Everyone sleeps through the night unbothered by anything, even bad dreams. It is odd, for each person it is probably the most peaceful night's sleep they have ever had especially considering what is likely to come. You ready yourselves for the day, each in your own manner. Your group is escorted to the west gate of Dracarta where hordes of Dracartans wait, cheering your approach. You have never seen so many people gathered in one area before in any of your lives. The enormity of the task ahead both weighs on each of you but also lifts your spirit as well. You see the King and his council of Nine as well as many soldiers in waiting....as you all near the King and council he raises his hands and all the cheering stops; your steps, the rustling of the restless crowd, and the sighing of the desert wind surround you all.

As you near the king the soldiers part and you see a number of batra, fully caparisoned for extensive travel being watched over by their handlers. The king gestures you all to approach and as you do several thaumaturges and alchemists come out from the crowd, all bearing vials, flasks, and bottles. King A'Semna smiles as you all reach him and speaks, his voice echoing in the space; "Welcome welcome brave adventurers. I hope that you all found restful sleep through the night and are refreshed for the tasks ahead. I do wish to offer you each one more thing. Here are batra geared for a long desert travel. I see several of you have equs and I don't know how well they would take to the harsh desert conditions. Anyone who wishes may have use of a fully equipped batra and we will make sure your equs received the best of care. Please, also receive the other portions of the reward as agreed." The thaumaturges and alchemists roam amongst the group, handing out the bottles and vials as promised...

OOC: As promised each person receives a healing elixir, a poison antidote, and a flask with powdered water equivalent to 4 gallons when reconstituted. PLEASE make sure you have purchased any other equipment you may need, if you have questions PM me. Also, for everyone's excellent role-playing of their characters I am placing another 7 XP on your character sheets.

Sathras nods along with the King's words. After some of the Dracartans pass by he leans over to Murron. "Should Sathras ask for aht-ra? Not much meat on aht-ra. But they can carry stuff like Sathras." Sathras nods before Murron can speak. "Sathras should ask for aht-ra."

In reply to Sathras the Bold (msg #3):

Dii once again begins checking, fastening, and tightening the straps and buckles of her well thought out enhancements to accessorization of her armor. Once everything is in place, she begins to utilize the full extent of her grace and agility by stretching out her body in a series of warm-up calisthenics. Moments later she says, "The offer of the Batra is most gracious, your Highness. May it be a perfect beast of burden to bring back the great weight of glory we will find." She then makes to take the reigns of one of the Batra.

OOC: Sathras you would probably need a Tatra, as even a Batra isn't strong enough to carry you and your gear. The Tatra can carry 600 lbs. which would even give you a little cargo capacity.

In reply to Bringer of Darkness (msg #5):

OoC: Sathras wasn't even really considering riding it. Just using it as a pack beast. And maybe dinner should worse come to worse. *wink*

Burikan smiles at the gift of the batra. "Most appreciated! I lost my dractyl some time ago and have remained without a mount since. I surely did not look forward to walking through the desert."

Aaban looks stoically, and perhaps ever so slightly sadly, at his graymane, as he exchanges it for a batra.  He leans in quietly to the handler, "Does this beast have a name?" 

He will bow formally to the King, "Thank you, your Highness, for your gracious offer." 

Novoptolomeo starts the day as he often does: detailed weather observations and detailed note-taking. He finds an available chair (stool, bench, crate, box, patch of unmolested sand, what have you). He invites the Ariane and the Danuvian to join him, as he finds this part of his day the most fascinating, and wishes to share his joy.


Novo slides a pair of blue-lensed sun-spectacles over his eyes. He flips open a hand-fan and artfully stokes the air currents a few times. Then, he looks up to the sky, left hand up, fingers spread into the wind.

Whispering (in the spell's tongue, Archaean), "Mine eyes are the eyes of the Suns; mine thoughts, the thoughts of the manifold Aethers. Mine soul goest where my eyes gazeth; mine inward knowings, rapt by attentions, followeth thereof..." Etc, etc...

He observes, then notates, almost in a trance.

After a couple of minutes of observing, followed by a few minutes of writing, he turns his blue-spectacled attention to whomever is present, coming out of his Astromantic daze.

"I had the most invigorating dream last night. There was a horde of--

"--wait. I just realized the king advised we leave our mounts behind. I'm troubled. Scamandros hasn't been apart from me for more than a few days at a time. He's apt to become...moody and over-anxious. To say the least."

When he invites her to join him, she does.  She watches him for a moment, before closing her eyes and meditating.  She keeps an ear his direction, listening to him so when he is ready to converse again her silver eyes with the multi-colored flecks open slowly and focus on his face.

"Please, do not worry.  I shall talk with your mount as well as my own.  Explain they they get a brief vacation while we are busy," she tells the storm chaser.  "I am sure that they will get along splendidly, and may truly enjoy this time off.  I will of course need you to introduce me to him, then we can have a small chat.  Then you can expound upon your dream and this morning's findings."

Collecting one of the batra from it's handler Califax gives a wide smile.

Most greatful for gifts your highness.

He gave the creature a once over, mainly checking what equipment it had on it's pack saddle.  Giving Dii a nod and smile he comments.

I just hope they ride like a Equs, I've never really had call to become expert with riding creature.

In reply to Califax (msg #11):

To Califax: "I know that the Batra are almost as fast as an Equs, but are "engineered" more for burden. I'm looking forward to travel. I feel my form becoming sedentary."

Califax nods and then smiles looking Dii over in an obviously exagerated way.

Well I should be able to deal with them then.  But I would definately not say you were looking any of the sort.  Likely in the mind, maybe you shoudl do some more exersice in the mornings to keep your mind off it.

His face splits into a grin.

In reply to Califax (msg #13):

"I'll be exercising in the best possible practical way soon. I do not ride on any land conveyances if I can avoid it. As for the beasts, I'm faster and more endurant than many. When we meet the "Tireless Dead", they will have to be able to catch me to harm me."

OOC: Remember kids, "Rule #1: Cardio"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:55, Fri 18 Mar 2011.

She walks over to the remaining mounts and places her hand on each one, saying nothing.  After a little bit she selects two mounts and leads one back to their newest member and bows to him.

"I've spoken with them both.  This one here said that he would be honored to serve with you and that you are quite interesting."  She nods to the beast who grunts and stomps.  "He has expressed interest in learning what you're doing with the glasses and the chanting."

With that she walks over to her equs and the storm chaser's as well.  She releases the reins of the new beast that she would be working with, telling it quietly "One moment," before placing one  hand on each of the creatures.  She stands still and quiet, then her equs wickers and shakes its head and she bursts out laughing.  The sound is musical and pleasant, but very strange for an Ariane.  She turns again to look at the storm chaser and there is the hint of a smile still on her lips.

"I think your dear friend will be fine," she tells him, but she does not elaborate beyond that.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:41, Sat 19 Mar 2011.

Hauling himself into the saddle Califax gets as comfortable as possible in the saddle.

Hmmmm, ok.  Guess we're about ready to go.

Novo brightens, his concerned mood melting as a question regarding his skills arises. "Ah, naught but the most basic tenet of my profession: weather prediction. My words come from Nauticus', an ancient aeromancer, but the empirical research come from an even more ancient scholar, Arystotel. The glasses are a mere adjunct to the greater work; the blue lenses replace my eyes, becoming a sympathetic replacement for them, blue being a traditional chromatic representation of the troposhpere, the region of the air wherein the weather--or most it--occurs.

Many centuries ago, Arystotel inscribed the definitive text of our work, the Meteorologica, a pain-staking observation over the course of decades of the movement of the moons, the suns, the stars, and most importantly, the movement of air and its relationship to the other natural elements: earth, fire, and water. All of which contribute to the weather. Some of the more arcane meteorological phenomena had yet to be observed at the time Arystotel wrote his masterwork, so those--black lightning, acid rain, etc.--have had to have been codified in the meantime. That's what we do, in the Cabal. "

Novo looks for that spark of fascination in the Ariane...or in the beast, which seemed to have asked the question. "There's time, on our expedition, for me to explain it in greater detail, if you'd like. There's a poetry...a theatricality...in the dance of the air, the interaction of the clouds and the rain with the eldritch emanations of the Celestial bodies."

He watches her with the animals, a little lost in his own thoughts but thoroughly in the Real, unlike before.



"Thank you. I appreciate your efforts. And your hospitality."

Then, he announces to all gathered: "Just so you are aware: it is to be hot today. No precipitation is anticipated. And we shall have some wind, not light but not overly burdensome."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Mon 21 Mar 2011.

"Hot good," says the Sauran. "Sathras likes the heat."

He leans over to Murron. "Murron understand what magic-man say before? Magic-man use lots of words very fast."

Leaning down towards Sathras Califax comments.

Don't worry about it my scaled friend, alot of what he said would be out of the grasp of most people who have not studied the magical arts formally.  Even with my knowledge some of it was a little garbled.

He looked out over the desert.

You know, I think I could have made a guess at thaqt forcast myself.  Hot, dry and windy. Califax grinned as he straightened in his saddle, But when we have real weather I'm sure your insights will be more useful and less of an amusement to me.  But thank you for the report Novo.

Her flecked eyes dance as their newest member speaks and she nods at all the proper places.  When he mentions the name, the corner of her lips tug upward for the briefest of moments and when he finishes she places her hand on his newest beast.

"Two things," she tells him.  "He said that it was interesting, but you went too quick.  The other is that I'm glad that the book you wrote became so... famous.  I guess it isn't much a wonder that you're returned in the same profession.  It seems to suit you the best."

She steps back when he has a secure hold of the reins and she has a quiet murmured conversation with her own new beast before climbing in the saddle.

Murron selects his batra with no particular excitement, feeling that no matter how he chooses eventually his luck will catch up with him. Hearing his friend Sathras's question he forces a smile onto his face, not really understanding the words of the strange weather mage himself; "My friend I really don't get most of what he is saying either. They don't exactly train us in the desert how to talk like that. Anyhow I hope he is right, I am all too familiar with sandstorms and other unpleasant desert weather."

Murron accepts the various items from the thaumaturges and alchemists and begins stowing his gear on the batra, a resigned expression on his face.

At the implied revelation, Novo is, for once, speechless.

He prepares to embark on his journey in relative silence.

In reply to Novoptolomeo (msg #22):

Dii puts some of her gear on the beast and begins to pat it on the neck and behind the ears. After performing a few more stretches she gingerly grabs the reigns and announces "I believe that I and my new friend here are ready to depart. I can take the lead and the scouting duties, if no one objects..."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:26, Tue 22 Mar 2011.

Burikan, resembling a walking arsenal with his tarak, khu, jang and krin either strapped to him or carried in hand, vaults onto the back of his chosen batra. A rare smile passes across his face as he settles into the saddle.

T'Vala comes riding up on his personal batra, fully caparisoned for both battle and exploration. He stops next to Burikan and his batra and offers him a small smile, obviously still grieving from the loss of his daughter; "It will be my honor and pleasure to fight beside you friend, as well as serving my King and country. I will do my best to aid your group in any way possible."

After checking his batra's straps and packs, Murron mounts the creature and absently fingers his luck medallion for a moment as he settles into the saddle.

He nods to Dii and says, "yes, please scout ahead."

Califax smiles and relaxes in the saddle.

I have no arguments about following on behind you Dii.

In reply to Califax (msg #27):

"Well then, would you also be willing to tether this beast with yours, Cal? I fear it would only slow down my efforts." She speaks to Califax through a similar smile.

Moving his mount forwards Califax took the raines to Dii's batra.

I would be delighted. Securing the beast he smiled down, I must say the thought of so much walking does put me off some, but you do seem to relish it so.

"Walking not so bad. Sometimes you step in dung. Sometimes dung is flung at you. Either way: dung." Sathras nods somberly, holding the reins of the animal assigned to him. It carries his gear with room to spare.

In reply to Sathras the Bold (msg #30):

"Well for what it's worth, walking puts me off quite a bit as well. I run when I can. I've come to realize that I enjoy that means of travel most. It's coupled with an excitement of my senses that makes me a proficient scout. You'd be amazed how much distance I can cover in a day, even here in the desert. Be sure to keep your ears alert. Should I need to warn you of something, I use "whistler" arrows." With that, she pulls out her longbow and tests it's tension.

"You are quite...fit, Dii Ahnah. Sculpted, one might say. Well, I did say--I mean to say, that your physique is a marvel. Marvelous. Like a statue."

He scrutinizes her, observing with a scholar's eye. "Statuesque. That's the word."

In reply to Novoptolomeo (msg #32):

"If you are complimenting me, thank you dear Novo. If you are contemplating me, you will be given many opportunities to test empirical research. Also, I answer most questions quite readily." She makes a long drawn out bow to Novo that eventually metamorphosizes into a quite limber forward stretch.

After the pronounced stretch, Dii takes a moment to walk toward one of the Thaumaturgists and says "I have an idea for my imbued item..."
After that, the conversation becomes obfuscated by the desert winds.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:47, Wed 23 Mar 2011.

Novo is intensely interested. But doesn't want to appear intensely interested. Plus, the Danuvian is a bit intimidating...

He goes about his preparations, but, using a focusing technique taught in the Cabal ("Occulting the clouds but for the Thunder and the Wind"), he turns his discrete attention towards her conversation with the Thaumaturges.

Califax moves his mount up beside Novo.

So, this must make a bit of a change from stuffy class rooms or drentching thunder storms?

Hanging back, silently watching the interaction and lack of between her new companions she idly pats her new mount gently and companionably.

Not receiving an answer from the handler, Aaban leads his aht-ra off with the others, speaking to it softly.  "I reckon I'll have to name you myself," he says, watching from a distance as the others gather.

Novo, lost in his focus, is silent for an...

...awkwardly...

...long...

...time...

.

"Eh...what are you saying to me?" His eyes clear. His head tilts back from 'curious kitten' to 'normal' as the conversation he was trying to eavesdrop on fades into the wind.

"Ah, yes. A bit. Of course, the open air is my classroom. Storm Chasers chase the storm, where'er it be. The Weather Watchers, on the other hand..." He shakes his head at a private thought. "--perpetually stuck in the Tower. I do not envy them their sedentary madness!"

"I've not had a chance to study arid climes personally. I'm very, very excited! I've heard that the desert sands, stretched out in vast plains, can be pushed together so hard by the winds that charges of static electricity will be built up...creating its own form of ground-hugging lightning. It's a theory, anyway. Unproven. Perhaps, given time, I'll be able to observe the phenomenon for myself."

He smiles at Califax. "I'm certainly glad to have a fellow Cymrilian out here. What news of the Crystal City? I've not been there in many months. And what of you, sir? A graduate of the Lyceum?"

Califax grins and shakes his head.

Not been there for quite a while myself.  More of a practical practitioner.  Untill reacently I was working on board a.... trade vesel.  Though I have studied.

Murron manages a small smile at his friend's comment as he rides along with the group; partly from the genuine amusement and joy from his friend's presence, and partly for the absolute truth of the insightful observation.

In reply to Murron (msg #40):

Dii finishes speaking with the Thaumaturgist and approaches A'Semna again. "Not to ask beyond your highness' already very charitable sense of graciousness, but do you have any maps of the areas we are heading into? I can make good use of them and create newer, altered versions for our 2 kingdoms. I'm sure that the meteor strike has changed the surrounding landmasses."

Novo listens to Califax attentively. "Ah...a trade vessel. Good work when you can get it. And studying is always better than not studying, I always say. Well, no. That may be the first time I've said that. But anyway...should you wish to study further, I would be more than happy to lend my brain to the cause. I'm not a full-fledged Scholar of the Cabal by any stretch, but I'm fully versed in the basics of Conjurations, Revelations and Concealments, Aeromantic Kineticism, and the Eldritch Interdiction of Injuries. Eh...wards and so forth, I mean.

He overhears a bit of Dii's speech to the King. "Excuse me, Califax."

He wanders over to Dii and the King. "Did I hear you mention maps? I am a bit of an amateur cartographer myself and would be happy to assist you in that endeavor. Indeed, had not I not born for my current line of work, I suspect that I might have been a map maker!"

In reply to Novoptolomeo (msg #42):

"A collaborative effort from 2 different vantage points seems most exponentially productive. At the end of each days travel I usually relate my journey from memory. The process can take up to an hour. If you could do any mapping from behind with the group WHILE traveling, that would be exceptional. Then we could confer once camp is made. I am in full agreement of this meeting of minds."

He is overjoyed.

"Excellent! I am most perceptive and am blessed with a keen analytical mind. Also, I'm told, do my best work from the rear. My positional acumen--whether from below, above, behind, or laterally--is well-regarded, with respect to the mapping of contours. My artistic, penetrating insights into the layouts of valleys has also been lauded, especially by certain female members of the Cabal, who seem to have a more appreciable respect for the patient attention required to make a good map."

He is, quite clearly, an avid fan of cartography.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:07, Fri 25 Mar 2011.

In reply to Novoptolomeo (msg #44):

"Dually noted, possibly literally. Something else you should know when I'm ahead scouting, If you hear this horn (she points to a mid-sized sounding/mead-horn she is wearing), You should break full speed toward me. If you hear this pass over your head (she shows Novo a "whistler" arrow) it means to stay where you are, and possibly look behind you for my arrow. Otherwise, I'll leave my tracks in the sand for you to follow. As long as the group isn't too far behind, you should follow me fairly easily. I will stop to regroup occasionally and also if I find a possible place to make camp."

King A'Semna listens to Dii Ahnah's request and the back and forth between her and Novoptolomeo with some amusement before replying; "We have no more detailed maps of the area than those that are readily available. Due to sandstorms and wind-shifted dunes it is not really feasible to try and keep truly accurate maps of the area. It is difficult enough keeping the Wilderlands Road and the road to Anasa from becoming buried by the desert. You are welcome to try your hand at mapping out that area if you choose."

In reply to A'Semna (msg #46):

"Of course, your highness. I hadn't taken the constant winds into account. I have a few standardized maps of the area." She produces her map case and after a moment pulls out a map of surrounding Dracarta and the Trade Road. After looking at it for about 7 seconds she rerolls it back up, slides it back in the tubular case and resets it to her back. "Again I thank you. Here's to hoping for another meeting with you to tell you what we've experienced and seen. Novo, keep your senses peaked, man. We'll be reconvening in a few hours." Dii picks up her Longbow and places it behind her neck with her arms hanging over. Then after moving a bit further away from any innocent bystanders, she does a series of cartwheel kicks in both directions. It seems like shes doing this to "activate" her legs somehow. And with a final wave over to Califax and the others, she begins to start running with a bearing of South-West to get to the road...
This message was last edited by the player at 19:05, Sat 26 Mar 2011.

Watching the acrobatics of Dii, Califax grins, when she starts to head out he kicks his mount into movement to follow the groups scout.

Lets get a move on then.  Life waits for no one.

Sathras nods. "Yes. Sathras agrees. Let us do what needs to be done."

The first day's travel goes very uneventfully. The weather goes pretty much how Novo predicted it would, hot and dry with variable wind blowing the sand around on the Wilderlands Road. The heat and light reflecting off the sands is very uncomfortable to those of you not accustomed to it and the scenery is basically the same from mile to mile. Eventually the sun starts setting and the group starts making camp just off the road. The temperature starts falling dramatically as it gets darker and T'Vala falls to making up a big fire for the evening, encouraging people to don the warmer clothing packed with the batra.

During the heat of the day, Sathras lopes along behind the aht-ra. He is slower than the desert steeds, but like them, he does not tire easily. He comes into camp a fair bit behind everyone else.

Though he seemed to keep going throughout even the heat of the day, as the temperature drops he becomes noticably sluggish. His speech becomes slightly slurred and his reactions slightly delayed.

"Sssathrasss n-n-not lik-k-ke the c-c-cold," he says by way of explanation.

Wrapping up against the coming cold Califax notes Sathras' ill ease and condition and picks up a blanket and moves over to the Lizard like man.

Wrap this around you and come by the fire.  It should help you warm through and get comfortable

"Sssathrasss c-could lay on fire when otherss done c-cooking. C-coals feel good on ssscaless." The Saurans eyes move slowly from one spot on the horizon to the next. "F-fire not g-give uss away at night?"

Helping to guide Sathras to the heat of the blazing fire Califax smiled.

Thats not a concern for this night.  What is, is that we need to be comfortable and rest well.  Once we've cooked you should be able to lie in the fire.  But not with the blanket, or we won't have it tomorrow night for you.

In reply to Califax (msg #54):

Once camp is made, Dii gets the blanket, bedroll, and her cloak from her gear bag and makes herself a makeshift sleeping area near the fire. She keeps her armor on, having spent numerous nights sleep in it in the past. She sets her weapons near her "happenstance cot" in an orderly fashion. She sits down and begins to stretch out and massage her legs for a bit. Then she gets a few strips of dried meat from her bag and eats slowly, attempting to enjoy her meal. She inwardly hopes that tomorrows travel will yield more possibilities to attain food and/or water while Scouting. But for now, it is unfruitful to worry about.

"Perhaps now would be a good time for one of your orders fables, Aaban. Have you a tale interwoven with hidden wisdom for us this night?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:33, Mon 28 Mar 2011.

Once they stopped to make camp for the night, Murron took care of his mount first.  He brushed it down throughly, and then checked its hooves for small pebbles or stones.  Finally, he watered and feed his mount.  Satisfied that his batra had been cared for properly, he relaxed a bit and when to relax by the fire.

After seeing his friend so cold, Murron quickly pulls out his blanket and puts it around Sathras' shoulders as he says, "here, this should help."

Aaban blinks away his reverie, looks up at Dii Ahnah.  "The Orders of Aa do not deal in fables and untruths, but we do have histories and allegories."  He looks thoughtful for a moment, then continues.  "Here is one my father told me when I was but a small boy. 

"A pilgrim, traveling alone, came upon another group of ten foolish Zandir who were on their way through the desert.  As he came upon them, the group was all in an uproar, and each of them seemed to be trying to count, all at once.  As the pilgrim approached, he asked, 'What is the problem causing all of this upset?'  To which the leader of the band answered, 'We have lost one of our number!  We set out as ten, and now only are nine!' 

"The pilgrim quickly noted that there were ten in the group, and asked, 'How is it you find only nine of you?'  To which, the leader of the band, pointing in turn at each other member of the band, counted, 'one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine.'

"The pilgrim looked at the rest of the foolish band, and asked, 'Are the rest of you in agreement with this?'  Each member then, in turn, counted all the other members of their band, coming out with nine every time.  He then said to them, 'I know a way to find your missing companion, but you must do exactly as I say.'  They all immediately and eagerly agreed. 

"'Now,' said the pilgrim, 'gather all the dung from your mounts and form it into a great circle.'  This they did, becoming horribly befouled and smelly in the process.  'Next,' he said, 'all of you must sit around the circle, facing one another.'  They all did so.  'And finally,' the pilgrim said, 'you must each press your face into the circle firmly enough to make an impression.'  There was some hesitation, but the band's leader urged them on 'We must do whatever it takes to find our missing companion!' 

"They did so, each coming up with his face spattered and dripping in dung. 'There,' said the pilgrim to the band's leader, 'count the impressions in the circle.'  The leader did so, quickly coming to ten.  'Sir, how can we thank you?!' he cried.  The pilgrim simply shook his head, smiled, and moved on."

"That is the tale," Aaban sits back.  "I hope our little band will not come to it."  In the flickering light of the fire, it is hard to see, but his usual stern expression may have been overtaken with the smallest of smiles.

Throughout the travels, the care of the animals and camp set up, and even the story, the gaze of the Ariane is distant.  Her expression is calm and thoughtful.  After a few moments, she blinks and looks around the circle, then up at the sky.  The shadow of a smile almost pulls at her lips and she lays back.  Her voice rising quietly in song.

((If you want to know what she's singing, I'll type it out.  Otherwise, she's just singing to sing.))

Califax grins at the parable, tilting his head to listen as Shadow started to sing.

See, just goes to show that it is a wise man that thinks of himself as well as his companions.

Novo takes time--as he does most nights--to set up a couple of his arcane, meteorological devices, mumbling to himself rather animatedly as he does so. It's like hearing one half of a long conversation.

At a remove from the fire, he plants a thin, knee-high wooden pole into the ground. Atop is a length of metal tube, which coils around the pole and terminates into a round glass vial, etched with arcane and metrical markings. He cups one hand around the top of the tube and blows across the opening, almost flautist-like in his approach. There is a brief glimmer of blue sparks, which fades within the length of Novo's breath.

About a minute later, after making sure the device is working properly, Novo withdraws a simple metal tube from a belt pouch. Bound to this tube with wire is a glass vial. Within the vial is a milky liquid, light red in color. He holds the tube by the base, leaving the vial free. He stares intently at the liquid, which, over the course of a few seconds, turns from light red...to lavender...to pale blue...then to a deeper blue. "Yes, quite cold."

He wanders back to the fire, announcing on his way, answering a question that no one asked: "The very thing that makes the desert hot during the day is what makes it cold at night. Lack of moisture. My humidifactor--" --he points back towards the device--"--will bear out tonight's true metric in the morning. And we may even have a swallow of water in the collector for the trouble. But I doubt it."

He holds a carved bone smoking pipe to his lips, which he lights with a flame extended from the tip of his forefinger. There is a micro-explosion--and a small shower of green stars falls from the bowl. He puffs contentedly, whilst listening to the Aamanian's story.

"Aa be praised..." There is the slightest subconscious trace of contempt in his words.


(OOC: Post 900!)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:05, Mon 28 Mar 2011.

T'Vala chuckles and nods knowingly at Aaban's parable. Fortunately he does not get the feeling that will happen to this group. He makes sure he is well-bundled and takes up his hurlant, sitting down at the fringe of the camp, calling back to the others around the fire; "I will take first watch, perhaps pairs would work well for the watch through the night. Decide amongst yourselves who will take first watch with me then the rest can settle in for some sleep after deciding how to divide the remaining watches."

In reply to T'Vala (msg #61):

After seeing Novos display, Dii decides to grab her meadhorn and walk over to the "humidifactor". Without getting so close to it as to cause Novo any major alarm she takes a moment to position the meadhorn in the sand at near the humidifactors base, with the mouth toward the sky. With a smile she says to Novo "Maybe your scientific device will spill over into my primitive water-catcher..." She gets up and begins to saunter back to her "bunk", but stops again about 5 yards away. Without turning around she says "And before your lightning brain begins "power-pondering", I meant that literally." With that she continues her languorous walk back to her sleeping area.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:34, Tue 29 Mar 2011.

Shadow stands and moves out into the area away from the fire.  So she is directly across from where T'Vala sits.  She nods to him and then begins walking widdershins in a slow and large circle.  Her attention is turned out, into the darkness around them.

Ha! Ha!, Murron thinks to himself with derision while listening to Aaban's tale, dung on your face is funny unless you've lived with it everyday and can't wash the stink off you or your belongings.

Murron stands up and throws the continents of his mug into the fire, and wipes his mug out with his shirt.

He clips his mug back onto his belt, and then says, "I'll stand first watch with you T'Vala, if no one objects."

Novo puffs on his pipe, deep in thought.

Power-ponderings? What, by Arystotel's eyes, does she mean? I mentate at my current load constantly. How can any one pondering be more powerful then the rest? Oh, Skies above, if I'd just been born a Sindaran!

Water-catcher? Silly girl--there's not enough moisture within the hectare to fill my vial let alone spill over into hers! Perhaps she's making a joke...

I wonder how Scamandros is doing.

Where's my wine?

Perhaps I could petition the Cabal to petition the Lyceum to change the herb in my pipe.

This sand is smooth. Millennia of constant wind erosion. It's beautiful.

Wind chill temperature = 35.74 + 0.6215T - 35.75V (**0.16) + 0.4275TV(**0.16)


"I can take the watch closest the Dawn, with whomever wishes to join me. The transition from deepest dark to Day's birth is a profound threshold."

In reply to Novoptolomeo (msg #65):

"Since I will be scouting ahead by day, I'm alleviating myself from nightwatch duties. If anyone would like to dispute this they may attempt to dissuade me. But do so from over there." Dii points to an area off the road about 50 feet away. It's hard to gather the ratio of truth to jest in her statement, even though it appears rife with both...

She stops her circle and she moves to where Murron is and she bows to him.

"Please, feel free then," she tells him.  "I will take whatever everyone else wishes me to take.  Morning or mid-night would work well for me."

Califax shrugs and stretched out on his sleeping mat and blanket, folding his arms behind his head.

Not arguing with that desission Dii, someone prod me awake for the mignight watches.  I've stood enough of them to not worry too much about it.

It was a matter of less than a minute before his eyes closed and a light snoaring came from him.

Sathras waits until Shadow has returned from her walking. "Sathras wonder why you take late watch. Can Shadow see in night? Sathras not always see very well, dark or light."

"Yes my friend, I can indeed see in the dark," she replies.  "It is not an issue for me.  The sun, the moons, the stars, or nothing at all.  I can see clearly in almost any situation.  Most individuals have difficulty seeing at dawn and dusk.  If needed I can take the time of the rising suns."

She still stands, her back to the fire, and looks out over the landscape.

In reply to Shadow Seeking the Light (msg #70):

Shortly after making her statement, Dii bundles into her nest of sleep gear and outer garments. Within moments she is blissfully unaware of her physical surroundings.

"I will take morning watch. I rise before the suns every day."

People split up into watches as decided and those not on watch take their rest. The evening is very cold and everyone bundles up as best as they can. The night goes by uneventfully and the new day dawns over the desert. The early tasks remain to be divided; cooking breakfast, breaking down the campsite, keeping watch on the desert. Even early in the morning the temperature starts climbing noticably.

OOC: If there is any conversation or details people want to do in the morning while preparing to move on feel free to do so, otherwise I will move the day along...

As the day breaks, Sathras lethargically crawls to the first bit of direct sunslight he can reach and...



...simply sits and soaks up the sunslight, letting it warm his cold-blooded anatomy so that he can enjoy the day.

In reply to Sathras the Bold (msg #74):


Upon hearing movement from some of the others shortly after dawn breaks, Dii wakes and gets up, stretches out a bit, and grabs her bow and begins running off as others are organizing their belongings and preparing for breakfast.

Aaban will take whatever watch is necessary to be filled, without complaint or voicing preference.

Upon waking in the morning, he will check on gear, and his aht-ra steed.  Seeing Sathras warming in the sun, he will nod to him and greet him.  "Good morning, Sathras, Aa's blessings upon you this day." 

"Aa make suns shine? Sathras needs heat. Sathras will be up and moving soon. Old master used to make Sathras carry hot rocks to water in morning. Hot rocks warm Sathras fast." He lifts a handful of red desert sand and lets it sift through his scaled-fingers. "Metal in sand heat quickly, too."

Aaban nods, almost smiles, "Indeed, Sathras, Aa makes the suns shine.  Aa makes the wind blow, the rivers run.  Take your time, and warm yourself.  I believe it will be a busy day."

Crawling from the shelter groggy eyed and still somewhat sleep Califax kneels in the sand for a while yawning.  Taking a good sized bowl in hands and looking bleerily at the sun he closes his eyes and starts moving the bowl around in a slow seris of complex movements.  After a minute or so it fills to the brim with water.  He takes a long drink from it then with a cup he scoops out a mug full and drips it over his face with a gasp.

Oh sweet morning thats cold.....  Oh.... Right ok. Shaking his head, The water will be here for a short while, if you want some to freshen up with use it, but there is a time limit.

Standing he leaves the bowl and stretches before pulling on the rest of his clothing and starting with the camp duties.

Novo, having watched the suns rise, tends to his humidificator. Checks the moisture content. Notes in his book. Confirmed: desert air is very dry.

I also predict today will be much like yesterday. The world is fascinating in its lack of variation, sometimes.

During the morning duties, Novo volunteers to cook. "Boiled provender germ. Cheap, easy, doesn't take up much space. And very filling. On my expeditions, it's usually all I eat. Hunting and fishing can be scarce, especially if one is unfamiliar with the terrain."

He thinks for a moment. "No--actually, we should conserve our water, unless you wish that I use Califax' conjuration. Provender germ can also be dried in the suns. It's just not as tasty. What I've done in the past is to dry the germ, then grind it, mix it with water and honey--or wine and honey--or just wine--or sometimes I just drink the wine and forget about the germ--and then make the admixture into little cakes. Then I dry those. It works."

About 20 minutes after she had left, Dii returns with some leafy vegetation and a small amount of water that she was able to collect from a lone tree far off of the Trade Road. She comes back to the fire that Novo is cooking at and begins to chop the leafy greens and pour the water into a small skillet. "We may be able to combine our efforts here, Novo. Any ideas? I have some spices as well..." She reaches into her bag and brings forth a small cylindrical container.

Sathras smacks his scaly lips. "Sathras thinks a bit of meat would be toothsome." He heaves a heavy sigh. "But plant-water fine. Sathras have road-food." He walks over to the mounts and digs into his pack to pull out simple rations. "Have muchness."

"Ah, a decoction of spiced greens, perhaps? Or depending on the drinkability, perhaps a tisane to accompany our meal. Of course, desert plants--as far as my limited reading on the subject has gone--produce little in the way of sugars, and therefore teas generated from them may be less than sweet. Unless of course it was a magickal plant, in which case the normal botanical rules may not apply, though the tenets of arcano-botany would naturally--or pteternaturally--" He laughs at his own joke, "--ah...where was I--yes. No. I'm not familiar with the flora of these parts.

"What's the plan for today? A little weather-watching followed by a heaping spoonful of cartography, then some impromput geographical explorations?"

There is a decided gleam in his eyes. Then he catches Sathras' words.

"Road-food? Of course, Sathras, if you prefer to settle, by all means, nosh upon the food of the road. Survival doesn't mean having to settle, however."

In reply to Novoptolomeo (msg #83):

"I'd assume that the sooner we get back to traveling this road the better. No telling what the late afternoon heat will be like with these milder winds. As far as charting a course, I understand why A'Semna scoffed the ideology of a map out here. I haven't seen much to map. Weather-watching seems to be a keener interest of yours than most. I'll see my fill as we wander closer to our destination. As one who chases the lightning Novo, what do you do when you catch it?" Dii turns to Sathras. "And what do you prefer to eat, my big friend?"

"It's common, when traveling in the deserts, to build a shelter, just something to provide shade, really, and rest during the heat of the day, and then extend travel time into the evening hours, stopping before the cold of night.  Something to consider, perhaps," Aaban suggests.

"Meat. As child, Sathras ate land dragon when we could get it. Or striders. In old master's house, ate whatever Sathras could. Old meat and scraps." He looks at the horizon.
"Afternoon heat will not bother Sathras as much. Sathras can keep up better then."

He ponders the question for a moment. "Were I to catch lighting...I would let it go. I am a Storm Chaser. Not a Storm Catcher. I observe. I report. And sometimes I interact with the forces of nature in ways others do not. But I do not capture what is given freely by the wild energies of this world. Magic, on the other hand, is an entirely different matter.

"And you...a runner. Do you run for the destination...or simply for the run?"

Then he address Aaban briefly: "Perhaps travel in the early evening towards twilight? I've no experience in this. This being my first real travail into the desert, I'm curious as to how it will develop. Perhaps we should shelter ON on our mounts? I'm certain the engineering of it wouldn't be difficult at all. My mathematical expertise is at your disposal, friend."

Dii ponders what Aaban, Sathras, and Novo have to say. She begins to think about her lot in life and how from birth, Danuvian women are taught the ways of war, battle, and strategy. There's never any parades in the streets of the city-state honoring womens victories in the realms of cooking, tailoring, or legislation. Why can't a woman be equally proud with her efforts outside of war? Favianna (OOC:remember her?) is a great bartender, will Danuvia ever honor her? Dii has always had a secret dream to be in a cooperation with someone special who'd fight the battles and bring home the Avir while she would be taking care of the home and their cubs. Maybe it's not such an impossible dream. But definitely not with a Danuvian male. They seem like they'd be more interested in each other, anyway. If this adventure ends up being fruitful, maybe one of her companions would consider that aforementioned partnership. Life with Novo would always be interesting, and possibly enlightening (OOC:pun). There's the Marukan, Murron. Dii feels like she should be attracted to him for some reason. If only he were a bit more confident. Burikan? Very strong looking but a tad dark. Califax? She would definitely be cheated on and would have to be alright with that. He's entirely too charming. With Kafa comes the security of an equitable future. Just gotta start finding humpbacks sexy, is all. Aaban? Probably celibate. How would they even have children? OMG! Could you imagine the offspring of Dii and Sathras! T'Vala although "chiseled", is spoken for. Maybe Dii could get the Ariane drunk enough to jump the fence. Who knows what that l'il "Soul-Hippie" is thinking at ANY given time. There's the omniscient and seemingly knowing Bringer... Wait a minute. Who's narrating this? Is this still going on in your head, Dii my darling? If so, where do you keep the mead in here? You got problems, girlfriend.



APRIL FOOLS!!! Please disregard all but the first sentence of this post.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Sat 02 Apr 2011.

"I am willing to exchange the meat from my rations for some of the grains or fruits in you rations, my friend," she calls to Sathras, pulling out her bag and beginning to sort through it.  She watches the others prepare for the morning.  "As for the grain cakes, it sounds ideal."

She walks over to where Sathras is and pulls out all the meat in her rations and holds it out to him.

Burikan seems unaffected by either the cold of the night or the heat of the day. Any who looked at him in the night before his watch would have seen him sleeping on the cold hard ground with little more comfort than his shoulder pouch under his head.

He also seems to have little interest in any sort of communal meal. He eats from his rations sparingly as he sits watching the others.

Califax shakes himself down getting ready to move out while the meal is being prepared.

Meals on the move are not always the most appitising things, but having something in your stomach for the day ahead is always a welcome thing.  Ships rations can get very tiresome when you have nowhere to stop and bring on fresh.

Sathras takes the meat from Shadow with a nod of his scaly head.

Everyone breaks their fast and finishes breaking down the camp. Getting headed out at 1st light definitely was a good idea to at least beat some of the heat of the day. Dii scouts ahead as she did the day before with T'Vala riding outrider between her and the group to relay messages. The morning passes uneventfully aside from the heat but in the afternoon Dii spots something off to the north of the road. When she stops to get a look at it T'Vala catches up to her. As they look they decide that what it looks like something is burrowing through the sand but with the light and the shimmer it is difficult to determine how big or how far away it is.

When they catch up with the two who were ahead, her distant gaze flickers to where Dii and T'vala are looking.  She watches, her mind calculating.

Murron was riding close by to Shadow and Sathras, as he truly enjoyed their company.  He followed everyone's gaze, and instinctively knew it was something terrible.  Reflexively, the Marukan mercenary was readying his bow and drawing an arrow from his quiver.  He stops his mount and waits and watches while holding an arrow to his bow loosely, yet to draw at a moment's notice if necessary.

Drawing up to look out at what was approching Califax frowned, looking off to the other side of the trail he started to make a pantomime of putting on armour.  After a few seconds something shimmered around him and then as he was sat there it seemed to solidify into what looked like Blue Iron Aeriad Light Body Plate made specifically to fit him.  He then reached into the saddle holster that housed his Tri-bow and drew it.

(ooc: 18:14, Today: Califax rolled 14 using 1d20+2. Spell Armor of the Aeriad.)

"Fascinating! The arcane traceries are quite finely-wrought. The detail is exquisite, Califax. And here you were telling me you weren't much of a caster!" He pauses, thinking. "Do you think it prudent to Ward oneself now? Perhaps it isn't wise to expend your energies."

He gazes off to where the burrowing had occurred. "An animal of some kind, I'll warrant. I only have passing familiarity with the fauna of the region, through my readings, you understand. But 'tis most likely an animal. I think."

Sathras trudges to a halt beside Murron and Shadow, the reins from his hands to the beast behind him falling slack. His mouth hangs open slightly, tongue flicking the air.

---

Sathras the Bold rolled 18 using 1d20+8. Survival: Deserts.
Sathras the Bold rolled 6 using 1d20+2. PER roll.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:49, Mon 04 Apr 2011.

OOC: People can make Survival checks to try and determine what is making the burrowing signs and also PER checks to try and determine the distance. I am at work and don't have my books in front of my to calculate difficulty, so just put your rolls and when I get home I will apply difficulty modifiers and post a response (some people will have an easier time identifying the sign than others).

Califax tapped the armour with a light 'ting' sound.

It is not a ward, it like the water is a woven construct.  And being prepared is always a good idea.  While we concentrate on that it is always possible something comes a creeping up behind so I'll keep an eye out this way.

Dii, bow already drawn, takes a good look to assess the situation...

She doesn't seem too concerned as she sits and watches the thing in the distance.

Aaban squints into the distance at the sign, stops his mount, and drops to the ground, feeling it, and listening before rising again.


OoC:  21:58, Today: Aaban rolled 16 using 1d20+3. guide.
21:58, Today: Aaban rolled 11 using 1d20. perception roll.

Murron is unsure as to what is causing the disturbances, but he fairly certain about the distance.

=============================================

00:32, Today: Murron rolled 20 using 1d20+3. Guard roll.
00:31, Today: Murron rolled 11 using 1d20+1. Survival (Desert) roll.

Everyone strains their eyes at the brightness and heat shimmer, trying to place a distance on the strange track in the sand. Because of the shimmer, light, and vastness of the desert it is difficult to determine exact distance however Califax, Dii Ahnah, Murron, and Shadow are able to estimate the track is roughly 150 feet away and meandering through the sand. Knowing that they are able to determine that whatever is causing the track is quite large. Dii Ahnah, Sathras, and T'Vala are able to immediately identify the source of the track while Burikan remembers something from stories in his life and travels and Aaban remembers from his studies. They all pretty much simultaneously call out; "Land Kra!" They also remember that when underground they hunt by vibration and the meandering track means that at least for the moment it has not detected the group, which fortunately is standing still however the batra are definitely antsy and require a firm hand to keep them steady.

"Land kra dangerous," says the Sauran, trying not to rumble. "But have lot of meat inside." He looks over at T'Vala. "Desert-man, kra normally come this close to trade road?"

T'Vala looks at the kra-sign for a long moment before replying to Sathras, his face looking fairly composed; "They tend to move around randomly, usually avoiding coming under the road itself, but if they sense prey and are hungry they will attack. My impression is at the moment this one is just moving, we happened to notice the kra-sign but it does not seemed to have noticed us. If we remain still there is a good chance it will just move along."

She nods at his words.

"I will quiet the animals," she tells them as she hops off her mount.  She crouches and presses her hand to the ground, and remains that way for a bit.

In reply to Shadow Seeking the Light (msg #108):

"In my travels, I don't believe I've ever been this close to a Land Kra. Are we looking to avoid it, kill it, or kill it to avoid it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:50, Tue 05 Apr 2011.

Califax thinks for a short moment.

Seems to me that if we can just let it go by that would be the best idea.  While hunting it for it's meat might be worth thinking of, we don't really have time to butcher and preserve all the meat and then there is carrying capacity.  To leave the carcass would just be wasteful in these desserts, so, pausing to just rest and let it go by seems the most logical option, were we pressed for food though it would be another matter.

Burikan nods his head "I agree, we should let it pass. Too large and too dangerous for this party to tackle on it's own. We would surely have casualties if we attempted to take down such a beast as this." He reaches down and strokes the neck of his batra trying to keep it calm.

"Agreed." Dii slowly sits down where she is and pulls out a whetstone to begin sharpening her blades.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:28, Tue 05 Apr 2011.

"Aye, agreed," Aaban adds, simply.  "I suspect we shall have battle aplenty with the foul and unnatural soon enough, no need to engage with a simple beast about its business." 

"Land kra? Really? Oh, bless my eyes--a worthy sight on just the first day of our journey!"

The excitement is quite overwhelming to him. Cool yourself, Novoptolomeo. Remember the calming words:

He chants under his breath: "I must not fear. Fear is the mind..." And mumbles the rest to himself.

He is calm now. "This reminds of a snippet of an old prayer I read once: 'Bless the maker and his water, bless the coming and going of him, may his passing cleanse the world.'

"Yes...we should wait until it passes."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:54, Tue 05 Apr 2011.

The animals shift uncomfortably, nervous sounds and movements from the sight of the large predator closing the distance.  Completely unperturbed, the Ariane kneels and places her hands on the ground.  Her flecked eyes close and she takes in a few deep breaths.  After a few moments the nervous sounds stop, the animals seem to be breathing with her.  She breaths deep and slow, all of them breathing in unison.  Their nervous stamping and shifting ceases and they seem to relax, their large eyes watching the movement of the Kra, but they seem to stare at it as if it were an interesting bug on a leaf or an avir drifting on the winds high in the sky above.

Shadow is able to still the restless batra, and with everyone else likewise remaining still the kra-sign's meandering becomes a slow turn away from the road back into the desert. After a few minutes the kra-sign is no longer visible, having disappeared into the heat shimmer. T'Vala breathes a sigh of relief that the group did not end up needing to fight the land kra and sheathes his sword. He looks to Dii Ahnah to take up the front scout position and mounts his batra.

OOC: You guys definitely would have been able to take it, but you also would have likely taken some fairly heavy damage as well. Sound tactical decision to let it go on its way.

She sighs and opens her eyes.  with a fluif motion she moves from kneeling to standing, then she hops gracesully into the saddle.

"That was interesting," she says to no one in particular.  "I think it might be... amusing and entertaining to try and quiet one of those beasts one day.  What a ride that could provide."

While her general facial expression is neutral, there is a twinkle in her eyes.

"Perhaps we'd best be back on our way, lest it decide to double back."  Aaban returns to his batra and glances out into the distance, in the direction they are heading.

Dii recomposes herself and heads off to take point position. FAR point position. She's elated that although perfect for the job, she didn't have to play bait for the Land Kra.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:47, Wed 06 Apr 2011.

Califax glanced at Novo and grinned as he started his own beast forwards again.

Well you were right there, I didn't need to weave this.  But better safe than sorry in these things.

Watching Dii move off he smiles to himself and settles down to travelling again, the wide brim of his hat keeping a good portion of the sun off os him.

"Indeed. Perhaps I should've raised my own defense. Just in case. I'll follow your lead, Califax. You seem a bit more...seasoned...than myself."

He calls out to the kra-whisperer, "Dearest Ariane...was that a spell? Did you...communicate with it? Pray...what was it exactly? My curiosity is quite piqued."

Novo, being an avid multi-tasker, writes down some of his observations on the land kra whilst speaking to the Ariane: The land kra and the sand...is there a connection? Perhaps meteorological erosion isn't the only force at play in these...dunes...

As the group moves away from the encounter, Sathras begins to walk again, leading his beast of burden. With one last forlorn look back at the dunes, he says "Goodbye, meat," softly and then turns back to the road once more.

"Hmm?  Oh.  No, I actually spoke with our animals to keep them calm," she replies, her gaze distant.  She turns her head and locks eyes with the storm chaser and for a moment it looks as if she will smile, but no smile touches her lips.  "I can communicate with all things in nature.  That is why was also able to tell your Equs to not panic without you, nor to be jealous of your current companion.  I can communicate with the rocks, the trees, and all the creatures of the land, sea, and air.  Beings such as ourselves are," she pauses, the look in her eyes growing distant for a moment.  They quickly snap back into focus as she begins speaking.  "Well, they are generally too busy minded to hear our calling to them."

She turns away then and looks out over the landscape.

"I suspect that when you do see the magic that I use, you will be completely unimpressed," she says.

He reaches out to her, seeking her hands. There is nothing threatening in the gesture. His eyes are alight with understanding.

"All things under these suns impress me. The warp and weft of the omniverse is ever-present, ever-changing, and ever-growing, even in the minutiae of a billion billion grains of red Dracartan sand. I can stare for hours at the rain, watching the world simply work."

As an old bard once said: 'There is a special providence in the fall of an avir.'"


He sighs deeply, letting the hot desert air fill his lungs. "I am already impressed with the magic you use."

The group moves on down the road as the day progresses. The light wind barely has any effect on the stifling heat except for kicking up dust and sand from time to time. Dii Ahnah scouts well ahead again with T'Vala keeping pace in between her and the rest of the group. About 3 hours after the near-miss with the land kra Dii Ahnah notices something off to the south. Through the shimmer and dust it appears to be a copse of trees and maybe water. It looks to be about a 1/4 mile south of the road.

In reply to Bringer of Darkness (msg #125):

Dii Notices what appears to be an oasis in the distance and pauses to wait for T'Vala and then the group. She takes a moment to see what she can discern from this far off while she waits.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:23, Wed 06 Apr 2011.

Aaban travels along with the others, mostly keeping to himself, and offering prayers to Aa during stops.  As the group comes to a halt, he looks out at the oasis, turns to T'Vala, and asks, "Is this oasis known to your people?"

T'Vala looks over the map with Dii Ahnah, thinking. He looks up at Aaban and the others; "The map shows an oasis somewhere in this general vicinity. Measuring distance is tricky in the desert so I cannot tell exactly where the oasis listed on the map is placed. This certainly appears to be roughly the area designated on the map. There are no tracks leading to or from there but as this is the desert that doesn't mean much. Wind and shifting sands quickly tend to obscure any signs of passage."

In reply to T'Vala (msg #128):

"Well lets approach it and keep our senses alert, shall we?" She begins a light jog in that direction, Bow again drawn.

She allows him to hold her hands and she looks back at him, the corner of a lip quirks up for less than a heartbeat.  She reaches up and cups his cheek for a moment before letting her hands relax again.

"We are all gifted in different ways.  Back when you first started chasing the storms, you baffled me.  In a way it still does," she shrugs.  Her eyes flicker to the oasis, then she scans the area around it.  She lifts her chin and addresses Dii and T'Vala.  "If you like, I can try to scout it from here," she calls to them before they get too far.

In reply to Shadow Seeking the Light (msg #130):

Dii stops a moment when she hears Shadow. "Do you have a better way than just going there and checking it out?" she asks with a genuinely piqued curiosity.

Though he was not the one addressed, Aaban answers Dii's question, "I do.  If we are concerned there may be danger here." 

Burikan leans forward on the horn of his saddle as the others talk of scouting the oasis. He looks at Aaban and waits to hear how it is that he can scout from this far away.

"I can tell if there is anything unnatural there, and I can also use the winds to spread my consciousness over the area to see what I can discover," she replies, still looking out at the oasis.  "While checking the Oasis, I can also check the area surrounding it."

She looks back at the group.

"If it is needed or requested, that is.  Aaban might have some more effective tools at hand."

Novo pulls out one of his most prized possessions: a heavy book, bound in leather, pocked and burn-scarred but surprisingly intact.

He pats it with an open hand. It makes a hollow *thump*. "I'm sure I've got something in the old repertoire," he says with a self-satisfied smile. Then the smile melts into a frown. "Well, if I can get close enough. I mean really close. Within, oh...say...throwing distance. Of course, that might render any stealthy advantage moot." He lowers the book, then slides it back into his satchel.

"How about we let the scouts...eh...scout. Signal if there's trouble."

He emphatically gestures with his staff, somehow battle-ready.

In reply to Novoptolomeo (msg #135):

"Perhaps it'd be best to save your arcane and natural energies, and let me at least get closer and see what I can. No offense to your individual arts, at all. But be ready. Either with the aforementioned energies or a good "I told you so"." With that, Dii continues on her path.

She shrugs indifferently and watches Dii forge ahead.

Murron readies his short bow, nods to Dii, and says, "we've got your back."

In reply to Murron (msg #138):

"Appreciated, friend." She says, and then approaches the oasis defensively.

Sathras stands besides his beast and Murron, eyes watching everywhere but the oasis. If there was anything there, it was too far for his scaly arms to reach. Instead he watched the horizon in case other things were watching the oasis as well.

Aaban puts his heavy book of prayers away, instead speaking on his own while readying his crossbow.

"Aa, most holy and beneficent, protect our companion as she strikes out for yon oasis, a bounty provided by you for travelers in this desert,..." he goes on...

Judging the distance between the group's location and the oasis, Murron knows that he won't be able to adequately provide Dii with missile fire.  He quickly dismounts, grabs his shield and quiver, and starts jogging behind her.  He tries to maintain a distance of fifty-feet behind her so as not to foul up her hearing, but also be close enough to cover her with missile support if necessary.

T'Vala also dismounts and grabs his hurlant, making sure it is loaded and ready to fire. He follows along with Dii Ahnah and Murron, positioning himself behind Dii Ahnah's left flank and ready to fire if need be.

Califax waits at the road side still mounted watching the small group move off to investigate.  His tri-bow rests across his lap ready to be snatched up for the ride to get him to the others if needed

Burikan also retains his mount on the road. He watches the others advance with some indifference. He does pull out and load his wicked Harakin crossbow.

Novo, clearly misunderstanding the "battle order", wanders back to Burikan and Sathras (and whomever else stayed behind.) Whispers, "Rear guard, indeed..."

He practices the incantations for Somu’s Electric Thunder Balls under his breath, making sure he's ready for anything. Anything.

"His days of asking are all gone.
His fight goes on and on and on.
But he thinks that the fight is worth it all.
So he strikes...like Thunderball."

"Don't feel bad, lightning man," says the big hulking brute. "Maybe its nothing. They walk and get itchy red sand in their boots. We stay here and enjoy sunslight." He thumps the road behind him with his tail setting loose a small cloud of dust.

"Likely so, Sathras," Aaban says, looking at the Sauran with a quizzical eye, "you are most philosophical."

"'Lightning man'. Hmmm...I think I like that. You and I, Sathras, we are friends indeed." And Novo pats the lizard man gingerly on the back.

Her rainbow-flecked, silver eyes crinkle for a moment.  The smile doesn't reach her lips but is visible if you look for it.  Even though her gaze seems to be on those traversing the sands beyond, her gaze flickers to her companions talking.

As Murron, Dii Ahnah, and T'Vala cross the sands towards the oasis the sun beats down on them and the light breeze lifts and swirls the sand in little puffs. They all keep their eyes open, checking in all directions but especially in the direction of the oasis. After a few minutes at a brisk pace they are within about 100 feet or so of the oasis, finally being able to get a clear look at it without the drifting sands and heat shimmer to distort the view. They all look at the trees shifting in the breeze and the water sparkling with the midday sun, everything looks idyllic and restful. After a moment however they all stop, something does not seem right....the trees seem to be moving just slightly off from the breeze, the sunlight sparkling on the water seems too sharp, the sand kicked up by the light breezes doesn't seem to pass into the oasis. None of them can pinpoint exactly what the problem is, but the whole scene suddenly just feels wrong somehow...then T'Vala notices something out of the corner of his eye to the west, pointing it out to Dii Ahna and Murron. Through the shimmer and dust they can all just make out what appears to be another oasis, which had been blocked from view by the dunes as they approached. It is a ways off, but looks almost identical from what they are able to observe from the distance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:38, Wed 13 Apr 2011.

In reply to Bringer of Darkness (msg #151):

"Murron, T'Vala, What do you make of this? Should we traverse further and see if this other oasis fits it's environs better? As I always say, in for an Aamanian Copper, in for a L'Haan Adamant. Perhaps we should ask Shadow to look with her minds eye to see how far this wild Smokk chase will actually take us."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:12, Wed 13 Apr 2011.

Aaban will remain with the others, watching the scouts ahead.


OoC:  I am assuming those back on the road aren't seeing the other oasis as the scouts are.

From the back of his mount Califax watches the scouting group.  Tilting his head as they stop and point off in another direction.

Well something has their interest.  Guess we hold on till they come get us.  No real sign of panic of going on guard so can't be anything dangerous.

T'Vala's eyes widen as he seems to remember something. He lifts his hurlant and starts backing away slowly, scanning in all directions around the group; "There is no way there are two oases this close together, this is no coincidence it is a trap. We should leave, carefully but quickly. Maybe we have not captured their attention yet, but sand demons are known to create illusions of oases to lure in travellers. I think that is what is in this area, and not something we want to face as three if there are several of them."

OOC: Aaban you would be correct, the dunes block your view of the other location from the road.

In reply to T'Vala (msg #155):

"Sand Demons! Agreed. Lets head back to the group in an expedient but cautious manner. It's likely that they haven't noticed us yet."

Novo espies T'Vala from this distance.

"Oh, good! T'Vala is strategically and cautiously backing up, and Dii has shouted something in surprise. Everything must be fine."

"Sathras wonder if it is another kra. Kra have good meat. As young hatchling, Sathras clan would sometimes spear a kra and use dragons to drag it out of the ground." He licks his scaly lips and bares his pointed teeth.

She sits stoically and waits for their return and their assessment of the situation.

Dii Ahnah while also slowly backing away looks to T'Vala and Murron; "Listen, if we are attacked on the way back to the group, I'll try to lure the possible Sand Demon(s) away. It will be important for you to attack it then. I think I can outrun them, but if I get caught alone I doubt I can handle one on my own."

Peering out at the scene after Novo's words, Califax frowns.

I don't think that is a good sign Novo.  I think we might want to be ready to repeal an attack or charge to their aid.  Lets get into some sort of order and wait for a signal.

He brought his mount to face the scout party and sat ready.  As he waited he again enacted the spell that summoned his armour.

(OOC: 22:56, Today: Califax rolled 22 using 1d20+2. Spell, Armor of the Aeriad, I guess with the critical success I'll go for double duration because summoning two suits is just silly.)
This message was last edited by the player at 21:59, Wed 13 Apr 2011.

"Sathras not very fast," says the Sauran with what might be a frown. "Should Sathras start walking towards them?"

Biting his lip and thinking Califax nods.

Yes, that would be a good idea.

Sathras nods and turns to his mount long enough to unstrap a large Sauran war axe. He pats the wide, flat blade with one hand and starts to lumber off towards where the others are heading back this way.

A few steps off the road, he looks over his shoulder to say, "Sathras say you all stay on road. Stay safe. If another kra, it won't come on road, will it?" He must not expect an answer for he immediately turns back to his slow paced walk across the sand.

Burikan stands in his saddle and looks out over the sands at the others. He keeps his krin in hand ready should he need to use it. He looks over when Sathras begins to move out and says..."No offense my scaly friend but the suns will have set before you reach them at that pace."

He sits back down in his saddle and urges his mount forward, riding in front of Sathras.

Murron face goes ashen when he realizes that he is seeing two oasises in close proximity, although he isn't sure exactly why the feeling of doom washes over him.  However, T'Vala vocalizes at he moment that he thinks about it: there's no way there should be two oasises so close together, and that something is terribly, terribly wrong with the situation.  It was a surreal moment for Murron as his eyes dart back and forth scanning the dunes near them.

Murron merely nods to his companions suggestions, and starts backing away slowly with T'Vala and Dii.  However, he does draw an arrow from his quiver and notch it, holding the arrow tip toward the ground.

"Oh by the stars...I'm not being left behind!"

He urges his mount to follow Burikan's. He talks to no one in particular as he rides.

"The sands are fascinating, but at their most base nature...they are the opposer to what my Order stands for. Earth and Air war with each other throughout the Omniverse. The winds strip the soil down to its most basic components, the grains of sand, whilst the dust from the sand thickens the air with fumes. The battle is glorious. I wonder how I'll fare here in the valley of my opposition..."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:24, Thu 14 Apr 2011.

In reply to Murron (msg #166):

Seeing that both her companions have ranged weapons drawn, Dii considers the opportunity to prepare for possible melee. She puts her bow on her back again and draws her Bastard Sword in it's stead...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:09, Thu 14 Apr 2011.

She exhales and watches her companions move to meet each other in the middle.  Her eyelids flutter for a moment and she grasps the violet stone around her neck and places her other palm on her beast's neck.

"Can you follow them for a moment," she asks her mount.  "Meet in the middle while I check on something?  I will be distracted."

With that she closes her eyes and spurs her mount forward.

Califax suddenly feels rather alone as everyone starts to move off towards the retreating scouting party.  Looking over the mounts that had been left on the road he pauses, leaving them here alone might not be a good idea.  Wreastling with himself Califax sighs and stays put, having something turn up and pinch the mounts and supplies would be embarrising.

"Aa-hem," Aaban gently clears his throat behind Califax, the downcast Cymrilian apparently missing his presence as he stood in gleaming white armor under the desert suns.  He moved to join the man, eyes scanning the surroundings.

"If nothing more, investigating this oasis is a learning experience.  We appear to coordinate as well as a passel of drunken young Zandir."

In reply to Aaban (msg #171):

OOC: Better to find that out now and work to fix it instead of in the midst of a horde of undead....heh

Some of the group starts heading towards the three investigating the oasis and looking like they spotted something. Shadow completes her spell and is rewarded with a sweeping view of the area. As this is happening T'Vala and Murron start moving back towards the group with Dii Ahnah trailing slightly. All three appear to have weapons drawn from this distance. Simultaneous with Shadow completing her spell the oasis fades to nothing but desert, bones, and rocks. From this distance the rest of the group sees the trio vanish behind a blur of sand and dust, perhaps Shadow sees more.

----------------------------------------

Over at the "oasis" as the three start heading back to the group, looking carefully around the oasis itself fades to nothing; revealing piles of bones and dessicated skins, rocks, and sand. A moment later a pair of walls of whirling sand appear in the paths of the retreating trio, as tall as a man and stretching wide between the trio and their retreat. Burrowing up from beneath the sands a pair of sand demons move to engage Burikan and Dii Ahnah, while a strange twisted and emaciated creature moves to engage Murron.

OOC: The pair of walls combine at an angle to stretch 40 feet right in front of the trio, this was the surprise round. Everyone can act now.

Sand Demon are AL 8, PR 2
SD1: 42/42
SD2: 42/42

Unknown Demon is AL 7, PR 1
UD: 25/25
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:17, Fri 15 Apr 2011.

Instinct takes over and Murron drops his bow where he stands, and quickly draws his short sword to engage in melee with the demon rushing him.

Although Murron feels stark dread creeping into his being, he pushes through by Clanking! his adamant short sword on the edge of his red iron shield, and shouting, "TODAY IS MY LUCKY DAY!  COME ON!"

==============================================

Short sword: CR +8
Shield: CR -2 (Attacker)
Shield skill: CR +7
DR 6, PR 5
HP: 23/23
This message was last edited by the player at 19:20, Fri 15 Apr 2011.

In reply to Murron (msg #174):

With the sudden manifestation of her fear from just a moment before, Dii sees the Sand Demon bearing down on her and takes a moment to assess the movements it leads with.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:06, Fri 15 Apr 2011.

Murron raises his shield to parry the incoming demon's first blow, and then tries to stab the demon in its chest.

================================================

OOC: Murron's first action is a shield parry against the demon's attack, and his second action is attacking with his short sword at a -5 penalty.

01:07, Today: Murron rolled 8 using 1d20+3. Round 1- Short sword Attack (2nd action).
01:06, Today: Murron rolled 26 using 1d20+10. Round 1- Shield Parry (1st action).

Seeing the three scouts vanish before his eyes, the Sauran roars.

"Bur-kan! Can you see them," he shouts. He waves his large axe at the air as if to ward off unseen attackers.

"Murron! Murron!" He shouts, not quite waiting for an answer from the Harakin atop the batra.

T'Vala spins to face the sand demon lurching towards him and snaps off a shot with his hurlant, the bolt speeding towards the sand demon. Once his shot is away he drops his hurlant and begins working to draw his sword.

OOC: Today: T'Vala rolled 7 using 1d20+3. Hurlant attack on sand demon.

In reply to Murron (msg #176):

With the Sand Demon now upon her, Dii makes 2 attacks with her Bastard Sword, a wide swing and then a forward pierce.


Dii Ahnah rolled 20 using 1d20+6. Bastard Sword.
Dii Ahnah rolled 5 using 1d20+1. Bastard Sword (att #2).

Round 1

The demons lunge at the trio viciously from their former hiding places in the sand. T'Vala turns and fires his hurlant but the turn and the demon's lunge cause his bolt to graze the demon's hide instead of impaling it [SD2 39/42]. A moment later the sand demon tries to grab at T'Vala but is unsuccessful however it is able to just penetrate his armor with its bite, only a small puncture but then T'Vala feels his blood being drawn [T'Vala 24/28]. Dropping his hurlant he is able to get his sword out to face the sand demon.

Dii Ahnah whirls to face her attacker, her bastard sword swinging first in a sweeping attack then a vicious thrust as the demon rushes her. The sweeping attack slashes across the sand demon, cutting its tough flesh in its path [SD1 33/42] but as she thrusts the demon slams into her with its arms grasping and her bastard sword is launched forward as her grip is broken on the sword [Dii Ahnah 28/28, partially grappled]. The sword flies out past the pair and embeds itself in the sand 10 feet away. As the sand demon follows up with a vicious bite it slips on the shifting sands and falls away, its arms coming free to break its fall. It springs back to his feet and spins to attack.

The strange withered demon rushes at Murron who is able to intercept its charge with his shield, knocking it aside and staggering it however his immediate follow-up with his sword goes wide as it stumbles [UD +5 to Murron's next attack]. The demon picks itself up shakily and faces Murron who has turned to re-engage. Murron notices that even with the dryness he has experienced in the desert proximity to this demon seems to almost draw the moisture from his body.

OOC: Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 9 using 1d20+2. Sand demon 1 grapple vs. Dii. (partial success, +5 to escape grapple)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 0 using 1d20-3. Sand demon 1 bite vs. Dii. (mishap, slips and breaks grapple)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 4 using 1d20+2. Sand demon 2 grapple vs. T'Vala. (failure)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 10 using 1d20-6. Sand demon 2 bite vs. T'Vala. (partial success, 1 damage <after PR> +3 blood drain)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 0 using 1d20-3. Unknown demon grapple vs. Murron. (mishap, knocked to side by shield +5 to Murron's next attack)

Sand Demon are AL 8, PR 2
SD1: 33/42
SD2: 39/42

Unknown Demon is AL 7, PR 1
UD: 25/25 (+5 to Murron's next attack)

Dii Ahnah: 28/28 (your bastard sword is 10 feet away in the sand)
Murron: 23/23
T'Vala: 24/28
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:15, Fri 15 Apr 2011.

Novo whispers angrily to himself: "Oh, by the Book, I'm not made for this!"--just as he spurs his steed into a run (if he has the skill with this particular beast), murmuring the first words of The Ithaquantum Impulse to himself. (It's been a while since he last cast it--he's practicing...)

Reckless, Novo. Reckless. Enjoy marching headlong into your own death, do you? Making up for past mistakes? Failures? The tragic consequences of a casting gone wrong?

"Stop it! Stop it now!!" he shouts to no one in particular. "Not my fault!"

Then to the bahtra: "Faster, beast! Get me closer!"

Then to whomever is behind him, within earshot: "The desert deceives us, men! Fight the dusty bitch! Come on!"

You go to die, Novo. Every day of your life.

Novo grips the reins hard and rides on.

She watches the battle through shimmering eyes, and she slows her mount's progress.

"Aaban, Califax," she calls.  "They need you."

Clouds from the sky drift over her irises and she turns her head, looking around for any other threats before she begins concentrating on those attacking her companions.

T'Vala curses himself for forgeting his lore as he sees the small wound his bolt made closing and unsheathes his silver longsword, lashing out with a vicious blow against the sand demon. He does not wish to be on the receiving end of that bite, even a glancing blow.

OOC: Today: T'Vala rolled 14 using 1d20+1. Longsword attack on SD2.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:39, Fri 15 Apr 2011.

"SATHRAS!" Murron yells at the top of his lungs, "OVER HERE!"

As he felt the moisture being pulled from the air around him, the vacuum was instantly filled with a tidal wave of dread, and Murron knew that he had to act decisively now to save his life.  The Marukan soldier interposes his shield between himself and the demon, spins around completely, and, in perfect form, shoves his short sword directly into the throat of the demon with all his force and skill.

==============================================

OOC: Murron's short sword attack is his 1st action of Round 2 (with +5 bonus), and his Shield Parry is his 2nd action for Round 2 (with a -5 penalty).  Murron scored a critical, and his sword halves the opponent's PR.

13:27, Today: Murron rolled 19 using 1d20+5. Round 2- Shield Parry (2nd action).
13:27, Today: Murron rolled 33 using 1d20+13. Round 2- Short sword Attack (1st action).

She inhales deeply.

"To the charge," she calls.  "Three demons have beset our party!"

She turns and looks at those on the road.

"We are attacked," she informs them.

With that her mount surges forward, heading to what she assumes to be the most dangerous of the three demons she can see.

The big Sauran attempts to locate his friend by the sound of his voice...

---

Sathras the Bold rolled 16 using 1d20+2. Perception. Not sure of what kind of penalties a sand demon illusion is going to levy on that.

---

...and starts off at a lumbering run, bellowing like a land dragon.

In reply to T'Vala (msg #183):

Feeling the Demons weight shift to an imbalance, Dii does her best to make use of this momentary staggering in it's misstep. She rolls forward, out of the hold, before the demon can regain it's stature. Eying her her Bastard Sword in the distance, she drops her hands to her sides and deftly produces 2 shiny, Blue-metallic, daggers from the hidden sheaths of her hip-boots to rest blade-down in her grip. "Why does it always seem to come down to this?" she thinks out loud. Inching to strafe the Demon slowly, she moves to swing around to the access of her fallen blade. With her hands and arms poised in front of her face, she looks ready for either offensive or defensive action. Suddenly, she moves to strike!

OOC: "Dii Ahnah rolled 11 using 1d20+7. Adamant Dagger.
     Dii Ahnah rolled 11 using 1d20+2. Parry -5"

Damn.

Round 2

Dii Ahnah looks to move around the sand demon but it comes at her again, arms grasping. She lashes out with one dagger which glances off its hide. Her other dagger she tries to redirect its grasping arms but it is able to grab her with a shaky grip, following up with a vicious bite that just fails to penetrate her armor [Dii Ahnah 28/28, partially grappled]. Dii Ahnah is horrified to see the wide wound she had sliced across the foul demon closing up completely.

T'Vala is seen to curse as he appears to remember something. He yells out; "Silver, adamant, or magic weapons only will hurt them." T'Vala then levels a vicious slash at the sand demon who is pressing him, cutting into it solidly. The demon roars in real pain as the silver of the blade hisses upon cutting into it [SD2 34/42]. Despite this the sand demon finishes its lunge, wrapping its arms firmly around T'Vala and attempting to latch on with its bite but it is foiled by his armor [T'Vala 24/28, grappled].

Murron appears to have found a conduit to Fortuna herself and is able to keep the twisted thing at bay. He strikes a terrible blow into the demon's chest which staggers it but it continues on [UD 19/25]. The demon reaches for Murron but again is warded away by his shield. It tries to fight its way around the shield to deliver a bite but is not able to come close enough between Murron's footwork and shield.

OOC: Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 6 using 1d20+1. Sand demon 1 grapple vs. Dii. (partial success, +5 to escape grapple)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 10 using 1d20-3. Sand demon 1 bite vs, Dii. (partial success, 0 damage <after PR>)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 18 using 1d20-1. Sand demon 2 grapple vs. T'Vala. (full success, T'Vala grappled)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 7 using 1d20+3. Sand demon 2 bite vs. T'Vala. (partial success, 0 damage <after PR>)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 12 using 1d20-3. Unknown demon grapple vs. Murron. (success, blocked by Murron's shield)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 1 using 1d20-8. Unknown demon bite vs. Murron. (failure)

Sand Demon are AL 8, PR 2
SD1: 42/42
SD2: 34/42

Unknown Demon is AL 7, PR 1
UD: 19/25

Dii Ahnah: 28/28 (partially grappled, +5 to escape roll using STRx2 or Brawl-3 vs. demon STRx2)
Murron: 23/23
T'Vala: 24/28 (grappled, escape roll STRx2 vs. demon STRx2)

Dii Ahnah and T'Vala cannot take any actions other than trying to escape the grapple
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:07, Fri 15 Apr 2011.

In reply to Bringer of Darkness (msg #188):

OOC: Horrified, indeed. This battle just got harder.
"Dii Ahnah rolled 11 using 1d20+3. Brawling (to break hold)."

Dii is rather impressed/distraught at the tremendous strength of this demon. She knows that she will expire quickly within the tenacious might of her captor. Summoning all of her own strength, she reverses her hold on the demons arms and tries to push away and twist it's hands outward to create an opening in the hold It only works momentarily, but a moment is all she needs. For the second time in less than a minute she dives out of the demons hold. She rolls out and spins to face this exponentially growing threat.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Sat 16 Apr 2011.

With no time to think, Murron moves on instinct alone and starts moving around in practiced steps to keep the demon off-guard, and the Marukan once again interposes his shield between himself and the demon's attacks.  Looking like a whirling dervish, Murron moves, spins, and manages to cut the demon with a glancing blow along its shoulder blade.

As he darts about, Murron shouts hoping it may relate his position to the others, "SATHRAS!  HERE!"

============================================================

Murron's 1st Round 3 action is his short sword attack (partial success; DR 3 with half PR), and his 2nd Round 3 action is a shield parry at a -5 penalty (partial success).

20:00, Today: Murron rolled 13 using 1d20+5. Round 3- Shield Parry (2nd action).
19:59, Today: Murron rolled 13 using 1d20+8. Round 3- Short sword Attack (1st action).
This message was last edited by the player at 02:14, Sat 16 Apr 2011.

T'Vala struggles mightily against the iron grip of the sand demon, but to no avail. He remains gripped tightly while it rears its head back to deliver a vicious bite.

OOC: Today: T'Vala rolled 3 using 1d20-8. STRx2 to break grapple.

Round 3

Dii Ahnah is able to break free of the sand demon's loose grasp and spins to face it. The demon launches itself at her again, this time grasping her tightly in its arms. The demon delivers a ferocious bite on the strugglin Dii Ahnah, this time punching through her armor, its fangs latching on and draining her blood [Dii Ahnah 20/28].

T'Vala finds himself in much more dire straights, already wrapped up in the sand demon's arms. It rears back and bites at him viciously, tearing through his armor and crunching into the bottom of his neck. The shock and pain of the terrible bite causes T'Vala to drop limp in the sand demon's grasp who eagerly continues feeding [T'Vala 16/28*].

Murron slashes out at the withered demon as it leaps to attack again, this time the demon is able to sidestep some of the blow which cuts it but not deeply [UD 16/25]. The sidestep allows the demon to avoid part of Murron's shield parry and it forces its way past, grabbing him in its withered arms. A moment later it delivers a bite of its own and though the bite itself is not significant Murron feels the moisture being drained away from his body [Murron 14/23]

OOC: Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 14 using 1d20+1. Sand demon 1 grapple vs. Dii. (full success, Dii Ahnah grappled)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 16 using 1d20+3. Sand demon 1 bite vs. Dii. (full success, 5 damage <after PR> +3 blood drain)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 22 using 1d20+8. Sand demon 2 bite vs. T'Vala. (critical success, 5 damage <after PR> +3 blood drain)
Today: T'Vala rolled 3 using 1d20+1. CON roll vs. sand demon 2 bite. (failure, falls unconscious in the sand demon's grasp)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 15 using 1d20+2. Unknown demon grapple vs. Murron. (full success, Murron grappled)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 16 using 1d20+2. Unknown demon bite vs. Murron. (full success, 2 damage <after PR> +7 dessication)

Sand Demon are AL 8, PR 2
SD1: 42/42
SD2: 34/42

Unknown Demon is AL 7, PR 1
UD: 16/25

Dii Ahnah: 20/28 (grappled, demon draining blood <roll to escape grapple at -8>)
Murron: 14/23 (grappled <roll to escape grapple at +6, yeah this guy is weak>)
T'Vala: 16/28* (grappled, incapacitated, demon draining blood)

Dii Ahnah and Murron cannot take any actions other than trying to escape the grapple, T'Vala is unconscious

------------------------------------------

Shadow, Novo, and Burikan spur their batra on fiercely, not far from the strange wall of swirling sand that stretches wide between them and the trio being attacked by demons. From their vantage point on their mounts they are able to see all three in their demon's grasp, T'Vala hanging limply with his silver blade glinting in the sand next to him.

OOC: Shadow, Novo, and Burikan will not arrive until the end of round 4 passing around the wall. If Shadow and Novo choose to cast they will be able to do so concurrent with whatever the demons are doing.

In reply to Bringer of Darkness (msg #192):

"Dii Ahnah rolled 13 using 1d20+7. Brawling (to break hold)."

Dii struggles against the Demons grip a third time, but to no avail.

(ooc: Wow things go quick when I can't get full access to the game. :) )

As the trap is sprung Califax curses and starts to kick his steed into motion, with the walls of sand obscuring view he desides it is best to get as many to the site as possible.  As he draws up beside the lumbering Sathras he pauses.

Climb on Sathras, the beast can bare both our weights for this charge and it will get us both there quickly.

Waiting for the responce from the large lizard man eyeing the shifting sands with worried eyes.  Sand.... yes sand..... he scrabbles for the wash bowl on the travel pack, an idea that maybe water would help if the creatures existed to be dry in this parched landscape.

Sathras, mouth hanging open, panting, nods silently. "Sathras hear Murron's voice. Sathras no see Murron."

Point out which way and let try and get through this sand to them.

When Sathra is on the beast too Califax will kick his mount into a run towards the wall of shifting sand.  He hoped that it would not be enough to stop the charge of the creature he rode.

OOC: From where Califax and Sathras are they cannot see the scouting party but they are able to see Novo, Shadow, and Burikan bearing down on the sand wall. Therefore you easily know which direction to move in.

Heeding the earlier  talk of some creatures only being harmed by adamant and such, Burikan secures his tarak on his mount and draws the long bladed adamant khu from it's sheath as he nears the wall of sand.

Murron has no intention of having the water drained from his body by this horrific creature and he tries with Hurculean effort to twist, struggle, wiggle, and shimmy his way out of the demon's grasp- and away from its mouth.

"T'VALA IS DOWN!" Murron screams, "THEY'VE GOT US!  HELP!"

As Muron deftly slips from the demon's hold, he moves to the side of the demon and thrusts his short sword deep into the demon's back near the base of the spine.

===================================================

OOC: Murron's Round 4 Brawling check to break the grapple is a critical success!  Murron's short sword attack (from critical Brawling check) scores a success as well (demon's PR halved by sword).

11:20, Today: Murron rolled 18 using 1d20+1. Round 4- Short sword Attack.
11:01, Today: Murron rolled 21 using 1d20+13. Round 4- Brawling check to escape.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:44, Sat 16 Apr 2011.

Seeing T'Vala down and being ravaged, she spurs her mount in their direction.  When she gets there she dismounts fluidly and moves to pull T'vala from its grasp, just trying to brush it away with her hand.

Aaban, crossbow in hand, spurs his ahtra forward.  As he comes even with Califax and Sathras, he will lean and help boost the heavy Sauran up behind the man.

He'll then continue at full speed towards the conflict.

Round 4

Dii Ahnah struggles mightily in the sand demon's grasp but it continues to hold her tightly while it draws her blood with its fangs still buried in her flesh [Dii Ahnah 17/28]. Moments later Novo appears from around the sand wall and jumps down near to Dii Ahnah and the demon. He sings out an incantation and streams of multicolored sparking light reach from his hands and play over the demon; "Fear not radiant beauty, I will vanquish this beast and free you from its grasp...at least I think so." The sparking beams arc all around the demon, obviously irritating it greatly. It releases its grasp and spins to face its new foe [SD1 41/42].

The sand demon holding T'Vala's limp form greedily drains his blood [T'Vala 13/28]. Shadow slips around the barrier on her batra, eyes narrowed and focusing her will inwards. She drops from the beast and steps to the entwined combatants, dark energy playing over her fingertips causing her body to shudder. Shadow's hand brushes the thing's flesh and it feels its life force being pulled at but is able to will itself to resist the dark forces playing over it. Moments later Burikan speeds around the barrier and leaps to his friend's aid, adamant khu flashing. The sand demon is able to twist its body just enough to prevent the blade from impaling it although it takes a slash across its hide [SD2 29/42]. It drops T'Vala's limp body to the sand, turning to face the new threat.

Murron is able to shake free of the unknown demon's grasp and whips his sword up and deeply into the demon [UD 10/25]. The withered creature hisses in pain and reaches again to grab at him and is able to secure a loose hold. Its head flashes in for the bite but the combined movement of the two causes it to stumble and it breaks its hold so as not to fall prone, spinning to face Murron.

OOC: Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 8 using 1d20-3. Unknown demon grapple vs. Murron. (partial success, +5 to escape grapple)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled -2 using 1d20-8. Unknown demon bite vs. Murron. (mishap, loses its grapple)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 15 using 1d20+5. Sand demon CON roll vs, Harm. (success, resists the spell)
Today: Bringer of Darkness, on behalf of Burikan, rolled 9 using 1d20+6. Khu attack on Sand demon 2. (partial success, 5 damage <after PR>)
Today: Bringer of Darkness, on behalf of Novoptolomeo, rolled 17 using 1d20+3. Plasma streams level 4. (success, 8 plasma streams which cause the demon to release its hold)

Sand Demon are AL 8, PR 2
SD1: 41/42
SD2: 29/42

Unknown Demon is AL 7, PR 1
UD: 10/25

Dii Ahnah: 17/28
Murron: 14/23
Novoptolomeo: 20/20 (8 plasma streams for 5 minutes)
Shadow: 22/22
T'Vala: 13/28* (incapacitated)

--------------------------------------------------------------

Aaban, Califax, and Sathras speed towards the sand wall on the pair of batra as fast as they can. The can hear the sounds of battle from behind the wall and also see flashing lights as well. They are so close but still feel so far away.

OOC: Aaban, Califax, and Sathras will be around the barrier and in combat in 2 rounds. Aaban and Califax will be in range to fire missile weapons with no range penalty in 1 round.

In reply to Bringer of Darkness (msg #202):

OOC: "Today: Dii Ahnah rolled 15 using 1d20-1. Adamant Dagger.
     Dii Ahnah rolled 10 using 1d20-6. Adamant Dagger (2nd attack)."
     If there's any bonus to hit from the Demons attention being drawn away from her, She'll take it! DR 6 (half PR)

Feeling the attention of the Demon off of her, Dii quickly double stabs at it with her Adamant Daggers.

Once Aaban is in range, he will launch a crossbow bolt at any demon most separated from his companions.

He'll then ready mace and shield and move in to assist.


OoC:  19:10, Today: Aaban rolled 6 using 1d20+5. crossbow attack. Drat! Looks like Murron got all the luck!  :)

When the sand demon turns to face him, Burikan leaps at it once again and slashes his adamant khu towards it's midsection once again.A feral growl akin to the noise made by a rabid kirryan escapes his throat as he sees his friend T'Vala on the ground.

09:42, Today: Burikan rolled 16 using 1d20+6. attack SD2 with adamant khu.

Murron circles the demon trying to keep it at bay and moving to distract it and break its concentration.  Murron lunges with a feint thrust, and quickly spins around and slashes the demon along its ribcage.  Focusing on keeping the demon from closing to bite him again, Murron keeps his shield up and between himself and the demon.

==================================================

OOC: Murron's Round 5 short sword attack is his first action (full success; 6 DR with half PR), and his shield parry is his second action (full success).

10:05, Today: Murron rolled 24 using 1d20+5. Round 5- Shield Parry (2nd action).
10:04, Today: Murron rolled 23 using 1d20+8. Round 5- Short sword Attack (1st action).

She pulls T'Vala farther from the battle and begins chanting under her breath.  She doesn't know what kind of birds, animals, or bugs will come to her call, but she chants anyway, hoping.

Driving his mount hard to close the distance he swung it around the edge of the sand wall aiming to bare his load of warrior doing into the fight.

Round 5

Dii Ahnah lashes out at the sand demon, hoping to take advantage of its distraction, slicing into it deeply with one dagger but it spins partly to keep both her and Novo in its vision and her second dagger only grazes it [SD1 34/42]. At the same moment Novo plays the plasma streams over its hide, sparks arcing and causing it to roar in pain [SD1 33/42]. The sand demon lashes out to each side with its wicked claws, missing Dii Ahnah as she slips to the side but tearing through Novo's armor and into his flesh [Novo: 10/20].

Shadow pulls T'Vala away from the sand demon then murmurs out a quick incantation. Small scorpions burrow forth from the sand and crawl over the demon but seem unable to penetrate its hide. The sand demon seems to only acknowledge her peripherally as Burikan buries his khu in its side [SD2 19/42]. The foul creature's gravelly voice rings forth with both pain and rage as it simultaneously lashes out with one claw then the other. Its first claw tears through Burikan's armor and into his flesh but the second is far off the mark, causing the sand demon to stumble and it tries to keep its balance [Burikan 25/35].

The unknown demon lashes out with its claws at Murron as he cuts into it deeply with his sword. Murron is able to block the first claw which throws the fiend off balance and it misses wildly with its second claw [UD 4/25]. As Aaban rides around the sand wall he fires a bolt from his batra but it flies wide of the strange creature.

Califax and Sathras lumber around the wall on Califax's batra and the pair will be deep into the fray in moments...

OOC: Yesterday: Bringer of Darkness rolled 15 using 1d20-3. Unknown demon claw vs. Murron. (success but parried by shield)
Yesterday: Bringer of Darkness rolled -3 using 1d20-8. Unknown demon claw 2 vs. Murron. (mishap, thrown off balance +5 to next attack by Murron)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 14 using 1d20-1. Sand demon 2 claw vs. Burikan. (success, 10 damage <after PR>)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled -5 using 1d20-6. Sand demon 2 claw vs. Burikan. (mishap, thrown off balance +5 to next attack by Burikan)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 3 using 1d20+1. Sand demon 1 claw vs. Dii Ahnah. (failure, no damage)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 11 using 1d20+1. Sand demon 1 claw vs. Novo. (success, 10 damage <after PR>)

Sand Demon are AL 8, PR 2
SD1: 33/42
SD2: 19/42

Unknown Demon is AL 7, PR 1
UD: 4/25

Aaban: 23/23
Burikan: 25/35
Dii Ahnah: 17/28
Murron: 14/23
Novoptolomeo: 10/20 (8 plasma streams for 5 minutes)
Shadow: 22/22
T'Vala: 13/28* (incapacitated)

Califax and Sathras will be able to attack in Round 6

As it appears, Dii is taking the worst of it (despite her last amazing attack), Novo extends his arms out toward the demon, focusing all of his arcing plasma upon it, hoping to further confuse and distract, whilst knowing that the static electricity caused by the plasma is hardly injurious.

The plasma streams arc through the air, striking anything conductive--weapons, people, and (hopefully) demons.

And as the streams leave him, he begins chanting again, summoning his power.

"I am the authorized proxy of Nauticus of Elder Days, a representative of his fury! I bid thee, Spirits of Movement, to cease your Sacred Mechanics, and surrender thy Inertia to my Will!"

OOC: Casting "Nauticus’ Thunderous Bulwark Against the Onslaught"

"Murron," Sathras shouts again now that he is in view of the Marukan.

The Sauran slides down from Califax's mount and thunders across the sand towards the fray. He swings his war axe in one hand while the other fist, encased in a spiked glove waves. His tail juts out behind him, balancing his heavy frame as he runs over the sand towards battle.

In reply to Sathras the Bold (msg #211):

Dii sees the display of the Demon ripping into Novo, her momentary savior. She is suddenly filled with as much rage as her weakened body is able to support. In a sheer moment she dives into a roll around the back of the Demon to reappear in between the Demon and Novo, readying herself for defense.

Dii Ahnah rolled 18 using 1d20-1. Parry Bracers.

She exhales and mutters the same few words, exerting more of her will on the nature around her, trying to help out her companions.

Murron continues to move about trying to keep this demonic creature at bay, and strike with the moment is right.  The Marukan soldier continues to keep his shield interposed between himself and the demon.  Finally, Murron sees and opening and shoves his short sword home deep into the creature's torso.

=========================================

OOC: Murron's Round 6 first action is his short sword attack with bonus (full success; 6 DR; half PR), and his second action is his shield parry (full success).

14:28, Today: Murron rolled 13 using 1d20-2. Round 6- Shield Parry (2nd action).
14:26, Today: Murron rolled 13 using 1d20+6. Round 6- Short sword Attack (1st action).

After having part of his guts ripped out, Novo completes his command to the Spirits of Movement and...

(OOS: Novoptolomeo rolled 21 using 1d20+1. Casting Nauticus' Bulwark Against the Onslaught.

Critical. Success. Ooh-rah. Self-satisfied? Yes, a little. Because receiving damage makes me nervous.)

Burikan takes advantage of the demons off balancing act and rips the adamant khu towards the exposed side of the creature.

17:23, Today: Burikan rolled 9 using 1d20+6. attack SD2.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:19, Tue 19 Apr 2011.

After depositing a frenzied lizard man into the fray he wheels his mount around and brings the tri bow to bare at close range on the less injured looking Sand demon facing off with Dii and Novo and lets fly.

(ooc: 22:22, Today: Califax rolled 16 using 1d20-2. Tri bow shot. Hit so 7 DR with a magical damage enhancement so should hopefully hurt it.
Spells triggered: Deep Strike, +1DR for one minute)

Aaban rushes the nearest demon, shield and mace held high, intent upon smiting his foe.

Instead, his foot slips in the loose sand, and he crashes fully to the ground, his battle cry transforming as his motion does.

"Aa... aaaahhhhh!"  *THUMP*


OoC:  9:47, Today: Aaban rolled -1 using 1d20-2. mace attack. Man, can't I roll anything besides a 1?  Clearly, Aa is not with Aaban... :-/

Round 6

Seeing Novo slashed viciously by the sand demon Dii Ahnah tucks and rolls around the demon, ending up in between it and Novo, ready to try and protect him. An instant later as the demon readies itself to spring Novo finishes his incantation and a wide distortion snaps into being, thrumming and pulsing deeply. The barrier interposes itself between the pair and the sand demon. Seeing a momentary opening Aaban rushes the demon with his mace ready to smite it but he loses his balance in the shifting sands, his feet flying out in front of him and landing on his back. Califax fires his tribow from the back of his batra, the bolt digging into the demon. The sand demon hisses in pain and spies Aaban out of the corner of his eye, obviously frustrated at the barrier. It whirls and leaps onto the almost helpless priest with a horrific shriek of glee, wrapping him in its iron embrace as it snaps its head forward, punching through Aaban's lacquered armor and latching on to drain blood [Aaban 16/23].

As this is happening Shadow reaches out to Nature, imploring its assistance once more with these abominations. For a moment she feels the energy falter but then feels the connection surge, a larger group of scorpions issuing forth from the sand to assault the sand demon. This time their bites and stings seem to have some effect as the demon hisses in pain [SD2 17/42]. Undaunted it continues its deadly dance with Burikan, slashing him deeply with one claw and grazing him with another [Burikan 12/35] while Burikan stabs at it with his khu. This time the demon is able to twist away slightly and avoids the full force of the blow [SD2 12/42].

Sathras lumbers towards his friend Murron and the twisted demon he has been dancing with all this time. As he approaches Murron lashes out with his blade again while warding off the demon with his shield. His shield catches the demon's vicious blow and send it twisting so its second blow flies wide. Simultaneously Murron's blade slides deep into its chest. It shrieks in agony and implodes, everyone in the vicinity feeling the moisture being pulled off their bodies. A small, black, shimmering stone drops to the sands after it vanishes [UD -2/25, dead].

OOC: Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 14 using 1d20+5. Sand demon 1 grapple vs. Aaban. (success, Aaban grappled)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 16 using 1d20+3. Sand demon 1 bite vs. Aaban. (success, 4 damage <after PR> +3 blood drain)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 17 using 1d20-1. Sand demon 2 claw 1 vs. Burikan. (success, 10 damage <after PR>)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 9 using 1d20-6. Sand demon 2 claw 2 vs. Burikan. (partial success, 3 damage <after PR>)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 15 using 1d20-2. Unknown demon claw 1 vs. Murron. (success, but parried by shield)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled -6 using 1d20-8. Unknown demon claw 2 vs. Murron. (mishap, no penalty cuz its dead)

Sand Demon are AL 8, PR 2
SD1: 28/42
SD2: 12/42

Unknown Demon is AL 7, PR 1
UD: -2/25 (dead)

Aaban: 16/23 (grappled, demon draining blood <roll to escape grapple at -6>)
Burikan: 12/35
Califax: 20/20
Dii Ahnah: 17/28
Murron: 14/23
Novoptolomeo: 10/20 (8 plasma streams for 5 minutes, 20x20 barrier PR 2 8hp for 2 minutes)
Sathras: 34/34
Shadow: 22/22
T'Vala: 13/28* (incapacitated)

Realizing that things are starting to look grim, Burikan doubles his effort and slashes at the demon with the ferocity of near desperation.

3:01, Today: Burikan rolled 16 using 1d20+1. Attack SD2.

Sathras sees Murron destroy the demon. He waves his gauntleted fist in the air, roaring in triumph.

Then he wheels, his tail whipping behind him, to find a new foe. Seeing Aaban in the grips of one of the creatures, Sathras lumbers towards it. Judging the axe to be too dangerous to the grappled Aamanian, he instead punches the demon in the back with his mailed fist. The blow isn't very strong, but it hits.

---

Sathras the Bold rolled 7 using 1d20+3. Brawl Attack.
Technically, no damage as it's just a red iron spiked gauntlet.

Seeing Sathras move to assist Aaban, Murron looks to the Harakin warrior and sees him in trouble.  With no time for reasoned thought, Murron rushes headlong to help him.  Although, in his rush to aid Burikan, Murron completely misses the demon with his short sword, and completely bumbles attempt to parry any incoming blows.

==============================================

OOC: Murron's Round 7 first action is his short sword attack (miss), and his second action is his shield parry (mishap).

23:11, Today: Murron rolled 0 using 1d20-3. Round 7- Shield Parry (2nd Action).
23:10, Today: Murron rolled 3 using 1d20. Round 7- Short Sword Attack (1st Action).

In reply to Murron (msg #222):

Seeing a moment of opportunity with the Demon prone atop Aaban, Dii double-stabs it on the side away from the attacking Sathras.

OOC: SD -5 for grappling hold?
"Dii Ahnah rolled 19 using 1d20+4. Adamant Dagger.
Dii Ahnah rolled 7 using 1d20-1. Adamant Dagger (2nd attack)."
DR 6/3 (half PR)

As the scorpions and other insects in the desert are beginning to retreat she calls on them again, this time her voice is louder and more commanding.  She carefully lowers T'Vala's head before standing up.  As she stands there she watches the demon with a neutral gaze, her head turns to take in the rest of the battle before looking back and watching the scorpions surge forth.

Aaban struggles against the demon, but fails to free himself from its grasp.  Held firm in its talons, he flips his mace to land at Sathras' feet.  "Sathras!  Hit it with this!" he bellows as tosses the weapon.

Seeing the futility of his struggles, he clasps the demon to him, doing his best to entangle it and hinder its attempts to ward off his companions' blows.

Wheeling his mount around Califax sees the demon on the ground was too much of an obscured target due to others getting very up close and personal.  Turning he levels his bow again, this time at the other demon and lets fly a shot.

(ooc: 18:00, Today: Califax rolled 6 using 1d20-3. Tri-bow shot (Adjusted for AL). Partial Sucess Oh well thats DR 3 then, but it is magically enhanced.)

As Novo is somewhat unskilled in the weirding way...er, sorry...the combative arts, he grips his open wound tightly, maintains his Bulwark, and goes into Full Defensive Mode against his attacker(s).

"Angels and ministers of the aethers, defend us!"

He watches, admiringly, as Dii's twin daggers do their work. Well, not watching the daggers, per se, but the sinewy, supple curves of her body as she...

Round 7

With the unknown demon dispatched the group is able to focus their attentions of the 2 sand demons. Sathras strikes the demon grappling Aaban solidly with his fist but it apparently has no effect other. Aaban flips his mace to Sathras and it lands nearby. Aaban strains to break the demon's grasp to no avail but he tries to hinder it while his friends attack. Dii Ahnah buries one dagger deeply and has the other open a wound but is partially turned by its flesh [SD1 21/42], causing the foul creature to roar in rage and release its grasp on Aaban. It concentrates for a brief moment and utters something both gutteral and sibilant. A moment later sharp stone spikes flash out from its flesh, stabbing into Aaban [Aaban 14/23], Dii Ahnah [Dii Ahnah 14/28], and Sathras [Sathras 29/34] before crumbling into sand. Novo watches the demon's art from behind his bulwark, trying to staunch the bleeding from its vicious slash.

Murron comes running to assist Burikan and Shadow, his sword flashing to try and get the sand demon's attention. The demon slides back slightly to keep both Murron and Burikan in its sight slashing viciously first at Burikan and a moment later at Murron. Burikan is able to shift to the side to avoid the fulls force of the demon's slash [Burikan 8/35] but in his eagerness to try and attack as well as defend against the fiend Murron gets his shield thrown out of place as he stumbles. The sand demon rips a vicious slash across the face of the shield, gouging it deeply, then carries past the shield to tear into Murron as well [4/23]. While the demon's attack is slashing into Murron, Shadow again calls out to the forces of nature and the scorpions boil forth once again to sting the demon viciously [SD2 8/42] as a quarrel from Califax's tribow opens a wound across its side as it just glances off [SD2 6/42]. As that is happening Burikan levels a mighty side-to-side slash with his khu that opens up the sand demon's belly. An instant later with a mighty wail it explodes into a cloud of sand which is blown away by the breeze, a small black stone dropping to the sand where it had been [SD2 -4/42].

OOC: Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 14 using 1d20-2. Sand demon 1 spell roll.  (success; stone spikes 2 foot radius, Aaban 2 damage <after PR>, Dii Ahnah 3 damage <after PR>, Sathras 5 damage <after PR>)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 8 using 1d20-1. Sand demon 2 claw 1 vs, Burikan. (partial success, 4 damage <after PR>)
Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 11 using 1d20+3. Sand demon 2 claw 2 vs. Murron. (success <due to shield parry mishap>, 10 damage <after PR>, 12 damage to shield <reduce max amount absorbed>)

Sand Demon are AL 8, PR 2
SD1: 21/42
SD2: -4/42 (dead)

Aaban: 14/23
Burikan: 8/35
Califax: 20/20
Dii Ahnah: 14/28
Murron: 4/23 (shield's maximum absorbtion reduced to 18 from 30)
Novoptolomeo: 10/20 (8 plasma streams for 5 minutes, 20x20 barrier PR 2 8hp for 2 minutes)
Sathras: 29/34
Shadow: 22/22
T'Vala: 13/28* (incapacitated)

Round 8 begins with one remaining sand demon...

With a grim determination, Dii ignores the pain of partial impalement from the Demon. Feeling the need to just continue hacking away at this abomination she continues to do so, her fervor revived when seeing her friends fighting along side her and taking care of the massively wounded. "This ends NOW, Demon-Dog!"

OOC: "Dii Ahnah rolled 7 using 1d20+4. Adamant Dagger. DR6 (Half PR)
Dii Ahnah rolled 13 using 1d20-1. Adamant Dagger (2nd attack). DR3 (Half PR)"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:15, Wed 20 Apr 2011.

Knowing that her companions will be able to take care of the last demon she falls back to beside T'Vala.  She clicks her tongue to call her mount over and grasps the purple crystal around her neck.  One hand begins to dig a basin in the sand as she sings quietly.

Sathras roars in pain. He spins, his long tail whipping out towards the demon's legs. His tail bashes against the sandy thews of the beast and he continues to spin, his fist coming around after a huge arc...

...and it whishes through the air as the spin and the sandy soil throw the huge Sauran off-balance.

---

Sathras the Bold rolled 8 using 1d20+3. Brawl Attack - Tail.
Sathras the Bold rolled -1 using 1d20-2. Brawl Attack - Fist, 2nd action.

Awww...

Murron was wounded badly and bleeding from several nasty wounds, but when looks over and sees his companions still engaged with the lone remaining sand demon he discards all thought of safety and rushes to their aid.  He runs up and shanks the demon with a solid blow.

=================================================

OOC: Murron Round 8 first action is his short sword attack (full success; 6 DR; half PR), and his second action for the round is his shield parry (miss).

01:12, Today: Murron rolled 3 using 1d20-3. Round 8- Shield Parry (2nd Action).
01:11, Today: Murron rolled 13 using 1d20. Round 8- Short Sword Attack (1st Action).

With so many people surounding the final demon Califax does not trust his ability to shoot without hitting a friend, drawing close he slides from his mount and looks around wildly for a way to assist.

Rising from the sand, Aaban scoops up his mace where the roaring Sauran has forgotten it.  Rather than attack, he watches and waits for the demon to target himself or one of his companions, and then thrusts his shield out, blocking the demon's blow.

OoC:  06:29, Today: Aaban rolled 15 using 1d20. shield parry.

Beginning to feel the effects from the loss of blood and over all damage done to him, Burikan refuses to sit back and take care. He lashes out at the remaining demon, his khu still wet with the claret of the last demon he faced.

07:47, Today: Burikan rolled 11 using 1d20+1. attack.
Sorry I hit preview instead of post:/

Novo maintains his Bulwark, whilst attempting to re-direct his arcing plasma streams across the remaining demon's eyes...or his face...or across its upper torso, whichever is accessible and obvious (you never know with demons what may be an eye and what may be a distorted collection of sexual organs...).

Attempting to confuse, distract, disorient, bedazzle, or otherwise inveigle the demon.

Round 8

The majority of the group surrounds the lone sand demon. Aaban, able to retain his feet looks to block the demon's vicious claws from hitting another person. Sathras swings his tail trying to knock it off balance but its footing in the sand is firm. This causes Sathras's spiked fist to swing wide, catching Aaban in the chest [Aaban 10/23]. His armor takes the brunt of the blow, thank Aa, but he still feels a rib or two crack from the strike. The demon again concentrates and utters something in its alien speech and again a veritable forest of stone spikes jut out from its body, stabbing at all in melee with it then crumbling to sand. This time the spikes don't seem as thick with Aaban and Dii Ahnah's armor being able to avoid penetration. Burikan [Burikan 6/35], Murron [2/23], and Sathras [Sathras 28/34] each have bleeding stabs from the areas where the spikes penetrated their armor. Califax and Novo were fortunately out of the range of the spikes, with Novo playing his plasma streams over the fiend causing it to flinch but with arcs going to the metal objects around it [SD1 20/42]. Califax stalks around trying to find a way to get a clear shot. As this is happening there is a flurry of activity from those surrounding the sand demon. Dii Ahnah again buries one dagger deeply and opens a shallow wound with the other [SD1 13/42], as Murron buries his short sword deeply in its opposite side [SD1 8/42]. Burikan finishes the fiend with a mighty swipe that removes its head, with both head and body exploding into a cloud of sand an instant later [SD1 -2/42]. Again a small black stone drops to the sand beneath where the demon had stood.

Shadow is still back with the breathing but unconscious and bleeding body of T'Vala, deep in concentration as she communes with Nature for the strength to heal his many wounds.

It is remarkably silent in the aftermath of the battle; with the few sounds being the thrumming of Novo's barrier, the crackling of his plasma streams, and the sighing of the calm winds over the sands.

OOC: Today: Bringer of Darkness rolled 9 using 1d20-2. Sand demon spell roll. (partial success; stone spikes 2 foot radius, Aaban 0 damage <after PR>, Burikan 2 damage <after PR>, Dii Ahnah 0 damage <after PR>, Murron 2 damage <after PR>, Sathras 1 damage <after PR>)

Sand Demon are AL 8, PR 2
SD1: -2/42 (dead)

Aaban: 10/23
Burikan: 6/35
Califax: 20/20
Dii Ahnah: 14/28
Murron: 2/23 (shield's maximum absorbtion reduced to 18 from 30)
Novoptolomeo: 10/20 (8 plasma streams for 5 minutes, 20x20 barrier PR 2 8hp for 2 minutes)
Sathras: 28/34
Shadow: 22/22
T'Vala: 13/28* (incapacitated)

Sathras looks around, panting slightly. "Where monster go," he asks. "Everyone alive?"

After a moment, a pool of water bubbles up where she was digging in the sand and chanting and she looks up at the rest of the group.

"Take a drink and wash your hands some," she says.  "We will head to the real oasis which is right over there."

She points to the real oasis and nods.

"I have scouted it and it seems safe.  I have a bowl of water, but I have a feeling that I will need many more bowls of water and the Oasis will be easier for me to use than maintaining this spell.  When we get there I shall begin applying poultices and doling out some berries that will have healing properties, as well as cleaning and bandaging wounds.  It might be advisable to rest at the oasis for a day or longer so that you can all heal up a bit and I can manage the wounds without worrying about something breaking open from running or riding."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:19, Thu 21 Apr 2011.

In reply to Shadow Seeking the Light (msg #239):

Dii picks up and looks at the Black stone from the most recent fallen Demon. Looking over to Novo she waits for him to look at her (Which it seems like he may be already), and tosses him the stone. "What do you make of this?" she asks somewhat breathlessly.

Dii assembles and puts her weapons back in place, bows thankfully to Shadows propostion, and waits for the others to begin heading toward the "real" oasis.

OOC: Er, is my mount of burden still hangin' out at the road?
This message was last edited by the player at 01:11, Thu 21 Apr 2011.

Now that everything has settled people have the chance to look over their wounds and people also collect the strange stones that dropped from the demons. People remember tales of black diamonds dropping from slain demons, previously their hearts. People also are able to take their time to view the area that had previously looked like an oasis. Their are many rocks and boulders, quite sand-worn. Scrubby bushes dot the area and piles of bones can be seen around as well as scraps of what could be cloth or possibly sun-dried skin. The sun glints off of things part buried in the sand or within the scrub bushes. This area could be an abattoir, if everything wasn't so dessicated.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:51, Thu 21 Apr 2011.

In reply to Bringer of Darkness (msg #241):

Seeing the change in some of the local environs, Dii investigates, looking for anything salvageable or otherwise useful.

OOC: Do I roll to loot or salvage? Survival?

OOC: Anyone who is searching can pretty much just go around and do some digging/exploring. Aaban, Burikan, and Murron (as well as T'Vala) are pretty seriously beat up so may want to do some resting and get some healing.

Once people get gathered in the oasis, she begins singing while grinding a mixture of herbs, grinding them with a mortar stone and pouring them into water.  She takes a long time working, being very precise about each movement and each herb and its order while using it.

When at last she finishes the mixture she begins dipping cloth strips into the mix, carefully applying the soaked bandages to the wounds.  Her voice murmurs calm and reassuring words as she cares for all the injured.  She works steadily, never once slowing or stopping unless she's interrupted, and she continues to work with her hands if she's answering someone.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:21, Thu 21 Apr 2011.

Murron moves to the oasis after gathering up his batra.  After tethering his mount, Murron finds a shady place to lie down and tend to his wounds.  He will do what he can before Shadow makes her rounds to him.

Helping move people to the oasis and then set up tents to offer shade and wind protection Califax then goes to help the searching Dii pick over what he guessed was the place the sand demons had dumped and collected their finds.  He ponders the attack and the injuries people took, wondering if maybe there was something he could do to help in case of next time.

Sathras will help herd all of the batra to the oasis, his head swiveling to watch the sands around the group.

In reply to Sathras the Bold (msg #247):

OOC: OK so in no particular order, Dii is 1)Healing and resting at the oasis, 2)Scavenging the remains of the Demons "lair", and 3)Tracking down and bringing back her Batra if it wasn't with the ones Sathras herded. She may want to use the Batra when scavenging, if the mount isn't spooked or anything. Since it sounds like we're going to be camped here for at least a day, should we roll for hunting/foraging or anything?

Burikan finds himself a nice shaded area in the oasis to rest. He had been in many a battle but rarely had been more severely injured than he was now.

OOC: Between all the healing, gathering everything together and getting to the oasis about 3 hours will have passed, putting it towards the evening. Everyone does end up healed, even T'Vala has no ill effect from his critical wound. You don't really have to do any foraging unless you want meat as the oasis has plenty of fresh water, fruits, and starchy roots. I will be detailing what is found in the search of the other area and no tracking down of batra is needed. You guys worked hard enough. ;-)

After the conclusion of battle...

"Hold your breath for a moment, dear friends, whilst I release the Bulwark back to the Spirits."

He then calls out to the air

"Spirits of Movement! I surrender my authority! Reclaim your Resonances!" Novo spreads his hands wide in a dismissive gesture, releasing his Bulwark. The wall vanishes with a loud pop, and then Nature does her job and abhors the vacuum with a rush of air.

As an afterthought, he releases his plasma streams into the rushing wind, extinguishing the spell.

To Dii: He examines the black thing in his hand. "Black heart of a demon, Dii. Clearly, a thing much unloved." He smiles wanly, finally feeling the pain wracking his body. "I...uh...damn this flesh...I believe they are quite useful to certain practitioners of the arcane arts. Quite valuable in their own right. Black diamond, you see." He holds it up to the light of the suns. The damned thing has a very hard time glittering, sucking the light as it does. "May I?" He indicates the diamond.

OOC: Novoptolomeo rolled 17 using 1d20+7. Rolling Arcane Lore to ID black diamond. Do I know what Black Diamonds can be used for?

Afterwards...

He wanders over to the Ariane and her makeshift triage station. "Water offer many wonders, does it not? Cleanses, destroys, purifies...makes new. Your healing touch is very much appreciated." He breathes deeply as the magic reknits his flesh. He seems to enjoy it a little too much and perhaps in the wrong way. "Remind me to get hurt more often..."

In reply to Novoptolomeo (msg #251):

Dii takes note of all that is happening at the oasis, and struggles to find a way to be useful. She watches intently as Shadow cares for everyone including Dii herself. So much pain today. Dii salvaged what she could from the area where the Demons had been lying in wait, and brought back what she had found for the group to utilize, but she feels that this is no great payback for her friends help. Maybe she could at least procure some meat for Sathras and any of the other carnivores...

OOC: Dii Ahnah rolled 11 using 1d20+6. Survival (hunting/foraging).

The shadow of a smile crosses her features.  She seems completely unfazed by the way the storm chaser's actions could be taken.  She nods to him.

"Water is indeed wonderous," she replies quietly, pouring a little over her hands and letting some trickle onto his skin.  "Of course, I think all nature is magical and special. It carries life, death, destruction, and structure... All at the same time.  The air, the earth, the water," she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes.  "Even the often chaotic and purifying fire is enchanting."

She opens her eyes and looks back at him, her silvery-grey eyes with rainbow flecks watching intently.

After T'Vala returns to consciousness following Shadow's graceful yet potent ministrations he takes his rest, realizing how close he came to his demise. When he gets a chance he seeks her out when she is done with the others; "Lady, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your concern and your healing arts. My wife and I both owe you a debt. If there is anything you need or that I can do for you please ask. All I really remember is blackness and pain for what seemed like an eternity before the warmness of your healing touch knitted my flesh together and restored my wits to me."

Sathras slumps down in the sun, his tail curling around his legs, his shoulders hunched. He rests his red iron axe on his lap and idly works at running a whetstone across its edge.

By the time everyone gets to the true oasis, is tended to by Shadow and her graceful healing arts, scavenging of the false oasis, and setting up of camp several hours have passed and the suns are starting to near the horizon. The temperature is already starting to drop noticably. Dii Ahnah returns from her foraging with some small desert reptiles. It is not much but is still some meat to supplement the clear water, fruit, and starchy tubers found around the oasis. Compared to the previous almost two day's hike through the scorching desert the oasis is a veritable paradise. Small wonder the demons sought to fool passerby into partaking of its bounty.

Several people, led by Dii Ahnah, spent some time back at the site of the battle picking through the boulders, rocks, and scrub bushes. Many patches of rust colored sand are found, often replete with splintered and gnawed bones. Upon close examination both tattered bits of cloth and what is definitely tattered and dried pieces of flesh are found around the area. The demons apparently had some success indeed with their illusions, and had fed well and often. Most of the items found in the area are bent, broken, shredded, or otherwise ruined but treasure is found mingled with the ruin. Semi-intact pouches yield coins of several types, rainbows of crystals and gems, and handful of crystalline vials with residues on the sides and bottom. A finely crafted deck of Quatrillion cards in the tattered remnants of a backpak. A ring of carved black crystal still on the dessicated finger of a severed hand. A beatifully crafted symbol of Aa on a necklace. A slender wand of red iron tipped with an orange crystal. The withered arm of some humanoid creature, still wearing a battered but servicable silver battle gauntlet of Cymrilian make.

------------------------------------------------------

OOC: Here is a breakdown of everything that was found, valuable or not:

Numerous gnawed bones/skulls of various races
Tattered clothing from desert peoples
Scraps of ruined armor (spangalor, leather, chain, studded leather)
Bent/broken weapons of various types
Scraps of dried skin from various races
Several amberglass potion vials but all dried out inside (worth 20 gl each)
183 sp
136 dracartan pyramids (worth 5 sp each)
78 gl
2 amber (10 cts, 13 cts)
1 amethyst (5 cts)
1 jacinth (12 cts)
3 moonstones (2 cts each)
11 quartz (5 cts each)
2 sand (5 cts, 8 cts)
Battered but intact silver battle gauntlet (arm/hand still in it)
Aamanian holy symbol (+1 to resist non-Orthodoxist magics)
Finely-carved obsidian ring (provides 2 PR, skin hardens. Not cumulative with armor)
Slender wand of red iron tipped with a firegem (Sassan's Spiraling Spear at lvl 7, 3x/day)
Quatrillion deck of silver deodar wood inlaid with silver, gold, and semi-precious stones (worth 200 gl)
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:43, Fri 22 Apr 2011.

She listens to T'Vala and places her hand on his arm.

"No debt is owed me, I am simply doing my duty.  This is what friends do for one another," she says with a shrug.  She blinks slowly and grasps the crystal for a moment.  "Please, do not hesitate in asking if you need something."

She looks around at the others assembled.

"That applies to all of you," she says in a louder tone of voice.  "If I can provide, please ask.  It is my pleasure to assist on and record this journey."

In reply to Shadow Seeking the Light (msg #257):

Dii puts her hand on the Arianes shoulder and says, "Still, thank you. It is greatly appreciated, friend." She lightly squeezes Shadows shoulder before turning away to find her foodspice jar and a wide enough piece of broken metal armor to cook the lizard meat with. She finds a spot about 15 feet from the oasis, downwind from it, and builds a small fire to cook with. Holding up one of the lizards toward the diligently sharpening Sathras, she asks, "Will you eat this, Sathras?" Once he's responded she says aloud to the group, "Since we've nothing to store in the Amberglass right now, maybe we should fill them with water before we begin traveling again." She lets her words sink in before asking the group for a headcount of who all would like to dine on "seasoned lizard strips".

OOC: "Dii Ahnah rolled 15 using 1d20+4. Cook."
Looks like it ended up being pretty good. Bon appetite'!
This message was last edited by the player at 01:17, Fri 22 Apr 2011.

She nods to the lovely warrior woman.
"I am glad that I can be of assistance," she says and for a rare moment a broad and gleaming smile spreads across her features, her silvery eyes with rainbow flecks sparkling in the dim suns-light.

"I can grow some fruits, but they must be eaten immediately, if anyone would care for them.  Let me know and I'll begin the spell," she says.

In reply to Shadow Seeking the Light (msg #259):

OOC: Remember there is fruit and starchy tubers here....

Sathras nods at Dii's question. He sits sullenly, shoulders hunched, slowly sharpening his blade.

When the group brings back the scattered bits of loot, Sathras stares at it all for a moment, then goes back to sharpening again.

She moves to where the large Sauran sits and places her hand on his shoulder.

"Dear friend," she says.  "What troubles you?"

((OOC - I know, I was offering more fruits of a different variety.  However, I will take seeds from both the fruits and and of the flowering and seeding tubers to use with the spell later.))

Hearing Shadow's concerned voice, and then looking at Sathras, Murron can tell that something is amiss with his newfound large friend.  Slowly, he gets up and walks over and gingerly sits down near the big Sauran.

He smiles at his friend, and asks as well, "yes, what is amiss?  Is it getting too cold too fast for you?  We could gather blankets to help keep you warm."

Califax pottered around helping gather lift and shift things, but he too was feeling a little brought down by not being able to help as much as he had wanted in the fight.  He was in thought when the offer of exotic fruits came up and this brightened his mood some.

I'd love to partake in some of the fruits you could produce Shadow.  And it has also given me an idea. Raising his voice so others could hear, I'm a modest archer, and in such close confines as there was today not much help, but, I'm a very competent sygil writer, and it seems to me that this is what I could offer.  If anyone wishes to bring a weapon to me I can put a enchanted mark on it.  The next time it is used it will bite a little deeper with that enchantment for a short time after, I think that this would give everyone a little bit more of an edge while dealing with these abominations, as everyone would then have a weapon that would cut the hides of those creatures.

Sathras's eyes roll in his head to look first at Shadow then at Murron.

"Sathras too big. Sathras too slow. New friends in trouble and Sathras no help. Like when lightning man show up at fancy chief's feast, but not," the big Sauran says. He looks over to Murron. "Sorry not good guard. Sathras not learn Murron's guard lessons well. Old master always say Sathras not very bright. Tch tch tch." His teeth click together a few times. "Sathras not understand. Scales are not meant to shine so of course Sathras not bright."

"No, my friend," Murron says with a smile but serious conviction, "it's not your fault, it's mine.  It's my cursed bad luck that caused me to be separated and face a demon alone.  Besides, seeing you charge into the fray from around that sand wall instilled hope and vigor in my attempt to survive and fight!"

In reply to Murron (msg #266):

"Yes, Sathras. I too, thought I was going to be drained and perish in the embrace of that Demon. But seeing you charging toward us gave me enough hope to break it's grasp on me. Then you were there, fighting along side us to vanquish the abomination. Novo and I are alive because you came to save us. Thank you, big friend." Dii goes to the pile of salvaged items and grabs the Silver Gauntlet. She removes the leftover remains of the previous owner in a way as to hope that Sathras does not see it. She presents the Gauntlet to Sathras. "You should try this on and see if you can fight with it. It's made of Silver, which can harm creatures that can't normally be harmed with our standard metals, like those Demons." She hands the Gauntlet to Sathras and watches his analyzation of the new gift.

Sathras takes the gauntlet in his three-fingered hands and turns it back and forth. He picks up a handful of sand and scrubs at the metal, polishing on side of it lightly. "This make Sathras bright," he asks.

He looks from Murron to Dii, perhaps a little expectantly. "And Sathras make you hope? Sathras used to make old master hope to," he says, his eyes brightening a moment, then falling. "Old master used to hear noise and say 'I hope you haven't broken something valuable.'" He scrubs at the gauntlet a little more. "Sathras glad that you all alive."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:37, Fri 22 Apr 2011.

As the twin suns take their final look on the world for this day, Dii sets up her "bed" just leeward of the oasis. She tends to the coals of the cooking fire and recreates it into a medium sized campfire. This way, Sathras will also have a somewhat "warm bed" to sleep in for the night. As the night and moonlights begin to show themselves and it becomes well after evening, Dii produces her wineskin and walks toward the campfire. "Before we leave tomorrow, I will fill this wineskin with the water found here in the oasis. But as for tonight, I must endeavor to empty it. Would any of you care to contribute your blessing by way of sharing my burden?"

OOC: I never ventured to figure out what was in the wineskin but it should be something good. Diis #1 Contact is a well-off Bartendress...
This message was last edited by the player at 00:48, Sat 23 Apr 2011.

She places her lips to Sathras' head and moves away.  She kneels on the ground and removes a small seed from a pouch.  She chants and sings to the seed, sprinkling a little water on the seedling.  She sings for four minutes, the seedling twists from the sandy soil, thickening and sprouting more and more leaves.  Reaching toward the cloudless sky.  Flowers bloom on the branches.  Their scent fills the air with sweet perfume.  The blooms fade quickly however and small fruits being to swell on the branches.  In a matter of seconds they fruits grow plump and juicy, a few falling to the ground near her.

"Please, eat of the fruits.  They will only be here for a short while," she says lifting a fruit and biting into it.  Some of the juices spill down her chin and she holds a hand out to catch it.  Her eyes are smiling and she seems genuinely pleased with the flavor of the fruit.

In reply to Shadow Seeking the Light (msg #270):

Retro-post

When bade to by Shadow, Dii eagerly takes of one of the fallen fruit. Amazed by the perfect sweetness, she voraciously snaps into the fruit repeatedly. Knowing that there is a limit to the time that this creation will remain manifest, Dii reaches for another (if there's more than enough to go around).

After the combat, Aaban enters into prayer, casting healing spells on himself and any other who might need them.  He will move over to the oasis, struggling out of his armor, effecting what field repairs he can, and cleaning his blood from the iron.  He eats a simple meal, quietly, then separates himself off and enters deep into prayer.

In reply to Sathras the Bold (msg #268):

Murron smiles and looks into the fire as he sits back on his elbows, and says philosophically, "the hope Dii and I experienced is the opposite of your old master's hope.  It's confusing, I know, but that's the way of it.  I'm glad that we're all alive too."

Burikan snatches up a piece of fruit and devours it greedily. He nods his scarred head to the Shadow in thanks.

He walks over to his mount and grabs his red iron tarak. With a few steps he stands near Califax, "If you could work your magic on my tarak, I would appreciate it. There is a big difference between a tarak in my hands and a khu.

In reply to Califax (msg #264):

"I could always use extra luck," Murron says to Califax, "if it's not much trouble to you."

In reply to Murron (msg #275):

At some point during the evening, Dii presents her Bastard Sword to Califax for the warding. "Were this weapon more applicable in the fight, that Demon would have gone down much faster. Thank you for your offer, Cal."

OOC: "Dii Ahnah rolled 24 using 1d20+8. Climbing."

At some point later in the evening, Dii wall-runs up the side of a Palm Tree to slow backflip onto a perch, which is equally accessible to fruit and a poor choice of location to continue her "private wine tasting"...
This message was last edited by the player at 07:05, Sun 24 Apr 2011.

After gladly partaking in the food and fruit that was plentifully supplied by Shadow Seeking the Light, for which he offered sincere thanks, Califax would sit down with a lether bound book a quill and the weapons that he was offered and started to painstaingly work on them, as well as his own.

Sathras, do you want to give me your axe so I can put something on it to help?

Califax uses the ink to describe a complex symbol on each weapon's hand hold which when touched doesn't rub off for the moment, on his own tri-bow the symbol is actually carved as part of the decoration, each weapon takes a couple of minutes to do as he works carefully from book his book.

(ooc: Casting trigger effect spells on weapons:-
13:51, Today: Califax rolled 22 using 1d20+5. Tri-bow spell. Oooh, +2 on DR for 1 minute when used then
13:53, Today: Califax rolled 12 using 1d20+5. Bastard sword.  +1 DR for 1 minute when used
13:56, Today: Califax rolled 11 using 1d20+5. Murron's sword.  +1 DR for 1 minute when used
13:57, Today: Califax rolled 15 using 1d20+5. Tarak.  +1 DR for 1 minute when used
The spell triggers one the first strike you make with it and lasts for 1 minute, after that the spell fades and will need to be recast.  If others wish things done then post and I'll post the castings.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:05, Sun 24 Apr 2011.

"Put stuff on axe," Sathras asks, clearly confused. He'll watch while Califax does the other weapons.
"They don't seem sharper. In Volcanic Hills as a hatchling, Sathras watched others grind axes. Sathras know how to do it a little himself." He'll look at the set of stones he uses for sharpening his axe in his hands and back at what Califax has been doing.

She sits beside Califax, watching him closely, her fingers cleaning the excess fruit off of a number of seeds.  At one point she points a sticky and damp finger at one of the runes and mutters a question to him regarding the method he happens to be using for the spell, but she doesn't offer up her own weapons to be marked.

Burikan accepts the tarak back from Califax. He takes a moment to look at the rune that has been placed there. He gives a slight smile and whirls the great two-headed axe overhead and says..."I cannot wait to use this!"

"Thank you," Murron says sincerely as he takes his sword back from Califax.

Good place to hide some good luck for a rainy day, Murron thinks to himself as he looks at the blade for a moment before sheathing it and walking back to his place by the fire.

In reply to Murron (msg #281):

When Califax finishes "sigiling" Diis Bastard Sword, she comes down out of her tree with her wineskin to re-accept her imbued weapon. She faces Califax with an intense stare from her slightly glazed eyes, coupled with a wry smile. "Thank you, Cal." She says a bit melodramatically. She takes the large sword and hands off the wineskin, simultaneously. She steps off a bit to examine the blade before housing it within it's scabbard. When she reapproaches Califax, she sits down near him and lifts the wineskin to his lips if he hasn't done so himself already. "Don't be charming, just drink to our small victory."

Califax smiles to Sathras and glances over the stones that had been used to sharpen the axe.

It is hard to explain my lizard like friend, but you have sharpened the edge you can touch.  What I do sharpens the edge that you can't touch, all things have some magic to them, even people and creatures, what I do is make the weapon be able to in some small way cut that magic.

He will answer Shadow's questions in a more technical manner.  Giving a grin to Burikan.

Be careful with it now, it will activate on anything you hit while weilding it.

As the wine sikn is offered he accepts it with a smile.  Putting his things to one side for the moment in case anyone else wishes work done.  When Dii sits beside him and lifts the winesikn for him to drink he pauses at her words and then just smiles and takes a drink.

"Would that I had a weapon worthy of enchantments. Perhaps something for my staff?" He laughs at the pun. To himself: "Staff..." Adolescence sometimes isn't that far behind him.

As the group settles in, Novo goes through his normal evening ritual: setting up his instruments, taking notes, etc. Then he nestles in beside the fire. Takes out his pipe and lights it with a flame from his fingertip. Puffs contentedly.

"Dear Ariane...your ministrations have proven most expert. My muscles are a bit stiff there...but the wound itself...gone.

"All in all, a good day. I've much to write home about. Not that I have a home, per se..."

He puffs again, breathing the smoke in deeply.

"What's the plan for tomorrow?"

She looks at the sore area and rubs it with the tips of her fingers for a moment before settling back to her own bedroll.  She looks up at the night sky and shrugs.

"Part of me thinks we should rest for the day tomorrow, to make sure all the wounds are properly healed.  Eat and drink our fill, as well as rest here in the bountiful oasis, and then head out as the suns begin setting," she says quietly.  "That gives our friends here a chance to rest and fill up as well, and it will conserve a bit more water."
She yawns then, a large and long yawn accompanied by a stretch.

"I will need rest, but I am happy to take my turn watching as we sleep.  Remember, I can see in both stars light and suns light, use me as needed," she yawns again and blinks a dozen or so times rapidly after the yawn and looks sheepishly at the rest of the group.  "I think I shall rest now."

With that she lays down on her bedroll.  In the span of a handful of heartbeats she is sleeping deeply.  Her chest is rising and falling slowly, her black skinned hands gently resting on her stomach.

People select who will take what watch and others settle in to sleep as much as they can. After the horrific battle the oasis seems like a veritable paradise and even provides some shelter from the desert chill. The night passes without event and everyone takes their rest. The suns rise into cloudless skies with nary a breeze to stir the sand and dust. The night chill quickly begins warming as the suns begin their ascent. People still feel some dull aches from their wounds but otherwise are well. It almost seems as if Fortuna herself smiles down upon the group after the trials of yesterdays events.

OOC: So is the group planning on resting here another day? If so I will give you some time to interact amongst yourselves before moving along.

In reply to Bringer of Darkness (msg #286):

On this new day, Dii starts off by waking slowly after the suns start their days trek across the horizon. She dutifully grooms her clothes, armor, and self, and performs a series of aerobic, isometric, and endurance exercises. She fetches another fruit (not as good as the fruit summoned by Shadow) and sets off to hunt for at least a similarity to the previous days fare.

OOC: "Dii Ahnah rolled 9 using 1d20+6. Survival (hunting/foraging)."

Not finding anymore than a sustenance levels worth of luck with hunting, Dii attempts to cook her findings. Also, just passable.

OOC: "Dii Ahnah rolled 10 using 1d20+4. Cook."

Feeling a bit low about the quality of her field capabilities, Dii pulls her Adamant Warhammer (OOC: Crap. I just remembered she has an Adamant Warhammer.) and heads about 100 yards from the oasis to practice with it.

OOC: Warhammer <Training>

With the new day Califax goes throughthe usual morning routines of washing up and getting breakfast, with talk of staying an extra day he finds a spot to rest and comfortably and look through his spell book in study and refinement of his knowledge.

Feeling well and healthy again, Murron went about the rote chores of breaking down his gear and packing it up for travel.  He takes the careful time necessary to properly groom, feed, and water his batra mount.  He checks it eyes, mouth, ears, and hooves for anything out of the ordinary.  He fills every empty receptacle with the refreshing water.  Finally satisfied that he morning work is under his belt, he moves over to the now dead campfire and sits down.

"We should start moving again," Murron offers to those companions around him, "once the other desert creatures realize that this oasis is now free of the sand demons' grip, they will come to it- and bring other predators with them."

"Excellent point, Murron! I hadn't thought of that. I'm sure of would've eventually, but I hadn't yet. I mean to say...good observation, sir."

Novo packs up, collects his meteorological gear, and decides against casting his typical prediction spell. "By my calculations...the weather shall be the same as it was yesterday. And the day before. Not all weather-prediction requires magic of course. Sometimes mere observation is enough."

He spots Dii practicing with her hammer. Once he's finished packing his gear, his grabs his staff and runs in her direction, shouting an ominous, "Dii...please! Bash me with your hammer!"

And he will try to insinuate himself into her training routine.

Then after he has recovered from his practice beating, he will insist on setting out for the day (or the night--whatever time we decide to leave again).