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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 9820353" data-attributes="member: 143">Chapter 32The mood in the private back room at the Drunken Dragon was somber, as the companions gathered for a last meal and to discuss their plans for the final assault on the Caves. A few neatly-wrapped bundles sat on the edge of the table. In addition to fresh supplies and ammunition provided by the Castellan, they had made a visit to the local provisioner and secured a fresh healer’s kit for Folgar, as well as another potion of healing that the halfling shopkeeper had had in stock. They’d had to combine their dwindling stores of coin for that last purchase, but Greghan hadn’t begrudged the expense. In this moment, after everything they’d already faced, a stack of gold coins seemed to matter less than they would have even just a week ago. The warrior—a title he had come to accept—had changed, and he credited the three people with whom he dined that night for the transformation.For a while the four of them ate in friendly camaraderie, talking about anything and everything except for what lay ahead of them on the morrow. Finally, once Umbrusk had come in and cleared the dishes, closing the door behind him as he left, they got down to business.“All right,” Ravani said. “There’s something we need to discuss.”Greghan leaned forward, expecting some sort of tactical analysis of the remaining caves, or the possible cult forces that could await them, but the elf only smiled and said, “The group name. It’s time.”Leana rubbed her forehead. “Not this again.”Ravani rubbed his chin. “I’ve been giving this a lot of thought. How about, ‘Ravani’s Company’? It’s short and easy to remember, and has a certain ring to it.”“Ha, the ‘Lords of Chaos’ would be a better name, and more accurate given how we’ve proceeded thus far,” Folgar said.“Ravani and Associates?” the elf countered. “Saviors of the Borderlands?”“I think we might want to wait until we actually have accomplished something before claiming any high kudos,” Leana said dryly.“I’d like to talk more about our approach,” Greghan said, redirecting the conversation to more weighty topics. “The armor will help, but I’m worried about what surprises the cult might have in store.”“A reasonable concern,” Folgar said. “Given that we started with kobolds and goblins and ended up with gnolls and an ogre, it seems likely that the cult will be the greatest test of all.”“And one involving undead,” Leana said. She reached up and touched her sigil absently as she spoke.“But you can deal with those, right?” Greghan asked. “Being a cleric and all.”“Yes, to a degree,” the halfling replied. “But it’s like my magic—limited in the frequency of use, and not guaranteed to work.”“So it may come down to that chopper of yours, is what she’s saying,” Ravani said.“I am on the cusp of a breakthrough with my own magic,” Folgar said. “I have been researching some more powerful spells. Second-order magic.”“Fireball?” Ravani asked hopefully.“Not that powerful,” Folgar corrected.“Maybe we should wait, then?” Greghan asked. “If you need more time to finish your research…”“Time is not the issue,” Folgar said. “The application of magic is not that dissimilar from the way you use your muscles to accomplish martial feats; it requires training to expand one’s capacity. I have completed all of the necessary formulae for the use of several potent spells; it is a matter of increasing that capacity to the point where I am able to facilitate their casting.”“It is similar for me, although my magic comes from the Lightbringer, and not from spell formulae in a book,” Leana said. “However, I believe that I too am close to being able to channel more divine energy.”“Let’s just hope your brain-muscles get bigger before we run into the cult,” Ravani said dryly.“The only question for me is whether to focus my efforts on abjuration or evocation,” Folgar said. “I have laid the groundwork for either as a specialty.”“Abjur…what?” Greghan asked.“Defense or offense,” Ravani said before the dwarf could reply. “Blowing stuff up, or keeping stuff from being blown up.”“You seem to know a lot about magic,” Greghan said.“We elves have magic in our blood,” Ravani said. He made a gesture, and tiny sparkling motes of light flickered around his fingertips, hovering in the air for a moment before fading. “Unfortunately, I lack the talent to do anything more impressive than light a torch.”“Do not sell yourself short, my friend,” Folgar said. “Inherent magic is a useful gift.”“Let us focus on the immediate goal,” Leana said. “Blowing stuff up could be useful, going up against the cult.”“Do not underestimate the efficacy of defensive magic,” Folgar said. “Especially given that we know that the cult contains at least one practicing necromancer.”“So which option are you going to pick?” Greghan asked.Folgar considered. “I do not yet know. I suppose it will depend on which insights I gain from our upcoming trials.”“Yeah, well I’ve just been focused on taking down enemies faster,” Ravani said. “Though I don’t expect any earth-shattering insights on that front.”“You never know,” Leana said. She stood up on her chair. “I suggest we head to our beds and get an early start in the morning. It may be a long day tomorrow."“Unless it’s a short one,” Ravani said ominously.</blockquote>

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