[Sat Dec 15 20:12:36 GMT 2001]

Bilgrom sits up against the wall and looks up at the ceiling while whistling, glancing at the dwarf now and then, and at the blinded paladin, "So, what's it we gonna do now that' we's got some o' them with sight again, huh? I am say up in t' mountain t' see t' three-headed beast, I'll tell ye!"

Balthazar shrugs "I’m confident we can figure something out."

Bilgrom hops on his feet and walks back and forth along the wall, "Dwarf. Ain’t there nothin' ye's can do fer t' paladin, huh?"

Borathor stands there with a half-filled vial while looking at the still blinded human. He then takes a few quiet steps and reaches out to him, "Here take this! I didn't need the whole thing and I think it may help ya"

Syrenia shrugs, as she looks to the group..."It doesn't really matter to me but should we really waste more time for the mage to find out why we are here?" She looks to the little man for his answer.

Balthazar raises an eyebrow "I wasn't aware only half a vial was needed" he then takes it, nods in thanks, and then drinks it down.

Borathor looks back over to Syrenia with a grin and replies; "I think we should find this so called wizard and then decide our fates from there"

Bilgrom shrugs back at the lady, "Well, them's mage and him's fiend probably already know. So what be t' rush, huh?"

Balthazar rubs his eyes and squints

Elina looks away and gathers her belongings for the move onward, or out ward depending on which way everyone goes.

Syrenia smiles at Borathor..."It will be great practice for another mage we have a conflict with."

[Balthazar]: From the relieved expression on his face you gather the potion has worked.

Bilgrom nods to Syrenia, "But I's rather go inside again anyway. Cause them's magic blindin' trap be already off anyway." scratching his head, uncertain of what decision to make.

Syrenia sarcastically says..."Hooray the paladin has his sight back." She shakes her head and gets up, ready to move out.

[Borathor]: "I was thinking the same thing", he winks at her and gives her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Now I'll ask again sir," turning to the human "Do you need help?"

[Balthazar]: "Need help with what my friend?"

[Borathor]: Standing next to Syrenia, Borathor begins to looks onward while thinking of similar passages he had once traveled with her. "Well, lets get moving. This wizard won't just sit there and wait on us"

Syrenia looks around and then says..."So who wants to do what? Go to the monsters lair up in the mountain or continue on inside the mage's place?" She looks to all for their answers.

Tollong looks around, "I say we flush this mage out and do away with him, then hopefully we can be in a town before the weeks end sipping on some fine ale in a warm comfy bed."

Borathor nods happily to Tollong, "Ok good that's one. He then turns to Bilgrom and smiles, "We need you to assist us and then we can do other ventures friend."

[Balthazar]: "As I've said before, I believe we should finish this first."

Syrenia grins at the fighter..."Not a bad image." She smiles up at Borathor..."I want to hear what happened to you and the others...in a better place."

Jarl snickers, 'That's a long way up to that lair, don't think some of your frail elves could make the climb." laughing as he gathers his things.

Syrenia crosses her arms ver her chest..."You couldn't even climb on a table with that belly of yours."

Borathor looks over at Jarl; a sharp frown now covers his shadowed face. "Frail? I'll give you frail you sorry excuse for a dwarf!" He catches himself losing his temper and simply walks a few feet away and remains silent.

[Jarl]: "Well if I had a stool I could."

Borathor mumbles about stinking dwarves...

Syrenia shakes her head and begins to head back towards the scribe's room..."Enough of this...let's go."

Jarl looks at Borathor, "What's got your breeches in a bunch?"

Balthazar looks around uncomfortably "Perhaps we should go now, are you all prepared?"

Borathor looks over to Jarl and snarls out, "Just keep the bigotry to a minimum around me. Let’s just say I am sensitive to it." With those words he moves along side of Syrenia with out making sound.

Making your way back to where you were blinded. You are in a large room, 40'feet long by 25' foot wide. A door stands in the center of the walls to you left and right. Curtains hang along the walls to your immediate left and right, standing out from the walls at a distance of about 2' feet. Directly across the room stands a man dressed in a long black robe adorned with gray crescent moon. He stands on a stone platform with his back to you totally preoccupied with the runes he is painting on the back wall of the room. As you watch him, he finishes painting one row of runes, and begins painting another row directly below them. Across the room is the passage that was uncovered the last time you had attempted to pass through.

Syrenia completely ignores the scribe and makes her way towards the door Bilgrom unlocked and steps through.

Checking the door on the right side you see it opens to a 5' foot wide by 20' foot long corridor, which is illuminated by the same good ole skulls that you have seen many times before. A plain door stands at the far end of the corridor.

Balthazar closes his eyes passing the scribe and stops right in front of the new corridor

Syrenia yells back as she makes her way carefully across the corridor..."Get in and the last one to enter closes the door."

Borathor moves along with Syrenia. After seeing the scribe he pulls a blade from each side. The blades make very little sound as they come out of their sheaths.

Jarl looks at the man writing upon the wall then back to the others, "Hmm shouldn't we like do something about him?"

[Balthazar]: "What do you suggest we do?"

[Jarl]: "Hmm like maybe talk to him or deal with him in other manners" Looking at the fighters.

Syrenia says without looking back..."Paladin...you know what happened last time...drag him in and close the door!" She makes her way to the door.

Borathor keeps his back behind Syrenia, to let her do her work.

[Balthazar]: "Indeed wizard, perhaps it would be more cautious to continue on."

Syrenia kneels before the door and carefully and quietly looks over it.

Bilgrom pops his head between the others and listens to their tactics. "Must be after a while that him's blind us?" He seems to be a smaller replica of Borathor as he draws his blades on each side. Keeping his eyes away from the man and follows Syrenia.

Syrenia approaches her hand closer to the knob of the door and tries to open the door.

Balthazar also follows Syrenia, making sure to let the rogues check the ground before him not to repeat the last incident.

Syrenia tries the knob as the door begins to open inward.

Bilgrom closes his eyes.

Balthazar stands ready for anything

Syrenia stands back and let's Borathor open the door further "The door is clean."

Bilgrom slowly makes his way into the doorway with Syrenia, "I'll go down there." And with that he pulls the door slightly ajar, to have a look inside.

Syrenia sighs and shakes her head as she mumbles to her self..."The strongest should enter first."

Bilgrom nods to Syrenia, "That be why I's goin' first."

Borathor opens the door, carefully.

The door opens into a 15' foot wide by 20' foot long room. AT the far end of the room, a young man sits facing you. He is reading aloud from a large tome and doesn't appear to notice you. The only other items in this room are a bed of straw, a small cabinet, a bookcase, and an astrological chart hanging on the wall behind the young man.

Bilgrom pulls his head back in and lets Borathor do the rest of the job.

Syrenia shakes her head again at the halfling carelessness.

Borathor pulls out his bow and arms it. He puts his hand up to stop the other from going any further, "This may be another trap. That guy may be an illusion", pointing his bow at it unseeingly...

Bilgrom grins at Syrenia as he leans against the wall to see farther in front of Borathor at the man seated behind the desk, "What's he be doin' there?"

Syrenia puts her hand on her daggers, hilt as she enters after Borathor. She listens intently to what the young man is saying, trying to decipher it's meaning.

As the man finishes with his words you are blow backwards by a flash of lightning that rips through the room and down the passageway, sending most if not all of you to your butt. Getting back to your feet you see the man is no where to be seen as if he vanished into thin air. With the door behind you close left no where for the spell to go but to absorb all of you.

Bilgrom staggers as he is thrown back into the passageway and struggles to get back on his feet and put out his clothes, "I's tell ye them's three headed creature be more fun!" A slight grin on his burnt face.

Syrenia screams out at the pain and drops to one knee..."Damn that hurt!" She gets up and makes her way to the closest wall to sit down against it.

Borathor gets up and brushes his now slightly burnt cloak off. "I will tear that mages head off with my bare hands." He then looks to where one of his blades landed and goes to pick it up.

Looking about over your smoldering comrades you see quite a few still on their backs in the passageway.

Syrenia says between grinding teeth..."I won't hold back next time."

Balthazar gets up slowly with his hand on his side

Bilgrom draws his blades and runs right into the room, jumping onto the desk and roaring, "That be right wuss, ye's run and cower. He swings his blades down onto the chair, "Ye's be invisible huh?"

Syrenia stands then goes over to Elina to bind her wounds as best she can.

Jarl makes his way over to the fallen in attempts to save their lives from the flash burns they have received.

[Borathor]: "I can assure you that anyone else we meet here will die. I will not hesitate for the sake of kindness again. This place is definitely a home of evil wizards." His eyes sparkle as he mentions revenge...

Balthazar nods "To defend a home is one thing, but this is nothing but a den of trickery and death."

Bilgrom moves back as he notices the futility of his swings and hops down onto the ground; he wipes his face, now red with anger. "We's find him."

Balthazar concentrates to heal his wounds

Borathor pulls out a potion and drinks it down. He then looks around and then yawns...

Syrenia sighs as she finishes her task on Elina and stands back up again with a wince before making her way to the desk to see if the tome remains.

Jarl prays over top of Tollong as several lights are absorbed into his body coming from the little hands of the Dwarf. Soon after Tollong begins to stir.

Bilgrom joins Syrenia by the desk and searches the other pieces of furniture, bed included, seeing how he is helpless to the wounded.

Tollong sits up and rubs his head and pats the burnt hair off his garments.

Jarl then makes his way over to Elina to try and restore her to her feet as well.

Balthazar watches the dwarf at work, clearly impressed

Bilgrom ransacks the apprentice's little cabinet.

Jarl prays over the lass and with the healing touch she to as come round and tries to get to her feet.

[Balthazar]: "There must be a way on further..."

Syrenia sighs..."The tome is gone with the mage..." She looks over the bookcase as the little man looks over the cabinet.

Jarl looks about I have one cure left anyone in dire need, or I will use it on myself?"

Balthazar checks for a passage behind the chart "I am well enough, thank you."

Borathor seems to be much more alert than before. His wounds have closed and he now stands there waiting for the next events to unfold.

Looking behind the chart you see no visible signs of a door, just a stone wall.

Jarl prays and sends his healing light into him self as he tries to gather strength to move on.

Borathor scans the room and then looks down on the floor for anything he can find. He studies the ground carefully along with each wall of the area.

[Balthazar]: "Perhaps another illusion."

Syrenia says as she looks over the books of the bookcase..."We will have to rest here and now...another spell like that and most of us will die."

Balthazar nods "If we must."

Tollong looks about, 'If we rest he might come back and with help."

Bilgrom smiles at Syrenia as he moves away from the opened cabinet, "Normal gear." He pauses in front of the astrological chart and shrugs, inspecting it carefully for a moment and then walking away. "If we's rest here. T’ apprentice I’ll probably come back and finish us off, I tell ye!"

[Balthazar]: "The further into this lair we are the more dangerous it is to doodle, however."

Bilgrom runs from one corner of the room to the other, to the other, hops from one feet to the other excitedly, "Them's wizards appear where them's want and travel from here, t' here, t' here. Almost instantly, huh?"

[Borathor]: "I have to agree, moving on seems like the thing to do" He smiles and then waits there, putting his bow onto his back and the arrow back into it's green quiver.

Syrenia shakes her head..."With all the bows in this room, I doubt he could cast another spell if he teleported in here...

Balthazar scratches his chin a bit, then takes the chart from the wall and rolls it up and folds it, stuffing it in his backpack if it is compacted enough.

Bilgrom shrugs at Syrenia if ye say so. "I think only t' priest should be a-restin' while we's do somethin' else. We need not rest now. We’s need all we's can." He points to the weapons they took when they entered, "We's can have an look at them's items for now, huh?"

Syrenia shakes her head..."I can't detect magic now...and I hurt with each step. Look at Elina, she is worse off then me...how much more do you think she can take?"

[Balthazar]: "Which is riskier? To continue on, wounded, or to rest here and risk attack?"

Jarl looks at the others, "So you think maybe you folks can search the room for other ways out of here for I don't see any other doors?"

Syrenia sighs..."We will be attacked wherever we go...might as well make them come to us."

[Bilgrom]: "There be other' door on t' other side. But it is tricked. An illusion too, perhaps."

Balthazar nods "Makes sense."

Jarl steps aside "it wouldn't take long to get some cures back if you all so choose to wait?"

Syrenia makes her way to the left wall and begins to run her hands across its surface; she then does the same for the forward and left walls.

Bilgrom nods to Jarl, "That be already certain!"

Borathor sighs and then finds a nice wall to sit down and rest against. "Well, wake me if anything comes up." He then plops down and pulls his hood over his face to conceal any unwanted light.

Syrenia shakes her head at Jarl..."I haven't found any secret doors."

Jarl finds a spot out of the way to begin prayers while the others look for another way to move on.

Syrenia then turns to Valin..."Take out your bow and be ready."

Valin nods and takes up position near the way they came in. Keeping an eye on the back door.

Bilgrom examines his wounds shortly and shrugs, "I's stay up an' watch out fer t' nasty li'l mage."

Syrenia settles down in a corner and takes out her spell book, readying herself to study.

Balthazar keeps his back to a wall, and stands guard.

Syrenia shrugs and nods..."Fine." She opens her book and reads it.

Bilgrom leans against the wall next to Valin, taking out a loaf of bread and eating it slowly, piece by piece.

Several hours pass as the dwarf finishes his prayers; no one or thing has attempted to return to the room.

Bilgrom weights his belt pouch a little, "Bah. Darn it. When’s I gonna get t' spend all me shiny li'l gold pieces, huh?" Shrugs and goes dead silent for the rest of the time being.

Borathor gets up and shakes off his short-lived nap. He then looks around the room and after thinking a moment he pulls his bow off his back and arms it. "I will sure get a few shots at the next one", he says while chewing on some dried meat.

Syrenia stands up and begins to chant in her magical tongue and weaving her hands in a way that they seem to cover her whole body. As she finishes, glowing, white light surround her body for an instant and disappear as quickly.

Jarl once again makes his rounds giving a healing hand to those who may be in need, starting first with Elina.

Bilgrom smiles at Borathor, "No more hesitatin' huh. I's like t' idea." He looks down at Syrenia studying and while not trying to disturb her, he adds, "Her coulda' made one o' us invisible y'know." he notices her standing up and shuts his trap.

[Balthazar]: "I can get along, Jarl, but I could use help nonetheless."

Jarl makes his way to the others after repeating him self twice upon the lass and getting her back to a good health standing. "Ok who's next?"

Syrenia turns to Jarl..."Me."

Bilgrom raises his dagger, "I's not deeply wounded, I tell ye. But I's can't take as much as 'em all!"

Jarl nods to the knight as he makes his way to him and begins to pray for the healing touch upon his wounds.

Balthazar thanks the dwarf

After finishing with the knight he makes his way to the other lass to give his last cure to her.

Syrenia nods to the dwarf in thanks.

Elina stands and looks around before pulling her book out, "Is everyone ready now?"

Balthazar nods and taps on the hilt of his sword

Bilgrom laughs and nods, "I's hmm. Guess hummm. Yeah."

Syrenia nods to the elven maid..."Yes I am..."

Bilgrom walks over to Elina whom he believes carries items usable by all party members, "Hey ye. Give me an potion before I's forget." Walks over to Balthazar, "Oh, pretty and good paladin. Mind ye share an good potion o' healin' with a poor li'l halfling in need, huh?" He cocks his head and smiles widely.

Balthazar eyes the thief and Syrenia "You need these more than I..."

Syrenia sighs and without looking him in the eyes answer..."Aye I do."

Balthazar sighs and gives his potion to Syrenia you seem the most wounded..."

Elina begins to chant from her book aloud looking about the room, as she finishes and the room grows silent, you begin to hear the grinding of stone as the wall behind the chart begins to open up.

Bilgrom shrugs and walks away, "Bah. Wastin’ it on her. Bah!" He motions to the door and goes to lean next to it with Valin again.

Syrenia coughs..."How could I have missed that"

Elina looks to the others, 'I believe he went that away." Pointing to the wall.

Borathor looks around at everyone and then turns to the chart wall, aiming his bow.

Syrenia takes the potion from Balthazar and drinks it down..."Thanks."

Balthazar draws his sword "Lets go. "

Bilgrom glances at Elina in confusion and he raises an eyebrow as the wall opens up, "Beautiful indeed." He begins his way around the desk to see what lies beyond, drawing his blades.

Balthazar walks up to the new doorway and peers down

Syrenia makes her way to the side of the doorway.

Borathor looks over to Syrenia and then nods to her, "Ok, let me know when the flooring is safe and we can go get us some wizards"

Looking into the passage you see it runs along the wall some 20 feet before turning off to the right and left out of view.

Bilgrom smiles as he swirls a dagger in the air and catches it back, "That be t' spirit! Let us be off t' slay some mage, ahoy!"

Balthazar smiles "Perhaps we should check for traps, as we've done before. These mages are tricksters..."

Syrenia makes her way inside the passage, stopping every 5 feet to inspect the floor.

Syrenia makes her way down to the T with no trouble.

Bilgrom nods as he points to Syrenia, "They’re ye's go."

Syrenia peers from the corner to look at each side with only her head.

Balthazar follows

Borathor keeps pace about ten paces behind Syrenia. His bow is armed and readied, his steps nearly silent and sure.

Syrenia turns back and says..."Left 20 feet with a door at the end and right 50 feet with a door at the end."

Bilgrom places his ear against the right wall and listens carefully, trying to see if anything other than them may be walking down the passage and causing vibrations in the foundations.

Syrenia winces as she watches the halfling and whispers..."Sorry" Looking at the little man expectantly..."Well?"

Bilgrom rushes to the T intersection and shrugs, "Nothing 'round here it seems... Huh. Let’s go down t' left one. Closer." He smiles and waits for the trap searching to begin again.

Tollong looks forward, "Come on pick one not the best place to get caught by another spell."

Syrenia nods to him and looks to the others for disapproval, seeing none; she turns the T and heads to the left corridor. Then stops suddenly..."Good point...all of you stay here, I'll check the corridor and the door then you will follow." Nods, to herself and makes her way down the corridor to the left, inspecting the floor as she goes.

[Borathor]: "Ok, one is as good as the other as far as I am concerned. The flooring is stone and with little dust I feel almost blind. I sure look forward to getting our business done and returning to the outdoors."

Balthazar swings his sword slightly, getting a feel for it...

Elina turns round and smacks Valin across the face, 'Stop that!"

Balthazar turns around and arches an eyebrow and coughs.

Syrenia looks back and asks..."What's going on back there?"

Valin rubs his cheek 'what it was my arrow tip."

Bilgrom kicks the floor out of boredom and grips his blade handles tightly.

Balthazar chuckles, then makes a face and controls his mirth.

Borathor looks at her from ten paces and shrugs, "Nothing, back here"

Syrenia shrugs and makes her way to the door. She kneels before it and inspects its surface; it's frame and the floor under it.

Bilgrom silently makes his way across the hallway and next to Syrenia seeing as to how it is safe.

Syrenia runs silently back to them..."Let's go..."

Balthazar marches down to the door

Borathor nods to Syrenia and moves along with her.

Bilgrom meets her halfway and shrugs, "Let's burst t' door and swing in all 'em directions."

Syrenia waits for Borathor to lead the group as she draws her dagger.

[Balthazar]: "Blast the door, then hug the walls

Syrenia nods to Bal..."Aye spread out as you enter."

Borathor moves up and opens the door. He then opens it with great prejudice.

[Borathor]: After the door is open, Borathor enters the room and begins to fire if any targets present themselves.

Balthazar leans flat against the wall as Borathor opens it

Swinging the door open and looking through, as the mage paints across Borathor’s face as he rushes through the door, before passing right through the scribe.

[Balthazar]: "It leads back to where we were!"

Syrenia shrugs..."Off the other way...and hurry before he blinds us again."

Bilgrom glances at Borathor and shrugs covering his eyes and looking away in the other direction, "I's hate this mage place!"

Syrenia makes her way back to the T and begins to make her way towards the other door, stopping every 10 feet to inspect the floor and walls.

Borathor laughs at himself, showing a mild sense of humor in the situation. His face then turns to stone as he says, "It just adds to the flavor of revenge my little friend"

[Balthazar]: "I suppose this was designed to be a one way escape route."

Bilgrom hops from one foot to the other looking up at Borathor, "I's want t' eat mage stew fer suppa’."

Balthazar goes to the other end of the hall to wait after Syrenia again.

Syrenia makes her way towards the other door without incidents. She stops before the door and begins her meticulous search for traps.

Bilgrom rushes to her side with his blades still drawn out ever since they met the apprentice first.

Borathor moves into his normal spot, being ten paces behind Syrenia, so she can do her thing. His bow is still armed and at the ready, his steps light and sure.

Bilgrom seems to be taking in everything she does, every time she is working on a door, and he nods to himself occasionally.

Syrenia takes out her lockpicks and starts to work on the door's lock. She whistles silently as she works.

Syrenia works on the keyhole when you hear a slight clicking sound.

Syrenia smiles as she makes way for Borathor..."The door is ready for bashing..."

Bilgrom pats her on the back, "Ye're too good with that’. Never fails, huh!" He holds his blades out once the lock is picked and waits patiently for the door to be opened.

Borathor flinches at the sound and then braces for anything to happen. At her words he walks up to the door and opens it rather roughly.

Syrenia looks down at the halfling for any look of sarcasm in the little man's words.

The door opens into a room, 25' feet wide by 30' feet long. The items in this room, clockwise from your left, are a wooden workbench covered in flask's vials and instructions or documents written on paper. A carpet mounted on the wall with some sort of magic runes upon it and a cabinet, a mirror, and a broom. A bookcase holding numerous volumes, a desk with a vial of writing ink set upon it with a plush chair behind it. A bed with large fluffy pillows upon it, a sword and shield mounted on the wall, a chest, a tapestry, a painting, and an elephant's foot made into a receptacle for three wooden staves. In the floor near the center of the room is a circle almost like a direction pointer encircled by strange runes and writings at its center. Behind that stands the man from the other room holding a staff in hand and, ready waiting. "Be hold the power of the staff!" He shouts as you enter.

Bilgrom rushes in past him and into the room that was newly opened tumbling around anything that may oppose itself, or simply tumbling stationary.

[Borathor]: After the door is open, Borathor enters the room and begins to fire if any targets present themselves.

Syrenia enters and moves to the side, hugging the wall.

Borathor fires at the man....

The man yells out in pain as both arrows pierce his chest as he falls backwards to the floor dropping the staff at his feet.

Borathor rips two arrows across the room and into the man. Both are on target, as he seems to be reloading as quickly as he can.

Syrenia runs and dives for the staff.

Bilgrom glances at Borathor confusedly, "He feinting’. Or an real wuss?"

Borathor glances at the man falling and then to the bow, "This bow has served me many times before"

Bilgrom rushes over to the desk on the left, "We's better get all we's can before the nasty mage comes visitin’."

Borathor moves over to the man and searches him.

Syrenia takes the staff and turns to Jarl..."Hey, can you detect magic or you Elina?"

Borathor searches the body and comes up with a pouch and some coins. He then walks over to Syrenia and hands both of them to her. "Here ya go."

Bilgrom looks over at Syrenia expectantly. "We's better gather all t' items in here if we's t' detect magic, huh?"

Borathor then goes over and takes the armor and weapon, putting them in a pile on the floor.

Syrenia drops hmm near the door..."Can everything you find with those...We'll identify and all later...I want to get out of here."

Bilgrom laughs and reaches for the broom, hurling it next to her, "Even that. Huh?"

Syrenia shrugs..."Why not?" looking at the carpet..."Try not to step on that."

Bilgrom shrugs back and looks at the others, hopping from one foot to the other again he continues searching the room. Pulling on the carpet and adds it to the pile he's starting to gather in the middle of the room.

Syrenia takes the pouch and looks in it. Before gasping in surprise and throws two daggers at the creature.

Borathor moves in on the creature, getting close and personal. Both his blades are now drawn and after seeing it attack he appears to be enraged. Both blades clang together as he tries to put the creature to rest.

Syrenia throws her two daggers, the first one passing right by his face and the only lodges itself in it's chest.

[Borathor]: Both blades come, no where near the creature as he trips and nearly falls down.

Bilgrom turns around as he notices the undead and screams at the sight and he rushes forth at him, twirling his blades he foregoes all attacks in favor of a better defense and grabs the ring while it is still rolling near the lich, slipping it on his finger immediately.

Jarl attacks with his axe but misses the monster completely.

The beast chants a few short words waving his right hand before you.

Jarl flees the room at up most haste.

Balthazar shouts an oath as he runs away down the nearest exit

Bilgrom indeed follows their lead as he runs past the lich into the doorway, "The end is near. AAAAAH!"

Just about everyone flees the room in terror as Tollong and Valin are left standing alone with the mage.

Syrenia runs down the corridor in haste..."Elina is dead...dead!"

Borathor follows Jarl against his will...

Balthazar stands in the scribe chamber... "How despicable."

Syrenia and find yourselves in the ogres den.

Balthazar follows down, trying to catch up the others to stop them.

Borathor and find yourselves in the ogres den.

Bilgrom continues screaming and running down the multiple passages, trying to find the shortest way out.

Shortly after Balthazar stops running and catches his breath in the scribes room, Tollong and Valin come running through yelling to "run their weapons have no effect"

Borathor gets his senses back and immediately runs back to the mage's area...

Syrenia sighs and runs after Borathor.

Bilgrom turns his head around to see what they're talking about and bounces right into a wall. Since he has been out of sight for a moment.

In no time at all you all cross paths again when half are going out and half are going in, Tollong informs you all that their weapons just didn’t seem to have any effect.

Borathor keeps running back to the mage's area...

Syrenia shakes her head and continues to run after Borathor..."You'll get me killed you know..."

Bilgrom draws his shortsword and rushes in past them, "Make me invisible, I's grab t' staff and go hide it!"

Syrenia waves the staff in front of him..."I have it..."

Bilgrom slowly comes to a stop, "Huh. Damn." He rushes in with Borathor, "I's want t' get a piece o' t' mage too!"

[Borathor]: "That thing is going to pay!" pulling out his trusty blades he looks at one sending off a light glow and he smiles, "I got something for it"

[Balthazar]: "My blade is fine but normal steel... I cannot harm it but I will keep it occupied at least." Also goes in to fight. As he runs away once more....

[Bilgrom]: As soon as Bilgrom has disappeared, he is back again yelling, "It's got an bigger wand. Aaaah!"

You don’t even make it all the way back when you encounter the mage coming for you.

Syrenia points out the staff at Fesspel and begins to blurt out words..."Tormaq, Fesspel, Earthspur, Harrowdale, tower, light, green, Velarsburg!"

Borathor tries to swing at the man, but fails in the tight, confined area...

[Bilgrom]: You hear the faint voice of Bilgrom still yelling down the hallways in the entrails of the stronghold.

Jarl to has gone the way of the little one.

Valin stands there not knowing what to do with his weapons being useless.

The mage comes in and reaches out grabbing upon Syrenia’s arm with his wretchedly cold hands.

Tollong attacks knowing it is fruitless but feels he is doing something anyway.

Borathor gets into position and tries to do some harm to the thing.

Syrenia glances down at the staff and continues the endless words..."Velarwood...troll...tree of lights...gem...werewolves...stone giant...damn annoying wizards!" She stamps her foot and then yells out "Behold the power of the staff."

Valin shrugs and follows Tollong’s way, if anything just being a target to help those who can hit the monster.

The beast has turned his attention upon Tollong and reaches out digging into his chest with its wretched claws.

Borathor once again fails to make contact with the elusive creature.

Tollong swings once more but again fails to harm the beast in any way with his efforts.

Syrenia screams in frustration and puts the staff away before drawing her dagger and lunging for the creature.

Borathor twirls his second sword around without really doing anything. It appears he too knows that only one of his blades matter. Once again fails to make contact with the elusive creature.

Syrenia jabs at the creature, aiming for it's ribs but she misses miserably and hits the wall.

Valin continues to bounce around the battle trying to confuse the mage.

The beast turns around once more grabbing Syrenia by her hair and pulling her into him.

Syrenia screams out from the pain and yells out..."My dagger is magical if..." She swallows..."if anything happens to me, use it!"

Tollong nods at the lass as he to gets in the way darting back and fourth.

Syrenia raises her dagger as she weakly tries to attack the lich but she misses tears flow from her eyes as she senses the end.

With the recent attack the creature turns and grabs Borathor by the wrist as he swings at him with his blades.

Borathor lunges forward and lands his glowing bastard sword into the belly of the beast...

The beast staggers back and removes itself from the tip of the blade as it fights on.

Tollong yells out in glee as he sees the beast finally get hit.

Valin lingers closely to Syrenia incase she goes down.

The beast reaches out to grab upon Valin but fails to do so with Tollong running about.

Tollong dodges through the fray trying not to be hit by the beast or one of the group members.

Borathor stands off with his other blade merely using it to defend more than anything else does.

Syrenia throws her dagger to Valin..."Here you want it...well have it..." She moves backwards.

Valin catches the dagger and prepares to do battle.

Borathor rips once again into the beast with the glowing blade. It finds its way deep into its rotting flesh.

Valin attacks with the tiny blade but fails to connect with the beast.

Borathor stands off with his other blade merely using it to defend more than anything else does.

The mage was in the process of casting some unknown spell to unleash upon you when he was interrupted by Borathor’s blade striking home.

Tollong slows to a walk tired of darting back and fourth threw the battle.

Fesspel once again begins casting a spell as this time he manages to get it off. As Valin and Borathor freeze in they’re tracks leaving Tollong and Syrenia to fend the beast off.

Syrenia yells out..."Grab their weapons."

Valin stands motionless like trapped in his last movement.

Borathor tries to move, but fails...

Tollong runs over and grabs Borathor’s glowing blade, and with a jerk pulls it away. "Hope you don't mind."

Borathor tries to move, but fails...

The beast refrains from chanting as it again turns to grabbing upon you.

Syrenia grabs her dagger and runs in to attack... Lunging at the creature with her dagger but misses.

The creature reaches out once more and strikes Tollong again.

Tollong growls in anger and attempts to strike the lich. But fails to hit.

Syrenia yells out..."Run!" makes her way to the door that leads to the scribe's room. As she goes she grabs her scroll case and takes out a scroll.

Tollong stabs at the creature striking it in the chest with Borathor's sword.

The creature again assaults upon the only moving target left to fend for him self misses Tollong cleanly.

Tollong Driven by his success slashes again. But fails to hit once more.

The creature moves up quickly and strikes out at Tollong grabbing by his left shoulder as Tollong grows weak in the knees and hits the floor. Then looks around the room making sure everyone is effectively taken care of.

Syrenia makes her way back..."Damn it all...listen to me next time"

Before turning his sites back at the door and the Entering Syrenia, with a grim smile upon its rotted face it moves towards her. The creature reaches out and just barely touches the flesh of Syrenia in his attempt to rip her flesh off.

[Bilgrom]: The sound of Bilgrom's voice is faintly heard again. This time it is curses to the mage.

Syrenia bashes the staff against the wall.

The staff breaks in to but nothing seems to happen as if it was just a mere quarterstaff.

Syrenia begins to read the scroll and casts fireball 4 feet behind her.

With the casting of the scroll Syrenia sends a ball of fire through the room when the flash of fire settles the remains of the beast and her lay charred upon the floor. In time the others begin to move once more as the Bilgrom returns from his running.

Borathor retrieves his weapons when he is able to move. He moves over to Syrenia and sees if she is ok...

Some time later Balthazar and Jarl returns to the area as Borathor and Valin begins to move slowly. Syrenia is burnt almost to ciders giving her life to save the others.

Jarl makes his way across the room to assist in binding Tollong’s wounds.

With the mage now gone the strange marking upon the floor begins to glow and shimmer a light purple hue. Within a few minutes the circle vanishes revealing a hole in the floor.

Bilgrom wonders when he will be back.

Balthazar sighs as he lays hands on Borathor

Bilgrom glances down at the calumniated body of Syrenia and sighs, "Wha’. Wha’ happened 'round here?"

[Borathor]: "thank you Balthazar that was a close one I’d say, watching it all not being able to help."

[Balthazar]: "Not as bad as running like a frightened child the whole while... I am a dishonor to my Order... sigh..."

Bilgrom moves in with the others and sighs deeply as he watches the remains of the lich, and its belongings.

Balthazar looks down the newly revealed hole in the ground

Searching the remains of the beast yields only one ring as the rest was destroyed in the fire blast.

Bilgrom kneels down, and watches Syrenia's burnt face with admiration and closes her eyes with his index and thumb, "It was an honor fer me t' travel with ye, Syrenia. And that' be a great thing, for ye's a mage!" With that he bows his head and looks up at Balthazar and the others. He grabs her dagger, and replaces it with his own, "Well, she's nay gonna need that', Heh." He climbs back on his feet and nods to her.

Borathor shakes his head at the quick work of the halfling to relieve her of her possessions.

[Balthazar]: "She fought well, better than I."

Jarl looks at the others if we are moving on we need to carry Tollong, or do you wish to leave him here for now while we search the master chamber?"

Bilgrom shakes his head back at Borathor, "Well hey. I know we's might be needin' to defend ourselves here if we want to come out alive. I's better not let me emotion take ova’."

[Balthazar]: "I will carry him. I don’t know how we'll get him down there, though."

Making your way back into the master chamber. The door opens into a room, 25' feet wide by 30' feet long. The items in this room, clockwise from your left, are a wooden workbench covered in flask's vials and instructions or documents written on paper. A carpet mounted on the wall with some sort of magic runes upon it and a cabinet, a mirror, and a broom. A bookcase holding numerous volumes, a desk with a vial of writing ink set upon it with a plush chair behind it. A bed with large fluffy pillows upon it, a sword and shield mounted on the wall, a chest, a tapestry, a painting, and an elephant's foot made into a receptacle for three wooden staves. In the floor near the center of the room is a open hole where the circle almost like a direction pointer encircled by strange runes and writings was located. The body of the dead man stills lies on the floor with two arrows in him.

Bilgrom helps the others in whatever they wish to do, as he makes his way to the other room, "Perhaps we's can find in t' room some mage equipment t' let us raise her, or 'em, alive again? Let us gather what we can and leave this dreaded o' a stronghold!"

Borathor looks around the room, "Damn with the mages dead we don't know what’s magic or not in here now."

Balthazar walks around slowly... trying to find anything of use from the riches present...

Bilgrom gathers the flasks on the workbench into a sack, along with the instructions and documents. "Well then we's bring all we can." Looking down into the hole that has opened into the ground, "What's down there?"

Jarl coughs "Don't count me out yet I can just need a little time to pray for it is all."

Looking into the hole you see a ladder like stair way carved right out of the mountain stone leading down some seventeen feet or so before reaching the ground, and heading off down a passage into darkness.

[Balthazar]: "Be careful... perhaps the arrows are from a trap."

Bilgrom nods to Jarl, "Ye should rest now on t' bed. We will be needin' it!"

Borathor looks at Bal, "No I shot him before when we burst in the room and he yelled at us with the staff."

[Balthazar]: "Ah... I see."

[Borathor]: "He was weak, he should have chose a different route in life."

Balthazar walks up to the carpet and says, after examining it "There are carpets somewhat like these in Turmish, near my homeland..."

Bilgrom takes a quick look into the cabinet, after checking the hole.

Jarl begins to pray while the others search the area.

Balthazar takes the sword from the wall and tests it’s balance before putting it back.

Bilgrom glances at Balthazar and shows no expression, "What kind o' sword is that?"

The cabinet contains articles of clothing on one side and strange glassware on the other filled with different powders and liquids.

Bilgrom adds the glassware with powders and liquid to the sack of vials he has gathered onto the desk, and he moves over to the bookshelf, searching for interesting titles.

Balthazar looks at Bilgrom "It is a standard longsword... very light though. If no one objects it could be of much use to me."

The books are works in the arts of magic and other strange doings of the dabblers.

Bilgrom shrugs and ignores the bookcase before taking a step to the right and checking Fesspel's second desk next to the bed. "Looked in t' chest, have ye?"

Borathor looks in the one corner at the chest, "So Bilgrom looks like you got promoted to finding traps and opening things hmmm?"

[Balthazar]: "Be careful for traps, we know these mages were quite devious."

[Bilgrom]: "I's will wait fer Jarl's blessings before I's try anythin' on tha' chest."

[Balthazar]: "It would be most wise."

[Bilgrom]: "Or I's could drink t' potion that allows me t' be aware o' danger before it arises we found an couple days ago?"

[Balthazar]: "You are a resourceful fellow, Bilgrom, it is up to you." Goes to check the bed, using his sword to prod the pillows off.

Bilgrom shrugs, "I's wait fer the blessing." He moves over to the tapestry, lifts it, and if he sees nothing he also takes it off the wall.

The bed contains nothing but bedding material.

Bilgrom does as well for the painting, "These objects of art may hold an certain value t' merchants in t' towns."

[Balthazar]: "Most certainly. I already intend on giving this astronomical chart to the first worthy organization we encounter. It is most interesting."

Borathor snickers, "Have you forgotten where we are out in the middle of no where how do you expect us to take this stuff, why not take the furniture to its nice and plush and lavishing might fetch a pretty copper back in town too."

Balthazar goes to take the sword again obviously fascinated by it.

[Bilgrom]: "I's be just examinin' what we have gathered here. Will choose what be o' most value and leave t' rest here."

Sometime later Jarl finishes with his prayers.

[Balthazar]: "Jest, my friend, talk of course, does not mean guaranteed action. So it is written in the scrolls."

Bilgrom glances at Jarl as he does not hear is muttering no longer and waits for him to take actions.

Jarl begins to cast his spell as he walks around the room and near the items already gathered up.

Bilgrom also shows the many flasks and powders. Looks on intently at Jarl.

Jarl walks around naming the things he feels have some magic upon them in some way or another. "Sword, shield, mirror, and broom, give off magical auras, as does the chest which gives off a strong aura, and the two staves and wand in the basin give off very faint magic. The ring from the body of the beast does as well, along with the one Elina wore which you already know what it does.

Bilgrom nods at Jarl as he rubs the ring on his forefinger. "I's see. Well there be quite a treasure in t' area then. If ye's cast yer blessing on me good cleric, I's check on the chest."

Jarl then goes and prays over Tollong to give him his healing touch. Looks about as Tollong rises. "I have one cure left who would like it?"

[Balthazar]: "The broom you say?" Goes over to it and uses it to sweep the floor a bit.

Bilgrom smiles at Jarl, "Well just so I's can look over traps safely."

Jarl goes to heal the halfling as Balthazar starts house cleaning.

Bilgrom notices the poor effect of the magic but he does nod his thanks to Jarl, "Alrighty then, might want t' step back while I work on the chest." Lays out a couple of tools and starts working on the lock and sides for traps.

Balthazar frowns, seeing the broom's magic is beyond him, and puts it back.

Bilgrom looks over his shoulder and smiles at Balthazar, "I's hear of tales about brooms. Want t' try and mount it. Them’s broom fly!"

[Balthazar]: "Yes, but one looks quite foolish if the broom does not take off!"

Bilgrom shrugs and goes back to work.

Balthazar does examine the broom for any inscription however.

Upon the broom near the handle is a small inscription of something written in a strange tongue.

Borathor looks at Bilgrom "So what’s the hold up little one/ Can you open it or not?"

Bilgrom decides to give it a try after a while, still confused about something. He tries to open it at first without checking the lock.

Trying to open the chest fails as it appears to be still locked.

[Balthazar]: "Perhaps we can force the lock open."

Borathor smiles, "Now you’re talking Bal."

Balthazar chuckles

Bilgrom shrugs as he picks up another tool from the one he set out on the ground in front of the chest, "Perhaps this." Curses as he breaks one of the picks, "Gah! Yes. Break it with force." Moves away from the chest and gets a look at the broom's inscription.

[Balthazar]: "I don't have anything to use... I do not wish to break my weapons..."

Bilgrom glances at Jarl, "We's could use an hammer I's guess."

Borathor steps up, I'll do it" Taking out his hammer he swings at the lock striking it as the catch breaks loose. "Ok step back" As he tries to lift it with the tip of his blade.

Bilgrom decides to undergo a few tests of some of the items they found he glances at his reflection in the mirror and winks, "Good lookin’." Then reaches for the ring found on the beast, he jumps and flaps his hands as if they were wings.

Opening the chest you see three sacks, two tomes, a long sword, a suit of plate folded in nicely, with a scroll resting upon it.

Balthazar 's eyes gleam as he sees the armor

Bilgrom joins them once he has finished his tests and smiles at Balthazar, "Tha' armor ye like, huh. And another sword similar to t' one on the well t' one tha' was on t' wall."

Borathor looks into the chest "hmm I don't need it take the armor and sword, give one to one of the other fighters."

Balthazar takes the armor out and checks its size...

Bilgrom notices Balthazar and shrugs, "If it be magical I's think it be resizin' t' the wearer. Huh?"

[Balthazar]: "I don't know... I've never heard of such a propriety..."

Bilgrom looks at Jarl, "Do ye wish t' rest again, good cleric?"

Borathor checks the sacks "Ok in this one we have gold, and in this one we have silver, and in this one we have hmm gems."

[Balthazar]: "Wealth does not interest me... what I take will be donated once we reach civilization."

[Borathor]: "That's fine with me but you have to keep a little for yourself as well."

The armor appears it could fit a human or a large elf.

Balthazar shrugs "What I need to get by, naturally."

Bilgrom grabs the other longsword and looks to the others, "Who be wantin' this fine sword, huh?"

Balthazar looks at the scroll that was resting on the plate mail

Jarl leans in to look at it as Bal unrolls it, 'Hmm looks like mages stuff there along with those books." Reaching in to take them out.

Balthazar nods and places it with the written material...

[Jarl]: "Yup Elina would have been jumping for joy right now, that’s all she ever talked about spells and more spells."

Balthazar sighs, "Yes, it is sad how many die young."

Bilgrom gathers all the magic items next to the bed and joins the others for a moment of remembrance of the wizards, "So it seems."

[Jarl]: "Yes but we did rid the world of one two evil beings."

Bilgrom looks down into the opened hole, "Perhaps more if we dare go down."

[Balthazar]: "Indeed. Their deaths were not in vein. Better do die in combat than in bed." Looks into the hole and nods to Bilgrom

Tollong looks around, "We should rest here before going down there I can count the coins and all while we rest."

[Balthazar]: "I'm tempted to try this suit of armor right now..."

Bilgrom nods to Tollong, "Let us rest until everyone has been healed completely. I's do nay wish t' see someone else going before a while."

[Balthazar]: "Chain mail such as mine is not worthy of the Order... I must acquire finer armor as soon as possible."

Borathor laughs at Bal, "Go ahead what are you waiting for it looks better then yours would make sense".

Balthazar nods, glad to see someone agrees, and tries the armor.

Bilgrom nods to Balthazar, "If it's t' help you on our journey. Then by all means!"

Balthazar drops his chain shirt to the ground, and starts putting each individual armor plate on.

Bilgrom glances at the shield and then back at the others, "What 'bout t' shield Balthazar. Don’t ye's use magic shields?"

Borathor looks at the little one, "Which ever one of them can with the least amount of protection can have it, I myself don't need that either."

[Balthazar]: "I prefer to fight with no shield... I've always found them encumbering, to be truthful. It would be a shame to leave it here though."

Bilgrom watches the others and slides the ring they found on the beast on his right forefinger, "Someone might as well be wearin' tha' ring while it's there."

Balthazar nods to Bilgrom

Tollong steps up "I can use the shield give it here."

Balthazar hands him the shield with a smile

Bilgrom hands Tollong the shield, and also shows each of the party members the inscription on the broom, "None can make t' inscription. Huh?" Moves out of the room and drags Syrenia's body away from the beast's, he makes sure they haven't forgot anything there and makes his way back into the room.

Jarl cant read magic he only knows its not clerical item by the markings.

[Balthazar]: "Ahh... we have much work to do. I believe we should collect the ashes of our fallen friends." Looks around for two appropriate receptacles...

Borathor looks at the little runt, "Hey not so fast little guy I don't want her ravished until be have her buried first."

Bilgrom glances up at Borathor, "I's see a ring on her and wanted t' give you as a souvenir, 'cause ye seem not t' care much 'bout her."