The Burnt World of Athas, Week Two: Madness

[Chris Chandler]

Dar gives a worried smile as Mizuki and OmniFrost depart.

Mizuki and OmniFrost walk through the doorway and enter the home, the door closing slowly behind them. You can both still see the lights and movements from outside at the window and through the various cracks in the walls, but any sounds have been muted somewhat. You still do not see your two companions, though, Mizuki, now that you have entered this room and can focus more clearly, you can hear movement in the upper story, near the ladder. The footsteps are light, small sounding rather than large feet trying to be quiet. It sounds like two pair of small feet walking slowly toward the ladder. You both hear, in the dryad's tongue -

<We are armed and terrified, and that makes for a very poor neighbor! Unless you are the gatekeeper of this hell, I would stay away, lest you see last night's dinner the hard way!>

The voice is tiny and male, not young, but rather diminutive, rather like a halfling's voice. You still see nothing coming down the ladder.


Aros and Malak -

Blind Tiber perks up.

That's another two sets of footsteps I hear! Oh... oh damn, they are fading away, just like most of the others. I suppose it must have been those friends of yours. I wonder if they can see us in any way?

[MadDogMaddux]

Eyes wide I snatch the stone back from Aros, STOP! Tiber senses your entry, but you have not entered OUR plane of reality! Withdraw if you can. Planes layered on planes?

[Doombot]

Nothing is ever easy, I sigh to myself as Malak takes the stone. Tell them -- if they can withdraw from the house -- to try entry via the roof. Perhaps they need to use the same portal that we used?

[MadDogMaddux]

I grunt and nod, attempting the second message, unsure if the stones will work without a return message between. If you can withdraw, suggest making entry through rooftop trapdoor. If cannot withdraw, perhaps a way to cross over within?

[LightBringer]

Upon entry, "Hmm, no sign of the guys. A pocket realm within a pocket realm? Very interesting!"

After the voice speaks, I laugh. "There is no need to threaten us with predigested vegatables. We mean you no harm, and could use some information. If you'd be willing?"

[LadyGlutter]

I smile at OmniFrost's joke, but say nothing. I reach out (physically and mentally both) to find Scratch.

[Chris Chandler]

Aros and Malak -

After a short moment, once the second message was sent, you hear Dar's voice:

The ladies have entered and the door is closed, leaving the stone with me. I cannot see them inside the house. What do you want -

There is obviously more that she is saying, but it is cut off.

Mizuki, Scratch is right beside you, tail wrapped around your ankle. You can hear her sniffing, quietly.

OmniFrost, you hear one of the creatures above you titter with laughter, where the first voice only snorts -

<Who are you who enters here to look for help?! I think you are mistaken. This is no wayfarer's rest, young lady!>

Despite the bravado, the creature hops down from the top of the ladder down to your floor. He is, indeed, what looks to be a halfling, though he has a feral cast to his posture. He holds a well honed flint blade in either hand. You see another face at the top of the ladder, a female, with a disarming smile and dangerous eyes. She climbs down quickly, like a spider, and stands behind and to the right of the male. She whispers, which both of you can hear -

<ain't demonkin, maybe some other hell though>

He nods and then sniffs -

<I've got no answers for you, Miss. Now, why are you really here?>

[MadDogMaddux]

25 words, Dar. Open the door and call out to them, but do not enter.

[Chris Chandler]

A minute later Dar replies -

They are not there. I do not see them. The girls are frightened. What do I need to do?

[LightBringer]

The smile from my previous laughter continues to beam, "I'd have to disagree with you kind sir. Everywhere I go is a wayfarer's rest. All you need is some good tea and better company. If you'd care to join us," I motion to the floor and sit down, "We really are here to help, and find some answers."

[LadyGlutter]

I follow suit, sitting down quietly. The whole time, though, I'm looking around anxiously for the boys.

[LightBringer]

As Mizuki sits, I'll remove my pack and dig out 4 cups, some tea leaves, and my trusty watering can. "Hot water". I make us each a cup of herbal 'green tea'.

[MadDogMaddux]

A minute later Dar replies -

They are not there. I do not see them. The girls are frightened. What do I need to do?

Take them to a safe place and ease their fears as best you can. We will return to you shortly.

So saying, I begin studying the "tracks" for any sign of Mizuki or OmniFrost.

[Doombot]

Do you see any sign? I ask quietly, not wanting to disturb Malak's concentration too much. There has to be a way to rendezvous with them.

[Chris Chandler]

Malak and Aros -

Dar's brief response is simply

I understand.

Malak, you take your time, which will only serve you better in this endeavor. There are many tracks melting into one another, and it is very difficult to follow them at all. You do, however, catch first a glimpse, then the actual pattern of OmniFrost and Mizuki's footprints. The only way that you would be able to be sure, in fact, is that you already know these prints. For good or bad, however, they are not moving much at all, and are still (not disappeared, but still) near the ladder.


OmniFrost and Mizuki -

The man blurts out -

<Help eh? Always something in it for one you your type, always is, yes? You seek to help and to seek answers. Well, this is the web. I've yet to see the spider. Now, what can you do to help?>

The woman slaps him on the arm -

<Sit, fool! Even devils know hospitality, lest yer marrow isn't even a snack. She's giving us water, damn it all. That's not a light gesture, and you know it.>

She spits in her own hand and sticks it out in greeting -

<I'm Mab.>

[LightBringer]

My smile grows. "I love it! I haven't seen that type of greeting in ages."

I follow suit and give her a firm shake, "Omnifrost! It is a pleasure to meet you." I motion to Mizuki, "This is my friend, Mizuki."

((I keep forgetting my < >'s, but I am speaking in the same language as they are.))

[MadDogMaddux]

I kneel right in front of where OmniFrost appears to be, draw an arrow and carve in the floor in Giant.

<Are you safe? Do you have company?>

[LadyGlutter]

I smile widely, and wait to be acknowledged. Mab, huh?

[Chris Chandler]

Mizuki will notice a faint tracing of an odd pictogram that she does not recognize. It appears right in front of where OmniFrost is. OmniFrost is too caught up in the new aquaintance to notice the dirt drawing.

Mab nod happily at OmniFrost, and smiles at Mizuki -

<It isn't often we get outsiders here. Oh, don't worry, you don't have the look of sunscorch to you. I'm not some soothsayer.>

She laughs loudly at her joke, while the male looks decidedly uncomfortable.

<I'm very happy to meet you both. This is my mate, Boc, who, for all intents and purposes, is not actually with us lately. He's not used to... to the walls.>


Aros, while Malak attempts to communicate with the girls, Tiber speaks up.

So, what do you plan now? Your companions are right next to us, yet farther away than a continent. How do you proceed? I've long since given up.

[LightBringer]

I listen and finish making the tea.

[LadyGlutter]

Hmmm. What's that?

I go and check it out, quietly.

[Chris Chandler]

Mizuki, it is definitely a purposeful symbol of some sort. It is more direct than a wayfarer's mark, and is likely a character of some language you don't know. In fact, your memory serves you well, and while you've never seen this character, you think that you have seen a similar mark on OmniFrost's hand once.

Mab watches OmniFrost make the tea, and marvels and the ritual aspect of it.

<Smells good. You put leaves in, but it doesn't smell like a bog. This is a day's water here, heated up and given to us. Many thanks Miss OmniFrost.>

[LightBringer]

I smile, "You are most welcome. Would you mind sharing what you've found while you've been here? Perhaps then we can work on getting us out of here."

[Doombot]

These women we travel with are no less resourceful than ourselves, I inform Tiber. We shall wait and see if Malak's plan is fruitful; either way, I believe that the only way out from here -- at least, that is open to us -- is to descend into the 'cellar' where the chain devil lurks.

I will not ask you to accompany us, since that is a desperate move, and I cannot guarantee even our own safety, let alone yours. But know that if you decide to come with us, Malak and I will do the best we can to keep you safe.

I look up at Malak to see if he has had any success.

[MadDogMaddux]

I scratch my head and point to other tracks across from those of Omni, Probably too busytalking to one of those to notice yet, give her a few. I chuckle ruefully, Unless you want to risk bloody shorts again...

[Doombot]

That is something I can do without, thank you, I smirk back at Malak. I have enough scars as it is.

[LadyGlutter]

I nudge OmniFrost, but don't interrupt.

[Chris Chandler]

Mizuki and OmniFrost -

Mab nods with a bit of a frown, pondering.

<Oh, it's pretty terrible in here. I mean, we're in no danger of dying, that's not it, and the blistering orb isn't beating us down. But there's something about being imprisoned that makes one... less alive, I suppose
Now, it's a prison by design, that's what I think, but I don't know why. There are spots that, when the time is right, produce food and water, and there's enough living space, I suppose. I've, well, we've ventured all around here, in every nook and cranny that we can find, roamed downstairs, every door we could open. Now, I don't know, but either we aren't meant to get out, or there's a trick, and the trickster's been too damned sneaky about it. The doors, for example. I picked that front door you walked through plain as a breeze. It's just a closet. I popped the trapdoor... er... right over there -

She gestures to the top of the ceiling -

And it's an attic. The cellar's full of old junk, but I don't know what to make of it. I don't know any of it. Could be furniture, could be firewood. I really dunno.>

[LightBringer]

I'm listening, but also glance at Mizuki, to see what she needs.

[Chris Chandler]

You'd be able to see the message quickly enough without seeming rude to Mab.

[LightBringer]

I pause. "Hmmmmm"

Then respond casually, as if I thinking, and just absently moving my hand/fingers at my side. <Yes. Same.>

"I don't know, perhaps we should start with rechecking the rooms for more secret passages after tea. What do you think Mizuki?"

[MadDogMaddux]

<How many new companions? If symbols drawn on a shared surface cross these boundaries, can they be made magical to connect the layers or unify them?>

I look up to Aros, They are safe, held within another layer, with company. How many layers to this trap are there though?

I stand and quickly reconnoiter the room sifting through tracks, attemting to discern those most recent and the possible actions of each. I am trying to determine which tracks go with other tracks, to determine how many layers there may be and how many within.

[Doombot]

I don't know. I've never seen so many pockets layered next to each other. I may be able to open another pocket and force these back together, but it could have dire consequences. I'm not willing to risk that unless certain death is our only other option.

[LadyGlutter]

"I think where there's a will there's a way. We'll get you out of here, I am confident." I smile at our companions, and relax and enjoy the tea.

[Chris Chandler]

((Is Malak's <> communication to OmniFrost?))

Well, it is good tea - a soothing bit of calmness to offset the clamour around you.

Mab smiles and looks serene. Her companion sips at his tea, and marvels at the flavor. he seems to calm as well, finally sitting down.

<There's nothing here can hurt us... just no where to go, so exploring seems fine with me. Another pair of eyes or two never did any harm.>

[MadDogMaddux]

((Is Malak's <> communication to OmniFrost?))


((yes, sorry if I wasn't clear))

[LightBringer]

((Sorry, I knew they were meant for me but I had to work Friday night and Saturday, so I never got back to respond.))

I enjoy my tea as well and casually doddle.

<2> <maybe>

"We will deal with that in a bit."

[MadDogMaddux]

I wipe the ground clear and write again, <I will track you when you move next and wait until then to speak further, when you can be more free with words.>

I stand up, and wait, knowing that it will likely be a while. She is unable to speak freely at this time, so we will have to wait until she has a moment. I suggest that we wait before investigating below.

[Doombot]

I nod assent to Malak's plan, and settle down to wait.

[LadyGlutter]

How's Scratch doing? Also, willing to reveal or no?

[Chris Chandler]

Scratch lets you know that it's fine to appear and that she is doing, basically, what Malak had been doing earlier, that is trying to follow phantom footsteps.

[LightBringer]

Okay, then..

After sharing tea with our fellow lost in spacers, "I wonder if these guys are actually trapped here or are they part of an illusion. I mean, multi-layer pocket realms are the work of powerful beings. It would be easier for someone to simply make it appear that we've traveled to the etheral, and are stuck. Hmm."

"So shall we have a look around Mizuki while our friends finish their tea?" I stand up while asking the question.

[LadyGlutter]

After a long pause (enjoying the tea, no doubt ;)) I stand as well, stretching.

"Yes. Let's see what there is to see."

[Chris Chandler]

Mab gasps in excitement as Scratch fades into view, her tail curling loosely around Mizuki. Scratch smiles a toothy grin and greets the two halflings.

I am Scratch, Mizuki's sister, and do not be alarmed - I have not eaten a halfling since the incident with the sealing wax and the wereboar, and it was a complete accident in any case. I thought he was a muskrat.

Mab's companion gulps and fingers his weapon again, but Mab laughs and waves him off.

<Th' godlet is tugging the hem of yer jerkin. She's likely not ever eaten halfling.>

That I know of...

That she knows of. See? Nothing to worry with, and besides, what would you, could you do in any case, but give her actual cause to try a taste?

Mab then gives an appropriate seeming bow, and then replies to OmniFrost.

Yes, that sounds lovely. Take in the grand tour of the abode and see if there is a pebble to be missed. I truly hope that your eyes are keener, but I've been known to tell husband from wife amongst hempflies.

She laughs and speaks to her companion in a sauntering tongue, unfamiliar, and he chuckles and shrugs, and then sits and makes a decent attempt to relax.

[LightBringer]

I start simple. I walk around, and look around.

[LadyGlutter]

Well, let's start with the physical surface, without doing any digging. I slowly search, stem to stern. Not much ground to cover, really.

[Chris Chandler]

It's true, and that is to your benefit. The hovel is small and really only consists of two rooms, a lower and an upper story, and then a basement, and to be frank, has been pawed over a number of times. This makes it easy to see those places that, for whatever reason, were overlooked.

The trapdoor down is readily seen, but what is not so easily noticeable is a false floor designed to fit into the flagstones of the floor quite nicely. With the dirt covering it's indistinguishable from the rest of the floor. Mizuki, you only notice the slightest bit of an hollowness to your steps near the rear wall, and without digging can tell that there is likely some sort of chamber of spider hole beneath your feet.

OmniFrost, you will uncover a false panel in one of the walls, and it is quite shallow, only an inch or so deep. Within it, you will find a papyrus, rolled tight. It is contained in a sort of lock, with metal caps on each end, chains down the length connecting them and a central band of metal, which has runes etched upon it. You can see the papyrus, but could not remove it from its prison without tearing it. You can determine strong abjurative magic upon it, a powerful protective ward.

[LightBringer]

I look over at Mizuki, "Here's something interesting. It looks like it's in there pretty good, and guarded with some abjurative magicks. What do you think?"

[LadyGlutter]

"Funny the things people overlook. I've got a spider hole beneath my feet over here, too.

You know, if we get to Aros, we could break the protective magicks pretty easily. Or, rather than wait on them, I could just see if I could bear the brunt of it, if you want to see what happens. I can take a good bit. Or you know, we could take turns dispelling it, if we want to be old fashioned about it."

I grin.

[LightBringer]

I think it over quickly. "Well, I always love a good show, but I'm concerned that might destroy the papyrus as well. To get to Aros, we would need to break down the walls in this pocket realm, which I'm still not convinced isn't just an elaborate illusion.... Sounds like we start with the old fashioned way. Care to take the lead?" I motion to the item as I step back slightly.

[LadyGlutter]

I nod, and close my eyes for a moment to regather my energy. Wonder if the weird stuff cursing the outside applies here?

((dispel magic))

[LightBringer]

I watch and wait, being sure to give our companions a glance and a smile.

[Chris Chandler]

Mizuki, you take the scroll case and cast your spell and immediatally recognize that it has caused the case to put up a secondary defense. You can tell that there is a strong compulsion being put forth, but since no mortal can compel you to do anything, the effect dissipates to nothing.

Similarly, your attempt to remove the protective magics upon the case meets with less than stellar results. The abjuration is very strong, and your dispel doesn't seem to do a thing!

OmniFrost, you are pretty sure that the case actually absorbed the magical energy of Mizuki's spell.

[LadyGlutter]

I raise my eyebrows. "Well, that didn't work."

[LightBringer]

My head cocks to the side slightly as I think about what just happened.

"Mmmhmm"

[Chris Chandler]

So... now what?

[LightBringer]

Waiting on an answer to my pm.

[LightBringer]

((No response sooo..))

I will step over to the parchment, take my glove off, roll up my sleeve, and reach in to take it. "This will be interesting."

[Chris Chandler]

So, actually touching the parchment itself?

[LightBringer]

Yes. I am removing it from it's shackles, and the wall. :)

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, Omni, you attempt to actually remove the scroll itself and you are suddenly seared with a bright flash of heat and light. Now, you aren't able to get out of the blast* (though Mizuki ducks the blast to avoid getting much of the heat), but you can tell that the damage would have been much greater had you not been properly equipped. You stand smoldering, your hand gripping the cool parchment of the scroll - it is out of the case. Scratch too, has steam rising from her scales and she staggers around.

Um... ow... that was not pleasant at all.

Aros and Malak, you are mulling over your situation when all of a sudden you both feel the sting of a thousand yellow jackets all over your bodies. The pain is surprising, but it is gone in a moment. You can both see blisters from severe burns on your arms and hands - it feels all over your body.

Tiber speaks up -

I smell cooked meat! Normally we only have simple rations. What a nice change...

---
* 1s, unfortunately, always fail saves! :tsk:

[MadDogMaddux]

I scowl over towards Tiber and mutter under my breath, Bite me...

[LightBringer]

I turn to Mizuki, "Ooowww! That smarts." I shake my head trying to clear it some, and then heal myself.

Then still holding the parchment tight, "Do you want to, or should I?"

[LadyGlutter]

"Oh, I want to." I hold my hand out. "Let's guess.... some form of compulsion next? It seems like it's about time for that. What do you think?"

[Chris Chandler]

With your action, OmniFrost, everyone is healed. Do you hand the scroll off to Mizuki?

[Doombot]

Sorry to disappoint, Tiber, but what you smell is us. It's rather difficult to explain, but it would appear that our companions have gotten into some trouble. I pause to debate whether to explain further, when I feel a warm glow encompass my burned hands. Ah, that's better.

[MadDogMaddux]

I look for the track of an explosion on the ground. If I find it, I'll write "WTFBBQ?" on the ground in Giant.

[LightBringer]

(Lol)

As I hand Mizuki the scroll, "It probably says, 'Sorry you are not a winner! Please try again.'" then I crack up laughing.

[LadyGlutter]

I chuckle, "That's alright, I don't believe everything I read."

and read the scroll.

[Chris Chandler]

The scroll unrolls easily and you can tell that another harmless (to you) compulsion attempts to have you set the scroll on fire, but it has no hold on you. You see three glyphs drawn with ink on the page, and then some writing down in the corner of the bottom right corner of the scroll. The writing is much more recent than the glyphs:

http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq235/Ralig_Badaxe/scroll.jpg

There is also a symbol in the bottom right corner, likely the signature of whomever wrote the note in the first place. The scroll is worn and seems to have some singe marks, as well.

[LadyGlutter]

I look at OmniFrost. "Well, there's something on it that is supposed to make me want to burn it, but that didn't work. Here, I'll draw what it says on the ground. See if it makes sense to you."

I wipe off the 'WTFBBQ?', and quickly write 'roflcopter111111!!!'.

Underneath, I sketch out the glyphs.

(For that matter, does it mean anything to me? Also, what language is the "place the three symbols" bit written in?)

[Chris Chandler]

Oddly enough, the language written on the scroll is the common trade tongue of which you, Omni, Aros, and Malak are all familiar.

The glyphs are not clear to you, Mizuki, though when you sketch out the glyphs, OmniFrost can see the look of a powerful transmutation spell, that is, changing one inert substance into a animate (if not living) substance. What that specific substance is difficult to quantify - the glyphs are not particularly detailed.

[LightBringer]

"Hmmm, I use a similar type spell to create the defender. I wonder what it's altering?"

I look around to see if anything is changing.

[Chris Chandler]

OmniFrost, you see the glyphs in place, but they don't seem to be properly attuned, and so, nothing has changed. It is likely that these glyphs are tied to a specific location, or at least a specific proximity to an object or location.

Malak, you will see the new writings as Mizuki places them on the floor. In fact, Mizuki has replicated the scroll exactly on the ground. You see all of it, and Aros, you would recognize the glyphs as potent transmutations to be used together - changing the inert into the animate, but you cannot tell what is to be changed.

[MadDogMaddux]

I'll take the emerald, then the book, then each of the various gems and place them in the center of the runes. If that accomplishes nothing, I'll copy the first page from the bok and add a footnote in giant <translation? Helpful?>

[Chris Chandler]

Placement of the mundane cache in any formation will amount to nothing. These items don't seem to have any relation to the glyphs, as far as you can tell.

[LightBringer]

"I guess we need to find these Pfistos' ashes, if we want to find out what the symbols mean."

[MadDogMaddux]

(and the copied first page of the book?)

[Chris Chandler]

Oh, right!

Omni, you'll see a section of text appear, which appears in a language you don't immediately recognize, but then are able to piece together the dialect you have heard orally - that pidgen-dwarven that traders seem to use. Reading it, it looks like the page of a ledger, with people, items, and amounts of money. You recognize none of the names.

[LightBringer]

I write under it 'Ledger' in giant.

[MadDogMaddux]

I write "balanced?" Then after a second, "Kidding. How can we assist?"

(in common)

[LightBringer]

After reading Malak's last note I look at Mizuki, "So, the glyphs appear to be a some sort of transmutation spell. Like I said, I use something similar in one of my spells. Malak has something I guess he thought would be helpful, and may yet prove so, but from what I can tell through writing on the floor, it's a ledger. More than likely we need to find what the glyphs activate or mutate. Malak wants to know... oh wait, that's in common, sorry." I chuckle and ask, "What do you think the next step is?"

[LadyGlutter]

"Ask them to look around their room, I guess, and us do the same. Who knows if we're going to be the ones who have the ashes, or they are... That's what I think." While talking, I put my finger to my lips and gesture quietly over to where the spider hole is. When I finish talking I move over there, ready to open it up and see who or what is inside.

I know we've onced over the room pretty good. Any urns or ashes around?

[Chris Chandler]

There are definitely no urns or ashes readily visible.

[LadyGlutter]

Then I guess I'm instead gesturing to OmniFrost to show her my discovery.

[Chris Chandler]

Sounds good. The flagstone is about 6 feet across. You aren't sure how thick it is, but you were able to detect the hollowness beneath it, so it shouldn't be tremendously thick. How are you going to go about moving the stone?

[LadyGlutter]

Any type of lever around?

[Chris Chandler]

Taking a moment to dig around the debris piled up around the house, you find some moderately long wooden poles, which with some whittling can be wedged into the crevasse and then fulcrumed by any one of the larger stones.

So, ready to lift?

[LadyGlutter]

I let OmniFrost in on the plan, and unless she has any objections (?) we'll go for it.

[Chris Chandler]

Ready, OmniFrost?

[LightBringer]

Other than making sure our company is not directly in front of the edge we pry up, I'm good.

[Chris Chandler]

Oh, your two companions, Omni, they'll head back up to the second floor, not to be out of harm's way, but to get a better view.

The two of you prepare your lever, and then put your backs into it. To be quite fair, this is a task more suited for... I dunno, a cursed battle-hardened mercenary or an enormous lycanthrope, but you two manage. It takes the better part of two minutes of prying, adjusting, holding while the other regains her grip, and finally the slow, ponderous scraping of stone against stone. It almost slams shut as, when you finally gain momentum, the lever splinters, but a swift kick at some of the nearby rubble would jam it open long enough to brace the slab up, at least until the two of you figure out something to do with it.

The slab reveals a gaping pit, black and inpenetrable. Both of you can tell that it is unnatural, as neither the torchlight nor your vision can penetrate the inky depths.


Aros and Malak. At the exact moment that Omni and Mizuki are prying the slab up in their pocket, a peircing, echoing screech, a deafening keen of purest hatred, rises up all around you. both of your companions fall down to the ground, paralyzed with fear. The two of you, however are stirred by the ghastly howl, but not shaken, for the time being.

You see nothing in the immediate vicinity that would show where the voice originated.


OmniFrost, you do not hear the keening voice exactly, but you have a goose-walking-over-your-grave moment, just as you stop. You wouldn't be able to attribute the feeling to what the gentlemen experienced, since you wouldn't readily know.

Omni and Mizuki, you do catch the smell of something, now, as the air above begins to circulate with the air below. It is the smell of cinnamon, myhrr, and ancient prepatory spices. You would both be able to recognize the smell of a tomb, now opened.

[MadDogMaddux]

Shakingboff the effects the scream, I turn to Aros, Whatever it is the ladies have done, they seem to have poked the proverbial beehive. Let us hope they can handle it. Quickly I scribe a gigantic rune for "what happened?" where we were last communicating, then set to using my tracking skills to try and piece. It together for myself.

[Doombot]

Well, it's clear they've done something. Hopefully, they've accomplished something as well. I grimace and wiggle one pinky in a still-ringing ear, more theatrically than for any real relief. I hope they're all right.

[LadyGlutter]

"Woohoo! Finally! Are you the big bad causing this?"

Detect evil, and I expend my last Holy Aura of the day, as I jump down to get to the root of the problem.

[Chris Chandler]

Oh, there's something evil down there, definitely.

Mizuki, you jump down and your aura does, indeed, piece the depths, but not entirely. You fall for farther than you might have considered, perhaps 30 feet, but you can ease down with little effort.

You are in a sepulcher, a dank tomb some 30 feet across, and you can see a catacomb along all the walls where you are, with clay sarcophogi floor to ceiling. In the center, near to where you landed is a small dias, where a skull sits, painted black, or perhaps charred and laquered, and detailed with silver paint in an intricate design. There are gems in it's eye sockets, as well as gems replacing a number of teeth.

The floor is littered with rubbish, moldering clothing, and dust.

You see no entrance, no exit, outside of the path you took.

Oh, there is no response to your query, Mizuki.

[LightBringer]

After the shiver passes, I smile at Mizuki's actions, "Ahh, a girl after my own spirit."

Looking up, "Be right back."

Estimating where her leap would have taking her, I jump down as well, trying to aim to Mizuki's right side, and slightly behind. "Coming down!"

[Chris Chandler]

Omni, you will land next to Mizuki, and Mizuki's beacon of light will aid you in your landing, but you will take a small tumble, bruising your hip (and Aros' and Malak's... and Scratch's...)

((Speaking of, Mizuki, did you want Scratch to follow you or stay up top?))

OmniFrost arrives next to Mizuki in good time, to the point where the room is exactly as it was with Mizukis' arrival. So, OmniFrost, you can see the room and what is in it. You would likely know what is on the dias before you, OmniFrost, or at least what it is meant to represent, if you wish.

[LadyGlutter]

((Scratch would know that I intend for both the folks up top and her own squishy self to stay out of the fray.))

"Boy, you're ugly. You're about the ugliest I've ever seen in fact. Rise and shine, sleepy head."

[LightBringer]

(Oh course I wish, silly boy.) :P

I grimace a bit at the hip, but it's no time to fret over such little pain. I listen to Mizuki, and scan the area.

[Chris Chandler]

OmniFrost, you see the same thing as Mizuki, and would recognize the sarcophogi arranged in such a way that they would, in normal circumstances, be part of the same family or clan. Since circumstances are not normal, you rather think that they contain the remains or shells of bodyguards to the entity in the center of the room.

OmniFrost, what you see before you has taken great pains to continue the power of unlife. Denying even the remnant of an actual body, this creature has achieved immortality at great cost. The glyphs on the skull denote ancient unspeakable rites, and the gems, which have replaced many of the skull's teeth, are powerfully enchanted, each able to contain an imprisoned mortal soul. Such creatures are often so incredibly intelligent and wise as to defy mortal comprehension, and many are so dreadfully ancient that the passage of time has actually been lost to them. Most such creatures, also, have lived such a twisted and warped experience that the term "evil" does not do their form of morality. In short, this creature became undead so long ago that it likely knows no other existence, and likely does not even consider such things as "living" and "dead" to be viable forms of energy. It thirsts only for power, and has spent hundreds, perhaps thousands of years in search of it. You are certain that it is an ascended order of lich, a demilich, one of the most horrific creatures to exist, and it is sitting quietly, about 10 feet from you.

Mizuki, your statement certainly expects an answer, but an answer is not immediately forthcoming, at least not any verbal cue. The room, however, lights up, with oil lamps lining the walls slowing, dimly, fading into light. The magical darkness leaves as the dim light fills the room, as well as your own aura, and you can both see that, even though the walls are lined with sarcophogi, it is clear that central sections along the facing wall and the righthand wall actually serve as doorways, though they are both closed at the moment.

The room, dusty with ages of no disturbance, suddenly kicks up a series of tiny zephyrs, not even a foot high. The dust kicks up into a rising cloud.

[LightBringer]

"Oh crap. We are in this one serious." My mind races, "How do I get the guys here."

"I hate these guys, they have no sense of humor."

[LadyGlutter]

"I wonder if this will tickle."

I reach out and lay hands on the skull, summoning all the good will and positive energy I can muster.

[Chris Chandler]

Aros and Malak -

The scream returns, louder, and the two of you are hard pressed to remain standing, but you manage to do so (with a bit less dignity than before). Omni, you can hear a distant cry for help, but only in your mind - there is no direction.


Malak, this time you are able to pinpoint the source of the scream. It's coming from beneath you, about 8 feet closer to the far wall from where you are standing (opposite the trapdoor). It is coming from underneath the floor.


OmniFrost and Mizuki -

Firstly, the dust that was being kicked up seems to be caustic and burns your lungs badly. OmniFrost, you can tell that there is a poisonous property (a paralytic) to this dust, as well, but as far as you can tell, it hasn't affected you or Mizuki (Aros and Malak will feel the burn to each of their lungs, as well). Mizuki, you do not feel any affect of any sort of venom that you know, though your lungs, too, are burning.

Despite the burning dust in the air, Mizuki, you are not blinded, and you are able to place your hand firmly upon the skull, which feels like putting your hand within an icy lake. As you release a torrent of holy energy upon the creature you hear -

What do you thi-

And the skull trembles on the dias, and then is still. The aura of evil subsides decidedly, but you and Omni immediately hear a rumbling all around you. You can see the clay sarcophogi starting to crack and shake, the torches flare to the point of igniting the caustic dust! The two of you are rightly singed, but not burned badly.

Okay, Omni, Mizuki, what do you do next?

[Doombot]

I look sidelong at Malak. I think that means trouble. Any ideas?

[LightBringer]

(Actions depend: Can Omni tell if the poisonous effect was burnt off with the dust? How bad off are their lungs and singed bodies? Can Omni tell if the paralytic effect is going to continue to try and effect them?)

[Chris Chandler]

((The poison is no longer in the air. Your lungs hurt and your have some burns, but I'd say that the wounds are minor. The poison will likely have a secondary effect in about a minute.))

[LightBringer]

I'll Focus on Neutralizing the poison then. Probably not needed, but better safe than sorry, especially with what we're getting into.

[MadDogMaddux]

In a flash, Jess is a blade in my hand, and I point to the area under the floor. It came from there, beneath the floor. I can only assume it came from the creature Tiber referenced below, or its counterpart in the parallel.

I turn to Tiber, What make you of it, sir?

(can I get a Knowledge Undead roll to identify the source of the scream in any way at all? Also, am I correct that where Malak has pinpointed.is the lair of our supposed Chain Devil?)

[Chris Chandler]

((No, you know where the chain devil is - down the trapdoor about 15 feet behind you. Tiber showed you where. What you have before you is an obscured entrance hidden by a large flagstone. Knowledge: Undead, however will give you a good indicate that the scream is likely from an incorporeal spirit, tormented in some way. You don't have enough information to extrapolate further.))

Tiber can't answer right now. He's afflicted by some sort of pain that you cannot identify, and he's on the ground, along with his companion. It worsens with every scream.

[Doombot]

I quickly move to the spot indicated by my large companion, my own Gurthang in my hand. Quickly confirming the spot, I begin searching around for any sort of access point -- seams in the floor between flagstones, sounds of hollowness, etc.

[MadDogMaddux]

Bear hybrid form, and Jess is now HUGE. Search the crack of the flagstone, wedge Jess in and pry up.

[LadyGlutter]

I look at OmniFrost, and say quickly, "I'd wager there's more coming, and if we stand here we'll likely take the brunt of it. I'm staying, though, because it'll chase me if I leave."

((Activate Divine Shield.))

[LightBringer]

(Still working on poison...)

"I've got your back! No way I'm leaving, but I think I will try to protect the others, as much as possible." I move more behind Mizuki and us her as a shield to reduce any damaging effects coming our way, yet give myself room to cast around her.

[Doombot]

Before stepping in to assist Malak, Beast of Seven Moons, I take a moment to concentrate and enlarge myself until I match him in size. Once done, I step forward and help heave the paver up and out of the way.

[Chris Chandler]

Aros, you are able to grab hold and lift the slab unassisted. You toss it to the side, and you reveal a cut stone staircase heading down into a dark (though simply unlit, not magically obscured) passage. You catch the strong smell of ancient dust, decay and embalming spices. While you cannot see very far, you can hear motion ahead of you, a sort of scraping shuffle.

[MadDogMaddux]

I peer in (lowlight vision) and begin to prowl down the steps.

[Chris Chandler]

Omni and Mizuki -

You give each other enough space to move around and then prepare for a defensive stand. The creatures along the walls burst from their respective clay bonds and stumble out and onto the floor. They were men and woman at one time, but years of the sleep of the dead have changed them. Take one of the creatures directly before you, Mizuki. It's skin has the same black enameled appearance of the skull you so recently filled with holy energy. It has no eyes, but rather eye sockets filled with green flame. Fingers which may have been human at one point end only in foot long talons. The creature gives off an unnatural chill, even standing some yards away from you. In fact the whole room begins to have an icy chill that seems to only grow colder by the second. The two of you count 2 dozen of the creatures begining to crowd around you, though you can tell that roughly half opt not to close with you directly, therefore creating two rings around you. These creatures step forward slightly but then look as if to make preparations of some kind. OmniFrost, you recognize the preparations of some sort of spellcasting, thought it is not to that point quite yet.

So, due to your proper preparations, it seems like you two will be able to move in proactive defense before these creatures properly act.


Malak, the steps are dusty from years of disuse, and you see no other prints than those you are making now. The stairs open up into a passage, which continues out of sight. What you see is wrought and quarried red granite, polished, but etched throughout with various eldritch markings you do not recognize, though the floor is similar to the flagstones you trod upon upstairs. You see no movement within your field of vision.

[MadDogMaddux]

Hand signals to Aros to follow, when he draws near, I direct his attention to the arcane markings.

Alsobchange out weapon crystal for Greater Truedeath.

[Doombot]

At Malak's behest I quickly appraise the carvings on the wall. Anything significant?

[Chris Chandler]

You, Aros, recognize powerful necromantic sigils coupled with powerful enchantments. You know that if a creature were to die within this hall, it would be cursed with undeath. Likewise, there are conjurations tied to the necromantic charge, suggesting that, with the correct ritual, powerful undead could be summoned directly.

Since you are looking carefull at the carvings, you'll happen upon a few evocations that don't seem to be particularly tied to the curses laid before you. You can't place what they might be related to, but they deal with all four primal elements.

[LadyGlutter]

I'll attempt to turn the butt uglies.

[Doombot]

I nod at Malak. Necromancy, very powerful, I murmur under my breath. Summoning too. And something else; elemental. Seems to be offensive in nature. Be damn careful. Despite the need for stealth, I feel it necessary to warn my partner and for something this complex, hand signals just won't do. Once he's ready, I'll follow him down the stairs, Gurthang at the ready and one eye on our backs.

[LightBringer]

"Hmm, surrounded huh." I turn my back to Mizuki's to be sure nothing can get a direct shot at her, then I'll start with a Blade Barrier. Starting as close to us as possible that will allow Mizuki to move(attack/defend) without getting hit by the barrier.

[MadDogMaddux]

I nod, and crouch, getting to work searching for any sort of boobie traps, magical or nonmagical, and begin moving forward cautiously but as quickly as I can.

[Chris Chandler]

Omni and Mizuki -

You set the momentum for the fight by Mizuki immediately forcing three of the closest creatures to howl in pain and horror, then cower in the farthest corner of the room from her. OmniFrost sets of a decisive defensive perimeter around herself and Mizuki, which will force the creatures to wade through the painful obstruction.

The second ring of creatures, those who had been preparing a variety of auxilliary spells, commit to the charge and all of the creatures remaining in the front rank are bolstered in various ways. OmniFrost, you can recognize various protective and transmutive spells being through en masse. To be certain, the creatures in the front rank are now quicker, stronger, and more protected against several different forms of elemental damage, though not against blades of pure force.

The first ring of creatures (now only 9 strong), wades through the barrier, which slices them up terribly, though non actually fall. Even though the spell hurts the creatures terribly, they do not so easily give up the fight and close in, all but completely surrounding Mizuki and Omni.

The creatures are intelligent, if undead, and fight in a coordinated fashion. There are seven creatures who can attack Mizuki, and speaking in the tongue of demons orchestrate a seemingly overwhelming offensive, by three creatures attempting to disarm Mizuki of her weapon, and four attempting to bring her to the ground.

The creatures are fast and ferocious combatants, but Mizuki's light steps seem to dance around the tactical manuever, even leaving painful reminders as to why the creatures who attempted to take her gleaming weapon (now coated with a sheen of black ichor), should not do so.

The two creatures who do not attack Mizuki seem to be waiting for OmniFrost to do something before they commit to their respective actions.


Aros and Malak-

As Aros moves sidelong down the hall, Malak creeps along on all fours, testing and sniffing out what he determines to be the first in a series of eldritch traps. Malak, you are able to determine that, at least with the first trap, that if the plane of the third glyph were to be crossed it would activate the trap. Aros, you would be able to determine that these glyphs are related to elemental air of some form.

Malak, you take but a moment to disrupt the flow of the glyph in such a way that it disarms the trap rather than sets it off.

The shuffling is growing louder, though it is still out of sight. It is getting dimmer in here. You will likely be blind soon, Malak, if a light source does not present itself.

Aros, already squinting in the dark, does not see much of anything other than the glow of ancient dweomers along the walls. From the ambient light from the upper story, you should be able to see anything approach from behind, at least within 30 feet from the stairway. So far, nothing seems to be following the two of you.

[MadDogMaddux]

I pause briefly to place a bundle of arrows (50) into my Keening Scabbard, then return them to the quiver. Next (unless Aros does something about the light) I pull a lit campfire out of a pouch on my belt, remove a brand from it, and hand it to Aros. That done, I turn and continue moving us down the hall, speaking quietly Most undead will detect us by life force, and not sight. Once we are certain the path is clear, it would be best to move with haste, I believe.

[LightBringer]

I smile at them, say to Mizuki, "Do you think there's enough room for a fireball?" chuckling to myself, I draw my longsword from my quiver. "May as well get some excercise".

((If there's time for attacking, attack away, otherwise defend))

[LadyGlutter]

I laugh. "Yeah, exercise sounds better. Also, you know arrows are supposed to go in there, right?"

Same as before. Fend off their attacks while I turn some more.

[LightBringer]

Laughing, "You'd be surprised whats in there."

[Doombot]

Save your flame, my friend. We will need it to cook dinner later, and I have no need for it. And I agree, we should move quickly.

[MadDogMaddux]

I grunt and hand the torch to Aros anyway, Humor me? The extra light will help with traps.

[Doombot]

I nod to the big man bear. Of course. I take the torch in my left hand, keeping a good grip on my sword with my right.

[Chris Chandler]

Mizuki blazes with holy light and another three creatures withdraw - one of the inner ring, and another two from the outer ring. OmniFrost, you swing away at one of the creatures, and manage to land two solid blows. Your enchanted blade sparks with holy energy as you lay the creature low. It crumples to the ground in a gnarled heap of sinew and bones.

The creatures opt to not try and take Mizuki's weapon from her again, but they continue to try and bring her to the ground. So grounded, however, is Mizuki in the art of defensive combat that they cannot, even with a concerted effort, touch her, much less knock her down. The creature still standing near Omnifrost takes a clawed swipe and bite toward her, to no avail. The outer ring of creatures, now down to 10, opts to try and control the battlefield a bit. The two of you are suddenly and violently engulfed in an ice storm, and, if the visibility weren't bad enough, a dense, heavy fog starts to creep up. You also both feel the bitter chill of being engulfed in cold so severe that it burns. The two of you are protected, somewhat, from the burning cold but are still battered and chilled, and now can no longer see the outer ring of creatures, because of the fog. OmniFrost, you can tell that there are other spells being cast, but without seeing what is going on, you can't really determine what, though you do recognize a few abjurative incantations.

Malak and Aros -

Firstly, you get a biting chill all over your bodies, though nothing like frostbite occurs. It makes your bones ache, but you are otherwise unharmed.

You continue forward, Malak, and uncover a series of pressure plates intermixed with the regular stone. There is no clear way to deactivate them, so you'll need to avoid each of them in turn. You can identify the six within the first ten feet of you, but, as you begin negotiating through, carefully stepping around the danger, you note that another glyph-trap is blocking the "safe" path, but contained upon what could be a pressure plate. This make disarming the glyph somewhat more risky, as you could inadvertantly set off a pressure plate when disrupting the glyph. In addition, you can hear the movement as before, only it is louder.

Also, everyone can now hear what sounds like a woman's voice, intermixing between crying, keening, and shouting in an old dialect of the trade tongue -

Stay back from the furnace you animal! Stay away from us! She's no longer your daughter!!!

[MadDogMaddux]

I try to deactivate it, but motion for Aros to step back in case I set it off.

[Doombot]

I withdraw a pace, and do a quick 360 degree check for ne'er-do-wells.

[MadDogMaddux]

Deactivate.

[LightBringer]

In an attempt to disrupt the spell casting, I will defend as I begin to chant the Holy Word of Ehllona.

[LadyGlutter]

Turn again.

[Chris Chandler]

Things seem to start developing a rhythm, Mizuki, as your holy righteousness drives another three combatants away from the immediate fray. You can hear the droning incantations of a new batch of spells to be called forth, and prepare to weather the next storm. Then OmniFrost calls out the holy word of Ehlonna, a word of such pure sylvan beauty and ferocity that your opponents have no ready defense against such power. You hear screams and blood curdling curses in the demonic tongue, and then silence. The ice storm dissapates after a moment, though the fog lingers. You will find that as the fog settles in it thickens, as if it actually has some amount of density. You find it very difficult to move through, as if you are travelling through an immense wall of quilts. You cannot see anything past your hand, though, Mizuki, you will note that the remaining creature who had remained after your turning has turned into a pile of ashes, which will soon dissipate.

Aros, you catch a glimpse of movement in front of Malak, some 40 feet from his position. You catch sight of a leg clothed in what looked to be a robe and a dark hand, possibly covered in a glove. You cannot make out more than that.

Malak, you are able to deactivate the elemental trap, but the glyph is, indeed, placed upon a pressure plate.

Aros, you specifically stated that you took a step away from Malak, and so are at an advantage against this trap, and are able to avoid the magical prison that suddenly surrounds Malak.

You recognize the evocation, Aros as a fine means to quickly imprison a dangerous opponent, and you know that, unless the prison is somehow disrupted by a powerful spell, Malak is going to be sitting there for a while. Well, now that you mention waiting...

Malak, you see a slight green pattern, somewhat circular in nature appear before you. Aros, you recognize it as a summoning circle. Something is about to join Malak in that prison. You can both hear a low, dry chuckle from in front of you (likely the figure you spied just a moment before).

[MadDogMaddux]

I sheathe Jess, draw Bessie, and strike wall of the cage with a Greater Disspelling Strike.

[LadyGlutter]

"Man, you gotta teach me that. When I say that word, it's not nearly that cool."

I try to dispel the fog.

[LightBringer]

I smile slyly, "It's all in the attitude, and the long E! I wonder what's next?", casually looking around.

[Chris Chandler]

The fog disperses, and the two of you see the remains of the undead creatures laying all upon the floor of the mauseleum. There is nothing but ash remaining from most of the creatures.

Now then, where would the two of you like to head?


Malak, you rear back and take an enormous swing. Sparks fly, but your prison remains.

The circle of summoning will complete in a moment. Anything you want to do, Aros?

[LadyGlutter]

I'll call up to where the others are, "How is everyone up there? Oh, and how about some light? Probably could have used that earlier..." as daylight floods the area.

[LightBringer]

"I think I'd like to find where that voice was coming from." I say to no one in particular as I continue to look around the room, blinking a bit at the new light source.

[Doombot]

I reach Gurthang through the bars of the cage and attempt to dispel the summoning circle before the spell is complete. If that fails, I'll try to pop up an Extraordinarily Spell Aimed Anti-Magic Field (ESAAMF) and try to keep the spell from going off that way.

[MadDogMaddux]

If Gurthang can reach through the bars, I will turn imto a bat, fly out, and resume my normal (hybrid) form.

[Chris Chandler]

Malak, you quickly surmise the situation, and are able to shift into a little critter to escape. Aros, you don't break the summon, but as you see the summoned creature materialize, Malak escapes.

The creature that materializes is enormous - almost to big to fit in the prison, vaguely humanoid, but clearly devilish. Malak, you know that what you are seeing is an oversized Hamatula, a powerful servant of the Nine Hells. It looks around and sees that it is caged and it hisses. It then sees Aros (it sees the bat, but who cares, it's a bat!) and snarles, speaking -

<You cowardly myrmidon. Shall I come greet you from beyond this cage, and snap your marrowless bones?>*


Mizuki, you light up the room, and it stands with shadows hiding. You see nothing obscured, though your way is more clear. Your call goes unanswered, though you feel an empathetic sense of worry, though not of danger.

OmniFrost, the voice seems to be echoing from throughout and beyond this chamber. It sounds that it could be both very near and very far away from your location. It is difficult to pin down.
___

*From the Infernal.

[LightBringer]

"Well, what do you think? Should we look around or open a door?" I walk around a bit and look and the walls and tombs while waiting for an answer.

[MadDogMaddux]

I arch an eyebrow and exchange Bessie for Jess, Do not most summoned creatures return after a short time? We COULD leave him...

[LadyGlutter]

"I wonder who the cowardly myrmidon is...

Let's look and see what we can find here. I got lucky with the big ugly just now, and I'm sure there's more to see. How long do we have til he comes looking for us, anyway?" I start looking around myself, searching painstakingly as I did the first time.

[LightBringer]

I'll help Mizuki search.

[Doombot]

It may depart for its home plane after a time, but a creature as powerful as this no doubt is resourceful enough to find a way to leave the cage. Since the cage would hinder us in attacking this monster, I say we press on and deal with it later, if it does indeed leave its enclosure.

[MadDogMaddux]

I shrug and nod, then turn and get back to work finding us a safe path through to wherever the ladies might be.

[Chris Chandler]

Aros and Malak -

The creature is completely nonplussed and stares at you in surprise and confusion for a long moment before laughing -

<You mock me! You stand like patrons in a museum and talk of me as if I am not standing before you!>

Nothing happens immediately, but you do see that the creature is concentrating on something.

Malak, you continue to move down the hall, and you catch another series of glyphs, this time paired together with a third trap, which looks it would produce a powerful transmutation should it be triggered. The glyph, again, is also set in a pressure plate, so that thick fingers could potentially set of three traps at once.

No pressure.


Mizuki and OmniFrost -

You take a few minutes to sift through the ash and go along the walls carefully and thoroughly. What you find are, outside of a few names (this clan of creatures was, indeed related -the Gwydeth family), a few interesting items.

1. While digging around in the various remains of the clay sarcophogi, OmniFrost comes across a fine silver chain and a shell locket . Inside the locket you recognize the first glyph from the scroll you found earlier.

2. While searching around the dias where the skull is still sitting, Mizuki finds a cache. She does not, however, see the trap associated with the latch to open the seal of the cache, and is jolted by a surge of lightning. OmniFrost, you would be some feet away, but hear a loud BOOM and turn in time to catch Mizuki being hurled backwards, seemingly seared. You can tell that she's been zapped pretty good, but is in no danger of dying.

Mizuki, you are kind of... numb right now, and all the colors you see are very bright. Likewise, you are having a little trouble hearing, as if you were covering your head with a pillow.

The cach, on the other hand, looks unharmed. It is filled with a variety of of odds and ends, various gemstones, a few scrolls, and some unusual items. The unusual items consist of some useful things, and we'll inventory them later*

Aros and Malak, you hear the boom, and, Malak, you can determine that there was some sort of explosion from a few hundred feet away. This explosion helps you determine the size of the halls you are located. It's pretty large, but not enormous.

With a flash, Aros, you see that the creature has opted to leave it's cage, and you both quickly see it appear some bit down the hall. Standing upright, it's roughly 14 feet tall, it's head scraping the top of the ceiling. It laughs again.

<I shall wait right here, little bear cub.>


There is more to search in the room, as well.*

---
*Time constraint!

[MadDogMaddux]

I shrug, unimpressed, and send a flight of five arrows downrange at him, then take a step back away from the glyphs.

Cold Iron, Jess my dear.... Let him come to us. I mutter to Aros, very quietly.

(Holy, Sacred, Cold Iron, Favored Enemy, keened) +34, +34, +29, +24, +19 (3d6+20 +2d6 sacred +2d6 Holy, x3+5d6 on crit; crit on 19-20)

[Doombot]

I grunt acknowledgment to Malak, not intending to move further down the hall unless I absolutely have to, not knowing what other traps await. I do keep Gurthang at the ready and all my defenses up, should the fiend come within striking distance.

[LadyGlutter]

"Owie!!! Hey look, I found something. Guess it's pretty good too. That smarted."

I yell loud enough to hear myself.

[LightBringer]

I laugh at Mizuki, and offer a hand to help her up. "Aren't you supposed to avoid those things." I yell back at her.

[Chris Chandler]

Malak, you let fly with a volley of arrows, which all but the last strike true. The beast, rather than scream in pain, gasps in delight at the sensation.

<You know me better than I know myself, cub. Come let us ebrace.>

It continues standing where it is. Aros, you sense movement behind you, but your instinct is off just a bit. You feel the heat from the creature, but you are unable to act before you are engulfed in spines and stench. Your own cursed hide protects you from some of the wounds, but you soon sprout a multitude of gashes from the creature, who skulked up behind you.

Malak, the creature before you is identical to the creature tearing at Aros, though it has arrows sticking in it, the wounds oozing black ichor and steaming. It is now laughing.

Malak, you hear Mizuki's last statemtment.


OmniFrost, you pick up Mizuki, who is a bit warm to the touch, and investigate under the dias. It is, indeed a nice cache of loot, though your knowledge of how a demilich "operates" suggests that the most important item would not be found here. The creature's phylactery is often exceedingly difficult (though not impossible) to locate. Some undead hunters even theorize that such an item need not even reside on the same plane of existence as the creature whose life energy is contained. You certainly have some clues here, though.

So, the cache contains foreign coin, the equivalent of roughly 3,000 platinum pieces, by weight. There is a single bag of rubies, all identical in size and cut, 15 in number. As far as the items are concerned:



A shirt of fine mithril mail with an interlocked design within the chain that mimics the waves of the sea
A small gold ring with a tiny star sapphire mounted in the band
A jagged yew switch, polished and marked with arcane script
A small silver chain, upon which a silver disk hangs. The disk is unmarked.
Two capped scroll cases, sealed with red wax
What might be construed as a dagger, if darkness itself could be molded and shaped into solid form
A finely woven grey cloak, cool to the touch. It is embroidered with silver thread along the edges, and in the center, in the shape of an oak.
A leather book, bound in leather straps
A hoop of pure blue sapphire, carved from a single stone. It is cut in such a way that the light refracting looks like poured water moving through the band.
The hilt of some blade. The guard is inscribe in the high elven script, calling forth a blessing to Corellan Latherian.
A steel ring with a knotwork design inlaid in gold. There is an inscription along the inside of the band, written in dwarven runes: <May your feet always face toward your goal.>

[MadDogMaddux]

If you so badly want to hug, then why don't you come here? No one hugs like a bear...

Another volley of 5 arrows. Same mojo.

[LightBringer]

After retrieving the shell locket, showing Mizuki the glyph inside it, "Check this out.", and emptying the cache, I'll be sure to check the inside of the compartment for a second hidden panel.

[Doombot]

I wheel quickly around and lash out at the demon with a series of punishing blows as Gurthang pulses angrily in my grip. Before the blade can impact the creature, I concentrate briefly, and the sword now appears smoky and insubstantial.

(Attempt to cast Wraith Strike as a swift action, dump 5th level spell slot into Arcane Strike for +5/+5d4, Power attack for -15/+30: +26/+21/+26/+11 as touch attacks for 6d6*+5d4+52 plus 1 Con damage)

*Assuming the creature casts spells or has SLA, also assuming it's extraplanar and I'm back on the material plane.

[Chris Chandler]

You break off from the Devil, Aros straining to counterbalance the creature's weight against itself. It staggers back as you gather your feet, and you stand up. You enter an offensive stance, ready to drop the creature with a single blow, though the time taken to stand will delay your onslaught somewhat. The creature, for it's part, spreads it's arms wide and you can see what looks like a plain of fire and stone appear behind it, with a faint haze of blue in a loose disk as a sort of border between where you stand and where the fiery plain begins.

<Come forth my brothers!>

You can see what looks to be a squad of square-jawed, muscular humanoids carrying saw-toothed glaives approaching the
Malak, you send another strafe, and the devil is pincusioned, enchanted arrows smoking from the unholy ichor issuing forth from the creature. It grimaces and, speaking the words of infernal power, raises it's hands before it and sends bolts of black fire toward you, one of which envelops you. It burns, but not badly - hardly an annoyance. The bolt that misses you is sent careening back toward the creature, engulfing it briefly in black fire. Rather than seeming harmed at all, it seems to rather enjoy the sensation, and looks positively unchanged from the returned effect.*

Aros and OmniFrost, you feel a bit singed all of a sudden.

Omnifrost, you take another moment to search closely within the interior of the cache, but you cannot see anything else hidden. The cache itself was difficult to locate in the first place.

Mizuki, you can hear the sounds of combat from outside of this room. You recognize the growls of Malak, but you cannot determine the size of the melee. It's pretty distant (or the walls are exceedingly thick here).

[LadyGlutter]

(Now that I know I can actually hear...)

I'll check out the locket. "Well, that's good. There's some nifty stuff here. Too bad the owners died to that evil thing... I'm going to try to find the boys."

I go towards the two hallways and try to listen to figure out which one they are down.

[LightBringer]

I keep an eye on Mizuki, but finish looking around.

[MadDogMaddux]

Seeing the situation developing behind me, I calmly stow Jess as a Greatsword and once more draw Bessie. One shot, a targeted Dispelling Strike at the portal which has formed to gate in these new fiends.

[Doombot]

Continue with my plans of physical domination.

[Chris Chandler]

Mizuki, you head toward the first doorway, which opens easily, as there is no apparent lock or latch, and you see a dusty hall before you. The one, you can tell, branches off into a few more halls as it escapes your field of vision. This hall is not exactly quiet, as you can hear various bits of movement, but it is definitely not the hall where the noises of combat are originating.

Malak, you set up your shot, and send an unerring arrow streaking over the shoulder of Aros and illuminates the entire area with a gright flash. You hear the arrow skitter down the hallway (in the direction you had been coming). You see Aros looming over nothing, ready to strike at the air.

<Excellent! Now you see the truth!>

The creature behind you, Malak, begins laughing, and it takes off down the hall.

Mizuki, you hear large footfalls approaching.

OmniFrost, you will continue looking around, and you will find some more information regarding just who this creature might have been in life, but this is only possible after making a careful examination of the floor. It is etched with sigils in relief, and you can make out what is the family glyph of Gwydeth , but with the addition of Gwyr, a first name. So, Gwyr Gwydeth is likely the person's name.

The other doorway, Mizuki, also opens easily, and you are immediately greeted with the sounds of melee. The hallway itself goes straight for a few dozen feet before breaking off into a T. The sounds of combat are definitely coming from this direction, you think from the lefthand side of the T.

Aros, your quarry has disappeared.

[LadyGlutter]

I guess I will follow my instinct, and see what's at the lefthand of the T.

[LightBringer]

Not feeling like getting trapped in here alone, I'll quickly fall behind Mizuki when I see she actually intends on leaving the room. "Gwyr Gwydeth. Interesting."

[MadDogMaddux]

Drop Bessie, Draw Jess, Flight of 5 Arrows at the Devil, if I can before he goes out of sight.

[Doombot]

I pause for a moment, on the verge of delivering annihilation to a now vacant section of hallway. Deep breath. Those plans now foiled, I will instead quickly and carefully move towards Malak's location, checking the hallway for magical traps (since most mundane traps don't concern me much). Still Large, still ready to deliver a whuppin'. You lead, tracker.

[Chris Chandler]

Aros, you are able to quickly make up the space between yourself and the werebear. You can see that there is yet another set of glyphs tied to pressure plates, in similar fashion to what you encounted just a moment prior.

Malak, you send another volley and most strike true, with a particularly well placed shot just to the left of the spine and right where a kidney would be on a human or elf. Do devils have kidneys? Nevertheless, it looks like your third shot was well-placed, and the creature's knees nearly buckle as it turns the corner, and -

Mizuki, you walk down to the intersection and turn to the left, hearing heavy footfalls approach. You inspect the hall. It is rather mundane with a series of murals along one wall, wall lamps along the lefthand, with a moth-eaten runner, of what was certainly a fine quality piece of weaving at one time, heading all down the hall. You don't have the immediate opportunity to give further inspection, as the footfalls round a corner, and you see, about 50 feet or so away from you an enormous fiend, a nasty barb-covered devil puffing and laughing. You see a few arrow-shafts in it's arms and chest, and you thought you could see a few in it's back, as well. It continues laughing as it approaches, a sudden look of relief upon it's fearsome visage, and it speaks -

<My stars, what a vision of lovliness and tender agony! Greetings to you and to your rather tasty looking thrall. If you are so inclined and unbound, dear sister, please help me rid myself of a few thorns in my side!>

Mizuki, you have a pretty good hunch that he doesn't actually recognize your parentage, and may be mistaking you for a fallen angel, an Erinyes. Stranger things have happened. Today.

OmniFrost, you recogize the creature, and know that it is a fearsome combatant, especially in close quarters, but does have a sense for tact when the situation calls for it. Like any devil, this Hamantula is known as a trickster, but what it says to Mizuki actually seems to ring true. It's speaking to Mizuki as a peer, not an adversary.

[MadDogMaddux]

Turn into bat, fly to where dev was standing, turn into werebear, chase around corner,shoot it dead. If he's close, hackwith Jess as sword him instead.
I will return to clear your path in a moment, Aros!

[LightBringer]

"No sense in spoiling a pefectly good surprise." I remain quiet and watchful. If it does try something I'll be ready.

[LadyGlutter]

I chuckle. "I think you've found another thorn while you were distracted by the rose. Sir, I have never been addressed as 'dear sister' by one of your kind. Are you perhaps a reformed devil? It would be an astonishing delight!"

[Chris Chandler]

The devil, who had been closing rapidly, staggers for the briefest moment before recognition dawns in his eyes -

<A shining daughter of Elhonna, and here as if given to me as a present! No, dear one, I would not give you the satisfaction of redemption. My lot is sealed, as is your own. Your thrall will make a lovely plaything in the pits!>

He leaps toward you and you fluidly move ever so slightly to avoid his enormous claws. He hisses in frustration at your manuever, and then wheels to face you, baring a mouth full of jagged teeth. You stand barely to the level of the creature's chest, which is covered in those thorny barbs.

Malak, you quickly shift form and flit toward the creature, setting off one additional trap (which you avoid) along your path. Things seems decidedly cooler as you avoid the effect. It seems that the final approach was to be only cleared though dispelling. You reach the corner, and can see that the fiend is in some sort of discourse with, of all people, Mizuki! From Mizuki's deceptively nonchalant stance, you can tell that the creature just tried to attack her.

OmniFrost. You will note that Mizuki is between the creature and yourself, and you can tell that it is quite in danger of death. Whomever put those arrows in it (and the shafts do seem familiar) was a dead shot.

And now you can see just who was the likely sniper, as Malak steps around the corner, his broad bow ready to send the fiend back to Hell.

Aros, you continue holding your ground as your companion rounds the corner, though you are able to appreciate the display of the trap the wearbear-turned bat set off. You can hear discourse up ahead, and you can hear a lovely woman's voice, though you cannot make out the conversation.

[LightBringer]

"Hmm, he'd be easy enough to take down, but Malak seems to be doing a fine job."

I hold my actions waiting and watching.

[MadDogMaddux]

Volley.

[LadyGlutter]

I laugh at the thought of OmniFrost being anyone's thrall.

"You missed."

My heels click almost imperceptibly before I attack in rapid succession, knowing just the smallest slash of my weapon should piss him off good.

[Chris Chandler]

Q'Thazothok had such promise, preparing to rise in the ranks to serve one of the Barons of the fourth circle, being called out for his bloodthirst for power. He even had a record of unbridled success on the battlefield, as he had led a dozen successful sorties against those foul demons within the Blood War. To have his end be at the hands of a summoning gone wrong, it seems so anticlimactic!


So, Mizuki engages the fiend, her rapier flashing in her hand as if of its own accord. Malak, you see her move so quickly that it is as if she is shimmering in the moonlight. You can barely see her thrust her blade once, then again, and finally a third time, as each wound is accompanied by a flash of holy light and a keening scream from the devil. On the last echo of a scream the creature collapses in a loud crash and, smouldering, begins to melt before you.

Malak, you do not see the old man. Looking past Mizuki, you can see that there is more hallway, and what look like connecting corridors, but no sign of another person.

All four of you can hear crying, a woman sobbing, though the direction is unclear. The stone walls cause the voice to echo, and the sounds of battle still ring in your ears.

[MadDogMaddux]

Collect/salvage spent arrows. Then return for Aros.

[LadyGlutter]

"Well, hello, Malak. Nice to see you, too."

I'll walk down the hallway and pause at the corridors, trying to pinpoint the direction of the sobbing.

[MadDogMaddux]

There was a man, he summoned the creature you just dispatched and then fled. That way I point. Aros is behind me, waitjng for the path behind to be cleared of traps.

I'll pause to look for the old man's tracks.

[Doombot]

After a moment or two, if Malak does not return, I will begin picking my way carefully forward, making sure to avoid any magical traps (auravision) and less concerned about mundane ones.

[LightBringer]

I watch Mizuki do her thing. I watch Malak do his thing. Then I laugh to myself and just follow along.

[Chris Chandler]

The four of you rendezvous in short order near the corner of the corridor. Aros, it seems that Malak took care of the only seemingly unavoidable trap along the hall and the rest of the way is clear. You can also see the stain of steaming ichor where the creature finally met it's timely end.

Speaking of your arcane sight, Aros, now that things have subsided (as far as fireworks and devils are concerned), you do sense a faint magical aura has passed down the hall.

Malak retrieves his wide shots (which were, indeed, few) and then takes a moment to locate his footprints. You are frustrated, however, in your attempt, not because of the scuffle and scattered steps of the fleeing Devil (as your eyes are well trained to untangle such paths), but rather that you are absolutely certain that whomever or whatever was in those robes (that you are sure touched the ground) left no tracks whatsoever. You feel confident that you did not miss it, because it is simply not there.

OmniFrost, you follow the two sleuths as they continue their search.

Mizuki, you cannot immediately determine from where the voice has been coming, but when the voice cries out again -

<I'll kill you, you monster! Never again!>

You are able to catch the subtleties of the echo, and at least have a direction to head - back to the righthand section of the T. From there you may have to re-assess, but for now you are sure the voice is in that direction.

[LadyGlutter]

"I'm not really good with traps." I follow the sound. I'm not worried about subtlety. Other people can do that bit.

[MadDogMaddux]

I see Mizuki beginning to head in one direction, and fall into step with her.I can handle the traps, if we have time to look for them...

[Chris Chandler]

The four of you move down the hall, past the T-intersection where Mizuki and OmniFrost had entered, continuing down. The hallway widens a bit after this, turning into a gallery, which extends some 40 feet. Ancient suits of armor (real relics - a bronze age cuirass set next to old brigandine coats, and nothing that looks close to actual plate mail or even chain) flank the halls, with a heraldric shield propped in front of each. Two long tapestries travel the length of the gallery, and they, too, seem ancient in design. Everything in this room, though, is in pristine condition, as if they were just created.

Malak, you sense that there are traps in this room, though not in the same "protective-ward" sort of way as the entry hall. In fact, the first trap is more subtle, though not immediately deadly. You locate a glyph, set in the stone and then filled in with dust and ash to obscure it. You can tell that it is magical, which OmniFrost would be able to identify as moderately powerful conjuration designed to move distances quickly. The trap likely takes the quarry to the peril, rather than bring peril to this hall of antiques.

Aros you know that there are a number of magical dweomers througout the gallery. The tapestry, the suits, the shields, and various flagstones all are marked as magical.

Mizuki and Malak, you can both tell that you are being watched. You can't tell from where, but you know that there are eyes upon you.

[Doombot]

I quietly point out the areas of the floor that detect as magical for the others in my group. Gurthang is still in hand, but a bit more relaxed at the moment.

[MadDogMaddux]

I'll quickly point out the glyph, Jess out as a sword, and I'm suspiciously eyeing the suits of armor.

[LightBringer]

Just running over the things we've already found and seen as I follow Mizuki.

[LadyGlutter]

Do I hear the voices anymore?

[Chris Chandler]

Each of you prepares in a different way and have a better understanding of what to expect in the room.

Mizuki, you do not immediately hear any voices, but it does not take long for the woman's crying to sound again, this time muffled, though still loud. It is definitely filtering through this room, though it still does not sound like it is originating from here, nor does it sound like it is coming from down the hall. In fact, you are pretty sure that it's coming through the wall to your left.

At this point, there is nothing going on in the room. You all have a mental map of the various dweomers throughout the gallery, and you know the glyph in the entryway, and can likely avoid it. You are all, though, standing abreast in the entry. What is your plan of action?

[LadyGlutter]

I'm quickly going to fill in the guys on the whole Demilich situation. It'd be better for everyone to know everything.

Also, are the eyes on us the armor?

Did it look like there was a path that might circle round and end up in a room?

"Would we rather trip the glyph or avoid it? I personally would rather avoid it for the time being, but it might take us where the sounds are coming from..."

[LightBringer]

"I'm always up for the crazy. Guys?"

[Doombot]

It can't be much worse than anything else that's happened to us today.

[Chris Chandler]

((No, not the armor, but something nearby, though... perhaps not on this plane. There is a path that avoids the glyphs, which reaches the other side of the hall. Other paths leading from the room are concealed and behind tapestries. Those areas are heavily warded. If your question is talking about hallways that you have not yet taken, you aren't completely sure. The complex is certainly large enough for hallways to double back upon each other.))

[MadDogMaddux]

I nod, musing, Clever, this trap was likely built to trap those who think as prey. If we, instead think like the hunter, the one who laid this trap may find himself unprepared. It is a risk worth taking.

[LadyGlutter]

I shrug. "I can see the value in it. So, you hear the plan, Scratch?"

[Chris Chandler]

Scratch sends you good vibes, and you can tell that she heard the plan. She seems to think that it is a fun idea.

[MadDogMaddux]

Very well then...shall we hold hands and click our heels together? I step towards the glyph.

[Doombot]

I've never heard of a ritual that involves heel-clicking, but joining hands may not be a bad idea.

[LightBringer]

I'm good with it as stated, so grab a hand and go.

[LadyGlutter]

"How sweet!"

Yes, let's go! I'll make sure to try and be the one to trip the glyph, too.

[MadDogMaddux]

I'll grab a hand and step to.

[Chris Chandler]

((Interesting!))

Holding hands is a good key, and the trap (which Mizuki manages to trip), will pull the lot of you into a new location with a flash of yellow and blue.

Firstly, it seems that you are within the same general compound, whatever tomb or catacombs this might be, based on the carvings, stonework, and general structure of the hall in which you are now standing. Secondly, this is what seems to be a well traveled path. You see none of the dust from the other rooms. This pathway is used. Malak you see boot marks all along this hallway, shuffling to and fro. Thirdly, the four of you are positive that you have not been in this section of the compound. It does not match either hall you have visited.

Now then, you aren't exactly sure where you are (in this compound that you do not know where it exists) and so you aren't entirely sure whether going down the hall in the direction you are facing or turning around and walking the other direction will take you back to your original location. Then again, that may not be your motive at all.

Anyways, here come the skeletal warriors. It's their boots, after all. They shamble in your direction until they sense your presence, and then they collectively raise ancient weapons in a silent rallying cry. They are dressed in an iron-age standard - long coat of chain, nasal helms, round shields, and either long spears, sturdy axes, or morningstars. Malak, you count 2 dozen, which might make up the number of prints you were beginning to pace out - they really didn't give you enough time to make that determination.

[MadDogMaddux]

I bring Jess up as a sword, blazing with Holy Sacred light, and calmly take a five foot step to the fore, readying myself - and realizing that Mizuki will probably evaporate them before I get the chance to do anything.

(Ready action for when I have 4 or more targets in melee, then swipe once at each - Power Attack Full)

[Doombot]

I check behind us to make sure the way is clear, and unless I see lots of baddies I move up beside Malak and likewise prepare. That will likely put us between the undead and the girls, but defending them is less the goal here than kicking some skeletal ass.

[LadyGlutter]

I get ready to defend, stepping out in front, but these aren't worth turning. Really I'm looking for the other shoe to drop. Where is it?

[LightBringer]

A big smile crosses my lips and I chuckle to myself as I watch the three of them via for the 'front' position, and I can't help myself...

"Malak is in the lead, oh no Aros takes the lead in the second turn. Now Mizuki makes her move in the 3rd turn, can the others make a final move in the last stretch...."

I'll be sure to keep my eyes to the rear.

[MadDogMaddux]

I shrug and smile wryly, if they want to do the nitty gritty stuff, more power to them, I'll stay readh, but drop back and search the hallway for traps and tracks.

[Chris Chandler]

OmniFrost and Aros, you'll note that there are, indeed signs of activity behind you. You hear a steady, liquid movement, more of a slurp than a scrape, behind you in the distace, out of sight. Likewise, all of you hear, in a harsh ancient tongue, commands from behind the front flank of warriors. None of you readily recognize the language.

Malak, you can see that the floors here are free from any physical traps. If there were any, they've long since been sprung, with the way these skeletal warriors travel.

So you know, the hallway is smooth cut stone, with flagstones on the ground. The ceiling is roughly 10 feet high and about 20 feet wide.

[LadyGlutter]

"Aw, OmniFrost, why do you have to call attention to it? We just want to make sure you're not squished."

I grin, ready for the fight, still holding my action.

[LightBringer]

"Well if you want to protect me from squishiness, there are some creepy-crawlies coming from the back as well."

((I'll cast a light spell down the hall if I can't because of darkness. If it's a turn or something like that, I'll wait.))

[LadyGlutter]

My attention immediately switches from these goons to behind OmniFrost. I'll take the step back in line with her and even turn around.

[MadDogMaddux]

Having been "behind" with Omni, and about to form up on the flank, I am interrupted by the Chaotic Paladin jumping back into that place. I'll stop short and simply ask, Milady, where would you have me ready for combat?

[Chris Chandler]

((I'll hold until we're resolved and clear))

[Chris Chandler]

((Sorry for the delay. My fault.))

Okay, the group of you stand your ground, and OmniFrost illuminates the rear passage. You still see nothing back there, OmniFrost, just inky blackness... wait... the blackness just moved! The whole hallway is completely filled, floor to ceiling with an enormous amorphous inky mass, and it is creeping toward you. The front rank of skeletal warriors form up and lock shields, presenting a sold shield wall, with a hedge of longspears in front. The second rank lower their longspears, as well. You can still hear the other voice barking orders, but you still cannot see the source, as it is obscured by the ranks of skeletons. You do catch a flash of orange light from behind the undead troops, but nothing more.

The skeletons are closing in on your position slowly.

[LightBringer]

"Oh shhhit, that's a big one. We need ooze control back here."

[Doombot]

I mutter a quick abjurative invocation and, with a glance to our rear, begin to move toward the ranks of skeletons with the intent of scattering them. I saw that orange flash, and I don't like it one bit.

((Attempt to cast Shield, then move forward to engage the skeletons, taking advantage of the reach granted by my currently embiggened state.))

[MadDogMaddux]

Mizuki, I have little experience with oozes, and quite a bit with undead. If you would be better suited to assist Omnifrost with the Ooze, might I suggest we castle?

[LadyGlutter]

I look down at my demon slaying blade and chuckle as I sheathe it, "Sure. I've always heard experience is the best teacher anyway."

As I move to switch directions, I pull out my shield and reach for a javelin, ready to defend OmniFrost for now, and gauging the situation for when I'll be ready to attack.

[MadDogMaddux]

With Mizuki covering the back, I charge into the ranks of skeletons, shoulder to shoulder with Jumbo-Aros.

[LightBringer]

I wait while Malak and Mizuki switch places I just keep an eye on the ceature.

[Chris Chandler]

Aros and Malak do indeed crash into the rank of skeletal warriors who were expecting a charge, and immediately brace for it. The creatures hedge, however, manages to not impede the two enormous warriors, who close and begin swinging, landing a few solid blows upon the ranks of the undead myrmidons. The rank bends, but does not break, and, as the first rank drops spears in favor of spata immediately laying into Aros and Malak, the second rank shifts grip to stab at the duo.

From this vantage you can see that there are three more ranks of the creatures, who are all preparing crossbows to fire a volley, though they are not quite ready. You still cannot see whomever or whatever is casting spells, though. That entity is obscured.

You both suffer superficial cuts, but no wounds of any consideration. The weapons are wielded with ancient skill, and the weapons might have been of excellent temper at one point, but neither amount to more than a few chance strikes of quality.

The voice behind the ranks calls out again, and a bright blue flash illuminates the core of each of the creatures, and they seem bolstered to some degree, though neither of you are familiar with the dweomer, and, since they have already acted, you aren't exactly sure how they may have been bolstered.

Mizuki, the ooze is traveling at a slow pace, in no particular hurry to arrive at your position. If such a creature were aware in the first place, Mizuki, you might think that it doesn't realize that you exist quite yet. It's about 70 feet away from you right now, as best as you can guage. The light is so dim that it's hard to tell.

Omni, don't see anything out of the ordinary, as far as a predatory ooze is concerned. You know that it will likely wander along the hallway until it senses that there is food, and then eat the four of you.

[MadDogMaddux]

Aros, Mage! Up and over! I crouch to give Aros my back as a step up.

[Doombot]

I take the proffered hand (or back) up and launch myself as lightly as possible over the ranks of undead, quickly scanning the area for signs of whatever stinking mage inhabits these halls. When I find them, I plan on inflicting a swift demise.

[LightBringer]

"Ow! Watch it back there guys" I take the opportunity of light wounds to remind the guys not to do things that are to crazy.

[LadyGlutter]

I size up the situation and whisper to OmniFrost, "In case I was unclear, this isn't actually my forte. Just in case you were wondering."

...and throw a javelin at the blob. My intent is to throw a volley, but I'm likely to pause after witnessing the effects of the first hit.

[LightBringer]

I give Mizuki a chuckle as I reach back and pull my bow from my quiver. "Well, if my memory serves we'd be best suited with the use of the elements." I cradle the unstrung bow in my elbow, as I begin to cast Flame strike on the jello mold.

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, so Omnifrost calls down a column of flames after Mizuki splits the ooze into two smaller creatures. To be honest, though, "small" in this case still refers to an amorph weighing a few tons. Mizuki's arrows spark with lightning as they hit the ooze, so there is some bit of damage to the creature.

Omnifrost's pillar of fire engulfs the creatures and sets them both ablaze temporarily. Omnifrost, you notice something peculiar about the creature, though. The creature was afforded some modicum of protection against your blast. It might be an ooze, but it isn't from the material plane.

Malak crouches down to allow Aros a leap over and secures himself a defensive position. A few of the skeletal warriors chop at Malak with their ancient blades, but they cannot find purchase.

Aros, after his landing, finds himself in the rear eschalon of the undead company and face to face with a gnarled and twisted creature, whose skeletal frame is covered with leathery pitch-black skin, braids of smeared and burnt yellow hair pulled back away from its face. Eyes that at one time may have been human look maniacally upon you, ages of undeath backing up a life of madness and solitude. The creature is wearing ancient funerary robes and carries a wooden and bronze sickle in one hand, and a knotted mistletoe stave in the other. It speaks in a tongue you do not recognize, though it speaks of a time far in the past, of a people long since dead.

You are able to make a single swift strike upon the creature, which sparks as it hits what seems like an ingot of adamant. Your powerful attack leave a large dusty gash upon the robes of the creature, who seems to show some sense of self preservation now.

It points at you and laughs, and it takes a quick step back. Its hand balls up into a bolt of blue-white energy, which engulfs you, all four ranks of the creatures behind you, and, as you recognize the spell for the potent evocation that it is, Malak, OmniFrost, and Mizuki, as well. Your bones are numbed to the marrow from the chill and your skin burns, but not only from the sudden cold. The creature's spell also engulfed you all in a shower of nether energy, and it doesn't look the like the deathless soldiers even noticed that they were affected by any spell at all.

All of you are engulfed in the icy, evil chill. Mizuki, you can sense that Scratch is bewildered and in pain. You sense fear and a absolute hatred of things chilly.

[MadDogMaddux]

I grit my teeth against the pain, and begin attacking with all the ferocity I can muster, attempting to shatter this shield wall. I'll hold this line as long as it takes for you to deal with the Ooze, but I'm not keen on letting that thing get off many more spells of that ilk!

[Doombot]

Extraordinary Spell-Aimed Antimagic Field set to exclude myself and my gear. Then move as close as possible to this thing.

[LadyGlutter]

"Aw, magic resistance. Easy. Too bad I made the mistake of splitting it. I'll know better next time.

Begone, nuisance."

I walk up and touch the closest ooze, ready to send its evil ass home.

[LightBringer]

"A planar ooze! How interesting." I watch Mizuki as I string my bow.

[Chris Chandler]

Aros creates his nullifying field, and then steps toward the undead mystic. As soon as Aros gets close, the creature vanishes! It completely winks from existence. Aros, you can tell that the rear rank has opted to cover the flank, and attempt to lance you, but to no avail.

Malak, you tear into one of the warriors - it defends itself as well as it can, which is to say not really well at all. You deprive it of its swordarm, cuirass and spark of undeath in a flurry of your singing blade. You are slashed and stabbed by the other warriors, but there aren't any more than superficial wounds.

Omni, you have a scratch on your right forearm appear from Malak's opponent, but it of little consequence. You ready your bow and prepare to take aim.

Mizuki, you call forth a potent abjuration and step forth. Both oozes sense your proximity and lash out as you approach, but you nimbly step aside. You can feel the heat of a furnace emanating from the ooze, and your hand nearly starts to sizzle from its acidic nature. With a touch the creature vanishes in a vortex of swirling black and yellow. The pudding's other half, undaunted and ravenous, attempts to engulf you within itself, but to no avail. You step in time to a fast tempo and sidestep the assault.

[LightBringer]

As I finish stringing my bow, 5 arrows shafts appear in the quiver. I wait to see what Mizuki does. If she eliminates the second ooze, I'll turn and fire 2 rounds on the skeletons, if not I'll fire on the ooze.

[LadyGlutter]

I take a step towards the other ooze, close enough to make an attractive target, then turn around and call forth flames on the skeletons.

[MadDogMaddux]

Hold the line. Let the fancy kids play with their fancy toys, dismember skeletons.

[Chris Chandler]

((Waiting on Aros' action to proceed))

[Doombot]

Noting the creature's sudden disappearance, I immediately begin to consider the possibilities that it could be an insubstantial being, or it might be a projection of some sort. Either seem likely, but at this point, the distinction seems unimportant. The caster is temporarily suppressed, I call out. Let's mop up these grunts and see who we're dealing with. I take a few swings at the skeletons in an effort to thin their ranks.

[Chris Chandler]

Mizuki, you do, indeed make an attractive target, but the ooze misses you blindly. As you detonate holy flames upon the bulk of the skeletons, OmniFrost sends two shafts over your shoulder, splitting the creature twice again. Smaller, but no less gooey, the creatures attempt to surround Mizuki.

Malak dismembers another skeleton, and the gap in the rank is filled. The undead warriors, now smoldering, scrape you with their weapons, but do not break the skin, and they seem to realize that their master is not nearby. You can sense a shift in tactics, Malak. Aros, you engage the rear phalanx, and drop one of the creature with a few swift shattering blows. You, likewise, can tell that the creatures are opting for another counter.

[LadyGlutter]

That's fine. I'll dance with the oozes as I activate my shield. I almost forgot to do that.

[MadDogMaddux]

Hide and Seek, Aros! Are you "it" or am I?

Slight change in tactics: power attack five, one hit per ajacent skellie.

[Doombot]

That's hardly fair; you're better at hiding and at seeking! Still, I suppose you'd better be "it."

Continue whacking skeletons as far as I can reach without having to move. Don't want to risk our friend popping back up and running away.

[LightBringer]

I take into account the effects, and wait for my arrows, then fire again.