Chapter 1: After the Storm

[quozl]

Yuan-Cheng unsheaths his sword.

[Woe]

Not to make this sound like foreshadowing, but is the thief still holding onto Sonya?

[SerGavin]

He says, Who are you, and why did you open my bottle?" Maju...what did you do?

[Longman]

Not to make this sound like foreshadowing, but is the thief still holding onto Sonya?

Yes, the thief is holding you until he says otherwise, and you are considered 'captured'. The monk has drawn his sword and is probably trying to watch both you and the efreet. The sea-elf has turned translator and the mage is probably regretting he just opened that bottle...

(Incidentally, if you go back into combat actions I'll have to go back into rounds again as I will have to give everyone a fair chance...)

[MevlyTM]

Maju gathers his courage, stands up straight, and loudly speaks to the fire deomon in The Desert Tongue, "Let me introduce myself, I am Maju, your new master." To emphasize the point, Maju holds up the bottle. Maju continues, "Do my bidding, and you will eventually earn your release. Refuse, and…well you've been in that bottle a long time; I'll make sure it's much, much longer, maybe forever."

[mTeasdale]

Jaali release Sonja and take a few steps back, just in case the efreet doesn't like his new master.

[Longman]

It's hard to tell exactly what the Efreet is thinking...his face doesn't give much away and his voice is hollow. He replies in the Desert Tongue

I understand...my master. What is your bidding?

The monk's sword is talking under its breath:

A fire lord! Another prisoner...I wonder...

You all notice that the efreet is leaving large burning footprints - the plants on the jungle floor near its feet are catching fire. One of its hands is also smoking, and there is a red glow appearing in cracks underneath the blackness of its skin. No one is that close to it but you can all feel the heat radiating from it.

Meanwhile, the ranger has been released, and is doubtless up to something....

[Woe]

I wanted my scimitar, nothing more. Id prefer not to box the efreeti.

Sonja will pick up her scimitar as long as it isn't so near the genie it is turning to slag.

[MevlyTM]

Maju calls his falcon back to his shoulder. He then looks at the efreeti and says, "Laylat AlHariq, it's time to display your power. Hurt none, mind you, but cast a pillar of fire into the sky!"

OOC: I figure this is like his use of Wall of Fire, but in pillar form, and up.

As the fire rises into the night sky, Maju addresses the tribesmen in Salayan, "See…see the power before you. See and tremble! We will help you. But you would be wise to fear us. And you would betray us at your peril!"

Then talking to his fellow party members, backlit by the light of flaming skyward pillar, "Let us put our differences aside, at least for the time being. Sonya, your distaste of this pirate is plain. Truthfully, none of us like the pirates if for no other reason than that they brought us here. At the same time, this one seems more honorable than most, perhaps he will reveal himself as so when need exerts itself. If you must murder him, do so once we are again in the safety of a civilized settlement. Agreed?" He then turns, "And Saracen, you understand why you might be mistrusted…even hated. Put aside thoughts of revenge. Show Sonya that you have the capacity to be honorable. In any case, she has already paid for her attack with the loss of her animal." Then regarding the entire party he says, "Now lets stop this infighting, and pursue our common goal of getting off this island."

[Longman]

The fire demon can indeed cast fire for display purposes, far into the sky. It's an impressive sight, although a few trees get burned, and birds, bats and insects all flee from the conflagration.

The villagers are suitably impressed, and slightly terrified. The PCs may roleplay their reactions...

When he's done, the efreet turns to Maju and says: "The trembling of the earth tells me that a gateway to my domain might be close at hand. If you will release me from your service, take me there, and allow me to bathe in the molten joy that lies beneath the mountain, then I swear on my father's name that I will not seek retribution for my imprisonment, if my release is done in such a fashion..."

Then he falls silent. The ground is still catching fire under his feet. (The campsite is a bit of a mess, truth be told.)