The group was tired after retrieving the Aohl from the vampires, and Ulric was seriously exhausted to the point of being crippled. His breathing was ragged, his steps unsure, his armor weighing him down severely. If not for the Belt of Golarion he would probably, …no he knew the truth, he wouldn’t be able to move. Helen looked worriedly at Ulric, but he put a smile on his face to ease her worries.

“Alright, let’s go” Ulric said as the group teleported. Ulric Davion’s world became distorted before his eyes as the group departed Walcourt for Piren’s Bluff. As quickly as it began the spell ran it’s course in the blink of an eye. Ulric remembered this place, Lucky Ben’s tavern. There was Lucky Ben himself, with Sclavo, and a couple of adventurers he didn’t know. Just before Ulric could greet them (or order a sweet, soothing, thirst quenching beer) the ground shook from an earthquake. By Iomedae, it took all of Ulric’s might to remain standing as the tavern shook. Odd though, this wasn’t an area known for them.

One of the new comers, a ranger by the looks of it, ran outside to check the commotion. Ulric managed to hobble his way outside to the streets to take a look for himself. At each corner of the tavern that he could see the ground heaved and a giant mantis appeared.

…Come on Ulric buddy, we got this. There just giant bugs, and you can still take them in your condition.

Ulric was so lost in his own pep talk that he didn’t see the rest of the group begin their attacks. …Unfortunately they were all going after a different Mantis. It seemed everyone at least was buddying up except Viggo.

“Helen go and help Roy and the new guys, I’ll help Viggo.”

With that Ulric charged Viggo’s Mantis, and as a he passed an alleyway he could see a third mantis coming up through the ground.

“Viggo kill that thing quick, we’ve got another one over there.”

Ulric, Viggo, and good ole Rufus were set upon their Mantis while the others took on theirs. The things spat out acid that nearly got Viggo and Ulric. It’s attacks with its claws and bite were equally ineffective. Just as Viggo put the thing down the earth began to tremble again as giant earth elementals formed from the ground. Looking for the others Ulric could see that there were red masked man fighting the sorcerer, …or maybe wizard he couldn’t tell, on the roof of the tavern.

Iomedae is surely testing me today the group’s got this. We can do this.

The spell caster leapt from the roof to get away from the red masked man but didn’t get away cleanly. On the upside though it appeared the earth elementals were attacking the mantises. Then in his peripheral vision Ulric saw the red masked man start casting a spell, whatever it was couldn’t be good.

“I don’t think so pal,” Ulric exclaimed as he threw his shield at him. The mithril shield bounced off the side of his head and managed to break the man’s concentration causing the spell to be lost. Ulric turned back to the mantis, but the elemental had already pulverized it into pulp. Luckily the elementals were muttering something about Torag, who was one of the good gods out their.

With the situation under control, Ulric was sure Roy could handle Torag’s elementals peacefully, Ulric headed back into the tavern and found Khaled drinking some red wine and chatting with Lucky Ben.

“Ben, I need a drink. Your best ale please.”

Lucky Ben grabbed a mug and filled it with mouth watering, thirst quenching beer. Ulric was licking his lips in anticipation as he flipped coin Ben’s way and took the mug. Just as the ale was about to hit Ulric’s lips a fiery explosion filled the tavern.

“OH COME ON! REALLY?”

“Don’t look at me my friend,” Khaled stated looking totally unscathed and sipping his wine. Ulric looked around the burnt out tavern and saw Sclavo standing there unscathed as well with an aura of evil.

“Khaled, any help on this?”

“If you’re willing to pay for my services, yes.”

“Done.”

Khaled cast a spell and Sclavo became encased in some sort of shield. Sclavo collapsed and something dark, evil, and shadowy billowed up outside of in front of Ulric. Ulric unsheathed his sword, drank down a protection of evil potion, and stated, “I’m getting to old for this shit.”