OOC: I know the grimlocks are blind, and that the hound has a keen sense of smell, but I figured even if there is a slight advantage allowed by improved invisibility, it would be better to have it then to just keep the spell.

<font color=lightgreen>For Syrathic</font>

<font color=thistle>Movement is easy in the wide corridor, but the air here is heavy with the odor of blood and flesh that has begun to decay. The sound of voices, excited and quarrelsome, easily masks the noise of careful movement, and other sounds become apparent as well – the noise of flesh being cut away from bone and the placing of what must be large slabs of meat into containers. Both stink and sound become more intense as one rounds the bend and the passage opens into what must be a very large chamber whose entrance is dimly lit by yet more remnants of exploded glyphs of some sort. Lingering near the edge of the glow a lone shadow mastiff is busily chewing on a scrap of meat roughly the size of a human thigh. A blade strikes the creature as it swallows and before the blow is even felt a second blade strikes it as well. Gasping on its partially swallowed meal, the creature turns only to be struck dead by still another blow.</font>

<font color=silver>ooc: <font color=lightgreen>Syrathic</font> - You were able to achieve surprise on the creature – this allowed you 4 attacks, 3 of which hit. The shadow mastiff is dead without having been able to bark out a warning. Whether or not the grimlocks noticed anything is yet to be determined.</font>

Dantes strains his ears listening for some sign that the something has found Syrathic, or that Syrathic has been successful. Spell components at the ready, Dantes prepares to cast a spell quickly if need be. There is no telling what this band of grimlocks might do.

<font color=lightgreen>Syrathic left-hand blade struck just mere moments after the first had found its mark. The beast had been chewing on a big chunk of meat and was unprepared for Syrathic's sudden attack. A slash of the left-hand blade missed, but the right-hand one found its mark once again, and the beast fell dead without even making a sound.

The elf quickly held himself against the wall, keeping still as he tried to hear any sound that the grimlocks ahead had noticed his attack. He didn't notice any sign that htey had noticed, so he decided to risk moving ahead to see if there were only grimlocks ahead. He heard sounds of meat being cut and tossed into containers, which could mean a large number of grimlocks to take care of. Better to have a good estimate this time, the elf thought.</font>

<font color=skyblue>As she enters the cleft, she pushes back the hood of her Warder's Cloak, and lightly taps her staff to the rocks... The moonstone set in the top of her rowan staff glows gently, and her eyes cast silver light forward.... Silver tears roll down her cheeks as she spots the owls lying on the ground.

She stops, reaching out with an ungloved hand, and holds one in her palm, softly singing it and its mates to the sky... She gently lays the owl back down, and stands.......

She raises her hand to the platinum bracer around her neck, stroking the moonstone set there, her eyes filled with pain and rage.....

She tilts her head to the side as a faint whisper comes from the very air.... She listens, then shakes her head, slamming her staff to the rocks again, and whispers back

"How dare you....... How dare you desecrate what is already been desecrated..... How do you know me? The windbringer? He would never have anything to do with you....... And why do I feel I know you?.......Be warned, Wind.......I will not be played with......"</font>

<font color=lightgreen>For Syrathic</font>

<font color=thistle>It is a chamber of impressive size, dimly illumined in places by what seem to be the crushed remnants of glowing stones. The temperature here is cold enough to be uncomfortable and icy patches are present upon the floor and walls. It is the cold, perhaps, that has kept the enormous corpse from rotting quickly. Even in the faint and spotty light of this place the fallen dragon is an impressive sight. The Grimlocks, being sightless, show little concern for the pitiful majesty of the dead beast and perceive it rather as little more than a source of food, a source great enough to have them eating well for some weeks to come. The sound of blades enthusiastically hacking into the corpse and of great slabs of meat falling onto the stone floor has a sickening resonance here and were the chamber fully illumined, such work would present a truly grisly sight. The combination of their erratic movement and the thick shadows here makes it difficult to determine their numbers – two dozen would seem to be a reasonable guess. They are lead by a hulking brute who stands nearly a full seven feet tall. Off to the side there is a noise of jangling chains that is followed by a hard blow and the groaning of what seems to be a gnomish voice.</font>

[ 01-09-2003, 11:34 AM: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ]

OOC: just waiting on a report from our hound killer to start the mayhem. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<font color=indianred>Brendon

Brendon was getting anxious. What if the elf was captured without sound? What if he had been killed, and that the beasts knew of their presence? How would any of them ever know? Brendon began to fidget, and looked around at his companions, trying to discern if they felt the same. </font>

OOC>>>Just posting to suit my appetite. I will not amke any efective moves out of place...but enjoy adding in these little tidbits to pass time.

[ 01-09-2003, 06:26 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

ooc: I have to find out what I see first before I can report it! [img]tongue.gif[/img] But I figured you guys would be used to my late posting times by now! ;)

ic:<font color=lightgreen> Syrathic creeped forward to get a glimpse of what was happening in the cavern ahead. The temperature began to drop the closer he came. The Elf shivered; he did not like the cold and was not dressed appropriately.

He approached and saw that the grimlocks were in a large chamber, lighted by crushed glowing stones. It was not a well-lighted place, but it was enough for the elf to be able to make out objects in the chamber. He could spot patches of ice, here and there; it must be even colder inside the chamber, he thought.

The shadows made it hard to determine the exact number of Grimlocks; there were a lot of them however, and Syrathic guessed there to be about two dozen. But more importantly, he spotted a large form towering over the Grimlocks; it was obviously leading them. "The most dangerous of them all, no doubt. Although I can't imagine that being swarmed by those Grimlocks would be very good either."

In the background to all the noise, he could hear the jangling of chains. Straining to hear, the Elf was able to pick up the sound of a hard blow being delivered, then the groan of a voice; Gnomish it sounded like. The Elf's heart went out to the victim. "The poor guy. Dankorona won't be happy to hear about this. But we've got to do something about it."

He turned his eyes back to the Grimlocks, wondering what they were cutting up. He looked harder, and when he saw, he took a few steps back in horror. "By the gods! That's a Dragon!" For a moment, all the Elf could do was gasp in awe. Finally, he turned away from the grusome sight and went back to the rest of his group.

He kept to the wall, and when he was in sight of his companions, he began to tap on the wall, signalling that he had returned. Syrathic was visibly shaken by what he had seen as he began to describe what he had seen. "They've... killed a Dragon and cutting up its meat and storing it!" he whispered fiercely. "There's about two dozen, maybe more, Grimlocks there at work, that I could see. They're lead by some kind of big brute, taller even than Morguerat! We must take care of him quickly." He paused and looked at Dankorona. "I could also hear the sounds of a Gnome being beaten as well. I dare say that there are more of those hulking brutes around, and when we attack more will come as reinforcements."

Having reported his findings, Syrathic looked to the others to hear their plans. No need to charge in rashly this time. "It's also very cold down there. There's ice patches on the cavern floor, so we'll have to watch our footing as well," he added.</font>

Dantes notices Brendon's impatience and reassures the lad in a low tone.
"Don't worry lad, Syrathic can take care of himself. Besides he's got us for backup."
Dantes tried to sounds reassuring, but he could tell from Brendon's reactions that he was not very successful, so he then attempts to make small talk.
"So Brendon what got you into archery, you seem to be quite the marksman with that bow of yours."
Dantes tried to sounds casual and unworried, but his voice cames out hoarse and weak. Be it the oppressive darkness all around them, or the ominous feeling of a hundred million tons of stone above their heads Dantes could not tell, but he could tell that group getting discouraged and was a little strained from their ordeal thus far. They had been travelling for a while underground without any answers to the questions that brought them there, and they had faced nothing but hazards and potential enemies since begining on their quest, not to mention their healer had wondered off on some quest for his god or something, leaving the party in dire straights as far as healing that may need to be done on them. It didn't take elven eyesight to see that their quest to rid Ironworks of the ravaging hunger was not going well. Dantes could only hope for the best and carry on. He knew going in that this wasn't going to be easy, all he could do was hope and carry on. Hope. . . and carry on. . .

OOC: just messing around a bit [img]tongue.gif[/img]
and nothing against you leaving Cerek I completely understand, I was just RPing from my character's perspective, but I did want to add that I do hope you make it back by the time we wrap this up it is always good RPing with you [img]smile.gif[/img]

<font color="99ff00">OOC: {edit- grumble, posted right after you two...}

IC: After hearing what Syrathic had to say Morguerat could barely hide his cry of outrage, he contained most of it, but some of it managed to escape his lips, more a growl of fury than any discernable words, after being shushed by his companions he questioned them about their next move, with luck and skill on their side they could likely take out several guards without being noticed.

"grr, where's a priest when you need one, a 15' silence spell on an arrow would be a great way to make them invisible to each other, as well as concealing the body..."
</font>

[ 01-09-2003, 07:49 PM: Message edited by: Morgeruat ]

As Brendon tried to respond Syrathic rejoined the party and informed them of all he saw. Dantes' jaw lowered in shock.
"A. . .a dragon. . .grimlocks couldn't possibly have. . . but if they didn't then. . .how. . ."
A million questions shot through Dante's brain as he contemplates the information just given to him. Well at least he knew what the rune was for.
"Well nothing will be answered unless we get a chance to look into that room. Here is the plan I devised. I am going to cast a chaos spell on the grimlocks in the room. Hopefully with the casting of the spell it will turn the argument over food, into a bloody affair, after they have hopefully fought amongst themselves for awhile we can move in and mop up. If that doesn't work I may have afew other tricks up my sleeve. Does anyone have any other suggestions?"

[ 01-09-2003, 08:15 PM: Message edited by: AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe ]

<font color=skyblue>For TAOWolf</font>

<font color=cadetblue>The air in this narrow place grows denser as she speaks, roiling with a malicious complacency. The mocking notes of whispered laughter seem to increase in density as well, striking her ears with an almost palpable thudding and crowding themselves into her intake of breath. Soon even the sound of her voice is muted by the stagnant pocket of wind which absorbs her speech.

<font color=skyblue>A threat! How simply splendid! ..... Yeeeeeeeeees! You are indeed a marvel, woman! O yes! ..... But you fail to see that I have played with you along ..... Ah! It is to laugh! ..... Yes, breathe! By all means breathe, for I am now the air of this place .....</font>

Laughter sounds within her then and the whispers which strike her ears are mirrored by those which sound in mer mind. The voice now speaking within her is a voice old with an age vastly longer than that of the eldest of the living things of this world, and evil with the visceral relentlessness of a darkness that allows not even the possibility of light. There is no goodness at all to be found here only a terrible absence that swallows and destroys. Even the terrible Mage, the one named ‘Larry’, for all his power was not so absolute in his evil as this.

<font color=skyblue>Yes! Now you begin to understand ..... Ah! And such a sweet sound, this screaming outrage within you! O yes! ..... A pity I cannot consume you ..... Still this has been such a wonderful meeting and I must thank you ...... What? You still do not realize? ...... But, of course, how could you be expected to know that the simple taste of your life is all that I require to move forward with this little game of mine ...... Yes, woman, you are very much one who has been played with. O yes! ......</font>

Laughter thunders within her with a sudden fury and throughout the inner forums the lay lines are seized in the grasp of a polluting hatred. The power stolen from the Hunger mingles with the breathing that has been stolen from the woman and extends the corrupting touch of the Devourer into the lay lines, desecrating them.

<font color=skyblue>A splendid game! O yes! ..... Tell me, woman, how quickly would these forums fall into nothingness should I allow the Hunger to reach through these lines? ..... Yes, a truly splendid game. Perhaps we shall play again another day ..... And because you have been so very cooperative, allow me to dispel an illusion of yours. Everything about the Windbringer has to do with me ..... A splendid game indeed!</font>

With a violent spasm, the Wind leaves her lungs and makes its way out into the storm leaving her gasping for breath. The mocking whispers of its laughter, however, linger for some time within her ears and behind her thoughts.</font>

<font color=indianred>Brendon Grey

Brendon listened and pondered. He did not like this at all. But at least they had a decent plan. The chaos spell thrown into the room would surely play to the good of the party, because the grimlocks should all fail the save and begin whipping each other into a pulp. But, there was the concern of the seven foot guy. And what about the live prisoner? They had to save him!

Speaking up, Brendon paid his two cents. "I think that is the only chance we've got...unless the witch over there can come up with another belch for us..."

He was hoping that a smile on such a desperate situation would help take everybody's mind off the hopelessness of it all.

A dragon...a dragon had been killed by these creatures? </font>

Dankorona stares straight into the rock as if his gaze alone could melt the stone. The sounds of the Grimlocks arguing brought back painful memories for the sturdy little gnome. He was not fond of the few memories that remained of his time with the grimlocks. Those memories replayed themslves in his mind as he sat routed to his spot. The mention of a gnome captive was the only thing that brought Dankorona out of his reverie.
"Aye, we need to rescue the gnome, as soon as possible." Dankorona said. With this said he started off toward the door and was only halted when Dantes physically grabbed him and pulled him back.
***********************
Dantes was starled by the gnome's sudden reaction but none the less manages to keep the gnome from betraying their presence. (OOC:hopefully [img]smile.gif[/img] )
"That is right I was getting to that I just wanted to see if their were any objections first. " Dantes clears his throat. "Syrathic and Sir Morgeraut you will need to move into the room to procure the safety of the captive. Brendon Rhianneth and I will cover you from a distance as best we can. You just to need to concentrate to get in there and get out with the captive or captives as soon as possible. I understand you may have trouble opening the lock, that is why Dankorona will accompany you. He will hopefully be able to open the locks and get the captives free. As for the big guy, Brendon to make this work we will need you to target him with an arrow, and if you would be so kind, you too Rhianneth, would target them will a spell, hopefully this will take care of him, at least for a little bit. If you try to stay out of the way of the grimlocks, they should be happy to attack what is closest to them, so be careful. It may or may not work, but considering the options available I think it is the best chance we have. If there are no objections I will await everyone's ready to begin casting."
With his words said Dantes pulls down his cloak of shadows, making him all but invisible to the group, and he quietly makes his way the the mouth of the openeing where he could focus his efforts on the grimlocks.

OOC: whew a long one, if there are any objections to anything in here, or if I went to fast for anyone, i can/will edit for you just let me know [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 01-10-2003, 02:22 AM: Message edited by: AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe ]

<font color=lightgreen>Syrathic listened carefully, but the realm of magic was outside of his understanding for the most part. "I may be able to scout out the area again, and check on our captive. I too have a little skill with locks, so there is no worries there. My main concern is dealing with any enemies that I may come across. I have not the ability to withstand a lot of punishment, although I am able to escape most of it. Perhaps after your Chaos spell, Dantes, when the leader is trying to maintain order, I can sneak past?"

It wasn't just good intentions that led him to this idea. If the big brute or anyone else down there was able to put two and two together, he did not want to be overrun. He struck from the shadows after all, and avoided a frontal conflict when possible.</font>

[ 01-10-2003, 03:26 AM: Message edited by: Lord Starshadow ]

<font color=indianred>Brendon

Brendon listened to the discussions and ideas. It seemed like now was the time to go.

"Alright...I wait to see the Grimlocks overtaken by the spell...then start shooting at the big guy to allow somebody open access to the prisoner.
Right...I'm ready. Let's do this..."

Brendon looks over his shoulder to see if the witch was even listening. She had seemed preoccupied earlier, and he was beginning to doubt her ability to maintain a focus in this dark underworld of death. Was she gonna be alright?</font>

OOC: ok enough time for responses, I am going to try something a little different with this post, bear with me

IC: Dantes waited until everyone was in position until he began his spell. First he produced a disc of bronze and a small iron rod. Holding them in opposite hands he began quietly chanting in the language of magic. The ancient complicated syllables rolled smoothly of Dantes' practiced tongue. The rod began to lightly glow a dark red color as Dantes drew runes with it in the air, and the disc burned a dim bluish color as he gripped it in his opposite hand. Dantes voice rose a little louder and the spell reached its climax, as he slapped the rod against the disc, and both disappeared in a puff of grey smoke. With that the spell was complete. Dantes, and the rest of the group, looked on in eager anticipation to see how it affected the Grimlocks in the other room.

<font color=indianred>Brendon

Before Dantes had cast the spell, Brendon had been looking down the way to see if the witch was alright. He didn't see her at all! He had seen a strange look in her eyes just before all this began, right after thay had taken over the cavernous room less than an hour ago. Now, it had appeared that she had wandered off or something. He was pondering over the strangeness of the magic users disappearing ...first with the cleric...and now the witch...but was interrupted by Dantes' casting of the spell. He heard crackling in the air and lights, and his attention was pulled away from behind him to watch this show.

"Woah! That's a nice looking spell!"

Brendon stood up and began to step forward...

"Am I on yet? Am I covering the gnome or the elf?"</font>

[ 01-11-2003, 09:06 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=lightgreen>Syrathic looked to Dankorona. "Are coming with me? It may be easier for me to get there alone. But I'll not dissuade you if you want to come. I may not be able to protect you if they see you." The Elf planned to be hidden in the shadows the entire way there. With the little light that was down there, it would be easy for him to hide from the sight of the big brute. He just hoped that the Grimlocks would be too busy with themselves to notice him as he went by.

He took a place by the cavern wall and waited to see what affect Dantes' spell had. With a wave of his arm, the Elf's cloak wrapped around him and he was hidden from view. He was ready; but it was not quite his time to move.</font>

*waiting for the spell to take effect before I go in slicing (2-handed sword I used earlier), I'll attempt to dispatch any grimlocks that make their save as well as protecting our sniper (Brendon)*

[ 01-13-2003, 10:11 AM: Message edited by: Morgeruat ]

OOC>>>When given the "go" signal, I will be rushing in ahead of Syrathic and the gnome if they are going together, and will place myself close enough to see the big seven-foot guy, and will attempt to get his attention or bring him down. I will expect the DM to decide how close I have to be to see clearly in the dark...because the DM already knows how far away my arrows can reach. I would like back-up...if my arrows do not bring him down fast enough. My melee combat skills may not be enough to protect myself! Syrathic...after you get the prisoner freed...I'd like you to check in on me, if nobody else has me covered. ;)

<font color=skyblue>She sheathes her sword, and grabs her head, falling against the cold rock wall, as a voice whispers mocking thru her head…. She drops to her knees as the runes on her body begin to glow fiercely in the darkness of the tunnel…..

She tries to speak, but the sound is sucked out of her…. She lifts her head, eyes shining a brilliant purple/silver and tries to scream in outrage…

Recognition sparks in her eyes as she listens, and she tries to scream “NO”…. but no sound comes forth, and she is forced to continue listening to the evil whisper…

Laughter thunders through her being, and she violently shakes her head back and forth, trying to deny what the wind is telling her…. She is outraged as she feels the ley lines being desecrated by this evil thing, and she fights to scream….

Her body spasms, and the wind is gone, leaving her gasping for precious clean air…. She shakes her head in disbelief that the windbringer is the one that brought this evil thing here, and that she fell for this trap. She can still hear the mocking laughter in the back of her mind, and tries to ignore it as she picks up her staff and hurries down the tunnel, all the while trying to think of a way to clean the ley lines, and restore her lost power. As she runs she gains energy by reaching into one of her pouches and popping herbs into her mouth……</font>

OOC: Well Dankorona is a 3/3 theif/illusionist, so I figured he could maybe help with the lock. Brendon is to focus his initial arrows on the big guy, he probably will make the save. Morgy do what you suggested, i think that will work well. Brendon after your first hit focus on taking the big guy down, then focus on killing anyone that comes near those trying to rescue the prisoner. We need him alive. We await Cyril's post on the grimlocks reaction to the spell to let the fun begin. Remember, Dantes was a battle mage in his younger days ;)

EDIT: again my poor spelling

[ 01-13-2003, 12:40 PM: Message edited by: AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe ]

OOC>>>Azrael
1. Thanks for the info...I will plan my strategy by your recommendation.

2. If you are referring to Mistral...she has taken on a new job that has her free time sapped away. Her heart is with us, but unfortunately...she can not be at this time. Cyril and I tried to create a way out for her, or a temporary M.I.A. status in our previous posts. If you were not referring to Mistral...then I dunno wut yer talkin' 'bout.

[ 01-13-2003, 05:07 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

OOC: It is definitely understandable though quite lamentable that we have dwindled down to but 5 players. I hope everything goes well for you both, if you stop in here to see this, and there will be a place for you here if you are able to return. maybe we should look to pick up a player or two, but I will leave that up to our DM to decide. and I will delete these posts after a little bit

[ 01-13-2003, 06:25 PM: Message edited by: AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe ]

<font color=silver>ooc: My apologies for the delay in posting. We've been having network trouble out this way and only just seem to have gotten reliable internet access back. I should have a couple posts up tonight between 8 and 9 pm.</font>

ooc: No prob, Cyril. We have problems like that sometimes. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Azrael, if Dankorona is going to come with me, confirm it. It would probably make things more interesting if he came, though. ;)

Larry, I'll check in on you after securing the prisoner.

Dankorona heeded the mages advice. he knew a little of Dantes history, and had much faith that the mage would help them overcome their current situation. He knew his task in the mission. Dankorona pulled out his set of lock picks and blew the dust off of them. He knew he hadn't picked a lock in a long time, but this was something he must do. If there were gnomes captive, he would free them. Dankorona took his place next to the ranger, and prepared to move quickly to procure the safety of the captive.
OOC: Dankorona is the closest thing we have to a theif and he is only level 3, but hopefully he can get the chains off the captive so you can get them back to the safety of the group. we aren't out to really kill, all the grimlocks per say, but more focused on rescuing the captive.

<font color=plum>For Dantes</font>

<font color=thistle>The movement of magic is a curious thing. Eye and ear cannot follow its progress and it has no tangibility to stimulate touch in its passing. Beyond the grasp of the senses it moves and yet its movement touches the things that are the objects of the senses, touches them and changes them. Eyes watching the mage see a rod and a disk brought together only to disappear into a sudden manifestation of smoke. But even as the mage’s presentation of rod and disk and smoke reaches the eyes of his companions, ears and noses and skin elsewhere receive suddenly confused perceptions as if the world itself had overturned and the accustomed markers by which one orients himself have vanished. How and when the magic of this spell arrived into cavern even the eyes of the mage who cast it cannot see, but his eyes and ears can surely see and hear that it has arrived. There is the sound of tool clattering to the floor and the sickening thud of a weapon against flesh. There are the listless sounds of footsteps shuffling without direction and the noise of battle cries. Chaos reigns within the area.

<font color=silver>ooc: At least a dozen, possibly more grimlocks have been affected by the spell. There also seem to be a few that have clearly not been affected. The large grimlock has been affected – the spell seems to have produced a truly murderous rage within him. It is impossible to tell from your present vantage point whether the prisoner[s] and guard[s] have been affected.</font>

<font color=indianred>Brendon

That was all the signal he needed, and it was time to move before the show got carried away. Brendon ran at a stealthy speed into the cavern, and observed what was going on. A dim light was all that lit the place from some unknown source, and it was hard to see very far away, but it was evident that not all the small grimlocks had been effected by the spell and that the big one had been. He was running around, doing more harm to the others than had hoped for!

Brendon thought about changing the battle plan. Should he shoot the ones that were not affected by the spell? Should he take out the big one? Well...that was what was expected of him, and he heard the others coming into place. Any moment, the gnome and elf would be making their way to the sight of the prisoner...wherever that was in this gloom...and free him. Their biggest threat was a seven-foot threat...even if he was under the spell's influence. Brendon saw his shot of opportunity as the big guy came into the light a bit. He aimed and fired...</font>

OOC>>>I am having difficulty trying to role-play in a completely lightless world, and since the other gamers are having more of an easy time than I am seeing...I am going to assume that their is a small torch light or some type of natural light from phosphorus rock or something that allows me just enough limited visibility to aim and shoot. I am aiming at big-daddy's chest area...but if he has his back to me, then it is his back and not his chest. I do not want to decide if the Grimlock is facing me in order to get a shot to the chest in...so...do what you wanna do!

ooc: There is some light in that cavern. So there is something to see by. By the way, Azrael, Syrathic is a thief; a Swashbuckler. He spent some time with Rangers, and that's why I would bring it up.

<font color=lightgreen>Syrathic watched as Dantes' spell took affect. It sounded like a good number of grimlocks were affected, and from the way the large brute was going after his fellows, it looked like it had been affected as well. "That's us, gnome. Follow the wall if you can, and don't get seen," he whispered harshly at the gnome. The gnome jumped slightly, as he could no longer see the Elf.

Syrathic moved quickly in the direction of the prisoner as Brendon moved forward to shoot at the large brute. He moved as stealthily as he could, hoping to stay out of the way of the now unpredictable grimlocks. His duty was now the prisoner, and not the battle going on in the cavern.

The Elf hoped Dankorona was keeping up and staying out of sight. He did not want to lose his cover because the gnome was spotted. Syrathic was determined to save the prisoner before he even thought of fighting.

He stopped before he reached the where the prisoner was being kept and looked in cautiously. He needed to know what was in there first before he could make a plan to do anything. Luckily, Dankorona's short gnome legs had not been able to keep up with the swift Elf, and Syrathic had time to think before the gnome would arrive at his spot.</font>

<font color=silver>ooc: No problem, Larry. [img]graemlins/blueblink.gif[/img] </font>

OOC: my bad I totaly thought Syrathic was just a ranger *AzRaeL bows deeply and offers a humble apology* though I must say that the gnome would follow anyway just for pride's sake, him thinking there is a fellow gnome in there captive.

Dantes watches as the spell takes effect, and complete chaose erupts in the cavern. Dantes pauses but a moment to survey the cavern before rolling his tongue once again in the mysterious language of magic. The spell rolls so easily off his practiced tongue, and in almost no time at all a fireball erupts from Dantes outstretched fingers, heading for the center of the grimlock hoard.
*********************************
Dankorona ducks his head and fades back into the shadow nearest him. He wasn't the best theif in the world, but he was a native of this lightless realm, and he was little, and used to not being seen. His insatiable anger led him onward, as he had faith his mates would watch his back, was his faith misplaced? He had yet to see. . . .

<font color="99ff00">Hearing the distinct twang of a bowstring loosing it's feathered charges Morguerat rushed in, his massive blade glowing a very dim blue. Since his ordeal with the Mod Mage and gaining a small amount of arcane spellcasting power he recognised some of the whispered words, Pyros in particular caught his ear, throwing himself to the ground and rolling to the left he hoped that whatever explosive effect the spell caused would pass him by, it was only when he stopped rolling that he realised his sword was nearly a dozen feet away, where he had dropped it when he began rolling</font>

[ 01-15-2003, 01:54 PM: Message edited by: Morgeruat ]

<font color=indianred>For Brendon</font>

<font color=thistle>Even in the dim light and shadows of this place, the large grimlock is a truly formidable sight, noticeable easily within the surrounding chaos by both his size and his ferocity. Already his great axe has felled two of his companions and his frenzied bloodlust shows no sign of being satisfied. So consuming is his rage that at first he fails to notice the deep bit of an arrow into his side or the second arrow that flies just past him. The strike of another arrow, however, fully attracts his attention and he turns in the direction of his attacker. Even as he does so there is an explosion of fire that fills the area around the fallen dragon. Perhaps if he were not struck by the arrows he might have endured the pain of the fire, but as it is he screams as he steps forward and then his burning body falls limply to the floor. The air is heavy with the stink of the burning flesh of grimlock and dragon.

<font color=lightgreen>For Syrathic</font>

There are three prisoners here, two of them unconscious and the third bracing himself to receive a killing blow from the guards’ axes. Two grimlocks tower over the gnomes clearly intent upon killing them. The intense heat of the fireball distracts them, however, and they turn in the direction of their screaming fellows.

<font color=lime>For Morguerat and Dantes</font>

The chaos is total. The combination of sounds, smells and heat has thoroughly disoriented even those grimlocks that were not affected by the spell.</font>

<font color=silver>ooc: There are 2 grimlocks near the prisoners. The leader and 10 others were killed by the fireball. 8 others remain alive, 3 of them still under the affects of the chaos spell.

The initiate is still with the party as the surprise and disorientation are total.</font>

Dankorona had a number of nervous habits, including stinking his hand in his pockets and talking to himself at times. This was definitely a nervous time for the gnome. Sneaking through a room full of chaotic grimlocks, with fireballs exploding around him and he could see now 3 prisoners that he had to save. The little gnome's hands strayed to his pockets, and he found an item that he had not thought about for a long time. he found a ring he had picked up earlier. It was amazing that the little ring had stayed in his pocket all this time, but there were more important things to think about at the current moment. Almost without thinking the ring slipped on to his finger, surprisingly a perfect fit for his small gnomish hands. The ring was quickly forgotten as he caught up to syrathic, and prepared to rescue the grimlock's poor prisoners.

OOC:cyril I sent a reply back [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 01-15-2003, 08:49 PM: Message edited by: AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe ]

OOC:sorry i'm so out of it!!!!!! hard for me to catch up somedays...er weeks!

IC:ruby hangs to the back of the group keeping wyrd by her side. pulling the mysterious, egotistical sword, she breathes deep hoping she made the right decision. *i have drawn you out, i will honor you with this fight.*

[ 01-19-2003, 10:16 AM: Message edited by: RevRuby ]

<font color=indianred>Brendon Grey

Brendon shouted in happiness for the victory. It went something like this: "Hell yeah!" He then grabbed at another arrow, and aimed at another target. He shot the missle, reloaded and shot another arrow at the grimlock standing beside the first one. He then moved on, heading in the direction of the dragon-corpse. He wanted to sneak a close-up glance at such a magnificient creature...dead or not...it was still an awsome sight to see.</font>

<font color=lightgreen>Syrathic was surprised by what he saw. Instead of just one prisoner and one guard, as he had hoped, there were instead three prisoners and two guards. "What do you do now, Syrathic?" he asked himself.

In the cavern, the sounds of battle filled the darkness. The elf heard the twang of Brendon's bow and the chaos of the spell-affected grimlocks. Suddenly, an explosion rocked the cavern, shocking most everyone it didn't kill. Even Syrathic jumped. The two guards noticed as well, and turned away from delivering the killing blow to one of the gnomes. "Here's your chance,"
he told himself.

He quickly formed a hasty plan and prayed that it would work. The elf, still hidden from view, snuck behind the nearest guard and struck him from behind with his blades. He hoped for a killing blow here, so that he would only have to deal with one guard. He could then dash out and bring that guard into the din of the cavern, where help would be waiting. This would free up Dankorona to free the prisoners and get them out of harm's way. Of course, if both guards stayed alive, they might not both chase him, and that would make things more complicated.</font>