November 3, 1371

The temperature is finally dropping under 80F. It is quite comfortable, now...except for the swarms of biting insects which are escorting you.

Occa says, "What an interesting island... Detect magic on it. Niko, can you detect traps on it?"

Niko nods and pulls out Dwarf's Envy check out the obsidian statue. He detects nothing.

"It must be a type of sign..or maybe a cult thing."

Using his divinely granted power of detect magic, Salaam scans the area and the obelisk for magic and he tries to divine the type of magic if there is.

The obelisk radiates magic. He cannot determine the type.

Niko tries to figure out the current market value of obsidian, and concludes that it would not be worth the effort to take back with them.

You continue on your way. All goes well for another hour, when suddenly you hear a gasp from the rear. Emm, who was at the back of the group has been attacked by a large insect which resembles a scorpion without a stinger. Instead, it has two long whip-like appendages sprouting out of its head. One of these has lashed out at the man and wrapped itself around him for 6 hit points of damage.

Now, it is trying to drag him back into the darkness of the lush undergrowth.

"Stand tight, Emm!" Gilstrock exclaims, as he draws Hangnail, his Sword of Sharpness, over his shoulder from the scabbard on his back. He makes his way to the back of the group where Emm is.

"Darian! Robert! Niko! Op Code! Go for the bodies!" Gilstrock cries.

Gonzo moves as quickly as his boots of speed will allow and attacks the thing before it can escape, keeping a wary eye on the bushes for any comrades of the creature.

"KKKKKAAAARUUUUUUUMBA!" he squeals in glee.

The cleric spins around and barks out some words of magic as he casts a magic missile spell on the offending bug. His missile blasts into the insect.

The dwarf is there next, a half a step ahead of Gilstrock, and immediately chops the thing in half, killing it.

Jesse rolls her eyes.

"There goes surprise," as she scans the area for signs of additional trouble while the fighters deal with the critter.

"And I should allow the creature to eat Emm?? typical female," Salaam says, rolling his eyes.

"It seems, with Gilstrock, Darian, Gonzo and the other fighters, they will make short work of the creature," Jesse says, "However, that oblisk might detect magical energies, as have just been released." the bard explains, scanning the area.

"You give these heathen pirates too much credit. Maybe in your bardic songs they are smart and crafty, but as we have seen intelligence is rare among them," Salaam replies.

Peering back into the bushes where the whip scorpion was trying to drag Emm, you see a small nest, littered with the remains of small dead animals, plus a few human bones. Searching it, you find a small pouch, with three gems in it (200gp ea.)

You hurry on, trying to be quiet. However, the lights you are forced to use to see your way through the dense jungle make you visible regardless.

At last, as 5am approaches, the land begins to grow swampy. Alyta tells you that you are only a few hundred yards from the entrance to the camp. The jungle is just as thick, though, which hopefully serves to hide your lights.

You pause, and hear a strange noise ahead. After a moment you realise that it is the sound of someone snoring.

"Would it be possible to heal these wounds?" asks the injured Emm.

"Certainly.." Salaam says as he lays his hands on the man. "Oh wait, maybe I should let Emm continue in pain as someone might detect the divine energies being channeled through me." Salaam says sarcastically looking at Jeese. He then casts a cure light wounds on Emm.

Emm is cured completely. There is no light show. Thoth is much too serious for that sort of display.

"Darian could have done that just as easily, and with less a possibility of detection Salaam. If you do not appreciate my concerns, and I hope that I am wrong about them, but something about that oblisk has triggered my mind, and when I remember, I will let you know, however I still urge caution."

Occa says, "Enough is enough."

The words to a Hold Person spell is on Salaam's lips, awaiting anyone to muzzle the snoring guard and to question him.

"Occa, can you charm him?? I know Pharian can't." The cleric says with uncharacteristic humor.

"Let Gonzo handle it," advises the arch-mage.

Gonzo fades into the shadows.

The rest of you wait.

Gonzo returns with the following report:

"About a 100 yards down the trail, it opens out.

The camp consists of twelve grass and palm frond huts. Seven of them are large, oblong structures and five of them are smaller. In addition, there is a slave pen.

The huts are arranged around a large fire pit. The fire has burned low.

Off to your right, about 100' away, is the old temple that Alyta told you was used as the command centre for Targon and friends. It is an ancient step-pyramid, perhaps 100' high, backing into the jungle. A flight of steps leads up to a large doorway about 25' above ground level. The pyramid is overgrown with vines and plants.

With your infravision you spot a number of guards about the camp.

You spot about ten guards stationed along the beach, two more by the fire pit, and one outside of each hut. There are two at the entrance to the Temple, one by the slave pen and two more at the point where the path emerges from the forest.

The latter two guards are only a few feet away from you...completely oblivious to your presence. One is asleep - the source of the snoring you heard earlier - and his companion sits nearby, swatting at the occasional insect.

All of the guards are in darkness, except for the two by the fire pit. You note that it is just beginning to get light, though."

"We'll want to move quick iffin we moves at all."

Occa says, "Great work Gonzo. I say we use the portable hole and I fly you guys in past the other guards. Once inside the pyramid, I let you out and we move on from there. Of course, there will probably be a guard shift change soon...so maybe we should level this outside camp first. Any thoughts, anyone?"

"I say we hit them quick and hard. A volley of explosive spells and I will try to hold as many as needed," Salaam says.

"Leveling the camp is probably a good idea, I would hate to have our foes at our backs. If we can devise a quick plan to do it without revealing our strength, then we should be good to go. We need to make sure we do not injure those in the slave pens," Jesse says, "Which limits the fierceness of our firepower."

"I suggest the following. We take out these two guards quickly. That will give us a place to launch our attack from," Jesse looks to Alyta, "Alyta, lass, what do you think the effect of starting some of the huts on fire would be? Would they come to try to put out the flames? If so, I suggest we start one of these buildings on fire. Niko what are sailors most scared of in this area? can we summon or mimic that to frighten them?"

"Can one of you invisble types take out those two guards," Op Code asks.

"Could you send fireballs into the huts before they fully arouse? That may send a scare into them."

Niko frowns.

"Considering that those living inside those huts are probably unskilled warriors, why bother attacking them first and possibly ruining our surprise? Let's just seal up the entrance once we're inside to prevent them from coming in, too."

"Taking them out first means getting rid of a potential problem," Op Code remarks.

Occa says, "What of the rest of you? We need a consensus. Some say take them out, some say wait. I think we should probably wait. I don't think their will be anyone of importance in this village outside."

"It's bad form and policy to leave foes at your rear. Our line of retreat could be blocked and we don't know what will be in the temple. Better deal with them now," adds Jesse.

"If we go straight to the temple, we may have foes all around us, not just at the rear," Op Code sneers.

"The only other option is to make the breeak to the temple, as Occa suggests, and then fireball the huts from there. However, I still fear that will put is in a bad position."

Alyta ponders, "The large huts are for the ships' crews, except that one," she points, "which is the cook house, and that far one," she points again, this time to the furthest building from the group, "which was used as a storehouse for food and loot last time I was here.

"The smaller ones hold the officers and guests," she says as an afterthought.

"Setting one of the big ones on fire would raise an alarm and get most everyone fighting it," she says, confident in her prediction.

Niko smiles "Great idea! Nothing like a mundane emergency to distract without alerting them that something bigger is going down!"

"Okay. We start a fire and then we hit them hard. Here is the plain. Gonzo goes over to the bigger hut and starts it on fire. Make it look like an accident somehow..."

"When everyone goes to fight it, we blow them to bits. Part of this time will go to the temple entrance and kill the guards there so that they don't go inside and warn anyone."

"How does that sound?"

Jesse nods in assent.

"Good idea." she says to Occa.

"Let's go then," Op Code nods. "Tell us when you want to charge, Occa."

"Fine by me." Niko replies.

Niko turns invisible.

He then draws Dwarf's Envy (no flame) and the SMC short sword (off).

"Whenever yer ready."

"Okay, then. Here is the plan then....Gonzo will go start the fire. A couple of us will fly over to the pyramid invisible. We will kill the guards there and then rain holy hell upon the ones putting out the fire. The rest of you need to use the grenades or fireballs to help finish them off. Or lighting bolt if you have that. Gonzo, once you set the fire, get over to the loot area and check it out. Once you have an idea of what is there, come up to the temple and let us know."

"Is everyone ready? Pharian, Gilstrock and I will go to the temple. Is anyone else eager to go there?"

He turns to Pharian and says, "Can you turn invisible and fly? One of us can carry Gilstrock invisible."

Pharian nods.

Gilstrock says, "Ooo, ooo, take me!"

Floating a couple of inches into the air thanks to his levitating boots, the large blond fighter adds, "You don't even have to lift me, you just gotta tow me."

"That is the plan."

"Pardon me," replies Emm, "but I don't fly."

"That is why you are staying here, greenhorn."

"You will know when I fireball the mass of people down there. That will be your signal to start. Gonzo, go do your work."

Occa turns invislble and then turns Gilstrock invisible.

"You ready Pharian?"

Pharian licks his dry lips in anticipation of the coming catyclismic orgy of destruction, then casts invisibility and fly on himself.

Once he ready, Occa casts fly on himself and says, "Meet you there. You attack after I do...that will be the signal."

Gonzo once again slips into the shadows.

Occa, Pharian and Gilstrock fly up into the air.

Op Code, Jesse, Alyta, Robert, Darian and Emm begin to creep down the trail as quietly as possible, after Gonzo.

You give Gonzo a moment to get a head start, then set out after him down the trail. You have extinguished your lights, and are relying on Darian's infravision to guide you through the still darkened jungle.

Suddenly, from perhaps 75' ahead, you hear a voice cry out, while at the same time the stentorian snoring stops.

"Hey! Who th' hell are you?"

It sounds like Gonzo has been spotted.

Salaam mutters, "I could hold him if I could say the bastard."

Evidently he isn't thrilled about being in the dark, in many senses of the word.

"Shhh! Maybe he won't find Gonzo and and think it was just his imagination," whispers Niko, as he rubs his lucky charm.

"I agree with Niko," Op Code whispers. "Let's wait a few seconds to see if the guard does anything further."

From somewhere ahead, you hear an exchange of words, but you cannot make them out.

Then, you hear another voice call out, "What's going on over there?"

Niko waits tensely for what happens next...

Darian whispers to Salaam. "Do you have a protection from fire spell available?"

"Resist fire is as good as it gets for now," Salaam replies.

"Place it on me, please, and I will go check out Gonzo's work from above. Should I get caught in a fireball, your spell and my psionics will protect me."

Salaam intones, "Oh great Thoth, please protect Darian from fire," as he casts resist fire on him.

"Thanks, Salaam. Wait for the fireball and then come running. I'll be out there somewhere... Hopefully, with Gonzo."

Darian casts detect invisibility and when Salaam finishes he casts invisibility and fly and then sails off, above, to see what's keeping Gonzo.

From up the path ahead, you hear Gonzo's voice, slurred, "I SAID I NEED MORE TA DRINK!"

Darian takes to the sky.

There is immediately a loud crashing and rustling of bushes, as the flying elf collides with the dense jungle undergrowth in the dark.

The sounds recede, as he struggles upwards.

Then, from down the trail where Gonzo went, you hear another voice...

"AAAAAAAAA!!!!"

Followed by a third...

"Oooof!"

There is a brief instant of silence, then you hear the same questioning voice that you heard a moment ago.

"We've got trouble, here!" he yells. "Intruders!"

"Smooth, real smooth, see what happens when you let amateurs do the job," Salaam says to no one in particular. He moves forward and has the words of a magic missile spell in the event that some enemy appears before him.

Op Code, having a couple of magic missile spells ready to use, goes forward with his sword in hand.

At a run you cover the last 75' of trail quickly, making a good deal of noise as you do so. You run past two dead guards, then burst into the clearing and stop.

Looking about, you see a third dead guard about 30' away, a dagger buried in his neck.

At the entrance to the pyramid you see Occa.

There is no sign of your other companions.

However, the alarm has been given, and the guards all over the camp are yelling and running towards you.

From within several of the huts can be heard the sounds of men awakening and preparing to come out.

Occa says, "Gilstrock get into the temple entrance and make sure there are no more of the guards. Kill any who try to come down the corridor. Pharian, you back him up and then come back if it is clear and help me level this village."

"Right-o, boss," Gilstrock says. He levitates himself back down to the ground, draws, Thawbreaker.

Occa then sees what is left to do...

"You want anything from me, Occa?" says the voice of the invisible Darian.

Occa says, "Sure, go help Gilstrock. Right now, I need to lay down some artillary and then you troopers can hit them. Pharian, since Darian is here, stay back and help me level this place."

Occa is to one side of the temple entrance and starts up his casting.

Pharian grunts his agreement and begins casting a fireball at a hut full of innocent pirate victims-to-be.

You hear Darian land (those with detect invisibility see him land).

"Okay, Gilstrock, let's go rough up some baddies. Let me lead in case of fire or magic, though."

Gilstrock, who doesn't have detect invisibility, says, "Uh, allright, but I might run into you."

"Good point. But, the minute I cast a spell or attack something, I'll turn visible again. So, perhaps you should let me go in by myself and just make sure you can see the other end of the hallway. When I turn visible, you come running."

"Allright," Gilstrock says, although he doesn't sound fully convinced. He will do as Darian suggests.

"Well, I don't have any better ideas. I could turn visible, if you really want me to... I suppose it will make it easier to find me."

Darian draws his sword and moves down the passage. He disappears into darkness.

Salaam, seeing guards rushing towards his gathering, casts magic missile.

His one spell of three missiles takes out three guards.

"Can I fireball the huts?" He yells to Occa after he missiles some bad guys.

Occa doesnt' reply...he is busy waving his hands about.

Emm remains just at the edge of the jungle. He watches the backs of his companions, ready to fire his bow.

Jesse casts invisibility on herself and moves out of the way, making her way out and away from the group and the huts. Once there, she will observe before casting.

Alyta searches the two bodies that she is closest to.

The door to the hut closest to the temple opens, and men start pouring out. Almost simultaneously, Occa shoots a fireball through it and into the hut, which explodes into flames. You hear the cries of dying men, and soon the stench of burning flesh wafts through the air.

He turns slightly and and begins his next spell, as more men pour out of a second hut.

Pharian's fireball goes off next, engulfing another large hut. However, this one was apparently empty...going by the lack of anguished screams.

Occa's next fireball catches another crowd of pirates, though, vapourising them.

The mages have been spotted, now, and pirates are coming out faster than Occa and Pharian can deal with them. They have not attacked the small huts, which you now realise were the officer's quarters, and now a number of men are charging across the grounds and up the steps of the pyramid. One of them pauses and looses a crossbow at Occa, but it misses, as Pharian levels a fourth barracks and its surroundings, killing scores more.

Then, they hear the sound of someone invisible coming up beside them. At first they think it's an attacker, but then they recognise Niko's boozy breath. It is just as well, too, for the four of you at the top of the temple steps will be attacked by seven pirates in a moment.

Occa tosses another fireball...this time at their would-be assailants. Out of the smoke and flames emerge only three survivors...one of whom looks like Wile E Coyote on a bad day.

Occa and Pharian step back as Gilstrock and Niko swing into action.

Gilstrock dodges the swing of Mister Coyote's glowing longsword, and then cuts him down.

Niko lands two hard chops with his glowing cutlass.

Meanwhile, the last pirate sticks Gilstrock for 13 hit points.

Niko again chops into the pirate, who, going by his fancy clothes must be the captain, and he looks ill indeed. One more swing and the man is dead.

Gilstrock turns on his new assailant, and as he slices into him is hit in turn for 11 more hit points. The pirate wields a glowing shortsword, and he is obviously good with it. Gilstrock is better, though, and the man drops.

The rest of you are going through the camp, making sure that there are no survivors. Even Alyta, who has found a longsword, is chopping away at bodies, making sure that they are dead, a feral gleam in her eye.

Once again, through the delicate and controlled application of overwhelming force, you have emerged victorious. However, there is no sign of Darian.

You shine a light up the passage. It runs for perhaps 30', then ends in impenitrable darkness. Half way up the passage lie the shattered remains of two more guards.

Occa finds a pool of water and casts magic mirror.

"Get ready to go in for an assualt!"

"Clean out the loot hut Gonzo and Salaam..."

"As you wish, let's go Gonzo," Salaam replies, a spell on his lips in case of attack.

An image forms...

Darian is standing at one end of a large chamber (40' X 60': 60' in front of you; archway in middle of far wall). The place is empty, which gives you time to look about.

First off, you see no sign of how you arrived here. There is no visible exit/entrance save the archway at the far end. Perhaps you stepped through a teleportal...

The floor of the first 20' of this end of the chamber is elevated. A flight of steps leads down some 6' to the next level, which runs some 20' north, ending at a 10' wide moat, filled with water. A wooden bridge spans the moat, connecting with a 10' X 20' area of floor on either side of the archway.

Looking through the archway, you see a flight of steps leading up to a landing. Off of the landing, a second flight conrinues upwards and to the right.

Over the archway, graven in the stone, is the sigil of three gems.

The entire scene is lit by flickering torches, set here and there in wall sconces. The stonework is of fine quality, but old and covered in mosses and lichens.

Niko belches and asks, "Occa, do we follow Darian inside the pyramid or teleport to him?"

He takes out his flask and takes a swig of brandy. He offers it to Gilstrock. "Want some, Gil? Nothing like some good brandy after a sword fight."

When they come back, Occa says to Salaam, "Do you have augury? If so, cast it and see if there are negative effects to going into the darkness up there. Speaking of which, anyone have a coin with continual light? We need to light up that corridor and see if there is anything else there. Ehm, climb the temple and keep a lookout toward the bay. Let's try to move fast folks. Anyone with detect magic? If so, go through these bodies quickly and get what you can, be ready to saddle up quickly."

He will continue to watch Darian.

"Oh great Thoth, is it safe to go into the darkness?" he intones as he casts an augury spell.

He gets an affirmative answer.

Once answered, he relates the feeling to Occa. Once done, he removes a coin from his belt and intones, "Thoth, please lighten this coin," as he casts a light spell on it. A blaze of white light emanates from the silver coin and he tosses it to Occa.

Occa tosses it into the darkness, and it vanishes.

Checking his spell, he sees the coin appear at Darian's feet.

"Occa, I am blessed with the ability to see the weave all around me," he says as he scans the area with his sight.

"Excellent."

Occa smiles and says, "So far, so good."

There are some magical items on the corpses. You gather them up.

"Okay, let's move, roughnecks! Let's go through one at a time. As soon as you are on the other side, step away. Each person wait 2 seconds before going through."

Occa steps into the darkness. As soon as he is through he steps forward so that no one will teleport on top of him. He will watch the area that people teleport into to make sure it is always the same.

After a few minutes, people start stepping out of the wall behind Darian. Soon the entire party is standing in the chamber, save Pharian, who stepped into the darkness at the end of the passage...but who has not reappeared here.

 "Glad you folks could make it. I was just trying to figure out how to get back out of here."

"You could have called us," Niko says pointing to Darian's communicator. "And Occa or Pharian could have teleported you out if necessary."

Darian slaps his forehead. "Forgot about that. Why didn't we use that while we were fighting instead of yelling?"

Op Code laughs, "The forces of chaos rule supreme."

"Warriors seem to do that kind of thing a lot."

Niko snorts. "I didn't hear your bright and cheery voice over the communicator either, bub."

"That is because I knew what to do. You didn't hear me shouting did you?"

Occa says, "There is nothing left back there except corpses. Let's find out who is here and why they have such an elaborate entrance. Who wants point? Salaam, follow behind and watch for magical traps. Also,check that sigil on the arch for magic. We may already have been seen, so stay on your toes."

"I wonder how they made that thing. Very nice."

"As you wish, Occa, I have also noticed that Pharian did not reappear, as one more sensitive with the weave, did he pull another disappearing trick or do you think it may be more sinister than that?" Salaam asks as he scans the room for magic including the arch.

Nothing in the room seems to radiate magic.

"I have a feeling that he headed off on some mission of his own. We can check in on him later and see if he is alright, but since he is the only one that didn't come through, I have to think it was due to his own volition."

Gilstrock looks worriedly after the direction Pharian dissapeared. "Do you know what it might be? Last time he went off on a mission on his own, he was a few turkeys short of a feast, if you know what I mean. He went over and tried to offer himself up to a thieves guild in wherever that place was. I'm worried that he might be doing the same thing again."

Looking around, he say in a lower tone of voice to the others, "He had some trouble with a thieve's guild back on the Runelands were we come from."

"We could always contact him with these communicators."

"Okay, let's move on then. There seems to only be one way to go."

"Before we go wandering into trouble," Emm interjects, "I was wondering if any of the items we pulled off these pirates were defensive in nature. I'm not much use in anything heavier than leather, so I could use some magical help."

"Good thinking, Emm! I actually have no magic items at all...seems every time I get killed, I lose everything."

We will take a look at the pile of magic items and see what all is there.

Here is what you found: military pick, chain mail (H), potion, longsword, potion, shield, elfin chain mail (H), shortsword (grabbed by Niko), chain mail (H), potion, studded leather armour (H); plus 448ep and 42 gems (7gp ea.). Except for the coins and gems, the items radiate magic.

Op Code follows, near the front, looking down all the passages as they go.

"I will take point."

Darian begins to move forward.

"I'll go with you." comes the invisible voice of Niko, which nearly fills the room with the aroma of fine brandy. "Dwarf's Envy can sense traps amongst other things."

You head down the stairs, across the wooden bridge, and through the archway. The stairs go up for 10' or so, then there is a landing, and the stairs continue up to the east. After another 10' or so they end at the entrance to a chamber (30' X 30': 10' north, 10' south, 30' east; opening in middle of north wall).

This square chamber has walls, floor and ceiling of finely cut and dressed stone. Torches inset in alcoves in the walls provide illumination. An opening in the north wall leads directly into another chamber. In the southeast corner is a pile of treasure. Between it and you, however, are seven will-o-wisps.

They move quickly towards, fanning out into attack formation.

The first peep out of Alyta since this bloody business started comes in the form of a loud shriek, "EEeeeck! Make them stop!"

Gilstrock, never one to flinch at a good, honest, physical opponent (armored human, orc, giant, etc.), always gets a little wierded out by these undead and things.

"Uh, Occa, how do we kill these?" he asks, as he swings Thawbreaker in the direction of the closeest will-o-wisp, hoping that his magical blade will be good enough to damage the infernal creature.

"Weapons will a harm them. The only magic that will affect them is magic missile. I believe protection from evil will keep them at bay. Anyone have protection from evil?"

"I've got one, but not a 10' radius one."

"Damn! For once, a paladin would be useful for something," Op Code remarks.

Occa begins magic missiling the wisps. until he has killed them or he is out of magic missles. He will focus on one until it is dead and then move onto the next one. Of course, he will focus on any that seem interested in him.

Niko follows Occa's lead and casts magic missiles.

Darian casts magic missiles at the wisps.

Jesse will cast her magic missle spells.

Op Code lets loose his two magic missile spells into one near him, then moves to engage it with his #1 sword.

Each of the spell casters get off one magic missile spell, then they are on you.

Jesse, Salaam, Darian, Alyta, Robert, Gilstrock and Niko are attacked.

Jesse blasts a second spell into the 'wisp that Occa hurt, before getting hit for 6 hit points. She then kills it with her last magic missile, and sends the remainder of the spell into the 'wisp on Salaam. She then turns to her wand of magic missiles.

"Let's tag 'em and bag 'em, as Jen use to say," Salaam says as he hoists his hammer and enters the melee, swinging. Salaam and the 'wisp trade misses.

Darian has a spell ruined as he just barely dodges a spark from a 'wisp...then he unloads his last spell into the attacker.

Alyta runs back down the stairs with a will-o-wisp in hot pursuit. It shocks her for 6 hit points.

Robert fans badly with his bastard sword, but his 'wisp misses him.

Gilstrock is struck for 7 hit points, but then returns the favour and pokes his foe twice with Thawbreaker.

Niko has his second magic missile spell ruined as he just barely jumps aside from an attack. He begins attacking with his cutlass and newly acquired short sword.

Emm fires his bow, first using the magic arrows lent to him by Darian, then using his supply of +1 arrows.

Emm misses with both arrows, which break against the stone walls of the chamber.

Meanwhile, Occa is still spewing out magic missiles, as is Op Code. The 'wisp on Salaam dies, followed by the one attacking Darian. Op Code takes off after Alyta.

Darian slashes the air with his frostbrand, and Niko fares little better with the latest shortsword.

Occa unloads another bunch of spells, and kills the wisp following Alyta. Turning back, he blasts into the rest of them, using up all of his missiles. When the smoke clears, only the 'wisp on Niko survives.

"PPPPPPPTH!!" it says to the mighty arch-mage.

Then, from the entrance to the north, you hear a horrible hissing sound, followed by the appearance of ten ghouls!

"Great temple we found here." Darian forks a lightning bolt at two of the ghouls.

"Don't suppose anyone has a wand of illumination?"

Gilstrock runs in after Darian's lightning bolt to attack the ghouls. "Stay dead, you rotting grave fugitives!"

Emm stays well back from the ghouls.

Occa flies up into the air and prepares to lightning bolt two of the ghouls.

Op Code turns his attention to the ghouls.

Salaam holds his holy symbol up high and intones, "by the power of Thoth, I BANISH YOU!"

There is a flash of holy fire, and the ghouls are destroyed, leaving the spell casters and fighters standing there...like brides at the altar waiting for their grooms.

All but Niko, that is...

Niko hacks at the will'o'wisp in front of him, cursing, "Damn it! Stay still and let me put you out of your misery!"

The will-o-wisp does a little pirouette in the air, then runs a quick lap around Niko's head...concluding with a scenic swoop between the elf's legs. Niko chops downwards but misses with his cutlass, then connects on the upswing.

Gonzo steps forward next, and with his trademark bellow, kills the 'wisp.

Peace and tranquility reign.

While some of you check out the pile of loot, others look through the opening and into the chamber to the north.

Counting out the treasure, you find 7000ep and 93 gems (600gp ea.); plus a fancy shield, an axe and a vial.

Looking to the north, you see a good-sized chamber (30' X 90': 40' east, 40' west, 30' north; 10' opening in middle of north wall straight ahead; 10' opening in north wall west corner, 20' wide opening in west wall south corner). This chamber is mostly water-filled. The water level is about 10' below you. A bridge leads from the entrance where you now stand across the pool to the opening in the middle of the north wall, 30' away. Through the opening you see a passage running east-west, 20' wide. A glowing panel high up on the wall of the passage facing you again depicts three gems or stones. To your left and right are two pillars (for a total of four), which support the ceiling of the chamber high overhead. Along the east and west walls are two 10' wide, 30' long stone bridges or pathways, also about 10' above the water. The west walkway connects the second opening in the north wall with the exit to the east. Through the latter opening you can see another chamber, extending off to the west, south and north. The east walkway appears to be isolated, and does not connect with anything except for the walls themselves.

As you are standing in the entranceway taking in this scene, suddenly a boulder sails through the air from the west and crashes into the wall beside you, sending up a shower of stone shards! Looking over, you see two giants in the chamber to the west, just about to heft a couple more big stones through the exit at you!

Darian grins. "If I can't take out ghouls, I can have fun with giants."

He forks his lightning bolt at the two giants.

Niko follows suit with a forked bolt of his own. "Let's see if you can take it as well as ya dish it out!"

Gilstrock takes one look at the giants, looks at his companions, thinks about shooting arrows, and eventually decides to charge. "Careful with fireballs and things, guys," he says.

Drawing and brandishing Thawbreaker, and holding his shield in his other hand, he charges at top speed across the bridge and turns left at the intersection.

Occa watches the rear of the group for any other creatures.

"Two can play at that game," Salaam says as he spins his hammer of throwing and hurls it at the nearest giant.

Reaching the intersection at the far end of the bridge and turning left, Gilstrock finds himself face-to-face with two horrible creatures: enormous humanoids that seem to have been assembled from an assortment of bodily parts from different bodies.

Two more golems move to attack as well from the right hand side of the intersection...making a total of four of them on Gilstrock.

"Guys, we got more company!" Gilstrock calls.

He tries to make a fighting retreat, backing down the hallway on the far side of the brige as he hacks away at the golems to the left with Thawbreaker.

The fighter easily connects with his frost brand, before he is belted for 4 hit points. His next attack with the sword also connects but only in a glancing fashion, as he is again punched in the chops for 7 more hit points. This last blow takes him off guard, and the big fighter topples off of the bridge and into the water below. Thanks to his frost brand the water about him freezes instantly into a 10' diameter sphere with Gilstrock encased in the middle, and bobs to the surface like a cork.

Gonzo is right behind Gilstrock where Gilstrock was and moves to engage one of the monstrocities. "KAAAARUMBA! Now dis be more ta me liking!!!"

Darian's lightning bolt releases, striking both fire giants square in the chest. Niko's goes off next, striking a glancing blow on one and a direct hit on the other.

Suddenly Jesse appears behind the first fire giant. She swings her shortsword...and suddenly her longsword appears in her hand! It bounces off of the stony hide of the fire giant. He turns on her with a bellow, but still manages to miss her with his boulder.

The other fellow bounces his boulder off of the wall to your left, then howls as Salaam's hammer bounces off of his nose, leaving it bloody.

Once Salaam retrieves his hammer, he activates the flight abilities of his boots.

Gonzo faces the second of the four golems as Gilstrock hits the water. The ugly dwarf is smacked for 11 hit points as he plunges his flame tongue into the creature, dealing it a grievious blow. It misses with its other fist and the dwarf nails it again, killing it.

Niko moves up and pull out his net.

Standing about 30' feet back, he holds the net forth and says "Snare!" targeting one of the golems still fighting.

The net sails through the air to wrap about the golem that did in Gilstrock, entangling it. The golem thrashes about, helpless, and tumbles into the water.

Occa rises into the air and lightning bolts one of the giants.

His bolt kills the second giant, leaving only the one on Jesse. Its remains fall off of the bridge in the other chamber.

Darian grimaces and looks at the giant facing Jesse and the golems surrounding Gonzo. He yells, "Jesse, forgive me," and charges to help Gonzo. Not wishing to make the same mistake as Gil, he draws his broadsword instead of his frostbrand.

Niko blasts the fire giant with his last lightning bolt.

Jesse yells, "There are three more fire giants over here."

She then does her best to dodge any of the blows the giant may try to toss her ways, switching to her magic missile wand and shooting them at the giant on her.

She sidesteps a swing by the giant, coming precariously close to the edge of the walkway in doing so. Her wand spits a magic missile, and the giant curses her.

Niko's bolt strikes the monster then, blowing it to pieces.

Op Code rushes to Jesse's aid.

"Giants, let me at them," he shouts gleefully.

Darian halts in mid-charge, swears and yells to Gonzo, "You're on your own, friend."

Gonzo doesn't even blink an eye and charges the next target he spies...

"KAAAARUMBA!"

Darian casts a dimension door and reappears next to Jesse.

Now that you are in the next chamber, you see that it is 40' square (from the entrance, 20' north, 10' south, 40' west), and also water-filled. A 20' wide opening is in the middle of the north wall. An elevated, 10' wide walkway runs from the previous chamber for 25' into this one, turning north after 15' and exiting through the opening to the north. There are two ledges to either side of the east opening, and on them wait three more fire giants, out of the sight of your companions.

You stand at the corner of the walkway, where it turns north.

The water below is seething with crocodiles, feasting on the remains of the dead giants.

The three giants who were hiding to either side of the entrance realise that there is nothing more to be gained by remaining inactive, and so throw boulders at Jesse and Darian.

Jesse and Darian dodge the first two rocks, but the last one bounces off of the bard's shoulder for 6 hit points.

Op Code gets pissed off at the golems blocking his way to the giants.

"Damn Golems! Always getting in your face."

He turns his attention back to the golems, salivating at the chance to fight giants.

Op Code dodges two incoming punches from the moaning golem, and then sticks his sword in it.

Gonzo, meanwhile, plunges his flame tongue into the belly of the other golem. It still remains functional.

Occa flies down to Gilstrock and casts passwall on the ice, at an angle that will free most of Gilstrock, but not his sword. The ice vanishes, but the portion still below water instantly reforms. However, Gilstrock's handsome head is now free, and he can breathe now.

Amidst the chaos of battle swirling about the party, Emm moves into the middle of the floor, bow at the ready should a manageable target present itself. He sees Alyta standing nearby.

"Come here often?" he asks.

Salaam flies to Jesse's aid.

As he heads through the the doorway into the other chamber, the giants move to attack.

Darian moves up to meet one of the giants. The elf dodges a swinging club, then connects with his broadsword. However, the blade bounces off of the giant without inflicting any damage.

Jesse continues to use her wand until such time as she is not in melee when she will cast lightning bolt. The bard is walloped for 18 hit points, and is sent sailing into the crocodile-filled pool below, where she lands with a splash.

Seeing fresh meat, the crocs converge on her.

The giant stands on the walkway above her and laughs.

"Yer toast, lady!" he guffaws.

Salaam lands and deactivates the magic of his boots. He sizes up the giants and hurls a magic missile spell at the nearest giant. His missiles blast into the third giant, as it fans with its club.

He will then follow up with melee with his hammer.

Occa flies up and casts a lightning bolt at one of the giants. His bolt strikes the laughing giant from behind in the behind, wiping the smirk off of his face, but not killing him.

Gilstrock gives a mighty heave, and frees one arm...his sword arm, leaving the frost brand embedded in the ice. He sets to whacking away at the ice, trying to get at his flail.

Back with the golems, Gonzo quickly polishes off his monster, and turns to help Op Code. The ranger lands two powerful hits on his adversary, leaving the golem staggered but still standing.

Niko rushes up to help Op Code and Gonzo out.

Emm looses a pair of arrows at the back of the fire giant on Salaam. One strikes the giant, but bounces off.

"Damn!" Darian draws his frostbrand. "Maybe this will work a bit better!"

"Hey, be careful with that thing near the water!" Gilstrock calls to his friend.

Darian's frost brand is of course exceptionally effective against fire giants, and it easily slices deep into his foe, leaving two gaping wounds. The giant bellows in anger.

Gilstock somehow manages to grab his sword of sharpness and draws it, he then sets to chopping himself out of the ice.

Jesse quickly surveys what is around and see if there is some place to make for that might be safe. The water at the point where she landed is about 8' deep; however, the floor of the chamber slopes up sharply to the west and north, so that against those walls the water is only about 4' deep. She notices also that there is an underwater opening in the east wall, linking this chamber to the one to the west whence she came.

Seven of the ten crocodiles are moving towards her.

"Salaam or Occa, please go after Jesse!"

Salaam intones, "oh great Thoth, create blades to protect my friend." He says as he creates a blade barrier.

"ROOOOOOOAAAAAR!" says the giant that he was meleeing with until an instant ago, seeing his chance and belting the cleric for 18 hit points, ruining his spell in the process. The cleric is knocked sprawling.

The formerly laughing giant, meanwhile, turns on Darian.

"I'm going to need some help over here guys!"

"On my way, lad!" cries Niko.

Op Code finishes the last golem off, after which he goes to help out fighting the giants, room permitting. Gonzo is right beside him, and Niko is dogging his footsteps.

As they enter the 20' wide passage to the north, they see that it goes east for 30' and ends at a set of double doors. To the west it runs for 40', turning south after 30' and becoming 10' wide. The place is littered with gold coins and various magical-looking knick-knacks.

They head west.

Emm moves forward, as does Robert.

Niko's eyes go wide as he rushes past the treasure westward.

"Oh now I am pissed," the cleric spits as he gets up. He picks up his hammer and goes after the giant, speaking, "Darian, go get your woman."

"Take care of the giants and I'm there."

"Don't question, boy, just go, this walking barbeque is mine," he growls as he steps in and swings his hammer at the giant. The giant, who somehow missed the high priest as he was climbing to his feet, is the recipient of Salaam's hammer, as his knee gets a severe dent from the impact.

Darian, meanwhile, has two giants on him now. The first misses, but so does the elf. The second giant also misses, but this time Darian connects, landing a nice blow.

"Ha!" Gilstrock says, gamely subjecting the ice to mild battle cries. "Take that! And that! And that!"

Op Code, Gonzo, Niko, Emm and Robert reach the entrance to the chamber where the battle is, pausing an instant to survey the scene. Right before them they see a fire giant, his back to them, battling Salaam. Behind Salaam are the other two giants, attacking Darian. Down in the water, behind Darian, is Jesse, being attacked by three crocodiles with four more waiting for an opening.

Emm remembers that he has a 30' piece of rope in his back pack. However, he is too far away to use it to help Jesse, so he uses his arrows on the giant. His first arrow strikes the monster, and he fellow howls.

Op Code rushes over to help whoever is closest.

Attacking the giant on Salaam, the ranger easily connects. The giant, hamstrung, drops to the floor of the walkway as Gonzo pounces and finishes it off.

Jesse has back paddled to the west wall, to forestall rear attacks. Finding some footing on the sloping floor at this point, she faces the crocodiles. She uses her wand on the crocs. A crocodile bites her for 5 hit points.

Gilstrock finally manages to chop himself free, and instantly drops out of sight underwater, no longer being supportede by the ice. A few seconds later, he splutters to the surface.

Darian swings again. "Jesse, can't you dimension door away?"

A giant drops.

Emm again fires arrows at the last giant. His first arrow buries itself in the back of the giant's arm. His second arrow misses.

Gonzo does a fast tiptoe and clobbers the sucker from behind, hoping to find a nice vital spot.

The last giant drops also.

Gilstrock's tries to swim. With his magic armour and his boots, he is surprised to find that he has little difficulty in doing so.

Occa flies down and gets Jesse and then Gilstrock...shuttling them back up to the landing.

The arch-mage hoists the bard up out of the water. A croc tries to come along for the ride, gripping her boot, but it comes off and it falls back into the water.

He flies her over to where Alyta stands.

By the time Occa returns for Gilstrock, Op Code has dropped a dropped a rope to the fighter. Gilstrock grips it, and notices that the crocodiles have now noticed him, and are swimming towards him.

All of the giants are dead. Three of the four golems are dead also. The last one continues to struggle at the bottom of the first water-filled chamber, enmeshed.

Darian sheaths his frostbrand and runs over to Jesse. "Are you all right?" He places his hand on her shoulder and heals her.

Jesse looks at Darian.

"I'm fine, and save your healing for those who need it." the bard says, pointing to the ring on her finger. "Remember, silly?" she says smiling.

Darian smiles. "I haven't forgotten. I just like to touch you."

Jesse kisses Darian's hand.

"You don't need an excuse to do that," the bard replies, smiling coyly.

Darian grins at her.

Op Code pulls Gilstrock up, just as the first of the crocs takes a snap at his elevating ankle.

Niko peers over the edge into the water at the crocs. "If someone would be so kind as to kill off those crocs, I'll kill off the last golem."

Salaam hurls his hammer at the last golem, aiding Niko in his quest for Gilstrock's possessions.

Niko watches with great interest as the hammer splashes into the water. "Ummm...nice shot and all, Salaam, but what about the crocs?"

Salaam stretches out his arm, as the hammer swings back to his hand after it strikes the golem.

"They're next, Niko," Salaam says in a smug tone.

Darian, after addressing Jesse's wounds and making sure she's okay looks down thoughtfully. "Fireball them? Then we'd get a lot of steam... Freeze them and we still can't get at Gil's possessions. So, what do you suggest, Niko? Try to make them pin cushions? Could take a while..."

"BAH! There's only seven of them! Are you saying we can take out a bunch of giants and golems, but we're going to have problems with a couple of measly crocs?"

"No. I'm saying that I'm not stupid enough to jump into the water with them and fight them on their own turf."

Niko takes out his two grenades.

"Fire in the hole!" he yells, as he pulls the pins and tosses them in the water with the greatest congregation of crocs.

Niko then dives for cover.

Jesse pulls Alyta away from the area when Niko drops the grenades. The bard covers Alyta with her body as necessary to shield the lass from the explosion.

Op Code takes cover, trying to hold on to the rope while doing so.

There are two detonations, and suddenly the water explodes upwards, drenching you all and showering you with bloody chunks of crocodiles, giants and golem.

Amazed at the firepower being expended, Emm decides to retrieve as many arrows as he can.

None of the arrows he used have survived intact.

Then he cautiously approaches the loot, looking for traps and ambushes.

The loot is scattered about the passage.

"Still got your spear, Gilstrock? Perhaps you could tie a rope to the butt of the spear and go fishing for a block of ice. Once we get it out of the water, I bet Gonzo's flametongue could melt quite a bit of that ice."

"It's more a big sphere of ice than a block of ice," Gilstrock says, pointing. He looks over at the entrance where you were standing when you first saw the giants. His spear is still there.

"Block, sphere, what does the shape matter? Still the same principle, right? You just need to be able to embed the spear into the ice enough that we can pull it out."

"It was the big I was worrying about," Gilstrock says. "That sphere probably weighs more than I do!"

Nonetheless, Gilstrock gives it a try. He retrieves his spear.

"Darian, Op Code, hold on to me so I can keep my balance."

He tries spearing and lifting the block of ice that has Thawbreaker in it.

"Just spear it and then we can all try pulling it up."

After several attempts, he manages to drive his spear into the ice. However, you have no success when you try to lift it up out of the water. There is several tons of ice attached to the end of his spear, and not enough of you can grip its shaft to be able to heft it out.

Finally, after huffing and puffing for awhile, Salaam has a divine inspiration. Taking out his portable hole, he opens it up, then drops it over the ice sphere. It just fits in. The cleric then folds up the hole, flies back up, and opens it up on the walkway. Out rolls the ice sphere. Gonzo goes to work, and after another while he has melted it with his flame tongue, and Gilstrock has his frost brand back.

The rest of you have lunch in the meantime.

Niko stands back up and shakes the bodily debris and water off him as much as he can. Grinning ear to ear, he dances around in glee.

"Wow! That was great!"

"Thanks, guys!" Gilstrock says.

He resheathes Thawbreaker. Then he has a thought. One can almost hear it creak through his head. "So...." he says, drawing out the word. "Next time I fight over water, I should use Hangnail. But will I still get frozen?"

He takes Thawbreaker's scabbard off of his belt and holds on to it, feeling how cold it is. Then he lays it on the ground, dips his hand in the water, and dribbles some drops of water on Thawbreaker's scabbard. The droplets do not freeze.

"Hey, there's arrows in this loot. Anyone object?" asks Emm.

There being no objections, he hangs onto them.

Making sure that there's nothing left alive in the water first, Niko dives into the water and retrieves his net and looks for anything interesting at the bottom. (He'll change into a sting ray and use his short sword as a light.)

Underwater, he discovers that the explosions shredded his net, destroying it.

He looks around, and then surfaces with the following description...

There are underwater tunnels exiting this chamber in the east, south and west walls. The latter exit evidently goes into the adjacent chamber where you battled the giants.

Also, you see a 5' X 5' slab of stone resting on the floor of this chamber, up against one of the wooden pillars, right beside the body of the golem. There is a groove in the pillar, you note, and the slab almost appears to be able to move up and down the side of the pillar in this track...

"Let's go check out where the giants came from. Gotta wonder what all these creatures are doing inside a pirates' hideout. Then again, very little about this adventure has made much sense."

You take Darian's advice, and head west into the giant chamber again.

Pausing to search the bodies - both in and out of the water - you find that they carried in total 10,000gp.

You turn north, and follow the walkway, Darian and Gilstrock leading.

The north exit from the giant chamber is a 20' wide, water-filled passage. The walkway is about 10' above the water, and is 10' wide. The passage runs 30' north, turning west after only 10'. In total, it runs west for 40', turning north again after 20'.

You go west and look north.

In all, the passage runs north for 50', turning east after 30'. As you start to move forward, though, there is a loud noise, and a dart fires out of a slot in the middle of the west wall, striking Darian for 6 hit points of damage!

You hurriedly back up.

Now that the trap has been triggered, darts fire continuously, about one every half second or so, bouncing off of the wall to the north.

Darian pulls the dart out. "Well, that's annoying."

Thinking loudly, Op Code wonders, "What would Indy do in these circumstancs?"

Darian looks at where the darts are firing out of and then looks at his shield. "Think we can cover it while we pass?"

"Occa, can you cast a wall of force to block the darts?" Salaam inquires.

Occa watches the dart trap activate and says, "Interesting, but only effective once. The problem may be that as we go farther down the corridor, more may appear."

Darian again looks at where the darts are firing from and his shield and tries to estimate the relative size between the two.

He cautiously slides his shield along that wall until it covers the hole. He braces himself for the impact of a dart into his shield and tries to hold the shield in place.

The shield does indeed protect him from the darts. They bounce off of it, and down into the water below.

Occa stands back and says, "Great idea, Darian! Emm, why don't you move forward a tad and see if there are anymore?"

"After we get by this trap, I will."

"Hey, one of you might be interested to know that there was some sort of scroll back in that pile of loot," Emm informs the group. "And a whole lot of gold. Don't you think we should pocket it some of it, just in case we hit another trap that teleports us out of here?"

"Did you find anything else of interest in that pile, Emm?"

"Oh yeah. There's some sort of weapon, but I'm not sure what it's called," he replies. "And of course, I got these fine arrows."

"Oh yeah?" Gilstrock says. "Can I see it?"

"Sure," replies Emm. "It's back in the treasure pile."

Occa says, "Let's gather up all the treasure and then move on."

You head back to the treasure-littered passage.

Gilstrock takes a look at the odd weapon. It is a morning star.

Occa smacks Ehm upside the head and says, "You don't know what a morning star is?"

"Oww. What do I know about that stuff? I use a bow and arrow," he replies. "I also know what a sword is, a spear, and all that normal kind of stuff. But I definitely did not know what that thing is, until now."

"Occa, maybe if we hit him over the head with it he'll remember it from now on," Niko suggests helpfully.

Grunting, Gilstrock comments, "I don't really know how to use these, but they can be fine weapons."

He inspects it. It is of exceptional workmanship.

He hefts it and make a few experimental swings with it.

He thinks that he would be able to mash more heads with greater skill with this one than with a normal morning star.

"Enough already with the bashing and mashing, Gilstrock," Jesse says, "We have places to go, people to see, villians to stop, mysteries to solve. How about a scooby snack now and you can bash heads later?" the woman says, reaching into a pouch.

"What we can't find useful at the moment, weapon or item wise, why don't we just throw it in the portable hole for later?" Op Code suggests.

"Occa, once we rest would we be able to continue our conversation on the wish I had asked about?" Salaam asks as the group rifles through the treasure.

You collect up the 8000gp, a scroll and the morning star. Then, you have lunch. You have been up for many hours, now, having last slept on the nernal ship. You are all starting to feel fatigued.

After eating, you go back to the trapped passage.

Using your shields, you get by the dart trap.

"Yo. Perhaps one of you cleric types might have detect traps, or perhaps Gonzo might want to give his hand at checking before we go crawling into more traps," the bard says.

Niko steps toward the trapped corridor and draws Dwarf's Envy. "Let me see if there are any other traps..."

The elf walks ahead, concentrating on traps. Sure enough, the sword points, and almost drags him down the passage to the corner where it turns east. There, in the 30' section of the north wall, you see another slot like the last one.

Looking ahead, you see that the passage runs east for 60' in total, then opens up into a chamber to the north.

Again the fighters use their shields to block the darts which begin firing, and you pass the second trap safely.

You cautiously advance down the passage to the chamber, but encounter no more traps.

You look into the chamber.

It measures 40' square (40' east, 20' north; exit in northernmost 10' section of west wall). Like so much of this dungeon, this chamber is water-filled. The walkway that you stand upon runs across the chamber to the east wall, meeting it some 5' north of the south wall. It then runs north along the east wall, and then runs along the north wall to the exit in the northwest corner. The exit, by the way, is a flight of stairs running up to the west, but curving to the north and out of sight.

Also in this chamber is a monolithic slab of rock, roughly in the centre, spanning the space between the walkway to the north and south. It is 5' wide and 20' long, oriented north-south, and rises some 20' above the level of the walkway.

Standing atop the monolith is a motionless figure in gleaming full plate armour.

You also note a glowing red panel depicting the insignia of three stones, high up on the west wall.

Looking down into the water, you think you see movements below the surface, but it is hard to say.

Niko raises an eyebrow.

"Think he's waiting for us?"

Darian looks at the figure. He says quite pessimistically, "Guess what happens when we get close enough?"

Jesse scratches her head, trying to remember if she has seen this figure before.

"Anyone remember that fight we had with some dude a while back looked abit like this and said he would see us again?" the bard says. "It seems we might be in trouble if we rush headlong into this fight. Perhaps a cone of cold on the water to freeze it a bit?" she asks the mages.

"Anyone figure out what the three stones are supposed to signify? Alyta, do you know?"

Niko studies the west wall for a moment before turning his eyes to the water. "I think it best if no one falls into the water again. And don't even think about drawing that ice sword of yours again, Gil."

Gilstrock protests, "But if we want to kill those things in the water, all I gotta do is stick my sword into the water and freeze 'em all solid!"

Gilstrock reaches behind him and produces an axe in his right hand. "And then I can chip ol' Thawbreaker free with this."

Gilstrock looks down at the things in the water. "Maybe we should throw Jesse in to see if they attack, and then we'll know if they're hostile."

He looks over at Jesse with a toothy grin. "Just kidding!"

"Gil, I sees one flaw with yer plan. If ya get within sword's reach of the water, what's gonna stop those aquatic ogres from attackin' or pullin' ya in the water?"

"That's why we throw Jesse in first," Gilstrock says. "Diversion."

"Occa, what about a wall of force or a cone of cold to prevent us from falling in the water once the battle gets going?"

"Err, perhaps you should throw one or two of those grenade things into the water now, before any of us fall in," suggests Emm. With that he retreats to just outside the entrance to the chamber.

Niko shakes his head.

"Sorry, all out. Anyone else carrying?"

Salaam intones, "Oh great Thoth, grant me sight of all," as he casts True Seeing. He then scans the armor, the pool, and the whole room.

After casting his spell, he says, "The figure is but a suit of magical armor. It is not alive, in the water there are ten creatures. They look like ogres, but with gills and webbed feet and hands. The glowing panel radiates magic, and there is a secret door in the west wall, just above the level of the water. So, a cone of cold would do well at the water. It is possible that the panel is a control for the armor." Salaam speculates.

"Doubtful," replies Niko. "We've encountered those gem panels before. I'm not sure what they do, but there were no other suits of armor. Perhaps it's for the secret door?"

Occa says, "I hear that a lightning bolt is like a fireball underwanter."

He casts ligtning bolt into the pool of water. "Let's find out!"

Of course, he stands about 10 feet back from the water.

Darian, who was just about to suggest the same thing, looks at Occa in horror. "Hit the deck!"

He runs to Jesse and Alyta and holds his shield up above the three of them.

Niko shakes his head in glee.

"Oh, a lightning bolt is very impressive underwater! Dangnammit! Too bad I cast mine already!"

Niko watches the big explosion from a short distance away from the edge of the water.

The whole room is lit up by a blue flash, emanating from the water below, accompanied by a deafening crack. It is over in an instant.

Five bodies float to the surface.

There is no sign of the rest of the aquatic ogres.

Niko rubs his eyes to get rid of the spots he sees.

"Great show, Occa! What do you do for an encore?"

Niko turns invisible and starts walking toward the monolith with the suit of armor, mindful of what may still lurk in the water.

"Hold a moment, Niko. Salaam, can you see where the other five aquatic ogres are? Let's not get into another situation where we have to fight one more than one front."

"Good point," Op Code nods. "All we need is another fiasco, and this ledge is much narrower. As for the ogres, wouldn't the lightning have electrocuted them?"

Darian shrugs. "I would assume so, but I only see five out of the ten bodies floating. So, there's likely five very angry ogres of unknown abilities swimming around. They may have fled into the tunnels as Niko suggested or they may be hiding in there. Hopefully, Salaam will be able to tell us."

Op Code ponders, "Good point, but if they have any brains, and they survive a zap in which five of their pals didn't, do you think they would hang around and take a chance of not surviving a second zap?"

"Well, ogres have never been noted for having brains..."

Jesse chimes up again. "Occa, can you use a cone of cold, or wall of ice, to seal the water solid, or at least the surface a couple of inches?"

"I already used it."

"Oh, and before we go any further, is anyone in need of healing?"

"Bah! Those ogres probably fled through the tunnels I saw underwater. They're not likely to be back after an experience like that!"

Darian shrugs. "As you wish. But, it'd only take a moment for Salaam to look."

"Well, Salaam, if you see something give me a holler! It's not like they're aquatic ogre magi and turned invisible!"

Seeing Niko disappear, Emm notches an arrow in his bow. He remains by the entrance, but just outside the chamber. He occasionally peaks behind him to see if anything is sneaking up the party's flank.

Salaam looks into the pool to see if there is anything in it.

He cannot see any sign of the ogres. As was suggested, it appears that they have fled. However, as he moves along the walkway, he sees at the bottom of the water-filled chamber a pile of coins and some vials. They lie between the monolith and the west wall.

Niko stands by the monolith. It abuts the walkway on its north and south sides.

The glowing image of the stones brightens and fades regularily.

Salaam invokes the magic of his boots and flies up to the armor. Once there he touches it.

Seeing Salaam move towards the armor, Emm rummages around in his backpack. Pulling out a broach, he puts it on.

"Ready for trouble, I hope," he whispers while readying his bow.

When he takes the armour you all hear a noise from the west. Looking, you see the secret door sliding to one side and out of sight.

Revealed is a sloping passage, running up from the water for about 10', to end at an archway. Through the archway, you see nothing but blackness.

Salaam shifts his vision to that of the magical spectrum and tries to determine of what level the magic is in the armor and then looks at the archway to see if it radiates magic.

Both radiate magic.

He lands on the passage and deactivates the winged boots.

"People, I found a secret door, leading to an archway." He says from the passage.

Jesse hits her head.

"Duh," she says and then laughs a bit. "Good work Salaam, but I would leave the armour alone for now. I have heard of stories where armour like that is hiding a spirit that is waiting for the next person to wear it and then they are possessed. However, that migh change your recent disposition, so put it on, let's see how you look."

"Pfff," Salaam snorts, "you are one to talk, Jesse, about personalities."

"Indeed I am, as I know that I am a recognized expert in the area Salaam," the mage says. "Can it wait, we have other things to explore first and it takes so long to get into armour," the bard says. "oops, too late."

He strips off his robes and places it and his ring of protection in his portable hole. He then puts on the suit of armor. He moves around to see how flexible it is.

It is a lovely fit.

Salaam, as he puts it on, looks for an inscriptions. Once on, he moves around to see how light/heavy the armor is.

The full plate is made of adamantite alloyed steel, and seems to have next to no encumberance value. It carries no inscriptions.

"How do I look?" he asks with a smile, liking the new armor.

"With your eyes?" the bard replies quizically. "It's fine Salaam, can we go now?"

"Nice," says Robert. "I'd like to put dibs on that armour, too."

"At your leisure, love," Salaam says with a smile to Jesse. "By the way, did anyone check out the archway, it is radiating magic."

While Salaam takes the time to put everything on, Jesse goes over to the passageway that was opened up and begins to examine the opening. "Gonzo, Niko, can you two come over here and see if you detect any traps, I don't see any," she calls.

She sees nothing with her infravision.

Occa shakes his head at Salaam and says, "Why would a mage wear all of that? Now that you put it on, try to take it off. Let's see if you have cursed yourself."

He pauses and says, "Why do you think they would put a good suit of armor out for anyone to take?"

Op Code ties a spike to the end of a rope and tosses it into the blackness. He then pulls it back to retrieve the spike.

When he pulls the rope back, it is neatly cut off. Only the length that did not go through the door is pulled back.

Darian shudders. "Good idea, Op Code. I'd hate to think what would've happened had one of us done that."

"I've run across too many 'black voids' in my travels to think otherwise."

Gilstrock nods, agreeing with Darian.

"Usin' your noggin!" he says to Op Code.

He looks over at Darian and holds out a gold piece.

"I'll give you a gold piece if you go put your hand through it!"

Darian looks at Gilstrock as if he's nuts.

"Why, you've always wanted a one-handed friend?"

"Naah, I just wanted you to lend me a hand!"

Gilstrock guffaws loudly, then notices that nobody else is laughing. He stops, clears his throat, and tucks his gold piece back into his pouch.

"Right," he says. "Somebody say something about stairs?"

Actually, Emm is chuckling softly.

Niko hisses, "Destroyed or teleported?"

"It's a safe bet that it's a teleportation device to somewhere. Probably the pirates' back door escape way," Op Code tells Niko.

Niko peers into the water where Salaam saw the treasure. He offers "If someone covers me, I'll gather up the coins and vials from the bottom."

"Do I retrieve the coins and vials now or shall we enter the passageway first?" asks Niko.

"Go for it, Niko, I'll cover you."

Niko grins as he dives into the water to retrieve the treasure.

After a few minutes, he surfaces with 1500sp, 500ep and 4 potions. He also reports that there is an underwater tunnel exiting this chamber through the east wall, 10' - 20' section as measured from the north. Being under the walkway, it was not noticed by you earlier.

After he surfaces, he checks the passageway for traps with Dwarf's Envy.

He finds none.

"I think we should do the stairs first," Op Code opines.

In regards to the new portal, Occa says, "Well, that doesn't look good. I agree with Op Code, let's not go there right now."

"Up there," Op Code tells Occa as he points towards the stairs.

Once you get everyone back onto the walkway, you continue on your way.

The stairs curve around to the right (east) within 10'. They then run up for a further 10' to the east, before ending at a long chamber (20' X 70': 10' north, 70' east; opening in south wall, 50' - 60' section) The chamber is barren; however, Salaam, who still has his true seeing running, immediately spots three secret doors in the north wall (0' - 20', 40' - 60' and 60' - 70' sections).

Nodding to Occa, Salaam tries to take part of the armor off - just to make sure it isn't cursed.

It comes off.

Salaam puts it back on again.

"Let's try the secret door on the left."

Darian heads over to the northwest secret door to look for an opening mechanism.

As he enters the chamber the two large secret doors slide aside, and six heavily armoured warriors come charging out, moving to attack Darian and the rest of the party.

Through the secret doors, you now see a hallway running east-west, 60' in length, from one end of this chamber to the other.

"Oh, Gil," Darian calls, "some friends want to come out and play..."

Darian attacks one of the warriors with his frostbrand.

The elf faces a plate-clad warrior wielding a broadsword. He bounces his blade off of Darian's chain mail. Darian finds a chink in his armour, and opens a nasty wound. His foe misses again, but Darian does not, and opens up another wound.

Gilstrock draws Thawbreaker and says, "Come play with this!"

He moves to engage the closest of the warriors.

This warrior is among the most clumsy you have ever seen. He practically trips over his sword as he swings at Gilstrock. For all that, his blade slices into Gilstrock as he takes a hit as well. Gilstrock takes 11 hit points. Gilstrock nails him again as he dodges another swing.

"Let's see how my armor fares now!" Salaam mutters as he takes his hammer in hand and melees with the nearest warrior.

"IT'S CLOBBERING TIME!" Salaam utters loudly.

Salaam's swing connects, and this fellow, who does not seem likely to withstand many more such hits, is staggered. His blade bounces off of Salaam's new full plate as the cleric swings again and mashes him to a bloody pulp.

Niko attacks the closest enemy with Dwarf's Envy and the short sword from the dead pirate.

His foe is only armed with a glowing dagger...but he has better luck with it than Niko does with his two weapons. The elf misses all around, as he gets pricked for 12 hit points by the attacker's second attack.

"KAAAAAARUMBA!!!!!!" yells Gonzo, attempting to skewer himself a thug, all the while manipulating his face from orcish grin to a banshee snear... hoping to shock an opponent long enough to properly flambe his ugly hide into deathly submission.

The warrior is unimpressed, being a pretty ugly-looking bastard himself. This man wears gleaming bronze plate mail and swings a glowing longsword. He still misses. Gonzo barely connects with his flame tongue but nevertheless opens up a nasty wound. Then it is his adversary's turn, and Gonzo takes 17 hit points of damage.

Op Code rushes in to engage one of the warriors, "Don't they know when to stop?!"

The ranger runs right into a fighter swinging a two handed sword, and takes 18 hit points of damage. Connecting with longsword #1, though, he opens a wound of his own. The warrior then misses.

Emm tries to find a safe spot from which to fire his bow. Once in place he targets the closest of the enemy fighters. However, he dares not fire into a melee.

Jesse waits to see the effect the fighters have and is on the lookout for additional foes coming because of the swordfighting.

Suddenly there is a crackle of magic, and Occa, who had been standing back to let the fighters do their thing, is struck in the chest by a bolt of lightning. Strangely enough, though, the bolt does not harm the arch-mage.

You now see a seventh adversary...an elf in gleaming ring mail, clutching a wand. He floats up near the ceiling, by the second secret door, some 50' away. He looks rather shocked at the lack of effect his attack had.

"Ah, this should be a good fight," Op Code remarks as he presses to attack.

The ranger is clobbered for 12 hit points, as he in turn also connects.

Robert helps out the ranger, and easily connects with his glowing bastard sword.

Gonzo goes for a cheshire cat grin instead and presses his attack. The dwarf lands a big, searing hit on the man, who fans with his weapon. Gonzo connects again. The fighter cries out, and nearly drops. He perseveres, though, and Gonzo is hit for 11 hit points.

Emm lets fly at the flying elf. Both of his arrows miss.

"Arrgh!" Niko cries, as he struck. "Take this ya landlubber scum!" Niko presses his attack with cutlass and short sword.

Niko's foe misses with his dagger. Niko seems to have a lot of trouble hitting anything, as he tries to wield two rather large weapons at the same time. His foe, taking advantage of the situation, pricks the elf for 10 more hit points.

"Number two," Salaam says as he swings his hammer at the warrior meleeing with Niko. Salaam has no trouble conking him.

"Pretty impressive, Occa! What else can you do?"

Darian continues to attack the warrior.

One more swing is all it takes, and the warrior drops.

Occa says to the elf, "Let me show you how it is done!"

He casts lightning bolt at the elf.

His bolt is stopped some 5' from the elf. Occa knows a minor globe when he sees one.

"Dibs on the wand," calls Jesse as she casts a magic missile spell with her wand at the foe. It does not get through, either.

"Prepare to taste the frigid bite of Thawbreaker!" Gilstrock cries, perhaps unnecessarily, as he presses the attack against the warrior.

His next attack leaves his undexterous foe stumbling around. However, he somehow manages to lash out at Gilstrock for 8 hit points of damage. That is the end of him, though, as Gilstrock then chops him into little pieces.

Drawing a bead on the most injured-looking of his enemies, the elf opens fire with magic missiles directed at Niko. He takes 26 hit points from two spells, and drops. He then blasts two spells into Jesse, for 34 hit points, killing her.

Darian cries, "Jesse!!! Occa, take that elf down, now!"

He directs the next words at the elf flying about. "Come down here and pick on someone who can handle your pathetic spells, you orc-buggerer!"

The elf leers at him, and starts casting another spell.

Darian sets his psionics to Energy Control.

Darian moves over to attack the man who had been battling Niko.

Salaam gets behind Niko, so he doesn't get tagged by any warriors and spits, "You are dead," as he draws a bead on the mage and hurls his hammer right at the aerial elf mage.

The hammer flies through the air, conking the elf and spoiling his spell.

Meanwhile, the man who had battled Niko jumps over his body and swings at Salaam. Missing, he tries again, stabbing the high priest for 9 hit points.

Emm continues to fire arrows. He is not sure if the globe deflected the first two shots or if he just missed.

This time, his second arrow flies true, and embeds itself in the elf's shoulder.

Occa says, "That does it! You can't just kill my friends like that!"

He casts power word kill at the elf.

"Ack!" says the elf, and expires. His body turns to dust, and his equipment clatters to the floor.

Gonzo, in the meantime, kills his adversary with a final sword-thrust.

"Thank you, Robert. He is a big one, isn't he?" Op Code remarks as he continues to fight. He strikes his enemy a glancing blow, then is struck for 21 hit points, which puts a pretty big dent in the ranger.

"I think so, Op Code old chap," replies Robert, as he fans, then connects with his bastard sword, sending up a bloody shower but not toppling the man.

Darian arrives to help out Salaam, and slices open his flank.

Gilstrock rushes over and drags Niko out of harms way, and starts to patch him up.

Salaam dodges another dagger thrust as his hammer returns. Swinging, he connects, and the fighter drops, his skull crushed.

Only one remains, now, and Op Code and Robert are dealing with him. The ranger is sliced for another 21 hit points of damage, leaving him bloodied and weakened. Still, he lands another blow, but only a glancing one. The fighter, with nothing to lose, now, swings again, and Op Code drops after taking a further 12 hit points.

As Op Code collapses, Robert swings his blade one last time, and the fighter dies.

As he drops, the third secret door along the north wall slides open.

You rush over to tend the fallen.

Op Code, Niko and Jesse regain consciousness to find that the enemies are dead and that the last secret door in the north wall has opened.

Niko is at -9 hit points, and will carry the scars of this battle for a long time. Op Code is at -1 hit point. Jesse, who looked to be dead, was actually saved by her ring of regeneration, and is at -7 hit points.

You search the bodies.

On the fighters you find: 22 light crossbow bolts; a dagger that glows; a suit of bronze plate mail, a glowing longsword and a second glowing dagger; a suit of studded leather armour, a two-handed sword, 7 sling bullets and a vial. The elf wore ring mail, used a wand, and had a book in his backpack.

You look through the last secret door, and see a passage running north for 20'. After 10' it turns east.

You look through the opening to the south. This opens into a chamber (20' X 30': 10' east, 10' west, 20' south). The place is water-filled, the surface of the water being some 10' below the doorway. Looking down, you see that a 5' wide ledge runs the length of the north side just above the water. A 20' long, 10' wide walkway spans the chamber from the doorway where you stand to the south wall. Where it ends is a 5' deep niche in the south wall, and, floating within the niche with no visible means of support, is a large, ornate silver key.

It has been a long day and you are all feeling fatigued, at the very least.

Gilstrock picks up the glowing longsword from the fighter and hefts it in his hand, evaluating it. He gives it a good look over.

The sword seems to be of very good quality.

He stops his inspection of it to look up and say, "Hey, I think it's dinner time, isn't it?"

He looks back at the sword and takes a few experimental swings with it.

"Yo, Darian, you want to try some mock combat to see what this thing can do?"

"Perhaps the contents of this vial will heal one of the wounded," suggests Emm. He picks up one of the daggers and looks more closely at it.

"Hello," he says to it. If it does not respond, he throws it at one of the dead bodies, holds out his hand and says "return."

It does not return. Nor does it speak.

Emm walks away from the dagger and the rest of the treasure. "If that studded leather armor is magic, I would like it. If not, there is nothing in this pile of interest to me."

Jesse continues to shake her head, slowly. She unstraps her lute and plays a healing song from hit, applying it to herself. She is healed for 6 hit points.

Afterwords, "that sucks. Have to do something about that... and this cursed sword." she adds.

"What happened... Darian, my love, did you acquit youself nobley?" she asks.

"Argghhh! Me whole body aches! That blasted elf...we should throw his carcass into the pit to be eaten by those aquatic ogres. Anybody got any healing they can give me?" says Niko.

Salaam casts "Heal" on Niko and uses the rest of his curative spells on Op Code and Jesse.

Niko gains all but two hit points. Op Code is brought up to 27 hit points, and Jesse is revived to 16 hit points.

"Thank you, Slaam. I really needed it this time," Op Code smiles.

The ranger is still out of action for a day, however.

"Thanks, matey! That really hits the spot!" Niko stretches and examines the areas healed...as well as his new scars.

Occa says, "There will be danger in that room, no doubt. The question is this: Do we get the key now or retire to the ship to heal and rest?"

"We've got three of us down, Occa. and I am not sure we have the firepower to deal with anything. On the other hand, we are here," the bard says. "Let's see how much healing we can do before we decide. I'm just afraid our fighters are getting tired and would be hardpressed to continue a long fight. If is magical traps, that is a different story."

"Yeah," Gilstrock says, "and it's getting mighty close to dinner time."

Gilstrock looks about. "When all the really wounded folk have been taken care of I could use a little bit of healing before tomorrow."

"How about we rest here for the evening and grab the key later?" Salaam suggests as his curative spells are virtually depleted.

Darian heals everyone up to full except for Gilstrock, who is only cured for 11 hit points before the elf's healing abilities are used up.

While Op Code is again healed and healthy, he is still weak and exhausted.

"Well, if Salaam's True Sight is no longer in effect, then we could use Dwarf's Envy to check for traps." Niko says as he picks up his cutlass.

"Can you tell if and/or how strong the magic is with the key?" the ranger asks.

He checks the area by the key with Dwarf's Envy for traps, sliding doors, and treasure.

He detects no traps with the sword. However, he does now notice a large chest down on the ledge below, which was hidden from your view earlier thanks to the steep angle.

Salaam, with the last of his true seeing spell, notes that the key radiates strong magic.

Darian answers Jesse.

Darian grins a bit looking somewhat embarrassed. "I took done one and helped with another. Are you okay?"

"I am fine... nothing that rest will not cure. Damn, that hurt" the mage says, "I hate being on the recieving end of things," the bard says, smiling softly with her eyes.

"You need to stop attracting so much attention to yourself. Perhaps, if you used Occa's face? He doesn't seem to be needing it right now."

He grins devilishly.

Occa says, "Very funny."

He sends a wizard eye into the room behind the secret doors that this group came out of to look about.

The whole area that the warriors came out of is now open to your view, so a wizard eye is not necessary. The area is 10' deep and 60' long, basically extending this chamber north by 10'.

You go in and look about, but find nothing of value but for some bedrolls and mundane items.

Occa does send his wizard eye through the last secret door and up the passage to the north, though. Around the corner to the right, he sees that it opens up into a chamber (40' X 50': 40' east, 40' south; passage exits south out of south wall west corner). It is deserted. There are two oblong pillars made of cut and dressed stone in the centre of the chamber (oriented north-south), and he notes that one of the stones at the bottom of one pillar juts out slightly. Otherwise, the place is uninteresting.

The south exit consists of a flight of stairs heading down for 20'...after which there is another chamber.

"Thanks, Darian. I gotta learn that trick of yers!" says Niko.

Darian raises his eyebrows. "Psionic, are you?"

Niko shakes his head. "Nay. I have no such powers. It just would be nice to have dem! Or at least the ability to regenerate."

Darian taps his ring. "Well, a ring of regeneration helps the latter. Can't help you get psionics, though. I was born with them and the abilities I have seemed to have been decided when I was born. I'm just happy that a few of them are very useful."

Niko sheathes his short sword and picks up the two magical daggers.

"Blasted short sword! Kept getting in the way of my cutlass! Maybe I'll have better luck with one of these daggers."

Occa says, "Okay, get teh chest. Anyone want to get the key?"

Gonzo says, "Gimmee a hand wid dat rope we had out earlier... I kin climb on down der and get dat box tied off for our perusal while we'z takes a break."

"Gil, can ya levitate down there and bring her back up?"

"Sure thing," Gilstrock says, as he performs the feat.

Gonzo looks at Gilstrock... mumbling "Dang showoff...."

However, the chest is too big and heavy for even the brawny fighter in his boots to lift. Finally, he throws it open, revealing: 7000cp, 16,666gp, 733pp, 23 gems: (50gp ea.), and 7 jewelry (4000gp ea.). Salaam tosses down his portable hole, and Gilstrock loads it up before rejoining you.

"Can one of you magic types make the key move, just by thinking about it?" Op Code asks.

"Woo hoo!" Gilstrock says. "It's mine, all mine!"

He begins to sing, characteristically with much entusiasm and a small lack of intonation. "I'm in the money...!"

When the portable hole arrives, he says, "Oh, allright, I'll share." The broad blond fighter loads up the portable hole with money and jewels, and floats his way back up to join the others. "What's for dinner?"

Occa casts unseen servant and sees if it can fetch the key.

"Where do we want to make camp? This isn't exactly the most defensible place. And I'm just about out of spells and completely out of healing."

Occa says, "I was thinking of teleporting us back to the ship."

Niko pulls out a rod "Well, I've been meaning to test out this rod. I'm not sure exactly what it does, but I get the sense of safety from it."

Occa looks over and says, "Where did you get that?"

"Just before we were attacked by the dragon turtle. None of yuz said anything when I brought the her up, so I've just been holding onto it. The command word is 'teddy bear' based on my Identify spell. You wanna take a look at it?"

"I must have been day dreaming...such a rod is a great boon if it is what I think it is! That will be much more useful to us than my magnificent fortress spell." He looks at Niko's rod with envy.

Niko looks puzzled and shrugs. "If you think it's better in your hands and you want it, just say so. You guys have given me plenty of stuff already!"

"By the way, what exactly is it?"

Occa says, "I can't remember the exact name for it, but it sounds like an item that will transport you and many other people to a paradise. In this paradise, you are totally safe and you can rest, heal and relax. I had a friend with one. They are very useful items. However, they are hard to charge. I believe it takes two more more spell casters to charge it. It is a good group item. You keep it, though. It seems that any magic item I ever own gets destroyed. I believe all my items have been obliterated 3 times now, so it wouldn't last long with me."

He shrugs.

Niko shrugs also, and puts it away for now.

The unseen servant takes the key.

The instant the key is taken out of the alcove, though, there is a -

Poof!

- and a creature appears on the bridge between the servant and the rest of you. It is large, robed and definitely demonic-looking.

He yawns.

"My Master set me the task of guarding this key as punishment for some infraction or other," he says. "But, I can let you have the key in exchange for a small...payment. Otherwise, I will have to kill you all and take your souls back to my stronghold for an eternity of torment. The choice is yours."

"Ummm...whose yer master? And what exactly are ye?"

"My Master is Set."

He does not answer Niko's other question.

"Any chance you know what door this key opens?"

"It opens the door that takes you out of this temple."

"What if we leave you the key oh demon... do you have to kill us then?" the bard asks.

"No, then you can leave."

"What is the payment that you want, demon?"

He looks at each of you.

"She will do," he says, pointing at Alyta. "She looks nice and submissive."

Occa says, "Okay, take Alyta."

"I don't think so," the bard relies. "Let's just leave. We don't need the key anyway. Your Master gave you a useless errand."

With that, the bard begins to walk back out of the area.

"Come Alyta, let's go."

"Waiddaminnit..." Gilstrock says, having an idea which is completely foolish. "Tell ya what," he says. "We let you have her, one one additional condition. You renounce your master and all of his evil ways. You accept HER," Gilstrock points at Alyta, "as your master, and you obey her every command. Sound good?"

The creature smiles.

"Nice. I would take you as well, for my court jester."

Gonzo fades into the shadows.

Gilstrock stops, and makes a show of thinking about it for a few moments. Finally, he says, "Naaah, sorry, can't do it. Gotta hang out here so I'm here in case Pharian returns. Never mind then."

"The bastard serves Set, he will not live any longer than need be," Salaam growls.

"Here is my choice, "OH great Thoth, cut this demon to shreds," Salaam says as he invokes a horizontal blade barrier behind the demon, but close enough to saw him in half.

Darian backs away as well muttering, "Idiot... Idiot!!" He keeps Alyta and Jesse behind him.

Jesse continues to back away from the demon, rolling her eyes as Salaam commits the group. Muttering under her breath, "Got to know when to hold them, know when to fold them... know when to walk away and know when to run."

Gilstrock starts to back away from the demon lord as well, but he draws Hangnail and takes a defensive stance. "Everybody else, get away, I'll cover you."

"Yo! Demon guy!" Gilstrock calls. "Will you take him too?" He points at Salaam.

"Crap crap crap!" Niko mutters as he moves to flank the demon with his flaming cutlass and dagger (from the elf who stabbed him) drawn. "Should have saved those grenades for a rainy day!"

Occa just rolls his eyes when Salaam casts blade barrier. He sighs and runs back to get out of harms way. He will also take to the air. Once he is far enough back, he will cast polymorph other on the demon...and try to turn it into a hamster.

As Salaam chants the words of the blade barrier spell (which takes 54 seconds to cast) and Niko advances onto the walkway, the daemon suddenly vanishes.

He reappears in midair, in the northwest corner of the chamber, and from there he speaks a word of power.

Salaam is knocked, stunned, over the edge of the walkway, to land with a thud on the ledge below, where Gilstrock retreived the treasure from. He takes 3 hit points of damage.

The daemon vanishes again...to reappear beside the sprawling high priest.

"A cleric of Thoth," he says with a slight laugh. "What a prize."

He touches Salaam and they both vanish.

The unseen servant delivers the key to Occa, who has just completed casting his fly spell.

This time the daemon does not reappear.

Gilstrock looks down to the ledge where Salaam just disappeared with the demon. "Uhhh... whoops. I mean, I wasn't serious...."

He looks up guiltily at his companions. "I didn't really want the demon to take Salaam. I just thought... I mean, I guess it was a bigger demon than we should have trifled with."

"By the gods! Do ye think the daemon took Salaam to Set? We have to go after him!"

Darian shakes his head at Salaam's stupidity. "Well, I'd like to say that he got what he deserved, but even that idiot didn't deserve that..."

"Men," Jesse says, "Clerics," she says in a curse. "Damn damn damn."

"None of the rest of us were stupid enough to want to tangle with that thing. Don't lump any of us with Salaam."

Darian looks around at the rest of the group. "I don't think we can take out a demon on it's own turf today. After we rest and recover, MAYBE, we could take it out." He sighs. "Idiot!"

Gilstrock says, still sounding guilty, "I did kinda suggest to the demon that he take Salaam. Even if he is an idiot, I think we gotta try to help him. Maybe we can get Stiff and Orlon to help us."

Gilstrock looks around. "What do we still have here that we gotta get done? Should we rest up and go looking for Salaam tomorrow? Where ARE we going to look for him?"

"I am sorry to say that I am much too inexperienced to survive in realm of demons," responds Emm. "Is there someone who can ask Salamm's god to intercede on his behalf?"

The bard looks at Occa.

"Suggestions?" she asks.

"Still, we can't go after him now. We have wounded, most of our magic spells are used up and we don't even know where to search for him," Occa says as he looks down at the key in his hand.

"We need a key to leave this temple?"

He looks around. "I wonder if I can teleport us out of here."

"Dump the bodies into that pool in that room."

Then he says, "Too bad about Salaam....we will have to go after him first, if we can. Gather around."

Niko uses Dwarf's Envy to look around for traps, sliding doors, and treasure.

Occa will try to teleport the group back to the ship after taking a quick look around, especially at the room with the secret doors.

Nothing happens when he tries to teleport.

"Why don't you just use the key to get out of here," Op Code tells Occa. "After all, Salaam sacrificed himself for it."

"We haven't found a keyhole to put it in, yet," replies Robert.

"Well, I guess we try and find the exit now. Knowing Set, though, there's probably a trap associated when we use the key."

"Just as I suspected," He sighs. "Niko...get ready to use that rod of yours. Everyone join hands."

Niko nods and pulls out the rod, making sure he gets to hold onto one of Jesse's hand.

"Are ye all ready?" he asks the party.

When everyone is set, he holds the rod up and says "Teddy bear."

Suddenly you are all standing in a veritable garden. The air is warm and bright, though no sun shines down upon you. All about you grow a profusion of trees, bushes and other plants. Many of them are laden with fruits, and you see patches of vegetables growing nearby. Off in one direction you hear the sound of flowing water, and when you go and investigate, you find a small stream flowing over rocks and pebbles.

You pick some fruits and vegetables, settle down by the stream and relax.

Time passes. You eat and sleep. Eventually you are all rested up, and even Op Code feels ready to resume the exploration.

When you are set, Niko again says the command words to the rod, and suddenly you are back in the chamber, where you were originally.

You resume your exploration, heading north through the last secret door. As previously described, this leads to a chamber (40' X 50': 40' east, 40' south; passage exits south out of south wall west corner). It is deserted. There are two oblong pillars made of cut and dressed stone in the centre of the chamber (oriented north-south), and you note that one of the stones at the bottom of one pillar juts out slightly. Otherwise, the place is uninteresting.

You make for the exit to the south. This is actually a flight of stairs heading down...about 20' horizontally (south) and 10' vertically. At the end is another chamber.

You go and take a look.

This chamber is 30' X 50' (30' south, 40' east; 10' wide opening leading to another chamber in the south wall west corner; door in 10' - 20' section of the south wall as measured from the east). This place is barren; however, you immediately notice a large keyhole in the door...

However, before you have time to go an examine the door more closely, you see an enormous pile of brown goop slithering through the south entrance towards you. It looks to be scatological in nature, but it does not smell as bad.

Immediately behind it are two more slithering piles of goo.

"Arrghh! See, mateys...this is what happens when yer demon's not housebroken!"

Niko blasts the the lead one with a lightning bolt and then turns invisible.

Emm retreats to the back of the party where he keeps watch on the party's path of retreat.

Occa looks at the door and says, "This can't be all there is to this temple...where are the big boys?"

Niko's lightning bolt blasts into one of the advancing creatures...blowing it in half but not killing it. Instead, both halves resume their deadly advance.

Occa casts disintegrate at the brown goo.

It is not affected.

"What is that?"

You begin to retreat, when suddenly the lead pudding slithers forward and lashes out at Gilstrock. He jumps aside just in time.

"Can fire hurt this thing?" Op Code asks the others as he prepares a torch.

"Someone get that blasted door open!" Niko cries.

Niko conjures up a Flaming Sphere behind the puddings and rolls it into one of the halves he split.

"Hey!" Gilstrock cries, as he lashes out at the brown goo with Thawbreaker. Not knowing what the deal is with these guys, but having the impression that various different slimes and puddings are affected differently by things like heat and cold, he watches to see if the brown goo seems to be affected at all by his sword blows.

The pudding lunges at him again, and Gilstrock is seared by acid for 15 hit points. Furthermore, the acid dissolves leather very quickly, he discovers, as his belt drops off him to the floor, and the straps of his backpack part company.

Swinging his sword, he easily connects with his assailant...and chops it in half.

There are now three puddings attacking him.

The other puddings go after Alyta and Darian. The woman runs back, but not before the thing burns her for 12 hit points. Darian - seeing the luck, or lack thereof - that Gilstrock is having, unloads a magic missile spell into the one moving against him, as a sphere os flames springs into being, courtesy of Niko.

Four missiles pour into the pudding, obviously hurting it, then he jumps aside.

Niko wills the sphere to move against the pudding on Alyta, and it is burned, somewhat.

Occa cast passwall under a pudding.

The pudding on Alyta suddenly drops into a pit which has opened up under it.

One big pudding, one medium pudding, and two little puddings remain.

Looking for an opening, Emm has a standard arrow ready to fire at the puddings. He occasionally glances over his shoulder to make sure that nothing is sneaking up from behind.

Op Code, seeing what Niko is doing, lights a torch.

Growling, Gilstrock falls back. He looks in his pile of weapons on the floor and tries to locate the flail.

Seeing that magic missile works, Occa magic missiles the bigger pudding.

One spell almost kills it, and he finishes it off with one missile from a second spell. He directs the remaining missiles at one of the puddings on Gilstrock.

Jesse shoots magic missiles at the small puddings on Gilstrock. She has 3 spells worth and then takes out her wand. One spell kills two of the puddings.

Her second spell polishes off the last pudding on Gilstrock.

Occa cancels his passwall, sealing in the last pudding.

You check the chamber that the puddings came out of. It is 20' square (10' west, 20' south; double doors in west wall), and bare.

You open the double doors, and find that you are looking into the water-filled chamber where you fought the golems.

You return to the chamber with the locked door, and when you are ready, try the key in the lock.

The door opens with a barely audible click.

Before you is an odd-shaped chamber (right wall runs south for 45', southeast for 5', east for 15', south for 10', east for 30' (door in middle section), north for 10' and then east out of sight; left wall runs south for 10', southeast for 10', then east out of sight). The ceiling is perhaps 30' above you. 10' up on the left side is a ledge, running along the wall (actually set back from the wall).

Rushing at you are ten strange-looking creatures. They are bipedal, have the heads of vultures, and a large, plated exoskeleton. They have two arms which terminate in nasty hooks, and are about 9' tall.

They look hungry.

Niko casts Stinking Cloud to slow them down.

Darian forks a lightning bolt and two of them and then meets their rush with his sword slashing.

"Fighters, protect the mages!"

Gonzo slips into the shadows to the left and will attempt to surprise a "gooney bird" from behind.

Emm begins firing arrows at the heads of the beast, the heads being about all he can see from the back of the party.

"What the...?" Gilstrock says, as he transfers Thawbreaker back to his right and and attacks the vulture beasts.

Gilstrock and Robert meet the first two monsters as suddenly a billowing cloud of stinking fumes rises up behind them. Gilstrock connects easily, twice, leaving his assailant badly hurt and missing badly. Robert is missed, but clobbers his monster with his bastard sword.

As for Niko's spell, only two retreat back out of it, leaving the rest nauseated, vomiting and immobilised.

Darian releases his lightning bolt but only manages to catch one of the monsters with it. He then rushes forward, but Gilstrock and Robert are blocking his way.

Suddenly Gonzo goes into action. He had been caught in the stinking cloud as well, but managed to keep his stomach restrained. Now, his flame tongue blazes into one of the two horrors who were not gassed, and it drops, nearly cut in half.

Emm sends two arrows thwacking into a monster as it leans against a wall, gagging.

"Very good," says a voice from the ledge above. Looking down at you is a man, unarmoured, but holding a glowing sword. "Now try this."

Suddenly you are all engulfed in a wave of unreasoning fear and terror. Emm, Op Code, Jesse, Alyta and Niko turn and run screaming back the way you have come. One of the horrors also flees east in terror.

Occa, Darian, Gonzo, Gilstrock and Robert stand firm.

A Doppler effect "aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" can be heard as Emm yells while running away.

Darian looks up and fires off a magic missile spell at him. "Too afraid to face all of us, are you? What is it with evil folks now a days?"

"Owww!" he says, as the spell burns into him. "Evil? I'm not evil!"

Darian turns on his magic absorbing psionics.

"Coward!" Gilstrock calls at the man. "You are so engulfed in your own fear that you must share it with others!"

"Yap yap yap," says the man. "You guys talk too much."

As he says this, Gilstrock runs forward to the left side of the room where the ledge is. When he arrives, he starts using his boots to levitate himself upwards 10' to the level of the ledge.

Occa will release as many magic missiles as he can into the man...

His first spell does not affect the man. Instead, the man speaks a word of power at the arch-mage, sending Occa sprawling and leaving him stunned and senseless.

Gonzo, on the other side of the stinking cloud, immediately pulls throwing daggers and lets fly his arms whirling as fast as he can throw... "KARUMBA... good fer nuthin wizard lookin' rats," he mumbles.

"Owwww!" says the man again, as a dagger takes him in the hand. He speaks another word of power. This time, no one is affected.

"Oh-ho," he says, glancing at Darian as Gilstrock rises into attack range. "A psionic!"

Gilstrock plunges his blade into the man's midrift, bringing him back to more immediate matters. Clearly hurting, he opts to live to fight another day...and abruptly vanishes.

On the ledge, Gilstrock sees an enormous pile of treasure.

Forgotten in all of this, one last hook horror lunges at Gonzo...and misses. The dwarf turns on him and attacks him with a dagger. The two melee for a moment before Gonzo kills him.

As the remaining hook horrors stagger out of the cloud, you deal with them in like fashion.

Gonzo finds the last monster that was feared, and kills him, too.

By the time you are finished, the others straggle back to join you.

There, they find Occa sitting on the floor, nursing a headache in his Al-head, all of the hook horrors dead, and no sign of the man on the ledge. Instead, Gilstrock is up there, counting out a nice fat treasure: 4000gp, 1000pp, 120 gems (900gp ea.), 46 various and sundry articles of jewelry (800gp ea.), a ring and two vials.

You check out the rest of the room. In all, this is how it goes: right wall runs south for 45', southeast for 5', east for 15', south for 10', east for 30' (door in middle section), north for 10', east for 15', northeast for 5', north for 45', west for 10', south for 10', southwest for 10', west for 30' (door in middle), northwest for 10' and north for 10'.

10' in front of the south door is a stone slab slightly raised (6") above the level of the floor. Upon it is graven the image of three stones, again.

Now that the monsters are dead and/or gone, you notice that the two 5' long angled walls have become jet black.

Niko asks sheepishly "Gil, what happened?"

"Bloody coward ran away. Or, er, disappeared, like the wussy mage he was," Gilstrock says. There's blood on his sword, but it's not enough.

"And Occa?" Niko asks, pointing to the mage holding his head.

"Dunno," the large fighter says. "The guy I stabbed said something that whacked Occa out. Some spell or something."

Emm retrieves what arrows he can, then climbs up to the ledge.

"Do you think one of these vials wil cure his headache?" he asks, pointing to Occa.

"Occa, do you need healing? I can't believe he managed to figure out I was psionic. He'll be better prepared next time."

"No, I will be fine shortly. He is a powerful mage. Next time he will die. He must be psionic...be careful, he will be gunning for you."

"Just get me close, just get me close," Gilstrock says, admiring the blood which is rapidly congealing and freezing on the blade of Thawbreaker. Before it is too late, the blond warrior cleans off his frost band.

Darian looks surprised. "Why do you surmise that he's psionic?"

"How do you think he detected your psionics?"

Darian shrugs. "I just thought he figured it out after his power word didn't affect Gonzo and myself."

"I would only surmise that you are more powerful than the ordinary. Not that you had psionics. He must be psionic."

"Now, does anyone else need healing before we press on?"

Niko pulls Dwarf's Envy and checks for traps, treasure and shifting/sliding doors.

He detects nothing.

Darian looks at the short, black walls.

"Hmmmm... Wonder what that means?"

Occa syas, "Gonzo, do you know what that is?"

Gonzo examines the walls... careful not to trip any traps or look too deeply into either one of them.

"Hmmmmm," he says. "I be not sure."

They look almost like the portal that you stepped through when you entered this labyrinth.

"Can anyone see if and how strong a magic the walls radiate?" Op Code inquires.

Niko casts Detect Magic and then also throws one end of a rope into the dark walls to see what happens when he pulls it back.

The black sections radiate magic.

When he throws the end of the rope through the west section, it reappears at the west end of the ledge, near where Gilstrock still stands.

"Cool!" Gilstrock says. He picks up the rope and inspects it for damage.

He pulls it through. It looks fine.

Gilstrock says, "Hey, Niko, catch!"

He throws a coin into the west section, near where the rope came out.

Niko watches the coin sail towards the wall, his arm snakes out at the last moment to catch the coin if it passes through.

It bounces off of the wall. Apparently it is only a one-way portal.

Op Code fashions the old spike on a rope and toss it at the black wall, seeing if anything unusual happens.

Tossing it through the east section, you eventually rediscover it at the east end of the ledge.

"Well that's exciting," mutters Robert, as he roams about the chamber, looking at things. Then, he inadvertantly steps on the slightly raised stone slab that has the carving on it. It shifts beneath his foot, dropping slightly.

There is the sound of stonework sliding on stonework, and the south door opens, revealing a 10' square room beyond.

Out of the room come four demonic-looking creatures, each resembling a skeleton in skin-tight leather armour, but with a nasty-looking curved horn growing out of the top of its head.

Suddenly they take flight, spreading out to attack people! Darian, Gonzo, Gilstrock and Robert are the lucky targets.

"Prepare for doom, you fugitives from Doom!" Gilstrock says, as he attacks with Thawbreaker. The fighter fans once, then connects with a glancing blow. He is scratched for 4 hit points.

Darian meets the attack with his frostbrand and shield. His sword slides off of the slippery hide of the demon, as it fares little better in attacking him.

Emm loads a magic arrow into his bow and begins to fire at the closest demon. His arrows sail wide.

Niko blasts two with a forked lightning bolt. His spell does not affect one demon, but it affects another, plus Robert and Gonzo. They all suffer 12 hit points of damage.

"This place is full of cockroaches," Op Code remarks as he rushes to attack the closest one.

Occa magic missles one of them in order to test its strength. "Anyone know what these are?"

His missiles blast into the demon on Gonzo.

"Ugly," quips Darian.

Gonzo gives a slight "Urp" and then "KARUMBA" as he draws his sword and goes in for the kill. "Hol' still and lemme tickle yer hide youse mangy excumenses fer a bat."

Gonzo misses badly, as he gets the horn for 4 hit points.

Robert, cursing Niko, swings wide with his bastard sword. He is clawed and bitten for 11 hit points.

Darian connects twice this round, while avoiding all incoming attacks. Op Code arrives to help, and opens a big hole in the monster. Stinking ichor pours out.

Gonzo makes up for his poor performance in the previous round by killing the demon on him in this one.

Up on the ledge, Gilstrock is nibbled for 2 hit points. He in turn lands another glancing blow, followed by yet another.

Robert is nicked by the demon, as he lands a nice, solid hit.

With one final, sweeping swing, Darian kills his opponent.

Gilstrock finally lands a solid blow, and the demon on him expires.

Robert lands a second solid blow into the last demon, but it is Gonzo - rushing in to help - who finishes it off.

As the last demon dies you hear another noise, as the door in the north wall slides open.

Revealed is a passage running north for 30'. After that is a flight of stairs going up.

Coming down the stairs towards you are two yagnodaemons.

"Geez, they're coming out of the woodwork!"

Darian times his charge so that he attacks one after it has cleared the doorway, thus giving everyone a chance to surround them.

"Gil, you might want to come down for this, but do try to be timely for once."

"Hey, better early than never!" Gilstrock says, before adding, "Oh, wait, that has to do with prematu... um, never mind."

Having missed his opportunity for a battle cry, Gilstrock nonetheless jumps off the ledge (using his boots of levitation to soften the fall for the last couple of feet) and rushes to attack the yagnodaemons with Thawbreaker fom behind.

Emm gets out of the way.

"What in heavens name are these guys guarding?" he wonders aloud.

"Here we go again!" Op Code exhasibates as he goes after the yagnodaemons.

"Hey! It talks!" says one of the yagnodaemons to the other.

"I want its head, to add to my collection," says the other.

"Master will want this one."

Jesse laughs, and then casts magic missiles at the critters, from her wand.

"So, then I guess you can't have his head. So, who is this Master? Might as well educate us before you kill us."

"Why bother?" replies the first yagnodaemon. "An uneducated lunch will taste no different."

Darian snorts. "So? We go to our deaths scared instead of just disgusted."

"How would master like your head on a platter?" Op Code fires back, swinging his sword.

"Probably medium rare," says the daemon.

"One medium rare coming up," Op Code answers in his best maitre'd impersonation.

"Hey! Stop that!" Niko bellows. "All this talking about food is making me hungry!"

Niko unloads two Magic Missile spells at one of the yagnodaemons. "Chew on these, spawn of Set!"

Neither of his spells are able to penetrate the daemon's magic resistance.

Occa next magic missiles one of the daemons, twice. One of his spells gets through, scorching the monster slightly.

Jesse's missile has no effect on the yagnodaemon.

The fighters engage the monsters. Darian and Op Code face one apiece, and Gilstrock attacks Darian's from the rear. Robert and Gonzo also move up to help.

Darian dodges the enormous clawed arm of the 12' high monster and buries his sword to its hilt in its shin. Gilstrock does likewise from the rear, twice.

Beside them, Op Code is raked for 21 hit points. He lands a solid hit in turn, though.

Next, Darian os clobbered for 14 hit points, as he lands another hit, albeit a glancing one. Gilstrock continues to whack away at the daemon, though, and at last it falls, dead.

Op Code just manages to miss the remaining daemon, but it also misses him. His next swing connects, though, nicking the monster. Gonzo attacks a flank, immediately opening a massive wound. Robert attacks the other flank, but misses.

Again the daemon misses Op Code, as the ranger strikes again, staggering the monster, and it is Gonzo who finishes the monster off.

The hallway clear, you advance to the stairs and up them with caution.

The stairs go up for 20'. At the top is a small chamber (15' X 15': 5' west, 15' north: 10' wide passage exiting in southern portion of east wall). It is littered with junk, and in amongst it all you find 1333gp and a gold necklace (600gp).

You look up the east passage. It runs for 10', then there is a chamber above. However, after 5' there is another flight of stairs going up for 15' (horizontal distance), such that the stairs meet the floor of the chamber some 10' into it.

You go up and take a look in the chamber. It measures 30' square (10' north, 10' south, 20' ahead and 10' behind, from the top of the stairs). Facing you in the east wall is a 20' wide archway. At the peak of the arch is the symbol of the three stones. The area under the arch is black...rather like the entrance to this area was.

Searching the chamber, you find a pile of treasure: 1200pp, 10 enormous diamonds (8000gp ea.) and 12 bejeweled platinum rings (12,000gp ea.).

Gathering up the treasure, you face the arch, and ponder your next move.

Darian looks around at the treasure, openmouthed. "My goodness."

"Well, does anyone need healing before we continue? Who knows what kind of demon will attack us next?"

Darian does heal himself.

"Yee-hah!" Niko cries. "Look at the size of these diamonds! And look at these rings! It's the motherlode!"

Calming down, he examines the portal and pulls out his rope again. "I guess we'll try this again."

Niko tosses one end of the rope into the arch and pulls on it.

It does not pull back.

"It does not make sense that such vile creatures would be guarding mere diamonds and gold. There must be more here. I suggest a more thorough search of the area," suggests Emm. He begins to look carefully for secret doors.

He finds none.

"I believe this is our exit. I assume that is what they were really guarding. Not sure why there was so much treasure, but it's not like those stinkin' demons are gonna be back anytime soon to ask for it back!"

Occa says, "Anyone have an augury? Otherwise, we should just go through, or send one through and have them speak with the communicator back to us."

"I don't think there's any clerics left in the party, since Salaam's gone," Robert says, then adds, "Didn't he have the portable hole with all of the loot we've found, too..?"

"Who's to say the communicator will work through this barrier?" Op Code asks. "I say that we should gather our stuff and loot, then all go through together."

Darian kisses Jesse on the mouth. "See you on the flip side."

He jumps through the barrier without a word to anyone.

"Darian," Jesse calls and waits to see what happens.

Niko watches with surprise as Darian jumps past him into the barrier.

"Hey, no running off into adventures without me!" Niko cries as he hurries through the barrier as well.

Op Code follows Darian and Niko.

Suddenly the three of you are standing in an alley or narrow, winding street. Buildings - whitewashed and stuccoed - line the alley. They are three to four storeys tall. Here and there along the way are doors, and there are windows in the walls as well. To your right, the alley wends its way out of sight. To your left, perhaps 75' away, the alley ends at a large square, filled with people.

Clearly, you are in a city.

The alley itself is deserted, but for a man sitting on the cobblestones across from you, his head down, a broad-brimmed hat pulled over his head, snoring softly.

It is a hot day, but not uncomfortably so. You estimate the temperature at around 77F. There is very little humidity. The sky above is deep blue and cloudless. Going by the angle of the shadows on the walls, it is late afternoon.

Beside the sleeping man is an open doorway. Through the doorway is a dimly lit room. You can see tables and chairs inside, and the shadowy figures of people within.

A sign over the doorway proclaims the establishment to be the Brass Lantern Tavern.

Niko is heading into the tavern. One of the patrons has just spoken to him, and others are watching.

In the tavern you see...

The common room of the tavern is dimly lit and cool. Chairs and tables are scattered about, with perhaps half of them occupied by patrons. A small fireplace is against the back wall, but it is not lit (it seldom is, except on cool winter evenings). An open door looks out onto White Alley, and two windows - with lace curtains - do so as well.

There are eight people in here, including the bartender. One is a blue-eyed man with black hair, wearing a sleeveless shirt and black breeches. Another is a young man with blue eyes, brown hair and sharp features. A third young man sports golden brown hair, while another person of indeterminate gender is clearly a cleric. Yet a fifth man wears all black, and stares broodingly into his glass. Two women sit in a corner, talking quietly. They look like gypsies, perhaps.

Through a doorway in the back wall, behind the bar, come the sounds of someone laughing as they do the dishes in the kitchen.

"The Brass Lantern Tavern. Where have I heard of that before?" Op Code scratches his chin. "All of a sudden, I'm thirsty."

Suddenly Gonzo appears beside you.

The young man with wavy golden brown hair pauses in mid sip and watches curiously the arrival of these strange looking people.

"Oh boy... we'z ain't in knastas anymore," says Gonzo.

Niko looks around and starts whistling/humming a familiar tune "...a kiss is just a kiss...C'mon, lads. Let's get us a drink. First rounds on me!"

As Niko starts heading into the Brass Lantern Tavern, he presses his wrist communicator and chuckles "Hey guys, when you're ready to come through, we'll be in the Brass Lantern Tavern having our first round. And better tell Hardboard not to wait around for us!"

All you hear is static.

Niko shrugs "Oh, well..." and continues into the tavern.

A great big man next appears out of thin air...

John approaches the elf and says in elvish, "Well met, sir, its been awhile since I had the opportunity to use my elvish. I fear it is getting a tad rusty. I am called John, Brother John if you will." John says as he extends a hand.

Those in the bar see John as garbed in a thin white sleeveless shirt, black pants, and black leather boots, John is a decent looking and normal sized man. He has a lean body, a shaved head, bright blue eyes, and sports a well kept black goatee.He is tanned, but considered to be of the accepted color in Casablanca, his home. A quiver lies on his back next to a worn leather backpack. A small crossbow hangs from his belt.

Niko grins and shakes the proferred hand "The name's Niko...Niko Ebrenheart. And these are my companions Darian (the other elf), Op Code (human), and Gonzo (dwarf). Care for a drink? First rounds on me!"

As Niko waits for his drinks, he says, "So, it's been a while since I've been back to Casablanca...any news recently?"

Op Code slaps Niko on the back. "Now everyone needs a friend like that," he tells Brother John. "A pint of mead will hit the spot."

Niko shrugs and grins ."Not a problem...especially, with that haul we just made off with! I hope there's something we can do for Salaam, though..."

The rest of the party suddenly appears out of thin air. Those in the tavern see a young, nondescript man, a half-elven female and a man whose head does not quite seem to match the rest of his body, plus a warrior in field plate.

"Glad the rest of you could make it. I was beginning to wonder if we'd be teleported to different areas when Gonzo appeared next to us."

The elf is short (a little over five feet) and sleek. He has light brown hair with a streak of silver running from front to back along the left side. His eyes are brown and have an excited gleam in them.

He wears a grey cloak with a hood over his chainmail. He carries a shield and there's a longsword hanging across his back along with a backpack, a longbow and a quiver. In addition, he has a belt with lots of pouches hanging off of it and there are knives scattered around his body.

The bar man picks up his ears.

"Take a seat, lads!"

He starts drawing drinks.

Darian comes in escorting Jesse to the table. "Some wine for myself, barkeep. Jesse, what would you like?"

"Oh, yes...wine...and some brandy while you're at it!" Niko adds.

"And keep 'em coming!" Niko bellows. Niko takes a seat and grabs one of the wenches and says "Hey, how about a rack of lamb for our table."

Seeing Gil and the others outside, he adds hastily "Errr...make that several racks...and some ribs, too!"

The woman - who, with her female companion had been enjoying a quiet meal - whispers in Niko's ear, "Let go of me right now, or you're a dead man."

The other woman rises from the table.

Darian looks over from where he's seated with Jesse. He frowns and looks quite intensely at Niko. "Niko, let that lady go. Now."

Slowly lowering his mug to the table, the man with the wavy golden brown hair focuses his attention squarely upon the newcomers. He scans the entire bar before staring intently at Niko and the two women.

Occa sits down at a table and watches the scene unfold before him.

Merdwin sips his drink and puts it down on the table as the scene unfolds before him. He gets up and walks to the bar. He then sits and stares out the window for a bit then glares suspiciously at the elves. His gaze holds no malice towards them just calculating suspicion.

He politely asks the barkeep for some water and says hello to the new arrivals with the doff of his cap.

"Quite obviously you people do need to learn how to keep the volume down. But since some of you are definetly new to the city I will allow myself to be introduced. I am Merdwin the Prestidigator. Alas since I am but a newly released apprentice I was wondering if ye' could share thy stories of evidently great adventure with me."

He then smiles and says to the barkeep, "A yes sir could I please get some bread at my table?"

Merdwin smiles then extracts the cost from his purse.

The warrior in the field plate - heavily armed and armoured, but otherwise nondescript - replies to Merdwin, "As a matter of fact, we're right in the middle of an evidently great adventure! Stick around and watch!"

"Errr..." Niko stammers, as he hastily removes his hand from the female. With a sweeping bow, he regains his composure and smiles ."Apologies, milady...miladies (with a nod to her companion). Perhaps you'd allow me to make it up to you by buying your meal. Or if you're interested in some good company and conversation, perhaps you'd like to join me and my friends at my table."

Niko raises his eyebrows in expectation of her response.

"No thank you," she says with a bit of a sniff. "I don't associate with elves."

She returns to her table. Her companion sits down.

"Ah, They're not good enough for you, Niko," Op Code remarks loudly.

Niko shrugs. "I understand. It would be a bit awkward, you eating with your betters."

"That is definitely not the case, stranger," she replies cooly.

With a nod of his head he says "Ladies..." and heads over toward his table.

When Niko gets to his table, he grins and says to his companions, as he gestures with his head toward the two women's table "She wants me...badly! I can tell."

Merdwin sneers at the elf's comment and rather loudly remarks to himself, "And the lame do walk. The deaf do hear. And obviously ye can tell that a wonderful lady like that would swoon for a forest lovin' elf. Rather thou art as blind as a church boy in the workings of that lady's mind."

He laughs and then says, "Although for a an elf ye did it rather remarkably well. Alas that ye have the workings in the mind of a smitten young lad not knowing how to tell the butt end of the fox to the head. Sincere apologies to any offense but I do beleive that she doth not hath the least intrest in a so called greater. In fact what is greater about ye elves all in the fact that ye may live longer."

Merdwin again smiles to himself. He grabs his drink and takes a swig.

"Let ye know that I hath spoken. If any shall argue tell them to silence thy tongue or else come over here and prove it better. I do say to you come and know me better man. For alone on the outside I have only just finished an apprentiship and fear the affects of alcohol do not bode well with me. For again you see that I am looking to strike it out on my own in order to become a powerful arch wizard."

He spins the empty beverage bottle.

"I ask of you to forgive me of slight transgression and bid you good night." He goes to rest his head upon the table he moves his head around the room and awaits questions. At light of none he will lay down his head.

As Niko sits down, Gilstrock sits beside him and punches him lightly on the forearm in a friendly gesture. "Run ashore on a sand bar, huh?" he says. "Drink up!"

Niko snorts. "More like I ran smack into an iceberg, if ya get my drift!"

Niko then slams down his drink, wipes his mouth on his rolled up sleeve and belches. "That's another one fer me, bartender!"

"Well them's wut youse gets when you follers yer north arrow whens youse should be headin' south. And you a navy man and all that," says Gonzo while ordering a large drink for himself.

The plain looking man stands a few inches less than 6' tall. He has sandy brown hair and brown eyes. He appears to be in his early 30's. He wears studded leather armor under a brown cloak. A long bow is slung over his shoulders. He walks over to the bartender and quietly orders a round of ale, which he carries to Niko's table. Pulling up a chair, he passes out the drinks.

"Cheers," Emm toasts. "Say Niko, I need to resupply my quiver. Do you know a good armorer in Casablanca? Also, you mentioned that I should learn to use a short sword. Got any recommendations?"

"Arrows ain't a problem...although, ya probably should buy them yerself, seein' as how the locals ain't too friendly to us elves."

"As fer the short sword, I'll teach ya me self. I've got a pair of magical ones, so you can have one of them. I can't seem to get the hang of usin' my cutlass and short sword both at once, but maybe Gil can shows me how, since I've seen him use two large weapons at once..."

"You are too kind," answers Emm. "I don't believe I have earned such a gracious gift. Especially when I fled in the face of that mage."

"Have you?" Gilstrock asks, confused, trying to remember the event to which Niko refers. "Don't do that much myself. I like to switch off a bit, just to stay limber with all of 'em. Tend to carry my spear around, but usually I use Thawbreaker when things get serious. Unless you mean my voice is one of the big weapons!"

"Hmmm...maybe I'm wrong...haven't I seen ya use Thawbreaker and that flail of yours together?"

Gilstrock things. "I mighta tried it. I don't usually do it, 'cuase I'm not that good at that kinda thing. I did use the flail to try to beat my way outta that block of ice when Thawbreaker was frozen with my other hand and most of my body... or was that Hangnail? I mighta been beating at the ice with Hangnail. Is that what you're thinking of?"

Darian reaches over his shoulder and carefully pulls off a quiver of arrows. You can see that it's a bit overflowing with more than the standard twenty crammed into the space. Darian carefully smoothes a few of the feathers before pushing the quiver across to Emm.

"I haven't shot an arrow in a while, Emm. Why don't you carry them for me? At least, until you can find somewhere to purchase a few more quivers. There's a few magical arrows as well as a score of the standard variety."

"Much thanks," replies Emm. "Er, do you know which are the magical?"

Darian raises an eyebrow. "Can't you tell from the feathers? The standard ones were all made by one elf. The magical ones feel different. There should be about 7 or 8 left depending on how many I gave you a while back."

"Yes. Yes I see it now," replies Emm as he inspects the arrows. "You are very wise, Darian. Perhaps you can help me with another matter." Pointing to the gold broach on his cloak, Emm says "when I acquired this item I was under the impression it was for protection. However, I fear my adventures with you have not proved out that assumption. Perhaps you can identify it for me. I would like to know if advantage was taken in my dealings."

"I'll be glad to identify your broach when I fufill Niko's request. However, you both might want to think about hitting up Occa for that. He's the archmage after all. I'm not so nearly accomplished."

"Darian, when ya got a moment, can ya do an Identify fer me? And maybe teach me to use a dagger."

"Sure, Niko, but maybe when we get back to our ship."

Niko chuckles "That might be a while. At least until Hardboard figures out we're not still at the island. But just in case..."

Niko tries his communicator again "Come in Hardboard..."

A faint hissing emanates from his wrist bracelet.

Several people in the tavern regard him curiously.

"Perhaps it is out of charges," suggests Emm. "Like that sword from the spaceship," he whispers.

Occa, who has been silent gets up and goes and orders a large bowl of water from the bartender.

Occa is extremely handsome. A very strong jaw, dark thick hair, and piercing blue eyes. His face doesn't go with his dumpy body. He has very poor posture and a slight pot belly. His face makes him look 26, but his body looks much older.

He is dressed in robes and seems oblivious to most of the people in the bar.

Once he has the bowl of water, he begins casting a spell....this seems to go on and on.

Occa, makes strange gestures and mutters even stranger words than usual over his bowl of water.

The patrons of the tavern go silent, and watch.

The water in the bowl starts to glow, then it goes cloudy. It starts to clear...then goes cloudy again.

He is unable to get an image to form in the bowl.

Occa says, "Drats!"

He attempts to look up Hardboard.

Again the bowl will not clear.

Occa sighs and then gets up. "Okay, we need to decide our next course of action. Salaam is either in the hells or the abyss. Do we go there and retrieve him? What about that temple? Are we finished? I doubt it."

Niko frowns and bangs the table with his fist, spilling his drink. "If Salaam's in Hell or the Abyss, then we should go get him! When do we leave?"

"I don't knw. We also have the small matter of saving the world."

Niko curses. "OK...then how about one of your wishes to bring him back?"

He seems to think hard. "What we need is some guidance."

"Ray Jay or Stiff?"

"Errr...who does an arch-mage go to for guidance?"

Occa laughs and says, "The highest bidder."

Niko rolls his eyes back at the arch-mage and downs another beer <belch>.

Jesse looks around and sighs. "Occa, I have a favor to ask you," she says. "I am tired, and I need a vacation. It has been wonderful adventuring with you, but it is beginning to hurt, we keep loosing people to strange and unkown creatures, and I feel that I am getting out of my league." The bard turns to Darian, "I do not want to hurt you my dear, but I need a break. I need time to think and assimulate, to understand and to heal," the bard says, a tear in her eye, "I also need to rid myself of this accursed sword," the bard says muttering under her breath. "I am hoping that Occa would be kind enough to teleport me to his mansion in Sandas, where I can practice, rest and relax. There, you will know where I am and when I am ready, I will return, and you my dear, sweet Darian, will know I am safe and out of harm's way while you continue to save the world."

"Will you Occa?" the Bard asks, "Teleport me to your house and let me rest there?"

Occa says, "Of course, I will. Maybe we should all go there for a short break...we can then decide our next course of action."

"Thank you Occa," Jesse says. "I appreciate your friendship."

Darian stands up, shock, hurt and fear registering across his face. "Wait! Can't we at least talk about this?"

Jesse reachs out and takes Darians hands in hers.

"Of course my love, we can talk about this." the bard then kisses Darian's cheek and then his lips. "Now do not look hurt or fearful. There is good reason for this, and I am sure you will understand." she says holding onto Darian tightly.

Darian looks dubious. "Not being able to see your beautiful face every day and I'll understand? This must be some reason..."

Then, Occa notices a piece of paper floating in his bowl of water. He takes it out. There are words written on it. He reads them.

The women get up and leave.

You also note that Alyta is no longer with you.

"Wait!" Niko cries out to the women, "I didn't even get your names!"

Darian looks around somewhat panicked. "Where did she go? Did she even teleport with us?"

Occa also takes time to look over the people you have met in this bar.

He says, "Tell me more of yourself, John and Merwin. What are your trades?"

"I am a devout of Quetzalcoatl. My trade is knowledge, I seek the path of enlightenment,and while traveling that path, I collect knowledge about many things. Including places such as you need to go. I would like to join you," John offers. "I am capable in the use of crossbow as well as staff, but would prefer to solve a situation without violence, though there are times where one has no choice."

John gives you a pearly white grin.

Occa looks at John with horror on his face. "Are you saying you are a pacifist?"

Niko chuckles loudly. "We'll quickly dismiss that notion from his head!"

"Not necessarily, I just strive to keep balance, but that does not always happen. I will not attack in an ambush, but I will do all to defend myself and any companions," John replies.

Merdwin looks up at Occa. "Well, I am a ~former~ apprentice wizard. Now since the Arch-mage Magda let me go out on my own I was looking for a group to addventure with. I come from here and have lived in this place all my life. Aw heck that drink I had a while back was probably the first time I had something alcoholic. I don't think I like that stuff so I'll stick to water and juices. So do ye' have any need of a predistigator?"

Occa says, "Sure. I have been needing an apprentice for a while. Are you looking for an apprenticeship? I can't pay much, but you are welcome to a share of treasure, a place in my home and training and such."

"Ah tis far beyond my ken to understand the workings of this abyss and the hells. As far as my knowledge extends they are but far off lands. Yet I have heard stories about the demons and devils from them. I remember when I was but a wee babe and my mother told me that demons and devils would get me if I didn't behave."

Merdwin laughs with a glint in his eye and then looks mournful.

"From what I have heard about such places your friend Salaam is damned. I know not the nature of the beast that may have abducted him, nor where it hath taken him. I do say that divinations outside of the realm do not work so It would probably to be hardset to find him. Maybe ye' could use that wish spell was it, Occa? I do say if he truly be your friend one must move mountains to help them. For you see a good friend is rare in the world. And for another matter what was Salaam? Who was he? If I seem to be a bit bothersome don't mind. And quite finally what is all this bussiness about spaceships, magical communication devices, and saving the world? When one comes into my home town with a problem I shall expect to help no matter what."

Merdwin promptly stands up and leans on his quarter staff.

"For a matter of fact where did that Alyta character run off to?"

Merdwin stares at the adventurers, whom are obviously perplexed and in need of fresh minds and new ideas. He looks at their trail beaten gear and sighs. Evidently more powerful than he they still probably need to back up Occa's mind.

"Meaning no offense to you but is there a place where I could fit in to help? I can carry all my own gear and lend a spell in once and a while. Besides Magda the Arch-wizard just released me from apprenticeship and I'm looking for some adventure."

He stares longingly. He then moves toward the door to get a drink from the nearest town well. He turns around at the doorway and adjusts his robe. He stops what he is doing and waits.

"What does the paper say?" Op Code asks Occa with anticipation.

"What's it say, Occa?"

Occa says, "The note says, 'I am impressed with your tenacity. Perhaps we can work together. Meet me tomorrow morning at my city residence. The bar keep will give you directions.' and it is signed 'Billian, known to you as Targon'"

He pauses and says, "I am not sure if he means the group or me, but since there some confusion we willl all go."

Niko frowns and speaks in a hushed tone "Lord Billian is a powerful noble in this city. He owns ships, stores, and mines amongst other things...not to mention he's a slave trader. He's a ruthless man and one not to be trifled with, Occa."

"I am afraid it is too late for that."

"'Ware what ye say about Lord Billian," interjects the young man with the wavy, golden brown hair. He sets his mug down on the table once again. "Lord Billian is considered by many to be a hero, and slanderous statements such as that, especially when spoken by an elf, might make things much more difficult for ye in Casablanca than they might already be."

As he speaks, he does so with a cultured, soft-spoken voice. As you look at him and take stock of him, you can tell that he is somewhat tall. His face is thin and angular with black eyes and long, wavy brown hair. His flesh is tanned a golden brown. He is dressed in a simple tunic and breeches with a head band bearing the symbol of Forseti used to keep his hair out of his eyes.

Niko frowns at the human as he stands. He says incredulously, "Slanderous??? How dare ye accuse me of such a thing! Everything I've said is the truth. Retract your statement at once or provide sufficient proof otherwise! Lest we cross swords to settle this..."

In the face of Niko's outburst, Varlen remains calm and studious. He clasps his hands together before him. He turns to face the elf, his black eyes meeting Niko's squarely and holding them.

"I cannot retract a statement that I have made. Once spoken that words can do naught but be heard. As to proof, I suggest that it is ye that must provide proof of his accusations. I have seen Lord Billian do naught but good for the people of Casablanca. And while I have heard many rumors such as those which ye have spoken, I have yet to see any rumors that could stand up before the demands of justice. None have been able to provide proof that Lord Billian has any association with such activities. If ye can prove what ye claim about Lord Billian, than I will apologize to ye and do all that I can to assist ye in seeing that justice is meted out. However, I must tell ye, that I doubt that one as undisciplined and uncouth as thyself, one that would treat women that he has never met before as ye have, and would draw a weapon upon a clearly unarmed man that ye have just met merely for questioning the veracity of a statement where no evidence has been provided to substantiate thy allegations, could provide the proof necessary to validate thy statement."

"Please, please gentlemen. We all do know that slavery is morally wrong. Don't we? You don't have to draw swords over wether or not a well liked person is a corrupt drug running slave lord or not."

Merdwin then takes his seat.

"How is it morally wrond, Merdwin? What is wrong with slavery? I see that our defeated enemies, who's lives are spared should work to repair the damage that their actions caused, ditto others. The fates suggest there is nothing wrong with it." Ricblane says.

Niko snorts contemptuously at the follower of Forseti. "You know very little about me and Lord Billian, it would seem."

Guzzling some more ale, Niko continues, "If I were as undisciplined and uncouth as you said, then I would have run ya through without even asking."

"As for Lord Billian, nothing I have said is untrue. He is a powerful merchant and owns a fleet of ships, trading shops, sweat shops, and mines. He is also a known trader of slaves, which is legal, here, despite how disgusting I find the practice. His ruthlessness comes from his competitiveness...he knows what he wants and will do as he sees fit to get it. He did not get to where he is without stepping on a few toes."

Niko takes another swig of ale. "Bartender, where's that food!"

"Get outta here," growls the bartender. "Nobody badmouths Lord Billian in my fine establishment."

Occa listens to Varlen and says, "Pleased to meet you."

To the bartender he says, "Forgive my friend, he has had a very rough morning."

He slides 5 gold pieces over to the bartender.

"He must be venting. Please ignore him. He is a bit rash."

"Uhhhh, okay," the man says, as the coins disappear. "Tell him tuh watch his mouth!"

Occa says to Niko, "Watch your mouth!"

He gives a wink when the bartender isn't watching.

Niko shakes his head and lets loose a string of silent curses into his mug of ale.

The young man bows to Niko saying, "I apologize if I offended ye by misinterpreting the actions which I have seen ye take since thy arrival here. My original statement was merely to warn ye that some, like the good bartender here, might take offense to thy criticisms of Lord Billian. I simply did not wish to see ye and thy companions thrown out, for I am certain that the good bartender could surely use thy business."

"I did not mean to question the factual accuracy of thy statements, merely the tone and the inferences that your statements carried. Yes, Lord Billian is a rich and powerful man, and while ye clearly disapprove of such people, there has been no evidence put forth to indicate that he has broken any laws. As to his doing whatever it takes to achieve his goals, is that so unusual? Might I ask if ye, or thy companions, have not done the same thing? Have ye not 'stepped on a few toes' to achieve thy goals? If ye have not, than a bow to thy obvious superiority, for I must admit that I have never met anyone that has not at one time or another offended another in their attempt to attain some desired end, even if they did not break the law in doing so."

Occa says, "Who are you? Why are elves so disdained here?"

"Occa, I can answer the last question for you. Lack of culture maybe," he says with a grin. "Seriously, it seems elves have always had a bad time in Casablanca, actually in most of Mestom. It is a deep rooted hatred. I, on the other hand, feel that all races should get along."

Merdwin, again abruptly butting his nose into other people's business, turns and says, "Yeah what is our problem with elves?"

At the wild looking Occa's question, the young man stands up and you can see that he stands over six feet tall. His is very thin though, weighing perhaps less than 150 pounds. As he stands there and bows, there is a nobility in his bearing that belies the very simple, non-descript clothes that he is wearing.

"Please forgive my manners," he says in his soft, cultured tone, "it has been some time since I have found myself in such public surroundings and I fear my manners are a bit rusty. I am Varlen, a humble servant of Forseti searching for enlightenment in the ways of justice."

He pauses a moment. Then he straightens out of his bow and says, "I fear that Mestom's resentment of the elves' victory over them many, many ages ago are starting to take hold of the good people of Casablanca. 'Tis a shame that people cannot let go of bad feelings resulting from actions taken by people long dead."

He shakes his head sadly.

"Trust me though, not everyone here have taken such sentiments as their own. I, for example, judge each man by actions that I bear witness to, rather than that which I hear reported to me second- or third-hand. I have found that what I bear witness to is so much more reliable than what is reported by others, unless of course they swear before Forseti that what they tell me is true. For the God of Justice would seek retribution upon those bearing false witness before him."

Merdwin looks up and says. "A millennia is a long time to hold a grudge. I for one am willing to forget about that which I had not known before and extend the hand of friendship to the elves."

He gets up and shakes everyone who he decides is an elf. He introduces himself as Merdwin the mage and welcomes them to Casablanca and then asks for their names.

Ricblane looks at Merdwin, "Mighty big of you." he says in a sarcastic tone. "Elves are like us, governed by the same fates. As are the others of this realm, and the next as well. I suspect that you will soon learn this, Merdwin the mage."

Turning around yet again Merdwin takes out a spoon and says to John. "En Gaurd you fool."

Merdwin then pulls out a fork and says, "Choose your weapons."

Then he starts laughing again. He looks at everyone else who is not laughing and goes. "Oh sure just be that way and you won't have any fun."

Occa giggles.

With lightning quick reflexes, he pulls the fork out of Merdwin's hands and spins him around, putting the spoon to his throat.

"Make one move and I'll scoop ya to death," he says with his best sailor impression.

"Eep." Merdwin pries the dreadful and deceptively deadly spoon from his throat and laughs. "I see you do have a sense of humor. Obi Wan hath taught thee well."

"Obi Wan? the name sounds familiar, an elf by the name of Obi Wan was here some time ago, I think by the name of Logan. He was asking the clerics about divining a cure for a loss of memory." John shrugs and then says, "back to the Inn or do we have a better place to spend the night? I would prefer not to go back to the monastery."

When Darian and Jesse exchange words, Occa says, "Please Darian, no tears...she will be safe and sound. Besides, you both have communicators, so you can call her every day."

Darian nods and wipes his eyes.

Jesse smiles. "And I will miss you too my dear Darian, and I will always be close to you and safe where you can get me when you need."

Darian nods, not trusting himself to say anything and just holds her tightly.

Jesse smiles and kisses Darian. "Take care of yourself, or you will have to face my anger," she says smiling, trying to break the mood.

Darian buries his face in her hair and gives her one last hug before letting her go.

"I'll see you soon."

Jesse smiles. "I know," she says before taking off her magic ring of protection... she slips the ring onto Darian's finger. Whispering to him, "To keep you safe till I see you again."

Darian smiles back and kisses her cheek as he slips the ring onto a finger.

"Think it this way, lad, at least she'll be safer. Occupational hazard and all that, if ya know what I mean."

"Jesse can take care of herself. I will miss her dearly, that's all."

"I'm not sure the communicators have that kinda range, Occa. I wasn't able to contact you or Hardboard earlier, but maybe there was some sorta magic blocking us. I'll try Hardboard and then Ramage."

Niko tries to raise Hardboard. "Hardboard, are you there?"

That failing, Niko tries to raise Ramage. "Ramage, are you there?"

There is no reply to either attempt.

To John, Occa says, "Well, we also need to fetch our treasure that Salaam was carrying."

He goes to the bartender to get directions to Targon's house, returning a moment later with them.

Merdwin looks around again waiting for someone to take an action, then says to John. "You strive to keep the balance, you seek out Knowledge, you a pacifist. By the gods man what are you? A-a-are you some kind of druid? What is next you'll be hugging the trees?"

"I am not a pacifist, I enjoy getting my hands dirty. A druid I am not, and what does hugging trees have to do with anything?" John inquires.

Merdwin laughs.

"Just injecting a little humor into those otherwise stony features John. So some things are just over your head It will all come to you in due time.

Occa says to John, Merdwin, Varlen and Ricblane, "Are you companions, or are you just lucky to be here? Anyone else with you?"

Merdwin smiles and says. "If I had ever met these gentlemen before I wouldn't be calling John a druid. Nay I do not know them. It is just plain blind luck that brought us here together. And i have no companions but maybe I should get a familiar. A talking owl if its possible then I could get some intellegent conversation on a regular basis."

Ricblane spreads his hands wide, "Fate, it would seem, has brought us together. If you will have me, that is, else I will have to listen harder to hear what is being said."

"I am alone," Varlen says as he looks around at the others. "I only stepped in to this fine establishment because I felt the desire to taste a beer. Ye see it has been several years since I had had one." Then turning to look at Ricblane he adds, "Whether it be Forseti's will or Camaxtli's, I know not, but it appears as if the timing of my visit has had a purpose."

Stroking a non-existant beard, Ric replies, "It is fate's will, I am sure. Dieties may govern fate, but fate is it's own taskmaster."

Looking at Ricblane with a smirk, John replies to Occa, "Seems the Fates brought me here."

In a deadly serious tone, Ric replies, "Never mock the fates, John, it can be fatal, as fate is a fickle thing."

"Ric, I am not mocking, but I do not believe that Fate is so fickle, I am assured that it is a tad more lawful than you think." John replies.

"Fate follows it's own laws, not those of man. In terms of mortal's Fate is completely neutral, dispensing good and evil according to it's own whim and desires. To think otherwise is foolish. To act otherwise is insane," Ricblane says with a frown.

"Ric, these assumptions I make are based on laws passed down from the clerics of my god. I have learned that mortals place many labels on the same idea or concept."

Ricblane scoffs, "The rule elaborated on by by clerics, by nobel, by mob. What are they? They are what those behind the powers wish to use to govern the masses. We call those who follow the rules 'law-obiding', but what of the man who must steal bread to feed his family? What law does he follow? The natural instinct to feed his loved one? What about if two men are stranded on a desert island and there is no food? Which one has the 'legal' right to survive? "

"Fate, the invisible force, governs what happens. Yes, we have the ability to forstall fate for some brief time, or perhaps know what it will have us serve. For all I know, my fate is to sacrifice myself to save someone I love. I accept that my fate is unknown to me. To my god, he who can see into the past and the future? It seems even the future is not as clear cut, as the actions are yet to be written, and even fate does not live for the longterm, fate is a short-term force, acting on the here and now."

"Where you see chaos, I see law, its all a matter of perspective. Despite my desire for order, I am wise enough to know there are no absolutes," he replies.

"There are absolutes, it is a matter of recognizing them. As for chaos and law, it is all controlled by the hand of the hidden master, Fate. We all descend into chaos eventually, it is irresistable, and to do otherwise requires trememdous amounts of effort, more so for one to remain somewhat neutral, as I am."

"Neutrality can be as chaotic or misguided as good or evil if not tempered by law," John replies, "anyway, are you not a cleric or are you just a true believer with other abilities?"

Occa says, "Amen brother! There isn't any law...only invisible chains that we put on ourselves."

Ricblane looks to Occa, "Very intersting attitude from a Mage, I must say. A refreshing one in fact. Most mages are very wrapped up in the law the 'chains' as you call them. A pleasure to make your acquantance."

Occa smiles and says, "Well, I have always embraced chaos."

Occa says, "Maybe we should all go to Sandas for the evening? What do you think?"

Darian nods. "I would like the chance to say a more private goodbye to Jesse. And perhaps you should check in with Ray Jay."

"Isn't that going to be difficult without the portable hole?"

Merdwin sits up. "Yeah, why go to the house in Sandas. Although I do beleive Darian and Jesse would love that more than anything. But do tell me isn't mass teleportation a problem?"

Occa says, "Ray Jay may be of some help."

Merdwin says, "Occa you're an arch mage aren't you?" Merdwin gawks up and calculates everything. "Can't you cast teleport to bring as many as you can to Sandas then teleport back and bring back the rest?"

To Niko he says, "I think I could carry you all...."

"Carry in what?"

"Sandas?" Varlen asks, a puzzled look upon his face. "Where is that?"

Occa says, "Hundreds of miles to the North."

A surprised look comes to the young man's face. "From the way that ye speak, it sounds as if such a journey will take you little time at all."

Occa smiles and says, "It will take no time at all..."

Occa says, "Well, shall we away to Sandas? If so, let us go out of sight of those who will be shocked by such a large group vanishing."

"Sandas, never been there, I have a feeling I will enjoy this," John says as he readies himself for his first teleport.

Merdwin smiles as he realizes the full extent of his journey. A sojourn to an exotic locale and experiences with a powerful wizard and powerful magiks. "Yeah sounds good to me."

You all leave the Brass Lantern Tavern. It is early evening. Ricblane leads you to a nearby deserted alley. You all hold hands and Occa casts the spell.

Nothing happens...except that the spell has disappeared from his memory.

Ricblane chuckles. "It seems the fates have other plans for us."

Occa seems surprised. "Hmm, that has never happened before. It would seem that an outside force wishes us to stay here. Let's find an Inn."

Niko snorts. "Is that what you told Tracey?"

Occa smiles and says, "You are lucky I like you."

Sighing, Niko says, "Worse comes to worse, we can all stay in paradise for the night. At least we'll be safe...assuming it still works."

He nods. "We need to decide our next course of action."

Niko frowns and pats a rod on his belt. "I think you miss my point, Occa."

Occa looks around and says, "I got it."

He starts looking around.

Merdwin laughs. "An excellent idea. I beleive that fell magical arts are at work in this nation. This simple spell failure could have dire portents."

Darian looks surprised and then he smiles and puts an arm around Jesse. "Looks like you're going to have to wait, my dear."

"It seems that there is something odd about," Jesse says, frowning and wrinkling her brow. She wracks her brain to see if she can remember if she has ever heard of such an event occuring."

"Occa, is Sandas outside of Mestom? For you cannot teleport in or out of here nor will divinations work in a similar manner," Merdwin then says. "Do you have another means of transport?"

"Excuse me, Merdwin, but why won't teleports in or out of Mestom work? Sandas is indeed outside of the empire, but why should that matter?"

"I was afraid of that," John says, "I have heard rumors on the street, but could not verify until now, that magic has gone awry in Mestom. It seems all or most divination magic is failing and I guess it has now moved onto transportational magic as well."

Occa says, "Fantastic! We are stuck then."

He goes back out to the area he first appeared in this town and detects for magic. The whole area radiates a faint aura of magic. In fact, it seems to come from everywhere.

He says, "Lord Billian will know a way around this."

He frowns. "I was looking forward to an evening at home and a warm bath."

Jesse speaks, "I have not heard of anything that might cause this. It seems that the magical basis of this world could be shook by it's foundations."

The bard sighs.

"And that bath was sounding wonderful."

In the end you opt to go to a place called the Golden Cellar, which the locals reccomend as being one of the finest inns in the city. Indeed it turns out to be, with well furnished rooms, albeit expensive (1gp per night for a private room, 20sp for semiprivate, 15sp for a bed in the dorm). BothOcca and Jesse get to have their baths. The food is excellent, though again pricey (1gp for a succulent slab of roast boar, 12sp for a chicken cooked in a hot and spicy tomato sauce of some sort).

After a delightful evening in the common room, you all retire to your beds and pass a restful night.

next day...

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