Jones's sarcastic smile is replaced with a real one.
"Ah, wonderful! In all seriousness, I'm pleased that you're at least trying. It may seem daunting now, but it'll become easier as you start to understand the arcane vernacular. And don't be ashamed to ask for help if you need it."
Darius came about adorned in a much better coat and regalia befitting his new form. The Orc placed his hand on Zin's shoulders his tusks showing in a misplaced grin.
" You notice her impatience applies more than just equipment and reading. It is the main reason I had to remind her of the basics when it came to her research time and time again. She is quite apt when there isnt bravado spilling from those lips. "
Darius repositioning to her right side to nod to Jones, " I've secured my own orders actually, some which needed a little time to be made more powerful but the rest wholesale. I expect a little more protection as needed. I'd like to keep my organs intact this time. "
Darius rapt on his chest which under the fine clothing rung a familiar metal sound. He pointed to Zin, " I also propositioned something for yourself. You tend to only have that same sort of clothing, you never know when you might need a different set. " He let a pause remain for effect, " I believe I had the measurements correct. "
"Huh? You bought me something?" Z tugs at her tabard underneath her breastplate, "You don't like white?"
" Yes, I indeed purchased you something. From what I know you do not have anything that would be considered a wardrobe. A Lady should always have one. It is both a gift and a reward. You have accompanied us, seen unknown horrors and fought alongside. "
His eye roam over the tabard and raises a brow, " White is fine, there are trappings of it, but I believe a Red or perhaps gold would fit your personality more. "
"I'm excited to see it." Z says turning her head to look up at Darius.
Turning back to Jones and addressing both him and Darius she says, "Where do you think Sledge is off to? Have we considered the very real possibility that he's using his wealth to buy his own tavern?"
" Glad to know you are waiting on bated breath. As for Sledge, I wouldn't put it past him. The man has made a fair portion of wealth through all of this. Well about twice of what I had previously, though not with some.. complications. "
Darius smirked, " So I say let him have his time of reprieve. In just a few days the Pharasmin will be able to restore me.. and then our adventure will begin anew. Both to stop a certain society and the search for a suitable cure for your curse. Hopefully somewhere in between I will be in my own body. "
As Jones, Zin, and Darius discuss his abscence, Sledge swoops in, large boots flapping furiously to support his incredible bulk.
"Sorry, guys. I was practicing flying outside the city."
"That just looks bizarre, to say the least."
"Shall we grab another drink while we wait for the remainder of our items to be completed? After that, we should go see the Pharasma woman, right?"
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" Indeed, It seems you have gained the ability to become airborne. Quite a feat for one of your stature Sledge. This should make certain things.. much more manageable. As for the drink, while I will attend I think I rather keep the oxygen inside my own body for the moment. Someone has to make sure everyone gets home relatively safe. "
Darius visibly flinched at the mention of drinks. " The Pharasmin woman will be glad to see us off in a few days I am sure. The effects of my resuscitation still take some time. "
After Darius gets his little problem fixed, you all head out. TO CALIPHAS!
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Sledge is, as always, fine with anything.
Once Darius is fully healed, Jones prepares to transport the party to the Plane of Shadows.
"Here we go again..."
Darius receives his request on the last day of the party's current respite. With a pleased expression from being relieved of the daunting feeling of death by the Pharasmin priestess, Darius returns to Caromarc's abode. As they plan to leave he fetches Zin a white box, draped in gold filigree and a red bow, spartan as it is.
" Your gift has arrived. "
"I thought you said red or gold was more my color? Still, I really like it. I'll have to try to find an excuse to wear it now."
"Thank you Darius." she says, giving him a tight hug.
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Darius makes an audible "Oomph" as Zin rams into him and squeezes with her rather tight hug. " Well ofcourse, I did not mean that was the only color you may look good in. This is simply one of the many ways it can appear. It's base form however is more appealing. You don't have to find a reason why, the magic inside will make it apparent. "
Darius gives a tusked grin and reveals to Zin such a form. A fine satin Red and Gold dress with Black Trim. It has a little insignia of The Ral'algul house that is a sort of pin.. it can be removed or placed at leisure.
" If you think of something it can shift to whatever you feel would be most appealing to you... it also carries a much more.. practical use as well. "
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" That is simple. Besides that of transmogrification, the dress holds the ability to summon the magic from scrolls as if you had empowered the spell yourself. This is not an frequent event, mind you. But it could prove useful. "
You arrive about 50 miles outside of Calpiphas, in the middle of a forest.
Darius looks to the group and nods, " Well then, that was about the best we could hope for. I am going to get out barrings to see around where we are relative to Caliphas. We need to set up camp and approach relatively normally from this point on to not attract attention "
He casts Nature's Path and uses his survival skills to pinpoint their position.
Z looks at the dress and turns it into a stylized tblabard for her to wear under her breastplate in the new red and gold style.
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Z takes a seat immediately on a nearby fallen tree and retrieves her book, "Good that will give me more time to look this over. I'm almost positive I've got this all worked out now."
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Darius raises a brow, " About how much time do you think you will need for.... whatever you are doing? We arrived much further than we would have with even horse. It can be anywhere between 50 to 100 miles. That is at least 3-5 days maybe. "
Darius can see a spire off in the distance to the West. He's heard tales of such a structure, and knows it lies not far East of Caliphas. You're a little under 50 miles away from the city, most like.
"You can't rush genius, Darius." Z says sarcastically.
"But as it so happens" she says closing her book, "I believe I'm done."
"Would you and Jones like to be my audience for my first go at this?" she asks with a smile.
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"I'm... inspired to keep moving."
Darius squints his eyes off in the distance and sighs when his calculations are backed by truth. " First of all, Unless you have gained the ability to travel much faster than you currently have Sledge and require no rest, we are going no where tonight. And Second, even if we could I'm not risking winding up in an unknown city the enemy is known to inhabit; I rather not be infiltrated while we sleep.. again. Whatever is out here likely arent cultists at least. "
He shifts to Zin, " We are a little under 50 miles away, I would rather see what all this research and time has been put to. Show us. "
"Yes, definitely. Let's see what you have learned!"
"Besides, if you just spent the better part of two weeks learning how to punch a man's face out of his own ass or some such you'd be itching to show us all too." Z says to Sledge.
Z stands and brushes away the slight debris that had landed on her from the canopy of trees above.
She begins to incant her words when she stops and gasps sharply.
Some thick and black liquid escapes her mouth and she collapses to her knees where she begins to vomit more of the liquid out.
Immediately after followed by more sharp gasps and a hacking cough like something is stuck in her throat.
Falling to all fours, the flames in her arms erupt. But they quickly change in nature as instead of bursting from the cracks in her arms, her very flesh alights followed by the rest of her body.
Struggling to breath Z reaches a flaming hand to Darius.
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Darius reacts quickly, " By the Goddess, what did you do wrong!? " as he sheathes himself in a protective Corona applying healing magic to her form and gripping hand and arm as he tried to pull Zin to her feet.
" Must be the curse.. "