This Topic is for Team Three (Ray, Caedes, Blue Raspberry) to reply to the main Sol Stone topic.

Blue Raspberry was incredibly confused, even more confused than usual for the ooze. Not only by the entire situation around them, but also by themself right now. They had entered the temple without their armor on, having revealed themself to their companions as an ooze, but now they stood there in a suit of armor they didn't recognize. They felt different, as if they were denser, and they had more electricity coursing through their slimy form. It was like they were a stronger version of themself that they didn't fully recognize.

Blue Raspberry was a bit more oblivious to political or social things than most. They had no idea who Scern was, but now this man was running toward them, away from a very intimidating figure that towered over everyone. And this man seemed to protect everyone from the huge, starry person's attack. Blue Raspberry had no reason to refuse to protect him. Beside them was another pale man, and.... a grayish pale man. Alright then. They didn't recognize either of these other pale guys either, but they looked just as confused by the whole situation, so maybe they were allies? Well, there wasn't a lot of time for introductions.

"Hi, I'm Blue, nice to meet you, I guess I'll go protect that other pale guy!" Blue Raspberry shouted as they ran forward, putting themself between Ziev and Scern. They went to make their ooze seep through the gaps in their armor, but suddenly it was as if the metal plating shifted to let the ooze flow more freely. Was this armor designed just for them? The ooze flowed from their leg across the starry ground and formed a wall of ooze between Blue Raspberry and Ziev's incoming hand with Scern behind the knight. The plates along their arm shifted to form a gap, and their talking shield emerged into their hands, held at the ready. Plates shifted on their shoulders and two thin tentacles of ooze emerged. A field of static formed around them with a slight hum, ready to deflect any projectiles headed their way. They would do their best to protect this guy, even if they didn't know him.

---

Defensive Actions
Wall of Ooze (1/3 posts)
Static Field (will block 2 projectiles)

Passive Abilities
Space Pocket (Pulled shield out of it)
Expanded Mind (Will know immediately if a spell is cast near them)
Static Stature (will deal lightning damage if touched)
Bull's Strength (Is real strong)
Stalwart Armor (Negates abilities that ignore armor)
Hit Preventions- 2 torso, 1 head, 2 arms, 1 legs, 2 from shield, 2 from dancing chains

Ray's eyes were still scanning the vastness that expanded before him. The insanity was too much for him to take in. This entire situation was a challenge to every belief he held. A god seeking to crush him and other adventurers, looking far more devious than he expected a being of his sort to appear. It would seem that Qil was not surprised. The celestial instead gave off an aura of palpable excitement, whatever was going on Qil had been looking forward to it it would seem.

"Seeker, we find ourselves in a key moment; an anchor of our destinies." Qil's voice was hopeful despite the cosmic horror they were faced with. 

Ray looked to those that now stood beside him, he did not recognize them but felt no evil from their presences, he could only assume they were on his side. After Blue greeted him and charged to the cultist's defense Ray realized he had little choice in the matter. He had no way of escaping this, trusting the mage was the only option...

"I-we... What in the..." He stammered to find words that fit his thoughts.

Ray moved up and positioned himself between Blue and Scern, looking towards the massive being that towered over them.

"Wanderer guide us to what fate lies ahead, deliver us from the arms of the evil one." It seemed a vane hope to pray when faced by a god, though his own would surely detest such actions against mortals, he hoped...His prayer was answered as holy light burned from himself and his companions, empowering them with the wanderer's light.

Qil's presence burst into reality as Ray's eyes glowed a fiery white, his right arm returned covered in pale golden scales and a pair of golden antlers appeared atop his head. Two sabers now floated in the air in front of Ray. A buckler of the same pale gold scales adorned his left wrist.

An insane idea then came to Ray's mind. Qil had the ability to tear away the power of exceptional beings and return them to the boundaries of normalcy, he had no clue what effect it would have but he knew of no other way to combat such a thing...

Ray raised both of his hands towards Ziev, focusing a massive amount of his own magic into the spell as Qil poured his presence's power into the ability. A white light burned around Ray as he and Qil uttered a prayer in unison. His eyes glowed brighter as he spoke and the fire burned brighter about him. All at once the light was ripped away from them, leaving him looking almost muted in color, his eyes and scales now dimmed as well from the massive release of arcane energy. He could only hope it would have some effect on Ziev.

(Ray allowed Qil to manifest, draws two swords and a buckler.)

Buffing Action
(Ray uses Inspiring Presence on all allies present)

Debuffing Action
(Ray uses Gifts Ungiven on Ziev?!?)

Caedes sucks in a breath; his feet hit the ground in a stumble as spacetime drops him in the middle of the fray. He blinks, dropping to a hand and a knee to steady himself; shadows flicker beneath his feet as he rises to stand, recognizing that neither of his two companions have arrived with him in this… place.

He recognizes neither of the two who are here, and there are even more beyond them; shadows flicker beneath his feet as he rises, pale gaze focused on the gargantuan being towering far above them. “What the…” He breathes an exhale, buzzing inside his head bringing forth all the warning he needs that whatever stands before them is bad news.

As if he needed her opinion.

Ziev?

You’re kidding.

Caedes’ eyes narrow sharply, a cold laugh erupting from between his lips as he stands to his full height, and stares up towards what he can… only assume is a god. It has a strange resemblance to statues and idols he’s seen…

Confusion mingles in his chest, a strange feeling of betrayal, or… realization runs cold in his veins.

The gods… the gods are real?

He takes a shaking breath, but his attention is drawn by Scern, “You son of a—” The changeling pulls his knives from his belt, scowling as Scern comes running towards them, but he’s pleading. Hesitation hits him, and the booming voice of the cosmic entity itself causes him to flinch— enough to pull his attention away. It’s most certainly all over when the giant’s clawed hand comes crashing down upon them, except…

It’s not.

Caedes stares towards Scern as he screams more nonsense; the gods tricked them, Ziev is a puppeteer… What the absolute hell does that even mean? His eyes flick back towards the massive being, mind reeling, trying to process— but it all feels like a nightmare. The ethereal shock of a dream, in which he doesn’t quite have full control over even himself.

Pull me forth.

Are you serious?

Against his own will, Caedes feels a pressure building in his skull, expanding through his shoulders, down into his right arm. He cringes, knowing the feeling of his patron sinking her teeth into his ability to function— if he doesn’t pull her forth, she’ll do it herself.

Grimacing, Caedes reaches out, allowing the shadows to stain the tips of his fingers, far up to his forearms; and as the darkness pulls towards one point in front of him, two legs— then four— and eventually eight, grasp the borders of its radius. A massive, spider-like entity draws forth from the darkness, legs sharp as knives, trailing a pool of shadow behind it. ⁽¹⁾

In contrast, one of his companions summons forth… something else. He’s not sure what it is, but he can feel its holy light even from here; Caedes grimaces, turning his gaze back to Ziev as he remains still and utters something unintelligible— even moreso, from his location and height in comparison to the massive being. ⁽²⁾

The spider-like entity pulls back, knife-like legs scraping across the solid plane in this fathomless void of space, and gathers the shadows between the silhouette of its mandibles. Like a web, it spits forth a sparking orb of darkness towards Ziev, over the heads of the adventurers who have gathered. ⁽³⁾

---

PC ACTIONS TAKEN

> 1. Summon: Dark Elemental "Aspect of the Shadowweaver" — Summon Action. (Buff?)

> 2. Desperation — Debuff Action at Ziev

ELEMENTAL/MINION ACTIONS TAKEN

> 1. Chaos Bolt — Offensive Action at Range

ELEMENTAL SUMMONED

> 1. "Aspect of the Shadowweaver".

WEAPONS
> Dagger of Torment — (Dagger, Melee/Ranged, Causes Hallucinations when Hit)
> Throwing Knives — (Knives, Melee/Ranged)

Blue Raspberry was incredibly confused, even more confused than usual for the ooze. Not only by the entire situation around them, but also by themself right now. They had entered the temple without their armor on, having revealed themself to their companions as an ooze, but now they stood there in a suit of armor they didn't recognize. They felt different, as if they were denser, and they had more electricity coursing through their slimy form. It was like they were a stronger version of themself that they didn't fully recognize. Wait, did they not recognize it? It actually felt kind of familiar for some reason.

Blue Raspberry was a bit more oblivious to political or social things than most. They had no idea who Scern was, but now this man was running toward them, away from a very intimidating figure that towered over everyone. And this man seemed to protect everyone from the huge, starry person's attack. Blue Raspberry had no reason to refuse to protect him. Beside them was another pale man, and.... a grayish pale man. Alright then. They didn't recognize either of these other pale guys either, but they looked just as confused by the whole situation, so maybe they were allies? Wait, hadn't they met before, actually?

Blue Raspberry felt tired. What was going on? They were exhausted and it was like they'd been here before, but couldn't quite remember. It was all hazy. They felt like they should run forward and defend the man that had run toward them, but then felt as if they'd already done that before. What was going on? They looked around more this time, trying to take in the scene before them more thoroughly than they had before. Ooh, is that Astrid!? She looks a bit different! Is she taller? Blue gave her a big wave and looked around some more. There were more faces they felt like they'd seen before but couldn't place when or where. A man with one eye, a grey Tiefling man, some guy, a round man with a beard...

The armored knight turned to the two people closest to them and offered a hand. "Um, hi, I'm Blue, but I feel like I've told you that already?" They introduced themself, speaking slowly and sounding tired.

Nearby, Scern was casting that same spell again. How many times had he cast it now? They couldn't tell. Blue Raspberry felt an odd feeling that they could focused on the spell. They stared as Scern cast it, trying to glean some information. How they could do this, they weren't sure, but they just felt like they could. The ooze had a strange connection to magical energy, sensing it like a shark sensing electrical pulses in the water, and identifying it. What did this spell that Scern was casting really do? While they stared, lightning started to spark across the metal plating of their armor almost out of habit.

---

Defensive Action
Lightning Armor

? Action
Expanded Mind- focusing on Scern's spell
The moment a spell is cast in your surrounding area you immediately become aware of it. Not only do you know the spell is being cast, but you know everything about it, the domain its from, its element, its effect and any additional bonuses that are applied to the spell from its owners abilities.

Caedes flinches; reality settles in like a fog rising beneath his bent knees; light-headed and bleary, the changeling looks up from where he’s collapsed in the unfathomable void. The world warbles and undulates behind his exhausted, pale gaze. His vision starts to refocus, vertigo almost knocking him back to the ground as he pushes himself up to unsteady feet; his gaze drifts from Ziev’s massive, gargantuan silhouette, to the familiar shadow of a tiefling, which… he finds unsurprising.

…

Why does he find Zarius’ presence here unsurprising? He can’t recall having seen— hell, he’s not sure he recalls the Sol Stone ever being of interest to him. He feels like, perhaps, he would know that… but he most certainly does not, yet… he almost feels as though he does.

It’s not only Zarius; it’s the knight, the pale divine, the rabbit warrior; he knows that Veliky is here, and he’s seen Cyran; which is all fine and dandy, except he doesn’t remember why, how, or who some of them even actually are. It’s a deja-vu— something lost— lingering so far out of his reach.

COWARD.

Caedes winces, holding his head as a voice rings sharp into the chaos of the void. By all accounts, she sounds furious.

What happened?

You’re fighting a god; at the very least, the aspect of one.
How fair do you think they will play?
This one will play with space and time like clay.

Caedes sucks in a breath, gritting his teeth as he looks onwards to Ziev; only to be somewhat distracted by the knight. He narrows his eyes, chest heaving while he gathers himself. “Caedes.” he answers simply, although he certainly feels as though they’ve had this same conversation before. “There’ll be more time for introduction later, I’m sure.”

The conversation is short-lived as the knight starts looking off in the direction of Scern, who… for some reason, he trusts. He can’t recall why, but he does; and he hates that— he really is trying to get them out of here, isn’t he? And there’s something more, but he just can’t…

Focus!

He breathes a puff of air, finding the feeling of knowing nothing and everything all at once, dreadfully overwhelming. He shakes his head, trying to put himself together, and watches as the others rush in; flashes emit from far above in attempts to blind Ziev, and so Caedes reaches out and tries once more to drain him— tire him— before he can try what he had tried before.⁽¹⁾ But, this is a god— and he has no idea if this will do anything; still, the tips of his fingers stain black, creeping along the veins of his wrist and forearms, as he utters something indiscernible beneath the chaos.⁽²⁾

Like before, in the void of space, a black hole forms— two, then four, then eight legs emerge from its inky blackness, casting forth a web towards Ziev with a furious intent. ⁽³⁾

---

<sup>PC ACTIONS TAKEN
> 1. Summon: Dark Elemental "Aspect of the Shadowweaver" — Summon Action. (Buff?)
> 2. Desperation — Debuff Action at Ziev

ELEMENTAL/MINION ACTIONS TAKEN
> 1. Chaos Bolt — Offensive Action at Range

ELEMENTAL SUMMONED
> 1. "Aspect of the Shadowweaver".</sup>

Once more finding himself staring at the giant figure of Ziev, amid a strange realm, surrounded by adventurers he didn't know Ray felt a strong sense of dejavu. Hadn't he just... wait, this was some work of strange magic. He could feel the remnants of the spell as the energy used lingered in the air. Qil seemed to be doing flips inside his skull, feverishly excited by the predicament they'd wound up in.

"Seeker, do you feel it, the power of a god dispensed upon us. We further tread our path, our plan grows ever closer to fruition!" Qil's ranting was coming from Ray's own mouth, spoken aloud to his own surprise. 

He looked to the adventurers around him, they'd been introduced only moments before, though he felt a need to say something more than what ramblings of Qil had spewed forth. 

"Ray Castien. May the Wanderer have mercy upon us." He said it quickly, moving on to the more pressing matter of laying siege to the behemoth before them.

The spell that had reset them was the strangest magic he'd felt in his whole life and he decided he would trully prefer to never feel it again. Raising an open hand towards Ziev Ray focused on the essence that remained of the spell he'd cast, once he'd focused in on the magic he spoke a prayer to The Wanderer.

"Wanderer, your strength outweighs even that of the gods, bless us with mercy and prevent this curse from being laden once more" He felt Qil focus in on the spell alongside him as he spoke. 

As he finished the prayer he closed his hand into a tight fist and yanked it to the side violently, as he did so he hoped his attempt at ripping away a god's ability to cast a spell would be successful. He realized now that his attempt to tear away more of Ziev's abilities was undone, yet also the power he used had returned. With that in mind, always one for second chances, Ray went about casting Gifts Ungiven once more. Hoping this time Ziev wouldn't be able to rewind time and would suffer the spell's full effects. 

Actions Taken
1. Debuff - Used Spell Hex: On Ziev's Time Rewind
2. Debuff - Attempted to use Gifts Ungiven once more on Ziev.

Even with their strange ability to perceive magic, this one was too complex for Blue Raspberry to fully comprehend. But, there were two important things they could. 1, the spell would teleport something, and B, the spell would destroy something. They could just hope it would teleport them and all the other adventurers here and destroy the giant guy trying to kill them all. They didn't take the time to ponder the implications of destroying a god. There was no time to, because that god was suddenly firing two huge beams of energy from his eyes directly at Scern!

The knight ran forward and placed themself between Scern and the beams without much thought. The static field they'd created earlier still buzzed around them. Hopefully, it would have some effect on the beams, but they doubted it would be enough on its own. A sense of deja vu hit them as a wall of blue goo formed in front of them, curving in a half circle to try and deflect the beams away from them and Scern. It still didn't seem like enough.

Scern had blocked Ziev's hand before, hadn't he? Maybe he had some more up his sleeve. But, the man seemed exhausted. They could help with that! Blue stepped up to the exhausted Scern and pulled a cup of blue, raspberry-scented liquid from behind their back which they placed in Scern's hand.

"Drink this, you'll feel better!" was all the explanation they had time to give.

With that, Blue Raspberry committed to trying to block the beams as much as possible with their own body if the wall, static field, and anything anyone else might try wasn't enough. Taking a sturdy stance, they condensed themself and hardened as much as possible, readying themself to take the impact. A layer of blue ooze seeped from all the gaps in their armor and coated them completely, hardening into a shell of blue, ice-like material.

---

Defensive Actions
Static Field (still active from last round)
Wall of Ooze
Activating Icicle Pauldrons

Support Action
Flask of Feijoada (on Scern) free action

Passives
Armor hit preventions
Stalwart Armor
Bull's Strength

Caedes snarls, baring his fangs as Ziev simply shrugs off most of the attacks that come his way; but perhaps, it’s to be expected of a god? Gritting his teeth, he watches as the aspect of his patron returns to him. Their eight eyes, a piercing white, stare him down from an arachnid form which sloughs shadows from its silhouette; they track it beneath each spindly leg.

“The cultist speaks the truth,” it says, its voice echoing with a legion of others.

“What?” His disbelief comes in a hiss, pale eyes narrowing in return; he looks to Scern, the following words ringing in his ears as the aspect of his patron turns away from him:

“Ziev must be stopped, before all of you are destroyed here… left to nothing.”

The arachnid seems troubled, like it wants to continue, but its expressions are blank and its voice is hollow. Instead, hadows gather in the maws of the great arachnid, shot towards Ziev right as the great god of space and time^(MINION) starts searching for something amongst the crowd of adventurers gathered below. Caedes grits his teeth, knowing on some level that they’re right… and he hates that. Taking a breath, he gathers what energy he can within his hands; the shadows flock and mold into his own as he rushes at the god of space and time.

He flings his arms forwards and up as he approaches; and in response, the darkness beneath him thrashes, slamming into Ziev with as much force as it had gathered. ^(PC) So close to the being, he slams his hand against the god of space and time. From the fingertips up, his skin grows darker, trying to drain Ziev of what energy he can… although, he does not know how this is going to affect him in the slightest.

It could be bad. ^(PC)

---

<sup>PC ACTIONS TAKEN
> 1. Chromatic Blast (Dark) — Attack Action.
> 2. Vampiric Touch — Debuff Action at Ziev

ELEMENTAL/MINION ACTIONS TAKEN
> 1. Chaos Bolt — Offensive Action at Range</sup>

The solidified ooze coating them cracked and reliquefied before being slurped back into the armor. Blue Raspberry was relieved that they'd survived the beams, everyone working to deflect them away from Scern. They could feel the spell was nearly complete. They looked back at Scern and- what the heck? The formerly intimidating-looking cultist was now all glittery and had a rainbow aura to him. This wasn't part of his spell, right? Well, it probably didn't matter. That was just a bit unexpected, but the ooze didn't judge. It was a little more difficult to take him seriously as he gave his big speech about finishing off Ziev though.

Blue Raspberry ran forward, toward the chained up god! They charged straight up to him and struck, their hands transforming into wolf-like claws as they swing forward and slashed at the deific flesh before them. A second pair of arms emerged, the armor on the sides of their torso shifting to make way, and punched at him relentlessly. The tell-tale sizzle of acid followed, and sparks flew with each slash and punch, the knight going into a savage frenzy, hoping to finish off this fight just like Scern had shouted!

---

Offensive Actions
Slashing- Eldritch Claws
Punching- Bare Hands

Passives
Bull's Strength
Static Stature (lightning damage)
Eldritch Claws (added dark damage)
Extra Arms

Ray's eyes widened in surprise as the God's body was chained and bound by magic more powerful than he could comprehend. With no other option presented even still Ray took the only action that made sense to him in the moment. He inhaled slowly, closing his eyes and allowing a simple prayer to leave his lips. 

"Wanderer, bless me with strength." His voice was low, unsteady even, as his hesitancy to strike a god shown through.

As the prayer ended Ray's body was wreathed in white flames. The fire grew outwards from him until it towered almost thirty feet in the air in a vaguely humanoid shape. The fire seemed to thicken until growing feverish. The flames extinguished all at once as a flash of light revealed Ray, standing almost 30 feet tall, in place of the flames. His weapons were equally enlarged yet still glowed with a fiery white light. He began to charge forward towards Ziev as bloodlust stirred within him. 

"Beware, Seeker, though our path demands it this is a great risk." Qil spoke weightily as Ray closed on Ziev.

Now close enough to strike Ray used his full might, making two strikes with one saber and a single strike with the other. Each was charged with holy energy and would bite all the deeper because of it. 

Actions Used:

Buff Abilities: Belt of Giant Size

Attack Abilities: Two strikes with a scimitar charged with holy energy while giant sized. + 1 strike with a short sword while giant sized.

Caedes stares sexily into the distance, searching the crowd for Zarius. Something inside long for him, though the spacetime makes it hard to tell exactly what. His eyes search the space around himself, almost unaware of the chaos around him. For a moment, Caedes isn't among warriors, adventurers, saviors of the realm. Where is that horny boy in his snuggle? Wait, why is he think-

A dark figure wreathed in blue flames streaks across the battlefield. Oh, there he is. The flaming horny boy, indeed.

Hot.

The urge to follow Zarius grips his body, and Caedes steels himself and charges forward. There is nothing in the chaos, only he and Zarius attacking a god.

He shanks Ziev in the belly button because he deserves it.

---

^{PC ACTIONS TAKEN
> Looking Longingly into the Distance Because of Reasons (Buff Action)}

^{> Shanking a god because he deserves it (Attack Action)}

^{(thank you court for your contribution)}

Blue Raspberry didn't know what to say. They knew nothing about all the gods and history in the first place, so finding out it had all been a lie didn't have quite as much of an effect on them as it might have had on everyone else, especially those who actually followed one of the gods. Astrid was a big fan of Avasha, wasn't she? They wondered how she might take all this.

This whole thing had still been quite the experience though, and even the oblivious, goo-brained ooze could feel that this was an important moment and things would change from here on out throughout Charon. They weren't too involved in the debate to figure out what to do with Scern. They weren't smart enough to realize any potential problems from letting the man go free, and had voted to do so, but in the end it was decided to arrest him. That wasn't too bad.

They left the temple, scooping up and swallowing a shard of the Sol Stone off the ground as they went. Their armor had returned to what it was when they'd first entered the temple. They didn't even realize they now had a small fraction of Ziev's power within them, as all the other adventurers that had been there did.