"Crap!" Darghon yells.. "Well I guess things get interesting from here on in..." With his feet dug into the loose muddy soil he takes off as fast as he can with his super human speed and whizzes past the father to where the birds are and the enormous hawk tha thas emerged from the clouds...

Awed, Tower could only raise his eyes to the gigantic hawk of clouds, swooping down upon them..

Unaware of any psychic link between any of the members, and unarmed, he stood his ground, yet in his mind, had absolutely no idea as to what to do.

As such, he stared on, at something wholly incredible, and entirely unexpected..

"Protect the guides!" Evenyth screams. "We are doomed to failure without them!"

He flings his arm forward, enveloping the hawk in shadow, hoping to blind its keen vision.

Vinoh looks up at the sky in disbelief. He had never withness an apparition such as this in his previous adventures and is not sure how he can counter it. It seems to be heading for the group's avian guides, so his first instinct is to protect them, which is compounded by Evenyth's warning.

"Father Quadrial! If you have any clerical knowledge, please use it to keep this... thing at bay! I'll try and rally the birds closer to us!"

Vinoh then looks at both birds an concentrates his will on them, using his telekinetic gift to pull them closer together and towards the group. He wishes to envelop them in a telekinetic force field, but his powers aren't strong enough to create one sufficiently large to protect two fast moving beings, much less if they're in mid-air! Drops of sweat trickle down his forehead, as a sense of urgency interferes with his usual dedication and focus, but Vinoh still tries to get the crows out of danger.

*Psychic power: Telekinesis - pull both crows closer together and towards the group.*

Father Quadrial kneels in the mud and begins to pray.
His staff begins to glow and a circle with a cross in the center made entirely of light casts from the top of his staff.
The light beams out over the bird but only shreds of cloud are torn away, making the dark hawk smaller but still a danger.

With a roar, Gell braces his feet and draws his axe in preperation for this onslaught. Realizing that this was a flying foe they faced Gell growled with anger. He was no good with the bow, and did not carry one despite the warnings of his elders. But where Gell was unable to attack in conventional methods, he had learned to improvise. Picking up a rock roughly the size of a man's head, he hurled it at the birds. "You am cowards!!" he yells after the rock at the dark shape attacking their guides. "Am attacking puny birds! You am come down here and face Gell, and Gell am smash you!"

- Edit. ignore.

Evenyth looks around, and sees no reaction from anyone.

"Hunter!"

He rises into the air, and hurls a dart of black energy at the hawk.

"You know the reward for my head. Come and collect it if you can!"

The hawk whirls and flies at him. Fending off the attack, he flees to the west, barely leading the massive bird.

Still lost in the event, Tower could only turn his head and look on at Evenyth as the ensemble of events came to a culmination. As the bird whirls about to give chase, Tower finds himself almost lost as to what he could do to a giant hawk of clouds.

Then again, he considers: Exactly what is a 'hawk of clouds' going to do to us, anyway? Are clouds going to rend our flesh?

Confused, he stood and watched Evenyth run as if fearing danger. Looking around, Tower began shuffling off the path, searching for a large, beaten log or massive branch.

The combination of Father Quadrials beam of light, the rock hurled by Gell, and the black dart cast by Evenyth tears shreds of cloud from the attacking bird.
As it chases Evenyth it seems to grow steadily smaller and more solid.
Father Quadrial looks to see where their two guides are and is glad when he realizes that they seem to be circling Vinoh, safe and unharmed for now.
Odd that such an odd group of adventures could face down such an awsome monster.
Now if only they could destroy it.

Finding a dead popel trunk, Tower grabbed the perhaps six-to-eight inch in diameter trunk and heaved. The dead wood gave way rather easily to the half-orcs brute strength, snapping the trunk close to the base. Wielding the approximately fifteen foot treetop like a clumsy, massive club, he turned and clamored back onto the pathway, watching the mass of clouds chase after Evenyth. With an idea, he shouted out to Evenyth.

Tower: Hey! I've got an idea.. run back here!

Tower spread his stance a bit and settled the top-half of the tree like a giant baseball bat in his arms, the end of the tree was filled with branches and twigs, and maybe if the cloud-creature would follow Evenyth back, he could take a swing at the clouds and seperate the beast all in one fell-swoop.

Vinoh manages to get the group's avian guides near him and is relieved that his power is able to hold them for now. He sees the massive cloud-like bird give chase to Evenyth and wonders at the shadow mage's words. Could his break from the Dark spell trouble for this band of adventurers? Is this thing really after the birds or Evenyth? Perhaps it is just a scout testing their capabilities? Whatever it was, Vinoh knows that it can't survive this encounter, lest it alert the Dark of their presence, if it wasn't aware of it already...

The mind mage then sees Tower return to the path holding a tree. His call to Evenyth making his intentions plain, Vinoh addresses the group:

"Everyone, clear a path for Tower! Give him some room! Nobody should be near him when that tree comes down!"

Vinoh backs up, still maintaining his mental hold on the birds, fearing that they might flee if released.

Thantos who had been travelling at quite a distance parallel to the group notices the commotion among the group and begins to move towards them. As he does, he loads his crossbow and loosens the sword in his scabbard.

Staying at a distance from the group in order to study their reactions to this attack by what looks like a big but strangely puffy bird.

The group seems to have things in hand for the moment but if they appear to need help Thantos will move in with a quick shot from his crossbow.

Struggling to rise from the mud, Father Quadrial watches in horror as the huge bird grows solid and slams in Evenyth.
The man is sent pinwheeling down the road and there are chunk of his robe in the birds claws.

Shocked by the sudden alteration of the bird into a physical state, Tower's stance eased as confusion temporarily set in. His mind raced to come up with a solution.

..Without any real brainy conclusions, the Half-Orc decidly set out to do exactly what his race typically does when put into a confrontation: Fight like Hell. Dropping the tree, he grabbed it again towards the top and cracked it over his knee, twisting the gnarled splinters until the canopy fell off. After forging his makeshift six foot club, he scooped it into his arms and glanced about, primarily to Gell -- believing he'd find reinforcement from the brother Orc.

Tower: C'mon! We've gotta help him!

Turning back towards Evenyth, Tower broke out in a run towards Evenyth, unsure if he was alright or otherwise. He wasn't quite sure what to actually DO about the bird, but he felt like he was at least contributing by perhaps helping another out.

Darghon puts the hilt into it's designated pouch on the belt. He then reaches into the small bag he has at his side and pulls out a composite bow.

The middle of the bow has a large topaz jewel in it, while another two topaz jewels are embeded at each end. The middle jewel is surrounded by emeralds, saphires and rubys. The jewels seem to glow slightly. Darghon pulls out a quiver that has a few glowing jewels around the top of it as well. The Quiver, filled with arrows, he slings it over his sholder and readys the bow with an arrow prepared to fire. Darghon waits for a good oportunity to fire the arrow at the hawk..

Evenyth lays still, and looking at him, it appears as if he's not quite solid. Slowly, he begins to fade, and disappears completely within moments.

(OOC: I'm afraid I don't have time to keep this up. I will return. :))

Slogging through the mud to get to the downed man, Father Quadrial is stunned to see the wizard disappear.
With a mind numbing screech the bird turns in the air and flies straight toward the priest.
Raising his staff for protection the monk is struck by the full force of the small roc.
He is lifted completely off his feet and is dropped broken and bleeding in the field next to the road.

Approaching Evenyth, he watched him slowly fade out and dissapear. Slowly coming to a halt, his shoulders heaved tiredly as he attempted to understand what was going on. He squinted and looked from side to side in an attempt to locate Evenyth, and could only look on as the Roc took flight and changed course, heading directly for the priest.

Turning, he watched the priest get bowled over by the bird. Panting, the half-orc was out of ideas. He could not chase down a bird, and he certainly couldn't throw a rock and hit one.

Decidedly angry, Tower held the trunk up like a bat and simply watched the bird -- if it had the daring to try and bowl the half-orc over, at least it'd get a suprise.

Darghon looks in horror at the events that have been unfolding. After the bird has flown away from the where Tower and Father Quadrial is he fires a volley of arrows at the bird with amazing accuracy and speed

(OCC: Up to you Red to decide :D)

One of the arrows strikes the bird just under one huge red eye. Others punch holes in its wings.
Horrible screams fill the air and blood spatters the road.
Trying to dive at the brave half-orc, the bird slams into the ground at his feet.

"..Yes!" Darghon says triumphantly aloud. Darghon rushes over to where the tower and the bird are...

Watching the battle unfold, Vinoh let's out a sigh as Evenyth disappears and Father Quadrial is injured. He wants to intervene, but knows he must keep the guides under control.

As he thinks of what to do next, Vinoh hears a horrid screeching. The bird is injured! He turns to Darghon, who let's out a cry of triumph as the bird hits the ground. Believing that the coast is clear, the mind mage releases his mental hold on the black and white crows. While he is relieved that the danger appears to be over, he is more concerned about the good Father's injuries, so he runs to him to see what he can do.

"Father! It seems you took quite a hit! Will you be alright, or do you need some help?"

Suddenly, Vinoh tenses up. What if other servants of the Dark lurk near the group, waiting for such a moment of distraction to strike? He tells the rest of the group to stay on their guard, as he closes his eyes and opens his mind to the area surrounding them...

*Psychic power: Sense presence*

Thantos finally gets to the action just in time to see the bird hit the ground. Keeping his crossbow at the ready he looks around counting the adventurers as he analyzes the battle scene. Finishing with the fallen priest, he realizes that one of them is not around...another quick check and he realizes Evenyth is gone.

"Not a big loss if you ask me", he thinks to himself..."he probably brought that evil down on us and has run off to plan his next attack.."

Moving over towards Vinoh, Thantos asks, "How is the Father? Will he survive? Can we move him? We should get out of the open if we need to treat him.

Pain....oh damn pain.
Father Quadrial vaguely recalls being lifted in the air and now he lies in the wet grass wondering what is broken.
Suddenly there are faces staring down at him.
"I think my arm is broken. Can anyone help?" The monk hoped he didn't sound as whiney as he felt.
From the road he can still hear the screams of rage from the huge bird as it struggles to get to its feet dispite its heavy wounds.

Gell grins wickedly, his eyes flashing with the joy of battle. He growled deep in his throat as he ran at the giant bird-- before he had been helpless, unable to deal with a flying enemy. But now that it was grounded, it was well within his reach. "You am not flying anymore! Now you am fall to Gell's axe!" The orc roars with rage as he swings his battle axe with his full strength at the bird's exposed neck, swinging again and again as he throws himself at the grounded avian in a berserker rage.

Vinoh, seeing that the group's foe was being dispatched with extreme prejudice by Gell, addresses Thantos.

"Sir knight, since I can't heal broken bones psychically, I hope you can reset Father Quadrial's arm yourself. I'll go look for some small branches to use as a splint.

Father, if you wish, I can use my power to paralyse you temporarily. You won't be able to move, but you won't feel any pain either. I know that mind mages can be tricky people, but believe me when I say that I only want to help you."

Since Vinoh didn't pick up any presences in his brief mental scan, he closes his mind to his surroundings and prepares to focus his power on Father Quadrial's spine. As he does this, he addresses Darghon without turning his head:

"Darghon! Nice shot, my friend! However, it seems the good Father has been injured. We're going to need some branches for a splint; care to join me in looking for some, or do your powers enable you to heal others?"

The monk bites the inside of his cheek to keep from moaning in pain and nods at the wizards request to help.
The fierce battle cry of the half orc draws his attention and watchs, quite impressesed by the way the he butchers the huge bird.
First the claws, then the wings and finally the neck.
With the severing of the neck a number of glittering gems pour from the gizzard.
This is how the cloud roc could grind the bones and armour of the knights he swallowed.
The monk is thankful that he only has a broken arm and is not dinner for the huge bird.

Thankful that the monk trusts him, Vinoh focusses on Father Quadrial's spine. He seizes control of it and wills all nervous stimuli to be stopped. The monk goes limp, but Vinoh is certain that this is a much better state to be in than in pain.

"Sir Thantos, you can now set the bone back in place, unless Darghon has anything he can help us with..."

The mind mage turns to Darghon

"How about it? Do you have anything in that magic bag of yours that can help our injured friend here? If not, then we should find some wood. Also, someone should stay with Thantos and Father Quadrial as back-up, in case we get other nasty surprises!"

With that, Vinoh awaits the response of his fellow adventurers.

When at last the bird lies in pieces on the ground, Gell stops his frenzied assault. He leans against the handle of his axe, panting, and looking down at what he had accomplished. With a satisfied grunt, Gell kicks the carcass of the large bird. "Yeah! That am what happen to REST of dark! They am not beating Gell!" The half orc squints suddenly as the light reflecting off of the gems catches him in the eyes, then he gleefully scoops up into his bag the mess of treasure that fell out of the bird. "Gell am finding shiny rocks!" Gell then walks over to the group gathered around Father Quadrial's fallen form, seeing now the injuries the monk sustained. "That am look like it hurt! Am he going to be allright? Squishy men am not having arms bend that way most times...."

Removing the bolt from his crossbow to prevent it from accidentally firing, Thantos sets the crossbow down but keeps it nearby. He moves over to the Father and states..

"I've set a few bones over my years but I'm not a professional healer so this may hurt even with Vinoh shielding you."

Preparing himself for the potential screams Thantos leans over the arm and pulling on the hand attempts to gently twist and manouver the arm back to it's natural angle.

Once there, he keeps the arm straight and asks Gell,

"Gell, I need some strong sticks to bind this arm."

Gell nods in understanding. "Gell am find sticks for arm." The orc promptly dissappears into the tree line, apprearing a few minutes later with several stout sticks of a suitable weight and thckness for a splint. He hands these to Thantos, along with a length of rope-like vine. "Me am not seeing any rope, so me am finding this instead."

"Um thantos, it's not quite set right..." Darghon uses his psychic diagnosis, flinching slightly due to the pain that is inflicted on his mental self from the use of his psionic power... "This is what they've done to me Vinoh, a barrier of pain" Darghon looks at Vinoh "But I know I must resist, to help is my pledge, the side of which is that of the golden dragon."

Darghon puts his hand on Thantos shoulder "I will take it from here, thankyou.." Darghon looks at Gell "Looks like you're good at improvising Gell, a handy skill my friend" Darghon looks back at the limp father.

"Ok first I'll need to get a better diagnosis, Vinoh if you could keep up the mental pain killers, it would be greatly appreciated" Darghon sits down next to the father, crosses his legs and starts to concentrate, his eyes twitching slightly from the apperance of a hot pin prick in the back of his skull...

A few minutes pass and Darghon opens his eyes "Ok, you were close Thantos, but now to finish it off" Darghon closes his eyes, ignoring the pain that has now turned into a searing hot knife. Darghon goes into a meditative trance for a few minutes. Then the bones in Father Quadrials arm seem to move out slightly, twist and then join together again...

Darghon opens his eyes, looks around and nods saying "It is done, Thantos could you cut that stick down straight and splint up that arm carefully."

"Vinoh.. could you save... a few of those.. gems.. for.. me.." Darghons eyes roll back in his head and he passes out from the pain from within his mind. A great booming voice seems to come out of nowhere... "My Son" it yells and Darghon seems to haze out of existence.

Darghon awakens in a stoney room lit with a torches, he lies on a bed of silk sheets and big fluffly pillows [OCC: sorry couldn't help that :D] He gets up on his elbow and looks around the room. Sitting at the side of his bed he gets up and puts on his cloak which was hanging on a hook in the corner of the room near the door.

As the door opens a beautiful women steps in. She has long dark hair, a golden flowing dress and sharp features to her face. "I see you are awake my child.. I think it is time you met your father.." Darghon hugs her tightly and she kisses him on the brow "Come let us go.."

Darghon nods and follows her out of the room, awestuck that he will finally meet his father.

Vinoh is stunned. Two of his comrades had now vanished without a trace! If this keeps up, this would be his shortest quest yet! However, now that the good Father was healed, the mind mage released his mental hold on him.

"Well, Father Quadrial, I think you shall be alright now. You might feel a tingling sensation at the back of your neck, which is caused by the sudden influx of nervous response. Of course, you'll still feel some residual pain from having your arm broken and reset, but it's better than the alternative, no?"

Seeing that the crisis had been averted, Vinoh stares off into the distance, pensive. What could have happened to Evenyth and Darghon? The former seemed to have been killed by the roc, while the latter disappeared after using his nascent psychic powers... Most peculiar... The mind mage sincerely hopes that his were-dragon friend would be alright, since brave hearts are hard to find these days. Then, remembering Darghon's last words, Vinoh turns to Gell, with an appraising glint in his eyes.

"So Gell, it seems our kill has yielded a great many "shiny rocks." Why don't you show us what we've gained here, so we can be sure all that trouble wasn't for nothing!"

Father Quadrial is rather amazed to find that while his arm still hurts something fierce the pain is manageable.
Pulling himself to his feet using his staff and the welcome hands of his fellow travelers, he realizes that they are short yet another member.
It was not a great surprise. He had been on many quests where people died and disappeared on a daily basis, though not two in one day.
The crows have flown ahead again.
'The village...caw....the village....must go" the white bird crys out.
"Go back....you'll surely die....yes you will die...caw"
"Village"
"Die"
"Village"
"Die"

Darghon follows his mother through a few large halls, pausing only slightly to look and wonder at all the artwork, statues and other peices of art and treasure that line the halls. His mother stopped out front of a large pair of doors.

"Your Father is in here" She says to Darghon

Darghon stifles abit. Hoping that he will be acceptable to him.

"Darghon, just go in will you" She says while opening the door for him, grabbing his shirt and rushing him in there. She walked in after him.

"Where is.. he? mother.." Darghon looked around looking at all the books that lined the walls, he figured that this must be the study.

"Dah'rawhl you old fool, come out and meet your son, you are the one that willed him here after all." She seemed to speak towards nothing in the centre of the room.

A great booming voice came from the centre of the room, emanating from the nothing.. "You dare to speak to me like that Evyonoh"

"Yes I do, so stop acting so cowardly" She turned flipping up her dress and stormed out before anything else could be said...

A slight chuckle arose from the nothing "And her spark is why I love her so.. You know boy she is the only one that has ever stood up to my kind like that.. intrigues me it does.."

Darghon grew awestruck as the great golden dragon appeared infront of him, in a space that was encircled with books. "Hello.. father.." He stammered out..

So they talked for many an hour or so. About the past, how his father had met his mother in a field and he had fallen in with intrest in her, with her spark of life. He'd fallen in love with her the day he revealed his true form to her, she didn't flinch or yell, just stood there saying "Is that all?" with a cheeky grin on her face.

"The elders knew what you were, more dragon than human, that's why they've done some of the things they've done to you." Dah'rawhl looked at a book on top of the bookshelf "Get that for me will you.."

Darghon looked at the book high up on the book case "Ok" he said... Walking over to the book case he started to climb..

"No.." Dah'rawhls voice seemed to go right through him "Use your mind"

Darghon used his telekinetic powers, the hot spot in the back of his mind started burning again... He lifted down the book off the case. Sweat started to form on his brow from the pain.

"Hold it there son.." Dah'rawhl reached out and put his giant claw behind his sons head. The pained soothed, it started to dim and the book became as light as a feather, soon the pain was gone, the book even lighter still.

"Father, thankyou so much, now I can help my friends with even greater ability.." Darghon exclaimed "Speaking of my friends.. they will have long gone from that spot now.

Dah'rawhl looked at him "Do not worry about them, you will return in due course"

For the next couple of hours Darghon and his father talked more, about the dark, about Darghons relenquished powers and of his new found friends.

Dah'rawhl looked at his son and smiled slightly "Son it is time for you to go"

Darghon looked back "But I only just got here.. Wait.. tho.. I have so much I need to ask you ab.."

"All this can wait.. you have something more important that you must complete now." Dah'rawhl stared at him as if he had no choice in the matter

"Yes sir" Darghon said feeling the power of the look

"You called Sire" Said the voice cheekily from the back of the room near the door. It was Darghons mother in a laid back bow.

"Just you wait till he's gone Evyonoh"

Darghons mother gave back a cheeky smile. "What is it that you wanted anyways Darling?" He smile turned soft with love

"It is time for Darghon to go" Dah'rawhls voice seemed softer too, as if soothed by the look.

"Lucky I hadn't started anything for Dinner" She said "Come lets go Darghon" She turned and left the study.

As Darghon followed his mother out of the study he heard a voice in his head "Don't worry my son, you will be fine, i'll be watching over you and we SHALL meet again, then you can ask as many questions as you want... I look forward to then." He could feel almost a warmth in his fathers message then "And don't tell your mother of this.." Darghon looked on smiling.

"I know he's talking to you"

Darghons mouth almost dropped..

"I'm his life mate, we know these things" She turned around gave him a hug. Stepping back his mother looked at a door "Through there you'll return to your friends"

Darghon looked at his mother quizically "But I have been here for hours will they not have moved?"

"Hours?" She raised a brow "Seems only like a few minutes to me" She smiled. "Go on off you go, they might be getting worried" She gave him a hug and kissed him on the brow. She stepped back a tear rolling down her cheek "Go on.. We'll see you again soon anyways" She gave him another hug and then walked off..

Darghon realising tgere was nothing else to do went to open the door, only to have his hand pass through the door.. "Strange" He thought to himself.. All of a sudden he was been pulled into the door. A slight feeling of terror of the unknown passed through him. He stopped fighting realising that his mother and father would never do anything to hurt him and walked in.

It was dark only for a second. Then he was falling, and fast, through blue sky towards the ground. He quickly unfolded his wings and glided down closer to the ground. Seeing his friends with his keen hawk like sight he flew over to them. They hadn't moved much from when he had left.

As he got close he noticed that they were standing over the corpse of the giant bird "Ahh the gems.." He thought to himself. He landed near the small band of new friends.. "I am back, sorry if I have been gone for long.. had to meet someone important" Darghon grinned "So what treasures have we aquired..?" Ignoring the birds for abit... "But it does sounds like some innocents maybe in trouble.. Let us quickly grab some gems and follow them.. danger is ahead again I fear..."

Rather proud of his find, Gell opens the bag to show the others the jewels that had fallen out of the large bird. He looks slightly confused as Darghon dissapears and then rejoins them, but is quickly distracted by the two birds. "Me am think that we should follow birds before they am leaving without us again, or more big birds like that one", pointing at the carcass of the downed roc, "am showing up."

"Should we not divide the gems up evenly amoung us Gell?" Darghon raises a brow "As we all did have a hand in bringing the bird down.

Gell looks at Darghon quizzically. "Of course we am splitting shiny rocks even. Gell am not going to keep for himself. Me am just picking up rocks while everyone else am by Quadriel." Gell hands the bag to Darghon. "If you am wanting to divide now, we can. But you am doing it-- me am not knowing how to count." Gell looks toward the two birds which are their guides. "Now we am going, so that we am finding more dark to fight!"

"Thanks Gell, I didn't mean it to come across in a bad way" Darghon grabs the bag and opens it.. He sits and concentrates using his relenquised powers. He telekinetically lifts all the gems up out of the bag and quickly divides them into colour and then divides them equally amoung the travellors.

Darghon gets up and looks around putting his share of the gems in to his magic pouch. "Well I think our guides are taking us into more unforseen danger.. A town I think might be under attack, I suggest we move with dire hast..." Darghon looks at Father Quadrial "Will you be alright? We will have to move fast father.." Darghon looks around at the rest of the group..

Now that the pain is down to a reasonable level, Father
Quadrial open a leather pouch with his good hand and pulls a bundle of herbs wrapped in cheeseclothe which he chews a bit then tucks into his check. Slowly a sense of strength and well being takes him over. He knows he will pay for the strength later but now it is important to follow the damn crows and not slow up the party.
Taking his staff in his good hand, he looks at the group. "We'd best be moving before it gets dark. Who know what evil will travel the roads out then."

"We'd best be moving before it gets dark. Who know what evil will travel the roads out then."

In reply,a voice says "You are correct Father".
"Though I cannot say if I qualify as Evil,I do tend to travel these roads once the sun goes down".

A tall,broad-shouldered man steps forth from beyond a thicket of trees.He is shrouded in a black cloak,silver lined.The hood is down,exposing his face.The man has shoulder length white hair,his face shaven.His eyes appear to be weary.His face is long,with strong features.The hilt and pommel of a very large sword pertrude from his cloak.A heavy clunk suggests he wears plated boots.

With a deep bow...
"You know I saw the entire fight.Though I apoligize I did not assist,I must admist I did not immediately know who gave off the Dark Aura I sensed.I am Attrah...Sir Attrah.Please,put your weapons away I mean you no harm.I wondered if I could travel with your party a short distance.I like to know what goes on in this part of the world."

Relieved that the Roc was finally downed, Tower stood back for a while, letting Gell collect the treasure and allowing the Priest to be helped as well.

Unexperienced in medicine, and not quite ready to dive into the treasure as he still isn't trusted, he searches around slightly off the path for long grasses and weeds to wrap one end of the small tree trunk in. It'd have to do as his makeshift weapon.

He continued on, working dilligently, until suddenly the newcomer appeared, which quickly captivated his attention..

"Good to meet you Attrah.." Darghon nods his head slightly.. "Will talk more soon, but for now.." Darghon grabs the Towers bag of jewels and rushes over to him standing next to him.. "You earned this Tower, everyone did, please don't think that you don't deserve them.." Darghon shoves the small bag of jewels into Towers hand and then rushes back over to where everyone is..

"I think it is time that we leave and go to the next town" Darghon looks to where the guides have gone. He looks at Vinoh and grins slightly then leaves trailing tower..

Looking at the knight who has joined the group, Father Quadrial smiles.
It can't be any worse to have this fellow along then the half-orcs or the dark wizard.
Chewing on the herbs and letting the juice slowly run down his throat, the pain in his arm is pretty much forgotten.
Looking ahead he can see the two crows flying neck to neck toward a plume of smoke.

Darghon eyes open wide when he sees the plume of smoke with his hawk like vision.. "This does not bode well Vinoh.." Darghon looks at Vinoh concernedly "I think we must make haste.." And with that he runs towards the town..

"Smoke?"

Attrah falls in line with those making their way toward the smoke.
His face becomes serious as he loosens his cloak.Plate mail,charred black,adorns this man.Attrah wonders if meeting with this party wasnt coincidence.

Attrah mumbles a prayer,and reaches for his sword....

Reaching the outskirts of town he sees..

(OOC: RedRavi, as GM my friend tis up to you now ;))

The small village looks like so many in the Dukes land.
On and two story buildings circling a commen square.
Here a blacksmiths shop, there and inn.
At one time it was a prosperous place with a clean comfortable feeling.
Now the windows are all nailed shut, there is a sense of fear and desperation to the place.
Drawing to the center of the village where the smoke is rising the party stares in horror.
In the commens at the center of the village is a large pyre. The smell is a cross between a weekend barbeque and rotting flesh.
The flames do little to hide the bodies that have been piled on the fire.
There are a dozen villagers all armed with an assortment of field tools as weapons.
From the inn a young woman in torn, blood spattered clothes uses ropes to drag the headless form of a large man.
Slowly she pulls the dead body across the square, waving off any offer of help.
With strength beyond her looks she rolls the body into the fire.

Trying to remain calm, Vinoh can't help but feel a mixture of pity and hate. He feels sorry for the current situation of these common folk, but a growing sense of rage wells up within him at the thought of the evil forces that probably took a perverse pleasure in causing such mayhem. Still, he wonders why the villagers are burning corpses... Did they come back as undead nightmares, or is all this purely precaution on their part?

Wanting to know more, the mind mage leaves the villagers to the rest of the group and wanders to a small house near the town square. Wishing to get a sense of what exactly happened, he touches the structure and focuses his thoughts on it, hoping to catch a glimpse of the events that surrounded it.

While doing this, he sincerely hopes that his motley group of frineds does not frighten the villagers, as they've probably been through enough hardship...

*Psychic power: Object read - house near town square*

Images, slicing like thrown daggers come boiling out of the house.
A man boarding up windows while his daughter watches, handing him the nails.
Parents crying, alone.
A woman screaming in pain as she is attacked by her own undead child.
A father tyeing the child and dragging it into the flames.
The images are so intense, so gruesome, that they tear at the mind.

Vinoh let's out a short scream of pain as he takes his hands off the house. He tries to focus on benign things, like a tree or the ground, to chase away these horrible images from his mind, but even a blink floods him with this piece of tragedy that must have surely befell the entire village. The mind mage can only imagine the anguish these people must feel, since they were faced with this since the beginning.

Tears start to well up in his eyes. The unfairness of it all is almost unbearable. Despite himself, he turns to face the pyre... All these innocent people, returned or about to return from the dead, killed by the hand of those they loved and knew all their lives... What must it feel like, to slaughter those who meant so much? Vinoh could now fully understand the odd strength exhibited by the young woman dragging the beheaded corpse to the pyre. Such strength could not simply be borne of physical effort, but also of will. The mage knows what will can do, when properly focused, but instead of years of careful and diligent training, the inner potential of all these people was tapped by a sudden, horrifying chain of events that few could hope to deal with while remaining sane. How long had this been going on? Would it even stop?

With those frightening images still flickering in his mind, Vinoh turned to Darghon:

"My friend, what has happened here is truly horrendous. We may be dealing with some sort of undead plague or curse. We must find the source, but I don't know if these people are in a state of mind to fully trust complete strangers... Even so, let's try and talk to them, for they might appreciate some empathy at this point."

As he was about to head for the young woman, Vinoh paused and turned to Father Quadrial:

"Father, I think a prayer would be in order here. These people have seen and done things that noone should ever have to. If you could bless the pyre, ensuring that the souls of the dead can reach a peaceful place, I'm certain that these poor survivors would be more... receptive. What do you think?"

Darghon looked around and concentrated and pulled his wings and tail back into himself.. not wincing any more he thought this strange. “Don’t think the villagers would like to see me in full form Vinoh” He walked with Vinoh over to the building and watched quizzically as Vinoh placed his hands on the building. Then, after a few seconds watched with wide eyes as Vinoh gave a light scream.

Darghon nodded in agreement with Vinohs’ next comment“Yes, this curse.. or plague is terrible.. and to have to kill your own family members” Darghon looked around at the villagers “Or be killed by them is definelty a terrible thing” he then looks back at Vinoh “The problem is is that most people look at them and still see their family, that’s where they usually get caught out, but you have to remember that the person that once was, ceases to exsist now”

“You are right my friend, we must find the source as you said Vinoh” Darghon looks back at the weary villagers “Lest more of this happen, if it hasn’t already…”

Darghon doesn’t look at Father Quadrial, but after Vinoh speaks to him he says “Yes father, pray, pray that good will be able to vanquish this evil that is at the root of this… And you can be the spokesman for the group” He grins slightly “Apart from Vinoh here, you look the least harmless and maybe these people have faith in your god” Darghon then looks at him “If they do lets not hope that it is too torn up.. Don’t worry if they do anything I’ll come in to help you out of it” And with that he gives the father a slight wink from under his hood…

“And besides.. I think these villagers have had enough worries for the day..”

Having been to this town on occasion,the knight Attrah looks around for familiar faces,someone to explain what has happened.
The knight doesent seem to be bothered by what he sees,only annoyed that something like this could happen under his very nose.



Attrah seems further annoyed by the scream behind him.
"Vinoh,please control your emotions."

With that,the knight continues to scan the village.

Father Quadrial snaps out of his horrified reverie.
The wave of pain and suffering that comes from the people of the village was overwhelming.
But Vinoh's words brings him back to his duty.
Kneeling and raising his eyes to the heavens, the monk clasps his staff in his good hand.
His prayers to god and all the saints are long, beseeching mercy for the dead souls and blessings for the dead.
The circled cross appears at the top of his staff casting much needed light over the village.
The men and woman who up till now have been staring dull eyed at the fire where the bodies are burning, seem to take on new life.
The young woman who has pushed the headless body into the flames walks over to the group, seemingly unaware of the blood that spatters her clothes.
"Father, I thank you for your blessing but it will take a lot more then that to save our village. Perhaps the warriors in your party will be able to accomplish what we have not."
Pointing back at the inn she seems to revert to the daughter of an innkeeper that she once was, "It will take me a bit to clean up the place but when I do, you will have a place to stay the night, a good meal and some of the finest cider in the land."

Attrah casts an akward glance at Father Quadrial.

"Father your spell saved me the time of finding someone I know.
Do you think she will explain the entire story?"


With a last glance at the pile of corpses,Attrah lets out a "Hmpf"
and heads for the inn.

Standing adjacent to the group, Tower simply watched on idly. He had already bear witness to such evil in the dungeon they called prison. It wasn't uncommon for an arrested 'thug' to actually turn out something much, much worse once already behind bars.

Shifting the trunk to the other shoulder, he looked over to the group questioningly.

Tower: ..What do we do now?

As if instinctively, he looked to the Priest, awaiting guidance.. or at least, a command.

Father Quadrial on standing realizes that his stomach is growling to no end.
"Well I guess we should get sustanance..."
Then quickly so as not to sound too much the glutton, "For we must learn of what manner of tragedy has befallen this poor village."
As he starts to walk across the square towards the inn the monk looks back to see if the company is following only to hear a horrified cry from the villagers.
Turning he see's the men and woman fleeing from the fire.
The darkness and flickering flames make seeing what they fear take a few seconds.
From the fire has risen the still burning body of a large man. Hair in flames, body blackend and burnt away in places the once undead man charges at the group.

Darghon looks at the man now 'thing' "Hrmm a walking barbeque..."

Attrah:

"Excuse me,Master Orc.( Looking at the gentlemen with the tree trunk) Would you mind making a wager? 4 beers if you can knock Mr. corpse more than 50 feet.What do you say?"

Staggering on partially burnt legs, the flaming man moves towards the group.
Its face opens in a flaming rictus and a sound like water running over hot coal comes from mouth.

"Come on guys, should we really be wagering on the burnt out undead corpse of these poor folks dead loved ones?" Darghon looks around at the group, then at the slowly approaching corpse and finally at tower "I'll give you four beers as well tower"

With all the villagers hiding behind bolted doors, the square is empty but for the stalwart band and the burning zombie slowly moving toward them. It was like a cart wreck you just couldn't turn your eyes away.
Father Quadrial shook his head at the jesting of his comrades. It came with being battle hardened, the black sense of humor and he was every bit as bad.
Just as he too was about to make a wager out of the corner of his eye he caught movement.
While they had been paying attention to the burning man, shadows were moving in from the eves and roofs of the houses around them.
Father Quadrial shouted in horror as something that might once have been a child scuttled over the eves and straight down the wall toward them.
"To arms my brothers, we are under attack."

"oh for lord and mercy" Darghon now sensing the evil aroudn him, grabs the hilt from its pouch. Closing his eyes he expands his mind sensing the bodies and evil (OOC: Red you can decide what I sense and how many). He opens his eyes and puts two hands on the pipe.

"Lightblade, cometh to my aid and help thwart this evil" Darghon says above voice. The topaz crackles with magical energy and out of it emerges a bright blade of pure light, those of evil cower from it's luminance. (OOC: Does double damage in the game to all undead, demons and evil beings). Darghon takes the 4ft blade in one hand and takes a martial arts stance. "Lets dance.."



(Edit: Damn italics...)

"Very well,if I must."


Attrah draws his sword.The large broad sword eminates a hum of disturbance.


Sword info:Obviously magical.Family Artifact.Blessed ( by priests of good and evil. )

[OOC: I apologize for being absent lately. Moved back home from college for the summer and it hasn't given me a whole lot of online time to RP as I would desire to.]

Smirking at Attrah and Darghon, his chest heaves slightly as he chuckles, yet he produces no sound, his mind a little weary of sending someone's dead relative soaring through the air -- watching the potential saviors of this little village so carelessly maul their dead family members probably wouldn't help the overall moral of the villagers.

Albeit, Tower still liked the idea. A coy grin bent his lips apart.. until the Priest announced that they had company. Not minding the walking, flaming zombie much as it was stumbly along at such a slow pace, he glanced about in an attempt to notice the 'company'.

After watching the swirling shadows for a few seconds, he snorted and lowered the small tree trunk from his shoulders into his arms and began approaching the flaming zombie. He intended to bring the log down between the zombie's neck and shoulder, hopefully collapsing the creation in an easy, peaceful flowing motion -- an effort with only enough energy to knock it down and hopefully stop it from moving, but not enough to smash the flaming carcass apart.

The half-orc's well chosen blow smashes the fiery corpse to the ground.
Father Quadrial tries to cast another circle of life only to find it resricted to the area around the party.
From out of the shadow six once humans, slip in and out of the shadows looking for a point of attack.
Darghon senses that their are others besides the ones they can see.

Vinoh hastily falls back inside the newly created holy circle conjured by Father Quadrial. It seems they wouldn't have to look for trouble after all. He smiles slightly as Tower brings down the flaming zombie, but quickly focuses on the situation at hand. These "shadow beings" must be stopped, but how? Darghon's lightblade and Attrah's holy sword could obviously be of some use, but that would require close-combat, which would make them vulnerable to attack once outside the circle.

Vinoh looks down at his own weapon, a simple wooden scout's club. This simply wouldn't do...

Suddenly, the mind mage gets a flash of inspiration. The group would not go to these "things"... they would come to the group, one at a time if necessary.

Vinoh focuses on the shadowy figures. They dart back and forth, testing the circle's holy might, waiting for it to drop... He waits for one of them to make a pass... When a devilish face draws to close to the group, Vinoh extends his hand swiftly towards it and stares it down. He imposes his will on it, forcing it to rise into the air. Yes, the shade would come to him and face judgement for the chaos it sowed.

*Psychic power - Telekinesis: Raise the shadowy figure into the air and pull it towards the circle, making it vulnerable to the group's attacks.*

On realizing he is being dragged into the air, the black clad teenager starts to whirl like a dog chasing its tail.
Spinnig wildly into the circle of light the undead boy screams with the voices of trapped souls.
Flying claws, slashing feet, and bared fangs show him to be one of the old turned, an undead master who lives through the lives he has brought to evil.

"The dark is strong within this one..." Darghon raises his light blade in readyness to take a slice out of the undead when it is close enough "Hold him steady Vinoh"

Darghon takes steady aim and swings at the floating teen. The light blade sears through the arm that came up to block the blade. The arm writhes on the ground. Darghon takes another swing, this time getting his original target and decapitating the body. "Remember folks, decapitation is the only way."

Darghon holds an open hand towards the body. Murmering strange words his eyes open and he yells out "Ignite!" The once animated body and head of the undead teen bursts into flame. The flesh almost seems to cry out as it is burnt away and turns to dust.

Darghon grins "Good work Vinoh" Darghon looks at him, then back to the shadows "So.. who's next?"

Preparing to sever the darkness with his blade,Attrah sees the mind mages seem to easily split up and destroy the living shadow.


"If they are that easy,it's not even worth my time."

Placing the sword on his back again,he continues to the inn.


"Oh,and by the way Tower.If you accepted my bet I think you owe me 4 beers."


OOC:If you havent noticed yet,Attrah isnt a paladin.For now he's a blackguard who seems to lean toward good on occasion ( ask in character and he might tell you some of his story ).As for his powers I have a few in mind.

With no sound or warning the rest of the undead charge the party.
Attrah has put his sword away and suddenly finds himself with long, cold arms wrapped around him and sharp teeth trying to bite out his throat.
Leaping through the air with incredible force another slams into Darghon who is armed and more prepared.
Vinoh is in the middle of regaining his strength from the mind carry of the just killed monster when a man clad only in what appears to be a layer of mold attacks him.
The two half orcs move to help and are attacked by two children armed with look like the fangs of a sabrecat. They use the fangs as climbing pitons to climb up the big warriors.
Father Quadrial is stunned to see a man dressed in the robes of a cleric, head shaved in the classic monks circle, charging at him.
The dead holy man has a staff much like the Fathers but it is tipped with a pitchblack point.

Tower: Eh.. ?!

The Half-Orc turned about in suprise. After dropping the flaming zombie, he didn't realize such action would leap into play so quickly. Turning to face the group, he found the sharp bite of pain as little ..tools.. dug into his flesh. Wearing nothing more than the leather loincloth/rough-hewn shorts, he felt each gnaring attempt by the little monsters to ascend.

Instantly confused, he stumbled back. Trying to gather his surroundings and exactly what was going on, he was caught off guard. He noticed that Attrah was in desperate measures much like himself, and he saw Darghon get slammed into and then lost sight of him as other action ensued. His focus regained on the mold-like man and Tower caught wind of the figure attacking Father Quadrial, but everything happened so quickly it seemed like a haze.

After a moment of regaining his composure, he quickly came to. He wasn't sure what the children were doing, but he didn't care for it at all. While his better judgement told him to drop the flaming zombie easily as to not offend any villagers, he quickly lost his level-headedness to anger. Thankfully, insane berserk rage didn't set in -- Tower was always glad he didn't entirely lose his head every time he found himself in a conflict.

Taking a step back, he balanced on one foot and tried to use the other to kick the child in the chest and send it back a foot or two. Whilst performing this rather acrobatic feat for an Orc, he set up the trunk a bit better. If he could manage to kick the child off, he was entirely prepared to crack it in the face with the small tree trunk and send it hurtling.

Realizing that play time is over,Attrah's mind snaps back to times of war and battle.


"You choose your foes unwisely."




Activating Power:Life Exchange. ( Basically Life is exchanged between Attrah and his target.In this case,the switch of positive/negative energies damages both parties.Attrah is used to this and has braced himself for the pain.) Attrah never uses this power to the point of causing unconciousness/death.

Darghon grabs the undead child around the throat and tries to push him a little away from himself. He then cuts off the undeads head and ignites the body with his same spell "I hate this.. all these loved ones.. only having to die a second time." He throws the burning carcass ontop of the decapitated head and readies himself for another attack.

Stunned by this sudden onslaught, Vinoh takes a few quick steps away from the mold man. He is still slightly dizzy from all of this psychic exertion and knows he can't use his powers right away without serious consequences. His only option know is old fashioned combat. He grabs his scout's club and assumes a defensive position, trying to gauge what sort of menace was attacking him. The mold could be dangerous to whomever touches it, so the mind mage isn't to thrilled by the prospect of getting into grappling distance of his enemy. However, since everyone else seems to be busy at the moment, he steels himself for battle.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, Vinoh sees Darghon quickly dispatch the undead menace that plowed into him. Maybe he could be of some help...

"Darghon, I must regenerate my mental strength! I can't deal with this one right now. Lift it up, drop it in the fire and hold it there! That mold that covers it seems too dangerous to risk close combat!"

The mind mage already feels his psychic strength seeping back into his mind, empowering his will. The heat of battle always did wonders for such regeneration. While he can't be of much help against the mold man, Vinoh knows that the next one who tangles with him will get a nasty surprise.

Darghon hearing Vinohs plight runs with his super human speed next to vinoh dogding those in his way "IGNITE!" he says while pointing an outstretched palm at the undead foe that creeps its way slowly towards them. Yet the mold seems to inhibit the fire from igniting, being moist and all.

"Crap.." Darghon thinks quickly.. 'lightning would make it explod but the possibility of the mold hitting us is a problem' Darghon grins as he starts to murmur something, the mold covered undead being slowly starts to descend into the earth

"This quick sand should slow it down.."

Fumbling with the bag hanging from his belt, Father Quadrial manages to get out a small chunk of amber.
With no time for a prayer before the dark monk is on him Quadrial throws the amber which sticks to the undead attacker but seems to do little else.
The ugly parody of a holy man points his staff and a stream of dark light emerges.
Instead of blocking the attack Father Quadrial raises his arms to the heavens and begins to chant.
From within the amber a tiny sliver of wood begins to vibrate to the sound of his voice.
The dark light turns in midstream and heads back at its master.
The dark monk stares down at his chest in amazement as the small piece of amber draws in the darkness.
Then not only is the light absorbed the undead clerics robes start to disappear into the amber. Skin and bone follow quickly.
Looking into Father Quadrial's eyes just before he disappears completely the dark monk says two words, "Thank you."
The amber drops to the ground and Father Quadrial picks it up, carefully returning it to the pouch at his belt.

When the the first undead had risen flaming and run toward them, Gell instinctively backed away only to find himself in the midst of a swarming of undead. He starts to reach for his axe, then stops as he feels the fangs of some small creature climb up his back. Roaring with frustration he reaches behind him, trying his best to reach it but unable to do so. Finally he turns toward a nearby building, shoves his back against it, and rubs vigorously in an effort to dislodge this strange and tiny foe.

The shade attacking the knight reels from the blast of energy.Attrah clenches his teeth against the pain,and uses this moment to make his attack.The knight takes out his father's sword,the blade hums with energy.With a sharp stroke,the sword actually makes contact with the living shadow.Torn in half,the creature seems to fade away.On the hilt,a jewel begins to glow vibrantly for only a second,then darkens.


Next target in sight,the knight charges,then pauses.Without realizing it,Attrah checks to see if his new companions are all still alive.Catching his eye first seems to be the two mind mages,and their mold covered friend.


The knight sets his sword in his offhand,letting the tip drag the ground.Running with his palm extended,he sets his gloved hand on the back of the mold man.


Power: Lay Hands ( Just like Paladin Lay Hands,damages undead etc )

Both the orcs manage to dislodge their attackers only to have the darn things skitter around between their legs looking for another place to climb up.
Between the laying of hands by the knight and the chanted spell from Vinohs the mold man starts to collapse, its body melting from inside the green coating into the sand beneath.
Unfortunately since he is tired from warding off the dark spirit the mold starts to attack him, climbing up his arm.
The night is rended by an unearthly howl from outside the village.

Attrah: Lucky me.



The knight begins to run through ideas on how to fix this problem before the mold consumes his body.


Activate Power: Cure Disease

OOC:What color mold is this?

Realizing that his fellow adventurer is in serious trouble with grey mold climbing up the knights arms, Father Quadrial heads toward him.
Being careful not to step on any dead bodies or get in the way of other combatants, the portly monk makes it across the battlefield in time to see the mold slow down its advance.
Realizing that it has been stalled but not destroyed, Father Quadrial reaches out with his staff and touches the knights arm.
A white light blazes over the mold and it burns away.
"How doest thou feel?"

Thankful for Darghon and Attrah's help, Vinoh takes a deep breath, relaxing him and getting all of his mental powers at the ready. The only visible enemy seem to be the little kids scrambling up and down the half-orcs. Eager to help, the mind mage remembers the mental feat he accomplished earlier by controlling the two avian guides.

Focusing his power, Vinoh imposes his will on two of the 4 little kids, freezing them in place with telekinesis. He then pulls them closer together in front of the half-orcs and beckons them to attack.

"Tower! Gell! Strikes these things down quickly! I can't hold them in place that long!"

*Psychic power: Telekinesis - Freeze kids into place and pull them close to the half-orcs*

[OOC: Sorry I've been away so long..my UK trip was extended and I didn't have access to the web for over a week.]

Pain, darkness, sorrow, anger, fear...all these emotions and more hit Sir Thantos hard as soon as he had entered this small town. The feelings had overwhelmed him and stunned him. He wasn't able to think, to move, to do really anything since getting close to that horrible smelling pyre of flesh. He had been watching helplessly as the flaming zombie attacked the group. He had seen the other creatures (or rather felt them somehow) but hadn't been able to utter a word in warning.

Watching as some dark monk attacked Father Quadrial, Thantos felt himself start to move. He drew his blade in halting, slow movements as if fighting to resist the movements that should be second nature for a skilled warrior. He could feel the dark monk's eyes piercing through him and all he could think of was to kill. Slowly, painfully he approached Father Quadrial. "RUN" Thantos wanted to shout but was unable to. Getting close to the Father, Thantos sees a glowing gem tossed onto the dark monk, the glow from the gem is painful and yet strangely comforting. He feels an urge to attack more quickly, his sword rises above his head.

Suddenly, the gem sucks the darkness that is the monk inside its heavenly glow. As the last shreds of darkness are pulled from the air around where the monk was a thin tendril of darkness pulled from the head of Thantos.

With the tendril of welcoming comforting darkness departing his mind, the pain of the sudden detachment becomes too much. With a horrible, loud scream of pain, Sir Thantos drops his sword grabs his head and collapses to the ground, unconcious.

Breathing a heavy sigh of relief,the knight flexes his right hand.
Attrah looks at his arm with an approving eye,then nods at Father Quadrial.


Picking a target,Attrah returns to the fray.

Realizing that another of their party was down, Father Quadrial nods to the knight who he de-molded.
It seems most of the undead have been vanquished except for the fleet footed little demons who are tormenting the orcs.
The wizards spell seem to have just made them run in tighter circles under the big warriors feet.
Reaching the unconscious form of Sir Thantos, the monk draws a vial from his belt then roots around in the back pack he had dropped when the fighting began.
Finding a bouda bag of wine he pours a bit in a cup and mixes it with the smokey liquid in the vial.
Holding it to the knights lips Father Quadrial forces a small bit into his mouth.
"We must get to the inn before more of these monsters arrive."
Almost as if his words were a signal, a terrible howl comes from the darkness.
"Retreat and live to fight another day, I always say."
Lifting the big knight with his good arm, the two stumble toward the inn.

Gell stomps furiously in a sort of strange orc tap-dance number as he attempts to squash the small evil creatures around his feet, yelling "Gell am smash! You no am climb on Gell!" as he does so. Finally two of the peculiar beasts freeze in place and Gell quickly plants his foot on each of them in turn. He glances around at the others, seeing that his companions are in various states of disarry themselves. Father Quadriel was working to carry Sir Thantos toward the inn, and the mind-mage and the others seemed to be weary from doing all they could to hold off the strange beasts surrounding them. Drawing his axe as he heard the howl, Gell looked to the others. "You am getting inside building! Squishy men am safer behind walls! Gell am make sure evil dark howling thing am not getting you until you am inside!"

"What the..?" Darghon looks in the direction of sir thantos has hit the ground and seeing that Father Quadrial is ontop of it he turns to help Vinoh defeat these little rabid undead children.

"Quick my orc friends..!"

Darghon follows suite with Vinoh and concentrates and telekinetically lifts the other two children up off the ground

First Target:Zombie Children.


"Hold them still for a moment longer."

Running by with his sword at the ready,Attrah lands a blow to each undead child's lower spine,just hard enough to snap it.

"Someone help Father Quadrial with Sir Thantos,his weight is doubled by his armor."

Attrah turns his gaze to the mind mages."Can you tell if there are any villagers in their homes? We must have everyone at the inn."

Darghon looks at Attrah and raises an eyebrow. Darghon conjures up a Phantom Footman (Fragmented Air Elemental Essence) and tells it to go search the houses for other people and report back as soon as possible

(OOC: Red you can decide if it finds anyone)

The door to the inn has opened to reveal the young woman who had spoken to them earlier. She is holding a torch in one hand and a huge cleaver.
"Hurry brave sirs. The others have heavy doors to protect them. Nobody stays out after the direwolves howl."
Grunting with the effort Father Quadrial drags the knight towards the relative safety of the inn.

Glad that their immediate enemies have been vanquished and taking a cue from Attrah, Vinoh closes his eyes and opens his mind.. Sensitive powers are his specialty, so without much effort he sends out pulses from his mind to every direction, sensing for any being that might still lurk about, be it friend or foe.

While concentrating, he says to Darghon:

"My friend, we can combine our powers in a unique way. Indeed, with my power, I can see if there's anyone around us, and your elemental fragment can check out any "signal" I pick up. This will surely make our search faster and safer!"

With a smile, Vinoh again focuses completely on his scan.

*Psychic power - Sense presence: area around town square (roughly 500 ft.)*

The area immediately around them seems safe but there are too many images and shades to get a clear picture.
Just outside the village there is swirls of darkness.
Wolves, bats, rat, crawling vermin, headless bodies, all splash into Vinoh's mind.
There is definite evil force pointed at the village from the hills to the north.

Gagging on some vile liquid that had been forced down his mouth, Thantos, wakes up, feeling very groggy and extremely unsteady. He feels himself being pulled up and supported and lets whomever it is that has him, direct the way.

He sees shapes and chaos all around him but feels a surreal calming presense from the touch of his helper. Concentrating on not tripping, he barely notices that he has now come inside and is being helped down to the floor. Looking up finally, he notices Father Quadrial looking down at him.

"Thank you Father. I don't know what happened to me but please accept my thanks for getting me to safety. It must have been you that forced that liquid down my throat. I can already feel the liquid warming me and giving me strength. A little more rest and I think I'll be able to stand and fight."

Reaching into his backpack he grabs a small loaf of bread and hungrily eats it.

"Father, I don't really remember anything after entering this village. Just bits and pieces of a nightmare. I seem to remember riding into town but I don't remember what I did with my warhorse. Do you happen to know if he's ok?"

Thantos, then does a quick weapons and equipment check. It appears that whenever he left his horse, he made sure to grab all his weapons, but only very few of his rations. It looks to him like whomever was controlling him wasn't interested in keeping him alive for too long.

Vinoh closes his mind, satisfied that the group might now have a more concrete objective, yet slightly disturbed by seemingly heavy odds stacked against them. Hopefully, if they dealt with the evil force coming from the hills, the villagers would finally know peace.

"Darghon, I don't think your elemental helper will be of much help now. I sense great evil to the north, but I feel our group needs to recuperate before we can even contemplate a trip to the hills. If the woman of the inn tells us that the villagers will be safe for now, then I believe her. We should get back inside and get some rest and something to eat. What do you think?"

Sensing Attrah's eagerness to fight, Vinoh turns to him...

"Even fighters like you surely appreciate the value of R&R. Our best bet now is to regroup and plan our next move. Besides, I think you might want to collect on your bet with Tower... I believe it was four pints of beer, right?"

With a smirk on his face, the mind mage enters the inn. The very act of entering a warm and friendly place amidst the darkness surrounding them immediately puts him at ease. Noticing that Thantos had regained most of his wits, Vinoh lets out a sigh of relief. The group has pushed back the Dark for the night and remains relatively unscathed. Good.

Suddenly, a thought springs in his mind...

"What happened to our guides, the two birds?"

"Vinoh, you're not the only one that senses it. It's huge too. But as you say, if the villagers are 'safe' indoors, then let us go." Darghon tells the elemental essence to guard the inn for the rest of the time that it is here (about another 5 mins). Darghon cancells the rest of the period of the light blade. He puts the hilt back into it's pouch, the gems absorbing what magic they can from around them in the atmosphere.

Darghon rushes inside the in, he looks around, seeing that Thantos is better he smiles slightly. Darghon, gettin comfortable, reaches into his back pack and eats abit of his rations. "Should we bolt the door or something?" He says with a mouth full "And where are those orcs? And our guides? I totally forgot about them..."