I see you have partaken of the Mother's Milk, boy.
The demon's voice rings in his ears as Vesh flings himself to the floor outside of the cramped room. The seconds stretch.
Come and revel in Her power, boy.
As he lays there, he looks back down the hallway in the direction of Lamashtu's shrine. I could go back... A feeling more than a thought. A pull.
Something is poking at his chest as he lays on the floor. He stands...
It will avail you more than the piddling 'magic' you have learned from your apprentice friend.
The butterfly medallion hangs outside of his chain shirt. The handmade stick-butterfly from the little Varisian girl lies broken on the ground.
Vesh turns towards the room and draws Ameiko's blade, his blade. The butterfly medallion begins to spin and dance with a life of its own, as Vesh levels his gaze on the struggling demon in Zieke's grip. Springing, he rounds the edge of the desk...
He utters one word. "Eisol!"
The quasit looks up from the books she is studying with a look of bemused horror on her tiny face as Malcolm flings the net towards her. She waves the rod in her hand as if warding herself with it.
Sli's Knowledge (Arcana) Roll: (1d20+9=26)
Sli and Veran's REF Save: (1d20-1=19, 1d20+4=13)
Slidell blinks as a whirlwind blows by him, he blinks again and realizes that the whirlwind is Vesh. He observes the result of the attack with a smirk, especially the draining of the Imp's Shield. "Nice touch!" He cries.
Spurred into action by a frantic warning screech from Veran, Slidell once more spins and brings up his cloak as the Quasit sends a second, more powerful flame burst to fill the room. He manages to get behind the table enough to protect him from some of the blast, but his new cloak is smoking, and his exposed skin is once more blackened and charred. Veran, using his master for cover, once more escapes unscathed.
"This, is, becoming a very familiar feeling." Slidell croaks painfully as he stands back up. Yet even as he stands, you see the familiar preoccupied look cross his smoking features.
"That blast was much more intense than the first, as if the wand's power is growing with use." Slidell observes almost casually despite his burns. He sniffs the air, then grabs a speck of air, rubs it between his fingers, then touches it to his tongue. "Do you feel that? Residual magical energy in the room, enveloping, like a transparent fog." He mutters. "If she does that again, we are all toast." His eyes widen as he hastily turns and points at the Imp.
"Will somebody kill that witch!?!" He shouts.
Initiative
Zieke 19
Malcolm 18 (3)
Slidell 20
Vesh 18 (6)
Salome 18 (1)
Quasit 8
Ehlissa 8-
"AAAUUUGGGHHH!" Zieke loudly screams out his displeasure at being burned, although he does manage to roll and use the quasit's body to shield most of his face from the blast. Furious that she got off another magical assault, this time Zieke uses his superior strength to roll again and slam the quasit into the floor. He puts one hand behind her head and jams her face against the stone to ensure she can't mumble any more magic words.
Opposed grapple check... (1d20+8 = 24)
"Somebody! Take her head off!" Zieke screams again as the flames start creeping up his arms.
Malcolm stabs down at the little witch.
Seeing Zieke pin the struggling Demon, Slidell glances at the relative safety of the doorway. But only for a moment. 'The next blast could kill everyone, not just me,...'
The mage looks back at the imp, sets his jaw, then takes his staff into his left hand with his unlit sunrod and raises his right hand towards the grapplers. There is a flash of light that starts at his shoulder and rolls down his arm to his hand, revealing the Varisian tattoo beneath his smoking clothing. As the runes are revealed, they twist into what is clearly a serpentine shape with wings, which seems to spit the green viscous blob that flies towards the pinned Quasit before fading from sight.
Slidell's to hit/dmg with Acid Splash: (1d20+3=8, 1d3=2)
Vesh twists around as the flames burn his cloak. He covers his face in the crook of his arm, but his hair and the skin on the back of his neck alight. He rolls and puts out the worst of the flames, abandoning his cloak in the process.
Twisting again, he manages to see the net, Zieke, and the demon aflame. She burns, he thinks, yet she does not scream...
Vesh's eyes widen, and he says to her. "That is mine now, too." He lunges with the magic blade, aiming for a vulnerable spot under her wing as Zieke holds her fast.
Vesh's attack (1d20+3=13, 1d4+1=5)
The blade pierces her flesh, and once again Vesh feels a surge of power being drawn from her through the blade and up his arm.
Salome catches the full fury of the fire as it bursts out of the room, taking her breath away, catching her scarves and clothing on fire, and burning her through her armor. Rather than put out the flames she keeps her focus on the levitating scimitar and stabs the air with her own weapon, before falling heavily to her knees.
Spiritual weapon attack (1d20 6=10) Spiritual weapon damage (1d8 1=7)
Taking a deep breath and struggling against the burning pain, she brings her charred hands toward her heart, cupped together in a ball shape. "Luz bajMeq'urya!" she shouts hoarsely. Her glowing aura dims as she pitches a ball of light at the quasit, then another.
LofM attack #1 (1d20 3=11) LofM damage #1 (4d6=12)
LofM attack #2 (1d20 3=22) LofM damage #2 (4d6=14)
Golden light extinguished and the last of her energy spent, the priestess collapses to the ground unconscious.
"Salome!" Vesh rushes to her side. "Someone help her!" He says as he fumbles with the stopper on the flask of his healing potion.
Lowering his still-smoldering cloak and blinking the after-images caused by Salome's flurry of holy attacks from his eyes, Slidell pauses as he takes in the aftermath in the sudden silence.
"Wow." He says finally. "Might may not make right, but Holy Might sure comes close! Remind me never to get you seriously perturbed at me. Nice work Salome! Salome?" The wizard turns around in time to see the cleric slump to the floor. "Aw, no." He says slumping his shoulders. He spends another moment looking at the others as if to say, 'Please tell me this isn't happening!', Then moves to her side as quickly as his burnt skin will allow.
Slidell checks her for signs of life, and exhales in obvious relief when he sees the priestess breathing. The mage looks to see Vesh also checking on her. He meets the shorter youth's eyes. "She'll be fine." Slidell says with a firmness he doesn't entirely feel, his hand dipping in and out of pockets with a mind of it's own.
"Stupid outfit, not enough pockets to organize things properly,..." He mumbles, then gives an exclamation of success as he pulls out a potion bottle. "Hold her head Vesh, Help me open her mouth." He says as he carefully repositions Salome's body onto her back.
Following Zieke's earlier example, Slidell grabs the cork in his teeth and yanks it out. He spits the cork to the side and nods to Vesh. "C'mon Salome, I owe you one. This is my chance to repay you. Don't make a debtor." He says softly as he carefully pours the liquid down the Priestesses throat. He looks at Vesh as the seconds tick by, feeling like hours.
"She okay? Good; she saved us again." Malcolm says. A grin spreads over his face "We did it! Great work everyone; we took her down!"
"Goodness.. that was somewhat epic!" Ehlissa says breathlessly... and then a smile breaks out. "Nicely done." she says simply to Zieke.
"Goodness.. that was somewhat epic!" Ehlissa says breathlessly... and then a smile breaks out. "Nicely done." she says simply to Zieke.
Zieke tosses aside the crisped remnants of the quasit's wings and quickly pats himself down to put out the remaining fire. After removing his ruined cloak and tossing it aside, he coughs loudly, still choking on the smoke. He waves in recognition of Ehlissa's words, but can't seem to find the air yet to respond aloud.
In the distance, he can vaguely hear the others fussing over Salome and recognizes she must be injured, but hopefully they'll have her back on her feet soon. For his own recovery, he slides off his pack, eliciting a grimace of pain from the scorched flesh on his hands and fingers. He then gingerly pokes through its contents, searching for one of the potions he'd obtained from the garrison that morning. After downing it, he flexes his fingers as the magic heals him.
Finally, clearing his throat, Zieke moves to rejoin the others. On his way, he picks up the iron rod dropped by the quasit.
"Well...that was hell...almost literally," he comments, then gives a nod towards Salome, "How's she doing?"
Finally, clearing his throat, Zieke moves to rejoin the others. On his way, he picks up the iron rod dropped by the quasit.
"Well...that was hell...almost literally," he comments,
"Indeed. Almost brought to us by one who knows it well." Slidell responds as he clasps Vesh's shoulder in a show of support for Salome, then stands as swiftly as his burned skin will allow. Which is to say, pretty slowly.
,... gives a nod towards Salome, "How's she doing?"
"I think she'll be fine, though I'm no doctor, I'm pretty sure it was closer than I probably want to admit. Just give it a minute for the potion to work,... WHOAH!" The mage exclaims and jumps as he sees what Zieke is holding.
"Easy there big guy, I think that thing is still loaded!" He says as he reaches out with both hands and carefully, but firmly grabs both ends of the rod between thumbs and forefingers, and takes it from Zieke. "Let's just leave the fireworks to the professionals, shall we? Nice job on the grapple by the way. There's not too many people I've met that can maintain their concentration, or their grip, when their sleeves catch on fire! Was that a Tian Xia maneuver I saw you use? Unusual for this part of the country isn't it? I wasn't aware that their teaching had spread this far south in general use,..." The mage continues as he carefully places the rod on top of the table/desk, and absentmindedly pats out any remaining embers on the tabletop.
"Don't forget, there is still at least one Wrathspawn in here that we know of! My reading indicates that they aren't actually intelligent per se, more diabolically clever. So I don't think we have to worry about it setting a trap for us, but it is clever enough to lie in wait and try to ambush us instead of charging though the front door, so we are probably going to have to hunt it down too." Slidell says as he examines his trophies.
"Now, wasn't there something,... AH!" He bends over and picks up the tassel from where it lays on the ground between the quasit's wings. After a moment he picks those up too. "These may have useful properties I can do something with." He says as he wraps the wings in a spare strip of cloth and tucks them into his backpack. He then lays the tassel on the table next to the rod, book and candles. He furrows his brow in concentration, and once again the shadows under his hat seem to darken. He blinks, and his eyes are solid black. In the odd purple light of the candles they seem to be unreflective pools of darkness.
"Ah, that's better!" He smiles, obviously unaware of his ominous appearance. "Let's see what we have here Veran. Do you think the candles could be causing the 'fog of magic' in the room?"
"Vesh." He says softly after a moment of both him and Veran staring at the objects on the tabletop. "If Salome is alright, I think I may want your opinion on this as well,..."
Following Zieke's earlier example, Slidell grabs the cork in his teeth and yanks it out. He spits the cork to the side and nods to Vesh. "C'mon Salome, I owe you one. This is my chance to repay you. Don't make a debtor." He says softly as he carefully pours the liquid down the Priestesses throat. He looks at Vesh as the seconds tick by, feeling like hours.
Salome coughs and sputters before managing to swallow some of the potion. She winces and groans. "Now I know how Father Tobin must have felt when Nafir pulled him out of the house," she mutters.
She opens her eyes to see Vesh's face directly above hers. "Vesh, no!" she says, instinctively covering her face with her arms, as if guarding against an attack.
After a few moments without an attack, Salome lowers her arms. She rolls over and slowly stands up. She can't help but notice the ash and char she leaves behind. She brushes more off her arms and puts a hand to her head. Her hair is restored, but -- "My hijab! You shouldn't see me like this. It is not...decent..." her brow furrows. She twists her hair to make a bun as she searches the room for something she can use for a head-covering. Perception check (1d20 5=9)
"Is everyone else all right?"
She notices Zieke and the remains of the quasit. "We did it? We killed the djini?" She brightens a bit and suddenly, her injuries don't bother her so much anymore. She looks around the room again. "What is this place? Some kind of study?"
"I think she'll be fine, though I'm no doctor, I'm pretty sure it was closer than I probably want to admit. Just give it a minute for the potion to work... WHOAH!" The mage exclaims and jumps as he sees what Zieke is holding.
"Easy there big guy, I think that thing is still loaded!" he says as he reaches out with both hands and carefully, but firmly grabs both ends of the rod between thumbs and forefingers, and takes it from Zieke. "Let's just leave the fireworks to the professionals, shall we?..."
Zieke arches an eyebrow at the wizard's overreaction, but willingly lets Slidell take the item. Of them all, he would seemingly know its use and any inherent danger it posed.
"...Nice job on the grapple by the way. There's not too many people I've met that can maintain their concentration, or their grip, when their sleeves catch on fire! Was that a Tian Xia maneuver I saw you use? Unusual for this part of the country isn't it? I wasn't aware that their teaching had spread this far south in general use..."
"It hasn't..." Zieke comments, "Generally speaking..."
In truth, as Zieke replays the struggle in his own mind, he can't recall using any specific maneuver he learned from the scrolls of Tian Xia. The writings didn't exactly cover how to wrestle with creatures as tiny as the quasit, of course. But he did recall passages on focusing one's concentration to shut out pain. 'Funny,' Zieke thinks to himself as he flexes his hands again, 'It didn't seem to do a lot of good...'
"Don't forget, there is still at least one Wrathspawn in here that we know of! My reading indicates that they aren't actually intelligent per se, more diabolically clever. So I don't think we have to worry about it setting a trap for us, but it is clever enough to lie in wait and try to ambush us instead of charging though the front door, so we are probably going to have to hunt it down too..."
"It's possible the thing heard our struggle...and it might be drawn here," Zieke nods. He leaves Vesh and Ehlissa to take care of Salome and motions to Mal to join him in securing the hallway and keeping watch.
"Last I remember," he tells the rogue, "The creature was in the well-room. Unless that she-devil thing ordered it elsewhere, it probably lies that way..."
"Ehlissa? Can Salome move?" he calls back, "We're all pretty burned up. And unless she can call on Saranrae's blessings to get us back in shape, we're going to have to take this thing at range, if possible. We definitely need to keep Sli and the priestess away from it. But me and you can likely form a line to hold it while the others put an arrow or a spell into it."
"Vesh, no!"
Zieke instantly draws his blade at Salome's words and turns, prepared to drive off the boy if he's returned to his violent Lamashtu-inspired compulsion. When he realizes the priestess is just starting to regain consciousness and Vesh poses no threat, he relaxes.
"My hijab! You shouldn't see me like this. It is not...decent...Is everyone else all right?"
Zieke points towards Slidell in the next room. "No. Sli's still burned up pretty bad..." he says, and then adds with a mutter, "As usual..."
"We did it? We killed the djini?"
"More like you did..." Zieke offers, "Whatever light you summoned blasted that thing better than its own fire ever could..."
"... Was that a Tian Xia maneuver I saw you use? Unusual for this part of the country isn't it? I wasn't aware that their teaching had spread this far south in general use..."
"It hasn't..." Zieke comments, "Generally speaking..."
"Ah. My mistake then. I thought I recognized that maneuver you pined the Imp with. I'm no martial artist, but I did spend a couple of weeks at a monastery up north. Nice library. The vows of silence were annoying though. I mean honestly, what good are having all those books if you cant talk about them? Anyway, a couple of nice monks showed me a pinning wrist lock similar to what you used on the Quasit. It was,... very effective" Slidell says as he absent-mindedly rubs his wrist at the memory,...
"Vesh, no!"
Slidell turns with the others at the shout, relaxing visibly when he sees it is only Salome waking up, and not something sinister.
"My hijab! You shouldn't see me like this. It is not...decent... Is everyone else all right?"
"No. Sli's still burned up pretty bad..."
"Yep. She'll be fine." Slidell whispers to Veran. Still looking at the items on the table and waving his hand in response as Zieke finishes his statement with something that Slidell can't, quite, make out,...
"We did it? We killed the djini?"
"More like you did..." Zieke offers, "Whatever light you summoned blasted that thing better than its own fire ever could..."
"Quite right. Nothing left of the Imp except its wings. The creature may have been resistant to fire, but it obviously had no such protections against channeled positive energy! Hm. If you have any more of those favors from your deity, we could try it on the wrathspawn too. I'd be interested in discovering if it's invulnerability to magic includes deific favors, or if its limited to arcane resistance only." The mage mutters as he studies the artifacts on the table.
"Vesh" Slidell says softly. "If your up to it, I would like you for you to look at this too. Give me your opinion, fresh insight as it were."
She opens her eyes to see Vesh's face directly above hers. "Vesh, no!" she says, instinctively covering her face with her arms, as if guarding against an attack.
Vesh recoils as though he was slapped across the face, "What!?" He looks around and sees the startled, and then relieved, reactions of his friends. "No! I..." But everyone, including Salome, is trying to cover for their reaction. Vesh turns bright red.
"A vessel su...." Vesh mutters under his breath as he turns towards Slidell, the last word is unintelligible.
The creature may have been resistant to fire, but it obviously had no such protections against channeled positive energy! Hm. If you have any more of those favors from your deity, we could try it on the wrathspawn too. I'd be interested in discovering if it's invulnerability to magic includes deific favors, or if its limited to arcane resistance only."
"I was able to take its protection--what did you call it?--resistance? To fire. I can still feel it." To make his point, Vesh holds his hand in the flame of a candle for a moment. He shudders and stops. "Weird."
"Vesh" Slidell says softly. "If your up to it, I would like you for you to look at this too. Give me your opinion, fresh insight as it were."
Vesh nods, and with a gesture and a muttered phrase, Vesh's eyes dilate strangely. He looks at the items on the table and around the room for a long time.
Spellcraft skills checks (1d20+6=18, 1d20+6=11, 1d20+6=18, 1d20+6=7, 1d20+6=19)
Vesh recoils as though he was slapped across the face, "What!?" He looks around and sees the startled, and then relieved, reactions of his friends. "No! I..." But everyone, including Salome, is trying to cover for their reaction. Vesh turns bright red."A vessel su...." Vesh mutters under his breath as he turns towards Slidell, the last word is unintelligible.
Slidell Raises an eyebrow, but otherwise continues to examine the items on the tabletop.
"I was able to take its protection--what did you call it?--resistance? To fire. I can still feel it." To make his point, Vesh holds his hand in the flame of a candle for a moment. He shudders and stops. "Weird."
At this, Slidell does look at Vesh. "So that's what that was on your last strike! Very impressive. You continue to surprise me Vesh. How long does it last when you take abilities like that, same as when you take spells?"
"Vesh" Slidell says softly. "If your up to it, I would like you for you to look at this too. Give me your opinion, fresh insight as it were."
Vesh nods, and with a gesture and a muttered phrase, Vesh's eyes dilate strangely. He looks at the items on the table and around the room for a long time.
Sli's Spellcraft rolls: (1d20+9=25, 1d20+9=25)
Slidell looks at his unlit sunrod, then tucks it into his pocket. He turns toward the door.
"Zieke, would you or Mal be so kind as to fetch my lantern? I left it outside the door when we snuck up on the Imp. If we're going to snuff these candles, I'd like to still be able to see! I hear elves don't have this problem,..."
"Of course." Mal says, going to fetch the lantern. Best to let everyone handle their own specialties.
On the way out he smiles at Salome. "You really pulled us through; I think we all owe you one for that."
The iron rod is uncomfortably heavy in your grasp and radiates evocation magic. It is formed to resemble several branches complete with a number of sharp thorns twisted together and held with bands at the ends. The rune of wrath is clearly engraved in a repeating pattern on each of the bands.
All but drooling as they look over the items, Slidell finally shakes his head as he and Vesh take turns examining the rod.
"I think we'll need to take our time with this. Wouldn't want it going off in our faces." The mage sighs as he he reluctantly wraps the rod in a handkerchief produced from an unsinged pocket and carefully places it in his pack.
The tassel is in the form of a gold shield with gold and sliver threads on a short length of chain,...
"We shall have to determine who can best use this, it is very useful from my perspective." Slidell says indicating the talisman.
"What is this place? Some kind of study?"
"It would appear so. There seems to be a preservation magic at work in this room, which would explain why all of the items in here seem to be in such good shape. Judging by the fact that all of these books are similar in appearance, I shall venture a guess that these may be the collected works of a single individual. Possibly Alzanist herself! Or at least the works of people all working FOR her. The amount of potential knowledge in this room alone is,... staggering." Slidell looks around the room with a look that is downright worshipful.
... you are able to make out that the passage relates to the runewell and something called the "Sihedron Ritual". There is an image of a seven-pointed star on one of the pages.
There is potentially more to this, but you will need time to study the book.
Slidell raises an eyebrow, then quickly but carefully removes a bundle from his backpack, opening it to reveal the skull he collected from the 'Evil Idol/Fountain of Milk of Lamashtuu' room. He compares the silver inlay on the skull with the diagram in the book. After another moment, he rewraps the skull, and adds the book to his pack as well.
"I'm taking this book with us for now." He says in a tone that does not invite discussion. "This is too much of a coincidence. And I don't believe in coincidence." He looks longingly at the treasure-trove of knowledge lining the wall. "Even if we could carry all of these out of here, for the moment they are safer here, under the protection of the preservation magic." He says, clearly wishing he could find a way to bring them all with him anyway.
Forcibly tearing his eyes away from the bookshelf, he grins at the others. "Well, we have this that we can use," He says cheerfully holding up the tassel/talisman of shield. "And, the candles seem to be nothing more than everburning torches. We should take those as well. The unusual purple radiance should be less of a giveaway in the dark than regular torch or lantern light. Here Vesh, catch!" He tosses one of the candles to Vesh, and plucks the other from it's stand. "Since we seem to be the designated 'torchbearers'. At least These we can hide in our clothing without having to worry about burning ourselves!" He grins.
"What is this place? Some kind of study?"Indeed. Although it appears to have had a bed, it does not appear to be proper living quarters. You gather it was likely used by the master of the Lamashtu shrine as a private sanctum.
"Alright, you two..." Zieke calls back to Vesh and Sli, "There'll be time for studying all that stuff later. We know there's still another beast to slay down here. So let's be finding it before it finds us."
He catches Salome's eye. "Is everyone fit for battling onward?" he asks. He can't help but search her face. It looks quite different without the ceremonial covering she usually wears.
Salome takes out her two healing potions and gives one to Slidell. She partakes of the other herself.
He catches Salome's eye. "Is everyone fit for battling onward?" he asks. He can't help but search her face. It looks quite different without the ceremonial covering she usually wears.
Salome looks around at the group. "Clearly, we have all been burned and injured, but I think we are probably fit to proceed." "But first, I would like to go back toward the runewell room. I left some scarves along the way and I--" she looks at the floor. "I will be back in a moment."
"Our time runs short. Let us move on."
As Slidell tosses a candle to Vesh, Vesh can't help but chuckle. "I guess I did not need her magical resistance to fire for these," he says to the mage, a smile playing across his face--the first since the shrine. He holds the candle and twists it, looking at the purplish flame as Zieke calls the party to muster.
He notices, finally, that Salome is fussing about her scarves and also notices that he can see more of her face and hair than he has ever seen. For some reason he blushes as he remembers his comments to her about the beauty of Velashu snow. She probably thought I was trying to come on to her. His heart sinks once more as he remembers that he attacked her.
As she leaves to retrieve her scarves, he goes out in the hall to get his pack. As he shoulders it, he once again feels the pull of the shrine upon him. His heartbeat quickens.
As Salome returns to the study, he turns and addresses her. "I am ready to hunt the Wrathspawn," he says, "but I do not think I'll be able to walk back through the shrine." His face is filled with concern and obvious worry. He appears to be breathing heavily.
Slidell accepts the healing potion from Salome with a grateful smile. He quickly down it and sighs in relief as his burns heal.
. "Clearly, we have all been burned and injured, but I think we are probably fit to proceed. But first, I would like to go back toward the runewell room. I left some scarves along the way and I--" she looks at the floor. "I will be back in a moment."
Slidell can't help the wry grin that creeps up as Salome returns, still fussing with her scarves. He displays unusual wisdom and self control by keeping his mouth closed, however.
As Slidell tosses a candle to Vesh, Vesh can't help but chuckle. "I guess I did not need her magical resistance to fire for these," he says to the mage, a smile playing across his face--the first since the shrine.
Slidell returns Vesh's smile. "True. But it may come in handy still. You never know when,... oh, I don't know,... you may fall into a mystical vat of acidic summoning fluid that's been set on fire by a diabolically clever caster!" He grins at Vesh. "Then you'll be glad you snagged it!"
"Our time runs short. Let us move on."
"I am ready to hunt the Wrathspawn," he says, "but I do not think I'll be able to walk back through the shrine." His face is filled with concern and obvious worry. He appears to be breathing heavily.
Without even looking, Slidell opens his mouth to reply. He is interrupted by a lightning fast snap from Veran. After a moment of glowering at his familiar, Slidell turns to actually look at Vesh, and notes his expression. Slidell's expression softens, and he coughs self-consciously.
"Your right Salome, our defensive charms won't last forever. We should find the remaining Wrathspawn, and any other surprises we may have missed last time, as quickly as possible."
Slidell places a hand on Vesh's shoulder. "We'll deal with the other when we get to it." He smiles softly at the Spellthief.
"Ready when you are!" He says to the others in general.
"Our time runs short. Let us move on."
"Yes, ma'am..." Zieke nods curtly.
"I am ready to hunt the Wrathspawn," he says, "But I do not think I'll be able to walk back through the shrine."
"That's alright," Zieke quips on his way past Vesh, preparing to lead the way into the well-room, "If we have to...we'll carry you through it...conscious or otherwise."
"You're right Salome, our defensive charms won't last forever. We should find the remaining Wrathspawn, and any other surprises we may have missed last time, as quickly as possible." Slidell places a hand on Vesh's shoulder. "We'll deal with the other when we get to it."
"Just be making sure we find any other surprises before you do," Zieke advises, "We're doing pretty good so far, but another episode like that shrine back there and who knows if we'll see Sandpoint again."
"Alright," he addresses everyone, "I think the need for all that silent communication we intended can be set aside for the most part...now that we've slain that she-devil. But let's try and hold down the noise and keep together."
"Ehlissa? Why don't you join me up front as we go into the well-room...just in case that thing heard our fight with its mistress. Salome? You and Slidell and Vesh back there make sure you stay back and just keep the rest of us in the fight. Mal? Do what you do best. Let's go..."
Vesh, calmer now, looks at Mal momentarily. "What is it that you do best, again?" He smirks. Vesh readies his bow and falls in.
Ehlissa nods, "Righto," she adds, "Let's show these devils what a whalloping really is!"
"Amen to that, sister..."
Slidell can't help the wry grin that creeps up as Salome returns, still fussing with her scarves. He displays unusual wisdom and self control by keeping his mouth closed, however.
As Salome returns to the study, he turns and addresses her. "I am ready to hunt the Wrathspawn," he says, "but I do not think I'll be able to walk back through the shrine." His face is filled with concern and obvious worry. He appears to be breathing heavily.
"I do not expect you to. We will get you through it. Like Zieke says, conscious or not," she smiles.
"...Salome? You and Slidell and Vesh back there make sure you stay back and just keep the rest of us in the fight...
As the group proceeds, Salome falls to the back in order to keep an eye on the two 19-year-old boys. Still energized by the demise of the quasit, Salome is unusually talkative. "I apologize for my reaction," she whispers to Vesh. "After the fire blast, I thought the djini had prevailed and had taken you again. I will do all in my power to protect and heal you from that poison. I am sorry I let you down before."
Including Slidell in the conversation, she continues. "The Lamashtu shrine reminds me of a tale a traveling storyweaver told about a khorzhar named Adijad. Singing zhirani tried to make him crash his vessel. His sailors plugged their ears with wax and tied Adijad to the tree in the middle of the boat so they could pass safely.... I do not know how the story ends; Garjjan De banished the storyweaver from the monastery. He said such tales were blasphemous."
"Your right Salome, our defensive charms won't last forever..."
"Alright, sweetheart..." Zieke says to Ehlissa when they reach the entrance to the well-room, "Let's find this thing and cut it down..."
Instead of drawing his sword, Zieke switches to his throwing axe for the moment, hoping to hurl it before closing with any beast that might await them.
"I apologize for my reaction," she whispers to Vesh. "After the fire blast, I thought the djini had prevailed and had taken you again. I will do all in my power to protect and heal you from that poison. I am sorry I let you down before."
Vesh's faces once again reddens as Salome whispers to him. He manages to reply, "You did not let me down. I let you down...all of you. And myself. And my..."
He shakes himself as if waking from a bad dream. "We have a job to finish." He says to Salome with a conciliatory smile. "Wrathspawn first, talk later."
He walks in silence next to Slidell as Salome relates her story about the storyteller. His bow is readied.
"The Lamashtu shrine reminds me of a tale a traveling storyweaver told about a khorzhar named Adijad. Singing zhirani tried to make him crash his vessel. His sailors plugged their ears with wax and tied Adijad to the tree in the middle of the boat so they could pass safely.... I do not know how the story ends; Garjjan De banished the storyweaver from the monastery. He said such tales were blasphemous."
Remembering to glance up occasionally, Slidell holds the heatless candle in the same hand that grips his crossbow. He listens to Salome's whispered story as he waves the crossbow at any shadow foolish enough to menace them. He purses his lips thoughtfully at the mention of blasphemy.
"That's a shame." He whispers back after a final glance at what turns out to be his own shadow.
"Since a story in itself cannot be blasphemous, and are usually based in fact if you could trace its roots back to the first time it was told. I find that such tales are amazingly useful sources of information, especially regarding the supernatural."
Slidell scratches at his neck with the tip of the heatless purple candle, then returns his grip to the crossbow. "I have never heard of this 'Adijad'," He confesses softly. "But I have heard tales of a man called 'Bensad the Sailor'. He had many colorful adventures, including one I recall where a large, multi-armed statue animated and attacked him." Slidell grins. "Makes one wary around statuary! But your tale sounds similar to one I heard of a man who was trying to return home from a war. He had many adventures and faced many monsters, defeating them all with only his courage and wits. It was a true odyssey. If I recall it had a sad ending though."
"Ehlissa? Why don't you join me up front as we go into the well-room...just in case that thing heard our fight with its mistress. Salome? You and Slidell and Vesh back there make sure you stay back and just keep the rest of us in the fight. Mal? Do what you do best. Let's go..."