Thirteen 2 session 16
Summary
The mornig following the attack, the grooup packs up to try and get to the safety of the village - they move slowly due to Svald's injuries. Gillis takes her people, leaving the party and Skalla's people with the wagons, to bring news and hopefully help. That night, the camp is stalked again. Lucas uts up some protective wards, and the creature waits until Hildie is on watch to attack - as it howls, Svald screams. Lucas goes to check on them, and they are drawn into a spiritual encounter where they speak with Maja Verasdottir, who tells them of her curse and that she has lost her protective talisman. They tell her they won't lwt her hurt anyone else, and will try and help her. They manage to trap her possessed form in the wards instead, and guard her until morning.
Session
- Session date: 2022-05-29
- In Game date: immediately following the previous session
From Camp to Camp
<Narrator> All right, camp is quiet for the rest of the night. Or, at least, nothing happens. Up to y'all whether you're quiet or not. What's your plan the next morning?
<Lucas> I'll check on Svald
* Hildie will check on Svald.
<Narrator> It was probably not a great night for them, but they're still alive. The wounds look as good as they can, no sign of an infection or anything as yet.
<Skalla> check on the attack site by daylight, thugh I'm not expecting to find anything new, and maybe also check in with other guards and folks to make sure anyone who is upset has someone to look in on them as well - but I want to get moving to see if we can meet up with the group we're here to meet, also, as that's probably the safest place to be and maybe get answers or help.
<Narrator> You can easily find the attack site, but, yeah, there's not really going to be anything new by daylight. The creature seems to have run off towards the north-northeast.
<Hildie> (Is Svald conscious?)
<Narrator> (Mostly perpendicular to your route to Hàkialàhkàt)
<Narrator> (In and out of consciousness.)
<Narrator> (They can be awake if you want to talk to them.)
<Narrator> (Were folks wanting to talk to them?)
* Hildie looks like maybe she wants to but can't figure out what to say.
<Hildie> You're... you're gonna be ok. We'll get you back to town and on your feet again.
<Narrator> (Lucas, why don't you roll a Lore check for checking on them.)
<Lucas> (ok)
<Lucas> !roll 4d3-2
* Lan-werk rolls for Lucas: [ 4d3-2 ] getting [ 3 1 2 3 ] for a total of [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ -2 ] totals [ 7 ].
<Narrator> They're doing better than expected, and you can probably move them without exacerbating the damage.
<Lucas> You're doing better than I was expecting, that's good.
* Svald smiles weakly
<Lucas> We should still take it easy, but we can move you without making things worse, I think.
<Svald> I'm ready to leave...
<Narrator> Skalla, it's two days' travel to Hàkialàhkàt, or you could try to push and get there in one day, but you'd likely get there in the evening sometime. What do you want to do?
<Skalla> (man I hadn't even considered Svald being too injured to move :x)
<Skalla> (No, not pushing, see above, but maybe send a party ahead)
<Welumque> Skalla, we need to take our time getting back. We can't put Svald at any further risk.
<Skalla> I know. I'll take it as slow as we can, unless we run into weather.
<Narrator> (Svald, roll me Physique)
<Svald> !roll 4d3-7
* Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 1 2 2 1 ] for a total of [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ -1 ].
<Narrator> (It's definitely not a fun trip for Svald, but they don't actually get any worse.)
* Svald tries to keep quiet as we go over the rough terrain.
<Narrator> (Can I get everyone else to roll me Notice, please?)
<Skalla> (Maybe we can send some of Gillis's poepal ahead since this is techncially her part of the expedition)
<Hildie> 4d3-6
<Welumque> !roll 4d3-7
* Lan-werk rolls for Welumque: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 2 1 1 1 ] for a total of [ 5 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ -2 ].
<Welumque> (noooope)
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-6
* Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 1 2 1 3 ] for a total of [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Narrator> (They can go on ahead either ahorse or on foot and leave y'all with the wagons and draft animals, if you want.)
<Skalla> (If they are okay with that, then yes)
<Narrator> (They can do that, then. That'll leave the PCs, plus like 2 guards and say 4 teamsters.)
<Skalla> (okay)
<Narrator> (I still need a couple Notice rolls)
<Skalla> (Oh I missed that, sorry)
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-7
* Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 2 1 1 1 ] for a total of [ 5 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ -2 ].
<Lucas> !roll 4d3-6
* Lan-werk rolls for Lucas: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 2 3 2 1 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 2 ].
<Pierre> !roll 4d3-7
* Lan-werk rolls for Pierre: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 1 3 1 3 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Narrator> You manage to find a reasonably defensible spot for a camp for the night, circling the wagons.
<Narrator> (When do you want to stop to camp?)
<Lucas> (I would advocate for earlier rather than later, for Svald to get a break)
<Welumque> (same, and also I'm an old lady and need my rest)
<Skalla> (yeah, as long as we can still make it the next ay without having to push too hard)
* Hildie has not slept in a long while so ditto
<Narrator> (That's workable)
<Narrator> You stop well before nightfall and set up. What do you want to do about watches for the evening?
* Hildie will take a later watch so she can sleep a bit first.
<Lucas> I'll take an early one.
<Skalla> (That's fine - I would like to set up watches in pairs though, for those who are able to take them)
<Narrator> (Well, you've got twelve people total)
<Narrator> (11 capable of watch)
<Skalla> (I'll let Welumque off the hook unless she wants to take one. but yes, doubles for watches for sure)
<Hildie> (So five pairs, two hours each.)
Lucas hears something on the first watch, and they set up precautions
<Narrator> Okay, I'm not gonna make everyone roll Notice again. Lucas, if you're on the first watch, you (and whoever's on with you, and whoever might still be up) will hear something wandering around nearby.
* Skalla might be awake but not 'up' persey
<Lucas> !roll 4d3-6
* Lan-werk rolls for Lucas: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 1 3 2 2 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 2 ].
<Lucas> (oh sorry, you said I don't have to roll again, whoops)
* Lucas will get Skalla up when he hears the noise
<Lucas> There's someone or something wandering around
<Skalla> Get Hildie too
* Skalla says, fetching her gun
* Lucas will go get Hildei
<Lucas> (Hildie)
* Hildie will grunt blearily and get up.
* Skalla will take a lot around
* Hildie grabs her rifle.
<Narrator> (Take a look, I assume?)
<Skalla> (yes)
<Narrator> (Okay, *now
* roll me Notice :P )
<Hildie>
<w>
<to Lucas> Is it back? There's no way it followed us, is there?
* Hildie will grab her sword as well.
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-7
* Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 2 1 1 1 ] for a total of [ 5 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ -2 ].
<Skalla> (Why am I blind)
<Lucas> (what do I think?)
<Skalla> (Can I use a fate point to re-roll, using I take care of my own?)
<Narrator> (I'm okay with that)
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-7
* Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 3 1 3 1 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Narrator> (Lucas, there's really no way of telling, though you do think that whatever's out there isn't small.)
<Lucas> I'm not sure, it's big though.
<Hildie>
<w> Great...
* Hildie will also start scanning the area.
<Skalla> Hildie's sword is the only thig that hurt it last time
<Narrator> (You can also roll Notice, Hildie)
<Hildie> !roll 4d8-6
<Skalla> I don't suppose you can do anythig that would help us fight spirits...
* Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d8-6 ] getting [ 8 8 2 3 ] for a total of [ 21 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 15 ].
<Hildie> (Let me try that again)
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-6
* Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 3 2 1 1 ] for a total of [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Narrator> Skalla, you're camped on a rise, with a cliff face at your back. Whatever is out there, it seems to be staying just into the treeline from where you are, between fifty and one hundred feet away, down a steep incline.
<Narrator> (Hildie, you get basically the same information.)
<Hildie> Maybe it's not as sure this time. We managed to hurt it. But why follow us?
<Hildie> Surely there's easier prey.
<Skalla> it might be something else.
* Skalla says, dubious
<Skalla> ... "WHO GOES?"
* Skalla yells in its general direction
<Narrator> It stops moving for a minute, and seems to move further back into the trees.
* Skalla frowns
<Skalla> "Show Yourself!"
<Narrator> That doesn't get a reaction that you see.
<Skalla> Well, we're not going after it.
* Skalla says firmly, though actaully what she woudl really like to do is... go after it ;)
<Hildie> Yeah, that seems like a smart plan.
<Skalla> (We'll try and keep track of where it is in the woods and wait and see if it does anything - if nothing after half an hour or so, I'm sending Hildie back to bed)
<Hildie> (lololo you can try)
<Narrator> (It doesn't approach any further than it had, but you do hear it creep back closer after a little while)
<Hildie> Should I fire a warning shot?
<Skalla> no
<Skalla> go to bed until your watch
<Hildie> You're joking, right?
<Skalla> you can't stay up all night twice in a row and be useful
<Hildie> There's no way I'm gonna be asleep when whatever that is decides to attack. Even if I wanted to sleep I doubt that's gonna happen now.
<Hildie> I'll sleep in the wagons tomorrow
* Skalla frowns, but nods
<Skalla> BUt really, Lucas - do you know of any way of fighting spirits, or things like this?
<Narrator> (Who's going to be on watch with Hildie? PC or NPC?)
<Hildie> (Persey)
<Narrator> (heh)
<Narrator> (Roll me Physique, Hildie)
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-5
* Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-5 ] getting [ 2 1 1 3 ] for a total of [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ -5 ] totals [ 2 ].
<Narrator> Okay, you're gonna manage to stay awake, but you're definitely feeling it.
<Narrator> (Roll me Notice one more time :P )
<Lucas> Fighting them? Not really like you mean... I guess defending against them is possible.
<Skalla> how do we do that?
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-6
* Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 3 3 3 3 ] for a total of [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 6 ].
<Lucas> (can I suggest some ways to maybe put up wards or any other defensive mechanisms I can think of)
<Narrator> (Yeah, I would imagine you have some warding magic)
<Lucas> (ok, I'll try to do that)
<Narrator> Lucas can detail some wardings signs he can put up for the time being, things that should keep out harmful spirits.
<Skalla> thank you.
<Narrator> (Lucas, roll me Lore)
<Lucas> !roll 4d3-4
* Lan-werk rolls for Lucas: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 3 3 1 1 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 4 ].
<Narrator> You take time to paint signs on the wagons that should deter spirits of harmful intent, and they feel like they should hold strong.
<Lucas> If people stay within the circle of the wagons I think that should be safe...
<Skalla> okay. I'll let the ther watches know - you should get some rest
* Lucas nods and will go try to rest, then
* Skalla will send the other person on watch to sleep also, and will stay up through her own watch and then try to sleep
On Hildie's watch, things gonuts again
<Narrator> Hildie, your watch being later, it's well into the night, but your darkvision compensates for that just fine. You see a large shape move slowly out of the woods and towards the camp.
* Hildie will ready her rifle.
<Hildie> Don't even think about it.
<Narrator> There's a familiar hoot-roar and it charges.
<Hildie> FUcking...
* Hildie drops the rifle and draws her sword.
* Hildie yells out for everyone else
Svald and Lucas have a spiritual encounter
<Narrator> Svald screams in their sleep at the same time as the hoot-roar.
* Lucas will go to Svald to check on them
<Narrator> The creature charges towards the wagons, but seems to recoil just before reaching them. It hoot-roars again, deafeningly loud. The horses are going wild.
<Narrator> Lucas, Svald is in distress, turning and groaning in their sleep.
* Hildie will move closer to it, holding the sword out, but careful not to get too near the circle
<Lucas> (can I tell anything about why - spiritually speaking, or due to pain/injury, or something else?)
* Lucas will try to wake Svald up, regardless
* Lucas will try to protect them spiritually, if I can (wards? or trying to sever whatever connection is between them and the beast?)
<Narrator> (Roll Lore for me, Lucas. Svald, roll Will)
<Svald> !roll 4d3-4
* Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 1 3 2 3 ] for a total of [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 5 ].
<Lucas> !roll 4d3-4
* Lan-werk rolls for Lucas: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 2 2 1 3 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 4 ].
<Narrator> (Svald and Lucas, can I get y'all over on #thirteen02 ?)
<Lucas> (sure)
<Svald> (kk)
<Narrator> Svald finds themself there, but they can hear hoot-roars in the distance. They don't feel injured, but the claw marks appear as jagged dark lines across their torso. Lucas, you find yourself there as well, having entered a trance to assist Svald.
<Lucas> I'm here to help you.
* Lucas says to Svald
<Svald> What's going on?
<Lucas> The creature is calling to you, I think. It wants you.
<Svald> ... But why?
<Lucas> I'm not sure. Maybe it formed some tie to you when it attacked you.
<Svald> That sounds... bad :
<
<Lucas> But together we can help break that connection.
* Svald looks up. "What do I have to do?"
<Narrator> The beast's call is getting closer.
<Svald> It's getting louder...
<Lucas> (what do I think would be best - meaning safest for Svald in this case?)
<Narrator> (You could try making a warding circle here, essentially a mental construct to keep the thing out. You'd need to draw the circle, then a beat and a dance.)
<Lucas> I'll do my best to ward it off from you. You put your energy towards keeping yourself safe and not letting it draw you closer.
* Svald nods.
<Svald> Alright...
* Lucas will begin putting up the circle
* Svald sits down and tries to ground themself.
<Narrator> The circle is fairly simple to trace, and Svald is managing to keep reasonably calm, given the circumstances. The dark wounds seem to be spreading, pulsing with each call from the beast.
* Svald winces
<Narrator> (Lucas, roll me Lore again)
<Lucas> !roll 4d3-4
<Lucas> (oh we don't have work Heather in here. I'll roll in the other room)
<Lucas> (3)
<Narrator> It's probably been a little while since you did something like this specific ritual dance, but you find it comes back to you easily enough. Just inside the circle, you move around Svald, keeping time with claps and singing. Svald, the wounds seem to soothe a little, pulsing now to Lucas's music.
<Narrator> At the edge of the clearing, the owlbear appears, red-eyed and glaring, stalking towards the circle.
<Narrator> It approaches, just at the edge of the circle, and stares in at Svald.
<Svald> (can we see this?)
<Narrator> (Yes)
<Narrator> (This is in the spiritual space you're both in right now)
* Lucas keeps up the dance and chanting, determined to keep it away from Svald
* Svald watches it apprehesively
<Narrator> Svald, with time to observe it, you get more of a sense of the creature, and it seems in pain more than anything.
<Svald> It's... hurting
* Svald pushes themself to standing.
* Lucas considers that, while still not letting the ward down.
<Svald> ... What do you want?
<Narrator> It makes a high whine and paws at the circle.
* Welumque (~Forthrigh@d24-57-67-2.home.cgocable.net) has joined #thirteen
* Lucas pauses for a moment
<Lucas> Do you want me to let it in? It's your choice. I'll protect you as much as I can.
<Svald> I.. I don't know
* Svald looks uncertain
<Svald> Maybe...
<Svald> (Can I sense its intent? :x)
<Narrator> (Roll Empathy)
<Svald> (can I use my animal affinity?)
<Narrator> (Yes)
<Svald> (6)
<Narrator> You can't say it's not dangerous, but it doesn't seem necessarily malicious.
<Svald> I don't feel any malice from it...
<Narrator> It's trying to get to you, but you don't think it means you harm.
<Lucas> A wolf or a bear isn't malicious either...
<Svald> It doesn't want to hurt me...
<Svald> I don't know *what
* it wants though...
* Lucas nods
* Svald cautiously approaches the edge of the circle.
* Lucas will carefully quiet the song and slow the dance until the creature may be able to approach, but is ready to start up again if it attacks.
<Narrator> The owlbear waits, staring at Svald as they approach.
<Svald> (can I reach out to its mind?)
<Narrator> (Sure. Roll Will)
<Svald> (1... can I invoke an aspect to roll again?)
<Lucas> (is there anything I can do to assist, also?)
<Svald> (powers attuned to nature or zemejas magical artist)
<Narrator> (Lucas, roll Lore)
<Narrator> (Svald, either or both of those would work)
<Svald> (6, much better)
<Lucas> (also 6 for me)
<Narrator> Lucas, you can change the cadence of what you're doing to allow for greater communication, and, Svald, you get intense feelings of fear, anger, sorrow, and most of all regret and loneliness.
<Svald> oh...
<Svald> So much pain...
<Svald> What can we do to give you peace?
<Svald> :
<
* Svald stands at the very edge of the circle.
<Narrator> It gives another whine and seems to look at your wounds.
* Svald touches one of the claw marks lightly, looks questioningly at Lucas, then back to the owlbear...
<Lucas> (is there any healing I could give the creature?)
<Narrator> (It doesn't seem to be wounded itself.)
<Lucas> (ok)
<Narrator> It looks at Svald almost...apologetically?
* Svald tentatively steps outside of the circle >.>
<Narrator> The creature whines, growls a bit, and backs away a little.
<Svald> It's alright... I think?
* Svald looks back at Lucas.
<Svald> (q) What should I do?
<Lucas> Hm...
<Lucas> I'm taking care of Svald. They will get better. You didn't kill them, and maybe you didn't even mean to hurt them?
* Lucas directs to the creature
<Narrator> It gives another hoot-roar, but it's short and seems more in distress than anger.
<Svald> I don't understand.
* Svald is betinning to be distressed as well.
<Svald> (beginning)
<Narrator> It looks like it might be...shrinking?
<Svald> Is me being outside making it worse?
* Svald gestures back toward the middle of the circle.
<Narrator> It shakes its head. Its features are shifting, changing.
* NPC1 (webchat@216.45.76.50) has joined #thirteen
<Svald> Oh...! :o
<Narrator> The fur and feathers give way to long black hair and a long black beard, the beast's form becoming that of an older dwarven woman. She's on her hands and knees, crying.
<Svald> Oh no...
* Svald goes to her side.
* NPC1 is now known as dwarven_woman
<Svald> WHat's happened?
<dwarven_woman> I'm sorry...
<dwarven_woman> I didn't mean to...
<Svald> I... I know
<Svald> How can we help?
<Lucas> Is this a curse on you?
<dwarven_woman> It has become one
<dwarven_woman> I'm sorry to have passed it on
<dwarven_woman> I...I need you to kill me.
<dwarven_woman> Out there.
<dwarven_woman> Before I hurt more people.
<Svald> ... what?
<dwarven_woman> My talisman broke. It was the only thing keeping it at bay.
<dwarven_woman> I should have done it myself years ago, but I was afraid.
<Svald> Couldn't we get another one? Make one?
<dwarven_woman> I thought, if I came out here, I would be far enough away.
* Svald looks at Lucas.
* dwarven_woman shakes her head.
<dwarven_woman> I don't think so. I got mine back in the old country.
* Lucas considers this
<Lucas> There is a sword - it came from the land across the ocean, very old. It could harm you, when nothing else could. Would that be something like your talisman?
<dwarven_woman> If it harmed me, it is blessed.
<dwarven_woman> That is the only thing that can hurt the beast.
<Lucas> What if we can find you another talisman?
<dwarven_woman> I don't want to hurt anyone else.
<Lucas> We will help you so you don't.
<dwarven_woman> How?
<Lucas> Well... I was able to keep you at bay. Maybe I can also keep you from going away to hunt.
<Svald> How long does the transformation last?
<dwarven_woman> Until sunrise.
<Svald> Every night or..?
* dwarven_woman nods.
<Lucas> Give us a chance to help you.
<Lucas> I promise that if we cannot do so, after trying all our options, we'll give you a clean end, if that is what you want.
* Svald nods.
* dwarven_woman pauses a moment.
<dwarven_woman> ...Just don't let me hurt anyone else.
<Lucas> All right.
Meanwhile, everyone else has a much more tense time, trying to keep the situation under control
* Skalla is up pretty quick
<Narrator> (You're pretty sure it's a combo of a spiritual affliction and their physical wounds.)
<Hildie> If you can understand me, get the hell out of here! You're not getting in this camp!
<Narrator> It begins pacing just outside the circle, glaring.
<Narrator> The head teamster rushes to try to calm the horses.
* Hildie keeps the swordpointed at it.
<Hildie> Don't leave the circle!
* Skalla will come and stand by Hildie
* Pierre will wake, freak out, and perhaps try to help the teamsters control the horses.
<Welumque> (can we all wake up? this sounds loud)
<Skalla> (I would imagine so)
<Narrator> (Oh, yeah, everyone can be up at this point)
* Welumque wakes up groggily, wondering where Lucas is ... and then hearing the screams, emerging to see what use she can be.
<Narrator> Pierre, roll...Rapport.
<Narrator> (Hildie, how close are you getting?)
* Skalla will tell her to stay in the fucking circle
<Hildie> (Not close enough for it to swipe at me)
<Skalla> (circle)
<Narrator> (Right, but, again, how close?)
<Narrator> (Just outside that range?)
<Hildie> (maybe like 8-10 feet from the edge of the circle)
<Narrator> (Okie doke)
<Skalla> Hildie! Don't be rash!
<Narrator> (Welumque, what did you want to do?)
* Hildie grits her teeth but takes a step back, still brandishing the sword.
<Narrator> The beast, larger than any normal bear (or owl, or owlbear), with jet black fur and dark gray feathers, stalks around the edge of the circle.
<Skalla> Get out of here - whatever you want, you're not getting.
* Skalla yells at it
<Narrator> It makes little rushing movements towards you, but can't seem to approach.
<Narrator> (Pierre, did you want to make that roll?)
<Pierre> (Rapport?)
<Pierre> (Or Empathy?)
<Pierre> !roll 4d3-6
* Lan-werk rolls for Pierre: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 3 2 1 1 ] for a total of [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Narrator> (Rapport. It's the active version.)
<Pierre> (I think I'll add a +2 to that, since I'm Always Willing To Help)
<Narrator> (Okie doke)
<Narrator> They still look like they want to bolt, but you manage to keep the horses from literally running off into danger.
* Welumque will stay near the wagons - I don't think I have any skills that would be helpful here
<Pierre> (Yay!)
<Narrator> You seem to all be at a stalemate with the beast; it can't breach the wards and you'd be in terrible danger if you left them.
<Hildie> What do we do? It's still a long time to daylight, if that will even help.
* Hildie asks Skalla
<Skalla> We wait it out for now. Help keep the horses and people calm. We've already sent for help - if we don't turn up tomorrow, they'll come looking.
<Lucas> !roll 4d3-4
* Lan-werk rolls for Lucas: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 1 2 2 2 ] for a total of [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 3 ].
<Welumque> How patient do we imagine this thing will be?
<Skalla> I don;t know. Lucas might - I think he was checking on Svald
<Hildie> I don't know. Yesterday I would have said there was no way it would track us all day. I don't want to underestimate it again.
<Welumque> Could it have tracked us by any normal means? I can't believe that.
<Skalla> we're not hard to follow
<Welumque> But what would motivate it to do so?
* Skalla says gesturing to the wagons
* Welumque tries not to look over at Svald
<Skalla> I don't know. It waited until Hildie was on watch to attack.
<Hildie> You think it's after me? Because I hurt it?
<Welumque> Hmmm ... perhaps.
<Skalla> I don't know.
<Narrator> !roll 4d4-8
* Lan-werk rolls for Narrator: [ 4d4-8 ] getting [ 1 3 1 4 ] for a total of [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ -8 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Narrator> (err)
<Narrator> !roll 4d3-8
* Lan-werk rolls for Narrator: [ 4d3-8 ] getting [ 1 1 1 3 ] for a total of [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ -8 ] totals [ -2 ].
<Svald> !roll 4d3-4
* Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 2 3 2 3 ] for a total of [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 6 ].
<Svald> !roll 4d3-4
* Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 1 1 2 1 ] for a total of [ 5 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Svald> !roll 4d3-4
* Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 3 3 3 1 ] for a total of [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 6 ].
<Narrator> (Did any of y'all want to go check on Svald and Lucas?)
<Welumque> (I want to but i also don't want to be eaten)
<Lucas> !roll 4d3-4
* Lan-werk rolls for Lucas: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 3 1 3 3 ] for a total of [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 6 ].
<Narrator> (Well, they're within the circle of the wagons' safety)
* Pierre (Mibbit@bras-base-mtrlpq4396w-grc--65-92-225-84.dsl.bell.ca) Quit (Quit: https://mibbit.com Online IRC Client )
<Skalla> (I will stay with HIldie keeping an eye on the physical creature unless called away to deal with something else)
<Welumque> (same - staying with Skalla and Hildie)
<Hildie> (Yeah, I have the only weapon we know can hurt it so I'm staying here...)
<Narrator> (okie doke)
<Skalla> (I guess if it goes on long enough I might step away to check on Lucas and svald, but I'm not sure how long what they are doing is r=taing in real time)
<Narrator> (Probably not that long, really)
<Skalla> (Yeah, probably not long enough for her to step away)
* Pierre (Mibbit@bras-base-mtrlpq4396w-grc--65-92-225-84.dsl.bell.ca) has joined #thirteen
<Narrator> The creature becomes more frantic in its approaches, throwing itself against the wards.
<Hildie> It doesn't seem very... patient.
<Skalla> no.
<Narrator> It's getting concerningly close to the wagons, managing some claw marks on them.
<Skalla> I don't knwo what's changed
<Skalla> I'm going to get Lucas
* Skalla will slip away to go find the halfling
<Narrator> You'll find Lucas in a trance-like state, holding Svald's hand.
<Skalla> ...fuck
* Skalla looks back to where the creature is railing against the wards
<Skalla> Welumque!
<Welumque> Yes!
* Welumque hurries over to see what she can do
* NPC1 is now known as dwarven_woman
<Skalla> they're doing...something
<Skalla> I don't think... we can help? But can you keep watch on them?
<Welumque> I can.
<Skalla> thank you.
* Welumque says, with more firmness than she feels.
* Skalla will squeeze her shoulder, and go back to Hildie
<Skalla> They're doing... spirit things. that's probably what's riling it up.
<Hildie> Oh. Great.
<Welumque> Lucas is young, but I trust him with such matters. He'll find a solution.
<Skalla> and Svald
* Pierre (Mibbit@bras-base-mtrlpq4396w-grc--65-92-225-84.dsl.bell.ca) Quit (Quit: https://mibbit.com Online IRC Client )
* Pierre (Mibbit@bras-base-mtrlpq4396w-grc--65-92-225-84.dsl.bell.ca) has joined #thirteen
Lucas and Svald recover from their trance, and propose a plan
<Narrator> Lucas and Svald, you both find yourselves coming back to the waking world. Svald, you think your wounds might not feel as bad just now.
<Narrator> You can still hear the hoot-roars of the owlbear.
<Svald> uuugh...
<Svald> Have to stop her... but don't kill her
* Lucas looks around to see if he can see any of the others
<Lucas> (who is nearby?)
<Narrator> Presumably, you can see them outside near the wagons.
<Svald> (welumque is here though, right?)
* Welumque has been keeping watch faithfully.
<Welumque> (not sure exactly where that places me in relation to you)
<Lucas> The creature is a dwarven woman under a curse or a transformation... she wants to stop hurting people, she came out here to try and keep from doing harm to others. She said she used to have a talisman that kept it at bay but it broke. I told her we'd try to help.
<Narrator> (Oh, yes, then she's in the tent with you)
<Lucas> I think we can let her in, she doesn't mean harm, but she may not be under control. I'll try to keep her from doing harm to others until we can find a way to help her.
<Welumque> All right, what do you need me to do?
<Lucas> well... she said the talisman came from 'the old country' and she didn't think we could find one here. Maybe it's something Skalla and Hildie know about, if she's from their lands?
* Welumque nods.
<Lucas> Can you talk to them about this, while I try to make sure she won't harm anyone if I let down the wards?
<Welumque> All right.
* Welumque heads out and goes to talk to the others.
<Welumque> (not sure who all is around, but if you're here, great!)
* Lucas will go to try and ... reposition the wards (or wagons) to try and circle her, instead of us. basically try to keep her inside them so she can't hurt anyone.
<Welumque> All right, so here's what we know. The beast is not truly a beast, but a dwarven woman, cursed in some way.
<Welumque> Once, she had a talisman of some sort, that kept her from transforming into the beast. But now it is broken, so she says, and the beast is unchecked.
<Skalla> ...the trapper?
<Narrator> (Lucas, that *might be possible, but it's certainly risky, and you won't be able to do it by yourself. It's gonna take pretty much everyone eorked together.)
<Lucas> (ok. well, I'll wait until the explanation is done and then suggest it to people.)
<Welumque> She's come out here to avoid hurting people ... I suppose she thought this was empty land, which is foolish, but there we are.
<Welumque> Lucas and Svald have proposed to her to try to find or build a new talisman. But it is not of this country but from the east, from her homeland.
<Welumque> I know little of such artifacts.
<Pierre> ...who cursed her?
<Welumque> I don't know.
<Pierre> If we could find that person, couldn't they remove the curse?
<Hildie> (I'm going to assume I know nothing about dwarven anti-were-owlbear amulets...)
<Skalla> (WOuld I have heard of anything like this or know what she is talkign about with a talisman like this? Would that eba lore roll?)
<Skalla> (be a)
<Narrator> (Lore, yeah)
<Skalla> (roll 4d3-7)
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-7
* Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 1 2 2 3 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Narrator> You don't know anything specific, but there are certainly tales of shapeshifters in your country's history.
<Narrator> So presumably some people have known how to deal with them.
<Pierre> (Oh, let me try! Lore, right?)
<Narrator> (yeah)
<Hildie> (I guess I will also give it a shot? Maybe grandma said something...)
<Pierre> !roll 4d3-7
* Lan-werk rolls for Pierre: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 3 1 3 2 ] for a total of [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ 2 ].
<Hildie> !roll 4d3
* Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3 ] getting [ 1 2 1 2 ] for a total of [ 6 ].
<Skalla> I've heard of shapeshifters... but I don't know anything about them. Someone else might.
<Hildie> (That should be -8 so... -2)
<Pierre> (I'll throw another +2 on there for the Immigrant part of "Hopeful and Hardworking Immigrant")
<Narrator> Pierre, you know that blessed items are usually what's used against them, and there are Gaulois tales of saints who both fought and/or were shapeshifters themselves.
<Narrator> But nothing in specific about talismans for controlling it.
<Hildie> That makes sense... grandma was very pious. She would have had her sword blessed before battle.
<Skalla> okay...
<Skalla> how long will her transformation last?
<Welumque> I don't know.
<Lucas> until sunrise
<Skalla> can we hold outb that long?
<Lucas> I want to try and move the wagons to surround her - ward her in instead of out
<Hildie> That's gonna be... dangerous.
<Skalla> I'm not willing to put anyone else at risk
<Skalla> If we can hold out for now, we will. We can talk with her in the morning, and come up with a plan.
<Hildie> And if she breaks through?
<Skalla> Is she after Svald?
<Lucas> If there is nothing we can do - I promised her a clean death. But I also promised we would try to help her if we can.
* Welumque nods.
<Skalla> hah, well. We can try to give her that.
* Skalla looks at Hildie.
* Hildie nods.
* Skalla looks out towards the owlbear again
<Skalla> do you think we could trap her if she did charge through here though?
<Lucas> I can try - maybe I can prepare a ward facing inwards, so if she breaks through, we can go out of the circle?
* Skalla nods
* Lucas will start trying to do that
<Skalla> like a lobster trap ;)
<Narrator> (Roll Lore, Lucas)
<Hildie> Ugh... lobster.
<Lucas> !roll 4d3-4
* Lan-werk rolls for Lucas: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 3 1 3 1 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 4 ].
<Narrator> It'll take some time, but you can set up a trap ward.
<Narrator> It *should
* hold fine.
<Hildie> Let's hope it doesn't have to.
<Hildie> (Oh, sorry, I thought someone had said that out loud :P )
<Skalla> (I think from here its a waiting game)
<Narrator> (Okay, so is the plan to just have the trap ready if she breaks through, or to specifically open the outer wards to bring her into the trap?)
<Lucas> (I am in favour of bringing her into the trap, but if others think that's too risky, we can wait and see what happens?)
<Skalla> (I think it is too risky, yeah)
<Skalla> (If she breaks through we can establish how we will try and make l=sure she comes for it though)
<Narrator> (Okay, so what's the plan if she does break through?)
<Skalla> (Well no one answered whether she was after Svald, so probably work with HIldie to try and taunt her into it
<Lucas> (get Svald out of the circle and try to ... seal the wereowlbear in, to whatever extent that I can)
<Narrator> (Which of those? Or both?)
<Skalla> (I think both can work - lucas gets svald out, we draw her in, Lucas closes the trap?
<Lucas> (well, other people besides me can get Svald out. probably only I can seal in the wereowlbear. but I'd want to make sure that *someone* is getting Svald out.)
<Narrator> (Okie doke)
<Skalla> (Yeah - PIerre can get them, maybe, he's a strapping lad ;)
<Pierre> (Um... okay?)
<Narrator> I'm going to assume you can all manage not to nod off. ;)
<Narrator> The wereowlbear does seem to be breaking through the wards bit by bit.
<Narrator> It's going to be a long, tense night of waiting.
<Narrator> Lucas, you can probably feel when the wards are on their last legs.
<Skalla> (Yeah if it is clear that she *will* break in, then we can go to Lucas's plan)
<Lucas> The wards are going to give soon...
* Lucas will warn people
<Skalla> (In which case it might be a matter of waiting until she's in a convenient place, throwing herself against them, to let them down and let intertia carry her into the trap ;)
<Skalla> okay, let's get ready
<Narrator> (Any particular preparations involved in getting ready?)
<Svald> :x
<Lucas> (make sure the horses can also get away?)
<Lucas> (so they aren't stuck in the circle with her)
<Skalla> (I don't think we have any other weapons or anything - though you know, I will ask the guards and teamsters, just in case ;) But otherise, trying to create some barriers for people between her and them, for those who won't be involved, and getting them to move the horses, and possibly ready to get on said hoirses and book it if this doesn't work. Prioritize non-combattants for that.)
<Narrator> (Assume the ward trap is only like a 10' circle or so)
<Narrator> (okie doke, you can manage all those things)
<Narrator> The camp is as ready as it's going to be.
<Skalla> okay. Let's do it.
* Welumque nods.
* Skalla wishes we had a really big net
* Lucas will get ready
<Narrator> With another hoot-roar, she charges the circle of wagons.
<Narrator> Lucas can drop the wards just as she reaches them, and she rushes into the camp.
<Narrator> (So Skalla and Hildie will try to get her attention while Pierre gets Svald out of there?)
<Skalla> HEY
<Skalla> (yes)
<Narrator> (Roll Provoke)
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-7
* Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 2 3 2 2 ] for a total of [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ 2 ].
<Skalla> (I'll use a fate point to add +2 for, again - take care of my own >.>)
<Narrator> You get to stare down the beast again as it roars and barrels down towards you, crossing the ward trap as it does.
<Skalla> (this better woooork D: :D)
<Narrator> It again slams into an invisible wall, none too far from Skalla, clawing ineffectually at the air.
<Narrator> The ward trap seems to be holding...
<Skalla> Good
* Svald watches anxiously.
* Skalla glances at the sky to try and gauge how loing we have until morning now'
<Narrator> You'd guess a few hours.
<Narrator> Now it's a different kind of tense waiting game, but, as the hours pass, the beast doesn't break through. As the first light of dawn creeps over the mountains, the beast shifts, and there is instead a haggard, tired-looking dwarven woman, who collapses unconscious within the ward trap.
<Narrator> You're all barely more conscious, really, but best to get a move on.
