KINSON
As the party approaches the "Runed" room, Kinson walks to the front of our lines, turns toward everyone, and says:
"Inside you will notice glowing red writing on the far wall of the room, I warn you not to read what it says directly, as all who have do so, have instantly disappeared. I used a small mirror to view the writing, and I suggest others do the same in case I have interpreted it incorrectly."
"There is a short tunnel that exits the back of the room to another chamber which until recently was the lair for a small band of kobolds. That room has a water spring and is highly defensible. Since some of you would like to rest and study, I would suggest staying the night there. I have a copious amount of fresh giant weasel meat that we can cook for the entire party."
Kinson turns and walks into the Runed room.

MAXIMILLION
Max enters the room:
"I am glad we are not resting in the runed room, I fear I would accidentally read the inscription and "poof" I'd be gone."
Max then enters the short tunnel and makes for the room where the mages will be switching spells and sleeping.
"Come Solamon". An owl flies in behind him.
DM: Armor Spell is still at full strength.
Memorized for tomorrow:
Comprehend Languages
Charm Person
Read Magic

SAGGAR
Saggar moves down the small hall as well to prepare for rest.
"Anyone require healing this eve?"

LEGILDUR
Legildur's head turns slowly from one side to the other, eyeing the room closely. He sees the runes but heeds the warning from the others and does not attempt to read them. Leg follows Max down the short hall to the small room and assesses it for a defensive position.
"I can't say that I like not having a withdrawal route. Nothing worse than being cornered with no way out - that nearly happened back in Quandor's lair."

VORIAX
Voriax will take out his pocket mirror (I have one) and carefully read the runes in the mirror's reflection. No poofing for me!!
OOC: Let me know when we rest and I'll send you my spell list.

DREW
Drew heeds the warning not to read the glowing red runes on the wall as the group heads towards the room with the stream in it.
Finding a little spot against the wall drew dumps his pack, turns about and says to Kinson, "Need help preparing the food?"

KINSON
Kinson walks over to Drew, you notice a slight blush on his face:
"If you really don't mind I could definitely use your help. I can't cook to save my life, I nearly burnt the church down last time I tried it."
Kinson opens his pack and hands the wrapped weasel meat to Drew:
"I am very good at cleaning up though," he says with a deep laugh.

ALOF
Turning to the group I say:
"Have any of you checked those crates over there?"
If not I'll go and check them out when I go to get a drink from the well. Turning to Voriax:
"Try and see if you can figure out what this thing does when you get a chance please." (handing him the ring.)
I then walk over to the crates and take a drink from the spring.

DM
Alof drinks from the Spring and it is quite refreshing.

MAXIMILLION
Max turning to Voriax:
"Does he know that it takes 8 hours to identify a magic item and that assumes that the mage is an area where he knows he is safe? Not to mention the 100 GP Pearl to cast it? Are we going to eat and sleep now?"

LEGILDUR
Legildur decides to join Alof and moves to drink from the clear spring before investigating the crates.

DM
Legildur finds the spring very refreshing. He and Alof search the crates.
There is only junk and some green and red cloth in the crates. Alof finds some tin spoons and forks.

KINSON
Kinson scratches his beard:
"Hmmm. You know those crates look ordinary, but I don't remember them being here when I was last here. (OOC: At least they weren't in the last description I have of this room) I would suggest a prudent and careful search."

BILADOC
Since Drew will take some time preparing the weasel, I'll join Alof in the crate inspection, while saying to Saggar:
'When the mages are ready to identify Alof's ring, ask them to identify the items we found in the coffin (axe, dagger and scepter).'
I ask Max and Voriax:
'Can you use that spell in more than one object at the same time? As for safety, there's nothing to worry about. And that pearl... well, think of it as an investment.'

SAGGAR
Smiles:
"I have asked them to identify these items already my friend."
He then sits putting his pallet in the back corner and begins praying.

VORIAX
"Yes, the identify can be used on multiple objects. The bad part is, I won't cast it down here. We are in unfamiliar and hostile territory, and the spell drains a wizards resources quite badly. It is not worth it right now. Not for me at least. Mayhap Max will do it for you. I will happily do it once we find a place where we can rest for a day or two in relative peace. It would take eight hours just to prepare to cast the spell, after the eight hours to memorize the spell. That places us at sixteen already, not counting the day it would take to recover from the spell itself. So when we find a town or something similar, I will be willing to cast the identify."
Charles, can I read any inscriptions on the ring?

KYRIE
Watching all the conversations and preparations, she feels utterly the outsider. With a sigh, she will post herself where she can be the most useful: guarding the entrance to our little retreat so that she can give an early warning should there be any threat.

LEGILDUR
Once Legildur has finished examining the crates, the elven warrior moves over to join the despondent Kyrie on sentry duty.
He spends a minute or so listening for any activity in the corridors and wondering what will become of the headstrong Ayla before commenting to Kyrie:
"Much like campaigning on the battle fields - 95 percent boredom and," he adds with a wicked grin, "5 percent good fun!"

DM
Saggar begins praying in the corner as Kinson and Drew cook up some good weasel.
Several hours pass with many members drinking from the refreshing spring water and searching the crates. (3 hours have passed)

ALOF
I'll offer Legildur the cloth and if he doesn't want it I'll shove it in my backpack. I'll then grab the forks and spoons saying " Might as well eat neatly if we can."(offering them to group) On my way to getting a bite to eat I'll search the room around the crates for any hidden rooms/secret doors etc.

KINSON
At some point after eating the delicious weasel, Kinson will offer to do his shift at guard duty, and then get some rest for the morrow.

LEGILDUR
Legildur simply shakes his head at Alof's offer and gestures that he may keep the cloth. He also declines the offer of the cutlery as he carries his own 'eating irons' from his campaigning days.
"Thanks Kinson." says Legildur as the warrior offers to replace him on sentry. He then gladly digs in to a portion of the cooked weasel and compliments Kinson and Drew on their preparation of a good field meal.
Following the meal, Leg sits down in the corner and spends about half an hour cleaning and checking all of his equipment - making any minor repairs necessary - before resting quietly. He seems in an introspective mood.

MAXIMILLION
Zzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzz

LEGILDUR
Addressing the group quietly, Legildur says "If we're to stay here for the night, we'd best organize a picket for protection - balancing races and abilities where possible. I believe the mages need their beauty sleep more than the rest of us, so we should rest them and those that are badly injured - that should still leave enough bodies to do sentry tasks."
"If we'll only be here another nine hours then we could have three groups of three on sentry throughout the night: say myself, Biladoc and Kyrie for the first watch; Silvan, Kinson and Alof for the second watch; and Mareena, Saggar and Drew for the final watch. Any disagreements, complaints or suggestions?"

KINSON
Kinson nods agreement. "Excellent! Wake me for second watch." He moves to the back of the room, finds a spot to lay out his bedroll. Before going to sleep, he takes some time to clean and maintain his weapons and armor, then he says some nightly prayers and lays down for his rest.
If his watch passes without incident, he will wake/alert Mareena, Saggar and Drew for the final watch, then get some more rest himself.

MAREENA
Accompanying the rest of the group, she doesn't object to the mention of eating giant weasel, as at the moment it sounds pretty good, actually. She did remain cautious and somewhat alert, however, as she didn't know most of these people, and didn't know what to expect of them. It didn't help that the motivations of this entire group were still uncertain in her mind.
She joins in with the rest of the group (and she'll get something to eat and drink if possible), while listening to the rest of the group speak. At the mention of watch, her being in the third watch, she nodded, her eyes moving toward those she would be keeping an eye out with.

VORIAX
Voriax agrees as he pulls out a book to peruse before bed.
"Let me read a bit first, well second. I need to eat something first."
Voriax eats his share of weasel and reads for a couple of minutes. Then it's off to sleepy land for him.
Charles: After 8 hours, I'll send you my new spell list.

BILADOC
I say to Alof, as he offers the forks and spoons:
'Are you really serious about using *that*? Kobolds have put it in their mouths, you know?... Just the thought is enough to make you loose your appetite...'
After taking a look at the good job Kinson and Drew did with the weasel, I add:
'Well, almost loose your appetite. Good work, guys.'
I take a chunk of meat and approach Legildur:
'The division *scronch* you made sounds *gulp* fine. Maybe the *slurp* second group can *miam* leave Alof out, I believe he *scronch* needs to rest, too.'
I turn to Mareena and ask her:
'You still haven't *slurp* answered my question. Do you know how to *gulp* use this crossbow?'
If I get an affirmative answer, I'll give her the crossbow and the bolts I'm carrying.

MAREENA
She looks toward the crossbow, a faint frown tugging at her lips:
"I know how to use a hand crossbow.. but I'm not so sure about the full sized ones.."

ALOF
I'm going to sit down and grab a bite to eat. Smiling I say to Biladoc:
"Don't worry about me taking second watch Saggar's healing was all I needed. I then hit the sac for a couple of hours keeping my daggers close by my side in case of an emergency."
(If Voriax wants to hold onto the ring until we identify it, I have no objections)

VORIAX
"That's okay. You go ahead and keep it for now. I don't want to forget I've got it in a pocket somewhere, and it may be a bit before it's safe enough to id."

DM
Eight hours pass without problem. The priests spend much time praying. Finally the mages begin waking and studding there books. Voriax seems intrigued by his book on dragon lore. Saggar looks a little grumpy as he begins eating some cold weasel. Alof has searched the area up and down and has found no secret doors or compartments. The entire place seems a little chilly and very damp.

KINSON
Kinson rises, eats a little left over Weasel for breakfast, tops off his waterskins at the spring, and finally readies his equipment for today's adventures.
After Max wakes up and finishes studying his spells he walks over and hands him the Dark Papers:
"Thanks for taking a look at these Max. I really appreciate your help. At your leisure of course."

MAXIMILLION
Max takes the papers and then casts comprehend languages. He will read all of the letter out loud. If required he will also go and can cast read magic. Once he is through reading the dark letter he will also read the inscription in the other room with the use of a mirror.

DM
"Congratulation Oh Mighty King of Asga. We are glad to see you upon the throne of that fair southern country. We send you the might of the Cult of Diabolicus. There is strength is great and you will find them a useful ally. We look forward to joining forces with you on the assault on Los Vain. Are forces are even now gaining the support of some of the desdant Wood Elves under the command of Eridani. His numbers grow stronger by the minute. If we may further aid your cause let us know."
Yours in love and war,
Edrave , Priestess of Loth, Champion of the Sisterhood of the Black Widow

KINSON
Kinson listens carefully to Max read the document.
"That is pretty much what I have been told before. I shall definitely report this to my superiors. And if I see Ayla again, I will let her know as well."
Kinson takes the paper back from Max, folds it and tucks it under his garments.
"Thank you Max, I am in your service if you should ever need my assistance."

LEGILDUR
Legildur rises slowly from his slumber and immediately commences to prepare himself for the day ahead by checking his equipment:
"What's the matter Saggar? Is the stone a bit cold for you?" ;-)
Over breakfast, of either cold weasel or hard tack from his rations, Legildur addresses the group "We've made no plans from this point. Are we to wait for Ayla to return, continue exploring this maze, or are we to seek a way out?"
Legildur lets the party mull over the options, as he sees them, before adding:
"Given the size of the party and that we are all rested, I'm all for exploring this maze while looking for a way out. Mayhap by the time we decide to leave, Ayla's fate will have been decided."
"In the meantime, perhaps Voriax has gleaned some information from his book that may sway our decision." Legildur asks the mage while speaking to the others.

VORIAX
Between a mouthful of weasel and turning a page, Voriax replies:
"Unfortunately, I have not found new information. Just that the orb Ayla seeks was created and used by the dragons to destroy the elves many many years ago. I can't imagine that this dragon would give Ayla the orb willingly. And even if it does, there is *great* risk in using the orb if you aren't a dragon. Sounds like a suicide mission to me. Sorry Silvan. But, I have memorized my spells (I hadn't cast any anyway. :-( .So I am ready to go. Let's find some fun and an exit!"
Voriax appears ready to get going.

TIMOR
Timor, who thoroughly enjoyed a night of rest, slumber and prayer, puts his hands down to help himself get up from his relaxed position. Either it wasn't this way before, or his mind had been too preoccupied to notice, but the stone floor seemed a damp; not just a little but (to quote Charles) 'very damp'. This phenomenon aroused certain lingering curiosities within the priest. He stood himself up, using his (borrowed-thanks red mage ;) metallic walking staff as a brace and support. He wanders over to the walls and feels around, and much to his expectations, the walls are damp too.
The brown eyed Timor, breaking his unusually quiet manner of late, speaks up:
"We've rested here all night... and perhaps it is best if we moved as soon as we are ready. I can feel the moisture in the air, we maybe close to larger bodies of water."
He takes a swig from his own water skin before continuing:
"It truly is impractical to explore these caverns in a group of this size. We can cover much more area, and make better use of our many eyes, if we were in two(or three?) groups."
All the while during his discussion, Timor uses various hand movement to emphasize his points - most definitely a skill he was taught during his training at the temple. In closing he puts it plain and simple:
"Whether you agree with that or not, at the very least, we should continue to move. I dread the thought of spending another night in this stone prison..."

KINSON
Upon hearing Legildur's and Timor's words Kinson says:
"I agree. Unless good Voriax has new information that inspires us, I too, think we should further explore the maze. However, I must disagree with good brother Timor about splitting up the party. I have seen too many parties wittled away to almost nothing by the evil denizens of this place. I think our strength lies in our numbers."
Then a wild thought strikes him, he asks Alof:
"You've checked everywhere else, have you searched the spring?"

SAGGAR
Saggar looks up "I think we should read the inscription and go after Ulath. It would appear to be a way out"

KINSON
Kinson responds:
"It seems the consensus is against this option. I think we should stay with the group."
OOC: I realize that Kinson is sort of out-of-character in not following his friends, but I seem to remember a note from Charles advising not to follow them 'too hard' as the players had left the game; so I've let him go soft on this one subject. Correct me if I'm wrong.

DM
Ulath is still in the game. I will advise you when a player has dropped out and I do a disappearing trick on him or her.

KINSON
OOC:
Well, well... I've gotten myself into a pickle. If I hadn't screwed up and misread Charles' mail a while back, then I would have played Kinson slightly differently regarding reading the inscription and going after his friend. Hmmm... If Saggar wants to argue with Kinson more sternly about reading the inscription I promise Kinson will be more responsive.
BIC:
Kinson side steps, with a swagger, as if dizzy. His hand clasps on Saggar's shoulder.
"My friend I have just had an insight granted by Tempus. Ulath our comrade is still alive!"
He recovers his balance quickly and adds:
"Forgive me. You were right to suggest following after him. I gave into fear..." His words trail off and he looks quite ashamed, then he says, "My mind is clouded on this matter I will follow your lead."

SILVAN
Upon hearing the letter read, Silvan's eyes begin to smolder in anger and outrage (no, not really!).
"Yes, my sister will hear of this - as will our people! If there are elves who wish to side with the demons, then let them share their fate! Death it has always been to the Dark Ones, and death it shall be again!"
Turning, he says:
"No, we must not split the party, but neither should we waste more time here. The exit is the most important goal now. Our own personal wishes must subdued to the greater good; my people must have this information!"

TIMOR
"I do not mean to sound grim, but how do we know reading these words will not magically vaporize us? These corridors posses a definite magic about them, powerful magic at that - all these teleportations leading here I mean...Hmm, perhaps we are in some magical limbo, crossroads between all teleportation devices on the land and beyond..."
He looks to Voriax and Max...truly that is a philosophical question that the mages would be most fit to answer - then again, even Timor will be the first to admit that even if that is true, there isn't enough information to account or discount the thought.
"I still say we investigate the area...I dare say we read the runes until we have more information about them."
Somewhere in the back of his mind, the brown eyed priest remembers that it was blindly following someone into an obviously magical circumstance that led them all here (this stone-like prison) in the first place...'true, Elanna has seem them all safely to this strange place', he thinks to himself, 'he will not subject himself to that again without much thought into the matter.'
[summary: he still votes to explore other parts of the corridors first]

DREW
Drew checks all his stuff and makes sure that he didn't leave anything under his bedroll or next to the cooking pit.
He then says to the group:
"I think it would be better to stay together as well, there is no way Kyrie Polaris and I could have defeated that lizard I mentioned yesterday by ourselves but now, if we meet it again I do believe we have a much better chance. In fact I say we should go in that direction since monsters usually liar in the most inconvenient places... like the exit to this place for example."

TIMOR
Since it seems obvious that leaving is the next step. Timor walks to the room's exit, gear in place, and waves everyone on. [unless someone stops him - such as max or Voriax who are looking over runes/books/info].
Timor turns right and begins walking the halls with everyone else. [it was a random direction, if there is a better direction, someone speak up].

KINSON
OOC:
I Believe turning right would walk Timor into a wall. :-)
Drew has made one suggestion in going back toward the place where a lizard was fought. And Kinson has made another suggestion about going where Alof said he had been because he has been out of the maze and returned (Across the watery hallway). I think either location would be just fine.
Kinson makes a few final adjustments to his gear and then joins Timor near the Runed room entrance waiting for the others. When Drew joins them he says:
"Why don't you show us the way to where you fought this lizard."

TIMOR
Ahh...his human eyes can see squat in this darkness (and that's the story we're sticking to.
;)
bic:
As to where to go - anywhere is fine, I was just trying to get us off our pbem character's butts and on our way....since I have no clue where we are...would someone pick? - I promise, we won't hold it against you if you walk us into a trap (Charles, pretend you didn't read that - traps are bad, exits are our friends. :)

DREW
As all the faces turn towards him, Drew's swaggering sinks into a red-eared blush.
"Uh, yeah, ok, well sure, no problem, let's go. Um, Kyrie, could you help me here, I don't exactly remember, uh, you know the way."
Unless Kyrie objects, she and Drew lead the party to where they first encountered the monster.

DM
Where exactly was that? Can you tell me be referencing Biladoc's Map? Seems to me you ran a good ways and may not exactly remember how to get there. That is unless you do remember.

DM
1. Go towards where Drew and Kyrie saw the big lizard.
2. Go to the watery passage pass Beleg Whitehelm's tome.
3. Read the runes and follow in Ulath the lost path.
4. Go somewhere else?
Lets come up with some definite action here ok?

SAGGAR
Saggar looks at Alof:
"You were out of the maze? If so let us go that way and exit this place"

ALOF
"I think I have confused you a little. You see I was teleported out of the maze to a place called Waterdeep and then I came in and when a fought a Troll a ball of light hit me and I became dizzy. When I came to I found myself beside 4 foot deep water???, It wasn't there before! I then walked into an area of darkness and was teleported to you! Any of this sound familiar?"

DM
As everyone waits for a decision to be made you can hear faint squeaking sounds from the hallway beyond. Somehow these sounds seem to carry above the bubbling of the stream that goes through this small room.

BILADOC
I say to Kinson:
'Lets see if the mages can understand how that magic writing works. If they discover nothing, then I'm for continuing exploring this maze. Since Drew is a bit confused as to directions, I suggest we examine that water covered passage, where we lost the last ghast.'
When I hear the squeaking I stop talking:
'Good, more weasel for lunch.'
I close my eyes and concentrate, trying to determine the origin of the squeaking. I'll move in that direction and look for any passages, if I don't see what causes the sound.

DM
The sounds seem to be very distant and seem to change locations.

KINSON
"Very well. If Max and Voriax do not discover anything from their investigations of the glowing inscription, we will lead the party to the watery hallway behind the tomb."
When the squeaking noise starts he stands still, so the sounds from his armor do not interfere with attempting to listen.

SILVAN
Silvan turns towards the noise, then moves to the entrance of the room to investigate.

DM
He sees nothing unusual in the other room or the hallway beyond that.

SAGGAR
Saggar follows Silvan, axe at the ready and a torch in the other hand

LEGILDUR
Legildur is glad that the party is taking some action. While he is now a veteran gate traveler, Biladoc's mention of the mythical undead in such a matter-of-fact manner causes him to pause briefly in his thoughts.
Legildur's eyes narrow at the sounds in the hallway and at the hobbit's blase assessment. He moves slowly in behind Silvan and Saggar at the doorway, arms hanging loosely by his side.

VORIAX
Voriax puts all of his books away and says:
"I did will save my read magic for later, unless Max cannot determine anything about the magical writing. Max, what do you see? As to where we should go, I think the squeaking begs investigating. The weasel wasn't as bad as somethings I've eaten. Unless they are giant rats of course."

BILADOC
'Hum, the sound seems to be coming from far away and keeps changing location. Maybe you're right, Voriax. It could be just rats.'
I turn to the others:
'Lets wait for Max and Voriax to examine the writing. If they find nothing, lets go to the water covered area. I'd rather fight a ghast than rats. They struggle more.'
I approach Max and Voriax, following their actions with curiosity and interest. I ask Voriax:
'Since Max is attempting to discover what the writing does, would you like to examine those items Saggar is carrying (dagger, axe and scepter) as well as Alof's ring?'

VORIAX
Voriax takes a deep, calming breath before speaking:
"For the last time. I will not be casting any identifying magic on anything while we are down in the tunnels which are not safe. The preparation of the items themselves requires eight hours of uninterrupted handling by me, and me alone. Then the recovery time for my body after casting the magic would be at least a day or so. When we get to a town or otherwise safe place for a decent duration of time, I will be happy to identify the items for you. Until then, I say we look around the tunnels some more."
Voriax puts his books away and follows Adrian, Alof, and others.

ALOF
I quietly get my things and then try and silently move to the front of the party and then try and proceed towards the squeaking. Then turning to Biladoc I say:
"Come on you don't want to miss out on anything, do you?"
To the party:
"Just in case anyone isn't sure the water I was talking about it's the one farthest east on Biladoc's map"

KINSON
Kinson runs his finger down the nearest wall:
"You know this place is pretty damp. And although rats often live near water, they don't like being in water. Dare I say it? I hope this place isn't flooding! And the rats are running from the source of it. He looks at the faces around him. Alright, alright, I'm not trying to scare anyone, it was just a thought. But lets get going."

BILADOC
As I listen to Kinson, I start to get uncomfortable:
'Oh great! Just what we needed. Lets find a way out, quick!'
I turn to Voriax:
'Better keep that mirror of yours ready. If we don't find a way out and this place starts to fill with water, that may be our only way out. That or returning here to read that blasted inscription.'
I pick up my stuff and follow Alof and Kinson. In a low voice I say:
'I sure hope we find that ghast. I feel like breaking someone's skull.'
I ready my mace as I move along.

VORIAX
"I have yet to determine where each site takes us, but I can access which site we go to. We came from one to this one. That eliminates two out of six. Four left to try."

TIMOR
"Hmm... what I meant was, if you wanted to go to a specific destination that you have already been to through the mirrors...can you go there? to a destination you already know of I mean? Like if I want to go back and thank the red mage for the use of his staff...or to visit Quandor or any of the other places you have been with the mirror before you had met me."

VORIAX
"Actually, yes we can go back to the other locations. However, I strongly advise against going back to see Quandor again anytime soon. He is missing a chip off of his skull, and would dearly like to get Legildur and I back in his clutches. It will be a long long time before we go there. But we could go back to the tower of the red mage I suppose. We escaped once, we could try again. Good idea Timor. It's a good last resort."

LEGILDUR
Legildur looks askance at the priest at his suggestion to thank the Red Mage or visit Quandor:
"Those suggestions Timor, are the sort of things you only do once."
He then quietly ponders whether the priest is using some mind altering substances, or perhaps ought to be.

SAGGAR
Looking at Voriax Saggar rubs his beard:
"Or we could try one of the places you have yet to go to"

KINSON
Kinson follows after Alof.

DM
OOC:
I am afraid I just deleted three pieces of mail by accident that came on the 14th. I think two where from Kinson and the other I don't remember. Darn itchy delete finger.
BIC:
The mages will examine the writing....How?

MAXIMILLION
Max already has comprehend languages running, he will then cast detect magic to determine what type of magic it is and will use a mirror to read the encryption.

DM
Ok Kinson and Biladoc are following Alof. I must have missed it. Where is Alof going?

KINSON
I didn't save the message but what I remember was: As soon as the mages have completed their inspection of the glowing inscription Alof will lead the way to the watery passage behind the tomb.
Am I correct, Simon?

ALOF
Yep that's right. Of course I'm relying on the map to get there because I was teleported to where I met you and so I have no clue as to where I'm going. I'm not even sure if that is the water I found myself beside, it just looks kind of familiar and I thought I'd check it out.
Before we go though do any of you know if the depth there is about 4 feet???

VORIAX
Voriax is not examining it at all, unless Max can't figure it out. Sounds like he figured out about everything we need to know except the destination. Let's move out.

MAXIMILLION
Maximillion Starr casts a spell and the encryption glows as well as other magic items that various people possess.
"From what I can tell the magic is some sort of gate or teleportation magic. Now, at least we know it doesn't fry us when we read it."
Max then looks around the room as if looking for someone.
"By the way, does anybody know where Ayla. I've been so busy that I actually forgot about her. Last I remember, was when Kinson produced the dark letter last night and Ayla wanted to see it. I haven't seen her this morning does anyone know when she left?"

SAGGAR
Saggar looks at the weapons and scepter to see if they glow

DM
Alof is sharing Biladoc's map. He glances at it. "This is a good map cousin."
He inspects it for a little longer while Max studies the runes in a mirror.
Alof looks around:
"If yea be ready I will lead the way with Biladoc to the water filled passage."
Max mumbles to himself, "These runes have strong magic focusing on teleportation and movement. This is some sort of gate for sure."
Drew stares at a book he has taken out of his pack and seems not to notice. Meanwhile Mareena is quiet in the corner but finally speaks:
"Ayla never came to this room with us. She went further down the hallway before we even rested. She is surly far from this area by now. "
Legildur stares down the exit hallway, "The noise is gone and I hear no water. I hope that guess was incorrect."
Voriax, "I have noticed these tunnels contain lots of unexplained noises and some areas are strong in magic. This leads me to believe that a strong practitioner of the Arts had at least something to do with these tunnels. Alof and others of us have seen strong teleportation magic in many places. I for one would like to search these tunnels some more. Perhaps we can find Ayla again. Then we can return here and read the runes and follow Ulath."
Saggar , 'Nods, I do wish to follow Ulath. but perhaps delving here a little longer before going would not be bad."

LEGILDUR
Legildur adjusts his pack and nods to Alof and Saggar:
"Let's move as soon as these mages get their minds back with us. I'd like to find out the fate of Ayla before we leave this place. If that means delving here a little longer as Saggar suggests, then that is fine by me."
Legildur prepares to move out behind Alof and Saggar.

TIMOR
Timor follows along. He hangs towards the back of the group with Drew, Kyrie and Reena since they seem to be in as quiet a mood as he is. True, they are all elven, but in the eyes of Elanna, all are the same. "So," he says to no one in particular (but still directed towards the people at the back of the party since the fore members are busy picking directions and such)
"How are you doing?" he says in a obviously failed attempt at making idle conversation as a way of relieving tension...
[if no one carries on this conversation with him, Timor wanders up to Voriax]
"Hey Voriax, who is Adrian? you mentioned him earlier.. ;) err... never mind...anyway, you know that mirror you carry, have you yet figured out some way to control its destination, or perhaps found some possible theories on how to do so?"
[if that conversation goes no where]
Timor wanders back towards the rear of the group and just quietly looks around while walking with the others. He is looking for any signs of anything that maybe useful information, while mentally he is reciting some prayers and meditations as a way of keeping his mind occupied.

DREW
Drew, overjoyed at having someone to talk to turns to Timor and says:
"It will be impossible to make any quick decisions with such a large group. Uh, I was hoping to get everyone to where Kyrie and I met the giant lizard so that we may combine our efforts and dispose of the foul tempered beast but it sees that we will not."
Drew shrugs his shoulders but continues to follow the group. OOC:
To Charles: Kyrie definitely remembers where we encountered the lizard: She is a pathfinder, she has direction sense and has been keeping a map.

DM
Good then she can tell me where she goes. And we shall see where her map leads her? For now the party goes forward towards the secret passage that leads to the water passage. Kyrie should compare maps with Biladoc and perhaps come up with a combined map.

DM
the group begins to move with Alof and Biladoc leading the way. On many members minds is the amount of time a decision has taken. Many begin to think perhaps a leader would be in order to cut down the time decision making takes. Perhaps in the next couple of hours the group could decide on one just to get this band of adventurers moving a little quicker.
Leaving the run room the group comes to the place where a hallway breaks off going south. The hallway that you have been following continues west. Alof leads the way south for a short distance where he stops and turns towards the east wall. He feels the wall for a while and finally Biladoc helps him find the secret catch opening the secret door. As the door opens there is a scuttle of movement from beyond.

SAGGAR
Saggar raises his axe, throwing axe in left hand as well as his eyes scan the area beyond the door.

ALOF
Can I see anything? If yes, then I'll try and move silently into the room shortswords drawn. Asking Biladoc to be ready with a pair of daggers just in case.

KINSON
Who's carrying the light? I seem to remember an earlier message saying Saggar or Alof was carrying a torch, so we should be able to see what is there. Unless it's moved down the hallway.
Upon hearing the noise Kinson draws his sword and steps up close to Saggar, his eyes searching the area beyond the door.
Does the movement stop or continue as if something was scurrying away?
Kinson leans close to Saggar: "I'll go left, if you go right?" He waits for a nod from Saggar before moving through the door. If all goes well Kinson and Saggar can go through the doorway back-to-back so they can handle an attack from either side.

MAXIMILLION
Max looks surprised:
"Can't you see the light glowing at each end of my Q-Staff or do you prefer the heat and the smoke that a torch produces. Smoke mind you that can be noticed." Max smiles, "Men of action, I like that. And once all the fighters have gone through I will scare the creatures with my great majestic ways, pun intended."

KINSON
Kinson: "Two volunteers, wonderful. Thank you gentlemen."

SAGGAR
Shakes his head to Kinston standing in the doorway watching and searching the room beyond.

DM
The room is as you left it, except something has been eating the bodies of the ghouls you all left in your wake.

MAXIMILLION
"Didn't you say there was Ghast running around here."
Max starts looking at what he can do to harm a ghast.
"Hmm, couple of bottles of greek fire, I'm ready! Fighters charge!"
Max waits for the fighters to charge in and then follows with the next rank.
"I hate undead and necromancers."

DM
The sound continues and grows more faint. Your torch light shows the glint of several rat's eyes. Kinson and Saggar enter with Alof and Biladoc. They discover partially eaten bodies of ghouls and rats running away.

ALOF
"Die ghouls die!"
When I see the ghouls I'll take the vial of holy water I got of Daren and try and splash it on the closest ghoul. (Throwing it if I have to).

DM
OOC:
Perhaps my message could have been more clear. The ghouls are already dead...Or is that undead. Anyway they are not moving and seem to have been hacked and mauled. Then only thing moving are the rats.
BIC:
Legildur steps forward and crosses through the room. Alof and Biladoc seeing no danger cross the room as well. Fair Mareena enters and sniffs the air. Her nose wrinkles at the smell of the stench in here.

LEGILDUR
Legildur sees the partly eaten corpses and the fleeing rats past the four adventurers and moves into the area. Seeing no immediate threat, the heavily armored elf moves past the carrion and continues on, the dim blue light from his sword casting eerie shadows.
OOC:
Yes Sean, just who is the character Adrian? :-)

TIMOR
Upon seeing the ghastly sight (slight pun intended ;) Timor covers his mouth.
"Such a horror..." he says as his voice fades away. Using his free hand (since the other holds his walking staff) he clenches the medallion hanging from his neck and says a prayer to Elanna; for once it isn't a prayer for health, but a prayer for the evil aura to be vanquished from the room. "May these souls finally find peace in their after-life.." he says in conclusion.
"Be weary of the rats" he says to all in the room. "They may carry diseases.." he says remembering a time when he was training at the temple and a minor plague hit the area that was being spread through the rodent population...
If all seems safe, Timor walks around cautiously. he uses his walking staff to probe near the bodies and looks to them intently... trying to see *how* they were killed - for he doubts the rats could have done this themselves....but he does have his suspicions... *large* claw marks on the bodies perhaps?
Since he isn't an expert on what he suspects as the cause of death, he walks over to Legildur and mumbles something while using his arms and hands to point to the bodies and the general area of the room....

VORIAX
OOC:
Ah ha!! I knew it! Rats! Damn I'm smart. :-)
Back to business.
"Well, if we have fire, maybe they will back away. Make sure we light a couple of extra torches before we go in."

TIMOR
Timor clears his throat at the mention of 'fire':
"EH, fire did you say?" he says as he lightly traces his finger down the side of his cheek as if lost in some memory (funny how time can heal a scare, but it can't heal the memory..)
"How about if we avoid fires unless and until we have a more definite way to exit this place...Besides...we wouldn't want the fire to burn all our air or the smoke to sting out eyes..." Using the dim blue glow of Vanguard(sp?) and the flickering light of the torches (whomever is holding one... I believe Max, Voriax and someone else is?)
Timor looks at the ghouls and rats..."Besides...the smell in here is rotten enough...no need to add burning dead flesh to the odor.."
"Oh, wait, okay... I understand what you meant now... sounds like a sound plan...." Timor wonders for a moment how safe it will be....they could be several meters underground, and sometimes flammable invisible gases build up in underground caverns...but then again, he starts to wonder if this is perhaps knowledge that won't be discovered until some future time...and he also wonders if this is something he should even know at all since he really has never spent anytime studying the underground gaseous effects...ahh... maybe he read it somewhere... in that same book he read about the 'yo-yo' For, in the future (sometime after the invention of the pistol), a 'yo-yo' will be a fun thing to play with, but a terrible thing to be :) [translation (after the removal of all extraneous 'Timor-speak'): Timor says to Voriax, "sounds good" :]
"Oh... remember, we aren't the only ones down here... so don't be too quick to slice the first thing that moves...Ayla is down here... and perhaps other people...." (with all these portals leading here...who knows...more friends or foes maybe just around the corner...one thing is for sure, they are bound to be experienced since all the portals that everyone took to get here were in well-hidden and/or guarded places...)
Timor, after reminding everyone that Ayla is still somewhere, wanders nearer to Silvan. He isn't quite sure how the young (by elfin standards) prince is taking the news of the conspiracy against his people or of the fact that his sister is once again away from him.
"Rats everywhere..."
He says as a way of talking to Silvan. He has noticed that talking about business is a better way to keep Silvan's mind at ease (where as with other people/circumstances he would try idle chat first)
"Hope they are the worst we encounter...don't you think?"

KINSON
Kinson looks around to see if anything has changed, other that the rats chewing on the bodies. "We killed these creatures, in our original group we came here with. Saggar, Biladoc, take a quick look around, if nothing appears different from the way we left it, other than what the rats have done, then we can continue on to the watery passage. Unless someone else wants to do something?"

TIMOR
"Oh," says Timor as he looks up from the probing and prodding he has been doing with his walking staff..."You are the folks who were here before? you did this?"
Timor looks to Legildur and says:
"Never mind."

SAGGAR
"So little one, which way do you recommend we follow?"
Saggar looks at the halfling scout.

ALOF
"I suggest we go south towards the water passage, last time I went into a hallway covered by darkness I got teleported to you guys."
Charles when we get to the watery passage if the area does not look like the one I was in before I'll turn back.

DREW
"Uh, Mareena? we have been introduced but I don't believe we've, uh, met. My name is Drew. Tell me of your adventures. Perhaps hearing a story will put my nerves a little at ease."

MAREENA
Mareena smiles at Drew:
"Not much to tell. wandered around got caught by a Spider, Adrian, Voriax, Ayla, Silvan, and several others rescued me from the spider. I have been travelling with them ever since." She glances at your cloths, "And you?"

KINSON
Kinson listens to Timor patiently (he's spent a good deal of his life around priests and has quite a lot of respect for them, they often say things worth listening to). When Timor finishes he says:
"The portal we came here by was not guarded at all; I suppose you could say it was hidden -- it was a room accessible from the sewers of Pensula, we found it accidentally. This is a strange world."

DM
With Sir Kinson's information and a quick search of the area the group moves out again. Alof and Biladoc up front with Legildur right behind. They are followed by Timor, Voriax, and Sir Kinson. The rest trail behind them with Mareena in the back listening for anyone or anything that may be following. She seems a bit nervous and jumpy.
Alof leads the way down the left most passage from this room. It twists and turns as the group moves forward. Drew catches Mareena staring at him several times during the trek. Finally the group comes to the end of the hallway. Here Biladoc opens the secret door at the end of the hallway. this gives access to a hallway going north and south. South it only goes ten feet before turning east. Biladoc points that way while looking at his map. The water passage is just around that corridor. He looks north and looks down the passage that goes for sixty feet and disappears into darkness to the north.
Ok folks now its time for you to give me directions as to where you go et.)

LEGILDUR
Before the party moves out from the area with the dead ghouls Legildur says:
"Wait!"
He steps closer to the dead bodies, kneels down and makes a short examination of two of them.
"Perhaps Timor your question wasn't so misplaced after all. Kinson, you said that your earlier party had disposed of these abominations?"
Standing up he turns to the party.
"Yet something larger than mere rats has been having its fill of the carrion." and then looking to Silvan "Yet it is not the sign of a were-tiger - I have seen examples of that work before."
Legildur then motions with Vinguard for Biladoc and Alof to continue leading the way.
"Best keep an eye out for whatever it was." he warns before falling in behind the two scouts.

KINSON
"Excellent observation Legildur! I did not think to reexamine the bodies, your observation may save lives."
Kinson walks onward with heightened respect of Legildur.
Kinson asks one of the folks carrying a light to walk south with him to the turn in the corridor(~30ft). Is the water still present, does anything look different?

BILADOC
I ask Legildur:
'Those marks you found in the ghasts, could they have been made by a thirty foot long snake? That's the only living thing we've seen here... so far.'

SAGGAR
"Kinson I have looked and that is all I see different. I shall follow where you decide to lead us noble one" Saggar responds.

KINSON
"Thank you for your words of encouragement and confidence good friend, I shall endeavor to never lead you wrong."

VORIAX
Voriax has his lantern lit, and will walk with Kinson.

DM
Kinson, Voriax and Alof go south and look into the sloping passage that heads east. It goes into a pool of black inky water that covers the entire passage. You can see that it stretches for at least 30 feet east.

----------------
And now, what will this daring adventurers do? Get into the dark pool and come out looking like a Gospel choir? Or just get into more trouble? Check out the next chapter and find out.