Rescue

Marta thinks that the witch might provide some info on as how to cure our
hardened friends.

Cronar agrees that she might know the solution, but is dubious whether she
would share it with the party unless her life was threatened or the party
has something she valued.

Talanos agrees with the others. "You're probably right. The witch most likely can
change them back. The question facing us now is whether or not we go directly there
now, or do we backtrack and clear out the lower levels first. If we clear the lower
levels first we won't have to worry about anything sneaking up on us from below and
behind. And, if we go directly to the witch, we can rid the caverns of what is most
likely the biggest threat first." Thinking hard for a short while, he finally says, "I vote
we go directly to the witch now. Besides removing her as a threat, we also help Yahn
and Horst. And, if I were the one turned to stone, I would hope that all of you would
help me as quickly as possible." He then waits for the others to voice their own
opinions.

Glant responds "I agree, I think we should confront this witch now, and then try to rescue our friends."

Marta votes for gong directly to the witch.

"If you guys could hold on a sec, i got a couple of things i need to do
first." Glant then proceeds to utter the words to a spell (armor), and
as soon as he fishes that begins another(invisibility) Glant then
suggests "shall we go and see about this witch?" that way everyone
except the witch will know where he is by the sound of his voice.

Afraid that witches may have supernatural sight, but figuring it couldn't hurt, Lester
follows Glant's example. The Gnome covers his eyes with both hands while chanting
"Ffoli y golwyg. Cuddio y corffolaeth!" (ooc: casting Invisibility). When he has
vanished into thick air, the group can hear the Gnome say, with false bravado, "I'm as
ready as I'll ever be!"

Talanos checks his weapons and looks around at the others. Once everyone is
ready to go, he quietly says, "Sooner started, sooner done, I suppose. Who's
coming?" He will then start up the stairs toward the witch.

Glant follows Talanos up the stairs.

Talanos leads the way up the staircase with Glant in close pursuit. Lester is bumping up behind Glant but Cronar keeps stepping on his heels as Cronar cannot see the invisible Gnome. Marta and Siobhan bring up the rear of the group. As you climb for several minutes you pass several exits but deem clear to make it to the top. Gradually you find yourself walking in water as it splashes in places down the stairwell. After about fifty feet you come to an opening and the intense light of day filters in as does the sound of a gushing torrent of water. Placing your feet on the last step thankfully you find yourself in the middle of a small stream that is disappearing in one direction out the side of the mountain and in the other coming out of a small tunnel about five feet in diameter. You stand upon a small island about five foot square and it appears about ten feet to either side of this strong current. One the north wall you see a small rocky beach and no apparent openings but on the south wall you see a large double door with a huge bolt

Looking across the swift water, Talanos quietly says, "Anyone have any ideas? If we
have some rope, maybe one of us could wade across while the others hold onto the
rope. Whoever crosses ties it off somewhere then the rest of us wade over, using the
rope as a sort of guide line."

"Sounds like a good idea, however I for one do not own any rope, anybody
else?" Glant looks at the others, but he realizes they cannot see his
questioning glances, and grins to himself.

Lester's voice drifts up, "I've got a rope". Talanos feels something pressed into his
hand, which turns out to be a 25' silk rope with a grappling hook attached when Lester
lets go. "Sounds like a good plan to me", Lester continues, "but I'd prefer one of
you big guys brave the stream first...."

Marta nods her head in agreement, I can go in the middle, i am pretty light.

Cronar says: "I am large, I would be willing either to go first, or serve as the back anchor."

"If Cronar wishes to go first, I can provide the anchor," Glant.

Cronar nods in agreement and will lead the way.

Talanos grabs onto the end of the rope and says, "Just be careful. I have a feeling
that if you fall, with your weight you could drag three or four of us along with you. I'll
help with holding this end of the rope." After Cronar gets the rope tied around him,
Talanos looks at it, checking it for any obvious sign of coming undone. If none are
seen, he nods and holds the rope as Cronar starts across, letting out enough slack
so the rope doesn't become taut, but not so much that, should Cronar slip, he would
go for a long ride before the slack is taken up. When Cronar gets to the other side, Talanos will suggest someone else go first, while he will take up the rear. As the others cross, he watches to gauge how high the water is, comparing the depth to the height of the shorter members of the party.

Siobhan finally comes out of her reverie and steps forward to take up
the challenge of crossing the water....stepping carefully out she begins
the cross....

With sure steps Cronar makes the crossing. Only at one point was the going questionably. Cronar became unbalanced for just a moment but recovered It seems at one spot it gets very deep (5ft.). With little hesitation Siobhan follows Cronar's example except in her case the rope is anchored at both ends with Cronar now holding the rope on the other side and the rest of the party holding this side with Glant acting as anchor. Siobhan steps into the frothing cold stream gripping the rope in a death grip. Once reaching the deep part she just lets the current take her feet and pulling herself fist over fist drags her shapely contours over the deep part until reaching solid ground. Siobhan manages to accomplish this task with amazing agility and grace. Talanos is next and he braves the water with gusto, negotiating the rope easily he nonetheless loses his grip upon the rope when he steps into the deep rushing water. As he flails uselessly the swift current carries him swiftly towards the gaping mouth the pinnacle of the waterfall.

Seeing Talanos' plight, Lester quickly intones "Gludiog gwe gan y adyrgop" while
forking the fingers of both hands (not that anyone could see this...) at the rock
surrounding the mouth of the waterfall.

Talanos tumbles headlong into a sticky web that prevents him from spilling over the waterfall. With all his strength he manages to pull himself out of the water onto the rocks on the bank of the rushing waters edge. Shaking with chill and exhaustion the wood Elf still manages a small smile for his friends as he contemplates the journey down he fortunately avoided thanks to Lester's nimble fingers. Marta gets past the swift current with little trouble. Still euphoric over his rescue of Talanos, Lester braves the rushing waters and manages, barely to make it across leaving Glant the sole member yet to cross.

Seeing Talanos safe, and that everyone else has crossed, Glant proceeds
to make his way across the water.

Cronar says: Everyone into combat positions to the flanks of the door. I
will unbolt the door when everyone is ready.

"W-well", Lester says, his teeth chattering, "we went th-through all that trouble, got
cold and wet and nearly watched T-Talanos take the quick way off the mountain just to
get here. Shall we see what's on the other side of this door?"

Lester: As you shake off the cold waters you realize a strange warmth seem to shake
off the cold you first felt from the icy stream.

Glant responds " by all means friend Lester", Glant addresses Talanos
"are you recovered enough from your dousing to continue?"

Lester takes a position to the right side, out of the way of the opening door and out
of the way of anything that might come through. His voice can be heard saying,
"Ready". When the doors are open, Lester will attempt to slip inside and stay close
to the wall.

Glant will take the left and also try to sneak inside.

Falling onto the gravely shore and breathing hard, Talanos lays on his back trying to
regain his composure. After a full minute he looks around with a hint of a smile
touching his lips and says, "That was a bit too close for me. Good thing for me that
Lester had that spell memorized and that he is a good caster!"
Turning to Lester, he drops to one knee and, looking the gnome in the eye says, "I
am in your debt now. Wherever you go, know that all you need do is call my name
and I'll be there to lend you a hand!" Rising to his feet, he goes over to the door and, when it is opened, follows the Lester through the portal, drawn swords in his hands.

The bolt is heavy and it takes a majority of the party to budge it. Finally, it starts to slide to one side. As you start to pull on the doors themselves you hear a clicking noise from the other side. Suddenly, the doors are thrown back violently and a giant scorpion occupies the entrance, giant pincers clicking together deciding on it's next meal.

Trying to avoid its pincers, Cronar will endeavor to try and hack off its poisonous tail and should he be able to accomplish that difficult feat, would then attempt to employ the stinger as a weapon against the scorpion.

Moving back next to Cronar, Glant then whispers in his ear "we need to
try and lure it into the water, any ideas?"

Cronar: He hisses back "Someone fast, dexterous and brave needs to be bait-you know
anyone like that, if you could lure it forward I could hack off its tail
and perhaps use the stinger against it, if not, we could possibly force it
into the water...."

Whispering Glant replies "I will see what I can do." Glant then moves to get behind the creature, and tries to grab the scorpions tail and force its stinger into the closest portion of the scorpions body available. If the first attempt is unsuccessful he will try again, except at a different angle, so the scorpion won't be able pinpoint his position right away.

Lester, who's still invisible, taps Talanos on the shoulder and says, "I'm over here".
The Gnome puts his hand on Talanos' shoulder and says, "We all need to look out for
one another. I'm sure I'll collect on that 'debt' sooner than I would like...."
"Why am I warm?" Lester mutters, mostly to himself, then shakes his head to clear it
and focus on the multi-legged task at hand.
"What would I like to eat if I were a giant scorpion...?", the Gnome muses. Then he
closes his eyes and chants "Mawr anghywir meddylrith" three times (ooc: casting
Improved Phantasmal Force). A giant cricket, complete with giant cricket sound
effects, appears on the surface of the quickly flowing water.

Marta will hang back and if things get nasty, she will cast web centered on
the scorpion to help distract it.

The Giant Scorpion moves with incredible speed and is amongst the party claws and stinger dangerously whipping about in search of targets. Marta, although towards the back of the group, stands in the middle ground and one claw reaches out for her just missing. Another claw misses Glant and as Lester stands poised casting his spell the sword like stinger comes shooting his way. With a fateful grunt the incision is neatly made between Lester's breast bone plunging deep into to his chest the venom springing forth to fill his blood stream with resolute harm. Cronar slams his huge blade into the scaly monster inflicting incredible damage (21!). Glant manages to avoid a claw and leaps for the monsters venomous tail. With luck he manages to lock his arms about the appendage and is carried for several feet as the monster tries to shake him lose. Siobhan swings effortlessly with her longsword as she fails to make a dent in the tough exoskeleton of the brute.

Seeing the scorpion coming through the doorway, Talanos reacts by drawing both his blades. He positions himself in front of the creature, to occupy its attention and to allow one or more of the others the chance to attack it from the rear, hopefully before the scorpion has a chance to get him with his claws.

Talanos swings fruitlessly as his swords clatter off the rough hide of the scorpion. The Scorpion seems upset with the added weight upon his tail. With little concern for the other targets it attacks twice with it's claws at Glant just missing his most sensitive of organs. Meanwhile, Lester falls in a crumpled heap and Marta decides to cast her spell. A large web entangles the scorpion and the door. Cronar is hammering the beast with his double handed sword inflicting horrifying damage literally cutting the creature into two separate pieces. Siobhan misses twice. Behind his back Glant hears the clatter of another monster fast approaching.

Rolling off the now dead scorpions tail, Glant stands and awaits the
next scorpion. Glant then begins making motions with his hands, and
mumbling strange arcane words, and when the scorpion appears you see him
target a spell(reduce) at the scorpion.

Weapons still drawn, Talanos looks for the source of the new noises. Guessing them
to still be within the tunnel, he moves over to Lester. Grabbing the gnome by the belt,
he pulls Lester over to one side, away from the door. Looking him over, he tries to
see if there is anything at all that can be done for him.

Another scorpion shuffles towards the group slowly approaching, wary of the web and dead scorpion before it. To Talanos: The Gnome appears quite dead in your hands.

Seeing Lester's limp body of Lester in the arms of Talanos, Siobhan
launches into a vigorous (if not terribly effective) assault upon the
second of the scorpions. She swings her longsword effortlessly towards
the beast but fails to make much of a dent in the tough exoskeleton.

Cronar attempts to sever the scorpion's tail. He urges the others to
lure it toward them, using the dead scorpion body as a barricade to give
them partial cover from the stinger. If anyone has polearms or spears
these would be highly effective from behind the scorpion barricade.

Marta is considering casting flaming sphere, she shouts to move away from
the scorpion and then will mutter " bekljh falhie eio" to cast the spell
once everybody is safe.

Sensing that the life force has left the body of Lester, Talanos cries out. He turns to
the second of the creatures and starts toward it. Still dripping wet from the swiftly
moving water, bits of magical webbing still tangled in his hair, he apparently has
forgotten the meaning of caution as he approaches to within feet of the scorpion.
Once he is close enough, he raises both weapons over his head and brings them
both down at the same time, tears of rage streaming down his face.

Glant turns and chants at the new threat and everyone watches amazed as it shrinks to little more than half it's previous size. As the various remaining survivors turn and advance on this new terror Marta uncorks a burning mass of fire which rolls with gusto directly at the monster(6). Several fellow party members dodge out of the way of the rolling fire as she had given plenty of warning. Bursting upon the scorpion, the fire disintegrates and the blackened claws clack in agony. Cronar had advanced towards the rear of the creature and delivers a solid blow to the rear body portion of the scorpion(8). Siobhan advances toward the scorpion swinging with desperate measure again marginally bouncing off (1). Talanos stands to one side of Siobhan and delivers his own brand of medicine hacking away with his short swords(6). Glant advances slowly after casting his spell still out of weapon range. Enraged the Scorpion attacks Cronar twice inflicting some cuts(8). Siobhan is the unfortunate victim of the stinger which plunges viciously into her left thigh injecting that horrid venom.

Falling to her knees, skin turning grey Siobhan coughs up blood. Blades raised in defiance she hacks at the beast drawing her own mark upon it's hide. Glant draws the scorpions attention with his long sword (11). Talanos aids with his thrusts(9). Cronar's massive blade strikes true but location is everything and bounces harmlessly off the monster. The Scorpion now injured and less sure parries and strikes out with one claw missing Siobhan. Siobhan exacts her revenge finally with a swift strike to the heart of the beast(2). Glant punishes with his sword(9). Cronar impales the creature as it slumps to the cold floor a lifeless ruin.

Glant listens to see if he can hear anything else approaching, and then
goes to Siobhan's side to see what he can do, "How are you doing? Did the
poison enter your body?" Glant will then search among his herb pouch to
see if he might have something that would help his friend recover from
the poison.

Cronar

Check the wounded and thought to be dead to see if anything can be done
with them. If necessary try the ring on anyone who died or is dying to the
scorpion, and a dose of the potion (if the other party members are agreed).

Glant nods "Good idea, I have no objections."

Marta has no objections to the ring or potions, she goes through her pouches also to apply first aid to the wounded. after tending to the wounded she will inspect the scorpion to see if she can salvage any of the poison sacks for spell components.

The body of Lester contains the potion and ring. You notice no other monsters rushing toward you, in fact the room, though large is mostly empty except for a narrow opening that leads outside. In one corner you see a pile of stuff.

Glant will make his way over to the pile and proceed to search it to see what he can find.

Siobhan hobbles to once side of the room and lowers herself to the
floor, coughing nastily, so that her wounds may be attended. "I think I
was rather luckier than poor Lester, thge wound looks nasty but not
enough poison has entered my system to kill....I hope...."
Once she is patched up Siobhan looks around the room. "Was this meerly
some kind of elaborate trap or is there actually something of use in
here. I would hate to think Lester died for nothing...."
Siobhan moves to assist Glant trying valiantly not to cough over him.......

Dropping to his knees near Lesters body, Talanos reaches down and slowly closes
the gnomes eyes. He then places the gnomes hands across his chest. He leaves
the gnomes weapons on his body, but removes the ring and the potion. "I don't think
you'll need these, little friend. But we might. I thank you again for saving me. I am
sorry for not being able to return the favor as I promised. Perhaps one day you and I
will meet again. Farewell and Good Journey, my friend." Rising, he holds out the
ring and the potion to whoever will take them. If no one does, he places them both in
a pouch. He then moves to take up a vantage point to guard over the others as they
search the room.

The group picks through the "stuff", mostly torn up items some recognizable and some not. A rusty breast plate, a broken short sword, robes in various degrees of decomposition, three helmets with large dents, bones of all kinds and bent dining ware make up the obvious items. Of most interest is a shining shield with bolts of lightning etched into the metal, a complete set of chain armor that is very well made and could be of Elfin make, a bone tube sealed at both ends with cork, a small crossbow with bolts(28) and last, possibly least is a strangely wrought javelin made of a black metal.

"well folks i could identify these items, but I am afraid my spells are
exhausted for the moment. if we were to stop and rest for a little while
I could then identify them, but whatever the rest of you would like to
do is fine with me." Glant then awaits the others responses

Marta is interested in the tube if nobody has any objections she will visually inspect it, but not open it as of yet. resting here would probably be a good idea though.

Cronar with a encompassing wave of his hand offers: "I think we took quite a beating. We have to dispose of our dead friend, heal our wounded and recover spells before we are ready to engage the witch and/or her minions again, to go against them at our current level of effectiveness would probably be disastrous."

As the party decides to rest in another creature's horde nest several hours pass. As you take turns resting it isn't long before you notice a floating "eye" hovering over the doorway(Hey, no one said you closed the doors .) The Eye is appearing sometime in the late afternoon.
Glant "it appears someone has taken an interest in our presence, i think
it is safe to assume it is the witch, might I suggest once we have
rested long enough to recover spells that we move on, until then i think
we should shut the door."

Siobhan
"An interesting collection of items. Someone who knows about magic,
Glant? , should have a look at the scroll it may be useful. As for the
armour and shield....its probably best used by those big enough to wear, handle them...."

"Perhaps its time we were moving, after all a moving target is harder to
hit. We have also been hit a few too many times already, and could be
viewed as trapped in here...." she indicates the room around them.

Cronar nods in agreement: "Yes, now that we have been spotted, moving on
is important. Closing the door now will only serve to trap us in here.
The bars are on the outside of the door, not the inside, which is why I did
not request we close the doors. Do we have any way of healing our
wounded?

Marta suggests splitting the party up so it cannot hit us as a party.

Talanos sets the ring and potion he got from Lester's body down among the items
found in the scorpions room, "I don't know what the magical properties of these two
items are, if any, but if someone is more able to use them, or determine their uses,
then you are more than welcome. I am certain that Lester would not mind."

When he sees the eye, he draws his weapons and stands below it looking at it. Not
knowing what it is, or its significance, he just glares at it. He hears the others speak
of it as a way for the witch to watch them. Turning his attention back to it, he glares
at it, his lip lifting in a snarl. Raising his sword, he says, "This is what you get, hag!
You will pay for the death of my friend! You shall pay for each and every bump,
bruise, scratch and cut that the people here suffer!" Swinging his weapon, he slices
at the eye as the rage overtakes him.

As Talanos hits the floating eye it vanishes in a poof. The shield is of medium size and of small weight.

Glant "Well if we are moving on, I can try to look at the scroll now to
see if I can determine what is on it without a spell, and I would
suggest that whoever can best use them should don the armor and shield
and we will identify them later. I do think we will need to recover
spells, and heal our wounded, before we confront the witch, however. "
You pull out the scroll and it appears to be for fighters. Protection versus
non-magic missiles.

Glant "hhmmm, could be useful."

Cronar: Now that we have stripped our dead of items the party needs, we have to
dispose of our fallen comrades body so the witch cannot violate it with fell magic's.

If I have this right you are in the scorpions den with the gate closed. Any
actions over the next six hours?

Cronar is absolutely opposed to closing the gates! The bars are on the
outside, that would be foolish as it trap the party in there.

Glant " I agree we should keep it open if we are staying here, and if we
are not staying here, I feel we need to rest somewhere, so unless anyone
has any better suggestions, I feel we should remain here. we might
possibly have a guard shift if anyone feels it is necessary."

Marta also thinks it foolish to lock the doors, she has no problem resting
here. Any suggestions on the guard shift she is welcome to any shift.

Talanos agrees with the others, "Though a closed door would not allow another of
those evil looking eyes in here, it would just be too convenient for one of the witch's
minions to just come along and lock it for her. Trapped in this chamber is not how I
want to leave this life."

Glant, "Well if it is decided then, we need to decide how long we are
staying, for in need eight hours to recover my spells, if we are staying
longer than that, then I will take first watch."

You rest for the remainder of the day and as the light from the ledge over looking the valley starts to fade it gets very dark inside your temporary abode.

Glant "well shall we stay the night also, and start again in the morning
or should we go now? By the way I can identify those items now." Glant
proceeds over to the pile and casts a spell(identify) and looks and
touches the following items shining shield with bolts of lightning
etched into the metal, a complete set of chain armor that is very well
made and could be of Elfin make, a small crossbow with bolts(28) and
last, possibly least is a strangely wrought javelin made of a black
metal.

Cronar" " I am leery of taking on the witch and her minions in the dark.
Still we have been spotted, so this spot is not safe. I think as soon as
we have rested, healed what wounds we can, that we find a new spot to spend
the night."

Glant huddles around the items recently gathered by the party. He delicately washes each item using a special blend of herb mixed with water gathered from the stream. With incense burning he chants and weaves over them for a solid eight hours. After which time he announcing these findings to the party:

1. Shield +5
2. Elfin Chain +2
3. Scroll of Protection from non-magic missile
4. Small Crossbow (non-magical) with (25) +1 bolts
5. Javelin of a undetermined yet beneficial nature
6. Ring of Jumping
7. Oil of some type, unable to recognize at this time