Robot

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20, Mp 3/5 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven Ingrid gives Byran a solemn nod before making her way through their lines to confront a few of the remaining Skum. Her hold on the spell had begun to tax her, and she was approaching the limits of her concentration. It would slip away before too much longer.

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20, Mp 3/5 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven The number of the creatures beginning to thin, Ingrid moves to assist Byran, stowing her truncheon and laying hand on the man's back with a soft prayer. Ingrid casts Cure Light Wounds, spending a Mythic Power to heal him for the better of two rolls of 1d8.

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20, Mp 3/5 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven With the spell holding vivid in her mind, and the enemy line now crashing upon them, Ingrid seemed satisfied. Turning towards the Skum surrounding Draco, she hunkered behind her shield and bellowed before falling upon the nearer of the two creatures. (Charging K4)

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20, Mp 3/5 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven As she had expected, and waited for, so it had come to pass. It was time then, for nature to reclaim what belonged to it. The odds, as they had often been against them remained, but this was the inexorable path forward. Ingrid took knee, hefting a handful of small powdery seeds from a pouch at her hip and slapped them to the stone heavily. A pulse of green light underfoot, and then undulating thorny growths ripped up from the cavern floor, grasping hungrily. (Ingrid casts Divine Recall Mythic Entangle on Square K16, it is a 40' radius effect so should stop just short of our front line. Enemies roll a DC 13 Reflex Save at disadvantage and are entangled on fail. They take a d6 Magical Piercing each turn.)

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven Moving along after Quim as fast as her legs will carry her, Ingrid stops and utters an incantation that is all harsh consonants and frequent stops before gesturing to the Skum in the midst of her comrades. (Ingrid moves to N5 and casts Daze on the only available target, DC is 12 iirc). "Aye keep your britches on Duergar, not all of us move like that boy does." Ingrid answered the dark dwarf a hint testily, theirs was a blood feud that went back longer then the memory of either race. All Ingrid could do was reign it in as best she might manage.

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven "Coal." Ingrid spoke in a gentle, almost soothing tone. "In our time together you've seen some of the worst humanity has to offer, but you've shown the commonfolk that kobolds aren't a nuisance or menace by action and advocating for peace. We have begun to build something alongside our former captors. Please don't give into fear. If you must hate, direct it at the individual and not the race. Smell them if you must." The dwarf took a deep breath. "I'll admit, I have some misgivings over deep dwarves but they are ancestral. That creature seems to be alone, we should move now."

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven "Peace." Ingrid cautioned Nancy, and to a lesser extent Quim with how he bristled. There was heat to her tone, but dwarven fires stoked low and hot. "Fighting a battle on two fronts is never wise even with the advantage. Cessah, too, claimed it the work and will of someone more powerful and threatening. That she did not have a choice. If the world works in those absolutes, with the strong making requirement of the weak, then this is our moment to be better and to have our answers." The jingle, scrape, and light rattle of her and Coal's armors felt enough to deter her from insisting they take the fore. "A torch will give you away more readily then anything else. Even if these 'Skum' can't see in the dark, that thing Byran wore most likely can. We are at a disadvantage here." Ingrid chewed on her thoughts ever so briefly. "Your pup might be able to guide you through the terrain, or Draco or Nancy perhaps provide a spell to let you see in darkness as a dwarf might. If neither of those options work, any sentry will spot torchlight in a dark cave for a long distance. Better Coal and I take the fore in that instance."

Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven "I'm hale." Ingrid offered though not without a hint of distraction to her voice. It's different when I'm the one gripping the hammer, Astrid. Forgive me, I didn't expect a time when the hardest decision I had to make was what to make your father for breakfast. A little grunt at Byran, she considered Coalskuttle, swept the remainder with her eyes and frowned. "Quim is the lightest on his feet, but I'm leery of separating us for the sake of stealth." Then, with a begrudging slowness often attributed to her kin, she added. "You have all shown yourselves capable. I trust your judgements in this."

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven One of them was making for the caves and escape, but Ingrid wasn't in any position to stop him, not without sacrificing potential advantage in what was to come. Not while threatened by two attackers already. She pressed the attack, continuing to put her strength behind the rhythmic blows of her mace.

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven Adopting a defensive stance, the dwarf trundles out and moves to assist her comrades, mace in hand as the cry goes up. Shield high, she whips it back and away as her mace whistles towards one of the Skum in the cluster she had moved herself into. (Ingrid moves to J14 and fights defensively, increasing her AC to 22, prioritizing the enemy at K14 unless it is downed by the others, at which point J15)

Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven Ingrid waits, listening intently. The clatter of the latch and squeak of the door opening would be their cue. Once Draco loosed his spell, she would make way. It would not do to be stalled inside this tight space whilst they might alert others. The situation needed to be reversed, and these Skum contained. Her knuckles pressed hard against the inside of her shield, and wrapped around the handle of the mace, down in a 'lunge' position. (Readied Action, Bullrushing the one at the door after Draco's spell goes off.)

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven "Byron isn't feigning innocence in any of this, and we all saw that thing he was carrying around with him. No one in their right mind would carry a monster like that astride their shoulders. Whether he remains in his right mind or not remains to be seen." Ingrid spoke quietly from her seat. "Ambush should be attempted before we can assess what is next Draco. We can't plan for everything, and hated or not, only Cessah has the answers we need. If they are keeping her against her will, they are no better then any other slaver. Weeds that should be stamped out and burned." A slow exhale and a nod to Vannan, she was too glad to have him along. His confidence gave her a measure of comfort she didn't feel herself in these moments. They would get through this if they had to claw their way out, battered and bloody. She hadn't come this far to quit now. A calloused hand settled over the puckered scar where she'd taken a spear point in their first skirmish with the orcs. Her first impalement. It was such an alien thing to consider, and here she was. Looking into the maw of something horrible once more.

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven It had taken some time, a not insignificant amount of glowering and pacing. Dwarven stubbornness was legendary but she did eventually come around to the idea of seeing to Cessah even if she felt deeply in her bones that being a slave for life was somehow too good for that woman. As she often did during periods of contemplation, she spoke little and less, just observed the others and the goings on. Ingrid had some misgivings about the cloak-monster fleeing into the wilderness around the Citadel, and silently hoped it hadn't returned home. Quim was right though, Byron did ask for a great deal of trust. While his sword arm was better then Ingrid's, it could be leagues ahead of Vannan's and it might not make a difference. Several levels of entrapment all for a desperate battle over a woman, one of very few people in these gods-given lands, that Ingrid could say she hated. Time and again, she had to reassure herself that patience and temperance would be rewarded and see her through. She smiled little, and when they at last prepared to make their final approach she cleared her throat to use the voice that had been stifled for too long. "I would have the Smith doctor or damage the mechanism on the cage, that it cannot contain us before Vannan sees him home to Suliyah and the others. I've some small skill with metals, enough to perhaps assist him, but I believe he would possess the tools necessary for such a thing. If we are resolved to this course of action." Her peace said, Ingrid checked the straps on her shield arm, and pointedly climbed into the wagon.

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 23/32, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven Ingrid manages to push through the horrific moaning even though it claws at something primal inside of her, trailing along after the creature. She hadn't seen its ilk, ever, nor heard stories. It was the stuff of children's nightmares. Time and again she found it sliding free before her blow could completely fall.  

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 23/32, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven There was a flicker of concern on the dwarf's face. For all of her temper, wearing and then being eaten by a nightmare was not something she wished on the man. His loyalty to Cessah was a point of confusion to her after she'd used him to cushion her fall in the caves. At least that had always been Ingrid's assumption. A barbed tail whipped at her face and she jerked her head to one side to save the eye, a long cut lashing itself across her cheekbone, under her ear to the edge of her neck. That would scar. It all scarred despite her best efforts these days, but she found herself strangely at peace with it, as if each mark she took were a badge of honor. Some homage to an ancestry she'd lost grasp of when her family was forced from their homes. Choking up on her hammer, she hoped she might be able to save the man, but it was likely this would hurt him as much as the creature. She swung.  

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 32, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven "I'd say that sounds ruddy fair, considering she left us to die in that cave after carting us about, putting us in harm's way then ducking when things went poorly!" Ingrid snapped, before a brief exchange atop the wagon snagged at the edge of her attention mid-swing. Quim had gotten onto the front of the wagon, and the driver was... not driving anymore. He was fighting with some-thing. Cussing, she moved to climb from her precarious perch against the back of the wagon.  

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 32, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven If Ingrid heard Coal, she made no indication beyond the tightening of her jaw, and swapping the hand her warhammer was in as she awkwardly shimmied along the back of the bouncing wagon, winding back for a second strike. "YOU LOT IN THE WAGON, BRACE!" She bellowed, swinging at the other rear wheel. This was going to get messy and some quick. Blessedly, Quim had been slowing the horses, so even when the wagon fell out from under them there was some hope for minimal injury. The consequences of their actions came later, Coal's too, but that was then. This was now.  

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 32, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven "Aye, and we might've if you weren't doing the same shite what ruined the lives of dozen already, and here ye're out pouching more!" Ingrid bellowed out incensed, hanging from her perch. Taking what hand and footholds she could, the dwarf drew her hammer and muttered a soft prayer before taking a swing at the spoked wheel of the wagon. This was likely to hurt and greatly.  

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 32, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven Bringing her horse up alongside the carriage, Ingrid unslung boots from stirrups, balanced roughly atop her saddle, and flung herself across the gap. How did she keep putting herself in these circumstances? Cessah was going to learn that using people wasn't acceptable, no matter how high her calling was.  

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 32, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven With the morass clawing at the animals and the carriage alike amidst the screaming and huffing of horses, Ingrid took wide of it, spurring her horse into a dead gallop. She wasn't used to the fine handling of an animal by any stretch, but the attempt had to be made. They had all committed for the sake of one, despite their earlier misgivings. The driver no doubt had more experience with these sorts of things then any of them could have hoped to. She checked over her shoulder to see if they were yet in sight of the Citadel. The last thing they needed was to be set upon by the guard while trying to save the 'Paladin'. A huff, and Ingrid leaned in.  

Ingrid Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 32, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven Title Ingrid audibly choked on her tongue.  That girl is going to get herself killed!  They were not long on time, and to try to retrieve the Kobold now would expose her and no doubt cause the size of commotion Ingrid did not want.  Quim would still be upset at this hour yet, with Draco and Nancy looking out for him.  Coal had neither the blessing of being of the considered civilized races, nor of someone watching over her in the moment. And lacks the sense to do less then what is right and just, safety and security be damned.  Ingrid grumbled to herself mentally.  Shadowing a carriage was not in her repertoire, but it might be in Vannan's, she'd take his direction in this.  Of her companions, Coal's naivete and want to do good resonated with her most strongly.  She wouldn't sacrifice that, not for anything. "Aye, we go... I'll follow your lead. Dwarves never want for sneaking, but Coal needs someone to look after her."  

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 32, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven "Aye, it was, and against me better judgement to boot!  Were Suliyah not such a tortured soul I'd have told her to sod off and just move back to the Citadel, but she wants no part of this place.  Can't or won't come here.  Getting the feelings that she, and others among our guard were, or are, either among the rebels we heard clamored about at the gates.  Or deserters.  Tyras is very tight lipped about his experience here, even with me."  Ingrid scratched at the side of her nose with a thumb and exhaled heavily. "One mother to another, couldn't let Suliyah keep suffering.  I know how much it hurts to have family taken from you.  Worse to be kept from them, but duty is heavier than a mountain.  I'll gird myself in it until such a time as I can move while bearing it."  Armor on, and traveling clothes overtop it, she made her way to the markets to see to their supplies.  

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 32, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven "Child!"  Ingrid snapped at Quim to retort and attempt to call him back in the same motion, but he was gone.  A frustrated sigh and she cradled her face in her hands.  "They are the last of Suliyah's family.  Her sister and brother in-law, and her children.  She was desperate to have all that was left of her husband returned to her and begged that I tend to this."  Rising, she began to put on her armor's padded under-layers.  "I'll see to getting our supplies purchased and the wagon loaded, do a bit of digging into what this town may know of old things and rituals... Would the two of you look for Quim and Coal?  I will be careful, please... do the same?"  There was clear reticence in the request, tone almost pleading.  Far cry from the commands she had tried to issue when they'd first come to the citadel.  Quim's outburst had stung, and left quite a mark, even on the stubborn dwarf.  

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 32, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven "Maybe seeing what we can learn from the resources here in the Citadel, regarding the legends, religions, rituals, and history of this immediate area might yield something of note.  It would be prudent to learn what we can, and avoid engaging in Cessah's machinations again for the time being.  I have a feeling she'll remain near the buried digsite for the forseeable future."  Ingrid worked thick fingers into the corner of her eyes.  "Either way, we seem to be in agreement to leave the troubles of this place lie."  

Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 32, Speed 20 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC) Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven "Nay Coal, Lass, I think I have a theory on it though."  Ingrid took her ease and chewed on a lock of her hair while she tried to find the right words to explain it.  Finally, wagging a finger at open air and muttering to herself, she nodded idly.  "The ritual we were put through is a very, very old one.  From a temple before legend.  To a god before history.  Power doesn't just come from nowhere.  Assuming the being that ritual contacted was so powerful that it was beyond the notions of good and evil, Cessah's actions were noted by a third party that either wants that power for itself, or for some other nebulous goal."  Ingrid looked to Vannan. "Was he particularly choosey about whom, or specific individuals?"