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<blockquote data-quote="MarauderX" data-source="post: 2272023" data-attributes="member: 9990"><p><strong><u><span style="font-size: 15px">Session 33: Uphill Battle</span></u></strong></p><p></p><p>The group looked over the stairs and ground they had claimed in battle. The gnoll sorcerer woke and cowered again before Thovaas. The group gathered around the prisoner as Alex swiftly collected what he could from the fallen gnolls. Jerrin asked the surviving gnoll several questions in his many languages, but it yipped and laid its ear flat against its head. Grimnyr cast a spell to allow Quentin to speak to it and understand what it said. When Quentin spoke it took a second look at him then understood magic was involved. </p><p></p><p>Quentin asked the gnoll sorcerer what it was doing here and why it had tried to stop them. It replied that they had suspected the party was working for the litorians and were either hunting down the last of the gnolls or were going to find reinforcements. Quentin explained that the latter was true, that they were seeking reinforcements for the litorians to aid them against the duergar. Quentin tried to explain that since they have the same enemy, the duergar, they were actually on the same side. The gnoll then asked why they didn’t use their magic to try to communicate first, as it would have saved these brave warriors from a pointless death. Quentin stammered and replied that the gnolls started first by instigating the attack with arrows that were fired at Thovaas that led them to fight the Tyrannosaurus Rexes. Then the gnoll stammered, frustrated with his words and losing to the only humans he had ever met. </p><p></p><p>Quentin asked the gnoll some questions about the litorians and how they were faring in the war against the duergar. The gnoll replied that only a few litorians even knew the gnolls were alive and had many tribes hidden in the jungles, and that the duergar haven’t pursued them since they are concentrating on defeating the litorians. He also explained that their tactics in battle used to be much more honorable, but since the duergar were not as honorable the gnolls had to resort to similar vile tactics. The gnoll asked a few questions in return, asking him pointedly if they were going for reinforcements. Quentin nodded, and the gnoll then said that if the party were to spare his life he would tell his people to allow them safe passage through the gate should they return. Quentin explained this to the party and they accepted. As a token of trust the gnoll asked that the weapons and armor that were being collected be returned to his people as well, to let them know that the party was indeed honorable in victory and worthy of their trust. Again the party agreed to this and untied him. He bowed deeply, gathered several items in his arms and began walking away. </p><p></p><p>The party paused to heal their wounds with magic before deciding to go forward through the door. As they passed through it one by one, the sensation of magic poured over them, making each shiver with the tingle of magic. Once through they proceeded on the stone bridge toward the only other opening. Black tendrils slowly twisted on either side, made barely visible by the light from the other doorway. Then suddenly the light from the doorway dimmed, and Quentin saw a figure in the doorway ahead. He took a fighting stance and the others noticed him readying his bow when they too saw the figure. They approached closer and saw the figure step backward in a cautious manner. Quentin and the others emerged from the gateway to see a female Rakshasa standing before them. </p><p></p><p>It spoke in common to them, asking where the group was going. Quentin responded that they were going home, back to Kargam to get a warm meal and a soft bed. The Rakshasa rolled her eyes and asked if any of the others would be honest with her. Alex noticed the shadows of something overhead and glanced up to see four jade statues watching from thirty feet up. Cautiously the group spread out across the wide platform. The Rakshasa stepped backward from the edge and stood away from the ledge by ten feet, standing on the air itself. </p><p></p><p>Grimnyr then spoke up, telling her that the group was going to visit Thermoleth on behalf of the litorians. The Rakshasa turned to Grimnyr and introduced herself as Arilthar. She ignored Jerrin, Thovaas and Alex as she requested that the group take something with them on their journey. She pulled a locket from her robe and held it from her hand. She asked that the group also show it to Thermoleth to add more clout to the request the litorians had made. She explained that if two of the elder races were requesting assistance, surely the need would be impressed upon the great dragon. A quick discussion revealed that the rakshasa had been seeking out the valley as a refuge, but it had turned out to be a paradise at war. Grimnyr smiled as best he could as he received the amulet from her. The rakshasa then began walking away, heading upward to the statues as she walked on the chilly air. </p><p></p><p>With a quick discussion the group decided to head down the windy valley. Jerrin glanced to his side and a nearby shrub stole his attention. His brow furrowed, he explained that the plant was an oakleaf hydrangea and that its flowers came out in the summer and faded to a pinkish brown in the fall. The group looked at the small plant and saw that its pink-brown flowers were beginning to fall to the ground. Apparently time passed in the valley in relation to the rest of the world they knew. </p><p></p><p>The group made their way down the empty valley and took their time traversing the obstructions that had hindered their way before. The river below was flowing beneath them. At the top of the falls they peered at Mount Thermoleth as it towered over them. They walked slowly down the spiral ramp and saw the bodies of the two horses they had left behind. Their desiccated skin was wrapped tightly around their bones and the packs had disappeared. Alex took the time to search the smooth walls of the spiral ramp and found nothing. They decided they should start climbing the mountain, and spent the rest of the day preparing. </p><p></p><p>Jerrin knelt on the ground and gathered some of the rocky earth in his small hands. He began chanting a divination with his eyes closed and in a minute he had whipped his voice into frenzy as he called the attention of the spirits of the wild to listen to his request. In almost a pleading manner he requested the spirits and living rock itself to answer what it could about the mountain of Thermoleth. Several minutes went by where the air around the druid was swirling with pebbles, dirt and nearby debris, and the sinews of magic flowed into and out of his small form. The pace continued to increase for five more minutes then it began to subside. Afterward the druid opened his eyes and told the others what he had heard. </p><p></p><p>Jerrin had learned that the interior of the mountain was unnatural, and that the way in was toward the top. His inquiry into other locations was unanswered, and he also learned that much of the oppressive weather that had plagued the area for centuries may have been forced. With this news the group made the decision to scale the mountain. </p><p></p><p>The next morning the group began the ascent of the mountain. Grimnyr led the way up, with a rope end tied to his belt. The other end of the rope Alex secured to his waist, and between them Thovaas and Quentin climbed very slowly with their aid. Jerrin began the climb without his faithful wolfhound companion, but then returned and changed Tempest into a spider monkey for an easy climb. Jerrin, in the form of a dire ape, calmed Tempest enough for him to clamber onto his back. They caught up to the others as they found a good sized niche for them to rest for the night. </p><p></p><p>Again in the morning the party worked their way up the mountain. Thovaas and Quentin both stumbled at times, but Grimnyr and Alex managed to catch them. Thovaas had packed away his armor and graciously accepted a chain shirt from Grimnyr for an easier climb. As they worked their way up through the ice and snow laden portions they could see that in another day they would be beyond the ice. The climb became steeper and more difficult as they went. The plethora of handholds had thinned to be few and far between. Grimnyr led the path up the mountain with aid from Jerrin, and several times they doubled back in order to make the climb easier. </p><p></p><p>They saw the snow thin and end as they climbed over it. Oily black soot took the place of the snow, and soon the group was covered with it. Jerrin used his powers to mold a ledge from the hard rock and there they slept during the third night on the mountain. The air was thinning and the group realized the climb would only get harder. The next morning they set out again, climbing above the clouds that had blocked their view before. </p><p></p><p>Then Jerrin felt a shadow cross over his back. The sun shown in his eyes and he couldn’t see what it was exactly, but he sensed something was in the sky. A few minutes later the shadow passed over him again, and suddenly the clatter of darts hitting the mountain wall were heard. Thovaas cringed as he was hit by one of them, as did Alex, but it was Thovaas who started to slide down the mountain. Grimnyr pulled the rope taught but Thovaas had lost his grip on it. Alex braced his feet against the side and relied on Grimnyr’s pull with one hand as he reached out for the sliding paladin with the other. Gripping his chain shirt, Alex pinned the large man to the mountain and showed him a foothold to gain stability. Jerrin cast a spell to walk on air, and Quentin carefully hopped on the dire ape’s shoulders to gain stability. Using his knees to keep steady on while riding Jerrin, Quentin pulled out his bow and fired a quick return shot at the beast.</p><p></p><p>The thing was a massive winged beast, and it was keeping its distance as it glided parallel to the mountain face. The thing turned its head to show a humanoid face that spat draconic curses at them, then the whip-like tail snapped and another volley of spikes struck the group. Jerrin cautiously stepped out away from the mountain wall and stood on thin air. Tempest, as a spider monkey, screamed with fear as he scampered over Jerrin. Quentin froze and then his heart caught in his throat as suddenly Jerrin charged away from the mountain towards the flying beast.</p><p></p><p>Thovaas clung to the wall as Alex looped the rope through the back of his belt and climbed ahead of the paladin. Alex looked for a ledge of some type on which to guide Thovaas to safety. Thovaas clung to the wall, not moving, and peeked over his shoulder. Quentin stabbed the thing in the rear haunch and blood spurted onto Jerrin’s shaggy fur. He saw the winged beast peel away from the monstrous Jerrin and it loosed another volley of spikes at the pursuing druid. Quentin struggled to remain on Jerrin’s shoulders as he strode forward, still walking on thin air. The shadowdancer steadied then lashed out with another set of blows just as Jerrin punched the beast. The blow landed at the side of its head and the tentacle-like neck recoiled oddly as its wings suddenly folded and it tumbled downward out of the sky. </p><p></p><p>The wind whipped against Quentin and he hugged the top of Jerrin’s massive head as Tempest clung to the druid beneath his warm armpit. They walked toward the mountain once more and Jerrin decided to make the most of the moment and hauled the rest of the group up by towing them on a rope. As Jerrin walked on the air next to the mountain his breaths became more labored. He stopped and formed a ledge from the mountainside, dropped everyone off, then fell fast asleep. The others kept watch over the mountainside as they slept in turn, not disturbing the Halfling druid. </p><p></p><p>The morning came early to them, as they saw it break through the clouds below. This time Jerrin decided to take the form of something with more stamina – that of a rhinoceros. Grimnyr and Quentin tied a rope around his massive girth for the others to hand on, and before long Jerrin was hauling them upward, calling upon the nature spirits to guide him as he walked on air. With repeated calls the group made their way up without the risk of climbing the treacherous terrain. Again they spent the night and the fatigued druid slept past dawn for the first time in months. </p><p></p><p>The next day the group proceeded in the same fashion, with Jerrin walking them ever upward as the air made it cumbersome to breath. Quentin happened to look down the mountain as they gazed at its inky blackness and noticed that there was a very slight reddish tint in an area. Jerrin stepped downward toward it and they saw it was an opening in the mountainside, deep and dark. A glow came from the interior walls, illuminating the way for only a dozen or so feet. </p><p></p><p>Quentin stepped onto the ledge from Jerrin’s back and peered inward with his exceptional vision. Waving to the others, they joined him on the ledge before he moved forward into the murky cave. The first cave was expansive and had rough hewn walls. The top was easily twenty feet or more, and there were two rough corridors that led away from the room. Quentin stepped forward on the dry, uneven floor and looked first one way then another. Suddenly he heard the roar of fire.</p><p></p><p>The others watched Quentin melt into the darkness and they held their breath as he quietly disappeared. In an instant he was gone, then suddenly the whole room was aflame, and Quentin’s face was aglow with surprise as flames erupted from the closest wall to him. Just as the flames waned, flaming arrows streaked from each of the corridors, several striking Quentin and others targeting Grimnyr. A burst of flames exploded in the middle of the room, catching them all within its radius and singeing them through the soot that covered them. </p><p></p><p>Immediately the group sprang into action; Grimnyr imbued everyone with speed and swiftness just as Alex made his way down one of the corridors. Jerrin followed up with a protection spell to prevent fire from hurting them as severely. Quentin dashed to another wall out of the line of site from either corridor, pulled out the wand of healing and managed to seal one of his blackened wounds. Thovaas summoned forth his trusted warhorse and used him as cover before swinging himself into the saddle. </p><p></p><p>Alex discovered the archers further down the corridor as they were reloading. He had drawn his rapier and he pulled the Sword of Light loose from its sheath with his other hand. The light revealed the creatures in front of him – they were snake-like humanoids with wide flaring necks and gangly limbs. They stood at seven feet tall with their long serpentine necks, and their tails wound in coils behind them. Alex saw another behind the two archers as it began chanting an arcane spell, and the archers stepped backward to fire arrows just as the spell was complete. The shorter serpent creature extended its clawed finger to point at Alex’s chest and a purple beam struck him, sapping his strength. </p><p></p><p>A wall of flames roiled out in a circle to enclose the rest of the group in the first room. Just outside of the circle, Quentin pulled up his bow and fired twice at the shorter robed creature. Thovaas took his horse through the wall of flames and saw the Sword of Light gleaming in the darkness. He guided his mount toward it until he could see his target in front of him. Seeing an easy opening, Thovaas struck the casting lizard-like thing with his sword, causing a deep gash down its arm. </p><p></p><p>Jerrin stayed within the circle, protected from the flames, and called forth a genie while the wall of flames illuminated the area. </p><p></p><p>Grimnyr stepped through the wall of fire and was soon in darkness as he made his way down the opposite hall. The snake-creature archers came into view as he stepped forward, then another robed creature to the side. Grimnyr pulled his weapon as he stepped towards the thing, and it lowered its gaping maw…</p><p></p><p>TO BE CONTINUED!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MarauderX, post: 2272023, member: 9990"] [B][U][SIZE=4]Session 33: Uphill Battle[/SIZE][/U][/B] The group looked over the stairs and ground they had claimed in battle. The gnoll sorcerer woke and cowered again before Thovaas. The group gathered around the prisoner as Alex swiftly collected what he could from the fallen gnolls. Jerrin asked the surviving gnoll several questions in his many languages, but it yipped and laid its ear flat against its head. Grimnyr cast a spell to allow Quentin to speak to it and understand what it said. When Quentin spoke it took a second look at him then understood magic was involved. Quentin asked the gnoll sorcerer what it was doing here and why it had tried to stop them. It replied that they had suspected the party was working for the litorians and were either hunting down the last of the gnolls or were going to find reinforcements. Quentin explained that the latter was true, that they were seeking reinforcements for the litorians to aid them against the duergar. Quentin tried to explain that since they have the same enemy, the duergar, they were actually on the same side. The gnoll then asked why they didn’t use their magic to try to communicate first, as it would have saved these brave warriors from a pointless death. Quentin stammered and replied that the gnolls started first by instigating the attack with arrows that were fired at Thovaas that led them to fight the Tyrannosaurus Rexes. Then the gnoll stammered, frustrated with his words and losing to the only humans he had ever met. Quentin asked the gnoll some questions about the litorians and how they were faring in the war against the duergar. The gnoll replied that only a few litorians even knew the gnolls were alive and had many tribes hidden in the jungles, and that the duergar haven’t pursued them since they are concentrating on defeating the litorians. He also explained that their tactics in battle used to be much more honorable, but since the duergar were not as honorable the gnolls had to resort to similar vile tactics. The gnoll asked a few questions in return, asking him pointedly if they were going for reinforcements. Quentin nodded, and the gnoll then said that if the party were to spare his life he would tell his people to allow them safe passage through the gate should they return. Quentin explained this to the party and they accepted. As a token of trust the gnoll asked that the weapons and armor that were being collected be returned to his people as well, to let them know that the party was indeed honorable in victory and worthy of their trust. Again the party agreed to this and untied him. He bowed deeply, gathered several items in his arms and began walking away. The party paused to heal their wounds with magic before deciding to go forward through the door. As they passed through it one by one, the sensation of magic poured over them, making each shiver with the tingle of magic. Once through they proceeded on the stone bridge toward the only other opening. Black tendrils slowly twisted on either side, made barely visible by the light from the other doorway. Then suddenly the light from the doorway dimmed, and Quentin saw a figure in the doorway ahead. He took a fighting stance and the others noticed him readying his bow when they too saw the figure. They approached closer and saw the figure step backward in a cautious manner. Quentin and the others emerged from the gateway to see a female Rakshasa standing before them. It spoke in common to them, asking where the group was going. Quentin responded that they were going home, back to Kargam to get a warm meal and a soft bed. The Rakshasa rolled her eyes and asked if any of the others would be honest with her. Alex noticed the shadows of something overhead and glanced up to see four jade statues watching from thirty feet up. Cautiously the group spread out across the wide platform. The Rakshasa stepped backward from the edge and stood away from the ledge by ten feet, standing on the air itself. Grimnyr then spoke up, telling her that the group was going to visit Thermoleth on behalf of the litorians. The Rakshasa turned to Grimnyr and introduced herself as Arilthar. She ignored Jerrin, Thovaas and Alex as she requested that the group take something with them on their journey. She pulled a locket from her robe and held it from her hand. She asked that the group also show it to Thermoleth to add more clout to the request the litorians had made. She explained that if two of the elder races were requesting assistance, surely the need would be impressed upon the great dragon. A quick discussion revealed that the rakshasa had been seeking out the valley as a refuge, but it had turned out to be a paradise at war. Grimnyr smiled as best he could as he received the amulet from her. The rakshasa then began walking away, heading upward to the statues as she walked on the chilly air. With a quick discussion the group decided to head down the windy valley. Jerrin glanced to his side and a nearby shrub stole his attention. His brow furrowed, he explained that the plant was an oakleaf hydrangea and that its flowers came out in the summer and faded to a pinkish brown in the fall. The group looked at the small plant and saw that its pink-brown flowers were beginning to fall to the ground. Apparently time passed in the valley in relation to the rest of the world they knew. The group made their way down the empty valley and took their time traversing the obstructions that had hindered their way before. The river below was flowing beneath them. At the top of the falls they peered at Mount Thermoleth as it towered over them. They walked slowly down the spiral ramp and saw the bodies of the two horses they had left behind. Their desiccated skin was wrapped tightly around their bones and the packs had disappeared. Alex took the time to search the smooth walls of the spiral ramp and found nothing. They decided they should start climbing the mountain, and spent the rest of the day preparing. Jerrin knelt on the ground and gathered some of the rocky earth in his small hands. He began chanting a divination with his eyes closed and in a minute he had whipped his voice into frenzy as he called the attention of the spirits of the wild to listen to his request. In almost a pleading manner he requested the spirits and living rock itself to answer what it could about the mountain of Thermoleth. Several minutes went by where the air around the druid was swirling with pebbles, dirt and nearby debris, and the sinews of magic flowed into and out of his small form. The pace continued to increase for five more minutes then it began to subside. Afterward the druid opened his eyes and told the others what he had heard. Jerrin had learned that the interior of the mountain was unnatural, and that the way in was toward the top. His inquiry into other locations was unanswered, and he also learned that much of the oppressive weather that had plagued the area for centuries may have been forced. With this news the group made the decision to scale the mountain. The next morning the group began the ascent of the mountain. Grimnyr led the way up, with a rope end tied to his belt. The other end of the rope Alex secured to his waist, and between them Thovaas and Quentin climbed very slowly with their aid. Jerrin began the climb without his faithful wolfhound companion, but then returned and changed Tempest into a spider monkey for an easy climb. Jerrin, in the form of a dire ape, calmed Tempest enough for him to clamber onto his back. They caught up to the others as they found a good sized niche for them to rest for the night. Again in the morning the party worked their way up the mountain. Thovaas and Quentin both stumbled at times, but Grimnyr and Alex managed to catch them. Thovaas had packed away his armor and graciously accepted a chain shirt from Grimnyr for an easier climb. As they worked their way up through the ice and snow laden portions they could see that in another day they would be beyond the ice. The climb became steeper and more difficult as they went. The plethora of handholds had thinned to be few and far between. Grimnyr led the path up the mountain with aid from Jerrin, and several times they doubled back in order to make the climb easier. They saw the snow thin and end as they climbed over it. Oily black soot took the place of the snow, and soon the group was covered with it. Jerrin used his powers to mold a ledge from the hard rock and there they slept during the third night on the mountain. The air was thinning and the group realized the climb would only get harder. The next morning they set out again, climbing above the clouds that had blocked their view before. Then Jerrin felt a shadow cross over his back. The sun shown in his eyes and he couldn’t see what it was exactly, but he sensed something was in the sky. A few minutes later the shadow passed over him again, and suddenly the clatter of darts hitting the mountain wall were heard. Thovaas cringed as he was hit by one of them, as did Alex, but it was Thovaas who started to slide down the mountain. Grimnyr pulled the rope taught but Thovaas had lost his grip on it. Alex braced his feet against the side and relied on Grimnyr’s pull with one hand as he reached out for the sliding paladin with the other. Gripping his chain shirt, Alex pinned the large man to the mountain and showed him a foothold to gain stability. Jerrin cast a spell to walk on air, and Quentin carefully hopped on the dire ape’s shoulders to gain stability. Using his knees to keep steady on while riding Jerrin, Quentin pulled out his bow and fired a quick return shot at the beast. The thing was a massive winged beast, and it was keeping its distance as it glided parallel to the mountain face. The thing turned its head to show a humanoid face that spat draconic curses at them, then the whip-like tail snapped and another volley of spikes struck the group. Jerrin cautiously stepped out away from the mountain wall and stood on thin air. Tempest, as a spider monkey, screamed with fear as he scampered over Jerrin. Quentin froze and then his heart caught in his throat as suddenly Jerrin charged away from the mountain towards the flying beast. Thovaas clung to the wall as Alex looped the rope through the back of his belt and climbed ahead of the paladin. Alex looked for a ledge of some type on which to guide Thovaas to safety. Thovaas clung to the wall, not moving, and peeked over his shoulder. Quentin stabbed the thing in the rear haunch and blood spurted onto Jerrin’s shaggy fur. He saw the winged beast peel away from the monstrous Jerrin and it loosed another volley of spikes at the pursuing druid. Quentin struggled to remain on Jerrin’s shoulders as he strode forward, still walking on thin air. The shadowdancer steadied then lashed out with another set of blows just as Jerrin punched the beast. The blow landed at the side of its head and the tentacle-like neck recoiled oddly as its wings suddenly folded and it tumbled downward out of the sky. The wind whipped against Quentin and he hugged the top of Jerrin’s massive head as Tempest clung to the druid beneath his warm armpit. They walked toward the mountain once more and Jerrin decided to make the most of the moment and hauled the rest of the group up by towing them on a rope. As Jerrin walked on the air next to the mountain his breaths became more labored. He stopped and formed a ledge from the mountainside, dropped everyone off, then fell fast asleep. The others kept watch over the mountainside as they slept in turn, not disturbing the Halfling druid. The morning came early to them, as they saw it break through the clouds below. This time Jerrin decided to take the form of something with more stamina – that of a rhinoceros. Grimnyr and Quentin tied a rope around his massive girth for the others to hand on, and before long Jerrin was hauling them upward, calling upon the nature spirits to guide him as he walked on air. With repeated calls the group made their way up without the risk of climbing the treacherous terrain. Again they spent the night and the fatigued druid slept past dawn for the first time in months. The next day the group proceeded in the same fashion, with Jerrin walking them ever upward as the air made it cumbersome to breath. Quentin happened to look down the mountain as they gazed at its inky blackness and noticed that there was a very slight reddish tint in an area. Jerrin stepped downward toward it and they saw it was an opening in the mountainside, deep and dark. A glow came from the interior walls, illuminating the way for only a dozen or so feet. Quentin stepped onto the ledge from Jerrin’s back and peered inward with his exceptional vision. Waving to the others, they joined him on the ledge before he moved forward into the murky cave. The first cave was expansive and had rough hewn walls. The top was easily twenty feet or more, and there were two rough corridors that led away from the room. Quentin stepped forward on the dry, uneven floor and looked first one way then another. Suddenly he heard the roar of fire. The others watched Quentin melt into the darkness and they held their breath as he quietly disappeared. In an instant he was gone, then suddenly the whole room was aflame, and Quentin’s face was aglow with surprise as flames erupted from the closest wall to him. Just as the flames waned, flaming arrows streaked from each of the corridors, several striking Quentin and others targeting Grimnyr. A burst of flames exploded in the middle of the room, catching them all within its radius and singeing them through the soot that covered them. Immediately the group sprang into action; Grimnyr imbued everyone with speed and swiftness just as Alex made his way down one of the corridors. Jerrin followed up with a protection spell to prevent fire from hurting them as severely. Quentin dashed to another wall out of the line of site from either corridor, pulled out the wand of healing and managed to seal one of his blackened wounds. Thovaas summoned forth his trusted warhorse and used him as cover before swinging himself into the saddle. Alex discovered the archers further down the corridor as they were reloading. He had drawn his rapier and he pulled the Sword of Light loose from its sheath with his other hand. The light revealed the creatures in front of him – they were snake-like humanoids with wide flaring necks and gangly limbs. They stood at seven feet tall with their long serpentine necks, and their tails wound in coils behind them. Alex saw another behind the two archers as it began chanting an arcane spell, and the archers stepped backward to fire arrows just as the spell was complete. The shorter serpent creature extended its clawed finger to point at Alex’s chest and a purple beam struck him, sapping his strength. A wall of flames roiled out in a circle to enclose the rest of the group in the first room. Just outside of the circle, Quentin pulled up his bow and fired twice at the shorter robed creature. Thovaas took his horse through the wall of flames and saw the Sword of Light gleaming in the darkness. He guided his mount toward it until he could see his target in front of him. Seeing an easy opening, Thovaas struck the casting lizard-like thing with his sword, causing a deep gash down its arm. Jerrin stayed within the circle, protected from the flames, and called forth a genie while the wall of flames illuminated the area. Grimnyr stepped through the wall of fire and was soon in darkness as he made his way down the opposite hall. The snake-creature archers came into view as he stepped forward, then another robed creature to the side. Grimnyr pulled his weapon as he stepped towards the thing, and it lowered its gaping maw… TO BE CONTINUED! [/QUOTE]
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