The Broken Circle

[Ja'soth]

The battle rages on for our party. The Abomination has been unveiled and now attacks openly after having wounded Skroth and Avi moderately, the burns on their bodies and appendages having gone through a few layers of skin causing discomfort and restriction of movement. Nimvahlis so far is unwounded physically as he is supplying magic to aid the combatants, but he will soon find himself a victim of over giving.

Skroth

You find yourself facing the Abomination in its physical form now directly and it is charging at you with its putrid,rotting body to grapple with you or tear you apart or something. It no longer speaks to your mind nor does it give off Chaos, it is focused on the attack.

You begin to channel the Flux into your muscles and you feel the power of your djed enhancing the strength you already possess.Your swing contacts the Abomination and there is a splatter of putridity that when it contacts Skroth begins to burrow under the skin as if it were alive causing more pain and sapping the djed from him, but not fast enough to prevent him from doing damage to it as he contacts something solid and there is a wail of pain from its misshapen mouth.

When he notices Nimvahlis having changed into his Ethaefel form he also feels the rage within him build as if by some kind of force from within him. He takes the massive tree trunk and begins to swing it, primal rage coming form him in growls and screams loud enough to be heard by anyone within miles. The marbled trunk making contact with the Abomination time and time and time again causing more putrescence to splatter and try and find its way under his skin, but also there is the feeling of shattering muscle and bone indicating he is harming the thing greatly but not enough to kill it yet. Once the cudgel was destroyed by his swings he finds himself able to think again.

At this time the Abomination swings on him, a putrid fist making contact with a shoulder and pushing it to its limits, nearly dislocating it, Another fist slams into his face, nearly breaking bone, this is followed by another powerful blow to his chest,again nearly causing severe damage. Suddenly the thing is distracted by the ripping of powerful talons into its rotting flesh as Avi sinks her weapons into it and again wounds it further also distracting it from its assault on Skroth.

Nimvahlis

You are observing the battle between the Abomination and Avi and Skroth and they are faring better than expected but still becoming very injured. As you make your move you can feel the over giving begin as your eyes turn bloody and the tears of blood flow,you will have a headache after this but nothing yet serious. However your suggestion is working as Skroth goes primitive on this thing and begins beating the living hell out of it. However too much more giving and you will begin to suffer greater damage

Avi

Avi you are watching primal rage at its best, Skroth is acting more like his ancestors than a peaceful Jamoura. Once the carnage is complete you can swoop in and rip at the thing with your talons which you can still lock and use to tear chunks of it off though it is painful. Just as Skroth though each talon full of putrescence tried to burrow under your tough skin and sap the strength from you. It also makes a swing on you, but it is slow despite its strength and this time it misses you.

[Skroth]

Skroth had recovered from the enraging visions that fueled his savage attacks on the abomination but, despite the damage he has done, he found the creature still standing. Even through the red haze, he had felt bones break and muscles give way beneath the power of his blows yet it remained upright and even charged at him! The creature swung a fist, and then another, and Skorth howled in agony. The burning sensation from the splattering of its acid-like flesh was nothing compared to the power it carried behind its meaty fists. The abomination's attacks rivaled the Jamoura's own strength, perhaps even surpassed it. He staggered backwards from the hits, truly hurt. It was like fighting himself, a humbling experience, except this beast did not seem to feel pain or even tire out.

An unexpected attack from Avi's Talderan owl form gave Skroth a moment's reprieve, allowing him to pull back and retreat from the abomination. What can he do to defeat the creature even his strongest blows could not begin to slow it down? He turned to Nimvahlis, catching his ragtag appearance in the heavenly being's bloodshot eyes. "If you've still a trick up your proverbial sleeve, my friend, now is the time to pull it. I know not what else I can do against this beast. It is like a mirror of my own strength." His own words gave him pause and he turned to look at the creature then back at the Ethaefal again, blinking. What would defeat a creature of such raw and brute strength?

[Nimvahlis]

Like a whirlwind of thoughts and memories, Nimvahlis' brain spun as it worked. Reminiscences flashed before him as he thought, recalling the actions of the fight. The inky black beast. The struggling Jamoura. The vicious blows. Their battle replayed in his head like a golem's recording, each swing visceral in its power. Then realization forced itself upon him, the heavy weight of their three worlds bearing down upon this notion. It was slow. The creature looked like a Jamoura, it was strong like a Jamoura, it was lumbering like a Jamoura. Fight fire with water. Nim's voice rang out, calling to Skroth in the same calming tones he always seemed to utilize. "Skroth, you need to be faster than it. Don't touch it, don't get near it." Nimvahlis dashed off to the side, panic weaving itself into his actions despite his tranquil tone. Scrambling, he grabbed a heavy stone and hurled it at the beast. It sailed through the air with paltry force in comparison to even the lightest blow handed out by his simian companion. But it got the idea across. "Throw projectiles, stay ahead of it." Nim winced as he picked up another stone and lobbed it- he had never before attacked the body of another entity. But this was no time for values to impede his survival. The hypnotist cast a glance at Skroth as the second stone soared toward the shadow beast, hopefully he could still call whatever magic he had to their aid. Magic. The word haunted him with its sweetness, caressing his skin with its euphoric fog. Nimvahlis was not a warrior, he was a mentalist. A low moan escaped his lips as his djed once again burst forth from its catatonia to engulf him. He could not escape it. Nor did he wish to. Colors bloomed like flowers in spring, swallowing even the monstrosity before them. Follow me. The voice cooed to Nimvahlis as his headache flared and died for a short instant. It soothed the pain of expenditure like the damp kiss of Leth's light. The magician searched the lambency that limned the creature, looking for chinks in its armor. Auristic power pulsated as it relayed information to him, telling Nim exactly what this creature's weakness was. As if floating through water, his muscles relaxed and his hand drifted to beckon the abomination of Rhysol, "show me your fault, mortal." This monster could not harm Nimvahlis. Nothing could. Nothing.

[Skroth]

...be faster than it.

Skroth did not know how he could keep ahead of the abomination, so physically exhausted was he from their exchange of blows. Still, his mental reserves were almost full to the brim, a fact he could utilize to execute his companion's idea. Channeling djed from his core down to his limbs, coaxing them out of their weariness and fueling them to perform at maximum capacity to keep himself out of range of their enemy. The beast seemed like a plodding thing, perhaps he could its attacks just enough for Avi to set up another pass.

With flux-pumped legs and arms, Skroth loped away, regulating the flow of djed so he did not overtax himself. The Jamoura picked up a rock the size of a human's head and hurled it at the abomination. He did not aim at anything in particular, just throwing the rock at the thing's body with all his might. He hoped the projectile would hit something sensitive or vital to its survival. If he somehow hit it on its legs, shatter its knees perhaps, it would make his and Nim's task that much easier to stone it to dead.

The massive Jamoura hefted another rock, one closer the size of a boulder and flung it two-handed at the beast.

[Avi]

The Talderian owl attacked from overhead again, diving out of the sky to rip and rend at their attacker. Her feet were beginning to hurt with each passing moment, in addition to the burns they had already suffered. This was bad, bad, bad. When the creature, thing, abomination, tried to attack her with a wild swing, the dire Kelvic hurried to get out of range, seemingly stopping almost on the spot in a tight turn, only to redirect herself upwards and out of the cramped surroundings. She didn’t like this area, not at all. It was hard for her to maneuver and made her more watchful than ever, lest she hit something or something else come out to pursue them. She made her way up overhead to the open air, listening so that she could decipher the battle below.

The crash below told her Skroth was throwing things. That made sense. They couldn’t attack it head-on with their bodies, not with the injuries they were sustaining just by touching the thing. Avi considered what she could use. There was a great deal of dead debris here, true… and plenty of it covered with the oily blackness that her bondmate had warned her about. She perched on a tree, shifting to her human shape, her balance precarious as she hung on to the harsh wood with her legs. She loosened her spear from her backpack’s straps, her feet feeling raw and bloody, more so as she stood up on the branch, crouching at first, her hair loose and wild, her eyes dark with determination. Just standing on the branch hurt – she was going to have to get her feet looked after by the time they were done with this. But she stood up to her full height on the branch, and hefted her spear with one hand, hurling it into the sky with the primal screech of an owl. Immediately after, she shifted again, launching herself into the sky in fast pursuit of the weapon. She caught it, jerking away from the trees as she gripped and adjusted her taloned toes around the shaft of the spear.

She had to time this right, she knew, listening to the sounds below, for the scratching of rocks leaving the dirt, of wind, everything. She listened to the creature moving below, and dove downwards, catching sight of the second rock hurled at Hramath’s minion. Avi aimed her spear and trimmed her wings, hoping to drive it towards the rock coming its way, and run it through in the process. Hopefully, if one missed, the other would connect…

[Ja'soth]

The battle rages on with the part becoming wounded in their own ways and the Abomination seeming to take whatever they throw at it. However it does seem to be having an effect.

Skroth: Though you are truly wounded, you manage to summon enough Djed to keep you ahead of the thing. You heft a head sized rock at it and it slams into its body causing more putrescence to splatter, this time missing you and causing a howl of pain as you hear the distinct sound of something breaking. The second boulder you heft with less ease as you are becoming tired however it finds a mark due to the fact that Avi has distracted it and this time you strike a vital area and it begins to reel in confusion and pain leaving you alone this round.

Nimvahlis: You feel the djed affecting you in new ways, you feel more energized and the sweet whispers have begun, you want to cast more and more yet, you truly feel invincible. However you do begin to sense weaknesses in the black aura around the head and chest where Skroth has struck this last time but you will not have time to tell them.

Avi: You manage to get to a perch where you can shift but the pain in your human limbs is excruciating, almost beyond tolerance, but the owl wins out and you manage to heft the spear into the air and shift again in a myriad of sparkling lights as you catch the speak and begin your calculated dive downward. The action distracts the thing enough that it runs into the rock that Skroth hurled and is dazed and badly hurt, you can see the exposed sections of its head and there is an opening to stab your spear through and once that is done the thing lets out a howl and falls to the ground, still and not moving.

The abomination is finished, as its body stops twitching, it dissolves into a putrid puddle of goo that seeps into the corrupted earth and begins to form more of the black stone and spreads further. From the mist you hear a roaring laugh, harsh and guttural, followed by the sound of fists pounding against flesh. There are a few growls and roars that Skroth can tell are Jamoura curses in the natural tongue of the Jamoura and some kind of prayer to Rhysol. The sounds thunder throughout the decaying forest as the mists begin to part, revealing a cave not more than 100 yards away. There are more roars and grunts and growls, the cave is coated in this ebony marble from what you can see and there is the flicker of torchlight from within. then a voice rumbles out of the cave

So are you going to come in? Or do I have to drag you in against your will, do not believe for a second that I cannot do so. Face me if you dare, come and face H'ramath the Terrible, servant of the almighty Rhysol the true king of Mizahar. Come bow before your lord and master Rhysol. There is a sense of great energy coming from within the cave and a knowledge that this is not yet over.

[Skroth]

At the sound of the terrible voice, Skroth exchanged wary looks with Nimvahlis. The head of the snake had made its presence known at last, the cause of the corruption all around them had called them forth in challenge. The Jamoura knew not if this Hramath was out of abominations to throw at them or if there were a host of them waiting to ambush the companions once they stepped in the cave. However, judging from the injuries they have sustained and the exhaustion made evident in their faces, Skroth knew they could not take on even just one more of the beasts.

For the briefest of moments, the massive Jamoura contemplated fleeing from the scene and leaving it to others more prepared and better equipped than they to deal with the threat. But then her suppressed the urge, purging his thoughts of the idea before it could take root and whittle his resolve. Abandoning the quest now would destroy the peaceful existence of his people and doom the region to a dark fate. More importantly, it would mean failing the Mother, the Goddess. This he could not do above all else.

Wearily he approached the Ethafael, his gaze encompassing both the heavenly creature as well as the Kelvic, Avi. “Entering the cave would most likely mean our deaths, friends,” Skroth said in a low rumble. “I cannot, in good conscience, ask you to follow. But if you do…I would welcome the support as I face against this agent of Chaos.”

He said nothing else as he turned from them, mentally preparing himself for another fight as he made his way towards the mouth of the cave. And beyond.

To Hramath, his abominations, and - perhaps - his evil god.

[Ja'soth]

As Skroth enters the cave there is a sudden flash of light and the entrance is sealed by some kind of field that prevents entry but allows sight within. Avi and Nimvahlis can but watch helplessly as the scene unfolds. The question in their minds would be...is this the power of Chaon? Is this real or generated from their fears by the power of Rhysol? The answer will be forthcoming.

Within they see a great,grey Jamoura standing by a marble altar of the deepest ebony, the walls are lined in the same foul,ebony marble as the rest of the forest and there is the feel of an evil yet unnamed. The grey Jamoura speaks in the same gravely voice that they heard emanate from the cave.
So child of Caiyha, you have entered the realm of the Defiler. Don't you realize that it is futile to resist? However the Defiler has decreed you must die

With that he charges Skroth and the battle rages.It is obvious that Skroth is summoning the last of his djed and pouring it into the Flux as his muscles ripple and with a feral growl he charges H'rammath and the two lock in mortal combat. The blows begin to fly and the two are tearing at each other. Blwo after mighty blow lands,shaking the very earth as the two colossal giants clash. Suddenly the very air seems to ripple and Skroth writhes in agony clearly tormented by foul visions and H'rammath has the upper hand, bashing away at the weakened Jamoura with vigor, bloodying him more than ever before. In a blind rage the grey Jamoura raises the defeated Skroth above his head intending to smash him against the wall and finish him. However Skroth seems to summon one last ounce of strength and smashes H'rammath in the face sending the two of them reeling into the black altar.

The altar shatters under their rage and fury sending a fireball forth that explodes the cave into a fiery inferno,bringing down the very roof of the cave, burying them both. It is finished at last, the Temple is destroyed and the Dark Jamoura is dead, unfortunately Skroth has given the ultimate measure of his devotion to Caiyha in the process.

The remains of the party return to The Spires in very bad shape, bloodied,burned and poisoned they barely make it to the Healing Center and the ministrations of Khalla and her healers. After many days they are pronounced well enough to travel and allowed to go, But first they are led to the Council Hall within the Great Temple and given the highest accolades the humble Jamoura have to offer. They are made honorary citizens of The spires and given permission to meditate at the central grove at the center of the Temple, the most sacred place in all the Spires whenever they find them selves int the Jamoura lands.

The party departs with rich rewards, they are given a supply of Jamoura healing pods and a supply of spores to replenish them when they are exhausted. They are taught how to raise them and allowed access to the Library for a Gardening and Herbalism lesson. The Jamoura posess little in the way of magic or great power but they do reward well.

To Nimvahlis they give a set of armor that is made from living insects and has the strength of the finest chain mail but the weight of leather. He is also given a set of eight spore pods that release a paralyzing toxin.

To Avi they give a fine spear made from a specialized serpent that makes itself stiff as steel when touched a certain way, when plunged into an enemy it releases a venom that damages and paralyzes its target for a short while. Then they are sent on their way. Thus ends this adventure

[Ja'soth]

Well we come to the end of a very long adventure I have enjoyed being your moderator and hope you have enjoyed the story we made together. Unfortunately this will also be my last story as a DS and we also lost all of our part but Avi so she will be the sole person receiving any lores or XP. I award the following XP and Lores for this story.

Avi

XP

Unarmed combat =5 xp
Spear=3 xp
Tracking=5xp
Aerial Combat =4xp
Herbalism =1xp
Gardening= 1xp
Meditation= 1xp
Speech =3 xp
Rhetoric=3 xp

Lores

Lore of The Spires
Lore of Jamoura Healing Pods
Lore of Caiyha
Lore of Rhysol(partial)
Lore of Hrammath
Lore of Skroth
Lore of Nimvahlis
Lore of Caelum
Lore of seeing a party member die
Lore of the Jamoura(partial)
Lore of observing Overgiving
Lore of being helpless to prevent a death
Lore of Chaon(partial)
Lore of overcoming Chaon(partial)
Lore of growing Jamoura Healing Pods
Lore of harvesting Jamoura Healing Pods
Lore of harvesting Jamoura healing pod spores
Items

8 Jamoura healing pods
3 bags of healing pod spores
1 Jamoura Snake/Spear