Able has already begun illustrating his former notes on the pugwampi with a drawing of the downed creature, feverishly detailing the thing. "Fascinating. And their luck-altering properties seemed to be in full effect... Truly a gold-mine of information, these are."
"Yes its a joke up until your hunger gets the best of you and you just need one 'small' nibble. Tahl says quietly to Auri after walking over towards the fallen creature. "I say we go on a kill it then. If this is the creature that caused the fire then it is a murder and deserves no quarter." He says as he draws his scimitar and waits to see what the party says in response.
"I shall not kill the creature. It somehow feels less...regal...to kill a helpless foe. This is not the Way of the Dragon".
Auri looks at Tahlumilali, catching his gaze.
"However I undertstand the Law of the Jungle, and do not have a qualm with you doing so - an eye for an eye after all"
"I would just request that you take care not to damage any internal organs during the execution - I would hate to miss out on an opportunity to study the internal organs of one of these creatures." At that point, the light from Able's spell fails, and a small, disappointed Elvish curse is uttered. After a moment's fumbling, Able pulls out his wayfinder and resumes his drawing.
Talahel searches the body of the Pugwampis and the area around it. Perception
If he finds nothing of interest or anything indicating that the Pugwampis has any value, he steps aside for Tahl to finish it off.
Tahl waits for Talahal to finish his inspection before swinging his scimitar at the creatures neck in an attempt to remove the creatures head cleanly in respect to Able's wish for non-damaged organs.
The horror dead and the goat rescued, Aurichalcum returns to the air, circling the party like a protective angel as they begin the trek back to the caravan to reveal the findings to Alma.
Talahel shows the rest of the group the items retrieved from the Pugwampis. "Does anybody need a dagger or a shortbow?"
"It's very dark. I think Auri has the right idea. Let's head back to camp."
Perception looking for any trouble as far as he can see within Dashki's torch light.
"That may be best, but first we need something to carry the head in as proof of these little creatures, and the rest of it if Beaga Amháin wants to study it."
"Our word is our bond as to these creatures existence, but if Able wants to review its workings further then HE can provide for its carriage"
"I suppose just the head will do..." Able says sadly as he lifts it up. "I will leave it to another Pathfinder to chronicle more of the secrets of the pugwampi."
Lazibones!!! :)
Back to camp, then?
Able spends the recounting of the story filling in details of the adventure in writing. He chimes in eagerly when he feels it necessary.
That night, Aurichalcum samples the delights of dipping his small treats in wine... and subsequencly passes into a deep slumber...
***
"Awake" comes the voice.
Aurichalcum opens his weary eyes.
He sits in the blackness of space, in all directions he looks he only sees stars, a huge burning wheel of fire sits at some indeterminate distance from him, it could be small, it could be the size of a moon - with no points of reference it is impossible to guess its scale.
"Another lesson? another revelation of Saerenrae?"
In reply, Aurichalcum only feels a resonance from the wheel, scratching whispers fill his mind, half formed words mixed with musical chimes, reverberating gently inside his skull creating an almost uncomfortable pressure, as if his mind is being quite literally expanded... the pressure becomes a hammering pain as the unearthly sound grows in volume - an unearthly cacophony drowning his thoughts and cries out with its now immense sound... In his mind he screms and rails against its invasion of his psyche - he realises in a hald instant that he is screeching back in similar sounds and musical chimes - the language of Angels...
"You become the Dragon".
Saerenraes flame has branded his psyche with her mark, and changed the essence of his very soul....
He spins, barely concious, feeling as if he is dying. Moments later the spinning and falling sensation stops with a lurch and he awakes with a start, gasping for breath as a drowning man breaking the waters surface... a shattering scream hits the minds of all those close, and as he exhales a small gout of flames escapes his notrils.
Talahel wakes with a start as Auri's telepathic scream pierces his dream. Quickly he rises, looks around and sees Auri gasping as if he can't breath, small tendrils of smoke trailing from his nostrils.
He warily approaches the pseudodragon and calls out mentally in elven, "Are you alright Auri? You seem to be gasping for breath."
The small Dragon appears woozy and weak, wobbling as he tries to stand. There is a sharp smelling smoke still oozing from his nostrils, though it is thining out considerably. The 'nest' he was sleeping in appears charred as if by a small gout of flame.
"I think I am growing, our quest is true... as we go further into the desert I get closer to my kin. Saerenrae guides my way, so many signs already that we are on the right path...I believe the anient soul of my ancestors has been awoken within me"
Able bursts into Auri's tent, a nightgown flapping around his small frame. "I came as fast as I could!" Able gasps, but the book clasped under his arm speaks to his lie. He sits down, book open in a flash. The pages practically fly as he flips towards a blank page. Looking at the smoking nest, the still-oozing smoke, and Auri's staggering, Able's eyes light up. "A vision from Saerenrae, you say? Tell me everything! Leave nothing out!" Pen at the ready, poor Able looks so excited as to burst.
Tahl bursts into the tent with both scimitar and kukri drawn bare chest revealing more of his swirling tattoos in a crouch blades at the ready. "Cad a tharla? Chuala mé scread tú." He asks dropping into war manners as he attempts to discover what's going just as Able runs in almost knocking him over.
"What happened? I heard you scream."
The dragons nostrils have stopped smoking, his eyes are still trying to snap and focus, its is as if rousing from unconsciousness.
"My transition from wyrmling, my growth to maturity... Saerenrae has been coaxing and guiding my path through her agent, and lights my path forward to my kin, I now feel the fire of the dragon on my belly and my scales prickle with the first of draconic magiks"
He finally manages to right himself, although still a little unsteady.
"Thank you for all coming to my aid, I take great comfort in having such staunch allies ready to fight by my side"
He pauses a moment, startles upright, and then sneezes a small flame...
Through the rest of the night Able and Aurichalcum sit outside and record the details of Auri's latest vision, although this is done outside, as the small dragon seems to have a case of the hiccups with a firey result.
Tahl stares at the group who showed up in the tent. "Dúisigh mé ach amháin má thagann duine a maraíodh." He says as he slides both blades back into their sheaths and walks back towards his and Lofnaiali's tent his steps both graceful and predatory.
"Awaken me only if someone gets killed."
Aurichalcum jumps up like a startled cat.
"A temple of Saerenrae!? The signs just keep piling up! I accept your offer of tribute, and urge my comrades to accompany me to liberate this lost temple!"
Auri starts prancing and flapping in a restless manner, nipping and pushing at the others to hurry out the door.
"Thank you Lady Almah for your your generous offer. I accept." Talahel bows to Lady Almah. Rising again, he continues "I will need a little time to repair my bow, than I shall be ready to secure a better location for our group"
Talahel turns and looks for Garavel. Seeing him, he approaches and asks "Is there someone in the caravan who has bow strings to sell? Mine snapped during our run in with the Pugwampi."
Referring to Auri, Talahel says, "He has been acting strangely since last night after we killed that Pugwampi. Maybe it's a little blood lust from the kill. I'm sure it will pass. Now I shall look for Dashki."
Talahel looks for Dashki. When he finds him he says, "You did a very good job of tracking that Puqwampi last night. I'm sorry if we got off on the wrong foot. Do you have any spare bow strings you are willing to sell?"
Tahl not wishing to speak to Dashki more than necessary finds the guard that Garavel mentioned. "I was informed that you may have spare bowstrings, it would be most convenient if you'd allow me to purchase one from you." Tahl asks in his round about manner.
"Go raibh maith agat. Féadfaidh Go dtí go gcasfar le chéile sinn arís le scáth agus uisce thar leat féachaint ar na sinsear.. Or as you would say in your language. Thank you. Until we meet again with shade and water may the ancestors watch over you." Tahl says solemnly as he takes the bow string. He then walks towards Lofnaiali and stands by her waiting till the rest of the groups decides on what to do.
"I'm not strange...I'm Draconic" Auri replies in mock indignation.
While he waits for the others to prepare, he strolls around outside playing with his 'new found toy', flicking small flames at various inaimate objects... although being keen and overly enthusiastic, he is mindful not to hit anything that might cause a repeat of the recent fires...
Talahel hands Dashki 3 silver pieces and takes the tangled mess from him.
"Thank you and yes I do believe you now. We are going to scout out the ruined monastery near Kelmarane soon. Please take every precaution against another Pugwampi attack on the caravan while we are gone."
Talahel carefully continues to untangle the bow string he purchased from Dashki and then restrings his bow. He checks the bow to make sure it is sound and then rejoins the others to begin planning for the scouting mission.
Able proceeds to follow Auri around the camp, excitedly asking any and all questions that come to mind about Saranae, Auri's new-found draconicism, and some possible connection between the Goddess and dragons. His bag remains as fully packed as before, bouncing about on his back as he scribbles Auri's answers into his tome.
Auri does his best to outline what he has deduced so far, and catalogue his changes that he can feel inside... the minor coughing of flame is slowly subsiding...
Have you any preparations that you wish to make before you move out to investigate this monastery?
Back!
Auri flies ahead, then drops low and lands behind loose rubble and debris.
Like a serpent on the hunt, he makes his way carefully towards one of the big holes and uses his senses to detect life inside...
After ascertaining whether there may be any threats present, he sneaks clear to inform the group of his findings...
Talahel approaches warily staying within cover as much as possible. He "listens" for any information that Auri sends out from his reconnaissance. He has an arrow knocked in his bow ready for anything that may jump out.
Stealth: