"Hah! Of course he did. Airheads like him are all the same, rushing headlong into one thing after another and dragging or pushing everyone in their path along in the process."
Qiarah finally seems to relax a bit as she uncrosses her arms, though she does remain standing behind the center table.
"I didn't come here to fight either. You can see that I'm oread by birth but I'm also a descendant of court wizards by lineage. My ancestors bound elementals like him," she gestures to Iyasset, "to this plane...a fact that causes me no small amount of shame. They then ordered the bound ones to build what is now known as the lost city of Tumen. To atone for the sins of my fathers and mothers, I have decided to make myself into what they would have bound. An elemental of earth."
She motions for you all to look as she rolls up her left sleeve, showing off her stone arm. "Living stone. It took me a while, but I have started replacing some of my tainted flesh with what it was meant to be. Working here in the Sandflow Source is vital to the process, but has attracted no small amount of people who would see me removed from here. The Goanron Triumvirate seem to think I'm a fool for trying to reclaim my heritage, while the Ainsi like Iyasset would see me dead."
"But I can't stop my work now, not when I'm making such tangible progress," Qiarah finishes with a shake of her head. "The Goanron and Ainsi both can go pound sand for all I care!"
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"Hey, Iyasset!" Effie calls "Tell us why you'd want to evict (or worse) someone trying to make amends. Seems to me that Qiarah is trying to do some good, and recognises that your people were wronged in the past. She's clearly not affiliated to the Goanron. You're surely better off letting her make her atonement."
"She. is. not. supposed. to. be. here," Iyasset replies slowly, in the tone of someone explaining something to a small child. "These sacred chambers are not some manner of common library for anyone who tumbleweeds through to just squat in and use as they please! And even though this creature is of the...earth," he wrinkles his nose with distaste, "I'm certain even the Goanron would be in agreement with the Ainsi on this matter."
He pauses and stares hard at Qiarah. "Besides, if she's looking for some sort of atonement or absolution for the sins of her forefathers...surely there has got to be a better option than to willingly make yourself stone."
Iyasset shudders.
During all of this, the Grandfrogger quietly takes stock of Qiarah's two bodyguards and recalls that these particular creatures are best dealt with using magical weapons. Hopefully it won't come to that, but the grippli is wise enough to know that it's best to be prepared.
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"You do make a reasonable point, Iyasset," Zithembe says after the elemental answers Effie. He turns back to Qiarah. "You seek atonement for your forefathers' actions, but it seems you sin against the elementals who call this place holy in your efforts. There are many in Axis who say, 'Two wrongs do not make a right.' I hope that you can see that your actions upset both of the tribes here in this desert. There must surely be a better way to make amends than offending two tribes of elementals and defiling their holy place."
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The Grandfrogger's unblinking stare softens slightly. "Understand wanting to make amends, I can. Understand a feeling of helplessness at the enormity of the task, I can. Understand the undertaking of a desperate measure, I can." Gently he meets the gaze of the young woman standing defiantly before the group. "But help those harmed so long ago, how will this transformation? Simple, yes, to name a thing and say 'I will be done when this is finished'. Easy. Comforting, the finality is. Ignore those still suffering, we can. Harder, yes, to understand that the work is never done. Tougher, to wake up every day and fight against those who perpetuate such injustice."
His thin lips bend upward slightly. "But before me, someone stronger than the stone she seeks to replace herself with, I see. A bright future, she can create. Does she see the same, I wonder?"
Though Qiarah clearly has no interest in listening to Iyasset, Zithembe and the Grandfrogger are another story entirely. Her expression grows troubled.
"I...hadn't thought of it that way," she admits. "All I wanted to do was make amends for what my ancestors did. But, I...I suppose I let my own feelings cloud my judgement. I made this all about me and not the ones I wanted to apologize to."
The oread heaves a great sigh, her gaze dropping to the floor in sorrow.
"Perhaps this is a foolish errand after all. Even if I became an elemental, it won't change what's already been done. And all the time I've wasted, when it could have been spent elsewhere..."
Qiarah looks up. "Maybe if I focused my efforts on the elementals still enslaved to this day, instead of dwelling on the past...maybe that would be enough."
The oread lays two wands on the lab table and beckons to her two winged companions. "Very well. I will leave this place and seek my way elsewhere. Please, keep these - a thank you for helping me solidify my thinking. Farewell."
And with that, Qiarah heads for the exit, her two allies in tow. She doesn't even deign to acknowledge Iyasset as she passes and the elemental seems inclined to do the same, simply rolling his eyes and making 'talky' motions with his hands.
It's a wand of Glitterdust with 4 charges remaining.
It's a wand of Magic Missile (CL 5th) with 8 charges remaining.
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"Really? That's it?" Iyasset sighs once Qiarah has taken her leave. "I was hoping she'd put up more of a fuss than that! And I expected the prophets to be ruthless...but maybe toothless fits better."
Though Iyasset doesn't seem particularly impressed with how the situation has resolved, he finally shrugs.
"Well, okay. I guess you passed this trial since I did say you just needed to get rid of her without specifying how you should do it. So, good job, you did it."
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No reason to spill blood here. Especially mine. Let's hope she feels better by following her own path, instead of walking burdened by the shame of her ancestors. She tried to do the good thing, but didn't take all the consequences into account, something I can relate to. Maybe the tribes could have took these good intentions in account too, instead of digging their heels down in traditions. The times, they are a changing, and all that, you know?
Oh, a wand of magic missile.. with only a few charges left, but it's better than nothing.
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Maria opens her mouth, "Ashually, we all have teeth. Some for different things though. Some of us only eat vegetables so we have some specialized grinding teeth in the back. I'm betting Holan-Ji there is more on the carnivore side of things. And... I'm not sure exactly what Zithembe eats. I don't think I've ever noticed. But still, he has teeth so it is probably something."
She glances at grandfrogger and raises an eyebrow, "Hmmm..."
If So
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"Who you callin' toothless, windbag?" Holan-Ji practically growls at Iyasset. "Those sandmen didn't taste so great, and I do love me some meat," he says acknowledging Maria's hypothesis. "I bet air elemental tastes like chicken. Want me to find out, you flighty blowhard?" It's pretty clear that Ji is completely fed up with Iyasset's games and attitude.
But recognizing that once again violence may not be the best answer, he takes a couple breaths to keep from really blowing his top. When he's calmed a little, he continues in a deeper, slower, more controlled but no less menacing voice.
"So we completed your stupid challenges. Now you're gonna tell us where Jamila al-Shafah went."
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"I eat food," Zithembe says with a snort and chuckle at Maria. "We should make notes on these effigies. I am uncertain what to make of the differences, but maybe some of the more studied archivists at the lodge will know."
The shabti gives Iyasset a puzzled look. "You expected prophets to be ruthless? In my traveling, prophets are better known for their words, and their deeds are usually instructional or apocalyptic."
"This one is a wand of glitterdust."
"Whoa, whoa, geeze," Iyasset grimaces as he rises just a liiiiittle bit higher into the air, in case Holan-Ji decides to make good on his threat after all. "You're the first prophets I've met but Aridiea made a big to-do about how important you'd be. And usually anyone important gets to that point by being ruthless, right? But yes, you've completed all of our trials and now I'll take you my leader as I said I would. Come, the exit is just up those stairs!"
Yep! You recognize that Iyasset is a large, advanced air elemental.
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After taking a few minutes to make any additional notes on your current location you follow Iyasset as he swoops towards the stairs at the southern end of the chamber. The staircase leads to open air again, where the walls of the trench quickly diminish in height, giving a clear view of the desert beyond the Sandflow Source.
Suddenly, a burst of fire at the edge of the trench flares up into several roughly humanoid shapes, all of which begin advancing toward the site's entrance. A faint rumble of earth joins the elementals, and then a massive, stout woman made of stone appears. "The Ainsi continue to cause us trouble," she says in a slow rumble. "And now, you ally with these flesh-things. Do you really believe them to be the prophets?" Slowly, her rocky face shifts into a half-smile. "Prophet or not, the Goanron Triumvirate would have a use for you. Join us, and we will give you rewards that make the offerings of the Ainsi pale in comparison. The Ainsi are flighty and careless. The only certainty with the Ainsi is their tendency toward violence and treachery. Whatever they’ve promised you, they would just as soon throw you off a cliff and steal from your corpse."
"Yes, actually, I do," Iyasset practically hisses back at this new arrival. "Don't believe the Goanron's lies! The one you seek spoke with a true leader, Aridiea of the Ainsi. She alone knows where the janni Jamila al-Shafah went, and as Prophets, it would be my duty to bring you before her so that you may find your quarry!"
Though caught off-guard by this surprising development Maria still has the presence of mind to make some quick sketches of the stone lady and her four friends. She has no trouble identifying the four smaller creatures as medium-sized fire elementals and the lady herself as a large, advanced earth elemental.
Zithembe also focuses his powers of the divine upon the new arrivals and confirms what he already suspected - while clearly at odds with Iyasset, these elementals are not inherently wicked.
"Actually, I believe the janni talked with our leader, the wise Ini-Kehrit, and I would be delighted to bring allies and friends of the Goanron Triumvirate to meet with him" replies the earth elemental woman-thing. "That way, everyone will get what they seek...except for the Ainsi, who would be getting what they deserve, which is nothing!"
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"Well now, this is a dilemma" Effie muses aloud. "Can't say I've been impressed with the way that our Ainsi 'ambassador' has treated us. Goanron delegation!" she calls to the earth elemental and her fiery accomplices "what precisely do you offer? Do you plan to test us in some way before bringing us to meet your leader? Will you assure us that you and your leader are willing to give us the information that we seek regarding our lost janni?"
Effie turns to her friends and whispers "Might as well see if we can negotiate, but I don't see a way to get them to work together. And frankly, that Iyassa has been no friend - forcing us to fight and trying to get us to kill the oread scholar."
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"I'm with ya' there, Effie. But I'm bettin' whichever side we pick, we get ta' fight the other team. Not disrespectin' Zith wantin' to try to do this peacefully, but...." Holan-Ji whisper/growls back.
"Eh, either way, things need killin'" the big man says with a shrug. "I don't see how it matters which o' you uptight, arrogant, pompous hŏi's it is," he says as his claws extend, and he assumes a combat stance.
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Maria finishes her notes about the elementals and raises an eyebrow, "Uh... So yeah, at no point did we pick sides and I see zero reason to do so now. Being escorted by Iyasset was simply a means to an end, though apparently they aren't able to uphold their end of the bargain. Our mission is simply to find Jamila al-Shafah. Honestly, I'd rather try to figure that out on our own instead of picking a side here."
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"Alas, I fear that Jamila has done her work well to set both tribes against us," Zithembe says to his companions. "Our hand will be forced, I suspect, for the Goanron will not let us pass, Iyasset will likely not simply let us leave with the Goanron, and if we excuse ourselves from the battle--if we even could--there is no assurance that the victor will still feel inclined to take us to their leader after what will likely be assumed to be a betrayal." With a look toward the Grandfrogger, he adds, "You may want to ready that scroll from the Dark Archive."
The shabti turns to the Goanron emissary, "We seek only to find the thief, Jamilia, who has manipulated both the Ainsi and the Goanron to seek us out under a false prophecy and, having stoked your ancestral differences, delay or kill us while fighting with each other. I implore you--if your teacher Ini-Kehrit is wise, you are surely compassionate--let us not have battle. Half of our number may go with you. The other half may go with Iyasset. Then return us all to a neutral ground and let us continue our pursuit."
..Being escorted by Iyasset was simply a means to an end, though apparently they aren't able to uphold their end of the bargain..."
"Wha-I told you from the beginning that only the Ainsi's leader, Aridiea, knows where your Jamila has fled!" Iyasset retorts indignantly. "And I said that once you completed the trials here I'd be more than happy to take you to meet with her! Despite that that pile of mud over there thinks, the Ainsi do not go back on their word!"
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"what precisely do you offer? Do you plan to test us in some way before bringing us to meet your leader? Will you assure us that you and your leader are willing to give us the information that we seek regarding our lost janni?"
The she-elemental utters a rumbling laugh; she seems pleased to see that some of you are apparently second-guessing allying with Iyasset and the Ainsi.
"You have already made it through the Sandflow Source and that is enough of a test to suit any member of the Goanron," she answers back. "And the word of the Goanron is immutable - ally with us and I, Elsharon, give you my solemn vow that we will help you in your search for the wayward janni."
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You're uncertain as to what Elsharon is exactly, but you're confident that the other creatures accompanying her are medium-sized fire elementals.
The shabti turns to the Goanron emissary, "We seek only to find the thief, Jamilia, who has manipulated both the Ainsi and the Goanron to seek us out under a false prophecy and, having stoked your ancestral differences, delay or kill us while fighting with each other. I implore you--if your teacher Ini-Kehrit is wise, you are surely compassionate--let us not have battle. Half of our number may go with you. The other half may go with Iyasset. Then return us all to a neutral ground and let us continue our pursuit."
Both Iyasset and Elsharon seem to consider Zithemebe's reasoned plea for peace and a division of aid to both tribes...but then your hopes are dashed as Elsharon slowly shakes her head.
"If only it were that easy, Jade One. The Goanron have long since accepted that there is no reasoning with the flighty Ainsi, who seek to unearth lost Tumen rather than leave the past rightfully buried."
Iyasset snorts derisively. "The Goanron wouldn't know opportunity if it slapped them in the face! There would be much that could be learned by unearthing Tumen or by allowing the flesh-bound to do it." The air elemental looks to all of you. "Your tribe has a keen interest in the history of all things, right? If so, why would you even think of allying with anyone who'd rather keep history locked away?"
"Sometimes there is wisdom in slowing down to think, but the Ainsi would know nothing of this, airheads and hotheads that they are," Elsharon snaps back. "Just because one can do something, does not always mean that they should. Unearthing the past is no different! I believe their tribe has grown to understand this over time, from what I have heard."
"See?" Iyasset asks, spreading his arms wide. "There isn't any reasoning with such hard-headed beings! If so, our conflict would have come to an end ages ago."
Elsharon chuckles darkly. "For once, the Goanron and Ainsi are in agreement on something - that there can be no agreements. Once more, these flesh-beings haven proven their worth and skill by allowing us to see this. The Goanron would surely rise to superiority in these lands, as we rightfully deserve, if they were to ally with us."
"And the Ainsi would prove themselves the true masters of the desert, once and for all, if they were to ally with us," Iyasset answers. "There can be only one tribe at the top."
"Yes," Elsharon nods. "One and only one."
The two then look to you once more, expectant.
You don't sense that either side, Iyasset or Elsharon, hold any malice towards you and your friends. However, the bad blood between their tribes seems to run deep, and both sides seem to truly believe that the other is inferior, violent, and untrustworthy. Cooperation is not desired, only victory.
Like it or not, you're certain you'll have to pick a side.
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Wordlessly-because blowing a raspberry, a strawberry, or in fact any kind of berry to Lyasset's face doesn't count- Hepsubia walks toward the Goanron.
You want us to choose? I choose the side that didn't asked us to kill on a whim. I have my quirks and fails, I'm probably not the sanest person in any room, I can be a bigmouth who speaks before thinking-asks some angels in the Heavens, if you dare-, I don't have the utmost respect for rules, authorities and regulations, but I'm not bloodthirty, and I don't condemn a person to death just because she thinks slighty differently than me.
She didn't walk so wordlessly, after all.
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"Whatever happens, we need to stand together or we will be crushed between two elemental waves," he says to his companions.
"We made a bargain with Iyasset, and neither of you have the moral high ground," the shabti says to the Goanron. "Here in this moment you are the aggressors by ambushing us here. I ask once more that you demonstrate the purported wisdom of your leader: we are not the prophets you seek--whatever Iyasset's fixed belief--so if you will not compromise, let us go peacefully, and the Goanron will have the last laugh over the Ainsi."
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Maria is off on her own little tangent once the discussion begins.
Jade One? Ah, yeah, he is Jade. But that is a really cool call sign too. Maybe we should all figure out our own so we don't, you know, id ourselves perfectly to every dang one we meet. Now what would I be? Elf One? Elf Two because Hep? Ah, no need to think only about race. I could even take the name of my bow, 'Wasp'. Yeah, that sounds cool. Now what is a good word for crazy that isn't offensive for Hep? Hmmm... Oh wait, they are still talking, I should pay attention.
"Uh, I think we sorta do need too pi..."
Her words are interrupted by Holan'Ji's attack, "...I guess that works, to arms! Earth and Fire Elementals surrender or be sent back to your planes! Iyasset to our aid!"
As it slowly begins to dawn on everyone that cooperation between the Ainsi and Goanron is just a dream, some of the group still hope that perhaps the current stand-off can be resolved without violence.
And others, specifically Holan-Ji, already feel certain that they know where this whole thing is headed and decide to jump-start the festivities. The tiefling suddenly charges at Elsharon, catching her off-guard as he bites into the elemental's stony form! Holan-Ji feels the hardness of her skin against his teeth and can tell that the effectiveness of his attack is somewhat blunted because of it - but not so much that he isn't able to draw blood.
"Hah! It seems they've made their choice, Emissary of the Goanron!" Iyasset laughs as the clouds swirl rapidly around his form.
Unsurprisingly, these guys are medium-sized fire elementals.
Elsharon is a large, advanced earth elemental.
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Effie
Iyasset
Grandfrogger
Zithembe
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Fire Elementals
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Hepsubia
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Elsharon
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Maria
Holan-Ji
Active Conditions: None
Environmental Conditions: None
Effie, Iyasset, Grandfrogger and Zithembe are UP!
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The Grandfrogger blinks once as Holan-Ji suddenly charges forward, then reaches for the scroll rolled up in his pack. “Ancestors, ward us from these stubborn flames,” he intones, trying to hide the fact that the magic stored within the parchment and ink is slightly beyond his ability to channel without a struggle.
The inscribed sigils flare to life, wrapping the small cloaked figure in pale blue light. Quickly he reaches out and touches his companions, siphoning off some of the magic to ward them all - except Holan-Ji, who is too far away for even the Grandfrogger’s tongue to reach.
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"This battle is sadly pointless. I take solace that their spirits will return to the elemental plane," the shabti laments. He draws his enchanted longsword as he advances upon the earth elemental and strikes as the spirits of jackals, hunting hawks, and spiders lend their strength to the spirit caller and his allies.
Though personally dismayed by this turn of events Effie isn't going to let the rest of you come to harm if she can help it. She utters a rallying cry, hoping to help everyone finish this battle as swiftly as possible.
Grandfrogger puts his talents to good use as he invokes the power of the scroll given to him earlier, allowing him to protect all but Holan-Ji (sadly out of reach) from the flames of the fire elementals. The grippli also knows that a being such as Elsharon will have a natural resistance to all forms of weaponry. As for her fire elemental friends, Grandfrogger knows they don't have any particular resistance to anything but that they are vulnerable to the cold. They also can cause additional fire damage when they strike a foe.
Maria and Zithembe are able to round out Grandfrogger's knowledge of the fire elementals, recalling that they are completely immune to fire damage (of course), have no special defenses to speak of, fight by swinging one fiery arm at a time, and have a knack for moving swiftly about the battlefield.
Zithembe reluctantly invokes the spirits of the desert's predators as he advances on Elsharon and attempts to strike at her. But perhaps the shabti's reluctance is showing even more than he'd like to admit, as the strike whooshes harmlessly past.
"Now you'll see the might of the Ainsi firsthand!" Iyasset cries as he transforms into a 30 ft. tall roaring whirlwind. He flies forward, toward one of the fire elementals, and completely engulfs it!
It's hard to tell what's happening inside the raging winds, but at least it seems to be keeping one of the fire elementals occupied!
The fire elementals finally manage to gather their wits and leap into action. Red, Orange, and Green all advance, with Red taking a swing at Holan-Ji while Orange and Green go after Zithembe.
But it's a flurry of fiery fists that strike nothing!
The dust and winds continue to swirl, hiding Blue from sight...
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Effie
Iyasset
Grandfrogger
Zithembe
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Fire Elemental Red
Fire Elemental Orange
Fire Elemental Green
Fire Elemental Blue (Whirlwind’d)
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Hepsubia
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Elsharon
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Maria
Holan-Ji
Active Conditions: Champion Spirit (+2 Non-Spell Damage), Inspire Courage, Resist Energy, Communal (10 Fire; All but Holan-Ji)
Environmental Conditions: None
Hepsubia is UP!
As Maria offers a possible solution to dealing with the fire elementals Hepsubia hesitates, torn on what to do. For the time being it seems as though her allies are holding their own and so she waits, trying to decide on how to proceed.
"Underhanded..." Elsharon seethes, setting her sights against Holan-Ji. "I see you flesh-things are no better than the Ainsi!"
Focusing her ire on the one that caught her unawares, the earth elemental throws stony hands at the tiefling...
...and rocks his world as both fists connect!
"The might of the Goanron is the might of the earth itself!"
Meanwhile Iyasset continues to maintain his whirlwind form, one of the fire elementals enveloped within it...
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Effie
Iyasset
Grandfrogger
Zithembe
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Fire Elemental Red
Fire Elemental Orange
Fire Elemental Green
Fire Elemental Blue (Whirlwind’d)
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Hepsubia
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Elsharon
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Maria
Holan-Ji
Active Conditions: Champion Spirit (+2 Non-Spell Damage), Inspire Courage, Resist Energy, Communal (10 Fire; All but Holan-Ji)
Environmental Conditions: None
Maria, Holan-Ji are UP at the bottom of Round 1 and Effie, Grandfrogger, Zithembe are UP at the top of Round 2!
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Maria raises an eyebrow as Holan-Ji is rocked hard, Damn, he can take a few hits. Those would have knocked me flat. Let's hope the enemy never gets in range. But for now, let's focus on what I can do to help.
She allows the feeling of inspiration from Effie to flow through her and starts tapping her foot to get the rhythm of her throw. All the while, her free hand is retrieving a special flask, specifically made to counter fire-based threats. And after all, a fire elemental attack is definitely a fire-based threat.
She focuses and aims before whipping the special jar right past the Shabti, "On your left, Jade One!"
for
Though concerned about Holan-Ji, Maria decides to focus her efforts on the fire elementals. She pulls out a vial of liquid ice that she'd been saving for an occasion like this and whips it at Green, but the aim is off by quite a bit and the vial instead goes sailing and shatters just at the base of the roaring whirlwind, splattering the immediate vicinity.
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Effie
Iyasset
Grandfrogger
Zithembe
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Fire Elemental Red
Fire Elemental Orange
Fire Elemental Green
Fire Elemental Blue (Whirlwind’d)
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Hepsubia
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Elsharon
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Maria
Holan-Ji
Active Conditions: Champion Spirit (+2 Non-Spell Damage), Inspire Courage, Resist Energy, Communal (10 Fire; All but Holan-Ji)
Environmental Conditions: None
Holan-Ji is UP at the bottom of Round 1 and Effie, Grandfrogger, Zithembe are UP at the top of Round 2!
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“Outnumbered, you are,” the Grandfrogger intones. “Exposed to the air, you are. Alone and exposed.” Hopping forward, the small figure pulls the borrowed length of willow wood from beneath his cloak and wraps his tongue around the handle. Deftly he flicks the wand to activate the magic within, then reaches out and taps Holan-Ji’s battered body from behind.
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"Ouch!" Effie exclaims as she sees Holan-ji take a battering.
"Iyasset! Just dump the little guys outside in the air cavern and get back here to help with the real threat!"
"Hep! If you keep hesitating people are gonna die here!"
Effie's forgotten the moral dilemma and is focused on keeping her friends alive. She aims at the big lump of earth and pulls the trigger.
Effie reloads with a paper cartridge.
The Grandfrogger takes a single step forward as he produces the healing wand you found earlier, using the reach of his long tongue to give Holan-Ji a tap with it. Though the tiefling still looks noticeably injured, no longer does he look to be near the point of collapse.
Thoroughly alarmed by Elsharon's might Effie hollers for Iyasset and Hepsubia to quit playing around as she takes aim at the lady earth elemental and fires.
CRACK!
Effie's shot manages to shatter a piece off of Elsharon's shoulder, doing some noticeable damage even though the bullet's effect was blunted by the elemental's stony hide.
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Effie
Iyasset
Grandfrogger
Zithembe
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Fire Elemental Red
Fire Elemental Orange
Fire Elemental Green
Fire Elemental Blue (Whirlwind’d)
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Hepsubia
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Elsharon
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Maria
Holan-Ji
Active Conditions: Champion Spirit (+2 Non-Spell Damage), Inspire Courage, Resist Energy, Communal (10 Fire; All but Holan-Ji)
Environmental Conditions: None
Holan-Ji is UP at the bottom of Round 1 and Zithembe is UP at the top of Round 2!
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Two big stony fists slam Holan-Ji, one in the face nearly breaking a tusk off and the other a body blow that lifts the big man off his feet for a moment. Time seems to slow as he hangs in the air for that split second.
LET ME OUT! the primordial tiger screams in his head.
I'm too weak, he replies in thought. I can't.
YOU"LL DIE EITHER WAY, it roars back. PROTECT THEM AND THEY WILL PROTECT YOU. OR DIE A MEWLING KITTEN.
Time returns to normal as his feet hit the ground. Holan-Ji shakes his head to clear the image of the tiger god just as the Grandfrogger taps him with the wand.
"Thanks, jobu. Think I'm gonna need another hit a' that, tho."
Feeling a little less weak and vulnerable, he does indeed call out the Beast and lay into all three of his enemies.