February 2, 1371

The next morning you awaken wide-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Valdar jumps up and dances around the room in his plate mail, poking and prodding at any laggardly people.

"Let's get on with things!" he exclaims. "While you guys have been loitering about in the woods for 10 months I've been cooped up in an arch-mage's stuffy library in Sandas researching stuff. I need a stretch!"

Gilstrock stands up, throws back his light blue cloak, and stands over the elf lord. "Wanna wrestle?" he asks.

Valdar looks up at him.

"Errr...no thanks..."

He sits down again.

Occa says, "Let's move out."

He continues, "First thing, let's go to all the places we have been before and clear them out again. Okay?"

You form up and march out.

First stop...the chamber where the singing stone giants lived. It is empty.

Second stop, the room with the idol. Empty.

Third stop, the elevator room. Empty.

Fourth stop, the hall of the white dragons. Empty.

Finally, through the secret door and into the passage where the beholder waited. Empty as well.

Darian looks at the map. "Well, it looks like there a few doors we have not yet gone through. Let's start with the one right in front of us."

Occa says, "Get ready everyone."

He has his unseen servant open the door.

Pharian says, "Remember what we planned about spreading out when we open doors-- we got lucky with that last dragon."

He stands as far back from the door as he reasonably can, then turns invisible.

Occa says, "I didn't plan anything. We didn't get lucky with the last dragon."

It opens the door.

Beyond is a good-sized room (20' X 40': 20' east, 30' north; door in east wall south corner). Apart from some benches along the walls and some debris in the centre of the room, this place is deserted...but for a number of large, many-legged insects...which of course come scurrying at you.

One scurries up Op Code's leg and one bites at Gilstrock without success.

"Yuk!" Gilstrock says, dropping his (new) spear and drawing his sword, and beating at the creature trying to bite at him. "Everybody, stomp some bugs!"

Darian draws his longsword and begins to swing away at the bugs trying to protect Pharian and Occa from being attacked.

Salaam squashes any that come near him with his hammer.

Lore dives for cover!

Occa casts sleep at the insects.

All 16 centipedes fall asleep.

After that it is an easy job to squash them.

Searching the place, you find no loot.

You open the east door.

A 20' X 30' room lies beyond (10' north, 10' south, 20' east; door in south wall west corner and door in north wall west corner).

This room was once a staging area for dwarf-troops. You see benches, some pallets and numerous racks for armour and weapons along the walls. All are empty.

You search anyway...but find nothing until Arrrrgh! falls into a pit hidden by an illusionary floor in the northeast corner, suffering 3 hit points of damage.

You help him out.

"Anything down there at the bottom of that pit?" Gilstrock asks the dwarven fighter.

The dwarf sees nothing down there...besides himself.

"Oh, great Thoth, grant me sight above human sight." Salaam intones as he casts a true sight spell scans the room.

He sees nothing unusual...but for the illusionary floor that Arrrrgh! fell through.

Occa says, "Let's go back to the dragon room and open those double doors."

Then he notices the unopened door in this room and sends his servant over to open that instead.

The north door opens to reveal a 20' wide passage running north (it extends 10' east) for 60' and on.

You head north.

As you walk on, Salaam notices a secret door...in the 10' - 20' section of the west wall.

You open it...and find yourselves looking back into the room of the giant centipedes.

You continue north.

In total, this passage runs for 160' and then ends. There is a door at the end, in the east wall. Thee is also a 5' wide passage...in the 120' - 125' section of the west wall, running northwest. Looking up it, you see that it runs for 30'...then ends at a door facing west.

"Let's drive the this door in the east wall." Darian moves back to a rearguard position.

You open it or whatever.

Beyond is a 20' wide passage running southeast (it extends 10' south). It extends for 60' and on.

You head that way.

After 60' is a 4-way intersection with another 10' wide passage running north-south.

You look in every direction.

To the north, along the west wall, the passage runs for 40' and then ends at a wall facing north. Salaam notices a secret door at the end, in the east wall.

To the south, along the east wall, the passage runs for 60' and on. There is a door in the 30' - 40' section of the east wall.

Ahead, this passage continues southeast for 50' and ends at a wall facing east.

"Let's try the secret door, first." suggests Darian.

"Secret door sounds good to me..." says Salaam.

Opening it reveals a 30' square room (30' east, 20' south).

This secret room has appearently been undiscovered for centuries. In her are many stone boxes...closed with limestone slabs.

Salaam notes nothing suspicious in here and so you start opening boxes.

Inside the assorted containers you find suits of armour (chain, splint, banded, plate - all dwarf-sized), shields of iron with noble heraldic symbols upon them, helmets (great and small), swords (long, short, bastard and broad), axes (hand and battle), crossbows (light and heavy), quarrels and spears.

All of the equipment is coated in grease and perfectly preserved. None of it radiates any magic.

Looking at the different heralds on the shields, Gonzo tells you that each herald represented a different family in the Galahad clan who dug these halls.

"Wow," Gilstrock says, impressed, "What a nice spread! These Gallahad dwarves-- they knew how to make an armory that would _last_!"

Occa says, "Let's head back down the south paassage to that door that is in the east wall."

He heads that way.

Stopping at the door, you look south. The passage continues for 60' past it...and on out of the range of your lights.

You open the door.

On the other side of it is a 10' square room. It is simply furnished with two stools and a stone table.

You search but turn up nothing, so you continue down the south passage.

From the door it runs for 70' in total...turning east after 60'. Looking around the corner, you see a large chamber (40' X 60': 10' south, 40' north, 40' east; secret door in south wall, 20' - 30' section as measured from the west).

This place is furnished with ancient stone pallets, stone chairs and tables and a firepit in the southern portion of the chamber. All of the furnishings are dwarf-sized, and have not been disturbed in a long time.

Searching turns up nothing of interest.

You open the secret door...and find yourselves looking back into the 20' wide east-west entrance hall...directly across from the passage that runs south to the stone giant lair.

Occa heads toward the room that had the two white dragons in it and the double doors that we missed last time. The rest of you follow.

It takes you some time to open even one of the massive valves, for, you discover at last, there is a snowdrift against the other side. Yes indeed, you find yourself looking into the great outdoors.

Stepping outside, you see that the doors are set into the base of a 90' high cliff. The area - where the snow has blown clear - is paved with ancient flagstones...littered with bleached bones. About 75' away is a small river, frozen over. You suspect that it is the same one that you had to cross to enter the orc-lair, earlier, and that you are now several miles downstream from that point.

On the outside, the steel doors are engraved with runes of power...and an image of Moradin the Soul Forger working at his hearth.

The weather out of doors is cold and blustery. Grey clouds hang low over the mountains to the south, threatening to dump more snow on you.

Returning to the dungeon seems to be an almost attractive prospect to you, right now...

Valdar yawns and shivers.

"Let's get back inside and check out the upstairs level," he orders, so you do.

You make for the elevator room and go up.

Once the elevaor stops you open the north door. Beyond is a 30' square room with two unopened doors in the west wall.

You open the northernmost of these.

Beyond is a 20' X 20' room (10' north, 20' west; door in west wall north corner). The floor of this room is completely covered in murder holes. Looking through some of them, you see the dragon chamber below you. Otherwise, there is nothing but a coil of rotten rope and an empty barrel in here.

Lore puts his ear to the west door...and after a moment announces that he hears noises...a number of low pitched rumbling and growling sounds...

Darian draws his sword. "I guess we should spread out again."

Darian positions himself to guard Occa and Pharian.

Lore backs away from the door, letting the others take the point.

Occa says, "Well, as Gonzo would say, 'Karumba or kawabunga or something like that'."

He has his unseen servant open the door.

It takes two attempts for the unseen servant to open the sticky door. Beyond is a passage running north-south. It runs for 10' to the south and ends, and 30' to the north. It is 10' wide. It is lit by a grey daylight, which comes in through the many arrow slits in the west wall. The air is cold in here, and snow lies on the floor in the corners. There are also many more murder holes in the floor.

Also in here is a 10-headed hydra...ambling down the hall towards you from the north.

Lore casts a magic missle at the Hydra.

They blister into a head...nearly killing it.

Darian puts away his sword and begins to fire normal arrows at it.

Darian misses with his first arrow.

Gilstrock drops his spear and pulls out his short bow, and fires a few arrows at the thing.

Gilstrock shoots himself in the foot with his first arrow.

Occa casts disintegrate at it.

The hydra vanishes with a 'pop'.

Searching the hallway, you find nothing of value. Looking through the arrow slits, you have a commanding view of the area below...outside of the double doors.

Valdar waves his sword around.

"Secret door right here," it announces...in the 10' section of the east wall immediately north of the door you came through.

You open it...to see a 10' wide passage running east for 20'...after which it opens up into a chamber.

You go down there.

The chamber is 40' X 40' (20' north, 10' south, 40' east). Murderholes cover the floor...all but the northernmost and westernmost 10' of the place. Apart from a few empty barrels in the place, that is all there is of interest in here.

"Secret door over here," says Valdar's sword, when he checks. In the east wall...directly across from the passage entrance.

You open it.

Beyond is a 10' square room (door in east wall), totally bare.

You go in and open the door.

This leads into a 20' X 40' room (10' south, 40' east; door in north wall east corner; door in east wall south corner). This room is filled with boxes, crates and barrels. Searching, you find that most are empty, but a few contain old rags going to dust, wooden spear shafts, crossbow bolts and rusted axe blades...all useless junk.

You open the north door.

A 20' square room (10' west, 20' north), this place is piled high with barrels. Some are leaking...and the floor is slick with oil.

You open the east door, to see another room (20' X 20': 10' south, 20' east; shaft in floor in the middle.) This place is empty, but for the presence of a wheeled winch in the northeast corner. Ther is a large coil of thick rope on a drum attached to the winch.

Darian moves over to the shaft and cautiously looks down. "What do you think this was used for?" He points at the winch.

Op Code, coming out of a trance, tells Darian with a grin "If you want to find out, then hop on."

Darian grins back. "You first."

Op Code mentions to Darian "Cat seems to go for these type of things." He then looks oveer, "Hey Cat. Could you come here for a minute?"

Op Code suggests "Let's go back to the 30x30' room next to the elevator room and get the south door."

You head back that way.

Opening that south door, you find yourselves looking down another 10' wide passage running west...for 30' on the right wall and 40' on the left. It ends at an angled wall facing northwest. There are arrow slits in this angled wall, and dim light filters through them. Going down and looking through the slits, you again see the outside area just outside the main entrance doors.

Otherwise, the passage is bare.

Op Code mentions "Unless there are more secret doors, or anotherr way up, then it looks like we are done this level. How about we go back and explore some of the unmapped hallways?" Pointing to the map, he says "Here's one for starters."

You head back down to the main level and make for the 5' wide passage running northwest.

Opening the door at the end, you discover a room on the other side (20' X 30': 20' west, 20' south). In here are many old boxes and sacks. All are smashed and rotted away...their contents long gone.

"Secret door over here," says Valdar's sword again...in the middle of the west wall.

You open it.

Another chamber lies beyond it (30' X 30': 20'south, 30' west; 20' wide passage running southwest out of eastern portion of south wall). This place is mostly barren. A few rusted spear tips lie on the floor. The north wall is cracked.

You look down the passage. It runs southwest for about 60' and ends.

You head down there...and Valdar waves his sword about.

"Secret door here, yessirree!" it says, regarding the end of the passage.

You open it...and find yourselves looking outside again.

Op Code would like to check out the crack in the north wall back in the other room.

The cracks in the north wall are small and uninteresting.

Next, he goes back through the secret door, through the next door, southeast, then south. Through the pit room, the 30x30 room, through the southeast door, east down the 20' wide hall until it turns north, North to the northwest passage, then up 60' to where the party has mapped. He will then look down the hall.

The rest of you follow.

In total the passage is 100' long, and ends at a rough, unfinished stone wall. You get the impression that further construction was planned down in this direction, but was never completed.

"Have we finished exploring this outpost?" asks Valdar, after he has waved his sword around and found nothing. "Perhaps we should leave this area and follow the main passageway eastward, then, in the other direction from the orc-outpost, and deeper into the hill. I imagine that we shall find some interesting stuff down there..."

Occa says, "I doubt we will find anything there."

"Oh?"

"Probably not, I imagine."

"Where do you think we should go, then..?"

Occa says, "Back to that large corridor where I obliterated that other party. Instead of the direction they were heading in, we can go the opposite direction. Or even across that corridor from where we met those newhon ghouls...we never did check out that area."

Valdar looks askance at Occa.

"Chaotics..." he mutters with a shrug.

"I'm game. Let's go check it out," Op Code remarks.

Occa says, "Well, maybe we should go where Valdar suggested. that might be better."

Cat grins, "And why is that ... do you think?" She asks, hooking her arm through Occa's.

"Just because it seems like a better idea right now."

You head off in the direction that Valdar originally suggested.

About a mile east northeast of this area you reach the small complex where you battled the green dragon yesterday.

Standing outside the door in the south wall leading to the room where the two wyverns originally had their lair, you look about.

The passage you stand in is 20' wide, and continues on towards the east. This ancient thoroghfare has a floor of granite, worn by the tread of countless feet down through the ages.The walls are 12' high, the ceiling arched to a height of 18'.

Directly across the hall in the north wall is another door, unopened. 30' beyond to the east, also in the north wall, is a 10' wide opening. From it comes the sound of running water.

Lore listens at the north door, hears nothing, and so Gilstrock opens it.

Beyond is a room (40' X 50': 10' west, 30' east, 40' north). This large, mostly empty chamber is damp and filled with rotting debris. It is the perfect habitat for the seven giant boring beetles who call the place home.

They come scuttling towards you from their nest in the northwest corner...mandibles clicking hungrily...

"Thoth, guide my hand," Salaam intones as he hurls his hammer at one of the beetles. The hammer bounces off of the carapice of a beetle and then returns to the cleric.

Jesse blasts off a magic missile at one of the creatures. Another beetle is badly hurt.

"Prepare to meet your maker, you oversized dungcrawllers!" Gilstrock cries, as he draws his frost band and charges the beetles. He's fully aware that the bettles are probably completely unintelligent and have no idea he's threatening them, but it gives him a lift to say these things.

Darian draws his sword and moves up with Gilstrock and Op Code to hack at the beetles.

Op Code, Gonzo and Arrrgh! also charge into battle.

Occa stands back and watches the melee.

Arrrgh! begins the festivities with a lovely strike with his glowing battle axe against a beetle while dodging the pincers.

Gilstrock is beside him, killing the already magic missiled beetle with a single swing of his frost brand.

Op Code is next in line, badly hurting another beetle while it misses him.

Darian, using his flaming broadsword, also connects with a nice hit, but then he is caught in the pincers, which, thanks to his stoneskin, do not damage him.

Gonzo also lands a hit with his flame tongue on another beetle and it dies...chopped in half and in flames.

Meanwhile, fresh beetles attack Arrrgh! and Gilstrock but miss both.

The battle continues, as Arrrgh! and his already wounded beetle trade misses.

Op Code finishes off his foe next with an easy hit.

Darian and his beetle also trade misses.

The second beetle on Arrrgh! misses the dwarf as Gonzo comes over to help...and does, killing it with another single swing.

Gilstrock is hit but takes no damage. The same cannot be said for the beetle, as the fighter skewers it twice and kills it.

Arrrgh! finishes off his beetle next with solid hit with his axe.

Darian is again hit but takes no damage, as he chops into the beetle a second time. Op Code helps out and finishes it off.

All of the beetles are dead.

Searching, you find to your dismay that they had not treasure.

Op Code suggests "I wouldn't mind checking out where that sound of water is coming from up the north hallway."

Heading up that way, you see that the sound of water is coming from a 10' deep alcove in the north wall. In here is a pool of water fed by a spring in the north wall.

Feeling a bit thirsty, Op Code will take a drink. He will then go look down the east passage.

You take a look down the passage past the alcove, to the east.

In that direction the passage runs for as far as your bleary eyes can see...and on into darkness.

"Hmmm..." says Valdar, rubbing his chinny-chin-chin. "If our rear is secured, do you want to explore down in that direction?"

Gilstrock looks over at Op Code. "How was the water? You sure it's safe?"

"It tasted OK. I'd rather drink from a spring like this than use the water in my waterskin. You never know when it will be our only source of water."

Gilstrock cleans his sword to get any beetle-gunk off of it, and resheathes it. He picks up his spear, and says, "Sure, let's go!" He's ready to lead the way down the hall to challenge whatever it is we might meet there.

"Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to fight we go," Op Code quietly sings as he follows Gilstrock down the hall.

You all head east.

After a few hundred feet the tunnnel curves around to the northeast...and then steers a steady course in that direction for the next 1.3 miles or so. Then, it turns east again, runs for another few hundred feet, and ends at a set of double doors.

These great steel valves are shut. 20' tall they are, and 20' wide. Large runes are cast into each door. In Dwarvish, they read -

"The Halls of Thyrmgardd - Say the word and pass."

Before the doors stands an iron golem...mute and immobile.

Gilstrock looks over at Gonzo. "Who was this Thyrmgardd guy? Somebody important? Did he have nice enough digs that some important dragon would want to move in? And, did he have a big iron golem as a sort of pet rock?"

Gonzo scratches his head and says that he vaguely recalls his daddy saying something there being a number of different subclans who lived and mined under this hill. Other than that he knows little.

Jesse speaks up. "I have heard of doors like this... The question is which word, and in what language. Also, what happens if we say the wrong word." she concludes, eyeing the statue.

"I would say, obvious words are: 'word, pass, please, open and Thyrmgardd' dwarven being the logical language"

Staying alert, and gripping his spear, Gilstrock says, "Fine, but what about the Golem? Is there any way to tell if the Dwarves put it here and it will let us pass if we say the word? Or was it an addition of later occupants?"

"It's anyone's guess," Op Code remarks. "We could stand here all day guessing passwords, or just do away with this golem. Any suggestions?"

Cat frowns. "But what does 'Thyrmgardd' mean?" Cat asks, looking to the dwarves in the party, then Valdar.

"I take it that iron golems aren't good things ... so it seems 'nice' words are not really what is wanted here. " Cat shrugs, grinning. "Probably something more like 'open up *^%$-face' or something to that effect."

"Oh ... but the iron golem doesn't really have anything to do with the door then ... do dwarves make golems? I would think not ... so perhaps Jesse is correct with the 'open friend' or whatever ... but we would still then have the goem to get past. What does them in? Will my wand do anything to them?"

Looking over at Pharian, Gilstrock says, "You were telling me about these things once. How is it you get rid of them? Something like normal weapons and edged weapons don't work... anybody got any extra magic clubs or something I could borrow?"

Occa says, "Well, the word could be 'Galahad' or whatever Gonzo's last name is. Or it could be more literal, like 'the word and pass' That would be funny."

"Indeed it would .... " Cat replies archly, glowering at Occa for no apparent reason.

"We could also ask it questions like; What is your name?, or What is your quest?, or What is your favourite colour?" Op Code adds, laughing out loud.

Valdar yawns.

"Anyone have a rust monster on them?" he asks.

Occa slaps himself on the head and says, "AAAAACCCCKKKK! I knew I forgot something!" He opens a side pouch and quickly scans a dusty calendar (that obviously hasn't been looked at in a long while) "Damn, too late!"

Then he remembers the golem.

Occa says, "Well, couldn't you fighter types just destroy it?"

Salaam, meanwhile, is appealing to his god for help...

"Oh great Thoth, what words are needed to pass here unharmed ?" he intones as he casts a divination spell.

"NO WORDS ARE NEEDED...ONLY ITEMS..." comes the reply out of the heavens with a volume that sends you sprawling.

"I suppose," Gilstrock says. "But what kinds of things can hit one of these? I thought only something like magical blunt weapons would, but I don't really know."

"Any items in particular?" Gilstrock asks Salaam.

"Well, Gonzo, what did your clan treasure that would be useful as a key ?" Salaam asks as he considers the possibilities.

Gonzo eyes the golem and the doors.

"Money..?"

Occa says, "Well, Thoth has made it clear. Attack it you fighter types, or give me a club or something." He looks at his staff and says, "I doubt this would affect it. too bad."

Gilstrock looks at Occa, then looks dubiously at the iron golem. He looks at the spear in his hand, and tosses it aside. He draws his frost band, looks at it appraisingly, looks up at the golem, looks back at his sword, shakes his head, and sheathes it. Finally, he takes his flial off of its spot on his belt, and says, "Well, it's not magical, but if you say so, here goes."

Occa says, "No, you need magical weapons of good quality to hurt it...and hold your breath...they breath poison gas."

"Edged ones will work?" Gilstrock asks Occa incredulously.

Occa says, "Yep!"

Gilstrock looks first at Op Code, Gonzo, and Arrrgh!, and Darian.

"Gentlemen?" he says. Finally, he throws back his light blue cloak and says with his warrior's voice in the direction of the golem, "Stand there, will you? Prepare for a few dents!" Gilstrock rushes the creature and attacks it with his frost brand.

As Gilstrock rushes the golem it moves...swinging an iron fist at him and exhaling a cloud of gas. The fist connects but does no damage...however the gas kills him.

"O, I am slain!" Gilstrock exclaims. His momentum carries him forward, his flail flying ahead of him. His legs twist about each other as he falls flat on his back.

"What a ham," mutters Valdar.

Darian looks the prone form of Gilstrock. "You're nuts... I'm not attacking that thing. We obviously need to give it something. But, what would an iron golem want?"

Jesse scratches her head. "The golem wants, or the dwarves? Perhaps an offering of precious gold or gems might open the doors."

Occa charges the Iron Golem, attempting to hit it with his staff.

His staff bounces off of the monster's metal hide.

It is late afternoon.

Occa runs away from the iron golem back toward the group to see if it charges him or not.

It does not...instead it resumes its original position before the door.

Pharian stops rolling his eyes, dashes forward and drags Gilstrock back away from the golem. He takes the ring of regeneration off his hand and puts it on Gilstrock.

Nothing happens to Gilstrock.

"Shit," says Pharian. But he leaves the ring on Gilstrock. Maybe these things take some time...

Occa says, "Oh great! The only brave fighter here and he is dead already! Okay, everyone charge!!! It will take a couple of minutes for it to breath again!"

Darian balks.

"Brave? Don't you mean, stupid? The thing hasn't attacked us. In fact, it only killed Gilstrock after he attacked it. And apparently, the only thing required to get by it is a few items. Just wish I knew what items. Why should we charge?"

Occa raises his eyebrows and says, "How in the name of hades did you come up with this idea? A few items, huh? I don't expect you to do anything."

"Thoth said, '"NO WORDS ARE NEEDED...ONLY ITEMS...' So, that must mean we have something it wants or its master(s) want. Besides, you told everyone to charge. I'm still part of everyone, aren't I?"

Occa says, "Thoth meant swords and weapons, I would guess. Not items to be given up to it! As for charging, I wouldn't recommend you do so for about another year. You would be killed much more quickly than a seasoned warrior like Gilstrock."

"Occa, how do you know what Thoth meant? Maybe some magical weapon needs to be put into its hands for us to pass. After all, dwarves respect fine weapons. I do not think it is wise to attack until after we have examined this puzzle from more than one angle."

Coming out of a daze, Salaam says, "Occa, you idiot.. I wasn't done yet conferring with Thoth. If you would have waited, we wouldn't hace lost one of our own so quickly." He finishes with a hard stare to Occa.

Salaam waits patiently to see if Thoth will reveal any further actions, but none are forthcoming.

Occa, meanwhile, continues his debate with Darian.

Occa says, "I have rare sense...because everyone knows there is no such thing as common sense!"

"Rare or common, you seem to have less of it right now than Darian does. That cursed ring must be clouding your judgment. There is absolutely no reason to attack this golem. You are wasting our strenght-- not to mention the life of my friend." says Pharian.

"No, I am not. Geez, I am travelling with idiots. Besides, this ring isn't cursed! It is an anti-curse ring so it is not cursed." He seems to calm about and says, "What the hell do you suggest, Pharian? Shall we stop our little quest here? Just because of an iron golem?"

"ah-hum...." says Lore, "Excuse me, but didn't that booming voice say that it would take a certain item to get by this thing...you don't suppose we might already have that item do you?"

Occa rolls his eyes and says, "This is pointless. If my passwall doesn't work, I will take Gilstrock back to camp and rejoin you all when you have conferred enough with the gods."

"Don't bother," says Valdar, and casts neutralize poison on Gilstrock.

The fighter sits up and grins.

Considering himself safe again, Occa casts passwall underneath the golem.

Suddenly a pit appears underneath the golem's feet, and the creature drops into it. Only its head remains visible above the floor.

Slowly and expressionlessly, the golem starts to climb back out...

"Thank you, Valdar," says Pharian, seeing his friend alive and well again.

Darian looks puzzled. "Occa, I don't understand why you are dismissing the idea of giving something to the golem. What makes you so certain that attacking it is the right approach?"

"The cursed ring must make him greedy as well as foolish," says Pharian. "Let's let him fight the golem while we figure out what we are supposed to give up. Salaam, can you get any more guidance from Thoth?"

"Damn.", says Lore, watching the golem. "If only we had a way of keeping it in that pit."

"You could cast a wall of stone over the top of the pit, Occa," suggests Pharian in a mockingly helpful tone of voice.

Occa says, "Do you have fly? Could you cast it on me?"

"Clearly," says Pharian, still yammering about Occa's ring, "it's cursed. Since you won't take it off," he adds with a wicked grin, "maybe we'll just have to cut it off while you are sleeping."

Occa shakes his head and says, "It is NOT cursed. How often do I have to say that? Besides, you will have to get through my stoneskin if you want to cut it off." He smiles and blows Pharian a kiss.

Gilstrock, feeling a little better after Valdar's ministrations, stands up saying, "Boy, that stinks."

Looking about, Gilstrock says, "Hell with the golem. Let's take care of Occa. When a magic user in my party starts giving bad advice, I worry."

Gilstrock walks up to Occa and says, "Occa, buddy, do me a favor and take that ring of for a second, would you? And, if not, sit still for a minute so somebody can incant a curse removal spell over you." Looking at Salaam, Gilstrock says, "You can do that, can't you?"

Occa says, "Don't bug me right now...I am hunting golems...be very, very quiet."

Looking back at Occa, Gilstrock says, "After all, if the ring isn't cursed, then you should be able to take it off and put it back on without trouble, even after a Remove Curse spell, right?"

"If you won't let us try, then we'll just have to restrain you," Gilstrock concludes.

Occa frowns and says, "In a moment...let me finish this mess up, then I will be able to deal with you."

"That's right," says Pharian soothingly, "we're your friends, so just sit really still while we slip this comfortable white jacket on you. You are going to love your new room. The walls are sooooo soft."

Occa laughs and says, "You crack me up Pharian!"

"C'mon, Occa," Giltrock says, "just take off the ring to prove you can do it. Or let one of the Clerics cast the prayer which you say won't do anything anyway."

Occa says, "Okay, sure, but after I deal with this golem, okay? Now I am sorry you died, but if these people had joined you, it wouldn't have happened. Now stop bugging me until I am done."

"Fine," Gilstrock says, "but I'm gonna hold you to that 'okay, sure.'"

Gilstrock steps back and watch Occa deal with the golem. He's a good few feet away from it, and is ready to hold his breath upon a moment's notice. This fighter may boldy tread in where fools dare to rush, and all, but that doesn't mean he can't learn from unfortunate circumstances.

Occa takes out a vial and hands it to his servant. The servant takes the vial over and empties it along the edge of the pit where the golem is gripping it.

The golem slips back into the pit with a thud.

"Cool." says Lore with a quiet smile.

Gilstrock looks at Occa. "OK, are you done? Then take off the ring, and put it down on the ground, and let go of it, just to show us."

Occa laughs and says, "Hell no I am not done. I need to get us past here, but first, I must finish the golem."

He turns to Pharian and says, "Do you have 'fly' memorized? If so, could you cast it on me? Valdar?"

"No," says Pharian.

Valdar casts fly on Occa.

"Woah, no going back," Gilstrock says. "Getting us past here wasn't part of the deal. You wanted to deal with the golem -- which it looks like you've done -- and then you agreed to take off your ring. C'mon, cough it up."

Occa says, "By Datura, can't you wait a few minutes Gilstrock?"

"Nope," Gilstrock says. "Can't you just take off a little ring? How long can it take, a few seconds? And just think, then I'll shut up."

Gilstrock stands firm and tall next to Occa, silently vigilant, waiting for the wizard to take off his ring.

"What a man," sighs Valdar dreamily, admiring the fighter's throbbing biceps or whatever.

Occa looks up at the warrior with his hands on his hips and says, "You like to play god, damnit! Just leave me alone."

"I'm not playing god," Gilstrock says, "I'm playing big bully. Now, I'll let you go play with your golem -- your deadly golem -- if you'll just take that ring off before you go out to play. Such a simple thing to ask, why are you resisting so much? Or should we restrain you?"

Looking back at the others. "Anybody ready with a Remove Curse?" Gilstrock looks back at Occa, sternly and silently.

While they argue, Pharian casts wall of stone over the top of the hole...sealing in the golem.

Then he looks at Occa. "Ring time," he says.

Gilstrock nods thanks at Pharian, then looks back at Occa. "You heard 'im."

Occa says, "Fine." He lifts his hand up so that all can see it and he pulls the ring off. "See, no problem." He tosses it in the air and his unseen servant catches it. It then carries it over to the pit and wall and slips it through a crack into the pit with the golem.

"Are you happy, now?"

Lore tries hard to surpress a laugh..but fails.

Pharian scratches his head, looking both peeved and puzzled.

Occa smiles and says, "I think an apology is in order. Not only that but I lost my anti-curse ring!"

"Wait!" Gilstrock says. "I'm not satisfied so easily. I know the kinds of trickery which wizards are capable of! Show me your hands. Pharian? Are they gone?"

Occa says, "Clever for a fighter type, but look, there is no ring."

"Many apologies my well be in order," Gilstrock says, "but we don't yet know if you have to make them. SHOW ME YOUR HANDS!" Gilstrock bellows this last bit in his best warrior's voice.

Valdar swoons.

Occa shows his hands.

Gilstrock peers at Occa's hands, disbelieving.

Gilstrock sees the ring reappear on Occa's finger.

From the now covered pit comes a loud *thwack*...and the floor shakes...

Darian tweaks a pointed ear in the direction of the trapped golem.

"Uh, oh. Sounds like somebody wants to come out and play..."

Gilstrock says, "Occa, let me look a little closer at your hands...."

Occa says, "Not right now, big boy!"

Occa starts to rise up into the air. Gilstrock jumps him...but misses.

"He's still got the ring on! Help me!" yells the fighter as he scrambles to his feet again.

By this time Occa is floating up near the ceiling, well out of anyone's reach.

He says to Pharian, "Cancel your wall of stone!"

He tosses two vials of oil of slipperiness to his unseen servant.

*thwack* goes the golem. The floor shakes again.

Pharian cancels the wall of stone.

The golem's head pops back up into sight...and it starts to climb back out.

The servant empties another vial of oil of slipperiness...and it falls back into the pit.

Occa's disintegrate goes off...and the pit is suddenly 10' deeper. The golem's head is 8' below the floor, now.

Lore looks in wonderment at the going-ons of the two wizards around him saying, "Those Golems are damn tough creatures."

Jesse pipes up. "Ummm... do you guys need some help? Would a magic missile or a lightning bolt help? I could cast either one." The bard asks.

"Could you whip up a rust monster to throw in the hole instead?" Op Code asks.

"How about a 'Make Occa Obey' spell?" Gilstrock asks, fuming...as Occa flutters around overhead like a tweety-bird, just out of his reach.

Jesse smiles a coy smile at Gilstrock, "I don't know that spell..."

Op Code jokingly remarks "Why don't we just put Occa in the pit with the golem?"

Occa laughs and says, "I always obey, what are you talking about?"

"Do you fetch bones also?" Op Code asks Occa.

Occa casts his final disintegrate on the floor beneath the golem again.

It drops another 10'...

He then cancels his passwall.

The floor of the passage returns...as if nothing ever happened.

From below, though, you hear a distant thumping.

The doors are now unguarded.

Occa says, "Well, I wonder how many years it will take for it to get out of there." He shakes his head and says, "Maybe it will bury itself in rubble. 20 feet under solid stone...what a horrible fate."

He then smiles and bows in mid-air. "You guys are welcome. Now, if you can get Gilstrock to leave me alone, we can continue."

"Nope!" Giltsrock says loudly. "Everybody, listen up. Occa's still got that ring on, and I ain't goin' nowhere until we get him to take it off. Occa, get down here!"

"No, I like it up here."

To indicate, that Gilstrock means it, he takes out his bow and holds an arrow at the ready... he does not shoot, however.

Occa says, "Don't be a fool, Gilstrock."

"Okay, enough of this, sorry, Occa," Salaam says as he chants to Thoth. "Oh great one, please sever this man's link to the weave." he finishes as he casts a dispel magic centered at Occa.

Nothing happens to Occa...in fact, the spell seems to rebound...as Salaam feels his detect magic cease for a moment.

"You might just ask Valdar to cancel the fly spell instead," says Pharian.

Occa says, "I am sorry you feel you must attack me after single handedly defeating an iron golem. Well, with Valdar's help. And now you attack me because Gilstrock is upset that he died!" He begins casting a spell.

"Of course I'm upset that I died!" Giltsrock bellows. "But it's not sour grapes. I've come to trust the judgement of magic users I associate with, especially in matters of magical automota like golems, where I don't know much myself. When I find myself getting blatantly bad advice from them -- with the 'hold your breath' caution coming too late, only after I'd already charged at your urging -- I know something's wrong with them! You're a hazard, Occa, and we will deal with it!"

"Somebody get him down here!" Gilstrock adds, loudly.

"Cancel the fly spell, Valdar," says Pharian.

Occa says, "Don't do it Valdar. You believe in Freedom don't you?"

Jesse stamps her foot. "Occa... please come down... Perhpas you could carry me for a while, as you fly along. I've never flown before. And you were so brave, I'd like to thank you..." the bard blushes a bit, "if you don't mind... Please.... Pretty please Occa."

Occa laughs and says, "Would you fall for that Jesse? I don't believe you are that stupid either. Geez, your transformation into a woman has rendered you brainless."

Fuming at the insult, Jesse stomps off.

Darian has a go.

"Occa, don't you see? The very fact that you won't remove that ring indicates that you're not acting of your own free will. Remove the ring, for real, no illusions, and give it to Gilstrock to hold. Only then are we likely to believe you. Otherwise, it's likely that you're going to have a lot of people jumping all over you."

"Baloney!" Occa twirls around in mid air and moons the entire party.

"Now I *do* want you down here where I can get my hands on you, sexy-butt!," Valdar the faerie replies in a breathless voice, canceling the spell. Occa drops to the floor...ruining the spell he was trying to cast.

Pharian jumps him but Occa is too quick and rolls out of the way.

Lore shrinks back away from the battling wizards, a look of fascination on his face.

Occa says, "I was giving good advice! As was Thoth. Do you think it is my fault the rest of these morons stood around while you charged? You did the right thing...they didn't. They waited on the gods to tell them what to do. By Datura, can't you see that? But Noooooo, it has to be the insane mage with the cursed ring fault, doesn't it? That's just great."

Gilstrock laughs a huge belly laugh. Then he stops silent. "It would be funny if it weren't so tragic. I did the right thing, everybody else didn't. Of course, I was the one who died, but who's counting. Now get your little enchanted butt over here."

Occa sighs and says, "No way. Look, I don't want to give up this ring. Why don't you just ignore me henceforth and we can go on as if none of this happened?"

"Because somehow I don't think you'd like it that way if you were the real you," Gilstrock says.

"Oh no...I would like it. I really would. That would be great. Peace and quiet with occassional explosions. Heck, you would like it too! Trust me."

"Listen Occa, I don't want you hurt, we have been good friends since I have arrived here. I must agree with Gilstrock that your behavior is a touch erratic... just allow me to do what I need to do and all will be good once again." says Salaam.

Occa says, "Well, I don't want to get hurt and I don't want to hurt any of you either. However, I can't give up this ring...I might die!"

Occa has backed up against the doors, now, with Gilstrock, Pharian and Salaam forming a semicircle around him.

Valdar, meanwhile, is trying to releive the unseen servant of the last vial of oil of slipperiness...his motives known only to himself...

It is dinner time...in civilized places where they have dinner times...

"All of this chaos is fine and dandy, but are we going to stand around here and wait until something comes and eats us?" Op Code asks the party.

"This is your last chance, Occa," Gilstrock says. Take off the ring, put it on the floor, or we 'restrain' you."

Occa sighs and says, "Don't try it Gilstrock. I like you, I would hate to have to turn you into a toad."

Op Code mentions "I may not like the way Occa has been operating, but enough of this squabbling. Is this fighting good for the party? I doubt it. Let's just get on with things." Op Code then goes back and sits down waiting for the ensuing battle.

Darian looks at Op Code, shocked. "What's wrong with you? Don't you see that Occa is under the influence of that ring? And that he put Gilstrock and all of us in danger by trying to attack that golem? We need to deal with this problem before moving on. Who knows when Occa could behave erractically again?"

"Well then, what are you waiting for? Get on with it," Op Code tells Darian.

Jesse scratches her head, "Who Know's knows? Where is he?"

Darian sighs loudly and looks up at the ceiling...

Op Code asnswers "He's back at basecamp. If he knew what was happening here, I bet that he'd love to be here to see it."

Jesse walks over and puts her arm around Darian and gives him a little kiss on the cheek. "It's the nature of a bard to try to find mirth in all things. I was born to make merry and well... Your a good straigt man." The bard winks at him before going back to waiting....

Darian looks at her in surprise and blushes a little rubbing his cheek with the back of his hand. "Umm... Thanks, I guess."

Jesse smiles at Op Code. "Perhaps we should get him since Darian thinks that he can help us with Occa." The bard moves closer to the doors and looks them over while the others continue to argue.

"Occa wearing the ring is not good for the party," Gilstrock says. "If he'd just take it off, we wouldn't have to fight. If he won't... well...."

"That's right," says Pharian, closing in, ready to jump if he sees Occa casting a spell.

Salaam starts to cast a spell in the general direction of Occa. The mage raises his staff...a pair of magic missiles from Op Code slam into him for 6 hit points and Gilstrock jumps him...misses...Pharian is right behind the fighter...misses too...

A brilliant flash of light comes from the end of Occa's staff, as he dances away from the fighter and the magic user...

Valdar, Caterina, Lore and Gilstrock are blinded.

Darian, Pharian, Gonzo, Jesse, Op Code and Arrrgh! are unaffected.

Salaam is also unaffected and completes his spell.

It suddenly gets very quiet around Occa.

Darian shrugs fatalistically and attempts to tackle Occa, as the mage makes a mad dash to his right in order to get out of the silenced area.

Darian misses him.

Op Code also jumps at him, trying to subdue him. Occa scampers away from his grasp.

Pharian tries again to tackle the slippery mage.

Again the mage dodges him.

Getting clear of the silence and his pursuers, he lets loose with a magic missile spell. On missile hits Op Code for 5 hit points of damage...the rest strike the floor at the ranger's feet.

Op Code barrels at him, and this time catches him. Darian also jumps on him.

After a brief tussle, Occa finds himself on the floor with the ranger and the elf sitting on him, pinning him.

"Gilstrock, Pharian, Salaam, get the ring off his finger before he gets loose."

Op Code helps to keep Occa pinned while the others try to remove the ring.

"Shall we tie him up for good measure as well?" he asks.

"I don't see the point of that," answers Pharian. "It shouldn't take long to get that ring off and cancel the curse. But be sure to keep a hand over his mouth so he can't cast any spells."

Occa tries to speak a spell but Darian claps a hand over his mouth.

"Hold his mouth, please.. and Occa, I am sorry I have to do this." Salaam grasps his hands in his and chants, "Oh great Thoth, please remove any curses that have been afflicted on my friend."

The ring pops off of Occa's finger and goes rolling across the floor.

Occa suddenly stops struggling and lays there waiting for Darian and company to get off of him.

Pharian goes and looks at the ring to make sure that it is the right ring. He does not touch it, though. "Should we dispose of this somehow, or just leave it here?" he asks the group.

"Just put a tag on it somehow, with a big CURSED label on it." Op Code tells Pharian.

Salaam picks up the ring and secure it in his belongings, and then he says, "Occa, should be fine now, let him up.. slowly."

"Now, can we get on with business," Op Code says as he gets off Occa. "No hard feelings Occa, but we had to do it."

Occa says, "Of course, of course. Although in retrospect, I am not sure how much that ring affected my overall personality." He smiles.

Occa slowly gets up and says, "Well, it took you guys long enough to get that ring off of me. Shall we continue on then?"

He goes over and looks at the doors.

They look like normal doors. They do not radiate any magic that you can detect.

Gilstrock snorts. "It took US long enough?!? I seem to remember you being the one pulling out every trick he knew to delay our taking it off."

Occa snorts right back and then coughs since snorting is something he is not accustomed to doing. "Well, I had to I was cursed!"

Gilstrock shrugs, figuring that if the ring is off of him, Occa is probably back to his old annoying-but-dependable self. He points at the doors. "Should I open?" he asks.

"Wait until the blindness wears off," suggests Valdar.

You do...having a bite to eat in the meantime...and then Gilstrock opens the doors.

Beyond is a strange intersection.

To your left, the wall heads northeast for as far as you can see. To the right, the wall runs east for 10'. After that it turns northeast as well...for another 50' and on. In the 0' - 10' section of this wall is a passage running south. In the 40' - 50' section of this wall is a door.

You move forward and look down the south passage.

Along the right wall, this passage runs south for 60' and on. In the 50' - 60' section is an intersection with a passage running northwest.

However, you are more concerned with the presence of a large creature, standing 20' down this passage.

A stone golem it is.

As soon as you come into its view it starts striding towards you...

Upon seeing the next golem, Darian mutters, "here we go again..."

Lore sighs and says, "Another golem...this should be interesting"

Jesse looks excited..."Should I lightning bolt it now? Will it kill this thing? Occa, Salam, please can I try this spell?" the bard asks and begins to prepare to cast a lightning bolt.

Occa says, "No, don't lightning bolt it. It won't do any good if memory serves. I can't remember what is and isn't good against these things, except for weapons. The fighter will have to take care of it. Hmm, there must be a very high level mage around here somewhere. We mages had best prepare for that."

A disappointed Jesse stops casting her spell. "Ok Occa. Whatever you say. Go Gil.. Go Gil.." Jesse begins cheering "Let's go team!"

Gilstrock looks sidelong at Occa. "Blunt or magic weapons?"

Pharian turns invisible and gets out of the way.

"Good work with the iron Golem, by the way," says Pharian to Occa, "especially for a curse-afflicted psycopath."

Occa smiles and says, "Thanks, I thought it was very clever considering I had no support at all. And I am not a psycopath...totally different disorder."

Darian chuckles. "Occa, sorry we had to tackle you..."

"Hee, hee...that is alright. I am a VERY forgiving person. Oh yeah, you guys turning on me like a pack of wild dogs..."

"Should we left that ring on you, then? I was concerned that you were going insane. You said some things that didn't make much sense and your approach to the iron golem was rather erratic. You did get it out of our way, but I doubt that it's not going to bother us again."

"Pharian, do you have one of those stoneskin spells handy? The only way I'm going to last against that stone golem is if my skin's as hard as his."

Darian casts enlarge upon himself and draws his broadsword.

Occa says, "I will get it Pharian, I have a couple extra." He starts chanting and stops abruptly, "Opps, that was disintegrate. Here is stoneskin." He chuckles, "Sit on me will you..."

Darian looks a bit nervous. "Um... Sir? You're starting to worry me. Please, no hard feelings?"

Occa laughs and says, "You are much too serious Darian, of course, no hard feelings." He chuckles at the elf's obvious discomfort and says, "I think you could teach this guy a thing or two Valdar."

"I suppose if I didn't see my life flash in front of my eyes continuously, I'd relax... But, you're all so powerful, you forget how easy it is to have your life snuffed out by something easy."

"...Or maybe even three..." chuckles the elf.

Occa says, "And because you know you can die, you should live with gusto! If you die, we will bring you back, so enjoy life!"

Darian shakes his head. "The thought of this returning to life is somehow unsettling. If the good guys can do this, can't the bad guys? Where does it end?"

Occa says, "It doesn't, after us, there will be others. Just do your part and enjoy the ride."

Meanwhile, Gonzo and Arrrgh!, the two fighting dwarves, are involved in a life-or-death combat against with the stone golem.

The golem takes a swing at Arrrgh! and connects for 11 hit points of damage. The dwarf replies with a delicious hit with his battle axe, wounding it slightly.

"KARRRRRRRUMBA!" exclaims Gonzo, and also attacks. However, his flame tongue bounces right off of the monster's stony hide.

Darian, now stoneskinned, moves up to join in.

Suddenly, five beautiful, naked, winged females appear around the rest of you. They each carry a dripping, wavy-bladed dagger and a coiled rope.

Occa says, "Yes, this is more like it!" He starts casting lightning bolt on one of the females. "Come to poppa, baby!"

Jesse blasts one with two magic missiles.

The first spell bounces off of her...the second burns into her flesh...as she releases her rope.

It snakes forward and trusses up both Jesse and Occa...just as his lightning bolt goes off...striking another devil and nearly killing her.

Both the bard and the mage are immobilised.

Jesse gives Occa a kiss, "If you wanted this, all you have to do is ask." she says.

Lore dives for cover...

Occa laughs and says, "The only cover here is the stone golem!"

...casting magic missile at the nearest creature and then grabbing his sword to defend himself.

His spell bounces off of its target.

Pharian also casts a lightning bolt at one of the winged babes. Another one is badly wounded...but Pharian finds himself bound up by a second rope of entanglement before he can do anything else.

Darian moves back from the golem and targets one of the females. The elf connects with a solid hit, then finds himself tied up as well.

"Cat, it seems ye have some competition !!" Salaam says with a grin and unusal humor as he throws his hammer at the nearest creature.

Salaam's hammer bounces off of another devil, before a rope immobilises him as well.

Valdar curses something in elven as he unloads four magic missile spells at the devils. A devil falls from the onslaught of the first missile, his second spell does not affect the next, and his last spell drops the third.

"Don't do that," suggests a devil. He shakes his head and blasts her into oblivion as well.

The ropes holding Occa, Jesse and Darian drop to the floor, freeing them.

Meanwhile, Arrrgh! continues to try to hold the golem at bay. Gonzo, seeing that he cannot hit the monster, rushes back to try his luck with a devil.

The dwarf takes 11 more hit points of damage before he connects twice with his battle axe.

Darian rushes back to the golem and takes a mighty swing with his broadsword.

His mighty swing results in a mighty miss.

The devil he was battling scoops up the rope that had bound Darian and releases it again. It snakes through the air, to wrap itself around Darian, Arrrgh! and Gonzo.

Occa says, "Wow, these ropes are awesome!" He lightning bolts another devil.

As he casts his spell he glances at his target...a feeling of raw terror comes over him, but he gulps down his bile and completes his spell...as suddenly the devil disappears.

His lightning bolt blasts through the air where she stood...through the doorway and down the passage.

Occa turns and launches a magic missile at the other devil, who is preoccupied with tying up Darian, Arrrgh! and Gonzo. Five missiles sizzle into her, and she cries out in agaony but does not fall.

Jesse draws her shortsword and attacks the devil next. As she swings, though, the shortsword drops from her hand and her glowing longsword appears in its place!

She then misses her target.

"Will someone help me out of here ?? I like tight clothes but this is ridiculous !" exclaims Salaam.

Pharian, muttering obscenities, waits for someone to kill his devil.

Gonzo, trussed up like a tom turkey, keeps his mind on the matters at hand. "Hey anyone got a higher digitized magical weapon? This ol' flame sword just ain't up to dis job an' dis dwarf is wantin some o' dat golem der."

Op Code runs to Jesse's aid and attacks the devil. He misses badly.

Gilstrock looks to attack the devil that entangled Pharian, but there is no sign of her. Still, the magic user remains bound.

The fighter then attacks the golem, tied up and helpless. Two easy hits, and the monster is looking pretty ill. It retaliates but misses.

Lore thinks about using his wand on the remaining devil but then decides not to.

Occa magic missiles the remaining devil. "Take this you pig dog!"

The devil collapses in flames.

Jesse looks confused at the sword that has just appeared in her hand. "What in Sam Hill?" She asks to no one in particular.

Occa says, "Well, looks like I am not the only one with a cursed item! Haa!"

"Cursed? I don't every remember touching a long sword.. I can not even use one." the bard wails... "Dab nagget...*&*#^&@#*!* " she concludes in a very un-ladylike manner

"Oh, well in that case it must NOT be cursed. Just because it made you drop your other sword and swing with it." He smiles.

"At least if it is cursed, I can accept that fact and will galdly ask Salaam to help remove the curse and not try to take the party out." snaps the bard.

Occa giggles and says, "You are too easy to irritate...no fun. Just remember Jesse, if I had wanted to, as you say, "Take the party out", I would have done so. Well, probably...at a minimum, though, there would have been several fatalities."

Jesse stops her fuming... "I was surprised, that is all... I had forgotten I had handled ths sword months ago trying to identify it.", sighing the bard continues to try to use the strange new blade in her hand.

"Would you all kindly shut up and get me loose," snaps Pharian.

Suddenly a sixth devil pops into existance...and releases her rope at Occa and Cat, binding them in a tight and unyielding embrace.

Meanwhile, the devil who had disappeared a moment ago reappears...fully healed.

Gilstrock and the golem circle each other. The fighter lashes out and nails the monster...his frost brand slicing its stony leg like butter. The golem teeters...then topples over...smashing to pieces from the impact.

Op Code moves to attack another devil.

Gilstrock, Lore, Jesse, Op Code and Valdar remain free.

Lore continues to defend himself with his short sword...

No one goes near him, but he puts on a good show anyway.

Jesse drops the sword and begins to cast a lighting bolt at the most recent arrival.

Suddenly the devil changes...taking on the visage of a handsome and very well endowed young man, who smiles at the young bard. Jesse blinks, shakes her head, and completes her spell.

The bolt crackles through the air and hits the devil in the crotch...and suddenly he isn't so well endowed anymore.

Gilstrock moves over to where Pharian is and prods around the mage with his sword.

Pharian lets out a yelp.

He is careful not to hit Pharian, though.

He finds nothing. Only the rope binds him.

Gilstrock takes his knife out of his backpack, and begins to cut at the rope.

Occa says, "No, don't cut the rope...these ropes are really cool and useful. We can use them. Kill the devils and that will be enough to free us."

Gilstrock says, "Ha! More Occa advice," as he presses on with what he his doing.

Following Gilstrock's lead, Lore moves to free Occa.

Salaam flexes his muscles, trying to break the rope which binds him...to no avail.

Op Code rushes over to attack the recently returned devil.

"Don't attack me," she says sweetly.

Op Code stops...and then doesn't attack her.

She takes this opportuntity to spin about and plunge her dagger into Occa's left eye...to no avail thanks to his stoneskin...

"Drat this," says Valdar, picking up one of the other ropes that are lying on the floor. He holds it out and concentrates...

...and the rope leaps out of his hand, through the air, and binds itself around the two devils...and Op Code and Jesse too.

"And that is that!" the mightly elf lord says.

But then the devils suddenly vanish from within the bindings...then reappear...one on either side of him...and attack...

"Oops. Spoke too soon!" says Valdar.

Now only Lore, Valdar and Gilstrock are not tied up...

Lore continues to saw away at the rope which holds Cat and Occa.

Darian for once agrees with Occa about doing this...

"This time he's right! Kill the devils and the ropes will fall to the ground. It's only when the wielder is alive that the rope functions.

"Besides, they may invite more of their friends if you don't hurry.

"Valdar, fire some more magic missles."

"Sorry...fresh out of magic missiles," replies the grey elf, as he battles the two devils for his life.

Valdar draws his sword as a devil bounces her dagger off of his plate mail. Swinging, he connects and buries it into the female's gut.

The male devil - minus some important parts - slashes the elf with his dripping blade. Valdar groans but otherwise fights off the effects of the poison.

Jesse looks around quickly and picks a spot about 20 feet away and casts dimension door to that spot.

Suddenly the bard is free and standing at the specified spot.

Occa uses a teleport no error to teleport standing up about 3 feet away without the rope. Much like the devils did.

He appears behind Lore. Cat remains trussed up.

Occa next lightning bolts the two devils, splitting his bolt.

The male is blown to pieces, the female still lives...barely.

"Use your oil of slipperiness," yells Pharian to Occa.

"HEY! Git me outta here! Dis iz gittin ol' an I'm gettin mad!" yells Gonzo.

"Thoth, you do like to test me, don't you ?" Salaam says quickly as he looks skyward... "Someone, Gilstrock, anyone, help me or I will turn out like Occa... cut the damned rope and I will show these creatures to rue the day when they mess with a follower of Thoth."

Valdar swings at her again...but she vanishes and his blade cuts through nothing but air.

The ropes have dropped from all but Pharian and Op Code...and Gilstrock has them freed a moment later.

All is quiet. The floor is strewn with rubble - all that remains of the stone golem - and the bodies of five erinyes devils. Also lying about are five intact ropes of entanglement and one that has been cut up and destroyed.

Then, you hear the sounds of approaching footsteps...lots of them...from the northeast...

"Uh...oh... When it rains, it pours."

Darian moves back to rejoin Occa and Pharian and moves slightly ahead of them facing the northeast.

Salaam shimmies out of the rope and pick it up, "I like this.. Thanks, Thoth, for the new weapons and everyone else for your help."

He turns to face the footsteps w/ hammer and rope in hand.

To the northeast, the door on the right hand side bursts open, and out pour over a dozen gnolls, their battered breastplates emblazoned with the now familiar image of a snorting dragon.

They come charging at you, howling for your blood...

Lore takes a defensive posture and prepares to defend himself with his shortsword..

Occa says, "Okay, time to party folks!"

Op Code dusts himself off, glad to be untied. "Brace yourselves," he tells the others as he has his long sword ready.

"Blood you want?" Gilstrock cries, brandishing Thawbreaker over his head. "Taste your own!" He charges in to the attack, finding the biggest and meanest looking gnoll in the front rank to engage and attack.

"Bonsai!" Op Code yells as he charges the pack of gnolls.

The enlarged, stone-skinned Darian steps up to meet them with his broadsword blazing. "You shan't find our blood that easy to take, you mangy curs!"

"KARRRRUMBA!" yells Gonzo, as he and Arrrgh! make for the gnolls.

"Die, you heathens," Salaam screams as he lets loose with his hammer. He then flick the end of the rope to try to entangle one or two....

His hammer crushes the skull of a gnoll with ease...and the rope entangles two more.

Occa starts scanning around with his sight in order to watch for invisible or other enemies moving up.

He will also pick up a rope of entanglement if there is one available. Valdar does too.

"This will replace the one I lost in Frisco," he says.

Pharian follows suit.

Pharian, figuring that the twelve gnolls will soon be dog food, says, "I'll watch our backs." Then he turns invisible.

Lore pulls out his wand of frost, but the crowd of fighter types before him precludes him from using it on the gnolls.

The battle is joined...and in the first round four more gnolls are reduced to mincemeat.

In the next round only two fall...to Gilstrock and Gonzo. Arrrgh! takes a minor nick for 3 hit points of damage.

After three minutes of battle only two gnolls remain...plus the two who are tied up.

Within four minutes all 15 gnolls are dead...excepting the two who are tied up.

It is evening.

Jesse walks over to Salaam. "When we get a chance, could you as your diety to help me remove this accursed long sword?" The bard asks the cleric, batting her eyelashes

"I may be divinely inspired, but I am still a man, and we men do not like women coming to us, batting their eyelashes when they need something.... and when we try to do the same and get knocked down."

Salaam's solemn answer changes to a grin, when he responds, "so, what's it worth to you ?"

Jesse looks a little confused, "Did I do something wrong? I am still trying to figure this 'girl' stuff out... It's hard, even with my Mistress helping me." Jesse looks Salaam over, "I thought you were celibate? Isn't that what you said when we first met?"

Occa says, "Salaam celibate? Come on? He is in dire need, woman. Here is a helpful hint about how to deal with this girl stuff...don't. Act like you did before and you will get the same respect. All this frilly poo poo stuff is sickening and doesn't really fit into the dungeon scene." Then he adds, "Just my 2 gold pieces."

"Dire need ? humpf, no, Occa, I just enjoy the pleasure of a woman like any other male... I just don't profane the act like others." Salaam says, giving a look at Occa.

Occa sighs and says, "It was a joke, Salaam! Gee, why does everyone take me so seriously? Just because I am an insane mage or, at least, perceived that way." He smiles and says, "Profane the act, that is good. Sounds like a good band name 'Profane the Act'." He laughs.

Salaam rolls up his eyes, "Mages, humph"

Jesse looks more confused by this. "But... but... Oh the hell with it all." Looking at Cat, she speaks, "Mistress, this is hard. I need to rethink this whole thing."

Cat picks up the last unclaimed rope of entanglement and plays with it.

"I will help you rethink things...later..." she says softly, eyeing the rope and then Jesse.

Staring at the cleric, the bard speaks again. "Salaam, could you please help remove this damn curse. As a friend and comrade in arms and member of this party."

"Like I said, lass, what's it worth to you ?" Salaam says with a smile... "No, all I need is time to rest and pray and it shall be done, mistress." He says with an eloquent bow.

Jesse nods "Thank you Salaam."

Lore, with a dagger now in his hand and a evil grin on his face, looks towards the group and asks, "May I do the honors..and kill these creatures that are tied up?"

Darian extinguishes his blade and wipes it on one of the dead gnolls.

"Finally, a foe that I felt comfortable with and recognized."

When he finishes with that he says, "Lore, would you help me check the bodies?"

Lore, still running his fingers over the edge of his dagger, says, "Yeap. Be right with you Darian." Lore then puts his dagger away and goes to search the bodies with Darian.

Gonzo, a very satisfied look on his face, wipes his sword off on the dead creatures clothing. Then shoves it back in it's sheath.

"Now I feel betta" he says. "Let's take a look in deze beastie's pockets"... and begins searching the bodies as well.

Salaam pulls the two bound captives a little closer...

"Ok, heathens, you have a choice, talk or I let you alone with my friends. Tell us about the dragons and about this place. Now!" he says in quite a menacing tone.

Occa walks up and says, "I can help here, if need be. I have some skill in torture." He pulls out a dagger and says, "We also need a map."

Occa awaits their answer.

The gnolls look nervously at each other.

"Screw off, pissbrains!" one says, quite eloquently for a gnoll. "We fear the dragons more than sewer whores like you. Your gods are no match for the Dark Dragon!"

Then Occa remembers, "Oh that devil is probably alerting everyone of our entry. First tell us where that devil is and where he is going."

"Craven wretch! She's probably back in the Hells by now...sniveling at Her feet!" snarls the other gnoll.

"Let's see where they came from," Op Code tells the others as he goes to look through the door that the gnolls came out of.

"There's probably nothing but more gnolls where they came from," retorts Pharian. "So let's try one of the other passages. But in any case, lets not just stand here and wait for the devils to come back in greater numbers."

"Yes, but they may have possessed some goodies." Op Code ignores Pharian's suggestion and goes to look throught the door anyways.

Pharian looks incredulously at Op Code, Lore, Darian and Gonzo. "This is pathetic," he says. "You're looking for 'goodies' on dead gnolls? Let's not waste our time collecting copper pieces."

Shaking his head in disgust, Pharian goes to peer and listen down the other passageways.

Op Code is gone for a few moments. During that time the search of the bodies (and the two live gnolls) is completed, and turns up 90ep and 90gp.

The ranger returns, and reports that through the doorway was a passage (running south: 110' on the right wall, 120' on the left), leading to a chamber (30' X 30': 10' east, 10' west, 30' south). Filled with miscellaneous gnoll junk, he searched it and found 450gp, a gem estimated to be worth 500gp and three vials.

Looking up the passage from the doorway, Op Code saw that it continued for 60' and on. In the 10' - 20' section (more or less) is a 4-way intersection with a passage running southeast - northwest.

Pharian, meanwhile, scowlingly went south down the passage that the stone golem came out of. Reaching the passage running northwest, he now sees that it is actually a 4-way intersection as well...as a passage also runs southeast in the next 10' section south.

He looks each way.

Northwest, the passage runs for 50' and ends at a wall facing north.

To the south, this passage runs for 60' and on, along the right wall.

Southeast, the passage runs for 60' along the left wall and then ends at a wall facing east.

He returns to the main party.

Occa smiles and says, "The dark dragon. That is what I was afraid of and in the nine hells to boot. Hmm." He casts suggestion on the talkative gnoll and says, "I suggest you tell me everything you know about this place and draw a map as best you can."

"Occa, tell me about the dragon in the Hells taht you slew.. I have a bad feeling that you missed !!" Salaam says in response to the gnolls answers. "I suggest we break for camp so I can commune with my lord, so that I will have the strength to continue."

Occa says, "I didn't kill any dragon in hell. However, I was afraid that the big Kahuna might be stationed here. More and more evidence points to that."

Occa casts his spell and the gnoll blinks and shakes his head groggily for a moment before replying.

"Screw off," he says. "Your stinking entrails are being eaten by tapeworms."

Lore walks over to the gnolls and draws his dagger once again. He then presses the dagger against on of the gnoll's throats saying in a deadly quiet voice, "I'd just love to kill you now gnoll. I hope you don't talk." Lore then looks at the others and says, "You know, if you let me kill this one, I bet the other will be more inspired to talk."

Occa says, "Okay." He slits that gnolls throat.

Then he turns to the other and says, "Do you want to die or talk?"

For a reply, he spits at Occa.

Occa says, "I admire your bravery. Close your eyes and this will go quickly."

He slits its throat and then says, "Well, shall we move on?"

"Hey Pharian, I guess you're not interested in these," Op Code mentions, showing Pharian what he found. "It's a good thing that Gonzo didn't go. He woould have told us that there was nothing up there."

"Surprisingly wealthy gnolls," shrugs Pharian, seeing Op Code's haul.

"They chose the right people to work for, it seems," comments Gilstrock.

"Maybe. Maybe not," says Pharian, casually prodding with his boot at the bleeding neck of one of the gnolls.

Gilstrock gives a loud belly laugh at Pharian's response, and claps him upon the back. "You are right, at that!" he says.

"Talk about a change of heart. A minute ago you didn't want to waste time looking for copper pieces. What's with you Pharian?" Op Code asks. "Let's head south to see what that stone golem was guarding." Op Code suggests.

Occa says, "Yes, let's head south." He starts moving that way.

You move south to the 4-way intersection.

Continuing, you find that the south passage only runs for an additional 10' beyond what was previously described, before ending. You head down there anyway, Valdar waves his sword around, but it remains silent.

You return to the intersection and go southeast.

At the end of this passage the elf again waves his sword around.

"Secret door. Back wall," it says.

You search for a trigger and manage to open it.

On the other side is a 10' wide passage running north...for 50', after which it opens up into a chamber.

You head up and take a look.

The chamber is 30' square (30' north, 20' east: 10' wide passage running east out of the east wall north section; 10' wide passage running north out of the north wall, east section). Apparently once used as a stables, this place is filled with junk.

You go in and poke about.

After a bit, you become aware of the presence of a person in here. Similar in appearance to a half-elf he is...but with a wisdom in his eyes that members of that race do not usually carry.

"I am seeking to have a word with the Arch Mage Stiff and the High Priest Orlon," he says, looking at Occa and Salaam. "Are you two them?"

"And who are you ?"Salaam asks as he detect magic, using his inate powers.

"I am Wizzleworth. I represent the Powers of the of the Wizard's Tower. I will have a word with you if I may."

He wears a magic ring.

Occa says to the Wizard, "Are you a bill collector? Nah, we aren't them. Who are you and why are you seeking them?"

"Ohhh...you are not? Could you be so kind as to direct me to them? I suppose I could find them myself...but you might save me a few minutes."

Occa says, "Wizzleworth? What is the wizard's tower and why do you seek two of our companions? If I know that, then we may direct you to them."

He regards Occa curiously for a moment.

"Oh dear," Wizzleworth says at last. "I must have the wrong number!"

With that he disappears.

Searching the stables turns up nothing of interest.

Since Occa has no sense of direction he will start to wander toward the nearest corridor.

"You're a tight-lipped bunch," says Pharian to Occa and Salaam. "It's inspirational. Remind me never to try to get any information from you."

Occa says, "Well, you have never had an assassins guild after you, have you?"

"Haven't been here long enough to get in trouble," answers Pharian. "What did you do to earn the ire of assassins?"

Op Code just follows along with the party, quickly drawing out where the party is going and hoping not to get everyone lost in the process.

You look up each passage. To the north, that passage runs for 60' and on. In the 40' - 50' section is another passage...running east.

You next look up the east passage that runs out of the stables chamber. It runs east for 60' and on.

Occa leads you north...staggering into the odd wall on occasion.

Reaching the intersection, you look both ways.

To the north, this passage continues for an additional 30' beyond what was previously described, turning east after 20'. In addition, there is an intersection with a passage running northwest - southeast. As measured from the intersection you are at, this bent 4-way occurs in the 20' - 30' section of the east wall and the 30' - 40' section of the west wall...if you follow me.

To the east, this passage runs for 60' and on. There is an intersection with a passage running northwest, in the 20' - 30' section of the north wall...probably the same passage that intersects the passage to the north.

Occa says as you stroll along, "Well, it seems that the assassins had a guild that my fourth or fifth house and lab was near. Unfortunately, both burned to the ground." He shrugs and says, "These things happen, but they just didn't see that it was an accident."

Occa says, "When lost, always go to the right." He does so...heading to the right (east).

You head east, pausing at the intersection with the northwest passage. Sure enough, it intersects with that convoluted intersection you saw a moment ago, to the north.

You continue east.

The passage continues eastwards beyond where you have already seen. The north wall runs east for 40'...then southeast for 10' (door in this wall)...then jogs back to the southwest. The south wall runs for 30' (10' wide passage in the 0' - 10' section)...after which it turns around a corner to the south.

You look down the south passage right beside you. It runs for 30'...after which it opens up to the east and south into a chamber.

Occa says, "We can always come back right, but that chamber may reveal something new. Hold on."

He casts wizard eye and sends it forward to take a peek.

He concentrates for a few moments.

Occa describes what he can see:

The eye reveals it to be a 20' X 30' chamber (10' east, 30' south; 10' wide passage in middle of west wall, 20' wide passage in southern portion of east wall). In here is a large pile of junk (carts, baskets, boxes, smashed mining tools, etc.) A pile of ore lies over near the east exit.

[Addendum: I forgot to mention that thre is also a second passage exiting from the north wall...east half...]

The place is very cluttered.

"Let's check it out." he heads that way.

Heading down that way, you find that it is as described...very cluttered.

Searching through everything turns up nothing of value...but for a large chunk of copper ore, which you guesstimate to be worth about 15gp.

You look down each passage.

The west passage runs west for 60' and on...to the stables where you met Wizzleworth.

The 20' wide passage runs east for 60' and on. In the 50' - 60' section of the north wall is a passage running northeast.

The second north passage actually becomes 20' wide and runs northeast. The right wall runs for 30'...then northwest for 10' (door) and then west...you recognise it. The left wall runs north for 10'...then northeast...

Occa says, "That looks familiar....did we go through that door there?"

"Lead on, Occa," says Pharian. "I'm lost."

You head towards the door.

At the door, Lore baby listens at it. Hearing nothing, a few random fighter-types open it.

Beyond is an odd-shaped room with some monsters in it (right wall runs east for 10'. north for 20', west for 20' and south for 10' (door)).

This place is a scene of death and decay. That is to be expected, as three spectres are in here.

They swoop at you...

"Ahhh, Undead!!" Gilstrock yells. "Clerics!?!?!"

Vocal preparations done, Gilstrock will do what he can himself to rid the party of this latest menace. "Don't know how to die, do you? Let me teach you a lession!" he cries, as he attempts to attack them with Thawbreaker, his frost band.

Darian launches his magic missle and then draws his broadsword and awaits his fate grimly.

Occa says, "Yikes!" He casts lightning bolt at one.

Pharian also casts a lightning bolt at a specter.

The spectres swoop down on the two random fighters who opened the door: Op Code and Gilstrock...plus the innocent Arrrgh! who was unfortunate to be standing nearby.

All of you dodge their deadly touches.

Darian's missile nicks the undead on Op Code.

Occa crackles a lightning bolt at the spectre attacking Gilstrock...but the meleeing fighter steps in front of the monster just as it goes off...and takes the hit instead! Fortunately his armour saves him, and he only takes 13 hit points of damage.

Pharian's bolt goes off almost simultaneously...and the same thing happens...only he strikes Arrrgh! The poor dwarf takes 30 hit points of damage...and is starting to look pretty beat up.

"Sorry about that," says Pharian to the smoking dwarf.

Op Code swings his longsword and connects with his target. The spectre flinches.

Gilstrock...undecided as to whether the spectre or Occa poses a greater threat at this time, decides to hack at the undead first, and delivers two deadly hits. The spectre is badly hurt but does not retreat.

Arrrgh!, also infuriated, chops into the spectre before him.

"Oh great Thoth, help your humble servant repel these foul creatures." Salaam intones as he forces his holy symbol forward.

"Ack!" say the undead, and flee...passing through the other door in the room as if it was not there.

There is much junk in here.

It is mid-evening.

Darian puts his sword away. "Guess, I should've held onto that magic missile. Well, shall we start looking around?"

Occa says, "They will probably be back. I should have used the staff of illumination, I am sorry Gilstrock about that lightning bolt."

Comfortable inside his Faraday Cage of armor, Gilstrock says, "Could've been worse. Just watch where you point that thing next time."

Looking down at his feet, Gilstrock wonders how well grounded he is. Suspecting that he may still have some excess static electrical charge on him from the huge current Occa has just run through him, he steps lightly over to Occa and touches the mage on the ear.

Occa jumps about three feet, "AaaaccccK!"

Once back on the ground he says, "Are you trying to scare me to death?" hardly able to contain his laughter.

Occa then walks over to Darian and says, "Good reactions, Darian. Would you like to hold onto this staff of illumination? If you use the command word, you can cause a blinding flash that does a good deal of damage to undead. Are you interested in carrying it? It would allow me to cast spells. If not you, maybe lore will do it. Also, I meant to loan you both wands so that you had some more fire power. Do you have any wands and would you either of you be interested in carrying such things?"

"A staff? Sure, I wouldn't mind carrying around something that could protect me against those things." Darian shivers. "And I don't have any wands, but I'll be glad to carry anything that gives me more fire power so that I can help the group better."

"Okay." He hands the staff over to Darian and says, "The command word is flashdance...just concentrate on the affect you want, which is a sunburst. Let us know before you use it, so that we can close our eyes for the split second it takes to go off. Okay. I think we used something like 'Fire in the hole' to let everyone know. So say that before you use it." He looks around and makes sure everyone is listening so they will know. Then he says, "Which would you prefer, fire or ice? Ah, hell, we may need both...." He hands Darian two wands. "This ones command word is chill and this one is Joseph O'Neil, Jr.. Be careful with fireballs and cones of cold..they get large areas. Also, don't use fire against fire creatures, like red dragons..use the opposite. Also, Cold does no good against undead usually. Gee, there is alot to know, but you will learn it over time."

Darian bows at the waist to Occa. "Thank you, s... Occa. I will use these items carefully. And I will look to you for advice on when to use them."

He walks over to Lore and says, "Are you interested in carrying a wand of fire?"

Lore smiles widely and says, "Yea...that'd be nice. Thankyou."

"There. Now that is out of the way, let's search this room and follow the spectres."

Occa searches around a bit.

In amidst the death and decay you find 1500gp.

Occa has his unseen servant open the door to the west.

This reveals a large room (40' X 40': 40' west, 30' north; doors in the two northernmost sections of the east wall; door in west wall north corner; passage running north out of north wall, 10' - 20' section as measured from the east).

A large, common area, it is now filled with junk.

You search it, but all you find intact in here is an empty hogshead.

You look up the passage to the north. It runs for 30', then opens up into a chamber.

Occa says, "Doors first? Let's check this single one first." He has his unseen servant open the west wall door.

This opens into a passage running west.

You head down it...to find that it runs for 60' on the south wall and 70' in the north. After that it encounters a rather familiar but odd interesection. A 10' wide passage runs northwest - southeast. Another one runs dead south, too.

You look each way.

To the northwest, the passage runs for 20'...then there is a 4-way intersection with a 30' wide passage running northeast - southwest.

To the south, the passage runs for 60' and on...along the left wall. In the 20' - 30' section of that wall is a passage running east.

To the southeast the passage runs for 30' on the left wall, 20' on the right...after which it ends a ta passage running east - west.

Since the passage way seems familiar, Occa says, "Let's go back and check those other doors."

He heads back to the chamber and has his unseen servant open the door on the right in the northern wall.

Opening the northernmost door in the east wall of the chamber reveals a hexagonal-shaped room (right wall runs 10' east, then 10' northeast, 10' north (door), 10' west and 10' southwest (door). This place was once a small common room. Several broken chairs are in here. A large fireplace dominates the southeast wall.

Searching the room reveals nothing of interest.

It is getting on towards late evening.

Occa says, "Let's find a room with only one means of entrance and call it a night. Valdar, can you do a walk around and check on secret doors?"

Valdar does...but does not turn up anything.

Occa has his unseen servant open the Northwest door.

It does after several attempts and you see an odd-shaped room (right wall goes 10' north (door), then 20' west, 20' south and 10' east). This room is filled with offal, bones and filth...and six gargoyles as well.

They start screaching and fly at you.

Simultaneously, the east door in the hexagonal room bursts open, and standing there you see an enormous, 12' tall creature with a toothy mouth, two arms of unequal length, an enormous spear-like weapon...and an attitude.

"Oh shit," mutters Valdar. "A yagnodaemon!"

"GRONK!" it yells in reply, and attacks.

Occa starts laughing, "Gronk? That is great." Then he begins casting chaos at it.

Lore, feeling unusally brave right now, takes out his ice wand, points it at the gargoyles in the room and mutters the magical word the activates it.

Pharian starts to cast a cone of cold at the daemon, aiming high.

Jesse, her spells spent, looks around and tries to throw her darts at the gargoyles...

Seeing Pharian chanting and waving his arms about, Gilstrock will wait until whatever spell he is working on finishes. After that, he cries, "Oh yeah??? Gronk this!!!" He will rush at the giant newcomer with his frost band drawn, attacking with extreme prejudice.

Darian pulls his fireball wand out and waits first for Lore to activate his wand. As soon as Lore does, Darian activates his own wand figuring that a combination of ice and fire might bother the gargoyles a bit.

Two gargoyles attack Op Code and Arrrgh! respectively. All of their attacks miss the heavily armoured ranger and fighter. Op Code replies and misses. Arrrgh! connects with a solid hit.

Jesse throws a dart at a gargoyle. It bounces off the hide of one.

Lore's cone of cold engulfs the last four gargoyles... Two fall to the floor, frozen solid...while two survive.

Darian's fireball goes off...engulfing you all...

The gargoyle on Arrrgh! is killed while the others are badly injured. The yagnodaemon is unaffected.

But...

Gilstrock takes 9 hit points of damage.

Lore, Jesse, Op Code, Occa, Valdar, Cat, Darian, Salaam, Pharian and Gonzo take 11 hit points.

Arrrgh! takes 21 hit points.

Too late, his spell ruined, Pharian yells, "No fireballs!"

Occa's spell is ruined as well.

"GRONK AGAIN!" says the yagnodaemon, drawing a bead on Gilstrock with his tol-kendar and missing.

The fighter does not miss, and nails the daemon good...twice. Ichor sprays over him.

Gonzo rushes in as well, and lands a devastating hit on the monster. It staggers, but still stands.

Then, from the doorway you entered through comes a cold wail...

"We're baaaaaack!"

...and the spectres swoop in.

Also, the door in the gargoyle room bursts open and six verbeeg giants come pouring out.

Darian looks about him at the smouldering party.

"Oh, that's why I shouldn't use that wand. Um... sorry?"

Occa laughs and says, "Well, now you know."

"And knowing is half the battle?"

"NO, surviving is half the battle." He smiles.

"I thought that winning was only point of the battle." replies Jesse .

"Nah, you can win and still be dead."

He pauses and then recites, "

Success is counted sweetest

By those who ne'er succeed.

To comprehend a nectar requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple host

Who took the flag to-day

Can tell the definition,

So clear, of victory,

As he, defeated, dying,

On whose forbidden ear

The distant strains of triumph

Break, agonized and clear."

Jesse replies,

"These in days when heavens mourning,

the day when earths foundation shook followed their mercenary calling,

and took their wages and are dead.

Their shoulders held the sky suspended.

they stood and earths oundation stayed.

What Gods abandonded,

these defended and saved the sum of things for pay"

Gilstrock grunts as he fights the daemon, and calls to Occa and Jesse, "You can recite poetry another time. Now is the time to fight! Put your backs in it!"

"That reminds me of a statue I once found in a desert. I will have to tell you the tale sometime."

Occa hears Gilstrocks bark and says, "Well, back to waging war."

Meanwhile...simultaneously with the poetry recital...

Pharian casts two magic missiles on the demon attacking Gilstrock.

Both spells bounce off the daemon.

Suddenly a screaching gargoyle attacks the mage from behind. Clawing and biting, Pharian is saved only by his stoneskin.

Still smoking (literally) from the fireball backwash...Lore uses his frost wand again...pointing it towards the six on-coming verbeeg giants and muttering the magic words to cast a cone of cold at them.

Lore catches all six giants. Four are badly hurt...two less so.

As he smiles at the results of his attack, though, he feels an icy touch on his neck...as a spectre connects. He takes no damage...but he loses two levels of experience.

Following the fireball which Darian looses, Gilstrock cries, "Fire, ice, you damn spellslingers are going to kill us all!"

He immediately redirects his attention to the more immediate matter of the daemon.

"Gilstrock, good shot, keep it up. I'll take the spectres, mages, take down the gargoyles w/ the ice spells." Salaam shouts as he faces the spectres and says, "Goodbye, Thoth, BANISH them, my lord." he invokes as he thrusst his holy smbol forward at the spectres.

However, before he can finish turning the spectres, another gargoyle flys into him...forcing the cleric to defend himself.

Jesse blinks her eyes. "Wait a minute... I've an idea"

She starts to cast her web spell attempting to capture the giants in the goo...but realises that the time now is to late, as the giants are moving through the party.

Occa yells, "Use the staff of Illumination Darian! It will get the spectres!"

Darian puts his wand away and pulls the staff out. A spectre swoops at him. Darian dodges its icy touch. He yells, "fire in the hole," as he activates the staff, closing his own eyes.

A brilliant flash illuminates the scene...and banishing the spectres permanently.

Disgusted by the demon ichor, Gilstrock says, "Are you so foul to the core? I intend to find out!" He presses the attack with his frost band upon the demon.

One more thrust is all it takes...and the yagnodaemon crumples.

Three gargoyles and six giants are all that remain, now.

"EEEK" yells Cat, as she finds herself facing a leering giant. She turns and runs for the door as he chops his broadsword into her back.

Caterina drops in a pool of her own blood...all but dead.

Valdar meets another giant head on with his giant slayer. The verbeeg grunts as he takes a deadly strike, but he does not fall. Instead, his own hit bounces harmlessly off of the elf-lord's plate mail.

Jesse, perhaps distracted by all the poetry and the sight of Cat falling, fails to see the giant coming his way and takes a hit for 10 hit points of damage.

Another giant heads for Gilstrock, but Gonzo is there first. The dwarf sidesteps a swing and delivers one of his own. The giant blinks and grins back.

Arrrgh!, badly wounded though he is, shows no sign of retreating...at least until he takes 10 hit points of damage from an oncoming giant and drops.

Op Code finds a giant on him as well as a gargoyle. Missing the latter with his first swing, he lands a hit with his second, tearing a wing. The gargoyle misses on all counts...as does the giant.

Aaarrgh says as he falls "oy".

Jesse screams... and rushes towards Cat, her face filled with tears... She pulls our her sword and begins to attack the giant... mindlessly ... violently... flailing around with the weapon.

The giant meets her with a leer, and the bard takes 12 hit points right off.

In her frenzy Jesse connects, though, and lops off an ear.

The giant who was attcking the bard previously, though, follows and continues his attack...and Jesse takes another 8 hit points from behind.

"CAT," Salaam screams as he feels the pain of another lost female... he chargees the giant that cut her down and swings his hammer with both hands.

The giant drops, his spine crushed to a pulp.

"Ha! Gronk that!" Gilstrock shouts at the crumpled form of the Daemon. He turns to see the carnage before him.

"Have no fear, Gilstrock is here!" he cries, as he brandishes Thawbreaker over his head and rushes the gargoyle who is attacking Pharian. He attacks the monster with his frost band.

Pharian, realizing that he is not going to get anywhere by clawing and biting the gargoyle, slips on his ring of invisibility and disappears.

The gargoyle continues to claw and bite...at thin air...connecting once. Again, Pharian's spell saves him, and he gets away.

The gargoyle is not so lucky, though, as Gilstrock cuts it down with single swing.

Darian draws his broadsword, ignites it and charges the giant menacing Jesse.

His sword bounces off the back of the plate-clad giant.

Occa yells, "Now this is a fight!" He yells at the giants, "You want some of this! Come on!" he casts prismatic spray...aiming it at an upward angle so that it goes above the party, but gets as many giants as possible.

Because the giants are scattered throughout the party, now, he gets only one of them...the one who cut down Arrrgh!

"Wooo-wooo!" exclaims the giant, blinded. He swings anyway, but misses Occa by a country mile.

Lore, reeling from the specters attack, rushes over and does first aid on Caterina...just in time...

GONZO grins right back at the giant he is attacking and then dives in, pressing his attack with the vigor he first showed in his imitation of a snow-blower...

"KAAAAAAAAAAARUMBA! Yee mother wore boots an' chased da war galleys... an' yee popa slapped yee moma when yee was born!!! Time ta meet yee maker!"

The giant seems to explode into little meaty pieces as the dwarf's flame tongue chops into him.

Valdar and the giant on him trade misses, then the elf nails his adversary good, and he falls.

Spinning about, Op Code easily dispatches with the giant on him. The gargoyle sitting on his shoulder like a parrot continues to harass him, though.

The gargoyle that originally attacked Salaam continues...and bites and lashes the cleric for 6 hit points of damage.

Two giants and two gargoyles remain.

The invisible Pharian goes over to Arrrgh! and pours what he thinks is a healing potion down the dwarf's gullet...Arrrgh! starts to heal but remains unconscious.

Occa says, "Well, that wasn't as much fun as I thought." he jumps away from the blind giant and walks over to the room the YagnoDaemon came out of and looks in there as the rest of the party finishes off these creatures. As he goes by the dead daemon, he will check to make sure it isn't regenerating or anything.

Then he continues to the room and as he peers in he says, "Any other daemons here? Gronk, Gronk!"

The room is only 10' X 10'...and barren.

Lore, realizing that the others can most likely take care of the remaining monsters, takes a defensive position over Caterina..short sword in hand....

Darian continues to attack the giant.

Sidestepping a swing, Darian chops hard with his flame tongue and the giant on Jesse falls dead.

Gilstrock looks around, takes brief stock of the situation, and goes over to polish off Occa's blinded giant, who is now blundering about like a bull in a china shop.

As he attacks, he says, "Hey, you big brute, why don't you pick on someones who add up to your own size?? Turn around!!" Gilstrock presses the attack with his frost band.

A single swing severs a leg, and the giant drops in the spot.

"Cursed creatures," Salaam says as he smashes the bothersome gargoyle with his hammer.

The cleric easily crunches the gargoyle...and that is the end of it.

Op Code yells out "Come to papa!" as he turns to attack the last gargoyle, on his shoulder.

As the monster tries to chew through the ranger's armour, Op Code lands a nice hit...but does not quite finish it off. Gonzo rushes over, though, and lands the killing blow.

All of the monsters are dead, and peace and tranquility reign.

You search about.

As mentioned above, the yagnodaemon room is small and bare. The gargoyle lair, though, is filled with junk and bones. Searching, you find 240gp, and 1500cp.

Looking into the verbeeg giant lair, you see a 20' X 30' room (10' north, 30' east; door in east wall south corner). It is filled with miscellaneous giant junk (bags of stones, motheaten blankets, a brazier, dried meats, etc.) but nothing of value.

Cat and Arrgh! are still unconscious, and will be out of action for a week.

Arrrgh! comes to, to find that he is at 1 hit point...but he will still be out of action for some days.

All about him lie the bodies of gargoyles, verbeeg giants and a yagnodaemon.

Darian extinguishes his sword and wipes it off on the giant. Despite his success with the spectres and the giant, he looks down at Cat and Arrgh! with concern.

"Maybe we should think about returning to our camp for a while. I think we all need to do some healing thanks to my fireball."

"Thoth, please allow your humble servant to heal his friends." Salaam intones as he casts a cure serious wounds on myself (11 hit points) and then goes around casting heal on Cat, and his other spells to those who need it.

Cat stands up and smiles at Jesse.

Once done, he says, "Time to rest..."

Salaam heals Arrrgh! for 11 hit points, Lore for 7 hit points and Darian for 4.

Lore looks down at his burnt clothes and armour, a deep frown upon his face. "I hate fireballs", he says quietly. Then after tending to his burns, Lore starts to rummage through the bodies in search of goodies.

Darian looks really embarassed. "Sorry about that. I had no idea the effect would be so... large."

"Darian's right," Gilstrock says, "we should return to camp."

He looks at Arrrgh! and Cat. "Are you two able to walk out of here? If so, let's go. If not, a couple of us should go get Stiff to do that Arch-Mage stuff to whip you back to camp."

"Stiff is back in camp," replies Valdar. "If a few of us are going to go then we may as well all go."

Cat is almost fully healed, and ready for action.

Arrrgh! is out of action for awhile, but is capable of walking.

Lore finds nothing else of interest or value.

It is midnight.

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