11: Hellooooo, Nurse

[Sierra]

<Eliaphas> roll 1d8+5 Madeline
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d8+5 Madeline and gets 10."12 [1d8=5]
<Eliaphas> roll 3d8+15 Corben
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 3d8+15 Corben and gets 28."12 [3d8=1, 4, 8]
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: 122/137 (-4 wis), Eliaphas: 102/102 (-2wis), Madeline: 86/96(-1wis)|''
<El-Cideon> The group retreats back to the lower wing to regroup with the prisoners and rest up. The castle is again eerily silent and they are not disturbed along the way. The freed villagers are restless but quiet--and hungry, as the noblewoman in the group carefully rations what meat they found in the kitchen area, but better hungry and alive than dead, right? Afternoon passes into night--at least if the occasional bells from the tower above are to be believed.
<El-Cideon> (OOC: will checks, the three of you, then perception)
<Madeline> roll 1d20+8
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+8 and gets 13."12 [1d20=5]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+17 perception
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+17 perception and gets 30."12 [1d20=13]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+14 will
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+14 will and gets 17."12 [1d20=3]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+20 perception
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+20 perception and gets 33."12 [1d20=13]
<Corben> roll 1d20+4 will
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+4 will and gets 12."12 [1d20=8]
<Corben> roll 1d20+15 perception
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+15 perception and gets 27."12 [1d20=12]
<El-Cideon> The rest period passes uneventfully, though Madeline and Corben wake with a feeling of gravity around them, or pressure. It's not a physical sensation--for a moment you simply feel as though you stood at the edge of a steep slope and just a nudge would see you sliding into an abyss. Then it passes.
<Eliaphas> Having performed his prayers, Eliaphas feels reinvigorated with the knowledge that God is with him even in Hell, and offers more restorative magic to his comrades, as well as availing himself.
<Eliaphas> roll 1d4 lesser res me
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d4 lesser res me and gets 2."12 [1d4=2]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d4 lesser res Corben
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d4 lesser res Corben and gets 4."12 [1d4=4]
<El-Cideon> As the group gets ready to move on, the princess's lady in waiting makes a request of them: "The food and water here won't last us forever. There must be more somewhere in the castle--say what you like about Anna, she kept us fed before she killed us--and things would be easier for us if you could secure it."
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: 122/137, Eliaphas: 102/102, Madeline: 86/96(-1wis)|''
<Madeline> Madeline slips a bookmark into her hefty-seeming tome, which is turned shut with a heavy thud. "It is my hope it will not need to," she remarks, as the book vanishes into her bottomless bag. "We will see if we come across a storehouse."
* Eliaphas nods understandingly. Although he'd prefer this to be over quickly, it could be a long slog. "There are likely other kitchens as well. We will see."
<El-Cideon> A nod. "After what you've done, all I could ask is that you try."
<Eliaphas> "But as for water, the Lord shall provide," and thus he pays a visit to all their barrels, basins, and buckets, praying to the Lord for a bounty of fresh drinkable water.
<El-Cideon> She smiles with thanks as half of their immediate problem is solved! (OOC: moving on?)
<Eliaphas> OOC: yep
<El-Cideon> Outside the mess hall, you find a light rain has begun, with a steady wind from the north flinging it into you as you ascend to the castle proper. The perpetual half-light of Mistvalken is also notably dimmer, the diffuse illumination perhaps that of a night lit by a full moon. The clock tower rings out a midnight chime as you arrive again in the gallery.
<Corben> "Which one was it?" Corben asks Madeline, taking care not to glance at the paintings too closely.
<Madeline> "The eastern wall," replies Madeline, briefing incanting a spell to let her pierce the darkness once more. Her eyes inevitably slide to the portrait in question...
<El-Cideon> Madeline's sharp eyes discern:
<El-Cideon> A woman sits naked atop a broken marble column amidst a ruin on a sunny day, knees drawn up as she strikes a coy pose. Her skin is without blemish, and so pale as to seem of like nature as the stone she rests upon. She is beautiful in a way that harkens to faces seen on ancient sculpture or royal coinage, though her expression is friendly and open, and entirely casual as though this were a regular activity for her. A mass of hair, streaked blue and white, drifts in a cloud behind her as if blown about by contrary winds. The plaque reads: The Muse Unveiled.
<El-Cideon> Unlike previous experiences in the gallery, Madeline feels no strange force seeking to pull her away from her reality when looking at this one.
<Madeline> "It appears this portrait is natural," remarks Madeline. "The journal did imply that the portraits do not constantly seek new entrants."
<Corben> "How strange," Corben says, looking at it himself before returning his attention to Madeline. "If not this one, where to next, then?"
<Eliaphas> If it's safe then Eliaphas takes a look, though promptly dismisses it. That does cause his guard to lower and result in him looking at the picture's neighbour before he has time to think about whether it's safe or not as well.
<El-Cideon> Eliaphas sees the other painting on the east wall:
<El-Cideon> Atop a stage, a woman prepares to launch herself into a wild dance. The artist has so vividly captured the sense of impending motion that you half expect the figure to leap from the frame. There is an exotic cast to her features, such that one would not place her within any of Brislov's neighboring nations and a simple glance calls forth lands far-off, legendary, or ancient. She looks young, and the dancer's outfit she wears puts fit musculature on display, but the mane of hair trailing her is a uniform silver shine. Around her swirls a riotously colorful cloak woven from a multitude of feathers, no two alike. The plaque reads: Queen of Birds.
<El-Cideon> Eliaphas finds that this painting also makes no pressing demands of him.
<Madeline> "Those on the opposite side," replies Madeline. "They contain depictions of Mary Belona, and Cain Vorela, two present inhabitants of the castle." She finds herself turning to look at the other wall.
<Eliaphas> This gallery seems quite harmless, so Eliaphas follows Madeline's gaze to have a look as well!
<El-Cideon> Somewhat closer to them is the following:
<El-Cideon> A plain-looking young woman, dull brown hair held back from her face in a haphazard tail, stands next to a battered wooden table resting her hands in a basin of water. The woman wears white surgeon's robes stained throughout the front by signs of that trade, and along the table are various metal implements of the profession. Her expression is that of one deeply absorbed in her work. The artist has so intricately captured the moment that individual threads of blood can be distinguished in the reddening water. In a tent behind her, bandaged figures lie in various states of rest. The plaque reads: Mary Belona at Work.
<El-Cideon> OOC: will +1, if you care to resist
<El-Cideon> OOC: if you don't care to resist, to #nightgallery! Unless all three of you are going together, in which I guess we stay here.
* Eliaphas elects not to resist. As Madeline said, this may teach them about their foes.
<Madeline> Madeline isn't about to back out of a portrait when it's her own idea.
* Corben follows, however belatedly!
<El-Cideon> And again, suddenly you're all somewhere else. Coughs and moans from cots, the air a thick melange of blood and human misery with just a touch of rot. Beyond rows of beds, the tent flap is just a slit of light that shows nothing of the tent's exterior. The woman washing her hands turns to scan each of you with a critical gaze. "None of you are wounded," she assesses, in an authoritative tone that brooks no nonsense. "What are you doing here?"
<Madeline> "We come from the future, and we are here to speak with you about Mistvalken," replies Madeline, pursing her lips and aiming for the most cogent explanation.
<Eliaphas> "You are Mary Belona?" Eliaphas doesn't directly answer, instead brusquely questioning her in return. "You work for Duke Varas?"
<El-Cideon> She gives Madeline a flat look. "You speak nonsense and there are no elves in His Grace's army," is her brusque reply before responding to Eliaphas. "Yes, and if you don't know either of these things, it only brings us back 'round where we began: who are you and what are you doing here? You may be able to observe that I'm very busy."
<Corben> "Busy with what?"
<Madeline> Madeline absently peers through the tent flap to see what might lie on the other side.
<El-Cideon> "Blind or daft?" she wonders as she looks over Corben. "Excessive head trauma, perhaps. You've obviously seen many a battle. I attend to the wounded. What did you expect when you walked into the surgeon's tent?"
<Eliaphas> "We need to know what you do for Duke Veras. You're a surgeon, yes, but do you study any other topics? Necromancy?" Eliaphas presses impatiently.
<El-Cideon> Outside, Madeline sees rows of other tents, soldiers marching and training in formation, engines of war being repaired, and a generally bustling military camp.
<El-Cideon> OOC: also, anyone interacting with her can roll perception
<Corben> roll 1d20+17 sure
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+17 sure and gets 25."12 [1d20=8]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+17 I was just a moment ago
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+17 I was just a moment ago and gets 30."12 [1d20=13]
<Eliaphas>  roll 1d20+21 yes
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+21
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+21 and gets 26."12 [1d20=5]
<El-Cideon> "Necromancy?" she says with some incredulity. "This isn't the mage corps. I should think my function plain enough."
<Madeline> "Hidden weapons, small blades," notes Madeline, counting off her fingers. "I've seen enough. This portrait contains a larger world than it's original depiction," she adds. "We'd better depart swiftly."
<El-Cideon> She narrows her eyes, shoots Madeline an appraising look.
<Eliaphas> "One to be careful of," Eliaphas nods, backing towards the tentflap... she's probably harmless in a painting but why take chances by exposing his back to her?
<El-Cideon> "Yes, I think perhaps you should leave," she says with an edge to her voice.
<Corben> Since they are leaving, the flap might be as good a choice as any, and Corben follows Eliaphas towards it.
<Madeline> "I would concur," replies Madeline, making sure to close her eyes like she was told to.
<El-Cideon> OOC: will +1 for anyone exiting that way
<Corben> roll 1d20+7
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+7 and gets 22."12 [1d20=15]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+9 and gets 14."12 [1d20=5]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+16
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+16 and gets 28."12 [1d20=12]
<El-Cideon> Corben and Eliaphas immediately find themselves back in the gallery, but Madeline...Madeline's attempt to walk out leads her right back into the tent's interior. "Perhaps I wasn't clear enough, elf-maid," Mary says, hands in her sleeves. "There is serious work to be done here. I don't have time for your tomfoolery."
* Eliaphas is sure Madeline will be right out and waits a moment longer...
<Madeline> Madeline frowns. "I would like nothing more," she replies, opting to back out once again!
<El-Cideon> OOC: same roll
<Madeline> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+9 and gets 29."12 [1d20=20]
<El-Cideon> This time, Madeline finds herself back outside!
<Eliaphas> "So we can expect the real Mary Belona to try and lower our guard by seeming harmless before attacking us with hidden weapons?" Eliaphas surmises once they're all reunited.
<Madeline> "A possibility, although her lust for carnage, as the writer puts it, may betray her intentions," replies Madeline. "But it does not seem she has inherent magical talent, so her threat is likely all physical."
<Corben> "That's enough, if she is one of the leaders here," Corben notes.
<Eliaphas> "Shall we examine the next one?" Eliaphas then asks, looking to the picture's neighbour.
<El-Cideon> On the other side of the door, Eliaphas sees:
<El-Cideon> The old man in this portrait boasts the upright bearing and stern expression of a lifelong officer in the soldiery. Serious, weathered features and clear blue eyes are bracketed by imposing walls of sideburns. The portrait captures him in full armor, dented and worn but nevertheless well-maintained plate mail, and in both hands he clasps the hilt of a massive greatsword that stands point down on the floor. He stands in half-profile, staring fixedly off to one side as if dutifully on guard and oblivious to the painter's attention. The plaque reads: Captain Cain Vorela.
<El-Cideon> This portrait seems mundane--no attempt is made to drag Eliaphas to another world.
* Eliaphas shakes his head. "No supernatural insights from this one."
<Madeline> "It seems straightforward enough," replies Madeline, glancing up and down.
<Corben> "What next?"
<Madeline> "Let's continue with the rest of the castle," suggests Madeline. "To the eastern side."
* Eliaphas is happy to leave the gallery behind, heading back out to the main corridor and heading East.
<El-Cideon> Past the door the curator's office, you arrive at a four-way junction. A covered walkway proceeds south, out into the mists. The corridor continues east, with several doors along the north wall, and to the immediate north, beyond an elaborately carved archway, a flagstone path leads out into the open. Hedges rise out there, the path leading into them.
<Eliaphas> "Hmm... I'm curious what lies that way, whether there's another complex besides this one. Shall we investigate, or finish with the interior here first?"
<Corben> "Let's investigate," Corben agrees. "We can always return later."
<Madeline> "As you will it," replies Madeline, opting to keep covering the rear!
* Eliaphas nods and leads the way out into the hedgerows, skulking in the shadows to avoid anything seeing them from above.
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+22 stealthing it up
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+22 stealthing it up and gets 30."12 [1d20=8]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+34 also stealthing!
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+34 also stealthing! and gets 53."12 [1d20=19]
<Corben> roll 1d20+17 I can try
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+17 I can try and gets 19."12 [1d20=2]
<El-Cideon> The path leads between the bulk of the gallery and whatever occupies the western half of the north wing complex. Before you reach the hedges, the ground on either side of the path falls away--the north wing perches on sheer rock, it seems. Your path soars briefly over a whispering abyss before reaching a spire thrusting off the cliff face. Ten-foot hedges, well-clipped and even, line the edges of this rise. Just inside, you can see, is a small plaza with a marble colonnade, a burbling statue with a centerpiece of writhing nymphs, and, in each corner of the plaza, a stone statue taller than a man: one is a soldier clad in archaic armor, one a lithe dancer, the other a female scholar with a bow, the last a naked man with a jagged break where his head should be. Across the plaza is another clearing, you can see.
<Madeline> Madeline retrieves a pair of rods from her bag, and hands them to Corben and Eliaphas! "We will cross, of course, but should you fall, activate these and grasp them firmly," she suggests. "If you have no means of saving yourself, I will come and get you."
* Corben watches the rod warily, but he had seen Madeline use them the other day and nods.
* Eliaphas accepts the rod and gauges how far would be needed to jump to cross the gap...
* Eliaphas holds onto the rod in one hand and starts walking down the middle of the path, feeling exposed without any cover to hide by here.
<Madeline> This precaution taken care of, Madeline begins to amble across the path at a quick pace.
<El-Cideon> If there's anything out here between you and the hedged island the path leads to, it gives no sign as you tread carefully across the walk over the abyss.
* Corben waits a bit for Madeline and Eliaphas to make it across, before attempting it himself.
<El-Cideon> Eliaphas and Madeline are undisturbed, arriving at the entrance to the fountain plaza without any trouble.
* Corben follows!
<Eliaphas> Giving Madeline her rod back, Eliaphas is drawn to the broken statue. "Someone who fell out of favour, perhaps?" he muses, wondering who it represents.
<El-Cideon> OOC: feel free to roll K:R
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+16
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+16 and gets 18."12 [1d20=2]
<Madeline> Madeline is more interested in the fountain itself, seeing as it appears to still be functional.
<Eliaphas> "Hmm... they're pagan deities, I think." But more than that Eliaphas does not know, and thus he settles for following Madeline.
<El-Cideon> The fountain has a low rim wide enough for someone to sit on. The basin itself isn't so big one could rest comfortably in it, though. The ring of nymphs around the center are frozen mid-cavort, some of them spraying water from open mouths.
<El-Cideon> And as the two intruders set foot inside the plaza itself, the statue at each corner lurches into motion and makes to converge upon them!
<El-Cideon> OOC: I assumed walking and talking = not stealthing anymore, soooo, init
<Madeline> roll 1d20+9 we couldn't have predicted the statues would attack us
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+9 we couldn't have predicted the statues would attack us and gets 11."12 [1d20=2]
<Corben> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+12 and gets 28."12 [1d20=16]
<El-Cideon> roll 4#1d20+5 statue gang
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 4#1d20+5 statue gang and gets 57."12 [4#1d20+5 = 6, 13, 20, 18]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+9 and gets 11."12 [1d20=2]
* El-Cideon changes topic to '6Corben: 122/137, Eliaphas: 102/102, Madeline: 86/96(-1wis)|' Corben > dancer statue > headless statue > scholar statue > Madeline = Eliaphas > soldier statue'
<El-Cideon> OOC: open up, Corben. They're each about 30 ft from the fountain in the center.
<Corben> The statue of the soldier appears to be a worthy nemesis! Corben rushes to bring it down swiftly, his falcion seeking to cleave the statue in two!
<Corben> roll 1d20+16 rage, 12pa, surprise accuracy
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+16 rage, 12pa, surprise accuracy and gets 26."12 [1d20=10]
<El-Cideon> OOC: hit
<Corben> roll 2d4+16+24 adamant
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 2d4+16+24 adamant and gets 46."12 [2d4=3, 3]
<El-Cideon> Corben's blade shears off a chunk of the statue's carved armor and tears into its chest, marble fragments crashing onto the ground all around it! The dancer statue charges at the barbarian from behind and lashes out with a stone scarf--
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+12 and gets 28."12 [1d20=16]
<El-Cideon> OOC: AC?
<El-Cideon> OOC: Also CMD if it hits, there'll be a trip attempt
<Corben> OOC: 24, can I use unexpected strike?
<El-Cideon> OOC: if the rules allow you to, sure? It's been a while, I forget precisely what that one does
<Corben> roll 1d20+12 12pa
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+12 12pa and gets 23."12 [1d20=11]
<El-Cideon> OOC: hits
<Corben> roll 2d4+16+24
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 2d4+16+24 and gets 47."12 [2d4=3, 4]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d4+3 damage, and--
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d4+3 damage, and-- and gets 5."12 [1d4=2]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+14 trip vs CMD
<Corben> OOC: CMD is 34
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+14 trip vs CMD and gets 22."12 [1d20=8]
* Corben changes topic to '6Corben: 119/137, Eliaphas: 102/102, Madeline: 86/96(-1wis)|' Corben > dancer statue > headless statue > scholar statue > Madeline = Eliaphas > soldier statue'
<El-Cideon> An attempt is made to tangle the barbarian in one curiously flexible length of stone, but he's too quick, slashing back hard in turn! Meanwhile, the robed woman statue nocks an arrow in her bow and takes aim at Madeline, while the headless statue charges at Eliaphas with a great pounding of stone feet!
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+11 bow vs Madeline
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+11 bow vs Madeline and gets 19."12 [1d20=8]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+6 bow vs Madeline
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+6 bow vs Madeline and gets 25."12 [1d20=19]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12+2 headless charge
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+12+2 headless charge and gets 16."12 [1d20=2]
<Eliaphas> OOC: flat footed AC 19
<El-Cideon> OOC: any hits, Madeline?
<Madeline> OOC: 1, from the bow
<El-Cideon> roll 1d8+15
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d8+15 and gets 20."12 [1d8=5]
<El-Cideon> With staggering force, an arrow of stone plunges into the elf's shoulder and leaves her reeling and bleeding! Eliaphas is too wary for his foe, however.
<El-Cideon> OOC: M and E, E is threatened
<Eliaphas> Stepping back and levelling his crossbow at the headless monstrosity, Eliaphas burns fires a flurry of baneful bolts back in retaliation!
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+12 construct bane, -3 deadly aim, rapid shot, fuck I forgot to cast my buffs
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+12 construct bane, -3 deadly aim, rapid shot, fuck I forgot to cast my buffs and gets 23."12 [1d20=11]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+12 construct bane, -3 deadly aim, rapid shot, fuck I forgot to cast my buffs
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+12 construct bane, -3 deadly aim, rapid shot, fuck I forgot to cast my buffs and gets 32."12 [1d20=20]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+7 construct bane, -3 deadly aim, rapid shot, fuck I forgot to cast my buffs
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+7 construct bane, -3 deadly aim, rapid shot, fuck I forgot to cast my buffs and gets 10."12 [1d20=3]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+12 construct bane, -3 deadly aim, rapid shot, fuck I forgot to cast my buffs, crittable?
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+12 construct bane, -3 deadly aim, rapid shot, fuck I forgot to cast my buffs, crittable? and gets 18."12 [1d20=6]
<El-Cideon> OOC: I believe constructs are crittable in PF, yes? Although the roll failed anyway, so just two normal hits.
<Madeline> Madeline backs away a little, and flings a snowball into the air above the bow-wielding statue! It bursts into a storm of driving snow, hoping to keep it blind and distracted while they deal with the other three!
<Eliaphas> roll 1d10+10+1d6+1d6+4d6 fire/elec/bane
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d10+10+1d6+1d6+4d6 fire/elec/bane and gets 41."12 [1d10=9][1d6=3][1d6=4][4d6=5, 3, 4, 3]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d10+10+1d6+1d6+4d6 fire/elec/bane
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d10+10+1d6+1d6+4d6 fire/elec/bane and gets 41."12 [1d10=8][1d6=1][1d6=4][4d6=2, 6, 5, 5]
<El-Cideon> The headless statue is soon legless, armless, and motionless, as it falls to pieces from Eliaphas's divine onslaught!
* El-Cideon changes topic to '6Corben: 119/137, Eliaphas: 102/102, Madeline: 86/96(-1wis)|' Corben > dancer statue > scholar statue > Madeline = Eliaphas > soldier statue'
<El-Cideon> The soldier statue draws a marble greatsword and swings away twice at Corben, a low whoosh of displaced air as the heavy blade comes at him.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+13
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+13 and gets 21."12 [1d20=8]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+8
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+8 and gets 20."12 [1d20=12]
<Corben> OOC: AC still 24
<El-Cideon> OOC: misses, I believe. And pausing there.