Helena will run over and grab Elren'dor herself, hoping to either pull him from the creature or be too much weight for it to lift easily.
"Mine!" She snarls at the creature.
Elren'dor began to rise higher into the air, looking down as the yellow fog came closer. "This is it, this is how I die.
Narcisa attacked with her sharpened blade, cutting at the creature's flesh, and the proud warrior leapt to try and grab a hold of him as he was held by the beast.
"I'm...sorry..." He whispered almost apologetically, the creature's hold preventing him from casting any spell. Yet he had talents that did not require he speak, did not require his arms. "Maybe...maybe I can..."
Through the pain, his mind seemed to concentrate upon coalescing that orb of acid once more. Yet the shaking and the beating of wings around him was too disruptive and the cloud fell apart before the dart could form.
Narcisa lashes out at the creature again as it begins to take off with their companion.
She screams at the creature, "Give him back!"
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Smallest Sun calls out in surprise, swinging at the creature as it bobs by him. He gives chase, chopping at the thing's legs.
The creature took one good hit from the cleric and the rogue each, but still hasn't shown signs of dropping. Helena Dives and tackles the wizard, trying to drag them down. The creature struggles, and cannot get any more altitude with two bodies hanging off of it.
Elren'dor= 0/10, Staggered, grappled
Helena=Grappled
Narcisa=
Smallest Sun=
????= -16/??, Grappled
Narcisa moves to catch up, swinging her sword at the creature again.
Narcisa cuts a wound into the creature, causing it to leak strange black tar-like fluids.
It gets a better grip on Elren'dor, using both claws to hold him. It manages to shove Helena off of her with one clawed foot, but it costs him several seconds.
The creature's tail snakes up and with disturbing accuracy slips under Elren'dor's clothes. The wizard braces himself for an inevitable injury... but that doesn't happen! Instead, the tail pokes, prods, and tickles him with disturbing accuracy! Despite his injuries and terror, Elren'dor finds it incredibly difficult to resist laughing out loud.
Growling in frustration, Helena draws and swings at the flapping bastard.
"Give me back my wizard you flying flappy f*!@!"
With a sickening crunch, Helena's weapon pierces through it as its wingbeat drops it a little, and the creature shivers as it careens to the side, crashes into the nearby tree, and falls to the ground, covering both it and Elren'dor with a wing as it settles.
Elren'dor is momentarily confused by the sudden shift in movement and then the drop, but one thing's for certain when it's over. That thing's tail stopped... very close to some extremely sensitive areas.
The thing bleeds out within seconds, thanks to Narcisa's fortunate artery slice. Keymys runs up to the dead creature and yowls, scratching at the wing membrane.
"Between the rats, the fake birds, and whatever the unholy hell that thing was, I think we've had enough excitement for the day. We need to get Elren'dor patched up, and I think the rest of us still need healing of some kind also." Helena will help Elren'dor to his feet, if he cannot walk, she will carry him. "Any objections?"
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Smallest Sun will touch Elren'dor's shoulder, bestowing some healing on him.
"We should get some rest, while we can. Though the rats will have more time to prepare for our return... we have no choice." He replies.
Elren'dor will plummet to the ground with a loud "Oomph!" before rolling over onto his back. Staring up at the yellow fog, he pushes the tail away from his stomach and lets out a sigh. The healing helps seal his wounds across his shoulders well enough but still, they ache and burn.
"I should be fine to move, thank you. I...I am sorry to have detracted from our cause so much now." He frowns, looking shamefully at the ground. "What good is my magic if we cannot fight back? Are we doomed and are simply going through our death throes?"
He nods without another word in regards to returning back to the safety and protection of the camp, pondering a plan for the next day's excursion. "We shall strike at the rats tomorrow. I...will try to devise a plan of some sort."
The party retreats back to the chapel, beaten and bruised. Though there's still some time in the day, you've done well to try clearing out the front area of the asylum. Fortunately, food has just been prepared and you can sit down to eat before resting.
Winter will arrive and hear your reports over dinner. She frowns when you describe what it's like outside. "That's disappointing, but not a completel surprise. There must be some way to get out of here, though. Maybe Doctor Losandro's still alive out there and knows what's caused all of this. Her office is at the very heart of the asylum. That's a good place to start. She might even be able to tell you who you are. If the worst has befallen her, though, perhaps there are other survivors out there. If you find any, bring them back here and we'll shelter them as best as we can. Goddess watch over you."
With that, she rises to go handle yet another issue that cropped up while you were giving the report.
Elren'dor nods, remaining quiet throughout most of the travel. His paranoia creeps up his spine, not targeting a distrust in his allies but a distrust in himself. He was useless when the rats came and struck after him, torn apart so handily by biting, gnashing teeth. When that creature came and took him, he couldn't even muster up such a will to fight back. Had he been useful at all? Was he more than just a hindrance and a drain on their few and meager resources?
These thoughts plagued the aching elf as he half-listened to Winter explain who they should look for and to try and rescue who they could. "How can I rescue anyone when I am the one in need of rescue?" He finished his bowl of stew, frowning before he spoke to the others.
"I will be out here for tonight. I...wish for some space as I do my research. I have ideas, of possibilities that I could reach for. Deeper and more powerful magic, but they are difficult to wrap my mind around." He smiles at them for a moment, bowing his head. "Thanks you for rescuing me. Sun, I will help you create a scroll if you require it. If not, I shall work on adding more to my own scroll."
Narcisa keeps a paranoid eye out as they retreat back into the building and to the safety of the refugee camp. She inclines her head to Elren'dor, returning to the room they had used the night before after they have their supper. She'll remove her armor, then snuggle into the cot, hesitant to go back to sleep, but ultimately will, because she's worn out.
Smallest Sun will sit with one of the guards on watch and take a shift early in the evening, getting to sleep after he's replaced.
Since it is still early(ish) when they arrive back, Helena will spend sometime checking on the laundry room/furnace situation. And put in some solid labor into it where needed. The straightforward manual task helping to clear her mind of the thoughts of the day.
After dinner she will spent the time to maintain her gear, sew up any rips, polish out any dents, etc. Once she realizes the sword (now a magical one) no longer requires sharpening, she will ask if anyone else needs theirs done. First the party, then those on watch. She'll take time to sharpen as many (non-magical) blades as possible. (+1 to 1st hit's damage)
Before bed, she will spend about an hour in front of the shrine to Milani. First praying for the protection and hope for the people here in the sanctuary, then for herself. Beseeching Milani for help to retain hope in this bleak, dark place. Then for strength of mind to continue to face the unexpected horrors they will encounter tomorrow.
She will frown at the elf's back as he walks away, but will not question his choice. Intending to ask Narcisa if she thought he was perhaps upset with Helena for failing to protect him, but by time she reaches the room after her prayers, Narcisa is fast asleep.
The group sleeps fitfully, tossing and turning.
"I'm sorry..."
Suddenly the fog is filled with light and heat as flames rush out at you, breathed upon you like the mouth of a living inferno.
You awaken, not out of fear but with the sudden itching sensation of the burn scars on your flesh. Whatever that was, you get the feeling that it was tied to a memory, not a nightmare.
You dream of the city again. Chased by fog, you find yourself reaching a ridge overlooking another part of the city. Below, you see a strange sight.
Three men stand before a ledge, far below them lies more fog-covered streets. They turn around, and look up to face you. Though the faces look familiar, you cannot remember where you've seen them. Smilingly, welcomingly, they as one tip backwards and fall from the ledge.
You awaken in a panic, a strangled cry in your throat.
Your sleep is peaceful. Your dreams unburdened by fog or fears. The only complaint you would have about the entire night is that the mattresses are in terrible condition.
The next day, you each gather together for a meager meal before setting back out. Vaustin York, the 'captain', meets you and has a request.
"I know you're trying to handle a lot, but I was looking over the resources we have left... and we're going to start running out of food here within the week." he says, looking embarassed to have to beg for help but determined to do it anyways. "Could I convince you to keep an eye out for supplies you could bring us? We don't really have anything to give you here, but if we can get out of this damned place I think Winter could reward you."
Elren'dor woke in the morning, stirring and knocking over the spellbook that had fallen onto his lap. It appeared as if he had fallen asleep while practicing new symbols and diagrams, trying to wrap his mind around new arcane designs and possibilities.
"It is difficult work trying to put the pieces together Keymys..." He whispers to the cat that bumps into his face, bringing a tired smile to his lips. At least his friend was alright, the memory of his familiar's pain and fear still haunting his mind in the back.
Carefully, he would be at the table when the others arrived and would be almost done with the small meal that they offered. The cat ate a small piece of meat that Elren'dor had scooped out for her, stirring the hot stew slowly with a swirl of his finger before lifting it up without touching it and bringing it to his mouth.
"I could not come up with any ways to...help deal with the swarm of rats we encountered. I'm afraid that thing of alchemist's fire was all I had left before...well...whatever happened that brought us here."
His tone is soft and apologetic, his head bowing to the others. "Thank you all for saving me yesterday. I-I thought that was going to be it." His hand runs along his chest, where the terrible creature had caught him before.
"That thing...was a nightgaunt, an extra-planar creature that feeds on fear, anxiety, emotions like that. It doesn't surprise me that one was drawn here...seeing the tenuous veil between sleep and reality and the fear emanating from this place."
A weak smile spreads, Elren'dor feeling more comforted by the fact that he can identify the thing that nearly took his life.
"I still hurt...but I should be fine as long as I stay in the back. I-I don't want to hold us anymore than I already do."
Captain York then arrives, sitting at the table and letting be known the dilemma that the survivors are no facing. The end of most sieges was starvation, not bloodshed, and the enemies seemed numberless around them and their food was running out of food. The thought sent a chill down Elren'dor's spine.
"Where would you suggest we look then Captain York? We don't remember anything, we haven't found a map, or...or...or anything!" He looks down after that small outburst, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, I'm just...stressed. I'm sure everyone here understands. Where would a source of supplies be from the library here?" He offers the point of reference, to ease the Captain's explanation and to give each of them an idea of where to go from there.
Narcisa starts awake with the strangled cry, clutching the blanket closer to herself. She rubbed at her forehead, trying to wipe away the cold sweat there. She shivered, rolling to her other side and burring herself deeper into the bed, not bothering to close her eyes, trying to get warm.
However, she did drag herself from bed to go eat breakfast. She ate quietly and remained withdrawn. She looked up at Vaustin as he addressed them, nodding her assent to his request.
Once breakfast was done, she donned her armor and waited for the others to return to their exploration.
Helena awakes, rubbing at her neck and upper chest with her right hand. At least I'm not covered with bitemarks this morning. She will notice Narcisa's bedraggled status, but won't say anything to her directly. That will be best thing about getting out of this place. No more nightmares, or whatever these things are.
At breakfast, "We haven't seen much yet that could even have previously housed provisions. Anyone able to give us some directions on where best to look?" Almost as an after thought she'll add, "You don't by chance have anything that can deal with rats do you?"
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Smallest Sun finally perks up. "Okay so I was thinking of how to deal with the rats. I noticed that the ratlings on the bookshelves were the ones doing the summoning. I would think that if we prepare our bows or crossbows, we can prepare to snipe them as they try to summon the swarms, and it would cause those spells to fail. It would be better to not fight the swarms at all."
Captain York grimaces, but nods. "Well, seeing as you don't have any ranged weapons, we can lend you a couple. We had just enough for us guards, but we'd... lost some people before you showed up."
He offers the group 3 light crossbows and 30 bolts total.
Narcisa will nod her thanks to Captain York, examining the crossbow before stowing it. She'll wait around quietly until the others are ready to go.
Helena will briefly wonder if she even knows how to use a crossbow, but when she reflexively draws locks and loads the bow with ease, she'll have her answer.
"Exterminate the rats, find food, find survivors, find way out of this hell hole. Shall we?"
"Yes, let's go." Smallest Sun agrees, taking up the third crossbow.
Narcisa will nod and then follow after the group.
Elren'dor takes the crossbow with a frown, it isn't his preferred weapon but it would do in a pinch. Taking a quarrel of bolts, he looked towards Helena and gave a small nod. He was not terribly confident, truthfully, but he was beside his fellows.
"With these pearls, Helena, I could make you grow in size once more. If those rat swarms are summoned, perhaps killing the casters would be best. You could easily swipe at them with your blade with that increased height...and strength. Perhaps that would be a better use than me firing this weapon at them and hoping for the best..."
"Well, we DO have three crossbows now, do you have any ranged spells you can throw?" Smallest Sun asks.
Elren'dor will frown as he head through the hallways slowly, cautiously, his voice a whisper as he nods.
"I have my acidic darts I can conjure from my will, just a few of them though. I also have prepared another spell; a spell of sleep. If I'm able to, I may be able to put the talking rats to sleep and end the fight quickly that way. I have to be able to see them, though."
He looked at the others, shaking the anxiety from his limbs before nodding. "So...what do you three suggest? Should we strike through the door again and try to disable them? Or shall we go through the garden and explore more? I think...if things go well...we could make short work of those casters and take the library."
"If we can get them together the sleep spell would take the swarms out. Then its just the casters." the cleric offers. "By the time they awaken the summon spell would have ended."
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Your group makes your way back to the library, and the doors are still shut. You can hear the occasional scritching sound from within, as well as the sound of a page getting torn every once and a while.
From what they can remeber of the garden area, did there appear to be any windows were they could see into the rat room?
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No windows that you found.
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Narcisa shrugs gently, "I don't really know what to do about the swarm of rats, but if we can put them to sleep long enough for us to fight off the talking rats? Why is there talking rats here to begin with?"
"After the eye-wall you're questioning talking rats?"
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