The Elemental Weapon (PF snippet)

---
Chloris: Chloris stares at the headmaster, hardly able to process what he just said. "...Echo's hypothesis was that they were using this place to process the Wind Spirit and... if they were just here, I suppose they likely just did the same for Fire, then."

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "Fire? Hold on... I feel I may be missing some crucial information to all of this, and I suppose the reason you all are looking into helping is out of some personal knowledge or stake as well... please, start from the beginning, if you may." he stated, looking to them rather seriously.

Inari: The kitsune looked at Chloris with a certain amount of concern. "...We might as well start from the beginning, I suppose."

Vinnie Parmesan: "We should have brought Nui with us."

Carlynn: Grimacing, Carlynn looks between Chloris and the headmaster with a dark expression. At the invitation to 'start from the beginning', she can't help but sigh. "Heavens. It's quite a tale, if I may say."

Inari: "Nui is nuanced, it's best if it's from who were dropped in the midst of the maelstrom that is this entire ordeal."

Vinnie Parmesan: Vinnie nods. "That's true."

Inari: She places a hand on Chloris' shoulder "We can take turns if you feel it'd be exhausting."

Chloris: "The beginning," Chloris repeats, breathing a sigh and leaning her head into her hands. She gives Inari a small nod. "R-right, I expect we've involved ourselves in a centuries-old conflict, but... we came into things because of that shaman woman, what was her name..." She quickly draws out one of her notebooks from her pack, flicking through a few pages. "Izaniya Sterbentrager. She sicced a kraken upon the ship the lot of us were on and destroyed it, leaving stranded on an island that was essentially ruled by these hideously powerful elementals..."

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: He nods a bit, thinking to himself as she mentions these. "Note the name. Go on." she stated, as the gem flashed at the mention to 'note the name'.

Chloris: "I'll spare you the details of most of our trials, but from the Sea Mother, that is, the Water elemental, Inari and I learned they were all creations of Lenala Ray, though we didn't know her name at the time. The spirits were akin to demigods, most even managing to create a servant races of their own, as well as granting something akin to divine power to their disciples." Chloris rubs her temples, sighing. "When we arrived, things had long been out of balance, with the Wind spirit harvested over six years priorand her creations soon to die out. Earth was hidden, while Water imprisoned by Fire through the help of some mental compulsion he had over her priestess. In essence, Fire ruled the island."
She turns to Inari, quietly asking her, "Do you mind telling the next bit? It's exhausting to think back on fighting that woman, but I'll interject if I have something to add."

Inari: Inari nods, looking up pensively as she recalls much. "Well, firstly, we faced the trials of two earth elementals. For elemental natured being they seemed to carry quite a humanoid semblance, almost similar to Djinn and Efreeti and the sort, yet with animal semblances as well. Shortly after learning of the Fire Spirit's rule and twisted attempts at bringing the Wind Spirit back to life via mass sacrifices, which we freed, we managed to contact the vessel of the Wind Spirit's and free said water spirit, who came to our aid to subdue their former priestess. As I tried to undo the enchantment on the priestess" She steels herself slightly, gripping the books a bit harder. "The Fire Spirit's influence vanished. We went to investigate using a rod that was given to us, that led us to the Shaman. At first we tried to be diplomatic and questioning, but" She sighs wearily upon remembrance "We were, without rhyme and reason, forced into combat. After our near deaths, and the rescue of the Earth spirit, our knight companion, Aviu, marched into it alone, to come out terribly wounded, losing an arm and leg." To this, she sounds regretful, looking downwards. "Ever since then, we've been constantly stumbling into more reasons as to why Lenala is a danger to this continent."
The kitsune looks up again. "I know this is...of little concern to you, but if you know of any way we can possibly restore our companion, we'd appreciate it the most, Headmaster."

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "Hmm.... trials, elemental of other kinds, six years prior... " he started, focusing more and more as they elaborated... listening and clicking his tongue as she mentioned the injury part, but focusing.... "Fire spirit's vanished, means it was taken, combined with prior sensations, motivations, drive... estimated time of growth and rate involved... creation of sub-races..." he mused, as magical circles formed around his head, and his murmuring only sped up, if not echoing into itself... before stopping. "...Dammit. So, it's not her being impatient, it's that she's finishing the primary half of it." he finished, seeming to have a thousand yard sort of stare....
"...I'll see to your friend, though, I've already heard plenty from my niece. Adoptive one. I'm sure you've met her and her questionable dress attire." he states simply, getting up and sighing. "Instead, the current issue, to explain, the device in question is one to harness and use elemental power within... I was well aware she was refining, empowering the, to use your terms, Wind Spirit and strengthening her here, but the time frame and actions of the fire spirit as well as projected growth rate means it's likely that such refinement isn't required for their sake. Meaning, she is preparing to build the main two components of a weapon." he stated, getting up and waving his hands as magical rings appeared and disappeared as he would tap at them, objects such as books, maps, orbs and more flying about frantically around him.

Inari: Inari avoids making remarks about his niece. "...Weapon?"

Carlynn: "A weapon?" Carlynn, too, echoes, her eyes widening. "What manner of weapon could use such ammunition?"

Vinnie Parmesan: Vinnie silently listens, not having much to add.

Chloris: "Sterbentrager had some means to disable the Earth Spirit and forcibly channel his powers, as we found out the hard way," Chloris adds. "We only lived and managed to keep him alive because of Carlynn's quick thinking and because Fire showed up just in time to pick a fight with the shamaness. When we left the island, Earth and Water were both still alive. Since we warned them that they should destroy the teleportation grid Lenala and her forces seemed to be able to quickly get around with, they should still be alive."

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "That is the... no, I will fully elaborate. The fire spirit is, so to speak, the 'weapon' primarily, whereas the wind spirit is intended to be ammunition. Alone, one has enough power to use dangerous spells on a constant basis, but together, the destructive firepower would be enough to be capable of besieging anything short of the Red Wall." he stated simply, walking along, looking back.
"And for clarification, they would not be 'dead', their artificial souls would be destroyed, or sent elsewhere without a physical form, instead dormant is a more accurate wording... And that much is good. There are more applications to the weapon if it was fully completed, as such, it is merely dangerous. Very much so." he stated, sighing... "Of course, that old ghost knows I'm against her rather dangerous ways. She practically treats this all as a game, that they are 'ahead' on everything... And I can't exactly say she's not in a position to... Sorry, irrelevant grievances I hold to Lenala. I take it this is on some level personal to you all though?" he asked.

Chloris: "That much power, all refined together into a weapon would be..." Chloris blanches, then presses her palms to her forehead and drags them downward, as if that will somehow help her compose herself.
"I'd say it's pretty damn personal at this point," she growls out. "The hell does she even want a weapon that strong for, taking down gods?"

Vinnie Parmesan: "So we have to save the world?" Vinnie says, sounding a little excited.

Carlynn: "Yes, ah, I suppose it was personal up until now -- but there's no way we can allow such a weapon to fall into the hands of such a morally bankrupt fiend," Carlynn bobs her head briskly.

Inari: Inari sighs wearily. "Great, another savior's errand. I'd say from the moment she started endangering our lives and now, possibly others, we can't just possibly let her get away with all this. Most of us come from a home, and we might possibly want to go back, but we can't if something's out there that can destroy it."

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "No no no. She won't destroy the world, by no means... but she will exploit and drive it to it's darkest place if she had any say in it. Saving lives and preventing war, is far more likely, in the event she planned on giving this to the Empire for example." he stated, waving a hand. "...As for the why, the long story short of it is she is preparing for the end of the world, and has gotten many places to aid in it... My aid included, but only in the barest of senses, I don't agree with her and her actions have no plan for what comes after war." he sighed.

Inari: Inari visibly shrinks a little. "...Don't suppose you know why she stared at me with malice in our short exchange, then mentioned something about potential in me, do you? Nor do have any clearer description of just what is going to bring the End Times, do you?"

Vinnie Parmesan: "Well, it's basically like saving the world." Vinnie replies, his enthusiasm not being dampened. "Our success record is currently 100%, so this should be no trouble at all."

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "She does that to anyone who seems relatively strong, that look is more of her assessing what you can do... And at best, cross referencing multiple continents worth of information? It is likely that the end times will include an army described as without end, and a being to devour gods. The world in it's entirety will be wiped out of all life, and any 'echo' of it, assimilated into said army and god. It's not exactly the brightest of cases, but most estimations point out this continent to be the proverbial starting ground of it. That woman estimates that it also will be the only chance to stop it, as such an invasion force would be too much to surpass by a farther continent, and the gods would be long dead by then." he added.

Inari: There's a sigh of relief. "At least you don't make it a vague prophecy that can apply to anyone." She whispers.

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "Oh, trust me, they're mostly vague prophecies. This is just taking the statistical average of findings and readings, there's more if you were to add everything... far too much." he stated.

Chloris: "...Well, seeing how she can make demigods and then harvest them as components for a weapon and that still might not be enough, it's no surprise she's hoping to claim every powerful piece that she can for the finale. Hell Inari, that sword of yours assimilated the shape of the crab queen's." Chloris looks oddly calm at the mention of total divine and worldly annihilation.
"...Honestly though, I think this is a lot bigger than any of us could've really guessed. Like, two or three hours ago? My biggest worry was that Lenala would find a reason to harvest me before we get strong enough to actually oppose her on any real level. Now that doesn't seem as likely."

Inari: The kitsune still looks worried. "But...if we're not even in this scope, what kind of things are the End Times going to bring?" She looks down at her books for a second before looking up. "We need to go to that city that...old man spoke about. Maybe then there's something."

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "A black blade. intended to be one of her many creations, a weapon of ultimate versatility and magic... and perhaps one of the worst, reckless experiments she's done, while results vary, typically many are driven mad by their sword if they opt for inactivity or respite..." he started. "A weapon that copies, or devours, the lesser of their kind, based upon a truer blade that no matter her or my attempts, to harness it's full potential resulted in nothing... and the project... I'm getting off topic, apologies. For now, the concerns of Lenala and her current project, one step at a time... was anyone with her. Did she say anything as she left?" He asked, pointing to Inari simply.

Inari: She nodded. "Yes. This...Ashen Emberchild. It feels imposed. She seemed like a veteran knight at first, but afterwards, I'm...not so sure."

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "Cinderchild. Ashen Cinderchild, The White Reaper, The Undying Blade, Lenala's go to lackey the list goes on... And here I was hoping she would be a part of something else, she's always such an unknown outlier to any planning cases." he said, looking a bit annoyed as he would sigh at this. "She is a black blade as you. And one of the few cases of the blade not driving their user insane... or, perhaps she is, to follow and fight for so long." he stated... sighing, as he looked a bit puzzled... "...No, even if I change it it's far too likely they'll catch on otherwise..." he stated, looking back.

Inari: "...Change it, Headmaster?"

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "I'll be brief and blunt. I've got a list and read on every location they would and could be here, to hide and store their device... But I figured they would be here, and summoning a mass of fire elementals for this factoring, to test. If they're putting it all together, then this assumption is pointless... fortunately, I'd know where she could and would go from here." he stated. "But... she'll respond in kind, if I was to actively act. Rather, she would act upon equal or greater force to what I would send or oppose... If I was to make a move with any contacts I typically have." he started. "...But, if it's a random group of adventurers... well, she has a rather 'soft' spot for testing potential and wanting to see how it goes..." he'd remark, waving a hand.

Inari: "...Headmaster, if I may interject, we're no longer a random group of adventurers. She has heard from us, and knows of our existence as a collective group of good-doers, despite some minor differences. But, I am interested in how you could change the black blade, Headmaster."

Chloris: "Ashen Cinderchild..." Chloris makes a note of the name. "Weirdly coincidental choice for a name if they were on an errand here to do something with the Fire elemental's essence. And apparently her right hand, at that..." she shakes her head, realizing she's thinking out loud again. "...Well, sounds like you plan to send us out to disrupt her attempts at completing her weapon either way?"

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "Oh, that's simple, but dark. The blades were formed ages ago by a process that converted souls of beings into blades that suited their echo and affinity of the Astral Blade. They are designed to resonate with a user, and the user and blade together can echo and mirror power and ability by other Black Blades. The thought was that a finished 'black blade' that can successfully obtain the powers of the others would be able to in essence have all the powers of the Astral Blade... but results were inconclusive and her choices for who became blades was.... questionable. So, in short, it didn't work." he said flatly...
"As for that, there's nothing much to that name. Though, they say she has that name for murdering an entire city and burning the remains, erasing all signs of it's existence... Though that's likely just a story, or at best, a page in the formation of the Aradiel Empire's creation." he added. "As for how 'random' or not you are... It doesn't matter to her. In fact, it is safer, she typically won't test you any harder than it would be to grow stronger." he remarked. "But for me, well, she would go all out and worst case, anyone I'd send would have to face her personally... so understand that anything short of me mobilizing a small army and expecting a 90% casualty rate does not sound a proper idea as opposed to asking personally involved people who plays to her interests, even if she knows this is intentional." he said matter-of-factly.

--- (Skipping ahead a bit) ---

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: The wizard nodded a bit. "The situations and future applications of where or what you all wish to do with your lives is one to ponder perhaps at another time... anyway, we can start with that circle of her's I've isolated down around the dueling halls... I can switch it's destination signal to instead take you to your location. And, serve as a return means... After that of course, that will be it. With your friends as well, I will assume." He added, a staff flying off the walls towards him as he would start off towards the teleporter, though, pausing a bit.
"Ah, and, feel free to ask any questions on the way there. This will take some time and if you need to make any preparations before heading out, that is also alright." He added.

Inari: Inari raised her hand promptly. "Honorable Headmaster, do you know of any way to better my focus and understand others better? I find myself to easily eluded by people's charms to see the ulterior motives, and I don't wish for that to be my downfall. That'd be my only question, really. Do you want us to go promptly to Lenala's lair?"

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "Training is one answer.... but there are magical tomes or unique means such as wishes to aid your mind in clarity and ability if you so need. Even if rare and expensive." He stated.

Chloris: "Ah..." Chloris straightens up in her seat and slips her journal back into her bag, then makes to stand up. "I think most of us ought to have the better part of our powers still at our disposal for today, if not exactly all of them. As for questions, I..." she looks to be wrestling with a question for a few moments, then sighs and shakes her head. "...Well, of the immediately relevant ones, what exactly are our priorities where we're going?"

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "To disrupt the completion of this weapon is the only real 'priority' beyond returning back either alive, or, with everyone's corpses for those who don't." He said rather... bluntly. "It could be by damaging the machine, taking or destroying the elementals, or whichever situation in between... if you feel you all need the time to properly rest and recover, that should be alright, even if it'll mean you have less time... I'd estimate, at least. If you hurried there sooner, then their response will be to rush the completion of it,if you go later, it will merely just be 'on time' so I would figure." he mused.

Chloris: Chloris follows up with, "Do we know what the completed weapon will look like? I'd hope we can just steal the elementals from them. Destroying something that has that much power strikes me as the sort of act that would release it all at once, in one big, city-leveling explosion."

Inari: The kitsune dodges everyone's eyes for a bit. "I have actually depleted some of my reserves as of today due to all the trouble I've caused. I...might need to recover."

Chloris: "Life won't always wait for us to rest and regain spells, you know," Chloris mutters, glancing at Inari with mild irritation, at least by her typical standards.

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: He'd nod, as a wave of his hand had the crystal gem pull up an illusion of it, an in-depth version of the drawing shown to the group that went to Merlis. It seems to be a device that looks to be somewhat like a box, but a speaker.... no, a cannon, of sorts in the front, and bottle like chambers to house the elementals in back.
"This is it... The middle part is made of adamantium and the cannon of Mithril, you'd need an adamantium sword of your own just to have a chance to cut this apart in brute force... though, there is a clear weak spot of the elementals, as while the bottles are just representations, their containers are far more fragile due to in depth mechanics... of course, that said this is only a portion of a weapon..." he mused... the weapon sliding to the side and shrinking in scale as next there seemed to be a huge golem of sorts.
"...It's also intended to serve as a power outlet for a completed form of a weapon... I assume you won't have to fight this full version as well, but instead a prototype copy... If the weapon is completed compared to not." he added. "The projected power required to operate this should only be barely enough with those two elementals in her possession though... So even stealing or breaking one portion should be enough." he added.

Vinnie Parmesan: Vinnie looks over Inari and Chloris. "I wanna get to the fight as soon as possible too, but we shouldn't get into an important fight with a disadvantage. If we have to opportunity to prepare for our battle, we should take it."

Inari: A sigh. "I know darling, but if we're going to get into a fight I won't be able to dish out lightning blades all the time." Then, a look to the elven man. "Do you think my Black Blade could sunder it?"

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "...Doubtful, but it should be enough to sunder whatever houses the elementals. Though, these plans may be out of date..." He added as a small warning.

Chloris: "If we sunder the housing, what happens to the elemental inside?"

Inari: Pensively, the kitsune's head turns to Carlynn. "Do you think they'd have an adamantine sword at the ready if there's a blacksmith in this city? I am much too accustomed to my blade."

Chloris: "Does it just dissipate or reconstitute or will some focus of its power fall out that we can recover?"

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "They should become freed, unless you happen to hit them with a magical attack. Then slightly harmed, but they also should be strong enough to survive at least one hit." He stated simply.

Vinnie Parmesan: "So we'd have to deal with the elementals after they're freed then."
"At least the fire guy, I suppose."

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "Potentially. Though, they may turn sooner on their captor than you all...So I would bank on at least."

Inari: "...Isn't there a flask of entrapment that actually helps for situations like these?"

Chloris: "Ah, so... physical attacks only upon the casings." Chloris folds her arms. "Fire was trying to revive Wind, but Wind should be right there to be freed as well. If anything, he'll be easily directed into going after those who imprisoned him."
"And her, of course. With luck, we'll hit the right one."

Vinnie Parmesan: "Yeah, that makes sense. And even if they do turn on us, I think with all that we've grown we could stand a decent chance of taking them now."

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "...Well, the projected plan I have is to cause enough damage to free a spirit, and they will cover your escape..." he said bluntly to Inari.

Inari: "Wait, how big is this thing anyway?..And don't you, uh, think that's a rather risky projection? After all, we liberate the fire spirit and in their eternal hot-headed lack of wisdom, won't tell us apart from foe and burn us to a crisp."

Vinnie Parmesan: "Some teleport scrolls could be useful as a back-up."

Chloris: "If the spirits remain there while we're fleeing, they'll most likely be recaptured."
"So that'd be a delaying tactic, but I have little doubt that Fire is able to burn hot enough to bust up the weapon unless it's supremely warded."

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "The desire to revive their wind spirit compatriot combined with her current conditioning she was put through should mean either will bear fangs upon either freeing the other, or, targeting others beyond you folks... That said, a teleport scroll may be a bit much for any of you to use properly... Well, I'll see if I can't prepare you an port-key of sorts to get your group out... Plenty of you have magical affinity enough to likely use it right." He muttered.

Chloris: Chloris can't keep from grinning wickedly at the thought of Wind and Fire turning on Lenala's lackeys. "Mmm... even if Lenala declines to raise a hand against us herself until after we've disrupted her project, I'm sure she's already got someone powerful there to oversee it coming together."

Melogalas Van Holmstruem: "Possibly, possibly not. She invests in occasional horrible attempts and is rather bad at noticing falling into sunk cost fallacy..."