(still alternate timeline)
The Djinn listens to our new set of orders, and try to convince us to abandon this idea as it will leave us stranded, and he calls our attention of the fact that our plan is insane.
I'd have said stupid, or that it isn't even a plan, since we have absolutely no idea on what we will do, but hey...
The abbot chooses to wait for our return on the island, and waves us goodbye.
Sure, why would we need a high-level cleric with us in this task?
"Better that he stays here, out of harm's way", we say.
The Djinn decides to take the form of a storm in order to carry us quicker around the world to Opalar. He mentions that any member of the sect looking at the approaching storm would see an avenging angel coming, as he had previous bad dealings with their sect.
Maybe not enough to offer a free ride?
He explains, as we fly over the Harogarn Moutains, shrouded in sunlit mist in the morning, that the sect appropriates the fire of the djinns for their rituals, leaving them as lifeless husks. He's happy to provide a bloody distraction for our attack.
As we reach the monastery, no description is given but there is an illustration.
I take note of the interesting shape of their monastery, featuring a huge shaft ending with a glorious bulb. I immediately think of an anti-air defence.
The Djinns offers to take us to the tower and lead an all-out attack while we try and get to the sapling.
We may as well join him in the attack.
While there is no XP is this game, let's be as bloodthirsty as usual and partake in the mass killings of the unsuspectings priests.
They aren't surprised by our arrival. "Resplendant in their gold-trimmed scarlet robes and high copper crowns, the adepts of the sect pour out of a balcony", surrounding their high priest.
The high priest raises his wand; a fabulous thing of gold and jewels (
loot!) It catches a shaft of sunlight and...
and it throws it at us!
This implement is suspiciously Sommerswerd-like.
The amount of damage we sustain is enough to kill us (7d6 to everyone, 31, despite the Djinni taking the brunt of the blast. If we had survived, we'd have been charred and permanently lost 2 HP.
I am glad this is an alternate reality.
Let's be... more cautious when assaulting a whole sect of magic-wielding adepts.
The Djinn this time leaves us on a balcony of the tower. We can see the inside of the egg-like structure. There is a smaller egg, bathing in sunlight, shining, on an altar, buzzing with fiery power. We're offered the opportunity to smash it, take the stairs or have an Enchanter use Precognition.
The simple fact that we are offered this choice yells "don't smash the eggs".
Indeed, we get a vision of us screaming as our body is charred by a huge fireball.
Wisely, we decide to follow the plan and take the stairs to the room where the sapling is supposed to be guarded. Since the adepts are looking at the battle outside,
which is gorgeously described in a way that shows that we, too, are watching what happens instead of being vigilant, we can get within a few feet of them before they react.
No surprise round, however :-(
It shouldn't be the fight of the year.
(527, unless we die in this pitiful fight).
