Heroes come in all shapes and sizes (IC)

[Iscaa]

BROCK AND NEFER;

While the humans were busy cleaning the debris from the doorway, Nefer jumped off of Brock's back and sniffed the air. Her head turned towards what looked like a broken down outhouse, she cautiously padded towards it. The hair on her back stood up making her seem twice as large, a low growl rumbled out of her chest. Brock sniffed the air zeroing in on an unusual odor coming from the outhouse, he was only a step behind Nefer.

As they approach closer, the odor gets stronger, Brock sniffs again ...it's coming from inside of the small building the door is holding on by the bottom hinge only. This leaves a open area at the top and a small crack just below the hinge. Both animals look at what is shaped like a cat but is not alive, Nefer moves slowly closer. She reaches out with her paw touching it on the foreleg, it's hard and cold like stone. It's twice as big as Nefer, she can see that it was a real cat once...and a male, she looks up at Brock.

Meanwhile Brock steps over to the small hole at the corner of the door, and thrusts his nose in, taking in the strong smell coming from within. Suddenly there is loud squawks and flapping of wings.

Out flew an angry Cockatrice....followed by a second one, the rooster went for Brock while the hen dived at Nefer. Both animals leaped for cover as the angry pair tried to get their sharp claws into them. Under some brush, the birds couldn't get close enough to touch either Brock or Nefer. Some instinct told them to stay put until help came. Nefer kept looking at the statue of the cat in front of the door. Brock started to howl, while Nefer stood between his front legs looking out.

When the howling started Isca, turned her head first, listening to the direction it was coming from. Scowling she stated,

"Looks like those two are in trouble...I better see what's going on now."

She swiftly ran towards the outhouse where the howling was coming from, followed closely by both Devon and Isloa.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Up until now Maut had nothing to say, to be honest for the first time since his death he experienced fatigue. Throwing so much magick into the Mesolbulbron demanded a sacrifice, that sacrifice was a large portion of the magick wich bound him to his body. Energy was slowly seeping back into him, but it was like dripping water through a thick cloth, it was there, but any proper attack now could put him into limbo once more. He cocked his head at the sounds and sniffed the air when the other wrinkled their noses at smells,

"There is nothing there."

The suddeness of his words turned heads towards him and he motioned passed the gates,

"It's magick, an enchantment. Probably to scare off intruders."

He tilted his head, then drew a short sword from behind his back, the edges flaming a dull blue flame. He looked at the Minotaur and shrugged.

"Better safe than...undead."

 

[DeathsKnight]

Devon was looking at the hole when he answered Isola's question,

"I doubt that either one of the entrances would not contain traps. Judging from the scuffing marks this door have not been opened in a very long time, but the front door has. I'd suggest we take the front..."

The wolf's howl interupted him and he turned to watch Isca rush off to the aid of her cat and most probably her wolf as well. With a soft sigh, he fitted an arrow to his bow and followed Isca, catching up with her in the space of a few paces and from there he kept pace with her, until they came to the brush where the two angry birds squawed and tried their best to get at the two hiding under the bush. The sight was just so amusing that Devon couldn't help, he laughed.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Isola is about to get “Stoned Man! Groovy”

Isola came running “COCKATRICE …TWO OF THEM … BLOOD AND PISS” She cursed trying to warn the second team near the tunnel. Hope was being bounced around by all this running and started to cry. Isola tried to quiet the baby down “Quiet … Hope …One scratch from those birds and we turn to stone!”

Isola had pulled out her two daggers and was ready to defend herself. But she did not want to get too close and draw them towards herself. “I can try a suggestion spell” She said to herself. As she grabbed the green gem and tried to push thoughts into one of the cockatrice. It was no good … the creatures were just too dumb or maybe too magic resistant.

The male cockatrice was fiercely attacking the bush … trying to get at Nefer. The thing looked possessed it was so angry. The female was trying to get at Brock but was being more cautious … as one bite from the dire wolf and it would be dead.

Has soon as Isola tried a suggestion spell on the female … it turned on her … humans were much less scary than a Dire Wolf … the cockatrice was fly directly at Isola’s face! Isola knew that if she turned and ran … she’d be dead. So she stood her ground and got ready to use her daggers.

 

[Iscaa]

Everything was happening so fast that Isac could only swerve her head trying to asses who was at risk first. The Cockatrice rooster was trying to get at Nefer "stupid thing", but she was safe between Brock's legs, that left the hen. It was being a bit more cautious in it's attack, knowing that she had those eggs of hers to protect, she had to survive. Suddenly the small brain of the hen detected a spell directed at her from a nearby human.

Isola had come running with Hope and daggers at the ready but wanted to try a suggestion spell first. The hen screeched heading straight for her face, Isola stood her ground ready with her daggers. At that moment Isca went into action, throwing her hands out she quickly cast a mild bolt of lightening ...just enough to knock the bird unconscious. It fell to the ground with a light thud, but otherwise was breathing. Isola looked at it stunned and cried,

"Why didn't you kill it? Do you know what those things can do to you?

Isca put her hand up indicating to leave it, then she did the same thing to the male. Once things had calmed down she looked at Isola and said,

"Every creature has a right to live, as long as we can work our way around them, I say we will do precisely that. Now I suspect they have a nest in the outhouse and were just protecting it, as any parent will do."

Walking over to the stone cat, Isca bent down to look it over. Thoughtfully she turned to Devon looking at him she asked,

"Devon would you mind taking this stone cat statue,..... we should all leave now, the birds will be waking soon, and I really don't want to be around when they do. They will go back to their nest if they are not disturbed."

With that she called to Nefer and Brock, who were both sniffing at the rooster laying on the ground. Looking up, they quickly came to her, she then bent slightly for Nefer to jump onto her shoulder, which the little cat did with relief in her eyes. With one hand on Brock's shoulder they made their way back to the hole the humans had been contemplating before all the hub bub had interrupted them.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Isola walked back with Devon, he was holding the stone statue. Isola whispered to him “That was a unique way to handle two deadly creatures … you know next time we run into the demonlords … she’ll just tell them … what bad boys they have been and send them to their room without supper” Isola sighed. Devon just smiled “You know she is right … as a ranger it is my job to protect the forest as well …”

Isola looked down to the ground … SHIT ... she realized she had really stuck her foot in her mouth with the handsome ranger. So she made a joke “I know she is right … I just needed to use the outhouse … that is all!” That made Devon laugh.

They move around to the front door on Devon suggestion. “I’ll go first” Isola offered and opened the door. The front door led into this high-ceilinged room. Light from outside illuminated the tile floor, which was mostly covered with dirt and leaves. Cobwebs filled all the corners of the room and thick webs obscure the ceiling. A large spider could be seen above … but it was not interested in the current guests entering the tower. An archway opened to the north. There was a small cloak closet which Isola opened. There was not much inside. Just some boxes and several cloaks and coats hang from hooks running the length of the wall beneath the shelf. A pair of boots and a pair of slippers sit beneath the cloaks and hooks, along with a single boot. Isola picked up the single boot … there was something different about it … but she did not know what.

Isola went through the archway which led to a large circular room with a stone staircase winds up into the ceiling. On the first step of the staircase was carved a rune

There were iron-bound doors on the east and west walls of this room. Isca, Nefer, Brock and Devon joined her at the stair case. Isola handed Isca the boot “I’m giving you the boot!” Isola joked. Then she turned to “Devon … shall we go up … or check out these rooms?” She asked him.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Devon just had to smile at Isola's joking, she was quite funny and he had to admit he found her very attractive, must be the fact that he did like pretty women who would stand their ground holding a weapon. Something about the image was just exhilirating...of course having a body to match any fantasy he could have did help. He frowned at the question though, he was not in his element, outside he could act, take charge and lead, in here it was whole different place, shifting the statue into a more comfortable position, he rested a hand on the sword at his waist,

"Let's explore the rooms first? Perhaps we can find some useful items to help us overcome more of the traps?"

 

[milkmaiden38]

“Ok” Isola said and she went through the west door. The room was large and dominated by a big dining room table. There was dust everywhere … thickest on the table, except for in three circles evenly spaced along its length, 2', 1', and 2' in diameter respectively. There was also a fireplace in the room.

“Looks like someone took what was on the table” Isola said.

There was a side door in this room and she headed for it … She opened the wooden door which led to the tower’s kitchen

This room was filthy and debris-strewn all over the place. There was a large stove in the northeast corner and counters and cupboards along the walls. An enormous iron pan sat on the stove. Cooking utensils lie on the ground along with a broken broom and shards of dishes.

Sitting at the kitchen preparation table was 1 ghast and 2 ghouls dressed in the rags of a chef's and butlers' outfits. They were presently eating fried eggs with their bare hands. These creatures looked like zombies with a stink of decay on them … their skin stretched tight across their bones … but they were far more deadly. They were as quick as if they were living and a bite from them can cause paralysis.

As Isola entered the room … they shrieked and leapt up … attacking her!

Isola jumped back against the stove and grab the iron frying pan … as the first ghoul approached she swung as hard as she could connecting with the creatures head. There was a loud CRUNCH and he went flying against the far wall. The other two creatures smashed through the wooden door attacking Devon and Isca.

 

[Iscaa]

When they all entered the tower, Brock immediately zeroed in on the huge spider sitting high up in the center of it's web. A breeze from the doorway made the web ripple, the spider moved across and into it's tunnel located on the side. The fur on Brock's back went up as he emitted a low menacing growl. Isca stopped to reassured him by giving him a pat on the head, and adding a few words of encouragement. Straightening up she saw Isola go into a what looked like a small cloak room, Isca walked further into the room. Nefer jumped off her shoulder and joined Brock who was sniffing around.

As they all wondered around Isca noticed Isola coming out of the cloak room carrying a single boot, she knitted her brows thinking, (That's odd.) As Isola moved over to the staircase the rest joined her at the bottom. Isola handed Isca the boot jokingly saying,

“I’m giving you the boot!"

Devon chuckled at that remark but Isca just raised her eyebrow at the woman as she took it. Remarking to herself as she walked away, (There is something about this boot, I can feel it, I better see if i can find it's mate.)

Isca wondered around while Isola went into one of the heavy doors on the western side, minutes later...there was a shriek and crashing sounds. Suddenly two horribly wasted creatures burst through the door, going for Devon and Isca.

It all happened so fast Isca only had time to drop the boot, before Brock sailed through the air clamping his huge jaws around the creature that was going for her. With one shake of his head, the throat was completely torn out, leaving only a small piece of skin attaching it to the body. He spit it out of his mouth, shaking his head in disgust, the body lay at his feet, ozzing green gore.

Nefer wrinkled her nose and moved away, as did Isca, calling Brock to her. They watched as Devon encountered his own creepy Ghoul.

 

[DeathsKnight]

The attack came suddenly and Devon almost dropped the statue of the cat...it only dawned on him then that perhaps the cat was a victim of the cockaratie and he was toting around a dead cat for no other reason than Isca's say-so...so he handed it to the attacking ghoul,

"Here, hold this."

Of course the ghoul didn't take the offered statue, it attacked the nearest thing to it, which was the cat. It bit at the statue, going instinctively for the neck and with a loud crunch it's teeth connected...and broke on the hard, smooth surface. Half a heartbeat later Devon's blade sliced through it's neck, the ghoul dropping to the ground as dead as any other creature should be without it's head. Devon looked at the statue, it was unmarred by the ghoul.

"At least I found another use for you."

He smiled and looked over at the wolf,

"And you must have one awful taste in your mouth at the moment."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Into the tomb

Zarik laughed at Maut’s joke “"Better safe than...undead." Then he looked over to Megan, who had a worried look on her face, he stopped laughing … and pulled out his own weapon. Megan walked closer to the metal gate “the word here is in draconic … sayes “open” if my translation is correct. I’m sure Nas could pronounce it better … but it sounds a bit like this “RAUSUS” She grunted out. The massive and foreboding double portcullis gate slide away … with a grinding noise.

At the same time, the sounds of screams, pain, fright, and hunger were cut off, even the smell of decaying bodies was gone. This happened all of a sudden. “The sounds and the smells were an Illusion just like Maut said” Megan confirmed looking back at the dead knight. “Time to visit a dead wizard’s tomb” She pulled her red cloaked hood over her head. And walked deeper underground.

Nas, Maut, and Zarik followed her into the tomb. Glow lights sprang on … providing lighting as they descended deeper underground. They reached the first room. It was very large … a long hexagonal shaped room that was full of statues and decorated walls. The beautiful marble floors were white, veined in black and gold. The statues were of a Wizard and other creatures. The walls scene depicted romantic scenes of mermaids swimming about proud ships and singing songs to the sailors. Other scenes were of a wizard lifting a curse from a village as people cheered and two humans kissing, one wearing a crown … probably a king in the background again the same wizard’s stood watching.

There were benches in front of the 6 wall scenes. the benches were decorated with ornately carved wooden arms, the seats were made of black marble with white and gold streaks. Copper sconces were on the walls and they too lite as the group entered. The room was large enough so as to allow Nas freedom to walk about and not knock over any of the statues.

The beauty of the room and the art caused the members of the party to separate … each looking at different art. Megan recognized some of the deeds depicted on one of the walls and statues. “Maut … some of these are from your time period … and images and statues show deeds the Wizard Ardel accomplished during his lifetime.” She said … but Maut did not answer … as he was not in the room anymore. He was GONE.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Deathsong and dead knights!

A small set of stairs led away and down from the hexagonal room. Maut was drawn toward these stairs. Heard a voice … her voice … “go down the stairs.” Silently he moved down them away from the others. After only about a 10 foot drop he entered a small chapel area. It could only seat some 25 people; there was a small pipe organ off to one side and a small foyer inside the front entrance. There was a small bell located on the right side of the front of the Chapel. At that same far end of the room was a large stone seal etched in gold with glowing purple runes in the floor. As Maut moved towards the seal … Suddenly knight materialized on the seal, in front of him. Maut sensed immediately this knight was also undead just like himself.

“Sir Maut al Feres … Welcome … I’m Sir Olot Darkblade, the guardian of the sword called Deathsong” He bowed toward Maut.

“Normally I would defend its resting place until those that wished to acquire it were dead. However, our lady has granted the weapon for your use. You may take it freely.” He said with a nod of his head.

“However, as you might imagine … it has been a while since I have fought anyone … would you honor me with a duel? I wish to know the measure of your sword fighting ability. Standard sword dueling rules … the fight is over at first blood … or for us” he said with a nod of his helmed head “penetration of our armor. No magic … if that is acceptable to you.” Sir Olot Darkblade stated awaiting Maut response.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Inside the wizard's tower

With the ghouls dispatched, they searched the rest of the rooms on the first floor.

 

[Iscaa]

Meanwhile;

As the rest of the group looked around Isca called Brock over letting him sniff the boot then in an elevated voice said "Brock...go find the mate to this boot...go on boy..find it!"

With some dignity Brock looked up at Isca telepathically telling her that he wasn't a dog...he was a Dire wolf and would prefer to be treated like one.....but he would do his best....he shook his head slightly as he quickly went to the western part of the room where the iron bound doors were. On the far right of the last one was a small door. Brock led Isca and Nefer straight to this door stopped slightly to left of it and waited for Isca to open it. It certainly hadn't been used for anything important since there was only a very rusty latch to keep it closed.

Once it was opened both Brock and Nefer entered before Isca had a chance. She conjured up a small globe to light up the darkness within. There was Brock sitting in the far corner next to the mate to the boot Isca had in her hand. He had too much dignity to hold it in his mouth so he just sat beside it with a look of satisfaction on his furry face. Isca laughed and cried

"Good work Brock now lets see what we have here with this pair of boots!"

She took them and the animals back out of the storage room walking to an area that had the best light. She could feel the magic in them as soon as she held them together, with her fingers she inspected the insides. There were some runes but they were too worn to make out what they said. But from what she had been taught about magic articles she figured she knew what these were.

Looking up she saw Devon and Isola still exploring the room, she called out waving for them to come over,

"I ....no Brock here, found the mate to the boot you discovered in the cloak room Isola... now having had a moment to look them over I think I know what they are."

Seeing she had their attention especially Isola's Isca continued

"These are what is known as...."Boots of Striding and Springing" the wearer gains speed and height. Now the thing is, I don't know how much so someone has to put them on and test them."

Looking at the two of them Isca grinned and asked,

"Any takers?"

 

[milkmaiden38]

Isola and her new boots

Isola only comment was “those are soo last year’s style … I would not be caught dead in them!” She jested. Isca just looked at her like ... "Really?"

Isola grabbed the boots "Fine ... I'll try them on" and she placed them on her feet. The magic in the boots made them fit to her feet and she made a little experimental jump ... she flew about 5 feet into the high (almost Micheal Jordan like!) "WOW these things really work." Isola gasped.

Hope was giggling like crazy ... that jump had been better than a swing!

With the boot problem solved ... The group returned to the foot of the staircase and looked at the rune craved in the first step.

“Clearly a magic word … but it is in a language I do not know” Isola said. Everyone else shrugged not know the word either. “well … I guess someone needs to see what happens if we use these stairs. Isola step on the first step. Suddenly the stair case started to move … (like an escalator). Isola grab on to the railing which was moving too and she was carried up the staircase to the next floor. Isola was pretty worried … and Hope riding in her papoose just giggled in joy.

“I guess it is some kind of labor saving magic … so you don’t need to climb the stairs.” Isola called down from the second floor.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Maut studied the other knight briefly,


"The Deathsong's resting place is here? This is where is was all these years?"

Sir Olot Darkblade shook his head,

"Our lady have brought it here recently, it's resting place was where I had fallen, you see Maut, I was the previous wielder and now you have the right and honor to wield one of the most feared weapons in existence."

Maut nodded and assumed an en garde position. Olot appraises him, happy to see Maut knew what he's doing. Olot leap at him blades crashing into each other. Each knight trading feints, thrusts and parries with lightning speed, Maut had no trouble matching Olot.

Olot voice was full of excitement, thrilled Maut had such skills “Excellent form ... excellent reaction speed. However, can you also deal with the unexpected?” He asked

Olot leapt forward again … Their blades flashed and rung. Suddenly, Olot grabbed a chapel chair and swungs it at Maut’s head. Maut ducked it, came back up with his own trick … he cuts the small bell free and flung it at the other knight connect with his helm … there is a loud “BONG” noise … as Sir Darkblade laughed

“I do believe you just rang my bell!” He said “Well struck! But the duel is not over yet!”

He exploded forward … again trading blows with Maut … they dance around the back end of the chapel … neither scored a direct hit. Maut took a swing at Olot’s legs and the knight leapt up on the pipe organ keys.

“I shall play a tune for you … “ Olot joked as his feet dance over the key board trying to avoid Maut sword blows … at just the right moment Olot kicked Maut sword out of his hand ... the sword stabbed into the far wall.

“AHH now I have you … “ Olot said and rushed forward … Maut did not duck nor weave, instead his hand lashed out, grabbing Sir Olot's wrist,
The move was so surprising … Olot was not ready for Maut's counter attack. Maut brought his hand from the side, the claws on his gauntlet hitting Sir Olot's chestplate, tearing it open … Maut released Sir Olot's wrist as the conditions had been met.

Sir Olot looked down at the rend in his armor and chuckled, “Well Fought!” He said offering a hand in congratulations to Maut. Maut took the offered hand and as they clasped hand's firmly, Maut could feel the cold precence of Death. The knight before him slowly sank to his knees and then the armor fell to pieces, the magic holding it together gone. Maut saluted the fallen knight and offered a silent thanks to his lady, before venturing forward to where the power of the blade called to him

 

[DeathsKnight]

Devon

He watched as the stairs moved upwards with Isola, then he looked at the rune which have appeared on the bottom step again, he took a step, but instead of the first step, he stepped onto the second step. Nothing happened at first, but a faint click cautioned him and he retracted his foot just as spikes flashed upwards from the stair where his foot was a moment ago,

"Interesting and also devious."

He smiled as he stepped onto the first step, the stairs moved him upwards, he had no need for the railing, on the second floor he stepped off and looked around, boxes, jars, bags, shelves, books, dust and all kinds of seemingly junk littered the room. This was clearly some sort of storage room. One thing caught his eye though, a bag, big enough to fasten around his waist and big enough to hold the cat statue. He carefully picked it up and peeked inside, it seemed empty, but just to make sure, he turned it inside out. It was empty.

He fastened it to his waist and settled it just behind his sword on his left hip, his forest cloak covering it, he slipped the statue into the bag and staggered slightly as the weight he had prepared for, just wasn't there. He patted the bag and found it empty! He stuck a hand inside and met several objects, but when he looked, he only saw an empty bag.

"Now this is strange."

He reached inside and pulled out the statue, sticking his hand in again, he withrew a length of rope, he grinned, now this was an interesting bag.

 

[milkmaiden38]

The seal is broken!

Maut looks back and sees Megan and Zarik enter the small chapel. Megan spoke first “Everything alright ... we heard fighting …” She said. Zarik added “And some bad organ playing”

Maut answered in his dry death voice “you might want to stand back …” and then turned back towards the seal and spoke the magic words. The violet runes on the seal glowed more intensely, and then flicker out. There is a sharp cracking sound and fissures start to form on the stone and gold seal. Maut stands back himself … watching as the ground begins to rumble and the seal explodes open sending rock peices in all directions. They shield their eyes … and when they can look again … at the bottom of the swallow stone pit … is a sword.

The blade was so pure black … it looked as if it did not exist … it seemed to be made of the black abyss of nothingness. The crossguard and pommel were of pure silver and the grip was of black leather. The motif was of skulls.

Zarik nodded and stated “the sword from the moonwell spell … Deathsong ... I think Maut called it”

 

[DeathsKnight]

Maut stepped forward, at the edge of the shallow pit he sank down to one knee, bowing his head in reverance to his lady. He rose and held out his hand, the blade slowly rose to his hand and his fingers locked on to the hilt. Inside his head thousands of voices screamed their death screams, all the lives the blade had taken welling up, rushing through him and back into the blade, their screams setting of vibrations in the blade, making it sing. A smile broke over Maut's lips as the blade sang it's deadly song, he turned to face his companions,

"The Deathsong, one of the most feared and revered weapons in the universe."

A sheath started to form at the point of the blade and spread up the blade, covering it in hardened black leather, bound with silver bands and adorned with skulls,

"Praise be to my lady, I shall wield this in her honor."

He secured the sheathed sword to his waist using a belt he had been wearing the whole time.

"Now, let us continue."

 

[Iscaa]

Isca and the others watched as Isola put the boots on and jumped 5 feet into the air, Isca nodded her head thinking,(OK...so my out of the blue guess was right, no one has to know that.) Brock came over to see the humans' antics, Nefer was on his shoulder, she just looked sideways when Isola made her leap into the air gasping,

"WOW these things really work."

Soon enough they got back to the staircase with it's rune, it would take a few minutes for Isca to figure it out, but as usual Isola took matters into her hands and stepped onto the first stair. In total surprise they all watched as she and Hope were swept upwards to the second floor.

“I guess it is some kind of labor saving magic … so you don’t need to climb the stairs.” Isola called down from the second floor.

Isca watched as Devon looked the staircase over, discovering a strange mechanism on the second step. Looking back at Isca, Devon carefully stepped onto the first stair and was whisked up like Isola. Since the animals wouldn't be comfortable trying to ascend the staircase Isca turned to the two of them quietly explaining,

"Look you two stay down here and continue to look around, if anything strange happens let me know.....OK?"

Brock, then Nefer nodded their heads slightly indicating they understood, both of them watched as Isca stepped up onto the first stair and was whisked up like the others. Brock turned getting back to sniffing around. Nefer jumped off, running towards a scurrying mouse she had spied.

When Isca got to the top, she saw the Isola and Devon were busy looking at the various boxes and things that were to be found laying all over the place. Devon had found a pouch that had his interest. Joining them Isca started to rummage around as well, finally coming across a box with some kind of clothing inside. Her fingers tingled when she touched it making her raise her eyebrow in thought, (Now this is certainly interesting!)

She carefully lifted it out shaking it slightly so it would unfold for her, it was a cloak. (I wonder what it does?) She swung it over her shoulders, and felt a tingling in her body. Just then Isola looked her way and cried,

"Isca, your body has disappeared, all I can see is your head!"

Where upon Isca reached behind her and lifted the hood over her head and asked,

"And now? Can you still see my head?"

 

[milkmaiden38]

The second floor of the tower was a large circular room that contains many shelves and boxes. The shelves were covered with bags, jars and other containers. On a table near the stairs was a balance scale, metal scoops of different sizes and empty bowls and bags.

“It was the magic storeroom for the wizard.” Isola said out loud … Looking at all the various spell components. As she examined the boxes and jars she found various minerals, bits of animals and plants and small manufactured items such as glass rods. She also uncovered a large box on the ground that held 20 lbs of powdered silver, scroll writing material, and an ink pen with ink.

She only grabbed the scroll material and the pen with the ink. She had no use for the other items. As she looked up … she saw Isca body disappear!

"Isca, your body has disappeared; all I can see is your head!" She said. Isca had a wry smile on her face as she pulled the hood over her head

“And now? Can you still see my head?" She asked.

“By the gods of the underworld … you’re GONE! Amazing” Isola said “I sure wish I had that cloak … during some of my bad dates!” Isola laughed.

As they completed their search of this floor … the group all gathered around the stair case again. There was another rune on the first step again on the stairs leading up. Isola step on the step and again it carried her higher to the next floor. As she rose higher, she detected the smell of death … which grew stronger and stronger. At the landing of the next floor there was a human figure slumped against the door, dressed in leather armor and wearing a backpack with a set of thieves’ tools open on the ground in front of him. Other tools lie strewn about the landing.

“There a dead guy up here … looks like a thief.” Isola called down to the others.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Zarik, Maut, Megan and Nas walked out of the statue room and into the next room, which was shaped exactly like the last one, except there was a large pool in the center. The pool was filled with clear clean water. The walls of this room were lavishly decorated with murals of water nymphs, ponds with long reeds extending upwards to the sun, and brave hunters stalking water birds. Here, as in the last room, are benches along the walls. There are also seven delicately carved vials of scented bath oils, and a rather large peacock feather fan, now rotted, which is propped up in one corner. Magical glow lamps came on as they entered the room.

Zarik looked around “Now this is more like the expensive tomb I had imagined … but a bath house in a tomb! It seems strange” He commented.

Megan thought for a moment “The wizard was known to befriend all sorts of creatures … perhaps this area was for those that were more water dwellers? Or maybe this was a place for guests to bathe before going to the next room?” She suggested.

Zarik looked over to Nas “Or maybe it was to get the stink off the smelly dragons!” He joked but one look from Nas and he stopped laughing. “Well, the pool is certainly big enough!” He pointed out to Nas. The pool was so large Nas would need to go through part of it to make it to the next room. The rest of the group could walk along the narrow sides of the pool, which they did.

As they moved beyond the pool room … they entered another hexagonal room, much like the other ones, this one was decorated with mosaic tiles. The mosaic covered the entire room, the walls, the floor, and ceiling. The scenes were of a great dragon standing behind a man in wizard robes. They were talking to a young maiden wearing a silver gown and a silver and ruby coronet. Another scene depicts elves singing in the woods while the dragon watched them from his hiding place behind two tall pines. On one wall was a pool of bright blue water with a shimmering diamond floating on a lily paid, and several mermaids swimming and splashing each other near it. The last wall design was of a maiden, man and dragon curled up asleep around a key.

The image of the key … was that of the Heereel KuRuck!

 

[Iscaa]

When Isola got to the top of the stairs, she called down to Isca and Deven.

“There a dead guy up here … looks like a thief.”

Suddenly there was a soft noise behind her, when she turned her head, the door had become hot she could feel the heat radiating towards her.....quickly. Isola turned back and shouted,

"Isca there is some kind of heat or fire trap connected to the door, can you get your butt up here real fast? Before I get cooked like our thief here did?"

Isca immediately stepped onto the stairs with Devon right behind her. It only took seconds but even by that time, Isola didn't look good, she was overheating fast. Isca stretched out her hands speaking of cold spell, a blast of cold air and ice flew from her finger tips hitting the door. Within seconds, they could feel the air cooling. Isola slumped against Devon, until she felt better. Isca raised her eyebrow knowing that Isola was loving this, even though she felt awful. She put her hand on her shoulder, speaking calmly,

"Your OK Isola...just give yourself a minute to cool down. That was really a close call, we have to be more aware of potential hazards, after all this is a wizard's stronghold." Shaking her head, she continued, "I think we have been lucky so far...let this be a warning to us."

Five minutes passed, they saw that the door was now touchable. Isca tried the doorknob....found it was rusted totally shut. She looked at Devon smiling before saying,

"Looks like we now need the muscles of a man to get this big ol door to open. What do you say Devon?"

Both girls smiled while they waited for his answer.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Nas, Megan, and the Key!

Nas smiled at Zarik, Maut, and Megan which actually was a pretty scary look for the massive lizard. “We have found the Key.” He stated nodding his head towards the mosaic tiles with the picture of the Heereel KuRuck.

Zarik looked back at the dragon “That is just a picture of the key … not the key itself.” He pointed out.

The smile on Nas’ face grew bigger “You do not remember the moonwell image … as clearly as I do …” The great dragon rumbled. “The image was from an angle that looked out for the key’s hiding place. … I saw that wall in the background” Nas point a clawed foreleg at the wall opposite of the mosaic tiles with the picture of the Heereel KuRuck.

“So the key is behind this picture?” Megan asked.

Nas nodded and took his horned head and smashed it directly into wall with the key picture. The thin wall collapsed inward revealing a hidden alcove. Megan gasped in surprise. Zarik just said “that’s using your head ... Nas!”

The wall out of the way … Megan pulled back the hood of her red cloak, her fire-red hair dropping away from her face. Her eyes focus on the object inside the wall … Nas was right …They had found it … the key! … She reached down and picked it up … sudden her mind was inside someone else’s mind … a massive intelligence that swallowed her up! She could barely hold on to the person called Megan Frostblood … She was now Gragathor … his thoughts were her own!

It was cold so very cold. He lay on the ground, pain and despair is all he felt. His physical wounds had healed, but the scars on his will could not heal. The demonlords had slashed and ripped through his mind and body when the closure spell had been completed. His body had stopped moving. Only his mind still worked. The darkness surrounded him. It ate away at him even more so than the bitter cold. For these many many years … even he could not endure it. His thoughts were dark, “And so it ends, in misery and pain. Oh tell me … gods of creation, where have I failed? Why does the world have to die?" Knowing that there would be no answers tears fell from his eyes as he put his head on the ground. He took a deep breath “I’m dying” he thought “There is no hope left.” For the first time of his life he was afraid of what would happen next. So this is what it felt like to die. What would happen to his thoughts, his distinctiveness, his conscience, dare he say … his soul? Would they just go away? He would soon find out. He was so weak he could feel himself fading. He had once been the most powerful creature on the planet. The father of dragon kind! Now he was almost dead. He could not fight the spell he was under. The demon lords had engineered it so he could not break free. His hatred of those horrible creatures had sustained him for these many years. He was sad that he could not help defend the planet … he had failed. His defeat had doomed the life on the planet. There was nothing he could do. Sleep the never ending sleep. That was all there was left to do.

Megan mind screamed “NOOOOOOO” as she tried to stay alive. She knew instinctively that should the dragon die she would die too!

As Gragathor will power to stay alive began to leave his body …he felt something inside his mind. It was small almost like a pin prick. But it was there. The pin prick was fighting to stay alive.

He focused on the new energy which had entered his dark world. Was it really there? He could feel it, the new energy was real. His dark thoughts slowly evaporated … his will to live a while longer returned. “Who are you …” He asked his own mind.

Megan struggled against the massive mind she was in … “I’m Megan Frostblood” She answered more out of habit than that she believed it … She had massive claws, a jaw full of teeth … she had wings …. She could tear whole mountains down … SHE COULD BREATH FIRE …

The dragon’s massive mind sensed he had arms and legs … red hair and … oddly breasts … The dragon separated from the other mind the small pin prick. He had realized what was happening and separated from the other mind before he comsumed it.

But he could still examine the pin prick of energy and behind it … he could feel … a dragon … He could tasted the other dragon’s energy of red and bronze … He threw a thought at that dragon energy … a simple thought “Free me”

In the world of Ardel’s Tomb … Nas was behind Megan as she picked up the large green key … It was the Heereel KuRuck … He just knew it was the “stone breaker!” His face was full of emotion … He was in amazement; his large golden eyes were luminous in awe of this object.

Nas could feel a draconic energy from the key and he noted that Megan had become frozen. As if her mind had stopped working. Then he heard a voice in his head … it was an ancient voice of great power and importance … the message was a simple one … “Free me!”

The key was asking to be free … free from the human’s touch … Nas reached out and pulled the key from Megan's hand.

Megan turned on Nas and ROARED like dragon … her eyes intense with anger … she leaped into the air as if she could fly … the opened her mouth as if to breath fire on him … and burn him away. But nothing came out. She fell to the ground with a thud. Gasping for breath. Her mind now clear of the other mind ... she moaned “AHHHHH!”

She had a massive headache and was holding her head in her hands. Nas on the other hand, could only feel the dragon energy from the key ... nothing more.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Devon rested an arm around Isola, she was slightly charred, but not too much, of course the heat had been intense and she had been closer to it than him. He looked on as Isca cast her spell and then turned to him, wanting him to break down the door. He shook his head, that was a very bad idea, especially in this place filled with traps and spells, then he remembered something and reached into the bag, feeling the cat's head, he drew it out of the bag and smiled,

"Well then at least you're still here."

He slipped away from Isola (slightly reluctant though) and took aim with the base of the cat at the door handle. He delivered a solid hit to the handle, small flakes of rust falling to the ground, tentatively he reached out to the handle and it stuck, only to creak open as he applied more pressure. He slipped the cat into the bag and drew a sword, pushing the door, which strangely enough swung open easily and without a sound.