Thema: "A simple escort," she said ...

[Zanan]

After about an hour of climbing and crawling through the narrow tunnel, Tavia calls for a rest in an area wide enough to squeeze you all in. Xune checks on Tarinyon again, who still looks a bit shaky. Kylara signals that it would be in the interest of all to set up camp here for some time, to which neither the scout nor Xune object. The diminutive female checks out the injuries of the other members of the party, while Naedragard decides to take up a guard position at the yet unchecked exit of this place. Khalas settles near Kylara and both slip off into reverie soon after. For the first time, those awake notice Xune taking out a small booklet and reading in it intensely.

Once everyone gets his or her share of rest, Tavia explains that after some two hours of march, the group will end up near a series of shafts going nearly vertical through the Underdark. Some of them are miles deep, or high, so people should be wary with their footing. The climb will last for the better part of the day and the room of the ritual will be not that far off then.

[Fabius Maximus]

"Oh great, more climbing," snarls Farviaan with a face full of disgust. "Great Gith! Why d'you left me stranded here?" he asks into the darkness.

[Zanan]

Naedragard looks into the same edge of darkness that Farviaan peers into. "Hm, maybe she wanted you to have some fun first ... and then, once you are up there, she stakes her claim and sucks you dry?" The female cocks her head before adding: "Well, if you want, I might trick one of the wizards into putting a flying spell onto you to ease the last few hours?", accompanied by the most stunning smile the gith has ever seen.

[Phaerven]

"I am considering to buy me a good wand of flying for my 5000 gold pieces", Zhadristan says to Farviaan.

[Fabius Maximus]

The gith's head snaps around to regard the fiend. "What're you talking about? 'Sucking me dry'," he asks as the tatoos on his face start to swirl.

[Zanan]

The female turns her head on Farviaan, seemingly a bit puzzled for about half a moment. Then a 'seed is planted' look appears on her face. "Well Master Farviaan, nothing that needs to concern you right now, really. A planar jest, so to speak." It sounds very (as in: very) reasonable an explanation to all of you. "Maybe we talk about it up there again?"

Tavia shrugs and looks on as Xune paints a small tattoo on her thigh.

[Zanan]

A few hours later, Tavia leads you to the shaft she told you about. It extends into either way far beyond your vision, though you see the opposite wall on a few occasions. Naedragard looks down the shaft and whistles. "There's much more down here than I thought." Tavia points upwards, saying: "Up there is a nearly circular opening in the wall, on our side. The wall has a lot of cracks and offers good footing. Just make sure you don't slip. The fall would be ... fatal."
Naedragard waves her right hand: "Nah, I will watch over you ..." Half an instant later, she vanishes from sight, only to reappear about 100 feet above you, sitting on the edge of a ledge peering down. The scout and Xune fasten their equipment and start climbing. The diminutive priestess clings to the near vertical wall without much problem, observing the others in their ascent. Khalas cast a quick spell and steps into thin air. He quickly ascents even beyond Naedragard to check for enemies ... or so you assume.

The climb takes time, much like Tavia said, at least with those who do it the mundane way.

[Sheiriya]

During the rest Sheiriya switches her rings again and puts away the shadowy cloth.

As usual Sheiriya decides to levitate up the shaft.

[Fabius Maximus]

Grumbling to himself about 'sodding flying elves', Farviaan climbs the shaft easily enough.

[Korach]

When it comes to climbing again, Xyranma appears and puts the spider into his backpack. Shortly after that he disappears again.

[Phaerven]

Zhadristan eases the climb with his levitation ability.

[Szordrin]

Szordrin carefully climbs the wall while keeping out a sharp eye on the darkness that stretches beyond the majority of the group's sight.

[Zanan]

The climb takes its toll on those doing it the physical way, something nearly all have to revert to after their spells duration runs out. Occasionally, some stones up to the size of a goblin's head become lose somewhere up above you and whizz past, but Naedragard always gives a quiet warning. Finally, you do reach the openings in the wall, much like Tavia promised. They vanish into the walls on either side of the shaft and it looks much like magic at work, as nearly circular tunnels can be seen. Dust covers the floor, as do bones of strange flying creatures which Tavia identifies as vargouilles. She also points out that someone has actually moved in these tunnels not too long ago ... clearly humanoid. Kylara looks somewhat irritated at this news, as few people apparently know of this place. She signals the group to get ready for some action.

[Sheiriya]

On their way up it looks like it is possible for Sheiriya to refresh her levitation as often as needed.
When they enter the tunnel, she makes herself ready for fighting, which means putting the ring, that makes her invisible to darkvision, on a finger, getting the shadow veil out again and loading her crossbow.

[Szordrin]

Szordrin draws a shyrlass and activates his ring of the darkhidden.