Feeling Berrus lay a gentle hand on her shoulder, Shae would visibly relax for a moment. Though, it wouldn’t take long for her to tense and then begin to get frustrated. Too many people trying to talk to spirits who care not to reason and introducing extra hostility. They mentioned a password and instead of that... She will ball her hands into fists, losing her patience with the situation. Feeling empty and alone in her mind, the warlock would look up to the sky, hoping she could get a glimmer of hope. Searching for stars, Shae would start to take steps in the direction they were heading. “We’re obviously just wasting everyone’s time now.” She’d mutter.

Riddle me this, what’s a warlock without their patron? Shae would pause in her mind out of habit, hoping for Kam to chime in with a quip, only to sigh and think to herself. The same powerless scholar I was the last time I lead a crew to their death. She’d try to hold her chin high to show determination instead of her inner turmoil of emotions and loss as she took her steps. 

Shae, as you focus more and more on your inner turmoil, and on that wish of hearing Kam's voice, you suddenly hear a faint whisper, only enough to make out every other word or so: "I'm ...here, but the forces ... lake … strong, … reducing my powers. ... think I might … powerful … night, … so is she… don't have … time before … gather … sisters."

Professor S:

”They are not budging.  Let’s get ready for a fight, but I am going to make one last try,” says the Professor.  He will pause and get input from the others before proceeding...

(Pausing primarily to give Shae a chance to react to the last post and allow the others to counsel attack or retreat.)

"Sooo... we need to get to that rock - or whatever it is - which is also a point of planes crossing? And those guys would not let us..." Maxine created an illusion of fire burning in he open palm, so elements could see it: "Tell them we need to talk to the Lady, that lives in that rock and can not leave until we do so. They can let us pass - and safely forget about our existence, or we we will make sure their precious cosy environment will suffer exactly as they are afraid. May be add, they can hope we will get lost among the planes."

Jus ask how we ken get to the rock wi'out goin through their land

Shae’s eyes would light up with some hope for a moment and she’d turn her head side to side rapidly as if looking or trying to hear something. She’d clutch her book tightly, “Gather... sisters?” She’d repeat out loud, as if searching for missing words.

The warlock would looks around to her friends, absolutely lost as to what’s expected of her from Kam’s plea. She’s at a loss with herself. Her eyes would meet the Professors with concern across her face from his suggestion to fight. Could she even fight right now if it came down to it? Shae would glance down to the book in her hand. I’m not a real wizard... She’d swallow, hoping that the Professors last attempt wouldn’t result in the repeated mocking.

Professor S:

Nodding at the others, the Professor sets his jaw and addresses the assembled elementals, "I am done bantering with you, and reason does not appear to penetrate the fog of your minds either.  We are going to the skull to speak with the Horned Lady.  If you have another path to the skull you wish to share that will not take us through your territory, this is your last chance.  Otherwise, get out of our way or be forcibly removed."

The Professor starts moving forward, towards the 'hill' ahead with a wary eye towards the mephits in case they try something.

The Professor sounds determined and takes a bold step in the direction of the mound in the distance, only to slip in the mud and fall flat on his face. All mephits laugh louder than ever before, at the Professor's misfortune. As he gets up to carry on towards the mound, the mephits in front part: "You're not worth our time, and anyways, you've been amusing enough." 

At first warily, then with increasing security, the others in the group follow. Berrus keeps an eye backwards to where the mephits appeared for at least another two hundred yards. It seems however that they did in fact just want to amuse themselves, or that they reckoned themselves not strong enough to force the party away from "their" turf.

Worringly though, every time you briefly cast a glance down at your feet to make sure of your footing in the treacherous terrain, the mound in the distance seems to have moved further away.

Everyone: Add 100 XP for that encounter.

Professor S:

Not suited to intimidation at the best of times, Snively is mortified by his inelegant fall.  “Just like the time at the University when they...” his thoughts trail off as he gets up with what dignity he can manage and trudges on, expecting an attack at any moment.

As the mephits let him pass, the Professor almost relaxes, but then he sees that they are drawing no closer to their goal.  Focusing his mind, Snively tries to understand what is going on.

Professor, you know this seems unlikely, but either the steam and fumes are serving to distort the distance, or the skull itself was in fact moving, ever so slightly.

The Professor:

Using his ability to manipulate the air (Gust), the Professor attempts to clear some of the steam obscuring their vision and keeps a sharp eye on their target, saying, “Be wary, there is some trickery going on here.  Let’s get to that skull.”

Maxine nodded and followed with all possible haste.

"Followin yer lead perfesser"

Shae will take a breath before making an attempt to assist the professor in manipulating the steam to try to get a better view. (Shape Water)

The Professor:

"Ah, Shae, I see what you are doing.  Perhaps in this elemental attuned land we need to give it a taste of all four flavors," says the Professor, suiting action to words by using his other cantrips to mold the earth and light their way with flame as they progress towards the skull.

Shae, please give me a straight d20 roll

13

Shae, you have to focus far more than usual, but eventually the water obeys you.

As the air in front of you all clears, you can clearly see tracks on the ashen ground- drag marks from the skull, as it moved through here. Looking up into the distance, you see it there, placed close to a swampy area that leads back into the jungle. It just sits there, as if taunting you all. Then, suddenly, you spot several glimmering lights around it, similar to the mephits before, but much brighter, though also more fleeting, flickering in and out of existence.

“Drag marks...” Shae would blink a couple times before chancing to rub her eyes to try to get a better look. When she’s sure she sees glittering lights, for a fleeting moment she’s reminded of the stars, and her thoughts drift to Kam and celestials.

The warlock would be drawn forward. She’d take steps forward to see if they can indeed move closer or if it’ll continue to move out of their reach.

As the small group edges closer to the swamp and the giant skull, two of the flickering lights head towards you, until they’re at a distance of about ten feet. Although you can’t seem to make out any bodies, there seems to be an unnatural intelligence and purpose to these lights.

OOC: Professor, did you leave the dagger with the Captain?