Karnmas Mystery - Part Seven - Fire Elemental and Conclusion
Zaria || Ignatius smiles as Aolinn slides the pipe back into its dusty voided place next to him. "We had such a lovely last night," he intones wistfully and sadly, "I am glad that if we had to have a last night, it was this one." Ignatius rises from the chair, and bows his thanks to all assembled, "I can rest now, thanks to all of you," he says gratefully. As the spectre lays his thanks, a gleam of light twinkles from the bowl of the pipe. A tiny little sentient spark crawls out of the ivory and gold apparatus. It takes just a moment, a breath of a pause before running full-tilt across the surface of the tray. The spark leaps off the edge of the table and onto the now much dried conifer propped in the corner. In a matter of seconds and, the tree is engulfed in flames. The fire quickly spreads to the various tapestries and garlands that decorate the room. The spark grows and festers, rapidly turning into a full-fledge fire elemental that leers down at the group. Everyone roll initiative!
Hevlarn gets up from his seat when the fire engulfs the tree, appearing on alert. He knew this wasn't over, but it does solve a mystery!
Virginia curses under her breath and scoots back from the flame-engulfed tree. "Anyone happen to have a spare bucket of water?" She pulls the fire-poker from its place attached to her hip and readies for an attack.
Aolinn's eyes widen when the fire elemental appears, though she's so sad for Ignatius, especially after realizing what happened to his family and how he was the cause for it. She reaches into her deck and summons forth the Nine of Cups, and she sweeps her hand forward to send the magical waters within them toward the fire elemental, only for their gilded confines to refill immediately afterward.
Greta addresses Ignatius' words of thanks, getting so far as, "I hope you find," only for the words to trail off as the spark leaps and consumes the tree in next to no time at all. Like with Aolinn, she too has figured out what happened, but there's no time to be sad now. Aware of her lack of abilities or anything with which to combat the elemental, it's the mystic she turns to, asking, "Any way I could help with using those too?" while looking at the tarot deck. It's a slim shot, but the girl has no idea of what else to do, and is determined to be useful regardless of zero fighting skill.
Zaria || The Fire Elemental rears back, the top of its head fanning out against the ceiling, sending tongues of flame across the entire breadth of the room. The flames creep down the walls and curl toward the group ominously. The elemental gives pause before lashing a firebrand at Aolinn in particular from behind.
Aolinn dodges the fire elemental's back attack!
Thaeloc was saddened to hear everything that had happened to the family but as the elemental makes itself known Thaeloc prepares. Drawing the sword he had used earlier and placing the water gem into the hilt he smiles. Thinking to himself this is just what this sword was made for. With a loud war cry of "Look Out!" to warn the others he slashes at the Fire Elemental with a strong slash of water towards the elemental.
Thaeloc's jubilation at combat becomes his undoing, and his swing sails wide of the fire elemental. He does, however, manage to put out one of the tapestries.
Thaeloc laughs at his own failure but shrugs seeing that he did put out something even if it wasn't what he was aiming for. He dies swing wildly a few times all around himself and the others putting out the fires that have started due to the elemental. The final swing directed back at the cause of all these fires. It is better to protect the house and others first.
The Elemental barely manages to dodge Thaeloc's watery barage.
Zaria || The Fire Elemental opens it's mouth as wide as it can, sending a shower of sparks to cascade out and over the room. The air is thick with smoke and soot, making it difficult to predict the exact trajectory of the sparks
Aolinn manages to avoid being fried by the fire elemental by casting one of the summoned cups freshly refilled water upward, turning the intended lash into steam. She recoils though, not wanting to catch the full brunt of the aftermath as the hiss of contact seems to echo in the room. When the elemental shoots sparks toward the group, she tries to avoid again, but isn't as successful, throwing her arms up and curling in on herself when they take most of the damage. Greta's question gives Aolinn pause to think, and Aolinn summons forth The Moon card, a small, crystal ball-sized moon floating over to the vampire as Aolinn splits up the cups. "Use The Moon to control the tides of the cups I sent your way. It'll be easier to handle all nine with your help. I kept the majority!" She calls this loudly over the roaring of the fire in the room, once more guiding the water from five cups this time toward the fire elemental in an endeavor to do more damage.
Virginia offers a prayer of thanks for not being hit by the elemental's attack and sprints toward it swinging her fire poker in hopes of making contact.
Nia misses! Maybe the fire elemental is male, so a poker won't work.
Greta hisses once more as the flames hit despite the best effort made to avoid them, leading to a singed shirt and a burn that heals near instantly. This is given no thought of course, as Aolinn's well being is still the vampire's primary concern at present. Taking possession of the moon now, the key lesson of 'Remain focused' learned from alchemy is heeded, and she's doing as instructed, energy focused on strengthening the water from Aolinn's attacks. While doing this, she's alert to the room as well, determined to prevent stray flames from sneaking up on her if possible.Virginia grumbles to herself as her initial swing misses but redoubles her efforts and launches the poker like a spear at the center of the elemental.
The poker sails wide of the elemental, sticking point-first into the wall behind the tree. It is retrievable.
Zaria || The Fire Elemental is less than impressed with its opponents thus far, and cracks a malicious grin. Sweeping both flaming arms out and around, it causes a cape of fire to enrobe its frame, effectively creating a wall of flames that splits the group in two - half on the west side of the room, the other half on the east side.
Greta allows only the faintest glimpse of relief to be visible once her first counter against the flames proved successful. While there's then worry about those isolated from her, the vampire doesn't falter, opting to say to herself, "Keep calm, they'll be okay," to provide internal reassurance. After this is spoken, she's now waiting for Aolinn to resume her own assault, so the tide could be turned against the elemental again.
Thaeloc split from half of the group on the east side of the room. He doesn't have much choice as the heat in the room has his sweat starting to steam him like a crab in a pot. With two quick slashes is given one at the wall of flames the other at the elemental.
Thaeloc misses both the wall of flames and the elemental, only succeeding in drenching himself.
Aolinn watches the wall of flames go up with slight horror on her face. How powerful must this creature be? She doesn't dwell on it, however, as there are more important things to be considered. With her five cups full of magical water, she decides to fashion each pool into spears of liquid. When launched at the fire elemental, if they pierce it, the water will spread out and hopefully covered the creature in a watery substance meant to refresh itself over time. If it turns to steam, it will return as rain from above. It's intended to do continuous damage for as long as the spell holds out.
Aolinn's best intentions are literally swallowed by the fire elemental. He eats each spear, and burps a round of steam.
Hevlarn seems to snap out of the daze he was in for a time there, then smiles some at the fire - this was his element, literally. He had learned to control the flame, as his father was the original burning Immwolkn. He watches the others attempt to deal with the flames, then holds his hands out and calls to the fire itself. If all goes well, the Magistrate will attempt to take what he can into his body, which should not burn him as he is skilled - although there is always room for something to go wrong.
Thaelo now gets extremely frustrated but at least his latest miss has cooled him down some so he isn't steaming in his armor growls in anger at the elemental as he raises his sword over head swinging down releasing a torrent of water.
Zaria || The Fire Elemental is enraged now. the singular wall splits off, creating a grid of sorts that separates everyone from line of sight. Even each of the cups are contained in their own little firebox. Slowly, the elemental flexes his magical muscles and begins to pull the walls in, looking to trap everyone in fiery death and leave them no room for escape.
The elemental is struggling, but seems to be focused on Hevlarn and Thaeloc, only managing to maintain his fire grid to harm them.
Greta remains steadfast even with the continued determination of the elemental to wreak havoc and recreate the original fire from centuries past. The unwillingness to let Aolinn or the others down drives her further, and again the orb is used to strike out at the infernal being. This time though, she's getting a little creative, striving to recreate the pitcher plant recently fought, vines and all, to lash out and inflict damage without sacrificing all the water.
Hevlarn feels the flames closing in on Thaeloc and himself, actually starting to feel some of the heat on his skin. "Damn, old man!" He calls to Thaeloc, "You must be boiling like a stew on that armor." Taking out his Karambits, the man intends to use them as a conduit of sorts to draw the flame into his body through a channel.
Virginia facepalms at her missed throw and vaults over some of the lower flames to retrieve the poker and swings it once more. Whether she connects or not, she doesn't care. She then makes her way towards the fireplace and looks for any kind of emergency extinguishing device.
Aolinn frowns as things continue to amp up, and without thinking about it, she summons forth the Ace of Cups. With a fluid motion of her hand, she directs the cup to position itself directly over the fire elemental. After attempting to dump the watery contents on the creature, she tries to forcibly contain the elemental with the cup itself, hoping to deprive it of oxygen and possibly put it out for good. At the very least, maybe it will buy the group some time.
The fire elemental critically fumbles, and is more than happy to take up residence in the cup.
Virginia looks at the fireplace and notices the closed flue. "Anyone have chimney sweep knowledge? What's gonna happen if I open it?" As she waits for a response, she swings the poker at the elemental again to keep the flames at bay.
Zaria || The Fire Elemental flails and flares, pushing gouts of fire and flame in random directions. It hisses and screams, like air pockets in logs, as it lashes out at everything and nothing. Again, the gaping maw of flame is opened, and another shower of embers loosed into the room as a whole.
Virginia looks at the fireplace and notices the closed flue. "Anyone have chimney sweep knowledge? What's gonna happen if I open it?" As she waits for a response, she swings the poker at the elemental again to keep the flames at bay.
Zaria || The Fire Elemental flails and flares, pushing gouts of fire and flame in random directions. It hisses and screams, like air pockets in logs, as it lashes out at everything and nothing. Again, the gaping maw of flame is opened, and another shower of embers loosed into the room as a whole.
Aolinn frowns as the elemental escapes the cup, but is thankful she's able to dodge some of the embers and flames it emits upon it's emergence. She takes a look around the room and coughs a little, blinking her eyes as they burn due to some of the surrounding debris. Using her earlier summoned cups, the five in her possession that aren't under Greta's control are once more filled to the brim, and Aolinn moves her arms to guide the water toward the elemental in what is now a practiced motion.
Greta lets out the breath she hadn't noticed was being held as another ember makes contact, courtesy of another hiss of pain. Thankful that the damage was minor, the vampire's focus is renewed again, willing the water that's regenerated forth as her aquatic plant begins evaporating by degrees. The pair of vines she'd made now doubles, so there are four tendrils of liquid rushing at the elemental, her only goal now to weaken it even further. As she does so, there again is a lack of remembering to breathe partially to ensure there was more air remaining for those who needed it.
Thaeloc had put away the sword that hadn't done much to reach for what has been called a huge wing to take things to a new level. But with Greta great moves and finishing off the elemental Thaeloc stops and redraws the sword of four elements and uses it to put out the fires around the room started by the elemental
Hevlarn starts to catch his breath when the fire goes out, feeling a sort of rawness in his throat after being so close to being enclosed by flames. He puts the Karambits away and chuffs a laugh at Thaeloc, "She saved your ass...after you talked shit to her..." He grins toward Greta, "Way to finish it off. Nice one." The Magistrate sweeps some hair from his face. "Good work, everyone. Thanks."
Zaria || The Fire Elemental is entirely undone. Its flaming appendages dissolve into smoke, which leaves in great trails through the open doors of the parlor. The body collapses in out itself, a crunch and crash smothering the golden flames and leaving just the coprse of a burnt-out karnmas tree.
Millie has been terrified, hiding beneath the large couch while the world burned around her. As Greta delivers the final blow, the little urchin steals out from beneath the sofa and attaches herself to Hevlarn's jacket once more.
Ignatius heaves a heavy sigh. As he does, his exhale stirs the soot and ash of the long-destroyed mansion. The swirls and eddies soon begin to cling together, and then to the walls, the furniture, everything. Soon enough, the manor house is restored. "Oh," he says in pleasant surprise, a smile lighting his broad face, "You did it! You solved the mystery. The house is no longer cursed....nor destroyed. Hmm." He considers the group at large for a moment, laying a fingertip against the corner of his mouth. The towering ghost crouches down, his palms on his knees as he peers at Millie. "You will inherit my manor - the property, the treasury, and all of the contents therein," he says to the girl before straightening up. The spectral head swivels to press grey eyes at Greta. "And you shall be her guardian and caretaker - as well as the caretaker of the Arboretum." He glances to those assembled and says stridently, "All agreed?"
Aolinn slowly collects her cups back to her, starting to use the remainder of her summoning strength to put out the fires in the room. The water moves to various locations in magical waves of shimmering blue and translucent crystal, dousing everything to stop the fire from spreading. Only once her work is done, will her cups disappear and the card go back into her deck. The Moon will follow suit.
Aolinn agrees with Ignatius, softly.
Greta lets out a sigh of relief once the flames are gone and without delay, makes sure to check on how everyone else is doing. The moon she was holding is then returned to Aolinn while the mystic is told, "Thank you for allowing me to help you," showing that there was no ego or desire to claim glory displayed by her. As for Ignatius, the ghost is turned back to once he begins speaking, with a quiet, "I will do my best to protect her while I'm here in the city," offered as a promise. Already planning a schedule to ensure that was kept, there then comes the reply of, "I hope that you enjoy your rest with your family," at last finishing the thought cut off earlier.
Hevlarn pets Millie's head when she attaches to him, checking to ensure she is okay. Tommie flies out from where she was hiding, squawking and chittering her distress. "That sounds good, eh? And I live right next door with my wife, if you need anything." Is said to Millie, showing the little urchin a smile. Then nods to Greta, "That goes for you too, since you will be looking after her."
Thaeloc says [to you] : Great job, maybe I was wrong.
Zaria || Millie Nods, first to Ignatius and then to Hevlarn. She is unharmed, though needs a bath and a good meal. Still keeping her fingers pincered on Hevlar's sleeve, she reaches out with her other hand and grabs Greta's shirt at the most convenient spot. Her new and unwitting "parents".
Ignatius begins to glow, this time in white. The blue has been eschewed, blotted out by the new pristine hue. He bows a few more times in thanks to the group for his efforts, blowing kisses to them while backing away. He knows his time has come. "I shall tell my family about you. All of you," he says simply and plainly before the white light consumes him entirely, then streaks upwards and out of sight.
Virginia waves to everyone and makes her way out of the manor. "If anyone needs a meal, come by the Inn. I'll make sure there's something warm to eat and cool to drink for everyone."
Greta again tenses up, keeping close to Aolinn, Hevlarn, and Virginia even while she's spoken to. After the fear is contained, she replies, "You shouldn't judge people just by what they are, that's rude and what bullies do," softly. To focus on something else, she then asks, "Will you teach me how to use those when there's time, in between my caretaking, gardening, and other responsibilities?" while trying to contain her eagerness to learn a type of magic.
Aolinn looks at Greta when she poses her question, considering it for a moment. "I'm not sure if I know how to teach it, exactly. It's just something I've always been able to do. I will say that I really had to familiarize myself with the cards and their meanings and find a deck that I clicked with before I was able to summon magic with them, so that might be a good starting point for you." She smiles and reaches out to attempt and give Greta's hand a squeeze, if she'll allow it. "I need to get home and get cleaned up, preferably before my honeys see me. You're always welcome to drop by my shop for a chat. Sometimes I'm busy, sometimes I'm doing nothing at all and it is a waiting game! Either way, you're always welcome to pay a visit." She looks to Millie and taps her on the nose playfully. "That goes for you too. Goodnight everyone." With that said, Aolinn leaves.
Hevlarn says [to Thaeloc] : That was a half-assed apology.
Greta did indeed allow the contact, and only for a moment is she motionless as Ignatius moves on. "Thank you," is the only thing spoken, before she asks, "Will you be alright taking care of her until tomorrow?" of Hevlarn. There was a home to get back to, then sleeping until the afternoon once the sun rose.
Hevlarn nods to Greta, "Yeah, she will be fine with me. I'll make sure she gets cleaned up and fed. Thanks." He smiles to the Vampire. "Sorry my father in law is an ass."
Greta is relieved that there'll be time to get things planned out proper and there was no overlap with her lessons and proper training. To Hevlarn, "Thank you as well," is then spoken, a steadfast refusal to look Thaeloc's way occuring while she adds, "See you tomorrow after midday," and very hastily gathers her things. Thereafter, she races out in a blur, to allow for transport home once outside the city.
Hevlarn nods to Greta, "Sounds good. Take care, okay?" Then he gathers the kid up to take home to Leia, which was going to come with a serious explanation about what happened here. "You ready?" When Millie nods, he gets Tommie as well and bids everyone farewell.
Last modified on May 27, 2024, 15:56:22