To the Dragon Gates & then to the North

[Attilius]

The giant carries any dead to their directed destinations with the respected reverance a star gladiator would receive at the Criterion.

[Niachi]

Niachi finds any Lancer elves he might have garrisoned with, or fellow mages if no elves. He shares his rations and gets a rundown of the fire and acid attacks: blast radius, ranges, other observed tactics. Same for the wormy bastards. Some protection from acid sounds useful.

He stands up to gaze into the skies, listening for the howls of the aethered ones churning dust, the air elementals living their best lives.

And yes, their tag-alongs are here too. At the fringes of storm and calm miles above. The lesser air elelental-kin. The Sylphs playing currents like strings.

Woeful wind-magics at their fingertips. Unexpected allies for tomorrow's sortee into walking nightmares.
Niachi rehearses his conjure-hymns and once he finds shelter for the night, strives to memorize Cone of Cold, then share his spellstones with 'Miuko so they both have it memorized by dawn.

[Umbris (AC 2 | HP 37/37)]

Was helping bind wounds, providing a small bit of comfort and laughter as he jokes, jests, and chats with the warriors, complimenting their gear and otherwise just being inquisitive. 

For once, he doesnt feel like picking pockets for interesting trinkets.

As time passes, he eventually finds himself curiously watching the elves going over their spellcraft and rocks. Shamans... he'll never understand them.

[Quila Oris (John M.)]

Oct 11, 2024 5:50:59 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

Akos does respond wearily to Quila's mental poking.

<"Thank you for doing all you could to send that foul thing back to wherever it came from. While our sacrifices were many, some 1300 known dead, we shall recover and grow back stronger than ever. What questions do you have of me that are the most important? There is much to do on morrow.">

<"Good to know you have not perished. I have some queries. First, is there any urgent matter we need to handle, something that might have happened on Athas while we were in the elemental fire to destroy the artifacts of Mak Thuum Ngatha? Second, can I do anything for Oronis? Three, did Aman launch the nightmare beasts deliberately upon us or merely to defend himself against the worms and did the Lancer become collateral damage?">

[DM Bob]

<"Good to know you have not perished. I have some queries. First, is there any urgent matter we need to handle, something that might have happened on Athas while we were in the elemental fire to destroy the artifacts of Mak Thuum Ngatha? Second, can I do anything for Oronis? Three, did Aman launch the nightmare beasts deliberately upon us or merely to defend himself against the worms and did the Lancer become collateral damage?">

<"If only one could turn back time, eh? There is nothing else that I know of that happened... well, there were a pair of rocs that circled during the 3rd day of our fighting. It was determined that they had riders, but we were too caught up to pursue any further intel. We always worry when we are being watched.">

You imagine him gesturing about New Kurn when he says this.

<"Oronis needs rest. One part to heal. Another part to mourn. And a third part to plan forward. How long he decides to do so, I have no clue. But I feel that he'll be in touch mentally with me and the Tribunal sooner than he shows face. I promise to keep you informed, assuming he does not reach out to you directly before then. As far as the dread Nightmare Beasts, they were explained to be a threat by our ruler before we closed in battle. He had known them in times of legend and warned us of their chaotic nature, creatures born of cruelty and concentrated defiling essence. Nearly impossible to kill, in fact, only one was destroyed in battle, the other was banished by the one who summoned it. Let me try to remember the words that were called by the skull headed King... ah, yes. 'BACK TO THE POISONED HAUNT OF TNOR'MORKEN, BEAST!' He then broke a stave over his knee and the thing vanished.">

Niachi finds any Lancer elves he might have garrisoned with. This is possible, and they begrudgingly fill him in on the fight... even though they seem to not wish to speak of it as the song is too fresh on their tongues. Fire had not only been cast by the undead man with a skull for a head, but seemed to emanate from the two giant beasts of nightmares. Some of Oronis' cadre also loosed fire against the wurms and their chaos brood.

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Skrye also help healing troops and bury the deceased back to the gates of the eternal sleep. Every here and there, mostly to those injured and panicking.

At the same time she takes her lute, made from bones, carapace and giant's hairs of different thicknesses to play alongside an improvised, and aimed to be comforting, song:
"There was a time when peace was norm,
for everyone within Kurn unknown,
the braves within troops and denizens,
defended it from beasts by dozens,
they may not now be along with us,
but they will remain with you in heart.

Pray with me, for they beloved act,
they will protect you as well the sands."

Repeating it at different groups along the city. She's a bard, she may run out of healing magic from her Lords, but she can endlessly try to cheer the denizens' mood meanwhile praying to her element.

[OOC: Sorry for crappy improvisation!
SPELLS: 1stLvl(1/5), 2ndLvl(4/5), 3rdLvl(4/4), 4thLvl(3/3)]

[Quila Oris (John M.)]

Oct 12, 2024 14:00:26 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

<"If only one could turn back time, eh? There is nothing else that I know of that happened... well, there were a pair of rocs that circled during the 3rd day of our fighting. It was determined that they had riders, but we were too caught up to pursue any further intel. We always worry when we are being watched.">

<"If there's anyone who could turn back time in the way you mean it, it would have to be Zor'houn. You might want to talk to them. As for the rocs, I am sure they had riders, it's no coincidence HurK was picked up by roc riders as well. I will try to get in touch with HurK too.">

Oct 12, 2024 14:00:26 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

<"Oronis needs rest. One part to heal. Another part to mourn. And a third part to plan forward. How long he decides to do so, I have no clue. But I feel that he'll be in touch mentally with me and the Tribunal sooner than he shows face. I promise to keep you informed, assuming he does not reach out to you directly before then. As far as the dread Nightmare Beasts, they were explained to be a threat by our ruler before we closed in battle. He had known them in times of legend and warned us of their chaotic nature, creatures born of cruelty and concentrated defiling essence. Nearly impossible to kill, in fact, only one was destroyed in battle, the other was banished by the one who summoned it. Let me try to remember the words that were called by the skull headed King... ah, yes. 'BACK TO THE POISONED HAUNT OF TNOR'MORKEN, BEAST!' He then broke a stave over his knee and the thing vanished.">

<"I will await either your or our Lord's commands. There is enough to do in the coming time. Thank you for the information regarding the beasts. Aman has them locked up then in the troll city ruines below the sands.">

(OOC: Quila will use both her clairsentient power of Environment, with power manipulation, focusing upon the same object she did previously to get another 360 degree reading of HurK's whereabouts, and also to get a Mindlink going with HurK, in that following order. 

Environment roll is 13 on 19, success; Power Manipulation roll is 13 on 14, success--providing me with a full minute of Environment. Mindlink roll is 10 on 20, success, even if HurK is between 1,000 and 10,000 miles away.)

In the case a Mindlink is successfully established to HurK: <"HurK, Quila here. Are you doing well? I know you were taken by roc riders. Do we need to do something? Are you there of your own volition now?">

[DM Bob]

<"Oronis might know something of the Sands of Time. There have been points he's told me before leaving for great spans of meditation and study that he is "experiencing" history as it unfolded. He then proceeds to tell me how important it is to avoid paradox... I know little of what that means, to be honest. I feel that he only told me to remind himself of some rule he must follow. I need rest though, myself." -Mental Yawn and disconnect.

***

Hurk is unable to be reached. Here are a few possible scenarios.

1. He or his head is covered by metal, such as lead - or the item you are focusing on is (or the item destroyed).

2. The goliath could be within wards of power or rituals akin to those that the City-states and Sorcerer Monarchs use in their private domains... or prisons.

3. He could be dead or outside of this plane of existence... Or even outside the range of your psionics.

4. Something else sinister. Like he's been reprogrammed mentally or possessed.

[Attilius]

Oct 14, 2024 13:21:53 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

4. Something else sinister. Like he's been reprogrammed mentally or possessed.

www.getyarn.io/yarn-clip/f838d4a7-0075-401d-8c52-f04a130a8df6

[Quila Oris (John M.)]

In a quiet moment where the group huddles together around a fire, Quila shares her attempt to contact HurK and read his locale, both attempts being unsuccessful. ”This could mean any number of things though. I wouldn’t be alarmed just yet as HurK is a resourceful one.”

[Attilius]

Once his duty of respectfully transporting the fallen Lancers is finished, Attilius rejoins the group once the casters healings have been given out.
"ALLRIGHT, let's get some rest to git yer magiks back. We's got a..."
the giant looks about to make sure no one is eavesdropping then leans lower to speak softly
"Golden chariot to rescue!"

[DM Bob]

Tell me how you wish to rest. Spells. time, etc...

Then an exact plan of spells cast, where you're traveling to if that indeed occurs.

[AthasianLaborer]

On completing his delivery, Muiko will find Niachi and sketch some of the events recounted to him.

Artistic Ability rolled a 19 needing a 13 or less [Failure]

Once Niachi is finished helping Lancers, Muiko will accept no refusals as he casts Proofing vs Combustion on Niachi's armor.

Whether sleep or Nap follows is up to the group.  Muiko has no further plans aside from studying Cone of Cold if there's time and then sleep.

Muiko's Learn Spells rolled a 34 needing an 85 or less.

[Attilius]

Attilius will inspect his and anyone's armor and weapons and make any repairs needed. Otherwise he'll sleep/nap.

[Quila Oris (John M.)]

Regular sleep for Quila. "We might need a Nap sooner or later again. Best to be careful now. Also, the area around the Buried City is a hot acidic mess. Do we really wanna go there?"