The battle at the top of the tower where Gwaelind, Song of Wind is entombed, begins in earnest.

Init    Name                Health     AC   Special                                  .
21      Kairo               ???/???    ??   In Grotto
21      Saris               96/96      14   With Kairo
15      Ferb                21/21      18   With Kairo

18      Ano                 77/77      17
16      Xarini              78/78      18
15      Toben               42/42      15
14      Ryland              49/49      18
14      Xar                 80/80      17
12      Klale               84/84      24

11      Duath'gur           ????/????  ??     Sculpt Sound on Voice; Acts every other round

Duath'gur starts to move forward in a slow, ponderous fashion.  His enormous, rocky hands grip the sides of the platform as his face moves forward.  The compression wave of his movement alone will be enough to stagger those not prepared for it.  Whatever is about to come out of his mouth will likely be fatal to any in the direct path who aren't ready for it.

[Fortitude vs Compression Wave DC 19 or be staggered for 1 round if on the ground.  If in the air, the Compression Wave will move you back 60', no save, but you aren't staggered.

quote:

A staggered character may take a single move action or standard action each round (but not both, nor can they take full-round actions).

]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:10, Tue 26 Sept 2017.

Xarini can be heard speaking to the Maiar inside, but her voice is muffled.  The door stays closed.

The tower rumbles again, this time significantly stronger and the tremor lasts a bit longer as a palpable spark of energy fills the area.

An ominous roar softly echoes from beneath the clouds.

The roar is echoed by another roar similar in timbre and slightly higher in pitch.  The sound is swallowed by the clouds and is difficult to determine its source's direction.

Klale beds his knees in a semicrouch. He holds his dragon shield so it guards his face. Hard time is level with his waist. He's breathing deep.

13:41, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 21 using 1d20+10.  Fortitude?

Fighting the new found turbulence, Ryland swoops down and snatches up Ano. He flaps his wings heavily to gain altitude up and away from the incoming attacks. "Please keep your arms and legs within the wingspan at all times, and mind any loose items you may be carrying" he says, about as cheerfully as his guttural voice can be interpreted as.

Xar is nowhere to be seen.

Init    Name                Health     AC   Special                                  .
21      Kairo               ???/???    ??   In Grotto
21      Saris               96/96      14   With Kairo
15      Ferb                21/21      18   With Kairo

12      Klale               84/84      24    Action held; movement held
18      Ano                 77/77      17    Carried by Ryland; Action held
16      Xarini              78/78      18    Inside Tower; Action held
15      Toben               42/42      15    Unknown
14      Xar                 80/80      17    Unknown
14      Ryland              49/49      18    Flying

11      Duath'gur           ????/????  ??     Sculpt Sound on Voice; Acts every other round

As the group scatters, Duath'gur leans forward and unleashes a vast river of lava from his mouth.  The clinging, firey stream wholly engulf's Klale but no one else is near enough to feel anything more than a sharp rise in temperature.  The lava slams into the door of the tower and parts around the round room, rising to the roof or cascading off the sides in an eerie red mockery of a waterfall.

The lava has done some damage to the surface of the platform and blackened the walls of the tower where it touched, but everything seems sturdy enough yet.  A mild blue cascade of electrical energy washes over the top of the tower and disappears into the tiny metal rod at the top.

[Klale is within 30' of the Maia's chest and can strike melee if he so chooses.
Ryland/Ano are 100' above and 90' back.  At full move, Ryland could reach the Maia, but could not take any standard action or greater.
The door is 100' from the Maia's chest.

Klale held both move and action and may act first.
If you held action but not movement, you may act next.
If you held neither (Ryland), then you will act last this round.

Duath'gur does not act this round.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:10, Tue 26 Sept 2017.

The lava engulfs Klale, the earth-attuned man, It pours upon his shield and runs down like reluctant rain. As the lava subsides, the unshaken, unharmed warrior bounds forward, strides, and—grim-faced, silent—leaps to hack and slash! The grim's Hard Time slices through one cheek, leaving flaps; grooves along the tongue, and slices the front of the other cheek. The maia's mouth begins to fill with bodily essense. Klale sets himself, and readies....

15:39, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 10 using 4d6 with rolls of 3,1,5,1.  Damages.

Damages: 4*4 = 16 6+4 10 = 28 (If I did it right; forgot to take 20)

15:42, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 16 using 1d20 with rolls of 16.  Confirm Critical.

15:37, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 32 using 2d20 with rolls of 18,14.  To Hits: +13 +8.

13:41, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 21 using 1d20+10.  Fortitude?

From inside the tower comes a muffled female curse.  The stone walls and thick stone door do not allow the sound to come through well, but it sounds something to the effect of: "I a eh ou!  Uh or i oo o!"

Tremors throughout the tower come more frequently now, and with them comes minute arcs of lightning chaining across gaps in the stone.

Far below, a massive disturbance in the clouds begins to swirl.

Xar still does not appear.

"We only have one shot at this before grumpy here figures us out. Take his head off it you can"

Ryland picks up speed in a dive and swoops over beyond the dischord's head. He flaps backwards hard to slow their momentum at the last second and releases his grip of Ano.

As Ryland release Ano he tucks into a tight roll for his landing and comes up on his feet upon the shoulder of the giant being. He places on hand on the stone of the discord of earth and reaches back with his other gathering his energy.  The energy forms around his fist and begins to change color as he speaks, from red, to Orange, to brilliant yellow. KOR! NAR! I!

Ano takes 15 to hit for a total of 24.
07:50, Today: Ano rolled 23 using 3d8+12.  Damage.

Going to assume he is too big for knock back damage

This message was last edited by the player at 11:51, Tue 26 Sept 2017.

Klale's blade sends pieces of the Maia's face exploding out into the sky along with sprays of lava.  Then Ano lands and a Klale-sized chunk of his neck disintegrates in a spray of debris that falls down into the clouds.  Duath'gur's head writhes back and forth, but it is unclear if it is from pain, anger, or madness.

Focusing on Klale, Duath'gur draws back a great fist over his head many stories into the sky as he prepares to bring it down on the platform.  His other hand grips the edge of the platform to provide more leverage.

As the giant raises his fist to slam down on the platform, Xar leaps out from the tower onto the hand gripping the platform.  He works his way up toward the head moving fast, a natural sprinter as dwarves tend to be.  The run is a long one and he will just reach the other side of Duath'gur's neck by the time Ano and the others are making a second attack against the Maia.

Xar uses full movement this round - 80'.

Init    Name                Health     AC   Special                                  .
        Kairo               ???/???    ??   In Grotto
        Saris               96/96      14   With Kairo
        Ferb                21/21      18   With Kairo

        Xarini              78/78      18    Inside Tower; Action held
        Klale               84/84      24
        Toben               42/42      15    Unknown
        Ryland              49/49      18    Flying
        Ano                 77/77      17
        Xar                 80/80      17

        Duath'gur            -51/????  ??     Sculpt Sound on Voice; Acts every other round

{When Duath'gur hits, anyone on the platform between him and the door will be struck by the fist with crushing damage.  Reflex save DC 15 for half as you will still be hit by flying debris.  Klale, Reflex save means you take no damage from debris as your armor will protect you from it.}
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:10, Tue 26 Sept 2017.

Xarini flings open the door and charges out.  She looks up, sees the fist rising, and scoots back into the doorway, slamming it closed.

Klale attempts to dodge to one side (the side opposite the fist).

12:08, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  C'm Die! Don't fail me now!

Having dropped Ano off, Ryland decides it prudent to size up their monstrous enemy. He flies beyond the main body of what they can see to get a look at the dischord.

Ano runs down the arm that Duath'gur is using to support himself, and stops near the wrist.  He reaches into his pouch and grabs a smoke stick and a tinder twig. He strikes the tinder twig on the hard surface of the discord before lighting the smoke stick.

As the smoke starts to pour out he holds it high towards Ryland.  He uses his other hand to point to the eyes of the great stone head.

The familiar sound of beating wings can be heard, but this time they are much slower and much heavier. Another roar rings out, louder and closer than the first when finally a gargantuan flying beast crests over the top of the tower. For those who encountered Shochraos'altiui, they would definitely recognize it as a dragon, but far larger. Its size nearly rivals that of Duath'gur himself.

The smooth metallic plates that form its face are highly polished and silver in color, almost as if the body of the creature was dipped in mithril. The dragon also has a frill that raises high over its head and continues down its neck and back, all the way down to the tip of its tail. Long spines with dark tips support the frill throughout its length. Its strong facial features and beaklike snout are crowned with two long, sleek and shiny horns that angle back behind its head.

Seeing the Maia's giant fist raised in the air, poised to strike, the mithril colored dragon rushes forward to intercept. With half its body on top of the tower, and the other half dug into the side for leverage, it braces itself for impact. Its equally giant clawed fist locks with Duath'gur's earthy wrist. Stress fractures spiderweb across the stone as a test of strength ensues. It almost appears as if they are in slow motion since neither gives the other any headway. The two dig in with their off hands and massive chunks of stone begin to slough off from all around them. The arcs of lightning begin to grow larger and dance around the dwindling platform.

A deep voice bellows forth. "You. Are not. Welcome here!"


Here is a good example of what you’re looking st:
https://vignette.wikia.nocooki...st?cb=20070318094249
This message was last edited by the player at 15:51, Wed 27 Sept 2017.

Duath'gur's halted fist has caused significant damage to the tower, but it still stands.  The platform is growing unstable as it attempts to bear the weight of a gargantuan dragon.  In a rage, The Maia sends its second hand towards the dragon's throat.

Having waited, Xar stabs his blades into Duath'gur's arms in a double, downward thrust.  The magical blades create a small fisher, but don't do any noticeably significant damage.  As the arm rises, Xar uses his new momentum and allows himself to be catapulted away from the Dischord.  Instead of landing on the tower - given that a huge dragon is there now - he lands instead on the dragon's back, near the base of the neck.

Ryland spies Ano's signal and exclaims "YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?!!". His protest is cut short by the entry of the massive dragon. The gale force of giant wings sends Ryland tumbling head over heels through the air, yelling in panic. The bass in his voice completely escapes him momentarily in the process. He disappears somewhere behind the hulking form of the dischord.

Init    Name                Health     AC   Special                                  .
        Kairo               ???/???    ??   In Grotto
        Saris               96/96      14   With Kairo
        Ferb                21/21      18   With Kairo

        Xarini              78/78      18    Inside Tower; Action held
        Klale               84/84      24
        Ano                 77/77      17
        Toben               42/42      15    Unknown
        Xar                 80/80      17
        Ryland              49/49      18    Flying

        Duath'gur            -61/????  ??     Sculpt Sound on Voice; Acts every other round

{Toben, roll Grapple:  Base attack bonus + Strength modifier + special size modifier (+12)
Please post the results with your actions for my use with Duath'gur's action.  It will not apply until then.  Any actions you take will apply first.}

Xarini can no longer be heard from inside and does not open the door.

Ryland struggle to regain altitude. He s at a presumably safe distance from the dischord, and opts to take a flight path around the perimeter of the battle and not back over the top of the dischord and dragon.

Ano tries to steady himself as the arm he is standing on begins to move upwards toward the dragon.  Whole hanging into the hard stone he begins to focus his Kai again. The energy builds in his hand and flashes through the colors and he shouts "KORN! AR! I!" and punches down at the huge stone wrist.

Ano takes 15 to hit.  total 24
17:25, Today: Ano rolled 22 using 3d8+12.  Damage.

As the arm moves, Klale is ignored; so the big man get set to thrust with full force. Hard Time bites deep; and, as he wrinches the sword back, more damage is done.


Taking 20 and 15 (with a +7). Applying the +13 from To Hit to Damage on first attack.
14:52, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 10 using 4d6 with rolls of 6,1,2,1.  Damages.

14:50, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 14 using 1d20.  Critical Hit. Damage * 2

(7 + 4 +13) * 2 = 48   3+4 = 7   = 55 total damage if I figured correctly.

Between Ano and Klale, the damage is sufficient to create a huge fissure in the Maia's wrist.  It cracks apart and disintegrates under the weight of the hand reaching for the Mithril Dragon. The hand slams into the platform, which crumbles further and the hand tumbles into the clouds.

Klale assesses where it is safe to stand, if such exists.

The dragon bats the amputated arm away with his free hand and lunges at Duath'gur's neck. Its long dagger-like mithril teeth cut deep [23 DMG].

Without a moment's hesitation, the dragon swings around to the back of the giant Maia, positioning the fallen star between itself and the tower. He plants his two hind legs firmly in the center of Duath'gur's back and wraps his forearms up under his shoulders. Finally, he folds his wings in, as if encasing his foe within a mithril tomb. It looks as if he's poised to pull his arms clean off or wrench him from the tower, whichever comes first. The grapple leaves the front of the Maia exposed to any incoming assault.


19:12, Today: Toben Ironsprings rolled 23 using 3d8+13.  Bite damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:37, Thu 28 Sept 2017.

Xar leaps from the dragon onto the colossal earth elemental.  He races around near the front of the neck, standing toward the front of the shoulder, and begins stabbing repeatedly with his daggers.
This message was last updated by the player at 02:01, Thu 28 Sept 2017.

Ryland hold his position in the sky, waiting to swoop in and snatch a comrade from harms way if need be. In the mean time, he emits an eerie chattering sound.

inspire courage: +1 vs charm and fear, +1 to attack and damage

Klale thrusts Hard Time forward, seeking to get between the ribs. The sword penetrates but not as deeply as Klale wished.


11:43, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 9 using 2d6+4.  Damage. Or 10 from Inspire Courage. *1.5 = 13 or 15 damage.

11:42, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 7 using 1d20+2.  Critical Damage.

As the mighty mithril dragon strains to pull the dark maia free of the tower, the heroes continue to pummel the arms, neck and torso.  Chunks of rock and sprays of lava fly into the open space above the clouds and fall out of sight.  Duath'gur rages and his fury echoes between the mountains.

It just isn't enough.

With a mighty heave, Dischord changes the momentum of the struggle and begins pulling himself back toward the tower, his one remaining hand pulling on the stubborn remainder of the platform, practically bonding with it about halfway between the tower and the edge.

The situation seems hopeless.  One hopes that those below are not being struck by the falling debris.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:19, Fri 29 Sept 2017.

Klale strikes twice for what he can reach, probably the hand, wrist, or arm.

20:08, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 15 using 4d6 with rolls of 3,5,5,2.  Damages.
(13+3+5+1)+2 = 50 and 7+4 = 11 = 61 HP damage.
20:08, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  Critical Damage.

Ano makes his way over to where Duath'gur's remaing hand grasps the ledge.  He focuses himself and starts to concentrate,  pulling all the energy he can from inside himself.

Duath'gur begins to pull himself back up, just as Klale's sword comes down on his remaining useful wrist.  A bright red spray of lava shoots horizontally from the wound, covering Klale but doing no damage.  Ano follows up with the last of his dragon-fueled strikes just above the wound, severing the whole thing completely.

The Dischord rocks back, suddenly free of his support.  The mithril dragon's efforts to yank him from the tower seem to be successful at last.

Then a wave of dark energy passes from the head down the neck and through the arms of the maia.  New hands errupt from the stumps at the end, reaching for the platform.  They grip deep and the maia starts to pull again, straining for all he is worth against the weight and strength of the dragon and the others pounding it.

Everything is in balance, the fight stands upon the edge of a knife. It would take but a little, and the heroes will fail, to the ruin of all...

...yet hope remains.

Out of the sky, the second roar sounds again.  A huge green shape of scales and wings hurtles down like a bolt of fury from an angry Valar into the face of the Dischord.  Though the form is only as big as the maia's head, its momentum is so great that it tips the balance, forcing the huge earth elemental back.

The platform tears away, drawing massive chunks of the tower with it.  Everything begins to fall.  Ryland's bat-like form folds its wings and dives toward Ano.  His claws grasp the monk by his gi before Ano truly begins to fall.  Ryland lifts the two of them up and away from the dying tower and the lightning storm coalescing all over the top where Xarini and the other two maiar are hidden.

With a writhing twist, the mithril dragon forces Duath'gur to face the ground, wrenching his torso and forcing him to constrict the tower at his last connection, the great strangle-hold half-way down.  More of the tower shatters and lightning shoots up into the air toward where the top of the tower was.  At that point, the mithril dragon releases his foe and dives out and away from the collapsing tower.

The second, smaller dragon leaps off the maia's face into the air.  A small figure on its back, Saris, holds on with wide eyes.  It swoops underneath Klale and scoops him up before diving away from the descending destruction opposite of the mithril dragon.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 13:22, Fri 29 Sept 2017.

All of a sudden, the air is sucked out of the sky for a moment.  Hair stands on edge, and a voice thunders from above.  "DUATH'GUR!  FEEL THE WRATH OF THE SONG OF ILUVATAR!"

The world goes dark as all present are momentarily blinded by a lightning bolt - wider than the former tower - that engulfs the crumbling form of the Dischord.  When the bolt is gone, nothing of Duath'gur...or the tower, remain.

Vision clears, as does the air.  A beating of wings is heard first, then the sight of four winged beings circling the grotto comes into focus.

A mithril dragon, glorious and reflecting the sun shining through a clear sky.

A much smaller green dragon with Saris, Ferb, and Klale riding on its back.

An elfin looking man in white robes with beautiful silver wings arcing with tiny fingers of lightning.

The familiar dark-skinned form of Delunaur, cradling Xarini like a baby in her arms, her cloak transformed into leathery dark wings ringed in fire.  Delunaur smiles and begins to descend from the mountain toward the tower where she first met the heroes and this particular quest truly began.  By silent consent, the other three follow until all have landed and stand in the courtyard on the mine side of the tower.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 14:18, Fri 29 Sept 2017.

Klale dismounts and lets out a deep breath. He helps Saris down if she needs assistance. Whether or no, he stands before each and inclines his head. To each he says Thank you for saving my life.

He cleans Hard Time if it needs it and looks around. Well done, all. How is Kairo?

The green dragon lowers it's head, but only a little since he is speaking to Klale.  "I'm fine.  Thank you for asking.  How are you?"

The lustrous shine of the mithril dragon's scales begins to fade and its size rapidly diminishes to that of an average-sized human. The massive wings meld back into its forearms and claws shrink down to form hands. Reptilian features shift and morph into much more human looking ones until finally, Toben stands before the others.

With his form now his own, Ferb leaps from his perch on Saris and dashes over towards Toben.

"Aren't you full of surprises, Kairo." He says with a grin. "Thank you for helping us put an end to Duath'gur."

He looks over to Gwaelind. "Assuming he is gone for good."

Gwaelind folded his wings and the lightning cascading over his body and in his eyes faded.  He smiled and shook his head.  "Sadly, no.  That was just an avatar, an elemental construct or extension of his power.  Duath'gur keeps himself buried as far underground as he can.  Where the solid earth grows so hot, it runs like red rivers flowing in an endless circle below the mountains.  He will not risk exposing himself, especially not with so many of my brethren free now. "  He sketches a brief bow toward Saris.

Ryland swoops down, gently letting go of Ano a foot off the ground before going forward a few feet and releasing hold of his alter self spell. He looks at Toben, and a big grin spreads across his face. "Show off", he mutters quietly. He scans around the group. "Seem's we're all accounted for then?"

Toben slips an empty potion vial back into his pack and smiles. "I can't take too much credit for that one. I thought of something strong enough to rival a giant earth beast, and the magic of the potion did the rest."

He looks over the group quickly. "Is everyone alright?"

Ano nods and says "I should be alright" before promptly dropping to one knee breathing heavily. "its possible that i may have gone a bit past my limit."

Klale, on the other hand, looks...competent.

A wave of panic washes over Ryland's face. "Delunaur... the child?" he says, glancing back in the direction of the ruined tower.

Toben walks over to the large green dragon and looks up in awe. "Kairo? Is this your true form? You seem to be feeling.... better."

Before Delunaur can answer Ryland, the green dragon speaks.

"Yes, Toben Ironsprings, this is my true form.  I am Kairo'uonar, the son of the great Uonar whose treasure you...liberated."  His smile is wide and toothy and somewhat frightening this close, though it doesn't appear to be meant that way.  "The illness I was feeling was my draconic nature asserting itself through the last vestiges of the physical and mental prison those shackles represented.  Proximity to Saris and her amazing powers from - Nestael is it? - allowed me to break through and become myself again.  Just in time, too, it seems!"  The dragon rears its head and guffaws, fiery plumes erupting from his mouth as accompaniment.

He swings his head over to Ryland.  "You seek the child of Mairen?  Fear not.  Delunar instructed my...friend, Shochraos'altiui, to take the infant back to our lands in the Withered Heath.  We had to eat a lot of troglodytes that day.  That's also the day I chose to assume human form and give up my mental fight against the shackles.  Doing so would put up a barrier to any of Melkor's minions that they could not pass and find out the truth about the child, and hence the true nature of Delunar and her rebellion."

Delunar, for her part, bows in respect and acknowledgement of the truth of the dragon's words.

Ryland returns the toothy grin. "Shock...She bluffed us. Plain as day bluffed us. I'm not even mad. I'm impressed".

Toben wrinkles his nose at the thought of eating a troglodyte, much less the countless number they had to consume. "I wouldn't wish that upon anyone. The smell alone is revolting, but I'm happy to see you back in your rightful form."

He breathes a sigh of relief when Kairo breaks the new of the child's condition. "Mairen will be elated to know her son is safe. Also, " he pauses a moment to pull the book from his pack and places it at the dragon's feet. "being the son of Uonar, this is rightfully yours. Although, I am concerned about the curse that's been laid upon it. I noticed a vile aura and Shock was able to confirm as well. Do you know anything about it?"

The dragon examines the tome for a moment.  "This was not part of my father's trove. "

"Then how could it have possibly gotten back there with the rest of the loot.. er, artifacts".

"That is a story for another time.  We should adjourn to some place safe enough to do the ritual.  Somewhere...my master will not lightly send his minions for fear of the loss. " Delunar looks anxious, even fearful.

The green dragon rears up on its hind legs, looking almost humanoid in it's stance.  "The Withered Heath!  What does Mellor have that can stand claw to claw with dragons?"

Delunaur almost says something but decides against it.  Instead, she taps her chin thoughtfully, considering, then shrugs.  "That is a hard argument to refute.  Most of the dragons are free of my master's will.  The death of Smaug ensured that. "

"Sure wish there was a way to tell the two that left we're going there. On account of the child and all"

Xarini steps forward.  "Perhaps...perhaps I can be of help there."  She looks up at the sky where Gwaelind's prison once rose.  "When we were fighting troglodytes, I was there.  I could help.  Make a difference."  She looks over at Klale, then down at the ground in sadness.  "When we walked through the trials, I survived with the rest of you, largely due to your ability to keep me alive."

She looks up at Ryland, tears in her eyes.  Her lips tremble and she wraps her arms around herself as if terrified.  "When I was in that tower and the legends of old sought to destroy us, you strode out to face death with humor, without fear.  There is, within each of you, power beyond my comprehension.  That thing would have killed me in a single breath had I not stayed with Gwaelind and Delunar.  You, you fought it and won.  I-" Her eyes grow wide and she stares down at the ground, shaking her head.  "I still can't imagine it, the reality of it, and I saw it happen!"

Tears pour down her cheeks.  "Even at the end, I was in the tower as it was destroyed, as the remains began to fall, and I knew then that my time had come.  I saw into the face of my own d-death and was so s-scared I could not even s-scream.  Were it not-t for D-delunaur, I would have b-been no more than collateral d-damage, unworthy of even a footnote in the recording of this b-battle hand down and told throughout the ages."

She takes a deep breath, halting her sobbing speech.  When she continues, she looks at Toben.  "I cannot go with you.  Not for lack of desire to do what is right, but because I am not one of you.  I cannot stand at the side of legends and hope to survive in this onslaught.  You speak of the most ancient of evils as if he is an obstacle to overcome on your way to wherever you are going on a journey.  His name alone, to those who understand, drives normal men insane with fear.  I will deliver your message to Mairen.  I will tell her that her son lives and that he will be found and returned to her by those who are able to climb the sky, to reach into the heavens and draw down the stars, and to storm the gates of Utumno and slap the Great Adversary on the cheek like a misbehaving cur.  He will be returned to her on the backs of dragons, the very dragons who rather than devouring her child, took him to safety at the behest of her."  She nods at Delunar.

Klale considers Xarini. I asked you to strike when the time was right. Had the ti;me been right, I deem you would have struck—Smith. You may count me brave...maybe so...if you cont bravery as feeling that, since dying could be a moment away, one might as well do what one can in that moment.

Toben smiles back at Xarini. "Don't discount yourself, Xarini. We all have our part to play as even a messenger can turn the tide of battle. So even though you choose to return, the message you carry holds great value." He walks over and gives her a hug. "Give my regards to Phin and the others if you see them, and be sure to give the Duke a thorough report."

Ryland smiles as Xarini. "What you didn't see back there was the change of under garments when I dropped my old man spell. Jokes aside though, there's no shame what you're doing. I think I speak for everyone when I say no one looks down on this decision. And Toben is right. The message and information you carry back with you holds astounding weight. You're doing us a large favor with this. And with any luck, that assassin that escorted Mairen to safety might even be able to rejoin us. That's another huge service you do us. Every move in life has meaning, even when you don't think so".

Xarini smiles at Toben and Ryland.  "Thank you for your kind words.  I'll make sure Mairen gets the message and Ourn as well."

She turns to Delunar and after a moment of hesitation takes her hand.  "I believe in you, Delunar.  I pray that you find your freedom."  Delunar looks down in a bit of wonder at her hands in Xarini's, then she looks up and smiles and bows her head graciously.

Xarini then turns to Klale.  She offers him no words.  She pulls him down a bit and stands on her toes to give him a kiss on the cheek.  Her hand lingers on his armored chest for a moment, then she steps back to face everyone again.

"It has been a wonder adventuring with you.  I look forward to the time when you return home.  We can sit around the fire and listen to your tales.  Please, come home safe."  She chuckles one last time and is gone, headed down the hill to where the horses were left almost two days ago.

Klale takes Xarinit's chin in hand and looks her in the eyes. He releases her and says As you think best. He watcher her leave until she is lost to sight.

Toben looks back over to Gwaelind and Delunaur. "If we evacuate to the Withered Heath, won't your presence here be missed? It might generate cause for alarm or suspicion."

He looks back to the book still lying on the ground. "Also, I would be remiss if I didn't inform you about the book, and the curse that appears to be on it. I picked up on an aura, something very powerful and evil, upon that book. Likely not fatal to one such as yourself, but would certainly knock you down a peg or two for a long while. It didn't affect myself or Torak when we opened it. It may only target those of a higher calling."

"Might i suggest we find a place less high up and precarious where we can decide on our next move. I know I have some questions for Delunaur "

"Perhaps we can help with that?"  As Kairo'uonar speaks, there is a flap of wings and Shock appears out of the twilight sky to land next to him.

The blue dragon dips her head toward Gwaelind and Delunar.  "It is hypothesized that the two of you can manage on your own.  Kairo and I can carry the rest."

The two maiar nod, but Saris steps forward.  "I hafta gi' ya some more bad news.  Too much has transpired.  Xar an' I need t' report back to Moria.  We 'ave a better grasp o' what's goin' on in th' world, now, and 'is majesty needs t' know.  Wi' th' dragons and the maiar, it should be th' perfect time t' leave ya for a while.  We'll see t'any horses if you will be aback th' dragons."

A sadness fall over Toben's face with Saris' announcement. "I'm sorry to see you both leave, but I understand. It's been a long journey so far, and you need to keep your people informed as well. It's been an honor ... " His voice trails off.

Toben walks over, gives Saris a long hug and Xar a firm handshake. "Travel safely. I'm sure it won't be too long before we see each other again."

Ryland nods to them. "It has been an honor, to say the least".

Ano stands and makes his way over to the two dwarves and gives them a fond smile "I will be sad to see you go but i understand the urgency of your errand.  Thank you for standing with us." With a brief break in his normal demeanor Ano gives Saris a hug.

Klale goes over to Xar and inclines his head. It's been a honor. Go with my gratitude.

He turns to Saris and goes to one knee. Lady.... He pauses, groping for words. May the world become worthy for ones such as you. He stands and blinks several times before turning away. He says gruffly Whatever is to be done next, we'd best be about it.

Toben looks over to Klale and nods. "Yes, we should probably go. With all the commotion we've caused, I'm sure it'll draw unwanted attention here."

He walks over and scoops up the ritual book from the ground. "Anything else we should know before taking off?" He gives Shock a sly look given how much she withheld from their last meeting.

"Yes.  The dragons are free now, but that does not mean they are all good souls like Kairo and I.  They aren't necessarily bad, but they are powerful and they know it.  You would do well to remember that."

Kario'uonar lowers his belly to the ground like a cat.  "I am not as powerful as Shock - yet - so I should probably carry the lighter members of your company.  We can talk more later, but we should get going now."

Toben looks at himself, and then the others as he sizes himself up. Likely being the smaller and least armored, he steps over to Kairo. "I'll ride with you."