A day after they left, Occa and Darian teleport back to the house.
With them are Hlarn, Malvis, Carburator, Sian, Rage, Kadlian, Niko and Kailar.
Kadlian says to the MAIN group. "Greetings. How did you get the mansion rebuilt so quickly?"
"Occa had a backup self in cold storage somewhere," Gilstrock says. "Or something like that."
"Hello, Gilstrock. Yes, Occa mentioned he was a clone, whatever that is. But, I meant how did the mansion get rebuilt? You could not have found so many workmen with the war going on down south. Magic?"
"Oh, yeah, sorry. Occa does that kind of thing; wishes, you know. At least, I think it was Occa wishing that did it."
Jesse smiles. "Gar decided he did not like the stables and wished it back to it's original shape."
"Well, OK, one of those Occa body thingies," Gilstrock says, sounding a little sheepish and a little confused.
"Ah... Where is Gar?"
"Welcome all, welcome. Thank you for coming," the bard says.
Kadlian nods. "It will be a pleasure to work with you. So, what is our next step?"
Occa says, "You all ready to go to hell? We should get a few things from the community chest for the people without any firepower."
Kadlian looks around. "Can I see this community chest, please? I would like to find a more powerful longsword."
"Yes, and more grenades would be good, too!"
Rage speaks. "What do you have that we can borrow? What is this technology that you speak of and how are they used?"
Gar says, "I am ready to roll. Time for revenge!"
Emm makes sure he has all his standard adventuring gear, sets his backpack and says, "I hate it in hell. Let's go."
"Yeah, let's go," Gilstrock says. (Naturally, he'll make sure he's suited up in his magical field plate armor and is fully loaded with his normal suite of weapons before we all leave.)
Gilstrock nudges Robert. "Get to kill things soon. I hope."
"About time," the warrior grumbles.
Hlarn turns to the newcomers from the MAIN group. "I've asked Occa and Darien this already, but perhaps others of you might be able to help. Have any of you been to the far east toward Atlantia? If so, perhaps you could help Kailar locate it in his crystal ball. I still think teleporting our companions there is preferable to them walking."
Jesse frowns. "Occa, I have a question, this cursed sword of mine. Orlon tried a remove curse, but it seems to not have worked. Can you wish it away, or wish it to be a good sword or something? Otherwise I'm limited in my combat to magic spells."
As usual, when Jesse requests help to get rid of her cursed sword, no one seems to hear her. Perhaps it is an additional magical effect of the weapon: temporary deafness.
Meanwhile, Hlarn and Rage go off to have an identifying session for the PBEM people's unclaimed magic.
The rest of you sit down and wait.