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Message: <blockquote data-quote="RangerWickett" data-source="post: 821830" data-attributes="member: 63">Episode Two, Act TwoThe next morning, everyone strips off most of their clothes so they can apply the anti-fire balm across their entire bodies.  Kathor has a large amount of small scars across his body, more than you’d expect for someone who’s only 19.  Still, Rantle makes a few jokes about how skinny Kathor is, until Kathor takes a few practice swings with his greatsword, showing great skill and unexpected strength.Rantle and Kathor get suited up in their armor, feeling perfectly comfortable despite the roaring inferno right nearby them, and they exchange a bit of their combat history.  Rantle occasionally worked as a mercenary to support himself and his sister, while Kathor was trained by his family and joined the Ragesian army when he was 10.  Rantle’s more of a footman, while Kathor’s specialty is mounted combat.“You make a cute couple,” Diogenes comments, perfectly aware how weak he looks compared to either of them.Kathor responds by frowning, then turning away to apply the balm to his horse.“Oh don’t brood about it,” Diogenes says, realizing he’s gotten too used to bluffing to not sound serious.It’s only just barely after sunrise when they head into the fire forest.  Rantle rides in front as scout, with Diogenes and Torrent riding in the middle.  Rivereye and Crystin ride on the gnome’s pony, which he has named K-Pod, for Killer Pony Of Doom.  In the rear rides Kathor, who has volunteered to put up with Haddin, who thankfully mostly just coughs to himself.  The light ash in the air definitely doesn’t help.Within the fire forest, they can all feel the intense magical powers in the land.  Trees glow with fire, though they burn only on the surface, and their leaves do not fall.  Even brush on the ground crackles fiercely, making travel somewhat circuitous, forcing them to stray away from the river.  Crystin keeps glancing over her shoulder, as if expecting the Inquisitors to come charging in right after them, and Rivereye can almost hear a powerful voice in the roar of the forest flames, warning them off.After about an hour, they have to stop for a rest.  The heat has grown more intense than expected, and Torrent is seriously considering turning back and giving up on this course.  Rivereye, however, always the optimist, claims that nothing will stop them from making it through the forest if they keep trying.Then, with a cry, Crystin cringes as if to ward off flames, and then she collapses.  Rivereye runs over to her and puts a hand to her forehead to check her temperature, and then he feels it too: a great will pressing upon him, the spirit of the forest made manifest within his mind.  It roars at him, and it takes all of the gnome’s will not to collapse under its force.  He feels a bit of his psionic energy being tapped, and the air around them thrums, a deep voice crashing upon them.I am Indomitability, and this forest is mine.  None shall pass.</blockquote>

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