Krazixs stands up and get's ready to follow everyone else.

Putting away his teapot and burner, Father Quadrial gets up to follow his compatriots.
Then a last moment thought he walks over to the brides cairn.
Pulling a hand carved cross from his pack (a gift from a young brother when the monk left the abbey which has been soaked in holy water and blessed by the head of the monastery), he sets it on the top of tomb.
"Best to cover our backs if we can." He says and heads up the stairs.

Finishing his meal of jerked beef, fruit and water, Vinoh joins his friends as they head for the stairs in the next room.

"Remember guys, I still have 2 extra Bags of Holding here. I'll keep them with the treasure we found in the third bag, unless someone wants one. As for the marching order up the stairs, I think we need good fighters at both ends. Since Thantos has a crossbow, he can lead the way; I'll be behind him with my torch. Gell or Attrah can close the group, along with Goban and his light ring. D'Aleen can be at the centre to provide back-up for either ends with her bow, while Darghon, Father Quadrial and Krazixs can form our last line of defense with their magical strengths. What do you guys think?"

As Darghon heads near the stairs with the group he listens to Vinohs proposal "It does sound good my friend.. You are definetly a strategist" Darghon waits for everyone else.

Father Quadrial watches the bats flight waiting first for an attack then with some concern as the fly past.
"I wonder, are they fleeing a sinking ship like rats and thus we should be very aware of what's behind us. Or rather, are they being called by some evil force to protect it."

I have the feeling that whoever is up there now knows we are here as well

"Uh..let's get out of here. I agree with the Father here, I think something not so good is coming into this room.."

With that, Thantos quickens his pace and starts up the stairwell, checking back to make sure he isn't the only one heading onward.

With a deep laugh,the knight looks toward the stairwell.
"Of course our prescence is known...Nevertheless I am willing to go forward."


Flexing his sword arm,Attrah nods that he is ready.

"Hrrmm.. yes father.. I agree.. Are they scared?" Darghon raises an eyebrow "Or flying away from something.." Darghon looks behind him.

*Darghon casts 'See the invisible'*

If he sees anything he notices it but doesn't look at it to give it any clue that he has seen what ever it might be. Only if there is something there ofcourse (OOC: That's up to you rogue).

He waits at the bottom of the stairs for his friends to ascend the stair well "Thantos.. don't go up there too quickly.. we don't know what might be waiting for us"

Goban's gaze follows the cloud of bats as they swarm up the stairwell, he gives a small shrug as the eerie silence sets in.
"I think I'm about ready to get out of here too, as long as we don't set off any fireworks, the bats should leave us alone. We're going to have to go up there eventually, and I don't want to find out what, if anything scared these bats off."

Raising his staff Father Quadrial starts to mutter a prayer, statues or no, this looked like it could get hairy.
On cue the pendant started talking.
Since it had been silent since the attack of the demon stallion the little voice made the monk jump.
"Oh this is just great. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. When you will you people ever learn."

Standing behind Thantos with his torch, Vinoh looks into the alcove, along with Father Quadrial.

"Hmm... this doesn't look very inviting, but the maddening thing is that wherever danger lurks something useful might be found. However, I don't think our entire group can fit into this alcove to fight 8-foot tall potential enemies...

Darghon, why don't you send a phantom footman in there to check out what lies beyond the alcove? This way, we can at least know if it's worth it to even go in there. Also, I could use my "multiple phantoms" power to create an illusion of our group and send them through the alcove, to see if this triggers any traps."

(OOC: Cubby here..I'll start loggin on from home as Cubby later [see OOC thread] but for now...)

Walking up the stairs and over the rubble Thantos notices uneasily that no one has walked this path for some time.

"Vinoh or Darghon can you float your light up a little higher and see if you can see the faces of these statues? And I'm all for you sending in some phantom forces. I know they won't necessarily trigger pressure points but they may give us some warning of potential dangers."

Darghon grins.. "Good thought Vinoh" And with that he summons a phantom footman and sends in it the room telling it to check the area for traps by flowing through the cracks in the floor and to check out those looming statues....

(OOC: Up to you rogue :) )

"Hmm... I guess we'll have to check this place out ourselves, the old-fashioned way."

With that, Vinoh calls upon his telekinesis skills to lift his torch near the head of one of the statues, just to see what kind of "guardians" they might be dealing with.

While waiting to find out what Vinoh sees of the faces of the statue Thantos looks around for a couple of rocks. (if he can't find one he goes back to the pile of rubble and grabs two about the size of a grapefruit).

When he gets back to the entrance way he will roll one across the stone floor and into the room and the other he will just toss further into the room. After throwing each rock he will raise his crossbow and wait for a few minutes to see if anything happens.

Darghon thinks.. "Well my footman couldn't find any weight pads.. so I dunno.." Darghon looks into the room "Those looming statues might be nothing.. and then again.."

Darghon ponders, dispells the footman and summons a 'Light Globe' (OOC: This one doesn't affect undead because it's not made out of sunlight) And moves it into the room with his mind and checks out the statues.

Goban watches Thantos throw the two rocks into the room. After an impatient minute of waiting for a rection of some kind and seeing nothing, Goban decided the path is safe enough, not so safe that he doesn't draw his sword though.

"Well, good enough for me, if those guys are gonna wake up, I suggest we all get into the larger room so we're standing targets"

With that, Goban carefuly walks past the ominous statues and waits at the entrance to the large room, taking a quick look around with his light.

Goban:
* Through the exit of the smaller room, you see into another great room,
it very large and the ceiling is high.
You can tell, because your light fades before it even reaches the other side of the room or ceiling.
You cannot see further at the moment.

Pews & benches lie about the floor in jumbled disarray,
coated with centuries of dust.
This room seems as though nothing has disturbed it in centuries,
and that nothing ever could. *

Seeing Goban walk past the statues unharmed, Vinoh follows behind him, bringing the torch back to his hand.

"What to you think, Goban? Abandoned place of worship, maybe? Or perhaps just a meeting hall..."

The mind mage then begins to search the place carefullyl, looking for signs of the room's purpose, as well as any possible exits.

After seeing no reaction from the imposing, yet unmoving, statues D'Aleen carefully follows Goban and Vinoh into the large room. She places herself just in the room and off to the side, ready with her bow.

"Looks to me to be some place of worship. Certainly hasn't seen the light of day for some time though. Perhaps we'll find a clue or two...the more we know about what we are dealing with, the better prepared we can be."

Dargon wanders in after D'aleen and the rest of the group. "Hrmm.." Darghon mutters to himself "Could be a place of worship.." Darghon thinks "What if this temple wasn't evil in the beginning?" He raises an eyebrow at the thought. Darghon looks up and sees what he can see with his natural nightvision. "I'm not liking this no ceiling thing..." Darghon remembers a time a while back when he was helping a man in a cave that had no ceiling and there was a giant spider....

Darghon looks around carefully, undusting some of the items that are around and looking for some clues. (OOC: Up to you rogue :) )

Finally reaching the large room,Attrah watches the group's rear.



"So far so good,once you finish searching we can continue."

"This does not look like a place of worship but like one to hold tributes to those who have past"

Krazixs remians toward the back of the group waiting for whatever may come next.

Attrah sees nothing of intrest,until his eyes meet the statue.Thinking of it for only a moment,and what it could be,the knight continues guarding his comrades.

Moving into the room, Thantos goes to the far side of the room and checks out the oak doors. He doesn't attempt to open them but does look to see if they appear to be locked or open. He also looks to see if there is a way to lock them shut (handles that you could stick an old sword through, etc) if they needed to. Thantos, puts his crossbow away and draws his sword.

"I'll cover this entrance to the room while you all determine if there is anything of significance. "

Thantos:
* The great doors appear to be unlocked.
You could place a straight object through the handles.
However, the wood seems so rotted,
that it is questionable whether it would hold. *

D'Aleen grasps her bow firmly and seeing that Thantos has the wooden doors covered, decides to investigate the statue. The bright shaft of light intrigues her....light is drawn to good, not evil. Yet in this place you never know.

Cautiously walking forward she approaches the altar to try to determine what is draped across it......

00C....up to you now Rogue...

Stepping forward with Minx the small elf follows closely behind.

"Your feelings are correct Minx there is no evil from that alter only peace and silence"

Krazixs approaches the altar slightly curious to see what is there.

Darghon looks around the room some more. He wanders over to thantos and looks at him and then at the doors. "Just imagine if there was a thousand demons on the other side of these doors.." Darghon grins and wanders off to see what D'Aleen and Kraxis have found...

Feeling a great sense of sadness and loss from the chapel, Father had to agree with the idea that this had once been a place of piety only to be taken over by evil.
Once again he kneels and starts to pray.
The cross on his staff begins to glow and spread light out over the big room.

D'Aleen, Krazixs & Darghon:
* As you draw closer to the alter,
you notice the figure is a corpse, with grey, drawn, dried skin.
Reaching out over the alter to the statue, its hand is burnt & blackened
Its robes are black but faded, with runes & symbols that seem malevolent.
The small statue is where the shaft of light from nowhere is falling.
A small carving of the purest silver, only a foot in height & half as wide. *

Vinoh:
* The long balcony overlooks the vast rubble-strewn room.
In the center of the wall, the balcony briefly extends outward with a rounded railing.
As you rise, you see two figures sitting on large thrones on the extention.

Dust and shadow are everywhere in the large room from your vantage point,
except for the light of the alter. *

Darghon looks at the scene.. "hmmm.." Darghon looks to and fro at the scenes main points.. "So.. was it his salvation or his death?"

Telepath message to Vinoh 'How's things up there Vinoh? Need a hand with anything?'

Darghon looks at the statue trying to figure out what it is.. (OOC: Can he Rogue?)

Krazixs moves closer to inspect the statue closely, being careful not to disturb the corpse on the altar.

Vinoh answers Darghon telepathically:

*I found what looks like two more corpses here... probably a Lord and Lady. The more evidence we find, the more I'm convinced that this place was once good, but was horribly perverted, as the good Father said. The Nightmare we defeated was obviously good before and the crypts downstairs most likely held members of a great noble family...

Why don't you come up here and help me check this balcony out? The others seem to have things well in hand on the ground.*

With that, the mind mage brings the torch back to him and lands on the balcony, at a respectable distance from the two figures, and waits for Darghon while inspecting the area more closely.

Stretching his arms,Attrah began planning the best way to defend this room.The calm before the storm it seemed.
"Be careful around that corpse Kraz."


Stifling a yawn,the knight continued his watch.

"These doors look like no one has opened them in a long time. I don't like the idea of us separating in this room so D'Aleen and kraxizs make sure to keep an eye on this door. It's time I test something out before I need it in a life and death situation."

With that Thantos moves away from the wall and toward the balcony when he is slighty beside the balcony (not quite underneath it incase it falls), you see him put away his sword and move towards the wall. Placing two hands up high on the smooth wall he pulls up. His fingers seemingly sticking like glue to the wall do not move. Thantos quickly places his feet against the wall and they two stick like glue. Taking alternating hands and feet off the wall he tests out how he could make use of this situation. Finally, he begins to move slowly right up the wall and over the balcony.

"Hey Vinoh, figured you might want a hand looking around up here. "

Darghon looks and watches as Cubby crawls up the wall. "And I was worried about spiders.. now all we have to worry about is our spiderman here..."

Darghon levitates up to the balcony.. "You know Vinoh, I've been thinking.. we've got 3 dead bodies here, and I'm wondering now they've all seemed to be watching something and the guy on the altar must of been preaching to someone. A lady and a lord in an empty room with a preacher?" Darghon raises an eyebrow and looks around abit more..

Carefully he looks at the bodies to see if they're are any markings to give away who they might have been and what land they might have looked over. He speaks openly "I'm also wondering what might have happened to the crowd.. if there was one ofcourse.." Darghon looks back towards the room "Perhaps the lady and lord had come here under the protection of the preacher and the altar was the last of the good left in the land." Darghon looks over the seats "But if not.. and it was just a mass gathering.. where my friends.. are the rest of these people" Darghon looks back at Vinoh and Cubby. "I'm getting a relapse of the town we went through.."

Darghon looks back at the altar.. "Is that statue using the light.. or emanating it?" Darghon looks around.. "Possibly the statue is absorbing the light and then emmaniting some sort of aura which is protecting this room.. so if we do try and see which way it is coming from and find out that the light goes to the little statue there goes our protection and we have a tonne of dark undead evil ones charging through into this room..."

Darghon grins and looks back "Just a thought... or two.. hehe"

Watching in amazement as Thantos climbs the sheer wall, Vinoh listens to Darghon's imput and nods.

"Hmm... you have some good points there, my friend. The two corpses here definitely appear to be seated to witness something, possibly a rite enacted by the fellow draped across the altar. However, I don't see any hints pointing towards the purpose of such a rite; it could be either good or evil, protection or destruction. Whatever happened, they obviously didn't live through it. Let's make sure to check this area out thoroughly, then we can move on to the second alcove on the ground."

Vinoh then investigates the corpses and balcony with Darghon and Thantos. He deeply wishes to use his sensitive powers, but wonders what kind of ungodly effect it would have on him or the rest of the group.

Darghon, Vinoh & Thantos
* As Darghon, moves closer and starts looking over closely the corpses on the throne...

With lightning quickness,
Both of them leap on him clawing & biting.
Trying to rend the flesh from him.

The attack is so sudden that, it disturbs his concentration
and he levitation fails.
He is able to barely grab on to the ancient railing
with some of the posts breaking beneath his clawing grasps.
But this leaves him vulnerable to the viciousness of the undead. *

Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Vinoh is stunned for the few moments necessary for Darghon to almost fall to the ground. Pulling himself together and fueled by the rush of anger and adrenaline, the mind mage lets off a powerful telekinetic blast, in the hopes of hurling the undead couple against the far wall and down to the ground, where his teammates are better equipped to deal with the undead.

"Heads up guys! Two undead nobles coming your way, try to finish off before they get back up!!!"

After this attack (OOC: if it is successful), Vinoh pulls Darghon back on the balcony with his gem-assisted strength.

D'Aleen stares in wonderment at the statue...drawn to it despite the evil looking corpse hunched beside it. Smothering a shudder she is just about to reach out and touch it. Turning to the Father she is about to ask if he might recognize it, or at least have any ideas as to its origin when her eye is drawn to a figure climbing up the wall!
Now I've seen everything...she thinks to herself and turns again to address the others.....suddenly an eerie screech and the sounds of a struggle comes from above.
Pulling her bow in front of her as she runs towards the base of the balcony she cries,

"Attrah! Father! Quickly....all of you - we've got hell to play with once again...."

OOC...Hey Bob you beat me by 30 sec's! :) Ahha....undead headed our way huh? Okay dokey! :D

Dargons feels the claws and teeth delve deep into his flesh.. "Arrgghhh.." And with that he starts to change, his skin hardening with the scales that grow from beneath his flesh. He is about to go for one of the undead when him and his attackers are hit by an unknown force and knocked to the ground..

Slightly stunned he gets up and shakes his head only to notice that the undead are already upon him chewing on his scaled legs. "That won't do you any good.." And with that he activates his light blade and severes their heads from their bodies..

Attrah will do one of two things

1.Bull Rush any undead landing on the floor.

2.Defend the group


OOC:I'm going to the beach in about 20 minutes.(Almost 5 now)
So nothing for 3-4 days.Sorry =/

D'Aleen looks up at the creature approaching Thantos from over the top of the balcony. Muttering an oath under her breath she slowly raises her bow and trains it on the undead.
Hoping to at least buy Thantos enough time to get into a defendable position, she pulls back and lets loose a bright shaft of light from the magical bow....headed straight for the creatures head.

OOC....You decide Rogue....

Darghon still feeling a little dazed from Vinohs telekinetic blast tries to send a telepathic message to D'aleen 'Fire.. burn.. undead.. t.. ashes..'

And with that he falls down on his hands dropping his light blade, the magical blade vanishes as it leaves his hand. He shakes his head abit the effects of the blow still weighing on him..

Turning from the statue Krazixs see's the struggle going on in the balcony above. Hearing the hum of D'Aleen's bow Krazixs see's one zombie flip over the balcony and promptly rise to charge the rest on the ground level. Holding his staff level in front of him the elf let's loose a shaft of pure white light toward the monster in hopes of destroying the monster.

Vinoh realizes with horror that his attack also affected Darghon, who luckily has his dragon hide to protect him from the worst of the undead's assault.

Now that one of the beasts was on the ground and being handled by the others, Vinoh focuses on the one still on the balcony, thinking of what he can do. After all, he is not equipped with holy weapons or magicks and the balcony is to small for effective use of wide range attacks.

With that in mind, the mind mage suddenly becomes aware that Darghon has lost consciousness, with the undead thing looming over him ravenously. Instantly, the yellowish gem circling around his head glows and centers itself as Vinoh feels a surge of strength. Wanting to get the thing away from his friend and to the ground below, where his friends can handle it, the mind mage grabs it by the back of the neck and lower back, jumps off the balcony, hurls it with all of his might toward the ground (but away from the others, to give them some time to react), then activates his levitation power to safely return to the balcony to check on Darghon.

"Guys! Another undead thing is on the way! Darghon is down, I'll check up on him!"

Back on the balcony, Vinoh heads towards his friend.

"Darghon! Are you OK? I'm sorry for this; I should have better focused my attack..."

Vinoh then attempts a psychic diagnosis, to see the extent of the damage, and puts Darghon'S ligthblade back in his hand.

D'Aleen notes that the arrow of light did indeed buy some time for Thantos but now they had a very pissed off undead to deal with. Seeing that Krazixs is able to at least hold off the creature with the light eminating from his staff, she fires another volley of arrows at the creature, striking it's chest and torso.

"Thantos...Attrah....we could use some help over here...." she cried out and released another volley of arrows at the second creature now thundering towards them....slowing it's progress but only briefly.

The quickness and ferocity of the attack surprises Thantos. Still clinging to the wall he notices one of the undead coming towards him. As he tries to move away from the creature a bolt of light hits the undead in the head and tumbles him over the balcony. Looking down Thantos is amazed to see the creature up on his feet again. Climbing down the wall as fast as he can, Thantos realizes he must slow up the creature as much as he can until he can get down there. Holding onto the wall with one hand and his feet he points his other hand at the corpse with the blackened head...

"Web!"

He cries as a long tendril of white stickyness shoots from his hand towards the undead creature. (OOC: Up to you rogue to see if it hits). With that done Thantos quickens his pace trying to get down the wall and onto the floor as fast as he can.

"Hang on D'Aleen, I'm on my way!"

Darghon lies their twitching a little..

Seeing that Krazixs still is able to hold the one creature at bay, D'Aleen turns her attention to the other. Garnering strength from the bow itself she twists slightly to see Thantos's web and unleashes another volley of arrows. The creature stumbles back but is not halted.
"Rats....Thantos maybe a combined attack will bring this evil to it's knees."

Darghon gets up on his side gripping the hilt of his lightblade once more.. "urgh.." and then see's Vinoh in a trance.. "Vinoh.. thanks.. What ever you did.." Darghon gets up and looks over the balcony. Seeing that they're still fighting the undead king and queen he yells down to Minx.. "Didn't you get my telepathic message?" Darghon jumps off the balcony and break rolls...

"You've got to burn them to ashes.. seems to be the only way to kill undead.." Darghon looks around.. "I would have done it sooner but the only problem I'm having is the fact that this place is brimming with old wood.." Darghon raises an eyebrow..

Krazixs falls to his knees breathing heavily. Winded from the exertion of his spell he spends a few moments trying to catch his breath.

Glad that the fight has ended and impressed by the awesome force unleashed by Father Quadrial, Vinoh sits cross-legged on the balcony to rest a little. He used quite a bit of psychic energy in this most recent battle and he fears that his reserves are running low.

"Well done, my friends. I'm sure these things didn't know what hit them! As for me, I must take a few minutes to recuperate my mental strength, so if anyone wants to investigate this room further, be my guest... I could sure use the break!"

"Wow, Father, I am impressed. Perhaps that was why there were only the two undead in this room? I wonder if there were many more and some priest did just what the Father did and evaporated all the undead in the room except the two in the balcony that happened to be shielded from the blast? Interesting. Is everyone alright? D'Aleen, thanks for that shot that knocked the creature off the balcony as it was coming at me..I wouldn't have been able to get away in time.

You and Darghon rest Vinoh, I'll check if the two undead were protecting anything in the balcony...be right down!"

Thantos moves back over to the wall and climbs up the balcony to have a look around.

D'Aleen, although a little shaky, smiles and nods her head at Thantos' query and then moves over to Krazixs to offer him a hand up.

"Well done wizard! And Father...that was incredible power you harnessed. Is this an object that you recognize? Might it perhaps be useful to us in our quest?"

Curious about the icon but hesitant to touch it the elf wanders over to the base of the balcony and looks up to watch Thantos climbing. Hoping Vinoh is recovering from the assault above she turns to her companions gathered around the altar....

"Well friends? What now? Shall we join the others on the balcony or wait to see what they discover?"

Darghon watches in amazement "Wow.. I've never seen that before.. have to add that to my knowledge of undead" Darghon grins.

"Great work all.." Darghon smiles returning to his human form. "Well atleast we know that idol is good now" he looks around wondering "You think their will be anymore of them?"

Father Quadrial stands up looking more then a bit dazed.
For a good part of his life he had dedicated himself to following a god who always seemed to be just around the next corner.
He had seen plenty of things that convinced him that he was on the right path but never had anything happened directly.
Now twice in a short time there had been a direct contact.
It was a little hard to fathom and there really wasn't time to think about it.
Walking over to Darghon the monk rests his hand on the mans shoulder.
"My son you are wounded more then you know."
Taking the amulet into his hand Father Quadrial presses it to the hole ripped in the back of Darghons armour.
A warm light spills from the amulet and seals the gash.

Vinoh seeps into a deep meditation, seeking his special grove once again, hoping that he can reach it even in this desolate place...

It appears to him suddenly, quicker than he could ever imagine. Peace and serenity wash over him, and yet he feels an emptiness, minute as a missing tree in a gigantic forest, yet as sharp as a finger from a hand. Curious, the mind mage sinks deeper into himself, trying to find the source of this feeling, only to find his master voice quietly whispering to him...

*Vinoh, my apprentice, you and your companions have done very well so far in this most cursed lair. However, I have sensed a fragmentation of your dynamic whole, a missing element that could jeopardize your quest...*

Vinoh suddenly thinks of Gell, their courageous ally who's steadfastness and dedication would put the noblest knight to shame. He had lost track of him ever since they fought the Nightmare in the catacombs below. A vivid wariness wells up in him, but his master soothes his concerns.

*You must seek your friend, Vinoh. Your abilities, coupled with the knight Attrah's skills, will be needed in this endeavour.*

*But, Master Lanodin, what about the others? Should we risk leaving them even more short-changed in the face of what lies ahead?*

*Do not worry of the others, Vinoh, for their strengths are unique indeed. D'Aleen's bow is as true as her spirit and her Elven perception will be most useful. Thantos is a great tactician and in his heart burns the flame of righteousness. Darghon's levity and magical skills lend a very versatile hand to this group, while Krazixs inner potential is as limitless as his dedication to good. Finally, Father Quadrial is a powerful rallying figure, who's faith will be sure to keep his teammates focused and protected. Yes, this group is strong. They will meet any challenge with unflinching commitment, just as you and Attrah will, I'm sure.*

*Master Lanodin... I... don't know what to say.*

*Then say nothing, my apprentice, and let your actions be your voice and their echos be your rewards.*

With that, as suddenly as it had appeared, the master's voice dissipates along with the grove, leaving Vinoh speechless, yet filled with purpose, among the wrecked remains of this forgotten tomb.

He knows what he must now do. He and Attrah must find Gell. Together, they would reunite this valiant band of heroes and once that is done, not even the deepest darkness would be able to choke their light.

Slowly rising to his feet, Vinoh steps off the balcony and gently floats to the ground. Seeing that everyone seemed fine, Vinoh addresses them:

"My friends, while meditating, my master Lanodin contacted me. It seems we have lost our friend Gell and he has deemed of great import that I and Attrah should go search for him, as his help will be needed later in our quest. While I'm sad to part ways with all of you at this point, I'm certain that we shall meet again and thwart the evil that consumes the Tomb of Velix once and for all. Good luck and godspeed, my allies and save a thought for us."

The mind mage then walks to Attrah, a man of few words.

"Well, Attrah, it seems we complement each other enough to stand a chance against possibly unfair odds. Shall we? I'm most anxious to find Gell."

With that, Vinoh exits the chapel and heads back downstairs, steeling himself for what's coming.

Darghon gratefully receives the healing from Father Quadrial "Thankyou father.." Hearing the quest Vinoh is about to embark on himself he goes over and shakes his hand saying "Be well my friend and come back to us safely. I hope you find Gell" and with that he nods his head slightly towards Vinoh as the warrior leaes on his journey with Attrah..

Turning back to the group "So where to now fellow warriors?"

Thantos:
* On the balcony, you now are in the midst of dust of centuries.
It covers the ornate thrones also.
You now note that behind the thrones are a set of large doors like those on the floor below.
Nothing else is apparent *

All:
* The dark knight Attrah nods grimly, and with his usual silence follows.

Vinoh & Attrah turn the corner through the left alcove of the pair that are in the great room
for their brave juant back to the depths of the catacombs
to find their ally, Gell

As D'Aleen ponders the Icon closer
A brief hum & soft light glows in the air from it.
You feel a warmth, and your energies return *

Feeling his energy return he thinks.. "Maybe it is a source of energy.. magic?" Darghon looks at the idol.. "Then again.. perhaps it is just a statue imbued with good or maybe blessed?"

D'Aleen murmurs a prayer to her gods to watch over Vinoh and Attrah on their mission to find Gell. Understanding their need to leave she is still saddened by their departure.

Turning her attention to the icon she feels a warmth steal through her as it seems to glow with a soft light. A delicious sensation of restoration flows through her and refreshes both body and spirit.

"Darghon this is indeed something special. We saw what it was able to do using the good Father as it's medium. We were blessed with the weapons given to us at the start of this journey so I don't see why that same force wouldn't be willing to help us out again. Just as there is the undeniable force of great evil here there must be some good to counter it. It is just the law of nature...balance equals harmony. If the Father feels it is right, I believe we should hold this artifact...perhaps we were meant to find it.

I wonder what Thantos has discovered up there? We really should try to keep together, especially now our numbers have been reduced. Darghon did you notice anything unusual up there before you were attacked?"

"I feel we need to push on, something is . . . here, I can feel it calling to me." the small elf stands next to the holy statue, feeling suddenly anxious to be on with their journery. The loss of the Knight and Mage makes Krazxis feel a bit uncomfortable as he fears the dangers that may lie ahead.

The last thing Goban remembered was stepping into the large chapel-like room and taking a look around, his eyes leading to the ornate stone carvings along the walls. Despite not being a connoiseur of the arts, Goban found himself spellbound by the intricate details of the stonework depicting ancient stories of the gods, shutting everything that was going on around him out.

Suddenly remembering that he was on an extermination mission, he forced his attention away from the walls and went back to his companions. He was rather confused to see them nursing wounds and breathing heavily. A dejected frown crossed his face as he realized what had happened while he was entranced.

"Something was compelling me to admire the walls, I always seem to miss the action. I guess I'll have to fight twice as hard next time."

"Hey everyone..there is a set of doors up here. I am presuming they are just stairs down to the main chapel but I could be mistaken..should I open the door and take a look or should we move on?"

Thantos moves around in the balcony and dusts off what he can from the thrones to see if there are any markings that may say who these people were.

"Didn't find anything much of interest on the balcony D'Aleen.." Darghon frowns "except for two undead matriachs" he then looks at the idol "Should we take it with us? Or would it be a sin to desecrate something holy? Think we'll leave this one up to you father"

Seeing that goban has finally come back from his art exhibition he says "Find any secret passages while you were there Goban?" with a grin on his face.

Concentrating and levitating up to where Thantos is he looks around wondering "I don't know for sure Thantos" he raises an eyebrow.. "We might get lucky and there won't be anything on the other side.. or their could be a legion of undead waiting for some ripe flesh to tear off the bone.."

Darghon adjusts his cape a little seeing it was just out of place from the previous battle..

"I think we should push on up the staircase we came from." Krazixs looks toward the statue shining in the beam of light. "Leave the idol, it's the only thing holy in this place that doesn't reek of evil."

"I agree with you Krazixs" Darghon looks at the Idol "But I'd like to see what the rest of the party thinks to, before we press on."

"I think we can just leave it up to the Father to decide what to do with the icon....he is the best to judge that.

I agree with Krazixs, I think we should follow the original plan which was to meet at the base of the staircase and go up. Opening doors and crypts so far has not helped us much!"

D'Aleen smiled a little and shouldered her bow, waiting to see what the others would decide.

(OOC: Sorry..didn't realize my wife was logged in...This is Cubby!)

"Well while we have the idol open and ready for use, perhaps we should open the doors around here...if any undead attack we can draw them back into the room and the Father can toast them...sounds like a good way to do some evil exterminating to me..? If everyone wants though I'll continue up the stairs..."

"I'll follow you Thantos." with a strange look of resolve the elf moves to stand behind the warrior. It was definatley here, that something that was calling to him, was becoming more ferverent in his mind.

"I provide you with great power and they are talking like I'm making breakfast."
The amulet was grumbling.
Taking a position facing the door so he could indeed protect his companions, the friar smiled.
So far it had been a challenging adventure.
He knew that it would get worse before it got better but he felt prepared.
And he trusted that the rest of the party was as well.

"It does seem that the icon is staying Minx" Darghon looked back at her and raised an eyebrow. Looking back towards the group he cleaned himself up, putting his lightblade hilt back in its leather holder and went over and joined the rest of the group. "Shall we be off then and see what great new foes we might find.."

"I think we've all had enough unpleasant surprises to last a lifetime today." Goban said, shaking the last of the cobwebs out of his mind. "D'Aleen's right, we should make our way upwards without getting sidetracked. Whatever we're looking for is probably near the top and getting into any unnecessary fights just puts us in danger for no reason. As curious as I am to see what's behind that door, I'm far less curious to find out what it's like to be turned into a zombie snack."

"All that for this.." Darghon sighs slightly he then walks over and carefully looks out through one of the archers slits and sees...

Krazixs collapses in a wheezing heap. Legs on fire as well as his lungs he rests his head against the cool stone walls, gasping for breath.

Following the groups lead, after ascending the winding staircase, D'Aleen catches her breath at the top of the landing.

Looking around warily she pulls the bow from her shoulder...exhausted yet not wanting to show any weakness.

Leaning against the cold damp of the wall, closing her eyes, she yearns for some contact with her world.....but only feeling the damp and despair of their present situation radiated through the very foundation of the area, she sighs and looks to her companions for the support they will all need to draw from one another to be able to continue on.

Darghon:
* Strangely, outside is a dark & forbidding sky.
Night, with high clouds and a bright full moon.
The tree line that you see is nothing like the jungle the you came through,
this is a forest of dead trees, stripped of all leaves & life.
Far down below, in the distance you see a graveyard. *

"Okay.. this is strange.." Darghon steps a little away from the wall and looks at everyone "It's like we've been transported to another land.. " He looks worriedly at the archers slit "Cause that out there is definetly not the forest we came here through.." Darghon looks back at the group again and frowns.. "Everything is dead.. and there's a graveyard out there.." he says raising an eyebrow inquisitively..

"What? That can't be!"

D'Aleen strides over to stand beside Darghon, peering out through the narrow slit in the wall. Stunned she gazes at the barren landscape spread before her. A worried frown creeps across her face as she takes in the desolate scene.

"By the gods...what is at work here now? What do the rest of you think of this?"

Krazixs pulls himself from the floor with a groaning effort. Limping to the small window outward the elf takes a long glance.

"In a word. . . sorcery"

"Good deduction Krazixs" Darghon gives him a cheeky wink "We may have passed through some sort of teleportation warp in the stairs which has transported us here" Darghon ponders "But either way.. there's nothing we can really do here but go back down to the chapel"

(OOC: What is it with you and these flying vermin rogue? :p)

Darghon looking up and then goes extremely still.. Saying softly to the rest of the group "Look.. slowly.. up.. Bats"

"I see little we can do here besides making a nice target. Let us head back down to the chapel and explore more there."

After arriving at the top of the shaft and taking a rest...Thantos moves around the shaft looking at the walls for any sign of a door or opening other than the arror slits.

"Let's see, we were in another forest an inside a pyramid. Now it appears we are in the tower of a castle..mabye? And in a completely different forest. Interesting. I think we may need to explore this place a little better. If you all want I can climb up to the hole in the roof and take a better look around? Otherwise, let's not waste too much time and head back down right away."

Cautiously looking up, D'Aleen takes in the circling horde above them. She gently places a restraining hand on Thantos' arm, turning to him

"Please don't risk it Thantos....I don't think we shall discover anything of use. And...I have no desire to battle them again, even though we do have some cover here. I agree with Krazixs....let's go back down...we are not going to accomplish anything up here it seems.

I must admit I'm bothered by the scene out there. If we are successful in our quest are we still doomed to existing in this other "dimension" or whatever it is? My people have great magic in our lands but I have not seen anything like this before. It makes me....uneasy."

"Dimensional magic is ancient..." Darghon looks at Minx "And I think you are right Minx" Darghon goes over to the stairs.. "Lets us head back down before you know what sees us" Darghon looks down.. "Lets hope that warp tunnel is two way.."