"I think it's getting impatient," Ilska murmurs.

Merrill pauses just outside the mouth of the cavern, and looks back at everyone. "They're ancient constructs. We don't know how or why they form, except that they guard ancient elvhen places. If it's angry- I don't think it can be reasoned with."

"Much like Ilska then."

Merrill giggles, helplessly.

"Alright, Rae, Cia, Merrill, Blaise, stay up high, you're our support and ranged. Ilska, I guess you and me are doing the heavy lifting today."

Raeli nods, readying her bow.

Ilska grins and cracks her neck, ready for this.

Merrill spins her staff. "All right. Mythal'enaste!"

The varterral is crouched over the entrance to deeper ruins, the writing around the entrance so badly damaged. 

Like a shuddering spider, it stomps towards them.

Ira surges forward, sword in hand.

Henri is beside her, short sword in one hand, dagger in the other.

The varterral lets out a terrible, guttural noise, and thick, pink liquid starts oozing from its mouth.

Merrill summons vines and roots that burst from the ground and wrap tightly around the varterral's legs.

Oh good. It's hopefully restrained by the time Henri and Ilska make it within arm's reach.

Raeli starts to fire arrow after arrow.

It roars ineffectually, trying to rip its legs back out, but Merrill's roots and vines keep coming.

Merrill whips a hand through the air, and Rae's arrows glow green.

The enchantment over Rae's arrows means they can pierce the varterral's rock hard hide.

Cia channels eir own strength in Merrill the best ey can.

Ilska's attacks are, if not effective, then relentless.

The varterral lashes out with one freed leg, mouth foaming with that pink substance.

Some of it hits the ground, and immediately the ground sizzles with it.

Henri makes a note, and an effort, to stay clear of that.

Ilska continues to prove that she lacks a self-preservation instinct.

"Cia! I don't know how to do shields!" Merrill calls frantically, trying to tie down the leg that was hurtling towards Ilska.

Cia does, although it's pretty obvious ey's irritated at eir sister even as ey brings a shield around Ilska.

The varterral's leg shudders across the shield, the creature howling in fury.