An Enclave of Handmaidens Final Part
General Summary
Session took place on 5-7-2025
Players present: Sam, Mo, Kelly
(In game: August 3 - 4, 1272)
The group in Yrsa's hut takes stock of all that had happened and what had been said that long day and evening. Wolfface was the first to speak, suggesting that since it seemed that some of the members of the group had been waking up weak occasionally that perhaps it would be a good idea to keep a watch throughout the enclave. Duno, for her part, decided that she would have too much trouble staying awake and was worried that she was beginning to feel under the weather. She decided to go back to their makeshift camp by where the boat was moored and update Zune and Xeneva on all that had happend and what they had discovered.
It would turn out to be a decision that put the party in more peril than they could have ever imagined.
Stepping out of Yrsa's hut, Vorand Bas decided that he would keep a watch near the building where Haldor was held. Wolfface, concerned for Myenna's safety, decided that keeping a watch over her small hut would be prudent. Avallach would be the lucky elf to keep a watch on Selvianne's abode.
The trio crept to their positions and waited. Until midnight, nothing seemed amiss... and then Avallach heard the creaking of a door. The new moon concealed whatever had made the noise, but Avallach could just make out movement of what could only be the cat, Varessa, as it passed the elf's position and made its way towards the main area of the enclave. Avallach, possessing one of a pair of magical rings, sent a short message to Vorand Bas:
Avallach decided to sit and observe, lest Selvianne herself also make an appearance.
Soon enough the cat came into the Witcher's view. The guard was still posted guarding the small building that Haldor was being held in. The light of the guard's torch confirmed that Avallach was correct. Varessa was on the move.
The cat angled toward Myenna's hut. Wolfface spotted the cat and was ready for it to enter the woman's hut. But Varessa padded past Myenna's hut. The cat then slowed down at the next hut and rounded the corner out of view.
The Witcher made a decision: He was going to figure out just what was going on. He rose from his spot and passed the guard. The guard looked over at the movement and raised an eyebrow, nodding, "Witcher." Bas motioned for her to be quiet and made his way towards the hut. Wolfface could see this and made ready, but stayed where he was at, so he did not give away his postion.
Vorand rounded the corner and saw no sign of the cat... at first. Looking at the hut, he could see in the dim light that there was slat window that would have been very difficult to fit through even if the slats were removed. He crept to the sill and examined it. Faint, very faint, traces of the crystalline residue could be seen. In that moment, the Witcher made the decision.
He rounded back the corner to where the front door was located. Drawing his silver sword, he took a deep breath and then battered the door open immediately laying down the sign of Yrden. He saw for the briefest moment the following: Varessa the cat sitting on the chest of a sleeping handmaiden her fangs plunged into the neckline... and then Yrden forced the truth: The cat was no longer a cat, but a sallow faced, lithe woman with fangs and red lank hair. An alp!
In that same moment, Avallach heard a commotion from Selvianne's cabin. The door swung open and Selvianne began to sprint towards the enclave. Never had Avallach seen a Human woman, much less one suspected to be older than she looked, ran so fast. By the time Avallach gave pursuit, he had lost sight of her. He sent another message:
Meanwhile, Vorand's hand flew to where kept his potions and the Black Blood hit his throat just as he registered Varessa's screaming blast begin to build up. He dove out of the way, angling into the cabin to avoid being shot out the doorway, just in time as the scream crescendoed knocking the handmaiden's personal effects about as if a tornado had it them.
Then, the fight was on!
Silver and claws flashed in exchange and both were scathed within seconds in the confinement of the cabin. The Witcher noticed that the woman had not woken up, most likely due to Somniferous Saliva, further confirming that he was dealing with an alp.
Wolfface, immediately realizing his friend would need help, ran and made it as far as the front of the cabin before the alp shot out of the door at an unnatural speed and attacked the mage.
Everything began to slow down as the viciousness of the attack unfolded: The clawed hand of the vampire connecting, the crunch and then snap of the femur, the delay in pain, possibly from shock or adrenaline.
The Witcher pursued Varessa, cast Yrden yet again in an effort to try and slow her down and thus began a deadly dance between the three, each fighting for their lives. Fire lit up the night, silver flickered, claws tore. The witcher and mage were hard pressed to land their attacks. The alp's great speed kept her alive far longer than other creatures. But, she still made mistakes that cost her. Fire engulfed her torso, burning and cracking her skin. The silver blade found its mark under the hand of the professional monster hunter, working slowly but surely to wear her down. Varessa sensed the tide turning and sprinted out of the Yrden trap and then... she became a living black cloud swarming up and away from the two. Wolfface sent one last fireball into the air, but it was futile. The Witcher pursued the cloud for a few yards, but then gave up as well.
The fight had not been a quiet one and the torch carrying guard appeared almost at the same time as Selvianne who practically materialized out of the darkness. Selvianne demanded to know what was happening and as Vorand and Wolfface stated the fact that her cat was actually a dangerous vampire she began to protest. "That's not possible! You must be mistaken!" Wolfface was the closest and could tell this was not genuine.
The group began to communicate discreetly with each other and as they looked over and heard Selvianne say "Sigrid, these Continentals must up to no good. They should have taken Haldor long ago. Do not believe a word they say..." they almost all noticed a peculiar observation at the same time: In the dark of night, the torch illuminating the guard, Sigrid, was casting great shadows. But Selvianne's form cast no shadow whatsoever!
Vorand motioned for Avallach to get into position a few meters away as if to investigate the scene, confirming that they all noticed the same oddity.
Vorand then approached Selvianne, saying:
Selvianne's eyes grew wide at this and looked around and down at her. Her shoulders sagged and she turned to Sigurd:
In an instant Selvianne was no longer human, claws tearing into Sigurd's throat, her horrified scream dying on her lips, as Selvianne eviscerated her neck and upper body in gruesome fashion. She then spun about, her voice gravelly and filled with rage declaring:
In an instant, the witcher realized this was yet another vampire, yet not an alp. He was unclear with what they were about to face off against. The clash ensued and it looked bleak for the elf, human and witcher. Selvianne raged and taunted throughout the fight as she scored slashes and bites while avoiding the point-blank casting of Aenya and Igni. Biting into Wolfface's non-broken leg she greedily tasted his blood, saying:
A few more exchanges saw her maneuver with alacrity, even catching an arrow midflight that Avallach had sent her way and using it to pick her many long teeth and then snapping the shaft, laughing. It was this flippant and overconfident attitude that finally led to the trio putting a bit of caution into the vampire's murderous heart.
Handmaidens appeared in the ambient light cast by the torch lying next to the dead body of Sigurd. Gasps and cries of shock could be heard and Avallach heard the one nearest to him exclaim, "That creature resembles Selvianne!"
In this moment, in rapid succession, Selvianne was dealt signficant damage by both the mage and the witcher. But the ultimate disgrace was inflicted by Avallach:
His arrow sailed out of the darkness, shattering SIX of the vampire's teeth as she turned her head to track the arrow's flight. Instinctively she put her hand up to her mouth, feeling that the teeth her broken off and let out a howl of rage and frustration. It was then that she noticed that other members of the enclave were now witnessing what had happened. She then cried out, "Varessa! The wine is ruined!" Then, in another instant, Selvianne was a black mist cloud rising rapidly and her voice could be heard, saying:
No sooner had she said this and disappeared against the black of the night, then Varessa dropped out of the sky back in her alp form right next to the Handmaiden closest to the elf. She did not stand a chance, going down in a gurgling scream. Vorand Bas knew it was time to focus on saving lives. Selvianne would have to wait. He charged. Varessa, weakened from their clash earlier, was not able to get out of the way of one very angry witcher: He head flew through the night air, her body slumping to the ground as if a marrionette who's strings were cut.
The aftermath was one of sadness, uncertainty and hope. Haldor's name was cleared. Myenna decided she would return to Faroe to reunite with Floki. Others were unsure of what to do with their lives. Vorand affirmed that their devotion to Freya was not in vain. They had just been duped by Selvianne, but that did not negate their belief in the goddess.
The group returned to Faroe, revealing the truth of Alina's murder to Holger Blackhand He thanked them, and confirmed he would be sending out his clan to patrol the corridor specifically requested by Jan Natalis. Saliyah was informed and the party were set to leave Lublow once they had taken care of a few administrative tasks such as getting their armor mended and wounds treated.
The group in Yrsa's hut takes stock of all that had happened and what had been said that long day and evening. Wolfface was the first to speak, suggesting that since it seemed that some of the members of the group had been waking up weak occasionally that perhaps it would be a good idea to keep a watch throughout the enclave. Duno, for her part, decided that she would have too much trouble staying awake and was worried that she was beginning to feel under the weather. She decided to go back to their makeshift camp by where the boat was moored and update Zune and Xeneva on all that had happend and what they had discovered.
It would turn out to be a decision that put the party in more peril than they could have ever imagined.
Stepping out of Yrsa's hut, Vorand Bas decided that he would keep a watch near the building where Haldor was held. Wolfface, concerned for Myenna's safety, decided that keeping a watch over her small hut would be prudent. Avallach would be the lucky elf to keep a watch on Selvianne's abode.
The trio crept to their positions and waited. Until midnight, nothing seemed amiss... and then Avallach heard the creaking of a door. The new moon concealed whatever had made the noise, but Avallach could just make out movement of what could only be the cat, Varessa, as it passed the elf's position and made its way towards the main area of the enclave. Avallach, possessing one of a pair of magical rings, sent a short message to Vorand Bas:
"The cat is headed your way."
Avallach decided to sit and observe, lest Selvianne herself also make an appearance.
Soon enough the cat came into the Witcher's view. The guard was still posted guarding the small building that Haldor was being held in. The light of the guard's torch confirmed that Avallach was correct. Varessa was on the move.
The cat angled toward Myenna's hut. Wolfface spotted the cat and was ready for it to enter the woman's hut. But Varessa padded past Myenna's hut. The cat then slowed down at the next hut and rounded the corner out of view.
The Witcher made a decision: He was going to figure out just what was going on. He rose from his spot and passed the guard. The guard looked over at the movement and raised an eyebrow, nodding, "Witcher." Bas motioned for her to be quiet and made his way towards the hut. Wolfface could see this and made ready, but stayed where he was at, so he did not give away his postion.
Vorand rounded the corner and saw no sign of the cat... at first. Looking at the hut, he could see in the dim light that there was slat window that would have been very difficult to fit through even if the slats were removed. He crept to the sill and examined it. Faint, very faint, traces of the crystalline residue could be seen. In that moment, the Witcher made the decision.
He rounded back the corner to where the front door was located. Drawing his silver sword, he took a deep breath and then battered the door open immediately laying down the sign of Yrden. He saw for the briefest moment the following: Varessa the cat sitting on the chest of a sleeping handmaiden her fangs plunged into the neckline... and then Yrden forced the truth: The cat was no longer a cat, but a sallow faced, lithe woman with fangs and red lank hair. An alp!
In that same moment, Avallach heard a commotion from Selvianne's cabin. The door swung open and Selvianne began to sprint towards the enclave. Never had Avallach seen a Human woman, much less one suspected to be older than she looked, ran so fast. By the time Avallach gave pursuit, he had lost sight of her. He sent another message:
"Selvianne is coming your way!"
Meanwhile, Vorand's hand flew to where kept his potions and the Black Blood hit his throat just as he registered Varessa's screaming blast begin to build up. He dove out of the way, angling into the cabin to avoid being shot out the doorway, just in time as the scream crescendoed knocking the handmaiden's personal effects about as if a tornado had it them.
Then, the fight was on!
Silver and claws flashed in exchange and both were scathed within seconds in the confinement of the cabin. The Witcher noticed that the woman had not woken up, most likely due to Somniferous Saliva, further confirming that he was dealing with an alp.
Wolfface, immediately realizing his friend would need help, ran and made it as far as the front of the cabin before the alp shot out of the door at an unnatural speed and attacked the mage.
Everything began to slow down as the viciousness of the attack unfolded: The clawed hand of the vampire connecting, the crunch and then snap of the femur, the delay in pain, possibly from shock or adrenaline.
The Witcher pursued Varessa, cast Yrden yet again in an effort to try and slow her down and thus began a deadly dance between the three, each fighting for their lives. Fire lit up the night, silver flickered, claws tore. The witcher and mage were hard pressed to land their attacks. The alp's great speed kept her alive far longer than other creatures. But, she still made mistakes that cost her. Fire engulfed her torso, burning and cracking her skin. The silver blade found its mark under the hand of the professional monster hunter, working slowly but surely to wear her down. Varessa sensed the tide turning and sprinted out of the Yrden trap and then... she became a living black cloud swarming up and away from the two. Wolfface sent one last fireball into the air, but it was futile. The Witcher pursued the cloud for a few yards, but then gave up as well.
The fight had not been a quiet one and the torch carrying guard appeared almost at the same time as Selvianne who practically materialized out of the darkness. Selvianne demanded to know what was happening and as Vorand and Wolfface stated the fact that her cat was actually a dangerous vampire she began to protest. "That's not possible! You must be mistaken!" Wolfface was the closest and could tell this was not genuine.
The group began to communicate discreetly with each other and as they looked over and heard Selvianne say "Sigrid, these Continentals must up to no good. They should have taken Haldor long ago. Do not believe a word they say..." they almost all noticed a peculiar observation at the same time: In the dark of night, the torch illuminating the guard, Sigrid, was casting great shadows. But Selvianne's form cast no shadow whatsoever!
Vorand motioned for Avallach to get into position a few meters away as if to investigate the scene, confirming that they all noticed the same oddity.
Vorand then approached Selvianne, saying:
"Sigurd, mind moving your torch a bit and tell me, do you see a shadow being cast by Selvianne?"
Selvianne's eyes grew wide at this and looked around and down at her. Her shoulders sagged and she turned to Sigurd:
"I am sorry for this."
In an instant Selvianne was no longer human, claws tearing into Sigurd's throat, her horrified scream dying on her lips, as Selvianne eviscerated her neck and upper body in gruesome fashion. She then spun about, her voice gravelly and filled with rage declaring:
"You should not have interferred with my vineyard! Now, you shall pay with your lives!"
In an instant, the witcher realized this was yet another vampire, yet not an alp. He was unclear with what they were about to face off against. The clash ensued and it looked bleak for the elf, human and witcher. Selvianne raged and taunted throughout the fight as she scored slashes and bites while avoiding the point-blank casting of Aenya and Igni. Biting into Wolfface's non-broken leg she greedily tasted his blood, saying:
"Zerikanean blend, you'll do nicely!"
A few more exchanges saw her maneuver with alacrity, even catching an arrow midflight that Avallach had sent her way and using it to pick her many long teeth and then snapping the shaft, laughing. It was this flippant and overconfident attitude that finally led to the trio putting a bit of caution into the vampire's murderous heart.
Handmaidens appeared in the ambient light cast by the torch lying next to the dead body of Sigurd. Gasps and cries of shock could be heard and Avallach heard the one nearest to him exclaim, "That creature resembles Selvianne!"
In this moment, in rapid succession, Selvianne was dealt signficant damage by both the mage and the witcher. But the ultimate disgrace was inflicted by Avallach:
His arrow sailed out of the darkness, shattering SIX of the vampire's teeth as she turned her head to track the arrow's flight. Instinctively she put her hand up to her mouth, feeling that the teeth her broken off and let out a howl of rage and frustration. It was then that she noticed that other members of the enclave were now witnessing what had happened. She then cried out, "Varessa! The wine is ruined!" Then, in another instant, Selvianne was a black mist cloud rising rapidly and her voice could be heard, saying:
"This is not the end! There will be consequences for what you have spoiled!"
No sooner had she said this and disappeared against the black of the night, then Varessa dropped out of the sky back in her alp form right next to the Handmaiden closest to the elf. She did not stand a chance, going down in a gurgling scream. Vorand Bas knew it was time to focus on saving lives. Selvianne would have to wait. He charged. Varessa, weakened from their clash earlier, was not able to get out of the way of one very angry witcher: He head flew through the night air, her body slumping to the ground as if a marrionette who's strings were cut.
The aftermath was one of sadness, uncertainty and hope. Haldor's name was cleared. Myenna decided she would return to Faroe to reunite with Floki. Others were unsure of what to do with their lives. Vorand affirmed that their devotion to Freya was not in vain. They had just been duped by Selvianne, but that did not negate their belief in the goddess.
The group returned to Faroe, revealing the truth of Alina's murder to Holger Blackhand He thanked them, and confirmed he would be sending out his clan to patrol the corridor specifically requested by Jan Natalis. Saliyah was informed and the party were set to leave Lublow once they had taken care of a few administrative tasks such as getting their armor mended and wounds treated.
Report Date
07 May 2025
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