The Father of Waters

Game Master Fighting Chicken

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Sarenith 22
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Cocking her head, Latha looks at Imix, skepticism showing plainly in her eyes. "You can cleanse the corruption? That would be quite a feat. I'm sure the senate would have interest. If we can grow our crops again, the drought would matter much less."

"Regardless, I don't know that the Stormreaders are the cause. They are successful at bringing the rain for a bit after tribute is given. That I can say."

Turning to Istiel, Latha smiles. "You don't need a new crossbow, but like a bow, you need a new arrow. We make the crossbows and crossbow arrows, and have for years, but not as well as the dwarves. Our weaponsmiths are mere babes, compared to theirs."

"I am relieved as well. The senate will be pleased to hear of our shared religion."

The beastling nods in affirmation to Oios. "Yes, we've been delving, but the this city has always been a... do you say nexus? A nexus of sorts, which brings strange and dangerous creatures here. The drought has made things worse, it seems. Our salvagers have been killed or have disappeared, and few of our citizens are brave enough to leave the enclave at this time, I'm say to sad."

"They arrived and at first we were offered sound advice and friendly. But a few weeks later, they began issuing demands, with the first refusal to comply met by an attack from their thunderbird. We got the message and have done our best to scavenge for them since, though the increased monster attacks have made this difficult."

Looking to you all, Latha spreads her hands, a gesture of inclusion. "So, we give you safety at enclave or nearby, and you find artifacts for the Stormreaders and look at corrupted water?"

Oios looks at the others to see if they have any advice to give, if not he nods firmly. Yes, let us agree to this. It is fair to both our peoples and yours. May Damballah and Ayida-Wedu smile on this agreement and may it be a start of a friendship that lead to everlasting peace between us as we are all their children.

A question though, did Harambe say where he was going? It may be important for all of us to find him.

Istiel nods her head slowly concerning the crossbows. "We may be interested in trading for crossbows." She concludes after Latha explains the way it works. Even a child could defend itself with a crossbow.

sO yOU cAn slAcK ofF? A voice gurgles from deep within her mind. Tired of the unhelpful nature of the voices today, she focuses and crushes the intruder like an ant. The mirror-like pond of her pscyhe ripples briefly, and stills.

The monk grunts in displeasure when their welcomer advises they do not attack the Stormreaders. "They leverage their strength against you. Exploit you in your time of need. If they were shown there is someone stronger they will cease their extortion." She says, lifting her hand and clenching it into a fist. "I do not know what a thunderbird is. But we have defeated Nargun. Wraiths. Marionette Trees. I have ripped out the spine of a Champion of the Flame with my bare hands. The Stormreaders would learn to respect us. Or die."

Her hand falls, but her eyes still smolder with promises. Violent promises. "But we respect your wishes. Tell us when you grow tired of their bullying. We will make them stop." It had only been a few minutes, but she was already feeling quite protective of these beastlings. The people of the Valley may be Damballah's chosen ones, but these were his children as well.

Istiel nods to Oios in confirmation before looking to Latha. "We will find Mparu. Find your treasures. If you swear to shelter our people."

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Sarenith 22
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"Then there is much to do." Imix agrees. "I suggest we return to our people to give them the good news." 'Before someone decides something has happened to us and starts a fight' "Oios here is Master of the Flight, our leader. After he has addressed our people he can address your senate. Can our people camp in the towers, and secure the boats?"

After a moment Imix comes clean "Our people are on edge. As I understand, so are yours. It is only a matter of time before some fool on one side or the other starts a fight - unless cooler heads move quickly."

"Can you, or someone you designate, come with us to start coordinating our efforts?"

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Sarenith 22
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Latha shrugs to Oios, a very Takayan response. "Harambe is our protector and in many ways our father, but he is not what you call reliable? He goes on walkabout sometimes for weeks, sometimes for years. He is gone 8 times of 30 days. Where he went, when he returns..." Latha shrugs once again.

"I do not know that he knows. He does not tell us."

Turning to Istiel, a frown crosses the beastling's face as Istiel speaks of bullying. "A thunderbird is a great bird, larger than one of your boats. It has feathers the color of a stormy sky, and lightning dances across its body. Thunderbirds bring storms - normally - and as such can be rejoiced. This one has long flown the cloudy skies above the city, not caring for our affairs. Only recently has it turned hostile to us."

"Yes, we can trade in crossbows, I'm sure of it. Thank you for looking for Mparu."

Addressing Imix, Latha's tone turns deferential. "Suriname, I will need to meet with the senate, though I suspect your requests will be met. I will see you at your boats before nightfall."

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Hours later, Latha poles her roundboat out to you. Stopping the boat at the head of your flatboat, she removes her cloakhood, and looks for Oios. "The senate agrees to most. You and your people are welcome to camp on our farm island. It is patrolled regularly by our soldiers and is safe. They prefer you don't come into the enclave until we know you can be trusted."

"Your boats may be beached at the farm island. Follow me out to the river. We will go through our guard towers and beach at the island before I take my leave. The Stormreaders will come in three days. Have some tribute for them, and the senate will be happy, I'm sure of it."

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Sarenith 22
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Conflict is inevitable, but with wise leadership and either common purpose or common enemies, Three People and Latha's people can be strong allies, Drazan adds to Imix's call for cooler heads acting quickly. If there is anything I can do to help, Oios just speak the words, otherwise I will return to the Flight's guard ranks, and aid in preparation for an extended camp. For now I think I have little to offer in these peaceful talks.

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Sarenith 22, at the island
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The ships come ashore, and Imix prepares for his nightly ritual. This time, however, things are a little different.

First the Suriname orders the largest water container emptied into other containers. That it be set up, empty, on the farm island shore. Then for water to be poured from the the marsh, through layered cloth sieves, into the container. Meanwhile he orders boxes set up ashore of the bucket as an impromptu stage.

While that is underway Imix calls a disparate number of people together, including the other Suriname and many of the people he has convinced to work on the First Monument. Once he accumulates a small crowd he makes his way to Oios.

"Master of the Flight." he calls, in a commanding voice "Please come with me."

He wends his way through growing crowds to the now filled container, and climbs upon the boxes. There he is handed the strange cloak of names, gestures for Oios to join him and waits patiently.

At this Imix holds his cloak and shield aloft. The heady smell of petrichor fills the air. At his left grows an apple tree, and at his right an avocado tree. Each tree towers into the air, until they stand four meters tall with interlaced canopy.

Apples and avocados blossom and flower high above, raining down onto the crowd as they become ripe.

Imix stands above the container and wave after wave of holy power slams out over the crowd, and into the captured water. He waits a few minutes while people grab fruit, then gestures for the crowd to quieten.

"People of the Flight. When the story of the Flight is told, I have no doubt this place will feature heavily." he gestures around "We fled the Valley expecting nothing but strangers and enemies, yet here, in the middle of this hellish land, we find brothers and sisters in Faith. We are offered sanctuary, and welcome. Truly the Gods watch over us."
"Yes, this place will feature heavily in the tale to come, but it is not, I think, the end. Oios remains Master of the Flight, for now, though I am sure he joins us in hoping we will soon find our new home."

"You have given me Names, People of the Flight. Names to form two Monuments. The Second Monument, the Monument to the Fallen, is still beyond me. But many hands have worked this last week to make the First Monument." Here Imix gestured to those around the stage, who raise a cheer. In response the Suriname raises the cloak high, and shakes it out.

The fine silk cloak is embroidered inside and out with gold and silver stitching. The top of the cloak is a thicket of silk ribbons that ripple even when there is no breeze, giving an impression of shimmering water or the dappling of light through green leaves.
The cloak draws the eye, and the rippling ribbons create a soothing and inspiring effect upon the viewer.

"This is the First Monument. Woven not just just with Thread and Wire, it is woven with Power itself. Suriname-craft, such as has not been seen since the beginning of the last Age - the Age now passed. Tough as leather, warded against weather and witchery alike." Imix nods to Oios.

"This was not created without purpose. Our culture has regalia- shawls, cloaks and crowns - for those who hold leadership. While all citizens know these to be reminders that the bearer has power, not all realise the second purpose. When a leader dons their regalia, they put aside their freedom and yoke themselves. The regalia is there to remind them, tangibly, of the intangibles - trust, hope and even lives - that those who are led put upon the leader."

"The Master of the Flight had no Regalia - how could it, when positions and the regalia that accompany them come down from the First Days. The Gods have seen fit to bestow on us a new Regalia to match the new Position. Oios, Master of the Flight, here is the garment to show your position. Not a crown of rulership, but a heavy mantle of sacred duty."

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Sarenith 22, Latha
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Oios meets Latha and greets her as an elder of the Three Peoples would greet another. The beastlings of the towers had taken on the trappings of the Valley lost to flame with aplomb, or, at least, some portion of them had. Oios could tell that Latha had not had an easy time allowing the refugee flotilla the little leeway it had. There were many in the towers, it seemed, that did not want them around them at all.

We accept with gratitude Latha. May we prove to be a tenth of use to your city as you have been to us to allow us a place to rest and settle. By the by, how is that your peoples would like to be addressed, our word for you is not appropriate, borne as it is of ignorance.

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Sarenith 22, Ceremony
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Oios is surprised by what Imix has crafted for him and hesitates for a second before looking out at the crowd. He accepts the regalia and considers it for a moment, it is truly beautiful, and it feels heavier than it should be. He hands it back to Imix and allows the Suriname to drape it on him. He feels it give him confidence. It does not weigh him down though, the mantle of duty to the Three People it symbolizes was one the aged Inquisitor of Cornucopia had taken on himself long ago, long before he had even come to Shadeholme.

It has been he begins in a voice that is clear and strong. A difficult time for all of us. We have faced much hardship, but we have overcome it all. We have been attacked time and again, but have repulsed each and every one. We have lost much, but we have not lost ourselves. We know ourselves to be the children of Damballah and Ayida-Wedu and we have come to rest, at least for a little while, among fellow children of the Father of Waters, here, on this island.

I do not stand here and ask you to forget what we have lost as we rest and rebuild. Not only is that not possible but attempting to do us so will weaken us. We must never forget what was done to our old home. We must always remember the evil that burned our homes and killed our loved ones. This remembrance will make us strong and hard for when they come after us again. Damballah and Makaya willing, in time, we will use these harsh memories to spur us on as we grow strong enough to take the fight back to them. We are not a nomadic people to flee from our enemies for all time, and we are not a people to pretend that we can hide behind walls somewhere and hope the evil will leave us alone. We must not, will not, forget that a purpose our new lives here, south of what we thought was the edge of the world, is preparation to enact justice on the villains who drove us out of our homes. And make no mistake, in this case, justice demands a counterattack. It demands vengeance!

Oios waits for his harsh words to spread across the Three Peoples before he begins again.

But we must not forget all the good peoples and fortune we have met as well. We have passed through swamplands that none of our peoples even knew about and did so thanks to our guide and his diplomacy. He guided us through that dark and unfamiliar land to a place where we find our faith already strong and waiting for us. This is a blessing of a degree that I do not think any of us expected, and we must be thankful for this, to remember that our gods are watching over us, even as we are tested by an evil they oppose most strongly. That we have met and will meet peoples who are not just not our enemies, but could be our friends and strong allies. We are guests here for the moment among our fellow faithful, and the generosity of our hosts demands that we be courteous, respectful, and helpful to these people of the old towers and new rope bridges.

Oios fingers the edges of the new cape. I am not a young person, and one way or the other I will not be Master of the Flight for very long. I pray, and hope that you will join me in prayer, that we will find a place to settle very soon. So that our transition from a people of the Valley, to a people destined to retake it, can fully begin.

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Sarenith 22
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Removing a small leather pouch from her belt, Satha passes it over to Oios. "For your explorations."

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Night of Sarenith 22/23
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Sarenith 23
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Following Latha's map, you find yourselves bobbing in the canoe where the planetarium should be - were it ages ago. Now, the planetarium sits below you, the tops of two square towers just visible under the water, the rest of the structure lost to the flood's murky depths.

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Night of Sarenith 23
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Sarenith 23
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Istiel glances over the side of the canoe, barely making out the murky structures below. Reaching into the leather pouch containing the water breathing gourds, she rapidly unstoppers one and guzzles the contents through the mouth hole of her mask.

Tossing the gourd into the bottom of the boat, the monk wordlessly jumps from the canoe and into the water with a splash.

Bubbles rise to the surface as she forces herself to breath the foul waters of these cursed lands, liquid rapidly and uncomfortably filling her lungs. Her robes are comically bloated as air tries to escape their confines, and she has to quickly pat out the bubbles or risk looking like a floating corpse.

Istiel makes a quick check of their surroundings, looking for danger or possible entrances to the twin towers.

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Night of Sarenith 22
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Sarenith 23
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The water is murky, dark. A quick reconnoiter shows no immediate danger. The towers are windowless, and heading down into the water, Istiel finds them attached to a large round structure over one hundred feet in diameter, and perhaps forty or fifty feet tall. A large darkened doorway sits barely visible on the ground floor of the planetarium, its doors long since rotted away.

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Sarenith 23
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Oios sits placidly enjoying the warm day on the water. It was nice to lay down the burdens of rulership and survival and imagine for a moment that he was just taking it easy on a fishing trip. The stink of the waters, so unlike the cool fresh scent that came from the waters of the valley, did not help that fantasy however.

When he gets word from below that it is safe he drinks back the provided potion and jumps into the fetid waters, letting himself sink.

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Night of Sarenith 22
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Sarenith 23
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While surveying the area the monk concentrates briefly, letting her ki flow into her skin. Her own life-force balloons outward from its many gates, pushing against the edges of her body with an overwhelming pressure. The energy is absorbed into the topmost layer of her skin, causing it to toughen into the consistenty of a leathery hide.

Imix and Drazen were far faster underwater than she, but Istiel had a head start, and knew where to go. She rapidly swims for the darkened, rotten doorway, catching the edge at the top and swinging herself into the ground floor, quickly surveying the scene.

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Sarenith 23
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Night of Sarenith 22
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Sarenith 23
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Swimming through the doorway, you find the water is calm in this massive, domed theater. Broken benches lie strewn amid silt and shells on the floor, while others are submerged in the water. The dome rises up to a height of 30 feet to a balcony running around the edge, with the apex reaching another 15 feet above that. Low flights of stairs lead up along tiers in the recessed floor, while above, dimly glowing stars in the patterns of constellations flicker faintly. Barnacles grow thickly on the walls, but none grow above, leaving the planetarium’s constellations and stars plainly visible through the water, and projecting enough light to weakly illuminate the theater.

Above you circles a large toothy creature that looks at once a reptile and fish.

Imix slides gracefully through the water - but the predator perched in the dome waits with a patience even crocodiles would envy for prey to pass through the portal.
Spotting it just before it strikes, Imix uses the window they have - narrow as it is - to augment the armor of his companions.

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Night of Sarenith 22
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Sarenith 23
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Round 1

Despite her best swimming, Imix easily catches up as the monk flips herself through the doorway of the planitarium.

She looks up, first seeing the patterns of the stars and constellations in the ceiling. Istiel had no idea what a planitarium was, and now would have been doubly confused if she cared.

Instead, the light-distorting blob of the huge fish-creature takes her attention. She points upward towards the creature to signal its location to the others, pressing herself against the floor and flexing her legs. This will be my kill!

In a mightly leap she rockets upwards towards the percieved threat, intent on destroying it.

Oios touches Isitel as she shoots off, granting her magic to protect herself as she goes after the fish.

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Sarenith 23
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Round 1

Swimming along with relative ease to Istiel's drive, Drazan slips into the planetarium and before he is able to truly admire the scenery, as he is prone to do often, he managers to see Istiel change direction and head off with new purpose. Its immediately obvious as to what she saw and what she was probably going to do about it, even if Drazan was not familiar with the other party member's underwater habits and motives.

Not entirely convinced that the fish is a threat, Drazan reluctantly speeds along after Istiel to met out some punishment on the fish for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and with scary, over-sized teeth.

ROUND 1

The lizard fish pivots in the water and lashes out at Istiel as she swims to it, its jaws just clipping the nimble monk's robe as she passes. Drazan follows behind Istiel with a viscous swipe of the bane axe, and the water darkens with the creature's blood.

It lets loose a massive roar, the sound reverberating through the water, before turning on Drazan and biting into the Man From Fire Peak's chest. Drazan squirms and just manages to free himself from the beast's jaws...

Round 1

Istiel twists her body at the last moment as the massive beast lunges at her, nearly being thrown in a spin as its huge body rushes past her. She uses the momentum to slam her fist into its scaly hide, bringing forth all her training into a single, bone-shattering punch, though the force of the blow is heavily damped by the water.

A normal person's skin would be at least be cut or bruised by smashing into the hardened scales, but the monk's knuckles remained unblemished as she draw her fist back, continuing to pound its hide with the pent-up rage of training on trees for over a week.

Drazan's size challenges the large fish monster's claim on the lair, inviting the thrashing bite that might crush bones, had Drazan had any in his elemental form. As the gaping maw of the fish snaps toward the man from the fire peaks, he shields himself with a powerful thrusting forearm before prying his arm free of the vice grip jaws and then he swings Bane with abandon hoping to chum the waters with frozen fishy steaks as ice forms with each strike.

ROUND 2

Istiel lashes out with her fists, pummeling the beast. Unfortunately, her strikes bounce off its rubbery hide. Drazan fares better, gouging another weeping wound into the monster's side.

Nauseous with the ripples of expended power, Imix finds himself thrashing dizzily in the water.
Fighting through nausea compounded with the knowledge that he is breathing water that is, at best, "impure" Imix concentrates on trying to set up his allies for combat before he joins in himself.

Seeing the copious amounts of blood swirling away from the group Oios struggles to swim up towards the combatants, if he can get there in time he will try and touch Drazan and try and recover some of his vitality in the face of the fearsome beast.

Round 2

As the Shadow moves slowly through the water, the fish sees an opening and lashes out, snaking around Drazan with its viscous teeth and leaving Oios with a nasty jagged gash along his arm.

The fish creature shows a rudimentary intelligence as it turns its attacks back to what has proven the biggest threat so far - Drazan. Again it snaps at the Mountain Man, and again it wounds him severely. This time though, the beast manages to latch onto Drazan, and its jaws lock tight.

Drazan flexes his 'torrential' elemental form trying to expand himself inside the fish, reptile monster's coiled body before contracting and slipping out around the fish, hoping to turn the tables quickly and absolutely in favor of his allies. He even tries to get a few gut shots in on the creature, before Drazan realizes he may have bitten off more than he can chew.

Oios grunts in pain as the gash on his arm leaks blood into the fetid water around him.

With Drazan between him and the fish Oios heals him again with the power of the staff and then starts to cast another spell. In between casting though out of the corner of his eyes he sees movement and gives a jerk of recognition as he realizes what the newcomers are.

per: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4
charge!: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 = 23damage: 1d6 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 = 9
strike!: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 - 5 = 11damage: 1d6 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 = 9

Imix's tail drives him through the water like an arrow through water. Just before he impacts the giant lizard-fish he lashes out with his new weapon again, and again.

The pick cuts through water almost as well as it cuts through rock. The weapon is not well suited tho the fight, however. The wounds it leaves are small, deep. Lethal, in the right spot, ineffectual anywhere else.

Round 3(?)

Istiel's frustration increases as her fists bounce off the fish's rubbery hide. Anyone else might have decided this was a poor course of action. Anyone else might have changed tactics, or at least drawn a knife. But not Istiel.

She.

Just.

Keeps.

Punching.

Bubbles spill from the monk's mask with every exertion, mixing into and chaotically swirling within the torrent of water caused by her repeated blows. She strikes the same spot on the fish's back with the intensity of a starving predator, her heart voraciously seeking the most fulfilling meal of all: victory.

It was made all the better when she noticed the frog-like forms swimming in the water above them; because they would bear witness to the glorious slaughter of their pet by her hands.

Round 4

The creature seems poised to swallow Drazan whole when Imix pounces sinking his pick into the fish lizard's gills. And then Istiel's fury pays off: fist after fist lands and with the third strike, a crack resounds throughout the watery dome. The fish lizard's jaw relaxes, releasing Drazan as the monstrous creature drifts towards the planetarium's floor.

Above you, the Ulat-Kini spring into action, charging through the water, two of the savages attacking each Imix, Drazan, and Istiel. Their weapons, tri-pointed spears, draw yet more blood into the water...

Finally free from the the fish monster's toothed jaws, Drazan abruptly finds himself and the others opposed by hostile fish-men; their weapons weak, but their numbers firmly in their favor. They may have been only defending their homes, but their quick use of violence would not got unanswered by Drazan's own. The water surrounding Drazan's forearms boiled instantly as acid sped up Bane from Drazan's Suli blood and any cuts from Bane were cauterized form the chemical reaction.

Frustrated at being unable to communicate Oios continues to call on the gods to turn the tide of battle in their favour and counter the amount of damage Drazan was taking.

Round 4

The final satisfying crack of the giant fish's spne breaking fills Istiel with pride, buth er lust for battle was not yet sated.

The frog-people charging towards them seemed all too eager to volunteer to further accentuate her glory.

Filled with adrenaline and excitement, Istiel barely registers the gash in her forearm as a trident takes a chunk of skin loose. Deftly twisting her body away from the other frog's strange spear, she uses the momentum to spin into a brutal back-hand across the back of its neck, followed by a kicked to its chest.

Both of Imix's foes fall to Drazan's axe, as do one of the Mountain Man's combatants, and then another to Istiel's fists. Worry crosses over the faces of the survivors, and one belts out a command in an unknown language.

With his targets dead at Drazan's axe the Suriname sorcerer turns to the figured further afield.

Deep-buried instincts drive Imix to madness as blood fills the death-deep water of the half-light dome. Tail whips and pick strikes as Imix's teeth itch to be changed.

One of the two remaining Ulat-Kini yelps in pain as Imix sinks his pick into the creature's back, its cry of pain muted and rebounding in the water. The survivors turn to flee, swimming towards the north end of the balcony surrounding the dome above you.

Istiel has no intention of letting any of the frog-people escape or survive, lashing out with a powerful kick against the nearest fleeing foe.

The thought of taking one prisoner crosses Drazan's mind, but his his reflexes and rager take the opportunity presented by the fish-man.

Round 5

One of the fish men is gutted, while the other, trailing blood, swims up and over the balcony. Following, you find a door, now closed, at the north end of the planetarium across from the balcony.

Additionally, there are doors at the ground level of the planetarium. One is directly below the north balcony door. Two others, one in the southeast, and one in the southwest, also sit closed on the ground floor.

Oios shrugs at the others, they were committed to a fight it seemed like. He does indicate to them that they should look to their wounds before they proceed.

Istiel, uninterested in healing and being one of the slower swimmers, immediately takes off after the retreating fishman.

She silently studies her surroundings while swimming through the blood trail, noting the other doors.

Knowing she will merely fall behind if she waits for the others, the monk tries the door their foe most certainly swam through, and looks inside.

The door, metal and heavy, swings open to show a room once dedicated to stargazing; two large cabinets hold telescope housings, miniature orreries, lenses, and astronomical instruments, all encrusted with silt, rust, and barnacles. A large telescope points towards the massive glass panels that make up the ceiling, any view obscured by the murky water beyond.

By one cabinet, the enclave's priest is bound in thick coils of tough seaweed. An elderly, slender and eel-headed beastling with three eyes, each eye widens as you enter the room. Next to her is a scarred Ulat-Kini clutching a thin reed wand. Between him, the priest, and yourselves stand four Ulat-Kini warriors, one of them badly wounded.