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To Korez, the elemental replies excitedly, nearly wisping away,“The art of prophecy has faded away over the years, but what is known is still known. A new clash of the khamsin storms draws near, and the Goanron and Ainsi watch for a sign of blessing. We have not known what exactly to expect, but the time is right and you are here.”
"The sandflow source on the other hand, is a sacred ground where this planes meet those of the elemental. One built in ancient times. We should go at once, immediately."
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"A legendary storm that is to come." He says as he atarts to take you on a short journey.
The journey continues for a couple more hours under the painful heat. The Elementals lead you through a dizzying maze of trenches, dunes, and escarpments, eventually bringing them to the holy site known as the Sandflow Source. However with adequate protection, none of you feel the effects of the heat.
You stop at the top of a plateau, as the emissary pauses and gazes meaningfully towards it. “From the Sandflow Source many of us came, and to the Source we periodically return,” says the elemental. “If 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.”
You hear roaring, bubbling noises from below that sounds like water rapids, but is in actuality a constantly shifting stream of sand. The river, approximately 15 feet wide, tosses and heaves with waves of fine yellow-brown sand. The rapid flow ends at a ledge, where it crashes downward just like a waterfall.
He points towards the sand river, and the bank that lies below, implying where you need to head next, as he floats above you. "This is the first test."
You recognize the flowing sand as a rare feature found on the Plane of earth.
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Inira tries to get a hold of herself but tumbles in the sand river, the current takes her down the waterfall.
Korez on the other hand is able to control himself quite well.
Glorin takes no risk and uses his rope to get himself all the way down to the bottom of the sand pool.
At the bottom of the sand pool, there is no more current, but the pool acts as a sink and starts pulling people down. The rope helps him no more from here.
Xavian hangs on to his life on the edge of the river.
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Jian Shengs studies the shifting stream of sand "Is this a common feature of the desert? How odd
She then transfers her gaze to where the sand river falls and flows to the bank. Nodding to herself, she tries to dive down into the flowing sand...
...and flounders in the unfamiliar environment. However, the ring on her hand glows brightly as its magic allow her to float down into the sand river below
Upon landing into the sand river, Jian Sheng manages to swim to the land bank without further issue and uses a simple spell to remove all sand from her person
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Jian Sheng is the first to arrive, doing it very gracefully surprisingly to the rest. Xavian spews our sand as he spends most of his struggles underwater. Glorin and Yliss make it without too much sand but enough to make them gasps for air after arriving. The elemental emissary waits patiently for the rest of group, likely evaluating the skills of the prophets.
To those that arrived, he congratulates you for not dying in filth, and suggest you rest here and make yourselves acquainted to the site as
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 sandy floored corridor. A wide frieze carved with numerous hieroglyphics flanks each side of the northern exit.
The wall tells of Ini-Kherit, the leader of the Goanron tribe, and his attempts to reshape the physical structure of the desert in conjunction with the khamsin storms, thus slowly bringing Osirion back to its original sacred shape. However, conflicting messages within the writing suggest that Ini-Kherit acts selfishly and seeks to keep the lost city of Tumen concealed because he fears some hidden power within.
the wall shows an inconsistent level of wear, suggesting that somebody has altered the hieroglyphics multiple times
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Korez fumbles down the waterfall hurting himself a little, but easily makes his way to the bank without troubles after.
The elemental emissary moves to explaining what you might face next as you study the wall."Beyond here, you will face degenerate earth beings, they are so stupid they longer take normal form but the form of sand. You must destroy them as they defile this holy place."
Inira -6 NL
Korez -6 NL
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Jian Sheng studies the wall and its hieroglyphics intensely "These wall tells of Ini-Kherit, the leader of the Goanron tribe, and his attempts to reshape the physical structure of the desert in conjunction with the khamsin storms, thus slowly bringing Osirion back to its original sacred shape. However...there seems to be conflicting messages within the writing that suggest that Ini-Kherit was acting selfishly and seeks to keep the lost city of Tumen concealed because he fears some hidden power within." She pauses before continuing while she rubs her hand along the wall "And yet...I wonder...these wall shows an inconsistent level of wear...which might suggest that the hieroglyphics have been altered before...multiple times in fact"
When the elemental emissary explains the next part of the tests, Jian Sheng's brow furrows "Is there no reasoning with them? How exactly do they defile a place by merely existing?"
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You approach into the sand filled corridor decorated with some flowers. There is an eerie silence.
the orchids you see ahead. may have use in certain binding rituals, especially if used to bind earth elementals
Inira, Xavian, Glorin, Yliss, Jian Sheng, Korez
???
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Jian Sheng draws her blade and wields it with both hands, its familiar weight like an extension of herself. These are creatures of sand...and we are in a desert Her eyes narrow as she heightens her senses, trying to make out the presence of any creatures hidden
As she looks around the sand filled corridor, the orchids catch her eye
Blossoming flowers in a desert? How unusual
Wait...these are no ordinary plants...I recall them being mentioned in certain binding rituals, especially for creatures of earth. I must remember to take some later
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As the group approaches the hallway, a few creatures emerge from the sand to reveal themselves! Humanoids made of sand. Their presence confuses you.
Two of the sandman approaches and attacks Yliss, while one more looks to be harming itself in a distance. One miserably misses Yliss as if it's unable to move straight, while the other knocks him, nearly to sleep.
Inira, Xavian, Glorin, Yliss -6, Jian Sheng, Korez
Sandman B R G -8
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As the creatures emerge from the sand, Jian Sheng is momentarily taken aback as she searches her mind for any clue what they are. Before she can even speak with them, sudden confusion assaults her senses, but she grits her teeth and clears her head in time to see two of the strange creatures attack Yliss
Hostiles. No negotiation possible.
Jian Sheng channels her focus, then leaps past the creature to land behind it. She strikes at it with her black blade in a blur of motion, lightning coursing down the blade
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Yliss unable to wear off the effects of the creatures, is asleep and confused at the same time. Jian Sheng dives head in into the sandy corridor striking the creature with a stroke of lightning. The blade does little damage to them but the lightning hurts them.
Inira, Xavian, Glorin, Yliss -6 (confused, asleep) , Jian Sheng, Korez
Sandman B R-10 G -8
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Korez using his magical abilities pulls Yliss out from the path of the sandmen, only for Glorin to step in, unaffected by the confusion aura, and strikes at the sandman. He does some amount of damage with his strong blow, but the sand cushions some of the strike.
Inira, Xavian, Glorin, Yliss -6 (confused, asleep) , Jian Sheng, Korez
Sandman B R-15 G -8