October 1, 1371

It is late morning, then, when you arrive before the doors.

Five hours before you departed, Hlarn cast five endure heat spells upon party members. The other clerics did the same, following with endure cold spells once the heat spells are used. He then rested and relearned his spells. The party still has a few hours of protection in the Temple with this long duration spell.

"Kailar, check for any invisible friends inside. If it is all clear, Rage can start casting against the clay golem while Zanax, Sian and I tackle the stone one."

Hlarn smiles. "Be quick about it... I'm sure those things pack a hard punch. You'll not be able to stand more than a few blows."

Hlarn plans to stand nearby. If a fighter falls he'll be ready to pull him out and then pick up his blade and take his place.

Hlarn then shakes his head, changing his mind. "Zanax. You have two blades correct? Let me use the frost brand while you use your avenger. The faster we get this thing down the safer we'll all be. That sort of blade isn't my prefered weapon, but I can still use it. The four of us can surround it on all sides and take it down."

"If we can get four around it, then do so."

Zanax draws out his Frostbrand and hands it to Hlarn. He then slings his shield onto his back so that he can use the Holy Avenger two-handed.

Zanax also turns invisible. "I'm going to try and get behind the stone golem when we enter."

"Don't bother." Furgh says, with a grin. "They can see invisible things just fine and dandy."

"Sian, I will go left and you can go right. Hlarn, take its back if you can get there."

Hlarn smiles. "Listen to your paladin. He just said he'd take the back. And he's more likely to accomplish it too with his invisibility."

Kadlian shakes his head. "Guess I was thinking he was going to take it from behind up top..."

"Up top?" Zanax asks. "How can I, considering I can't fly nor am I 9 feet tall!"

"But if it's a tight squeeze and there isn't enough room for Zanax I'll take it. I'm smaller and faster than the rest of you brutes."

"Otherwise just take the front."

Agulhas adds, "It might not hurt to have me cast a hold portal on the far doors, just to make it more difficult for any other baddies to come to the rescue of their golems. A wizard could open them easily enough, but any others would have to break them down, thus giving us ample warning. Just an idea..."

"It sounds like a good idea to me. One thing we do not want is any additional foes to fight."

Hlarn nods. "Go for it. I believe they only have one wizard left, and if we see him we have other problems, for he is a vampire. But you've got the wand of light, so you're responsible for him in any case."

"A vampire!" Furgh says, suddenly not smiling at all. He starts berating himself for not bringing his garlic.

Hlarn nods, smiling. "Yes, a sorcerer to boot. Rage could probably tell you what that means exactly and what powers he may have at such strength. His name is Fields if you care about such things."

Hlarn asks Equinox. "Despite the wall of stone around the golem, I'm worried it may be strong enough to break it down. Can you use your stone shape spell to reshape the stone under its feet, trapping its legs? From experience with Kal using the spell I know you can't work too much stone, but you should be able to sink each of the thing's legs in three or so feet of rock."

"What you are asking is possible," replies Equinox, "but I would have to touch the stone in order to shape it. If the golem is strong enough to break down the stone wall, I do not think that I will be able to get that close to it without getting whacked. But, maybe if I was invisible . . ."

"IF from what Furgh has observed, that the golems are not activated until we are near them, then a 10 foot coffin of stone should provide ample protection. Furthermore, I should be able to shape it such that the creature will have little or no mobility, so strength is irrelevant," replies Rage.

You open the doors and peer in.

The hall itself is as it was before: 50' wide and running west for 200'. A double row of black granite pillars run down the centre, supporting the arched ceiling some 80' overhead. The floors are of black granite as well...brightly polished and shot with flecks of silver.

In the 80' - 90' section of the north wall is an opening. Standing there at the entrance to the opening, but not within it, is a clay golem.

In the 110' - 120' section of the same wall is another opening. Standing there at the entrance to the opening, but not within it, is a stone golem.

In the 130' - 140' section of the same wall is a third opening. Only a few grains of rust mark where the iron golem that once guarded it stood.

In the middle of the far wall is a 10' wide opening. It is 10' deep, and there is a door at the back. The iron golems that guarded this exit are gone, too, courtesy of the rust monsters.

Only a few ashes on the floor in the southeast corner of the hall mark the location where the flesh golem stood.

You head in.

Furgh goes over to where the flesh golem stood, and starts to poke around.

He immediately finds a secret door, in the east wall, south corner.

Kadlian, Sian, Hlarn and Zanax move towards the stone golem. As they pass the clay golem, they see that the opening it guards is 10' deep, with a door at the back. As they approach the stone golem, they see that it too stands before a 10' deep alcove with a door at the back of it.

As they close on the creation, it suddenly animates, and speaks:

"Halt. Ye cannot open this door without first answering this question: 'Who the hell is Peter Packer?'"

Rage moves in and casts wall of stone, creating a wall around the clay golem.

A slightly curving wall appears before it and joined to either side of the walls of the opening, sealing the clay golem in.

Agulhas half jokes, "Gee, if we could fill that wall of stone with water, would the clay golem turn to mud?"

He chuckles.

"Who the hell cares!" says the ranger to the golem.

Kadlian moves to the left of the creature and starts swinging with his frostbrand and flame tongue.

"Hope we don't need to go through the door he was guarding."

Sian starts swinging at the golem trying not to get hit.

Zanax contacts Kadlian "This is Red 5, I'm going in!" Zanax takes a two handed whack at the stone golem with the Holy Avenger, activiating the sword's Dispel Magic ability to see if it has any affect on the golem.

Kadlian sends back, "This is Red Leader, watch your back."

Hlarn too begins whacking at the golem with the frost brand.

Furgh, who was examining the secret door for its means of opening, suddenly finds himself distracted by the battle.

He wanders over to stand next to Agulhas, occassionaly pantomiming jabs and punches, and wincing at appropriate moments.

Agulhas casts a fly spell and ascends some 30 feet into the air to monitor the doors of the room, watching for any to open. He plans to pelt any non-golem enemies that do enter the room with magic missiles.

"Agulhas, do not bother using the hold portal spell unless you have enough for all the doorways. Those not in immediate combat, take your pick and guard a door."

"Already made that decision, Kadlian," replies Agulhas from above with a grin.

"Good man! You are learning."

"Can you tell from your vantage is there is another in that other alcove that the iron golem was guarding?"

Rage turns invisible again.

The golem attacks as you do. Kadlian lands a beautiful hit on the golem. The golem belts Kadlian, doing him no damage but sending him sailing through the air like a tweety-bird, to finally land with a thump some 20' away. At the same time, the ranger feels himself slooooow down.

Zanax tries to maneuver in behind with his holy sword, chipping a bit of stone off its knee.

Sian attacks at the same time, but misses.

Hlarn finishes off, and a large hunk of stone falls off the creation.

As Kadlian slowly rises to his feet, the golem spins about and turns on Hlarn. The dwarf is belted for 12 hit points and knocked sprawling. Zanax connects again, and the golem is crumbling fast, now. Sian finishes it off, and it collapses to rubble.

Agulhas, meanwhile, has flown over to the opening in the north wall that the iron golem guarded. As expected, the alcove is 10' deep, and there is a door at the back of it.

All of the golems seem to be taken care of.

Furgh finds the trick to the secret door, and you open it.

On the other side is a small room (10' square) with a door in the east wall.

The room is bare.

"Ha." Furgh says, peering into the room. "That don't seem so bad. Not a grue in sight."

Kadlian whispers. "Zanax, is the evil on the other side of that door?"

Zanax nods. "I think so...let me check again."

Zanax scans the room and the other side of the door for evil.

Zanax whispers, "The evil is on the other side of that door." Zanax turns invisible and draws his Frostbrand.

"Get ready. Sian, Gnarsh and Taris, prepare yourselves. You four are going through the door first."

"Rage and Agulhas, ready your magic missiles and perhaps a lightning bolt or two."

"I'll just stand over here," Furgh says, pointing off to one side.

"Probably not a bad idea."

Hlarn says a quick prayer for the party, and then invokes Silverbeard's blessings.

"Who's opening the door?" Zanax whispers.

"Have Sian do it. If he cannot simply open it, have Gnarsh bash it."

"Would it be preferable for me to slide under and take a peek?" asks Kailar.

Hlarn shakes his head. "Zanax can look just as easily, and quite a bit more safely too."

Zanax whispers, "I could look, but it's too dark for me to see. Even the last time I stuck my dagger underneath the door, I couldn't see much of anything. Let's just open the door."

Zanax takes a deep breath and awaits the opening of the door.

Sian draws his frost brand and goes to open the door.

"Everyone ready?"

Taris draws his dancing sword and waits until everyone is ready.

Sian and Gnarsh open the door. Beyond is a large crypt (10' north, 10' south, 60' east and on into darkness). The place is damp and musty. There are many stone boxes and coffins on the floor. Bones lie scattered about.

As the door opens, you see movement within. Two skeletal figures sit up from their respective coffins, then climb out. A third skeleton, seemingly alive with disgusting, slimy worms, staggers towards you. And finally, floating towards you comes what appears to be a large white sheet.

Sasha gasps at the sight of the latter, for she has seen its kind before: in the haunted house in Sandas that she and another party once tried to clear.

Hlarn holds up his holy symbol and commands, "Begone evil things!"

The two skeletal figures quail before the power of Silverbeard, and flee back into the darkness. The sheet-thing also turns and flees...followed by the worm infested corpse.

He looks at Agulhas. "The wand of light. Use it now and as often as you can till they are gone!"

Furgh, unable to just sit while stuff happens, pokes his head around the corner to see what's up, sees the undead, hears Hlarn's words, and pulls his head back again, covering his eyes from the soon to be coming light show.

Equinox, not being of much use in this battle, stays back with Furgh and lets the others deal with these undead.

"Zanax, use your holy avenger. Keep that ghost away from us. Taris, back off and let me take your position. A couple of hits from that ghost and you will not be able to walk upright."

Kadlian draws both of his blades and switches with Taris.

Taris drops back and lets Kadlian take his place, taking out his holy symbol and standing ready should they return.

You advance carefully into the room. It runs 70' to the east, and there, in the northwest corner, cower the undead.

Hlarn squints his eyes preparing for the light, and begins casting an aid spell for whomever most needs it to help protect them from the undead.

Preparing for the light to come flying from behind, Sian draws his other sword and advances on one of the skeletons.

"There better not be anything else in those coffins."

"Any of you need a light?" asks Agulhas of the undead as he raises the wand and shouts, "Telanias!"

There is a flash of light, and all of the undead but for the wormy corpse are reduced to ashes.

It, however, begins to advance on you.

Taris brandishes his holy symbol at it without effect.

Kailar casts a Spectral Force of a blast of light like Agulhas' wand. It pays no attention whatsoever.

Zanax drops his Frostbrand to the side and draws the Holy Avenger.

The undead comes at him. He feels a palpable aura of fear emanating from it, but he stands firm.

Agulhas releases the power of the wand again.

The undead vanishes.

You relax.

Hlarn speaks up. "I can't remember these things names, but I remember enough from my studies to know that those worms are dangerous. If they infest you you'll transform into one of those things. I don't know what, if anything, can be done to stop the infestation."

Hlarn also comments about the skeletons. "Lots of undead take on just a skeletal form. Don't underestimate them."

Zanax adds, "Beware of the sheet undead...it will try to envelop you and choke the life from you."

Hlarn gives Zanax a look. "Are you serious? I've never heard of such an apparation."

Zanax shrugs "Something I read...a sheet phantom, I believe. You should be able to easily turn it, if not destroy it, with your holy symbol."

Searching the crypt, you find no more undead. You do turn up 400sp, though.

"Excellent work, everyone. I suggest we look behind the door that was guarded by the stone golem. I have this sneaking suspicion that that the golems served as guards to important rooms. I wonder who we have blocked in behind the clay golem.

"Oh, and Rage, we may have to face the possibility of someone removing that stone wall. So, we may need to come up with an even more permanent solution."

"Everyone, keep on your guard."

Zanax shrugs. "There's only one way to find out...although, I'm not sure we want to do that right now."

Zanax detects evil behind the clay golem door when they get back into the golem room.

He detects evil through the wall of stone and presumably behind the door.

You continue on to the door that the stone golem had guarded. After detecting no evil and finding no traps, you open the door.

You are confronted with a 10' square room, barren but for its single occupant: a large, clanking machine, vaguely human-shaped, but with a clear glass(?) head, claws at the ends of its extendable rubber arms, and myriad blinking lights festooning its body.

It rolls through the door and greets you as you gape in surprise.

"HELLO, JOHN ROBINSON!" it says in a metallic voice to Kadlian.

"HELLO, JUNE ROBINSON!" it says to Sasha.

"HELLO, DON WEST!" it says to Hlarn.

"HELLO, JUDY ROBINSON!" it says to Furgh.

"HELLO, PENNY!" it says to Rage.

"HELLO, WILL ROBINSON!" it says to Kailar.

"HELLO, DOCTOR SMITH..." it concludes, to Zanax.

Zanax looks upon the monstrosity in surprise. He stutters,

"Ummm...Greetings...who are you and what are you doing here?"

"WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO FREE ME, DOCTOR SMITH!"

Kadlian gets right down to business.

"Please state your purpose and your name for the benefit for the group."

"I AM ROBOT MODEL B-9. MY PURPOSE IS TO SERVE AND PROTECT!"

"And please state for our new friends your capabilities."

The robot bows clumsily.

"I AM ABLE TO FUNCTION IN HARSH ENVIRONMENTS. BATTLING BUG-EYED MONSTERS IS A SPECIALTY. AND, I AM VERY GOOD AT BEING THE BUTT OF DOCTOR SMITH'S INSULTS!"

An invisible Rage scratches her invisible head and then speaks to the robot. "B-9, I declare you are free and able to aid us on our quest."

"THANK YOU, PENNY. I WILL DO SO TO THE BEST OF MY HUMBLE ABILITIES."

"Whom do you serve?" Zanax asks the robot dubuiously.

"I SERVE THE ROBINSONS, DOCTOR SMITH."

You head west to the next alcove in the north wall. The robot follows you, whistling a tuneless electronic tune.

Zanax whispers to Rage, "Is this some sort of golem as well?"

This was the alcove guarded by the iron golem. There is a door at the back of it. After doing the usual detects, you open it.

Before you is a 10' wide passage running north. After 20' it opens up into a large chamber.

You move forward and look in.

The chamber measures 110' square (50' east, 50' west, 110' north), and is dimly lit from above. The ceiling is 80' high, and is vaulted. There are no obvious exits. The floor of the chamber is of six different colours. A 10' wide pathway leads into a triangular-shaped area in the centre, of polished grey marble. The southwest section of the chamber has a floor of turquoise-coloured stone. The floor to the northwest is of crimson red. The north is an area of rusty-red floor. There is a 20' diameter pool there. The northeast section of the chamber has a floor - if you can call it that - of rough-hewn granite. The floor in the southeast part of the chamber is of green stone. There is another 20' diameter pool here, too.

The chamber is quiet, and appears to be unoccupied.

Rage speaks to Dr. Smith, "I think that it is a golem, but one I have never heard of before. However it seems to like us, and may be able to help us on our quest. Most golems do not speak as this one does, but then again, I will have to study. Perhaps ask Occa even."

Zanax regards the chamber for a moment before commenting "Kind of eerie, ain't it? I wonder what this room is for?"

Furgh nods faintly. "Talk about atmosphere." He whistles, impressed.

"Ya s'pose this is where all those elementals are s'posed ta be hangin' out?" He points to the various parts of the room. "See... fire, water, earth, hrmm... wonder which is air...? The bluish-green bit maybe? Gotta be somethin' neat, if they plopped two a those big iron guys in front of 'er."

Zanax squints, as he looks over the room again "Oh, that would make sense...I wonder where Walter is?"

"Walter?" Furgh peers at Zanax quizically. "Yer not gonna start renamin' everyone too now, are ya?" He grins. "Coupl'a pools down there. Most likely that one over there." He points to the southeast corner and smile. "'Course, could just be a wierd lookin' room."

"I'm mot renaming anything. One of the heads Hlarn interrogated said one of the elementals was Walter." Zanax shrugs, as if it makes no sense to him either.

"Really?" Furgh says, delighted. "Guess It's my turn not ta pay attention." He winks at Zanax, then looks back into the room. "Wonder if Walter's a water elemental?"

"Maybe we could roll the clay golem in here and then release it. Might make an interesting battle, except against the earth elemental...probably get squished."

Furgh grins. "That sounds int'resetin'..." He frowns slightly. "But won't the anti-magic stuff just sorta shut the golem down? Wouldn't make for much fun if he just sorta lays there."

He smiles brightly. "Guess one can just try it, and find out."

He glances over at Kadlian. "Want I should check it out, Boss?"

"Later. We will definitely come back here later. But, not now. Let us use the clerical protections while we have them."

"Why not here?" Furgh asks. "One room's as good as the next, neh?"

"Because no one has detected anything. We have bigger fish to fry right now. A vampire mage, a few demons, some elementals, another golem and who knows how many other humanoids..."

"I dunno," he says, dubiously. "Ten gold says there's plenty a fish right down there. Sure we shouldn't just scope it out? See if anythin' flushes... 'Could just stroll on down, and stroll on back. Wouldn't take a minute."

Kadlian sighs and waves a hand. "Go. We will be at the other door. Kailar will not spike the door until you come back out."

Furgh scratches his head and frowns slightly. "What? Ya'd just wander off? Not very sociable."

He grins. "We elves are all exhibitionists at heart, donchaknow."

He shrugs slightly. "If ya don't care what's might be down there, just say so. Sure it'll wait, just thought, since we was here... I can check it later, while Equinox is havin' a ball with the clay golem." He smiles cheerfully. "We elves do like ta be efficient, after all."

"Oh. I thought I had been pretty clear. We will come back to this room later and also deal with the clay golem later. Let us go find the big boys."

"They're big women...or did you forget already that all high priests of the bird lady are women!" Zanax points to the hole that used to be in Kadlian's chest.

Kadlian grins. "Sorry, big girls."

"B-9 do you have any detection abilities? If so, can you tell me about the pool in the southeast part of the chamber. Also, do you see any others in this room who might not be visible to the normal eye?" Rage says to the creature.

"I AM VERY GOOD AT DETECTING DANGER. I DETECT NONE AT THIS TIME, PENNY."

"He can obviously see invisible things too... Penny." Furgh offers with a grin. "Boy, this is even niftier then Forbor."

He goes over and starts examining the construct with interest.

"Who's Peter Packer?" he asks.

"THAT NAME DOES NOT COMPUTE, JUDY ROBINSON."

"Welcome to the club." Furgh replies with a grin.

"B-9, please do not shout. I can hear you fine. We need a name for you other than B-9. How about Robbie, short for Robert?"

"I AM NOT SHOUTING, PENNY. AS FOR THE NAME...IT HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN."

"Please lower your volume, B-9. No need to go attracting danger."

Zanax turns to B-9 "Have you been in this room before and do you know its purpose?"

"NEGATIVE, DOCTOR SMITH! NEGATIVE, DOCTOR SMITH!"

Zanax's voice suddenly squeaks "Yes, you bucket of bolts, quiet down. You'll attract all sorts of dangerous creatures. Oh, my!" Zanax's hand suddenly cups to his mouth, as if trying to stop himself from talking. His eyes bulge in disbelief that he said such things.

The robot sniffs, rotates his body 180 degrees, and rolls back out into the hall of former golems.

"Good work Zanax. Excellent work," the mage says sarcatically.

"B-9... B-9." calls Rage. "Dr. Smith did not mean that. You know him, he is always acting strange. That is why we are here, we hope the pool will cure him. Can you help us B-9? Please?"

The robot stops and spins around again.

"I WILL HELP YOU AS BEST I CAN, PENNY," he says. He then adds, "HE NEVER DID LIKE ME."

"Yes Robot, don't pay attention to anything Dr. Smith says."

"AFFIRMATIVE, WILL ROBINSON! I WILL IGNORE HIM FROM NOW ON."

"Harumph!" goes Dr. Smith.

Dr. Smith begins to wag his right index finger at B-9. "Now you listen to me, you... you... tin can! You can't ignore me. I forbid it!" Dr. Smith begins to stamp his right foot on the floor in front of B-9. "Do you hear me???!!!"

Dr. Smith scowls "Impudent child!"

Will ignores the scowling paladin and turns back to the robot.

"He's just upset because he lost his bracers."

"See what we mean B-9?" replies the invisible Penny.

"NEGATIVE, PENNY ROBINSON! I AM IGNORING HIM, SO I HAVE PROGRAMMED MY AUDIO-FILTRATION CIRCUIT TO MUTE HIS VOICE."

"Excellent B-9" replies Rage.

"I wish he could teach me how to do that." mutters Kailar.

Dr. Smith puts the back of his right hand to his forehead "Ah! I'm surrounded by insufferable fools who don't respect me for the genius I am. Surely, B-9, you must see the greatness in me!"

Furgh looks around, a slightly puzzled look on his smiling face. "Must be somethin' in the air," he says, finally. "Turned everyone inta closet thespians."

He grins. "Either that, or ya've all gone batty..."

Rage... Ummm...Penny... begins to laugh.

"B-9, we all have to learn to ignore Dr. Smith. It can be hard at times, with his attitude. Stick with me, B-9, and do not listen to Dr. Smith," Rage says with an invisible smirk.

Zanax pouts, mumbling to himself something about "...ungrateful...why if it wasn't for me..."

"I WILL, PENNY. YOU AND WILL ROBINSON ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THING."

"I know B-9. I know." replies Rage (Penny Robinson). "Will is also smart. I hope that you will stay with us a while and help Will and I, warning when Danger is nearby. I forget, how far does your detection work?" she asks B-9.

"THAT DEPENDS, PENNY ROBINSON. I CAN SMELL A RAT LIKE DOCTOR SMITH A MILE AWAY."

Rage laughs out loud. "Ok, Rat's one mile. What about other hostile creatures?"

"USUALLY LINE OF SIGHT, PENNY ROBINSON."

Furgh smiles, and pats the mechanical creature on the dome. "Don't worry, B-9. If the Doc says somethin' like that again, I'll go kick him in the shins for ya."

Hlarn turns to one of the magicians. "How about checking to see if either of the pools are magical."

"Sorry, detect magic is not in my lists for today. Let is move on and we can explore this pool later. I'm dungeon loaded, and let's get kicking some bad guy ass." the mage says.

Zanax interjects "I believe Equinox has one...right Equinox?"

"Yes, I do," says Equinox, and casts detect magic.

As a matter of fact, the entire chamber radiates magic.

Zanax whistles ."Wow...I wonder if it is the elementals, which are supposedly on this level, do they all attack at once or could we face them one at a time like the golems?"

Hlarn is ready to fight. "Why don't we enter and see?"

Hlarn looks over at Zanax. "Use your avenger. Elementals aren't usually considered evil, but your sword should keep them from actually touching you with its protection abilities. And I'll need the frost blade again. I doubt my own axe could harm them."

"I think Kadlian wanted to tackle the elementals later. But if not, I would rather use my Frost Brand, as they are not evil and I am much better at using the long sword. Is you axe magical? If so, it should be able to harm them. Oh, by the way, my protection from them, assuming the elementals been summoned, comes from Votishal, not the Holy Avenger."

Hlarn nods. "My axe is magical, but my understanding is that elementals require highly magiced weapons to strike them, although not as magical as would be needed to fight the stone golem."

Hlarn shrugs. "I do not know if it would work or not."

"Hmmm...if that's the case then you may use my Frost Brand while I use the Holy Avenger. I would like to use the Frost Brand against the water elemental, though...and the fire if possible...for that is what the sword was made to fight!"

Hlarn smiles. "If we are able to fight them one by one you can do so, for then Sian, Kadlian and yourself can tripple team it and take it down quickly."

Hlarn looks at Kadlian. "You wanted to fight the big guys. Elementals qualify I think, if they are in there. I say lets send the robot in to check the room out, and then us fighters go in while the mages cover us from the door."

Kadlian looks at the others and sighs. "Okay, but one elemental at a time. Gnarsh, Sian, Taris, Zanax, Hlarn and myself stay in the room. Agulhas, Rage and Kailar support us from the rear. Sasha and Equinox heal the wounded and Furgh does the rescuing of downed fighters."

"We should split the fighters into two teams, in case we face more than one opponent. Zanax, Taris and Gnarsh in one team and Hlarn, Sian and myself in the other."

Zanax nods, as he draws and hands to Hlarn his Frost Brand. He then draws the Holy Avenger, watching for its light to be extinguished should they enter an anti-magic zone.

Zanax asks, "How do you think this works? Do we just step into the area or do we do something from the triangle?" Zanax looks a little over-anxious.

Hlarn points to the granite section. "Probably corresponds to earth. Lets start there."

"If any of the clerics have a prayer or blessing spell, please use it now."

"Wouldn't it be wiser to start with fire...as we are properly protected and armed against it." Zanax suggests.

"Say," interjects Agulhas. "I am by no means knowledgable in elemental lore, but what would happen if we caused all of the elementals to appear at once? Would the water and fire elementals fight one another? Air and earth? Are they natural enemies? Maybe we could somehow use them or trick them to neutralize one another." He shrugs. "Don't ask me how to do that, assuming we can even get them all to come out at the same time."

"And one other thing...Hlarn, I thought you said there were 5 elementals. Yet, there are 6 sections here...unless the middle triangle doesn't count. Say...Rage, what are the protective symbols used for elementals? I would recognize ones for demons and devils, but I don't know anything about ones for elementals."

Hlarn nods. "Five different sections, and the central place from which the elementals can be summoned or controlled I'm guessing."

Rage speaks, "I suspect that this is a casting room, to summon the creatures. One probably casts from the center triangle. Enough of this," she says.

"Uh... guys?" Furgh says, tentatively. "Are ya all forgettin' 'bout the anti-magic zone? S'posed ta be in there, neh?" He glances at Hlarn for confirmation. "If so, yer gonna have ta deal with these guys mano a mano. No spells."

Hlarn shakes his head. "I had thought the antimagic field was down below with the main Temple. But I may be mistaken. Do any of you have notes of those questions?"

"Hey, yer the headhunter." Furgh says, with a grin. "I'm just recallin' what you said the head's said."

He chuckles.

"The temple door down below had an anti-magic thingme of some sort, but there was also s'posed ta be a dispel magic zone in the Hall of Elementals. And that Hall was s'posed ta be on the same level as the golems, which were s'posed ta be on this level here."

"We already found the golems." He indicates the room before them. "If anything looks like a Hall Of Elementals.... that'd be it."

He pauses for a second, the grins. "S'pose we could test it." He digs around in his pouches for a moment, and pulls out a small rock. He glances at it for a moment, then hands it to Hlarn.

"You got a stronger arm." He adds, flexing his scrawny limb a bit. "Just say the the words, and give 'er a heave."

He tells Hlarn the words, which are an elvish phrase that translates simply as 'going down'.

Hlarn looks at the stone. "Testing is fine, but what does this rock do?"

"Makes some noise." Furgh replies, smiling. "If the room's gonna kill the magic, then it should stop, neh? Just give 'er a toss."

Hlarn looks at the magicians. "Elementals pack a punch, so hit them hard and fast. The room is plenty large enough for fireballs without harming us, but you know how best to use your magics."

The invisible Rage bites back a comment.

"B-9. What are your defensive capabilities, and how well do you withstand the effects of fire, water, ice and lightning?"

"I AM EQUIPPED TO DEFEND MYSELF, PENNY ROBINSON. I HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO DISCHARGE LARGE AMOUNTS OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY IN A VERY SHORT TIME. I AM FULLY CAPABLE OF FUNCTIONING IN HOSTILE ENVIRONMENTS AS WELL."

Zanax turns to the invisible Rage "Rage, please ask him how long he takes to re-charge, though."

"B-9, how long does it take you to recharge yourself after you discharge your weapon?" Rage asks.

"ONE HOUR, PENNY ROBINSON!"

"B-9, do not discharge your weapon unless either Will or Myself tells you to. Do you understand?" Rage says.

"AFFIRMATIVE, PENNY ROBINSON!"

"This could be the elemental summoning chamber. Something seems odd. I wonder what it is. B-9 Please approach the pool in the corner of the room, come to within 2 feet of it," commands Rage.

"Ya can't send B-9 in there. What if it disables him too?"

Hlarn gives the robot a look. "He's not magical, but mechanical. An object of that cursed art of Technology."

The robot spins around and faces Hlarn.

"WATCH IT, DON WEST! I HAVE FEELINGS, TOO!"

Once the robot heads into the room, Hlarn speaks the command word and tosses the stone after it along the same path it takes and invoke the command. No need to disturb more than one elemental if that is how things work...

The robot trundles off to the southeast, where the nearest pool is. Furgh's stone sails over his clear head, wailing -

"AAAaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

- it lands by the pool and continues to wail.

As the robot approaches the pool, though, the water stirs...then it seems to take substance...form...and the shape of an enormous standing wave...

"WARNING, WARNING! EXTREME DANGER, EXTREME DANGER!" says the robot, stopping and waving his arms around. "RUN, WILL AND PENNY, RUN! EXTREME DANGER! EXTREMEAGGGGG!"

- as suddenly the robot is belted by a watery pseudopod-thing. However, the attack merely washes off of the robot's chromework.

The rest of the chamber remains quiet.

Zanax frowns at Hlarn. "I can't believe you threw it at the water elemental! I need my sword back, quickly!"

"B-9, return to protect Penny. Rage, how about a fireball less than a foot above the pool? Everyone, back off to the doorway. Let us not waste our fire protection on this. Rage, if that is not far enough back, let us know and we can all retreat further down the hallway."

"No!" Zanax cries out. "I must defeat the water elemental to invoke the rest of my ring's powers."

Kadlian sighs. "Do you have to do this alone or do you want help?"

"Do what you think necessary, but I must face it hand-to-hand," Zanax replies.

"We will help if it will not prevent you from having your ring activated."

Hlarn tosses the blade back to Zanax.

"Go in with him Kadlian, Sian. I don't recall any prohibitions about him having to do it alone, only having to do it."

Kadlian nods and looks at Sian. "Ready?"

"Let's go play with that thing," says Sian as he follows Zanax. "Gee I wonder if it will turn to ice with all these frostbrands attacking it? Don't let them get stuck in it if they do."

Hlarn begins casting an aid spell for Zanax.

"Taris, thank you for the blessing. Sasha, how about a prayer spell?"

"Rage, Agulhas, if things look like they are not going well, toss a few magic missiles our way."

Hlarn shakes his head. "Do it anyway. We've got four more of these to kill today. You boys have to last longer than the first round."

Zanax then quickly marches toward the pool and prays outloud, "Votishal aid me!"

"Rage, forget the fireball. If he wants to do this, I will let him. Being able to activate that ring will prove useful to us in the long run."

Zanax throws Kadlian a smile and a wink as he sallies forth.

Rage laughs. "I never knew he cared Kadlian."

Furgh frowns as Zanax moves off. "Question," he mumbles. "Whadya call a person who actively and eagerly seeks ta destroy innocent creatures that ain't doin' nothin' to no one, just ta gain power?"

"I CALL HIM DOCTOR SMITH!" replies the robot, as he rolls back from the pool.

Hlarn gives the elf a look. "Don't worry, the elemental won't die. They are immortal. They'll only destroy its physical form and send its spirit back to the inner planes where it belongs, thus freeing it from the control of the Temple."

Furgh sighs slightly, shrugs, then grins.

"Guess the heads lied to ya," he adds to Hlarn. "Don't seem ta be no magic dispellin' zone in there. 'Less it ain't on the whole room."

Hlarn looks at the center of the room. "My guess is that if it is here it is the center. Perhaps elementals can't enter a non-magical area and thus it is a safe place to be."

"B-9, come here please," Rage calls.

"AFFIRMATIVE, PENNY ROBINSON!"

Zanax turns invisible as he heads toward the water elemental.

"Go ahead and soften it up some with magic missiles or the like, Rage. But no electricity... no need to electrocute the lot of them standing in the water," Hlarn says.

Rage sighs. "Argulhas, do you have an extra invisibility spell? I am out."

"Oh. Yeah. Sure." the other mage says. He prepares to unleash a battery of magic missiles himself.

"We can wait, to see how the battle is going before we cast, Argulhas. If necessary. As for the invisibility, that is good to know, keep it handy, we may need it."

Hlarn looks at Rage.

"You'll be fireballing the other elementals, but for the fire one of course, so your invisibility will fade in any case in this room, don't worry about it."

Hlarn watches the three approach. "Once Zanax has hit the thing once, blast the elemental with the missiles, both of you. We can't afford to be heavily wounded with protracted battles. The way I see it, one of us will have to enter each zone to get an elemental's attention. Then Rage, you'll blast the area with a fireball to soften it up. Then the rest of us will go in. So Kadlian might think he can handle it, but he's not looking at the big picture, we can't afford too many wounds with four more of these to fight."

Kadlian nods. "You are right. Rage, Agulhas, go ahead and nail it."

Rage bits her invisible tongue. "I have the overall picture well in my mind Hlarn Meg. It seems that until one approaches the area, I am not sure that the elemental is summoned, or awake. I suggest that once this one is done, we send B-9 to investigate and then we can deal with them as we see fit."

Taris decides to speak up. "What if we activated the other three (besides fire and water) and fireballed them all at once to give us the ability to fireball all of them more than once? Maybe three people could go activate an elemental apiece and then run like hell as a fireball or two are cast."

Hlarn gives the magician a smile. "Perfect use for the mechanical man I think, and if it gets destroyed in the process, all the better."

"Technology has it's place here as well as magic and psionics. I think that B-9 is a valuable asset to this group, at least, if not more valuable than Zanax's psionics. If I can work to overcome my distrust of psionics, I hope you can overcome you distrust of technology," replies Rage, "We may not understand it, but it is a tool, as you are so fond of saying. Like psionics. And can be used for good and evil, and is neither inheritenly good or evil."

Hlarn shakes his head. "You misunderstand. I do not fear technology, and I know it is as useful and as reliable as magic in its own way. I have seen other such devices, and studied them in my classes. My world too has such things, although they are mostly nonfunctional."

He looks at B-9. "No, what I fear is the consequences of mingling magic with technology. The two realms of power are incompatable. Here on Earth we have found that technology once apparently ruled, and then was replaced by magic. Such is the nature of things. One realm of power rules for a time, and is replaced by another, to be replaced again once its age is finished.

"My homeworld is no exception. Dwarves and elves ruled our land wielding mighty magics equal to the gods, for the gods were absent. Then came humans with their mighty ships and technology. Immediately the consequences of this infestation became apparent, for the greatest of our works began to fail. If not for the wars the humans brought amongst themselves, technology might have triumphed. But instead they wasted much of their power in battles, and magic again took hold once technology was exhausted, although weaker than before. Only when the gods returned were we again equal to what once was."

Hlarn waves at the robot. "B-9 might be the end of a past age, but he could easily be the beginning of a new one if what he knows is put to use, for undoubtably he holds much information inside that metal shell of his. Consider that when you cast your spells, for should technology take hold, you will not be able to call upon the magics you use again."

Zanax is invisible, but his location is given away by the ring he wears. As he closes with the elemental, it starts to glow brightly. He lunges at the water elemental with his frost brand, but his first swing is wild and he misses badly.

Still, though, he is able to dodge the elemental's attack on him.

His next swing is just as poorly aimed.

Kadlian is right beside the paladin, and his attack comes an instant later. His flame tongue does not light. However, his first swing with his frost brand is also wild.

On Zanax's other flank is Sian. Again, the elemental is missed.

Kadlian connects with his flame tongue. The glow from Zanax's ring abruptly dies. However, the shortsword does not seem to hurt the elemental.

Rage lets loose with ten magic missiles, hurting the creature badly.

Agulhas releases his spell. The elemental is all but done for.

Suddenly, though, elemental lashes out at Zanax, easily shmucking him. However, his stoneskin saves him from damage. This time, in return, Zanax plunges his frost brand into the thing, killing it.

But, the entire pool freezes up solid...thanks to the effect of the sword.

The frost brand is embedded to the hilt in ice. Zanax pulls at it - the sword that is - but it will not budge.

"Zanax, did I ruin things?" asks Kadlian.

Zanax says nothing but sighs. Zanax tries to Create Water with his ring.

Nothing happens.

Kadlian sighs. "I am sorry, my friend. I did not realize the rules meant that you must hit first else I would have waited until you struck the first blow."

Zanax sighs again. "You couldn't have known, my friend. I can't believe I missed twice! Perhaps, this Walter elemental will be a water elemental. I can only hope so."

"Perhaps the gods did not want you to become more powerful at this time. If you keep adventuring, you will encounter one again even if it is not this Walter elemental."

Zanax wheels on Furgh, irritated. "And you...perhaps you should think before you speak. If you were upset that with the destruction of the elementals, why didn't you speak up earlier? You knew full well what we planned to do and had plenty of time to say something. If I had just wanted to activate my ring, I would have taken Occa's offer to summon one for me. But see, I already knew that was wrong. So stop judging me until you've done your fair share of removing the evil from this world."

"Zanax, I have learned to listen to Furgh without taking it personally. He offers up his own opinions and you can take them or leave them. At least it is useful to have a different perspective even if it does come in an irritating form."

Kadlian then looks at the frozen pool. "Hmmmm..."

He puts away his frostbrand. "Zanax, let go of your sword. Sian, back off just a bit, but keep your sword ready."

Zanax releases the sword.

Kadlian attempts to light the flame tongue and melt the ice around Zanax's sword.

This time the sword lights.

After a moment the water starts to melt. Zanax grasps his sword and pulls it free.

"Good. At least we did not lose the sword as well. Okay, let us try the earth and air elementals now. Rage, do you want to try the fireball plan?"

"Yes." replies the mage.

"Okay, everyone back to the entrance. Rage, are you going to have B-9 perform the task or should I borrow Hlarn's boots?"

Hlarn sighs. "I'm guessing that it is more difficult than even that Kadlian. Its not that Zanax must strike first, but that he must defeat it entirely by himself. A difficult task that would worry even me."

"Hmmm... Zanax, if someone else activates the ring, can you still use it? Or would it go back to being inert after you put it on?"

Zanax shrugs. "I don't know. And I'm not sure I'd be willing to chance it at this point."

Kadlian nods. "I understand."

"I'd like to try again...assuming I can get another Stoneskin spell. Rage or Agulhas, are either of you carrying the spell still?"

"You will have to try another day. Neither of them have the spell otherwise it would have been used on Hlarn or myself."

"As for Walter, we shall see what he is. Personally I don't favor Furgh's idea of summoning more than one simultaneously. They would have to be adjacent elementals, and doing the Walter or fire elementals other than by themselves worries me."

"Well, if Walter is a water elemental, my ring should start glowing. Hmmm...I wonder if our party has rings or other items with hidden powers..."

"It is difficult to know for sure."

"Use the boots," replies Rage. "We know your protections."

Zanax sits down and meditates to contemplate recent events, while the mages handle the next two elementals.

Hlarn shakes his head at at Kadlian. "You don't have any protection left against fire should you not be able to get out of the way fast enough. It needs to be Sian, Zanax, Gnarsh or myself wielding one of the frost brands."

"Why doesn't Kadlian have any protection left against fire? Has your Resist Fire spell expired? Doesn't he still have his Frost Brand?"

Kadlian shrugs and looks over his shoulder. "It is still there. Got me what Hlarn is talking about."

Hlarn replies, "You would have dispelled it when you dispelled the slow effect and his stoneskin. The frostbrand would protect him, but he'd still be harmed, if only slightly by a fireball."

"Ah!" says Zanax, "You're right. Good point."

Hlarn looks down at his feet. "Since I'm wearing the shoes for the occasion, I guess it will be me this time."

Hlarn walks past the icy pool, avoiding the center path and tosses an iron spike into the earth section. Kadlian sighs and mutters something about insubordination.

Nothing happens when the spike lands in the northeast section.

Hlarn is standing at the edge of the icy pool, about 20' away from the edge of the granite.

Next, he moves to the edge of the northeast section, and steps into it.

Immediately, a stony form rears up out of the rough granite before him and swings a stony fist at the dwarf. Hlarn is sent flying back almost into the frozen pool behind him, suffering 17 hit points in the process.

Hlarn laughs, and quickly moves back away from the earth elemental.

"Let him have it."

"Damn dwarf." says Rage. "Get out of the way so I can get a clear shot."

Rage waits to launch a lightning bolt when she can.

Hlarn orders, "Hit it anyway with a fireball if I can't get out of the way, that's why the discussion on who was protected against fire! Don't waste time though, you may need to hit it more than once."

Rage grumbles and lets a fireball fly from her staff, centered to get the creature, and not the party.

The fireball explodes behind the elemental and engulfs it. By the time the smoke clears, the elemental is no longer there. Whether Rage killed it or not remains to be seen.

Hlarn then casts a cure critical wounds spell upon himself. He is healed for 10 hit points.

"Hlarn, eat a few more goodberries and get back here. Give the boots to Taris and let him activate the wind elemental."

"Gee what am I chopped liver? I don't know about him but I know that I am pretty quick," laments Sian.

"Of course not, Sian. As you, Gnarsh, Taris and Zanax are the only ones left with the stoneskin, I am going to have you and Zanax act as our primary fighters. I want to save your stoneskin for that fight."

The conscience of the party speaks...

"Why not just let 'em be?" Furgh asks. "Ain't doin' much a nothin' here. 'Member those bigger fish?"

...Touching off a long ethical debate...

Gnarsh looks up from filing his incisors.

"Could'a left most o'th' golems be, too."

Zanax gives an exasperated sigh. "Oh, not you, too!"

Gnarsh looks at the paladin.

"What you mean? Everbody knows I'm a peacelovin', nonviolent bloke."

"You forgot, 'who loves a good beer.'"

"Yeah, an' that too," grins Gnarsh.

Hlarn shakes his head. "These are big fish. If we don't destroy these now they could easily be ordered to attack us later. Same reason we destroyed the golems. These creatures were summoned for a purpose. They may be stuck in their corners now, but that does not mean they always will be. We've killed many of their magicians, and possibly their druid, but there is still one sorcerer left who may be able to control them. And as I said before, elementals are immortal. Destoying these summoned forms only frees them from the slavery the temple has forced upon them."

Furgh frowns. "You sure? I been readin' that book on the outer planes we got.... and that sort a duel existance thing works for astral travel, but this ain't that."

Furgh shrugs slightly. "It only talked about it briefly. But I think dead's dead, in these cases."

"Actually it is a form of astral travel for them. Much as we would have a astral cord leading from the prime, these creatures have the same leading back to the elemental planes, and demons and gods have the same leading back to the outer planes, although must stronger than our own mortal cords. Thus when they die they return to their homes. Not a comfortable situation, but possibly better than being trapped on our world with opposing elements to contend with."

Furgh still looks unsure. "The astral plane connects to the outer planes, right? The book said all the elemental planes are on the inner plane, same's the one we're on. There is no astral travel involved at all. Same as their ain't for a shadow comin' from the negative plane. Its only when yer traveling from the outer planes that ya have that chord thing happenin'. A demon would have ta come from further out, neh? Which is why they do the astral thing. But not elementals."

Hlarn shrugs. "I don't know the answer to that one. You may be right. But I know that there are elementals of great power that have died and come back, elemental lords of evil that my father faced. Undead aren't quite the same, as they get their power from the negative plane, but are still a part of this world."

Furgh shrugs as well. "I just know what the book mentioned, is all. All that duel existance stuff has ta do with some chord a silver, or somethin', and that only exists when yer travelin' astrally to the outer planes. It didn't mention much about the inner planes, other then their placement... but it was enough ta know ya don't do any astral travelin' ta get to and from 'em."

He glances into the room beyond. "So it's just as likely we'd be killin' these guys outright, neh?

"I knew I shoulda payed more attention when I was readin' that darn thing," he adds with a sigh. "Was frightfully dull reading though."

Hlarn looks at Furgh. "Or I could use the dispel evil spell on the scroll and attempt to force them all back to their homes. The Temple summoned these creatures, so it should work. But I'd rather save it for the true demons down below."

"The book mentioned a spell called abjure or something like that? Can you do that?"

Hlarn nods. "I can, but such a spell requires that I have a great deal of information about the subject, such as their true name. Also at my current level of power, there is not that great of a chance that I would be successful."

The elf sighs. "Aw well. Guess they ain't likely ta intraduce themselves. Can ya talk to 'em? Maybe they'd be willin' ta tell ya, and let yer spell work, if they knew it would send 'em home."

"Uhhh Furgh have you been paying any attention. Hlarn walks over not real threatening and takes a step into the square and wham he is shot back by a punch. Not much room for any introductions there."

The elf grins. "No one said they ain't workin' on instructions. Not like they got a choice. Don't mean one can't try ta work around 'em. We elves are all for peaceful solutions, donchaknow."

Rage growls. "And what language do you suggest we try? Do any of us speak earth elemental? Fire elemental?" she looks to Furgh, "This sort of thing is something you should bring up at camp, not when we are in the middle of exploring. We have said this time and again. We all knew that there would be elementals here, and if you felt so strongly bring it up there." Rage looks to Kadlian, "Can we continue, and finish this task? And Dispel Evil will not work, since these creatures are not evil."

"Of course we can continue. I was letting Furgh talk as long as it did not prove distracting. It know appears it is. So the conversation ceases here. Furgh, I am willing to trust Rage and Hlarn's opinions on the matter of the elementals. We will take them out so that they can not be used against us later. The fact that we free them, just is an added bonus."

Furgh points at Hlarn. "He can talk to 'em. Who knows, maybe Zanax's ring'll let him talk to the water one too."

He then shrugs. "I'm all for discussin' it in camp but I didn't even remember the elementals 'til I was lookin inta the room. Nor did most a us, I reckon. But if you insist on dealin' with this now, then I insist on lettin' ya know ya might be actin' as bad as the one's that brung 'em here. I think I should be allowed ta merely _suggest_ the possibility of considerin' a better solution. Don't you?"

"Furgh. I do not need you to be my conscience. I can make my own decisions about what is right and wrong. The fact of the matter remains that these are summoned creatures. As such, they are bound to do the bidding of the ones who summoned them, for good or evil, as the case may be. You cannot negotiate with them, and ask them to leave. They will not and cannot just leave. They are bound on this plane by the magics that have summoned them and the way to release them is to terminate their existance on this plane. These elementals are dangerous creatures. If we were to dispell the magic that summoned them here, then they would be unbond and would go on a rampage and then we would have to deal with them under difference circumstances."

"Then you are wrong," the elf says. "I know somewhat of summoning magics too. Just 'cause I don't have your eagerness ta blow things up, don't think I ain't learned nothin' or don't know what I'm talkin' 'bout."

"How am I wrong? What is my error, oh great Furgh? What do you know about elementals? If I am wrong, then educate me. The point, however, remains that one does not negotiate with an elemental. With a summoned creature, they are bound by the magics and the mages that have summoned them."

"You can talk to 'em. That's where yer wrong. And I'd guess that, unless the guy what summoned 'em said, no speakin'... which seems unlikely in most circumstances... I'm sure the elemental could speak back."

He shrugs. "What one might be able to accomplish this way is up for debate. Perhaps little. Perhaps nothin' at all. Maybe a great deal."

He sighs, but shuts up....for a moment.

"You may not have her eagerness to blow things up, but you sure were excited when we polymorphed those creatures to help us destroy those golems. Is it fair that we endangered them or forced them to change against their will? Or any creature summoned or conjured through magic for that fact. The answer is, it may not be fair, but we do it for the greater good. And if that answer isn't good enough for you, then all I can say is, you go and try and talk to the earth elemental. I'm sure Hlarn will agree he's quite a conversationalist."

"I'm sure he would." Furgh agrees.

Rage chuckles.

Furgh shrugs. "I see a bit of a different betwixt a bug, and an intelligent creature."

"So, what you're saying is that as long as the creature isn't intelligent, it doesn't matter what we do to it? It has no rights? I'm sure Equinox would disagree with you."

"What makes you think we were sacrficing the elemental? We were going to kill it, what does it matter if Rage blasts it with a Fireball or if I plunge my sword into it?"

"Oh, sorry," the elf replies. "Terminology. If you had to 'kill' a child, rather then an elemental, should you fireball it, or run it through with your sword? Guess that's up to you.

"Would you be so eager to empower your ring, if you had to sacrifice a child, rather then an elemental to bring it about? Principle ain't much different."

Zanax shakes his head "You don't understand. The key phrase is 'had to.' If I had to kill a child, it wouldn't matter if it was with a Fireball or my sword. The question is why do I have to kill the child? We already know why we have to kill the elemental."

"No. You assume that for simplicity and convenience," Furgh responds, then clamps his mouth shut, and looks guilty at a glare from Kadlian.

Zanax frowns menacingly at Furgh, then assuming Rage isn't about to cast another Fireball, walks to where Hlarn was struck by the earth elemental and simply stands there waiting for it to appear again.

Zanax makes a silent prayer to Votishal, hoping his Protection From Evil holds up.

"Zanax, I thought we were going to let Hlarn and Rage try again. If not, then the rest of us should come with you. You and Hlarn should not fight it alone."

"I'm not going to fight it," Zanax simply says and as if to emphasize his point, sheathes his sword again.

He then continues, "It shouldn't be able to harm me, much less get within 10 feet of me. If it speaks Common, then I'll ask it how we can release it. If not, then Hlarn and Rage can continue. I'll do almost anything at this point to get Furgh to shut up."

"He hates it when I'm right," Furgh mumbles.

"Oh. Do you think in the future, you could just say that? Hlarn, give him space. No sense in getting knocked around again."

"My apologies, Kadlian. I only meant to get this over with as soon as possible and not start another debate."

"'Sides, this Greater Good you keep referin' to, is your definition of it, not mine, or anyone elses," He grins, and gives Zanax a wink. "Ya already know I don't agree with it."

He chuckles. "But darnit all anyway. I wasn't tryin' ta force my views down nobodies throats for once. Was just askin' Hlarn some questions about the nature of the creatures. Figured it might help everyone to know, one way or th'other."

He smiles. "But I'd be more'n willin' ta give parlayin' a go..." He sighs. "But I couldn't learn the spell that woulda made it possible ta talk to 'em." He bangs himself on the head. "Damn skull seems ta not wanna soak in anything usefull."

He shrugs. "Was merely askin' if there were other ways."

He grins at her. "I take it yer answer is no?"

Rage again glares at Furgh, "Based on my studying and learning the spell to summon these creatures, I can tell you that the way to return these creatures to their plane of esistance is to terminate their appearance here on this plane. In that case, they are just like summoned demons and devils, but unaffected by dispell evil spells."

Hlarn corrects the magician. "I beg to differ, but if an elemental was summoned for evil intentions, by an evil magician for instance, it will be affected by a dispel evil spell." Hlarn taps his head. "I can't cast such spells myself yet, but I'm trained enough to know how clerical magics work. Such spells, while directed specifically at evil, really also serve in general to protect against summoned beings. Its much the same way a protection from evil spell will keep any summoned being from touching the caster, even a deva or elemental."

"So do you know if this is just an appearance, or are they actually here? Hlarn ain't certain. 'Nor am I. Was all I was askin'. Based on all summoning spells I've seen, if you summon 'em, and they die. They are dead. Even after they return whence they came. There ain't no astral travel involved, so no double back home. Be like if you teleported to their plane, and died."

The mage turns to Kadlian, "If we are not going to continue, I will ask B-9 to continue to explore the room and destroy the creatures myself."

Furgh only sighs.

"Nonsense. We will all finish them here and now."

"Don't see why we can't go check the other doors, and come back ta this one later. Just as good a chance a those over there, comin' while we're here, as these here comin' if we're over there." He grins. "Maybe we'll think a somethin' between now and then."

Rage speaks. "Furgh, an elemental does not choose to live on this plane we call home. They are not happy here. Furthermore, once summoned, they can wreck great havoc under the control of their summoner, or worse, if the summoner loses control, then they will go on a rampage. While neither good or evil, if we destroy their form on this plane, they are free to return to their natural plane, and often, we gain their gratitude in freeing them from the slavery imposed upon them becuase of their summoning. I have learned the spells necessary to summon these creatures, but would never do so, unless under very dire circumstances. It was important for me to learn the spell so I could understand them. They are slaves here, and the way to break their bonds is to 'kill' their physical form on this plane. They then return to their natural planes and are free."

"Because the majority of the party wants to take out the elementals. My guess is that these might be used against us in the future and maybe we should take them down on our terms, so to speak."

Hlarn has been running around the frozen pool while all of this has been proceeding, showing off his fancy shoes.

Hlarn shakes his head. "I have a feeling this one isn't through yet... it didn't crumble apart like the last one we saw. I'm guessing they can't leave their corners, and since I was thrown out it had to go back to a resting state. Get ready to shoot again Rage!"

The dwarf quickly casts a spell (protection from evil) upon himself, and then runs quickly back into the granite section, using his boots to dodge quickly back and forth, but staying as close to the iced over section as possible so as to not risk being thrown into another area.

"I have all the goodberries because only I can tell whether they are still potent. Anyway, hasn't Hlarn already had his 8 for the day?" says Equinox.

"Did he already eat 8? I did not realize that."

Hlarn shouts, "Yup, after the golem whacked me." as he runs back into the rocky portion.

As Hlarn goes dashing back in , Sian says, "Well guess that doesn't matter right now anyway."

Hlarn waves toward the other sides of the room. "There are three more, everyone will have a turn."

"Someone else can have my turn." says Kailar, finally managing to get a word in edgewise.

However, the earth elemental ignores Hlan and Zanax.

There is a tremble beneath Rage's feet, and suddenly the person who fireballed it is hit by two fists which rise up out of the stone floor behind her. She suffers 19 hit points of damage.

"EXTREME DANGER! RUN, PENNY ROBINSON!" exclaims the robot, as it extends its two arms out to their full extent. Lightning bolts shoot out from the end of each, striking the elemental and blowing it to pieces.

"HEH HEH HEH!" says the machine, blowing the smoke away from his claw-hands. "THAT'S MIGHTY FINE SHOOTIN' EVEN IF'N I DO SAY SO MYSELF!"

"Thank you B-9," replies Rage to the machine.

"AFFIRMATIVE, PENNY ROBINSON!"

Zanax comments, "Well, I guess that means the elementals aren't restricted to their sections."

He then heads over and lays on hand Rage for 18 hit points of healing.

"And thank you Zanax," the mage says to the Paladin.

Zanax nods his head in acknowledgement. "You're welcome."

Equinox walks up to Rage and hands her a single goodberry. "Here you are. That ought to bring you back to full health."

"Two down. Three to go?" the mage says, lightheartedly. "Any questions Furgh?"

"Would appear it didn't appreciate your tryin' ta kill it." Furgh replies with a grin. "Didn't you have a stoneskin spell?"

"Don't start with him, Rage. Let's just finish them off first. The air elemental should be next. Use a Lightning Bolt, please. I don't feel like losing my Resist Fire, yet."

Hlarn shakes his head. "No, don't. We'll need those for the fire elemental, and possibly a second fire based paraelemental. You'll just have to risk losing that protection Zanax."

Hlarn frowns. "Rage, don't waste time contemplating matters, hit the air elemental with at least two fireballs as quickly as you can. Obviously these creatures are strong enough to withstand only one. But save your lightning bolts. We'll need those for the fire elemental, and possibly for the other one."

Rage glares at the dwarf and bites back a reply. She only shakes her head and sighs.

Hlarn laughs. "Sorry, but if someone doesn't state the obvious, mistakes can be made, such as Zanax asking you to use lightning when we'll need those spells later."

"You mind your head, and I will mind my spells, thank you very much. I have sufficient power and in my staff as well."

"I had thought we agreed to take on the fire elemental in hand-to-hand combat? That's what Frost Brands were created to do and with three of them, the elemental should be easily dispatched."

Hlarn shrugs. "Thats the plan, but these creatures seem stronger than the previous elemental we faced. And given the power of their hits, I don't think you want to end up in a protracted combat with them. Let Rage wear them down a bit, and then fight with swords."

"Just summon the elemental. I will deal with the magic," says Rage, growing testy at the continued debates.

"Folks, let Rage cast what she needs to cast. She has stored up a lot of magic in her staff and I am confident that she will not use up all of her lightning bolts or fireballs without warning us in advance that she is getting low. Have faith in her."

Zanax sticks his tongue out at Rage as he heads toward the air elemental section. "I'm going, I'm going!"

"Don't stick it out unless you intend to use it," the mage says to the paladin. She taps him on the behind with her staff, "Now git" she says in a cheerful tone.

The dwarf considers. "The placement of these corners is the same as the placement of the planes themselves. Note that water is opposite fire, and earth is opposite air. But the fifth section lies between fire and earth."

"Now I'm guessing here, but it may be that this section corresponds to the paraelemental plane that also lies between fire and earth, which is the plane of lava or magma. Thus you'd find the rusty red color, and also a pool since lava is a liquid."

"So basically we have two fire based elementals, and fire probably won't work on either. However if I remember correctly paraelementals are not as powerful, and thus even a weakly enchanted blade should be able to hit them."

Zanax heads toward the turquoise colored stone.

"Be careful, Zanax."

Zanax grins. "Aren't I always?"

Kadlian looks thoughtful for a moment and says, "No."

Zanax snickers. "I'm not the one who got his clock cleaned by a golem or an elemental!"

"What has that got to do with being careful? We knew the golem was going to fight back. I just did not duck quick enough. And, well, Hlarn is a dwarf. Things do not impress a dwarf unless they knock him off his feet."

Zanax chuckles as he heads forward.

Rage smiles, a feral grin, as she prepares to cast more magics.

The paladin enters the southwest section of the chamber. As expected, after a moment a gentle breeze seems to start blowing out of nowhere. It gains strength until after another short moment it is a howling whirlwind...completely encircling Zanax but not able to make contact with him.

"Rage, hit it with whatever magics will not hurt Zanax."

Zanax, however, turns to face Rage and holds his index finger up for her to wait a second.

"Wait a minute, Rage. Don't you think that we ought to see what Zanax will be able to do, Kadlian?" asks Equinox.

"Sure. I did not say anything to Rage because she saw the same signal I did and she is more than intelligent enough to know to hold."

Kadlian pauses. "That was not meant as anything more than an explanation, Equinox. The rest of us are more comfortable with each other's styles. As a newcomer, you have not yet had the opportunity to learn about us or us about you."

"So, if something like this concerns you, feel free to speak up."

Kadlian has no soon gotten the words out of his mouth than suddenly the air elemental leaves Zanax and descends on...Taris! The surprised half elf is swept up into the wind and then sent flying into the floor for 18 hit points of damage.

Zanax curses silently as he rushes back toward the air elemental to attack.

Taris tries to scramble away as the elemental swirls after him.

"Rage, Agulhas, hit it with lightning bolts or magic missiles. Gnarsh, Hlarn, Sian, let us hit this thing hard."

Kadlian steps over to the air elemental and attacks it with both of his swords.

Kadlian misses with both of his swords.

Agulhas unloads another spell's worth of magic missiles. They blast into the creature. The howling, blowing winds weaken a little.

Sian also steps up and starts attacking.

"Well we might want to remember in the future that these guys are at least a little intelligent"

The elf plunges his frost brand into the elemental. His cutlass has no effect on it.

Kadlian chuckles as he swings at the elemental. "Never doubted it for an instant. Just did not know that they could move out of their sections. Perhaps for the next elemental we tackle, we should take a few more precautions."

Rage looses a lightning bolt. It blasts into the creature.

"And angry! I understood nothing, but the rage within it." Zanax adds, rushing up and attacking as well. Striking easily twice, the elemental disapates into nothing under his attack.

"You'd be mad too, if ya got yerself held prisoner on some foreign world. The only way out bein' ta get yerself killed," Furgh says, blithely.

"Is that yer problem, too?" asks Gnarsh.

Hlarn comments, "Careful Gnarsh, our blades might not be strong enough to hit it, even though they are magical. Be nice to test it though."

"Darn, wish I'd been able ta learn that language spell," Furgh adds sadly.

"I know it, but I do not have it memorized. If we wait a day, I could use it on them. Furgh seems to think it would work and that it is worth the effort," says Agulhas reluctantly.

He then turns to Furgh, "Though I doubt anyone else would consider it as a viable option, my friend."

Furgh merely nods. "Aye. They might be too angry ta listen, regardless. But woulda been fun ta try."

Rage shakes her head. "Correct Argulhas."

Furgh sticks his tongue out at Rage.

"Don't stick it out unless you intend to use it, or want me to remove it," replies the testy mage to Furgh.

Kadlian grins. "Could you?"

Rage nods. "Tongue removal by lightning bolt or magic missile is a speciality."

Kadlian chuckles. "How often do you miss the tongue and get the rest of the head?"

"There is that," replies Rage, "But with the magic missile, I am usually deadly accurate. Lightning bolt it a little more tricky to get just the tongue."

Kadlian chuckles with Rage's choice of words. "I suppose with both forms, you are deadly accurate when working on the tongue."

Furgh grins. "Hey, I used ta be a target in a knife throwin' act." He pulls at one earlobe. "Other then this small scar here, none the worse for wear. I can hold real still."

"So, like did that stoneskin thingme work on anyone?" Furgh asks. He then casts protection from evil 10' radius upon himself.

"Let us tackle the fire one now. Zanax, can you use your holy avenger to create a radius of protection centered around the mages?"

"Taris, use your goodberries first to heal yourself and then use spells."

Taris does so, eating eight berries, then casting Cure Light Wounds as the goodberries did not heal him completely. In all, he is healed for 14 hit points.

"Well, I guess we now know the best course of action. Sian, Kadlian, and I should go toward the next elemental, them being within 10' of me. When the elemental appears and lashes out ineffectively against us, the mages pelt it immediately with one volley of Magic Missiles and then we attack with our Frost Brands. Sound good?"

"Okay, then scratch my plan. Furgh, you should use your spell to protect everyone else. Of course, we have no guarantee that the fire elemental will stay with us, but at least Furgh's spell should protect the rest of the party should it come to you."

The plan is set into motion. Sian, Zanax and Kadlian move towards the northwest section of the large chamber. As expected, when they enter it, they are engulfed in flames. However, the elemental is unable to hurt them, as long as they stay near the paladin.

"Now, Rage!" Zanax cries.

Rage casts magic missiles at the elemental. Ten missiles blast into the creature, badly wounding it.

As soon as Rage's spell strikes the fire elemental, Zanax attacks with his Frost Brand. The paladin all but kills it. It tries to lash back at him, feebly, but he easily sidesteps, while slashing at the creature again and killing it.

You are starting to get pretty good at this.

Only one area remains in this chamber to clear: the north area around the second pool. A few bubbles continue to rise to the surface of the pool.

"One more," Zanax announces. "Just in case, though, if you see my ring start to glow, don't attack. Otherwise, same plan as with the fire elemental. Ready, all?"

Kadlian nods. "Let us go. Rage, how many magic misisle spells do you have left?"

"We'll flank it, too. To give Rage a clearer shot if she doesn't have many Magic Missile spells left," Zanax adds.

"Agreed. You and Sian on one side, me on the other."

"No. If we did that one or both of you might be outside of my protection radius. I meant that we should give Rage a clear path to the pool, instead of us being in between Rage and the pool."

Kadlian shrugs. "Okay."

The two elf-rangers and the paladin enter the northern zone, trying to leave a clear shot for Rage...against whatever comes up out of the pool.

You do not have long to wait to see.

Suddenly a creature rises up out of the pool - which is filled with a viscous liquid, you now see - and launches itself at you. It is like none of the other elementals...if that is what it is at all. It is a bipedal creature with a black glistening hide and red hair. It has two strange metal cylinders strapped to its back. From these run two hoses into its mouth. It does not have feet...but flippers instead.

You discover that Zanax's protection from evil does not keep this horrible creature at bay, as it suddenly detaches one of its tanks and attempts to ram it up the paladin's backside. Paladins always seem to get attacked like this. One would think that they actually enjoyed it. However, Zanax's stoneskin saves him from the enema of a lifetime, though his hemorrhoids are screaming in agony.

The three of you attack back. Sian plunges his frost brand into it, injuring it slightly. He misses with his cutlass. Zanax follows up with his frost brand, landing two solid hits. Kadlian finishes off with his frost brand and flame tongue, and the creature falls back into the pool, dead, and sinks out of sight.

Kadlian sheaths his swords. "Well that was a certainly an odd creature. I suggest we head back to camp and get our stoneskins restored as well as letting the mages relearn their spells. I do not want to chance running into anything else that might over tax what spells we do have left."

"Give me a second, I want to check for secret doors and precious metals."

Zanax walks around the room and around each pool to check.

Zanax finds five secret doors: 1) in the west wall, 10' - 20' section as measured from the south; 2) in the west wall, 90' - 100' section as measured from the south; 3) in the middle of the north wall; 4) in the east wall, 10' - 20' section as measured from the north; 5) in the south wall, 10' - 20' section as measured from the east.

Kadlian looks around at all the secret doors. "I let the party take a vote. Do you wish to continue or head back to camp? Speak quickly or I shall decide for all of us."

"If Rage still has some offensive firepower, then I say we check out at least one of the secret doors. We still have most of our healing power, although, we've probably lost all our stoneskins. Taris, are you all healed up?"

"I still have several spells left: notably knock, haste, blink, wall of ice, ice storm, and cone of cold, as well as those spells stored in my staff. I am out of magic missiles, but think that I still have more than sufficient firepower to continue. I reiterate that to restore our stoneskins will take 3 days, with both Argulas and I casting them. I would rather we continue, since we are not hurt and our healing remains intact," says the mage.

Equinox immediately speaks up: "I think that we should continue. I have enough goodberries to last for many days for everyone and seven healing spells. The other healers in the party also have healing spells and everyone is in good health. I think we should press on."

"I suggest we continue. It will take three days to restore everyones stoneskin. I think we still have sufficient firepower to continue. I'd rather not stop," replies Rage.

Kadlian looks at the party and nods. "Okay, we shall continue. Rage, what do you have stored in your staff? Lightning bolts and fireballs?"

Rage nods, "Indeed," she says. "So I would suggest you let me do recons by fireball and stay out of the way when the lightning bolts fly."

Kadlian smiles. "Suggestion noted. We shall see how things work out. Let us check the southern door, first."

"I detected no evil behind that secret door. In fact, I detected no evil behind any of the secret doors."

Sasha looks up, puzzled. "I thought someone just said there was evil behind all doors .... "

She scratches her head, looking nervous suddenly. "I do agree with the others, I think we should continue - but I also suggest a bit more caution. It would not do well for us to get over-confident now ... that almost seemed too easy ... while I think we are indeed a skilled lot ... I feel ... uncomfortable suddenly at the ease with which we dispatched those creatures ... if you know what I mean ... " she finishes softly, her green eyes wary now.

"Do not worry. I will not let us become overconfident. We will take everything cautiously lest we suffer any setbacks that might delay the ending of this mission."

Rage smiles at the cleric. "Indeed we are gaining in power. Two spells worth of my magic missiles is bring down many of the lesser powered creatures, such as harpy and would seriously damage a gargoyle. Summoned elementals can range in power, from that of a hill giant to as powerful as some dragons. My guess is that these were of the weaker sort. The combination of the magics and the quick attacks by the fighters was sufficient. It was good planning on our parts. Had we tried to take them all out at the same time, it would have been more difficult."

Kadlian nods. "Furgh, do you wish to do the honors? Southern door, first."

"My spells are mostly unused also, I can duck under the doors to see what's back there," says Kailar.

"You can have the next door, Kailar."

Opening the south door, you see a 10'X10' room beyond. All that is in here is a stone box with a lid on top of it.

Furgh and Kailar check for traps, and the latter immediately spots a trigger mechanism connected to the back of the lid.

It only takes him a minute to disarm it...then you remove the lid.

In the stone box you find a potion, two scrolls, a suit of plate mail (dwarf-sized), and a pair of leather bracers.

Taking the loot, you move on to the secret door in the east wall. Kailar opens this one. Through it is another 10' square room, barren. You check it out, though, and Furgh notices a loose stone in the floor. Lifting it up reveals a large chest underneath. After checking for traps, you open it. In it you find 9000sp, a scroll, a small figurine in serpentine of an owl, a wand and a bag.

Taking the loot, you move on to the door in the north wall. Opening it, you behold another bare, 10' square room. Again, though, when you enter, you find a loose stone in the floor, and when you lift it a large iron trunk is revealed. Opening the trunk, you find a collection of curious items: a strangely shaped contraption of metal, plastic and glass, with the name 'Ricoh' on it; a small, cylindrical-shaped cartridge with a thin material sticking out a slot in its side (on the side of the cartridge are the words 'GAF64 36 exp.'); a reflecting telescope with a 10" mirror; a suit of rubbery skin...like that of the Walter elemental; an inflatable rubber horse; a collection of photographs of female feet and elbows; and finally, a collection of books: namely every science fiction novel that Andre Norton ever wrote.

You move on to the northernmost secret door in the west wall. Opening it, you see another bare 10' square room. When Kailar goes in, though, he immediately walks into something invisible. Feeling around indicates that it is another trunk. Opening it by feel and groping about, you take out its contents: two invisible gems.

The southern secret door in the west wall opens into yet another 10' square room. In here is a pottery jar. Looking in it, you find 9000cp and a necklace worth 1000gp.

With the elemental chamber cleared and the secret doors all checked, you return to the Hall of Golems and make for the west exit from it. This door was guarded by two iron golems...until the rust monsters came along.

You open this door.

Beyond is a room (30' X 40': 10' north, 10' south, 40' west; door in middle of west wall). The walls of this room are white, and are very smooth. Otherwise , the place is bare but for a 5' tall pedestal in the centre. Atop it rests a large quartz crystal. Looking at it, you could almost swear that you see slight movements within it...but then it could be the lighting.

Zanax detects no evil or whatever, so you move in. Going over to the west door, you do the usual detects and checks, and then open it.

Through this door is a passage, running west for 20'...followed by a flight of stairs going down...

However, as soon as you open this door, the crystal behind you shatters, and a ghastly creature appears! It towers well over 9' in height, being broad and very powerful-looking. It is covered in a wrinkled hide, with a head like a goat-horned dog, pincers instead of normal hands, and a pair of human arms protruding from its chest.

It immediately moves to attack you, emitting an unholy wail as it does so.

"Hey, who invited him?" Furgh says, frowning.

Furgh quickly ducks to the side, getting out of everyone's way.

Kadlian draws both swords and leaps to attack. "Zanax, Sian, Taris attack that thing. Rage, hit it with a lightning bolt. Kailar, the same thing. Agulhas, if you have anything left, use it. This has to be some sort of demon."

"It's a Type III demon! Your weapons can hurt it!" Zanax cries out while charging forward, drawing the Holy Avenger.

"Any particular weaknesses we can exploit?"

"Zanax, drop your frost brand for Hlarn to grab and use your holy avenger. Sasha, Gnarsh, protect the mages."

"Way ahead of you, Kadlian!" Zanax says, as his Frost Brand hits the floor.

"Good man. Hlarn, hit it from behind."

Equinox moves to stand near the mages, and watches for creatures approaching the party from behind.

Rage points her staff at the creature.

Hlarn shouts to Rage. "Don't waste your spells. Its highly resistant to magic and probably only one in four of your bolts would even touch it."

"Four in ten! But who's counting! It takes only half damage from lightning!" Zanax adds.

Hlarn laughs as he begins swinging his axe. "There is that."

Hlarn ignores the frost brand, using his axe. "But as Zanax said, weapons can hurt it!"

As the dwarf moves in, he waves at Agulhas. "Be ready to counter magical darkness, and the rest of you lets us know immediately if any more gate in."

Agulhas makes ready the wand of illumination to try and cancel out the darkness should it come. "Anyone know if this wand of light would have any affect on the demon?" shouts Agulhas amid the chaos that unfolds around him.

"Stick it in his face and find out?" Furgh offers helpfully.

"That's good enough for me!" Agulhas grins. He aims the wand at the horrific monstrosity and screams, "Telanias!"

He then promptly seeks cover.

"We've created a monster." Furgh mumbles cheerfully as he quickly averts his eyes from the impending flash.

There is a blinding flash...but the demon is not affected.

Rage waits and let the fighters hack away at the critter.

Kailar also holds his spells.

"Hey Zanax, just what you have wanted to fight." says Sian. "Keep an eye out for that sucubus. This would be a good time for it to attack."

He moves up.

The demon, though, refuses to stand idle while you debate strategy. Mildly irked at Agulhas for firing the wand at it, it suddenly vanishes from the centre of the encircling fighters...to reappear behind the young mage! It tears into him, while simultaneously releasing a blast of fear at Kadlian, Zanax, Hlarn, Sian and Taris.

Agulhas suffers 17 hit points of damage.

Only Sian loses his cool as a result of the fear, though, and flees screaming back out into the Hall of Golems.

Gnarsh, the only fighter within striking range of the demon, fans.

Equinox tries to place himself between the mages and the demon and swings at it with his staff.

He fans so badly that he hits Gnarsh over the head, instead.

"AAAAAARRRRR!!! Watch it!" warns the half-orc.

"Arrrgghhhhrr," grimaces Agulhas from the vicious blow.

"Guess it didn't appreciate that," he grumbles before incanting the magics to make him invisible.

However, the demon takes surpreme advantage of the situation, tearing the mage five times as he tries to concentrate on casting his spell.

Agulhas takes 18 hit points of damage and drops, his body shredded, his internal organs hanging out through numerous cuts and slashes.

Suddenly Furgh appears in the air over the demon's head, and stabs at it!

His glowing longsword digs deep into its back. Steaming ichor spurts out, covering him and burning him. The demon screams in agony.

Furgh stabs again, but this time the demon dodges the blade.

Kadlian, some distance away, observes -

"Damn, it can teleport. Rage, can you stop that from happening again?"

"Yes, if it is killed," replies the mage somewhat sarcastically as she moves away from the demon and nearer to the fighters. "I'm open to suggestions," says the mage.

"I was hoping you would give me some."

"Except for lightning bolt, all my other spells are area effect spells," replies Rage. "I can summon another creature to aid us, one at the level of power of a succubus or thereabouts if you wish."

"No, hold off for now. We are not licked yet."

"All demons can teleport! Don't you remember the succubus?"

"We have fought others before that did not teleport. I thought the succubus was a special case, not the norm."

"The rest of you spread out and make sure that we do not leave the mages or clerics unprotected again."

Kadlian charges the demon.

Zanax does likewise.

"Rage, if you don't have Magic Missile or singular attack spells, then how about spells to protect or enhance us during combat?"

Hlarn laughs. "Thats usually a clerics job. Sasha, Taris, if either of you can, cast protection from evil about yourselves to keep the thing away from you. Lets make only us fighters reasonable targets."

Zanax tries to stay close to Rage, as if expecting the demon to attack her next.

"I have nothing that will serve, 'cepting a haste," Rage says. "any takers?"

"Not yet, Rage, but I shall keep it in mind."

"Sasha, can you cast a protection from evil spell with a radius of ten feet? Then you can protect everyone. If not, then Zanax, I am going to have to ask you to protect the mages with your sword."

"She can't, Kadlian. And it's not the sword that protects me, it's my god!" Zanax says as he sheathes the Holy Avenger and picks up the Frost Brand.

"I thought the sword amplified the protection. No matter, just protect the mages."

"It will protect them from magic, but by the same token, it will inhibit their casting of magic. Remember the lightning bolt Rage lost? I'll keep it sheathed for now, until such time as we deem it necessary to draw it."

"Furgh, track down Sian and help him."

Furgh is only too happy to get away from the demon now, being as how it has noticed him. Gnarsh fans two more times, and Equinox misses as well. Furgh feels a force trying to pull him back towards the demon as he flies away after Sian, but he is able to resist it. The demon turns on the druid as Kadlian and Hlarn attack. Equinox suffers 26 hit points of damage. Another blast of fear strikes Kadlian and Hlarn as they bring their weapons down on the demon. Kadlian misses and runs screaming...out of the chamber...through the west door...and down the stairs into unexplored territory.

Hlarn stands firm, though, and his axe digs deep into the thighs of the monster,twice. More ichor spurts out.

The demon collapses, dead.

Agulhas is unconscious and near death, Furgh has flown after Sian into the Hall of Golems, and Kadlian has fled downstairs.

Rage curses and watches helplessly as Agulhas lays there and the clerics do their work on him. "Damn," she mutters under her breath. "Must have a talk with him later about that." she says, in shock.

She then begins to investigate the room and keep guard in case others come.

Zanax rushes toward Agulhas. "Hlarn! Nice shot!, but use your boots and see if you can find Kadlian. The other clerics will help me heal Agulhas!"

Hlarn takes off.

Zanax cast Cure Light Wounds on Agulhas, for 7 hit points. His organs slide back into his abdomen and the wounds close, though he remains unconscious.

Equinox casts Cure Serious Wounds and Cure Light Wounds on Aghulas and gives him 8 goodberries. If he needs more healing, he will cast another cure light wounds.

The curative spells bring the young man back to consciousness. He then eats the berries (beinging unable to eat them while unconscious). In all, he is healed for 24 hit points. However, he is still very weak and will be out of action for a week.

Equinox then eats 8 goodberries himself and casts a cure light wounds on himself, for 10 hit points in total.

Sasha stands at the ready while the druid casts his healing spells.

Furgh returns.

"I'll try ta catch the Boss," Furgh says. "I shut Sian in the secret room."

"Don't, Furgh. I asked Hlarn to find Kadlian. Lead me to Sian, I'll try and dispel the fear with my sword."

"You sent Hlarn clunking down there too?" Furgh says incredulously as he continues on his course. "I'll stay out of trouble."

"Furgh! If you're not going to show me where Sian is, then stay here. Hlarn has those boots of speed. He'll be able to catch Kadlian before you even reach them!"

Furgh ignores him.

Kailar also flies off after Kadlian.

Down the stairs the three of you run and fly, after Kadlian.

At the bottom of the stairs is a 10' square landing, with an opening in the south wall. Out of it, a passage runs east, for 40' in total, at which time it opens out into a chamber. You hear nothing from that direction, so you head down there.

You stop in the entranceway of the chamber and look in.

It is 20' X 30' (10' north, 10' south, 20' east; door in middle of east wall, door in south wall west corner). It is sparsely furnished with only a table and a chair.

You immediately spot Kadlian, lying in the southeast corner. He is either unconscious or dead.

Standing over him is a dark figure, wearing chain mail and holding a sword in one hand. He wears a small helmet, but when he turns to face you, you see that there is no head between it and his shoulders...only two burning sparks, which glare at you malevolently.

"Begone," the figure whispers in a voice from beyond the grave. "Lest his fate also befall you."

The aura of fear radiating from him is palpable.

"This can't be good," Furgh's voice whispers uncertainly.

Hlarn orders quickly, "Kailar, illusions won't work against him, go get the others as fast as you can, especially Agulhas' wand if he's not up and walking by now. Furgh, what can you do from a distance? But if I can turn him, don't attack."

Kailar, though, musters his courage and starts to cast a spell.

The figure looks straight at him.

"Die."

Suddenly the gnome is dust.

Kailar's broom, clothes and equipment clatter to the floor.

There is a feline squawk from within his knapsack...then suddenly all of his possessions disappear!

Hlarn, though is focused on the dark figure across the chamber.

The dwarf holds out his holy symbol. "No, you begone fiend, lest true death take you!" he says, hopefully forcing the undead to be turned.

The headless helmet slowly shakes negatively.

"Your clerical powers cannot daunt me, dwarf. I am Black, the last lord of the castle which bears my family name. Now, I am damned to guard this entrance with every ounce of energy my unlife possesses. Come no closer. Do not force me to kill again. Flee this place."

He touches the prone form of Kadlian with his boot.

"This one is lost. She will have him. She will learn all there is to know about you. Then, she will muster her remaining forces and destroy you. Leave this temple now. Flee from the Borderlands. You will die also, if you remain within her reach."

Hlarn waves for Furgh to retreat. The elf turns and flies back down the passage and up the stairs.

Hlarn faces the figure alone.

Hlarn grimaces. "A knight of death. I have heard of such as you. Indeed, I know another such cursed. He was transformed by an archlich into that state that dooms him such as you. But he mastered himself, and no longer serves evil. I call him a friend."

Hlarn pauses. "I hear the conflict within you. You seem to not relish slaying my friends. Do you serve the Raven Goddess freely, or is it the curse that binds you? If your curse is only to guard this passage, let me take my companion back with me and we will not pass this way again, thus your oath is served. I can give you my oath on that if you wish. We will find another way in that avoids this passage."

"I am forced to serve Tibia," the ghastly voice replies. "She revived me from my long centuries of rest...and made me into...this. For this deed she must have had the collusion of my patron, Set. My task is to guard this passage...further humiliation for one such as I was."

Hlarn nods. "Were you truly dead before, and they brought this horrific life upon you then? Usually such a state comes only by some great sin. Perhaps if you tell me something of yourself I can find a way to reverse what has been done to you. Proud warriors such as ourselves should not be used in such a manner by the gods."

"I was dead for 600 years. Set, my patron, is capricious and unpredictable, even though he serves law. He must have seen some advantage in it for himself, to allow me to be treated so. For myself, though, there is only humiliation."

"It does not have to be that way. We can end Tibia's evil, and throw back the influence of the Raven Goddess. Once done, perhaps we can free you also. You died an honorable death long ago. That should be enough for one's god."

"You are always a servant of Set...be you dead or alive."

Hlarn looks around, "This castle has lain in ruins for many years. I am not from this land, and do not know its history. Were you a great lord, or a vassal of the Empire of Sandas. It will not break your oaths to tell me something of yourself I think."

"I was the lord of this region under the Emperor of Saltar. When the rebels came, I battled them, taking many of them, torturing them and putting them to death in many horrific fashions as an example. No matter. Still they came. Finally my castle was beseiged and fell. I fell with it."

"And tell me something of this grand castle that was your home. Are there other ways down into the Temple?"

"There is another way. A secret way. But the doors are magically held and are difficult to force."

"Can you tell me its location? Would that violate your oaths? You need not tell Tibia that you have told us unless she directly asks. This horrific state you are in. Such things must be put to a stop. Anything you can tell me about Tibia and others in this area would aid us in our quest, and allow you to sooner rest in peace, or at least be freed from your service to go elsewhere and serve Set directly, rather than via Tibia's wishes."

"It would not violate anything."

He tells you. You realise that you have already explored many of those passages already, but were unable to open the doors that exit from them.

The dwarf nods. "I know Tibia is powerful. A high priest capable of summoning the greatest clerical magics. But who else serves in the temple with her? The more we know about her and her allies the easier it will be for us to rid your castle of her evil influence. Tell me what sort of weapons the warriors carry. You've undoubtably seen all who pass through this way. Aid me as best you can and tell me what you can of the Temple minions."

"I cannot tell you," he whispers flatly.

Hlarn points further down the hall. "We wish to end the power of the Raven Goddess. Let me take my friend back so that such can come to pass. Perhaps with her evil removed your curse too can be lifted. Don't simply be a servant to her evil. Master yourself and pull against her chains as best you can. Let me have my friends body back."

The helmet shakes again.

"Her power is too great for me to break. Tibia has instructed me to take any of you, should you come into my power. You cannot have him back. He is hers, now. Do not enter this chamber, or you shall suffer the same fate.

"The only way for you to save him is to destroy me."

"Tell me, does he yet live?" Hlarn says as he nods toward Kadlian. "Is he simply unconscious, or did you slay him? As a warrior yourself you must realize the conflict I have. It is difficult for me to abandon a friend."

"He lives. Tibia wants him alive, so that she may torture and mutilate him, and ultimately give him to her foul goddess."

Hlarn nods. "I do not relish his fate. A year or so ago she captured me. We were but nuisances to her then, and I was transformed. I do not think she will be as lenient this time around. Tell me, does Tibia have other prisoners here? Or others like you who have bound against their will to her service?"

"She has a few prisoners that she keeps in the torture chambers below."

Black slowly points with his sword to the south door.

"Do you know who they might be? We've freed some prisoners, so I'm guessing these must be of greater importance."

Black shakes his head slowly.

"They are of no consequence to me."

He then adds, "She has no others like me."

"And what of yourself? If I could find away to restore you, would you prefer to be brought back to life, or would you wish to rest again in peace?"

"Kill me. Then I will find peace."

Hlarn nods solemly. "Very well then. You desire peace, and I desire my friend back. Will you accept my challenge then to a duel using simply our blades. My axe versus your sword? Use none of those undead magics you have, such as the power word or fireballs, and I will not invoke the power of Silverbeard either. In this way perhaps we can both get what we wish. You may obtain your eternal peace, and I will take my friend back. And if not, you'll have my unconscious body to take back to Tibia too. She would be well pleased with that, I can tell you. Do we have a deal? I will accept your word on it, for you seem an honorable warrior and a true servant of Set."

"Much as such a duel would suit me, my will is not my own in this matter," Black whispers after a pause. "I am compelled to use all of the powers at my disposal against any who enter here. Await your companions, for they will aid you. They are coming now.

"Perhaps together you may return me to the peace I long for."

Hlarn sighs. "Very well. We will indeed try. Prepare yourself, for we will attack with all we have to recover our companion. And should we fail, perhaps the memory of this coming battle will give you some pleasure over the endless nights ahead. Silverbeard's blessing upon you Black, for no matter what you did in your life, no one deserves a fate such as what you have now."

Hlarn moves back to meet his companions, but stays where he can watch Black.

After a moment, you hear them approaching...Rage, Gnarsh and Furgh. A moment later, Zanax and Sian also join you.

When Hlarn sees the party coming down the stairs he quickly moves over to speak with them quiety.

"Kadlian is alive, but apparently unconscious. Kailar is dead. Inside the room is a Lord Black, the former lord of this castle, and involuntarily returned to this world in the form of a death knight. He's not exactly enthused by his work, and isn't quick to attack, but he's bound by Tibia's magics and must attack any who enter that room. We have to take him down quickly if we're to get Kadlian out of there."

Hlarn turns to party. "Quickly, what do you know of such undead? I know they are powerful fighters. Also he's already used a power word to kill Kailar, and possibly one to stun Kadlian. I know also they can cast powerful fireballs, so our endure heats will be save us for one blast. Also I'll cast a silence spell to hopefully keep any further powerwords or spells from being cast by him. I will toss this past Black so that our spell casters aren't effected unless they are in close proximity."

Hlarn looks at Gnarsh. "You need to get in, get Kadlian, and get back out as soon as possible."

Hlarn turns to Rage and Furgh. "Blast it with whatever magics you can, but if all you have is fireballs, then you'll need to use them only as a last resort. If you need to, summon that monster you mentioned before Rage, but lets try and avoid that. Kadlian's alive down there, and I don't want something killing him accidentally by using area magics. If things do begin to look bad, Black's goal is to take any of us he can down to be sacrificed. Better to be killed than for that to happen, so use the fireballs then. Besides, I think I recall his kind are resistant to magic also, but I'm not certain. Rage, I'll take that haste spell you have now."

Hlarn turns to the rest of the group. "The rest of us need to get in there and take Black down quickly. Gnarsh, grab Kadlian's flame tongue on the way out and come back in and use it. It's magic'd to be especially effective against undead."

"Time is wasting. We do it according to plan. If we don't take him down today he'll be able to use the power words when next we meet him, and another of us will be lost."

Zanax frowns "Death knights are demonic creatures. Paladins who had turned to evil. Their other powers include Wall of Ice and being able to Gate in other demons. They can also generate fear, much as that other demon did. All are innate, so forget the silence, Hlarn."

Zanax draws his Holy Avenger "Two things as we approach the death knight: 1) Hlarn and Sian flank me, Gnarsh behind me, and three of you stay within 5' of me...my sword will partially protect us against his magic. Votishal will also protect you from his evil if you stay within 10' of me. 2) Rage, remember what my sword did against your lightning bolt? You and Furgh try and keep us between you and him, unless you're about to cast a spell."

"Hlarn, now would be a good time to use any spells to aid us before we do battle. Furgh, do we want to parlay with Lord Black before we eradicate him?"

"If I cast haste, I can effect all four of you:Hlarn, Sian, Zanax and Gnarsh. Do you wish me to cast it on any of you now?" Rage asks in a whisper. "Also, Let Furgh start the show by using the light wand. And then I will follow with a volley of lightning bolts before you advance."

"Haste is good...although, I'm not thrilled about it's aging effects. As for the lightning bolts, don't be surprised if they have no effect and make sure you have enough left, should he gate in other demons."

"Do any of the other clerics have a protection from evil that they can cast? That might give us a little better leway on what we can do," says Sian. Turning to Hlarn, he continues, "I still have my stoneskin so that should help also. That is if I don't run away again"

"None of the other clerics have Protection From Evil. Otherwise, they would have used it against the demon upstairs. Just keep within 10' of me. Let's get this over with..." Zanax says grimly.

" I got one." Furgh says, quietly.

"Cast away Rage I think we will need all the help we can get."

"Where is Kailar's body by the way Hlarn?"

"The thing said 'Die'. He turned to dust... then everything just sorta disappeared," Furgh says quickly, not looking at all happy about it.

Gnarsh, in one of those rare displays of wisdom that he occasionally shows, says, "I'm goin' upstairs t'get th' others."

He then does so.

A few minutes later, Gnarsh returns with Taris in tow.

However, as you all advance to the entrance of the chamber, the elf stirs and groans. However, the fear is still upon him, and all he does next is curl himself up in the fetal position and shiver uncontrollably.

Furgh casts protection from evil upon Sian.

Hlarn casts silence, 15' radius into the room.

Rage casts haste on four fighters, namely Gnarsh, Sian, Hlarn and Zanax. They each age a year. She then begins to toss a some lightning bolts at the creature while Zanax et al. advance.

The bolts do not affect Lord Black. In turn, he speaks a word of power, and Rage is struck blind.

Apparently he has dispelled the silence.

Furgh holds up the wand. "This seems much more appropriate on Aggy," he adds with a frown, then points it towards Lord Black, and scowls slightly.

"Watch yer eyes," he says, then says the words, "...Telenias."

There is a flash. When you open your eyes, you see that the death knight is still there, unharmed.

Finding your magiks useless, the fighters charge in, the hasted ones leading the way. However, Sian and Gnarsh succumb to the fear of the creature, and go running screaming back out of the chamber.

Hlarn, Zanax and Taris face the death knight.

"For the Empire," he mutters mechanically, as the paladin and the dwarf attack quickly.

Hlarn fans on his first swing but quickly recovers and connects with his axe on the second. You hear ancient bones crunch.

Zanax also swings wildly with his avenger the first time. Black is hurt but not out. Suddenly a glowing symbol appears before Hlarn and Zanax. However, their strength of will saves them, and they resist the urge to flee. He turns on the slowest of his three attackers: Taris. His ancient two-handed sword clangs off of the half-elf's plate mail. Taris hits him hard with his dancing sword, and Black staggers.

Inexplicably, though, he smiles a ghastly smile at this turn of events, and his spark-eyes glance at Hlarn. The dwarf and Zanax, hasted, close in for the kill. Hlarn's axe connects first, and a cloud of dust pours out of a rent in his chain mail. Zanax follows up with his avenger, and Black collapses into a motionless pile of rusted armour, tattered cloak and bone shards.

He is at rest, again.

Rage can see again.

Kadlian stirs and opens his eyes, his fears gone.

You set off in search for Gnarsh and Sian.

Sian and Gnarsh are just returning to their senses when the rest of the party finds them.

They are back in the crypt, cowering in a coffin.

Sian immediately sees that Kadlian is leading the way. He looks pale and shaken.

You found no loot downstairs, nor any in the demon chamber, either. So, you take what you found earlier in the secret rooms off of the chamber of elementals, and exit stage right.

The walk back to the secret room is uneventful. You are surprised, however, to find someone waiting for you in the room when you open the secret door: a grugach elf, his body covered with tatoos.

Kal has returned.

Zanax nods at Kal with a smile. "Welcome back, druid."

"It is good to see you Kal. We will probably need you back in the mix after our last fight." Turning a little pale himself, Sian asks, "Do we have any way of building up my courage? I am getting very upset with myself...every time we run into something and I run away."

Kadlian's pale face brightens and a smile almost overcomes his face.

"Kal! What brings you back, my friend? When Equinox came back with Zanax's bracers, I thought we would never see you again."

"But, you have come at a bad time. We ran into a demon and I fled deeper into unexplored territory. They came to rescue me only to run into a death knight. Kailar did not survive. There is not even enough to ressurect."

"Zanax, work with Hlarn and Rage to come up with the appropriate wording to use with Taris' sword. Taris, I presume you will use your last wish to bring back Kailar?"

"Yes I will. I have no reason not to, and Kailar was my comrade too. Just make sure that I word it to where we will definitely get him back, and not mess it up, as this is quite possibly the last wish out of this sword," says the half elf.

Kadlian nods. "I knew we could count on you. Thank you."

Rage speaks, "We also have the ring, that we believe to be a ring of multiple wishes. We can, if you wish, try that one first before using the luck blade, thus saving it for a future use as well."

"Sasha, Equinox, please see to the wounded. Use the goodberries first and then your spells. Hlarn and Taris will join you after they have figured out the wording of the wish and brought back Kailar, if that is possible."

"We can word it so that everyone is at full strength and head back down immediately," Zanax offers.

"The most important thing is getting Kailar back. Be careful that we do not ask for too much, but if Rage or Hlarn agree with your wording, go ahead. Taris acknowledged he still has the luck blade and I do not think he will have any objections to us using it in this manner."

Kadlian heads to his bedroll and starts removing weapons.

Suddenly Kailar appears in your midst. He is alive and looks quite healthy, and has all his equipment. He is holding a bag that jingles like it is full of coins...and his cat.

"Oh, Hi guys, I see that you are all well. You had me worried there for a minute."

Kailar opens the bag and begins counting the coins in it.

Zanax looks shocked and stands there for several seconds with his mouth agape. "Kailar! What happenned to you? We thought you were slain by the death knight!"

Kailar looks up from the bag of coins.

"That was a Death Knight? Wow! I'd never seen one of those before. What happenned to it?"

Rage looks suspiciously at the 'Kailar' who has just appeared, and doubly so at the 'cat'. She points her staff at the 'Kailar'. "Wait a minute, you were killed by the death knight. How did you return here?" she asks, waiting for an answer.

"Shoot first, arsk questions later..." says Gnarsh, drawing his broadsword...

"There's no need for violence. I even brought you a beer Gnarsh."

Kailar hands over his cold beer.

Gnarsh puts down his sword and has a drink.

"You're welcome." says the gnome, before saying to Rage, "Why are you pointing your staff at me? Obviously I wasn't killed by the Death Knight, I'm here aren't I?"

"That is the problem. Hlarn and Kadlian both said you were dead. That the knight had spoken a word of power that reduced you to dust. And now you are here, alive, in our midst. These things do not make sense," says Rage. "B-9, who is the person that I am pointing at?" she asks.

"WILL ROBINSON!" replies the great clanking machine.

Zanax shrugs. "Maybe his cat does gamble with the gods...and won."

"Yeah ... but he cheats."

Zanax frowns. "And the gods put up with this?"

"Are you one to question the Gods, Zanax? Maybe they just like to humor him."

Zanax smiles. "I'm not questioning the gods, just you. Unless you are one, too."

"I am not used to having dead comrades popping up in them middle of our base without a good explanation," replies Rage, still pointing her staff at 'Kailar'. "Why would you all accept him without questioning who or what he really is?" Rage says to the rest of the group. "Kaldian and Hlarn said that they saw Kailar dead."

"Kadlian and Hlarn have been known to be wrong before. Why are you so suspicious? I haven't done anything to arouse these feelings."

"Because you were reported to be dead, and are now here, alive and teleported into our midst," replies Rage.

"Let's play twenty questions then, if it will make you feel better."

"No. Why not tell us what happened and then we can decide," replies Rage. "You were reported dead by the death knight. How come you are here now, alive, and whole?" she asks.

"And if I honestly don't know how I came to be alive again? Will you blow me up with your staff?"

Rage eyes 'Kailar' still. "I am still confused what as to what has happened. You have to admit that it is suspicious that two members of the party claim that you are dead, and here you show up alive."

"I am confused as to what happened also. I remember the thing with the glowing eyes told me to die and all of a sudden I'm here. What more of an explanation do you want from me?"

"How did you come by the bag of coins, though? Did you have them before you ran into the death knight?"

"Umm no, these are poker winnings."

Kadlian looks confused. "Poker winnings? Were you playing poker with the gods, then?"

"Not to my knowledge."

"From whom, then?" Zanax asks curiously. "I thought you said you didn't remember anything between arriving here and getting vaporized by the death knight."

"I didn't say they were my poker winnings." Kailar says, glancing at his cat.

Kadlian laughs. "Your cat, again? Perhaps we should send him there more often to increase our treasury."

"It seems to be a perfect trick that the dark keep would play on us." Rage looks to the others. "Kadlian, you are in charge here, the decision is yours. Zanax says he is not evil, but I am suspicious still."

"To be truthful, there are spells that can alter those alignment readings. I haven't learned them though," says Kailar.

"It would not do us any good to have a friend of the black keep in our midst. At the same time, if he is Kailar, than I am quite glad to see that he is alive."

"Then be glad."

"I am very glad, Kailar, but a bit confused. By all accounts, you did die. Zanax said you turned into dust and there was not even enough of you left to resurrect. We thought we would have to wish you back. So, the real question is, how did you get back here? Does your cat know?"

"He might but he's keeping quiet if he does."

"Perhaps Kal or Equinox could talk with him? Maybe he would be more inclined to talk to one of them? You two have sort of an unusual friendship..."

"They can try but I don't know if it will work. Too bad Fallon isn't here. He was always partial to her."

Kadlian nods. "I too, miss Fallon and Drandar. But, your cat is quite a smart feline and it just takes the right approach to make him happy. And when he is happy, he is friendly. At least, that is what has worked for me."

"When have you talked to my cat?"

"A few different times, but I am afraid it is all one sided. I am not intelligent enough to speak cat. I talk and he listens. And if he likes what I have said, he rubs my legs and I get to scratch behind his ears. If he does not like what I have said, he ignores me."

The cat sits down and starts washing his backside in Kadlian's general direction.

"Kal, can you speak with him for us? Find out what happened?"

"Don't bother, I think he's telling you something with his demonstration."

"I want to clear up a few things before we continue. I kept saying Kailar was dead because that was what Zanax reported. If you remember, I was cowering in the corner and I did not witness the fight with the Death Knight."

"Secondly, based on Kailar's actions and words and Zanax's statement, I believe this to be Kailar. No one else can be so evasive so nonchalantly."

"Nonchalantly evasive, moi."

"I still would like more explanation, but I think we can ask questions with a more relaxed tone..."

"Yer full a shit," says Gnarsh to Rage, puctuating his statement with a beery belch. "How does Sian an' I know that yer really Rage? Or that yer really Kad, or Hlarn? or whoever? Th' death knight could'a killed youse all while we was feared, an' replaced you with doppelgangers er somethin'. Or me an' Sian could be dops, and youse guys is real.

"I think yer fucked in the head," he concludes, taking another swig of Kailar's beer.

"Well, I know who I am," Zanax says, drawing his Holy Avenger and lighting up the room with a glow. "Unless, you have issues with me and my sword, Gnarsh. And I'll vouch for Rage, as I was with her the whole time."

Gnarsh leers.

"I'd like t'take that holy sword an' shove it up yer holy ass!" he says amicably.

Zanax then sheathes the sword. "But, I am also willing to believe that this is Kailar...brought back by some unknown power...and willing to accept him. Shall we move on to planning our assault on the temple again?"

"Thank you for your vote of confidence."

Zanax nods in acknowledgement ."Just don't be too angry at Rage, she is venting some anger over Agulhas being injured."

Zanax adds, "Well, he's not evil..."

"Of course I'm not evil. Anyone else joining the paranoia parade?"

"Not evil you say," replies Rage, lowering the staff a little bit. "Tell us, 'Kailar' what happened to you when you encountered the death knight?"

To Kadlian, in elvish, Kal says, "I felt it was time for me to return." Looking around the party, "The drow is not here, what became of it?"

"She left. Felt she could not work with the party because some of us still had problems with her. Wish she would have felt that way before you had left us, though."

Rage replies in elvish, "The drow disappeared some time ago. And thank you for your prejudices," she says, scowling at the druid.

"And what is the difference in my prejudice against the drow and your prejudice against the evil you are currently fighting?" asks the druid.

Rage eyes the druid with suspicion. "Thus, you support allowing this evil to continue, unfestered?" she asks, "An individual can choose to be for good or evil, as did our drow companion. If those here choose to be for good, I will leave them alone. Those who work against the values and ideals that I believe in, well, they have made their choice, as have I."

Kal shakes his head, "I returned to help prevent it from spreading."

Rage looks at the druid. "I see." she says. "Then I am greatful to have you along for the ride."

"Yes, it looks like we need to wait a week for Agulhas to recover. And we need some healing. Also, we should identify all those items that we found to see if there is something there that will help us."

Sasha, who has been unusually quiet recently, smiles at Kailar's joke.

Softly she adds, "Welcome back, Kailar. I am glad to see that you are alive and well."

Rage finally puts her staff down. "Welcome back Kailar. Please forgive my jumpiness, but I see that the reports of your death have been greatly exaggerated."

Kal helps to tend to people's wounds.

Zanax plans to spend the week brooding and levitating while reading all of Andre Norton's science fiction novels.

Finally, you bed down for the night. All is quiet.

next day...

return to October, 1371 page.