[ Sorry about the late reply; I'm going into finals soon so all of my free time has completely disappeared. ]<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Jules wrote:</cite>"From what I can tell, she's more or less starving to death at a heightened rate. This shouldn't really happen normally, but there's a ..." He paused slightly to find the right word: "...a dark feeling I get from around her. Like there is a dark aura around her."</div></blockquote><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Linda wrote:</cite>"Aethon! The Devourer is trying to take hold of her. As a Vassal of Balinor I'm sure you want that to avoid that just as much as I do."</div></blockquote><br/>The comment about a dark aura from Jules doesn’t surprise Aethon much; whatever is happening to Elanna certainly sounds magical in nature.  When Linda mentions the Devourer, however, Aethon’s head snaps back around from the Adept to focus squarely on Elanna.<br/><br/>[ Knowledge: Religion check - 1d20(13) + 8 = 21 -> Pass ]<br/>[ Sense Motive check - 1d20(19) + 7 = 26 -> Pass ]<br/>[ Perception check - 1d20(1) + 3 = 4 -> Fail ]<br/><br/>Recognizing the dark aura and images for what what they are, as well as her quickly eroding self-control, Aethon quickly turns his full attention back to Elanna, gently turning her head to focus on him rather than Xarces.  “Listen to me, Elanna.  What is happening to you is being forced upon you by another.  Your very being is being twisted, and unless you resist it, it<span style="font-style: italic">will</span>consume you.  I know a spell that may remove this affect, but it will take time to prepare.  If you do not oppose this, I won't be able to help at that point.  Think.  Is this what you want to become?”<br/><br/>Turning to the others, Aethon speaks in clipped tones.  “I’ll do what I can, but I fear that it will only buy us time.  The adept knows something, and anything that helps at this point is something that we need.  And see about getting that door open; we're going to leave, if nothing else.”