Nickeline waits her turn to ride Perdita. She clings tightly to Hildegard for the whole trip. Her nausea only gets worse upon landing, however. She was used to feeling the presence the divine, but this was different. When Flandal answered her prayers, Nickeline felt the warmth of compassion. There was no warmth here, not anymore.

"This spot looks good," Nickeline says, pointing out a relatively flat area nearby. She wants to get the ritual started quickly so they can leave quickly. Being here was bad enough even without the risk of disturbances. It sounded like Selarial had an idea of what was coming.

Once they find a place to conduct a ritual, Nickeline says, "During the ritual I will pray to Flandal that your souls will be protected from the evil of the items and especially from commingling with Sserah's soul bits," Nickeline continues, taking a vial of holy water out of her pocket, "but I can only bestow that protection to one of you at a time. Whoever wants it come bend down and I'll anoint you with holy water."

OOC:

Lord Akkron had warned the party about the risks of the ritual including Sserah's soul going to one of the casters instead of the intended objects. Once the ritual starts, Nickeline will cast Protection from Evil and Good on whoever is going to cast the wish. It should last until the end as long as Nickeline's concentration isn't broken.

She does also have a second holy water if someone else can cast the spell (maybe Gorash?)

The strange and unnatural light of the landscape makes Hildegard's skin crawl. After bringing the last of the group to the fragile surface, she remains on Perdita, the nightmare's flaming hooves resting in the air just above the surface of the dead god. She eyes the delicate ground, unsettled by the fact that if it breaks apart, she could only carry away at most two people at a time.

"Let's start right away," she says, also almost in a whisper. "I feel uneasy the longer we stay here."

She looks at Nickekine. "I am also able to cast that spell, if you would loan me the holy water."

 "Here you go, Hilly." Nickeline hands Hildegard her current flask of holy water and takes the backup holy water flask out of her other pocket.

Jodie has been more subdued upon seeing the sight of the dead god.  The troubles of mortals seem inconsequential with witness of the time's decay on a forgotten god...

"And so even the immortal do not last forever and a carnival of the living.  To walk afoot the god, such a moment I hope to sing the tale.  Yet even in this strange place, I hope to make a haven to safely perform the ritual.  I believe I will perform the rite, yes?  I will take one of your protective wards."

"Let's review the wording the Wish yes?  Perhaps we should work on the phrasing to avoid any complications."

Thampalic is extremely interested in where he is, and is wondering if he should try to harvest a piece of the dead god to take home for studying, and to maybe even put in a museum at home. However, he knows now is not the time, yet, they have a task to perform and they all need to have their wits about if they want to succeed.

Selarial pauses a moment, then gestures quietly to a figure in the distance.

"Though your the words of your wish are extremely important... I... I don't think we have very long to decide..."

The figure you see approaching slowly is tall. Gaunt. Skeletal...



"...that's an Astral Lich," she whispers, her voice trembling slightly. "I've only ever seen two before this one... and... I really don't think it will be as helpful as our Lord of the Shaded Isle."

(OOC: You guys have about 5 rounds before the Astral Lich is upon you...)

Jodie scans (20) over the surface of the dead god, looking for cracks or entryways. 

"Surely there must be creatures that shelter in the husk.  Can we elude the Lich for enough time to perform the ritual?"  she asks aloud.

Tamphalic quickly asks a few questions

"What powers do Astral Liches have?"
"Do they have vulnerabilities?"
"Can you defeat one?

((Upon us means within 30ft? Or within 120ft?))