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Message: <blockquote data-quote="neveryours" data-source="post: 1458890" data-attributes="member: 13424">Ruins Within the ForestThe party had been travelling for 3 days within the forest. They were relying on Durgan to lead the way. Durgan had with him a map. He had purchased that, with some cost, from an elven bard named Quan. Durgan suspected that it wasn’t even his real name. However, the man claimed that he came upon a dying elven ranger who told him about an artefact that he had been carrying. The purpose of this artefact was to save the elves and reclaim the homeland. However, the elf had suffered mortal injuries, and before he could elaborate further, he gasped his last breath. Hearing noises that sounded like someone trudging through the undergrowth, Quan panicked, grabbed the map and ran away. As he was going through some hard times, Quan decided to sell the map for some quick steel pieces.Durgan spotted some ruins in a small clearing up ahead. A temple of some sort used to be here. Probably one dedicated to Chislev. All that was left now are a flight of stairs leading up to a squarish platform with 4 half collapsed stone columns, one at each corner. Several statues of various beasts and monsters stood around the base of each column. In front of the stairs, was what used to be a public fountain. Now, it only held stagnant water. The carvings had used to adorn the rim of the fountain were been weathered and no longer decipherable.Stark suddenly noted that the forest seemed unnaturally quiet. The chirps of birds that had accompanied them for the past two days seem to have disappeared. “Be careful. The forest doesn’t feel right. The wildlife is staying away from this place.” She drew an arrow and nocked it.Seeing no apparent danger, the party approached the fountain cautiously. Suddenly, a pair of stone statues, which looked like giant eagles, sprang into life and took to the air. The pair dove down at Vilinius and Karavas. Both of them reeled under the slashing talons and ripping beaks of the eagles.A little too late, Durgan shouted a warning, “Gargoyles!”The gargoyles continued their relentless assault on Karavas and Vilinius. The arrows of Stark seemed to leave only scratches on the gargoylesDurgan coolly appraised the situation and manoeuvred himself into a position where he could give flanking to the barbarians. He adopted a defensive stance and begin to harry the gargoyles with his flashing longsword.Taunus drew “Burning Rage” (his greatsword) and struck out in rage at the gargoyle assailing Vilinius. The magical flames wreathing around the blade seemed to echo his rage. The flames burst into a bright orange light and as his sword struck the gargoyle, the flames seemed to burn into its skin. Mand swung her greatsword at the other gargoyle. Her keen blade, which had taken down many before this, did not seem able to bite through the gargoyle’s skin as effectively.Fighting back the pain, Vilinius took a step back. He gestured and muttered an incantation. And then, he was lost to sight.Mindful of the talons of the eagles, Karavas concentrated on drawing forth his innate energies to heal himself. The cuts and slashes which he had suffered began to close at an extraordinary rate, with not even a scar left.The ensuing melee seemed to be going in favour of the gargoyles, who had concentrated their attacks on Karavas. Out of thin air, a ray of scorching fire found a gargoyle’s chest. Snarling, both the gargoyles charged at Vilinius, who had suddenly reappeared some distance away. The gargoyles had inflicted grievous wounds to Vilinius and his faced paled at the sight of his own blood flowing freely from the many wounds. Karavas selflessly rushed to the side of Vilinius, and gritting his teeth as the gargoyles attacked him, he released a rush of energy to heal the wounds of Vilinius. The battle drew on with Vilinius drawing healing strength from Karavas. The attacks of the gargoyles were growing increasingly desperate as a simmering shield around Vilinius seemed to deflect many of their blows. Vilinius’ fingers were sparking with bolts of light that unerring found their way to the gargoyles. His magic missiles, along with the attacks of Taunus and Mand were wearing the gargoyles down. Stark, who was rapidly drawing and firing her bow, was chipping away at the gargoyles’ health. As Taunus was starting to feel the strength of his rage drain from him, he struck mightily at a gargoyle and Burning Rage claimed another victim. Taunus spun about and cleaved at the other gargoyle. The flames hungrily consumed yet another kill.Vilinius seemed spent and exhausted, and was supported by Karavas and a very concerned Taunus. Stark started taking a quick count of the arrows left in her quiver.Stark faced Durgan and arched an eyebrow. “Your source of intelligence didn’t tell you anything about the dangers we’d face?”Durgan shrugged and smiled embarrassingly at the rest of the party.</blockquote>

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