Session 109: And it burns, burns, burns; the ring of fire Report

General Summary

As morning arrived, the group prepared for their daily meal of magical good berries, but Roisin declined, claiming to not be hungry. Boris expressed concern, and Jeeves claimed that not eating would be dangerous. Roisin explained that she simply did not feel any need for food, and it wouldn't be a problem. Looking about in the late dawn light, the group realized that snow had fallen in the mountains overnight, to a depth that left the base higher than Roisin's or Boris' heads. Boris forgot where they were for a bit, and asked if they needed to go to Triliobarn; perhaps recalling plans from years before. The group discussed possibly using paper steeds, or a divine flaming chariot, to travel through the snow. The goal being the Phoenix Fountain approximately two days travel distant through the rough mountain terrain; with the snow that might extend to over a week without magical assistance. It occurred to the group that their plans for the liquid fire from the Phoenix Fountain was also in trouble, as they no longer had their wizard available to transform a block of the material into a time-suspended form, and the artificer lacked the skill to replicate the effect. Deciding that Orwinia's Oil might work, and they could try it to find out, they also decided to use a divine flaming chariot to shorten their travel time. Boris used a boon to summon the chariot, with Jeeves as driver, and they flew fast and very low, skimming the surface of the snow, for two hours before the chariot faded out.

Jeeves managed to find a good place to land in time, but as they reached the open rocky area Boris noticed flickers in the air approaching and called out a warning. Roisin, highly alert to danger, prepared to face whatever might be coming, then ordered Boris to attack. Boris threw a hammer blindly to where he thought the danger might be, but struck nothing. Immediately, an invisible foe struck Boris with two powerful blows, almost like the air itself was battering the stout halfling. Bastion called forth magical sight to see these invisible foes, and pointed them out to everyone else. Boris conjured his glowing gavel spirit guardians at enhanced range to make the area around them safe for his friends and deadly to his foes. All four of these elemental threats were damaged by the glowing gavels, even as Boris moved into a slightly better tactical position. One of the foes moved up and struck Roisin, nearly causing her to fall from her perch on Jeeves' shoulder. Another foe moved to attack Jeeves, striking with great effect, reduced by his protective clothing. Jeeves reached out to shock the creature that struck him, but accidentally smacked Bastion instead, mildly electrocuting the metal man. Roisin climbed down off Jeeves and moved well away from the fray before ordering Bastion to attack. Bastion bashed the creature with his thunder gauntlet, injuring the thing. Another creature attacked Jeeves, but was unable to connect. Bastion struck at the creature nearest, connecting twice, and continued to point out to everyone where the creatures were. Boris used his own magic to see the invisible, and slightly repositioned. Another creature moved back, taking a strike from Bastion and a powerful bolt of radiant energy from Boris, which nearly destroyed it. The creature did reach Roisin, striking the small princess once. A creature struck Jeeves with a blow to the chest, but again his clothing provided some protection. Jeeves activated his Healer's Sight, and one of the creatures flew high above the fight carrying a large boulder. Roisin, seeing the large boulder high above, ran away from the creatures harrying her, then ordered Jeeves to attack. Jeeves conjured a tolling death bell, but the creature resisted the magic. A creature flanked and attacked Jeeves, and struck once. Bastion punched the weakest creature, destroying it as the thunder collapsed its form, then swung at another but missed. Boris flew up closer to the rock above, and threw his hammer at it with the Might of Borelius. Striking critically, the creature almost dropped the boulder, but still suffered a massive impact, but the follow up strike missed. Boris also conjured a spiritual weapon which also struck powerfully. The creature closest to Bastion flew up to strike Boris, taking a strike each from Bastion and Jeeves in the process. The creature opposite Jeeves also flew up to strike Boris, impacting strongly. Jeeves again chose the tolling bell, but again the creature resisted. The creature carrying a boulder flew even higher above Roisin, and dropped the boulder on her. Roisin dodged, but still took a glancing blow. The creature dove toward the ground after dropping the boulder. Roisin moved aside, then ordered Boris to attack. Boris struck the creature adjacent with the Might of Borelius, seriously injuring it and magically preventing it from moving. Bastion also flew up, and tried to strike the creature, but triggered a magical malfunction and fell to the ground. Boris struck the other creature flanking him, again with the Might of Borelius, striking to great effect, preventing it from moving and nearly destroying it. Boris' glowing gavels finished off one of the creatures, and Jeeves again conjured a tolling bell which finally succeeded and destroyed another creature. The remaining creature continued to fly lower, and Roisin ordered Jeeves to attack. Jeeves again conjured the tolling bell, and this also succeded, seriously injuring the elemental force. Bastion conjured a bolt of flame that further injured the creature. Boris flew close to the creature, threw his hammer, and struck. The hammer blasted through the elemental and his glowing gavels burned through the remaining energies. More elemental creatures arrived and tore Boris' spiritual weapon apart, but seemed to stay more than 30 feet above ground, and they all recalled that any flight above that altitude within the Korth Wall could draw such elemental ire.

The group took a minute to regroup and rest; but almost immediately a large being appeared above them, perhaps 30 feet up, and roared "Greetings, mortals, what brings you to my demesne?" Boris, seeing Roisin speechless, answered "We are on a journey to the Phoenix Foutnain." The being replied "Ahh, well, fair warning, the air above these lands is claimed by the Lords of Air, remain on your 'ground' and do not attempt to fly. You do not belong in the air. You seem to be worthy beings, I will grant you a boon, what do you wish?" Boris, without thinking, said "Something to make travel in the snow easier. The being roared laughter "Done!" This, what they now realized was a noble Djinn, clapped its hands thunderously, and snowshoes appeared on their feet. Boris and Bastion looked at each other as Jeeves said "Boris! You could have wished for time-suspended fire from the Phoenix Fountain! Genies can do anything." Boris, a bit sheepish, looked about and prepared to try to walk in snowshoes as their vision wavered and they all heard another roar of laughter from all around.

Moments later their vision cleared as they found themselves looking at a burned and blasted wasteland valley where the blackened rock, and oppressive heat, bore witness to uncounted years of fire. Looking further they saw, perhaps a dozen miles away, a massive thousand-foot-high fountain of pure liquid fire that fell back into a broad lake of the same fire, somehow remaining liquid, but still fire, although even the smallest splash outside of the lake instantly transformed to normal flame that burned out in seconds. Still able to see hidden things, they also saw all manner of elemental spirits of fire and flame cavorting in the magical liquid as spirits of magma and lava swam in pools of molten rock around the edges. In the air above the lake could be seen a vast array of other elemental spirits of smoke and ash as well. In all the valley seemed a playground for elemental spirits of the most destructive types, and a place of formidable danger.