of some kind, perhaps a half mile away, although the distance is difficult to judge. She hears nothing except the quiet babble of the stream under the ice.
With the arrival of the morning, Qivys rises, stretches a bit them packs his gear onto his pony. He eats from his rations and watches the party. He will say little and move out when the party is ready.
"We best find these elves an' see if'n they can lead us to tha vampire before it gets dark. These woods are not fer good folk." is all he states.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gerrard:
"There is the backtrail of the vampire spawn girl to check out as well," Gerrard adds as he looks towards Boko, "But I expect Mistress Boko has already investigated that avenue. Finding the elves is likely our next best bet."
Caring for the horses and getting Erik ready for the morning's travel, Gerrard asks, "Where to next? Do we continue to follow the stream, or has anyone seen something else of note to investigate?"
Perception or Survival to see anything useful in the form of tracks or other wilderness clues:
Perception: 6
Survival: 12
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
He completes his ritual with the help of Peri and Lankus. Standing, he fears that he's learnt nothing from the cards. With a disappointed look he reaches to his pouch to replace the cards. One drops to the ground. As he reaches to collect it an image runs through his mind. That was it! The seance had worked after all.
"I don't know which way to head, but I agree with the dwarf. We need to find the Elves. Quickly." He packs the remainder of his gear and waits by his horse for the group to decide on their direction.
Gerrard examines the surroundings for tracks or other clues. The girl's footprints are quickly eroding in the icy breeze. Fragments of another singular trail of humanoid prints - perhaps Carl's? - is nearly eroded away along the stream bank, heading upriver.
"Shall we continue upriver, then?" suggests Gerrard. "I would lead out, nobly in front, but I am not really the best tracker," he adds with a wry smile.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Upon returning Qivys will stand by as the others discuss Kei and his behavior.
Gerrard:
”Mistress Boko also speaks truly, Master Kei. Answer Master Fenwader’s question that we may know how you align,” asks Gerrard.
Insight on Kei’s upcoming response: 12
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Peri:
Peri keeps his strike readied, but calls forth his Astral Self. Startin' to feel like second nature, it comes so easy now. He watches Kei's every gesture, alert to trickery or deception. "How do you feel about them callin' your pal Bela a blood sucker? You just gonna let that slide? Let 'em go after him, kill him in his own castle?"
Kei
"I don't plan on letting any of you kill him" he says in a matter-of-fact manner. The effect of Peri's stunning blow now fully faded he stands a bit straighter. He touches his gut where a halfling fist sized bruise will no doubt be emerging and winces a little. "Remind me not to upset you in the future" he shoots at Peri with a grin.
His face becomes serious once more. "Call him what you like, but one thing is sure" his voice dips to a whisper. "His death will come at my hands. No-one makes a fool out of me and lives to talk about it. Make me attack my friends? I think not." It dawns on him. They've thought he was charmed this whole time. He can't help himself and starts to laugh. "Is that what this mob is about? You think I'm on his side? His gaze wore off our first night out of Saltmarsh." His laughter deepens to a point it makes his tender ribs hurt. He holds his hand up as if to halt traffic as he bends at the knees in hysterics. "You lot don't have a single bad bone between you".
Peri:
Peri feels a mixture of relief and irritation at Kei's revelation. "Keep laughin' and there's gonna be a whole pile of bad bones where you're standin'! We've been worryin' about how to unpossess you, and you've been just fine the whole time?!" He thumps Kei in one of the bruises, but pulls the punch so it won't do any more damage. "You'd best be grateful you only got a few lumps; Qivys was willin' to take the whole finger! And you don't wanna know the beastly things Boko was gonna do. Actin' a fool, makin' us all worry you were gonna sneak off on your own to be that vampire's lapdog..." He gives a loud huff as his ire fades, letting someone else take over the chastising.
"What? What? What?" shouts Lankus, leaping up, dressed only in his undergarments, with a heavy crossbow loaded and readied. He's clearly still half-asleep, but in a state of alarm. "What's going on? Where is it?"
Gerrard:
No, not one apology, nothing about ‘I’m sorry I attacked you, I was charmed,’ from Kei. Just the continued ruse that he was under the charm spell still, intended or not, like being deceptive was a natural state of affairs for him.
And his *apology*, such as it was, was a feeble attempt at justifying his actions, though no attempt was made to explain his lack of immediate apology or explanation once the charm wore off. It is a good thing Kei is so bad at actually telling the truth that his tale had the ring of sincerity to it.
Yes, a fair punishment for his lack of transparency the beatdown was, and the whole situation just made Gerrard laugh—first at Kei and his self-invited beating, then at himself for being so worried, then just in relief that he wasn’t going to have to deal with a vampire-charmed comrade, at least for tonight.
Between chuckles, Gerrard says, “Fear not,Master Lankus, the situation is resolved. Let us get some sleep secure in the knowledge that the vampire’s charm no longer rests upon the secretive Master Kei.”
Rolling over and preparing to go back to sleep, Gerrard says a small prayer of thanks that he companions are hale once more, though concerns swirl in his mind about Sahuagin and Vampires, Sea titans and red-haired love interests until he once more slumbers.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Qivys' eyes narrow, he folds his arms and doubt creeps in.
"Dragon Bullox" Qivys says to Kei's explanation. "I ain't buyin' it but tha only way we can tell is if'n we find yer crush an' see how ya react then."
Qivys ignores Lakus' coming late to the party reaction and waits.
Lankus calms down and wakes up, confused at the situation but reassured that there is no immediate fight at hand. "What happened?" he asked soberly.
(Unless there is any further activity, we may presume that you all had a long rest.)
The sky is beginning to lighten. The snow outside has frozen into a thin crust. Kei's arcane hut is beginning to fade away.
(Anything further you'd like to do before continuing? How are you proceeding from here?)
Boko mutters to the group, “so you were not kidding, he is always like this.” She sighs, and very deliberately does not add another punch to the solar plexus. Settling down to begin her watch, she says to Lankus, “the vampire can charm people. He charmed Kei when we first encountered him. We now know it wears off in a day, but Kei did not change his behavior nor tell us what happened so there was just now a… confrontation. Avoided. Fortunately.”
In the morning she quietly asks the spellcasters if anyone can also prepare protection from evil and good which, she thinks, can help out a lot once they come to find Bela and his friends. She has also prepared daylight.
She goes to find the ring where Qivys placed it and then locates a small branch. Using pibe needles or dry grass she ties the ring to the branch and then places it in the flowing water of the stream that they’ve been following. She doesn’t want it tracked to give up their location or it to be used to look in on the group. It may be paranoia or it may just be her learning from the worst option happening to the group.
Kei
His hysteria begins to subside as the rest of the group goes about getting back to sleep. It's not like anyone asked me if I was OK. They just kept asking my opinion on Bela. He justifies his actions to himself. "So, are you still willing to help me in the morning or was it all a ruse to set this intervention in play?" He says to Peri and Lankus as everyone settles in for the remainder of the night.
((Keis Spirit Session request and follow up remain his intent even after having the mana beat out of him by his friend))
To Boko's early morning question he replies "I can help with the spell you seek, but only once per day. That is if you trust me." The bitterness in his voice hangs heavy on the last few words.
Peri:
Peri throws his hands up in exasperation. "No, that wasn't a 'ruse.' Of course I'll help. I'm always willin' to help you; I just didn't wanna be helpin' out the vampire! And quit bein' all mopey. You're lucky we like you, or we'd've just shot you in the back and threw you in the river! Now, do you wanna do your thing now, while we're all awake, or can I go back to sleep? I've got last watch, so we can do it then if you'd rather."
If Kei wants to wait then Peri will turn in for the night.
"You do not wish me to play cards?" Boko says with a half grin.
Kei
"I think on the dawn is best. Give this unusual pain in my ribs a chance to disappear". He winces again as he brushes the spot Peri connected with. Boko's question surprises him a little. "You...um...can if you like. Didn't think you'd...well, I didn't know you would want to". If he was prone to blushing he may have but that would involve a sense of self-consciousness. No matter what they may do to you in your sleep, I think this lot actually cares for you. It's that thought he focuses on as sleep claims him again.
The arcane hut fades, leaving the party in the winter cold as the morning gloom brightens a bit.
Boko finds the ring, and submerges it in the icy river. The river – a wide, rocky stream, really – is barely 20 feet across and quite shallow. It is also mostly covered with ice. But Boko is easily able to find a gap with running water. Submerging the ring has no obvious physical effect. The water has a sour smell but seems drinkable.
She notices something else, too – a thin trail of smoke against the grey skies, somewhere upriver. Evidently a small fire of some kind, perhaps a half mile away, although the distance is difficult to judge. She hears nothing except the quiet babble of the stream under the ice.
With the arrival of the morning, Qivys rises, stretches a bit them packs his gear onto his pony. He eats from his rations and watches the party. He will say little and move out when the party is ready.
"We best find these elves an' see if'n they can lead us to tha vampire before it gets dark. These woods are not fer good folk." is all he states.
Gerrard:
"There is the backtrail of the vampire spawn girl to check out as well," Gerrard adds as he looks towards Boko, "But I expect Mistress Boko has already investigated that avenue. Finding the elves is likely our next best bet."
Caring for the horses and getting Erik ready for the morning's travel, Gerrard asks, "Where to next? Do we continue to follow the stream, or has anyone seen something else of note to investigate?"
Perception or Survival to see anything useful in the form of tracks or other wilderness clues:
Perception: 6
Survival: 12
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Kei
He completes his ritual with the help of Peri and Lankus. Standing, he fears that he's learnt nothing from the cards. With a disappointed look he reaches to his pouch to replace the cards. One drops to the ground. As he reaches to collect it an image runs through his mind. That was it! The seance had worked after all.
"I don't know which way to head, but I agree with the dwarf. We need to find the Elves. Quickly." He packs the remainder of his gear and waits by his horse for the group to decide on their direction.
Gerrard examines the surroundings for tracks or other clues. The girl's footprints are quickly eroding in the icy breeze. Fragments of another singular trail of humanoid prints - perhaps Carl's? - is nearly eroded away along the stream bank, heading upriver.
Gerrard:
"Shall we continue upriver, then?" suggests Gerrard. "I would lead out, nobly in front, but I am not really the best tracker," he adds with a wry smile.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"