PrP: Space Kitties from Beyond the Moons

A posting went up this morning calling for adventurers to undertake what seems to be a relatively simple task. Yesterday, several individuals reported seeing a flash of light in the night sky, followed by a loud boom in a hilly region a short distance from Alexandria. Observers believe the mystery object to have been a meteorite, possibly a sizeable one given the apparently loud explosion the landing produced. As meteors often contain rare metals and other subjects of alchemical value, a group of alchemists assoicated with the Academy of Sages has offered a reward for adventurers willing to help them investigate. The job requires that the adventurers find the meteorite, take samples for analysis, and plant a flag upon it claiming it as property of the Academy.

The posting suggested beginning investigation by speaking with Byrrom Redsteel, a dwarven prospector who owns a small mine in the area. Redsteel reportedly has claimed that the meteor fell on his property. It is there that the adventurers are headed now: a rocky mountainside with numerous tunnels already excavated. A crude wooden shack sits near the largest entrance. The trip here has taken most of the day, and there is perhaps an hour of daylight left. When the group can be heard approaching, a dwarf with a thick red beard emerges from the shack, eyeing them from a distance.

Magnus lifts up a hand, as he approaches. "Byrrom Redsteel?" he calls out, from where he's picking his way closer, using a long-handled greataxe as a poorly-weighted walking stick.

The nearly six feet of grumpy-looking archer that is Ashlynn strides (or is that 'marches'?) purposefully, if in her habitual silence, after Magnus. He's already asked the relevant question, and thus the silence remains in place far as she's concerned. Nods had been offered to her companions for the day by way of greeting, and a simple introduction as Ashlynn of the Order of the Silver Arrow, for the benefit of those not yet acquainted - and not much else.

Savannah is quietly walking behind Magnus and letting the woodsman handle the introductions. The blonde woman is somewhat busy chatting up the smaller woman she's walking with, and not afraid in the least of the woman's mixed heritage. She doesn't seem to mind the grumpy archer too much since said archer is reliable in a fight......

The flag can be supplied by the woman wearing it, Academia Gloriana, a creature in habitual veils and cloak. Vala is a dark dream gliding behind the other warriors, at least those who fit the part much better than she does. The dwarf is given a deep nod of her head, blending into a forward tilt from the waist to demonstrate at least a pleasant level of respect for their gatekeeper.

"Aye, that's me." The dwarf confirms for Magnus. He turns his head, spitting out a mouthful of some sort of chewing tobacco mix into the dirt. He then steps forward and offers his hand. "Byrrom Redsteel. This is my claim. You're all here about the rock from the sky, then? Figured some artificer or something would be by before too long." He narrows his eyes a little. "Don't look like artificers. Most of you don't, anyways. Who're you lot here for?"

Magnus scratches at his beard. "There was a contract from the Guild, put out by the Academy of Sages. Bunch of alchemists want to claim it for the Academy and study and," he waves his hand, "the greater knowledge of somethin' fancy." He spits. "I'm a workin' man, just like you. So. I'm here."

Tannin has, on the other hand, been rather more talkative for much of the bright day's journey, passing much of the time singing as they've gone, stopping to greet passing villagers and then scuttle along to carch up with the group, etc: in fact, she seems to be taking this journey as a chance to take the measure of the countryside, for her own part. She greets the dwarf with a soft smile for now, and adds, "Thus, for you, perhaps, in a sense, Master Redsteel. We're sent to seek the fallen star, and bring samples back for that august institution's analysis. If you mean to imply you've found it, they may wish to do some business about it, if what's found is of value to them."

Tannin taking point on the finer matters means that Vala can attend to admiring her nails, daydreaming about sticky buns, or whatever else her people like to do. "Did the fallen star cause you any difficulty, Master Redsteel?" She takes pains to eradicate her accent as best she can, neat words given almost painful precision. "We have heard something of it and seen much, but you must be better informed than almost anyone else around."

Byrrom nods his head to Magnus. "Aye, that sounds about right. I suppose this Academy's the one I'll be talking to about my cut, then. Since it fell on my property and all." He steps back and points up at the tallest hill in the vicinity. The hillsides are very steep, and the side is full of tunnels from earlier excavations. "It hit the summit. Never go up there myself, but I'm sure of it. There was a big flash of light." He looks to Tannin and nods sharply. "Kicked dust up that fell all over my equipment and my shed, it did. Be careful if you're climbing. An impact like that probably made the earth a little unstable, 'specially with all the holes." The steep face of the hill is the only obvious approach.

The sound of hooves can be heard as three figures approach on horseback, coming from the same trail that the adventurers used to approach. Byrrom peers at the approaching riders, then back at the group already present. "Friends of yours? How many of you do you need to scrape a sky rock?"

Ashlynn offers a firm nod, as if to emphasize Magnus' words. Hey - she, at least, feels he's representing the group well enough so far. "My worry is for danger such an object may have brought. That is why I am here." she speaks, finally - earnest and fairly to the point. The sound of approaching horses has the woman turn her head to regard them. "I do not recall any others being hired." Ashlynn offers openly to the dwarf, though her eyes remain on the riders.

Magnus nods to Byrrom, and opens his mouth. At the sound of hooves, though, he closes it, and casually rests both hands on the handle of his axe.

Tannin nods, seriously to the Dwarf's expert advice, looking up at the climb ahead, which at least to her seems somewhat daunting. She turns back to observe the riders' approach, looking to try and ascertain the riders' intentions.

Looking behind her while letting Tannin and Magnus talk to the dwarf, Savannah watches for the approaching horses. In all of her years as a noble, being able to hear hooves this far away usually meant trouble in one form or another. It wouldn't be too much of a reach to figure they were here for the meteorite as well.

Vala is a ghost slipping among the others, positioning herself away from the head of the trail on the pretext of better examining the high slopes rising above them. Her fingers crook with delicate consideration at her side, idle motions likely not to draw too much attention.

The three figures on horseback become more visible as they approach. The one in front is a tall, thin human man with red hair, dressed in black leather armor and with numerous dangers sheathed at his belt. At one side is an elven woman with hair and eyes the color of sapphires, wearing a flowing robe and a pair of thick spectacles. At the other side is a very large half-orc man with green skin and a massive axe slung across his back, dressed in hides.

As they stop near the assembled group, the human is first to speak, a bright smile on his face. "Well, well, well. Looks like the Explorer's Guild got here first. But don't worry. The real professionals are here in time to save the day!" Byrrom peers skeptically at the rider. "... Y'hear for the stone, too?" "Yes sir! We're representatives of the Adventurer's Society, here to claim any and all valuable finds for the Alexandrian Alchemists' Guild." Byrrom shrugs his shoulders and points at the hill again. "Whatever, I don't care who gets it, so long as I get paid. It's up there." GAME: Savannah rolls intelligence: (8)+1: 9 GAME: Magnus rolls intelligence: (12)+2: 14 GAME: Vala rolls intelligence: (6)+4: 10 GAME: Tannin rolls intelligence+1: (9)+2+1: 12 GAME: Ashlynn rolls Intelligence: (10)+1: 11 The Adventurer's Society is a very small rival of the Explorer's Guild who often offer to take jobs for much cheaper rates. They have a generally poor reputation, as most of their adventurers are former members of the Explorer's Guild who have been barred from taking Guild jobs due to incompetence or unethical behavior.

Ashlynn's face remains impassive as the apparent leader of the trio on horseback speaks. Her head cants sideways for a moment, and for all the world she looks like she didn't really catch the fact she and the group she is with are being insulted. "I am sure our employers can come to an agreement that is of mutual benefit." she offers to the three newcomers, after a moment.

The clipclop of hooves echos from the opposite direction, and a long man in a lagoon-blue cloak, clasped over one shoulder, a helmet with short red plume, and a breastplate peeking out from under the cloak itself comes trotting back towards the assembled group, having previously went up ahead to ensure no pitfalls would befall them. His eyes narrow at the other three riders approaching, but, he lets the more experienced locals deal with, well, other locals. The light warhorse ambles to an easy stop, snorting impatiently and stomping one iron-shod hoof on the ground.

Savannah looks to Magnus then back to the three riders. "Oh well. Maybe we can split it. Anyways, let's get to the meteorite first and then worry about who lays claim to it." She says softly, ignoring the insult by the lead rider. It wouldn't be in good taste to zap the lead horse to slow them down.....nope. Not at all.

The elf with the sapphire hair speaks in a dull monotone. "He is right. Likely, if this meteor was as large as was reported, there is more than enough for..." "Nonsense!" The red-headed man cuts her off with a grin as he dismounts, followed by the other two after a moment. "If we plant our flag first, the whole thing is claimed for the glory of the Adventurer's Society, besides, that's what we were hired to do. Come on!" The leader dashes towards the hillside. The elf and half-orc exchange looks and shrug before following.

Byrrom watches, shrugs, and turns back to his shed. "Whatever. Just tell whoever ends up with the thing to pay me my cut. Friggin' adventurers..." Into the shed he goes, shutting the door behind him.

Tannin nods to the newcomers, raising a palm in a bit of a blessing for a greeting, and says, "Since it happens that the stone has fallen on Mr. Redsteel's property, the Guild will of course have to make compensation to him, rather than simply claim the stone. But, surely if it proves interesting to them, this should present no difficulties. Getting to it, on the other hand..."

"Master Redsteel, be sure we will see you compensated for your time and your difficulty." Vala makes her comments quietly and then reaches under her cloak with the certain deliberation to withdraw a piece of paper, which she examines with no great urgency. The appearance of the upstarts hardly earns more than an arch of her eyebrow.

Turning his head to watch the trio of rivals go, D'Alaron frowns, "Well, I'm certainly glad I chose to look for charter with this organization. I didn't see much in the way of easy passes, if they continue at that speed they're libel to injure their mounts."

Turning his head to watch the trio of rivals go, D'Alaron frowns, "Well, I'm certainly glad I chose to look for charter with this organization. I didn't see much in the way of easy passes. They'll be slowed down by the thick of it. Still, best not to dawdle."

If her brows could get any more furrowed, Ashlynn's would at the scoffed reply of the Adventurer's Society trio. Still, she says nothing for a long moment. "We should make sure their leader's brashness does not lead to injury of his followers." she suggests to the group of adventurers after the pause has passed, and turns to make way for the hill. Racing does not seem to be her primary concern in this matter, judging by her steady pace. GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+8: (12)+8: 20 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1D20-1: (11)+-1: 10 Savannah shakes her head at the lead rider. "Simpleton." She says softly as she begins to walk towards the hill where it was indicated by the dwarf. Pace isn't her worry either, for she figures the leader will kill their own lead on them.

Tannin hrms, glancing over to her fellow party members, with a sigh, gauging their own faces as to attitude about the sudden competition, she not seeming inclined to be competitive about the matter, herself. "For pity, I don't think those three understand that they can hardly claim for the Guild what is not open to such claims to begin with." She sighs, again. "Well, better it be we warn them to use some caution before they hurt themselves. Has anyone any opinions on the best way to proceed?"

The leader of the adventurers may not have the quickest mind, but he does appear to have fairly nimble feet. He spies a few relatively stable outcroppings, hopping from one to another as he begins scaling the side. The half-orc utilizes a more brute force approach, gripping the cliff face and pulling himself from one handhold to another. The elf eyes both and tries to jump onto the first outcropping the redhead used, without success. The human glares down at her. "Lona! Just fly up there and plant the flag. That's why you're carrying it." "I can't fly!" "You can't? You're a wizard. Wizards fly." "Not all of us!" "Oh."

"Charming, they are. I do hope they are mindful of the path. When we are not focused on climbing, we may over them warning, perhaps?" Vala's suggestions come as she frowns, seeing the other elf mage suffering under the human's rudeness. Another tally for the eternal scorecard...

GAME: Tannin rolls Perception: (14)+9: 23 GAME: Savannah rolls perception: (20)+2: 22 GAME: Vala rolls Perception: (16)+5: 21 GAME: Ashlynn rolls Survival: (20)+7: 27

Tannin pauses there, pursing her lips meditatively, as she watches the path, with a bit of sympathetic nervousness for the scampering rival climbers, then murmuring little prayers for those who seem first inclined to start after them. "Lady's hand be with you," she says.

All approaches up the hill look pretty steep and difficult, but there's a stretch about twenty feet from the adventurers which looks a little easier to climb. It's further from potentially unstable tunnels as well.

Ashlynn stops some distance from the foot of the hill, casting a critical eye over the excavation-pockmarked slopes. "There." she decides after a moment, an arm lifting to point out what, to her, appears the safest route to take. And with that, without dawdling, she begins to make way for it, unshouldering her pack and removing pitons and ropes from it as she goes to prepare them for use. Climbing gear.

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+8: (19)+8: 27 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+6: (7)+6: 13 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-1: (14)+-1: 13

The redheaded man appears to be making excellent progress hopping up the mountainside. The same cannot be said for his cohorts. The orc appears to be having some difficulty getting much further up, while the elf is still struggling to reach even the first foothold. "Come on, you two! We need to beat them to the top!"

Tannin hrms, nodding that she concurs to Ashlynn, laying one of those blessings on her as she goes first, and looks back to the two full-blood elves, then the archer, "I expect I may fall behind, but I'll be watching from there." She calls up the hill, surprisingly, perhaps, she projects well. "Do have a care, up there! Mind your footing!"

A quiet gesture made towards the sky, another follows to the earth. Vala whispers a murmur of gratitude to Eluna, and then approaches the difficult slope. She smiles to the cleric providing the orisons, and adds, "Thank you. The Sky-singer guide your path high and steady." Anchoring a few bits and pieces about her person, the task takes only a few moments. Then she's out to begin the ascent, setting her foot upon the unsteady ground and then going from there.

Savannah nods to Ashlynn. "That does look like a good route to take." However, when she runs up and tries to climb, she immediately slips off and falls back to her feet. "Well....That could've gone better."

GAME: Ashlynn rolls Climb+2: (8)+4+2: 14

Small pick in hand, Ashlynn approaches the jagged hillside and digs the spike deep into the rock to haul herself up. It's only unfortunate that, following this, she can't seem to remove it from the stone's embrace, and ends up stuck tugging on the tool to extricate it rather than gaining altitude. GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+6: (1)+6: 7 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-1: (2)+-1: 1

Aside from the redhead who made scaling the hillside look easy, the others are having quite a bit of trouble. The orc suddenly stumbles and lands squarely on the elf, knocking her off her feet. "Come on you guys!" The impatient human yells. "They're following us! And I don't have the flag!" The elf just grumbles in pain.

Tannin hrms, letting the others move on ahead... at least the little priestess seems light enough on her feet, pausing to stoop by Savannah when she falls back, to see she's all right. placing another one of those orisons in the process, "Don't let them rush you, little's to be gained should there be accident." She looks up again with concern for the other party, murmuring, "At this rate, we may be rescuing those two, as it is."

Savannah smiles to Tannin quietly. "Yeah. I guess I shouldn't have gotten impatient." She then looks over and tilts her head. "Tannin, Can you grab Vala and come with me into these tunnels? I'm sure we can make it through there safely. I'm not really that strong, nor athletic." GAME: Tannin rolls acrobatics: (15)+7: 22 GAME: Vala rolls acrobatics: (8)+4: 12 Vala hasn't all the skill in the world to leap like a chamois from a rocky pinnacle to rocky pinnacle. Gloved hands grasp the stones well enough, but her slender build isn't the sort made for arduous attempts at scaling anything more than a mind-bender. She has to fight as grapeshot crumbles under her feet, and while she isn't falling, she isn't getting anywhere. GAME: Ashlynn rolls Climb+3: (13)+4+3: 20 GAME: Magnus rolls climb: (10)+7: 17 "A squabble benefits nobody. If this resource is valuable and sizable, both organizations that want to lay claim to it could do so and benefit the city and region. If it is dangerous, allies are useful." Ashlynn asides to the 'enemy' in a serene (if a little monotone) voice, addressing the sapphire-haired elf. "I would see this resolved peacefully and without injury." Still, she yanks the pick free in a small cloud of rock dust, and prepares to use it again. After all, eventually they'll all need to climb up there, competition or not.

And with the blessing provided by Tannin's prayer and the pick free and handy, she begins a steady climb, hammering pitons and just shooting right up the incline.

Tannin manages to catch up to Ashlynn, spotting a place to rather suddenly make progress. She calls down, "I think we may as well proceed this way, for now!" and adds to the lady archer, "Do you have a hook and line with that kit, come to think of it?"

Magnus has been keeping quiet, and systematically sets out to work up the incline with his gear. He does pretty well, though, making good progress.

GAME: Savannah rolls acrobatics: (16)+3: 19 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+ 6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20 - 1: (12)+- 1: 12

Savannah chuckles as she finds the more direct route is the best route, she decides to actually try something else. Instead of actively climbing, she runs her way up and stays in place long enough to line up her next jump. She makes it pretty far up in a short amount of time....."

GAME: Savannah rolls reflex: (18)+3: 21 GAME: Tannin rolls reflex+1: (15)+5+1: 21 GAME: Ashlynn rolls Reflex: (19)+4: 23

The two adventurers trying to scramble up the mountainside are still making very little progress, much to the dismay of their leader. "Shoot! They're nearly there..." A devilish smile crosses his face. "Hey, Explorers! You should be careful. It's a dangerous climb!" He gives a large stone nearby a solid kick, sending it rolling down the hillside and kicking up other tumbling stones. Fortunately, those who are halfway up prove nimble enough not to be shaken off the mountainside by this small avalanche.

GAME: Magnus rolls climb: (17)+7: 24 GAME: Vala rolls acrobatics: (5)+4: 9 GAME: Ashlynn rolls Climb+2: (12)+4+2: 18 GAME: Savannah rolls acrobatics: (5)+3: 8

Magnus keeps working, getting a good rhythm going in the climb. Faster, faster, its not like he gets goaty (he probably already smells goaty, mind you) but its still... spry. And then, he's up!

Savannah makes it halfway there before the avalanche comes down. She's able to jump out of the way of the rocks, but she doesn't make any more progress, yet......

The stones are sharp and one skidding movement leaves Vala flattened to a rock. She's getting a bit frustrated, her eyes narrowed and fingers clenched around the minerals. "Sky-singer," she utters under her breath, probably wishing she had wings. Or a strapping man to carry her up. A strapping, winged man to carry her up!

Scowling (did she at any point stop scowling, really? At all?), Ashlynn swings on her pick away from the falling rocks, and her resolve seems only strengthened by the dishonorable act of the redheaded man at the top. She clears the remaining distance and, hammering a few pitons into the surface, begins to loop a hempen rope about them, securing it and throwing it down for the others to use. The scarred archer is not a strapping winged man, alas, and neither is the rope. Maybe Magnus can stand in and pretend? And she glares at the redhead. Oh, how she glares. Lack of wings doesn't stop Ashlynn from watching him like a very ornery hawk, as if suspecting he'll try something else.

GAME: Savannah rolls climb: (2)+2: 4

Tannin is hoping, rather nimbly, actually, among the rocks, as the more climbing oriented party members make yet more progress still, even humming a few bars of a rather less-nun-like song. She calls out as the rockslides pause, "'Ware the rocks!" and then up to the 'professionals. And adds, to the red-haired man, as she picks her way the rest of the way, cautiously, with the ropes, "So it is, sir! One might be reminded of the virtues of patience!"

GAME: Vala rolls climb: (7)+-1: 6

GAME: Tannin rolls climb+2: (15)+-1+2: 16

Hello, strapping winged rope and scarred, lovely people! Vala does not hesitate, she reaches out gingerly after the others have worked for the rope; she is the last, if she can manage that, to let the others go. The redhead edges away when the first Explorers make it to the top. "Oh dear... er, sorry about that little slip there, fellows. You know how it is." He says with a sheepish smile, backing away with palms held open.

The summit of the hill is mostly flat, a little plateau about fifty feet across. There is a massive crater in the middle in which sits a lump of violet metal about as large as an adult human. Scattered around nearby are a dozen or so pieces of metallic debris, all oddly smooth and ovoid.

Reaching for Ashlynn's rope, Savannah reaches WAY out for the rope, but slips and falls on her butt. "OW!" She then shakes her head and goes back to her earlier tactic......

GAME: Savannah rolls acrobatics: (12)+3: 15

Magnus leans on his axe, stepping forwards, herding the redhead away from the others as the crest the edge. "Back away." Even while she extends an arm to help those using the rope the last couple of feet up to the top, Ashlynn doesn't stop glaring at the de-facto leader of the other group.

She really needs to stop frowning that much, she'll get some bad wrinkles.

Still, she isn't removing the rope. It appears she is true to her earlier words, and does not seem inclined to stop their competition - if Ashlynn even sees them as such - from employing it as well. Instead, with more people at the top to keep an eye on the problematic redheaded man, she casts a look over the crash instead. "That does not seem natural." she says, a little uncertainly.

Savannah has the rope for reassurance! So rather than use it, she takes little jumps the rest of the way up. She then sighs at the red head, but peeks over the edge towards his companions. "You two okay!?" She yells down to them.

Tannin nods, as little race seems to be over, glancing about, and says, "If someone will settle the matter of staking claims, I'll go help our... Friendly competitors. She goes over toward the others, particularly the slower oruchish fellow and the mage, "If you'll bide a moment, we'll just get a line down to you, no sense risking a fall, now!"

The redhead seems easily convincined to do what the man with the axe suggests. He backs away slowly. "Yes, yes. Although, I mean, I did make it up first, so technically, I really do think we..." While backing away, he bumps into one of those ovoid metal objects. There's a crunching sound, and cracks begin to spiderweb across the object. He peers at it. "What the...?"

Vala takes her time to get to the help even with the rope, but when she appears, it's with a nod to Tannin. Dusting her hands off, she peers over the edge and extends her hand to Savannah in case the woman should need it. Not that she is likely to help too much. The flat top gets a cursory look from the edges of vision, nothing terribly substantial.

Savannah does take Vala's hand to get up (in retrospect). As Tannin goes to help the red head's sensible companions up, she turns back towards the metal objects.....and the spiderwebbing. "if it was metal, it wouldn't have cracked that easily."

Magnus winces. "Stop and give up before you break more." He leans on his axe, pointing with one hand.

The half-orc and the elf are very grateful to have Tannin's assistance. "Thank you!" Squeaks the mage. Meanwhile, up top, the object the redhead nudged seems to continue splintering of it's own accord. Then the others begin to do the same, cracks forming on each metallic egg-like object. Suddenly, one bursts open, a blue, furry, clawed hand busting through, clawing aimlessly. The redhead goes wide-eyed. "Run away! Run away!" He calls out, dashing to descend the hillside. <OOC> Jibbom says, "Init time!" GAME: Savannah rolls initiative: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 18 GAME: You roll initiative for Monsters: Roll: 14 + Bonus: 6 = Total: 20 GAME: Magnus rolls initiative: Roll: 6 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 8 GAME: Vala rolls initiative: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 19 GAME: Ashlynn rolls initiative: Roll: 13 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 17 Tannin hrms, with a second brief glance at the sky-fallen objects, She hrms again, fussing a little about finding a good place to secure said line, "Remarkable. They seem possessed more of the quality of eggs than stones," she muses, while tying off the line. "Fabulous a thing as that..." She glances back, then at the shout, "Great good Gods!" GAME: Tannin rolls initiative: Roll: 8 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 11 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (1)+2: 3 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (8)+2: 10 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (8)+2: 10 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (13)+2: 15 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (2)+2: 4 As the 'Adventurer's Society' oh-so bravely beats a hasty retreat, the 'eggs' splinter and burst open. As each one opens, it reveals a blue, furry creature resembling a small lion, except with tentacles whipping about their heads where a mane would be. Their eyes glow an eerie yellow color as they howl an aggressive warning, leaping at those gathered on the summit. Half are able to scramble entirely out of their eggs and dive forward. One snaps at Vala, another at Savannah, one more at Ashlynn, one at Tannin, and the last at Magnus. While their gnashing of teeth is startling and sudden, they all fail to inflict actual injury. GAME: Tannin rolls 1d20+3: (17)+3: 20 GAME: Vala casts Mage Armor. You paged Tannin with 'You've heard of these creatures. Akatas, strange blue tentacled lion-like beasts often found around rocks believed to be from space. They're incredibly aggressive and territorial, immune to extreme cold, poison, and disease, and nearly immune to extreme heat. They can be significant threats to settlements, and sometimes hunt humanoids.' "Worse than eggs," mutters the veiled llyranesi at the sound of a distinct crack. She stiffens her shoulders and turns; surprise flickers across her face while the rival guild-representatives go scampering back. Waving tentacles is enough to ward her off from approaching any nearer, though she is still mindful of how close the slope is. The artful positioning of her hands blends a series of intricate motions, mingling with the artful calling on a shiver of power. It sounds lovely, whatever she's saying, lovely and utterly arcane. GAME: Savannah rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5 <OOC> Ashlynn says, "I'd like to 5' step away from melee, unshoulder my bow, and shoot Vala's (rather than mine) new blue best friend using Deadly Aim, pretty please." GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d20+2+4+1+1: (17)+2+4+1+1: 25

Jumping back as the cat thing attacks her, Savannah retaliates with a blue bolt of energy at it. The bolt hits the beast right in the forehead, but it doesn't seem to fall.....yet. GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d8+5: (8)+5: 13 Tannin scuttles backwards as the little snapping lioney tentacley creature comes bounding rather uncutely for her, she backpedalling a couple of paces, reaching, at first for the little shield on her belt, Failing that a moment, alarm fades to a little quirk of a smile as some inspiration lights her features and she commences to *sing,* "You're so cute when you're babies, but akata-kitties must... Sleep...." <OOC> Tannin pops off a sleep spell. :) GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+4: (5)+4: 9 The creature attacking Tannin seems lulled by the spell, ending the attack and falling into a sudden slumber. The remainder of the group seem unaffected. GAME: Tannin casts Sleep. "Not natural at all." Ashlynn repeats needlessly as the beasts 'hatch' and pounce upon the group, her hands going to her bow as she retreats a step or two from her attacker. Seeing the elven spellcaster huddling behind her, however, has her deem the creature that had been menacing Vala, rather than the one that had been menacing her, a bigger priority. The already nocked arrow, string of the bow taut, is turned that-a-way, and the missile sent spinning into the neck of the creature, spraying indeed very unnatural, oily blood and making it wobble, but not yet fall. GAME: Magnus rolls knowledge/dungeoneering: (10)+7: 17 GAME: Magnus rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14 GAME: Magnus rolls 1d12+10: (8)+10: 18 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (19)+2: 21 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (13)+2: 15 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (3)+2: 5 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (8)+2: 10 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (13)+2: 15 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (3)+2: 5 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (5)+2: 7 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (18)+-3: 15 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (2)+-3: -1 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (5)+-3: 2 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (19)+-3: 16 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (18)+-3: 15 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (2)+-3: -1 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d6 + 1d3 + 1: (1)+(2)+1: 4 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d3: (2): 2 GAME: Jibbom damaged Magnus for 4 points. 29 remaining. Magnus's eyes go wide, and he gives them a name: "Akatas!" Then, "Look out for the tentacles, as well as the teeth!" For himself, well, he swings down good and hard, punching the axehead right through the skull of the one after him. There's ichor, flopping and twitching, but its unequivocally dead. He then takes a step towards the one that Ashlynn is shooting it. GAME: Jibbom damaged Savannah for 2 points. 13 remaining. In no time at all, each and every one of the metal 'eggs' has splintered open. One is dead and another asleep, but that still leaves eight very vicious, very violent Akatas seeking to rip and tear the invaders apart. The one Savannah jolted with her magic missile retaliates, painfully whipping her with a tentacle. Magnus, assailed by three seeking vengeance for their fallen comrade, finds teeth sinking into his leg and a tentacle whipping across his chest. GAME: Vala casts Color Spray. <OOC> Vala says, "DC 14." GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20 +4: (20)+4: 24 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20 + 4: (14)+4: 18 GAME: Savannah rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5 <OOC> Jibbom says, "But it'll bring you to the edge. Same target?" <OOC> Savannah says, "yup." <OOC> Jibbom says, "Righto. It's very badly hurt now, but still alive." <OOC> Jibbom says, "Ashlynn!" GAME: Savannah casts Magic Missile. GAME: Savannah casts Magic Missile. <OOC> Savannah burns the spells. Blades fall, arrows sing, and Vala palms two tiny vials from inside the tumble of her skirts. She uncaps one and whips her arm back, sending a glittering spray of fine grains airborne, the other bisecting it with a neat churn of motion. The two drop together and she sings a cacophonic note that ignites the iridescent sand into a flashfire of wildly undulant shades. Not that it appears to _do_ anything, which leaves the elf a tad dismayed. "What on earth are these made of?" <OOC> Jibbom says, "Ashlynn?" <OOC> Ashlynn says, "If I've room to do so (and I'm in melee at all), I'll back out of it with a 5' step and open fire with a Rapid/DA full attack. I'm gonna try finish off the one I wounded. If I succeed, second shot's on the one Savannah's been injuring." Savannah steps back yet again and catches herself from slipping off the edge. "Well crap." She says before flinging another blue bolt at the one attacking her. She can tell it's almost out, but not quite yet. <OOC> Ashlynn says, "(This still leaves 2 for Magnus to play with by my understanding, though, yes? I don't wanna deny him the pleasure of cleavin'. XD )" <OOC> Jibbom says, "You can indeed do that. Roll it!" GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d20+2+4+1+1-1-2: (10)+2+4+1+1+-1+-2: 15 GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d20+2+4+1+1-1-2: (16)+2+4+1+1+-1+-2: 21 <OOC> Jibbom says, "Two hits." GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d8+5: (4)+5: 9 GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d8+5: (2)+5: 7 <OOC> Jibbom says, "It's dead." <OOC> Ashlynn says, "Both of them? Or just one of them?" <OOC> Jibbom says, "Both, yes." <OOC> Ashlynn says, "Eeexcellent. Posing!" <OOC> Jibbom says, "Tannin!" <OOC> Tannin says, "While I've got a tune going, I'll try snoozifying a couple more. :) Nearest ones, I suppose." GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20 +4: (14)+4: 18 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20 +4: (10)+4: 14 GAME: Tannin casts Sleep. <OOC> Jibbom says, "Alas, no luck. Pose it!" <OOC> Jibbom says, "Magnus!" <OOC> Magnus will try to cleave the multiples attacking him. <OOC> Jibbom says, "Roll it!" GAME: Magnus rolls 1d20+8: (15)+8: 23 <OOC> Jibbom says, "Hit." <OOC> Magnus says, "and the cleave" GAME: Magnus rolls 1d20+8: (13)+8: 21 <OOC> Jibbom says, "Also hits." <OOC> Magnus says, "damage:" GAME: Magnus rolls 1d12+7: (10)+7: 17 GAME: Magnus rolls 1d12+7: (10)+7: 17 <OOC> Jibbom says, "Two killed with one blow." Now that her bow is in hand, Ashlynn's hands become an absolute blur of activity. Drawing arrows quickly and steadily, she turns Vala's former assailant into a blue, vaguely lion-shaped pincushion by adding another arrow to the one she gifted the creature previously and sending it sprawling awkwardly onto the ground, oozing whatever foul fluids such things contain. Her bow snaps in a different direction and another arrow is sent forth to spear the Akata Savannah had been assaulting, relieving her of it as its side is speared and it topples, the joint assault too much for it to handle. GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (8)+2: 10 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (4)+2: 6 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (11)+2: 13 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (7)+2: 9 Tannin keeps up her little song, "Now there's a good kitty, akata-kitty cats, it's bedtime for kitties, and that would be... Hrm, not going for it, are you..." She hrms, and sweeps the little shield off her belt. GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (20)+-3: 17 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (3)+-3: 0 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (3)+-3: 0 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (5)+-3: 2 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (3)+-3: 0 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (7)+-3: 4 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (13)+-3: 10 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (19)+-3: 16 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d3: (1): 1 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d3: (1): 1 <OOC> Jibbom says, "Wow. The dice giveth and the dice taketh away." Magnus doesn't let getting assailled. He steps back, axe swinging away making space, movement. Then he sweeps it down and crashes it through two skatas wholesale. GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (15)+-3: 12 GAME: Jibbom damaged Vala for 1 points. 15 remaining. GAME: Jibbom damaged Savannah for 1 points. 12 remaining. The air is full of the sound of screeching Akatas as they are wounded and killed. They drop like flies, the hilltop quickly filling with the bodies of the slain blue beasts. Their numbers are finally thinning, but four remain up and continuing their assaults. The flurry of flicking blue tentacles results in Vala and Savannah each getting lashed again, surprisingly painful whips. GAME: Vala rolls 1d20+5: (7)+5: 12 GAME: Savannah rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5 When in doubt, try not to hurt the alien cats. Vala unshoulders her bow and sets an arrow to it, sighting down the line. Or as much as she can with the blueberry monster waving sticky tentacles at her. "Be off, be off," she whispers, but with no luck; the little beast snaps at her and she flinches, going wide. GAME: Savannah casts Magic Missile.

No sooner does Ashlynn get the one kitty to stop attacking her, Savannah gets another to whip her on the leg. 'OW!" She grunts before she throws another blue bolt at it, hitting it in the forehead. Blasted cat.

<OOC> Ashlynn says, "That is not pleasant. I will provoke an AoO from it as I unload a full attack Rapid/DA on it." <OOC> Jibbom says, "Gotcha." GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20 + 2: (2)+2: 4 <OOC> Jibbom says, "The AoO misses. Roll." GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d20+2+4+1+1-1-2: (1)+2+4+1+1+-1+-2: 6 GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d20+2+4+1+1-1-2: (7)+2+4+1+1+-1+-2: 12 <OOC> Jibbom says, "No hits." <OOC> Ashlynn nods, poses! <OOC> Jibbom says, "Tannin!" <OOC> Tannin says, "Who am I near, for PCs?" <OOC> Jibbom says, "You're within 15' of anyone. This is fairly close quarters combat." <OOC> Tannin says, "Eh, I'll throw up a Bless and head to try and cover someone. :)" GAME: Tannin casts Bless. <OOC> Jibbom says, "Done! Pose it. Magnus?" <OOC> Magnus says, "Power attack the one on him." <OOC> Jibbom says, "Roll it." GAME: Magnus rolls 1d20+8: (19)+8: 27 <OOC> Jibbom says, "Hit." GAME: Magnus rolls 1d12+10: (2)+10: 12 <OOC> Jibbom says, "Seriously wounded, but not killed." GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (7)+2: 9 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (3)+2: 5 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (12)+2: 14 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (11)+2: 13 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (11)+-3: 8 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (20)+-3: 17 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (10)+-3: 7 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (13)+-3: 10 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (18)+-3: 15 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (7)+-3: 4 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (4)+-3: 1 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (1)+-3: -2 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (5)+-3: 2 Forced nearly against the edge of the cliff and with one of the creatures bearing down on her, Ashlynn risks using her bow in the thick of melee with the Akata. Despite the fact its jaws close on nothing but air, the woman is clearly unused to the enemy being up close and personal - between trying to dodge ravenous bites and not pulling the string of the bow back nearly enough, both the arrows miss their target. Hell, the first falls right out of the bow without propulsion and clatters embarassingly on the rocky ground next to her. Eesh. Magnus tries to fend with his axe, then lunges with it, driving the upwards point of the axehead into the akata harshly. Its got broken ribs, but its not a fatal injury. GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d3: (1): 1 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d3: (2): 2 GAME: Jibbom damaged Savannah for 1 points. 11 remaining. GAME: Jibbom damaged Magnus for 2 points. 27 remaining. Tannin reaches up with her free hand, and calls out, "Starry Lady, now I ask Your grace upon this struggle." Suffusing the party with numinous goodness, she then sweeps out the little short sword on her belt, and moves to cover Vala from further space-kitty affections, sparing an impish smile for the sky, "Hope You liked the amateur lion-taming act..." These last four seem to be much hardier than their easily felled comrades. Each sticks to their quarry, letting out another shriek before launching in with gnashing jaws and whipping tentacles. Again, lashing stinging blows fall across Savannah and Magnus, though the adventurers are able to avoid the horrible bites of the akatas. GAME: Vala rolls 1d20+5: (12)+5: 17 GAME: Vala rolls 1d6+1: (4)+1: 5 GAME: Savannah rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2 Take that, tentacle fiend! The llyranesi art will stop you! Vala moves to the side and her eyes take on an unholy glow, indigo bleeding into a silver, heavily scented mote hovering above her hand. A breath transforms the mote into a hurled dart that whips across the distance and nails filthy mcwiggly. GAME: Savannah casts Magic Missile. <OOC> Ashlynn says, "Magnus' best buddy is fairly wounded, yes?" Savannah is hit again by the tentacles. She throws another magic missile which pops prematurely. She looks at her hand and grumbles. "I think I'm gonna need some help soon guys." <OOC> Tannin says, "DOn't forget the Bless is up, :)" <OOC> Ashlynn says, "If so, I'm gonna take another AoO and Rapid/DA on Magnus' friend to try free him up so he can lop something else's head off, since he's amazing at that. If it happens to die in one shot, second shot will go on what's seemingly the second-most wounded target. Lemme know if all that's good!" <OOC> Magnus says, "Did we lose Jibbom?" <OOC> Jibbom says, "Sorry! Had a phone all pop up." <OOC> Jibbom says, "Back now, my apologies. Okay! Sounds good, Ashlynn. Roll it. :)" <OOC> Jibbom says, "And yes, Magnus' attacker is the most wounded." <OOC> Ashlynn says, "Feel free to have my friend nom at me while I'm at it, then!" GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+2: (12)+2: 14 GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d20+2+4+1+1+1-1-2: (14)+2+4+1+1+1+-1+-2: 20 GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d20+2+4+1+1+1-1-2: (18)+2+4+1+1+1+-1+-2: 24 <OOC> Ashlynn says, "So on Magnus':" <OOC> Jibbom says, "Two hits. Let's see the damage." GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d8+5: (7)+5: 12 <OOC> Jibbom says, "Kills Magnus' attacker." <OOC> Ashlynn says, "If that puts it down, on Savannah's:" GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d8+5: (3)+5: 8 <OOC> Jibbom says, "Both are down. One's still attacking Ashlynn, another attacking Vala. Tannin is up!" <OOC> Tannin says, "Engaging the one coming for Vala: I'll just fight defensively unless it's looking real hurt." <OOC> Jibbom says, "It isn't. Roll it!" GAME: Tannin rolls 1d20+5: (7)+5: 12 <OOC> Jibbom says, "Miss." <OOC> Tannin says, "Hrm. :)" <OOC> Jibbom says, "Magnus!" <OOC> Magnus says, "PA/Charge on the one attacking Vala." <OOC> Jibbom says, "Roll it!" GAME: Magnus rolls 1d20+10: (18)+10: 28 <OOC> Jibbom says, "Hit!" GAME: Magnus rolls 1d12+10: (5)+10: 15 <OOC> Jibbom says, "It's down." GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20 +2: (3)+2: 5 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20 +2: (8)+2: 10 GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20-3: (16)+-3: 13 Heedless of the savage beast attacking her and barely holding its wildly snapping jaws at distance, Ashlynn lets loose another pair of arrows, aiming them at the most wounded of the creatures still standing. Magnus' attacker receives a sudden arrow to the back, and between the axe's previous grievous bite and that, the thing yelps in pain and collapses. With a whip-like turn, a second arrow is sent into the creature snapping and flailing at the sorceress, causing it to skid to a bleeding halt before her. Magnus turns, axe raising, as Ashlynn shoots down 'his' akata -- but he just switches up and hustles across the crater, arriving with a downward blow that severs the spine of another lion-ape-tentacle-thing. Only one Akata is still alive and attacking. The beast howls with rage and anger, still diving and snapping at Ashlynn. However, the creature's efforts remain entirely fruitless.

Tannin tries to interpose between Vala's critter and the Elven mage, the little shortsword darting about in a rather stage-fighting style. "I'm sorry, little one," she says to it, "But... I..can't... let..." She sweeps and pokes at the alien cat without, it seems, connecting with the flying tentacles. GAME: Vala rolls 1d20+5+1-4: (8)+5+1+-4: 10 GAME: Savannah rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4 Another artful bolt of white light manifests and the projectile is sent forth on a surge of will. Vala's need to avoid hitting Magnus, or anyone else for that matter, takes the edge off of an easy smack. "Go with grace," she tells the bolt, or the cat, or her bad dice. <OOC> Ashlynn says, "I... try finish off this last one that's nomming at me. I'll finally take that 5' step to the precarious edge and deny it the AoO. Rapid/DA!" <OOC> Jibbom says, "Roll it!" GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d20+2+4+1+1+1-1-2: (6)+2+4+1+1+1+-1+-2: 12 GAME: Savannah casts Magic Missile. GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d20+2+4+1+1+1-1-2: (13)+2+4+1+1+1+-1+-2: 19 <OOC> Jibbom says, "One hit." GAME: Ashlynn rolls 1d8+5: (1)+5: 6 <OOC> Jibbom says, "Injured, not dead yet. Tannin!" <OOC> Tannin says, "This is the one on Ashlynn, then? Umm, how bout an Aid Another action for our cleanup batter? :)" <OOC> Jibbom says, "Correct! That will work. :)" <OOC> Tannin dunnoes if roll is needed, but. :) GAME: Tannin rolls 1d20+5: (11)+5: 16 <OOC> Jibbom says, "That'll do it. Magnus!"

	 Savannah throws another magic missile at the cat attacking her. She wiggles her fingers right afterwards though. 'I'm out." That....could be a problem.

With the Akata menacing her the last one on its feet, Ashlynn finally retreats away from it in a guarded stance, a few precious steps to distance herself from the crazed creature. Unfortunately, it puts her back against the cliff's edge, and the few pebbles that crumble down the slope distract her enough for her first arrow to shatter harmlessly next to the odd creature. The second arrow does better, grazing its flesh and leaving a bit of a gash along its side. <OOC> Magnus says, "PA on the last one." GAME: Magnus rolls 1d20+10: (16)+10: 26 <OOC> Magnus says, "damage:" GAME: Magnus rolls 1d12+10: (12)+10: 22 Tannin comes skipping around, poking and lunging a bit at the last lion to try and distract it, "Come on, kitty, Over here, you..." <OOC> Jibbom says, "That does it! Magnus kills the last one. Pose something suitably epic, then it'll be open pose order again." Magnus takes advantage of the distraction and /crushes/ it with a sledgehammer axe-blow. The results are rather graphic. <OOC> Magnus went for understated :( From afar, Magnus has to crash out, you wouldn't believe how long it took just to type that. Thans for running. Magnus has disconnected. <OOC> Tannin says, "There are ladies present, after all. :)" And so, with that finall grim blow of the axe, the roar of the battle fades away into eerie silence. Well, aside from the loud snoring of the still-asleep Akata effected by Tannin's spell. <OOC> Tannin wonders if live akatas are of any use to the world. :) <OOC> Vala says, "Cute pet? :)" <OOC> Jibbom suggests you take a look at the bestiary picture before calling them too cute. ;) D'Alaron has connected. D'Alaron has left. <OOC> Vala says, "Point taken. ;)" "How much longer do we have before the rest come to?" asks Vala, rubbing her shoulder and shuddering as Magnus finishes off the last of the creatures. Ashlynn stands there for a moment, blinking once at the fine red mist the final Akata has been turned into. The blood (is that even blood?) splatter got on her pants and boots. Ew. She does not seem to give it much heed, though - no more than a glance to make sure it's not acidic or doing other strange things to the fabric. "These 'Akata' seem savage and are clearly not part of the natural order." the scarred woman opines. "What shall we do with the one still living?" she asks, banking on the knowledge of the others to perhaps provide a pinch more enlightenment before she makes the difficult decision to end the life of something helpless. Even if it is a horrible, tentacled beast from the sky. Fortunately, the remaining bits of metal, including the main chunk in the crater, all appear more rough and misshapen than the smooth ovoids that the Akatas emerged from. Hopefully, the rest is simply ordinary meteorite material rather than more 'eggs'. Savannah says, "I have no idea.....other than to kill it too." She says before she starts using a strange spell on herself, closing up whip marks and wounds before turning the spell on Tannin. It definitely looks like fire, but It heals her rather than hurts." Tannin winces a bit, at the graphic results of the resounding blow, ...the little cleric did seem a bit soft-hearted toward the things for some reason. Nonetheless, she offers the woodsman something of a theatrical bow of thanks, and looks to Ashlynn, making sure she makes it back from the edge of the precipice. Looking about the place to see if there are in fact, any more intact eggs. "Well, I wouldn't disturb the sleeping one, I suppose. She wags the shortblade thoughfully, "And one does wonder if there is in fact anything for the alchemists to make use of, as well. Is anyone badly hurt? I'll attend you, momentarily." Intriguingly, to those that read the Elven language, the decoration on that blade says nothing more high-minded than, loosely translated, "When Good Manners Fail." "I do not care to do undo harm to these creatures if they are minding their own business, but what sort of strange beast looks like an egg, then appears to assault us? If the dwarf comes up this way or anyone else, they might come upon them and it's a danger to them," Vala murmurs, more than a bit troubled. She goes about in search of the arrows which are salvageable, at least. "Thank you," she adds to the warrior. "Your shots were true when needed most." Savannah smiles as Tannin is completely unharmed, thankfully. She then points her fingers at Vala's wound......and hits IT with heavenly fire. It's a nice blue flame.......BUT IT'S STILL FIRE!!!!! Ashlynn bows her head respectfully, once, a gesture of her own thanks for the compliment and the retrieval of those arrows that have not been destroyed by firing them. "I cannot risk leaving an unnatural, aggressive creature such as this roaming the countryside." she speaks, squaring her jaw for the grim work ahead that she is clearly not pleased to be doing. Drawing a new arrow, she holds it in hand for a moment, eyes closed as she prays to Gilead to forgive if she is making a mistake and treat the creature's soul as it deserves. The arrow is nocked, then, as the archer moves to hover over the sleeping aberration, taking a moment to estimate where the lethal shot would be the quickest and most painless. <OOC> Vala eyes time and must fall to sleep. Thank you, everyone, and thank you, Jibbom for running this, and you all for being so delightful. :) <OOC> Jibbom says, "Fire solves everything." <OOC> Jibbom says, "Goodnight, thanks for playing!" Vala has disconnected. <OOC> Savannah noms you all. Tannin watches the flames tickle over her then, seeming to take a moment to clue into just what she's seeing, until at least she sees the effect on Savannah and others. "Oh. Remarkable. I'm quite all right, though," she says, and nods to Vala, "They're called akatas: stories do say of them coming from such falling stars, ...unfortunately they can be quite a scourge to villagers, especially full-grown, I should think." finally sheathing her blade and stopping to examine the various remains and interesting meteoric rocks, "It seems we shall have samples after all, at least." <OOC> Ashlynn says, "If nobody stops her from doing so, Ash will CdG the last Akata in as merciful a manner as she can muster. :(" <OOC> Jibbom says, "No roll necessary for that." <OOC> Tannin nods, ...I kind of doubt we have means to cart the thing out of here alive. <OOC> Jibbom says, "I don't believe anyone brought a wagon and chains." <OOC> Tannin calls in a Huey and well-meaning scientists. :) <OOC> Savannah says, "Vote you kill it, ash." With focus and precision, and lack of protest, Ashlynn releases the drawn string of the bow, sending the spinning arrow within boring into the sleeping Akata's body. There's a single twitch, and then the creature falls still again - this time completely. The woman releases a pent breath, the task having not come easy - but it is done. And with that, she turns to the crystal itself. "Let us finish our work." she suggests. Savannah says, "Better to slay it now than to have it cause problems to more people." She then aims a bit of blue flame onto Ashlynn, she figures the archer needs it as well." With the akatas now fully exterminated, there's no other apparent obstacles preventing the group from doing what they came to do: take samples from the meteorite and plant a flag claiming it for the Academy of Sages. Tannin nods. seeming to have a bit of scholarly interest, if perhaps not expertise in the matter, herself. "I suppose we should collect some eggshells and such, as well. These creatures, as I recall, are noted for being somewhat impervious to temperature, hot and cold both. It may be the sages can find something of interest to them there as well." <OOC> Tannin can channel everyone some healing if there's any damage remaining. :) GAME: Jibbom damaged Savannah for -4 points. 15 remaining. <OOC> Jibbom believes everybody should be full-ish. :) Ashlynn seems happy (not that one can tell, considering the lack of obvious joy involved) to let the others - especially the more learned - harvest samples and plant flags. Instead, she looks out over the foot of the hill, looking for the rowdy trio that sought to compete with them for the claim, even if she expects them to be long, LONG gone. Making certain, perhaps, that none of the beasts followed them or that they haven't hurt themselves hurtling down the hill to get away.

After the flag is planted and samples are collected, the adventurers can take pride in having accomplished a job which turned out to be much more complicated than expected. The representative of the Academy of Sages is particularly pleased to have samples from a rock known to have trasnported Akatas, hoping this might bring some insight into the menace. The rewards are paid, and the group can put more feathers in their caps.