Flight of Intrigue
Temple of Daeus, Alexandria, afternoon
Some jobs are less glamorous than others, but they pay just as well. This one looks to be one of those. Inquisitor Nikolai Ventus is an imposing man, dark-skinned with sharp piercing eyes and a shaved head, dressed in gold and silver mail bearing the symbol of Daeus. His expression is stern, but not unfriendly, as he speaks.
"The lad's name is Sanan, and he came to us a week ago with information about the Ebon Syndicate. During that time we've had three attempted infiltrations." Nikolai makes a face. "They'd have succeeded if we hadn't gotten a little more paranoid about fiends and werewolves in our midst. As it was, we need to get the boy -out- of Alexandria. The problem is that the Syndicate really, really want him back -- or dead."
"So here's my gamble. I've hired two wagon teams -- with guards drawn from the Guild. I also managed to wrangle two of our resident archmages into helping, which -should- qualify me for sainthood." The inquisitor rolls his eyes. "We're going to spread the Syndicate's hired blades as thin as possible. But Sanan won't be leaving with the archmagi, or the wagon teams. You'll be with him on the airship Lillend's Love -- it's leaving tonight for the Mythwood. It should be a short trip, and the Mythwood elves have promised they can keep Sanan safe."
"Fiends? They're the *worst*." Skyler the (ex) Sky-Pirate tsks, shaking his head sadly, "Always infecting cattle and setting stuff on fire for no reason."
The young swashbuckler is prepared to swash some buckles, his old tattered armored coat traded in for a mithril shirt under a more light weight coat, although it still being cold as a priest's bed he's kept the knit hat with the poof on top, mittens, and all. He's also added a short bow in a quiver across his back and a pair of spiffy new boots! But more on those later, maybe. He looks excited as they listen to Inquisitor Ventus, pale grey-green eyes bright with excitement and even brighter when an air ship is mentioned. He knows about those!
"An air ship? I know about those!" Is Lillend's Love equipped with any defenses, or does it run light?"
Bryn is always up for an adventure, and the payin kind is even better. They make it alot easier to do the non-paying venturing. "Fiends 'n werewolfs, too?!" She whistles low. "Damn, but this place ain' borin..." Because that's another good reason to venture out: as a salve for boredom.
She runs her tongue along a tusk thoughtfully. "So we're sneakin the kid out onna ship. Got it." She then looks over at Skyler and laughs. "Was a waste o' good meat, ey?"
Haggerty squints from under his blue and oh so pointy hat. He trades glances with the oogly-ugly shrunk bulldog of sorts. The canine rolls eyes and arfles low as the pale guy whispers, "Yes, anyone who survives dealing with progressive archmages does qualify." The redhead feeds the little pooch a fish flake looking bite, "An excellent plan, Master Daeusite!" He looks between the assembled adventurers with a winning smile.
Palomas is attentive at least, if not demanding of attention. The halfling man listens to the briefing with the occasional nod, or well-meaning mmhmm, working the stem of an unlit pipe around his mouth
?Never been on an airship, very exciting. Trust me, Sirrah, the boy is in good hands. When I signed me name to the job, its with a promise to see it through!?. His brilliant Veyshanti smile nearly splits his face in imitation to the cheerful sun on his shield.
The inquisitor nods briskly. "My colleagues and I will bring the boy to you under cover, before the ship leaves the airship docks. No point in exposing him a moment longer than necessary."
Nikolai nods grimly to Bryn. "Alexandria's had it's share of troubles. It's good to remember that some of the rules are in place for a good reason. That being said... I'd rather deal with our home-grown magicians than some of the twisted spell-slingers you see in places like Charn."
At Skyler's question, he smiles slightly. "It's what you'd call a cutter. Light ballista fore and aft. Mostly gets used for transporting specialty cargoes and passengers who can't afford a teleport spell. You'll be heading to Marniar'nir in the Mythwood, where my counterpart will meet you. She's kind of obvious, but she'll also give the password: 'Eli allows the trees to reach for him.'."
Bryn scowls at mention of Charn. "Ye. Went there once. Inna cage. Weren' much fun, 'n the sights ain worth it." She jabs a mechanical thumb at her eyepatch, grinning toothily at her own joke.
Then she claps her hands together with a meaty clunk. "So, when we leavin?!"
"Ari lets the fees preach to them?" Not quite, Skyler. But the former pirate shakes his head, and leaves the heavy lifting to other people... Like Haggerty! He's got a pointy hat and *everyone* knows people with pointy hats are smart; that's why they need all that room: for their *heads*. "Sounds sus, especially if we're exposing people, but ok."
To be fair, his one brain cell is currently occupied with talk about cutters and air ships, nodding slowly, "I won't ask what kind of opposition we can expect, because if you knew that, you'd plan for it already and then they'd change their plants and you'd not know what to expect because if you knew they'd know you knew and plan for it." Wot? Instead of following that derailed choo choo train, he instead nods at Bryn, "Cover of dark, or going as if it were business as usual to disguise the precious cargo?"
Haggerty respectfully lowers his head to the divine judgement applicator, somewhat comically echoed by the dogling, "Very well, Good Master. We should test anyone aboard with silver items. A look at lines and any balloons to keep the cloud cutter afloat I dare deem practical as well." He sideways glances at the similarly enthused rake, sighs from immediate knowledge of that look, ducks a little in expectance of low flying heavy objects. When that does not happen, he straightens his thin frame out, "Do contribute to my ideas, please."
Palomas lets the buzz of conversation flow around him, instead taking a physical check of his equipment. First, he slips the strange stick off his back, tightening the strap. He plucks like a string and nods when it twangs like a lonely guitars
Next, the longsword which to all his compatriots may as well be a shortsword. He does not draw this weapon in the presence of an inquisitor but does make sure it is not rattling about.
The stem of the pipe is bit on and and he shifts it to the right corner. The last is a strapped Lucht Traveller Knife, who he taps the hidden compartment.
A smooth pearl pops out and he smiles at Ol Lucky.
Airship 'Lillend's Love', enroute from Alexandria to Marniar'nir
The handoff goes without a hitch. Five inquisitors -- two from Daeus, two from Althea, and one from Tarien appear at the dock practically out of the air. With them is a dark-haired young man who looks -incredibly- nervous, dressed in nondescript clothing. "Remember the pass-phrase," Nikolai tells Sanan. "Do -not- go anywhere unless she says it." The boy nods, then climbs aboard into your care.
The cutter is a trim thing, the sails and magical scribing in good shape. The propellers begin to turn as the ship casts off, and soon you're heading northwest away from Alexandria, the snow still spilling over you. As you are flying, far off on the ground some distance from the city you suddenly see several flashes of light, signs that -something- might be happening down there. The low rumble of thunder that catches up to you confirms it.
But at least you're free of whatever it might be, as the ship picks up speed. Sanan retreats to his cabin to rest as darkness falls, leaving the four of you to patrol the deck. It's a familiar place for Skyler, perhaps not so much for the rest of you.
"Wooo!" Bryn takes up a spot right up front. Snow or no snow, cold or not, the wind in her face feels good... and she's not even running! Or falling. The flashes of light catch her eye, and then there' the booming thunder after it. "Huh. Wonder what's goin on down there?" Too bad that she can't really tell, even leaning over the rail. In a moment or three, they're way past it anyhow.
"Whoa, so this is the famous skyships." Palomas says with wonder in his voice, squinting against the wind. "Never thought I would ever step foot on one of these things, life sure is an adventure you are never prepared for. But, I did bring a hat!" He reaches into his giant backpack and doffs exactly that. A hideous purple cone of wool topped with a red pom that bounces as he turns his head.
"Ah, now that my ears are cozy, I'm Palomas everybody. I hope this is a quiet trip but in case it's not, I got a little skill with a sling and a little skill with a sword, so I can back anyone up on either side of a fight."
As enthusiastic as Skyler usually is, it's hard to say exactly *how* the others can tell, but there's something about the redhead as he walks the ship that speaks of his years of experience. Maybe it's the graceful way he rolls with the ship as it cuts through the air, maybe it's the look of quiet contentment in his eyes. But it's clear that Skyler is in his element.
"That'd probably be why we were hired." Skyler interjects with a chuckle, pausing near Bryn to glance where she's looking. At Palomas's introduction, he turns and gives a quick bow, doffing his knit cap with the ear flaps. "Skyler Skywalker, Sky Pirate." He puts the hat back on, tying it carefully under his chin, "Well. Former sky pirate. Now I'm an upstanding member of society." And he taps a small badge on the front of his coat, indicating membership with the Adventurer's Guild. "See? They even gave me a badge."
Palomas says, “It's a nice badge!”
Haggerty easily wanders the shifting deck and does not mind the chilling winter headwind one fraction of a thought. Of course, this is not a seabound vessel so the Aesir misses a few steps, though he catches on. He gets a small whalebone box from his many pocketed belt, offers dark paste to anyone who cares, snorts up that substance and sneezes it out and overboard. Speaking of currents, the owlbear meat the young rake gifted the little friend of the wizard.. Suffice to say, the fresh air is most beneficial to the procession situation inside the minuscule mastiff, "I am Erik, Son of Hagars. This is Kuno." He holds up the all-dark caninelet. "Yes, indeed. A pretty badge."
The braidsome redhead extends his attentional reach with a fancy magnifying glass once everybody had their chance of sampling snuff. (Haggerty)
The deck is lit by small lanterns which help push back the gloom, the crew moving about their tasks. The main deck has a good-sized cargo hatch which is used to access the hold, although it's cracked open at the moment due to a crewmember going down to check on things.
Then the hatch SLAMS open suddenly, the crewman vaulting out in terror as he runs for the stern. Before any of you can say anything, there's a hissing sound as four large serpents crawl out of the hatch, eyes gleaming with something beyond simple animal instinct. Malice, perhaps. They certainly don't look friendly.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Telamon has dropped a TIMESTOP!
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
GAME: Skyler refreshes special ability pools.
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 24.
It is now Haggerty's turn! Skyler is next!
GAME: Bryn refreshes spells.
GAME: Bryn refreshes special ability pools.
GAME: Haggerty casts Glitterdust. Caster Level: 5 DC: 18
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+3: (12)+3: 15
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+2: (9)+2: 11
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+2: (2)+2: 4
Haggerty is quick to act. Cast first, die later. Maybe! He quickly motions and enunciates the Eldritch incantation, steps back as the flitter and shine sparkles down from nowhere to encompass the wyrmy assailants from the depth of the airborne ship. The little doge shuffles back between the magician's blue boots.
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 14.
It is now Skyler's turn! Bryn is next!
GAME: Skyler rolls acrobatics+5: (5)+10+5: 20
GAME: Skyler spends ONE point of PANACHE.
GAME: Skyler rolls 1d6: (6): 6
GAME: Skyler rolls 1d6: (4): 4
GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1: (4)+9+1: 14
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 14.
It is now Bryn's turn! Constrict2 is next!
GAME: Bryn spends ONE use of BARDIC PERFORMANCE.
"'Ware!" Skyler leaps into action... Literally. He does a tuck and roll towards the sudden snakes, clicking his heels so that his boots shimmer with reddish gold energy momentarily. Once he lands, he snaps out with his sword in an attempt to draw the attention of two of the suddenly glowing snakes.
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 13.
It is now Constrict2's turn! Asp1 is next!
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+5: (6)+5: 11
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+2: (4)+2: 6
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 11.
It is now Asp1's turn! Constrict1 is next!
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+4: (9)+4: 13
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4: (1): 1
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d100: (18): 18
Bryn turns to look at the hatch when crew come out. "Why they in sucha hu-oh!" The emerging serpents answer her question. "Ey!" Her voice rises with that yell of surprise into a belted chant. "Sneks onna ship! Gonna chop 'em up quick! Give 'em a beatin! Cause they good eatin!" Well, compared to scorpions.
She draws out her long curveblade and steps towards the nearest slithering stowaway. To stand menacingly.
GAME: Haggerty rolls Fort: (9)+3: 12
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d2: (2): 2
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+3: (19)+3: 22
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 11.
It is now Constrict1's turn! Asp2 is next!
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+5: (20)+5: 25
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+5: (3)+5: 8
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4+4: (1)+4: 5
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+9: (18)+9: 27
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d100: (87): 87
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+2: (7)+2: 9
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 8.
It is now Asp2's turn! Palomas is next!
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d100: (28): 28
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+4: (8)+4: 12
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+3: (14)+3: 17
Palomas has partially disconnected.
The snakes swarm out in all directions, hissing and striking. The captain calls down from the quarterdeck, "What the hells is going ON down there?" as the adventurers are suddenly fighting an ophidian menace!
Haggerty's spell helps tilt the odds in their favor though; strikes go awry and the snakes are having trouble with the glitter confusing their sense of sight. One lands a grazing bite on Haggerty, though, and it's enough to deliver a dose of venom. Still, the snakes have gained far less than they could have.
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 8.
It is now Palomas' turn! Haggerty is next!
GAME: Palomas rolls weapon3: (14)+6: 20
GAME: Palomas rolls 1d6+2: (5)+2: 7
"Ahhhh! SNAKE! AAAAAAAAAH!" Palomas helpfully screams, with matching gusto the aforementioned rattled crew. Scared? You betcha. Bravery is not the absence of fear, it is the willingness to stab into the darkness. Or a viper. He keeps his buckler out because he does not want to get bit, thank you, and does a quick but efficient thrust over the top.
Take that!
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 24.
It is now Haggerty's turn! Skyler is next!
GAME: Haggerty casts Cause Fear. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16
Haggerty experiences the fun of burning nerves and virulence in his bloodstream when the reptile takes a bit of a bite. His expression begins to shift to ashen and the freckles turn into darker, ashen cinders. He groans and takes another step back to carefully whisper another set of none too intricate Eldritch words. A black blot flies from wizard to bitey snek to let it know there is a hyuge, very famished birb swooping down on the fork-tongued beast.
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4: (4): 4
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 14.
It is now Skyler's turn! Bryn is next!
GAME: Skyler rolls acrobatics+5: (12)+10+5: 27
GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1+2: (18)+9+1+2: 30 (THREAT)
GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1+2: (3)+9+1+2: 15
GAME: Skyler gains ONE point of PANACHE.
GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+2: aliased to 1d6+4+2: (6)+4+2: 12
GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+2+3: aliased to 1d6+4+2+3: (6)+4+2+3: 15
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 14.
It is now Bryn's turn! Constrict2 is next!
Perhaps it's being on the familiar sway of an airship. Perhaps it's the magic in those boots. But when the snake snaps at Skyler, missing due to it's blindness, he takes it personally. Another tumble back to where he was, and then his sword lashes out, snipping the head off neatly. "Plenty of meat for you, Bryn!" He teases, and glances at Haggarty. "You good, pointy hat?"
GAME: Bryn spends ONE use of BARDIC PERFORMANCE.
GAME: Bryn rolls weapon1+2: (20)+7+2: 29 (THREAT)
GAME: Bryn rolls weapon1+2: (17)+7+2: 26
GAME: Bryn rolls damage1+damage1: aliased to 2d4+4+2d4+4: (4)+4+(4)+4: 16
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 13.
It is now Constrict2's turn! Asp1 is next!
"Ha!" Bryn laughs at Skyler's reparte. Riposte. Riparte? Yeah, Rippapart sounds about right. "Eatin'll be good! Keep swingin! Keep stompin!" She brings her own blade around and with a snikker-snak chops the one in half, turning it into a snekker snack.
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d100: (52): 52
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 11.
It is now Asp1's turn! Palomas is next!
The remaining serpents are unfazed by the loss of their comrades, but that doesn't make them invulnerable. One of the snakes snaps blindly at Palomas, failing to connect. The other slithers away from Haggerty, evidently traumatized from biting the wizard or something, and begins climbing up one of the masts on the deck, scales on wood making a susurrus of noise.
GAME: Haggerty rolls Fort: (19)+2: 21
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 8.
It is now Palomas' turn! Haggerty is next!
GAME: Palomas rolls weapon3+2: (13)+6+2: 21
GAME: Palomas rolls 1d6+5: (2)+5: 7
"Ahhh... snake...." Palomas says, fear bleeding out to less enthuiasm at the realization they're not exactly the fearsome foes he was expecting, but apparently a bit out of their element here. A second stab, another quick thrust beneath the blocking buckler.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 24.
It is now Haggerty's turn! Skyler is next!
Haggerty shudders. It is only a little. "Thank Althea, I hang in here!" He sighs to which the doggo wince-gnargles, "For the love of Her unerring lance, keep up those stabs and swings, all of you!" He then kneels to set down a white candle with heavenly symbols and imagery of plump valyries, warble a hand with a stick while it begins to glow brightly and cause a ripple over the martial lucht from where snarling doges with radiantly pristine coats begin to drool. How many will pop out?
GAME: Haggerty used a Rod of Lesser Extend.
GAME: Haggerty casts Summon Monster II. Caster Level: 5 DC: 18
GAME: Haggerty rolls 1d3: (2): 2
GAME: Skyler rolls perception: (18)+8: 26
GAME: Bryn rolls perception: (6)+10: 16
GAME: Haggerty rolls perception+2: (2)+6+2: 10
GAME: Palomas rolls perception: (11)+4: 15
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 20.
It is now Cobra's turn! Skyler is next!
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d3: (3): 3
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10: (15)+10: 25
GAME: Telamon rolls 2d6+9: (10)+9: 19
GAME: Palomas rolls fortitude: (13)+6: 19
There's a slithering sound from the hold, and abruptly a massive cobra rises up from it, its hood flaring as it looms over the heroes. The serpent suddenly lashes out with a savage bite that sends Palomas reeling, and it hisses loudly enough to be heard over the rumble of the airship's sails.
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 14.
It is now Skyler's turn! Bryn is next!
GAME: Skyler rolls acrobatics+2+5: (14)+10+2+5: 31
GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+2+1: (10)+9+2+1: 22
GAME: Skyler spends ONE point of PANACHE.
GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+2+6: aliased to 1d6+4+2+6: (5)+4+2+6: 17
GAME: Skyler rolls intimidate: (11)+9: 20
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 14.
It is now Bryn's turn! Constrict2 is next!
"No! Not the children!" Skyler watches in horror as Palomas goes down, and with a snarl he strikes...
Another tumble, his heels clicking so that his boots flicker with that arcane energy before he strikes, a wicked blow laid down with precision, followed up with a hard look in his pale green eyes, "I am going to flay your skin and use it to wipe my *ass*!"
GAME: Bryn rolls weapon1+2: (15)+7+2: 24
GAME: Bryn rolls damage1+2+2: aliased to 2d4+4+2+2: (6)+4+2+2: 14
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 13.
It is now Constrict2's turn! Asp1 is next!
GAME: Haggerty rolls Fort: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Haggerty rolls Fort: (18)+2: 20
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d100: (82): 82
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 11.
It is now Asp1's turn! Palomas is next!
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 8.
It is now Palomas' turn! Haggerty is next!
"Shite!" That's not from the really big snake showing up. That's from him chomping on the wee vittle. She would head to him, but... well, there's a snake in her way. And a giant one. Lucky for everyone, Skyler's alrady started working on that problem, and Bryn knows how to help. "Yer fer eatin! We ain' fer eatin! C'mere 'n fight somebody yer own size, ye slitherin log o' shite!" To help get its attention and/or remove it from her path, she slashes it heavily with her blade.
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+2: (3)+2: 5
GAME: Haggerty rolls 1d20: (12): 12
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d100: (69): 69
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-2: (8)+10+-2: 16
Haggerty sees a lot happen and gets to feel a touch of reprieve from the venom coursing his system like a starved polar bear in a fish pond. Or a lutefisk site. The two shiny canines, much more formidable than the bendy legged dark splotch of unending cutes, take full shape. At the time, not to risk burninating the rigging and such, Erik raises three fingers and directs them at the cobra of size. Three silvery bolts erupt from the wizard's shaking hand and aim themselves to hurt the big reptile.
Palomas looks at Bryn with glistening eyes, like the hamster who knows he's about to be fed to the snake. The well-adventured bard knows this story, of the little heart that could till it could not anymore. Palomas, in a better state of mind, would hunker down but adrenaline floods the reasoning side of the brain. Get back, get safe..
He stumbles away, just as the giant cobra snakes forward and bites, exactly where the little guy was before. He falls down behind a bannister face down.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 24.
It is now Haggerty's turn! Cobra is next!
GAME: Haggerty casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16
GAME: Haggerty rolls 3d4+3: (7)+3: 10
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+4+2+2: (20)+4+2+2: 28
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+4+2+2: (10)+4+2+2: 18
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+4+2: (12)+4+2: 18
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4+3+2: (4)+3+2: 9
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 20.
It is now Cobra's turn! Skyler is next!
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10-2: (15)+10+-2: 23
GAME: Skyler spends ONE point of PANACHE.
GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+2: (5)+9+2: 16
GAME: Bryn casts Gallant Inspiration. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15
GAME: Bryn rolls 2d4: (6): 6
GAME: Telamon rolls 2d6+9: (3)+9: 12
GAME: Skyler rolls fortitude+3+2: (5)+3+3+2: 13
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d3: (1): 1
The cobra rears up, blood streaming from many wounds, its eyes ablaze. And then it thunders down to strike Skyler, drawing his blood with a brutal bite, ravaging the swordsman with its venom as the battered serpent strives to take at least one foe with it.
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 14.
It is now Skyler's turn! Bryn is next!
GAME: Skyler rolls acrobatics+2+5: (16)+10+2+5: 33
GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+2+1: (9)+9+2+1: 21
GAME: Skyler spends ONE point of PANACHE.
GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+2+6: aliased to 1d6+4+2+6: (1)+4+2+6: 13
GAME: Skyler gains ONE point of PANACHE.
GAME: Skyler rolls perception: (5)+8+2: 13
GAME: Bryn rolls perception: (1)+10: 11 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Palomas rolls perception: (2)+4: 6
GAME: Haggerty rolls Perception+2: (11)+6+2: 19
As the poison courses through him, Skyler doesn't let it get him down! Instead, he does another of those amazing tumbles, clicking heels so that he lashes out with a precision that borders on the supernatural...
"For the children!"
And he flicks his sword so blood splatters the suddenly appearing dogs behind him.
With the serpents felled, the last snake is found in a torpid state halfway up the mast, in no condition to fight. The crew, finally rallied by the captain and bosun, rush forward to help the adventurers. All the injured are carted inside to the cramped sick ward, where the ship's doctor tends to them with stitches and antitoxin. Sanan is there too, safe and sound. Wisely, he stayed in his cabin with the door firmly latched.
As the sun starts to crest the horizon, the expanse of forest known as the Mythwood can be seen far off. It's been a rough evening, but hopefully things are almost at an end.
Palomas won't be joining on the handoff, largely because he is recuperating from being a snack. Death came perilously close today, enough so that he is left wondering: Is this adventuring thing worth it?
Of course it is! There's *lollipops*!
Sure, it might be because Skyler, in a state of envenomed delirium thinks Palomas is a child, but still! Free candy! It doesn't take much for the former pirate to bounce back, and he *does* make the handoff, if a bit humbled and covered in snake gore.
Bryn grabs herself up some of the snake she chopped (the small one, since the big one would need a little carving). A snack for later. "Don'tcha worry, li'l guy! You'll get sewn up good's new!" Between the ship's doc, and maybe a helpful soothin lullaby (even if Palomas isn't a kid), she's sure it'll all be good. But he can sit out the handin off, if he wants to. How many people does it take to give over one kid? And there's a bunch of Sunshine folks here just for that, right?
Haggerty sends off the two valiant dogbatants along with his minuscule pal. Mutual (doggish) salutes are exchanged and the no longer spiffily white guys poof back home. The wizard ambles to help the lucht join him in the sicko section where he can collapse with a licking bulldog atop his chest. That is a big tongue for such a tine pooch! The wizard manages a meek groany chuckle.
At the Marniar'nir airship dock, you are greeted by a very large contingent of elves. And these don't look like elves that spend time dancing in the woods. These look like serious elves with no sense of humor, wearing fine silvery chain armor and bearing large, heavy halberds. In their midst is an elfmaiden with delicate features, a spill of long blonde hair like a wheat field, and large liquid blue eyes who regards you with cool interest. After a moment, she says in a clear soprano voice, "Eli allows the trees to reach for him."
There's a moment, but then Sanan steps out from your group, looking a little less nervous. "You'd be Inquisitor Vanya then."
The elfgirl bows politely. "Yes. I will be your guide here in the Mythwood. Also your protector -- along with many others." She gifts you all a dazzling smile, as she takes Sanan's hand. "Eli's blessing upon you all. With any luck, we can work on uprooting the Syndicate, one foul growth at a time."