Kerry-Anne Wayward Daughter pt3

Log Info

• Title: Kerry-Anne Wayward Daughter
• Emitter: Jinks
• Characters: Andelena, Skielstregar, Telamon, Vaera
• Place: Lower Trades District
• Time: Monday, March 21, 2022, 11:00 AM
• Summary: The group leaves a Braid Knot with their two Phurai Dae persons-of-interest and Kerry-Anne in tow. Strangely, the trio of bouncers is missing and Skielstregar encounters an issue walking out from under the building's shadow. Some manner of spirit pulls itself out of the unconscious girl's body and battle is joined.

After the creature is dealt with, further accusations are leveled at the tattoo artist as the scarring seems to've played a role in the possession. Kerry-Anne has also taken a turn for the worst and all head for the Soldier's Defense. Attending clerics see to the young couple and the rebellious daughter is stabilized.

Questions are raised about the origins of the spirit...

• Encounter 1: CR8, 4800xp

Animate Dream (CR8, 4800xp)

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- Dramatis Personae =--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-    
Andelena             6'0"     180 Lb     Human             Female    Redhead with steel-grey eyes and powerful build.   
Skielstregar         7'2"     330 Lb     Sith-Makar        Male      A silver/bronze scale with fangs and empty eyes.           
Telamon              5'6"     140 Lb     Half-Elf          Male      A platinum-blond half-sil man with dancing dark eyes
Vaera                7'0"     262 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A tall, dark red Makari with a metallic leg.     
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  As the GM  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Jinks               3'4"     39 Lb      Gnome             Male      A gnomish fellow in fancy garb and jewelry.                                
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

Last Time:

"She should be alright, but it's hard to tell. You were the ones organizing this, so you should be the one who has the best idea of how she is doing." Vaera grumbles. "Regardless, yeah, probably best to get whatever that is out of her. Only problem is that means she won't have anything left to process for the pain. So please, just give us back our things so we can be on our way, before things actually become serious."

Andelena gives the girl another look-over and nods with her assessment. "Yeah. Kid's just partied too hard."

Once she notices the locker's open, she marches in and starts collecting stuff for the group, distributing things to the group. She looks far more comfortable with her longsword. "Okay, folks. Let's get this little pony show on the road."

Skiel holds the girl carefully with one arm as he slings his overloaded bandolier over a shoulder. "Yesss, too much thingsss at once. Come."

Shifting his things around, he makes his way out.

Vaera takes all her things, and begins the process of loading it all into her jacket again. Finished, she takes a moment to adjust everything, before heading for the door. "The less time we spend waiting, the better. Lets get her sorted."

"Ugh... feel free to clean up after yourself before you go!" The gobber complains, half turning to look back over his shoulder as the group re-arms. A good deal of the color remains drained from his features (those not tucked into his shirt). He catches sight of Kerry-Anne with the sick still smeared on her chin and chokes, turning away once more. "... next time you don't take a job-- hk-- with a bunch of homeless drunks and wasters looking to have some visionquest party... gah, ew."

The artist untangles one of his hanging clothes and snaps it out, stepping around folks to drop it over the worst of the puddle at Skiel's feet. Tait hangs by at the back of the group trying to get a look at the girl's face. He still sways unsteadily on his feet and the sweat around his face gives him a sheen in the brighter light; he's not doing much better than the unconscious girl.

Skiel just grunts to the gobbo and nods to the artist as he cleans up the mess. He mentions to Andelena, "Carry the boy, he is about to collapse."

Getting his things together now and belted back on, he cradles the girl as he shoulders the door open.

Now:

Andelena's more than ready to rise to the challenge. She goes over to the boy and says, "Okay, best back ride you're ever gonna get since you were a kid. C'mon." The giant Sunguard hoists him up carefully onto her back regardless of if he fights or not.

"People would pay good money for this kind of thing, y'know," she says with a smirk.

Telamon deadpans, "You know, when I took up adventuring, I thought I'd be battling fiends, laying the restless dead back to rest, or exploring strange new parts of the world. I'm pretty sure this wasn't in the job description." He slides his dagger back into its sheath, and looks at the others. "Hopefully they're not going to squawk when we leave. I'll try and talk us out if necessary, but... no guarantees with this lot."

<OOC> Jinks says, "And, Skiel, if you could roll a Strength check for me, please!"
GAME: Skielstregar rolls strength: (2)+5: 7
<OOC> Jinks says, "And a perception, Skiel."
GAME: Skielstregar rolls perception: (10)+11: 21

"Adventuring is just mercenary work with a pleasant name to it." Vaera shrugs. "It's whatever the people paying want done."

Undburdened by any children, The red makari waits by the door as they make way to leave the place.

Coming through the hanging cloth to the colder world outside and can't but be staggered at how much fresher the air smells-- even this deep in the city. After the change in clime, the second thing you'll notice is the conspicuous absence of the three guards in the shadow of the Braid Knot. Stoic Simza, curious Kizzy, and jesting Jal are nowhere to be seen...

The sun is hiding somewhere behind the tall buildings of the city. It really did take quite a bit of time, mingling and gathering information from the inebriated 'dreamers.' You all filter out into the street from the foyer, leaving the warmth and the noise of the party behind.

A few pedestrians move up and down the street. An inconspicuous couple chats outside another storefront.

You're unmolested through your first few steps. Perhaps the trip back will be smooth.

Telamon rubs his nose, staying next to Skiel. He furrows his brow as the group passes out of the building, looking around... eyes flickering as he sees no guards in sight. "...Why do I have a sinking feeling, Skiel? Like the bottom of the bucket is about to fall out, right on top of us?"

Skielstregar is curiously looking around for the guards before he stops fast, him stumbling like he bumped into a wall. He looks down at the girl in his arms before his visage sets in a scowl. "By the light..." he growls.

He turns to the group, the half finished tattoo on the girl blistering. His tone is frustrated and tired, him looking at the apparition. "... what do you want," he states plainly. "Speak. Elssse thisss one will rip you free from the hatchling."

"I sure fucking hope not, kiddo," Andelena remarks, steel-grey eyes peering at him. "Let's get a move on--"

And then Skielstregar talks. A look dawns on her face in horror. "Skielstregar, is there something in that girl? The fuck? Do you want me to take a look at her or...?"

<OOC> Vaera says, "I would like to look where the guards were for signs of a struggle"
<OOC> Jinks says, "Sure thing, V!"
<OOC> Jinks says, "Perception first, then Survival."
GAME: Vaera rolls perception: (8)+11: 19
GAME: Vaera rolls survival +2: (8)+11+2: 21

"Not like guards to just up and leave like that. They took off down that alleyway nearby, taking someone else with them." Vaera chuffs as she looked to where they once were. "Though, what's the matter Skielstregar? Something going on?" She asks as something seems amiss. "You got any idea what this is about, barber? You're the one who was doing this after all."

It would seem the bronzescaled sith-makar has run into a hitch! Kerry-Anne remains unconscious in his arms, her expression slack with her lips and cheek still smeared with sick. One of the girls arms dangles limply in between his.

When the Daeusite invokes the light and otherworldly scream tears through the street and the others can see the ghost of a face pulling up and out of Kerry-Anne's physical head. A transparent arm separates next, clawing at the air until a whole body stretches away from Skielstregar and falls to the ground in a heap.

There she pants, struggling to stand as she grimaces. It's Kerry-Anne-but-not. Bigger. Older maybe? Her hair is longer and the curls heavy with beaded decoration. She wears a studded vest, a scimitar, and the colorful braids of the Dae. The breeze pushes through her form, stretching out dangling wisps of color.

"I won't--WON'T-- be his baby forever. You. Can't. MAKE ME!" She screams, her entire shape vibrating where she hovers, her feet dangling six-inches above the ground.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  ATTENTION  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Jinks has dropped a TIMESTOP!

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

<OOC> Jinks says, "Skiel, Will save, please."
GAME: Skielstregar rolls will: (16)+3: 19
<OOC> Jinks says, "Anyone want to roll spellcraft to identify?"
GAME: Telamon rolls spellcraft: (18)+11: 29
GAME: Skielstregar rolls spellcraft: (11)+6: 17

The phantom Kerry-Anne floats above the ground menacingly, staring hateful daggets at Skielstregar. "You won't take me back to him! Put me DOWN!"

Reality seems to warp around the sith-makar for a moment, the people around him shifting between friends, strangers, and enemies. He manages to focus on the task at hand and push through the manipulation.

<OOC> Andelena says, "Oh boy. Uh. I'm casting Bless on the party just in case."
GAME: Andelena casts Bless. Caster Level: 3 DC: 14

"Oh fucking bullshit--Daeus, your light upon us!" Andelena cries out, the light of her deity washing over the party as she makes a snap judgment in the face of what appears to be some sort of spiritual possession.

GAME: Telamon casts Haste. Caster Level: 7 DC: 19

"Watch it! She's using some kind of mental influence -- a befuddlement spell!" Telamon's eyes are wide. "What in the hells IS that?" His hands move in practiced motions, and he chants, "Lukas sa-i'iz." A flash of silvery light, arching from himself to Andelena, Skiel, and Vaera, quickening their movements as well as his own.

GAME: Skielstregar RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 14 temporary HP
<OOC> Skielstregar now has ghost touch
GAME: Skielstregar rolls intimidate: (14)+12: 26

Skielstregar blinks as he sees the spirit pull free from the girl. Then his world goes hazy, friend and foe becoming confus-

He shakes his head, then suddenly snaps into his Forgotten self."You DO NOT mess with thisss one'ss mind!" he snarls, pulling out a handaxe while he holds the girl close. The axehead drips with black ichor. "You are being FOOLISH and NAIVE! Cease this or you will have BLOOD on your hands! This one WILL rip you in two if you don't!"

<OOC> Vaera says, "I'm just going to cast barkskin for now"

Vaera blinks as the apparition appears, and caught off guard she isn't able to do much for the time being as she just pops the firearm into existence in her hand.

"Any of you want to tell me if killing that hing is going to harm her or not?" She shouts to the others. "And you never answered me barber, what in the hells is going on with that tattoo you made?"

The hunte puts one hand to her arm as she chants quickly in draconic, causing scales to thicken and turn more jagged at the tips, giving them a much rougher appearance.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Andie, Will save, please."
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+2: (11)+2: 13
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+4: (12)+4: 16
GAME: Andelena rolls Will: (20)+6: 26 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
<OOC> Jinks says, "Spellcrafts again, please!"
GAME: Skielstregar rolls spellcraft: (5)+6: 11
GAME: Telamon rolls spellcraft: (6)+11: 17

The spectre flinches back at Skielstregar's harsh words, her snarl melting as she seems to physically shrink down and affect a childlike cower. Her next act is one of self-defense, pushing her fingers back through messy hair full of marbles. "STOP IT! STOP IT! NO!"

Andelena feels her eyelids droop and a yawn distort her face. She manages to force her eyelids open but the artist and Tait both crumble to the ground asleep.

<OOC> Andelena says, "Moving over to 8,17 to... I guess swing my blade at spectral Kerry-Anne?"
<OOC> Andelena says, "Power Attack, Bless, Haste, etc"
GAME: Andelena rolls weapon5-1+1+1: (9)+6+-1+1+1: 16 (miss)

"I don't know, but the alternative is letting her beat on us, and that's not gonna fucking happen!" Andelena says, rushing forward to swipe at the spectral entity with her magic longsword. Looks like she's still getting used to the blade, though, because it goes wide.

<OOC> Telamon says, "Let me sing you the song of my people. Magic missile."
<OOC> Jinks says, "SR, Tel."
GAME: Telamon casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 7 DC: 17
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+7: (15)+7: 22
GAME: Telamon rolls 4d4+4: (8)+4: 12

Telamon can feel the magic pouring off the spectral creature, and sees as Tait and the artist crumple into slumber. "Well, hopefully they won't be much trouble during this," he muses. He points at the ghostly entity, and says, "That's ENOUGH out of you. Izigi'edena zanzana!" A quartet of shooting stars pulse from his fingertips, striking the apparation.

<OOC> Skielstregar will move to 9,18 with a five foot, cock back the axe, and tell the spirit to calm down or this thing's getting launched at her
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "aka hold action to throw"
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "trigger = hostile action"
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "swift action arcane strike"
<OOC> Jinks says, "Readying to throw, check!"

Skielstregar looks down quickly at the girl cradled in his arm, making sure she was fine as the spirit was injured. He chuffs and snaps, side stepping to get a better angle as he cocks the throwing axe back. "This one SAID STOP! Cease this and calm down, spirit, or you will regret it!"

A deluge of black ichor drips from the axe blade. He steals a glance back to the artist. "... what did you do..." he growls.

<OOC> Vaera says, "okay I'm gonna shoot it"
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+10+1+1-2: (17)+10+1+1+-2: 27 (hit)
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+10+1+1-2: (13)+10+1+1+-2: 23 (hit)
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+5+1+1-2: (11)+5+1+1+-2: 16 (miss)
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+1+1+4: (10)+1+1+4: 16
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+1+1+4: (2)+1+1+4: 8

"The time for talking is over, what with their fascination trying to get us to kill each other." Vaera sighs. She raises her thunderbelcher and takes aim, sending a salvo of shots into and through the apparition.

<OOC> Skielstregar says, "rolling ranged, +2 for raging (it's not calculated for thrown weapons), +1 and +1 from buffs"
<OOC> Jinks says, "-4 for melee?"
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "oh yeah"
GAME: Skielstregar rolls ranged+2+2-4: (1)+9+2+2+-4: 10 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+16: (10)+16: 26
<OOC> Jinks says, "Will save, SKiel"
GAME: Jinks rolls 6d6: (19): 19
GAME: Skielstregar rolls will: (4)+5: 9
<OOC> Jinks says, "Oops"
GAME: Jinks rolls 6d8: (36): 36
<OOC> Jinks says, "I'll split the difference since I goofed on the dice size."
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "i am going to use my reroll because I would have anyways before knowing there was damage being dealt"
GAME: Skielstregar rolls will: (16)+5: 21
<OOC> Jinks says, "Damage in full but you avoid the curse."

Tait and the artist continue to sleep, crumpled down unceremoniously on the street as thoroughly unconscious as the intoxicated girl. The accusatory questions leveled at the portly tattooist will have to wait!

The spectre is pulled this way and that, her form distorted by the assorted attacks as they scream and gnash their teeth. She flits forward, weightless, and pushes her intangible hand back through Skielstregar's eyes. The chill of the grave tears through his body and nightmarish images dance at the edges of his consciousness. Again, the sith-makar is equal to the task and shrugs off the looming curse.

<OOC> Andelena says, "Attacking the specter again with longsword."
<OOC> Andelena says, "Power Attack, Bless, Haste"
GAME: Andelena rolls weapon5-1+1+1: (2)+6+-1+1+1: 9
GAME: Andelena rolls weapon5-1+1+1: (20)+6+-1+1+1: 27 (THREAT)
GAME: Andelena rolls weapon5-1+1+1: (5)+6+-1+1+1: 12 (roll to confirm crit, fails)
GAME: Andelena rolls damage5+2: aliased to 1d8+4+2: (6)+4+2: 12

The Sunguard moves quicker than she's ever moved in her life thanks to the augmenting magic of the half-elf sorcerer. One strike goes wide, but she's able to swing her sword back around, steel-grey eyes wide as she can barely believe her own swing--cutting into the specter. "Come on, kiddo! Yeah, you're not gonna be his little girl forever--trust me, I fuckin' know all about that--but this is NOT the way to go about it!" she shouts.

<OOC> Telamon says, "Glitterdust the ghostie. That ignores SR, but she gets a Will save."
GAME: Telamon casts Glitterdust. Caster Level: 7 DC: 18
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+12: (7)+12: 19

"Skiel, are you all right?" Telamon calls, as he begins chanting again. "Mulan ukum!" A familiar chant, to those who've fought alongside him, as a rain of glittering silver and blue sparkles rain down onto the spectre. Outlining it impossibly, but the shimmering dust fails to block its vision. "Gods, it's hard to get a spell to stick on this thing!"

<OOC> Vaera says, "another set of shots at the thingy"
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+10+1+1-2: (18)+10+1+1+-2: 28 (hits)
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+10+1+1-2: (14)+10+1+1+-2: 24 (hits)
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+5+1+1-2: (5)+5+1+1+-2: 10 (miss)
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+1+1+4: (3)+1+1+4: 9
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+1+1+4: (1)+1+1+4: 7

"You will leave this girl alone before you ruin her life forever spirit." Vaera growls as she loads the thunderbelcher again to fire off several more shots, loading it quickly with the magic she had present.

<OOC> Skielstregar says, "five foot to 8,19, draw flail, hit em"
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "arcane strike"
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "and power attack"
GAME: Skielstregar rolls weapon18+2+1+1-2: (13)+14+2+1+1+-2: 29 (hits)
GAME: Skielstregar rolls damage18+2+4: aliased to 1d8+7+2+4: (1)+7+2+4: 14

The chill of the grave.

That makes the makari man go stock still. Crimson eyes wide as black-laced blood drips from his snout and maw. "That was the most idiotic thing you could have done," he says a mono-tone, almost silent fury. He steps to the side. Draws his flail. And while facing the girl away from the creature, proceeds to slam the spirit with a ball of necromantic miasma.

GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+16: (18)+16: 34
<OOC> Jinks says, "Will save again, Skiel."
GAME: Skielstregar rolls will: (20)+5: 25 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
<OOC> Jinks says, "lol"
GAME: Jinks rolls 6d8: (25): 25
<OOC> Jinks says, "AoOs from Skiel and Andie"
GAME: Skielstregar uses an AoO! 0 remaining.
GAME: Skielstregar rolls weapon18+2+1+1-2: (16)+14+2+1+1+-2: 32 (hits)
GAME: Andelena uses an AoO! 0 remaining.
GAME: Skielstregar rolls damage18+2+4: aliased to 1d8+7+2+4: (7)+7+2+4: 20
GAME: Andelena rolls weapon5-1+1+1: (10)+6+-1+1+1: 17 (miss)
GAME: Andelena rolls weapon5-1+1+1: (11)+6+-1+1+1: 18 (free reroll, hits)
GAME: Andelena rolls damage5+2: aliased to 1d8+4+2: (1)+4+2: 7

"It's MY LIFE!" She spectre howls, strands of hair tearing out in her grip. Half-there jewels and baubles fall towards the ground but disappear halfway down. Her shape seems to be thinner and the breeze in the street pulls at her as if some torrential gust.

It's now or never! She lunges forward, stabbing through Skielstregar's eyes again. The same chill, the same lurking nightmares. The same stalwart convictions! "I won't be TRAPPED!"

She spirals through the air, buffetted by attacks and howling complaint as she passes bodily through Telamon to linger near the draped doorway.

<OOC> Andelena says, "Yeah, I was just double-checking movement bonus. Moving to 13,17 and hitting her."
<OOC> Jinks nods. "And we'll assumed you took an arc so you don't provoke going straight east."
GAME: Andelena rolls weapon5-1+1+1: (8)+6+-1+1+1: 15 (miss)

The Sunguard gives chase. "Godsdamnit, Kerry-Anne, we can help you! Look, we don't even like your absolute dick of a dad. I'm a fucking Sunguard; I can help you, but you need to trust that not all adults are pieces of shit!" she cries out, swinging again so that fragile-looking Telamon isn't destroyed by a teenager having an extraplanar hissy-fit.

But misses. Womp-womp.

<OOC> Telamon says, "5' to 12,18, cast Magic Missile."
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+7: (3)+7: 10
GAME: Telamon casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 7 DC: 17

Telamon for his part scrambles out of the way as the enraged spectral form hisses past. "Daeus's teeth and toenails!" he blurts out. Oh boy, he's gonna get an earful from Andie when this blows over, he just knows it. "I'm not even sure it's real, miss!" He gestures, flinging another four darts of pure force at it, but they splinter and dissipate. "Damn, talk about performance issues," he can't help but quip.

<OOC> Vaera says, "I guess I'll step to the left and shoot again"
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+10+1+1+1-2: (11)+10+1+1+1+-2: 22 (hit)
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+10+1+1+1-2: (4)+10+1+1+1+-2: 15 (miss)
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+5+1+1+1-2: (13)+5+1+1+1+-2: 19 (miss)
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+4+1+1: (12)+4+1+1: 18

"Are you even listening to me? If you try to kill us, which you have, then there is no going back from it. Your life you want for yourself so badly will be ruined." The red makari growls. She takes the thunderbelcher again as she steps back and fires again, though the distance takes getting used to with the even thinner target, as most of them pass harmlessly by.

<OOC> Skielstregar says, "moving to 12,16, hitting arcane strike and power attack"
GAME: Skielstregar rolls weapon18+1+1-2: (14)+14+1+1+-2: 28 (hits)
GAME: Skielstregar rolls damage18+2+4: aliased to 1d8+7+2+4: (1)+7+2+4: 14
GAME: Skielstregar ends his rage.

Skielstregar staggers and only gets the one swipe off from instinct helming him, the feeling of creeping cold yanking back cobbled together memories of the past grave rising. He twirls around as the world comes back to him. His eyes widen. And he somehow gets angrier. "GET AWAY-"

He sprints up, the ball and chain from the flail trailing behind him as he winds it up. "FROM MY MATE!"

It's interesting to see something that should be incorporeal get crunched and crushed by something that should be material, the flail smashing into the spirit with undead fury.

GAME: Andelena rolls Perception: (5)+6: 11
GAME: Skielstregar rolls perception: (4)+11: 15
GAME: Telamon rolls perception: (7)+12: 19
GAME: Vaera rolls perception+2: (4)+11+2: 17

The spirit-creature bursts, blasting away into shadows in every direction. The remains fade and blend into the darkness properly cast by the setting of the sun until nothing of it remains. The street is calm again.

Two of the Dae still sleep peacefully in the middle of the street.

Telamon straightens up from where he was half crouched. "Well," he says, "that was something to see." His eyes flick back to the Knot, to the second floor in fact. "I find it very convenient that the guards are somehow mysteriously absent when this... creature decides to pop out and start messing with us." He looks to Skiel. "Are you all right, friend?"

Skielstregar huffs and puffs for a moment longer after the spirit bursts away, him looking down at the girl in his arm. He turns slightly, walks over to Andie so she could check on her, but he curls the talons back on his foot as he 'accidently' thuds his heavy limb against the sleeping artist. "Oops," he growls, kneeling down to help steady the Kerry-Anne as he works on getting himself under control with slow breaths. "... that did... something to her... looksss like... like the tattoo iss.. isss getting worssse..."

GAME: Andelena rolls Heal: (15)+3: 18

Andelena goes over to Kerry-Anne and inspects her. She frowns deeply as she observes the tattoo. "That looks like it's infected now, and... She's comatose, not just unconscious. We need to get her to a healer. Immediately. I could heal her a bit but she needs care beyond what I can give." She sighs deeply as she finishes her assessment and makes a motion to leave.

"It bothers me the guard is no longer here. Are you alright Skielstregar? That thing was pretty nasty." Vaera sighs as she looks around. "That they were gone when this happened, and someone watched from upstairs. On the bright side, they are not here to stop us from entering with our weapons."

"Ack!" the pudgy artist complains, roused by Skielstregar's 'subtle' urgings. He blinks blearily, curled up after the kick and confused about how he managed to get on the ground. The ink-stained hand slaps onto the ground and he struggles awkwardly to get back up to his feet. "... what happened?" he wonders.

Skiel snaps at the artist, "What happened? What happened? Your foolisssh carvingsss made a ssspirit try and kill usss you daft baffoon..!" he tiredly snarls.

He huffs once, a gout of frozen air spilling from him as he rises, a bit languid as the Forgotten features have melded away. "Let'sss go, Warrior Andelena isss right. Proper healer, now."

"Thiss one is fine," he grumbles to Vaera. Somewhat fine, though his snout is covered in blood.

"We can't waste a damn moment. Let's go," Andelena says. She looks at Kerry-Anne's beau and gently slaps him awake. "Ok, kiddo, leave the Knight's lunar daughter and come back to the land of the waking," she quips as she then pulls him back into place on her back, motioning that the group should get walking.

Telamon shakes his head. "I wonder if they went fishing in the deep end of the ocean, so to speak." He glances at Tait. "Hey kid, you didn't happen to see a guy by the name of Rafael Prince while you were in dreamland, did you?" He follows along with the group, keeping an eye on things.

"You interrupted the dreaming..." the artist responds defensively, holding up his hands. "Interrupted ink and blood in ritual bonding. Any magic is in the belief... I'm no wizard, just an artist and a functionary." He seems just-shy of flabbergasted at the sith-makar's attitude.

Meanwhile, Tait is slow to wake, intoxicated and ensorceled as he is. After some insistence from Andelena he does, however, and whines simply "... cold" in his half-conscious state. In the open air his damp britches have taken on a chill. Thankfully, there are no spirits, complaints, or physical struggles when he's hoisted up to be carried along. Just a bit of a smell.

Kerry-Anne, too, offers no further resistance as they move to leave the block. Whatever was physically restraining Skeilstregar has been dealt with.

No Dae step from the Braid Knot to obstruct the group's path.

The slog to the Soldier's Defense is long. A few curious glances are made... but it's Alexandria on a day ending in 'day;' only visitors are really surprised by this sort of procession. No one is screaming for help or struggling to get away so the one watch patrol you pass hardly takes notice.

The gardens around the Defense are a relief; full of warmth and sunlight with only the mildest of breezes. An ancient Lucht Luckbringer is puttering away with a broom at the entrance, humming to herself and shaking her considerable rump back and forth beneath her robes. "'n I bristle if you whistle... come and flirt like a grown man..." she half-sings.

"If your rituals are going to summon spirits that try to murder people when they're interrupted, then maybe you should be more careful about making sure they're secure. Or you know, don't do them in the first place, and buy a pair of rings or something." Vaera grumbles. She doesn't put the forearm away as she walks. Only when they reach the defence does she put it away, and wait for the others to announce their presence.

Skiel rolls his eyes. "Yet you conducted the ritual. Your scales are brittle and your claws are like blades of grass: flimsy and fickle like the winds that tell you what to do."

Makari speak for: fuck you.

He plods along, tired, frustrated, and mostly trying to keep from jostling the comatose girl as they head on over.

He lets the softskins do the talking. He's not in the mood.

"His light on your path, Ma'am," Andelena says respectfully, approaching the Luckbringer with Tait in tow. "We have a pretty hurt girl--too much to drink, might've manifested some magic talent or something, infected wound. Her boyfriend is drunk but he should probably be able to sleep it off if he occupies a bed."

The luckbringer turns, her tight grey curls bobbing as she stills the broom and looks up... and up some more at Skielstregar and his charge. "Oh, poor babies," she tuts, taking on a sense of urgency. She opens the door and waves everyone inside even as she points with the broom handle and directs folks to an intake wing, a bed inside said wing, and some chairs.

Even with her advanced age and short legs she does a good job of keeping pace (it helps that folks need her to tell them where to go) and her warm presence has a surprisingly soothing effect. She smiles a reassuring smile as she collects supplies from a nearby cabinet, finds a wash basin, and sends Tait behind a folding divider to clean himself up with a pat at the small of his back. The broom disappeared at some point, likely left in its proper place without a second thought by practiced hands.

Almost reflexively, Skielstregar mumbles, "No, thisss one doesn't have the plague..." as he follows the luckbringer's directions. The silverscale ends up finding himself sitting on a bench with a washrag, cleaning his blooded face off from all the internal bleeding.

And, more importantly he's recovered from the fatigue. So he looms around the artist like a shark waiting for an opening. It's a silent threat: you aren't leaving.

Andelena takes a chair and sits down. "We believe there was some sort of spirit possession going on," she says to the Luckbringer as everything happens. "She was fine until some sort of entity flew out of her. She's thrown up a bit, too, so she's probably dehydrated. We were sent on a job to find her--she's not an adult yet and she ran off from her father to go shack up with the boy."

A smile finds her face. "Can't say I don't blame her, but I also waited until I was an adult to do that specific bit of rebellion."

Vaera continued along through the halls, quiet and slowly, if only due to necessity. When they reached a point to have the two kids dropped off.

"The scarring tattoo likely had something to do with it. It was reacting when the spirit or creature in question appeared. But I don't know much of the actual process. Luckily, we have the person who did it here, so they can shed some light on what happened."

Tait stays out of sight, presumably washing behind the folding wall in the corner. It's several carved panels of dark wood on hinges. Old and/or secondhand, a few of the carved shapes are chipped or scratched and a few of the panels have cloth pinned to patch holes. You can see the young Dae's bare feet at the bottom as he moves about.

"It was regular ink in a regular tattoo," the artist offers, holding his hands out in a helpless gesture as Skielstregar looms. "A tattoo I've done dozens of times for dozens of couples. They see the matron, the matron blesses the coupling, and the couple shares a mark." He blinks and purses his fat lips, looking for help from Andelena or the luckbringer as the sith-makar seem to be content to gang up on him.

"Hoo-boy," the Luckbringer complains, waving her hand in front of her nose as she hops down from a stool after inspecting the girl. "What's in her?" She asks, looking up and around, and walking to the artist. When he gives her a puzzled look she leans up and flicks him on the nose, startling a yip and a flinch out of him. "What'd she drink? Or eat? Or whatever?"

"Uh... honeyd-dust and tea."

"What kind of tea?"

"..."

Another flick.

"Ow! Museblossom. Ow!" (she flicked him again at the end there)

"She's just a baby!" She glowers, then turns and smiles up at the others, "I need to go find someone with better magic..." and she's off!

Andelena just leans back in her chair, a smirk on her face. Justice is being done, as far as she's concerned when she sees the artist being flicked by the Luckbringer. "Occasionally, the middle child is capable of the father's work," she murmurs.

The Sunguard's just taking it easy for now. Bulk of the work's been done, after all.

Each answer makes Skiel's brows furrow deeper, him tapping his taloned foot against the ground with a 'clack-clack-clack'.

The Lucht's glowering remark makes him vent out a gout of frozen air from his nostrils. "Dragonfather give this one the strength to not..." he grumbles in his native tongue, the threats trailing off into general violence. <Draconic>

Telamon has been watching from the doorway, listening. He grins at Skiel, and responds in flawless, if slightly-higher pitched, Draconic. "Calm, wingmate. I'm sure there'll be time enough for that eventually." He casually fishes inside his pack, producing a silver flask, which he takes a swig from. "Mint-lavender tea," he explains. "It's rather soothing for me."

"Don't forget the regular knife." Vaera chuffs as she finds a spot near the doorway to lean back. "Not sure what you're talking about with this matron business. If that's what came out and attacked us or something."

"It's not worth it Skiel. If what he did caused this though, then he'll need to answer to the girl and her father."

Before further assistance arrives, Tait steps out from behind the folding divider in a simple robe and socks. His hair isn't wet but he certainly smells better and he keeps his eyes on the ground as he finds a chair and drags it noisily to sit at the head of Kerry-Anne's bed. He still has a wobbliness to his gait but manages to get from point-a to -b without falling over. Sitting, he wraps both his arms around the girl's left and puts his head down.

The artist rubs his face for a bit after the Luckbringer goes but just shakes his head. He sighs and leans his head back muttering under his breath about 'not my fault.'

Shortly, a Daeusite wargolem arrives. White-and-gold plates shine under a declarative tabard; it's a Sunguard. Little, recessed eye-lenses regard each in turn as it chirps, simply, "Shine-sheen," and moves to the bed. The lower half of its face is a single bowl-shaped plate that makes it look like it swallowed its own nose.

Metal three-fingered hands inspect the wounded girl gently and it employs a pair of spells, one after the other before stating "She will recover" and waving the Luckbringer forward.

The old Lucht had been by the door the whole time, generally unobserved as the flashy construct took center stage. She slides back in and begins to apply balm and bandages to the tattoo-wound that is looking much milder.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Folks can roll two Spellcrafts to try and identify the spells (or just ask). Probably end-pose soonish so I can start getting ready to split."
GAME: Telamon rolls spellcraft: (15)+11: 26
GAME: Telamon rolls spellcraft: (14)+11: 25
<OOC> Jinks says, "Neutralize Poison and Remove Curse."
GAME: Vaera rolls spellcraft: (13)+6: 19
GAME: Vaera rolls spellcraft: (16)+6: 22

Telamon watches with interest, though it seems to be more academic than anything else. His eyes flick to Tait, studying the boy, before giving a shrug and a smile to the gleaming golem. "Many thanks," he says simply.

Andelena thumps her fist to her chest at the sight of the fellow Sunguard war golem, bowing her head. "May we walk in his light," she says in greeting. "Thank you for taking care of her."

She seems greatly reassured to see one of her own working here in the Defense. Everything will be fine. The Knight will see it through.

Skiel shakes his head, leans back, and sighs deeply. Waiting. "Yes, yes. Just that nothing frustrates this one more than hatchlings being hurt.." <Draconic>

A dead silver eye cracks open, and his shoulders relax somewhat as there's yet another Daeusite in the room. "Hail. Skielstregar," he greets simply in return, sitting more upright. "Much appreciated, Sssun sssseeker."

He was not looking forward to explaining this to the father in the slightest.

"Thanks for tending to her." Vaera chuffs. "Strange course of treatment though. Poison and Curses? Why would she be poisoned or cursed? She was just getting a tattoo done, is what we were told." The red makari inquires, with a glance back to the tattoo artist.

"Museblossom is a poison," the golem explains, nodding simply to the offered greetings. "Or a 'drug.' As you like." A perfunctory shrug. "As is honeydust. She had over-indulged and they were not interacting well. She will suffer the withdrawls when she wakes. Perhaps it will be a reminder and cautionary tale before future indulgences."

The Sunguard watches the Luckbringer in silence for a moment, offering a satisfied nod before he continues. "The curse was ongoing. The corruption of the color-scar was a symptom; the color-scar was not the case." The golem has to pause when the artist chimes in with a 'see!' "I do not know the source of the curse. Has the girl been behaving strangely?"

Tait sleeps through all of this, holding onto his Kerry-Anne.

OOC

Map: https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mbvxzfvc5su

Skiel's readied action:

<OOC> Jinks says, "Skiel. If you had. One shot. Or one opportunity. To seize everything you ever wanted. In one moment. Would you capture it?"

<OOC> Skielstregar says, "it comes in once in a lifetime, yo"

<OOC> Jinks says, "(take your readied action)"

Skiel's turn in initiative:

<OOC> Jinks says, "Skiel, time to surrender?"

<OOC> Skielstregar says, "yeah gonna give up and go home"

<OOC> Jinks thumbsup.

GAME: Jinks advances the initiative order.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Haha, roll your attack. :P"