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She seeks a way to communicate the word "simultaneously" to the students.
As Issil tries to communicate with the students, the tail twitches. A wave of shimmering energy washes towards the Pathfinder...
...and completely distracts her from what she was trying to do! Vander, Yakuthiel, and Termia all follow their colleague into the room past the still-uncertain students. The two warriors cut at the tail, leaving long gashes that slowly begin to close moments after their creation.
The tail lashes out at Issil, as if in response for trying to rally the students.
It then wraps itself around her and squeezes tightly !
As she is squeezed, Issil feels strange waves of energy pulsing through the tail wrapped around her!
The energy saps her strength, leaving her breathless for a moment.
Round 2! Bold may act!
Areeza
Zug
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Yakuthiel
Termia
Issil (-23, Grabbed, Enfeebled 1)
Vander
Tail (-31)
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"How... lovely..." Issil gasps. "I get to try my new spell!"
>Warrior's Regret< washes over the serpent.
She slips out and moves 5 feet up left. "Let's see if I can call the children again..."
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Zug, in a very ungoblinlike manner, tries to plan for the future. He might have to concentrate on instructing the students, so maybe there's no time for cowbell-music.
The goblin works a little magic into his instrument, and then hits the cowbell loudly against the wall. The "music" echoes all around the room, creating a lingering effect.
Then he hops next to a lamp, ready to start instructing the youngsters.
Whether due to Issil's shaming or the combined assault of the other Pathfinders, the tail apparently decides it's had enough. It unwraps itself from around Issil and slithers back through the strange ripple in the air, which closes itself soon afterwards.
With no further interference, the Pathfinders are able to direct the students through the failsafe ritual. With each cry of "Narsen!", the strange chaos in the room subsides until everything is back to normal. The ghostly serpent pulls its snout out of Thandmere's head, yawns exaggeratedly, and winds itself out of existence.
"Look! It's them!" Vim drops the pitcher of water (which shatters on the floor) and grabs Areeza in a hug. "It really was you all here with us!" The other student leaders are more reserved - especially Alec - but still look relieved to see their chaperones again.
"Wha... what happened? Where am I?" Professor Thandmere stirs on the bed and blinks up at the ceiling, then at the other occupants of the room. "Where are my glasses?"
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When the students finally get to see the chaperones once more, Termia addresses them in her usual matter-of-fact manner, without a salute of course. "At ease, students. You have done adequately in your field trip. Alec Gracekin, there are two matters to discuss with you at a later time. Stand by."
Once the dwarven professor awakens, the soldier salutes him. "Professor Thandmere! Pathfinder agents Termia and five others reporting!" she begins her succinct report, spoken in a monotonous tone.
"To answer your questions in order: It seems that some strange, otherworldly creature trapped us in an insubstantial state; the details of which remain unknown for now. With the combined efforts of us agents and the students of Dacilane Academy, this creature was vanquished and its workings were undone. You are currently in the quarters of Venture-Captain Armeline Jirneau, of Pathfinder Society Woodsedge Lodge. Your glasses..." she glances around, "...whereabouts unknown."
"Your instructions, sir?"
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"Creatures of chaos were drawn to us as we were pushed into another realm." Issil feels the bruises all over her and casts a minor heal to stave some of her injuries off.
"We couldn't have survived without the help of the students, here. Who were on their best behavior."
She vaguely glances in Alec's direction.
"...Oh." Thandmere blinks a few more times before getting to his feet with a groan. "Oh, my back. Just a second..." He winces and carefully bends forwards and backwards before continuing. "There we go. Now, about those glasses..." After a minute of fruitless searching, the professor shakes his head. "Perhaps they are downstairs?" he suggests at last. "I'll need one of you young folks to help walk me there though..."
As the group of students, chaperones, and professor walk the upper landing, they see below them the other students reporting to adults wearing white robes and featureless porcelain masks. In the middle of the hubbub stands a familiar figure - Venture-Captain Armeline Jirneau, leader of the Woodsedge Lodge. She spots the newcomers and waves them down, moving towards the base of the staircase to meet them.
"Excellent work agents," he says, a smile on her face as she shakes each Pathfinder's hand. "We were able to see everything, but couldn't do anything to communicate with you until you activated the failsafe. Ah, and my thanks to these brave students who did the activation!" She shakes hands with Geltra, Hari, Tels, Vim, and Alec - though the last student's hand is held a bit longer so he can really soak in the venture-captain's stern look.
"I, uh, I must admit this is all my fault." Thandmere rubs his hands together nervously, cleaning imaginary glasses with an imaginary handkerchief. "There was feedback last year that my teaching was, uh, I believe one student described it as 'having all the liveliness of a potted plant, and about as much charisma.' So when the pelagastr contacted me and said it could help me liven up my lessons, I accepted - but I realized I got more than I bargained for when we arrived here and reality fractured. The power it was channeling overwhelmed me, and I'm afraid I blacked out."
"Is there any possibility it will return?" Armeline crosses her arms and studies the professor carefully.
"Yes - but I believe it is unlikely," he answers quickly. "From what I understand of this failsafe, it has likely been shunted back to the Maelstrom. While it could return, I don't believe it would since pestering the Society would no longer be an exciting new experience." Thandmere smiles nervously.
"Indeed." The venture-captain continues watching the professor for a few long seconds before turning her attention to the other Pathfinders. "Once we have verified that everyone is safe, I'm afraid I must send you all back to Absalom so we can deal with the aftermath of this... incident. Unless you have anything else to report, or a question I can help answer?"
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Issil grins as the Venture-Captain shakes Alec's hand. "Don't worry, he didn't reach the juicy parts. The first volume is quite tame." Her joy ends as the snake bruise acts up again. "I'm going to need a steamy bath after this, my eyes are stinging..."
"This is the second time I've heard of this Maelstrom. What is it, exactly? Some kind of chaotic realm?"
"This is the second time I've heard of this Maelstrom. What is it, exactly? Some kind of chaotic realm?"
"Not just some kind, but the chaotic plane." Thandmere pushes imaginary spectacles up his nose as if by habit. "Some say it's the birthplace of the entire multiverse, a wellspring of pure quintessence!"
The professor continues his lecture as Venture-Captain Armeline gently pushes the group out the door and back to the Maze of the Open Road. The trip back to the Grand Lodge is uneventful, and J is happy to see everyone return safely. "Excellent work everyone - let me see your assignments. Anything else you'd like to report while I review these?" He listens attentively as Vim describes the journey through the Maze, the disappearance of the chaperones and instructor, their brave explorations and discoveries, and how they all worked together to restore the Lodge back to its original state of existence.
"Well then." J raises an eyebrow and turns to look at the Pathfinders. "You have my gratitude. Since everyone completed their assignments..." He pauses to glance at the students, who hold their collective breath in anticipation, before returning his attention to the agents, "...I do believe we'll have a party day at the Academy! I hope you will join us as guests of honor!"
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Termia is neither delighted nor surprised to hear the forces of chaos were involved in the day's events. For a moment it looks like she would want to comment on Thandmere's description of Maelstrom, but ultimately stays quiet.
Soon upon returning to the Grand Lodge, a courier awaits Termia. She is handed a letter, bearing a trigonal symbol that some might recognize as that of the order of the Hellknights. Termia opens it, reads the contents within, and stows it neatly within her belt pack.
"Dacilane, sir, I must decline the invitation," she says, with no discernable emotion. "I have been summoned to Citadel Demain. I am to depart to Cheliax immediately."
"Please enjoy your celebration in moderation." She excuses herself by making one final salute to the academy benefactor, its students, and her fellow Pathfinder agents.
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Issil waves goodbye to Termia. "May you rise through the ranks with celerity and diligence!" Or whatever floats your boat.
Issil thinks about a few dances she can do during the party. No, too provocative. No, that's the Carnelian Signet's dance, I can't use that. Oh! This one is perfect!
Producing Flame in her hands, Issil juggles the flames from one palm to the other, kicking up and spinning about in a messy rhythm that keeps the flames relatively still. "The Eternal Candle. A reminder that no matter how annoying the world becomes, your impetus- your flame- can never be extinguished."
"My agent lost out on her pay for being tardy, but I got to enjoy a wonderful evening. Thank you, all of you."