Britta rushes forward and uses her Force powers to guide her strikes into the scorpion.
Silvertail tries to focus on a spell through the pain of being impaled.
Round 5
Seeing the frost scorpion still standing, Josten's brow furrows as he casts another fireball, but this time using his Uncommon Element (Su) Major Ascendancy ability to change the element from fire to sonic. "SONICBALL!!"
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With his fading invisibility, Zeran prepares for the inevitable, with further defenses. Josten stays at range, recovering from his cracked ribs, but still launching a screaming orb that erupts into visible waves of pressure and sound.
Rushing from the swirling mists, Britta slashes from either side before acrobatically slipping a devasting slash between the shoulder blades. A thunderous growl emerges from the creature, as again the dark nebulous energy fills the creature, trying to seal some of the horrendous wound, but it hardly seems to stem it.
Freeing its stinger from the still struggling Silvertail, the massive creature starts burrowing its massive form into the ice and a shower that soon covers its form.
Silvertail waits until the scorpion-like creature burrows out of sight before healing herself.
Britta sees him trying to slide away and will take the opportunity to slash once more at his vulnerable spots.
Britta looks to the others.
"Back to the fog if you can. I'm not sure what its plans are. Maybe it's done. I think I stabbed him in his reproductive organs. But if not, then let's get to cover."
She will move back to the fog with her jetpack. As she goes, she looks over to Josten, and just the mere look seems to heal him.
Round 6
Josten watches the defeat frost scorpion retreat, as hius body slowly needed itself. The godling looks over to the officer, and feels a wave of healing wash over him, just from Britta's glance.
What's going on here? Josten ponders.
The big red-haired fighter gives a weary smile and wave to Britta, as Josten makes his way over to check on Silvertail and Zeran.
Silvertail sighs as her wound eases. "Well, that was unpleasant. I'll have to remember to be careful how much attention I draw in the future," she comments. "If that creature is not returning, I would say we have gathered enough information here. We should spend the rest of the day preparing ourselves and depart in the morning, I think."
Six images of Zeran appear around the edge of the wall, scanning the area. "Perhaps we should be up on these walls in case he tries to burrow up under someone?"
"Congratulations and nicely fought champions! You have defeated the mighty Lord Antares, forcing him to flee underground. This contest is officially over!" Davin's voice booms across both the arena and the common room, informing all within of the outcome.
You are all instantly teleported back to the little entry vestibule, and are met by the Arena Grandmaster. "Well done, well done! A grand victory indeed. For besting your foe, I will train each of you in a cooperative technique of your choice, along with teaching you a pair of additional combat proficiencies. You may also gain knowledge of one offensive power unique to your personal fighting style. Finally, ask Mitchifer for a 'Slap Yo Mama' at the bar. Trust me, it's worth it, I promise!" Davin says with a chuckle.
"A slap yo mama...," she mutters in response. "Okay." She answers with a rising inflection and a slight chuckle to match Davin's own. She looks to her teams injuries. Are they still there or was this as temporary as they made it seem?
"If you wish to give us insight into teamwork aid, I can work with you to figure out what you know that might aid us based on what we've seen in battle. Also, maybe experiencing your combat prowess might lead us to know what offensive powers we can learn. It may take the afternoon to sort out, but thanks for the reward. Is there also money involved in the victory?"
She asks, considering that her existence there is tied to how many funds she has left. Otherwise, she will either have to pick a random universe to live in or return to her own.
Zeran considers the words. He had thought the scorpion had just used his burrowing ability to launch a sneak attack. But the combat was over and they'd won? He cancels the extra images of himself and considers the words. 'Cooperative technique', 'combat proficiencies', and 'fighting style'? He understood the words, but his fighting style was to avoid fights as much as possible, and sling spells at an enemy that wouldn't accept that! Sling spells? That was it, he needed practice firing targeted spells into a chaotic melee if this kind of fighting was going to continue.
"I prefer avoiding melee.... But if there's some way I could learn to target opponents in melee better? while staying back from the actual fight? Is that 'Slap Yo Mama' drink advisable for someone that seldom drinks? I'm a wizard and usually like to keep my senses alert."
Zeran glances around, looking for Windchime. "Windchime? Are you still around? We've been directed to request a 'Slap Yo Mama' at the bar. Is there any food that you'd recommend with that? I think I'd like to sit back at the table and think about the fight we just had."
Finally relaxed Zeran looks around at the others. "Silvertail? You were wounded terribly. Will you be able to heal? I'm afraid I don't have any healing magics. My wounds automatically close so I never thought about making healing wands."
Finally relaxed Zeran looks around at the others. "Silvertail? You were wounded terribly. Will you be able to heal? I'm afraid I don't have any healing magics. My wounds automatically close so I never thought about making healing wands."
"But I do." The godling states, as he lets out two additional energy channels.
Silvertail spreads and lowers her tails to Davin in respects. "A mighty prize indeed," she says, then turns to the others.
"My thanks for the healing, I can finish it up myself," she says to Josten, though she makes no move to do so immediately. "Now, I believe we'll want to rest and reflect on what we've learned here, and meet up in the morning to depart. Do we have any idea how to get to this... Faerun, or do we need to inquire before we rest?"
"If the Legends of the World Serpent Inn are true, one of it's many doors will take us to Faerun", Josten answers as the group walk to exit the arena. "Let's talk to Mister Mitchifier when we are back in the Inn proper."
With all of Josten's injuries healed, the godling snaps his fingers and casts prestidigitation on himself to clean his appearance back to remarkable. After he's pleased with the final products, Josten starts absentmindedly casting the orison of other members, cleaning their dirt, grime, and blood from their personages.
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Zeran glances around, looking for Windchime. "Windchime? Are you still around? We've been directed to request a 'Slap Yo Mama' at the bar. Is there any food that you'd recommend with that? I think I'd like to sit back at the table and think about the fight we just had."
Windchime comes dancing out of the mists. "Ah! Yes, Zeran, of course!" Her blue eyes flicker and lose some of their light as she glances over Silvertail and notices the fox's condition. "Oh, Mistress, your beautiful fur coat has been torn! And so have you! Would you like something that can wash away the blood and put it back where it..."
She snaps back to Zeran, as if realizing mid-sentence that she has ignored a customer's request. "Oh, you must pardon my scattered mind, Zeran. I must discredit my makers so." Her eyes glint orange. "That drink is citrusy and acidic, so though it isn't for me to tell you what to do, I would imagine something like the grilled lyre seawyvern thighs with creamy Solamnic button mushroom sauce would balance the palette wonderfully." The orange brightens. "I am afraid I have never tasted it, though. I only speak to my speculations."
Silvertail uses her own prestidigitation to get the blood out of her fur with a wave of her eponymous tail.
"Nothing I haven't dealt with before. The wilds of Scarn are not exactly safe," she comments, with a dismissive swish of her tails. "Windchime, you might actually know, is there a way to tell which doors would lead us to Faerun?"
Zeran listens to Windchime's recommendation.... "Hmm.... Windchime, that sounds, well, that definitely sounds like something worth trying. I've never had anything like it so, sure!"
Josten nods. "Yeah! Make mine a Double, please!"
Silvertail uses her own prestidigitation to get the blood out of her fur with a wave of her eponymous tail.
"Nothing I haven't dealt with before. The wilds of Scarn are not exactly safe," she comments, with a dismissive swish of her tails. "Windchime, you might actually know, is there a way to tell which doors would lead us to Faerun?"
"Oh, what a pertinent question!"
As the group walk back, Josten walks next to the wizard and puts a friendly arm on Zeran's shoulder.
"Zeran! Back their with the scorpion? What spell did you use on me to get me out of the scorpion's grip for a moment?"
"Oh, what a pertinent question!"[/b]
Silvertail waits a long moment, but when Windchime offers nothing more she waves her tails in irritation. "And for an answer we'll need to ask someone else, I take it?"
Zeran grins at Josten's question. "Freedom's Toast! It's a great spell, created either by the God Cayden Cailean, or a worshiper. He's one of my favorites. But, the spell is not one that I usually prepare so I had to use my focus to cast it. That's why I cursed when it grabbed you again. I couldn't cast it again."
Listening to the human wizard, Josten smiles so wide, his eyes begin to water. "Thank you, Zeran. Thank you very much! Hopefully, one day, I can introduce you to my dad. C'mon! Your next drink's on me."
"Oh, what a pertinent question!"[/b]Silvertail waits a long moment, but when Windchime offers nothing more she waves her tails in irritation. "And for an answer we'll need to ask someone else, I take it?"
Windchime looks up at the ceiling, head tilting to the side. "Oh, no, Mistress, I am only gathering my thoughts. The answer is quite simple."
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Off to the side, a glowing miniature illusion of the the scorpion hovered over one of the tables. It pounced and lunged in faithful recreation of the earlier fight, slowly rotating to accommodate various angles.
Linxx's piercing eyes stayed with it, in careful consideration. A feathered quill danced beside her, documenting her occasional remarks and plotting to whip the creature into shape.
"Needs more gladiator ... less ambush predator" or at least a variation of that might be caught if someone peeks over. The great lizard arms occasionally tensed as she seemed to anticipate their rematch, once the beastie had gone a round with the flesh sculptors.
"Ah! Yes!" Windchime's eyes light up green, and she tilts her head down at Silvertail thoughtfully. "You are looking for the third blue door. I am afraid that this is the only door I am aware of. Would you like me to show you, Mistress?"
Windchime twirls on its tiptoes and pieces its way between tables and guests to reach an ovular door that is decidedly not blue. She stands next to it, hands clasped behind her, bouncing on her heels.
"Yes, I would like that," Silvertail says, following after the strange construct.
She observes the door carefully once they reach it. "If we take the night to rest, will this still be here and lead to Faerun tomorrow?" she asks of Windchime.
"Nothing is certain in the World Serpent Inn." Windchime curtseys. "But I can promise that I will be able to find it if it does move."
Davin nods in agreement to Britta. "Indeed, we can take the afternoon to train." He pauses before answering her question. “Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness." He says, trying and failing to suppress a grin."Sorry, I couldn't resist. You each get five hundred gold per foe defeated. Speak to Mitchifer to receive your payment. He handles all the money made within the common room."
"500 per defeated foe? Hmm..." Britta coughs unexpectedly and suddenly looks to her other companions in deep thought. "Thanks..." she half winks to Davin before moving over toward the bar. She was going to use Windchime to get her an order of that drink, but now, the bar sounds more appealing.
"Mitchifer, hey, hi. We were told after the bout to order a...'slap yo momma' drink? Can you get me one of those? This isn't some lame prank, is it?" She looks at him with some dullness for the thrill. "Also, spoils for the match, if you would."
With her money and drink in hand, she will look at the others.
"So...let's get started with that training shall we?"
She will half sit on a stool and will hold onto the bar as she takes a solid sip from her drink, half expecting something bad to happen to her.
"Mitchifer, hey, hi. We were told after the bout to order a...'slap yo momma' drink? Can you get me one of those? This isn't some lame prank, is it?" She looks at him with some dullness for the thrill. "Also, spoils for the match, if you would."
"Make mine a Double", Josten grins at the barkeep and Britta. "Along with the prize money from the match."
Silvertail switches to human form as she approaches Mitchifer--she's not in the mood for telekinetically manipulating a bag of coins, sometimes one slips out and then it's a pain to focus on two things at once.
"I will take the prize money but not the drink," she states. "Why all you big people insist on drinking things that try to kill you I will never understand."
"Nothing is certain in the World Serpent Inn." Windchime curtseys. "But I can promise that I will be able to find it if it does move."
Silvertail waves her eponymous appendage in appreciation. "Thank you, Windchime. I'll be certain to check in with you before we leave."
Upon feeling revitalized, Britta considers her reward further.
"So...I know we had all planned to go, and you all totally should still, but I might not. I saw an opportunity with you all...and that hasn't likely changed, at least for the future, but I think I've had a change of heart concerning this mission. I think I'm going to stick around here for a bit. This is a hefty sum. Don't hate me for it."
She winces, hoping they understand and will give a tip to Mitchifer for the drink.
"If you see me in a booth, feel free to say high, or if you have another job at a later time, I might be interested, if you can stomach me going with you all. I'll stick around with you all for the training, but after that, I might zip off and spend some of this gold."
"Oh, it will be so nice to have you here, of course!" Windchime remarks as she breezes past with a heavy tray of drinks.
Zeran stows the coin but then hears Britta. "Are you sure Britta? If you change your mind will you be able to catch up with us?"
Glancing at the doorway Zeran shrugs. "Any need to delay further? I think we should step through and see where we come out."
"That's not a problem. You all are pretty slow..." she chuckles, gives a nod and then heads into the mist toward her room. "See you in training."
Silvertail observes the effects of the drink with an air of disbelief. "A healing brew, and you call it...?"
She trails off, then looks over at Britta. "You will, of course, be missed during the challenges no doubt ahead of us, but you are free to do as you wish," she says imperiously.
"Now then, I do look forward to this training. Is it yet time for it?"
Windchime finishes delivering her last order, then twirls and makes its way to the bar. "Master Mitchifer, I think that my shift is over for today. I'll be in my room if I'm needed!"
She swings behind the bar and retrieves a satchel and a large coffee can currently being used to hold the inkpens customers are given to sign waivers. About two dozen find their way into the satchel. She looks narrowly at the very empty tin cup she keeps her tips in, then rises and dances over to join Britta on the walk back to the rooms.
"Britta! Wait!" The godling raises his voice so it could be heard over the bar, and runs up to the Imperial Officer.
"I'm sorry to hear you won't be going with us to Faerun", Josten began. "But I'm gratified to hear I might be seeing you again here in The W.S.I."
"Please take care yourself", Josten smiles sadly, then reaches down, taking Britta's hand and kissing her knuckle.
"See you soon", the red-haired man grinned as he walked back to the others.
While waiting for word of this 'training', Josten orders a strong shot of dragon whiskey.
Zeran flops down across from Josten. "Did I hear Dragon Whiskey? Sounds.... Well, it sounds like something your Father would be drinking. Is it safe for mere mortals, like me?"
"Sure, Zeran. It's a naming choice", Josten admits. "But I wouldn't put it past Mitchier to have a stronger planar version available."
Zeran laughs and calls out to Windchime "Well then I'll try the 'mere mortal' version of the Dragon Whiskey too. Never know but I might find a new favorite drink!"
Silvertail waves her tails dismissively and saunters off to find a quiet corner to wait in.
"Yes, of course, Zeran! And good morning to you both." Windchime appears behind Zeran. She passes two shot glasses filled with clear fluid before Zeran and Josten, then takes out a tindertwig, lights it, and sweeps it quickly above each.
The shot glasses each in turn erupt in flames that cycle between every color of the rainbow, crackling and sizzling and almost instantly burning down. Zeran's drink turns milky white, while Josten's turns a vivid chlorine-green. Windchime puts out the match and claps her hands happily. "Oh, how exciting! We haven't had a green one in quite a long time. I can't even remember what they are supposed to taste like."