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Vendric wakes up in a good mood. Seems he had a pleasant dream.
Nightwolf "So we heading out to the other temple today?"
Vendric: "That was the plan. After we have Sara send a small progress report back to Drezen."
Sarathel: "I did that last night, so that I would be refreshed with the morning. My sister will be sending out a small contingent to hold the shrine."
Vendric: "That is good to hear. May Desna protect them on their journey here."
Sarathel smiles. "It is Her shrine, so I suppose She has reason to."
As they are setting out, they see a rain of frozen hands and fingers pelting down outside the cave's safety. During and after the storm, which clears up around 10 AM, some of the twisted grey and orange plants snap up the parts.
Vendric: "This place never ceases to surprise me. Wonder if we will be in for a eye ball storm soon."
Sarathel: "I wonder where all the parts are coming from... but I suspect I don't want to know the answer."
Tomas Castonello: "I'm wondering if that weather phenomenon is caused by a spell. Perhaps as a scare tactic."
Sarathel: "Does it have an arcane aura?"
Vendric: "Probably best that way. And I would say it would be the influence of the Abyss."
Tomas casts detect magic and reports that the fallen parts have no magic auras.
Nightwolf "That's almost more disturbing."
But on closer inspection many have scales, claws, and other fiendish features.
Henderson: "Well, they're not magical. It could be an extraplanar feature. Like runoff from a semi-connected plane."
Vendric: "And look to be of a fiendish nature. Definitely from the Abyss."
Sarathel: "After yesterday... sometimes it's too easy to forget how deeply the Abyssal influence has spread through this part of our world... if it is still our world."
Henderson: "The most likely culprit, yeah. Based on the maps and sketches I've seen, the Abyss is the most expansive plane. There could be infinite biomes within it, and any number of geological or meteorological quirks."
Vendric: "Well it's our job to try to keep it from spreading. And who knows maybe we can figure a way to lessen this corruption someday."
Sarathel: "Now there's a dream Sarenrae would approve of."
Vendric: "But shall we continue before we get caught in a body part storm?"
Sarathel: "Yes... but I think I'll keep a watch for potential shelters."
Henderson: shrug "Might as well."
It takes a few days to cross the 50 miles between the two shrines. On the way, they cross a gorge a hunderd feet deep and over a mile across, its bottom covered with volcanic scree, marked with long gashes. Once past it, they enter what remains of a forest. Dead and petrified trees interspersed with Abyssal ones.
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As evening approaches, the silhouette of a tower rises from ragged walls amid the trees ahead. The trees surrounding the ruins are petrified. The southeast tower remains intact.
Vendric downs a few of his extracts (those for arcane sight, barkskin, shield, apsu's shining scales and paragon surge) and his mutagen. "I'd suggest we prepare. Though we know she may be here we don't know what else may wait keeping her here." Vendric waits for the others to complete their preparations, then flies above looking for anything of note.
Nightwolf: "Looks like a possible side stair entrance."
Vendric: "I see a few auras from the tower." Vendric flies a bit closer to get a better look and finds he has no trouble entering the auras. "Looks like they are hallow, forbiddance and a protection from evil."
Vendric: "I guess those of us who share Desna's alignment can enter unaffected."
Nightwolf: "Powerful holy spells still in effect."
Vendric: "Sara and Tomas I'd stand clear of it for now." He shows them the border on this side of the wall.
Sarathel: "That means I'll have to keep my distance?"
Nightwolf: "Hmm, if the effect may be detrimental to some of our company perhaps we should try the main door instead."
Vendric: "Its forbiddance. Those who don't share the alignment of the spell will be harmed. Since I was able to enter without a problem I am guessing mine is it. I am curious as to the source of the spell. We need to investigate further." He flies up above the wall to get a better view. "Well, seems the spell is indeed effective. I see a few dead demons and a few at the border more to the northwest and west."
Nightwolf: "So main entrance?"
Vendric: "There is a small walkway from there that leads in but no break in the aura. You'd all have to enter it still. But it seems to be holding the demons at bay."
Nightwolf: "If the aura allows you to pass unharmed it should me as well. Tomareth and Sara are another story."
Sarathel: "Perhaps we should wait here? If the two of you can reach the tower unharmed, then if our ...ally... is inside, you could escort her out to us?"
Nightwolf "You're one of them thinkers aren't ya."
Sarathel: "Sometimes."
Vendric: "I can give you a lift inside Nightwolf. And that may be better. less risk for us for now."
Nightwolf "Very well, but warn me first if you intend to drop me."
A second drake and rider flies down to an open patch on the eastern walkway, roaring out an alarm.
Nightwolf "Or not."
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Nightwolf takes flight under his own Mythic power, gaining protection from evil as he nears the tower, raining arrows into the incubus riding the drake that had sounded the alarm. The Shoanti's volley pincushions the incubus riding the nearer drake, carrying him off the drake's back despite the archer's new rope-burn garnered from a bad loosing of his bowstring. "Ouch, still getting used to flying."
Vendric: "It does take some time to get the feel of it."
Tomas Castonello: "Flying is a good idea though. Sara, we should get airborne so we don't get left out."
Sarathel nods. "But I'll need to keep one arm free if I'm to cast any spells." She steps over to TomaSkinnareth, wrapping an arm around their scaly neck, and leaning behind their shoulders. Tomas Castonello was about to cast a spell, but feeling his love's arms around him makes him feel like this is a better plan.
The derakni flies up from the main gate to perch on the courtyard's west wall and casts a spell that has no apparent effect. The other drake rider flies over, casting a spell which melts when it comes against Nightwolf's protection.
Skinnareth takes control of his wings and takes off, moving up and around the barrier. From afar he can see the enemies, but not wanting to go ahead of his comrades, he simply casts barkskin upon Sara to protect her.
Vendric flies up to the bunch of demons, his path bringing him his own protection from evil and tosses bombs, taking down one of the half-dozen grimslakes and wounding the derakni perched on the nearby wall.
The undirected rift drake pits out a large glop of viscous acid that splatters Vendric's legs as he dodges the spray.
((Thus ends the 53rd session))
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One of the balls of light floats over to the stricken grimslake, and zaps it with a short bolt of lightning.
Nightwolf "Looks like those little balls of light are on our side?"
Vendric: "May be they aren't on any side. They appear to be evil."
Nightwolf fires a volley at the now-riderless drake, five arrows piercing its wings and chest, and flies down to the tower's door. He yells towards it. "Hey, anyone home?"
The reply echoes in his, and his allies' minds. "Indeed I am! Thank you for the assistance, Nightwolf. I never expected you'd return the favor, one day." A volley of arrows trailing streams of silvery light, like tiny meteors emerges from the upper floor's arrow slit. "Apologies for taking so long to pitch in." The arrows continue glowing after two strike the remaining incubus in shoulder and bicep, the third flying past the drake's wing to clatter off the northern roof.
Vendric: "Those are some nice looking arrows."
The feminine voice replies into their minds. "Thank you. One of Desna's starbows awaited me here."
Vendric: "I look forward to seeing it and properly meeting each other after we deal with these guys first."
The Grimslake in in the southern corner fires a black ray at Nightwolf. One of the northern cluster does the same towards Vendric, both missing.
Zullion and Pharah fly like an arrow at the rider, almost ignoring the burning caused by the barrier as they slam into their foe.
Vendric: "I warned you about the aura. Hope you two are okay."
The lance and claws find the rider's vitals, and he tumbles to the stairs below.
Vendric: "Good one. Seems you two still work well as a team."
Zullion: "We try, been busy training the others, good to stretch our legs and wings, isn't it girl?" he rubs her neck and ears.
Pharah gives a piercing cry of approval.
The demon with fly wings, insectoid lower half and a vaguely humanoid upper half (the derakni) fires a black ray at Zullion, hitting him squarely.
Zullion gasps as he feels a large amount of life force leave his body, he sags in the saddle, but manages to still hold on to his weapon, his eyes narrow at his assailant.
Vendric: "You okay there?"
Zullion can barely whisper, so he simply shakes his head and points to the caster. Another grimslake fires a black ray at Pharah, but hits the nearer rift drake instead. That rift drake flies back a few feet, and spits a large glop of sticky acid at the two who just took out its rider. Pharah dodges down, under the worst of it, forgetting that this leaves Zullion in the stuff's direct line. Sarathel is carried into range to channel healing. As the golden wave washes over the wounded rift drake, the creature is washed in flames, leaving it shaking its head. Another grimslake hits a wall with another black ray.
Vendric flies a bit closer to the derakni as he prepares to toss a bunch of holy bombs. "Well we can't have you do that again to my friends." It is pelted by five waves of brilliant butterflies, only falling as the last dissolves into starlight. "Well we won't need to worry about his spells anymore."
Seeing her two closest allies get hurt in such a brutal manor, Lerial rushes forward hoping to provide aid as soon as possible, but halts as the forbiddance blocks her way. Nightwolf's next volley finishes off the dazzled drake, which falls to the ground with a great thump. Another stream of meteor-arrows shoots towards the remaining drake, only the first striking its chest. One of the northern grimslakes stubbornly, and successfully fires at Vendric. And the southern grimslake fires at Nightwolf, instead hitting the nearby floating ball. The grimslake at the bottom of the stairs misses Pharah with another ray, and she charges the furthest northern worm-thing, which is raked by the gryphon, but dodges her beak despite being skewered by Zullion's lance. grimslake falls still, though its hide tears at the claws tearing at it. The grimslake moves from the corner of the stairs to attack the gryphon, stinging itself as Pharah dodges its tail. The remaining rift drake flies in to attack Zullion. Sarathel is carried in to heal some more. She heals only her allies, choosing to have the nearest grimslake be washed in flame.
A grimslake slithers in, reaching out with its stinger, pulling Zullion from his saddle into its coils. Vendric throws more bombs at the nearest grimslake. "Well looks like we got a few more of these things left, then a drake." It and the will-o'-wisps near it fall, their lights extinguished. Another will-o'-wisp shocks the grimslake, finishing it off.
Zullion: "Get off me you filthy insect!"
Nightwolf "Hang on Z, I'm coming!"
Vendric: "I'm glad these wisps seem to like finishing off these worms more than firing at us."
The grimslake grappling Zullion falls limp as Nightwolf's paired arrows are followed by a third. The last two arrows bounce off the rift drake's scaled hide. Arushalae fires meteor-arrows at the remaining grimslake near Zullion, piercing it with one. It falls, and is zapped by a floating ball of light.
Nightwolf "Maybe they like how they taste."
Pharah begins to claw at the drake next to her. The exhausted drake is torn apart and she screeches in victory!
Sarathel: "That or they like to attack whatever looks helpless. They weren't fighting when we arrived, after all."
The southern grimslake disappears underground. Sarathel heals her friends once more. The grimslake shot down by Arushaleae also visibly heals.
Vendric:"Seems this is the last thing left. these wisps may indeed not bother us so long as we aren't dying." his holy bombs finish off the grimslake... and the wisps gathering to zap it.
Vendric and Nightwolf think they hear a door open, from north and upstairs.
((Thus ends the 54th session))
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Nightwolf flies east and up, his attention drawn by the door to the roofed area now standing open where previously it was closed.
Nightwolf: "The door is open but I don't see anyone." He nocks an arrow, eyes sharp for a target.
Arushalae emerges from the tower, bow in hand. Zullion begins to extract himself from the grimslake's remains. When he was clear he mounts up again and moves to the edge of the barrier.
Arushalae: "Beware! The hag priestess remains!"
Vendric flies to get better a better sight at the open door. As Vednric flies over, his arcane sight detects a melange of auras... sized to fit over a Large creature.
Vendric: "I see auras but no creature. It's invisible but just right outside the door."
Zullion: "What do you suggest we do then?" he calls.
Vendric throws a bomb at the spot.
"Never mind." Zullion chuckles as he hears the explosion.
As the glowing butterflies swarm and disperse, the hag's form is momentarily outlined for Nightwolf, and the Shoanti fires, his arrow striking and vanishing from sight.
Vendric: "I think I hit it And not just with the blast."
A dark wave rolls out from the auras only Vendric can see, carrying cold pain with it. Arushalae fires at the center of the dark wave. As the shimmering arrows pierce the darkness, the hag is revealed in their wake, one arrow piercing her shoulder. She wears a medallion showing a pair of crossed female hands with slit wrists.
Nightwolf: "Peak-a-boo."
Vendric: "I think I preferred it when she was invisible. But at least she should be easier to hit now."
Zullion: "Your evil ends today you beast, no longer shall you plague this land!"
Jaruunicka sneers as the knight rides in, his lance blocked by an invisible barrier before her. "You think yourself my match, hiding in your tin can?"
Jaruunicka curses the gryphon as it bites her. Sarathel responds to the wave of darkness with one of light, which turns to fire as it passes over the hag.
The Shoanti's first arrow strikes the hag's other shoulder, and after an instant's hesitation, the second strikes home as well, but the others are turned aside by the invisible barriers.
Vendric: "Well we got a taste of your power. Care to try some of mine?"
Vendric throws a volley of bombs. Jaruunicka cackles as the bombs fly, and falls under the barrage of blazing butterflies.
The area falls silent. Nothing else stirs to attack.
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Vendric: "Was she the last thing left here?" he asks the demoness.
Arushalae: "I've heard them thinking about a hezrou and bebilith in the area... but they didn't answer to the hag, unlike the others."
Vendric: "Well the area seems quiet for now. Perhaps some proper introductions are in order while we can."
Arushalae smiles at her rescuers. "Yes. I am Arushalae. One of Desna's less likely servants."
Vendric gives a slight bow as he introduces himself. "I am called Vendric. And as you can probably tell, I am also a follower of Desna."
((Thus ends session 55.))
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Nightwolf: "I am a Desnan as well... though less obviously so than my winged comrade."
Arushalae smiles. "It is good to finally be in the company of others who have heard the Song of the Spheres. Are the rest of your company also united in the faith?"
Vendric: "They are not but most worship at least a good deity."
Nightwolf: "We have among us followers of other good deities as well."
Altruis: "Sadly, we are not united in faith. I for one worship Iomedae."
Sara: "I'm most devoted to Sarenrae, though I can appreciate some of the other deities' good points."
Nightwolf: "And then there is 'Skinny. He mostly worships himself, I think."
Vendric:"Himself and shiny things."
Altruis: "Himself and shiny things is right, good Vendric."
Sara pauses. "Tomas's upbringing showed him little of the positive faiths. I think he is still growing to understand the good they help us accomplish."
Altruis: "The good they help us strive for."
Arushalae chuckles. "A varied group then. Nonetheless, you all have my thanks."
Vendric: "Desna is the one who deserves the thanks here. Without Her guidance who knows when we would have arrived to save you."
Arushalae bows her head reverently. "Without Her, I would not be worth saving. But... you see what I am, and you so easily take my word on this?"
Nightwolf: "We heard rumors of your escape, and saw the evidence for ourselves. If one other than Desna could be responsible for that I know not who."
Vendric: "Not just your word. Lady Desna confirmed your story to me back when we first heard of you. Her word is kind of hard to not believe."
The succubus laughs. "I found it so as well. But my kind is well known for our treachery and manipulation... is there no test you wish to make to ensure I am not some other demon assuming a guise you have been urged to welcome?"
Vendric: "Well I know one way. Care to lend me your hand a moment?"
Arushalae offers it to him. Vendric pulls out a vial of holy water and pours some on it, then tosses the rest at a nearby demon corpse to show it was indeed holy water. Arushalae's eyes widen in amazement as the holy water gathers in her cupped palm like... water.
Nightwolf: "It seems you needed that test more than we."
Arushalae continues staring at her hand. "I... had hoped my efforts had borne fruit...that the weakening of my powers was not a lingering effect of the Drezen dungeons, but a step towards something worth being..."
Vendric: "Seems you are still on the right path. Though you still have a way to go down it."
Altruis: "Smiled upon? Yes, yours is a noble path."
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Arushalae looks up. "But this...I do not mean to distract you from what matters more. Before I was caught, I was able to discover some things that may aid the crusade's efforts... how much do you know of the Nahyndrian crystals?"
Altruis: "Almost nothing."
Nightwolf: "I recall the name from enemy notes, but we know little about them."
Arushalae nods. "They are said to be formed of fragments from the shattered life force of slain Demon Lords. These followers of Baphomet and Deskari have been mining them, somewhere in the Abyss, and refining them here in the Worldwound. Once refined, they're able to use them to imbue sufficiently evil creatures with power unheard of outside myth and legend. I was captured when I was infiltrating the headquarters where the locations of this refinery and mine are mapped."
Vendric: "Well that certainly doesn't sound like a good thing. Do you think the location of this refinery is still in the place you got captured? If so we need to find it and put a stop to it."
Nightwolf: "So what you're saying is they must be stopped."
Arushalae nods. "I think that it's our best lead, at least. The one time someone made it inside, they were caught, so they are confident of its defenses. And until they learn I have joined with you, they will have no reason to think you so much as know where to look."
Vendric: "Then sounds like our next target will be this place. Wonder what other information they may have in there."
"It's called the Ivory Sanctum, and is hidden near the northern edge of the Greengates' remnant. I can draw you a partial map of the layout... just what I saw before my capture." Arushalae flushes with embarrassment.
Vebdric: "That is much more than we normally would have to plan with."
"And being caught is never the high point of a spy's career." Arushalae admits ruefully.
Vendric: "All this info will be helpful. And I imagine being captured would never be anyone's high point."
Arushalae considers. "Not unless infiltration of the prison is the goal, at any rate."
Vendric: "True."
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Vendric: "I know in the past this place was a holy site for Desna. Is that what is the cause of this aura of forbiddance around the tower or is that your doing?"
Arushalae smiles. "A little of both. The tower holds an artifact which I activated to produce the effect when the other demons were closing in on me." She looks around at her rescuers. "You have heard of the Bells of Mercy?"
Nightowlf: "Please enlighten me."
Vendric: "So the bell survived all these years. They are indeed a powerful artifact. No wonder you been able to hold up in this place so long being outnumbered."
Arushalae nods. "There was also a cache with the starbow and swallowtail bracers among other gear with which I took the liberty of equipping myself."
Altruis: "Enlighten us, Sir Vendric."
Vendric: "Though its magic is limited to once a year it pretty much fortifies an area and the building its rung in and near. Making it nearly impossible for evil outsiders to even come close to it. Those that somehow manage would be severely weakened."
Nightwolf: "Only once a year, how long does the protection last?"
Arushalae: "For a year, as with any effect that imbues hallowed ground."
Nightwolf: "Can this bell be moved?"
Vendric: "It is well guarded from teleportation magic from what i heard. But a group of strong men should be able to move it like any normal bell."
"By any means save teleportation." Arushalae confirms.
Nightwolf: "Does the protection move with the bell I wonder or is it stationary once rung? I hate to leave such a powerful artifact in demon controlled lands. On the other hand we have a garrison of paladins back at Drezen that many not appreciate all of the bell's effects."
Vendric: "Its protection is limited to the area its rung in."
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Arushalae: "As I have seen, my talents are less well suited to open combat than yours... if you think you could put any of these things to better use, they are yours."
Vendric: "As for the other items. I am not particularly skilled with a bow so they would go to waste in my use. Though i would like a chance to examine them as well as this bell."
Nightwolf: "You seem proficient enough with that bow to me, and I've grown rather attached to mine. What magic do swallowtail bracers provide? The name implies Desnan origin."
Arushalae: "The bracers give the bearer a bit of good luck, and the ability to contact someone known by name or rank in a dream once a day. They also reflect any nightmares cast at the wearer. For Desnans, at least."
Nightwolf: "I would not say no to that."
Vendric: "That could come in handy for any of us."
Arushalae half-smiles. "I only regret that I have but the one pair to offer." She takes them off and holds out the bracers.
Vendric: "I will pass them to someone who may need them more. Though i would like a closer look at the bell."
Arushalae gestures to the tower. "You are welcome to come up."
Nightwolf accepts the bracers, brushing arushalae's hand gently as he does so. "I shall put these to good use in the service of Desna."
Arushalae smiles. "I am sure that you will."
Nightwolf: "Let's have the tour."
Arushalae turns to the tower.
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"Huh thats weird." Vendric begins to head towards the northern building. "Do any of you feel that?"
Sara frowns. "Feel what?"
"I'm not sure. But it's like a calling." Vendric continues following the feeling. It leads him down the hall the hag had emerged from, to a circular room furnished as a bedchamber. The feeling comes from behind the dresser, and halfway down the wall. Vendric moves the dresser as he then examines the wall. Trying to find the source of this calling. "I feel like its here somewhere."
Nightwolf and the others follow with some concern. Nightwolf and Vendric spot a loose stone in the right area of the wall. Vendric pries it out with his knife.
The stone is much narrower than those surrounding it, in the cavity behind is a folded bundle of cloth.
Vendric: "Did anyone else hear that?"
Sara frowns. "Hear what?"
Vendric: "Like a voice in my head. I think it came from this cloth."
Nighwolf: "You've cracked friend, talking cloth?"
Sara considers. "On the other hand, something led him here."
Vendric holds up the cloth as he says out loud. "Well to prove I am not losing it to the others would be a good reason. And you've been waiting for me?"
Altruis: "Could be magic."
A dry, sulky voice echoes in their minds. "Spoilsport."
"Well that explains the weird calling I felt." Vendric unfolds the cloth and shows it in its full form. A cloak that looks like a standard travelers on the out side but upon gazing at the inner lining they would see the night sky shining with stars. But as the cloak moves the inner pattern seems to stay in place as more sky is shown. Like looking in a window as opposed to a painting. "So what are you?"
"Oh dear... a blind child of Desna... I never would have thought... I'm a cloak."
Nightwolf: "A talking cloak, I suppose next my bow will sprout lips."
Vendric: "Well that I can see but your no ordinary cloak. Ordinary cloaks can't talk."
"I am the cloak of the wanderer. I can help you reach far vistas and places you only remember. I can also share my strong will and help with your reflexes and resilience, just a bit."
Vendric: "Well that sounds like your pretty useful. Do you have a name besides what you are? Something less of a mouth full than cloak of the wanderer? Would be tiring to have to say that every time we needed to talk to you.
"Well... the person who made me called me 'Zipit' rather often..."
"I wonder why." Vendric snorts. "How about Zip then? Nice and short and seems fitting for something that can make traveling faster."
Zip: "While rather undignified for a cloak of my magnificence... I suppose it works as an identifier. So... where shall we go? The top of the tower? I should be able to take us to the roof of the tower."
Vendric: "Seems like a fitting test run. When you're ready then."
Zip: "Just one... tiny little detail... you have to don me."
Vendric dons the cloak. Momentarily, he finds himself standing on top of the tower roof. "Well this will come in handy. Can you go further than this if we had to?"
Zip: "A bit farther, yes. Quite a ways farther actually. Over a couple hundred yards."
Vendric: "Good to know."
((Thus ends session 56.))
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Nightwolf: "I hate to leave the bell unprotected but hopefully the forbiddance effect will protect it until we can send someone to retrieve it. I'd hate to see such an artifact fall into the hands of the Abyss."
Vendric: "Indeed. Such a important and sacred artifact shouldn't be left here for long."
Arushalae: "On the other hand, it has survived here ever since the Worldwound opened."
Vendric: "It has but I would feel better to know it was somewhere we could protect it should the enemy now seek to destroy it. They may have though it wasn't worth the effort before but after it being used to fend them off it may be something they will try now."
Arushalae: "Or they may remain content that it is protecting something of no value to any. My...former kind are capable of laziness."
Nightwolf: "The difficulty of moving it will apply to the enemy as well, perhaps more so for a force that usually depends on teleportation and flight for long distance travel."
Arushalae nods. "I have not been able to teleport for decades, and other forms of travel still feel unnaturally slow."
Vendric: "That I have no doubt but leaving something so connected to Desna unprotected doesn't sit right with me. At the very least I would like to take it to the restored Desnan temple we found on our way here."
Nightwolf: "and I doubt they could destroy it without moving it first, or waste the resources defending it here."
Arushalae: "Correct. It can only be destroyed if first moved to the Abyss...and only if it's there brought to a balor with an unholy adamantine longsword."
Nightwolf "The temple or Drezen, the problem remains, how?"
Vendric: "Perhaps Sara has some magic to assist that. or we can send some troops to pick it up and bring it to the temple."
Sarathel: "I can pray for one or two of us be be able to carry twice as much. And it's certainly big enough for several to fit around its rim."
Zullion: "Let me have a word with Pharah first, maybe I can get her to help out."
Pharah cocks her head and hisses, listens, paws the ground, then finally nods with a snap of her beak.
Zullion: He chuckles and scritches her behind the ear "Always"
Vendric: "And I can summon a Phantom Steed that could assist the move as well. Should we want to try taking it to the temple ourselves."
Pharah leans into the scratching, glaring at the others as though challenging them to make something of it.
Zullion turns to the others "She is willing to help us with this little problem."
Arushalae: "Then there's only the problem of getting it out of the tower. It should -just- fit through the trap door... are there enough of us to drag or roll it that far?"
Nightwolf: "One or two of us should be able to drag or roll it."
Vendric: "Should be though I doubt I will be much help. Brute strength isn't my strong suit."
Arushalae looks to Vendric and Nightwolf. "Perhaps the three of us can get it out of the tower?"
Nightwolf: "Lifting and carrying long distances, that's the real difficulty."
Vendric: "Give me a minute to brew something up and I could be more help dragging it down."
Arushalae: "It doesn't look as though we are now in any particular hurry."
Vendric begins to brew a bull's strength.
As the Desnans go to move the bell, it becomes clear that Arushalae and Nightwolf each need only a little help with it.
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Vendric: "So we taking it to the Temple? Hopefully the troops we asked to be stationed there made it by now."
Arushalae: "It is one option... but it won't be able to protect that place for nearly a year."
Vendric: "Even so a Desnan temple seems like a good home for a Desnan artifact."
Nightwolf "Perhaps Drezen would be a better place to store it for the next year."
Arushalae: "Is it in good repair? I haven't had a chance to see a Desnan holy place since my conversion." There's longing in her voice.
Nightwolf "Then it can be moved to the Desnan temple."
Nightwolf "It is along the way in any case and a good place to rest for a night."
Nightwolf "You will love it there."
Vendric: "Should be. It was recently renovated and reclaimed. But the workers who did were quite good."
Arushalae smiles. "I certainly hope so."
Vendric: "Well if Pharah is ready and the bell is secure we can make our way there now. The Azatas who repaired the temple were quite skilled. I'm sure you will like it."
Arushalae smiles. "I look forward to it. There is... another way I can aid you. I retain the ability to bestow a gift to enhance an aspect of another's being. It would mean we could speak into each others' minds from any distance. And while I could remove it at any time and thus harm your personality... I have no intention of doing so."
Arushalae: "I'm... not sure how many I could so bestow, right now. The process of changing has weakened my powers, in some respects."
Zullion: "To show that there is the trust from us, I will accept your gift"
Nightwolf "I would accept your gift, but only if it does not harm you."
Vendric: "I would as well."
Arushalae: "Bestowing such gifts has never harmed me. But as there is more than one volunteer, and I am unsure how many I can bestow, how shall we decide who receives it first? The tossing of coins?"
Nightwolf "The choice should be yours."
Vendric: "We will leave it up to you. Or what you decide to leave it up to."
Arushalae looks them over. "What would each of you have me enhance?"
Nightwolf "My agility, to increase my aim with a bow."
Vendric: "My mind power so I can continue to find more way's to help with my Intelligence."
Arushalae smiles at Vendric. "Then you seek more Wisdom to complement your native intelligence?"
Zullion thinks for a bit "My fortitude and resilience."
Arushalae throws three coins into the air, and they all come down tails. She laughs. "That's not very helpful. Perhaps that is the wrong way to invoke the judgement of the Song of the Spheres... why don't you each flip your own coin? And if there is one which is different, there I will bestow my gift."
Vendric: "Sounds like a better plan."
Zullion chuckles as he and Nightwolf flip their coins and they both land as tails. A moment later, Vendric draws a single coin to flip, and it lands as heads.
Arushalae steps over to Vendric, and leans over resting her hand briefly on top of his head to bestow her gift of Wisdom. She smiles, then sighs. "I'm afraid that was it, at least until my change is complete."
Nightwolf "Then come, let us show you Desna's temple."
Arushalae grins, pulling back from Vendric. "I very much look forward to it."
Vendric: "Well unless there is more here we need to do guess we can head off."
They head out, Pharah flying with Zullion on her back, and carrying the bell in her talons.
((Thus ends session 57.))