January 3, 1372

Before you leave camp, Rage speaks up.

"My geography is not so good in this part of the world," Rage says, "But where are we in relation to Sandas and what kingdoms control each of the cities?

"I suggest that we make no more efforts to try to dispell the effects of the powers at work, unless we need to, for I suspect that it will draw attention to ourselves and our work," the mage says, "Your diety's answers are most illuminating, suggesting a major force is working against us, and against the whole area. I wish I had that diary we discovered in the temple, I suspect that we have problems that are bigger than other supposed.

"Let's try to recover this artifact and then we can move forward to get back to Sandas, as I have a plan to do get my teleportation active for a time, if this artifact has the powers I hope," Rage says, "For only until we get back to Sandas and consult with Ray Jay and others, will be be ready to continue.

"However, I repeat the following, We must be careful not to draw attention to ourselves any more than necessary. Forces that could be doing this are way to large for us to take on alone. We need more information, and this artifact," Rage adds, "It is good we have a follower of Tyr with us, for I suspect we will need him and his faith."

Equinox speaks up again: "I agree with Rage whole heartedly. I also think that the people who murdered our companions know approximately where we are and know as much as we do about what it is we are looking for. We should try to rig some sort of nasty trap, or at least something that would tell us if someone tried to follow us down the ruin. Perhaps even better would to make it appear we went down the other ruin, so anybody following us would be misdirected."

"That is a good idea. Kailar, could you and Rage come up with something?"

"I'd need to go to Sandas to do something good. Rage, do we have any of the party's extra spellbooks here?"

"We will be leaving the treants here, so they can keep a watch from the camp."

"We do not have the power or resources to set a legimite trap to deal with these foes. If they have Dragons in their employ, or other flying creatures, we had best become as the hare in winter, hiding under what cover we can find. We best get this artifact, and quickly. Then we will try my plan to teleport us quickly. If we are hidden in the ruins, I suspect things will go better for us," Rage says.

Hlarn nods and offers a suggestion. "The ruins are several levels deep, so once we search the top section, I can set up some sigils that any who follow us must pass. That will give us some indication we are being followed if I find them dispelled, as well as hopefully hurt them somewhat."

Hlarn looks up. "That brings up something. Remember folks that we are here to find one specific item, and not to clear out these ruins. I'll be using my magics to try and narrow down the search, but if we can avoid a fight we might as well do so. It doesn't help us any if one of us gets knocked out and is out of commission for a week."

Kadlian nods. "Good enough. When can you give me a location?"

Hlarn turns toward Zanax. "What powers do your swords have again? Is detecting magic or treasure one of them?"

 Seeing as how you do not have enough clerics now to protect everyone, Hlarn specifically casts Endure Heat early that morning upon Kadlian, Sian, Kailar, Rage and himself.

 If Kadlian, Sian and Zanax can cast clerical magics, they should protect others.

 "I can cast two first order spells and one second order spell. What do you want me to memorize?"

 Hlarn nods. "Prepare two endure heat spells for the early morning casting to protect someone I can't get. Once those are cast I'd memorize healing magics for while we are exploring. That is one category we are definatley lacking in."

 "I have prayed for 6 healing magics: 4 of the Druid second Order, and 2 of the fourth."

 Hlarn nods. "That will come in helpful, but I hope you didn't sacrifice magics such as that insect spell that totally pacify an enemy. I know druids are limited underground, but some of your magics are very useful against enemies."

 "That is a good idea. I will pray for that spell the next time we enter a dungeon. I should have thought of that."

 Kadlian complies.

 "For your second order magic, almost anything would be helpful. Your choice."

 "Death's door?"

 Hlarn nods. "Good choice."

 Kadlian nods. "It shall be done."

 Zanax will memorize Endure Heat that night, which he'll cast on himself after they've entered the weaker of the ruins. That will allow Kadlian to cast his Endure Heat on himself and another.

 He agrees that leading a false trail to the stronger ruin is a good idea.

The spell casters spend several hours praying and memorising spells, then you set out for the westernmost ruin. Hlarn, Kailar and Equinox lead the party to the flight of stairs they found earlier...leading down into darkness...

Just before we enter into the ruin, Hlarn casts Detect Traps, Negative Plane Protection, Protection from Evil 15', and Spell Immunity (Lightning Bolt) upon himself.

 "Zanax, you can act as our scout."

"Then will come Hlarn and myself. Then Rage and Equinox. Then Vanadil and Birch. And finally Sian and Aron."

 "Sorry, Sian, I hate to stick you at the end, but my options have been restricted with the loss of Kal and Furgh."

 "What about me?" asks Kailar.

 Kadlian counts the party members on his fingers. "Oooops... Sorry, Kailar, I did not mean to forget you. Would you scout with Zanax? Your skills complement each other nicely."

 "That's ok."

 Hlarn offers a suggestion... "Kailar should have lead position. He's much better able to find traps in our path than Zanax and moves much more silently. I think its wiser to put Zanax and Sian in the second rank, and let Vanadil and Aron cover our rear. They are less experienced, but five times out of six we need the forward strength more. They are both warriors, and should be able to hold the rear long enough for a spell or other help to arrive."

 Kadlian shrugs. "I agree that Kailar can find traps better than Zanax and you are probably right about our strength being shifted up front. Very well, make it so."

 "For the party's interest, would it be better for Kailar, a magic-user, not to scout ahead? I could scout with Zanax, for I am skilled at finding traps and moving silently and unseen."

 Zanax thinks that he should scout with Kailar, as he has multiple detection abilities, can move even more silently than Kailar and can communicate with him telepathically as long as they keep in physical contact. He won't press the point, but will make the statement.

 "You can not move more quietly than me," says Kailar.

 Zanax replies to Hlarn that he can detect evil, the Holy Avenger secret doors, and the frost brand can detect good/evil and treasure.

 Hlarn shakes his head. "Kailar is not really a mage, but an illusionist. Thus he has skills in detecting such magics which are often used in hiding passageways or disguising rooms. Also he is a trained treasure finder and knows how to find and disarm traps, as well as moving silently. And like us dwarves, gnomes are highly resistant to magics so even if he accidentally sprung a magical trap he has a better chance of resisting it than most humans. So you see, he is ideally suited as our scout."

 "Ok."

 Kadlian smiles. "Thank you, Hlarn. Aron, I do not know if Rage, Zanax or Sian explained how we run things in this group, but by now you have figured that I am the leader. Hlarn is my second and Kailar my third."

 "As we better learn your strengths and weaknesses, we will fit you skillset into this party better than we currently are doing. For now, I am interested in using your weapons' skills."

 "Yes, Rage, Zanax and Sian all explained to me how things are run in this group to me while we journied. But if I may ask, if Hlarn is destined to be a king, why isn't he in charge? Are you his master?"

 "Hlarn? You are destined to be a King? Where? I did not know that!" asks a surprised Equinox.

 Kadlian shrugs. "No, I am not Hlarn's master nor am I better than anyone else in this group. Hlarn is a prince from another world that has different ethics than those found in the area where we first started our adventuring. But, I am from that area so I better represent the standard ethics for the group." Kadlian shrugs again. "At least that has always been my supposition."

 Hlarn laughs. "So you told him that, eh?" He begins a deep laugh, the first since hearing the recent bad news. "My father is Harlt, son of Harn, and is Clan Lord of the Meg clan, ruling clan of the area. Indeed, he is King of the mountains I call home."

 "And it is because of his high station that I am here... far away from his lands and my home. A place where few, if any, have heard of him or his allies. This is because to rule in my father's stead I must be strong, for we have strong enemies. Enemies which would not think twice about using me or my brothers against my father and his allies. Thus to become strong we must go where we are unknown, and it is relatively safe to travel and learn the ways of the world."

 "When I am strong enough to return home on my own... then my father will know I am strong enough to rule all or a portion of his lands and people."

 Hlarn looks at Kadlian and laughs. "As for why I do not lead... you can ask any here. Some will tell you that I still have much to learn... For example they might say I treat people as tools rather than people. Many here find my discipline and methods too harsh and were troubled by my actions. Others here disagree with me on philosophy, such as the merits of slavery or my natural distrust of people. In any case not all here will follow me, but they do follow Kadlian, including me. He's not perfect either... but altogether our team hasn't done too poorly."

 Down the stairs you go, Zanax and Kailar leading. The stairs descend to the south.

 You descend for about 50', then the stairs end at a chamber (40' square: 10' west, 20' east, 40' south: 10' wide passage running north in north wall, east corner; 5' wide passage running southeast out of south wall east corner; 20' wide passage running west out of west wall, 0' - 20' section as measured from the north; 10' wide passage running west out of west wall, 20' - 30' section).

 This chamber is barren. The stonework is old, and Hlarn judges it to not be of the greatest quality, though it is not about to collapse yet. Mosses and lichens grow on the walls. The whole place seems to be very damp.

 You look down passages.

 To the north, the passage runs for 60' and on. There is a door in the 50' - 60' section of the east wall.

 To the southeast, the passage runs for 60' (measured along the left wall). Right at the limit of your vision, it opens out to either side.

 To the west, the 20' wide passage runs for 60' and on. The 10' wide passage does likewise, but at the limit of your vision is begins to open up to the south.

 The scouts head up each passage for 30', to get a better view, before returning and reporting.

 To the north, the passage continues another 30' and on.

 To the southeast, they see that after the 60' there is actually a 4-way intersection with a 10' wide passage running east - west. Beyond it, the 5' wide passage continues.

 To the west, the 20' wide passage ends at a flight of stairs going down. The 10' wide passage ends at a strange intersection: the north wall of this passage continues on for 10' west; then there is a 10' wide passage running north. To the south, though, the passage is 20' wide.

 All remains quiet.

Kailar is flying and invisible.

"Did anyone ever answer my question about the ring of wishes? Also is anyone interested in the fact that I can communicate with Sir, still?"

Hlarn nods. "Very interested... but don't you have a limit of around a mile with that? Can Sir still teleport? If you could have Sir teleport with a note tied around his neck to Ray Jay it would be very helpful."

"That suggests that there is an extraplaner effect with your communication with your Sir. I suppose that he may not be as effected as others in this situation," Rage says. "What powers he may have would be interesting to know as well, in so much as what has been effected and not by the changes in the magical streams."

Kadlian plays with the ring of his finger. "It should still have one wish left. And I still have it."

Hlarn gives Kadlian a dirty look. "Wish that those slain, listing their names, be brought back here to full life and health."

"I thought the ring was only good for limited wishes. Is not the wish you are asking for beyond that?"

Hlarn looks up. "Limited wishes? Yes, a limited wish is too weak a spell to bring back our companions. But why do you say the ring only has limited wishes in it? I thought it was a full wish of the highest order of magic. What were the previous wishes we invoked using the ring?"

"I used the ring to bring everyone back to lfe in the final battle with the High Priestess of the Raven Goddess," says Kailar.

"True. Okay, then, it is a full wish."

Hlarn looks around. "Should we add 'and possessions' to the end of that? Since their things were taken, I fear that that would make the wish fail since they are now owned by another."

Rage shakes her head. "No. I would strongly advise against that. I know that we are missing those lost, but I have a feeling that a Wish spell, given that it is still very powerful, might not work and if their bodies have been stored in a portable hole, as suggested by the story of the Treents, then it makes that even more problematic."

Rage looks at Kadlian, "There is something big... very big that is preventing spells that allow for transportation and major communication between where we are now. I suspect that it happened the night we met the spiders, since my powers worked then, but Zanax lost his powers several hours later. To make such a large scale effect on magic would probably be in the power of dieties and demons. Major ones at that. It is possible that several arch-mages might approach the ability to do this, but without extraplanar help, I suspect it would be difficult. We stand a very good chance of alerting them to our presence by using a wish spell."

Hlarn disagrees. "They already know we are here, and I don't doubt for a minute that any dieties know everything about us. It's their followers that concern me, and a wish won't alert them to anything that they don't already know. And remember that as long as our companions spirits roam the outer planes that they can be questioned again and again by our enemies about us. Things that they might not have thought of earlier."

"Frankly, we have lost little, except for Argulhas magical complement to my own. Beyond that, we have no idea what skills Beauty or Logan possessed, and the followers were all of lower skills and abilities, which would have added little to our adventure at the moment."

"And the fact that is is Furgh's fault that attracted attention to your group because of his desires to see the world. I do not miss him at the moment. However, I guess has we taken him on our little jaunt, this would not have happened, so it is ultimately my fault," the mage says bitterly. "Save the wish for now Kadlian."

Hlarn looks at Rage. "We might have lost little in your opinion Rage, but I vowed that I'd give my all for any here and work to restore our companions at any cost. They might not offer our party much, but they are our companions and we owe it to them to make the attempt."

Rage looks at Hlarn. "Do not judge me based on your beliefs. I am not saying that we should not try. I am just saying we should not try now. If what I suspect has happened, then we are at a crux in the history of this realm."

Hlarn nods. "I agree with that statement about being at a crux point. Fair enough... but let me give my countering opinion..."

Looking back at Kadlian, the dwarf says, "Let me put it simply, if we cast the wish, I suspect the following. First, we will not regain our comrades, who are dead and probably in an extradimenional space at the moment. If the wish is not exactly worded it will fail, and I am not sure of the appropiate wording for a wish as such and would perfer to consult tomes to see if there are suggestions to do such. Second, by casting the wish, I believe it will fail, for it is one of the magics that is being limited by the beings limiting such things... Think about it for a minute, they are limiting teleportation and movement spells of that nature as well as communication spells and talents. Kailar's communication with Sir notwithstanding. Thirdly, by casting the wish, we alert our foes, by sending up a very bright beacon, where we are and what we are trying to do. And that we are here already. The only way we will retrieve this item is quickly and with stealth."

 "In regard to your first point, you are correct in that if we word the wish badly it will fail. But we've done such wishes before and know the wording."

 "I disagree. Every other time we have wished, the bodies were either with us, or on this plane. At the moment, as far as I know, from the description of the ent's the bodies were placed in a portable hole. I have never made a wish that summoned something from a portable hole before, so the extradimensional issues need to be considered and addressed, something I cannot do without a little bit of research," counters the mage.

 Hlarn shakes his head. "I doubt that whoever took the bodies would keep them in the portable hole... they would want to use it for other things. But I still think that that would have no bearing on the wish as I don't think teleportation is involved in such magic as the body is recreated before us."

 "We do not know that. IF they feel we pose a threat, and think that we will go after them, by keeping them in the portable hole, they help prevent us from scrying after then. As for what you think about teleportation being involved or not, that is immaterial. I have never said that it was an issue of teleportation, but rather the fact that a wish would allow such and if one were trying to prevent such occurances, they would block that as well," Rage says in a tired, testy voice.

 Hlarn taps on his second finger. "As for the second point, that is hard to say. Is it teleportation for our companions to appear before us? I'd say not. Their souls are not on this world, and their old bodies are ash. To the dieties granting the wish it is similar to a spell creating water and food. They create new bodies for our companions souls to enter at our location."

 "Again, it is not the issue of teleportation, but the fact that there are high level magics blocking the use of magics. If I were blocking teleports and the like, in an attempt to prevent people entering or leaving the realm, or knowing what is happening in the realm without my knowledge of their presence I would make damned sure I blocked a wish spell. "

 Hlarn shakes his head. "A wish is the highest form of magic that any mortal can invoke, and even then it is really only a direct link to even higher magics represented by the gods. I do not believe it possible to block such magics unless one diety ruled the entirety of this plane, which we know is not the case."

 "I would have had a hard time believing that it would be possible to block such spells as teleport and sending over such a wide area and yet leave others in place, but the reality is that teleports and sendings and telepathy are all blocked, and not just spells, but those of the Psionic ability like Zanax. Since that is possible, I am not so sure now that a wish could not be blocked."

 Rage looks at Kadlian. "Hell, a better wish would be one the allows us to teleport in spite of the interference. We can then pay someone, like Ray Jay, to help us. I am sure this information is valuable to her, for it seems that something major is up."

 "I would bet that such a wish would work... but I think it unlikely we'd find any help in Sandas. Ray Jay and others are probably quite busy right now. So I still vote we save the wish and use it to restore our friends."

 "And yet they are probably scrambling to learn what is happening where we are. If we need to it might be best to use the wish as such," Rage says.

 "And we know that communication with our dieties is not a form that is restricted by this magic, as I could easily commune with my own diety. Thus the wish will be received by the power that granted it."

 "Not necessarily. The point is that not all magics are blocked, fly for example, which is the same type of magic as a teleport is not blocked. Why? Becuase it is not an 'instaneous' method of communication. One still has to fly away, and I am sure there are scouts patroling the air with detect invisibility spell active. We *do not know* the extent of the blocked magic, and I cannot tell you more than what spells it appears to be blocking."

 Hlarn shrugs. "True we are only guessing... but I think we can make educated guesses. You have one, and I have another."

 Hlarn smiles, "Indeed, if this power affecting the land is caused by evil gods ruling Mestrom, then our own dieties will be even more likely to grant any abilities that might help counter those powers. Such is the nature of the world and serves the balance between the planes."

 "Again, I am not sure of that fact," the mage says, "You communed with someone, how are we sure it is your diety and not a ruse?"

 Hlarn gives a shout at the idea. "I am absolutely positive it was my own diety I spoke with. Such a ruse would be impossible."

 "Are you sure?" Rage says in a questioning tone. "It seems that the rules as we know them are being tossed on their head and we have no idea what is to happen next."

 Looking at the others, "If we cast that wish not, we stand to lose all. Not just our comrades already fallen but ourselves as well. That wish will give them the exact location we are at and they will descend on us like a pack of wolves, and we will die. And who will save us?" the mage asks, "The path to saving our comrades is to get the rod and get the hell out of this area as quickly as possible. Then we can do the wish and save them."

 Hlarn taps his third point. "This I totally disagree with. Only the gods could know of us using a wish. It is not a magic that broadcasts itself across the universe, but a direct communication with the power that put that wish in that ring and his actions as a result. The gods already know our location and everything about us, but their servants do not unless they ask the right questions. But should we not retrieve our companions, our risk grows. Our dead companions do know where we were heading and why, and the longer they stay in a state where they can be questioned then the more likely our enemies will come for us."

 "Disagree all you want. What is to prevent an evil god from telling his followers where we are. Face it Hlarn, if the gods are all-powerful as you suppose, they know where we are and all about us and can tell who they want. The casting of a wish is a powerful drain in the magic pool and there are those atuned to it, who would know."

 Hlarn nods. "Nothing is to prevent an evil deity from telling his followers where we are... just as nothing prevents our own dieties from doing likewise. But the more the gods get involved in this world the more chaotic things will become. The gods prefer that their servants do the work... and thus it is much more likely that our enemies only know what their spells will tell them about us. We are their enemies, but not so great an enemy as to warrant divine intervention against us."

 Hlarn does concede one point, however. "I do agree though that probably getting the rod first and leaving is ideal. Our companions will return without any of their equipment... which means they are especially vulnerable right now, especially Agulhas since he will need to rewrite his spellbooks and won't have access to his magic until then. Best if we were in a safe area before trying to bring them back. But if this mission seems to take a long time, and we come across extra equipment, we should attempt to bring them back regardless."

 "Until we know more, making the wish is the most dangerous thing we can do. We need to get back to Sandas and then see what we can do from there," the mage says. "Equipment or no."

 Hlarn turns to Kadlian. "Well, you've gotten our opinions. I leave it up to you to decide. Rage has give you the opinion based on her magical training, and I've given you mine based on my own clerical skills. Its hard to tell who is right, as a wish is one of those spells that crosses both boundaries..."

 Rage looks at Hlarn and raises an eyebrow. "It is not so hard to tell, as the fact that so many magics of a specific nature are blocked. That tells me much, and the fact that it is over a large area suggests more. Remember our walk, Kadlain? Remember what I told you then, believe me now that this is not the time to make such a wish."

 "I am all for helping you get your friends back, but I agree with Rage - save the power of the ring for later, we may need it to return with the artifact," adds Aron.

 Kadlian is completely attentive while both Hlarn and Rage argue their case. "Thank you both for taking the time to speak your opinions."

 "Honestly, I do not know which one of you is right, so I am going to make a decision based on both what my mind tells me and my heart."

 "No one in this group wants to bring back our companions more than I. Understand that, before I move on to any other points. But, I can not see the wisdom in bringing them back and exposing ourselves to even more danger."

 "Hlarn, even if you are right and using the wish will not attract attention, it may be the only means we have of getting back to Sandas. That may sound harsh, but once we have retrieved the artifact, we have to get it back to Sandas for it to do any good. I was counting on the wish to be used that way which is why it did not occur to me to use it to bring back our friends."

 "So, I am inclined to save the wish to get us back. That means we need the artifact first, before we can bring back our friends. Either we do that with another wish object, with the artifact or with Ray Jay's powers."

 The moonstone on the emblem dangling off the golden chain locked around Rage's waist glows a vibrant hue and then subsides. Smiling and nodding, she says, "Thus speaks a true leader, decisive and with understanding of the cost his decision has. And so perhaps there is hope for me yet."

Kadlian smiles. "Thank you, Rage. That is perhaps the largest compliment you have ever payed me."

 Rage smiles and replies, "It is the truth."

 "Did you leave Sir topside?"

 "Why don't we use it to get our friends back? And Sir is in my backpack," says Kailar. He then adds, "Sir is blocked from teleporting also."

 "Well, that is not good."

 Kadlian looks at Hlarn after furiously mapping the scouts' reports.

"Hlarn, any indication of where we should go for the sceptre? I am inclined to take the flight of stairs going down if you have no better guess."

 Hlarn shakes his head. "No idea yet, but down below is a good a guess as any. Most of my detection magics will have to wait until evening each night. If we come across any common monsters I'll take their head and question it also. Any tingles from the frost blade, Zanax? I imagine the sceptre will be found with other treasure..."

 Kadlian waits for a response from Zanax before directing the party.

 Zanax seems to have been struck mute. You realise that Hlarn and Rage's arguing have put the paladin to sleep...on his feet.

 Kadlian looks at Zanax. "Well?"

 He snaps awake.

 Zanax scans the area for good, evil, secret doors, and treasure. He senses nothing.

 "Then we go down. Kailar, Zanax, you go first."

 "Kailar, keep a hand on my shoulder while you're flying. If I sense something, I'll tell you telepathically."

 Zanax draws his frost brand and heads downstairs and checks for good, evil, secret doors and treasure when he nears the bottom.

 "OK."

 Kailar proceeds with Zanax, looking for traps that might be placed in the hallways.

 You head west to the stairs, the paladin and gnome leading. The stairs, you discover when you reach the top of them, only go down for about 20', before ending in a large pile of rubble. The cave-in apparently happened a long time ago, going by the moss and lichens growing on the boulders.

Zanax kindly points out, "While we're stopped here for a moment, may I suggest, Rage, that you use the ring to turn invisible before we continue? No need to take any more chances than we have to."

Rage does so, as well as casts a fly spell on herself.

Kadlian frowns. "Of course... Okay, let us go north. Perhaps another way down can be found in that direction."

"I could clear this rubble," Equinox says with a frown, "but I cannot guarantee that a second cave-in would not occur."

"But, Hlarn might be able to. What do you think, Hlarn?"

Hlarn goes and examines the area. He quickly tries to determine if he thinks we can clear the blockage or if it probably goes on for too far to do that.

He gets the impression that the blockage goes for a good long way.

Hlarn also judges the strength of the walls and roof to see if you can guess the consequences of trying to magically clear it.

What you can see appears to be structurally sound. The rubble hides what lies farther down, though...and that rubble had to come from somewhere...

"Hlarn, could you determine how thick this floor is? Since Equinox said he has the power to re-shape stone, perhaps we could just make a hole in the floor."

"Equinox, what kind of spell would you be using? Just something to eradicate the rubble or something that will shape the stone?"

"I could change to shadow form and take a look on what's on the other side of the blockage."

"That is an excellent idea, Kailar, but hold on one moment until we determine if Equinox's spell is going to be useful. It looks like a feasible option, then we will have you scout first to see the depth of the blockage."

Rage looks up. "I could either cast a stone to mud spell, and then allow the mud to flow away, as it is prone to do, or cast a passwall spell, if we deem it necessary. However, I suggest we do that tomorrow, if necessary and scout futher today to see what there is to see. I think that there may be a way around this rubble, and am concerned as to where it has come from, and what that may mean."

Kadlian shrugs. "I know we need to go down. The question is do we want to expend our resources in doing that here or doing it by looking around. By expending them here, we risk the chance of causing another collapse or not succeeding. By searching this level further, we run into unknowns such as battles, traps or other obstacles."

"I am of the mind to at least explore this possibility before searching down other passageways. I would at least like to know what Equinox's spell entails before I make such a decision."

Rage shakes her head in disagreement. "if the walls are structurally sound, and these stones are from some other source, then we can easily bypass it magically. A passwall spell will also be useful, depending on the thickness of this pile. If Equinox were to hollow out a portion of the floor, using his stoneshape spell, that I think he is refering to, to create some channels for the mud to flow through, we can then channel the mud away."

Kadlian looks confused. "What are you disagreeing with, Rage? The walls and roof here appear structurally sound according to Hlarn, but he cannot see into the rubble to see what that looks like. Making a hole, any hole, in that pile, may bring more rubble down which is where Kailar's spell will become useful. Or we can just go through the floor as Zanax suggested. But, I want to know what spell Equinox is proposing to cast and its ramifications."

"However, I feel it would be better to search around for an alternative before exploiting the magic we have to pass this way."

"Why? Do you believe the risk of a hostile encounter, a trap or something else unpleasant is not as great as expending our magical resources here?"

Rage looks at Kadlian. "Where did all this rubble come from? It seems to me that the rubble may not have the normal origin, and might hide something bigger and more dangerous. A trap, perhaps, a preorganized trap for those who rush headfirst into clearing the debris."

Kadlian points at the rubble. "Well, it seems to me that it is possible that the ceiling collapsed beyond the rubble and some of it bounced out this way. There are probably large gaps between the rocks which would account for it taking up more space than when it was neatly packed all together."

"Now, you might be correct that it could be a trap. So, why not just burrow through the floor like Zanax suggested? We could choose a point in any of the hallways to do so."

"Why bother burrowing through the floor? We have no idea what we will encounter there, and furthermore, we could end up on the next level that way. I think sending Kailar ahead in his shadow form might be best at this point before we proceed."

Zanax shrugs. "Sounds fine with me. I just wanted to point out another alternative if we were concerned about the rubble collapsing after Equinox cast his spell."

"Perhaps Kailar is correct, and it is time for his shadow wrath spell, to explore a bit further before we make an ultimate decision."

"Well, I was waiting to hear from Equinox on what the spell was before sending Kailar off."

"Well, I can shape stone, but I do not believe that it would be very useful on rubble, which is often small stones and dirt. I was planning on turning the rubble to mud. It would make quite a mess, but it would permit passage, I think," Equinox replies when he can get a word in.

While everyone is discussing the rubble and what to do with it, Aron checks the walls for anything unusual.

He spots nothing unusual.

"Well, that is the same spell that Rage was purposing to use. What kind of area can both of you effect?"

"I think that I could affect about 150 feet of the hallway, maybe a little more or a little less, depending on exactly how wide the hallway is."

"Could you just cut a path about five feet wide and ignore the original dimensions? Would that extend the length? And where is all the mud going to go?"

"I could cut a path only 5 feet wide, and that would, I think, extend the distance range of the area effected by the spell by 100%." Equinox replies. "But I do not think that that would be a good idea, because the mud would probably just fill the five foot area. If we are going to do this, I suggest that either Rage or myself turn the entire slide debris here to mud and the other turn it to rock. Then I can shape it, after it has slid down and become solid rock, to permit our passage. This is not guaranteed to work, but I believe it will work. It does depend a lot on how much debris there is and whether we should spend the considerable time and magic required to get past this area."

Kadlian nods. "Okay, then we need Kailar to scout to tell us if it is worth it."

Aron leaves.

The discussion continues.

Aron returns, having found nothing of interest.

"I want to end up on the next level. That was the whole point of trying to take the stairs."

Kadlian looks at the others. "Am I speaking another language that no one else understands?"

"I understand your point. Rage just thinks it is better to have Kailar scout first before we either remove the rubble or put a hole in the floor."

"No, Rage and I are agreed that we will send Kailar before we cast any spell. I wanted to know the capabilities of Equinox's spell before making any decision.

"I seem to be talking but either no words are coming out or I am not making any sense to anyone."

"Language, no, listening yes." replies Rage. "Let Kailar scout and see what there is and if it is worth spending the magical energies to do this."

"Are we ready for me to go yet?"

Kadlian nods. "Fine. Kailar do your bit and be careful."

Kailar casts wraithform and scouts out the cave-in and the area beyond it.

Hlarn steps in. "Unless this is a relatively short cave-in I think we should probably look for an alternate route rather than try removing the rubble. The longer the passage, the more likely it will cave back in should this weight suddenly be removed."

"I understand. What about the possibility of putting a hole in the floor? Not feasable?"

Hlarn shakes his head. "No, quite feasible... A simple hole is very stable unless its loose dirt we are digging through, and I doubt that is the case. The question is if there is something down there directly below us and also how far it might be. One thing to consider is that the next level is probably 20 or thirty feet down. That means a long climb via rope... a nightmare in combat conditions and far too easy to block if we need a fast exit. Always remember that its likely that Mestrom will be sending their own explorers to this area, and we don't want to give them good ambush points."

Kadlian nods. "Fair enough. I had considered that. Also, remember that there may already be explorers from Mestom here."

After a few minutes, Kailar returns.

"So, what is your assessment, Kailar?"

"I encountered water. I couldn't get to the end of the tunnel."

"Then we have a good idea what collapsed the tunnel. Okay, folks, we go north to try to find another way down. Kailar, Zanax, please lead the way."

"Kailar, how much water?" the mage asks, "Was it a flood, being held back? This could be promising if I understand the actual shape and relative volumes of water in the area."

Rage looks excited.

"Have to think on this and talk about it at camp later," the mage says with a smile.

"I just saw that the lower part of the staircase was flooded." says the gnome.

"OK, boss." Zanax waits for Kailar to put his hand on his shoulder and then heads north checking for good, evil, and treasure at each intersection or doorway.

"Check at the door and see if you can hear anything. Here, take a look at the map again."

You head north to the door.

While you wait for Zanax to listen and detect for things, you look ahead. The passage continues for 60' and on, past the door.

Zanax detects and hears nothing. Neither does Kailar, for matter, either.

You continue north.

60' past the door the passage ends at a flight of stairs...heading down.

These are not caved in.

"OK, Boss. Down the stairs or do you want to check out what's behind door number 1?"

Kadlian smiles briefly at guessing correctly. "Down."

Zanax nods and scans for good, evil, and treasure before heading down the stairs. Zanax draws his frost brand.

He detects nothing of the sort.

Kailar checks to see if the stairs are trapped.

He notes no traps.

Hlarn's detect traps spell should is still active.

No traps.

Rage looks up at the ceiling and the walls carefully.

She sees...a ceiling and walls.

Your paranoid concerns placated if not alleviated, you finally head downstairs.

The stairs go down about 50'. Then, there is a 10' wide passage running north, for 30'. After that it turns east and becomes 20' wide.

You go down and take a look, detecting all the way.

From the corner, the passage runs east for 60' and ends.

You move in and check it thoroughly, but find nothing of interest or value. Zanax detects and finds nothing. Kailar spots no traps. Hlarn's spell turns up nothing. Rage sees nothing untoward. Birch nibbles on some nuts and berries.

Kadlian finishes mapping. "That is it? No secret doors or anything? How odd. Well, if we cannot find anything, I guess we go back upstairs. Let us check the room behind that door and then we shall look for another way down."

"An illusion, perhaps?" Zanax sheathes his Frost Brand and draws his Holy Avenger. He goes around hitting each wall will Dispel Magic, but staying at least 5' away from any party member.

Nothing happens to the walls.

Zanax sheathes the Holy Avenger and draws his Frost Brand. He heads back upstairs to the door with the rest of you. He checks for good, evil, and treasure again.

Nothing.

"Any traps, Kailar and Hlarn?"

Nothing.

Kadlian draws his swords and motions for everyone to draw their weapons.

Aron bares his arms.

Sian draws his frostbrand and his cutlass.

"Hey Kad I just thought of something as you were talking about the people from Mestom being around. When we find a way down let me check for tracks before we mess them all up. Would be good to know if anything or one is around that we should be aware of," says Sian as he prepares himself.

"Not a bad idea. Folks, if we open the door and there is nothing there, let Sian look before anyone enters the room."

"Also, after we are finished with the room, providing there is no other exit, let us head to that southeastern passage and then we will take the east connection. If there is an exit, we will explore that."

Once done, Kadlian says, "Go ahead, Zanax."

Zanax lets everyone get ready and then opens the door.

The door opens to reveal a passage running northeast for 60' and on.

Sian checks for tracks but turns up nothing.

You head down there.

After 60' is a 10' wide passage running east. Beyond the intersection the passage runs northeast for another 20' and ends at a wall facing north.

Looking east, you see that this new passage runs for 60' (south wall) and on. There is a door in the last 10' section of the south wall.

You head up to the northeast. After convincing yourselves that there are no secret doors or traps or illusions or whatnot up there, you head east. Reaching it, you see that the passage runs for a further 60' and ends at another door.

Zanax moves up and detects for things through both doors, with negative results.

You open the south door. Through it is a passage running southeast. It is 10' wide, and runs for 60' and on. In the last visible 10' section on the right side is a door.

Again Sian checks for tracks, and again he comes up with nothing.

You close the door, and go east to the door at the end of the passage.

After checking for things again, you open it. Beyond is a room (20' X 40': 20' east, 30' south, no visible exits). Apart from some rocks lying scattered about on the floor, there is nothing in here but for a large pile of coins in the southwest corner. From the door you see coppers, electrum and gold, along with the occasional flash of gems.

After ascertaining that all is safe, you head over to check it out. The treasure is as it appears...but suddenly the things you thought were stones start moving towards you!

"I think that I can be useful here," says Equinox with a smile as he begins to cast Transmute Stone to Mud on as many of the stone creatures as possible.

Zanax, not so convinced, draws his Frost Brand and takes a defensive posture, awaiting the outcome of Equinox's spell. He'll attack if the stones come within attack range.

Kadlian imitates Zanax's pose and takes a step to the left giving himself room to swing his swords. "Sian, Hlarn, take the other free spots. Let us give Equinox his chance to take care of them, but let us keep them from the spellcasters."

"Aron and Vanadil, please watch our backs in case anything comes at us from the hallway."

Kailar tries to keep away from the stone things and if Equinox is successful with his spell he will try a Spectral force of one on another.

Aron watches behind.

Hlarn sends his dwarvish thrower streaking toward the rocks closest to him and repeats the action until they get close enough for him to use his axe. "Be ready... Equinox's spell will probably only hurt them, not slay them entirely."

The flying and invisible Rage will toss magic missile spells at the critters not effected by the druid's spell... she has 4 spells worth to toss. and then reactivate the ring of invisibility.

While guarding the rear, Aron calls out "I've never encoutered bad rocks, what should I expect?"

"I have no idea. I have never encountered a rock that tried to attack me, before. I would not advise punching one, though."

Hlarn laughs. "Elvis impersonators! He's likely to show up anywhere where we have rocks that roll"

Rage casts protection from bad jokes on the party...

While the druid is casting his spell the rocks - each about the size of a grapefruit - leap up into the air and start spinning about...causing what look to be miniature whirlwinds or dust devils.

Five of the creatures swirl towards Birch, Hlarn, Zanax, Kadlian, Equinox and Sian.

Birch draws his scimitar and lashes out with it, but misses. Suddenly he is caught up in the whirlwind and thrown up into the air, spinning madly about and helpless.

Hlarn throws his hammer at the one closing on him, but also misses, as he dodges being caught in the whirlwind.

Zanax also misses with his sword, twice. The bobbing and whirling creatures are hard to hit. He manages to avoid getting caught, though.

Kadlian does manage to connect with his frost brand, though, even as he misses with his shortsword.

Sian also hits his attacker with his longsword but misses with his cutlass, while avoiding the oncoming dust devil.

Equinox's spell goes off without affecting the creatures. You realise now that these are not stones.

Rage lets loose with her magic missiles. She kills the one on Birch, sending the druid sprawling. Next go the ones on Hlarn, Kadlian, Zanax and Sian. She finishes off by hurting the sixth creature, which is closing on Birch.

She then turns invisible.

Two remain: an injured one moving to attack Birch, and a healthy one moving towards Hlarn.

Equinox backs away from the creatures nearest him in order to give the warriors a chance to step up to the fray.

"Zanax, assist Hlarn. Sian, help with the one on Birch."

Kadlian moves to protect Birch, attacking the whirlwind with both of his swords.

Zanax flanks the whirlwind, trying to put it between him and Hlarn. He attacks with his Frost Brand again.

Aron stays at the rear guard.

An invisible voice says, "Let's hear it for the mage of the hour!" Rage calls, "Up to you fighter types now, unless you want a lightning bolt?"

Hlarn calls back... "Good work Rage, but save your remaining spells. We know it CAN be hit, although it is tough to do so."

Zanax quips back in mid-swing, "Modest, is she not?"

Kadlian answers, "Yup. She could take all the credit instead of what she deserves."

Hlarn continues his attack with his axe. "A new form of elemental do you think?"

"I do not know. I have never seen or heard of this kind of foe. Let us finish them quickly so that we may move on to other matters."

Birch attacks with his scimitar, but misses. Kadlian helps, connecting with his longsword. The thing drops to the floor, cut in two.

Hlarn again dodges while bringing up his axe. One sweeping swing is all it takes, and the creature is dead.

At peace again, you collect the loot: 7000cp, 875ep, 1750gp and 5 small gems (50 gp ea.).

You return to the passage and pass through the south door, heading southeast.

After 50' on the right is a door. Beyond, the passage continues for 60' and on. After doing the usual detects, you open the door. Through it you see a parallel passage running northwest - southeast, 10' wide. To the right it runs 50' and ends at a wall facing north. To the left it goes southeast for 50', turning southwest after 40'.

You continue on down the first passage, southeast. 10' beyond where you saw before, it opens up into a chamber to the south (30' X 60': 10' east, 10' west, 60' south). The place is dank and damp. Lichens and mosses cover the walls.

Suddenly Kadlian feels something invisible strike him! He feints immediately, and the blow does not harm him.

From before him comes a feline growl...a very loud growl.

Zanax checks for evil.

Equinox attempts to use his ring of mammal control to make the attacking beast docile and then to speak to it.

Kadlian whips out both of his swords and says, "Rage, Zanax, dispel its invisibility so we can see what it is."

Aron purrs.

"If it's a guardian, maybe we should back off for a moment - it might not continue it's attack," he then says.

"Okay, everyone else back out. I will back out slowly."

Kadlian uses his ranger skills to attempt to soothe the beast while also backing out of the room. "Easy... We mean you no harm."

"No! It's evil!" Zanax cries, as he moves forward to attack.

Hlarn relies on his blind fighting skills and moves in with his axe to strike the creature.

Suddenly Kadlian is scratched for 5 hit points.

Rage casts detect invisibility to see what you are up against.

"It's a damned large pussycat," Rage calls out. "Perhaps Equinox will have some success in making it our friend. You're all in the way for me to get a clear shot on it with a lightning bolt."

Hlarn turns to Equinox. "Don't bother... As evil as it is I'm guessing its a hellcat if I remember right... like hell hound."

Equinox tries anyway.

All he gets in reply is another hostile feline growl.

Kadlian abandons his backwards progress and attacks with both swords.

Sian tries and get in the fray also.

"It if is from hell it probably won't like my sword too much," says SIan as he leads with his frostbrand

Kadlian feels his sword connect.

Zanax swings next, and also feels his blade connect.

You hear a -

"Meow."

- followed by a thud...and no more attacks are forthcoming.

Aron tells Vanadil (who has rear guard also), "I'm going to check no one's coming."

Aron then back tracks to the last intersection, verifies that no one is coming, and then returns.

Meanwhile, the rest of you check out the chamber. A thorough search turns up nothing of interest or value.

Aron returns and tells Vanadil, "I didn't see any danger behind us."

You head back up the passage to the door, and then explore southeast down the parallel passage. You head down to the corner and look southwest. It runs 50' (left wall) and then opens up into a chamber to the south.

You move cautiously down and look in.

What you see is a rectangular-shaped chamber (20' X 30': 10' east, 10' west, 20' south) which is completely barren. You check around anyway, but turn up nothing.

You head back to the chamber where the stairs back up to the surface area, and then head southeast down the 5' wide passage, Zanax and Kailar leading. After 60' there is an intersection with a 10' wide passage running east-west.

You look each way.

To the east, the passage runs for 60' and on (north wall).

To the southeast, the 5' wide passage continues for 60' and on.

To the west, the other passage runs for 55' (north wall) and then opens up into a chamber.

You continue southeast down the narrow passage.

After 30' Hlarn suddenly calls out for Zanax and Kailar to stop. With the last of his find traps spell he has spotted a trap door in the floor, in the 40' - 50' section from the intersection.

"Kailar, can you open the door? Perhaps it would afford us a way down."

"I could certainly try."

He inspects the trap.

It is a pressure sensitive trap door. Apparently when you step on it, it will open downwards, then spring shut again.

"Hmmm... Not practical. Can you disarm it so that we can bypass it safely?"

"Sure."

The gnome fiddles with it for awhile. Suddenly there is a sproing, as he releases the spring. The door drops open, and stays there, revealing a shaft going down into darkness. Shining a light down there, you see a floor about 50' below...stained with dried blood from previous victims of the trap, you suspect.

Zanax scans for evil.

"I can levitate down there to take a quick look."

"Go ahead, Zanax. Can you levitate everyone else across or should we start the spikes in wall/rope trick?"

"I think I can make the jump," says Aron.

"I am pretty sure I can as well, Adon, but I would rather not chance it. Besides, there may be another trap on the other side. We will rig something up and let Kailar check out the area."

"Equinox could cast his stone thingie spell and make a ramp across the pit."

Kailar flies across and checks for traps.

No further traps.

Zanax ties a rope around his waist and tosses it to Kadlian. "Just in case."

He then levitates upward a few inches to make sure his ability is still working. He then slowly lowers himself downward. He checks for good, evil, treasure, and secret doors.

Rage shakes her head. "I am currently flying, and have several more spells so that I could easily transport you all accross. However, it would be nice if we had a plank or something to put across as an alternative floor as well as marking well this area so that if we are beating a hasty retreat, we donot spring the trap again. In fact, I think that this is a perfect place for a stoneshape spell, by taking a bit of the floor off on either side and making a new floor here." The mage looks at the druid. "Can you do this, Equinox?"

"Sure," Equinox replies and then turns to Kadlian, "Just give me the go ahead and I will shape the wall and extend it out a ways the level of the floor so all can cross with safety."

"By all means, go ahead."

"I hope you're going to wait for me to get back up first!" Zanax says from the pit.

Equinox bends down to the level of the floor by the start of the pit and, after completing the spell, with his hands using the wall above and below the level of where the floor would be, exends the stone out about 16 inches, enough for all to scamper across and short enough to be able to support it with the stone beneath the 'new' floor. Also, this way, Zanax will be able to go in and get out of the pit.

You wait for Zanax to return.

After a few moments, Zanax returns. He finds Aron on the southeast side of the trap, now.

"Well, Zanax?"

Zanax unties the rope around his waist and whispers, "Passageway runs northwest and southeast. I detected evil in the distance to the northwest. I guess that explains why there were no bodies down there."

"Okay, we will keep that in mind. But, I agree with Hlarn and Rage's earlier assessment. We need to find a stairway down. Going in through a hole in the floor makes a quick retreat too difficult. So, we will continue following this corridor.

"Thanks, Zanax."

"Equinox, nice job on the ramp."

"May I suggest that we deal with whatever evil lurks down there now, rather than later on it's own terms?"

"How far away was it?" the mage asks. "I could cast a fireball and try to clean out the area a bit. With my shield up, I would be protected from the blast."

Zanax pauses "It was at the end of my detection range, so I'd say about 50 or 60 feet."

"Go for it, Rage. Of course, if it is a red dragon than your fireball will not do any harm, but it still cannot hurt to try."

"Just let the rest of us get away from the trapdoor and down the hallway a bit before you throw your fireball."

"Kailar, Zanax, lead on."

Zanax draws his frost brand and starts to head down the hallway "Shouldn't someone go down there with Rage, Kadlian?"

"And you were volunteering, Zanax?"

Zanax stops and turns to face Kadlian. "If need be. I can get in and out of the pit easily, as well as locate the beast."

"Rage, if you want a bodyguard, you may take Zanax. His frostbrand and Hlarn's spell should protect him. Plus, his levitation ability will let him go down and up without assistance."

Rage looks at Kadlian. Waving off his comments, "I'm thinking" she says. "hold on a minute."

A minute passes.

"I don't want one but I will take one for your piece of mind. We will be protected by my globe of invulnerability, and I am hoping to position it so that it does not allow any spillover to come up the passageway. However, you might want to back up a bit till you hear the all clear.

"Let's go, Zanax. " Rage says, turning visible.

"Everyone, let us get about twenty feet back from the hole."

They depart.

"Good luck down there," Kadlian calls in a whisper.

You wait in tense silence.

After a few moments there is a ruddy flash from the shaft, followed by canine yelps of pain. Another moment passes, and there is a second, fainter flash, accompanied by more howling, then silence.

After a few minutes, Rage and Zanax rejoin the rest of you.

"We heard what we sounded like dogs. Werewolves or something else?"

Zanax nods and grins. "More like hot dogs now."

Rage, with a strange glow up and down her arm as well as on the moonstone in the symbol on her waist, smiles.

"No Kadlian, were wolves," she says with a chuckle. "Get it... were wolves."

Kadlian smiles at the joke. "Clever, Rage. Well done."

"Thank you Kadlian," the mage says. "It's been a while."

"We ready to go on, now?" asks Equinox.

"Yes. Standard searching procedures, please."

Zanax takes point with Kailar. He scans the area ahead for good, evil, treasure and secret doors.

Zanax's sword indicates that there are two secret doors in the right wall, immediately beyond the trap. However, you spend a lot of time checking those walls, and turn up nothing.

Feeling somewhat mystified, you continue southeast down the 5' wide passage, the paladin leading and Kailar trailing along close behind him.

55' past the trap (left wall), the passage concludes at a chamber to the south (30' square: 25' west, 30' south; door in west wall north corner). The place is bare, and no amount of searching turns up anything. It is now early afternoon, and you pause for a quick snack.

When you are done, you open the west door, after taking the usual precautions. On the other side is a room (30' X 40': 20' south, 40' west), also bare. However, when Zanax detects again, he picks up a secret door in the middle of the west wall...as well as another to the northwest. He also picks up treasure signals from the same direction.

Sure enough, when you check the west wall, you find a secret door in the middle of it. However, you find nothing in the northwest section of the room.

Undaunted, you open the secret door.

Through it is another room (30' square: 10' north, 10' south, 30' west; doors in middle of north and south walls). This place smells rather dank and mouldy, but is otherwise uninteresting. Detecting again, Zanax picks up a secret door to the left of the north door, and treasure just to the right...quite strong emanations for both. However, again you find nothing.

You open the south door. Through it is a 10' square room, bare.

At last, you open the north door, after taking the usual precautions. Beyond is a 10' X 20' room (10' north, 10' east). In here is a well-decayed corpse, lying on the floor to the east...and six giant centipedes!

Hlarn steps up with his axe and begins chopping.

"Watch out for their poison!"

"Zanax, Sian, Hlarn and I will take these. Rage and the others, hold in reserve."

Kadlian draws both of his swords and attacks a nearby centipede.

Zanax hacks at the giant centipedes with his frost brand.

"Any one happen to know if these guys have stingers?" says Sian as he wades in with both swords.

"Don't worry too much about the stingers. If someone gets stung, I can cure the poison," says Equinox.

In order for Zanax, Sian, Hlarn and Kadlian to all fight the centipedes simultaneously, you back up from the doorway. The noncombatants retreat to the east.

It only takes a moment for the warriors to kill all of the centipedes. They are not the threat they would have been to you 23 months ago.

Checking the corpse, you find it laden with treasure: 1500sp, 2250gp, 27 gems (50gp ea.), 18 silver rings (750gp ea.).

Concerning the plethora af secret doors...

Zanax grunts in frustration "By the gods! I can't believe this! Can the same magic that hampers our teleportation and communication be doing this, too?"

Hlarn suggests a knock spell. "Or perhaps its some sort of teleporter or rotation and the door isn't active right now."

"I can shape the stone to get past the wall, either toward the secret door or toward the treasure," Equinox offers.

"If we run out of other possibilities, we will do that."

Zanax detects again, and comes up with a secret door in the west wall of the centipede room. Sure enough, when you check, there it is.

Kailar finds the trick to opening it, and you look out into a passage running east-west. To the west it is 20' wide (extending in width to the north); to the east (immediately to the north of the centipede room) it is 10' wide. To the west it extends for 60' and on; looking around the corner to the east, you see that it runs 60' and on in that direction as well.

You go east.

In that direction it runs a further 15' (south wall)/5' (north wall, before ending against an angled wall. However, the ever-detecting Zanax notes another trap in the floor, 40' - 50' section.

You walk up to the trap, and Kailar goes to work. It is another spring-loaded trap door. He has no difficulty in disabling it, and it drops open. Revealed is another shaft extending about 50' down, and ending at a somewhat bloodstained floor.

Zanax levitates down to take a look, returning a moment later to report that below is a 10' wide passage running east - west. To the west it runs for 40' and on; to the east for 40' and on...with a passage running northwest in the 10' - 20' section. He checked this passage out, and lo! it is the same passage where they recently torched the werewolves.

You turn around and head back to the 20' wide section of passage, continuing west. It only runs another 10', then ends. There is a door in the north section of the end wall, though, and you open it.

Through it you see a 10' wide passage running 60' and on.

You go west.

Reaching the 60' point, you see that the passage continues for another 60' and on. There is a 4-way intersection with a passage running northeast-southwest in the 30'-40' (north wall)/40'-50'(south wall). Also, Zanax detects yet another trap, only 10' ahead of you.

Kailar creeps up, and soon spots a piece of stonework in the floor that would depress slightly, should someone step upon it. Looking about, he then spots a tiny hole in the ceiling.

It takes him almost ten minutes to disable the trap. You carefully cross over the trapped floor...and live to talk about it.

Reaching the intersection, you pause when suddenly there is a loud howl from the southwest opening, and a carnivorous ape jumps out and attacks Zanax!

Kailar moves away from the combat area.

Aron maintains the rear guard.

"Wait," shouts Equinox as warriors begin to rush to the attack, "do not hurt the beast unless you must."

Equinox activates the ring of mammal control and attempts to control the attacking instinct and stop the attack.

Zanax checks the beast for evil. He detects none.

"Give Equionx a chance to try his spell. Otherwise, kill it. And there is probably more where they came from."

"Just hurry up, Equinox!" Zanax cries out, from underneath his shield. "I can't hold him off forever!"

Zanax has his neck wrung for 2 hit points while Equinox concentrates with the ring. However, the ape ignores the druid, and keeps on trying to make a meal out of the paladin.

Finally Equinox gives up, and Zanax fights back.

The ape pokes him in the eye for 4 hit points, and the paladin slams his frost brand into the monster's belly. He dodges its other hand and lands a glancing blow.

The ape grabs Zanax by the tongue and tries to pull it out. Zanax takes 4 hit points of damage. He swings his sword again, and this time the ape drops dead.

Zanax puts his somewhat stretched out tongue back in his mouth, where it belongs.

You wait for more attacking monsters, but none appear.

You check out the passages.

To the southwest - where the apre waited - the passage runs 40' (left wall), then opens up to the south.

To the west, this passage continues for 40' (right wall) then opens up into a chamber.

To the northeast, the passage runs for 40', turning west thereafter.

You go southwest.

At the end is a chamber (20' X 30': 20' south, 20' east): obviously the ape's lair. Lots of bones, branches, stones and litter are in here, but searching turns up nothing of interest or value.

You return to the intersection and go west.

This next chamber is less interesting (20' X 30': 10' north, 30' west; 10' wide passage running south out of middle of south wall; 20' wide passage running north out of eastern two-thirds of the north wall). It is completely barren.

Looking south, you see that the south passage runs for 60' and ends.

Looking north, the 20' wide passage runs for 60' and on.

You head north.

After 60', Zanax detects a trap. Kailar goes to work, and soon finds another pressure plate affair in the floor, and hopefully disarms it. Looking ahead while he works, the passage runs a further 60' into darkness. There is a door in the east wall, 50' - 60' section.

When Kailar is finished, you go up to the door. Ahead, the passage continues for a further 60' and ends. Zanax detects a secret door up there, to the north-northwest.

You open the east door, and look through.

On the other side is a parallel 20' wide passage. To the south it runs for 60' and ends. There is a 10' wide opening in the end wall, west section. A strange, flickering glow comes through the opening. A 10' wide passage runs east out of the east wall, 40' - 50' section. To the north, the passage runs for 60' and on. However, after 50' it becomes 10' wide, as only the western half of the passage continues. Also, on the 40' - 50' section of the east wall is a 10' wide passage running east.

You pass through the door and go south to the opening to the south. Beyond is a 20' square chamber (20' south, 10' east; 10' wide passage running east out of east wall southern section), whose ceiling glows with strange, multicoloured flickering lights. You watch them for a moment. No one notes any traps, so you cautiously move into the otherwise barren chamber and look east. The passage runs for 60' and on.

You go down there. After 60' it doubles back and turns southwest. In that direction it runs for 60' and on. In the 40' - 50' section is a four-way intersection. There is a dead carnivorous ape lying there.

You turn around and return to through the lit chamber, and go to the next passage running east.

This one runs for 40', after which is a chamber. You go down and look. It is large (40' X 60': 60' east, 30' north; passage running out of east wall, 10' - 20' section as measured from the north) and bare.

You cross the chamber and look east.

Down there is an intersection with a 5' wide passage running northwest - southeast, which you recognise.

You turn around, return to the 20' wide passage and head north to where it narrows to 10' width. You look down the east passage. It runs for 60', opening out right at the limit of your vision. Going down there, you find yourselves back at the first chamber in this dungeon, where the stairs out are. It is late afternoon.

You head west again and this time look north.

From the corner, the 10' wide passage runs 60' and on. There is a door in the west wall, 30' - 40' section. Zanax detects secret doors to the west-northwest and northwest from this point. You head north to the door. Beyond, the passage continues for 60', opening up at the very end.

You open the door, and see a 30' wide passage (extending 20' south) running northwest. It runs for 60' and ends at a wall facing west. Zanax detects secret doors to the northwest and south-southwest.

You go up the 30' wide passage and inspect the end. Sure enough, Sian spots a secret door in the middle of it, and troglodyte tracks around it on the floor.

Zanax looks questioningly at Sian "Troglodyte? What in the Seven Heavens is a troglodyte?"

"Darn city guy...you would think you would learn something for as much time as we have spent in the outdoors," says Sian with a smile.

Hlarn replies, "Something like a lizard man, but uglier."

"That probably is an understatment," says Sian.

Hlarn motions for the door. "Lets check it out."

"Kailar, can you see what opens it? Everyone else, keep your weapons handy."

Kailar fiddles for awhile, and finally finds a stone in the corner that depresses when pressed.

The door silently swings inwards..then there is a loud clatter. You see that an old suit of rusted armour had been leaned against the inside of the door, set so that it would fall should the door be opened from the outside. Pieces of armour now litter the floor of the 10' wide passage before you, which runs northwest for 60' (right side). After that, it opens up to the west...and from there comes a faint, ruddy glow...accompanied by reptillian noises...

Silhouetted against the dim illumination from the end of the passage you see perhaps four figures rushing into the passage, and hurrying towards you.

"Rage, Kailar, toss a spell if you want to. Otherwise, stand back and let the fighters deal with them."

Kadlian draws his bow and lets two arrows fly before drawing his swords.

"Wait for them to come to us. Let us not trip any other traps."

Hlarn says, "Save the spells. Trogs are easy enough..."

With that he sends his dwarvish hammer flying down the hall...

Rage casts a lightning bolt at the creatures from her staff.

"Really, Rage you can save your spells. These guys are going to be down pretty fast," says Sian as he removes his bow.

He launches a couple of arrows down the hall and then draws his frostbrand and cutlass.

Kailar stays out of the way of the battlers.

Zanax waits for the trogs to advance to him before attacking with his frostbrand.

Hlarn's hammer sails past the trogs, then returns to his hand.

The trogs are on you before Kadlian and Sian have time to launch arrows, and before Rage sends off her bolt.

Hlarn and Zanax hold them at the door while Kadlian and Sian switch weapons They attack with their large vaned spears.

Zanax easily chops down the first troglodyte. Hlarn is next, taking down the second trog with but a single swing of his battle axe.

Zanax finshes off number three when it steps up, while Hlarn sidesteps a stab from the last monster and then cleaves it in two.

You pause briefly; then, from down the passage behind you, you hear the sounds of more troglodytes coming from that direction. Evidently they have circled around, in hopes of trapping you.

This time, when they pass through the door at the southeast end of the passage you are ready for them. Kadlian and Sian let arrows fly, and Rage releases her lightning bolt. Both arrows fly true, then the air crackles and the three reptiles are blown to bits.

No more trogs assail you.

You check the corpses, but find nothing of value.

You head up the secret passage whence the first four trogs came. At the end is a chamber (20' X 30': 20' west, 20' south; passage running southeast out of southwall west half). It is full of bones, dried rushes from the swamps outside, and odds and ends. In amongst the stuff you find 210ep, 18 gems (100gp ea), 20 gold earrings (420gp ea), two suits of splint mail (human sized) and a wand.

You gather up the goodies and continue southeast.

This passage runs for 120' in all, ending at a blank wall facing south. Not surprisingly, Zanax detects a secret door at the end. There is also a 20' wide passage running west in the 40' - 60' section.

Opening the secret door, you find yourselves looking south down a 20' wide passage (10' east).

You head back and head west.

This passage runs 50' (north wall) and ends. There is a 10' wide opening in the south wall at the end, and when you look through it you see a good-sized chamber (40' X 40': 40' south, 30' east). It is completely bare.

You head back to the trog chamber, then southeast past the corpses, and finally return to the north-south passage. You go north. 60' past the door you come to a chamber (20' X 30': 10' east, 30' north). It is bare and uninteresting.

You head south again, return to the entrance chamber, go southeast down the 5' passage, then turn left at the 4-way intersection. It is getting towards evening, and you are starting to feel tired.

120' (north side) from the intersection, the passage ends at a door facing east.

After doing the usual detects, you open it. Beyond is a large, octagonal-shaped room (right wall runs 10' south, 20' southeast, 20' east (door in first section), 20' northeast, 20' north, 20' northwest, 20' west (door in westernmost section) and 20' southwest. The place is barren, the floor covered in tigs abd dried branches. They obscure some sort of a pattern in the floor at the centre of the room.

Before you are able to investigate further, though, Zanax announces in a quiet voice that he detects evil through the north door.

Zanax puts his hand upon the door and tries to use clairvoyance to see on the other side.

Kadlian draws his swords and waits for Zanax.

Zanax shakes his head. "It's too dark." he whispers.

"Kailar, can you check for traps?"

"Why not cast invisibility on the door?" the mage asks.

"Well, assuming out of an abundance of caution that this is the area we have been looking for, I have a couple of suggestions. First, if we want to obliterate everything beyond this door, I could shape the stone of the wall by the door to create a small hole, big enough for Rage to fire a lightning bolt through. That should bounce around in there for a while and cause some mischief. Second, I think we should decide whether we are going to use heat or cold based spells because I can sear or freeze the metal on opposing fighters, clerics and the like but my spell can be canceled by application of the opposite temperature. The last time we encountered opposing warriors and priests, I seared the armor of the priests, but Rage cast a cone of cold at the opposing party. Luckily, I had a second spell and cast the reverse. I just think we should have a plan," says Equinox.

Kadlian shrugs. "I am unsure why all of you are worried. We have not run into anything other than werewolves that I consider a threat to our group. I do not want to be overconfident, but your paranoia has me wondering what I have missed in my assessment of the situation."

"Zanax indicated that the other side of the door was dark. So, can we create light and make the door invisible? Then we could see what is on the other side and plan accordingly. Plus, we will likely momentarily blind what is there."

Rage holds up her hand.

"I am worried about what is being covered by this debris," the mage says. "If it is dark in there, and this is supposed to be a ruin, it is possible we may be facing undead creatures. And we have lost the wand of illumination that Argulhas possessed.

"And it is getting late, I am getting tired. I hate to leave evil around, and suspect that we are going to be facing some undead now," the mage says. "How does the door open? We need to get rid of them, and quickly, and then see what is obscured on this floor."

Zanax shrugs and draws his Holy Avenger for more light as he clears the debris on the floor to see the pattern.

It is a stylized pattern of three gems or ornamental stones, engraved in the floor.

Kadlian and Hlarn have seen such a pattern before...on a certain expedition with a certain super-paladin.

"Those orcs, right Hlarn? Do you remember what we learned about that symbol?"

Hlarn steps back to look at the symbol. "I'm drawing a blank...that was so long ago. Perhaps if I can find my notes from the time I might have written something down, but given Yuri's tendency to brag I probably ignored half of what he said."

Kadlian says, "That is okay. If you folks give me a good ten minutes, I will reread my journal."

"Later Kadlian. When we are taking our break," the mage says. "Let us deal with the evil behind the door."

Kadlian nods. "Very well. So, what is our approach? We could open the door, let Rage cast a fireball and close the door again. That is, with everyone else waiting a few rooms back..."

Hlarn frowns. "The problem with that method is that it is also highly likely to destroy any non-metalic magic lying about such as wands, scrolls and staves."

"Nothing in this dungeon thus far has posed us any serious threat. I say we save our magic for the deeper levels."

"So what do we do? Just open the door?"

"Give me a sec..."

Zanax uses his ring's Faerie Fire to light up whatever is in the roombehind the door. He then puts his hands on the door as he uses clairvoyance to see what's there.

"Let Zanax have a chance to try his ring and psionics. If he cannot see anything, then we will just open the door, prepared for a fight and the undead."

"I like that idea the most so far. We are getting a little bit ahead of ourselves again...." says Sian. "As for your invisibility on the door...wouldn't what ever is in there be able to see us also?"

"Yes they will," replies Rage, "but they may not realize that the door is invisible and will come charging into it giving us that much more time." the mage adds.

Kadlian snaps his fingers, suddenly. "That symbol. It is the mark of the Wizards. We found the same symbol outside that orc stronghold. And Yuri told us that marked the stronghold of the Wizards."

"Well, I suppose it makes sense if King Goldhime's guess was correct about the age of the artifact."

Hlarn nods. "Good point, but that probably indicates that the device is hidden behind a secret door where it has remained untouched. With these creatures living here now, I can't see it remaining here for so long unless it was in a safe place."

Zanax pats his Holy Avenger "Well, secret doors aren't much of a secret anymore..."

"Well, it is probably deeper. And who knows, there might be a guardian left by the Wizards."

Zanax snaps out of his trance. "Wizards? What wizards? You don't mean the same wizards that strange elf that appeared from the ethereal was talking about, are you?"

"You mean Farad? I do not remember that conversation. The Wizards of Salatar."

Hlarn nods. "Yes, the same Wizards. Apparently immortals who used to rule this world, and apparently in some places still do. Ray Jay has told us they can be slain, but are reborn stronger than before. The spirit of the sword that possessed me was once a general of their army long ago. His memories were not all pleasant, for there were three factions which fought each other."

"You never mentioned that before. I had no idea that that spirit was so powerful."

Hlarn shakes his head. "No more powerful than any of us. He was a general, commanding humanoid troops. But he still took commands from the Wizards."

"Farad said he ran into one watching Sandas awhile back, and an evil one rules the land bordering McTavish's country."

Hlarn looks around "I think we should proceed carefully and if we come across anything that might give us information about these Wizards we should take it."

"Agreed. I think that knowing that this was a place of the Wizards also explains all the traps."

"In any case, it's still dark in there."

Zanax draws his Holy Avenger "Kailar, will you do the honors of opening the door after you check for traps?"

"Aye, Aye, Sir"

Kailar snaps off a quick salute and gets to work.

Kadlian draws his swords. "Hlarn, be ready to turn the undead."

The dwarf is ready.

Not much for Aron to do or comment on....maintaining the rear guard.

Kadlian nods. "Okay, then go ahead and open the door, Kailar."

Rage turns invisible, moves to the southwest section of the room, and casts a spell.

Kailar, who has been working at the door, finally concludes that it is not trapped. With a small flourish he opens it and hurriedly steps aside, leaving Zanax and Kadlian before it.

Beyond is a room (30' X 30': 30' north, 20' east), bare. The source of the evil is readily apparent, for she is standing right at the door, having been listening through it to your conversation for some time. You see a beautiful naked woman before you. She looks almost human, but for the large set of vulture-like wings sprouting from her shoulder blades. She holds a dagger in one hand and a rope in the other. Around her waist is a rope belt. Hanging from it is a dried, shrunken head, its skin a dead grey. You are barely able to recognise it as Furgh.

The expression frozen into his dead face is not a happy one.

Suddenly she winks out, and reappears by the south door in the octagonal room.

Hlarn shouts, "Sleep!"

The command is ineffective, so Hlarn steps toward the side to get a clear shot to release his hammer at the demon.

"Fiend!" Zanax cries as he charges the winged female with his Holy Avenger.

"I don't recognize you as any demon I know, but you will surely die!" Zanax tries to dispel any hostile magic that she might cast.

Kailar tries the wand of polymorph to turn her into a turtle.

"Release our friend. And just where did you get his head?"

Kadlian grunts in frustration. "Very well, then return to whence you came. Rage, hit her with a lightning bolt. Everyone else, kill her!"

Kadlian charges with both swords drawn.

Aron doesn't rush in, standing back and maintaining his guard.

Equinox, in order to prevent her from becoming invisible, casts Faerie Fire on the creature.

Aron waits for anything to attack from the rear.

The devil ignores the spells, missiles and people being thrown at her, and instead releases her rope.

It snakes through the air, and wraps itself around the flying, invisible Rage, rendering the mage helpless and gagged.

Simultaneously...

The devil lights up, as Equinox's spell goes off. It immediately goes out again, as Zanax comes within range.

Kailar's wand does not affect it.

Zanax attacks, followed by Kadlian.

The paladin opens a slight wound in her, and she hisses at him. Kadlian fans with his glowing longsword.

Hlarn's hammer drops upon her, conking her on the head. It returns to his grip, and he charges forward.

Kadlian thrusts with his shortsword, but the devil vanishes again and the blade only pierces thin air.

She reappears near the centre of the chamber and some 10' up, atop the helpless Rage. She reaches for her dagger...

Suddenly, Kadlian, Zanax, Hlarn, Equinox and Birch are engulfed in a jet of superheated steam which seemed to come from the north doorway. The ranger and the paladin are not hurt, thanks to the holy avenger. Birch takes 12 hit points of damage. Equinox also takes 12 hit points. Hlarn, his back to the source of the attack, takes 23 hit points.

The cloud of superheated steam begins to disapate, though you are still blinded by it. Hlarn takes a further 6 hit points of scalding damage, Equinox 12 and Birch 12.

"Hlarn, hit her again! Kailar, help Rage. Sian, check out the room and find out where the steam came from. Everyone else, concentrate on taking the demon down!"

The dwarf does so, launching his hammer again.

The hammer returns to his grip a moment later, having apparently missed its unseen target.

Kadlian sheaths his swords and takes aim with his bow using one of his two magical arrows. The other magical arrow is waiting in his mouth.

However, thanks to the clouds of steam, the elf is effectively blinded.

Kailar yells, "Hlarn, Zanax, there are more enemies about. Try to dispel magic if you can."

Zanax waves his sword about, but succeeds only in swirling the steam around.

"Sian, use your frostbrand to shut down the steam!"

As the steam slowly clears, Hlarn, Kadlian and Zanax can see again.

They see Aron battling a large warrior who weilds a glowing sword.

They see a second cloud of steam, engulfing Sian and Birch. Apparently frost brands are no protection against steam.

They see Vanadil standing under a flying man in cleric's robes, who clutches a wand. A slight sparkling glow surrounds him. The elf seems to be covered in frost.

They see a mage floating back inside the doorway, about five feet off the ground.

They see Kailar near the doorway, visible again.

There is no sign of Rage or the devil.

The cleric, still smiling, rises up to the ceiling of the chamber, and begins to fly towards a point over Zanax.

Hlarn, Birch and Equinox are still being scorched by the remnants of the first steam cloud. The dwarf suffers 3 hit points, the druid 6, Birch 3. Birch also takes a further 10 hit points from the second cloud, and drops. Sian takes 5 hit points.

Equinox starts to cast Heat Metal on both the Cleric and the Warrior. Equinox then immediately begins casting Faerie Fire on all opponents he can see, including that which is causing the steam, if it is visible by then.

"Forgive me Tyr, but this is a fight I can't win," says Aron as he does his best to get away from the large warrior without getting hit anymore.

He flees, but the warrior clobbers him again for 8 hit points, opening a large wound across Aron's shoulder blades.

"Sian, help Aron with the warrior. Hlarn, take out that cleric. Kailar, take care of the mage. Zanax, help out where you best can."

Even before Kadlian gives the order Hlarn targets flying villians with his hammer. However he doesn't target the cleric, but the mage whom he thinks is likely much more deadly to the party.

"Kadlian, I think these are our friends from Mestrom."

"I concur. That idiot, Furgh!"

Hlarn throws his hammer, as four magic missile spells blast into him from the mage. The hammer sails true, conking the mage, who curses and turns invisible, but not before the dwarf suffers 65 hit points and dies, his body blown to pieces.

Strangely enough, the survivors note that one of the magic missile spells directed at Hlarn failed to affect him at all. The remaining three spells were enough to do him in, though.

Kadlian fires one of his arrows into the cleric and then starts using regular arrows against him until it no longer becomes practical.

His first arrow bounces off the cleric's armour.

Sian moves quickly out of the steam, moving towards Vanadil, and finds himself facing the warrior.

"Birch get out of the steam...try and get that mage or cleric," says Sian hotly...but a little too late.

"Kad the demon or whatever disappeared with Rage..." grumbles Sian as he advances on Vandil with both swords drawn.

"I know, but we have our own worries."

Sian attacks the warrior, and Vanadil does likewise from behind. The ranger misses badly with his blade. The fighter digs into him for 6 hit points. The ranger fares no better with his cutlass, and is hit again for 12 hit points. Vanadil cuts into the enemy, though.

Kailar turns invisible and casts a fly spell.

Instead of backstabbing, Kailar uses the wand of polymorph on the mage. The ray is stopped several feet from the mage.

Suddenly the warrior lights up, courtesy of Equinox. The cleric is not affected.

Zanax, believing the unseen source of evil to be the mage's familiar, pretends to attack the mage, but actually attacks the invisible source of evil by the mage.

As he charges across the room the cleric drops down to within 5' of him, before rising again into the air. He does this a second time, before Kadlian's second arrow, which hits, distracts him.

Rushing past the fight near the doorway, the paladin rushes into the adjoining room to the north. However, both the invisible mage and the unseen source of evil have seen him coming, and have levlitated or flown up to the ceiling (15' overhead), out of Zanax's striking range.

Kadlian switches to his swords.

Suddenly there is a popping sound, and the devil reappears. She has her rope back, and her dagger is covered with blood and grey matter. She licks the blade and grins at Kadlian.

"You are next, my sweet," she whispers.

Kailar turns invisible.

As Zanax rushes into the room and sees the evil rising out of striking range, he leaps upward and levitates to strike and dispel magic the mage.

As he swings his sword the cleric moves in on him again. The sparkling field which surrounds him touches the avenger...and it abruptly stops glowing.

Simultaneously, the unseen evil interposes itself between the paladin and the mage, and a second large fighter becomes visible there as he swings his sword at Zanax. He bounces a glancing blow off of Zanax for 6 hit points. Zanax retaliates quickly as the mage flies off, and connects with the fighter. The warrior strikes Zanax for 9 hit points, as the paladin fans.

Equinox casts Charm Person or Mammal on the first Warrior.

"We are in for some fun now..." says Sian, grimacing. "We sure could use some help."

Sian is wounded for a further 9 hit points by the warrior, who is starting to squirm uncomfortably in his splint mail. Sian finally connects with his frost brand, before taking a further 7 hit points. The elf is bleeding badly, now. He swings his cutlass but misses, before connecting a second time with his frost brand. Still, the enemy looks quite healthy.

Vanadil attacks, and further wounds the warrior.

Suddenly the warrior stops, and stares at Equinox, who then tells him to attack his real enemies, his erstwhile companions.

"You're right!" he exclaims, and launches himself into the air, aiming at the cleric.

Suddenly the mage unloads his wand of frost into an apparently empty patch of air. The ice motes rapidly form around the shape of Kailar, as the gnome takes 12 hit points of damage.

The flying gnome attacks the mage, and his blade bites deep. The mage flies backwards, aiming his wand...

Using the ring on his finger, Kadlian says quickly, "I wish that all of my companions were restored to full health and power with all of the equipment they had when they last were alive...and here with us in this room."

As the words come out of his mouth the devil releases her rope and it wraps itself around Kadlian, immobilising him.

Suddenly, the room is full of people.

The devil lunges, and plunges her dagger through Kadlian's left temple, killing him immediately.

A scene of confusion reigns.

Beauty, Logan, Seraph, Agulhas, Melissa, Umboth, Callie, Nuanna, Edelle, Vastelle, Fleetwing, Windul, Wizbang and Rage suddenly find themselves in a large, octagonal-shaped room. An open door to the west leads to a passage, and a second open door to the north leads into another room.

The corpse of Hlarn flies back together and stands up, alive and ready for fun and frolic.

Birch comes staggering out of the last remnants of a cloud of steam.

They see...

Equinox directing a strange warrior, as the latter moves to attack a cleric weilding a wand.

Zanax, as he battles another warrior in the room to the north with his holy avenger. The sword no longer glows, and looks like just any other blade, now.

Aron, charging back into battle.

Vanadil and Sian, the latter badly wounded, standing and looking a little bewildered as they watch Equinox's warrior fly after the cleric.

Kailar, covered in a rime of frost, battling a flying mage in the room to the north.

A female devil, her dagger plunged to its hilt into Kadlian's temple. The ranger is trussed up in a bloody rope. She pulls the blade out with a savage twist, and the ranger drops to the floor, already dead.

All of you are fully healed and completely healthy. However, except for Hlarn, Rage and Birch, none of the newly living have any clothes or equipment. Rage appeared with her possessions. All of the revived spell casters have whatever spells available that they had at the times of their deaths, but again, except for the three mentioned above, you have no material components.

"Those of you who are currently defenseless, spread out so that one spell can't hit you all. If you have magic missiles, hit the demon. If you can even just chant, do so. (Chant doesn't require material components)"

Hlarn immediately throws his hammer toward the flying mage, hoping this time to finish the blasted fellow off. As he does so, the mage turns invisible. Nevertheless, he is rewarded with a resounding thud, as the hammer strikes something.

Then the mage becomes visible again, as he ices Kailar a second time, for 15 hit points. he follows up with a magic missile spell directed at Hlarn, who takes 22 hit points from the six missiles.

Rage yells to the mages.

"Magic Missile the Bitch." She puts up her protective sphere from her staff and then casts magic missiles - four spells worth targeting the devil who killed Kadlian and then if any are left on the mage that Kailar is dealing with. She gets one spell off before the devil suddenly winks out of sight, so she redirects her next spell into the still-visible mage. It only takes one missile to finish him off, for he was already badly wounded.

"Anyone with dispel magic, dispell the magic on that rope." She adds as her missle go flying.

"YOU BITCH ! That was my job," Logan roars as instinct takes over and he reaches for weapons not existent.

Aron changes direction, switching his attack against Logan.

"Stay on target Aron," Rage calls. "Logan will answer later."

Beauty immediately casts Dispel Magic upon the bloody rope that is around Kadlian.

The rope falls away from the corpse of the ranger.

Agulhas, completely bewidered and utterly disoriented, surveys the carnage and begins to think that his most recently prior existence was a more pleasant one than this.

With not a hair on his body, the mage appears far more naked than he already is. And without a material component on his person, he is very useless.

Like a frightened deer, the man seeks a place of shelter to watch the action and think of something that he can do.

Equinox casts Faerie Fire on the the un-charmed warrior and the cleric and then takes three of his darts and throws them at the mage.

The spell does not affect the cleric. The warrior that Zanax battles lights up.

The cleric turns as the charmed warrior flies at him. As soon as the fighter comes into to contact with the slight sparkling aura that surrounds the priest, though, he stops, and shakes his head.

"I wuz charmed!" he exclaims.

The cleric takes his wand, and seeing the crowd in the octagonal-shaped room, shoots a gusher of superheated steam out of his wand through the doorway.

Rage, Equinox, Wizbang, Windul, Nuanna and Agulhas, take 12 hit points.

Vanadil, Sian, Birch, Vastelle, Edelle, Callie, Umboth, Melissa, Seraph, Logan and Beauty take 23 hit points.

Wizbang, Vastelle, Edelle, Umboth and Nuanna all drop.

"Stay high!" commands the cleric. The formerly charmed fighter flies up to the ceiling of the room.

Zanax curses the loss of his Holy Avenger as he draws his frost brand and attacks the fighter.

The paladin is chopped for 6 hit points while drawing his frost brand. He swings back, and misses, as the fighter flies away from him and turns invisible.

After Beauty gets off her Dispel Magic on the rope, she rushes to Sian to provide healing ...

"Beauty don't worry bout me....the wish fixed me up...that is just old blood on me," says Sian as he starts reaching for his bow.

"Okay ... glad to hear it!" Beauty calls out, moving to work on the mage that Kailar is struggling with, totally unconcerned with her nudity, but stepping carefully around the combatants ...

"Hey Kailar...need me to silence...er... it?" she calls out, readying to cast a spell

"Cast it directly on me, Beauty."

Kailar will not resist the spell.

"You got it!" Beauty whispers, winking as she casts the spell on Kailer.

The spell fails, as the scalding steam proves to be too much of a distraction for Beauty.

Kailar turns scarlet before turning invisble.

"All my friends come here if you need a weapon," says Sian to his followers.

"Does that mean me too?" Logan asks after he views the damage of the missile against the female devil. "And I was kidding about Kad, meaning I should be the one to beat him up, not kill him. Sheesh, talk about misunderstanding,"

"Bad time for a joke," says Aron.

"Well, Beauty has told me that my sense of timing is a tad off," he says as he looks at her and blows her a kiss.

"If you can use my swords use them," says Sian as followers start getting to him.

He will let them take the frost brand, cutlass and the giant slayer. He will continue to use his bow untill the devil is dead.

"When that devil is dead someone get to Kad and use his weapons," shouts Sian.

Logan will listen to Sian on that point and he will recover any blade he can get his hand on.

Windul is faster, though, as he struggles through the searing steam to reach his master. He grabs the ring off his finger and places it on his own.

"I wish Kadlian were alive and well!" he gasps.

Kadlian sits up and opens his eyes.

He sees...

A dead mage.

Through the doorway, the cleric and the two fighters moving up towards the ceiling of the north room.

Kailar and Zanax are in that room.

Sian, Equinox, Aron, Rage, Hlarn, Birch, Vanadil, Windul (right beside him and wearing the wish ring), Nuanna, Callie, Agulhas, Seraph, Logan (also beside him), Beauty and Fleetwing are in this room. All of these people are alive, though some are injured thanks to the steam.

Lying on the floor are Wizbang, Vastelle, Edelle, Umboth and Melissa, unconscious or dead.

Suddenly the south door opens, and out rush five fire beetles!

"Shoo! Shoo!" shouts the voice of the devil from behind them.

The slowly disapating steam cloud continues to scald.

Sian, Agulhas, Logan, Equinox, Beauty and Rage take 7 hit points.

Birch takes 13 hit points.

Callie and Seraph drop.

Zanax leaps up and levitates to take the battle to the fighter. He tries to shoot sparks at the fighter just before swinging his frost brand.

The sparks sizzle into the fighter. As Zanax approaches them, they move off.

"Come down here you coward!"

"You stinking son of a bitch!" Beauty shouts as her spell fails.

As soon as she is able, she begins casting again .. this time a 'Dust Devil" and she will attempt to end it toward the steam cloud pushing it toward the stinking cleric.

"Windul? My wish worked?"

Windul nods.

Kadlian looks at all the naked flesh running around. "Not completely, it looks like. I asked for all of you to have the equipment you had when you died."

"Oh. I didn't know that," says the elf.

Kadlian levers himself up from the floor and quickly looks around.

Kadlian reaches over his back and draws his spare longsword and tosses it to Windul. Kadlian gathers up the rope and tosses it to Windul as well. "Do your best and try not to get killed. If you can figure out how to work it, use it on the cleric."

Windul nods, taking the blade and the rope.

Logan fires another barrage of magic missiles at the devil, hoping to kill her.

His first spell does not affect her, however, his second does. The devil utters a horrible screech as the missiles blast into her, and she drops dead into a pool of her own stinking ichor.

Logan runs over to the downed party members, looking for a weapon. Unfortunately, the six downed followers were unarmed. He also notes that they are now dead, too.

"Argulhas, get your naked ass over here and get my scrolls," the mage says.

Agulhas, grimacing at the welts rising on his skin, makes a dash for Rage, saying, "Death wasn't so bad anyway."

Seeing her scroll case, he takes it and opens it. Within are four scrolls (1: contact other plane, animate dead, cone of cold, animal growth; 2: Serten's spell immunity; 3: fire shield, ice storm, polymorph other; 4: ray of enfeeblement).

Hlarn shouts, "Got any spells that might take out that mage indirectly? Some sort of anti-magic around him."

"He's a cleric, Hlarn, not a mage."

Rage moves closer to the doorway. She casts Rock-to-Mud on the ceiling over the cleric's head...

The cleric sees her starting her spell, and levels his wand at her. Another gusher of steam shoots out, engulfing her and ruining her spell. Rage suffers 27 hit points of damage, and drops.

Hlarn casts a spell. Then, he seems to do many things very quickly.

Aron will go help Kailar and Zanax - throwing a spear through the steam cloud at the cleric. It misses its target.

Kailar grabs the body of the dead mage and flies back over the latest steam cloud into the room with all of his companions.

He then drags the fallen out of harm's way.

Kadlian attacks a fire beetle, as do Sian and Vanadil.

Kadlian is bitten for 6 hit points. He then kills the offending beetle.

Sian connects right off, and kills a beetle.

Vanadil and her target both miss.

Birch shakes off his lethargy and casts a faerie fire at the second fighter, who lights up.

Windul pauses, considers his options, and then rushes into the north room through the steam cloud. You hear him scream, and he drops, his skin blistering horribly.

Nuanna drags people out of the clouds of steam.

Hlarn seems to slow down to a normal pace. He is reading a scroll.

Beauty is one third of the way through casting her spell.

Two fighters and a cleric remain flying up near the ceiling of the north room. Three fire beetles remain in the large octagonal room.

"Yeah, baby," Logan mutters as he goes over to the decomposing body of the devil and grabs whatever weapons she has.

Her only weapon is a dagger.

"Damn! Sian and Vanadil take care of the beetles. Agulhas, we need some support. Take out that cleric! Beauty, see if you can revive Rage and stabilize the others."

"Logan, if you want a sword, come here and borrow my longsword. Just keep it away from that cleric."

Kadlian sprints towards the cleric and gathers himself for a jump and a swing.

Zanax shouts "Your bow, Kadlian! Your bow!"

"Everyone who can fire bolts, arrows or whatnot concentrate on the cleric. I can't harm him, but I'll get the fighters. Careful of the antimagic."

"Those without missile weapons finish off those bugs and drag the wounded out of here."

Kadlian stops after a few steps and draws his bow.

"Give them the option to surrender?" asks Aron.

"How many of us have they killed?"

"They might be defending themselves - we are the intruders here."

"Death to them all!" shouts Hlarn. "Remember they had Furgh's head. This group is hunting us, not simply defending itself!"

"We did not attack them and this is a ruin, not their town. The demon had a former party member's head. They knew we were coming and they were waiting for us."

"And they consorted with a demon."

"What if they were charmed by the demon into helping it? Those fighters may only be following orders."

"Use your head, Aron, our charm was dispelled. If the fighters were charmed previously that would have been dispelled at the same time, and yet he still fights us. We will finish this group off... no more discussion. Do something useful and see to the wounded."

Hlarn turns to Equinox. "Take out that ceiling!"

"Plus, what would we do with prisoners?"

"Tie them up."

Zanax shouts, "They're all evil! Any other questions?"

"Yes. Would it be 'good' for us to spare them their lives in return for information on the artifact we seek?"

"Their heads will tell us all we need to know! Now be silent on our purposes!"

"Votishal commands that I slay those that are evil. Hlarn can gain the information from their dead bodies later."

"Ok. I was just suggesting an alternative."

"That is all right. It is just a touchy subject right now."

Aron sees to the wounded.

Suddenly the argument becomes moot.

The cleric calmly places the end of the wand in his mouth. An instant later he explodes in a cloud of scalding steam, blood and gore, inundating Zanax and Kadlian.

"Ouch, now that's got to hurt," Logan remarks.

Simultaneously, the two warriors calmly behead themselves.

The corpses fall to the floor.

"That too," he says with a grin as he sees the battle ending. "Thanks to whoever wished us back, what happened?"

Next, the remaining fire beetles stop dead in their tracks. Sian and Vanadil easily kill them.

"Geez! What the hell was that?" Beauty asks in stunned surprise.

Zanax frowns and sheathes his sword "Better than they deserved, if you ask me."

He checks the bodies for evil and treasure. He then tries to locate the device that allowed them to fly.

Hlarn immediately begins surveying the wounded, casting a death's door on Rage to get her back on her feet fastest.

Rage regains consciousness.

"I can offer some small healing .. but not much ... and I'm not doing so hot myself ... " Beauty says slowly, suddenly realizing the extent of the burns on her naked body.

"Uh ..... " she gasps softly before slumping to the ground.

Kadlian helps stabilize the wounded close to death with his two cure light wound spells. "Sian, Equinox, can you pitch in as well, please? Maybe we can get a few more on their feet."

"So... She does have some skill after all. She's a cleric?"

He takes off his cloak and lays it over Sally, Edelle and Vastelle.

Zanax lays on hands Beauty for 18 hit points of healing.

Beauty wakes slowly, looking up at Zanax in surprise. "Uh .. thank you... I'm sorry ... I guess I'm not good with my own wounds ... "

She looks around. "I think I can now help a little ... though I think I would like a cloak to cover myself with please .... "

Zanax removes his cloak and covers Beauty with it. You're not sure, but he seems to be distracted.

"Thank you Zanax," Beauty says softly, pulling the cloak tight around herself, wincing slightly as the material rubs her burns.

She leans in closer and whispers to Zanax.

Zanax nods reassuringly.

Rage looks around bewildered. "What in the wide, wide world of sports just happened?"

"Search the bodies. I'll take the heads once we are done with our companions." Hlarn unsheaths a glowing dagger (continual light only) from his belt and tosses it over by the cleric's body to see if the antimagic is still in effect.

It is gone. The cleric's head is in many little pieces.

Zanax picks up what used to be his Holy Avenger and looks at the cleric "That's twice now some sort of anti-magic field has hit us. I wonder if it's an item or a spell."

Hlarn nods. "I'll ask Silverbeard once we have time."

"Let's get out of here and back to camp as fast as possible."

Hlarn remembers to collect the head of Furgh from the pool of ichor.

Kadlian surveys the death and destruction. "What about the dead? A fair number of them are elves."

Kadlian goes over to Windul and carefully picks up the body while removing the ring on Windul's finger and placing it on his own.

Hlarn comments. "I can raise those not of elvish blood. If there is still a wish in that ring we might want to use it. However there is time later for that. I'd like to questions some of these heads, Furgh in particular first. He should have appeared with the others long dead, but did not. Perhaps his soul knows why, if it still exists."

"Try another wish That ring has done at least three wishes now and it hasn't crumbled to dust or anything," suggests Kailar. "I have to feed Sir now. Are we about done for the day?"

Kadlian nods and numbly goes back to helping with the bodies and the equipment. "I hope the treants are all right."

"I would say it is a blessing that Furgh did not come back. His arrogance likely caused this."

Zanax starts casually walking towards Kailar.

A few moments later, Zanax returns and heads toward Kadlian. Consoling the elf, he puts his arm on Kadlian's shoulder. "Now's not the time to mourn for your followers' deaths." He pauses "Let us remove their bodies to the surface and give them a proper burial."

"I did not bring them back only to have them die immediately thereafter. And they will not be buried in Mestom. If we cannot bring them back, then I will save some hair from each of them and burn their bodies."

Hlarn pulls out his candle and lights it.

Using the extra spell levels granted (one in each level), he casts death's door on Windul.

He casts a cure light wounds the person he just cast death's door upon.

Windul sits up and blinks.

He casts a cure serious wounds spell on Rage to bring her to positive hit points so she can be of use.

He renews his Find Traps spell, so that you don't run into anything unexpected on the way out.

He finally casts Raise Dead upon Wizbang.

Wizbang groans, and lives.

Once finished he snuffs out the candle.

Equinox says, "I have 2 Cure Serious Wounds and 4 Cure Light Wounds to pass around as needed."

"Take the most seriously wounded. We will take a day or two to get everyone back on their feet."

Equinox casts one Cure Serious Wounds upon himself, another on Sian and offers the four Cure Light Wounds to anyone who asks for them.

Zanax nods. "Kailar, could you join us here for a moment before you leave to feed Sir?"

Kailar approaches the group.

"What's the matter?"

Kadlian shrugs. "When you wished us back to health in the fight in the Black Keep, what were the exact words? I tried to bring back everyone with all of their equipment and, as you can see, I was not completely successful. If we try again, I would like to do a better job."

"I don't remember my exact words. I think the difference might have been, that back then everyone who was dead had been dead for a short while, except Findas. And he didn't come back with his hoard."

Kadlian snaps his fingers. "That is right. I had forgotten. Okay, so that is a limitation of the wish. Thanks for reminding, Kailar. I thought I had messed up the wording."

Currently, Vastelle, Edelle, Callie, Umboth, Melissa and Seraph are dead.

On the remains of the enemy, you find the following items which look of interest or value...

Mage: four travelling spell books, a blank scroll, a wand, a scroll, two rings and a handkerchief.

Cleric: plate mail, hammer, wand, two rings.

Fighter: splint mail, shield, longsword, two rings.

Fighter: two rings, splint mail, shield, longsword.

Devil: rope of entanglement.

You find nothing else of interest.

The room to the south where the beetles came from measures 40' square (20' west, 10' east, 40' south). There is nothing of interest or value there.

You gather up the goodies and the dead, and trudge out of the dungeon.

When you get outside you see that it is evening. The newly living see that they have been beneath a ruin on the shores of a small lake. The area is marshy and wooded, the temperature mild...at least by your standards for January.

You return to camp. It is as it was when the party left it this morning. The treants report that no one has been here.

With the clerics working full-time, it will take days to get everyone who is alive back up to full health.

next day...

return to January, 1372 page.