Inspection|Dark Cloud, Maelstrom

[aivea]

Knowing that the eight Wind elementals who had been persuaded to come along to keep the wind off the group, a group of six priests of various signs make their way as quickly as possible into the remains of Dark Cloud.

"So this is it," murmurs Lyleis, the priest of Efil. "What part of the city would we search first?"

"I would think the center and work our way out. That way we get the hardest to reach place done first," suggests Ginger.

"That would make sense. What do you think, Keele?"

Keele nods and leads the way toward the center of the ruins. The priest of Taed, Iskra, frowns at the sight of the temple's condition but remains silent.

"Quickly now... We don't know how long our Winds can shield us," warns Malice.

[Kender Bard]

The priests in the center of Dark Cloud - minus Jurek - are still there, still intact, and still unconscious. They seem only to be in a peaceful sleep, and all the maladies of Dark Cloud are away from them. A single lurid red cloud hovers above them.

[aivea]

"Who are these people who don't seem affected?" asks Lyleis as he leans down to lightly prod the nearest of the fallen priests- the one of Taed- with one hand.

"To be honest, I'm more worried about that cloud; it doesn't seem even remotely natural. I don't think we should let them stay under it," replies Andromache. "We should take them back to the capital then to Ilyamen with us before that cloud starts affecting them. Do you think we can get them all?"

Iskra cracks his knuckles then says, "Between the fourteen of us, I'd start thinking there's something wrong with us if we can't carry five people. Come on, pick whichever you like."

Those of the group who felt they could carry them, pick up the fallen and take one last glance at the cloud.

"Perhaps they would know what is going on... For now, though, it looks like the reports are correct but I have a bad feeling about that they are unaffected," comments Keele. "This isn't the time to worry; I think the wind is picking up. We need to go..."

"all right, with any luck these five are not harmed and simply chose the wrong place for a nap," agrees Lyleis.

"Wait! We need a better look at that cloud. It wasn't in the reports," Andromache yelps.

"I'll handle that," Malice replies and spreads her wings to go about a foot above the ground and peers intently at the cloud. With the Winds keeping the air as still as possible around them, it is hard to remain even slightly aloft. After looking for a few moments, she returns to the ground and adds, "Let's go quickly. Time is precious when dealing with those whose condition cannot be assessed considering the situation."

The group starts to head back to the capital with those they found.