Post by David on Nov 4, 2005 12:51:20 GMT -5
While Flint, Sabuto, and Harbinder were in Qadib with Namared and Dilirum, Orn and Jamil remained at the Genies' Garden with Kamar. The djinn provided food to both men, as well as fruit for the monkeys and winged serpents of the oasis. Soon, the group was surrounded by these creatures, who had overrun the encampment for Kamar's food. Jamil befriended one langur monkey in particular. Orn, meanwhile, began speaking with Lucien, the beautiful winged snake guarding the Tree of Life. Although not allowed to enter the grove, Orn and Lucien communicated telepathically on a variety of topics.
The day after the others left, the 28th of April, Orn and Jamil awoke to the laughter of women. Cavorting about their camp with the monkeys and winged snakes were beautiful, painfully-thin women. These figures moved freely about the garden, even entering Lucien's grove. Jamil and Orn quickly realized these were ashira, spirits much like dryads, but associated with fruit groves.
Late on that same day, Jamil was resting in the pavillion Kamar conjured for the humans, when suddenly he was painfully awoken. The monkey he had befriended had yanked sharply on Jamil's ear and then lept away. Jamil looked up just in time to see white: a 5' tall green bird with a 15' wingspan had swept down to pounce. Although the monkey had lept clear, the creature decided not to waste its attack run and used its sharp claws and fearsome beak to wounded Jamil. He responded with his blade, but could not land a solid blow; the creature's feathers deflected his strikes. The bird moved in for the kill when a bolt of energy struck its wing, blowing a hole clear through and grounding the avian.
Orn ran over to help, only to spy two more of these birds flying in. Jamil, meanwhile, continued to battle the now-grouned creature. Orn tossed his axe, but missed. Then another bolt of energy erupted from the tent, crippling the wing of one of the approaching beasts. Jamil, unfortunately, was being slowly ripped apart. Orn managed to land a single, solid blow, driving off the first grounded bird, but found himself in mortal danger from the second. Jamil cut the tent ropes, ensnaring the bird and Orn, while he and the monkey jumped clear.
The bird freed itself quickly, using those powerful talons to rend the pavilion's cloth. Orn also freed himself, and as he stood, Jamil and the monkey attacked the downed bird. Curiously, the monkey used her fists instead of her fangs. Together, Orn and Jamil finished the monster, while the monkey fled for cover. Five more creatures flew in for the kill, distracted first by an illusionary elephant (they shredded the animal) and then by a thick wall of cloths. Kamar, meanwhile, spun himself into a whirlwind and cleared the oasis of the elephant birds. Orn healed Jamil and the two made friends with the monkey (whose fur had somehow grown a foot and stood out on all ends of her body now).
Flint, Sabuto, and Harbinder returned with the other two djinni in the evening of the May 3rd. In the morning, the group set out for the edge of the Great Anvil, accompanied by three djinni guides. By the evening of the 6th, the group as well as their three camels and three horses had arrived. Kamar, Dilirum, and Namared bid the party farewell and good luck, resupplying their food, water, and equipment.
The Great Anvil lived up to its name -- hammered by temperatures above 130 degrees at mid-day, the party travelled near sunrise and sunset. The camped through the middle of the night, however, warming themselves around a fire to ward off the bitter cold. Not a cloud hid the brilliant blue sky or shielded the burning rays of the sun. Orn used endure heat spells to keep the horses strong as well as create waters to prevent their water supplies from depleating. Without magical aid, however, it was clear the group could never survive...
Near the end of the day on the 8th, a huge sandy-colored viper suddenly sprung out of the sand and attacked Flint. It sank its fangs into him, but was quickly dispatched by Sabuto and, curiously, the monkey. The simian apparently cast a magic missile at the serpent, but also summoned five larva as well. The party made short work of the threat and concentrated on Flint's wound. The venom was clearly lethal, but a slow poison from Orn, a elixir against snake venom, and Flint's own toughness were enough that he (barely) survived. Harbinder psionically healed Flint's injury while the heroes had to rest the whole of the 9th in order for Flint to recover enough strength to travel.
Now, if the group could only be sure of its direction and final destination across this wasteland...
The day after the others left, the 28th of April, Orn and Jamil awoke to the laughter of women. Cavorting about their camp with the monkeys and winged snakes were beautiful, painfully-thin women. These figures moved freely about the garden, even entering Lucien's grove. Jamil and Orn quickly realized these were ashira, spirits much like dryads, but associated with fruit groves.
Late on that same day, Jamil was resting in the pavillion Kamar conjured for the humans, when suddenly he was painfully awoken. The monkey he had befriended had yanked sharply on Jamil's ear and then lept away. Jamil looked up just in time to see white: a 5' tall green bird with a 15' wingspan had swept down to pounce. Although the monkey had lept clear, the creature decided not to waste its attack run and used its sharp claws and fearsome beak to wounded Jamil. He responded with his blade, but could not land a solid blow; the creature's feathers deflected his strikes. The bird moved in for the kill when a bolt of energy struck its wing, blowing a hole clear through and grounding the avian.
Orn ran over to help, only to spy two more of these birds flying in. Jamil, meanwhile, continued to battle the now-grouned creature. Orn tossed his axe, but missed. Then another bolt of energy erupted from the tent, crippling the wing of one of the approaching beasts. Jamil, unfortunately, was being slowly ripped apart. Orn managed to land a single, solid blow, driving off the first grounded bird, but found himself in mortal danger from the second. Jamil cut the tent ropes, ensnaring the bird and Orn, while he and the monkey jumped clear.
The bird freed itself quickly, using those powerful talons to rend the pavilion's cloth. Orn also freed himself, and as he stood, Jamil and the monkey attacked the downed bird. Curiously, the monkey used her fists instead of her fangs. Together, Orn and Jamil finished the monster, while the monkey fled for cover. Five more creatures flew in for the kill, distracted first by an illusionary elephant (they shredded the animal) and then by a thick wall of cloths. Kamar, meanwhile, spun himself into a whirlwind and cleared the oasis of the elephant birds. Orn healed Jamil and the two made friends with the monkey (whose fur had somehow grown a foot and stood out on all ends of her body now).
Flint, Sabuto, and Harbinder returned with the other two djinni in the evening of the May 3rd. In the morning, the group set out for the edge of the Great Anvil, accompanied by three djinni guides. By the evening of the 6th, the group as well as their three camels and three horses had arrived. Kamar, Dilirum, and Namared bid the party farewell and good luck, resupplying their food, water, and equipment.
The Great Anvil lived up to its name -- hammered by temperatures above 130 degrees at mid-day, the party travelled near sunrise and sunset. The camped through the middle of the night, however, warming themselves around a fire to ward off the bitter cold. Not a cloud hid the brilliant blue sky or shielded the burning rays of the sun. Orn used endure heat spells to keep the horses strong as well as create waters to prevent their water supplies from depleating. Without magical aid, however, it was clear the group could never survive...
Near the end of the day on the 8th, a huge sandy-colored viper suddenly sprung out of the sand and attacked Flint. It sank its fangs into him, but was quickly dispatched by Sabuto and, curiously, the monkey. The simian apparently cast a magic missile at the serpent, but also summoned five larva as well. The party made short work of the threat and concentrated on Flint's wound. The venom was clearly lethal, but a slow poison from Orn, a elixir against snake venom, and Flint's own toughness were enough that he (barely) survived. Harbinder psionically healed Flint's injury while the heroes had to rest the whole of the 9th in order for Flint to recover enough strength to travel.
Now, if the group could only be sure of its direction and final destination across this wasteland...
