47: Ancient elven secrets

[Ebiris]

[14:04] <@Ebiris> [16:48] <@Ebiris> The wolf is struck by a rose in the shadow's heart, gurgling and choking blood as his badly weakened body gives up the ghost and he slumps at Lucie's feet! The Pigman endures the rose more easily, but nonetheless squeals in surprise as his shadow is wrenched and pulls him with it off his feet! Only the catman endures more easily, jumping high in the air and making his shadow move away before the rose can drag it down like his comrades!
[14:04] <@Ebiris> [16:52] <Rudy> The crocodile crawls as fast as it can to the melee, albeit unable to do much for it's presence. Rudy himself brings an enchantment of potent speed upon himself and all his friends, envigorating them for the battle ahead!
[14:04] <@Ebiris> OOC: Lucie, you have a prone pigman next to you and you're flanking the catman with the crocodile
[14:06] * @Lucie knows who the bigger threat is, scorched as she is, and takes advantage of her positioning to channel the catman full of negative energy!
[14:06] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+5+2+1 flank/haste touch attack
[14:06] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+5+2+1 flank/haste touch attack and gets 12." [1d20=4]
[14:06] <@Ebiris> OOC: concentration check to not trigger AoO. Miss btw
[14:07] <@Ebiris> OOC: concentration is your caster level plus casting stat modifier
[14:07] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+10
[14:07] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+10 and gets 28." [1d20=18]
[14:08] <@Ebiris> While Lucie successfuly casts her spell, she finds her foe blessed with feline agility! Weaving his orange striped body out of the way as Henrietta's dog growls threateningly at the melee, nonetheless seeming unwilling to leave her side. The pigman felled by Henrietta's rose clambers to his feet with a snorting huff of vexation...
[14:09] <@Ebiris> OOC: triggers AoO, Lucie
[14:09] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+5+1
[14:09] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+5+1 and gets 11." [1d20=5]
[14:10] <@Ebiris> He brushes her mace aside with his club before following through with a strike on the beleaguered oracle!
[14:10] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+5
[14:10] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+5 and gets 18." [1d20=13]
[14:10] <@Ebiris> OOC: AC?
[14:10] <@Lucie> OOC: 17
[14:10] <@Ebiris> roll 1d10+4
[14:10] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d10+4 and gets 5." [1d10=1]
[14:11] <@Ebiris> It's a glancing blow, but he's clearly put enough muscle into it to shear through Lucie's protective warding and send her spinning! This is quickly siezed upon by the feline hybrid, who lashes high with his flaming sword while giving her an underhanded clawing with his free hand!
[14:11] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+7 flame sword
[14:12] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+7 flame sword and gets 23." [1d20=16]
[14:12] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+2 claw
[14:12] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+2 claw and gets 7." [1d20=5]
[14:12] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+1 fire
[14:12] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d8+1 fire and gets 5." [1d8=4]
[14:14] <@Ebiris> While his sharp retractable claws can't find purchase, Lucie endures another flaming rake, this time across her shoulderblades! Her robe frays and her skin sizzles in pain at the searing heat! Away from the battle, the birdman tries to free himself from Henrietta's snaking roots and vines...
[14:14] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+2 strength
[14:14] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+2 strength and gets 13." [1d20=11]
[14:15] <@Ebiris> To no avail! This doesn't stop him trying another spell...
[14:15] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+3 concentration
[14:15] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+3 concentration and gets 6." [1d20=3]
[14:16] * @Lucie writhes in pain and swears profusely with all the expertise of a veteran gangster.
[14:16] <@Ebiris> That once more is lost in an indignant squawk as he's tugged about by the entanglins foliage!
[14:17] <@Ebiris> Trucy withdraws another dagger and hurls it at the pernicious anthropomorphic tabby cat!
[14:17] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20-1 shooting into melee
[14:17] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20-1 shooting into melee and gets 16." [1d20=17]
[14:18] <@Ebiris> It's a good throw, but he manages to duck it just in the nick of time!
[14:18] <@Ebiris> OOC: H-chan
[14:19] <@Henrietta> Whistling to Val to follow her, Henrietta draws her flail and circles and melee! Rudy's nefarious summons should be able to take care of the cat creature, so her enemy is the pig!
[14:19] <@Henrietta> "Stay down!" Henrietta calls to it, trying her very best to slam her flail into its snout!
[14:19] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+10
[14:19] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+10 and gets 13." [1d20=3]
[14:21] <@Ebiris> Henrietta's flail bounces off thick hides warding porcine flesh, but that doesn't deter faithful Val from snarling and lunging at the pig's legs!
[14:21] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+6
[14:21] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+6 and gets 20." [1d20=14]
[14:21] <@Ebiris> roll 1d6+3
[14:21] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d6+3 and gets 7." [1d6=4]
[14:21] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+5 trip
[14:21] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+5 trip and gets 10." [1d20=5]
[14:22] <@Ebiris> A piggish squeal of rage rewards the black dog's efforts, blood pouring down the now lacerated leg like a river!
[14:22] <@Ebiris> OOC: Rudy and minion
[14:22] <@Henrietta> "Surrender or perish!" Henrietta imperiously commands the pig.
[14:23] <@Rudy> The fearsome crocodile pounces upon the cat, mighty jaws preparing to rend and tear!
[14:24] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+8 flank, haste, atk1
[14:24] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+8 flank, haste, atk1 and gets 17." [1d20=9]
[14:24] <@Ebiris> OOC: hit
[14:24] <@Rudy> roll 1d8+4 chomp!
[14:24] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d8+4 chomp! and gets 6." [1d8=2]
[14:24] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+11 grapple!
[14:24] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+11 grapple! and gets 12." [1d20=1]
[14:24] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+8 atk2!
[14:24] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+8 atk2! and gets 26." [1d20=18]
[14:25] <@Rudy> roll 1d8+4
[14:25] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d8+4 and gets 11." [1d8=7]
[14:25] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+11 grapple!
[14:25] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+11 grapple! and gets 25." [1d20=14]
[14:27] <@Ebiris> The catman screams an all too human-like scream as the crocodile bites down first on his flank, just barely slipping away before dragging the beastman down, before it seizes a far more vulnerable spot and severs his leg off at the thigh! Dropping in a spray of blood, he collapses and the flames vanish from his hand, convulsing and spasming in rapidly encroaching death throes!
[14:27] * Retrieving #dunes modes...
[14:27] * Ebiris changes topic to 'Wolfmen > Lucie > Val > Pigmen (2, back entangled) > Birdman (entangled) > Trucy > Henrietta > Rudy > Croc'
[14:28] <@Rudy> With one monster down, Rudy turns his attention to the pigman Henri is so assiduously abusing, and fires off a volley of bolts!
[14:28] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+7
[14:28] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+7
[14:28] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+7
[14:28] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+7 and gets 10." [1d20=3]
[14:28] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+7 and gets 25." [1d20=18]
[14:28] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+7 and gets 12." [1d20=5]
[14:28] <@Ebiris> OOC: 1 hit
[14:28] <@Rudy> roll 1d8
[14:28] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d8 and gets 8." [1d8=8]
[14:29] <@Ebiris> While two merely bracket the target, one of Rudy's bolts strikes true and pierces deeply through the chest of the pigman, almost surely getting between his ribs! With an agonised cry, he swears, "Bweee! You'll pay for that!"
[14:29] <@Henrietta> "That is not how you surrender!"
[14:30] <@Rudy> "Bolts are cheap."
[14:30] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+9 belated reflex for woflman still in tangles
[14:30] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+9 belated reflex for woflman still in tangles and gets 18." [1d20=9]
[14:32] <@Ebiris> Leaving behind the dancers with just two guards, the wolfman rushes through the vines to aid the remaining pigman holding the line, not quite managing to reach the group but stopping ten feet from Val and Henrietta.
[14:32] <@Ebiris> OOC: Lucie
[14:33] * @Lucie with an animal snarl of her own, Lucie steps forward to bludgeon the nearest foe until he's no longer standing.
[14:33] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+5+1+2 surely I can flank with someone here
[14:33] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+5+1+2 surely I can flank with someone here and gets 20." [1d20=12]
[14:33] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+5+1+2
[14:33] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+5+1+2  and gets 9." [1d20=1]
[14:33] <@Ebiris> OOC: Val is flanking. 1 hit
[14:33] <@Lucie> roll 1d8+2
[14:33] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d8+2 and gets 7." [1d8=5]
[14:34] <@Ebiris> Lucie caves his face in with a single brutal strike, shattering bone and perforating skin with her mace's sharp flanges! He drops like a sack of potatoes, leaving only one foe in near reach - and Val is quick to pounce on that one lest it endanger his mistress!
[14:34] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+6
[14:34] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+6 and gets 17." [1d20=11]
[14:35] <@Ebiris> roll 1d6+3
[14:35] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d6+3 and gets 9." [1d6=6]
[14:35] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+5 trip
[14:35] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+5 trip and gets 7." [1d20=2]
[14:36] <@Ebiris> The possibly wolfman is savagely mauled by the Hecate-blessed hound, Val lunging up and almost tearing out his throat in a single massive bite!
[14:36] * Ebiris changes topic to 'Wolfmen > Lucie > Val > Pigmen (entangled) > Birdman (entangled) > Trucy > Henrietta > Rudy > Croc'
[14:37] <@Ebiris> The entangled pigman with the dancers tries to free himself...
[14:37] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+3
[14:37] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+3 and gets 10." [1d20=7]
[14:37] <@Ebiris> But can't, so stays right where he is. The birdman tries as well, though...
[14:37] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+2
[14:37] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+2 and gets 12." [1d20=10]
[14:37] <@Ebiris> Meeting the usual result. Not that it stops him from trying another spell...
[14:37] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+3
[14:37] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+3 and gets 22." [1d20=19]
[14:39] <@Ebiris> This time it pays off, and Lucie suddenly finds herself accosted by... a tiny frog. It's very brightly coloured, lime green with vivid red and blue stripes across its back and hind legs, jumping up from the fallen pigman's corpse to attack her!
[14:39] <@Ebiris> OOC: it's tiny and has no reach, so AoO Lucie
[14:40] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+5+1 what the--
[14:40] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+5+1 what the-- and gets 15." [1d20=9]
[14:40] <@Ebiris> OOC: hit
[14:40] <@Lucie> roll 1d8+2 squish
[14:40] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d8+2 squish and gets 9." [1d8=7]
[14:40] <@Ebiris> The frog makes a very interesting stain on her mace before it vanishes. Trucy goes to retrieve her daggers in the meantime...
[14:41] <@Ebiris> OOC: Henrietta
[14:41] <@Henrietta> "This is my last call for surrender!" Henrietta announces loudly. Roses appear in her arms once more, and this time the sole target is the wolfman facing Val! She would see him on the ground, defeated and helpless!
[14:41] <@Henrietta> roll 3d4+3 and trip!
[14:41] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 3d4+3 and trip! and gets 12." [3d4=3, 4, 2]
[14:41] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+13
[14:41] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+13 and gets 20." [1d20=7]
[14:43] <@Ebiris> The wolfman is plastered with roses, knocking him over and eliciting a pained bark as he's left defenceless before Henrietta's guard dog.
[14:43] <@Ebiris> OOC: Rudy and Croc
[14:43] * @Henrietta fearlessly steps closer!
[14:47] <@Rudy> The crocodile trundles towards the wolfman! It shows little mercy as it delivers another painful bite, whilst Rudy unleashes another deadly volley towards the pathetic-seeming pig!
[14:48] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+6 prone bonus not included
[14:48] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+6 prone bonus not included and gets 14." [1d20=8]
[14:48] <@Ebiris> OOC: prone bonus makes it a hit
[14:48] <@Rudy> roll 1d8+4
[14:48] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d8+4 and gets 8." [1d8=4]
[14:48] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+7 pigshot!
[14:48] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+7 pigshot! and gets 27." [1d20=20]
[14:48] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+7 pigshot!
[14:48] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+7 pigshot! and gets 8." [1d20=1]
[14:48] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+7 pigshot!
[14:48] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+7 pigshot! and gets 24." [1d20=17]
[14:48] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+7 critthreat
[14:48] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+7 critthreat and gets 13." [1d20=6]
[14:49] <@Ebiris> OOC: two hits
[14:49] <@Rudy> roll 1d8
[14:49] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d8 and gets 3." [1d8=3]
[14:49] <@Rudy> roll 1d8
[14:49] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d8 and gets 2." [1d8=2]
[14:50] <@Ebiris> The wolfish man is bitten fiercely, a twist of the crocodile's body enough to tear apart most of his torso and leave him beyond hope of recovery! The entangled pigman takes a pair of arrows in the chest, neither seeming critical but painful nonetheless as evidenced by his indignant squeal!
[14:50] * Ebiris changes topic to 'Lucie > Val > Pigmen (entangled) > Birdman (entangled) > Trucy > Henrietta > Rudy > Croc'
[14:51] <@Ebiris> "Hey, don't surrender, I bet you can still take 'em!" one of the entangled human girls tells their captors maliciously as their numbers are steadily eroded.
[14:51] <@Ebiris> OOC: Lucie
[14:52] * @Lucie sstries through the thick plant growth, just close enough for the ray of energy that erupts from her outstretched hand to reach the porcine brigand!
[14:52] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+5+1 ranged touch
[14:52] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+5+1 ranged touch and gets 8." [1d20=2]
[14:53] <@Ebiris> Even with the pig being untangled and unable to dodge, Lucie's ray sadly goes errant to his side! Val seems content to remain close to Henrietta as the pigman tries to free himself...
[14:53] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+3
[14:53] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+3 and gets 10." [1d20=7]
[14:54] <@Ebiris> The birdman does as well!
[14:54] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+2
[14:54] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+2 and gets 16." [1d20=14]
[14:54] <@Ebiris> Failing that, he delves into his surely dwindling spells...
[14:54] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+3
[14:54] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+3 and gets 15." [1d20=12]
[14:56] <@Ebiris> Which fizzle fruitlessly! Trucy manages to find one of her knives with a happy cry of "Found one!" seemingly dismissing the battle as not needing her contributions now.
[14:57] <@Ebiris> "Rrrr... we surrender!" the birdman gets out unhappily.
[14:57] <@Ebiris> This prompts an equally unhappy outburst from his captives, "Hey, don't let them off easily! They killed Dana and were gonna rape us!" the same girl who suggested fighting to the death yells.
[14:57] <@Henrietta> "Your friend, who was left behind?" Henrietta asks the captives. "We rescued her, and she is alright!"
[14:58] <@Ebiris> "Yay! But that doesn't change the second part!" another entertainer calls ack to Henrietta, trying and failing to jump up in her current entangled and tied up state.
[14:58] <@Rudy> "What do we do with them now, though? Let 'em go?" asks Rudy, doubtfully. "Pretty sure what they pulled would see them hang in most towns..."
[14:58] <@Lucie> "That's what they wanted you for, huh?" Lucie says, thumping her mace into her palm. "They said so? Wouldn't wish *that* on anyone and I don't see why we should give 'em a chance to try it again."
[14:59] <@Henrietta> "We bring them to the next town in our path," Henrietta responds, keeping her voice low enough not to carry to the beastmen. "They may not be working alone, and justice will be served."
[14:59] <@Ebiris> "Wait, wait! No rape! Just marry!" the pigman squeals, waving his hands placatingly. "Brides for village! Very lucky! Very good!"
[15:00] <@Rudy> "Oh, god! You have villages?!"
[15:00] <@Henrietta> "See?"
[15:00] <@Lucie> "It's not marriage when you tie 'em up and haul 'em off to the woods!" Lucie shouts back. More quietly, to Henri: "Really, you want to drag this lot along after her ladyship?"
[15:01] <@Rudy> "Her ladyship would probably have an issue with us killing enemies of ours who surrender." Rudy pauses. "Well, the ones who ain't her brother, anyway."
[15:01] <@Henrietta> With a gesture, Henrietta releases the foliage and allows it to rescind. "I will present this to Lady Vanderboren. If she wishes a different solution, it would be up to her."
[15:01] <@Lucie> "So don't mention it?" Lucie suggests. "There were brigands, we killed them, end of story."
[15:01] * @Henrietta strides towards the beastmen, then!
[15:02] <@Rudy> "Kinda don't feel like lying today, Lucie."
[15:02] * @Lucie shrugs. "Fine, but it's not on me when some other travellers get nabbed by this lot."
[15:02] <@Ebiris> "What?" the three dancers sound outraged, nonetheless shuffling away from the beastmen who throw down their weapons docilely. "Oh, hey, that wolf guy you killed had our money, too!" the one who looks to be the most likely owner of the bra used to track them points out.
[15:03] <@Rudy> "I figure they'll all be executed anyway," replies Rudy, with a shrug. "So both of our consciences will be safe."
[15:03] * @Lucie is happy to retrieve said funds for her!
[15:03] <@Henrietta> "It is yours once more, of course," Henrietta agrees, retrieving her rope and starting to bind the beastmen's limbs together, and the two to one another.
[15:04] <@Ebiris> There's a cloth bag on the nearest wolfish corpse of better make than most of their gear, within which is a decent chunk of change - little compared to what Lucie's earning nowadays, though.
[15:04] <@Lucie> "Do they actually use money?" Lucie wonders as she searches the body. "I mean, you don't see their sort in the city spending it, right?"
[15:04] <@Rudy> "Maybe not in Isernia."
[15:04] <@Ebiris> "There's probably some adventurous traders who deal with them," Trucy suggests as she roots around for her remaining dagger.
[15:05] <@Rudy> Rudy shrugs. "And hey, if we've got magic to change our looks, so could they."
[15:05] * @Lucie takes it and hands it over to...Veronica, she thinks it was.
[15:05] * @Henrietta pauses, wincing. "A disturbing thought."
[15:05] <@Ebiris> Veronica smiles at Lucie and shrugs helplessly with her arms currently bound and unable to accept the bag. "Hey, you were at the inn down the road last night, weren't you?"
[15:06] <@Rudy> Rudy is all too happy to cut the bindings keeping the girls together!
[15:06] <@Lucie> "Sure were. Was a nice show." Lucie lacks any sharp implements, and lets Rudy free the girls.
[15:06] * @Henrietta waves Trucy over to check her own bindings once she is done.
[15:07] <@Ebiris> This elicits grateful reactions from all three, Rudy getting glomped by the trio and showered with kisses! Their colourful dancing clothes obviously weren't meant for hiking, and are fairly ripped in places to show more skin than was visible last night, but none seem particularly bothered right now.
[15:08] <@Ebiris> Trucy gives up dagger searching and trots over to join Henrietta, wrinkling her nose. "Stinky, aren't they?" she asks, earning an indignant look from the birdman who shuffles away from his porcine companion. "Knots look fine to me."
[15:09] <@Henrietta> "Thank you," Henrietta responds, favoring Trucy with a smile before pushing the bound birdman. "Start moving!"
[15:09] * @Lucie isn't entirely successful in concealing a jealous glower at Rudy. For want of a knife! "Let's back to the wagons, right? Before something in these woods smells blood and comes looking for an easy meal."
[15:10] * @Henrietta gives Lucie an incredulous look. "Something more dangerous than us?"
[15:10] <@Rudy> Rudy doesn't look all that thrilled himself, and the moment is ruined when his pet crocodile snaps its teeth!
[15:10] <@Lucie> "It's a big world, I wouldn't rule it out."
[15:10] <@Ebiris> Thus the enlarged cavalcade of adventurers, entertainers, and beastmen starts hiking back through the woods towards the road... if they can find it. They got a bit turned away on their trip out here.
[15:10] <@Ebiris> OOC: anyone have survival?
[15:11] <@Rudy> OOC: I've got air elementals
[15:11] <@Rudy> OOC: But no survival :(
[15:11] <@Henrietta> OOC: I do
[15:11] <@Ebiris> OOC: roll Henri
[15:11] <@Henrietta> OOC: +3!
[15:11] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+3
[15:11] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+3 and gets 20." [1d20=17]
[15:11] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[15:11] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d100 and gets 22." [1d100=22]
[15:14] <@Ebiris> The trip back is mercifully without incident, and Henrietta has a good idea of the route they took. As the forest begins to thin, the smells of cooking meat waft towards the group before they emerge onto the long grass surrounding the road. Just a bit up ahead are the two carriages, everyone currently disembarked at the side of the road and around a campfire cooking lunch, though the Jade Ravens maintain a perimeter around the noncombatants. Zani spots the group first and calls out, causing the other dancer to spring to her feet and rush over to her fellow entertainers with a gleeful squeal, the four quickly engrossed in hugging and reassuring each other.
[15:15] <@Rudy> The crocodile had sadly vanishes on the trek back, but Rudy needs not its protection when going forth to speak to the lady Vanderboren!
[15:16] * @Henrietta leaves Trucy to watch over the beastmen, and comes along with Rudy rather than push her responsibility over on him.
[15:16] <@Ebiris> Lavinia comes to meet the group, a fond smile at the dancers' reunion and a more unreadable look at the two beastmen.
[15:17] <@Rudy> "We dispatched most of the bandits," states Rudy, on arrival. "The last two surrendered, and so it seems we're compelled to hand them over for judgement."
[15:18] <@Henrietta> "Lady Vanderboren," Henrietta reports, bowing in respect once she is close enough. "We managed to rescue the girls before anything untowards happened to them. As Rudy said, we accepted their surrender and intend to take them over to our next stop to hand over to the rightful authorities. Is that how the law of the land works?"
[15:19] * @Lucie trudges into the camp to seek out the Jade Ravens' resident druid. "Don't suppose I could trouble you with some aid of the healing arts?"
[15:22] <@Ebiris> "This isn't Zameina. Beastmen have the same protections under law as humans or dwarves... though they often flout their same responsibilities," she gives the two bound animalistic men a measured look. "We'll tie them to one of the horses when we set off, patrols are common enough for us to hand them over when we see one." She hesitates a moment before asking if the beastmen are hungry, and then dispatching Bertram to feed them.
[15:22] * @Henrietta nods slightly in approval and reassurance.
[15:23] <@Ebiris> "Those hooligans had some bite, eh?" Karkus looks up at Lucie, setting his beef-bowl down and giving her wounds a once over. "Tch, burnt too? Take it they had a mage?" he asks, fingering the singed fabric of her robe before channelling a couple of healing spells into her wounded flesh.
[15:23] <@Ebiris> roll 2d8+8
[15:23] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 2d8+8 and gets 15." [2d8=6, 1]
[15:23] <@Rudy> "Not much protection for rapists. A hundred years back, they'd be outalws," muses Rudy, leaning back against the carriage. "Not a dull week, eh?"
[15:23] <@Ebiris> Lucie's burns soothe away, leaving merely angry red marks on her skin.
[15:24] <@Lucie> "Something like it," Lucie says, expression softening with obvious relief as her wounds heal. "Set his sword alight, for one. Some other petty tricks. Thanks."
[15:25] <@Henrietta> "And I do not have to worry over whether Val can guard the house when I am absent anymore," Henrietta says in satisfaction.
[15:25] <@Ebiris> "This road, I heard it was heavily patrolled. Not enough, clearly," Zani opines disapprovingly as Liamae approaches the dancers, eyeing their ripped garments with every sign of approval, even when they start asking her to use some magic to mend them.
[15:28] * @Lucie may as well get in line if clothes-mending is just getting handed out, given the rips and scroches her own dress got.
[15:28] <@Lucie> *scorches
[15:29] * @Henrietta merely resorts to using prestidigitation to make herself presentable once more and to rid herself of any clinging beastman smell.
[15:29] <@Rudy> "With any luck, it won't need so many from now," replies Rudy, thoughtfully. "You think they steal brides often? That's... kind of hideous." He scowls. "Don't they have their own women?"
[15:30] <@Henrietta> "One of the patrols could, perhaps, look into the village they came from?"
[15:30] <@Ebiris> "But they're so daring!" Liamae insists as yet another voice joins the chorus asking for her sorcerous expertise. "It titilates the senses and arouses curiousity! It shows you're a dangerous and intriguing person!"
[15:30] <@Ebiris> "But it's cold, dammit!" Veronica retorts irately, her bosom threatening to jiggle out of her bodice. That finally seems to get through to the dark-skinned sorceress and she reluctantly starts mending fabric more surely than any needle and thread could.
[15:31] <@Rudy> "
[15:31] <@Lucie> "Maybe look into burning it if they do this sort of thing regular," Lucie mutters.
[15:31] <@Rudy> "It makes you look like you want some," notes Rudy, dryly.
[15:32] <@Henrietta> "Does that sort of look really, ah, titilate and arouse?" Henrietta asks Rudy quietly, leaning over.
[15:32] <@Ebiris> "Women dying, need new blood or all die out," the birdman opens his beak in response to suppositions about their bride-stealing habits. "Maybe all die out anyway..."
[15:34] <@Rudy> "Sure it does, it's just that most men are cowards," replies Rudy, with a shrug. "I guess it's kind of forceful. It's like a dare."
[15:34] <@Henrietta> "Ah, is that so? How interesting!"
[15:34] <@Lucie> "Maybe you could try asking someone next time," Lucie says with a snort. "Have to be real desperate to say yes, mind."
[15:35] <@Rudy> "It.. is?" Rudy turns to eye Henri. "You're not thinking of going for that look, are you?"
[15:35] <@Henrietta> "Ah, certainly not," Henrietta responds, looking shifty.
[15:35] <@Ebiris> After she finishes her clothes mending, Liamae flounces over and drapes an arm over Henrietta's shoulder. "This look of mine intrigued Henrietta here, didn't it?" she asserts smugly at Rudy. "I guess Anowians are too stuffy to appreciate true fashion?"
[15:37] <@Rudy> Rudy laughs! "Of course we do!" he replies. "We just don't think the stuff seamstresses chuck out fits the profile."
[15:39] * @Henrietta smiles at Liamae, even as she eyes Rudy warily out of the corner of her eye. He's not about to slap her and challenge her to a duel, is he?
[15:42] <@Ebiris> "That's why you're so limited," Liamae replies to Rudy. "Any dress can show off some cleavage, your arms, or legs... but you've got to have panache to really stand out. Something new, something exciting!" she tugs at one of the strategic rips in her purple robe, widening it to show her belly-button. "Although I guess Henrietta's famous dress still beats most of my wardrobe..." she finally admits with a pout.
[15:43] <@Henrietta> "I really should find another one or I might lose my edge," Henrietta muses, thinking back to that successful dress.
[15:44] <@Rudy> "May I help you pick one? I think I have a point to prove, now," replies Rudy, suddenly grinning.
[15:44] <@Ebiris> "Hope you brought it on this trip. We might need to impress some of Lady Vanderboren's friends in the capital," Liamae needles, poking her finger into Henrietta's flank.
[15:45] <@Lucie> "You guys gonna turn this into some kind of fashion duel?" Lucie says, leaning against a carriage. "Spend all your money on clothes int he capital?"
[15:46] <@Rudy> "This isn't a duel! Because we will all be winners."
[15:46] <@Henrietta> "Well, I do bring quite a bit with me," Henrietta admits. "My motto is to always be prepared, after all! Yet, nothing so far has been as singularly useful as rope, I found."
[15:46] <@Ebiris> That draws a furtive giggle from Liamae. "I hear Zani say the same thing now and then."
[15:47] <@Lucie> "Yeah?" Lucie can't help but wonder with raised brow.
[15:47] <@Henrietta> "Really? Maybe she knows yet more ways to use it that I have never discovered!"
[15:48] <@Ebiris> "I am very skilled," Zani asserts, rejoining the conversation with a serene expression. "There are many secrets of my home unknown to Pranneria that I was taught as a young woman."
[15:49] <@Henrietta> "Are they, well, along the line of family trade secrets? Or could you teach those skills to anyone?" Henrietta politely inquires.
[15:52] <@Ebiris> That makes her pause and look thoughtful. "I am not sure..." she admits, tapping her chin. "I suppose to be safe I would only teach someone I know very well. I do not want to cause trouble back home if I am-" she frowns momentarily and shakes her head, "When I return."
[15:52] <@Rudy> "Does this unnerve you? I am unnerved," mutters Rudy, nudging Lucie.
[15:54] <@Henrietta> "Then I will ask at a later date," Henrietta concludes, and then returns her attention to Liamae and Rudy. "Lucie's suggestion actually has quite a lot of merit, now that I think about it. There may well be all sorts of interesting dresses to try on and purchase at the capital."
[15:54] <@Lucie> "Think the word you want is 'intrigued,'" Lucie mutters to Rudy.
[15:55] <@Rudy> "Why are you intrigued by rope, and the possible secret uses thereof?" asks Rudy, backing up a step.
[15:57] <@Ebiris> Liamae guffaws and is forced to disentangle herself from Henrietta as she doubles over in mirth. Zani seems nonplussed by this reaction, "You laugh now, but how often have you made use of my skills?" she asks the sorceress with faint indignation that only elicits more laughter.
[15:57] <@Lucie> "Who can resist a mystery?" Lucie replies.
[15:58] * @Henrietta really wants to know if Zani demonstrated those ancient secrets to Liamae! But asking would be so rude....
[15:59] <@Rudy> "Some mysteries, man was not meant to know."
[16:00] * @Henrietta coughs into her fist, beating down that interest by force. "Be that as it may, are you interested in going shopping together in what free time we shall have?"
[16:00] <@Lucie> "Yeah, well, might not've noticed, but that doesn't apply to me," Lucie says, keeping an eye on the other conversation.
[16:01] <@Ebiris> Straightening up and wiping a tear from her eye, Liamae grins and nods, "I hear back home that the interior's less fashionable than Salerno, but it could be interesting anyway."
[16:05] * Quits: @Henrietta (corwin@bzq-79-183-199-131.red.bezeqint.net) (Ping timeout)
[16:07] * Joins: Henrietta (~corwin@bzq-79-183-199-131.red.bezeqint.net)
[16:07] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Henrietta
[16:10] <@Ebiris> The next day of travel passes in significantly more cramped but perhaps more interesting straits. The prisoners are offloaded a few hours later to a convoy of knights coming in the other direction, but the dancers remain for the rest of the day, squeezing in tightly across the two carriages. Lucie finds herself lodged in between the equally voluptuous Veronica, and the rather more svelte form of Ellen, the former being rather fidgety and spending several hours jiggling pleasantly against Lucie as they go. However upon arriving at the next waystation, a small fortified keep, the dancers indicate they'll be stopping here for a while to build up their funds for a replacement cart and horse, but for the night prove quite willing to devote their talents to entertaining their benefactors, dancing with skill and enthusiasm and perhaps even offering private performances for any willing to try their luck during the night. Alas however the next day the group must say their goodbyes before Lavinia's troupe continue on to Thanellar...
[16:12] <@Rudy> "Don't be a stranger if you ever head to Salerno!" advises Rudy, before they depart. "Look us up!"
[16:13] <@Henrietta> Feeling bad for the group, Henrietta makes certain that the dancers have the funds they need to get back on their feet. Her own purse would take a hit, of course, but she can certainly afford it.
[16:14] <@Lucie> "Yes," Lucie agrees with this. "I've got empty rooms in my house across from the dance academy if, ah, if you need lodging while you're in town. I wouldn't dream of charging you, of course."
[16:16] <@Ebiris> Thrilled with Henrietta's generosity, the quartet of dancers glomp her severely before changing their plans and purchasing replacement horse and cart here at the keep, offering to travel with the group the rest of the way up to the capital and keep them entertained the whole way. Witnessing all this, Trucy looks up at Henrietta with big soulful eyes and asks, "Can I have a pony?"
[16:17] <@Rudy> Striding past the girls on his way back to his own horse, Rudy stifles a laugh.
[16:17] * @Lucie overcomes her continuously mounting jealousy to notify Henri: "Remind me I owe you a favor someday."
[16:17] <@Henrietta> "Did yours get killed by bandits?"
[16:20] <@Ebiris> Trucy blinks at that before nodding quickly, "Sure, I had one before I met you. Old snuffles was the best pony a girl could ever hope to own!" she asserts with shifty eyes.
[16:21] * @Henrietta laughs, patting Trucy's shoulder. "Do you even have a place to keep one?"
[16:21] <@Ebiris> Looking down and pouting, Trucy gets out an overdramatic, "Noooo..."
[16:22] <@Henrietta> "Once you do, I will buy you one! That is a promise!"
[16:23] <@Rudy> "Try making nice with the guard," suggests Rudy, approaching on his own steed. "Or get a job driving carriages around the city- they'll let you have space if they like you."
[16:33] <@Ebiris> With Trucy mollified the newly expanded group thus sets off once more on the long road Northwards! It's thankfully uneventful in terms of attacks or adventure, but the four dancers do their best to keep it nonetheless exciting with their various performances. Several days later the massive forest is finally left behind, opening up onto the dry plains of the interior interspersed with the occassional massive rock or upthrust volcano marring the otherwise flat terrain. The scraping heights of the Pinnacle Mountains remain visible far to the East, even over the horizon, and stops are made in several towns and cities along the way to Isernia's seat of power. Eventually, on the eleventh day of travel, Thanellar finally comes into sight ahead. It's a great walled city, far larger than Salerno and set between a wide crescent-shaped lake and an ancient rounded volcano, with marinas and docks extending onto the lake and a hugely tall tower extending from an island amidst the waters, while terraced steps up the volcano's slopes hold both mansions and dark fields just recently harvested. The massive gates under the whitestone walls stand open, and after merely stopping long enough to pay a toll do the carriages, horses, and carts roll into the wide paved streets.
[16:34] <@Lucie> "What's the tower for?" Lucie wonders as they roll along.
[16:34] <@Rudy> "Mages, I bet," guesses Rudy. "Don't want any fireballs going off in the city streets."
[16:35] <@Henrietta> "Not the seat of government?" Henrietta offers her own thoughts.
[16:36] <@Ebiris> "That's the Order of the Purple Griffin's headquarters," Liamae puts in. "They're the royal mages of Isernia. Parliament and Amarinthine Palace are both near the city centre."
[16:37] <@Lucie> "Nah. If the city's attacked, they need to be here commanding its defense, right? Reminds me, though--" She adds the following more quietly, just for the group's hearing: "--there's something else we're for, isn't there? The treasurer, wasn't she?"
[16:43] <@Rudy> "I think I wanted to forget," mutters Rudy, but he steps up to Lucie anyway. "We'll figure something out, maybe get an appointment."
[16:45] <@Lucie> "Be a shame to miss the chance, right? When else'll we be here?" After this, Lucie wonders where they're staying--did Lavinia have a place picked out for them, or are they on their own for quarters?
[16:47] <@Henrietta> "We... should learn more while here, yes," Henrietta agrees. "It would be a good chance."
[16:48] <@Ebiris> Travelling Thanellar's surprisingly wide and well-ordered streets, the group makes their way towards the heart of the capital. Stopping before a wide and somewhat disorderly building that seems to have been built to ape a stylised lightning bolt and looks like it could topple at any moment, Lavinia disembarks and the servants begin to unload luggage. "Here we are, Zeus's Folly. We have the entire second floor to ourselves, so lets get everything inside and then talk over our plans?" After addressing her employees she thanks the four dancers for travelling with them and has Kora hand over a small jingling sack which is met with enthusiasm that's muted a bit since the quartet seems to have quite enjoyed travelling with everyone.
[16:49] <@Lucie> "How's this place stand up?" Lucie says, looking up at the building, and neatly missing an opportunity for friendly goodbyes.
[16:49] <@Ebiris> OOC: Rudy can roll architecture
[16:50] * @Henrietta wishes the dancers luck, thanking them herself after politely waiting for Lavinia to have done that herself.
[16:52] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+9
[16:52] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+9 and gets 17." [1d20=8]
[16:54] -> *Rudy* This building's quite famous in architectural circles for the deep and cunningly designed foundations and system of concealed and unotrusive counterweights that keep the structure standing in defiance of gravity and sense.
[16:55] <@Rudy> "It's famous!" notes Rudy, turning excitedly to Lucie. "Basically, it really should fall down any second, but due to construction techniques that border on the far side of 'fucking impossible', it stays up!" He turns back to the building. "I don't know how they got approval to build this amazing thing, but that they did is a marvel to me."
[16:56] <@Ebiris> Lavinia seems quite charmed with Rudy's description and covers a giggle with her hand. "It's also famous for the quality of service and amenities, so we should be well looked after."
[16:56] * @Lucie turns a skeptical eye on the building. "So maybe Zeus keeps it up or something as far as you know?"
[16:57] <@Rudy> "No, it really is just physics," replies Rudy. "But there's no way anyone would believe that the methods used would *actually work*. It's all concealed counterweights," he explains. "I think it's really dangerous, actually. A few solid blows to a couple crucial points..."
[16:58] <@Ebiris> Lavinia seems rather less charmed all of a sudden, clearing her throat, "I'm sure it's perfectly safe and we'll be absolutely fine. Come, now, lets check in and make ourselves comfortable."
[16:59] <@Lucie> "Sure, sure," Lucie mutters as she walks in (watching the structure very closely for signs of imminent collape!)
[16:59] <@Lucie> *Collapse
[16:59] <@Henrietta> With a friendly wave at the girls, Henrietta heads inside after the others, not concerned about the state of the building in the slightest.