NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Nephis" data-source="post: 9231998" data-attributes="member: 20459">As they all take a moment to catch their collective breath and to bind any lingering wounds, NEMO is still in shock about the Raven Queen's gift to him. Abaddon had certainly had their eye on Jendi throughout their conversation - in fact, even now, he is watching the warlock very closely - and yet the ... did Abaddon say "Duskmaiden"? - is offering the gift to him. The halfling is beyond surprised and feels unworthy. Yet Abaddon did explain the reason for the gift: "you are brave beyond your size and your years, little one, and despite your extreme fear, you stood up to a mighty fell Demon Lord ... and won!" Indeed, the Raven Queen's immortal servant went on to say that even if he had not won that moment, it was his having the courage to attempt the act that won him the prize.  Nemo looks over at his friend and finds that Jendi is actually already regarding him. The warlock gives him a brief smile and a slight nod before turning to contemplate the Duskmaiden's servant staring back at him.[HR][/HR]MYLISTRA calls the company to her side when she is ready. As they look at the gathered tools and components before her - a stone bowl holding some herbs which have been crushed and mixed with a gleaming yellow powder made from precious stone, her ritual knife - she explains to those unfamiliar (Jendi and Nemo) what they are for and what the ritual will do, particularly in terms of empowering those who have need from the loan of their companion's power. She has the two boys sit facing one another, hands clasped, eyes almost closed, and wraps string around their wrists, only loosely tied. Then she sits facing her dear Toriq, whose hands are held ready to hold hers. But first the payment must be made, and she has determined that today she will be the one to pay it. The witch picks up her ritual knife and cuts a slice across her palm, allowing the blood to drip into the bowl. Laying the knife down across the bowl, Mylistra places her hands into Toriq's (no binding necessary, for they are both familiar with this ritual and will make no necessary movement to disturb it). [HR][/HR]This is TORIQ's favorite moment, when the ritual takes hold. She listens to her friend murmur incantations to Sehanine and watches as the dripping blood turns into a silvery blue chain of tiny links, in turn connecting into a string that reaches out to both sets of held hands, circling the wrists. Some of the light enters into the wound on Mylistra's palm, healing it instantly, for the payment has been made. After the ritual has been completed, the halforc feels invigorated and more prepared for their next battle, for battle there will surely be if there are others below who threaten the natural world above, especially her beloved Dryope. They will learn what it means to threaten Toriq's love and world.  [HR][/HR]After everyone has had a moment to tend to their wounds and to recover from the ritual, JENDI takes a moment to think through the myriad of things he would love to have answered about anything to do with the Duskmaiden. How can he possibly choose between them all? But he does, and thus he is prepared when Abaddon addresses the warlock directly: "So, young Jendi, have you decided on what you wish to know?" the Duskmaiden's messenger asks. From the smug smile on their face, Jendi senses that not only is his question already known but also that the warlock will do all that he can to continue their journey downward. After all they must thwart whatever else is still threatening Toriq's Beloved's grove. Yes, but Jendi is sure that his true desire is transparent: the messenger knows that he already knew about the armor before suggesting this journey in Dryope's aid. No matter: Jendi has never doubted that his Queen has known all along, and why should he hide his desires from her, anyway? He serves her however he may. "Yes," he now answers Abaddon, "tell us the Tale of the Fallen Champion." Jendi hopes that in hearing this tale, he will understand how the champion fell and thus how to avoid the pitfalls himself.[HR][/HR] The gang's HPs, APs, and Surges remaining:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">JENDI: ends combat @ 14/26 HP, spends 2 Surges during Short Rest; gains 1 Surge after Comrades' Succor; Result: 26/26, 1 AP, 2/8 Surges remaining</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">MYLISTRA: ends combat @ 24/24 HP; spends 1 Surge and 10 gp mystic salves as component cost to pay for ritual (Comrades' Succor), loses 1 Surge after Comrades' Succor; Result: 24/24, 1 AP, 2/7 Surges remaining</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">NEMO: ends combat @ 24/24 HP; loses 1 Surge after Comrades' Succor; Result: 24/24, 2 APs, 3/7 Surges remaining</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">TORIQ: ends combat @ 23/30 HP, spends 1 Surge during Short Rest; gains 1 Surge after Comrades' Succor; Result: 30/30, 1 AP, 3/10 Surges remaining</li> </ul>Jendi's Religion check: r12 +8 = 20 vs. 19 Hard DCNemo received the Raven's Queen's Shroud (Boon)</blockquote>

Verification