Chapter Eighteen: In the Shadow of the Maiden of Pain!

[Kaerri]

Spoiler: Kaerri Rainshadow, Shadowdancer

^{Art by Peritwinkle}
Character sheet
Hit Points: 99/99
Armor Class: 27
Touch Armor Class: 17
Shadow Illusion: 3/3
Shadow Call: 2/2
Shadow Jump distance: 80/80 feet
Defensive Roll: 1/1
Rogue Talent Resiliency: 1/1
Stinger -- uses of Slow remaining: 3/3
Charm of Bastet -- uses of Cat's Grace remaining: 1/1
Action Points: 14

Confirmed enemy, twice over. Kobolds plus Loviatar. Huzzah. Well, fair is fair, and the conversation's continuing.

The shadowdancer laughs along with her host - after all, he's not a stunted anything! "I'm called Kaerri Rainshadow," she replies. "And I'm sorry to say I missed your descent. I bet it was a sight to be seen! But I can't help wondering what the kobolds have to do with all this. I passed 'em in the tunnel, and frankly, they don't seem worthy of your attention. Or were they just conveniently in the area when you landed?"

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Kaerri Tag!

"Loviatar wished them stopped!" the giant king points at the fallen sickly-looking kobolds who lie slumped over the dirt and stones. "For what reasons I had no care to ask. All I know is that they were meddling in some affair too great for their kind and so she sent us to prevent them. And prevent them we have! An easier task does not exist. Still... the fact remains that I am owed slaves." The king gasps and smacks his fist into his palm. "Ho ho! I have it! I know what we can do!

The King of the Storm Lords points down the tunnel whence Kaerri came. "Bring your party hither! You shall face my rearguard who has recently failed me," he sneers at them and three of his company turn their gazes aside. "They must produce my missing slaves or they shall act in their stead! But... how boring is that? Instead, I have a much better idea - my rearguard of four shall face you and your party! If you win, the slaves are yours! We have prevented them once and that was our deal! But if you lose, you become my slaves for a month's time! You will do my bidding and mine alone without question!

King Thun'drous then peers at the giant corpse at his feet then at his crew. "You are down to three. Will one of you step forward to fill the gap?"

"Aye!" says a hearty Storm Lord, youthful and filled with bloodlust. His mates cheer him on as he steps forward in his gleaming banded mail and his two-handed axe thrust high with pride.

King Thun'drous smiles and nods eagerly, clearly pleased. "Ho ho! And here we have our four! A proper rearguard! Ah! Kaerri Rainshadow, such is my faith in my own that I shall even fatten the pot, here and now! If you win..." the necks of his fellows crane forward to hear, "... you may have all of the belongings of my rearguard! Except for their bodies - those must return home to their families where they rightly belong. Fetch your master and bring forth the sport! Dispersing kobolds is no fun, but the chance at Averlundian adventurers for slaves for a month? Aye! Now that sounds like living!" His laughter and smile could not be more eager and the lights in his lone eye dances.

"What say thee?!"

Wave mentally adds a very direct set of statement directly into Kaerri's mind. "Methinks the king does not yet realize this, but... if you lose, my wielder, one of his number shall surely find some way to separate you permanently from me. For a slave owns nothing and is thus a creature without belongings."

 

[Sherwood]

Hearing the booming voice of this King makes Luna pause, and she looks over at Oreleth. In a whisper, she asks, "Are we going to go and fight these giants? Can we risk it?" She is quite anxious, having not been in a pitched fight like the one they are walking into in a long time. "What are we going to do?"

Spoiler

Hit Points: 74 +1d6
Action Points: 11 / 10
Diamond of Fate: 1

Armor Class: 18 - 24 Mage Armor II. +2 from Ring of Force Shield
Touch AC: 14 Flat Footed: 22

Initiative Bonus: 2
Fortitude Save: +6
Reflex Save: +7
Will Save: +16

Base Attack: +6 / +1
Melee: +4 / -1
Ranged: +8 / +3

Extended Mage Armor II active for the next 26 hours

Spells memorized:
Cantrips (4): Mage Hand, Light, Detect Magic, Read Magic
1 (7): Magic Missile x4, Shield x2, Unseen Servant
2 (7): Web x2, Protection From Arrows x2, Glitterdust x2, Scorching Ray
3 (6): Haste x2, Fireball x2, Slow, Lightning Bolt
4 (5): Empowered Scorching Ray x3, Ball Lightning x2
5 (5): Cone of Cold x2, Empowered Fireball x2
6 (4): Chain Lightning
7 (2): Prismatic Spray, Mage Sword

+7 damage to all Evoker spells

 

[Kaerri]

Kaerri considers. "Four of yours against me and mine, eh?" If the Wayward Wanderers win, that's the kobolds saved right there. Of course, there would still be a giant problem -- but four less of them. If they lose, though, slavery for a month (and loss of all belongings in the bargain) is no joke. Besides the kobolds still being slaves as well. And what would become of Bria and Powerpaw and the others at the wagon? Then again, if they can't beat only four Storm Giants, they haven't a prayer of taking on all fourteen. And taking on four -- and winning -- will give them a much better idea of how to handle the remaining ten. Strictly speaking, if they win and save the kobolds, that's their mission done right there. But Kaerri doesn't like the idea of leaving ten Storm Giants (who came across on Loviatar's bridge and are known to have made at least one deal with her) loose to roam Averlund. That's long-term thinking, though, and it's the short-term that wants an answer.

She bows again. "Most generous of you! But I have to ask, will we -- and the slaves, of course -- also get safe passage out of your tunnel if we win? If so, I like your terms, myself. But masters aren't to be 'fetched,' of course, only reported to. By your leave, I'll go do that now, and return with my party if they are as willing as myself."

 

[Psychie]

Oreleth holds her bow tight as she thinks. "If we can trust this King to follow his word, this will save the kobolds here and now. All we would have to do is take on four storm giants. Heh. Like it is just sooo easy. Everyone, hold here until we can speak with Kaerri. Think on the consequences of this if we lose. We may not just die, but have to work as slaves in these caves along side the kobolds we are here to save. But it is not facing off against them all, and if we work together, we can prevail. Are we all in on this? If not, speak now."

Spoiler

Attacks per Round:
1st - Manyshot (firing two arrows). "To Hit:" +18 (+20 First Attack, -2 Rapid Shot). Damage: 2d8+12 (+6 Base damage).
2nd - Improved Vital Strike. "To Hit:" +13 (+15 Second Attack, -2 Rapid Shot). Damage: 3d8+6 (Improved Vital Strike, +6 Base damage).
3rd - Normal Attack. "To Hit:" +8 (+10 Third Attack, -2 Rapid Shot). Damage: 1d8+6
4th - Rapid Shot Bonus Attack. "To Hit:" +18 (+20 First Attack, -2 Rapid Shot). Damage: 1d8+6
+1d6 per arrow of either Cold, Fire or Electrical from Arcane Archer class.
-3 to hit/+6 Damage from Deadly Aim

Hit Points: 91 +d10 per level
Action Points: 11 / 11
Bonus Action Point: 1 / 1
Diamond of Fate: 1

Armor Class: 24
CMD: 26
Fort Save: +9
Reflex Save: +13
Will Save: +6 (+11 vs Fear)
Perception: +15

Spells Memorized
Cantrips: Mage Hand, Detect Magic, Ray of Frost, Message
1: Shield x2, Shocking Grasp x2, Burning Hands
2: Flaming Sphere, Glitterdust x2, Web
3: Fireball x2
+3 damage to Evoker spells.

 

[Silanon]

"If I were you, I wouldn't worry about the work in the mines. He would be a fool to let capable men and women slave away like that - what I would worry about instead is how much mayhem your strength could cause when used against everything you treasure. That, I believe, is the real question." Aldrin's eyes rest on the path that leads downwards, pondering even though his decision is already made. "That said, fighting only four of them, at first, is better than fighting them all at once. And we might only have to fight the four if he keeps his word. If you stand up for the kobolds, so will I. But when we go down there, let me speak to the King. Perhaps, there is more to be gained than just the tribe's safety."

 

[jaydude]

Oreleth holds her bow tight as she thinks. "If we can trust this King to follow his word, this will save the kobolds here and now. All we would have to do is take on four storm giants. Heh. Like it is just sooo easy. Everyone, hold here until we can speak with Kaerri. Think on the consequences of this if we lose. We may not just die, but have to work as slaves in these caves along side the kobolds we are here to save. But it is not facing off against them all, and if we work together, we can prevail. Are we all in on this? If not, speak now."

"Personally I'd be most inclined to try and send all these giants to whatever they consider Hell, if they're on the side of Loviatar." Alisa replied while giving a disdainful look in the direction of the Storm Lords' voices. "But I do believe there are better ways to achieve martyrdom. So be it; I'll settle for the four of them now, but we should get rid of them all later on..."

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Tag!

She bows again. "Most generous of you! But I have to ask, will we -- and the slaves, of course -- also get safe passage out of your tunnel if we win? If so, I like your terms, myself. But masters aren't to be 'fetched,' of course, only reported to. By your leave, I'll go do that now, and return with my party if they are as willing as myself."

King Thund'rous gives Kaerri Rainshadow a curt bow much to the widened eyes of his followers who don't seem to know whether to bow to her or not. "You have asked for my leave and you have it!" He points to Kaerri and Wave and adds. "We shall be here plotting and planning just like you - if you have a shred of honor to you, rogue, you will not listen to us as we murmur our minds - and we shall not listen to you!" He grins briefly and the moment he does so, Kaerri feels a soft breeze caress her cheek - a breeze that comes out of nowhere and could not have been naturally blown in from the late morning valley you had quitted not long ago. An unnatural breeze indeed.

With this, Kaerri returns to the Wayward Wanderers.

* * *​

"Personally I'd be most inclined to try and send all these giants to whatever they consider Hell, if they're on the side of Loviatar." Alisa replied while giving a disdainful look in the direction of the Storm Lords' voices. "But I do believe there are better ways to achieve martyrdom. So be it; I'll settle for the four of them now, but we should get rid of them all later on..."

Mamapaw crosses her furry arms and looks down on the lot of you. Her cat-eyes are slits and her tail bats back and forth in annoyance. "Oreleth," she slowly turns to the wood elven arcane archer. "I must protest! For one thing, I carry property lent to me by my son!" She holds up the fabled Maul of the Titans - of which you believe there is only one on Sharseya. "If we lose, it too is lost and my word to my son to protect it with it! And moreso! Are we not to tell my boy and Bria and the others about this? They know nothing of this. If we should not win the day, shall we just vanish from their lives like a nightmare come true?" She shakes her head as if unable to fathom the thought much less see it through.

"And lastly! You Averlundians!" And now, the big cat-druidess of Bastet and Mielikki appears truly baffled as she says this to all of you with an open paw. "Have you no merchants anywhere in this grand country of yours? What happened to the age-old habit of bartering?! Are we to take on this king's offer as if we are his vassals? King he may be, but he is no king of mine!" For the first time for some of you, Mamapaw lets out a fierce hiss that sounds like a feral cat amplified by about 50 times in size and ferocity - it's enough to immediately gain your attention if your character is the type to react to such sounds.

"I say we must haggle! He has begun his terms - now we should make up and supply him our own! That is the way of Rhumians!" In a softer manner, she looks to Oreleth. "Is it not also the way of Averlundians?" Oreleth, being from a family of merchants, knows the answer better than anyone in the party she leads.

How do Psychie Oreleth and the others respond?

 

[Sherwood]

Luna is silent for a moment as she thinks about the possible weaknesses of the giants before saying, "You will need to know that the storm giants are immune to lightning. They are tough, but not invulnerable. If we work smart, I think we can do this and take these guys out. I am quite certain that none of us want to risk losing to them, because if we do manage to live, we will be slaves for a month and lose everything. But it is the choice of facing off against four of these guys vs fourteen of them. We can do this, and free the kobolds in one fell swoop."

 

[Silanon]

"Bartering is what was on my mind when I asked to speak to that king of theirs." Aldrin shrugs. "Whether there is more to be gained - who knows. But the way I see it, we risk less by taking him up on the offer. We would clearly accept the chance to lose our weapons and freedom if we were to fight them head-on. And we must fight, one way or the other."

 

[Psychie]

Oreleth looks first to Luna, then says, "Thank you, Luna, for your wisdom. I will make sure to not use lightning-based attacks against the giants. Aldrin, if you wish to try and negotiate with the giants regarding our potential match, feel free to do so. I for one do not wish to have my belongings taken from me and sent into slavery for the next month, so lets make sure we win this fight."

 

[Purr]

Kaerri

It is about this time that Kaerri makes her return to the Wayward Wanderers and she hears all that is said as she rejoins her team.

"Bartering is what was on my mind when I asked to speak to that king of theirs." Aldrin shrugs. "Whether there is more to be gained - who knows. But the way I see it, we risk less by taking him up on the offer. We would clearly accept the chance to lose our weapons and freedom if we were to fight them head-on. And we must fight, one way or the other."

Aldrin, if you wish to try and negotiate with the giants regarding our potential match, feel free to do so. I for one do not wish to have my belongings taken from me and sent into slavery for the next month, so lets make sure we win this fight."

Mamapaw glances at Oreleth's armor and bow and remarks, "I thought as much when you said so... but..." the beastly druidess cringes a moment, "... I have precious little experience with your hole-dwelling folk! Are we to approach them as one then?" Mamapaw looks down the tunnel whence Kaerri left and... it is up to Kaerri Rainshadow if she is noticed by the Felane at all.

 

[Kaerri]

Kaerri stops stealthing once she's past the kobolds (no point in hiding from the giants now, but she doesn't want to startle their poor slaves), so though quiet, she isn't hard to see as she approaches the party. "Given how close you are, I'm guessing you heard his side of the conversation, at least?" She looks over the party, and then down. "Oh. We have a hobbit now. Hi there!" She takes in Aldrin's clothing, breastplate, and gauntlet, pausing a moment on the white hair before her eyes return to his face. "Fellow adventurer, are you? I'm Kaerri Rainshadow."

 

[Silanon]

"Aldrin's the name. Aldrin Whitehair. Happened to fall from the ceiling, and your friend here was kind enough to catch me." He nods in Alisa's direction. "Seems like the gods and fate decided to toss me into this, so I'm here to see it through till the end. Besides, it'd be bad behaviour to not repay the hospitality here. Sensible, yes, but unacceptable nonetheless." He looks down the corridor. "Heard every word of them, pretty much. Quite the challenge. And quite the opportunity, I'd reckon. Better than fighting them all at once."

 

[Kaerri]

Kaerri nods. "My thought too. As far as I can see, we can't get the kobolds out without dealing with the giants, and this is a way to take on only four instead of all of them, plus their leader, who might be a match for the party just on his own. But it's not going to be an easy fight by any means. Whatever these four 'young' ones are capable of, I'm pretty sure it's on a skill level at least equal to ours. If someone's got a better plan, I'm all ears."

 

[Psychie]

Oreleth frowns, then says, "We will have to work together to dispatch our foes quickly. Luna, what spells do you have prepared that can be of assistance to us? A Haste spell on us couldn't hurt, along with a Slow spell on the giants will greatly benefit our party. Any others that might be of use to us? Area of effect spells to hit them all at once, or something to inhibit their ability, perhaps?"

Spoiler

Attacks per Round:
1st - Manyshot (firing two arrows). "To Hit:" +18 (+20 First Attack, -2 Rapid Shot). Damage: 2d8+12 (+6 Base damage).
2nd - Improved Vital Strike. "To Hit:" +13 (+15 Second Attack, -2 Rapid Shot). Damage: 3d8+6 (Improved Vital Strike, +6 Base damage).
3rd - Normal Attack. "To Hit:" +8 (+10 Third Attack, -2 Rapid Shot). Damage: 1d8+6
4th - Rapid Shot Bonus Attack. "To Hit:" +18 (+20 First Attack, -2 Rapid Shot). Damage: 1d8+6
+1d6 per arrow of either Cold, Fire or Electrical from Arcane Archer class.
-3 to hit/+6 Damage from Deadly Aim

Hit Points: 91 +d10 per level
Action Points: 11 / 11
Bonus Action Point: 1 / 1
Diamond of Fate: 1

Armor Class: 24
CMD: 26
Fort Save: +9
Reflex Save: +13
Will Save: +6 (+11 vs Fear)
Perception: +15

Spells Memorized
Cantrips: Mage Hand, Detect Magic, Ray of Frost, Message
1: Shield x2, Shocking Grasp x2, Burning Hands
2: Flaming Sphere, Glitterdust x2, Web
3: Fireball x2
+3 damage to Evoker spells.

 

[Sherwood]

Luna nods. "I have two Haste spells prepared, along with a Slow, so that is quite doable. Hmmm. I also have two Protection from Arrows memorized, but that won't stop the giants from using melee weapons on us. Most of my spells are offensive in nature, though. Chain Lightning and Prismatic Spray are both powerful AoE spells, and I can throw out a Wall of Fire around some of the giants to delay their advance while we hammer the others."

She thinks for a moment, then says, "I would suggest that I start out with Slow to hamper their response time, then follow up with my damaging spells."

Spoiler

Hit Points: 74 +1d6
Action Points: 11 / 10
Diamond of Fate: 1

Armor Class: 18 - 24 Mage Armor II. +2 from Ring of Force Shield
Touch AC: 14 Flat Footed: 22

Initiative Bonus: 2
Fortitude Save: +6
Reflex Save: +7
Will Save: +16

Base Attack: +6 / +1
Melee: +4 / -1
Ranged: +8 / +3

Extended Mage Armor II active for the next 26 hours

Spells memorized:
Cantrips (4): Mage Hand, Light, Detect Magic, Read Magic
1 (7): Magic Missile x4, Shield x2, Unseen Servant
2 (7): Web x2, Protection From Arrows x2, Glitterdust x2, Scorching Ray
3 (6): Haste x2, Fireball x2, Slow, Lightning Bolt
4 (5): Empowered Scorching Ray x3, Ball Lightning x2
5 (5): Cone of Cold x2, Empowered Fireball x2
6 (4): Chain Lightning
7 (2): Prismatic Spray, Mage Sword

+7 damage to all Evoker spells

 

[Silanon]

"My gifts are more reactive in nature - it takes a while to unravel the future, but only mere seconds to restore what once was, at times. With luck, I might be able to cut their numbers in half, for a moment. How wide is the cave, from side to side?" As Aldrin asks, he eyes Kaerri - the one who saw the likely battlefield.

"Besides that, we shall see. The gods offered me ways to interrupt, protect and heal those in their favor. In various ways, depending on the dangers ahead."

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Tag!

"Fellow adventurer, are you? I'm Kaerri Rainshadow."

"Aldrin's the name. Aldrin Whitehair.

Despite her furry size and girth, the great hunting cat Mamapaw meekly pads forth and bows in apology. "Gracious! We are lousy hosts! Kaerri, what he says is true. It appears Nitwit's people befriended him and stuffed him in the cavern ceiling for protection against these dratted Storm Lords." Her large eyes, cat-slit and blood-red, loom down kindly above Aldrin. "That he is so quick to offer his aid is... a blessing from Bastet the Bountiful if Her child can say so herself."

Mamapaw turns to Oreleth and quickly adds with ears raised and tail lashing, "Can we keep him?" Then back to Aldrin. "Oh, if he wants, that is. I have not had many dealings with... Averlundian hole-dwellers."

How wide is the cave, from side to side?" As Aldrin asks, he eyes Kaerri - the one who saw the likely battlefield.

Kaerri knows without fail that the widest the cavern gets is about 120 feet (about 36 meters).

Oreleth frowns, then says, "We will have to work together to dispatch our foes quickly. Luna, what spells do you have prepared that can be of assistance to us? A Haste spell on us couldn't hurt, along with a Slow spell on the giants will greatly benefit our party. Any others that might be of use to us? Area of effect spells to hit them all at once, or something to inhibit their ability, perhaps?"

Being another of the party's major spellcasters, Mamapaw the Druidess pays no mind to Oreleth not asking her of her own Bastet and Mielikki-provided magic. She simply and politely listens.

"My gifts are more reactive in nature - it takes a while to unravel the future, but only mere seconds to restore what once was, at times. With luck, I might be able to cut their numbers in half, for a moment. How wide is the cave, from side to side?" As Aldrin asks, he eyes Kaerri - the one who saw the likely battlefield.

"Besides that, we shall see. The gods offered me ways to interrupt, protect and heal those in their favor. In various ways, depending on the dangers ahead."

"Kaerri, you say that the four of them are a strong match for us, but you did not know our friendly hole-dweller was with us then." Turning again Aldrin, she gives in to feline curiosity. "You interrupt, protect, and heal? What manner of occupation do you lead, Mister Whitehair? Are you perhaps of Alisa's holy Mielikkians as I am or do you follow a path of strangely-magical nature as Otiorin here does?" She looks to the two mentioned as if to see what they might be thinking on the matter - or any of these matters.

Another thought strikes the Felane. She frowns in a way that shows her pointed fangs as she stares down the tunnel, her brow furrowed and eyes narrowed with something akin to animal hate. Finally, she adds to everyone, "I still think we are making a grand error if we are considering fighting on their terms. And I am certain my son who has more experience in battlefield matters would agree."

 

[Sherwood]

Luna replies to the large druidess with, "Unfortunately, we are walking into any negotiations at a disadvantage. We face four of these storm giants in a battle, or we face off against fourteen of the storm giants in a battle. Personally, I like our odds against the four much better! Otherwise, we are at a serious disadvantage. I just don't see a way to get these giants to fight on our terms and not theirs."

Spoiler

Hit Points: 74 +1d6
Action Points: 11 / 10
Diamond of Fate: 1

Armor Class: 18 - 24 Mage Armor II. +2 from Ring of Force Shield
Touch AC: 14 Flat Footed: 22

Initiative Bonus: 2
Fortitude Save: +6
Reflex Save: +7
Will Save: +16

Base Attack: +6 / +1
Melee: +4 / -1
Ranged: +8 / +3

Extended Mage Armor II active for the next 26 hours

Spells memorized:
Cantrips (4): Mage Hand, Light, Detect Magic, Read Magic
1 (7): Magic Missile x4, Shield x2, Unseen Servant
2 (7): Web x2, Protection From Arrows x2, Glitterdust x2, Scorching Ray
3 (6): Haste x2, Fireball x2, Slow, Lightning Bolt
4 (5): Empowered Scorching Ray x3, Ball Lightning x2
5 (5): Cone of Cold x2, Empowered Fireball x2
6 (4): Chain Lightning
7 (2): Prismatic Spray, Mage Sword

+7 damage to all Evoker spells

 

[Silanon]

Aldrin nods as the wizard responds. "We can fight on their terms, or not at all - either against all of them, which benefits them greatly, or against a few. We are in no position to force our own terms on them, at least not if we want to free the kobolds here and now."

Mamapaw turns to Oreleth and quickly adds with ears raised and tail lashing, "Can we keep him?" Then back to Aldrin. "Oh, if he wants, that is. I have not had many dealings with... Averlundian hole-dwellers."

"Kaerri, you say that the four of them are a strong match for us, but you did not know our friendly hole-dweller was with us then." Turning again Aldrin, she gives in to feline curiosity. "You interrupt, protect, and heal? What manner of occupation do you lead, Mister Whitehair? Are you perhaps of Alisa's holy Mielikkians as I am or do you follow a path of strangely-magical nature as Otiorin here does?" She looks to the two mentioned as if to see what they might be thinking on the matter - or any of these matters.

"As for myself, and my occupation... it is a question that's simple to ask, but hard to answer. See, most can trace back their granted powers to their origins; be they grounded in their own efforts, or in those of their ancestors. In my case... it's different. I'm just a wool merchant's son, cursed - and blessed - to see the strings of fate more easily than others. Thus, I see the brewing dangers of our world - sometimes consciously, sometimes not. And when I hurry to intervene - too often in vein - I am gifted with the strength to help, and stand against evil. I call myself a seer, but that's just a word. I am guided by forces beyond my understanding, guided towards a fate that I fail to comprehend. I like to believe that the gods guide my steps, but it's not like I got the chance to ask them for the truth. What matters is that sometimes, fates can subtly be changed one way or another. An arrow might go astray; or it might hit instead. Wounded flesh might remember what it was like, before. And I... well, I can make that happen. Here and now, since this is where I need to be. And elsewhere, once my fate leads me there."

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Tag! You're it! =)

Sherwood You too! What'cha gonna do about it, mister? =)

Luna replies to the large druidess with, "Unfortunately, we are walking into any negotiations at a disadvantage. We face four of these storm giants in a battle, or we face off against fourteen of the storm giants in a battle. Personally, I like our odds against the four much better! Otherwise, we are at a serious disadvantage. I just don't see a way to get these giants to fight on our terms and not theirs."

Mamapaw listens to Luna with interest. She replies, "Bartering is not one or the other - it is a compromise - a meeting in the middle!" A frown crosses her whiskered. "Imagine if my son were here. Master of compromise, he isn't."

And I... well, I can make that happen. Here and now, since this is where I need to be. And elsewhere, once my fate leads me there."

Mamapaw nods with wide open eyes. "Color me intrigued - we have neither hobbit nor seers like you in Shamballah."

Silanon It is about this time that Aldrin has seen enough of Kaerri to realize... like Otiorin, this is a half-elf - a supposedly extinct race of people (in the past four years in Highwind, there have been rumors of the occasional half-elf roaming the streets, but these were always just rumors). And now, between Otiorin and Kaerri, there are two!

Moreso, as Kaerri comes into the party's light a little, Aldrin sees colorful features no tale, no song, and no rumor ever prepared him for - for Kaerri Rainshadow's hair, skin, and eyes are the stuff of rainbows!

* * *​

It is about this time that fate decides to play its own hand, her fickle fingers tugging at strands unseen by mortals all.

Kaerri's Shadow suddenly moves without Kaerri herself having moved. The shadow looks to her left though Kaerri herself does not. Then it looks back to Kaerri. Speaking aloud, seemingly not worried about who might overhear her, Kaerri's Shadow shrugs impatiently and shakes her head. "Hey boss? We're just here for the kobolds, right? What in Poseidon's name is stopping us from just going down there and nabbing those three kobolds right now? I mean, they've fainted. What're they gonna do? Tell? An' besides, if our major thing here is to free 'em, well let's go free 'em! That's what I call a barter."

Wave's golden tines glows softly (thoughtfully?) in the gloom of the shadow-filled tunnels. "Mine wielder, the King of the Storm Lords will be vastly amused or I know him not," states he.

"Yeah," Eris the Shadow continues. "Then we can go back up, show the tribe that freedom's something within their grasp, and get the whole lot of 'em inside the wagon and go after Loviatar. And if the Stormies don't like it, well," Eris raises night-black fingers toward the ceiling. There are cracks there. Unusual cracks denoting weakness in the aged stone, perhaps from the earlier tremors that freed Aldrin.

* * *​

jaydude About this time, Alisa feels eyes upon her. Friendly eyes.

Naturally following the familiar feeling, the paladin (if she so chooses to) looks back up to the way leading out of the tunnel and into open air and freedom. There, quite unlike a bird of its kind, sits a single songbird - yellow and unworried - where no songbird in its right mind ought to be!

Alisa knows well that Mielikki is oft surrounded by songbirds and evergreen and wolves too. But is it funny how no one else in the party, your feline companion included, notices the little avian now pecking at the floor and looking to Alisa with the same look the great furry bear did not long ago? =)

What do the Wayward Wanderers do?

 

[Kaerri]

Spoiler: Kaerri Rainshadow, Shadowdancer

^{Art by Peritwinkle}
Character sheet
Hit Points: 99/99
Armor Class: 27
Touch Armor Class: 17
Shadow Illusion: 3/3
Shadow Call: 2/2
Shadow Jump distance: 80/80 feet
Defensive Roll: 1/1
Rogue Talent Resiliency: 1/1
Stinger -- uses of Slow remaining: 3/3
Charm of Bastet -- uses of Cat's Grace remaining: 1/1
Action Points: 14

Kaerri paused to calculate.

"Guys! Guys! It's us!" Nitwit cries as he runs up waving his spear in excitement. As if ensorcelled, his kin which number about fifty, hardly stir. Those sparse few who turn in his direction seem to look through him instead of at him.

. . .

Just a huddled group of thin - pathetically rail-thin - reptilian beings squatting obediently in the center of a huge circle drawn into the earth around them.

"My lord! It is not my fault!" Kaerri hears a giant say in their old-sounding and strange dialect. "They all should have been here!"

"Nor mine!" another defends. "I can count as high as any other and I know when eight are missing!"

"Well, you two are not pinning the blame on me!" warily warns a third. "They are not stuffed into my bags or down digesting in my gullet! One of you probably sat on them!"

"Enough!" shouts a commanding voice, firm and powerful, slower speaking, and tinged with age. "You promised me sixty slaves. I count only fifty-two among the dead and living. Perhaps the three of you will enjoy filling the roles of the missing?"

OOC note: the eight are accounted for between the ones we brought from Highwind and the one still there.

A grin spreads over the shadowdancer's rainbow features. "Heh," she says. "I like the way you think. Oh, Aldrin, this is Eris. I can explain when we've got more time. Anyhow, by my count, those three plus the ones back at the village ought to be all of them. She's right -- we can do our own little rescue if we hurry. The giants will still be a potential problem, but we'll have done what we came for. We can leave them for another day." She glances at Alisa. "And report them to the rangers and whoever needs to know, so they don't get too close by accident."

 

[Silanon]

It is about this time that Aldrin has seen enough of Kaerri to realize... like Otiorin, this is a half-elf - a supposedly extinct race of people (in the past four years in Highwind, there have been rumors of the occasional half-elf roaming the streets, but these were always just rumors). And now, between Otiorin and Kaerri, there are two!

Moreso, as Kaerri comes into the party's light a little, Aldrin sees colorful features no tale, no song, and no rumor ever prepared him for - for Kaerri Rainshadow's hair, skin, and eyes are the stuff of rainbows!

One never gets used to the unusual; even if one stumbles into it more often than most. And yet, a curious glance is all that Aldrin has to offer in regards to those realizations just now; that, and a nod in agreement when Kaerri proposes to postpone any further explanations until later. There are, after all, decisions to be made right now. Important decisions of life and death.

"I'd call it unwise to simply take our leave with the kobolds in tow. Not that I'd know about those plans of yours - but I reckon that with their might, the giants will be back in the game soon enough. And then, they will feel just as uncontested as before, stomping whatever next village they might get pointed at. Perhaps, their leader will find us amusing, and resourceful; but his men will think of us as weak cowards from what I've heard of them until now. If, on the other hand, we face those four now, and we manage to overcome them - that might make them think twice in the future when we are around." He shrugs. "Besides, fate led me here. And simply leaving would not require my presence. I believe that there is more to be gained by risking more than nothing; and be it only that we'll have the King's word, instead of nothing. If we fight and win, he is bound by his word; if we don't, then he is free to do as he pleases."

 

[Psychie]

Oreleth says, "We might enrage the giant king if we run, and that would put someone else in their sights. No, let us deal with these four and show them what we are capable of. Time is wasting. Let's do this." She has faith that the Wanderers will be able to pull success out of the bag or else she wouldn't sound so confident.

Spoiler

Attacks per Round:
1st - Manyshot (firing two arrows). "To Hit:" +18 (+20 First Attack, -2 Rapid Shot). Damage: 2d8+12 (+6 Base damage).
2nd - Improved Vital Strike. "To Hit:" +13 (+15 Second Attack, -2 Rapid Shot). Damage: 3d8+6 (Improved Vital Strike, +6 Base damage).
3rd - Normal Attack. "To Hit:" +8 (+10 Third Attack, -2 Rapid Shot). Damage: 1d8+6
4th - Rapid Shot Bonus Attack. "To Hit:" +18 (+20 First Attack, -2 Rapid Shot). Damage: 1d8+6
+1d6 per arrow of either Cold, Fire or Electrical from Arcane Archer class.
-3 to hit/+6 Damage from Deadly Aim

Hit Points: 91 +d10 per level
Action Points: 11 / 11
Bonus Action Point: 1 / 1
Diamond of Fate: 1

Armor Class: 24
CMD: 26
Fort Save: +9
Reflex Save: +13
Will Save: +6 (+11 vs Fear)
Perception: +15

Spells Memorized
Cantrips: Mage Hand, Detect Magic, Ray of Frost, Message
1: Shield x2, Shocking Grasp x2, Burning Hands
2: Flaming Sphere, Glitterdust x2, Web
3: Fireball x2
+3 damage to Evoker spells.