Ruin's Dawn: Noble Shadows

[Basilisk]

Date: 35 of Saun, 721
Location: Undergroun Caves, Augiery Region

It was dark, which was to be expected. Caves usually were dark, after all. But this was an oppressive, threatening sort of darkness that felt like the shadows themselves were malicious and threatening. Fortunately, the five people who were called into the caverns each found themselves wearing a bracelet that generated light for them to see by. Another person in the cave with them was wearing a bracelet of her own, but she was not human. Any who know the pantheon of Immortals could have identified her by the long, serpentine tail she had in place of legs, but she smiled at them and introduced herself regardless.

"I am Ethelynda, the Noble Serpent. And I do apologize for the abrupt nature of the summons, but I'm afraid our time is rather limited." she said, grimacing slightly at the end. "Faldrun and his allies have recovered some ancient artifacts and are using them to gather power, with which they mean to assert their dominance over the world." she said, before sighing and looking around them.

"This lovely locale is a cave near the slave pits of Augiery, but fortunately, you are not required to head into that hostile city. In fact, you get to head away from them, though I'm afraid it's still going deeper into the caves. You see, these artifacts work by gathering ambient power, and Faldrun's forces seem to have found a sufficiently powerful source of ambient energy deep in the caves surrounding Augiery. Now, these bracelets, given courtesy of Qylios, will help you see, but they'll also help you navigate the caves, as they'll leave a trail of light behind you, leading back to this cave." she said, before letting out a huff of irritation.

"I can't stay. I wish I could, but my presence could not only attract Faldrun and his allies, but also Audrae and her forces. No one wants that, given their hostile natures, to say nothing of Augiery's...proclivities. So be careful." she said, shaking her head. "It's not good, that I should have to leave while you undertake this task, but I must, ere I bring you to more danger and risk restarting a war that should be left long buried. Guard yourselves well, and I will watch over you as best I can." she said, before vanishing, leaving only a slight echo a hissing serpent behind her.

!

Message from: Basilisk

Well, hello you lot and welcome to The Caves around Augiery. For this round, you can describe what your PC's were doing before Ethelynda called you all to the Caves to help save Idalos, as well as what you do once your here. From the next round and on, your group will moderated by our favorite windy friend, Tempest. So, I'll leave you in her capable breezes and hope you all have fun and enjoy the plot. Next post is in a week, on Tuesday the 15th.

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[Woe]

As events unfolded and wore on in Scalvoris, Woe found his taste for politics waning along with his enjoyment of small gatherings. He had taken to bringing his work to the North Lodge, in a private room he rented in order to get paper work done when Element business required it. He scrawled down the names that he needed to of people to watch, poeple to contact, and people to question by proxy. Woe had a few ears scattered across the town who could easily take up that information for him, while he remained relatively anonymous.

In short, he was in an isolationist's paradise.

Time had seen his involvement in the cult of his Mother diminishing while the devotion and admiration he had toward Chamadarst was bolstered. And while he didn't fancy his Patron a god of any sort, he recognized the advantages of distance and isolation, more and more.

He sipped tea from his glass, a black blend with a smokey flavor. He wore a charcoal surcoat, whose hem fell well below his knees, trimmed around the collar and neckline with brown mink, with silver buttons fastening the surcoat's front seam. The sleeves of his dark umber shirt beneath the surcoat stuck out from vambraces of blooded leather, the longish cuffs of which were starched and threaded with pale but sturdy flax. Breeches of red blooded leather, boots of blooded leather were worn beneath the surcoat. A belt and baldric with silver buckles cinched the surcoat at the waist.

He tapped his leather boot against the floor, trying to regain his train of thought from the wandering it'd done only a few moments before. Why he would think of his patron at this moment was probably happenstance, yet he often did, in thoughts that were framed toward the approach, Chamadarst would take toward his problems. It was an unusual thing, acclimating to a way of life so alien to the old ways of Sintra and the Webspinners.

He supposed preoccupation with things that didn't concern the matter at hand was an anathema to his Patron. And so he did what he could to purge his curiosity, and see things with clear and new eyes. He looked into the ledger he was scrawling upon and came across a few names that sparked familiarity.

As he continued looking into the pages, he felt his head getting heavy. His eyes wavered in their ability to keep open. Soon enough, he found himself closing his eyes a good few seconds, until the feeling passed. Yet, the sensation seemed to transport him elsewhere. When he opened his eyes, he saw he was in a familiar-looking cavern system. He turned around, to see several others with him. One of them at least he knew, Gennadiya. The other... by reputation. And he had seen him briefly at the Masquerade Ball in Rynmere, or so he seemed to remember. Perhaps memory was unclear as of now. But he thought it was Xander Krome, or Andaris as he'd taken the name, according to what he'd heard from Elisabeth Angelus.

The other two were unknown to him, a man of light complexion, and a female mer by the look of her. He blinked, and then was drawn attention toward the one who'd apparently summoned them there. Ethylynda, the Shield Bearer and Noble Serpent. Woe had no thoughts on her as yet, save that she wasn't friendly with the Webspinners. But that was no concern of his, not anymore.

She said where they were, and Woe couldn't help but let it slip from his own lips, the cursed city, "Augiery." Audrae's domain, and her terrible daughters and creations. Of all the places for Ethelynda to bring Woe, she brought him back to the place which started him on the path toward misadventure in Yaralon, and later War in Rhakros, famine in Ne'haer, and Ruin in Quacia. He thought he'd put that city behind him long ago. It's beautiful yet cruel mistresses were not to be trifled witwh, and Woe didn't doubt that the Shield-Bearer had stirred them up already, despite her clumsy protestations that she now not help them. Some Immortals...

Woe searched his surroundings without moving, casting his glance this way and that, trying to find his bearings. An artifact of power they were after. Well, Woe had ways of finding things such as that. He began dousing for sources of energy, particularly ether. If there was a source of energy about, he would wager it was Emean or Fractive in origin.

Meanwhile, he waited for the others to speak up, and say their peace.

[Zoro Astrian]

Zoro Astrian was well and truly discombobulated and a casual glance from any of his new companions would have confirmed it. The young biqaj’s hair was tousled and he blinked several times before he could make sense of the reality that he was experiencing. The reason for this was largely because Zoro had been asleep. Not just asleep, in fact, but dreaming. Come to that, not just a regular dream but an incredibly lucid one about pirates on a ship called “The Manticore” He had been sitting in the courtyard garden of his uncle’s house when he had been overcome with sleep due to the warmth of the day and the intoxicating sweet scents from the blooms that hung heavy. The garden was full of noises, sounds, and sweet airs that gave delight and hurt not.

Pulling himself from what he assumed was a hypnogogic state brought on by the strange plants in Uncle Zeb’s garden, Zoro realised that he was fully awake and no longer where he had been. He roused himself and looked around at his companions and his swirled in shades of purple and lilac with pleasure when he recognised Xander. A hint of pink embarrassment showed momentarily and Zoro nodded at Xander in a pseudo-nonchalant manner, hoping not to appear as some sort of hero worshipper.

Listening to the advice given by the Lady Ethelynda to “guard yourselves well”, Zoro’s back straightened and his chin jutted and his hand went to his cutlass. After the lady had vanished he turned to the others in the group and introduced himself in a forthright tone. “My name is Zoro Astrian and I hope to serve and not let you down.” He said this in a rather self-conscious yet sincere tone of voice.

[Gennadiya Arishina]

“I have been and still am
a seeker, but I have ceased to
question stars and books;
I have begun to listen to
the teaching my blood
whispers to me.”

― Hermann Hesse

Gennadiya Lyosha

Noble Shadows
35 of Saun, 721

Gennadiya was actually in a new place on the particular trial. Instead of in Rharne the grey cloak medic was currently in Faldress in preparation for her friends due date next season. She had been accompanied by Lillabelle, her adopted daughter, Xander and his children. Genna was currently in the tent on the rug floor with all the girl and Xander reading to the children.

Genna enjoyed this activity with the children. In reality she really should be finishing unpacking but she had decided not to for this activity. Her soft voice was reading about children who managed to escape from weird animals stalking them. She looked over at Xander as she read her eyes twinkling as they meet his even while she continued to read. Eventually the story ended and Gennadiya closed the book and smiled at the girls.

“Okay one story as promised now I need you to all finish make your cots and let me finish butting stuff away.”

There was a smile from Lillabelle as she went over to her section of the massive tent. Genna smiled broadly at them as picked up her own bag. It was odd collection of items. Despite being a healer her bag contained not only her medicine but also her bow. Ironically after the siege she could use it for more then shooting arrows so she had brought it not knowing why.

It was as she picked up the bag that the world suddenly changed. The platinum blonde woman stood there her gaze suddenly taking in a cavern. Genna maintained her calm and turned around to see where it was that they had found themselves. Her sapphire eyes took in that Xander was there with her and she reached out and touched his arm. She saw Woe and she nodded at him.

Then the Immortal Ethelynda spoke to them. Genna listened and then nodded her head as she spoke. The medic resisted the urge to sigh as she heard that Faldrun was up to no good again. They were there to keep from trying to keep him from gaining a magically charge artifact. Genna was a bit annoyed at suddenly being yanked away from the children but she trust those who were on the island which included her secretary to watch them. Stopping the immortal of fire though was worth the sacrifices.

Genna listened and then bowed her head towards the Immortal. She looked around and nodded to Zorro. “I am Gennadiya and this is Xander.”

She turned to Xander. “I am going to use my healers sight to try and detect if anyone is around. Can you help me since walking and focusing on that ability are difficult.” She waited for a reply and then sunk her self to see if she detected anyone else near by. She would be surprised at this point to find them but figure it was best to start sure of it.

[Mab Prell]

Mab held her sisters hand as the two meandered a path in the Sweetwine Woods. The heat dragged moisture from the Mer’s skin making her lick her lips frequently. Although it had only been one trial since she had returned from her time in the sea, already the heat felt dehydrating. Mab felt the salty sweat on her sisters hand pleasant and moist against her own and adjusted the two packs slung along her body with the other hand so as not to drop her sisters.

“Do you want to go swimming?” Her sister signed in common.

“Yes.” She signed back, understanding the split vibrating finger gesture as the amusing imitation of a two-legs kicking swim.

While her sister peeled the sweaty clothing off before leaping into the water, Mab leaned over to set her spear against a tree and sling the packs amongst its gnarled roots. However, as she leaned she found herself tripping clumsily against the roots and pitching forward toward the dirt. Reaching out to catch herself the world blurred around her.

As her hands smacked the dirt and an audible oomph rolled passed her sharp teeth from the force of the ground her eyes widened. There was no dirt, but instead sharp cool rocks. Looking up from her prone position on the floor, a warm light emanated from her wrist alighted the boots of those around her. Where am I? Where is sis?! She drew herself up quickly, eyes flicking from one face to the next. She recognized not a single soul that stood before her nor where she found herself. Each person was a beautiful specimen of a human, and each were nearly or as tall as the Mer herself. An oddity when she usually found herself towering over others.

Ethelynda… Mab considered, and though the name sounded familiar she couldn’t place the creature in her memory. Having never been in the presence of an Immortal Mab could not understand the awe that overcame her despite herself. If all the humans gathered were beautiful specimens of their race this creature was the statue from which they were all sculpted. Each gesture, when frozen, the inspiration of a thousand bardic tales and artisan crafts. The scar streaking across her face from beneath her eye no more a mar than make-up on a human.

As the serpent continued speaking, Mab’s confusion only increased exponentially. She knew little of Faldrun, beyond the domain he ruled and knew not what would inspire an immortal to choose her to carry out a task for or against an immortal. Not a single word or title elicited any recognition in the Mer beyond an understanding that they had been tasked with a bold adventure to protect Idalos from a malevolent god and that the bracelet at her wrist was a gift worth more than her life.

I have always wanted to write the deeds of heroes…perhaps the immortals wish to have this tale written. She hoped. Glancing at her spear tip Mab reflected, it had never been thrust through skin. Perhaps I’ll simply get to remove the tip and use it as a quill instead.

Mute, but wishing she had spoken to the immortal, Mab was relieved when one of the members spoke and introduced himself. It seems I am not the only one previously unintroduced.

“I am Mab Prell…” The Mer spoke quietly, jumping when her voice rebounded, echoing off the cave walls. Healers sight? Mab wondered, and tentatively reached inward, stroking the slippery eel of a spark that wiggled like a tadpole within her. The ripples cast outward until they touched the healer and rolled back against the novice Attuner. Like a cord being struck, Mab listened for the soft sweet hymn that would roll off of the woman. Attuning was the way Mab had begun to understand the world, so much of it a dizzying mystery, some truth or understanding could be found in the songs the living emitted.

[Xander Andaris]

Xander had been listening with the children to the story that Gennadiya had been reading, almost as captivated as them albeit for different reasons. Nontheless he sat with one of the twins on his lap and the other sitting quietly listening with wide eyes and a gleeful smile. The Father had found that the healer seemed to have adapted to being a mother to Lillabelle with ease and that ease had entended to his own children, it brought a smile to his face to see that she was able love so easily. After all Xander had seen many children in Rynmere struggle to find love with their own parents nevermind a stranger, he remembered the neglect and lack of love offered from his own parents.

Alas the story came to an end and it was time for him and the girls he was surrounded by these days to finish preparing the tent and unpacking. Xander stood, releasing the toddler off his lap to unsteadily walk her way over to her sister. Zara and Katherine were 3 arcs old now and how much they had grown never stopped amazing the nobleman, they had been so tiny when they had come into the world and now they could walk and string short sentences together. Then there was Ala'ni, the 10 year old also seemed to grow older by the trial, she would be a teenager and then an adult before he knew it and he wasn't sure wehther that made him happy or fearful.

Regardless they all moved to start unpacking and doing as Gennadiya had said. Xander had only just finished standing and readjusting his sword belt when the world around him changed morphing from a tent filled with children to a dark cave somewhere he had never seen before. There was a moment of uncertainty of shock and panic but when his eyes set upon Gennadiya and then Ethelynda there came a feeling of calm, knowing that there must have been a good reason for this.

It had been some time since the nobleman had been gven a real reason to bow but as he saw Ethelynda, the half serpent who had marked him all that time ago he dropped to one knee and bowed his head respectfully. The immortal was the only one he knew much of anything about and above that she had given him aid and power to protect his family as well as helping him when Celeste had been taken from him. He owed her a lot and while he had not been doing masses in her service or so honour her of late he would not forget the debts he had to her and the help she had given him, if she needed something from it on his honour he would provide.

It seemed his thoughts would be answered as the Noble Serpent explained why they were here and once again Xander wondered how someone who knew so little of the immortals was again managing to get mixed up in their conflicts. Lack of knowledge aside like he had before Xander would serve again now. As Ethelynda left Xander stood again and examined his companions, Zoro he recognised straight away and returned the mans nod in kind. Another man was with them, Xander thought maybe he recognised him although the truth was he could not place him. Though he did not feel it was too important to remember where he had met him before when he was hear now, Xander resolved that must mean he was there to help.

Of course there was Gennadiya as well who had taken hold of his arm when they first arrived and whose touch comofrted him in the darkness of the cave. Though the bracelet that he had now did seem to be helping him to see. He tried to think what he knew of Augiery and it was not much beyond the knowledge that many slaves came from and eventually too the city, that pirates seemed to come from the place in search of men to serve in their great underground city but that was about the entent of his knowledge.

Zoro spoke first and then Gennadiya and in response Xander placed a steady guiding hand onto her upper arm in order to help her walk safely when needed. While he did so he looked at Zoro and Woe and Mab who had also now introduced herself. Biting his tongue softly as he tried to think what to say, although he didn't have masses to offer at this stage. "While Gennadiya searches for anything living nearby I would ask if any of you have any knowledge of the caves surrounding Augiery, I myself am unfamiliar with this part of the world and am sorry to say that I doubt I will be much help with navigating it, although if either of you believe you may have a better ability to do so I can help to make sure you remain protected along the way."

He left his hand grasped firmly around Gennadiya as she searched and his other hand remained on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it at the slightest sound, sight or smell of trouble nearby. His eyes scanned the darkness around them, watching the dark rock walls as his ears took in the deathly quiet of the subterranean landscape.

[Tempest]

A Storm is Coming...

The group that stood inside the caves at Augiery knew each other to an extent. That could possibly prove to be what kept them all alive. Standing in the darkness there was a strange feeling that began to come over the group as they tried to make a plan of how to go about the adventure. When the team decided to move around preparing to figure out a plan, though they did not leave the circle they stood in the shadows around them seemed to move. It was as if something was hidden beyond the glow of their bracelets watching them. When Woe looked around the cavern without moving his head, there was nothing that he could immediately see beyond the edge of the light coming from their grouped together bracelets. All that appeared to be there was an inky blackness that threatened to swallow one whole if they ventured too far. Like that of a rage ocean during a storm trying to swallow sailors.

When Gennadiya began to try and sense if anyone was around, she found that there was no one like them around. There was something unknown to her in the darkness after Ethelynda left the group alone. The young woman had no way of knowing if the creatures she found in the darkness was there when they had been speaking with Ethelynda or not. If the group did not start to move, they would notice the feeling starting to get stronger. As if there was something trying to suffocate them with the sense of fear and danger. As time passed a rock fell from a distance in the dark causing the sound to echo around them. Hissing could also be heard fleeing from around them going in one direction.

If they choose to follow the sounds, the group will find two openings leading farther into the caves. As they moved it was clear there were several pillars that held the ceiling of the caves above them without risk of it falling on them. One had what appeared to be claw marks all over the ground and up the walls deep enough to put one’s fingers in. While the second tunnel had some kind of liquid at the front of it. Only a few drops at first as if someone had dripped sweat on to the ground or something had drooled there while walking. Yet there were no tracks of any kind to support the belief that anyone had passed by there. There was a choice of what tunnel for them to go down even though there was no way to tell what lay at the end of the tunnels from just the bracelets on their arms.

Info & Rules

• Due to the time-sensitive nature of this, I can not hold out for people to post. If you miss a round, there will (I'm afraid) be consequences. Please Communicate with me if something comes up for the week. There will still be consequence but different.
• Next mod post will be on Tuesday the 22nd

Objectives

!	Message from: Must-Do Objectives
	Describe what each person what's to do about the creatures and which tunnel to take

!	Message from: Can-Do Objectives
	Use the words menacing, icy, delirious try to take a sample of the liquid in the second tunnel

[Woe]

If there was one thing that annoyed Woe more than anything, it was being pushed to act in one way or another. He hated the sensation of being manipulated. It reminded him far too much of his various experience as a slave and later working for a slaver himself. The act of coercion that the surroundings imposed on them through fear and deceit, the overwhelming sense that they must move on was equally vexing to any coercion suffered at the lash of a whip or the sweet words of a seducer.

He wasn't having it.

Unfortunately for Woe, his Spark wasn't returning his attempts to try and find a frequency, a note, or to even douse for a source of energy. He heard the same sounds as the rest of them. Woe didn't much care for snakes or things that hissed in the dark. But he wasn't about to be pushed into anything, regardless of some unseen force's attempts to coerce him toward some end.

"Yes I know of this place. Well, the city itself. I've never been to the caverns, but I suspect there are many things to beware of here. Not least of which are the daughters of the Night Maiden." Woe said, and then muttered under his breath, "I will not budge for these frivolous shadows. Whatever deceit or fear they impose on my will, I will not have it."

So saying, he let the ether travel along the syllables of every word he said. He bolstered his own sense of courage, trying to strum out those emotions from deep inside him. Then, he wove those feelings of courage into his fellow travelers, trying to calm them as he spoke further, "I suggest we not let our emotions rule us here. Something wants us to be afraid, and I doubt it's driving us toward anything good."

So saying, Woe made his decision. He would not be budging from this spot, but would hold his ground.

OOC

Must do: Woe will stand and fight, and take neither tunnel.

[Zoro Astrian]

The feeling of being discombobulated did not leave Zoro Astrian. In fact, it grew and with it grew a sense of fear which he recognised as not natural.

More people appeared in this strange place. A beautiful woman with platinum hair spoke, and Zoro was struck by how lovely her voice was. Then, he realised, that she was with Xander and the biqaj eye-blushed even more. First he'd been apparently delirious at seeing the familiar face of Xander, and then he switched to playing it cool, with a nod to icy, and in the end he just smiled and nodded.

There was a Mer, a race that Zoro Astrian knew from his life on the water and he greeted Mab but most of his focus was on their surroundings and their situation. It was not natural, he was sure, to find mere shadows so menacing, but Zoro did. He was close to losing his nerve. Zoro had lived his life on the water and the experience of being underground was very unusual for him. He had previously been inside a tree, but that was different and no one here was a fairy. Still, this was another adventure and would be a wonderous story to tell his family - none of whom would believe him, or be remotely interested. He imagined thebored derision that he would get from his twin sisters when he regaled them with the tale and, even in the darkness and with fear gripping him, Zoro smiled at the thought.

The bracelets gave some light, but Zoro found the shadows overwhelmingly menacing and he drew his glittering, colour-changing cutlass. He was Zoro Astrian - and he fully believed that he was destined to be here as they all were. If that was the case, then someone (maybe Ethelynda) saw something which he, currently, did not. Drawing courage from that Zoro held his sword ready for the incoming battle. He nodded, firmly, at Woe's words and straightened his back a little more. "We will stand together, then," he said, "and not be chased by the shadows behind us."

And Zoro held his ground, standing next to Woe and hoping that Xander, Mab and Gennadiya did the same.

OOC: Cutlass is in this review. viewtopic.php?f=412&t=26547&p=176216#p176216
OOC: Im not sure what Woe's doing when he says "Then, he wove those feelings of courage into his fellow travelers, " so I leave it to the mod to decide the effect of that. Zoro will be happy to accept any support from him.

[Gennadiya Arishina]

“I have been and still am
a seeker, but I have ceased to
question stars and books;
I have begun to listen to
the teaching my blood
whispers to me.”

― Hermann Hesse

Gennadiya Lyosha

Noble Shadows
35 of Saun, 721

Gennadiya felt reassured as Xander confirmed that he had her back. Luckily they weren’t moving so Genna was able to focus on her ability and also basically follow along with the conversation among the others. As the young woman used her ability Healer Sight Lovalus spirit granted ability to Gennadiya is Healer’s Sight. Genna is passively aware of the health of everyone around her within twenty feet and if asked could tell you how many people are there. If Genna focuses one of those individuals she is able to immerse herself into that person, and spending time she had mental traverse every part of their physical body. This can come in various levels. She can do a see the whole body at once and see any large issues but not really any details, or she can focus on a specific part and see all the details this includes such things and clogged arteries as well as the chemical reactions in the brain with this come the understanding of what is causing such issues. Example being in the case of a drug addict she would understand that certain chemicals flood the brain because of a particular substance, and the chemical causes certain effects. With practice Genna will be able to do more then just see these details, but able to influence them. Returning to the example. With practice and understand she can help influence the brain to return to producing the correct balance of chemicals, or she can help clear a clogged artery before a heart attack.

Genna having the knowledge of what is causing a certain effect wouldn’t necessary know how to resolve it unless she has the knowledge independently. . She could sense each of the others who was summoned, she didn’t pay much attention to them instead reaching into the darkness beyond the light and it was there that she felt something strange something that wasn’t like the other part members.

As she worked she could feel a strange menacing sensation trying to affect her. Genna pushed down the feeling with her self discipline Master. She focused on her ability focusing on the strange creature that was in the room with them. Seeing what information, she could get. If Xander looked at her he would notice her gaze in the direction of the entity. She only focused on it for a few moments before pulling her focus out of Healers Sight. Her gaze still locked on that corner she held out her palm and used her ability Ray of Light The Blessed one can, from any logical point on his body, emit a ray of sunlight. This can be used like a torch in a dark place, a flare for searchers, a dazzling blinder against an attacker, a flash signal to send messages over considerable distance, or any other creative use. This ray can be maintained for ten bits (minutes) for each ability the Blessed has in this Mark (so, 30 bits at first, etc). To shoot a ray of light in the direction of the entity she could sense. If she didn’t find the entity right away she would close her palm and then fall back into healer’s sight to see if she could located its moved location, and then shine the light in that direction.

While she shown the light she would speak. “We aren’t alone in here. Though I don’t think that will surprise anyone.” Genna wasn’t sure if she was facing Faldrun’s servants or something in the cave it self. The later would make sense at this point, especially since she was extremely familiar with Aukari’s biology. Genna wasn’t aware of what was going on in Woe’s head but she was a Adored of Ymiden, Immortal of the Dawn, Favored of the Mistress of Healing and Earth, as well as The Mistress of the Dance, and Master of Cold and Peace. She would not be cowed by the darkness. She continued to open and closer her palm to show a ray light. Partly to detect the creature and also partly to just drive what ever was out there deliriously crazy. Though if her ray of light did manage to catch something (other then the normal rodent population of a cave.) She would hold on that.

Genna gave the darkness an icy look before looking at the others. “I agree Woe. Something in here is trying to kick up the fear.” She looked around at the man and smiled. “Am I correct that daughters of the Night Maiden are the Naeriik?” She glanced around and said. “Everyone let’s deal with this shadow dweller.” She looked at Xander to see what he said. “Unless you have a different course of action you would suggest, dear.” then she looked at everyone else and meet Zoro's then Mab's eyes and smiled encouragingly at them.