Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Nihal]

I freeze on my track.

[1d20-1] = 13-1 = 12 #Baldhart is scary


((Steerpike, I think I'm down to 3 HP, not 2. I cast 3 spells but failed 2 saving throws. I've got 5 HP.))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Yes. Down by 2, not to 2. And I'm glad we're not fighting.))

"Good." I speak gently. She is scared. "Again, I am Baldhart. You are not fighting against me; therefore, you have nothing to fear.

"This is Rydh over here, and that's Sir Matthew coming down the stairs. And you heard Ankari calling down to check on me.

"You can meet the others soon enough. For now, please, tell me your name."

 

[Ireth]

((Holy crow, am I ever behind! >_< The downfalls of RPing with a large group, I suppose. I'm much more used to one-on-one, or no more than three at a time. Dang, now I have to figure out where the heck Cadell is...))

 

[Nihal]

((The scene downstairs was really quick, it's easy to jump in if you wish. It was "Hi runaway magic and flying barrel, bam, shield on the wall. Meanwhile Bald talks and scares Mauve to death.". I guess the statue's one is more problematic since it took place before.

Sidekick, I'm glad we're not fighting too, hah. And I misread his post, I was -err, I'm still- juggling with some tasks at the same moment.))


Nothing is happening as I expected. The woman, Baldhart, toned down instead of charging. Lowering my head, I take a deep breath to clear my mind.

Why does my magic not bother them? The villagers I've seen really disliked magic, yet, those two couldn't care less. I... I've never encountered bandits, but I don't think they would be so polite.

"Mauve." I answer her, meekly.

My shame is so great I don't want to meet their gaze, not now. My throat is raw, but I force myself to keep talking.

"They said bandits sometimes come to this place." It's getting easier to speak again. "I saw your... group coming and assumed the worst."

Feeling their gaze locked on me I'm suddenly aware of how disgusting, stupid and weak I must be looking right now. I tilt my head, allowing my hair to cover the scars on my right cheek so I look less hideous. I don't want these people changing their minds.

 

[Phietadix]

As I walk into the cellar it appears the situtaion is under control. I heard Baldhart's Introduction, as well as Mauve's. Despite knowing her name we know very liitle about her or her motives. We need to change that
"Why are you here? What are you doing in the Temple?" Did you cause the Light we saw earlier or did someone else? Are you alone or are there others with you?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Please, Sir Matthew. Speak gently. She is startled and for good reason if she thought we were bandits. We have to earn her trust as much as she must earn ours.

"Please, Mauve, come upstairs and meet the others before you share your story. If you expect bandits in the area, travel is safer in larger numbers."

I carefully consider Matthew's words.

"Sir Matthew is right to ask of the flashes of light. If you were playing with magic, I'd rather you rely more on your spear. With this curse, magic seems to do more harm than good to us."

I add, "We're going to put an end to the curse," with far too much confidence.

 

[SeverinR]

I move into the room, ensuring there is no place for others to hide, looking for obvious doors, concealed or hidden doors, as before, I will ignore what everyone is focused on, and also if something of value is in view...
I have an arrow ready, not aiming at anyone in particular.

"Yes, are you the one using magic, or do we have someone else here? Magic, playing with death, why mess with it?" I say as I am searching. "Has she seen anyone else?" I ask the group.

 

[Nihal]

I open my mouth to answer Matthew's questions, however, his talk of magic changes my mind.

"You did no-" Baldhart interrupts me so I stop and listen, biting my lips. I don't feel the slightest wish to go upstairs and face the others nor to talk of magic.

Another elf talks, one I've not noticed before. He too asks about magic, making me even more uneasy.

"You do not use magic in the North, it gets you killed." I watch their reactions out of the corner of my eye. "Are you trying to get me to confess?"

I shake my head considering her words about the curse. "This creeping darkness is not what changed the magic, it was the old War. You can heal this land, yet the magic would still be a wild force. I... I am here out of curiosity, I've heard the talk and I've seen the dark lands. The Taint, isn't this the name you use? This temple is cozy and inviting when compared to them."

 

[Phietadix]

"I have nothing against Magic. It has saved the lives of several in our party. I ask not to get you to confess, but to ask did you cause it, are there others with you?

 

[Nihal]

I cross my arms, pulling the cloak closer. I can't trust them. Still, I can't put up a fight, they're too many.

"I'm alone. Twice I tried to light my way, twice I have failed." I put on a straight face, trying to look neutral. "I heard your group closing in, made a bad decision and ended cornered down here, in the dark."



((Mauve isn't really good with neutral faces. The more you look more her stare seems grave, if not angry. She's clueless about this detail.))

 

[Phietadix]

She has answered some of my questions, but not the most important.
"You still have not answered me fully, Why are you here?"

 

[Ireth]

Reining in Llucheden is more trouble than it is worth. She spooks and bolts when I try to secure her alongside Sir Matthew's horse -- not that I can blame her, I do not like the feel of this place any more than she does -- and by the time I catch her, calm her, secure her and return to where I left the others, they are gone. I huff in annoyance and listen for their voices, advancing carefully in that direction with my hand on the hilt of my sword. There are voices I do not recognize among those of my companions. I approach carefully, eyeing the strangers and hoping there will not be trouble.

 

[Nihal]

As the knight asks the question I look at him, raising an eyebrow.

"I answered your question! I only wanted to investigate this place by myself."

All those questions annoys me. I'm stinking, beaten and I don't trust my knees yet, preferring to leaning against the wall. What hurts most is to be forced to admit aloud how vulnerable I am, alone, a fool unable to cast a damned single spell.

It's humiliating.

"If you don't believe then you would do better to get this shining sword of yours and slay me. It's not fair that I get interrogated as if I was a criminal, specially when you already hold the advantage! I know nothing about you, not even how many you are! What do you think I am going to do? Suddenly turn into a monster and kill you all? Conjure an army out of my pocket?"

I think I managed to keep from flushing. My hands, however, betray me clutching my cloak as if it could shield me from their inquiry. I relax my grip.

 

[Phietadix]

((Even though I carefully searched the last couple page, I still missed that you answered that question already, hmm.))

"I apologize for lack of trust, but I’ve learned the hard way that things aren’t always what they seem. You want to know who we are? Fair enough, half of us came on the ship Baldnir from the south, we came to investigate the curse afflicting this land, and to end it. The other half joined us here; I know not what their intentions are. We came to this temple for information. If you are simply here to investigate then we have nothing against you, I would ask that you accompany us, just to be safe. I can see that you are angry, but I’m simply concerned about the safety of my companions, and myself.”

 

[Ravana]

((Just a note to clarify what we're talking about. They're 'casks.' I don't want people to misinterpret the scene)).

((I wasn't going to say it. ))

The group is able to take a position in the room that allows at least one person to have a good view of all entrances, as well as the rear door. It would be a tight fit for the horses, however, so when Cadell enters, the horse is presumably left outside.

((Small sanctuary. Oh, well. There should be space once we start moving out.))

"Druid, can you discern the value of this lichen?"

"It… has value, yes. Perhaps. It is old and dry. It is called… jääjäkälä is the name I know for it. 'Ice moss'? 'Ice lichen,' I suppose. It is native to these regions… but it is not common. In the correct hands, it might be used to promote healing. If it still retains any virtue after this time.

"Something in the book you pocketed might tell us what use it was intended for."

((Question: can I tell whether it has been deliberately dried or has dessicated over time? If the former, it's more likely to have retained its shape, as it was probably hung to dry; if the latter, it would probably be more matted and fragmented. Depending on the lichen's natural form, it may not be possible to make a determination.))

"I might also suggest we restore the statue to its former position. Otherwise, the goddess might take it amiss. They have been known to. Though we may have to wait for Baldhart to undo her own work."

Speaking of whom.…

(( crack, crash, thunk, voices raised then lowered ))

"Do you think they need help? Ah… from the sounds, it would seem not.

"This place is not large—not above the earth, at least. Unless they call for us, it might be well to use the daylight and look over the upper level. I believe there are enough of us remaining."

 

[Sparkie]

"It's true," I say to the newcomer as I sheathe my sword. "Those of us who came to the Srilkind aboard the Bladnir came because of the affliction we heard of in the north. We've had others join us since then, and we're here to end this Taint if we can."

I've said my peace. I've little patience for this Mauve, seeing as she may have been trying to kill me just now. So I leave the rest of my companions to do as they will with her and I get back to my search of this storeroom. I could've sworn there was a seam in the floor behind-

"A-ha!" I say aloud. I head over toward the table in the room, walk around it, and crouch. "There seems to be some kind of hidden opening here."

I try to pry up the cover with my fingers...

1st STR check - obvious fail

2nd STR check - even worse!

It's too difficult for me, it seems. "Baldhart," I plead, "I don't wish to overburden you, but could you give me a hand over here?"

 

[Nihal]

I sigh when the knight is done talking.

"At least someone here still thinks I can be any dangerous." I think bitterly.

Rydh sheaths his sword, catching my attention. Something in the way he talks then moves away disturbs me, but I can't quite put my finger on it at first. I stare blankly as he moves away. All he was interested in was to attack me, when they decided to do otherwise he immediately lost the interest and now is ignoring me. Bloodthirsty? I decide to avoid being alone in his presence, with images of shields and broken bones dancing inside my head.

Realizing I gave Matthew no answer I look back at him. The right answer must be given even if it means smashing a little more of my pride.

"I have not been so trusting either, I'm sorry. In truth I don't feel like myself yet, I shouldn't be so rude." I shake my head. "If I knew from start the nature of your group I would never try to fight your friends. Sorry."

"Ah-ha!" I cast a glance at Rydh, holding back a smirk when he crouches near the table and tries to open something without success.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"I'm on it," I say to Rydh.

HEAVY LIFTING [21]

The Unseen Servant

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I walk over to Mauve, hoping to earn her trust.

Good luck with that, Baldy. Look at her.

She's trembling. How is that my fault, Nissa?

You intimidate her. That's totally your fault. You did your barbarian thing so she'd think twice about attacking you.

I meant well. She looks so frail, I was afraid if we fought I'd hit her so hard she'd never get up again.* To kill a person over a misunderstanding… how would I forgive myself?

[SMILE PRETTY: CHA check = 16 - ATTEMPT TO UN-INTIMIDATE MAUVE]

I smile warmly, hoping to win this lone traveler.

Why? She's nuts.

To be out in this cold, alone and frightened. Why wouldn't she be nuts?

"Mauve, were you investigating this?" I gesture toward the result of my efforts. "Come on… let's see what we have here."




((*@ Nihal, I knew that as a wizard, even with a +3 in CON, after losing 2 HP my weakest damage roll would one-hit-KO you and my strongest roll would instantly kill you. With Intimidate, 2 points would be subtracted from all of your rolls—to-hit AND damage. I think my charisma check un-did the Intimidate effect, assuming I can role-play my way out of it.

@ Steerpike, if I can't un-intimidate Mauve with a charisma check, I know I can leave her sight to make the effect wear off. I'm trying not to resort to an unnatural technicality; guilt-ridden Baldhart won't walk away to solve a problem. But out of curiosity, would I also be able to use 'Intimidate' on another monster to release a currently-intimidated person/creature from the effect? I never did get clarification regarding whether I can intimidate one opponent at a time, or one per encounter/real-life week/in-game day/etc.))

 

[Steerpike]

Hiljikki

The lichen has been intentionally dried and appears to be well-preserved. You know of its properties, and you could probably create a poultice of some sort that would have mild healing properties when applied to wounds. The lichen is supposed to have substantial properties when used as a component in magical cure, though the art of using it in that way has been largely lost, as far as you know.

Rydh and Baldhart

The stone under which Rydh senses an opening is quite large, old, and slippery with mold. Whatever is beneath it, it does not appear that the stone has been moved in a long time. Rydh can't find any way to grip the stone with his fingers. When Baldhart comes over, she has the same problem. The two of you can barely run the tips of your fingers around the upper edge of the stone and it is too heavy and too eroded in place to move it that way. The edge of the stone crumbles in a few places as you run your fingers around and Baldhart breaks a nail.


((Baldhart can Intimidate one person or creature at a time at level one. In the case of Mauve, you can RP it. If you are trying to un-intimidate her, and Nihal decides Mauve is no longer intimidated, that's fine. In other cases, with NPCs or monsters, we'll have to look at it on a case-by-case basis in terms of trying to stop intimidating without leaving the area. In some cases, it may be easy to undue the effects of the intimidation. In others, it may not.

The rest of the party can continue to interact with each other. If you have specific actions you want to take within the temple itself, post those and I'll respond with the results)).