I am Seltyn Sevenleaf, of the elven lands. I have journeyed far to be an ally in this difficult time.
Alistair keeps his tone neutral, and his words clear.
Lord Alistair of House Wellington, champion of the ever-flowing cup, breaker of Shadowbolt, Gwanunig to the late Alicia Wellington.
The chief grunt in approval. After a short pause, he addresses the group once more. "What exploits make you worthy to even stand in the presence of the Sun Shaman?"
We've passed every test so far. Every challenge has been overcome, and we stand here before you alive and stronger than ever.
Garran responds to the chieftain, "Seltyn possesses the Thrallkeeper's Mark, and Kyras has been swallowed by Cindermaw and cut himself free using only a dagger. Akram, Truthspeaker of the Lyrune-Quah, has borne witness to this deed, and can attest to it. I also competed with Krojun in a game of sredna and lasted longer than expected, I think. Krojun is a mighty warrior, however, and bested me in the end."
Garran hoped that the recitation of their deeds was sufficient, and gestured for Seltyn to show the Thrallkeeper's Mark.
Seltyn shows the mark.
Alistair remains quiet and watches.
The chief looks at the mark and then at Akram. The old Truthspeaker nods. "I have indeed witness this one being reborn from the belly on Cindermaw. They also helped my clan cleansed the evil that took residence at the moon temple." Ready-Klar looks back at you. "For wetlanders, you have achieved thing that few Shoanti would ever dare try. I commend on such victories, I am guessing all this to get something from us. Speak now, what wisdom do you seek?"
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Continuing to address the Chief, Garran said, "We have spoken with Thousand Bones, shaman of the Skoan-Quah. He told us of something we week - a sword with which we can destroy the evil artifact known as the Midnight's Teeth. We believe that Queen Ileosa, of Korvosa, has found this vile artifact within the pyramid your people once guarded. We believe the evil of this artifact will spread beyond the walls of Korvosa and threaten all in Varisia and perhaps beyond. We have come seeking knowledge of where to find the sword of Mandraivus."
The Sun Shaman takes a step forward and utter a singke word. "NO!" The entire room is stunned as the Sun Shaman walks to the back of the room and dissapear behind curtain. The chief, Ready-Klar, looks confuse for a moment unsure of what to do. From what you can tell from the reaction of the room, this is not how anyone was expecting things to go. After a moment, Ready-Klar regain his composure and gesture to you to head for the exit. Everyone else follow, and you are lead to the center of the camp where a large fire is kept. You are invited to sit.
"This was unusual. I never saw him that upset before. I don't know what that sword of Mandraivus is, but obviously, it is not something he wants to talk about. You did all those trials for this knowledge? Why? To us, your people aren't known to be loyal to the land they live on. You move on when things get hard, not caring about the damage you cause. So, what is different this time?"
Kyras leaves as directed and then responds to chief. Are all the Shoanti of the same mind? Do they all always agree? Our people are varied and cannot be so easily grouped into a single behavior. There are those among us who will always stand against a great evil and will act to How else might we do to prove ourselves?
Garran is rather surprised by the vehemence with which the Sun Shaman refutes their request - or that he even spoke at all. He follows the chieftain out of the tent to the fire, and answers after Kyras, "For me, there are a couple of reasons. Korvosa is my home, and while I do not always have fond memories of it, it doesn't change my history. The second is that I don't think this evil is one you can simply walk away from and move somewhere else. I think it will grow and spread, eventually consuming all of Varisia and perhaps beyond. Sometimes the only way to avoid the evil is to stand against it."
"I don't know if you can prove yourself more than you did already." He thinks for a moment. "Your words tell me that your heart are in the good place and your trials showed me that you are willing to do what it takes. Eat and rest, I'll try to talk to the Sun shaman. Maybe I can convice somehow." He address one of the man nearby in Shoanti then turn back to you. "He will show you to a tent you can use. I will come and see you after I have talked to the Sun shaman."
Alistair walks away with balled fists. His anger is plain for all to see.
When they arrive at the tents he begins to pace back and forth as if trying to tire out his anger.
I'm angry, too, Seltyn says to Alistair. They are frustrating.
We just have to hang on to what patience we have left. The Shoanti try everyone who isn't Shoanti. They've given us a tent. Let's rest and strategize in the morning over breakfast. We're so close. We have to play the long game.
With that, Seltyn goes into the tent and sets up his bed for the night, and checks his spell book before nodding off.
Alika gratefully takes the opportunity to take off some of her heavy gear once the group is shown to a tent.
"I'll just be glad of some food, and some sleep, and a day that does not involve wondering if my friend is going to die in the flame-suffused guts of a giant worm," she says.
"Everyone be sure to drink some more water. We've been out running in the heat and there's no telling when they're going to wake us up in the morning."
Once they are alone, Garran says, "Before we met the Skoan-Quah, in those spirit visions, was anyone told of any other trials? Maybe there's something we can do to earn the information."
"Nothing that I recall," says Alika. "But the Sun Shaman must have a reason. The chief has heard of our deeds, the least he can do is relay to us why the Sun Shaman is so distressed. Hopefully tomorrow we'll found out our next move."
"Since we can't do anything else about it right now, get some rest," she suggests.
You settle down for the night and hope for a better tomorrow...
You are woken but sounds of screams and battle. You quickly grab your gear and step outside. The camps is in total chaos. You hear a glass break and flames appears near you. Something is throwing alchemist's fire around. Looking up, you see dark shapes flying in the sky, once in a while they drops something that start a new fire in the camp.
Looking around, you see a few Shoanti fighting Red Mantis. The Shoanti are outnumbered, and with the fire, some of them are busy trying to put them out.
Drawing his weapon from his keen sheath as he moves Kyras closes to within 10' of the closest Mangis, studies him (swift action), and power attacks.
The young nobleman sees the carnage around him and hesitates.
Serves them right. Should let this whole place burn for their treatment of us... To hell with them all. F#+# them!!
...and you would be no better than them brother. Do not let their hate destroy your values.
I hate your wisdom you know that.
Alistair sighs loudly. ...f~*%...
He moves up beside Kyras drawing his weapon as he runs.
Seltyn moves and casts Haste on himself and his allies.
That should speed things up a bit.
Alika sits up in bed, clutches the bedsheet for a moment, then stumbles to her feet.
Kyras and Alistair charge into the fray and score two good hits on their target. The red mantis, not wanting to turn his back on the Shoanti or the new foes, steps away from Kyras and Alistair and take a few swing at the barbarian. The one on the other side does the same, and the warrior falls to the ground. The rest of the camp keeps on fighting as more alchemist's fire rain from above.
Moment later, Seltyn cast a spell and the entire group can now move and react faster.
Alika stumbles past her companions and slightly closer to the center of the fray and calls for everyone to gather nearby so that she can protect them from the fire.
Alistair remains quiet as his anger plays out on the enemy.
He steps forwards following the assassin.
The swashbuckler prepares to defend himself against retaliatory strikes.
Hearing Alika, Seltyn gets closer to her.
With the attack, Garran had grabbed his sword and shield. He doesn't have any armor on, so he knows he's rather vulnerable at the moment. "Seltyn, Alika, can either of you cast an armoring spell on me for the fight? I don't have time to don my armor." Once any defensive spells are cast on him, Garran cautiously moves forward to battle one of the mantises next to Alistair.
Seltyn casts Displacement on the fighter.
Alistair move forward with a flurry of attacks, but his blade pierce the flesh only once. Garran follow suit and inflict another wound on the assassin. Seltyn casts protective magic on Garran and Alika covers the group with a spell to protect them from the fires.
Kyras attacks the red mantis nearest him.
As a move action Kyras grabs an elixir and 5' steps towards a new enemy.
Moving in, Kyras stabs the target squared in the chest, killing him out right. The rest of the battle is scream of pain and death, and more fire from the sky. From where you are, you notice some dark shapes landing near the Sun Shaman tent. While it is hard to tell what they are, they are not Mantis assassins.
Alika advances toward the fray and unleashes a prayer spell to aid the Shoanti and her party companions while hindering the attackers.
Garran turns towards the next group of Red Mantis Assassins and says, "Let's strike, one group at a time. Those ones next."
Even with the Defensive enchantment from Seltyn on him, Garran is still somewhat cautious as he engages the next Red Mantis.
Using his Accelerated Drinker trait Kyras drinks the Elixir of Iron Skin he pulled last round as a move actio. He then studies and attacks the Mantis to his Northwest.
If that hits then the target is sickened for 1 round
After the attack he 5' steps and calls out to his friend Seltyn The fire spreads. Can you summon a water elemental?
Nodding to Garran
Agreed but let me take are of this last one here first. I hate to have enemies on our backside.
Hearing the half elf, Seltyn does summon a water elemental. A large one.
It puts out the closest fire, and moves to put out more.
Alika graces the group with magical energy, increasing their battle performance. Garran charges forward, landing a good blow on the Mantis in front of him. Alistair and Kyras finish off the staggler. Seltyn uses this time to conjure a large water elemental to help with the fires.
The fighting ahead rages on as more Shoantis and assassins are crossing steel. You some members of the tribe falling under the precise blades of the Red Mantis, just as the powerfull blows on the Shoanti warrior fataly wound the assassin. Still, you see that up ahead are large shapes with wings clawing and biting through flesh.
The elemental puts out the fire where it's summoned, and moves to put out another.
Seltyn attacks the two attackers flanking the barbarian with acid rays.
Top one:
Bottom one:
Alika steps up to aid in cutting down a Red Mantis assassin.
Garran continued battling the Red Mantis Assassin before him.
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Alistair continues to assault the assassin.
The group keep moving toward the Sun shaman's tent, attacking Red Mantis assassins in the way. As you manage to fell another one, you notice more Shoanti falling under the blade of the assassins. Some notice your advance and start heading your way. You start making out what those shapes are further up.
From the south, you hear a mighty roar. Sounds like there are some Shoanti reinforcement coming, lead by Krojun himself. You aren't sure however if he will make it in time.