The next morning is warmer still, but overcast.
You eat and head for the dungeon.
Teetering on the lip of the giant urinal as the fog rolls in, Farad looks at his map.
"From the entrance, lets go up the northeast passage. From there turn north to the second 4-way, and then head east, crossing the trap door and heading beyond."
Kelar agrees.
"That sounds like a good idea for a plan of action. We might also want to continue where we left off when we found the Princess.
"Which ever lead on map maker."
Out of the blue, Raz speaks up...."Ah pardon me folks..but I think its time for me to go get some more training in the mystic arts. Would you mind splitting up the treasure we've found so that I can have some money to give to the wizards at the mages guild?"
Bel's jaw drops in disbelief and he says, "What in Vidar's name do you think you are doing? If you did not want to continue this task you should have said so back at Yuri's castle so we could plan for it, the entrance to the Dungeon is not the place for second thoughts. We need time to plan our actions taking your absence into account, we cannot do anything now. I consider it a great breach of loyalty to take off on a lark like that at this moment." Bel throws his hands up in exasperation and walks over to Pillar to talk with him.
Farad nods. "Yes. At least wait until we have done what we can in the dungeon again. Best we all try and train together as much as possible so that no one is left behind."
Raz frowns deeply at Bel, but says nothing. Turning to Farad, Raz replies..."Sounds reasonable to me...I can wait"
That little crisis delt with, you jump into the urinal and go down the drain.
Soon, you have followed Farad's directions and are standing facing east, just past the trap door. From there, this passage runs east for 60' and on. There is a door in the 50' - 60' section of the south wall.
You go down to the door and look east. The passage runs for a further 60' and on.
J'Harast - who has not opened his trap for days, now - listens at the door.
If he hears anything through it he is not about to tell anyone in so many words, merely shaking his head instead.
Hawk, keeping an eye out for hidden things, notices nothing unusual.
Farad simply opens the door, as the passage beyond has been mapped.
"Lets continue onward to the east."
You head 60' east.
The passage continues for at least another 60'.
You move ahead.
The passage ends 10' before you...but to your right is an opening into a chamber.
You look south into the chamber.
It is a large one (40' X 60': 10' east, 40' south, 40' west)...and completely barren.
You go in and poke about, but find nothing.
Farad looks annoyed, but then he usually does. "This dungeon is a mess of dead ends. Ok, lets check a few obvious places. First the west wall of the passage we just left, and the north wall opposite this chamber's entrance. Ok, then lets go back to the trap door and search about 10 feet up and down the hallway along the south wall for a secret door. Lets also open up the trap door and make sure nothing of value has dropped into it. If we don't find a secret door or anything more, lets go north from the last four way, and check that dead end's north wall for a secret door."
You search the passages for secret doors but find none.
Opening the trap door, you see a shaft. It is 50' deep...after which it opens out to the east and west. Right at the limit of your lights you see a floor. In other words, you get the impression that the shaft leads down to another level.
"That should do it for this section of the dungeon. From then we can head north out of the east side of the rust monster's lair."
"Sounds reasonable." Sasha smiles, looking chipper and still energetic.
"Yes, it does. Assuming we finish this floor we will be taking the trapdoor down?" asks Illyana.
"If it even goes anywhere. But we are still far from finishing this level."
You head up to the chamber. As previously described, both of the passages leading north out of the rust monster's chamber are dead ends, being only 10' long.
You head back down to the area where you met Princess Sarah and continue southeast.
From the door leading into her chamber, the wide passage runs for 60'...then turns south, becoming 20' wide.
Looking around this corner, you are confronted with a fight of stairs heading down...
"Progress, progress. Ok, that does it for this side of this level. Lets go back to the entrance room, and proceed down the hallway heading directly west, and then go down the 5' passage." says Farad.
"Well at least we know there is more than one way down. That is always good," observes Kelar. "Lead on map maker."
Farad leads on.
Back to the entry chamber you go...then west. At the intersection with the 5' wide passage you look both ways.
To the west this passage runs for 60' and on...but in the 20' - 30' section of the south wall is a 10' wide passage running southwest.
To the south, the 5' wide passage runs for 50'...after which is a "T" intersection with a 10' wide passage running east - west.
You head south to the "T" intersection. Getting there, you look both ways.
To the east, the passage runs for for 45'...after which it ends at another "T" intersection with a 10' wide passage running north - south.
To the west, the passage runs for 60' and on.
"Lets go east to the next intersection and look north and south."
"Sounds good!" Sasha replies, hefting her pack and gripping her staff tightly.
"I must say ... this place sure seems quiet. What if this place has already been cleaned out?"
Illyana shakes her head. "We found a staircase down, remember? There is probably going to be more creatures downstairs."
Farad nods. "That is certain to be true. And this level hasn't been all that empty. Ghouls, ogres, rust monsters, and belligerent princesses. And we still have the southwest corner to explore."
"Oh ... Okay. Don't know how I missed that. Did we ever decide on what our respective tasks are while doing this kind of stuff? I know we discussed it ... and yet, every time we come upon something ... there is more debate ... though admittedly, less than there used to be." Sasha shrugs, rubbing her eyes.
Leaping from the shadows Pillar grins and says "I can dance, but somehow that wouldn't be practical here" frowning Pillar looks at the party for the first time noticing some new faces. "Hey I don't know some people here, hey, that means they dont know me either" smirking evilly Pillar says "I am Pillar Cleric extradinaire, and basher of monsters with blunt objects"
"Basher, is that what you call it? I though you killed creatures by pickling them with your overtoxic breath." replies J'Harast, sardonically.
"Tasks? Aside from a scout, rearguard and mapper (or two) it doesn't seem to me as though we need anything else. As for the arguements, everyone has been more quiet as of late so things have been a little boring."
"Anyway, I suppose now is hardly the time ... and it seems Farad is pretty good at keeping us all in line." Sasha finishes, with a speculative look in his direction.
"No more than anyone else. However, since he has the map, he is our navigator, and I agree that we sould let him continue to direct our exploration of the dungeon."
"Ooo Farad boss?" Pillar bows mockingly "Me Pillar me bash".
Farad grins wickedly. "As some here will no doubt quickly tell you, I'm simply directing where we travel. Illyana is our combat leader."
"Farad is the one with the map, not I. I've never professed to have any ability to draw a map either. Although I wonder why Yuri professed to having so much trouble with this dungeon. It seems strange to me." says Illyana.
Sasha grins. "Well then, lead on Master."
You head east to the intersection.
Looking north, the passage runs that way for 40', then ends at a door.
To the south, the passage immediately turns west. There is a door in the south wall at the corner.
Looking around the corner to the west, you see that the passage runs for 60' and on. There is another door...in the south wall, 50' - 60' section.
Farad looks north, double checks his map, and motions for J'Harast to listen.
"I think we should open that door. Probably leads to a hall or a small room, but immediately beyond is another entrance to the main entrance room."
J'Harast hears nothing when you move up to the door...so you open it.
Beyond is a circular room (10' diameter: door in north and door to east). The place is bare.
Peering carefully into the room Pillar announces "Its a cunning trap I have seen its duplicity before. It may look like an ordinary room but its not, thats the most devious part of this trap. Beware everyone." Pillar waits for some fool to go into the room.
J'Harast smacks his head. "Damn. I forgot about that trap. I better check again to see if I can detect anything." J'Harast will make an exaggerated check for traps. "Thank you Pillar, here is the mechanism. I'll disarm it now."J'Harast spends a few minutes working on something and then announces, "It's safe"
"Well, who's more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?" J'Harast will enter the room...as does Farad.
Farad opens the north door into the entry room. "Good, good. Ok, lets go back down this hallway and take the southern most passage to the west, listening at the door as we pass."
Leaving the second unopened door in the circular room, you head south. Reaching the corner, J'Harast listens but hears nothing...so you head west.
Stopping by the door 60' down, J'Harast listens here, too. He reports that he hears what sounds like several creatures...chewing on bones...
Looking west, the passage continues for 50' before opening up into a chamber at the end.
Farad draws his sword. "Rather not have these between us and the exit" he whispers.
Looking to Illyana for the confirmation, he nods to J'Harast to get ready to open the portal.
Raz looks worried, but says nothing. You can tell that he is readying a spell to be cast.
"Agreed. Let's let Pillar use his breath weapon." replies J'Harast in a whisper as he grips his sword.
Sasha stands ready also, gripping her staff and looking alert ...
Illyana nods. "Peek first, I don't want to jump in suicidally."
As gently as he can, the high elf pushes on the door. It opens a crack with a slight squeak. Through the crack you can see the source of the noise...not a number of monsters, but only one. However, it has six tooth-filled mouths in six heads...at the ends of six long, reptillian necks...
The heads look up from the dead giant rat they were gnawing on and growl.
It moves towards you...
Bel looks at J'Harast and says, "Charm?"
Sasha tries to stifle her laughter.
Illyana shakes her head, "Doubt it would be of much use to us, unless you fancy having a pet like that."
Farad looks disgusted, "I have a better spell, called the Sword."
He pushes forward, blade drawn. "Open the door wide, J'Harast, my blade is thirsty today."
"Circle around the thing try to keep its heads occupied in different directions.. waitaminute, don't you need fire or something on it? I forget.. oh well." Illyana tries to move in on the creatures backside, around the heads.
Aldarin also enters to attack with blade drawn.
"Agreed. I shall cast that spell as well. Shall we enter the room so others can help us?" J'Harast will attack with Farad, using daggar and sword.
Bel smiles and says, "I don't know, could be fun. I think sikking him on Sarah could give me great satisfaction. They have about the same level of social skills. As to the "sword" spell, don't you think they should at least be first level before they try and cast it? Ah well, time to ready my heal spell if those two are gonna practice "magic."
"Circle around the thing try to keep its heads occupied in different directions.. waitaminute, don't you need fire or something on it? I forget.. oh well." Illyana tries to move in on the creatures backside, around the heads.
Raz will wait in the background, staying clear of all combat.
Sasha frowns at Bel. "Are you ... ah, nevermind. Raz, a magic missile would be nice or two if you have them. Bel, have you any ranged spells that would do damage without hurting the fighters - I have cure spells in waiting."
Bel, serious for a second, says, "Unless it is wearing some metal I have no ranged spells that will do harm, heat matal spell. If there are plants around I can entangle it, but nothing else. I have neutralize poison and cure light wounds ready for the fighters who need them. Other than that I have detect magic, invisibility to animals, pass without trace and purify water. As I have said before I am not a combat mage, especially in a dungeon."
"I don't mind the extra healing spells one bit. We may fight several battles before the day is over, and I would like us to survive through all of them."
Kelar speaks.
"You may want to get the torch ready Sasha, if they do manage to cut a head off you need to cauterize the thing before two more heads grow back."
Sasha begins rummaging in her pack while speaking. "Their heads grow back? How bizarre! I'll certainly get my staff lit then. Yikes!" She wraps a length of oil-soaked canvas around the top of her staff and lights it ...
"One side, One side, Okay you pokey looking mishapen excuse for a lizard come get some!" Pillar clanks into the room and swings his flail and the lizard thing. "Ahhhh truly a battle worth fighting"
Aldarin also enters to attack with blade drawn.
Farad shouts back, "Save your spells! We can handle this!"
Upon hearing Farad's shout, Raz holds back from casting any spells.
In the end, Farad, J'Harast, Illyana, Aldarin and Pillar head in to deal with the hydra. It is by the door, now, each of its heads attacking a different attacker while the last head lashes out at Kelar.
Farad stirs up a pretty good breeze with his sword spell, but the hydra blows him away with a bite for 5 hit points of damage. J'Harast - whom I assume is still using Illyana's longsword - sends the head attacking him flying...spewing blood everywhere. Illyana likewise decapitates the next head. Aldarin, though, is bitten for 3 hit points...then chops off another head. Pillar and head #5 both dodge each other...as does Kelar with his head.
Next, as the battle continues, Farad shoves his blade down the throat of head #1, killing it. Pillar is bitten for 3 hit points of damage before mashing the offending head to a pulp before J'Harast can come to his aid. Kelar lands a deadly blow to the last head but does not kill it. The hydra nails him for 5 hit points, and it is Illyana who finally does it in.
Two minutes after opening the door, the hydra lies dead.
Illyana wipes her brow. "Whew, nasty thingamajig. Not that dangerous though. Let's have a look through the room for anything of importance. Anyone hurt badly in the fight? I suppose after we search the room we'll be heading for the staircase, right Farad?"
Farad shakes his head. "No, we should continue down this passage to the chamber beyond. We aren't done with this level yet. There are still several unopened doorways and unexplored halls yet to cover."
"A good spell that. Gosh, I wonder why others don't learn it. However I have to admit, there are times when a good fireball beats a sword anyway." Comments J'Harast as he cleans the blood from his sword. "Didn't even need that dagger spell I have.
"Don't forget Farad's warning, make sure we burn these heads and stumps."
Farad shakes his head. "Not my warning. I've never seen a beast like this before."
Farad turns to the other spell casters in the group. "I think in the future we may be best served to avoid using spells if we obviously outnumber our foe. If however steel doesn't serve, then other methods can be employed. In any case, magic is a harder commodity to replace, as we can use each spell only once per outing, or at best each day for the clerics and those of you who may have brought your books with you."
Farad for one didn't bring his books to the dungeons with him.
"We still do need to burn those heads," says Kelar. "They do grow back or so I was told. Never actually seen one up until now. I was also told they were a lot harder to kill. Maybe like you said Farad we just out numbered it."
Farad you should get yourself a travelling book. That way if you get stranded you still have some spells to rely on."
"That was not Farad's warning, that was Kelar's." Sasha snaps. But she takes her staff and begins setting fire to the heads.
"Mea culpia!" J'Harast exclaims, lapsing into Elvish. "I'm sorry... I only heard someone say to burn the heads and obviously forgot who said to do it. Personally, I don't know why we should bother, but I have never encountered a creature of this nature before."
Sasha rubs the bridge of her nose and shakes her head. "No, I'm the one that is sorry, J'Harast. I really meant to snap at Farad, not you."
"Let's continue ... " Sasha says quietly.
Farad gives a small smile. "Someone is in a good mood today I see."
Illyana sighs. "Here we go again. More arguing amongst ourselves. We should probably burn the body unless something which feasts on this will smell it and come searching for dinner."
Farad turns to Sasha. His eyes burn with a deep anger. "I see you are giving an example of this morality you claim to possess that I do not. I at least do not blame others for actions not of their making."
Farad turns his back on Sasha and begins searching the room.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Sasha asks coldly.
Farad turns around. "'Oh, I ment to snap at Farad' you said. What did I do to deserve this anger? Or do you simply snap at people for the fun of it?"
J'Harast goes over and whispers something into Sasha's ear. A few words are exchanged, before J'Harast squeezes her shoulder and moves back.
"No, I do not snap at people for the fun of it. I am concerned that already everyone looks to you for guidance, even our leader. I cannot trust so quickly .... but I suppose that is my problem alone. I apologise for the insult." Sasha says tiredly.
"So you would reject good counsel out of spite because it came from one you dislike?" Farad gives a small smile. "I'm glad to learn this about you. It shows what a noble and just woman you are."
Sasha lowers her head in shame. "I am sorry, I know it was wrong. I can do without your sarcasm. I work everyday to become wiser, unlike some, I was not born that way and so must strive constantly to acheive that state."
"Apology accepted." Farad says nothing more, and begins scrawling the new territory upon his map.
"Lets go."
"Yumm. Roast leg of multi-headed reptile. Sounds marvelous. Perhaps we can take a break to eat now?"
"Here? If we burn that thing, the smoke will drive us away. If we don't burn it, then the stench will do the job. I don't like either option, personally. Let's find a nicer place, shall we?"
Farad shakes his head. "The smoke would be far more evident I would think than any rotting smell. We can simply seal the door closed when we leave."
Chortleing to himself Pillar grins and says "My what a merry bunch we are, here we have slain a beast of some magnitude and all you can do is argue. I am very dissappointed in all of you, I thought you were made of sterner stuff. However if it is your wish to argue by all means I find it an interesting diversion to healing my wounds or those of my companions, aren't one of the heads supposed to be poisoness or something?"
Smirking Pillar binds his wound and then tests the bandage.
"Pillar," replies J'Harast with some irritation, "Can it."
Turning to Pillar with a slight grin, Aldarin says, "I too find it amusing, all the bickering I have seen in the last week. But it helps to relieve tension in such menacing conditions as these I suppose. By the way, can you spare some of your famous healing arts to bind this grevious wound I sustained from that many-headed beast?"
"Yes indeed" Pillar ambles over to the high elf and lets loose a powerful cure light wounds spell, healing the elf completely. "Of course I take no offense from your brethren, J'Harast as it is his way to be rude inconsiderate, gruff, bland, and highly unsociable".
Prancing away rather heavily in full plate Pillar peers around the room making soft clang sounds as he pats his breastplate with his gauntlet.
Clang
Clang
Clang
Farad finishes searching the room...having found nothing but junk. "Lets go. There is a chamber further down the hallway."
At the end of the passage you come to a chamber (20' X 30': 10' north, 30' west; 10' wide passage running east in east wall, north half; 10' wide passage running northeast out of middle of north wall; 2 10' wide passages - one at either end of the south wall - running south). Another bare chamber, there is nothing in this place.
You move in and look up each passage.
To the east, a passage runs for 60' and on.
To the northeast, a passage runs for 50', then ends at an intersection with a 10' wide passage running east - west.
Down the easternmost south passage, it runs for 60' and on.
Down the westernmost south passage, it runs for 60'. Right at the limit of your vision, though, it begins to open up on either side.
Illyana shakes her head. "Who builds these damned things anyway? I'm surprised someone actually has the time to do this. Hmm.. There couldn't be a God of dungeon building, now could there? No, that would explain things too easily. Farad, directions?"
Farad points to the southeast passage. "Lets try that way first."
You go down the easternmost south passage.
After 60' it turns west.
Looking around the corner, you see a chamber after 10'.
You go and take a look.
The chamber measures 20' X 30' (30' west, 10' south: 10' wide passage running north in north wall, east corner; 20' wide passage running south out of south wall, western two-thirds; 10' wide passage running east out of east wall, south portion).
This chamber is bare and boring.
You look north. It should link up with a previously mapped area.
You look south. The wide passage runs for 30' and ends.
You look east. This passage runs for 60' and beyond...
Farad frowns, but scribles down the new area upon his map. "Lets check that south wall and its adjacent sides of the wide passage for potential secret doors. If we find nothing, we'll head east and see what's there."
Aldarin starts to look for secret doors.
Pillar squints down the east passage.
"Hey the great beyond... I wonder whats down here, back in a sec people" Pillar ambles off into the great beyond a look of wonderment and glee on his face. "Ahhh to go where no sane cleric has gone before"
Bel says, "Good idea Pillar. But it looks dangerous here, Ogres, and Hydras, and Rust Monsters Oh My. By the way, are there any sane clerics?"
Sasha turns to face Bel. "Well ... I was under the impression that I was sane ... or don't you think so?" She asks, polishing a spot on the thigh of her black patent leather armor.
Bel smiles and says, "I wouldn't know, I've never met or been a sane druid either. Nice outfit, very practical. Wait up Pillar." Bel hurries off after Pillar singing if I had a hammer and pulling his out.
Those of you behind him cannot see what he just pulled out, but it glows purple...
"Farad, it looks like you don't need my talents anymore, it seems that Pillar has decided to cast the ever popular, but stupid, spell called "Find trap 1/2" along with "find enemy 1/2". I think that we best tie him up and get him to a safe place, otherwise he might not only hurt himself, but us as well." comments J'Harast somewhat sardonically.
"Whats your problem high elf?" Pillar screeches from down the hall.
To those assembled, "Is he an idiot? Am I missing something here? Shall we try to wake everything thats here? Fine. I can not be held accountable if you all are not going to let me do my job and scout things out first."
J'Harast readies his sword and dagger, expecting the worst.
"Come everyone. Time to go where no sane cleric has still not yet gone."
Farad proceeds after Pillar, weapon ready.
Leaving the search for secret doors until a later time, you all follow Pillar and Bel.
After 60' the passage ends at a chamber (20' X 20': 10' south, 20' east). There place seems as barren as the last one...but as you wander about within it, Pillar trips over a loose stone in the floor.
Bel says, "Aha, a clue." And investigates the loose stone.
Bel also puts "it" away.
Illyana looks at Bel, "what is this 'it' you happen to be carrying?"
Farad shakes his head. "Please wait until we are back in Sandas before asking him that."
Bel says, "Why my weapon of course, I always carry it with me."
"If you wish, I'll explore that further, to see if it is a trap or something? Otherwise I'll leave the drunken sot to continue his meanderings."
"Is everyone after my job?" , asks J'Harast. He will wait, off center until everyone else who wishes to has looked at the stone, and perhaps triggered any trap that it might conceal.
Farad points to the stone. "J'Harast, why don't you see what Pillar has stumbled across."
Illyana looks around the group, as if considering something. "I'm not certain if what is going on now is any better than all the arguing before. Not to be offensive Pillar, but did something you drink affect your head in any particular way?"
"No I am fine, I am just fine"
Farad smiles. "Yes, Pillar. I know you are enthusiastic about killing things, but if you keep yelling like you do, you will scare all the monsters away. Its much better if you keep somewhat quiet, so we can sneak up on the beasts and then you can enjoy yourself."
With a thoughtful look on his face Pillar consumes these words "Hmm interesting point, I will bear it in mind". Grunting he stands up "Stupid stone, now I will crush you like a bug", peering around suspiciously he looks at the stone and lines it up with his boot.
"That charm spell might just be useful now. Then I could get about my business." says J'Harast.
Bel looks at J'Harast, thinks for a second, then says, "I would never have thought you would ask me to use that spell again. It is tempting, but I can't. It would be removing Pillar's free will, I as a chivalric could not do that to a party member."
"If your spell will prevent that fool from killing the rest of us with his carelessness, I am all for it. If you want to wander around a dungeon with a drunken cleric leading the way and springing every trap in this place, be my guess, but I would then like to take my leave, for I have been given a new perspective on life and need to right the wrongs I have committed."
Turning with the speed of a deranged cleric Pillar whirls up to J'Harast "I am not Drunk, nor will I ever be, drink is for those that seek to escape reality, but I see reality all too well. Perhaps if you stopped your infernal whining and talked to me rather than at me or around me I might find some merit in your blatherings, until then..." Sighing Pillar turns back to the examination of the stone that felled him and begins to size it up again.
"Very well, since you asked for it. You are a fool, a drunkard and an idiot. Do I try to heal people and turn the undead. No. I let you do those things you can do and you should let me do the things that I can do. As for talking to you, it is a waste of time, since you refuse to listen, and refuse to pay attention."
Laughing Pillar turns back to J'Harast .
"Oh I am sorry, did someone cut your legs off, mutilate your thought processes? I have not partaken in the drink for a long time, and never will again, of course that would have been blatantly obvious to the laymen. However you seem to be caught up in past preconceptions, a pity you could be so much". Turning back to his stone Pillar continues to talk "I may not be facing you but my ears still hear and my voice will still carry to you. If you have anything of worth to say I have noted it but otherwise cease your prattling, you are scaring the monsters".
"Very well, I will talk to your better side."
"My thought processes, which once were clouded, have been straighten out. As for your cleaning up, I am happy that you have been able to sober up enough to stop drinking. Past experience with you taught me never to get between you and a mug of ale."
"Stop it!" Sasha says quietly, her voice filled with anger. She turns to Pillar. "If you have stopped drinking, that is fine and well. Please demonstrate that by at least acting as if you had done so!"
"You were gone for a while and so may not be aware of the way we do things now. Illyana is the party leader ... I think, Farad is our mapper. J'Harast is our scout. We support them - we do not go off and charge recklessly through the dungeon. CAn you comprehend that? Or is that rock taking up all your available thinking power?"
Sasha turns away then, disgusted and waits for Illyana and Farad to decide their course.
Falling to the ground Pillar rolls over onto his back and says "I see, I am glad you decided to enlighten me on the exact heirachy of this party now that we are in this dungeon and already past the first fight". Wincing Pillar rolls himself up into a sitting position "So leader Illyana your opinion on this situation? What shall be my position, guard, rearguard, vanguard, cleric, or perhaps saint, please enlighten me for I find little information given to me at the moment only emotional content".
"From that,it looks like party fool is best for you." says J'Harast.
"Emotional content? Indeed, it was not I that was rolling on the ground like a dog. I gave you the information as I know it. I don't knwo what your problem is, but please keep it to yourself. You are a cleric yes? then do what it is those of your order are trained to do ... I thought that would be obvious. I am sorry that your thinking abilities are so deficent. In the future we shall attempt to spell everything out for you, would that help?" Sasha asks.
Farad hides an amused smile, seeing that he is at least no one of the main participants of this argument.
"Pillar, I think what J'Harast would prefer is that you simply let him check out traps and the like, and not go running off. After all, he is the most silent of us all, and is thus able to direct us to the lairs of the creatures of this place. Once found, you are more than welcome to join in the slaughter. And your position as a cleric is unchallenged. We need the healing. You are obviously a holy man, and have a great enthusiasm for the vanquishing of evil. I respect that. All we ask is that you let J'Harast and the others do what they are trained for. In such a manner all of us praise the gods by excelling in the crafts they gave us."
Kelar speaks.
"Is everyone lost it. Farad I thought you just said that our surviving was an already forgone conclusion. They way people are acting I wouldn't be surprised if we all just disappeared. Bel are you trying to find another Sara? Pillar does someone need to put a leash on you. Maybe you all need to have a trap hit you maybe it will knock some sense back into you. If clerics are insane then so be it but you don't have to get all of us normal and sane people killed. Let J'harast do his job and don't go wondering around where we have to follow all strung out and easily attacked!"
Illyana sighs. "Farad is the one with the map, so I am following him - I believe I explained this, yes? Should we happen to come across an area which looks dangeous then it is my say on whether or not we enter it. I do NOT appreciate fool clerics who wander off down corridors, simply because that is the easiest way to get us all killed."
With a dry look on his face Pillar replies "Why yes that would be most helpful, of course I am a fool and know little of dungeons or monsters".
Illyana frowns. "I'll start with something simple then.. You don't wander down corridors in a dungeon - Yuri asked us to clear this place out for him and thus it is obvious that there are dangerous creatures down here. Let J'Harast do the scouting, it is his specialty."
He may know little of dungeons or monsters, but Pillar is an expert with loose stones. Jamming his fingers into a crack along one side of this one, he heaves. His breath comes in mighty gasps, his muscles strain and his joints pop, but finally he is able to lift the offending stone up and cast it aside...to reveal a cubby underneath it...filled with gold and gems.
Counting out the loot, you find that you have just acquired 3000gp and three very large, very high quality diamonds.
"Well Illyana if you do find a dangerous place then you can always send in the lunitic cleric to make sure it is safe for the rest of us." says Kelar.
"Owww my shoulders hurt, and I took the skin off my fingers" stepping away and back Pillar smiles and says "Treasure for those that I have offended, and some for me as well" moving backwards Pillar edges away from the treasure.
Farad writes something down on another sheet of parchment. "Ok, J'Harast, if you will continue scanning the south end of that last 20' wide passage, and the walls adjacent to it. If we find nothing, we shall go back north, and proceed west along this passage." Farad points to the map. It is the passage heading directly west out of the entrance room.
You return to the previous chamber.
While Aldarin resumes checking it for secret stuff, J'Harast goes down to the end of the 20' wide passage and searches there.
Forty minutes of searching turns up nothing in either lacation, so you return to the entrance chamber and head west from there. It is noontime.
From the 5' wide passage, the passage runs for an additional 80' in total and ends. In the 20' - 30' section of the south wall is a 10' wide passage running southwest...looking down it you see a chamber...but you have been there already.
"J'Harast, if you will search the end of this passage."
With a friendly glower, J'Harast searches...but finds nothing.
Farad says, "We've now searched all the unblocked passages, its time to start opening doors."
You go back to the entrance room, go northwest to the first western passage, and go to the door at the end of that hallway.
"Yes most fine, a wise decision, I will follow you to the ends of the earth J'Harast", Pillar then waits expectantly for the party to do something.
With a twinkle in his eye, Aldarin speaks up, "By the Gods, he is no fool, he is a GENIUS." He then waits for Pillar's next brilliant move.
You open this door.
This leads into a room (20' X 30': 10' north, 10' south, 20' west; door in middle of west wall). It is empty but for a small pile of ashes in the northeast corner, where someone once had a small fire.
Farad points to the ashes. "Check the ashes if you would, J'Harast. Perhaps someone hid something within. But in any case, we shall venture back to the entrance room and check the east passage running south and the door beyond."
"Agreed." J'Harast will scatter the ashes with his foot and then check the floor underneath as well.
Illyana scratches her head. "How old do you think the ashes are? Maybe someone was here recently?"
The ashes are old and cold. Scattering them turns up nothing, and the floor beneath them is solid.
Undaunted, you return to the entrance chamber and head up the southernmost east passage.
Opening the door at the end, you are confronted by a room (10' square; door in south wall). In here is a large black gooey blob...definitely alive...filling up most of the room.
It advances on you as soon as you open the door.
Farad puts his hand to his forehead and gazes at the creature...
...and it suddenly explodes...spraying you all with slimy black goo that stings you but otherwise does you no harm.
Now that the monster has been delt with, you see that the room is bare. There is a door in the south wall.
Farad scrapes off the black slime and readies himself. "Didn't expect that reaction. Oh well, lets continue south."
Sasha nods to Farad. "Interesting power - most useful. Can it be used on intelligent creatures?" She asks, trying to wipe the goo off her armor before it does any damage.
"It seems to have more power the less intelligence the creature has. The rust monsters did not explode in this way, but perhaps it is simply because this thing had no true body."
Sasha, looking intent still, continues. "But what would it do to a person? I mean, is it possible to use it on a person and have their brain explode?" She asks, wrinkling her nose.
Farad shrugs. "Perhaps. Maybe in the future we shall see."
Sasha looks surprised. "So, it might be possible then ... I see."
"Ahh!! YUCK! Gross, covered in slimely stuff from head to toe! Farad, next time don't blow the thing up with such a powerful blast, or my poor clothing will never see the light of day again. Blech, we may never get this stuff completely out." Illyana pauses. "Truthfully, I'd rather be cleaning my clothing than cleaning out a wound, but that was so damn messy!"
Farad gives her a dirty look. "Ok, next time I'll let you deal with the thing. I wonder what it would do to your wardrobe while still living."
The elf pulls out his map and marks this room. Turning to J'Harast, he nods to the south door.
"I'd rather not find out, thank you." She sighs. "Probably better this way.. I'm just not partial to being covered in goo, thats all."
J'Harast hears nothing through the south door, so you open it.
Beyond is a large room (40' X 40': 40' south, 20' west, 10' east; door in west wall, 10' - 20' section as measured from the north; door in west wall south corner; door in south wall, 10' - 20' section as measured from the west; door in north wall east corner). This place is empty but for a large, sealed metal urn in the southeast corner.
Sasha nods towards the urn. "I don't suppose it contains someones ashes. Shall we leave it be for now?" she asks, eyeing all the doors available.
Bel realizing Pillar had not relieved himself for many hours places himself between the urn and Pillar, then says, "J'Harast, do your detect traps thing."
Farad finishes drawing the map, and pulls out his stakes. "J'Harast, if you will check the urn. I personally don't like all these doors. Bel, if you will get that one. Raz, take that one. I'll take this door here. Kelar, if you'll stake that last door. No need for the noise from doing it one at a time to not let us finish."
All the doors covered by someone spiking them, Farad nods and begins to get to work.
Peering into the room of the urn Pillar catches up with the party and then sits down "Ill just sit here cause you have everything under control, and if you see anymore of those black goo things give me time to clear the room it takes forever to get that stuff off my platemail".
After everything in sight is spiked, J'Harast inspects the urn. Seeing nothing that looks like a trap, he then lifts the lid off of it.
As soon as he touches the lid, though, a glowing rune appears in the air above the urn. Upon seeing it you are all wracked with the most incredible pains that you have ever experienced. Your vision darkens...
...and time passes...
Eventually you all come to. The pain has gone as quickly and abruptly as it appeared...as has the rune.
The lid lies on the floor.
J'Harast struggles to his feet and looks into the urn. Inside, he sees, it is filled with gold and gems.
Bel, as quickly as he can, draws out what he can remember of the rune and in the dirt and then pulls out some paper and copies it to the paper.
Farad curses. "Everyone check your equipment. No telling what may have happened while we were out. Farad nods to Illyana, "Count out the gold if you will and see if perhaps anything else may lie inside the urn. I'm going to run outside to see what time of day it is. J'Harast, will you come with me? Best not to head off alone, even if one is as skilled as I am. If we are not back within ten minutes come and find us."
"What was that? I've never experienced that sort of trap."
"Hopefully it just knocked us out for a few moments, but I have a feeling it may have been more insidious. Come, lets check how long we were out."
"Aye." replies J'Harast.
"Agreed. Take the most direct route, we'll wait here for your return. Hopefully it was no more than a sleep ward." Illyana checks out her stuff, and makes sure everyone else does the same. When everyone is accounted for, then she looks into the urn.
Farad and J'Harast leave...to return a few minutes later to announce that very little, if any, time has passed. It is afternoon.
Inspecting your equipment, it all appears to be intact.
Dumping out the urn, you count out 2000gp and 10 gems.
"It seems we are in luck. Raz, you should ask your mentor what sort of spell that was when next you see him. Useful it seems. Let me know if you are able to learn it."
Farad then points to the northern door on the western wall. "Lets try that one first."
Looking thoughtful Pillar exclaims quietly "It could have been a spell left by a powerful cleric, and if it is so then we have just said hello". Grinning Pillar stands up "At least I didn't fall very far" yawning he looks around with a bored look on his face until he notices motion near the northern door and creeps closer.
The motion he noticed, of course, is J'Harast, listening at it. After a moment an even more serious expression comes over his face than is usually present.
Straightening up, he announces that he hears what sounds like whirring blades or fans through the door.
"If this is what I fear, it can be very deadly. Illyana, I have a suggestion for you to consider before we open this door. Everyone but kalar, Farad and Myself leave the room. We tie a rope to my waist, that Kalar and Farad will hold. A second rope should be bound around thier waists, and held by the rest of you outside the door.
"It is possible that this is nothing but then again, opening this door could cause a vacuum to be generated in this room, sucking everything out into the blades. This way, if this were to occur, we have a chance to prevent it. If I feel that there is a vacuum generated, I will close the door. Farad and Kalar, you will need to hold on for dear life.
"One more thing, let us tie a second rope around Farad and Kalar, and drive a few spikes into the ground. If this trap goes, this will help them keep their positions."
"Does that make sense."
Farad readies himself, bracing for a possible gust of wind, and then draws his blade. "Might get windy, might not. Ready when you folks are."
"Careful.. Whatever it is may have been triggered by the urn. It might be a trap. Perhaps if the door swings twards us we can open it from a distance with some rope?"
You make the preparations. J'Harast thumps at the door a few times...and finally it opens.
Out run two rust monsters...the propellers on the ends of their tails whirring away.
"Damn." J'Harast sheathes his weapons and prepares to fight these creatures with his bare hands. "I forgot a wooden weapon."
"Wait J'Harast!" Sasha calls out. She grabs her staff lance style and advances on the creatures.
Illyana steps back. "Well, we've found enough treasure to cover most of our equipment losses if we wind up having any.. Although after we finish this floor it might be advisable to head back for extra equipment."
Kelar draws his swords quickly and prepares to meet the rust monsters. "Farad that thing you do with your head would be real handy right about now.
"Anyone without metal armour should engage these guys right now."
Farad again puts his hand to his head...and the rust monsters drop dead in their tracks.
The room they came out of is octagonal shaped. Each side measures 10' in length. There are no other exits.
Searching the room, you find nothing.
Two more doors remain...
Farad describes the room upon his map. "I don't think I'm able to blast away like that any more today. At least for a few hours at any rate. But come, lets check the next room south of this one."
Illyana frowns. "So next time we run across more of those critters we'll be in trouble. Oh well."
You open the south door in the west wall after J'Harast checks it. Revealed is a 20' square room (20' west, 10' south). It is completely bare. Upon searching it, you find nothing...except for a strong smell of vomit in here.
You open the last door...in the south wall.
Another octagonal room (10' per side)...and completely bare also. You head in to poke about.
Suddenly, Bel discovers a trap...as a 10' square area of floor opens up beneath him, and he drops into a 10' deep pit. He takes 6 hit points of damage from the fall, and as you rush over to either help him or laugh at him, you hear the walls of the pit start to grind their way together...anything caught between them will be crushed to hamburger...
"Dammit, someone have rope? Sasha, you can use your staff I don't think it is that deep. We can also lower someone down to get him - but I'm wearing armor so I would be too heavy. J'Harast?"
Sasha immediately rushes forth and extends her staff to Bel .. "Uh .. someone strong want to help me hold it ...I don't want him to pull me in to ... hold on Bel .. we'll have you out soon."
Farad lies down and stretches his arms down to grab Bel's. "Someone grab my legs. Bel, give me your hand."
Bel reachs up as high as he can and grabs Farad's hand.
Grasping Bel's hand, Farad will attempt to pull the fellow up.
With Illyana hanging onto the elf's ankles. he has no trouble in pulling up the druid before the walls grind together.
As soon as Bel is safe, Farad turns to J'Harast. "Check that southeast side there. From the map it looks like that is only a wall separating us from a passage. There may be a door."
J'Harast searches, but finds nothing.
Bel, rather grumpily, casts cure light wounds on himself, healing himself for 4 hit points, and says, "Not one word J'Harast."
"At least you weren't used as a club this time, Bel. It could be worse." says Illyana.
Farad looks back at his map, as if nothing exciting just took place.
"Ok then. Back to the entrance room. Then south through the circular room and beyond. There is a door at the south end of the hall. We'll try that one next."
Raz trods along with the group, trying hard to look thoughtful and preoccupied. He is not very successful.
"What is it Raz?" Sasha asks quietly, falling back to catch up with him.
"Just practicing", replies Raz.
"Practicing for what?" Sasha smiles. "I fail to see how looking preoccupoed and thoughtful would help you ... Oh ... I see, for your gaming ... so you can confuse the players and bluff on the outcome of the games of chance or cards?"
"Nope. Good guess though. Last time I saw my mentor he said that I had to act more wizardly. So that's what I'm doing..trying to act more wizardly. He told me that the really good wizards not only look thoughful all the time, they also grow long beards and have a strange laugh that they use whenever they learn a new spell."
Sasha laughs. "Well ... I had not heard that one! In my village there was a wizard ... but he did not look thoughtful, nor particularly wizardly! In fact, most families kept a close eye on their daughters ... seems they objected to his garments and contant leer."
Raz shows Sasha his thoughtful look and asks, "So how is it? Am I getting there?"
Sasha tries to keep a straight face, but fails. Laughing, she says, "I would suggest that you just be yourself! If you try so hard to make a thoughtful look - it could ruin your spell!"
Raz frowns, but after a minute breaks into laughter himself.
So, back to the entrance chamber you go, through the door into the circular room, through the room and out the south door, again completely ignoring the door on the east side of the room that you have yet to open, and then down the passageway to the south.
At the corner where the passage turns east there is a door. J'Harast opens it. Beyond is a room (20' X 30': 10' east, 10' west, 20' south; door in west wall north corner).
Apart from a pile of broken, rusted machinery in the southeast corner, the place is deserted.
"Anyone wonder what that broken stuff was?" wonders Illyana. She goes over and inspects it. Obviously a piece of broken machinery...its original purpose is not apparent.
"Hey..we haven't open that door up yet," Raz says, in reference to the mysterious door in the circular room. "Farad..what do you think about trying out that door since we have obviously not checked it out yet."
Farad smiles. "I'm saving that door for a special occassion."
Broken from his internal reverie Pillar glances at the party and then back up the passage at the unopened door, a sly smile lights his face as he edges toward it.
"Poor little door won't anyone open you" creeping over he examines the door, "Hey people we should open this door it looks really openable, in fact Ill just see if it is locked".
Wincing Pillar slowly tries the handle.
As he reaches out to touch it, the door abruptly says -
"PPPPPPPTH!"
- and vanishes...leaving Pillar facing a blank wall.
Illyana starts laughing. "I take it the door didn't like you Pillar?"
Kelar regards the cleric.
"Are we sure that Pillar is off the drink? I mean we walk by a door and leave it behind and now he is trying to open that wall there. Do any of you clerics know if this is possible to halucinate after you have stopped drinking?"
Raz laughs softly.
"Lets try this door to the west next." says Farad.
Back in the room, you open the door. At least it doesn't vanish on you.
Revealed is a 10' square room...completely barren. You go in to poke about anyway...and again Bel feels the floor beneath him open up...and he drops into another pit, for 6 hit points of damage.
Again, Farad pulls him out.
Bel, feeling a bit of Deja vu casts cure light wounds on himself again...for 4 hit points of healing.
Illyana pats Bel on the shoulder. "I feel sorry for you, this place likes to single you out for its traps apparently. Of course you now realize why we need the extra healing spells."
Bel growls, "I also am having my doubts about the need for scouts who are supposed to detect traps."
Farad smiles. "Yes, you are doing an excellent job of it."
"Are you sure that you did not cast detect traps on yourself?" asks J'Harast "Nevertheless, I will endevour to check more carefully."
Farad looks at his map. "Well, I believe there is only one door left on this level. Let's go back where we met Sarah, then turn southwest. There is a door on the southernmost east west passage in that area."
At the mention of that name Bel yelps and hides behind Pillar.
You head to the last door. Upon opening it, you are again confronted by a 10' square room...completely bare. Searching, you turn up nothing.
Farad folds up this sheet of vellum and pulls out a second. "And that is that. To the stairs J'Harast. It is time to descend further into the labrynth."
You make for the stairs in the southeast corner of this level. They are a 20' wide flight...and they descend about 50'.
At the bottom, you find yourself in a chamber (30' X 50': 20' west, 50' south; doors in the east and west walls, 10' - 20' section (measured from the north); doors in the east and west walls, 30' - 40' section; door in the middle of the south wall).
In here is nothing...save for a small pile of glittering jewelry (a ring, broach and ankle bracelet) in the northwest corner.
Bel's eyes go up and he says, "Dibs on the ring, it's a weakness."
"Oh look!" Sasha exclaims, picking up the jewelry. She picks up the ring, admiring it for a moment and slips it on, then the ankle bracelet.
"I love ankle bracelets!" She puts it on.
As she does so there is a movement above her...as a 10' square piece of ceiling drops down onto her...wrapping itself about her as it does so.
You realize now that it is not a ceiling at all...but rather a large, winged creature which was lurking above...waiting for its prey.
Sasha is being suffocated...and takes 4 hit points of damage this round...
"Ummmphhsfff" Sasha says.
J'Harast rushes to her side. "You bastard, it's me you want. Take me. Not her." As he says that, he will kneel down and try to cut upwards in an effort to separate the creature from Sasha.
Farad points his finger at the thing around Sasha. A bolt of energy streaks from his hand to strike the creature. A patch of its leathery flesh blisters and burns.
That done, Farad draws his sword, and attempts to stab the thing without injuring Sasha.
Raz steps up and launches 2 magic missle spells at the creature. Four missiles slam into the monster, blasting off chunks of its hide. Still it holds Sasha.
Bel grabs a corner of the creature and hauls on it and says, "I told you dibs on the ring."
The creature does not budge.
"Hey you clowns, she's gonna catch the effect of those too. Lay off and grab a wing."
Farad smiles. "Of all my magics, that missile is probably the most accurate. It never misses, and it strikes only what I wish it to."
Illyana scratches her head. "Can't use my sword here.. too crowded." She sheathes her sword and tries to yank the thing off Sasha. "When we get this damned creature off you, I'm going to lecture you on the art of SAFE trap finding."
The monster does not budge.
As J'Harast continues to try to cut the thing away from Sasha he begins to laugh, "You are going to lecture on trap finding. I can't wait."
"It's not going to be spectacular - just something saying that things can be too good to be true. You don't just wander in and pick up jewlery in the middle of the dungeon."
Laughing Pillar leans back against the wall "My My, who was it who chastised me for my ineptness at dungeons. When you have finished freeing the poor lady perhaps we can have a talk about hypocrisy, or maybe if we have her corpse who gets the anklet".
"I have nothing against wearing an anklet.. I just didn't want to walk over and grab them like Sasha did." says Illyana.
Sighing Pillar looks at the ensueing mass of limbs and creature "I would help of course but I dont think there is any room for me to get in, of course I will aid in the healing of this lady Sasha if she lives". Pillar then leans back against the wall watching for other creatures and the like.
"Pillar, with all do respect. Drop dead." comments J'Harast as he continues to struggle to free Sasha.
Kelar, also unable to get in to help Sasha, says -
"Well I guess I want in on the lecturing also. I had heard from some of you about clothing that changed sexes you would think that you would take your time about what you try on. But what the heck do I know?"
"You know Pillar this group was begining to get over our petty arguments. Farad brought them on himself with his self-rightousness (which he believes in) You on the other hand bring it on yourself to get attention. I think that is also why you drank before. I think I would rather you go back to your drink and let us get back to working together."
"Ahh working together, as much as it pleases me to actually work together, I find it utterly useless to crowd an already crowded battle thereby upsetting my comrades. I also find it the height of stupidity to do what Sasha did, and of course if the this point didn't elude you for all my attention getting I have yet to put myself or others in danger. So please spare me your dribble and look at this logically before you open that yap of yours".
Standing straight Pillar's eyes take on a fiery light "Please enlighten me to my now obvious error, please?".
J'Harast cuts at it with his sword, but makes no impression. He does slightly better with his dagger, though.
Farad is likewise unable to pierce the monster's flesh with his sword...though he comes close.
Bel and Illyana are having no effect whatsoever...
With a determined look, Raz rips cloth from this cloak and wraps it around the end of his staff. Raz then lights the end of his staff on fire and waits to attack the creature with it...if someone would back off and let him in.
Farad shouts, "Pillar, get up here. Everyone else back up and give us room! J'Harast, you and me only try and get the thing off."
Farad no longer worries about injuring Sasha, and slashes forcefully at the creature. "Pillar, grab her feet and cast healing spells. Keep casting all of them on her!"
Unfortunately, even Sasha's feet are now covered by the monster's leathery hide.
Farad tries again with his longsword and this time lays open a large, deep wound. Blood pours out...both the lurker's and Sasha's.
J'Harast follows suit, and another slice is cut out of the monster...and Sasha too. Next, he scores a minor nick with his dagger...then misses again with his sword.
"Bel, anyone - try holy water. It may work and we are running out of options." Illyana steps back. "Remind me to buy a knife when we get out of here."
"Pillar, use the opening we just made! Reach in and heal Sasha."
From the wall you hear "Sorry no can do, no spot for me to actually touch the dear woman".
Farad slashes again. "I hope the girl is strong. If not, she's dead either way."
Bel does as Illyana asks and pours some holy water on the Lurker. The hide looks clean, now. He then takes out his knife and tries to cut the lurker free without hurting Sasha.
Seeing that he path to the creature is blocked, Raz will take a vial of holy water that he is carrying and toss it at the creature. The vial bounces off of Bel's behind.
Raz will then use his flaming staff to try to strike the creature above the heads of his fellow defenders. Illyana steps back to let Raz try the pole, seeing as there isn't anything else she can do. She doesn't appear to be too thrilled with the idea of not being able to help out. Unfortunately, he still cannot hit the thing.
"Holy water, hmm perhaps no the best method of attack, perhaps a wet towel would suffice". Pillar looks around the room and at the ceiling looking for other nasties and swinging his flail "If I had a hammer... A hammer in the morning ... etc etc" humming a merry tune.
As J'Harast continues his struggles with the creature, he yells. "Pillar, shut up. Now!"
Looking rather shocked Pillar stares at the struggling figure of J'harast "Well someone has to look out for monsters or we would all be in trouble". Pillar returns to his little ditty and keeps being ware.
With a heroic thrust of his blade J'Harast rams it home...and finally the lurker dies. It drops off of Sasha...and she tumbles to the floor...for the sword pierced her flesh as well, and she unconscious and near death.
"NOOOOOOO!" shouts J'Harast, "NOOOOO!" He quickly begins to try to bind her wounds.
Bel looks roofward and says, "Get a grip J'Harast, you act like she has never died before. Back away so we can heal her, your just making it more likely she will die before we can cast our spells. Pillar, let's get to it."
Dumbstruck, J'Harast backs away. Tears in his eyes.
Farad sheaths his weapon. "She's not dead yet. Give Pillar some room. Pull yourself together and keep your voice down. No telling what you are attracting to us."
Farad looks nervously at the five doors surrounding you.
Bel, quite quickly, casts heal light wounds on Sasha...for 2 hit points...
Illyana looks around nervously. "I hope there aren't more of those things around - one of them was bad enough. We'll have to get out of here quick.. I hope carrying her isn't going to be a problem."
"I will carry her." offers J'Harast, quietly.
Bel says, "Wait a sec big guy, let Pillar and I heal her a couple of times to make sure she is able to be moved." With that Bel casts his fourth and last heal of the day on Sasha...for 8 more hit points.
Peering once more around the room Pillar unlimbers his flail and proceeds to the still form of Sasha. Cracking his knuckles he stretches his hands and casts some healing spells of Sasha. "Ah now my dear girl perhaps you will learn the error of impatience. C'mon people lets go, get that treasure and lets get back to civilisation".
Standing up he prances (as one does in plate) over to the way out "C'mon before any beasties feed on us".
Sasha's eyelids flutter, and she becomes conscious again.
"Well, Pillar, you healed her as best you can. I imagine however she will be weak due to the loss of blood and will probably need some bed rest. Lets return to Sandas."
J'Harast gathers up Sasha and you exit stage right.
Soon you are outside again.
You procede post haste to Sandas. It is late afternoon by the time you set out, though.
Nightfall finds you at the Inn of the Smoking Dragon...so you spend the night there.