D'Aleen turns to Sparrow with a wry grin and a chuckle..."Poor choice of words perhaps! But I do agree with you on the evil part."

Seeing the books on the shelf,Attrah pauses to read the names along with Thantos.

While Thantos was looking for a book on destroying undead,the knight gazed over every book with intrest.

Some of these would make intresting reading,but the knight dare not touch.
The books could be cursed,enchanted or both.

As Vinoh approaches the left door, he suggests caution:

"Hold on a minute, fire mage. I want to check something."

*Psychic power: sense presence (other side of left door).*

The party above:
* The rest of the books seem of mundane subject matters,
pertaining mostly to castle maintenance*

Vinoh & Kentelos:
* You sense nothing, neither through normal means
nor psychic power*

"Hmm... it would seem that nothing nasty awaits us beyond this door, at least to the best of my knowledge and abilities. Let's proceed."

With that, Vinoh opens the door.

Watching Vinoh with anticipation Kentelos does notice anything with his features that would signify anything bad on the otherside..."Nothing Nasty....." Kentelos nods and follows behind vinoh ready just in case.

"What do you think everyone. Should we wait here for the others to return or should we push on through that other door?"

Vinoh & Kentelos:
* Throught the heavy wooden door you see a 10-foot wide arched corridor,
which follows through down around 30-feet before a corner to the left.
However midway to your right is an archway in the wall,
from which cool moist air blows. *

"I'm with you Thantos for moving on but I guess we should see what the others say. I don't want to get too far away from Vinoh and Kentelos but we know that they can send us a telepathetic message if they are in trouble."

Sensing that he and Kentelos were distancing themselves quite a bit from the group, Vinoh decides to send a telepathic message to at least one of them. He chooses D'Aleen, since Elves are reknown for their sensitivity.

*Psychic message to D'Aleen: "D'Aleen, how goes it with the rest of the group? Kentelos and I have yet to run into anything, although some battle (battles?) seem to have been waged in this castle. My suspicions are that whomever the original inhabitants of this place were, they seem to have been dispatched and replaced by a truly unspeakable evil. Remember the catacombs and all the relatives entombed within? I fear that they dabbled in something they did not understand and unleashed a great curse upon themselves.

Anyway, this is my theory so far. Please tell everyone we are well and stay on your guard. I'm sure you are in safe hands, what with your special bond with the mercenary...*

The mind mage regretted having thought that last part, since it was none of his business, but such was the price of communicating through telepathy: any thought will be transmitted as long as the link is maintained. However, Vinoh didn't feel too bad. After all, surely an Elf could appreciate a bit of playful sarcasm.

After sending this message, Vinoh severs the link, fearing a repeat of the near possession he experienced back in the village (Had it really been that long ago? Time seemed to twist and bend so easily here...). Then turning to Kentelos:

"Kentelos, I've just sent a message to the Elf informing her of our situation. For now, I guess we should keep moving. Let's take a look at that arch to the right. Carefully."

With that, Vinoh edges towards the arch, ready for anything.

"I'm sure that will ease there minds somewhat. That mist makes me a bit nervous though, I don't like going into areas that may be difficult to see all of."

With that kentelos concentrates on the mist heating the air, and also channeling heated air into the area the arch leads, hopefully dispelling the mist before they get there.

The party above:
* As you look through the banded door you see...
a huge bed sitting in the center of this room,
its four corner posts rising to a black canopy trimmed with gold tassels.
Several comfortable divans are placed about the room.
There is a smaller unbanned door on the other side of the room. *

Vinoh & Kentelos:
* As you go through the archway you find that
a sickly yellow lichen covers the ceiling of this 10-foot wide passage
running ahead of you about 50-feet to the end.
Opening off to both sides of this passage are 10-foot square alcoves, it seems all the way to the end.
Rotting cots and rags are in the shadows of the alcoves.
A deadly silence fills the hall *

"Vinoh just so we have a plan ahead of time. I think it would be good teamwork if you paralyze the threat and I will light them up. Out of curiosity how many things can you have paralyzed at once?"

While awaiting for a decision from the others in her group, the elf is startled for a moment by the sudden message received in her mind from Vinoh. She concentrates on his words and cannot supress a grin at his comment of being in good hands. With a slight chuckle she turns to the others.

"I am pleased to say that I have been contacted by Vinoh and so far he and the fire mage have not encountered anything too threatening. I do believe they are going to continue to explore their area and shall keep in touch with us."

Sliding a glance at Thantos she wonders a moment over the mage's words. She had always tried to distance herself a little from the emotional world after the death of her beloved mother but now she found herself surprised at the feelings she had for this knight. While it was understandable that she would perhaps lean on him for strength she found herself realizing there was far more to it than that, and as that thought brought a moment of fear it also brought a strangely comforting feeling. Not wishing to analyze it any further she turns and notices the open door and the large bed and other resting places. She sighs slightly as the sheer exhaustion creeps upon her body and she gazes wistfully at the room and the rest offered there. Tearing her gaze away from the room and it's promise of rest for a moment, she faces the others and tries to ignore the tempting idea of a break....

"Well, my evil eye power can only manipulate the biological system of one person at a time, but with many different effects, such as blindness, paralysis, deafness, muteness (real handy against mages) pain, and even death, if the target is weak enough. I cannot affect multiple targets.

However, I can produce a telekinetic blast, which acts as a sort of wall of force that can either deflect incoming projectiles or push back several beings if they are close enough together.

Basically, I can handle short range attacks, push them back or levitate them, and then you can dispatch them. How does that sound?"

With that, Vinoh makes his way down the lychen covered passage, careful not to touch the walls.

"Friends, please...I can barely keep my eyes open. This has been a day of fear, battle, and plain craziness."
Father Quadrial sat down on the floor with a thump.
"If you would be so kind, I must rest for a few minutes. I had much energy from the gifts we were given but it has worn thin."
Leaning against the wall the good father closes his eyes and starts to snore.

Darghon watches the father as he slumps to the side and starts snoring.. thinking gratefully that his more dragonish side can keep him goin longer than that of any human..

Darghon sends a telepathic message to Vinoh 'We're all good here too friend, thankyou for your message...' Darghon wonders if who ever it is that we are supposed to be meeting will show up and with that he chews on abit of his jerky..

"Sounds like if anything wants to have a go at us better be prepared to die."

With that Kentelos walks next to vinoh, also making sure not to touch the walls. The temptation to clense this hallway with the loving touch of fire burns in him.

Having taken a quickish look at the names of most of the books on the shelf Thantos steps back and gives his eyes a good rub. Tired as he was though this day was not yet at its end. Just as he thought this though Thantos notices that the Father is already asleep on the floor. Seeing the Father sleeping there seems to make the knight feel even more exhausted. Perhaps it was time to take a quick rest.

"Everyone, we are all pretty tired, I am sure. What do you think of taking a rest break for a few hours? Personally I think it would be a good thing and since the good Father is already asleep and we can't just leave him, we may as well join him for a bit.

Personally I'd feel a little more comfortable if we quickly explored that next room and then came back here with a little bit of a buffer and a fall back position in the room with the bed. If a few of you can stay here, I'll check out that other room. Then we can take shifts on watch and asleep. "

Moving to the door to the banded room, Thantos pushes it with his sword (in case of traps). Upon opening, he looks back and offers his hand towards D'Aleen.

"Care to explore the bedroom with me D'Aleen?"

Without a moment of hesitation D'Aleen moves forward and takes his hand.

"Of course my Lord, lead on."

Being within earshot of the elf and knight he raises an eyebrow as they step into the bedroom together.. Darghon just shakes his head and continues to nibble on his Jerky. Looking up he says to Attrah and Sparrow "You two want some jerky at all? The father seems asleep.."

The knight takes a piece of jerky and begins chewing on it while looking around the room.
Looking back,he nods at Darghon and begins to speak..

"Darghon,do you think this room would be safe with some type of barricade? With the others being "occupied" I would prefer making camp here. Maybe put some furniture in front of the doors...between the three of us we could handle watches."

"Sounds like a good idea Attrah" Darghon looks around.. "But you see.. there are things that don't need doors to get into rooms.. and then that'd would probably pose a problem for us getting out perhaps.." Darghon chews on his piece of jerky more "But I guess it would slow something down if anything was goin to try to come through the door..."

Darghon looks around for something to baracade the main doors with "But I think it would be a good idea to get some sleep, as we haven't had any rest since we've been to this retched place"

The party above:
* As the night wears on, and your weariness finally catches up with you.
Many of you rest, wondering what will happen next in this strange saga.
And sleep takes you easily.

Some of you are tense, still on battle-edge...but the uncanny quiet is somewhat soothing.
After some hours, you're yawning uncontrollably...maybe the burdens are finally catching up with you.
Your eyes are heavy...your mind numb...

And you all wake...with a start
How much later, you don't know.
Taking in your surroundings...all seems undisturbed
quiet...
but something seems off... *

Vinoh & Kentelos:
* You are moving down the aisle, the alcoves dark.
Your steps loud against the stone.
Nothing seems to be of interest as you make your way further down the center.

When you hear a shuffle...from all sides.
You see several human skeletons with not a bit of flesh to animate them.

Quicker than you would think possible by a bunch of rotting bones
from the alcoves they leap forward attacking with leathal instruments of all types.
You are surrounded...

They attack with viciousness, as if they want you to join them in their undeath.

One slashes with a saber, across the robes of Kentelos,
your heat not seeming to affect their willingness to slaughter you.
You feel the metal slicing across your leg.

Vinoh...the surprise is so sudden that your mental prowess is caught briefly off guard.

With their stripped visages grinning
The 10 swarm toward you. *

Drowsines steals it's way into Krazixs' mind. He floats in a uneasy rest haunted by ghosts of the past. His dreams are broken and distorted. Visions of battles versus' unimaginable horrors from the pits of hell fill his mind with nightmare, but at his back he feels reinforcements at his side although his sight is fogged. The sound of battle fills his ears.

The roar of clashing steel and magic fill his mind and soon invade his other senses. A small voice inside his head screams at him to awake. . . .

Sitting up with a start, in mid yell the small elf looks around at the rest of the party slumbering around him.

"Companions awake, something is not right, quickly wake up!"

Without even thinking Kentelos releases an arc of thin flame that only reaches about 5 feet in front of him. The arc itself is about 4 feet wide. The only sound that comes out of him is an Ooof sound, like the wind was knocked out of him.

The knight's eyes began to blink several times...
Seconds later,he realized he had fallen asleep on watch...
Jumping up about the same time as Krazixs,Attrah begins to mumble angrily to himself.

"Falling alseep..on watch...fantastic.Way to go Attrah."

Watching as Krazixs tried to wake the others,the knight checked to see if everything was normal.

As Krazixs moves to awaken the party he moves into the bedroom and notices Thantos and D'Aleen asleep in each others arms on the bed...

Sleeping a wonderfully restful sleep, Thantos dreams of his home and all the wonderful things that he wanted to show his beautiful new friend D'Aleen. Just as he was dreaming of showing her the Fountain of Silver just down the mountain range from his home, he hears a noise that startles him out of his blistful slumber.

Opening his eyes slowly, trying to figure out what it was that had awoken him without alerting it to his awakened state he slides one hand towards his sword, kept by the bedside. Then he hears and recognizes Krazixs voice as the one that woke him and he relaxes sitting up slowly in bed as D'Aleen stirs awake beside him.

Thinking back to the night before he remembered entering this room hand-in-hand with D'Aleen. He remembered looking around the room and noticing that he was much more tired than he rememebered. Walking to the bed, he and D'Aleen had laid down to go to sleep. But they didn't go directly to sleep. They had kissed.

"And what a wonderful kiss it had been", Thantos thinks. "I have never felt lips so soft and warm, so full of life and energy."

So gentle and yet passioned was the kiss that it had shaken all feelings of evil from him and had allowed him to have the restful sleep he had had.

After the kiss, they had held each other, touched each other, kissed some more and had fallen asleep in each other's arms. Looking over at the now awake D'Aleen as he straightened his ruffled clothes and tightened the straps on his armour, he smiled and closed his eyes in memory for second. Opening them and seeing her looking back he grins and says..

"Morning gorgeous..how was your sleep?"

Then turning towards Krazixs...

"Krazixs..what's wrong...Wait a sec, did you say 'everyone wake up'? Did we all fall asleep?"

"Yes, and our guide has disappeared it would seem." Walking around the rest of the room anxiously trying to rouse the rest of the party, " I fear for the safety of our other companions who knows how long we've been asleep"

Stirring slowly upon hearing Thantos' deep voice, D'Aleen gazes into his eyes and smiles broadly while a slight blush steals across her cheeks as the memories from the previous evening flood her mind. Thinking back to the kisses they shared, the incredible gentleness of his touch and the feeling of contentment and safety she enjoyed in his arms, she savors it for a moment wishing she could feel so complete all the time.

She truly never thought that she would meet someone who would have the ability to catch, and hold, her attention. She never dreamed she would meet someone who would hold up to her high ideals (a curse of the Elvish folk) and whom she could respect and admire. Yet here, in the most unlikely place of all...she found exactly that. And, she thought to herself, she would treasure that and put her life on the line to protect it.

Slowly Thantos' words penetrate her blissful state and she sits up, sheepishly making herself presentable. Looking out to the main part of the room she realizes that all the others seem to be sleeping which is highly unusual.

"Thantos...what's happening? I can't see our entire group falling asleep without a watch set out, despite everyone's exhaustion. This just doesn't feel right somehow...." Anxiously she waits for him and they follow Krazixs out to try to rouse the others and determine what may have happened.

The party upstairs:
* All seems calm, the room you didn't explore on the other side of the bedroom
is an empty closet & clean you note when you open the door.
However...something seems off.
No one is hurt...yet...things seem disturbed...slightly out of place.
Wait...
The Father has disappear from where he fell asleep.
There is no trace of foul play...no blood, etc.
He is in neither room. *

Vinoh & Kentelos:
The wave of fire slashes across several skeletons,
but it doesn't seem to have an effect
burning the lichen growing on their bones
flames arise on parts of the hardened and aged "bodies".
And the surge burns through many of the undeads' weapons.
Yet their attack doesn't halt
Even the ones who are weaponless now jump forward with their boney fingers clawed onward.

Vinoh is stunned when a mace glances across his brow,
and is thrown to the floor in a guarded position.

The attack is fast & furious and seems overwhelming for just the two of you. *

Krazixs looks around at the rest of the party, something seems off.

"Where's the father?"

Upon hearing Krazixs' words, D'Aleen looks around with a puzzled frown on her face.

"You don't think he would go exploring on his own, do you? It seems odd that we all fell asleep as we did.....perhaps there is some spell at work here.

Darghon, why don't you try sending a telepathic message to the Father and tell him we are concerned. He'll come back right away if he is close by.

I suppose it wouldn't hurt either to try to contact Vinoh and Kentelos to make sure they are fine still. It's been a little while since that message I received and I'm a little nervous with us being split up the way we are."

"VINOH!"

Seeing Vinoh collapse to the floor Kentelos moves in front of his fallen form and looks back at his attackers. Baffled that his spell did nothing, and feeling all is lost Kentelos summons all his last magical strength for one final fiery blast, that if it does nothing else at least knocks there attackers off their feet. Feeling the heat swell in his body, as well as his blood running down his leg. Kentelos closes his eyes and imagines being home, his real home, not the home he was born into. Seeing the proud face of Father Sheldren as he passed the first test to begin training, the proud faces of all the monks at his quick progression and natural ability. Feeling the heat and energy focus to his outstretched hands. As all of his magical powers converge into two points he feels he can no longer hold onto it and releases the white hot flames at his attackers, saddened as the power drains from his body. Praying to some god that he will not die this day.

"So let me get this straight. That servant leads us all the way up to this dead end so that we are so tired we fall asleep. Then he takes the Father away? This makes no sense. I think we need to search this room a little more uh.. "enthusiastically" if you will. There must be a clue or secret passage or something.

Let's check behind the bookcase and make sure we didn't miss anything in either room. Perhaps that closet has a secret trigger to open something as the closet is very clean."

Thantos can't believe that his insistance to follow that servant has cost them one of the party. Frustrated and angry at himself for falling asleep and not protecting those he is here to protect, he moves over to the book case and starts pulling books from the shelf, looking for a hidden trigger of some sort.

"hmmm I agree with D'Aleen, Darghon try contacting either one"

Krazixs moves to the door where they entered looking around to see if there are any clues as to where there guide had ran off to.

Darghon tries to mentally contact Vinoh and fails... "I don't know what it is.. I can't contact Vinoh at all.." Darghon starts to get worried twitching slightly.. "I knew I should have gone with him.."

Darghon then mentally probes the area for Father Quadrial staying away from anything evil that can be sensed... (OOC: Rogue :))

"I'm worried......the only way you wouldn't be able to contact Vinoh is if he is either unconscious or if he is purposely blocking us. This just isn't right.

I don't think we should keep splitting the group up. We've lost contact for the moment with two and another one missing.....it seems our "guide" really just led us into a trap, perhaps. The question is...do we wait for the Father or do we see about finding the others?"

A frustrated sigh escapes her as she looks to the others. She was worried about the length of time they had been asleep. If they had been under the effect of some spell, Vinoh and Kentelos could be far away, hurt or in danger. Yet there was no way they could just abandon the Father without knowing his fate.

Torn, she gazes about the room as if somehow it's ancient walls would offer some clue, some help, some hope...

Stunned by the sudden onslaught, Vinoh's usually sharp mind and reflexes seem trapped momentarily in a great bog as he watches the skeleton horde helplessly. Even their attack on Kentelos doesn't manage to snap him out of his inaction. However, as a mace grazes his brow, the mind mage falls back to the floor and watches his friend use up a great amount of his energy to protect both of them.

Invigorated by that selfless act and angered that he hadn't managed to show some initiative mere moments ago, Vinoh suddenly stands back up and lets out a scream. It starts low, almost guttural, but quickly crescendoes into a roar. If Kentelos had the will to unleash such force, the least Vinoh could do was back it up. Immediately after the fire mage lauches his attack, Vinoh gets close to him and lets loose a powerful concussive blast, in case the skeletons somehow manage to survive the fire blast, in order to throw them against the walls with enough force to shatter them, or at least give the living pair enough breathing room to compose themselves and form a strategy.

*Psychic power: Concussive blast (area effect)*

The party upstairs:
* You start to notice small items out of place
Things have been shifted, especially where the Father was.
Like something moved through here.

There is a moaning from outside the door where Krazixs is looking *

Vinoh & Kentelos:
* Both blasts take their toll.
Between the explosive force & the concussive force
the horde of skeletons is blown to pieces.
The bones although immune somewhat to flame can't withstand the magic thrown at them.
They are thrown back against the walls, and crumble into piles.

The explosive force burns away the lichen on the walls and the pile of rags within the alcoves.
The concussive force takes its toll to the structure of the ancient keep,
as parts of stone from ceiling and walls fall to the floor.
Fortunately none hits you.

Both of you lay on the ground briefly drained from your efforts.
But at least you have survived
for now... *

"Thantos, Attrah quickly there's something behind this door."

Krazixs backs up to let the two fighters get in front of him.

"Here, let's see what we can do to suprise whatever's on the other side of the door. Attrah, you get ready to draw in whatever is on the other side of the door. I'll drop down behind or on top of whatever it is as it comes in. Krazixs, when Attrah and I are in place, open the door and get out of the way. "

Thantos moves towards the door and climbs the wall around the door until he is in position above the door, knife in one hand and the other hand and feet sticking to the wall. (OOC: Note if there is no wall area above the door Thantos will stick to the ceiling, hanging over the door)

Krazixs grips the handle and waits for Attrah.

Darghon hopes his friends will be ok, but decides to take D'aleens words to heart.. splitting up the group would possibly do more damage than good. So focusing on matters at hand he waits for the door to be opened, a fire ball erupts from the palm of his hand, ready to be thrown if a foe appears on the otherside of the door.

Breathing heavily, Vinoh drops to the floor once again, but this time with a sense of accomplishment, rather than helplessness. The combined magicks had managed to save them both for now, but who knows what else might be thrown at them. Realizing that venturing off from the main group was a bad idea (especially since both times he had done this, he ended up in deep trouble), Vinoh concentrates and tries to contact D'Aleen once again.

His head hurts slightly, due to the incredible mental effort he just displayed, but he manages to send out a faint, almost telegraphic message to the Elf:

*D'Aleen... trouble... both weakened... come to hall... left doors... left door...*

With that, Vinoh's headache increases. He turns to see if his friend is fine.

"Kentelos, you did well, my friend. I've just contacted D'Aleen. Hopefully, they'll be able to come and back us up. In the meantime, I suggest we stay put, near the doors we came through to reach this passage."

Suddenly the door opens from the dining room where you walked in from. A man walks in with a Long Leather cloak and hood. he raises his hands to mid waist. as the sleeves from his cloak reside his once tight black leather gloves start to glow a blue flame, smoke resembling his hands as they once where as his hands move. seeing no danger the flame and smoke dissapear almost instantly. you almost question if the flame and smoke really existed. He throws back his hood and you see a face with long side burns curving along the bottom of is chin joining.



"kentelos? is that your name? are you two ok? I heard the noise you guys made, but i only see bones.... this place is evil I suggest you leave and stop making so much noise! or awaken evil is something you want to do? *chuckles Just kidding im sure your presence here is not that vain. you are either evil or here to fight evil? I am somewhat sure of that!

"My name is Sexodus, I Escaped from a posse chasing me from a village I ..... "borrowed" from...got lost in a thick fog. Found myself in this strange land, saw the keep...thought about the... potential of learning so I headed in.
I came here from the Ground level, a half-broken archer hole I could fit thru. Down a hall way, down a stair case, and a couple of rooms to the dining room just behind me. I havnt found anything but barren and ancient ways. I did skip a few turns and doors. (nothing cought my eye)"

Heading over toward the door,Attrah stops suddenly as a figure moves through and begins introducing itself.

Without thinking..
"What the hell?" The knight begins to arm himself,unsure of how to handle this.
Let Thantos handle the warm welcomes,the knight was getting tired of trusing random newcomers.Especially now that the Father had gone missing.

Finishing arming himself,the knight spoke quickly.

"We should find our comrades,before we lose them as well."

Turning to the new person standing in the doorway..

"Thantos,maybe you and Krazixs should stay here..you both seem to enjoy giving "warm welcomes" anyways."

The heavy thud of Attrah's boots sounded through the room as he made his exit.The knight did not enjoy how things were unfolding....

The party upstairs:
* The party stare quizzically as Attrah speaks to someone nowhere in front of him,
about someone you have no idea about.
Then you realize that maybe Vinoh is mentally contacting the party,
but communicating with the Knight instead of those he uses sends to.

The Knight's mind is unusually open, as he steps through the door in an aggravated state.
And right into the source of the "moaning"
The portrait painting that your group saw coming in to this room
is now floating in the middle of the hall.
It face now protrayed in an insane & angry stare.
And facing Attrah, as see comes face to face to it,
easily catches his attention in his "open" state.

The dark knight comes to a halt in his angry stride,
and STARES at the painting.
His eyes meeting its eyes
His head now moving along with its floating movement.
Locked insync with the picture. *

Not understanding what Attrah's talking about, nor what he means by giving 'warm welcomes' to all these newcomers Thantos is a bit befuddled and pauses a moment in though..."I was the one that didn't accept Tower right away, and I didn't trust Attrah right away either, nor for that matter did I feel initially that they needed the 'Goddess' D'Aleen...Ah D'Aleen, my love, I guess I have been a bit more accomodating of newcomers since you arrived. You've changed me more than I thought anyone could."

Shaking his head at that thought and to get back at the task at hand, Thantos sees Attrah go through the door below him. Peeking past the edge of the door he sees Attrah staring at the portrait and not moving except for his head following the portrait

"Attrah!!"

Dropping to the floor Thantos keeps his eyes focused on the back of Attrah and reaches out to grab the knight and pull him back into the room.

"Damnit!" Krazixs see's Attrah before him in the hallway, fixated on the haunted portrait. "Thantos I can't get a spell off or I'll hit Attrah" looking around Krazixs tries to think of something to help.

As D'Aleen keeps a wary eye on the door Krazixs is about to open she is again rocked by Vinoh's faint voice in the back of her head. It is weak, and she closes her eyes to concentrate on it.

Snapping her head up she is then aware of Attrah's predicament.

"Vinoh and Kentelos are in danger! All I could catch is that they are weakened and need our help........damn this new apparation. We need to split up afterall I guess.......we cannot leave the others. Who is with me to see to Vinoh and Kentelos?"

While she wanted to stay to help Attrah she couldn't ignore the message sent to her....pulling her bow from across her back her eyes locked with Thantos. She hoped he would understand, but she couldn't leave them after hearing they were weakened. Who knows what hells they had to put up with when they went to investigate. Striding towards the door, she prepared to go in search of them...despite her underlying fear.

Darghon ponders what the heck Attrah is on about as he walks out the door and into the hallway and then stops dead in his tracks, transfixed. Moving to a position where he can see whatever it is that's making that attrocious noise. Seeing the painting... "What the #$@! is that???" he swears in his native tongue again... Darghon raises an eyebrow just as Attrah is pulled back into the room.. "Out of all things Thantos, I don't know if that was a wise idea..."

(OOC: Rogue..did Thantos manage to pull Attrah back inside?)

"Ok all.. lets try not to confront that painting out there.." Darghon thinks.. "we need to get those two out of the way so we can get rid of that painting.." Darghon casts 'Cloud of Slumber' where Attrah and D'Aleen are standing... hopefully putting them to sleep and bringing them to the floor.

Upon releasing the great blast Kentelos opens his eyes expecting to see the skeletons advanced upon him, but instead sees only Vinoh. He slowly lowers himself to the floor exausted.

"I cant believe we are alive."

Kentelos just sits silently trying to collect his thoughts when the stranger walks in, and introduces himself.

"How did you know my name Sexodus? No matter i'm going to sit here for a couple more minutes and do absolutely nothing. I certainly hope you have to ill will towards us. And yes as you can see the piles of bones we are fighting evil."

"Kentelos I have a habit of listening and checking for traps before i enter a room... i heard your partner asking if you where ok! after you too rest for a moment..."

*Walks around room siphting thru ashes looking for anything of value

The Party above:
* Attrah is yanked down by his ankles by a groping Thantos
Falling to his face, but this jolt snaps his mind out of the hold of the painting.

Sparrow leaps over his friend through the area vacated by Attrah,
a slashing blow with his blade, tearing across the portrait's cloth.
However, this doesn't seem to effect the picture's powers.
As he comes to a halt at the end of his leap,
his eyes held by the wild visage, his head turning with the painting's movements.

Darghon's spell covers the area in a heavy mist.
Both Sparrow & D'Aleen slowly fall to the floor
underneath the painting's movement and now furrowed brow.
Attrah who was shaking his head clear, now lightly lays it back down on the floor in slumber.

The moaning of the painting becomes shrill as if in anger,
and spins around several times in a circle,
and then starts to come around the hall in which it was,
towards the group in the room and now facing the doorframe.
Eyes wide and face with a horrid grin *

Sexodus:
* As you lightly step around those two heros on the floor,
their faces looking worn and watching you in puzzlement.

With curiousity, you find that there was nothing in this room but rags and lichen.
All of which has been burnt to a crisp by fires of some type,
you see the embers still red on the rags, the lichen now black.
As if the room was cleansed by flame. *

Darghon ponders while disspelling the cloud (OOC: due to spells nature characters will get in 15 - 60 secs later)... if this thing has them all transfixed by sight.. then maybe.. "Thantos, when that thing comes around the corner, don't look at it directly, try to look at it through a reflection in something..." Darghon looks around quickly for something.. not seeing anything he takes off his helmet and shines the metal on the back... Keeping his back to the door he waits for the thing to turn the corner, activating his lightblade, he watches the doorway through the reflection in his helmet... "Come to me you hellish painting..." he mumbles to himself..

Grabbing Attrah's legs and pulling back seem to have done the trick until a cloud puts Attrah to sleep. Seeing Sparrow jump over top of them and come to the same fate, Thantos wonders what can be done to this creature to stop it. Looking over and seeing that D'Aleen and Sparrow appear to be sleeping peacefully along with Attrah, Thantos turns his attention (but doesn't look at it) to the painting. Staying down on the ground, Thantos looks back at Krazixs and shouts.

"A fireball or something would be good right now Krazixs...burn that painting to ashes!!"

Hearing Thantos' words to Krazixs, Darghon dispells his light blade and taking aim through the reflection in his helmet he releases a ball of fire at the maniacle painting...

Krazix's nods to Thantos, fire leaps from his hands and hits the painting coupled with Darghon's fireball the heat is intense, and the small elf hopes it is enough to burn the demonic artistry to cinder.

The party above:
* The painting swings one way to dodge the flames of one strike,
right into the path of the other strike.

Quickly the fires burn through the canvas.
None of you can see the reaction of the horrid face,
but all that are awake can here the shrill dying moan as it is engulfed.

The frame is blackened quickly and fall to the floor,
breaking apart into the corners of the hall.

Only your cohorts sleeping on the floor nearby, are unaware. *

Krazixs slumps to the floor.

"Everyone ok?"

Slowly D'Aleen wakens and a deep shiver races up her spine as she hazily recalls the eyes of the painting boring into her.

Laying for a moment, thankful that she was here again with her friends who had obviously destroyed that .... thing....she takes a deep breath and, pulling herself over and to one knee, stands shakily with the help of her bow.


OOC: Sorry for the quick reply but I checked with our GM to ensure Darghon's spell wore off, as Golden had mentioned

Watching the painting burning up, Darghon covers his sensitive ears from the screams and shrieks. Darghon puts on helmet and goes outside to see if the others have recovered yet.. helping D'aleen to Thantos, knowing that she'll feel safest there, he goes back outside for Sparrow and Attrah, throwing them over each sholder he walks as quickly as he can back inside with them and puts them on a chair each...

"Well.. that certainly was... exciting.." Darghon gets another peice of jerky from one of his belt satchels and chews on it..

Sparrow awakens and picks himself up from the floor. He shakes off the sleepy feeling and inspects the broken and charred picture frame on the ground.

"Nice work."

He looks at each of his friends.

"Well, where shall we head to now? I don't want to stay here in this room much longer."

"We need to head down and find Vinoh and Kentelos, I'm worried about the fate that has found our friends"

Darghon agrees with Kazixs... "Yes..." Darghon looks out the door.. "Definetly a good idea"

Feeling the intense heat fly over his head Thantos can understand the deafening screams that erupt behind him. Once the heat and the sound dissapate, Thantos risks a quick glance behind him to see if the painting is still there. Seeing nothing Thantos rolls over and starts to sit up as Darghon helps D'Aleen into his arms.

"D'Aleen, how are you feeling? Are you well enough to continue? If so, I agree with the others that we should get the party back together. I hope the other's are okay. Have you heard anything from Vinoh since we woke up? "

Darghon stands, chewing his jerky.. "Time to leave fellow companions.. lets go find the rest of our friends" Darghon stops and looks over his shoulder just before heading out the door "What will we do about Father Quadrial?"

Darghon steps out the door and waits for the others...

"my Fellows, if i can call you that? i see nothing of value/usefullness in this room... also the noise you made i am sure did not only bring me. May i learn your partners name? should we travel? or at least not sit next to the door" Chuckles "i can lead you out of here if u wish? if you are too tired to travel, I will check this hallway and connecting rooms"

OOC: i am not checking rooms until next post!

"I think we should gather our companions first then try to return here to search for him."

Krazixs follows Darghon out the door

D'Aleen rests for a moment against Thantos while she gains her strength. Collecting her thoughts and shaking off the awful cold that had enveloped her she thinks of Vinoh and that last message.

"I am alright Thantos....I'm still not sure what happened but I will be okay. I am worried for Vinoh and Kentelos as the last message I got from them was rather disturbing....perhaps Darghon can contact him directly...let's join them and gather the group together."

Thankful for his strength, the elf makes sure her bow did not suffer any harm during the incident with the painting. Slowly she runs her hand down the length of the bow to ensure it didn't get warped when she hit the ground.

"I am ready, my Lord."

"Well I would love to leave this place, especially alive, but alas we can not leave yet. For one we have several other friends that are here, and hopefully on their way. Secondly we have a mission to destroy, or atleast attempt to destroy, a great evil.

I believe I can stand up now."

At that Kentelos slowly stands, using the wall for support, and offers his hand to Vinoh to help him stand up.

"I told you I wouldn't leave you Vinoh."

"with that i will make my way down this hallway. To make sure there is nothing watching us or waiting on us. i will not leave out of your sight. Exept in shadows. You may not see me but if there is a problem you will surly know!"

*continues in stealth down the hall in the shadows looking and listening for anything of danger
However sure to keep the two companions in my sight
ooc: I will make my way back upon finding nothing

Darghon looks back in to where the rest of the group are, moving out of the way when Krazixs walks through the door. Hearing D'Aleens proposal he does just that and contacts Vinoh psychically 'Vinoh.. We're planning to regroup, how far are you away from that hall?'

While waiting for Vinoh to reply he notices that Attrah has still yet to wake up.. Goin in and picking the dark knight up and moving him up on to his shoulder, he walks back outside. Looking down at Krazixs "Should we go little wizard?"

Thankful that D'Aleen is ok, Thantos get's up and draws his sword.

"I'll lead the way as best I can but remember to stop me if I get lost. Hopefully the castle paths have not shifted again or I fear we may not find our friends for quite some time. Since D'Aleen sensed the others were in danger lets go quickly. "

Thantos moves past the others and starts down the stairs.

Vinoh smiles and thankfully takes Kentelos' hand.

"Thank you my friend. My trust in you grows by the moment."

As soon as he's on his feet, Vinoh feels a wave of pain in his mind, reminding him of the great amount of psychic energy he spent in the last battle. He staggers a bit, but steadies himself on a wall. Suddenly, he hears a faint voice echoing in his brain, which seems very familiar, perhaps someone was trying to contact him (probably Darghon, the only other party member with telepathic powers).

Closing his eyes, Vinoh attempts to focus on the message but finds it difficult. He can't make out the words spoken and he most certainly cannot reply. He needs to meditate now, so that he may be ready to face any new challenge.

"Kentelos, Sexodus, I think we should get back to the hall we all initially explored before the group separated. Once there, I will meditate for a moment to recharge my psychic power. Let's move quickly, for It hink our friends are looking for us even as we speak."

With that, Vinoh makes his way back to the main passage and then to the door leading to the ransacked room.

"Lead the way Knight" Krazixs says with a wry smile

Darghon follows the group, mumbling to himself something about wishing that Attrah would wake up. "What are all our homelands like anyways?"

"My own home is basically a city carved out of a mountain side above the highest clouds beyond the reaches of normal humans.. Very beautiful site during that of the morning sun.." Darghon smiles as he remembers home but then it fades as he remembers the rejection he felt among his people..

Smiling softly at Darghon as D'Aleen follows the group, she remembers her own homeland.

"It must be beautiful when the sun rises, Darghon. It is too bad that so few can enjoy what you have seen.

For myself....I miss the beautiful waterfalls of Silverwood. It is an ancient temple just a touch away from my home. The waters are healing and the view..... just a heartbeat away from the utopia we all dream of. When the sun goes down it kisses the fields and they shine golden, and the clouds glow purple and gold.

My Father and I spent many a sunset at the top of the turrets watching the sun kiss the valley goodnight. It is a place of peace and learning and trust....and that is why I am here.....to keep it such."

And with that, the slight elf smiled brightly yet with a very determined glimmer in her eyes. She would do all she could to see that to it's end.

The darknight before him Krazixs listened to the idle chatter as they descended down the tomb. Smiling at the memories the other's shared Krazixs wished he could share in it. His memories were like ghosts in a deep fog, just beyond his sight and never clear. Determination steeled the elf's heart, he had a plan now, something that had occured to him while asleep. He just had to get to Vinoh.

Attrah was still unconcious on Darghon's shoulder when his head began to move ..only a little.
The knight began to mumble in his slumber..he was obviously having a dream.

The whispers only loud enough for Darghon to hear..

"Father..sorry...different path..helpless.."

And then the knight was silent..although he had become restless..and would no doubt wake soon.

Darghon hearing attrahs sleepy ramblings, he simply raised an eyebrow and just kept on following the others, waiting for Attrah to wake up.

"It would seem that Attrah needed the sleep.." Darghon chuckled to himself softly so as not to wake him up..

OOC: *bump!

D'Aleen strides ahead and catches up with Thantos, walking just behind him as he starts to descend the stairwell. Thinking of that last message she received from Vinoh and how weak it seemed to be, she pulls her bow from her shoulder and balances it gently in one hand - just to be prepared for what they might find ahead.

Looking back over her shoulder quickly she sees that the others all appear to be following.

Sexodus:
* Although you didn't find anything of interest in the alcove,
and the halls seemed barren but turn a left corner to a small spiral stair going up.
But you didn't have time to look further as you ran back to the other two going back to the large hall
through the ancient slaughterhouse of a dining hall.
Wondering if you could find your way back up through the way you wandered into here.*

The party from upstairs
* As you leave the charred frame painting behind,
and the mystery of the disappearance of the Father in the rooms above,
you slowly make your way back down the spiraling staircase the crazed old man lead you.
You pass the landing to the door with the chained man with paperwork behind it.
All is quiet.
You follow the stairwell all the way down, Darghon's shoulder heavy with the burden of Attrah,
the rest of you wary & weary even though you slept.
The nerves stretched after finding your companion gone and the following battle.
What mysteries lie above? But your focus is the mysteries below,
and joining your other party members to make sure of their safety...
and your safety in numbers...this place is getting more dangerous by the moment,
much less confusing.

After a long hike downstairs, you finally make the landing where you think your friends are,
with the stairwell continuing downstairs further.
As you make your way to the large hall where you were,
half way down the small hall to your right you think you see a switch.

The hall looks the same as before, however, the fire mages fires have burnt out,
but the fog is still gone, the floor is clear.
To your right, the hall extends back into the darkness
A door on the far wall in front of you, and one a bit further to the right.
To the wall on your left is a set of double doors, now open.
you hear footsteps coming from there,
Familiar voices...and one strange one. *

"Sounds like Vinoh and Kentelos have found someone, let's take a peek as to who they've found"

Krazixs approaches the door making no more sound than a whisper, cautiously he peeks inside the double doors.

"Did you see anything Sexodus? Hopefully our friends are on their way down, so you might not want to be in the shadows lest they think you are an enemy. I have regained some of my strength but still not comletely recovered."

With that Kentelos sits back down and begins focusing on regaining his energy back at an increased rate.

All:
* As you all pass down the hall and through the door to the hall.
You are all thrown to your knees by a massive shock,
and a reverberating THOOOM!!!

The party from above:
As you look around in complete awe....even Attrah is jolted awake.
You see your surroundings...
And there is now a wall of stone behind you,
filling the corridor where you had passed just moments before.

And a clawed hand with a beautiful Katana balanced inbetween the fingertips
sticking out near the ceiling and the corner of the wall.



Sparrow...
crushed by some type of massive trap.

You look at the switch now sticking outwards and up.
You knew he was backing up the party, quiet & stern...
maybe he tried out the switch...maybe it automatically triggered...

But he is no more, not even a body to save...or much of one.

You look around quickly and take count.
You are all there...well, those that came down the stairs...except this one lost soul.

This expedition is quickly becoming more traumatic and urgent each moment,
setting your nerves on edge and your mind numb.
Who is next?
And can you destroy this Evil? *

The shock of the falling stones was enough to push Krazixs through the double doors into the room beyond. Dizzy and quite shaken, the small elf gets to his hands and knees and tries to clear the dust from his eyes and the ringing from his ears.

"Is everyone ok?"

Darghon shakes his head, his ears ringing from the traps noise.. "Barh.. damn this hearing.." Darghon coming back to reality finally notices that Attrah on his shoulder is flailing around wanting to get off. Darghon puts Attrah on his feet feeling relieved that the weight on his shoulders is now gone..

Darghon wanders over to the trap and then notices the hand.. "Krazixs.. it would seem not little elf.." Darghon picks up Sparrows blade.. "Why... argh.." Darghon starts to flinch and only those of magic can sense the energy from around them being drawn in... "Why did we come here.. why was I sent here.. have we all be brought to our doom" In almost an instance he changes to and from his 'were' form his aura glowing with surge of magical power..

Darghon closes his eyes.. concentrating he calms himself like the elders taught him. The energy stops flowing into him.. Darghon slumps on the ground only to get up composing himself once more.. "I'm sorry about that..." Darghon looks to the ground remembering the words of the elders.. he feels ashamed..

(OOC: I think we can ignore this posting...I didn't realize the Katana was Sparrows and that Darghon had already gone to get it...)

Picking himself up from the sudden explosion, Thantos looks around an makes sure everyone is all right. Helping D'Aleen to her feet he looks back at the wall and notices the sword in the hand by the ceiling.

"Wait here for a moment D'Aleen, and keep that bow ready."

Moving over to the wall by the hand holding the katana, Thantos climbs the wall a little away from the hand. Pulling out his knife to use in case this thing comes alive Thantos moves towards the hand...