Much has happened since you last adventured together as a group...four weeks ago...and you have a lot to tell and discuss amongst yourselves.
J'Harast looks at the gathered group, stares for a moment at Sasha and speaks. "I am not sure what you have been told, but I will tell you all the tale that needs to be common knowledge. Once I finish, I will tell you what I plan to do and then let each of you decide what he or she wants to do."
"Rane is dead, and I am under a death mark by the thieves guild. As of yet, I have not been attacked, but I believe that is due to my time sequested at the fighters guild.
"The reason Rane is dead and I am under the death mark is two fold. First, due to my greed and for other reasons that are not important right now, Rane and I returned to the accursed house, to case the place more, so that we could earn more money for ourselves. We had been skimming about 20% off the top of all the moneys we as a group obtained, and we desired more.
"Sasha and another, Raith I believe was his name, tried to find us in the house. Raith was attacked and died as a result of his wounds and the failure of Rane and I to attend to him.
"Sasha, on the other hand, was killed by Rane and his strange powers of the mind. At the critical time when I could have made a difference, I chose the easier path and stayed with Rane. I helped him hide her body and we left the house.
"Then I entered training. For personal reasons, I returned to the Inn and learned the Petunia had left me, to try to grow up herself. For this reason, and others I sought out Lady Verona who listened to my story of desent into the depths. She summoned Rane and Bel, who were the only at the Inn and this group went to the house. Rane ran from the house and I lost sight him. However, Bel, Vernoa and I entered the house. There we found Raith's body and Sasha's cloak. We then went and retieved Sasha's body, which was restored by Lady Verona."
J'Harast takes a sip of his drink, clears his throat and continues. "We returned to the comforts of the Temple, and I there explained to Sasha what had happened. Rane was summoned by Lady Verona and when he tried to use his mindpowers on me, she used her magic on him.
"Verona suggested that I need my brother, as much as a companion and guide to find my moral center, which I have lost but am seeking again.
""Now we come to the future. I am going to seek Jaramirs soul in the depths of the abyss. I know that I need him now and his loss has allowed for me to stray from the correct path. I am seeking him soon, as soon as I can leave from here. Would any of you wish to accompany a proven thief, cheat and liar on tis quest? If not I will understand."
Raz stands, fists clenched... "You SHALL DIE for your crimes!"
Arms now outstrenched, Raz begins wave his hands in an angry dance and mutters magical words.
Sasha immediately jumps in front of him... having expected this ...
"NO! Stop! I'm fine ... and I would not even be here now had it not been for J'Harast's courage in telling Verona what happened!"
Raz stops in mid-wave and stares again at Sasha. "He killed you...and you defend him? How...Why....WHAT IS GOING ON!"
"Raz, please. Give me a moment to explain ... why are you so angry at me?" She asks in genuine puzzlement.
Raz points at J'Harast..."This is NOT finished J'Harast! You WILL Pay!"
Looking again at Sasha, Raz quietly says, "I obviously do not understand this situation...and I obviously do not understand you. I am going for a walk...a long one...I'll be back sometime..."
"Please ... " Sasha tries to grab his arm to prevent him from leaving ...
Raz turns and storms out of the fighters guild and into the outside air.
Sasha follows and walks beside Raz, talking urgently, but quietly...
After a few moments they return.
Raz walks back into the room from the outside, taking a seat nearest to the group. Looking towards J'Harast with no expression at all, Raz says, "I will help you save your brother."
J'Harast replies, "When you think you are ready to handle revenge and look at yourself in the morning as a result of what you will have become. I will still be here.
"Furthermore, I do not want your help. I have told you what has happened and what I will do. May you have a good life and I wish you well."
Bel makes a wretching noise and says to both of them, "Good lord, a self-rightious pedagogue and a martyr. Good thing I haven't eaten breakfast yet, I'd lose it. Raz, back off. You were not harmed to any significant degree and it is Sasha's call on response to actions against her. If Sasha was dead we would be honor bound to avenge her, but with her alive we must follow her decision. J'Harast, I have already told you that you will pay a price and death is an easy one. You will not get off with so simple a repentance. Your redemption is well on it's way with the confession to Verona, we would never have found Sasha without it, but you have much more to do. I will accompany you on your trip to free your brother."
With that said Bel goes off in search of breakfast, holding his delicate stomach.
Illyana frowns, really confused at what was just said. After a long thought, she responds. "So, J'Harast you have really made a mess of things now." She shakes her head as if in disbelief. "I won't pass judgement on you, I have no reason to. Your deeds have supposedly been 'atoned' for. Besides which, all you had to answer for was your conscience and it appears that alone has made life miserable for you."
She smiles. "All of us together had problems with that house, what made you think two thieves could survive it? How ironic that none of this would have happened had you not caused that fiasco with Petunia the night before I left. If only I was around to see her off.." She frowns. "Of course you won't be allowed to count any money we find. Since you probably couldn't pay us back now, you simply won't get a cut until the amount is settled. How much, we'll decide later."
"I do not wish money anymore. I have learned what it can do to a person, especially one who might be a little greedy. All I ask is that if I need money to train, in the future, I will be permitted it. For your records, I would estimate that the amount of money we took was in the neighborhood of 15,000 gp."
She sighs. "To think that my battle involving ten or so dozen orcs at their lair seems childsplay compared to the mess going on now. But it was nice for a while knowing who our enemies were."
She looks at J'Harast. "Your brother voluntarily struck a deal with a powerful creature. Now you want to go rescue him." She looks at the group. "We can barely handle that house while breaking even.. who knows how much money the party has now. Yet you expect to go rushing off after your brother? That seems suicidal to me right now. We are fighting amongst ourselves too much and not getting anything accomplished."
"Illyana, my brother did not willingly make a deal with that creature. It is my guess that his magics went wrong and attracted that thing which accompanyed us for a while. I did not know that creature was more than a wolf, a creature I do not like."
"I do not know what challenges we will face in the abyss. However I believe that the mage who killed Jaramir knows about where the soul is located and what dangers we might face. I will be going over to discuss this with him when we are finished here. Those who wish to hear what he has to say are welcome to join me." says J'Harast.
Farad nods. "Willingly or not, if Jaramir was not the sort of person a demon could work with, a demon would not have been attracted to him when he summoned a familiar. Those of good heart can not be snared in such a way by such evil. I have already said I see little merit in going, but others feel the task must be made, and I am willing to go."
Farad's hands caress the silvery looking sword he wears next to a normal one. "Yes, we all must go if we are to hope for success."
Sasha sighs. "I have spoken with Verona - and she agrees that we should leave the house for now. We have done much in ridding the house itself of the evil denizens. Where we have had serious problems is in the area beneath the house and the cemetary. And since we know that The Church of The Troubled Gods own that property - there is much more at stake, I mean, it is a more serious challenge - a very dangerous one. Verona is investigating that aspect."
"It was her recommendation that we go after Jarimar now ... in the meantime, she will try to discover what is going on under the house. She feels we can gain insight and experience in our travels in the abyss. My reasons for wanting to go are a bit different - but amount to the same thing. So, I say we ready ourselves to go to the abyss - but you are not compelled in any way to do so."
"You don't just go off into the Abyss because you feel like it. Do we even have the proper equipment to deal with it? I for one didn't even have a magical weapon until very recently, and that was only because the group I was with was having far better success at living than we were. They didn't need the sword. It isn't even two handed either. I will need more details before deciding on whether or not to go in." says Illyana.
Farad nods. "Yes, we must be prepared. But know that magic, while effective, is not always needed. Iron and silver also can hit those of the underworld, at least those of lesser power. I suggest those of you familiar with bows go and stock up with silver arrows, and those of you without magic try and buy an iron dagger or blade. They won't last long, but you won't be defenseless. I would also suggest we buy as much holy water as we are able."
You prepare to head over to Ray Jay's tower to talk to Vardui. Bel is not with you.
Sasha motions for the party to wait. "I wish to cast some protective spells first ... I was thinking about this last night, and so this morning, I asked for different blessings ... I would like to cast two spells now - on J'Harast and hold in ready a third. I think some protection from evil would help ... and perhaps santuary - though you, J'Harast will negate the santuary spell if you attack anything. Is this agreeable? And I will have a bless spell ready should we be attacked ..."
"Can anyone think of anything else? I would much prefer that he be disguised in some way or even invisible ... but I have not those powers." Sasha finishes with a sigh.
"OK. I negate your spell when I attack. What benefit do I gain if I don't attack?" asks J'Harast.
Raz speaks up..."I can make J'Harast invisible if the group thinks it is wise."
"That is your choice, Raz. I know your feelings and appreciate your offer."
"Well, for the sake of your brother I will do this... Now please stand still. You must remember two things. First, even though you will be invisible, you will still make sound and people may be able to hear you, and second, this spell will last until I end it or until you are involved in an attack."
Raz waves his arms and hands in a mystical gesture and casts invisibility on J'Harast. J'Harast obligingly disappears.
Sasha answers J'Harast's question.
"Well, the way it works is this ... in order to attack you or harm you ... they must first overcome the magics of the spell ... of course - that can happen - so if you are suddenly injured ... please, by all means fight." Sasha shrugs, "I know it isn't much ... but perhaps with Raz's invisibility ... and the other things ... "
"We have been entering and exiting frequently without J'Harast. If they see us do so again, their suspicions will not be arroused." says Farad.
Sasha frowns, "Oh, where is Bel? Surely he is finished training now? We could use his help also."
"I believe that he went to eat."
"Oh. Well, lets get him then - is he eating here? Or must we scour the streets of Sandas for him?"
He is at the inn.
You leave the Fighter's Guild and head for the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf to pick up Bel. Nothing out of the ordinary happens, and you find Bel in the common room stuffing his face.
Raz yells over to Bel, "Hey Bel, you coming?"
Bel replies, "Yea, yea, I'm comin." He grabs a sausage and finishes it as he rejoins the group.
You head back out and make for Ray Jay's tower. It is not long before you realize that you are being followed through the streets...by two women, who look like housewives on their way to market.
"Don't do anything ... let's just keep going." Sasha whispers.
Kelar slides to the back of the group and gets ready to fight, loosening his scimitars in their scabbards.
Illyana glances back. She whispers, "They caught on quick. Watch for others. If they are just following, then they can't do anything when we reach Ray Jay's place. If they are planning something, we must be ready."
Farad turns to Raz, "Do you know how to put a man to sleep?"
"No...I don't know that spell", replies Raz.
Farad grimaces. "I do, but I don't have it memorized right now. Perhaps we can exchange notes later."
Farad then steps away from the party into an alley, waiting for the ladies to pass.
Sasha ignores the chatter and looks around ... as if lost or looking for something in particular. She slowly falls behind the group ... still as if searching.
When the two women near, she calls out to them. "Excuse me dears, I'm looking for a little shop that can sell me certain items. I have rather a long list here ... " Sasha pulls a page from her journal and reads from it. "Tomatoes, garlic, headcheese, almonds, vanila, ginger." She puts her 'list' back and looks at the women. "I've never had to shop here before ... could you help me?"
Farad curses as Sasha places herself in the way of any spells, but watches discretely from a distance.
Raz makes sure that he is in line of sight of the two women that Sasha is talking with.
"Of course, dear!" replies one of the women to Sasha. "Always ready to help a stranger! Come with us, and we'll show you the way to the market."
They walk past the rest of you with Sasha in tow, and continue on up the street. Soon they will be lost to your sight...
Farad trots back to the others, content to let Sasha get herself out of whatever trouble she may have just gotten into. "If they work for the guild, Sasha just handed herself over to them. Come, lets get to the mage before anything else happens."
Raz looks worried..."I don't know about this. Shouldn't someone follow Sasha to make sure she stays out of trouble?"
Farad frowns. "No, we shouldn't. Our strength is in numbers. If those two are up to no good, then they are hoping to draw off more of us."
Thus convinced, you continue on your way.
A short time later you are knocking at the door to Ray Jay's Tower. It opens, and Ming admits you.
"Greetings," he says. "To what do we owe this pleasure?"
Illyana bows. She looks around to see if anyone is watching. "We have come to see Ray Jay for reasons concerning J'Harast's brother. If Sasha doesn't return any time soon, we may need to start looking for her body." She whispers, "Does anyone aside from J'Harast have any ties to the thieves guild? We may need to find out if she is still alive later."
"Well, please come in. This is sounds serious," says Ming.
"I don't like this. I am going to run over to the market and see if Sasha is there. If any of you want to come along good. Unlike what Farad has said our strength is in our convictions and having someone who you can trust to back you up."
With that Kelar hurries back the way you came.
Pillar, however, wanders away in search of a pub.
"Cheerio!" he says over his shoulder.
The rest of you go into the tower and wait.
After a short time there comes a knock at the door.
Opening it, Ming admits Sasha and Kelar.
Sasha frowns, "Where are J'Harast and Pillar ... "
"Not here, my dear," replies Ming, eyeing her up and down with a smile. "Would you like to go into the parlour and talk - "
"Hey ... where is my ring?" She suddenly cries out, looking at her bare finger ...
"Hmm.. Apparently nothing went wrong. So, who wants to relate the story? I was there for the original incident, but I don't know much about what has happened recently," says Illyana.
Farad frowns, "I thought we were here to see what progress someone named Vardui had made. Wasn't that the mage you said would take us to the demonic-planes?"
"Yes, yes, they're ready for you," says Ming, pulling his eyes off of Sasha.
There is a knock at the door. Ming opens it, to see no one out there.
"'Tis I, J'Harast," says a familiar voice.
"Come in, then," says Ming.
You hear a footfall on the threshold. J'Harast suddenly pops into view as he enters the tower...then abruptly vanishes again.
Simultaneously an alarm bell starts ringing.
"Hmmm...the evil detector," says Ming, hurriedly closing the door and locking it. He turns and faces you. "J'Harast set it off. Do you want to tell me about it?"
Suddenly he looks dead serious.
Sasha looks stricken. "Where did he go? What have you done with him ... and what do you mean, an evil detector?"
"Come now, Sasha," says Ming. "Surely you don't think that this little tower is without its protective devices, do you?"
Sasha frowns and rubs her eyes briefly. With a long sigh, she begins.
"Well ... it is possible he is somewhat evil ... some things happened ... but he is atoning for it now ... I think. What would the detector know about that? You see ... just a month ago he allowed something to happen that he could have prevented ... but didn't ... well, he did some other stuff too. But since then he ... he is trying to change ... he wants to change ... he understands now that evil is wrong ... " Sasha trails off, looking a bit confused now ...
"You're so beautiful when you look confused..." Mings says admiringly. "Which is most of the time."
Farad smiles. "Nice little bit of magic there. Looks like it correctly picked out the lying, cheating, murdering thief among us."
Bel says in rebuke, "Now, it's not his fault he is a scum-sucking, back-stabbing, murderous, untrustworthy, greedy pig. He just fell in with bad companions. It is our duty to to reform him. If he wasn't with us, he would have never been tempted to betray us. So it's our fault." With that Bel rolls his eyes toward the ceiling and hums a little tune.
Farad simply eyes Bel. "Better that than a sad little story of how his mother didn't buy him the toy he wanted for his birthday, and he grew up resenting it."
Bel smiles and says, "Knowing J'Harast he may have stolen the toy and killed his mother with it. But as fun as this banter is, it will do us no good. We have two choices with J'harast, 1: Kill him now and solve the problem, or 2: Do our best to turn him to the light again. While the first choice has merit and a certain appeal, the only choice I cam morally make is the second. This does not mean I will trust him though."
Farad gives Sasha a look, and turns to Ming. "I won't mince words. J'Harast helped to kill Sasha recently. He also has been stealing money from them for his own use. Then, to top things off, he turned in his partner when the pressure began to mount so that he could get off easy. Rane the Drow is now dead, but apparently that last bit of treachery paid off, for J'Harast yet lives. Sasha here thinks he can be rehabilitated."
You can tell from his expression what Farad thinks of that. "At least that is my understanding of things."
Raz grins from ear to ear, obviously holding back a comment.
Sasha stamps her feet in frustration and shouts, "Will you all please stop it! I can't stand it! You think you are so superior ... you ... you ... oh nevermind. Just stop all this petty and senseless name-calling! You are acting like children."
Farad looks at Bel and Raz and smiles. Turning back to Sasha he calmly says, "I see only one of us stamping her feet and shouting. Calm down."
Turning to Ming, he says, "She's still a bit upset. I suppose being killed can be a bit unsettling. Now I think we were going to speak to some people about finding J'Harast's brother? J'Harast may be a lowlife, but I'm sure you can handle him, and it is his family we are here about. Can you bring him back?"
Bel looks at Sasha and says, "Well my death did not bother me that much, maybe Sasha didn't get her toy either as a child, about last week, and you've touched a sore spot." Bel then quickly ducks behind Ming and pretends to study the ceiling.
Illyana frowns. "Stop carrying on Sasha. What they are doing now are much less worse than what J'Harast has done to all of us. You can't try to defend everyone, that is what got you killed in the first place. I don't want any more bickering, not from anyone. I'm not about to descend into the planes of hell with people who can't even agree to keep quite for a short while."
Illyana sighs. "Ok everyone, enough bickering. We need to stop this before we go anywhere otherwise it will just keep on going." She looks at Ming. "Is Ray Jay around? I'm afraid if we stand around long enough here we'll all be fighting before we have a chance to go anywhere."
"Yes," says Ming, after watching the exchange with some amusement, "She awaits your presence. Come."
The half-elf leads you up the winding stairs to the arch-mage's chamber.
There, you find her, sitting at her desk. Vardui stands nearby, a slight look of amusement on his face.
J'Harast is here, too...locked in a small iron cage with barely enough room to turn around in. He looks as if he has been crying.
"It's about time you got here," Ray Jay snorts, pulling a cigar out of her garter, popping one end of it in her mouth and lighting it. "So, which one of you is the soulless body of Jarimir?" she looks at Raz, who is still grinning like a monkey. "You don't look like you have much upstairs...are you him?"
Farad shrugs. "I don't think any of us are soulless here, with the possible exception of that one," as he nods to J'Harast in the cell.
He then turns to the others, "I suppose you know what she's talking about?"
Illyana frowns. "Jaramir's body was running around somewhere.. More or less. I forget where it went though."
Sasha looks positively stricken, clasping her hand over her mouth. "Oh no! What *have* we done with him ... I sort of lost track ... Oh no ... "
Illyana sighs. "Didn't we leave it at a temple somewhere? I know it wasn't with us when I left for training.. But I do recall someone 'holding' the body for us."
Farad frowns, "Perhaps you gave it to someone to care for? I wouldn't think a body without a soul would be able to eat or drink on its own, or walk anywhere. Unless possessed, it would probably sit there until it died in its own waste. You did take precautions against it being possessed didn't you?"
"We DID have someone care for it. I'm trying to remember who. As for it being possessed, if it was at the time none of us could prevent a posession. I doubt we could do so even know."
"So, in other words, you have misplaced the body of Jaramir!" says Ray Jay, rolling her eyes while Vardui and Ming try to keep from cracking up. "This is a fine how-do-you-do! You are about to go and retrieve his soul from the pits of the abyss, a mission that some of you might not live through - " she glances at J'Harast, " - and a fat lot of good it will do, if you've lost his blasted body in the meantime!! Fools! Begone the lot of you, and do not trouble me again until you find the body!"
Suddenly you are all standing back out in the street, before the door to Ray Jay's tower.
J'Harast is with you...sans cage but quite visible...
Bel stares incredulously at the group and says, "YOU LOST THE BODY! Ok, I can deal with that. J'Harast, do you remember prechance where your brother's body is...Hummmm? Would Pillar know, if we could find him and sober him up? Is there anything on Jaramir we could use as a trace?"
J'Harast growls, "Walk while we talk, OK. I am sure that we had left the body at the temple, for them to take care of."
"I don't suppose Ming would let some of you wait inside while and some others go to the Temple and see if we can find Jaramir?" Sasha asks with a slight frown.
"Let's go to the temple, quickly now. Then I'm off back to the fighters guild. I will not set foot near that mage again. Not until and if necessary."
"Why? Wouldn't it just be better for you to go straight to the fighers guild? We could look for Jaramir and then pick you up there when we are ready to go. And we can at least surround you as we walk to the guild. I'm afraid I have little left in the way of useful spells now." Sasha says.
"So, off to the guild then?" She asks, a bit impatiently.
"Fine."
"I'm sorry ... I guess I'm just a bit upset about things. I didn't mean to be rude everybody." Sasha says, very apologetically.
"Shouldn't we try to hide J'Harast somehow....I think it's dangerous for him to travel to the fighter's guild with us. Maybe we should keep a small group behind here to keep J'Harast safe and out of sight?"
You hurry off to the guild. You have not gone far before you realize that you are being followed again...by four men dressed in leathers and carrying longswords. They stay a fair distance behind you but do not bother to conceal themselves.
At the guild, you leave J'Harast and hurry on to the temple.
The four men do not follow.
You make it to the temple of Tyr without incident.
"Jaramir?" asks an acolyte. "I remember him. No, we do not have him...you took him with you after you had him resurrected."
Again, Sasha clasps her hand over her mouth, mortified. "Oh no! I remember I did have him at the inn with me for a while ... but ... oh dear ... this is awful."
"Well, let's check the inn ... and then perhaps the guards? Perhaps they picked him up ... wandering around ... I just can't believe this ... " Sasha says, after thanking the cleric for his help.
"Being as I am not going to be much help with all of you...being as I don't know what this body even looks like I will meet you all back at the guild in one hour."
Kelar departs.
Illyana sighs. "Now we are on a hunt-for-a-body quest. I doubt he'll still be at the inn, he can't pay for a room after all. The guards might have seen him, but in a city this size I doubt it."
Farad nods. "Yes, I too will stay at the fighter's guild until you return. Be quick with that body, alive or dead."
Bel says, "I'll go with you to the guild."
Raz offers to stick around, though.
"Listen, I'd like to help, but I don't even know what this guy looks like. If you want me to tage along that's fine too. I just didn't see what I could do to help and figured that it might be good for me to go back and safeguard the world against J'Harast....oops, I ment safeguard J'Harast against the world".
Illyana glances around the group. "Oh well, it looks like only me and Sasha will be left to find this body. All of you do realize that it might take more than an hour or two to find him, don't you? Especially considering how vulnerable he is."
Farad smiles. "If he's soulless, and hasn't been taken care of, then he is probably dead. If he's not at the inn, we shall try the unmarked graves at the nearby temples, followed by any places that may take in someone of that sort."
Farad and Bel then walk with you toward the inn after all...as it is on the way to the guild. Kelar has vanished into the crowds. "Am I the only one with any sense among you people? What kind of people would leave an imbecile without any support. I'd hate to think that any of you would ever have children."
"And I would hate to think of you ever having children." Sasha snaps.
"And as for your constant grandisement of your questionable abilities, just don't bother. You have already beaten us over the head with how much wiser, stronger, smarter, funnier, etc, etc, you are."
Farad calmly says, "I have said nothing of my own skills. I am what I am. This is the first time I have ever commented on an error made by you. The other debate was about the merits of evil. But I find that leaving an innocent to the mercy of the elements is an act as evil as any J'Harast may have committed. I am appalled by such callousness."
Tears spring to Sasha's eyes at this rebuke. She whirls to face Farad. "Look - don't you think I know that? Don't you think I feel awful enough - believe me, no one is being harder on me than me. Must you pour salt into the wound as well. I feel awful about this ... I am not callous!"
Sasha looks at him for a moment. "There was an expression one of my fellow clerics used to quote often - 'Do-do happens!' - well, it does, and it did." Sasha continues on to the inn ... fuming.
"Neglect doesn't just happen. You were forgetful. Admit your mistake and start down the path of atonement."
"My atonement is none of your concern! And I do not have to admit my mistake to you - it is enough that I know it."
Farad waits a bit. "Now, describe Jaramir. I take it we are looking for a high elf, of similar build as J'Harast."
Bel looks to the sky for strength and says, "Farad, this constant criticism will get us nowhere. I will have to concede to Illyana that there should be more people to help look and I will help. A description of Jaramir would help however, also is there anything special he might have on him we could do a trace on?"
In the end you all go back to the inn.
Entering the common room, your bleary eyes immediately land on two things.
First, you see Jaramir standing in a corner. There is a lamp shade over his head and a waitress is dusting him with a feather duster.
Second, near Jaramir, you spot a lone half-elf, dressed in greens and browns with black hair that comes down to his shoulders. He looks like he has just arrived from a long journey. He sits with a beer and a supper before him.
He looks up and eyes your party with interest.
Illyana giggles at the movable lamp. "At least he isn't just lying around where he could scare people who saw him." She eyes the lamp. "Although they could have picked a nicer color."
The grey elf examines the figure with the lamp shade over his head.
Turning to the red headed cleric, he says, "Sasha, this is a half-elf. Surely this can not be J'Harast's brother!"
"Jaramir!" Sasha cries out in relief as she runs to him. She snatches the lamp shade from his head and takes his hand, to lead him to a table.
"Uh .. hello ... who are you? And what is your interest in him?" Indicating Jaramir..
Turning from Bel, Wellyn gives Sasha a half confused and half surprised look.
"Well, I've never seen anyone with a lampshade on their heads. But then I'm not from around here either. Please forgive me."
Illyana says, "Don't worry about him. He's had a rough time, and we're going to try to help him." She glances at the group. "Lets not worry about who misplaced him or how he got here, agreed?"
Sasha smiles and waves the apology away. "No, it is I you must forgive. I am just not myself today - too many things on my mind at the moment. I'm sorry, I have even forgotten your name already. I am Sasha ... or did I already say that?" Sasha frowns and rubs her eyes.
"I really am sorry ... I'm not feeling very well ... " Sasha all but whispers, sinking into a nearby chair.
Whenever Sasha speaks to the new 1/2 elf it is obvious that he's trying very hard to keep eye contact. He's not nervous, just trying very hard to be as polite as possible.
Sasha frowns, "I'm sorry ... am I offensive to you in some way?" She asks gently. "I know I have been a bit odd ... but please be assured, I am no harm to you."
Caught way off guard, Wellyn respons with a silent gulp, "Not at all Sasha, I am not offended." He then turns for the mug of beer so that he doesn't have to say anything else.
Sasha wrinkles her brow in puzzlement but does not comment.
Wellyn then addresses the group, "Please share my table for supper. I hate to eat alone and I would enjoy hearing your story."
"I regret that we do not have time for that - though you offer is appreciated. Perhaps if we get back in time, we can join you later."
With a sigh he looks at the group one last time. "Very well then. I will probably stay here for a few more days. Perhaps I will see you all again."
Sasha sighs, looking from Illyana to Wellyn. "Um, Wellyn? Why don't you walk with us. It is possible we are in danger - though the actual target might be at the guild ... " She frowns, then looks pleadingly at Wellyn.
"Would you mind putting off your supper until you have walked us to Ray Jay's? Between yourself and Bel here, we should be safe enough ... and I am sure Illyana would enjoy the company." She finishes with a twinkle in her green eyes.
"I guess I could..." he says slowly, then retrieves his longsword and attaches it to his belt on the left side. He throws a few coppers onto the table.
Illyana sticks her tongue out at Sasha. "Thats for me to decide, not you. You already stick your nose into too much already."
Bel walks over and sits down next to Jaramir, tugs on his shirtsleeve, looks up in puzzlement and says, "Hum, seems to be burnt out." He then says to the elf in green and brown, "Hello good sir, you seem to have an interest in our group, I am Bel. May I inquire as to who you are?"
The lone 1/2 elf nods in return. He takes a good look at "Bel" then says, "Well met Bel. I am Wellyn of Valleymouth, four days to the east."
A short teenage girl wearing plate mail and carrying a two handed sword walks up to you. She smiles, "My name is Illyana, I'm from Castle Yuri which is not two days from this city."
Wellyn completely stands out of his chair and turns away from Farad to address the latest person in the group. With a wide-eyed look he takes in Illyana. With a slight nod of the head replies, "Hello Illyana. I believe I have heard of Castle Yuri, though not very much. It is nice to meet you."
The new 1/2 elf then looks back at Farad and the rest of the group, wondering what they are going to do with the guy in the lamp shade.
"Come then, Jaramir. We are going to take you to Ray Jay's. We will get you fixed up just fine." Sasha says gently, tugging on his hand.
"Come on guys, let's go. The sooner the better."
Farad rants on. "What kind of immoral family does he come from, anyway? I should well have known though. What else can one expect from one who deals with demons."
"I think this is a bad idea. Obviously J'Harast's whole family is filled with evil and immoral behavior. What possible good could bringing this one's soul back do? Their parents were obviously as decrepit and vile as both of them. Best kill the creature now than try and bring him back to full life."
Sasha rolls her eyes. "Fine. Thank you for your opinion. Excuse me." She turns to Jaramir and speaks.
"Jaramir? We need to take you to ... ummm ... Ray Jay's. Walk with us please." She says very gently, pulling him by the hand.
Farad accidentally bumps the other half-elf as he examines the body.
"My apologies sir. Farad Golamarth at your service."
The 1/2 elf Wellyn turns sharply from Sasha to Farad. Things are moving too fast for him right now... He carafully wipes the spilt beer off of his sleave.
"Wel met Farad Golamarth..." He says with caution. The word 'demon' is still ringing in his ears. He also looks at Farad's hands to make sure he isn't holding any weapons.
Anyone observing Wellyn more closely will note that he has a mace strapped to his right hip and a longsword propped against the side of his chair. He wears a studded leather vest that has a large "M" etched into the left breast.
Illyana looks at Farad. "Demon? Must you overexaggerate everything? The two were HALF brothers, if I remember right." She whispers to Wellyn, "Our friend had a familiar which was a little to unusual.. and it took his soul when he died. Whether or not he knew what it was, we didn't have a chance to ask."
Wellyn can only shake his head a little. Things are definitely going much to fast... 'This is what the big city is like??' he thinks to himself.
When the group starts to leave he will take one more large mouthful of the steaming meat and wash it down with a big swig of beer.
Farad nods, glad that Wellyn is accompanying them. "We will need all the help we can get for this mission."
To Illyana, he comments, "And I do not exaggerate. When I say demon, I mean demon. I have already told you that such creatures could not be attracted to those who are not of like mind. And I am sure he knew exactly what sort of familiar it was. A quasit does not sit idly by. It grants great power to the mage who summons it. One who is in such an evil pact has greater control over magic, and is much more resistant to the spells of others. Also you must be careful to slay them quickly, for within minutes the mage will be healed by the creature's demonic power."
Farad shudders even at his own words. "I have never seen one up close, but I have seen their kin, the diabolic imps. That is a truly fearsome bond when a drow is the master. He was practically immune to any spell I cast. I almost died during that battle." Farad trails off as he remembers his past. His eyes burn again with a passionate fire.
Then Farad's attention returns and he says to Weylln, "Before you come along, I must be truthful with you. We may, even today, be about to journey to the abyss itself. Sasha here thinks that this souless half-elf can be redeemed, and we are going to attempt to recapture his soul so that it may be restored. Do not come with us if you think you are not up to the challenge. But fear not that the task is impossible. The archmage Ray Jay is sponsoring our journey, and we will have powerful allies accompanying us."
Following the group out the door Wellyn replies to Farad, "The abyss huh?" he says with a small laugh. "Maybe I'll just follow you to this Ray Jay and we'll take it from there."
Farad laughs. "I like you already. You proceed carefully."
"What do you do then?" Sasha asks curiously, still leading Jaramir by the hand. "I'm a cleric of Isis."
"Well, I'm pretty handy with the sword and mace. I trained under Lord Morg's Rangers for two years in Strabath." Wellyn says with a slight shrug. "I'm really better out in the woods than I am in the city, but I've always wanted to come to Sandas."
Farad smiles. "Ah, a ranger eh? Good, we could use some more fighting men here."
"Well, I'm not really a ranger yet. That takes a long time."
Sasha smiles and nods. "I also was eager to see a big city, being from a small town. But it has so far greatly exceeded my expectations! There is more of everything here .... especially evil!" She pauses thoughtfully, "Was there a particular reason you wanted to come to Sandas?" Wellyn just gives a little shrug. "Just heard about it from people travelling through Valleymouth. The only time I really got out of there was when I'd have to go over to Strabath for something."
With Wellyn and Jaramir in tow, you leave the inn and return to the Fighter's Guild again.
There, you meet up with two more members of the party:
Kelar, a sylvan elf and J'Harast, a high elf.
It is early afternoon.
"Ah, Sasha, I see you found Jaramir. Where was he, not that it matters."
Seeing the newcomer, JHarast grips his sword, and nods his head at the half-elf. "Who's that?"
Illyana waves and scans the street. "Did anyone follow either of you two here? Does anyone have any magic left to hide J'Harast? We need to get to Ray Jay's place and I don't want any trouble, especially with the walking zombie here."
She pauses. "Oh yeah, J'Harast, Kelar, this is Wellyn - we met him at the inn."
The new half-elf, dressed in greens and browns and wearing a heavy studded leather vest, bows slightly to J'Harast and Kelar.
"Wel met. It seems as though I am following you all to see this 'Ray Jay'." He unconciously checks the mace and sword at his belt while studying the inside of the Fighter's Guild.
Raz shakes his head. "Sorry, but I'm tapped out of magic except for magic missiles. Why don't we just put a blanket over him or something?"
Illyana ponders that idea. "Of course, we would have to carry him instead of having a walking blanket following us around."
Wellyn chimes in, "If we have enough horses for everyone, someone could ride with him. It shouldn't look too unusual."
Sasha frowns. "This is all getting so complicated. I have no magics left that would help ... the blanket idea has merit. Perhaps we could buy a carpet, roll J'Harast up in it and carry it Ray Jay's pretending we are merchants delivering wares ... or better yet, a barrel of some kind." Sasha laughs.
"But standing around here isn't helping either - we could just brazen it out and walk there. We could all be pin-cushions for the would be attackers." Sasha sighs.
"I have some magic left to me that I can use if need be. Why don't we just start going and deal with the problems as they arise. Unless they are really stupid and need 3000gp desperatly they arn't going to take us all on. THey will wait until he is alone or with just one or two of us before attacking." says Kelar.
"Let's go ... don't walk near open doorways and alleyways - let's bunch together and walk in the middle of the street/path (whatever) and keep your eyes open." Sasha says, gripping her staff firmly.
In the end you all head out into the street, attempting to form a living shield around J'Harast.
As before, it is not long before you realize that you are being followed, but the four dark-garbed men maintain their distance and you reach Ray Jay's tower intact.
"Well," says Ming, Ray Jay's half-elf assistant. "Back to try your luck again?"
You enter and J'Harast again vanishes.
Ming sighs, closes the door, and takes you back upstairs to the arch-mage's study.
Ray Jay is there: a beautiful grey-elf maiden with her silvery hair forming a halo around her perfect features, clad in a gossamer gown with tiny slippers on her dainty little feet.
Off to one side - trying not to laugh at you all - is Vardui: a grey elf with long, stringy blond hair and squinty but intense eyes, dressed in leathers.
J'Harast is here as well...in his iron cage.
"Scene one, take two," says Ray Jay. She regards Wellyn and Jaramir. "I take it that one of these people is Jaramir, but which one?"
Farad sighs, disliking the fact that a powerful mage is being critical of him due to the forgetfulness of his companions.
Ray Jay glances at Farad and then dismisses him.
Pointing to Jaramir, Farad says, "I believe this half elf here is the one my friends had the carelessness to forget."
"I wonder what else they've forgotten..?" says Ray Jay, going over and inspecting Jaramir.
Raz frowns at Farad, but says nothing.
"And you, Raz...I remember you now," says the arch mage. "I once turned you into a newt for throwing spitballs in my class on introductory divinations," she pauses. "Did I ever turn you back..?"
She turns to Vardui.
"What do you think?" she asks.
She and Vardui adjourn to a corner and hold a whispered conference...glancing frequently at the lot of you. Every now and then you catch odd words and phrases, such as "wimps", "monster fodder" and such. At last they come back over to where you wait uneasily.
"While we admire your foolish - er - nerve and devotion in setting off to rescue Jaramir's soul from an eternity of torment," says Ray Jay, "Your party is a little understrength for the task at hand. Fortunately, Vardui knows some people who owe him some debts, and he has graciously agreed to call one of them in for this occasion."
Ray Jay twitches her nose, and suddenly another person is in the room...a woman in her mid-20s of unnatural beauty with loose flowing long brown hair, dressed in a rather low-cut black gown and heels.
She blinks in surprise.
"Good afternoon," she says, glancing about and taking you all in quickly. "Ray Jay? Vardui?"
"Hello, Leslie," the elf replies. "I'm calling in a debt that you owe me."
"A debt? I owe you no such thing."
Vardui smiles.
"Remember the time I rescued you from the mezzodaemon who had charmed you and was about to have his way with you..?"
"Who says I wanted to be rescued?" she says, but there is a twinkle in her eye. "Very well. What are you up to now?"
The two retreat to the corner and another whispered conversation ensues.
Meanwhile, Ray Jay speaks to the rest of you.
"Are you all set? If you are then you can leave right now. Any questions? Have you got everything you need? Sasha??"
"I am Wellyn of Valleymouth, M'Lady." If he looked nervous infront of Sasha the first time, Leslie and Ray Jay have turned his face completely red.
Ray Jay eyes him.
"A ranger of Strabath. That makes two of you on this little trip."
"Yes?" Sasha answers in puzzlement. "Oh .. you were just asking if I was ready? Or was there something else you wanted to say to me?"
"Are you ready? That is what I wanted to know."
"Well, we do need time to study our spells ... I mean ... I didn't think we were going right this minute ... " Sasha says thoughtfully, still looking curiously at Ray Jay and Leslie.
"And how long will that take?" asks Ray Jay.
Illyana sighs. "No directions on where to go? Or what to do?"
"If Vardui is right then I can open a gate that will take you directly to the area where Jaramir's soul is imprisoned. When you get there you must bring the two together. That should not be too difficult. There is a natural affinity between a soul and its body, you see."
Farad smiles. "Yes, I think we are all prepared. Illyana purchased an iron blade, and I have my silver sword here. We should be amply able to fight any demons we may meet."
Ray Jay glances at him.
"Buster, are you in for a surprise..."
Illyana knew this was coming. "What do you people think? That we are going for a stroll down to the corner store? We're heading for one of the worst places in existance despite the fact that this group couldn't even handle a few undead!"
Raz flushes..."Okay...so what kind of items do you think we need?"
"Brains, mostly," snaps Ray Jay.
Sasha looks perplexed. "I don't understand. Could you tell us what would be effective against them? I mean, what is best? Fire attacks ... though it doesn't seem that creatures that live in fiery places would be prone to that ... water? Acid? Holy Water? Cold?"
"Against what? Demons? You may meet up with some of them, but other beasts inhabit the lower planes as well. Against demons fire is not overly effective...and silver will not touch them!" she throws another glance at Farad. "Cold iron will, though. Magic weapons are always an aid, but you have few of them in your possession, do you? No matter. Magic created on the Prime is less effective on other planes. It is best to use any magic weapons that you acquire while in the Abyss."
Sasha wrinkles her brow. "I confess, my experience with matters like these is very limited. Any information you could provide would be most helpful and very appreciated. Are there certain types of attacks we can anticipate and protect agaisnt? For example, will Protection from Evil be of use to us? Can they be commanded? Can they be held?"
"Demons are resistant to many magiks, and many are able to use the arcane arts to their own advantage. But, like I said, many other creatures inhabit the lower planes. Your spells may be effective against them...if they function at all."
Illyana frowns. "My father told me of demons once. He also said to keep very far away unless I ever gained the power of someone like Yuri. There are weak demons and very very powerful ones I suppose. The powerful ones need super weapons to even touch and magical spells roll off of them very easily."
"Your father is wise but cautious. There are weak demons and strong ones. I doubt if you will encounter any demon lords. Besides, by all accounts you have powerful help accompanying you."
Ray Jay glances over at where Vardui and Leslie still stand, talking to each other in low voices.
"You people are serious about this?!?!" Wellyn says, confused and completely surprised. "You're really travelling to the Abyss?!?!?!"
Again he unconsciously lays his hands on his mace and sword.
Illyana sighs. "Unfortuanetly, yes." She glances around the group. "People think it is the right thing to do. I happen to believe that going there would probably mean a few people dying, considering how often members here have died in the past. Ray Jay, what exactly do we need? Do we need more equipment or somesuch? If so, Yuri told me of a place were we could find some stuff."
"A bit late to worry about that now, isn't it? You look quite well equipped as it is, young lady," replies Ray Jay.
Going by the looks Ming is giving Illyana, you can tell that he agrees...
"You will probably find items of use when you get there," the arch mage continues. "Any more questions?"
"Are we ready, then?" asks Vardui, as he and Leslie rejoin you.
"I'd like to change into something a little less comfortable, if you don't mind, before we leave," says the latter.
Farad seems shocked. "The man I bought this from was sure it would work. And it has been used effectively against an imp, a creature much like a demon."
"I guess I must buy an iron blade. Would you happen to have one handy?"
"No, I don't."
Sasha shakes her head. "I have none of course, but I wouldn't mind having my staff banded in iron then." She turns to Leslie and Ray Jay, "Have we time for that. I did not know iron was so effective against those creatures."
Illyana thinks for a second. "Would we want to carry anything we find in the Abyss back with us? I don't believe such an idea would be a good one."
"Why not?" asks Vardui. "I suppose it depends on the item, but often they are prized here on the Prime."
Illyana looks at Ray Jay, "In this situation I prefer to go for overkill. I don't see how I could ever possibly be 'totally' ready."
"Then why even bother?" asks Vardui with a smile.
"One final question.." Her voice lowers. "If someone died, we would have to bring the body back with us, correct? Or at minimum some small piece of it? I realize that without even that, then there is probably no chance of bringing the person back."
"That would be pointless," says Leslie. "You would be leaving the soul in the abyss. A resurrection would result in another automaton," she glances at Jaramir. "Depending on how the person was killed, you might be able to wish them back, though."
Raz says, "Well, I suppose I could try and buy some more holy water and an iron dagger...might be needed in a crunch. I would also like to wait to leave tomorrow so that I could have more spells on hand when we leave for the abyss." Raz looks at J'Harast then towards Ray Jay, "Think you could keep J'Harast for us for the night?"
J'Harast, who has been silent till this point glares at Raz and speaks, "With all due respect to the archmage, She and I seem to understand where each other stand on this issue, I'd rather spend the time at the fighters guild, learning what I can, and getting a good nights sleep. "
Raz frowns, "Yes, that sounds good, but then we would have to sneak you to the fighters guild and back again. It would be a waste of valuable resources, and besides....I wouldn't want you to risk your life needlessly."
"You do not have to sneak me anywhere. I would feel safer at the guild halls."
Bel says, "I have four vials of holy water, a blessed silver cross and my hammer is iron. I think that is about as good as I can do but I will take any suggestions on other preparations I can make, other than the large amount of praying I will be doing."
Kelar speaks up.
"If we are going to stay more than a day maybe some of us magic people should get together and see if we have any spells that we want to trade. It never hurts to have to many to choose from... and It is a heck of a lot cheaper.
"If any one wants to trade with me let me know. We probably will only be able to copy one or two spells in the time that we have but it could save our lives."
Vardui rolls his eyes.
"Obviously you people aren't ready for this little escapade, yet," he says to Sasha. "Either mentally or equipment-wise. When, pray tell, do you think you'll be prepared?"
He turns to Ray Jay.
"I've done all I can do," he says to the arch-mage. "You put the screws to me over three months past. I paid to have this Jaramir character resurrected, I've poured through countless books and scrolls to find out where his soul is, and I've even footed Sasha's training bill. I've summoned Leslie here to help us. Now, they are all dithering. How much longer are you going to keep me a prisoner for all intents in your tower, while these people beat around the eternal bush?"
Ray Jay nods.
"I cannot fault you," she says. "When they are ready they can find you. Where will you be?"
Vardui glances at Leslie.
"What's the weather like up north?"
Leslie smiles.
"It's been a blizzard for the past four days," she replies. "We haven't been able to get out for a week."
"It sounds better than this place. Let's go!"
Vardui touches her, speaks a word, and they are gone.
"Well, when you are ready, tell Ming," says Ray Jay, turning back to the lot of you. "Meanwhile, why don't you go and do something productive? I hear that there is a dungeon under a graveyard that needs clearing. Whatever. I have work to do. Good day."
Suddenly you find yourselves back in the street again. J'Harast is freed of his cage.
Illyana sighs. "So much for that. Who's idea was it to start the endevor anyway?" She looks at J'Harast. "I understand you want your brother back, but I don't want all of us to die in the process. We need to get everything done BEFORE we decide to go. We need to be ready the moment we say we are."
Raz nods. "Agreed. So what now? Do we prepare for Hell or do we tackle that house again?". Raz looks towards Sasha.
Farad is fuming. "The nerve of that man."
He then turns his gaze on to all of you. "If we return today, we shall likely find our welcome quite black. I suggest we go to this graveyard he mentioned and spend some time there."
"Perhaps we shall find some items of power that will be useful in our future venture."
"Lead on Sasha."
Illyana frowns. "This has nothing to do with magic. It has to do with our ability to work together, which as of yet has been quite lacking. We spend far too much time bickering and not enough time getting things done. Remember what Leslie said - if one of us died, even a wish had a chance of not bringing us back. I don't feel as though we are ready to take such a chance." She looks at Sasha. "Back to the house? Knowing what happens every time we go there?"
"I agree - not the house, and for several reasons. But let's discuss this somewhere more private." Sasha says, as she walks.
J'harast looks at Illyana, and then the rest of the group assembled.
"It was my idea and goal. You do not have to join me if you don't wish to, I've tried to make that clear. I do not know anythig about the location we are going to, nor what is needed. I did not know that Ray Jay would expect us to leave now, did you? Did any of you? I had guessed that we would have met and discussed what would be best to do, what was needed and things like that."
"I've had it. What is it that you want of me? What do you need me to do?"
Raz replies.
"Okay J'Harast. Point taken. I think that it is obvious that J'Harast is going to save is brother with or without our help. While we know J'Harast is not the best of people, I for one have to assume that his brother is an innocent. Unless there is strong disagreement, I say let's get our supplies and then meet in the inn to discuss our options concerning the abyss. I promised to help J'Harast's brother and I will keep my word."
Bel is quiet for a moment and then walks up and looks J'Harast in the face and says, "I know it is difficult J'Harast, you have fallen from the light and do not have a clear path back. You wish to right yourself and want to get on with it as soon as possible. I may jibe you at times, but that is my nature. It is not meant to say that I do not support you. You were my comrade before you fell and your actions brought Sasha back to us, that alone will give you my support all through your quest. The group, I believe, also supports you but do not agree on how to do it. If you wish to go straight to the mouth of hell I will go, but I have been dead once and do not wish to die again without a chance to succeed. I believe your quest will be long and difficult and by the time you rescue Jaramir, you will probably already have made it back to the true path. Remember as your journey proceeds my once and future comrade, I will never waive in my inner support for your trial. Even if I verbally abuse you all the way into the depths of the abyss. Let us go the way that the fates seem determined to send us. The graveyard is part of the mystery of the house, a mystery we have never solved. One that may give us the opportunity to gather the power to free your brother. If this is against your wishes due to the Thieves Guild's actions, I propose we go outside the city. The Megadungeon Yuri recommended is still there. It is a task that needs doing, is away from the guild, and has the blessing of a Paladin. I offer you my hand as a bond of my word and request we leave quickly." With that Bel offers his hand to J'Harast.
Illyana shakes her head. "I never said I wouldn't help. I only don't want to rush into such things, especially when the abyss is concerned."
"You will go to the guild - we will go shopping for items and information. I hope to contact Ming within two days and let him know we are ready." Sasha replies.
"The spellcasters will take the time to exchange spells and perhaps discuss strategy in using them, the rest of us will shop. I imagine you will need components and such, in addition to iron things, and holy water. I and anyone that wants to join me, will check the libraries, or with Ming and see what other information we can find out."
Sasha looks to the party. "Agreed? Any other comments or suggestions? If not, then let's go about our business and meet later tonight back at the inn and compare notes and what we have learned. J'Harast? Have you a way to get any iron weapons? Bow users - how about iron tipped arrows ... is there such a thing?"
Illyana nods. "That works for a start. I can't buy anything myself though, I'm short on money. I don't feel like waiting around though, so I'll come with you."
"Where is the library around here anyway, Illyana?" Sasha asks.
Illyana shakes her head. "I have no idea actually. The only people who have a real reason to go there are mages. We can ask Ming though, he should know."
Farad laughs. "I think if I were you I would ask elsewhere first. Ming and Ray Jay may not appreciate being disturbed yet again just to give direction."
With a small smirk Wellyn nods his head in agreement.
"Ah...excuse me, but I know where the library is. If you follow me, I'll take you there." Raz waits to see if Illyana and Sasha follow.
Sasha, though, has other ideas at the moment.
"How about we all go the guild and talk about this. J'Harast, is there a meeting room we could use there?" Sasha asks.
Illyana frowns. "It sounds like there is something you aren't mentioning, but I'd rather not discuss this in the middle of the street. We'll try te fighter's guild first, and if not we'll just have find a room in the inn."
You make for the guild hall. You see no one following you.
Once there, J'Harast requests a private room, and a few moments later you are seated in a small, rather sparse-looking chamber, while a servant serves you drinks.
Wellyn speaks after taking a deep breath.
"I need to get some iron tipped arrows if I am to go with you all." He looks at everyone to see if they care that he has decided to come along.
"The graveyard dungeon may be a good idea...
"I know I'm new and my opinion may not mean much, but if we are to walk into the abyss we're going to have to perform like a well trained squad. This dungeon would be as good a place as any to work on our combat coordination. We also need to be positive that the iron weapons we have are cold forged. There is a difference, and cold-forged are not as good, but that's what Ray Jay seemed to think we should have. "
Illyana nods her head. "This is where the problem is mostly. We need to decide on a new marching order. We've had too many people leaving the group and a few new people coming in so it needs to be redone. There is also shopping to be done by several people. I believe though that we can spend days discussing this, we'll never find out if it works unless we try it out and I really don't want to test it in the Abyss. Hand signals can also be useful considering in some situations we don't want a scout to make noise in signaling us."
"Excellent idea," Wellyn agrees. "I can suggest a few that Lord Morg's Rangers use. 'Pretty basic stuff."
J'Harast nods.
"Simply put, I will use easy to understand signals." "I'll point to the left or right to indicate direction. To my eyes, means I see; to my feet, will indicate distance; pointing to my heart will indicate enemies."
"The number of fingers indicates 1 unit, either feet, or bodies."
Holding thumb and pinky finger out, "This means branching of a passageway." "Undead will be signaled by pointing to Sasha. Bugs and spiders by waving all five fingers like legs."
"I'll also use the univeral OK symbol for all clear."
"How does that sound?"
Farad does agree with this. "While I would not give up the opportunity to go now to the Abyss, Illyana does have a point. We do need to learn what each of us is capable of. Lets venture back to this house of yours and learn each other's capabilities."
Farad then smiles. "I am a warrior by training, but I do know something of magic too. So I should be near the front lines, but perhaps not the very front."
"If the group needs a scout I have pretty good eyes... What is this house that everyone is talking about?"
"With respect, I have been the scout of this party. I am more comfortable in passageways and the underground than the woods. When we travel outside, I will defer to you, however, I believe that I should still be primary scout inside." says J'Harast.
Wellyn bows his head in acknowledgment and says no more of the issue.
"Perhaps, a marching order might look something like this:
J'Harast
10'
A ranger type
10'
Farad and Illyana
Rest of party
10'
Rearguard (another ranger)
How does this sound?"
"I will take the rearguard when not in the woods," Wellyn says.
Farad nods. "Since several of us are new, perhaps we should all tell the others what skills and spells each of us have.
"As I have said, I am a warrior, but also a mage with the ability to put men to sleep, or call forth a magical missile, or perhaps protect ourselves from evil forces. Unfortunately I can not do all of these things, as I only am able to cast two spells a day."
"As you all aware know now, I was trained as a ranger," Wellyn says.
"I prefer to fight with mace and sword but will trade the mace for a shield if things get really rough. I'm pretty good at tracking and with a bow. I don't have much experience in passageways or dungeons though, aren't too many around Valleymouth."
Raz nods..."Okay. I'm a mage. I can cast a number of different spells, but only 3 a day. I can cast:
read magic invis.
magic missle find familiar
push floating disk
comp. lang. feather fall
Burning hands hold portal
sheild charm
detect magic unseen servant
Although today I only have two magic missle spells left." Raz shrugs.
Kelar speaks.
"I think we need to be a little more specific on the marching order but it looks good.
"As for my skills I am a fighter at heart but have the ability to cast some spells... I can only cast one a day but I can choose from right now sleep, burning hands, armor, detect magic, spider climb, light, chill touch, and copy.
"If any of the other mages want to trade spells now would be a good time to ask."
Illyana says, "By now most of you should know that I am simply a fighter, no more, no less. Ok.. Now there is only one ranger in the group but that is not that much of a problem. Here is an order I have made up, using everyone in it:
J'Harast
Illyana Farad
Raz Sasha
Kelar Bel
Wellyn
"This will work in a dungeon. In the forest, J'Harast and Wellyn need to switch places. Obviously, we would need to get Raz in the rear regardless of where we go, so he can get some spells off. Other details:
1. I want to know what kind of armor everyone is wearing. I know for a fact that I am pretty damn noisy due to the plate mail I wear, but I don't know what everyone else has.
2. Also, who has what kind of missiles? I have darts which are basically for enemy spellcasters.
3. Who is the light carrier? We have enough humans so that someone has to have some kind of light. Most of my weapons need two hands, so I doubt I want to carry it. Maybe if we get a light which can be carried hands free, it might help."
Raz speaks up, "I suppose I can carry a lamp when needed."
"Or perhaps a cleric could cast several such spells on those without magical weapons. A weapon is usually always available, and can be sheathed to cause darkness."
He pauses, "But I'm sure the clerics of this city will charge a fortune to cast such a spell. Do any of you have it available?"
He turns to Sasha, "Those friends of yours seem competent enough. Didn't you say they advanced you money? Perhaps they could help with some spells. Are they still in town?"
Sasha has been listening intently and taking notes while you all discuss options.
"Well, it seems we have a group here that will at least try to work together. I like all the ideas you mentioned, Illyana - your hand signals sound very good - perhaps we can expand on that for the times we will not be able to see each other. The marching order looks good - very like in nature to one I drew up a while ago."
Turning to Farad, Sasha replies. "I do not have continual light ... perhaps when I train again. I do have a light spell, but it lasts only about 10 turns. And I can only cast it three times a day - and I would not be able to cast any healing then."
Farad shakes his head. "Do not waste your spells with the ability to cast simple light then. Better you choose an offensive spell, or the ability to heal someone. The question is. Do you choose to engage in combat yourself, or do you prefer to hang back. If the later, then choose the healing spells, so that you can help those of us who get injured while we fight. If the former, then choose the command spell, and perhaps the blessing. Something to help us in combat. Or perhaps choose all three. A command for the quick attack, a blessing for those times we are prepared, and a healing should only one of us be seriously hurt."
Wellyn shakes his head a little. "What is a 'turn' Sasha? Is that like an hour? If so that should be enough light."
"Spellcasters can work together in two ways - sharing spells they know, but also in choosing them each day to complement each others choices. I guess I am the only cleric now ... that concerns me. She looks to Bel, "Can you do any healing? Anyone else?"
"I can of course use all my first level spells for curing - but then that would rule out things like protection from evil, command, bless, and light. I could choose chant instead, that is a higher level - but can be interrupted by someone striking me ... silence might be useful and then there is also hold person. I guess I can coordinate with the spellcasters to some degree in the choice of what I pray for." Sasha sighs, doodling once more in her little journal. She looks up then.
"I have found that clerical spells are slower to cast than mage spells. Thus I would not recommend the hold spell. A sleep does the same thing, and I can cast it much quicker than you."
"Thus it may be best if you concentrate on protection or enhancement. Again, if you could hold back and chant, all of us would benefit greatly. All the more so if one of us were blessed by you first."
"Also, do any of us have the ability to protect against poison?"
"While I find merit in going to Yuri's dungeon, I dislike the amount of time it would take to travel there. (What time of day is it now? Early still?) I would like to spend the rest of today shopping, checking out the library Raz spoke of, and studying - for you spellcasters." Sasha pauses then, a glint in her eye.
"Time? What time? From what I understand, the dungeon isn't that far. Why would Yuri ask us to do it if it was a long distance away?"
Sasha shrugs, "I'm not sure - that is the measure of time they called it."
Wellyn only nods a little when Sasha tries to explain what a "turn" is.
"And I have an idea - I would like to spend the following day - or the next, depending on how much the time the spellcasters need - and go back to the house." Sasha immediately holds up her hand to stem the flow of protests she expects from this statement.
Illyana shakes her head. "Too lethal. We know that."
Farad shrugs. "I have been to neither the house or dungeon. Personally I think I would prefer this house, as it is apparently close by. Thus we would not have to worry as much about healing spells, and Sasha can concentrate upon offensive and defensive ability. My guess is that both places will be equally deadly. It is our ability to work together that will counter that."
Farad then comments. "I guess it is the concensus of the group that we shall not venture tommorrow to the Abyss, but will hone our ability to work together at some other task. While somewhat dissappointed, I am glad to get the opportunity to progress in skill longer. As time passes I too will grow in power, and in more than just my fighting and magical skills. Since we shall apparently be working together for quite some time, rather than just a quick jaunt to the Abyss, I will tell you something more of myself."
"I am an honest man, although one with perhaps different views than some of you. Thus I will tell you that I hold other power. A power of the mind. Currently I only have the ability to see something into the future. It is thus that I realized that your group was the one I wished to be associated with. But soon I know I will grow in power. A master long ago told me that I have the skill of healing. Given enough time and training, Sasha would not need to learn any healing spells. I would be much more effective than she could ever hope to be, being able to heal wounds and diseases easily. Also in the future I would learn other powers, but there is no point now discussing those now. Needless to say, given time we can grow ready to meet the challenge of the Abyss much better prepared than we are now."
Farad then turns to Sasha. "I believe you said that this Rane also had powers of the mind. Let me assure you that I am not like him. I have no ability to possess others, and would not use such an ability if ever it came to me. This I swear to be true, or may the demons I loath take my soul and torment me for eternity."
"Look, the dungeon will be as bad as the house or worse. I would prefer an evil we are somewhat acquainted with than a whole new one. And further, I propose we disguise ourselves - perhaps we can make crude robes with sheets and pretend we are pre-acolytes or something. I did put the word out that I was staking claim to the house for a hostel for clerics of Isis afterall. " Sasha grins.
"I doubt a disguise would work very well. How are you going to hide my armor and sword? Or anyone else's for that matter? Or do you suggest we walk in unarmed? Besides which, don't most secret societies require things like passwords and keep track of who the members are? I don't like the idea of sneaking around anyway when we don't have any information on who we are trying to spy on."
"The dungeon may be more dangerous yes, but Yuri stated that whatever was found in it was ours, and he only mentioned it to me after I had mentioned our lack of magical equipment. Basically the rewards there are greater, but so probably is the challenge. Besides which, the Abyss isn't easy anyway, so why would we want to try something soft?"
Suddenly Sasha snaps her fingers, "Hey! Whatever happened to the items we found? Don't we still have something? A wand ... and some other things ... Do we still have them? Perhaps we can see what they are - perhaps we already have a tool we need."
"One rod is it I believe. Everything else we ever found was sold off to return people from the grave, including items which we knew what did." She sighs. "Those clerics are getting too rich off of us."
Farad smiles. "Come Wellyn, let us compare notes. Perhaps I could teach you that sleep spell. You have many spells I would be interested in also."
"Maybe I didn't make myself clear. I am a fighting man trained by Lord Morg's finest. I know nothing of magic and I'm certainly not a priest."
Wellyn is beginning to look a pissed.
"Uh...excuse me Farad...but I would be very interested in learning your sleep spell."
Farad nods. Just a momentary confusion. "And some of those spells you have look interesting also."
Farad comments. "I think for now I will keep memorized a sleep spell, to quickly disable any groups we might meet. I'll also keep handy a protection from evil spell, so that I am better protected while fighting hand to hand the forces of evil that may reside in this house or dungeon."
Raz smiles..."Very good. Why don't we go into another room and see what we have to trade." Raz gets up from where he is sitting and heads for a secluded room elsewhere in the inn.