Circe sends off a magic missile at the giant wasp.
The 1st wasp staggers in flight under the barrage of attacks. Leaking ichor from it's wounds it still manages to fly, the vicious drone of it's wings increasing in pitch to help stabilize the wounds it has taken.
It turns it's attention to the one who hurt it the most - Tolias. It's stinger lashes out to impale the Half-Elf through the heart, the remains of it's venom dripping.
However, the killer insect fails to hit, it's jab going wide.
Seeing the attacks on the other wasp rending the insect apart, the second, smaller wasp zooms in to attack as well. It's ally blocking access to Arcturus means it also goes for Tolias.
Even charging in it is unable to land a blow and it hovers, huge eyes shifting to the many enemies around it, looking for other dangers and targets.
Saiga points at the weaker wasp, a small snap coming from his finger.
Having already smoothly weaved out of the path of the larger wasps vicious looking stinger, it's intended strike sailing uselessly past his side, Tolias is not quite quick enough to completely evade the attack from the second and stumbles further into the courtyard cringing slightly as the smaller wasps stinger scrapes across the scales of his armour.
Noting that his movement dodging the wasps has placed him across from Arcturus in the entrance to the courtyard, Tolias moves into another attack against the larger creature.
Seeing one of the wasps dispatched by the others, Avendryl moves in, slashing at the remaining wasp.
Circe shoots another missile at the remaining wasp.
Bad guys round 3
The hovering insect seemed torn for a moment, it's confidence damaged by the death of it's fellow, but it rallied and then lashed out against at Acrturus, perhaps hoping to find some easier prey.
However, over eagerness meant the giant insect instead rammbed it's stinger into the wall next to the doctor, damaging it. The insect let out a keening noise.
Saiga yet again points at a wasp, his finger letting out another snap.
After failing miserably before, Avendryl slashes at the wasp again...
Feeling empowered from downing the larger creature moments earlier, Tolias angles his blade towards the remaining wasp and moves in for another attack, taking advantage of the distractions offered by the others attacks to aim for a more precise blow.
Wounded, disorientated and unsure what the hell is going on, the wasp turns to try and flee.
Saiga flicks his wrist sending a translucent serpentine dragon after the wasp.
Avendryl, frustrated and embarrassed by his poor showing thus far, takes another swing at the wasp.
Rock, who was here, and apparently terrified of giant wasps and thus unhelpful in fighting them, finally manages to find the wherewithal to snap a fist at the fleeing wasp.
If the wasp is still up, Circe will toss another magic missile at it.
Tolias takes the opportunity and attempts to strike a final blow against the second wasp before it can fly away.
The wounded wasp crashes to the ground, it's wings buzzing pitifully as it tries to again gain flight. After a moment it finally stops. The courtyard rings with silence as the sounds of the combat fade away.
Saiga keeps his distance from the dead insects.
"Really Arcturus, if this is what cleaning up involves. I feel a lot better about not being involved."
He looks the giant wasp over then snaps his fingers, hopping for a moment while rushing at the thing.
"Aw giant wasp poison. The alchemist near by could surely refine it. If they are any good that is, if not its still got worth."
He pats his little body for a moment before producing a flask. Then tries to harvest some of the poison carefully. He even uses his dagger to get to any reserves in the insects body.
Circe sighs, but not wanting the others to accidentally poison themselves, she will go and assist with collecting the poison.
Saiga seals the flask tightly and puts it away.
"Well that's worth a good bit. I can get a great price in Okeno for it. Even better if it can be refined."
He gives a smug smile, before speaking again.
"Oh if anyone is interested I found another symbol location. Anyone else have any luck?"
"As a matter of fact, yes, Circe and I were able to get a line on one of the other symbols, a set of dragon scale armor. Unfortunately, it will require us clearing out a haunted inn in order to claim it."
He thinks for a moment.
"Well besides its location I do not have more information on the symbol I found. Its located in the main tower but not very far into it thankfully."
Turning to the others, "It seems that we have two obvious options ahead of us, a trip into the tower to find the symbol Saiga found out about or we can rid the inn of the ghost that haunts it in order to claim the armor from its current owner. Which shall it be, or shall we do something completely different?"
"I would suggest we make the trip to the inn first. We at least know what to expect there."
As you approach the Dust Devil's Den the sun is slowly setting towards the horizon and the Inn's lamps are already filled and alight, making it a beacon of light in the glowing gloom.
Inside, the Inn is about half full of people. Most look up and you receive a nod or a slightly raised cup. One of the men, a man whose already dark skin has been exposed to so much sun that his skin resembles leather, almost black with heavy lines and wrinkles.
"Those wasps have been killing our animals, taking food we don't have to give," he said without preamble. "We didn't think to look within the walls for the sneaky little things. And it was only a matter of time before they took a child...so your first round of drinks is on me. Our thanks, strangers."
Rock grunts and seems happy with this turn of events. She stumps over to get some ale, since its offered, with a short grin of her tuss.
Saiga gives a bow at the man's words.
"Come now good men, it is our duty. No thanks is needed but always welcome."
He takes out a bottle.
"A small gift to commemorate such a fine day. A bottle of Wolfberry Wine for the house."
He hands it over to the barkeep with a smile.
The Gnome Barkeeper Duval smiled at the gift, but there was something tight at the corner of his mouth about the smile. "Thank you good master,"[b] he said, holding the bottle up for the patrons to see, [b]"We shall put it to good use later." The crowd cheered, pleased at the idea of free wine.
Across from the bar, Azerna looks up from the cleaning she is doing and sends a questioning glance at Avendryl and Circe.
Circe raises an eyebrow as Arctus hands her a glass of red wine. "Thank you Drake. Good guess by the way, I do prefer red wine over white."
Circe will look about for a place to sit.
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Drake will find a table and hold out a chair for Circe, "Not a guess at all, just an excellent memory. Back at the Halfblood's manor you grabbed a red wine, and then again back at that bar in Port Peril a few years back you expressed your love of Chelish wine. Remember the one? You chased me out of it and down a few blocks?"
Cicre will take a seat in the chair Drake pulls out for her.
"Are you always so observant as to what other people drink? If you weren't so noble , I would be worried that you were just paying attention so that you would know which wine to poison. That kind of relates to why I was currently shipless and able to make the journey here. The captain of the last ship I was stationed on was poisoned and the new captain had his own personal wizard that he brought with him, so my services were no longer needed on board."
Rock eyes the pair of them discussing wine over the rim of her ale mug. Then she laughs for some reason.
"Wow," Elie said as she approached the bar, "You two sure fight, don't you? This should be a fun and exciting adventure for you all." She glanced over to Rock. "Have you got a moment? I'd like a quick word."
"Who, me?" Rock slurps her ale in anticipation of being carted off somewhere. "Sure. What can I do ya for?"
Elie waved her hand. "It's nothing major. I just wanted to ask if you were one of Zhen's grand-kids. If so, we have something in common. I'm one of his kids, although I left home years ago. But you look a little like dear 'ole dad, so I thought I'd ask. Blood to blood and all."
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Drake shakes his head and gets serious for a moment, "Only use I have for poison is for medical purposes, never for lethal actions. If I had wanted to kill you, it would have been face to face with a weapon in each of our hands. Not that I would have wanted too..."
Drake loses his train of thought for a moment, looking over the top of his mug of ale for a moment before shaking his head and resuming his smile. "I'm not much of a violent person."
Across from the bar, Azerna looks up from the cleaning she is doing and sends a questioning glance at Avendryl and Circe.
Noticing Azerna's questioning look, Avendryl approaches.
"Good to see you again, Azerna. Having discussed the situation with the inn with the others, it seems that the group is ammenable to the deal you have proposed. Assuming they are willing to leave their drinks, we will investigate the inn soon, otherwise it shall be in the morning."