Previously, Naia was revealed as Saranael, Rudael's estranged daughter. Our protagonists discovered this on the verge of a grand battle, however, and there was little time for questions. I'd figured they would somehow get the upper hand after the two necromancers had spent their rather high magical energy battling each other, but Merduk rushed in like the gloomy hero he is and distracted Saranael enough to let her succumb to a direct hit of Black Lightning. After that, Merduk kept hitting Vixil, distracting him from using his magic, and eventually killed him. So much for all those secrets getting uncovered.

On a side note, I run things pretty fast and loose, so don't take this as a good example of Tal combat.

** (53) Merduk is mad at these people. He hates this power-grabbing intrigue shit. **
** (56) Laj readies himself for battle and/or death, considering how Merdmira's dreams are freakishly accurate. **
(45) GM: We left our hapless protagonists in the desert scrub north of the Yitek camp, where they'd just come face to face with the man in black tattered rags.
(56) Laj: "No quarrel with you, rag-man."
(45) Vixil: "Well, Saranael. I barely recognized you with green skin. You're looking lovely."
(45) Naia: "I knew we would run into one another, but I must confess I didn't expect you so soon. I take it Darandor delivered something to you?"
(45) Vixil: "Ask him yourself, my dear."
** Vixil holds up his staff, which has a skull mounted on the top. Freakishly, Darandor's voice emanates from it. "Please, free my spirit from bondage!" **
(56) Laj: (Quick question: Who was Darandor again? Wasn't he the Cymrillian who led us to the Kasmiran tomb?)
(45) GM: (Darandor was the fellow in Kasir who hired you to help him rob the Satrap's tomb.)
(56) Laj: (Thanks for the confirmation.)
** (56) Laj whispers to Merduk, "Guide died. Wonder what he delivered." **
(45) Naia: "I don't suppose you'll do this the easy way and surrender them all to me?"
** (53) Merduk looks around to see if Darandor is hiding somewhere doing ventriloquism. He's coming to expect that kind of childish behavior from people. **
(45) Vixil: "You have changed, my dear. There was a time when you would have relished testing my strength. I think you know the answer to that already."
(45) Naia: "I see. Then let us drop this pretense."
** Naia removes the silver clasp in her hair. At once her skin returns to its normal color, the tawny brown of the Zandir. **
** Saranael looks almost the same, not quite as beautiful or young, but still very attractive. **
** (56) Laj gets ready to get out of the way--way out of the way. "Wizardry not my cup of kaf." **
** (53) Merduk walks up to "Naia" and asks "Hang on. This is about the statue thingies?" **
(53) Merduk: (Can I see any of them?)
** Vixil pulls his hood back, and his cloak falls to the ground, revealing the hideous form of a Stryx. **
** (56) Laj stares in complete shock at the Stryx. **
(45) GM: (You can see Saranael (Naia), and Vixil, Merduk.)
(53) Merduk: (I assume the statue thingies are hidden away?)
(45) GM: (They're still rolled up on the Tatra.)
** Saranael pulls several bone fragments from a silk pouch. **
** Vixil likewise pulls out several fragments. **
(53) Merduk: (While they are talking, Merduk walks back to the Tatra, and starts digging out a statue, calmly and casually, as if he is getting water.
(56) Laj: "Merduk, what are you doing?"
(45) Vixil: "Darandor was most kind in fetching this last one for me. I assume you know it was hidden in that statuette. I rewarded his loyalty by making him even more loyal."
** Saranael scowls at the staff. **
** (56) Laj frowns. He hates getting ripped off by other "antiquarians." **
(45) Vixil: "Long have I waited to test your strength, Saranael.
(56) Laj: "Should have suspected something more valuable inside."
** Vixil grins, inasmuch as his beak permits. **
(45) GM: (Roll initiative)
** (56) Laj turns his tatra and guides her over to Merduk. "Asked what you are doing..." **
(56) Laj: [1d20] -> [14] = (14) Initiative.
** (53) Merduk tosses the statue in the air, and as it comes down, he whacks it full force with his sword, shattering it. **
(45) Saranael: [1d20] -> [6] = (6) Initiative.
(45) Vixil: [1d20] -> [2] = (2) Initiative.
(53) Merduk: [1d20+2] -> [4,2] = (6)
(53) Merduk: (Man. We suck.)
(45) GM: The statue shatters, sending fragments of red stone across the sand.
(53) Merduk: "Okay! If you guys can't play nice with your toys, you won't be allowed to have any!"
** Saranael looks at the sound. "Do you think I would have left any of these shards alone? Now, Vixil, as for you..." **
(45) GM: (Laj, your action.)
** (56) Laj gets himself and Her Grace out of the line of fire. "Merduk, Merdmira, let them play! Not our fight." **
(56) Laj: (Basically, ride behind some cover.)
(45) GM: (Ok, Merduk, what about you?)
** (53) Merduk rushes toward the Stryx as if to attack him, then suddenly swing his sword around toward Saranael's neck. She shouldn't be expecting it. [1d20+12] -> [1,12] = (13) **
** Saranael reacts quickly, raising her blue iron dagger to try to defend against the blow: [1d20+5] -> [7,5] = (12) **
** Saranael gets the blade in the way, but is knocked backwards. **
** Vixil chuckles. "You should find more loyal followers." **
** Merdmira tries to stay out of the way behind Shovel. **
** (56) Laj makes a mental note to coordinate actions next time, assuming there is a next time. **
** Vixil raises his staff, pointing it at Saranael. Bizarre incantations spring from his beak: [1d20+1] -> [19,1] = (20) **
** Vixil 's staff glows with a green mist, and the sky is split from a dark column of energy striking Saranael. **
** Saranael tries weakly to defend herself against the Black Lightning: (Second Action) [1d20+5-5] -> [2,5,-5] = (2) **
** Saranael is struck by the full force of the Black Lightning, a scream of horror erupting from her, which quickly changes into an animalistic howl. **
** Saranael 's features seem to melt, her hair aflame, her garments burnt tatters. **
(45) Saranael: "Look what you let him do to me!"
** (53) Merduk mutters, "Shut up." **
** (56) Laj clutches his amulet convulsively. **
(45) GM: When the clap of thunder split the air, the amulets began glowing faintly blue.
** Vixil laughs again. "Really, I'd expected much more from you. This is too easy. Give me your shards now, and I will let you continue your pitiful existence. Otherwise, I shall bind your soul into my staff." **
** Saranael raises her ruined arms in an effort to call arcane energy to her defense: [1d20] -> [7] = (7) **
** (53) Merduk says nothing, just runs his sword through Vixil's gut. **
** Saranael 's arms emit sparks, which barely seem to touch Vixil. **
(45) GM: (Roll your attack, Merduk.)
(53) Merduk: [1d20+12] -> [13,12] = (25)
(45) GM: (Good grief!)
** Vixil tries to get out of the way, but he's distracted from Saranael's attack : [1d20+4] -> [13,4] = (17) **
** Vixil moves almost quickly enough. The sword digs a hole in his side, which bleeds black blood. **
** (56) Laj mutters and readies his crossbow. "Not completely immune." **
** Vixil roars. **
(45) GM: (Initiative.)
(56) Laj: [1d20] -> [5] = (5)
(53) Merduk: [1d20+2] -> [20,2] = (22)
(53) Merduk: (Awww, yeah!)
(56) Laj: (Looks like Merduk is all over him.)
(45) Saranael: [1d20] -> [7] = (7) Initiative.
(45) Vixil: [1d20] -> [19] = (19) Initiative.
(45) Merdmira: [1d20] -> [15] = (15) Initiative.
(45) GM: (Merduk, your action.)
** (56) Laj has a sudden inspiration... **
** (53) Merduk yanks his sword out of Vixil, whips it around and goes for a decapitation. [1d20+12] -> [12,12] = (24) **
** Vixil counters with his staff: [1d20+9] -> [1,9] = (10) **
** Vixil deflects the blow, but not much. The blade digs in his shoulder, drawing more black blood. **
(45) GM: (That was Vixil's action.)
** Merdmira continues to hide behind Shovel, occasionally glancing at Laj. **
(56) Laj: "Cut off his arm!"
** Saranael 's body continues to degrade, but she makes one last attempt: [1d20] -> [9] = (9) **
(45) Saranael: Bones sprout from the sand, clawing at Vixil, but doing little more than tearing holes in his already ragged clothing.
(45) GM: (Laj, your action.)
(56) Laj: (Thinking on how to do this.)
(56) Laj: (I want Laj to use his Move Mysticism power to snatch the staff from Vixil's hand.)
(45) GM: (What level of Move do you have?)
(56) Laj: (Level 1)
(45) GM: (Strength 0, then. With his wounded shoulder, you might be able to get it.)
(56) Laj: (Worth a shot.)
(45) GM: (Mysticism is very subtle, no visible effects.)
(56) Laj: (Telekinesis operates for 5 rounds, so he'll have a lot of tugging.)
(56) Laj: (So how do you want to handle this, GM?)
(45) GM: (Just concentrate, and roll 1d20+1. If successful, Vixil will try to hang on. If Critical success, you'll snatch it right away.)
(53) Merduk: (I think that just means there are no glowing tendrils snatching the staff. Or it looks like he dropped it, butterfingers.)
** (56) Laj mutters to himself, "Clutches of Death. Clutches of Death." He motions with his hand like a claw. [1d20+1] -> [2,1] = (3) **
(56) Laj: (Dang!)
(45) GM: (No real effect, sorry. But, you didn't give yourself away, either.)
(45) GM: (Initiative rolls.)
(53) Merduk: [1d20+2] -> [4,2] = (6)
(56) Laj: [1d20] -> [15] = (15) Initiative.
(56) Laj: (We are all over the map tonight.)
(45) Vixil: [1d20] -> [15] = (15) Initiative.
(45) Merdmira: [1d20] -> [17] = (17) Initiative.
** Merdmira continues hiding behind Shovel. **
(45) GM: (Laj, your action.)
(56) Laj: (Tugging again.)
(56) Laj: [1d20+1] -> [11,1] = (12) Yank!
(53) Merduk: (Anyway, his HP should be low. I've hit him twice, with 8 damage each.)
(45) GM: (Success, Laj... You've got a hold on the staff, and are attempting to wrench it away from Vixil.)
** Vixil notices his staff trying to escape, and tries to tighten his grip: [1d20+4] -> [10,4] = (14) **
(56) Laj: (Gah!)
** (56) Laj grimaces. **
(53) Merduk: (I doubt he can summon much while trying to hang on to the thing.)
(56) Laj: (I wouldn't put anything past a Stryx shaman.)
** Vixil 's staff extends his arm, but he keeps his grip on it. He's distracted by wrestling with it. **
(45) GM: (Merduk, your turn.)
** (53) Merduk makes another shot for the head. [1d20+12] -> [3,12] = (15) **
** Vixil doesn't even see it coming. The blow lands on his neck, nearly severing it. Black blood spills out onto the sand, steaming. The staff flies away from him. **
(56) Laj: "Ha! Clutches of Death!"
** (56) Laj motions the staff closer to him. **
** (53) Merduk turns to Saranael. **
** Saranael gurgles as she finally dissolves in agony. **
(45) GM: You are once again alone in the desert.
** (53) Merduk turns to the others. "Thanks for the help!" he says, disdainfully. **
** (56) Laj shakes his head as Merduk loses yet another woman. He sets the staff down in the sand nearby. **
** (53) Merduk turns and uses Reveal to find the bone fragment they were probably looking for. **
** Merdmira scowls at the oozing mass, and the dead stryx. **
(53) Merduk: [1d20+5] -> [8,5] = (13)
(56) Laj: "He didn't dissolve you, did he?"
(45) GM: On the body of Vixil, you find four skull fragments. Where Saranael was, there are three, badly charred.
(56) Laj: "Busy wrestling with his staff. Just because you didn't see it doesn't mean it did not happen."
** (56) Laj examines the staff from a safe distance. **
** (53) Merduk gathers the fragments, and turns to the others. When he speaks, it's calmly, decicively and with a faint tone of sick disgust for the dead. **
(53) Merduk: "Okay. Here's the plan."
** (56) Laj looks up at the angry Marukan. **
(53) Merduk: "We make for the nearest decent sized port city."
(45) GM: The staff calls out in Darandor's voice, "Please, please release me from this torment! Break this staff so that my spirit can find peace!"
(53) Merduk: "We find an iron forge. We drop these things into molton iron, then let the iron cool. Then we hire a ship out to sea, and drop it in the deep ocean."
(45) GM: The skull chatters at you, pleading.
** (53) Merduk looks at the skull, mutters, "Shut up," and cracks the skull with the handle of his sword. **
** (56) Laj gets out hammer, tongs, and other large, unforgiving objects. "Wait a moment, skull." He then proceeds to pound the staff to splinters. **
(45) GM: The skull breaks in two, and falls off of the staff.
(45) GM: You don't hear anymore words out of the staff or the skull.
** (56) Laj nods. "Good." **
(45) Merdmira: "Nasty business, Necromancers."
(56) Laj: "Long way to a port--any port. Closest is Faradun."
** (53) Merduk shrugs. "We'd best start moving then. At least we aren't heading for Maruk anymore." **
(45) Merdmira: "What about that Ariane?"
(53) Merduk: "Fuck him."
(56) Laj: "Flame Pits of Malnangar are closer."
(45) GM: The amulets, which were glowing, fade to dull greyness.
(56) Laj: "Find a lava pool in the Volcanic Hills. Same difference."
** (53) Merduk considers. "Sounds good. I like the ocean bottom better. Lava might flow out. People might be able to track it magically and get it out." **
(45) Merdmira: "Some people will do anything to get what they want. Even if it was on the bottom of the sea, they might find a way."
(56) Laj: "Think bone won't burn in lava?" Laj shrugs.
(53) Merduk: "Somehow I guess this stuff is harder. Probably indestructable or something."
(56) Laj: "Easy enough to find out." Laj takes a bone fragment from Merduk and gives it a good squeeze with a pair of tongs.
(53) Merduk: "Let's go to the lava pits. I am starting to like that one better."
(45) GM: You squeeze as hard as you can, but you don't seem to make a dent in the bone.
(45) GM: The black char rubs easily off of the ones that Saranael had.
(56) Laj: "Tough. May be right."
** (53) Merduk regards the toughness of the bone. "Yeah, lock it in iron and sink it." **
(53) Merduk: "Someone'll probably get it eventually, but I doubt it'll happen in our lifetime."
(56) Laj: "You certain of that?"
** (56) Laj looks skeptical. **
(53) Merduk: "And anyway, I won't tell anyone where they are? We'll swear to secrecy."
(45) Merdmira: "Yeah, like her father."
(56) Laj: "Didn't think about him. Good point."
(53) Merduk: "If he follows us, we can lock him in iron and sink him too."
(45) Merdmira: "Least he didn't pretend to be something he wasn't."
(53) Merduk: "Bunch of little brats hurling dung at each other."
(56) Laj: "Interesting. She was Zandir."
(45) Merdmira: "That Black Lightning was no little trick, brother."
(45) Merdmira: "So was Rudael, under that white paste on his face."
(53) Merduk: "So they are brats with power. Doesn't make their behavior any more mature."
(56) Laj: "Didn't notice. Naj didn't know what he was selling." Laj hands the fragment back to Merduk.
** Merdmira considers the ooze that had once been Naia. **
** Merdmira clambers back onto Shovel. **
(45) Merdmira: "Let's leave this dreary place. I don't feel like staying around them."
** (53) Merduk nods. "Let's get out of here." **
(45) GM: (Where are you headed now?)
(53) Merduk: "It seems we are destined to go into the wild and meet this Ariane. So, let's head for the coast. I don't like destiny telling me what to do."
(45) Merdmira: "Destiny, fate, whatever. Tired of dreams."
(53) Merduk: "Destiny told me I was supposed to shovel dung."
** (56) Laj puts the head of the stryx on the end of the staff and puts the latter upright in the ground. "Prince' **
(56) Laj: "Prince's people will find him."
(45) Merdmira: "Good. Not good to live in fear."
** (56) Laj nods. "Ever wonder why the Ariane wants us? Besides the amulets." **
(53) Merduk: "Don't know. Don't particularly care."
** (56) Laj clambers onto Her Grace. **
** (53) Merduk gets on his old aht-ra. **
(45) GM: You journey northward, possibly towards more answers.
(56) Laj: "Eyes open. Still bandits around."
(45) GM: (And that's where we'll stop for tonight...)