Don't Fear the Wolf

The High Seeress herself stands before you, a blind woman with long white hair and a comfortable grace wrapped around her. She makes her way around without need of aid, as if she can see even without her eyes. Indeed her gaze is a weighty thing, lingering on each of you as if not only seeing, but holding you in her mind and measuring you in ways you can only imagine. She waits for all of you to arrive before she speaks, her voice one that is warm and kind and yet authoritative. A woman that knows herself.

"I have called you this night because you are among the most skilled that the Guild has to offer. Because some of you have debts to this temple." She pauses here but surprisingly does not look at anyone in particular. "And because this temple is in need of your aid.

Recently we have learned of an enclave of Caracoroth's servants. You will be moved directly from outside the city to their location by one of our wizard-priests. Yet your mission is not their destruction. Instead it is a Totem that they bear. An item of great power which we need out of their hands. We are however aware that they have a number of werwolves in their number, and worse... This particular totem is being held by a man known as Marsward Seraquoix. He is a witch of great power, and has been using his magics to spread the curse of Lycanthropy to his followers. He, you should be wary of."

Munch is fairly blase about the whole thing. Graceful and serene compared to him really isn't special. "Okay, so, this Totem thing, break it or retrieve it?"

Aya is a member of at least one of the mentioned demographics, perhaps more. Additionally, the temple is in need. "As if we need more aggressive and vile creatures running about..." Fiends, and wights, and lycanthropes, oh my! "So we will be transported to them?" She then looks to Munch and back to the Seer with that pertinent question.

Halani nods solemnly. Recent experiences have certainly taught her that the werewolves are no joke. Despite the solemness, though, she fidgets, constantly shifting from one foot to the other, rolling her fingers in a tapping patterin on her hips. Solemn, at least, until she grins, glancing sidelong at Aya and Munch. "Hear that, yeah? The guild said I'm skilled!" So that's her takeaway.

"You should not try to destroy the totem. It is a powerful magical artifact and it would be very unwise to destroy it. Instead we ask that you retrieve it. However we also ask that one of you bear the item in safety. The temple has been plagued of late by attacks and minions of Caracoroth infiltrating our numbers. We can not allow something so powerful to fall into their hands again." She turns to Aya and nods once. "Yes, you will be transported to the destination. We can provide you with the means to return as well, should you be able to use it. Otherwise you will have to use more mundane methods."

Munch nods at the answer. "So don't break it." Sounds like he disagrees with the chances of doing so should he try, but he's not going to try.

"You are skilled in my opinion, Halani," Aya notes to the other woman, "even if the Guild did not believe so." She then nods to the Seer. "I can hasten our return here, if not into the city proper. With the the retrieved artifact, of course."

Halani flashes a second grin, this one for Aya, before following it up with a bowing of her head.. which she holds for a few heartbeats. Gratitude for the sentiment. Then she lifts her chin again, pounding one fist into the other pound. "Don't break it. Keep it hidden. Keep it safe. Maybe beat down some wolfmen and a witchman while we're at it, yeah? In and out, or through and through?"

This thought seems to suffice and you are lead by one of the priests of Eluna to the edge of the city where transportation can be provided. The spell works quickly, and within moments you arrive at your destination which is... Apparently deep in the woods. Without a single, solitary individual around to give you directions. Or direction of which direction to go. Apparently it was assumed that you'd figure it out.

GAME: Munch rolls survival: (20)+14: 34
GAME: Aya rolls survival: (1)+14: 15 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Halani rolls survival: (2)+27: 29

Munch peers around, his leathery 'dreadlocks' rising as his faceplate cracks open and a black whiplike tongue tests the air. "Oh hey, I know this area, though its been a couple years. Pretty sure there is a cave to the north, and all these tracks point that direction." The metal man points, in case anyone isn't clear on which way is North.

Aya looks about to see ... woods. More woods. Dirt. None of these things is she especially comfortable with, much less overly knowledgeable of. Give her a nice dark alleyway any evening... She is still attempting to get her bearings when the metal man speaks up and she turns to follow the pointing. "A cave? That would be promising, if predictable. Wolves do prefer caves, yes?" Or perhaps that would be bears? In any case, she begins moving in that direction. "Shall we be discrete? Or not?"

"Aha! A cave. Makes sense, yeah?" Halani says while she rises, having taken to one knee to try and get a sense of where they were dropped. Then she stops, eyeing Munch suspiciously. Let alone his odd construction, the words seem.... "Sooooo... not creepy at all that you just happen to know about caves in the middle of nowhere, yeah?" She holds that sidelong look for a moment longer, then shrugs. "Up to you! Both are fun. Both are good challenge, yeah? And if the sneaking fails.. we still got the direct approach." Another look at Munch. "Not sure Mister Munchies is built for discreet, though... 'bout as discreet as a dragon in a chicken coop."

Munch is the abomination mix of a sith and a chainsaw. Discrete he is not. He shrugs to Halani "I don't mix well with civilization, spend a lota time bandit hunting. I can try to be quiet, but not good at it."

Through the forest you go, not terribly far before you reach the edge of the forest and come upon what is clearly the encampment you are looking for. Several wolves lay in small groups around the outskirts of a hastily made campsite which bumps up against the edge of a dank-looking cave. A small slightly bespoiled stream runs through the camp and has been clearly misused by those that call the camp home. It drifts sluggishly off into the wilderness on the other side of the camp.

Then there are the people. All of them roughly dressed, and all of them quite large. The whole host looks to be made up of brownish-haired, but large men who are very familiar with one another if their jovial, lazy attitude toward one another is any indication. The lateness of the hour means that most are asleep, but at lest half are busily drinking or chatting by the fireside.

Aya halts short as soon as the camp is noted, crouching. She may not be a wayfinder nor woodsmith, but she can be inconspicuous when she wishes. She looks to Munch and Halani, whispering. "This coop is rather large, as are the chickens... The direct approach will be... messy."

"Haha yeah," Halani responds equally softly, remembering Munch's claim earlier which had confirmed her guess about the stealthy approach. "Maybe take too long, yeah? Bit worried about the witchman, too." She makes a sour face. "They cheat. And maybe they'll run if they start running out of wolfmen."

Munch blinks with a soft click, looking to Aya. "...I like messy... but am open to suggestions." He nods to Halani. "Needs to get the witch before they run away. Wuffs aren't too dangerous, but do take time."

A few of the wolves are looking in your direction, sniffing. Moving your way. The humans haven't noticed yet, but the animals? They smell something up.

Aya exhales a breath and nods. "The witch, or rather the item, is the goal, not the group. The cave, then, I presume." She looks from them to the cave, camp, and back. "That would mean getting past the camp, and the witch, and then back out past the camp. I can help us with the last, but I cannot get all of us inside at once..." She looks back to the camp to see the wolves moving. "... and we are drawing attention." Aya frowns. "Be ready and wary. We may not have a choice soon."

Halani loses a little bit of her cheer as she spies the wolves starting to get suspicious, approaching. "Go," she tells Aya and Munch. "Take Mister Munchies. I'll distract them, yeah?" Another fist in palm pound. Though quietly. "Got some disciplining to do."

Munch murmurs and starts to molt, a shower of tiny scales falling away, only to be replaced instantly, and those fall in turn. They result is a sort of misty cloud around the golem, blurring his exact location. "YOU circle, I'LL distract, meet ya halfway." Impulsively the golem steps out of the woods, drawing his massive ax and flaring his large wings. "COME AT ME BITCHES!" ...technically correct, but still insulting.

GAME: Munch casts Blur. Caster Level: 7 DC: 14
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+2: (18)+2: 20
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+2: (9)+2: 11
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+2: (15)+2: 17

As Munch lets loose his battle cry, the wolves descend on his location. The closest three snipping at his heels but none of them can broach the construct's armor. While they distract however the werewolves in the encampment are quickly gathering their weapons. Who knows what the witch is doing.

GAME: Munch rolls weapon28: (1)+20: 21 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Munch rolls weapon28-5: (1)+20+-5: 16 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Munch rolls weapon28-10: (9)+20+-10: 19
GAME: Munch rolls damage28: aliased to 1d12+11: (10)+11: 21

Munch buzzes happily, and raises his ax high, swinging down with the force of a meteor... only to slip on a splat of wolf poop. The golem manages to recover, and starts to backswing, only to slip upon a second pile. The third swing is almost an accident, but manages to catch a wolf with enough force to rip open it's side and send gore flying. That's not going to help for stable footing.

Aya blinks. It was not Halani, but someone stepped up to be a distraction. Best to take advantage of it as quickly as possible. "Halani, we go for the witch, grab him on the way back!" And then she is gone, vanishing in dissipating shadow to appear across the camp at the mouth of the cave.

GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5: (12)+17+7+5: 41
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5: (5)+17+7+5: 34
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5: (17)+17+7+5: 46
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-5: (19)+17+7+5+-5: 43
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-10: (16)+17+7+5+-10: 35
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-15: (16)+17+7+5+-15: 30
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5: (2)+17+7+5: 31
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5: (7)+17+7+5: 36
GAME: Halani rolls 2d8+2+5: (12)+2+5: 19
GAME: Halani rolls 2d8+2+5: (4)+2+5: 11
GAME: Halani rolls 2d8+2+5: (11)+2+5: 18
GAME: Halani rolls 2d8+2+5: (13)+2+5: 20
GAME: Halani rolls 2d8+2+5: (13)+2+5: 20
GAME: Halani rolls 2d8+2+5: (12)+2+5: 19

Halani blinks as Munch just... goes. Glances at Aya, gesturing with a 'did that just happen' expression. But she quickly nods to Aya, watching the smaller mul woman disappear. She gives herself a moment to grin again. "Love this part," and then she follows suit. She rises, takes a step.. and then detours. Just a little bit. She appears in front of one of the not-yet-wolfmen, punching him right between the eyes, then proceeds to blink in a little bit of a zig zag pattern on her way to Aya's side. A couple more of them tumble as her foot takes out their knees, and then bruises the rest on her way in, ending up not quite back to back with Aya. "And let that be a lesson to you, bad doggies."

GAME: Aya rolls reflex: (10)+22: 32
GAME: Halani rolls reflex: (6)+22: 28
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+21: (20)+21: 41
GAME: Aftershock rolls 10d6: (33): 33
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+2: (17)+2: 19
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+2: (12)+2: 14
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+2: (13)+2: 15
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+4: (14)+4: 18
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+4: (2)+4: 6
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+4: (11)+4: 15

Wolves pile on Munch, but the construct has too much armor for their teeth to pierce. Similarly the arrows from their human counterparts simply bounce off him and fall to the ground uselessly.

Meanwhile the cave is suddenly filled with a biting cold wind and shards of ice. Halani feels a cold chill go down her spine and her strength wanes as if her very life is being pulled out of her.

Before the pair of monks stands a man of surprisingly good taste. His hair is expertly coifed, his green eyes glittering with menace as he stands before a rancid altar. Upon it stands a statue of some kind of twisted person mid-transformation, and he scowls angrily at the pair of women before him. "You should not have come."

GAME: Halani spends ONE point of KI POOL.
GAME: Halani spends ONE use of STUNNING FIST.

Munch buzzes as Halani rampages thru the camp. "...I think we have different ideas of distraction." Whatever, there's still wuffs and wuffmen headed his way. And then there's a big blast of arctic energy. "That... looks important. Sorry guys, we'll play later." A swirl of rainbow sparkles float upward from the golems clawed feet, and he rockets into the air and across the camp, leaving a rainbow in his wake like some sort of pastel pony.

GAME: Aya rolls will: (16)+17: 33
GAME: Aya rolls weapon0: (9)+27: 36
GAME: Aya rolls weapon0: (10)+27: 37
GAME: Aya rolls weapon0-5: (19)+27+-5: 41 (THREAT)
GAME: Aya rolls weapon0-10: (13)+27+-10: 30
GAME: Aya rolls weapon0-5: (9)+27+-5: 31
GAME: Aya rolls damage0: aliased to 2d10+7: (10)+7: 17
GAME: Aya rolls damage0: aliased to 2d10+7: (7)+7: 14
GAME: Aya rolls damage0: aliased to 2d10+7: (14)+7: 21
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+24: (8)+24: 32
GAME: Aya rolls cmb: (6)+24: 30
GAME: Aya rolls cmb-5: (5)+24+-5: 24

"Or you should not have remained," Aya rebutts to the green-eyed witch. She then vanishes once more, appearing first at the altar to snatch up the -thing- that they were tasked to retrieve. Then she is adjacent to the witch with a palm strike from her free hand followed by a double-spin kick with both strikes at his shins. Some connect, though he remains on his feet.

GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-1: (20)+17+7+5+-1: 48
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-1: (14)+17+7+5+-1: 42
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-1: (6)+17+7+5+-1: 34
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-1-5: (8)+17+7+5+-1+-5: 31
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-1-10: (18)+17+7+5+-1+-10: 36
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-1-15: (15)+17+7+5+-1+-15: 28
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-1: (20)+17+7+5+-1: 48
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-1: (8)+17+7+5+-1: 36
GAME: Halani rolls 2d8+2+5: (9)+2+5: 16
GAME: Halani rolls 2d8+2+5: (5)+2+5: 12
GAME: Halani rolls 2d8+2+5: (10)+2+5: 17
GAME: Halani rolls 2d8+2+5: (6)+2+5: 13
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+21: (18)+21: 39
GAME: Aya rolls will: (8)+17: 25
GAME: Aya rolls will: (3)+17: 20
GAME: Aftershock rolls 10d8: (31): 31
GAME: Aya rolls will: (4)+17: 21

Halani stumbles a bit, falling to a knee as the cold overtakes her. "C-c-cold..." she mumbles out, her earlier bravado tamped down... chilled, one might say, by the magic blasting the cave entrance. She twists around, rising.. if a touch stiffly.. just in time to see Aya go for the statues. "W--wait..." But no, the mul has the statues. And... seems fine! Alright then. Halani's eyes shift to the witch, seeing him fully for the first time. And there's that brief question in her head. Can someone who looks so fine truly be a witch? Then she tries to shake off the chill as she pushes forward to support Aya, launching herself into the air to try and keep the an guessing where the next punch is coming from. She drives a flying knee into his chest, then follows up with a sweeping foot and a series of punches.

The witch slowly edges to his knees defensively, his green eyes locked with Aya. "Ouy llai eb'mec het fow. Ouy llai eb'mec het fow! Ouy mec otn ighaf het fow!" His incantation has an immediate effect, and Aya begins to transform _into_ a werewolf. He laughs coldly at the woman's predicament and turns his green gaze on Halani. "You will both slowly die here, subject to the Nightmare."

GAME: Munch rolls weapon28: (18)+20: 38
GAME: Munch rolls weapon28-5: (10)+20+-5: 25
GAME: Munch rolls weapon28-10: (13)+20+-10: 23
GAME: Munch rolls damage28: aliased to 1d12+11: (12)+11: 23
GAME: Halani rolls perception: (12)+30: 42
GAME: Aya rolls perception: (19)+30: 49
GAME: Munch rolls perception: (12)+21: 33

Munch glances to Aya, but has no clue what to do about that. So he sticks to what he knows and attacks the witch, axe catching air more than flesh, but enough. "Die? You first."

GAME: Aya rolls will: (3)+17: 20
GAME: Aya rolls will: (15)+17: 32

Whatever retort Aya may have had is lost as she doubles over and clutches at her head. A stuttered scream follows as flesh contorts and bones noisily break, re-orient and re-set. Exposed dark flesh is rapidly covered with midnight fur, and pointed ears sprout upward from between now-hairy hands. Likewise, the scream distorts to a howl from her distinctly lupine jaws.

GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-1: (18)+17+7+5+-1: 46
GAME: Halani spends ONE point of KI POOL.
GAME: Halani spends ONE use of STUNNING FIST.
GAME: Aya rolls fort: (15)+22: 37
GAME: Halani rolls will: (3)+20: 23
GAME: Halani rolls will: (12)+20: 32
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-1: (3)+17+7+5+-1: 31
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-1: (2)+17+7+5+-1: 30
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-1-5: (17)+17+7+5+-1+-5: 40
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-1-10: (17)+17+7+5+-1+-10: 35
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+17+7+5-1-15: (11)+17+7+5+-1+-15: 24
GAME: Halani rolls 2d8+5+2: (4)+5+2: 11
GAME: Halani rolls 2d8+5+2: (13)+5+2: 20
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+21: (7)+21: 28

Halani tries to be unshakeable. She really does. And often she manages to put the best face on, too. Ever eager for the next fight. But Aya's transformation definitely pokes sharply at the nightmares she had not long ago, and the witchman's promise doesn't help matters. And there's also the matter of Aya being a wolfman. Then her eyes zero in on the relic. Without stopping to think about it (because if she did, she'd probably think better) the islander slides beside the witch and snatches the statue from Aya's transforming hands, taking advantage of the woman's struggle to contain the beast! Then she spins around, doing her best to at least distract the werewolf cult leader despite his incredible healing. "Go!" she shouts. "Mister Munchies, go! Aya, if you can year me, go!"

The witch rolls his eyes at Munch. "Simpletun. All of you are mere insects before the Nightmare!" He waves a hand and glares at Halani. "Give me the relic! Or it will devour you as it did the other woman." A small evil smile. He begins his chant a second time.

GAME: Halani rolls will: (13)+20: 33
GAME: Halani rolls intelligence: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Munch RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 30 temporary HP
GAME: Munch rolls weapon28+1: (7)+22+1: 30
GAME: Munch rolls weapon28+1: (5)+22+1: 28
GAME: Munch rolls weapon28+1-5: (7)+22+1+-5: 25
GAME: Munch rolls weapon28+1-10: (18)+22+1+-10: 31
GAME: Munch rolls weapon0+1-5: (17)+18+1+-5: 31

Munch blinks. "No no, not insect, dragon. Dra-gon. For a nature guy you should know this stuff better." He glances to Halani, but doesn't go, instead swelling up and starting to steam as toxic chemicals are infused into his muscles. It's a dangerous process that would kill most creatures, but Munch was designed to survive things beyond most mortal flesh. His axe whirls thru the air, but fails to connect.

The reversion of Aya's unexpected change is... also unexpected. It is also more abrupt and rapid, which may make it less uncomfortable.. or more. Yet her thoughts were still her own, and she remains aware enough of the situation. It is not very tenable, and Halani's words are wise. And so Aya goes, stepping to slap a hand upon the upcharged war machine and the struggling Halani before she tears apart the veil between realms to vanish the entire trio with puffing tendrils of shadowstuff. Die in this cave? To quote her eloquent sister, 'F-CK TH-T!'

Munch steams and deflates, chemicals being neutralize and expelled as his body comes down from it's overactive mode. The cloud of fumes is non-toxic, but far from pleasant. The barbarian slumps, leaning on his axe as he peers around. "...okay, this is different."

Give in! Accept the nightmare! Join the Pack! The corruptive magic assaults Halani, and though she manages to fight it off for a few brief seconds... Aya's fight with it is a stark reminder that eventually it will win. It just needs to slip in through a crack once. Thankfully, however, the gamble pays off... and Aya is able to save all three of them as she pulls them through planar fabric itself and into a place... Halani has never been before. And just as quickly, the totem's assault upon her fades. Perhaps not completely, but to something she can push back for now. "Hah. Hah. Hah. Different, yeah. Hah. That was close." She swallows deeply, takes a deep breath, then bows deeply to Aya.

-End