His anger at Wenduag is starting to somewhat reside, replaced by a sick confused feeling.

"I'd like to come, even if I won't be a help in combat compared to a dragon and yourself.  But if any Neathers have lost themselves to rage or whatever Wenduag is describing I might have the best chance out of anyone at talking them down."

The worthy Neathers left alive all learned to control their rage, but explaining that to Lann will just get everyone looking at her like a cultist again.

"If that is what you wish, so be it. Though I will not promise on Terendelev's behalf the use of any of the death wards."

"Savamelekh is usually in the main chamber when he hangs around at all, I don't know if Death Ward is one of the shorter duration spells or not..."

"Death Ward is two minutes per caster circle, (one minute per caster level if you are using the level notation that tries to subdivide progress through circles).  So seven minutes on a standard scroll.  Given the size of the Shield Maze as you've described it, you would either need to go through the maze quickly, at risk of the traps you mentioned, or hold off on using the Death Ward scrolls until you are at the area were Savamelekh most likely is."

"I think really powerful demons are supposed to be really easy to see with Detect Evil? Paladins can do that at will you know.  So I should be able to detect this demon through a door or even a wall if the wall is thin enough."

"I think a Vrolikai's aura is so powerful it will actually stun you momentarily when you detect it.  Just to warn you."

"Are you asking to join as well? Our party grows by the moment."

"If I can be of help, I'm willing to help, Greater Demon or not.  Terendelev probably has experience working with Paladins so she'll know how helpful a Detect Evil is."

Paladins sure are Paladins.  He'll give her... maybe three months, if he had to bet, before that attitude gets her killed.  Maybe if they're all really unlucky she'll be one of the ones to survive by luck long enough to get powerful and then she'll pass on her attitude to new crop of crusaders who will all valiantly charge to their deaths.  Praise Iomedae.

"I am not without sensory skills of my own, and of greater range than yours, it sounds like. And the Wardstone will still be in need of appropriate guards."

"Oh right... uh like I said, wherever I can be of the most help!"

"Death Ward has a standard casting time, and presumably you could have everyone besides yourself and Terendelev retreat if you sense a Greater Demon approaching.  So as long as you would sense it with at least 12 seconds notice that should suffice.  Greater Demons can of course teleport, but the moment of disorientation after a teleport is a risk and also demons teleportation isn't actually unlimited outside the Abyss or Worldwound so it would use that ability sparingly... so it probably approaches on foot."

She would love an excuse to retreat and then come back to grovel before the winners!

"Assuming that it otherwise has cares for such mortal concerns as walls and doors, that is likely to suffice. We shall see how many scrolls Terendelev returns with, and how willing she is to spend them."

Aquilia is happy to fill up the time before Terendelev returns exchanging speculations on strategies and spells to use for the Shield Maze.  He has a very deep theoretical knowledge of how various spells may be used, and some basic adventuring experience to back it up.

Seelah knows she isn't going to follow all the combinations of spells and such, but she is trying to learn at least some basics.  She has a bit of adventuring experience from her journey to Kenabres, but not much and not with wizards.

Terendelev is back within a quarter hour as she said.  She has a few more people riding on her back.

"The demon's organization seem broken, but just in case I've brought reinforcements to hold the Wardstone while we raid the Shield Maze."

Hulrun and one other person are riding on Terendelev's back.  He eyes Darth Occlus with open suspicion before carefully looking over the captured cultists and the Neathers.

"We have some more people that will be coming down by rope."

"That is fortunate, as we have had a few more volunteers to join the expedition." She does not deign to acknowledge the Prelate's suspicion. It wouldn't help, and it wouldn't be amusing enough to be worth the bother.

"How many?  I have 4 scrolls of Death Ward, but depending on how much warning we have before the Vrolikai engages us (if indeed we are so unfortunate) I will be prioritizing myself and Darth Occlus, as we stand the best chance of fighting against it."

"Speaking of which, are the tunnels and passages too small to fit my normal form?  My mundane combat ability will be greatly reduced if I need to approach as a human, but my spellcasting will work fine.  I think my best bet will be a banishment on the Vrolikai... assuming Darth Occlus cannot swiftly slay it."

"Only the main chamber where the Vrolikai likes to spend its time is big enough for you."

"Lann and Ser Seelah were first. I am not sure if the wizard Aquillia also wishes join, or if their interest was more theoretical."

"They've taken some of my tribe."

"I don't have much, just my detect Evil.  Well, I still have my smite and two lay on hands!"