[Sat Dec 29 20:06:31 GMT 2001]

Having made your way up to the turn you see the passage runs some 40' feet to another set of large double doors of polished wood. Staring at the doors you see these two have handles of gold or brass, with a large plate just below centered with a keyhole. Before the doors covering the floor from wall to wall and 20' feet back from the doors is a large pentagram drawn in red upon the floor. In a semi circle around the pentagram are 9 knights in black full armor holding battle-axes across their hips with both hands, as if pondering the markings upon the floor. The knights are almost identical except for one who wears a crimson colored cloak that drapes over his armor. They do not move or even look up towards you as if not to acknowledge your presence at the end of the hall at this time or they don't care for they stand there almost lifeless.

Borathor backs away from the knights slowly and motions the others to do the same.

Tollong looks at the doors "well is it trapped Syrenia?"

Jarl slips back into the other passage out of their view.

Tollong starts back

[Borathor]: "Let’s take a room and hold up in it while Syrenia looks over the goods we have and those tomes. It would be for our best interest"

[Balthazar]: "Yes, we should prepare for this battle."

[Tollong]: "very well Borathor I think this is a good Idea as well"

Jarl nods in agreement. "It seems those metal cans are not pursuing we should do what he says while we have the chance. Besides I can do some praying myself."

Balthazar retreats to the nearest chamber...

[Borathor]: "Ok should we leave or just find a room and shut the doors?" he says in a questioning tone. Scratching his chin a moment then shrugs and begins backtracking to a secure area. His steps are light and face shows he is careful with every move.

Tollong tends his blade while looking over his new shield

[Borathor]: "Well, Jarl which room do you think we should use?"

Jarl quickly follows behind the ranger to a secure location.

Syrenia shakes her head and then follows while talking to herself..."Damnit I hate it when he does that."

Tollong runs his stone over the blade and it scrapes the metal make a slight sound

Jarl shrugs to the question, "Why not use the Inner Sanctum of the mage it was rather plush."

[Borathor]: "That sounds good to me", as he makes his way to the sanctum. When reaching it and after everyone is in, Borathor shuts the door and props some furniture against it.

Tollong follows the group putting his sharpening stone away

Syrenia climbs up the ladder and enters the sanctum..."Why did you didn't just ask what everyone wants to do?" She shakes her head..."you just go off alone...you saw what happened to Bilgrom..."

Borathor looks over at her and laughs; "You must not have heard me when I asked everyone. I don't like standing here waiting when we need to get somewhere are get started on figuring out what we got."

[Balthazar]: "All this matters little. We should be preparing for combat. "

Syrenia raises an eyebrow..."What you got?"

[Balthazar]: "I think we should be safe enough here..."

Jarl looks at the door then the hole. "Hmm so you blocked are means of escape if the night attack did ya. You think maybe we could use some of that to cover the hole up?"

Bilgrom is laid down on one of the large pillow, for it is large enough to hold him. He is breathing heavily, seemingly slumbering very deeply.

Borathor sighs and sits down in a chair. He leans back in it and takes a deep breath.

Valin looks up as the others return to the room " Well, hello... Find anything interesting..."

Tollong looks for something to cover the hole

Borathor looks over at Jarl with a tired expression on his face and replies; "There is more furniture if you want to cover the hole"

Tollong looks at it wandering if his shield would cover it

Balthazar shakes his head "Nothing yet, some guards seem to be in wait down there, and we think it would be wise to rest before confronting them."

Borathor hands Syrenia the bag of items that everyone has collected.

Jarl shakes his head and looks over the little ones sleeping remains. Before finding a small spot of his own to perform his worshipping duties.

Tollong hands her the shield he carries

Syrenia takes the bag and looks in it..."So...what's all this?"

[Balthazar]: "Those are some things from the wizard's treasury."

Tollong leans against and pulls his hood over him an takes some sleep

Borathor laughs and then replies, "That is what we want you to tell us."

Balthazar sits against a wall, not too far from Syrenia since his armor needs to be identified as well.

Syrenia takes out her spellbook and searches through it..."Ok...Identify..." She looks up from her book...."I'll need a pearl for this spell..." She looks to Borathor..."Got any?"

Balthazar takes a scroll from his pack and starts to read it. Seemingly another of his order's writings...

[Borathor]: "No. I thought you had that with all your other strange items."

Syrenia shakes her head..."Ran out..."

[Balthazar]: "We got a pouch of gems from the wizard. Perhaps in there... With any luck it may contain a pearl."

Syrenia goes over to Borathor and gets the bag of gems and then begins to look in the bag, searching for a pearl.

Tollong sleeps on through the conversation.

Borathor sits in the chair and tries to relax as best he can. He has pulled out some dried meat and begins to take bites, washing each one down with a swallow from his wineskin.

Syrenia takes out two pearls..."Two pearls but only one pure enough for the spell." She drops the lesser pearl back in the bag and hands it to Borathor before searching through her book again..."I can identify..." She reads to herself with the aid of her finger."...5 items...You'll have to choose which."

[Balthazar]: "Tollong wants his shield identified, Valin no doubt, his sword...

Borathor puts the bag away and then sits back once again. He looks over at Syrenia and replies, "I would do the ring, staff, armor and weapons."

[Balthazar]: If no one objects, my armor also needs to be identified."

Syrenia shrugs..."You guys decide...though I vote for at least one staff or the wand..."

[Balthazar]: "Then there is the ring Fesspel had. And the wands and staves, yes."

[Borathor]: Having already made his point known, Borathor simply sits in his chair and finishes his meal.

Syrenia glances at everyone's nervousness at choosing the items..."Well I'm casting it so I'll choose." She picks up the sword, the shield, the armor, the wand and the ring..."Now give me some time and I warn you...I only have only 50% chance of succeeding..."

Balthazar takes the plate mail off.

Valin gladly hands Syrenia his sword as she begins her spell

Syrenia puts the five items carefully in front of her and begins to chant while moving her hands slowly and carefully. As she finishes to chant, the pearl in her hand dissolves and becomes dust. She sprinkles the pearl dust over the items and yells out a final word.

Valin watches with increasing curiosity, never having seen this particular spell used before.

Tollong sleeps one tired from the track of the day before an the running he did

Several hours later Jarl finishes with his prayers as Syrenia continues to id the items.

Balthazar is simply reading his papers, his eyes, cast downward, concentrated.

Valin goes back to his spot shortly after the pearl dusting, checks to see that Bilgrom is still alive, and then gets some sleep now that others are present.

Syrenia looks up after her casting..."I can only decipher the shield's and armor's properties...the shield has a small enchantment but the armor has a strong one."

Bilgrom stirs in his sleep and yawns as he opens his left eye reluctantly, glancing at the ceiling of the room, seems a bit confused. He jumps to his feet and puts an hand on his sword hilt, to find it missing, "Wha' happened? Oh, it be you, Heh." He looks to his empty sheath and back up at the others still awake.

Tollong wakes after a few hours of sleep an stands "well what happened will I was asleep'

Jarl looks at the little one jump up. 'Having a bad dream are ya?"

[Balthazar]: "I'll make sure to keep using it to further good. Thank you, Syrenia." Picks up the armor, starting the long process of putting it back on...

Syrenia begins to chant once again, this time with a different tune and she also once again waves her hands about. As she finishes her incantations, her body glows briefly in a white light.

Bilgrom rubs his temples as he hops off the pillow; he turns around and glances at Jarl, "Bad memories. An flash o' yellow and.", he gestures an explosion, "blackness." He eyes Valin, confusedly.

Syrenia picks up the shield and hands it back to Tollong..."It has a minor enchantment on it."

[Balthazar]: "It must be a strange journey, into death."

Jarl nods and finds a corner to prop up in, "Well if no one needs me I’ll be off to do some dreaming myself."

Balthazar finishes putting the mail on, and slips on his overcoat.

[Tollong]: "well, well first time I have handled a magic item before thank you Syrenia"

Syrenia nods to him.

Valin sleeps silently, his knees tucked halfway up to his chest.

Bilgrom raises an eyebrow and nods, "It be indeed. Where am me weapons and ring, stolen when I was alone? Bah."

Jarl leans back against the wall and looks up with a sigh, 'Oh Syrenia I think might wish to take a look at these." Removing two tomes from his sack, "We found these in the lair while you were away.'

Syrenia raises and eyebrow in Bilgrom's direction..."Your ring...I recall it was Elina's ring..."

[Balthazar]: "I think this group has a good history of. Not wasting resources."

Syrenia smiles widely at Jarl..."Is it what I think it is?"

[Balthazar]: "I'm ready to fight when you are."

Syrenia takes the tomes and begins to read it intently...

Jarl looks over at the knight; "Blah get some rest you'll need it now to lug that metal suit about."

Bilgrom nods to her as he walks up to see all the magic items laying there, "Aye. It is passed from an owner to another. If we's agree t' this. Then there be an older owner, which I be not recalling' the name just now." He scratches his head and shrugs, "No matter’. I's be t' one t' be more defenseless here. That be why I took t' ring!" Reaching down into his pocket and takes out a small bread loaf, which he quickly eats, bit by bit.

[Balthazar]: "Yes, come to think of it, I haven't rested in some time... thank you." he sits against the wall again and closes his eyes.

Jarl yawns and stretches out before getting comfy, "I don't have any rings if I did I would give it to you so I could get some rest." Pulling his helm down over his eyes to get some shuteye.

[Tollong]: "I would like one of the rings the small one wore I have asked for it to, I to wear no rings

Bilgrom shrugs at Tollong, "Ye's can have t' undead one. I be keeping' t' other one for I already know its use."

[Tollong]: "I wanted the one that offered protection"

Bilgrom cocks his head and eyes the armor-clad warrior strangely; "You must be tryin' to make me laugh here? You have a magic shield now, above all tha'!"

You rest in the room for several hours, as most of you begin to wake up refreshed from your slumbers. While others look like the living dead with lack of sleep.

Bilgrom pulls his sleeves and examines where he used to have wounds, he notices the wounds are gone and smiles. Looking over at Borathor, wondering if he is asleep, if so then he will go get his shortsword and the ring.

Valin uncoils from his resting position and yawns, stretching quietly as he works his way up to his feet.

Balthazar also awakens... rising quickly to stretch... and do his ritual exercises...

Jarl stretches and looks about, "Ok you lazy bums are we moving down or out sometime today?"

[Balthazar]: Finished, Balthazar had a quick meal from his rations.

Syrenia doesn't respond and continues to read the books Jarl gave her.

[Balthazar]: "Anytime, good sir."

Valin finishes half of his daily ration then nods to Jarl " I'm ready to go at anytime..."

Bilgrom makes his way over to Jarl with a wheel, "I's be feeling' as fresh as before I's joined tha' party."

Valin looks over at Bilgrom " About that.... What exactly do you remember before you woke up?"

Jarl turns to Bilgrom, "Good, good so you wont mind going down there and taking a look at those knights and seeing what they are up to then will ya?"

Balthazar raises an eyebrow and says "Too risky. I suggest we all go down, warriors first, and the others ready to support behind."

Bilgrom raises an eyebrow, "It'll be me pleasure. Them’s won't even know me is coming'!" spins around and sighs at Valin, "I's told you, I's get blown by an flash o' yellow light against t' wall!"

[Jarl]: "Blah he can sneak up on them in the shadows without the help of a tin can like your self. Besides its just for a look see."

Bilgrom nods to Balthazar, "But I's can follow t' shadows o' t' walls. Them’s be my friend!"

[Balthazar]: "Tin can? Oh. Hmm. Very well."

Jarl shakes his head and mumbles about calling someone a metal monster with feet.

Balthazar stays close to the staircase, ready to jump in if needed.

Valin stands " I can move silently enough... Might as well tag along...."

Borathor gets up from the chair after a long rest and stretches out. "Ok, well I am ready when ever you all are. Syrenia those tomes give you any thing to help with the knights?"

Bilgrom tries to push the furniture aside from the ladder, but he is too small and it is too heavy, "Gah. Someone remove t' darned furniture!"

Balthazar quickly helps out.

Valin also lends his assistance.

Borathor nods, seeing Bilgrom's trouble and gives him a hand moving the furniture.

Bilgrom motions Balthazar to come over; "I's say holy knight. Did ye see in them's black shapes any evil?"

Syrenia doesn't seem to hear him as she is completely absorbed by the book's writings.

[Balthazar]: "I didn't think to check, how foolish of me. "

[Borathor]: "Maybe we should giver her some time with the books." He then points to her still reading them as if no one else were in the room.

Bilgrom slaps his forehead; "Ye will come with me then. And tell me." He quickly drops down into the hole, sliding against the sides of the ladder and disappearing below.

[Tollong]: "well when ever you are ready I am time to kill those son's of orc's"

Balthazar shrugs and goes down. Doing his best to be quiet.

Valin climbs down as well, figuring he might take a looks see as well.... He tries to move as quietly as he can manage.

Bilgrom frowns as he notices the door down below, "I know nothin' o' this here below. Ye’s lead me t' where ye see them's knights."

Balthazar only goes up to the corner of the hall with the guards however, and feels for evil from behind the corner.

Tollong follows the group hopping to play his sword into some knights

Balthazar turns around and shakes his head to Bil and Valin

Borathor stays with Syrenia...

Balthazar starts back up to Borathor and Syrenia, waving the other two to do likewise as soon as possible.

Jarl waits up in the sanctum with his axe across his left shoulder rocking back and forth upon his heels, while waiting for the others.

Bilgrom nods to Balthazar, "Alrighty then. First we's wait fer t' mage. She can see if them's knights be magical."

[Balthazar]: "It would be wise." Arrives in the sanctum once more.

Valin watches the knights for a moment longer, then turns to follow the other two, back to the rest of the group.

Jarl steps back as they climb back out, "Well what did you find out what are they doing down there?"

Bilgrom returns and hurls himself into a pillow, "Gotta wait for t' mage. There is no evil. And when it's not evil, it's magic. I tell ye!"

[Balthazar]: "Often yes. Or simple suits of armor, but that would be doubtful."

Valin to returns to the room, nodding to the others as he begins his way over to his spot where he takes some more time to rest.

[Borathor]: "I don't like the look of the pentagram on the floor either."

Bilgrom shrugs to Borathor, "Pentagram? That merely be t' universal symbol fer daemons. Y’know daemons, aye?"

Tollong stands outside of the room waiting for the comings of the day and maybe a battle

[Borathor]: "I think Syrenia and I killed one once."

Bilgrom eyes Borathor strangely, then shrugs after a moment. "I guess all we's can do is wait fer Syrenia. And her reading'"

Valin sits up at the mention of Daemons " Daemons? There could be demoniac things down there?"

Bilgrom shrugs, "There could be anything y'know. Until we've met that thing, it's ANY thing."

Borathor looks at Valin and nods..."Yes, good chance of it"

[Balthazar]: "If there were a demon down there I'd probably feel it. Unless it masks its presence somehow... Still, they are rare, almost mythical, so I doubt it."

Syrenia blinks, as she looks away from the book..."I can fly now Borathor fly and I can use fireball again...hopefully not on myself again."

[Borathor]: "Maybe the suits of armor guard whatever the pentagram could bring forth"

Jarl looks up at the others, 'Well maybe the knights guard the pentagram from beings coming through or maybe they themselves came through it. Of course being called forth by Fesspel"

[Valin]: " Or maybe they could be just ornaments..."

[Balthazar]: "Perhaps, but we know little about the armor still. Either way I'm ready to do battle."

Bilgrom eyes Syrenia, "Fly Heh. That’s nice."

Syrenia looks to everyone..."Do I have time to memorize fireball?"

Borathor nods to Valin and then turns to Syrenia, "Well send some fire down the hall at the armor then"

Valin nods " You have all the time you need Syrenia."

Syrenia shrugs..."Need to memorize them...it will take 6 hours..."

Tollong walks in the room sword in hand I say, "does the door be Syrenia? Or trapped?"

Jarl looks at the lass; "Sure you can sweetie we believe ya. " Turning his head and mumbling about fried brains.

[Balthazar]: "Fustidio said to always prepare. 6 hours is nothing compared to needless death."

Bilgrom nods to Borathor as he draws his shortsword and a mere non-magical dagger, sadly. "Hmmm. alright then. Another 6 hours?"

[Borathor]: "Just to see what happens..."

[Valin]: " Or we could throw a rock at one, might knock it over, it'll show whether it's an entity or not."

[Tollong]: "IS THE DOOR TRAPED OR MAGIC WOMAN? I am tired of all the waiting we must do something"

Syrenia raises an eyebrow at Tollong and turns to look at the Inner Sanctum door..."Not magical..."

[Tollong]: "trapped then?"

Bilgrom hops from one foot to the other, while he dangles the opposite one. "I's can probably wait t' meet some evil being again."

Syrenia glances at the furniture in front of the INNER SANCTUM door..."Nah...just blocked"

[Balthazar]: "Yes, we put that stuff there to block the creatures below while we rest." Draws his sword and practices well away from the others

[Tollong]: "well we are rested let’s go I would like very much to be done with this place an all the horrid beasts in it"

Syrenia coughs and shakes her head at her own stupidity..."It's already memorized...come on...let's get down there." She gets up and begins to climb down the ladder.

Valin quickly follows her down the ladder.

Bilgrom hops on his feet and down the ladder first behind the lady, eager to go meet those knights as well.

Balthazar looks at Tollong concerned. "As do I." he goes down the ladder as well.

Jarl snickers, "Told ya fried brains." As he gets in line to go down once more.

Borathor moves along with everyone, his blades, are drawn as soon as he gets down the hole.

Tollong starts down to get into a tassel

Balthazar takes a place at point...

You make your way back to the knights and see they still stand in a semi- circle around the pentagram in front of the doors.

[Balthazar]: "How do we proceed? Head on?"

Tollong looks at the knights and sees what they are made of

[Borathor]: "I could shoo them with my bow"

Valin draws the two long swords off of his hips and takes a defensive battle stance.

Jarl looks up at the others, "Do we really want 9 knights with battle axes charging us?"

[Borathor]: "Syrenia, send some fire down there."

[Balthazar]: "Yes... "

[Bilgrom]: "maybe they are held like Borathor and Valin were by the mage?"

Syrenia raises her hands over her head as she says..."Let's see if they are magical first and if the door is also..." She begins to wave her arms and hands about while chanting to the ceiling. After a few minutes, she finishes and her eyes glow blue for an instance.

[Borathor]: "They have something to do with that pentagram"

[Tollong]: "I say one of us get out there and do something and I will do it"

Bilgrom shrugs, "No idea. This door be warded."

Valin shakes his head at Tollong

[Tollong]: "well what say ya?"

Valin says, " Let the mage finish her spell..."

Bilgrom tries to morph his small figure with the shadows, if there are any, projected by the light sources on the walls.

Syrenia winces as she watches the pentagram and the knights..."I can't seem to know if the knights are magical since the pentagram's magic aura is too strong."

[Tollong]: "bah women an kids to the top of the hole I an going in" Starts for the door giving all those wanting to go up go

Syrenia takes a step back and raises her hands, just in case.

Bilgrom holds out his shortsword, watching his friends and then the door again. "Should we try. T’ throw somethin' on t' pentagram?"

[Valin]: "Like a bucket of holy water?"

[Tollong]: "well if no one is leaving then I go in " he walks into the room

Valin doesn't follow.

Tollong walks for the door and comes upon the knights as he nears the pentagram and steps foot in it he vanishes from your sight.

Syrenia lowers her arms and asks..."Are we going to follow?"

[Balthazar]: "Blast... this changes the situation. Is this a normal transport for the wizard of is it a trap?"

[Valin]: " He may be dead..."

Bilgrom shrugs, "If it be t' wizard's transportation. Tollong should be a-coming' back?"

Syrenia shakes her head..."Too elaborate for a trap if you ask me..."

[Balthazar]: "Well, he was rather impatient. I will go."

[Borathor]: "Maybe he went straight to hell"

Syrenia grins at Borathor..."Believe me...I've seen a lot of transportation devices...you can't always come back"

Bilgrom nods to Syrenia, "Too obvious for a trap. A portal?"

Balthazar steps forward... not quite on the pentagram. Looks at the armors and tries to sense evil as before...

Syrenia nods..."But I'm with Borathor...might be to the Nine hells."

Bilgrom draws a dagger by the blade and hurls it at the first knight on the right, "Let's see about those knights now that we be knowin' about the pentagram."

Balthazar draws his sword.

Balthazar stands before the pentagram looking at the armored men, as they do not appear to move at his presence. Bilgrom’s dagger flies past one of the knights hitting the far wall and sliding out onto the pentagram.

Syrenia chuckles at Bilgrom's throw..."Nice shot."

Borathor looks at Syrenia and smiles; "Can you remove the magic on the pentagram?"

Bilgrom looks to his dagger sadly "There is only one way t' learn is it. Shall I's jump?"

[Balthazar]: "No, I will." Steps onto the pentagram

[Bilgrom]: "Bah. I's should go."

Syrenia glances at Borathor..."That powerful an enchantment? I doubt it..."

Bilgrom grabs onto Balthazar as he says that, he is pulled onto the area covered by the pentagram as well.

Balthazar steps onto the pentagram and he to vanishes into thin air.

Syrenia chuckles..."Good riddance..." She looks up at Borathor..."Do you want to go?"

Borathor slaps his forehead and then laughs... "Not really, don't want to go just because a few others did, but if the majority goes they why not I suppose. That is how we have always done things"

Jarl shakes his head, "So guess we won't be going through those doors then."

Valin looks at the pentagram, then back the way he came " Damn..."

Syrenia scratches her chin..."Maybe those doors aren't even real..."

[Valin]: " Maybe that's the trap. We walk out to see what they are, then we get teleported to god knows where."

Jarl sighs, "It appears we shall not know as of yet anyway." As he heads for the pentagram. "Well if your going lets go."

[Valin]: " Hmmm I owe a Dwarven priest 11 thousand gold coins..."

Syrenia looks up to Borathor..."You know this could be like the last teleportation device...it's not uncommon for mages to have one..."

[Valin]: " This would be a good way to get out of debt if this leads to death, but then, I would be breaking my word of honor..."

Jarl makes his way over to the pentagram and steps upon it vanishing into the unknown.

Valin looks over at Borathor and Syrenia " So, are you two going?"

[Borathor]: Seeing Jarl leave, he looks to Syrenia and takes her by the hand. He then make sure he has everything and walks both of them into the pentagram without speaking another word.

Valin watches them as they walk closer to the pentagram. "If this does lead to death, it's been an honor and pleasure adventuring around the countryside with you," he adds before they vanish. Mumbles a little 'good luck' to him self in elven then steps onto the pentagram himself.

Making your way to the door you see a purple hue growing and glowing about you as you find yourself in a dark cold damp area, with no sign of the doors before you. Around you in the dark you hear the slight hiss of something coming from the darkness around you, with the sounds of dripping water nearby. The others are standing nearby trying to figure out what the hissing is.

Bilgrom holds his shortsword in one hand, while a torch is lid in the other, "Where exactly have we been taken. Dear lord, there be water all 'round. This be a nightmare!"

[Tollong]: "well watch the water I suspect there be something coming for us soon"

Balthazar stands near, sword in hands... trying to make anything out in the dim light.

[Tollong]: I have my flint and steel here"

Borathor looks and listens to his surroundings. "Well this is going to be fun"

Valin looks about " Wow..."

Syrenia holds two dagger hilts on her bandoleer.

Valin looks himself up and down, smiling. " Well, I'm not dead, or else I'd be in the great forest..." he says, listening for a moment, then hears the hissing " not dead yet...."

With the lighting of the torch the cavern explodes in a flash of fire as the hissing turns into several flames shooting out of the wall near the ceiling.

Bilgrom is burnt by the flash fire, yet again as he crumbles to the others' feet, shaking for a moment and then becoming motionless.

Balthazar grunts and falls to a knee in the explosion... he quickly concentrates and grasps his sword hilt, releasing a healing surge into himself...

Arriving at the small platform you see the others are smoldering with singed hair and blackened flesh as if they were not bathed in decades.

Tollong stands up burnt but saved by the flames only by the shield "that was not a good idea"

[Balthazar]: "Jarl. The little one needs help. Are you alright?" Burned and blackened, but standing well enough.

Syrenia raises his eyebrow at the others..."What is it with us and flames?"

Valin still has his two long swords drawn, looking about at the burnt ones " What happened?"

Jarl pats out his beard as he makes his way over to the burnt halfling again.

Tollong 'this guy likes fire an I will give it to him when I see him in hell"

[Balthazar]: "Bilgrom lit a torch. The place exploded like a flask of magic powder. No flames or sparks!"

Syrenia nods..."Ahh I see..."

Valin narrows his eyes as he peers into the darkness with his infravision, trying to spot anything.

Looking about with the fire burning you see the water ends at a small shore some bit off across the water, beyond the shore is a cave it appears to be the only way out of this area.

Tollong gets out a blanket an dips it in the water an wraps some of his burns in it

Jarl chants and waves his hands over the roasted halfling trying to instill life in him once more.

Syrenia approaches the small shore.

[Tollong]: 'any luck? Syrenia I would like to heal a little first by Jarl’s hand if we may before we swim for it"

Bilgrom barely comes to, as Jarl cures his wounds. 'Oh. Huh. Who would have known t' resurrection healing would last so short." He shakes himself off, burnt badly in several locations still.

Jarl looks at the water and begins to secure his paper goods within a bone case. "Man I hate getting wet when it’s not at the bath house."

Syrenia nods..."I know...I'm just looking..."She comes back to sit with the others.

Valin walks over to Bilgrom and helps him to his feet " Glad to see you're alright, again...." he smiles faintly " You do seem to catch the fireballs quite often...."

Bilgrom shrugs at Valin as he reluctantly starts walking again, "It appears."

Jarl makes his round as he moves over to Tollong and begins to cast his healing power upon him.

After doing so he looks upon his own burnt flesh and begins to heal him self.

[Tollong]: "well I guess this is as good as its going to get for a wile Syrenia lets make for it

Jarl sighs, 'Well time to pray again, maybe I should just feel my mind of nothing but cures with this lot."

[Tollong]: "what of the potions we could use them right?"

Syrenia glances at Jarl and then back to Tollong..."Seems we'll have to wait." Takes out her book and begins to study again.

Valin sheaths his two longswords and takes a seat facing the water, his back to the group " Any idea where we are?"

Peering around you see your going to have to swim to shore a good 20 feet or so before reaching the other side. The flames that still shoot forth from within the walls light up the shore and the cave mouth.

[Balthazar]: "This place will probably get warmer soon."

[Tollong]: "what about the vials in the sack any of them for healing?"

[Balthazar]: "I need healing. But not as much as many now, how do we reach the other side? Simply swimming?"

Jarl nods to the knight "That is fine but so do I and others but I have no spells to use at this time."

[Tollong]: "well I have not been swimming, since I was a boy but I remember how'

Bilgrom holds his hands together in a prayer in front of Syrenia, "Can ye make me fly to t' shore, please. I's hate water!"

[Tollong]: "what about that sack are any of them for healing?"

Syrenia continues to read from her book.

Jarl turns to Tollong; "The healing was given out when we first got them."

[Tollong]: "damn well this I will go across first " Tollong jumps into the water an starts to swim

Balthazar tries to tell if it's getting warmer... not too comfortable being in a forge....

Bilgrom looks at Tollong and curses, "I's can't swim."

Tollong swims through the water, so far so good nothing swallows him hole as he makes for the shore.

[Tollong]: "I will come back an get you my small friend an he takes off come gear to swim back to take the small one across

The cavern conditions have not changed in any way that you are aware of at this time.

[Valin]: " I can swim... " He looks over at Syrenia " Could you use your fly spell to ferry the ones that can't swim across?

[Tollong]: "the water is quite cold "

Syrenia reads and reads and reads...

[Tollong]: "the water is quite cold " to the group from across the way. I have reconsidered I will not make it back across for you small one to cold ' an laughs

Balthazar chuckles...

Jarl looks at the water; "Well as much as I hate to get wet I haven't had a bath in awhile." Jumping out and with a loud thundering splash of dwarf he goes under the water and comes up swimming for sure with little strokes, as if it will take him forever to get there.

Valin tests to see how deep the water is, using the longest item available.

[Bilgrom]: "I am sure ye can carry me on you’re back. Anyone?"

Valin will step in himself to see how deep it is, but won't go in above his head.

Balthazar grunts, "I'm going to have to take my suit off." Starts doing so, reluctantly.

Poking your items in to see its depths prove useless for you do not feel bottom.

Valin kneels " Alright Bilgrom, hop on..."

Valin steps off the platform and into the water as he submerges into the water.

Borathor secures his maps and loose items and makes sure everything is tucked away before diving into the waters and swimming for shore.

Bilgrom takes out a rope, uncoils it and throws one of the ends to Tollong, "Hold yer end near t' water level."

[Balthazar]: "Syrenia, think you can carry my armor across when you come? I'm a little overloaded for swimming..."

Syrenia is still reading...

Tollong stands on the other side shivering dripping off from the swim hopping no one needs saving from the icy water

Valin gets out of the water and waits for Bilgrom to get on his back.

Balthazar rolls his eyes and straightens his overcoat...

Tollong looks the ground over looking for any tracks in the shore

Bilgrom gets on his back and shakes his head, "Hope ye don't sink. Aaah!" He shouts as his feet touch the cold waters.

Balthazar puts his armor back on, and wades in at first, going at a steady pace with his practiced stroke.

Valin shouts over at Tollong " Stand ready with rope Bilgrom tossed you. Got a good grip on this end Bilgrom?"

[Bilgrom]: "As good as I's can."

Tollong takes the rope an hold it tight

Valin slowly lowers down to the water, and begins swimming the short distance, trying not to disturb the water too badly, for fear of alerting some beast.

[Balthazar]: Eventually, Bal makes it to the other side, and starts to work water out of his clothes and equipment as best as he can.

Taking a dip to reach dry land you find yourself swimming in some very cold, cold waters. Before you know it you come across shore as you make your way upon it. Numb from your short brisk swim you shiver where you stand as the icy water drips from your person and gear upon the rocky sands. Getting dry and trying to figure out where you are some of you notice the darkness of the passageway heading off into the unknown for the flames do not burn in the passageway, nor are there any lights mounted in the walls like before.

[Tollong]: "maybe this is a way out of the mountains?'

Bilgrom coils the rope back and un-soaks his clothes as best as he can. "Well. This is no good. Water this cold, I's wonder just where we's get transported!"

The waters run still only disturbed by the ripples and splashing of those who have swam across its surface.

Valin looks upward, trying to see if there is a ceiling of some sort above them

[Tollong]: 'well lets mage are way away from the water evil things lurk in water" Taking the lead sword in hand

Jarl shakes off the water like a wet dog on a porch, 'Ahh that'd wake you up. Besides what did you expect there is no light here to warm the waters of course they would be cold."

Getting dry and trying to figure out where you are some of you notice the darkness of the passageway heading off into the unknown for the flames do not burn in the passageway, nor are there any lights mounted in the walls like before. Syrenia still sits on the platform out in the water.

Bilgrom makes his way into the passage, where he listens for any hissing sound; he hides into the darkness away from the normal sight, listening intently.

[Tollong]: "well we must wait for the wizard I do hope she hurries"

Borathor looks back at Syrenia, "What is she studying now she just did that not but a room back."

Valin shrugs " I know nothing of mages and their magic’s, hopefully whatever she is doing will help us...."

Drying off on land it appears Syrenia is moving about. Having all but dried your clothes the best you can you wait for her to hit the icy waters.

Balthazar walks about, warming himself up.

Tollong takes the cold lightly with warm elven blood running through his body

Syrenia takes out a live spider from a pouch on her belt and begins to chant once again. As she waves her hands about, she eats the spider and a red aura surrounds her for an instant.

[Tollong]: "good of you to join us my lady swim to us an let us be off"

Syrenia secures everything she carries and begins to climb on the walls, making her way on the ceiling across the water.

[Tollong]: "Bah all that time to watch a wizard walk on a wall to prevent form getting wet "

Syrenia makes it across and gets back on the floor..."I'm ready..." She points to the cave..."Shall we?"

Bilgrom draws his blades and mutters to himself, "Let us be a-movin', shall we? This place be smelling' t' stench o' evil don't ye think?" His voice appears from amidst the shadows as he steps out.

Tollong picks up his items and takes the lead into the cave

Syrenia shakes her head at Tollong..."The tomes from the wizard...I couldn't risk them being wet"

Borathor nods and makes his way of into the darkness.

Balthazar follows.

Valin draws his two longswords and follows the group.

Traveling a good bit you find that the sound of hissing has stopped being back at the water, continuing on for several hundred feet you guess you find the passageway ends at what looks like a cave in that has filled the passageway blocking you from going any further.

Syrenia makes her way to Borathor's side.

Bilgrom curses to him self, "Darn me parents. Why’d I nay get born with t' dark seeing' eyes like me brother!"

Syrenia hums to her self..."This isn't good."

Bilgrom marches onward and on any of the orcs that appear into the way, "This be too magical. Might be an illusion."

Balthazar goes to touch one of the blocking pieces of rubble. "Perhaps another illusion."

Jarl looks at Balthazar; "Do you ever carry your blade propped up on a shoulder?"

[Tollong]: "well lets play the game to its ending whether its is a real game or a false one"

Balthazar shrugs "usually it's wise to keep it sheathed and away from the elements. But between combat, I suppose."

Removing a few of the stones as dust and rocks fall a bit more, showing you that the cave in does exist.

Bilgrom kicks on a rock, limping badly, "Anythin' but swimming' down these cold waters!"

[Jarl]: "Hmm let me see the blade if you don’t mind."

Valin keeps his two normal longswords drawn, peering around in the darkness curiously.

Balthazar shows the sword to Jarl.

Jarl sits near the wall while the others search the cave in, as he begins to pray once more.

Bilgrom looks at his dagger, which he uses as a common melee weapon, and back at the two-handed sword. "Show off." He mutters to himself as he ponders on the current situation.

[Balthazar]: "How could we move this rubble?"

Borathor laughs as he smacks Balthazar on the back, "Its called grab a stone and move it."

Syrenia sighs and begins to take stones out of the way.

[Balthazar]: "It's called grab a stone and cause a cave-in."

Valin assists in the moving of the stones, eager to see the light of day again.

Tollong starts moving stones away from the pile

[Balthazar]: "Sorry, that just sort of came out" he chuckles.

Borathor looks at the cave in, "So grab from the top then not the bottom."

[Tollong]: "I am not a dwarf Jarl should be in here digging "

Borathor shakes his heads; "By the gods man you mean we can't dig with out the help of a dwarf? Mister elven pride there."

Balthazar leaves his sword with the dwarf for now and help with the stone removal...

[Tollong]: "I am moving dirt as well as you Borathor just saying the dwarf knows more about this stuff than I an we could cause a cave in ourselves"

[Balthazar]: "What a show of devotion, working like this, not even knowing if anything lies beyond."

Syrenia rolls her eyes..."Shut up and dig..."

Valin nods " Well said...." as he keeps digging

Tollong moves the dirt as best he can "ever get the feeling where unearthing evil that could cruse all the realms forever"

Valin nods " Yup, I ignore it, really helps...."

Syrenia nods..."Ignorance is bliss."

[Valin]: "True"

Sometime later you take a break from digging as you have cleared away a small passage near the ceiling some 7 feet wide going into the rubble about 20 or so feet.

[Balthazar]: "Fustidio suggest knowledge is the key to enlightenment. I am inclined to agree."

Jarl begins chanting over the blade once his prayers are done, as his words seem to mend with the sword the blade tip grow to a bright white light, giving off light in a 30 foot radius.

[Tollong]: "well what ever is beyond this rubble we will soon see "

Syrenia drinks from her waterskin and eats while contemplating their digging..."We still have more to do it seems."

Tollong take the cue an also eats an drinks something

Valin follows suite and eats and drinks a bit from his rations

Balthazar reclaims his sword, nodding in thanks.

[Tollong]: "dwarf have you no digging spells from you god that could aid us?"

Jarl nods "Well you’re the tallest one so with that sword you can shine the light down on just about all of us."

Balthazar chuckles, "We've made good progress already... once we've rested we can continue on."

Jarl shakes his head, 'Nope I’m afraid not, but I can surely supervise your excavation of the passageway with no trouble at all."

Syrenia shakes her head..."If you think you're just going to supervise...you're dreaming on your feet."

Valin smiles " Yes, Dig Dwarf... If you intend to use this passageway that we are so nicely creating...."

[Jarl]: "Blah, I have to cure you fools and pray before we reach the other side so you dig."

Tollong gets back to digging "this is almost as bad as having to pit fight "

Valin shrugs and gets back to the digging, figuring there is no way to force a person to contribute.

Syrenia gets up from her seat and stretches..."Might as well get back to it." She begins to dig once again.

Continuing on deeper into the rubble as it packs tighter and tighter you find yourself passing rocks back from with in a small 2 foot wide passage that’s only about a foot high near the ceiling.

Syrenia continues?

Tollong keeps a brisk pace "at least with all this work I am keeping warm"

Jarl makes his rounds healing Bilgrom and Balthazar this go round. "I'll be over here praying if you need me." Snickering at the elves digging.

Valin remains silent as he continues his digging, planning to work until he can work no more.

You tire once more finding it hard to breathe back in the tiny passage you once again return to rest a spell.

Jarl has prayed once more as he looks about to see who needs his healing powers the most.

Syrenia comes out the hole and rests again..."How far have we gone in now?"

Tollong takes first watch "does not look like much should happen down here we should be safe"

Borathor dusts him self off some, "looks like we are about 40 feet in give or take."

Valin looks back at the distance they have already covered, sweating quite a bit.

Jarl looks about the others, "Ok who is still in need of healing from before?"

Syrenia wipes the sweat from her brow..."Jarl...you have anything to breathe underwater?"

[Tollong]: "I am in need of a healing hand"

Syrenia looks at Jarl with an annoyed look..."Hey dwarf...got any spells to go underwater?"

Jarl nods to Syrenia, "Hmm well I did but I cast it off to make room for the light spell." making his way to Tollong again to heal him once more.

Syrenia points to the way they came..."Get it and go back to check out the water."

[Valin]: " And don't go exploring, if you find something come back and tell us...."

Jarl takes and casts a spell upon him self after finishing with Tollong. "Well I have no cures left so I will pray then turn in for the night or day which ever it may be."

[Tollong]: "better to send a fighter down than a priest I will go to keep the group safe if the Jarl can do that"

Syrenia shrugs..."Fine...you can go if you want..."

Valin has rope that he uses to keep his pack following

You rest for sometime, as Jarl finishes up and goes off to sleep near the stone walls of the passage. Peering about you see the far glow of the flames at the far end of the passage only shadowed by the light of the knights sword.

Syrenia shrugs..."I'll sit this one out and study a bit..."

Balthazar chuckles

Syrenia takes out her spellbook and begins to study it.

[Balthazar]: "Alright"

Borathor yawns and follows Jarl's lead, "I'm no miner and there’s nothing getting in here so why not cant a few good winks."

Tollong rests for a wile an starts dig once again."

Continuing on at a slower pace from the cramped quarters you break through the other side at about 50 feet or so through the rubble.

Balthazar sighs, and comes back to the others to rest.

Syrenia puts her book away and stands..."How far now?"

[Balthazar]: "We're through."

[Tollong]: "I am through "yelling back to the party

Syrenia smiles..."Great...everyone got rope to drag their packs?"

Tollong goes through the passage

Balthazar sits for a moment to regain his strength...

Syrenia hums to hers elf..."I guess that's a yes..."

[Balthazar]: "Yes, I have rope."

Valin makes sure he is ready then follows Tollong through

Tollong ties his pack and starts into the passage

Bilgrom snores on some rocks as the drool from his mouth has turned to mud from all, the, dirt and dust that covers him from digging.

Valin calls back for someone to wake Bilgrom

Syrenia ties her backpack with rope and begins to crawl to the other side while dragging her pack.

Balthazar looks up wearily, and gets his things ready...

Syrenia relays the message as she crawls..."Wake Bilgrom."

Balthazar rouses the halfling.

Tollong is well on his way through the opening

Balthazar removes his armor and adds it to his bundle before going back in, pushing it ahead of himself.

Bilgrom jumps as he sets up, "Yeah, yeah I was awake I was listening for any noise that might be going on yeah."

[Balthazar]: "Of course."

Bilgrom hops up on the rocks and follows in behind Balthazar with little trouble at all. "Heh bet you were me size now don't ya?"

Balthazar coughs

Valin keeps pushing forward, desperate to feel moving air against his face, and see the light of day or night, which ever waits.

[Bilgrom]: "Coughing what did ya get stuck? Am I going to have to push?" Poking Balthazar's leg with his foot.

Tollong keeps going hopping to see daylight or something

Popping out the other side and sliding down the rubble you find your self in the passage once again darkened by blackness. The passage leads off out of the area.

Valin curses as he sees only more caves

Balthazar draws his sword to shine light in the area; he then starts putting his armor back on.

Syrenia smiles at Valin in the darkness..."Don't despair...we'll get out someday."

Valin nods " I... know... I do not like caves, I am a being of the forest..."

Tollong takes his sword and shield in hand and looks for a way to lead the party

[Balthazar]: "Few like caves, other than the underground peoples... I supposed you must become accustomed to this." Taking point with Tollong, leading the way further on carefully.

Syrenia smiles at Valin..."And I of the cities but I have been in many mountains and holes before and I have always come out."

[Tollong]: "it beats being a slave?" Looking for a way to go and starts heading that way

Valin smiles back at Syrenia " That's comforting to hear...."

Beyond the cave in you follow along the passage as it begins to swing towards the left in a soft turn before ending at a fork going off left and right into larger areas.

Valin pulls on his gear as he begins to follow the others

[Tollong]: "well witch way should we go? No answer we go right then" Starts on his way down the right passage