PM

The motherwitch watches the exchange with a thoughtful expression, deciding as usual to let the rest of you handle it. She is still tired from her previous encounter, but you do notice that this Tanzy doesn't seem to be affecting her the way the little girl did.

Hearing Tanzy's remark, Raknesh called to her, still wary of the huge beast in front of him.
"Then why don't we all leave those tunnels? Maybe it will be easier to talk outside of this damned place?"

Prizzard used his speed to place himself squarely in front of her after abandoning an apparent backward strike with his weapon. It seemed talk may still be the subject. But he was prepared to act.

Prepared Action: Trip if she attempts to pass him
rolled 22,21 using d20+14,d20+5.  Vs Touch AC, Strength Check

Bryon can take no action this turn due to dimensional door affect.

Raknesh’s suggestion does nothing to stop Tanzy from running.

Perhaps it’s the low light and uneven ground in the tunnel, or the sheer desperation to escape that makes Tanzy completely unable to cope when Prizzard moves to trip. Either way she goes down hard a curse on her lips. “Damn you to hell!” she snaps angrily, her voice muffled from the ground.

OOC: Dex to avoid trip 5 (1+4) of all the times to roll a 1! >(

My place in the initiative is just before Tanzy now (if we used initiative), so the words and actions of any other character can alter Prizzards actions. This is a placeholder post. Unless otherwise affected:

Prizzard chooses a series of strikes the real Tanzy would be quite familiar with by now, having recieved them in this position in many sparring matches. The strikes were deliberately delayed, more easily avoided than usual. A handle strike to the shoulder and an arcing swing with the butt of the blade coupling to her upper thigh.

rolled 19,11 using d20+14,d20+9.  non-lethal vs prone (penalties cancel).
rolled 10,14 using 2d4+7,2d4+7.  damage

"Well done, Prizzard!" commented Raknesh.
He kept his eyes on his own 'opponent' wondering how Tanzy - at least he really hoped it was her - had met him.

"You can see we are not trying to kill you. And Tanzy knows we have the power to do so" he added
"sadly...
Maybe we could just make a truce and talk? Preferably outside."

Tanzy’s eyes flash in anger at the unnecessary attack, a familiar response most of her companions would recognize, Prizzard especially since she almost always lost during their matches. Cautiously and if allowed she stands looking somewhat defeated. “Okay we can talk but not here. Perkins if you aren’t going to do anything you may as well let him pass,”  she gave the large cat a disappointed frown.

She isn’t willing to admit these are  her true companions but they had yet to cause any real harm and there weren’t any strange magical effects  like when she’d met the fake Raina. Plus she’s exhausted her small list of escape options so what else was there to do?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:02, Wed 03 Oct 2018.

He keeps the head of the weapon, much wider and more comfortable than the other end, rested on her lower back. No pressure unless she tried to move. Not enough to really stop anybody, but enough to be a warning. He seemed strognly conflicted, apology on his eyes, but in this strange world caution came first. He looked up from Tanzy to the rest "Is there any way we can be sure?" Concern, guilt, and caution made his voice possibly too low for the distance, but some were probably thinking the same thing.

rolled 0 using 1d20-2.  Wisdom.

I wanted to play the low roll as "falling for the deception" and believing her to be Tanzy, but that felt too convenient.

Bryon offered a solution, “I can use my power to move us as a group over great distances. I must rest for a moment between uses, but we can be back much faster my way.”

Raknesh was glad the situation defused.

But Prizzard had a point. They needed to prove to each party that the other one was the real one.

"I could use my power to link our minds telepathically. I could also us my power to  purge any mind affecting effect on whoever trust me enough to allow me to strike."

“Not that it matters but I vote for Bryon’s suggestion,”   still on the ground Tanzy crosses her arms and rests her chin on them making her position slightly more comfortable. “I was under the impression the evils of this tunnel wouldn’t be able to follow outside...”  There was doubt in her voice as if she were becoming less convinced that these people were enemies. “Also if it makes you feel better take my weapons they aren’t going to do me much good either way.”

The motherwitch breaks her silence finally. Perkins? Is that you? Whatever are you doing out of the trials?

The lion looks to be hesitant but answers. Helping this good lady, or at least I was trying to. We just ran into a false Raina a few minutes back so forgive us if we don't trust you just yet.... he wrinkles his nose. I'd say we get out of here and then see what is what.

The motherwitch shrugs. Have it your way. But if you were a real trick I would be on the floor giving up on life by now. That was dangerous to take her through the tunnels Perkins. I'm surprised you didn't try a different way.

I wanted to! he protests. But the king has them all locked down! He knows something's amiss! Besides, Raina is in trouble!

ooc: Bryon, feel free to move everyone whenever you're ready. You'll probably find yourselves back at the start of the tunnels again.

Having recovered Bryon gave instructions. ”Everyone clasp hands and do not resist.” In a flash of magic they all disappear.

Raknesh wanted to know more about Raina's situation, but they had to settle their own before doing anything else. So he followed Bryon's instruction.

"Could you get small again? I would be easier for the travel..."

By now you're safely out of the tunnels and feel that at this point there is no trickery going on, which is quite a relief. The lion stays a lion though, pointing out you're all just going to have to go back in if you're to get Raina, unless someone has another idea. He turns to Tanzy. So these are your friends eh? You know one of them is the reason you're here right? he looks at Prizzard accusingly, well, as much as a lion can.

To calm his own doubts, Prizzard had just one question for Tanzy. "What did nobody tell you?" Guilt already acting on him, the reminder had little effect.

Bryon found need to rest after ugh a taxing journey. She sat on a stump or rock breathing carefully.

“Perkins, don’t be mean,” Tanzy warned her lion friend. Out of the tunnels she was feeling more sure that these were her actual friends and since she had no memory of her death she preferred to skim over the awkwardness of the event.

“Nobody? That spooky scythe of yours? It told me to knock you on your ass from time to time. A familiar grin appeared on her face.

"I'd go with crude over spooky, but that sounds right." He smiles as well, now convinced of her identity. The smile lasted just a moment, becoming a forced smile. "I'm surprised I'm not perforated. But then, you've had time and you tend to be a reasonable person. Still, I should deserve a slap, or something, for such a big mistake."

“A big mistake indeed! But I’m sure you’ll punish yourself far more than I ever could.”  Her expression holds only sympathy as she reaches out to give Prizzards arm a gental squeeze. “Also it’s hard to be upset by something I honestly don’t remember. Please let’s not dwell on it, right now we have bigger worries.”

Raknesh had, obviously, missed a few things of the exchange but felt relieved for the confirmation.

And the dreaded confrontation was a complete damp squib.

"Well... Humm... Sorry to break the mood, but there is much to do still.
 The initial goal for this dreadful trip is now reached... But we have another objective now. And apparently the odds are even less than the first one...

Any suggestion?"

"Yea.. Raina was captured. This is her mother, The Motherwitch, likely the origin of arcane magic. Turns out most of our allies and enemies are immediate family. Even stranger, it seems I'm her half-grandson." He let that slip through distracted lips before realizing it was said rather than thought. A bit of information likely to spark many kinds of reactions.

Tanzy has moved to check that Bryon is recovering and bends to give the woman a quick hug in thanks. Getting Raina had always been in her plans ever since she’d discovered she was there. It was a relief to have found the others for surely between all of them they could manage to come up with a viable rescue plan. Prizzards introduction to the old woman and his connection to her brought a gasp of surprise but she politely held her questioning for another time. Instead she addressed the motherwitch

“Perkins and I met a friend of Raina’s. He sent us to find you and I believe he would be willing to help us once we get back inside. Raina seemed...important to him.” She waited expectantly hoping the old woman was more useful than she looked.

Bryon’s fatigue had indeed recovered. She stood and returned Tanzy’s hug. ”I am glad you are safe. Well where to next?”