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It's a chilly early morning on Akiton. Charli Poshkettle comes out of one of the many structures that has been set up for this expedition. As she exhales, a stream of mist pours out. I feel like a cloud dragon this morning. Whistling, she looks for other early risers as she sets up a tea stand. As she sees some Starfinders coming towards her, she waves.
"Hello Starfinders! Anyone want a hot tea on a chilly morning?" She holds up cups. "I have Akiton Red, Castrovellian Contemplation and Bretheda Bubble with me as flavors."
"While we're waiting for the first seeker to arrive, why don't you tell me about yourselves? Who are you? Where are you from?"
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A groggy vesk rubs his eyes as he meanders over to the tea stand. "No Veskarium Viridian? Well then... Ahma gonna try... uh... try the Bretheda Bubbles With Me."
He fishes around in his pack for a credstick to pay then looks up. "Oh uh... which First Seeker we on now? Ain't been havin' no easy time keepin' em straight these days. When ah signed up there was just one first seeker... then there were two... then one retired and we had one 'gain... then I took a year off and came back juss in time to see 'er retire... That Ehu dude still in charge?"
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"No Veskarium Viridian," Charli agrees regretfully. "I could not bring my full stock with me on this expedition." She does not bother to correct the vesk on the tea's actual name, but pulls out a container and fills it with a bubbling tea that appears to almost a quarter foam. "Don't bother with the credstick," Charli says, waving it away. "I'm giving away free tea today until I run out. It's my way of getting to meet newer field agents."
She hands the tea to the Vesk, and says, "Yes, Ehu is still in charge. Were you gone for a while? My name's Charli, by the way. What's yours?"
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"Zargothrax McDonald... but you may know me by..."
He fumbles around in his pack and pulls out a towel and paper party hat adorned with stars and moons. He uses a pair of binder clips to attach the towel to protrusions on the shoulders of his armor, then uses a cantrip to levitate the hat onto his head.
He strikes a ridiculous pose while waggling his fingers for a solid 5 seconds beyond 'silly' and into 'awkward.'
"So uh... yeah... was gone for a year. Came back to somethin' bout some rat causin' trouble. Came and kicked her offa her ship hopin' it'd get me back inta the whole starfind'rin thing. After that took a mission back ta the Veskarium... get a little taste 'o home. Been readin' a few mishun r'ports ta try ta get back inta the swing 'o things."
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A large hover suit with a shield slowly lowers to the ground a few meters away from the tea stand. With a hiss of steam, the cockpit opens, and a green-haired halfling with a prosthetic right arm exits. Her approaches the tea stand and looks over the menu. "Bretheda Bubble? That takes me back," he says wistfully. "I've been drinking hydroponic raised teas for too long, and it's just never the same if it doesn't start in the dirt."
He then appears to be distracted for a moment, and whispers to no one in particular, "You know that we don't do that when we first meet people."
"Anyway, I am called Kneepuncher, at least when I am in that getup," he continues, pointing a thumb over his shoulder at the powered armor. "I think we all know why they picked me for this job. Well, the obvious, and I was already here for the Reunion feast. No one has seen a purple and green skittermander anywhere nearby, have they?"
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Srurdez swaggers in late with all the pomp of a high school star athlete. Self-important, and smoking a lit tobacco-cigarette inside, something that the rest of the crew is sure he's been told not to do by several Venture-Captains already on this deployment.
"Got anything stronger, Charli? Tea's not re-- ah, if it isn't the Lizard Wizard, in the flesh. I haven't seen you since we almost threw Datch out an airlock. How ya been?" Despite his extremely unlikable attitude, Srurdez's voice has a smooth, easy charisma that grabs attention.
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"Awww hey there Suh-rur-deyz! I've been doin' a bit better. Got ta visit the Veskarium again... was a nice little trip home. Reminded me 'bout old times... the good 'n the bad. Read a few mission r'ports ta get back up ta speed 'n all ann here ah am! You should try the Bretheda Bubbles With Me tea! Ain't no firewater but its purdy good!"
He downs the rest of his tea, belches, then offers a hand to Maxamas, Kneepuncher, and Kinbara one after the other. "Pleased ta meet'cha. There s'posta be a pair of skitters here? One 'o mah room-mates was complaining 'bout em gettin trigger happy with fireworks 'n all, but they always seemed helpful ta me."
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A small gray-furred ysoki meanders toward the tea stand. She gives a friendly wave to the other Starfinders from a distance, but takes her time walking across the early morning plaza. She carries a basket with her as she gets to the tea stand.
"Oh hello there dears, I'm just so delighted as can be to be called here with you. I'm Teka, I've been around quite a while in the Society, but most of my time have been behind terminals. I'm hopeful we can have just a wonderful time on this outing."
Looking toward Charlie Teka orders, "Oh bless you dear, I would love a Castrovellian Contemplation. It has been a while and I would like to take this slow and relax as I'm able. I have seen enough times where Starfinder expeditions offer fewer chances to slow down."
As she takes her tea Teka adds, "Oh before we get running, I brought a batch of cookies to enjoy." She opens the basket to a small batch of a dozen homemade shortbread cookies. When Charlie refuses payment for her tea, Teka happily offers cookies in trade.
The sun shines brightly over the ice fields of Akiton, the snow sparkling in the light. On the outskirts of a complex of ruined buildings ahead are numerous portable shelters emblazoned with the Starfinder Society’s symbol. Starfinders hurry in and out, ferrying supplies and calling instructions to one another.
A loud chime sounds from the largest shelter, positioned at the center of a cluster of others, and First Seeker Ehu Hadif emerges. As he holds up his hand for attention, the hubbub around dies down, and everyone pauses their activities to look at him.
“Good morning, Starfinders, and thank you all for joining me on this expedition. It’s my hope that today, we will not only investigate this site, but uncover the truth behind the rumors of hauntings here. We have some final preparations to make before we begin our mission, and I ask that no one advance into the ruins until I give the all-clear. Never fear, you’ll get your chance to explore—but first we need to ensure we’re ready. If you’d all please check in at your assigned location, we can direct you to tasks where we still need assistance.”
There are so many Venture Captains needing help! Who will you help first?
Relevant Skills: Athletics, Piloting, or Physical Science
TASK DETAILS
Radaszam, leader of the Acquisitives, seeks volunteers to clear away rubble and debris blocking access to portions of the site. “Be careful when you're moving things around,” Radaszam says gruffly. “Don't want to destroy anything valuable in the process. That goes double for those of you using vehicles—choose your targets carefully.”
Relevant Skills: Perception, Stealth, or Survival
TASK DETAILS
Fitch, leader of the Wayfinders, asks you to aid in a preliminary survey mapping the site. “The more research we do now,” she says with a wide grin, “the more we'll be able to orient ourselves once we go down into the depths. Oh—if you'd all pose there for a second?” She holds up her datapad to show you her camera app. “I promised the kiddos I'd send them pictures!”
Relevant Skills: Computers, Engineering, or Profession (maintenance worker)
TASK DETAILS
Celita, leader of the Dataphiles, looks up from her datapad and nods to you as you approach. “Good morning,” she says. “We've identified some weaknesses in our mobile communication infrastructure, given the remoteness and temperature of our location. Your help in patching these vulnerabilities will ensure all agents can stay in contact during the mission.”
Relevant Skills: Culture, Diplomacy, Sense Motive
TASK DETAILS
You find Ixthia, leader of the Exo-Guardians, issuing orders to some Starfinder teams. “Hello!” Ixthia nods to you as you approach. “Looking for a way to help? There are a few settlements to the south that might know more about these ruins. Most of the locals don't venture up this way...but the rumors come from somewhere.”
Relevant Skills: Diplomacy, Intimidate, or Mysticism
TASK DETAILS
As you approach, Venture-Captain Arvin is giving a pep talk to a cluster of nervous-looking Starfinders. “Ah!” he says, as he spots you. “Perhaps hearing from your peers would be helpful.” He steps aside, gesturing for you to follow, and murmurs, “It's their first mission, and they're a bit skittish. I have some things I need to attend to, so would you mind giving them some advice?”
Relevant Skills: Life Science, Medicine, or Profession (cook) or (herbalist)
TASK DETAILS
Venture-Captain Naiaj, looking harried, is coordinating with workers outside the supply tents. “If you're here to assist,” she tells you, “You can help organize these supply lines. We don't know what we'll find down there, so we want all our teams well-equipped with rations and medicinal supplies. Can't have anyone getting trapped without adequate equipment.”
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Maxamas exerts his physical strength
explore and report is his specialty, after all he is the operative ghost, there ain't nobody that can do this better than him. But he don't want to brag too much as he is a gentleman. Let me help with that, just relax
He coordinates communications typing as fast as he possibly can
Interviewing locals isn't his specialty, but he can do it, somewhat, he studied some customs after all.
Rally the ranks. Move faster, get back up on your feet and do your job, or you'll be labeled a failure, nobody wants to be labeled a failure
But he can't supply the lines, he is untrained all of those, just can't get food to everyone in the correct portions.
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Kneepuncher's powered armor has no issue lifting up and removing rubble, flying it to an out of the way spot so the excavation can continue.
Kneepuncher gives Fitch his second-best smile - his best is reserved for clients, and that is probably not appropriate for the grandkids.
Kneepuncher heads down to one of the settlements, and picks up a few scraps of rumor, though the locals seem more intimidated than helpful.
"Listen, recruits," Kneepuncher says loudly the the new Starfinders. "I have big armor for this mission, but I started out as a puny halfling, and look at me now. You are the best of the best, and you are being supported by the best of the best of the best, so get out there and make us all proud!"
"Not 'or else'. he adds to no one in particular when the newbies are gone.
Kneepuncher tries to make heads or tails of the crates of medicinals, but his specialty is causing injuries, not fixing them.
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Teka gives a happy smile in responds to shot as she kindly notes, "Oh I wold love that, although I would love you to share those pictures so I could share them with my little ones."
"This sounds like a wonderful nature walk. As I tell the young ones, when you travel, try to leave everything as it is. Some of the dears had a bad habit of treating nature trails as though they were salvage sites if you let them wander."
Teka walks through some the major trails and does her best to scout the area, slowly taking pictures while passing through with silence. She does also collect a few more pictures of more picturesque scenery when able in additional to the tactical scouting.
Content with her exploration of the terrain, Teka can't help jump into helping with the communication equipment. "Yes, of course, this isn't the first time I've rebuilt a comm system out in the field. I think we might just need to scavenge a bit here and there."
"Oh, it looks like we have an excess of materials. I honestly feel spoiled not having to pull off parts off the hovercycles." Teka is half way into going through the various components and slowly replacing the mechanisms of one of the comm systems into an amalgam of various other components. "Lovely! All of those bits might be a bit less sleek, but it will certainly weather a beating."
"I just love meeting new people. People can be so much nicer once you sit down to meet them." Teka goes off and happily offers a tale of her family and lovely grandchildren as she learns a bit about the local legends and rumors.
Throughout though Teka is a bit more interested in sharing pictures of grandchildren and gets a bit off topic from learning about the ruins.
Nodding toward Arvin, Teka goes to the nervous group and says, "this can be a be a bit hectic, but I know that you all have gone through Starfinder training, even if you don't feel like it sometimes, each of you have all the tools you need to be out here."
"Even more, you dears aren't here alone, you have yourselves, each other, and every other Starfinder to help support you as much as you do them. Each of you do your best and everything will be right as rain."
"Oh I dare say I don't think I have enough sweets for the entire expedition and, even then, I don't think those would sit well to keep all the dears fed." Teka turns her attention to the medical inventory as she continues, "I'll leave the cooking to the excellent chefs and I'll keep my attention to make sure these medkits are well and properly set for if they are needed."
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Srurdez sets off to do the important work of showing off his strength and bossing people around... he can leave the technical stuff to the more boring Starfinders...
"Here, let me do it."** Srurdez pushes his way to the front and immediately begins using his strength and athletic skill to do the preliminary clearing.
Once Srurdez has started the work in earnest and gotten the biggest pieces moved, he stands back and grins, allowing the more junior Starfinders a chance to try and best him.
At the settlements to the south, Srurdez watches at Teka goes into a story about her family or some such. The vesk waits patiently, and once she's done... "Now that we've heard that story, would you be willing to share one of your own? Otherwise she's gonna start again..." Srurdez smiles a toothy grin but it's not clear if he's joking or not...
Srurdez nods to Ixthia and steps over to the new Starfinders, cracking his neck as he does and activating his voice amp. He poses with a toothy grin.
After a moment he twists his head slightly to turn off the amp, before pulling out his smokes. "Want one? It'll cool your nerves."
Naiaj in a tizzy. What else was new? Srurdez had just the dwarf to handle this. The voice amp comes on again and Srurdez calls across the field outside the supply tents....
A dwarf bearing an insignia belonging to Ulrikka Clanholdings hurries over and with an eye roll sets out to assist with the supplies.
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Zargothrax gives a salute to Radaszam and inadvertently knocks his wizard hat off. He catches it mid-fall and quickly propels it back into the air with a cantrip before settling it back on his head. He looks around furtively, then realizes he missed half of what the instructions were. "Right uh... clear ruble, destroy vehicles, close your valuables carefully. Right-oh!"
Satisfied with a job well-done, he makes his way to Fitch. "Yup! Research! Gotcha! Oh and..." He strikes his signature finger waggle pose with hovering hat for the picture then nearly drops it for a second time before looking at the maps. "... so this spot says 'skull rock' but it looks more like a duck... but if ya squint and turn yer head it looks like a bunny..."
After having his carefully marked up map 'filed away for safe keeping' he finds Celita. "Ah! Much better! Fixin' stuff is mah speshulty." He pulls out some duct tape and baling wire and gets right to work.
Zargothrax opens and closes his mouth a few times, then just nods. "I spose now's prolly not the best time ta ask what happened ta Ziggy..." Clearly he's too preoccupied with that question to come up with many other decent questions to ask the locals.
"Feelin skittish eh? Can't say ah blame em. Big crazy meetup for a first mission. Ahm a go give em a pep talk." He waddles over to the assembled crowd and spins them tales of the crazy things they might get to see. "Ahve seen and done things you people wouldn't believe! Visions of a Liavaran Dreamer... swapped feelings with a android that turned out ta be a demigod later... went on a game show... visited a..." He pauses, then looks rather glum before changing stories quickly "an underwater city.. lots a crazy things! This will be a blast!"
Zargothrax gives a death glare to Naiaj. Finally he tersely says, "Yes. Can't have that." The death glare intensifies, then he turns about and heads off to get to work.
Click. Whirrr.
Daata analyzes the compositions of the minerals in the rubble, identifying weak and trouble areas for the team.
Daata flexes his large hands and then starts immediately working on the computer system.
Daata poses for the selfie, then joins the rest of the team in the map survey.
Daata recalls his courses on cross-cultural interactions before going off to interview locals.
Daata awkwardly waves at the new troops and hopes they don't ask him any questions.
Daata keeps in mind the nutritional requirements of a variety of species as he sorts rations.
Daata's expert analyses on mineral compositions help the whole group efficiently clear away rubble.
The group does an amazing job of clearing away rubble! Appreciative of your assistance, Radaszam gives you tips on using leverage against an enemy.
Hard Once during the adventure, when rolling a combat maneuver check, a Strength based skill check, or a Strength-based attack roll, each PC can choose to roll the check twice and take the higher result.
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Between Daata, Maxamas and Teka's skills, your group is able to set up superior communication infrastructure.
While working on the communications equipment, you gain valuable experience tinkering with machinery.
Hard Once during the adventure, each PC gains a +2 bonus to an Engineering check, a Sleight of Hand check, or a Reflex save against an analog trap or hazard.
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Teka's nature walk uncovers some key parts of the site!
You gain some insight into the site's layout and recognize some patterns in its construction.
Hard Once during the adventure, each PC can roll twice and take the better result on a Survival or Perception check.
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The interviews with locals are somewhat awkward, but Teka's stories gets the locals sharing some of their own.
You hear rumors from the locals about the dangers of the ruins.
Average The PCs hear several tales of people going into the ruins and not returning, or of people returning after months or even years had passed thinking they'd only been gone a few moments. Ghosts and spirits in peculiar clothing are also said to inhabit the ruins. Some of the locals take an interest in the PCs' investigations and gift them each a brown nanite hypopen that must be used during this adventure. A PC can use a brown nanite hypopen as a standard action on themselves or a willing or unconscious living creature to grant the benefits of lesser remove condition (Starfinder Armory 106).
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Teka and Kneepuncher's enthusiasm is infectious, and all the new recruits clap for you and ask for your autographs.
You inspire your fellow Starfinders, and the experience buoys your own sprits.
Hard Once during the adventure, each PC can roll twice and take the higher on a Charisma-based skill check.
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Working together, you manage to help the supply teams get everything packed.
The supply teams are grateful for your assistance and grant them each a vial of magically-infused broth that heals the body and steels the mind.
Average Once during the adventure, a PC can consume this broth to gain the effects of a mk 3 serum of healing and a +1 bonus to Will saves for a number of minutes equal to their character level.
Gentle Sentients,
When embarking on a mass expedition into possibly haunted ruins, do not forget all the lovely bonuses provided by your expert preparations! Take a deep breath, drink some refreshing Poshkettle Tea, and remember to use these benefits!
For your convenience we here at Poshkettle Tea have listed these rewards in two places:
“Attention, Starfinders!” First Seeker Ehu calls from in front of his shelter. The remaining hubbub quiets, and the Starfinders gather in lines for the briefing. “Our preparations are complete, so we can begin our exploration momentarily. Our first step is investigating the aboveground portions of the ruins and those accessible just below the surface.” He nods to Fitch, who’s tapping on the edge of her datapad. “Fitch, the surveys?”
Fitch quickly tucks her datapad away and hops into position next to him. “Right! Our preliminary surveys indicate there are five main sites that might provide access to the lower levels. To better organize the expedition, we ask that each team choose a site to investigate. Once you decide, the leader in charge of that site can provide you the details we know... though in most cases, that isn’t much. After you’ve secured a site and verified whether it leads further down, report back here and we’ll determine our next moves.”
Fitch steps aside, and Ehu takes her place, glancing over the assembled crowd.
“Some of you have been with us for years,” he says, “while others are new recruits. Whatever your level of experience, I have every confidence that your skills will be invaluable to our efforts here. Exploration and discovering forgotten secrets are what we Starfinders do best, after all. I expect all of you to work hard to achieve our goal, take care of each other, and report anything you find. Now, without further ado, let’s begin!”
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The efforts of Pathfinder Society agents in the distant past were successful!
In tinkering with time, Pathfinder agents have spun off a temporal anomaly that may help you in dangerous situations.
Pathfinders were careful to rescue their agents from peril whenever they could.
Celita takes her team into a large tent emblazoned with the symbol of the Dataphiles. As the Starfinders follow her in, she takes a position next to a map of the ruins projected onto the wall. She surveys everyone for a moment before nodding in satisfaction. “There's no point wasting time on preambles,” she says. “Our early surveys of these ruins identified an intact section of the structure at its eastern corner.” She taps a pointer to the map, where an area is highlighted in red. “Judging from pictures taken of its exterior, it appears it was once some sort of shrine. A structural analysis indicates there's likely a basement or passage below the main floor, but we need you all to verify that theory and to ensure it's safe to proceed.” She pulls up an image on her datapad of a crumbling stone structure, displaying it in hologram form at the center of the tent. “This is the site. If you learn who or what this shrine was once dedicated to, let me know.”
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Celita provides you with directions to the shrine. "Be careful not to damage the site." She encourages you to ensure you are well-supplied before setting out, including making any last-minute purchases from the commissary. The shrine is a crumbling complex of stone buildings connected by corridors; at its center is a large domed chamber. The stone walls have worn away in spots, though not enough to be passable from the outside, and ice coats the exterior.
A double door leads into this stone-walled chamber, one of the few portions of the complex that appears intact. Three pillars, carved with geometric designs and weathered with age, stand on either side of the room. Rubble that may have once been additional wall carvings lays scattered across the floor, and two windows look out onto the ice fields. A door across from the entrance leads further in.
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"Welp time ta take a look-see."
Zargothrax takes a look at the patters on the pillars and tries to discern any meaning or origin.
"Awful purdy... wonder what it looked like in it's prime?"
He checks out the hallways to each side and shakes his head. "Just gonna hafta leave it upta our 'maginations ah guess."
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"Oh dear, I feel like I'm ill equipped, but barring carrying an entire store in my pocket, I don't think anything would settle my fears. At the least I'll be careful here, I know how fragile some of these ruins can be."
Looking to other before heading in, Teka carefully moves into the room, carefully looking through the rubble as she moves forward for any intact portion of the broken carvings that might prove useful.
Alerted by everyone else looking for trouble Zargotrhax aids Teka.
Maxamas finds a room with desks and a big sign:
Teka, with all the assistance that has been offered, notices a trap designed to lull the senses and muddy time.
The Lizard Wizard disables the trap using rather catchy arcane words of power. You all move on.
The floor of this oval-shaped room is carved with wave patterns, radiating outward from a statue of an androgynous humanoid figure at the room's center. The statue's face is so worn as to be nearly featureless, but it holds a hand outstretched toward the room's western door. Another door, its stone crumbling, stands to the east. This was the shrine's antechamber, where the faithful could reflect before moving into the shrine proper.
At the far end of this circular room stands a peculiar clockwork telescope, pointed at a gap in the domed ceiling thirty feet above. To its left is an elaborate orrery, made of similar clockwork and frozen in place. Two towers on either side of the chamber contain spiral stairways, now collapsed. The four doors leading into the room are all blocked by rubble, save for the door to the west. The remains of several statues stand atop plinths near the walls.
But just then, you notice that several of the statues are glaring balefully at you and starting to move in a threatening manner.
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Daata
Kneepuncher
Maxamas
Ice Friends
Blue
Red
Yellow
White
Zargothrax
Teka
Srudrez
Bold is up!
Kneepuncher full attacks the white tinged elemental.
He notices with the first strike that not all of the bludgeoning damage goes through, so switches entirely to acid with the second strike. The elemental looks down, surprised by the rather large hole that has melted part of their core.
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Daata
Kneepuncher
Maxamas
Ice Friends
Blue
Red
Yellow
White (-44)
Zargothrax
Teka
Srudrez
Bold is up!
Maxamas tricks the White Elemental for 18 damage, as some of his attack is absorbed by the creature's DR.
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Daata
Kneepuncher
Maxamas
Ice Friends
Blue
Red
Yellow
White (-62)
Zargothrax
Teka
Srudrez
Bold is up!
Click. Whirr.
Daata and his drone shoot at the White Elemental.
Both attacks hit and White crumbles into a whole bunch of ice chunks!
It's the elementals turn!
Red moves up to strike at Kneepuncher.
Blue moves up to strike at Maxamas.
Yellow double-moves and has no space to get into position, so it just stands in the back and looks menacing.
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Daata
Kneepuncher
Maxamas
Ice Friends
Blue
Red
Yellow
White (DEAD)
Zargothrax
Teka
Srudrez
Bold is up!