[Sat Feb 09 20:18:34 GMT 2002]

After the lack luster confusion of the past three passage you make your way back towards the area filled with water. Upon reaching the area of the cave you see up ahead the remains of the two metal monsters lying before the prison like area of the dungeon. To your right the entrance to the water filled area.

Bilgrom shoulders his backpack and sheaths his sword, walking back in forth in front of the unvisited room, looking puzzled and troubled. He gives a glance to the calm waters, and narrows his eyes, "We t' go down there, o' what?" He runs an hand through his hair, "That be nothin' good!"

[Jarl]: well you know when these no-show guys die we will have some new stuff to use

Borathor shrugs and looks to Syrenia then to the waters Bilgrom indicated and points, "That seems to be the only way to go. I hope we get out of here soon I am starting to miss the sunlight."

[Balthazar]: "Yes this trek is of little use to my quest as well."

Borathor starts to walk towards the watery area. He tries to get Syrenia to lead the way, but lack of patients gets the better of him as he walks onwards...

Jarl looks across the water filled room "we now this will be interesting. Any of ye good swimmers?"

Bilgrom leans against the wall next to the waters, and sighs deeply in boredom, "I am not that eager t' quit the shadows. But then again, them's shadows down here hide things I's rather quit!"

Borathor raises his hand as if to answer yes to Jarl's question...

[Balthazar]: "I can manage as well."

Standing near the water’s edge you see ripples move across the surface as if something lurks below its cold dark surfaces.

Borathor points at the ripples and laughs, "Ripples, ripples, there is always ripples. I don't like the idea of becoming fish fodder"

Balthazar looks into the water. Trying to get an idea of how big this thing may be...

Bilgrom looks down into the dark waters and raises an eyebrow, "Be there nay an way ye's can get t' waters below t' light up? I am telling ye. One coin that sheds light tossed in this pool is goin' t' reflect and show us its depth!"

Beyond the ripples is a small island like piece of land no more then 20 by 20 roughly. The small plot of land appears barren except for what appears to be a small branch or something of that nature, being hard to make out from this distance.

[Balthazar]: "You know that's not a bad idea."

[Borathor]: "I wonder if what's on the island"

Bilgrom looks back for whomever carries this light source, and bringing it down near water level, he estimates the distance between their position and that of the small island ahead.

[Balthazar]: "I think we'll find out soon enough."

Borathor looks at Balthazar and then Bilgrom to see who has the lighted coin or stone. He is folding his arms in the usual manner when thinking.

Peering into the waters you catch a glimpse of several yellowish fish lurking back and fourth that range in size from 2 to 6 feet long. As one nears the surface its large fin upon its back pokes out from the waters below. The fin itself is yellow with blackish spots along its edges, as the fish goes by you see it pulls a two foot long tail or spear like appendage behind it.

Balthazar also looks about; him not having anything but his sword lighted, and rolls his eyes.

Borathor points at the fish and then pulls his bow from his back; "I don't like the look of that thing. It looks dangerous to me"

[Balthazar]: "Even the small ones look like they could put up a good fight. I wonder how we could get past them."

Bilgrom steps back away from the fish with tail and curses, "Anyone's learnt t' fish with spear before? I's seen it done." He hands back the light source and shakes his head as if to answer his own question with a no.

[Balthazar]: "I've trained with the spear. But I lost mine on the sea before I met you."

Borathor points his arrow at the water's surface and with one eye squinting down the shaft he replies, "Well if one of them comes to the surface again I'll show you"

Jarl looks over the area, "I can make the light it will just be a few hours but we already rested so what do you wish to do?"

Borathor looks up to see how high the roof or ceiling is, also taking note of anything else.

Bilgrom reaches into his backpack's side pocket and retrieves a bread loaf; he rips a piece of it and tosses it across the subterranean lake, waiting on a reaction from the fishes.

Balthazar draws his sword and stands near the edge, in the unlikely event that some of the fish, jump out near, the side of the pool.

Jarl looks to the island to see if it has anything on it, that he can see

The ceiling of the cavern is some 30 or so feet up from the surface of the water speckled with spots of white. The bread upon hitting the water sends the fish to that area only to turn away when you see the large beak like mouth filled with two rows of teeth slowly slip from the surface below. To swallow down the chunk of bread Only to vanish once more into, the calm depths of the water.

Balthazar winces and says, "Looks like the fish may be our lesser problem."

[Jarl]: "if ye be wanting to know the depth might want to take a large rock and tie it with a long rock. When you throw the rock into the water then ye knows its depth or at least more then we knows now'

Bilgrom stands by Borathor and crosses his arms in a same manner, raising an eyebrow, "Them's fish got here somehow. How’s they did it. I's dunno."

Syrenia looks to Bilgrom "What’s two rocks going to tell us other then the echo of the splash?"

[Balthazar]: "They could have been placed here as well."

Bilgrom looks over at the paladin as he draws his blades, "What's that be?" He eyes the paladin like he should know more than him self.

Borathor rubs his chin and then looks down to Bilgrom and replies, "I think maybe an underground river feeds this area. That is how the fish live."

Balthazar shrugs "I've been told the seas hold things larger and more dangerous than the land. But to be honest, I don't know."

[Jarl]: "no ye hold one side of the rope and drop into the water the rock side. When it goes as far as it can you then pull it back up. That is telling us its depth. "

Bilgrom looks back at Borathor and rips another piece of bread from the loaf, watching the waters carefully. "Does ye want t' prepare yer weapon? Ready 'em t' where I toss t' piece o' bread. And shoot ye's arrow when the large mouth comes up? It's look like an threat t' me!"

[Borathor]: "Throw some more bread out there and Ill take a shot at the thing", still holding his bow as if expecting something to leap from the water.

Bilgrom smiles widely, "More than read me mind."

Balthazar chuckles and waves his sword at the water. Also warming up.

Syrenia nods, "Ahh got ya didn't hear rope the first time." Looking over into the water but not getting less then 5 feet near its edge.

Borathor takes aim at the area where the bread hits the water and readies to fire at any visible target...

Jarl begins to think about all the items he has seen within this dungeon, 'anyone, remember seeing anything that we could use as a boat or that could float?"

Bilgrom reaches for his own shortbow, he tosses the piece of bread up in the air so that he is able to ready his bow in direction of where it lands on the surface.

The bread splashes down into the water as ripples soon appear around it as it dunks up and down under the surface each time seeming to grow smaller and break apart.

Balthazar scratches his unkempt beard, grown during their stay in the caves. "I don’t think I've seen any boat like thing that I would trust in these waters. Except perhaps gathering wood from the crates and making a raft."

Bilgrom shakes his head, "Ye's got t' be kidding' me. The large mouth be satisfied with an single piece of bread." ripping another piece of bread he stuffs it in his mouth and notices it is almost all gone, he offers Borathor the last piece.

Borathor smiles as he takes the last piece of bread. He then throws it into the water and waits, pointing and hoping to see the long mouthed fish again. "Thanks..."

Bilgrom looks over at the lady wizard, "Does ye not have t' means t' make one of us fly?"

[Balthazar]: "Perhaps we should go back to see if the wood is appropriate for a raft."

[Jarl]: "aye, the crates and the metal from those monsters and that smelting room. Me things with some help I can put something together that will float"

Balthazar nods to Jarl and sets off to the crate room sword in hand.

Borathor looks to Syrenia and then rubs his chin; "Can't you do something to get across?"

Bilgrom nods to Borathor, "Flyin' or climbing' on walls. It all be good!"

Jarl grabs what he can of the metal monsters and begins to drag them to the smelting room

The metal monsters are huge and were not dismantled during battle, trying to move these beasts or parts of these would take time and several folks due to their sheer size.

[Borathor]: "No I mean with that new magic she got"

[Jarl]: as he goes "if ye gots a better idea let us be a knowing it'

Bilgrom nods to Borathor yet again, "Yeah. Flyin’ be t' new magic!"

[Balthazar]: Once in the crate room, Balthazar tries to determine if the wood is good enough for a basic raft.

Syrenia nods, "I could get over there but I will have to study to do so, would take about 6 hours."

Bilgrom glances into the lake, a bit disturbed still. "And what's we all doin' this for. A small darn branch on an small island!"

[Borathor]: "I think that is our best bet. I don't want to chance swimming and that is less time than it would take to build a raft, if we had the material"

The wood of the crates is strong and bears no signs of rot. Most of the crates are made up of several planks some 6 foot long and framing of 4 foot or so. They appear to be fashioned together by blacksmith’s nails.

Bilgrom shakes his head at the mere thought of waiting six hours more, he grabs his shortsword and sinks its tip in water, trying to tease fishes into coming closer with the reflection of the light source onto the sword.

Balthazar rubs his hands together and starts to try to dismantle the crates, obviously relishing in the simple work. Using his sword as a crow bar if necessary.

Jarl works on the breastplates of the first metal beast "me can get a spell for walking on the water, but it only works for one person or water breathing as well"

Borathor looks at Syrenia and shrugs his shoulders. He then goes over and sits near the shore line.

Syrenia smiles "Yes little one it could be a staff why would one lone piece of wood be sitting out there?"

Bilgrom chuckles at Borathor, "We's could build an bridge with all them's crates and nail. It would be weak. But enough t' support mine li'l self." He looks away from the shortsword a moment and up ahead in the lake, sighing deeply, he hits the flat of it against the surface, splashing in a three foot span all around.

Syrenia turns to find a spot to rest, "Well I can fly over but if you wish to speed up the process I can't help you, why don't you jump off the side with the broom between your legs and see if you fly."...Smiles as she slides down the wall to sit upon the floor.

Bilgrom chuckles at Borathor, "We's could build an bridge with all them's crates and nail. It would be weak. But enough t' support mine li'l self." He looks away from the shortsword a moment and up ahead in the lake, sighing deeply, he hits the flat of it against the surface, splashing in a three foot span all around.

Prying the boards free is somewhat difficult trying to pry yet not break the sword, the nails slowly begin to back out one side.

Bilgrom reaches for another bread loaf, he tears it down into five pieces and tosses them in different locations all across the area lighted up by their torch. He motions for Borathor to keep an eye out as he holds a dagger by the blade, ready to fire it if he sees some sharp teeth pop out.

The bread is swarmed by ripples and devoured in all the areas at almost the same time.

Borathor sits on the shore and rests. He thinks of the last time he was in the rushing water and sucked down a whirlpool only to be shot out onto a sandy beach still underground. A deep sigh emanates from the broad shouldered Ranger.

[Bilgrom]: "Ye's say ye know yer way 'round with swimming' Borathor? Does ye wish t' try swimming' across while I's feed t' fish and whatever hides beneath with bread? I's got three loaves t' feed 'em still!"

Syrenia sighs, "Stop wasting food we might be here a while."

[Bilgrom]: "Bah. Mine’s bread has been drying’. If feeding' t' fishes will allow us t' cross. Then I'd rather do that. Anyway go study you!"

[Jarl]: "can any of ye mages be able to read magic? Sometimes things be hidden on items that only spells like that can see"

Syrenia giggles, "Of course I can read magic how do you think I understand magic. Geez no wonder dwarves never picked it up the torch doesn't burn so bright does it?" Gets up, "Why what did you want read or looked at?"

[Jarl]: "well if ye torch was even burning I would have thought you would have already been casting. That spell on those items to look for command words or something"

[Syrenia]: "Nope only detect and since we were limited to what could be check when I had a pearl so that’s that. Never checked anything else."

[Jarl]: "well might ye check the broom, the staves, that ring and the wand. If ye can, who has them staves anyway?"

Borathor continues to sit on the side of the water. He notions for Syrenia to take the time if she intends to I’d anything inside. Still he just looks out into the water and thinks to himself.

While the rest of you watch the waters Valin and Balthazar return with an arm full of planks from the crates.

Balthazar drops a heavy armload of 6-foot long planks on the ground.

Bilgrom on his feet is able to nudge Borathor on the shoulder, "Maybe we's can scoop the water out o' this here lake before the others are even able t' finish them's plans. I's tell ye!"

Jarl will take this time to pray for his walk on water spell

[Balthazar]: "We have rope, and planks. Let's make a raft."

Syrenia looks over the items, "The only thing of note on any of the items is the staff has a tiny symbol on it." Handing it back to Jarl pointing it out.

Borathor smirks at Bilgrom's suggestion.

Balthazar pulls a coil of rope from his pack. He then starts arranging the planks to make a 6x10 surface.

Jarl looks at the staff in her hand "please turn it so I can see the symbol"

Balthazar then starts the long process of tying the planks together. One knot between each plank, at both ends of it with one plank on either side to stiffen the raft."

Bilgrom nods as he watches Balthazar work on the planks, "And what's it gonna float with?"

Syrenia nods at the others "well if Jarl is going to pray I’m going to study, you boys can play with your blocks and rope."

Jarl looks at the staff in her hand "please turn it so I can see the symbol"

Balthazar smiles and says, "It won’t take that long. And yes< I think it'll float. I was on a raft similar to this not so long ago."

[Bilgrom]: "If we's could tie an rope t' that branch. I's could try and walk on it. It is a part o' the talents of mine. I's tell ye!"

[Borathor]: Hearing the news that the others will spell gather, he lies back on the shore and tries to sleep.

Bilgrom seeing how he has nothing much to do. Decides to go on and pay a visit to the forges and melting spots, where he ponders on what item he should try and make, trying to remember what he was thought many years ago.

Several hours later Balthazar finishes with his creation as the spell casters are still in deep prayer or study. As for the rest most are sleeping or resting. Tollong sits up watching the rear.

[Bilgrom]: Through all this while he tries to creates some arrowheads, well aware that any other creation will take too long to create and will most likely be wasted.

Balthazar goes to fetch two last planks to use as paddles. And returns with them a bit tired from all the work.

Borathor is now in a deep sleep on the shoreline. His snores roar out to an almost disturbing level before quieting down.

Tollong walks over to the raft. "So you think it will float huh, need help getting it into the water?"

[Balthazar]: "Yes. It is a bit heavy. But perhaps we should wait for the others, since the beast may attack."

Bilgrom mumbles to himself as he tries to work on some arrowheads, bringing with him some of the water from the lake to chill the heated metal and work it with a hammer, as he hums a Dwarven tune. For every time he forges, he imagines the dwarves in their underground realms.

[Balthazar]: "Then again. " he chuckles "I'm eager to try it."

[Tollong]: "Yeah we should at least wait for the others to finish their studies you can rest while we wait."

Bilgrom comes back with the others unsatisfied with the results, as a matter of fact there was no result, he inspects Balthazar's ram and waits to see the outcome.

Jarl having finished with his spells staff in hand "well the mark on this staff is of Helm. Any of ye follows him?"

Tollong stands ready for anything hopefully

Syrenia gets up from her works nearly the same time as Jarl and stretches a bit before looking at the water once more.

Bilgrom eyes Syrenia with a lot of intent, "So. Do you think ye's gonna cross this time?"

Balthazar separates his attention from the raft for a moment to see if the others are ready to give it a try.

Jarl looks out to the water the ends of the staff pointing away from him he rubs his finger of the symbol "Helm the God of duty"

Tollong looks at the raft that’s is being built and starts to give thanks he learned to swim

Syrenia looks around, "Well I can fly out to the island with a rope so you can pull the raft across"

Balthazar NODS, "Yes, wizard, and if it doesn’t work, we can always paddled across."

Jarl looks at the staff sure that nothing would happen? "How many the raft be holding?"

[Tollong]: "I will swim it if I have to I have no problem doing so why not save you spell"

[Balthazar]: 'well, probably 2 or 3 people, to be safe."

Syrenia turns to the water. "Hmm maybe because of the big yellow fish in the water with teeth."

[Tollong]: "well lets go fishing then " laughing

Balthazar starts to drag the raft into the water

Bilgrom nods to Balthazar as he sheaths his blade and walks in closer, hands on his hips, "Five or six li'l halfling. As well!"

Syrenia grabs a side of the raft to assist getting it in the water.

Tollong also helps get the raft into the water

Jarl begins to chant as a spell "I will walk behind the raft just in case a fish wishes to come for a look at ye raft"

[Balthazar]: "A good idea.' Gets on the raft as soon as it is afloat. Grabbing one of the two last planks to use as a paddle.

Getting down upon the raft the cold dark water runs over its edges as it rocks back and fourth before becoming calm. It appears to hold at least one person so far.

Borathor wakes up and looks around while scratching his head. He looks over and sees the make shift raft getting ready to be launched and tries to think positively. He then looks over to Syrenia and as he stands he replies, "Well can you so something to get me over there?"

Bilgrom not sure of what is best, simply hops onto the raft once he is sure that it doesn't float, he draws his shortsword and dagger, ready to swing at any big mouthed fish that comes near and grabs a bite.

Syrenia turns to Borathor with an odd look, "What do you mean you I have my way over what makes you think I’m going to carry you even if I could?"

[Tollong]: "well I will go with him if no one else wants to try the raft an gingerly he places his foot onto the aft an tries to get all the way on it

Tollong steps down on the raft as one-side lowers into the water, as he gets settled the raft seems to hold both of them. Water splashes up through the lashings of the planks as the raft bobs up and down from the ripples of getting aboard.

Bilgrom waits patiently onto the raft, watching at the sides and waiting to see how they'll get across, starting to think that swimming might not even have been less dangerous than this. Deciding to start paddling with one of the planks he picked up, seeing no one else intent on doing it.

Paddling off towards the small island the waters crest over the planks as you feel its cold touch upon your body as it soaks through your clothing and armor.

Tollong is not worried about the waters temperature an looks around for these yellow fish keeping his eyes on the water

Half way out upon the water you feel a nudge from underneath as the raft hops upward somewhat near the center of it.

Bilgrom rolls his eyes as he uses his sword on the side of the raft to reach under and swing, "Of course..."

[Balthazar]: "get ready to jab through between the planks if we get stopped"

Paddling onward you make your way to the small stone like island as the raft bumps the side of it.

Syrenia gets off immediately and keeps her eyes fixed on the lake's surface, searching for what hit the small raft.

Jarl stops behind the raft and holds it in place for the others to get off of it

Balthazar pulls it half onto shore and starts to wonder how we can get it back across to the others. "Ah. Jarl, can you take it back to the others?"

Tollong helps pull the raft on shore

Reaching the island you begin attempts to disembark when a spear like mouth with rows of teeth comes through the raft planking and strikes Bilgrom in the buttocks. The beasts mouth is almost as long as he is tall but is unable to open wide enough through the planks to grab much more.

Jarl nods and begins to push the raft back "hate is this dwarf powered?"

Tollong slashes the fish at the ass of the halfling

Syrenia quickly yells out a chant and waves her hands quickly to finally point to the thing and fire 3 bolts of magic.

[Balthazar]: "well I could bring it back, but it might be too light, and the creature could flip it over. Since you get across by magic it is safer."

Bilgrom jumps as high as his own height as he feels a stick in his left butt cheek, "Oyoyeeeee!"

Jarl takes this moment to tap the little fish on its head with his hammer

Balthazar slashes at the beak while it is stuck through the planks

Tollong hits the fish with the edge of his sword

Striking at the creature sends it back, below into the depths as it takes a piece of clothing and flesh from Bilgrom’s butt.

Jarl smiles "I don't know which of ye to feel for Bil or that bore dumb fish for biting him?"

Syrenia examines the small island of rocks they landed on for the first time.

Bilgrom is tempted to toss the dwarf in the water, but abandons the idea and turns around to have a look at this branch they wanted to visit the island for.

Tollong steps onto the rocky island looking around for anything that is useful or dangerous

Jarl tries to push the raft on to land "help me with this thing we can get the others if we find anything here"

Syrenia looks at the waters..."With that thing in there? Is it wise?"

Looking at the branch while the others try to get the raft back, it appears to be nothing more then a normal branch lying on the ground.

Balthazar pulls the raft onto land with all his strength

Bilgrom grabs the branch and shakes his head, "All we's cross t' water for. A piece o' wood!"

Jarl walks onto the island after the raft is on land. He also looks at the branch and begins to chant holding his amulet in his hand

Bilgrom grabs the branch and begins to speak as he vanishes from sight in mid sentence.

[Tollong]: "is there enough to make another raft so we can all go on together?"

[Balthazar]: "Blast. Well. Now we know it's not just a branch."

[Tollong]: "Bilgrom where did you go?"

Syrenia raise an eyebrow and then grins while saying..."Here we go again!" She then grabs the branch with one hand.

The branch now lies on the ground where Bilgrom just stood.

[Balthazar]: "I'm going too."

[Jarl]: 'blast and I wasted a spell." well we still have to get the others’ he gets the raft back into the water and pushes it back to the others and then back to the island

Jarl struggles to get the raft back into the water to get back to the other side with the others.

Tollong says, "I will wait for the rest Balthazar to get across wait where ever you’re taken"

Jarl tells the others what was found on the island and to hurry up

[Balthazar]: "I'll go with Bilgrom, try to hurry." Grabs the branch

Balthazar grabs the branch and vanishes, dropping it once more to the ground.

Jarl rushes the others across the lake as fast as he can

Taking two trips the others are finally across with no other disturbance from below the watery depths.

Borathor waits to get across the lake and then he too grabs the stick, hoping the place it sends them is better than here.

[Jarl]: he brings the raft back onto land after the others get off it and then walks up to the branch as Bil did "this is how it works"

Tollong now grabs the stick an closes his eyes

Some time later you are all now sitting within a crude cell like prison staring out into a cavern through iron bars.

Borathor walks up to the bars and attempts to spread them apart

Jarl smiles "well now isn't this just a trolls ass of a situation."

[Tollong]: "great how do we end up in all these places why not a room filled with beautiful women an food"

Borathor walks up to the bars without a word and bends them apart to step outside the cell.

[Balthazar]: 'A portal like that is more likely to be found in a king's chambers."

Borathor moves outside of the cell and looks around...

Jarl looks to the outside of the cell to see what is on the other side

Tollong follows Bor sword in hand

Looking around outside the bars you see the two remains of the metal monsters lying not far off.

Jarl runs back to the lake and across the water to try the branch once more. "Will I be" as he runs 'be right back, trying it once more"

Balthazar walks out the cell and sighs seeing the scorpions.

Bilgrom moves out of the bars easily after Borathor, very irritated, "I's really don't know if this place be havin' an exit."

Jarl ends up right back in the cell where he just left after trying the branch again.

[Bilgrom]: "We's should check the lady in t' hidden compartment. I's think we forgot t' check out what was there."

[Borathor]: "Ill bet we have to swim down and find out where the water feeding that hole is coming from."

Tollong looks around for Ruffus

Jarl shakes his head "rats was hoping it was a random thing, but it isn't

Bilgrom quickly runs in all directions, trying to figure out where the skeleton or remains in some kind of gown, lost in the maze, he peers through the hole.

[Balthazar]: "With some magic and some tracking, would it be possible to track Ruffus?"

Bilgrom waits there, reaching inside and grabbing the gown, pulling back to see exactly what was in there.

Jarl walks back to the room with the box in it. He climbs up it to see the thickness of the stone them after knowing that he gets back to the ground and begins to cast once again

Tollong looks around well I suggest we destroy the rest of these cells doors in case we come back like we did this time"

Syrenia runs through the pages of her spellbook as she studies once again.

[Tollong]: "Jarl make another container an bring some more acid back and melt the lock on all these cells"

Balthazar sits against a wall, and thinks.

Bilgrom rubs his chin as he watches Jarl; "I's mistaken if I's say you thinkin' of melting the top o' this stone cache, dwarf?"

Jarl nods as he works his spell

Tollong looks at the dismay of the party "look there's a way in has to be a way out we just keep trying at it until we die" laughing

Kirarae looks around what if we all try and pry the top off of it I mean we have molting metal and a dwarf forge a bar or to for prying." Looking around as if succumbing to panic.

[Balthazar]: "We could manage. But I don't see what good it would do."

Tollong "then we shape the top off it. Can’t you do that Jarl?"

Bilgrom remembers now, he had stepped aside, the top of the lid being way too high for him to even push on it.

Jarl finishes his spell as the top of the stone box receipts into nothing. Now the top of the box is open for all to see

Tollong looks in

[Jarl]: ‘there now if we have some luck the damned thing will not jump out to attack us". Looking to Bil and Toll "well can ye see anything? Bil ye can climb the thing right?"

Down inside the box are the remains of a human female now long since dead dressed in a tattered rotting gown of white

Balthazar takes a look, still not sure how this can help.

Bilgrom quickly climbs atop the lid to look down with the others and raises an eyebrow; "I's guess."

[Tollong]: "anything under her?"

[Jarl]: "hmm well she have anything we might be able to use or anything? Blast the luck" he rubs his forehead

Bilgrom jumps down into the box, holding his nose, and rolls the lady over, "I's wonder who she is." He also looks in places such as her necks, forearms and fingers, where he could find jewelry.

[Balthazar]: "We should go back to the cave-in area. Perhaps things have changed there." Looks away from the remains.

Touching the body causes it to spring upward into Bilgrom’s face almost turning him pale white with fright. Below her is a stairwell going down into the darkness.

[Jarl]: "does she happen to have a symbol of a hand on her anyplace? Helm"

Balthazar turns back almost violently

Bilgrom jumps back and hits his back against the wall, feeling quite stuck if he was ever to fight anything in such an enclosed area.

There are no markings or jewelry upon her rotting remains as she sits forward in an upright position.

Bilgrom once the frenzy of the lady jumping on his face is over; cheers with joy "Come. The way is there, my friends!" Quickly examines the stairs going down, making sure the first few steps, are not a trap.

[Jarl]: "what did you find?" Not being able to see inside the box

Tollong yells back in the cave "we have found another way to go hurry"

Balthazar nods and makes his way to the staircase, determined to take point this time. "A staircase, Jarl."

Borathor can hear faint yells of the others while he watches over the studying female.

To get down the steps you must climb into the coffin like doorway of the dead woman.

Jarl looks "a what hot damn well lift that skeleton out of the box so we can get into it"

Bilgrom notices the lady wizard and the ranger are not of the group, "Ah, the lady be still deep in her studies. We’s should wait. A bit at least!"

Tollong climbs into the coffin and tries to make his way down the stairs

Balthazar squeezes his sword hilt and concentrates as he goes down... just a few steps to light the way.

Some time later Borathor and Syrenia finally arrive.

Tollong is into the stairs with Balthazar

Balthazar peers into the area lit by his sword

Jarl looks to them "the box has a way out of this level of dungeon. Mind the corps"

Borathor smiles at the progress of the others as he peers down the steps into the darkness, "Well, I was hoping to go up but this will do."

Bilgrom as the two finally come in sight, darts down the passageway, staying in Balthazar's light source, but keeping a small advance so he may watch where the group steps.

Jarl follows the group shield in one hand hammer in the other

You make your way down roughly 20 feet or so before the crude steps end in a small winding passageway barely high to fit and elf or small human. The passage runs off beyond your light source.

Jarl whispers "you know that prisoner couldn't have come this way"

[Borathor]: He then hops into the box and nods to the woman as he moves down the steps.

Bilgrom feels quite at home in the small passage.

[Balthazar]: "True, Jarl, but we know of no other way. The only thing I can think of is that he may have known about another passage in the cave-in area, and dug it out."

Jarl stops to study the stone work of this level.

Bilgrom proceeds inside, seeing no danger ahead, "Hopefully this not be leadin' into another's large metal scorpion's lair!" He adds before adding anything, he keeps an eye out for traps on the ground and walls to his side, carefully.

[Jarl]: "true but more then likely he was just hiding in wait for us to find a way out"

[Balthazar]: "That is quite possible."

Tollong follows the lead "damn dwarf No offence Jarl’s always making small passage

Balthazar leads the way, but stays at a pace to allow the others to do their trap checking work, etc.

[Jarl]: "It has been my belief that the lower one goes into a dungeon the more dangerous it becomes. Well, well, this area be Dwarven made or my eyes be getting weak". At least we are heading up in depth a little as we walk"

[Balthazar]: "We could always find a portal out, down there too. Anything is possible.'

Bilgrom decides to let Balthazar lead on, feeling weakened and rather powerless since the fish struck him.

[Jarl]: "no offence. Small be better for me kin to defend from others who happen to attack our holds like tall humans and dark elves"

[Tollong]: "well Jarl your right but it’s a bitch for your friends "laughing a little

Making your way through the passage you travel some bit winding through twists and turns where you come to a wall.

[Balthazar]: "We should look for passages..."

[Tollong]: "great did we miss something "looking an running his hands over the walls

[Jarl]: "watch for floor levers and rolling rock or falling ones. It is the favorite trap of me kin"

[Bilgrom]: "There is certainly one. It be just an matter of finding' it."

Jarl studies the wall around the dead end "must be something here"

[Tollong]: "this is not a wall there something blocking the passage see these lines here" pointing it out "now we have to move it some way"

Balthazar goes to one end, and presses against with his shoulder. Trying the other side after.

[Jarl]: "levers or something to make it move search the walls"

Pressing against it seems to have little or no effect upon it.

[Bilgrom]: "Stand back from t' outline. I have seen those kinds of traps with steam killing' whoever dared push on it." He leans in and takes out some tools, which he uses to work with the lines, and ensure the safety of the secret door.

Balthazar steps back, amused to have warnings after he has done it...

Tollong backs up

Jarl looks for anything that might activate the blocked wall on the other walls

Bilgrom tries sliding the block upwards and downwards, at first. Then to the sides He sighs and steps back.

[Balthazar]: "Maybe if we all tried at one. I thought I saw it move a bit when I pushed."

[Tollong]: 'is the trap clear Bilgrom? Can we all try it safely?"

Jarl points to a block on the stone wall "hey Bil come and look at this"

[Bilgrom]: "It appears to be. Yes." Hurries over to Jarl and looks at the wall, it takes him a while to figure out what he's trying to indicate, "Well hmm. What’s it ye want o' me?"

[Jarl]: "It might be a pressure plate of switch, do ye think it be a trap or that it might open the blocked wall leading into a trap?"

Bilgrom shrugs and presses on the smaller block, sighing deeply.

Jarl grumble "will see soon then"

Pressing in the smaller block without closer observation causes the wall before you to roll over to the left side, where you are blinded by bright light that pours into the area. Cold winds soon follow behind the light as it rushes down into the passageway behind you.

Balthazar looks into the light, figuring his eyes will adapt soon enough"

Bilgrom places and hand over his eyes for a moment and rubs 'em, once his sight has adapted he looks into the passage, hoping it is the sun's bright light that blinded him for a moment there.

Jarl squints, his eyes trying to see what is outside or to get an idea of where they currently are

Focusing in on the light you see the rolling hills and mountains that lie beyond them, snow still speckles the sides of the range.

Tollong waits for his eyes to focus turning from the light for a moment then looking back

Balthazar takes a few steps outside

Stepping out into the light you find yourself upon the side of a hill jutting out from the valley floor that runs through the range.

Tollong slaps Balthazar on the back "we have made it out alive " "now to find a town an have a fire an a warm bath "

Jarl walks to the edge of the cave and looks out "now where in the realms are well. The Earthspur’s or close. Maybe even that first door we found on are way here?"

Balthazar looks about for any signs of civilization. Nods and smiles to Tollong "Yes, that would be a welcomed thing>'

Looking about there is no signs of life other then birds flying back and fourth through the valley. A crude overgrown trails leads away from this area into the valley ahead.

Bilgrom takes a deep breath of fresh air with his eyes closed and arms extended in both directions, "Ah. This don’t feel good at last!" He runs an hand through his air and grabs some snow, which he applies on his face until it melts and wipes away with a piece of cloth, washing his face pretty quickly.

Jarl looks out to the sun to get his bearings "well what direction do we want to travel?"

Tollong takes the lead on the trail into the valley thankful to be back in the light where he belongs"

Bilgrom looks down into the valley, hoping he will spot twelve lifeless ogre bodies lying in the valley near the base of the mountain.

Kirarae looks around, "Can anyone see where we went in at?"

[Balthazar]: "The trail is as good a way as any. And the travelling will be more practical. I don’t think so."

Bilgrom nods as he sheaths his sword and cheers, "Well if we are t' keeps one straight direction for an while. We should end up at civilization."

Peering out into the area you do not see any dead ogres or any other cave like openings in the general area.

Jarl shrugs "sure fine by me." He looks about to see if he recognizes any of the landscape from before the went into the wizards lair

Bilgrom reaches into his pocket and retrieves a day's ration, which he feasts upon slowly, glad that he will not need to eat it by short bits anymore.

[Balthazar]: "Well, since we're all agreed. Should we go right away?"

Looking to the sky you see it could be late afternoon, not exactly shore from still adjusting to the surface light once more.

[Jarl]: "we need to head west from the Earthspur’s if that were helping any of you with the direction of travel"

Balthazar takes out some food and also eats, even though it's clear he would like to go on right away.

Kirarae nods, "That will at least take us back to the water if this is the Earthspur’s mind you."

[Balthazar]: "I simply want to head for the nearest city. We lost most of the wizard's treasure, but still."

Jarl looks back to the mountain range again.

Bilgrom does not stop walking for that much; he simply eats the dried fruits and meat as he moves down the passage, very cheerful and amused.

Jarl continues if the others are also walking. Believing that the mountains he looked upon are the Earthspur