Jaya hears a voice in his head telling him he is now X'rilo, but he is not listening. He is staring at the face of The Great Ruby Dragon. Its huge eyes kind and welcoming. "You have done well my son, but it is time for you to move on. Do not fear, more challenges ... and rewards await you. Join me..."
His sword falls from his hand as he takes a step towards Sardior, Master of Gem Dragons. He feels the urge to stay, to say goodbye, knowing that there are others around him in danger. Perhaps he should pick up his sword… “Come”says the great dragon. Jaya takes another step, and then another, and is gone.
The intellect devourer disappears from sight. Jayas body is motionless for a time. Everyone briefly hears a noise as if great wings are flapping somewhere around you. Whispers pass through your mind, like Jaya has touched your minds before.
But then the sensation is gone. Jayas soul has left this plane.
Only X'irlo remains. The intellect devourer needs to come to grips with its new body first. For now, the dragonborn shell simply stands there. [Will join initiative next round]
Shunn dodges both attacks from Rico, causing the projectiles to collide with the wall.
He also dodges Pisgahs first attack, but isn't quick enough for the second. The drow grunts in pain, blood flowing freely from a nasty puncture on his forehead.
Whether the curse came first, or his hotheadedness, Shunn is near death and still eager to fight. His mandibles are clicking a manic rhythm as he throws himself once more at Pisgah. Blood on his hands cause the dagger to slip and the barbarian blocks the second strike with his tail. Attack 1: 7 Attack 2: 18
Shunn roars: "X'irlo, faster! Kill them all! Xanathar does not forgive failure!"
In the other room, Steel punches the bugbear, but the goblinoid was one of the healthy ones and simply readies its morningstar with grim determination.
B3 moves around Steel to attack Nikkitch, focusing on the wizard as he is an easier target. Steel tries to intercept the attack, with limited success. Attack (disav): 19 18, damage: 11 piercing
B7 exploits the awkward position of Steel to attack the steel defender from an unexpected angle [using flanking to gain advantage]. Attack (adv): 21 17, damage: 10 piercing
Initiative: 1. Pisgah and Rico < YOUR TURN 2. Shunn (S) (bloodied), X'irlo (Jayas token) and thug X5 (moving X'irlo and X5 here to clean up the initiative order) 3. Bugbears (B3, B7 (bloodied)) 4. Nikk and Canti < YOUR TURN
Notes: All of you can go, as Pisgah and Rico are the first in the next round. Thug X1 is no longer in intiative, having fled the combat. Shashers new character will be introduced in an opportune moment after this combat has concluded.
Pisgah will take another two tail strikes against Shunn.
Attack 1: 16 to hit for 12 damage (magical piercing)
Attack 2: 18 to hit for 10 damage (magical piercing)
If the first attack hits and Shunn drops then Pisgah will move south and down the wall to stand in the square in front of Canti and Rico as a shield against the other attackers now most likely Jaya as a puppet master. His second attack will be directed to X'hilo (the adventurer formerly known as Jaya).
Regardless of Shunn's status, Pisgah will use his reaction to perform a tail swipe at the next attack to hit an adjust his AC by 1 to 18 for that attack.
As the morningstar strikes the kenku over the head, a single thought passes through his head. Strangely enough, the thought is in Jaya's voice: Well, this isn't great. He can feel blood pooling in his beak, and a distinct ringing in his skull. It's not a new sensation. It's one he's experienced several times in his lifetime: he's on the edge of death.
It would be almost comforting, if he were ready to go.
But he's not. The wizard waves his talons and mumbles something loudly. Suddenly, several shimmering flickering Kenku appear before him. At the very least, he would be much harder to hit.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As the brain creature disappears, Canti looks around, wanting to feel relieved, but she can't shake a feeling of foreboding. She draws two arrows and fires.
Although it is granting flanking to the bugbears, Steel holds his position to stop the second bugbear from reaching the Wizard. He continues to attack the bugbear attacking the kenku (B3)
attack 11 damage 7
Steal will continue to try to deflect attacks away from the small wizard.
Shunn tries to back away from Pisgahs assault, in vain. The tail strikes connect with force. The drow spits out blood. "This... isn't... finished. The Xanathar always gets what they want." Ricos aim is true. Shunn tries to continue speaking, but a gurgle is the only thing that can be heard. Two red splotches quickly spread in his chest area. He loses his grip on the wall and tumbles to the floor. Shunn "Spidereyes" Shurreth is no more.
[If we take the two shots from Rico, Pisgahs second attack isn't needed, so he is free to move as described.]
Canti targets X5, both arrows hitting. The thug stumbles back against the wall, then slowly sinks to the floor. He's dead too.
Pisgha lands a strike against the dragonborn body. The mannerisms of the shell you once knew as Jaya have completely changed. Nothing of the good remains. The draconian face snarls as he sees Shunn fall. X'irlo looks back at the barbarian and its visage changes to a stiff smile. "Seems it's just us then."
The intellect devourer grips sword tighter and swings it around at Pisgah. The monster is flailing wildly instead of precise strikes. Attack 1: 14 Attack 2: 15
Steels punch is deflected by the bugbears shield.
The bugbears continue their assault, not aware of Shunns fate yet. B3 attacks Nikkitch. Despite the visual illusion, the bugbear somehow manages to get a hit in, probably out of sheer dumb luck. [d20 for mirror image: 2] However, Steel is still there and manages to react in time. Attack (disav): 16 10
B7 flanking Steel from before, but he has trouble finding an 'opening' in the machine he's facing. Attack (adv): 14
Initiative: 1. Pisgah and Rico < YOUR TURN 2. X'irlo (Jayas token) and thug X5 3. Bugbears (B3, B7 (bloodied)) 4. Nikk and Canti < YOUR TURN
The wizard responds in kind, his talon grazing the goblinoid (B3) just enough to deliver another quick shock.
[Uses Shocking Grasp, To Hit: non-Nat 20, Damage: 4]
It's not alot, but it gives him ample opportunity to hug the space near the autognome's mechanism. He won't get far by running. This is his best chance of survival, using his illusory magic in conjunction with the metal warrior's physical obstruction. If push comes to shove, and he faces his end, he won't let them live to revel in their victory...!
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Jaya!" Canti yells, confused as to why he is attacking Pisgah. She backs up, scowling, but hearing more scuffling in the next hallway. She turns and moves south. Once she reaches the corner, she sees the bugbears attacking Nikk. She raises her bow and fires two more arrows.
Pisgah snarls "You cannot have him! Jaya could have become my friend! I will destroy the shell you have stolen before you can have him!" As he says the last, a tear begins to roll from Pisgah's left eye as the tail swings around for an attack.
Attack 1: 19 to hit for 7 damage (magical piercing)
His vision slightly blurred from the upwelling of emotion at having to attack the form that used to be his companion Pisgah's aim is slightly off on the second attack.
Attack 2: 8 to hit for 0 damage (magical piercing)
Pisgah will use his reaction to perform a tail swipe at the next attack to hit an adjust his AC by 6 to 23 for that attack.
OOC: i need to count the number of rounds we have had since Pisgah was healed and I came back to the fight. I am hoping that I have a few more rounds left.
[All good Pisgah, we're getting close to finishing this]
The dragonborn body is much harder to hit than the other enemies were, but it does it no good. After being left wounded by Pisgahs strike, Ricos precisely aimed arrows hit true. X'irlo staggers back a few steps, a confused expression on its face. Then the intellect devourers main body appears again, forced out of its dying shell. The body you once knew as Jaya falls to the floor, finally resting peacefully.
"NO! This one was good!" X'irlo shrieks telepathically.
It then targets Pisgah with its devouring intellect, as revenge. DC 12 Intelligence save or take 12 psychic damage and if your intelligence is 11 or lower, have your intelligence reduced to 0. While your intelligence is 0, you are stunned.
When it sees that the intelligence reduction didn't work, it tries to hobble away, still heavily wounded from before.
In the other room, it takes Nikkitchs lightning, Cantis arrows and Steels fists, but the bugbear (B3) eventually succumbs to its wounds and collapses on the floor.
The last bugbear chants a battle cry in goblin, clearly intent to go down swinging. Because it sees Nikkitch as the main source of its woes, it rushes around Steel to get to the kenku. But just as it thinks that it hit the wizard, its weapon passes through the illusion. [d20 for mirror image: 13]
Initiative: 1. Pisgah and Rico < YOUR TURN 2. X'irlo (D2, bloodied) and Bugbear (B7, bloodied) 4. Nikk and Canti < YOUR TURN
The kenku mutters something low and points to the last bugbear. Bells begin to ring around it, loud and maledictive.
[Toll the Dead, DC - Wisdom Save: 15, Damage: 13]
If the bugbear yet lives, Nikkitch gives it one last chance. In Shunn's voice, now yet another claimed by the wizard in its first owner's death, he says simply, "Surrender. Please."
There's no malice or edge in "his" voice, only pity.
Pisgah feels the brain-leg thing trying to force a way into his mind but he is able to block the attempt.
INT saving throw Nat 20 for 21 total.
Pisgah yells to Canti, Rico, and Nikk, "Finish off that bugbear. I will kill the brain thing!"
Pisgah spends 35 feet of movement to get to the square south of the Devourer and attacks Yelling "You don't get to run away! You don't get to live!".
Attack 1: 11 to hit for 6 damage (magical piercing)
Attack 2: 18 to hit for 11 damage (magical piercing)
Once the Devourer drops, Pisgah yells again "Kill the bugbear or hold him for questions, I am going after the thug!" and will use the final 5 feet of movement to move one more square east as I drop both the shield and longsword to the ground.
Pisgah catches up with the intellect devourer in short order. Blood was already oozing from the thing and it was defenseless without a shell. The barbarian strikes and a last telepathic cry is suddenly silenced. X'irlo is dead.
The bugbear that is attacking Nikkitch is unable to avoid the necromantic energies. But even this persuasive argument, combined with the kenkus words is not enough to stop it. "Blood for blood!" is the last thing it shouts, before raising its morningstar again. Rico is ready. Her bullets connect with force and the last of the goblinoids falls.
We're out of Initiative! Everyone gets 1250 XP for defeating Shunn and his detachment of the Xanathar Guild.
Overview:
One injured thug is still running away and Pisgah is sprinting after it. Since Pisgah is faster, he will eventually catch up. However, as he spots the thug in the distance, he sees another person as well. [This is Shashers new character, I'll leave it to them to describe how/if they're stopping the thug]
Loot: The thugs carry a total of 15 gp in coin in various pockets. On a black cord around his neck, Shunns corpse wears a silver key. The barrels and crates here contain a lot of food and water, around 600 rations worth.
The wizard speaks up from the adjacent room. Seeing as the original owner is dead, it's Shunn's authoritative tone that rings out in Nikk's broken mannerism. "We. Are. Clear. In. Here." There's a minor shuffling as he drops his pack, leans his staff against a nearby wall and takes a long, ragged, wheezing breath. He settles next to his supplies before speaking up again. "Any. Casualties? 'Heard. Some. Strange. Shouting. Earlier." The bugbear nearest to him leaves a foul pool of blood. Extracting an empty container from his equipment, the wizard decides to take some, that it might come in handy later.
[Only need enough to fill the glass vial. Relevant rolls?]
With that done, he begins to search the bodies, taking stock without grabbing anything. He doesn't currently need more weight, and his injuries aren't helping.
As the last of their attackers falls, Canti rushes over to Jaya and drops onto her knees beside him. "Jaya," she says, knowing it's too late, but not wanting to give up. She lays her ear on his chest, closing her eyes and willing him to breathe. (Medicine: 7) She opens her eyes and sits up, looking around. "Is he still alive?" she asks no one in particular. "I can't tell." She tries shaking him. She shakes him harder. "Jaya," she says again, trying to yell, but only speaking barely above a whisper. Tears well up in her large, brown eyes.
(Note: Will recover 6 arrows after this drama is over.)
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Jaya hears a voice in his head telling him he is now X'rilo, but he is not listening. He is staring at the face of The Great Ruby Dragon. Its huge eyes kind and welcoming. "You have done well my son, but it is time for you to move on. Do not fear, more challenges ... and rewards await you. Join me..."
His sword falls from his hand as he takes a step towards Sardior, Master of Gem Dragons. He feels the urge to stay, to say goodbye, knowing that there are others around him in danger. Perhaps he should pick up his sword… “Come” says the great dragon. Jaya takes another step, and then another, and is gone.
The intellect devourer disappears from sight. Jayas body is motionless for a time. Everyone briefly hears a noise as if great wings are flapping somewhere around you. Whispers pass through your mind, like Jaya has touched your minds before.
But then the sensation is gone. Jayas soul has left this plane.
Only X'irlo remains. The intellect devourer needs to come to grips with its new body first. For now, the dragonborn shell simply stands there. [Will join initiative next round]
Shunn dodges both attacks from Rico, causing the projectiles to collide with the wall.
He also dodges Pisgahs first attack, but isn't quick enough for the second. The drow grunts in pain, blood flowing freely from a nasty puncture on his forehead.
Whether the curse came first, or his hotheadedness, Shunn is near death and still eager to fight. His mandibles are clicking a manic rhythm as he throws himself once more at Pisgah. Blood on his hands cause the dagger to slip and the barbarian blocks the second strike with his tail.
Attack 1: 7
Attack 2: 18
Shunn roars: "X'irlo, faster! Kill them all! Xanathar does not forgive failure!"
In the other room, Steel punches the bugbear, but the goblinoid was one of the healthy ones and simply readies its morningstar with grim determination.
B3 moves around Steel to attack Nikkitch, focusing on the wizard as he is an easier target. Steel tries to intercept the attack, with limited success.
Attack (disav):
1918, damage: 11 piercingB7 exploits the awkward position of Steel to attack the steel defender from an unexpected angle [using flanking to gain advantage].
Attack (adv): 21
17, damage: 10 piercingInitiative:
1. Pisgah and Rico < YOUR TURN
2. Shunn (S) (bloodied), X'irlo (Jayas token) and thug X5 (moving X'irlo and X5 here to clean up the initiative order)
3. Bugbears (B3, B7 (bloodied))
4. Nikk and Canti < YOUR TURN
Notes:
All of you can go, as Pisgah and Rico are the first in the next round.
Thug X1 is no longer in intiative, having fled the combat.
Shashers new character will be introduced in an opportune moment after this combat has concluded.
Pisgah will take another two tail strikes against Shunn.
Attack 1: 16 to hit for 12 damage (magical piercing)
Attack 2: 18 to hit for 10 damage (magical piercing)
If the first attack hits and Shunn drops then Pisgah will move south and down the wall to stand in the square in front of Canti and Rico as a shield against the other attackers now most likely Jaya as a puppet master. His second attack will be directed to X'hilo (the adventurer formerly known as Jaya).
Regardless of Shunn's status, Pisgah will use his reaction to perform a tail swipe at the next attack to hit an adjust his AC by 1 to 18 for that attack.
As the morningstar strikes the kenku over the head, a single thought passes through his head. Strangely enough, the thought is in Jaya's voice: Well, this isn't great. He can feel blood pooling in his beak, and a distinct ringing in his skull. It's not a new sensation. It's one he's experienced several times in his lifetime: he's on the edge of death.
It would be almost comforting, if he were ready to go.
But he's not. The wizard waves his talons and mumbles something loudly. Suddenly, several shimmering flickering Kenku appear before him. At the very least, he would be much harder to hit.
[Casts Mirror Image]
As the brain creature disappears, Canti looks around, wanting to feel relieved, but she can't shake a feeling of foreboding. She draws two arrows and fires.
Attack: 19 Damage: 9
Attack: 25 Damage: 7
Targetting Shunn unless he is down, then X5
Rico takes a couple more shots atShunn (S)
attack 22 damage 8
attack 27 damage 7
Although it is granting flanking to the bugbears, Steel holds his position to stop the second bugbear from reaching the Wizard. He continues to attack the bugbear attacking the kenku (B3)
attack 11 damage 7
Steal will continue to try to deflect attacks away from the small wizard.
Shunn tries to back away from Pisgahs assault, in vain. The tail strikes connect with force. The drow spits out blood. "This... isn't... finished. The Xanathar always gets what they want."
Ricos aim is true. Shunn tries to continue speaking, but a gurgle is the only thing that can be heard. Two red splotches quickly spread in his chest area. He loses his grip on the wall and tumbles to the floor. Shunn "Spidereyes" Shurreth is no more.
[If we take the two shots from Rico, Pisgahs second attack isn't needed, so he is free to move as described.]
Canti targets X5, both arrows hitting. The thug stumbles back against the wall, then slowly sinks to the floor. He's dead too.
Pisgha lands a strike against the dragonborn body. The mannerisms of the shell you once knew as Jaya have completely changed. Nothing of the good remains. The draconian face snarls as he sees Shunn fall.
X'irlo looks back at the barbarian and its visage changes to a stiff smile. "Seems it's just us then."
The intellect devourer grips sword tighter and swings it around at Pisgah. The monster is flailing wildly instead of precise strikes.
Attack 1: 14
Attack 2: 15
Steels punch is deflected by the bugbears shield.
The bugbears continue their assault, not aware of Shunns fate yet.
B3 attacks Nikkitch. Despite the visual illusion, the bugbear somehow manages to get a hit in, probably out of sheer dumb luck.
[d20 for mirror image: 2]
However, Steel is still there and manages to react in time.
Attack (disav):
1610B7 flanking Steel from before, but he has trouble finding an 'opening' in the machine he's facing.
Attack (adv): 14
Initiative:
1. Pisgah and Rico < YOUR TURN
2. X'irlo (Jayas token) and thug X5
3. Bugbears (B3, B7 (bloodied))
4. Nikk and Canti < YOUR TURN
The wizard responds in kind, his talon grazing the goblinoid (B3) just enough to deliver another quick shock.
[Uses Shocking Grasp, To Hit: non-Nat 20, Damage: 4]
It's not alot, but it gives him ample opportunity to hug the space near the autognome's mechanism. He won't get far by running. This is his best chance of survival, using his illusory magic in conjunction with the metal warrior's physical obstruction. If push comes to shove, and he faces his end, he won't let them live to revel in their victory...!
"Jaya!" Canti yells, confused as to why he is attacking Pisgah. She backs up, scowling, but hearing more scuffling in the next hallway. She turns and moves south. Once she reaches the corner, she sees the bugbears attacking Nikk. She raises her bow and fires two more arrows.
Attack: 14 Damage: 12
Attack: 20 Damage: 7
Target: B3. If B3 goes down, move and target B7.
Pisgah snarls "You cannot have him! Jaya could have become my friend! I will destroy the shell you have stolen before you can have him!" As he says the last, a tear begins to roll from Pisgah's left eye as the tail swings around for an attack.
Attack 1: 19 to hit for 7 damage (magical piercing)
His vision slightly blurred from the upwelling of emotion at having to attack the form that used to be his companion Pisgah's aim is slightly off on the second attack.
Attack 2: 8 to hit for 0 damage (magical piercing)
Pisgah will use his reaction to perform a tail swipe at the next attack to hit an adjust his AC by 6 to 23 for that attack.
OOC: i need to count the number of rounds we have had since Pisgah was healed and I came back to the fight. I am hoping that I have a few more rounds left.
OOC: Preyfire, I count 5 rounds have passed with this last turn. 5 more till the rage will drop.
Rico call out, "we won't let you have our friend's body. She then shoots twice at what was Jaya.
Attack 25 damage 14
Attack 21 damage 15
Meanwhile Steel keeps attacking bugbears, specifically the one attacking our wizard.
Attack 21 damage 7
[All good Pisgah, we're getting close to finishing this]
The dragonborn body is much harder to hit than the other enemies were, but it does it no good. After being left wounded by Pisgahs strike, Ricos precisely aimed arrows hit true. X'irlo staggers back a few steps, a confused expression on its face. Then the intellect devourers main body appears again, forced out of its dying shell. The body you once knew as Jaya falls to the floor, finally resting peacefully.
"NO! This one was good!" X'irlo shrieks telepathically.
It then targets Pisgah with its devouring intellect, as revenge.
DC 12 Intelligence save or take 12 psychic damage and if your intelligence is 11 or lower, have your intelligence reduced to 0. While your intelligence is 0, you are stunned.
When it sees that the intelligence reduction didn't work, it tries to hobble away, still heavily wounded from before.
In the other room, it takes Nikkitchs lightning, Cantis arrows and Steels fists, but the bugbear (B3) eventually succumbs to its wounds and collapses on the floor.
The last bugbear chants a battle cry in goblin, clearly intent to go down swinging. Because it sees Nikkitch as the main source of its woes, it rushes around Steel to get to the kenku. But just as it thinks that it hit the wizard, its weapon passes through the illusion.
[d20 for mirror image: 13]
Initiative:
1. Pisgah and Rico < YOUR TURN
2. X'irlo (D2, bloodied) and Bugbear (B7, bloodied)
4. Nikk and Canti < YOUR TURN
The kenku mutters something low and points to the last bugbear. Bells begin to ring around it, loud and maledictive.
[Toll the Dead, DC - Wisdom Save: 15, Damage: 13]
If the bugbear yet lives, Nikkitch gives it one last chance. In Shunn's voice, now yet another claimed by the wizard in its first owner's death, he says simply, "Surrender. Please."
There's no malice or edge in "his" voice, only pity.
[Persuasion, not Intimidation: 21]
Pisgah feels the brain-leg thing trying to force a way into his mind but he is able to block the attempt.
INT saving throw Nat 20 for 21 total.
Pisgah yells to Canti, Rico, and Nikk, "Finish off that bugbear. I will kill the brain thing!"
Pisgah spends 35 feet of movement to get to the square south of the Devourer and attacks Yelling "You don't get to run away! You don't get to live!".
Attack 1: 11 to hit for 6 damage (magical piercing)
Attack 2: 18 to hit for 11 damage (magical piercing)
Once the Devourer drops, Pisgah yells again "Kill the bugbear or hold him for questions, I am going after the thug!" and will use the final 5 feet of movement to move one more square east as I drop both the shield and longsword to the ground.
Canti fires one or two arrows at B7, depending on if it is still standing.
Attack: 14 Damage: 12
Attack: 12 Damage: 10
Rico also falls back to shoot as bugbears, and sees only one still fighting. So she fires some magic bullets into it.
Attack 25 damage 13
Attack 20 damage 16
And if that wasn't enough, Steel will tear it apart with his Force-Empowered Rend
Attack 10 damage 5
Then again, maybe he doesn't with those rolls. But probably not needed anyway.
Pisgah catches up with the intellect devourer in short order. Blood was already oozing from the thing and it was defenseless without a shell. The barbarian strikes and a last telepathic cry is suddenly silenced. X'irlo is dead.
The bugbear that is attacking Nikkitch is unable to avoid the necromantic energies. But even this persuasive argument, combined with the kenkus words is not enough to stop it. "Blood for blood!" is the last thing it shouts, before raising its morningstar again.
Rico is ready. Her bullets connect with force and the last of the goblinoids falls.
We're out of Initiative!
Everyone gets 1250 XP for defeating Shunn and his detachment of the Xanathar Guild.
Overview:
One injured thug is still running away and Pisgah is sprinting after it. Since Pisgah is faster, he will eventually catch up. However, as he spots the thug in the distance, he sees another person as well. [This is Shashers new character, I'll leave it to them to describe how/if they're stopping the thug]
Loot: The thugs carry a total of 15 gp in coin in various pockets. On a black cord around his neck, Shunns corpse wears a silver key.
The barrels and crates here contain a lot of food and water, around 600 rations worth.
The wizard speaks up from the adjacent room. Seeing as the original owner is dead, it's Shunn's authoritative tone that rings out in Nikk's broken mannerism. "We. Are. Clear. In. Here." There's a minor shuffling as he drops his pack, leans his staff against a nearby wall and takes a long, ragged, wheezing breath. He settles next to his supplies before speaking up again. "Any. Casualties? 'Heard. Some. Strange. Shouting. Earlier." The bugbear nearest to him leaves a foul pool of blood. Extracting an empty container from his equipment, the wizard decides to take some, that it might come in handy later.
[Only need enough to fill the glass vial. Relevant rolls?]
With that done, he begins to search the bodies, taking stock without grabbing anything. He doesn't currently need more weight, and his injuries aren't helping.
[Investigation:17, would that work?]
As the last of their attackers falls, Canti rushes over to Jaya and drops onto her knees beside him. "Jaya," she says, knowing it's too late, but not wanting to give up. She lays her ear on his chest, closing her eyes and willing him to breathe. (Medicine: 7) She opens her eyes and sits up, looking around. "Is he still alive?" she asks no one in particular. "I can't tell." She tries shaking him. She shakes him harder. "Jaya," she says again, trying to yell, but only speaking barely above a whisper. Tears well up in her large, brown eyes.
(Note: Will recover 6 arrows after this drama is over.)