Zaf(22),Jirel(17),Jasun(14),Rose(13),Nadya(12),Catoblepas(11)(77),Seraphina(3)

Jasun and Nadya attack Catoblepas!

Attack: 26 Damage: 12
Attack: 23 Damage: 9
Attack: 23 Damage: 8

Attack: 15 Damage: 7
Attack: 17 Damage: 12

Zaf(22),Jirel(17),Jasun(14),Rose(13),Nadya(12),Catoblepas(11)(12),Seraphina(3)

Catoblepas bites Seraphina, gores Jirel, and kicks at Rose and Jasun!

Seraphina
Attack: 27 Damage: 16

Jirel
Attack: 30 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.

Rose
Attack: 27 Damage: 10

Jasun
Attack: 17 Damage: 12

Zaf(22),Jirel(17),Jasun(14),Rose(13),Nadya(12),Catoblepas(11)(12),Seraphina(3)

Sera works on finishing the catoblepas.

Attack: 11 Damage: 12

Attack: 25 Damage: 14

With the catoblepas defeated, the humanoid creature once again emerges from the bole of the Mother Tree with a long, lustrous, golden thread in her hands. She states, “This thread represents Baba Yaga’s fate; the first part of your quest is done. Twine the thread around the doll and soak them both in the poison blood of the beast. Then bathe the doll in the pool and the bars of her prison will weaken.”

Sera takes a deep breath and takes the thread, which she wraps around the doll and then dips in the catoblepas blood before dunking it in the pool.

As the woman would guide them on to the next step, the stars on Zaf realign for the chalice, expanding his ability to heal during the next few moments. An unnecessary precaution perhaps, but it would not stop him from softly chirping the mending hymns that would revitalize both himself and others. And after... he observed from a fair distance, curious as to what may truly come to be...

----> (1st level)Cure Wounds on Self, restoring 7 and Chalice Healing for Jasun: 16.
----> (2nd level)Cure Wounds on Rose, restoring 13 and Chalice Healing for Seraphina: 10.

Once the matryoshka doll is dipped in the pool, the blood washes away and the golden thread of Baba Yaga’s fate is absorbed into the doll. A sudden crack appears in the wood where the cord was absorbed, and the doll splits open to reveal a second, slightly smaller doll within, this one painted as a stout Russian matron holding a pullet under one arm. The humanoid figure speaks again.

"You have taken Baba Yaga’s fate into your hands. The first test is past, but many remain. You must now reclaim a symbol of her power. Know that the demon lord Kostchtchie and the witch queens of Irrisen were not Baba Yaga’s first attempts to elevate some mortal to supreme power to rule in her name over lesser peoples. There was another before, a great warrior called Bremagyr, whom Baba Yaga made a queen over a vast empire on her own world. Yet when the Queen of Witches sought the obeisance due her from this petty empress, Bremagyr forgot from whence her power came and refused to do honor unto Baba Yaga. Where Baba Yaga had raised her from warrior to queen in a year, she laid Bremagyr and all her empire low in a night. Never again has the sun risen or set over the crumbled empire of Bremagyr, as a lesson to all who would come after and seek Baba Yaga’s power but refuse her obedience.

Bremagyr is now a shadow of the queen she once was, cursed to forever haunt her iron fortress of Vashliq, which was cast down by Baba Yaga and brought inside her Dancing Hut. Yet some vestige of Baba Yaga’s power still lies within Bremagyr, and only with the destruction of the dead queen will you be able to obtain that power and continue on your quest. Now go. Follow Baba Yaga’s guidance. Find the Canyon of the Drakes and enter the lost fortress of Vashliq. When you have reclaimed Baba Yaga’s power, bring it back to this sacred pool to unlock the next secret of the doll that imprisons her.”

"Find... hm... I suppose then you can give no further directions to help narrow down our search. Hmm... No matter." Zaf balls up a hand and holds it with its opposite before his chest. "You have our thanks. And may we yet prove a disappointment in this matter. Though I imagine, death or a fate worse than it awaits us if we are." He eye smiled at that, and then looks to the others. "Shall we proceed then? Perhaps starting down there?" He gestures in the direction of A-4.

Area A4

A side canyon exits the grotto to the northwest and up atop, the cliff face rises in a series of natural ledges rimed with ice and dusted with small drifts of snow. The mouth of a low cave is just visible atop the highest ledge. The doll with Baba Yaga inside urges you to climb the ledge and enter the cave.

When Zaf would give his thanks to the figure for providing direction, Jirel would bow her head forward in respect. She'd then nod to the Owl Aarakocra when he'd suggest for them to proceed. She'd  follow along with the group, keeping her head on a swivel. The goliath's honeyed eyes were vibrant as she looked around. Although she was highly alert, watching over the others, her steps were energetic, yet light. There was grace in her movements and a playful air about the barbarian here.

Looking up at the cliff, Jirel could feel the urge of a challenge, egging her to climb the ledge and enter the cave. She'd look back to the others as she'd take out some rope then jut her chin towards the cave. "Shall we proceed then?" Doing her best to replicate the way Zaf said it, a small smirk would tug at her lips.

"Would any one like a lift?" The blonde would offer to take someone up if they desired. Though, she knew everyone was more than capable of making the climb themselves with a little rope. Then again, catching a ride with Zaf was probably the most efficient.

If anyone looked to Zaf expectantly for a ride, the owl aarakocra quite casually pulls out the giant owl statuette, ready to summon it at their behest. But if not, he took to the air intending to hover alongside the ledges to watch others proceed at their own pace. "Out of curiousity, Jasun--" He asked either which way. "Having seen all you've seen so far, and witnessed all you have as well, have you ever thought about becoming a Druid by any chance?"

Jirel carries you all up. Stepping into the darkened cave deposits you all inside the dim interior of a large tent. There is no sign of the cold, frost-shrouded canyon or the cave entrance you just came through, just the blank silk wall of the tent behind you. This large, opulent tent is made of heavy silk, its walls and roof supported by a dozen sturdy teak poles. Despite two silver braziers giving off warmth and smoke from a pungent incense, the tent’s interior is still uncomfortably cold, and its walls whip and snap against gusts of icy wind. The tent is luxuriously outfitted with cushioned beds, camp chairs and tables, and amenities such as fine cabinetwork around the walls, rich wall hangings, and a large silver hookah. Inside the tent is a 13-foot tall humanoid with white skin and horns. He is decked out in the rich finery and jeweled rings of genie nobility. He is attended by six surly human women dressed in coarse robes and veils who speak little and scowl suspiciously at you. "Welcome travelers, to my tent. Make yourselves comfortable and feel free to avail yourselves of some coffee or have a puff on my hookah. I believe that we have a common interest, no?"

Jirel's chest would lightly rise and fall from the bit of exertion sustained from carrying everyone up. She enjoyed the work out. She felt warmed up and limber. A look of confusion would pass over her face when the cave would drop them all into a tent. The blonde would walk along with the group, observing the new space. Her eyes would not light up with interest until they'd fall over the 13-foot tall being that occupied the tent. She'd look him up and down before scanning the scowling women, smirking at them.

The barbarian felt temptation. Her eyes would take double glances and she'd consider indulging, perhaps taking a hit of the hookah. But, she decided for the moment she would keep a clear mind. Jirel would bow her head in thanks for welcoming them into the tent and offering to share his luxuries. Though, her silent companions appeared to be wary and perhaps pressed to continue. It was an opportunity to talk, converse, instead of fight. Right?

What might Zaf or Jasun, their Silvertongue, say? Since it was awkwardly quiet, the goliath would clear her throat before straightening her posture to present her full bodied frame before the true giant, "To ensure that we share common ground, what is your interest?"

For once Zaf is rather quiet not out of wariness or thoughtfulness, but for seeming curiosity and fascination over everything in the tent. The change in conditions had been so sudden, the avian blooded being couldn't help but marvel for a few awkward moments. It wasn't as if the others couldn't yet speak on their own... right? "Hm? Hm? Oh... yes, that would be very important. We can of course make some assumptions. But as the saying goes, assuming too much will make an arse out of you and me. And we wouldn't want that... But of course, thank you for the hospitality. Though, my days of coffee and hookah are behind me, it is appreciated." He quickly bows his head once. "

"Well, I assume that your presence here can only mean that some misfortune has befallen Baba Yaga and that you, as Black Riders, would be here to save her. Well I am also in the service of Baba Yaga and I have some information that may be of use to you.

Queen Bremagyr established her empire with Baba Yaga’s help over a thousand years ago. We stand now in what is left of her capital of Vashliq. The final battle of her conquest was fought on this very cliff above a vast fertile plain of fields and sprawling towns below. This was the breadbasket of her empire, and the fortress of iron and stone that she built was its crown jewel. “Baba Yaga gave Bremagyr her empire and demanded only her fealty in return, but Bremagyr became drunk on the power of her newly won realm and believed it was by her might that it had been established. Bremagyr spurned Baba Yaga and threatened to turn the might of her empire against her if she ever returned.

Instead, Baba Yaga called upon the might of the cosmos, struck Queen Bremagyr down, and wrested her capital from its very foundations to be placed here in this void within her hut. Baba Yaga captured Bremagyr’s soul and imprisoned her here in her fortress, to watch as her empire slowly decays into nothing, just as her power has. “My role here is simple. I watch Vashliq’s destruction and observe Queen Bremagyr as she howls her rage at the void. When the time comes, my retinue and I shall depart and report on the soul-rending anguish that has occurred here—a fitting punishment that brought the queen to this end.

Now, however, it seems that Baba Yaga needs to reclaim the power that she invested here to imprison Bremagyr’s soul and realm. For you to recover it, you must venture into the fortress of Vashliq, where Bremagyr still waits in her throne room. Bremagyr’s crown holds the power of Baba Yaga that you seek. Destroy Bremagyr, recover her crown, and bring it back here, and I will show you the way back to Grandmother’s Cauldron.”

Rose had fallen into silence after the last fight, keeping to herself while she thought of a few things that needed to be sorted out. When the offer of being carried up by Jirel was brought up though, the firbolg immediately (even embarrassingly so) had nodded her head feverishly. It was perhaps a bit strange, but it brought her joy to be carried. Perhaps because being as tall as she was, it was never truly offered to her before in her past, but now that she was exposed to it, she thoroughly enjoyed it.

When safely bought up, the cleric gives Jirel a quick peck on the cheek to show her gratitude, followed by a thank you, then she quickly walks away, hands cupping her cheeks to cool down and hide her flushed face. Why did I do that?

Rose gathers her composure just before entering the tent... only to completely lose it when they do enter and she sees the surly women. She hides behind her bangs once again and retreats to the back of the group to let them handle all that shit, too anxious to speak now.

Insight: 19.

"We've been told much the same. Or to be more exacting, to bring that vestige of power to the pool -- presumably, as you say, Grandmother's Cauldron. So, I suppose our interest are aligned, as it would me the end-..." He trails off for a moment, seeming lost in thought. Then chirped sofftly and bowed his head. "My apologies. It seems I have more parrot in me than just owl... So to be clear, we need to scale down to the bottom to reach her then? Or was this fortress where she presides set into the cliff face itself? And if the latter, might you know a means to reach it there safely?"

Zaf: He's not lying.

"You need not scale down the cliff to reach her. The fortress is on the same level as this tent." The man opens a flap on the tent, revealing the desolate cliff edge that is devoid of all save the crumbling foundations of buildings that once stood here but have now fallen into fissures or succumbed to the howling winds that scream across the plain. To the north is the great void with its slowly swirling vortex of annihilation, and to the south and west stands a range of jagged volcanic peaks. A broken fortress stands at the base of the mountains where they reach the edge of the cliff.

 "What a joyful scene." Zaf said in such a light tone as to make it difficult to determine if sarcasm or genuineness was meant in the moment. "Best we're off then, unless the rest of you need a brief respite? Perhaps you, Jirel? It cannot have been easy to literally carry the whole team before... Well, most of us." He flexes his wings a little, and then gives Rose a sly look as he adds, "Or perhaps some of us made it easier?"

As soon as either reacted to the tease, he takes off to hover just out of at least physical reach of either for a while.  Or at least, until the others decide the course.

Jirel was glad she could at least start the conversation, because when the big boy started babbling beast vocab her way, she blanked. Her attention had been guilty of moving on to other things. But faithfully diligent as always, Zaf chimes in to save her social faux pas. The barbarian's posture would visibly relax when the owl would manage to bring the conversation to a summarized conclusion for her.

A confident grin would grow on the blondes face when Zaf would suggest a rest from her heavy lifting. She could have carried them all at the same time if it was possible to bundle them all together. Jirel was actually guilty of beaming with pride and falling for almost wanting to prove she could. But something told her, after his last comment meant it was a soft jest? Was Zaf teasing her? The barbarian's grin would waver in her internal confusion before she'd finally give in and chuff in stunned amusement just as he flits away.

Hefting her axe playfully on her shoulder, Jirel would follow the owl.

Rose's eye were glued to her feet during the conversation with the giant, trying not to spontaneously combust from her spot. Really she was just hoping that she didn't draw any of the women's eyes. She didn't like it when eyes were on her, especially eyes that looked like they were about to stab daggers into her. It made her feel sick. Thankfully, Zaf had taken care of the discussion swiftly and they were able to be on their way. Truly, the firbolg had never wanted to leave the area was much as she did right then, quickly hustling out as soon as the opportunity presented itself. 

Then came Zaf with his sly remark, slowing her down and earning him a quiet whine from her, but nothing more.