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Another Hot Time

by Steel Claw

It is hot; it is humid;
It is Junama.

It was a veritable whirlwind after we defeated the Primal Aquan. It had teleported us to the underwater capital -- the citizens of whom found us tresspassers. A vortex on the seas, seasick and thrown to the winds, typhoons on the Junaman and then we made it to Junama. I had little time to take it all it -- last time I was here, I had been searching for my family long before I would meet the Vanguard. We hiked it up the capital mountain.

It was all a blur, but something in the pit of my stomach told me I wouldn't be missing this place in the future.

The Challenger's Shrine

Our journey calmed down once we reached the near-peak of Mount Junama (NAME), rocky ruins scarring the heavy jungled environment. Milo led us to the place, Challenger's Summit, and we took a ten minute rest before recollecting and approaching cautiously.

Milo deciphered an inscription of his clan, Karhu, and we watched on. Two lights began to glow from the stone dais: one red, one earth-toned. Instinctually, Milo made a choice voiced to all: "Red".

A strange liquid began to seep up at Milo's boots and fill out the stone dais. It was a gigantic stone cast, one that set the liquid into a black obsidian stone. There was not enough to fill the mold, and when Milo worked the brownish liquid into the dais as well, it mingled with the red to harden into a great seal of Clan Karhu -- all a jet-black rock.

"The stones call for blood," Milo intoned, recognizing more runes. His knife swung through the air, and our barbarian drew blood for his clan. At once wind swept up and around us all, threatening to carry us all skyward. Runes etched in blood and stone floated dozens of feet above us, converging to create brilliant portals of flame.

It was here: floating through a burning rune with magma and stone, the Primal of Fire (Ignis). Another followed through a separate arcane entrance: living stone and greenery wrought into being, the Primal of Earth (Terras).

"It has been hundreds of years," the two began, regarding Milo and the rest of us carefully. We made our introductions, and as expected the two elementas challenged us just as the other primals had. As instructed, we all met on the central dais -- to watch as the great obsidian seal shattered. One at a team, each of the primals moved to the sides of the mountain, the black rock revealing their aspects of fire and water respectively. Each stood at our flank, watching us as enemies and their primals for instructions.

The aspect of earth hit us hard with an earthquake of unbelievable magnitude.
The aspect of fire erupted in an mighty inferno amidst the group with lashing flames.

When the earth aspect ripped an arm asunder, throwing it to the group to create a rocky foe to harry us, I jumped to action. The Sapphire Claw loaded a bolt of lightning, and on command it rent a line of electricity through the earth elemental and the newly-formed gargoyle, nearly shattering it outright.

Angry, the flame aspect rose into the sky. Fires burned around it, and the light grew too bright to see. We squinted as flames fell from the heavens, scorching the earth in a grand barrage and drawing screams of pain from all of us. Murg's was the loudest, leaving this plane of existence to meet with Abadar's actuaries in the next life.

The earth aspect turned to follow, but consumed with rage Milo let forth a blood-curdling roar and struck, sundering the living stone in twain. It fell, slowly and then with increasing speed, dust and rocks and boulders showering the ruins with living debris.

"Finish this time!" I shouted to Theo, taking off in a flash to Murg's side. I ripped off my necklace, thrusting the beads into his collarbone to imbue healing energies, a spare the dying. Claw and Fang covered my run, shots arcing over the battlefield at the far-off aspect of fire.

Murg hastened a breath, safe but still between life and death.

A fireball of epic proportions swirled around us, a burning shot loosened in desperation from the flame aspect above us. I shouted at the Sapphire Claw, its magics staving off some of the blow but unable to protect me from the rest. My cloak singed, smoke around me. I was alive, but just.

Valiantly, Dannerick flew to meet the aspect midair. Sword met flame, and braving the heat Dannerick plunged deep into the heart of the aspect -- piercing it in totality. Burning magma, blood-like, dripped down his blade and riddled the Auran prince with burns.

"Do not let thine flame be snuffed." The fire aspect was scattered to the winds.

Milo rent the gargoyle as he had its master. I rushed to Theo's side, his breathing already stable. My armor, the Steelplate under Varunmund's guidance, has already kept Theo safe from. Dannerick moved to Steel's side, retrieving the ballistic pendulum to allow the cure wounds within to activate.

Back with the living, Theo sent Icarus (and Dannerick) to Murg's side.

The Blessing

Ten minutes, and we were all standing -- and survived. From above, the primal of fire and earth had what could only be described as joy. They beamed -- as much as a rock or a flame could -- but their feelings were confirmed when each addressed the party.

"We confer upon your warband the blessings of earth --" the primals spoke, alternating, "-- and fire!" Immense weight and heat overcame Milo, with each of us receiving a smaller part of that feeling.

A Song of Ice and Fire

As they prepared to leave, stony portals showing them out, we were given one last word of advice from Ignis, the Primal Aspect:

"In Ibrithil, you fill find an ancient hideaway that burns the very permafrost -- ice never-melting. Guarding by the hand of Glasya's judges, the Altar of Gaddaz holds truth that even the devils fear."

Sending

We stood atop the Challenger's Shrine, victors of Mount Junama. Agreeing on the minimum, we sent Captain Betiriel a thank-you and good send-off for his help thus far. Theo focused on the amulet of the elephantine Knight Sigis, and as a group we worked the weave to return to the front Bezian line.

We found ourselves in a wagon full of hay, Theo having managed to teleport himself onto Sigis' shoulders. The knight was resting with the leadership of Bezia.

As we had discussion days ago, the plan was to take Sigis with us to hit Fort Agon as Commander Dawn lead our army to assault Eschaton.

This was to pass in less than three days' time.

Prince Steel, General Murg

Dannnerick met with his spies. They confirmed our entrance into Eschaton, but more worrying confirmed that the eponymous gunman Kade has allied with King Henrik, and will be protecting him -- "and is more powerful". The Endless was named, specifically.

After Theobold Hornraven spoke to someone (presumably his mentor), he was quietly made an Archmage of Excellion, and us his retinue. Theobold however failed to tell us.

verb adj. noun

Earth: Free Parry 1/day
Mukvègoh /muˈkvɘgoh/ n. a block (the act of blocking)

Fire: Free Luck Point 1/day
Bneggub /ˈbnɛggub/ nm. grace

Water: +1 damage die, 2-H or bldgn
Nwodilbuh /nwoˈdilbuh/ n. crash, collision

Wind: +2 Dex Saves 1/round, to an ally or enemy
Mukebyab /muˈkɛbjab/ nm. protection

The Blessing of the Ancient Gods

Yip, Water
Fol, Wind
Tsefwug, Earth
Psègvu, Fire

3 days

bnevvah /ˈbnɛvvah/ nm. partner; boyfriend, girlfriend

Continue reading...

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Another Hot Time

The Challenger's Shrine

The Blessing

A Song of Ice and Fire

Sending

Prince Steel, General Murg

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