A Spire in the Night (Group 2)
The forest has become thick and dense. The shadows long and drifting in odd patterns across the ground. There was a fork in the path, and you were forced to divide your numbers in order to try both of the methods forward. The forest only grows more and more dense now. Rows of thick prickly bushes and occasionally the trees part just long enough to catch a glance at what your destination is. A spire in the night.
GAME: Harkashan casts Light. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14 GAME: Harkashan rolls Knowledge/History: (15)+5: 20
Harkashan learned his lesson last time. Do not try to detect evil within the Felwood. However, it also means that he's far more prepared than before to deal with the Felwood's particular brand of evil.
"Good luck." He wishes the other team, as they split up. "And be careful." Before looking to the rest of the smaller team on this side. He at least has some familiarity with most of them. But there's some he's less familiar with.
"I am Deathsinger Harkashan. I will try to keep you all as safe as I can with the Singing Dragon's gifts. Just remember to stay within my reach. This heavy armor of mine slows me down a bit." While they proceed further down towards the spire itself. For some reason, he gives Rune a thorough look when he indicates that it is in fact his armor which slows him down.
Notably, for those who have not met him before, there's something odd about this Sith-makar. There is a light spell going from a lava-rock hanging from some chains between his horns, but it's creating a strange pattern over his scales. It's almost as if his scales were alive. Like some kind of living lava-flow moving across his body.
Aelwyn in particular however, would notice a bigger difference. Perhaps it's just a trick of the eye, but Harkashan looks a bit different somehow from last they met. It's not a matter of 'different horns' or 'new armor'. No, something about the scales seems more 'alive' these days. Something that echoes of something older. Something truly more draconic.
The Sith-makar's attention is on the tower itself for a while, squinting his eyes at it.
The shadowed forest almost feels like a second skin to Rune. There is a comfort in those dark places that has built itself from encounter to encounter. As she moves beneath the trees, there is a subtle quality that shows in the tattoo that runs along her arm, like clouds across a starless night. Something Rune barely notices, herself.
In one of those gaps between the trees, she looks out towards the spire. "Still on the right track." She picks her way through, trying to be careful of thorns and prickly bushes and anything else that might make travel more than a little uncomfortable.
For the moment, her usual light-hearted attitude is set aside in a more serious focus at the task at hand. She barely even speaks, offering only a nod to Harkashan as they continue.
From his saddle on the back of Thunder, Lucius sweeps the surroundings with a calculating gaze, making no effort to conceal his restless mood. He leans forward to dodge a low-hanging branch and lays a hand on Thunder's mane for comfort. At his rider's touch, the warhorse's ears perk up. "Nothing to worry right now," Luke murmurs, half to his steed and half to himself. He looks up again, making sure to stay close together with the rest of their diminished numbers.
Visten was the late addition to this group, having just become a member of the adventuring guild the very day this expedition was set to depart. Upon first introduction he was talkative, positive, and upbeat about the journey ahead. Now that the larger group has split up, and it's just the few of us, it looks obvious that his previously confident attitude has been toned down somewhat. "Thank you for the light, it is quite hard to see in this murk." he remarks to Harkashan, as he trudges alongside the team, one hand straying towards the strap holding his sword to his back from time to time, as if uncertain when to draw it. "Visten is my name."
It felt so nice. Just... the right amount of nice. The lustrous pole was simply asking to be stroked, to be caressed. Aelwyn could not be happier with his reworked glaive; with its new shiny red ribbons tied around the top. Subtly, he's running his fingers across it. It continues to be held against his shoulder at a tilted angle, wrist laid across the haft, as he casually strolls in the woods - and as you do in dark evil woods, he stepped with that I-know-what-I-am-doing step. The kind that tends to be shattered after shadows start to be alive.
When introductions had been made, the Dragoon would have bowed his head and introduced himself as 'Aelwyn, a Dragoon' and then subsequently never used anyone's name again. Meanwhile, he has wrapped a cord of rope and some hooks off his satchel.
Orange eyes had been glancing over Harkashan for good part of the trip - but the smaller - quite a bit smaller - sith-makar has been holding his tongue. Instead he addressed Lucius. "Tch, the steps before the unknown are the most intimidating one. Let what may come come, and may the skies give us more than shadows to hide from, Rider." His tail moves behind him. "... though if the path takes to a sewer, let us burn the spire instead."
The long path flows ever forward. The forest is one long road of twists and turns that lead you invariably toward a much larger clearing... Eventually. It's actually all told at least an hours worth of travel just to reach it. The clearing is densely populated with trees and bushes around its edges. In it's center incongruously, there is a table.
This table is made more odd by the fact that it is set for five. Five plates, five stools - not chairs but stools - five cups. Three baskets of biscuits sit in the center and each plate has its own small jar of something that looks like orange-colored jam. These jars are all wearing a large hand-written label that says 'eat me' on them.
There are no obvious exits nor other methods through to bring you closer to the tower.
"How can this be..." Harkashan rumbles, looking more deeply at the Spire. "That place looks older than the Felwood itself..." His brow furrowing as he considers it for yet another moment - until they proceed to just carry on forwards to the Spire itself.
Luckily, aside from the arduous hours, the travel itself is largely uneventful for a forest practically made of evil. Until they get to the plated table.
The spire itself, closed off to the world. With only this food and cups ready for them...
And Harkashan can't help but just frown at it. After all, there is no way this isn't a trap. A Spire in the midst of an evil forest, with exactly the amount of place-setting for the group here.
It's a trap, or an invitation.
And the invitation of someone likely-to-be-evil is still one he isn't super quick to take. But... it may be the only path forward.
GAME: Rune rolls perception: (16)+14: 30 GAME: Harkashan rolls Perception: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Lucius rolls Perception: (4)+7: 11 GAME: Visten rolls perception: (18)+5: 23 GAME: Aelwyn rolls perception: (9)+1: 10
"I'm called Rune." The half-sil adds to the introductions as they are still a distance out. The one that is offered cannot truly be her full, real name, but it is what most know her by. In addition, Rune doesn't offer a specific title to describe her role in the party. Though, from the fact that she seems to walk a bit ahead, always keeping a keen eye on things, it might be easy to deduce her as some sort of 'scout'.
She's quiet until they come across the clearing. Her first instinct is brought to her lips, "Please let this not be some kind of Fey bullshit." The fact that there is just the right number of place settings definitely has her leaning in that direction.
The young woman takes her time to do a walk of the perimeter of the clearing, looking for any signs of what might have set their 'table' for them. "Whatever this is, there's definitely magic involved. Just... be careful." She advises, "Who knows what kind of trickery or intent is behind this."
Visten draws his steel shield and straps it to his forearm, before approaching the table. Holding it like a barrier should anything leap from the place setting, he gets closer to examine the inviting arrangement, careful to not touch anything. "This is more unsettling than I expected. Is this unsettling for anyone else?" he asks of the group.
"It is unusual," Lucius agrees, dismounting, "but all appears rather harmless for the moment. And to be honest, I've seen a lot worse in this cursed forest." Rune's warning seems all but forgotten as he reaches into one of the baskets with a reckless grin. "Shall we then? It is possible that this is just a dead end. If nothing happens, we always have the option of doubling back and regrouping with the others."
Aelwyn pauses by the table, making a sound of disappointment. "Is this a riddle?" He takes in a deep breath, lowering his glaive. "This kind of magic is frustrating..." But curios due to his experience at working the kitchen and running food, he examines the biscuits and especially the jars. It doesn't take long for his stomach to let out a slow, steady growl.
Standing up, the ruddy sith-makar then gestures with his hand. "It is also rude not to offer wine or can of water." He clicks his teeth.
As Lucius reaches for one of the biscuits in the basket, one of the little jars of jam seems to get too anxious for waiting! Instead of waiting there patiently to be eaten it roils in a sudden puff of black smoke and the smell of sulfur - something that awakens all the other jars of jam and breaks out in a wide grin... full of teeth. Apparently these jars are hungry!
GAME: Harkashan casts Bless. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15 GAME: Rune rolls weapon3+1: (1)+9+1: 11 (EPIC FAIL)
"Just try not to touch anything until we've got this fi~" And too late. Lucius is already reaching for things, and suddenly all of the jars of jam awaken and show their teeth. No doubt in order to use those very teeth on them.
"Very well. Guess we are doing this then." Harkashan remarks as a sudden wave of pale-red light bursts out from him, touching his allies. "Rune! We've got evil kitchenware here!"
Visten was already pretty suspicious of the table setting, so as the jars sprout menacing features that bottles should definitely not have, his right hand is quick to begin drawing his sword. It's definitely more sizeable than a long sword, but the strong warrior has a steady one-handed grip on it nonetheless. "What are these things?!" he blurts out.
Rune is just finishing her survey of the area when others start making for the food. Her mouth opens as if to offer a warning, and then, there is a snapping of teeth. "Shit."
The sound of footsteps beating against the ground follows as Rune darts into place next to Lucius, one of her short swords slashes out, giving a swing towards the closest of the threatening condiments.
Unfortunately, it is too quick, and all she ends up doing is toppling one of the baskets of biscuits, which goes scattering across the table. There is crumbs everywhere and broken bits of pastry.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (11)+10: 21 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (19)+10: 29 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (8)+10: 18 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (9)+10: 19 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (9)+10: 19 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d4+3: (2)+3: 5 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d4+3: (1)+3: 4 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d4+3: (1)+3: 4 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d4+3: (2)+3: 5
The jars of 'jam' leap forward all together and eagerly! So eager these little jars that there's no real discipline to them. Not that they seem to need it. In fact if these things were more orderly, they might have been even more a danger than they were at the moment. Even so four of them latch onto various members of the group. One hanging off of Rune's arm. Two latching onto Lucius. One on his forearm, and the other managing to jump onto his chest and latching there like a starfish. The last finds its mark on Visten, attaching to a hand and biting down _hard_.
GAME: Aelwyn rolls Knowledge/Dungeoneering: (15)+5: 20 GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon10: (19)+10: 29 GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage10: aliased to 1d10+4: (1)+4: 5
Aelwyn stumbles back when the jars begin to grow teeth. He pulls out his glaive and smacks at one of the jars with his blade - to no effect. Calling out he shouts, "Mimics -" And then he pauses, looking around. "... they should not smell like sulfur." He instantly starts to look around, whipping his head around. "They are too small!" He whips his tail about, before he rumbles in annoyance, a deep curse word spat out in draconic. "There has to be another, larger one."
GAME: Harkashan casts Prayer. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17
"Perhaps the table and stools?" Harkashan bids to Aelwyn as he watches the little Jams rush forward to harm his allies. Another, more potent wave of power emanates from him. Harkashan's scales starting to look like embers are coming off of them at this point.
His focus is on getting his allies combat ready as fast as he can - while draining the abilities of his enemies. Where Aelwyn smells sulfur, the Deathsinger's presence steadily grows stronger within this area around Harkashan. Pushing back against the enemy's power.
GAME: Rune rolls perception: (20)+14: 34
Lucius jumps as the jars come alive without warning, dropping the biscuit and withdrawing his hand. However, his reaction is not fast enough to avoid the snapping teeth of two jammy jars. "That's more like it," he mutters, wincing as he swats uselessly at the jars clinging to him.
Turning to face the others, he gestures in the general direction of the jars. "These things don't look too smart to me! Perhaps there's a way to catch them unawares and create a chance for us."
GAME: Rune rolls acrobatics: (17)+11: 28 GAME: Rune rolls weapon3+2: (3)+9+2: 14 GAME: Visten rolls cmb: (20)+5: 25
One of the toothy jars of jam leaps in a way that you wouldn't expect jam to be able to move. And yet... CHOMP. Teeth clap down onto Rune's forearm and the rogue gives a very unlady-like curse in Draconic before shaking her arm to dislodge the creature, whatever it is.
Leaping up onto the table, Rune gives an acrobatic display that would be impressive if it weren't for the fact that it sends food flying in the process. As she lands in a crouch, trying to swipe out at the jam jar opposite Lucius, the rogue kicks one of the other baskets of biscuits out of the way.
And beneath it. An eye blinks...
"Uh... I think I found it!" Rune calls out, however, she is now very much standing on top of the larger mimic. This is not good.
"Ow, off!" Visten shouts, his gloved hand wiggling at first, but then slamming it on to the table's surface. Once no longer attached, he follows up by driving the flat of his shield on to it, trying to keep it pinned down and unable to try that again.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+9: (1)+9: 10 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+9: (11)+9: 20 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+9: (4)+9: 13 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+9: (5)+9: 14 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+9: (19)+9: 28 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+9: (10)+9: 19 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d4+3: (4)+3: 7 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d4+3: (2)+3: 5
The little jars are nothing if not persistent. They nom away at those they're attached to, or leap up and attach to new hosts. The table meanwhile has grown teeth and a long tongue that it wraps around Rune's leg. "HURRR! SSSMTHNG TO EEET!"
GAME: Aelwyn rolls athletics: (12)+8: 20 GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon10: (6)+10: 16 GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage10: aliased to 1d10+4: (8)+4: 12
Aelwyn turns his head just in time to see Rune do her flip. "Tch, Twin carries the foot with her-" And then she gets grappled by a tongue. "... and the stories seem to be true."
Not standing still for much longer, he takes a running step and leaps on top of the mimic. Light on his toes, he holds up his glaive and twists his body; the performance looks unerringly as if he were simply dancing on stage, but in this case it was all to avoid getting grappled. With a final flick of his tail and twisting around, he lands onto the ground - and thrusts his glaive against the nearest mimic cup. "Tch, should have burnt the spire down." He snarls as the cup remains standing.
GAME: Harkashan casts Archon's Aura. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19
Lucius grunts as the jars chomp down on him once again. "Enough of this." He slaps them more forcefully, and as they fall back on the table, the cavalier runs towards Thunder and reaches for his lance. As he swings onto the saddle and prepares to charge, the tip of the lance descends into a menacing horizontal position.
Of course Rune has found the Mommy Mimic, that Aelwyn called out should be around.
Of course she just climbed right on top of it. He's surprised she got this far across its sticky surface to be honest.
Harkashan lets out a growly noise, especially when one of the jars gets onto his armor and starts biting into it, damaging the metal and getting all stuck on him.
"Hey!" He then calls out at the table. "Stop that! Do not eat that!"
As another wave of demanding magic erupts outwards, trying to weaken his foes further. "We need to start damaging this thing." He calls out, noticing a lot of moving and not a lot of hacking.
GAME: Rune rolls escape artist -2 +1: (13)+8+-2+1: 20 GAME: Visten rolls bastardsword+2: aliased to weapon1+2: (7)+6+2: 15 GAME: Visten rolls 1d10+4+1+1d6: (2)+4+1+(1): 8
The moment that Rune realizes just what kind of trouble she has stepped into, is also the same instant that a slimy, drooly, viscus tongue wraps around her leg. The feeling is enough to send a shiver up her spine and cause a look of absolute disgust to cross her face. "No no no no NO!"
Rune shouts as she struggles with the creature, planting one foot on one of the mimic's teeth and pushing herself off of it, twisting as she tries to launch herself up. The slickness of the tongue works to the creature's disadvantage as she slides free from its grasp with a -slurp- of sound, leaving Rune faintly drool covered, but free.
The rogue launches herself off the table, landing in a crouch near Aelwyn. "I think I'm going to need a trip to the bath house after this." Monster drool drops off of her leg.
Visten has his hands - or shield - full with keeping one jam jar from causing him trouble, and so as the table erupts into an even bigger monstrosity he clearly is not ready for that! His large sword is angled under the shield, and then driven into the morphable fleshy body of the jar, twisting as he hears it bite home.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10-3: (11)+10+-3: 18 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10-3: (2)+10+-3: 9 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10-3: (17)+10+-3: 24 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10-3: (5)+10+-3: 12 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10-1: (6)+10+-1: 15 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d4+3-1: (4)+3+-1: 6
The battleground has become chaos. The little jars are everywhere. One is huddled on the table, growling to its mother... you think. A braver one jumps onto Harkashan again, nibbling away at the sith-makar. The others have little luck finding a meal - for the moment.
GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon10: (9)+10: 19 GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage10: aliased to 1d10+4: (2)+4: 6 GAME: Lucius rolls 1d20+BAB+Strength+4+1+2+2+2-2: (18)+4+3+4+1+2+2+2+-2: 34
"A most efficient wriggling, Twin." The Dragoon replies to the rogue that landed besides him. Then he lets out an amused rumble, hefting his glaive. "This one will make sure she gets the best service for her bath." Spinning the glaive in his hands, he makes a sweeping motion at the cups, clipping one of them with a hit.
"Tch, why do they remain standing?" He eyes the table with his orange eyes. "Can this meal even be finished by us?"
GAME: Lucius rolls lance+4+4+1+lance+4+4+1: aliased to 1d8+Strength+4+4+1+1d8+Strength+4+4+1: (4)+3+4+4+1+(5)+3+4+4+1: 33 GAME: Harkashan casts Magic Weapon. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10-1: (5)+10+-1: 14
"I think we're all going to need a bath after this." Harkashan remarks, relieved that Rune has managed to get off of the Mimic. It's powerful adhesive on those bloody things, so it's quite impressive what she manages to pull off!
Speaking of bloody things, one of the cups keeps jumping and biting at him. "Will you get off?" He grumps at the thing, trying to shake it off while moving forward again, trying to get around the stupid darn cup to get to Visten, who is using his bastard sword to try and do some proper damage.
"Here, may this help." He remarks, touching the blade for a moment. And not a moment later, the blade seems to suddenly burst to life with a flare of pale-red light. A sense of power brimming through it that reaches Visten's hands. Embers seeming to come off of it without the weapon actually giving off a flame or burning.
GAME: Rune rolls weapon3+2-2: (20)+9+2+-2: 29 (THREAT) GAME: Rune rolls weapon3+2-2: (7)+9+2+-2: 16 GAME: Rune rolls weapon3+2-2: (1)+9+2+-2: 10 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Rune rolls 1d6+1+1d6+1+2d6: (2)+1+(6)+1+(11): 21 GAME: Visten rolls bastardsword+3: aliased to weapon1+3: (6)+6+3: 15
"Sometimes practicing escaping through narrow windows comes in handy." That must have been a /very/ long time ago, but Rune's natural agility had come in handy, it seems. Even so, she seems to be breathing heavily, her hands white-knuckling the two short-swords she carries.
She gives a grin towards Aelwyn, and then a chuckle at Harkashan before taking a position opposite her allies in order to get a better position on the mimic. It isn't like finding a weak spot on a normal enemy, figuring this one is a /table/, but she manages to wedge one of the swords in between boards of wood and wrench it sideways, causing wood to crack along the surface and the weapon to dig into the fleshy insides beneath it.
"They can be hurt, it just takes a /lot/ of effort." She adds.
GAME: Visten rolls 1d10+4+1+1+1d6: (2)+4+1+1+(1): 9
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10-3: (20)+10+-3: 27 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10-3: (17)+10+-3: 24 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10-3: (14)+10+-3: 21 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10-3: (3)+10+-3: 10 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10-3: (9)+10+-3: 16
Visten 's eyes go wide at the sight of his blade getting a new shimmering glow around it. His pause doesn't last, as the mimic struggles further, and he drives the blade back into the jar; this time with a sickening crunch as the morphed flesh gives way completely, and his shield clangs against the table as the jar evaporates. "Ha HA!" he shouts triumphantly. At slaying a jar of jam. It's the little things.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10-1: (14)+10+-1: 23 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d4+3-1: (2)+3+-1: 4 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d4+3-1: (1)+3+-1: 3 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d4+3-1: (1)+3+-1: 3
The deadly mimics are not done just yet. They attack viciously, defending their matron whom wraps a giant tongue around Lucius. One of the little ones gets a great grasp on Rune's wrist and there is a spray of vital fluids.
GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon10: (11)+10: 21 GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage10: aliased to 1d10+4: (4)+4: 8
Aelwyn looks at the horse thundering down - and there's a bit of a shiver as he sees the lance penetrate through. "Tch, it appears so Twin." The draconian grins as their first victim falls, thanks to Visten's strike. "Though it feels-" It is now the short and very ruddy sith-makar's turn to get a faceful of orange jam. With teeth. He rumbles in annoyance, dancing on his feet as even more of the party gets grappled.
"This table needs to be dismantled, less we all become victim to its wicked advances."
GAME: Lucius rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9
Any thought of pressing the attack instantly evaporates as an enormous tongue all but engulfs Lucius in its slimy grip. The cavalier struggles to wriggle out, but finding little purchase on its slick surface, he fails to escape its restraint. "Agreed, Aelwyn!" A muffled yelp emerges from the wriggling mass as Thunder neighs in concern for his rider.
"Rune!" Harkashan calls out. There's a table between him and her, which makes healing her a lot more difficult than he'd like it to be. "I can't get to you easily like this!" He calls out to her.
She can probably see his pacing. The way his tail sways in irritated manners. He has spotted the way she's hurt. The bleeding. The worry spelled all over his expression.
He shifts his body, knowing he can't easily move to protect Rune right now, and touches Visten again. Empowering him further. Embers moving from that blade into Visten himself. "Strike with all your might, Visten!" Harkashan calls for him.
GAME: Rune rolls weapon3+2+2-2: (19)+9+2+2+-2: 30 (THREAT) GAME: Rune rolls weapon3+2+2-2: (12)+9+2+2+-2: 23 GAME: Rune rolls weapon3+2+2-2: (5)+9+2+2+-2: 16 GAME: Rune rolls 1d6+1+1d6+1+2d6: (6)+1+(4)+1+(8): 20 GAME: Rune rolls 1d6+1+2d6: (2)+1+(7): 10 GAME: Harkashan rolls 3d6+5: (11)+5: 16
Just as Rune goes to pull her blade back, one of the cups latches onto her wrist and bites clean through the glove, teeth sinking in and tearing at delicate flesh. The pain is immediate, followed by a cry that almost sounds like a wounded animal from the half-sil. The sudden shock of it is enough to have her blue eyes roll briefly, as if she may just succumb to the injury, but a shake of her head seems to clear it as Rune grits her teeth.
"Fucking little bugger." As Harkashan calls out to her, Rune looks up, her face a bit paler than one might normally expect. "It is what it is!" The lava-scaled one would know that look. It's the same sort of look he saw from her on that fateful day over a year ago.
Rather than trying to shake off the one still firmly attached to her arm, Rune takes both short swords and stabs them down into the table, right into the spot she had already opened up.
The table suddenly explodes into a huge puff of black smoke and sulfur - taking all its little babies with it. All that is left in the midst of this is a small black stone that shimmers on the ground.
Visten feels a surge of might flow through his muscles and veins, and the already strong fellow lifts aloft his sword as easily as one might twirl a pencil. There's hesitation at first, since this strength is new to him, and that hesitation is all that's needed for focus of his ire to evaporate. There's no downward swing, just a confused blink. "Oh." he says, not with any disappointment, just realization of victory. "OH!" he adds with more emphasis. "Ha ha! No afternoon tea will claim our lives this day!" he declares.
As the table cracks, then poofs into a puff of smoke, the little cup-o-mimics disappear as well! Harkashan doesn't drop his defenses, but he does step straight across. Touching his hand to one of the Lavastones within his armor, it doesn't take long before a wave of red light comes from him.
The light creeps into peoples' flesh, warmth beating over them. Rune would know, unlike that fateful day, his healing is far more powerful now. Stepping at her with certainty in his eyes. "It will not be." He answers her firmly.
And then pulls her into a hug before she might have a chance to check out the small black stone.
Then, releasing and patting the sides of her body. His healing magics still radiating from him; "Well done, Rune."
Then, turning to look to Visten. "I'll leave my magics on you for a bit so you can practice swing in this condition." Perhaps having noticed his momentary hesitation earlier.
Aelwyn continues to look around the room, prepared for more mimics to pop out of nowhere. His eyes look over towards Harkashan, remembering the other sith's changed appearance... "Lava is not one of them as well?" He rumbles with a tail whip.
But immediate threat over, the small draconian walks over Rune and moves to help her. "Does she require healing?" He asks, "This one carries-." And Harkashan is already all over her. Tilting his head, he bows his head in quiet to leave the pair to themselves, before his attention moves over the others as well. "Flasks, anyone?"
"Well fought, a thunderous performance." A flash of his teeth. "Yet this one wonders if the scent of sulfur is..." He takes in a deep breath. "The orb, this one supposes, needs to be taken to the Guild." He eyes the round thing with a degree of distaste.
Lucius gasps with relief as the mimic tongue, as well as its pressure, vanishes with Rune's killing blow. He grins at Visten's declaration of victory, and is about to join in himself when he notices the small black stone. Joy instantly becomes trepidation as his eyes widen and Thunder instinctively takes a step back. "I suggest we return that stone to the Guild as quickly and carefully as possible. A fire demon escaped from within a stone that looked very similar to this one." His voice strains with fear.
It is a strange sensation, as Rune's blades impact the creature, feel the resistance and then... it vanishes. She stumbles forward, landing on her knees. The pain from the motion shoots up her arm, causing her to drop the weapons once it appears that they are safe. Her arm looks like a mangled mess.
Thankfully, Harkashan's healing magic helps stem some of the tide of crimson staining her skin. Between the two Sith-Makar, she is helped to her feet, hugged, and then just tucks her arm against her side, likely feeling quite ginger about moving it given the severity of the injury, healing or no.
One at a time, she picks up her weapons, wipes them off, and sheaths them as if this were a ritual, but it takes a lot longer given one of her hands is out of commission. "I remember hearing about things like this. Simony mentioned it." Rune manages, leaning a little onto Aelwyn. The smaller Makari is closer to her own height which makes it a little easier to lean against for support.
"I promise I am not a Mimic, nor a Mirage, Aelwyn." Harkashan answers the runty little Sith-makar Dragoon with a bemused sound. Relaxing a bit with Rune's health at a better state - though the wounded arm still concerns him - before looking around to the stone on display.
At Lucius' explanation, he notes; "I will transport it in that case. But I'd like you to stay close. In case something does indeed break out." Looking to the others for opinions on the matter, before taking out a little pouch that looks like it can fit the stone - and wrapping the stone in burial cloth first, before putting it into the pouch.
"I hope the others do not need support." He adds, looking in the direction the other team traveled. Taking a moment to listen to nature around him. Maybe he can hear the others. But they are likely too far off.
GAME: Harkashan rolls Perception: (6)+5: 11
Aelwyn gladly accepts Rune, offering his arm around her. "Then a long bath we all shall enjoy." The draconian rumbles and bows his head. His glaive is rested upon his shoulder. "... it was still beautiful twin strike." The Dragoon compliments Rune. "As well as a valiant kill, Armor and Twin alike."
The now largely empty space - well there's still baskets of dumped-out biscuits and broken plates; tea cups on the ground. Still does not lead any further than this. Thus you have a long, long walk all the way back to where you started from here. But you've captured one of the stones, and perhaps in the end that will lead you to something more. Occasionally, as you walk along the spire rises behind you. A specter haunting you through the night.
-End