[IC] Chapter 1-4: Cellars of Hate

[DM Surranó]

Hah-hah, we will ask the next one. Merri's safety is the first. Let us go start the search, do not waste the time then.

"My safety lies beyond that cylinder of light," Merri says, pointing firmly in the generic direction of west.
Murkatos looks at the elven girl with an incredulous, or maybe confused, look on his young face.

After considering everyone's words Lugar makes up his mind. "If Merri wants to leave we should escort her back to the portal so she can recover.  You put up a good fight but it's no use getting yourself killed by ghosts. We might as well go back to the beginning to search, see what was below the water in the cave.  Besides, I'm still wet from the last dip we took, might as well go swim again."  Lugar sloshes the water in his boots to make his point.

"I don't want to hold you up guys but if you insist on escorting me back that's fine."

"I wouldn't risk passing that way myself," Murkatos notes as Merri turns to leave. "Otherwise I would've left myself ages ago. But I can't recall any-- cylinders of light, did you say?"

"This is quite a tight situation indeed," Maul enters the conversation, somewhat blocking Merri's way. "What is it you really want? Leave? Or live?"

"Hah. Very witty. Looks like the same at this point."

"Remember the council's explanation on the Chant? Once you pass that cylinder there will be no way back. Staying here may mean sacrifice but we may save the city. Remember: seven seas, likely means seven portals. If we fail on the very first one then it's everyone's lives at stake."

Murkatos steps back, tapping his chin.
"This is getting interesting by every passing moment."
If the situation weren't so grave his look could be interpreted as a sign of amusement.
The priest continues his argument.

"Camping here sounds ridiculously risky but it's still what I propose. Let me pray to Pelor for a new set of spells, purely for protection against undead and maybe some offense for the same purpose. Then I can bring you back to the confident warrior wizard you once were."

"Or play your last ace and use that scroll of yours right now. You keep it for yourself just in case you got attacked, don't you?" Merri seems to get more sarcastic and impatient with every sentence of the conversation.

Maul, however, keeps his cool and nods.
"Still cunning and sharp-eyed, glad to see that. Your accusations are true. But you certainly know, and not just feel, that I have no selfish motives."

"I know," the elf admits. "If you lose your most powerful prayers you can still use that scroll and then, by regaining your prayers, use them on the rest of us."
Pausing, she looks around then finishes the conversation.
"This is why I leave now. It was fun while it lasted.

With a determined look on her withered face and a shove of her hand, the elf passes the priest and heads out, not looking back.

"Stubborn elves," Maul mutters and looks at the others to see their reactions.

"Hey," Murkatos calls out, "Mind leaving your spellbook behind for me?"

However, Merri doesn't look back anymore.