Neera might not be the most perceptive individual but. . .
"Hey, Aerie. Are you alright? You look cute but in a 'someone hug me' sort of way as opposed to the kindhearted cuteness you normally have."
Before Aerie can respond Neera hugs Aerie, "I don't really know what your issue is but know we're your friends. You guys don't complain about my Wild Magic turning monsters pink so I'm sure we can help you with whatever you need, right?"
"Neera..." Aerie murmured as she felt another swell of tears behind her eyes. She quickly blinked them away as she pulled apart from her companion. "Th-Thank you for your thoughtfulness... But I'm afraid there is no helping me."
All of you get down safely, and follow the path down to where the path splits, to the east, Jaheria can see an alarming but safe climb down to the first lake, with many abundant handholds. the path also continues to the west.
"It is better to climb to the water, for we can see what lies in wait for us." She wasn't intimidated by climbing out-of-doors, and didn't see any reason that the others should be.
Before moving on Neera will grab Aerie's hand and place a small stone in it. The teal stone that had permenant light cast on it.
"Here, just hold it as a reminder that things that are chaotic and crazy like my wild magic can create beautiful things like this. Sometimes what you think is a curse could be a blessing. You wouldn't believe the number of times a Wild Surge has gotten me out of a sticky situation. Anyway, let's climb this lake-thing!"
Aerie said nothing as she watched Neera go. She gazed at the stone in her hands, rubbed her thumb against its smooth surface, before putting it safely away into her pocket. Then she followed her party members and began to climb.
Aerie said nothing as she watched Neera go. She gazed at the stone in her hands, rubbed her thumb against its smooth surface, before putting it safely away into her pocket. Then she followed her party members and began to climb.
OOC: A sweet moment that I won't blow up with Jaheira's acerbic sarcasm!
Okay, Minsc leads the party down, and onto a sheet of ice. The ice, while slippery, is sturdy enough to support the party. To the east is a small side canyon that appears empty. Asleep beneath an even blanket of pure, white snow, the land is still. Apart from the icy wind and the scudding clouds, nothing stirs- or does it? Out of the corner of your eye, you seem to catch a movement. What had seemed to be an innocuous white shape resolves itself into two large, crouching white cats. Without warning, they spring forward and bound towards you in a flurry of scattered snowflakes.
You are under attack! The cats, because of surprise, get the first attack.
One cat leaps at Neera, the other at Anomen. One claws Neera for 2 points damage. The other bites Anomen for 6. Now, normal combat starts- Simultaneous initiative. Both cats spring at Aerie, who is sans armor. Both hit. Aerie is hit with two claws and two bites for 11 points damage total and goes down. (she is at -6). But, since it is simultaneous, you get an action this round.
Both cats spring at Aerie, who is sans armor. Both hit. Aerie is hit with two claws and two bites for 11 points damage total and goes down. (she is at -6). But, since it is simultaneous, you get an action this round.
OOC: Oddly appropriate, considering Aerie's current state of mind.
Aerie raised her staff, prepared to defend herself, when the cats snuck up on her. Her spine hit the ground in a thud, and she tried to bat them off of her, but it was a meager effort, her heart someplace else.
What is the point in fighting when I'm already broken?
So was her last conscious thought, before the darkness took her.
Neera will say, "Oops, are these friends of yours? If so could you tell them to not kill us? No? Alright then, we'll just have to do this the hard way!"
Neera will jump back away from her attacker and casts MAGIC MISSILE!
"Quiet, child," Jaheira growled at Neera, who was being silly. Out here, in nature, species fought for dominance, and these cats were no different. Still, she'd rather not slay them. Changing into bear form, she roared loudly, hoping to send the animals packing.
*Jaheira -> bear -> Intimidate Check (I know, v3.0/3.5)...
Neera's magic missile hits for maximum damage, then Anomen hits the cat, nearly killing it. Jaheira turns into a bear. Aerie does nothing. Minsc misses. Alora misses. Ajantis hits the second cat, but it is still up. Arkanis misses.
Round 2- also simultaneous initiative. Minsc hits the second cat. Alora misses. Jaheira misses. Anomen brings Aerie up to 1 hp. The cats strike at Alora, who takes 9 damage, knocking her down to 3 hp. Minsc hits and kills one of the cats. Ajantis kills the second cat.
You take a moment to breathe. The cold wind wails around you, as cold as the laws of nature that you nearly fell victim to.
About a mile ahead, you see a side valley, and beyond that, a sheet of ice across the southern end of the lake, plus a stream spurting from it. You can't see where it goes from your current location, though. From what you remember of the view from the bird's nest, it leads lower down the mountain.
In the darkness, Aerie's consciousness stirred. Pain throbbed in her every limb--including the humps where her missing wings had once grown--though it was not as grievous as before. She opened her eyes to see Anomen hovering over her, and had to squint against the blinding light.
Anomen? Oh... Her face fell as she realized, and remembered. I guess I'm not dead after all.
Some small part of Aerie knew she should be grateful, that she should cherish the air in her lungs and companion leaning over her. Yet instead, she felt only indifference. She briefly met Anomen's gaze before looking down again, and nodded as she slowly stood.
Alora is very pleased to be the centre of attention - especially since the attention comes from her fellow paladin and a very impressive bear. Pretty soon she forgets to look unhappy and is raring to go again.
Neera sort of worriedly looks over at Aerie but looks relieved when she's ok. For now Neera will stand back. Aerie probably just needs some time alone.
Comments
"Here, just hold it as a reminder that things that are chaotic and crazy like my wild magic can create beautiful things like this. Sometimes what you think is a curse could be a blessing. You wouldn't believe the number of times a Wild Surge has gotten me out of a sticky situation. Anyway, let's climb this lake-thing!"
Alora is happy to go first.
OOC: Minsc, "I will be the last....and you will go first"
You are under attack! The cats, because of surprise, get the first attack.
Actions, party?
Aerie raised her staff, prepared to defend herself, when the cats snuck up on her. Her spine hit the ground in a thud, and she tried to bat them off of her, but it was a meager effort, her heart someplace else.
What is the point in fighting when I'm already broken?
So was her last conscious thought, before the darkness took her.
Neera will jump back away from her attacker and casts MAGIC MISSILE!
Second round he will attempt to stabilize Aerie with his one and only CLW.
*Jaheira -> bear -> Intimidate Check (I know, v3.0/3.5)...
OOC: FOR ALORA!
Round 2- also simultaneous initiative. Minsc hits the second cat. Alora misses. Jaheira misses. Anomen brings Aerie up to 1 hp. The cats strike at Alora, who takes 9 damage, knocking her down to 3 hp. Minsc hits and kills one of the cats. Ajantis kills the second cat.
You take a moment to breathe. The cold wind wails around you, as cold as the laws of nature that you nearly fell victim to.
Anomen? Oh... Her face fell as she realized, and remembered. I guess I'm not dead after all.
Some small part of Aerie knew she should be grateful, that she should cherish the air in her lungs and companion leaning over her. Yet instead, she felt only indifference. She briefly met Anomen's gaze before looking down again, and nodded as she slowly stood.