Aris didn't wait for the echoes to fade, "FALL BACK!"

Mul was already in motion, pulling Lady Ussi along as she ran for the stairs as fast as her legs would carry her. Talae and Little Bird were only slightly slower off the mark, each vaulting the barricade with ease. Aflia froze, too stunned to act. Aris spat an elvish curse vile enough to make Talae blush and unceremoniously slung Aflia over his shoulder and made for the exit.

The Statues moved in pursuit, their stone feet moving to the beat of the drum. "Terminate Intruders. Protect the Sanctum."

Mul and Lady Ussi started up the stairs to the ground floor. Talae turned to hold the foot of the stairs while Little Bird flew past her.

Aris swerved around the barricade, "dammit Talae! Fall Back! We're not standing to fight!"

The Statues tore through the barricade without slowing down, their spectral blades leaving ruler-straight lines where they cut through the thick wood without any resistance.

Talae's eyes grew huge as the implications of that casual destruction went home. No amount of armor or toughness would shrug off a strike that cut you clean in half. She fled up the spiral stairs as fast as her legs would carry her. Aris was close on her heels, stooping just low enough to avoid bouncing Aflia's horns off the ceiling.

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The Party didn't stop running until they had cleared the guardian stones and had reached their campsite from the night before. Aris set Aflia down on her hooves before collapsing to the ground. As they all sat around catching their breath, Lady Ussi managed to gasp something out about organizing her people away from the Old Temple.

Aris wheezed out a weak laugh, "I think you can take that as a given Lady Ussi. You pick the spot, and I'll supply the coin to buy the goods your people will need to get started. We can hash out the details once everyone has a house and food. Anyone got a good idea for a name?"

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Status Report:

Treasury: 5110

Income: +5 gold per day (semi-retired Agent of Althiem)

Equipment: In good condition.

Estates:

* Ikin: Village, Fishing Docks

* Trebor Convent: Under Construction

* Silithid Village: Under Construction

* Three Empty Holdings (may be improved later)

* One Old Temple (occupied by undead, traps, and animated statues)

The Ring: obsidian band with one carbuncle gem and two empty settings.

Total Deaths: 1