count: island - 1
ooc: here we go
Time: late morning
Weather: warm and clear
Mentions:  [@Wheatley][@Dreadnought404][@DoubleChecker][@sunphoenix72][@Zeldrin Marfex]
TLDR: Astras getting swarmed and attacked. The rest of the horde is advancing on the party up top.
music:  battle in warrens [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tsCTAwhCes[/url]

The sounds from below continued to grow louder as stone shifted somewhere within the darkness. Sister Valeria kept one hand against the damaged seal while answering the remaining questions without taking her eyes from the fissure.

[color=ed1c24][b]"Let's hope it doesn't come to that."[/b][/color]

When asked about a reward, she gave a much shorter answer.

[b][color=ed1c24]"Power."[/color][/b]

A moment later she addressed Zeldrin's question.

[color=ed1c24][b]"Scouts. Hunters. Blind, but not helpless. They feel movement."[/b][/color]

The glow surrounding the recently summoned Golden Vessels flickered. One by one their forms became translucent before fading completely. Whatever magic had brought them forth failed to hold them in place. Within seconds the chamber was left with only Nyana's Siren Sisters and First Order. 

Zeldrin's own spell found more success. Shapes emerged from nearby cracks and gaps in the ruined stonework (not specifically the fissure). Three creatures answered the call. A pair of pale cave rats roughly the size of small dogs scurried into view, followed by a squat six legged lizard no larger than a goat. All three appeared comfortable in the underground environment and quickly gathered near their new master.

Far below, Astra reached the upper portions of the ruined passage system connected to the fissure. Broken stone, collapsed supports, and fragments of ancient masonry formed a rough path upward through the darkness. The route widened in places and narrowed in others, leaving numerous routes for smaller creatures to climb.

The first of them came into view. Several pale creatures scrambled over debris and broken walls with surprising speed. Their bodies resembled a cross between hairless reptiles and oversized cave predators. Four legs carried them forward while elongated forelimbs ended in hooked claws suited for climbing. Their eyeless heads swept from side to side as they advanced.

More movement followed behind them. Dozens. The leading creatures reacted immediately to Astra's presence, accelerating. Several launched themselves directly toward her while others spread across the surrounding debris and continued climbing along alternate routes. The first impacts came moments later. (Astra, defend yourself)

Above, those remaining in the chamber heard the sounds of movement rising rapidly through the fissure. Small stones popped upward from below as the first creatures closed the remaining distance. A few pale claws appeared over the edge of the opening. Then several more. The creatures getting around Astra swarming the defensive line of the party. 


[hider=the monsters]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/7bw9GJv.png[/img]
[/hider]

[hider=sister valeria]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/piCDdsq.png[/img]
[/hider]