IC Ljonarian Enigma: Tournament Chaos

[CWater]

Springhaven

Spoiler: CWater

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Spot: (1d20+10)[17]
Listen: (1d6+2)[3]

I can't boost sadly :( Used those already "today"

Eglantine nodded sadly. "It was a lot of people. Thank you. We will survive this. We have too."

She smiled, attempting to look confident and very much failing.

Vindal nods and closes the door behind Eglantine. The atmosphere on the streets is restless as she makes her way towards Illyrie's temple. After everything that happened today she's keeping her eyes open and when she nears the temple she spots the figures of three guardsmen from far away. They're not standing right in front of the temple, but from their less than subtle glances it's clear that they're keeping an eye on the entrance. There's only a couple of other people in sight, the calming aura of the temple keeps the celebratory sort away and there were no busy shops right next to it either.

___________

Gastaraa Plains

Hawke curses as the fire arrow goes wide, but is relieved to see the treant shrink anyway. He advances quickly so as to better assess the situation.

Spoiler: Actions

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Just a double move to Y15.

The grass near the Emperor's tents is trampled and full of large footprints. Over half a dozen Imperial guards lie sprawled around, dead or alive, it's hard to tell which, except for the one that is missing a head. Another half a dozen are still standing, though most look badly beaten. Rowan is rushing over to a fallen guard, and Relik is fighting another. Aerin is prone on the ground, though appears to be quite conscious and her sword is pointing past the partly collapsed tent to her right. Hawke doesn't currently have visual on the Duchess, though he saw the treant shrink and heard her scream. A cluster of scared servants stand on the side.

Ezdath takes a step towards Shalesse and lowers his axe to her head. "Don't move! You are under arrest for hostile actions against the Emperor. And for killing my friends!"

"Is it down?!", shouts Drak and moves a little closer, then stares at the guard who is fighting Relik. "What the in the hells is with Tennet?!"

The human guard next to Rowan tries to help Macrul, but the healer can tell she has no idea what she's doing. Another guard grabs a hold under her fallen comrade's arms and starts dragging him towards Rowan.

Relik and Aerin see how Shalesse turns to Ezdath and glares at him, despite being exhausted her rage doesn't seem to have quelled. "Insolence! Do you know who I am?!" The guard does not reply.

A catfolk guard runs past Hawke and takes another swing at Tennet. "Yield! You've lost!", Chennis shouts, sounding almost pleading. The attack hits, but made by a reluctant hand and leaves only a small cut.

Spoiler: Chennis attacks Tennet

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Scimitar: (1d20+10)[17]
Damage: (1d6+2)[3]

[Kish]

"You're a traitor who plotted to assassinate the Emperor," Aerin shouts. "If she doesn't take the spell off him, it will fade when she's dead! Don't hesitate!"

Spoiler

Show

Hopefully, since talking is a free action, there's no problem with shouting advice out of turn.

[CWater]

Tennet barely looks at Chennis and suddenly turns away from Relik, running around Aerin and aiming at Ezdath.

Spoiler: Tennet attacks Ezdath (if he gets that far)

Show

Halberd: (1d20+9)[25]
Damage: (1d10+5)[14]

[SirCatBeard]

Before any of the words register, Relik strikes as the hostile one turns their back.

Spoiler: AOO

Show

Attack: (1d20+10)[22] (I believe the power attack is fixed for the entire round)
Damage: (1d10+9)[11]

[Athedia]

Springhaven



Vindal nods and closes the door behind Eglantine. The atmosphere on the streets is restless as she makes her way towards Illyrie's temple. After everything that happened today she's keeping her eyes open and when she nears the temple she spots the figures of three guardsmen from far away. They're not standing right in front of the temple, but from their less than subtle glances it's clear that they're keeping an eye on the entrance. There's only a couple of other people in sight, the calming aura of the temple keeps the celebratory sort away and there were no busy shops right next to it either.

Eglantine carefully turned back into the alley ways and tried to remember if first, there was a back entrance to the temple and second if the clerics inside sheltered or turned people over to the guards.

[CWater]

Gastaraa Plains

Before any of the words register, Relik strikes as the hostile one turns their back.

Spoiler: AOO

Show

Attack: [roll0] (I believe the power attack is fixed for the entire round)
Damage: [roll1]

Relik smacks Tennet in the back with his flail and the guard falls down.

Spoiler: Map

Show

Blue squares are tents.
Orange squares are the fancy tents.
Dark brown squares are piled with boxes.
Pink squares mark tent flap doors.
Yellow squares are collapsed tent. They block movement, but climbing over them is possible.
S is Shalesse, back to Medium size now.
K, E, D, Ch and G1 are Imperial guards.
Sy, Z, Ma, Y and G2-5 are down and not moving.
T is the hostile guard, now down and unmoving.
S1-3 are scared servants.

___________________

Springhaven

Eglantine carefully turned back into the alley ways and tried to remember if first, there was a back entrance to the temple and second if the clerics inside sheltered or turned people over to the guards.

Spoiler: Athedia

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Eglantine knows that as followers of the goddess of peace, Illyrie's clerics dislike all kind of violence. Handing someone over to the guard is probably not the first thing they would like to do. A Knowledge(religion) could tell you more.

Also, please make a Knowledge(local) check to try to remember about backdoors.

[Athedia]

Springhaven

Spoiler: Athedia

Show

Eglantine knows that as followers of the goddess of peace, Illyrie's clerics dislike all kind of violence. Handing someone over to the guard is probably not the first thing they would like to do. A Knowledge(religion) could tell you more.

Also, please make a Knowledge(local) check to try to remember about backdoors.

Spoiler: CWater

Show

Knowledge (Local): (1d20+9)[25]
Knowledge (Religion): (1d20+5)[13]

[aReallyGreatAxe]

Not about to let someone else die on his watch so soon, Rowan casts again. The Guard Captain was less mangled than the elf woman, perhaps it would work better.

Spoiler: Immediate action, can be posted out of turn

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Delay death on Macrul. He's got 6 rounds to 'enjoy' being unable to bleed to death.

[Kish]

"Take the spell off him, or you won't live to stand trial." Aerin lunges forward to hit Shalesse with the flat of her sword.

Spoiler

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Move to Y8, X7, Y6, then using Stone Bones, -4 penalty for nonlethal: (1d20+6)[8] Critical threat check (on 19 or 20): (1d20+7)[16] Damage: (2d6+4)[11] Critical damage: (2d6+4)[14]

[CWater]

Springhaven

Spoiler: CWater

Show

Knowledge (Local): (1d20+9)[13]
Knowledge (Religion): (1d8+5)[12]

In addition to being peaceful and non-violent, there's nothing else important that Eglantine remembers about Illyrie. Well, she was also the Goddess of Frost, but that didn't seem relevant to the current situation.

However, she did recall that there were at least four other doors into the temple. Two were in the garden at the front and thus also in the view of the guards keeping watch there. One door leading to the cellar was on the side of the building and appeared unguarded, however the sturdy wooden door turned out to be locked. There was one more door at the back, that, if she remembered correctly, lead to a smaller side chapel. Peering at the door from a distance she spots a single watchman on the street, some forty feet from the entrance, just casually leaning against the wall of the opposite building.

____________________________

Gastaraa Plains

Not about to let someone else die on his watch so soon, Rowan casts again. The Guard Captain was less mangled than the elf woman, perhaps it would work better.

Spoiler: Immediate action, can be posted out of turn

Show

Delay death on Macrul. He's got 6 rounds to 'enjoy' being unable to bleed to death.

To be on the safe side Rowan quickly casts the spell, and a good thing too, as only a moment later he senses it take effect and support the man's life when it would otherwise have ended.

"Take the spell off him, or you won't live to stand trial." Aerin lunges forward to hit Shalesse with the flat of her sword.

Spoiler

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Move to Y8, X7, Y6, then using Stone Bones, -4 penalty for nonlethal: (1d20+9)[13] Critical threat check (on 19 or 20): (1d8+5)[12] Damage: [roll2] Critical damage: [roll3]

Shalesse shrieks and rolls to the side. Then she lifts up her hands and starts to make quick motions that look very much like spellcasting.

"Oh no, you don't!", Ezdath shouts and takes a swing at her.

Spoiler: Readied action, Ezdath attacks Shalesse

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Battleaxe: (1d20+9)[13]
Damage: (1d8+5)[12]

The blow comes very close, even tearing a little to the duchess's shoulder. However, the bark seems to offer her some protection even in this smaller form and her casting is not disturbed. A wicked grin spreads to her lips as she winks out of sight.

Spoiler: Map

Show

Blue squares are tents.
Orange squares are the fancy tents.
Dark brown squares are piled with boxes.
Pink squares mark tent flap doors.
Yellow squares are collapsed tent. They block movement, but climbing over them is possible.
S is where you last saw Shalesse. She was still prone while casting the spell.
K, E, D, Ch and G1 are Imperial guards.
Sy, Z, Ma, Y and G2-5 are down and not moving.
T is the hostile guard, now down and unmoving.
S1-3 are scared servants.

[Table Flipper]

As he survey's the battleground, Hawke mentally kicks himself for using the healing potion earlier, but fretting over it now wasn't going to save anyone. Not seeing any immediate threats, Hawke moves to the nearest down guard, seeing what, if anything, he could do.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move to and attempt to stabilize Z. If Z is already dead, I guess Hawke will figure that out during the attempt.

Heal: (1d20+8)[12]

[aReallyGreatAxe]

Content that the guard captain would survive for a moment, Rowan hurries to the hostile guard and tries to keep him alive-without waking him up. And that meant no magic. He'd learned his lesson with the catfolk.

Spoiler: OoC

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1.) Move action to X8
2.) Heal skill to stabilize Tennet. DC for first aid is 15. (1d20+15)[29]

[SirCatBeard]

Relik turns his heightened emotions from the battle toward where the duchess was and the fancy tents where it seemed she was trying to go.

Spoiler: See, Hear, Smell

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Spot: (1d20+3)[6]
Survival: (1d20+3)[23]
Listen: (1d20+9)[23]

The rest of his turn is probably dependent on the results of these.
Well, he can't see the invisible person.

[Athedia]

Springhaven



In addition to being peaceful and non-violent, there's nothing else important that Eglantine remembers about Illyrie. Well, she was also the Goddess of Frost, but that didn't seem relevant to the current situation.

However, she did recall that there were at least four other doors into the temple. Two were in the garden at the front and thus also in the view of the guards keeping watch there. One door leading to the cellar was on the side of the building and appeared unguarded, however the sturdy wooden door turned out to be locked. There was one more door at the back, that, if she remembered correctly, lead to a smaller side chapel. Peering at the door from a distance she spots a single watchman on the street, some forty feet from the entrance, just casually leaning against the wall of the opposite building.

Eglantine groaned to herself. Of course they covered the back. She looked up at the side of the Temple and hoped there was a window that looked accessible.

[CWater]

As he survey's the battleground, Hawke mentally kicks himself for using the healing potion earlier, but fretting over it now wasn't going to save anyone. Not seeing any immediate threats, Hawke moves to the nearest down guard, seeing what, if anything, he could do.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Move to and attempt to stabilize Z. If Z is already dead, I guess Hawke will figure that out during the attempt.

Heal: [roll0]

Hawke goes to check on the catfolk man and to his relief finds that he's still breathing and looks to be stable for the moment, even if gravely wounded.

Content that the guard captain would survive for a moment, Rowan hurries to the hostile guard and tries to keep him alive-without waking him up. And that meant no magic. He'd learned his lesson with the catfolk.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

1.) Move action to X8
2.) Heal skill to stabilize Tennet. DC for first aid is 15. [roll0]

Quickly, Rowan binds the man's worst wounds and secures his airways so he doesn't choke or accidentally swallow his own tongue.

Relik turns his heightened emotions from the battle toward where the duchess was and the fancy tents where it seemed she was trying to go.

Spoiler: See, Hear, Smell

Show

Spot: [roll0]
Survival: [roll1]
Listen: [roll2]

The rest of his turn is probably dependent on the results of these.
Well, he can't see the invisible person.

With sight being of no help, Relik goes to hunter mode and uses his ears and nose to locate the Duchess. The smell of the ruined dress is gone, and in fact he sees the burned remains of the once so beautiful garment lie discarded on the side, but the smell of burnt wood is also strong. Together with the sound of rustling grass Relik determines that Shalesse has not yet moved far from where he last saw her.

Spoiler: Relik ONLY

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You think Shalesse is in AA5.

[SirCatBeard]

Relik grins manically, realizing where the signs of his quarry point. He brushes heedlessly past Aerin and another before sliding to a stop, flail sweeping out in a wide arc over the ground. "HERE!"

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Move to AB4, not caring about any AoOs. Attack AA5.
Attack: (1d20+11)[28]
Damage: [rol]1d10+7[/roll]

[CWater]

Springhaven

Eglantine groaned to herself. Of course they covered the back. She looked up at the side of the Temple and hoped there was a window that looked accessible.

All of the windows are closed, except one one the second floor, but it's also in the back so in view of the guard standing there. The other windows she tests are closed with a latch from the inside, though she could try to break one open.

________________________

Gastaraa Plains

Relik grins manically, realizing where the signs of his quarry point. He brushes heedlessly past Aerin and another before sliding to a stop, flail sweeping out in a wide arc over the ground. "HERE!"

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Move to AB4, not caring about any AoOs. Attack AA5.
Attack: (1d20+3)[6]
Damage: [rol]1d10+7[/roll]

The Duchess lets out a piercing scream which is suddenly cut off when Relik brings the flail down on something invisible on the ground in front of him.

Drak circles around the tent, holding her bow ready. "Good job! There any others?"

Chennis rushes to the closest fallen guard and tries to figure out if he's still alive, and to bind his wounds. Karlie turns to the shocked servants. "Get bandages!" She then turns to Macrul, who despite Rowan's life saving spell, still looks really bad.

Another guard drags a fallen comrade to Rowan. "Healer!", she calls out.

Spoiler: Chennis Heal check

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For G5: (1d20+3)[6]

Spoiler: Map

Show

Blue squares are tents.
Orange squares are the fancy tents.
Dark brown squares are piled with boxes.
Pink squares mark tent flap doors.
Yellow squares are collapsed tent. They block movement, but climbing over them is possible.
S is where Relik attacked.
K, E, D, Ch and G1 are Imperial guards.
Sy, Z, Ma, Y and G2-5 are down and not moving.
T is the hostile guard, now down and unmoving.
S1-3 are scared servants.

[Athedia]

Springhaven

All of the windows are closed, except one one the second floor, but it's also in the back so in view of the guard standing there. The other windows she tests are closed with a latch from the inside, though she could try to break one open.

Eglantine was well aware standing in an alley for so long was a suspicious action already. She should have grabbed a disguise item or at least different clothes.

Finally she shook her head. No other way about it right now. She just had to pray the back was unlocked.

She put her head down, made sure her items were put away and attached and started for the door. If the guard started to move she would pick up her pace, but hopefully she wouldn't draw to much attention.

[Table Flipper]

Good. Hawke makes a mental note about the catfolk's stable condition before moving on to the next guard.

Spoiler: Actions

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Hawke will now go check on Sy, whom I think I recall (OOC) Rowan stabilizing already, but of course Hawke wouldn't know that, and I might be misremembering anyway, so I'll drop a stabilization check just in case.

Heal: (1d20+8)[22]

[aReallyGreatAxe]

”Yes, set him down,” Rowan instructs the Guard carrying her comrade, and endeavors to bring the one on the ground back around.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Doesn’t even have to move, touch of healing on G5 for 9 HP.
Macrul has four rounds remaining of not dying at -10.

[Kish]

Aerin runs over to the place Relik pointed out and...

Spoiler

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...and there, I realize I need to ask the DM for clarification on the revelation crystal's function. Aerin would prefer not to actually kill the Duchess today because of the geas on her. If Shalesse stays undetectable, she'll prioritize no one else getting trampled above not breaking the geas, but is there a way to apply the revelation crystal to a helpless target without actually stabbing her?

[CWater]

Good. Hawke makes a mental note about the catfolk's stable condition before moving on to the next guard.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Hawke will now go check on Sy, whom I think I recall (OOC) Rowan stabilizing already, but of course Hawke wouldn't know that, and I might be misremembering anyway, so I'll drop a stabilization check just in case.

Heal: [roll0]

Hawke confirms that the elf guard is alive and stable for now.

”Yes, set him down,” Rowan instructs the Guard carrying her comrade, and endeavors to bring the one on the ground back around.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Doesn’t even have to move, touch of healing on G5 for 9 HP.
Macrul has four rounds remaining of not dying at -10.

The healed guard gasps and his eyes fly open. "Lie still", the other commands, "You're still badly injured."

Aerin runs over to the place Relik pointed out and...

Spoiler

Show

...and there, I realize I need to ask the DM for clarification on the revelation crystal's function. Aerin would prefer not to actually kill the Duchess today because of the geas on her. If Shalesse stays undetectable, she'll prioritize no one else getting trampled above not breaking the geas, but is there a way to apply the revelation crystal to a helpless target without actually stabbing her?

Spoiler: Kish

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Good question! I'm going to say that considering the circumstances, Aerin can spend a full-round action where she searches for the invisible individual and carefully cuts say their arm for a little non-lethal damage.

Aerin searches the spot where she saw Relik's flail strike and finds the Duchess, who lies still on the ground. She finds her arms, and makes a small cut to it with her sword. The crystal on her sword flashes bright and the light spreads to outline Shalesse's frame.

Spoiler: Rowan

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When Aerin's blade reveals Shalesse's position, Rowan's Deathwatch also registers her. He learns that she is unconscious and like so many already today, just about to breath her last.

[aReallyGreatAxe]

Well, Rowan's not about to let anyone else die today, even if they were horrible tree traitors. He pushes past Aerin and takes a quick assessment- he'd try to keep her alive and unconscious through mundane means, but isn't really sure how to stop a tree from bleeding. If they even had blood. Instead, he delivers some lifesaving magic- but not enough to wake her up. Who knows what she'd do if awake. "Good find. Tie her up or something, she won't bleed out." He informs Aerin.

Then he's hurrying off again to the seemingly never-ending parade of crisis.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Rowan will do the following, unless interrupted

1.) burn create water for a cure minor wounds on Shalesse. This gives 5HP, hopefully not enough to put her in the positives. :P (macrul 3 rounds remaining)

2.) Touch of healing: 9HP to guard 4, that was being carried. (Macrul 2 rounds remaining)

3.)Touch of healing twice on Macrul, get him stable then wake him up. (+18HP)

4.) Check on the guard that really should be dead, make sure she hasn't destabilized or something.

[SirCatBeard]

With Hawke and the boy making sure no one else dies from their wounds, Relik kneels next to the duchess, watching Aerin's actions curioulsy. He goes to reach for his rope before recalling that it is currently tied to the post of a collapsed tent that was once to be used for changing out of a mysteriously soiled dress. As it is he settles for just keeping a close eye on the duchess.

Spoiler

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He used to have rope . Also Rage ends, so recovering from that and now at the normal 9hp.

[Table Flipper]

Hawke moves to check on another guard, but now that other people are closer by, simultaneously asks, "Who still needs assistance?"

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Checking on and, if applicable, stabilize G3, as well as asking the aforementioned question to Rowan/Chennis/whoever else may answer.

Heal: (1d20+8)[20]

[aReallyGreatAxe]

Hawke moves to check on another guard, but now that other people are closer by, simultaneously asks, "Who still needs assistance?"

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Checking on and, if applicable, stabilize G3, as well as asking the aforementioned question to Rowan/Chennis/whoever else may answer.

Heal: [roll0]

”Her with the scars- check she’s breathing! Rowan calls to Hawke as he runs to yet another downed guard, the last one in view bleeding to death. The man and his badger likely couldn’t do anything to keep the guard Captain alive, and who knows what was happening to the woman he’d saved?

[CWater]

Gastaraa Plains

Rowan makes sure the Duchess stays alive, but doesn't cure her enough to risk her regaining consciousness. A few guards rush over and secure her by pointing blades at her and some even take hold of her arms. They are momentarily alarmed when the effect of Aerin's weapon crystal fades and she disappears from sight, but it seems this is only because of the continuing spell effect; Shalesse has not stirred. It takes a little time before her spell fades, but eventually she turns visible again. Her transformation does not disappear however, and the Duchess stays in this new half-tree form.

While some keep an eye on the would-be royal assassin, others spend their next moments looking after the wounded guards. One of the guards orders the servants around, sending one of them to fetch healers and the others to take care of the wounded. It doesn't look like these servants are very often called to take care of injuries, but they have at least some basic idea of what to do, and Rowan is there to advice them.

Horns call out in the distance and they hear the occasional scream and shout, as well as other noises. More guards show up, and soon after healers and more servants as well. The ground trembles when the giants the party saw outside the camp run over, only to hear that the main threat has been neutralized. However, they help in dealing with the fey that still run rampant around the camp.

Things are a bit chaotic for a while. Eventually Preceptor Agiloor arrives at the scene, along with some other important looking people, who take charge of the situation. The party is lead to another tent, where they meet Sandra again, and they all are asked to go through the events of the day and what had brought them here over and over again to different people. Finally, Agiloor agrees that the day has been very long and that the inquiry can continue tomorrow. The party is led to yet another tent, where bedrolls have been set out and food is brought in. The camp is restless and on high alert all night, but when one is tired enough sleep will always find them.

_________________________


Springhaven

As Eglantine walks briskly down the alley, the guard looks up, and something about her picks up his attention as he pushes himself off the wall and starts moving towards her. ”Hey, miss! A moment!”

Eggy hastens her steps and reaches the door before the guard gets to her. Fortunately the door is unlocked, and opens quickly though with a creak. She hurries inside, through a small hallway and into a huge room that is mostly empty except for benches circling it on the sides. The floor is covered by an enormous painting of an old tree, and the ceiling is decorated with thousands of snowflakes. From her earlier visits Eglantine knows that this is the temple's main place of worship, where Illyrie's followers gather for divine service and ceremonies.

Only two clerics who were cleaning the floor are in there now, and they look at Eggy with surprise on their faces. ”My, what is it, child? What has made you rush in so?”, asks one of them, an elderly woman, and she walks up to Eggy.

Before she has a chance to answer, the guard from the street burst in. ”Miss! I need you to come with me now!”

The old priestess glares at the guard and especially at the sword on his belt. She points an accusing finger at him. ”How dare you enter the Lady's Hall carrying instruments of violence! Out!”

”Sorry, but the Guard has questions for this woman, she needs to come with me-” The guard tries to reach for Eglantine, but the cleric slaps his hand away surprisingly swiftly. [I]”Out! Take your filthy blades out from polluting this place! Out! Brother Henric! Get this man out!”

The younger cleric steps up and says in a calm but stern voice, ”Guardsman, you need to leave.” He escorts the guard back the way he came; he protests some, but seems to realise this is not a situation where he can win.

The priestess turns back to Eglantine. ”Come now, dear, you must tell us why you've come...”

Spoiler: OOC, all

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Good thing Eggy especially put her items away, so I'll say the old cleric doesn't notice she's carrying an axe.

And as we are on page 50, this is a convenient place to start the next chapter of this journey!