[Sat Jan 04 20:30:25 EST 2003]

[Gar]: Nope, but he did take my coin purse and I couldn't pay the lady...so I spent the time in jail...

[DM]: You now stand between the crossroads and the second bridge in hot debate over to leave the swamp with the heartstone or press on, and if so where to camp for the night.

[Gar]: "I say we camp here...Not wise walking around the swamp at night... Plus this is a good defensive site"

Jarl reminds the others that the heartstone we seek is a red fist sized stone, but wishes to rest for the night as well before crossing the bridge

Syrenia crosses her arms over her chest and nods..."And I need to study my spells."

Borathor shakes his head, "Find out if the darn stone is magical so we can leave."

[Azaer]: Well, I don't know much about the heartstone or what you all are doing with it, or why you are after it. As far as camping, I am game. Lets find a good spot.

Syrenia turns to study..."Have to study my spell..."

Balthazar nods with Borathor, "I agree if its the stone we should know now not farther in the swamp."

[Gar]: "I say this is as good as any spot that were going to find in the dark...This is safe as we know it..plus we need to rest...as does our pack mule..."

Borathor shrugs, "Fine then we camp at the bridge."

Syrenia heads over to the bridge and leans against the bridges sides before getting her spellbook from her pack and studying.

Bal ponders a moment, "Are you sure its not the right stone?"

Jarl finds a good place to start praying "don't forget to take watches, and no firers"

Gar walks around the bridge looking for anything out of place...

[Jarl]: "as sure as I'm sure your not a dwarf"

Azaer begins breaking out his gear. "No fires?" He mutters as he repacks his frying pan.

Jarl begins to pray

[Gar]: "Cheese and crackers anyone?" Gar pulls this from his back pack along with a wine skin...

Borathor pokes around under the bridge looking to see what is there. Before disappearing under it.

Azaer moves to the bridge and begins to keep a lookout while the priest and spellcaster study and pray.

Balthazar paces the stone bridge, 'Fine i'll take first watch."

[Azaer]: 'Alright well if you all are going to start watch already, I will get some sleep. Wake me for my turn!" With that Azaer digs into his pack and pulls out a blanket and bed roll. Plopping down.

Gar looks at the party..."I will take third watch, at dawn...if you wish..." grumbles "No fire..."

[DM]: Several hours pass and all is quiet, Balthazar stop paceing the bridge and looks for his replacement.

Balthazar walks about the camp before stopping over the halfling, with a little kick he looks down. "Hey get up its your watch."

[Azaer]: "eh?

Syrenia yawns as she finishes her spells and calls out to Balt silently..."Hey Balt...who had the stone?"

[Azaer]: "Sorry I thought Borathor was next." mutters gets up and takes his place on the bridge and begins to keep a lookout, sling in hand.

Syrenia looks around to see if Borathor is here.

[Borathor]: "I'm already on watch." A voice carries out from with in the mists of the swamp.

Syrenia gets up..."So who had the stone?"

Azaer looks over to Syrenia, "I dunno who has it."

Jarl slowly looks about the camp rhen walks ober to the bridge and finds a good place to set is gear. he unrolls his bedroll and blanket and he cleans his armor and weapons as best he can to protect them from the elements of the swamp before placing them into a sack to keep them dry

Syrenia looks at the dwarf..."I think it's him..." She goes over to the dwarf..."Hey Jarl...you got the stone?"

Gar snors..."No fire...cold...hate swamps...grumble..."

Jarl looks "you think what's him?"

Syrenia rolls her eyes..."The stone, Jarl."

[Jarl]: "Bor was the one that had the box with the stone in it. I would ask him? he opened the thing, to begin with"

Syrenia nods..."Good to know..." She heads over to where she heard Bor's voice from..."Hey Bor...do you have the stone?"

[Borathor]: "How am i supposed to keep and eye and ear out if you all are going to bicker." His voice rumbles through the fog.

Jarl gets into his bedroll and tries to get some rest

Syrenia shrugs in the night..."Well weren't you the one who wanted to find out if the stone was magical?"

[DM]: You listen as you hear Borathor complaining to him self. "Damn bag, why do i get stuck carrying this crap what do they think i am.' With a thud you hear."Here take the damn stone woman."

Azaer keeps his eyes open, peering into the fog the best he can.

[DM]: The voice seems to come from with under the bridge.

Syrenia sighs..."Geez...what's up with you?" She goes under the bridge to get the bag.

[DM]: Going under the bridge you see Borathor camped out on a little piece of rain free ground. His toes just barely touch the swamp water and he sits back against the under side of the bridge.

Syrenia sits down next to him and shudders unexpectantly at a thought before reaching into the bag and taking out the jewelry, bracelet and case with the stone in it.

Borathor laughs, 'Looks like more then the stone there lass."

Syrenia settles the loot next to her and opens the case..."Might aswell check if the rest is magical too..."

Borathor nods, "Yeah right who else is going to wear it."

Syrenia breathes deeply..."It belongs to everyone...we'll just sell it...Now let me do this." She closes her eyes and begins to chant in her arcane language. WHen she's finishes, she opens her eyes which now are glowing with a blue light. closes the case and puts the loot in the bag..."Well the stone is magical...but Jarl seems to say that it's not the heartstone we're seeking."

Borathor nods, "It's the wrong color." Shifting his weight to pull out his wine flask.

Syrenia turns to Borathor..."Think I should risk identifying it?"

[Borathor]: "How many pearls do you have and how many items to check?"

Syrenia looks in her gem pouch and takes out the pearl necklace..."I got 10 left and there's only the stone to check."

Borathor takes a large swig from his flask, "Whoo-ahhh, well my dear as much as we would like to know about the gem. Being in this swamp and all, i think it would be a waste of a pearl to check only one thing."

Syrenia takes out the case and opens it..."Might aswell do it..." turns to Borathor..."We could need whatever it can do...Would be a mistake to have a weapon and don,t know about it."

Borathor sighs, "Well those are the little tricks the gods play on you." taking another swig of his flask. gets up and makes his way out into the rain. Looking around he makes his way to Jarl. "Hey dwarf, how many potions do we have left for curing?"

Syrenia shrugs..."We have enough to last us a while...wouldn't be a waste..." She turns as she seems to be talking to no one and sighs.

Azaer looks over towards Borathor as he speaks before once again turning to scan into the fog and rain.

Borathor kicks Jarl in the leg, "Hey you awake down there?"

Syrenia settles the case in front of her and begins to chant again.

Jarl sleeps peacefully and turns "aye remember that next time lad, what ye want?"

[Borathor]: "How many potions do we have left for curing?" Peering down upon him.

[Jarl]: "ask the one that has the bag> is that what you woke me for?"

[Borathor]: "I thought you had them you feed them out. Go back to sleep." Turns and makes his way up on the bridge near Azaer.

[Jarl]: "they the ones with the "H" on them" grumbles about 'should have had me wyvern up" turns and tries to go back to sleep

Borathor digs through the bag, "Ok it looks like we have two left. Here Azaer take this." Throwing a pack his way. "It belong to the last halfling."

Azaer reaches out and defltly catches the pack. says, "Thank you, it doesn't have blood on it does it?"

[Borathor]: 'I'm sure it does, but nothing a good washing can't handle."

Azaer opens the pack and peers in. says, "I will go through it after I get off of watch. Whohoo!

[DM]: Speaking of watch you look out across the bridge when you hear the sound of large flapping wings come from the mists, the sound grows louder and deeper as it passes over head. Listening to it fade it seems it went towards the mountains to the north.

Azaer perks up and immediately calls down towards Borathor and Syrenia. "Did you all hear that? Something just flew bye!"

Borathor looks up into the mist filled blackened sky. 'Yup, something sure did. Question is, is it coming back."

[Azaer]: "Lets hope not."

Jarl covers his head with his blanket and continues to sleep

Borathor looks at you, "Go wake one of the others." yawns and makes his way back under the bridge to get out of the rain.

Syrenia comes back over the bridge with the bag..."Well looks like the stone can cure paralysis and it has 6 charges left."

[Azaer]: 'Ok thank you." Azaer takes his new pack and moves towards the group. Nudging Gar he says, "Hey I think its your turn."

Gar yawns..."No fire...that is just wrong..." Gets up slowly and puts on his armor, eats a bit of his iron ration, and the takes his sword out and sharpens it with his wheat stone...as quietly and as slowly as possible

[Gar]: "What news that I need to worry about?"

Azaer sorts through everything in the backpack, taking what he needs and drops the rest. "Somethign flew bye towards the mountains. Sounded big.", he nods.

Syrenia takes out the jewelry and begins to appraise them.

[Gar]: "How big is big...Like big bird big or like pirate ship big...?"

[Azaer]: 'Well if I heard it, it had to have been very large. I doubt even with my keen ears I would hear a normal bird. And I heard it flying towards the mountains to the north before losing track of it. So heard it for a good while." nods

[Gar]: "Yikes...by the power of Tempest...only was I spared...I think that I wouldn't be able to sleep after that... Get some rest...trust in me my friend...I am on the watch..."

[Azaer]: 'Sounds good!" He packs the remainder of the items he wants and says to Gar, "Also if there is anythign else in the pack you want you can take it."

Syrenia smiles as she looks over the jewelry..."Nice..." She sits down against the bridge and takes out her spellbook again.

Gar looks though the pack..."Humm..."

Jarl has returned to the keyboard.

[Gar]: "tis my watch...I will look at first light..."Goes to his watch postion atop the bridge...

Jarl continues his restfull slumber

Syrenia gets up and grunts..."Bah...forgot to cast my armor..."

Azaer settles down and pulls his blanket and bedroll over his head attempting to keep the rain from his face.

Syrenia chants and moves her hands over her body. As she finishes a white light covers her for a moment before fading away.

Gar moves down to wake the others...."Dawn is upon us...awake and stand ready!!!"

Azaer grumbles. "Already!? What the.."

Jarl yawns and turns "stand read for what?"

[Gar]: "Tis dawn...a unsafe time..."

Azaer mutters and curses packing his roll and blanket. "Is it STILL raining? What the ^%%** is going on?" Azaer is obviously not a morning person.

Gar looks around, making sure that all are awake, then returns to the bridge...

Jarl looks up at the sky to see if it's still raining or not

[DM]: The rain still falls down upon your head, peering around nothing has changed since last night. The sky is still grey and black, the mud the mud is everywhere.

Jarl gets eats some from his rations and gets dressed for the day, gets up and after packing everything up "so we ready to continue on?"

Azaer throws his sack over his shoulder and says, "Ready when you all are." He then pulls the hood of his cloak over his face and waits.

Gar goes back to the group..."One second...gotta pack my stuff...Ready..."

[Jarl]: "Looks like we are ready Bor, lead on"

[DM]: Making your way up to the intersection you see the trails have been marked by someone or thing before you. A skull of some humanoid beast sits atop a stake in the mud near the right path. The skull of another type of beast rests on a pile of stones near the left trail. Straight ahead of you sharpened stakes protrude through the muddy trail. The trail ahead of you is wider then the trails to the left and right.

Syrenia gets up and takes the heart shaped stone of it's box..."Well I found out what this is...It can cure paralysis and it has 6 charges left." She hands the bag back to Borathor.

[Azaer]: "Ahh well that will be good against those things we fought yesterday, won't it?"

Gar looks at the group..."I have a feeling about the left path is the correct one...don't know why, but I do..."

Jarl nods "might be handy. we wanted the west most trail correct?"

Borathor shakes his head, 'Give me the bag." Snatching it away and stuff it up between his pack and back. Mumbling as he stops at the intersection.

Syrenia shrugs..."Don't care..."

[Azaer]: 'Don't matter to me either."

Syrenia turns to Borathor..."You want me to carry the group's stuff for a while?"

[Jarl]: "looks like the left/west trail Bor, unless you think otherwise?"

[Azaer]: 'Ok, hrmm, although the path WITHOUT the spiked skulls would be my choice"

Borathor stands before the intersection thinking. 'yes, take the damn bag, geez where the bag get this get that, you deal with it." Digging the bag out and tossing it on the ground. 'Now if you don't mind i will look for tracks."

[Gar]: "Nah...maybe be that the skulls mean the beast is dead on this trail and that the spikes mean don't go there!"

Syrenia glances at the ground..."Could of just handle it to me..." She sighs as she begins to gather the stuff and swings the bag over her shoulder.

[Azaer]: 'Can the mule carry it?" he looks a the heavy bag and at the elf carrying it.

Borathor snoops around the three directions, "hmm, ummmhmm Yeah well we have the head on rocks or the head on a spike or the spikes, it seems the traffic that comes through here goes up and down each of the trails."

Gar looks at Azaer, "you got the mule don't you?"

Syrenia shakes her head..."Naw...we usually need this stuff in a hurry..."

[Azaer]: 'yep, mules right there." He tugs at the rope he is pulling. nods to Syrenia, "Ok jus thought it would make it easier."

[Jarl]: "and our pack animals tend to die a lot"

[Azaer]: "Ahh."

Gar smiles..."Just making sure who is going to watch old Bucky..."

[Azaer]: nod

Syrenia grins..."That too..."

Borathor looks at the others well "Which way?"

[Gar]: "Shall we venture off to the left..."

[Jarl]: "Left please or the west most trail"

Borathor nods, "Left works for me lets go."

[Azaer]: 'Sounds good as any I guess." he follows the others.

[DM]: Picking a path you make your way deeper into the marsh, as you continue on you come to another clearing in the grass, with the soggy remains of a campfire near the center of the clearing, various bones are strewn about the area.

[Jarl]: "any ideas?"

[Azaer]: "Should we check the campsite?"

Borathor stops on the trail looking up at the clearing, "Well what do we have here, someone else starting a fire?"

Jarl looks about the camp with his eyes only

[Gar]: "Want me to check it out?"

Syrenia approaches the clearing..."Gar keep watch...let's check it out real quick."

Azaer gets his sling out and puts a bullet in it.

Gar moves to guard the party...Bastard Sword in hand...

Jarl looks about watching the camp and the area around it for movement

Syrenia searches the campsite and tries to figure out what happened.

Borathor pulls out his bow and notches an arrow. "Well woman get out there if your going."

[Azaer]: "Watch out for the bones, we already met some undead, don't need anymore."

Jarl smiles

Gar looks behind him and into the mist...

[DM]: Syrenia makes her way out into the clearing and begins searching the area, as the grass begins to move as 12 lizard looking beasts jump out upon you. Wielding sharpened sticks and rock tools they attack upon you.

[Gar]: "TO ARMS!!! FOR THE GLORY OF TEMPEST!!!"

Syrenia raises her hands and prepares herself to cast a spell..."Ohh great."

Gar runs forward to "Protect the Lady"

[DM]: Syrenia enters the clearing as the beasts attack, one lunges from the tall grass right at her just missing her left shoulder.

Gar takes a mighty blow for one of the creatures head!...."DIE!!! Damn!!!"

[DM]: With the rush of the beasts two charge in missing the group while three come in and strike upon Jarl, Gar, and Syrenia.

[Gar]: "FOUL BEAST!!!"

Syrenia snarls as she loses her spell..."Ahh hell!"

[DM]: With the rush of the second swarm of beasts you manage to slip away from their stone hammers except for one. Azaer takes one across the nogging.

Azaer grunts and backs up rapidly, "Dangit!"

Borathor attacks with his right missing the beasts as they rush by.

[DM]: A creature rushes up behind Borathor but misses him.

Azaer moves rapidly backwards towards the horse, trying to get between its legs as he slashes out at the creature attacking him. Azaer misses badly as he backs away.

Borathor turns to fend the beast off from behind as he swings with his left striking the beast across the chest.

Jarl swings with his axe as he tries to move back for a better place to cast his spells "Aye, needs time to cast!" His axe slices across the lizards chest leaving a nice trail of blood

[DM]: Jarls attacks send the wounded one to the ground as it splashes into the mud off the side of the trail.

[Jarl]: "numbers? how many we go?"

Balthazar swings his mighty two handed weapon nearly cutting one of the creatures in half as it slides off his blade to the ground below.

[DM]: Three beasts regroup an attack each missing their targets.

[Syrenia]: "There's 10 left!"

Borathor tries to follow through again with his right missing the beast.

[DM]: Three more creatures rush the group while two miss one lands a square tag across Borathors back.

Jarl starts to chant, his eyes focused on the largest group of lizards or the group that looks to have their leader "from the weeds you came, may the swamp hold you in place"

[DM]: Jarls word fades over the battle as 4 of the creatures stop moving in their tracks.

Syrenia moves her hands in an intricate manner but surprising speed as her anger takes hold of her. When shes finishes, she points to the lizard that hit her with a smile in the corner of her mouth.

[Jarl]: "Me gots a few of them..they won't be moving for a few minutes"

Borathor tries once more with his left hand and misses again, seeming to be off his mark lately.

Azaer slashes at the lizards legs from under the horse, trying to keep it distracted, or perhaps have the horse kick the crap out of it. once again makes a heroic swipe at nothing but air.

[DM]: One of the beast pushes it way through two of the held ones as it growls in rage attacking upon Gar striking him across the chest.

Syrenia yells out as she dodges an attack..."Azaer...take care of the held lizards."

Gar attacks the one who did damage to him..."Tempest Guide my sword!" he takes a huge cut across the body of the foul lizard creature!

[DM]: Gar strikes the one that struck him and sends the beast to the mud.

Azaer yells back, "Gotcha!" pushing further under the horse to the other side, he switches to his sling.

[DM]: Off to the side another strikes upon Balthazar but misses him.

[Gar]: "Got One! How many more!!???"

Bal swings his mighty blade again but only the sound of spliting air can be heard.

Borathor attacks again but the beasts still seem to elude his blades.

Azaer whirls his sling over his head and lets a bullet go with a crack, aimed at the eye of one of the held creatures.

Gar moves to attack one of the two that remain attacking him...he swings his mighty and now full of green blood bastard sword..."For Glory and Honor! By Tempest...you are quick..." As he misses badly...

[DM]: Two creatures attack as one swings at Jarl missing him, but the other swings upon Syrenia and strikes her.

Borathor attacks again missing, frustrated he puts his swords away and goes and picks up his bow to notch another arrow.

[DM]: One of the beasts attacks upon Azaer but misses him with its stone hammer.

Syrenia tries to cast another spell but loses her concentration as she is struck.

[DM]: The two remianing beasts attack one missing Gar while the second does a repeat of the other and strikes Syrenia up side the left of her head.

Jarl brings his axe to bear on the lizard closes to him. "Syr, fall back behind me if ye going to cast, ye knows they can't get by me dwarven belly."

[Jarl]: as his axe slices into the lizard's belly "speaking of bellies"

[DM]: Jarl attacks and cuts deep into one of the creatures as it bellows in pain before slumping over and hitting the ground.

Gar moves to try to cover Syrenia so she can cast a spell...knowing that he may takea free shot from one of the foul beasts...

Balthazar tries to send one back to the swamps it came from as he misses the creature by a good bit.

Syrenia grunts..."Doesn't matter anymore...don't have any more spells." Syrenia draws two daggers and throws them at a nearby lizard.

Jarl grumbles "figures. how you doing over there shorty?"

[Azaer]: 'Dodging this thing, but my aim is so off, I am afraid I will hit someone!" He yells as he continues to dodge and dart around the horse.

Syrenia 's daggers go wide..."This isn't my day..."

[DM]: One of the beasts comes in from the left flank and strikes Jarl across his left side.

Gar moves to attack one of the two that remain attacking him...he swings his mighty and now full of green blood bastard sword..."For Glory and Honor!"

[DM]: Gar attacks sending one of the beasts to the ground.

[DM]: Two creatures attack upon Gar both miss as one trips and drops its hammer into the mud.

[Gar]: "Harrrr Harrr The Gods are with me!!!"

Borathor fires his arrow sticking one of the creatures square between the eyes. With out a sound the beasts eyes turn inward and it falls to the ground with the shaft and point of the arrow sticking up towards you.

Jarl steps to the side of the lizard (the one from the left side) that was last attacking Syr, trying to cut into the things kidneys "dogs just keep coming, bah.." as the axe passes by the beast

Borathor fires off another arrow but is not as lucky the second time as the arrow flies off into the swamp.

[DM]: One of the remaining creatures attacks upon Azaer but misses him cleanly.

Azaer whips his sling over his head and sends another bullet at one of the held creatures heads. 'Whohhoo!" The bullet strikes the held creature in the eye, dropping him like a stone. yells, "Thats 2 of the 4 held down."

Balthazar swings again down upon the beast chopping into its right shoulder, letting blood squirt into the air, with a faint groan the baest falls to the mud.

Borathor fires at the remaining beast and misses it.

[DM]: The beast turns and runs off into the grass trying to get away.

Borathor fires again missing the beast, "Damnit that could of been a good shot."

Syrenia draws two daggers and throws them with lightning speed at one of the remaining lizards.

[DM]: Syrenia strikes the beast with two daggers but it continues running away.

Gar moves to check the rest of the area...looking for traps and treasure...not to mention the body of the lizard men...NO attack at Range this round...

Azaer rushes over to one of the remaining held creatures and makes a plunge of his sword into its belly.

Jarl brings his axe back and down towards the lizard's knees "Jarl fix ye"

[Gar]: "Azaer, you didn't have to do that..."

[Azaer]: 'I didn't?

Syrenia looks back to Gar..."I would've..."

[Gar]: "No, the beast was held, we could have tied it up or knocked it out...it was defenseless...that's just wrong..."

Jarl put's his axe away and looks at his wounds, cleans them and wraps them

Gar shoots a look at Syrenia..."That was not the right thing to do and you know it..."

Azaer grins showing no remorse. "It tried to kill us, you need to get a little thicker skin lad before you judge someones actions. What would have happend had the spell failed while we were paying attention to the others, and it bashed Syrenia or yourself in the head?" he yells as he moves to the last held creature.

Balthazar looks at his long blade, "Troll dung! It got away now it will bring others."

[Gar]: "If it had been able to attack I would have killed it...but it didn't..."

Syrenia laughs..."If we would've let it go it would have tried to kill us...the world is better off without it...

[Gar]: "It is a matter of principal..."

Jarl walks to the others and looks them over "who's been hurt?"

Syrenia binds her wounds..."I took a few hits..."

[Gar]: "I have taken two minor wounds...heal thouse that need more than I..."

[Azaer]: 'I just have a small cut, nothing major Jarl. Also we have one more lizard held. Let the lad kill it." He points to Gar. puts a cloth over the back of his head cut, wiping away the blood.

[Jarl]: "kill it then" binds Az's minor wounds

Gar moves over..."You speak??You understand me???" Makes a threating move to the creature....

Syrenia glances in the direction the lizard ran off..."Damn...it took my daggers with him."

Azaer nods to Jarl his thanks and begins to wipe his sword.

[Gar]: "Any one speak lizard man?"

Syrenia looks about the area for the daggers she missed with and comes back with one.

Borathor slips off into the grass.

Jarl walks over to Gar and sees to his wound's "not me, and he will only be held for a short time"

Gar waits to see if the creature speaks . he will knock it out on the back of the head in a few moments if it doesn't speak...

Azaer moves over to check on the horse, wiping his sword off as he sheaths it. He than moves to the downed lizards and begins to search them.

[Jarl]: "here you can ask him now, Jarl walks away from the two and snaps his fingers

[Gar]: Guys...don't know if you can read this...having problems with webrpg...must reboot...

[Jarl]: "Bor. Bal, you two need any healing? here you can ask him now, as he walks away from the two and snaps his fingers

Borathor is no where to be seen at this time.

Syrenia glances at the lizard and shakes her head...

Balthazar nods, "No thank you Jarl i'm fine."

[Syrenia]: "Hey Jarl...can you spare a heal?" looks at Azaer searching the corpse..."Any luck Azaer?"

Jarl nods and walks over to Sry "we need to work on a better battle plan" he brings soft white healing over her wounds

Syrenia shakes her head..."I just have to cast faster..."

Balthazar looks around "Well thats what 22 beasts not counting this one for heads, wonder how much that will fetch." Saying it at the beast in hopes it might understand.

Azaer still searchest the bodies. "Almost done Syrenia."

Jarl bandages Syr's other wounds

Syrenia turns to Balthazar..."Start hacking the heads away, Balt."

[DM]: Searching the remains you find nothing, looking about the clearing now you see the fire place and several crude grass lean -to's

Syrenia nods to Jarl in thanks.

[Jarl]: "anyone find anything?" he nods "you welcome"

Azaer moves over towards the lean -to's and searches inside. "Nothing on the creatures themselves."

Borathor returns from the grass breathing a little hard as he takes a swig of his flask.

Syrenia puts her hands in her hips..."What now...I need to study again..." She sighs.

[Jarl]: "lets say in groups"

[Azaer]: 'Looks like we came across there homes possiblyt."

Syrenia glances at Borathor..."So...did you get it?"

[DM]: Searching about the area Azaer does a little digging before calling out.

Syrenia turns to Azaer..."What is it?"

[Azaer]: 'I found a gem and some coins! in the dirt of this hut"

[Syrenia]: "Well count them, appraise them and put it in the group's bag..."

[Jarl]: "the next time we go into combat like this. i would like to go in as a pyramid. Three fighters up frount, myself and Syr in the next row casting and Az in the back. once we finish with our spells we can move up to the sides if need be"

Azaer comes out of the hut moving towards the burnt out campfire, spilling the coins onto his blanket, he counts them out and appraises the gem. "Excellent idea, I am next to worthless with my sword, but my sling is deadly."

Jarl goes and follows behind the halfning searching in each hut "lets see if ye missed anything"

Syrenia turns to Jarl..."The problem is...they are too many, they can just surround us and your pyramid is useless..."

[Azaer]: 'What about a circle? With me and Syrenia starting in the center? Or an attempt at a circle?

[DM]: Azaer comes out and dumps quite a few muddy gold coins on the ground along with a wild bird egg sized gem. From the looks of it he might be awhile.

[Jarl]: 'if we can fall back and keep them from circling us. we need to have time to get spells off"

GAR stand guard...still unsure as to what is going on...

Borathor shakes his head, 'Come on now sack that up and count later. That one is still on the loose and staying here is not wise."

Syrenia shurgs..."I'm usually ok with my mirror image but this time i didn't have time to cast it."

[Azaer]: 'Ok then." Azaer cleans up the coins the best he can and puts them into the group sack along with the large gem."

[DM]: After your small encounter with the starnge marsh beasts and a quick once over of thier camp you move out and deeper into the marsh following the winding trails that dot the wetland. Moving on for a hour or so you can see just up ahead another clearing like the one you past back a little bit ago. Before you can guess this is another group of lizard folk 10 of them storm towards you from all sides within the grass.

Syrenia draws two daggers and prepares to throw them.

[GAR]: "FOR GLORY AND HONOR!!!" I charge forward!

Syrenia raises her daggers..."This is going to be a long trek..."

[Azaer]: 'I didn't mean any insults Gar. But seeing as you are young and perhaps didn't want to be squeemish, just realize it would kill you in a heartbeat if it could.

[GAR]: "No insults there friend...now is the time for battle..."

Jarl grumbles "let the whole swamp know we's coming A?"

Borathor draws his bow quickly trying to get off some shots as the first one sails of into the swamp.

[DM]: Four creatures storm in upon Borathor as one trips another sending it into the mud, while the other three attack and miss each time.

Borathor tries to fire his arrow as the string breaks sending it to the mud by his feet.

Jarl grumble "guard me. "

[DM]: Two rush in upon Gar swinging madly at him, as one misses the other strikes him across the chest.

[Jarl]: "by clanggaddin's twin axes, I'm sick of this"

Azaer whips his sling at the closest one.

[DM]: Azaer strikes one of the beasts as it cringes and holds it side but fights on.

GAR moves to strike a deadly blow against the Lizard Creature..."You take my kindness and turn on me! Taste Death! Foul beast is too quick..."

[DM]: two more come in from the right the first one strikes Syrenia the second misses her.

Syrenia throws her daggers at the closest lizard.

[DM]: Syrenia strikes dropping one of the beasts into the mud.

[DM]: Two attack upon Bal but miss him both times as one slips and bumps the other.

Balthazar swings cutting deep into the left side of one sending it to the ground.

Jarl continues his casting sweet running down his face, hoping the others are still guarding him

Syrenia draws and throws 2 daggers.

[Jarl]: "like and hammer to the anvil" lightning chashes to the ground

[DM]: Syrenia sticks another with her dagger but the creature fights on.

[DM]: Two beasts flank the party from the right but fail to land their attacks upon Azaer.

Jarl watches "guard me, this isn't finished yet"

Borathor swings and misses the creature once more with his swords.

[DM]: gar strikes one of the beasts and sends it crashing into the mud.

[GAR]: "Bye to hell..."

[DM]: Three rush the group from the left striking Borathor twice across the back.

Balthazar attacks striking one of the beasts across the chest. The creature fights on.

Borathor attacks striking one of the beasts but it also fights on.

[DM]: Three creatures attack two miss Borathor and Balthazar as the third strikes Jarl in the head.

Jarl grumbles but holds his ground

Azaer gets his confidence back at the last good hit and whirls his sling once again towards the closest creature to Jarl, cursing that it got through..

[Jarl]: "like and hammer to the anvil" lightning chashes to the ground again striking lizards

[Azaer]: 'And whiffs, wide right."

Syrenia draws her magic dagger and lunges at a wounded lizard but she misses.

[DM]: Three creatures attack upon Syrenia as one trips and falls into another who then falls into the third one causing it to lose footing but manages to stay afoot.

Borathor swings twice upon the one he hit before sending it into the mud.

Bal swings his mighty blade and misses.

[Jarl]: "bring the hammer down once again upon the anvil" as lightning again strikes attacking lizards

[DM]: Jarl shouts commands into the swamp air as bolts of lightining strike the ground all about, lighting up the area. The streak and flash past you as one strikes the ground in front of Balthazar sending him backwards 5 feet or so in his metal can he calls armor. As for the beasts they lie on the ground smoldering.

GAR sees if any are still alive...

Syrenia sheaths her daggers and binds her wound.

Azaer gawks at the lightning display and quickly moves to see if Balthazar is alright.

Jarl stands firmly 'any more of them?"

[GAR]: "if any can heal...I need to be healed please"

Syrenia goes to search for missed daggers.

Balthazar sits in the mud shaking his head, 'I swear you spellcasters are going to be the death of me."

Jarl sends more bolts crashing down around the outer area to ward off any more lizards that might be hiding in the swamp

Syrenia sheaths more daggers as she comes back into the area.

[Jarl]: after finishing with his spell he being to see to the healing of others "Gar. lets be looking at ye"

Syrenia begins to search the beasts or what's left of them.

Azaer moves over to the lizards that he hit with bullets and digs them out with a dagger.

GAR moves to Jarl...

Jarl bandages up Gar's wounds and then heals them with soft white light

[Azaer]: After getting his bullets, he keeps watch while the others heal up.

Borathor sits back and cleans his blades and then picks up his broken bow. 'Cheap bowyers."

Syrenia yells out as she searches..."How are you on healing spells Jarl..."

[Jarl]: moving from Gar, "next? I can bandage everyone's wounds, but my spells well get low soon, who was hit?"

Borathor nods, "I was."

Syrenia gathers some coins and gems and a piece of parchment that she tires to read.

Jarl walks over and dresses Bor's wounds

GAR looks at jarl...."Thanks friend...Now any of you found one of them alive?"

[Jarl]: "pkay anyone else? I have one healing spell left i want to keep for now. i can bandage anyone's wounds though?"

Borathor nods, "Thanks that helps some."

Syrenia shakes her head..."Maybe we should rest..."

Borathor nods, "Just get those potions ready incase we need them, we'll drink them only if we have to."

[Jarl]: "the hut's would make a good place to rest if need be" he sees to his own wounds now

[GAR]: "Or maybe we should let the magic users rest...the rest of us should stand guard and cat nap..."

[Azaer]: 'Hrmm I think the longer we rest the more time it will give the creatures time to re-coup. Perhaps if we pushed through this portion and rested outside the swamp? Just a suggestion." Azaer says, wiping the dirt and blood from a bullet.

Jarl looks to the sky "tis a good day for rain. thank ye Father"

Syrenia shakes her head..."They might have an advantage in the swamps...I'd rather stay on the road...Azaer...appraise the coins and gems you found with these ones too while I study."

[Jarl]: "lets keep going, this is a camp, they may have others coming back to it"

[Azaer]: 'Alright, whatever we decide I am game.

Syrenia sets a bag of coins next to her and takes out her spellbook to study..."Ohh and I found a piece of parchment that looks like a map if anyone wants to see." sighs..."We need your spells if we're going onward to other battles."

[GAR]: "How long would you need to rest?"

Syrenia looks to Jarl..."2 hours should be enough..."

[Jarl]: "well then. Gar. take the bodies of these fallen away from the camp then please. then if we must stay here, lets get into the biggest hut and set up watches, or just put them in on of the distant huts"

Syrenia nods..."But let the others do it and hurry up and pray." With that she begins to study.

Borathor snickers "Oh we have a problem do we? Lets see stay here in their camp for any others if there are to come, or move on without the powers of the unknown. See if you relied on the blade you wouldnt be having this problem."

[Jarl]: "Moradin not be one to give new spells every 5 minutes. i will have to wait at least 8 hours to gain more spells"

Balthazar walks over to Borathor and touches him, 'Her good fella and sit back and relax."

[GAR]: "I must say that we should stay here..."

[Azaer]: Azaer moves to the lean-to and begins counting, he sets out the coins and begins counting. He appraises the gems as well. "staying here isn't the best choice, but if everyone wishes to stay then we can, it is dry if nothing else"

[GAR]: "I know that staying in their camp is going to be risky, but for two hours or eight hours...it is the same..."

Jarl follows Az into the largest hut and finds a plavce to sit, moving some straw over to sit on or a stump

[DM]: You rest for a couple hours and try to reorganize a bit, while the spellcasters finish up with their tasks.

[Azaer]: After Azaer counts and appraises the gems he takes a look at the map Syrenia found also.

GAR is waking the guard...around the hut...

[Azaer]: 'Well guys, I am only finished counting the silver. 2,480 silver

Syrenia gets up and stretches..."Well strap em to the mule...and get rid of the coppers I guess..."

[GAR]: "Can the mule carry both?"

Borathor turns "How much copper you dumping off there Syrenia?"

Syrenia shurgs..."Probably but it would slow her and us down..." She smiles to Borathor..."Just 2000."

[Jarl]: "you know we could stach the money here and colect it on the way back or later"

[Borathor]: "That beast can carry 500 lbs. better then any of us, she'll be fine."

Syrenia nods..."Ok then."

Borathor sighs as he takes a drink, 'Even if we don't use it, give it to the poor folks in town kids or something."

[Jarl]: "yes copper for the kids"

GAR looks to Borathor.."That is a very wise thing to say...very nobel of you Borathor..."

Syrenia nods..."That's what I was planning to do..."

[GAR]: "And it would buy us friends or aid as necessary...a little copper to a child is worth much gold to us"

[Borathor]: "What"? shrugs,"beats leaving it here for some other foul creature or being to take."

Syrenia looks around..."We're ready to go?"

[Jarl]: "you could buy them all a pair of paints. " *laughs*, "yes, lets "

[Azaer]: 'Umm yea, me too. I was planning on giving it away too, ummm yea thats it." He nods and makes a loco sign around his ear.grins

[DM]: After dispatching the second group of swamp beings and giving the camp a once over you press onward ever deeper into the marsh. Traveling for some time now you come to another clearing or camp of these beasts but find it empty as if everything had left in a hurry.

Azaer grins.

GAR sniffs..."I smell trap.."

Syrenia nods..."Keep alert and let's move on."

[Azaer]: "Either that or they are getting smart. We have killed a whole lot of thier kind, they may be starting to tire of dying."

[Jarl]: "look about and if they left they might have left some coins behind as well as the other camp"

Borathor walks along the ground checking the tracks going in and out of camp.

[Jarl]: "they the same .. lizards?"

Borathor nods, "I agree with the little one, seems the tracks that are fresh are leading out of camp except for one that enters from the south, the way we came."

Syrenia looks down..."And where are they heading?"

[Jarl]: "thet one must have left the camp we hit and sent for aid, the other then that showed up?"

Borathor looks around, "Well why we have them on the run we should stay here get fully rested as much as we can then move on with what little day light will be left."

Jarl nods "lets check the grounds and huts first then setup in the largest hut, like before"

Azaer nods, "Sounds good."

Borathor nods, and slips off into the tall grasses.

[GAR]: "I like the plan.."

[Azaer]: 'How long will we rest? I can try to count the coins again if you want. The gold and gems at least.

GAR shrugs..."Would like to get a cat nap in if I could.."

Borathor look sabout "Whos watch is it now, who went last?"

[Azaer]: 'Gar went last." He points to Gar.

Jarl grumbles "might as well be mine"

Syrenia shakes her head..."We aren't keeping watches..."

[Azaer]: "Eh? Why not?"

Syrenia shrugs..."Well me and you won't anyway..."

[Jarl]: " could heal some more and re-pray for all me spells back if we are staying here till morning or i can take watch?"

[Azaer]: 'Ohh, I thought you meant none of us will." he chuckles.

Balthazar shrugs "Fine suit yourself i could use a rest anyway."

Syrenia smiles..."Sorry about that..."

Borathor steps back from the grass on the otherside of the clearing, "Well if there are any more out there they are no where around here."

[GAR]: "I'll take third watch again...just need to get some sleep...didn't sleep well last night..."

Syrenia takes out her spellbook and begins to study.

Balthazar looks at Jarl maybe you should use your spells get everyone back to a healthy status."

[Jarl]: 'okay then, i have 4 s=healing spells who needs them the most?" nods to Bal

[Azaer]: 'Not I."

[Jarl]: "Gar, how about you lad?"

[GAR]: "Wake me when it is my watch..." With that, Gar unrolls his bed roll and eats his iron rations...he takes a small amount of wine, strips out of his aromor...and get's ready for bed...39 out of 44 here...would like max to help keep you spell casters alive...

Jarl walks over and brings white healing light over Bor first

Borathor nods thank you."

[Jarl]: "aye, that was a good one" and he walks over towards Gar, "you next"

GAR nods "thanks"

Jarl nods "now it's me turn"

GAR looks at Jarl..."Thank you're god for me...or may I..."

[Jarl]: as white light's flash over his body "Moradin hears all and welcome's the good words from all races and kinds lad"

[GAR]: "I will thank him next temple of his we see...he has answer my request twice and I am one to repay my debts..."

Borathor looks about, "Well how long are we planning on staying until the spellcasters are full or what?"

[Azaer]: 'Sounds about right. Or are we staying till light?"

[Jarl]: finishing his spells Jarl finds a place to sit and takes out the make to the ice peak. he markes each of the locations that they have found an encounter and puts done what it was.

[GAR]: "I say untildawn...would be safe to move about after that, but I don't want to walk around in the dark in the swamps...we're on hard land here..."

Azaer nods towards Jarl, "Might want to take a look at that map that Syrenia found." nods to Gar. "I agree."

Borathor rubs his chin, "Yes but if there are other creatures out there they will try and take their home back at night. Makes more sense?"

Azaer nods to Borathor and begins packing, "I agree!" grins.

[GAR]: "They may comback or may not..but this is safer than them attacking out there..."

[Borathor]: "Lets just take it slow and see where we can get to, and hopefully it isn't another camp."

[Azaer]: 'We have quite some time before dark though, maybe we should press on?"

[Jarl]: after finishing puts the map away and starts to look over his armor and does some minor repairs to it. "if anyone want's I can inspect your armor and weapons for any minor damage and try and repair them"

[Azaer]: 'I think my leather is fine so far I only got whacked in my noggin. You already healed that."

GAR who is out of his armor already..."I thought that were going to stay...he, (points to jarl) has used his spells and needs time to sleep..."

[Jarl]: "just let me know what you decide. I'm not going to ask for any more spells till night. i don't wish to anger Moradin after ll he has done"

Borathor laughs, 'Lad you better put your armor back on there, where do you think you are? If we get hit your going to be hmm, dead."

[Azaer]: "Borathor is right, if they move back in at nightfall they may come in with the rest of thier forces. I don't think its a good idea. I think we should press on. I don't want to be caught out here against them all in thier own home at night."

GAR growns..."All right!!" Puts his armor back on..."Then let's get the heck out of this place...as far from it as possible"

[Azaer]: 'Lets seeif we can't make it close to getting out of the swamp."

[Jarl]: "i'm willing either way, I have spells ready for them if they come back or we can head out now. up to the group"

Borathor pulls out his flask, 'see i know the others didn't tell you but a lot of folks we meet die quickly, oh and i'm sure they didn't mention the assassians who track us either." laughing hardly, then raises his flask, 'Would you like a drink?" Looking at Azaer and Gar.

[Azaer]: 'I am for leaving as quickly as possible so we still have as much light as we can get under us."

[Jarl]: "did anyone find anyything in this camp site?"

GAR smiles..."Drink, yes I would...what is it?"

[Azaer]: 'Umm no, noone mentioned assassins to me. I think i will take a drink." nods to Jarl. Yes Syrenia searched it and we grouped what she found with the other stuff I found.

[Jarl]: "anything good or just more copper?"

Borathor smiles "Its fire have some, only rot your gut a little. But warms you up."

[Azaer]: 'More coins, I haven't gone through anything but the silver so far. And I think one other Gem.

Jarl looks to gar and Az, "either of ye two knows anything about a group that wears a ram-head ring?"

Azaer accepts the drink and takes a long swallow.

GAR shakes his head..."Nope...should I?"

Borathor laughs pointing at Jarl, "Oh yeah that to. Well anyway lets move out a bit even if its just down the road."

Jarl takes out some more of his rations and eats "I need to gets another food spell, these rations are like eatin saw dust"

Azaer nods to Bor. "Rams head ring? Nope, never heard of anything like that."

[GAR]: "Cheese and smoked beef?" He offers Jarl some...

[Jarl]: "the assassins that are hunting the 'group' wear a ram-head ring"

Borathor turns to Syrenia "she has one show them."

[Azaer]: 'Ahh, thats always good to know." he groans a bit.

Jarl nods "thanks and takes some of the meat and cheese"

Syrenia has her spellbook in her lap and seem concentrated on it...

[GAR]: "Well, isn't that nice...but since what little I do know about assassins is now they see us as part of the group...so I am in it for the long haul..." Gar groans and shakes his head...

Jarl holds up the meat "this is getting better all the time" and wolfs down the to food items

GAR looks to anyone who would like some cheese..."Anyone...or meat..."

[DM]: Couple hours pass and all is quiet as the day light is surely going to burn off soon. But looking up there seems to be no end to the rain that has falling since you entered the swamp.

[Azaer]: 'Ahh, Syrenia isn't done. We gonna move on and let her know?" he says quietly not wanting to disturb her.

Jarl rubs his belly "ummm good"

[DM]: Sitting around in the driving rain a couple of hours later Syrenia looks like she is finally done with her works.

[Jarl]: "so we moving on or staying the night hear?"

Syrenia yawns and blinks several times.

[Azaer]: 'I think we are moving out of thier home at least. Try to get up the road a piece anyway."

[GAR]: "I say move as quickly and fast as possilbe..."

Borathor gets up and yawns after Syrenia, 'We are moving on even if it isn't that far."

Syrenia nods to him..."Ok."

Jarl grabs his gear "well lead on then, oh ranger of the swamp" *smiles*

[DM]: Taking this as a blessing you move on quickly out of the third camp and onward down the winding trail, before long you see up ahead yet another stone bridge like the two you had passed over before.

GAR grabs Jarl..."That my friend, is not funny..." He then smiles..."I am the paladin of the swamps..."

[Jarl]: "hmm.. "

Borathor looks up ahead and back to Jarl, 'That's right lookie up there a safer place to camp."

[GAR]: "I will take up second place if someone will go first..."

[Jarl]: "i liked it"

Borathor turns again "send the halfling under the bridge to check it out."

Balthazar stays put, watching the bridge..

[Balthazar]: "Why would there be a well constructed road leading to this lair?"

Azaer groans. walks WAYYYY around the side of the bridge and tries to look from the lefthand side.

[Jarl]: 'you know that's a real good question Bal"

Borathor laughs, "Well constructed its a mud pit."

[Jarl]: "Syr, what was on that map you found, i forgot all about it?"

[Azaer]: "yea so far its nothing but swamp and rain."

Borathor turns to the little one, "Will you get your hide over to the bridge and check it out."

[Balthazar]: "I'm talking about the bridges."

Syrenia hands him the parchment..."Here you go."

Jarl looks at the paper "thought you said map?" he looks at the paper

Azaer yells over, "I am! I am taking it slow" he moves closer to the bridge eyes wide open the whole time, watchin the water as well.

Borathor shrugs 'maybe he doesn't like to get his feet wet."

Borathors eyes open wider 'You there Gar get up tere and search the grass around the area."

GAR looks at the noble Borathors..."Just tell me where to go..." Gar takes out his bastard sword...

Jarl looks at the paper quickly and places it away to keep it save and follows Gar flanking to the opposite side he goes

Borathor points towards the bridge.

GAR moves off to the other side of the bridge to look around...

Borathor snickers at Jarl and the others "They have to prove themselves sooner or later."

Jarl stays low axe in hand, nods as he leaves Bor's side

Azaer moves quickly back towards the group. "Nothing! No signs of anything under the bridge".

Balthazar rolls his eyes and walks over the bridge, hand on swordhilt nonetheless.

Jarl waits till Az passes him and then slow walks back towards the group keeping an eye out for any movements

Syrenia follows the Paladin.

GAR signals the group that he has seen and found nothing...

Borathor makes his way up to the bridge taking a look under neath. With the shake of his head he sits down next to the bridge in the mud.

Jarl takes the parchment back out and looks at it again "so what is this thing? i thought you said a map?"

Balthazar watches Borathor from the other side :"Something interesting in the mud?"

[Jarl]: "ya Bor" still looking at the parchment

Syrenia nods..."It's like the map the bartender gave us..."

Borathor turns to Jarl, 'What do you want oh hairy one?"

[Jarl]: "i see, well now we have two. here you hold this one then. i was hoping it was to the inside of that thief's hideout"

Syrenia shakes her head..."ohh..."

[Jarl]: "what do I want? welll lets see a large fury anvil to start and..."

Balthazar waits at the other end, not too sure what's going on now...

[Jarl]: "so we moving on of staying at the bridge tonight?"

Borathor looks up from the mud. "I thought you wanted to rest i just didn't want to do it in the camp."

[Jarl]: "looks like we have a long stretch till we get to the next bridge and it's mountains to one side"

GAR rejoins the group..."You want me here or to stand up there and guard?"

[Azaer]: 'What about following the riverbank to the other bridge? "Instead of going through the side mountains?"

[Jarl]: "the trail has been good so far, I don't want to leave it, could do more harm then good"

[Azaer]: 'Actually thats a bad idea, considering these trails are mudholes, imagine how not being on one is. Nevermind." he chuckles. nods to Jarl.

[Balthazar]: "If the road follows the other side of the river, it's probably for a good reason."

[Jarl]: "Bor any tracks on the other side of the bridge?"

Borathor shrugs, "Don't know haven't been on the otherside yet."

[GAR]: "I have...I saw nothing... Again I ask you, do you want me here or to stand up there and guard?"

Borathor laughs "Oh sit down and rest a bit."

[Jarl]: "when do you plan on going over to the other side?"

GAR plops down on the dryest spot he can fine..."Thanks...needed that..."

Borathor shakes his head, "Ok great now i'm ready to rest and you spellcasters wish to go on. make up my mind." Climbs up out of the mud and makes his way up and across the bridge. Jumping from the bridge to the mud on the otherside he turns, "Ok i'm here now."

[Jarl]: 'well if ye wants to rest, then say so, me asked ye" he finds a place on the bridges and unrolls his bedroll

Balthazar smiles to himself and sets up a small place for a watch on top of the bridge.

[GAR]: "Wake me when it is my watch..." With that, Gar unrolls his bed roll and eats his iron rations...he takes a small amount of wine, strips out of his aromor...and get's ready for bed...39 out of 44 here...would like max to help keep you spell casters alive...

Jarl eats some more of his rations

[DM]: Camping down for the night several hours pass when you hear the flapping of wings thundering overhead. They seem to come from the north and head to the south.

Azaer eats as well, picking at his rations, but glancing at the mountains and looking for something winged to come or go from there.

Jarl begins to pray before all those hours pass

Balthazar tries to spot the creatures responsible from the bridge

Syrenia gets up and gets under the bridge as fast as she can.

[DM]: Looking into the black skies you see nothing as the sounds fade away to the south.

Syrenia stays below the bridge and goes to sleep.

[Jarl]: if Jarl has finished his prayers during this time he will also look to the skies to see if he can spot what's flying over head

[Azaer]: "OK the watch is the same as before? If so wake me when its my turn." With that he unrolls his bedroll and blanket and covers his head from the rain once more and goes to sleep.

Borathor nods off and goes to sleep.

Jarl looks about to make sure there are people taking watches before he goes to sleep sets his armor into the sack and wraps up in his blanket for a long winters nap

Balthazar finds someone for the next watch

Azaer looks under the bridge to ensure syrenia is alright before going to the top and beginning his watch.

Jarl s wrapped up in his blanket

GAR is out cold...

Balthazar settles inside his small tent below the bridge.

Borathor snores along side the bridge in the falling rain.

Azaer gets up and moves over to wake up Gar, "your turn"

GAR puts on his armor, makes sure that everyone is fine and then take his turn at guard... goes to the group..."Tis dawn, awake and stand ready..." then packs up his stuff and returns to the top of the bridge to finish sanding his guard...

[Jarl]: "bah. what's for breakfast?"

Balthazar wakes up and packs his tent.

Borathor opens his red eyes as he yawns and stretches out in the mud.

Syrenia emerges from underneath the bridge and leans against a side of the bridge.

Jarl sits up and looks about. then he rolls his bed and blanket back up and puts his gear back on gets ready to go and then waits till everyone is ready to go

Borathor climbs up out of the mud and cleans off. waiting for the others.

Azaer looks around. Cleans up and packs and is ready to go.

Syrenia crosses her arms across her chest..."So...everyone's ready?"

[Jarl]: "lets be going then"

Azaer grabs the rope to the mule and pulls getting it going.

[DM]: Continuing on just past the third bridge, the trail begins to arc slowly to the right skirting the westeren half of a very large pond. The falling rain is the only thing that disturbs the pond's surface. A screech suddenly splits the air as a three-headed, flying monster glides over the surface on the pond. The creature has the heads of a lion, a goat, and a dragon. Seconds later, a gigantic, translucent crocodile head bursts from the depths of the pond.Then two giant snakelike heads rise from the south end of the pond. Behind them a large orb covered in eyeballs and tentacles pops up 20 feet out of the water.

[DM]: Preparing for the battle at hand the giant crocodile snatches the flying beast from mid air and pulls it below the surface, while the two snakelike beasts attack upon you.

Syrenia begins to chant in her arcane language.

Jarl takes steps away from this pond to give distance from whatever is happening

GAR moves to protect the spell casters ready for the battle... "For tempest..."

Jarl will begin casting once his is a saft distance from the pond and these things in it

Borathor attacks with his left blade missing the watery beast.

Syrenia finishes her spell as she seems to duplicate as 6 images appear.

Borathor attacks again striking the thing once.

Jarl will begin casting once his is a safe distance from the pond and these things in it

Balthazar places himself to protect the casters and attacks the same beast as Borathor.

Azaer prepares his sling and begins whirring it about his head aiming for the eye in the lake, sending the bullet off with a snap!

GAR will attack the snake head to the left of the party, and misses.

Azaer mutters as the bullet misses the eye.

[DM]: The thing rears up and comes crashing down upon Jarl.

Syrenia chants in her arcane language moving her hands with fluid grace. As she finishes her spell, a lightning bolt escapes her finger and shoots towards the elemental.

Jarl runs back farther from the water creature and begins casting again

Borathor attacks again but cant seem to hit the beast this time.

GAR will attack the water elem...

[DM]: Gar attacks landing square attacks upon the beast twice but the blade seems to to it no harm as the water forms around it.

Azaer yells out, "I think only magic will work against this creature, lets retreat until we can figure something out!"

[DM]: The beast again for some reason like the smell of Jarl as it again pounds down upon him.

Borathor attacks again striking the beast hard in its watery side.

Balthazar rushes to defend the cleric.

Jarl grumbles leaving the area of combat

Balthazar also delievers a mighty blow to the beast.

Azaer cracks a bullet at the creature and backs away with the others. In his haste he misses Badly.

Borathor attacks again while you back up missing the beast.

[DM]: Coming back with his other blade he misses twice.

[Jarl]: out of the area, grabbing staff

[GAR]: "Tempest Help Me!" I pull my magic dagger and strike! Tempest! I said help Me!" and misses!"

Syrenia calls forth her magic and sends 3 bolts of magic towards the creature.

Balthazar stays in the melee and tries to slash the creature again. Missing the target, uhh.. somehow...

Azaer retreats as far back as possible, waiting to see if someone gets harmed so he can rush to thier aid.

[DM]: The beast rushes the shore and smashes down upon Syrenia.

[Balthazar]: "Get between Borathor and I"

[DM]: One of the Syrenias images is destroyed.

Syrenia 's 5 remaining images smile at Balt..."I'm ok."

Borathor attacks missing the beast, 'Who ever has the bag stay close with those potions!"

Syrenia sends three more bolts towards the elemental.

Jarl taps himself with the staff

Azaer says, "this bites" And waits to help if needed.

Borathor atacks with his other hand and misses.

Gar once again lands a square attack but doesnt seem to harm the beast.

[DM]: The creature turns and smashes down upon Balthazar this time.

Balthazar takes a brutal hit, and decides to heal himself.

Borathor swings at the beast missing it again.

Balthazar swings at the elemental once more.. but misses.. again..

Syrenia sends three more magic bolts towards the elemental.

GAR tossed down his sword and pulled out his magical dagger..."I must hit" BUT MISS!!!

Borathor attacks again striking the beast with his blade.

The creature returns the favor smashing down upon Borathor.

[Jarl]: "Syr, do you have the ring on?" begins to chant once more

Jarl yells out "put the ring on and try it, let the others run away first, then go with the fireball"

Syrenia hangs back unsure...

Borathor attacks again and misses the beast once more.

[GAR]: I miss...again!

[Jarl]: "everone get out of here then and I will do it!!" go run on!!"

[Balthazar]: "No way, I'll be ok, go ahead." attacks the beast again.

[Jarl]: "I'm bringing the fire soon..better clear!!"

[DM]: The beast smahes down once more upon one of Syrenias images.

Azaer moves as far away as possible, taking the mule with him.

Borathor attacks in vain as he has hit a missing streak.

GAR will take the rear gurad letting everyone else go and will take the attack...

Borathor attacks striking the beast again as it rears up and splashes back down into the pond and all over those still near in combat.

[GAR]: "Get out of here!!! RUnn...I will cover you!" Runs.

Jarl places his axe away and looks on "the fire comes now"

Borathor drops his blades at his side and puts his hands on his knees as he bends over to catch a breath.

Syrenia raises an eyebrow..."Well..." She puts the ring on.

Balthazar takes in a breath on the way down and stays below water.

[Azaer]: 'Did ya kill it?"

Jarl runs forth towards the creature while casting a line of fire springs from his right open hand

[DM]: With a flash of light from Jarls hand the area lights up in a flash of blinding fire.

[Azaer]: "All? Crap"

[DM]: When the flash of light goes away Borathor lies face down in the mud a little scortched.

Syrenia pats herself off and binds her wounds.

[Azaer]: Seeing the giant flash and boom of fire, Azaer shakes his head and waits till it dies down enough to rush in and help those that fell.

Syrenia goes over to Borathor and turns him on his back.

[Azaer]: "You guys really like fire huh?" he says to Syrenia.

Balthazar pops up out of the water with no beast in sight, the surrounding area of the bridge is scortched and smoldering as the rain falls down upon it.

Jarl continues to try and bring the flaming blade through the water creature unless it's now gone?

[GAR]: "Help...I am really hurt...I fall in the mud...almost in death...

Balthazar looks around, turning over those he sees and looking for those he doesn't see.

Jarl runs to Gar if the water creature in gone dismissing the blade

[DM]: The beast is gone as Syrenia stands over Borathor, and Gar falls into the mud.

Balthazar pulls Gar over to the road gently.

Jarl bandages his burns and brings healing light over them "told ye all to run"

[Balthazar]: "Well, I had a better idea.. only at the last minute though."

Syrenia looks for any signs of life in bor.

Jarl looks to make sure everyone is still moving?

Balthazar signals he's alright.

Jarl walks over to check on Bor

Borathor lies lifeless in the mud.

Syrenia sighs..."He's dead..."

Balthazar shakes his head pulls the corpse out of the water and onto the road...

Syrenia turns to Jarl..."Use the ring...bring him back."

Jarl turns Bor over and cleans his face a little. then he runs his hand over Bor's head "my gift, your gift, our gift" the ring sparks and Bor's eyes flicker

[DM]: With the speaking of the words and the use of the ring, Borathors eyes do once again open.

[Jarl]: "hello Lad, how was the after-life?" turns to Syr "give him a potion, he's going to need it"

Borathor looks up at you all, "So what are you all looking at?"

Syrenia takes one of the potions and hands it to him.

[Borathor]: "Haven't you ever seen someone slip in the mud?"

Balthazar frowns

Jarl looks at everyone "well the next time the dwarf says run, maybe ye all will run next time?"

GAR coughs...and is nice and toasty "We, we need to heal up...find a place to camp for the night...I still need to heal...I am badly hurt..."

Syrenia glances at the pond..."Should we search the pond?"

Balthazar nods slowly.. "It doesn't seem deep.. I'll take a look."

Syrenia nods..."So what now...rest now or...?"

[Jarl]: "well lets get away from this water, anyone see what that flying creature was?"

GAR smiles "good old bucky is fine...I like that mule...has more since then I have it seems!"

Syrenia scratches her head..."Didn't we fight one of those flying creatures before in the Earthspur mtns?"

Balthazar continues to feel around in the pond, using his scabbard to test the depth

Borathor gets up out of the mud, "Ok so are we moving on or what?"

[Jarl]: "I didn't then had spiked tails"

[Jarl]: "yes, lets get away from the water and any more of them water monsters"

Syrenia looks at Balt..."Give Balt some time..."

[Jarl]: "oh, looking for that other monster or and treasure that water monster might have collected. good idea"

[GAR]: "What about the Croc?"

Jarl walks over and casts another healing spell on Gar while they wait

[Balthazar]: "They were all part of the elemental, I think. The water's pretty deep... If there's treasure, I'd have to go underwater to find it. If you want me to look, just tie a rope to me and I will."

[Jarl]: "okay, bor, you got that rope?"

Syrenia takes out 150 feet of rope..."I've got it covered"

Balthazar nods and ties it to his waist.

Borathor nods, "Yeah i have a rope but isn't that water a bit cold to be swimming in?"

Syrenia holds on to the other end.

[Balthazar]: "Well.. I'll make sure I'm out quickly.."

[Jarl]: "paladins don't get sick....do they?"

Balthazar wades to deep area then goes under, his armor being heavy enough to let him walk on the bottom...

Jarl helps hold the rope

[GAR]: "I will stand guard"

Balthazar emerges... empty handed. he then dries himself off, as much as he can...

[Jarl]: "anything?"

[Balthazar]: "No, there's lots of weeds down there. We'd need detect magic, a swimmer, and the like."

Syrenia unties him and puts the rope away.

Borathor shakes his head, "Well are we ready to move on or what?"

Syrenia nods..."Can't waste the time to do all that."

Balthazar nods :"If no one wants to search, yes."

[Jarl]: "a detect magic? hmm, i don't have that right now. if no one else wishes to take a swim. then I'm ready to move"

[DM]: Fleeing the scene of that last encounter you make your way farther down the trail it leads to the northeast and begins to slowly rise. The fog conceals the lands true height. The smell of roast meat floats across the trail from the northeast, making your mouths water from its scent. The sound of clammering and gruff conversation comes from nearby in the tall grass and reeds up ahead.

Balthazar stops

[Jarl]: "Bor? tracks?'

GAR has his blade in his hand, still in the rear of the party...

Syrenia whispers..."Send the thief ahead?"

Borathor nods and makes his way up ahead of the group to check the trail.

Jarl taps the halfling lightly to send him up behind Bor

Azaer looks at Syrenia, "I think Borathor is ok on his own."

Syrenia shrugs.

Azaer looks at Jarl with his furry little halfling eyes, "Well can i wait until he at least comes back?"

Jarl smiles and nods *yes*

[DM]: Before to long Borathor returns from the trail, 'Well what ever they are they are humanoid and stand rather tall, they leave large prints. Just up ahead is a clearing with six huts around it."

[Jarl]: "six huts, how many tracks?"

Syrenia whispers to the others..."That's a bit much for us in this condition."

Borathor looks to Syrenia and catches a breath, "Quite a few lass."

Balthazar nods to Syrenia :"Let's backtrack a good ways.. and recover."

Syrenia whispers again..."Want me to fly overhead and see more?"

Borathor rubs the back of his neck, "Before we go blowing up the swamp again, is there anyway to go around the emcampment? Who has the map break it out?"

Syrenia takes the map and gives it to him.

Jarl shrugs and opens up the map

Borathor takes the map and plops down in the mud as he slides to the right before stopping. "Ok according to this we can..... hmm well we can by pass it in mountains or swamp." Flipping the map over to see whats on the other side.

Syrenia grunts...

GAR whispers..."No more swamps!"

Syrenia shakes her head..."Go back...rest and go see them tommorow."

[Jarl]: "if they are like the others, Syr you could fly over and cast your fire arrow down upon them. but we would need to be way out of the way before hand"

Borathor looks around, "Everyone good do we need rest or magic? Can we move on lets go, i say right through the middle it will waste to much time trying to by pass them where they are."

Syrenia shakes her head..."Sorry can't cast and fly on the broom...tried it...it's too unstable."

[GAR]: "What if they are not! They could be friends...why attack now...wait, let us heal..."

Balthazar nods "That should be our first business."

[GAR]: "Lets go into the mountains a little and then wait until we are healed...Az or Bol could find out some more info about this camp also..."

[Jarl]: "what should be our first buisness, healing up?"

Borathor nods to Jarl, "Hmm well why not go into battle fully healed and prepared for battle?"

[Balthazar]: "Yes"

[GAR]: "And if it is another group of the foul lizzards, we kill them...end of story..."

Syrenia nods..."I think it's decided...but where do we camp?"

[GAR]: "Get us out of the swamps..."

[Jarl]: 'it's going to take some time to heal everyone. we will need a decent camp site"

[GAR]: "See if we could look for a small cave or something...that would be nice..."

[Balthazar]: "I think we'd be alright at the foot of the mountains."

[GAR]: "Just get me a way from that darn fire trap of a swamp...twice..hey I ain't no magic user, but I know that the third time ain't going to be the charm for me!"

[Balthazar]: "Well, I proposed the foot of the mountains because it should be higher than the swamp, and dry, but not too visible from here."

Borathor looks around "So we are going for the mountain base?"

Syrenia nods to Borathor.."Lead the way."

Jarl smiles "we can pull back to the last bridge if you guys wish or look for a place before this little camp"

[GAR]: "Lead on Borathor..No, no Jarl...no more swamps...I need to get dry..."

Borathor turns to Jarl, "I think for once they wish to have a night out of the swamp, you know yellow bellies and all." Heads off the trails and into the grass heading for the mountain base.

[GAR]: "Call me what you wish, but a good night sleep and a small fire would feel good..." follows Borathor...

[Jarl]: "tomorrow they be wanting out of the mountains" he uses his skills with mountain areas to try and locate a likelt spot for a cave and a save passage

Borathor shakes his head, 'By the gods Syrenia warm him up so he stops complaining about a darn fire."

[Balthazar]: "We won't need a cave, I'd say, but the fire should not be visible from the swamp side.

Syrenia raises an eyebrow..."You know...they warned us against brigands...they could be some of them."

[Jarl]: "they did?" he scratches his beard "don't recall that"

Borathor nods, "For that matter those lizard things might have been to. Maybe the thiefs guards."

[Balthazar]: "Perhaps."

[Syrenia]: "They wanted information on brigands operating in the area..."

Jarl follows bor out of the swamp

Borathor looks to Jarl, "Oh my the gods must be sleeping jarl missed something. Yes my little friend there is what they call the bandit army about these parts, and they would pay big money for info on its location."

[Jarl]: "and you think those are of the bandit army? why didn't you say so before?"

[DM]: Not long after leaving the swamp you make your way from the sloppy mud and muck, to higher ground that is rocky and muddy. Peering around the base of the mountains you see nothing more then a few large rocks to hide under.

Syrenia shrugs..."Just thought about it..."

[Jarl]: "you being the only one seeing their camp"

[Balthazar]: "True enough.."

Borathor shakes his head, "I don't think they are, i'm just letting you know there is one out here. Besides if they were the way we cut through them they would of been slaughtered and not a thret to anyone.

Syrenia settles beside a rock and takes out her spellbook..."Come on...everyone get some rest."

Borathor stretches why not send Syrenia let her go invisible and fly into the camp find out who they are."

Syrenia nods..."I don't mind...but after I study..."

GAR will take third watch

Balthazar sets up his tent once they find a good spot, placing it to block the likely firepit

Jarl sets his gear down and runs his hand down his crushed ribs as a soft light rises from his hand

[GAR]: "Fire?"

Syrenia begins to study.

[Jarl]: "I have one healing spell left, who needs it most?"

[DM]: You camp down at the base of the mountains and pray, study, sleep and heal as the morning light rises into the sky. Looking down towards the swamp you are blinded by thinck rolling fog hiding the secrets of the swamp below.

[DM]: With the morning light you must now decide whether to go back into the swamp and up the trail or try to by pass it along the mountains.

[GAR]: "I say we wait and heal again today...Then go see who they are..."

[Jarl]: "Syr did you go into the area and take a look at the camp?"

Syrenia nods..."Could I get some healing first?"

Balthazar packs his things as usual then says :"You know, considering they camped at a point where passage is possible through several paths, we should consider that they may also be in the mountain."

Jarl looks Syr over

Borathor stretches i could use a quick kick in th earm there Jarl, but if you don't have it don't worry nothing in this swamp can touch me." drawls his blades quickly and starts cutting some air.

Jarl pulls the staff out and taps Syr with it