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Ollos stout legs, short stature, and familiarity with mountain ridges make it easier for the dwarf to peer through the dust and dirt kicked up by the high winds. He lends his hands where he can to help the others, often just in the nick of time with a hard paw clasping the back of their neck or tail of their coat.
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Grax yells as he is knocked from the ledge. Instead of trying to protect himself, however, the half-orc twists in the air to land on his back, cradling Javon against his body. He slams into the ground with a loud thud.
The bird immediately flaps up. "Gerald! Are you alright?!"
Grax groans and sits up. "That was fun. Didn't see that coming." The porter nods to Javon and stands. He follows Khair, trying to climb back up.
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Ysmero tries to grab his friend before they are blown off the side but fails to save them. He leans down from the ledge, looking to see where they have fallen and is relieved to see they are not too far below. He leans down and offers a strong arm to aid them up once they're close enough. Though it seems he's mostly not needed.
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As those who remain up top try and help those who have fallen, the whipping winds die down and quickly coalesce into numerous small gaseous shapes, about a dozen or so in number, appearing as birds, flying humanoids, or amorphous clouds.
A larger elemental descends until it almost touches the ground. The creature has a humanlike head and torso, but its lower body forms a bilious cloud from which wispy tendrils emerge in all directions. "Well, well—land creatures," it says in a masculine voice. "Foolish or brave—or perhaps knowing we seek you. Yes, yes" it finishes sternly, before letting a wide smile crack it's face open. "You are the prophets foretold, are you not? Which one of you is in charge?"
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Alexis steps forward. "We travel as a confederacy of equals, but as a True Silvered Throne of the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye, it might be said that I am foremost in the field of embassy to the realms beyond and their denizens. I am Alix Enki Agrippa Brunhilde Copernicus Eohippus Magnus Makoidees Von Junzt Dee, and I greet you on behalf of both the Palatine Eye and the Pathfinder Society. We come as friends, if thou wilt have us."
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Ollo steps beside Alexis and gives the creatures a deep bow. "I know naught o' yer prophecies, but would listen if'n yer willin' ta tell us more about 'em! Me names Ollo.. an its as tha lass says.. we're here on Pathfinder business ta help one 'o our own, but we will help others along the way as we can."
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"You do not know that you are agents of prophecy?" asks one in a tone that while incredulous, is not reproachful. The larger one just smiles and continues "You are too modest. You must have known you were destined for greater things, beyond your Palatine Eye or that Society of Pathfinders. The janni, Jamila al-Shafah, could sense your power! The power of those prophecised! She warned us of your passing as she fled through these dunes. We however do not fear the power of prophets for it was foretold long before that when the clash of the khamsin storms would draw near, both we the Ainsi and the foolish Goanron could look for a sign of blessing. The time has come, and behold: You are here, far from your lands. It is the sign, and the tasks must be undertaken before we are to triumph over the Goanron!"
He looks to his followers, assuring himself of their agreement before looking back to you. "Will you fulfill the prophecy and undertake the tasks foretold?"
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Iddo seems unmoved by the sudden appearance of the Ainsi, their leader's speech and the proposal he gives. That, or he is too preoccupied with his pain to notice anything. He slowly looks up at the Ainsi's leader, wiping drops of sweat off his forehead.
"I don't know whether I am a person of prophecy and if I am, that's one terrible prophecy, but I sure don't feel up to performing challenging tasks right now. Do you possibly have some magic that can recover me from... uh..." Iddo presses his hand to his forehead and cocks his head. "A heat stroke, I think?"
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"We do not have any of that. We are immune to these effects. But it is vital you must! You must fulfill the prophecy for otherwise even before Aroden fell, prophecy held no meaning!" exclaims the large elemental good-naturedly. "I am Iyasset, and I know the one you seek. Our chieftain knows where she went and I am sure she would be more than happy to tell those foretold know of where that would be. But to do so, you must undertake the Sandflow Trials, to prove to all that you are indeed as foretold!"
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Ollo bows towards the creatures, and asks "Pardon us fer a minute so's ta talk it over.."
With that, he turns to his companions, and after making sure that he was not going to be overheard, whispers to them.
"I'll be sandblasted if'n these guys aren't legit. They'll normally kill us just fer looking their way (and none too kindly, either), but these seem ta hae bought inta somethin' here. I'm thinkin' we may be able to actually trust 'em when they say they'll help.."
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Alexis is stunned for a bit. Not even she was prepared for this...but of course! Of course Alexis Trismegistis is the subject of a prophecy!
She turns back to the air elemental, somehow taking up a lot more space than ought to be possible for her tiny body.
"Show us these trials. Prophecy is no simple matter, and has become even less so since the fall of Aroden, but the spark of godhood is within us all. We shall prevail!"
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"Yes, let's go." Ysmero grunts not wanting to be buffeted by the wind any longer than neccesary.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Ollo heeds the input of his fellow team members and follows the creatures. "Ah just hope the're tellin Tha truth 'bout being able ta help us..."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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The elementals rejoice, and begin to gently usher you forth into the desert, where , far from any form of shade, you must try to endure the elements!
Several miles later, Iyasset pauses at the top of a plateau, gazing with intent at trench-work below. A roaring, bubbling noise from below sounds like water rapids, but is in actuality a constantly shifting stream of sand! This river, approximately 15 feet wide, tosses and
heaves, waves of fine yellow-brown sand lashing out up to the ledge where it crashes down like a waterfall.
"From the Sandflow Source many of us came, and to the Source we periodically return" says the elemental sollemnly. "Should you pass through this holy site, you too will be welcomed into our tribe, and you too shall earn the secrets you seek! To complete the first trial, you must get inside and make your way to solid ground." Iyasset points out a path that would lead you to the opposite bank of the sand river.
He looks back at you, and seems to be willing to answer more pointed questions about what you must do.
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"Indeed you can! Although it doesn't beat the feeling of free-floating one has in the plane of air."
Iyasset, turning to Grax, adds "Then, you will take in the history that has made you, shaped you into what you are now, the history you did not know of, separated from us as you were! It is all there, carved into the stone for you to take in!"
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Seeing he has no choice, Iddo ties his clothes in the edges and enters the stream of sand, lazily wading through it towards his destination.
Somehow, the frail boy manages to make his way through the sand with great finesse, leaping down to the lower level like a dolphin and landing safely, not a bit concerned by his heat stroke.
"Huh. I did not expect this."
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Ysmero shrugs and leaps into the sand. He finds that he can swim in it easily though the sand blasting the side of his scales is uncomfortable, and throws off his balance as he tries to jump down into the pool below.
Once at the bottom though he easily swims toward the beach and waits for his companions.
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Iddo seems to be able to cope with the additional exposure to the sun, at least for the time being.
However, he is the only one able to withstand the sand-currents well enough to swim towards the shore where Iyasset waits impatiently.
Ysmero, Khair, Alexis, Grax and Ollo all manage to loose their footing at one point or another, with Ysmero the only one who can manage to find a swimming footing once at the bottom.
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Once in the calmer sand, Grax pops up, gasping for breath. The half-orc swims diligently towards the "beach."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Grax, Ollo, Alexis and a bewildered Iddo manage to drag themselves onto the beach, to a beaming Iyasset. "You are about to enter a place noone of your plane has ever entered!" The natural slope of the trench combines with several artificial elements. The curved southern wall bears a slight polish and is reddish in color. An opening to the north gives way to a sandyfloored corridor. A wide frieze carved with numerous hieroglyphics flanks each side of the northern exit. "I'm sure you are all honored by the privilege that this is. But! Before you go any further, behold!" And with a gesture that wants itself to be solemn, he points at the various hieroglyphics carved into the wall.