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Asim stops his camel and warily draws his Axe.
"I don't know what's going on here but I think it better to dismount. If there is to be a battel then fighting from the back of a camel, especially for those untrained can be extremely difficult."
He thinks for a moment. "I am not sure it is a good idea to leave the camels unattended either. maybe one of us should stay and guard them while the rest of us advance to see what that commotion was about."
He slides off the side of his camle and grips the double weapon in both hands, obviously ready for a fight.
"I will stay with them, as this beast seems to have taken a fondness for me. But I shall send Jinx with one of you, if you do not mind, so that I may still retain some connection with you. Ixius, would you mind a small passenger?"
The dwarf, who has been uncharacteristically quiet (not even really grumbling), dismounts from the beast with a sigh. "Ah, t' 'ave me feet on th' ground agin 'tis good." He takes a moment to ready shield and axe and moves to where Asim stands.
Two of the Chelish legionnaires that were supporting the Paracount's party pop up on the dune to the west of you, near where the flurry of sand, fur, and feathers appeared. They skid and slide down the dune towards the path in front of you and attempt to scramble up the other side before realizing that isn't going to work. Then, they glance in your direction and turn to flee the other way.
Tarren:
Korian slides off his camel, withdraws his Light Crossbow from his haversack loads and takes aim on the guards.
"I will stay with them, as this beast seems to have taken a fondness for me. But I shall send Jinx with one of you, if you do not mind, so that I may still retain some connection with you. Ixius, would you mind a small passenger?"
"Not at all."
When he sees the fleeing guards Ixius gets of the camel, draws his bow and takes a shot.
Ranged attacks on the fleeing guards are entirely possible. Go ahead.
Crossbow:
Ixius wings one of the fleeing legionnaires.
The two legionnaires that were fleeing decide that being picked off from a distance is not in their best interest and throw themselves flat against the dune, hoping to get some cover. They are now about 70 ft. away from you.
Sykala:
Korian looks to Asim, but says nothing as he trusts his warrior friends's instincts. He then tries to take even more careful aim and unleashes another bolt. Crossbow:
As Korian fires his bolt, a ferocious sound as much growl as squawk gets your attention from the east. A winged creature is flying through a burst of wind and sand on the top of one of the dune. The sand whips up into a quick whirlwind around the creature
"Well, 'asim, 'twould appear we 'ave a choice. 'ere d' ye think we should be fer startin'?"
Ixius waits to see what the creature does,trying to keep an eye on the guards at the same time.
The winged lion-like creature bounds down the dune, undeterred by the cascades of sliding sand thanks to wings that flap with each stride allowing it to avoid putting its full weight on the loose, wind-blown sand.
It lands on the hard surface of the pathway between the dunes -- the underdune -- behind the party and bounds toward the party, its eyes focused on Asim.
As soon as he can react Ixius drops his bow and points his finger to shoot out a ray of fire:
Tarren:
"Harumph. Ah was 'bout t' be sayin' that Ah dinna like th' idea o' leavin' th' others wit' a beast so close. Ah guess it made up 'r minds fer us, eh?"
Initiative
His weapon and shield are already in hand, so he'll move toward the beast as Asim does.
"'sat thing a friend o' yers, 'asim? Seems t' be lookin' at ye pretty close..."
The whirlwind surrounds the winged creature enraging it. It flaps about trying to protect itself from the swirling sand.
A ray of fire from Ixius hand is blown aside by the winds. Asim charges across the hard ground between the dunes and slices through the blinding sand to wound the beast. It's cry can barely be heard above the roaring sand.
"Keep 'n eye 'n 'r friends! Dinna be lettin' 'em sneak back 'n 's!"
Ovirid will double move in an effort to flank the creature.
The young Mage spares only the briefest glance to the commotion behind him, trusting his companions to see to it. Instead, cursing under his breath "Stay Still damn you!" he fires off another bolt from his crossbow at the prone guards.
Crossbow:
Korian's crossbow bolt buzzes over the surface of the sand and wings one of the hiding legionnaires. This is all the encouragement they need to begin running again. They head further down the underdune away from the party.
Tarren:
Tarren:** spoiler omitted **
"Let 'em go."
Ixius shoots another ray at the creature in the whirlwind
Korian nods in silent agreement with Ixius, knowing that without mounts the men are as good as dead in the desert anyway. He also spins around to face the creature and shoots a dart of caustic yellow acid out of his outstretched palm at it. Acid Dart:
The creature finds the taste of Asim's axe more than he can bear and allows the whirlwind to catch his wings and life him up into the air where he can extend his wings and fly upward as the whirlwind dies.
Asim recognizes the creature as it ascends as a hieracosphinx.
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Asim recognizes the creature as it ascends as a hieracosphinx.
As Asim finally gets a good look at the creature assailing them, his mouth opens aghast as he realizes the damage he has been inflicting upon one of Osirion's Guardian Protectors. He visably deflates, looking down at the weapon in his hands as if it were a vile enemy.
He drops to his knees in the sand and lets out a wail that would wake the dead. Bowing his head as the din dies down, a murderous look comes into his eyes, one pointed in the direction the Chelish Expedition is headed."I swear on the life of that noble creature that I will bring the ones that forced me to this course to justice," he whispers to himself, before regaining his feet and turning to those gathered near him. "Come, those Chelish dogs will not throw themselves onto my Axe. I will see them all burning in whatever afterlife their hellspawned Gods create for them before this week is done."
Korian's eyebrows rise in surprise as he realizes after taking a closer look at the creature because of Asim's actions the manner of beast they had been fighting. Feeling no small measure of guilt himself, Korian walks up to his large friend and rests an hand on his shoulder in support.
When Asim swears his revenge on the Chelaxian's Korian nods his head grimly replying "Aye Asim, these mongrels have much to answer for my friend, and answer they shall, in blood."
Running quickly up the dune to check on the area the legionaries had been laying in ambush, once done his quick search, Korian turns to the elemental he is sure must be Sykala saying "Druidess, that is you, yes? Can you still lead us to the others? If so, let us make haste."
He then scrambles down the dune, grabs the reins of the extra camels and mounts up on his own smelly beast, waiting for Asim to take point once again.
Running quickly up the dune to check on the area the legionaries had been laying in ambush, once done his quick search, Korian turns to the elemental he is sure must be Sykala saying "Druidess, that is you, yes? Can you still lead us to the others? If so, let us make haste."
A shifting cloud shaped like a bird of prey forms as the whirlwind dies. It's eyes, illuminated by sparks of electricity, focus on Korian as he speaks. Spreading its ethereal wings it launches itself forward causing a hot breeze to momentarily sweep past everyone. It heads directly for the fleeing legionaries.
The slower dwarf is almost in position and everything's over with and the others are running back to the beasts. With a visible sigh, he's trotting after them, bringing up the rear. Grousing to himself: Did Ah not ask if'n 'at was a frien' o' 'is? Ah'm sure Ah did. Ah was fer bein' pretty sure th' Chelish were th' threat 'n 'at creature certainly seemed t' be attackin' 'em originally, but no, nobody is fer listenin' t' th' dwarf. 'e's too slow t' be fer knowin' anythin'.
1d20+5
Ixius realizes that:
"Watch out for that thing, its dangerous!"
Ixius shoots another ray at it.
Ovirid, sensing a deception on the beast's part, moves to join his allies in a united front and readies an action to attack the creature should it attack again.
The creature flies as high as it can and, unless pursued by a flying creature, will easily elude pursuit.
Knowledge (arcana):
Knowledge (religion):
At Ixius' declaration, Korian looks back to the flying beast and squints his eyes to have a closer look. He nods his head slightly as realization fills him and turning again to his warrior friend he speaks words of comfort "Ah, Asim the good-hearted, be not troubled, for your instincts were, in fact, correct. The species of Sphinx we've just encountered is an evil strain so your axe did indeed strike true."
Grinning he adds "Although this changes not at all the fact that the Paracount and his men needs be punished."
For the moment, things seem calm. But for the blood on the sand and your own labored breathing, you wouldn't know that you had fought at all. There is no sign of the two legionnaires who fled nor the one who was torn to pieces on the other side of the dune by the sphinx. The hieracosphinx has flown out of sight.
Ixius gets on his own camel and follows Asim up the dune.