"You sure 'ave earned your keep," Mouse answers Gav once he reveals the new arrangements, tossing him her silvered gauntlet. "Thanks for the 'elp. Now, come an' share a bit o' this with me," she adds, inhaling deep to take in the smell of cinnamony fried bread she'd bought while waiting for the boy to make arrangements. Y' earned a break, too."
There were so many gods being worshiped, observed or placated here! Yaziyah doesn't know the names of most of them, even less about their portfolios or worshipers. She spends some time paying her respects to the gods that she does know and follows at least to some degree, leaving simple offerings and prayers for the success of their mission in the Cinderlands.
But the unusual addition to Zon-Kuthon's shrine draws her attention. "Looks like something that girl would do..." she mutters before heading inside.
The makeshift church is little more than an alleyway sectioned off with colorful pieces of fabric hung from clotheslines with clothes pins. It's surprisingly clean, the alley's floor and walls scrubbed tidily. A large wooden shipping box takes up the middle of the space and serves as a table. It's cluttered with spiked collars, fish hooks, blades, screws, and an unsettling pair of metal boots with a set of cranks.
A soft humming is heard behind a bright yellow sheet, and a pair of black leather boots with spiked heels can be seen at the bottom. Brushing the fabric aside, Laori Vaus emerges, carrying a tray of freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies.
"Dark Blessings!" she starts, then gasps, dropping the tray of cookies with a loud clatter. "Oh my gosh, it's you! Like, WHAT are you doing here? Small world!" She moves to take Yazi into a big hug (mind the spikes). "Don't tell me you're interested in our Dark Lord? Those tattoos are perf!"
Ah, so she had been right - it was Laori who had, erm, refurbished the Zon-Kuthon shrine. Drawing back from the elf's hug, she scrutinizes her with intense focus.
"Interested in the Dark Lord? Yes, you might say so. Have you been a follower for long? You must be rather well-regarded in his church, to be entrusted with taking care of his shrine here."
She gingerly picks up a chocolate cookie off the floor, gently blowing over it and taking a bite. No point in wasting food.
"What have you been up to since we last saw you?"
And what do you know of Kazavon and his teeth?
Laori positively beams. "You like it? I was, like, completely floored there was no temple here already. I thought there might be. Did you know there are trolls here who disembowel themselves and read the future in their own guts? Cool, huh? Anyway, I decided to start a temple myself. I'm just visiting, though. That's why it's not a real church. That, and flayed skin is surprisingly hard to find in this town, so it's hard to make pamphlets. Ha!"
"After we left you in Old Korvosa, I took Salvator to some friends down in Nidal. Huge fans! They're giving him a place to stay and nurturing his artistic muse, and stuff. I came to Korvosa to try to track down some of Salvator's paintings that got sold or smuggled out of Korvosa during all that craziness."
"What about you two? Where's the rest? How's Kynes?"
"Very nice of you to help Salvatore. The poor man has been through a lot. And yes, it is surprising that there wasn't a temple to the Dark Lord here already... Any idea why?" Yaziyah scratches her chin thoughtfully. "You are only visiting here, you said? Are you staying long? Heading anywhere interesting after that?"
Kynes' dark moods had not yet abated since leaving Korvosa. If anything these had sharpened in focus after the seugathi encounter. With a countenance more fitting to a Dark Lord, than to one of the Order of the Lamplighters. Laori may yet succumb to dark diplomacy
Kynes raises his penetrating eyes to meet Laori's casual exuberance. As well as the world deserves, Laori. A pleasure to see you have escaped from Korvosa. However, do not feign that a specimen such as yourself has taken upon herself the menial task of tracking down some art, visceral as it may be. I am truly interested, surely you have a more interesting tale to share. The corner of his mouth moved into the faintest of smiles, managing only to further darken the clouds of his countenance.
”Obvs because no one thought to discuss Umbral Leaves over warm chocolate chip cookies!” Laori replies to Yazi.
"You are only visiting here, you said? Are you staying long? Heading anywhere interesting after that?"
”Right! Not much longer. Once I track a piece of art or two, I’ll head back to Nidal. I’m super stoked to get back to Pangolais . You should come visit! I’ll totally be your guide. We can tour the Cathedral of Exquisite Agony!”
”Do not feign that a specimen such as yourself has taken upon herself the menial task of tracking down some art, visceral as it may be. I am truly interested, surely you have a more interesting tale to share.”
Laori steps closer to Kynes, smoothing her dark hair behind her elven ear. She giggles. ”Yea, but you don’t understand. Salvator is suuuper renowned in Nidal! He’s like a celebrity, and he didn’t even know it! It’s a total honor to be associated with him in the flesh.” Laori lingers on the last word, her gloved finger strolling absently to a spike on her neck. She takes in the lamplighter with interest. ”You'd like Nidal, too. I can tell there’s a part of you that would thrive...in the darkness...” She winks.
"Was Salvator your main interest in Korvosa, then? Now that you mention it, I believe the Arkonas had several of his pieces in their mansion. Didn't they, Kynes?"
There was no two ways about it, Laori was weird. Mouse sits back and lets the others deal with her - Kaer Maga was already overwhelming her as it was.
Lord Talfryn stands at the back of the group, hands linked, frowning deeply so that his mustach practically bristles. He takes in the shrine, the cookies, and can't help but feel insulted; to make light of such darkness feels heretical to his old-fashioned soul. Zon-Kuthon was a dread and feared god for a reason. This... act, as he could only fathom it, added insult to every form of potential injury.
And yet.
Talfyn eyes his companions. They're making small talk, feeling out the strange girl. The urge to blurt out his questions on the Teeth is strong, but he decides to hold his tongue for now. If Yazi and Leah don't get around to it, then he'll do so. For now he'll give them room to employ their strategems.
Li's eyes widen and an uneasy giggle escapes from her lips as Laori drops her plate of cookies. "If'n ya be here lookin' fer Salvator's art, why ya be openin' a shrine? What ya be teachin' 'bout yer Dark Lord?"
"Was Salvator your main interest in Korvosa, then? Now that you mention it, I believe the Arkonas had several of his pieces in their mansion. Didn't they, Kynes?"
"Def!" Laori replies.
"Really?? Would you let me see?"
"If'n ya be here lookin' fer Salvator's art, why ya be openin' a shrine? What ya be teachin' 'bout yer Dark Lord?"
"I mean, who wouldn't want to learn about him??" She beams. "Plus, as a cleric of His profane faith, it's incumbent on me to share the dark wisdom of His teachings, and to share with the world the exquisiteness of pain." She selects a tool that resembles a chirurgeon's scalpel, but with a serrated wheel on the handle's end. She guides the wheel gently over her arm. "No pleasure is too taboo, no experience sacrosanct. Let the lesser gods quibble over what is or isn't allowed. Soooooo boring. Ours is a faith of explorers, those who don't shy away from a chance to unlock our inner urges and to seek the thrill of our darkest indulgences." She chuckles. "Stuff like that!"
Yaziyah sighs, the long-suffering sigh of a grandmother with unruly grandchildren, tilting her head at the dissembling elf. "Come now, Laori, are we not friends? What is really going on? We can't help you if you don't tell us. We have some of which you seek, and you may tell us of things which interest us, while at the same time spreading knowledge of the Dark Lord." She winks at Laori.
Laori grins. "Well, sure we are! Okay, so I told a teensy weensy fib. But I'll tell you what. You like Pharasma, right? And she's all about fate, so she must have, like, known that we would find each other, yea? Aaaaand knowledge, so she'd want me to tell you the truth, right? So let's make a deal, Yazi, in the interest of learning new things."
She holds out her spiked instrument. "All you have to do, is like open yourself up to the possibility of experience, and just try this wheel. A little prick. And just accept the pain. And meditate on it for a minute, and let it remind you of your place in the universe, and of your mortality, and how you're, like, completely real, and how that pain reminds you that you're alive, and matter, and no one can take that away from you. And realize that literally everyone needs that feeling sometimes. And that little bit of pain, that little prick, is a window to a truth that's way bigger than a little ouchie."
She smiles, the warmest, most genuine smile anyone could ever smile. "If you do. I'll tell you what I think you're asking about." She gives Yazi an exaggerated wink.
Kynes shift uncomfortably with her flirtations. His, of course were pointed, but hers made Kynes skin crawl in several places, in several directions. Still he was flustered by her evasions, and readied himself to turn on her and bully the truth out. Thankfully, Yaz stepped in, but now the scene before him had become slightly bizarre.
Garvid's usual sullen mood changes little through their venture through the Kuthite temple. The talk of pain as joy seems to put Garvid at an implacid mood, though Yazi's mention of childbirth seems to catch him off guard. Huh. That makes sense. Or getting stabbed protecting a friend. Not that that's necessarily pleasant. "I thought you were full of beans and a few beans short, Laori, but... pain does remind you that you're alive.", Garvid nods, pointing to a few new bruises on his face and arms. "Though usually for me, it reminds me that the one who caused it is nearby." Crossing his arms, he gives Yazi a quizzical look. "I can do it, if you want. None of us have anything to prove. But I'm willing to bet I'm the one who's taken the most blows to the head in the room."
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Laori’s eyes widen in surprise, two pools of black liquid that shine even in the shaded alley. She grins mischievously at the Shoanti. ”You are so bad-ass!”
Setting her implement of torture down, she replaces it with a soft chocolate chip cookie. She takes a bite. ”Mmm, yum!”
”Okay, so! Yea. When we met in Salvator’s place, I wasn’t completely honest with you. I’m part of a group called the Brotherhood of Bones. Sexist, right?! I’ve been petitioning for a change of name. I don’t care what Sial says. Anyways, we’re sort of a secret group of Zon- Kuthon worshipers from like, all across Avistan, and we collect the relics of an ancient warmonger named Kazavon. Ever hear of him? He was like, super mean. We don’t want him to be reborn or something like that. Anyway, it’s a secret, so please don’t tell! I could get in big trouble for mentioning it.”
”So. We’ve long heard rumors that maybe some relics were hidden in Varisia, but nothing concrete. So when a wanted Nidalese criminal named Andaisin was believed to have fled to Korvosa, I volunteered to travel to the city to try to track her down. Well, that’s the official version. It was really just an excuse to head to Korvosa to search for Kazavon’s relics for the brotherhood, without clueing in the Nidalese government. Who knows what the Black Triune would do with them.”
”It wasn’t too hard to find Andaisin. I mean, a trail of corpses makes a stink, you know? But I left her be so that I could milk my time in Korvosa for all it was worth to research Kazavon’s influence on the city. What I found was the proof we hoped for—seven artists and artisans whose work incorporated Kazavon’s unmistakable influence. What was really interesting, though, was that his influence was the most potent in Korvosa’s queen. When you guys defeated Andaisin and then Queen Ileosa appeared with Kazavon’s fangs displayed on her head, I was completely shocked.”
”So I waited and watched the queen, and searched for the seven artists. Unfortunately, one after the other, six of the seven proved to be dead by their own hands, so I tracked down their bodies and collected their skulls, which were the six sitting on the table in Salvator’s home. I tried speaking with them, but it was just too garbled to make sense!”
”I saved Salvator, the best, for last. Judging by his work, Kazavon’s influence was strongest with him. He had gone missing by the time I got to him but, unlike the other six, he was alive, albeit in the custody of the Emperor of Old Korvosa. I was just formulating a plan to extract him when you-know-who showed up at the doorstep!” She blinks. ”You guys. I mean you guys!”
”But then…” Laori rolls her eyes. ”The Brotherhood decided to send an assistant.” She says this while making quoation marks with her fingers. ”This shadowcount named Sial. He and his girlfriend met me here in Kaer Maga to research those fangs without drawing Ileosa’s attention. But he is such a drag! I mean, we can all appreciate a good impaling, but that guy has the biggest stick up--well, anyways!”
”So that’s about it, I guess. We’re looking through the resources in the city, and I come here to get some me time and meet new friends!” She peers at you curiously. ”So what are you up to this far from home?”
Shadowcounts of the church of Zon-Kuthon serve as ambassadors between mortals and the fiendish kytons in service to the Dark Prince. Despicably cruel and equally horrible to gaze upon, kytons are evil fiends who feed on the fear and suffering of mortals through painful supernatural means. Their monstrous appearances vary, but their stoic and amoral dispositions are universal, for no kyton cares anything for the plights typical of the creatures they prey upon. They are beings wholly dedicated to metamorphosis achieved through horrific trials of self-mutilation and the mystical power provided them by their sapping of mortal anguish.
Yaziyah knew of the shadowcounts of Zon-Kuthon, those who intercede with the fiendish kytons on behalf of mortals. One of them in the city could mean bad news, but the Shoanti had more pressing matters to attend to.
"Got any more of those cookies? They really are quite good. Did you bake them yourself?"
She coughs. "Hm. Anyway. You say that the church of Zon-Kuton do *not* want Kazavon reborn, is that correct? Why is that? Was this Kazavon not a worshiper of the Dark Lord? Would he not bring glory to your faith?"
Laori's complaints do give her an idea, however.
"This Sial doesn't sound like fun. We could help you research, if you like." Time to throw the girl a bone. "We are interested in this Kazavon as well, and we came here in search of knowledge."
"Got any more of those cookies? They really are quite good. Did you bake them yourself?"
”In a sense,” Loari replies mysteriously, without elaborating.
”You say that the church of Zon-Kuton do *not* want Kazavon reborn, is that correct? Why is that? Was this Kazavon not a worshiper of the Dark Lord? Would he not bring glory to your faith?"
”He definitely was a worshipper. But Kazavaon was, like so extra. I mean, really dangerous! Him returning would be bad news. The worst! Warlords are never satisfied, you know what I mean? So in the interest of preserving order, the Brotherhood keeps an eye out. Sometimes that puts us at odds with others within the church. Like I said, secret.”
"This Sial doesn't sound like fun. We could help you research, if you like. We are interested in this Kazavon as well, and we came here in search of knowledge."
”That would be the absolute best! So many of those books are so thick it would take years to read them. And who wants to sit around reading books all day? I actually knew you were hunting after Kazavon.” She looks a bit embarrassed, caring a look toward Kynes. ”I’ve been scrying on you for the past few days. I was just curious what you were up to. So I knew you were heading this way.”
”But that’s what I was saying about Sial. Even if I’d love to hang out, he’s got this thing about involving outsiders. Something about the corrupting influence of heretical non-believers, haha! Like I said, I shouldn’t really be talking about any of this. Secret.”
Talfryn hurrumphs at her casual disregard of the sublime transports available only to those intrepid souls who dare turn the pages of a book.
"Scrying us, were you? Well! Then this has all been a little charade. But never mind. Can you tell us aught of what the Fangs do when worn? Do they give the queen powers, or access to Kazavon's mind? Is there a chance he could possess her through them?"
He scratches at his chin. "And who, I wonder, turned her onto them? This bloat mage, with whom we never managed an encounter?"
"I can only speculate. We knew there might be relics in Varisia, and it was blind luck as anything that the crown would show up when I was here looking. What I can say is that Kazavon's influence appeared spontaneously all around the city, particularly in those minds already most attuned to the infinite grace of darkness. Artists. Like Salvator. So if Kazavon's influence could reach them, imagine what it could do to someone wearing the fangs. It also makes you wonder what was there that attracted Kazavon's essence in the first place. Some weakness in spirit? Or some strength."
Yaziyah purses her lips at the revelation that Laori had been scrying on them. Not only a reminder that the girl was not quite as airheaded as she liked to appear, but that she had powerful magic at her disposal.
" It also makes you wonder what was there that attracted Kazavon's essence in the first place. Some weakness in spirit? Or some strength."
"Or perhaps proximity to power, potential and possibility. If this Kazavon was a warlord, think on what he could achieve with Korvosa's resources at his disposal." She brushes cookie crumbs off her skirts with a decisive motion of her palm. "So we need to stop him. We are united in that goal, it seems. Thank you for sharing this information with us, Laori, I hope it doesn't get you in trouble. I think that we should work together on this one." She looks to her companions for their thoughts.
Per the usual, Yaz's advice is sage.
"Agreed." In truth, talk of ancient relics and secret brotherhoods had long since gone over Mouse's head...but Laori seemed capable enough, if more than a little strange. And more help was never a bad idea.
Laori's revelation that she had been using magic on them to spy on what they were doing sours Li's mood considerably. She stands beside Mouse with her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed, "Whatev'r. Bett'r she be wit' us th'n spyin' on us."
Laori claps her hands, grinning like a devil. ”That would be awesome! Sial shouldn’t know, at least not yet. I’ll work on softening him up to the idea of working with others. You should go ahead with your own line of investigation. In the meantime, we can keep in touch with sending. I’ll let you know what I can, as soon as I can. Promise!” She extends her pinky to lock in the agreement.
__________________________________-
With an uneasy truce with the Kuthites simmering in the pot, the group turns its attention towards leaving the city. Trinia has obtained a set of maps of the region east. Once again, she's secured horses for the journey.
She chews a quill, looking over the terrain. ”So this Thousand Bones lives at a place called the Kallow Mounds. That’s in the heart of Skoan-Quah territory, about fifty miles east.” ”I’m gonna need a sun hat!”
You leave at dawn. Atop the Storval Plateau, the environs change rapidly. Odd rock formations, canyons, gullies, and hoodoos fill the landscape, separated by twisting valleys and crags. Deep gorges create natural wind tunnels; the sound of the wind howling through them can carry for miles. Many of the rock formations have alternating tiers of sandstone and ash rock, creating a stark, contrasting ambience of red and black layers. The wind’s effect is everywhere—the geological formations are smooth and curving, mimicking the sand dunes of a desert. Large areas are solid rock, but other areas have stretches of leached soil and silt. A short, weedy scrub grows in patches throughout the badlands, offset by succulent plants.
After about half a day’s travel, you come upon an unsettling display display: the rotting head of a Shoanti man is mounted on a sharp wooden pole, the other end of which has been jammed into a cleft between two rocks so that the head hangs out much like a flag on the side of a building. Bright red crossbow bolts have been driven into each of the head’s eyes. The aged condition of the head implies that the mysterious killer is long gone from the area.
There are plenty of legends and tales about the Cinderlander, who he is, where he’s from, and why he hunts the Shoanti. The Skoan-Quah believe he is the unquiet ghost of a Korvosan general who stalks these lands and will continue to slay Shoanti until the number of Shoanti he kills equals the number of friends and family members the Shoanti took from him. The two crossbow bolts in the eyes have become the Cinderlander’s calling card.
As if on cue, a rasping scream carries across the sand. In the distance, obscured by the bright light of the sun, dark, winged shapes appear as dark spots in the sky. A flock of six fly in formation, speeding directly toward you.
Li spends some time shopping with Trinia to pick up some last minute items. She had already thought to pick up a filter scarf against the dust but she hadn't gotten a wide-brimmed hat yet so she made sure to get one when Trinia did. The good thing was that she didn't even really need a mirror to know what it looked like, she just had Trinia try on a bunch of hats until she fond one she liked since it would look relatively the same on Li.
The next day, Li psyches herself up for another long day on her horse. She still wasn't completely comfortable in the saddle and that made her all the more grateful for her quick reflexes.
The rogue took in the unique scenery with a mixture of awe and trepidation. The rock forms in fantastic shapes that someone called hoodoos were like nothing she had ever seen before. Sure she had seen stone shaped by artists but never had she seen something shaped so beautifully by nature. But the overall feeling of desolation and complete isolation kept her on edge as they traveled.
When the gruesome display comes into view of the impaled skull, Li recoils a bit. "Be lookin' like somethin' Laori would be appreciatin'," she mutters to herself.
Her head snaps up at the sound of screaming. Seeing some sort of creatures flying towards them, she unleashes her crossbow and loads a bolt while making sure more were in easy reach. "Anyone be knowin' what those be?"
Li doesn't wait for anyone's answer before she looses two bolts at the incoming threat.
Although shooting atop a horse at a flying target proves to be more of a challenge for the rogue than she was expecting.
Iu have heard tales of a man known as the Cinderlander. Mman or demon, it stalked the Cinderlands and thes Shoanti for many years, never attacking large groups, but the lone hunter, or wayward child, and without fail, sending two crossbow bolts in the eyes, sent from a “strange screaming crossbow. ”--a most consistent detail across rumors and stories...its calling card, one could say. What is not consistent in all the legends and tales about the Cinderlander are who it is, where it’s from, and why it hunts the Shoanti. The Skoan-Quah believe he is the unquiet ghost of a Korvosan general seeking to slay Shoanti until the number of Shoanti he kills equals the number of friends and family members the Shoanti took from him.
After relating these details to his fellows, Kynes' head snaps up at a scream.
Ashwing gargoyles Kynes growls. Cousins of their urban counterparts, these have become acclimated to the pitiless conditions of this wasteland. Their skin is as hard as the sandstone.
Kynbes slips his hand to his worn belt, and pulls from it a leathery extract.
Yaziyah grimaces at the sight of the desiccated head, and quirks an eyebrow at Kynes's lengthy explanation. The man's knowledge was considerable, she had to give him that.
"Yes, those are ashwing gargoyles."
Kynes reaches for an extract as Li releases a series of bolts into the sky above. The glare of the sun causes her to misjudge the distance, and the gargoyles easily swerve out of harm’s way.
The gargoyles rocket down from the sky to within striking range. They appear more craggy and weathered than those of their ilk who dwell in more civilized environs, resembling eroded statues or sinister slabs of rock.
”شانتي اسڪيم!” one screams, as three dive directly for Yazi, flying by in a whir of claws to strike at the shaman.
The other three dive for Li, ripping and tearing at her in retribution.
The parched sand rumbles beneath your feet, as though eager for the hydrating qualities of blood. In the Cinderlands, blood spilt upon the ground cries out for more.
Such seismic activity is known to presage the eruption of cinder cones.
Trinia begins to sing, her voice nearly magical in its clarity.
__________________________
Garvid:
Kynes:
Li:
Mouse:
Talfryn:
Trinia:
Yazi:
As the gargoyles were diving towards them, the Shoanti's hair, already falling past her waist, begins to lengthen even more, its tips touching the dusty earth and coiling upon it like a great serpent. As the claws tear into Yaziyah's flesh, her braid of hair lashes out, whipping at one of the attacking creatures.
"Get off me, I'm not a snack!" she snaps at them.
"Piss off, you screeching bastard, or I'll tear your wings off!", Garvid roars, as his halberd flies up to meet the gargoyle harrowing Li. "I don't feel they'll stop flying, We might need to shoot them down!", he shouts, taking a step backwards and bracing himself for impact. Come on, buddy. Let's see how you taste skewered.
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Li manages to dodge a couple of the gargoyles but was unable to avoid the third. She grunts in pain as they fly by but she keeps her sight focused on them. She pivots on her heel as they fly away while simultaneously loading another bolt into her crossbow. She releases her bolts hoping that this time the sun won't wreck her aim.
Kynes flies up five feet with the wings of a Popobala. Studies his target (Purple) and strikes!
]
Pulling out the blessing stick, Yaziyah quickly taps Mouse with it.
At Garvid's mention of the gargoyles refusing to come to the ground, Mouse suddenly (and surprisingly) smiles just the slightest bit. "පියාසර කරන්න!" she cries, pronouncing the word carefully as the shop keeper had taught her, and suddenly her feet leave the ground and she takes off into the air following after the creatures.
Yazi’s hair proves surprisingly animate as a braid lashes out at one of the gargoyles. Garvid’s halberd likewise finds purchase in the stony flesh of another . Kynes is less precise, his scarf flailing through the air as the creatures hurtle away.
Both of Li’s bolts fly up into the pale blue sky as the gargoyles deftly swerve to avoid the attacks.
Kynes, although on equal wing with his opponent, finds his claws only scrape the stone-like skin of the gargoyle.
Yazi produces a wand, enhancing her allies’ strength in battle.
Mouse surprises everyone by levitating upward into the sky!
With a pop, Talfryn’s arcane power ignites the air.
The gargoyles whirls on Kynes with a flurry of attacks!
Two others traverse the air, aiding their brother!
Three others continue their targeted assault against Yazi, diving down low to cut her with their claws. Garvid delivers two powerful strikes against one, but all three return to the air.
Trinia casts a defensive spell, surrounding herself with duplicate copies.
The deep rumbling grows louder. The sand begins to swell.
__________________________
Garvid:
Kynes:
Li:
Mouse:
Talfryn:
Trinia:
Yazi:
The sight of Mouse, of all people, taking to the skies sends Garvid into a confused state, before he shakes his head. Not the strangest thing in here. Instinctively bracing up against the magic, the hairs on his neck stand up, but Lord Talfryn's wizardry takes place. "To the Hells with them." Jabbing his halberd in the sand, Garvid draws the Vudran-accented longbow from his back and draws an arrow, the bow creaking in his hands.
Li grunts in frustration as her bolts are dodged by her targets but she's not about to give up. The familiar feel of Talfryn's magic infuses Li with magical speed and she makes the most of it by sending three more bolts hurling towards the flying creatures in rapid succession.
The rogue feels the ground shifting beneath her feet and she wonders how much time she has before the landscape violently changes.
Yaziyah's hair lashes out at one of the gargoyles attacking her as they swoop into range.
Feeling the sand shift beneath her, the shaman starts moving away from the tectonic disturbance. Now bleeding profusely from multiple wounds, she mutters an incantation under her breath as her skin toughens.
"I'm getting too old for this kind of nonsense," mutters Lord Talfryn. Gripping the edge of his cloak with one hand, he begins to cast his spell.
Energy coalesces about his hunched form, wreathes of power and electricity condensing with such virulence that his frame turns monochromatic, a silhouette within the coruscating ball of magic.
Was it possible to be unsteady on one's feet when one was not on one's feet? An interesting question, but one Mouse doesn't have time to consider. With a slight wobble, she slices forward through the air, darting to close with the nearest gargoyle and lashing out with her fists and feet.
Sliced open, lunges awkwardly in the air.
Kynes clicks his heels activating haste. And unleashes brutality against the (Purple) gargoyle using the fury of a Popobola's monstrous form, producing a cloud of blood.
If any of those hit, then target is sickened for one round,and free demoralize attempt
Jabbing his halberd in the sand, Garvid draws the Vudran-accented longbow from his back and draws an arrow, the bow creaking in his hands. The arrow strikes a gargoyle dead one, and it hurtles toward the sand.
Li grunts in frustration as her bolts are dodged by her targets but she's not about to give up. The familiar feel of Talfryn's magic infuses Li with magical speed and she makes the most of it by sending three more bolts hurling towards the flying creatures in rapid succession.
Yaziyah's hair lashes out at one of the gargoyles attacking her as they swoop into range . Feeling the sand shift beneath her, the shaman starts moving away from the tectonic disturbance. Now bleeding profusely from multiple wounds, she mutters an incantation under her breath as her skin toughens.
"I'm getting too old for this kind of nonsense," mutters Lord Talfryn. Gripping the edge of his cloak with one hand, he begins to cast his spell. Energy coalesces about his hunched form, wreathes of power and electricity condensing with such virulence that his frame turns monochromatic, a silhouette within the coruscating ball of magic.
Was it possible to be unsteady on one's feet when one was not on one's feet? An interesting question, but one Mouse doesn't have time to consider. With a slight wobble, she slices forward through the air, darting to close with the nearest gargoyle and lashing out with her fists and feet .
Sliced open, Kynes lunges awkwardly in the air. He clicks his heels activating haste and unleashes brutality against the gargoyle using the fury of a Popobola's monstrous form, producing a cloud of blood. The enemy is all but vaporized by Kynes’s attacks .
Trinia’s multiple images move near Li. One reaches out to touch her on the shoulder, granting her cat’s grace .
The gargoyles swarm Yazi, inexplicably determined to slay the Shoanti.
The sand near Garvid begins to collapse, forming a pit or crater in the desert floor as though the bottom has given out. From the pit arise a mass of confusing shapes, a geometric pattern of blade-sized fangs, surrounded by a great, chitinous maw. Up, up erupts an enormous worm covered with dark purple plates of chitinous armor. Its giant, tooth-filled mouth is the size of an pony. A true apex predator, it seizes the nearest prey!
Purple worms are giant scavengers that inhabit the deep and wild regions of the world, consuming any organic material that they encounter. They are notorious for swallowing their prey whole. It is not uncommon to hear of a group of adventurers vanishing down the ravenous maw of a purple worm, screaming as they disappear one by one.
This is a young worm, a juvenile “less” formidable than its mature counterparts!
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Group Buffs: bless, haste, IC +2
Garvid:
Kynes:
Li: cat’s grace
Mouse:
Talfryn:
Trinia: mirror image x3
Yazi:
"Purple worm!" cries out Lord Talfryn, then, to himself, "Bloody magnificent!"
But he catches himself, and quickly reorients on the serpentine predator that's snatched up Garvid. Skimming over the sands to place himself just outside the monster's reach, still crackling with fearsome energy, he waits for just the right moment to unleash the spell he's been building up within him.
The shockwave is tremendous, blasting sand away to leave a crater below the mage, whose clothing shreds, his very flesh splitting and sending sprays of blood in every direction.
The concussive force wave coats the Purple Worm in rime, as a piercing blast of cold blows forth.