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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ziona" data-source="post: 686553" data-attributes="member: 484">Differences“Damn this place to the Abyss,” grumbled Dent upon looking at the remains of Gnettles.“It’s okay,” said Tark.  “He can be restored just as Roedyn was.”“Well actually,” replied Ziona, “he will have to be resurrected.  It seems you were very fortunate not to have been maimed, Roedyn.”“Losing nearly ten years of my life was torture enough,” he mumbled. “I cannot restore him this day,” said Ziona.  “Nor I.  But I can carry him,” said Tark.  The cleric reached into his backpack and pulled forth a haversack.  He lifted the gnome’s petrified parts into the pack, where they were stored magically.  Relieved that they had found Gnettles, the group began to search around, hoping they could find Lox as well.  Ziona, Dent and Avangel inspected the statues, while Varr and Belasco searched about with weapons at the ready, determined to smite any foe that meant to surprise them. Tark looked around the room after praying for the ability to detect magic, and pointed out the rugs that lay about the floor. “Something lay beneath the tiger rug.”Dent approached the carpet and gave it a tug.  “Seems to be held down,” he said.  The ranger took out a dagger and cut the rug away from the floor.  Standing atop the tigerskin, he gave another tug, and this time the rug gave way.  He found himself falling into a hole that the carpet had been covering.From above, the companions heard Dent gasp in pain as he fell upon the spikes that littered the floor of the pit below.“Dent! Are you alright?” called Tark.“Stumbled onto some spikes…I’ll be up in a moment.”“What happened?” asked Ziona.“He was pulling on the tigerskin carpet, and it gave way,” explained Tark.  “Apparently it was hiding a trap.”“And some rings,” said Dent as he used Spider Climb to make his way out of the hole. Ziona healed Dent as they discussed Lox’s whereabouts.“Clearly the halfling is not here,” said Belasco impatiently.  “Most likely a slave of sorts.”“Then we should continue on,” said Dent.  “No use wasting more time in the lair of a beholder.”“Will you travel with us, Roedyn, or have you seen enough of the Underdark for awhile?”  asked Tark.The elf’s brow furrowed as he thought of leaving the Underdark and returning to the surface.  To feel the sun and smell the fresh air again…  Then he thought of the task at hand, and how the heroes had freed him.  If not for them, he would still be a nameless statue among Sekrr’s trophies.“I am grateful for what you’ve done for me.  I would like very much to return to the surface, but not before I repay you for freeing me.  If you had not come along and defeated Sekrr, I would not have the option of going home.  I will search and fight at your side until your task is finished, if you will have me.”“An extra blade is always welcome,” said Dent.“When the blade isn’t sticking out of our backs,” mumbled Belasco.At this, Roedyn looked confused. Ziona looked to Belasco, then to Roedyn.  “You’ll have to forgive us,” she said coolly.  “There has been some conflict in the group lately.  It is not like us to bicker this way…normally there is trust and loyalty among our ranks…”“How trustworthy can a drow wench be?” blurted Belasco.“I won’t listen to this anymore,” interrupted Dent.  “Roedyn, I’m sure you know how the drow matriarchy works here in the Underdark.  Let’s just say there isn’t much camaraderie between Belasco and Ziona and leave it at that.”“For shame, Dent.  Don’t forget who your ‘master’ is,” said Belasco with a devilish smirk.“And I’ve had enough of that rubbish, too,” said Dent hotly.  “My patience is wearing thin, Belasco. The joke isn’t funny anymore.”“Settle down, lads,” huffed Varr.  “Varr is right,” said Tark.  “We are not fighting each other here.  Roedyn is willing to help us succeed in our mission, and we have yet to find Lox.  You must put your differences aside so that we may defeat our enemy and accomplish our goal.”By this time, Dent’s temper had cooled and Belasco was silenced.  Ziona looked abashed, knowing Tark was right about their behavior. “If you’re done with the morale boost,” interrupted Avangel, “I’ve found a corridor out.”The Adventure Continues…</blockquote>

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