Issi Flamehair's page

Unhappy to hear that her (exgirl-)friend is supposedly in the Barb, Wandering Phoenix is ready to leave at once. She slings the shield over her back on the grounds that it might come in handy at some point and then accedes to Laughing Marid's suggestion that they should transfer the brilliant run before, just in case.

It's certainly a powerful upgrade to Issi's much loved Wishblade and the sisters prepare to enter the Barb as prepared as can be expected.

"Could have gone better, but it's not nothing." Issi says softly to her sister. "I don't think I'm going to be much help with the others."

Still she's loved living in Nantambu and speaks to Asanda on precisely that level.

Crafting: 1d20 ⇒ 7

---------------------------
Then she moves on to Father Heveril and simply tries not to put her foot in her mouth too badly while Laughing Marid is being charming.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Thanking the Warder Chief for his gracious assistance Wandering Phoenix moves on to speak with Umanja-Jinga, speaking with the elderly halfling on matters of the spirit realm.

Occultism: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Issi starts with Mpondo, a man with whom she knows she can discuss the topics she is happiest on. Every time he refers to her as 'Wandering Phoenix' she jolts a little and occasionally glances across the room to smile at Sadiki, or Wandering Marid as she reminds herself once more.

Arcana: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (15) + 32 = 47

Issi pauses at Jatembe's offer. To be named a Magic Warrior is a great honor, greater than any she could have conceived of as a naïve child who followed her big brother in search of excitement and magic. But to give up her name... to erase a part of her identity... that's a large sacrifice.

"I..." She begins, and then stops. She thinks she knows what Sadiki will do - her sister has always made the choices that define her and this is the ultimate chance to do just that, whereas Issi has...

If she's honest she's wandered. Her plans, few as they have been, have mostly been at Sadiki's instigation, or whims which have lasted long enough to be turned into reality. Since becoming Lore Speaker in particular Issi is forced to recognise that she's been a leaf on the wind, blown hither and thither, fulfilling responsibilities and doing what is right in the moment, without any sense of greater plan or purpose.

Do I still want to be like that? To be that person?

That is the question that matters and when Issi answers it a smile spreads across her face.

"I accept, Jatembe." She says firmly. "I would be known as Wandering Phoenix."

Arcana: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (7) + 32 = 39

Issi takes a deep breath and draws in magic in thin and brightly coloured streamers. The magic surges through her as she soars into the sky and her body erupts in jets of power and light. The thunderclap is massive and electricity carpets the sky above Nantambu, outshining even the sun for a moment.

She floats back down to earth as streamers of lightning ground around her and arches one flame-red eyebrow at Jatembe as if to say Good enough for you?

"Sad?" Issi asks, trying to keep the nerves from her voice. Cutting down the King of Biting Ants is something she can do - but she didn't prepare any magic for escaping a crashing airship!

Will: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (16) + 27 = 43

Issi ignores the King of Ants attempt to frighten her and continues to fill her blade with lightning.

Spellstrike: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (14) + 30 = 443d10 + 13 + 1d4 + 1 + 1 + 8d12 + 5 ⇒ (3, 4, 10) + 13 + (4) + 1 + 1 + (12, 6, 10, 8, 10, 6, 7, 2) + 5 = 102

Fort: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (6) + 29 = 351d4 ⇒ 1

Issi is too much on the offensive to worry about the damage she's taking in return - fortunately Lesedi keeps her going despite the weakness that the wail causes.

Wanting to finish the fight quickly she recharges her blade and attacks again!

Spellstrike, SG8: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (19) + 30 = 493d10 + 13 + 1d4 + 1 + 1 + 9d12 + 5 ⇒ (8, 9, 5) + 13 + (1) + 1 + 1 + (5, 7, 11, 9, 11, 7, 1, 5, 3) + 5 = 102

Will: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (10) + 27 = 37

Issi, who is already made of rippling fire, surges forwards towards the King and strikes at him with crackling blade!

Spellstrike, Luck: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (15) + 30 = 451d20 + 30 ⇒ (11) + 30 = 413d10 + 13 + 1d4 + 1 + 9d12 + 5 ⇒ (5, 6, 5) + 13 + (3) + 1 + (11, 10, 5, 1, 10, 10, 9, 7, 12) + 5 = 113

"Thank you." Issi replies, repressing her awe at Old Man Jatembe stating that he has full faith in them. "We won't let you down."

Now all that's left to do is getting to the bridge...

Issi waits with the respect due to an elder, even when he doesn't actually answer the question or give any details about what needs doing.

"So where is he and how do we defeat him?" She asks. "Is he vulnerable to anything in particular or should we just destroy his cannon and flee back to Golarion to deal with the egg?"

Issi takes a deep breath and then begins the tale. She does her best to be concise and accurate, starting with the Vessicant Egg and the problems at the Maagambya, moving through Koride and her failure to destroy the artefact, to their discovery that the King of Biting Ants is not dead as everyone expected and their journey through the Gateway to the Red Star.

It isn't a well told tale, she'd let Sadiki do that, but it is reasonably informative and comprehensive.

"The Maagambya needs your help Jatembe." She concludes. "If we can break you out of here will you return with us?"

"Thank you." Issi replies, "We will ensure that you are freed from the King of Biting Ants as soon as we can."

With that she turns to her friends. "Can we all do one more lot of invisibility?" She asks. "It looks like we need to get through that viewing gallery again..."

"Can you tell us anything about the ship?" Issi asks. "We need to find the Old Mage, do you know where he is?"

Issi frowns invisibly and tries to make her mind up... the Queen hasn't revealed them, which is a good thing and suggests the possibility of an ally. That doesn't, however, explain the guards, who are either protecting her or imprisoning her.

In one scenario they are allies and should not be harmed. In the other, harming them is a necessity. Wishing she'd thought to prepare and cast Telepathic Bond Issi curses silently, squeezes her companion's hands and then lets go, stepping to one side and then lashing out with empowered blade.

Let's go to combat.

Without being able to see her companions Issi has to take a guess, but she makes an effort to lock and quietly secure the door behind her. Then she takes a deep breath and considers blasting them all, but stealth is almost certainly still the best method so she heads for the door and tries to decide on her distraction as she goes...

Ideally make something explode/pop/otherwise create a loud noise and then slip through while the creatures are distracted into the next area.

"Well damn." Issi says mildly. "Maximum stealth then ladies!"

After deciding on their targets she incants a spell of invisibility and heads for the first target - the raised section at the rear of the ship.

"We're not from around here." Issi says, with commendable understatement. "Can you direct us to a good inn. We've traveled a long way and could do with a rest."

-------------------------
Once safe in rented lodgings she looks to her sister and her girlfriend. "So... how do we go about finding this Skartitch? We probably shouldn't just ask, and wandering around hoping to be mugged won't end well either."

"Thank you." Issi says again, even her prodigious mind reeling somewhat from the sheer amount of information provided. "We will do that. My companions may have more questions but I will need a little time to think if that can be allowed."

Once Lesedi and Sadiki, or at least Sadiki, is satisfied, Issi takes her sister to one side.

"I guess we have to go to Seldo then." She says, frowning. "We don't have any better leads. What odds that we arrive just as they're attacked by a demon or something?"

"Thank you." Issi says, "Any information about Old-Mage Jatembe would be most welcome. Can you also explain where we are and why exactly we had to intervene in this conflict? We didn't have much time for explanations when we arrived."

Geez!

Issi is pummeled, battered and generally beaten up to a rather painful degree. Unwilling to let this go on any longer she channels more powerful magic to strike the second Marut down.

Spellstrike SG7: 1d20 + 29 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 29 + 1 = 463d10 + 13 + 1 + 8d12 ⇒ (5, 2, 3) + 13 + 1 + (2, 6, 2, 2, 9, 11, 3, 10) = 69

Fort: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (16) + 28 = 44

"Ow!" Issi says, lashing out with a fiery blade in justified retaliation!

Spellstrike: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (9) + 29 = 383d10 + 13 + 1 + 8d4 + 5 ⇒ (3, 8, 9) + 13 + 1 + (2, 3, 4, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1) + 5 = 59
26 fire, 33 slashing.

"Les, what are these things?"

"Surrender now and we'll spare you!" Issi commands, in hope rather than expectation. She fires off a ray of frost and then drops into her fighting stance.

RoF: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (13) + 25 = 388d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 1, 1, 2, 3, 1, 1, 2) + 5 = 20

Issi collapses to the floor, sucking in huge gulps of air through her badly bruised throat.

Once she finally gets her breath back she shots a grateful look at Lesedi and picks herself up.

"I vote we don't do that again." She rasps, trying to smile. "Moving on?"

Fort: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (3) + 28 = 31

Issi's blows become rather wild as she fights desperately for air.

Strikes: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (8) + 29 = 371d20 + 24 ⇒ (8) + 24 = 321d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33

It isn't going well.

Fort: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (2) + 28 = 30

Unable to speak thanks to the strangling Issi hacks at the arm in an attempt to regain precious air.

Strikes: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (15) + 29 = 441d20 + 24 ⇒ (9) + 24 = 331d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28
Damage: 3d10 + 13 ⇒ (9, 3, 5) + 13 = 303d10 + 13 ⇒ (6, 4, 3) + 13 = 263d10 + 13 ⇒ (4, 7, 8) + 13 = 32

Issi rolls with the blow, recharges her power and lashes out again. Unfortunately she misses completely.

Spellstrike: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (1) + 29 = 303d10 + 13 + 1 + 8d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 5, 1) + 13 + 1 + (2, 1, 4, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1) + 5 = 40

"No rabbit damage here!" She calls back.

Will: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (2) + 26 = 28

Issi lashes out with a powerful blow before setting her feet in her fighting stance.

Spellstrike, Fire: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (15) + 29 = 443d10 + 13 + 1 + 8d4 + 5 ⇒ (10, 4, 5) + 13 + 1 + (1, 4, 2, 1, 3, 2, 2, 3) + 5 = 56

Then Cascade Stance.

Issi glances at her companions and, receiving their assent, nods.

"We do." If these things are telling the truth then its their only option and if they aren't... best to play along and take them by surprise.

"We are travelling to Akiton to meet our mentor." Issi replies, choosing to be both truthful and vague, just in case these creatures are untrustworthy or liable to take offense at falsehoods.

Sadiki gets to keep the staff, especially given her new predisposition towards summoning them!

The prospect of spending a day hanging around the doorway doesn't bore Issi exactly, but it doesn't excite her either. Fortunately Lesedi is willing to bring as much of her research as she can and the couple spends much of the day discussing the elf's latest project and speculating about what they might find beyond the doorway.

Sadiki is invited to join the discussions if she wants.

Issi takes what might be described as a little too much pleasure in tearing out the final page and incinerating it with sparks of magic. She passes the bright orange stone to her sister with a smile before flicking through the Grimoire and feeling a strange tickling on the edge of her mind. She makes a note to revisit it the next day and then tucks it away in her bag.

"Right, so we need to leave without getting into any trouble and let the Iobane know." She says. "Let's check on that ghost before we go."

Fort: 1d20 + 27 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 27 + 4 = 39

Issi shrugs off most of the damage, once again thanks to her new weapon and applies another powerfully charged blow.

Spellstrike, SG8: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (12) + 28 = 403d10 + 13 + 1 + 9d12 ⇒ (7, 9, 6) + 13 + 1 + (2, 9, 7, 10, 7, 4, 7, 4, 11) = 97

Fort: 1d20 + 27 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 27 + 4 = 48

With Spellcutter's help Issi hurls the spells away and settles in to carving the lich apart.

Spellstrike, SG8, Lucky: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (8) + 28 = 361d20 + 28 ⇒ (15) + 28 = 433d10 + 13 + 9d12 ⇒ (4, 8, 1) + 13 + (5, 12, 2, 9, 10, 9, 5, 12, 8) = 98

Will: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (8) + 25 = 33

Issi reels under the mental assault but her mind is strong and any attempt to turn her against her sister is anathema to her! It takes long moments but she finally throws off the magic and closes with the lich, dropping into her fighting stance.

Issi hefts the blade appreciatively, although she's a little disappointed that it doesn't have more heft, and listens carefully to the morgh. "Thank you for the information." There's no harm in being polite after-all. "As far as we're concerned you are free to leave, assuming you can pass the demiliches at the door."

She doesn't go so far to offer the creature good luck, but any fight she doesn't have to have is better than one she does.

Sharing a glance with her sister she motions forwards.

"Speak quickly!" Issi replies, not relaxing her stance in the slightest. Part of that is a negotiation tactic, but a larger part of her simply doesn't trust the undead creature.

Issi hisses and uses the pain to reinvigorate herself, lashing out with a more powerful blow than usual.

Spellstrike, SG: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (18) + 28 = 463d12 + 13 + 8d12 ⇒ (3, 1, 4) + 13 + (7, 2, 11, 11, 7, 7, 7, 7) = 80

Fort: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (19) + 27 = 46

"Put that disgusting thing away!" Issi commands. Lacking her preferred blade she can't cut it off so she aims to simply smash the entire head in instead.

Spellstrike: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (18) + 28 = 463d12 + 13 + 8d4 + 5 ⇒ (7, 10, 8) + 13 + (1, 3, 3, 1, 2, 3, 2, 4) + 5 = 62

Issi skims the research, establishes that its a load of b*%%&#+s and promptly moves on.

Issi adopts her fighting stance and clobbers the creature once again.

Spellstrike: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (18) + 28 = 463d12 + 13 + 8d4 + 5 ⇒ (8, 8, 8) + 13 + (4, 4, 3, 4, 1, 3, 3, 3) + 5 = 67

Will: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (16) + 25 = 41
Will: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (12) + 25 = 37

Issi throws off the spell with an effort of will, her anger burning hotter than any false despair and strides forward to apply the business end of her maul to the bizarre creature.

Maul-Spell-Strike: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (8) + 28 = 363d12 + 13 + 8d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 8, 7) + 13 + (2, 4, 2, 1, 1, 4, 3, 1) + 5 = 55

Feeling better after crushing assorted nasties beneath her new hammer Issi takes a look at the options and then heads north with a shrug.

"Not much to choose between them." She says over her shoulder.

"I'm impressed!" Issi replies, "I had no idea you could be so villainous! It's kind of a turn on..."

With the way clear she advances, maul in hand.

"A noble goal. We'll do our best to help you pass on in peace." Issi promises before turning to her sister.

"Now how in the Hells are we going to get past this choir thing?"

"Of course, it's yours." Issi replies, holding her hands up in a peaceful gesture. "What does it do?"

"We will do our best." Issi promises. It costs her nothing after all. "Two questions first if you will. What was this choir of entropy, do you know what you did to trigger it? Secondly, what is Wyrm Drinker? I assume it was taken from you by the cult after your death."

"What torment is that?" Issi asks, not foolish enough to charge straight in when given a warning like that.

Issi really wants to smash the magical skulls, but that wouldn't help much so she turns, lights her hair on fire with a snap of her fingers and marches into the cathedral, leaving her hair to burn on its own small funeral pyre.