The hike up to the Oracle's temple was more arduous than expected, which gave us little time to converse on the way. I did catch a few bars of song from Calliope as we climbed- there’s some considerable talent there.
As we got closer, the stream grew warm and began to steam. The vapours almost hid the forms of creatures peering out of the haze before vanishing once more. It wasn’t until we were almost at the doors to the Oracle's shrine as the path got closest to the stream that they attacked.
They seemed to be some sort of elemental imps, formed of the steam itself. Their small size belied their true danger, however as they unleashed gouts of boiling vapour over us.
We fought back, but as we did, figures from the temple door emerged and began pointing and observing the battle. Braz stalked down towards them and stopped suddenly as he recognised the lapis blue cloaks of the Order of Sydon. The Storm Lords flock are never a good sign and to see them here at the Oracle’s temple is grave indeed. The order is often vicious and cruel in its dealings.
Helikaon and Alke were taking the lead against the steam creatures and as the elf’s greatsword swept through one it detonated in a bout of boiling steam. Both were burned terribly.
With the fight not going well, I followed Braz with the idea of trying to use an enchantment to send the soldiers to the aid of my stricken comrades. That’s when I caught sight of what was inside the shrine and why he’d come to a halt.
Five more soldiers, with weapons drawn, with the temple attendants bound as hostages. That made nine blue cloaks weighed against the six of us, pinned between them and the steam creatures.
Shit.
Running short of choices, the best I could do was to swallow my fear and try and target the leader of the soldiers, which took me within a spear thrust of two of the guard up front. I breathed a sigh of relief as the enchantment took hold. He followed my suggestion to send four of them away, chasing shadows down the mountain path.
As they left, Theo ducked into the shadows of the doorway and I saw his form shift, with a uniform to match the soldiers. Seeing his relative height difference, a pass of his hands made his stick look like a wooden sword and a nearby rock into a child’s cloth toy.
Another detonation signalled the death of another steam creature, but my companions were gravely hurt.
As Braz moved up to help I convinced the charmed leader to send an attendant out to heal some of my friends. He was barely out of the door when the remaining soldiers stopped him and charged at me, smashing me back with their shields, trying to break my concentration.
Like I said. Cruel and vicious. Not stupid.
Theo managed to enchant another of the soldiers, following off after the others, his child form distracting them from his true danger.
With three soldiers threatening me though, I had few choices left to me. Reaching for the power of the land, I shifted into Wild shape, taking the form of a huge wolf. The soldiers didn’t relent in their attacks though, until one was thrown across the room, the illusion of a soft toy fading from a fist sized rock. Wow.
Between the magic, fangs and weapons we took down the remaining soldiers, just as Alke and Calliope’s magics took down the last of the steam imps. As she launched a magical blast at one of the weapons, Alke’s hood blew back, revealing a head of writhing snakes. It seems the reason for hiding her features is clear now. Still, she’s proven herself a capable and valiant companion, if guarded and terse at times. I guess this explains it.
The leader of the temple attendants, an elderly man named Proteus, told us the order had arrived just hours before, but that a sea witch named Heleka had imprisoned the Oracle. The Order of Sydon hadn’t known whether to confront her or not, so simply stayed in the antechamber, to prevent the Oracles chosen from hearing the prophecy.
Hmm. That doesn’t bode well. We were expected and Sydon himself is taking a hand in stopping us. We need to be careful. The Stormlord is not one to cross lightly and more than any of the titans, his command for sacrifice make him a dangerous despotic bully.
Proteus told us the key was in a chamber at the southwestern end of the shrine, but as it was taken, swords on the walls animated themselves and leapt to attack. We fought them back, but not before Theo took some heavy wounds. I handed out a few goodberries to help in case any of us needs them in the time ahead.
Proteus gave us some potions to heal our wounds and Calliope dashed to open the door to the Oracle. It’s clear she’s really worried about her after being close for many years. I hope this will help us down there. I’m all out of spells and perhaps might be able to change form once more without resting.
As she reached a second door, it grew a face and began a riddle. 1 father, 12 children… I couldn’t hear the rest from further up the stairs. Fortunately she figured out the correct answer- a year. She might hide behind a flighty manner, but there’s a cunning brain there.
The way now lays open for us to head down to the Oracle and the witch. But wounded and exhausted as we are, are we up for the challenge?