[Balgin]

The Short Party stomped into yet another dead end room. Sigurd snorted in derison. Did the followers of the serpent "goddess" who lay crumpled and defeated realy think they could defeat a Stout war party with such a simple trick? Honestly, some of these snake cults had no sense of originality. Behind him he heard the shuffling of booted feet as his companions blundered into the chamber. Ragnar was breathing hard, a side effect of the venom that had been recently coursing through his veins (not to mention supporting most of Dana's wounded bulk with his shoulder).Almaric sniffed at the rank and foetid air, preparing to send another ball of glaring fire to burn heatlessly around and about his friends bringing light into the dark places.

"They won't escape us," snarled Urwena," we'll catch 'em and teach 'em how ter die!" Sigurd found himself wandering how anyone related to Balgin could be so bloodthirsty (especially for a member of Clan Stondraeg) and began to realise why Balgin stayed away from home so often (probably just to keep out of his wifes way). Maerna sighed as she spotted her defensive enchantments begining to weaken, soon the party would be vulnerable again and she'd have to wreath them about elemental shields once again. The old stout maxim was definately true : "Stone is Strong".

"Lever" gasped Ragnar,"lever!"
"What's he on about?" mumbled Almaric as he reached for the phosporous dust.
"Nothing" answered Dana," he's probably halucinating from the after effects of the poison". She reached out her hand gratefuly as Sigurd offered her a fourth healing potion, "Thanks" she managed before ripping the stopper out with her teeth.
"Leveryelled Ragnar,"lever,lever,lever!" His finger pointed desparately at the opposite wall.

Shortly afterwards there was a flurry of light as Almaric had managed to produce illumination and a lever was indeed revealed. Urwena looked up,"Another bloody lift" she swore. They settled down for a while in order for Dana to administer more healing and then began a council of war. There was obviously something at the top of that lift shaft, and chances where that that something was a step nearer to the mysterious face of death that they sought. This didn't sound good, it could be tough and they'd run out of bloodlust potions (anything would fight to get that taste out of it's mouth), the fact that they'd sold them all earlier to purchase poison antidotes did nothing to calm Urwena's temper.Eventually they decided to ride the lift to it's top and see what they would find (fully tanked up on Bless, Haste, Armoured Realm and Repel for Almaric and Maerna- the two heavy duty spell casters). Besides Dana the Priestess didn't like the constant hissing of all those lift shafts echoing up the tunnel behind them, it sounded too much like the breathing of some gargantuan, sleeping reptile.

With a lurch the lift began it's upwards ascent when an oppening appeared through which they could plainly see a burning brazier from which the fumes of almost spent incense emanated. They knew that place well.

"Go, go, go!" roared Sigurd hurling the wounded Dana ahead of himself. With a startled undescribably indignant sound she ran. Ragnar and Urwena followed at an alarming pace ("How come they never charge that fast?" thought Sigurd,"they always seem to keep pace unless some great danger is near, must be the training". He smiled at his companies professionalism). Almaric and Maerna followed, faint whisps of magical energy (or was it just condensing sweat and urine? They never found out). and Sigurd found himself alone in the rising lift. Urwena reached backwards to help Maerna leap the gap and then Sigurd's mind went blank, he practised the ancient Stout art of developing tunnel vision, seeing a desired target and going straight for it. He felt his shoulder slam into the side of the doorway, the impact almost sent him spining off balance, he couldn't feel his legs runing any morebut hoped that they where still moving. Bent double to avoid being decapitated by the passing wall he hurtled forwards into the waiting arms of Ragnar and Almaric. He was breathing hard, maybe he should pack this in and go back to the mines, yes, he had a nephew who was getting fed up with working stone, thought a bit too much of himself for his own good. But no, he had to carry on, look after this bunch of helpful associates. They needed his expertise and experience, he needed their young alert senses. Pushing himself upright he swayed slightly, his friends rushed to support him but he waved them away. Clearing his throat he proudly declared that," My friends, it is finally time to go back to town and visdit the temple" (Dana muttered that he didn't look that bad and that his shoulder wasn't dislocated or broken or anything) but he continued "for it is time to see if they've finally realised that I've already prayed at Kerah's alter as any devout adventurer would".

P.S. They didn't and made him do it again therefore this quests isn't like the Ninja quest in that you can do it before you get it. Hence he had to pray there twice, once prior to recieving the quest and once after. You'd have thought that the clerics'd give you some special bonus for proving you're faith without being asked but that's beurocracies for you.

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Balgin, the Dwarf