Moore: Still Going (Moore)

[Nephrite]

"Well, it's certainly odd enough to warrant the attention since they're going to these great lengths. I'm ready and able to go whenever you'd like." Moore says with a nod. "I'll help out however I can."

[Anastasia]

Morniel nods, then with a grave look, "Do you wish to know about this group before we leave?"

"Yeah, I assumed you would," Adrian says, "Go over it again, I wouldn't mind hearing it again to have it straight in my head." He kicks back, "In fact. Elena, make sure you're listening in case anyone has to follow us so they don't go in blind."

Elena winks in long enough to say, "I'm listening," cheerfully and then vanish.

[Nephrite]

"It sounds like we'd better have as much information as possible." Moore agrees.

[Anastasia]

"Ahem," Morniel clears his throat and then has a drink from a small glass of water nearby. "The Talon Seven are a group of valkyries that specialize in aerial combat. Despite the name, there are more than seven of them, that refers to the founders of the order. They primarily recruit valkyries who have a penchant for aerial combat and maneuverability. They are not terribly different than countless other war bands in Ysgard, though this one is well known due to the fact that the Talon Seven's founders defeated an invasion from Limbo spearheaded by Chourst."

"A slaad army. Really?" Adrian scowls, "I don't believe it for a moment."

"Ahem," Morniel again clears his throat after being interrupted. "You must understand it was more like a stampede of slaad sent in the general direction of Ysgard, along with whatever other creatures felt like following the slaad along. Chourst chose to call it an army, but it was anything but that. These things happen occasionally and it isn't the first time a stampede of slaad have invaded another plane. In this case, the seven founders of the Talon Seven lead their troops and pushed back the slaad, and then the seven founders confronted Chourst."

A pause for a look to all of you, "Six were obliterated for all time. The seventh managed to push Chourst back through the portal and had the surviving mages seal it before they could return. The survivor is named Malonia and she has a rather cautious air to her after that encounter. Some caution is her hallmark now, but this amount of caution and to contact a force that should be neutral at worst to her is unusual."

"Hmph," Adrian shakes his head, "I can chalk up what happened to the other six founders to Chourst somehow getting around Ysgard's resurrection since he's a slaad lord, but what about the rest of them? At worst we kill them and let them resurrect the next dawn."

[Nephrite]

Moore listens and nods a few times during the explanation. "It may have something to do with our reputation with the slaad. I mean, I don't know how famous that relationship is regarding certain people, but it could have some impact." Moore adds. "Either way, we may as well meet them in good faith -- if it does come to a combat, I'm confident in our chances."

[Anastasia]

"Yes. To continue and conclude, they group is approximately 200 to 400 valkyries strong, more precise information is not known and membership is not static." Morniel says, "Should they wish to join us, I would recommend it wholeheartedly. Should they wish to battle, I suggest repelling the initial forces and pursuing an escape as smoothly as possible. We gain little by doing war with them, win or lose."

Adrian grabs Gaelach at that and puts it over his back, "Yeah, that sounds about right. Fight if we have to and get out of there. Thing is, between Baleruk and 27, we do have some ties to the slaad, which may well be it. They may have a problem with us on account of one of them or even both."

[Nephrite]

"If not that, then perhaps word about our involvement in Benfal is what's spurring this." Moore says with a hopeful smile. "Either way, I think we're as prepared as we can be."

[Anastasia]

Any prep beyond visiting the mission readiness arch?

[Nephrite]

No, I think we're good. I'll do a statblock with the purchases included if needed.

[Anastasia]

The three of you soon gather at Aurora's gates. "I'll lead the way until the real talking starts, at which point you two can do your word magic," Adrian says, adjusting his cloak and belt once before walking towards the portal. "If combat breaks out, fall back behind Morniel or myself, Moore."

Morniel merely nods once, striding forward with an aura of quiet confidence.

[spoiler]

Adrian
HP: 358/358 (fast healing 1)
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL15), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL5), Heroes Feast (CL20)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to fear and poison
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Morniel
HP: 398/398
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL15), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL5), Heroes Feast (CL20)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to fear and poison
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

[Nephrite]

"You got it." Moore agrees with a nod.

[Anastasia]

It is a mountain, clouds below you stand in the thin air. On a cliff path that winds upwards alongside a mountain that stretches higher and higher into the starry night sky.  A frigidly cold wind blows through your clothes like it isn't there.

Adrian glances, "Close as we could get it?"

"Yes," Morniel says, "The last leg will be on foot...or wing," he admits. "For aerial creatures like the Talon Seven, this is a sop towards those without wings, nothing more." He takes to the air, "Follow me."

[Nephrite]

Moore taps his ring once to give himself an Endure Elements spell.

"Adrian, do you need help flying? I've got a spell if you do." Moore says.

[Anastasia]

Adrian flies into the air with ease, tiny wings forming on the sides of his boots. "I didn't get this far by completely neglecting fundamentals," Adrian retorts with a crooked smile. "Save your magic in case we get into a fight or ten."

"Quite," Morniel says, "If you wish to weave long term magic around yourselves, now is the time. We may not get the chance once we reach them."

[Nephrite]

"In that case..." Moore says as he waves a hand a few times.

Greater Improvisation on himself, Divine Insight on himself...

Tyche's Touch on all three of them, CL14, lasts 24 hours.

Share Talents on Morniel and Moore, gives them both +2 to any skill checks they both have (which will end up being any of them). CL25, lasts 250 minutes.

"There, that should take care of some basics." Moore says. "The rest I have are shorter duration, so I'll save them for the time being."