Finneas finally finds his footing and finishes off the first foe and then the final foe.
The ground rumbles again to announce the party's victory.
Atol praises St. Cuthbert for the win a moment before turning to the party.
"I think that rumbling is our calling card. It's time for us to go."
Atol makes to leave the chamber powerfully... but hesitates. He turns to the others, "Uh, where should we start? Where's the best entrance to the undercarriage of the city?"
Atol plans to cast his Find the Path spell soon. I only hope that the Cagewright lair is enough of a prominent destination or we're back to the drawing board.
"Jhazidrune?" Toffitt looks to the health of the council members. "I advise you meet within St. Cuthbert's hallowed halls. Teleportation is restricted there."
He checks to make sure his extracts are intact before heading for the door. He hands Atol a scroll. "Perhaps you should try this prayer scroll. It will help us find the most direct route."
After pausing to ensure that the transfer of wounds from Toffitt to himself didn't spontaneously reverse itself, Glimmil and Cog bound over towards Skie to make sure a stray derro didn't pop up and make their way over to cause her any harm.
"Well, that was certainly unexpected. Do-badder gnomes! Why would they want to cause us harm? Are any of them still alive? Can we talk to them?"
Dyrant gives a brief smile as the last derro falls, moving over to examine the bodies.
"You see?! I told you we would bring danger to those we care about by being here! Our very presence leads our enemies to us...and puts our friends in danger," Dyrant says, looking for magic.
Dyrant piles the magics from the derros quickly, having done it for a while, into two piles (keepers and weepers).
When that is finished, he will turn to Atol.
"We have dallied here enough, you are right that we need to take action. If your spell will lead us to our foes, that would be great," Dyrant says, ready to move.
Toffitt waits by the door for Dyrant to do his identification, and eventually goes over to help sort. "Ellywinkle, perhaps you can take their magical arms to equip your troops."
With a gleam in his eye, Dyrant seeks out the magic items. One pile of keepers is neatly stacked while the weepers--worth fortunes to a common man--are tossed in a pile like dirty laundry. Unfortunately, he only finds a few items that might be of use to the party given their current powers.
Ellywinkle grabs up whatever the party leaves behind. "These will work well for us."
Elliott clunks and clanks up to Finneas, "Excuse me, sir. Uhm, it won't fit me for long, but you know, one of those chain shirts would fit me. I would be a much better looking representative for Kord and for you."
The ground trembles again for more than a minute and when it ends thunderous sounds continues outside. It's similar to thunder, but somehow wrong. Heading outside, the party finds the crowds of people staring into the sky where pitch black crowds crackle with scarlet bursts of energy.
Derro with the dagger
+1 dagger
periapt of health +2
cloak of charisma +4
belt of dexterity +2
bracers of armor +4
metamagic rod of lesser empower
ring of protection +2
two potions of cure serious wounds
scroll of blight
scroll of insanity
scroll of Mordenkainen's magnificent mansion
scroll of teleport
wand of invisibility (50 charges)
wand of fly (28 charges)
Beserkers x3
+2 chain shirt
+1 greataxe
amulet of natural armor +1
two potions of cure serious wounds
Should Dyrant make their properties known, Toffitt more than willingly takes either of the wands. "We shall share an inobtrusive entry, wherever we go." As he steps outside, he turns to Atol and nods expectantly. "Hurry, Atol. Time has run out."
Keep?:
cloak of charisma +4 (atol?)
metamagic rod of lesser empower (dyrant)
ring of protection +2 (dyrant wants if no one else does)
two potions of cure serious wounds (Finn)
two potions of cure serious wounds (Glim)
scroll of blight (dyrant)
scroll of insanity (dyrant)
scroll of Mordenkainen's magnificent mansion (dyrant)
scroll of teleport (atol)
wand of invisibility (50 charges) (toffitt)
wand of fly (28 charges) (dyrant wants for Finn)
amulet of natural armor +1 (dyrant wants)
Leave?:
+1 dagger
periapt of health +2
belt of dexterity +2
bracers of armor +4
+2 chain shirt
+1 greataxe
Dyrant heads outside, the wand of fly in his hands.
Scanning the clouds and recalling his faithful servant, Dyrant wonders what he sees.
Glimmil wastes no time to get outside as the rumbling continues, ready to face umber-gazers, dragons on worse. Upon seeing most everyone else staring up at the sky, he gazes upward as well.
"Hmmmm...."
Turning about, he sighs as he spots Dyrant in the distance sorting through the derros' possessions and begins to wiggle his legs impatiently for someone who reads big, dusty tomes to explain what's going on in the sky above.
"Skie-pie? What's going on?"
Know (Planes)
"Clouds, eh?"
Finneas nods at Elliot.
"Go ahead. Once we're clear of here, run to the temple of Kord and make sure they're all prepared for whatever is about to happen. This rumbling is ill."
How can rumbling be sick?
Fifth: No, it means...don't worry about it.
I think we should worry about it.
Fifth: No, not...
Male: Wasting...your...time.
Atol takes the proffered scroll from Dr. Toffitt. "You sure you'd rather me use this than my own spell?" he shrugs and keeps the scroll in hand, ready to cast.
Atol, already encumbered with magics, takes nothing of the pile of himself.
He looks at the scroll of teleportation that Dyrant seems keen to give him. He turns to his spiritual leader, "But Dyrant, I can't cast it?"
Atol too looks nervously at the clouds, but he waits for smarter heads to explain their meaning.
1d20+27+2 Know (Planes)
"Clouds, eh?"
Given what he knows of the plane of Carceri, the nature of its magical energies and evil, Dyrant deduces the clouds and energy bursts to belong on that plane and not this one. The fact they are on this plane is rather disconcerting.
Male: Wasting...your...time.[/i]
Other voice: laughter, laughter and more laughter
Female: Finneas?The ground rumbles. The sky trembles.
Female: Finneas!? You feel closer again. Are you there? I can almost see you.
The sky trembles and then all is quiet.
"Skie-pie? What's going on?"
Skie hugs Glimmil.
"I think we're coming to the end of it all."
"Atol, I suggest you ask for guidance to the Cagewright's Fiery Sanctum." Toffitt fidgets, eager to start the hunt.
Dyrant grumbles.
"Just once, I'd like a full scale invasion of the cookie and soufflé faeries...not demons nor devils...just little beings who delight in delivering cookies and chocolate soufflés to people. Sadly, we have to experience that...ever..." Dyrant bemoans.
Shaking himself from his sadness, Dyrant looks at Atol (for he does not any any other options). "You think your spell might work? Or should we call Jenya out for her staff?"
Dyrant looks to follow Atol, now more uncertain than ever before.
I follow Atol? The world is becoming rewritten. Things are undone. Now I follow Atol. It's chaos.
Dyrant grips his AngelRelic in fear...not for the clouds, but other things.
"But Dyrant, Atol brings that invasion every morning. Well, scone cherubs, perhaps. Judging from your bellies, the invasion has staked out its Oerthly territory." Thank goodness for the slimming effects of alchemy.
Glimmil returns Skie's hug and leans low to whisper to her.
"Perhaps it's time to pack up the Treasury? I need to warn ma, pa and the twins!"
Glimmil trots ahead a few steps on Cog to ensure no massive demon leaps down at them from the clouds above, but then closes his visor and begins to speed away into the city to warn his family that now might be the prefect time for a vacation to sunny Sasserine.
Atol, using Dr. Toffitt's scroll, casts Find the Path right outside the meeting hall.
"There could be a sewer opening nearby that will get us there faster. And if we run out of time on this one, I can always cast another - so let's go now! St. Cuthbert be praised!"
Atol asks god to guide him to "The Cagewright's Fiery Sanctum". As soon as the spell seems to be working, Atol will shout, point the way to go, and then drop into a trot in that direction.
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Glimmil finishes hugging Skie and Atol pulls out his scroll when it looks like Toffitt will be able to say, "I told you so," to all the citizens. The ground trembles more violently than ever and several people are knocked to the ground.
The ground cracks and a fissure grows to 15' across. A young man about Elliot's age disappears as he is swallowed by the ground. Scalding vapors escape and a few unfortunate people scream for several seconds as their skin boils red before they drop dead. Others nearby cough and choke but are able to escape the worst before vomiting and collapsing on the cobblestones.
A nearby building collapses in a pile of rubble and large cracks appear in several others. Molten lava begins to seep up from the pile of rubble. People dangle from window ledges and run screaming out of doors carrying small children.
Toffitt comes alive as chaos erupts. "Dyrant, let's use that wand on some of the stronger men hereabouts. Get them flying that they might rescue those in need." He imbibes an extract and wades into the crowd. "You there, and you: Help those in need get to safety. Dyrant, this one looks stalwart. Guards, marshall yourselves and start organizing aid. We need fire brigades and those to channel the crowd to safely. Yes, you, guardswoman." He gives a friendly smile to the guard who earlier threatened to take his hand off.
Terseon Skellerang wanders out of the barracks onto Obsidian Avenue to find Toffitt ordering his men about.
"Who do you think you are?!" He shouts at the party. "What have you done now?"
Most of the guards ignore Skellerang and follow Toffitt's directions. The doctor's newest acquaintance in the guards stops to talk with him. "Have you thought about giving up the adventuring life and settling down? Don't look at me that way. I'm just talking about working with the town guard."
It's obvious from the smoke and flames seen in the distance between the buildings that the entire city is crumbling. The crowd that had gathered at the town hall flees east and west along Obsidian, presumably to their homes or the nearest city gate. A smaller number of people head down towards Magma Avenue, a street closer to the lake.
A few citizens have stopped and are trying to pull rubble away from the collapsed building to check for survivors. At one of the buildings just in sight as the street curves a scream can be heard as a woman falls from an upper window to the street below. She tries to stand, but collapses quickly as her right foot bends sideways at the ankle.
The crackle of otherworldy lightning and more mundane flames is interrupted by a new sound.
A mound of flesh with a couple horns lands at Dyrant's feet. It has begun to rain demons. Fortunately, at this point, it seems as if they are not surviving the fall from the clouds.
Hoooooo-leeeee @#$k! Dyrant stares down at the horns and splat-demons.
"This can't be good. We need to move," Dyrant follows Toffitt's advice and fires off a couple of fly spells on competent looking soldier-rescuers. (Fly charges: 24/50)
Dyrant uses a charge on Finneas and himself, preparing to take to the air to help.
Glimmil pulls up short as chaos erupts, pivoting towards the nearest flaming building.
"Alright boy, it's find-survivors time! Let's see who needs our help!"
Glimmil and Cog leap into the nearest ruin in search of those who need assistance.
Finneas stands as the the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake.
"They have my mother. The demons have come, and they have my mother."
As soon as he has the ability to fly, Finneas takes off as quickly as he can for the Temple of Kord.
****************
"Evacuate the temple, help people as best you can, and get out of this city. Hell is coming, you don't want to be here for what happens next."
Toffitt looks at the woman and smiles. "We shall see what the future holds. Once I am through cutting demons asunder, I should rather like to go back to knitting people back together. You, however, would make a fine commander."
He looks with alarm as a demon splats down next to him, and is shaken back into action. He imbibes his mutagen and joins Atol. "What do you think, my friend? Shall we follow the path now, or help these people survive and get to safety?"
Atol HP: 100/100 +8 temp
Angel HP: 50/50 +8 temp
Weapon Equipped = Cudgel
Conditions = Heroe's Feast (1 of 12h)
Channel Energy Left: 7/9
Healing Touch: none
Resistant Touch Left: 8/8
Strength Surge Left: 8/8
Bestow Resolve: 1/2
Purifying Touch: 1/1
Cudgel of the Cauldron Five (4/10)
Pearl of Power Left: first (2/2), second (1/1), third (1/1)
Cassock of the Clergy: Spark; Bless, Sanctuary (DC11)
Chainmail of Luck: Hit re-roll (1/1w)
Metamagic Rod of Silence (lesser:3) (3/3)
Metamagic Rod of Reach (normal:6) (3/3)
Spellguard Bracers (2 concentration rolls) (3/3)
Spells Remaining: (Caster Level: 13, Concentration: 20 (+2 defensively))
0) Create Water, Guidance, Light, Purify Food & Drink, Stabilize -- Arcane Mark, Detect Magic, Read Magic
1) Protection from Evil, Ant Haul, Command, Endure Elements, Obscuring Mist, Liberating Command, Protection from Evil
2) Bull's Strength, Pilfering Hand, Restoration(lesser), Sound Burst, Sound Burst, Suppress Charms and Compulsions
3) Remove Blindness/Deafness, Create Food and Water, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Invisibility Purge, Prayer
4) Spell Immunity, Dimensional Anchor, Holy Smite, Protection from Energy Communal
5) Righteous Might, Flame Strike, Summon Monster V
6) Find the Path, Heal
7) Grasping Hand, Summon Monster VII
"We must help the city!!" Atol panics a bit and overreacts a bit to the immediate situation. He is not calm as he reacts.
He casts Air Walk, Communal - sharing out the time between himself and 12 others (so only 10minutes each) - mostly guards helping folks get to safety but also the poor woman with the broken ankle so she can at least crawl to safety. He helps her into the hands of one of the guards.
He climbs to the air and looks around the immediate area. He prepares to cast summon monster VII for aid... Getting a hold of himself a little, and seeing that Dr. Toffitt has things well organized, he instead drops create waters (26 gallons each casting) on hot spots where fire seems to be out of control as he tries to get control of himself. His heart is racing very fast...
He sticks close to the party though and moves when they move (though slower as he's not actually flying).
Toffitt joins Atol in tending to the woman with the broken ankle, using some pressure point remedies to try to get her walking again. He nods approvingly at Atol's dousing of fires.
Glimmil and Cog dive into a burning building with numerous closed doors. Smoke fills the building making it difficult to see, but Cog leads Glimmil to a closet door. Inside a young girl cowers under a blanket refusing to come out.
Dyrant uses the new wand on Finneas and a few others.
Finneas rushes off counterclockwise on Obsidian Avenue to the Temple of Lordly Might (SW #25). He finds Martha has already organized the kids who stand at the doors with packs in hands along with some of the more valuable pieces from the temple. There's no look of guilt in her eyes as Finneas approaches. She reports on the state of things as if she were a scout reporting to a general.
"The temple isn't safe anymore, sir. Several walls have collapsed and there are more cracks than can be counted. Only minor injuries so far. We've gathered up all the weapons and what appeared to be the most valuable items--I apologize for my lack of knowledge of our faith. We've also packed all the available food and as much water as we can carry. What are your orders, sir?"
Upon receiving orders to evacuate, Martha and Elliott lead the train of package carrying children towards the nearby west gate.
Climbing above the rooftops, Atol sees nothing but flames across Cauldron. He puts out some fires were it helps, but soon realizes that it is like he is spitting on a fire elemental.
He sees the woman hobble away with Toffitt's quickly applied medical aid. Most of the citizens blessed with airwalk also vacate the area. A couple are too awestruck with their first experience with flight though. They meander in circles, testing the limits of their new power as the city burns around them until Atol yells at them to leave.
Others are not so lucky as another fissure opens up on Obsidian Avenue. Two whole families along with their carts are swallowed up by the instant whole in the ground. They fall 50' and land with sickening mix of cracks and squishing sounds. Several of them don't move, but a couple adults manage to stand up and begin screaming for help.
Minute 1 of Cauldron's awakening
NE -
SE -
SW - Finneas (#25) tells kids to evacuate temple of Kord.
NW - Dyrant (#5) aids guards. Atol (#5) helps with fires. Toffitt (#5) helps woman with broken ankle. Glimmil (#5) and Cog head into a building and find a girl. Another fissure opens up and swallows two families.
Lakeside -
While the party rushes to help people, Ellywinkle rushes off to Jzadirune. Skie promises to meet her there after stopping at her shop for anything that might be useful. She kisses Glimmil goodbye and accepts a licking kiss from Cog. "Be careful both of you. I expect to see you soon." She says with a tear in her eye before dashing off southwest towards her shop (#17).
Jenya also takes her leave and heads off east on Obsidian Avenue to the Church of St. Cuthbert (#7) which is just out sight around the curve.
Meerethan and those he teleported away (Coryston and Maavu) have not returned.
The nobles and their house guards have all left, presumably to their own estates.
Atol HP: 100/100 +8 temp
Angel HP: 50/50 +8 temp
Weapon Equipped = Cudgel
Conditions = Heroe's Feast (1 of 12h)
Channel Energy Left: 7/9
Healing Touch: none
Resistant Touch Left: 8/8
Strength Surge Left: 8/8
Bestow Resolve: 1/2
Purifying Touch: 1/1
Cudgel of the Cauldron Five (4/10)
Pearl of Power Left: first (2/2), second (1/1), third (1/1)
Cassock of the Clergy: Spark; Bless, Sanctuary (DC11)
Chainmail of Luck: Hit re-roll (1/1w)
Metamagic Rod of Silence (lesser:3) (3/3)
Metamagic Rod of Reach (normal:6) (3/3)
Spellguard Bracers (2 concentration rolls) (3/3)
Spells Remaining: (Caster Level: 13, Concentration: 20 (+2 defensively))
0) Create Water, Guidance, Light, Purify Food & Drink, Stabilize -- Arcane Mark, Detect Magic, Read Magic
1) Protection from Evil, Command, Endure Elements, Obscuring Mist, Liberating Command, Protection from Evil
2) Bull's Strength, Pilfering Hand, Restoration(lesser), Sound Burst, Sound Burst, Suppress Charms and Compulsions
3) Remove Blindness/Deafness, Create Food and Water, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Invisibility Purge, Prayer
4) Spell Immunity, Dimensional Anchor, Holy Smite, Protection from Energy Communal
5) Righteous Might, Flame Strike, Summon Monster V
6) Find the Path, Heal
7) Grasping Hand, Summon Monster VII
Atol air walks down to the families, casts Ant Haul on himself and helps to carry folks to the relative safety of the street above. If any are injured, he follows Toffitt's lead and heals them using his healing touch (1d8+1 once per person, unlimited people).
Seeing Finneas missing, he shouts to the others - "We should all stay more or less together. There may be some obvious greater evil we can thwart - or it may come time to hunt below if this continues much longer!"
Thus resolved (to himself anyway) he rushes off after Finneas to the SW climbing into the air to look for him - or other dangers in his vicinity.
Toffitt drinks his avian extract and picks up a couple of vulnerable looking individuals, flying them toward the gates while more or less following after Atol. He shouts orders as he goes. "You there, my good fellow. There are some injured souls over there that could use your help. The Cauldron Five would be most grateful."
Glimmil quickly leaps from Cog and bows before the wee human girl.
"Hello, there young lady! I'm Glimmil Cobwaddle the Third and this here is Cog!"
Cog responds to his name by bowing his head slightly and begins panting in the heat.
"Look at that grand saddle on Cog! Wouldn't you like to go for a ride?"
Glimmil gestures at Cog as if his companion was a nothing but a simple carriage ride for the young girl.
Another fissure opens up and swallows two families.
Whoops. I hope they were WeeJasians.
Dyrant flies up 30' and looks for the place that he can have the most impact.
"Aralynn! Get over here! Start helping people!! Lead the to safety! Do something!"
*cough* *cough* "Puppy!" The girl struggles to get into the saddle, but Glimmil easily lifts her up and carries her out of the burning building. Her parents emerge from the side of the building lavishing thanks and praises on Glimmil.
Atol and Toffitt manage to get the families out of the fissure before it closes up just as quickly as it opened. The wood of the carts cracks and snaps before the ground closes with a thud. The families walk off empty-handed toward the north gate.
Dyrant takes in the city and his heart breaks. Flame and smoke leap from every rooftop. He feels like an ant taking in a traveler's firepit. He spots Finneas returning from his temple, but he also spies a pack of demons with great bat-like wings that have safely descended from the clouds. They have sharp fangs and claws that they are gleefully using to rip apart a group of guards they have cornered. The guards are trying to fight back, but their weapons seems ineffective.
Minute 3, Round 1
Dyrant = 29
Finneas = 25
Toffitt = 20
Demons = 15
Atol = 11
Glimmil = 7
Round 1
HP = 118/118 (+25 Temporary)
AC/T/FF = 28/12/28
Weapon Equipped = +1 Holy Cold Iron Greatsword
Speed = 30'
Rage/day = 14/16
Hero Points = 3
Moment of Clarity (1/rage) = 1/1
Dancing Lights (1/day) = 1/1
Ghost Sound (1/day) = 1/1
Guidance (1/rage) = 1/1
Mage Hand (1/day) = 1/1
Extracts: Enlarge Person, Barkskin (+5)
Oracle Spells Left (CL 8, +14 melee touch, +11 ranged touch):
3 4/4 Magic Vestment, Cure Serious Wounds, Deadly Juggernaut, Dispel Magic
2 7/7 Resist Energy*, Cure Moderate Wounds*, Fog Cloud, Levitate, Minor Image, Grace, See Invisibility, Augury, Heroic Fortune
1 6/7 Divine Favor*, Shield of Faith*, Remove Fear*, Enlarge Person*, Cure Light Wounds*, Protection From Evil*, Enhance Water*
0 (at will) Purify Food and Drink*, Create Water, Stabilize, Ghost Sound*, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Light, Spark*, Mending
* Allows save DC = 13 + Spell Level
Status Effects = Barkskin (+5), Hero's Feast, Witch Ward, Enlarge Person
Not wishing to wast time Finneas quaffs the potion of Enlarge given to him by the Doctor, gags a little, then moves up.
Round 1, Init 20 {>AA10}
Toffitt quaffs his mutagen and flies towards the demons. "It is most irritating that I must be the harbinger of this news: I did say it would be so, did I not?"
Active effects/conditions ablative barrier (40), ant haul, delayed consumption (freedom of movement from previous day), endure elements, heroes feast, heroism, mutagen
Init +12 Perception +21 Sense Motive +20
AC 33/ 34 crowd control (20 touch; 22 incorporeal; uncanny dodge)
CMB +12 CMD 32 (+10 BAB, +8 Dex, +2 Str, +2 Ring)
HP 97 / 97
Fort +15 Reflex +18 Will +11 (+2 v. enchant)
Immune Poison, disease, nonlethal, cold, sleep, paralysis
Other Defenses -4 to ability damage, -2 to ability drain, 25% chance to avoid crit/precision damage
Weapon Equipped Dueling sword
Mutagen ACTIVE(+4 Dex, +2 AC, -2 Wis, 130 minute duration)
Elixirs
1 Ant haul ACTIVE 26 hours
- Endure elements ACTIVE 24 hours
- Enlarge person (Finneas)
- Expeditious retreat
- Shield (Finneas)
- Shield
2 Ablative barrier 13 hours ACTIVE
- Ablative barrier 13 hours (Atol)
- Barkskin +5 (Finneas)
- Barkskin +5
- open
- open
3 Heroism ACTIVE
- Resist energy, communal
- Fly ACTIVE
- open
- open
4 Echolocation
- Greater invisibility
- open
- open
5 Delayed consumption
Hero Points 0
Controlled Rage 5 of 5 rounds used
Healing touch 25 hp of 65hp used
Boots of speed 5 of 10 rounds used
Boro Beads, lvl 1 0 of 2 used
Boro Bead, lvl 2 ready
Preserving flask Shield
Wand of fireball 22 charges
Wand of Shield 20 charges
Wand of See Invisibility 3 charges
"Dyrant, cold or fire will be blunted, but work. Not electricity. Our weapons should all work."
Round 1, Init 29
Dyrant flies to T15, still 30' up and espies the assorted demonia.
Know (Planes)
"Careful lads, Nabasu! They are not friendly! Say, Finn...are they from your plane? Can you command them?" Dyrant asks, knowing the answer.
Dyrant fixes his gaze at D1, hoping to slow the demon's assault, but knowing that it is unlikely.
Dyrant flies down Obsidian Avenue until he is even with the demons. One of them turns and looks back at Dyrant and soon regrets his decision.
Finneas flies up also while quaffing a potion of enlarge.
Toffitt quickly downs his mutagen and moves up.
The first demon that exchanged glares with Dyrant casts a spell and all the guards stop moving at once (mass hold person).
The other trio of demons emerge from the alley and fire rays of black energy at Dryant. All three hit him, one of them right on his forehead. He suddenly feels worse then when he took the gristle stew challenge--3 bowls of 3 day old stew--as he receives 10 negative levels. The demons snarl gleefully and exchange wing slaps at their excellent aim.
Minute 3, Round 1
Atol = 11
Glimmil = 7
Minute 3, Round 2
Dyrant = 29 (10 negative levels)
Finneas = 25
Toffitt = 20
Demons = 15
D1 (retribution)(-16)
D2
D3
D4
D1 - Mass hold person
D2 - Enervation x1
D3 - Enervation x1
D4 - Enervation x1