Kaede will attempt to persuade (check: 20) the others to not be afraid, but to confidently proceed further into the town, towards the entrance to the underworld.

"Do not be frightened of that which you do not see, or comprehend.  The fear of death follows from the fear of life.  A warrior who lives fully is prepared to die at any time."

After a moment of concentrating, as if listening to a ghostly voice speaking to her, she calls out to her group in a confident voice "There is a power here, greater than one I've ever encountered before.  But again, do not be afraid, for it is foolishly attempting to scare us away.  We band of brothers are loyal and devoted.  Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery.  Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice.  The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love."

Rum watches Wo-Dan as he rubs his temples, wondering what he is doing, and what light he was referring to. When he mentions eyes above, he looks to the skies trying to see what he refers to.

"I see no light, Remnant Wo-Dan", he says  honestly. "And my eyes are always open, always vigilant. Or is there some meaning to that phrase that I am not understanding?".

It is then that Lady Kaede turns to address them. In that moment he truly sees a leader, someone to inspire her people, someone with poise and insight. The seeds of greatness.

"You speak truly, Remn...Lady Kaede", he says inclining his head. "Be assured I do not fear life or death. I have experienced the bitter taste of great fear, in the fight with the Red Bull. It's magic sought to overcome me. But still I did not falter. I will not let myself be overcome by fear again. I will walk the path by your side, all your sides, no matter what may come".

He looks to each of those with him, "Loyalty and devotion is what I offer also, but I have not always received the same in return. I beseech the Great Dragon that it will be different this time".

Jek looks around with his eyes and his magical sight from the Bright Lady. 

He pats Rum on the shoulder saying. "You will have it from me friend Rum. And your Great Dragon's help as well." Rum will feel something pass through him and feels more vigilant than before, ready for anything.

Jek then chimes in with the others "There is much magic about here. There's necromancy and illusions all over the place. But Lady Kaede is right, we can't be afraid, we need to keep mov....."

Jek abruptly stops in his tracks, eyes wide in horror. He pulls out the wand he received from Travin in his free hand, staff out before him as he turns to where he thinks the voice came from. "No. No no no no.... But, they said you were dead. They killed you in Atlantis! How are you here?! Remnants, prepare yourselves!"

"What is it, friend Jek? What do you see?!", Rum asks urgently, as he spins around looking for whatever it is Jek is referring to, but seeing nothing. He can feel the heightened awareness gifted to him by his friend, but does not see anything to direct it towards.

He drops into a fighting crouch, ready to pounce the moment the foe reveals itself.

Jek, looking around frantically, says "Gmork. He spoke to me, whispers. He's hunting us... Hunting me? Where is it? WHERE ARE YOU!" Jek yells out.

Kaede turns to address Jek, trying to calm his nerves.  "The undisturbed mind is like the calm body water reflecting the brilliance of the moon. Empty the mind and you will realize the undisturbed mind."

Persuasion: 20

"If Gmork really is hunting you, friend Jek, it is not yet ready to reveal itself. We should be vigilant and prepared, but continue with haste", Rum suggests as he has a final look around.

With that said and done, he will start to move down the centre of the street once again, heading in the direction Wo-Dan pointed out to be where the entrance to Subternia is. His eyes and ears both actively searching for anything of interest.

"You mentioned necromancy and illusion magic, friend Jek. Either would explain the apparent return of Gmork", he muses as he walks. "Do any of you know the details of the last encounter with this creature? Anything to look out for, or any weaknesses"

"Unfortunately friend I have no information beyond what you may already know. However I stand by your side when needed."

"Gmork."  Oten states, as if opening up a database of information.  "When we faced it in Atlantis, it was summoning undead thralls to attack us, and relied on cover and concealment.  It moved in the shadows and taunted us to get within range of its thralls.  When it's thralls weren't engaging us in close quarters combat, it used spells to disperse and weaken us.  In particular, it used what seemed to be Wall of Force and Cloud Kill, the latter of which almost killed Cinder."

Lightning flashes as the Remnants make their way along the street.  They catch a fleeting glimpse of something that looks like a large wolf padding across the street and disappearing behind one of the jade stone buildings.  Smokey shadows swirl in the air behind it...

Wo-Dan watches as the shadowy creature moves in front of them.

"Oten, Jek? Gmork doesn't happen to look like a wolf, does it?"

Rum also tracks the passage of the shadowy wolf-like creature, but he has another question on his mind as well.

"A valid question, Remnant Wo-Dan. Could you also tell us what happened to this Gmork, friend Oten? Are you sure it was killed?".

“Oten-san…How can a being that was not living, be killed?  What is death for that which is already dead?” Lady Kaede quietly ponders out loud. 

Quote from o_Merlin_o >>

Kaede turns to address Jek, trying to calm his nerves.  "The undisturbed mind is like the calm body water reflecting the brilliance of the moon. Empty the mind and you will realize the undisturbed mind."

Persuasion: 16

 Jek looks over to Kaede with his head tilted. He blinks then says "I understand the individual words you are saying, but I have no idea what you are saying." He does seem a little calmer though. 

Oten's description disturbs Jek, but he stays calm. He needs to stay focused. With the lightening flash, he tenses his hand on his wand as Gmork appears for a moment. 

Quietly, Jek says "Yes, that was him. He's hunting us. Taunting us. But... I don't understand. It said it was hunting me and asked if I remembered it. How could I remember it? I have never seen him before, I never left the Shem before. We just knew he was hunting the Order of the Phoenix. Maybe this is why Gandalf didn't want me to go face him in Atlantis."

Jek looks at the alley it disappeared into, then keeps looking around for it. "I don't like this. I think it would be best to deal with him now, then wait for it to ambush us. Does anyone have a light? We should light up the area as much as we can." He will take out a torch and light it. 

Wo-Dan reaches down to his belt and un-shutters his everbright latern.

"Sound advice friend. Does anyone here have the ability to cast any light spells? If not I have spare torches."

"I have no magical means of producing light, Remnant Wo-Dan. But I do have some torches as well", Rum answers patting his pack.

He turns to Jek, " It is possible what it says is a mere taunt, friend Jek. I would prefer to tackle this creature head on right now as well, rather than have it follow us into Subternia where it will have a whole continent of shadows to conceal itself. But how can we turn the tables on it, draw it out? I fear that our following it into the shadows is exactly the ambush you are talking about".

He ponders for a moment, "I wonder if it would fall for it's own tactics. An illusion sent towards the shadows where last we saw it?".

Jek smiles at Rums 's suggestion. 

He whispered to the others "I could send out a duplicate of myself. Have it start saying that I can't endanger others and to go in without me. Then have it go stand out there and wait. What would the rest of you do, though?"

"My plan would be to put an end to this Gmork the instant we confirm it is out in the open, friend Jek", Rum replies at a whispers.

"I can hopefully nullify it for a short time if I can get close, and I am pretty fast. We just all have to be ready to capitalise".

Gritting her teeth in steely determination, face hidden in the shadows of her helm, Kaede is ready to attack at the moment she sees this supposed Gmork.  She's not afraid.  Quite the opposite, actually.  She's looking forward to it.  A samurai should always be prepared for death - whether her own or someone else's.

"Jek, do you have a spare robe? I think I have a slightly better way to draw out Gmork then an illusion."

Wo-Dan dips 2 fingers into a flat pouch on his belt and draws out a Tarot card with a dancing Goblin inked onto the surface. With a flick of his fingers the card dissappears and a Goblin dressed in vibrantly colored rags appears in their midst. The creature blinks its over-large eyes for a moment before smiling and giggling madly. It begins to jig in place and opens its mouth as if to speak before Wo-Dan cuffs it hard on the ear.

"None of that, save your magics for mine enemies." Turning back to Jek, he continues. "This creature is similar in size to yourself, and if dressed as you will hopefully draw the attention of Gmork long enough for us to close the trap. What do the rest of you think?"

“My father once had one of those jesters in his court. They’re funny, but worthless in battle. Reliable as a piece of moldy sushi. But…it’ll do. I vote we go ahead with that ruse.” Lady Kaede whispers.