After speaking to the nobles, then pursuing their own ventures to figure out how to proceed, the party once again starts the day at the Alchemist's Guild, with Nalzij visiting after her daily regimen in the cathedral.

Astrid: "Morning, dear..."
Astrid waves at Pitch briefly, before walking past him and towards the entrance of the guild.
Antille seems concerned, looking around.
Antille: "Itriene? Itriene?"
Astrid: "Something the matter, Antille?"
Antille: "Itriene is missing. I was seeing if she wandered down here."
Astrid: "Itriene...?"
Engir: "Itriene?"
Antille: "...Ah. Right."
"I gave the refugees nicknames to tell them apart."
Astrid: "I see, makes sense."
Nalzij: "Makes sense. Haven't seen any of them."
Engir: "Me either, I'm afraid."
Antille: "Well, if you see a nekori... catkin around, do please bring her back to the estate."
Engir: "Will do."
Nalzij: "Thanks for letting us know."
Antille nods, then heads back up to the estate to look for the others.
Astrid: "Have you seen anyone pass by, Terita?"
Nalzij: "Must be quite a job."
Terita Estion: "Hm... I've been absorbed in this runestone so I'm afraid I haven't seen anyone strange. None of the beastkin."
"I did see miss Melodi earlier, however."
Nalzij: "Ah?"
Terita Estion: "I believe she said she had business to attend to."
Pitch: "Urgh..."
Astrid tilts her head.
Anarod: "Business?"
Terita Estion: "I didn't see a need to pry into it."
Engir: "I wish she'd stop disappearing like that."
Terita Estion: "However, Engir?"
Nalzij: "She was being awfully hotheaded earlier. I'm a bit worried."
Terita Estion holds up the runestone.
Engir: "Ah, marvellous!"
Engir takes the stone.
Terita Estion: "I've been able to shift focuses from 'death' to 'spirit'."
Pitch: "As am I..."
Engir: "Interesting."
"....as is Nalzij's comment."
Anarod: "What kind of business would she even attend to anyway?"
Terita Estion: "You should find this effect much more useful, it allows healing magic to work on fallen allies if you tend to them quickly enough."
Astrid rests a head on Pitch's shoulder melancholically.
Nalzij: "She was trying to tell us to go murder that Berivus person."
Engir: "Wow, now that's useful!"
"...and that's worrying."
Pitch: "Very worrying..."
Anarod: "Um."
Terita Estion: "Life and death are but different sides to the same coin, after all."
Engir: "I would have thought she of all people would be able to tell his lies."
Pitch: "(Why today?)"
Terita Estion: "Hm... tell lies?"
Engir: "Melodi can read heartbeats."
Arastalia: "But she's been acting strange?"
Engir: "And see if someone is lying as a result."
Nalzij: "Much more useful... if we had just asked earlier."
Arastalia: "If we find her, we can perhaps ask her?"
Anarod: "I mean I'm not usually one to go in panic mode quickly, but this tells me we should go look for her, and fast."
Engir: "I concur."
Nalzij: "You got any ideas, Pitch?"
Pitch: "Not sure...she's not exactly a killer..."
Engir slings his bag over his shoulder.
Pitch: "She can barely hold a sword."
"Let alone kill with it."
Anarod: "Do we know where that noble lives? One of us should at least go around there just in case."
Arastalia: "(I would like to mention, Master, that should you be willing to aid me, I can always use my divination talents.)"
Engir: "(Ah, right!)"
Pitch: "What a rotten day for this to happen..."
Nalzij: "What do you mean?"
Anarod: "And Pitch, while you're right, it feels like you should know more than anyone that she's got other means to get what she wants."
Pitch: "Hm, Nalzij? Well..today I turn twenty-seven years old."
Engir: "(Actually, I think I can track her harp or something.)"
Astrid suddenly leans a hand on the table, hunched over.
Astrid: "Nn..."
Engir: "(But then again I don't really know it well enough...)"
Anarod: "Wait, it's your birthday?"
Pitch: "Astrid, are you alright?"
Arastalia: "(Her harp...)"
Nalzij: "Astrid?"
Astrid: "I-I'll be fine..."
"Just...need to sit down for a moment."
Anarod groans.
Arastalia touches Engir's forehead.
Arastalia: "(Please... hold still.)"
Anarod: "Ok we can probably scale back the panic mode then. Turns out it's her brother's birthday!"
Terita Estion: "Do you think her odd behavior is getting him a gift?"
Nalzij: "She didn't seem in a gift-giving mood."
Pitch: "Mm, she doesn't."
Engir closes his eyes and focuses on the touch.
Astrid: "Did...something happen yesterday?"
"She seemed alright to me."
Anarod: "Well maybe not, but it still feels like a more plausible reason to go out than plot an assassination attempt by herself."
Nalzij: "We may as well go look into this business ourselves anyway."
Anarod: "Oh sure, I mean we'll need to look for her anyway."
Arastalia nods slowly, looking visibly enervated.
Engir: "Thank you, Ara. Now, then..."
Engir mutters an incantation, holding a finger in the air. [Casting Locate Object: Focusing on Melodi's Harp]
Astrid looks down at the floor, clenching her teeth.
Arastalia: "Lady Astrid? Are you unwell?"
Engir: "(Above, and to the west...)"
Nalzij: "For now, I also want to look into whether that merchant might be willing to tell us anything about the alchemists, now that we've got time to spare."
Pitch: "...Engir, what are you doing?"
Anarod: "Making use of his area of expertise, I'd wager."
Astrid glances awkwardly at Ara.
Terita Estion begins to go over paperwork, trying to sort out what details she can.
Arastalia: "A-ah?"
Astrid: "...Any luck, Engir?"
Engir: "Above us, to the west."
"I don't know the city well enough to know where that may be, though."
"Are you alright?"
Astrid gets up slowly from the bench.
Astrid: "It's nothing."
Pitch: "...if you say so."
Engir: "If we move now I can continue to track it."
Pitch: "Then let's move."
Anarod: "Let's go, then."
Nalzij: "Let's go, then."

Following the guidance of the spell, Engir quickly leads the party out of the underground and through the city, ending up in the noble's district. The spell ends on the way, but following its vague direction brings them to an unfamiliar manor.
Nalzij: "Oh, right. Happy birthday, Pitch."
Pitch: "Heh, thanks."
"Argh, gods..."
Astrid: "Why didn't you tell anyone, Pitch?"
Arastalia: "I don't believe anyone made a point of telling anyone else their birthdays?"
Anarod: "Hmph. I was sorta hoping a public market or the like. This isn't giving credence to the most desirable outcome."
Pitch: "It isn't..."
Engir: "Yeah..."
Pitch: "...then we need to move quickly."
Anarod: "I guess we ought to ask which noble this house belongs to..."
A small, well-dressed halfling seems to be standing guard at the manor's doors.
Nalzij: "Good day. We're here to speak to Lord Berivus, is this the right place?"
Halfling Butler: "Ah! Good morn', dame. This's indeed Lord Berivus's estate. May I inquire as to your purpose?"
Nalzij: "It's a good question. But I think there are matters he would want to be warned of."
Halfling Butler: "A vague purpose indeed, and doomtellin' is something we get a lot."
"There are some that don't take kindly to Lord Berivus's policies."
Engir: "Unfortunately so."
Astrid: "Do we look like the sort to 'not take kindly' to Lord Berivus?"
Halfling Butler: "T'is not you I mean, miss."
Astrid: "He's an honourable man."
Halfling Butler: "I mean that assassination attempts on milord's life are common, so as such so are the warnings of such."
Engir: "Tch. I see."
Nalzij: "We can say more than just vague warnings, but I want to speak to him personally if at all possible."
Halfling Butler: "Then I'll ask 'im."
"...Any... names, or just 'some group'?"
Engir: "Engir Gythel and Nalzij Latissier. Those who defended the demihumans at the execution two days prior."
Halfling Butler: "I'll send the word, sirs and ladies."
The halfling retreats to inside the building.
Nalzij: "This doesn't look too good... Pitch, is she usually like this?"
Pitch: "Not usually..."
After a short delay, the doors open again, and a well dressed man walks out... and past the party. The halfling is standing behind him.
Stern Noble: "Calling off my audience on such short notice, the nerve..."
Halfling Butler: "Milord has approved to an audience, sers, ladies, and Dame Nalzij."
Nalzij: "Thank you."
Engir: "Thank you very much."
Halfling Butler bows politely, motioning for the party to advance in.
Inside, a well-dressed man sits at a table. He smiles as the party approaches.
Nalzij: "Greetings, milord. Thank you for seeing us on such short notice."
"...I'll be frank. A friend of ours seems to have been manipulated into seeking your life."
Astrid raises an eyebrow at Nalzij.
Pitch: "...possibly seeking your life."
Well-Dressed Noble: "Another assassin. It would seem that the other nobles really do not care for me."
Engir nods gravely.
Well-Dressed Noble: "I mean, I'm beginning to get the impression the rest of the aristocracy doesn't want me around."
Engir: "Valesian culture is spreading in a worrying way."
Astrid: "Milord, may I ask a question?"
Well-Dressed Noble: "Ah? A question?"
Astrid: "What relations do you have with Athel Von Armaneus?"
Engir: "By that, we mean the youngest."
Astrid nods to Engir.
Well-Dressed Noble: "Not a pleasant one. He has had it out for me for a while."
Nalzij: "...it might be good to know about others as well."
Engir sighs.
Well-Dressed Noble: "His father had problems with me as well, though I've never met the man personally."
Engir: "He certainly does."
Astrid: "Any reasons for that?"
Well-Dressed Noble: "They would be up to... what difference does it make. All the Athels are much the same."
Nalzij: "What do you mean?"
Well-Dressed Noble: "They never differ very much between generation, their policies seem as enigmatic as always."
Astrid tilts her head at the young man, her lips moving very slightly.
Well-Dressed Noble: "They don't seem to outright hate the oppressed folks. But they..."
Engir: "Indeed."
"Their name tradition makes things very convenient for them too."
Well-Dressed Noble: "Well, as far as I can tell they just like the dispute."
Engir rolls his eyes at Astrid.
Anarod: "I'd imagine if all of them willfully take part in that confusing naming policy that they'd all be ok with whatever they're up to."
Engir: "You can have the entire family act as one person. and all of them be immune to the law."
Astrid bites her lip, looking down.
Astrid: "(Hrm.)"
Nalzij: "So, our first reason for being here was, well, to retrieve our friend in case she did any harm."
Well-Dressed Noble: "I feel my father may have stumbled onto a strange heritage of the family line, but he was assassinated before he could--"
The man's discussion is interrupted, by the sound of a shriek in the back.
Pitch: "What was that?!"
Nalzij: "Melodi?!"
Engir: "Oh, for the love of..."
Pitch: "Oh gods no..."
Astrid widens her eyes.
Engir rushes to the door.
Well-Dressed Noble: "Um... this seems like something unusual."
Well-Dressed Noble gets out of his chair, preparing to follow the group.
Engir opens it hastily, wasting no time.
Engir: "Good thing Terita made that stone..."
Pitch: "Oh gods, please let it not be..."

As Engir opens the back door, he encounters what appears to be a cultivated garden in the back of the manor. A black-furred catkin is lying motionless on the ground, and Melodi is in the distance, looking terrified.
Engir: "...oh!"
Nalzij: "Melodi!"
Pitch: "Melodi!"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "A-ah! She's...! I... I think this guy killed her!"
"I was telling you he couldn't be trusted!"
Nalzij looks over the catkin for injuries, seeing that Melodi is okay
Well-Dressed Noble: "...What? What happened here? Who are you?"
Engir walks up and investigates.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Big bro! S-save me, please! I don't want to get killed just like her!"
Pitch: "No one's going to kill you today, sis."
Anarod: "What are you even doing here?"
Nalzij: "You're not going to be killed. Calm down and explain properly."
Gespenst stands at the back door cautiously, keeping an eye on the young noble.
Astrid: "Ah, this must be...Itriene?"
"I...saw her in the guild yesterday."
Anarod: "Sounds likely."
Engir: "Oh, right..."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "A-and he killed her!"
"He'll kill me too!"
Nalzij: "...what happened to her?"
Astrid: "Who, Melodi?"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "That man! Berivus!"
Well-Dressed Noble: "I... I don't know who you are, but there does appear to be some mistake here, I would never..."
Astrid shakes her head, sighing.
Engir: "They're not moving, and cold."
"That's not a good prospect for being alive."
Nalzij: "Then maybe you have an idea what happened?"
Anarod: "Cold?"
Astrid turns round to Berivus suspiciously.
Well-Dressed Noble backs away, afraid.
Nalzij: "It looks like something drained her blood..."
Pitch: "...how could he kill her when he was speaking to us?"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "I only just found her!"
Engir: "Drained her blood..?"
Nalzij: "Just tell us what you can."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "He could have done it before he went to talk to you guys!"
Anarod: "Pitch, if she's cold, she's been dead for a while, I'm afraid."
Well-Dressed Noble: "I... I know less about this than you!"
Astrid: "Melodi."
Well-Dressed Noble: "I don't know who that girl is, or who that... cat person is!"
Astrid: "How did you even get _in_ here to begin with?"
Engir: "Good point. If Melodi got in here that means it's possible the body was planted."
"I just pray there isn't a vampire on the loose..."
Nalzij takes out her wayfinder, checking it.
The wayfinder is spinning slowly in circles. The same odd reaction as at Athel's place.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "I climbed the edge on a hunch, but..."
Engir: "Though, I'm not sure those are even real."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe backs away, looking afraid.
Anarod: "There doesn't seem to be a trace of violence, and the body is out in the backyard, yet has apparently been dead for a while."
Engir: "Yeah, if you put things together, Anarod, it seems very likely a setup."
Nalzij: "He sounds honest to me."
Pitch stays close to Melodi.
Nalzij: "Engir? You know that spell to protect against mental control, right?"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "B-big bro... I think they believe him over me..."
"What if your friends try to kill me...?"
Engir: "Oh, right!"
Astrid lays a hand on the catkin, whispering an incantation. [Detect Magic]
Melodi Ryuji Naabe backs away from Engir.
Pitch: "...no one will kill you, Melodi, I'll make sure of that."
Nalzij: "Melodi, as bad as this looks, we're not just going to kill you."
Engir: "Melodi, I'm going to cast a shield against evil on you."
"I give you my word. And you know what my word is like." [Diplomacy check: 24]
Pitch: "...Melodi, it's very very hard for Engir to go back on his word. He's cursed to uphold it."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "B-big brother! Engir's going to do something bad, I know it..."
Pitch: "...sis. Listen to me. Engir will not do anything bad to you. I promise."
"....please trust your big bro on this."
Nalzij: "Melodi, we just want to help you. You can trust us." [Diplomacy - Aid Another: 24]
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Not... not you too..."
Pitch: "..Melodi, I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."
Regardless of the soothing words, Melodi seems unconvinced.
Astrid: "Melodi, what's gotten into you?"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Someone, help!"
Engir: "Hmph."
Anarod: "She doesn't seem to be listening to reason, for whatever reason."
As if signaled, a black cloud begins to appear over the garden.
Engir points his wand at Melodi, and emits a light sheen.
[Protection from Evil, spending one wand charge to cast at range]
Astrid points a finger at Melodi, whispering an incantation. [Detect Magic]
Astrid: "Something isn't right..."
Anarod turns to the noble.
Anarod: "I think I'd go back inside, if I were you."
Well-Dressed Noble: "R-right..."
Nalzij: "Stay out of the way. We'll handle this from here."
Well-Dressed Noble retreats back inside the manor, as the black cloud looms overhead.
The black could suddenly disperses, revealing a winged, horned woman, hovering in the air above the group.
Pitch: "...what's....oh goddammit..."
Engir: "You!"
Pitch: "Not you AGAIN."
Succubus: "Ah, hello again, my dear friends♥"
Nalzij: "Is that...?"
Astrid stares at the woman in horror.
Gespenst: "Please stay there, milord."
Anarod: "I believe I missed whatever first meeting y'all had..."

[Astrid - Initiative: 22.05
Melodi Ryuji Naabe - Initiative: 22.02
Nalzij - Initiative: 19.01
Pitch - Initiative: 17
Arastalia - Initiative: 17
Succubus - Initiative: 14.03
Anarod - Initiative: 12
Engir - Initiative: 5]

Astrid conjures a shimmering golden orb, releasing it up into the air as it disperses.
[Casting Haste on Pitch, Nalzij, Gespenst, Astrid, Engir, Anarod]
Succubus: "My poor wayward Astrid. Did you forget the majesty of my gift?"
Nalzij: "Leave her alone!"
Engir: "Thank you for making it clear how to end this farce."
Succubus: "Such temper♥"
Gespenst glances briefly at Berivus, before charging into the garden.
Gespenst: "Hmph, too high up right now."

Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "I... help, they're going to kill me!"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe backs away, beginning to incant something as she plays her harp.
Engir: "Our target is the succubus! Kill her and Melodi is free!"
Succubus: "Oh♥?"
Pitch: "What did you do to her?!"

Nalzij grabs her whistle and blows a sharp note on it
Nalzij: "Lux, I need you in here, bring that thing down!"
Succubus: "I listened to this poor child's cry for help as those she thought of as friends come against her..."
Astrid: "Pitch, don't let her taunt you!"
Succubus: "So tragic! So sad! Her own friends!"
"But I'll take good care of her, don't~ you~ worry♥~"
Nalzij grabs her longbow, preparing to attack the succubus.
Pitch: "No you wont."
Engir: "You won't see the material plane when we're done with you, fiend!"
Pitch: "Gah! What a day to spend a birthday!"
Lux flies into the courtyard, toward the succubus.

Arastalia: "Why... why are you trying to kill us? Why are you trying to kill me...?"
Engir: "Ara, help me ward us from her charm magic!"
Pitch: "Why CAN'T you just leave us alone?"
Succubus: "Hmph. You're a mockery of a devil, dear. You don't play the act well."
"Oh! Right. You haven't told them you're a devil yet, have you...?"
Arastalia: "I..."
Engir: "Your half-truths don't fool us, Succubus."
Arastalia closes her eyes painfully, trying her best to incant a spell.
Anarod: "This is really pathetic."
Nalzij: "We know what she is, don't even try to turn us against each other again."
Anarod: "I mean, really?"
[Arastalia : Communal Protection from Evil]
Pitch: "Is she is one, she's a pretty nice devil."
With a flourish of magic, Arastalia casts a spell, creating an almost invisible barrier of light around all allies near her
Anarod: "I mean, what kind of bottom-grade temptress are you even?"
Pitch: "I really wish you would just leave us alone, Demon."
Succubus: "But where's the fun in that?"
Anarod: "I'd have thought devils would be smart enough to not clearly identify themselves as the enemy before trying to do their swindle act."
Succubus: "If you want to be left alone, stop being so exciting to play with♥"

[Pitch: Casting Quickened Enlarge Person]
[Pitch : Bastard Sword
Attack: 15, Damage: 14 + 2 Fire
Attack: 14, Damage: 19 + 6 Fire
Attack: 16, Damage: 23 + 6 Fire (Luck Points expended for autohit)]
While his first two swings connect only with air, the third strikes the airborne succubus, dealing a notable cut.

Succubus: "Such a rough behavior."
"Perhaps what you need are some playmates♥"
Succubus snaps her fingers and black clouds form in varying corners of the garden.
Astrid grimaces.

Anarod: "Let's see if we can get you to come down and play, too."
Anarod invokes a prism of ice straight above his head, and fires a beam of light through it, distorting into shimmering colors flying everywhere. [Color Spray, DC 19]
The succubus staggers from the light, her wings giving out and causing her to collapse.

Engir runs behind Anarod and lays a hand, pulsing out a familiar matt white field. [Protection from Evil]
Anarod: "Welcome to the party! We've been waiting for you."

Succubus: "Such unruly guests..."
"Come out, my sweet, it's time to play♥"
The black clouds begin to fade, three of them taking the form of small, demonic imps. The fourth, however, takes the form of what appears to be another winged, tailed woman, with slight clothing and unusually familiar silver hair framing her familiar face.
[Imp - Initiative: 12.02
Dahlia - Initiative: 9.01
Imp - Initiative: 4.02
Devilish Imp - Initiative: 4.02]

Dahlia: "Mistress!~"
Pitch: "...oh gods, not again..."
Dahlia: "Are these people causing you trouble?"
Astrid: "By the star..."
Succubus: "It's your old friends~"
"Certainly a little... revenge for them killing you is in order♥?"
Nalzij: "Isn't that...?"
Dahlia: "I'll... get revenge, mistress?"
Engir: "It sounds like it."

Astrid rushes behind Nalzij, laying her hands on her armour as she incants a spell. [Enlarge Person]
Dahlia: "I'm looking forward to it~"
"Dying hurt so much~"
Anarod: "it's gonna hurt so much a second time, I'm afraid."
Succubus: "Time for them to feel it for themselves♥"
Gespenst analyses the situation, sidestepping Nalzij as he rushes at one of the imps.
[Gespenst : Claw
Attack: 27, Crit Confirm: 13
Damage: 8 + 2 Fire, Crit Damage +8 + 2 Fire]
The attack claws against the imp's hide, leaving wounds in its body.
Devilish Imp: "Hey, so sharp! Watch what you're pointing those!"

Melodi Ryuji Naabe finishes her incantation, 3 shadowy hounds appearing around her in a defensive posture.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "H-help..."
Pitch: "Sis..."
Anarod: "Keep focusing on the main target!"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe continues to play on her harp, attempting to aid her "side" with some courage.
[Melodi : Inspire Courage
Effect: +1d6 Fire Damage, Fast Healing 1]
The hounds converge against Pitch, biting at him.
[Fiendish Hound : Bite
Attack: 7, Damage: 4
Grab: 17
Fiendish Hound : Bite
Attack: 9, Damage: 2
Grab: 5
Fiendish Hound : Bite
Attack: 16, Damage: 2
Grab: 12]
They can do little against the monstrosity of the man, however.
Pitch: "...your own brother...?"
Astrid: "For goodness sake, Pitch! She's not herself!"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "You're... you're trying to kill me!"
Anarod: "Pitch, focus!"
Pitch: "I'm attacking a demon, and I'm not attacking you....I would never, ever harm my own sister."
Pitch: "And i'm focused on smashing the demon, Anarod."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Then why... why not help me against Berivus...?"
"He's a monster!"
Pitch: "Berivus can wait until after we've dealt with this other monster, directly tryingt o kill us, Melodi!"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "N-no... she's trying to... save me..."
Pitch: "We'll do what we can with Berivus, but please....can it wait until after we've dealt with the Demon who's trying to murder your brother and her friends?"

Nalzij drops her longbow, drawing her sword again, and attacks the succubus
[Nalzij : Longsword (Smite Evil)
Attack: 16, Damage: 4
Smite Evil: +2 Attack, +12 Damage
Attack: 30, Crit Confirm: 15
Damage: 5, Crit Damage +11
Smite Evil: +2 Attack, +6 Damage
Attack: 17, Damage: 5
Smite Evil: +2 Attack, +6 Damage]
With a flurry of holy-infused slashes, Nalzij deals a series of decisive slashes, inflicting devastating damage to the succubus and tearing wounds into her.
Lux flies rapidly toward the more familiar succubus, savagely attacking.
[Lux : Bite
Attack: 18, Damage: 7]
The gryphon's bite grips into the familiar succubus, but fails to inflict significant damage.
Pitch: "The demon is evil , sis. We're not evil. We're trying to get rid of the evil."
Astrid glares at Pitch, turning away abruptly.
Astrid: "Fool..."
Pitch: "...I'll help you later, sis."
Nalzij: "We can get through to her later, Pitch! Focus on the others."
Pitch: "I am, Nalzij, I am."

Pitch swings at the succubus again.
[Pitch : Bastard Sword
Attack: 20, Damage: 23 + 6 Fire]
With a single solid attack, Pitch's sword pierces the succubus, her body writhing in agony as it seems to fade into nothingness.
Pitch: "Damn, that felt good."
Dahlia: "Y-you'll pay!"
Pitch turns his attention towards the imp near him, striking him too.
[Pitch : Bastard Sword
Attack: 27, Damage: 23 + 5 Fire
Attack: 19, Damage: 24 + 1 Fire]
With two swift blade strokes, Pitch takes out the imp, cleaving it into three pieces as it begins to dissolve.
Anarod: "...I was sorta hoping kocking her out would end the summonings. Oh well..."
Nalzij: "Dahlia, I thought you'd never really go this far! Why take this path?"
Pitch: "That's two down.."
Arastalia: "We're... we're winning..."
"I..."
Arastalia rushes to Engir, focusing on helping him.
Dahlia: "Because you killed me!~"
"Mistress... Mistress has shown me the right path."
Engir: "Don't overexert yourself, partner. You've already done more than I could ask for."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Something's wrong with them... they are trying to kill me! They sided with the evil Berivus!"
Anarod: "What, is it surprising? I'm not getting taken out by the lousiest succubus ever."
"The charm spell or whatever is it didn't seem to wear off, as well."
Pitch: "It's something to do with that Athel guy....I swear he's in for it, too."
Nalzij: "You've gone mad, Dahlia. Don't think I'll hesitate to put you down like your mistress."
Anarod: "Yeah, probably."
Engir: "Agreed."

Anarod turns to the second imp, gather magic through his arm and fires a powerful beam of ice.
[Arctic Beam, Attack: 13, Damage: 19]
The freezing blast collides against the imp, causing it to stagger and lose a small amount of its airborne height.
Pitch: "Why, Dahlia, why..."
Dahlia: "To get revenge."
Engir: "Did we mention it was the imp that gave you that month long nightmare, brother?"
Dahlia: "And power..."
Astrid: "Dahlia..."
Pitch: "Revenge, huh...?"
Dahlia: "Especially... especially against her..." she growls at Astrid.
Pitch: "Why Astrid?"
Nalzij: "As I was told, this started before anyone did anything to you."
Pitch: "..as much as I disliked it, I'm the one who killed you."
Astrid: "...What?"
Pitch: "I should be your target, not her."
Astrid: "Tch, can't you put two and two together, Pitch?"
Pitch: "...jeez, I can, Astrid...but I don't want you hurt..."
Anarod: "He's never proven to be great at math."
Astrid smirks at Anarod's comment sarcastically.
Pitch: "I'm trying to get her to attack me, not Astrid. Jeez guys..."

Dahlia looks a little conflicted at Pitch's words... but casts a spell anyway, bolts of fire flying at Astrid, Engir, Anarod, Nalzij, and Arastalia.
[Energy Missile [Fire], Damage: 28, DC 17
Engir : Reflex Save: 11
Pitch : Reflex Save: 13
Astrid : Reflex Save: 23
Nalzij : Reflex Save: 18
Anarod : Reflex Save: 15]
Engir screams in pain as the fire burns through him.
A wave of flame blasts through most of the party, burning many of them badly.
Astrid: "Engir!"
Nalzij winces at the pain, glancing back at Astrid.

Engir: "I survived Viella's blasts. I'll... I'll survive these."
Arastalia staggers, barely able to keep herself standing.
Pitch: "...attacking everyone but me, huh?"
Arastalia: "Master... I'll... hel-help..."
Engir: "You'll survive to help us later."
Engir lays a hand on Ara, pulsing positive energy through it.
[Cure Moderate Wounds: 11]
Arastalia concentrates on enhancing Engir's power, aiding his magic
Arastalia's wounds recover significantly, and she finds herself able to stand up a little more strongly.
Devilish Imp: "Who'd have thought that five gold coins would have led to all this, huh?"
Pitch: "Goddammit, Anarod."
Engir: "You're telling me you're NOT in cahoots with Athel?"
Anarod: "Look, it's just a stupid demon, it's not even like he's a problem!"

Devilish Imp extends a wicked claw, slashing at Gespenst.
Pitch: "No but he's the primary reason we're IN this mess!"
Nalzij: "Point fingers later!"
[Devilish Imp : Claw
Attack: 23, Damage: 9]
The attack nearly strikes Gespenst, but is warded by a shimmer of light.
The accomplice imp, however, opts instead to throw a fireball at Lux.
[Imp : Flame Orb
Attack: 11, Damage: 8]
The gryphon is able to dodge out of the attack blast, however.

Astrid trudges through the remnants of the fire, laying her hands on Gespenst as she enlarges him too.
[Gespenst : Full Attack
Attack (Claw): 22, Damage: 8 + 1 Fire
Attack (Claw): 17, Damage: 10 + 2 Fire
Attack (Bite): 21, Damage: 9 + 5 Fire]
Gespenst's flurry of claws and fangs collide against the imp, and while the fire seems not to harm it, the attacks themselves cut into its hide.
Devilish Imp: "Hey, I said watch it!"
Gespenst: "Silence, imp."
Devilish Imp: "Lady, you'd do a lot better to join our side."

Melodi Ryuji Naabe tries to back away further, playing her harp and invigorating her 'allies'.
[Melodi : Draconic Resonance, Healing: 17]
Her song reaches the imps as well as Dahlia, healing their wounds.
Engir: "Pitch, Nalzij, form a bulwark!"
The hounds, meanwhile, decide to be more aggressive about attacking Pitch.
[Fiendish Hound : Bite
Attack: 9, Damage: 3
Grab: 7
Smite Good: +1 Damage
Fiendish Hound : Bite
Attack: 7, Damage: 3
Grab: 16
Smite Good: +1 Damage
Fiendish Hound : Bite
Attack: 23, Crit Confirm: 17
Damage: 3, Crit Damage +2
Grab: 5
Smite Good: +1 Damage]
One of the dogs lands a small bite on Pitch, although he barely feels it.
Dahlia: "Thank you for that, dear~"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Just please... my big brother's gone insane..."
"Save me..."
Pitch: "(Sis...)"
Dahlia: "We will~ Don't worry~"
"I'll make sure to show him the 'light'."

Nalzij steps up to block off the hounds, attacking one.
[Nalzij : Longsword
Attack: 21, Damage: 15
Nalzij's sword easily dispatches the dog, putting it down and causing it to fade away.
Lux blocks the imp into a corner, biting it.
[Lux : Bite
Attack: 19, Damage: 5]
While Lux's attack bites into the imp, it fails to wound it.
Pitch: "Hey Dahlia! If you're going to hit anyone, hit me! I'm the one that killed you, go for me!" [Diplomacy check: 26]
Dahlia: "I-I..."
Dahlia looks conflicted. "Why can't you understand!?"

Anarod: "Enough with the music already, can't you tell you're on the wrong side?!"
Anarod runs forward, blasting a flurry of shining lights at Melodi. [Color Spray, DC 19]
[Melodi Ryuji Naabe : Will Save: 21]
Pitch: "...or just stop fighting, Dahlia, please."
Melodi seems able to resist the lights, however.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "S-see! They're attacking me!"
"Miss, please help me!"
Dahlia: "Don't worry, just stay close!~"
Pitch: "Then bring it on."

Dahlia reaches out a fiendish hand toward Lux.
[Dahlia : Vampiric Touch
Attack: 24, Crit Confirm: 9
Damage: 9, Crit Damage +10]
Dahlia's hand grabs onto Lux, and visibly drains some of the gryphon's lifeforce away, leaving it sapped.

Arastalia: "Master... please help the others..."
Engir: "I have a plan."
"Help me get through to Melodi!"
Arastalia touches Engir, mimicing his healing ability.
[Arastalia : Cure Moderate Wounds: 9]
Engir steps forward, looking for an opening in Pitch's movements, and fires a matt white ray at Melodi.
[Reach Protection from Evil, Attack: 23 (Luck Points expended for autohit)
Melodi Ryuji Naabe : Will Save: 25]
The beam of light strikes Melodi, covering her with a brief glow.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "...I..."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe falls onto her knees, looking dazed.

The imps, meanwhile, continue wicked assaults on Gespenst and Lux
[Devilish Imp : Claw
Attack: 19, Damage: 7
Imp : Claw
Attack: 12, Damage: 9]
Neither of them are able to connect, though.
Nalzij: "Melodi?"
Pitch: "Melodi?"
Gespenst: "Go home, imp. You have no reason to be here."
Engir grits his teeth, quietly praying to himself.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Head..."
"Hurts... what was I..."
Nalzij: "Just get back away from her, Melodi!"
Devilish Imp: "Yeah, just 'cause you banished my mistress, doesn't mean I gotta roll over and play nice."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "...who?"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe seems severely disoriented.
Dahlia looks a little shocked at Melodi's recovery. "But... This... Wasn't how it was supposed to go..."

Astrid brings out her staff, firing a series of prismatic rays at the imp.
[Astrid : Magic Missile, Damage: 3, 2, 4]
The missiles collide with the imp, weakening it.
Engir: "No lie or trick will make it past me, devil."
Gespenst meanwhile continues his savage attack against the imp, in hopes of finishing it.
[Gespenst : Full Attack
Attack (Claw): 14, Damage: 11 + 3 Fire
Attack (Claw): 14, Damage: 6 + 5 Fire
Attack (Bite): 22, Damage: 11 + 3 Fire
Attack (Claw): 14, Damage: 10 + 1 Fire]
The claws fail to connect against the imp, only the bite getting through.
Devilish Imp: "Still with the fire, doggie? I'm a devil. You know, fire and brimstone?"
"I sleep in fires hotter than you're made of."

Melodi Ryuji Naabe still looks dazed.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "I... what was..."
Engir: "Those fiends tried to rob you of everything you knew and loved. You have your own wits now."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe sits down trying to relax her head, her song ending and the summons fading.
Pitch: "You were charmed and you tried to aid some demons...but it's over now."
Astrid: "It really isn't, Pitch!"
Pitch: "..I meant her charmedness was over, Astrid, but yes."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Huh... a girl... with wings?"

Nalzij: "Lux, get back out of there, I can handle this! Just watch out for the others!"
Lux flies back behind Nalzij, landing to block the path.
Nalzij advances on Dahlia, swinging her sword in an upward slash.
[Nalzij : Longsword (Smite Evil)
Attack: 10, Damage: 10
Smite Evil: +2 Attack, +6 Damage]
Dahlia dodges the blow.
The sword barely misses Dahlia, nicking some scales off her wings.
Pitch: "Dahlia, you're outnumbered, outmatched, and there's no real point in any more conflict...you're fighting for nothing right now, Dahlia, just stop."
Dahlia: "I... I have to keep fighting... I must..."
Pitch: "Why must you?"
Astrid: "(What happened to you, Dahlia...)"
Pitch: "What's the point in continuing to fight?"
Dahlia: "To protect her."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "...Protect...?"
Pitch: "To protect my sister from what?"
Dahlia: "You."
Pitch: "...I'm not going to hurt my sister."
Engir: "Do you want us to keep her out of our war with Valesia?"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Miss winged lady... you were... protecting me?"
Nalzij: "She's the one who dragged you into this, Melodi!"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "...huh?"
"Dragged me?"
"I've... never seen her before."
Astrid: "She was merely following the orders of that fiend, Melodi!"
Dahlia: "You called for help..."
Nalzij: "You were being controlled!"
Engir: "I think she inadvertantly summoned her."
"Melodi, you can dismiss her!"
Pitch: "You called for help, saying we were trying to kill you, though we were trying to remove your charmed condition."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "But..."
"Winged lady?"
Dahlia: "I... I had to."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Um, miss winged lady... I don't understand and my head hurts so much... but..."
"If you're on my side... could you do something about these demon guys?"
Astrid: "Eugh...this is so confusing..."
Dahlia: "They're here to protect you too..."
Engir: "All these imps, and succubi, including Dahlia. They were summoned by Melodi when she was manipulated."
"I imagine they follow the same rules..."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Can you... make them go away...?"
Devilish Imp: "Hey! New girl! Playing turncoat isn't part of the deal!"
"The mistress wants you to get rid of the people who helped kill you!"
Engir: "Or we can just kill the devils. Ara and I can show Melodi the books later."
Nalzij: "Dahlia, are you still yourself at all?!"
Pitch: "...Dahlia, you used to be our comrade, our friend."
Dahlia: "But then... There was pain... pain and darkness..."
"I.. will do my best..."
Dahlia starts to cast a spell, a bolt of lightning shooting toward the nearby imp.
[Energy Missile [Electric], DC 19, Damage: 25]
The imp fails to defend against the electricity, and its form is disintegrated by the energy.

Arastalia: "Ah... I guess not all demons are inherently evil, hm, Master?"
Engir: "This is an interesting turn of events."
Arastalia: "But for now..."
Arastalia focuses on helping with her Master's wounds.
[Cure Moderate Wounds: 11]
Engir: "Thank you, Ara."

Engir glares at the ever-familiar imp, and raises his voice.
Engir: "Fall from the sky, devil!" [Command, DC16]
[Devilish Imp : Will Save: 18]

Devilish Imp: "Tch tch. Let's not be hasty, I rather like the sky."
Devilish Imp takes wing, backing away from the angry werewolf.
Devilish Imp: "So, who wants to give me a reason to stay here?"
"Otherwise I'd kinda rather head out."
Engir: "I'm glad you understand the situation."
Nalzij: "Run or die, fiend."
Devilish Imp: "Fine, picky, picky."
Pitch: "...and I hope that's the last time we see him."
Devilish Imp slashes at the air, opening a temporary gap-portal to a fiery abyss, before flying through it as the portal closes behind him.
Nalzij: "Ara, is there any way to save her?"
Astrid hunches over in exhaustion, breathing heavily.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Miss winged girl... will you stop attacking us now...?"
Arastalia: "The cat woman..."
"I'm sorry, Master. This is..."
"We should give her a proper burial."
Engir: "She means Dahlia, I think."
"But yes, we should."
Arastalia: "Oh, yes..."
"I..."
Dahlia: "I... I will..."
Arastalia: "I think you should understand."
Dahlia slumps down a little... a little dazed from things.
Engir: "Dahlia... I still feel sick about how our last meeting ended."
Arastalia: "I... what the succubus said..."
Pitch: "Eugh...I still feel guilt over what I had to do."
Arastalia: "I'm a devil too. One of 'them', in a way."
"But I'm... also not."
Pitch reverts to normal size.
Pitch: "...Ara, what do you mean?"
"..and it's not like we'll judge you for what you are, y'know."
Arastalia: "It's about what we talked about yesterday..."
Engir: "It'll be okay, Ara. We're with you."
Arastalia: "I'm... half-fiend. Not like Lady Astrid, but much closer to her ancestors."
Astrid nods slowly.
Arastalia: "But... not all demons and devils are inherently... malicious."
Pitch: "Correct."
Arastalia: "There are angels who do evil deeds."
Pitch: "A person is not defined by what they ARE, they're defined by WHO they are."
Arastalia: "And just as such, there are demons who do good deeds."
Dahlia watches Arastalia.
Arastalia: "This... miss Dahlia... is possibly just... lost."
"Please... talk to her."
"Give her a chance."
Pitch: "...I'm willing to, as long as she doesn't try to make us do deals with demons."
Engir: "Thank you, Ara."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Miss winged girl?"
Dahlia: "Y-yes?..."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "I... I'm not quite sure of everything that happened."
"But if I remember right, I think you were still trying to protect me."
"Even if it was all a little confusing."
"So... thank you."
Nalzij: "...Do you have any explanation for this, Dahlia?"
Dahlia: "I... I... wanted... power..."
"I wanted to... be strong enough..."
"To protect..."
Astrid: "To protect who...?"
Engir nods quietly.
Dahlia: "To... protect... him..." she says... the last part very quietly, glancing briefly at Pitch.
Nalzij: "And what do you think of the path you chose to do so?"
Dahlia: "It..."
Astrid looks down at the ground.
Dahlia: "She said she'd make me strong..."
Arastalia looks down.
Dahlia: "But... it's... been dark... and painful..."
Engir: "I'm sorry, Dahlia. We could have helped you through it. Instead, we..."
Astrid: "Protect Pitch...? But why?"
Pitch: "Eugh...I feel horrible for it..."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "You...don't seem like a bad person..."
Dahlia: "Because... I..."
Nalzij: "What do you want to do from here? What next?"
Dahlia: "(love him...)"
Astrid grimaces.
Astrid: "(Hmph.)"
Dahlia blushes.
Engir: "You're still you, after all."
Astrid: "(Tch, he has a thing for horns, it probably wouldn't be that difficult...)"
Astrid turns away from the group, muttering.
Nalzij: "(Astrid...?)"
Engir: "What will you do now, Dahlia?"
Engir: "I, at least, am willing to forgive all that has happened, if you will forgive us."
Pitch: "...I can too, so long as that sort of thing doesn't happen again."
Astrid: "...I concur."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Nalzij...?"
"I mean... it's kind of up to you..."
Dahlia: "If... if you can... I've... done such horrible things..."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "I don't know what the paladins say about demons."
Engir: "But you have realised what you have done, and repent."
Nalzij: "...I'm waiting on her answer."
Dahlia: "I... do forgive you... please just forgive me too..."
Nalzij: "I don't really know what to think, but... I'm willing to give you a chance."
Dahlia: "Th-thank you."
Engir: "We buried some of your old things with your body back at the crossroads, if you didn't get them already."
Engir: "Perhaps they'll help remind you that you're Dahlia, not some puppet of the abyss."
Pitch: "...so I guess welcome back to the team."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "It seems... people are happy with you, miss winged lady."
Pitch: "The girl you wanted to protect is my little sister, Melodi."
Nalzij: "One chance. So you'd better make sure you talk to us if you're in doubt about what to do again."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "...Ah! Ah! I just realized!"
"How long was I out?!"
Dahlia: "You have a sister?"
Nalzij: "I don't know. You've been acting funny since Athel's place."
Pitch: "...You started acting weird ever since we talked to Athel von what's his name."
"Yes, Dahlia, I have a sister: this is her."
Nalzij: "(Ara... are you sure this is even possible?)"
Engir: "(Ara herself is proof.)"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "I know, the last thing I remember was listening for his heartbeat to try to determine his honesty."
Arastalia: "(...as 'trustworthy' as I may be, at least...)"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "But that's not what I mean!"
"Please don't tell me I was out longer than a day..."
Pitch: "....you were."
"It's Springsday 64th."
Nalzij: "(No, I trust you... it's just, it's asking a lot, to trust her as well.)"
Pitch: "You seemed to go out on Springsday 63rd."
Nalzij pets Lux idly, trying to clear her mind.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe's eyes begin to water up, before she realizes what Pitch said and starts playfully hitting on his chest.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "You idiot! I said longer than a day!"
"It means I'm still in time..."
Engir locks eyes with Ara, muttering under his breath.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe starts rummaging through her bag, before rapidly pulling out a belt, offering it to Pitch while shyly looking away, her eyes still watering.
Astrid leans against the tree, her eyes closed.
Pitch graciously accept the gift.
Pitch: "Thanks a lot, sis."
Pitch hugs his sister.
Pitch: "It's really nice you remembered."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "You're a stupid brother, but I love you anyways. Happy birthday."
Gespenst glances at Astrid with concern.
Pitch: "It's a really nice belt, thanks. And I love you too, sis."
Nalzij: "We should go back inside. Explain what happened."
Pitch puts on the belt after the embrace.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "...That Athel guy, though..."
Engir: "We will punish him."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "I... think he knew I was listening for his heartbeat..."
"It's weird, though."
"I couldn't find it."
Nalzij: "I think we've already figured out which side to take about Athel."
Engir: "He can't be..."
Dahlia: "Athel?"
Gespenst approaches Astrid, taking her gently by the hand.
Engir: "A tophatted young noble."
Astrid: "I-It's fine, Gespenst..."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "(Why couldn't I hear it...?)"
Engir: "Monocle, too. Actually, if you're interested, you'd be in a good position to investigate him."
Nalzij: "Lux, you can head back now and rest, I think there won't be any more trouble."
Engir: "I have a dreadful fear, but... I don't think vampires are actually real..."
Nalzij: "...can either of you explain what happened to the catkin?"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Huh? Vampires?"
Pitch: "(...are you holding up okay, Astrid?)"
"What's a vampire?"
Astrid: "(I'm not feeling well right now...)"
Nalzij: "Lord Berivus?"
Arastalia kneels down over the fallen catkin.
Engir: "A powerful undead being that feeds off the blood of others."
Astrid: "(I'll...explain later.)"
Engir: "They're a folk myth, as far as I know."
Pitch: "(Okay, I hope you recover swiftly.)"
Berivus Aratach: "A-ah! Y-you're okay...!"
Astrid: "Are you alright, milord?"
Nalzij: "I'm sorry for all this. If there's anything I can do to make amends for the trouble we've caused..."
Engir: "Either way, we should bury the cat."
Dahlia: "What happened to... it?"
Arastalia: "All her blood... drained away."
"If a vampire is truly responsible, then... we don't have much time to waste."
Pitch extends a hand to Dahlia.
Pitch: "Need a hand getting up?"
Dahlia: "A-alright.."
Dahlia nervously extends a hand.
Engir: "Tell me what to do, Ara."
Arastalia: "She needs to be buried. With a holy symbol."
Engir: "That part shouldn't be difficult, at least."
Pitch helps Dahlia up.
Pitch: "...really sorry about well...what I did to you, Dahlia."
Dahlia: "I... It's.. okay."
Pitch: "C'mon then, let's go back to the others."
Arastalia: "Pitch. Would you help us... dig her a grave?"
Pitch: "Yes, Arastalia."
Dahlia: "But we're in a garden?"
Engir: "I don't think we'll bury her here."
"We need a holy symbol, anyway."
Pitch: "Perhaps it would be wise to do it in the cathedral"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Then... the cathedral?"
Engir: "Yes, unless Nalzij has a spare."
Pitch: "Oh!"
"I actually have a holy symbol somewhere in my bag."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "...Huh?"
Engir: "Really, now?"
Nalzij: "You do?"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Brother, I thought you didn't care about religion?"
Engir: "I wouldn't have expected that. It pleases me to hear that, though."
Pitch presents a holy symbol from his bag.
Pitch: "I thought it might come in handy for more demons."
Nalzij: "Convenient, but shouldn't we still bury her somewhere else?"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "...Yet we were against demons just now and it didn't come in handy."
Pitch: "...true."
Engir: "You still need to have the faith to channel through them."
Pitch: "Which means I'll have no regrets giving it for this."
Engir rubs his forehead.
Engir: "Well, fate is convenient today. Let's go, Ara."
Arastalia: "Shall we bury her at Antivus's estate, then?"
"She's... surprisingly light. Though her body is so cold..."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Here..."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe helps Arastalia carry the body, and together they start carrying her out.
Engir: "It's chilling me thinking about it."
Nalzij: "Also, Lord Berivus? I think we'll be looking into what Athel has been up to, now. Thank you for your help."
Engir: "Oh boy, has Athel been up to things. That's for sure."
Dahlia stays back a little.
Engir holds doors to assist Melodi and Ara.
Pitch: "...maybe I should hold her."
"Shall I?"
Berivus Aratach: "Thank you very much, Dame Nalzij. I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but thank you for helping me."
"I am sorry we were not able to meet under more ideal circumstances."
Engir: "I might not be lady Nalzij, but I think continuing to support demihumans is all we could ask for."
Berivus Aratach nods.
Nalzij: "It was nothing. I'm just glad we made it here in time."
Berivus Aratach: "I'm doing my best. It's quite hard to overcome legislature but I'm working with people from the castle on this."
Engir: "Oh, I might be able to help with that."
Berivus Aratach: "Hopefully some day..."
Engir: "If I'm in town, come visit the Thaumaturge's place. I'd love to puzzle through the legal hoops."
Berivus Aratach: "I may just do so."
Nalzij: "I don't think I could be of much use, but I wouldn't mind listening in. It would be good to know more."

The party brings the fallen Itriene to Antivus's Manor, and sets up a burial site for her. While it is nowhere near as ideal or honoring as Orz's, they do their best to honor her.
Engir: "Heavens bless this soul... may the afterlife bring some form of peace and enlightenment."
Antille: "What a rough way to go, poor girl."
Nalzij: "Star guide her to her final home. May it be a better place than this."
Engir: "Cruel as it is to say, she's warned us of a terrifying danger."
Unnamed Foxkin: "I... never really knew you, but... we are still as sisters, you and I. I wish I got to meet you in better conditions..."
The group pays their deepest respects for the fallen catkin, and with the events so far heavy on their hearts, they consider how best to proceed with their new ally in tow.