Chapter the Thirteenth: A Modern Pilgrimage

[Mr. Handy]

"Light torches," Henry says to Ivan, who proceeds to do so. Then he addresses the guardian of Water. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but my heart belongs to another."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

With an angry, cat-like hiss and a wave of her lovely hand, the woman preternaturally extinguishes the torches. Upon close examination, they are seen to be soaking wet, and cannot be ignited again. If nothing else, however, this attempt has won the adventurers some time to respond, as the woman has been delayed in her intended actions by her intense hatred of (but apparent ability to easily destroy) fire.

As the woman seems to ignore the ladies as unworthy of her attention, Miss Davenport has a moment to consider what manner of being the party is confronting.

Spoiler:

INT = 11 + 1 Demonology = 12[dice]0[/dice]

Unfortunately, she does not have any relevant experience or knowledge of such a one.

[SunlessNick]

Are the company of adventurers the only passengers aboard the coach, or are there others (whom one might imagine not being protected by the love borne by Dr North or the loyalty borne by Ivan)?

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

Given the very special nature of this journey, and the total number of passengers, it seems unlikely that there are any other persons traveling with the party.

[Rooter]

On the chance that this evidently preternatural being may be vulnerable to pure iron, Lila draws her iron dagger and places herself defiantly between the watery figure and the men, apparently her intended victims. "Return our driver to us or be destroyed."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Perhaps it is surprising that the woman responds with a sly smile.

In a voice which one of poetical nature might compare to the sound of rain, she replies "As you wish, daughter of Eve."

Glancing back at the Medway, she gestures at the roiling river with both hands raised. From its waters arises the driver, his flesh dead white and bloated, his eyes turned up so that only the whites are visible. He shambles towards the party, his arms held out like a blind man. Leeches cling to the exposed parts of his face and body, to which he apparently pays no mind.

[SunlessNick]

Ines slips her brass knuckles onto her fingers, presuming the intent of this apparition to be hostile.

[Mr. Handy]

While fascinated by the walking corpse, Henry is all too aware of the danger. He draws his pistol, which while most likely useless against the Water guardian, may prove to be effective against the cadaver should it turn hostile. Ivan unsheathes his sword from the cane he carries without being told.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Whilst the adventurers prepare themselves in such manner, and the seemingly drowned man approaches, the woman gazes with great intensity at one of the gentleman.

Spoiler:

1 = Doctor North, 2 = Ivan; Tom not an object of her attention[dice]0[/dice]

It is apparent that Doctor North's heartfelt protests of True Love are of no concern to the woman. A battle of wills begins.

Spoiler:

This is a battle of the woman's CHA = 13 versus Doctor North's WIS = 11. Results depend on whether neither succeed, one, or both. CHA: [dice]1[/dice] WIS: [dice]2[/dice]

Doctor North has a vision of the woman as the most desirable creature in the world; but summoning all the strength of his soul, he is able to resist, at least for the moment, the wish to follow her to a watery grave. As this requires an enormous effort of will, he is unable to take any other action while the woman prepares to cast another spell of preternatural seduction.

Meanwhile, the walking corpse nears the ladies. He grunts unintelligibly, large amounts of water dripping from his mouth.

Spoiler:

1 = Ines 2 = Miss Davenport[dice]3[/dice]

He approaches Miss Davenport, his bloated hands raised in a threatening gesture.

[SunlessNick]

Trusting in the demon hunter's abilty to defend herself, Ines plants herself firmly between the water-woman the men, and asks her directly, "Why are you interested in it? Is it because of the dew?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"You have stolen my blood, daughter of Eve, and I will have your mate."

She prepares to cast her enchantment once again.

[Rooter]

Her attention occupied by the shambling revenant, Lila strikes with her dagger.

Spoiler:

DEX 18 + 1 Danger Bonus (if applicable)[dice]0[/dice]

Spoiler:

Hit Dice (+2 Damage Bonus)[dice]1[/dice]

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The driver collapses to the ground, his flesh already showing signs of decomposition.

[SunlessNick]

"You have stolen my blood, daughter of Eve, and I will have your mate."

She prepares to cast her enchantment once again.

"I have no mate," Ines replied. "Neither of these men would balance any scale of theft. There must be another price."

[Mr. Handy]

Henry struggles to keep his thoughts focused on Elizabeth. hoping that will help him to resist the enchantment. Ivan takes hold of him to prevent him from heading towards the water.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The woman does not reply to the words spoken by Ines, her attention returning to the two men.

Spoiler:

1 = Doctor North 2 = Ivan[dice]0[/dice]

Once again she attempts to cast her spell upon Doctor North.

Spoiler:

CHA = 13[dice]1[/dice] vs WIS = 11[dice]2[/dice]

Although Doctor North shows some signs of faltering in his concentration, it is fortunate that the woman's preternatural skills have also failed her. If one may borrow a term from the game of chess, the situation remains a stalemate. The party has time to make a response before this battle for the soul continues.

[SunlessNick]

OOC:   What time of day is it?

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

Given the fact that the second day's journey was almost completed before this encounter, and that the party was traveling lesiurely, I would say that it is in the late afternoon.

[Rooter]

The water woman's callous killing of the coachman and refusal to listen to Ines' plea leads Lila to the conclusion that, unlike the earth guardian, this demon will not be appeased, and must be destroyed before it can kill others. Lila swings around and attacks with her dagger.

Spoiler:

I'll leave these rolls to our Host in case there are modifiers I'm not aware of.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

With the instinct of a true hunter, Miss Davenport slashes boldly at the creature with her pair of daggers; the one of pure iron, and the other blessed against evil spirits. Although this does not cause any obvious wounds, the blades passing through the woman's body as they would through water, the combination of their enchantments causes the being to vanish with a piercing scream. It is a remarkable fact that the daggers themselves melt away like so much morning dew.

No doubt the party will wish to make their melancholy way to Rochester, there to recover from this encounter.