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The Gargoyles descend from the sky, and the watchers call out the alarm. In the distance the greater camp also sounds alarms, the sounds of canvas tearing, shouts of battle and screams of the injured puncture the night. Selann quickly casts Vanish on Nurah. "You're invisible for a short while. Let's get over by the fighters. Benedic and Greta are right over there. Follow me!" Then he runs with impossible speed "Gargoyles. Use magical weapons on them!".
Greta grabs her hammer and moves to the nearest gargoyle. Not knowing much about the creatures, she begins with a measured swing to test its defenses, imbuing her heavy weapon with a spark of arcane power, but not releasing the power of her bloodrage. The red-horned gargoyle in front of her deflects the hammer blow with a wing made of abyssal stone, and hisses an abyssal insult, ready to relaliate.
Caliban focuses a moment, spinning the blade in his hand as he quickly incants a spell. Icy rime coats his blade as it flashes out twice at the gargoyle next to him. His magical blade cuts true on his first swing, and what at first glance appear to be pebbles tumble out of the gargoyle's guts, along with some dusty ichor. The Gargoyle deflects the second blade attack, and in a frenzy of attacks manages to bite a chunk of flesh from the elven Magus.
Benedic, dressed for his nightly watch, stands in his shining armor with his sword drawn. As he prepares for the onslaught, he casts a spell, Radiance glows with a holy light. The nearest Gargoyle seeing a threat attacks with a frenzy of claws, fangs and horns, Benedic deflects the claws but the gargoyle manages to tear a bite out of Benedic and follows it with a horned headbutt. Tristan will stride out to the most open and easy to view area around the camp.
Tristan the Inquisitor shouts, waving his longsword and threateningly brandishes his shield at the intruding gargoyles! COME GET SUM SPACE DOGS!, his voice carries and the nearby gargoyles have second thoughts about taking on the inquisitor directly.
Horgus, Aravashnial, Beatric, Camillo Dan, and two soldiers are grabbed by nearby gargoyles. Who prepare to lift them into the sky.
Junior manages to avoid the grappling claws of a nearby gargoyle and prepares to retaliate...
Gargoyle A - (Soldier Grappled)
Gargoyle B - (Fails to Grapple Junior)
Gargoyle C - (Horgus Grappled)
Gargoyle D - 5 ft. Step Full attack ; ; ;
Gargoyle E - (Beatric Grappled)
Gargoyle F - (1 hp) 5 ft. Step Full attack ; ; ;
Gargoyle G - (Aravashnial Grappled)
Gargoyle H - (Soldier Grappled)
Gargoyle I - (Fails to Grapple)
Gargoyle J - (Cpt. Camillo Dan Grappled)
Junior, still in his pajamas and his nightcap, does what any normal person would do when beset by ambush from the sky, he busts out his musical instrument and starts playing as loudly as possible. He nods to Amelia as he sets the beat, just like they practiced. Using the haft of his Ransuer as a drumstick the music compels soldier feet forward.
If an ally has her own rage class ability (such as barbarian's rage, bloodrager's bloodrage, or skald's inspired rage), she may use the Strength, Constitution, and Will saving throw bonuses, as well as AC penalties, based on her own ability and level instead of those from the skald (still suffering no fatigue afterward). Inspired rage does not allow an ally to activate abilities dependent on other rage class abilities, such as rage powers, blood casting, or bloodrager bloodlines; the ally must activate her own rage class ability in order to use these features.
Amelia falls into the rhythm and adds her own guitar to the magical music that fills the camp, further bolstering the soldiers to fight for their lives. Catching on to the gargoyle plan quickly she keeps a word of power close to her mind.
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Amazing how much chaos can spawn in the first six seconds of a battle. Irabeth is grappled and dragged 30 ft across the battlefield and 10 ft into the air, but her mighty muscles are strong enough to burst free of the Half-Fiend Gargoyle, as she drops prone to the ground. Anevia dives under the cover of a tent, and sends an arrow into the Half-Fiend for its trouble. Keep your stinking claws off my wife! Anevia growls.
Greta manages to deflect a claw and gore, but isn't quite quick enough to stop a second claw and a bite!
A half-fiend gargoyle flanks Caliban, slashing him in the back with a claw.
The half-fiend gargoyle near Junior cautiously avoids the business end of his glaive, and in a frenzy of claws, teeth and horns starts tearing into the jolly skald.
A half-fiend gargoyle attempts to grapple Captain Jhestander, and receives a blade for his troubles
Kamillo breaks free of her grapple.
Sosiel aligns Aron's weapon. Shelyn watch over you my love, he says, as Aron slides into position behind a gargoyle, and knocking it to rubble with his short sword.
Aravashnial, Beatric, Horgus and the two soldiers struggle futily against their captors.
Half-Fiend Gargoyle A (Irabeth is Grappled)
Half-Fiend Gargoyle B ; ; ;
Half-Fiend Gargoyle C Moves to Flank;
Half-Fiend Gargoyle D Five Foot Step (Does not provoke); Full-Attack: ; ; ;
Half-Fiend Gargoyle E (Fails to Grapple)
Irabeth Attempts to break Grapple, (Breaks grapple) Fall Damage
Anevia ; ,
Sosiel casts Align Weapon on Sosiel's blade.
Aron, Moves to Flank ,
Aravashnial, attempts to escape grapple
Horgus, Attempts to escape grapple, with soldier aid
Kamillo Dan, Attempts to escape Grapple with soldier aid
Captain Jhestander, Attack with Soldier Aid ,
Beatric, attemps to escape grapple
Caliban looks to his left, seeing the older elf ensnared by the gargoyle and shouts at the soldier, . The elf snaps his attention back to the fiendish gargoyle facing him down, and quickly incants a spell behind his blade, and the sword snaps out twice trying to quickly back the gargoyle off him.
Missing, Caliban again attacks the creature
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Greta takes a step back from the gargoyle that attacked her, to make room to swing her huge hammer. She begins to sway in time with the music echoing through the camp and her hair takes on a warm golden glow. Her footwork becomes almost a dance as she raises up the heavy head of her hammer and brings it crashing down at the beast, then she whirls and brings it around again from the side.
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As Benedic prepares to take on the nearest gargoyle, he notices Beatrics ensnared by one of the others. He cries out, what might be the word "No!" and rushes over to attempt to free her.
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Tristan frowns at the halted gargoyles. The Inquisitor accesses the situation before making his move.
Viewing the mass of gargoyle activity across the camp, he cast Expeditious Retreat, before heading in that direction.
Seeing the confusion of the melee around him, Selann runs around the gargoyle as Benedic charges it. He sneaks a peek at the future for his attack and adjusts, quickly casting a spell, smacking the thing between the wings with a ball of ice. When it hits the ball shatters and the ice clings to the creature, entangling it and limiting its movement.
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Seeing the confusion of the melee around him, Selann runs around the gargoyle as Benedic charges it. He sneaks a peek at the future for his attack and adjusts, quickly casting a spell, smacking the thing between the wings with a ball of ice. When it hits the ball shatters and the ice clings to the creature, entangling it and limiting its movement. Ice spreads across the gargoyle's wings, making flight difficult. As Benedic prepares to take on the nearest gargoyle, he notices Beatrics ensnared by one of the others. He cries out, what might be the word "No!" and rushes over to attempt to free her. Wisely trusting his armor to protect his back from the swipe of the gargoyle he was already engaged with. Radiance strikes out towards the Gargoyle, but Benedic hesitates when it holds Beatrics up as a shield.
"This soft one is special to you," the gargoyle chuckles, "She will make a fine gift for Nulkineth." the gargoyle's speaks in a voice like gravestones grinding against each other.
Greta takes a step back from the gargoyle that attacked her, to make room to swing her huge hammer. She begins to sway in time with the music echoing through the camp and her hair takes on a warm golden glow. Her footwork becomes almost a dance as she raises up the heavy head of her hammer and brings it crashing down at the beast, then she whirls and brings it around again from the side. Abysmally reinforced stone gargoyle skin, resistant to the blows of mortal weapons still cracked under the sheer momentous fury of Greta's strikes first causing a crack in the Half-Fiend opponent, and then shattering a stony rib out of place. "Tiny crusader," the stony foe grumbles, "The rage of demons swells in your heart! It will make a fine feast for our priests!"
Caliban looks to his left, seeing the older elf ensnared by the gargoyle and shouts at the soldier, "Lienart, clear me a lane to that one!". The elf snaps his attention back to the fiendish gargoyle facing him down, and quickly incants a spell behind his blade, and the sword snaps out twice trying to quickly back the gargoyle off him. Missing, Caliban again attacks the creature necrotic frost encasing his hand and then his blade. Unfortunately the abyssal flesh halts the Blade, and only allows a small amount of negative energy to leech into the fiend. "Pitious fleshbag, what do you hope to accomplish with such a toy. Look on as your useless soldiers fail to stop the inevitable."
Before Lienart can even snap to his orders he watches as Aravashniel is dragged into the sky by the cruel gargoyle.
Tristan frowns at the halted gargoyles. The Inquisitor accesses the situation before making his move.
Viewing the mass of gargoyle activity across the camp, he cast Expeditious Retreat, before heading in that direction ignoring the indignant cries of Horgus as he continues to struggle against the gargoyle's grip as he's carried away. Soldiers watch helplessly as comrades are carried away, including the likes of Aravashnial.
, (Miss!)
Gargoyle A: (Success - Move Action Fly Away)
Gargoyle B: 5-ft. Step (Doesn't provoke). Full Attack Junior. , ; , ; , ; ,
Gargoyle C: (Fails to Pin Horgus - Move Drag Horgus)
Gargoyle D: 5-ft. Step to flank. Full Attack Benedic. , ; , ; , ; ,
Gargoyle E: Natural 20! Beatric is Pinned!
Gargoyle F: Continues being dead.
Gargoyle G: Arevashnial is pinned! Gargoyle G starts to fly away!
Gargoyle H: Soldier is Pinned! Gargoyle starts to fly away!
Gargoyle I: Full attack Captain Jhestander , ; , ; , ; ,
Gargoyle J: Full attack Kamillo Dan , ; , ; , ; ,
Success!
Nulkineth: A half-Nabasu Inquisitor of Kabriri, called the thief of casualties by some. Nulkineth has a reputation for kidnapping sleeping and wounded soldiers and either sacrificing them to Kabriri, feeding them to his Nabasu extended family or handing them over to his ghoul priests for conversion to ghoulhood or as food for ghoul minions.
For more on Nabasu it is a DC 24 Kn. Planes check.
The Gargoyle (marked E) is bloodied, and entangled. He knows Beatrics is his only bargaining chip to getting out of this alive. Bluff, Diplomacy or Intimidate offering his freedom in exchange for the girl may yield results.
Flecks of amber colored rage fill Junior’s eyes as he takes blow after blow from the pair of gargoyles. His pain is ameliorated only by the fact that he will bear the scars and not a soldier he never managed to learn the name of. He’d have to rectify that if both of them survived. Through gritted teeth he sings out, ”No one’s gonna take me alive!
Time has come to make things right!
You and I must fight for our rights!
You and I must fight to survive!”
The magic of the song propels nearby allies to position themselves for a counter attack.
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Amelia sings along with Junior, as she does so she pulls out a bag at her hip and tosses it right at the half-fiend gargoyle.
A creature that is glued to the floor (or unable to fly) can break free by making a DC 17 Strength check or by dealing 15 points of damage to the goo with a slashing weapon. A creature trying to scrape goo off itself, or another creature assisting, does not need to make an attack roll; hitting the goo is automatic, after which the creature that hit makes a damage roll to see how much of the goo was scraped off. Once free, the creature can move (including flying) at half speed. If the entangled creature attempts to cast a spell, it must make a concentration check with a DC of 15 + the spell’s level or be unable to cast the spell. The goo becomes brittle and fragile after 2d4 rounds, cracking apart and losing its effectiveness. An application of universal solvent to a stuck creature dissolves the alchemical goo immediately.
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Flecks of amber colored rage fill Junior’s eyes as he takes blow after blow from the pair of gargoyles. His pain is ameliorated only by the fact that he will bear the scars and not a soldier he never managed to learn the name of. He’d have to rectify that if both of them survived. Through gritted teeth he sings out, ”No one’s gonna take me alive!
Time has come to make things right!
You and I must fight for our rights!
You and I must fight to survive!”
Spurred by Junior's performance, Amelia and the soldier next to her race into position, splitting the gargoyle's attention. Tristan also races forward, leaving camp
The magic and music imbued Ranseur chips a solid crack out of the gargoyle.
Beatrics seems to cease struggling against the Gargoyle holding her hostage, and makes eye contact with Benedic.
Half-Fiend Gargoyle D Succeeds, tanglefoot creates difficult terrain in its square, but no entanglement.
Half-Fiend Gargoyle A , Miss!
Half-Fiend Gargoyle B; 5 ft. Step , ; , ; , ; ,
Half-Fiend Gargoyle C (Shaken); 5 ft. Step , ; , ; , ; ,
Half-Fiend Gargoyle D ; 5 ft. Step , , (No Crit); , ; , ; ,
Half-Fiend Gargoyle E; , ; , ; , ; , '
Irabeth Smite , ; ,
Anevia; ; ,
Sosiel casts Align Weapon (Good) on Caliban's Black Blade
Aron ,
Beatrics
Aravashnial
Captain Jhestander
Kamillo Dann ,
Horgus
Soldiers ,
Caliban, seeing the grouping on the fiendish gargoyle he' facing, continues his assault, hopeful that his spells will injure the thing enough with the help he's receiving from his allies. Electricity climbs his blade, now enchanted with holy energy
Snapping the blade around again, he lashes out at the creature..
With Benedic across from him Selann moves up to the gargoyle drawing his dagger. It isn't magic so he knows he'll have trouble causing much damage but he wants to finish the thing off quick. Once there he calls on his mythic energy to attack a second time with Mythic power.
Benedic recognizes the gargoyle's desperation, but as usual he has difficulty reading Beatrics. He watches Selann tear into the creature from behind and tries to take advantage of the surprise strike by slashing at it himself.
Benedic is also obviously agitated, and he unconsciously draws upon his otherworldly nature to desperately attempt to connect with his blade.
Accessing the number of gargoyles in this area, Tristan strides to the center of them.
Tristan calls upon Iomedae to burn these ambushing flying turds!
Blistering Invective Ref DC 16 or catch Fire!
Greta adjusts her position and continues her assault.
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With Benedic across from him Selann moves up to the gargoyle drawing his dagger. It isn't magic so he knows he'll have trouble causing much damage but he wants to finish the thing off quick. Once there he calls on his mythic energy to attack a second time with Mythic power. Surprise Strike. His blades, empowered by the Nyhindrian crystals in his body find their mark.
With the Gargoyle dead in front of him, Benedic pulls Beatric out of the gargoyle's grip before it crumbles to the ground. With his other hand he strikes the Gargoyle Behind him.
Greta adjusts her position and continues her assault, stone continues to crack under the weight of her continued assault.
Assessing the number of gargoyles in this area, Tristan strides to the center of them.
Tristan calls upon Iomedae to burn these ambushing flying turds!
"Feel the fury of Iomedae!"
The Gargoyle harrying Junior refuses to let up, and the soldier next to him can do little to protect the Bard.
Gargoyles escape with their prisoners, the sound of screaming soldiers, an indignant Horgus, and elven invectives fading in the distance. As tempting as it is to immediately give chase, there are still immediate dangers within the camp.
Irabeth calls out "Let's finish this quickly so we can rescue the captured!"
Success!
Success!
Failure!
Success!
, , , , , , ,
, , , , , , ,
,
, , , , , , ,
Junior continues to sing and beats out the rhythm of the combat, it seems a little weaker now. He still finds the strength to swing his ransuer over the shoulder of a soldier. As he does he uses a technique he totally copied from Greta and sends more juice into the weapon.
Junior hopes that the gargoyle would continue to focus on him rather than the soldier.
Amelia saw they already lost the battle. The gargoyles had taken their prizes and the remaining were left to keep the crusaders busy long enough to get away with it. She needed to survive it... she even concocted a plan to do so but, that wasn't who she was anymore. She continued to play her guitar and in the spare moment she had left let the anger emanating from Junior take her as she swung her glaive.
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Junior continues to sing and beats out the rhythm of the combat, it seems a little weaker now. He still finds the strength to swing his ransuer over the shoulder of a soldier. As he does he uses a technique he totally copied from Greta and sends more juice into the weapon. Desperately trying to destroy it, before it strikes him down first.
Amelia saw they already lost the battle. The gargoyles had taken their prizes and the remaining were left to keep the crusaders busy long enough to get away with it. She needed to survive it... she even concocted a plan to do so but, that wasn't who she was anymore. She continued to play her guitar and in the spare moment she had left let the anger emanating from Junior take her as she swung her glaive. The holy weapon striking through abyssally reinforced flesh.
Holy sword, blazing with light, Irabeth cuts down her half-fiend foe.
"Anevia my love! The song is faltering. Go!"
Anevia finds another good spot to snipe from. An impossible choice, Anevia takes a breath... and looses an arrow. It strikes the Gargoyle harrying, Junior. He breathes a deep breath, but before he can exhale, Amelia!
"The music is faltering! Aron, I'll go assist the musicians. Finish this beast and join me." Sosiel calls, as he races across the battlefield. Aron buries his blade deep into the spine of the gargoyle he is flanking.
"Yes dear," Aron says with a wry sense of exasperation, he looks at the expression on Caliban's face. "Aravashnial yet lives, perhaps we might rescue him, but Junior's fate seems less certain. Shall we?" Aron gestures towards the fight at the centre of the camp.
Half-Fiend Gargoyle A , ; , ; , ; , (Miss!) (Miss!) (Miss!) (Miss!)
Half-Fiend Gargoyle B; 5-ft. step, , ; , ; , ; ,
Half-Fiend Gargoyle C; , ; , ; , ; ,
Half-Fiend Gargoyle D; 5-ft. step, , ;
Half-Fiend Gargoyle E Escapes!
~
Irabeth ,
Anevia ; ,
Aron , ; ;
With Benedic's friend dropped by the now dead gargoyle, and Greta smashing her opponent Selann scans the area quickly. He runs back over by where he was at the start of the battle and calls on Mythic power to cast a blast of fire at the fiendish Gargoyle battling there. Two lines of fire stream at it.
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Greta continues hammering away at the fiendish gargoyle.
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Caliban nods at Aron, spinning on his heel and working across the camp as quickly as may be, Break to the side, let us clear these monsters and free our friends! he waves for the soldiers standing next to him to follow him and Aron across the camp. Selann, step to your left! the elf calls out.
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Benedic sets down Beatrics-- who doesn't seem displeased to have been rescued, but is still eyeing Benedic with fiery annoyance-- and concentrates on the gargoyle that is still threatening them. He swings again at its tough hide, relying on Radiance to see them through.
Tristan smells the salt of the sea that he visited when growing up in....dirt and blood! Screams and roars! The true sounds of the battle penetrate the dreaming Inquisitor! Tristan's blue eyes dart to the happenings about him. He watch Junior's scribe geting slashed and hacked and clawed and mauled and it even appears that the bard stubbed her pinky toe!
You will die for that!
Tristan strides into a melee position to take advantage of the soldiers!
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With Benedic's friend dropped by the now dead gargoyle, and Greta smashing her opponent Selann scans the area quickly. He runs back over by where he was at the start of the battle and calls on Mythic power to cast a blast of fire at the fiendish Gargoyle battling there. Two lines of fire stream at it. Perfectly aimed, and Selann pumped additional arcane energy into the first blast in order to overwhelm its Abyssally resistant flesh.
Greta continues hammering away at the fiendish gargoyle. This thing was tough, she could see the cracks she had already slammed into it. This thing should already be rubble. She listened well to Junior's song, the Wrath of Heaven empowering her hits and with a pair of mighty swings, celestial light wreaths her hammer. The fiendish gargoyle let out an unearthly scream as it collapsed into a pile of abyssal pebbles.
Caliban nods at Aron, spinning on his heel and working across the camp as quickly as may be, Break to the side, let us clear these monsters and free our friends! he waves for the soldiers standing next to him to follow him and Aron across the camp. Selann, step to your left! the elf calls out.
Tristan smells the salt of the sea that he visited when growing up in....dirt and blood! Screams and roars! The true sounds of the battle penetrate the dreaming Inquisitor! Tristan's blue eyes dart to the happenings about him. He watch Junior's scribe geting slashed and hacked and clawed and mauled and it even appears that the bard stubbed her pinky toe!
You will die for that!
And Tristan, true to his word, kept that promise.
With the major threats now defeated, the soldiers manage to either kill or drive off any remaining Gargoyles. Giving the Crusaders an opportunity to check on their missing, their casualties and their dead.
The one advantage of a crusader army is there are plenty of paladins around to lay on hands.
Captain Kamilo approaches the leadership of the Knights of Kenabres.
"Reporting in, deaths and injuries were minimal to the bulk of the army. Reports are they were more interested in taking prisoners than looking to kill. Only the gods know where they've taken the prisoners."
"How many missing,?" asks Irabeth.
"About a dozen in all, including Aravashnial, Horgus and Captain Jhestander."
"Maybe he really is cursed," mutters Aron, earning a poke from Sosiel.
"Any clue where they may have been taken? Asks Anevia.
Further up the ravine is a shrine that was abandoned when Drezen fell. A place for crusaders of all goodly faiths could stop and pray. It's more than possible the Gargoyles are nesting there.
"And who would be interested in kidnapping soldiers?
Nulkineth: A half-Nabasu Inquisitor of Kabriri, called the thief of casualties by some. Nulkineth has a reputation for kidnapping sleeping and wounded soldiers and either sacrificing them to Kabriri, feeding them to his Nabasu extended family or handing them over to his ghoul priests for conversion to ghoulhood or as food for ghoul minions.
For more on Nabasu it is a DC 24 Kn. Planes check.
Nabasus are birthed directly into the Material Plane from the Abyss, where they feed on innocent souls to mature. Only when finally sated can a nabasu return to the Abyss. Rumor holds that even then the nabasu’s lifecycle does not change, and that further developments await them as they continue to grow. These vile demons form from the souls of evil gluttons, particularly from cannibals, blood-drinkers, and those who prefer the tang of undead flesh.
Junior rushes to the commander's tent and retrieves a map of the area. He points, "Here. This ravine, there's this shrine that was abandoned after Drezen was taken." He grins, "If I were a betting man, that's the place I'd start to look."
Junior sees Amelia thinking hard about something and tells her, "You got this."
She replies after a moment, "No sorry."
Tristan cleans his dusty blade before replacing it back in its scabbard. The youth looks about the camp. Proud and comforted by the alertness and response of the soldiers, he begins questioning those that were on duty to see if they seen which direction the ambushers come from.
Not being versed in History, Geography or Local customs, the Inquisitor eyes jealously Junior and Amelia.....
Following the pair to the command tent and peering at the spot where Junior points out, Tristan nods in agreement (even though Inquisitors are not knowledgeable in such things....
Perhaps, our small group go retrieve our comrades, while the main force continues onward. We can catch up. It will be easier for a small force to traverse the enviroment without stirring up too much ruckus.
He peers at the map.
We can reconvene here.
"We definitely can't abandon them," Greta agrees. "I'm not crazy about splitting off from the rest of the army, but if that's the best course of action then we should do it quickly before anyone decides to try a second assault. If any of the ones that got away report to another force about where we are, they could end up attacking the main force while we're away... unless we go and get back before they can get here."
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"A wise course of action. If the shrine is where you say it is, it would be a logistical nightmare getting the Army up there. We'll decamp now and get marching. We'll meet where Tristan has indicated. Do you want any further support? Asks Irabeth.
Irabeth will be busy leading the March, and nobody has seen any sign of Nurah since Selann cast vanish on her at the beginning of the fight.
Selann is satisfied with the plan and ready to head out. Glancing around he is surprised that Nurah isn't around. The vanish would have expired before the battle was fully over but he assumed that she would have had opportunity to hide. "Has anyone seen Nurah? I cast Vanish on her at the beginning of the battle so the gargoyles wouldn't see her."
Tristan nods in accordance to Irabeth's permission. The Inquisitor readies to depart for the abandoned shrine.
This should be done quickly. Junior can you help March us along faster?
Once the group begins the trek to the shrine, the Inquisitor stops every so often to read their surroundings for signs.
Apparently every time Tristan stops, a bird f*+#ing s*~+s in his blue eyes!
This place sucks.
Greta stays at the front of the group, ready to defend her companions from whatever threats they encounter.