June 5, 1371

Wherever you ended up sleeping, the night passed uneventfully.

June 5th dawns partly cloudy with a slight breeze out of the north. It looks to be a hot day ahead of you.

You are all awakened around dawn by the sounds of the servants and workmen beginning their work. The carpenter continues to repair the verandah, as the maids take the sheets that had covered the furnishings and the carpets as well, outside to air. It looks as if they are planning to give the place a thorough cleaning today. The lackeys are taking down the boards that have covered the windows for many years, and the sunlight streams in.

A gong sounds, and you gather in the second floor dining room for breakfast. Occa looks to have got himself a good cook, for the platters of scambled eggs, bacon, ham and fresh rolls are superb. The china you eat off of, though, is but a collection of oddments...and Jeeves the butler asks Occa if he would like to select a pattern for the replacement china that must be ordered.

As Occa ponders, Igor the doorman comes shuffling in, dragging his lame foot along behind him.

"Master! There is someone here to see you!" he wheezes. "She says that Connie sent her!"

"Occa, I take back my suspicion about your servants. They seem to be very skilled in their jobs."

Occa says, "They do seem rather good. I will have to give them a bonus at the end of the cleanup."

Gilstrock, completely oblivious to any considerations of china, says to Occa, "Mmmm, Occa, I could move in here! You got any rooms for boarders once we're done with all those dragons and things?"

Occa says, "Of course, any of you are welcome here anytime. There is plenty of room it would seem. Connie said 32 rooms and a dungeon below for the dwarves." He winks at Gonzo.

"Probably more like a dwarven playpen, you mean" mutters Gonzo, obviously miffed that there isn't any good action around here to wake him up fully from his restful night. He wolf's down his food and then leaves to go stand and stare at the wizard locked cellar doors.

Occa then says to Jeeves, "How much would a new set of China cost? I will have the Senschael (??) make a list of everything we need and have one big shopping trip."

"Perhaps 100gp for a good set, sir," Jeeves replies, respectfully staring off into space.

Occa says, "Oh, okay, that isn't too bad." He walks up to Jeeves, puts his hand on Jeeves' shoulder and says, "I will leave it up to you, Jeeves old boy, to pick a set. I have the utmost confidence in your taste and ability."

"Of course, sir. Thankyou."

"It seems like you are going to be spending lots of money on your servants by the looks of their competance, Is this why you need the treasure that we acrue?"

"Are we starting on the basement clearout after breakfasy or are you going to be giving your new shencsal her orders all morning"

"Brightaxe how are your abilities at destroying undead since that is what we are going to be facing in all probality"

"Does any one know where those strange scorpion/ants came from, are they some mad mage's nightmare or did a god just blend the worst or the two creatures together"

"Gilstrock how about an early morning run before starting the work" concludes Angst.

"Sounds good," Gilstrock says, "but let's keep it short because I have a feeling we're going to have a busy day in front of us. Let's go before it gets too hot."

Occa goes out to see who Igor is talking about.

A short time later he returns with a middle aged lady, dressed in a grey dress. Her hair is steel gray, her eyes are flinty. Also with them is Zanax.

"Greetings, all! I hope you don't mind me accompanying you into the dungeon."

"Hey, welcome back Zanax," Gilstrock says. "Come right along. We don't seem to mind anybody coming along. In fact, months and months ago Occa said he was going to have to check Pharian and myself to make sure we weren't evil. Never did it. I think they just forgot. So, heck, no standards!"

Zanax looks confused "Um...Thanks, I think."

"Yeah...I've heard of some parties that are real paranoid about letting new people join them," Robert comments with a shake of his head.

Occa says, "I didn't forget! It's in the queue...we should be reaching it some time this year, I hope."

"Just let me know a day or two in advance, so I can split and head for the border," says Pharian. His voice takes on a dark, conspiratorial tone. "My master, the three-toed one, does not look kindly on failure."

He snickers.

Gilstrock guffaws at what Pharian says. He then looks over at Zanax and says with as straight a face as he can muster, "Pharian never jokes, you know." Unfortunately, Gilstrock can't help but have his mouth break out into a silly grin.

"No problem, but I thought your superiors were going to be sending someone else. Oh, well, I know how superioirs can be. Had quite a few of them in my time in the army. Change their minds at the drop of a hat." says Darian.

"Er, actually they're not sending anyone. They believe that you and your companions can handle this by yourselves. Certain circumstances, thanks to Occa, have allowed me to be here for a day or two."

"Boy, Occa's certainly affecting a lot of people in this town... I suppose the reason you're not giving details is because you don't want us to know, so I won't ask."

Zanax looks somewhat relieved "Thank you."

"Hey, everyone's got their secrets. And in this group, we don't tend to push."

"You mean like how all of you keep popping in here?" asks Zanax with a small smile on his face.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know how or why that's happening. Most of us came with Occa and he teleported us here."

"Looks like Stiff's work," says Robert. "He keeps a very close eye on matters, even if he doesn't say much."

"Stiff is another of your companions, I assume?"

"Yep."

Robert nods.

"Um... I guess so. He's gone out a few times with us. He's an arch-mage and he works on his own purposes. Luckily for us, he does keep an eye out for us. He's saved us from a few jams since I've joined."

"Well, heck, if your superiors want to let us have all the fun, so be it. Who are these people anyway?" Gilstrock says.

Zanax sighs heavily "Normally, I wouldn't mind telling those I trusted, but it seems I'm still paying for the last time I openned my mouth too much. Let's just say that my superiors are allies of Ray Jay...whom I'm sure Occa and several others of your party are friendly with."

"Hmm, Ray Jay," Gilstrock says. "Think I've heard that name mentioned." He sounds unconcerned and gives no more thought to the matter.

"Yeah, she supposedly buys and sells magic items, although for some reason, she is not selling magic items any more."

Occa says, "Maybe she is behind all this trouble...seems a little suspicious to me."

"You mean the trouble with this house?"

"No, the city...the undead and all that jazz."

Zanax shrugs "Oh. I don't know her that well, but I highly doubt she's responsible for the undead. She's one of my patron's allies."

Occa says, "Well, we will see when this business is done."

"Hello all." Occa goes to Orlon and says, "Orlon, one of my lackeys just dropped dead for no apparent reason. Could you do a commune or something sometime soon? We could then ask about the Temple and about the boy. I think he had a heart attack."

"Why don't I just raise him?" Orlon asks.

"Thank you, Orlon! I really appreciate it and I am sure his parents will too." He rubs his chin, "Hmm, maybe they need never know..."

"Anything for my trustful companions." Orlon tells Occa.

Orlon casts his spell...

The lackey jumps up and runs around, right as rain.

"Boy? What boy?" asks Darian.

Occa says, "Oh, one of the lackeys died for no apparent reason. I probably should get him raised or something. Orlon, could you raise him? It isn't right that he just died working for me."

Occa concludes by saying, "This is Frau...Hilda."

"I am ze new majordomo," she says. "It is my intention to vip dis stchaff into shape pronto."

Occa says, "The staff seems pretty good. Focus on whipping the house into shape pronto. They just need some direction."

"Off course, Master Occa."

"This is your new seneschal, Occa? Splendid. It's a pleasure to meet you Frau Hilda. Occa can use someone organized to take care of the estate."

"Zo I zee..." she replies, looking about.

"Yadda yadda."

Gilstrock and Angst return a moment later as well.

"Hey Occa," Orlon asks, "Is there any coffee to go with this? If there isn't then I could make some perculated decaf for the party."

"GGGGTH!" says Robert, choking.

Darian stands up from breakfast. "All right then... Are we ready to slay the evil that lurks below? If so, let's get on with the cloudkill."

Occa says, "Okay, just a minute."

He rushes out of the dining room and comes back in about 15 minutes.

When he gets back he tells the guards to stand back away from the cellar door. He then opens it up.

There is nothing there, so he has the guards take the bodies to the "pile".

"YES, SIR!" replies the sergeant.

He then casts cloudkill and sends it down into the basement.

Sixteen minutes pass.

Occa then says, "Okay, the cloudkill is over. Let's go see what is left. Oh, Cannon Fodder!"

Cannon Fodder comes ot the front of the group muttering. He pulls out his wand of enemy detection and then heads down the stairs. Occa follows him.

Downstairs you go.

The stairs descend to the north. At the bottom is a passage which runs north for 20' and ends. There are doors at the end in all three walls. The east door is open, so you go and look through it first.

Beyond is a room (20' X 30': 10' south, 30' east). It is a larder, filled with boxes and barrels. The place is trashed, and ancient, decayed foodstuffs are everywhere. Also in here are three dead large scorpions, which look like they have been recently magic missiled.

You open the north door. This leads into a storage room (20' X 30': 20' north, 20' east; door in north wall east corner). The place is piled high with many boxes, barrels, piles of old books and ledgers, old broken furniture and junk. It is obvious to you that a pile of ledgers once hid the north door from view...but it the pile has been knocked over in the meantime.

You open the north door...and see a passage running east...for 60' and on (from the back wall to your left).

BrightAxe puts a killing smile upon his lips... of course it's hidden by is beard...

"Should we check out the door to the west before we proceed any further?" asks Darian.

Occa says, "yes, of course."

"I wonder how recent is recent. Maybe that group that Zanax talked about was here in the past week or so?" wonders Darian as is his habit.

Occa says, "Oh, I killed those scorpions yesterday, by the way."

Darian looks confused. "When were you down here yesterday? Before we came?"

He shows everyone a map he has been scrawling.

Cannon Fodder activates his wand of enemy detection and scans. He picks up no enemies.

Occa casts unseen servant and has it open the west door.

Through the west door is another room...a wine cellar (20' X 30': 10' south, 30' west). This place is interesting because the westernmost 10' has been walled off at some point. This wall has since been brought down...revealing the full extent of the room. Barrels of wine with taps in them line the north, south and westernmost walls.

You go in and inspect.

All six barrels lining the south wall contain wine. All but one of the six barrels to the north also contain wine. The last barrel is empty. Moving into the western section, you see that the six barrels lining this wall are smashed.

The first barrel is empty.

The next four contain the corpses of a man, woman and two children. They have been here for quite a few years, it appears. The last barrel is actually a smashed concealed door (in the southernmost part of the west wall), which opens into another room to the west.

You look into this room.

It measures 10' X 20' (20' west; door at west end), and is a bed cell. In here are two pallets, a crude table and two stools.

"Yes, when Connie and I came and inspected the place." replies Occa to Darian's last(?) question.

Darian looks really puzzled. "So, you knew of the bodies and everything and you bought it anyway? You must've got it really cheap. At least... I hope you did."

Zanax sighs, regarding the corpses. "Children..."

Angst moves to the front with Gilstrock and Cannon Fodder.

"I hate child killers. They are the flotsom of the world and deserve to be left in the abyss with their souls being gnawed by the lowst and weakest demon around, The only good use for a demon.

"Orlon can you raise them or are they to far gone."

They have been dead for quite a few years, obviously...being little more than dried out husks.

"May all the benificial gods have mercy on their souls"

"Let's find the scum and rip the toenails from their feet through the brain ,if they have one."

Occa says, "Opps, got a little confused. here is an updated map."

Zanax goes into the bedroom cell and upends the pallets with his sword.

As he does so, there is a popping sound, and suddenly a man appears...lying flat on his back under the pallet in question. He wears fancy scale male...and carries a falchion sword...

"Infidels! Infidels!" raves the sword. "We are back with the infidels! You must all convert or be eternally damned!"

"Oh, hi Al," says Robert without much enthusiasm. "Glad you could join us."

Concerning the house, Occa smiles and says, "Depends on what you consider cheap."

Darian shrugs. "Well, I don't know what land goes for around here, but I hope they threw in the buildings for free..."

Occa laughs.

Zanax whirls to face the new intruder, his long sword brandished in front of him.

"Al, shut your knife up," Gilstrock says.

Darian says without much enthusiasm, "Zanax, may I present the Al, the paladin, and his sword."

"Another heathen!!??" says the sword. "The world is full of them! Al, is he evil? If he is then he must be destroyed utterly! Otherwise he can live for a bit."

Darian rolls his eyes. "Al, I thought you told the sword to behave. For something that's supposed to be good, it certainly doesn't know how to behave."

"Shut up and introduce yourself or I will have Horus heat you up to the point that your blade will melt !" Al says with clenched teeth to the sword.

"You wouldn't dare! Would you?"

"Yes I would... if you don't behave !"

Zanax glares at the sword "Who you calling a heathen?"

"You, heathen! Convert to Goodness and Law or be damned!"

Zanax shakes his head sadly "Gee, and I thought I wasn't smart. Al, for a talking sword, it's not too terribly bright, is it? Can't even tell the good guys from the bad ones."

"How about one or the other?" asks Darian.

Occa says, "Wow, I am neither of those things. I guess I am damned."

Darian grins. "You didn't know that already?"

Occa laughs and says, "I guess I already knew that."

"You both are! When you have served our purposes then you shall be damned!"

Zanax relaxes and lowers his sword "Greeetings, Al. I am Zanax. Ah...I have heard much about you Al...and your sword."

"Darian, always a pleasure to see you too !" Al says with the same lack of enthusiasm. "Well met, Zanax !" he says as he extends his hand to him for a handshake.

Zanax shakes the proferred hand "The same here!"

Darian sighs. "It's the sword, not you, Al."

"Oh put a sock in it, sword !" Al says sternly to his sword. "I thought we discussed that you would be a lot more courteous around my friends."

"I AM being more courteous!" replies the sword.

Al stands up and wipes himself off... "Well met all, I am back from my commune with Horus. Sword, please KINDLY introduce yourself to all ! And who are some of the new people ?" he asks.

"I am Saddam the Avenger!" the sword proclaims. "I am here to destroy evil everywhere! If you are evil then prepare to meet your maker!"

Zanax turns to Darian "Well, I was wrong." referring to a previous conversation.

Darian grins. "Told you so."

"A talking sword, more rude than Al." Jesse says, with a smile on her face. "Great. I hope it doen't try to hit on me like you did, Al."

"Jesse, a pleasure to see you again as well. And my humble apologies, Horus chastised me for such rude behavior." Al bows to her. "Please accept my most sincere apologies.. I have been "enlightened" since you last saw me, my mission is much clearer now. As well as clear the evil from this mountain, I am to, with haste, establish a stronghold in this world dedicated to Horus."

Zanax looks wide eyed at Al "You can commune with Horus by yourself? This is Horus, the god??? I'm sorry, your friends said you were a paladin, not a cleric."

"Well met, Zanax, I am a specialty priest of Horus, all his specialty priests, rare as we are, are in fact Paladins. Also, I have a special place in the heart and mind of Horus due to my many years and unorthodox methods in his service !"

Zanax nods his head "Ah, then you truly are blessed by your god. Tis always a good thing to be! If you don't mind me prying, what 'unorthodox methods' do you employ?"

"Al and his sword have divised a new method for telling if people are evil," interjects Pharian. "They split them open from throat to belly like a fish, and then examine the alignment of the intestines. It's fairly reliable, really. And it saves them time, because if the person turns out to be evil, he's already dead."

"Pharian, glad to see you too and I am quite upset that you figured it out so quickly :PPP"

Darian laughs. "That's pretty funny, Pharian. I just hope you aren't serious."

"Well, I am "good", but am not bound by the supposed high and mighty tenets that other Paladins of my world abide by. My main mission is to avenge good by destroying any evil that I come across and as long as no innocents get hurt, I use almost all means that I can to accomplish that !" Al says with a mischievous grin to Zanax.

A mischevious grin comes to Zanax's face as well "Then perhaps we have more in common than I thought..."

Orlon looks at the bodies of the children.

"I will try to raise them. No, they look too far gone." Orlon replies to Angst.

"Orlon, is there any way to tell if they're souls are intact? My companions and I tried to raise a child last time, but it seems her soul had been sacrificed already to one of the dark gods. She lived, but as a souless husk. Truly a fate worse than death." says Zanax.

"That realy applies to races such as elves. Concerning humans, if they recently died when rasied from the dead, they are whole and complete, to the best of my knowledge. It is truly up to Thor concerning their soul." Orlon tells Zanax.

Occa sighs and then in the hopes of ending the conversation, he has his unseen servant open the door at the end of the chamber. "Maybe there will be a dragon beyond it..."

Zanax looks around somewhat neverously "You're kidding, right Occa?"

Occa says, "Wishful thinking. Of course, it would more likely kill me than Al, but at least I wouldn't have to listen to that blasted sword."

The door is opened...revealing a larger room (20' X 30': 10' north, 10' south, 20' west; door in east wall north corner; door in north wall east corner). A common room, in here is a large trestle table, benches, several iron braziers, three boxes and a barrel half full of charcoal.

This room is cleaner than the others you have visited recently. You suspect that it has been used recently.

You open the other east door. This leadws to another bedroom (10' X 20': 20' east), filled with junk, and eight more of those insects that you have been running into...all dead...and dead for awhile at that. Otherwise, the place is unintersting.

You open the north door, to see a store room (20' X 20': 20' north, 10' west).

This place is bare but for a broken sword lying on the floor.

Poking around, though, it doesn't take much skill to spot a door in the north wall, east corner, made to look like part of the stonework.

Opening it, you see a rough stone passage, 10' wide, running northeast for 30' (right wall) / 40' (left wall) before turning east.

"Let's follow it. I'm wondering who's been down here recently. Maybe those folks from the temple?" says Darian.

Occa says, "probably. Let's go. Cannon...up front."

Cannon fodder comes up front. If his wand is still going, he will turn invisible and go forward scanning for enemies in this room and the corridor. If not, he will expend a charge and then do that.

BrightAxe is game for this, but really has no opinions either way unless their is a puzzle or a fight comming up soon.

Going up and around the bend, you see that the passage runs for 60' and on.

You head down that way.

The passage runs for another 40'...then angles southeast. In the 0' - 10' section of the left wall, though, is an alcove. Lying at the entrance to is a dead giant constrictor snake. It looks as if it was slain some months back.

You go and look southeast.

Along the right wall, the passage continues for 60' and on. In the 40' - 50' section of the right wall is an opening. In the last 10' section on the left another passage runs east.

You go down and look to the right...to see another alcove. It is empty.

You continue down the passage to the intersection.

Ahead, the passage runs for another 10'...then turns south. Going down for a quick look, you see that the passage continues for 60' and on.

To the east, the new passage runs for 60' on the left wall before it ends at a door.

"Let's take the east passage. Occa, there's a lot of space down here. You've got to wonder who went through the trouble of building these passageways..."

Occa looks at his maps with confusion, "This can't be right." He looks up when spoken to and says, "Sure is. Probably some gods of trouble or something like that. Let's push on."

Cannon fodder goes forward to the door scanning.

He detects none.

Occa says, "Okay, this map makes better sense."

Occa says, "Let's go to the East and check that door out." He heads that way.

Enemies or no, Occa will have his servant open the door.

The door opens to reveal a cave (~50' X ~35', oriented east - west, passage running east out of far end). The place is littered with bones...and an unhealthy smell comes out of the east passage.

You continue moving east.

This passage is of finished stone, and runs for 90' before ending at another door. Cannon Fodder still does not detect any enemies, so you open it.

Beyond is a large room (octagonal-shaped: right wall runs southeast for 20', east for 20' (two doors), northeast for 20', north for 10' (door), northwest for 20', west for 20' (two doors), and finally southwest for 20').

A great battle was clearly fought here some time ago...for the remains of the losers still lie scattered about here and there. You see a pair of dead wights, a pair of gargoyles, two skeletal undead, a half a dozen bugbears and a tunnelworm. Blood stains the floor, and it is obvious that powerful magics were used to defeat these monsters.

Otherwise, the place is uninteresting.

"Nice place you've got here Occa," Gilstrock says absently as he looks around.

Occa says, "Oh sure...eat my food and then complain about the decor. Some people have no manners!"

Distracted from looking around, Gilstrock looks back at Occa as if he hadn't heard what the mage had just said. "Hmm? Manners?" he asks, as if the word is a foreign concept.

"Geez. Wonder who fought here. Zanax, I thought you said the party that tackled this place couldn't handle it. Do you think they made it this far?" Darian asks, looking around. "Well, should maybe we should try the north doors, first?"

Occa says, "I guess so..." He has his unseen servant open the two north doors.

Zanax shrugs "All I know is that the party was here for a while, but couldn't manage to defeat the evil. I would imagine they could have come this far...not without being hurt, though."

"If they could tackle this group, even if they were hurt, they are formidable."

"True...but they were driven from this place and have not returned since, to my knowledge."

"I wonder what drove them from this place..." says Darian thoughtfully.

Zanax pauses for a moment "Actually, I think it was more that they retreated, rather than fled. They didn't think they were powerful enough to continue on without taking major casualties."

"Oh, well that makes me feel a little better... But, just a little."

Jesse laughs lightly, "I think that we have a strong group and should do fine. Based on what we have seen. Besides I want to blast something." she says.

Darian rolls his eyes. "Jesse, you're starting to sound like Occa."

"Well, I wouldn't mind bashing something evil right now either!" exclaims Zanax.

"And you sound like Al... Or his sword..."

The unseen servant opens the west door on the north wall first. Beyond is a 10' wide passage...running north for 20'...before turning northwest.

The east door on the north wall is opened next. This leads to another passage...also running north for 20' before turning northwest.

You go back to the first door and head up the passage. At thr turn, you see that it is only the right wall that turns northwest: for 10', before turning west. The left wall turns west immediately. Measured along the left wall, the passage runs west for 50' and ends. In every 10' section of the left wall except for the last one is a door.

The first door is open, so you look in...to see a cell (10' square). The floor in here is littered with bones, bits of broken armour and weapons, and shredded clothing. There is a small hole in the back wall. You take a look down it...and see a small tunnel (~2' in diameter...coincidentally the same diameter as a tunnel worm), running south for a few feet before it forks...both branches curving out of sight.

The next door along the passage also leads into a cell (10' square). Apart from a few bits of straw and guano, this place is barren.

You open door number three, to see a third cell (10' square). This one, however, is not bare...for in here is a wraith...

"OOOOOooooooOOOOOooooOOoooOOOOOOoooooOOOOOO..." it moans in eternal damnation, as it swoops out through the door at you...

"OOOOhhh, yourself, its party time !" Al says as he swings with Saddam into the undead creature.

"Infidel!" cries the holy avenger. "I shall devour you!"

Darian pulls out his staff of illumination and says, "Fire in the hole! Everyone close your eyes!"

He then activates the staff saying, "Flashdance," concentrating on a sunburst effect closing his eyes in the process.

Keeping the wraith's position in mind, Al swings as he closes his eyes. He then shouts at Darian, "DARIAN !!! Next time, use the sunburst on a few undead at a time.. I believe one wraith is enough for any of us to handle !"

Al dodges the chilling touch of the wraith, as suddenly there is a blinding flash of light.

Swinging with his eyes closed, Al feels Saddam slice through something.

When you open your eyes again, the wraith is no more.

Darian sighs. "Sorry... I just remembered Occa telling me to use the staff on spectres months back and I thought it'd work on wraiths too. Of course, you're right about not using since there was only one..."

Searching the cell, you find nothing.

You move on and open the last door, revealing a guard room (10' X 20': 10' west, 10' south). In here sits a crude wooden table with a candlestick and a leather hood atop it. Several three-legged stools are also in here, as well.

Otherwise, you turn up nothing.

You return to the octagonal-shaped room and head up the other passage to the north.

Reaching the point where it turns northwest, you see that it runs in that direction for 10' (left wall) / 20' (right wall) before turning west.

You head up and look west.

It runs west for 50', turning north after 40'.

You move forward and head north.

In total the passage runs for 90', as measured from the back wall...turning west again after 80'. Moving up and looking west, the passage runs for as far as your light sources allow you to see.

You move forward again...when suddenly a secret door in the first 10' section of the south wall of the passage opens and two plate clad fighters jump out!

Most of you are past them when they attack...they lunge at Arrrgh! and Zanax.

You have initiative.

Darian turns, draws his sword and moves to attack the closest fighter.

Occa says, "Try to capture one of them." He magic missles one of them that is probably going to die.

Al spins back and tries to get back to the battle.

Zanax pulls out his sword as a fighter lunges at him...catches it on the end of his scabbard which throws off his swing, and misses badly. Luckily for him, his opponent also misses.

Arrrgh wastes no time, transforming his rod into a flail and swinging as the second fighter comes at him...and mashing him in the face with one head and taking an ear out with the other! The fighter, who weilds a glowing longsword, has blood streaming into his eyes and misses badly.

Suddenly five magic missiles slam into the man fighting the dwarf, blowing him to pieces.

One fighter remains, and he does not look like he is going to give up.

You have initiative again.

BrightAxe would love to take a chop at this guy...

"Occa, if you want to take him alive, hold him or paralyze him."

Darian attacks, knowing he won't killing him even if he does hit.

Zanax finds a chink in the fighter's armour and sticks his sword into it. The man gags, and blood pours out, but he swings his sword back...missing. Darian fans with his sword. Zanax swings again...but also misses. The enemy finds his mark...driving his blade into Zanax's shoulder for 10 hit points.

Occa says, "Okay, I will hold him...don't kill him."

Occa casts hold person on him.

Suddenly the fighter freezes up solid.

Darian moves over to Zanax. "Let me take a look at your wound." He looks at it and places a hand over the wound. "This won't hurt, but give me a moment to concentrate." Darian closes his eyes and heals Zanax completely.

After he's finished with Zanax he says, "Occa, do you want me to heal the fighter? And we probably should disarm him and maybe even tie him up."

Occa says, "No don't heal him. We don't want to waste it."

"Okay. How about Zanax and I check out the secret door and see what's there while you question him."

Occa says, "Okay, bind his wounds. We need to question him about who he is and who he serves." He ties the fighter up.

Once he is tied up, Occa will release him from the spell.

The man staggers and sags a bit, all the time glaring balefully at Occa.

Cannon Fodder detects for magic.

The glowing sword radiates magic.

Darian and Zanax look through the secret door...to see a guardroom beyond (10' square). There is nothing but a small table and two chairs in here.

Searching, they find nothing of interest.

Zanax tests out the shoulder "Thanks, Darian!"

Darian gives Zanax a slight bow and a grin. "It's really the only way that I earn my keep around here. I'm not much of a fighter or a magic-user, so I help out this way."

"Ah! Maybe I'll be able to do the same for you some day."

Darian looks confused. "What do you mean? I see no streak in your hair... Do you have mind powers as well?"

Occa whispers something to Cannon Fodder. He nods and then Occa walks over to the bound, gagged guard and releases his gag.

He says, "Who do you work for? Do you work for the Gods of trouble? Do you know who is behind this surge of undead in the city? Where does this corridor go? Why were you guarding this corridor?"

"Blow it out yer porthole, mac! I ain't talkin'!" the guard replies, spitting at Occa.

While Pharian watches the interrogation, he pulls a dagger out of his robe and checks the sharpness of the blade. "I get to kill him if he doesn't cooperate, OK?" he says to Occa.

Zanax turns invisible.

Occa frowns and says to the prisoner, "If you cooperate, you won't die. If you don't, then you will die. You don't want to die, do you? Really, think about it. Do you want to end up as some demon larvae? That isn't fun and you sure aren't powerful enough to even make a minor demon or devil. So, what do you say? Speak up and you can live a while longer."

He spits in Occa's eye.

"I have failed my church. My life is worthless anyway! Kill me kill me kill me!"

Occa says to the group, "Anyone have a charm type magic?"

Darian shakes his head. "Sorry, I'm afraid I don't."

Suddenly something jumps out from around the corner to the south...two giant scorpions!

Zanax, Gilstrock, Gonzo, Orlon, Arrrgh!, Cannon Fodder and Brightaxe are surprised...as they jump Arrrgh! and Gilstrock.

Arrrgh! and Gilstrock stand there and laugh as the monsters try without success to penetrate their stoneskins.

The scorpions stop and scratch their heads, bewildered.

Darian casts a magic missle at one of the scorpions. Three missiles sear into one of the monsters, wounding it.

Again the magic protects Arrrgh! and Gilstrock, as they fight back. Arrrgh! kills his scorpion easily, as Gilstrock does likewise.

To the captive, Angst asks, "Did you kill those children or do you know who did?"

"What children, you lover of sheep?" says the fighter, spitting at Angst and hitting him in the eye.

Angst moves back to his position near the front and follows Cannon Fodder 2 as he does his searching at about 20-30 feet.

Occa turns to the fighter and says, "You have, indeed, failed your church."

He draws his dagger and says to Pharian, "Sorry, but he spit on me."

He slits the fighters throat.

Gilstrock shudders a bit in surprise as Occa does that. "I say, Occa old man, wasn't that a little brutal? Unsporting, I mean. He could hardly defend himself."

Occa says, "I suppose it was. I could have let one of you hack him to death in a fair fight, but this was less painful and quicker."

Shrugging, Gilstrock says, "OK, well, next time."

Meanwhile, Darian and Zanax keep up the chatter.

"Mind powers?" Zanax asks somewhat confused.

Darian looks at Zanax suspiciously. "How do you heal people if not by mind powers? Are you a cleric?"

"I'm not sure what you mean by mind powers, but I am not a cleric. I am but a poor warrior fighting evil and heavily in debt!"

"Mind powers... A few people have called them psionics. I can heal folks using my mind. No spells are required, just my will. But the ability is finite. It needs to be refreshed everyday by a good night's sleep."

"Truly? I have never heard of such powers!"

"I wouldn't lie about it. That's the silver streak in my hair means. Or at least, that's the mark of the curse in my homeland. And all attempts to die or hide it have failed. For most of my life, I kept it covered as best I can and when discovered, I ran."

"Here, on this world, people seem to be intrigued and envious of the ability. Unfortunately, I haven't met anyone who also has this ability. I had hoped to learn more about it." Darian sighs.

"You said you could heal. If you're not a cleric, you don't have mind powers, what are you?"

Zanax smiles "Ah...I never said I could heal...I merely stated that I hope to return the favor someday!"

Darian ponders Zanax's earlier words. "True... You did say that. I guess I took that to mean you could heal people as well."

"You also mentioned something about being in debt. Do you need money? I'll give you a loan, if you'd like..."

You continue west down the corridor.

200' down the passage from the passage, you come to an intersection with a passage running north. The west passage continues on into darkness.

You look north...and see that it is not a passage at all...but rather a 10' deep alcove...with two more guards in it.

Before you can react, they attack.

"Sleep!" says one, a burly half-orc, to Gonzo.

Gonzo does not oblige.

The other fighter - a human - attacks Al with a glowing hammer...but misses.

Gonzo, Gilstrock, Arrrgh!, Brightaxe, Cannon Fodder, Orlon, Zanax, Jesse and Darian are surprised.

Angst, Pharian, Occa, Al and Robert are not.

Zanax remarks "I hate it when that happens!"

"Now, my friend, that was a mistake," Al says as he swings with Saddam.

Occa says, "You sleep!" He casts magic missle on the orc.

His missiles do not harm the orc...being as how Al has his avenger out...

Al swings at the man with Saddam...landing a devastating blow and chopping the plate clad fighter clean in two.

"Death to evil!" crows Saddam.

"Die!" shouts the half-orc at Gonzo, whom you now realise is a cleric.

Again, Gonzo is unaffected.

Al turns on the cleric, as Saddam growls...and connects...severing an arm.

"Infidel! I drink your blood!"

Al chops again with Saddam...and the orc falls to the floor in several pieces.

The conversations resume.

"What? Take on another debt just to pay one off? Thanks for the offer, but I'm in no hurry to pay off the debt. I owe it to my superior, so I can pay it off when I get the gold," says Zanax.

"No problem. Just thought I'd make the offer."

Zanax shakes his head "How do you guys do that...get hit and not get injured?"

"A spell called stoneskin. It's a fairly powerful spell, but most of the fighters get it applied by Occa, Pharian or Jesse."

"Ah...it is a mage spell. I was wondering why I had never seen such magic before. It is a very powerful spell, no?"

Darian shrugs. "As I said, it's a fairly powerful spell. I can't cast it, but Jesse and the others can."

You search the bodies before continuing west.

The man had a gleaming hammer and the half orc had 12 nice looking light crossbow bolts.

In the alcove were two stools and a table. A recently extinguished candle sits atop the table.

From the alcove, the passage continues west for another 60'...after which it turns north.

The passage continues north for another 50'...then opens up into a chamber (30' X 50': 20' west, 20' east, 30' north; doors at either end of the north wall).

This place is littered with bones, refuse, broken weapons, pieces of armour, excrement, broken holy symbols, empty and broken vials, blank (ie. used) scrolls, clothes, a desicrated shrine (to Forseti), thongs, torn sacks, backpacks and lanterns.

The place reeks of filth, decay and death...and with good reason, for waiting to greet you are three ghasts, two wraiths and two wights.

They are moving to attack...

Darian pulls out the staff and says, "Should I use it now, Al?"

Occa pulls out a copy of "Dungeon Bunnies" and jumps to the centerfold. He looks ups and says, "Darian, use the staff of illumination."

He will close his eyes for the flash.

"Oh,this is our lucky day, Saddam !" Al says with a grin as he makes for the closest of the Undead. "And Darian, Now would be a good time for the wand to be used."

Darian says, "Fire in the hole." He then proceeds to concentrate on a sunburst whilst saying, "Flashdance."

At the same time, Cannon Fodder uses his wand of wonder on the undead.

"Surprise!"

A grey ray shoots out of the wand and strikes a ghoul...but it seems to be unaffected.

Next there is a brilliant flash.

When you all reopen your eyes, there is no sign of the undead.

Pharian nods approvingly.

Gilstrock looks at Darian with respect. "Nice trick you've got there, Darian. I guess you should keep working on all that crazy thinking and casting and such."

Darian pats the staff. "Just this little ole staff here doin' the work fur me."

You move in, and search the chamber, finding in amongst the junk 167ep and 625cp.

It is midmorning.

Occa says, "Let's try the right door." He has his servant open the door.

Beyond is a passage running north, for 40'...after which is a flight of stairs going down...

Occa says, "Let's check the other door before we head down."

He has his servant open the other northern door.

Opening this door reveals another 10' wide passage, which runs north for 40', turning west after 30'.

"Cannon Fodder, have you had a chance to update the map, yet? I'd like to see what we've found so far." asks Darian. "Occa, how far was that cloudkill supposed to spread? And maybe before we start downstairs, you should cast one down there..."

Cannon Fodder says, "Sure...here it is:"

Occa says, "Damn, this complex goes on forever. We have already left a ton of unexplored area at our backs." He thinks for a moment and says, "Let's go down. However, I don't think we should use the cloudkill any longer....they are getting organized and that will send up a general alert. If we move quickly, we can kill everyone before an alert goes up. If they can flee the cloud, they will alert the rest of the temple."

"I have yet to meet anyone in this world who is organized," says Pharian to Occa, "and the last place I would expect to find organization is in your basement. Still, hitting hard and fast is always the right plan."

Occa smiles and says, "I suppose...these halls will be good for spell research."

"Pharian, despite the fact that you're a heathen, I like your approach !" Al says with a wide smile.

"And from their backs, whenever possible," adds Pharian.

Occa heads back to the stairs and says, "Cannon..."

Cannon Fodder will detect for enemies and then move forward invisible.

Zanax will also turn invisible.

Angst speaks.

"I vote for catching the child killers with their pants down and take them out NOW. If we get into real trouble Occa can always teleport us back to the house while we ready ourselves for another sortie. These scum do not desevre a moments more of life, or unlife as the case may be."

Cannon Fodder says, "Relax man. We are doing what we can to kill these people as fast as we can."

"Sorry I HATE child killers and if they are not brought to justice then justice will be brought to them"

Cannon Fodder rolls his eyes and says, "Oooh, well, thank goodness you told me that. I love child killers. Well, I will have to remember not to kill any children around you."

Occa smacks Cannon Fodder in the head and says, "Don't be so sarcastic! Can't you see he must have had a personal trauma or something?"

"Enough! Let's get these particular murdering scum and bring justice to them"

Cannon Fodder says, "Oh, right." He turns to Angst and says, "Okay, so what is your story, then? Sorry about that sarcasm...I think it is the Occa part of me...you should be able to understand."

This time Cannon Fodder dodges Occa's smack in the head.

"Thats alright, my story!

"I was a happy farmer with a wife a two children living in the south. The Children's names were , Rath and Joram they were twins of about 18 months. Our village was raided will i was visiting the market with some of our produce, by the time ... {SOB..}, sorry it still brings back the feeling of helplessness, by the time i got back my cottage, fields were burnt to the ground, my wife was lying accross a hay rick with a hay fork in her hands, and th children had been gutted as though in sacrifice to some dark demon. Those child killers met justice and will not be doing that again. And so must all who desecrate the future meet a similar fate for the children are the future"

Cannon Fodder says, "A sad story, indeed. Well let's sack this temple in revenge."

Cannon Fodder detects no enemies downstairs, so down you go.

The stairs end at a passage running east - west.

To the east, the passage runs for 60' and on. In the 30' - 40' section is a 4-way intersection with a 10' wide passage running north - south.

To the west, the passage runs for 30' and ends at a door.

"Let's check west, first." suggests Darian.

Occa goes to the door and has his unseen servant open it.

Through the door is a chamber (30' X 30': 10' north, 10' south, 30' west, 10' wide passages exiting out of the middle of the north, west and south walls). This place is barren. apart from some dust and dirt in the corners, there is nothing here.

You look down each passage.

To the north, the passage runs for 60' and on.

To the west, the passage runs for 40', turning south after 30'.

To the south, the last passage runs for 60' and on. There is a door in the 20' - 30' section of the east wall.

You go down the south passage to the door. Looking further south, you see that the passage continues south for a further 60', turning east after 50'. In the 40' - 50' section of the west wall is a passage running west.

You open the door...and discover a 10' wide passage running east, for 60' and on.

You pass through the door and head east.

Zanax asks the simulacrum, "Cannon, what's the range of that wand of enemy detection?"

Cannon Fodder says, "Sixty feet. Why?"

"Just wondering where we should expect to be surprised...say a corridor 100 feet long? Does it work through walls?"

"I think so...it works through doors."

Angst offers a clarification.

"Thank you for your concern but vengance is not what I require, but justice. If someone admits to the murder of children then I will deal with them, got that Occa, me, if I die in the process then you can do what you like but they will be dealt with by one who has suffered by similar actions"

After 60' the passage continues for another 20'...then ends at a "T" intersection with a passage running north-south.

As you approach the intersection, three hill giants jump out from around the north corner, waving their clubs at you.

"Enemies!" announces Cannon Fodder.

They charge you...

Occa lightning bolts one of the giants.

Cannon Fodder points his wand of wonder at the group and says, "Surprise!"

"AAAARGH!" say the giants, as a swirling cavalcade of clashing colours shoots out of the wand, engulfing them and blinding them.

Darian charges them with his sword drawn and his shield held up high.

His first strike is accurate, opening up a large wound in the first of the giants. The blinded giant swings back, though, missing badly.

BrightAxe leaps into the fray with a bloodthirsty yell of destruction.

He connects with an axe, dodges a swinging club, and connects again.

Occa's lightning bolt crackles, striking the head of the monster on Darian and blowing it off, killing the fellow.

The other giant moves against the elf.

Pharian saves his spells, leans against the wall, and watches the fighters skewer and chop.

Orlon will cast prayer. THen, if there is room, he will jump into the melee with his big bruiser.

Darian lands another big time hit on the next giant, as he again dodges an incoming blow.

Brightaxe also connects again, is missed, and then misses himself with his second axe.

Suddenly things start dropping on people...as unbeknownst to you, a half a dozen giant spiders have come creeping up along the ceiling...

Al reacts, and jumps aside.

A second spider misses Occa and lands beside him, and a third does likewise with Jesse.

One drops right on Angst...and it is only his stoneskin that saves him.

Zanax sees a fifth spider drop beside him.

Orlon is bitten...but the stoneskin saves him.

"Leave the giants to BrightAxe and myself. The rest of you keep those spiders from the mages." says Darian.

Occa will cast sleep on the spiders.

No spiders are affected. The spider attacking Occa connects but does no damage.

Jesse tries to dimension door away from the spiders. The monster attacking her connects, though, and ruins her spell, even though it does not hurt her.

Darian swings at the giant in front of him. A perfect hit with his frost brand! The giant staggers, swings...and misses badly. Darian swings again...but also misses.

"Aahh! Spiders. The bane of all evil," Orlon screams as his attention turns to crushing the spiders.

He and the giant spider on him trade misses.

"If they are the bane of all evil, why are they attacking us? Most of us are pretty good. Especially Al and his sword."

"I get all flustered around spiders. I meant the curse of all evil." Orlon replies.

Pharian gets to work knifing any spiders that fall asleep.

Pharian does not have much to do...

"Party time, Saddam !" Al cries as he attacks the closest spider. "And Darian, why don't you use your wand of illumination and blind them, heh, heh" Ihe finishes his sarcastic remark with a chuckle.

"Evil! KILL KILL KILL!" says Saddam, as a spider chomps on the paladin's leg but does not otherwise hurt him...and the avenger easily slices through the body of the beast, cutting it in half and killing it.

BrightAxe is merrily hacking at the closest enemy to him. Wackity wack...as a club bounces off of Brightaxe's noggin, he connects again, tickling the hill giant. His next swing also connects...doing a little more damage this time.

Angst grunts as he swings his bastard sword...hitting and killing another spider.

Zanax cuts a nasty wound into his spider as well.

From down the north passage, though, you hear heavy footfalls approaching...and then three more giants come charging around the corner. They dwarf the hill giants, and have hideous, deformed bodies.

"Ugh!" says Robert, as he lounges about watching the fun, "Fomorians!"

"Prepare for some frozen spider-on-a-stick!" Gilstrock says, as he begins to cut into the spiders with his frost band. He starts with the one attacking Occa and then moves on to any of the other spiders which are menacing one of the party's spellcasters. Occa again is bitten without effect, but no more, as Gilstrock chops the spider in half.

BrightAxe will work up his giant hating bloodlust, and take this new threat with all his Dwarven skill and hatred of giants! The blinded hill giant lands a devastating hit against the north wall, but misses Brightaxe in the process. Brightaxe connects once.

"Joy. Robert, how about helping out the mages so they can help us out. Get rid of the spiders..."

"Shut up Darian," replies Robert. "There's too big a crowd around them as it is. If you'd like to chivvy the spell casters out of the way I might be able to do something."

"Testy... Maybe you could help up here with the giants then?"

"Push the giants back into the intersection and I'll show you how it's done," Robert suggests.

"You heard the man, BrightAxe, push them back." Darian attempts to comply.

Darian has a club bounce off of him as he tries to finish this giant off...succeeding rather handily at it.

He jumps over the tumbling body...coming face to face with a fomorian giant.

Robert, seeing an opening, rushes up to face another one.

Occa says, "Party time!" He lobs a lightning bolt down at the Formorian giants. The forked bolt badly injures the giant the Robert is facing...while Darian's new foe is less damaged, but more angry.

Then he starts using magic missles. Four spells pour into the giants. Still they live.

Cannon Fodder points his wand of wonder toward the formorian giants and says, "Surprise!"

Again there is a spray of clashing colours...engulfing the giants as well as Darian, Robert and Brightaxe. All three of the latter are blinded...as well as one of the fomorians.

"WHO AHHH ! We got ourselves a party !!" Al cries as he slices into anything that is an enemy that moves.

"This is more like it! Die, infidels!" wails Saddam like a banshee. Al and Saddam easily do in the giant spider threatening Jesse.

Suddenly Gonzo jumps out of the shadows and backstabs the blinded fomorian giant, ending its miserable life.

Zanax swings again at the spider. It bites him first, though, for 3 hit points of damage...though he resists the agony of the poison as it surges into his system. He thrusts with his glowing longsword and kills the monster.

Jesse takes out her wand and points it at the last spider, attacking Orlon.

"Dance Damn you." she says twice.

Two missiles spit out, hurting the spider.

Orlon finishes the job with Big Bruiser...mashing the spider.

Right now, one blinded hill giant and two fomorian giants survive.

But, just as it looks as if matters are getting back under control, you hear a buzzing noise rapidly approaching from the west...then a demonic-looking flying creature suddenly appears and dives at Arrrgh!

"Gee, thanks Cannon Fodder. Now I can't see." says Darian.

"Darian, step back," Gilstrock calls. He'll step in to Darian's place and begin to lay into the giants with Thawbreaker.

Darian pulls his sword close to his body and moves away from the giants.

The giant sees his chance and brings his club down hard on the retreating elf...and Darian is surprised when he takes 16 hit points from the hit!

Then Gilstrock is there with two quick hits with his frost brand..which gets the giant's attention.

Robert squares off against the other giant, though he is at a disadvantage since he is blind. The giants strikes first...and the fighter takes 30 hit points.

"Yeowch!" he says, swinging his bastard sword blindly. He connects...slices the giant's belly open, and kills him.

Zanax cries out at the dead spider, "Foul beast! Use poison on me, will you? Back to the Abyss with you!"

The spider declines to reply.

Zanax looks around for another foe.

Zanax tries to attack the demonic-looking creature first, unless he can't reach it.

He does reach it, as it tears into Arrrgh! The dwarf takes 8 hit points of damage from a claw.

As Zanax swings, though, the demon glances at him, and a ray shoots out of its eyes, striking him in the chest.

Zanax suddenly feels his strength drain away...until he is barely able to swing his sword...but swing it he does...missing badly.

Arrrgh!, meanwhile, swings his rod...connecting with one of the flail heads, bruising the monster.

Jesse says, "Thanks Al." after he dispatches the spider and then turns to the demonic foe, intending on unleashing a lightning bolt...but Arrrgh! and Zanax are blocking her view of the man-sized creature.

Occa casts lightning bolt at the last Formorian giant and the hill giant. Both are killed. He follows that up with 3 magic missle spells at the buzzing demon thing... The first two spells hurt the monster badly...the last spell bounces off of its slimy black hide.

"Darian, Brightaxe, take down the giants. The demon is mine !" Al snarls as he leaps with Saddam extended for the demon attacking Arrgh...not realising in the confusion that the giants are now history. Unfortunately, Arrrgh! and Zanax are there first.

"OUT OF OUR WAY! LEST WE CUT YOU DOWN TOO!" bellows the avenger at the man and the dwarf.

Only the demon remains...that is until a previously unnoticed secret door in the middle of the east wall of the "T" intersection opens...and out pile seven minotaurs. One of them is carrying a kitchen sink.

"Ho-de-ho-ho-ho!" they cry, as they confront Robert, Gilstrock and Brightaxe.

"Steal Occa's appliances, will you?" Gilstrock cries. "We'll see who ho-do-ho-ho-ho's who, now won't we!?!" He begins to cut minotaurs to ribbons with his frost band.

Gilstrock easily sidesteps a swinging axe and then sticks his blade into the unarmoured monster. The axe swings again and the fighter jumps over it, as he lands another deadly blow.

"Robert, Brightaxe, fall back and let Gilstrock handle the minotaurs. Robert, if you can work your way over here, I'll heal you."

"Until we can see again, we'll just get in the way."

Robert stumbles back blindly - how else - as the first minotaur chops at him with an enormous axe.

Occa says, "This is awesome! I haven't seen such an onslaught in ages!"

Occa casts cone of cold on the minotaurs, engulfing four of them. Two drop dead, frozen in their tracks, two more live...barely.

Cannon fodder points his wand at the minotaurs and says, "Surprise!"

Darian ducks down. "Cannon Fodder! Enough with the surprises!"

Too late...but nothing seems to happen.

Al, unable to get at the demon, targets the minotaurs as his next victims. Al steps into a swinging axe for 7 hit points of damage, first, then Saddam bites deep, sorely wounding the minotaur. It attacks again, though, and misses, and Al finishes it off.

BrightAxe feels he can he will step back and let the paladin with the chaotic sword through, so he does.

"Hey, my turn!" says Pharian as he begins casting a forked lightning bolt at the minotaurs.

The monster that attacked Robert and the one on Gilstrock have their respective heads blown off.

Arrrgh! is clawed for 4 more hit points as he swings his rod...connecting with one head. He is clawed again for another 4 hit points as he swings again. The flail heads wrap themselves around the monster's skull...crushing it to a pulp, and it drops.

Jesse turns and blasts the minotaurs, using two lightning bolts

The last two minotaurs drop...as around the corner to the west come a half a dozen trolls...

BrightAxe waits to be healed by a seeing cleric.

Orlon neutralizes poison on Zanax.

Pharian magic missles the trolls. One spell badly injures an oncoming troll.

"Trolls, prepare to meet Occa's exterminators!" Gilstrock cries as he charges this latest menace.

Darian heals himself and Robert.

The blindness that had afflicted Darian, Robert and Brightaxe clears up.

Zanax pulls out a short sword with his shield hand. However, to his consternation it does not ignite since he does not know the command word. "You cut them down, Gilstrock, and I'll - I'll - ummm - anyone got a light??"

"Excellent," Gilstrock says.

Gonzo glances around "... might wanna check fer a wizard conjuring up deez critters Occa. Me neber seen so many goodies all in one spot in such a short time befor'."

He then jumps to attack the nearest target shouting his familiar "KARUMBA!!!!!"

"BRING IT ON !" Al roars as battlelust totally overtakes him.

"Let me at those trolls, I can help mow them down a lot quicker, if you will burn them up aftrwards Zanax"

Angst will move into attack the trolls wondering if his stone skin is still functioning.

Occa casts cold of cone on the trolls.

All of the trolls are frozen solid. The fighters stop in their tracks...looking crestfallen.

Cannon Fodder then uses his wand after sticking his tongue out at Darian. "Surprise!"

"Cannon Fodder, you and I are going to have a little talk about your frequent use of that wand especially when your friends are in its line of fire!"

Cannon Fodder yells, "Chaos rules! Thtppppppt!"

Suddenly Cannon Fodder shrinks...until he is only 6" tall...

Jesse holds off while the others attack and looks around the area, ceiling, floors etc, looking for other baddies.

She is just in time to see four fireballs detonate in quick succession at the "T" intersection. Fortunately for you, Occa's minor globe and Saddam serve to protect most of you from the blasts...so only Arrrgh!, Brightaxe, Darian, Robert, Jesse and Orlon get toasted...

Arrrgh! is reduced to 24 hit points.

Brightaxe is reduced to 2 hit points.

Darian is reduced to 13 hit points.

Robert is reduced to 28 hit points.

Jesse is reduced to -4 hit points, and falls unconscious and burning.

Orlon is reduced to 26 hit points.

The trolls are torched as well.

Darian risks a look around the corner to the north...and sees four man-shaped creatures with the heads of tigers some 60 away...

Occa says, "Tit for Tat." He casts fireball down the corridor and says, "Al, get down there fast...I don't think magic does much against them."

Pharian casts a cone of cold at the tiger-men, then steps back behind the cover of Occa's globe.

"Yeah, yeah, Occa, finish your blasting already!" Gilstrock says, chafing at having to hide behind a magical barrier.

The monsters are casting again as well. Occa is the target of a dazzling display of magic missiles...which are stopped cold by his minor globe. Another fireball detonates...but this time you are all protected either by Occa or Saddam. Occa's fireball goes off simultaneously...but they are not harmed. Pharian releases his cone of cold...but it does nothing to them.

Gilstrock charges the man-shaped creatures with tiger heads. "Come out and fight like me you pussy cats!" he cries.

Occa ducks back around the corner.

Darian ducks back behind Occa pulling Jesse with him. He quickly heals her and then himself.

Jesse regains consciousness, though she remains weak.

"The rest of you that need healing badly, come back here and I'll do it. If you don't need it, help the others or act as a rearguard. This seems to be monster central and I'm sure we're not done..."

Gonzo slips into to the shadows.

"Its show Time. Al, Gilstrock let's hit them hard" Angst charges at the creatures hoping that the paladin and warrior are behind him. He weaves from side to side as he cannons down corridor.

"I'll second that!" says Robert, and charges them as well.

Zanax will sheathe the short sword and engage the tiger men with his long sword. He will try and stay within the magic resistance range of Al and his sword.

"What are they?" Pharian asks Occa.

Occa says, "Rashakasha or something weird like that. They are masters of illusion and are very resistant to magic if memory serves. They are also very chaotic evil. Al, should make short work of them."

BrightAxe will wimper towards the back and cast his three cure light wounds upon himself very merrily as this could be his last gasp...curing himself for 12 hit points.

As Gilstrock, Angst, Zanax, Al and Robert charge, the rakshasas unleash more magic missiles on them and then prepare to meet their charge. None of the spells penetrate Saddam's circle of protection.

Melee starts...

Gilstrock and Robert gang up on one monster. It's claws screech down the front of Gilstrock's armour, as he swings his frost brand and slices off a large chunk of orange striped fur. It again claws him without effect. Another swing by the fighter draws blood, as Gilstrock dodges its teeth. Robert next drives his bastard sword into the creature's belly, killing it.

Angst is bitten for 1 hit point as he misses badly with his bastard sword. It bites him for 3 hit points.

Zanax is clawed for 3 hit points as he connects with his longsword. The blade, however, does no damage.

"Hahaaha!" sneers the cat as it claws and bites for 5 more hit points.

"Convert! Convert! Or die! Or die!" exhorts Saddam, as Al swings him...and lands his usual deadly blow. The cat misses, and Al connects again...gutting the monster and killing her.

"KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARUMBA! Die you foul mutant furr-balls." howls Gonzo, as he steps out of the shadows and attacks the rakshasa on Angst. However, his flame tongue bounces right off the hide of the monster.

60' away, by the "T" intersection, the rest of you suddenly see yet another figure - robed as a magic user - at the far end of the west passage.

He is gesturing, as he casts a spell...

Meanwhile, the fighters with the rakshasas become aware of a slithering noise coming towards them down the passage...behind the enemies...

Occa begins to giggle, "This is awesome!" He magic missles the mage in order to mess up his spell.

His spell is stopped cold a few feet away from the target.

He then follows that with a lightning bolt spell

Cannon Fodder points his Bazooka sized wand (for him) at the mage and says in his tiny voice, "Surprise!"

A lightning bolt shoots out of the wand. It strikes the mage in the chest, not doing much damage, but spoiling his spell.

He starts casting another spell.

"This place is attracting way too much attention." Darian leans over and heals BrightAxe and then Orlon.

Brightaxe is fully healed...but Orlon is only healed for 20 hit points...as Darian's psionic reserves are depleted...

Occa's lightning bolt goes off as the enemy mage releases a burst of magic missiles...none of which harm you.

Again the mage takes damage...but not as much as you would expect.

He begins casting anew...

Down the passage, you hear the fighters continuing their battle with the rakshasas.

Occa has this strange feeling that he is being observed from afar...

"Sorry guys, I'm tapped out. Orlon, can you take care of the others?" asks Darian. He turns to Occa. "Occa, if you can protect me with your spells, I'll try shooting some arrows at this guy. If that doesn't work, I could run at him with a sword... But only as a last result."

Occa says, "Do it, I am about out of spells as well!"

Cannon Fodder gets his rod and detects for illusions on the mage.

He detects none.

Occa casts hold person on the mage.

Orlon will utter his holy word.

The mage is unaffected.

Darian strings his bow and notches an arrow. If he gets the nod from Occa, he'll start firing at the mage.

Occa casts away..

Jesse takes her magic wand and points it at the mage. "Dance damn you." she says three times in rapid succession, before she lays back down and begins to pant. "Got to stop that... getting fireballed is no fun." she mutters under her breath.

Her magic missiles bounce off of some invisible shield just in front of their intended target.

Occa's spell goes off simultaneously with the mage's. Occa's spell does not affect him...but suddenly Cannon Fodder feels even more confused than usual, and turns and attacks Occa!

Darian starts firing. "I've still got a lightning bolt and a few magic missle spells in my repertoire. I just figured they wouldn't touch this guy."

Darian's arrows fly true but do not hurt their target.

"Occa, you might start thinking about a tactical retreat to the stairs. At least that way the things could only come at us from one side. And then Al's sword could help protect us all."

Occa says, "That is what I am thinking!"

Brightaxe turns and heads off to join the fighters.

Orlon then starts casting, in order; CSW into Aargh (12 hit points), 4 CLW into himself (12 hit points).

"That taps me out."

"I'm okay and I took care of Jesse. Heal yourself and worry about the others later..." says Darian.

Suddenly you hear Zanax's voice beside you.

"We got 4 wyverns, all nicely in a row...any of you mages interested in target practice?"

From back where the fighters are you hear the melee continuing...though for once no new monsters appear.

Zanax charges the mage, some 60' away...as he does so, an iron golem appears behind the magic user and starts moving towards you...as the figure begins casting again...

"Zanax, come back here. That's an iron golem. I don't think you're wielding anything that can touch it."

Zanax hesitates.

Darian casts a lightning bolt at the golem.

The bolt strikes the golem...and he slows down. He is 30' away, now.

"I think we have got problems here, folks." says Darian. "Occa, we might want to think about retreating, right now. Things are getting kind of dicey and we're almost out of spells and we're definately out of healing... Plus we've got an iron golem and an untouchable mage and wyvern's... Get the fighters to come back to us and maybe we can put Al between us and the mage."

"Or do you have a teleport spell available? We could quickly pile into the portable hole and get out that way. We might lose fewer folks that way."

Occa does not answer, as he is too busy watching the confused 6" tall Cannon Fodder trying to attack his ankle...when he suddenly aims his wand at Occa's face and says -

"Surprise!"

Nothing seems to happen, but Cannon Fodder thinks otherwise.

"Haha! Gotcha!" he says...as a semblance of what passes for sanity returns to him.

Jesse looks where Zanax came from and uses her wand on the wyvern. As she does she sees it go limp as Angst and Robert finish it off...so she fires on the next monster in line.

As she completes firing, four more rakshasas appear in a blaze of magic missiles. Some of these strike Gilstrock, as he, Al and Brightaxe attack them.

The mage completes his latest spell, though nothing obvious happens. Then he releases two magic missile spells into Zanax, who is more than 5' away from Occa. 12 missiles blast into the young man...for 48 hit points... Zanax is blown to pieces and killed in the process.

The mage smiles.

The golem will be on you in a moment.

"Occa, you idiot, snap out of it and get us out of here!"

Darian grabs Zanax's equipment and a piece of him and scurries back to Occa.

Jesse continues to pump magic missiles into the wyverns from her wand as fast as she can.

Pharian casts his last lightning bolt at the golem, slowing it further. "We've got to get out of here," he says to no one in particular. "Let's retreat under the safety of Occa's globe."

The mage completes another spell...and suddenly the air about you is filled with stinging ice...as each of you takes 24 hit points of damage.

Cannon Fodder is destroyed.

The mage smiles at the havoc that he is wreaking on you, and begins to slowly advance on you, leaning on his staff.

Occa stops snoring and wakes up.

Occa says, "Yikes! He is above arch magi!" Occa casts passwall at the golems feet.

A pit opens up beneath the feet of the golem...and the thing drops into it with a THUD.

He then casts disintegrate at the mage. "Let's see how you do against this."

The spell does not affect him.

He will follow it with a magic missle at the mage.

The spell is stopped cold.

The mage - closer, now - smiles again, and you see two long fangs in his mouth...he is a vampire.

Orlon says, "Boo!"

"Ack!" says the vampire, as the smile is wiped off his face.

He turns and flees...to the west, and around the corner to the south.

Occa casts another passwall...and the golem drops out of sight.

Occa looks around, "Where are the wyverns?"

Looking north from the "T" intersection, you see that the passage runs north for 60' and on. In the 30' - 40' section is a 4-way intersection. At the limit of your vision - 20' past the intersection - is a dead wyvern. Robert and Angst have climbed over it...and you can see by the light of their weapons that they are battling a second wyvern behind it.

At the 4-way, Gonzo, Brightaxe, Gilstrock and Al are battling four more rakshashas that have attacked. Three are now dead...one soon will be.

Darian wipes his brow and looks over his shoulder. "About time, you woke up."

Occa says, "Sorry, my master, the three toad one, had a job interview."

Darian looks around.

"Occa, can you hold the fort here with the others? If so, I'll go help the fighters. Pharian, Occa, do you have a stoneskin available? Mine ran out."

"Ah, no on both accounts."

"Suggestions?" Jesse says as she tries to shoot the wyvern with her wand again.

"We need to retreat to the staircase before anything else finds us. We've lost two members, you're down and the rest of us are wounded in one way or another. Occa or Pharian, cast a stoneskin on me and I'll hold the hallway while you get up the stairs. The fighters can follow as soon as they finish with the wyverns and rakshahas."

Occa says as he picks up Cannon Fodder's stuff. "He wasn't that good. I think the next version will be better."

He continues, "We should destroy this golem while he is in the pit. It would be stupid to wait till he got out and fight him again. Anyone know how to hurt these things? If not, let's wait for the fighters to finish up and then we can get it and then out of here."

Occa casts fly on himself and flies down to the battle.

The rest of you follow.

As you approach you see Al and Gilstrock kill rakshasa number 8 (the last one), and Angst land two quick blows to the second wyvern, killing it.

Occa zooms overhead, through the four-way intersection where the rakshasas were just killed, reaches for his wand of ice...and suddenly remembers that he loaned it to someone and never got it back.

Looking down the west branch of the 4-way, you see that the passage runs for 60' and on. In the 30' - 40' section of the south wall is a flight of stairs going up.

You realise that you have come around in a circle...

Still two wyverns to deal with.

It is afternoon.

Occa says to the fighters as he grips his rod and hovers, "There is a vampire to the South and a golem in a temporary pit. We need to kill it quickly before the pit disappears!"

Gilstrock, his bloody frost band in his right hand, and bleeding himself from a few wounds, looks up at Occa and the others. "We've been killing cats. What have you been up to? Other than flying, that is. What was all that thudding?"

"Iron golem and vampire!"

Gilstrock looks skeptically at Occa. "Iron Golem, huh? I've had bad experiences with those. Last time you told me to attack one, I died. Can't you just take it over and make it yours? IF not, can you protect me from the posion gas? And tell me what kind of weapons can hit it -- magic? blunt? sharp? I dunno nothin' about these golem things, other than that they have really, really foul breath."

Occa says, "I dont' know! I normally run away from them...I think any weapon can hurt them....they just need to be hit enough. If everyone jumps him at once, it should be okay."

Darian smiles. "Anyone have a rust monster handy? I've heard they enjoy a good meal of iron..."

"Oh, yeah, just happen to have one in my pocket," Gilstrock says, snorting with the sheer ridiculousness of the concept, before throwing up his hands. "Fine, if nobody has a better idea, I guess we should all charge."

Gilstrock takes a peek around the corner to see how the Wyverns are going.

Angst and Robert are attacking wyvern #3. Wyvern #4, though, is retreating back up the passage to the north, whence it originally came.

"Its going to be some BBQ tonight."

Number three lashes out at the ranger and bites him for 9 hit points of damage as Angst sticks it for 16 hit points. Robert follows up with a miss.

Angst and Robert continue to cut up the wrym. Angst scrambles over the bodies if the first two wyverns to help them.

"Occa, you think Pharian and you can handle the Iron Golem ??"

Occa says, "Do you happen to know what kinds of spells affect it?"

"Don't you mages create the blasted things ?? If so, don't you know what affects it ?? If you can't affect it, I'll tangle with it, but what did Gilstrock say about poison gas ??" says Al.

"Well, my lightning bolt seemed to slow it down. I don't remember much about them, but I do know that most spells don't affect them. And I think only potent magical weapons affect them... Al's sword, Gilstrock's sword and my sword should do it. I don't know about any of our other weapons, though." says Darian.

Occa says, "I don't create them you dolt! As for gas...it can breath a poisonous gas once every ten minutes or so...so, I would recommend someone resistant charge up..get it to breath and then afterwards everyone hit it hard."

Angst's next hit opens a massive bloody wound in the monster. The wyvern, badly weakened, now, tries to bite him again but misses. The ranger's next swing kills it.

Robert and Al hurry past the still twitching carcass and go after the last wyvern...which is now some 100' up the passage north of the intersection.

Robert didges the retreating monster's maw and lands a solid hit across its snout, as Al does likewise twice and kills it.

Gilstrock says, "Darian, Zanax, Al, Robert, Angst, c'mon, we've gotta go beat us up an iron golem."

Darian says in a quiet voice. "Zanax is dead. Occa froze on us and Zanax got nailed with a bunch of magic missles from that vampire. I don't think we're in any condition to deal with an iron golem."

"WHAT ??? ZANAX DEAD ?? ARRRGGGHHH !!" Al roars as he runs back to you, with Robert and Angst clanking along behind him. "MAY THE GODS PROTECT YOU, UNDEAD SCUM, BECAUSE I AM TAKING YOU DOWN NOW!!!"

He heads for the last recorded location of the vampire.

Darian tries to trip Al. "Take it easy, Al. This vampire is an archmage. It's probably going to take all of us to take him down."

Al nimbly avoids Darian. "With Horus and Saddam on my side, I WILL take that foul creature down NOW !" he says as he charges ahead.

"Infidels! Vampires are among the worst of all infidels! And anyone who thinks that we should stop is an infidel as well and deserves nothing better than a horrible mutilating death!" exclaims Saddam.

Jesse calls to Al. "Al, we are wounded and would be unable to help you. Let us go and get refreshed and plot a strategy that will work and will let us defeat this creature quickly. Please Al." she says softly. "Wait till we are all ready."

"AAARGGH !" Al roars as he swings Saddam in a curving arc away from everyone. "OK, ok, I will wait... but the more time we give this creature time to recuperate, the worse off we are ! Will we rest here or are we going back to camp ??"

"You are aiding evil!" says Saddam to Jesse, "And so are evil yourself! May your soul rot in the abyss!"

"Shut up metal breath." Jesse says to Saddam. "I'd debate theology with you later, when it is convient. However, dying for no reason is not a good thing to do. Stupid sacrifices are just plain dumb." she shakes her head, "I'm talking to a sword. What is the world coming to." she says to noone in particular.

"No, the more time we rest, the stronger we get. We need to use our heads this time. You say how he decimated us. We need to pick the terrain so that we can defeat him. When we do, I will sing your praises far and wide, for I am sure you will strike the fatal blow."

Jesse scratches her chin. "Besides, we need a way to follow the critter to his lair so we can kill him for good. As I recall Vampires are pretty tough to kill and can usually float away as a gas cloud when they are killed. You must do some sort of ritual on their homes, where their 'essence is kept'. At least that is what I have heard."

Occa says, "Wow, great work Jesse. First, Al, don't be an idiot. I have known many paladins and they all get killed rushing ahead like that. You are powerful...very powerful, especially with that sword, but you can still be killed."

Gilstrock says, "We could always let Al try while the rest of us pull out. Hey, will your staff thing work on vampires?"

Darian shrugs. "I don't know. I doubt it. Plus this vampire is an arch-mage. He shrugged off everything we threw at him including arrows. Plus, he summoned the golem. Only Orlon's holy symbol scared him away. Otherwise, the lot of us would be vampires at this point..."

"Well, damn," Gilstrock says. "It's not gonna go away. Al, wait on your vampire. If we all pound on the golem at once, we can do away with it once and for all. C'mon!"

"Leave the vamp to me !! Heh, heh !! Let's go Saddam, time to kill a bat!!"

"Al, that vampire was an archmage. I really think we should make a retreat back upstairs. We've no more healing spells, most of us are out of magical spells and a number of us are fairly wounded. Tackling an iron golem and an archmage vampire is probably not wise. We can work on them tomorrow..." says Darian. "Plus, Zanax is dead and Jesse's out of it for a while."

Occa says, "We've finished these Wyverns so let's get the golem. Then let's get the hell out of here."

Occa says to Jesse or Pharian, "Since you two regenerate, could one of you go close enough to the golem to get him to breath? As soon as he does that, I would suggest all the fighters jump him in the pit...they will make short work of him that way."

Jesse looks at Occa as if he has two heads. "What? You want me to go and play tag with an Iron golem, so he can breath poison on me. Just becuase I can regenerate doesn't mean I am going to tickle the tail of the dragon. Poison is bad stuff." she says.

Occa says, "Can I borrow your ring for a moment? I have never been poisoned before...it might be interesting to feel if I can't resist it."

You head back down the passage towards the pit where the golem is. You can hear him thudding about.

"Amongoomba," says a voice from behind you...as suddenly you are engulfed in a sickly orange ray of light.

Gilstrock is paralysed...as are Arrrgh! and Occa.

The rest of you turn around...to see the vampiric mage standing some 40' away, just this side of wyvern #1, with his staff pointed at you.

Standing between you and them, by the 4-way intersection, are two shadowy figures...who look to be fighters...guarding the vampire.

"Deep doo-doo." Jesse says.

Gilstrock stands stock still. He does not move. He does not attack. He does not say anything. He has an itch on the left side of his chin that is driving him absolutely batty because he is paralyzed and can't do anything about it.

Darian sighs and gives a quick prayer to Frey asking for aid and strength in this encounter.

"Al, it looks like you've gotten your wish. Two vampires and an archmage vampire. Your sword should be very happy."

"Yes! More heathen fodder!" chortles Saddam.

"Saddam, play with Jesse later, although I believe you'll lose !" Al says to the sword. "Oh Darian, NOW is a good time for some bright lights, no ?"

"Horus, I beseech thee, Flambe the undead blasphemy !" Al intones as he casts Flame Strike on the vampire. At the same time the vampire starts chanting another spell.

"If you say so, Al... Fire in the hole!" Darian closes his eyes and wills a sunburst as he says, "Flashdance!"

As he says the command word, Al closes his eyes and then opens them, getting ready to rumble!!

There is a brilliant flash of light centred on the vampire. He takes some damage, ruining his spell...but the shades are unharmed.

A pillar of flame suddenly engulfs the vampire and the shades, as Al's spell goes off. This time the vampire is unhurt but the shades take some damage. One shade collapses, dead...the other is only slightly wounded.

Al then launches himself at the vampire.

As he rushes past Occa, Gilstrock and Arrrgh!, they are freed from the paralysis.

"You can thank me later!" says Saddam.

Jesse speaks a word and winks out of sight...to reappear behind the vampire, where she grabs at his staff! She yanks at it, but the mage is strong and hangs on...as a tug of war results.

Al reaches the remaining shadowy guard on the way to the vampire and attacks. "Orlon, give 'em all hell !! and leave Bats to me !!"

The paladin's first swing easily connects as does the shade's gleaming longsword for 6 hit points. Al lands another nasty hit...as he takes a further 6 hit points.

Angst backs up Al...being more concerned with avoiding been hit by the vampires.

Darian casts Protection from Evil on himself and follows up with Detect Invisibility. He waits to see what the other fighters will do before deciding further actions.

Jesse is battling the vampire for the staff, Al is fighting the shade, and Occa, Gilstrock and Arrrgh! can do things again.

Occa yanks out a couple coins of continual light and tosses them down near the vampire and shade. "Take that you shadow monger! I can see you just fine now!"

"Let's kick some ass, people and Jesse, be careful !" Al says as he goes toe to toe with the shade. "Good job, Saddam !" he says with a smile.

"Al, leave the shadow for someone else. Jesse needs help with the vampire." says Darian as he prepares to cast spells.

Saddam bites deep into the shade again...as the creature weakens. It bounces its sword off of Al's armour as the paladin nails him again...and kills him.

Gilstrock charges the vampire, intending to hit it with his frost band, crying "You should never have stopped advertising chocolate breakfast cereal, you pathetic dodger of mirrors!"

Occa yells, "Use the staff again! It will do much more damage than your magic missles!"

Darian stops preparations, closes his eyes and yells "Fire in the hole!" and wills another sunburst from the staff while saying "Flashdance!"

There is another flash...and the vampire is badly hurt.

"Saddam, remind me that the next time we are in a town that I need a new pair of sunglasses !" Al says with a smirk as he heads for the vampire.

While the vampire is involved with a tug of war Angst attempts to move into position to strike the vampire.

Jesse will continue to grapple for the staff.

They continue to wrestle...neither gaining the advantage.

Suddenly there is a splintering crack as Jesse gives a hard twist and the staff breaks...followed by an incredible explosion as the magical energy contained therein is released...

Jesse, Angst and Al take 152 hit points of damage.

Gilstrock takes 114 hit points.

The rest of you take 76 hit points of damage.

Everyone is blown to pieces and vapourized but for Gonzo...and his reprieve is only momentary...as...with a terrible rumbling roar...the entire dungeon collapses in on itself...entombing him in the process.

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