Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[Ireth]

Cadell

My eyes narrow as I listen to the exchange between Baldhart and the spider-drow. If it were up to me, I would fulfill the oath in letter rather than spirit, and free the drow by killing her. But that isn't Baldhart's way. I keep my eye on the nun, and my hand on Liadan's bow.

...Well. That answers that, I suppose. I give Liadan back her bow, and watch in silence. What will the kobolds do now that their leader is defeated?

 

[Steerpike]

The sorceress laughs again, though this time it is little more than a croak, accompanied by a sharp hiss of pain. "A valkyrie," she manages. "Your gods are in decline, woman. Soon they will hold no sway in this world. You believe the valkyrie can learn the secrets of the knife? Perhaps? But how soon? How long will the knife contain those souls, and how long will you let those within suffer the torments of the blade? There are things afoot that your muscle-bound brain cannot even begin to comprehend. Leave the children to their torment, if that pleases you. I am not the first or last to walk the path that will deliver this world from your kind."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I tighten the grip on her throat, no longer interested in hearing her last words.

((The prior grapple roll [29] was a choke, though I appreciate her getting that retort in.))


While I'm choking her, I say, "You're wrong about my goddess and your offer is a lie. I cannot see a soul, so how can I know you are freeing them? Now shut up and die knowing you were out-smarted by a muscle-brain."

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

As Baldhart finishes the spider-drow, I hurry down toward the others. I hope I and the paladin have enough strength between us to heal everyone. The knife is also a concern of mine. I'm not sure what aid I can be in discovering or breaking its power, but I am willing to do my best in the attempt.

"Who needs to be healed?" I call out. A shame I couldn't see the whole battle. If I didn't have to ask, this would be much easier and faster.

 

[Philster401]

"Why did you do that Baldhart? I believe what she sayed was true it is the only explanation that makes sense, or she could have given us more information. She might be working with someone else bigger than her some sort of organization or finally we don't even know who made the blade I'm not sure but I don't think any of them look like blacksmiths but now we won't ever find out," he says distraught, frustrated, and angry.

"This was the whole reason I came here," he said then calming down he finished, "yeah I can help, I know Baldhart, Bressel, and a few other people are injured."
((He is to but others first.))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I don't loosen my grip until I'm sure she won't get up again.

"No offense intended, Zoran." Odd words to say while strangling what may already be a corpse. "Maybe she'd have told us she is using the souls to resurrect Aeron, as if we don't already know. Maybe she'd free the souls if we gave her the knife, or maybe she'd stab one of us--after insisting we heal her wounds as part of her ever-changing bargain which has already gone from 'I surrender' to 'you must free me.' We can't afford to keep her alive, and...

"This knife isn't the only means to trap a soul. Nissa needs to understand it. If a valkyrie can reverse this evil magic, then we can free the souls every time we find one of these damned knives."

I check to see if the witch is able to breathe. If not, I pick her up and move toward the slab where the little girl is.

As I do, I say to Zoran, "Wait... you came here because of the knife?"

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I approach Baldhart first and lay my hand on her arm, letting magic flow from me into her.

Not my strongest spell. "Shall I try that again?"

((Liadan's MP = 13/15))

 

[Philster401]

"No, I came for information, I hoped the Drows might know something, but we can talk about that later let me heal your wounds a bit." Zoran stated (I need to talk to SP a bit before going into more details). Then I lay my hands on Baldhart to heal her.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Oh, thank you. Thank you both."

I tell Liadan, "You might want to get back to me after Zoran and Bressel are healed. And… you might not want to watch this."

I let the witch's jaw fall slack, then wedge her teeth against the corner of the slab. I take a good look at the little girl—Naked. Mutilated. Violated.—then smash the back of the witch's head enough to split her skull.

I manage to hold back tears. I take a deep breath and explain to Zoran, "I made an oath to Brynhild that I would never again rely on steel. But being forbidden to slit a throat doesn't mean I ask others to do my dirty work. If I'm to see someone dead, I'll kill him myself. Or her."

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I obediently turn away as Baldhart does as she will with the spider-drow's corpse, but that doesn't keep me from hearing the crushing blow. Shuddering, I focus on healing Zoran.

"Aah. Let me try again..."

"Mm. Better."

((Liadan's MP = 9/15))

 

[Philster401]

"Thank you, Liadan and sorry if you took offense to my taunts they weren't focused towards you guys," he said.

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

"You're welcome. No offense taken."

I move toward Bressel, and focus my will on healing him.

((MP = 7 / 15))

Cadell

I hurry down the steps, trying to flatten my hair as I do so. I look around when I reach the floor below, wondering what else there is to be done. Should we give the dead girl a proper burial? I don't know how easy that would be, given that the ground above us is frozen and covered in snow.

"How far from here do you think the children live?" I ask Baldhart. "We should make sure they are returned home safely. And that the dead ones' families are informed of their losses." I look down at the small corpse, rage burning in my veins. "Do you believe any of us have the power to free the trapped souls?" This seems a matter best left to those who serve the gods rather than simply acknowledging their presence.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"I believe they were all Miss Liv's. That woman raised seven orphans, and now she's dead along with three of the children." I explain to Zoran, "I suppose you might've seen Dilla and Biorn—Cadell's squire. If you did, they're with us. And the farm they were at was Miss Liv's. She and two boys were found dead there, and we followed tracks to the others, here."

I walk over to Nissa, but pause as I pass by the dark elf who shot her. Did Bressel already take him out?

((Baldhart will kill him, too, unless Bressel, Aliron or Batos already did.))

I go on, "I think we might need to take the children to Belar… or further, if they want us to."

I almost forget to answer the question about souls. "Well… Nissa's a valkyrie. She's been escorting souls for centuries. If anyone can free those souls, it's her."



Nissa

"Zzz…"

Baldhart

Aww, the little angel… I almost hate to wake her. But this is serious. I cross my arms. "Doesn't that arrow crap ever wear off?"

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I put away my bow and gently pick up Nissa -- sleeping on a stone floor has to be uncomfortable. I frown in thought, then try to focus for a healing spell of my own. There's a slim chance it will succeed, but at least I'll have tried.

My eyes widen in shock as the blue glow around my hand brightens -- and for once it doesn't fizzle out. A startled laugh bursts from my throat. "I did it!"

 

[Philster401]

"Yes, I met them they told me where the people who had burned the house were. I will help carry one of the remains if needed'" I state
"Also congratulations Cadell." I say cheerfully.

 

[SeverinR]

Bressel will kill any drow that is still sleeping or that has its head still attached.

Edited:
Aliron will check the area for any secret doors, valuables, items of interest.
Aliron begins to collect bolts, he will coat all of the arrows he can with the poison.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Nissa = 16/16 HP; Baldhart = 32/35 HP))



Baldhart

"Wha—? Cadell! I didn't know you could do that!" I look at my hands. Huh. Well, no point washing them until all the killing's done. "Well, you don't mind carrying her a bit, do you? My hands are… brainy."

I say "thanks" to Zoran, but add that "we've still got some killing to do before we move any bodies."

I approach Tarlack, and I can't help but smile at him with the blood-paint and him poised on Batos! But I need to be serious, "I still need to fulfill the rest of my oath. Two dark elves are at the entrance. They must die, and your people must be freed."

I see Bressel finish the sleeping drow. I ask him, "Would you mind cutting off the witch's head? I think if we show it to the remaining dark elves, they won't put up a fight."

 

[SeverinR]

"Let them surrender, while I get behind them. The leader is dead, but they are still child killers." Aliron says as he is checking the dead.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I crack a smile. "Works for me." But I add, "They're more than child-killers. They go after their souls. I mean… who does that?"

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

"I didn't either, to be honest." At Baldhart's request, I nod and shift my hold on Nissa. "Of course."

((Cadell's MP: -1 / 1))

Liadan

I rejoin Cadell, Baldhart and Zoran in time to hear the nun's words about the remaining drow, and Alin's response. Taking an arrow from my quiver, I nock it loosely to my bowstring. "I can help with that, if you wish."