Luster continued to weave destructive magics on the individual creatures, nothing the time that had passed and how much longer he was likely to be able to continue holding the spell to dampen their presence.

Action A: if a target is in melee with me, cast Sacred Flame on it
Result: Dex 15 vs 1 Radiant
21:41, Today: Luster rolled 1 using 1d8.  Sacred Flame (radiant), Dex 15.

Action B: cast Eldritch Blast on a ranged target
Result: Hit AC 16 for 5 Force damage
21:40, Today: Luster rolled 16,5 using d20+7,d10.  Eldritch Blast (force).

Move: if none are left nearby, or if I have no melee targets, move closer to the other group to help with spotting the remaining threats.

With everyone looking for the twiddling amount of target to hit and Thalia doing the distasteful but necessary task of killing the sleeping grobbles, the main fight was now over. Ersin continued to approach towards the holding pen and finally started to feel the imp, that had finished unlocking the door to the prison.

In all that excitement Styx had wandered too far from his companions and was basically alone with the Skraug he had seen and jumped on. Seriously wounded, the rat man had nonetheless seen his share of battles before and was no novice, countering the hit and run attack with a powerful counter strike, that was somewhat lessened by the magic of the armor. (Crit cancelled by the Adamantine armor, 8 piercing on Styx)

Highness for her part had taken to sniff her former rider and tried, using paw and maw, to bring the corpse to its back, not very successfully. The beast looked at the warrior and Kali had the feeling that this was important for the beast.

Styx was surprised by the sting of the Skraug's blade as he looked to see if others were about.  He shouldn't have taken his eyes off his enemy, but these creatures hadn't shown any real ability in anything other than dying at his blade.

He pulled himself together, waiting for the right moment to strike, and then lunged forward, finding purchase in the creature's lower back.

---

To Hit:  24   07:32, Today: Styx rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Dagger Attack.
Damage:  11   07:32, Today: Styx rolled 11 using 1d4+5+2d6 ((2,3,1)).

The group had gotten scattered but the sounds of combat had ceased, hopefully things had worked out in our favour. Continuing forward, eyes and ears scanning for any signs of a trap or alarm, the link with Esa snapped into focus once more. Finally!

Esa, we're almost to you. What's the situation at the gate.

All but one of the Large Vermin have left. The remaining one guards the gate but did not notice when I undid the lock. The humans have been freed and have been told to prepare for flight; however, their leader is a foolish child-woman and may cause problems.

Excellent, you've done brilliantly -

Of course!

- I'll be with you in a moment and we'll deal with the guard.

That's unnecessary. A loud snap and a brief flash lit up the path ahead for a moment. By now I could make out the wall of the enclosure and in front of the gate a single Skraug lay sprawled out on the ground, a three cm, smoking hole bored into its back and small pool of dark blood beginning to fill around it.

You're right; apparently, you don't need me.

Don't be an idiot. Someone has to deal with these foolish mortals.

Of course. Smiling at the banter I make my way up to the gate and knock softly. "I'm with a rescue party from Light Haven. Stand back from the door, I'm coming in."

I give them a moment to comply before opening the door and stepping inside. I summon four dim globes of red light at ground level in each corner; hopefully the walls will keep the light from being seen. "We don't have much time; any one not ready will be left behind."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:46, Tue 12 Oct 2021.

Thalia looked around, seeing no more enemies, her brow furrowed…..styx was also missing. “Damn these goblin o ids and wanting to go off alone” She muttered. She looked at Luster. “I think Styx went that way, towards the prison. Wait here….I’ll go check on his hairy butt.”

The bard went off into the darkness towards the prison…..and hopefully the bugbear

Kali could see the pained, almost begging look on Highness' face and took pity on the aegorix. "Here, let me help you." She bent down and easily picked up the corpse of the undead woman, who had once been Highness' rider. Kali placed the woman on Highness' back, directly in front of the saddle and using her rope, strapped the woman on so she wouldn't fall off. Placing her hand on Highness' shoulder, Kali looked directly into the eyes of the aegorix. "I'm sorry, Highness."

Then, turning in the direction the rest of her companions had strode off in, Kali began jogging to try and catch up to them in case something had befallen the group. She turned to look back once, to see if Highness was following before continuing on her way.

Styx did not like being hurt like that and focused his rage into his strike, plunging the magical dagger in the thick chest of the monster until the blade came out of the back. His hand was covered with blood and gore as the Skraug slid from the blade and landed with a thud on the ground.

Ersin and his partner Esa got to the pen holding the prisoners and opened the doors, giving them some desperately needed light. He could see the circle of a dozen warriors, women and men, that got broken by a woman in her late twenties, dressed in simple traveling clothes, that carried a unmistakable air of calm authority coming out of it. Right away a heavier set woman, came to her and tried to bring her back in the protective circle, and Ersin could sense Esa's sneer, getting the impression that second one was the child woman the avatar had encountered.

The smaller woman rejected the taller one protectiveness and approached the barely seen man.

You have our thanks then. My name is Anna. The Skraugs have taken more than half our group, have you seen them? We need to rescue them too.

With Luster guidance, the rest of the group came at the door of the prison, even Styx, his rage subsiding.

******************

As Kali was jogging southward, she smiled when she realized that the Aegorix was indeed following her.

Thalia comes over to Ersin and the woman as she speaks, and smiles. "Greetings Anna...I'm afraid, formality aside, this isn't teh time or place to delay. If you know where your group is, we can see about that, but our priorty is to keep YOU safe."

She looked at Ersin and had a straight, serious look. She had an aire of nobility....Thalia would know, but there was no hint of a spoilt rich child there - this woman was loyal, protective and kind.

...she admired that.

She looked around, ushering the group out. "My name is Thalia....what home i claim would be evermeet, an elvish island back home."

“I’ve not seen any other humans except those here or those they’ve already turned into undead and we haven’t the time to search for them nor for introductions. As I said, those who are ready can form up and follow or stay here and take their chances. I’m leaving in 60 seconds.”
This message was last edited by the player at 00:05, Tue 19 Oct 2021.

Luster chimed in enough to give everyone an update on the status of his spell, "My spell will cover our retreat for only another fifteen minutes; twenty, if we're lucky. Anna, were you able to hear the booming sounds of combat a few moments before we arrived? Or were the walls thick enough to prevent that?" It was unlikely that the sounds had not penetrated, but they could only guess, where she might actually know.

Styx strides in, but remains quiet, idly waiting for the girl's response to Ersin.  He has a feeling the girl will be headstrong and will not leave without her friends, but the longer we wait, the more time the enemy has to regroup and capture the lot of us.  Why can't things ever just be easy for once?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:55, Wed 27 Oct 2021.

The tall Styx caused a stir in the human guards and some got closer to Anna, much to her obvious annoyance. The woman seemed to understand the emergency and shook her head when Erin told her that all the zombies seen were human.

The Gods have mercy on their souls. We need to hurry then, can you bring us quickly to Lighthaven?

What about our weapons and armor? We'll need those if we are to properly defend ourselves.

Shooting a glance at the taller woman that had tried to stop her from getting out of the protective circle, she nodded.

Crystal is right, the Skraug took our equipment and some important documents that it would be imperative to recuperate. We also have some riders, would you have seen their mounts?

Despite the questions, all the humans were up and looking ready to move on.

The smile did not fade from Kali's face as she turned back to face the direction they were headed. She began to pick up the pace, not terribly worried about how much attention she might be drawing to herself. The thunderous booms from earlier were likely more pressing to the Skraug's in the camp. The sight of Highness would also likely help dissuade them a bit.

"Let's hurry, Highness. Your princess awaits us!"

---

OOC: 07:53, Today: Kali rolled 13 using 2d20+3, dropping the highest dice only.  Stealth-disadvantage (thanks armor XD).

Thalia looked at the woman, impressed by her strength and willingness to help her people. She looked at Styx, then back again. “Do not fear him - he is an ally, you will not find one more loyal and willing to help you. Her….” She said, indicating Nax “…not as loyal, but you need something fought, she’ll be the first in there.”

Thalia allowed a slight frown at Ersin, but again spoke to the woman. “It will be risky looking for the gear and documents, but if you feel it’s worth the risk, we can look.” She looked at the others. “Would the prison hold the gear?”

What is wrong with this woman? What document is worth risking all of our lives? I understand the guards wanting their gear but it's not going to happen. "Your equipment is under guard near the main camp and we've no way of retrieving it. Right now, speed will protect you better than steel."

"We're leaving. His spell," I gesture towards the odd, rocky fellow behind me, "will prevent them from tracking us back to an alternate means of accessing Light Haven. Without it we'll have to take the long way and none of us will survive that." Gathering the four globes of red light, I string them along the length of the formation, turn and leave the enclosure. "Pebbles, stay towards the centre. We need that spell more than your eyes."

Check ahead please. See if there are any surprises.

With a purr of acknowledgement, Esa's presence moves north leaving my range once more. So annoying.

"Do as I have done the entire time, almost as if I know how my own abilities work, you mean? No problem, Limp Helix." Luster looked askance toward Styx, his expression saying 'You're the boss, do I follow him or you?'

Thalia looked at Ersin with a even glare. Though she would not admit it, his logic was sound. The need for information was not great, and getting some mundane gear would do nothing if an army came down on them. No…,what he said was completely logical, something she herself would do if she was a little less reckless at times. But, she had to think of the group they just saved, as he was (so she assumed), and their best chance was to leave.

The half elf sighed. “As much as I hate to agree with Mister charm here, He’s right…unless the information is something that will stop the war or this gods forsaken darkness, or the gear some magic, then to wade un would be too dangerous.” She looked at the woman. “You need to think of these people…and their best chance is to leave with us now. If the information is important, we can come back, but with such a big group, there’s more risk of being found, and that would mean someone getting hurt.”

She placed a hand on Luster’s shoulder with a smile. “Don’t worry big guy…..we need someone to piss off an enemy, we’ll send him in - we all have our strengths.” She winked at the earth genasi. She turned to see Nax looking longingly towards the prison. “NAX! Don’t even think about it….we can come back and beat the crap out of the rat men later. These people need to get to safety first.” She placed her hands on her hips, waiting for her goblin companion.

Styx couldn't wait any longer for the princess and her guards to speak up, as he saw Luster uncertainty.

I have to agree with the others here Anna.  The best chance for all of your survival is leaving with us now.  If the documents are as important as you say, we can discuss a more covert plan where all of our lives are not at risk, but better to do so in the safety of our walls and not in the middle of an enemy camp.  They won't expect us to come back, thinking that we've already gotten what we wanted.  You can tell us about the documents on the way.

Styx gave a nod to Luster, and then began double checking to make sure nothing in his pack came loose or undone, before pulling out some hidden weapons from various locations.  He handed two of the guards daggers, and gave the princess Anna a short bow and quiver of arrows he had strung across his back.  He was more a fan of his hand crossbow anyway.  He looked at the others in his group, in hopes they had some spare weapons for the guards as well, so they weren't completely defenseless should they run into trouble.

The woman looked up, seeing Styx in the light for the first time and did a relatively good job of not letting her surprise take hold of her. She hesitated while surveying the group, noting that only Ersin looked human, and almost gasped when the brown bear sat down and started licking its bloody paws... and no one reacted to the presence of the animal. Putting her hand to her chest, she seemed to finger something hidden in her traveling dress and mouth a few inaudible words before sighing.

You are right... I was bringing copies of some documents that might help shed light on what is happening to our world to the temple, to have another perspective, but by the Gods, you are right. Lives are more precious.

She looked at her retinue, on edge and eager to do something, then turned her gaze back to the one that had taken charge, Ersin.

We'll follow you, bring us to Lighthaven.

Thalia nodded at the woman's wisdom, with a slight smile, handing a dagger over to her and her short sword to a soldier. "These will be returned." she said, matter of factly as she held her bow.

she allowed another look to the woman. "If the documents are that important, we can return - they won't expect that/" She looked at Styx and nodded, indicating he should lead them out. "Make sure everyone stays close to the big guy..." Indicating Luster. "....his magic masks our movements."

Thalia let them past, determined to bring up the rear with her stealth.

Damn it. They'll have to find some way to find those documents; so far we’d little luck finding a means to end the extended, unnatural darkness and time was running out. Now wasn't the time, we didn't have the numbers for a direct confrontation and they were too many for a covert one. Still I’ve pushed the others as far as I can, any further would be counterproductive; perhaps one of them will come up with a plan.

Retracing the path along the river I set a moderate pace, the light from the globes was faint and while it allowed the humans to see it created deep shadows along the rough path. A turned ankle would be disastrous. I briefly consider the alternate, easier path but reject it. This option was harder and more dangerous but it was faster and that spell really was a game-changer and its clock was running out. The cliff's edge and the trees lining it should be enough to hide the light from the enemy camp but there is nothing I can do for those already up here. That will have to be enough.

When this mission is over I Have to ask that man his name. Limp Helix? Not sure where that comes from but I've been called worse. Good for him for firing back; he may not understand the nature of these things but at least he didn't start complaining or pouting. Better than the confused princess anyway. Limp Helix huh, I've heard worse Team Names. I wonder what Esa will call them?
This message was last edited by the player at 03:51, Thu 04 Nov 2021.

Under the direction of Ersin, the troop of rescuer and rescuee set out the same way they came by. Miraculously, no one twisted their ankle and the explosions did not seem to have attracted more attention. Wind and Styx had their usual scouting job and were the first to spot Kali, coming to meet them, Highness in tow, the beast running in a curious wavy manner. The fighter was halfway through the landslide, as the two scout were just entering the south end of it.

No sign of Skraugs or grobbles or shades.... so far.

Thalia, bringing up the rear of the group, kett her eyes as much behind as in front for any surprises, her bow ready, but also aware should anything unususal come, she has her magic. The woman was as muchg conserned the lack of enemies than if there was some.

Luster announced to the others how long he felt he could keep the spell going, keeping his eyes open for any signs of danger in the, to-them, surrounding darkness.

The meeting between the fighter and the rest of the group was quickly expedited, Styx explaining what had happened at the enclosure, his gestures showing to those who could see him that he was being grandiloquent. But there was a mission to accomplish and everyone quickly started back towards the underground waterfall.

A few quick skirmishes later, that didn't raise alarms, the group was back where they had started, just as the Genasi's spell finished. Some of the rescued humans whispered as they got close enough to see the Aegorix, that seemed to follow the horned woman, but hushed reminders from their seemingly superior, Crystal, that it was not the time or place to discuss this shut them up. Asuni volunteered to show the way to enter the secret tunnels and disappeared in the gloom, and slowly, the humans followed her. The brown bear transformed back into Wind, and he entered the tunnels also.

Which left only one question to resolve... What to do with Highness?