Arhan's cheeks flush as he stares at Dimitrie's shirtless body for a few moments. Brine rolls his eyes and gives the artist a nudge. "Come on, Arhan. I'm standing right here!" he says with mock indignation.
Arhan snaps out of his trance. "Oh! Uh, right, yeah, I can make that tattoo for you. Have a seat."
As the artist goes to work, it is obvious that having something to focus on helps him to relax. With needle and ink in hand, he gets to work on the tattoo for Dimitrie. He opens up more as Anna and Elanna continue to convince him of their good intentions.
"There is one thing that I just remembered. Dieral was looking through a book of tattoo images a while back when he remarked that one of them reminded him of a safe place he knows. It’s where he’d go if he were ever in trouble. Hang on a minute.” Arhan rummages through his books until he comes upon the image, which he shows to you. The image depicts a stylized horse in profile. ”Sorry. It’s not much, I know, but hopefully it helps.
"You seem to be good people. If you're trying to help Dieral, then I can give you some help in return. A magical tattoo for protection, if you're interested."
Dimitrie nods appreciatively at Arhan and says, "Thank you, Arhan, for sharing what you know about Dieral. We'll do everything in our power to find him and assist them. Your help has been invaluable, and we won't forget it." He offers a genuine smile, conveying his sincerity.
Dimitrie will have the greater enveloping light tattoo inscribed upon him, seeing it as a symbol of their newfound alliance and a mark of their quest to unravel the mystery of the Harrow cards and Dieral's connection to them. Dimitrie, with a grateful smile, addresses Arhan in a respectful manner, "Arhan, your offer of the tattoo is greatly appreciated, and since I am already here getting work, I would be honored to receive such a mark of protection. Please, go ahead and inscribe it upon me."
When she finds out that tattoos are an option Natalya comes back inside and watches the process with interest. When it's her turn she remains stock still as Arhan works - ending up with a tattoo that flickers with a soft glow like she has a campfire under her skin. The tattoo is on the back of her neck and peeks above her robe when she shrugs it back on.
"You do fine work." She says solemnly. "I will tell people of this."
----------------------------------------
Once everyone has a tattoo if they want one Natalya sets off confidently. There were two other places on the map to visit!
Anna silently declines a tattoo and slips outside to wait for the others.
After everyone completes their interaction with Arhan at the tattoo parlor, Dimitrie smoothly slips his shirt back on while suggesting their next destination. "If I recall correctly, Clemeth is the owner of a scrapyard," he begins. "I propose we make our way there next. It seems prudent to follow the leads we have before embarking on the search for Dieral." His tone is both logical and persuasive as he lays out their plan.
Natalya has no problem with leading the way to the scrapyard!
Ela declines the tattoo at first, but having seen Natalya barely flinch during the process, she changes her mind and passes her forearm to the artist. "Oh, go on then if both of you have had a go, why not."
At Dimitrie's suggestion, she shrugs her shoulders and waves a hand. "After you. Maybe we will find answers - or maybe just more of a set up."
After receiving the tattoos, you head to your next destination. Parts of Reclaimed Paradise look more like an upscale spa resort than a vehicle scrapyard. A 14‐foot‐tall white stone wall lines the large yard’s perimeter. Within, smiling employees wearing matching overall jumpsuits help customers locate parts throughout the yard. Silencing spells are cast when moving heavily damaged vehicles to mitigate noise pollution, and each piece of equipment is treated with the care and attention it deserves.
The proprietor, Clemeth Falk, is a tall orc in extraordinarily good shape. She wears a comfortable uniform complete with all the necessary safety gear of her trade: goggles, knee pads, thick gloves, and a heavy leather apron.
”Welcome! Haven’t seen you folks around before,” she says with a warm grin. ”Always happy to meet new potential customers! What can I do you for?”
Dimitrie decides to take a diplomatic approach to gather information from Clemeth, especially considering her warm welcome. As he approaches her, he wears a friendly smile, making sure to engage her in a casual conversation before delving into the matter at hand.
"Hello there," Dimitrie begins, extending a hand for a friendly handshake. "I must say, this place is quite remarkable. I couldn't help but notice your impeccable operation. I'm Dimitrie, by the way. We've heard that Dieral Myrnese is a frequent customer here, and we're looking to have a word with him. Do you happen to know him well?"
Dimitrie keeps his tone amiable and genuinely interested, hoping to create a rapport with Clemeth. As their conversation continues, he subtly mentions Anna, leaning on a bit of humor.
"You know, Anna here," he gestures towards Anna with a playful grin, "has a knack for appreciating the finer things in life, and she's quite discerning when it comes to quality. I think she's taken quite a liking to your establishment."
It takes the halfling a moment or two to catch up to Dimitrie's strategy as he directs the attention to her - something she likes to avoid.
"Yes. Oh, yes," she fumbles for a moment before slipping into the role he's designated for her. "The finer things in life are what makes life worth living." She laughs playfully while giving the sorcerer a side-eye, hoping he'll give her a heads-up next time so she can prepare a story.
"The finer things, yeah ... uh ..." She looks around seeking inspiration, her gaze lighting on some elaborately carved wagon wheels. "I'd really love to set up a very elegant wagon that works as a mobile medical station."
Elanna nods along in agreement herself, a mobile medical station actually sounds quite useful. "Perhaps it could even have some additional functions such as an alarm system that could emit a loud noise so people would move out of its way when it is coming, as well as a very good suspension system in case you need to move patients without harming them."
"Either way, Dimitrie is right, whilst you're helping out Anna here, do you recall anything about Dieral, as we're looking to ask him some questions only he is able to answer."
Natalya finds herself distracted by a pile of small, metallic shiny things and ignores the conversation entirely!
Reclaimed Paradise’s well‑built, gray slate garage sits in the middle of the yard. Inside, the main hall splits off into five small meeting rooms where staff privately interview customers. Clemeth sits down across from you and begins to interview you. At the start of every job, Clemeth has a long conversation with her clients, asking mundane questions about their past, current occupation, and even life goals. She likes to call this step “collecting scraps,” and any scrap of information might come in handy when working on a repair. While some consider this approach tedious and unnecessary, Clemeth’s sincere enthusiasm for getting to know her clients usually endears her to them, though she takes care never to push too far in her questions.
Eventually, the conversation turns to the reason you have come here. Clemeth's smile fades as she Dimetrie and Anna try to deceive her. She holds up a hand. "Listen. I'm an honest orc. I don't appreciate people who come to me with concealed intentions. Speak plainly with me, or I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
Fortunately, Elanna chooses to openly talk about why you are seeking Dieral. Clemeth listens to her pleas before nodding. "Dieral and I are friends, unlikely though it may be. Dieral needed his wheelbarrow fixed one day, and Reclaimed Paradise had the right resources for the job. Dieral assumed that the shop was only for people with large, complicated vehicles like clockwork boats or iron-plated carriages, but I insisted that I could have his broken wheelbarrow fixed within the time it’d take for Dieral to give an honest effort on an obstacle course of my own design. Dieral succeeded on his first try. Damned impressive! I've been fine-tuning his wheelbarrow ever since.
"I haven't seen him in a while, though. Truth be told, I'm a bit worried about what's happened to him. He talked a lot about some of his other friends in the Grand Bazaar, including Erikanesh at Historia Reliquary and Arhan Benimaya at Kraken's Ink Tattoo."
After informing Clemeth you've already spoken to Arhan, Clemeth gives Dimitrie and Anna a look. [b]"Well, if you're going to talk to Erikanesh next, I'll tell you it seems easy to lie to them. Not that I ever would, of course. But that stuffy lizard sure likes a story, even if it isn’t true—maybe especially if it isn’t true."
Dimitrie, known for his skill in weaving illusions and clever deceptions, found himself in an unfamiliar position. Clemeth's straightforward demeanor had caught him off guard, and he knew that his usual tricks wouldn't work here. As Clemeth called him out on his attempted deception, he couldn't help but acknowledge the error.
Clearing his throat, Dimitrie decided to take a step back and let Elanna, the group's beacon of honesty, take the lead. He felt compelled to offer a sincere apology for his initial approach.
"I appreciate the tip, Clemeth," Dimitrie began, his tone earnest. "And I want to apologize for the deception. It was not the right way to start our conversation, and I should have known better." His words were accompanied by a genuine look of contrition in his eyes as he acknowledged his misstep.
"Can I try the obstacle course?" Natalya asks. That seems to have been the only bit of the conversation that really interested her.
Clemeth chuckles. ”Sure, if you think you’ve got what it takes!” The orc shows Natalya out to the yard. Here stands the obstacle course, an outdoor training area featuring mechanical mazes, a wall of swinging robotic arms, and a huge mound of twisted and jagged scraps that Clemeth calls "The Leap."
Critical Success: You earn 2 Obstacle Course Points and gain a +2 circumstance bonus to your next check to Run the Obstacle Course.
Success: You push forward on the course and gain 1 Obstacle Course Point.
Failure: You earn no Obstacle Course Points and must attempt a DC 28 Reflex save. If you fail, you wrench a muscle or otherwise hurt yourself and become enfeebled 1 for 1 hour.
Critical Failure: You lose 1 Obstacle Course Point and twist an ankle or otherwise seriously hurt yourself, becoming enfeebled 2 (a successful DC 28 Reflex save reduces this to enfeebled 1).
Anna's eyes crinkle into a smile as she turns a challenging gaze at Natalya.
"Up for a little wager, Lass?" she questions.
When the dark-skinned woman accepts, Anna laughs and dashes off with unearthly speed. Using her arms and hands as much as her feet, she bounces through the course like a cat with the zoomies. She moves with such energy that it seems she actually runs up some of the vertical climbs.
When she reaches the end of the course, the small woman doesn't even seem winded.
"Do y' have somethin' for the grown-ups, now?" she asks Clemeth with a giggle.
--
Anna is gone before Natalya actually responds but the dark-skinned woman watches intently as Anna darts through the obstacle course and actually applauds as she takes the Leap.
With an awesome example to follow Natalya sets off, dancing through the maze with ease until she reaches the swinging robot arms. She starts forwards twice but obviously doesn't have the skill or co-ordination to dodge them.
Instead she steps back and then suddenly leaps into the air, soaring over not only the arms but right over the scrap heap as well. She lands softly in front of Ana, her robe soaring behind her like wings.
"That was fun." She concludes with a grin for the ghoul. "You were very good!"
Elanna, knowing that she was usually right about just going for the direct route, nods and smiles when he answers her own questions.
As Natalya suggests they have a go at the obstacle course, she pipes up "I don't think we have the time." But she is too late and before she knows it she is hanging around waiting in the shop tapping her feet impatiently for the others to return.
Clemeth applauds the successful running of her obstacle course. She opens up further about Dieral, expressing some worry about how he obsessed over his collection more than she considered healthy. He told her more than once that if he ever found a really rare, magical card, he’d consider giving up his card-peddling business. He thought for a minute, though, and admitted that if he did get a very powerful magic card, dangerous people might be after it, too. Clemeth laughed off Dieral’s worry, poked his bony shoulder, and told him that was a good reason to get into better shape.
"But now I'm worried he might be in real danger. Do you think you could help him? I remember Dieral seemed familiar with some of the specialty repair tools he saw me using. I expressed surprise—as he didn’t seem like someone good with his hands—and Dieral made a dismissive comment about an abandoned forge that he’d go to if he ever got into trouble. I hope that helps you find him!"
Dimitrie nods appreciatively at Clemeth's openness and willingness to share information about Dieral. He takes a moment to consider what they've learned so far, and then he responds with determination.
"We will do our best to find Dieral and ensure his safety," Dimitrie assures Clemeth. "Your insights have been invaluable, and we appreciate your assistance. If you think of anything else that might help us in our search, please don't hesitate to let us know."
With a grateful smile, he bids farewell to Clemeth, and the group prepares to move on to their next destination, Historia Reliquary.
Dimitrie turns to Anna and Natalya with a wry grin. "Well, ladies, are we ready to go, or do we still have a burning desire to show off our skills in the games further?" He chuckles, clearly amused by their earlier antics in Clemeth's obstacle course.
"It was fun." Natalya says with a shrug. "And Anna is very good at it." She doesn't seem overly fussed by Dimitrie's teasing, if she even realises it is teasing. "You should come back and try it sometime. I'm sure Clemeth wouldn't mind."
Once she has their next location she sets off with her usual confidence. It seems that the tall woman has a very good sense of direction - or fakes it remarkably well.
An intricate maze of well-ordered exhibits and shelves, the Historia Reliquary is almost more of a museum than a store. The front is covered with a heavy black curtain that is pinned in place with wooden stakes to prevent passersby from sneaking a look at what is inside. The proprietor, Erikanesh, is a tall, blue-skinned iruxi who dresses fashionably, with no thread out of place. They peer at you through their monocle as you approach.
"Salutations, fellow scholars," Erikanesh says in greeting. "Have you come to see the relics in my collection? I only ask you pay a modest fee of one silver piece each for the privilege."
Once you have passed the initial barrier of the entrance fee, the shop welcomes you inside with a well-lit interior illuminated by multiple orbs floating above the displays, which give off a soothing light. Scents suffuse the air inside the building, mainly that of sweet rolls and fresh tea. Erikanesh offers these refreshments at no further cost.
"Each of these items has a fascinating and robust history! I would be happy to educate you about any of the displays that catch your eye," the lizardfolk says proudly.
Dimitrie enters the Historia Reliquary, taking in the meticulously ordered exhibits and the overall museum-like atmosphere. He observes Erikanesh with their monocle and listens to their welcoming words. As the group pays the modest entrance fee, Dimitrie can't help but appreciate the elegance of the shop's interior.
Following the scent of sweet rolls and fresh tea, Dimitrie approaches the refreshment area and accepts a cup of tea. He sips it while perusing the various displays, intrigued by the history behind each item. He flashes a charming smile at the lizardfolk proprietor.
"Ah, Erikanesh, what a delightful place you have here," Dimitrie begins, his tone congenial. "I've heard rumors of a man named Dieral Myrnese, who was known to frequent places like this. You see, I have a keen interest in the Harrow and the mysteries it holds. I was told that Dieral had some unique insights into the Harrow and its history. Perhaps you could share some of the knowledge he passed along during his visits here?" Dimitrie's words are carefully chosen to suggest a connection to Dieral without outright stating it, hoping to coax out any information Erikanesh might have about the missing individual.
For whatever reason Natalya doesn't seem to like the smells in the shop at all. Still, her gaze is sharp as she looks the iruxi up and down, evaluating the shop proprietor as Dimitrie spins webs of words.
At this stage in the back and forth to find Dieral, Elanna just wants answers and doesn't particularly want to discuss the antiquities in the room and sighs heavily as Dimitrie accepts a cup of tea, knowing it is just going to lengthen the visit that much more.
She walks up to Natalya's side and crosses her arms impatiently, watching alongside the other woman also caught up in this confusing mess of who-knows-what that is distracting her from her actual work.
Anna eyes the pastries with more interest that the displayed curios and whatsits. But she turns away from them with a heavy sigh, rubbing her stomach.
"Yes, were looking for Dieral," she adds. She frowns and the grumbling of an insistent stomach escapes her cloak. "We suspect that something other than a bad Harrow card may be headed his way and want to ensure that he's safe." She ignores the embarrassing sound and hopes the others do the same.
Erikanesh's expression darkens when you mention the Harrow. ”Hmm. I never much cared for fortune-telling, truth be told. I find the whole idea of mystically divining one’s future via playing cards or tea leaves a bit silly.”
Natalya realizes that you will find it harder to influence Erikanesh the more you talk about Harrow cards or the like.
Nevertheless, Dimitrie is able to make a bit of headway with the iruxi scholar. "Well, if you must know, I do purchase Harrow cards from time to time from Dieral. From a purely academic perspective, fortune telling is unscientific nonsense, but Dieral occasionally acquires some truly rare finds amid the dross in his Harrow Barrow. If a harrow card has historical importance, I do my best to acquire it, though I do not have any right now."
Dimitrie, recognizing Erikanesh's disdain for Harrow fortune-telling, shifts his approach. He decides to play to the scholar's academic interests and curiosity.
"Ah, I understand your skepticism towards Harrow fortune-telling,"Dimitrie says, adopting an air of intellectual intrigue. "You see, my primary interest lies in the historical and cultural aspects of Varisia. Dieral once mentioned a peculiar artifact he stumbled upon during his travels, something that piqued my scholarly curiosity. He hinted at its connection to ancient Varisian practices and folklore. I wonder if you might know more about this artifact or where it might be found?"
Natalya wanders over and whispers softly in El's ear.
"Don't mention the cards. It won't help." Message given she wanders away again, poking at things and keeping an eye on the proprietor to see how they react.
Anna's ears perk up at Natalya's whispered advice.
"You weren't supposed to mention the artifact," Anna hisses at Dimitrie. "If word gets out that we're on the trail of something like that, then you-know-who will be all over us, pestering us to hand it over to the museum. We'll never get any peace."
The "Scholar" turns to Anna, feigning forgiveness, placing his right hand over his heart. "Of course, Anna, you're absolutely right," he says softly. "My apologies for letting that slip. It's just that Erikanesh seemed like the type who would be genuinely interested in such historical mysteries, and I thought it might help us get more information about Dieral. Let me handle this."
Dimitrie addresses Erikanesh next. "The artifact I mentioned is indeed a closely guarded secret. It's said to hold the key to unlocking some of the deepest mysteries of Varisian culture, and the last thing we want is to attract unwanted attention from those who would seek to exploit its power."
Dimitrie's tone is conspiratorial, as if he and Erikanesh are the only ones in the know. He leans in slightly, as if sharing a secret. "I trust that you, being a true scholar and guardian of knowledge, can appreciate the delicacy of the situation. We seek to protect this artifact and unravel its mysteries, but discreetly. Any insights or information you might have on the matter would be greatly appreciated."
Any more additions would clearly muddy the water at this point, so Elanna nods along with a sober expression.
Neither Elanna nor Natalya are able to pick up any more information about Erikanesh. Fortunately, both Anna and Demitrie prove skilled at weaving an enthralling tale, and the iruxi scholar hangs on their every word.
"I see," they say, adjusting their monocle. "I know not of this artifact, but it sounds positively intriguing! I do so hope that when you find Dieral and make contact with him, you are able to bring it back here to allow me to examine it? For historical research purposes. I will tell you what I know about where to find him, but I will admit it is not much. I only knows that the Dieral said he’s been living somewhere in the Eastgate district of the city. I wish you luck in your search!
"In the meantime, I insist you take one of my items with you before you depart today. If anybody asks, make sure you tell them that you got it from Historia Reliquary. It will be great advertisement for my business here!"
With all three clues you have gathered, you know that Dieral's "safe place" is an abandoned forge in Eastgate marked with an image of a stylized horse in profile. Anna's knowledge of Absalom allows her to confirm that there is one location that matches all three clues—a place called Stirrup & Barding.
"Let us go then." Natalya says once Anna confirms the location. She seems to have become rather bored since the obstacle course. "No need to wait. No?"
"No, no need to wait and I don't think we really have the luxury of waiting anyway" Elanna replies, pursing her lips. "I imagine that if the Absalom law enforcement are good at their jobs, it wont be long until someone catches up with us about the mess that started this."
"There is a new... division?" Natalya says, seeming unsure about the final word. "Hedge-watch, I think? They are good, people say. One of their men is drunk a lot and married both his co-workers. They all have same kind of name too. Doni, Dara and Devil I think. Very strange. They found a bad newspaper man and it was a very good thing. Maybe he wrote nasty things about their gardening? Absalom is a strange city."
She turns to Anna and adds. "Also, they have a doctor - very scary people say. Not like you - you're a nice doctor."
You head into Eastgate, making your way to Dieral’s hiding place. One part stable and one part blacksmith shop, this forlorn stone and thatch building has the words “Stirrup & Barding” painted above a picture of an armored horse facing the street. The massive chimney rising from the structure emits no smoke and lists a bit to the side as though in danger of collapse. The windows are shuttered, and weeds fill the small corral to the side and behind the building.
The gate to the paddock and the front double door, as well as the windows, are all barred. The southern door to the forge appears to be locked, but upon anything other than cursory examination, it’s clear that this lock is broken, and the door opens easily.
The stable’s interior is dim and drafty. Several supplies are stacked in one corner, near a cold fireplace with an enormous anvil next to it. A few blacksmith’s tools hang on the wall. A small door to an interior room has a bit of light beneath it. A large wheelbarrow sits near this door. Its lower half is a complex clockwork‐like contraption with a single large metal wheel and a pair of handles affixed with leather straps, and its upper half appears to be a colorful miniature shop with its walls and roof line set with dozens of hinges and latches.
The complicated wheelbarrow itself is, of course, the eponymous Harrow Barrow. A closer examination reveals that the “shop” built on top of the wheelbarrow incorporates several dozen small images—54 in all, each referencing one of the classic 54 cards of the harrow. The wheelbarrow is in fact a complicated set of drawers and cabinets that can be opened and closed—all of which are currently locked. The lower portion of the wheelbarrow is fitted with a set of clever gears and clockwork machinery that allows a single person to haul the heavy contraption around with relative ease.
A search of the room reveals a +2 striking mithral longspear that has fallen behind the stack of supplies in the southwest corner of the room. Its head is marked with the symbol of the Post Guard, Eastgate’s neighborhood guard. A vanishing coin hangs with the tools on the wall.
A small door to an interior room has a bit of light beneath it...
Dimitrie takes a moment to examine the intricate Harrow Barrow. He marvels at the craftsmanship and the incorporation of harrow card imagery into the design.
As he inspects the locked drawers and cabinets on the wheelbarrow, Dimitrie suggests to the group, "This Harrow Barrow appears to be more than just a simple wheelbarrow. It's a puzzle in itself, likely designed to hold something important. Perhaps Dieral hid something here that can give us more clues about his whereabouts."
Dimitrie then carefully examines the vanishing coin hanging with the tools on the wall. He's curious about its properties and whether it might have any significance in their search for Dieral.
He regards the longspear with a shrug, "I believe that looks useful if you are martially inclined type. Ela, perhaps you might find use with it?"
She turns to Anna and adds. "Also, they have a doctor - very scary people say. Not like you - you're a nice doctor."
"Then you know me only half as well as you think you do," Anna replies with a shrug.
-------
Anna seems to almost vanish into the shadows of the dimly lit interior of the stable. Moving from darkness to darkness, she leaves the clockwork wagon to Dimitrie's curiosity and makes her way to the door with flickers of light spilling out from underneath.
She presses her ear to the crack before opening the door just a hair.
The door opens into a room lined with shelves containing scraps of metal and various tools. Some of the shelves have been cleared to make room for a few piles of clothes, some food and wine bottles, and several stacks of harrow cards.
An elven man who must be Dieral cowers in the corner, trying to hold still in the hopes of avoiding notice. His lack of sleep, healthy food, and opportunities for personal hygiene over the past few days have certainly left him in a sad state.
Upon seeing the cowering elven man, who is presumably Dieral, Dimitrie's expression softens with a mix of relief and concern. He approaches Dieral slowly and with a gentle demeanor, making sure not to startle him further.
"It's alright, Dieral," Dimitrie says soothingly, his tone reassuring. "We're not here to harm you. We've been looking for you. You've had quite an ordeal, it seems."
Dimitrie offers a hand to help Dieral up, wanting to get him out of this grim situation and back to safety. He continues, "We've gathered clues about your whereabouts and were worried something had happened to you. Can you tell us what happened and how we can help?"
He doesn't mention the harrow cards for now, trying not to overwhelm the elf.
Natalya pokes around outside but, knowing that she is not usually comforting, stays away from the room where Dimitrie is speaking in the tone usually used for irate children or small animals.
It doesn't matter which of those he's talking to - she doesn't want to be involved.
Dieral startles as Dimitrie opens the door and walks towards him. Fortunately, the sorcerer's calm demeanor helps to put the man at ease. Dieral takes a few deep breaths to steady himself as his initial panic slowly fades. "Thank you. Yes, I need help. I've been hiding out because I'm being pursued. I'm not sure who is after me, exactly, but ever since I found that card, I knew that it was only a matter of time before they catch up with me!"
At this point, the double doors in the stable suddenly burst open! A tiefling wearing half-plate and wielding a jagged battle axe charges inside. Moments later, a trio of humans in leather armor drop in through the thatch roof, brandishing bows, while a four-armed devil in a hooded robe comes in through the southern door! Dieral yelps in terror and rushes to find a hiding spot.
The tiefling hesitates, momentarily taken aback by your presence here. Then his eyes narrow. "Kill them all! Find the Harrow card!"
Jyst as Elanna goes to open her mouth to comfort the man, so they can finally get some answers, the doors fly open.
"Stay behind us Dieral!"Elanna commands as she leaps to action and grasps her sword. "You will regret the day you spawned, fiend."
Elanna intimidates the devil and delivers a powerful strike, her holy blade searing its infernal flesh! In response, the devil raises a magic shield of force and then casts a spell, afflicting all of you with despair!
The tiefling casts haste on himself, then suddenly charges into melee with Elanna! She parries his axe.
Meanwhile, the archers fire on the paladin, landing a few precise hits with poisoned arrows!
Natalya's natural cheer pushes through the devilish magic as she gathers a tiny bead of light into her hand and then lets it go. Suddenly a massive blast of heat and light erupts from the middle of the archers, causing screams of pain from the closely packed mercenaries.
Despair being something she's fought and challenged many times in her life, Anna shrugs it off as inconsequential. Giving a hissing challenge, she dashes forward like a spider in the dim light towards the archers.
Elanna howls out as adrenaline surges through her body allowing her to remain standing and continue in her onslaught.