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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Eryiedes" data-source="post: 5134005" data-attributes="member: 88686">With the first light of dawn, the group of intrepid adventurer's set out towards Winterhaven and whatever the future may hold for them.Glorious death, fame, fortune....perhaps if they we indeed fortunate, they might find all of them but for right now they would settle for simply finding Douven.While the group gathered outside the front eager to depart, Travis said his farewells to Arune and left her a sealed letter in the event of his death.He told her; "I carry nothing on me but these modest pocessions...but see that Ogden gets this if..."She hugged him a final time and said she hadn't time for such nonsence and he would give it to Ogden himself when they all returned and with that gesture bid them all farewell and good journey.Travelling to Winterhaven, the party was unusually quiet.Alert to every sound of the trail, unconcerned with foraging.Nights spent by the fire nearly as silent and wordless as the days of travel that preceed them.Almost as though the future were bearing down on them like a cyclone in the terrible din before the storm.A discernable difference was noticed once they had crossed into the hills of the Gardbury Downs.The birds seemed to stop singing with the dawn....flora a fauna once everywhere became scare and "guarded"....the feeling of being watched or followed became inescapable.On the middle of the final days travel, Winterhaven finally came into view on the horizon.With wind cool and the road before them level except for the odd ancient cobblestone jutting up sporadically.Decades of negligence have taken their toll on this ancient causeway.Various tracks tell tales of passage but more curious still are many more recent marks made by small clawed feet.Quinn, Gorshak and Travis walked along the the King's Road proper as Mardok and Fielin keep pace near the treeline and it is fortunate that they did for it was Fielin's eladrin eyes that first detected the ambush.When the alarm was first raised, the cleric reacted first but in his haste to confront the attackers that Fielin had pointed out, he nearly triped over two other ambushers....literally."KOBOLDS!!!" yelled out Travis."DIVINE GLOW" was the reply from the radiant cleric but the pair of Dragonshields were far stronger than their brethren and they easily shrug off the divine assault.Not to let the moment pass, Travis capitalizes to his enemies distraction and slams his shield headlong into is opponents shield and sends him staggering backwards with the force of the blow...but being alone with his enemy, there is no one nearby to take advantage of the opening he creates.Mardok charges forth to confront the obviously superior Dragonshields and leaves Fielin along the treeline with a handful of Minions, but his axe fails to find a target but at the completion of his swing, he notices another group of Kobolds in addition to the two groups they currently face."WE ARE AMBUSHED!!!" growled the Half Orc.Fielin confronted with two Minions (and more on the way) begins to fall back to the others flourishing his blade as he goes but failing to distract his opponent.Gorshak sizes up his enemy and then unleashes a valiant strike against his foe now nearly surrounded by smaller opponents.His Kopesh land with such force that his opponent is cleaved clean in two from head to groin followed by a torrent of gore, meat and splintered bone.He is however still surrounded by enemies regardless of success and the smaller agile opponents cut mercilessly at their foes.Two of the attackers have slings and loading special pots, they unleash a volly of Stinkpots.One finds its mark with Quinn the deva who is choked by the fumes....the other lands near Gorshak but misses the titanic goliath.As one of the charging attackers tries to pass, Quinn unleashes a beam of radiant light from his outstreched hand but the pyre of light lands only upon the grass of the meadow.Seeing Mardok has put himself in the middle of the melee once more, Morgan barks out a command while holding his opponent at bay; "THAT ONE...MARDOK...DON'T LET HIM THROUGH!"The massive half orc swings his great axe around as if it were a twig and nearly sends the Dragonshield reeling bloodied from the force of the blow."YEESSS...If I were Gruumsh I would be wary to keep my "eye" on you!"...a simple gesture but it inspires the bloodied barbarian to renewed effort.Fielin dashes toward the road and drawing his handbow in a single fluid flourish and unleashes a bolt into the mass of Kobolds that swarm them but is unable to find his mark.Mardok fills himself with the Rage of Tyrants and upon striking down his Dragonshield foe, his great axe continues on in a Great Cleaving arc that fells a second foe in the wake of the first, each fallen enemy filling the barbarian with even greater vigor and frenzy.Mardok: "DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE!!!"The single foe not wounded by the half orc's attack would turn to move but the looming shadow of the paladin fell over the Minions cowering form.Gorshak boldly confronts his enemy searing it with divine light: "Take ME on flea!"A blade slices near to the charging goliath but hits only air...unfortunately, unflagging courage fail to find favor with his deity but risking all he easily wades in regardless straight into the heart of the combat unscathed!Suddenly from behind, a pot of flaming ash smashes to the ground behind Mardok alerting him to a new foe.Mardok: "Think you can take a swing at me...you're gonna DIE for that!"A mighty effort by the savage warrior fails to strike his foe but forces the enemy back out of pure ferocity.Another Firepot is flung into the heart of the combat and suddenly the eladrin finds him self engulfed in flames that lick at his cloak.Quinn though wounded by javalin holds up his symbol of Bahamut and a luminous Lance of Faith stabs out at the Kobold Minion and leaves his smoking, scorched remains lying on the battlefield.Travis tries to open up his enemies defences with a calculated blow but miscalculates...in frustration he continues to press his assault but it ends as shield crashes into shield to no end.Mardok presses his attack and would have surely missed his smaller opponent were it not for Morgan's tactical dominance, and a freshly bloodied slinger is his reward.Fielin, after dropping his smoldering cloak, realizing he is now alone as the combat shifts and is now in danger of being flanked, simply steps into the Fey and emerges else where into the fray.Brandishing his blade with eladrin flare, his opponent isn't struck or impressed by the display of swordmanship....angered by effort he attempts a further Riposte on this ambusher but begins to show genuine concern that he is unable to assist his companions in the combat.Moving confidently among the attackers, Gorshak strikes valiantly at the Kobold swarm and culls another Minion from their ranks and yelling to his companion: "You face ME now!"In the ensueing mele all are struck savagely by the Kobolds but Fielin fares worse than his companions.Speaking a silent prayer to his dragon god asks for his mercy to heal his friend's wounds.....Quinn has his faith rewarded. Travis sees another Kobold about to slip through but after shouting a order to the bloody barbarian, axe steel is all that awaits the small reptilian creature to usher him into the afterlife.Fielin seeks to confound his enemy with dazzling swordwork but is unable to bring the fight to his opponent: "WHY HAVE THE GOD'S FORSAKEN MY STEEL!?!"...he cries out.Quinn: "Because you left me alone to get mobbed you jackass!"Seeing the battle turn against them, one of the Kobolds seeks to flee from the melee but just as the last unfortunate soul had discovered...the shadow of the barbarian half orc looming behind him is the last thing he will ever see.Covered with grue and guts, Mardok goes to roar triumphantly but has the moment cut short when a Gluepot strikes the ground at the Half orcs feet and immobilizes him.Moving confidently among the battle, a Valiant Strike from the paladin sends another unworthy soul to its bloody end as sword and blade alike simply bounce off him....he roars triumphantly having saved the injured Quinn from certain death.Quinn smiles his gratitude to the giant holy warrior.Attempting a last ditch defence against the goliath's onslaught they attack him as one but are unable to strike his titanic form.Gorshak laughs at the pitiful attempt: "You'll have to do better than THAT."Still unable to move....the Kobold unleashes a stone a Mardok but it misses the barbarian, who is more concerned with dislodging his feet from the sticky trap than actually being being struck.With a shrill timber, Quinn calls out to the heaven's: "BAHAMUT, GRANT ME THIS CASCADE OF LIGHT!!!" and a pillar of luminous vengence decends upon the Slinger who had just tried to strike Mardok and he is burnt alive by divine radiance.Mardok: "HEY, HE WAS MINE!!!"Pulling an hand axe from his belt and releasing it in one fluid motion, Mardok solves his mobolity problem as his thrown hand axe finds Kobold skull with a wet crunch of bone and tissue.More inspiring words from Travis help his companion to find the resolve he need and in burst of sheer strenght, Mardok pulls free of the Gluepot and lets momentum carry him on a Howling Charge at his target; "RRAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"His hulking form simply bowls over the helpless smaller form before him as he tramples all in his path.Quinn staggers from a combination of the exertion of combat and his wounds.Fielin's eladrin skill with the blade has become legendary in the Vale...but apparently the kobolds have never heard of THAT place and he continues to miss regardless of the circumstances.Quinn chastizes the clumbsy rogue; "What kind of warrior are you?"Gorshak: "Bad day to be a kobold I guess." and sizing up his enemy once more swings valiantly but thinning ranks cause his khopesh to miss the heart of combat.The cleric snarls furiously "LANCE OF FAITH!!!" and yet another of the lizard-like Minions goes to its maker in a flash of searing radiance.Morgan tries to drive his shoulder into the Dragonshield before him but his momentum stops abruptly as shield meets shield with a tremendous crash.Travis: "COME BACK HERE YA LIL'..."Darkshore then throws his sword to the grass; "Screw this, if I can't hit him...I'll grab him!"...and charges up to the sling bearing foe, is cut by his dagger, but not before the eladrin successfully grabs his target.....FINALLY!"Let's see you get away from THIS you lil' motherfu-"From behind Mardok presses his attack and charges upon the unsupecting pair and covers the shocked rogue in the welter of gore that was the sling bearing Kobold he had been holding not a second earlier.Fielin: " WTF!?!...BY THE GODS!!!....WHERE THE HELL DID YOU COME FROM!?!"Gorshak: "You face ME now demon!" he bellowed at the remaining enemy combatant.The Slinger is grabbed by the massive goliath however the Kobold manages to wriggle free but as he turns to run he is seared by the radiance of the holy challenge uttered by the paladin and the kobold gets nary five feet before becoming engulfed by the wrath of a vengeful god.Quinn: "This place.....is clean." The rutted King's Road leads to the foot of a broad hill that holds the walled village of Winterhaven.Nestled in the foothills of Cairngorm Peaks, the walls of the town are weathered stone topped with defensive palisades.Small thatched homes stand in the surrounding area, each fronting a small piece of farmland or pasture...now all fallen curiously into neglect.In the beyond to the west and south lie darkened woods, from whence you emerge and to the north, tall mountainous peaks.As you walk to the main gates passed the residences that dot the region the typical reactions you illicit from the farmers are those of alarm and fear.Groups of adventurers are commonplace here to be sure...but half the parties assembled heroes represent demographics not typical to the realm of Greyhawk as evidenced by the shock on the faces of those they pass.Mardok, Travis and Fielin all know the looks worn on the faces of the guards at the main gates as they pass into the village proper and a visit from the local Sergeant at Arms or other Milita leader can't be far away but to their credit, silence and wide berth are all the party commands for now.From the main gates, The Wrafton's Inn dominates the view of all who arrive in Winterhaven...to it's side is an open marketplace that is closing up for the night.Across the market common from the Inn, is a stables.The party begins to notice that descriptions of a thriving and flourishing town given to them by Arune may be somewhat "outdated".Fear is in the air and it is not being caused by the party for once.Travis: "Arune has told me this village is faithful to the tenants of Avandra....if this is true, I must pay homage to The Goddess."Mardok: "Food!" and with that walks straight to the Inn.Fielin: "I'd better make sure he doesn't, y'know...eat anyone." and follows after the barbarian with a smile amd a wink.Gorshak: "I must locate a forge...I shall meet you at the Inn." and he takes the kobolds weapons to the smithy.Quinn: "Very well, I will make our honorable intensions known to whatever constabulary is maintained here and will return here once I am done..." (looking to Fielin) "...I would say keep him out of trouble, but look who I am talking to."The group then dispurses throught the market common before them as night falls.Quinn and Travis come upon an elf maiden who is gathering flowers from her stand before she leaves.They approach her and unlike the timid farmers, she does not shy away from their attentions.A warm smile come over her face: "Are you.....lost?"Quinn: "After a fashion, yes..." he continues "...I want to locate the Sergeant at Arms or the Captain of the Militia."Delphina: "You would mean Rond, Rond Kelfem...he's the Captain of the Guard for the village...he would far nicer than the Sergeant at Arms....a foul brutal man-" (she looks over from Quinn to Travis who removes his helmet only to blush at her sudden attention) "-he never smiles.""Many have no cause for joy in these days...you can find him at the Warrior's Guild, he can usually be found there."Quinn:"Then I won't keep you."Travis clears his throat nervously and adds; "How is it a vendor of flowers would know the comings and goings of the Captain of the Guard?" he tries not to smile as she meets his gaze.Delphina: "He fancied me once...." (Travis stops smiling) "...but I didn't return his affections." (Travis begins to smile again ever so slightly)Travis: "Oh....I...uhhhh....I'm sorry to hear that."Delphina: "Are you?" Travis blushes and tries not to trip as he recuses himself from the situation."Delphina, Delphina Moongem....that IS what you wanted to ask me wasn't it?"Travis: "So you are a elf-witch who reads minds and hearts as well?"Delphina: "Only to those who wear them on their sleeves..." (Morgan tries not to beam anymore boyishly and simply smiles as he backs away) "...and YOU are?"Travis: "Me?" (he continues) "OH, of COURSE me...I mean...who else would y-you....ah-heh...T-Travis-Travis Morgan."Delphina: "Well, then....good fortune to you "T-Travis-Travis Morgan"...where ever you may roam."He smiles and continues on his way to the spires of the temple in the distance.Upon entering, Mardok kicks open the door and stomps in surveying the patrons as he does.Mardok: "HOW MUCH FOR WINE AND A FEAST FIT FOR THE GODS!?!"An old man off to the side of the barbarian turns and jests to him; "How much have you got?"Mardok turns and walks over to the old man and towers over him putting his blood caked knuckles flat to the table with a creak of straining wood; "Are you the Barkeep?" he says with a sarcastic (and very unexpected) smile that grows from ear to ear.Eilian: "W-why no I-I'm-"Mardok: "THEN SHUT THE HELL UP!!!"Seeing the display unfold a an older looking elven woman steps out assuring a large black labrador to remain where it sleeps.Selvana: "May I help you?"Mardok: "Food....Drink....Best....Lots of it...How much?"Seemingly taken aback by the civility and intelligent sarcasm displayed by the monstrous Mardok she replies; "A bottle of our best wine is 5 gold coins...so is our best food...enough for both of you if-"Mardok: "Forget the eladrin, he can get his own...wine and feast woman, and be quick about it!" and with a loud crash he slams his axe to the table beside him "I will be HERE!"She smiles and goes to take Fielin's order but is cut off by Mardok; "What are you doing?...I said FORGET him, JUST get my FOOD!"Fielin shrugs and smiles as if to say: "Hey, I KNOW....but what are you gonna do about it?"She shakes her head and walks off to fetch drink.Gorshak takes his bag of plundered kobold weapons in the hopes that it may subsidize the cost of a stay in town.He enters into the smithy and sees a balding dwarf with a flaming red beard who turns from stoking his fire to the giant goliath and feigns a hint of suprise.Thair: "WHOA, y'r a big fella...where'd you come from all of a sudden!?!"Gorshak: "I though you were open but-"Thair: "Yeah, yeah, yeah...I'm here ain't I?"...."Damn y'r a BIG one ain't 'cha?....Anymore where you come from?...ahhh, nevermind...what can I do for ya?""Thair Coalstrikers my name and smithings my game....whatever weapon you need, I got."Gorshak: "Weapons I have....I was wondering if you needed any?" putting the satchel of steel on the table beside him.With eyebrow raised the dwarf open the bag and looks at the sorry assortment of kobold gear with a smile.Thair: "I see you bumped into Winterhaven's number one export."Gorshak: "?"Thair: "KOBOLDS ya big lumbering-....(they make ya plenty huge but they don't make 'em too smart where ya come from do they,boy?)"Gorshak: "I guess they have been a problem in recent-"Thair holds up a blood and grue cover short sword; "Whatever gave ya that idea?" as he wrinkles his nose at the unwholesome sight "Guess they don't have to make ya too bright when your that gods damned tall, eh?"Thair: "Tell ya what.....(the javalins I don't want) but I'll take the rest off y'r hands for 11 coins of gold if you throw in the shields....but that's me final offer....and I'm being plenty generous....just cause I'm short don't mean I'm stupid, HEAR ME?"Gorshak: "That would be fin-"Thair: "Would there be anything else then?"Gorshak: "As a matter of fact there is-"Thair: "(OH, would ya fancy THAT, now?)"Gorshak: "I am looking for a dwarf by the name of Douven Stauls...hes also a smith-"Thair: "And because I am a DWARF and a SMITH....NATURALLY, I gotta know who this ass-clown is, right?"Gorshak: "Well, n-no I-"Thair: "Good thing you have a good friend cause you're none too bright and your far too tall and just plain short on manners."Gorshak: "Hey wait, what does my height have to do with anythin-" he stops himself from losing his temper with the tiny smith and simply takes his bag of gold as he goes.Thair: "HEY....if you want "real" coinage, you need to speak to Lord Padraig...he's been offering some kind of reward for any who can help him with this kobold problem...and since they don't exactly seem to be a problem for you....""You can find him at his home or in his "office" most of the time."...upon saying the word "office" he mimics the action of drinking."If you find anymore of these "lying around" you be sure to bring 'em to me...I can always use scrap metal."Gorshak simply leaves the smithy without another word leaving Thair alone with the glow of his hearth.Thair: "Nice fella....talks too much tho...I'll miss him."Gorshak carries his pouch of gold to the Wrafton's Inn.With the 34 silver coins from the kobolds earlier they could afford a few evenings of lodging and food with drink should it be required.He arrives to find Mardok in the middle of his feast and Fielin at the tables far end trying not to be hit by food flying from the half orc eating machine.Fielin looks to the paladin as he walks up nearly stunned by the barbarian's complete lack of table manners; "You know, he only stops to-"Mardok beltches so loud that Inn proprietor's black labrador turns from the common room and slinks into the kitchen while whimpering.Fielin: "Yeah, that would be about right." (as he wipes his face off)Quinn's luminous aura preceeds him by a few seconds but he steps up to and knocks at the open doorway to the Warrior's Guild.Two weapon toting brutes go to stand in the clerics path but are motioned to remain still by their captain.Noticing his obvious station, the deva turns to the bearded human as Kelfem plays with his moustache, attempting to size up the cleric.Quinn: "You must be Rond Kelfam."Rond: "Aye...I am." (he puts his hand casually to his sword pommel)Quinn: "Captain, I wanted to make you aware that my companions and I will be seeking to use your village as a base of operations while we search for a lost friend named Douven Stauls."Rond: "Sorry about your friend but I've not heard of him... you'd best to tread lightly in these lands in recent days...these are dark times." (the Captain removes his hand from his weapon)Quinn: "I am curious captain, have you heard of a dragon's burial ground around here?"Rond: "I don't concern myself with myths and legends."Quinn: "Is there work to had in these lands?"Rond: "I am always on the look out for another good swordarm but if you are inquiring about genuine work, Lord Padraig is offering a reward for adventurer's foolish enough to risk entering the Shadowfell Keep."Quinn looks to the captain with attention fully upon him and the luminous radiance he emits is beginning to make the grizzled captain nervous.Quinn: "Really?"Rond: "The people have been looking to his lordship to deal with the problem but he has failed miserably....trade is disappearing...caravans are raided...less and less supplies make it into town with each month.""I fear it's only a matter of time before the kobolds will grow bold enough to openly attack the town itself."Quinn: "Where can I find this Lord Padraig?"Rond looks to his two men and the the three guards chuckle softly amongst themselves; "He is either is his home or more likely he is at the Wrafton's Inn...probably getting drunk and embarrassing himself again."Rond: "He is afraid of losing his power over the people....if he doesn't do something soon, there may be no town left to protect."Quinn simply nods, bows and turns to leave.Rond: "I have been from this side of the Yeomanry all the way to the Ivory Coast.....I have seen a lot of things...but I have never seen your kind before."Quinn stops for only the briefest of moments as if to silently acknowledge that he was asked the question....then he continues out without a word as his aura receeds with his presence.Meeting up with Travis on his way back from Avandra's temple, both the deva and the human enter the Inn.With the party united once more, they drink at their corner table while the ever vigilant Fielin watching both out the window and at the two entrances.Quinn: "I was not able to turn up any leads as to the whereabouts of Douven or this "dragon's burial ground."Gorshak: "Nor was my luck any better on that front..." he tosses a bag of gold on the table "...but it wasn't a complete loss."Fielin's attention is now piqued by the soft clatter of metal coins and his focus rests solely upon the pouch of gold.Travis: "Nor was I able to discover anything from Sister Linora in my travels at the temple...nothing we don't already know at any rate....ohhh, Douven...where are you?"Selvana, the Inn keeper, who had just arrived to put down the last of Mardok's feast upon the table interjects; "Douven?....Douven Stauls?....I know him, a dwarven fellow with a golden blonde mane."The attention of the table shifts to the elven proprietor before them...even Mardok stops in mid-mouthful.Selvana: "Yes, he had a room he for a while...but he kept company with Eilian the Elder for the most part.....that would be him right over there....the one your friend nearly ate."she walks away and the party members all look to Mardok simultaneously.Mardok: "What?" he continues to stuff his face "He's STILL alive isn't he?"Quinn and Gorshak both rise from the table and move to talk to the man who's table sits across from them bringing a pitcher of ale with them as they go to top up the old man's flagon.Eilian: "You knew Douven?"...."I always wondered what happened to him!"...."He had questions about an old burial site just south and west of the village....even thought a dragon might be buried there, have you ever heard of such folly?""I told him it was probably just an old trash heap but he wouldn't hear of it, no sir!" (Gorshak fills the man's mug) "I even gave him directions to get there, I'm somewhat of a historian around these parts..."(Valthrun the Prescient snickers at the mention of this.)Quinn: "Could you give us those directions too?"Eilian: "Certainly, haven't heard from him since...I do hope the poor man is alright."Gorshak: "Thank you for your assistance, sir....you may have saved a man's life." At dawn the groups set out once more only this time back south from whence they came along The King's Road armed with the directions of Eilian the Elder to guide them.Optimism bubbles to the surface and hope even dare show its head with the news of Douven's travels.The party picks up its pace eager to make time to their destination but in their haste, with thoughts of heartfelt reunions filling their heads, they marched forward blindly into unseen dangers.Mardok was the first to discover this as he blazed a trail through the underbrush off to the side of the causeway.In doing so he came face to face with an ambush party of Kobolds!Mardok: "TO ARMS!!!"But before he can react he is struck twice...once by the blade of a Dragonshield warrior and the other a spear from the adjacent Skirmisher.As the blood began to flow freely and the battle is joined, warcries break from the underbrush as several small figures dart from hiding places.With Mardok in dire straits, Morgan screams out a command to his half orc companion: "HIT 'EM HARD MARDOK!!" and as if on cue, the mighty warrior lands a blow with such force it bloodies his opponent in a single sweeping blow.Unfortunately with all the commotion of the ambush, only Travis and the barbarian are in a postion to strike and in the ensuing mele, Mardok is wounded twice more by Kobold blades just a viciously as the last attack.Angered and flushed with rage, he swings his great axe with a Great Cleaving strike that only adds to the barbarian's Furious Assault.He is bathed in a black misty spray of kobold blood.Travis instructs him to strike again while the anvil his hot and the half orc is rewarded with another solid hit as the rest of the party scampers into position, unfortunately a moment too late.Blow after blow hits the barbarian mercilessly...pink mist sprays and snaping made as blade kisses bone till there is nothing left for Mardok to do but succumb to his injuries and he falls to the ground motionless.Travis, without regard for his own safety, leaps into the fray with a battlecry to help the fallen warrior.He is unable to reach Mardok through barrier of enemies that swarm around him but is able to buy the half orc precious time needed to rise where he had fallen and rejoin the battle from beyond the pale.In doing so, The Warlord is just missed by a sling stone that surely would have caved his skull in had it connected.Fielin moves into position by stepping into the Fey once more and emerges only to have an orb of mystical ice energy hurled at him by the kobold's shamanistic leader, their Wyrmpriest.Gorshak the goliath charges in heedless of the dangers through the underbrush only stopping upon making contact with his foe but his rampant charge has spoiled his aim and his swing cuts nothing but the bushes around him.Fortunately his Shielding Strike enables him to guard the bloodied barbarian through times most dire.Gorshak yells a goliath curse at his foe and shakes his fist in a challenge to the Wyrmpriest.Fielin and Quinn attempt to position themselves to more effectively strike later in the combat.Travis still concerned with the flow of the combat reasesses the situation quickly and correctly; "MARDOK, THAT ONE!!!" but the wounded warrior missed his target but words of courage from The Warlord to his beleaguered companion give him the boost of strength needed to carry on the battle.Mardok, now invigorated, Presses his attack forward and lands a blow so devastating it slays its recipient outright.Mardok: "YESSSS!!"A sling bearing Kobold tries to sneak passed Fielin but a flick of his blade and a flash of his smile convinces this foe of a better course of action.Quinn points his finger at the Wyrmpriest and screams furiously; "CASCADE OF LIGHT!!!" but the the kobold shaman holds up his staff and the blast of radience is mostly neutralized by a barrier of cold.Fielin continues to attack his target without mercy and finding an opportunity, sneaks his blade into his foe where it will do the most damage and the kobold wails out in agony from the eladrin's well timed strike.One of the remaining Dragonshields turns to face the The Warlord and in a swift stabbing motion manages to draw blood from Travis with his attack.The Wyrmpriest steps back from the centre of combat and unleashes Dragon Breath at the barbarian who is momemntarily frosted.The paladin charges forth and he is struck by an enemy blade as he does...heedless of pain he pushes forward into his foe but his khopesh fails to find its mark.Gorshak: "You shall fight ME now demon!" he yells.Fielin and Travis, now seeing the battle has turned in their favor, delay their immenant attacks to maximize the damage.Quinn casts a Divine Glow across the span of the battlefield and the radiance of Bahamut claims another victem in a burst of luminous fury.Mardok, not waiting for anyone, Presses his attack forward once more and smites his foe so hard he is staggered by the force of the blow and bloodied by the end of the swing.Darkshore feeling confident again moves in and catches his foe unawares....his blade skewers his opponent and the reptilian adversary drops lifelessly to the ground.Travis, not to be outdone, charges forward into his foe and slams his shield directly into his foes face with a horrid wet smack that ends his enemies suffering at the hands of the savage Mardok.The Wyrmpriest begins to chant and dance in a dance of blood that Incites Faith in his remaining lizard-like followers.A skirmisher tries to make The Warlord pay dearly for his action but his swing is too slow and Morgan is far too fast....likewise is Gorshak missed by his opponent in the ensuing combat that follows.Charging at the pagan kobold shaman, Gorshak raises his blade and lands a Valiant Strike once more and decapitates the dancing priest as he tries to appeal to his deity for protection.Mardok tries to attack the remaining skirmisher, but the dance of blood had protected his foe and the barbarian's Howling Strike fails to land.Both Fielin and Travis join Mardok and Gorshak in surrounding the last attacker as the paladin chastizes his enemy and vows vengence; "There is no escape for you NOW!"Miraculously the final kobold is able to extracate himself from the heart of the mele only to succumb to radiant vengence of the paladin's god as he flees. So ends Part II of The Keep on the Shadowfell....stay tuned for the next installment in 7 days.!!! Peace & Light</blockquote>

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