Z stops mid bickering with Jones as the men make their appearance and single her out. The flames around her instantly grow in their fierceness as her curse is mentioned.
The bead that grows in her hand turning from orange to a bright white as Jones and others say their peice.
Then, the hallway explodes.
"There is no protection from me!!!" Z screams.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Zin launches a white hot ball of flame, incinerating the three back-most men, leaving little more than masses of black tissue on the ground.
The full-plated one fares little better, screaming as he's roasted inside his own armor, falling to the ground smoking.
The doorknobs to the two doors in range melt, the doors blasting open, and the paint peels and blackens as the wood goes up on the walls, floor, and doors.
Z put hers arms on her hips and tries to spit in indignation, but merely manages to send herself into a hacking fit, coughing up cinders.
"I'm going back to bed." she says before going back into her room and slamming the door.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Jones shouts down the corridor after Zin, his face contorted with rage.
"Where do you think you're going?! Why don't you use Create Water and help us clean up this mess you've made?"
Z answers from the other side of the door, "Do you really think I can create water?"
"Surely someone as smart and as skilled at potion making as the great and powerful Jones would carry some flasks of liquid ice."
"I did my job already. Do yours."
Darius twitches and sighs, and begins Casting Create Water to dowse the coming flames. His voice one of extreme annoyance and disappointment. " Zin, When I'm done cleaning your mess, it seems we will need a little talk... "
"Is that talk 'Gee, thanks for prevention of our deaths by murderating our would be assassins in under six seconds; nevermind some collateral damage among a town full of people that hates us, so screw what happens to them'? Because if it is, I'll tell her. She deserves to hear it." Amanorn smiles pleasantly.
Jones scowls at Amanorn, looking angrier than his former classmate has ever seen him.
"You think I don't recognize how much we're hated here? Do you have any idea how much time I spent yesterday, coaxing out the most innocent pieces of information from anyone who would allow me to speak to them?"
"But something I've learned from my years of detective work is that people can have any number of reasons to be distrustful of strangers. And I hope it would be obvious that killing dozens of innocents would only reinforce their distrust. Who's to say that their behavior towards us isn't influenced by some other reckless band of adventurers who caused too much damage?"
"I will not let all my work here be wasted just because you and Zin can't control your emotions and think more than six seconds into the future."
He points toward Zin's room. "And don't you dare encourage her. Her immaturity and recklessness nearly cost us the friendship of an important ally, and she has never shown any sign of remorse or guilt."
Z barges back out of her room, shooting Darius a venomous look before turning to Jones.
"Not to interrupt our would be moral compass but don't let him forget to tell you Amanorn, the time he tried to consign innocents to death via wurm-woman because he couldn't spare two minutes."
"I don't ever apologize or show remorse because I mean everything I do, and everything I say, and as for the powerful ally I angered, where is she now?"
"It's easy to offer words of support, while giving none."
"Oh, and those townsfolk you spent so long coercing, they sent assassins after us. So, good job there."
"If you could contribute with your rapier like you do with your mouth Jones, I wouldn't ever have to cast a spell. But here we are."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Z then nods behind Jones, "Your fire is spreading."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Damn...that rapier comment...even her words deliver a burn. I'll admit, that was a bit out of line. I thought you're a decent fencer. Better than me. Anyway, look, I'm part of a new team now, and you and Darius are part of that team, so I should play my part. What can I do to help here?"
"You are taking my earlier actions out of context, and I never directly endangered anyone with my decisions. I have also learned from that mistake and tried to correct my behavior, unlike you."
"These 'assassins', as you call them, were seeking vengeance for their slain brethren. They sought us out on their own, not because the townsfolk hired them. And you're mistaken if you think we couldn't handle them without you. Sledge's attacks could have easily penetrated the full-plated one's Stoneskin, and the rest would have been even less trouble to dispatch."
"By the way, did you consider for even a moment that there were some people staying here who might not have any ill will toward us? Like say, the woman we rescued?" He sneers. "Or would you have accepted her death as collateral damage?"
"If you recall the only reason that woman is alive is because I suggested against Sledge pushing her brains out of her ears."
"I don't worry about the consequences of my actions because I expect Darius and Sledge to not b~~#& and moan and to carry their weight."
"And who is acting emotionally when you seriously suggest to me to let Darius and Sledge close to melee with unknown combatants who could be vessels for slug things or any number of potentially fatal concoctions."
"I killed them, I prevented any excess use of healing magic, and eliminated any outside chance of one of our own being killed."
"You may apologize to me now."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"I have nothing more to say to you. Amanorn, if you want to help, then follow my lead."
He grabs a blanket from his own room, soaks it in water, and spreads it over the fire.
"For what it's worth, Zin, I'm thankful...but, like I said, there's more than just you and me here. Also, well, I don't want to die from a slug turning me into a horrible monster in the morning...so, you know, team player and all."
He grabs another blanket and starts to get to work
"Fine." says Z unfurling her wings of flame. "I'm going to go check on the professor."
"You need to remember this if nothing else Jones."
"I'm doing this on a vague promise to be granted information collected from the Whispering Way."
"But you know what? The moment I heard that from that hag of a woman, I could have left."
"The Way would be all too glad to have a living, breathing, avatar of fire. Plenty enough to cure my curse I'm sure. I could have burned half of Ustalov to the ground by now in their name. "
"But instead, I'm right here."
"So you remember that the next time you try to portray me as some mindless vicious psychopath."
Z takes to her room and takes off in flight out of her window towards the professors workshop.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Croon's house is a modest, though sizable for the area, home on the outskirts of town. It consists of a main building, and a smaller adjoining one.
Z will land on top of building searching the outside for any signs of intrusion.
Assuming she finds none she will knock on the main building door.
-Posted with Wayfinder
No sign of tampering or intrusion.
Horace's voice comes out when you knock.
"Just a moment!"
True to his word, he appears in a few seconds.
"Yes, miss? What do you need?"
"Ah, professor good to see you. I hope you remember me from the other day, I imagine flaming women aren't too commonplace for you I hope."
"My companions and I were just attacked at the Inn, I came to make sure no attempt on your life was made as well."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Ah, yes! When my boat got away from me. Come in, my dear, come in!"
Once inside, he responds to your concern.
"No, no attacks on me. Not sure why there would be, really. I don't bother anyone, and nobody bothers me. it's why I moved back here, you know. No pesky neighbours interrupting my work."
Z chuckles to herself lowly at the mention of pesky neighbors.
"I see, I was just concerned that perhaps during your expedition yesterday you might have attracted something's attention and perhaps had been scryed upon."
"Myself and my friends have made ourselves quite a nuisance since yesterday to the sinister group running this town. I just didn't want to get you involved inadvertently."
"However, you mentioned your vessel the other day? It seems my companions and I might be in need of it tomorrow if you could spare it, or perhaps pilot it for us? We need to explore the bay."
"And if I might burden you further, perhaps you could spare a room for me tonight?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Ah. Hm. I'll need to make a few more tweaks in the morning, but another field test is due, yes."
"By all means, stay here tonight. I could hardly turn out a young woman into the night alone after all." he smiles at here.
"I have an old folding cot you can use."
Z bows her head in thanks and follows the professor back off to bed.
-Posted with Wayfinder
The fire likely ended in less than a minute because of his casting some odd 160 GALLONS of water, Darius watched the shouting match unfold knowing the end result all too well. They were liken to children.
The task completed and insuring there was not structural damage, Darius turned to Amanorn and lazily pointed, " You need to re-evaluate your words before you speak, nothing more nothing less. Your suggestion that we somehow were unable to accomplish a task of thwarting Enemies when not long ago we stormed a base was ignorant and insulting based on the high praise you gave another. Im simply going to ask you to stop. Period. "
His eyes went to Jones, " You were not particularly incorrect on some facts but others very much so, do not degrade Zin further and give credit where it is due. Understand her mindset is different from yours, though she should be talked to. No it isnt congratulatory. And as smart as you seem, you knew how she would react, at no point are you on her high list. "
The raven-haired man sighed and sniffed at the air. Turning to leave, " While she told us where she was going, she is emotional and sporadic, I'm going to track and keep up on her. Luckily I'll catch her scent and it'll be fine. If Im not back assume everythings fine. "
Darius follows it to Croon's front door.
Darius hardens his face and knocks on the door.
Horace answers, and looks slightly cross this time. You can hear him grumbling about an overabundance of guests through the door.
"Yes? Oh! It's you!" he says, softening.
"Your friend is here, you know."
Darius bows slightly, staring at the man before looking around the area and back to Horace. " I see, I assume she has not caused you any trouble? That or our group through any indirect interaction? There was a small, 'flame' that blew up between members in our group and thus she visited you to likely mask the frustration while seeming constructive. If you have the time , could you inform me of what she may have also inquired of you? "
"No, she's no trouble. She just asked for a place to sleep, and requested she and the rest of you be able to accompany me on my next test if the Subaqueous device."
" That's good, very much so. Do you mind if I come in and have a little chat? It'll be with her and you if possible, unless she has already fallen asleep.. rather quickly. I will reimburse you if needd. And as far as a place, I myself do not sleep much, so if there is anything you wish to know I can provide it, assuming it is not too active tonight. "
"By all means, come in. I must warn you though, I myself DO need sleep."
Once the fire is handled, Amanorn yawns and stretches. "Well, I am calling it a night, Jones. These spells ain't gonna prep themselves. You know...for a minute I thought your lady friend was easy on the eyes, and that fire theme was, pardon my pun, pretty hot, but holy bulette droppings, I've seen less drama in a Chelish Opera than between her and captain melodrama. Whatever the heck they're on about, it couldn't wait? I've got a damn demon slug eating me and even I'm trying to get some shut eye." He yawns again and stumbles to his room. "Don't forget that...*yaaaaaawn*...healing potion in the morning. Don't wanna...die...horrifically." Amanorn then falls face first in his bed and is out like a light .
Amanorn sleeps through the night, and dreams of nothing.
Literally. He dreams of pure oblivion. Nothing exists, not even himself, dreaming of the nothingness that never was or will be.
"Well, Darius did have a point. I could have handled that better."
"In any case, I should rest too, so that I can actually prepare said healing potion. Hopefully, any more cultists that come looking for us will be discouraged by the smoldering remains of their brethren in the hallway."
Jones heads to his room.
Sledge will take a double watch so the squishies can get their sleep, if necessary.
Amanorn will buy Sledge that large quantity of medium grade alcohol he promised in the morning.
Darius nods and walks in, " Do not worry, I won't make a sound unless absolutely necessary. Think of me as a 'Watchdog', If that soothes your worries. I have ways to keep myself busy. "
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[dice=Save vs Fatigue, if Necessary]1d20+14
The rest of the night passes without incident.
Jones hands Sledge his usual infusion of Enlarge Person, and gives Amanorn a Remove Disease.
"That should do it. Try not to stumble into any more strange-looking slugs."
Amanorn yawns, pours the potion in some coffee, and rubs his eyes. "Definitely. No strange slugs added to the list along with white powder in a line, carriage rides in Cheliax, and women with large neck bulges added to the no list." He chugs the coffee of remove disease.