Mal lunges backwards, grabbing the phylactery from beneath the very dragons, and then bolts, rushing out from under them and towards the group. 

Zendrak is first to react, moving into the midst of the group and casting a spell.  With a *bamf* everyone vanishes into an infintessimally small point.  The world explods around you and you once again find yourself standing on a glowing stone, near a small run down cabin in the woods. The difference this time is that Mal is holding the Lich phylactery in her hands. 

The cool morning air embraces everyone after the dry heat of the dragon caves. 

Zendrak looks about and raises an eyebrow, "That went better than expected."

(Out of initiative, unless anyone resisted the spell, in which case, let me know!)  :-D 

Giving the chest to Zendrak, "How long will it take to destroy that thing. Also will the creature know what is going on and will they be able to get to us. Speaking of, will the Gith be able to somehow track where we went and follow? We did kind of create some havoc in their Creche did they call it."

Stumbling for a moment at the sudden transportation, Kurik takes a few steps and quickly looks about.  He holds his sword up and then begins to settle down a little  seeing that they are safe.  He sighs in relief and then groans in frustration.  "I had thought about getting an egg on the way out.  I guess no dragon to ride for me..."

Zendrak grimaces at Kurik's comment, and then says, "I can teleport you back if you wish. There are always ways to track people. It depends on how determined you are, and how powerful your spells are." 

He takes the box from Mal, then fishes a small finger bone out of his pocket.  "Please give me a few minutes." 

He crouches down and begins seemingly meditating and casting a ritual spell. His low grumbling whispers run on in the background, the sound of wind blowing through the trees and the scent of pine filling the air. Bird calls and chirps echo around the forest as the warm sun shines down pleasantly. 

Ten minutes pass. 

Zendrak stands up and places the Phylactery on a rock, "Anyone got a bowl of holy water? We have to submerse it in holywater for one day."

Kari looks at Zendrak blankly for a couple of seconds. "Sure, let me just grab my waterskin full of holy water that I've been drinking out of this whole time." She sighs and continues in a more exasperated tone, "Why didn't you tell us before that we would need holy water? Maybe someone in that other group would have had some, or been able to make some, or something."

"Bet that was part of the ritual he just did." Kurik said.  "Not that I'm an expert, but I'd guess it just gives him the info on how to destroy them."  Kurik rolls his shoulders.  "Any chance you'd teach me the ritual, or write down the process?  My father heads a group that is likewise interested in taking out liches.  Went toe to toe with Acerack a while back."

"So looks like we need to head to some civilization and find a cleric and the sooner the better." Mal suggests.

Zendrak looks at Kari with a blank look for a moment. Then he blinks a couple of times and looks back to Kurik, "Indeed. I taught the others, I am eager to teach more people, and will gladly share with you. And..your father? Sounds like an interesting person to meet. But first, we need holy water. Can any of you get us easily to a source of holywater?" 

Mal looks from one companion to the other at Zendrak's questions, "Did you just ask this lot if they had access to holy water? Are you feeling alright, you have been traveling with us awhile and you should already know the answer to that question. Like I said, we need to head into a town close by that is large enough that has a cleric where we can purchase some holy water, or depending on the town might be able to explain what we are attempting to do and they might even offer us the holy water to be used."

Then she looks around the are again, making sure nothing is trying to sneak up on them, "Where are we again, and in what direction is the nearest town?"

Perception: 17

Zendrak gives Mal a grim smile. 

Mal looks around the ruined forest cabin a bit. It's clearly not used very frequently, though as she scans the area she does find an old path, almost entirely overgrown, that weaves off through the forest.  The group starts walking. It's a pleasant enough day, not too hot, not too cool. Clouds dot the blue sunny sky overhead, though you mostly catch glimpses of it through the mix of pine and maple trees that fill the forest. The path winds its way up and down through the hills but seems to trend generally downwards. You pass several dried up creeks along the way. Eventually you find yourself hiking next to a burbling creek along a well used walking trail. Dried round rocks line the creek bed, the water levels definitely at late summer / early fall levels. The walking trail exits onto a wagon trail, two dirt ruddy lines run through the forest. Here, a rickety wooden bridge has been built over the creek you've been following. 

Zendrak frowns and says, "I think I recall town being this way."  He points towards the bridge, so you head down the road that way. 

An hour later you find your first homestead nestled amongst the forest. Cows graze casually amongst the trees, their eyes tracking your progress. Another two hours later and you are passing structures regularly, and eventually spot a gathering of buildings ahead that appears to be at own. A tall church tower peaks above the rest of the buildings that are nestled deep amongst the woods. People seem to walk about the town. They wear roughly made clothes and look a little 'rough' in general as you start your approach.

Mordekai drops the Seeming spell so that we no longer look like a group of gith warriors. He casts Disguise Self to make himself fit in with the locals - a more handsome version, and a slightly better-put-together outfit, but still emulating the rugged, down-to-earth quality that the townsfolk portray. Even though the rest of the group still stand out, blending in is one of Mordekai's favourite games.

"The obvious choice is to visit the church and speak to whatever kind of cleric we find there, I guess."

As the seeming spell ends, Mal's armor reverts back to the black leather bound armor she is used to. Ahh, much better.

"Probably the best place to start, let's get this over with." Mal responds.

Kurik didn't push the issue.  Zen seemed agreeable to teaching the spell so he left it at that.  To the others, he says, "We could walk to town, or teleport?  Is that a thing you can do or is it a once a day kind of ordeal?"

"There's no need to quit walking now, It's good for the body to stretch our legs. At least we won't have to guess where the church is." Kari doesn't stop walking unless the rest of the group pauses and she gets too far ahead.

Zendrak looks to Kurik, "Let us walk. An over reliance on magic is the reason the world is in this mess. It's addictive and changes a person." 

The group enters the town and heads for the church.  The place is surprisingly run down. Buildings are barely upkept. You spot more than a couple people laying in a nest of garbage within gaps between houses. One and all though, the inhabitants here seem to have marked up their faces with makeup....to make themselves look a little bit like.... cats?   You see one man over there preening his hand with his tongue. A woman is seen sitting on a porch, crouched on her hindlegs and just watching. The place is weird.  

Eventually the group finds their way to the church and press open the doors. The church is certainly the center of town, and the most well maintained building. Through the large wooden doors you find a dimly lit hall filled with pews. A pedestal of holy water sits by the door, but doesn't' appear to be sufficient to submerse the container.  Holy symbols decorate the walls, all of great lions. A massive wooden statue of a majestic lion adorns the center front of the hall.  (Religion DC 17 if desired)

A man in robes approaches. He has marked his nose up with black ink, and has drawn black whiskers across his face.   

His eyes appraise the group before he nods and, thankfully speaks common, though with a strange accent.  "Visitors. You look hardy. Survivors. Of this we approve. Our holy lord greets you to our quiet town of Gurnth. How may we each demonstrate our might?"

Mal Religion: 22

Kurik gives a slight bow but keeps his eyes on the man.  "Greetings, one and all.  I go many names but most call me Kurik and these are my companions.  We are indeed survivors and have survived much.  Dragons, floating castles in the Astral, ancient cities long lost to the world and even some bouts with liches most foul.  But today we find ourselves this wonderous temple and seek aid."

He pauses for effect, "What we seek, is the power to destroy one such lich and I surmise that the power is well within your hands to do so.  For this matter, we require not but a container and sufficient holy water to cleans such evil.  Are you up to the task?  Do you feel your faith is strong enough?"

Mal looks about, and is certain that this town must be some twisted form of worship for Nobanion, the King of beasts...a god whose form is often in that of a lion. 

The priest looks to Kurik, "Indeed!  Lich's are the very definition of evil. They use their magic to sidestep all of natures rules, cheating the true tests of survival. I will gladly assist you....however holy water must be imbued with silver. I would suggest that we will need ten vials to submerse this item, so I will require 250 gold as compensation."

It would seem very little convincing was needed, and presuming you pay the man, he agrees to help. Despite this towns strange worship and stranger existence, it would seems priests everywhere hate Lichs.  With little ceremony and no delay, he finds an appropriate sized bowl and soon enough is pouring holy water over the small heart shaped jewelry box. As he does so, the thing hisses and sizzles impressively. Eventually though all is calm as it sits under the blessed water. Bubbles broil up from it.  

Zendrak sits down on a pew, putting an arm over the seat in a relaxed manner, "It will need to be thus for a full day."  It appears he is planning on just sitting and watching the whole time.  The priest shrugs, nodding his departure, and returns to an office nonplussed by the entire affair.  

As we wait, Mordekai seeks to ingratiate himself with the priest. He knocks on the priest's office door and puts his head through without waiting for a response.

"It seems we have time at our disposal while the holy water does its work. Tell me more about your god. I noticed the townsfolk paint their faces accordingly, I was intrigued."

Mal tosses the gold to the priest, "Here is your payment and then if you will excuse us, we have some matters to discuss."

She will wait till the priest is away and then gather her companions around her, whispering "OK so this town seems to be worshiping some bastardized form of Nobanion some beast god of the realm. I am not letting my guard down as I feel something is amiss."