Hunt Or Be Hunted

[Revenant]

Abaessa laughs ending in a very unpriestess-like snort, at Nis' jest, between laughs she manages to get out, "So very humble..." before trailing off into giggles. "If Mother Abbess was here she'd smack me until I regained composure, sorry..." she quickly makes her face go deadpan though one last snort sneaks out before she can accomplish it. Abaessa joins her hands to both Nis and De'ath.

As Nis begins her cantrip, both her and Abaessa feel a surge of energy that seems to pass through their circle, a tingle as if the air has suddenly become electrified. Motes of light bloom like falling snowflakes made of embers around the girl who smiles seemingly seeing the light-show. That light grows brighter with each second until it fills your sight. You feel Ducky brush against your leg but you can longer see the cat, Abaessa or De'ath. You hear someone start to sing and when the light fades from your eyes you no longer see De'ath though she has never let go and apparently still holds the hands of you and Abaessa. In her place, is a woman who has the same dark eyes of the girl....

De'Athyra.jpg (83.86 KiB) Viewed 859 times

Her long red hair, though some has gone grey (or is it the other-way round), hangs in braids, wrapped in a baubles, jewelry, feathers and bits of beads and leather. She is singing not in common but in your native tongue, her voice as light as air despite the import of the words...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW25nrh-mxo

Silver light
She turned her face up to the starlit sky
And on this night began to wonder why
She knew that soon the day would come

Born to be
An heir of beauty and serenity
Into this world she entered quietly
To her surprise she was the one

Destiny was close behind her
Phantom of borrowed life
And the sea was a reminder
Mirror of given light

Then one day
The sign she'd waited for in skies of grey
Traversed a winding road and came her way
She found the love she hoped she would

But she knew
That she had promises to stay true to
The dormant daughter of the silver moon
Then all at once she understood

Destiny was close behind her
Phantom of borrowed life
And the sea was a reminder
Mirror of given light

From the sky
She watched the life
She'd known she would leave behind
Said goodbye
And gave her people
Life through her sacrifice

If they slumber in their dreams, Mave, Bryne, Wilwarin or Torvik, hear the song sung distantly, though Wilwarin hears it in Elven and Torvik in dwarven. If awake they seem to hear it as a whisper in the wind.

When her song finishes she pauses looking directly in Nis' eyes and for a moment she feels almost as if Nicnevin herself is looking into her soul... Then she speaks in an empty sing-song voice, a deep sadness in her dark eyes, again in your native tongue...
"Wolves awake amidst dying trees,
The crows are flying in the breeze.
And one shade he gathers men of hate,
Weaving words that seal your fate.
The light it has away all flown,
Leaving each soul bitter and alone.
Lie still, lie silent, utter no cries,
And he will send crows to eat your eyes.
Shadows are gathered, heartless and cold,
Paid in spilt blood and coin of gold.
He comes, he goes, leaves naught behind,
but sorrow and woe,
Deep deep woe."

As she speaks the last, her form fades and is replaced again with the girl De'ath who merely smiles up at you still grasping your hands.

[tristenc]

A spark of joy and excitement leaps inside Nis as the motes begin to form. The spark, like the magical lights surrounding them, grows into a wave. As the vision of the girl shifts to reveal a wiser and matured woman, the Elven Witch can't help but sense it is somehow a vision of the future self.

She closes her eyes as the beautiful lyrics and melody wash over her, swaying with a svelte grace as the music moves through her. As the song comes to a close, she slowly opens her eyes and feels the weight of the soul looking back at her. In her mind there was no mistake; she was in the true presence of her patron. Ecstatic joy mingled with awe and a subtle echo of terror filled her senses... and it was blissful.

Portentious words of wolves and crows, life, death, love and sacrifice. Omens of fate and failure, pain and price, and deep foreboding did little to stifle her excitement; nay they amplified it. As the visage returns to the younger girl, Nis grins emotionally through bleary eyes. She hugs De'Athrya tightly, squeezing about her shoulders and letting the girl's hair wipe the dew from elven eyes.

Stepping back but holding one hand she uses the other to excitedly squeeze Abaessa's. Did you see the vision?! Did you hear the portents? Drawing air slightly raggedly, Nis lets it back out fully before steadying her breathing. What greater service could one ask? For each of us! For her to become... Nis can hardly form the words. And for us to guide her! Protect her! She lets out a truly joyful laugh, squeezing their hands again. We are well and truly sisters. she smiles unrestrained. Turning to De'Athrya she motions collectively to all three of them as one. Peathraichean. Sisters.

She makes a mental note to be sure to discuss the portents with the rest of the group later; paying particular attention to the wolves and ravens. There were far too many connections coming together lately to be coincidence. The howl of Zedamande echoes in her mind.

[Darithe]

Mave

Mave tosses and turns in her sleep. So much going on in her mind. A trail that winds near precipices, the danger of falling ever present. Her father was there, stern and unforgiving as ever. What would he do upon her return. The town of Lupre and the journey into the Ashes and what lay below. The return to the attack on the town. The tomb and the horrors beneath.... And then the song echoes in her mind. Destiny was close behind her, Phantom of borrowed life... She opened her eyes of amber the mirror of her given light and stared up at the inn's ceiling. The dormant daughter needed to rise.

[Rex]

Bryne

Bryne awakens from her troubled sleep confused and nervous. She rises and prepares for her day, wondering what will happen next.

[spanningtree]

Thena

Gets up early and prays.

OCC: Spell load out updated.

[Revenant]

Please note this post takes place before morning, so after the De'Ath post and before Mave, Bryne and Thena rise. Though each may react to what occurs if they wish. Any further questioning of the prisoners would occur just prior to this post. So Wilwarin and Torvik are both in the jail and will hear what happens.

In the temple to Chauntea, the circle of three occurs after Sister Theossia has retired for the night. Abaessa her eyes still wide in shock at what has occured blurts out, "I...I did see the vision and the portents." She steadies herself, her hands trembling from what she has seen and heard, "Sisters...of both fate and heart." The three look at one another, each still somewhat trying to comprehend what has just happened. The night is late and the quiet is disturbed by a sudden discordant sound.

The woman led the horses to the well, though they did not drink. She looked to her companion and nodded saying in a light voice as calm as the night,"They should be in place now." With that she unsheathed one of her swords and with the flat of the blade slammed it hard against the bucket hanging over the well, loud enough that those in the jail, temple and inn will certainly hear the clatter. Those who look out at the sound see the two figures below, they are outlined by a hazy aura:

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Wraith.jpg (135.88 KiB) Viewed 830 times

The woman doesn't wait for any to appear, she merely calls out loudly, "You may call me Trouble, for that is surely what I have brought to you this night. But Trouble can be quelled with the right actions. We have come for our brothers. You will send them both out to us, if you would be so kind. Failure to be kind...well that will have dire results." She turns her head looking around the town. "Tis a pity those with the least, always lose the most. I have stationed additional brothers in each farmer's home. Should you not fulfill our demands, they have orders to kill each member of the family in their house, starting with any children." She pauses letting that thought sink in before calmly continuing, "The Ashcatchers are not to be trifled with and we will not hesitate to do what I say. So send out the two and we will withdraw and none shall be hurt. You have one minute."

[tristenc]

Still reeling from the experience, Nis all but flinches at the sound of the clatter. Gathering her sisters she moves them so the trio can see outside without being seen. Hearing the announcement, she sighs and relaxes a little. Seems they are here for some of the prisoners, not De'Ath. That is good. Let us hold here and see how the others react. Stay close, I have yet one prayer that may assist us if things go poorly. She readies her bow and motions De'Ath to hide.

[spanningtree]

Thena

Wakes from the noise, she is in the temple but missed Nis's bit, draws her sword and peers out to observe what is going on.

[Rex]

Bryne

Bryne awakens to the noise from the bucket. Hears the speech. Gabs her sword and slings the scabbard over her shoulder and then grabs her bow and quiver. She then sneaks towards her window to see if she can see anything.

[Darithe]

Mave

At the sound of the commotion, Mave leaps out of bed, and glances outside. Seeing the cause, she hurriedly dresses, grabbing her weapons she rushes downstairs, opening the door but staying inside for the moment. She was torn as to her next action and thus merely waited.

[Revenant]

The two figures both look at the inn as the door opens. The drow woman calls out to the inn, "Your time is running out fast."

Theossia looks to Nis, Abaessa and Thena, "We need to do something. We could probably reach the Treevor and Alvar farms without being seen. I'll head for Treevor's, since its the closest and I'm probably the slowest." Abaessa looks at both Nis and De'Ath, "I'll head for the Alvar's. I'm fleet of foot and the Moonmaiden will guide my path." She hugs both Nis and De'Ath, looking at Nis, "Keep her safe." Theossia reaches up and places a hand on Thena's shoulder, "Protect them." Then both start towards the back of the shrine's exit.

[tristenc]

Nis squeezes their hands in turn. I understand. May the mistress of the moon shield you from sight, guide and protect you. she whispers to them.

Though she hated to see any innocents misused so, her priority was clear; De'Athrya was ultimately all that was important. Quietly to Thena she says, Protecting this girl is my primary charge, but I will aid from here as I am able if things turn violent. But what will you and your fellow companions do? Is it likely Wilwayaisawèn or Torvik will release the two prisoners to avoid bloodshed in the village?

===
Nis will cast Bless to encompass Theossia, Abaessa, Thena, De'Athrya and herself. (And ducky if he is behaving himself )

If there are any other allies close enough she will encompass them as well but I doubt there are

[Darithe]

Mave

Mave knew she must act lest things escalate, she drew Talon and strode defiantly through the inn's door into the open calling out to *Trouble*, "I am Lady Mave Gallowhawk, one of the heirs to these lands. These are my father's holdings and I speak for him in his absence. I must put the safety of our people at the topmost priority. Therefore, Commander Torvik, please release the prisoners." Then she narrows her eyes, "If so much as a single hair on the head of any here have been harmed, I will make it my personal duty to track each of you down and dispense justice. Are we in accord...Trouble?"

[spanningtree]

Thena

Nods at Theossia's recommendation that herself and Abaessa head to the other homes in town. Make you way with silence. I am going to stay with Nis and De'Ath.

Nis, get De'Ath behind you, both of you get behind me. With that she continue to peer out the window to keep astride of the situation.

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik wonders what all the noise is in town, but wants to keep his eyes on the prisoners.

[Rex]

Bryne

Bryne slips out the back door of the inn and heads around to flank the invaders.

[Revenant]

"Why yes your ladyship," the drow woman responds to Mave, "I believe we have reached...an accord. We have also reached the end of my patience. Now move your royal ass and fetch the prisoners, lest that accord reaches an untimely demise."

Blessed by Nis, Theossia and Abaessa both disappear out the back of the shrine and out of your view.

Bryne sneaks out the back of the inn and moves quietly around the outskirts of town. Moving along the Blue Family Farmhouse she peeks around the edge of the building and has a clear sight of the two with the tiefling mounted on your side of the drow. There is something not right though, Bryne can see them, but there is a vague haze around them. She senses there is something magical in play.

The tiefling sniffs the air and turns to look in Bryne's direction, though she is unsure if she has been seen.

[tristenc]

Niserie half-draws her bow while staying behind cover. She motions for De'Athrya to hide.

If 'trouble' seems about to give the order for her people to attack, Nis will attempt called-shots to the throat to interrupt her order (let me know if/when you need a roll for that)

===
intent for the called shot is normal dmg but to silence the order to buy time.
not shooting unless it seems inevitable that the order to slay the innocent is imminent

[Darithe]

Mave

Mave was always good at controlling her emotions, at least that is what she told herself. Without a further word to Trouble, she hurriedly makes her way to the jail. Finding Torvik on guard she calmly apprises him of the situation, "I know it goes against your grain, and it does mine too, but I feel we need to release these two rogues to avoid bloodshed. Will you allow me to take them?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik eyes the others behind Mave and listens to Mave nods his head slowly. "Aye, I'll go wit ya an unlock their cell." he keeps the keys on his person and makes his way back to the cells with Mave in tow.