Trick or Treat: Under the Sea

Log Info

• Title: Trick or Treat: Under the Sea
• Emitter: Cryosanthia
• Characters: Cryosanthia, Jinks, Seyardu
• Place: A14: Quill's Repose, City Library
• Time: Saturday, October 30, 2021, 5:59 PM
• Summary:All is quiet in the Quill's Repose. What are the chances something strange will happen in the Library two days in a row? There's a sinking feeling, that couldn't possibly be related to the tale of a squid-like pirate captain, could it? Here's a hint, everyone has a ball. Cryosanthia is reading a book on dimensional theory while Lily listens to a children's story. Story over, she rejoins her Ssassa who accidentally teleports herself, her youngling, and the book away. This angers Lady Octagna. At the same time, Jinks and Seyardu are present, conducting research, when things get eerie, and like the ocean not the lake. The air itself grows darker and ghostly forms of jellyfish and squid are swimming all around. The call to get the children out is made, with their parents rushing to do so. Except some are intercepted by squids and jellies. A giant one is forming near the door. Battle ensues, with some families making it, and some of the parents succumbing to squids. Even the Library guards are taken down, and Octagna. With great risk to self, Seyardu saves Octagna's assistant, who nearly died and also died. Jinks and Seyardu keep the giant squid occupied as it beats through the gnome's illusory copies, and help the others to escape. Finally they manage to disrupt it enough that it fades away and the lesser ghosts of ocean life can be dealt with.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--<* A14: Quill's Repose, City Library *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

A large hallway, circular in design, is what lies beyond the large doors that let visitors in to the public library. Two guards stand in these doors at all times, employees of the city Watch, hired by the library for protection and to prevent theft of books. The head librarian is more of the same--a retired Watch member, herself: Lady Octagna is a great oruch whose lined face bears with it, as well, the scars of old battle. These days, she battles over books and the impudence of Society, Engineering, and Temple students alike, who spend long hours toiling within the Library's walls and basement.

A sign above proclaims the loan of books to be illegal, and that books may not travel further than the doors. Loud noises are hushed by the Lady Octagna, whose grand stature is said to be second to none. Her movements are rarely heard, though they are often seen, marking her quite agile in her elderly age. Rumors, too, place her as a curmudgeon'd ally of Madame Gelfure, the two of them going back years, with a tradition of lunches or the occasional breakfast.

The hall has marble floors, and two staircases lead upwards, one to the left and another to the right. Bright blue carpets cover the steps to lend to the quiet atmosphere of the great library. Straight ahead of the entryway, a tall archway leads into the main library, with study tables between rows and rows of books. The upper levels contain the city records to the left, and the right is a closed off area for library staff.

The symbols of Navos, the Scribe, may be seen in the markings of columns, in the relief of marble. Marble is the prevalent building material, giving the rooms a regal, official and solemn feeling. A few benches line the walls of the circular hall, and a desk sits to the right of the entrance, a secretary always attending it to help guests, even late into the night. The occasional Seer or Temperance may also be seen, offering advisement and wisdom within the great halls.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing in Order  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Cryosanthia  6'9"     291 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman.
Jinks        3'4"     39 Lb      Gnome             Male      A gnomish fellow in fancy garb and jewelry.
Seyardu      5'6"     150 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  NPCs of Note -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Lady Octagna                     Oruch             Female    Elderly ex-guard Captain, head librarian and book.
Little Fang, 'Lily'              Kobold            Female    A pinkscale youngling in a demon hunter's costume.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  As the GM  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Cryosanthia  6'9"     291 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

It's late in the day in the library.

The chaos from the previous day has been cleared. Replacing the books on the shelves took some time. The damaged ones have been set aside for repair.

A white-scaled sith'makar woman sits at a table near the children's reading section. She's looking through a treatise on spell theory. Her carnation-scaled youngling is in a reading circle, listening to a spooky tail of a be-tentacled pirate captain and his undead ship.

The story is coming to a close. The whitescale turns a page on her book.

Jinks yawns violently on his way down the stairs from the floor above; eyes squinting shut, mouth opening to split his face as his teeth slide from behind stretched lips. He leans against the railing for balance, a sheaf of paper under one arm and an inkwell and quill held in his opposite hand. He stops at the bottom and blinks, shaking his head forcefully, then continues towards the secretary's desk. The gnome reaches up and sets the sheaf, quill, and inkwell down before climbing a step to see the woman beyond.

"Six pages," he explains, sliding paper off the stack one at a time to count the half-dozen. A twist and he collects a few coins from a pouch at his belt, paying for that and the ink used for transcribing. Then he returns the still-blank pages re-secured with twine to the woman. "And, gods below, the boredom of this place..." A lifted hand is meant to ward off any debate and he slaps another copper coin down as compensation for his ill humor.

Jinks takes up his pages and taps them against the counter to set them straight, then sets to twisting them between two loose fists. They roll up neatly and he applies a little ribbon before hopping down off the stool. "... I need an apprentice," he realizes.

Seyardu occasionally stopped by the libraries in Alexandria for various reasons, and today brought her back to the building. The state it was in was a surprise, but thankfully it was only one of the restricted sections that was under significantly more security and scrutiny for the time being. So at one of the tables in the library the silver sith-makar was poring over a book with a bright crimson quill emblazoned on a corner, with several more in a stack next to her, along with other books seemingly on relationship advice. This went on for some time, she was even oblivious to Lily and Cryosanthia being nearby.

The library is a quiet and tranquil place. It isn't every day that books are leaping off the shelves and eating people, although that was yesterday. Today, they seem well behaved.

Octagna's secretary takes the money from the gnome, nodding, "They can be helpful. Well have a nice day."

The story is also ending, "And that is how Captain Grabbeard was sent back to Rada." The book is snapped shut, the children cheer and look around for parents. Several are arriving through the main doors.

The pinkscale runs over to the white, hops up on the table and stares down at the open tome. "Whatss reading?"

"Dimensional theory," Cryo says, "I'd like to feel less dumb every time it comes up. I was listening more to your story though."

They have also not noticed the silverscale, nor the gnome.

"This is why you grow up to be airship captains," Jinks advises the scurrying little ones with one hand resting protectively on his purse, "no eldritch horror-tainted agents captaining their amphibious craft trying to shackle your soul into service for one-hundred years and a day." He's overdressed for the library and so might seem an authority on the more chaotic and dangerous aspects of life to the children-- even if the parents tend to frown and turn their nose up at a mercenary in his kit. No matter how overpriced and ostentatious it may be.

The gnome taps the roll of papers into his palm distractedly, stepping carefully through the throng and to one side of the room. He has that look of idle pre-mischief that isn't made less-worrisome but his blackened eye or split lip.

Seyardu continued to read her book until the noise of many people entering, and many leaving caused her to look up and close the tome, finding Jinks nearby, and Cryosanthia and lily. She offers them all a wave, before setting aside her book for the time being.

The parents, an oruch, a noble, a spear carrier, an amazon, and an elf and an unlikely setup for a punchline, are collecting their children and either leaving and eyeing Jinks, or wandering some more in the library.

"Thass sspell." Lily says, crawling up to drape herself against Cryo's shoulder and lean over to read with her. "Casssss it, cassss!"

"Lily, press your tongue more firmly up and inhale just a little. You are losing the second stth! sound in your trade words." The whitescale advises, picking a battle. She also answers the request, "My magic doesn't work that way. I'm not a wizard, spells don't just... hmmm..."

Cryo tilts the book up to stare at it, her left hand tracing in the air. Her scales sparkle, little flashes of light across her back and chest, trickling over her shoulder and down her left arm. Her claws leave glowing trails in the air. "Hmmmm..."

Lily waves at Seyardu, her tiny claws don't leave any after-images.

>Bloop<

Cryosanthia, Lily and the book vanish.

"WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!" Lady Octagna shouts, glaring at the doors, staring at Jinks. It's his fault, it must be. He's small and shifty looking and had correct change. "The count of books in the Library decreased by one. How did you manage that?"

GAME: Jinks casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 7 DC: 15

Jinks laughs at that, snapped out of a stunned blinking fit that started when the two lizardfolk disappeared. He's quite amused at the notion that he'd steal a book. "Tallman, I can think of a half-dozen ways I'd have more fun falling asleep than by reading a book." The gnome opens his coat and slides the fruits of his recent labors into an inside-coat pocket, then hums, covers his eyes, and considers the area Cryosanthia and her ward had just occupied.

"The Sith was having a look..." His (usually) solid-black eyes glow pink, casting highlights up into his white hair. "Maybe this is more fallout from your excitement yesterday?" He wonders in a distracted voice.

Seyardu blinks when Lily and Cryosanthia disappear, before she is able to return the wave. She turns to where the librarian was shouting and shakes her head.

"Apologies Lady Octagna, but I do not know if that was the expected outcome. I am sure they will return with the book, and failing that, I will make sure that they return it." She offers placatingly.

"Oh, so it's your fault." Lady Octagna stares at Seyardu. She frowns, "Well make sure that you do then."

Parents and children continue to leave.

A magic disturbance continues to grow, the gnome can see it, pulses of energy tracing through the floors and walls, over the shelves and through the books themselves.

Pulses that are enhanced by the imaginations of children, the weakness between the worlds, and focused by the gargoyles that squat beside the windows, high on the upper floor.

The story of the ship-captain that returned to the sea resonates with the building. There's the odd sensation of being underwater. The air is darker near the floor, murky, and small glowing shapes dart out of the spines of the books.

Like ghosts.

Ghosts of jellyfish and squid, who provided the ink for the pages and passed on.

But First! A fun little bit of pedantic information. It's only a gargoyle if it's part of the water runoff system on a building. So they're usually on the top floor. Otherwise it's technically a grotesque. However, the library gargoyles might well have their butts outside wit the water coming out an appropriate location. Perhaps even as commentary on the city's luminaries.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Alright. I'll do my standard 1st and hit Haste and start performing as a move."
<OOC> Jinks says, "5' me to 5,13 as a free. I'll get myself, Sey, and five other adults that're ushering the kiddos near me."

"Get the tallmen spawn away, I'll speed you feet." Jinks waves at the adults nearest him, ushering them towards the door. He slides his fingers through the strands of the weave like a harpist, gliding over hundreds until he finds the one twisting through the room he wants. He twists his finger and taps that same, increasing rhythm. The silver thread dangling between Seyardu, the gnome, and the nearby chaperones vibrates as the world seems to slow.

The gnome sucks in a breath as he works to free his hand, grinning wolfishly before he licks his lips.

"Kiss me goodbye.

" Pushing out before I sleep.

"Can't you see I try?

"Swimming the same deep water as you is hard..."

The two parents closest to the door grab their children and drag them all outside. There are squeals and complaints, the spawn wanting to watch the glowing jellyfish and squids drifting through the air. At least one fat-cheeked boy is blowing bubbles as if he's underwater.

This leave the two city guards, Lady Octagna and her assistant in a speeded up state. "Library is closed." The elderly oruch grunts, "Everyone out." They start moving to make it so.

<OOC> Seyardu says, "I guess I'll move to 25,17, and cast spiritual ally on the octopus at 11,18"
GAME: Seyardu casts Spiritual Ally. Caster Level: 9 DC: 18
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+10: (8)+10: 18
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d10+3: (5)+3: 8

Seyardu squints at the nearest creatures, finding herself relatively alone on the upper floor. But the commotion causes her to spring to her feet and run to one of the stairwells in the corners of the room. She reaches for her holy symbol, offering a short prayer. "Celestial mother, assist this one in defending those here." She chants, causing an equally ghostly sith-makar to manifest near one of the creatures and strike out against it.

"I will help hold these off, to get those in danger out of here!" She shouts, ignoring the misplaced anger from before for the time being.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (13)+4: 17 (Bite attack)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (10)+2: 12 (Squid Tents)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (4)+8: 12 (Squid grapple)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "A squid comes to attack Seyardu"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3+2: (2)+2: 4

The squids and jellyfish appear to be simply drifting about, with no clear target in mind. Although getting close to them does appear to agitate them. An oruch with a small group of orclings has one swim up to her. It reaches out with tentacles, but nothing apparent happens, they don't touch.

All but invisible, a small swarm of fist-sized jellyfish wriggle and writhe, a virtual wall of stinging tentacles that surrounds the spear-carrier. He stiffens and then falls over, paralyzed even though they swim right through him.

Something large is appearing where the grotesques are focused.

GAME: Jinks rolls Knowledge/Nature: (9)+10: 19

The various little ghosty fish are they content to do their own thing. They do not seem to be coming towards whatever is forming. In fact, the jellyfish and squid seem to be randomly swimming about, much like they would in life. However, when they approach something, or it approaches them, they rapidly move in the direction of the prey and attack it.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Alright, draw my bow as a move, casting Mirror Image for defense, and then I'll holler."
GAME: Jinks spends TWO uses of BARDIC PERFORMANCE.
GAME: Jinks casts Mirror Image. Caster Level: 7 DC: 18
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2: (3)+2: 5 (5 Fake Jinks)

"The shallow drowned lose less than we."

"The strangest twist upon your lips..."

The song carries from the gnome through the building, bolstering those who're meant to be standing in this plane-- and not the trespassers floating half-through it. He snatches the bow from his back and looks around, trying to make sense of things. The words of his songs echo in harmony, splitting into different vocalists as he pulls apart at the seems, layering onto, under, around, and over himself.

There are six Jinks.

"Avoid the beasts," he says, crouching low with the bow. "If you don't get close--" another stands with his arms crossed. "--they might leave you be." Yet another searches his pouches for the next spell component. "Sneak around if you're able." Suggests the next. The remaining carry the Hymn and keep the chorus alive.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "k/religion, k/nature DC15, k/arcana DC25"
GAME: Seyardu rolls knowledge/religion: (19)+9: 28
GAME: Seyardu casts Angelic Aspect. Caster Level: 9 DC: 19
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+10: (19)+10: 29
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+5: (7)+5: 12
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d10+3: (8)+3: 11
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d10+3: (2)+3: 5

The ghostly sith-makar brings the weapon it is wielding down on the octopus, while Seyardu turns to the stairs. "Yes, I will leave when the people here are safe, and not before." She tells the guard that went upstairs, already running past them and down the stairwell.

The silver sith-makar blinks, and squints. That was a lot of Jinks in one place.

Seyardu reaches for her holy symbol for another prayer, this time causing a pair of draconic silver wings to appear out of the sith-makar's back when she encounters the growing squid.

Eldrich wisps gather, swirling into the translucent and transparent shape of a giant squid. Streams of mist flowing into it from all the books on the shelves. It grows but is still insubstantial.

The smaller ones urgently jet towards the humanoids near them, diving through their bodies and grasping at them with trailing tentacles.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (2)+4: 6
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (8)+2: 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (7)+4: 11
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (13)+4: 17
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3+2: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (18)+8: 26
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+5: (19)+5: 24

Everyone seems unaffected.

Except one guard, who shudders as the jellyfish seems to get caught around his heart. Sticking out of his chest, halfway through his armour, it pulses with light 'stinging' him. He gasps, groans,b ut doesn't fall.

The assistant to Octagna, an individual with endurance if there ever was one, makes it over to the swordwoman and her family. She hustles them across the library, running her directly through the giant squid with no ill effects.

They're almost to the door, almost.

Octagna grabs the shortspears and pulls them around the corner, while the oruch family retreats further into the library, looking for a better way out.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Alright, 5' to 4,14, maintain my song as a freebie, then full attack with the bow as the bigsquiddie."
<OOC> Jinks says, "PBS, Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, and the extra Haste attack."
<OOC> Jinks says, "It is a magic bow. So it should do half damage even if it's ethereal."
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+1+2-2-2: (17)+10+1+1+2+-2+-2: 27
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+1+2-2-2: (12)+10+1+1+2+-2+-2: 22
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+1+2-2-2: (16)+10+1+1+2+-2+-2: 26
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2+2+4: (4)+2+2+4+1: 13
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2+2+4: (2)+2+2+4+1: 11
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2+2+4: (3)+2+2+4+1: 12

"And we shall be together..."

"And we shall be together..."

Two of the images sing, sliding back casually as the other four images roll, hop, and dash back a short distance and raise the both; a quartet of identical weapons aimed at the large creature. The gnome is fast, skilled with the bow, and there are four of him. A vibrating hum of plucked strings fills the room behind the words of the Hymn-bolstered song. A barrage tears through the air like a swarm of angered wasps. Most vanish not more than a spears' thrust from the bow what launched them but a trio cut through the air as you'd expect and pierce the growing image of the squid.

GAME: Seyardu rolls knowledge/arcana: (10)+5: 15
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20 +11 +2: (17)+11+2: 30
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d8+3+2: (6)+3+2: 11

At the bottom of the stairs, Seyardu sees the growing squid near the front, where people are escaping to. she sprints closer, catching one of the people on the ground as she passes. she brings out her polearm as she is moving, and down into the spectral squid, finding little purchase, but going through it still.

The giant squid manifests fully, tentacles and arms thrashing in a way that fills the foyer of the library and completely blocks the doors.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "bite jinks, 2 claws on Seyardu, tentacles on the assistant"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (20)+14: 34 (THREAT)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (15)+14: 29 (Confirmed)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (5)+14: 19
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (5)+14: 19
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (2)+12: 14
<OOC> Jinks says, "Roll to hit the REAL JINKS. d6. 4 is the real Jinks, rest are images."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6: (3): 3
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+22: (3)+22: 25
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 4d6+10: (12)+10: 22
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+7: (3)+7: 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+7: (4)+7: 11

Octagna's assistant shoves the amazon and her amazettes out the library door.

She turns, startling as she sees how large the squid has grown. It fills the foyer of the library, with an eerie solidity that belies how easy is is to see through.

A huge, immense thing, the squid snaps at the overlaid images of Jinks. A bit that easily takes his head off. Or would, had it hit him. Instead, one of his images *pop*s out of existence.

The silverscale is lashed by the wispy arms as it retaliates for her strike. She feels it burning along her scales and the skin beneath as armour appears to provide little resistance.

The assistant however, is not so lucky. Surrounded and grabbed by the squid's tentacles, she is slammed up against the ceiling and twisted as it brings her down. She lays beneath it, food for fishes now.

<OOC> Seyardu says, "the assistant is dead?"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "probably, she took a lot of damage, she's not moving, likely negative an amount, not stabilize"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d2: (2): 2
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (6)+4: 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (17)+2: 19
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (19)+2: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (3)+2: 5
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2

The guard upstairs moves along the stacks, checking down each one, then calling out, "Anyone up here? Get out and call out if you need help."

The second guard, struggling with the one in his chest, makes no noise but strikes at it, attempting to pull it free. This is futile without magic; who needs magic to guard books from bookworms.

Lady Octagna drags the half-hafts around to the tables and stares at the squid in the foyer. "Need some help. Move that or make a hole."

The Children's reader rounds a corner and runs straight into a jellyfish. She bats as it attaches to her head like a fascinator.

GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+2-2-2-2: (6)+10+1+2+-2+-2+-2: 13
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+2-2-2-2: (15)+10+1+2+-2+-2+-2: 22
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+1+2-2-2: (15)+10+1+1+2+-2+-2: 25
GAME: Jinks casts Gallant Inspiration. Caster Level: 7 DC: 17
GAME: Jinks rolls 2d4: (5): 5
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2+2+4: (1)+2+2+4: 9
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2+2+4: (2)+2+2+4: 10
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2+2+4+1: (4)+2+2+4+1: 13
GAME: You damaged Seyardu for -10 points. 70 HP remaining.

All five Jinks seem quite shocked when their sixth is so rudely struck into nonexistence. They roll, jump, slide, and dash the short distance to find a space outside of the monstrous spectre's reach. Two still sing, three bringing up their bows. Two send a volley down the row of shelves to try and spare a civilian from the jellyfish's press. The final Jinks sends arrows at the ever-growing monster blocking the door. Somewhere in there is one image pulling into, out, and through the others managing all of this by himself. Well, at least three shots from the bow.

The arrows whistle through the ghostly sealife to distort and tear. Sadly, nothing is sent from this plane though the jellyfish is looking fairly thin.

"Kiss me goodbye, bow your head, and join me"

"And, face pushed deep, reflections meet..."

GAME: Seyardu rolls knowledge/arcana: (18)+5: 23
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, roll healing"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 4d6: (9): 9
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d6: (2): 2
<OOC> Seyardu says, "moved to 7,13 and attacking"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+10: (13)+10: 23
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+5: (14)+5: 19
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d10+3: (6)+3: 9
<OOC> Seyardu says, "before I roll, declaring power attack"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20 +11 +2 +1: (4)+11+2+1-2: 16 (-2 Power Attack)
GAME: You damaged Seyardu for -11 points. 78 HP remaining.
GAME: You damaged Jinks for -11 points. 46 HP remaining.

Seyardu flinches when the squid strikes them, and the assistant is brought down by it as well. Too far from the others to harry the creature and reach the other fallen patrons, she reaches to hold her holy symbol emitting a wave of healing energy while the ghostly sith-makar moves in to strike at the squid, going wide with the second swing. In the wake of it she sweeps her own billhook at the squid, but finds nothing but air.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "same as before, bite on jinks, 2 arms on Seyardu, tents on the assistant"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (16)+14: 30
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (3)+14: 17
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (15)+14: 29
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (19)+12: 31 (THREAT)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (2)+12: 14 (Confirmed)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "5 of you jinks, shich is the real jinks?"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d5: (4): 4, Jinks says, "2"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+7: (1)+7: 8
GAME: You damaged Seyardu for 3 points. 67 HP remaining.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 8d6+6: (31)+6: 37 (On Assistant, to -34 HP, Really DEAD)

The healing energies flow through Octagna's assistant, her eyes flutter. She looks up, seeing the underside of a giant squid and through it, the ceiling. It's fascinating, in a way, she's able to see all the organs of the beast.

An educational experience that lasts only a moment. As she scuttles away on her back, she's surrounded by tentacles. They grab her legs, arm, head, and with a bone-chilling crack she's crushed and dropped.

Jinks is snapped at again. An image pops, one making a rude gesture.

The arms reach for Seyardu, wafting through her, one leaving an unsettlingly chill trail.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (5)+3: 8
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (11)+7: 18
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (11)+4: 15
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (7)+2: 9
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3+2: (1)+2: 3

Lady Octagna creeps along the shelves, children in tow. She's sneaking, or making an effort to do so. She's an old oruch, her knees crack, as does her back. The children tagging along with her aren't good at it either, making quiet crying noises.

A squid emerges from the books, and attacks. Octagna shivers as it clings to her arm, but she stays up.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (4)+4: 8
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (13)+2: 15
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (20)+8: 28
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (15)+4: 19
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (8)+8: 16
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (19)+2: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (6)+8: 14
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (15)+2: 17
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (19)+8: 27
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+5: (7)+5: 12
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3+2: (3)+2: 5
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3+2: (3)+2: 5
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3+2: (1)+2: 3

"Hang in there buddy, I'm coming!" The upstairs guard flies down the spiral staircase and rushes over to his partner. The second guard unsuccessfully beats at the squid that's squeezing his heart. Another pulsing of light, and he slides to the floor with a sigh, paralyzed.

Perhaps drained.

His friend from upstairs isn't doing as well either, as a squid comes through the ceiling and latches onto his back. "Ah, get it off. Off. Help!"

Octaga has a squid swim right through her. She staggers, falling to a knee, "I'm not out yet. Run children, get away from that."

The children's reader succumbs unable to resist the one that has latched onto her. The last adult leading a bunch of children is pursued by a jellyfish swarm. "Keep moving."

<OOC> Jinks says, "5' to 6,16, free to maintain song. Full attack big squid."
<OOC> Jinks says, "PBS, rapid shot, deadly aim, haste attack"
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+1+2-2-2: (8)+10+1+1+2+-2+-2: 18
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+1+2-2-2: (2)+10+1+1+2+-2+-2: 12
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+1+2-2-2: (4)+10+1+1+2+-2+-2: 14
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "use your re-roll?"
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+1+2-2-2: (11)+10+1+1+2+-2+-2: 21
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2+2+4+1: (2)+2+2+4+1: 11

"The strangest twist upon your lips"

"and disappear, the ripples clear."

The rapidly-dwindling Jinkses continue to step back from the expanding, ethereal sea creature. Another volley of arrows but they all fly wide of their mark save one. A grazing shot that pulls some of the pseudo-matter away as the needle-like arrow passes through. "... Mulria's sideways smile," curses the quartet in unison.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, she's at -34, if you can heal her to -13 she'll be alive in some form"
GAME: Seyardu casts Breath of Life. Caster Level: 9 DC: 19
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (5)+14: 19 (AOO)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6+7: (10)+7: 17
GAME: You damaged Seyardu for 12 points. 66 HP remaining.
GAME: Seyardu rolls 5d8 +9: (22)+9: 31
<OOC> Seyardu says, "Spiritual ally moving to 9,11, and attacking"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20 +12: (11)+12: 23
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d10+3: (5)+3: 8
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d10+3: (2)+3: 5

Seyardu winces when the squid strikes her again, seeming to pass straight through her armor. But worse than that was hearing the crack of bones and the body dropped nearby. It was a sight that was growing too familiar in the city, out of the city. But she was stronger than before, and could do something about it.

Heedless of the creature snapping at her, she sprints beside it, sliding the last bit of the way while she pulls out her holy symbol. "Celestial mother, mend this one's wounds, bring them back before they return to the death singing wyrm." She prays before the holy symbol is thrust against the body, causing bones to realign themselves with a sickening crunch, before the form shudders back to life.

She had done it, she managed to stop it, finally. "This one will draw their attention." She shouts. "If it moves to strike me, make a run for the door."

The library assistant is brought back to life, and consciousness. She finds herself prone in a huge pool of blood. She screams, she'd scream harder if she knew it was her own. The silverscale's presence, her instructions, reassure her. She stays prone, pretends to be dead and whimpers as the tentacles coil above her.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "BiggieSquiggie moves 5' step around Seyardu and full attacks."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Bite and arms on Jinks, tentacles on Seyardu"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (9)+14: 23
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4: (4): 4 Jinks says, "4"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (5)+14: 19
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4: (1): 1 Jinks says, "4"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (10)+14: 24
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3: (3): 3 Jinks says, "1"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6+7: (9)+7: 16
GAME: You damaged Jinks for 16 points. 30 HP remaining.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (2)+12: 14 (on Seyardu)

The ghostly squid drifts through the illusory water, pursuing Jinks, concentrating on him even. As images pop like popcorn, it snaps out its beak and catches the real gnome among the fakes. It's a painful bite.

Immediately it reaches with its longer arms, grabbing at him, but succeeds in only swatting two of the images.

The silverscale, moving to where Octagna's assistant feel, becomes the new target for the tentacles. They flail at her, but do not land.

"Run! Children, Run!" Octagna orders, dancing in front of her squid to provoke it, making it attack her while her charges make a break for it. They charge out of the stacks, "Circle round!" Octagna yells.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (11)+2: 13
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)

The small squid comes at the Oruch librarian, sinking into her chest, seeking her heart. "OH NO YOU DON'T" She roars, veins bulging, her blood burning. She grabs a book off the shelves and slams it on the ghostly apparition.

It must have an enchanted spine, it affects it, knocking it clear of her.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (19)+2: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3+2: (2)+2: 4

The second guard is not so fortunate. A squid hides in his chest cavity as jellyfish swim through him. "I'm..." is all he manages, before he collapses.

"Go... go around." The other library worker tells the children, shooing them back down the shelves to get into the one with Lady Octagna.

Like Octagna, he interferes with the jellyfish, protecting the children. Unlike the elderly oruch, he doesn't rage, and he doesn't stay on his feet.

<OOC> Jinks says, "5' to 7,17, free to maintain song. Full attack big squid. I'll take the AoO if he threatens that square."
<OOC> Jinks says, "PBS, rapid shot, deadly aim, haste attack"
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+1+2-2-2: (4)+10+1+1+2+-2+-2: 14
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+1+2-2-2: (10)+10+1+1+2+-2+-2: 20
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+1+2-2-2: (18)+10+1+1+2+-2+-2: 28
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2+2+4+1: (2)+2+2+4+1: 11
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2+2+4+1: (3)+2+2+4+1: 12

The dance continues, the gnome a scant duet after starting with a half-dozen of himself spinning and rolling around. They send their arrows at the creature and keep to the song.

"And laughing break against your feet"

"And laugh break the mirror sweet"

"So we shall be together"

So we shall be together."

<OOC> Seyardu says, "5 foot step to 4,13, full attack with flank power attack"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+11 +2 +1: (2)+11+2+1: 16
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "10,11?"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+11 +2 +1: (1)+11+2+1: 15 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Seyardu says, "rerolling"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+11 +2 +1: (10)+11+2+1: 24
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20 +6 +2 +1: (1)+6+2+1: 10 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "where's Lysos when you need her"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d8+3+6+1: (4)+3+6+1: 14
<OOC> Seyardu says, "and the spiritual ally is attacking the jellyfish at 16,9"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+10: (16)+10: 26
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+5: (20)+5: 25
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+5: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d10+3: (8)+3: 11
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d10+3: (1)+3: 4

The person on the ground was not back up yet, and now she needed to turn her attention back to the squid, and pray it paid the prone assistant no mind now. She shifts to the side and swings at the apparition, but her hands are slick with blood, and she fumbles through most of the strike, only managing to pierce through with one of the strikes she puts more of her weight behind. While she is doing this, the sith-makar apparition floats over to where one of the smaller creatures was, and brings it's billhook down and through it, until it is no more.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "squiddy moves after jinks, bite & tentacles, Sey gets both arms."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (13)+14: 27
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d2: (2): 2 Jinks says, "2"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6+7: (9)+7: 16
GAME: You damaged Jinks for 16 points. 14 HP remaining.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (15)+12: 27
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d2: (1): 1 Jinks says, "2"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (18)+14: 32
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (17)+14: 31
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+7: (3)+7: 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+7: (3)+7: 10
GAME: You damaged Seyardu for 10 points. 56 HP remaining.

The squid pursues the gnome, a ghostly beak snapping at him and drawing more blood. Eagerly it follows up with tentacles, but the wily bard has switched with his images again, and those pop in it's grasp.

The last set of mirror images.

Still, while it has followed him, it hasn't forgotten about the silverscale. She is lashed by it's arms, one high, one low, the hooked pads dragging across her armour. Her angelic aspect helps her resist some of the blow, but not all.

The children at the door, slip out.

Octagna yells at the new bunch. In her rage, she's terrifying. She's terrifying when she isn't raging, but is so even more now. With terror in their hearts, the tykes run.

Her assistant stares at the ghostly squid, thrashing above her. She stays very, very still, making a quiet terrified noise.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+5: (6)+5: 11
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "um... Octagna down. squid flew in her mouth"

The librarin swings at the squid, the book misses. Her yell was poorly timed. The squid flies right into her mouth. It's ghostly little arms come out of her eyes, as the ethereal tentacles wreath her head like a crown, and it pulses, shocking her brain.

The squid drops her like last period yrch-speak.

GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+1+2-2-2: (15)+10+1+1+2+-2+-2: 25
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+1+2-2-2: (11)+10+1+1+2+-2+-2: 21
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+1+2-2-2: (6)+10+1+1+2+-2+-2: 16
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2+2+4+1: (3)+2+2+4+1: 12
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2+2+4+1: (3)+2+2+4+1: 12

"Kiss me goodbye"

"Pushing out before I sleep"

"It's lower now, and slow now."

"The strangest twist upon your lips."

The gnome is a soloist again, putting his back to the wall. Digging into his quiver in a blur, he looses three arrows at the ghost-squid. A frown. A narrowing of his eyes. His quiver is getting light and his next escape will be up the stairs-- too much to do quickly and avoid the snapping beak of the monster.

<OOC> Seyardu says, "spiritual ally floating to 10,12 and threatening, and Sey is moving to 5,13 to full attack"
GAME: Seyardu rolls intimidate: (20)+3: 23
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "gratz on looking like it's favourite food!"
<OOC> Seyardu says, "power attack"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+11 +2: (11)+11+2: 24
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+11 +2: (3)+11+2: 16
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+5 +2: (9)+5+2: 16
GAME: Jinks casts Gallant Inspiration. Caster Level: 7 DC: 17
GAME: Jinks rolls 2d4: (3): 3
<OOC> Jinks says, "17+3=20"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d8+2+6+3: (3)+2+6+3: 14
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d8+2+6+3: (3)+2+6+3: 14
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+10: (2)+10: 12 (Spiritual Weapon)
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+5: (2)+5: 7 (Spiritual Weapon)

Seyardu moves back to follow the squid as it chases Jinks, and slashes at it again with her billhook, finding one slice going wide before she shifts to send it through the creature again. Seeing the shape Jinks was in, she stands up straighter with wings outstretched, the divine energy infusing her making the small sith-makar much more intimidating looking, or perhaps simply more attractive of a meal. The ghostly makari floats over and swings at the large squid, but finds nothing but air.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "big squid stays put and all attacks on Seyardu"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (2)+14: 16
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (15)+14: 29
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (6)+14: 20
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (6)+12: 18
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+7: (2)+7: 9
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+7: (5)+7: 12
GAME: You damaged Seyardu for 11 points. 45 HP remaining.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (16)+4: 20, "little squid swims up and attacks jinks"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4
GAME: You damaged Jinks for 4 points. 10 HP remaining.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "the other squids and jellies swim around or keep eating whatever they've taken down"

Eating?

It's really hard to tell what they're doing. They are inside the person and just kind of being a jellyfish and a squid there.

The giant squid suddenly realizes that the silverscale is its favourite food. It forgets about the gnome and concentrates on some calamari makari. It snaps at Seyardu, lashes out with both hands, and attempts to surround her with tentacles.

The beak, the envelopment, pass harmlessly through her. The longer tentacles, the 'arms' of the best, rake across her scales and leave a chilling aftermath.

The gnome, is spared, until a small squid drifts through the staircase and touches him with a noodly appendage. It's not a religious experience.

The remaining group of children exit outside.

Two of the parents, the two guards, Lady Octagna and the children's reader are down and surrounded by squids and jellyfish, that illuminate them with a comforting, faint glow.

Though the thought of what they might be doing to the paralyzed and unconscious forms is unsettling.

Lady Octagna's assistant cowers more under the thrashing tentacles.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Haste is over. Gonna eat an AoO from 6 and rapid shot at the big one."
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+2-2-2: (19)+10+1+2+-2+-2: 28
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+1+2-2-2: (17)+10+1+2+-2+-2: 26
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (8)+4: 12
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2+2+4+1: (1)+2+2+4+1: 10
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2+2+4+1: (3)+2+2+4+1: 12

The next two needles whistle through the air, easier to hear as the strength in the gnome's voice begins to wane. The second one seems to dis-corporate the big, ghastly squid, but after only the briefest of pauses it pulls itself back together (in only the most rag-tagged of sense). Jinks is looking wan and sweaty, shoulders slumping as he pants and struggles to find the version of himself that keeps fighting. His blackened eye is more swollen now that when the fight began and the sore on his lip weeps.

"So... we shall be together..." goes the song.

GAME: Seyardu rolls knowledge/religion: (14)+9: 23 (vs DC15)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "30' channel? yes"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 5d6: (16): 16

Seeing the creature almost felled, and Jinks surrounded, Seyardu raises her polearm to strike, before she pauses and pulls out her holy symbol instead. With divine energy coursing through her already, another wave emanates from the symbol, suffusing the two closest, and causing them to vanish.

Jinks thankfully is unharmed by the energy, further proving his inherent goodness.

The giant squid simply vanishes much the way it appeared. It sinks to the floor, an inert lump that slowly shrinks and grows more faint. Finally it vanishes, leaving only a dark cloud hovering where it was. Ghostly ink, occluding a ghostly water.

The squid that latched onto Jinks vanishes even faster. The divine energy washes around him, sweeping it away like an errant current.

The other jellies and squids continue to drift around the library.

<OOC> Jinks says, "move to 9,15. Shoot 10. It's just outside of PBS but still first-range increment, still performing."
GAME: Jinks rolls weapon16+2-2-2: (15)+10+2+-2+-2: 23
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2+2+4: (3)+2+2+4: 11

Jinks issues a sigh when the pulse of manifest divinity washes away the two creatures boxing him in. He sucks in a breath, gags, and spits away the foul juice oozing from his lip. He shuffles to lean against the bookshelf and draws down on the aimless ghostfish. One last steadying breath and the arrow is loosed to scatter the ectoplasm back to nothing.

"Kiss me goodbye,"

"Pushing out before I sleep."

"It's lower now, and slower now."

"The strangest twist upon your lips."

Not a true chorus. The song twists its theme. Codas, repeats, and reprises. The song is its own strength even as the gnome's arms tire and ache.

GAME: Seyardu rolls 5d6: (25): 25, "DC 18"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (5)+-1: 4
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (9)+-1: 8
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (9)+-1: 8

Seyardu, seeing the largest threat gone, and Jink okay for the time being, turns her attention elsewhere. She sprints to the north where several still are, doing, _something_. She reaches for the holy symbol, and holding it upwards, more divine energy is sent outwards, disrupting the sea creatures she can mostly see.

"Jinks! There were more upstairs, but this area appears clear for now. If you are alright to move, check on those who fell on the east side, and call if you need me. I will be over as soon as I am able." She shouts to the gnome.

A flicker of light, a swirl of dark air, and the jellyfish and squids vanish, as if they never were. The air itself seems clearly, the sensations of being underwater vanishing as the divine energy fills the space.

Further away, the ghosts of the long vanished sea creatures continue to swim aimlessly up and down the aisles.

<OOC> Jinks says, "move to 9,13 and cast Haste on Sey and I."
<OOC> Jinks says, "Dropping a round here means I won't have to double-move between each NPC going forward."
GAME: Jinks casts Haste. Caster Level: 7 DC: 18

Jinks pushes off the shelf and moves to the next, having no shortage of threads to choose from twisting between the sith and him. Around the finger he twists it, tapping the rhythm through the air again as he leaves the Hymn behind. The spell is refreshed and both begin moving more quickly.

<OOC> Seyardu says, "moving to 9,3, and casting channel energy to heal and seeing what happens"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 5d6: (22): 22

Jinks says, "Sorry. I need a break. Thanks for the help, looks like you got it." He vanishes.

Seyardu continues running north until she reaches the other wall, and pulls on the holy symbol around her neck, this time emanating energy that would mend wounds, if it was not too late. With this done, she brandishes her polearm again, preparing to strike down the last immediate threat while Jinks moved to see to the other fallen. It is not too late.

The divine energies rouse the two guards who are now, jelly and squid free, as well as the Oruch parent. They jump to their feet, turning to the silverscale, "Is everyone out?"

Everyone isn't, but the gnome is checking on them. The downed spear carrier, the children's reader, Lady Octagna, are all brought into recovery positions. He has a little healing of his own, appropriate for small folk, and that's sufficient to get them standing again.

Fully recovered will take longer.

The remaining schools of jellyfish and squids are easily dealt with. They only react if someone gets close, and while resistant to magic weapons, can be picked apart with a bow or spells with safety. Jinks prowls the stacks, taking them down.

The Library is clear. Each child escaped, and no one died.

Although, one would have, without the silverscale's intervention.

"Going to have to get mages to check this out." Octagna grumbles. That's the last thing she wants, mages with permission to wander and poke. It will be necessary.

The main door opens, and whitescale pokes her head in. Cryo and Lily look around at the strange underwater sight, which hasn't faded completely.

"I'll just leave this here." She tells no one in particular, and slides the book onto a table near the door.

Somewhere, Lady Octagna can be heard to shout, "How did that book get back!"

OOC

Map
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mm0qtygbbyz

Random scene related thematic art
https://www.deviantart.com/morkardfc/art/The-silent-awakening-840269416
https://www.deviantart.com/morkardfc/art/Blessed-Pilgrim-832026093
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/44396498/
Jinks pages: https://i.imgur.com/InndPLR.png
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxb6yzOYF_Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6PrrulYHmc

 ===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 9 =====================
 ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
  >> 20   Jinks            1   <<
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     20   Seyardu          1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     17   Squids And Jell  1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ==============================================================================
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|   Name   |   Race   |   Class   | CHP | HP  | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Jinks     |GNOME     |Bard       | 14  | 46  |18/15/14 | 18 | 4  | 8  | 5  |
|Seyardu   |SITH-MAKAR|Clr        | 56  | 85  |19/19/10 | 18 | 10 | 3  | 10 |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 |     Name      |  CHP (T) |  HP  |
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 | Jinks.........|   10     |  46  |
 | Seyardu.......|   45     |  85  |
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~