Deeper into the sewers (Surraruthru)

[Iron Dragoon]

"Holyphants, follow with us and finish healing him on the other side."

After saying that, Surraruthru follows the Holyphants through the gate.

[Anastasia]

Elysium.

It is peaceful, warm and beautiful. A deep sense of contentment fills you as you stand here, the chaos of Benfal left behind. Just as well - the gate collapses mere seconds after all of you get through, twisting apart like a wet towel.

The brass dragon promptly slumps in relief, "Thank you, friend," he speaks in draconic, "I am Pylathaula, an ally of those who wish to save Benfal."

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru nods to him. "As I said, I am Surraruthru, with Aurora. Someone should be here shortly to return us to Aurora and Benfal. From what I know, the Goddesses have started direct combat with one of the devils that took over Benfal. Who were you fighting, and what do you know about the Icon? It could be critical for success."

[Anastasia]

"I am allied with Seira, the Dragon Princess," The dragon replies, sitting up fully now. "I know nothing of an icon, I came through a portal to those caves and fought through more devils."

[Iron Dragoon]

'Tepen, the Brass' name is Pylathula. He's being cagey. Says he was sent by Seira, can you verify with Kascha? He claims to know nothing of an icon, though I specifically remember hearing a voice speaking of it.'

"Are you now? I was sent to Aurora by Seira. What devil was speaking before I found you, and where'd you portal from? We might be able to get you back there once we return to Aurora."

[Anastasia]

'I will do so,' Tepen says, 'Exercise caution. Shall I delay retrieval?'

"Near Gransberg, a mountain village ran by a particularly sadistic fallen astral deva. As for the rest, I don't know. I fought the devils I came on, but they wounded me to the brink. I believe I passed out."

[Iron Dragoon]

'I think we'll be fine, but hold off until Kascha or someone from Cauldron can verify. But have our retrieval put us somewhere that minimizes any threat he may pose once it is, and have enough on hand to deal with him if need be if you need to pull us back before then.'

To the Holyphants, Surraruthru mentally sends, 'Stop your healing. He's stable and that's enough for now. Let me know if you detect anything dangerous in his thoughts.'

"I'll keep it in mind when we get back. Did Seira give you a specific task? Where'd the portal to Elon Rapids come from?"

[Anastasia]

"To eliminate the astral deva," The dragon sits up and peers at you now, "It was in a ruin the deva had claimed for his own use, I don't know why it was there or who made it. It looked old."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Hmm... That might have been the location of this icon that was mentioned... If it's something that's connected to holding Benfal, we should look into it... I don't suppose you got the name of the deva?"

'Tepen, Pylathaula said he was sent to a village near Gransberg, which was run by a fallen astral deva. Apparently, there was a ruin it claimed for its own. If the voice I heard mentioning the icon was the deva's, then the ruin may hold a key to this icon that was mentioned. We should have a recon team look into it, or maybe the diviners. I'm not sure how well the diviners would fare with what's going on, though.'

Surraruthru matches the larger dragon's stare. He may be smaller, he may not be a true dragon, they may both be following Seira, and they may not be fighting... But there's another dragon here and he'll be damned if he's anything except the larger dragon's equal. At the very least.

[Anastasia]

"Arjas," The brass dragon replies, a great deal of disgust in his voice. "He is a monster."

'Understood,' Tepen replies in the meantime.

Oooh, dragon face off. Opposed Charisma check time.

[Iron Dragoon]

> roll 1d20+9 Cha
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=15]

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+6
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=20]

Pylathula meets your gaze and does not blink. The tension rises as the two dragons stare at each other, "I owe you thanks, fey dragon," he finally says. "Your timing was impeccable and your magic is powerful. I am sure your hoard reflects this with great wealth."

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru maintains eye contact as best he can.

"Thank you, Brass. I didn't get the chance to see you fight, but I'm sure if Seira sent you, it was worth stories. Unfortunately, my magic is fairly taxed. Before coming on you, myself and another disarmed a rather distasteful trap. Meant to destroy Elon Rapids and bring a part Nessus to Benfal. Powered by souls. I'm wearing most of my hoard, but I have a fair bit stashed away as well."

[Anastasia]

"Devils," The brass dragon spits, "Nothing but trash."

'I've talked to Kascha and she can't currently confirm it due to her spells being expended,' Tepen sends to you. 'Do you still wish for retrieval?'

[Iron Dragoon]

'Yes, but again, with caution and in a remote or controlled part of Aurora.'

"Indeed. A group I lead beat another devil that used souls. Collected them, really. Secretus."