Getting tired of the city, Kzrira looks to the others.
We head out tomorrow? Everyone ready to say hi to some fiery genies?
Well we need to deal with the vampires first, don't forget...from what I understand my weapons should be strong enough to harm them but do we need anything else? Items of holy power or silver other than what we have? I imagine that if Varkata and I can focus on them with cover from you two, we will have a fighting chance.
Karethas grimaces uncomfortably, "Vampires can be subtle and wily creatures who use minions to protect themselves and obfuscation to hide. I doubt it will be as simple as focusing on the master in a single battle. I have been thinking that Varakata can use her abilities to hide from the minions though. I understand that is something priests can do to undead creatures, especially the unintelligent ones. I have learned a spell to detect various undead, hoping that if we drive the maser vampire to ground we can still find it."
Kzrira listens to the old man and the dropout discuss battling the undead.
Good reminder. I will stack up on silvered arrows. They are not that expensive, so I can get a pile of them.
She looks at Karethas:
Do you have magic that will hide us at night? I know that vampires don't really like the sun, so if we fight during the day, it should help. Obviously going underground will change things, but it is helpful.
She pauses and turns to Varkata.
Can you do magic that would light up the area like daylight? Not sure what it would take, but that could be an interesting trick.
Kzira is once again impatient to be going, but Karethas begs her off for another day to work on the more complex of his scrolls. Amir and Varkata wander the markets for some things of particular use against the vampires and Kzrira readies the horses and traveling gear. It is on the fourth day back in Katapesh that all is ready for the journey back to the western wastes.
The mid-summer heat of the city leads nearly everyone to retreat for several hours at the sun's highest for iced juleps and a long rest in the shade until the sun sinks to more bearable levels. Away from the coast, the heat grows even more intolerable. The caravans dwindle off to only what is necessary and halt to crowd under whatever tents and shade can be found by mid-morning only to resume at sunset. So the heroes journey progresses over four nights over the abandoned trade route.
After the fourth day of travel Karethas settles in at the camp and sighs, "I am so close to the ability to teleport great distances instantly but I am not there yet. I can travel short distances, but not far enough to make it practical as a form of travel."
Kzrira nods in understanding with Karethas. When they are alone, she looks to him.
What was it like when you first learned to cast spells? And how do you communicate with the Tempest B . . . Staff?
As she says this, she reaches up and scratches Spooky chin. Recently, it is as though she can almost feel his appreciation when he purrs as she scratches his chin.
During the day, Kzrira keeps watch from the back of her mount, feeling quite comfortable riding on the back of her steed and easily steering him with her knees.
Kzrira's query is interrupted as the sphinx-like guardian, Ashraf-Asim, suddenly appears on the trail before them. "I see that you have returned. As I said before, I will not seek to stop you again, but beware, it will be most difficult to pierce the accursed oasis to root out the darkness."
Amir nods at the sphinx-like creature, We understand but now our mission carries double meaning. The other routes are compromised and we have an army to destroy. We are hoping to purge the oasis for whatever treasure it may hold but so that there are other safe passages in the land. Tell me, is there anything that you can tell us that will aid our efforts here?
"Yes, trust me, I have warned my companions of the subtle and insidious nature of our foe here, but we feel it is our duty to bring light back to this corner of the desert. Any intelligence or other aid that you can give us would be most welcome."
"Nothing has changed since you were last here. If you value your immortal souls, you would turn back," comes the dour reply.
"I am Ashraf-Asim, sometimes called Hound of Ragathiel. This place was once known as the Deep Well of Paradise, a testament to the mercy of Sarenrae. The lovely shrine beside the cool water quenched the thirst and soothed the dusty blistered feet of many travelers until the coming of a Gebbite vampire and necromancer named Rotaimvei. Whether his goal was dark vengeance or just capricious evil, I do not know. Whatever his aims, he succeeded. The four imams that once served the thirsty, weary and injured that sought succor here were transformed into unholy creatures like the Gebbite. Though merely minion vampires and not as powerful as their master, they have still overcome far too many brave fools."
"Like a drop of blood in clear water, the taint of Urgathoa has diffused into the oasis corrupting the water, the plants, the creatures that lived there. None who have come to exorcize the blighted oasis have succeeded or survived. The last was a brave paladin of Sarenrae... and a dear friend. I cannot forgive myself for not stopping her. Her soul is forever lost now. Damned to forever haunt the shrine within."
Amir nods at the warning, Well I suppose that is that. Tell me now that all of you are touched by magic save for me, what other preperations should we make before we proceed?
Kzrira shrugs:
I would not want to rely upon my magic to get us out of trouble. My bow is still what I shall rely upon.
Varkata says, "Magic notwithstanding, holy water is never a bad thing, given what we know is in there."
"I have prepared some scrolls of a spell to help us locate undead, which I figure will be useful if the master vampire runs and hides from us. The range of the spell is limited though. Also, I believe vampires have the ability to mesmerize others, so I have bought a wand that casts a protective spell to help counter that. The duration of that spell is short, so we it will be a priority once contact with a vampire is eminent."
Amir cocks his head at the wizard and opens his mouth as though to say something but then shakes his head and decides to say nothing, That seems like an extreme limitation on a spell that should be saving you from being surprised. But clearly making such an effect last a long time would be difficult.
Smoothing his moustache, the rogue nods, How long to make the holy water?
The burning sun rises and it seems an optimal time to hunt down the vampires and destroy them for good. The leonine lammasu takes a seat upon the great boulder that serves as his sentry post and shakes his head sadly as the heroes proceed across the irregular pebbles that pave the blasted desert surrounding the polluted oasis.
As the group approaches the oasis Karethas retrieves a wand from his belt. He hands it up to Gen who is riding on his shoulder. "Take this and use it on anyone who begins to act strangely, even myself. Otherwise, stay inconspicuous and safe unless I call. " He gives her an affectionate smile and turns his gaze back to the cursed watering hole.
Ahead, a path leads through the thick vegetation surrounding the oasis. Cool shade beckons from beneath the heavy canopy, but also a whiff of something foul that violates your nose.
Kzrira looks over at Amir, her ever present bow in her hand.
Lets see what this undead monstrosity holds in store for us old man.
She pauses before continuing with a grin.
And no getting yourself killed. We have a lot of work to do with all the mischief we let out, and I need you to keep the dropout in order.
Kzrira will carefully proceed forward watching to make sure nothing is about.
Survival:
Perception:
Stealth:
Amir also moves forward clicking his tongue at the archer as he moves, Only one of us here have died. Not this wily old goat.
Varkata follows, keeping a small distance back, then saying, "I think we're safe enough in the sunlight, but we may want to get a bit of magical protection before we head into the darkness.... and by 'we', I mean especially you, Old Man."
Kzrira and Amir slip into the shade of the thick jungle without a sound nearly losing their companions who follow rather less stealthily. None notice the horror hidden among the impenetrable foliage that blocks the gathering heat and light of the desert sun. All is quiet except the crunch of leaves beneath Varkata and Karethas' feet. Then a buzzing from the heavy vegetation all around that grows louder as a cloud of hungry mosquitoes surround the two covering them and feasting on their blood!
Karethas
Kzrira
Varkata
foe
Kzrira turns and sticks her tongue out at Amir when his back is turned.
Amir freezes while the dangerous swarm continues feeding. Karethas is overcome by the innumerable itchy insects feasting on every patch of exposed skin.
Also delaying since I assume Kzrira knows arrows are not the most effective against swarms.
Unable to conjure the focus necessary to perform a more useful action, Karethas turns and runs back the way they have come from, squealing like a lady and swatting at the insects swarming him.
Varkata winces as the swarm of insects rolls over her, trying hard to resist the urge to just swat the bugs away. I don't know that I can outrun them, given that they can fly... and they're too small to hit, but let's see if I can't burn them away... She quickly reaches down to her belt and draws one of the two flasks of alchemist's fire, offering a silent prayer, I'm sure you're laughing at this, Hero, but how about a little help to make sure I don't burn my hair off..., then throws the flask near her feet and winces against the heat.
for
Amir's concern about there being more than the mosquito swarm present is moot as the relentless bugs seem to be more than enough of a threat. Kzrira looks on helplessly as her companions are engulfed by the demonic swarm. Karethas runs off wailing and Varkata tosses a vial of volatile alchemical fluid. All to little effect as a few burned members doesn't deter the rapacious bloodsuckers which continue to swarm her. Those feeding on Karethas merely ride along feeding even after he exits the dark jungle.
Varkata and Karethas suffer the tender affections of the mosquitoes; Varkata from the main swarm and Karethas from the hundreds still clinging to him.
A lesson from his biology teacher flashes into Karenthas mind. The professor had travelled in the Mwangi jungle and had related a tale of the famous strain of mosquitoes inhabiting the jungles. Ignoring the mosquitoes on him, Karethes calls Gen to his hand and turns back towards his friends unleashing a gust of wind on the swarm swallowing Varkata.
Karethas recognizes the pernicious mosquitoes through secondhand accounts and calls upon the power of the Tempest staff to blast them with high wind. The swarm is blown clear of the passage for the moment allowing Varkata and the others a moment to regroup.
Realizing that she has little of use to assist in this fight. Kzrira drops her pack, pulling the bedroll off as she does. She stabs her sword into the bedroll and then grabs a flask of lamp oil, which she pours onto the bedroll. Finally, she will light the makeshift torch/fire weapon ablaze, hopefully before the swarm is able to return.
Make anything that will burn, we need to torch these things, or run and return yet again prepared for this nuisance.
Varkata rubs at her arms as the insects are blown away, "How long will that hold them back for? Can we kill them before they get back?"
Amir gently touches the blade of his flaming sword to Kzrira's mattress weapon finding the time, even despite the danger, to give her an incredulous look.
If fire is enough, then perhaps I should hack at the swarm with my sowrds?
Kzrira digs out her bedroll and throws it on the ground before hacking it open. Amir pours oil upon it and lights it with a flick of his burning blade. Varkata's question is answered a moment later as the swarm rushes back. The thick black smoke seems to check the mosquitoes, but unfortunately, the hungry horde is undeterred and swarms back over the three blood sacks around the burning bed.
Varkata draws her second alchemist's fire and throws it at the swarm again. "I've no spells that can effect these things."
Karethas grimaces as he calls again on Tempest's reserves to blast the mosquitoes with hurricane force winds. "Keep the alchemist's fires coming!
Kzrira swings her makeshift flaming weapon at the swarm in an attempt to fry as many as possible.
Attack-flaming bedroll: <-- -4 for unwieldy/improvised
Damage: (no clue how much)
Attack-flaming bedroll: <-- -4 for unwieldy/improvised
Damage: (no clue how much)
Karethas unleashes another hurricane that drives the horrible cloud back once again though not as far. The winds extinguish the bedroll which Kzrira grabs anyway and swings once or twice to no effect. Varkata tosses another fire bomb at the cloud, but that sails off into the rough.
The buzzing horde quickly engulfs the heroes once more.
Karethas curses under his breath, These cursed bugs are draining too much of my resources. He unleashes another blast of wind that he hopes will be enough.