[Game Thread] Chapter Seven: A Red Moon Rises

[Fillyjonk]

The Door Tumble, you are unseen and insulted, but unseen is what you try for. Insulted ---is this new? You usually like your invisibility. But when your current troupe of allies seem coat you in it, you have an umbrage. Even so, you do your best to make them a winch in case they begin to be eaten. Not your fault the raw materials you have to work with are such filmys carp! Why are you with this group? It is true your objectives align. They all need a ship; you need a ship. They all have reasons to go to the Brineweave; your main goal is to get to the Brineweave. The paladin’s social station and shield? Useful. The alliance with the wizards? Useful. The ability to drive the ship you need? Useful. So you stick. Because of? Or In spite of? You define yourself as in them, but not of them. Why then are they getting under your (metaphorically) thick, stony skin. You call down for them to release ax Xolec, and you hear the sound of a lot of things happening very fast. Falco, this creature has been listening to you! But so blinding is your insight, you realize every name and topic is a thing that you just talked about upstairs. That’s a relief. It’s not powerful enough to squat in this hole and watch Saltmarsh like it’s a theatre. It must have heard the sounds of movement above, amplified by the tunnel. It can’t have clearly heard your conversation, not down this deep; it must have the ability to scry. If so, it may have eavesdropped on the smugglers, too. It may actually know stuff worth knowing about your quarry. @dustinbailard Fela, What luck you have this magic key! You wave it at your friends so they know you got this, no worries. Falco and Bingle are being weird. She blats out a bunch of her hellish nonsense and then blarps up a sapping miasma of smoke and painless fire that whirls around you. Falco drops the torch, and it gutters out in a choking puff of ancient dust. You hear a lot of small feet thundering toward you in the darkness. You can still make out the keyhole, a faint gold glow in the dark. You insert key, give it a jolly little wiggle-woggle--- you feel the click and --- WHAM! Now a Hin is yanking at your arm. SPLORP! A blind frog smacks onto your hand, toe-clinging. PINCH! Your left thigh catches fire from a gnome paw. CLUTCH! More gnome paws try to haul you backward by your right knee. The door swings away from you, opening, and golden light from a drift globe spills out, along with a draft of very chilly air. Party, Behind the door is a square box of a room, carved out of the stone. It is very small and bare of furnishings or decorations except a crumpled black coat, an ancient backpack, a couple of books, and the driftglobe. What with the deep thick velvet voice, the my-dear-young-lady-ing, maybe you expected an older gent. Suity. Grey at the temples. Power tie. Wingtips. No. Not at all. This guy---thing---is young and weirdly pretty, built wiry, which is exacerbated by his current state of emaciation. Hollows in his cheeks, dark circles under his lambent eyes. He has thick, skeptical eyebrows and a full mouth made for punk-arse amusement. He wears a plain white t shirt, skinny fitted dark jeans, and ****-kicker black boots. He looks like he has spent a thousand years tearing at his own hair in a torrent of rage, and one of the many things that are not in this room is a brush. Behind him, half a dozen little fairies sit flopped in a limp row against the wall back. They are Pondweed-sized, but where she was humid and green, they are frosty and leached of color, wearing white or palest icy blue spaghetti strap silk shift dresses. Twelve little pale bare feet with blue-tinged toes. As the door swings open, one stands up fast and keeps rising, translucent lacy wings beating, shedding tiny snowflakes and emitting a faint musical chiming scree-scraw. Now, now, Mad Robin, Xolec says, waving a hand behind him without looking. She subsides back to the floor, but does not sit. Her little body is as tense as a fist. Fela is boiling with extravagant Hex, being clutched and pinched by Hin and frog and dual gnomes, but Xolec just smiles like this seems fine and normal. Fela, my friend. I thank you. He has a lot of white teeth, mostly very square and large, although his dogteeth are definitely trending pointy. Really. Really. Pointy. The teeth and the beauty and word undead are likely enough for you to guess what this thing is, if you have ever read a lurid novel or listened to scary tales on Longest Night bonfire celebrations. He moves so that the door cannot be closed again without him backing up out of the way, but he isn't really coming closer. He is still inside the room. Bingle, his eyes fix on you as a final sulfurous burp of magic escapes your lips and joins the whirl around Fela. Dark Princess? He echoes your words with interest. Whose warlock are you? You all hear ax Tumble calling down again, now about blankets, snacks, and he glances sharply toward the exit. He smiles wider. I am hungry, actually. Very. But I’ll pass on the snacks for now. I’m a messy eater, and Fela here is gentry. I’m not going to do anything to cause my good friend here distress. He has big hands on skinny wrists, bones jutting, veins and tendons visible, and now he spreads them out, lifts them pantomiming peace. He finally takes one slow step forward, coming right to the edge of the doorway. There he stops, a little abruptly, hands still up. He is looking at everyone with caution and interest, but his gaze keeps straying to the tunnel where he heard Tumble calling down and then coming back to you, Bingle. Fela, I know, and the Hin must be Falco. What are your names? It’s fine to tell me; it won’t do them any good, overhearing. He jerks his chin back at the little fairies. My friends call me Xo. You are welcome to, as I hope we shall all be friends. OOC Alogn with whatever you want to do, EVERYONE can (and probably should) roll either perception or insight. These are for different things. Just to be clear, Xo is referencing the DO NOT TELL A FAE YOUR NAME thing---the only way your name gives a fairy power over you is if you yourself tell your name to that fairy, specifically and directly. They can overhear you say your name to others all day to no advantage. Sorry this took so long. This was really hard to resolve in a way that felt fair; Fela failed the save on charm. She also passed on a rather high dc20 to open with the infiltrator’s key. That’s two chances to not open the door. I don’t want to discourage or negate your RP, ever, but I also don’t want to encourage finding new ways to roll on an outcome if the first dice results seem suboptimal. Falco’s intent was to put the torch out by dropping it. So I let that happen. That gives him disadvantage on sleight of hand, so with help action it’s a flat roll of six, which doesn’t beat Fela’s passive perception. This allowed me to keep the RP as you described it, but still obey the dice’s initial outcome. Ptwids, it is hard to be charmed---you are doing GREAT!

[bothers]

Tumble Artist credit: Aurore Folny (© Black Book Editions) Tumble is a champion offence-taker. When someone offends Fela, you hear all about it, instantly, loudly. When someone offends Bingle, you hear all about it, instantly, loudly. When someone offends Falco --lol j/k, nobody offends Falco. But who notices when a nice old lady barely 4 feet tall takes offense, especially if she doesn't yell or stamp her feet? When Annabel, back in Glotten, tries to look at Tumble's feet and ears and whatever else to see what freakish fey aberrations are sprouting: no offence. Annabel is young, and provincial, and knows no better. When Rowena Drallion treats Tumble with patronising disregard: Maximum Offence. Rowena Drallion (old enough to know better, lives in cosmopolitan Saltmarsh) is offered calculated insults in response. When Fela offers offensive disparagement of her presumptions about Tumble's order, then a "no offense" (a thing only said by people who knew perfectly well they were being offensive), Fela gets the same stored insult right back. When Granny Peth disparages Tumble's skills, in the noble game of offence, it's on, btcih. Grudges coat the rocky crags of Tumble's heart like whale oil, sinking into cracks and cavities, collecting in still, quiet pools, waiting for a moment of revenge to materialise. Nobody is immune! Nothing goes unnoticed! Not by Tumble, anyway. Some people have yet to cast an insult, though. Skerrin is one. Kreb, also, Luminar (or whoever), rest his not-directly-offensive bones. Various snakes and hags and forgetful clergy, none of it is personal. You know who else has yet to insult this granite-hard mask-wearer? "Call me Shellycoat," she calls down to Xolec, very cheerful. Not like Peth needs it anymore, is it? "I am a very important herbalist indeed, some say the most important for hundreds of years, but I have never heard of you. How do you know ax Fela? Perhaps you were schooled together, here underground?" And Underground they are. Tumble, alone at the top of the hole, one hand poised to write in her journal, turns a little clockwork device in the other, rolling from one finger to the next then back again. She's not in a hurry to imprison anyone. She'll do whatever it takes to make sure her notes get back to Narngeldem, though...

Action Block and Stat Block OOC: The thing Tumble is holding in her hand is a Need to clear room or hallway to plant evidence, do a quick search, or simply snooch past? When you are UNDERGROUND, you may send the Single Use Holiday DISTRACTIMAL into lead away an NPC or Monster. The targeted creature will follow the Distractimal away in the direction you specify for d6 rounds. This effect is broken if the creature is harmed by the party. You may choose to aim the Distractimal at multiple creatures in a cavern or room. All will all spend 1 round gathered around it questioning, allowing you to sneak past a doorway or cavern entrance with no stealth roll.Bat Distractimal. It only works underground. I'm not throwing it now because I want the rest of you to be able to take your turns to do whatever you want to do (also she can't actually see inside the room to throw it in the right direction), but I want to offer this to the rest of you as an option to get out of this situation. If any of you want to use this, say the word, and you can assume Tumble drops the bat down the hole (maybe it slips out her fingers while she's fiddling with it!) and you can pick it up and lob it back into the room to get Xolec away from the door. If none of you want to use it, she'll just keep hold of it.   Initiative: Saving throws: Free Action: Perception Dice Perception: 1d20+2 (19)+2 Total = 21 (21) Move: Reaction: Action: Outrageous, shameless deception Dice Deception: 1d20 18 (18) on Xolec about who she is, with null care for whether he believes her or not Bonus Action: Condition: Concentrating:   Tumbayar “Tumble” Galtmaa | Gnome Monk | Level 5 | Character Sheet HP: 38/38 AC: 14 Ki points: 5+2/5+2 Monastic Tradition: Way of Mercy Eldritch Maul: 1/1 DM Inspiration: 1/1 Hit die: 1d8+2 | Total: 5/5 Class features, traits, and feats: As an action, you can spend 1 ki point to touch a creature and restore 1d4+2 hit points. When you use your Flurry of Blows, you can replace one of the unarmed strikes with a use of this feature without spending a ki point for the healing.Hand of Healing, When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, you can spend 1 ki point to deal extra 1d4+2 necrotic damage. You can use this feature only once per turn.Hand of Harm, You can use your reaction to deflect or catch the missile when you are hit by a ranged weapon attack. When you do so, the damage you take from the attack is reduced by 1d10 +5. If you reduce damage to 0 and have a free hand, you can spend 1 ki point to make a ranged attack (as with a monk weapon) with a range of 20/60. If you reduce damage to 0 and have a free hand, you can spend 1 ki point to make a ranged attack (as with a monk weapon).Deflect Missiles While not wearing armor and not using a shield, your AC equals 10 + DEX modifier + WIS modifier.Unarmored Defense, Your speed increases by 10 feet when you are not wearing armor or wielding a shield.Unarmored Movement, While you are unarmed or wielding only monk weapons and you aren’t wearing armor or wielding a shield, you can use DEX instead of STR for the attack and damage rolls, you can roll your Martial Arts damage die in place of the normal damage, and when you use the Attack action on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action.Martial Arts (damage die d6), You can spend Ki Points to fuel ki features. You have 5 points per short rest and your Ki save DC is 13. Flurry of Blows - After you take the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to make two unarmed strikes as a bonus action. Patient Defense - You can spend 1 ki point to take the Dodge action as a bonus action on your turn. Step of the Wind - You can spend 1 ki point to take the Disengage or Dash action as a bonus action on your turn, and your jump distance is doubled for the turn.Ki (save DC 13) You can see in darkness (shades of gray) up to 60 ft.Darkvision, You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.Gnome Cunning, Add twice your proficiency bonus to History checks related to magic items, alchemical objects, or technological devices.Artificer's Lore, You are proficient with tinker's tools and can use them to construct tiny clockwork devices.Tinker You can use your reaction when you fall to reduce any falling damage you take by 20.Slow Fall You are exceptionally speedy and agile. You gain the following benefits: * Your speed increases by 10 feet. * When you use the Dash action, difficult terrain doesn't cost you extra movement on that turn. * When you make a melee attack against a creature, you don't provoke opportunity attacks from that creature for the rest of the turn, whether you hit or not. Mobile You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.Extra Attack, When you hit with a melee weapon attack, you can spend 1 ki point to make the target stunned until the end of your next turn if it fails a CON saving throw (DC 13).Stunning Strike Skills: Acrobatics/History/Insight/Medicine/Religion +5 Animal Handling/Arcana/Investigation/Nature/Perception/Sleight of hand/Stealth/Survival +2 Deception/Performance/Persuasion 0 Athletics -1 Inventory, Herbalism, and Poisoning

[ptwiddle]

Fela, fussy and flighty "Hey, the lights -- stop it -- Strongsad, Trogdor, "that's not an improvement"that's not helping! -- I said stop it, Bingle, it tickles! -- There we go." It's not clear if it was the pinch in the thigh or the Hex all over that tickles. But despite her friends getting all weird and invading her personal space Fela manages to open the door. "Xoltec! Long time no see!" Hug, handshake, bow -- somehow Fela knows none of these are the right greeting in these circumstances, and she holds her fist out...for him to bump? She's also a bit puzzled by the dark clouds and smoke whirling Bingle has set to whirling around her and the sudden weakness it seems to have caused. And Falco, trying to take her key away... Her eyebrows do their thing. Bingle's her friend. Hexes are bad. "Why would you..." but the magic catches up to her, he brow smooths over, and she just laughs at her friends. "Oh, you two jokers!" Tumble at least is talking sense, but Xoltec, too, appear to be a comedian. "A noble, yes -- but I'm also a soldier, your manners can't shock me. Eat, eat! You look famished. And so skinny -- you must be cold -- oh, right. Undead... Take it anyway! Blankets make everything better." She's dug through her bag for rations which she tries to hand to Xoltec, and a blanket which she tries to drape around him. "You need your strength, Xo -- Eat, eat. Would your fairy friends like some? I'm so glad we found you; things are such a mess, where to start. Someone -- Nexa Banishae? -- is trying to bring the wards down. The Red Feathers have some plot with a mass murder at a wedding and this green undead fey stuff that reanimates people .... hey -- fey, undead -- that's right up your alley, you know what that stuff is? What else, what else...oh! My brother's fiance is psycho but it would ruin the family if he calls it off, and anyway he's running around with Kasja who has a huge bounty on her...gah, I'm babbling. Hmm...the speech! That's this afternoon, let's start there. I'm supposed to tell a story about why the moon is red but really they got the wrong Markwig -- my brother's the bard, the Luminar follower...what should I say?" Everything's going to be ok, her friend Xo is here, she can get it all off her chest. Except Tumble is pretending to be Shellycoat? Her brow fakes a furrow, her mouth starts to open in a question, but just as fast her forehead smooths itself out, her mouth curves back to a smile, and she gazes, blankly, expectantly, creepily, up at Xoltec. Xo'll fix it.

Actions, etc. Dice Persuasion for Xoltec to help her with her problems. That's what friends are for, lol: d20+7 (2)+7 Total = 9 Dice oops, forgot insight: d20-1 (1)-1 Total = 0   CHARACTER SHEET HP: 44/44 AC:In Chain Mail, with/without Shield16 or 18 Spells: Fey-Touched: Charm: 1/Per Long Rest1 In the morning, roll a d20; she has control over the charm spell on a 10 or higher.Control: No | Misty Step: 1/Per Long Rest1 Level 1: 4/4 Prepared: Alarm, Compelled Duel, Detect Magic, Bless, Command, Shield of Faith Level 2: 2/2 Prepared: Moonbeam, See Invisibility, Prayer of Healing, Zone of Truth Lay on Hands: 25/Per Long Rest25 As an action, you can detect good and evil. Until the end of your next turn, you can sense anything affected by the hallow spell or know the location of any celestial, fiend, undead within 60 ft. that is not behind total cover.Divine Sense: 5/Per Long Rest5 Channel Divinity: 1/Per Short Rest1 You can use your Channel Divinity to invest your presence with the warding power of your faith. As an action, you can choose a number of creatures you can see within 30 feet of you, up to a number equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one creature). For 1 minute, you and the chosen creatures have advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws.Watcher’s Will You can use your Channel Divinity to castigate unworldly beings. As an action, you present your holy symbol and each aberration, celestial, elemental, fey, or fiend within 30 feet of you that can hear you must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is turned for 1 minute or until it takes damage. A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can’t willingly end its move in a space within 30 feet of you. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can take the Dodge action.Abjure the Extraplanar You can expend a use of your Channel Divinity to fuel your spells. As a bonus action, you touch your holy symbol, utter a prayer, and regain one expended spell slot, the level of which can be no higher than half your proficiency bonus (rounded up). The number of times you can use this feature is based on the level you’ve reached in this class: 3rd level, once; 7th level, twice; and 15th level, thrice. You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.Harness Divine Power Attuned: Shield of Missile Attraction, Inflitrator's Key, DM Inspiration: NO Heal Potions: 1, from Tumble Carrying: Drunkard’s map, 2x Nyssa's Can keep watch all long restWatchdogwood Petals, 1x Granny Peth's Beast Befriender's Fluid, Shield of Missile Attraction, Magic +1Xendrose's Sword, +1 Springer Sword Pearl's calling card, Make a ranged attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 3d8 poison damage and must make a DC14 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, it is also poisoned. It can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns.Dragon gas bomb, Turtle Distractimal Ricardt, the Retainer: HP: 12/12 AC: 10 Hide+10 Maude, the Marsh Tacky: HP: 13/13 DC 16 Animal Handling check, once per dayLoyalty checks (here)1/3

[lostcheerio]

Bingle Curiosa Wildwander, Forest Gnome Wizard/Warlock Faeries in jar pirsons. Faeries in room pirsons under houses outside town. Wards, wards, the all-important wards to keep out fey siht from Slatmrash, and yet the market is thick with them, the swamps are teeming with them, and the townies creep out there to make their deals. Bingle's heart is wrenched over the faeries' little toes. They need socks. It's a shame. "Yes, Mad Robin," she says. "Now, now! We've come to free you. What do you want to tell us? Tell us now!" Harlan hops over to the little faerie and tries to hold her hand. "It's a vapmire," she whispers at Banx and Falco. "A freaking vapmire!" How dare it be all convivial and try to chum it up, saying 'Whose warlock are you' like she's some turd stuck to the bottom of evil's shoe? "Help me, help me get Fela to see! We can't fight Fela and the horrible evil both. We have to get Fela back!" "Oh, no, what is that, Fela. Another Xolec? The real Xolec?" She points at the vampire's black coat and screams! It begins to rise from the ground, swinging itself ominously. "EXCUSE ME," it says loudly in Xolec's most smarmy tenor, loud enough for Tumble to hear, "BUT I AM NOT YOUR FRIEND FELA I AM A BIG JUICY VAMPIRE AND I EAT PEOPLE ON STANDING STONES AND DWAVES LOCK ME IN HOLES AN SALIBER IS AN A**HOLE AND I VANT TO SUCK YOUR BLOOD! BLAH-BLA-BLAAAHHH!" The mage hand inside the coat levitates it over to right beside Xolec and then drops it, revealing a life-size copy of Xolec crouched beside the original one, hands on knees, looking ready to pounce. Bingle's copy has hair so neat, you can still see the marks from a proper comb. Bingle gives messy real Xolec a very big glare. It's exhilarating to swear, even in common. Her cheeks are bright pink.

ۜ\(סּںסּَ` )/ۜ   OOC: Initiative: Saving Throw: Move: Action: Cast Mage Hand inside Xolec's coat, have it lift the coat and wave it around ominously. Cast Minor Illusion making a voice talk in Xolec's voice. Drop that Minor Illusion and cast again making a life-size version of Xolec, crouching behind where the coat was waving around. Bonus Action: Reaction: Free Action: Insight Dice Roll: d20+4 (20)+4 Total = 24 Concentrating: Hex Conditions: Harlan's Action: Go over by Mad Robin and play up to her, try to soothingly hold her hand and pat it.

ۜ\(ಠ_ಠ)/ۜ   Bingle Wildwander Forest Gnome Wizard 4, School of Transmutation. Warlock 1, Pact of the Fiend. Folk Hero Att Mod Save Str 11 +0 +0 Dex 11 +0 +0 Con 14 +2 +2 Int 18 +4 +7 Wis 12 +1 +4 Cha 12 +1 +1 Adv vs. Magic for INT, WIS, CHA Sheet Passive Per. 11 Passive Inv. 17 Passive Ins. 14 HP 33/33 AC (13 MA) 10 Inspiration Yes Heal Potions 1 Initiative +0 Pro Bonus +3 Walking Speed 25 Defenses None Wiz DC/Att 15/+7 War DC/Att 12/+4 Spell Slots 1st:3/4 Pact 1/1 2nd:3/3 Cantrips Create Bonfire Dancing Lights Mage Hand Message Minor Illusion Eldritch Blast Prestidigitation Spells: 1 Find Familiar (Rit) 1 Identify (Rit) 1 Mage Armor 1 Magic Missile 1 T's Floating D (Rit) 1 Hex (BA) 1 Hellish Rebuke (Rea) 2 Alter Self 2 Invisibility 2 Misty Step 2 Max's Earthen Grasp 2 Magic Mouth (Rit) 2 Suggestion Key Skills ⦿Animal Handling +4 Arcana +4 Deception +1 History +4 ⦿Insight +4 Intimidation +1 ⦿Investigation +7 Medicine +1 Nature +4 Perception +1 Performance +1 Persuasion +1 Religion +4 ⦿Survival +4 Wizard Features [ ] Arcane Recovery Minor Alchemy Warlock Features Pact Patron: Glasya When you reduce a hostile creature to 0 HP, you gain 2 temp HP.Dark One's Blessing Mask of Many Faces Gnome Features Darkvision You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.Gnome Cunning You can communicate simple ideas with Small or smaller beasts.Speak with Small Beasts Languages Common Gnomish Money 6 copper 12 silver 511 gold 13 plat 3 mixed coin Carrying Gas Bomb 2 Oil of Slipperiness Attuned Ring of Wild Fey Magic

[AnotherDragoon]

Hey ho a vamp named Xo Everythin' went dark when they struggled t' hold back th' paladin in some hilarious cosmic twist o' karmic humor. Maybe they'd even be around long enough t' all have a laugh about it sometime. Then, suddenly, it weren't so dark no more on account o' th' light spillin' outta th' wide open dwarven door. An' there in th' light was, Not Pim with a half dozen winter faeries. Fela were still jus' fine with it all. Falco cupped 'is left hand an' held it up, jus' over shoulder height fer a Hin, like he were aimin' t' pluck a ripe peach from a tree an' said, "Produce flameFflam". A flickerin' flame, about th' size o' that o' a torch, danced t' life in 'is raised hand t' add a bit o' light t' their side o' th' door. Th' Xolec didn't look like some horrible evil, but then again, he didn't look like a librarian either. He were expectin' somethin' a bit more skeletal after all them years locked away. Xolec were obviously somethin' supernatural an' judgin' by 'is teeth 'n' complexion Falco had a good idea what that was. Monster or not, Xolec weren't fightin' 'em at least. He had Fela charmed an' weren't bitin' anyone so he were capable o' restraint an' rational thought. That were somethin'. Bingle weren't so convinced. She told Fela what her "friend" was an' moved t' help th' faeries. Falco displayed a vulpine grin an' nodded, "Aye Mad Robin, we be friends t' Fey. We freed one Slurrybird, o' Winter, from a hag's jar. She's set up a lil market on an island out t' sea. I could take ye there, later tonight, after we get our ship anyways." Then, Falco turned t' th' vampire, still wearin' 'is smile. "Seems ye hold th' advantage here Xo. What with already knowin' me name an' being friends with our Springer. How fortuitous fer ye, t'night bein' a blood moon an all. But as ye see, I do be a Hin an' I do like makin' friends. So much easier'n th' long run than makin' enemies. Y'know, she's gonna be fumin' when it wears off though." He nodded t' Fela an' chuckled. "Anyway, speakin' o' stories, I'd wager ye got a rather interestin' one bein' a man o' refined tastes such as yerself. Jus' how does someone find 'imself locked away 'neath ruins with a small flock o' faeries? No judgin' here, I let one cut me open not too long ago." Falco's free hand moved t' th' wood an' vine star chart hangin' from 'is neck. "Ye know I'd like t' hear anythin' ye know about th' Red Feathers, an' even though I ain't a local, I've grown fond o' Saltmarsh so I'd appreciate it if'n ye left 'em in peace. That's th' town what grew up next t' yer ruins here. But, what is it exactly that ye want, Xolec? Is there some agreement we can all come t' so even if'n were not all walkin' away happy, were at least all walkin' away? Oh, an' about that, it'll be hours still before ye want t' be steppin' outside, ye ken?"

Mechanics Drink Counter:   Here   Saving Throws: Free Action: Perception: 18, Insight: 15 Move: Action: Cast Produce Flame, not to attack just for a light source; Can't we all be friends? Persuasion: 18 Reaction: Bonus Action: Condition: Concentrating:   Halfling︱Druid Falco Goldenbairn HP: 38/38 AC: 12 Spells: DC: 15 Level 1: [ ][ ][ ][ ] Level 2: [ ][ ][ ] Level 3: [ ][ ] Wild Shape: [ ][ ] Attuned: House's Whistle, Moon Sickle DM Inspiration: None Potions: 1 bottle of Granny Peth’s Nervous Drops, 1 2d4+2 HPPotion of Healing, 4 Potions of Alter Self (8 hours) Carrying for party: A simple wooden band that appears to be entwined by evergreen ivy vines. The top is decorated with a small rose petal, which remains bloomed and perfect until the ring's effect is used. The petal may be expended to heal a target the wearer can touch by 2d4+2 hit points. Once used, the rose petal wilts and falls off the ring, but each day at dawn the petal blooms and can be used again. It doesn’t require attunement.Band of the Dryad ; One letter stamped with a stargazing rabbit; one paper with signal notes; 1,573 gold, 30 silver, and 6 copper; a Hag's purse, a red velvet rat-pouch; 1 chairfart; Pipe of Rememberence, House's Whistle, 1 green diamond worth about 300 gold, 1 red feather pendant, 1 temporary red feather tattoo (3 days), 1 Dragon Gas Bomb, Kreb's keyring, a small wooden box with a portable hole, a letter, a pair of Dimensional Shackles, 1 Good for use intown or swamp, single use on a monster or NPC targeted creature will follow the Distractimal away in the direction you specify for d6 rounds. This effect is broken if the creature is harmed by the party. Multiple creatures in a room may be targeted and will spend 1 round gathered around it questioning, allowing you to sneak past a doorway or cavern entrance with no stealth roll.Beetle Distractimal   Recipes known (Herbalism): Potion Ingredient When you expend hit dice to recover hit points while using this salve, you recover an additional 3 hit points for each hit die expended. This effect lasts for 1 hour after applied.Soothing Salve Sourgrass You regain 2d4 + 2 hit points when you drink this potion. The potion's red liquid glimmers when agitated. It confers no benefit to undead or constructs.Potion of Healing Red Amanita Mushroom A creature that drinks this vial of liquid gains advantage on saving throws against poison for 1 hour. It confers no benefit to undead or constructs.Antitoxin Rowan Berries   Ingredients carried: 2 Red Amanita Mushrooms Herbalist advantage on the following checks: * Your knowledge of nature and uses of herbs can add insight to your magical studies that deal with plant creatures and your attempts to identify potions.Arcana * When you inspect an area overgrown with plants, your proficiency bonus can help you pick out details and clues that others might miss.Investigation * Your mastery of herbalism improves your ability to treat illnesses and wounds by augmenting your methods of care with medicinal plants.Medicine * You can identify most plants with a quick inspection of their appearance, smell, and their surrounding environment.Nature and Survival

[Fillyjonk]

UPSTAIRS Tumble, you can't hurl a stone in this country without hitting a human called Ann or a Hin called Ferdinand or a dwarf called Dordin. But you have only ever, in all your travels, in all your reading, even, heard of one Shellycoat. Aka Granny Peth, aka Mme. Bonelick, aka Hag 2 in the coven. You borrow her name, her reputation, and her profession (well, TBF, you share it) and holler it down to "Xo," as his friends call him, aka "Xolec" aka "Teh Vapmire," aka "Teh Hroribel Vile" as you, who are not his friend, might style him. A pause, and the brief silence seems nonplussed. Finally he calls back up, You bait me, Shellycoat. But I shall not rise. Why don't you come down, instead? Tumble, this is more than passing strange. You could have said your name was Ann, or Semlyl Frat, or Poodle McDoodle, and why would he not believe you? There is no reason for him to clock you as mistruthing and say that you are baiting him---unless he knows the actual famed herbalist. (Rather, knew. She is dead, and you are in her boots.) You understand that he knew her well enough to hear your voice calling down a tube and differentiate it from hers. He has been in here---a thousand years, you think, if the stories are correct? Well, Hags are immortal. This coven has been trying to take the wards down since day one. And if saying you are her, here, now, is baiting him---you think that must mean they were either enemies or allies that soured.

DOWNSTAIRS I'm Banx Tosselbonk, wizard of the Undine Mouth, Banx says. He has illusioned a wooden stake into his hands and he is picking his nails with it while giving Xolec murder eyes. Falco, when Xo steps to the doorway with his hands up, like, "Peace" and then stops so abruptly, it reminds you of something. You can't quite place it. It's going to drive you nuts. Fela, Bingle still has her Hex on you. Okay, well, it doesn't materially harm you, but good grief, it is a whirling vortex of hellish billowing as you try to hang with Xo, and you have not seen him in ages. You manage to find your rations through the whirling dark miasma, but when you try to pass them over, Xo cocks an amused eyebrow at you, and you have a great big laugh together. Ha ha ha, Xo doesn't eat rations! He is an undead vampire and eats human blood, Hin blood, any sentient being's blood really. And here you are handing him venison jerky. Hilarious! Now obviously Vampires are vile monsters and feeding on the blood of sentient beings is repulsive, but, hey, Xo... #notallvampires. It's okay when he does it, because reasons. Because it just is. You catch him up on the recent happenings, but the only topic that sparks his interest is the first one. Nexa. How is the old girl? Bingle, while this transpires, you are whispering with Falco and Banx that This! is! a! Vapmire! and by the time he asks about Nexa so CASSSSUAL, you swing in to action. Mage hand, coat swoop, voice, COMBED XOLEC ILLUSION! 19 dex checkHe is so fast, though. So fast and slick. As the coat comes at him, he snatches the sleeves, and thunders out, ONE TWO THREE FOUR stamping down with his big left boot on every count. By "Four" all six of the little fairies have leapt into the air---Harlan is still moving toward them--- and their wings release music. Wild fast reeling music. Xolec has your mage hand caught in the coat, and he whirls it as his partner, sweeping it through the combed illusion, while the fairies rollick and frollick in a line, partnered, swinging each other by the elbows, linking hands and going down the line, shedding snowy sparkles and song. It's a thirty second formal dance party, as your illusioned voice provides bizarre lyrics, not on beat, syncopated. He stops abruptly and jerks his coat away, much stronger than your magic hand. He shows you all his teeth. Is this an invitation to go down the drift with you, Nameless? he asks, polite, like he means "dance." He does not mean dance. He's asking if you want a grudge. Because we can. He isn't worried about Fela's reaction, and you understand that Tumble's logic can't break this charm. Fela will accept without blinking that he has been in the earth for a thousand years and also that they know each other. Nor will your lilusion-Vapmire saying truth, or truth from any source. You understand him very well in this strange moment. He won't hurt you, because that might break the charm; he wants the charm. That's not all you glean. For! Instance! He couldn't hide his micro-double-take + lip-curl when you had the voice say he ate someone at the standing stones. In fact, it is plain to you that he hates whoever did the eating/killing at the standing stones. Fela, Xo turns to you. Introduce your friends to me, please. What's this gnome warlock's name? Who is her patron? And the one upstairs, is she truly an herbalist? What's her name. Is she alone? Or are there more that I should meet? Fela, you want to tell him all this stuff, immediately. How nice that he cares about your friends... Falco, you want to try a reasonable conversation, forge a deal, but behind Xo, the little fairies have begun to squabble, querulous and loud. I, Contra-Corners, who has almost no blood left, kept perfect time, and yet Pousette and and Allemonde both kicked my frail shins during the cross and cast. I, Pousette, drained only this morning, and therefore with less blood than Contra Corners, that tick-fat bag, was also kicked upon my even frailer shin by Flutterwheel. Behold. My bruise. A bruise! What glory! I, Strip-the-Willow, though I was kicked most upon the cross and cast, have not enough blood left to produce even the faintest bruise. Mad Robin does not join in. She has discovered Harlan and picked him up, and she is spinning and flopping him about, first hauling him upside down by one back leg to squint at his butt, then shaking her head no, flipping him, and peering deeply up a nostril. Is she...trying to teach him the dance? Bingle, no. No she is not. With your wildly insightful self, you see this cold-climate creature is puzzled by frog anatomy. She is looking for, you think, an ear, and you suspect that as soon as she finds a likely orifice, she is going to whisper something into it. Falco, Xo says, If you don't mind, in a stern thunder, and the squabble ceases. A thousand years of this, he tells you. You want a civil exchange of information? Pass me your tabac. I need the smoke to cover other smells I find more tempting. I've subsisted on these chilly amuse-bouches for a millennium, and I'm finding it hard to think with all your warm pulses in the room. You don't have to come close. Better if you don't. Toss it. I've my own pipe. If you oblige him, he will pull a silver pipe from his back pocket, light up, smoke with obvious relief, then say, You want me to talk Red Feathers. The safety of the town. My fae. Deals. Sure. But what can you give me? Even after the pipe is lit, he stays back from all but Fela, and it strikes you he has yet to leave the confines of his room. Why the hell would he stay inside these four walls that have held him for so long? It hits you then---why the way he stepped forward with his hands up and then stopped abruptly was so familiar. It reminded you of the mimes at Winterfest in Frog Hollow. The way they do trapped in an "Invisible Box." It looked like the vampire smacked into an invisible wall... One that surprised him. Now, before he hit that wall, he was moving forward with his hands up, calm and slow, as if he wanted to talk,---but he was definitely coming out, and confident that he could, with that door open. Now? Nope. He stays in. Bingle, the insights just keep coming. Xo is---stalling. He is doing dance tricks and smoking and asking Fela questions and saying words to Falco to hide that he is puzzled. Past puzzled. More like frantic, worried, confused. He's covering well. Just not well enough to withstand your keen insight...

OOC bothers, Tumble has no LOS on anything to perceive except the well-explored smuggler's stash room and hole/ladder, but you got a really nice roll, so I let her have a good insight instead. Honestly in my head it is more GOOD MORNING DA than D'ampton Wyrm but the visuals of the line dance help.

[lostcheerio]

Bingle Curiosa Wildwander, Forest Gnome Wizard/Warlock Bingle's head is full of images, jumbled and strange. Part of being a gnome, a natural illusionist, is having a vivid imagination. Being able to see a thing clearly and project that vision clearly, magically, into the world so strongly that it really appears. But in times of stress, when illusions are flying, it gets hard to tamp down the pictures, calm the imagination, and focus on what's really in front of her. She's very worried about the vapmire, and she's very scared of its hold on Fela. 1. If it has Fela it could turn her into a vapmire. Fela turned pale, flapping a cloak around and growing points on her hairline and points on her teeth. 2. If it has Fela it could try to hurt Fela to make them do what it wants. She and Banx are very evil, but not the kind of evil that watches a vapmire bite off a friend's head. The vapmire biting off Fela's head, turning to look at them, bathed in her blood. 3. If it has Fela it could pull Fela into the room with it, and slam the door. It could hold the door shut for 1000 years, drinking her blood. Fela's eye, pressed against the keyhole, blue and scraed. The fairy bounces Harlan and turns him upside down, looks at his butt. Harlan turns his frog eyes earnestly to Bingle, like, uh? It's not a normal charm. She drops all the illusions and the Mage Hand and tries to press the sound of the music out of her mind to figure out what to do. The one thing, the one freaking thing she had to do was to not let out the hrorible vile. And yet within a minute of finding it she blabbed about it, and within a minute of bringing her friends here, here the door swings open. She's the one who found it. And now Fela is trapped. It's her! Freaking! Falut! And now the most important thing, all she can think about or do, is getting Fela away from this thing, and back on their side of the door. It's the best first thing. The only thing. The fairy puts its little fingers all the way up Harlan's nose and he gags. Oh. It's trying to tell him something. "Fela, help me! Come out here and help me!" Bingle grabs her own throat and chokes, and then withers and falls onto the ground, warged into Harlan. Harlan turns his frog head to the fairy, his globe eyes now full of sentience and presence. He gives a big screeky croak, and inclines his circular ear pad thingy to her mouth. Art by Sarah Gordon

ۜ\(סּںסּَ` )/ۜ   OOC: My only objective is to get Fela to come toward us and on the other side of the ward. Not to break the charm or make her think the vampire is hurting Bingle or anything, just come out. Trying to leave open all avenues like lying to Fela that we're going to help the vampire, or tackling her and dragging her upstairs, fully playing out the "we're evil" thing and taking her down to 0 hp right now to try and break it... as long as she's outside the door I feel like a lot is open. Initiative: Saving Throw: Move: Action: Warg into Harlan Bonus Action: Reaction: Free Action: Concentrating: Hex Conditions: Harlan's Action: Croak meaningfully.

ۜ\(ಠ_ಠ)/ۜ   Bingle Wildwander Forest Gnome Wizard 4, School of Transmutation. Warlock 1, Pact of the Fiend. Folk Hero Att Mod Save Str 11 +0 +0 Dex 11 +0 +0 Con 14 +2 +2 Int 18 +4 +7 Wis 12 +1 +4 Cha 12 +1 +1 Adv vs. Magic for INT, WIS, CHA Sheet Passive Per. 11 Passive Inv. 17 Passive Ins. 14 HP 33/33 AC (13 MA) 10 Inspiration Yes Heal Potions 1 Initiative +0 Pro Bonus +3 Walking Speed 25 Defenses None Wiz DC/Att 15/+7 War DC/Att 12/+4 Spell Slots 1st:3/4 Pact 1/1 2nd:3/3 Cantrips Create Bonfire Dancing Lights Mage Hand Message Minor Illusion Eldritch Blast Prestidigitation Spells: 1 Find Familiar (Rit) 1 Identify (Rit) 1 Mage Armor 1 Magic Missile 1 T's Floating D (Rit) 1 Hex (BA) 1 Hellish Rebuke (Rea) 2 Alter Self 2 Invisibility 2 Misty Step 2 Max's Earthen Grasp 2 Magic Mouth (Rit) 2 Suggestion Key Skills ⦿Animal Handling +4 Arcana +4 Deception +1 History +4 ⦿Insight +4 Intimidation +1 ⦿Investigation +7 Medicine +1 Nature +4 Perception +1 Performance +1 Persuasion +1 Religion +4 ⦿Survival +4 Wizard Features [ ] Arcane Recovery Minor Alchemy Warlock Features Pact Patron: Glasya When you reduce a hostile creature to 0 HP, you gain 2 temp HP.Dark One's Blessing Mask of Many Faces Gnome Features Darkvision You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.Gnome Cunning You can communicate simple ideas with Small or smaller beasts.Speak with Small Beasts Languages Common Gnomish Money 6 copper 12 silver 511 gold 13 plat 3 mixed coin Carrying Gas Bomb 2 Oil of Slipperiness Attuned Ring of Wild Fey Magic

[bothers]

Tumble Artist credit: Aurore Folny (© Black Book Editions) Oho! For it to work once is an amazing coincidence. For it to work twice is some kind of miracle. If Tumble had any interest in gods, she might turn her eyes godwards now and quietly thank them for their largesse, but she hasn't, so she doesn't. But the Hrorible Vile knows who Shellycoat Bonelick was, and he also knows how provoking she was. Which she was! Very! Provoking! "Naturally," she tells poor, baited Xolec. "So you remember me after all, old friend." She wiggles her toes in her borrowed shoes, pleased. "But why should I go to you when you can come to me? It is pleasant up here, is it not? The sun, the sea... ah, but I am being insensitive. Almost everyone is here already." Really, they're only missing Starbert, curse his thieving paws, and Fiz, safe with his family. And some other people that Tumble will happily make up on the spot if she needs to. "Soon my most vile and cunning associate Salty Mae will join us, moments away, with my new child. Truly a magnificent daughter! As you will see. I have called her Glaistig Greenteeth, and now we are three once more." Tumblecoat Bonepeth doesn't think any of this is hugely convincing. He already knows she's not Shellycoat Bonelick, and who even knows if he understands how coven daughters are made when a hag and another hag love each other very much and hate everyone else. But now she's committed to the lie, she can't stop, even though everyone else is now yelling very passionately about who is Xolec's very bestest friend who only wants the absolute best for him, in fair exchange. It makes no sense to keep up the charade, under the circumstances, but Tumblecoat Bonepeth finds that she enjoys being a big old lying hag, for its own sake. She makes wiggly hag fingers down the hole, for nobody to see. "But you sound mistrustful, old friend. Many things have changed in this long, long time, myself included." She preens a little, boastfully. If you're going to be a mighty hag then there's no point selling yourself short. "For the better, of course. And you? Are you prepared for change, ax Xolec?" For old times' sake. Whatever that might mean to him. When Bingle starts hollering like she's dying, Tumblecoat pauses, briefly. "Is that adventurer all right? Please look after her. She is important for the next step, at which we must not fail." What step! Who cares! Hags have plans with steps! And now that Tumble is a hag, a very important hag, she has very important plans with very important steps too. Scritch scritch, she writes in her notebook, which as of now is her Actual Hag Grimoire.

Action Block and Stat Block OOC:   Initiative: Saving throws: Free Action: Move: Reaction: Action: Continue this appalling deception Dice Deception: 1d20 4 (4). She's trying to provoke more info from him; e.g. when she brings up Salty Mae and the coven daughter, does he ask after the health of anyone else who might turn out to be the 3rd Hag? Or when she tells him the times they are a'changin', does he have anything to say about their past alliance(s)? Bonus Action: Condition: Concentrating:   Tumbayar “Tumble” Galtmaa | Gnome Monk | Level 5 | Character Sheet HP: 38/38 AC: 14 Ki points: 5+2/5+2 Monastic Tradition: Way of Mercy Eldritch Maul: 1/1 DM Inspiration: 1/1 Hit die: 1d8+2 | Total: 5/5 Class features, traits, and feats: As an action, you can spend 1 ki point to touch a creature and restore 1d4+2 hit points. When you use your Flurry of Blows, you can replace one of the unarmed strikes with a use of this feature without spending a ki point for the healing.Hand of Healing, When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, you can spend 1 ki point to deal extra 1d4+2 necrotic damage. You can use this feature only once per turn.Hand of Harm, You can use your reaction to deflect or catch the missile when you are hit by a ranged weapon attack. When you do so, the damage you take from the attack is reduced by 1d10 +5. If you reduce damage to 0 and have a free hand, you can spend 1 ki point to make a ranged attack (as with a monk weapon) with a range of 20/60. If you reduce damage to 0 and have a free hand, you can spend 1 ki point to make a ranged attack (as with a monk weapon).Deflect Missiles While not wearing armor and not using a shield, your AC equals 10 + DEX modifier + WIS modifier.Unarmored Defense, Your speed increases by 10 feet when you are not wearing armor or wielding a shield.Unarmored Movement, While you are unarmed or wielding only monk weapons and you aren’t wearing armor or wielding a shield, you can use DEX instead of STR for the attack and damage rolls, you can roll your Martial Arts damage die in place of the normal damage, and when you use the Attack action on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action.Martial Arts (damage die d6), You can spend Ki Points to fuel ki features. You have 5 points per short rest and your Ki save DC is 13. Flurry of Blows - After you take the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to make two unarmed strikes as a bonus action. Patient Defense - You can spend 1 ki point to take the Dodge action as a bonus action on your turn. Step of the Wind - You can spend 1 ki point to take the Disengage or Dash action as a bonus action on your turn, and your jump distance is doubled for the turn.Ki (save DC 13) You can see in darkness (shades of gray) up to 60 ft.Darkvision, You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.Gnome Cunning, Add twice your proficiency bonus to History checks related to magic items, alchemical objects, or technological devices.Artificer's Lore, You are proficient with tinker's tools and can use them to construct tiny clockwork devices.Tinker You can use your reaction when you fall to reduce any falling damage you take by 20.Slow Fall You are exceptionally speedy and agile. You gain the following benefits: * Your speed increases by 10 feet. * When you use the Dash action, difficult terrain doesn't cost you extra movement on that turn. * When you make a melee attack against a creature, you don't provoke opportunity attacks from that creature for the rest of the turn, whether you hit or not. Mobile You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.Extra Attack, When you hit with a melee weapon attack, you can spend 1 ki point to make the target stunned until the end of your next turn if it fails a CON saving throw (DC 13).Stunning Strike Skills: Acrobatics/History/Insight/Medicine/Religion +5 Animal Handling/Arcana/Investigation/Nature/Perception/Sleight of hand/Stealth/Survival +2 Deception/Performance/Persuasion 0 Athletics -1 Inventory, Herbalism, and Poisoning

[AnotherDragoon]

Never let ye Xo Falco were watchin' th' vampire with all th' curiosity o' a mountain cat lookin' at a wolf. There were definitely somethin' about Xolec that spoke o' power; an' danger. But when he didn't recognize Bingle, "Nameless? Ye mean ye don't know who she is?" He raised an eyebrow fer th' wizards in th' room, "This can't be th' Pim then, right?" They knew what Xolec was but, jus' who was he? Another thin' occurred t' Falco as he watched th' caged predator, Xolec couldn't leave 'is room. Sure, he wanted t' leave an' probably wanted t' bite a couple o' 'em too but, fer whatever reason, he couldn't. An' that had th' monster jus' a shade o' worried. Maybe that explained th' song an' dance routine? Th' smilin' Hin reached in a pocket with 'is free hand an' produced a small pouch. Almost out. Gotta be some around Th' Fury somewhere, or Winston's. He tossed 'is remainin' tabac (thanks Sanbalat) over t' th' vampire. "Aye, I'd like t' talk all o' that an' a good deal more, friend. Like who put ye here an' fer what reason? We won't be doin' no driftin' either. But what can we offer ye?" Falco has his fox smile on once more as he's figured out why Xolec hasn't stepped outta 'is prison. "How about what ye've been waitin' fer all this time? We've already opened th' door, ain't that enough t' start a dialog? But ye can't leave that room, can ye? Ye know where we got th' key what matches that dwarven lock? Killed a dragon fer it, we can find a way t' break whatever ward is there. Ain't that right, Fela? There's a wealth o' arcane knowledge at th' tower, gotta be an answer there." It were in that moment Bingle called out t' Fela. Falco turned in time t' see her eyes flutter back as she fell t' th' stone floor. He knew it meant she were lookin' through Harlan's eyes but, t' help sell it, he gasped an' moved t' her side. "Help me heal her an' then we can all free yer friend!" He nodded t' Banx an' then took 'is pack off an' set it on th' ground where it be easy t' reach in real quick like if'n he needed somethin' outta it. Somethin' like shackles.

Mechanics Drink Counter:     Saving Throws: Free Action: Move: Action: Move over next to Bingle and prepare to restrain Fela, if needed. Reaction: Bonus Action: Condition: Concentrating:   Halfling︱Druid Falco Goldenbairn HP: 38/38 AC: 12 Spells: DC: 15 Level 1: [ ][ ][ ][ ] Level 2: [ ][ ][ ] Level 3: [ ][ ] Wild Shape: [ ][ ] Attuned: House's Whistle, Moon Sickle DM Inspiration: None Potions: 1 bottle of Granny Peth’s Nervous Drops, 1 2d4+2 HPPotion of Healing, 4 Potions of Alter Self (8 hours) Carrying for party: A simple wooden band that appears to be entwined by evergreen ivy vines. The top is decorated with a small rose petal, which remains bloomed and perfect until the ring's effect is used. The petal may be expended to heal a target the wearer can touch by 2d4+2 hit points. Once used, the rose petal wilts and falls off the ring, but each day at dawn the petal blooms and can be used again. It doesn’t require attunement.Band of the Dryad ; One letter stamped with a stargazing rabbit; one paper with signal notes; 1,573 gold, 30 silver, and 6 copper; a Hag's purse, a red velvet rat-pouch; 1 chairfart; Pipe of Rememberence, House's Whistle, 1 green diamond worth about 300 gold, 1 red feather pendant, 1 temporary red feather tattoo (3 days), 1 Dragon Gas Bomb, Kreb's keyring, a small wooden box with a portable hole, a letter, a pair of Dimensional Shackles, 1 Good for use intown or swamp, single use on a monster or NPC targeted creature will follow the Distractimal away in the direction you specify for d6 rounds. This effect is broken if the creature is harmed by the party. Multiple creatures in a room may be targeted and will spend 1 round gathered around it questioning, allowing you to sneak past a doorway or cavern entrance with no stealth roll.Beetle Distractimal   Recipes known (Herbalism): Potion Ingredient When you expend hit dice to recover hit points while using this salve, you recover an additional 3 hit points for each hit die expended. This effect lasts for 1 hour after applied.Soothing Salve Sourgrass You regain 2d4 + 2 hit points when you drink this potion. The potion's red liquid glimmers when agitated. It confers no benefit to undead or constructs.Potion of Healing Red Amanita Mushroom A creature that drinks this vial of liquid gains advantage on saving throws against poison for 1 hour. It confers no benefit to undead or constructs.Antitoxin Rowan Berries   Ingredients carried: 2 Red Amanita Mushrooms Herbalist advantage on the following checks: * Your knowledge of nature and uses of herbs can add insight to your magical studies that deal with plant creatures and your attempts to identify potions.Arcana * When you inspect an area overgrown with plants, your proficiency bonus can help you pick out details and clues that others might miss.Investigation * Your mastery of herbalism improves your ability to treat illnesses and wounds by augmenting your methods of care with medicinal plants.Medicine * You can identify most plants with a quick inspection of their appearance, smell, and their surrounding environment.Nature and Survival

[ptwiddle]

Fela, flirting again Fela opened her heart to Xolec, spilling out her worries, making herself vulnerable -- she's killed a dragon, but she's worried about this speech? And is duly rejected. Xolec doesn't offer her any advise about her speech, not even a watery "I'm sure it will all be ok" served up with a weak pat on the back. But. Flea had mentioned Nexa Banishae, and then Xo asked about her. He was listening! It was so nice to be heard, to be paid attention to, to be understood. As uncountable number of souls before her, charmed not by any magic but their own desires, she pushes away all the warning signs, all of her own concerns that are being brushed aside with barely an acknowledgement, and focuses on what Xo wants, tries to mold herself into someone he'd be interested in. Nexa. Old girl. All a bit familiar, isn't it? An old flame? But he likes the Fey, all those fairies with him...be cool Fela, fit in. "Oh, I haven't met Nexa personally. I did have a lovely chat with...I didn't catch her name, she was posing as Nanny. But she was one of Nexa's warlocks. White and blue energy, smelled a bit like evergreen? We didn't get to chat too long because Nanny was going to kill people and I couldn't let that slide -- just my personal morality, I'm not judging you, Xo. We got in a bit of a tussle over it. She told me..." She told me When Nexa Banishae takes the wards down, she will peel you whole. I will sew your skins together to make myself a ball gown for The Drift... Ohhh, no. Want to fit in, be cool. That won't do at all. "...she told me that once Nexa took the wards down, she'd take me to dance at The Drift!" Sort of true, and much cooler, much likely to get Xo's attention. "And then she teleported away...but I can do that, too! Teleport. I'm not all boring and Lawful like the rest of the Watchers...I was kissed by some Fey here, and now I can charm people and teleport. Do you want to see?" She starts to try to focus on that feeling in her belly, drawing it up to appear behind him, between him and those dancing fairies. That would get his attention. But before she can complete it Bingle is yelling about being hurt...oh, Bingle, her friend. She immediately rushes toward her, bends down, hand out to cauterize any wounds with Saliber's heat...but though Bingle is still she can see the breath right away. "Way you are all being weird!" Xo's other question is in her mind. "Bingle's fine, she's just playing at something...it's just ax Tumble upstairs, an old gnome -- you're much older but come across as much cooler and younger. I don't know why she's pretending to be a hag but she's always teasing me so it must be one of her jokes. It's just us here; King Bryce has some forces around to protect things but we're the only ones who actually seem to get anything done around here...." Talk yourself up, Fela. Xo doesn't seem like he likes wallflowers. Nexa, old girl, she gets things done.

Actions, etc. Wasn't quite sure how to play it so rolled a quick medicine check to see how fast Fela caught Bingle was ok and she rolled pretty high. Don't want to shoot party in the foot but Fela is going to answer any questions Xo asks.   CHARACTER SHEET HP: 44/44 AC:In Chain Mail, with/without Shield16 or 18 Spells: Fey-Touched: Charm: 1/Per Long Rest1 In the morning, roll a d20; she has control over the charm spell on a 10 or higher.Control: No | Misty Step: 1/Per Long Rest1 Level 1: 4/4 Prepared: Alarm, Compelled Duel, Detect Magic, Bless, Command, Shield of Faith Level 2: 2/2 Prepared: Moonbeam, See Invisibility, Prayer of Healing, Zone of Truth Lay on Hands: 25/Per Long Rest25 As an action, you can detect good and evil. Until the end of your next turn, you can sense anything affected by the hallow spell or know the location of any celestial, fiend, undead within 60 ft. that is not behind total cover.Divine Sense: 5/Per Long Rest5 Channel Divinity: 1/Per Short Rest1 You can use your Channel Divinity to invest your presence with the warding power of your faith. As an action, you can choose a number of creatures you can see within 30 feet of you, up to a number equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one creature). For 1 minute, you and the chosen creatures have advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws.Watcher’s Will You can use your Channel Divinity to castigate unworldly beings. As an action, you present your holy symbol and each aberration, celestial, elemental, fey, or fiend within 30 feet of you that can hear you must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is turned for 1 minute or until it takes damage. A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can’t willingly end its move in a space within 30 feet of you. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can take the Dodge action.Abjure the Extraplanar You can expend a use of your Channel Divinity to fuel your spells. As a bonus action, you touch your holy symbol, utter a prayer, and regain one expended spell slot, the level of which can be no higher than half your proficiency bonus (rounded up). The number of times you can use this feature is based on the level you’ve reached in this class: 3rd level, once; 7th level, twice; and 15th level, thrice. You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.Harness Divine Power Attuned: Shield of Missile Attraction, Inflitrator's Key, DM Inspiration: NO Heal Potions: 1, from Tumble Carrying: Drunkard’s map, 2x Nyssa's Can keep watch all long restWatchdogwood Petals, 1x Granny Peth's Beast Befriender's Fluid, Shield of Missile Attraction, Magic +1Xendrose's Sword, +1 Springer Sword Pearl's calling card, Make a ranged attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 3d8 poison damage and must make a DC14 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, it is also poisoned. It can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns.Dragon gas bomb, Turtle Distractimal Ricardt, the Retainer: HP: 12/12 AC: 10 Hide+10 Maude, the Marsh Tacky: HP: 13/13 DC 16 Animal Handling check, once per dayLoyalty checks (here)1/3

[Fillyjonk]

XXX000, XO Fela, as you speak, Xo says, Hey, can I see that key please? He holds his hand out, and if you pass it over, he pockets it. Tumble, they are talking downstairs. It is a hum and a burble. Maybe you try to talk in the cracks and small silences. Maybe you are just amusing yourself and speak down the hole as it pleases you with no care as to what pieces will be audible and what will be lost in Falco's questioning, in Fela's propitiating, in Bingle's playacting. You are beginning to gather that sounds travel down to him better than they travel up to you. You don't know how much he hears, and this time, he calls up no answers. Things are getting busy, down there in the hole. Do you hear Fela dismiss you as just "an old gnome?" If you do, well, the universe is sure that you will pay that back one day, in full. Falco, this ain't Pim. It has no idea who Bingle is, and it pays her no marked attention. You offer it a way out, but its eyes narrow. Tumble is talking about Hags upstairs. Fela is acting like she and the Warlock that she almost killed---that almost killed her and Kasja---were friendly, talking about Nexa and her mark... Fela, look, Xo is cool. The kind of cool Finn is, and you could never hang with his friends, because they found you to be so uptight! But Xo likes you. You want to eat at his lunch table. So you make it seem like you are cooler with Nexa and the Nanny than you are. Do you give him the key and let him look at it and stuff? You are not tag-teaming, Falco and Fela and Tumble, but he takes what all of you are saying, adds 1 +1, and comes up 4. rolled a 4 insight HAHAHAHHAHAHAHALiterally. So you aren't doing this? He raps upon the invisible barrier that is keeping him in, and you all hear it toll like a bell. He was trying to hide that he was trapped, but now he sees you know. He looks back and forth between Fela and Falco. Oh, I see, this Paladin is fey-ruined, well done on that, but basically I charmed your pet, is that it? Can I go ahead and eat it then? Or do you have use for it? He looks at you, Falco. So you, ya evil ****, you work for Nexa and her hags? A thousand years they left me down here, scared of dwarves, DWARVES, and damned ones at that, because do you think Moradin will take 'em after what they did to catch old Xo? Well, they left me to rot, and now here you are to play friendly Hin and say, Oh, XO! Still no headway! They neeeeeeeeed you. Bah! **** off! His cold gaze scrapes over Bingle and Banx. I see Nexa even allied a Hell, to no avail. A Hell! And here 1000 years later, the wards are still up. Who is this Bingle's patron, Fela? Some little Spiky dork? Pah, those *****es should have gotten me out centuries ago. I would have gone right back to work, and with me, Nexa would have had the wards down 800 years ago and my good will! Now? Now, my help is going to cost her. Yes, first thing is, figure out what some goody-good **** has used to keep me in here. Out is a good start. Get me out, and I'll consider finishing it for you. How many families are left alive, of the seven? What's the hit list? And what else have you go to offer but an Inflitrator's key and promises of an investigation. He doesn't seem to get that Bingle has the actual key to the door. He thinks you meant you got the magic Infiltrator's key off the dragon. Bingle, right about here, worried for your friend, you collapse for pretend and Warg for real. Mad Robin has bright, crazy eyes and sharp peppermint breath. You know she has peppermint breath because she is whispering right up your (Halran's) nose. You turn the froggy ear-pad toward her. She shifts to try to get words in the nose. You re-present the ear. She re-shifts to your amphibious sinuses. OKAY, FINE! You listen with your nose because at least she isn't whispering into your butt, and that was decidedly an option. CLOSE ENOUGH, FAIRIE! Here is what Mad Robin says: Tell the gnomes make more illusions, bigger. Distract! He is FAST-FAST! But in a big enough illusion, maybe I get past and out before he snatches me out of the air and stuffs me in his POCKET? Mayyyyyybe, oh please! I have no soul to pay your devil, but I have seeeeeeeeecrets, and what blocks him cannot stop me! Does Mad Robin KNOW what it is that keeps him in? She says it won't stop her---so she must know or at least have a guess. He doesn't have a clue! That is all she will say, trapped as she is. Through your unoccupied, unused frog ears, you hear that Fela has already figured out that you are faking. ANY SECOND she will go back into Xo's room and his reach, and all those scary things of her being kliled and eaten go back on the table. Or do they? You hear, froggily, from far, a small raspy voice go, YAHHHHHHHHHHHH! Fela, something small re-clips onto your ankle, hampering you. Dice BANX GRAPPLE ON FELA must beat with str or dex to escape lol: d20 11

[AnotherDragoon]

Comment dites-vous no way There weren't much amusin' down in th' forgotten dwarf hole 'neath Crabber's Cove. Mostly it were just cold, dank, and starless dark. But th' things comin' outta th' vampire's mouth were jus' laughable in their plain absurdity. It woulda got under Falco's skin, th' assumption o' bein' in league with th' hags, had it not been so silly. Th' druid actually laughed instead o' losin' 'is temper, "Is she me what? Pet?" Falco shook 'is head an' chuckled softly. "Oh, Xolec I do be hopin' she remembers all o' this once yer trick wears off. Ye don't know how lucky ye got landin' a charm on that one, honestly, I'm impressed ye even could. She be marked by a powerful Fey, the last two what tried t' kiss her nearly died. I'm not sure it'd be wise t' try'n eat her." Then, as soon as Bingle fell, Fela came an' noticed th' ruse. But Banx (Banx!) leapt t' action an' wrapped 'is wizardly arms 'round her leg. Falco were already diggin' in 'is pack like he were lookin' fer a potion but what he pulled out were th' shackles he took from Cap'n Xendrose's bed. "Sorry Fela," he said as he slapped th' cuffs on her wrists an' clicked 'em shut. "We'll get these offa ye once we get ever'thing sorted." "Nice move, Banx," Falco nodded t' th' gnome. "Now see if'n ye can grab that rope while I hold her an' tie it t' th' chain so we can haul her up?" Then, he turned 'is attention back t' th' vampire. "Xolec, I were ready t' be yer friend since we both be followin' a path o' moonlight an' stars but I don't think ye been hearin' anythin' we've said. We killed Salty Mae. We killed Bonelick. An' we'll kill anyone else what would bring down th' wards around Saltmarsh. Nexa is banished. Yer all alone an' stuck underground; ye should be askin' what ye can do fer us not th' other way around. Maybe ye need some more time t' think, I can come back when ye feel more like talkin'."

Mechanics Drink Counter:   Here   Saving Throws: Free Action: Move: Action: Lock Fela in the Dimensional Shackles: Sleight of hand(with advantage): 17, Try to hold her there so Banx can tie a rope to the shackles: 13 Reaction: Bonus Action: Condition: Concentrating:   Halfling︱Druid Falco Goldenbairn HP: 38/38 AC: 12 Spells: DC: 15 Level 1: [ ][ ][ ][ ] Level 2: [ ][ ][ ] Level 3: [ ][ ] Wild Shape: [ ][ ] Attuned: House's Whistle, Moon Sickle DM Inspiration: None Potions: 1 bottle of Granny Peth’s Nervous Drops, 1 2d4+2 HPPotion of Healing, 4 Potions of Alter Self (8 hours) Carrying for party: A simple wooden band that appears to be entwined by evergreen ivy vines. The top is decorated with a small rose petal, which remains bloomed and perfect until the ring's effect is used. The petal may be expended to heal a target the wearer can touch by 2d4+2 hit points. Once used, the rose petal wilts and falls off the ring, but each day at dawn the petal blooms and can be used again. It doesn’t require attunement.Band of the Dryad ; One letter stamped with a stargazing rabbit; one paper with signal notes; 1,573 gold, 30 silver, and 6 copper; a Hag's purse, a red velvet rat-pouch; 1 chairfart; Pipe of Rememberence, House's Whistle, 1 green diamond worth about 300 gold, 1 red feather pendant, 1 temporary red feather tattoo (3 days), 1 Dragon Gas Bomb, Kreb's keyring, a small wooden box with a portable hole, a letter, a pair of Dimensional Shackles, 1 Good for use intown or swamp, single use on a monster or NPC targeted creature will follow the Distractimal away in the direction you specify for d6 rounds. This effect is broken if the creature is harmed by the party. Multiple creatures in a room may be targeted and will spend 1 round gathered around it questioning, allowing you to sneak past a doorway or cavern entrance with no stealth roll.Beetle Distractimal   Recipes known (Herbalism): Potion Ingredient When you expend hit dice to recover hit points while using this salve, you recover an additional 3 hit points for each hit die expended. This effect lasts for 1 hour after applied.Soothing Salve Sourgrass You regain 2d4 + 2 hit points when you drink this potion. The potion's red liquid glimmers when agitated. It confers no benefit to undead or constructs.Potion of Healing Red Amanita Mushroom A creature that drinks this vial of liquid gains advantage on saving throws against poison for 1 hour. It confers no benefit to undead or constructs.Antitoxin Rowan Berries   Ingredients carried: 2 Red Amanita Mushrooms Herbalist advantage on the following checks: * Your knowledge of nature and uses of herbs can add insight to your magical studies that deal with plant creatures and your attempts to identify potions.Arcana * When you inspect an area overgrown with plants, your proficiency bonus can help you pick out details and clues that others might miss.Investigation * Your mastery of herbalism improves your ability to treat illnesses and wounds by augmenting your methods of care with medicinal plants.Medicine * You can identify most plants with a quick inspection of their appearance, smell, and their surrounding environment.Nature and Survival

[lostcheerio]

Bingle Curiosa Wildwander, Forest Gnome Wizard/Warlock Harlan's vision is weird but he hears just fine. Another tarpped fairy -- of course Bingle is going to get her out. This dark room, this snide vapmire, these dour companions, for one thousand years? Not for one day more! Full of passion for fairy freedom, Harlan blows up his throat and urps up a big croak that's infused with just a bit of gnomish spite. When Fela rushes to her side, Bingle returns to her body, opening her eyes weakly and blinking. Big breath through her normal throat. She takes Fela's hands and says, "Thank you, friend," as Banx grabs her by the legs. Even in the midst of all this action, it feels nice that Fela is worried about her, even though she has a powerful evil friend. When the shackles go on, the black mist around her fades. Bingle sits up. She whispers a message to Mad Robin in the fairy's head: I don't need your soul. Just your secrets. I'll help you disappear, and meet you at the top of the ladder. She casts Invisibility, sending the magic through Harlan. He lifts his sticky, froggy hand and presses it only the fairy's hand as she blinks out of sight.

ۜ\(סּںסּَ` )/ۜ   OOC: Initiative: Saving Throw: Move: Action: Cast Invisibility on Mad Robin via Harlan. (Dropping Hex) Bonus Action: Reaction: Free Action: Concentrating: Invisibility Conditions: Harlan's Action: Touch Mad Robin and deliver the spell.

ۜ\(ಠ_ಠ)/ۜ   Bingle Wildwander Forest Gnome Wizard 4, School of Transmutation. Warlock 1, Pact of the Fiend. Folk Hero Att Mod Save Str 11 +0 +0 Dex 11 +0 +0 Con 14 +2 +2 Int 18 +4 +7 Wis 12 +1 +4 Cha 12 +1 +1 Adv vs. Magic for INT, WIS, CHA Sheet Passive Per. 11 Passive Inv. 17 Passive Ins. 14 HP 33/33 AC (13 MA) 10 Inspiration Yes Heal Potions 1 Initiative +0 Pro Bonus +3 Walking Speed 25 Defenses None Wiz DC/Att 15/+7 War DC/Att 12/+4 Spell Slots 1st:3/4 Pact 1/1 2nd:2/3 Cantrips Create Bonfire Dancing Lights Mage Hand Message Minor Illusion Eldritch Blast Prestidigitation Spells: 1 Find Familiar (Rit) 1 Identify (Rit) 1 Mage Armor 1 Magic Missile 1 T's Floating D (Rit) 1 Hex (BA) 1 Hellish Rebuke (Rea) 2 Alter Self 2 Invisibility 2 Misty Step 2 Max's Earthen Grasp 2 Magic Mouth (Rit) 2 Suggestion Key Skills ⦿Animal Handling +4 Arcana +4 Deception +1 History +4 ⦿Insight +4 Intimidation +1 ⦿Investigation +7 Medicine +1 Nature +4 Perception +1 Performance +1 Persuasion +1 Religion +4 ⦿Survival +4 Wizard Features [ ] Arcane Recovery Minor Alchemy Warlock Features Pact Patron: Glasya When you reduce a hostile creature to 0 HP, you gain 2 temp HP.Dark One's Blessing Mask of Many Faces Gnome Features Darkvision You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.Gnome Cunning You can communicate simple ideas with Small or smaller beasts.Speak with Small Beasts Languages Common Gnomish Money 6 copper 12 silver 511 gold 13 plat 3 mixed coin Carrying Gas Bomb 2 Oil of Slipperiness Attuned Ring of Wild Fey Magic

[ptwiddle]

Fela, hands be-manacled, legs be-gnomed Of course Xo can have a look at the key. Or keep it, for that matter. Sneaking around, opening doors -- what does a Watcher need all that for. "Stops my armor clanking, too" Fela adds, proudly, as she hands it over. Her face crumples when Xo calls her "Fey ruined". Her dad had shipped her off to the middle of the nowhere for that, and now the cool-kid father-figure Xolec is sneering about? She thought he was into Fey. Fela hadn't come around to Kasja's point of view, that it was a gift, but Bingle, Falco, Tumble mostly didn't seem to think of it one way or another; if anything being a Watcher stood out more with them than being Fey-kissed. Sifting through the emotional whiplash occupies her so much that "pet" and "eat it" don't seem to fully register, or maybe it's just the charm. But something's changed in Xo, he's angry and bitter and going on and on, and Fela just wants to cheer him up and make him happy again but it doesn't feel like it would make anything better until he asks her a direct question about Bingle's patron "I...we don't talk about it much. Her soul was trapped in some dagger and she made a deal to get out...but calm down, Xo. We'll get you out, and Saltmarsh isn't so bad, the wards are important, you don't need.." But then Bingle is on the ground, and she's calling out to Xo "It's ok, Bingle's fine!" when first Banx, who she never really liked anyway, he was in the dagger, too, and probably talked Bingle into selling her soul to get out, just look at how he dresses, the edgelord, throws himself over her legs, and then while she's trying to kick him off Falco slaps the handcuffs he took from Xendrose's bed around her. "Have you all gone crazy? Get these off me! Xo is just frustrated after being stuck in there that long, Falco, he'll come around once he's out. We've got to help him!" She continues to kick wildly at Banx but can make little purchase, her energy sapped by the swirling miasma Bingle has around her. "This is how you think your friend!" waving her manacled hands around the cloud. "They're not usually like this, Xo -- I don't know what's gotten into them, but we'll get you out, I promise!"

Actions, etc. For her action, Fela will try to break Banx's grapple Dice Athletics to try break the grapple: 2d20+6kl1 (2, 20 (keeping 2) )+6 Total = 8   CHARACTER SHEET HP: 44/44 AC:In Chain Mail, with/without Shield16 or 18 Spells: Fey-Touched: Charm: 1/Per Long Rest1 In the morning, roll a d20; she has control over the charm spell on a 10 or higher.Control: No | Misty Step: 1/Per Long Rest1 Level 1: 4/4 Prepared: Alarm, Compelled Duel, Detect Magic, Bless, Command, Shield of Faith Level 2: 2/2 Prepared: Moonbeam, See Invisibility, Prayer of Healing, Zone of Truth Lay on Hands: 25/Per Long Rest25 As an action, you can detect good and evil. Until the end of your next turn, you can sense anything affected by the hallow spell or know the location of any celestial, fiend, undead within 60 ft. that is not behind total cover.Divine Sense: 5/Per Long Rest5 Channel Divinity: 1/Per Short Rest1 You can use your Channel Divinity to invest your presence with the warding power of your faith. As an action, you can choose a number of creatures you can see within 30 feet of you, up to a number equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one creature). For 1 minute, you and the chosen creatures have advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws.Watcher’s Will You can use your Channel Divinity to castigate unworldly beings. As an action, you present your holy symbol and each aberration, celestial, elemental, fey, or fiend within 30 feet of you that can hear you must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is turned for 1 minute or until it takes damage. A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can’t willingly end its move in a space within 30 feet of you. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can take the Dodge action.Abjure the Extraplanar You can expend a use of your Channel Divinity to fuel your spells. As a bonus action, you touch your holy symbol, utter a prayer, and regain one expended spell slot, the level of which can be no higher than half your proficiency bonus (rounded up). The number of times you can use this feature is based on the level you’ve reached in this class: 3rd level, once; 7th level, twice; and 15th level, thrice. You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.Harness Divine Power Attuned: Shield of Missile Attraction, Inflitrator's Key, DM Inspiration: NO Heal Potions: 1, from Tumble Carrying: Drunkard’s map, 2x Nyssa's Can keep watch all long restWatchdogwood Petals, 1x Granny Peth's Beast Befriender's Fluid, Shield of Missile Attraction, Magic +1Xendrose's Sword, +1 Springer Sword Pearl's calling card, Make a ranged attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 3d8 poison damage and must make a DC14 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, it is also poisoned. It can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns.Dragon gas bomb, Turtle Distractimal Ricardt, the Retainer: HP: 12/12 AC: 10 Hide+10 Maude, the Marsh Tacky: HP: 13/13 DC 16 Animal Handling check, once per dayLoyalty checks (here)1/3

[Fillyjonk]

Mad Robin Fela, you promise Xo you will get him out, ASAP, and he says, I know you will. A lot of faith in you, he has. That's so nice! What's not that nice is Bingle tricking you and her dorky little friend playing grab-hands with your armored knees. Not cool at all! Get back in here, Fela. Ditch your friends. They are a drag. You and me have to find out what's keeping me in here, hey? Oh, hrm yeah, that seems really important. You would go back in, too. But---you can't. You are grappled and clipped and you can't break free. Falco, these manacles have been burning a hole in your pocket ever since you found 'em down in Xendrose's secret office. You clip them on, and a good thing, too, because bamboozled as Fela is, she'd just Misty Step right back in there. You secure her while she kicks savagely at Banx, who grunts and eats it, clinging like an edgelord-limpet. You set Xo straight about who you kill (hags) and who you do not work for (again, hags). His eyes narrow. He sees you have his ally bound up pretty good. He still can't reconcile a Hell Warlock and a paladin. He tries to be more conciliatory, but just to you. Killed them. How useful. They betrayed me, so. We could ally? You looking to kill the third? She makes old Mae look like a bug, makes Shellycoat look like a hummingbird. I got her A/S/L, and I know her weak spots. You like the wards? That last hag dead, and they are safe. Whatever, man. Just---get this down. He kicks at the invisible barrier. Bingle, now that your crew has Fela subdued, you guys are getting some Vapmire blandishments and offers, but you keep your focus on the little fairy. TARPPED! 1000 YEARS! Until YOU! HAPPENED! ALONG! This is your mission, is it not? To happen along? Hey, the Vapmire says. Hey, Bingle--- His eyes are beautiful dark pits. It is very hard not to stare right down into that bad beauty. SLAP! Halran's suckery finger pads attach and pump magic into the little fairy while the Vapmire is being all budsy-offery with Falco. POOF. Mad Robin is Nivisibel! If only she wasn't so loud. You can hear her take sudden flight up and away from your frog-friend, Her wings beat the air into drums, and the wind of them is the scree-scraw of a wild viola. His gaze tears off of you, and he whirls, FAST FAST, just as she said, and he snatches at the air. You hear the viola shriek out a long unrhythmic WAAAAAAAA as he knocks a hand into her, but he doesn't get her. She doesn't obey you, though. She does not go up the tube. Here is how you know. She flies right into your face, tiny, the size of a pencil, flapping at you, icy wings buffeting your cheeks, spangling snow into your lashes, her wing-music a lunatic's melody, so loud. Now you can make out the outline of her, her wild white hair billowing, ear-beads a-jingle. She shrieks right in your face, TURN YOUR BACK! HE WAS CATTING YOU, YOU MOUSIES, SURE HE HAD YOU, UNTIL YOU GOT THE SHACKLES ON HIS THRALL! LOOK AWAY! HE CAN DO IT AGAIN! HE WILL DO IT TO ALL OF YOU, LOOK AWAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY. Tumble, staying up out of his line of sight is looking like a better plan every minute.